Chapter Sixteen: What Do You Usually Eat?
As the first rays of dawn sneaked through the sheer curtains and danced around the room, I groggily stirred, vaguely hearing some rustling noises. I cracked open one eye to investigate.
The dorm was still dim, but Sarah was already up, dressed in her school uniform, sitting at the vanity and attempting to tame her messy hair.
Is it morning already…?
“Ugh… mmm~”
I stretched my arms and legs, relishing a delightful yawn.
“You’re awake?”
Hearing the movement, Sarah turned around and whispered at me.
“Not really…”
I flipped over, pulled the blanket that had been kicked to the side back over me, buried my head under it, and closed my eyes again.
So sleepy…
We chatted for ages before going to bed last night. Who knows when I fell asleep…
“Sarah…? Why are you up so early… yawn~”
Daisy woke up too, her voice sticky and groggy, clearly still drowsy, followed by a big yawn.
“Sorry, did I wake you guys?”
“Not really… um… ugh… Sarah, those dark circles under your eyes are intense…”
“Didn’t sleep well last night…”
“Then why are you up so early?”
“If I don’t get up, there’ll be a sea of people at the front gate later, and we won’t see a thing.”
“See what…”
“Wait, did you forget, Daisy? The Pope is coming today!”
“Oh… ah! I forgot!”
Daisy suddenly gasped, and the dorm was filled with another round of rustling, seemingly indicating she was also getting up.
“Ugh…”
So noisy.
“Shh! Be quiet; Peilo is still sleeping…”
“I know, I know…”
But my hearing is sharp; I can hear you even if you whisper… Plus, outside it’s turning noisy as well; looks like a lot of people are already up…
No sleeping for me…
My head feels heavy, but my mind is waking up… Guess I’ll just get up.
I rolled out of bed and, slightly annoyed, tousled my hair.
“Ah, she’s up.”
“Peilo, are you going to watch too?”
“Not really…”
What’s so interesting about Angel? You all go; that just means the cafeteria will be empty…
I climbed down from the top bunk, rummaged through the cupboard to find a school uniform I hadn’t worn in ages. I sniffed it, then tilted my head in confusion.
“Sarah, did you wash my uniform?”
It shouldn’t be this clean after being stored for so long; it even smells nice…
“Daisy washed it; she said it was sitting idle anyway.”
“Oh, thanks~”
Feeling a bit happy, I smiled at Daisy, who was changing clothes, and she returned the smile.
After we all changed into our uniforms, the three of us took turns brushing our teeth. I tidied my hair, had Sarah put it up in a bun, then put on a sunhat and walked over to the mirror for a look.
The girl reflected in the mirror had bright eyes and a lovely smile, dressed in a pristine white standing collar shirt with puffy sleeves, cinched at the waist with leather to keep my tummy tight. Below her was a sky-blue fluffy skirt, paired with a garden-style sunhat. My hair was tucked neatly under it, and the beautiful black bow at the brim swayed playfully with a charming vibrancy as I moved my head.
I nodded in satisfaction.
Of course, it’s me.
Adorably perfect!
I gave my cheeks a little pat, shaking off the lingering drowsiness, and happily turned around—only to find Daisy standing by the bed, looking distressed as she tried to button her shirt.
But she just couldn’t do it.
My smile vanished instantly.
“Daisy, are you ready yet?” Sarah, already dressed, couldn’t help but urge.
“Almost, almost… the uniform is so much tighter now; did it shrink…?”
Daisy was getting increasingly frantic, her fingers turning white as she struggled to fasten the buttons. The sheer bulk of her chest was practically threatening to burst out of the lining, nearly blinding me.
Why is it so big…?
“Please, you’re the one who needs it to shrink… hurry up, let me help you…”
Sarah stepped in to help Daisy button up. The two fumbled for a while before getting it done, Daisy’s fabric under duress, the buttons seeming to flirt with disaster at any moment.
“Maybe go downstairs and request a bigger size…” Sarah remarked, almost lamenting, then grinned mischievously, “Daisy, do you know what those boys call you behind your back?”
“Hmm?”
Daisy clearly didn’t know, responding with a nasal, slightly confused sound.
“Cattle of the Ceylan Lakeside.”
“Ah!”
“Bwahahah!”
Daisy turned bright red, shyly covering her mouth. Meanwhile, Sarah laughed without a care and playfully poked Daisy’s soft chest.
