After the various confessions, nothing special happened. We didn’t forget to order a simple snack as a dessert to soothe our bored mouths.
The atmosphere was originally light, but now it’s even lighter than before. I had nothing left to hide from Marie, and Marie had also expressed her feelings.
Someone once said that there is no relationship as close as one between those who have revealed each other’s secrets. Besides, Marie wasn’t originally a burdensome person, so I was able to let my guard down completely.
“Oh, by the way, I’m curious, Isaac, where did you learn such good writing skills? Did someone teach you?”
“I didn’t learn it, I just picked it up myself. Honestly, I never dreamed that my Xenon’s Biography, which I wrote as a hobby, would turn out this well.”
“Wow… that’s amazing. Is it really just a hobby for you? There are so many different stories woven into it for just a hobby.”
Marie took this opportunity to ask me all the things she had been curious about. I could see the intense curiosity in her eyes.
“As you know, I read a lot of books. Reading autobiographies written by explorers or adventurers allowed me to indirectly experience the world. I could also ask my father for advice.”
“I see. What about the demons? You dealt with them quite deeply, including Sarkan’s demise. The results changed people’s perception.”
“Um… there’s not much to explain about that. I just didn’t like the discrimination against demons, and I never imagined that my influence would be so powerful. There’s always a statement like this in the first chapter of each Xenon’s Biography volume. All of these stories are fiction.”
“Even though it’s fiction, it felt so vivid?”
“Again, I never imagined things would turn out this way. After all, it was just a hobby.”
“Hmm…”
Although Xenon’s Biography was just a hobby for me, Marie seemed skeptical and couldn’t believe it so easily. Of course, she didn’t know that I was a reincarnated person, which explained her reaction.
I was a little embarrassed because no excuse came to mind about this. Fortunately, Marie shrugged her shoulders and seemed to believe me.
“Okay. The world is big and there are many geniuses. You can think of yourself as one of those geniuses. Don’t you think so?”
“It’s a little… embarrassing.”
“It’s okay to be embarrassed. Anyway, I really can’t believe it no matter how much I think about it. My boyfriend… is the author of Xenon’s Biography.”
Marie hesitated a little, whether the word ‘boyfriend’ was too embarrassing to say or whether I didn’t confirm it properly. She even glanced at me.
I think I should give a confirmation stamp or something on the way back.
For now, I have to endure without stamping anything because it didn’t fit the mood.
It’s best to try not to make the atmosphere awkward until then. I sipped my tea and let out a faint laugh as I listened to her words.
“Haha. That’s true. At first, even my family asked me if I really wrote it.”
“Of course… I envy your family. They could have seen it before Xenon’s Biography came out.”
“My siblings can’t even see the manuscript. It’s difficult to even send it because I’m in the academy.”
“Your siblings have to buy it themselves?”
“No, it’s not like that. My father receives books directly from the publisher and sends them by mail.”
Until the introduction of new publishing technology, you could only purchase books through fierce competition. Even Marie had a hard time getting her hands on it, which is not much different from what the other nobles experienced.
However, my family is a bit different. My parents read Xenon’s Biograph in advance through my manuscript, and Nicole and Dave get access to it through the books sent by the publisher. So, disasters where even family members can’t read it hardly ever happen.
However, Dave is currently busy with his knight work, so I’m not sure about him.
After listening to my answer, Marie seemed to be thinking deeply and then smiled mischievously. It was a somewhat playful smile.
“So you’re still writing it now?”
“Yeah.”
“Can you show me when you’re done? Just a little bit.”
“No.”
“Aww.”
She was trying to take advantage of me. When I firmly responded, Marie made a disappointed sound.
Of course, she wasn’t really serious, so I was also joking to some extent. If Marie really wanted to see it, I would be happy to show her. I have no reason to refuse as she is not someone who would do anything foolish with my manuscript.
“Just show me once~ I’m curious about the next part~”
“I haven’t finished writing it yet.”
“You’ll show me when it’s done, right?”
“No.”
“Aww…”
Then, Marie puffed up her cheeks like a character from a cartoon and showed her dissatisfaction. But to me, she only looked cute and mischievous.
I smiled contentedly and took a sip of tea, realizing at the same time what time it was. Is it true that time flies by having fun? It was definitely 6 o’clock when we started eating, but now it was already past 8.
