Chapter 23: After ???
--Erina's POV--
After recovering from the cultural shock of a little Ancestor, I managed to regain my composure as a professional cooking teacher. I stood up immediately and hid my embarrassing side. Although I was moved by how this class showed their worried expression, I couldn't tarnish the reputation of the Nagasaki family. Suppressing an uncomfortable feeling inside my body, I hurriedly stabilized the whole situation.
Luckily, this was the first time I'd received a teaching job, so I decided the first class to choose a simple dish for my purpose. I let everyone do their own so I could grasp the ability of each student. It was like a test of the water. I could test in the water whether there would be a poor fish. As a result, I caught a big one named Hoshiyuki Suiri.
It was unfortunate for me at the same time because I couldn't stop her in time. Perhaps I was too shocked by this person's brain circuit. If you were a normal human being, you wouldn't season with half a bag of 1 kilogram of sugar. Moreover, her teammates tried their best to save the dish.
Hence, they passed. Because this was not a test or something, Suiri was indeed in luck this time. Otherwise, I would spray her no matter how good an appearance she had.
To be honest, her group's curry dish looked very ordinary and there was nothing abnormal. The aroma was also in my criterion but after tasting it, I'd realized the true horror. With the cooking style of 'Some random Bulls**t go!' of Suiri, I needed to adjust and change this girl to my ordinary standard of a normal cook at home. I didn't need her to be professional like me...I just hoped that she could stop that infinite loop of seasoning. Sugar → too sweet, let's add more curry powder → hmm, the sweet taste disappeared again → let's add more sugar → etc...
I sternly commanded.
"Student Hoshiyuki-san. Let's meet me in the teacher's office after lunch"
Suiri lowered her head in shame. Huh? Where did the over-confidence just now go? You actually felt ashamed.
I found it a little funny. Perfect scores, a good appearance, and genius in the music industry were all packed into this girl. However, I felt a sense of relief. If she had cooked well and had good physical abilities, this girl would've been a perfect existence. I should've called this girl an alien instead, not a human being.
Everyone had their flaws. If you found someone perfect, it would be just that you've not found out their flaw yet. My parents taught me this way.
At this moment, a praised voice echoed from the typical Oujo-sama who stepped out of the manga.
"Sui-chan, your group's curry is delicious"
Suiri's group members: "???"
The classmates: "???"
I was also confused: "???"
The color of hope ignited once again in the eyes of this little Ancestor.
Please!!! I beg you, don't give her more hope!!!
I smiled awkwardly because I didn't want to offend this Oujo-sama. She was from a first-class family. Even if my parents came back, I couldn't be sure my family could survive this disaster.
'Maybe, her craftsmanship suits student Shinonawa's taste'
I thought so...But I had to say a cruel truth so this little Ancestor could open her eyes to face reality.
"Student Hoshiyuki-san, your performance today was a disaster...If you didn't have your group mates to save you, I was afraid that you couldn't pass my cooking class in the future"
*Stab*
I sent my arrow to attack her mentality. As expected, her eyes had become dull as if the flame of hope was extinguished by my cold water.
"Okay, class. I have a grasp of your ability in this field"
"Keep up your good work"
I encouraged them.
"Yes"
They replied simultaneously.
"That's it for today"
My first day as a teacher...
I was almost sent to heaven by the little ancestor.
Soon...
The white-haired blue-bow girl opened the office and closed the door. Then, she approached me with a guilty and depressive atmosphere. More than that, she didn't even dare to look at my eyes.
"Student Sui-san, what're you doing here?"
A soft but childish voice echoed. The owner was a legal loli whom I was planning to add to my harem.
According to my understanding, Shimori-sensei got along very well with this little Ancestor. After all, she had performed as the main guitarist in the live broadcast on Monday this week. The audience had analyzed her lyrics at first to understand the deep meaning of her song, but some of her fans gradually began to change direction as they called this little ancestor a NEET.
I remembered a comment.
[All are her excuses. She just wants to legalize her NEET. However, as long as you keep releasing songs and opening concerts in the future, you will be forgiven]
More than a thousand likes and shares re-tweeted that comment. Suiri was an extremely low-key artist because she didn't frequently organize her concerts. Her fans often demanded her live shows on the internet. The entertainment company behind her 'Dreamscape Delight' just gave a promise to calm down enthusiastic audiences. It was not that Hoshiyuki-san was lazy and didn't want to open her concerts. Because of her complicated arrangement of songs with multiple instruments, just finding many musicians with the ability to play her piece wasted many resources. However, with the emergence of her band in the Academy, it was still a question...
