Chapter: 78
The journey back to the Academy with the box bestowed by the merciful Gold Duke was quite enjoyable.
After all, the school trip, which I had set off for with worries and annoyances, ended up yielding pretty decent results. A 50% increase in the support funds and six bottles of Boyar wine meant I’d have no complaints even if I traveled across the Empire. If I considered that just for a trip to Boyar, it was a very satisfying outcome.
“Is it uncomfortable? Hand it over. I’ll hold it.”
“It’s fine. You must be uncomfortable too.”
“I have space sitting inside. Come on, just give it to me.”
Well, it was surprising how Irina, whom I thought I would never lay eyes on again, seemed oddly calm. In fact, she appeared more serene than when we were on our way to Boyar.
Irina was already in the carriage when I boarded, tapping the seat beside her to invite me over, and now she wanted to take the box into her arms as well.
‘Was the Kraken effect that strong?’
She seemed to value being saved from what could’ve been a painful situation more than the fact that I caught her tears. I mean, I’m her family’s enemy, so I’d be grateful if she thought of me as a benefactor.
The real enemy wasn’t me but the Third Manager. But hey, a boss and a subordinate are like two sides of the same coin; that’s just fate. If that brat’s gain is my gain, then his misfortune is mine too. What a sad affair…
Still, I cautiously handed the box to Irina, who was stretching her hands toward me and gazing into my eyes. She seemed poised to insist, so I might as well give in.
“You two seem to have gotten a lot closer.”
I nodded at Erich’s comment absentmindedly. I wasn’t sure about the closeness, but compared to before, our relationship had definitely improved. If it went from a friendly score of -80 to +20, that was a whopping increase of 100 points.
But hey, from the perspective of 0, it’s just a modest score of 20. That’s the exact kind of relationship Irina and I had.
“It makes sense to get closer since you’re both in the same carriage.”
“I’m glad. I thought Irina seemed a bit intimidated by you.”
A bit? No, it felt more than that.
“Oppa is a good person, so it’ll be good for you to get closer!”
“Uh, uh-huh.”
At that comment, Irina’s ears flushed red, and she lowered her head. A good person, getting closer… Despite how it sounded, accepting such an embarrassing comment in stride wasn’t going to be easy. There’s bound to be some residual awkwardness.
“If I become more comfortable, we should be able to get along better.”
What I meant was, if she didn’t warm up, I wouldn’t push things to be awkward. Yeah, building rapport really is up to Irina’s comfort. Not my call to decide whether we’re close or not.
“Then it shouldn’t be long.”
At Louise’s cheery comment, I let out a small chuckle. It seemed she was unaware of the subtleties behind the scenes.
However, surprisingly, Louise’s observation was spot on. Is this the power of the protagonist?
“I had an inkling that showing up empty-handed might be a no-no…”
After the school trip wrapped up, normal life at the Academy resumed, and an unexpected guest arrived during club time.
“This is a hawthorn. The flowers bloomed beautifully, so I brought it.”
“Wow, it’s pretty!”
Irina burst into the club room cradling a small potted plant and handed it to Louise. A hawthorn sapling with white blossoms. I’m no expert on trees, but it looked lovely, no doubt about that.
“Thank you! I’ll take good care of it!”
“Just give it some water on time.”
Louise placed the flower pot in a spot with plenty of sunlight. It seemed she really liked the flower, checking on it repeatedly. If flowers could feel someone staring at them like people do, this one would’ve already wilted from the pressure.
Then, turning her gaze toward me, Irina gently bowed her head.
“Hello, Oppa.”
“Yeah, hi.”
But is it okay for you to be here? What about your club activities?
“Today’s club meeting got canceled, so I came to hang out. Am I a bother?”
It seemed Irina sensed my unvoiced question and explained the situation upfront. She had nowhere else to go. Well, in that case, it can’t be helped.
“Not at all. Feel free to relax while you’re here.”
“Thank you.”
Once again, Irina bowed as she thanked me. What a polite kid. To think she’d been scared stiff around me…
“Wait, Irina, weren’t you in the gardening club?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Is the gardening club off today?”
As Erich was figuring out how to not make this awkward between us, he suddenly paused and then awkwardly continued,
“Ah, sorry. I mistook it for another club.”
“It’s fine. That happens.”
I averted my eyes after seeing Irina let out a light laugh. I might not see her expression, but something tells me it’s good that I couldn’t.
*
I hesitated multiple times outside the pastry club’s door. I just needed to knock. I could do it if I closed my eyes and just went for it.
‘Would that be okay?’
I had been avoiding him till now; was it really okay to drop by like this? Would he think I’m weird? Yikes!
Nope, that’s all in my head! I’m just here to see a friend! And besides, I haven’t even given him a thank-you gift for what he did! Yeah, I have every right to be here!
‘It’s entirely up to me.’
Oppa told me we could be friends if I was comfortable. Sure, I didn’t forget the unpleasant moments from the past, but I can’t keep my heart shut to someone who saved me. That’d be pretty uncouth for nobility.