‘From tomorrow on, I won’t have anything to do…’
As long as I don’t go back too late, it should be okay. I hoped that time would pass a little slower.
“Isaac, can you tell me how many volumes Xenon’s Biography will have?”
While I was looking at my watch and thinking, Marie asked me a question, resting her chin on her hand. I answered, setting down my tea cup.
“It will probably end with around 20 volumes. There are still a lot of stories that need to be told.”
“There’s still a long way to go. Do you have the entire story in your head?”
“It’s in my head, but I also have notes that I wrote down to keep track of the plot. I don’t know if you remember, but last time I showed you a drawing by mistake.”
“Oh, that one? The one that looked like a locomotive?”
I nodded my head. Even though it was drawn like a drawing by an elementary school student, Marie noticed it.
“The plot is written in those notes. I only brought it by mistake that time, but I won’t be bringing it to the classroom again.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. You have another world in your head, don’t you? I’m starting to doubt that we’re the same age.”
“Even if you give me those awkward compliments, they won’t stick.”
“Pfft. Was that too obvious?”
Although I spoke like that, I couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy. Sometimes, Marie would unconsciously say things that seemed to pierce through my essence.
Last time, she jokingly asked me if I would write a book, and now she said something like that even though she has no idea that I am a reincarnator. They were all questions that stung.
“Well, I really mean it when I say it’s impressive. Can you tell me when the next volume will be out?”
“It will probably come out in about a month, and with the tenth volume out, I plan to take a break until I become a third grader.”
“What?! Why…oh, is it because of the academy?”
Marie seemed momentarily flustered, but then spoke as if she understood. She was feeling quite busy herself until she became a third grader, so she probably understood.
“Yes. Once I become a third grader, I’ll have more time, so I’ll write it then. Although it might be a bit noisy, I have no choice but to prioritize my studies.”
“Hmm…so your hobby turned out to be a real hit? Can’t you just live as a writer?”
“I’ll think about that after I graduate from the academy. For now, I’m pursuing a career in history.”
Before the success of Xenon’s Biography, my dream was to become a historian. So even if Xenon’s Biography didn’t do well, it’s highly likely that I wouldn’t have cared.
Marie looked at me with a strange expression, then smiled slightly and spoke in an impressed tone.
“Isaac, you have everything planned out, don’t you? I envy you. I haven’t even figured out my career path yet.”
“I’m kind of weird. Don’t you think other people are similar to you? What do you like the most during lectures?”
“I like playing around the most.”
What are you, Pororo? I looked at Marie with a puzzled expression.
(tl note: pororo is a korean mascot from a tv show)
Marie looked at my expression and giggled like an innocent little girl.
“It’s a joke. Originally, alchemy was the most interesting. The professor explained it well, you know?”
“That’s true.”
“But now…”
She trailed off for a moment, then looked at me with a mischievous smile.
“I think history is the best now.”
“… …”
“Back in my family, I hated being forced to learn it, but not anymore. Thanks to someone.”
“Ahem. hem…”
I coughed, trying to hide my flushed face, and picked up my teacup.
*****
The time that was sweet enough to rot your teeth passed quickly. I wished that time could flow a little slower, but no matter how omnipotent a god may be, time cannot be stopped.
We had to move our feet to the dorms with regret over the time that passed too quickly for us as well. However, that didn’t mean our sweet time had come to a complete end.
“… …”
The street where only weak lamps were shining after the dark settled. Most restaurants were closed and there were hardly any pedestrians passing by, so the quiet atmosphere had settled.
And we were holding hands, walking slowly, very slowly, down that street. Hoping that this sweet time would go slower, even if it was just a little bit.
Hoping to delay the time to arrive at the dorms, even if it was just a little bit.
Marie and I were walking with our hands together, without saying a word.
“… …”
I looked at Marie, who was walking with her gaze fixed on the ground like me, with my head down.
Her face, when she was startled by me holding her hand first after coming out of the restaurant, was vividly coming to my mind.
It was such a cute reaction, unlike when she kissed me boldly.
‘I wish this time could last forever.’
Can there be a happier time than being with the person you love? I lifted my head and looked up at the night sky.
The stars were densely packed in the darkness, forming a galaxy. It was such a beautiful and mysterious sight that I almost lost my mind.
