Drop!! ～A Tale of the Fragrance Princess～ (LN)

Volume 4, Extra 02: To See Someone Happy

(Laras Perspective)

I sighed as the wooden prototype pencil in my hand broke.

Unfortunately, this is also a failure.

Ill leave it to you, Lara, Ojou-sama asked me to make a pencil. Since Ive nearly reached the final stages, Ive made no progress with this.

I had no difficulty in saying that the lead was complete. The combination of graphite and clay, the temperature at which to heat the lead, and the solvent for fixing the lead to the wood I was able to discover those with the help of the Onee-samas from the magician wing.

And yet

I cant believe that this handy pencil sharpener is going to turn into my enemy

Until recently, I sharpened the pencil with a knife and adjusted the pencil when the lead got buried in the wood, and I couldnt write anymore.

However, Ojou-sama lightly said, Lets make a pencil sharpener so itll be easier to sharpen, and she taught me about a tool which can sharpen part of the wood by making a hole in a small piece of wood that was the size of my thumb, attach blades, and sharpen the pencil by turning it.

It was able to shave wood thinly using little power like a planer.

When I heard about it, Ronnie just happened to be nearby. He had said, Then, lets make one, and made me a sample but, that super useful tool that shaves pencils easily has posed me with a challenge.

I have no problems when I shave the wood with a knife, but when I turn the pencil in the tool to sharpen it, the wood that had been stuck together get stuck in the blade sometimes, and the wood might crack if I forcefully turn it. That wasnt all, but I ended up with a lot of defective products.

I wonder if theres not enough pressure when the wood is being glued together. I cant see any gaps at a glance

I was going to use stronger pressure, but its probably still not enough. Or is there some other problem? I wanted to complete this as soon as possible because Ojou-sama went through great pains to think of this for the children, but it hasnt been going well.

Theres nothing wrong with using it for writing, so should I just give up on the pencil sharpener and get them to shave it with a knife? Or should I just close my eyes to the defective products that are mixed in, and they can just use what they can?

However, if possible, I want to make the best product I can think of from the beginning. If bad rumours circulate from the early stages, then it would be hard to recover.

By the way, there is a writing tool which uses graphite in this world. However, its mainly used for painting and are cut up into specific sizes. But, unlike the pencil that Ojou-sama thought of, its wrapped in cloth like a stone and used like that.

It was challenging to write with under normal circumstances and was hard to hold since it got tiny the more you use it. Plus its costly. Apparently, the reason is that they took too much graphite when it was discovered.

There is that situation, so its normal to write with a pen and ink. On the other hand, pencils which are made with a mixture of graphite, are going to be excellent writing tools which are easy to hold and cheap.

Yes, only if I complete it.

Alright, lets put a little more force next time.

If Ojou-sama is doing her best for the children, then I also want to contribute. So I have to do my best like Ojou-sama.

I made up my mind, and there was a knock at the laboratory door.

When I answered, the door opened quietly. It was Ojou-sama, the owner of this laboratory.

Youre here early today, Lara.

Ojou-sama, you too. Didnt you have class this morning?

I did. But I finished everything that I was supposed to study today.

As expected of Ojou-sama. The servants secretly say that her diligence makes the tutor cry. I think Ojou-sama is working hard to secure her free time, but she probably absorbed information greedily in the first place.

Thanks to that, Im happy that I get to hear good stories, but I think Ojou-samas tutor has it tough.

Why are you here early, Lara?

Its been drizzling since morning, right? I was supposed to wash the large curtains in the saloon, but it wont dry if I hang it like this, so I had free time.

Oh my, thats too bad.

Yes. I wanted to finish it today if I could.

I had done a special shift yesterday and finished a lot of tasks so that I could do the washing today. I was a little disappointed that my schedule was messed up. People did say that it might rain today, but there were stars in the sky last night, so I thought it would be fine.

Theres nothing you can do about the weather. Try again another day.

Ojou-sama looked at me with pity.

Ojou-sama, you also hate rain, dont you?

Mm, you cant hear it when its drizzling, but I like the sound and smell of rain.

I dont like it very much. Because my hair gets messy.

My hair isnt as beautiful as Ojou-samas, even so, Im not disappointed. But my hair is untameable when it rains.

It might have to do with your hair quality but how about changing your shampoo? Why dont you ask Ronnie about what you can buy with your wages?

I dont think he would know much about shampoo

Maybe hell ask Eris Firm for you. It might just be consoling, but why dont you try it?

I would certainly appreciate it if my hair changed, but I was a little surprised that I hadnt thought about that before. It might be categorised as beauty knowledge, but I think its great that she could come up with something that I can try.

Youve grown your hair a little.

Yes.

Do you want to cut it? Eminas good with haircuts, so shell cut it for you if you ask her.

