Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 185 – I thought about my girlfriend

The day after Caius left, I found myself in quite a predicament.

“Youki-kun, I’m sorry for inviting you over so suddenly.” 

“N-No, it’s fine. I didn’t have any plans, so don’t worry about it.”  [Youki]

I was suddenly summoned by Celia-san and made my way to her mansion. However, the servants’ cold stares were hard to ignore, and I could hear their whispers as I walked through the hallway. To make matters worse, Celia-san’s expression was far from welcoming. I could feel an intimidating aura surrounding her, and without thinking, I immediately sat down in seiza.

“Oh my, you don’t have to sit like that, you know? Feel free to relax.”  [Celia]

“No, I’d prefer to stay like this…”  [Youki]

There was a sharp edge to her words, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might actually die here. As my life flashed before my eyes, she continued.

“Actually, someone told me that they saw you, Youki-kun, entering a secluded alley with a girl. Then, you both went into an empty building.”  [Celia]

The fact that she was saying this with a smile on her face was unnerving. Cold sweat began to trickle down my forehead as I remained seated. It was apparent I was shaken, but Celia-san tilted her head, asking if something was wrong.

“Oh my, Youki-kun. You’re sweating quite a bit. Is that sitting posture uncomfortable? You can sit on a chair if you’d like.”  [Celia]

“N-No, I’m fine like this.”  [Youki]

“I see. Well then, let’s continue. Apparently, the girl came out of the building herself, but she looked like she had just taken a bath. She seemed refreshed when she left.”  [Celia]

The cold sweat only increased. My growing fear prevented me from looking at Celia-san’s face. What should I do? How did this information even leak? I was sure I had been cautious when we entered the alley. Even inside the building, I kept my guard up, though I might have lowered it while I was absorbed in a conversation with Shike-chan. But who could have come by at such a convenient time?

“All of this information was passed on to me by a certain someone carrying a coffin. Is it true?”  [Celia]

Caius! What have you done?! I thought that guy had left after saying his goodbyes with a cheerful demeanour, but he dropped a massive bomb on me! He should know the circumstances behind my actions, so why did he create such a misunderstanding? No, calm down. From what I heard, the only one who passed that information to her was Caius. Since there were no other witnesses, I might be able to cover this up.

“I thought it was a rumour, but yesterday, a servant who had the day off claimed she saw Youki-kun entering the café with an unfamiliar girl.”  [Celia]

The mounting evidence left me with no escape route. No wonder the servants were giving me cold stares.

This is bad, really bad…. This situation is dangerously out of control.

Even if I wanted to explain, I’d have to start by telling her that Shike-chan is a mermaid. Without that context, my explanation would sound ridiculous: I took her to an empty building so she could take a bath because she wasn’t feeling well. Then I listened to her concerns, and she left on her own. No one would believe that. It sounded far too implausible.

“Y-Yeah, that’s right. Cecilia knows that girl, too. If I ask Cecilia, she can vouch that nothing is going on…”  [Youki]

“Oh? So, you’re saying that someone she just started dating could be in this kind of situation with another girl? And you plan to discuss this, the three of us, right here?”  [Celia]

Her words stopped me cold. She had a point. I couldn’t call Cecilia into this. But nothing happened! To prove that, I’d either have to bring Cecilia into the conversation or tell Celia-san the truth. Asking Shike-chan to explain herself was another option, but that would only complicate things and fuel more rumours.

Ugh, what should I do? It felt like the gears in my brain were overheating from the strain.

“Hehe, I think it’s about time I stop teasing you.”  [Celia]

“Huh?”  [Youki]

Celia-san chuckled as she looked at my dumbfounded expression. How… How much had she been teasing me? She had thrown undeniable facts at me, leaving me no way out earlier.

“Everything I mentioned, including the witness report, is true. Your reactions confirmed the rumours too. But, that’s all there is, right?”  [Celia]

“T-That’s all, you say…”  [Youki]

“Oh dear, do I need to spell it out for you?”  [Celia]

“N-No, I get it. I’m sorry, that’s all there is. She was just consulting me about something.”  [Youki]

I ended up bowing deeply, practically grovelling on the floor. I must have looked pretty pathetic, but even though she had forgiven me, I felt the need to show my sincerity.

“You’re the one my daughter chose, so I’m not worried. Besides… I can usually tell if someone would do something like that. When I first met you, I had this gesture ready.”  [Celia]

She pressed her thumb and index finger together, mimicking a crushing motion. Just as I was about to sigh in relief, her following words froze me in place.

