Cheese Corn Cheese
It was late afternoon when Blow returned to Nynix from the restaurant.
Before the evening service, everyone at the inn had agreed to taste the dish he had been working up, all together, and tell him what they thought.
Hans, whose frame had grown noticeably sturdier over the past few days, sat beside Jane, who had barely slept the night before and was keeping her eyes only half open. Megan was staring blankly at the pair of them when a cry of delight rang out from the kitchen.
"Whoa!! This looks really, really delicious!!"
With it came a savory aroma, fragrant as it spread, and a sizzle harsh enough to nag at the ears. Jane sniffed the air and murmured toward the kitchen.
"What on earth is it?"
"If you think about Melo's cooking so far, isn't it safe to get our hopes up?"
"Hm? Megan, are you using formal speech with me?"
"Lady Jane is a confidant. There is a hierarchy."
Housemaid, then lady's maid, then confidant. Some noble houses drew no distinction at all, and House Deblique was similarly blurry about the boundaries. Megan, who liked things exact, observed them with a blade's precision.
Just then Hans, recalling the sight of Blow burning Jane's slave contract, opened his mouth with care.
"But Jane isn't exactly a confidant anymore."
"Oh, is that so? Now that you mention it, Hans, you've been speaking quite comfortably with Jane."
"That just... sort of happened."
"Even so, I'm more comfortable addressing Lady Jane this way. After all, Lady Jane and the young master are..."
Megan let the end of the sentence trail off with deliberate ambiguity. For an instant last night with Blow flashed through Jane's mind, and she waved her hands in a fluster.
"Wha—!? What are you...?"
"I only meant the two of you seem very close."
Embarrassed all at once, Jane looked away, and Megan tilted her head.
"Is there something I don't know?"
"N-no, there isn't!!"
"I see. In any case, formal speech is more comfortable for me, so I will continue to address you this way."
"I-I think I'd be more comfortable speaking this way too."
Jane gulped down the water in front of her for no reason at all.
Hans, remembering how Megan had spoken down to Herbena without a shred of courtesy, asked as if something didn't add up.
"But you use casual speech with Herbena."
"That girl... haah..."
Megan shook her head with a deep sigh, and at the sight both Hans and Jane burst out laughing.
"You two are close."
"That is my one and only failing."
"Food's coming ouuut!"
Melo's bright voice rang through the room, and Blow came out of the kitchen to set a large frying pan down between them.
Yellow corn kernels clustered on the pan and sizzled, buried under melted white cheese and a scatter of parsley, giving off a rich, nutty smell. Startled by the showy presentation, Jane didn't bother hiding her excitement.
"Young master, what is this?"
"Cheese Corn Cheese."
"Cheese is in the name twice?"
"...It means the cheese is that important."
No matter how he thought about it, plain corn cheese seemed like the better name. Something about it needled him, though, so Blow brushed past it.
"H-how do we eat it?"
"You scoop it up with a spoon."
"Aren't you having any, young master?"
"I already ate plenty in the kitchen."
Their tasting began with Blow's answer to Hans. He was watching their reactions with interest when someone suddenly knocked at the dining room door. Spoons went down at once, and disappointment settled over every face.
"Hm? What is it? We're not open yet."
"I'll go and see."
Megan rose and went to the door. A short while later she came back from the conversation, her expression uncharacteristically tense.
"What? What happened?"
"Young master, Lady Yulia of House Edfolk has come to see you."
"What? Yulia?"
"Yes. She says she has something urgent to tell you."
Yulia Edfolk. Head of the Student Council's Public Relations Department, and eldest daughter of the great and prestigious House Edfolk — an elite among elites. Blow knew her reputation well enough. A woman like that would not have come looking for him without a particular reason.
He hurried outside, and there she truly was: Yulia Edfolk, her deputy Maxim, and her maids, all standing together.
