Chapter 1 Part2 (1/2)
She chased the man. However, when she tried to reach for the bag, their difference in height was made obvious.
”—Whoa! You sure are loud, woman. Just like a noisy, stray, cat… well, still better than those women who keep rubbing themselves against you like cats in heat, I guess…”
”What are you babbling about—!? I understand none of it—kyaaa—!?”
After throwing retorts for a while, the man snapped his fingers—instantly, a huge tornado formed around him.
”I don't have time to play with you. Well then, it's goodbye for now.”
Amidst the strong gush of wind, large amounts of dust rolled up and hit Sharina. It was unbearable—Sharina had to s.h.i.+eld her face with both arms.
”Wha… what just happened?”
In the next moment, when Sharina opened her eyes, the man had already fly away with the bag of cookies in one hand…
…while the other flipped his long, golden, hair in a condescending manner.
”Ah—!! T, thief—!!”
It was Riol's! It was especially made for someone she liked! After countless failed attempts and practices!
For Riol who seemed to enjoy the bitterness of his hometown's tea, she had earnestly kneaded bitter tea leaves in the whole-grain dough—while pursuing a balance between sweetness and the crunchy texture.
”Who does he think he is!”
The nerve of him—!
How dare he—!! To steal at their first meeting and in broad daylight like this—!
Sharina's fists shook with anger—to think that such an outrageous student existed…
What? Does he think by stealing my cookies, I'll bawl myself to sleep?
—alright, I'll report to the teacher.
Because they aren't just some cookies, they are intended for my special someone—
”…Sharina—!”
”He?”
Her anger regarding the stolen cookies was forgotten instantly—after all, said 'special someone' suddenly appeared in front of her.
He was unusually out of breath, and he also didn't have any books.
”Riol-sama! What's wrong?”
Sharina rushed to Riol.
”I should be the one asking that—! I heard clamors of wind from the direction you went—!”
”Ri-Riol-sama!”
…In other words, he came because he was worried about me…?
He even put aside those heavy books for me…
Sharina was utterly moved—she was in the brink of tears.
”What happened? Are you hurt? Did someone conjure up a tornado, or what?”
”The cookies, the cookies were stolen by a shady person! More importantly, Riol-sama—”
”Shady person!? In this school!? Wait, …cookies?”
Because of the running, his bangs were messy—hence, both of his eyes were clearly visible. The way he raised his face was also cool and refres.h.i.+ng…
—above all;
”This, this is the first time you called my name—!! You said it, right—!? 'Sharina'—!!”
”Uh, yes?”
Finally—!!!
Until now, he had only referred her as 'Clydea House's eldest daughter'.
”—no, forget that. That was rude of me. I'm but a Baron's son, addressing you like that was too improper. Let's just pretend that as a Count's daughter, you were doing incognito—”
”—then let me address you casually, too! Now, we are even! So call me 'Sharina' again, Riol!”
My special someone called my name for the first time—!!
Hence, she wasn't going to tarnish this memorable day by fussing about that Cookie Thief's deed.
”Ah, well…”
”It's 'Sharina', Riol! Come on, once more, say it, 'Sharina~'—!”
Just this once, I'll put up with you and not go through with reporting you to the teacher, Cookie Thief.
”…Sharina.”
”Yes—!!!”