Chapter 79

The journey back to the academy with the box bestowed by the merciful Lord Golden Ball was quite enjoyable. After all, the school trip, which I had gone on with worry and inconvenience, ended with a decent gain. A 50% increase in the covert support funds and six bottles of Boyar wine would be more than enough even to cross the empire. If all that had been settled with just a trip to Boyar, it was a very satisfying result.

"Is it uncomfortable? Give it to me. I'll hold it for you."

"It's fine. You might be uncomfortable too."

"I'm sitting inside, so I have plenty of space. Come on."

Surprisingly, Irena, whom I thought I would never see again, let alone have a conversation with, was more composed than expected. She seemed even more peaceful than when we went to Boyar.

When I got on the carriage, Irena, who was already inside, tapped the seat next to her, inviting me to sit down. Now, she was holding the box and asking me to give it to her.

'The Kraken effect must have been significant.'

It seemed she valued being saved from almost getting hurt more than being caught with tears streaming down her face. After all, she was from a family with no complaints, and it was gratifying to be considered a benefactor.

Actually, the real enemy was the head of the third department, not me, but since subordinates and superiors share a common fate, what can be done? If that kid's ball was mine, then his karma would be mine too. It's a sad thing.

Anyway, I carefully handed the box to Irena, who was extending both hands and looking at me. I thought she would keep doing that until I gave it to her.

"You two seem to have gotten closer."

Erich, who had been watching us, nodded unconsciously. I'm not sure if we've gotten closer, but our relationship has certainly improved compared to before. If our intimacy level went from -80 to +20, it's a significant improvement of 100 points.

Still, if we take 0 as the baseline, it's only a 20-point improvement. That's the level of our relationship.

"Being in the same carriage, it's natural to get closer."

"It's a relief. Irena seemed to find her older brother a bit intimidating."

Well, it wasn't just a bit.

"Her older brother is a good person, so it will be good to get closer!"

"Y-Yeah."

Irena, whose ears turned red, bowed her head. A good person, it will be good to get closer. Even if that's true, it's hard to accept such a face-burning statement casually. There must still be some lingering resentment.

"If I make you feel comfortable, will you get along with me?"

I subtly said this, meaning that I won't make you uncomfortable if you can't open up. Yes, getting closer is a story for after Irena feels comfortable. It's not a problem for me to decide whether to get closer or not.

"Then it won't be long."

Hehe, Louise laughed, and I smiled slightly. Since Louise doesn't know the details, she can say such things.

Louise's eyes were surprisingly accurate. Is this the power of the original protagonist?

"Because I came back empty-handed..."

After the school trip ended and the daily routine at the academy resumed, a visitor came during club time.

"It's a mountain ash. I brought it because the flowers are beautiful."

"Wow, it's beautiful!"

Irena, holding a small pot, entered the club room and handed it to Louise. A mountain ash sapling with white flowers. I don't know much about trees, but it's quite beautiful.

"Thank you! I'll take good care of it!"

"Just give it water on time."

Louise, who placed the pot in a well-lit spot, looked at it several times, seemingly pleased with the flowers. If flowers could feel the gaze like humans, they would have died from the pressure.

Irena, who had been watching Louise, turned her gaze to me and slightly bowed her head.

"Hello, big brother."

"Hey, hello."

But is it okay for you to be here? What about your club?

"Today's club meeting is canceled, so I came to visit. Would it be a bother?"

Sensing my question, Irena explained the situation. She had nowhere to go, so she ended up here. In that case, there's nothing I can do.

"It's no bother. Feel free to rest."

"Thank you."

Irena bowed again. Such a polite child, yet she was so scared before...

"Huh? Irena, weren't you in the horticulture club?"

"Y-Yes, I am."

"Today the horticulture club is..."

Erich, who had been kneading dough, stopped and then awkwardly continued after seeing Irena's face.

"Ah, sorry. I confused you with another club."

"It's okay. It can happen."

I turned my gaze away from Irena's back, which I had been watching. Although I couldn't see her expression because she was turned away, I felt it was better not to see it.

***

In front of the baking club room, I hesitated several times to knock. All I had to do was knock, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

'Is it okay?'

I had been avoiding and shying away from her, but is it okay to come here so casually? Will I be a nuisance? Will he think I'm strange?

No, no. I'm just here to see a friend. And I haven't given him a gift for saving me, so that's why I came. Yes, that's a good enough reason to come.

'It depends on my feelings.'

