Chapter 29: Lunch With The Scholarship Student. (2)

Minutes slipped by, and if I had to guess, perhaps it was around seventeen minutes?

Olivia devoured her food like there was no tomorrow.

In those seventeen minutes, she polished off everything sitting in my lap as if she feared she wouldn't eat again today.

She choked eight times, and each time I urged her to slow down, but my words fell on deaf ears.

I refrained from reprimanding her; after all, not everyone had tasted such delicacies before.

You might wonder what I did during those seventeen minutes.

Not much, really.

I played with her fluffy hair and occasionally squeezed her stomach. It was surprisingly enjoyable.

After twenty five minutes, she had cleared the basket and leaned her head against my shoulder.

Her initial reluctance had vanished it appears, and she purred like the cat beside me.

The bell had rung five minutes ago, but Olivia seemed to not notice, as she was focused on creating more room in her stomach for even more food.

She leaned her head, entrusting her weight to me and settling in for a catnap.

The sight was utterly perplexing. But, as I was merciful, I forgave her indulgence for now and let her sleep.

An hour passed just like that, and then she groaned, stretching her arms lazily before lightly nudging me and gazing upward.

I wondered if she could see m nose hairs from her angle.

I would absolutely hate that.

But perhaps she didn not, she slowly lowered her head and curled up once more.

"Mister, was it annoying?" she asked.

"Hmmm?"

"Didn't your legs go numb?"

I didn't answer, and as if on cue, she fidgeted her fingers.

It amused me, so I decided to stretch her anxiety just a bit further.

Without realizing it, my hand moved to her head, gently patting her, while my lips found their way to reassuring her.

"No, I'm sturdy after all," I replied.

With my free hand, I pulled her even closer to my chest, right now she was like a docile kitten craving more attention.

So, I enveloped her in my embrace, though she likely felt my grip was stronger than intended.

It was beyond my control, but perhaps she understood her position and chose to remain silent.

From my embrace, Olivia shifted her gaze to the side, her eyes landing on the real kitten, and she stretched her hand to pat it gently.

The kitten was fast asleep, oblivious to her touch. "Mister, is this your cat?" she asked.

"...Yes..." I replied, a bit hesitant.

"Y—You like cats?"

"I don't particularly remember liking cats," I admitted, feeling slightly cornered.

"Then why did you have it?" She was growing bolder, wasn't she?

"I found it abandoned in the street, starving and bony. Its appearance was funny when I first saw it, so I suppose I took a liking to it."

"Is it because of compassion?" she pressed further.

"Did you not hear me, commoner? I said I took it in because it was funny. Perhaps you did not heard my first statesment?"

At my response, she giggled for some reason, her hands coming together, fingers interlocking in front of her nose.

"You talk harshly, mister."

"Do you not fear death, commoner? If you were to disappear right now, would anyone truly care? Do you understand?"

She giggled even louder, her voice taking on a teasing, coquettish tone that sounded strangely innocent.

"Say..." She gazed up at me, her big eyes sparkling as I looked down at her. "Would I disappear?"

If I could see myself, I bet a large vein would have popped out on my forehead.

I maintained a straight face, not changing my expression as I silently stared back at her.

She opened her mouth wide, a bright, innocent smile spreading across her face.

"Ksu ksu ksu... Are you mad, mister?" She tilted her head slightly, looking up at me with those wide, innocent eyes.

Too bad—an illusion of that level wouldn't work on me.

But then, she closed her eyes and nestled her cute little ears against my chest, speaking with a playful smile.

"Mister, why does your heart beat so loudly?"

"Are you an idiot? Do you expect me to live without a heartbeat?"

"Ki ki ki... But it became even louder just now?"

Olivia nestled closer, her soft breath tickling the fabric of my shirt.

She seemed content, as if she had discovered a secret that she alone understood.

"Mister," she whispered, her voice was, like that of a needy baby who wnted to be spoiled, "do you think the kitten feels safe with you?"

"Commoner, am I obligated to answer?" I asked in irritation.

In response, she moved her head slightly and inhaled deeply... What the fuck. This weirdo.

"What are you doing?" As soon as I asked she moved her body closer and rubbed herself onto me.

"Rubbing my scent." Yes, it really feel like she is marking her territory.

However, Does she not fear death?

She look up at me again, and smiled innocently again. "Cats will not like a grumpy mister."

Is she drunk? But I answered her, again because I was merciful. "It probably did," for the first time in our conversation I frowned.

"seeing as it hasn't run away yet."

She giggled, a sound as light and sweet as a bell. "You're kind, even if you pretend not to be."

"Answer me, are all the commoners as stupid as you are?" I am aware that the literacy rate of this world is low, but I did not expected this.

"See, you don't even do anything." Did she wanted me to do something?

I felt a warmth creeping up my neck. "You are mista—"

"I was talking about the cat by the way."

She had a lot of nerve didn't she?

She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with a gentle mischief. "And, mister. By the way, You also just tolerate my presence."

She is definitely not sane. No sane person would ever speak to me like this.

"Y-You!" I stammered, almost unable to control my emotion.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, commoner. I simply allow you to be here because it amuses me. Like that cat I pick up on a whim."

"I see. Then I'll try to be as amusing as possible."

Her fingers brushed against my hand, tentative yet sincere. "Thank you, mister."

"For what? Exactly."

"For not hurting me."

I turned my head slightly, looking out at the garden beyond. Somebody once told me that hurting a lady is gay... So I would not.

"I suppose it's not entirely unbearable..."

She sighed contentedly, her hand remaining on mine. I could hear her purr even. Was she human, or a cat really?

"I really like being like this." she spoke and leaned her back.

"You are a very odd one, and you are not sane." I muttered, indifferently.

The kitten beside us stirred, its tiny paws stretching before it settled back into sleep.

Olivia watched it with a fond gaze, then turned back to me.

"Do you think," she hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully, "N—Never mind."

She squeezed her hand gently, and released all her strength...

"Hey?..." Did she just went back to sleep?

"Un-fucking believeable..."

Author's Note: I was sick and could not write.

do you guys like harem or no Harem?