Chapter 65: Chapter 65

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: A Late-Night Event

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On the summer sea.

Hania and I.

And Isabel, Mina, and Sharin's group stood facing us.

For some reason, Isabel was staring at me with a dazed expression.

Sharin gazed at me, her eyes slightly narrower than usual.

"Oh, hello, everyone."

Hania smiled as if she had only just noticed everyone.

As she did so, she pulled my hand closer.

Don't do this.

It feels like something else might touch.

At that, Mina gasped.

"Hania, when did you two get so close?"

Even with his girlfriend right there, she wasn't going to tease her boyfriend, was she?

Mina spoke to me warmly.

Hania's eyes met mine.

"Ah, it was during the Demon Palace incident, right?"

"Yes, that's when I confessed."

With every word I spoke, Isabel's eyes trembled violently.

At that, I slowly began to feel that something was off.

"Hanon."

Just then, Sharin called out.

She was staring intently at me.

"Sharin, why did you call?"

"Don't you know?"

Know what?

Even so, Sharin just kept staring at me silently.

"Ah, ha, ha."

Mina, perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, also laughed awkwardly.

Then Hania, who was holding my hand, subtly pressured me to leave.

I, too, found it difficult to stay in this inexplicably unsettling atmosphere any longer.

"Well then, we'll be going."

"Have a good time, everyone!"

Hania and I left the spot.

After the three people's gazes faded into the distance,

Hania naturally let go of my hand.

"We left all our luggage, so what were you doing playing around like that?"

"I just chatted for a moment because I saw some familiar faces."

"From where I stood, it looked like the corners of your mouth were turned up. Should I have just let you enjoy being surrounded by those girls?"

I don't think I actually turned up the corners of my mouth.

As I subtly touched my lips, Hania looked at me with an displeased expression.

"Are you perhaps jealous?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

How terrifying.

"It's just that I don't like having to pretend to be jealous when you're grinning stupidly at other women."

"Don't you think you don't really need to go that far with the act?"

"If we're going to do it, we should do it properly. This is a good chance to get rid of all those annoying men."

To that end, she was determined to play the part of a truly loving girl.

What terrifying determination.

If it's Hania's determination, I feel like she could achieve anything.

"More importantly, Hanon, those two just now—"

The moment Hania was about to speak, Iris waved from the other side.

"Hania, Hanon."

At that instant, Iris, who was sitting under a parasol, beckoned us over.

"Yes, Lady Iris!"

Hania dropped the expression she had just been giving me and instantly ran towards Iris, smiling brightly.

"Since we've come all this way to play, let's go to the sea."

"Yes, of course!"

I unceremoniously put down my luggage.

Trailing behind the two, I couldn't help but worry about Isabel's expression from earlier, which had looked especially like a discarded puppy's.

* * *

On the surface of the sea.

I floated leisurely on a tube.

In the distance, I could see Iris and Hania playing, splashing water.

They had been close friends since childhood.

So, they played well together even without me joining in.

Thanks to that, I enjoyed a long-awaited moment of peace.

'I wonder what the others are doing during this break.'

First, Seron said he was going back to his family home.

"Thunder Sweet Potato, don't be sad just because I'm not here. Got it?"

I hope he never comes back.

Card also decided to go back to his family home.

His family home must be quite far.

Knowing the circumstances of Card's family home, I figured he'd have a tough time.

"Wangnon, you're a traitor for getting a girlfriend. But as your senior, I'll specially buy you a book on how to spend time with your girlfriend in bed this time."

I hope this guy dies too.

Why do I only get annoyed when I think of those two jerks?

I earnestly hoped something would happen to those two at their family homes.

Just then.

I felt something tickling my foot.

A foot was touching it.

Wondering what it was, I lowered my head and saw a pale face.

"Hanon, heyyy."

There was Sharin, floating in the water, her hand casually raised.

When did she get here?

"Let's talk a bit."

With that, Sharin disappeared back into the water.

"Huh."

At that moment, Sharin's hand suddenly shot out from under the tube.

The moment I was startled, the hand abruptly pulled me in.

Splash!

Before I could react, I fell off the tube and into the water, thrashing about.

As I frantically tried to surface, I realized my hand was blocked by some kind of barrier.

At the same time, I was breathing.

I was inside an air barrier.

This air barrier, cast in the water, was Sharin's magic.

Her hair, shining with the light reflecting through the water, was quite beautiful.

"Sharin?"

"Let's talk."

Talk, all of a sudden?

If she came all this way just to talk, it must be something important.

"What is it? If it's about wanting me to buy you bread, I'm not talking."

"Do you think I'm some kind of bread monster?"

I guess not.

"Let me just ask one thing first. Are you really dating Hania?"

Was that a prerequisite she needed to know beforehand?

I had shared many secrets with Sharin over time.

Since she was helping me, it felt wrong to hide this from her too.

"No, that's not it. Hania just ran into some trouble, and I'm simply helping her out."

When I informed her of our arrangement, Sharin's eyes softened slightly.

