Chapter 150

Chapter 150

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 150: Unexpected Cohabitation (2).

The Reinhardt estate’s proximity to the Stellarium made it convenient for Ceti to frequent both locations as if they were her own backyard. She needed to monitor the secret slush fund she’d hidden from her brother, and she also had to prepare thoroughly for her future role as head of the family.

Moreover, the Academia dormitory beds were terribly uncomfortable.

It was far more refreshing to stretch out and rest in her own bed at home.

As was her habit, Ceti stopped by the estate and made her way to her room.

But then she froze.

There was an unexpected visitor.

“…?”

Though ‘visitor’ might not be the right word.

What was that white creature writhing on her bed?

At first glance, due to their matching hair color, the sight didn’t seem particularly out of place – as if she’d encountered her own double.

When her stunned mind finally began working again…

“Hey, you little brat!”

The words burst from her mouth.

Not a double after all – it was Zelnya, who turned to look at her with vacant eyes, like someone who had just woken from a deep sleep.

Ceti’s face crumpled in anger.

“What are you… What are you doing here? Huh?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you here? Do you have a death wish?”

“It’s not that, I—”

“Don’t answer. I’ll figure it out myself.”

Her deliberation didn’t last long.

“Ah, I get it now. You must have tricked the android guard to get in here. You’re trying to cause trouble for me and brother Aidel, aren’t you? You’re quite persistent.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, ‘no’? This is trespassing. I’m reporting you.”

“It’s not trespassing. I have permission…”

“Get out of my room!”

“What?”

Zelnya’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“This is your room?”

“Ha! You’ve got some nerve! Whose room did you think this was? Of course, it’s mine, you white-haired idiot!”

Zelnya quickly jumped up from the bed and began apologizing.

“I’m so sorry! I had no idea…”

“Really now?”

Recognizing her transgression, Zelnya immediately lowered her head in submission. The gesture surprised Ceti – who would have thought the usually proud Adelwein would bow like this… but wait, that wasn’t the real issue.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it.”

Ceti felt her blood boiling. The real problem was the slush fund. Hidden in that very bed where Zelnya had been lying was money that nobody was supposed to know about.

When it came to money, Ceti’s instincts were razor-sharp.

A torrent of angry curses assaulted Zelnya’s ears with startling intensity.

“Are you completely insane? You picked the wrong person to mess with. Out of all the guest rooms, you barge straight into mine and claim you didn’t know? A simple ‘sorry’ isn’t going to cut it. Do you really expect me to believe you’re that naive?”

It had been nearly two years since someone had heard such venom in Ceti’s voice. Life had been relatively peaceful until now, with her brother’s occasional borrowing of money being the only real annoyance. Even then, she’d grudgingly accepted it, knowing Aidel never spent frivolously. Yes, things had been quiet lately.

But this situation wasn’t about her anymore. This woman needed to leave.

Ceti continued hurling harsh insults, leaving Zelnya completely paralyzed with shock.

Having never been able to hold her own against Ceti in confrontations, Zelnya found herself shrinking back, eventually seeming to collapse in on herself. She had no fight left in her, no desire to retaliate.

Just as Zelnya, thoroughly berated, was leaving the room, a familiar voice called out.

“What’s going on here?”

Aidel, drawn by the commotion, came rushing over.

The scowl on Ceti’s face instantly transformed.

“Hey!”

It was her brother, whom she hadn’t seen in ages. Though his actions sometimes irritated her, he was the Federation’s rising star, and their relationship was a complex mix of affection and frustration.

“Brother!”

Ceti waved enthusiastically, secretly pleased to see him. However, rather than exchanging proper greetings, she felt compelled to explain the situation first.

“Brother, look at this woman! I don’t know how she got into our house, but she dared to walk straight into my room…”

“Zelnya? Father and I brought her here.”

“What?”

Ceti’s expression froze in disbelief.

Aidel’s explanation left a bitter taste, like jam made from bellflowers.

The incident at Holy Spirit Hospital forced Zelnya to stay there for a while. For Ceti, it was all too overwhelming to process at once.

