Special Chapter IV - Hoaqin House (part 2)

The old maid told me, and it looks like the young miss Valencia isn't quite out going, and she really likes staying in her room. The old maid also mentioned that she was in fact my senior in the academy, but she never really stood out thanks to her horrible social ability. As a result, she graduated from the academy without anyone knowing much about her.

She was a third year when I was still a first year, and she was actually from class A the entire time. Which means, she wasn't all that horrible.

The old maid mentions that she has been doing nothing ever since she graduated. After all, she joined the academy a year too early for her age. She ended up graduating too early without making any friends.

So… she is a year older than me?

Doesn't that make her the same age as Hod?

"She had no intention to become a mage?"

"No... at least, that's what everyone thinks of her. She rarely comes out from her room. Sometimes, she even disappeared for a long while."

"Oh… I see."

What kind of person is she? An antisocial? Or was that just a fluke?

I am very curious about her. But if I couldn't meet her, then what am I going to do?

This time, I won't relay the message to the butler or the old maid in this case. I will do something about it.

Hmm… What can I do?

"Unfortunately, the family head, sir Hoaqin will not return until next week. But the house lady should return somewhere around the afternoon. Would you like some cookies while waiting?"

That's it! Cooking.

"Ah, yes please."

I came up with a plan.

First, I tasted the cookies that they had made. Then I complained at how terrible it tasted. Afterwards, I will follow them to the kitchen and give them the recipe to make an even better cookie or any other type of snacks.

My plan went by perfectly. I complained that the cookies tasted a little sour (in fact, they are), and followed them to the kitchen. I gave the maids some ideas and tips on how to make an even better set of snacks, and they got quite interested.

After baking for about five minutes, I made the best cookies in the world. I was praised by the younger maids, and the old maid who was with me was quite surprised seeing how well I am at baking snacks.

I told her my main ability was, in fact, cooking regular meals. Baking snacks was secondary, and they became even more curious.

I ended up offering them a favor, that I will teach them how to cook a barbeque chicken. They asked what I wanted in return, but I shook my head.

"My goal will just naturally show up later on."

And so, we began cooking.

An aromatic cooked chicken didn't take that long to cook, but the preparation sure took some time. Luckily, a house as rich as the Hoaqin family had all the best ingredients that were needed to make the aromatic sauce, so the process was even faster.

After cooking, we placed the plate on a certain spot next to the kitchen's exit. They asked me why, but they understood later on.

I continued explaining to them about the ingredients and the details on how to make them, and the maids understood rather quickly. They were able to make their own aromatic sauce, and were quite happy learning it.

A minute later, she finally shows up.

The one strength that an aromatic chicken has, is based on its name. A strong aroma. 

Even in a large house like this, the smell of the barbeque chicken will reach every inch of the house, telling everyone that such a menu existed in the house.

Footsteps came from outside the kitchen, and she immediately entered to see what is the source of the sweet and tasty aroma.

A large plate, filled with multiple barbeque chicken. That is indeed the source.

I turned my gaze to her when she entered, and I was quite surprised to see her.

She is… beautiful.

Her long slightly curled light blue hair was very similar to Hod's, but it suits her face and body. Her height is slightly above mine, and the clothes she was wearing were very messy.

She… bathed, right?

The lady turned her gaze away from the chicken, and noticed that a lot of eyes were glaring at her. She noticed that one of the pairs of eyes that were glaring at her is rather unfamiliar, especially the red color on both her eyes and hair.

If you look at me and her right now, we probably look like complete polar opposites. I have blood red hair and eyes, and she has light blue icy hair and eyes. More than that, our height is almost the same, and our weight is probably the same as well.

I will not compare our chests. That is not for me to do.

She is turning her gaze up and down between me and the chicken between us. I chuckled and grinned before talking.

"You must be Valencia, the heir of the Hoaqin family."

She looked quite startled from hearing me talk. She took a step back carefully and stared at me angrily. 

Why is she mad?

"Y-Yes! What about it?"

"My name is Rize. The current council vice president of the academy, second year."

I walked closer to her, and lifted my hand for a handshake. She stared at my hand for a long while, but she ended up grabbing my handshake.

Seeing that she accepted my handshake, I smiled softly at her. She then looked flustered, and she immediately pulled her hand away to regain her pride.

Is this… my senior?

"Council leader… Red hair. You are her."

Ah… so she knows.

"I'm sure you know me. After all, you were in your third year when I'm still in my first year. I can say that I was quite famous, back then too."

A lot of memories probably flooded into her mind, as her expression changed very slowly. She no longer cared for the chicken, because instead, she is turning her attention straight at me.

Val cleared her throat, and she pointed her finger at me.

"Did you… cook that?"

I turned to the plate, and turned back to Val.

"Y-Yeah…"

I thought she had already forgotten about it…

"Then… I'm challenging you to a duel!"

…?

"Heh?"

"""Heh!?"""

Behind me, even the maids got very confused. After all, what kind of a host suddenly asked for a duel from a guest??

But then Valencia pointed her finger towards the plate between us.

"If I win, you'll let me eat that!"

Oh… so it was for the meal after all…

I gave it a long thought, whether or not I should follow her. After a long thought, I have decided that I shall play along.

"Hmm, alright. But if I win…

You will have to do something for me."

I wore an evil grin on my face, but the lady also wore the same evil grin. Something tells me that the two of us are very much alike, and for some reason, I became very interested in her.

Valencia… was it?