Chapter 38: Razé Granoli’s Birthday Party

Folia: “Razé-chan! I’m ready!”

Razé: “Okay. Let’s go.”

It was Sunday.

This morning, Razé was studying the books that was useful for her military work which she had borrowed from the library. Then, she had made plan to have lunch at the shopping district with Folia. Although she sometimes would wear the dresses given by her subordinates, she was more comfortable wearing shirts with pants, the same as what she was wearing today.

Alright. Exactly as planned! Folia looked at her and recalled the plan that she had made with Carna. After having lunch, she would bring Razé shopping and get her to change her clothes. Once it got dark, she would bring her to the communal room in the dormitory where they were planning to hold her birthday party.

“Razé-chan, what do you want to eat?” Folia asked Razé as they walked in the shopping district.

Razé: “Hmm. Let’s eat what you want to eat.”

Folia originally wanted Razé to choose because it was her birthday. But since Razé had said so, she decided to go the bakery so that it wouldn’t overlap with their party’s menu.

“Wow. Everything looks delicious.” Razé looked at row of breads with starry eyes. She really liked to eat and was not a picky eater.

Razé: “Why don’t we eat outside since the weather is so nice today?”

Folia: “Alright!”

Both of them bought some breads and drinks, and then they went to the public square. There was a fountain in the middle of the square, the water reflected the sunlight and sparkling brightly. They sat on the bench and ate their lunch. Afterwards, they went shopping around.

Razé: “Look at this! Don’t you think this suits Carna-sama?”

Folia: “You’re right. This ribbon looks very pretty.”

Folia suddenly recalled something. Oops! I forgot! I’m supposed to buy a birthday present for Razé-chan.

Razé had been talking about other people instead of buying things for herself. Folia was getting anxious because she couldn’t find out about things that Razé liked. She decided to ask Razé directly. “Ra- Razé-chan. Is there anything that you want now?”

“Things that I want?” Razé folded her arms and gave it a thought. She smiled and said, “There’s nothing that I can think of right now.”

Folia felt hopeless when she heard Razé’s answer. Oh, no～. Never mind. Then, I’ll just choose something that suits her.

Folia looked around to check out if there was anything that she could buy. Then she noticed that other than food, she didn’t know about Razé’s preference. She was surprised when she realized that she actually didn’t know much about Razé even though they had been friends for more than a year.

When she raised her head, she saw that Razé was staring at something. It was a blue flower. “I’ll go and buy some. I’ll be back soon.”

A few minutes later, Razé came back with a bouquet in her hands.

Folia: “It’s rare to see you buying flowers.”

Razé: “Un. This flower only bloom for a short time. My late mother and brother used to like this flower.”

“What?!” Folia was shocked.

Razé: “I had a brother. He was one year younger than me. We used to grow this flower at home back then. He always smiled cheerfully when he looked at the flowers.”

Folia: “I see…”

Razé: “Hmm. It’s been more than ten years now. I always buy this flower whenever I see one so that I won’t forget about them.”

Folia felt her heart tightened in her chest. She really wanted to do something for Razé. Then, she pulled Razé hands and said, “Razé-chan! I found a pretty dress that would look good on you! Come with me!”

“Wa- Wait!” Razé quickly move her legs and followed Folia who was smiling happily.

―　―　―

“How is it?” Folia asked Razé who was inside the fitting room.

Razé finished changing into the dress and pulled open the curtain. The dress was chosen by Carna and Folia in advance. It had a meticulous design and it fitted her well. Razé looked at the mirror to check her appearance.

Folia: “You look so good in that dress! Let’s wear this today!”

Razé: “Huh?!”

Folia: “You should dress up nicely too! I’ve received quite a lot of pocket money from Zale-sama. Please accept this gift!”

Razé: “B- But…”

The pocket money is for you and not for me, Razé thought in her heart but was unable to say it as she was half forced to accept the dress.

Is it because I look like a very poor person? Razé tried to interpret the situation, though it was completely off the mark.

Next, Folia brought Razé to a beauty salon.

Folia: “You’re already wearing a pretty dress. Might as well do your hair too.”

Razé: “Huh? Folia?”

Folia waved her hand and let the staff led Razé away.

“Wow! This girl has very good hair!”

“Yeah. You can look forward to the transformation.”

Razé ended up getting her make-up done too. The staff said to her, “It’s done. You look so pretty.”

Razé looked at her reflection in the mirror. “This is a fraud…”

Her long bangs were arranged nicely covering her face outline. Her make-up also looked natural. She never tried this kind of make-up when she was working undercover before so it surprised her a little.

The staff said to her, “It’s because your skin and hair is good to begin with. Why don’t you try using these cosmetic products? I’ll give it to you.”

“Huh? I can’t take this.” Razé tried to reject them but was unsuccessful.

“Just take it. I hope this experience will make you be more interested in beauty care. Come visit us again.” The staff half forced her to take the paper bag. Razé looked bewildered and happy at the same time.

