Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage
Character page: Here
Chapter 123 – I brainstormed with the girl I like
“I think it’s better to leave him be.” [Cecilia]
“No, no, no…” [Youki]
On the promised day, I made my way to Aquarain mansion. Fifty percent of the intention was for Raven’s sake while a hundred percent was to see Cecilia. Let’s not worry about the math being off, though.
I immediately told Cecilia that we needed to address Raven’s current situation and come up with a plan. However…
“Are we going to leave him be!? Shouldn’t we be the ones to help out?” [Youki]
“First, as you said, I don’t think we need to worry too much about his position as the captain. He has many achievements, and Raven-san has been working hard behind the scenes for the citizens as well. If he were to be dismissed, it would cause quite a stir.” [Cecilia]
“Hmmm…” [Youki]
At that moment, I sat in a seiza position, like a student in class. Though, I couldn’t quite remember if we had ever actually assumed this posture during lessons in my past.
“There may indeed be some knights who don’t think highly of Raven-san, but even if there are, they’re likely in the minority. Without clear information from Duke-san, it’s hard to say for certain. Still, the disadvantages of Raven-san no longer being the captain outweigh the benefits.” [Cecilia]
“I see. Cecilia, question! Can the knights decide on their own who the captain should be?” [Youki]
“They can make recommendations, but ultimately, the decision is made by high-ranking officials of the country. This is especially so for the position of the captain. They will be quite cautious with it.” [Cecilia]
“Oh, so they can’t change it easily. Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” [Youki]
It wouldn’t be good if the leader of the knights could be replaced that easily. It seemed that my fear was unfounded.
“Then, what about the situation with Happiness?” [Youki]
“That’s not something we can interfere with.” [Cecilia]
“Eh?” [Youki]
“When I look at the two of them, it feels like the time for any outsiders to interfere has already passed. Stirring things up too much can also be a problem.” [Cecilia]
“Is that so? I didn’t expect you to say something like that.” [Youki]
“Youki-san, there’s a world that only women can understand.” [Cecilia]
Could I not enter that place? It was probably true since girls like Mikana, Happiness, and Tiel-chan seemed to have their own circle for discussing relationships. It felt sleazy the more I thought about it, so I decided that it was best not to even imagine it.
“Got it. I didn’t hear anything. I didn’t hear anything.” [Youki]
“Right. But since Duke-san is consulting you about it, I’m worried. I thought we should leave Raven-san alone, but… maybe it would be good to support him until he returns to his usual self…” [Cecilia]
Cecilia sat on the bed, deep in thought. It might seem meddlesome, but to me, Raven was my first friend in this world. To Cecilia, he was a comrade who she had formed a party with and shared hardships.
“So, in summary, we should help Raven, right?” [Youki]
“Yes. But, Youki-san, please refrain from acting rashly. I can’t say for sure since we’ve only heard about it, but considering Raven-san’s mental state, too much stimulation might be harmful.” [Cecilia]
“W-Wait, really?” [Youki]
Raven, Cecilia seemed to have labelled you as fragile. Well, I was already planning to be prudent, but I didn’t expect Cecilia to warn me about it.
“He might be under quite a lot of stress. We need to gradually provide care. Raven-san is sensitive in some ways.” [Cecilia]
“Ah, I get that.” [Youki]
I had seen that side of him many times. He experienced rapid mood swings, resulting in him getting depressed quickly. If all that pent-up stress were released, it could be a disaster.
“So, first, we should observe his condition and listen to him. Then we decide how to deal with it.” [Cecilia]
“Hmm, hmm.” [Youki]
I wonder if clerics are responsible for healing the mind as well. If my mind starts breaking down, maybe I should have Cecilia take care of me. However, as long as I’m meeting and chatting with her like this, the chances of me falling ill are probably close to zero.
“Youki-san, it seems like you’ve been staring at my face for a while. Were you actually listening to what I was saying?” [Cecilia]
“Uh, oh, yeah. I won’t do anything rash. Don’t worry, don’t worry. Wait, was I really staring that much?” [Youki]
“Yes. At first, I thought you were seriously listening to what I was saying, but since you weren’t responding and kept your gaze fixed on me, I noticed.” [Cecilia]
How could she analyze things so calmly? She even pointed out without any embarrassment that I was staring at her. It was probably an unconscious action on my part, but hearing her say so made my face hot.
“Ah, well… it’s a bit difficult to put into words…” [Youki]
“Yes?” [Cecilia]
Her expression seemed to ask why I was hesitating.
