Nyahang~♡
Nyahang~♡
White vapor curled from the icebox.
Vice President Iris watched it with open suspicion.
"What is that?"
"The preliminary results from our Dessert Research Society."
"You already... brought research results?"
Her confusion was understandable. Every club at Lichten Academy was required to submit research results or activity reports at the end of each semester, yet countless clubs failed even that bare minimum and had their charters revoked. This was exactly the season when that headache peaked. Shoving something like this under her nose was bound to pique her curiosity.
"... Let me see it, then."
I gestured toward Rina.
She came scurrying over with a plate and expertly arranged several Snow Blossom Fruits into an inviting display.
Iris picked one up, narrowing her eyes.
"All this white powder... it's like snow crystals. Remarkably delicate. Oh, it's cold. It really does feel like snow."
Her eyes widened.
"... And you made these yourself, Ian?"
I shrugged.
The true essence of Snow Blossom Fruit lay not just in its beautiful appearance, but in its taste.
"Please, have a bite."
Iris's brow furrowed sharply.
Anyone could read her expression: 'How am I supposed to eat something Ian made?'
"It's perfectly safe. Wouldn't a fair evaluation require you to taste it?"
That hit a nerve.
After a moment's hesitation, Iris looked toward the student council's newest member.
"...?"
The new girl tilted her head, and Iris spoke.
"You try it."
... Wow, did she seriously just make the newbie take the hit?
The designated taste-tester—or rather, the new girl—promptly welled up with tears, her large eyes glistening on command.
She shook her head vigorously, refusing.
'...What the hell do they think I am?'
A flash of indignation rose up, but she was a pitiable soul, so I let it slide.
"Sophia, this is a trial every student council member must endure. Should the worst happen, the council will remember you forever."
Tremble, tremble.
Shivering like a terrified puppy, the new girl picked up a Snow Blossom Fruit as if accepting a cup of poison.
A Snow Blossom Red Orange, prized for its tart flesh and rich juice.
The girl squeezed her eyes shut as though she truly were about to die.
"Aah."
She bit down on the juice-laden orange.
"Well? Does your tongue feel numb and strange? There might be drugs in it."
Wow... she fed it to the newbie thinking that?
Iris haughtily deflected my contemptuous gaze. She flicked a strand of hair over her ear with the back of her hand and asked again.
"How is it, Sophia? Are there drugs?"
— Chew, chew.
The more she chewed, the more the new girl's eyes lost focus.
— Gulp.
After swallowing one bite, her small, pale pink lips quivered.
"Hyaaang."
A honeyed voice resonated through the room.
Did she even realize she had made such an embarrassing sound?
Despite that syrupy voice, the girl's face remained serene.
She simply plucked another orange slice into her mouth, savoring it.
Ironically, the one whose face flushed red was the Vice President.
"Wh-wha... what! What kind of noise are you making in the sacred student council chamber!"
Iris's sharp cry rang out.
The new girl creaked her head around to look at the Vice President.
Her eyes were already half gone.
"Nyeheee?"
"N-no drugs? You're okay, Sophie?"
"Ehehe. Fine... totawy."
"Th-then evaluate the flavor! Stop making strange sounds!"
"I think... I need a widdle more... nyam... to be sure......."
What she had just eaten was an orange with a sharp tartness.
This time, I held out a Snow Blossom Peach, sweet with a soft, tender texture.
She gazed at the pure white peach as if gazing at a lover, then bit into it with moist lips.
"Nyahaaang~♡"
"Wh-what kind of vul-vul-vulgar sound is that, Sophie!"
"Haa... Not yet, not yet. Something's weird. Munch munch. I think I need one more... Give me more. More sweet ones."
Around that point, Iris finally caught on.
BANG—!
She slammed the table and shouted.
"As Vice President, I can't allow this! I'll set an example! Give me that... shluurp!"
... Are you two doing a comedy skit right now?
◇
"It looks like ordinary, slightly fresh fruit. How can it taste like this...?"
"This white ice, melting around it like snow, is simply perfect."
"It's like a demon whispering, Madam Vice President."
"The taste reminds me of the Ice Grape we only get to eat once a year."
Sugar makes everyone happy.
The Vice President's sharp brows had melted into a soft curve, and the newbie's expression fluttered as if she had glimpsed heaven.
Only the remaining member, the treasurer, remained expressionless, silently munching on a piece of Snow Blossom Watermelon with her tiny mouth.
Iris, having devoured one Snow Blossom Blueberry, stealthily reached for another skewer before catching herself.
Ahem.
She cleared her throat, gazed wistfully at the icebox, and then spoke.
"... To be honest, it's hard to believe you made these yourself, Ian. It's cool enough to tingle the tongue, then sweet, then tart, and then the sweetness of the fruit pulp blankets everything. I'll admit it was hard to keep my wits about me."
