Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

---

Chapter 150 – I went to see the girl I like

“You say that so easily, but it’s impossible today. Cecilia has a matchmaking meeting today.”  [Youki]

“Oh, I thought that was already over. I assumed we were just waiting for the results.”  [Duke]

“Nope, it’s still ongoing.”  [Youki]

The potential partner – a future lord, a former member of the hero’s party, and an intelligent guy – was still in Minerva. A few days ago, he explored Minerva alone, so Cecilia had a free day. I managed to go on a date with her on that day.

“Hmm, but what’s Cecilia going to do? Considering her position, it might be hard to turn him down, depending on the guy. From what Happiness said… sigh.”  [Duke]

“Hey, Duke. What’s that sigh for? The three key traits, is that it!?”  [Youki]

It was so obvious. He heaved that sigh right after looking at my face. Even though Duke hadn’t seen Soleil, how badly did he think I stacked up against that guy? Even with his helmet on, I could imagine the bitter look on his face. It was probably because Duke and I had known each other for years, so there was this bond between us where we could read each other’s thoughts. Yeah, that must be it.

“Man, what should I have for dinner?”  [Youki]

“Wait a sec, you just finished lunch and you’re already thinking about dinner? And your eyes are unfocussed. Come back to reality, man!”  [Duke]

Duke’s merciless slap struck my cheek. Probably because we had known each other for so long, there was neither pity nor restraint in that strike, and I fell off the chair, writhing in pain. The other customers around us started murmuring in surprise. It was a solid hit, so they probably thought it was a fight.

“Ah, don’t worry about it. Captain’s fine with this kind of thing, so please continue enjoying your meals.”  [Duke]

“You… You’re treating this like it’s someone else’s problem.”  [Youki]

As I slowly got up and brushed the dust off my clothes, a few people around us said, “Ohhh!” in amazement. It wasn’t something worth cheering about, though. Getting slapped and knocked out wasn’t such a big deal. It made me wonder how it looked to everyone else.

“Well, I figured Captain would be okay. And if you can take a hit like that, then you can keep going. You got this!”  [Duke]

“Keep going, huh… Yeah, you’re right. I’m going. I’m going to see Cecilia.”  [Youki]

“Wait, but you just said it was a bad idea to go today.”  [Duke]

“If I don’t go, I’ll definitely regret it… I just have that feeling.”  [Youki]

“Even if you say something that sounds cool, it won’t change anything.”  [Duke]

“The meal’s on me!”  [Youki]

I slammed down more than enough money for the meal on the table. As a result of this scene, I felt the stares from the people around me, but I couldn’t care less.

“Later Duke. You hang in there, too.”  [Youki]

Leaving those parting words behind, I left the restaurant and headed to Aquarain mansion.

What could I do? What was I planning to do? I had no plan at all. However, I couldn’t just sit back and wait for the outcome. In the end, I was just like Yuuga. How could I sit still when the girl I like might be getting engaged? But there was one thing that I was clear about.

…

If I don’t make a move now, when will I?

Read the chapters at rinkagetranslation.com.

♦♦♦

“All right… I’m here.”  [Youki]

When I arrived at the Aquarain mansion, I bowed to the two guards at the gate. Normally, this would be enough for them to let me through. It was something similar to face recognition.

“Ah, Youki-dono. Actually, we have a guest today… I’m sorry, but could you come back another day?” 

“…Seriously?”  [Youki]

I was thwarted right at the entrance. Last time, I had Cecilia’s permission, but it was different now. This wasn’t something I could push through with sheer determination. What could I do? Suddenly, I spotted an acquaintance running around, looking carefree. I sent him a mental message with my gaze to come over here. I didn’t think it would work, but he waved at me and walked over. It was probably the result of our long-standing relationship, just like with Duke.

“Captain~.”  [Sheik]

“Sheik, you’re just in time…”  [Youki]

“Idiot.”  [Sheik]

“…”

Sheik skipped away after saying that to my face. In other words, he just came over to mock me. The two guards looked at me with sympathetic eyes.

“Hey, sorry, but I know that guy… I’m going to go give him a talking to, so could you open the gate?”  [Youki]

“If that’s the case, we’ll report to madame… Good luck.”

“Sheik, wait you little…!”  [Youki]

And so, the game of tag between Sheik and me began. Sheik ran around laughing, treating it like a game. Fine, if that’s how you want it.

It would be childish of me to get serious with a kid, so I decided not to use any physical enhancement magic on myself. It would just be a good old-fashioned endurance contest to see how long he would last. To the others, I would probably look like a parent spending a day off playing with my kid, but the actual situation was different.

