I Was Reincarnated as a Commoner. I Can’t Stand Living Like This, so I’ll Become an Aristocrat! C161

161, the best cookie in the world

"Leon-kun, are you okay?"

"Ah, Ian-kun..."

 That's it. I guess Ian was still there. 

"Ian, what's your job?"

“I went to the kitchen earlier, but Marie-chan and Ronnie-kun were there, so I took the day off. It’s really small, after all.”

"I see... Yeah? Did you go to the kitchen!?"

"Yeah. Didn't you notice?"

"I'm stunned..."

Didn't I even notice Ian-kun going in and out of the dining room? I'm in too much of a hurry. 

"Leon-kun, are you okay?"

"No, it's not okay. It's not okay at all. What were Marie and Ronnie doing? Is it something you can't tell me?"

"Hahaha... Leon-kun, are you teary-eyed?"

Ian asked, bursting into laughter as if he couldn't hold back his laughter. 

"Because Marie might hate me... Marie says I'm a nuisance. Ian-kun, what should I do!?"

"Hey, calm down. Leon-kun, it's too funny. Buhaha, hahaha..."

Ian couldn't stand it anymore and started laughing out loud. I'm laughing so hard it's almost painful. 

Ian, now is not the time to laugh! Because it's important! Because it's the biggest crisis in my life! 

"Ian-kun, you're laughing too much! We're in a critical situation right now, aren't we?"

"No, it's okay. I think Marie-chan loves Leon-kun, okay?"

Ian burst out laughing and said that under his breath. 

“But, if that’s the case, then why shouldn’t I come in!?”

"There's a reason for that. For now, why don't you wait in the living room?"

That's how Ian managed to hold back his laughter as he grabbed my hand and dragged me to the living room. 

"Hey Leon-kun? Walk a little more carefully! You really like Marie-chan too much, don't you?"

"Of course it is! She's that cute, isn't she? She's already the cutest in the world, right? I'm sure she'll love it!"

"Oh, that's right..."

When I make that declaration, Ian-kun seems a little hesitant, but that doesn't matter. Marie is cute. she is really cute she is the cutest in the world. 

“Ian-kun, you think he’s cute too, right?”

"That's true... But Leon-kun, Marie-chan will also marry someone someday, right?"

"...I know that, but it's still a long way off. There's still a long way to go. Besides, I won't admit that I'm not someone you can agree with!"

I can't imagine Marie getting married, but I can't imagine it... But if she's kind, strong, bright, fun, smart, and has a good income, I might be able to approve... 

“If I say that, Marie-chan will hate me, right?”

"I don't like that. I don't like it, but..."

“Then, we have to let Marie-chan be free.”

"But he has to be the right person for Marie. He's kind, strong, bright, fun, smart, and has a good income..."

"Leon-kun! There's no such perfect person. As long as he takes care of Marie-chan, that's fine."

...I know that. But she still wants Marie to be a cute younger sister. She wants her brother to be the best. 

I feel like a father whose daughter is about to get married. In reality, we're not that much older, but emotionally we're about the same age as our daughters, so I really feel like a father. 

...I can understand the feelings of fathers in this world. 

"What about you and Ronnie? Don't you think they would be a good match?"

"Ronnie!? Ronnie..."

 that? Ronnie, could it be that this is a super high-quality property? 

I'm sure my salary will be higher, I'm kind and smart, I've been brighter lately, and I've been training my body. 

"...I may not be able to think of any reason to object."

“That shouldn’t be so depressing, right?”

"that's right, but……"

Then, while I was bothering Ian-kun, the door to the living room opened and Marie and Ronnie came in. 

It smells really good...I think they made cookies. 

As I was thinking that, Marie brought a plate and placed it in front of me. Then she said something with a big smile. 

“Big brother, this is a present from me! Congratulations on starting your shop!”

Marie said that and gave me a big smile. 

...Maybe I shouldn't have come in as a surprise? 

"Did you make this for your brother?"

"That's right! Ronnie-chan helped me. I wanted to surprise him!"

"Well, well, Marie. Ah, thank you... Hiccup..."

I was so happy and moved that tears started flowing out all at once. It's crazy, I can't stop. I'm so happy. I feel amazing, as if I had been depressed until just now. 

I can't believe Marie made it for me. What a celebration for her to open a shop. I'm glad she started a shop...! 

"Onii-chan!? Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Marie looks into my face with a worried look. I instinctively hugged Marie and said,

"Marie, I'm really happy. Thank you. These are tears of joy, so don't worry."

"I see. Good then! Then try it!"

"Yeah, I'll take it. I'll take it."

I said that, picked up a cookie, and took a quick bite. Yeah, it's delicious. This is the most delicious thing in the world. 

This is definitely the best cookie in the world. Objection is not recognized. 

"Marie, it's so delicious. Thank you."

"TRUE?"

"Yeah. The most delicious cookies I've ever eaten."

"Yay!"

When I said that, Marie spread her arms wide in joy. Seriously an angel. 

Marie was innocently happy like that, but suddenly her expression changed as if she was unsure whether to say something. 

"Marie, what's wrong?"

"Hmm..."

"If you have something to say, you can say anything, okay?"

"whatever?"

"Yeah"

"Then, can I have one too? I made it for my brother, but Marie also wanted to eat it."

...What a cute request! I managed to keep my face from falling, pretending to be calm and nodding to Marie. 

"Of course! Marie made it for me, so why don't we eat it together?"

"Yeah!"

When I said that, Marie's face instantly lit up, climbed onto the chair next to me, and started eating the cookies with relish. 

After I finish eating one, I pick up two cookies and go to give them to Ian and Ronnie. 

"Yes! I'll give it to you both!"

"Thank you Marie"

"Thank you. I'm happy."

I almost stopped it when I said I would give it to both of them, but I held back just before it happened. 

 I can't help it. Actually, I want to eat all of the cookies that Marie made, but I can't refuse if I only have one. 

There are five more cookies on the plate. It would be a waste to eat it all now. I want to keep it in my item box so I can eat it when I'm feeling down. 

Thinking so, I quickly put the two cookies in the item box when the three of them weren't looking so they wouldn't find out. 

I'm really glad I was able to use the item box. This might have been the most effective use of this magic. There may be magic for this purpose. 

After that, time passed as I ate the remaining cookies and had a good time chatting with the three of them. 

It was a calm, fun, and truly happy time. 

After that, I spent the day helping out at the cafeteria with Ronnie and going to the forest. Ronnie then stayed another night and returned to the orphanage the next morning. 

I was a little worried about inviting Ronnie, who doesn't have his parents, to my house, but I'm glad I invited him. She had gotten along pretty well with Marie, and Ronnie seemed to be having fun too. 

　If you have a chance, please come visit us again.