Chapter 44: Leonora's Admiration (Patreon)

She wriggled out of Ramsay's arms.

Turning to the dazed, crestfallen Hiroshi Nakamori, she asked with a sly smile, "Now, who was it that boasted I could invite as many outside helpers as I liked?"

"Nakamori."

"You're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"

Hiroshi Nakamori drew a deep breath, forced down the shock and humiliation, and straightened his back. "A man's word is his bond!"

"I..."

"Of course I'll keep my word."

"I was outmatched, and I admit defeat!"

"It's just crawling backward around the Academy once... Hmph. Fine. I lost completely today. You're impressive!"

*

At the back of the crowd, Director Senzaemon Nakiri watched Ramsay, surrounded and admired by everyone, with open amazement in his eyes.

"I never imagined Ramsay's strength had reached such a level. If he entered the athletic games and became a professional athlete, he'd have a brilliant future."

Then he walked over to Mana, who had been secretly watching the whole match from a short distance away.

"You've been hiding here watching for quite a while. Did you already know he had such terrifying strength?"

Mana shook her head lightly. Her clear eyes shone as she stared at the boy in the crowd. "I only just found out myself."

"What a surprise."

"Ramsay has been hiding his strength this whole time."

"There are so many secrets in him... Haa, he gets more intriguing by the day."

*

Beside them, Soe Nakiri perked up at her words and pressed her eagerly. "Sister, you knew him already?"

"I remember Father saying you'd invited a genius from outside the school to attend Totsuki. Could it be... him? Is his cooking as outstanding as his strength?"

"Mm!"

"How should I put it?"

"His cooking and his abilities aren't the very best."

"But what's most moving about Ramsay was never his talent. It's that he never lets down the people who trust him, and he keeps creating surprises."

Mana spoke softly, her eyes full of recognition for him.

Then she turned to look at her brother beside her, who seemed lost in thought.

"I decided to enroll at Totsuki because I knew that with Ramsay here, the Academy would become extraordinarily interesting."

*

But Soe Nakiri hadn't heard a word she said.

He was completely entranced. His eyes were bright, his gaze glued to a spot in the crowd, his face full of dazzled wonder.

"A goddess..."

"To think there's someone this beautiful in the world..."

Mana followed her brother's gaze and instantly saw the dazzling figure.

Amid the surging, noisy crowd, Leonora stood quietly, her silver-white hair stirring in the breeze, a pure white dress setting off her graceful figure and ethereal air.

No exaggeration: among the whole crowd, she was breathtakingly beautiful, easily the brightest sight on the field.

Watching her brother's besotted, lovestruck face, a strange smile flickered in Mana's eyes.

It was the first time she had ever seen the composed Soe Nakiri look like this, and she found it both novel and amusing.

*

In Mana's impression, her brother Soe had always been an utterly bland person.

His mind held nothing but his studies. Nothing else in the world could stir him in the slightest, and he always wore the same cool, unruffled look.

Yet now she couldn't help being secretly astonished.

Soe Nakiri stared blankly toward the front of the crowd, his usually calm, self-possessed face rarely slipping like this.

She had to admit that the silver-haired girl truly had a striking beauty that could seize anyone's gaze, and her curvaceous figure was enough to set most men's hearts racing.

Nearby, the Director raised a hand, stroked his beard, and chuckled helplessly.

"Well, well. Even she's willing to leave her laboratory and wander about. It seems she's gradually getting used to life in Japan."

*

Hearing her father's words, Mana Nakiri grew curious. "Father, you know this girl?"

The Director turned to his daughter and nodded slowly.

"Know her? Much more than that!"

"She's someone I personally invited to Totsuki. Her name is Leonora."

"Do you remember when I traveled to Denmark for that academic conference a while back? She's the daughter of a scientist at a leading molecular gastronomy research institute there. I mentioned her to you both before."

Mana thought back for a moment, and understanding dawned, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.

"Ah!"

"Now I remember."

"So the genius invited to the Academy for molecular gastronomy research is her!"

"I do remember you telling us about this earlier."

*

"That's right."

The Director gave a quiet instruction.

"Mana, go bring Leonora over here. Since we happened to run into her, we should properly greet her no matter what."

Mana nodded.

She was about to step through the crowd to call Leonora over when her gaze swept ahead and her pupils suddenly contracted.

In the crowd, Leonora shone like a moon goddess.

And beside her, a boy's figure had suddenly appeared.

The instant Mana saw his face, she was thunderstruck.

*

Huh?

Ramsay?

He's really that close with Leonora?

In the bustling sports festival grounds, Leonora tilted her head back to look up at Ramsay, her bright, watery eyes full of undisguised adoration.

"Ramsay!"

"Your strength is just incredible!"

"I've never seen anyone with such immense power before."

"And that tug-of-war was really exciting. You almost single-handedly decided the whole match."

Bathed in the girl's fervent, admiring gaze, Ramsay smiled lightly.

"Just luck. But at least I didn't let everyone down."

*

"By the way."

"Leonora."

"Do you think Totsuki's sports festival is fun?"

Meeting Ramsay's eyes, Leonora's fair cheeks bloomed into a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with light.