The Pastry Club that Cant Bake (2)

Carl and Erich were walking silently. Carl was looking around for a quiet place where they could talk, while Erich felt burdened to start a conversation with Carl first. From Erichs point of view, Carls expression looked too serious, so he was struggling even more.

A good person.

Those were the two words that crossed Erichs mind while looking at Carl. They were words hed never thought of in his life.

While growing up, Erich had never seen a good person. There was no need to talk about their father, the lord of the house. It was hard for him to make a judgment about his mother, and if someone asked about his brother Carl, it was also hard for Erich to say whether he was a good person or not. Before Erich met Louise, a good person was someone that only existed as an ideal.

The reason why the words came to his mind while looking at Carl instead of Louise was simple. It was because he had a conversation with Louise a short while ago.

Erich really liked the hours before they went to the club room because he could talk with Louise without having anyone interfere between them.

Do you hate your older brother Carl?

Louise asked Erich like that.

Erich was taken aback by Louises question and looked at her in confusion. She blinked at him, looking genuinely curious and concerned, and Erich scratched his head. It seemed that Louise had noticed how Erich got nervous around his brother, so she became worried.

No, its not that I hate him. Its just that Im not comfortable around him.

Why? Did something happen when you were little?

Erich smiled awkwardly at her question. If he had to pick a time when he and Carl had gotten along better, it was when they were younger.

Nothing happened. Maybe thats why I find it awkward.

If something had happened, then maybe he wouldve been able to talk with Carl more, and he wouldnt feel so awkward around him. However, it was already too late.

Its just that the atmosphere around him is too grim. Not only that but after he became a Civil Servant, we werent able to see each other frequently. Thats the reason. Its nothing, really.

He tried to laugh and brush it off, but his answer seemed to have confused Louise even more.

Really? Because from what I see, Carl Oppa seems to care a lot about you.

Brother?

Now it was Erichs turn to be confused. One could say that the Krasius brothers were negligent of each other. After he became a Civil Servant, they hadnt seen each other that often, yet she said that Carl cared about him. Even if it was Louise who said that he couldnt easily believe it.

Yes. He seems to be looking at you frequently.

According to Louise, Carl seemed to look at Erich very often when they were at the club. She said that whenever she saw Carl from a distance around the Academy, he seemed to be looking at Erich. He didnt express it, but he seemed to always be concerned about Eric.

When I first met Carl Oppa, he talked to you warmly.

Did he?

Erich began wondering if those words were warm. However, Erich didnt argue because first, it was Louise who said it, and second, he began to have some expectations. What if Carl really did care about him like Louise said?

If so, there was a chance that theyd be able to get along well like normal brothers. That possibility shook Erichs heart. After noticing his reaction, Louise laughed and spoke.

Ive often wished I had a brother, and thats why I was surprised and happy when he said hed be the Advisor of the club.

It seems like brother unknowingly got a little sister.

Hihi, is that so? Thats why I think I wouldve been sad if I heard that the two of you didnt have a good relationship.

Because from what I see, both Carl Oppa and Erich look like good people.

Erich became speechless at Louises words.

A good person.

The words that Louise said while smiling were still roaming around his head. If they were both good people, it would be great if they could have a good relationship. It was just that he subconsciously had trouble getting close to Carl.

However, that wasnt the case anymore. After Carl joined the same club, he gained the courage to face that trauma and after what Louise said, he began harboring hope that hed be able to get over it.

Thanks to Louise, it seems like Im going to be able to get over it.

For years, Erich had avoided Carl out of his instinctive reluctance. Even if they hadnt talked properly, he was scared of him. But now, he finally got the courage to look at Carl.

Perhaps sensing his change of heart, Carl, who was walking ahead, turned around and looked at Erich. As they reached a quiet place, Erich was about to open his mouth, but Carl was faster.

Do you like Louise?

Ah.

Is this a good person?

Everything became dark for Erich.

* * *

I guess this place will do.

