Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 184 – I listened to the mermaid’s trouble

“This place… it’s so beautiful. And it’s not too far away from the town either. I never would have imagined there’d be a place like this near the big city.”  [Shike]

“Y-Yeah. Not many people come here, and I’m keeping watch, so feel free to take a dip without worrying.”  [Youki]

In truth, this spot was a bathhouse that Andrei-san, the muscle-bound pâtissier, used after his strength training. He bought and renovated an old, abandoned house back when he was more focused on building muscle than perfecting his pastry-making skills. It was pretty far from the heart of Minerva, and the location wasn’t that great. Still, apparently, the last few residents moved out after hearing his intense panting, ‘Humph, humph, humph,’ day in and day out while he worked out. Even now, Andrei-san still uses it, though he spends more time at the shop with his sister these days. Given the circumstances, I figured it was fine to let Shike-chan use it in an emergency.

The place where Andrei-san used to wash off his sweat has now become a source of healing for Shike-chan… Sorry, Shike-chan.

I apologized silently as I stood guard outside. There’s no way I’d peek. Watching a girl bathe is something that would require Yuuga’s level of ‘skill’, and not that I was even considering it. It’s not like Shike-chan isn’t attractive or anything, but I already have someone I care about.

“…Is this situation really okay?”  [Youki]

Here we are, two people, in an empty house, with one of them, Shike-chan, swimming in the water. This is bad. No matter how I explain it, no one’s going to believe it’s innocent. And it’s not like they’ll just let it slide because it’s Shike-chan. Expecting Cecilia to forgive me for this would be taking advantage of her kindness. If I truly understood our relationship, I should’ve realized I shouldn’t be alone with another girl like this.

“Youki-san? Oh, I’m done.”  [Shike]

“Y-Yeah, I… I see.”  [Youki]

As I was lost in thought, I didn’t notice Shike-chan had come out. She seemed to have recovered, her complexion returned to normal.

“Thank you so much, and I’m sorry for the trouble. I just can’t seem to get used to living without being immersed in water.”  [Shike]

“Oh, right. That makes sense.”  [Youki]

She normally lives freely, swimming in the sea. Her legs are just an illusion created by magic. They aren’t real. There must be a lot of inconveniences for her. Even sightseeing must be a struggle.

“Misaki says she’s slowly getting used to it, but I just can’t… I keep wondering why that is. I’ve come all this way, but just running a little makes me feel nauseous. I know I shouldn’t be like this…”  [Shike]

“Shouldn’t be?”  [Youki]

“I can’t stop thinking about Memo Swordsman-san. That’s why I wrote him that letter. At first, I just wanted to express my gratitude, but before I knew it, the warmth in my chest grew painful as I held the pen… I began to wonder if that was really okay. I’m terrible, aren’t I? I know about Happiness’s feelings, too.”  [Shike]

Even knowing their relationship, she couldn’t suppress her own feelings. Ever since Raven and Happiness rescued Shike-chan, there’s been a good vibe between the two. They even spoke before parting ways last time, so Shike-chan probably learned something there as well. She must feel guilty for falling in love with Raven despite knowing how Happiness feels.

“Is it really such a bad thing? I don’t think falling in love with Raven is wrong.”  [Youki]

Love is unpredictable. If Cecilia had loved someone else, would I have given up? It’s complicated to think about. Maybe if you truly love someone, the best thing you can do is support whatever makes them happy. But reasoning like that doesn’t necessarily make it easier to suppress your own feelings. Love that seeks nothing in return always hurts in the end. Our hearts aren’t strong or pure enough to handle that.

“You don’t need to worry so much. Just make the choice that feels right to you. Even if you’re unsure, take your time to reflect and decide for yourself.”  [Youki]

Who am I to give her this advice? I’m acting like I’ve got it all figured out, but wasn’t I a complete mess not too long ago?

As soon as I finished speaking, Shike-chan’s eyes widened, lost in thought. I wondered how this love triangle would unfold and what effect my words might have on her decision.

“…Thank you. I feel a little better now. I’ll think about it, about what I really want to do.”  [Shike]

“I see.”  [Youki]

“Thank you very much, Youki-san.”  [Shike]

After thanking me, Shike-chan left. Her troubles probably hadn’t vanished, but it seemed like some of her doubts had lifted. Her posture was straighter now. I felt like I’d given her a little push. But after consulting Caius and Cecilia, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d done the right thing. Maybe my involvement wasn’t needed at all.

