episode_0007

After Shasha returned the money to me with a serious expression, I even heard whispers of cutting ties if this were to continue.

Do young ones really not understand the value of money?

If that’s the case, maybe I should scold her about food instead of money.

Feeling quite annoyed, I let out a sigh, and that’s how my day at the academy came to an end.

The next day, I came to the restaurant with Shasha.

Shasha was gripping my hand tightly, making it sweaty with nervousness, but I could easily overlook it due to the peculiar nature of the academy.

A place where nobles outnumber commoners by far.

Hence, it’s natural to fear appearing disrespectful to them.

“Still, it’s relatively quiet here.”

Shasha, clinging closely to my side with her lips pursed, said this in a relaxed manner, almost as if it was a meaningless remark.

After receiving our food at the restaurant and sitting at the table, I looked around.

It was sparse compared to the size of the grand restaurant.

Despite it being mealtime, a time for free food distribution, there were only about twenty people in the restaurant, including us.

“When the enrollment season ends, it will surely be bustling, right?”

Shasha didn’t say anything, so I kept muttering to myself, feeling a bit disappointed, but it was okay.

Well, I tend to talk to myself a lot anyway.

I nodded and started eating the food that had been brought.

Today’s meal consisted of pasta, ham, cheese, and salad.

Perhaps due to mass cooking, the pasta was slightly overcooked, but the taste was decent.

“Ri, Ria…?”

“Yes?”

Suddenly called by Shasha, my mouth full of food, I turned my head with cheeks puffed out.

“T-that person isn’t a prince, right?”

A prince? I looked around and confirmed the presence of Deron entering the restaurant.

For some reason, he seemed displeased, his face filled with a frown.

He noticed us and slowly approached after getting his food.

“…Why are you coming here? Ri, Ria? Do you know the prince?”

“…Uh, well, if you say so, I guess I do?”

I was aware that my face was revealed yesterday, but didn’t I only show a bad side then?

Moreover, I’m currently in pajamas.

Ignoring Shasha’s suggestion to change into her clothes or something else, I went out like this.

“…Why are you here?”

“Is it wrong to come?”

Oh, it seems my voice got a bit louder while talking to myself.

As Deron approached, with all eyes in the restaurant on us due to the prince’s appearance, he sat in front of me with a plate, looking unfazed.

“…There’s nothing wrong, right?”

Yeah, there wasn’t anything wrong. It’s just uncomfortable for me.

Leaving Shasha, who had stiffened up with her face almost buried in the plate, aside for a moment, I began conversing with Deron.

“There are many noble people over there; wouldn’t it be inappropriate for you to be with the prince?”

There was a group already establishing their influence from afar.

Judging by their attire, they were clearly nobles.

And what about us?

Shasha, cute and clever but dressed in pajamas, was a fallen noble compared to them.

As I stared blankly while chewing on a piece of bread, Deron, looking intrigued, gazed at me intently.

“Isn’t it normal to consider it an honor when a prince visits?”

“Oh, yes, it’s an honor!”

“Quite.”

Deron lightly chuckled at my lackluster hospitality and began his meal, to which I sighed.

Having experienced the futility of running away yesterday, I had no choice but to cooperate peacefully.

“Is that your new friend over there?”

“Yes. Shasha, should we greet them?”

“Oh, yes, yes! Sh-Shasha, h-hello! It’s a pleasure to m-meet you!”

Watching the once sharp-witted Shasha tremble in fear, unable to meet my eyes, it certainly seems that the title of prince carries significant weight.

“…So, is that what you call an average response?”

“That?”

“It’s about recognizing me or reacting when I reveal myself.”

“…Wow, you enjoy this kind of reaction? Totally not my thing.”

“…No, it’s not that I like it; it’s just a typical reaction.”

Deron, scanning between me and Shasha with a puzzled expression, soon furrowed his brow.

“Your friend seems normal, why are you acting so strange?”

“Maybe some things are better left unsaid in front of people.”

I might let it slide once or twice, but after the last time and now this time, constantly saying weird things to my face.

Essentially, it’s like being insulted, right?

Being insulted means being perceived in a negative light, which should be satisfying.

However, since no one enjoys being insulted, it’s actually unpleasant.

