Chapter 517

Episode 517. It’s Not Easy… (2)

A deathly silence descended after their eyes met.

Rine realized why Yutia Bloodia’s energy hadn’t been felt in the surroundings. Penia, for her part, stood with her mouth agape at a scene she couldn’t believe even seeing with her own eyes.

Yutia Bloodia, who was watching the two people who appeared on the balcony while tightly embracing Blackie, made a move.

Ssk- ssk-

She relaxed her posture of “oppression” (?) over Blackie, who was transformed into Alon Palatio. Then, in an utterly natural manner, she began to check Blackie’s clothes here and there while muttering:

—Hmm, the shoulder width is this size, and the arm length is…

Her expression was far too serious. If Rine and Penia had arrived only slightly later, her performance would have been so convincing they might have thought: “Ah, for some reason she laid him down and really was taking his measurements.”

Unfortunately, both had already been eyewitnesses. They saw Yutia Bloodia frolicking with a smile of absolute happiness in “Alon’s” arms. While Rine and Penia didn’t dare utter a word:

—… Eh? You two, when did you arrive?

With astounding naturalness, as if the eye contact from a moment ago had never happened, Yutia Bloodia put on a surprised face upon seeing them and opened the balcony door for them.

—T-this…

—Ah, it’s Blackie, you know? I was taking his measurements for clothes.

—But… a moment ago…

—I was taking his measurements, do you understand?

—But it’s just that clearly a second ago—

—I said I was taking his measurements, yes?

Yutia Bloodia smiled radiantly, as if she wouldn’t permit a single word more. Rine attempted to refute with a frigid expression:

—Hum, normally taking measurements isn’t done in that wa—

—I said I was taking measurements.

At Yutia Bloodia’s insistence, Rine had to close her mouth. The Yutia who until a second ago was unalterable was no longer smiling.

—… I see.

—I understand…

—Yes.

When Rine and Penia nodded, feeling a chill run down their spines, Yutia traced a smile back onto her lips.

—Anyway, come in.

Following her invitation, both entered the room. Shortly after, Yutia brought some light tea. The sound of the liquid falling into the cups filled the air. Blackie, who had transformed into Alon, had already regained his original form and was devouring the snacks Yutia gave him.

—And well, what brings you here at these hours? —Yutia Bloodia asked officially.

Both remained silent. In reality, their goal was clear: they had come to borrow Blackie from Yutia to “take measurements” for Alon’s clothes. After monitoring the Cardinal’s reaction for a moment:

—T-this… could we borrow Blackie for a moment? —Penia spoke first.

—Blackie?

—Yes, it’s just that we’ve also been preparing a gift of clothes for Alon-nim for some time.

—My, is that so?

—Yes.

At that affirmation, Yutia smiled and took a sip of tea. Coming at these early morning hours to say they need to take measurements might seem nonsensical. No, it was nonsensical. But since none of those present were ignorant of the true meaning of “taking measurements” that Penia mentioned…

—Hmm… I think after having been taking measurements for an entire month, there aren’t any parts left to measure, don’t you think? —Yutia Bloodia let slip.

Her words implied she knew perfectly well what they had been doing during the trip. Penia averted her gaze nervously, so Rine intervened:

—What do you mean? We are just about to start measuring now.

Yutia Bloodia replied immediately:

—If you’ve been measuring for a month, you don’t need any more places to measure, right?

—As I told you, we plan to start measuring now.

—If that’s the case, it’s curious that you appear exactly when I borrow Blackie, isn’t it?

—Ah, it’s just that we “recently” discovered that method and wanted to take advantage of the day. Last time we only measured the arms, so we need the other measurements —Rine responded without backing down an inch.

Yutia Bloodia smiled at Rine’s tenacity.

—Fine, then don’t you think we should hear the opinion of the interested party?

—The opinion… of the interested party?

—Yes. In the end, even if it’s something you’re preparing for the Master, the one providing the help is Blackie, right? Let Blackie decide.

[Kkyu~?]

Blackie stopped eating cookies and opened his eyes wide upon hearing Yutia. But soon, feeling that his danger sensor wasn’t just beeping but was about to explode, he decided to act.

[Kkyuu…?]

He tilted his head belatedly. He turned his head 360 degrees as if saying: “I am an animal, do you think I understand what you’re saying?”. Unfortunately, Yutia Bloodia picked him up and placed him in the center of the table.

—Alright, now go to the person you want to help, yes? —Yutia said, smiling.

Blackie looked at Rine and Penia, and then looked back at Yutia.