“Hey, Youki-kun.”

The voice that greeted me as I slumped my shoulders belonged to none other than the Cupid of love himself, carrying a coffin on his back. His timing was impeccable. Had he been following me?

“Haha, don’t make that face. I just happened to see you two head into an isolated area. I figured that might not be good, so I decided to follow you.”  [Caius]

“Not good? What do you mean?”  [Youki]

“Oh dear… You’ve got a precious girlfriend, don’t you? Yet here you are, walking alone with another woman through the town and into an empty building. That doesn’t exactly look great, does it?”  [Caius]

“Ah!”  [Youki]

Caius’s words hit me like a brick. He was right. Cecilia and I weren’t just close friends anymore. No matter how much I felt I couldn’t leave Shike-chan on her own, I should’ve avoided doing something that could easily be misinterpreted.

“If you had a reason, then it’s understandable. But, Youki-kun, you need to be more aware. If you’re treating your relationship as just an extension of friendship…”  [Caius]

“If I am? What happens?”  [Youki]

Come on, don’t leave me hanging.

“Well, I don’t think you’re the kind of guy who’d do that, so you should be fine.”  [Caius]

I stumbled in disbelief. What was all that buildup for, then? As I lay on the ground, I noticed a note slip out from Caius’s coffin. It had an ‘X’ mark on it, probably from his girlfriend. Caius saw it too, but what was this ‘X’ for, exactly?

“Oh my, it seems my girlfriend has decided to give you an ‘X’ mark.” [Caius]

“Wait, me? I get it, being alone with Shike-chan wasn’t the best idea, but…”  [Youki]

The response to my excuse was, as expected, another note with an ‘X’ mark. What happened? Did I do something else that wasn’t okay?

Caius spoke to the coffin, seemingly conversing with his girlfriend as usual. Still, I could only hear his side of the conversation faintly.

“Hmm, I see… Youki-kun, you’ve got some work ahead of you. My beloved’s opinion of you seems to be rather low.”  [Caius]

“Wait, but why?”  [Youki]

“You’ll have to figure that out on your own, it seems. However, if you ever have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Cupid is always here to help lost souls like you.”  [Caius]

“Haha… I’ll be counting on you in the future.”  [Youki]

As pathetic as it sounded, I still had a lot to learn.

“Oh, and your advice to that mermaid was perfect. I share the same opinion. While listening to you, I was even thinking that you could potentially inherit my legacy to become the second generation of Cupid.”  [Caius]

“R-Really?” [Youki]

It was unexpected to be praised so highly by someone who was practically a living legend of love.

Maybe I should consider a career change if I ever run out of options… But, do I really have the skills to back that up?

“If that’s the case, then why can’t I even manage my own love life?”  [Youki]

It made sense that I couldn’t exactly consult myself, but thinking about my own situation made me feel doubtful.

“Oh dear… Is that where your thoughts are headed? At this rate, you won’t fit to be the second Cupid. Take your time and reflect on things. You’re still young, after all.”  [Caius]

Would the original Cupid understand my dilemma? I wasn’t planning on becoming the second Cupid, but it was something to think about. The realization of my issues made it clearer how I should live from now on. Although mentally, I don’t feel that young.

“Well then, I should be heading back to my castle. There might be someone lost in love seeking me out there.”  [Caius]

“Ah, right. Caius, you’re a busy man. Thanks for the help this time. I don’t know how things will turn out yet, though.”  [Youki]

Honestly, I’d like to have Caius stay until everything was sorted out. Still, I knew there were plenty of others seeking his advice. After all, I was one of them.

“If anything comes up, contact me immediately. I’ll provide on-site love consultations anytime. Farewell, boy!”  [Caius]

“I’m not a boy…”  [Youki]

As Caius disappeared into the distance, I doubted he could still hear me. By the time we meet again, he’d probably go back to calling me ‘boy’. And with that, the vampire cupid, Caius, carrying his coffin, left Minerva.

The next day, something happened that immediately made me wish for Caius’s help again…

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