Published at 28th of November 2022 08:16:00 AM

I came home in a good mood and threw myself on the bed and spread out.

Fufufu

Thinking about this evening brings a smile to my face again. I think that eating crepes with Christa, or rather the Marquiss daughter, Christiane von Rheingen, a member of the quintet who is bullying me, has improved the relationship between us two.

Since she is one of the people who are bullying me, I have some thoughts about her. But even Christa doesnt want to do it. If Helene, the effective Faction Head, forces Christa to do something she doesnt like, she has to. Disobeying Helene is an important issue that could even lead to a crisis in her House, and a child would not be able to manage that on her own.

Christa always surrounds herself with the quintet, and its almost impossible for her to do anything just for herself. The main ones who are bullying me are Sophie and Emma. And I dont know if those two really wanted to do it, either. Even those two wouldnt be able to resist if Helen ordered them.

I was convinced by talking with Christa while eating crepes. At least Christa didnt want to do this. This is the only thing I can confirm.

And thats why Christa and I were able to secretly become comrades. Comrades sneak out to town to eat sweets and see the sights. At school, we have to show the people around us that were bullies and bullied as before. However, once school is over, the two of us will be able to go out to eat new sweets in private.

Fufufu! Ah~, geeze!

Im rolling around my bed and thumping my pillow. I finally got a decent female school friend! From now on, it would be nice if we could talk, go shopping, and do things like this and that as friends.

Youre certainly in a good mood, Miss Flora

UKYAAA!!!I screamed.

That-That was surprising when I was suddenly called out to, I turned my gaze to find Katharina crouching by my bedside what is she doing?

KKatharina? What are you doing? I asked.

I was about to make your bed and clean your room?

Hu? Is that what she wants to do now? Isnt it something to do while Im at school and the job should be finished while Im away? Isnt that what you do when you know your master will be back soon? I cant be wrong.

I came back from school today, changed my clothes, and went to the crepe cafe. Normally, she would probably finish making my bed and cleaning my room while I was at school. Even if its not finished at that point, shell finish it while Im at the crepe cafe, right? Isnt that something she wouldnt do after I come back?

Should you be doing that right now? I asked.

My apologies, Katharina said. I should have finished everything before Lady Flora returned. Its my fault that I was not able to do so. I will accept any punishment you see fit, she said, suddenly frightened and lowering her head.

Hey, wait a minute, I said. Sometimes there are circumstances that stop you. I have no intention of punishing you, Katharina. Please raise your head.

Thank you for your generosity, Katharina said.

It seems to have come full circle. Good, good.

So, Miss Flora you were with a new woman, werent you? Katharina asked.

Huh?

Apparently not full circle just yet. I thought that this was the end, but Katharina suddenly interrogated me.

You met a new woman again today, didnt you? Katharina said.

Wait. Christa and I are not in that kind of relationship!? I yelled. Ah

I hurriedly protested and realized that I had been caught in a trap. But its too late.

Is that so? This woman is named Christa so, youre surrounding yourself with the 5 of us and yet are still getting your hands on other women? Katharina said.

Thats why I need you to please listen to me! I yelled. Christa is only on good terms with me for today. Its different from you and the others, Katharina. This is the first time Ive made friends with a female classmate!

I feel like Im going to be misunderstood for some reason, so I stop her in a panic. I never saw Christa as a partner. Well, shes been a bully to me up until now, so theres no way I could feel that way, and today was the first time Ive actually talked to her.

Everyone has their firsts, Katharina said. Even if its the first time youve had a serious conversation today, youll become acquaintances, then friends, and then progress to a more physical relationship

Hey, hey, hey! I yelled.

I physically hold Katharinas mouth shut. What does she mean, a more physical relationship? I dont know what to say if she goes any further.

I cant have that kind of relationship with Christa! How can I get you to believe me? I said.

Ive never wanted to be like that with anyone other than the current 5. As for these 5 people, I thought that each of my relationships with each of them was over, so it wasnt like I was trying to flirt with another person just because we got close to each other. Some people say Im a flirt or a cheat, but thats not true.

Then let me hug you, please, Katharina said.

Okay? I said.

What?

As I said, please let me hug you, Katharina said. You dont need to do anything, Miss Flora. Just surrender yourself to me and Ill take care of everything.

Su-Surrender myself?! Im getting scared for some reason?!

Katharina calm down Im sure youll understand if I explain it to you, I said.

In other words, youll admit that youve been having an affair with this woman called Crista, Miss Flora Katharina said.

Howd you think that?! I yelled.

I dont understand what Katharina is saying anymore. What am I supposed to do?

So surrender yourself to me to prove it. I wont hurt you. Right? Katharina said.

Huh? Even if you say that ah!

I was pushed down on my bed by Katharina, and we were stuck there hugging for a while.

I had a bad experience yesterday. I was pushed down by Katharina and she hugged me tightly, buried her face in my chest, and made some excited sniffing noises while she was at it huh? Whats the problem with that, I thought she was welcome to. Its to prove she had no reason to hate me, right?

No, no, yesterdays situation was that I was being attacked. Thats not good. Unless I, the former male, am the one taking the initiative that means I should take the first step with Katharina this time. Thats it! Thats good. If Katharina also wants that kind of contact, why not have me take the offensive this time?!