Her navy-blue bob was neatly kept, and a mysterious violet sheen touched her eyes. She wore a dress befitting a young lady of her house. The gown was so vivid that it looked entirely out of place against the gray monotony of the Dusk Block. An ornate necklace hung at her throat as she looked Blow over with open interest, yet it lent her an air of elegance more than extravagance.
"It's been a while, Young Master Blow Deblique."
Yulia Edfolk smiled at him with poised grace. Hiding his fluster as best he could, Blow brought his hands together and offered her a bow.
"Yes. It's been a while, Senior."
He had never really done this properly before, and the greeting came out awkward. Yulia's eyes narrowed, as if she found it quite unexpected.
"Haha. How should I put it — you've grown awfully serious, Young Master Blow."
"Sorry? What do you mean..."
"It's nothing. Something smells wonderful in there. Not the potato smell I heard about before."
"We were having a quick meal with the staff before opening."
"Ah, then I've interrupted you. I meant to come outside business hours, and yet."
...And what sort of person was Blow Deblique weakest against?
Precisely people like this Yulia — the kind who held him at a dry distance and armored themselves in formality. Even in his days as a scoundrel, she had never so much as frowned at the sight of him. Disliking that uncomfortable feeling, he had challenged her to a spar, and against skill worthy of the name Indigo Witch, he had lost without landing a thing.
The memory warmed him. He was straightening his clothes when Yulia's lips parted lightly.
"The reason I have come—"
Grrrgle—
The sound came from the stomach of Maxim, standing beside her. He himself looked startled; his face flushed a deep red.
"I'm sorry. I didn't even manage lunch today..."
"Then you're welcome to eat with us, if you'd like."
At Blow's offer, Maxim scratched his head awkwardly. Blow had just begun to count himself lucky when the reply that followed blew straight past his expectations.
"Oh, what an honor! Might I join as well?"
Yulia spoke from behind a hand raised to her mouth. He had been sure she would refuse in some roundabout way, and he was so thrown that he started to stammer.
"What? Of course! It's just... the only thing on the menu is potatoes..."
"Potatoes. I eat them from time to time."
"It's shabby inside..."
"Not at all, young master. Even from out here, it looks well kept."
Afraid that another word might sour her mood, he had no choice but to show her in.
"Pardon the intrusion."
The one most startled to see her was Jane, who had attended the same school.
"Hello, Senior!"
"Jane! It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Thank you for remembering me!"
"Haha, your research turned out that well. How could I forget? Have you been well?"
"Yes! Thanks to your concern, I've been doing fine."
Yulia smiled at her ease and indicated the table across from them.
"May I sit here?"
"Ah, yes. Please do."
As she settled into her seat, the nutty-smelling corn cheese entered her line of sight. She swallowed, and her gaze shifted to Blow.
"Young master? What sort of dish is that?"
"Ah, that would be what's called Cheese Corn Cheese."
"Cheese appears twice?"
"...It means the cheese is that important."
"It looks far too delicious. Might I try a taste as well?"
"It isn't a dish we're selling to guests yet, but if my lady wishes it, I'll see what I can manage."
"If it suits my palate, I'll be sure to run it in the next issue. Young Master Blow."
At her words, his eyes couldn't help but go wide. If a piece about the shop ran in the school's official paper, The Caipol Magicians, nothing could please him more.
"That's possible, isn't it, Maxim?"
"Yes. I'll work it in as a column."
Crowing with triumph on the inside, Blow called to Melo, who was hiding behind Jane.
"I'll bring it right out. Melo!"
"Yeees!"
Blow dashed into the kitchen, and Melo hurried after him. Yulia tilted her head at the girl's small stature, and Maxim whispered in her ear.
"That's the one. Blow and Jane, back then... you know."
"Ah! So the child from the rumors is this girl. She doesn't resemble Young Master Blow Deblique in the slightest."
"Rumors are like that."
"Aigoo, how cute."
Yulia was smiling at the glimpse of Melo she could catch from the kitchen when her eyes met Jane's. Jane had been watching her carefully.