If I recall correctly, Suiri once had arranged her play on the spot with a computer to play solo.
"I messed up"
Her voice trembled slightly.
My heart softened. No...You must be strict!!! Was it an effect of a charming girl?
"Oh, I didn't expect that you couldn't cook"
"It's understandable"
*Stab*
I could hear the sound of an arrow aiming at my student's heart.
Shimori-sensei commented while she was showing a pleasant but helpless smile.
"Nagasaki-sensei, please take care of her"
Shimori-sensei smiled gently at me. My imagination had come up with a scenery that I and Shimori-sensei hand in hand walked into the church to execute our wedding ceremony. We held hands, hugged each other, even kissed. Then, we had an army of football team. Our children were filial and took care of us until we left this world...
"Nagasaki-sensei"
An emotionless voice dragged me back to reality.
"What're you thinking?"
"Nothing...Student Hoshiyuki-san"
I shook my head to dispel my fantasy.
"Back to our topic"
"You don't have any qualities of a cook. From the way you handle the knives, and season your dish..."
"..."
Suiri kept silent and her atmosphere was a bit heavy...
I felt that I was too cruel for some reason...
Sorry, don't blame me. After all, I was doing this for you. As a Japanese, there was an unspoken rule that you couldn't talk straightforwardly. I knew that her classmates didn't dare to dis...talk to her in front of her face. Therefore, I had misunderstood that she was suffering from bullying.
After a quick but harsh scolding in 5 minutes, I let her know her weaknesses and the common sense of a cook. She still listened honestly, which made me surprised. Her eyes showed her strong determination and I felt a sense of relief.
"You go and have lunch"
"Thanks for your teaching, Nagasaki-sensei"
She bowed her head with the posture of 100% of a true Japanese. I felt weird because she didn't have many dominant traits of a Japanese, but Russian instead.
I nodded my head and let the little Ancestor go.
I guessed that I needed to go to the nurse's room to check my body.
--Third person's POV--
Suiri was walking to her club room. Her mood was extremely terrible. After being scolded, her pride and egoism as a cook had been shattered rapidly. Maybe her mother was right. She didn't have any talent for cooking at all. After going home, she had to ask her sister, or her maid, Mitsugu-nee-san, to help her in this field.
"Sui-chan, I can teach you if you want, you know"
Charlotte gave her a hint.
Suiri looked at Charlotte in deep thought. 'Do you have time to teach me? Aren't you trying your best to take the first place?'. Suiri questioned the heroine in her mind, but she couldn't speak out. Because she was a reincarnator, if she disclosed Charlotte's information, she would think that she was a weirdo or maybe a crazy person.
Charlotte had stuck with her for more than 3 months. This heroine continuously tried to penetrate herself in Suiri's life.
She couldn't come up with any reason for this girl approaching herself.
'Was it because I took her first place? And I accidentally stole the chance of the male protagonist?'. Suiri thought the latter was the most possible. Or the world's will had modified herself to become a child of destiny, then the male protagonist would become a villain like the reincarnated villainess genre in her previous life?
Suiri just nodded her head and agreed to Charlotte's request.
This heroine was the main wife of the male protagonist. With a huge background that you didn't dare to offend, she naturally became the main wife, while the Yandere Himeki could only accept this preposterousness. She thought that her light was too good for her to possess him alone. Plus, the male protagonist was hesitant to part with any of them. Himeki agreed with this ridiculous proposal. When Charlotte grasped firmly her successor's position, no one would dare to mock them anymore.
Suiri thought that they only had a plastic relationship for now. She didn't have any idea of how long this relationship could last. She decided to act as a normal friend between girls. Suiri suddenly felt that she had missed something. 'Since you couldn't remember it, then, it shouldn't have been important...'. Suiri reminded herself while the rose fragrant was still lingering in the air.
Charlotte's eyes lit up happily. She knew that she needed to be patient. Otherwise, she would mess up like the first time. At this moment, the road was so good that Charlotte had to strike while the iron was hot.
"This Friday, can I go over to your home?"
Since Suiri was an Omega, Charlotte couldn't make her go to her house. Moreover, her house had some shameful things in her room, so letting Suiri come over wasn't different from receiving the death sentence. As an Alpha, she had black materials to release herself from her physiological burden.
"Um"
Suiri just replied casually.
