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I Demand Fifteen Mysteries – Part 04

Sophie nodded along as she listened. “That’s true. My childhood friend is working as a maid at the inn, and she’s having a tough time. All the rooms have been occupied since yesterday, and because many of the guests are nobles, they’re quite particular about etiquette.”

“Is that so? I wonder what’s going on.”

Kazuya and Ms. Cecile simultaneously tilted their heads in the same direction.

Should I count this as a mystery? Kazuya wondered. If I did, then this would be number ten.

Finally, they arrived at the academy.

They entered the cafeteria on the first floor of the boys’ dormitory.

With Ms. Cecile insisting on having a mini-party since no one was around, Kazuya ended up sitting down for tea with his teacher-in-charge and dorm mother.

The warm tea, generously sweetened with honey, seeped into their chilled bodies.

While the cafeteria typically bustled with students, today, all five of the long tables were vacant, except for the trio huddled in the corner. There was no sign of life beyond their presence.

However, because Kazuya usually came down to the cafeteria early to avoid the peak hours, it wasn’t uncommon for him to have breakfast alone with the dorm mother.

While chatting, Sophie tirelessly whipped egg whites and sifted flour. Ms. Cecile poked fun at her for it.

“Normally, with so many students around, I have to cook large pots of dishes. But during the holidays, there’s not much to do, so I end up making all sorts of things.”

Sophie poured the cake batter into small paper cups and slid them into the preheated oven. Before long, a delectable aroma permeated the air. She drew hearts on the tender, freshly baked cupcakes using melted sugar, then adorned them with dashes of red, pink, and purple jams.

Genuine homely desserts graced the table.

Observing Kazuya’s restlessness as he stared at the spread, Sophie grinned and winked. “Kujou, would you like to take these along with a pot of tea?”

“Oh… Yes, thank you!”

Sophie placed some freshly baked cupcakes in a basket and refilled the pot with more tea.

“This should keep it warm,” Ms. Cecile said, putting a cover shaped like fluffy rabbit ears on the pot.

Holding the pot in one hand, Kazuya bowed with a butler’s grace and left the cafeteria.

The two women exchanged looks and erupted into laughter.

“The lad really loves that little girl,” the dorm mother said.

“Fifteen is the ‘season of love,’ after all.”

“Well said, Teach!”

“Still…” Ms. Cecile hung her head, staring at the corner of the table. “Love, be it mutual or one-sided, can be painful.” She smiled serenely, as though thinking of someone.

“Absolutely. Oh, but…” Sophie gave a broad grin as she held her teacup. “I’ve been there. I…”

“And since we’ve remained close to this day, you could stand to be a little more grateful.”

“Hmm, I suppose.”

The laughter and banter between the two drifted all the way to the ceiling like an enchanting melody.

Outside the window, the snowfall intensified, white flakes dancing and swirling in the air.

---

“So there’s this mystery I stumbled upon while out in the village.”

“Hmm…”

Flames crackled in the candy house’s fireplace. Outside, the snow grew more intense, and the sky was so dark it was impossible to tell if it was day or night.

Reclined in a velvet chair, Victorique lifted her chin regally as she sipped tea from an antique teacup designed with a handle that resembled the neck of a swan, its wings fanning out on the cup’s surface.

At her side was Kazuya, standing upright like a butler, holding the teapot with both hands.

Freshly baked cupcakes adorned with heart motifs crowded the table. The paper cups strewn about indicated that Victorique had already eaten three of them.

“Over the past couple of days, there’s been a sudden influx of visitors from Saubreme, most of them nobles. According to a friend of the dorm mother who serves at the inn, every room’s taken. What do you think of this mystery?”

“Delicious…”

“Huh? Oh, the tea? It’s lots of honey and a little bit of ginger. I’m glad you like it. Say, Victorique. Can I count this event as a mystery? I mean, it’s strange, isn’t it? I’m absolutely clueless, but I figured you might be able to shed a light on the matter.” He counted with his fingers. “Phew. I’m up to ten.”

