Chapter 17

Chapter 16

The Baking Club That Can't Bake - 2

Karl and Erich walked in silence. Karl was checking the surroundings to find a place where they could have a quiet conversation, while Erich felt awkward initiating a conversation with Karl. This was especially true because Erich's gaze made Karl look even more serious.

"Good person."

These two words suddenly flashed through Erich's mind as he looked at Karl. It was a phrase he had never thought of in his life, "good person."

Erich had never seen a good person while growing up. Not only his father, the head of the family, but even his mother was somewhat ambiguous. Even if asked whether his brother Karl was a good person, Erich would tilt his head in confusion, as Karl was a person in a subtle gray area. Before meeting Louise, the concept of a good person was merely an ideal to Erich.

The reason why Erich, who had never thought of Louise as a good person, thought of Karl as one was simple. It was due to a conversation with Louise a while ago.

For Erich, the time before going to the club room, during the regular class hours at the academy, was the best time to have a conversation with Louise without any interruptions, thanks to the luck of being in the same class. Because of this, they could have various conversations, and sometimes unexpected topics would arise due to Louise's enthusiasm.

"Do you dislike Brother Karl?"

It started with a question like this.

Taken aback by Louise's sudden question, Erich looked at her in confusion. Louise blinked at him, looking genuinely curious and worried. Feeling embarrassed, Erich scratched his head. It seemed Louise was worried about the relationship between the brothers because Erich always tensed up in front of Karl.

"No, I don't dislike him. I just find him a bit intimidating."

"Why? Did something happen when you were young?"

At this, Erich's lips curled up slightly. If he had to choose a time when his relationship with Karl was the best, it would have been when they were younger.

"Nothing happened. I just feel awkward because of that."

If something had happened, and if they had talked more and Karl had become more familiar, Erich might not have found him so intimidating. Sometimes, Erich thought this, even though it was too late now.

"Just, the atmosphere around him is a bit heavy. Unlike me, he's been a bureaucrat for a few years, so we don't see each other often. That's why. It's not a big deal."

Trying to brush it off with a forced smile, but Louise tilted her head, seemingly not understanding his answer.

"Really? I thought Brother Karl cared about you a lot."

"Brother Karl?"

Now it was Erich's turn to be puzzled. In the Crassius family, they could say they neglected each other. But Karl, who had become a bureaucrat and rarely saw Erich, cared about him? Even if Louise said it, it was hard to believe.

"Yeah. He always seems to be watching you."

And then Louise continued. During club time, Karl always seemed to be looking at Erich, and sometimes when passing by the academy, if Karl was far away, his gaze seemed to be on Erich, who was next to Louise. Even though he didn't express it, it seemed like he always cared about Erich.

"When I first met Brother Karl, he spoke warmly to you, didn't he?"

"Did he?"

Erich wondered how his rough words could be considered warm. However, he didn't contradict Louise for two reasons: first, because it was Louise who said it, and second, because he had a faint hope. If Karl really cared about him as Louise said, then...

'Does he really think of me as a younger brother?'

They could get along well like ordinary brothers, without avoiding each other. This possibility shook Erich's heart, and Louise seemed to notice, as she chuckled and continued.

"Actually, I always thought it would be nice to have an older brother. So when Brother Karl became the advisor, I found it a bit surprising and nice."

"Brother didn't know he had a younger sister."

"Hehe, is that so? So, I might be very sad if I hear that Brother Karl and Erich don't get along."

"Both Brother Karl and Erich seem like good people to me."

Erich couldn't respond to Louise's added words.

'Good person.'

Louise's voice, smiling gently, still echoed in Erich's mind. Didn't Erich wish Karl was a good person, and that they could be good brothers? He just instinctively avoided Karl and couldn't get closer.

But not anymore. Since Karl became the advisor of the club, Erich gained the necessity and courage to face his trauma. Through his conversation with Louise, he saw hope to overcome it.

'Thanks to Louise, I can finally face it.'

For years, Erich had avoided Karl out of instinct. He hadn't had a proper conversation or observed Karl, yet he was afraid. But now, he felt ready to face Karl.

Sensing Erich's change, Karl, who had been walking, turned around and looked at Erich. They had reached a place where no one else was around. Erich made a resolve to get closer to his brother and opened his mouth to speak.

But Karl was a bit faster.

"Do you like Louise?"

