Lunch on the Terrace
After that, we were shown around the auditorium where the entrance ceremony had been held and the cafeteria, then returned to our classroom.
“Alright, that’s it for today~ See you all tomorrow~ Don’t be late, okay~?”
““““““““Goodbye, teacher.””””””””
“Okay, goodbye~”
Today was just the first day, so it ended by noon.
Zack had already gone home early, saying he was heading back to the estate.
“Bell~ I’m so hungry I’m gonna die~”
“Geez, you’re exaggerating~ But yeah, I’m hungry too. Wanna check out the cafeteria?”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go! Let’s go!!”
“Ah, hey, you don’t have to pull me! I’m coming, Joan.”
＊＊＊＊＊
The cafeteria was packed, understandably, since it was lunchtime.
“Wow… it’s crowded. Do you think they’ll run out of food?”
“Nah, I don’t think they’ll run out… What should we do?”
“Hmm… Oh, the weather’s nice. Want to eat on the terrace?”
“But we still need to go grab lunch.”
“It’s fine. I’ve got food in my storage.”
“Eh? You do?”
“Yup. Let’s head to the terrace.”
Just like the royal palace cafeteria, the academy’s cafeteria had glass walls leading to terrace seating outside. Only a few groups of commoners were sitting out there.
Huh? Do nobles not usually use the terrace seats?
“So, Bell, how hungry are you exactly?”
“Eh? Why?”
“Depending on that, I’ll decide what to take out.”
“Really? Hmm… I guess I’m pretty hungry~”
“OK. Then for you… this!”
While saying that, I opened my shoulder bag with Storage and took out fried chicken, rice balls, pork soup (Orc version), and lightly pickled cabbage.
By the way, the academy didn’t have a designated bag or anything, and since I prefer being hands-free, I had Megan make me this shoulder bag. Lately, Megan’s sewing skills have improved so much that she’s even making leather goods. Even Mito, the professional seamstress, admits she doesn’t know much about leatherwork, so Megan’s been frequenting a leather shop in the capital every break.
This particular shoulder bag was made from Blood Buffalo leather. Apparently, Mike and Ben hunted the buffalo, and we enjoyed the meat thoroughly.
“Hey, Joan? Why is everything steaming like it’s freshly made…?”
“Ah, my storage has a time-stopping function.”
“Eh? That’s amazing.”
“Come on, eat up before it gets cold—”
“Jo!”
Just as we were about to eat, Gene arrived with Eric in tow.
“Oh, Brother Gene. Young master Eric too.”
“First-years are done for the day… whoa, what tasty-looking stuff are you about to eat?”
“I’m starving, so I thought I’d eat before heading home. Want some?”
“Definitely!”
“Young master Eric, would you like some too? … Young master Eric?”
Eric’s eyes were glued to the food on the table, completely ignoring me.
With a sigh, Bell elbowed Eric sharply.
“Ugh…”
Judging by how he doubled over onto the wooden deck, she hit him square in the solar plexus.
“…………”
Yeah, don’t mess with Bell…
“This is delicious! What is this?!”
Back to life, Young master Eric was enthusiastically devouring a sandwich with one hand and fried chicken on a fork with the other.
“This cabbage is good too. You’ve got a skilled cook. Thank them for me.”
“Thank you. I can make this anytime—for my best friend.”
“Eh? Eh? Eh? Wait, Joan, you made all this?”
“Yup.”
““No way!!””
“Hey, Eric! Don’t talk with your mouth full, that’s gross.”
“Ah, sorry… Seriously… you can cook too?”
“Hehe, jealous, aren’t you? Joan, this beef bowl is amazing.”
Brother Gene wanted something heartier than rice balls, so he was happily eating a beef bowl made with Blood Buffalo meat.
“I’ve never seen food like this before… Is this normal in Lampail territory?”
“Ah, yeah, it’s become pretty normal these past five years.”
“Why five years?”
“Ah, hard to explain here. Some other time. Oh, right. Wanna come over this weekend? You too, Young lady Bell.”
“Oh, that sounds great! Bell, come to my house!”
“Eh, but…”
“We’ll train with my private soldiers—”
“I’ll go! Please let me go!!”
“Bell… You…”
“Ugh… I’m stuffed…”
“Eric, you ate too much! You’ve got National History class right after this. You’re totally gonna fall asleep.”
“Ah… forgot about that… Well, wake me up if I do.”
“Jeez, seriously…”
“Joan, thanks. That was delicious.”
“I can make it anytime. Oh, want dessert?”
“Eh… I do…”
“Here. Ripple pie and Ripple tea.”
“!!”
Eric and Bell froze in shock.
“Huh? What’s wrong…? Ow.”
“What’s wrong? You seriously can’t just do that! Joan, take stuff out through your bag, will you?”
Oops, I accidentally pulled it directly from storage to my hand, instead of through the bag.
“Ah… sorry.”
“Umm… Eric, Young lady Bell… you two alright?”
“Y-yeah… wow… the pie just… appeared…”
“Yeah… She’s just… abnormal. Wait till the weekend—you’ll see, this is nothing.”
“Seriously…?”
“Sorry for surprising you, Bell.”
“It’s okay. I was shocked, but somehow… it feels very ‘you’, Joan. More importantly, this Ripple pie is delicious! Did you make this too?”
“Yup. I’m glad you like it.”
“This Ripple tea… how do you make it?”
“You just boil water with Ripple peels and brew tea in that.”
“Wow~ I’ll try that sometime.”
“Hey, Eric… Young lady Bell’s amazing. She accepted Joan’s ridiculousness so naturally.”
“Yeah… honestly, in that regard, she’s more manly than her older brother.”
What do you think about this chapter?
