episode_0052

Episode 52. Happy Birthday, Princess (2)

****

The Academy hallway just before sunset.

The princess seemed to be in a very happy mood today. I don’t know why. She spent most of her birthday waiting alone and wasting it.

“What are you doing?”

“I went to a port city called Imentia. There were several patients with multiple diseases at the same time, so the dispatched people mistook it for the Black Death.”

“Black Death? Be scared.”

Because everyone reacted like that, Imentia got to the point where it was shut down in an instant.

The brain likes to assume the worst, which may seem like a natural reaction.

“It wasn’t the Black Death.”

“Thank goodness.”

Mint looked at me.

“Still, I’m glad you could come today. If you came after your birthday, I would have been a little depressed.”

“Okay, I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter since I’m here… … . There’s still a lot of day left. Teacher, are you feeling depressed today?”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

There isn’t much left. At best, it’ll be 30 minutes before the sun sets. I wonder if there’s a place open near the academy.

****

Somehow I managed to find a place that was open.

Judging from the lack of customers, it seems like closing time is approaching. Well… … .

Mint doesn’t know how scary the world is. Normally, the world should be afraid of Mint.

“Go in first, Princess.”

“Yeah.”

Mint went into the restaurant first, and I scratched my head in front of the reception with an awkward expression. What is this?

“I’m sorry. The princess is a bit spoiled. And today is her birthday.”

“Oh, it’s okay if the deadline is a little late.”

How could it be okay? When I was on duty at a hospital before, there were days when I would get annoyed by having to work past closing time to save someone’s life. What should I do?

I dug into my pocket and took out a few bills. The waiter waved me off.

“Here’s a tip. Share it.”

“Uh… ….”

The waiter hesitated for a moment, then finally took the tip. I looked at Mint, who was sitting across the restaurant.

You pay for the meal, Mint.

Anyway, this problem is solved too.

Mint chose a suitable window seat. I walked to the other side of the restaurant and sat down across from Mint. Mint stared at me blankly.

“Why you there?”

“What is it?”

“No.”

Mint got up from her seat and moved next to me. It felt a little uncomfortable, but… … Today is Mint’s birthday.

I have to get along at least today.

“What did the princess do today?”

“There was nothing special. I took class in the morning, hung out for a bit, and waited for the teacher in the evening.”

“Did you receive the congratulations?”

“Huh? I got sick of it. I could make four books with just letters. There were quite a few people who came to the academy.”

“Thank goodness.”

“What’s so fortunate?”

“There are many people who will congratulate the princess. Doesn’t that mean she has a lot of popularity?”

“I don’t know.”

“I said something similar last time, didn’t I? I was worried that there was no one around the princess. If there are a lot of people, there must be some good people among them.”

“There may not be many people who are truly mine.”

It was a line that surprisingly showed insight.

It’s a possibility, but isn’t it better than nothing? More importantly, Mint is living with thoughts? That’s fortunate.

“Still, today is a success. I received congratulations from other people, and the teacher came back right on time, right?”

“Yes.”

A moment of silence.

Mint looked out the window at the Academy building. The Academy building was turning on its lights one by one in the dusk.

There must be a lot of people staying up all night. Students studying or graduate students doing experiments.

You must have had a hard time. I’m glad that my graduate student, Istina, got home safely today.

“What did you order for food?”

“This and that.”

Mint didn’t elaborate further. She just stared off into the distance.

“Teacher, are you going to drink?”

“No. I have work tomorrow morning. More importantly, is the princess old enough to drink alcohol?”

“Are you kidding?”

“Yes.”

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have someone you like, teacher?”

“No, not really.”

“Really? That’s unexpected. I thought the teacher would be popular… … .”

How could that be? Since Istina, we haven’t been able to get a graduate student, so our popularity is going to freeze to death.

Mint glanced at me.

“You’re busy. There are so many things to worry about, from things you have to do to things you want to do to things you want to achieve.”

“That’s right. The teacher had a lot to do.”

“Yeah, well. I don’t think about it for the time being.”

****

“Hey. Am I pretty?”

