Urgently Recruiting Baking Club Members! (1)
I'd heard Theo's pitch and followed him along, but now that I was chewing over the words "baking club," it just felt off.
"Hey, dude, what's a guy doing in a baking club?"
"Huh? Isn't it perfect because you're a guy? If a dude joined something like a hunting club, that would stand out."
"Oh, yeah. True."
Right. This world was the total opposite of what I knew. I shrugged at Theo, who was eyeing me like I was the weird one.
"So, Aren, no interest?"
"Pass."
"Aw, I was hoping we'd do it together..."
Theo deflated, staring pathetically at the sign-up sheet. Hold up, I thought. But mulling it over, something felt wrong. The original protagonist suddenly recruiting club members? This screamed academy cliché—heroines gathering around the protag.
Should I join, then? If things played out like I expected, I had two options: stay out and watch from afar, or dive in and keep a close eye. The first was easier, but riskier. I didn't know the full story, after all. Better to keep them all in one place under my watch.
"...Nah. Screw it, let's do it."
"For real?!"
Theo lit up the second I decided. I signed the sheet on the spot, and he practically melted with gratitude. What a pure kid.
"By the way, Aren, you ever baked bread or cookies or anything?"
"Dude, why ask something so obvious?"
I raised my voice a notch as we crossed the hall. Theo winced.
"S-sorry. I mean, you seem like you could do anything... "
"Like hell I have."
"Take back my apology."
Take it back? Your bad for assuming, idiot. Why would I be good at something fiddly like baking? Tsk.
"Anyway, even if I said yes, how were you planning to fill the other three spots?"
"Got it covered! With your help, it'll work out for sure."
"My help?"
What the hell? Unease bubbled up just as Theo crossed his arms proudly.
"Cardboard box booth for promo!"
"......"
That was his big plan? Laughable, but so very Theo. I played along.
＊
Tiabel strolled the crowded hall amid club recruitment chaos.
- Kya!
Suddenly, pale green lights zipped around her. She chided them gently.
"Selphin, I told you not to pop out like that."
- Uuu...? Kya!
Selphin, the wind spirit. Tiabel got along with others, but Selphin clung to her hardest—sneaking out of the spirit realm just to see her. A stray breeze? Selphin's signal.
Man, I miss Aren.
Even with her dear friend nearby, Tiabel longed for one face: Aren. Her cheeky bodyguard picked fights and pranked her endlessly, but no one brought her joy like him.
Should I go find him now?
She'd debated it. Back at the Roze Tail mansion, she'd have bolted straight to him. But here at the academy, she wanted to give him space. He was starting classes today—making new friends in their class, bonding. Interfering felt petty, as lady or girl.
Though imagining him chatting happily with other girls... no thanks.
She pouted, a twinge of possessiveness hitting her—
"Hey, miss!"
"A-Aren...?!"
A familiar voice from the side startled her. She whipped around to find him in a rickety cardboard booth. Right on cue, like magic. Wonder and joy bloomed in her.
"Aren, you learning magic now too?"
"What're you on about?"
"Nothing."
Maybe he'd heard her thoughts? Nah, probably not. She shook off the disappointment when another voice cut in.
"Uh, hi."
"Hm? Who're you...?"
Brown hair, pretty face. Kinda familiar. Tiabel tilted her head.
"This is Theo—the guy I rescued yesterday. Sat next to me at the entrance ceremony, hit it off. We're dorm roommates now."
"Oh, that guy."
Aren's intro jogged her memory. During the ceremony, when the top student was called up, she'd noticed someone chatting cozy with Aren from the next seat. This was him.
"I'm Theo. Heard a lot about you. You're Lady Tiabel Roze Tail, right?"
"Just call me Tiabel. No formalities at the academy, right?"
"Ah, got it. Then... Roze Tail miss?"
She'd meant drop the honorifics entirely, but whatever—he seemed comfy. No need to push.
"So, what're you two up to?"
More importantly: what was with the shoddy booth?
"This? Theo wants a baking club. Just us two so far—need three more."
"Baking club?"
She'd guessed from the booth, but hearing it confirmed surprised her.
"Never pegged you for that, Aren."
"Eh... not not interested. I'd snag your cookies sometimes, right?"
"True, you did."
Aren wasn't a cookie fiend like her, but he'd munch when peckish. That sparked something—a zap in her brain.
What if I baked for him? Would he like that?
Never crossed her mind at the mansion—servants handled it. But now? She felt game. She'd always loved delicate work like tending flowerbeds.
And see Aren all new! Him in a cute apron like other boys, measuring precisely, kneading dough, waiting anxiously by the oven. Even after seven years together, it'd be a rare sight.
Two birds, one stone. Her eyes sparkled.
"Sweet! Sign me up!"
"You too, miss?"
"Yup! Always loved baking. Cookies especially!"
"Huh, news to me."
Of course—bold-faced lie. But she spun it smooth, snatching the sheet. Before Aren could explain more, she signed with flair and handed it back.
"Welcome aboard."
"Thanks, Roze Tail miss."
"Hee hee, my pleasure!"
She puffed up at their thanks. Classes split by department now—fewer chances to see Aren outside joint lessons. Club together? More face time.
If no one else joins, it'll just be us sometimes!
Heaven-sent. She was already buzzing, circuits firing with glee.
Some might call her thoughts shady, but whatever. Back in her raging-teen days, she'd tried peeking at Aren changing in the showers—busted by butler Dian. This was tame.
"So, the last two spots?"
"Eh, we'll get 'em. Guys into baking might show, right?"
"Yeah!"
No girls, please—just boys. Not some flowerbed fantasy; she didn't want rivals. Aren flirting while baking with other girls? She'd snap.