"Here—done. You can eat now."
Once the instant noodles were ready, Hayashi Maki calmly handed one to Louise.
Inhaling the enticing aroma, the girl's eyes lit up. For someone from another world, the smell of instant ramen was almost overwhelmingly novel. She took a cautious bite; her cheeks flushed.
"How's cuisine from another world?" Hayashi Maki asked with a smile.
"Mmh… not bad," Louise said, trying to sound composed, then steadily dug in. A noble must remain elegant no matter how surprised she is. Mere "otherworld food"—even if it's delicious, she would keep her cool.
Seeing her eat with relish, Hayashi Maki started on his own. When they finished, he flicked his hand and the trash vanished—making Louise green with envy. She'd never even heard of "space-system" magic; it was amazing.
"Well, it's not great to sleep right after eating. There isn't a curfew at this magic academy, right?" Hayashi Maki asked.
"There isn't. Why?" Louise eyed him curiously.
"Since I just arrived, I'm not familiar with the school. How about a quick tour while we've got time?"
"…Fine. You're a commoner—if you accidentally offend another noble and cause trouble, that would be bad."
Coat on, she took him out. Hayashi Maki only shook his head helplessly. Miss Louise still didn't grasp what she had summoned.
Petty nobles?
He'd never taken them seriously. With his strength he could found an empire if he wanted; he just couldn't be bothered.
Besides, Louise had a childhood friend who happened to be the princess—and future queen.
A beauty, too. Better he "benefit" than someone else; Her Majesty was as good as his.
Lost in thought, they reached the dorm entrance—just in time to see a flashy blond boy wrapping an arm around a first-year girl in a grey mage cloak on their way in.
"Well if it isn't Louise. Only finished a familiar contract and already passed out until late? As expected of 'Louise the Zero.'"
Louise scowled. "Guiche, step."
Guiche smirked, ignoring her ire as he turned to the first-year. "That's Louise's familiar, Katie—hey, wait, Katie, what are you doing?"
He'd planned to flaunt his noble status to highlight the gap between himself and Hayashi Maki the "commoner," winning the junior's heart. Instead, he gaped: Katie's hand was in the "commoner's" hand, her face pink and shy. The commoner wore an infuriatingly perfect smile.
"So your name's Katie? What a lovely girl. The night is long—care to talk dreams and life with me?"
"Um… but… but I already promised Guiche-sama…"
Katie's small hand didn't quite manage to slip free; she didn't seem eager to.
Guiche nearly popped a vein.
"Damn you, commoner—what do you think—"
"What do you think you're doing, idiot!"
Before he could blow up, Louise shoved Guiche aside, snapped the two hands apart, and glared. Hayashi Maki scratched his cheek with an awkward laugh. "Haha, I just saw a cute girl and tried to say hi."
"You—come with me!" Louise grabbed his collar and hauled him away.
Guiche could only grimace; with the "master" dragging off the familiar who'd just bewitched his cute kouhai, he had no grounds to make a scene.
"Hmph. Fine—on Vallière's account, I'll let it go this time." He pasted on a smile. "Still… Miss Katie, what was that?"
Katie blushed and bowed. "I'm sorry, Guiche-sama. He was just… so handsome… I couldn't help it."
"Forget it. No matter how handsome, he's just a commoner. The night is long; don't let some commoner spoil our fun—"
"Sorry, Guiche-sama—I just remembered something. Next time!" Katie chirped, then bolted before he could react. He stared after her, heartbroken—for a second. Then he pivoted: "Fine, I'll go find Montmorency."
Montmorency—golden curls, "Montmorency the Fragrance," a gifted alchemist. As for why Katie fled, it was Hayashi Maki's doing. He disliked cheaters who strung girls along, so he nudged Katie with a bit of magic, making her suddenly feel unwell enough to refuse Guiche.
In Hayashi Maki's book, being a flirt was one thing; lying was another. If Guiche had honestly said, "I want both," he'd have at least respected the guts.
…
Back to Hayashi Maki.
Louise tugged him to a planter outside the dorms.
"What is wrong with you? Hitting on a kouhai you don't even know—do I not exist?"
She glared. He was gorgeous, he'd kissed her that much—then he goes after some first-year in front of Guiche? What did that even mean?
Hayashi Maki answered seriously,
"I was sticking up for you. Guiche mocked you—so I figured I'd let him taste the same. What's more humiliating than stealing the girl he's eyeing right in front of him?"
Louise's body jolted. For me? Warmth bloomed, and her anger ebbed. Still, she snorted and lectured,
"Even so, don't just hit on other girls. She's a kouhai—and the mages here are nobles. You're a commoner; best not to offend nobles without reason."
"Or you'll cause trouble for me."
"Yes, yes—I'll be careful next time," Hayashi Maki said with an easy smile, and, seeing his "good attitude," Louise let it go and continued showing him around the nighttime campus.
~~~
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