Chapter 10

"Um, is something wrong?"

Before I knew it, I must have been spacing out.

When I realized, Mia was leaning forward, peering at me.

Her large, round, clear eyes.

And moreover—

"……"

The two rounded parts of her apron dress, bulging so abundantly, were, well, you know—

And, because of her forward-leaning posture, the intensity of it was even more emphasized.

My cheeks grew hot, and my gaze wandered.

To be honest, I didn't know where to look.

Feeling embarrassed, I bowed my head deeply, as if to hide my face, and extended my right hand.

"Anyway... please take care of me today!"

"Yes, I look forward to working with you as well!"

I could feel Mia enveloping my right hand with both of hers.

My face grew even hotter.

Mia's hands were very warm and soft.

I lifted my head slightly, averted my gaze, and placed my hand on the back of my head.

"Yes... I look forward to working with you as well..."

A flustered, hesitant response slipped out of my mouth.

Then, Mia smiled and patted my shoulders lightly.

"You seem nervous? Hehe, try to relax, relax."

She was trying to ease my tension.

"……"

Cute, bright, and considerate.

Such a girl really exists.

"By the way, though—"

After letting go of my shoulders, Mia asked me.

"Since Mr. Sagara Kurohiko is from the Eastern Country, would you prefer to be called 'Kurohiko-sama'?"

"Ah, either way is fine. Whatever is easier for you, Mia."

"Then, may I call you 'Kurohiko-sama' from now on?"

"…Ah, yes."

...

For some reason, being called with the honorific 'sama' made me feel awkward.

Moreover, in my previous world, there was no one who would approach me so innocently—

"Kurohiko-sama... have I done something wrong?"

"Huh?"

Mia looked worried.

"Your expression seemed rather complicated."

"No, just... I was thinking that it's great to have someone as kind as you, Mia!"

"Huh...?"

This time, Mia looked a bit pleased and bowed her head slightly.

"…Is that so?"

"It seems our compatibility is not a problem."

The principal, with a half-eaten sandwich in hand, directed a mischievous smile and gaze at Mia.

"However, it's unusual for you to open up so quickly to a stranger of the opposite sex... Could it be that you have a preference for someone like Kurohiko?"

Mia turned bright red and started to panic.

"I, I don't think it's appropriate for me to have preferences for the opposite sex—"

"Well, I think it would be more convenient if you get along well, considering the plans we have for later."

Huh?

Plans for later?

I looked at Mia, but she also seemed to not understand Makina's words.

Makina took a breath and continued.

"Mia"

"Yes!"

"Today, you'll spend the whole day with Kurohiko and show him around the town."

"Show him around the town?"

"Yes. He's a new student who just came from a remote rural area, so he really doesn't know anything."

"Ah, so he's a new student."

"Moreover, he's extremely directionally challenged. Yesterday, he not only missed the opening ceremony but also couldn't find the academy even at night and ended up collapsing from hunger."

"That's terrible..."

"Furthermore, due to living deep in the mountains, he even lacks general common sense."

"…I see."

Mia looked at me with a sympathetic expression.

...Damn, that's right.

The current me is a wild child who grew up in the mountains and was discovered by a Sacred Tree Knight, with almost no knowledge of the outside world...

Makina shrugged.

"I'd like to show him around myself, but I'm busy today with various procedures related to him, so I'll leave the town tour to you, Mia."

"Yes, I understand."

Makina glanced at the clock.

"Right... come back by the 'Hour of the Archer.'"

Hour of the Archer?

I squinted and looked at the clock.

There was a carving of a person drawing a bow at the position corresponding to 9 o'clock.

Hour of the Archer... Ah, I see.

The time is determined by the type of picture the clock's hand points to.

So, the clock has 'pictures' instead of 'numbers' or 'letters,' which is why I couldn't understand it earlier, right?

"……"

Anyway.

It seems Mia will be showing me around the town all day today.

"You should also learn a lot from Mia."

After saying this to me, Makina took a small bite of her sandwich.

Mia turned to me and bowed.

"Please take care of me today, Kurohiko-sama."

"Likewise, please take care of me—"

At that moment.

Gur, my stomach growled.

Mia giggled.

"Kurohiko-sama, are you hungry?"

I scratched my head, embarrassed.

"Actually, I haven't eaten anything since yesterday..."

I glanced at the principal.

Makina was wiping her mouth with a napkin.

Then,

"Go ahead, I'm already full. You can have the rest."

She pointed to the low table with her hand.

"Here, please? Help yourself?"

I looked at the food on the table.

...

The sandwich was half-eaten, and there was only one glass of milk.

Of course, since only one portion was brought for the principal, there was only one spoon for the soup and one fork for the salad.

Then,

"What? You're not going to eat?"

Makina asked, puzzled.

"But, this—"

It's the principal's half-eaten food...

In other words, this is, well, indirect—

"Ah, you don't like half-eaten food? If so, it will take some time, but I can have it made again—"

"No, I'll gratefully accept it!"

"Really? That's fine then..."

I clasped my hands in gratitude and, with a slightly trembling hand, picked up the glass of milk.

The spot where the milk was thinly attached to the rim... in other words...

Gulp.

Damn.

But, as a gentleman, is this right?

"……"

Damn it...!

I gulped down the milk.

I took a sip from the opposite side where the milk was thinly attached.

And—

In the next moment, the trivial matter of whether it was half-eaten or not didn't matter anymore.

...

What is this?

It's incredibly delicious...

It's slightly sweet and creamy.

My stomach suddenly became very active.

Next, I took a bite of the sandwich.

...This is.

The bread is lightly toasted and crispy.

And the ingredients inside—ham, tomato, iceberg lettuce, butter... each ingredient's flavor is perfectly balanced without clashing.

In other words, can the flavors of ingredients be so vividly felt?

Well, maybe it's also due to my hunger...

Next, I dipped the spoon into the soup and brought it to my mouth.

...The taste is creamy but not overly so, with a perfect amount of salt.

Next, the salad.

There's no dressing, but... hmm?

It's delicious...

And it has a natural sweetness.

I can confidently say.

This is not just due to my hunger.

Clearly, both the ingredients and the cooking are of a high level.

Before I knew it, I had finished all the food.

Finally, I gulped down the remaining milk.

"…Phew"

When I took a breath,

"I've never seen anyone eat the food so deliciously."

Makina said, more impressed than surprised.

"Were you that hungry?"

"Indeed, I was hungry, but more than that, the food itself was incredibly delicious..."

Makina looked up at Mia.

"Is that so? That's good, Mia."

Huh?

"Does that mean you made this food?"

Mia smiled shyly.

"Yes. I made today's breakfast. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much."

She clasped her hands behind her waist and leaned forward.

Mia's cheeks turned slightly red, and she smiled.

"Thank you, Kurohiko-sama."

"It was really delicious. Thank you for the meal."

"Yes, you're welcome."

Makina stood up from her chair.

"Well, I should go now. Take care of Kurohiko, Mia."

"Yes, I will."

Then, Makina left the room.

Mia and I were left in the room.

Mia smiled at me.

"Shall we go then?"