Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Teasing Grace at the Dessert Cafe
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I created the club without much thought, and honestly, it was basically just for fun, but we still had to do some actual work, right?
Of course, nothing difficult about it.
"Lady Grace, what kind of dessert do you like best?"
"...Just any ordinary kind is fine."
"Hehe, is that so?"
We were all supposed to come together originally, but somehow, it ended up just the two of us today.
Ella had gone back to the dormitory first because she hadn't finished her homework, and Karen, being a third-year, had a slightly different academy life from us, so she couldn't make it.
Nordal was around too, but... she said she had some studying to do and didn't come.
"Why do I have to come to a place like this with you...?"
"Because we're in the same club, right? There's nothing special going on, but skipping out isn't an option."
"...Tch."
Grace clicked her tongue, making it obvious she wasn't happy.
Truth be told, Grace had originally planned to bail as well... but when I casually brought up Karen as an excuse, she got mad and came along herself.
It really wasn't a big deal. I just lightly mentioned that Karen hates liars and much prefers honest people... and since she herself had said she had nothing going on.
Unlike Ivana Nordal, Grace's patterns were easy to read, which was really convenient.
I had started the club, but things with Ivana Nordal were still a bit... awkward.
"Hehe."
"What are you laughing about now?"
"Hmm... nothing?"
"You're in a bad mood."
"Is that so?"
Especially since Grace had been consistently treating me the same way lately, it made things even more comfortable.
At least she wasn't flip-flopping like Nordal.
Sometimes she'd suddenly approach me for a spar, but lately she hadn't, so this was definitely easier.
"Personally, I like all kinds of sweet desserts. I love cute ones like this Mont Blanc, and bigger ones like Baumkuchen too."
"...So what?"
"I'm just saying. We're here to write a report today, aren't we?"
"...Tch."
Of course, more than half the members weren't present for this activity, but the real reason Grace and I came to the dessert cafe today was exactly that.
To plan a dessert cafe-related business and write a report on it.
Honestly, just knowing the popular desserts among academy students lately would probably suffice, but it was also a good excuse to eat some tasty desserts.
"So, Lady Grace, what do you like? Everything you're telling me now will go into the report."
"...Write whatever."
"Hmm... If you say that, then next time you come here with Older Sister Karen, she'll be in a real bind."
"What?"
"She's a bit introverted, after all. She'll probably agonize over your answer and struggle to pick a menu for you."
I said it with a smile.
Whenever Grace was uncooperative, bringing up Karen almost always solved it.
"Of course, you'd treat me differently from how you treat Older Sister Karen... but if you acted toward her the same way you do with me... she might get really hurt?"
"...You."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Fine. Just... order an apple pie."
"Oh my. That's... a bit modest? I was expecting something flashier and bigger."
I was genuinely a little surprised.
I might be teasing Grace like this now, but she came from a count family, and her position in the family was even higher than Karen's.
I figured her favorite desserts or menu items would match that—something more extravagant and expensive.
Apple pie of all things.
"Quiet. Just place the order."
"What about a drink? Last time Older Sister Karen came here with you, she definitely..."
"Milk tea."
"Oh my."
"...Just order quickly!"
"Yes, yes. Got it. Apple pie and milk tea for you?"
It was pretty amusing how she knew Karen's favorite menu like it was obvious.
She definitely had a serious sister complex.
It made sense that her attitude toward me and toward Karen was so different, but she only acted that way with Karen and never with anyone else.
After placing the order, we returned to our seats.
As I sat back down, I saw Grace intently studying the menu, going over each item one by one.
"Lady Grace."
"...What."
"Why are you looking at the menu so seriously?"
"...You don't need to know."
"I'm just curious."
I asked with a beaming smile, but I already had a rough idea anyway.
Wasn't she thinking about what menu to order next time with Karen, or what to recommend to her?
That was my guess.
"I was just looking at the menu. So what?"
