43 - 44. Brave, I'm surprised when I make a lunch box

It has been about a week since I started training with my brother.

Lunch break.

I was having lunch in the cafeteria with my friends Elise and Sakura.

"Julius, who made that lunch for you?"

Elise asks me as she sits down with her tray.

I have a lunch box in my hand.

"What? I made it myself.

What?　By myself?

Elise and the others roll their eyes at the contents of the lunch box.

"This is such a delicious looking bento...... you made it all by yourself?　Mr. Julius, the nobleman!"

"What are you surprised at?"

In a previous life, I enjoyed cooking.

I used to make my own lunches on expeditions.

"Normally, that's the job of a servant or a valet, right?"

I've never seen nobles or royalty cook.

"Well, why not?　It's something you eat, so you should make it yourself."

"You're a good cook, my husband. He's so nice!"

Sakura's eyes narrowed and she clung to my arm.

"I wish I could eat such a delicious looking bento too. Hey, can you make me a lunch box too?"

"Oh, sure."

"Really?　Thanks a lot."

Sakura hugs me in her arms, smiling.

"I love it! I wish I could eat it too!"

"Oh, good. I always make [enough for two] anyway."

""For two?""

That's when it happened.

"Brother, I've come to return your lunch box."

My brother Gaius came up to me with a grim look on his face.

I take the lunch box and open the lid to check inside.

All the contents were gone, and they had been washed clean.

"Don't bother checking in public!　It's embarrassing!"

You didn't leave any peppers today. That's great!"

"Listen to me!　I mean, don't put green peppers in there after all that I said!"

"That's impossible. You can't have a good body if you don't eat a balanced diet. A healthy body comes from a balanced diet. You want to beat me?"

Ugh!　Gaius grits his teeth.

"...... all right. I want a body as strong as yours. So I'll do as you say. In exchange!　If you don't change anything, I won't accept it!"

Huh!　Gaius snorts and turns on his heel to leave.

""............""

Elise and the others watched our exchange with a blank expression on their faces.

"You don't have to wash the lunch box, you're so disciplined."

"Hey, are you making your brother's lunch?"

"Yes, I do."

They both look at me in disbelief.

"Why are you making one for your brother?"

"He always eats out for lunch, and eats all kinds of unbalanced food. Burgers and stuff. That's not the way to get a strong body, so I make him a well-balanced lunch.

"What does balance have to do with food?"

"Yes, I do. After all, your body is made from what you put in your mouth. An unbalanced diet makes your body unhealthy.

"I see!　I didn't know that. You know a lot, Julius!"

"You've got a lot on your mind. You're a handsome guy.

They nod in admiration.

"Not only do you care about yourself, but you also care about your little brother. He's so kind."

"Of course. We're brothers, you know?"

Elise rolls her eyes.

"Don't you care that your brother has done such terrible things to you in your life?"

"Not at all."

"Wow, ......, you are a big-hearted person. You're a wonderful person. You are my future husband.

"Ah!　That's not fair!　Julius is mine!"

They are arguing with each other.

I was thinking that they were getting along well with each other.

"Hey brother!　How long are you going to keep eating lunch? You promised to train with me during lunch break too!"

Gaius comes to the mess hall with a replica sword and says to me.

"Oh, sorry, I'll be right there."

I finish my meal quickly and stand up with my lunch box.

"Okay, I'm going. I'll make you a lunch tomorrow.

I say goodbye to Elise and the others and go to Gaius.

"What do you want for lunch tomorrow?"

Why are you asking me that?

"Well, you're his big brother, don't you want to make him whatever he wants?"

"I don't know what you mean, and I don't care. I don't care what it tastes like!

"Oh, yeah. Then tomorrow we'll have fried bell peppers and stuffed peppers.

"You've got to be kidding me!　That's bullying!"

We leave the cafeteria.

Everyone watches us with astonished expressions on their faces.