Chapter 18

Chapter 17

The Baking Club That Can't Bake - 3

There is a saying that people cannot be rewritten. Personally, I agree with this. Reflecting on the experiences I've had over my four years as a civil servant, people are not just difficult to rewrite; they are creatures that can be hated without end. Nature, I am sorry that people live in this world.

However, if someone were to ask me now if people can be rewritten, I can confidently say that they can be, with effort!

"This guy doesn't usually cry, but now I feel like crying."

A few days ago, after giving Erich advice that was as much a part of me as my own blood and flesh, he changed. Looking at him with a satisfied heart, I saw Erich, who was now engrossed in baking, standing side by side with Louise.

"You do it like this in this situation!"

"Oh, I see."

Louise, with a smile full of enthusiasm, was teaching Erich. Honestly, Erich seemed more interested in listening to Louise's voice than in baking, but that was the advice I gave him. Well done, Erich. Go ahead and win Louise over.

As Erich took the lead in the five-way competition over the next few days, the other four competitors also began to feel the pressure and started to participate in baking. However, Erich, who had finally gained an advantageous position, was not about to let it go and skillfully fended off any interference from others, maintaining his lead.

This is a bit frustrating. If he could do it when he set his mind to it, why didn't he do it before?

'But now he should be able to do it on his own.'

Erich's behavior was so frustrating that I even tried shock therapy, but I'm not in a position to give romantic advice to anyone. Now that he has overcome his frustration and improved, it's time to trust Erich. I am an inspector, not someone who manipulates love.

"Wow, Erich is doing well now!"

Look at that, his lips are curling up.

Feeling both pitiful and proud, I watched them. Our eyes met, and Louise smiled and slightly bowed her head, so I bowed my head in response.

Thank you for being so kind to my troublesome little brother... Although Louise is the one who bewitched my brother, that's the power of the original story, so it's beyond my control. From now on, I will think of it that way. Louise is a flawless child without any fault.

Erich's rebellion, the weakest of the five, continued for several days. No, I should say, the reign of the strongest, Erich, continued for several days. Leading the pack against a star-studded group of men, including the royal family, surely the head of the family would be pleased. The Krasius family's child-rearing is having a bumper year.

"Do you have a moment, Inspector?"

Just as I was about to leave the club room with a joyful heart, Latheur, who had stayed until the end, stopped me. I had guessed he would approach me, as he had something to discuss with me, which is why he stayed until the end.

"Sure, what's up?"

But since I didn't know what it was about, I offered him a seat and brought over a jar of cookies from the shelf. Louise's cookies still dominated the jar, as she made far more than Erich.

Latheur's lips twitched slightly when he saw the jar of cookies. What did the royal chef feed him to make him so picky? I brought them in case the conversation would be long and his mouth would get dry, but it looks like I'll just have to eat them myself. They taste good, at least.

Latheur watched me silently as I naturally took a cookie and put it in my mouth. He tapped his fingers on the desk a few times, lost in thought, and then, as if making a decision, spoke.

"Since you must be busy with many things, I'll be straightforward."

Actually, contrary to Latheur's words, my life wasn't particularly busy right now. The six club members were surprisingly well-behaved, so I didn't have to deal with any issues. I could say I was a bit grateful for that.

...No, fuck, what am I thinking? I came to the academy because of them. Is this Stockholm syndrome? Am I trying to defend the perpetrator?

Putting aside these terrible and sad thoughts, I nodded in agreement, and Latheur spoke directly.

"Inspector, did you push Erich?"

I had just put the second cookie in my mouth when I had to look at Latheur. How he interpreted my silence, Latheur continued.

"Since the day you and Erich went out, Erich's behavior has become more proactive."

That makes sense. If I had talked to him so harshly and he didn't change, he wouldn't be human. At least my brother is a normal person.

"And since then, your gaze has often been directed at Erich."

That's true. I believed my brother had changed, but I was still anxious that the advice might not work, so I watched him with a trembling heart. Fortunately, Erich took the lead in the race, putting my anxious heart to rest.

"So, I couldn't help but think that Erich started to act on the advice he received from you."

Latheur fell silent again, quietly staring at me. It seemed he was asking if his guess was correct or if I had something to say. Well, only Latheur would know what he really meant by it. He's a guy with little expression.

"Yes, I gave Erich advice as his older brother."