Big brother clearly said he could get along with me if I felt comfortable. I haven't forgotten the bad things that happened before, but I can't keep my heart closed to a benefactor. That would be narrow-minded for a noble.

With that in mind, I entered the club room, and Louise and big brother welcomed me. I was relieved that they didn't seem to mind my sudden visit. They also seemed to like the gift.

"The flower language of mountain ash is probably tolerance or forgiveness."

I asked a senior in the club for advice on what to bring as a gift. I heard the perfect flower language.

Tolerance, forgiveness. Perfect. It's a bit embarrassing to say it directly, and big brother might be awkward hearing it, but this gentle expression won't be a problem. Big brother will probably admire my thoughtfulness when he realizes it─

No, no. Whether he admires it or not doesn't matter. This is just a gift. Yes, it doesn't have a big meaning. It's a light first gift.

"Huh? Irena, weren't you in the horticulture club?"

I had lied about the horticulture club being canceled to have an excuse to be in the baking club room, and Erich asked me. Did he know it was a lie? Does Erich have other horticulture club friends besides me?

"Today the horticulture club is..."

When I silently stared at Erich, who was about to say something he shouldn't, he seemed to understand my true feelings and closed his mouth.

"Ah, sorry. I confused you with another club."

"It's okay. It can happen."

Erich is really kind. He understands his friend's true feelings and overlooks the small lie.

After spending some time in the baking club room, I left. Although some of the higher-ups were a bit intimidating, they were actually nice people, so it wasn't awkward. The senior had said it was okay to go to other places during club time but to come back at the end.

"Feel free to visit whenever you have time!"

"Is that okay?"

"Y-Yes! It's okay!"

"Sure. It's not a secret place."

I also received permission to come back anytime. There's no need to be sad.

"Senior, I'm back."

"Ah, Irena."

When I returned to the horticulture club room, the senior who had told me the flower language of mountain ash greeted me.

"By the way, did you already give the mountain ash as a gift?"

"What? Why do you ask?"

"Ah, I heard it has another flower language."

The senior, scratching his cheek, added. My head turned white.

"It's also said to mean 'the only love.' In fact, it's more famous than tolerance."

"Ah."

Ah.

Aah...

Aaaaaah!

'Ah, no!'

What, what do I do, what do I do!

I, I didn't mean to go that far from the beginning! I just wanted to say it's okay now, just that much!

"Irena?"

"S-Senior, r-really, is that the most famous one?"

"You already gave it."

In extreme confusion, I nodded hesitantly, and the senior sighed as if there was nothing he could do.

"It's okay if the person who received it doesn't know the flower language."

"What if they do...?"

"..."

"Senior?"

The senior didn't answer, but his silence was heavy.

Please, please, I hope big brother doesn't know the flower language. My thoughtfulness? Gentleness? It's okay if he doesn't know. Please!

***

The club room feels more lively with the new pot. It's a small thing, but it's a plant, after all. It looks good.

"Even if flour spills, it won't be noticeable."

Ryutis, with his twisted aesthetic sense, said with satisfaction. That red-eyed guy is only saying this because he's looking at the flowers. If you sprinkle hot sauce, it won't be noticeable either.

"White is also nice? I thought flowers should have color to be beautiful."

"Something that holds nothing can also be beautiful."

After that, Erich and Ainter exchanged normal opinions. It's fortunate that not everyone has the same taste as Ryutis.

Then, Louise, who was wiping the pot with a cloth, suddenly turned around and said,

"What would be a good way to show gratitude?"

Ah, gratitude.

"Showing gratitude might make her feel obligated. Giving her snacks every time she visits would be enough."

"Is that so?"

If this were a normal gift, it would be fine to show gratitude. But when I gave the pot to Louise, she kept looking at me. No matter how I think about it, it's a thank-you gift for the Kraken incident.

A thank-you gift for saving her, and then a gratitude gift in return? That would put Irena in a situation where she has to show gratitude for the gratitude. It's a bizarre chain.

"Since Irena likes macarons, we can prepare macarons."

Nodding firmly, it seems today will be a day of mass macaron production. But it's impressive that she knows how to make macarons...

"Irena will be happy. Good luck."

"Okay!"

With Louise's enthusiastic attitude, I looked at the pot Irena gave me. What was it called again, mountain ash? No, mountain ash?

'I've never heard of it.'

Some people memorize flower languages based on colors, but I don't know such things. I don't even know what flowers bloom in which seasons. Knowing that cherry blossoms bloom in spring is enough.

Still, it's beautiful to look at. Having a plant in a place that only smells of flour