Chapter 46: Jealousy (Patreon)

His gaze returned to Ramsay.

Mana smiled faintly and asked, "Ramsay, what do you plan to do next? Go back and rest, or stay at the Sports Festival grounds?"

"I already promised Leonora," he said. "I'm going to take this chance to show her around Totsuki Academy, so we can enjoy the festival atmosphere together."

"Oh? Just the two of you?"

A faint light flickered in Mana's eyes. "Then... would you mind if I brought along one more person?"

"One more?" Ramsay was a little taken aback.

Mana looked up at him with clear, bright eyes and said softly, "I've been swamped with all sorts of affairs these past few days. I'm worn out in body and mind, and I wanted to take a walk to clear my head."

"But, you see..."

"Wandering around alone is a bit dull."

"So I wonder... could I join your outing?"

...

With that, Mana quietly gazed at Ramsay.

Ramsay smiled lightly and replied, "Of course. Why not walk around the academy together? We haven't seen each other in days, so I'll buy you a coffee later."

The moment the words left his mouth, someone tugged gently at his sleeve.

Ramsay turned and saw Kazuko Minami looking up at him with watery eyes, a thoroughly wronged expression on her face.

"Ramsay."

"Can my coffee count too? Please?"

Ramsay blinked, then glanced at the members of the Local Cuisine Society not far off. "You want to come along too? Don't you need to look after your members?"

Kazuko's eyes curved into crescents. "They've been able to stand on their own for ages. Why would I need to watch over them all the time?"

"Hehe!"

"I've always run the club on a free-range policy. Once the tug-of-war ends, it's their free time."

"So I have plenty of time to have coffee with you. It's just... you wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Of course not."

"If you want to come along, I'd be glad to have you."

"Mm-hm! That's wonderful."

"I was worried you'd think I'm past my prime and that I'd be ruining your fun."

Watching Kazuko squint and smile, so lively and playful, Ramsay found himself at a loss for how to answer.

...

At last, the tug-of-war came to a close.

Gin Dojima and Joichiro Saiba had meant to go over and chat with Ramsay, to give him a good round of praise for his performance.

But before they could take a step, they saw three strikingly beautiful girls already gathered around him.

There was Leonora, her silver hair flowing like moonlight, with the air of a forest spirit. There was Mana Nakiri, her light red hair cascading like a waterfall, noble in bearing and breathtaking in beauty...

And then there was the Polar Star Dorm's acknowledged beauty, Kazuko Minami, with her soft, flaxen hair!

Any one of them would be a goddess drawing every eye anywhere in Totsuki Academy, and yet here they all were, crowded around Ramsay.

...

Unconsciously, a flicker of undisguised envy rose in Gin's eyes.

After a moment, he let out a long, mournful sigh. "Joichiro, I'm honestly jealous of this new student, Ramsay. Does a good face really make it that easy to catch girls' attention?"

"It doesn't make sense!"

"I'm handsome too, at least a little. So why don't I ever get a break like that?"

"Gin! Don't lose heart!"

"So no girl ever talks to you first. So what? At least you've got me!"

Joichiro grinned and slung an arm around Gin's shoulders, wearing a teasing look. "A brother is the one who's truest to you. No matter what, I'll never abandon you."

"Get your hand off me and stay away!"

"Nope. Seeing you this down, as your best friend I have to comfort you properly."

"Get lost!"

"Who asked you to comfort me?!"

...

Totsuki Academy's Sports Festival was certainly lively and noisy.

But Leonora, Kazuko, and Mana all seemed to have little interest in the various athletic events. After circling the field a few times with the three of them, Ramsay left the venue with them and headed for the shopping street inside the academy.

Mm! With most of the students gathered at the festival grounds, the shopping street was unusually quiet.

The four of them found a café and sat down. The moment they did, Ramsay sensed a subtle stiffness hanging in the air.

The three beauties each sat in silence, none of them speaking first.

...

They had agreed to chat and stroll together, yet now that the whole table had gone quiet, Ramsay felt oddly at a loss.

Only when the waiter brought four cups of fragrant, steaming coffee did the slightly stiff atmosphere ease a little.

Mana reached out with slender, jade-like fingers, picked up a silver spoon, and gently stirred the dark brown coffee in her cup, her eyes fixed on Ramsay the whole time.

"Ramsay."

"Hm?" Ramsay looked up at her.

"How has life at the academy been these past few days? Smooth enough? I trust you haven't been slacking in your culinary training?"

Ramsay nodded lightly, confidence in his eyes. "I've never stopped practicing, and I can clearly feel myself improving. If you have time, Mana, you should come find me at the Polar Star Dorm!"

"This time, I'm confident I can make a dish that truly satisfies you."

"Really?"

Mana tilted her chin up slightly.

Her fair skin made the delicate collarbone beneath her collar all the more striking, and a hint of playfulness touched her elegant face.

"Honestly, I've been looking forward to tasting another delicious dish from your hands, one capable of moving me. It seems that day is getting closer and closer!"

"In the next few days, I'll make time. I'll come to the Polar Star Dorm to find you myself!"

Just as Mana finished speaking, Leonora chimed in softly, her voice gentle. "Ramsay, whenever you're free, you must come visit my home too."

"We agreed earlier, remember? I'm going to cook Molecular gastronomy for you myself."

Once again, a faint undercurrent stirred in the air.

The four of them sat in the warm café, rich coffee aroma spreading around them, but...

Mm!

The atmosphere was just a little strange!