"A new mooor-ning has come~ a morn ♪"
—Or so I tried humming the moment I woke up, but the moment I opened my eyes, right in front of me was the peacefully sleeping face of Senior Rudolf, breathing softly.
Well, I mean, we slept in the same bed yesterday, so of course she'd be close, right? But with the sunlight slipping in through the gap in the curtains, making her bay-colored hair sparkle, and that slackened, carefree smile she had while sleeping… well…
Sure, we live in the same dorm room too, but we usually sleep in separate beds, so I've never seen Senior Rudolf's sleeping face from this close. Honestly, it's pretty rough on my heart this early in the morning.
For now, I quietly got out of bed so as not to wake her and headed toward the balcony.
The soft patter of my slippers echoed lightly as I slid open the glass door that led outside.
Not a cloud in sight—perfect blue sky. While the sun slowly rose in the east, that pleasantly warm breeze unique to summer mornings gently brushed my just-awakened skin.
I inhaled deeply, then exhaled. My usual morning routine. And before stepping out onto the balcony, I had already taken out one aroma cigar from the box and lit it with my Zippo.
The sweet scent of the aroma cigar filled my nose, and I could feel my still-sleepy mind sharpening up.
This routine carried over from my previous life is still ingrained in me. If I had one complaint, it would be that I can't smell that distinct salty sea breeze I was so used to because of my old profession…
Smoking while watching the golden sea dyed by the morning sun was nothing short of divine. I'd even foolishly try to look cool and drink coffee—despite not being able to drink it at all.
Of course, after that, I'd get an upset stomach from drinking what I couldn't handle and get scolded by my boss. That was practically a template of my past life…
(Well, not that I'm dissatisfied now.)
It's summer break anyway; maybe I could take a trip somewhere to see the ocean. If he's free, maybe I should invite Okino-san?
Surprisingly, he might enjoy that sort of thing. Thinking so, I exhaled another puff of white smoke.
While admiring the dull shine of the Zippo lighter Okino-san had given me as it reflected the morning sunlight, I leisurely enjoyed that blissful morning smoke.
Once the ash grew a bit long, I tapped it off into the portable ashtray—also something I received from Okino-san—careful not to dirty the balcony.
"Oh my, good morning, Miss Nice Nature."
Just when I had smoked about halfway through, I heard someone calling me from below. Glancing down, I saw Sebastian in jogging wear, lightly sweating as he looked up at me.
"Good morning, Sebastian-san. Are you exercising?"
"Yes. After all, proper health is best maintained through moderate exercise. Ah—but it seems you haven't yet groomed yourself... how terribly discourteous of me."
Saying so, Sebastian quickly turned away so he wouldn't look at me. Very gentlemanly.
"Ahaha… sorry about that. But you really don't have to mind it."
"I cannot. Even if it is fine for you, Miss Nice Nature, such restraint is part of a man's etiquette."
Yeah… Sebastian-san is absurdly gentlemanlike.
"Breakfast should be ready in about an hour. The master and mistress of the house will also be joining today; both of them have been looking forward to this."
Ugh—right. Now that he mentioned it, I remembered hearing that yesterday.
I don't know the first thing about upper-class etiquette or formal greetings… Am I really okay…?
"I understand your nerves, Miss Nice Nature, but there is no need to worry. They are both very kind."
He said while wiping his face with the towel around his neck. But nervousness doesn't disappear just because someone tells you to relax. I could only force a bitter smile and sigh internally.
"Well then, I must return to work. Please enjoy a wonderful day."
"Um, thank you. And do your best at work, Sebastian-san."
After a polite bow, Sebastian disappeared through the entrance.
Alright, I should get ready too.
Things will only turn out however they turn out. With that determination, I put the finished aroma cigar in the portable ashtray and went back inside.
I swung the curtains open in one brisk motion, letting sunlight fill the previously dim room. At the same time, Senior Rudolf curled deeper into the blanket, hiding from the light. Seeing her do that made me smile involuntarily.
"Senior Rudolf, it's morning. Please wake up."
I gently shook her shoulder and called out to her. But she only wrapped herself deeper in the blanket. While making a sound somewhere between "mmh" and a groan, she kept rolling up inside the covers.
I continued calling gently.
"Senior Rudolf. You're showing me around the training grounds today, right? Come on, if you don't wake up, we won't make it for breakfast, okay?"
Well, the breakfast part was a lie though.
After a while, she quietly went "mm" and reached her hand out toward me. Apparently that meant "help me up."
I took her hand slowly and pulled, and although half of her brain still seemed asleep, wobbling, she somehow sat up.
"…I'm gonna eat breafast…"
With half-lidded eyes, rubbing them sleepily, her words slurring adorably, Senior Rudolf muttered that.
(How cute.)
Ah, so this is what those drawings in my previous life meant when they called it "Luna-chan Mode," huh— I understood that all too well… or rather, appreciated it, privately.
My mind drifted to that silly thought for a second, but meanwhile Senior Rudolf continued swaying and nodding while trying not to fall back asleep. Looks like it'll take a while before she's fully awake.
Guess I'll wash up first. I already learned where everything is yesterday, so no problem.
Outside the curtains, the sun was rising and the temperature was beginning to climb.
In the distance, from behind the mountains, bulging summer clouds were starting to appear.
Looks like today will be another hot day.