n

n

nShort hair is easy to take care of?

nWrong!

nIt maybe be a bit easiER to take care of than the long hair, but it is definitely not EASY.

nAnd once you add something as ridiculous as the hair reflecting the strong emotions of the person, the task of working with it became a true war against the element!

nWith that in mind, Zoemi had his path cut out for him – all alone, armed in a comb and a brush against a raging hurricane...!

nAfter nearly full forty-five minutes of constant brushing, Zoemi dealt with the worst tangles and from then on he could finally spare enough brainpower and attention to coordinate the plan for the day while stylizing the soft fluffy hair.

n...though whether it had anything to do with Zoemi's talent as a hairdresser or if that was how much time was needed for Miriette to relax under his gentle care, was a different matter altogether, and certainly did not occupy his thoughts at the moment...

nPutting away the comb, he was left with just the brush and while running it through the deep green hair of the young noble lady, the scarred attendant smoothly continued the casual small talk, intertwining it with the elements of his duties as an attendant as well as his own plans that he came up in order to ensure Miriette's safety and happiness.

nThe black-haired boy listed what lesson his lady will be attending together with him on that day and even snuck in a bold attempt to bait the dark-haired girl into the event that he wished to create by saying that during the meal preparation he overheard two attendants of older students discussing about a certain spot.

nSupposedly the spot under the giant old tree behind the academy is lovely – easily the most picturesque spot in the area.

n...well, it was less of bait and more like a forceful suggestion - since Miriette saw him placing the picnic basket in the corner right after he entered the room...

nStill, after that rather obvious and loaded suggestion, Miriette perked up and her hair became much more fluffy and easy to brush.

n|...aha...! Her hair betrays her emotions completely – it's like a puppy's tail! So adorable! Ah! I can never say that out loud or she would surely get angry at me....|

nZoemi smiled softly looking over Miriette, looking at the effect of his hard work as he finished the styling.

nThanks to waking up and arriving at Miriette's doorstep early, the black-haired boy had enough time to eat the meal he prepared for himself even with how long it took him to help out the girl to prepare...

n

"My lady, I shall return the dishes. If you'll leave for the classroom no,w you will have plenty of time to talk with the first prince before the lesson starts.

"

nZoemi bowed down as he was walking out of the room, taking the tray back with him.

n

"No. I'll wait for you to return...

"

nThe dark-haired girl shook her head and eagerly looked up at her attendant.

n|After yesterday, some people had clearly misunderstood who you belong to! It should be made clear that you are mine and mine alone! Horeo can just wait in the classroom alone!|

nMiriette finished cut her sentence short and finished it in her thoughts - and Zoemi who has already turned around had no possible way of noticing the hair on the back of his master's head bristling dangerously as she got agitated.

nOn the way to the kitchen, Zoemi met the brown-haired girl in a maid uniform going in the opposite direction as she was returning to the boys' part of the dormitory.

n

"Sir Zoemi.

"

nShe bowed her head politely while her face didn't express any emotion.

nZoemi raised his brow and looked at her curiously.

n

"I see you have changed your clothes, Veo... Did you get found out by the first prince? And more importantly, did you tell that master of yours about my request?

"

nHe asked perked up and asked, wishing for a favorable answer from the gold-haired prince.

n

"Eh!? You really can tell it's me?

"

nVeo's expressionless mask crumbled and she blushed in surprise.

n

"Why shouldn't I? So, the request?

"

nZoemi didn't bother with her games and shrugged off her question after glancing at something that only he could see behind the girl just in case.

n

"Indeed. Patishi got promoted to the baker already.

"

nThe brown-haired girl nodded and declared, puffing out her chest seemingly so proud as if she was the one to assign the kitchen boy a new position.

n

"Really? That was quick!

"

nZoemi raised his brows and gasped.

n

"It's because I delivered his orders to the head-cook and the headmaster!

"

nVeo boasted even more, and the black-haired attendant couldn't help but think that if she will try to puff up her chest even more she would have to start levitating.

n

"Ah I see, I see.

"

nEven though it was clear thanks to her master, Veo's acting as if the completion of Zoemi's request was her own merit was surprisingly adorable and endearing.

nIt was so amusing for Zoemi that the black-haired attendant balanced his tray with empty on one hand and patted the head of the short brown-haired girl with the other one while smiling by turning his head and only showing the left side of his face.

n

"Good girl, good girl. You did a very good job.

"

n

"...!

"

nZoemi nodded with satisfaction while caressing the older but shorter girl's head and only when Veo blushed and started fidgeting did the fifteen-year-old black-haired boy realize that he's treating a seventeen-year-old girl as if she was his junior.

n

"Ah, sorry!

"

nHe hurriedly retracted his hand and apologized.

n

"Wha...? N-no...! Don't be!

"

nSurprised Veo gasped and shook her head.

n

"Feel free to do that anytime you want!

"

nShe exclaimed and lowered her head toward him as if to provide him with the perfect head-patting angle possible.

n

"Just remember that if I fail to bait my master into inviting your master for a picnic during lunch you must step in and bring him under the old oak tree behind the academy anyway, alright?

"

nZoemi raised his index finger at the ceiling and wiggled it a bit as if to make the brown-haired girl focus her attention on it.

nWhich caused Veo to stare at him with a sour expression.

n

"I feel like you repeat that a bit too much...

"

nShe sighed shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders.

n

"It's because it's important.

"

n|For Miriette's future.|

nThe black-haired boy declared out loud and then finished in his thoughts.

nThe thing that he wanted to do wasn't just the creation of the new even – but a complete overwrite of the original game's event in which the heroine has her second encounter with the first prince!

n….though the order of things was already thrown into disarray the day before when the second prince was the one to pick up the heroine of the roadside making it so there was no propper first meeting at all...

nStill, because that happened, Zoemi came up with the idea of creating a brand new event.

n

"Indeed, I understand. No more head-pats until I fulfill this mission!

"

nVeo looked into the distance and added some unnecessary conditions all on her own.

n

"Huh? No, I mean, if it makes you happy I can pat your head anyway – as long as you are my ally that is.'

nThe black-haired boy tilted his head and said after a bit of consideration – and his words made Veo's eyes light up.

n

"Acknowledge! See you!

"

nShe laughed and ran away before he could say anything else – but maybe it was for the better since he already started worrying about what he said.

n---

nAfter leaving the dishes Zoemi returned to his master's room and they went to the classroom where their first lesson in the Aspaceony Academy was going to start.

n...by that point, Zoemi had long forgotten to ask Miriette who was bothering her before he arrived in front of her room with the breakfast....

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