If the higher-up points, the subordinate rolls (4)

A cherry blossom fell on top of the cookie. As I blew it softly, it flew away and joined other cherry blossoms; I felt like I was looking at a rain in the shade of pink.

How pretty.

I cant remember how long its been since Ive last seen a cherry blossom; I wasnt someone who liked to go and see flowers in the first place. I ate a cookie while looking at the pink rain, which was delicious.

I looked up and saw the other members. They were eating either sandwiches or toast, and it seemed like they found those delicious even though their taste buds were privileged. If they eat those things so well, why not eat a cookie?

Thanks to that, I, once again, became responsible for eating Louises cookies. I was surprised after seeing those five refuse to eat her cookies and Louise, who continued to make them despite that.

Is she okay as long as there was one person who ate? What incredible conviction.

I just realized I cant tell the difference between sister and the flowers.

Oh, my god.

I silently turned my gaze around at the sight of Tannian, who was taking off a cherry blossom that had fallen into Louises head.

Tannian lived his whole life in the Holy Kingdom, which was probably why he didnt have the talent to make a good expression.

Thanks.

Louise seemed embarrassed to hear things like that and said thanks while smiling awkwardly. It seemed like Tannian was satisfied by her reaction, so he nodded. I guess what makes people happy truly differs from person to person.

Is that what they mean by saying that you could live a happy life if you dont have any desires? I didnt want to live like that myself, of course.

As expected of a Priest, your expression is quite fancy!

For some reason, Rutis hit Tannians back a few times. Thats fancy?

Rutis, dont make fun of him.

I sighed in relief after seeing that Ainter was trying to stop Rutis. So my tastes werent wrong. Ah, what a relief. A lot of things have been happening recently. So I didnt notice it was a light joke.

Oppa, are you okay not trying the other things?

Yes. This is more than enough.

Louise, who had been talking with the others, began to speak to me. She tried to give me a sandwich, but I really was fine with just the cookies. After sitting underneath a cherry blossom tree, I continued eating the cookies. Will I be able to eat them all before we return to the Academy?

But the other things are also delicious

I like these the most. So its okay.

So dont offer anymore. One sandwich is equal to six cookies

I looked at the air to avoid Louises gaze. Woah, the cherry blossoms are indeed beautiful.

* * *

I looked at Carl Oppa. Whod refused to eat a sandwich and kept eating my cookies. Although Oppa doesnt seem to have noticed because hes busy looking at the cherry blossoms.

But they dont taste good.

Im not dumb; I knew my cookies werent delicious. Even the other members that treat me with a smile on their faces avoid the cookies I make while having an awkward expression.

Of course, its not that I cant make cookies. If that were the case, I wouldnt have been able to teach them how to bake; I can do the basics quite well. But I wanted to go beyond that and make my own unique cookie. Thats why I tried numerous things, but the results werent good.

But Carl Oppa always ate those results. Even if they didnt taste good, he ate them anyways without making any weird expressions. As if he were cheering me on, he always ate them daily.

A good person.

Like I told Erich, I think Carl Oppa is a good person. Although one might look like a cold person, what one says and does reveal that persons true nature.

The first day I saw Oppa, how he looked at Erich were the eyes of an ideal brother who was worried about his younger sibling.

Thats what I thought was Oppas true nature. No matter how cautious a person was, one couldnt hide their subconscious nature being reflected occasionally. If he was someone who could act like that, he probably treated Erich coldly. Someone who isnt good at expressing his thoughts. That was my first impression of Oppa.

After that, I havent thought much about him. I heard he would stay in the Academy because of his work, but that had nothing to do with me, so I just greeted him when I saw him. That was it until I decided to create the club.

Although I managed to gather three people, I couldnt get an advisor. Something I thought would be simple, and the pastry club I wanted so much was about to be blown away.

You dont have to search any further. Im willing to be the advisor.

I was really happy when Carl Oppa said he would be the advisor. How brightly I smiled then still makes me a little embarrassed. I bowed a couple of times to express my gratitude. Oppa just patted my shoulders before turning around and going somewhere.

After becoming the advisor, he always cared for us and never expressed any annoyance while doing that. It was as if he were saying he was doing what he had to do.

While Erich and the other members treated me embarrassingly well, he stepped back and looked over me from behind. That was a huge relief for me; It felt like the Oppa I always wanted to have supported me from the back.

From that moment, I felt like I had obtained a reliable Oppa. Thats why I began looking at him more frequently. What was he doing? Where did he go? Could I do something to repay him?

