𝐀 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
After finishing a boring class and returning to the girls’ dormitory, I found that Rene had just come back. Arthur and Edgardo will be coming back a bit later, it seems.
Chris placed some tea in front of me with a polite gesture, so I thanked him and accepted it. I feel like I’m finally getting used to Chris being a man.
ㅤ
I watch Roa-sama drink coffee in a relaxed manner while sipping my tea, as is characteristic of Tianne. I suppose it would be wonderful to always emanate such grace.
ㅤ
“Alice was fantastic today. She caught the eye of Caroline, the information broker, and was invited for tea. A pleasant surprise.”
“That’s amazing, Alice! I can’t afford to lose either.”
ㅤ
Rene cuts a piece of fondant au chocolat and points the fork in my direction.
ㅤ
“Here, enjoy.”
ㅤ
I look at the piece of fondant au chocolat, which is only slightly stabbed onto the fork, so I can eat it without opening my mouth wide.
The melt-in-your-mouth chocolate of the fondant au chocolat is my favorite. I could easily eat it all by myself, but now I feel embarrassed to eat it.
ㅤ
“Chris fed me before, why can’t you?”
“Chris was a girl at that time.”
“You still have to practice being Tianne, right? Come on.”
ㅤ
After returning to the room while pretending to be Tianne and reverting back to my real self, my shyness wins out. But I want to eat.
As I slightly open my mouth with a composed expression, the fork gently touches my lips. The sweetness of the chocolate spreads through my mouth, and I let out a sigh of relief.
ㅤ
“. . .Delicious.”
ㅤ
Tension slowly melts away from my body, which had unknowingly stiffened.
ㅤ
“Your way of eating has become quite noble-like. I liked the way you used to eat, but this is good too, especially since I get to see Alice trying so hard to put on a composed face.”
ㅤ
I thought about asking what he meant, but the next piece of fondant au chocolat he offered was too tempting to resist. Then I sip some tea.
Roa-sama places his coffee down and looks pensive.
ㅤ
“You haven’t cooked much since coming here, even though you’ve finally found a goal to own your own restaurant.”
“Didn’t I tell you? I chose a future where I meet Roa-sama. So, I’m planning on making ramen since I’ll be getting Prep-kun and Cooker-kun. It shouldn’t be too hard.”
ㅤ
I can’t make adjustments according to daily temperature and humidity, but what I can make should be good enough for eating.
I have Prep-kun and Cooker-kun with me, after all!
Melt-in-the-mouth char siu, menma, and soft-boiled flavored eggs can all be made with the push of a button! I can even blend different soups that Cooker-kun makes. Cooker-kun can even make noodles.
ㅤ
“Ramen. . .you mean that ramen?”
“Yes. Nobles probably won’t eat it because you have to slurp the noodles.”
ㅤ
Rolf looks excited.
ㅤ
“I’ve heard of it. If Alice is making it, it’s bound to be delicious. I’d like to try it once.”
“I think men would like it. There are many flavors, so you could try different ones.”
“That sounds great! I have something to look forward to.”
“I’ll try making it next time, in a Tianne-like manner.”
“I don’t think Tianne would cook though.”
ㅤ
I ignore Rene’s retort.
ㅤ
While enjoying the forbidden pre-dinner snack fed to me by Rene, Edgardo and Arthur come back.
As everyone begins to report earnestly, I quietly leave the scene. I go to help Chris who is preparing dinner but end up getting kicked out.
ㅤ
“Please proceed with the practice.”
“. . . . . .Yes.”
ㅤ
Alone in my room, I undertook special training from Tianne.
ㅤ
ㅤ
That night, Chris, who had become a maid, gave me a facial massage. When told that this is how you gain confidence, I indeed felt the same way.
I remember always feeling more confident than usual on the days I returned from the beauty salon or had makeup done.
ㅤ
“I apologize for today; I will spend more time in my male appearance.”
