Shomin no Aji - Chapter 602.2 (Patreon)

It might be my fault!?
"Yes. After all, upperclassmen pressing younger students is an embarrassing act, isn't it? Moreover, going to eat Lars to make excuses for avoiding disrespectful comments towards Crown Prince Raymond could be seen as an act of betrayal towards Francine-sama."
"...Eating Lars counts as an act of betrayal?"
"Well, yes... Until now, eating larce was ridiculed as a disgusting habit. Although Francine-sama herself has never made defamatory remarks to avoid disadvantaging herself, she probably sees you as a rival, just like me. So, Trixie-sama’s actions this time could be seen as not only an avoidance of disrespectful comments but also an acknowledgment of you, which is a betrayal of Francine-sama."

...So, it's not an exaggeration to say that my words and Lars caused this!
Ugh, I only said that to get through the situation.
I never thought it would drive someone to take a leave of absence...

Sensing my distress, Miria brewed some fresh tea to comfort me. Ah, it's so warm...

"Isn't there anything I can do?"
"Cristea-sama, you did nothing wrong. You don't need to worry. Showing pity might be taken as an insult to Francine-sama."

So, it's better not to help the enemy.
Personally, I don't see her as an enemy at all... it's just exhausting to be seen as one-sidedly.
I guess it was really lucky that I became friends with Alicia-sama.

When I stopped feeling down and looked at Alicia-sama with a smile, she blushed slightly.

"W-what is it? Why are you suddenly looking at me so happily?"
"I just thought I'm glad to have become friends with you, Alicia-sama."
"W-what! I-I also... I'm glad too!"

Alicia-sama's face turned bright red as she gulped down the freshly brewed tea and awkwardly said, "It feels a bit hot in here, doesn't it?" How cute.

"Yeah, this is the perfect tsundere...!"

Mariel-chan, who was listening next to me, muttered quietly.
Yes, I completely agree with that.
Alicia-sama's tsundere is truly the best!

"W-what is that... tsun... something?"
"Oh? Ahaha, um... it's nothing!"
"Alicia-sama, Mariel-san sometimes makes outrageous comments, but she's basically harmless, so don't mind her."
"Cristea-sama, that's mean!"

But, isn't it true? Your fantasies do leak out sometimes, Mariel-chan. Even if they're harmless.

"You two sometimes say incomprehensible things, don't you?"
"Ahaha..."

Mariel-san and I exchanged glances and brushed it off with an awkward smile.

"By the way, is Ruby-sama not here today?"

Alicia-sama seemed curious about Ruby's absence next to Mariel-chan.
Alicia-sama, you do love fluffy things, don't you?

"Oh, recently he’s been busy with something, so he’s often doing things on his own."
"I see... that's a shame."

Mariel-chan answered casually, but lately, Ruby has been talking a lot with my brother in the special dormitory's lounge.

"It's a secret conversation between me and your brother, so you two can't listen."

… Being kicked out by Ruby makes it all the more suspicious.
I hope it's not about plotting revenge like he mentioned before...

Shaking off the unpleasant thoughts, I decided to bring out some extra sweets and focus on enjoying our pleasant chat.

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