My name is Yuriko and I am but a commoner working for the Military Academy as a cook. I’ve always been passionate about cooking and performing simple chores and to be able to find a job that allows me to cook for people is already a great blessing. Today is another uneventful day, aside from the gymnasium burning down due to Lady Belle’s temper, everything is as normal as it can be.

It’s almost lunch time, so right now, all of the cooks are busy preparing for the hungry prentices. We’re in the kitchen in the building behind the cafeteria and separating the two buildings is a storage area we use for extra chairs, tables, utensils and the like. Picking up materials from the storage area is a hassle but we do it in shifts and today’s my turn to be the kitchen’s errand girl.

As I cut vegetables and cook, my mind wandered elsewhere. I thought about the prentice who always ordered the same thing. He often came during lunch time and he always ordered a Tonkatsu set and when he eats it, he always seems happy or content and seeing someone appreciate food like that warms my soul. I often find myself thinking about him and soon enough, I started longing to see him eat and enjoy himself.

I finally finish preparing the vegetables and cooking my part.

“We’re finally done!”

“Yuriko, grab some cups from storage, would you? We’re going to start prepping the food for selling. Please handle the food from the Beast Race today would you?”

“Sure, no problem~”

I smile at my senior and I give her a respectful bow. I head towards the cafeteria and only then do I realize that today’s my chance to talk to Mr. Tonkatsu. I can’t wait! I start humming my favorite tune and headed towards my work station for today.

As usual, lunch is uneventful. Aside from a few orders here and there from hungry prentices, I look at the time and realize that he’s late today. I wonder if he’s alright.

I soon notice the prentices getting a little fired up. I wonder why?  As I pondered that, I soon see the answer for myself.

“It’s that show off again!”

“Why’s he hanging around Princess Alicia?”

“No, no! Why is he with Mistress Belle?”

“Idiots! It’s Princess Lin I’m worried about! I..I just want to protect her from guys like him!”

“That fool! Doesn’t he know how to escort Royalty? He’s supposed to be Princess Alicia’s Knight! What an idiot.”

“He’s just a Knight-Candidate, get your facts straight.”

“He sure is lucky though.”

“Don’t admit that! It only makes us seem pathetic.”

It’s Mr. Tonkatsu! But what’s this? Is that who I think it is? He’s surrounded by royalty! I always see him around Princess Alicia but I thought that was normal since I heard he was her Knight-Candidate but now he’s hanging around not only Princess Alicia, but Princess Lin and Lady Belle as well? I wonder what kind of man he is to be able to surround himself with such powerful people. They all seem to be extremely close though and realizing that made my chest ache a little.

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Mr. Tonkatsu separates from the Princesses and queues up at my stall. As the line dwindles down to a few people with him in the end, I start thinking up of ways to start a conversation with him as I took orders and gave the customers their food. Of course, I give all of them a warm smile and wish them an enjoyable meal. It’s only normal to be polite right?

I soon find myself staring at Mr. Tonkatsu and I realize that a group of prentices are approaching him. I know those three! They’re the biggest bullies in the academy! I’ve heard nasty rumors about that Rolando Seras. There was an incident from before when Rolando struck a cook in the face for putting carrots in his meal. Of course, the incident disappeared without a trace, apparently due to his father, the Governor’s influence.

I see Rolando trying to get on Mr. Tonkatsu’s nerve but it doesn’t seem to be working in his favor. I can’t really hear what’s happening but eventually, the three bullies walk out of the cafeteria’s back door and head to the storage area with Mr. Tonkatsu walking behind them.

“Those dirty! Ali, Instructor, should we just leave them be?”

“I know what you mean Lin…”

“Ali..”

“It’s a man’s pride and we shouldn’t get in the way of that. As long as it’s a fair fight he will not lose.”

“How are you sure that those three would fight fair?”

“As a teacher, I must believe in my students. The day that I fail to believe in them is the day I fail as a teacher.”

“Deep words, Belle, but we both know you’re extremely worried for him, aren’t you? He’s not just a student for you after all.”

“Alicia, watch your tongue!”

A lady should not eavesdrop. I stop listening to the Princesses conversation. Everything should be okay with Mr. Tonkatsu, right?

“Yuriko! The cups! I asked you to get them a while ago. I need them now, please.”

“Oh no! I forgot. I’ll go get them right now!”

I quickly remove my apron and rush towards the storage area. As I was about to turn the door knob, the door opened violently in front of me.

“Move, peasant.”

It was Rolando and his friends. They seem a little…off. Mr. Tonkatsu probably lost the fight and is probably resting outside. I decided to bring Mr. Tonkatsu his food. He’s probably hungry and this is probably the best chance for me to get to know him. I grabbed a Tonkatsu set, some utensils and headed towards the storage area.

I look around for Mr. Tonkatsu. Eh? What’s this mark on the floor? It’s a little red dot, actually a lot of them seemingly forming a trail. I follow it and then I saw him… beaten, broken and bloody. I drop the tray that I am carrying and rush towards him. I kneel besides him and place his head on my lap.

“Oh my God…”

I start tearing up. What can I do to save him? I start panicking as I frantically cried. Don’t die, please. Mr. Tonkatsu, don’t die.