After leaving the kitchen, Hayashi Maki and Siesta headed to a quiet patch of lawn.
Siesta kept her head down, a little nervous, unsure what to say. Hayashi Maki just watched her with an easy smile.
"What's wrong? Why so tense, Siesta? I'm not going to eat you," he teased.
Her cheeks went pink; she glanced up to give him a playful glare.
"Mr. Hayashi Maki, you're a bit improper."
"Oh? How so? Do tell." He looked genuinely amused.
Siesta rolled her eyes and said softly, "Didn't Miss Vallière already show you around campus? And yet you found an excuse to ask me to take you."
"Uh… you saw?" Hayashi Maki looked a touch embarrassed.
"Yes. Mr. Hayashi Maki is rather famous. Miss Vallière summoning a commoner—everyone's curious. And you're… a little conspicuous," she added, turning her face away, shy. He was too handsome; just looking at him sent her heart racing and her face heating.
"Drop the honorifics, Siesta," Hayashi Maki said gently, meeting her gaze. "I'm a commoner too—talk to me normally."
In this world, without an imperial title, he was indeed a commoner.
"Thank you, Mr. Hayashi Maki." Siesta bowed slightly. "I wanted to thank you."
"For what? If it's about that time I delivered the pastry to Guiche's plate for you, I don't think I helped much," he said, then his expression turned thoughtful.
"Truth is, I deliberately angered Guiche that day—so he'd duel me."
"Eh?" She hadn't expected that. What commoner would provoke a noble—pick a fight on purpose?
"Why? You're Miss Vallière's familiar; you didn't need to provoke other nobles," she ventured, curiosity overcoming caution. Hayashi Maki's kindness made her want to understand him.
He smiled, took her small hand, and sat down on the grass. Siesta squeaked, staring at their joined hands, face burning.
"Mr. Hayashi Maki… you…"
"Don't worry—I won't bully you." He gave her fingers a light squeeze and let go.
"I needed a stage to display my strength," he said. "For someone with power, the thing most lacking is the chance to make a splash. And it worked, didn't it? The head chef called me our sword and treated me to lunch. Some things you can't just think about; you have to do. I may be a commoner in this world, but I'll use my own methods to get what I want—say, become a noble… even rise above them all."
Siesta clapped a hand over her mouth, shocked.
"Please don't say that sort of thing openly. If a noble heard, they'd trouble you for 'disrespecting' them." Worst case… death.
"It's fine. I believe you won't tell," Hayashi Maki said, gaze warm on her lovely face.
Her heart fluttered at the trust—warmth spread through her. She took a steadying breath and promised, "I won't. And… I wanted to thank you because your fearlessness in front of nobles gave me courage—to face some things in my life. I think I can be brave in my own way from now on."
She didn't say what exactly. They'd only just met; she wasn't about to dump her noble troubles on him.
Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Hayashi Maki nodded.
"Glad I could help. I usually have my own reasons for what I do—but being with you makes me feel… at ease. Please take care of me, Siesta. We'll be spending more and more time together."
He waved. "I'd better head back—Louise will start looking for me. See you, Siesta."
"Mm. Goodbye."
Watching him go, Siesta touched her burning cheeks—the flush had reached her ears.
"Was that… a confession?" she whispered. "But… that man is a court envoy—an earl… Mr. Hayashi Maki… what should I do?"
A minor noble with a moustache had his eye on her; as a commoner, she had no power to resist. She was just hired help at Tristain Academy; no one there would risk offending a royal envoy to protect her.
As she fretted, Hayashi Maki's footsteps returned.
"Mr. Hayashi Maki—was there something else?" she asked, puzzled.
"Of course. I almost forgot one thing."
He set his hands on her shoulders and leaned in. Siesta's eyes widened; she squeezed them shut and shook her head.
"No—you can't… we only just met… and it would cause trouble for you… mm—"
But the imagined kiss didn't come. She felt warmth at her neck, then cool metal. Opening her eyes, she saw a delicate emerald necklace resting against her skin.
"Mr. Hayashi Maki—what is this?" she asked, curious. He cupped her face with a smile.
"A guardian necklace. If you're in danger, it'll protect you. No refusing."
"Then—I'll be off. Siesta, let's talk again in ten days."
With that, he strode away.
Siesta looked down at the necklace, cheeks pink, heartbeat spiking. A token of affection? Staring after him, she bit her lip, unsure how to handle his feelings. She did like him—he'd bravely toppled an arrogant noble, was handsome and gentle, and—unlike other nobles—didn't look at her with disdain.
If she could have Hayashi Maki's protection, she'd gladly accept—but she didn't want to cause him trouble. And now he'd given her something so precious… she was even more moved.
What Hayashi Maki didn't know was that a blue-haired girl in a dorm room—book in hand—had watched the whole exchange from her window.
~~~
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