LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 105
So… is this how it’s supposed to be written? I worried that I might have soaked it too much, but there was nothing I could do about it now that it was already wet.
I was told that just wetting it would be enough. Yet, with nothing particularly happening, I couldn’t help but question if I was doing it right.
If something isn’t working, it’s almost always a 90% chance that the problem lies with the user, not the item. Since I had brought it from my hometown, the likelihood of it being wrong was almost nonexistent.
While I stared at the stinky paper, lost in thought, a red line began to appear on it.
It seemed to be on the ‘no’ side.
I waited a bit longer, wondering if the results might take a while to appear, but nothing changed.
…Indeed, the performance is solid. I was worried it might break through even a 1% chance, but thankfully, there wouldn’t be a situation where my mother became a grandmother.
More than anything, my father’s heart would surely be shattered first…
That’s a problem too. Even if my mother could somehow be persuaded, it was clear how my father would feel about Dokan. He would probably draw his sword immediately, thinking, “Who does this scruffy dog think he is, stealing my daughter?”
…Well, I’ve never had children, so I can’t really fathom what that feeling is like. The closest I’ve come was a pet I raised, but even that didn’t hold much attachment for me.
Could I think of it like Dokan developing feelings for another woman?
I didn’t even want to entertain that thought. If that were the case, I’d want to tear him apart and reclaim what’s mine… which would definitely be dangerous.
Still, I could understand my dad’s feelings to a certain extent. He might not think of me as an object, but he surely wouldn’t want someone precious to him to leave his side.
It’s natural to feel a boiling heart at the thought of someone departing. Slowly realizing I had been just staring at the paper in the bathroom, I threw it into the toilet and lay back on my bed with a lightened heart.
Lately, I hadn’t had any time for myself since I was always hanging around with Dokan. Physically, I didn’t feel tired, but mentally, I was pretty worn out.
No matter how much time I spent with someone I love, it still drains the energy of an introvert.
So, today, I thought I would just lie down or dawdle in the library. After all, spending Friday afternoons alone has always been a common sense.
“…Huuuuuuh…”
Having time to oneself is comfortable, yet somehow a little empty. I didn’t used to feel that way, but people seem to change surprisingly quickly.
It still felt familiar, so I suppose change is inevitable.
“Ugh… Ehh. Hehehe… Dokan smells….”
It was about time to wash my bed sheets. But there was no need to do it today. I wouldn’t be meeting Dokan, so a substitute was necessary.
“SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS… Hwaaa…”
A very faint scent of blood was mixed in there, reminding me enough of that day. I’d remember it all without that, but having a sensory medium made it clearer.
Ugh, no. Today is my personal time. If I think about memories with someone, it’ll only make me feel lonely, so I cut off that train of thought.
Traveling and vacations are separate things; practically, I have a solid three and a half months to lounge around. It’s clear that whether here or on Earth, first years are meant to have free time.
…But why didn’t I have even one person I loved during my first year?
Thinking back, I’d expect there to be at least one. But when I tried to recall, not a single name came to mind.
How dreary.
If I kept going like this, I felt I would just spiral into endless gloom, so I shot up from my spot. Lying on the bed for too long made me feel like I would lose all my energy to get up.
Then I’d have to go to the library. Usually, negative thoughts dissipate when other thoughts fill in their place.
I reached into my wardrobe, grabbed any clothes that caught my attention, and then my eyes landed on my casual wear.
…No, it’s not like I had to show off to anyone today. There’s really no need to wear it. I diverted my gaze and headed to the library.
On the way, I bought a cream bread, munching on it as I entered the library, only to be shocked at how empty it was.
With exams over, there surely wasn’t anything to do. Even readers who enjoyed books wouldn’t be so passionate as to come to the library right after classes.
The librarians briefly considered stopping me from bringing food into the library, but upon seeing my face, they shut their mouths as if nothing had happened.
Lately, it feels like no matter what I do, I get exceptions made for me. I had the feeling I was being treated differently.
I didn’t see much of the earlier portions, so I didn’t know for sure, but could this academy that purportedly emphasized equality really allow this?
