Are you for real!?
I had been planning to visit Galvano Ojisama's workshop this afternoon, but that didn't work out.
I also wanted to check the market stalls in the territory, but oh well.
"Cristea."
As I was about to return to my room, Oniisama called out to me.
"Oniisama, is there something you need?"
"There's nothing in particular, but since we rarely get the chance to enjoy tea together at the academy, I thought I'd like to monopolize you at least while we're home."
He smiled like a flower blooming, and it made me flustered.
"Huh!? W-Well, yes, then, how about we have tea in my room?"
"Is that okay? Then I'll take you up on your offer."
"Y-Yes, of course, please!"
I made a suspicious move in response to his sudden smile, and Oniisama laughed at me. Ugh.
I mean, he said "monopolize," and that made my heart skip a beat.
If there's any girl who wouldn’t get flustered by a smile from someone as handsome as Oniisama, I’d like to meet her.
Well, unless they're into muscle-bound or wild types, maybe.
"Shall we go, Cristea?"
"Y-Yes."
Oniisama walked beside me and smoothly offered his arm.
"May I escort the princess to her room?"
He acted a little formal, but his expression was somewhat playful as he looked at me.
"Oh my, hehe. Yes, I'd be delighted."
I took his arm and headed to my room.
I was secretly a little nervous while being escorted.
And along the way, I was suddenly pulled away by jealous Kurogane and Mashiro, who firmly flanked me on both sides. Oniisama could only laugh wryly at the sight. Ugh.
When I asked Oniisama what drink he'd like in my room, he requested green tea.
Thinking that sweet bean-based treats would go well with it, I took out some dorayaki and yokan while Miria brewed the tea, and immediately Kurogane and Mashiro reached for them.
Those two love these treats.
"I feel lonely not being able to see you much, even though we’re in the same academy now. We should be closer than before you enrolled."
"That's true."
Even though we live in the same academy, I rarely see Oniisama.
The fact that we’re in different grades is a big factor, but my staying in the special dorm is probably the main reason for our missed chances.
If I were staying in the girls' dormitory, we'd have more opportunities to meet at mealtimes in the dining hall, but since I’m in the special dorm and we are cooking for ourselves (kind of), we don’t even have that chance.
We could meet at the salon building, but Oniisama is busy supporting Crown Prince Raymond, so I feel guilty about taking up his precious free time.
Recently, whenever I call on Oniisama, it's often alongside His Highness, and I feel bad about it.
"I wish you'd join the student council, Cristea."
"Huh? The student council…?"
Oh, right. The current student council president is Crown Prince Raymond, and Oniisama is the vice president.
Both of them are incredibly busy, not just with their royal duties but also with student council work.
Apparently, since Oniisama and the others are in their final year, they’re in the process of selecting the student council officers for the next term.
In Adelia Academy, the student council members are chosen through nomination and recommendation, rather than elections.
Well, even if a commoner were to run, unless they were incredibly popular, the noble students wouldn’t vote for them, and even if they were somehow elected, I doubt they’d be readily obeyed.
That’s why it's customary for the current student council to select the next members.
You might think that would lead to an all-noble council that’s not kind to commoners, but the student council is merit-based, so it often ends up being a mixed group of nobles and commoners.
Since the student council deals with various issues within the academy, if someone high-ranking but incompetent were to get in, work would stall, corruption would spread, and things would eventually fall apart.
Apparently, this had actually happened in the past, so now they’re extremely careful when selecting members.
Even if a high-ranking noble declares, "I'm fit to lead others!" they won't even make it to the lowest position if they don’t meet the current council’s standards.
For those who complain, they're given harmless tasks under the guise of "trial membership," and they eventually quit, saying, "I'm too busy to handle student council work."
Wait… does that mean the student council is a total black hole of work!?
Oniisama, have you been working in a black hole of a student council this whole time!?
"No, it’s nothing like that. As long as you have the skills, it's just normal work. The only ones who quit are those foolish enough to think it’s some elite club where they can sip tea and look down on others."
Oniisama chuckled, but the nature of his smile was entirely different from before. Scary…
"I'm far too dull to be part of such a prestigious student council."
As someone who’s still not fully adjusted to this world’s customs and the intricacies of noble society, sitting alongside the future—no, the current elites of this world is simply impossible for me.
"I don't think that's true at all. At least, you were pretty exceptional in your entrance exams, and now most of your classes are exempted. Plus, you’re able to interact with both nobles and commoners without discrimination. I think you’re more than qualified."
Huh? Oniisama, what are you talking about? Me? Isn't that a bit of favoritism?
"Most of the student council members are top students who’ve been exempted from classes. You have to be that exceptional to get selected. Unfortunately, though, you're too young right now."
Ah, thank goodness. So there's an age limit.
At least two years of getting familiar with the academy is prioritized, so even if someone’s talented, it’s not fair to burden inexperienced freshmen with the student council’s workload. Of course, that makes sense.
As someone who’s a bit of a recluse even within the academy, I can’t imagine anything but chaos if I were thrown into the student council now.
"I’m sure you'll be scouted in the future, but there's no need to take it on if you don't want to. In your case, you could even skip grades and graduate early since you're so talented. Honestly, I'd love it if you did that so you could marry me sooner."
He said it with a smile, and I almost spat out the green tea I was drinking.
Even though he was smiling, his eyes were serious, so I couldn’t laugh it off… I could only weakly respond, "Oh, Oniisama, you’re too much," with a nervous chuckle.
And now Oniisama has declared that he’s staying on in the academy’s postgraduate program just to be near me for a little longer.
Since His Highness doesn’t seem eager to graduate yet, they are even trying to convince His Majesty and Otousama to let them both stay for longer.
Are you for real…?
What do you think about this chapter?
