“I look forward to your return, Marquis.”
Pastel was bid farewell at the airship dock.
“Great! I’m looking forward to your return too!”
After a week filled with tea parties, chatting, and laughing with Melissa, Pastel happily agreed.
“Anytime.”
Count Camelot smiled softly with a subtle feeling.
Was it merely a polite comment, lacking any real warmth?
No way.
He’s the one who served delicious apple pie at every tea party. It must be a misunderstanding~.
Pastel linked arms with Melissa, who was carrying her backpack.
“Isn’t my best friend Melissa also looking forward to my next visit?!”
“We’re not that close, but yes. It was fun, Craft. My mother says you can come over anytime.”
As Melissa readily agreed, the corners of Count Camelot’s mouth twitched. He didn’t say anything but looked worriedly at Melissa.
Huh?
That gaze resembled a concerned mother’s watching her neatly raised daughter get friendly with a weird kid, fearing she might pick up bad habits?
No way~.
I’m not a weird kid at all.
The pink Pastel doesn’t do bad things. Just because Melissa hangs out with me doesn’t mean she’ll be tainted by bad influences.
Waving goodbye, they boarded the airship and began heading back to the sky island. While it would require a few airship transfers, it would be a smooth journey.
“Craft, I must have misunderstood you.”
Melissa blushed slightly.
“Someone who can’t even follow tea party etiquette wouldn’t have the wicked heart to hatch sinister plots.”
Spending a week sharing tea parties had apparently corrected Melissa’s misconceptions and judgments.
“I’m sorry. I judged you based on your beautiful appearance. I admit it. You have a pure heart just as you appear.”
The misunderstanding was completely cleared up!
Oh yeah.
Pastel was elated but then paused.
But wait, didn’t that mean I thought she was just acting foolishly, only to find out she was genuinely a fool after observing her for a few days?
Huh?
Zing!
Pastel, shocked!
She worked hard to maintain her etiquette with the Demon Lord’s help, but apparently did not measure up to the standards of a real noble lady!
Ahhh.
If this goes on, I’ll gain a reputation as Fool Pastel.
Restore the honor of top-notch Pastel!
Melissa flushed.
“Craft, can I call you by your name in the future?”
“Of course! Just don’t call me Fool Pastel!”
“Fool… Pastel?”
Melissa tilted her head.
Pastel’s jaw dropped.
Huh.
“W-wait, did you just call me Fool Pastel?!”
“Yes?”
Ahhh!
I actually became Fool Pastel!
As naive as I am, I’d never do evil or wicked things, so I can relax as Fool Pastel…!
All those previous descriptors fit perfectly, but the ‘fool’ part is undeniably wrong…!
Ahhh!
Thud.
Despair as Pastel arrived at the sky island academy.
Pastel trembled anxiously, walking through the campus.
As the vacation came to an end, students who had entered the dorm early greeted her. She cautiously greeted them and moved on.
“Demon Lord, Demon Lord. Can you hear? Rumors are that Fool Pastel is plotting against you!”
Fool Pastel, huh?
Shivering.
“I can’t hear it at all.”
Huh.
“Can’t hear it?!”
Pastel suddenly calmed down.
“I’ll trust what the Demon Lord said!”
Oh yeah.
Lulululala, she headed towards the student council room.
Before doing various things related to the misappropriated funds from the apple farm, she wanted to check on the construction of the dormitory first, as it was a public task.
Upon opening the door, a girl with black hair and pointed demon ears, who had a quill in her mouth, turned around.
“Oh, Elly! You’re early for school!”
“I have a lot on my agenda.”
Elly pulled out a stack of papers, looking pleased.
“By the way, I found suspicious approval documents?”
These were not related to the establishment of the Craft guild, but the establishment of the student council guild instead.
Big bold letters caught her eye.
Pastel Love Craft – 100% Ownership
It was a student council guild but had no student council shares.
Aaaah?!
The vice student council president, holding the position of treasurer, planning director, publicity director, and volunteer director, who rushed through the establishment process during the break with her 100% share, was taken aback.
Wahhh.
Pastel’s dark corruption was exposed to the world!
