Chapter 81

Since he moved up to the higher division, the Emperor's popularity has soared even further. Especially the upperclassmen, the second and third-year students, seem to be taking him seriously.

Until now, they had been making a fuss over how cool he was, but there was still a feeling that he was just a middle schooler. Now that they are in the same high school, and he looks more mature, he doesn't seem younger, and above all, he is the heir to the Tachibana Group. No wonder they are getting serious.

Tachibana is basically quiet in front of people he isn't close to. This makes it hard for his flaws to show. Silence is golden, indeed.

I wonder if it's just my imagination, but it seems like many of the upperclassmen have started to copy Yurie-sama's hairstyle.

Today, the Emperor is enjoying a slice of sabayon in the salon. I gain weight just from eating a little bit of something sweet, so why don't boys get fat even though they eat so much? It's so enviable.

I heard that riding is his hobby. Maybe it's because he exercises. He turned down the equestrian club's invitation, but if there was a polo club at Suiran, I bet he would have joined. After all, he is the Emperor of the Mounted Combat. Hehe.

Maybe I should start swimming again. But for some reason, I can't dive. Even though I'm determined to go all the way to the bottom, I float up right away. I wonder why. Would I be able to do it if I took lessons?

While I was daydreaming about such trivial things, a third-year senior boy came over.

"Rika, are you troubled by something? You looked deep in thought."

Thoughts? I was just thinking about how I want to eat sabayon and how I want to go home and do needle felting. That's all.

"No, it's nothing much. I was just thinking about the theme for the next flower arrangement lesson."

"Oh, so you're interested in ikebana. I'd love to see your work."

"Really? My work is so clumsy, I couldn't possibly show it to you."

Hmm. Since I became a high school student, more boys have started to approach me. I've also been receiving more party invitations. I try to decline as much as possible.

I want to fall in love, but I don't like people who come close for ulterior motives.

After that, I talked with a few people about the different schools of ikebana.

---

I invited Sakura to my house for the first time. As a student of Yurin Palace Girls' Academy, she is well-liked by her mother. After greeting her brother, who was just about to go out, I took Sakura to my room.

"Wow, the Kishikoin family is impressive. There aren't many students at Yurin Palace who come from such a large family. And you even met the heir of the Kishikoin family. You can brag to your seniors."

When Sakura entered my room, she shed the giant cat costume she had been wearing.

I placed the jelly from the famous fruit shop and cold tea that Sakura brought as a gift on the table.

"Your brother?"

"The heir of the Kishikoin family is currently the top choice for a marriage partner among the girls."

"Hmm, really?"

Oh no. I don't want someone with ulterior motives to become my brother's wife. I want my brother to have a happy marriage. But I guess my brother won't fall for the wrong person.

"This kiwi jelly is delicious."

"Rika really loves sweets, doesn't she?"

"Um, I feel like I've gained a little weight recently... Is it still okay?"

"Are you still doing yoga?"

"Um, just the mountain pose and the corpse pose?"

"Those are just standing and lying down."

Well, I get bored when I do it alone in my room. I guess I need to go to a class.

"Sakura, do you do any physical activities?"

"I've been doing Nihon Buyo since elementary school."

Wow, a perfect activity for a traditional Japanese beauty!

"I'm thinking about starting swimming."

"...I can already imagine you complaining about the cold and skipping it in winter."

What a shame! And it's so true!

"Um, Sakura, are you in any clubs?"

"I joined the band. I wanted to try playing the cello."

"Wow, the band, huh?"

"What about you, Rika?"

"I wanted to join the handicraft club..."

"The handicraft club... It doesn't really suit you, does it?"

"Do you think so? The members of the handicraft club seem to be a bit scared of me, and I thought I might be a burden if I joined."

"Rika, you look like the perfect lady. You have power too. ...How about bringing homemade sweets? I think it would change their impression and make them feel closer to you."

Homemade sweets. That might work.

"Thank you, Sakura! I'll try making some right away!"

"Wait, you're serious?"

What should I make?

When I asked my brother what kind of homemade sweets would be good to give out at school, he told me to stop, saying, "Don't give homemade sweets to people you're not close to."

"Why did you suddenly decide to do this?"

"Well, I want to join the handicraft club, but they don't seem to welcome me..."

"Handicrafts? I remember you were making something with needles the other day. Do you want to do that in the club?"

"No, I want to make amigurumi. I've been trying to make them at home by looking at books, but I haven't been very successful. Then I got into needle felting..."

"Then why don't you ask them to teach you how to make amigurumi?"

"Do you think they'll teach me?"

"It'll be fine."

My brother patted my head. It's been a while since he did that. It's strange, but when my brother says it'll be fine, I really believe it.

Okay! I'll give it a try!

On the next day of the handicraft club's activities, I visited the club room alone to avoid giving off an unnecessary intimidating presence. The members looked surprised to see me again.

"Um, I have something I'd like to ask. May I have a moment?"

"What is it?"

The club president came out, so I took out the half-knitted yarn and the amigurumi book I had brought.

"I want to make amigurumi, but I'm not very good at it. I wanted to join the handicraft club to learn, but..."

"Amigurumi? Kishikoin-san?"

The club members looked surprised.

"What do you want to make?"

"This."

I showed them the book.

"Oh, I think this is easy once you get the hang of it. ...If you want, I can teach you."

"Really?!"

Yes! I should have asked like this from the beginning!

I immediately started learning from the club president, knitting with brown yarn. As a beginner, and since I plan to make a relatively large amigurumi, it will take some time. Eventually, the other club members started to open up to me and gave me advice. It's so nice that I'm no longer feared when I show up at the handicraft club. We chat about trivial things and spend a relaxing time together.

However, I still haven't been given the application form to join the club...