Kazuya looked at Victorique inquiringly. On her small, icy face was an atypical tense expression. Her green eyes were half-lidded, her lips drawn to a tight line.

Worried, he asked, “Victorique?”

The silence stretched on. Finally she said, softly, “How about you take a seat and join me for tea, you dimwitted servant.”

“Huh? Are you sure? Wait, did you just call me dimwitted? I assure you, I’m not dimwitted in the least. I’ll take this seat, then. Hup! Don’t mind if I do.”

“Help yourself with a cupcake as well.”

“What? Seriously?”

“Just one, mind you.”

“Okay… Seriously, what’s gotten into you?”

Kazuya cast a quizzical glance at this friend as he took a cupcake marked with a pink heart.

Victorique, eyes partly closed, was deep in thought.

“The tea’s growing cold, Victorique.”

“Hmm…”

“…”

“So, was there anything else?”

“Hmm, let’s see…”

Kazuya pondered briefly and recounted the episode of the gentleman and lady entering the general store. He had spotted a couple that appeared to be from the city. The man bought two hats that didn’t quite suit his long hair and stylish attire, while the woman purchased a vest used for fishing. After that, they left in a hurry.

“I see.”

“That should be the gist of it,” Kazuya said doubtfully. “That makes it eleven. Can you solve this one?”

“There’s not enough fragments of chaos for reconstruction,” Victorique murmured, slowly opening her eyes. Her delicate lashes fluttered.

Hmm, something’s off, Kazuya thought.

Yesterday, Victorique swiftly solved the nine mysteries he found after running around the whole campus. Yet today, with the tenth and eleventh mysteries he presented, not only did she fall into silence, but her face somewhat stiffened.

Baffled, Kazuya turned silent. Sensing a different atmosphere than usual, he began feeling uneasy, but he couldn’t quite figure out the source of his apprehension.

Snow continued falling outside. Flames popped in the hearth. It was a very quiet afternoon.

“Kujou, see all that snow out there?” Victorique said with a touch of jest. “I wager you will not be able to locate me like you always do. Well?”

Kazuya blinked, taken aback by this sudden question. “What in the world are you trying to say?” he replied, confounded.

“Hmm.”

“Even in a blizzard, you’d wear bright-red, or maybe purple, even dazzling pink, so I’d spot you in a heartbeat. Also, your hair’s a blazing gold.”

“…Do you really believe that?” Victorique’s voice held a note of worry.

The hearth snapped and crackled.

Kazuya smiled. “I’ve got a better question. Can you find me?”

“Of course, without a doubt. Even if we were to find ourselves in the farthest corners of the world,” Victorique murmured timidly.

Kazuya’s cheeks turned as red as the flames roaring within the hearth. “R-R-Really?”

“I swear to… Hmm, I can’t say I believe in God. Let’s see…” The corner of Victorique’s lovely lips curled up. “I swear to the Mother Wolf.”

A radiant grin of joy illuminated Kazuya’s face, and he leaned forward. “If we were ever separated, I trust you would find me. I’ll wait forever if need be.”

Victorique turned her face away. “Well, then. You can wait alone for me, who will never come, until you turn in a decrepit old soul.”

“Wait, are you gonna find me or not? If not, then I’m not waiting!”

“I will come,” Victorique said in her raspy voice. She closed her eyes and leaned her tiny figure back on her chair. “Even if it kills me.”

The frills of her dress fanned out magically, stirring in hues of the hearth’s fiery red. The flames set the curtain aglow, and the tea shimmered vibrantly like a ruby. The room was quiet and warm.

Kazuya set down the teapot gently and went somewhere. Cracking an eye open, Victorique followed his figure, wondering where he was going. He returned with a blanket and draped it over Victorique’s lap.

Victorique squeezed her eyes shut somewhat uneasily. Then silently, she rested her slender frame against the chair’s backrest.

Flames danced and crackled in the fireplace.

Warmth enveloped the room. The two occupants, seated in their respective chairs, remained still and silent as lovely dolls in a dollhouse.