This chapter is from Rachel’s point of view.
“I’m sorry for calling everyone so suddenly.”
(゜Д゜)
(*゜д゜*)
(°0°)
Her voice, which seemed to reach every corner of the conference room, caused everyone to stop. The assembled people turned their gazes towards the source of the voice, and upon realizing it was the Principal speaking, they hastily tried to find nearby seats.
“Ugh, ugh.”
“Wha—my seat is gone!”
Several people who couldn’t find a seat in the sudden game of musical chairs were left standing, in a panic, unsure of what to do.
“That seat over there is empty.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Josette, completely unfazed, stood with composure and kindly spoke to one of the flustered female students.
“Hey, there’s an empty seat in front.”
“Thanks.”
Rachel, appearing just as unperturbed, also spoke to another troubled girl and pointed out an empty seat.
“It seems I’ve startled you. Take your time. Please, find any available seat you like.”
Margaret, the school’s Principal and the Queen of this country, spoke to everyone as she moved towards the center of the head of the conference room.
“She’s doing that on purpose, isn’t she?”
“R-Rachel! You shouldn’t say what you’re thinking!”
Rachel, having found a seat, muttered under her breath. Caro, sitting next to her, nervously chided her. In the end, Rachel, Caro, Josette, and Patty—the Marie’s Bakery group—ended up clustered together towards the back. Their classmates who had come with them were scattered due to the earlier confusion, and Prim had secured a seat in the very front row.
“Everyone is seated. I don’t make appearances at the school often, so I’ll reintroduce myself. I am Margaret, the Principal of this school. And incidentally, I am also the Queen of this country.”
There was no need for Margaret to introduce herself; everyone in the room already knew.
“Those with sharp minds might have already guessed, but the reason you’ve all been gathered today is that you either own businesses related to food and drink, or you work in establishments that handle food and drink or ingredients, and your businesses are located in this town.”
Margaret explained the criteria for those she had gathered.
“Actually, next month I’m planning to hold an event. I intend to ask for everyone’s cooperation regarding this event. By having students take the lead, we aim to reintroduce the school’s purpose to the townspeople.”
She then explained her intention to hold an event to enhance the school’s presence.
“Today’s main objective is an initial meeting. We will gather several times before the event. I would ideally like to take our time and incorporate many opinions, but since we are holding these after school, it would interfere with those who work, so we will only meet during lunch breaks. Do you have any questions so far?”
No one could object to the Queen’s words, and those gathered felt they had no choice but to comply.
“Um, may I ask one question?”
“Yes, please do.”
Although she expected no one to ask, a hand was tentatively raised in the front row.
“Everyone gathered here today is female. Does this have any particular meaning?”
“Prim, that’s a good question.”
It was Prim who had asked the question. Margaret smiled with evident pleasure upon hearing it and praised Prim.
“It relates to the project I intend to implement. It’s about men giving food to women they like as a way to express their feelings. Of course, ‘liking’ can encompass many things—romantic love, family affection, or simply gratitude for daily kindness. What we want to emphasize this time is romantic love. Does everyone have a man they like as a romantic partner? Whether you’ve confessed your feelings or are already dating, your situations will vary. It especially aims to encourage those who haven’t yet confessed their feelings.”
Murmurs spread through the room. The assembled girls’ minds drifted to thoughts of their own crushes, picturing the men they admired and imagining ways to express their feelings.
“Ideally, I would want to solicit opinions from everyone, but due to time constraints, I’ve decided on the general framework. Clara, please bring the items.”
“Understood. Here you are.”
Margaret called out to Clara, who was standing by. Clara then placed a small wooden box in front of Margaret.
“These are samples. When giving something to someone you like, you would place sweets or other food items in this heart-shaped box. If it’s for daily gratitude or not romantic in nature, use this square box. We’ll generally proceed with these.”
Margaret held up the heart-shaped and square boxes so everyone could see them.
“We will gather several times to discuss the contents of the food, the specifications of the boxes, and sales methods. However, due to my official duties, I won’t always be able to attend. Therefore, I’d like to appoint someone to be in charge. Is there anyone who would like to volunteer?”