Coming back to her senses, Suiri felt regretful.
'Why didn't I wish for a system from the Death God-like being? Doing tasks, receiving rewards, or a high comprehension system or something like that? [Ding, your comprehension of cooking has gone through a heaven-defying effect. Congratulations on achieving GOD-Level Cooking skills]. Then, the memories of many master chefs enter my brain and I can make a living by becoming a chef. Isn't it more fragrant?'. Suiri couldn't help but complain about her past self more and more. If she wished for a system, she wouldn't have been scolded mercilessly.
Not for long, the two of them had arrived in the club room.
"Oh, you two. I heard that someone wanted to learn how to cook?"
A pleasant female voice reached Suiri's ears.
"Yes, Tenonji-senpai"
Suiri said depressingly.
"So...Can I join your activity?"
Miwako asked. As for her hidden purpose, of course, she wanted to get closer to Suiri, and then she could approach her crush frequently. Miwako felt disbelief at how many IQs she had.
"No problem, senpai"
Before Charlotte could reply, Suiri had already answered. She wanted a date between two people...Unfortunately, Charlotte realized that their relationship was a friend in name. She didn't have the right to interfere.
Miwako looked at Suiri meaningfully. After the live broadcast, her parents and her older brother praised her more. After all, Suiri was her life savior. Not only did she uncover the true face of her ex-fiancee, but also gave her a hand to save the Tenonji family's reputation. An omega, who once had a fiancee, would be unconsciously looked down on by others. After playing band with Suiri, her past was ignored as they only watched the current her.
"Oh, that's right, Sui-san. Do you intend to join the Piano Competition this year?"
Miwako changed the topic.
Suiri was not surprised by the nickname. Tenonji-senpai was an easygoing person. Once you knew her, she would be more friendly and give nicknames to others.
Unknown to Suiri, her speculation was opposite to the original personality of Miwako, because Miwako had ulterior motives. If other Omegas and female betas had known her for more than 1 year, she wouldn't set and call nicknames at all.
Suiri pondered for a moment, then shook her head.
"I won't participate"
Her schedule was in a direct ratio to her age. She was busier than before. Learning, exercising, music club, banquets for rich kids, entertainment job, and her books. Although the knowledge from her previous life was still there, this world had some slight differentiations. For example, the history, this novel world has replaced some big shots and changed the past to fit the present. the ABO genders had added more spice in the history. Her detective novel was also somehow different from her previous life. Despite the same author and the same writing style, the contents were changed to fix this era. It meant she had to learn again.
"I've been so busy recently"
"And my mind can't focus on the piano"
Suiri added. After the brainwashing operation of Shimori-sensei, her mind had been occupied with the sound of guitars, drums, and basses.
She couldn't extract herself from the pit called 'Rock & Roll'.
"Oh, understood"
Miwako said.
Suiri walked step by step in front of the piano, then sat down after that.
Charlotte also sat on the side to watch. This posture, this slender hands, this glossy white hair decorated with blue, Sui-chan, you didn't change at all. It was like 2 years ago.
Suiri's fingers began to act on their own.
B5. She pressed it slowly. 3 times, a pause, then 3 times. She pressed it together with A5. Her right hand also began to work. She created a soft melody but she stopped.
"Hmm...I should add drum"
"..."
Tenonji and Charlotte looked at Suiri dumbfoundedly. They didn't know what she was going to do. After all, they weren't a creative artist, so they couldn't invent their original.
Suiri left her seat and went to the computer desk. Principal Juvia knew her the best. When you created original pieces, the computer was indispensable except for the true genius reaching the peak of the world of musicians from the past. It was convenient and saved her a lot of brain cells.
There were still some musicians who were able to write their pieces without computers. Suiri truly respected them.
"But wait...Sui-san, do you remember that you're in the Rock club?"
Miwako couldn't help but ask.
"That's right. Sui-chan, I listen to your arrangement. It's not different from a normal piano solo play"
"..."
Suiri was stunned. It seemed so. She felt something off today. She didn't know what she was doing. Even listening to the scolding of Nagasaki-sensei, she felt irritable for some reason.
Her mood wasn't on the right track.
Did some witches curse her? Suiri thought.
Miwako observed Suiri for a while and kept silent. Then, she nodded as she understood something.
"Sui-san, you should rest"
She said.
"???"
Charlotte was puzzled.
"You should get out of there"
"You can't go in"
"???"
But Miwako kicked Charlotte out of the club room.
"What's wrong with me, senpai?"