"Jane?"
"Yes, Senior!"
"Shouldn't there be a cat around here? That white one..."
Hans, who had nearly sprayed his water, whipped his head the other way. Wanting to cry on the spot, Jane began frantically spinning a story.
"It's a cat that wanders the streets, so it drops by the shop now and then."
"Hmm... truly a street cat? It seemed far too well looked after for that... don't you think, Maxim?"
"Yes. It was truly adorable. Even that Rebecca liked it."
"If we happen to meet it next time, it might be nice for Public Relations to try raising it."
"A most judicious suggestion."
The memory still vivid, Jane glared at Hans, who was clearing his throat with a red face. A faint smile was just spreading across Megan's lips when Melo's bright voice flew in once more.
"The food is ready!"
A moment later, one frying pan and a set of plates came out of the kitchen. On the plate set before Yulia, corn cheese and roasted potatoes each took up half. She tilted her head at the thoroughly unfamiliar sight and beckoned Blow.
"Young master, how does one eat this?"
"Scoop it with a spoon. The potatoes, with a fork."
"And this sauce on the potatoes?"
"Tomato sauce."
"Tomatoes! I feel as though I've had them once or twice. The spread is better than I expected."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Well, then."
Finished speaking, Yulia drove her spoon straight into the corn cheese. White cheese stretched out in a long strand after it. At the sight, thin as a waterfall, a gasp slipped from every mouth.
"Oh my, the cheese!!"
"Doesn't that look good."
Yulia's face lit up, and she put the corn cheese in her mouth.
The nutty flavor of cheese mingling perfectly with the corn, and over it the taste of mayonnaise rolling in. The more she chewed, the more the corn and the cheese melted away, almost to the point of feeling unfair. To Yulia, who had eaten nothing but refined cuisine all her life, it struck with an almost violent force.
"This is so delicious! Young Master Blow! How on earth did you make something like this!"
Seeing Yulia excited in a way unlike herself, Blow swept a hand down his chest in relief and answered.
"I'm truly glad it suits your taste."
"The potatoes are wonderful too. Do you have any thought of doing business somewhere other than the Dusk Block?"
"Once we've grown a little more, I will."
"Well, anyone who can make food like this must already have a plan. I'm sorry you had to see me so excited. It was just that good..."
A flush had risen on her face before she knew it, and she was savoring the food without reserve. The ones startled to see her like that were her maids and Maxim.
The young lady, eating so happily...
The maids looked upon Blow Deblique, standing stiff and straight beside them, with something like reverence in their eyes. Blow himself was only thinking he wished she would finish quickly and go.
When the meal was done, Yulia wore a satisfied smile.
"Was it to your liking?"
"Yes. It was truly delicious. The sort of taste that makes you want to come every day."
"Haha, thank you. Of course you're joking..."
"I'm not the sort of person who jokes."
Her face, as she looked at him, was perfectly serious. Imagining how uncomfortable it would be if she truly came every day, Blow felt his heart drop.
"In any case, young master, it was wonderful. The truth is, I came today because of this."
Maxim's expression hardened somewhat, and he held out a single sheet of red paper. It was Redfrin's article, the one dropped across campus at lunch yesterday, claiming that Blow would duel Greig. He already knew, so no particular stir crossed his face.
"You already knew, young master?"
"Skadi came by at lunch, told me, and left."
"I see. The reason I came is that I, Yulia Edfolk, as Head of Public Relations, wish to set this matter straight for you."
"May I ask what you mean?"
Yulia nodded and went on in a calm tone.
"It isn't because I was treated to this delicious Cheese Corn Cheese. Public Relations is a press organ under Student Affairs. Starting this year, we have been issuing corrections to rebut the sensational, false stories that appear in Magic Inside."
"I didn't know. That must be a great deal of work."
"We're only doing our job. So if you tell us your position now, we will run an article. As for Redfrin..."
