SPO 24

“Ahem. Well, that is…”

The look he gave me was intensely reproachful.

Did I do something wrong? Did my face look… creepy?

Since I couldn’t see my own expression, I raised a hand to touch my face—just as Professor Wid entered the student council room.

Unlike usual, he seemed to be in a perfectly clear state of mind today. His steps were steady and normal.

“What are you all standing around for instead of sitting down?”

Professor Wid took the central seat and handed out the printed materials he’d been holding.

“The destination for the school trip has been decided. Unlike the briefing, the professors will handle all the major arrangements. You only need to plan and oversee the smaller activities.”

What he distributed was a simple proposal outlining basic information about the school trip.

And surprisingly enough, I already knew exactly what activity we’d be doing.

That activity was—

A courage test.

I didn’t even have to rack my brain to come up with ideas! I was genuinely happy.

Less work is always better.

A belief and motto I would never abandon.

“There’s something we need to take care of before that, though…”

Professor Wid flipped through a few pages of the handouts, deliberately drawing out his words.

“You need to plan a charity event.”

“Isn’t the charity event supposed to happen after the school trip?”

“The event itself will take place afterward, but since we don’t know how long preparation will take, planning starts now.”

I flipped the printout over and circled the words charity event.

A charity event—just as the name suggested—was an event meant to help others.

According to Janet, Judea held a large-scale charity event every year.

With so many nobles possessing immense power and wealth, it was a way of putting noblesse oblige into practice.

The student council acted as the host, and what kind of fundraising event they chose each year was always a hot topic.

Unfortunately, <Dumaea> didn’t cover the charity event.

The first major event in Dumaea was the courage test. Which meant every other event required actual thinking.

My mood soured again.

“Once you’ve decided on the event details, the beneficiaries, and the method of support, submit a report.”

After neatly gathering the scattered papers, Professor Wid turned his gaze to Rena.

“Student council member registration closes in a week. Decide by then.”

“I’ll do it.”

I was the only one caught off guard by Rena’s immediate response.

Didn’t she say she wasn’t going to?

I turned to look at her in surprise, but she didn’t spare me a glance—her eyes were fixed on Professor Wid.

“Please add my name.”

“…Very well. Welcome, Rena Dicliff.”

Professor Wid nodded calmly. Rihart and Izael exchanged brief greetings before leaving.

Aven, smiling brightly, started asking me all sorts of questions. Meanwhile, Cassel—

“Was it the student council president who put the babbling plant over there?”

Somehow, he’d found the plant I’d moved far away and carried it back himself.

Even the name was strange.

“Yes. Babbling… is quite special, you see.”

“You noticed the uniqueness of a young babbling plant? As expected of the student council president. It can only utter single syllables now, but given time, it’ll be able to speak words—and even full sentences.”

Since meeting Cassel, I’d never seen him speak more than two sentences at a time, so the situation felt oddly fascinating and welcome.

I couldn’t help worrying about what kind of words and sentences the babbling plant would eventually speak, though.

In the end, all I could do was helplessly watch as the plant—now murmuring “weh”—was placed back in the center of the table.

* * *

The café where I started working today was both clean and modern.

The marble floor had a white base with light gray patterns, while the chair legs and counter were accented with gold, giving the place a refined yet lively atmosphere.

It smells faintly of nobility, somehow.

I put on a black apron and tightly tied my pink hair back.

“Ready?”

As I stepped behind the counter, the manager handed me a thin notebook.

“It’s the recipe book. Just follow this when making drinks. You said you’ve worked at cafés before, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”

After telling me to look it over, he went to greet customers. I flipped through the recipe book page by page.

There were no unusual items, and the menu wasn’t extensive either.

This really is a sweet deal.

On my very first day, the manager dropped a bombshell—he said he’d raise my hourly wage from 50 silver to 1 gold.

At first, I was too suspicious to be happy.

Why?

The owner said that’s what someone like Miss Archel deserves.

The owner?

Weren’t you the owner?

I widened my eyes and took another look at the man in front of me.