Ah.

Is this what a good person...?

Erich's world went dark.

'Here should be fine.'

While looking for a suitable place, they reached a spot where no one would come and no one was around. Here, they could talk without any burden. Erich seemed to be about to say something, but I decided to speak first.

"Do you like Louise?"

It might be too aggressive and stimulating to start with, but I hope Erich can understand. To make Erich stronger now, shock therapy is necessary. Ambiguous consideration might make the child weaker... What Erich needs is not defeat through consideration but victory through shock.

But Erich, not understanding my deep intentions, was about to lose his composure. No way, I'll continue.

"I thought maybe there was a deep connection between you two that I didn't know about, but that's not the case."

If that were true, it would be fortunate. They would share memories that couldn't be compared to the other four. But it doesn't apply to Erich.

"Have you expressed your feelings honestly? That's not the case either."

A grand declaration might be rejected grandly, but it could at least make the other person recognize you as a potential partner. But it doesn't apply to Erich.

"Do you have an overwhelming reason to choose you...? You know, right?"

You don't have that. You need to build a relationship purely.

Approaching Erich gradually, I placed my hand on his trembling shoulder and met his eyes.

"Right now, you are the most disadvantaged among the five."

Erich was silent. His eyes were blurry, indicating he was quite shocked. Being suddenly bombarded with love-related matters by his brother must be overwhelming.

But there's no choice. Destruction is a necessary step before recreation. This shock will be the foundation for Erich's successful reinforcement. I believe this without a doubt. I believe in my brother.

"...But, you won't give up, right?"

Of course, if I end it like this, Erich might try to stab me with a knife. I won't die if stabbed, but it would become awkward between us. So, after giving the shock, I need to give him hope and energy.

I moved slightly to Erich's side and put my arm around his shoulder.

"Louise started the baking club herself. Don't forget that."

Erich's blurry eyes turned to me. He reacts immediately when Louise's name is mentioned.

"Louise likes baking, right? You should join her. I know you can't bake, but at least pretend to help."

Actually, seeing your inexperience might make Louise happy and want to help you. People who are good at something often enjoy helping beginners.

"Join her in making things, and if you can't follow, ask questions. Sharing a hobby will give you an advantage."

Compared to the other four, who are of much higher status, a classmate with a similar hobby is a better choice for someone to rely on. Is there even a comparison?

As I continued, Erich's eyes started to regain their sparkle. Yes, after the shock, new knowledge is absorbed smoothly. Without the shock, it would have been blocked and wouldn't have had this effect.

"Actually, the status difference? It might even be to your advantage. What kind of family is the Nierad family?"

"Baron, right..."

"That's right. A baron. In simple terms, it's just two ranks below the Crassius family."

Of course, this is when calculating by simple nobility ranks. The Crassius family can't be treated as a simple viscount family. But compared to the royal family, the royal lineage, and the candidates for the Holy One, it's relatively favorable.

I could feel Erich's mind working quickly. With everything reset and reprogrammed, he could see things differently. I quietly added that three of the four are foreigners and will return home after graduating from the academy.

That day, Erich became stronger.

He leveled up from a club member who can't bake to one who can.

I sent Erich, who had just regained his composure and was awkwardly glancing at me, back to the club room first. If the other members ask why he came empty-handed, he should say that the materials he was supposed to bring today were delayed and will come next time.

I, on the other hand, decided to take a short walk to cool off. I felt a bit overheated from talking so much.

"Useless guy."

I clicked my tongue and leaned against the wall. I gave Erich all the advice I could for his sake, but I don't like the situation where I have to give such advice. I didn't even give anything particularly special.

I don't understand. If you really want to win someone's heart, don't you act on instinct?

Even Louise, who I've seen so far, is a bit simple. If you help her when she's in trouble, do what she needs, respond positively to what she does, and show a good reaction to her finished work, winning her heart should be easy.

But none of the five are doing it properly. Does love really blind you to the point of lowering your intelligence?

If Louise ends up with any of the five, it will be a pity for their intelligence. I should offer my condolences to Louise in advance...

Author's Note

Erich must have been moved by Karl's generous advice for his weaker brother. Ah, a true older brother...

I was able to post this earlier than usual today. I hope I can keep this up, but it might be difficult since I'm still inexperienced. Anyway, thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you, Orange Juice, for your support!