“Yes?”

“Is it pretty?”

“Your Highness needs to show some respect to those below you. I know you treat them like they’re comfortable, but that doesn’t mean-”

“Answer.”

“Ah. Yes. You are pretty.”

“How much.”

“Very much?”

“Teacher, among all the people you’ve seen so far, is there anyone prettier than me?”

“I don’t think so.”

Mint laughed a little and then sighed.

“I bow down and receive your praise.”

“It’s not hard to compliment, but… … . What should I say? It’s a shame that the princess is in a state of mind that requires it.”

The princess frowned slightly at these words.

“What?”

“You are a princess, right? Is there any reason for you to protest and ask me to praise you to fill your self-esteem?”

Was that a bit harsh?

I checked Mint’s expression. Mint blinked as if she was disappointed.

“That’s rude.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Teacher, you’re going to scold me like this while you’re doing it in the lab every day to harass Istina?”

“Uh… … . I hope the princess grows up to be a better adult than me. And Miss Istina is doing graduate school work because she likes it.”

“Hmm. So cool.”

Mint didn’t believe me.

“So. You don’t want to compliment me?”

“No, that’s not it. I don’t know what to say, but I don’t think it’s a very healthy hobby.”

“That’s right… …. It wasn’t a good idea to tease the teacher to get small compliments.”

“Yes, right?”

Still, I’m glad you realized it.

“Then, now praise me sincerely.”

“Yes?”

Are you trying to make me laugh? I made eye contact with the princess, but Mint just opened her eyes wide and stared at me blankly.

“I don’t like it.”

“You said it wasn’t difficult?”

“It’s hard when you actually try to do it.”

“in… ….”

Mint put her hand on my shoulder.

I moved away from mint.

“You know what we were talking about earlier. The prettiest, kindest, smartest, cutest in the world-”

The sound of footsteps, and a cough. Mint and I turned our heads. A waiter was waiting awkwardly next to our table.

“Oh, the food is here… … ?”

There’s a fuss.

The waiter put down the food, trailed off, and left without saying anything. He did glance at me from the corner of his eye, though.

I pressed my temples hard. What should I do with our foolish princess?

“Please be careful, Your Highness.”

“Yeah.”

Mint looked up at me with eyes full of anticipation. I sighed. Yes, I decided to make it for a day or so.

“The princess is the most beautiful in the world.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“The princess is smart, talented in magic, and has a warm side. But-”

Mint didn’t listen to me after that. She just half-covered her mouth and smirked. I regretted my choice of words this time too.

You’ve been accommodating me too much, I’m going to spoil it.

****

Mint put down her spoon and wiped her mouth.

“I didn’t think the teacher would get along with me this well. It was beyond my expectations.”

“I’m already regretting it a bit.”

It’s only for one day. Wouldn’t it be okay to please her a little on her birthday? Mint is human too.

“The sun has already set.”

“Let’s go slowly. This restaurant will have to close someday.”

Mint shook off the hem of her clothes and slowly got up from her seat. I followed after her.

“Did you have a nice meal today?”

The waiter asked Mint.

I only ate one bite at a time, so most of it was left over. Mint nodded.

“The deadline has passed?”

“Oh, we’re fine.”

“Because it feels good. It’s a tip, share it.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

Mint took out a few bills from her wallet and handed them to the waiter. The waiter took the bills while trying hard to suppress his laughter.

You guys are a piece of cake. You got two tips.

“Teacher. Let’s go now.”

Still, it’s a happy ending for everyone.

Money means nothing to the princess. I made eye contact with the waiter, and he smiled awkwardly while scratching his head.

As you live, good things happen.

I followed Mint into the street.

“What are you going to do now, teacher?”

“I have to go home.”

Yesterday was the same as yesterday. I have no choice but to get some sleep today.

“Shall I take you to the princess?”

“Okay.”

The princess ran around quickly, circled around, and then returned to my side. There was a crescent moon in the sky… … .

“Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Oh, you can come. I have to be in the lab all day tomorrow to prepare for the conference.”

Mint nodded slowly.