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Sorry for the wait!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN Saiunkoku Monogatari.

Chapter 3: The Cafeteria Brings Trouble

We made it just in time before other examinees made it into the Royal Cafeteria…if that's what they call it. Not wanting to be seen with another young examinee, I stayed behind a little bit so that there were now twelve people in front of me and in back of Shuuei-san.

Pffft!

Uh-oh. I need to make sure that I don't goof off here no matter what. I'll bring shame to Reishin-sama if I do. Well, you can't really blame me…Shuuei-san looks absolutely ridiculous! I guess he finally figured out that I'm no longer walking beside him. For once, I am happy that I'm so short! …Actually, I'm not short. I'm average height for a girl my age. Hmph. Nothing wrong with my height at all-

"Oi, are you going to eat any time soon, Kouyuu?"

"WAAARGH!"

…Eh? Did I seriously just scream now? Darn you, Ran Shuuei!

"AHAHAHAHAA! You should've seen your face! Hahahahaha!"

"Shuuei-san…do you mind having one or more of your limbs sliced off?"

"Eh?"

"Because if you do, sorry, but you'll have to learn HOW TO USE A SWORD WITH ONLY ONE HAND!" I shouted as I lunged at him, politeness and social looks forgotten.

I can't believe it…what an insufferable man he is!

So we ended up spending our little 'lunch break' running around the open courtyard right outside the cafeteria. Reishin-sama isn't going to let this slide…

Finally, my period and big breasts- even while wrapped, they still weigh me down- stopped me. Maaaaaan…I can't believe that I let that guy get to me.

Hunched over with my hands on my knees, sweating a bit and panting a lot, I looked up as I saw a hand come into my lowered vision. Ugh. It's the reason I'm out of breath right now, holding his hand out to me- most likely in a fake apologetic gesture. As if I'll fall for it!

"What…do…you want?" I ask in between gasps for air.

"Oh, nothing really, Kou~yuu~."

I can practically feel a vain popping on my face. Who does he think he is?! …Besides the son of a well-known family…

Sigh

Whatever.

"Just thought I'd help an out of breath bookworm is all," he finished.

…He has a death wish, doesn't he?

"Hah? Who's out of breath?! Who's a bookworm?!"

"You are, Kouyuu."

Snap

Oh dear…my sanity is snapping…ha…hahahaha…HAHAHAHAA! I DON'T CARE!

But before I can even make a scathing remark, an older examinee joins us in the open courtyard. He must be in his forties, at least in his forties.

"My, my- I didn't know that this became a playground for little children."

Snickers could be heard in the background as I felt my face go red. Whether I'm red from embarrassment, anger or something else, I don't really know. What I do know is that-

I WANT TO MAKE THIS OLD MAN GROVEL AT MY FEET!

Well, it is mainly my fault since I was spacing out in the first place. I'm also the one who started chasing another examinee…how stupid could I be?!

Forcing my now-angry blush to step back and let my indifferent face appear, I felt a sudden wave of boldness overcome me. As if I'll let this snobby, old rich man to make a fool of me!

"Oh, really? I thought that it was starting to turn into a lovely Senior Center, don't you, old sir?" I faked politeness.

Hah! I feel victorious already. As if I'll let you talk down to me! Heck, I'm taller than you and I'm not even done growing yet!

Seeing that old man's face redden, I did my best to put on a blank look. Looking over to see Shuuei-san trying to hold his giggles back, I almost let a laugh of my own slip past my lips. Walking over to him, I elbowed him lightly in his side. I had to practically use all my strength to make sure that I didn't burst out laughing. I could feel the tears gathering in my eyes. Shuuei-san seemed to notice and did his best to straighten his face as well, though he ended up with an awkward face instead.

Coughing into my tight fist a little, I decided to start a distracting conversation.

"Ne, Shuuei-san?"

"Y-yes?"

Rein in your giggles, dang it!

"W-what…ahem…What do you think you would like to eat for dinner, Shuuei-san? Personally, I wouldn't mind a meatbun…"

"I think I'll have the same. Ah, with some tea of course."

"Of course."

With that, we walked away from the silently fuming man. He had it coming though. After spending most of my life with Reishin-sama, you learn a thing or two about comebacks.

Getting our food and eating it in a quiet corner of the dining room, we allowed our smiles to show on our faces, even though it made eating a tad more difficult.

…Back in their shared dorm room…

"Ahhh, that was filling!" I remarked as I fell back onto my bed. The meal was good, but the company was even better.

Funny how I went from hating his guts to finding him to be a good friend. We exchanged small talk, some more pleasantries and some personal information. Mainly it was about why we were taking the National Exams even though we are both young. I told him it was because of my benefactor and he said it was his duty as a son of the Ran clan.

Coming back, he discovered my unfortunate lack of direction. He decided that he would make sure to abuse this impairment of mine. It's not my fault! Everything is too dang big and confusing!

"Oi~! Kouyuu?"

"Huh? What, Shuuei-san?"

"Ah, you can drop the '-san'. It doesn't really feel right, especially coming from you."

"Haha! Okay then, Shuuei. Let's best make sure to pass the National Exams!"

"Of course- I wouldn't have it any other way, Kouyuu."

"Figured…"

We both smiled at each other before going back to doing our own thing. For me, it was more studying, for him…I actually have no clue what the heck he is doing. Is it possible…is he studying?!

Nope. He's sleeping.

Sigh

No wonder I heard snoring in the background. Oh well, the moon is up pretty high- I should get washed before it turns to morning. This is the perfect opportunity for me! I won't have to worry about him getting suspicious if I take too long in the bath.

Closing my study materials and setting them aside, I went to my bed as quickly as I could without being super noisy- one skill I am most proud of. Getting on my hands and knees as quietly as possible to retrieve my personal bag, I grabbed it as soon as I felt it before getting up and just about running to the bath.

Sliding the door closed and breathing a sigh of relief, I waited for a bit to make sure that Shuuei wouldn't try to jump me. Still hearing the steady snoring, I rushed to take my clothes off. Once I was just in my underwear- or should I say undercloth?- I hurriedly unwrapped my bindings. I couldn't help but sigh once again in relief. Hey, they hurt! Taking my undercloth off as well, I put it in a special bag before putting it in my personal bag. I would wash it later anyways.

Untying my shoulder-length hair and setting all my personal belongings aside, I went to relieve myself. We even have our own little toilet!

Once that was done, I began to heat the water in our little bath. Once I was satisfied with that, I set about cleaning off my body first. Just as I finished washing off the last of the soap from my sore body and was sitting down in the bath, the bathroom door slid open. Splashing because of the speed I sat down with, I quickly turned around after I was sure my breasts were hidden in the soothing water.

Why?

Why did he have to wake up now?!

Yay! I finally wrote this third chapter~! I'm satisfied with it, so I hope you'll all like it too! :D Please review!