Squeak, squeak.
When I returned to the classroom, I suddenly found myself surrounded by all the girls in the class. They’re all chattering, but to be honest, I can’t understand a word because they’re all talking at once.
Though I’ve gotten somewhat used to talking with girls, I’m still flustered when they all swarm around me like this and start talking all at once.
Yuli, who had walked in holding my hand, seems equally flustered as she quietly lets go of my hand and starts to inch away.
Please don’t leave me alone!
But my silent plea only echoes within me, drowned out by the wall of girls around me.
Hmph, some kind of barrier, huh.
In the midst of that, a girl standing directly in front of me grabbed my hand and spoke to me.
“Alicia! Earlier during the fight with that person in Class 2, can you repeat what you said!”
“Eh… huh?”
“You know what!”
Then the girl lowered her voice and said,
“If you’re upset, come at me, trash.”
Gyaahhh!
Did I really say that?
Well, kinda, but… did it really come off like that? Seriously?
Please, someone tell me it’s a lie…
But no one steps forward to tell me it’s a lie. Instead, they all just stare at me, making me feel less awkward and more terrified.
“…If you’re upset, come at me, trash.”
I barely managed to repeat it, my voice almost gone. But then…
“That’s not right! Earlier, it sounded cooler!”
Please, someone save me. If I die here, there’s no doubt the cause will be sheer embarrassment.
“If you’re upset, come at me, trash.”
“Kyaahhhh!”
Out of sheer embarrassment, I attempt to flee the crowd, but another hand grabs me.
“I’m talking about that move! When you brushed your hair back!”
Why are you all doing this to me?
But there’s no escape. Eventually, I manage to break free after demonstrating my hair brush move three more times and repeating “trash kid” two more times.
“…Yuli, you too would abandon me.”
“Haha… Sorry. But you really don’t need to feel embarrassed. The way you smiled at me, Alicia, was really cool! Like a prince—”
Yuli suddenly covered her face with both hands and bowed her head. She must have remembered how silly her words sounded, because her ears are bright red. I can tell she’s smiling even though I can’t see her face.
That’s what happens when you say things you don’t mean…
Still, I think it’s worth it because I’ve inadvertently added an embarrassing moment to my past that now helps Yuli. Isn’t that a good thing?
Surely the warm sunlight shining down is congratulating me for finding some solace, isn’t it?
If I didn’t find comfort in this way, I’d probably throw myself into the river right now.
Hmm?
In the spot where the sunlight is brightest, a black cat is curled up and sleeping.
Pets are strictly prohibited in the academy, so this must be a stray cat from around here. It seems quite well-fed despite its wandering nature.
I left Yuli in her daze and quietly approached the cat.
I gently extended my hand and started stroking the cat. Sensing my touch, it slowly opened its eyes and looked up at me, but it didn’t pull away.
This reminded me of the cat I used to keep in the assassin guild. Ours wasn’t as fancy as this one. It was just your typical stray.
Our guild was always poor, and especially in the days when we had no money, the guild hideout became a rat’s paradise. Master, in frustration, brought home a stray cat one day, and the rats disappeared. Reflecting on this, I suddenly feel itchy all over.
As I kept petting, I remembered our old cat would wake up when it was pet like this, stretch lazily, and give a small “meow” before falling asleep again.
This one, though, is surprisingly calm. It doesn’t reject my touch and its coat looks well-groomed and healthy; it’s evident someone takes care of it. Perhaps there are students like me who secretly feed it.
I wonder, do cats like having their bottoms patted?
Pang Pang!
I switched from petting to gently patting the cat’s bottom. Instead of liking it…
“Kyaah!”
The cat didn’t show any happiness. Instead, it leapt up and backed away several steps before growling at me.
Why? I was sure cats like it when their bottoms are patted!
As I stood there looking lost, the cat stopped growling, hesitated for a moment, and then approached me again. It then rubbed its head against my hand.
You want me to stick to petting your head, huh?
Apparently, I was right because the moment I started petting it again, it let out a soft purr and closed its eyes.
