episode_0051

After the history lecture,

-They say it’s lunch time… … . I still don’t know what to do at lunchtime.

-Shall we have tea time?

―I’m going to go to the Great Library like yesterday, what about you?

-I’m going to go to the student cafeteria. I heard from my seniors that they eat there during lunch time.

Students who had only eaten breakfast and dinner were at a loss at the sudden appearance of lunch time.

If you think about it, the concept of lunch time only became established in the 20th century, and it is not surprising that the modern concept of lunch time feels awkward in a place set in the Middle Ages.

Well, it had nothing to do with me, so I was walking leisurely, listening to the murmurs of the students around me, when Hermel, who had been following me, spoke up.

“Charles, what are you going to do?”

“That’s right… … . I’d like to go out for a short walk. What about Hermel?”

“Me? There won’t be any physical classes today, so I’m going to go eat something. I didn’t eat anything in the morning, so I’m so hungry.”

Hermel smiled mischievously and patted his stomach.

“Charles isn’t hungry?”

“I don’t have anything in mind right now.”

“Really? Then there is nothing we can do. See you later then!”

Hermel said that and left, and I looked at him for a moment and then headed to the cafe I had visited before.

Go through the hallway where many students walk and go out the main entrance on the first floor. After that, I walked along the left wall. Since lunch time was about 2 hours, I thought it would be okay to walk around slowly, so I walked leisurely.

“It’s nice to be quiet.”

As we entered the academy, the number of students gradually decreased, and the only people walking around were people who appeared to be professors, priests, and those wearing nun clothes.

As the number of people decreased, the surroundings naturally became quiet, and as the surroundings became quiet, I remembered the time when I was left alone in the elementary school classroom.

“Mel.”

“Yes, lady.”

“Because I lost my handkerchief.”

After saying that and closing my mouth, Mel opened my mouth.

“I will prepare a new handkerchief by tomorrow.”

“As expected, Mel is capable.”

I smiled and before I knew it, I was standing in front of the cafe I had arrived at. Sure enough, there was a sign on the wooden door painted blue with the words CLOSE written on it.

“Mel, can you go and tell Sarah to wait in the Great Library? They must be looking for me in the history classroom right now.”

“Yes. Okay.”

“Oh, Seria will be there too, but don’t bring her and send her back.”

Nodding, Mel responded by bending down. After looking at Mel’s back as she walked for a moment, I opened the wooden door and went in.

Tinkle tinkle――

As soon as I opened the door and walked in, the pleasant scent of coffee made me smile. Yes, I missed this scent.

“Welcome――”

“Hello. I came here because it smelled pleasant. Are you open?”

The cafe owner, who blinked at my words, chuckled.

“Originally, this is the time to prepare for business, but we will open early today especially for customers who passed the academy. Welcome, student.”

Is it because it is the only place where you can receive healing while at the academy? I burst out laughing at the cafe owner’s words without realizing it.

“If you allow it so easily, I will have to come back next time with a good reason.”

“Haha, I’m in trouble.”

“I’m just kidding.”

After saying that, I sat down at the empty seat, and the cafe owner took out a menu from inside the shelf and handed it to me.

“Choose slowly.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

What would be better? I’m tired and I want to drink coffee for the first time in a while, so I definitely need coffee. Food that is good for a meal… … .

After all, there are only sandwiches? As I was pondering over the menu, the cafe owner, who had been quietly cleaning my cup, put it down.

“Student.”

“Yes?”

“If you are worried about the menu, I have a new menu I am preparing. Could you please taste it?”

“Yes, I like it.”

The cafe owner nodded.

“Okay. Then, please choose between coffee and juice.”

“Coffee, please.”

The cafe owner smiled brightly and took the menu.

“Then please wait a moment.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

I looked at the back of the owner as he entered the store for a moment, then turned my head and looked out the window.

Today too, the flawless clear sky made me feel even worse. I feel bad even if it’s clear, I feel bad even if it’s cloudy. No matter what I did, I felt bad just looking at the sky.

Every time something bad happened, I was looking up at the sky. I pondered over old memories that flowed like a panorama.

‘As expected, the only answer to this world is to destroy it.’

As I smiled bitterly and tapped my fingers on the well-polished wooden table and looked closely at the inside of the store, a delicious smell wafted out from inside the store.

And not long after, the cafe owner came out from inside the store carrying plates and cups.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Ah. Yes.”

The cafe owner put down the plates and cups he brought in front of me. Of course, there was coffee in the cup, and pasta in the plate… … . pasta?

“It’s pasta.”

“Yes, it is basil pesto pasta. In fact, it wasn’t even on the menu because it wasn’t fully prepared yet, but I had no idea it would be introduced like this.”

“Pasta and coffee… … . It’s my first time trying this combination, but since you presented it so confidently, I’ll give it a try with confidence.”

“Please enjoy it leisurely.”

The cafe owner bowed his head and started cleaning the cup again.

Pasta and coffee… … . This is a combination that has never been seen in the episodes so far. that’s interesting.

‘Charlotte!’

Although it was only for a moment, Ceria’s face came to mind.

This too–the reason why the cafe owner brought coffee with pasta instead of coffee with sandwiches, which he used to make every time, is all because of you?

no… … . No, no. okay. It didn’t change because of Seria. Things started to change when I started moving with my own will.

“I will eat well.”