I thought she was being surprisingly fair and admitting it, but then she added more.
"... B-but. Still, there are concerns about freshness and cleanliness with food like this. You, Ian Blackangus, don't exactly strike me as someone who prepares food hygienically."
So she was going to play hard to get one more time.
I played my trump card.
I began slowly placing the displayed Snow Blossom Fruits back into the icebox, one by one.
"Wh-what are you doing? I haven't tasted them all yet...!"
"Didn't you say it didn't seem clean?"
"...Huh?"
"Tangerines, dragon fruit, cherries... Ah, the fruit merchant said this gold kiwi is especially delicious."
I deliberately transferred each one into the icebox at a sluggish pace. Three pairs of eyes quivered in time with the wobbling skewers.
"If freshness and cleanliness are the issue... then, sadly, I'll have to dispose of them."
"......."
"I had intended to share them all with the hardworking council members otherwise."
"......!"
Iris quivered at my words.
She knew full well this was blackmail.
"Hmph! Fine, have it your way."
Right then.
The treasurer, who had been watching silently, slammed the desk and shot to her feet.
"That is unacceptable!"
Every council member's eyes went round.
"Cha, Charlotte? What's gotten into you?"
"Discarding such a superb source of glucose would be a loss for the student council—no, for the entire academy. Intellect blossoms under proper sugar intake. I, Charlotte, as treasurer and financial officer of the student council, formally recommend the approval of the 'Dessert Research Society' club."
"M-me too! This is a loss, Lady Iris! If we can't eat something this good ever again, it's a loss no matter what!"
The new girl shot up as well, shouting in agreement.
She used to just tremble before Iris; she'd grown up fast.
Another of the Snow Blossom Fruit's many benefits.
The treasurer adjusted her glasses and addressed me.
"If the student body learns we alone enjoyed such cuisine, they will surely revolt, citing student council discrimination. Don't you agree, Lord Ian?"
"Excuse me?"
"I am asking if you have any intention of misleading student opinion should the club be denied approval. They'll say the council blocked it solely to monopolize these desserts."
Say it, say it.
The treasurer's lips twitched rapidly.
"...That is probably what would happen."
"Should that occur, we council officers would be in dire straits. Madam Vice President. You must approve this for the greater good."
Iris's eyes fluttered as if flustered.
She squeezed them shut and cried out.
"Aaagh! Fine! It's approved!"
With that death knell from the Vice President, the club was approved.
The approval fee was 1 Gold.
◆
I handed out all the remaining fruit to the student council.
It was my way of saying, Pongpongi has caused you a lot of headaches, so please treat me a little better going forward.
Besides, the council's workload is always excessive. They'll be using their heads a lot, so from now on, whenever their sugar runs low, they'll inevitably think of Snow Blossom Fruit.
It was a bribe and a sample supply, all in one.
Thus, the first batch of Snow Blossom Fruit went out entirely as free samples to the student body.
From the popular, socially-connected students in the Spirit Studies department to the notoriously well-networked members of the student council.
Word of mouth would spread fast.
"Now I just have to prepare for the first sale."
Having utterly exhausted my mana in the process, I couldn't manage it immediately.
I'd have to set a date and use Danya's 'Snow Laying Flowers' to announce the grand debut of the Dessert Research Society.
And then, the next day, word came that my teacher had been found.
◆
The Mezai Class classroom, which I hadn't seen in a while.
"Huh? It's Ian."
"Hey. Go ask him. If that rumor about the Northern Archduke is real."
"No... I'm telling you, he's scary."
The news about the Northern Archduke still seemed to be spreading like wildfire.
'As expected, the church faction is quick with information.'
It was a stark contrast to the kids from the Priest Department, who'd been all chummy from my first day back. Mages really were such individualists that information reached them late, it seemed.
The murmuring lasted only a moment.
— Rumble!
The door slid open and Professor Violet came into view.
"I see a face we haven't seen in quite some time today."
Zing.
Professor Violet shot me a glance, then took her place at the podium.
"Rina, Danya, and Ian—see me in my lab after class."
"Yes, Professor!"
Thanks to Rina's prompt response, Professor Violet's sharp gaze was quickly withdrawn.
"Now, onto the notice regarding the Aether promotion battle. The exam format for the promotion battles starting two weeks from now has been decided. All first-year students are to......."
Just as Professor Violet began to speak.
My Kirtos terminal vibrated.
I discreetly checked it, avoiding Violet's eyes.
——
[ Lichten Post Office ] :
A new telegram has arrived for Lord Ian.
— Subject: Lady Asilia rescued. Condition stable.
— Sender: Asteria
.
Please confirm full details at the post office.
——