"Gracious, has this academy never heard of the word moderation at all? The premise is so absurdly vast, and yet everywhere is brimming with a suffocating crowd. I think I am truly done. What do you say, Grace-san?"
"You're absolutely correct, Anis-san. There're only so many people who are truly worthy to engage with... I can't fathom why they would go as far to even allow entrance to commoners."
Such were the grumblings that echoed out from the two girls—Anis and Grace—as they walked the path of the wood area, the place harboring the majority of clubs. The two were childhood friends, currently attending the Runerelia Comprehensive Advance Study school, an institute with tuition fee so expensive it could knock out the eyes of even sufficiently wealthy people out of their sockets at mere mention.
They'd been strolling around to check out the club activities, but everywhere they'd tried, even the food stands selling simple sandwiches, had lines stretching out of the door.
They had walked all over this vast campus, and they were starving.
However, as someone whose worth was only being rich, standing in the same line as the plebians for the food was beyond their reputation.
"Well, the academy wouldn't have expected the turnover of such a huge crowd, I think. Perhaps they'd be well prepared next year—hmm?"
Just as they were grumbling along, they spotted a sign—«Ladies's Club - Cat Cafe».
The signboard featured an illustration of a cat with adorable, round eyes with the design of an arrow pointing at a direction. Following the arrow, they looked toward the dense wood where a brand-new, magnificent lodge stood quietly among the trees.
Unlike the other clubs they'd come so far, the lodge was completely devoid of the ruckus of crowd.
According to the pamphlet distributed at the entrance, the club's activity was "How to be a graceful lady". The signboard also had "Will you care for some tea and cake?" written.
"So this is it, the Ladies Club, huh. I didn't know academy would have a club with barebone connection to extracurricular activities. ...But, it doesn't seem to have a crowd."
"It's to be expected. The club's members are daughters of prestigious noble houses, and that should be a huge deterrent to plebeians. They must have to be versed in the etiquettes of the noble, like us, since childhood to have the courage to walk in."
The four of them walked gracefully, as ladies should, though only they knew how their legs were screaming with exhaustion as they approached the lodge.
A female student with vertical ringlet curls, perhaps she'd noticed their arrival, emerged from inside. She wore a frilly dress with black and white undertone, fashion after a Victorian maid's uniform, something Allen had quietly implied alongside the idea of the cate cafe.
"Good day to you, ladies. Welcome to the Ladies Club. I am its president, Lala von Liancool. I presume the vast academy must have exhausted you, and we just happen to be free, so if you'd like, you should take a respite. Would you like to have Royal Crown tea and admand roll cakes for your pleasure?"
Either of the refreshments were one of the finest products. The tea was purveyed even to the Royal Family, and the cakes were the creation of a first-rate shop run by the capital's premier pastry chef.
"Oh my, that's a lovely combination. Truly impeccable, as could be expected from you, Lady Lala. Yes, it would be our pleasure."
"Fabulous. And I must say, your outfit is quite elegant and wonderful as well, Lady Lala."
Of course, neither of them were acquaintances, it was their first contact with each other. The pleasantries of such manners were merely the norm of high-society.
"Thank you for the praises. I had this dress custom-made specifically for today's tea party. Ohoho."
For the occasion, Lala had diligently prepared everything, even the expense came from her pocket, something she'd saved from her part-time job.
The four girls followed Lala into the lodge.
Beyond the front door was a very short hallway, ending in yet another door.
"My apologies for the cramped space, but could you all please step inside and close that door behind you?"
The four took the second door, slightly bewildered, and the last girl shut the door.
"Oh dear, look at me. I forgot to mention it. The theme of the cate cafe is to have tea while petting the cats. ...It must have puzzled you, but the two doors are insurance to ensure the cats do not mistakenly wander outside—they're interlocked so one wouldn't open until the other is closed. Is there anyone who might not be good with cats?"
Grace mentally pumped her fist as soon she heard the details.
Her father, who's a wealthy merchant, was a massive cat lover, and this naturally rubbed on her. This could be her chance to build a rapport, and find herself the connection with a student of Royal Academy.
"Oh my, I didn't know Lady Lala is also fond of cats! As a fact, my father, too, loves them awfully. He has many breeds of cats collected from all over the world. The others have been to my house, so I believe they're perfectly fine with cats, aren't it?"
"Indeed! I love cats!"
"Mhm, my family does not have someone like Grace's father, but we've two kilnian queens."
A broad smile made way to Lala's face, having affirmed either of them were fond of cats.
"Oh, that is wonderful. Let us go inside, then."
Lala opened the second door, and Grace followed behind her.
"I wonder what sort of cat Lady Lala keeps? If I dare a guess, perhaps the Monuets or Gradors that are in recent trend... on another thought, it has to be gallant sanbarian—"
Grace tried to strike up a conversation, making use of her knowledge, but her speech suddenly came to a halt. ...Her eyes had laid upon that, curled up in the back of the room, a creature with garish multi-colored spots that was, by any metric, far too large.
The flashy appearance alone had been overwhelming, but the pressure it exuded was even beyond that.
"Meet my friends... the ligins Puke and Peck."