This is strange. I am here only to discuss about Raven, so how did we end up in this situation? Rather, Cecilia, can’t you read between the lines? We were just talking about Happiness and Raven a moment ago!
While I was trying to think of what to do, a knock echoed through the room.
Is this the part where a third party intervenes? Either to help the protagonist or to hinder him?
“…Excuse me.”
It was Happiness who opened the door and entered, but she left just as quickly, only leaving a word behind before retreating into the hallway. Then I heard the sound of her footsteps fading away. It seemed that she read the atmosphere way too well.
“Did Happiness-chan have some business with you? But she left right away.” [Cecilia]
“Yeah, I guess so.” [Youki]
However, this level of interruption was sufficient to cut off the conversation. Cecilia’s attention seemed to have shifted as well, her head tilted curiously at the moment.
“Maybe she went to get something she forgot. So, could you tell me the reason now? Perhaps something was on my face?” [Cecilia]
I couldn’t divert the topic, and it came right back. At this point, I have no choice but to be honest.
I was staring at you unconsciously because I thought you were cute… There is no way I can say that! But, I’m supposed to be a new man now, reborn after getting advice from the cupid of love. I won’t dodge it like I usually do.
“Well, I was just looking at you because I thought you were cute.” [Youki]
“…”
Instead of dodging, I threw a direct, straightforward pitch resulting in an unexpected scene – Cecilia was stunned in a way I’ve never seen before. Her face appeared kind of flushed as well.
“S-Sorry. We’ll, um, continue the strategy meeting some other time!” [Youki]
I couldn’t bear staying in this atmosphere alone with her any longer, so I quickly pathetically left the room.
“Phew…” [Youki]
I leaned against the wall in the hallway, taking a deep breath. I needed to calm down my racing heart.
“…Escape.”
“Whoa! Happiness, you were here? Wait, but…” [Youki]
I was pretty sure I heard the sound of footsteps moving away earlier.
“…Colleague.” [Happiness]
“Oh, I must have mistaken another maid passing by for you.” [Youki]
“…Standing by.” [Happiness]
It seemed that Happiness didn’t leave but was actually waiting in front of the room.
“So, did you have business with Cecilia after all? I’m heading back, so don’t worry. See you.” [Youki]
“…Captain.” [Happiness]
“Yeah, what is it?” [Youki]
“…Next time, meet up.” [Happiness]
“Meet up… with me?” [Youki]
She glared at me with an intense look.
It wasn’t like I had not met up with her alone before, but I still asked her knowing full well that she was referring to someone else. What I just didn’t expect was for her to glare at me.
“…Swordsman!” [Happiness]
“Swordsman, huh?” [Youki]
It occurred to me that she had never called him by his name.
“You should call him by his name when you’re in front of him.” [Youki]
“…Bring it on.” [Happiness]
“Where did you even learn that phrase!?” [Youki]
It was scary how much Happiness was absorbing new things. It made me wonder what the servants in this mansion were teaching her.
“…Secret.” [Happiness]
“Ah, okay, okay. So, what is it about meeting with Raven?” [Youki]
“…Chaperone.” [Happiness]
“You want me to come too?” [Youki]
“…The young mistress as well.” [Happiness]
“What!?” [Youki]
“…Duke’s idea.” [Happiness]
“What is he thinking?” [Youki]
Was it a plan to go out with a large group to help Raven take his mind off things?
“All right. Let me know when the plans are set.” [Youki]
“…Understood.” [Happiness]
“What’s with this, seriously?” [Youki]
I was about to leave because it seemed pointless to keep questioning, but I stopped. It might be unnecessary, but I decided to ask her the question.
“Hey, Happiness. What do you think of Raven?” [Youki]
I was only trying to confirm it from her. Happiness and Raven – it was likely that things would soon come to a conclusion between them. I wanted to hear it directly from her.
“…I don’t dislike him.” [Happiness]
“…”
That answer was just like her. She still looked expressionless as usual, with no signs of being flustered. Her demeanour was exactly the Happiness that I knew.
“So, you feel neutral?” [Youki]
“…Not neutral either.” [Happiness]
“Then, you like him, right?” [Youki]
“…No comment.” [Happiness]
After leaving those words, she quickly walked into Cecilia’s room. However, ‘escaping is similar to confirming’.
“Well, I guess things will work out.” [Youki]
I wasn’t sure what they were planning, but I decided to quietly watch how things unfold this time.
On my way back, I kept repeating to myself, “Restrain yourself, restrain yourself,” as a reminder.
RinkageTranslation 
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