I could only stare blankly at Rutis's back as he rummaged through the shelves, apparently searching for something.

So he really did prepare something. I thought he just replied wittingly to my boring joke, but it actually existed.

Why did he do that?

This fundamental question kept popping into my head. Why on earth would he have something so unsightly?

In fact, even considering my experiences before and after possessing this body, I had never heard of tofu cake until my probation. I knew about rice cakes and ice cream cakes, but tofu was beyond my imagination.

But here I was, eating something I never knew existed for the third time in a month. I’ve never even eaten real cake this often.

"About that... tofu cake is considered a nutritious food in Armein, oppa."

Interpreting my blank expression in her own way, Louise leaned in and whispered cautiously.

I knew that. Rutis had explained it thoroughly during my last probation.

"I think Rutis prepared it because he was worried about you, too."

Louise said, her voice fading slightly due to the awkwardness of the situation.

Indeed, tofu cake was considered a nutritious food in the Armein Kingdom and was often given to released prisoners as a gift.

Since I was a released prisoner, there should be no problem in accepting it. There shouldn’t be…

It feels like a slap in the face.

If I hadn't received a tofu cake when I was on probation, I would have taken it as a simple gesture of consolation.

But I had, and tofu cake had now become a symbol of mockery in my mind.

Rutis knew this, which was why he hadn’t offered it sooner.

"Here it is."

Finally, Rutis approached with the grotesque item.

Not this again.

Rutis was holding a white tofu cake, but it strangely looked darker and more sinister than any other item.

Something about it seemed off. It didn't look like this last time.

Ah, it didn’t have the prisoner number on it.

Is this his final act of consideration?

Glancing at Rutis, I noticed his awkward smile.

Yes, he must’ve had his concerns. Writing the prisoner number would have felt like delivering a knockout blow.

"...Thank you."

After much contemplation, I accepted the tofu cake. The previous mockery happened because of my probation, which all happened because I had assaulted Rutis. In the end, it was all my own doing.

Honestly, it wouldn't have happened if Erich hadn't called me out for it, or if Rutis hadn't racked up karma with his devilish snout.

Anyway, it was all my own fault. So, I decided to just go with it.

"It's too much for one person; let's eat it together."

"Ah, yes."

Rutis nodded readily, and the other members tactfully picked up their forks.

The third tofu cake I tasted was incredibly soft. Was this what a tear-soaked tofu cake tasted like?

I’ll be damned.

It was a taste I never wanted to experience again.

***

I headed to the Principal's office as soon as the club meeting ended. The Principal would’ve certainly been shocked about my detention, so it only seemed appropriate to show my face and report back in person.

"Ah, Prosecutor."

When I entered the Principal's office, the awkward exchange of glances was followed by a suffocating silence, filling the room.

"You’ve had a tough time."

The Principal broke the brief silence. It seemed he had decided that a brief word of consolation was better than dragging out concerns or inquiries.

Of course, he was right. It would have been more burdensome if the Principal had shown me too much concern.

"I'm sorry I had to suddenly leave, Principal. I'm sure you had more trouble than I did."

"It’s fine. You had already informed me, so there was no problem."

We exchanged awkward smiles, the Principal’s small grin easing the atmosphere.

I had indeed informed the Principal after we had subdued the Red Wave. I mentioned that I might need to step away for a bit to handle some remaining issues.

Little did he know that handling would mean being imprisoned.

"The Prosecutor has dedicated so much to the academy and the empire, so please don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"Thank you for your kind words."

His warm remarks made me feel even more embarrassed.

The Principal probably thought that I was imprisoned due to an unfortunate incident while protecting the academy. As its head, of course he felt the need to express his gratitude and offer consolation.

It wasn’t entirely false. An unfortunate incident did happen during my efforts to protect the academy from the Red Wave.

However, it was only unfortunate for me.

It was a tragedy when seen from a distance but comedy in close-up.

I wonder how the Principal would react if he knew the details of that unfortunate incident. Perhaps he might laugh, or maybe find it absurd...

Either way, it hurt just the same.

***

I paced around the room while glancing at the communication crystal periodically, fiddling with it a few times and wondering if it was broken.

Each time, I only confirmed that the crystal was still functional. It was made by the Magic Tower, so it was naturally sturdy.

"Nia, you look distracted."

Laura frowned at my behavior.

"..."

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's nothing."

I stared at Laura's leg, which had been shaking continuously as if in an earthquake. Who was the distracted one, exactly?

