Reincarnation of Villainess Noble Lady (Ch. 143-299)

REIKA-SAMA -279

"She left. I wanted to take her to a café after this, but she was asked to pick up things at a supermarket, so I couldn't. Vegetables are on sale today, apparently."

"You couldn't go with her?"

"I didn't want to be persistent." After signing up for her cram school, he's worried about being persistent? It's scary how he doesn't realize. "I offered her a ride to the supermarket, but she declined saying that he left her bike at the train station." Oh, so he did try.

"But you were able to sit with her all day. Wasn't that nice?" He'd never be able to peacefully sit next to her in class at Zuiran.

"I guess. I thought I messed up when she was surrounded by her junior high classmates, and I could barely talk to her."

"Oh, that's common when running into friends you haven't seen in a while."

"Takamichi looked like she was enjoying reminiscing with them, so I didn't want to butt in."

"It happens."

Those having fun running into each other are fine, but it's uncomfortable as an outsider to sit there, unable to join in. I've experienced it a few times, but what are you supposed to do if you're completely left behind? Sit back smiling? Fiddle with your phone until they're finished talking? That might be rude. I really hope that somebody calls or mails me when that happens.

I'm surprised Kaburagi could sit next to Wakaba-chan in that situation. Normally, that seat would be taken by a classmate. "Did you arrive at the cram school ahead of Takamichi-san?"

"No. We arranged to meet in front of the school, and we went in together. I wanted to pick her up at home, but she turned me down." Kaburagi's stalker tendency saved him. That stalker's luck.

Oh, I remembered the most important thing. "Were there any students from Zuiran?"

"No." Good. Even if Kaburagi checked in advance, there was still a chance.

"So you'll be able to relax take the class. So how was that?"

"It was worthwhile and fairly interesting. It was good to attend, even if Takamichi wasn't there."

"I see."

"There were several things I had problems with at the school."

"Like?"

"Lunch. I found out that there wasn't a cafeteria when I got there."

"Cram school isn't actually a school after all." Some may have cafeteria or dining facilities, but this one didn't. Mine doesn't either. That's why I pack a lunch when I attend over the holidays or visit a bakery once in a while. "So what did you do?"

"Takamichi said there was a convenience store nearby, so we went there."

"Have you ever been to a convenience store, Kaburagi-sama?"

"Don't mock me. Of course I have." Well, I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't.

"Well, I can't imagine what you would purchase there. What did you buy?"

"…I was thirsty, so I bought a drink."

"Ah." The standard.

"But this was the first time I bought lunch."

"I would think so." I buy rice cakes often for a night-time snack, but the heir of the Kaburagi's wouldn't have anything to do with that. He'd just go to a proper restaurant if he were hungry, so he's never go to a convenience store for meals. "What did you choose?"

"A boxed lunch with many different dishes." A safe choice. "I didn't understand when the store worker asked if I wanted it heated."

"Ha."

"Don't laugh."

"Sorry." I couldn't control it when I imagined Kaburagi stiffening in front of the register. "And?"

"Takamichi told me that he was asking whether or not to heat it in the microwave."

"I see. So did you have it heated?"

"I did."

"Ah."

"Even the pickles got heated."

"Fu…" It's laughable imagining Kaburagi eating warm pickles when he's normally having nice, well-prepared dishes. "Why don't you choose a lunch that doesn't have pickles next time?"

"I'm not having lunches from convenience stores anymore." I guess the lunch for the masses didn't suit the Emperor. He should have picked a rice cake with a fun ingredient. My question asking if he had ever tried tuna-mayonnaise rice cakes was drowned out by a car horn. "What? I couldn't hear."

"Nothing. Did Takamichi-san have the same lunch?"

"She brought her own."

"Oh, so she went to the convenience store, just for you."

"Yeah. Though Takamichi said that she wanted a desert."

"I see."

"I had desert from a convenience store for the first time, but it was fairly good."

"That's nice."

"Did you know there are pastries limited to the convenience store?"

"Of course." Who do you think I am?

"They're not as good as the pastries at a cake shop, but they weren't bad."

"I would think so."

"Well, Takamichi's cookies I had later were better."

"Oh, is that so?" Speaking so casually about his love irritated me.

"The lunch Takamichi made for herself looked healthy and delicious, being full of vegetables and fish. The eggs with spinach were wrapped cleanly, so I praised her and she gave me one. It had so much taste from its soup that it was tasty, even cold. Takamichi seems good at cooking in general, not just snacks."

"Ah." I already know she's a good cook. And don't stare at other people's lunches.

"And…" I couldn't hear him due to some interference.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't hear that. What was that?"

"Ugh… The sound quality's bad. This won't do. Where are you?"

"Huh…?" I paused. "At home."

"Quit lying. I can hear the cars in the background!"

But I only have bad feelings about this…