It was only for a moment, but I found myself almost spilling my precious coffee, so I sighed inwardly and took a bite of pasta.

The fragrant flavor of basil, the spicy and spicy taste of black pepper and dried red pepper, and coffee――

“It’s delicious… … .”

“Haha.”

As I muttered to myself and blinked, the cafe owner laughed.

“Ah, sorry. I was nervous because it was a combination I wasn’t sure about yet, but I relaxed when the head student at the school said it was delicious.”

“Do you know me?”

“Of course. After all, he is the person who opened a store at the Academy. If you don’t know what the Academy does, it’s even weirder.”

“Hehe, that’s true too.”

As I covered my mouth and laughed, it suddenly occurred to me that I had never had a proper conversation with the cafe owner before.

… … It wouldn’t be a bad idea to talk a bit at this point. With that in mind, I leisurely ate pasta and coffee and talked about various things with the cafe owner.

Simple stories, such as when the cafe started running here and why the store is only open at night.

“Ah, it just occurred to me. Where did you get this pepper? Even if you do business inside the academy, you won’t be able to save enough money to buy pepper.”

“Haha. There is a noble professor who likes my store. He sometimes gives me spices like pepper.”

I nodded, drank the last sip of coffee, and then got up.

“I enjoyed it. Please calculate.”

“I got the money. Since you helped me find a new combination of pasta and coffee, I shouldn’t get paid.”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

When I said this with a small smile, the cafe owner smiled happily and nodded.

I guess I should move slowly. I put aside the other things I wanted to talk about and stood in front of the door.

ah. Yeah, I don’t even know the cafe owner’s name yet.

“I――”

When I put my hand on the door handle and looked back, the interior of the cafe seemed strangely dark due to the backlight.

ah.

At the moment when all my emotions were mixed, reason, which froze my rippled emotions, strangled me.

“Why are you doing that?”

“… … Can I come again next time?”

okay. There is no need to try to know the name.

“Of course. Of course, it would be a problem for me if you come too often.”

“Yes. Well then, good luck.”

He will die anyway if a coup takes place. Even if I know the name, it will only remain in my memory, and the memory will only distract me.

Let’s just enjoy the moment. Let’s just leave it as a place to rest for a while. Okay, that’s enough.

I walked out of the cafe with a grin.

.

.

.

It’s been quite a while, but are you still waiting?

With that in mind, I headed toward the Great Library. Since the cafe was located inside an alley between the Great Library and the cathedral, I was able to get there quickly.

“Lady!”

As I was looking around for a moment to see where Sarah was, Sarah came running in front of me.

“Sera.”

“Hehe, I heard you called! I heard it from Mel! Did you call me because you had something to tell me? What can I do! Just order anything!”

“I didn’t call you because I had something to do. I just called because I wanted to tell you something.”

Whatever the reason, he was still beaming, perhaps because he was happy that someone had called him.

“What are you talking about?”

“This is not a story worth talking about here, so should we change seats? Have you eaten?”

“No! I haven’t eaten it yet!”

“Then let’s talk in the student cafeteria.”

“Yes! Good!”

Sarah nodded with sparkling eyes, and I headed to the student cafeteria with her.

When we arrived at the student cafeteria, Sarah suddenly stopped walking and blinked at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Go in first!”

I looked at Sarah who said that with a bright smile, smiled brightly, and went into the student cafeteria.

“Wow… … . There are so many menus! Miss, what are you going to eat?”

“I don’t have much to think about, so just choose what you want and come to your seat. I’ll go first and wait for you.”

“Ah… … . yes… … .”

Sarah, who must have been so sad about not being able to eat together, suddenly looked depressed and trudged on.

It wasn’t anything to worry about, so I sat down in a fairly deserted place, and Mel naturally stood behind me.

“Mel, come out to the garden tonight. Because I have something to say.”

Mel nodded, and I fanned myself, covering my mouth.

Maybe it was because I had eaten earlier, but smelling the greasy smell made me feel bloated and in a bad mood.

I want to finish the story quickly and leave. As I waited for a while with that thought in mind, Sarah sat in front of me holding a tray.

“I’m ready to hear your story!”

“Yes, listen while eating.”

Despite my words, Sarah just looked at me, her eyes sparkling, and she did not lift her spoon.

Well, if you’re hungry, you’ll eat on your own.

“Sera. I don’t really care if you have friends. But, shouldn’t you be selective about the friends you make?”

“I… … . I don’t need any friends… … . Why, why are you saying that? You’re not abandoning me… … ?”

“You know very well that it doesn’t mean that. What I mean is, is it okay to have commoners next to nobles? A commoner, not a servant.”

I said that with a grin, and when Sarah heard me, she lowered her head as if she was thinking of someone.

“I just said that because I was worried. Well then, I will wake up first. Enjoy your meal. Sarah.”

I just got up from my seat and left the student cafeteria.

And not long after leaving the student cafeteria, I heard Sarah’s urgent voice.

“Let’s go together, lady!!”

I stopped walking for a moment, and Sarah stood in front of me and smiled brightly.

“I understand what you said very well!”

“Really? Hehe, I’m glad that’s the case. By the way, have you finished eating?”

Sarah has a habit of fluttering under her eyes when she lies.

And now.

“Yes! I ate to my fill!”

The area under Sarah’s eyes trembled.