There were two dining halls, located in the first floor of the dorm . The first was built as a large hall, used by most of the students living in the dorm . The other one was a size smaller than the first, but it was for the exclusive use of the upper class nobles . According to the school regulations, on school premises a person’s status was irrelevant . However looking at the students’ rooms and dining hall, it was clear that the upper class nobles were treated differently after all .
This was the first time for Lilia, entering the larger dining hall . Since she normally used the other one, coming here in the first place was impossible . Since that was the case, when she came in it was probably natural that the entire room fell quiet .
Lilia slowly swept her gaze across, through the quieted dining hall . Anyone that met her gaze, all flusteredly averted their eyes . Feeling some discomfort, she thought it might be best to give up and go back after all when,
“Lilia, what’s wrong? Come let’s go . ”
Came Tina’s voice . Turning around, she met eyes with Tina who was looking at her with a smile . Not avoiding her gaze in the slightest, a cheerful smile .
“Yes, you’re right . Let’s go . ”
The corners of Lilia mouth also ended up lifting up into a smile . The discomfort and such felt just earlier was cleanly erased and forgotten .
Countless long tables were lined up in the dining hall . Not paying any mind to the hushed atmosphere, Tina headed inside . Finding two seats together, she beckoned to call Lilia over .
Not giving notice to the quietness, was probably a courtesy towards Lilia . Just when she was feeling somewhat grateful for that,
“You just sit tight here Lilia . I’ll go to order . Nevertheless, I wonder why it’s so quiet here today?”
Wrong . She actually just didn’t notice anything in the first place .
—Perhaps this girl, is somewhat of an airhead?
—I wonder about that huh .
“Lilia, I’m ordering for you too so, what would you like?”
“I’ll leave it to you . I’ll just have what you’re getting . ”
“Got it . I’ll be right back!”
Saying that, Tina headed for the inner part of the dining hall where the counter was . Behind the counter was a crowd of cooking staff, where you ordered and received your food to bring back to your seat . The food in the dining hall was all free of charge and you could ask for more helpings as you please .
Sinking into her seat, Lilia slowly let out her breath . The surrounding students were finally starting to talk normally again . With the attention on her letting up, she could finally calm down .
Incidentally Alisa was not with them . Saying that she didn’t want to be a bother, it seems like the girl headed for the dining hall outside of campus .
Lilia casually looked around . At some point many of the seats in front and to her sides had been vacated . Lightly glancing around, there was a group holding their food trays quickly moving away . They had probably run away in fear of Lilia . She ended up feeling just a tinge of loneliness from that .
—Tina really is a good girl huh .
—Yeah… I won’t become like that though .
—Yeah no I’m definitely not looking for that . That sort of Lilia would be kinda gross .
—I’m really gonna get angry you know?
—Ahaha .
As she was chatting with Sakura in her mind, Tina returned carrying two trays . Placing one in front of Lilia, Tina sat down beside her . On the trays Tina brought over were two menu items, steaming warm white rice and fried vegetables with meat .
—No matter how you look at it isn’t this treatment a bit too unwelcoming!
—I was under the impression that it was just a difference in rooms… So this is the kind of dinner they have over here .
The food wasn’t even brought to over for them . Looking at the students sitting a bit away from them, their food wasn’t too different from Lilia’s .
“What’s wrong? Lilia . ”
At Tina’s question, Lilia hurriedly shook her head . Putting on a smile, she replied that it was nothing .
After offering their thanks for the meal, Lilia’s movements came to a halt . She was lost as to how she was supposed to eat the meal . In the first place, there was no knife and fork . What were these two strange sticks for?
“Ah, perhaps Lilia, you’ve never used chopsticks before?”
“Ahh… That is true . I’ve not . ”
“I see… I probably should have asked for something else . What to do…”
“Tina . Let me see how you use it . I’ll learn from watching . ”
“Eh…”
Tina looked lost for a moment, but quickly regained her focus and nodded . She held the things called chopsticks for Lilia to see . With an unfamiliar holding method, the chopsticks moved with the movement of Tina’s fingers, and actually picked up a piece of the fried vegetables for Lilia to see .
Nodding in understanding, Lilia tried to imitate Tina’s movements . Perhaps due to this being her first time it was quite difficult, but after moving the sticks repeatedly she managed to get the hang of it . Just like Tina, she picked up a piece of the fried vegetables and brought it to her mouth .
“Yeah . It’s not bad . ”
Lilia nodded in satisfaction, while beside her Tina really seemed befuddled this time .
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah, umm… Lilia, you seem to be really clever or… Even though it took me quite a while to be able to properly use chopsticks…”
“Is that so… This thing…”
Moving the chopsticks around, Lilia muttered disinterestedly . She quickly returned to eating .
—Somehow, Lilia you really seem to be a bundle of talent or something… Quite impressive . Maybe it’s because of your good memory?
—My, nothing will come of your flattery though .
—The personality is horrible though .
—……
Lilia’s face twitched at the layering of sarcasm in their conversation . Remembering that there were gazes from the surroundings on her, she quickly hid her expression . She forcibly covered it with a smile .
“How is it, Lilia? The food over here . ”
“Well… It really is food for commoners, but it’s not bad . ”
She didn’t think that simply frying random vegetables and meat together could make something taste as good as this . It was probably also due to the fact that she wasn’t too familiar with eating such things, but the freshness of the experience was quite delicious . It might be good to come again at the next opportunity, she thought as she carried the vegetables to her mouth,
—Migyaaah!
“Waaah!”
Sakura’s shriek made Lilia give a loud shout that surprised even herself . Tina stopped moving as she stared at Lilia with her eyes dotted in surprise, and their surroundings were also examining Lilia’s expression wondering what had happened . When Lilia calmed down, driving away the surrounding gazes,
“It’s nothing at all, ohohoho . ”
Even she felt that line unnatural, but now wasn’t the time to be worrying about that . Lilia called out to Sakura .