When she left the salon, she saw Folia, who had just return from somewhere. Folia looked at Razé with starry eyes. “Razé-chan, you look so cute!!”

“Th- Thank you.” Razé felt like she was on cloud nine after being praised by an angel. Folia smiled cheerfully when she saw Razé being shy, unlike her usual self.

Folia: “Alright. Let’s go back and show everyone!”

Razé: “Huh? Everyone?”

Folia realized she had said something she shouldn’t have, so she hurriedly pulled Razé back to the dormitory before she could ask anything else.

“Hey! Who is that girl?”

“Wow! Isn’t she cute?”

“I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”

Razé kept apologizing in her heart, “This is a fraud. I’m sorry,” while following Folia from close behind.

Razé felt restless because she was attracting attention more than usual. She really wished she could hide in her room away from these gazes. When she was doing an undercover mission, she would be very nervous if she attracted attention like this. Even though she was not a spy now, she was used to her natural self that could blend in well among the students in the academy. She felt uncomfortable attracting attention without purpose like this. It was like she was in a battlefield wearing pajama.

“Oops!”

Razé was walking while looking at the ground because she wanted to avoid other people’s eyes, so she wasn’t paying attention until she bumped into someone. The person asked her, “Sorry, are you okay?”

Razé was in a panic. “I’m very sorry!” When she lifted up her head, she saw the face that looks like His Excellency the Grim Reaper.

“You-” Adis looked at her with widened eyes.

“I’m sorry!” Razé bowed her head again and rushed towards the dormitory. She was extremely agitated when she thought that her (not really) superior saw her in such a state.

Folia, who was left behind, called out to her, “Razé-chan! Where are you going!”

“Razé?” Adis was surprised when he heard Folia’s words. “How can that be–”

He immediately ran after Razé and grabbed her arm. She fell into his arms due to the momentum.

“Scholarship student?”

She looked very agitated, with her eyebrows drawn together and seemed like she was about to cry. She said to him, “What is it?”

When Adis heard her voice, he finally believed that she was Razé Granoli, the scholarship student from 2nd Year Class A.

Adis: “You look so different…”

Razé: “I’m sorry. I know this is a fraud. I’ll go back immediately and get rid of this make-up. I’ll return to my original self, the way I’m supposed to be.”

Razé spoked without looking at Adis while desperately thinking that she needed to return to her room. Adis was perplexed when he saw her panicking, but he didn’t release her arm.

Razé: “Err…Can you let go of my hand, please?”

Adis: “…You look much better than usual. Why would you want to change it back?”

Razé: “Oh. That’s true. I’m so sorry for always showing you a disgraceful sight.”

Adis was puzzled when he noticed that she had been continuously self-depreciating herself today. He pulled her arm and was surprised when he noticed that she had a slender arm. It made him wondered how did she manage to defeat him before.

Razé: “Excuse me. Where are you taking me?”

Adis: “Don’t ask. Just follow me.”

Razé: “…Okay.”

Adis was worried that she would run away so he brought her to the room where they were going to celebrate her birthday.

“Ah, Razé-chan. I finally managed to catch you.” Folia joined them and walked together to the party venue.

Folia: “Razé-chan, open the door.”

Razé: “Huh? Okay.”

Razé had calmed down because there was no stranger around staring at her. She opened the door.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

When Razé heard the sounds of party popper, she almost readied herself to enter battle mode but barely managed to stop herself.

“Happy birthday Razé!!”

The room was brilliantly decorated and there was a large balloon with the words ‘Happy Birthday !!’ on it.

Razé stood still in front of them with a blank look on her face.

“Razé! You’re so pretty!” Carna rushed towards Razé and looked at her from tip to toe. “I knew that dress would match you! The make-up is pretty too!!”

Razé: “Oh. Did you arrange the dress and make-up for me?”

Razé finally realized why she had received special treatment today.

Carna: “That’s right. Hmm, did you forget about your birthday?”

Razé: “…Hahaha. I only know that today feels like a special day.”

Razé realized that she forgot to thanks Folia. She turned to Folia and said, “Folia, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Folia smiled cheerfully.

On the other side of the room, the guys were looking at Razé with widened eyes.

Ruben: “That’s Granoli?”

Claude: “What a surprise.”

Luca: “Make-up is amazing…”

Ian: “She looks so different just by letting her hair down.”

When they heard Ian’s comment, the three of them had the same thought: That’s not the point.

Ruben: “This might be a bit troublesome.”

Claude: “True. With the way she looks now, she is not inferior to the aristocrats. On top of that, she is a talented commoner. Most likely she will become very popular.”

Adis stood silently while listening to Ruben and Claude. For some reason, he felt upset when he remembered her vulnerable attitude earlier.

Carna: “Razé, try this one!”

Folia: “All of this are made by Carna-sama, you know.”

Razé: “Really? So amazing.”

Looking at the dishes prepared by Carna-sama, Razé pushed her hair behind her ears and took a bite.

“Mmm～! It’s so good.”

The way she looked when she ate with her starry eyes was more eye-catching than ever.