Banquet Glances and Secret Notes
"Let us give thanks for being able to share this meal under your love today."
I closed my eyes and recited the prayer. Saying grace before meals was something I was used to by now. I even did it when eating alone, so it was only natural. Normally, I prayed silently in my heart, but today I spoke it aloud. The reason was simple—this wasn't a meal for one.
Today was the monthly banquet at the Saintess Training Institute, where everyone gathered in one place to dine. Lately, I'd been so focused on the apprentice saintesses that I'd completely forgotten about events like this.
During the banquet, there were no distinguished seats; everyone sat together at a long table. It symbolized that all were equal under the saintess's love... but why did Teresa have to end up right next to me?
"Mr. Theo."
Teresa's voice called from my right.
"Y-yes...?" Speak of the devil.
"Could you pass the water pitcher, please?"
"Ah, yes. Here you go."
I handed over the pitcher as calmly and normally as possible. It wasn't that I found Teresa unpleasant or awkward to be around. I just didn't want to draw any attention. Especially not in a public setting like this, with everyone together.
Teresa filled her glass, then passed the pitcher back as she spoke.
"Has something happened with Ms. Claudia lately?"
"Keh, kehek. Cough, ahem."
Things were starting to feel awkward with Teresa.
"Sorry about that. Something caught in my throat. Er... nothing in particular. Why do you ask...?"
Fortunately, she didn't seem to be asking out of suspicion.
"Ms. Claudia has been stealing glances this way ever since the banquet started."
Teresa's fork subtly pointed across to the right, where Ms. Claudia sat—about four seats diagonally from me.
I turned my head at her words and caught Ms. Claudia peeking at me furtively.
"......"
Caught red-handed, she said nothing, just bowed her head with cheeks flushed bright red. She was going to end up with her nose in her plate at this rate.
"W-well, maybe it's not me she's looking at. Maybe it's you, Ms. Teresa...?"
"Hm..."
Teresa didn't seem convinced by my words.
"Do you really think so?"
Her follow-up question confirmed it. That was definitely the look of someone harboring suspicions. A little scary, even.
"Yes. Absolutely."
That was the best I could manage.
Have I been too careless lately?
...I should probably be even more cautious than I already am.
In any case, with Teresa planted firmly on my right, if Ms. Claudia kept peeking so obviously, it could arouse suspicions.
Come to think of it... yesterday, Ms. Claudia had said she wanted to meet again today. Not in person, but through a message via Ms. Lucia. Since Ms. Claudia had asked first, I'd had to tell Ms. Aria it would be difficult.
Speaking of which, maybe I should just glance around for Ms. Lucia. If possible, I'd like to meet her briefly after the banquet and ask why she was looking for me.
With so few people, it wasn't hard to spot her. She was sitting with Ms. Aria, quite far away on the opposite left side. Her expression looked a bit serious—maybe tense.
They seemed to be talking, but of course, I couldn't hear them from here.
It was hard to focus on the food in this situation, but since it was a banquet with everyone gathered, I should at least eat something. With that thought, I picked up my fork and reached for my plate.
"...Huh?"
There had definitely been meatloaf on this plate just a moment ago. Now, all I saw was the white porcelain bottom and some brown sauce.
Just then, a highly suspicious sound came from my left. I turned to look.
A nun who taught languages had been sitting there, but now Ms. Serena occupied the seat, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk's.
Brown sauce—familiar from my plate—smeared around her mouth.
She chewed vigorously, then finally swallowed with a loud gulp.
"Ms. Serena...?"
"Ah, busted."
She scratched her head with an sheepish grin, then leaned toward me and whispered.
"It's my absolute favorite dish, so I asked to switch seats on the sly."
She really was unpredictable.
"If it wasn't enough, you could have just asked for more."
"It's fine! I'm stuffed now."
She patted her belly lightly and beamed.
"Wanna feel?"
"Ah... no, thank you. I'll pass."