I wanted to grow my fringe out, so I didnt want to cut it. I dont have to worry about not knowing when I have to wash my hair now, and I would like to grow it out if I can. If I tie my hair up like Emina does, then it shouldnt get in the way of my work.

You can grow it out. But, if you grow your hair out, it can get damaged if you dont trim it.

Huh? Cut it to grow it?

Yes. It becomes messy if you just grow your hair out, so lets style it properly so that it can grow out beautifully.

Then Ill cut it a little.

Its a little troublesome that I have to take a detour if I want to grow my hair out, since it wont grow beautifully if I dont cut it. But I also dont want it to get damaged as it grows.

I cant maintain my hair like Ojou-sama does, but I dont plan on growing it that long its important to follow Ojou-samas advice if I want to grow my hair as beautifully as I can.

Ill give you a hair ornament if you grow your hair beautifully. How about a barrette?

Eh, thats bad!

Its fine, isnt it? We have to celebrate it growing beautifully. Im looking forward to seeing it grow.

As she spoke, Ojou-sama looked happy, but I dont think my hair will live up to her expectations, and I dont think I need a present to celebrate me growing my hair its kind of embarrassing.

But, if its something I want to do, and its something that will make Ojou-sama happy then Hey, dont get swept up!

Ojou-sama, celebrations are something you do at important times.

Thats right. Thats why were celebrating. I think having an image change is like getting a fresh start, and is an important milestone. Dont you think?

Its not a big deal, though

In any case, youll need something to tie your hair together. It wont get in your way, so just take it.

I was skilfully manipulated by Ojou-sama, but I didnt really stand a chance in the first place. If theres something I can do to oppose her, then it would be to find something to congratulate her for. Ojou-sama does a lot of things, so Im sure I can find something to congratulate her for. Its fine.

You were working on the pencils, werent you?

Eh, yes.

Partly because of my poor progress, my voice cracked at her surprise attack.

Seeing how you reacted, I dont think Ill be able to hear that its complete.

Im sorry I wanted to finish it quickly

You dont have to rush. You can do it until youre satisfied. Im the one who asked you to make this, after all.

Ojou-sama said, but I know that its better if I complete it quickly. Of course, I cant give her a defective product, and I dont want to do it half-heartedly since Ojou-sama left this task to me.

But, I know that she didnt think that I could finish this alone.

Even if I receive hints from Ojou-sama, its difficult for me to clear her requirement level since I havent done anything up until now. Therefore, I started by consulting with the Onee-samas in the magicians wing about the lead under Ronnies recommendation.

The Onee-samas are all good people, and they willingly gave me advice, and they explained things carefully when I didnt understand. I managed to get to this point thanks to them

That was when I noticed.

Ojou-samas real goal wasnt for me to finish the pencilbut for me to get along with the Onee-samas.

I cant help but feel that Ojou-sama is really considerate towards me. I firmly believe that I want to be useful by completing the pencil well, improve my guard techniques and of course, rememorize the jobs that servants have to do. I feel at ease by Ojou-samas side.

But Im a little anxious I wonder if I should ask her about it now.

Say, Ojou-sama. Do you really think that the pencils will be useful?

Of course, I think they would be. However, I was worried that this might have been my bias view as someone who is making it.

Oh my, why are you asking that?

See, because stuff written in pen looks nicer. Well, its easier to carry pencils around, and it doesnt take much time to write with them. But, for example, I wouldnt mind if I took notes down and it smudged or got erased.

Im worried about whether people would use something that is being introduced to the world for the first time, but its not a problem if were only making it to distribute at the school for now.

Still, Im worried that it wouldnt be released if its not comfortable and easy to use It might be okay if I made the pencils well, but I couldnt wipe away my fears.

However, in contrast to me, who was worrying, Ojou-sama smiled.

Its alright. Everyone loves things that are easy to carry.

Is that so?

I swallowed my words since Ojou-sama was full of confidence.

Thank you for worrying.

No. I was just meddling.

Thats not true. I might have overlooked something, so please tell me whenever you have doubts. Look, I thought you were going to help me.

Ojou-sama took my prototype and traced it with her fingertips.

But, oh, yes. In any case, to raise awareness of pencils, it would be nice to spread the word that pencils are especially useful.

Pencils are especially useful?

Is there such a thing? My doubts seem to have been transmitted to Ojou-sama. She thought a little and put the pencil down on the table. Instead, she took out some paper and a pen.

What are you writing?

I think Ill make a magic formation.

Magic?

Is she planning on writing something that has to do with magic? However, it was different from what Id imagined, and she only drew a frame. It was a frame made up of 44 squares for a total area of 16.

If Im forced to say it, then the only feature was that the lines were beautifully drawn even though it was done free-hand.

Ojou-sama, who created this frame, looked as if she was flicking the squares with her right thumb and index finger as she filled numbers into the squares.

