Chapter 48

“That’s the promenade over there.”

I pointed towards a path offering a view of the sea.

“The railing’s pretty sturdy, but better not lean on it just in case.”

I waved my fingers for emphasis as Doyugeon gave a casual nod. Not sure if he really understood or was just telling me to shut up.

I feel like I forgot something… Oh yeah.

“That’s what Yumina told me.”

The story’s that Yumina and one other were planning a trip here with me, and then Doyugeon was invited along too. Almost slipped into host mode while explaining.

Doyugeon, who’d been admiring the view, turned to look at me. The moment of eye contact lasted in silence. What is it?

“Do I really have to keep up this pretense?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Yumina mentioned it. Both the island and the villa belong to you, she said.”

What? Glancing back along her pointed finger, I saw the villa. Just then, Yumina, who caught my gaze, enthusiastically waved both hands at me. You traitor.

“Well, I’ll take a walk then. Have an honest chat.”

Huh?

I quickly grabbed his arm as he started to stroll off.

“I’ll just change into more comfortable shoes and join you.”

“Are you coming too?”

“Huh? You don’t want me to…?”

Doyugeon averted his eyes and scratched his cheek.

“I was going to go alone.”

Without me? Why?

“Do you not want a walking companion?”

“It’s just a simple walk, not really necessary.”

I feel like my thoughts are getting tangled.

“Well then, alright… good. Go ahead and walk alone. I actually wanted to rest at the villa anyway. I’m rather tired from the boat ride. This place really isn’t my style.”

After seeing him off, I returned to the villa.

I met Yumina, who was about to take out a glass.

“Perfect timing, Young Lady! I-”

“Stop right there. Come here.”

I beckoned with a finger, and Yumina, flustered, approached me.

“It’s you. It seems my lines aren’t getting through well. I asked you to adjust the scenario a little, but you ran off and told Doyugeon everything, didn’t you? How embarrassing.”

Yumina scanned the area, then knelt slightly.

“What?”

“Sorry.”

Quick recovery.

I couldn’t find any words, so I just stared, causing Yumina to glance awkwardly around. Truly, I’ll let it slide because you’re cute.

“Alright, let’s leave it. What were you about to say just now?”

“Oh, that! I’ve prepared something.”

Yumina led me to an outdoor table by the side of the villa where a Magical Girl was setting things up.

“Ta-da!”

Yumina dramatically pointed to a bottle in an ice bucket.

“Dom Pérignon Vintage 2009!”

“So, champagne?”

“Yeah!”

“Alcohol?”

“Right!”

But there shouldn’t be any alcohol in the villa. Even if there was, it would’ve been put away long ago.

“I brought it!”

“Why did you?”

We’re in middle school second year.

“Miss, you lack romance. It’s natural to bring it!”

“I don’t get it.”

Yumina looked surprised.

“Do you not drink at home?”

“I don’t.”

My parents do drink wine but access is prohibited for me, and personally, I’m not a fan of drinking. Alcohol’s for business.

“You lack romance.”

“Put it in Doyugeon’s room before he notices.”

“Should we drink it before he comes? Really, you won’t drink?”

A champagne glass was passed over. Hmm…

“Let me try a sip first.”

Sitting down, I took a glass. The fruity aroma is good. A mix of various fruits with a pleasant feel. Lost in the scent for a while, I was then urged.

“Hurry up and drink. It’ll get warm!”

“Wait, you lack romance yourself.”

I swirled the glass. A stronger aroma rose. Yumina gasped.

“Who drinks champagne like that?”

“And? What should I do?”

Beside me, a Magical Girl drinking casually looked surprised and asked if there was a proper method. Yumina replied that you can drink however you like.

“It’s meant to be enjoyed. Still, it’s best to drink it cold. Pour it into a glass, then drink it quickly.”

She glanced at me then. Isn’t this a big difference in attitude? After a brief eye exchange, I finished it off. Sweet and refreshing, though… bitter. Using salad as an accompaniment, Yumina refilled my glass.

“Recently, it feels like Doyugeon has been creating some distance between us. Why is he doing that? It’s perplexing.”

“That’s your fault, isn’t it?”

Yumina, swirling her glass confidently, responded. She did so too.

“What did I do?”

“You just order people around, put pressure on them, and lie. Naturally, it’s like that.”

I’ve been practicing restraint, never installed spy devices or anything. No threats have been made.

I took another sip and received a refill.

“You’ve been like that from the start, so why now?”

“Wow, you’re extremely honest!”

The Magical Girl was impressed.

“I’m quite honest. By the way, what’s your name again? I can’t seem to recall.”

“You can call me whatever.”

“Whatever? Really?”

“Sure.”