Even as a joke, accepting that offer might get my neck wrung by the tiger next to me.
"Ms. Serena. You have sauce around your mouth."
The tiger—or rather, Teresa—spoke from my left again. Whether she'd noticed the seat switch before me or was just unfazed by Serena's antics, her tone was perfectly even.
Crash!
A sharp clattering sound suddenly rang out, like something shattering.
Serena, Teresa, and I all turned toward the noise.
It was Ms. Claudia's seat.
It sounded like a glass or plate had broken, but thankfully, it was just a water glass hitting the floor.
Ms. Claudia bowed repeatedly to those around her in apology, then bent to pick it up—glancing my way again as she did.
What on earth is she imagining? Her face was flushed enough to look plenty suspicious.
She kept looking this way, and Teresa was bound to get the wrong idea. Not just that, but was there any way to delay my appointment with Ms. Claudia a bit?
It had been a while since my last meeting with Ms. Lucia, after all. I'd seen Ms. Claudia just last night, so... she could hold out a little, right?
But with Teresa watching, I couldn't approach during the banquet.
Teresa... Teresa. Right, Teresa.
Sorry, Ms. Claudia, but this time, I'll use Teresa a little.
"Ms. Teresa."
"Yes?"
"During yesterday's checkup, I noticed... Ms. Claudia seems to lack exercise."
"I thought so too. She looks like she's put on a bit of weight lately."
I figured Teresa would agree with something like that.
"Her posture isn't great, and her basic stamina seems below average... The weather's nice today, so I was hoping you could help with that."
Meaning, take her for a walk and wear her out completely. At least enough that she won't come looking for me right after the banquet.
"Hm... She did stop midway through a walk yesterday. Understood."
Maybe because it was about exercise, she nodded without a hint of suspicion.
Sorry, Ms. Claudia. But since we met yesterday, I believe you can hold out a little longer. In return, next time, I'll make it really good for you. I promise.
Then, a voice called from behind me—not from the right or left.
"Um... Teacher."
I knew who it was just from the voice.
"Ms. Lucia?"
Sure enough, Ms. Lucia stood there, with Ms. Aria beside her. They held a large basket, from which a savory aroma wafted.
"We baked pies with Aria to share with everyone at the banquet."
Ms. Lucia smiled warmly and took out an individually wrapped pie. Ms. Aria behind her handed one to Teresa as well.
"Ah, thank you. I'll enjoy it."
I'd barely touched the banquet food, but this smelled delicious.
As I reached for the pie from Ms. Lucia, Ms. Serena piped up from the side.
"Your hand's shaking like crazy, Lucia?"
"Th-the pie's hot, that's all."
Ms. Lucia mumbled an excuse in a small voice, quickly handed over the pie, and hurriedly pulled her hand back to grip the basket handle tight.
A tempting apple scent rose from the pie, which wasn't all that hot.
"Serena, this isn't your seat. You should go back."
Meanwhile, Ms. Serena—who had switched seats—had been caught by Ms. Aria and was in danger of being dragged away.
"Eh, uh... well, since we can sit wherever anyway, it's fine, right? R-right?"
She tried to laugh it off awkwardly, but that wouldn't fly with Ms. Aria.
"Sitting casually doesn't mean switching seats to be picky with your food."
In the end, Ms. Serena was dragged up by Ms. Aria. It gave me a sense of déjà vu from yesterday—though the roles were reversed.
She ended up reluctantly joining the pie distribution with the other two.
As I watched, I unwrapped my pie and found a small note tucked inside.
I glanced at Teresa, then carefully pulled out the note and unfolded it.
Suddenly, the image of Ms. Lucia's tense expression from earlier came to mind. She'd been talking with Ms. Aria. Was this about the note?
The neatly folded paper bore a short message in tidy handwriting. This was definitely Ms. Lucia's script.
'If it's alright with you, I'd like to meet briefly after the banquet. I'll wait in the hallway.'
...Alright. That settled it. Next up: Ms. Lucia.