Revisiting Life and Love at the Magic School: From Prologue with an Ex-Lover - Chapter 9

“Vincent, watch out!”

 

At that moment, Oriana leaped onto Vincent’s back from behind. Normally, he would have effortlessly caught her, but this time Vincent’s balance wavered.

 

Startled, Oriana quickly let go and distanced herself from Vincent.

 

“What’s wrong, Vincent?! Are you feeling unwell?”

 

Oriana, her face pale, began examining Vincent’s body carefully, inch by inch.

 

The other students in the hallway glanced at them with sideways glances, as if this were a usual occurrence.

 

“Stop it, Elsha.”

 

“But, Vincent, you seem different…”

 

“I said stop.”

 

After being told twice, Oriana reluctantly withdrew her hands, which she had used to encircle Vincent’s cheeks and was about to press their foreheads together.

 

Vincent, with a stern expression, looked at Oriana and sighed.

 

“I just lost my balance. Don’t make a fuss.”

 

“I’m sorry…”

 

She apologized, but she wasn’t entirely convinced. Was he really just startled unexpectedly? Oriana was exceptionally sensitive to Vincent’s well-being.

 

“Are you absolutely sure nothing’s wrong? Should we go to the infirmary?”

 

“I’m fine, Oriana. I’m just feeling a bit under the weather because of the heat.”

 

Miguel, who was beside Vincent, chuckled. He shook the stick candy he always had in his mouth up and down.

 

“Heatstroke? Vincent?”

 

In his previous life, Vincent had never seen him in such a weakened state. Maybe he had deliberately concealed it from Oriana.

 

“Miguel, I told you not to say anything.”

 

“But if I didn’t, Oriana would never have been convinced, right? I don’t want to see my best friend being dragged into the infirmary by a girl.”

 

“Your choice of words…”

 

“And it’s on purpose.”

 

Vincent furrowed his brow and glared at Miguel.

 

“Adorable… I like that face too…”

 

“Understood, Elsha. Just as you heard, I’m feeling a bit under the weather due to the heat. I’d appreciate it if you let me rest for a while.”

 

“Sure thing. Are you sure about this?”

 

As Oriana moved closer as if to put her arm around him, Vincent waved her away.

 

“Not necessary. If you really care about me, please refrain from bothering me for a while.”

 

Even the motion of waving her away seemed tiresome.

 

Oriana contemplated for a moment, then nodded solemnly. She might have agreed, but it wasn’t the Oriana who would just go along with it.

 

“Are you okay? Shall I support you?”

 

As she leaned closer with her arms crossed, Vincent brushed her away with a flick of his hand.

 

“No need. If you could, please leave me alone for a while.”

 

With these words, he sighed.

 

“Alright, then.”

 

“Take care.”

 

“Vincent’s feeling unwell, so we’ll be back at around 7, right?”

 

When Oriana asked, Miguel readily answered, “Yeah, that’s about right.”

 

“Understood. I’ll be waiting in the cafeteria around that time.”

 

With a wave and a “Take care,” Oriana left them and headed for the cafeteria.

 

********************************

 

Understanding Vincent’s preferences was undoubtedly a benefit of her second life.

 

When Oriana spotted Vincent and Miguel entering the cafeteria as promised at seven o’clock, she hurried over to them with a tray.

 

“Hey, Oriana.”

 

“Miguel, thanks for earlier. Is it okay if we sit around here?”

 

“Yeah, that’s fine. Let’s just pick a spot that’s available.”

 

Typically, Oriana ate with Yana and the others, but that didn’t mean she completely took her eyes off Vincent. She had a rough idea of where they usually sat.

 

Once the two of them took their seats, Miguel gestured for Oriana to sit as well.

 

“Can I have some too?”

 

“Now, of all times… after you’ve brought the meal.”

 

Oriana placed the tray in front of a somewhat exasperated Vincent.

 

“This is for you, Vincent.”

 

On the silver tray was a plate containing spaghetti.

 

“I want you to try this today.”

 

“Sorry, but lately, I only feel like eating fruit.”

 

If he continued with such a diet, his heat fatigue would only worsen. Vincent should have known that. However, the cafeteria menu allowed students to choose from three options a day, and it mostly consisted of rich, hearty dishes favored by growing youngsters. It was understandable that he wouldn’t want to choose such options in the summer.