“El~ I’m back!”
While I was petting the cat, Anne and Selian, who had gone to the restroom, spotted us and hurried over.
Though I’ve gotten used to going to the restroom alone, I still found it a little embarrassing and stayed behind, sending just the two of them.
“Why is Yuli so quiet?”
Selian glanced at Yuli, who had her head bowed beside me, and then turned to me with a question.
Yuli is still in that trance. But was what I did really that embarrassing? Still, the other girls seemed to like it.
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Of course, there’s no way I’d reveal my personal embarrassment.
“Yeah, it’s nothing.”
At that moment, Yuli also lifted her head. Her red face had returned to its usual pale color.
“Hmm~?”
Our responses seem to have raised Anne’s suspicions. Selian also stared at us intently. Still, I have no intention of saying anything.
“What! If both of you say so, then that’s that! Let’s hurry to the cafeteria. The seats will be full soon.”
Fortunately, Anne dismissed her suspicions and led the way to the cafeteria.
Oh, what about the cat…
When I turned my head, the cat was nowhere to be found. It must have wandered off at some point. Well, I’ll probably see it again sometime.
Fortunately, the cafeteria was relatively empty, with barely any lines.
Anne was first, followed by Selian, who took out their meal tickets and threw them into the tray.
Following closely behind Yuli, I also took out five meal tickets from my wallet and put them into the tray.
We then carried our trays of food and found an empty table in the corner.
Anne next to Selian, Selian opposite to me, and Yuli next to me.
“Let’s eat~”
Today’s menu is fish steak. Carefully, I slice the fish so as not to damage its texture.
Placing the piece onto the fork, I dip it into the sauce and bring it to my mouth.
And the smoothness, and the savory flavors that spread through my mouth.
Ah, the sauce is sweeter than last time. Is there a new chef?
Still, it’s delicious. This is definitely a 5-ticket menu.
?
What is it? I feel like I’ve forgotten something.
…?
?!
Emergency! Extreme emergency!
It’s been a month since I started at the academy.
The remaining duration of my studies is uncertain.
There are still 3 months until the next break.
My current meal tickets are exactly ten.
Each ticket costs exactly 10 silver coins. But how much money do I have left?
Just 3 gold coins. With all the extra expenses, having barely any money, I bought some gloves to challenge someone to a duel, and now I’m almost broke.
This is a major issue. Even if I empty all my savings, I’ll only have enough for 30 tickets. Though I always skip breakfast, with two meals a day, this will only last about 20 days.
And if I stick to the 5-ticket menu, I only have food for four days.
What was I doing all this time to end up like this, me of the past!
Anne, Selian, and Yuli are all members of noble families, so naturally, they went for the 5-ticket menu, and it felt natural to follow.
Of course, at first, I was thinking about saving money. But I didn’t consider the constant snacking when we went out, the regular need to buy supplies, let alone buying gloves this time. Somehow, I ended up fully enjoying and savoring the taste of the cafeteria food.
Until just a while ago, I had completely forgotten about the money situation.
Alright, calm down. What’s done is done. All we need to focus on is planning ahead.
I need to find a way to earn money. Meanwhile, I need to preserve the remaining tickets.
First, I need to avoid the 5-ticket menu. But there’s no way Anne, Yuli, and Selian would go for the 1-ticket menu. And it would be awkward for me to separately eat the 1-ticket menu while they eat the 5-ticket one.
Instead, I think it would be better to join another group who eat the 1-ticket menu when mealtime comes.
So, I approached the group and suggested I eat with some other friends—
“Haha, Alicia?”
“Eh, yeah?”
“Let’s eat together tomorrow?”
Selian smiled at me. I’m definitely sweating down my neck. Why did we revert back to the original title?
“Alicia? Your response?”
“Yeah! Got it!”
I’m sinking… I can’t escape from Selian!
We need to do something. At this rate, I won’t avoid bankruptcy. I need to find a way to earn money as soon as tomorrow.
Ah, this dessert is delicious.