But I understood her. Laura stepped in as a mother figure for Carl and Erich in place of their real mother, who wasn’t even qualified to be one. She cared for them as if they were her own after the loss of her biological child.

"...It’s today, right?"

"Yes."

Laura asked again, her voice tinged with impatience.

Today was the day. Erich had confirmed it.

— He’ll be imprisoned for just five days. He's being treated well, so don’t worry too much.

“Still, I should visit…”

— He's been through a lot; he’s probably tired. He said he’ll contact us once he’s released, so it might be best to wait.

This was the conversation I had with Erich three days ago.

I wanted to rush to Carl immediately, but Erich persuaded me to wait.

The thought of my dear son in a cold prison was unbearable, but I hesitated when I heard that he was tired. I didn’t want to bother him just because of my selfishness.

So I waited as Erich suggested, trusting that Carl would contact us after his release.

I’ve been waiting since morning.

My hands trembled as I touched the communication crystal again.

Today, I kept the crystal with me while washing, eating, and working.

— So, you won't be attending the Crown Princess's birthday banquet this time—Nia?

"Sorry, oppa. What did you say?"

— Is something wrong?"

I was anxious even during other conversations, afraid that I might miss a call from Carl.

And as if to mock my anxiety, there was no contact at all.

"Should I... have gone to visit?"

"How could you have gone in your condition?"

Laura's blunt comment made my face burn. The truth was that it would have been difficult to visit even if Carl wanted me to.

Hearing that Erich suddenly requested a teleportation mage and realizing that it was for visiting the imprisoned Carl made everything go dark.

"Are you awake?"

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in bed.

"Laura...? Why am I here...?"

"You fainted. For six hours."

I remained bedridden for a while, too weak to move that even Billy had to come back from the Imperial Council.

If I had gone to visit him in that state, I would have only caused Carl more worry. Honestly, like Laura said, I probably wouldn't have managed it.

I kept fiddling with the communication crystal with a bitter feeling. Touching it wouldn’t make the call come any faster, would it?

And then, almost like magic, the communication crystal started glowing.

...Did it work?

When the call finally came through, my mind went blank. What should I say? Tell him he did well? Ask if he was alright? Ask why he contacted us so late?

"Nia."

Laura's voice brought me back to reality.

What was I doing? I needed to answer even if I stumbled over my words. What if the call disconnected?

— Mother.

Carl’s face appeared as I hastily activated the crystal.

"Carl."

I clenched my fist, feeling my tears welling up within me.

He’s grown thinner.

He probably didn’t eat well in prison. He was at an age where he should be growing, and yet he had to endure such harsh conditions.

How much did he suffer? How scared was he?

"...Are you okay?"

— Yes, I’ve been doing well.

My tears threatened to spill again at his words; those were an obvious lie. There was no way anyone could do well in prison.

He must be struggling, and yet he was still considering my feelings. Why did such a kind child have to be in prison?

However, I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Those types of questions would just reopen Carl's wounds.

— I wanted to greet you in person, but I don’t think it would be possible.

"It's okay. Communicating like this is enough."

— That’s a relief.

I hardly remembered the rest of the conversation. I was too focused on clenching my fists and biting my lip to keep it together.

At least Carl didn’t seem upset, so I must not have said anything strange. That much was good enough.

— Please send my regards to the Patriarch and the Head Maid.

Laura's face lit up at that.

"Sure, I’ll tell them that, so don’t worry."

Billy would also be happy to hear that Carl asked about him.

***

I ended the call with Mother as quickly as possible. It might have seemed too eager, but I couldn't bear to look at her face for long.

Just as I expected.

A sigh escaped me. After all, what mother could stay composed after hearing that her son was imprisoned?

She tried to hide it, but her body betrayed her emotions. Her eyes were strained unnaturally, the rims reddened; her lips were also trembling.

...We should leave it at that. Thinking more about it might turn me from a dutiful son into an overwrought one.

Should I have done it sooner?

Seeing Mother's condition made me rethink my priorities. Marghetta, the club, and the Principal—I had been so busy reporting back that I had barely managed to contact her.

Fortunately, I managed to contact her today. Otherwise, she might have stayed up all night.

***

The next morning.

"The lady said that she wishes you could cast the bad memories aside and fill your life with good ones."

The teleportation mage from our family handed me a box.

Inside was a freshly made tofu dish, along with a carefully written letter.

Wow.

"...Please tell her I'm very grateful."

Just wow...