Latheur let out a small sigh at my calm affirmation. I can understand that. It's the reaction when a hoped-for guess turns out to be true. I've experienced it many times.

"Advice as an older brother, I see."

"Is there a problem with that?"

"No, it's just that I didn't expect you to get involved."

Latheur, who said this, interlaced his fingers on the desk and tilted his head to one side.

"Of course, the five of us, including Erich, were restraining ourselves."

I know that well. I was the one who saw it up close.

From an outside perspective, it might look like a frustrating game of mind games, but it's not an incomprehensible action. The five only met Louise after enrolling, and the four who were competing for her only met each other for the first time. They needed to understand who their competitors were to figure out how to act.

In short, they brought their social circle habits from the upper class into the academy.

"The stalemate was broken when Erich took the initiative, even approaching Louise first."

Latheur, who seemed to be at a loss due to the situation being shaken by Erich, let out another sigh.

"Sometimes, moving quickly is the right answer."

At this sigh-like statement, I couldn't help but be momentarily speechless, despite Latheur being royalty.

'What's with this guy?'

If he could notice that Erich's actions were the result of my encouragement, he must have some basic perceptiveness. Very basic, but still. If that's the case, he probably already knew the importance of taking the initiative, which he just mentioned.

While the others, blinded by love, were floundering, Erich broke free from the mind games and took a direct approach, achieving results. As Latheur said, in matters related to Louise, quick and proactive action was the right answer.

After a moment of thought, I spoke the words I had kept to myself. Since he had brought up this conversation, I thought I could be somewhat honest without causing too much trouble.

"Even though you knew that...?"

At my near-mutter, Latheur quietly turned his gaze away, as if he had nothing to say.

An oppressive silence settled over the club room.

Latheur left, and I was left alone in the club room. I looked at the seat where Latheur had been sitting just a moment ago.

'What a unique guy.'

I couldn't help but smile. Recalling the last words Latheur said before leaving, I couldn't suppress my laughter.

"I hope the Inspector will just observe."

Latheur, who seemed embarrassed by his own major mistake, took 10 seconds that felt like 10 minutes to state the purpose of this conversation: a request not only to stop giving Erich advice but to stay out of the five-way competition altogether.

He must have been anxious. If Erich continued to receive my help, the competition would be unfair. However, telling me not to help Erich would be too direct, so he expanded the scope to the entire competition. Since I had no intention of helping anyone other than Erich, it was the same thing.

Of course, I planned to leave the future competition entirely to Erich, so I nodded in agreement. He seemed relieved, his expression easing, and he even apologized for his impolite request. Since I didn't feel too bad, I accepted his apology.

"Did I underestimate the kids too much?"

I had unknowingly treated the five club members as mere love-blinded protagonists from the original story. Already five years into this world, I knew that the people here were not simple, one-dimensional characters from a novel, yet I had still looked down on the five.

Honestly, watching their frustrating mind games, it was hard not to see them as simple-minded. Anyone else would have felt the same. Why don't they just take the shortest path to success and do a tap dance instead?

Still, seeing Erich change with my advice and Latheur trying to turn the tide in an unfavorable situation, I realized that the five's behavior patterns were diverse and not simple. Watching this firsthand made me feel somewhat pleased. It made me think that they were not just bewitched by the original story's power but were genuinely trying their best out of true affection.

"Try to do your best while maintaining a proper line."

I hummed and put another cookie in my mouth. While I won't give any particular person an advantage as Latheur wished, I will intervene if the competition takes a bad turn.

Thinking about it, this pleasant feeling might be my defense mechanism, sensing the future pain I will endure among the five. I need to feel good to endure the pressure.

Author's Note

Last night, the author celebrated the truly excessive and grateful support of the readers by ordering chicken. Not only did I not consider the cost, but I indulged in ordering the brand I wanted to eat...

However, perhaps it was a divine punishment for my indulgence, the boneless chicken I ordered came with bones. For a moment, I thought, "Do they put bones in boneless chicken these days?" but then I realized.

Ah! This must mean that I should write with the same care and effort as putting bones in chicken! The heavens are scolding me for almost being tempted by luxury as a new writer!

This inadequate writer has reaffirmed my初心 and resolved to work even harder...

Looking back, it seems like a lot of nonsense. I must be lacking sleep.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you, Gyeongseong and Jinaegorecon, for your support!