Clank, clank, the cuffs went on.
Iron bars were clanging.
Please see it as a survival-type corruption!
Elly tapped the documents.
“Is this embezzlement?”
Embezzlement.
Pastel flailed her arms around in a panic.
“No way! No way!”
Frantically.
“I merely established a partnership agreement with professionals for the smooth execution of student council activities and promoted private cooperation!”
Waving her arms.
A subtle glance was thrown her way.
Huh.
So my meticulously concocted excuse didn’t work?
The fool Pastel who couldn’t even convince a single staff member…!
Pastel clutched her cheeks with both hands, letting out a soul-crushing groan.
Oh no~.
The dark future has come true~.
From now on, call me Jailbird Pastel.
Elly shook her head and casually dropped the papers. She then returned to her seat to finish her work, looking as if she expected this from Craft.
“The dormitory construction is almost progressing smoothly, though the discovery of the basement has delayed the schedule.”
Huh?
No questioning at all?
Pastel stole a glance, then quietly returned to her seat. After observing again, when it turned out that there were truly no questions, her expression brightened.
I don’t know what it is, but it’s a good result!
She raised her arms high.
Life is so easy for Pastel…!
Oh yeah.
There are no jail terms in my future~.
Of course!
Nodding.
“Are you listening?”
“Yep! I’m all ears!”
She spread her palms on either side of her head.
Waving.
Elly looked at her with a hint of disapproval.
“The new dormitory is being completed well but the delay in schedule is a fact. I checked, and it seems some first-years who are planning to arrive early will temporarily run short on accommodation.”
“Then let’s rent a temporary place. We have contracts with some lodgings with the academy. It should be sufficient to divert the surplus.”
“Yes, that’s the plan. But since Dustin hasn’t arrived yet, we’re short on manpower for several jobs that need handling on time. Pastel, you have to do some practical work during the remaining vacation.”
Huh?
Elly brought over a bundle of documents and a list of organized schedules. The remaining short vacation was filled with work.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
Me, at risk of working?
Where did the holy mission to participate in Craft’s first smuggling venture go?!
Her breath quickened.
I-I don’t want to work!
Pastel trembled.
“P-P-Pastel has promises to keep~.”
Schedules are jam-packed.
I want to work, but alas, alas.
Elly moved on silently and returned with detailed approval documents. Then she pointed to explicit evidence of a crime.
Pastel Love Craft – 100% Ownership
Elly’s finger then pointed at the dormitory construction work.
An implicit pressure toward the lazy superior.
Ahhh!
Evil threats come crashing down on the innocent child!
Elly, blackmail is naughty…!
Just let me slack off~!
Pastel weakly leaned back in her chair.
Oh no.
I’ll spend the little remaining vacation only doing practical work.
The Grace High Merchant in front was gleefully reviewing slush fund checks.
“That’s quite a sum. It’s more than enough for Craft’s first smuggling venture.”
“About that smuggling…”
Pastel slumped entirely in her chair.
“I’m too busy with student council work to go. I’ll just submit the demon realm access permit for the urgent transport of dormitory construction materials. You can contact Preston’s organization at Blue Wave.”
“Oh my.”
The Grace High Merchant covered her mouth with a fan.
“By the way, it seems the student council is busy due to the Sky Whale that will soon come to the sky island?”
Sky Whale?
Pastel tilted her head.
“What Sky Whale?”
“Huh? Isn’t it now? The Sky Whale usually visits the sky island around this time every year. While not as busy as the guilds, isn’t the academy busy for student safety?”
I don’t know. Having been dazed by the workload, I hadn’t read all the documents, but I’ll have to ask Elly when I return.
“I should confirm it, but it seems there’s likely something about the Sky Whale.”
“I see.”
The Grace High Merchant pondered while fanning herself.
“Then you’ll need to send a substitute in place of His Excellency. The first trade is superstitiously important, so if the guild owner is completely absent, it would be unfavorable. It may appear ominous and could make hiring mercenaries or investing funds difficult for years.”
A substitute?
“You can’t just send anyone.”