Come to think of it, when was the last time I looked up at the sky like this? I used to do it frequently when I had nothing to do at home, but since coming to the academy and being busy every day, I haven’t had the luxury of staring at the night sky.
stare-
Just as I was gazing absentmindedly at the Milky Way, Marie suddenly stopped in her tracks and I followed suit.
When I checked why she had stopped, we had arrived at a crossroads that led to our respective dorms.
I wanted to walk Marie to the women’s dormitory, but unfortunately, I knew it was against the academy rules and I didn’t want to risk getting a strict warning.
In any case, it was a sign that it was almost time for us to say goodbye. I turned my gaze towards Marie at the crossroads.
Coincidentally, Marie had just turned her head to look at me.
“… …”
We looked at each other without saying a word, and held hands tightly.
What should I say at a moment like this? Should I say I don’t want to let go, or bid her a farewell?
As I struggled to find the right words, Marie looked at me with moist eyes and spoke softly.
“…Isaac.”
“…Yes?”
“That… you know. Us…”
“Are we dating?”
As Marie hesitated, I made the first move. Marie’s body jerked at first, but she slowly nodded her head.
Although I spoke for her, she turned her gaze away, still feeling embarrassed. I gave her a gentle smile.
“To be honest, the only thing I wanted to talk to you about today was Xenon’s Biography. Your actions were unexpected.”
“… …”
“Of course, that doesn’t mean I didn’t have feelings for you. You were my first friend when I entered the academy, and there was no one else as easy to talk to as you. I did have some romantic feelings for you.”
As I spoke, Marie slowly lifted her face to meet my gaze. Her eyes were shaking slightly, perhaps due to nervousness.
Then, instead of holding hands, I reached out and touched her face with my other hand. The sensation was warm and soft, transmitting through my hand.
Marie was surprised by my touch and her eyes widened. Her face was noticeably redder than before.
I trembled like an earthquake as I looked into her eyes, then slowly leaned in and…
Kiss-
Like what Marie did to me at the restaurant, our lips touched each other’s. If it were just a bird kiss, we should have pulled away right here, but I didn’t stop.
“Umm…!”
It wasn’t just a simple peck, but a deep kiss that lovers would share. Marie’s lips were tightly closed, so there was no room for my tongue to enter, but it didn’t matter. This was just an action to confirm my feelings.
Moreover, Marie was probably so nervous that she had tightly closed her lips that she might not have even realized what was happening. I wanted to use my tongue to knock on her lips, but I barely held back. We could slow down for later.
For now, just confirming each other’s feelings with our lips touching each other deeply would suffice. Marie would have wanted this too.
“Huah!”
“… …”
After a long but short time, I pulled my lips away, and Marie let out a gasp that she had been holding in. Her face was red as if it would burst right now, and she was breathing heavily.
I, too, wanted to fan my hot face with my hand. In my own way, I had been brave, but it was still embarrassing.
As I looked at Marie, who seemed unsure of what to do next, I opened my mouth quietly. I couldn’t hide the trembling in my voice.
“And now, my heart has changed.”
“Ugh… Uh…”
It didn’t matter that Marie couldn’t think straight due to her shyness. I approached her and hugged her tightly.
As I did so, I could vividly feel her body stiffening up.
Finally, I leaned in and gave her a decisive blow, my chin resting on the shoulder.
“I like you, Marie.”
“… …”
“Is that okay?”
Then Marie’s stiff body relaxed. Soon after, she raised both arms and hugged me carefully.
“Uh-huh.”
We exchanged warmth with each other for a while, with her timid response.
*****
It was when the two lovers, a man and a woman, were sharing their warmth and confirming their feelings under the night sky with the Milky Way spread out above them.
It was so late at night that there were hardly any passersby around, but that didn’t mean there were none at all.
“… …”
And a pair of red eyes were staring intensely at the lovers who were showing affection for each other.
Although their appearance was difficult to discern in the darkness, their red eyes shone brightly and gave off an ominous feeling.
The person who was watching the sweet atmosphere of the lovers with a complicated gaze narrowed their eyes halfway through.
Their feelings of discomfort were clearly visible, and their demeanor seemed like they could step forward at any moment.
“…No.”
But soon, they closed their eyes completely and restrained their impulses. The owner of the red eyes murmured in a meaningful voice.
“At least not now. For now…”
Translators note:
Heh, I love fangirling with the boys.
Also Cecily slowly getting her yandere engine going…
