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School Festival (3): The Early Morning Tea Party

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I also had a small part in all of this, but it turns out the person Lamie-senpai rejected was none other than the No. 2 in our country.

“…I feel like I just heard something huge… but it must have been a mistake, right?” (Ratt)

Ratt-kun really said something spot on.

Yes, it must’ve been a mistake. Anyway, let’s change the subject. 

“It wasn’t a mistake. The marriage proposal I turned down was from Follet-san here. Ah, and that boy there is the famous Lux.” (Lamie)

I was reintroduced at the most inopportune time.

What was that again?

“Ah, so you’re the one who got in the way of my love life.” (Follet)

The No. 2 in the country said with a laugh.

I honestly don’t find it all that funny, though. 

“Oh, stop teasing my students so much,” Linkert-san said, scolding him with a playful “now, now”.

“Sorry, sorry.” (Follet)

Follet-san apologized.

I can’t quite understand the relationship between these three. 

“You see, Lamie and I go way back, like childhood friends. She’s turned me down many times. So, when Nork-san brought up the proposal, I thought, ‘This is it!’ Back in the day, she used to follow me around, calling me ‘Nii-sama, Nii-sama.’” (Follet)

“…Well, I still think of you as an older brother. And that’s exactly why I can’t see you as a romantic interest.” (Lamie)

With that blunt response, Lamie-senpai left Follett-san with no choice but to smile wryly.

Apparently, Uncle Nork, who brought up the marriage proposal, didn’t realize they were that close. Lamie-senpai added that he thought they were merely acquaintances.

“I thought I’d bring Saras along to introduce him to you all, but he said he was busy preparing the bread. It’s a pity.” (Lamie)

Lamie-senpai sighed, but if I were in Saras-senpai’s position, I’d definitely want to avoid coming here. Follet-san’s smile was cheerful, but he visibly reacted every time Saras-senpai’s name was mentioned.

Saras-senpai, run away while you can!! 

“Well, leaving aside Saras-senpai, what exactly is your relationship with Rinkert-san?” (Frank)

Frank, showing his usual disregard for the atmosphere, asked Follett-san.

Frank is honestly pretty cool. 

“Hmm? Oh, I heard there was a reveal happening this year, so I went out of my way to attend.” (Follet)

Follet-san replied.

“A reveal?” (Frank)

We all tilted our heads in confusion.

“Yes, I’m just a figurehead chairman, so I only appear publicly at the school festival and graduation ceremony. When students accidentally wander into this mansion, I use this moment to reveal my true position.” (Linkert)

She chuckled mischievously, as if a prank had just succeeded.

“I was really surprised two years ago as well.” (Lamie)

Lamie-senpai said.

“Wait, does that mean Lamie-senpai was also ‘caught by the cat’?” (Sonia)

Sonia asked, to which he replied, “Yes”.

When I asked, “Was Saras-senpai with you too?” (Lamie)

Lamie-senpai shook her head slightly.

“I found this place with a different friend. She had to leave school due to family circumstances, so now, as a third-year, I’m the only one who knows about this place. I did, however, tell Saras about it.” (Lamie)

I don’t need to hear about Saras-senpai for now. I’ll wait until Follet-san has left.

“So, I understand that Rinkert-san is the director, but how are you connected to Follet-san?” (Heinz)

Heinz asked hesitantly, still piecing together the situation.

“She’s a distant relative of the Grand Duke of Lengrad. She’s like a grandmother to me.” (Follet)

“Oh dear, I’m happy to hear you say that, but I really am just a distant relative. Technically, I should be addressing you as Follet-sama, but…” (Rinkert)

Rinkert-san looked slightly troubled.

I began to grasp the situation, though vaguely. Every year, this moment seems to be when Rinkert-san reveals her true identity. However, with both Follet-san and Lamie-senpai here, things became more complicated.

“Oh, by the way, Lamie-senpai, you have a house in the town of Rodon, right? How did you enter this place today?” (Lux)

I asked, a sudden question crossing my mind.

“I stayed here overnight.” (Lamie)

“…What?” (Lux)

“I stayed in this western-style mansion.” (Lamie)

“I stayed here too.” (Follet)

Follet-san interjected.

Could he stay quiet for a moment? Is he one of those “Bianca types”?

“Don’t worry, the rooms are securely locked.”

Lamie-senpai said. But that wasn’t really the part I was concerned about.

“Well… not to sound rude, but this place doesn’t seem to have tight security… and yet the younger brother of a princess is here?” (Heinz)

Heinz raised a valid concern, but Follet-san responded.

“True, the security isn’t that impressive, but considering how few people even know about the existence of this mansion, it’s safer than most inns, don’t you think?” (Follet)

Thinking it over, that did make some sense.

Did this person go through all this effort just to see our shocked reactions? 

Perhaps reading my mind, Follet-san added.

“Usually, I wouldn’t go out of my way to participate, but Rinkert spoke so highly of you all, saying you seemed interesting. I grew curious and thought I’d come and reconnect with Lamie as well.” (Follett)

“Are we really that interesting?” (Frank)

Frank asked.

“Indeed. For one, there’s a member connected to the royal family of a neighboring country. Then, there’s the young lady from Bell Household, who was rumored to cry and return home in less than a year at the palace, yet succeeded as a Knight (Ritter), leading her team to victory in the competition. And, of course, there are a Sniper and an Engineer (Tech) who even Lamie respects. They are brought to the mansion by a mysterious guide. Isn’t that intriguing enough?” (Follett)

Hearing it laid out like that, our group did start to seem like a collection of curiosities, almost like a walking mystery.

“Sorry… we’re probably not as impressive as that makes us sound.” (Lux)

To be honest, we were far from being an impressive team. If anything, we considered ourselves the most laid-back team in our grade, or even in the entire school. If they were waiting expectantly, we’re sure to disappoint, so I ended up apologizing.

But Follet-san looked at me with amusement.

“No, no, I find you just as fascinating as I expected. Even just the fact that there’s a student who can interact with Lamie like this is interesting.” (Follet)

Well, that was how we became close friends with the second most powerful person in the country…well, not quite, but we were close enough to exchange greetings.

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