Her expression crumpled, as if she hated even having the name in her mouth. She cleared her throat and added, calm again.
"I nearly let my feelings run ahead of me and say something harsh. In any case, if you would only give us your word, we will reflect it fully."
Blow, who had been listening carefully, shook his head as he answered.
"Thank you for thinking of me. But if you're going to write an article, I think it would be fine to say that what's written there is correct."
"Pardon?"
Genuinely startled, Yulia's mouth fell open before she could stop it, and she hastily covered it with her hand.
"Then you truly mean to duel at noon on Sunday?"
"Yes. So you don't have to run a correction. If you do, that's fine as well."
"Hm. I'd heard you'd grown calmer, so I was certain you would refuse..."
"I'm calm enough, in my own way."
Yulia folded her arms, and her eyes narrowed.
"Then did you agree to it when you first made contact with Young Master Greig?"
"No. I decided this morning, the next day."
"The article would have been scattered at lunch today, so at the time, the contents of this article were indeed false."
"Yes. Most likely."
Having heard that much, Yulia paused, then let out a thin sigh.
"The truth is, this affair doesn't suit the dignity of it. Of our school."
"......"
"Unless it is a practice spar, an official duel or match is, in principle, to be held during the class Attack and Defense through Magic, outside of events."
"I see."
He had lived without paying the slightest mind to such things, and now he grew a little embarrassed.
"On top of that, you are not even a current student. You are on leave. You don't truly want this duel, do you? As far as I know, you don't even have a spirit."
"That's true. I'm a pacifist."
"Then?"
"Even so, I intend to go through with it."
"Hmm..."
...Pride, then? Men.
Her breath drew out long as she guessed as much.
"Greig's side likely doesn't know yet. Why not think it over carefully until tonight?"
"No. I already sent a reply."
"Pardon? When...?"
"I had Jane deliver it this morning."
"Yes. I went and delivered it earlier."
The moment she felt their eyes, Jane answered at once. For a while, silence flowed through the inn. Yulia drank some water, then spoke in a calm tone.
"I understand. Even so, I will do what I can."
"May I ask what that would be?"
"I am someone who would rather this duel not happen. I will release the article as you said, unchanged, but as an officer of the Student Council, I ought to do what I can."
With that, she stood, and everyone who had been seated rose with her.
"I'll see you again, Young Master Blow. The meal was truly, truly wonderful. The decision was a shame, though."
"Yes. Thank you for your concern, Senior Yulia."
"You really have become serious, I tell you."
With those last words, Yulia left the inn. Blow had just let out a sigh of relief at the return of peace when Melo, blinking after her, spoke just loud enough to hear.
"That big sister is really pretty."
Jane stroked her head and smiled softly.
"She's a really scary person."
"Ehh? She was really kind, though?"
"That's why she's scary."
At that, Melo clapped her hands together.
"Aha! Then the young master is someone you don't need to be scared of!"
"Melo, you..."
"No. I'm sca— I mean, I am scared."
Melo whipped her eyes the other way, then shot up from her seat and ran for the kitchen.
"I-I'll go get the potatoes ready!"
Blow laughed before he could stop himself, then met Jane's eyes. They nodded at each other and began preparing for the evening service.
After business had wound down to a reasonable close, they gathered in an empty lot nearby. Beneath a moon hung bright and huge in the sky stood Jane, Skadi, and Blow.
Having heard what had happened that afternoon, Skadi let out a sigh.
"You told Greig you'd do it? And you told Senior Yulia too?"
"Yeah. This coming Sunday."
"In three days? That's way too soon."
"Who schedules a duel a month out? If you're going to do it, you just do it."
At the words of a man who could fairly be called an expert in this sort of thing, Skadi let out a hollow laugh.
"No, even so, push it back a little. Think it over. Why wouldn't you?"
"It's not like a few more days of using my magic is going to make it grow by leaps and bounds. It'd just be a waste of time. Might as well promote the shop while I'm at it."