The combination of these two feelings created a peculiar sensation.

“Isn’t my tone more aggressive than last time?”

“Is it?”

I was indeed being slightly aggressive.

Even though I thought I had already given a bad impression last time, here we are again.

I’m deliberately being more abrasive this time to leave an even worse impression.

Of course, going too far in giving a bad impression could lead to serious consequences, so it’s important to tread carefully.

“Ri-Ria, why are you acting like this…?”

Shasha, frightened by my behavior, subtly tugged at the hem of his pajamas, giving me a warning look.

Well, it must be quite a terrifying situation for Shasha to witness.

“Oh, I just had a good idea.”

“Suddenly?”

Shasha was beside me.

If I divert Deron’s attention to Shasha, wouldn’t his interest in me decrease?

That’s what friends are for in times like these.

Of course, it’s not a bad thing for Shasha either.

How often does a commoner get a chance to leave an impression on a prince?

“Hey, focus on Shasha rather than me.”

Shocked by my demand, Shasha and Deron were taken aback, but I was sincere.

From now on, I will work on redirecting Deron’s attention to Shasha.

“Our Shasha, a commoner, got into the academy?”

“…That’s impressive.”

After listening quietly, Deron looked at Shasha and nodded approvingly.

The entrance exam to the academy was by no means easy.

Even if you don’t graduate, a high income is guaranteed after admission, and various offers come your way upon graduation, starting from nobles to even the royal family.

One’s ability is proven from the moment they enter the academy.

And look!

I poked Shasha’s waist with my finger, and with a “Eek!” sound, his body, which had been tensed up, relaxed momentarily.

His face, previously hidden as he looked down at his plate, was revealed.

His cheeks, now flushed red from my slight praise, looked quite adorable.

“…Look! Even with this fair skin! Such a cute appearance!”

“W-Why are you… please stop…”

Although Shasha tearfully and timidly protested, there was no stopping me.

As I continued speaking, Shasha started to look somewhat proud, but that didn’t matter.

Who cares if someone criticizes me for proudly showcasing something worth boasting about?

With my confident attitude, Deron also observed Shasha with a somewhat serious expression.

“Indeed, better than most young nobles.”

It was somewhat ridiculous for a ten-year-old to say such things, but anyway.

I successfully managed to shift the burden of attention given to me onto Shasha, petting him with a triumphant expression.

Shasha, unable to say anything and bowing his head while sniffling, seemed a bit pitiful,

But that’s how social interactions go.

“Perhaps now is the perfect opportunity to buy low on a smart and cute commoner?”

Shasha is bound to succeed in any form.

From now on, getting closer can’t be a bad thing – that was the meaning.

At my words, Deron glanced at Shasha and spoke subtly.

“Shasha, you said.”

“Yes, yes…”

“You’ve made friends with the wrong person.”

“Yes…”

With those words, they both sighed simultaneously and looked at me.

Feeling uncomfortable under their gazes, I scratched my cheek.

“Well then – I’ll step back so you two can become friends.”

“Sit.”

“Don’t go.”

“Uh…”

Clearing the empty plates, I tried to separate Deron from Shasha, but due to their simultaneous strong words, I was momentarily pressed down by the momentum and obediently sat back down.

“…Shasha, your friend praised you so much. Will you just sit there quietly?”

“…No.”

“Then you should, right?”

I’m not sure what exactly they’re talking about, but since only negative thoughts came to mind, when I tried to escape again,

Shasha grabbed my arm, pulled me onto her lap, held me tightly so I couldn’t escape, and slowly opened her mouth.

“…About our Lia.”

Ah.

All eyes in the restaurant were on us.

Isn’t this a bit too much?

I wished you well.

Why are you doing this to me?

“Shasha, Shasha?”

“You seem really silly….”

“Miss Shasha?”

“She’s quite foolish and strange, incredibly cute….”

This is a bit embarrassing.

As I struggled to break free, Shasha’s voice grew louder.

If I kept resisting, it seemed like she would threaten to speak loudly enough for everyone in the restaurant to hear, so I obediently lowered my head.

Shasha, a frightening child.

Introducing oneself through someone else’s mouth was extremely awkward.

My face is burning.