“What, you need something from me?”
Aimoer crossed her arms, looked disinterestedly at the displeased Ji Yu, and rubbed her nose.
“I’ve got other things to do. If you’ve got something to say, say it quickly.”
She didn’t care about Ji Yu at all; her mind was full of the pudding that was about to reach her mouth.
“You… don’t go too far!”
Ji Yu saw her bored expression, and her round little face puffed up like a pufferfish.
Her neck, hidden under her black hair, flushed slightly, and her fairly ample chest rose and fell.
She stomped her foot and added,
“I-I’m here to challenge you! Someone like you, a Sixth Seat Candidate, how come you got higher battle merit than me? I was here first, my seat is so much higher than yours… This is unfair…”
The more Ji Yu spoke, the angrier she got.
She stomped her feet in fury, and by the end, she was incoherent.
It seemed she was completely blinded by anger.
Aimoer had no choice but to pull Senteli aside and quietly ask in her ear.
“What’s wrong with this one? Why is she so angry?”
“Ah, it seems… the Church waited for us to come for the joint reward ceremony and left her cooling her heels for several days.”
Senteli explained while twisting her fingers, but this only made Aimoer even more puzzled.
“Then why isn’t she causing trouble for you?”
“Maybe because I’m the First Seat?”
What a powerful reason.
Thud.
Aimoer mentally fell flat on her face.
She turned her head and looked helplessly at this hissing little cat who was in a rage, then let out a long sigh.
There’s no helping it.
“Alright, what do you want to compete in?”
Aimoer looked over with a doting expression, not thinking this one could cause her much trouble.
“Hey, at least take this seriously.”
Ji Yu bared her teeth, glaring at her with fury, and let out a low dissatisfied growl.
“Fine, fine, fine, I’ll be serious. You decide.”
Aimoer chuckled inwardly twice.
‘This one looks so cool and elegant on the outside, but when you actually interact with her, she’s just a tsundere, bristling little wildcat.’
“Hmph, compete in anything, you decide. I’m definitely better than you anyway.”
Ji Yu crossed her arms and snorted, looking like “I’m invincible.”
“Is that so? Then let’s see who can eat more pudding in one minute. Loser pays.”
Aimoer showed a sly smile as if her plan was going perfectly.
“W-What kind of competition is this? You’re… you’re messing with me.”
Sure enough, upon hearing this nonsensical request, Ji Yu’s anger deepened.
She gritted her teeth and pointed at Aimoer’s nose, and for some reason, put on a pitiful look like she had been abandoned.
‘What’s this? Making that expression makes me look like a heartbreaker.’
“Ah, you’re wrong there. We’re Saintess Candidates. If the Kingdom needs us in the future, we’ll have to go to the front lines. Battle conditions change rapidly. If you dawdle while eating, wouldn’t that delay military operations? So this is a test of our reaction speed in critical moments. And you call yourself the Second Seat? You don’t even have this basic common sense?”
Aimoer silently complained in her heart, but still said these deceptive words with a straight face.
‘With her personality, if you provoke her just a little, she’ll definitely take the bait obediently.’
“W-What are you saying? I’m the Second Seat. Of course I know such common sense. I only asked because I suspected you didn’t know.”
Ji Yu indeed put on an expression of “That’s not it at all,” then angrily stomped her foot, crossed her arms, and snorted.
“Since that’s the case… I’ll reluctantly agree. Where do we eat?”
‘So easy to fool.’
Aimoer chuckled inwardly, but kept a “respectful” look on her face as she pointed to the dessert shop nearby.
“That one over there, it’s close too.”
Saying that, Aimoer led the way to the dessert shop.
About five minutes later, a table full of maple syrup pudding was set before Aimoer and Ji Yu.
Aimoer licked her lips, ready to feast, but still gave Ji Yu a concerned look.
“Hey, are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“Ha? I’m definitely fine. It’s you—what, scared? It’s not too late to surrender now.”
Ji Yu showed a smug expression, crossed her arms, and looked up with a face that said, “Just kneel and beg for mercy now.”
“No, I’m saying, what if you lose later? Can you afford to pay for all this pudding?”
Aimoer counted; there were about fifty bowls of maple syrup pudding.
That converted to 100 copper coins, which was one gold coin.
A Saintess Candidate’s monthly stipend was five gold coins.
Would this one meal really not bankrupt her?
“I-I won’t lose! You’re the one who’s scared.”
Even though Ji Yu said that, a flicker of guilt crossed her face.
‘Seems like she’s a bit short on funds.’
Aimoer quietly leaned over to Senteli and slipped her three silver coins, covering thirty percent of Ji Yu’s bill.
That was already the best she could do.
“Alright, let’s start then. Sen, remember to time us.”
Senteli nodded, called out “Start,” and then Aimoer unhurriedly picked up a bowl of pudding, tasting it elegantly and calmly.
‘The shop owner really understands my taste. The pudding is five times sweeter. Normal girls get sick of it after a few bowls, so there’s no need to worry about losing.’
“Not bad.”
Aimoer leisurely wagged her tail.
Ji Yu beside her saw her unhurried manner, snorted, and for some reason also began to imitate her calm demeanor, slowly savoring it.
‘What an adorable silly girl. Compared to her, Senteli seems much smarter.’
Aimoer finished a bowl in no time.
The sweet scent spread in her mouth, making her involuntarily show a happy smile.
‘After this meal, I’ll definitely be more motivated to work.’
Aimoer thought as she quickly and elegantly savored the pudding.
In no time, she had more empty bowls in front of her than Ji Yu.
Without a doubt, Ji Yu had no chance of winning.
Aimoer didn’t even need to try hard; Ji Yu was already thoroughly defeated.
“Wahhh…”
After one minute, Ji Yu had three empty bowls in front of her, while Aimoer had ten, with one still in her hand as she slowly savored it.
“It doesn’t count… doesn’t count. I ate beforehand, so I have no appetite at all.”
Ji Yu retorted with a look of unwillingness, her face flushed, but Aimoer just smiled faintly while eating her pudding.
“So, dear Saintess Candidate Second Seat, Miss Ji Yu, are you planning to go back on your word?”
“N-No, I’m not! This time I was just letting you win. I’m the Second Seat; it’s only right for me to take care of the Sixth Seat. You should be thanking me.”
“Oh, is that so? Then I really must thank Miss Ji Yu. Remember to pay.”
Aimoer shot a flirtatious glance.
Watching Ji Yu’s expression of having something to say but unable to speak, yet still forcing a brave face, she was overjoyed inside.
‘This is so fun. Next time I meet her, I’ll play with her a bit more.’
“With the discount, that will be 7 silver coins.”
Standing at the checkout counter, Aimoer ate a bowl of pudding in small bites, smiling as she watched Ji Yu standing there, pulling out money with a pained expression, her outstretched hand trembling slightly.
“S-Seven coins?”
Ji Yu quickly glanced behind her, then straightened up and handed the money to the cashier with a forced nonchalant air, but her trembling hands mercilessly betrayed her true feelings.
“Hmph, consider this a greeting gift. Next time we compete, I won’t go easy on you.”
Ji Yu put her hands on her hips, glared at Aimoer with displeasure, then turned and ran off.
‘So cute.’
Aimoer watched her run off with a beaming smile.
Just as she was thinking about what to do next, her sleeve was gently tugged.
“El…”
She turned around and met Senteli’s hesitant expression.
“Can I… ask you a question?”