Margaret wanted to attend all the planned meetings, but as Queen, her schedule was often filled with official duties, making it impossible for her to be present every time. Hence, she proposed appointing a leader. First, she asked if anyone would volunteer.
“If it’s alright, may I take on that role?”
While everyone else remained silent, one person stepped forward to volunteer.
“Is there anyone else who wishes to volunteer?”
The volunteer was Prim. She was the president of one of the country’s leading merchant guilds, the Bobby Prim Trading Company. Though she was only a first-year student, her influence as a merchant was considerable. The other attendees unanimously agreed that she was the perfect candidate, and thus, no one else came forward.
“It seems there are no other volunteers. In that case, we will proceed with Prim as the central figure for this project. Prim, please come forward and say a few words.”
“Yes!”
With no other volunteers, Prim was designated to lead the project. Margaret prompted her to give her introductory speech.
“I am Prim, and I have been appointed by the Principal to lead this project. I will do my utmost to meet your expectations, so I ask for everyone’s kind cooperation.”
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
As Prim stepped forward and gave her speech, everyone in the conference room applauded, celebrating her appointment.
“The execution date is mid-February. Please come up with excellent ideas by then. Also, we’ve decided to appoint an advisor to support this project. Rachel, please come forward.”
“Ehhh…”
Rachel made a visibly displeased face when Margaret suddenly called her name.
“This was originally your idea, wasn’t it? You must take responsibility until the end.”
“Rachel, do your best!”
“Rachel, please do your best!”
“Go Rachel!”
With Margaret’s directive and the encouragement of Patty, Josette, and Caro, Rachel found herself with no escape.
“Well, it was my idea, so I suppose I do have to see it through to the end. Alright, here I go.”
Reluctantly, Rachel stood up and moved towards the front of the conference room.
“She is an excellent individual, entrusted with managing Marie’s Bakery No. 2.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that…”
Rachel, flattered by Margaret’s compliment, couldn’t help but feel a little pleased and responded with a slightly cheerful tone.
“Marie’s Bakery No. 2, you say?”
“It’s amazing that she’s in charge of that store, the one that caters to nobles.”
“No way, the manager of the No. 2 store is a student?”
Those who had just learned that Rachel was managing Marie’s Bakery No. 2 exclaimed in surprise.
“Ahem. I am Rachel, a first-year student appointed as the advisor for this project. I look forward to working with all of you.”
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Rachel stood next to Margaret and gave her introductory speech in front of everyone.
“Now then, with these two at the helm, I expect us to develop a wonderful project. I will notify you about the next meeting. Thank you all for gathering during the busy lunch hour. I’ve prepared a small lunch for everyone. Please enjoy your meal and mingle with the other participants. I have another engagement, so I must excuse myself.”
With that, Margaret, accompanied by Clara, left the conference room.
Rustle.
At that opportune moment, the curtains partitioning the back of the conference room were opened.
“Young ladies, please take whatever you like.”
Beyond the opened curtains, a buffet-style meal was laid out. Attendant servants bowed and welcomed the participants.
“W-wow. Can we really eat this?”
“I’ve never eaten anything this luxurious before.”
“It feels like we’ve already gotten something for free just by being here.”
The spread consisted of high-end dishes that were rarely accessible to those of commoner status.
“Caro, let us show them how it’s done!”
“Understood. Let’s set an example so others know what to do. Patty, you come too.”
“Eh? Me too?”
“Of course. (Indeed.)”
As the other participants were unsure of how to behave in the face of such extravagant fare, Josette, Caro, and Patty took the lead, demonstrating how to serve themselves from the buffet. Once they had finished, they returned to their seats and began to eat.
“Alright, alright, everyone, don’t be shy and go get some! If you don’t hurry, Josette will gobble up all the best bits!”
“Wha—I’m not that much of a glutton!”
“Hahahaha!”
Rachel called out to those who were hesitating. Her words broke the ice, filling the conference room with laughter and easing the atmosphere. Everyone then began to approach the buffet.
“The atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed. Rachel, you truly are an amazing person. It’s no wonder they entrusted you with managing Marie’s Bakery No. 2.”
Prim watched the situation with admiration after witnessing Rachel’s actions.