I wasn’t about to refuse higher pay, but for a moment I wondered if this place was dangerous.

That thought vanished quickly, though.

“I’ve never used this model before. It has so many functions.”

“The beans are incredibly high quality. What? These are supplied to the Imperial Palace?”

“Isn’t this Chacola, grown only in the southern royal palace? You’re making drinks with something this expensive…?”

The more I looked around, the stronger the smell of money became.

At this point, there was a very high chance the marble floor beneath my feet was natural marble with a price tag that could make someone cry.

Well, I’ll accept it gratefully. One gold per hour.

While I worked with the manager preparing drinks, I noticed glances being thrown at me from beyond the counter.

They probably recognized who I was.

So this is the life of a public figure?

I pretended to work even harder, sprinkling milk foam like an artist possessed.

“Ah—Miss Archel?”

“One iced Americano and one latte!”

I called out in a slightly higher pitch than usual and set the tray down at the students’ table.

“Tha—whoa.”

On top of the café latte was a design of an eagle flying over Judea’s symbolic thorn tree.

The girl clasped her hands over her mouth and gasped in admiration.

I felt oddly proud, like I’d fulfilled my duty as a public figure.

The manager, who’d been watching from behind, looked surprised too.

“So that’s why the owner raised your pay.”

…No, it’s just that the owner has more money than sense.

I decided not to explain. Good things should stay good.

After chatting about the upcoming school trip for quite some time, the two students finally left an hour later.

In the meantime, plenty of other students came by, and I got to try making most of the recipes with the manager.

“At this rate, you could work solo starting next week.”

I shot him a slightly resentful look as he spoke excitedly.

“It’s because you’re too good, Miss Archel. Don’t look at me like that. I’m going to the restroom—can you handle things alone?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

It was almost closing time anyway, so I doubted more customers would come.

Jingle.

“Welcome.”

Customers could always appear right before closing. I should never think such ominous thoughts again.

I lifted my head instinctively after greeting them.

“Aven?”

“So you really are working here.”

Judging by his playful smile, he’d clearly heard the rumor and come to check.

I scratched my cheek and took his order.

“What’ll you have?”

“Hmm, something sweet. A chocolate latte.”

Unexpected, considering he looked like the type who’d order a refreshing ade.

I glanced at Aven sitting at a two-person table as I took out cocoa powder and milk.

Compared to the other male leads, Aven looked smaller and cuter.

Objectively, he wasn’t short—but his small face, watercolor-soft features, and gentle impression made him seem that way.

A bright, sweet guy who smiled easily and reacted warmly—wasn’t that the best kind of person to protect Rena in this dangerous world?

Of course, I couldn’t let my guard down.

He’s a little unhinged too.

Just the fact that he tried to monopolize Rena with wealth alone proved he wasn’t normal.

There was twisted madness lurking beneath that strong scent of money.

“Your chocolate latte is ready.”

I brought the tray over to him.

“What’s this? It’s so cute.”

This time, I’d drawn a gentle puppy that resembled Aven.

Big round eyes without double eyelids, looking up innocently—it really did resemble a puppy.

Of course, no puppy this handsome existed.

I moved the cup from the tray to the table.

“You can pay when you return the cup.”

It was usually prepaid, but he’d gone straight to his seat after ordering.

Still, Aven didn’t respond. He just stared at me blankly.

Is he hinting that I should treat him?

Friends often get free stuff when visiting someone’s workplace.

Sometimes they’re even pushed out the door without paying.

Did I just expose the fact that I have no friends?

Worried I’d missed some kind of signal, I hurriedly corrected myself.

“Uh… I’ll pay?”

Aven’s cheeks puffed up before he burst out laughing.

He clutched his stomach, doubling over as his laughter filled the empty café.

I stood there, dumbfounded.

“Stop laughing…”

I had no idea what was so funny, which made it even more embarrassing.

Laughing alone in front of someone is rude, you know?

As I grumbled internally, his laughter gradually faded into sniffles.

With his dimples fully visible, Aven brushed his bangs back and looked at me with a refreshing smile.

“This is my café.”