Its delicious. You could sell them.

If there are leftovers, Ill eat them. So put them here.

But every time he did that, the considerate one was him. He was probably worried that my feelings would get hurt, so he ate all the cookies I had made. Thanks to that, my confidence grew. And recently, I began making some that were quite decent.

Didnt I get better than before? At least a bit?

Oppa said everything was delicious.

So even if the taste changed, I had no way of knowing that.

I was about to smile because I felt thankful and sorry at the same time. But I bit my lips because I remembered what had happened yesterday. I told Carl Oppa that Irina had asked about him. But he tried to brush it off as if he were trying to hide something, and he only told me at the end.

I was sad that something I didnt know had happened between my closest friend and the Oppa I could rely on. And that he hadnt told me the reason. Of course, Oppa doesnt have any obligation to tell me. Yet, I couldnt help but feel disappointed.

While I looked at him with eyes full of complaints, it seemed like Oppa noticed me. So he looked at me.

What?

Give me a cookie too!

As I said that, I took the cookie hed just grabbed. I didnt take it with my hands; instead, I took it with my mouth.

Seeing Oppas surprised gaze, I couldnt help but smile at him. For some reason, the emotions of disappointment were leaving, and I started to feel good.

* * *

After the picnic, I returned to my room. I sat on the bed and sighed because of tiredness.

Because of Louises sudden prank, I almost ended up in a 1 v 5 fight. The other five were looking at me with a really sharp glare. I wouldve probably suffered much damage if they could harm me with just their eyes.

Why did she suddenly do that?

I never expected Louise to grab the cookie in my hands with her mouth. As I saw her smiling after doing that, I began wondering if wed gotten close enough to do something like that. Although it wasnt bad news, there were five witnesses.

I washed my hair and lay on the bed. Louise was always cheerful. So no matter how much I thought about it, I couldnt tell the reason. She will greet me brightly anyways when we see each other in the club room tomorrow.

I was about to fall asleep when the communication device on the table began shining while emitting a purple light.

? Purple light???

Ah fuck!

I quickly ran towards it and accepted the call. Then, the face of an old man greeted me.

Long time no see, Prosecutors Executive Manager. I heard that you were staying in the Academy a while ago. But I wasnt able to greet you until now. Youre working hard as always.

No, its nothing. Im just doing what I have to do for the Empire.

As expected. Im always surprised by the Executive Managers patriotism.

As the old man laughed, I also laughed awkwardly.

The person who called me was the one in charge of administering everything related to the Imperial Family. Among the Empires Administrative Branch, he was the overseer, the Minister of the Imperial Household. To put it simply, he was at the peak among Civil Servants. Only the members of the Imperial Family were above him.

He wasnt my higher-up. So if the representative of the Imperial Family had contacted me, that means that theyd sent me a message. Ah, what was bound to happen finally will come true

Im glad you look healthy. The Prince became disappointed after hearing that the Executive Manager was sent somewhere far away. He worries that you arent comfortable where you are at the moment.

The grace of the Emperor reaches all the territory. So theres no way I would find something uncomfortable.

Although the grace of the Emperor does reach everywhere, the reason why an order can be maintained is because of loyal subordinates like you.

Youre over-praising me.

Haha, not at all. This isnt just my opinion. But even the Prince has admitted this. Although your sacrifices for the Empire are necessary, your loyalty is undoubtedly admirable.

Although the Minister was talking to me lightheartedly, I couldnt help but feel a nervous sweat flowing down my back. Although I was expecting it, the order of the Prince was more direct than expected.

The true meaning of what he said was this: The Prince was uncomfortable about the third Prince, Ainter. The Empires stability depended on the safety of the succession of the throne. He was basically telling me this: Keep an eye on the third Prince, and deal with him if necessary.

This is going to drive me insane.

The only good thing was that he hadnt told me to deal with him immediately; he was rather going to leave it to my discretion. Recently, nothing worthy of shedding blood had happened. So it seemed like the Prince had gained some mercy.

Im thankful for that excessive praise. I will try harder so that the Princes trust wont be placed upon me in vain.

The Minister nodded while smiling after hearing my reply.

I will tell the Prince about the Executive Managers loyalty.

Thank you.

Im sorry for having called suddenly. Then please, take a rest.

The call was cut off, and the light disappeared from the communication crystal. I sighed and threw the communication device again toward the table.

The Prince is also quite annoying.

Now, I dont just have to be careful about Ainter as a candidate for Louises affection. But also as the third Prince.

How troublesome. Damn it.