Whats wrong, Flora? Youre grinning Mikoto warned me.

Huh? Nothings the matter? I said.

Apparently, I was grinning. I steeled my face. I became friends with Christa and enjoyed a little skinship with Katharina. Some good things keep happening to me.

Well, nothing has happened with the matters involving Ludwig, Helene, Simon, and most importantly, Alexandra

There arent many days left for Alexandras case to come to a head. Preparations should be progressing steadily, but there is also anxiety about whether it will really be fine. No matter how hard I try, this anxiety will not go away. With Alexandras life at stake, I cant be too sure.

Hey, Flora did something happen with Katharina? Mikoto asked sharply.

Huh? Nothing in particular. Its the same as usual, I said, pretending to be calm.

Its like confessing something did happen if I panicked here.

Huh? Its the same as usual? Then you always do that kind of thing with Katharina, right? Mikoto asked.

I dont know what you mean by that, but nothing in particular happened, I said.

I was shocked, but I wont be fooled. This is a trap. Mikoto doesnt really know anything, but she pretends to know. So I just stick with it.

""

I can smell Katharina from your body though, Flora? Mikoto said, bringing her face close to me and sniffing.

Dont panic. This is another trap. Theres nothing strange about my body smelling like Katharinas.

Do you know what Katharina smells like? I said. Quite amazing, Mikoto. Katharina helps me with my person and even changing my clothes, so there are times when our clothes will come into close contact and rub off their smells to the other.

Just keep calm dont get upset, dont panic, and carry on with dignity.

Hm~mnn~? Well, its fine, Mikoto said. Either way, Katharina is going to have too much of an advantage, so were going to have a discussion next time. Until then, dont agree to anything that will allow Katharina to get away with her unfair advantage.

Okay, I said.

I managed to deceive her somehow, maybe? Or, even if she doesnt know the specifics, she may be able to see that Katharina and I had a little skinship. On top of that, if its overlooked now, Ill be a little more careful from now on.

The next day, after school, 5 girls are sitting in front of me at the Carruthers Residence. Katharina, Louisa, Claudia, and Mikoto are the usual faces. And one more person today for some reason Christa was sitting surrounded by those 4.

The origin of the matter is nothing. Today I was supposed to have a new sweets-tasting party with Christa. Not long after we became comrades at the crepe cafe, I promised to invite Christa to my house. The reason is that I wanted her to taste the new sweets I made

But for some reason, when Christa came today, the other 3 people also came along and we ended up in this situation. Katharina was probably the one who contacted the other 3. Katharina must have called out to them when she found out that I was inviting Christa to my house today.

Hm~nn? Youre a classmate of mine at school, arent you? Im sure youre bullying Flora Mikoto said.

Screech! The remaining three kicked back their chairs and stood up. They were now all surrounding Christa.

Wait, wait wait! Wait a minute, I said. Everyone, calm down! Its true that Christa and I are in different factions at school. But, if Katharina were ordered by me, wouldnt she have already gone after someone I want to persecute? This is the same thing. This isnt the kind of relationship where we have to force ourselves to our usual appearances when school is over and no one else can see.

Well, in that case Mikoto muttered.

Everyone who heard my words looked at each other and then took their seats. I panicked because Mikoto suddenly threw a bomb into the middle of things. Mikoto may have said it for my sake, but if she carelessly said something unnecessary, it could suddenly develop into a hostile relationship.

Or should I say, Christa was afraid of being surrounded by the 4 and completely withered away she usually crowds around her opponents she knows are in a weak position and where her companions are present. On the contrary, she cant help but feel scared when shes alone and surrounded by a crowd of hostiles.

Anyway, lets all introduce ourselves first. Okay? I said.

We all introduced each other to everyone as I said, but it was still awkward. From Christas point of view, Mikoto is the only one she knows is of higher rank than her, and the others are overwhelmingly lower. And from the other 4s points of view, Christa is a member of the group that bullies me, so since theyre on my side, they guess they should also be hostile.

Christa and I have become comrades who like sweets. Thats why I invited her to a tasting party for a new product today. Please dont be rude to my guests.

Okay Katharina said.

She was looking at Christa with the most frightening face Id seen, so Im paying special attention to Katharina. The other 3 will be guests as well, but since Katharina is a member of our family servants, if she is rude to our guests, she will disgrace her master. I just have to hammer that nail in here.

I just wanted to have a fun tasting party for a new product with my friend and classmate, Christa, but why did this happen? I wonder if I can still have a tasting party with this mess?

Well, even if I worry about it here, it wont be solved. Since it has already started in this situation, I decided to go ahead with it. If everyone eats sweets, they will calm down a little.

Then lets try the new product right away, I said.

This new release is imperfect. From my point of view, there is something fatally lacking. Thats why I havent made it until now, even though it wasnt that difficult to make otherwise. While I was talking with Christa about making a new sweet, this was what I remembered.

Its not difficult to make, but at present, we dont have that critical ingredient. I held a tasting party wondering if this would satisfy Christas taste, but I wonder how everyone else will react

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