It was an action she herself wasn't even aware of.

"Alright, then, to the main point—it's about Bell."

My expression immediately changed.

Sharin was Isabel's closest friend.

So, she was also the person most sensitive to Isabel's changes.

Although she had been doing quite well recently.

After losing Lucas, Isabel had a history of trying to take her own life.

As she hadn't fully recovered from the trauma of Lucas's death yet,

Her heart could lean back towards that path at any time.

"Tell me."

As I adopted a listening posture, Sharin glanced up at the surface of the water.

It seemed she was looking at Isabel, who was over there.

"Recently, Isabel's behavior has been a bit strange."

"Strange, how?"

"How should I put it? She's dazed. She can't focus well."

"Not like you?"

The air bubble shrank slightly.

If I tease her any more, I'll drown.

"Since when?"

When I changed the subject, Sharin wrapped her arm with the hand holding her staff.

"Well, umm."

Sharin stammered for a moment.

For some reason, she was taking her time.

"What is it?"

When I urged her a little, feeling impatient, Sharin glanced at me.

"It seems to have been since Hanon and Hania started dating."

My eyes blinked.

And my head tilted.

Why?

What reason would Isabel have to be dazed after Hania and I started dating?

Nothing came to mind at all.

"...I've been doing a little speculating..."

Then Sharin, in her own way, provided an answer.

She was intelligent.

She might know the answer.

"Could it be that Bell likes Hanon?"

What nonsense.

I stared silently at Sharin.

But Sharin's eyes were serious.

"...Is that even a plausible thing to say?"

"But that's the kind of reaction you'd expect when a guy you like gets a girlfriend."

"Think about it logically. How many times have I spoken harshly to Isabel? For her to like a guy like that, is she some kind of serious pervert?"

"That wasn't serious, though."

I was speechless for a moment.

Why are there only sharp-witted people around me?

It's a problem when everyone around you is too smart.

"Bell isn't stupid either. She probably has a vague idea why Hanon acts that way."

Had my efforts to provoke her been insufficient?

As I felt dispirited, Sharin offered another answer.

"Even so, there has to be at least a trigger. And more importantly,"

From what I could see, Isabel's expression was far from love.

It was, how should I put it?

It held many complex emotions that couldn't be easily defined.

"So, let's use this opportunity to find out."

"Find out how?"

Did she have magic that could see into people's hearts?

"Just ask her directly."

I blinked.

I subtly pointed at Sharin, and she shook her head.

This time, when I pointed at myself, Sharin nodded.

"...If it's about love, wouldn't it be better if you asked?"

"Do you think Bell would talk about love with me?"

Probably not.

With Sharin, she might zone out and accidentally blurt out the story somewhere.

"And if the person hasn't realized it themselves, it's better to ask directly. That way, you can observe their reaction and confirm it."

I let out a sigh.

No matter how I thought about it, it definitely didn't seem like that was the case.

But then again, there wasn't really a better option.

If Isabel was exhibiting strange symptoms, I had to confirm them myself.

'Isabel's awakening episode isn't too far off either.'

Until then, I had to look after Isabel's mental state as much as possible.

"Alright."

Even so, there'd at least be a chance to ask about her strange symptoms, right?

"So, how are you going to ask?"

"I'll create a setting."

Sharin's eyes gleamed suspiciously.

"It's a late-night event where anything and everything comes out easily."

An unnecessary sense of unease began to creep in.

* * *

A summer night makes people sentimental.

The sound of ocean waves drifting from afar.

The chirping of insects from amidst the bushes.

Drops of sweat subtly trickling from beneath my collar.

Summer definitely has the power to stir people's hearts.

On such a captivating summer night.

I was currently in a room with two of the school's most renowned beauties.

Iris, who had played to her heart's content during the day, was lying leisurely on the hostel bed.

Being summer, she was lightly dressed, and her skin kept showing through.

Hania sat beside her, fanning Iris to keep her cool.

Even though the room had cooling magic cast upon it, Hania's devotion was absolute.

"Lady Iris, even so, I am a man, so wouldn't it have been better if we got separate rooms?"

When I spoke to Iris, who was lying there in very light clothing, she glanced at me.

"I sleep well when Hanon is next to me."

"Hanon, listen to Lady Iris obediently."

Surely she wasn't planning to hug me and sleep again tonight?

I wish she'd consider the perspective of the person who has to fall asleep being hugged.

Iris's rose scent was slowly making me dizzy.

'I need to resolve this as soon as possible.'

At this rate, Iris might even come looking for me at the dorms, claiming she can't sleep.

However, thanks to this situation, I was able to realize one thing.

'I can be sure now what emotion the Veil Bandage has suppressed in me.'

Iris was one of the most beautiful women in the Empire.

Yet, even with her hugging me repeatedly,

My heart remained remarkably calm.

Just as when a man hugs me, I might feel unpleasant but not think much of it,

When a woman hugged me, I might feel good, but no particular thoughts arose.

To be precise, I was completely devoid of sexual feelings at the moment.