 

That’s why Oriana, knowing it would be a stretch, asked if he could eat at the cafeteria. Fortunately, it seemed the Elsha family made a sizable donation to the school to allow such exceptions.

 

She received some ingredients and prepared a meal that suited Vincent’s tastes, a light and refreshing dish.

 

Since her childhood, Oriana, who had lost her mother, had grown quite close to the head maid who took care of her. Always trailing behind her, Oriana gradually became interested in cooking. While being watched closely by her father, who allowed her to do as she pleased, and the head maid and the chef who were anxious, Oriana honed her cooking skills to the point where she could prepare simple dishes.

 

For the soup, she used chicken bone broth made by the chef, added thin pasta, and garnished it with lemon slices. Shredded chicken breast, rich in nutrients, was also placed on top. It should taste refreshing because it had been chilled with magic.

 

“If you don’t eat it, I’ll kiss you.”

 

Oriana said it with a straight face, and Vincent reluctantly picked up his fork.

 

As he twirled the cold noodles with his fork, Vincent complained.

 

“Couldn’t you have at least made it look somewhat better…”

 

“Huh? It’s cute, isn’t it? With lemon slices.”

 

“Using lemon in a meal… it just feels off.”

 

Oriana looked at Vincent in surprise. In her previous life, when they had meals together, Vincent often ate the same dishes as Oriana. Especially when it came to dishes that used citrus fruits, he ate them quite frequently, so she had assumed he liked them.

 

“Wait, was there a menu with lemon dishes today?”

 

“Nope. I just asked them to let me make it.”

 

She had probably been looking at the menu for the day. Miguel peeked into the plate curiously.

 

“Sorry. I assumed you liked citrus fruits, Vincent… I’ll eat it. I’ll find something else that looks more edible for you.”

 

She tried to head toward the cafeteria’s serving counter, but Vincent stopped her.

 

“I never said I wouldn’t eat it.”

 

Vincent brought the pasta to his mouth. His graceful movements were mesmerizing.

 

Come to think of it, this was the first time she had cooked a meal for Vincent, both in this life and in her previous one.

 

“Of all the things for me to feed him for the first time, it had to be something he doesn’t seem to like…”

 

She couldn’t hide her shock. As she watched him with a disheartened expression, Vincent, who had taken a bite, quietly scooped up another forkful.

 

Watching him, Oriana realized that he continued eating without any complaints.

 

Both Miguel and Oriana were so captivated by this sight that they forgot about getting their own meals.

 

By the time Vincent finished eating what was on his plate, Oriana had taken a seat beside him.

 

“Thank you for the meal.”

 

“You’re welcome…?”

 

Perhaps due to the slightly strong soup, Vincent took a sip of water. Oriana watched him, feeling somewhat bewildered.

 

After finishing his drink, Vincent fidgeted with his glass, looking uncomfortable.

 

“It’s not commendable to make judgments based on preconceptions, you know.”

 

“Huh…?”

 

“Huh?” Oriana tilted her head in confusion, but Vincent merely looked down at her as if she were a naive child.

 

“In other words, it was delicious. Good job, Oriana.”

 

Upon hearing Miguel’s words, Oriana’s face lit up with joy.

 

“Really? Vincent, was it delicious?”

 

“I didn’t say I couldn’t eat it.”

 

“You found something you could eat in your current condition. That’s great! So, you can eat this type of dish, right? I’ll let the kitchen staff know.”

 

Even if he could eat it today, it would be meaningless if he couldn’t eat it tomorrow. Oriana didn’t know how flexible they would be, but it was better to ask. She was about to get up from her seat to do so when Vincent called her back.

 

“Elsha.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

Oriana trembled with excitement. His slightly bashful expression, typical of a teenage boy, was incredibly endearing. It was exactly her type.

 

Looking at Miguel for validation, he nodded with a warm smile, confirming her feelings.

 

“Vincent, I love you!”

 

She hugged Vincent tightly, and he didn’t push her away. Perhaps it was a way of thanking her for the meal. Oriana continued to hug Vincent’s face and inhale his scent until she was satisfied.

 

The next day, one of the three menu options was changed to a lighter dish, not only pleasing Vincent but also gaining great popularity among the female students.