After searching for a suitable spot, we were able to reach a place where no one seemed to be around. It was a place where we could talk comfortably. I looked around and saw that Erich was about to say something, but I decided to speak first.

Do you like Louise?

Its a harsh and provocative way to start, but I hope he understands. Right now, Erich needs shock therapy to make him stronger.

I dont want to make him weak I want to make him strong. What Erich needs is a shocking victory, not a kind defeat.

Unaware of his brothers intentions, Erichs mind tried to escape. Theres no way Id let him do that.

I thought that maybe there was a deep connection between you two that I didnt know. But that isnt the case.

That wouldve been great because that meant that he had an advantage with memories that couldnt be compared to the other four.

You also havent expressed your emotions to her.

Confessing his love increases ones chances of being rejected, but at least that could make the other person be conscious of him as someone of the opposite gender.

If theres no reason to choose you You know, right?

You dont have anything like that. You have to build a connection with her.

Gradually approaching Erich, I placed my hand on his shoulder and made eye contact.

Among the five, youre the one at a disadvantage.

Erich was silent, and his eyes were clouded over. It seemed like he was shocked as I suddenly started to talk about his undisclosed love life.

However, there was nothing I could do about it. Destruction was necessary in order to rebuild something. Im sure this shock would help Erich. I believed in my little brother.

But you dont plan on giving up like this, right?

Of course, if I end this conversation like this, Erich may come back with a knife and try to stab me. I wont die from it, but things will be awkward between us after that. So if Im going to shock him, I need to inject some hope into him as well.

I walked toward Erich and placed my hands around his shoulder.

Remember, Louise started the pastry club herself.

At the mention of Louises name, Erichs hazy eyes turned towards me, reacting immediately.

You know Louise loves baking, right? You should do it too. Even if you dont have any baking skills, you should pretend to do it next to her.

Or maybe, just maybe, Louise will be happy to see Erichs inexperience and help him. After all, veterans tend to be fascinated by newbies.

Watch her make it, and if you cant follow along, ask her. If you get to share the same hobbies, theres a chance youd gain an advantage.

People with whom she has a great difference in social standing and a classmate with less difference, but they share the same hobby. Who would she rely on if she ever had to rely on someone?

As I kept talking, life began returning to Erichs eyes. Yes, after giving him a shock, new knowledge was also easily absorbed. If I had just talked without giving him a shock, the effect wouldnt have been this great.

Actually, a difference in status might work in your favor. Whats the rank of the Naird family?

A Baron

Thats right, Baron. There are only two ranks of difference between our family and hers.

Of course, this is based on a simple ranking calculation. Krasius is a family that cannot be treated as a mere Earl family. However, compared to the Imperial, Royal, and Saint candidates, it was much better.

Therefore, I could feel Erics mind working quickly. He probably saw things from a new perspective. And I added to confirm that since three of the four were foreigners, theyd have to return to their respective countries after they graduated from the Academy.

That day, Erich became stronger.

Now, hed leveled up from being a pastry club member that didnt know how to bake to one who can.

After Erich returned to his senses, he looked at me awkwardly, so I sent him back to the clubs room first. If the members ask why he came empty-handed, I told him to just say that the ingredients hadnt arrived yet.

I was planning to take a bit of fresh air before going back.

You idiot.

Tsk, I clicked my tongue and laid my back on the wall. Ive been giving him all the advice I can, but I dont like the fact that Im in the position of having to give it. Its not like I told him anything special in the first place.

I cant understand it. If you really want to win someones heart, theres something instinctive about it, isnt there?

Not only that, but from what Ive seen, Louise was a simple person. With listening to her worries, doing things she needed help with, cheering her while she worked, and showing a good reaction after eating what she made, one should be able to win her heart.

But there was no one among the five people who did that properly. Was it true that ones intellect decreased while in love?

If thats the case, she would end up with someone lacking intelligence no matter who her partner came to be.

I should probably offer my condolences to Louise beforehand