'As expected, the emotion I lost due to the Veil Bandage was love, just like Lucas.'

Perhaps the reason Iris hugged me and slept so freely was also because

I didn't show any sexual interest in her whatsoever.

Iris was extremely sensitive.

If I had harbored even a hint of such feelings, she would surely have noticed.

'Is it because I've felt this way from the start, as if I never knew these emotions?'

Even with one emotion gone, I felt no regret whatsoever.

On the contrary, it helped me view any situation objectively.

'So, this is...'

In essence, it was no different from being in a constant state of "post-nut clarity."

'No, wait. Is it more dangerous than I thought?'

I felt that this moment, right now, was not much of a problem.

But the erosion of emotions must surely be affecting something.

'Perhaps this, too, is an effect of the Veil Bandage.'

I felt that emotions disappearing was normal and nothing to worry about.

Thinking about it that way, it certainly was dangerous.

'Love, you see...'

It's not limited to other people.

Love includes things like animals, and also my most cherished activities and hobbies.

And furthermore,

'Oneself.'

I looked down at my hands.

Recently, as my capacity for love eroded, I found myself caring less and less for myself.

Of course, I acted by using whatever means necessary because the situations were dangerous if I didn't.

But there was definitely a tendency to treat myself carelessly underlying it all.

...Now that I've realized it, it might be more dangerous than I thought.

When my love completely erodes and I can no longer even love myself,

What choice will I make?

"Hanon?"

Iris leaned her head out beside me and called my name.

She had seen me deep in thought and expressed her puzzlement.

"Are you okay? Are you tired?"

"I'm fine."

"How could I be tired when Lady Iris hugs me so warmly? My energy actually overflows."

Hania grumbled, her eyes filled with jealousy.

When it came to Iris, she didn't hide her jealousy.

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.

In any case, thanks to this, even if I was in a room with Iris and Hania,

Nothing untoward would happen.

'More importantly, right now...'

I was worried about that "late-night event" Sharin mentioned.

Since she was such an eccentric person,

I was worried about what on earth she might do.

Looking outside, the sky had already turned pitch black.

The summer night breeze tapped against the window.

Knock-knock-

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it."

Instead of Hania, who was about to put down her fan, I got up.

When I opened the door, sure enough, Sharin was there.

The problem was that an unexpected smell wafted strongly from Sharin.

I instinctively covered my nose.

"Sharin, you..."

It was the smell of alcohol.

I closed the door and stepped outside.

"A late-night event, you said. Was this what you meant?"

"Everything just comes out when you drink, you know?"

Unlike reality, in the 'Flame Butterfly' arc, people over 15 could drink alcohol without issue.

As such, it wasn't strange for Sharin to be drinking.

"I don't think Isabel would drink alcohol, though."

"Mina talked her into it."

For some reason, it seemed Mina was the one introducing all the bad habits.

"And Bell had been pushed to her limits too, you know."

Since she was finally getting a break, it seemed she also leaned on the power of alcohol.

"Still, she seemed pretty okay recently."

"Yeah, thanks to Hanon."

My efforts to provoke her had paid off.

"Because Bell still hasn't escaped Lucas's shadow."

Sharin's eyes held a complex expression.

Lucas had been a friend to Sharin too.

Though not as close as Isabel,

Lucas's death had been shocking for her as well.

"Bell admired Lucas. He was the kind of person who seemed like he could do anything."

When the person she admired returned in cold death,

The shock must have been unspeakable.

"Bell is probably superimposing Lucas onto Hanon."

"I don't really have anything in common with Lucas, though."

"The fact that you seem like you can do anything."

The corners of Sharin's mouth turned up.

"In that respect, you're similar, aren't you?"

That smile was a look that reminded me of all the crazy things I'd done so far.

"I've never seen anyone cause unexpected trouble as often as Hanon."

It's because I'm desperate in my own way and don't hesitate to use any means necessary.

"So, it's not strange for Isabel to see Hanon as a reflection of Lucas."

Sharin was particularly chatty today.

Soon after, I noticed Sharin's ears were flushed red.

'This girl.'

She's drunk.

I thought she was oddly talkative.

I didn't realize because her face looked perfectly fine.

'Then again, to get Isabel to drink...'

Sharin would have had to drink alongside her.

'Looking at it this way, I can clearly see how much Sharin cares for Isabel.'

More than anyone, Sharin wished for Isabel to no longer be in pain and to live a life true to herself.

That's why she asked me, a stranger at the time, to draw out Isabel's anger.

And today, to draw out Isabel's true feelings, she even drank alcohol with her.

"Sharin."

Sharin's eyes faintly met mine.

"Isabel is truly blessed to have a friend like you."

Sharin hadn't been able to be Isabel's pillar of support after she lost Lucas.

Perhaps she felt guilty about that.

Hearing my words, Sharin let out a laugh.

It was the clearest laugh I had ever seen from Sharin.

"Hanon, I..."

Sharin covered her mouth.

"I think I'm going to throw up."

So that was just her last struggle before throwing up.