“It can’t be just anyone, indeed. You need to send someone of sufficient stature that befits His Excellency’s reputation.”
Who could step in to lead the first smuggling venture instead of Pastel?
An idea flashed.
Professor Horace!
“I’ve just thought of someone! Don’t worry, prepare for the first trade!”
Pastel boldly declared as she left the guild. She then immediately went to find Professor Horace.
“Senpai!”
Professor Horace, walking through the campus, turned around.
“Oh! Junior! What brings you here?”
“Do we always have to meet because there’s work to do?! Of course, I’m here because I’ve got something to discuss!”
Hehe.
Professor Horace patted his chest.
“Feel free to speak! Your troubles are my troubles!”
“Junior, that’s reassuring!”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“Senpai, could you please deliver the goods on my behalf just once?!”
“Oh! A righteous delivery! Totally can do it! Even if I have to skip class, I will go! What’s the schedule?”
So reassuring!
Pastel provided the schedule.
However, upon hearing it, Professor Horace fell silent.
“Uh, that date seems a bit challenging…”
“What?! Why?!”
“I have to be on duty because of the Sky Whale, so I can’t skip out for student safety.”
Huh.
Not reassuring!
Pastel stiffened in shock.
Professor Horace glanced at Pastel and then changed his words.
“But, if you truly wish it, I could try to make some time, but I can’t guarantee it.”
Pastel’s head drooped in despair.
“It’s okay… If it’s for student safety, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Thanks for understanding. I’ll be sure to help next time!”
“Yeah.”
My trusted Professor Horace was leaving.
Pastel trembled.
Ahh!
She might mess everything up after boasting!
Liar Pastel…!
Shiver, shiver.
“You don’t need to feel too disappointed. Anyway, that professor isn’t really someone befitting the prestige of Craft. Despite your status as a student, they lack the weight.”
Demon Lord, don’t state the cold reality so calmly!
Ahhh!
Pastel slumped down.
A substitute worthy of the Craft Marquis family’s prestige?
No matter how I think about it, sending someone of the family’s retainers to maintain appearances is key, but there aren’t any surviving retainers left.
Despair.
Ultimate despair.
The sound of footsteps was nearby.
“Craft, or rather, Pastel?”
Melissa approached.
“Is there something troubling you?”
Pastel looked at her friend with a teary expression.
“I’m in a very, very troublesome situation!”
“Oh dear.”
Melissa gracefully bent down to lift Pastel up.
“If there’s anything troubling you, feel free to say. As an apology for misunderstanding the innocent you, I’ll gladly help.”
Huh?
Melissa Camelot.
Heir of the Southern Commander.
She’s not yet an official noble, but considering she’s a fellow student and my friend, isn’t she a fitting substitute?
Pastel innocently asked in a wavering voice.
“Will you really help me?”
“Of course.”
“It’s nothing serious, really. We just need someone to substitute for delivering goods needed by those in desperate situations. Just once during the remaining vacation.”
Melissa smiled brightly.
“That’s a good thing you’re doing. I truly misunderstood you. I can gladly help with such a good deed.”
“Melissa!”
Pastel hugged Melissa tight. Melissa stiffened but didn’t reject the hug.
You’re definitely my best friend!
A little while later, Pastel brought her best friend Melissa to the dock, where the first trade preparations were finished.
Melissa tilted her head.
“Is the delivery the first trade?”
“Yep!”
Various airships were stacked full of processed gems, which were contraband items.
The Grace High Merchant approached.
“Are you the one who will substitute for the first trade?”
“That’s right!”
Pastel handed over the task to Melissa. Melissa boarded the airship gracefully.
“I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be waiting!”
The champagne for the first trade popped, and the airships set off.
“Have a safe trip, Melissa!”
Pastel waved goodbye to her departing friend.
Waving her arms.
Still unaware of the situation, Melissa leaned against the airship’s railing, smiling as she waved back.
The atmosphere was good.
The smuggling ships vanished beyond the sky, carrying a noble lady unaware of her mission.
Thank you, Melissa!
You’re definitely my best friend!
I’ll ask for your help again next time!
Oh yeah.
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