Actually, it seems like they’re providing services to high-ranking individuals in the back. But seeing Anya, it didn’t seem that way.
Well, that’s good for me. It’s comfortable. Since I’ve read just about every casual novel, I was now looking for scientific books.
Even if it isn’t as much as my hometown, considering how far they’ve come, it was astounding they could develop this much without a God.
Seeing how much they’ve progressed without research facilities or theoretical validation made me wonder if they could catch up if given enough time.
However, such thoughts washed away as soon as I looked outside.
Dokan was walking with Iris.
– – – –
Today, the plans I had with Ho-yeon crumbled, as she said she was tired and would go home early.
Lately, I had been constantly accompanied by her, so I assumed it would be the same today. But for some unknown reason, she decided to drop off first today.
It wasn’t something I disliked. Just then, I had a few things I needed to get done while she wasn’t around.
I may have made it sound big, but really it was just about sorting out my relationships with the heroines.
I’m not sure if it’s a big deal, but it was certainly something I couldn’t do while Ho-yeon was beside me, so clearing everything up today would be the right choice.
There was no need to specifically seek out Camilla and Iris. I had already crossed the river of no return with them. It was somewhat unfortunate that it happened just because I had Ho-yeon beside me.
Then, should I tackle Anya first? That felt a bit hesitating too. I was worried I might interrupt her while she was enjoying herself with Eric.
I couldn’t find Cecilia anywhere. So, naturally, Iris was all that was left.
She would always be sipping a drink alone in the café, so there wasn’t too much pressure. Although we didn’t have much of a relationship built up, this definitely needed to be sorted out.
Arriving at the café, I found Iris sitting in her usual spot, sipping on something.
“Good to see you, Iris.”
“Oh, it’s you… Dokan, right? It feels like it’s been a while. Is, uh… Ho-yeon… doing well?”
I had interacted with her a few times personally, but there hadn’t been any significant progress, so we were sort of just acquaintances.
Just someone I know, that’s all.
“Yes, and how about you, Iris?”
“Fortunately, a certain rude person has disappeared. Life has become quite comfortable, you know? So, what brings you to meet me?”
“Actually…”
I wanted to be good friends with you.
That was ultimately what I wanted to say. Connections are a precious resource, so rather than cutting ties harshly, I wanted to leave the door open for help.
“Friends…? Well, I suppose that’s fine, but weren’t we already friends?”
“Oh, is that so?”
Even though Iris has become much more relaxed than in the original story, it seems her foundations are still that of an introvert, and like Ho-yeon, she has a very low hurdle for friendship.
“Yes. Um, since I’m a bit bored, shall we take a walk? I’ve always wanted to ask for such a favor if I made a friend.”
Knowing that it felt sort of like cheating on Ho-yeon while she was out, but it should be fine. If I explains calmly, she’ll understand.
If it’s about clearing up relationships, she would be welcoming, too.
“Let’s.”
To be honest, I was most curious. In the original story, Iris only passively followed along, showing no initiative.
I had no idea what she liked or disliked.
It doesn’t really matter, but it’s human to want to know what unfamiliar things are.
“Is that so? Iris, do you have anything you like or dislike?”
To break the endless praise of caffeine, I asked her what she loved and hated.
“Of course! First of all, coffee with only one spoon of sugar, gently mixed with milk… And… Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve gone on too much about coffee, haven’t I? Um… Other than coffee… I guess watching the stars?”
Watching the stars. It seems to go well with her last name, Stargazer.
“When I look at the night sky, there’s always a star that feels like it’s watching over us. Relentlessly, but without any meaning. It’s hard to explain, but that feeling is so fascinating that I can’t help but keep looking up at the sky.”
I had never seen a night sky, so I couldn’t relate to her words, but I was still happy to learn something new.
When I asked what she disliked, she immediately spat out water-down coffee and coffee with ice, and then Stephanie came up. I had somewhat expected this.
While enjoying a different flavor of conversation than with Ho-yeon, I felt a prickling presence, and when I looked around, I saw pointy ears and a pair of golden eyes glaring at me.
The fur on its tail looked like it had fluffed up and was not very pleasant.