"*Hisss—!*"
The moment Lara introduced them, one of the creatures, which had been perched on an exposed beam overhead, bared its claws and lunged at Grace.
Lala withdrew the sheep-herding whip fastened to her waist, and pulled the creature, tossing it toward the back of the room.
"Do not spook the guests! ......*Ahem*, my apologies. It's just, Peck is shy by nature."
Peck twirls in the air to correct its posture, and lands perfectly still. "Grrr," came the growling as its fur stood on the end, a visible hostility emanating from it.
Facing a scene she'd never witnessed in her life, Grace collapsed on her spot like a puppet with cut strings.
Though, the thud must've been a bit loud as the Puke, who'd been asleep until now, slowly rose up. And its visage... was as huge as the tiger.
The girl at the end had already broken into tears, and frantically tried to open the entrance door. But much to her plight, the door didn't budge since the inside door was still open.
"Would you look at it, even Puke has woken up. Puke is quite an afternoon-sleeper, you see. Anyway, I have poured the tea, so let's start the conversation while petting these kitties, as ladies should."
'How can one meet their «True Love»', she remarked at the end while unfurling the paper fan to cover her mouth, laughing 'ohoho.'
The girls, saving Grace, waited no further and blitzed into the direction of the exit, but to no avail.
...The door remained unbudged.
◆◆◆
"Did I miss something? Since when do you have a stomach of steel, Jeanna? I am amazed you not only finished your poison—... I mean, the stimulating pancake clean, but even managed to finish my hamburger, and yet had the nerves to ask for 'palate cleanser.'"
"Heh, so you say, but didn't you say to yourself the coffee was only slightly unpalatable? Well, it certainly was slightly powdery. Ah, it seems this place serves Royal Crown tea and Admand roll cakes. I only thought of the team, but maybe I should have cake too."
"...I am not talking about coffee, good grief... Nevermind. I will have the admand too."
" "Eeeek! Please f-forive us~!" "
A certain noble duo—Jeanna and Ford—walked up to the lodge, chatting about the palate cleanser they'd while checking out the menu. Their conversation was interrupted by tearful cries of four girls as they exited the lodge, as if fleeing for their lives.
Behind them, a girl with vertical ringlet curls, seemingly the Royal Academy's student, emerged out in a hurry.
"Hold yer horses! At least have some tea and caaake—!"
But the four girls didn't even look back, bolting away like frightened hares.
Noticing the duo staring blankly at the scene, LaLa cleared her throat.
"C-Cough. Welcome to the Ladies Club. I am the club's president, Lala von Liancool. Err... this cafe has the theme of petting cats while having tea, however the earlier guests were probably not good with them... I should've explained better, alas. How do you do with cats?"
Against Lala's stammering inquiry, Jeanna's face bloomed into a smile, but a vague cloud of gloom lingered above.
"What fortune, you must be a student of Class 2-A, I presume? I am Jeanna Universe. I am truly a fan of Class 2-A's students... and it's truly an honor to be an acquaintance of yours. ...About cats, that, It might not be a good idea. I do love cats, but I also am fond of gods. I fear the scent may startle the cats."
“A-a fine lady like yerself… admires me?! W-w-well now, ya don’t need ta trouble yerself with that. A true lady can make pals with near anything—cats, dogs, rabbits… even bears if it comes to it!!”
"If it comes to it? ......I think bears are probably another situation... Putting it aside, I am here with this gentleman. Is there a rule against them?"
“Blimey, you’re fussin’ over nothin’! C'mon, make way inside."
Pushed by Lala, the two entered.
Checking that the front door was closed, she placed her hand on the inner door and let out a small sigh.
"Excuse me... the cats here are, well, quite on a larger front. B-but they are well-trained, so please try not to be startled, alright?"
"Of course, it's not a problem. Sherry at our home—our pet dog, is also quite big, and she's a clever girl."
Listening to Jeanna, Lala resolutely opened the inside door.
"*Hiiisssh—!*"
Ford petrified on the spot when he saw the huge Ligen in the room. But in contrast to him, Jeanna's eyes sparkled as she let out a delighted voice.
"*Hiiisssh—!*"
Peck raised her fur when Jeanna approached closer.
"Peg'! You've had enough! 'Scuse me, but these ligens kitties’re a tad shy, they are.”
"W-Whaaat?! Did you say Ligens?! Step behind, Jeanna! The cat... Ligens are mountain cats, a monster!"
Ford immediately moved to stop Jeanna when he heard the details.
"Monster...?! You're incredible, Miss Lala. I have never heard anyone taming a monster cat! Do you mind if I pet it...?"
But all it served was to intensify the sparkle in Jeanna's eyes.
Lala was momentarily stupefied when she saw Jeanna only showing an eagerness. But immediately, her eyes filled with tears, her face crumpled with emotion, and she nodded vigorously over and over.
"Of course! Of course you can pet 'em! F-First, tea! Hey, don't just stand there gawkin', you boil the water!"
Leaving the last remark to Ford, Lala took Jeana's hand and led her toward the Ligens.
".........I am the guest... though"
Ford muttered the words quietly to himself, grasping the kettle, a mana device, without having the slightest clue what was going on.