“I’ve gotten quite used to it, so it’s fine. Besides, you change your face with makeup, right? Doesn’t becoming a maid take time?”
ㅤ
My eyes are double-lidded, I change the size of my lips with lipstick and concealer, and my eye makeup is also perfect.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Yes, actually that’s true. Before, I didn’t understand why women’s makeup takes so much time.”
ㅤ
A slight force can be felt in Chris’s hands as he gives the massage.
ㅤ
“It takes so much time to create that face. Going from female to male just requires removing makeup, but the opposite takes time. That’s why I try to wear makeup as much as possible. Women are chattier, which also helps in gathering information.”
“That’s true. Besides, if a woman isn’t wearing makeup, she’s often viewed strangely.”
“Exactly! It’s the height of humiliation to be told by a man with a thinning crown, hairy arms, and fingers, ‘If you were a bit cuter, I’d make you my mistress,’ or something like that. Look at yourself first!”
“In those times, just stare at their crotch.”
“The indignation propelled me to learn and practice makeup as much as possible! . . . .I apologize, I got carried away.”
“Come to think of it, I haven’t had many opportunities to chat with Chris like this. Thank you for being considerate.”
ㅤ
I think Chris probably did the massage to help me relax, as it was my first time stepping out of my room.
ㅤ
“No, if you need anything, please feel free to ask.”
“Thank you.”
ㅤ
My face is wiped with a steamed towel, and a refreshing toner begins to penetrate my skin.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .By the way, Ojou-sama. The people you are with are all remarkably distinguished and competent. Who are you closest to?”
“Hmm, let’s see. If I had to say. . . . . .”
ㅤ
I’ve been friends with Edgardo for a long time and always enjoy being with him, like a younger brother. Rolf is always considerate, which makes it easy to be around him, but sometimes I wish he’d be more selfish.
I share values with Rene, and he always gives me wonderful words of wisdom. Surprisingly, I may feel most relaxed around Arthur. Maybe it’s because we exchange puns.
ㅤ
And then there’s Roa-sama. . .Roa-sama is.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .I was happy to find out he’s not a loner.”
“A loner?”
“In the Fourth Knight Order, Roa-sama always seemed to be alone, so I thought he had no friends. But from afar, people admire him like this.”
“So you’re curious about Roa-sama?”
“Hmm. . . . . .”
ㅤ
I am curious, but not in the way that I think Chris is asking. . .or maybe it is in that way.
ㅤ
“Even if I’ve been concerned, I have no intention of marrying anyone. Roa-sama is likely of high status, right? I’m not a match for him, so don’t worry.”
“. . .I apologize for speaking presumptuously.”
“From Chris’s perspective, it’s understandable to be concerned. If you ask Roa-sama, they will clearly say that there’s no such relationship. Why don’t you try asking?”
“. . .Indeed.”
ㅤ
Chris fell silent after that, and the massage also came to an end.
ㅤ
“Good night. I’ll see you again tomorrow.”
“Good night.”
ㅤ
In the darkened room, I slowly close my eyes.
Even though they were my own words, my chest feels a little heavy. This is not a good sign. I must forget it quickly.
ㅤ
“Garlic extra, boiled egg, char siu, bamboo shoot, plenty of green onions. . .”
ㅤ
That night, I dreamed of drowning in ramen. It was the worst way to wake up.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Study Guide: Lofi or Punk Emo? The Soundtrack to Smashing Your Next Exam (Like a Boss)
- My Therapist Told Me to Stop Saying “Back In My Day” – Unrelatable TikTok Kids got me STRESSED
- What if Disney Princesses Were Real? (Spoiler: Not So Magical)
- My Inner Samurai vs. My Real-Life Chicken Heart: Why My Brain Thinks I’m Bruce Lee, But My Body Screams “Run!”
- Yo, Millennials: This TikTok Dictionary Translates Gen Z So You Don’t Sound Like a Boomer
Leave a Reply