“Who would have thought you had such profound skill in culinary arts? There are a few other similar shops in the North District—they wouldn’t all be your handiwork too, would they?”
“That’s right. It took me quite a bit of effort to open these shops. They’ve only recently started to do well.”
Yuriko could sense a spark of fervor in Olesia’s gaze as she looked at her.
Developing an interest in Yuriko because she enjoyed the food from her restaurant… was this a case of loving the house and extending that love to the crow?
“It seems you’ve been here quite a few times, Miss Wyndham. As the owner, could I ask you a few questions for a survey? It might be used for future flavor improvements.”
Olesia immediately straightened her posture.
Although she had been sitting ramrod straight the whole time, Yuriko could still tell from the details that Olesia was taking this seriously.
“Please go ahead. I will answer earnestly.”
“You don’t need to be that serious about it.”
Yuriko was both amused and exasperated by Olesia’s attitude.
She then proceeded to ask Olesia a few questions about the flavors of the dishes.
From Olesia’s answers, Yuriko learned one thing:
Olesia had a particular fondness for spiciness.
“I didn’t expect your taste to be heavier than I imagined, Miss Wyndham. I thought a young lady like you would prefer milder things.”
Olesia lowered her head and didn’t respond, but it seemed she felt a bit ashamed about her love for spicy food.
Yuriko didn’t understand what was so shameful about that.
Would fans become disillusioned with their idol just because she liked spicy food?
Perhaps.
Some people always have unrealistic fantasies about their idols.
The impression Olesia gave was one of elegance.
She should be savoring expensive pastries and black tea in a manor garden, not eating commoners’ food in this mundane restaurant.
“Hmm, I’ve learned another secret of yours, Miss Wyndham. Now I feel you’re not as unattainably high and mighty as the rumors say. You have hobbies just like ordinary people too.”
Olesia shook her head.
“Those impressions were imposed on me by others. I don’t consider myself noble in any way, and I never flaunt my status.”
“That’s just what you think, Miss Wyndham. The reality is, most people in class don’t dare to chat with you casually. Though this might sound a bit offensive, since I enrolled, I’ve never seen you chatting with a friend.”
Whether during breaks or after school, Olesia was usually only accompanied by Nomily.
While admirers often gathered around her, Olesia’s attitude towards them was indifferent; she never initiated conversation.
However, Olesia also never actively drove these people away, making her stance unclear.
“You’re right. I don’t really have friends. It’s not because I look down on or despise my classmates, but because I have my own standards for friendship.”
Olesia felt a slight regret about not having friends, but regret was one thing, and lowering her standards was another.
Only those who shared her aspirations or could rival her in academics or combat were worth her deep friendship.
Unfortunately, her brilliance was too dazzling.
None of the so-called geniuses or prodigies could walk alongside her.
“Your standards for friendship are truly strict. Don’t you get lonely without friends?”
“When fate arrives, we’ll naturally become friends. Besides friends, I have Nomily. She’s like a little sister to me. With her around, I’m not quite at the point of loneliness.”
“The path of a genius is truly a lonely one.”
Yuriko could understand Olesia’s feelings.
She was too outstanding, making it hard to find common ground with peers.
The chasm of talent separated her from others her age.
It was difficult for ordinary people to cross that chasm and communicate with Olesia.
Yuriko’s understanding didn’t come from being particularly smart herself, but from finding no rivals in the underworld, occasionally feeling a sense of emptiness and boredom.
In short, she was tired of mowing down grass.
Olesia neither confirmed nor denied it, but hearing such words come from Yuriko’s mouth felt rather strange.
“Miss Ruri, do you know who I’m most interested in right now?”
Olesia suddenly threw out a seemingly unrelated question.
Yuriko hadn’t spoken much with Olesia at all, so how could she know who Olesia was most interested in?
But judging from her usual behavior, the person Olesia cared about most was probably Nomily, right?
“Uh, Nomily?”
“Nomily is certainly important, but she’s not who I’m most interested in right now.”
Olesia shook her head.
“It’s you, Ruri.”
“Me?”
“Actually, I’ve had a doubt from the very beginning. Whether it’s appearance, academics, or magical talent, you are astonishingly excellent. Yet someone as outstanding as you considers yourself ordinary and is always thinking about how to blend into the crowd… Are you putting on an act on purpose?”
Was I found out?
Olesia’s words exploded in Yuriko’s mind like a sudden clap of thunder.
They hadn’t even had a proper conversation a few times, yet she could detect her abnormality.
Had she been secretly observing her?
Yuriko instinctively touched her cheek.
“Do I seem hypocritical?”
Olesia nodded, then shook her head.
“You seem normal. It’s just that your actions are too deliberate. In my view, you have no need to do such things at all, unless you have some purpose. For someone newly enrolled like you, the most likely reason is—you are trying to please others to gain higher popularity in the Popularity Poll.”
“From this perspective, everything you’ve done makes sense. This is also why you accepted the invitations from the News Club and the Magnificent Clothing Club. You want to quickly accumulate popularity through them.”
In just a few short sentences, Olesia laid bare all of Yuriko’s intentions, sending a strong sense of crisis through her.
Yuriko subtly adjusted her sitting posture, her body subconsciously adopting a defensive stance, which did not escape Olesia’s notice.
“You really are sharp, Miss Wyndham. As expected of a genius, I suppose?”
Yuriko leaned on the table, propping her chin with one hand as she looked at Olesia.
The well-behaved student persona she had been projecting faded away at this moment.
“So, by laying your cards on the table here, can I assume you intend to turn against me right here?”
Yuriko was already contemplating countermeasures.
Fighting was definitely out of the question.
Leaving aside whether she could win, what would she gain even if she did?
But if they turned hostile here, how would she deal with Olesia’s targeting afterwards?
The other party held overwhelming popularity and status within the Academy.
Her own footing was too new and fragile to oppose her effectively.
Maybe… subdue her here and then ask Phantom if there’s a magic to control her?