The Science Club: wherein members dabble in plant cultivation, chemistry experiments, and even cooking... Basically, anything that isn't physical activity. Its broad range of activities have earned it the unofficial appellation of "Whatever Club," and its roster is replete with odd ducks. Now, then! For today's science club activity—
Rook, it's nice and all that you're gung-ho about club activities to the point of reaching the garden before anyone else, but... Could you PLEASE stop talking to the plants while we're watering them?
Ha ha... You and your eccentricities. Now to have a look at my own potted plants. How are my strawberries coming along...? Ooh, they're redder than they were yesterday. They seem just about perfectly ripe to pick. Mmm... They smell wonderfully fragrant, AND they're my most attractive yield yet. All that hard work I put in is paying off in spades.
People say the Science Club attracts a lot of weirdos, but you seem fairly...normal, yourself. I'd like you to shed some light on the mystery, as it were.
Oh, is that all? Sorry to disappoint, but I just joined the Science Club by process of elimination. I wanted to join a home ec club or cooking club, but the school has nothing of the sort.
I'm loving it, actually. It's not just about food prep. Growing my own fruit and making cakes out of it... It's turned out to be surprisingly addictive.
Take these strawberries, for instance. They come in all kinds, from sweet to sour. The kind I'm growing now are nicely firm and slightly acerbic—perfect for a tart. Our housewarden is particularly fond of strawberry tarts, so I'm glad these are ready in time for our next tea party.
Heh, and here I thought you were just a strawberry enthusiast. But the real reason was Riddle—the Roi des Roses. Très bien! Or perhaps Trey bien? Such profound loyalty! That's what makes you the Chevalier!
Is that right? From where I'm standing, your bond appears to go far deeper than that. Just remember that overwatering a flower can make it wilt just as surely as underwatering does. Don't go breaking any hearts.
Yes, actually. I have a serious situation on my hands, and am hoping I could ask for your help? The thing is, Floyd gorged himself on all the fruit that we were supposed to serve in a shortcake at the Mostro Lounge.
It pains me deeply to have to ask this of you, especially over an incident my own brother caused, but... Please, can you space me some of those strawberries you've been growing?
I know it's not fair at all for me to ask this, but...please. I'm begging you here. We've got a birthday party reservation today for a very important customer. And as luck would have it, the school store is sold out of fruit. I don't have time to go shopping off-campus.
You're right. A shortcake that's just sponge and whipped cream would make for a pretty sad birthday cake. ...All right, Jade. You can have the strawberries.
Now to cut the shoots from the base of the plant, and... There we go. That should keep you from losing nutrients. Now you can grow sweet and delectable!
That makes sense. You did just give away all the strawberries you grew to Jade the other day. Ooh, I know! How about I give the new sprouts some names?
Aw, no need to be shy. If you ever change your mind, just say the word. Aren't you the model of modesty, though? And what kindness you showed the other day! Truly, you are a saint! You poured your heart and soul into making those strawberries, yet you still relinquished them for a stranger's birthday cake.
Thank you again for helping the Mostro Lounge in our hour of need. Here is what you requested as recompense for those strawberries: One strawberry tart, courtesy of a highly renowned patisserie in the foothill city.
Maybe, but even if Riddle considers himself a discerning critic of all things cake, his palate isn't all that refined. He'll be delighted when he finds out this's from a famous patisserie. I don't have to make a whole tart from scratch for him to be happy.
But honestly, love has nothing to do with it. My main priority is keeping my housewarden from going berserk with his tyrant mode. That way, all's right with the world, as they say.
It took a bit of doing, I'll say that much. But it's a small price to pay for something worthy of serving at a tea party hosted by our esteemed housewarden. I can only hope it suits your palate, Riddle.
