Enjoy!
“Just maybe, are you….”
Did she have a sharp intuition, or was Tina just a bit too dense? It seemed like she was hesitating over whether it would be okay for her to say it, as Aira glanced back and forth between Tina and Lilia. Kayten probably also guessed what was up, as the corners of her mouth were raised slightly.
“I’d like to keep this ac confidential as possible. …And Tina hasn’t seem to have realised yet either.”
“Ah, yeah. Got it. I promise. I won’t tell Tina either.”
Aira nodded firmly, and Lilia also gave a satisfied nod. Then,
“How about this!”
Tina had brought out a set of clothes. Spreading them out, it was a pure white one-piece dress. There were no decorations or anything, and it looked quite simple.
“The white here is perfect for Lilia!”
—Buhah! White! Perfect for Lilia! You’re being totally misunderstood here!
—The way you say it p.i.s.ses me off, but I have to agree. Isn’t she idealising me a bit too much here?
—It seems the Lilia inside Tina’s mind has become an extremely good person. Better work hard so you don’t disappoint.
—I’ll put in an effort but…
Just when did her evaluation become something like this, thought Lilia as she sighed and reached out to take the clothes when,
“Hold up.”
Aira stepped in to grab it from the side.
“Aira?”
“What are you doing?”
Tina had a blank look as she tilted her head, and Lilia narrowed her eyes. Your eyes are scary, said Aira with a wry smile as she continued,
“Miss Lilia. Are you just gonna take this with you and leave? I think those n.o.bles will certainly have a reaction if they saw that.”
“Ahh… You’re right. And so? Since you mentioned it do you have some sort of good idea?”
Her tone almost seemed provocative, but she was actually just curious. Aira seemed to get that too, as she nodded with an earnest expression.
“I have a wooden box that’s just the right size for this, so I’ll put it in and take it to your room. I’d just caused a disturbance earlier, so at most people would think I’m bringin’ something over to make amends yeah?”
I see, said Lilia as she nodded. Certainly it wouldn’t seem too out of place that way. In fact normally in such situations a servant would be sent over for the task, but Aira who was either a lower cla.s.s n.o.ble or commoner would probably go to visit personally.
“Sounds good. In that case could I get you to take care of that, Miss Aira?”
“Sure thing. Just leave it to me.”
Aira nodded, and left the room with the clothes. Kayten also gave a firm bow and followed after her. Tina and Lilia saw them off, then,
“What good friends.”
“Eheheh. They’re too good for someone like me.”
She seemed overjoyed at having her friends praised, as she beamed a full-faced smile.
“Well then I’ll be returning to my room. Tina, I’ll definitely repay this favour.”
“It’s fine even if you don’t. Rather, let’s go to dinner again sometime, alright?”
Tina said with a carefree smile. Lilia’s eyes widened for just a moment, as she quietly nodded,
“Yes.”
—Tina sure is pure. She too good for someone like you.
—Yes, truly.
—Hey, you’re not supposed to be agreeing there. She’s a good friend for the new and improved Lilia. I mean it alright?
While conversing with Sakura in her bedroom, Lilia was being changed into the dress Alisa had prepared. That said it wasn’t actually that flashy, and was something that gave off more of a muted impression. It was also easy enough to change in and out of that could probably take it off herself too. Something that wouldn’t pose a problem even if it were stolen, was what Lilia had asked Alisa to prepare, so among the things Lilia wore it relatively cheap. Compared to regular things it was still very much a high-cla.s.s item though.
Something that wouldn’t be a problem even if stolen, when told that Alisa had looked at Lilia with a doubtful expression, but she didn’t really pry too much and just went along with it. Though, it seems she’d consulted with the agents about this, so they would probably attach a guard to watch over her. As long as they didn’t get in the way that was fine too.
—It seems she’s here.
At Sakura’s voice, Lilia looked up. There was a knock on the door to the bedroom, and Alisa’s voice came through. A guest, apparently.
“Could you please show her into this room?”
At Lilia’s reply, Alisa’s voice paused. You could feel her speechlessness, before she responded understood, as she returned to normal. And before waiting long, there was another knock on the door.
“Please enter.”
“Pardon the intrusion…”
And then entered Aira. She was holding largish wooden box, and looking like she was doing something super shady. Lilia quickly realised she was being very careful with the contents of the box.
“Even if you break of drop anything I wouldn’t really mind you know?”
“Nah, well I’d mind… I would mind.”
“It’s fine to speak like you were before too. Even if you get all polite now it just feels weird.”
“Ugu… I got it.”
Aira lowered her shoulders, and went towards Lilia with the box. Lilia pointed at a place on the floor, and she let it down there.
“Say, Miss Lilia.”
“What is it?”
“It seems pretty obvious… But are you planning on goin’ to the south side?”
As if she still couldn’t believe it, she doubtfully asked that question. Lilia firmly nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. Is there some problem?”
“Nah, it ain’t a problem. It’s a side of the academy so the public order’s probably fine. Just, it seems so out of place… What are you trying to accomplish there?”
“Dorayaki.”
“Eh… Hah?”
She probably couldn’t believe what she had just heard, as Aira’s eyes went wide. Finding that state somewhat amusing, a bit of a smile floated onto Lilia’s face.
“The other day, I received some dorayaki from Tina. It was really good, I thought I’d go buy some more. Also I’ve heard that there were many other things too, so I plan to have a look around.”
“I see… I knew Tina’d gone and brought some dorayaki with her somewhere the other day, but to think it was for you. You guys’re really friends huh. So you hara.s.sing her was just some rumours then.”
“Oh my, it’s true though? It’s just that we’ve since reconciled after that.”
Aira’s mouth dropped open with a thud. Some stifled laughter was leaking out o Lilia, as she went and got up.
Author’s Note:
It’s really not progressing much huh…
Sakura
Lilia