Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage
Character page: Here
Chapter 145 – I tried inviting her indirectly
It had been a week since the Magic Knight of Black Lightning started patrolling with Raven. Initially, it was supposed to be only three days, but due to the positive impact, the contract was extended. According to Raven, the atmosphere within the knights’ order had improved, and Minerva was gradually regaining its former liveliness. Given the situation, it was decided that my role had come to an end. Even though it was an official request, it wasn’t ideal for an adventurer to be accompanying knights on patrol for too long. Now that I, as Magic Knight of Black Lightning, had successfully completed the task, the place I was headed to was…
“Good work. It seems like you’ve been busy this past week. Both of us have.” [Cecilia]
“…That’s right.” [Youki]
Cecilia, who had just finished guiding Soleil around Minerva, seemed a little more relaxed. I had wanted to explain the situation to her, so I asked for some of her time.
“Why are you speaking so awkwardly?” [Cecilia]
“Don’t worry about it.” [Youki]
“…I’ll brew some tea to help you relax. Please wait a moment.” [Cecilia]
Watching her back as she went to fetch the teapot, a mix of relief and anxiety swelled within me. This daily life with Cecilia might soon become Soleil’s. Such a thought kept bubbling in my mind as I couldn’t shake the feeling that their matchmaking session was progressing smoothly. The thought that this could be the last time I see Cecilia brewing tea for me sent a chill down my spine.
“Is something wrong? You look deeply troubled. Ah, that’s right. You’ve been patrolling Minerva in that form for a whole week, haven’t you? I’ve heard that this official request has improved the atmosphere in Minerva and the knights’ order. Please take the time to rest today.” [Cecilia]
Cecilia looked at me with a compassionate expression as she offered me the tea. Yeah, she definitely misunderstood something. She probably thought I was feeling down because of my activities as Magic Knight of Black Lightning. It was indeed true, though. During that time, I was running all over Minerva with Raven, laughing maniacally. I even left behind dramatic parting words like, “Call upon me whenever you need…” As a result, on the last day, Raven punched me, telling me to snap out of it. Thanks to that, I regained my composure and I was not dwelling on it anymore.
The reason I felt uneasy now wasn’t because of that, but because of you. I shot a side-eye at Cecilia, but she noticed.
“…Is something wrong? Is there something on my face?” [Cecilia]
“No, nothing at all.” [Youki]
The murky feelings in my chest wouldn’t go away. How could I make them disappear? I was simply… jealous, I supposed. Male jealousy seemed nothing but ugly, but I couldn’t help it. What should I do? When I saw Soleil and Cecilia on a date, and when I got into that argument after my costume was criticized, I realized later that my emotions were in turmoil; frustration, anger, and sadness. Those feelings remained till now.
“I can’t afford to rest!” [Youki]
“…Pardon?” [Cecilia]
Cecilia’s hand stopped as she was drinking her tea.
“I’m going to patrol Minerva again today.” [Youki]
“Um, but the request is already completed, right? Raven didn’t say anything about extending the period either.” [Cecilia]
“Yeah, Raven said it’s all good now, and I’ve already reported the completion of the request to the guild and received the reward. But still, I can hear it.” [Youki]
“…Hear what, exactly?” [Cecilia]
“The voices of the townspeople crying out for help.” [Youki]
“After a week of patrolling, do you really think you’ve developed a habit of hearing such voices? Or perhaps, you really should take it easy today. It might be due to fatigue.” [Cecilia]
“No, that’s not it. I’m just in the mood to thoroughly patrol Minerva.” [Youki]
Cecilia looked completely puzzled when I made that declaration.
I didn’t pay any mind to the fact that this wouldn’t really be a patrol anymore. Patrolling Minerva wasn’t the actual goal for me. I just needed an excuse.
“Anyway, let’s go to Minerva!” [Youki]
“Do you mean, me too?” [Cecilia]
“A partner is essential for a patrol… Let’s go, Cecilia.” [Youki]
I held out my hand to Cecilia.
“…Fufu, understood. I’ll get ready, so could you wait just a little bit?” [Youki]
She chuckled a bit when she gave me her answer. Judging by her reaction, she had probably figured out my shallow intentions.
“Got it. I’ll wait by the mansion gates.” [Youki]
I quickly left Cecilia’s room after saying that while covering my face with both hands.
Maybe I should’ve just asked her directly, like, “Let’s go on a date!”, instead.
As I was regretting and reflecting on my actions, a ‘normie’ appeared before me.
“…Oha.” [Happiness]
“O-Oh, Happiness, huh?” [Youki]
“…You okay?” [Happiness]
“Yeah, well, I guess.” [Youki]
“…Good luck.” [Happiness]
Unusually, Happiness didn’t tease me and just left with a few encouraging words. She might have been grateful for what I did with Raven. It was so unusual that I forgot to even thank her.
Thanks to the encouragement from Happiness, I felt like I managed to pull myself together. Once Cecilia was ready, we began our patrol, or rather, our ‘date’ around Minerva.
“We’ve both been wandering around Minerva this whole time, so there’s nothing new to see.” [Cecilia]
“Things are changing day by day, though.” [Youki]
Yeah, after patrolling for a whole week, we’d noticed even the subtle changes. So, it was fine even if there was nothing to see. I felt content just to be walking side by side with Cecilia like this.
“By the way, I wonder how Yuuga and the others are going. It’s been a week, so they should be finishing up their request and returning soon.” [Youki]
“Both Hero-sama and Mikana have other jobs as well, so I don’t think they’ll be staying too long. I’m worried about Mikana.” [Cecilia]
Was it because she was surrounded by those muscular miners? Or because she had to babysit Yuuga all by herself? I wondered if anything had happened between Mikana and Yuuga, or if nothing had changed at all.
“She’s going through a tough time, huh?” [Youki]
“You mean Mikana?” [Cecilia]
“Yeah, it almost makes you feel sorry for her when you think about it.” [Youki]
Considering everything Mikana has had to put up with Yuuga, it must be pretty tough. But why did she have to go so far? Was it just because of Yuuga?
“…This is something Mikana has decided to do herself. It’s not our place to say anything about it.” [Cecilia]
“That’s how it is, huh.” [Youki]
RinkageTranslation 
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