“Well then, I suppose I’ll be the one to explain. The other day, Chloe and I were talking and...”
Mia shot her hand into the air. Then, she quickly drew into her thoughts. Considering Orania’s here, Miss Rafina must want her to hear this as well. In that case...
She nodded. “Miss Rafina, I’d appreciate it if you made sure to explain things so Orania can follow as well.”
Rafina responded with an understanding nod of her own. “Of course. I already planned on it. This is important, after all.”
Is it? Mia’s head threatened to tilt itself inquisitively, but she managed to hold it back, covering it with a smile. If Rafina was going to explain things so Orania could understand, that would make it easier on Mia too! As a yes-man, it was vital that she properly understood what her proponents were offering.
“Thank you very much, Miss Rafina. You may continue,” she said, closing her eyes. She wanted to lose herself in the warmth of the bath, but paid careful attention to ensure she listened to Rafina closely.
“Then let me resume. The other day, Chloe and I were chatting at the library, discussing what sort of joint research you had in mind for Saint Mia and Saint-Noel.”
Oh, that’s right. I had forgotten... It was only now that Mia remembered the matter, and despite the warmth of the bath, a shiver made its way down her back.
Rafina continued, completely unaware. “Hmm... Incidentally, do you know why Mia suddenly wanted to hold a fishing tournament, Princess Orania?”
“Of course I do... It’s because fishing is fun!”
Rafina accepted the answer from this fish maniac with a magnanimous grin—she was the spitting image of a tenderhearted saint.
That’s right! Quite frankly, Rafina was in excellent spirits today. Not only did she get to take a bath with her dear friend, but the two girls also got to amuse themselves with a quiz! This was what she had always imagined hanging out with friends was supposed to be like, and while she retained her usual composed smile, her heart was pounding with excitement and glee.
Thus, she was able to accept Orania’s unconventional answer with a smile. “That is one reason, yes, but she was also hoping to amuse the children of the SEEC program and give you a proper welcome. Tearmoon and Ganudos Port Country are neighbors, so I perfectly understand why Mia would want to establish good rapport. But also,” there was a sudden shift in Rafina’s tone, “I hear you’ve been avoiding Mia. She tried to hide it, but... Well, I’m sure you have your reasoning, and Mia doesn’t want to make a big deal out of it either, so I’ll overlook it for now.”
Mia glanced at Rafina. Eeeeeeek! H-Her eyes aren’t smiling! Faced with the ferocious glare of a lion, Mia clamped her eyes shut. I-I didn’t see a thing! And if I didn’t see it, it means it never happened! Yup, I saw nothing! She’s not fuming at all! repeated Mia in her mind as the conversation continued before her.
“I’m sure you’re unaware of this yourself, but just the other day, we in the student council were discussing conducting joint research between Saint-Noel Academy and Saint Mia Academy.”
“Joint research?” clarified Orania.
“Yes, joint research that could help all the people on this continent. In other words, researching countermeasures for famines. Are you aware of what Mia has accomplished? She’s instated measures to stave off famine despite the poor wheat harvests threatening the entire continent.” Thus, Rafina explained all of Mia’s feats, quite proudly and with an overly healthy dose of embellishment.
Having heard all this, Orania’s eyes opened in shock. “I had no idea...”
“This time, we won’t be researching wheat, but something else. Chloe believes the focus of this research will be fish. Right, Chloe?” asked Rafina, glancing at the girl.
She nodded. “Right. When I met Mia in the baths the other day, she told me all about fish. It made me realize that fish were likely the subject of this research.”
“Fish...?” asked Orania, tilting her head.
“Yes, fish. I’m sure Mia has asked you about them as well.”
“Oh... Now that you mention it, she asked me tons of questions while we were fishing,” she responded, her eyes still open wide. “I can’t believe there was such a grand meaning behind it...”
There isn’t! You just assigned one yourselves! Those were the words Mia wanted to scream, but she gulped them down. But moons, I see! Researching fish, huh? Do they mean attempting the same research Chloe suggested we do with bugs, discovering ways to eat ones we thought were inedible?
Just as Mia was piecing things together herself, someone asked the very question on her mind. “Researching fish...? Do you mean creating new fishing techniques, or new ways to consume them...?”
“Neither,” Rafina responded with confidence. “What Mia has set her sights on is farming them.” Wearing a cool, temperate, and very smug grin, she glanced at Mia, who had her arms folded, her eyes closed, and her brow furrowed. “What is it, Mia?”
“You’ve about summed it up. I’m impressed you saw right through me. But, um... How did you arrive at the idea of farming them, exactly?” Once again, Mia requested an explanation.