"And the shop is what you're worried about, in a mess like this..."
Grown heavy-hearted at his words, Skadi dragged a dry hand down her face, then spoke in a voice full of worry.
"Greig pulled a high-rank spirit. I have no idea why something like that went to a bastard like him, but..."
"I know."
Hearing how dry he sounded, she breathed out a sigh.
"Right. No point saying any more. You've already decided."
Skadi tied her long red hair up with a hair tie and spoke in a lively voice.
"Then there's nothing for it! I'll help you with everything I've got!! If we go at it all day Saturday, something ought to come of it!"
"Thanks."
"I'm still in the top ten of the fourth-year rankings, you know! Mwahaha."
Blow made a sound of admiration as she pointed smartly at herself.
"That's a bit unexpected."
"All I ever do is practice flight and sparring!"
"All right, Miss Top Ten. Where should we start?"
"You don't have a spirit, so a long fight will be too much for you. A spirit helps amplify magic, but it also helps supply mana! So how about we come at this like we're going to shatter him in a single opening blow?"
It sounded reasonable enough, and he nodded as if he understood.
"Let's do that."
"There wasn't any rule saying we couldn't use things, so let's try to get magic-amplification scrolls, potions, that sort of thing! Jane, what do you think? Can you get them?"
"I'll do my best."
"Good. Before that, shall we take a look at Blow's flame? It's been a while."
"You remember that."
"You used to kindle a flame better than anyone. That one thing, at least."
"I'll try it once now."
A moment later, a crimson magic circle traced itself across Blow's right hand.
⟨ Flame Orb ⟩
With the words, a red flame the color of his hair roared up. Seeing it, Skadi clapped and shouted.
"Oh, your flame's gotten better?"
"You think? No way. It's been way too long since I used magic."
"Hmm... no matter how I look at it, something's improved. Hold on."
Skadi was already showing magic of her own.
⟨ Flower of Water: Water Lily ⟩
Her water approached his flame and evaporated entirely before it could even touch.
"Yo. Not bad, right? I'm telling you, it really has gotten better."
"It really has."
Jane, startled along with Skadi, nodded in agreement.
"Right. Fire magic is the magic most like Blow Deblique! Let's strengthen this as much as we can over the weekend."
"Hmm..."
"And drink potions like crazy, while we're at it."
"Haah... I have to drink potions..."
Blow's expression stiffened as he recalled a taste that seemed likely to destroy his sense of flavor. Jane clenched both fists tight and spoke to him.
"I'll do my best to make them as edible as I can!"
"Anyway, I'll be your opponent as much as you want, so let's hammer away at fire magic."
"Yeah. Flight magic is your specialty, so are you going to dodge my fire?"
"No? Greig specializes in water, so we ought to practice mainly with water magic if it's going to be useful."
"Greig uses water too? So the matchup's already against me."
"Still, didn't you used to make short work of guys on Greig's level?"
Blow thought back, let out a short laugh, and shook his head.
"Back then it was possible because I could see the projectile speed and dodge. The kids didn't have much mana either."
"True. Your reflexes were always good, at least. Shall we start?"
"Yeah."
It had been a long time since he drew mana and cast, and his expression brightened a little. Jane, watching him, wore a smile so faint it was barely there, then came to herself and spoke.
"I'll go on ahead and start tracking down potions, scrolls, that sort of thing."
"Yeah! Here I come, Skadi!"
A moment later, flame rose on Blow's right hand. Worried her expression might weigh on him, Skadi was smiling at him as hard as she could.
The next morning, in the office of the Head of Student Welfare.
"Oh, Yulia. What's this about, first thing in the morning?"
Julbert Mertios faced Yulia, whose gaze had gone hard, and Maxim beside her.
"Just what do you think you're doing? Julbert Mertios?"
A brief silence settled over the room. Julbert smiled with leisure, as if he had expected her to come, and at last opened his mouth.