Lara, try filling it so that the answers when adding vertically, horizontally and diagonally are the same.

Eh, can you do something like that?

Yes. But if you write it in with a pen, then youll be troubled when you make a mistake, right?

But, this is the first time Ive seen something like this, so I didnt know how to solve it. Im not good with mathematics to begin with Will they really add to the same amount? I questioned impatiently then I noticed it.

Is this math practice?

Yes. Number puzzles are quite fun, and its perfect for children.

Yes, I know that but isnt it a bit too difficult?

Its boring if its easy to solve, but theyll give up half-way if its too difficult. But Ojou-sama had expected my words.

Then, Ill give you a hint. The total is 17. So why dont you fill in the numbers aiming for that number?

17?

I wondered why it added up to that number, but I left that question for afterwards. Now that I know it adds up to 17, I can find places to fill in the numbers. I filled in the numbers and noticed Id made a mistake.

Ah.

And, I reflectively blackened out my mistake which filled in the box, and it was difficult to correct.

It certainly is nice to erase this.

Right?

I can redraw the frame, but its a hassle, and I have less paper space if I make more mistakes.

You can also do 33 squares, and there are many ways to reduce the difficulty. Or you can make the grid 55, or make it more difficult with a 99 grid. But it would be hard for me to write an example for that right away.

I think this much is fine for me.

55 seems difficult. Having said that, I feel like I can solve the 33 frame. See, I feel like I can get it even if I guess.

Next to me, Ojou-sama looked as if she was still thinking, Hmm.

I also know other simple number puzzles.

What are they like?

First of all, make a frame of nine blocks. Three horizontal and three vertical, making it a 33. Put some numbers in the boxes to act as hints. The column and row as well as the same block cant contain the same numbers.

That sounds like a difficult rule. Ojou-sama, could you draw me an example?

Hmm. It takes a while to make an example, so Ill explain it with drawings first.

Ojou-sama filled in numbers while explaining situations that would violate the rule. Unlike the previous magic formation, this didnt need calculations. If I had to say, then I feel like this required observation without missing hints. I might like this more than the magic formation.

And oh yes, its like a riddle, but how about crossword puzzles?

Do you like crosswords?

As she continued to proposal number puzzles, I was surprised at the different puzzles there were, and Ojou-sama nodded.

But Ill have to make a lot of quizzes, so Ill make it for you next time. Will you solve it for me then?

Of course, leave it to me!

I couldnt imagine what the puzzles would look like. But, pencils seem like they would be useful for both. Im sure crossword puzzles are also done with pencil.

Later, Ojou-sama made the crossword puzzle she had promised me. The answer portion was made in a grid-like the number puzzle, but some squares were blackened out, and there were small numbers on the white boxes.

Outside the grid, there were quizzes for the vertical and horizontal boxes, and each problem number was linked with a number in the boxes. The starting point is to write the answer. As I filled in the answers, the vertical and horizontal characters intersect, and that also became a hint.1)

It might be fun to fill in it.

None of the questions was difficult either. But rather than being able to solve the problems, I feel like I want to fill it quickly when I see the boxes filled in little by little I wonder if its perfect to say that I was getting more and more addicted to it.

Say, Ojou-sama. You can use this as a review quiz for the children, right?

The crossword Ojou-sama made was filled with general knowledge, but it seems fun to fill this in while reviewing. Ojou-sama hummed at me, Mm.

Lets see. I think it will be difficult just to make it on review questions, but I think it would be possible if other questions were mixed in too. But, it might be difficult for them to come up with an answer if other questions are mixed in too

Then, can I try to make one when I finish the pencil? Ojou-sama, Ill get you to solve it. If its hard to understand, then I dont mind if you refuse but can I?

If Ojou-sama doesnt have enough time, then I can make it, cant I? Of course, I have to study hard, but its something that children learn. I think theyre things I should know.

Its fine? Itll probably be more difficult than you think.

But I want to try.

I want to progress positively because the pencils are going to be useful. And I also wanted to make the questions.

Then, please do so.

Leave it to me!

I was motivated to make pencils. I want to quickly make questions. Ah, but I have to make a good eraser to correct with

You dont have to rush. Youll overdo it if youre too enthusiastic.

Yes, of course!

But it seems fun. I get hyped up when I think about making something that people might enjoy. I have to do my best so that it doesnt interfere with my work at the mansion. Im hyped up.

This is the sequel, but in the future, when Aisha-sama visits the laboratory, she will discover Ojou-samas number puzzle.

She did it to kill time, and it also becomes popular with the knights. Shortly afterwards, the puzzle showed up at the corner of a newspaper that was printed in the royal capital.

This may increase the number of people waiting for pencils.

Ojou-sama said as she worried about how to use the reward shed receive from the newspaper. She looked thrilled.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakuro

Translator: Blushy

Editor: SenjiQ