Suiri asked.
"Hehe~, congratulations on being an official Omega, Sui-san"
"Your period is coming"
Miwako was also an Omega. As an experienced person, she knew how Suiri felt and how she had messed up today. This was a sensitive topic for weak genders. Hence, Miwako had to kick an Alpha, Charlotte out of the room.
"Eh?"
Was it a strawberry day in the legend of her previous world? Suiri's face turned pale as Miwako comforted her.
"You should pack up and go home now"
"Leave the rest to me"
"Remember to inject the inhibitor; otherwise, you will be messier"
"I will explain to Shimori-sensei today"
Combining the day of Suiri's differentiated gender, Miwako figured out what was going on with Suiri.
Suiri could only nod her head dejectedly. Then, she packed up while not saying anything.
"Where're you going, Sui-chan?"
Charlotte called her, but Miwako squeezed her ears.
"Ouch!"
"It hurt, senpai"
"Then, you should close your mouth"
"She had her 'day'"
"???"
Charlotte was confused. As an alpha, she didn't have to suffer this kind of weak gender period because she didn't have an organ for reproduction but a tool for civilization. Miwako knew that.
"Don't be so dense"
"It's normal for us, as weak genders"
"Ah"
Charlotte finally grasped the main point. Alpha also had their period but they could solve it by releasing their frustration, and desire by themselves or their weak gender partner.
Charlotte decided to forget everything today. No, only for this moment. She had an appointment with Suiri. How could she dare to forget it?
Miwako said ambiguously. She didn't want any opposite gender to know their 'day'. If someone with malicious intentions knew that, it would be a criminal breeding case. That was why it was a sensitive topic not to let the opposite gender know about it.
Suiri went home without talking much. Her attendant began to talk to her out of the blue.
"Oujo-sama, how was your day?"
"..."
Suiri didn't know what to say. However, she felt frustrated again. Could you close your mouth? Normally, you didn't spit out a single sentence, but you danced your mouth vigorously today. Was this the heroine she knew?
"Um, good"
"..."
"Do you need me to help? Or do you have any request at the moment?"
Sasaki's mouth began to be uncontrollable.
Suiri was touched...a hammer...There must be something wrong!!
What's with this lively attitude?
"..."
"Um...Let me think"
Suiri changed the topic suddenly. After all, she didn't know this heroine very well. Plus, the unknown was the scariest. She thought and thought. However, the drowsiness in her stomach began to annoy her. She unconsciously used her hand to rub her stomach to get more comfortable.
"..."
A silence was born out of nowhere in the car. The air conditioners of the car were the only sound that could be heard.
"How long do you need to think, Oujo-sama?"
Sasaki asked.
After receiving the guide of her 'Nii-san', she began to apply what she'd learned so far.
"..."
This heroine was unpleasant to her eyes for now. She had lost herself and then became a talkative person. This was the first time Suiri had wished the former one to return.
Suiri's brows knitted. She tried to control her pheromone because it began to show a sign of going riot.
As for Sasaki, her mind began to run for a topic to talk and didn't notice her master movements. If she hadn't lost herself, she would've been able to react immediately.
Luckily, there was a pheromone thing in the world. Sasaki could smell the density of strawberry pheromones.
"Oujo-sama...it was your...day?"
Sasaki finally regained her former self.
"..."
Suiri glared at Sasaki angrily. She had an impulsiveness to beat this girl.
Sasaki felt ashamed because she didn't notice anything.
No one spoke. At the same time, the car arrived at the mansion.
Quickly, Suiri got off her car and started jogging toward her mansion with her school bag.
Sasaki felt at a loss as she could only watch her Oujo-sama, who was in a bad mood, go straight to her home.
...
Suiri stepped into her home and greeted her parents.
"Mommies, I'm home"
"I need your help"
Suiri quickly spoke without wasting any second because she felt like she was facing the end of the world.
Natasha knew what was going on with her daughter. She also rushed in front of the house.
"Sweetheart, did you inject your inhibitor?"
Suiri nodded her head. If she didn't inject, the aphrodisiac effect from the period would mess her mind...very bad...
"Honey, lead your daughter to her room"
"I'll prepare..."
Suiri was moved by her parents in this life...but...
"...a small banquet to celebrate our daughter"
Natasha spoke eloquently and happily like something good happened.
Suiri:"???"
Excuse me, your daughter was suffering and you decided to eat banquet?
Could I take back my feelings just now?
"..."