“Besides, Youki-kun, you like Cecilia, don’t you?”  [Celia]

“Pfftt!?”  [Youki]

“There’s no way someone like you would cheat. You’re head over heels for her, aren’t you?”  [Celia]

“U-Um, Celia-san, I really am sorry…”  [Youki]

I truly apologized for acting in a way that could cause misunderstanding. Could she forgive me?

“What’s wrong, Youki-kun? You like Cecilia, right?”  [Celia]

“Y-Yes, I like her!”  [Youki]

“Do you love her?”  [Celia]

“I love her!”  [Youki]

What am I doing? I’m proudly proclaiming my love for her daughter before her. But it’s the truth, not a lie. These are my honest feelings, though I’m starting to get embarrassed.

“Now that I’ve reaffirmed your feelings, let me say this. I understand this because I know you, but the servants can’t see it that way.”  [Celia]

She had a point. The servants’ concerns were valid, regardless of my reason.

“If you’re going to date Cecilia, you’ll need to be prepared for the rumours, even over trivial things. She’s well-known, which makes her stand out… and that goes for you too, Youki-kun.”  [Celia]

“You’re saying there’s a chance my actions could negatively affect Cecilia’s reputation, right?”  [Youki]

“I wouldn’t go that far, but do be careful. You never know who might be watching.”  [Celia]

“Yes…”  [Youki]

After finishing my conversation with Celia-san, I left the mansion. As expected, the servants’ cold stares and hushed comments followed me, but I did my best to ignore them. It felt like their gazes were piercing through me, but anything I said or did would probably make things worse.

“Sigh…”  [Youki]

I thought I was doing the right thing… No, I was just being myself as usual: getting involved in my friends’ problems, offering advice, giving or receiving encouragement. However, these actions might ultimately lead Cecilia into unnecessary trouble. Should I… change who I am?

“…Youki.” 

“Oh, Raven…”  [Youki]

I hadn’t noticed that he was nearby. I was probably lost in thought. I’m really no good, aren’t I?

“What’s wrong? Did something happen? You look gloomy… I was just about to take my lunch break, so come join me.”  [Raven]

“Ah, thanks.”  [Youki]

I thought he was being considerate as we entered a nearby restaurant. It was busy since it was lunchtime, but we found an open table, sat down, and placed our orders.

“…What’s going on?”  [Raven]

“I just didn’t quite understand my position.”  [Youki]

That alone didn’t explain everything, so it was no surprise Raven looked puzzled. But I didn’t want to share more than I had. Instead, I decided to turn the tables and ask him a question.

“Raven, you’ve been really worried about Happiness, haven’t you?”  [Youki]

“Yeah, that’s why I came to you for advice.”  [Raven]

“Right. I’m just…”  [Youki]

I wondered if she was free or worrying if she was okay. But that hadn’t changed from before we started dating. Raven, on the other hand, had changed. His concerns seemed to grow after he began dating Happiness.

Have I changed, too? Or am I still stuck in the same routine? I love her, and I cherish her, but there’s still a part of me that can’t turn those words into action. Is this really okay?

“Is something going on with Cecilia?”  [Raven]

“There was… no, there’s nothing. It’s just the usual stuff.”  [Youki]

“…Nothing? That’s unusual. You usually manage to involve Cecilia in something, so I figured you’d upset her by messing up or going overboard.”  [Raven]

“So, that’s how all of you normally see me, huh…”  [Youki]

So I’m always causing trouble for Cecilia, huh? I guess I should be more aware of that and try to improve.

“…That’s just how things are between you and Cecilia. You have a different kind of relationship compared to Happiness and me.”  [Raven]

“Well, that was before we started dating. Now we’re together, so I have to change.”  [Youki]

“…I was worried that I might be too overbearing for Happiness and thought I needed to change. But, do you really need to change just because you’re dating?”  [Raven]

“Well, there’s Cecilia’s position to think about, too. When I consider that, I also need to step up.”  [Youki]

I need to be more of a man, so I’ve got to seal away my chuuni side. I need to be more mindful of how people see me, save up more…

As I envisioned this ideal version of myself in my mind, a sharp pain shot through it. Raven had chopped me on the head.

“Ow!”  [Youki]

“…You’ve given me plenty of advice, Youki. This time, it’s my turn. Don’t change yourself too much just because of Cecilia.”  [Raven]

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