"We already ordered, so why look at the menu now?"
"...Mind your own business."
"You're too much."
I wasn't actually hurt, but acting this way seemed like it would appeal more to Grace and make conversation easier.
Lately, I'd been teasing her too much anyway.
"But Lady Grace, when are you planning to come back here with Older Sister Karen?"
"We're coming this weekend... Why are you asking?"
"Hmm... Can't I be curious? Is that not allowed?"
"Yeah. Not allowed."
"Hmm... Then I'll have to sneakily ask Older Sister Karen when we're alone next time."
"......"
The moment she heard that, she glared at me again.
Her reactions were just... so cute and fun.
She had a completely different personality and responses from everyone else around us, which made it really entertaining.
I'd teased Lize a lot in the past and even recently, but... she never reacted like this.
When Lize got even a tiny bit sulky from my teasing, she wouldn't glare like Grace; she'd just give me a troubled look, soft and hesitant.
"Hmm... Come to think of it, I don't have many recent memories of just hanging out with Older Sister Karen alone. This time... spending the weekend playing with her sounds fun."
"...Why say that in front of me?"
"I'm just saying we might hang out alone this weekend?"
"...Hey."
"What's wrong? I'm not planning anything bad with Older Sister Karen. You're being too harsh."
"Urk..."
She didn't have a comeback. What I said was literally just about hanging out and having fun.
Of course, our sister-complex Lady Grace seemed overly worried about her sister in every way.
Was it because I usually just slept and fooled around in class at the academy... making her think I was some delinquent?
I'd never done anything to Karen or Grace, so it was a bit unfair, but rather than clear up the misunderstanding, I focused on teasing.
"Hmm... Oh."
"What now."
Karen really was someone worth worrying about, but Grace took it to another level.
That was why I decided to tease her about it this time.
"Do you know about that new cafe that opened inside the campus recently?"
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Unlike here, it doesn't have a wide open space with tables... It's rooms where you can spend time quietly and privately with your group."
"...What?"
It wasn't a lie; it really opened not long ago.
It was one of the businesses I'd planned and managed before, so I knew about it well.
"Open places like this make it hard to talk freely, so they made it for quiet, private time."
I'd just copied the concept of room cafes from my past life.
There were inns, of course, but using an inn during the day felt a bit off.
You could rest at one, but renting an inn room just for a short daytime nap was wasteful, and entering an inn during the day... well, it gave off certain vibes, right?
Plus, most cafes were too open for business talks, so I'd planned the room cafe business on purpose.
Though I'd handed it off to someone else now.
"I'm doing a report on dessert cafes this time, and since a new style came out, wouldn't it be good to visit at least once?"
"Y-you..."
"We have to submit one report a month, so I was thinking of going with Older Sister Karen to experience it and submit quickly."
I said that and smiled at Grace again.
I could fill the report without going, but teasing Grace was just too fun.
Plus, I really hadn't hung out alone with Karen recently?
"It might be nice to play with Older Sister Karen over the weekend and stop by there. What do you think?"
"You...!"
"Why?"
"W-what are you going to do with my sister in there...!"
"What do you think I'm going to do with Older Sister Karen in a cafe?"
It had always been like this—why did she see me as some bad guy?
Grace often treated me like a thug straight out of a comic.
You know, the stereotypical... blonde tanned delinquent? Something like that.
Of course, minus the blonde hair, no tan, and definitely not a delinquent, so it didn't fit at all.
"Hmm... I really just want to hang out casually with Older Sister Karen and submit the report... You're worrying too much."
"........"
"If you're that worried, why don't you come along with us this weekend, Lady Grace?"
"What?"
"If you're there watching, there won't be any problem, right?"
At my suggestion and question, Grace stared into my eyes without answering.
Pondering? Worried? Hard to tell.
Her expression and gaze mixed various thoughts, but at least it seemed more likely she'd come along than not.