With my courage gathered, I entered the clubroom where Louise and Oppa greeted me. Their faces didn’t show a hint of discomfort at my sudden visit, which was a relief. They seemed to like my gift too!
“The flower language of the hawthorn is probably tolerance or forgiveness.”
As I was deciding what gift to bring, I consulted a senior from the club. And then it struck me—perfect flower meanings!
Tolerance, forgiveness. That sounds just about right. It’s a bit embarrassing for me to say it out loud, and it’d probably make Oppa a bit awkward too, but express it softly, and it should be fine. I bet he’ll be amazed by my thoughtfulness—
Wait, scratch that. Whether he’s amazed or not is irrelevant. It’s just a gift. Yeah, it’s light-hearted, just a small first gift.
“Um, Irina, weren’t you in the gardening club?”
I had claimed the gardening club was off today and found myself an excuse to be in the pastry club’s room when Erich struck up a conversation. Did he realize I was lying? Could it be one of Erich’s friends is also in the gardening club besides me?
“Today, the gardening club is off…”
When Erich mentioned something he shouldn’t, I shot him a look that could freeze water. He seemed to get my message and quickly shut his mouth.
“Ah, sorry. I just confused it with another club.”
“It’s okay. That kind of thing happens.”
Erich really is such a considerate guy. He picks up on friends’ feelings and overlooks little white lies with grace.
I passed some time in the pastry clubroom before heading out. Even though there were high-ranking folks, they turned out to be way kinder than I’d anticipated. My senior had told me wandering around during club activities was okay, but I needed to return before it was over.
“Feel free to stop by whenever you get the chance!”
“Is that really okay?”
“Yes! Absolutely fine, right?”
“Sure. It’s not like it’s a secret hideout or anything.”
I even got the green light to come back anytime. Nothing to lament!
“Hey, senior. I’m back.”
“Oh, Irina!”
Once I returned to the gardening club room, my senior, who had told me about the hawthorn’s meaning, greeted me warmly.
“Did you gift the hawthorn already?”
“Yeah? Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“Ah, just that I heard it had some other meanings too.”
My mind went blank at that comment.
“I heard it also stands for ‘my only love’ and that it’s actually more famous than the others.”
“Ah.”
Ah.
Ahhhhh…
‘Oh, no!’
What am I going to do, what am I going to do?!
I— I never intended for it to go this far! I just meant to say that I’m fine now…!
“Irina?”
“S-senior, is that really the most famous meaning?”
“Oh, you already gave it then.”
In a state of total bewilderment, I awkwardly nodded, and my senior sighed as if there was no way around it.
“If the person receiving it doesn’t know the meaning, it should be fine.”
“But what if they do know…?”
“…”
“Senior?”
She didn’t respond, but her silence weighed like a ton of bricks.
Please, please let Oppa not know the meaning. It’s fine if he doesn’t catch on to my carefulness! Just, please!
*
With the arrival of the plant, the clubroom suddenly felt much livelier. It may be small, but a plant is a plant, after all—it really spruces up the place!
“Even if you spill flour, it won’t matter.”
Rutis, with his quirky sense of aesthetics, remarked with satisfaction. That blushing redhead had to say something about the pretty flower, huh? Honestly, if it were me, I could pour some hot sauce on him and it wouldn’t make a difference.
“The white flower looks lovely too! I used to think flowers needed colors to be beautiful.”
“You can find beauty in things that are unblemished.”
After that, Erich and Ainter exchanged more grounded comments, so I guess it’s a blessing that not everyone shares the same taste as Mr. Big-Hot-Sauce.
Suddenly, Louise turned around while wiping down the flowerpot and asked, “What would be a good way to express gratitude?”
Ah, gratitude.
“I feel like giving her something for gratitude might pressure her. Just offering snacks each time she visits would be enough.”
“Is that so?”
If this were an ordinary gift, a response in kind would be fine too. However, when Louise presented the flowerpot to me while looking my way, it felt suspicious, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a thank-you gift for saving her from the Kraken.
If she gave me a thank-you gift for the thank-you gift… it begins a bizarre chain reaction.
“Irina loves macarons, so how about we go with that?”
Seeing her resolutely nod, it looked like today was going to involve mass-producing macarons. But wow, I didn’t know she could whip those up!
“I think Irina will love it. Give it your all.”
“Of course!”
With Louise’s enthusiastic demeanor trailing behind me, I stole a glance at the flowerpot Irina had given me. What was it called again? Hawthorn? No, was it Haw?
‘That’s a new one for me.’
Some people have all the flower meanings memorized based on their colors, but I’m not one of them. I barely know which flowers bloom in which season. Just knowing cherry blossoms bloom in spring is enough for me!
That said, it does look nice. Having a plant in a place that smells solely of flour makes the air feel a bit clearer. I should remember to thank her again next time she swings by.
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