“Let’s go, little cow, I’ll take you for a stroll~”
“Sarah!” Daisy pouted, shooting daggers at her, lightly stomping her foot, embarrassment nearly making her want to sink through the floor, “How can you say that! So rude… and those boys are so annoying…”
“But all the girls envy you.”
“Who would envy me? I’m about to d*e from annoyance…”
“Look.”
Sarah suddenly pointed at me, her face completely lighting up with glee.
“Look at Peilo, her eyes are glued to you.”
“You’re the only one with glued eyes!” I quickly averted my gaze, stomping towards the door, “I am not envious! Not at all!”
“I never said you were envious, why are you so quick to defend yourself? Don’t out yourself! Hah~”
“Puh puh puh!”
So annoying!
I was fuming…
Once outside, I noticed many students hurrying downstairs. Seeing this, Sarah panicked and tugged at my and Daisy’s hands, starting to jog.
“Come on, if we’re late, there won’t be good spots left!”
“But I don’t want to go…”
I pouted, but Sarah’s grip was tight, and she dragged Daisy and me down the stairs. When we reached the tower door, instead of rushing out, she turned around and knocked on the first floor admin’s door.
Bang bang bang!
“Teacher Melville!” she shouted loudly.
Huh?
Isn’t the admin Fat Grandma? Why is Sarah calling for Teacher Melville? He isn’t here, right…?
Could it be?!
A sudden shock rippled through me.
Could it be that the teacher and Fat Grandma…
Bang bang bang!
“Teacher!”
Sarah called again, and the door opened with a ‘click’, revealing the half-asleep white-haired Elder, who peered out while yawning and asked, “What’s the matter…?”
Still in his robe, Teacher Melville swept his gaze over Sarah, then spotted me standing awkwardly off to the side, and his eyes lit up.
“Miss, you’ve finally returned to school.”
“Uh, you?”
Daisy, who still hadn’t caught her breath, looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“Oh, I meant… was everything smooth?” Teacher Melville instantly corrected himself.
“Yeah.”
I nodded.
“Good, good…”
He smiled at me with satisfaction, then turned towards Sarah, “What do you need from me?”
Sarah immediately shoved Daisy forward: “Teacher, her uniform is too small; can she get a bigger one?”
“Small? Oh…” Teacher Melville glanced at Daisy briefly and then wore a knowing look, “You can change; I’ll write you a request. You can take it to the first floor of the Teacher’s Tower to swap it out.”
“Thank you, Teacher~”
Teacher Melville turned back to the room, and after a moment returned with a piece of paper, handing it to Sarah.
“Teacher, where’s Grandma?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“She left.” Teacher Melville raised an eyebrow, looking at me incredulously, “She set off for the Eastern Continent a few days ago, and I’m now in charge of the Ceylan Lakeside Tower… didn’t you know?”
Eh…
To the Eastern Continent?
Ah!
Suddenly, I remembered seeing familiar faces while sending Carlos off, vaguely spotting Grandma in the carriage.
Who exactly is she?
I had asked Sarah and the others before, but no one seemed to know much, just that students generally fear her since she’s quite fierce.
After leaving the tower, Sarah turned back and asked me, “Peilo, are you really not coming with us to take a look?”
“Yep, I’m not going.”
“But… that’s the Pope…” Daisy looked at me incredulously.
“He isn’t food or anything.”
“Eh?!”
“Oh, I mean… I’m hungry.”
I barely ate last night…
This morning the cafeteria is surely not crowded; I want to rush in ahead of everyone, pile all the good food on the table, and then dig in!
“Forget it. If Peilo isn’t going, let’s go, Daisy…”
“Alright then.”
Seeing Sarah say that, Daisy nodded reluctantly, a hint of regret on her face.
“Peilo, can you bring us back some food?”
“Okay.”
“Also… don’t forget to gather at the training ground. Today’s theology class is there.”
“Mm.”
“We’re off.”
The two girls took each other’s hands and jogged away along the stone path. I stood in front of the tower, watching their figures basking in the morning light, and caught sight of the girl slightly lagging behind. As she ran, her chest bounced like waves, and I could no longer hold back, cupping my hands around my mouth like a trumpet and yelling, “Daisy!”
The girl stopped, her arms crossing her chest, looking back at me, astonished.
“What do you usually like to eat?!”