“Hahaha~ Looks, money, future prospects~.”  [Sheik]

“Wait up, Sheik! And what the heck was Happiness teaching you anyway!?”  [Youki]

When I catch him, I’ll decide what to do with him. Then Happiness is next on my list.

While I was engaging in this game of tag with Sheik, we somehow ended up in the garden.

“That little brat, he chose a place where he has the advantage. Don’t think you can get away from me.”  [Youki]

“…What are you doing?” 

While I was searching for Sheik, who was hiding in the garden, I ran into Cecilia. I wasn’t actually trespassing, so I decided to be honest.

“It’s a game of tag. I’m chasing Sheik.”  [Youki]

“Why are you playing tag with Sheik-kun in the mansion… No, I can somewhat guess how it started.”  [Cecilia]

I supposed she understood because we had known each other for a long time or probably because she was always the one mediating these situations. During our reflection sessions, she would always ask me to explain how things escalated to this point.

“Yeah, that kid… Wait, no. That’s not it.”  [Youki]

In the end, thanks to him, I managed to get into the mansion without causing any trouble. Thinking about it like that gave me a complicated feeling. I wasn’t sure if I should be grateful to him. In the end, I decided to treat Sheik to something nice later. As for Happiness, it would be scary to incur Raven’s wrath if I were to do anything to her. What should I do?

“What do you mean by ‘that’s not it’? …And shouldn’t you be chasing after Sheik-kun? He ran off looking like he could barely contain his laughter.”  [Cecilia]

“Nah, it’s fine now. I’ll buy him some sweets later.”  [Youki]

“I’m sure Sheik-kun will be happy. Are you doing it to make up with him?”  [Cecilia]

“No, to thank him.”  [Youki]

“Youki-san, are you running a fever or something? Or has something troubling happened? Don’t tell me you’ve developed a taste for that sort of thing…”  [Cecilia]

“Cecilia-san!?”  [Youki]

“…I’m just kidding.”  [Cecilia]

She flashed me a mischievous smile. I was a little taken aback, but I couldn’t help but laugh with her. I then lay down on the ground. My clothes got a little dirty, but I didn’t care. I wondered where Sheik went as I couldn’t sense anyone around – it was strange. At this moment, it was just Cecilia and me, alone together. We weren’t inside the room, yet not even the servants were nearby.

“It was just a coincidence that I was playing tag with Sheik. He… well, not just him. Duke, and Happiness too. They all suddenly started messing around with me. It’s not like they were even conspiring together beforehand as well.”  [Youki]

“That’s because all three of them really like you, Youki-san.”  [Cecilia]

“I’m not so sure about that…”  [Youki]

Whenever I interacted with them, it almost started with them teasing me. I wouldn’t say they hate me, but I was pretty sure they didn’t respect me either. I had known them for a long time. During our time at the Demon Lord’s castle, Duke, Happiness, and Sheik were the ones I trusted the most.

“It looks to me all three of them really admire you.”  [Cecilia]

“Well, if you say so.”  [Youki]

“It’s the truth, absolutely.”  [Cecilia]

We both laughed together again.

“…To get back on topic, I came to see you, Cecilia. Even though I knew you had things to do.”  [Youki]

Since I was lying down, all I could see was the sky above. So, I couldn’t tell what kind of expression Cecilia was making. She was probably either angry or looked troubled. I didn’t confirm. Those were mere guesses.

“So, you acted on impulse without any plan?”  [Cecilia]

“Yeah, that’s about right.”  [Youki]

I didn’t make any excuses. I simply followed my feelings. I wondered if she would say something, but Cecilia just smiled gently.

“I see. Well, it’s okay if it’s only for a little while. Soleil-san is currently talking with mother. Youki-san, I’ve decided to decline Soleil-san’s marriage proposal.”  [Cecilia]

“…I see.”  [Youki]

Internally, I felt relieved – thank goodness.

Considering Cecilia’s position and the other party involved, I was worried.

“You know, I was really scared. I can’t say what exactly I was scared of… but I was also anxious. And now, I’m feeling so relieved. Honestly, I could handle not being rewarded, but if you were to go far away, all I’d be left with is regret.”  [Youki]

I sat myself up and looked at Cecilia. The memories of what happened at the Demon Lord’s castle suddenly came flooding back to me.

“Cecilia, I love you. I want to be with you.”  [Youki]

---

Previous Chapter  | Main Page | Next Chapter