novelraw Chapter 299
Chapter 299
"Alright, time to make sweets again today. Let's do our best!"At the Royal Academy, in the first-year classroom.
After class ended and it became after-school... Reina clenched both her fists and declared.
The Valentinus Festival, only a week away.
Before the romantic event where girls give sweets to men they like or those who've helped them, Reina was diligently practicing her sweets-making.
She'd always enjoyed making sweets as a hobby... but lately, she'd been teaming up with like-minded classmates and upperclassmen, locking themselves in the cooking room after school.
"Lady Reina, shall we be off?"
"It seems this person would like to join us today as well."
"Saint Reina... um, may I join you too?"
Reina's friends gathered around her.
Among them was a girl she hadn't spoken to much before.
"You're... Miss Aiwyss from the class next door, right?"
"Yes... I heard that Saint Reina was making sweets, and I was hoping you could teach me too... if it's not a bother."
"Of course. Let's do our best together."
Reina responded with a smile.
The blushing girl... Aiwyss radiated the aura of a maiden in love.
Reina felt a strong sense of kinship with Aiwyss and, in her heart, recognized her as a comrade.
"Let's work hard to make sweets for the one you care about. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me, okay?"
"Yes! Thank you so much!"
"Well then, shall we head to the cooking room?"
Standing up, she headed to the cooking room with her friends.
They had already gotten permission to borrow the cooking room. She had also informed the Grand Shrine that she'd be home late.
The ingredients were fully prepared... everything was ready. Reina had left nothing to chance.
"Hey there, Reina."
But just then, someone stood in Reina's way.
One of the main characters... Crown Prince Eric Seincle had approached her.
"Good day, Prince Eric. Do you need something?"
"Well... it's not like I have any particular reason, I was just wondering what you were up to..."
Eric replied in a hesitant voice.
"I mean... we haven't seen each other since winter break, so I just wondered how you were doing. Are you having any trouble? I'd be happy to help if you are."
"......No, nothing comes to mind. Please don't worry about me."
"............I see."
Eric slumped his shoulders and walked away down the hall.
Reina gave him a puzzled look and started walking again... but was soon stopped by someone else.
"Yo, long time no see."
"......You now?"
The next to appear was another main character, the cocky and handsome Vincent Flame.
"How've you been lately? You haven't been harassed by any shady guys again, have you?"
"......If I had to name one, it'd be now. I'm troubled because a pushy upperclassman just stopped me."
"Tch... you're seriously not cute at all! I go out of my way to check on you, and this is what I get!"
Annoyed by her cold response, Vincent cursed and walked off.
"Hey there, Miss Laurel."
"......Hello, Rileis."
Things happen in threes.
Yet another main character... the intellectual, glasses-wearing Will Rileis raised a hand in greeting.
"What's going on with everyone today?"
"We're heading to the cooking room. We have something to do."
"I see... well, good luck. If anything troubles you, don't hesitate to say so. I'd be happy to help if I can."
"......Understood?"
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
Will left behind a vague smile as he walked off down the hall.
Since earlier, what was going on... Reina tilted her head in confusion.
"Why is everyone talking to me?"
"Ah... they all want Reina's handmade sweets."
One of Reina's friends answered her question with a wry smile.
"Ever since the Valentinus Festival started approaching, the boys have been acting extra nice to the girls. It's kind of obvious... or maybe cute..."
"So even Prince Eric and Senior Flame are like that. Even Rileis, who usually acts all aloof and uninterested."
"Exactly. Even the student council officers are just normal boys. It makes them kind of relatable."
Apparently... the main characters were acting strange because they wanted Reina's handmade sweets for the Valentinus Festival.
They probably spoke to her just to get her attention, even a little.
"Honestly... it's a problem. I only plan to give mine to one person."
Reina slumped her shoulders in exasperation.
It's said that for the Valentinus Festival, there's something called 'obligatory sweets' that you give to men you're indebted to, but Reina had no plans to give any out like that.
Reina was preparing only one for her true love. If she gave out obligatory ones to others, it felt like it would diminish the value of the true one.
"If they want it, can't they just say 'please'? That way I can give a firm no..."
"Really, men can be such a handful."
"Reinaaaaaaaa! Give me some swee—Gwah!"
"Pom-poko-rin!"
A boy came running from the end of the hallway, trying to hug Reina.
But just before he could touch her, the tanuki plushie flew out of her bag and kicked him, sending him flying out the window.
"......Correction. Being too straightforward is a problem too."
"Ahh... Luy!"
Seeing the boy fall from the second-floor window, a girl who seemed to be with him hurriedly ran down the stairs.
Reina watched the girl's back with a sympathetic gaze, then turned on her heel and headed for the cooking room.