—Blackie? —Upon hearing his name, Blackie turned his gaze and saw that Penia was holding a piece of Palantia meat.

—I’ll give you this.

Penia brought out her trump card: top-tier food for Blackie. And since this time it wasn’t a small piece like last time, but a truly large piece, Blackie headed there instinctively. But…

—Blackie?

He stopped dead. Yutia Bloodia’s words resonated:

—Blackie isn’t a beast incapable of thinking, right?

The way Yutia smiled, as if perfectly reading his intelligence level, made Blackie, who was walking toward Penia, change course instantly.

—My, so you wanted to help me?

He went straight to Yutia. She took him in her arms, and Blackie suddenly looked drained of energy. Penia and Rine shot frigid looks at Yutia.

—My, why are you looking at me like that?

—… Isn’t this a scam?

—Why? Blackie has chosen.

Yutia smiled with an expression that said: “Do you have a problem? If so, you should become stronger, shouldn’t you?”. After a brief silence, Yutia added as if it were the opportune moment:

—Anyway, I’m glad we’re here. I have something to say about the Master’s background and yours. Or rather, about my own background.

—… What background? —Penia asked cautiously.

—Do you know that Professor Stonia and Alon Palatio have an engagement relationship? —Yutia smiled.

—Eh? What…?

Seeing Penia’s dumbfounded face, Yutia continued:

—I’m telling you just in case. Professor Stonia is Alon’s original fiancée. Of course, due to the new forms the engagement vanished and came to nothing, but in reality… —Yutia looked at Rine and Penia—. … Was it not planned that the engagement would be with me and not with the young lady of the Hill family?

An absolute silence followed her words. But Penia reacted:

—But in the end, the engagement was made with me!

She corrected the Cardinal. Rine intervened:

—If we want to be precise, the engagement is in the process of being broken, isn’t it? Do you really want to maintain a state of actual engagement with me?

Penia shuddered but continued:

—Ah, but if people have already gotten used to the current situation, adding an extra background would be strange, don’t you think?

—I agree —Rine nodded.

However, Yutia looked at them with a smirk.

—Hmm, I agree with that too.

—?

—But, can you say that assuming your acting is actually working? —Yutia continued before the bewilderment of both—. I don’t like your position as fiancées either, you know? It’s true it’s a good background for hanging around the Master. But won’t you be discovered if you don’t act well?

—… Our acting isn’t good?

—Hmm… it doesn’t seem so to me. Aren’t you always in the same state?

Rine and Penia tried to reply but closed their mouths before Yutia’s bluntness. Certainly, both had clung to the background to mark territory. They had been at the academy for almost two weeks and their acting always skirted the edge; they only dedicated themselves to fighting over who was the “true” one before Alon. But both had something to complain about internally, as crossing the line was difficult due to their sense of duty.

—If you keep going like this, you’ll be discovered. Therefore, it’s better that I assume an appropriate role —Yutia sentenced.

—… And you think you will act better?

—Of course —Yutia responded, smiling.

After another silence:

—Let’s do this —Rine proposed after meditating on it with Penia—. In reality, this shouldn’t be decided by us, but by the Godfather. Let him choose.

—That is…

—But since Yutia has just arrived, let’s give a margin of time. Does two weeks seem alright to you? And after that, let the Godfather decide —Rine concluded, looking at Penia and Yutia—. … Who will be the definitive “woman.”

—… Fine. Let’s do it that way.

With Yutia and Penia’s agreement, the late-night talk ended.

The next day.

Alon woke up as usual and thought about his future plans.

‘First, Yutia said she would create a temporary magic club as a professor. We will meet there naturally and, under the excuse of club activities, we will search for the ritual site…’.

He remembered the plan he outlined with Yutia yesterday and meditated on what to add or remove to maintain consistency when he heard a voice beside him.

—Alon.

He felt a slight movement on his arm and heard Rine’s voice.

—Rine.

Feeling that lately physical contact was bolder, Alon was going to turn to call her by her fake name when…

Chu.

—?

On Alon’s cheek, an unfamiliar sensation appeared and disappeared in an instant. It was fleeting.

—?

Involuntarily, Alon brought his hand to his cheek and looked at Rine. He was stunned and wide-eyed with surprise. And what he saw was…

—Why are you looking at me like that? If it’s something we always do.

Rine was smiling naturally while laughing softly in a playful way. It was an image of Rine that… well, bordered on the unbelievable.

And then…

—… Eh???

In the distance, the face of Penia, who came running to meet them, went petrified.

—… Ha…

Even further away, Yutia Bloodia, who had not yet left for work and was quietly watching Alon go to class, had the same reaction.