Those Who Dream of Freedom (Scaramouche x fem!reader)

Chapter 5 ☆ Me, you and a picnic at the city gate

☆ y/n

It's strange to think about this without feeling some repulsion, but after the fiasco that occurs when we fight, when none of his shots can hit their target because he's too hungry to concentrate, I decided I should bring him something to eat at the training.

I usually cook something I know other people would like, but since I don't know what he likes, I'll make the simplest thing there is: sandwiches. No one refuses them, and they're filling. The truth is, I've thought about this quite a bit. I've noticed that when he's hungry he can't say anything mean... but eventually I've come to the conclusion that it's more important to pass the Try-outs than my own amusement, so I decide to head for the kitchen. I wouldn't want it to look like I've made him any special food, and the only excuse I can come up with is that I've made too much. At least this time. I don't think he'll believe me for too long, but I can at least try.

As soon as I finish making the sandwiches, I pack them up and put them in a backpack. Today we're supposed to meet at the library and stay there all day, but something tells me Lisa won't let us eat inside. Can we just borrow the books for a day and eat and study outside? But if we can, where could we go? And there's also the possibility that he won't listen to me, although I'm pretty sure I'd drag him after me anyway if he refused.

I get the rest of the chores done faster than I thought I would, and the thought that we might not be studying in the library today makes me excited. When I get there Lisa tells me, just as I thought, that we're not allowed to eat inside.

"I see, could I borrow the books though and bring them back later?"

To which she giggles, as if I said something funny.

"Indeed. When you're ready to borrow them, come in."

Then she leaves in the opposite direction of the library.

What should I do now? I'm pretty early, so I doubt my partner will be coming to the library just yet. Am I supposed to hang around here? Should I go in and read something random while I wait? But as I'm thinking about it, the front door opens and I see the very boy I was going to wait for. At first I'm pleasantly surprised that he came early, but then confusion kicks in because surely his early arrival has nothing to do with the study day.

"How come you're already here?"

"I always come at this time, unlike you. I don't oversleep, so I don't rush. You should try it, it'll do you good. Not to mention you should thank me for not resting easy like others do, or are you surprised to see that I take this more seriously than you do?"

I want to retort, but someone puts a hand on my shoulder and I wince. Then I see that Lisa is the one behind me. I didn't even hear when she came back.

"That's right," she says, patting me on the shoulder and then walking towards the library door. "You're in luck, the other Candidates don't get partners who do their best."

Then she goes into the library, and I'm left speechless. She just said: "partners who do their best"? Is she crazy? A while ago I spent a lot of time begging him to get to work! And he's still the one doing his best. You don't say!

"You heard her," he says and grins.

"Today we'll study outside," I say quickly to change the subject.

I don't want to talk about it anymore. I'm getting angry for nothing.

I see him opening his mouth to say something, but I quickly cut him off.

"The weather is nice, it would be a waste to stay inside."

And he doesn't try to say anything anymore, but I get the feeling it annoyed him that I interrupted him.