Ch. 167 One More Thing (1)

Hello, Professor Wayne Hill.

Louise bowed as she entered the greenhouse.

Ah, Miss Sweeney.

Professor Hill was found squatting in the corner mixing dirt, and he slowly stood up. It was the first time the two of them had met since the incident. Louise had been busy with exams, while Professor Hill was on probation. She didnt ask him how well he was doing, but the brightness of his expression was answer enough.

Are you here to check the winter roses for the graduation ceremony tomorrow?

Yes, thats right. I was worried because it snowed a lot.

The snow and ice often threatened the leafy residents of the greenhouse.

It was hard work, but theyre safe.

Professor Hill straightened his shoulders and smiled proudly.

You cleared all the snow around here?

Yes.

I should have come to help. Im sorry.

Dont worry. Another good student came by and helped me.

Oh, you mean Simon?

Louise naturally assumed it was him. Simon had been to this greenhouse many times, and he was good at physical labor.

No, it wasnt Lord Hillard.

If it wasnt Simon, then?

Louise looked at Professor Hill questioningly, and he nervously scratched his cheek.

Anyway, you dont have to come here to do hard labor. It will interfere with your own work.

Well, you can call me anytime whenever you need help.

The professor gave a smile.

Then you can count on me whenever the Sweeney greenhouse needs a hand too.

Youll come?

Louise held her hands together as if it were a wish come true, and Professor Hill nodded.

If you would be so kind as to invite me.

Of course I would invite you. Im sure my parents will be happy too. My father really admires you.

Professor Hill scratched his cheek again, and he looked bashfully at the red roses. Although they were standing in the greenhouse, even winter could make its icy grip felt inside. However, the roses won the fight to bloom even in these circumstances.

Beautiful.

He murmured to himself in a small voice.

What?

A-ah, nothing, Miss Sweeney. You can come and pick up the roses any time tomorrow. And please say congratulations to President Audmonial and Lord Hillard.

You wont speak to them at the graduation ceremony?

II dont know if Ill be there.

Louise remembered that Professor Hill was on shaky ground and she didnt pursue the topic further.

Ill convey your message to them. Dont worry.

Thank you.

And can I come back later to give their replies?

Of course. This greenhouse welcomes all living things, and Miss Sweeney

Is a good creature!

Yes, so feel free to visit.

After giving a brief bow, Louise immediately returned to the student council room. With the graduation ceremony just one day away, everyone was up to their necks in busywork.

How are the roses?

Ian asked her in a businesslike manner.

No problem. Theyll look great tomorrow.

Thank goodness.

What are you looking at?

Louise leaned over to see the papers Ian had been studying intently. On it were the names of the graduates along with times.

Its when the graduates check out of the dorm.

Everyone has different time?

Tomorrow, everyone will spend as much time as they can to finish their Academy life here.

Butwhy is the President managing that timetable?

Ian tapped Louise lightly on the forehead with his pen.

Im worried about next years student council because theyre so useless.

Ugh.

Listen carefully. You will be doing this job next year.

Louise straightened her fringe and nodded quickly.

Watching all students return home safely is the last sacred task of the student council presidents.

Ah, she understood. The student council president cared for the students up until the last moment.

Thats kind of romantic. But why would I be doing that? You said it was the job of the student council president.

Yes, it is.

Ian patted Louise on the shoulder encouragingly.

Me?

If my prediction is correct, yes.

Youre wrong! It cant be me!

Dont worry about it. Its not as much work than you think.

That was a lie. Anyone could see that Ian was obviously suffering from fatigue.

Youre lying about not being busy. Right, Claire?

Louise summoned a witness who had seen Ian work for the past two years.

Huh, what?

Claire looked up from her work, looking startled as if she hadnt heard their conversation.

What happened?

OhI interrupted Claires work. Sorry.

No, its fine.

Claire swept away her long hair and held her pen again. She looked like she was immersed in writing a document. Louise turned back to Ian and whispered to him.

President, what is she doing?

Shes revising the presidents congratulatory address.

Revising the congratulatory message? Why?

Well

Before Ian could explain, Claire handed over a sheet of paper next to her.

This is what the original speech looks like.

The address written by the dean was titled, The Past, Present and Future of the Academy.

Its an entire lecture!

Its not a lecture. Its business.

Her fingers were red as she laid down the pen. She must have been working on rewriting the address for some time.

Business?

Yes. With two famous people at the graduation ceremony, there will be many esteemed guests in attendance.

When Claire said famous people, she gave a pointed look towards Ian.

As the dean, he wouldnt want to miss this great business opportunity.

There was nothing more unfortunate than suffering through the deans long, winding speeches at events. The Academys student council, which fought injustice against students and opposed terrible menus, secretly decided to make corrections to the deans speech.

But is it okay if you touch someone elses manuscript like this?

Its fine. The dean will read off of it.

What if hes angry about the changes?

This time Ian answered.

It wont be a problem. He wont find out about the changes until the graduation ceremony.

There he wouldnt be able to vent his anger in front of all the guests. It would be bad for business.

And of course, he cant get angry after the graduation either.

Ian will wear his identity as Crown Prince again.

Wowhes going to be so frustrated.

Dont worry about it. Its a virtue for the student council president to care for the students until the last minute. Anyway, how are the corrections going?

I just found out that he repeated Lastly, theres one more thing I want to ask the graduates for the sixth time.

Its a small number compared to the fifteen Dear guests.

Thats a very strange speech.

Dean Crissis, who had been lying with his head down next to Claire, woke up.

He addressed the graduates six times and the guests fifteen.

Surely once each is enough.

Dean gave a mumble of agreement and dropped his head back down to the table again. He must have been tired after staying up all night making paper flower ornaments.

Why dont you go back to your room and sleep? Or at least go to the couch over there.

Dont wanna

There was a note of stubbornness in his sleepy voice. Louise smiled to herself as she looked alternately between the workaholic Claire and nearly asleep Dean. They seem to still get along very well.

Luckily, Claire completed her revisions before dinner. Ian read the manuscript in the deans voice, and timed it for exactly four minutes and thirty six seconds. It was still quite long, but the original manuscript had been much longer. After dinner, they all went to the auditorium to hang the paper flower decorations, then returned to the student council room to put back the glue and scissors.

After all that work, they all finally made their way back to the dormitories. Claire took Louises arm as she spoke in a somber tone.

The day went by so quickly.

Yes. How are you feeling? Its your last night in the dorm.

Very strange.

She shook her head gently, frowning.

For some reason, I feel like Ill still be talking to you same time tomorrow.

Its the same with me.

Louise squeezed Claires arm tightly.

Tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, I feel like youll still be here with me.

Such a future felt so natural. It was strange that in reality this was Claires last night.

It feels like life these past two years

would last forever, right?

Yes, I feel that way. I wonder why? I knew it wouldnt be permanent, but it feels so short.

Yeah, I wonder why too.

The pair walked side by side with the unanswered question hanging between them. The path was familiar to Claire now, and so she walked with her eyes closed.

Maybe because it was so much fun.

Maybe.

Even more after Louise came. Do you remember our summer vacation?

Yes! It was fun then. We played all night.

Yes. And we ate all day.

The salad we made from the potatoes the caretaker gave us were delicious too.

They smiled as they reminisced together. Before they knew it, Ian and Dean appeared behind them too, smiling all the way.

Its not our last time together. Tomorrow youll be at the student council room again to do more work for the President.

Ian made an important addendum to Claires story.

Youll have to work hard too, Claire Iris.

Really! Right until the last day?

Ill have you work until the very last second. Isnt that frugal?

Youre so awful and mean

However, Claire was smiling brightly.