Calling you whatever sounds good.

“Hello, Baduk.”

“Even as a person’s name…”

Yumina looked troubled. Too many requests. The actual person is just standing quietly.

“As the individual, what do you think? Does Baduk sound good?”

“It’s such a great name. I want to keep hearing it that much.”

“Seems like you don’t like it. That’s rude.”

Yumina nearly choked while drinking, then started coughing and frantically waved her hands. What’s she talking about? The flavor is strange now. Is she drunk? I tossed over a handkerchief.

When it comes to people’s names…

It’s suddenly getting irritating. What to use? Schrödinger is already taken. Then, Laplace.

“I’ll call you Laplace.”

“Which nationality does the name Laplace belong to?”

Laplace looked curious.

“Do you not know Laplace’s Demon?”

“There aren’t such demons in Christianity. Is it from Paganism?”

“Stupid.”

I emptied my glass, holding it up to signal Yumina to refill me.

“Wait.”

Yumina hurriedly cleaned off her mouth and clothes with a handkerchief. She’s so busy. When Laplace tried casting magic for champagne, Yumina immediately took it away.

“Young Lady, you need to stop. Your unfiltered thoughts are coming out.”

“This is called opening up. It’s a sign of friendship.”

Yumina whispered to Laplace.

“Know what? Despite this, she doesn’t call Doyugeon stupid once.”

“I heard all of that.”

“Phew.”

Puffing her cheeks doesn’t change the fact that I heard everything.

“Alcohol is the lubricant of communication. Oiled machinery and dry machinery make different sounds.”

“Then, is it okay to insult me honestly?”

Laplace looked surprised with wide eyes.

“Are you trying to leave?”

Speak sensibly.

“Anyway, you’re Laplace from now on. Hello Laplace. How’s the research and development going?”

Laplace stood up, raising both hands in a threatening way.

“Kyaa! I’m Laplace. Here to judge the angels!”

“That’s not what that demon is!”

No response. Trying the magic champagne again, Yumina quickly blocked it.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Do you know your Young Lady’s alcohol capacity?”

“How should I know?”

This is the first time drinking in this life.

Yumina emphasized while holding up the bottle.

“This is 12% alcohol, okay? It’s hard enough to deal with a drunk Young Lady. Very, very.”

“Don’t worry about nothing.”

I pointed at the villa. Beyond the window was the Security Team Leader, watching with an air of disbelief.

“Professionalism.”

“I feel sorry for the bodyguards.”

“That’s for them to figure out.”

Trying to grab the champagne again, Yumina blocked once more. Whatever.

“Fine, you drink more.”

I waved my hand and took a bite of chicken breast for mouth-cleansing.

Standing up, Yumina asked.

“Going to bed?”

“Do you think I’m a sleepyhead? I’m going to see Doyugeon. He’s surely lost his way by now, having strayed off the path.”

“That’s not a good idea. Your filter’s off now. What kind of conversation do you plan to have?”

“Because of that comment about being rude to her?”

Pointing at Laplace, Yumina nodded.

A giggle escaped. Guess I’m tipsy too. Good thing I stopped at the right moment.

“Too innocent. But that’s why you’re cute.”

I flew up to the promenade towards the sky. The air felt cold. I rubbed my cheeks. Could’ve eaten more snacks. I’m sleepy. Maybe I should just go back and sleep.

Doyugeon was sitting in the grass a bit off the promenade, the sea ahead. I stopped in front of him, pointing towards the sea.

“What are you doing?”

“Looking at the sea.”

I pointed at myself, and when he slightly moved, I saw the sea.

“I know that.”

“Then what?”

Then what… Hmm. Now that I ask, it’s hard to respond. Hmm. Oh.

“Do you have any worries, Doyugeon?”

“Not particularly.”

I leaned closer and looked at him.

“I asked.”

“Are you drunk?”

“Just a little?”

Doyugeon paused to think for a while. After waiting for a bit, he spoke.

“Recently, I don’t really know what to do.”

“You’re still studying, right?”

“Sort of, but there’s a lot of backlog.”

That’s enough, isn’t it? What more do you want?

“Right now, you don’t have to do anything. About studying too. But if you’re already studying, that’s more than enough.”

Doyugeon chuckled a bit.

“Isn’t studying something you should do?”

“Well, you could study abroad. There are many ways to get into good universities in foreign countries even if your grades aren’t great. So, just relax and study comfortably.”

“I’ll just keep studying.”

“Good. You’ve grown up.”

As I patted his head, his ears turned red. He rushed over and hugged me. Ah! Surprised by the sudden move, I flailed and fell.

Doyugeon inhaled near my neck.

“I’ll level up too.”

Excuse me?

That calls for some restraint…

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