Reward
The Knight Dormitory cafeteria was still mostly empty—just five or six other students besides us.
The training session had ended, and since classes were done for the day, we were gathered here. Everyone had wanted to hear more from Brother Gene and Young Master Eric after the lecture, so they’d agreed to spend a bit of time with us.
“Are you sure this is okay? You seniors must be busy,” Karim asked apologetically.
“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. I’ve prepared a little something in return.”
“What do you mean, ‘something in return’?” Dagger asked—right as Brother Gene and Young Master Eric walked in, followed unexpectedly by Vee, and then Young Master Noah and Young Master Kazul.
Huh!? What—why are they here?
Vee I could understand, but those two too!?
“Ah, sorry. Kept you waiting.”
When Brother Gene said that, everyone except Belle and me jumped to their feet.
“Sorry to trouble you when you’re busy.”
“““““““““We’re sorry!”””””””””
Everyone followed Ed’s lead and bowed deeply.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. We’re done for the day anyway. And there’s something in it for us, too. Right, Jo?”
“Yeah, yeah. So, what would you like?”
“Hmm, let’s see… pork cutlet bowl, miso soup, fried chicken, and fried potatoes. Oh, and a Lampail dog sounds good too. What about you, Eric?”
“Then I’ll have the same. No need to make extra work, right?”
“Young Master Eric, you’re too kind—but it’s fine. I’ve got some ingredients stored away.”
“For real? Then curry for me! And maybe some salad. Oh, and I want fried chicken too.”
“Alright, I’ll make it a pork cutlet curry then… So, Vee, why are you raising your hand?”
“I wanna eat too.”
“What? No.”
I answered immediately.
“Hey, hey—isn’t that Joan from before? You can cook, right?” Young Master Noah asked.
“Huh? Why do you know about Joan?”
“Ehh, secret. Ahahaha.”
“What? Spit it out.”
“I’d also like to know how you and Noah know each other,” Brother Gene said, giving off clear pressure.
“Jeez, Brother Gene, don’t release intimidation in the cafeteria! Young Master Noah and Young Master Kazul were both at the tea party hosted by Her Majesty the Queen!”
“Ah, that one.”
Brother Gene seemed to accept that, but Vee frowned.
“Huh? So Kazul knew too?”
“Yeah, I knew… Actually, I wanna try those dishes I’ve never heard of too.”
“Ah—of course, I’d be happy to make them for you!”
“Hey! Joan! Why’s it okay for Kazul but not me!?”
“Ugh… fine, you too, Vee.”
“What about me?”
“Yes, you too, Young Master Noah.”
“Thank you. But no need for ‘Young Master’ here, alright? Especially not from a cute girl like you.”
He winked at me with a snap.
“Sigh… alright, then Senior Noah and Senior Kazul.”
“You still don’t feel anything for me, huh?”
Noah senior muttered sulkily, getting an elbow from Vee.
“So, what would you seniors like?” I asked Brother Gene and Young Master Eric.
“Anything’s fine.”
“Same here~”
“Got it. Just give me a minute. Belle, can you help?”
“Of course.”
We headed to the kitchen, where the lunch ladies were still having tea before dinner prep started.
“Excuse me, could we borrow the kitchen again?”
“Oh? Joan, Belle! Sure thing—but only for about one more hour, okay?”
“Yep, thank you! Oh, here—these are for your tea.”
I took out several types of baked sweets from my storage.
“Oh my, are you sure? The ones you gave us last time were delicious—I feel bad taking more.”
“Yeah, yeah, and that recipe you taught us was a hit with my husband. You’ll teach us again sometime, right?”
“Of course. Ah, I’m using the frying oil, okay?”
“Use whatever you like!”
Since there aren’t many girls in the Knight Dormitory, the lunch ladies are always kind to us. Once they found out cooking was my hobby, they started letting me borrow the kitchen—and sometimes I even hold little cooking lessons when there’s time.
While I was frying the chicken, Belle came over.
“Hey, Joan. Are you interested in that senior?”
“Eh? W-What are you talking about?”
“Well, you just seem… different than usual. Umm, Ka—”
“Belle! Later! You never know who’s listening here.”
“Oh, true. Fine, but you’ll tell me later, okay?”
“Y-Yeah.”
Good thing I turned on the soundproof function on the bangle Aunt Julie gave me. Around here, if someone uses body reinforcement, there’s no such thing as a “private” conversation.
＊＊＊＊＊
Back in the cafeteria, it sounded like the questions for Brother Gene and Young Master Eric were wrapping up, and everyone was chatting casually.
“Thanks for waiting~”
I brought out the dishes from storage, starting with what Brother Gene and Young Master Eric had ordered.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had Jo’s cooking… man, this is good!!”
“Yeah, the curry’s amazing.”
Next, I served slightly smaller portions of pork cutlet bowls and pork cutlet curry for Vee, Senior Noah, and Senior Kazul.
“I thought you might want to try both, so I made smaller portions of each.”
“Thanks! I actually did wanna try both—lucky me.”
Vee grinned widely, while Noah and Kazul stared intently at the unfamiliar dishes. After seeing Vee take a bite, they cautiously tried theirs.
““Delicious!””
They must’ve liked it, because after that, they didn’t say another word—just kept eating.
Gulp…
From the classmates watching Brother Gene and Young Master Eric eat, I heard stomachs grumbling.
Well, that curry smell is hard to resist.
“I’ve got fried chicken and fried potatoes for everyone else—but that’s what’s for dinner too. Is that okay?”
““““““““““Yes!””””””””””
Souya and the others lunged for the food right away.
“Jo, seconds! Same thing’s fine!”
“Me too, Joan! Can I get a pork cutlet bowl this time?”
Brother Gene and Young Master Eric had already finished eating.
“That was fast! Don’t you two get dinner at the subjugation corps headquarters?”
“Ah, it’s fine. I already told them I wouldn’t be back for dinner. Besides, tomorrow’s a day off, so we’re heading home to the capital—me and Eric.”
“Oh, I see. Alright, here you go… Oh, and could you bring some souvenirs to little Ali?” I said, handing them their seconds from storage.
“Ali…? Ah, you mean Alice from Mr. Abe’s place.”
“Yep. I’ve got some snowball cookies here for her.”
“Ah, got it.”
After that, Brother Gene and Young Master Eric had another round—omelet rice this time—and finished off with sherbet for dessert before heading out with Alice’s cookies as souvenirs. Vee, Noah senior, and Kazul senior stayed until dessert too, then left the cafeteria.
As they were leaving, Senior Kazul turned back and said, “That was delicious. Thank you.”
It was the best reward I could’ve asked for.
What do you think about this chapter?
