Chapter 71
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Student Cafeteria
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......
Across from me sat Bella, humming a cheerful tune.
It wasnt awkward to be having a meal alone with her.
Just...
This is my first time here...
Hehe... I figured as much. I came here with Blanche last time, and its totally a hidden gem. Right here.
Bella replied as if shed been waiting for it.
The place shed dragged me to out of the blue, insisting on buying me lunch after showing up at my office, was the student cafeteria at Meikahel University.
A spot for students short on cash, with its affordable prices.
You might wonder why such a place exists when most of the students are noble kids, but even nobles can fall on hard times, and there are commoners too.
Every school needs a cheap cafeteria.
As befits the empires top prestigious university, this one boasted high satisfaction for the price.
Thats why it drew the most students now, regardless of wealth.
Naturally, all the funding for this student cafeteria came from the Ruelverta family.
Of course it was popular with the students.
Even after lunch hour, plenty of students were still coming in to eat.
There was no rule saying the chairman or faculty couldnt eat here.
But the stares from the students were sharp.
We two stood out that much.
One was the infamous head of the Ruelverta family and the schools chairman.
The other was the lady of the prestigious Izarkhel family, the most beautiful woman in the story.
Ex-fiancés, no less.
It wasnt something you saw every daythose two eating side by side.
Especially not in the student cafeteria.
It should be out soon.
Bella, oblivious, seemed to be enjoying the situation, humming away.
And thats when it happened. A massive shadow fell between us.
Excuse me...!
Oh?
It was a muscular man in an apronthe head chef here.
He stiffly served our ordered dishes onto the table.
Uh, your food is served! These are dishes we take great pride in at our cafeteria. I hope they suit your tastes...!
Yes...? I dont think you served us personally last time...? And this is way too much food...
Its on the house! Please enjoy without reservation...!
The head chefs shoulders were tense with effort.
Probably because of me.
He must have heard about my position as chairmanand my notoriety.
Thinking about it, Tristan had no reason to show up here suddenly.
The cafeterias fate could hinge on my mood.
For the head chef, this was a crisis of a lifetime.
He eyed me anxiously, his burly frame at odds with his nervous gaze.
I spoke up.
Ill dig in.
Y-Yes! Thank you!
But.
...Y-Yes!?
The head chef, turning to leave, froze.
His back was soakedwhether from the heat or nerves.
...I checked, and this cafeterias been running at a loss.
...W-What?! Th-Thats...
The head chef looked like the axe had finally fallen.
Ingredient costs have shot up since last year... But we cant raise prices...
I know that.
Yes?
I asked the head chef flatly.
What I want to know is why you didnt report it.
His face drained of color.
I-Im sorry...! We couldnt just bring up budget issues lightly...
And not only thatstarting this month, your salary and the other cooks have been cut. How long did you think you could scrape by like that?
......
Id learned it yesterday while reviewing the schools finances.
The head chef gaped, unable to speak, as if he hadnt expected me to know even that.
Im not blind.
P-Please forgive me... Its all my fault...
I looked at the dishes on the table.
Each one was made with care.
Theyd kept the quality steady despite the financial strain.
I murmured quietly.
This cafeteria wasnt meant to turn a profit. The fact that it did until recently proves the head chef and cooks are exceptional.
To the head chef, bowed and awaiting his fate, I said,
Ill increase the budget.
Yes...?
Submit a request today for whatever the foundation needs.
I acknowledged their efforts.
I planned to reward them properlythe best way I could.
Ill approve double that amount.
...D-Double?!
Yes. Use it to run things however you see fit. Draw in even more students.
Uncle might chew me out later, but I didnt care.
This place deserved it.
Thank you... Thank you...
The muscular head chef dropped to his knees in gratitude.
Ignoring the stares around us, he bowed his head repeatedly, his broad shoulders shaking with sobs.
His struggles must have been worse than Id imagined.
Finally, he backed away after several more bows.
Just as his unspeakable gratitude reached me fully.
Hmm...
A familiar hum came.
I turned, meeting Bellas eyes.
Shed watched the whole thing, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
Youve really changed.
...Just eat.
Hehehe... Feeling shy?
Its getting cold.
Okay.
The cute laugh from Bella as she picked up her fork and speared some food.
Was it the original storys influence?
Every dish on the table was familiar to me.
I love this tteokbokki. First time I tried it hereits sweet and spicy, just... so unique.
Same for me.
A silver-haired foreigner blowing on tteokbokki and yelling I love it! nonstop.
Not just tteokbokkiramen, kimbap, sundae, dumplings. All the staples youd find at a Korean street food joint.
Oh dear... This probably isnt to the counts taste, huh?
No. Its fine.
If anything, nostalgic.
Whod have thought Id eat Korean food here?
Hehe... More frugal than I expected. Maybe I misjudged you all this time.
Bella licked a bit of sauce off her fork and studied my face.
Hmm... Just look at that face. Give it a little more time, and you might go back to how you were before.
Is that so.
She was rightId lost a lot of weight.
Steady workouts and life-or-death situations had melted it off fast.
The pig count label wasnt fitting anymore.
Whatever... I dont mind either way...
What was that...?
Nothing. Hehe... Just miss it. Reminds me of the old you.
Bella propped her chin, gazing at me.
Transparent eyes peered through silver lashes.
A deep, piercing gaze that seemed to see into my soul.
I spoke quietly.
...Something you want to say to me?
Huh? Howd you know?
Youve been unusually chatty.
I figured there was a reason shed invited me to lunch.
So if you have something to say, out with it.
Geez... Its not just that... Ahem... Fine, since you asked. Will you take responsibility for me?
Responsibility?
Yeah. As my ex-fiancé.
What nonsense is she up to now...
As my gaze hardened, Bella sighed.
Lately, ever since our engagement broke off, Ive been getting marriage proposals left and right. Its exhausting.
...Isnt that a good thing?
Hmph. Good? Theyre all guys I cant stand. Dont you know how high my standards are?
...
Ah, I see.
Bellas princess attitude was alive and well.
Anyway! Looks like youre the only one who can take responsibility now.
...How do you even arrive at that conclusion?
Bella cleared her throat.
Ahem... Maybe I didnt explain well. Like I said, tons of suitors lately. But what bugs me most... is that these are the same guys who wouldnt dare approach me when I was engaged to you. So I have zero intention of marrying any of them.
Ah... Now I got it.
The men whod steered clear of Bella while Tristan was her fiancé were now swarming like bees. No wonder she was annoyed.
I get what youre saying. But I have no reason to take responsibility.
Why not? Dont you feel sorry for me?
Bella leaned forward, eyes sparkling at me.
Under the table, her leg brushed my knee.
Youre not pitiful.
Hmph. Cold-hearted jerk.
Thats when I frowned.
...No table manners.
...Youre just noticing now?
Her foot was teasingly tracing up my pant leg.
Hehe...
Playful eyes fixed on me.
She was hoping to rattle me.
But...
Fat chance.
My reason, forged in Patience, stayed utterly calm.
Her foot touched my skin, but I regarded her only with Pride.
Now Bella was the one blushing.
Hmm... Y-You dont even flinch?
Why should I?
Arent you... embarrassed? A beauty like me doing this...
I could ask you the same. Not embarrassed doing this?
Hm...
Unable to hold out, Bella pulled her foot back.
Back in the day, youd have fallen for it.
Even back then, no.
Fine. Then grant me one favor.
Favor?
Confirming no one was listening, Bella spoke cautiously.
Count. Will you come to the Seven Flowers Gathering with me?