“What kind of ridiculous circus is this?”

“Please don’t be so hard on Zelnya.”

“Brother, have you completely lost your mind?”

“I’m perfectly sane.”

Ceti’s mind raced. Was this some kind of elaborate hidden camera prank? She considered various possibilities.

Perhaps it was just a dream. She had been exhausted from preparing for college entrance exams lately – maybe that explained this nightmare.

“I’m so sorry. I really had no idea…”

“President, please don’t apologize. Sonia must have made a mistake. I’ll ask her to verify the room location again.”

“‘President?’ You two seem awfully close.”

“We recently reconnected. We’re friends now.”

He was sweating profusely as he tried to mediate between Ceti and Zelnya.

In the end, the situation resolved itself, with Ceti simply grabbing the back of her neck and walking away.

“Sonia, this is unusual. You made a mistake.”

“I’m sorry.”

Sonia bowed repeatedly to Aidel and Ceti. Aidel remained silent – after all, Ceti was the one who had been wronged.

“Huff, it’s fine. Let’s just chalk it up to bad luck and move on.”

“Thank you for your generosity.”

“The robot certainly speaks politely.”

After checking, Ceti confirmed all her precious slush funds were safe. Zelnya was simply lying on the bed.

This should be fine, she thought. Yet, an unease lingered.

It was mealtime, and being the weekend, she finally had the opportunity to dine with her father and Aidel – a touching moment in itself. Years had passed since she last shared a table with her parents, her father having been consumed by his duties as a military doctor.

Everything changed after Aidel completed his research on the Ether Barrier reconstruction. Their father retired from his military position and suddenly had more leisure time. A newfound tranquility settled over the family.

Perhaps that’s why her father spoke up.

“Ceti, you’ll be taking the college entrance exam soon.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Hmm, do your best.”

Her typically stoic father’s expression softened with unusual affection.

This was precisely why Ceti couldn’t bring herself to curse at Aidel’s provocations.

She pondered her position as potential head of the family, remembering her biological mother’s words:

We must live up to expectations. We will engulf the Reinhardt.

Ceti’s mother, Rejane, was a descendant of Adelwein’s bloodline.

Though Ceti’s violet eyes had faded due to genetic dilution over generations, she had inherited the family’s distinctive white hair intact.

Silver hair. And that characteristically shifting gaze.

Across the table, Zelnya was picking at her onions while watching Ceti cautiously.

“Father.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Why is she dining with us?”

“Oh, Ceti!”

“I apologize for being rude, but isn’t this odd? Wasn’t this meant to be a family meal? I’m certain that’s what I heard.”

“Who told you that?”

“Aidel did.”

Father turned his head toward Aidel, who, seemingly uncomfortable, dismissed it with an awkward laugh.

“It’s uncommon to have guests, Father, so it would be impolite to have them dine separately, don’t you think?”

“Hmm.”

Father nodded in agreement. Ceti’s world crumbled at his response. Zelnya lowered her head with a shy smile.

Look at that duplicitous woman, Ceti thought.

Since when had she started acting so modest?

The artificial display killed Ceti’s appetite. She set down her fork and instead gulped down her water mixed with vitamin powder.

“Come to think of it, Miss Adelwein is family, too.”

“Poof!”

“Ceti, there’s no need to feel uncomfortable around Miss Adelwein. After all, you share the same blood, don’t you? Even if the kinship is distant, I hope you’ll treat her well.”

Indeed, Ceti and Zelnya were of the same bloodline.

In fact, Ceti carried another surname besides Reinhardt. Her full name was Ceti von Adelwein Reinhardt. She had nearly forgotten this due to the strong association with the Reinhardt name.

“Since Ceti is a year younger, you should address Miss Adelwein as your elder sister.”

Profanities threatened to burst from Ceti’s throat, but she managed to hold them back. Given her position and the upcoming selection for the family head next year, she knew she had to exercise extreme caution in front of her father.

“Professor, please feel free to call me Zelnya as well.”

Zelnya said to their father, offering a friendly smile.

Ceti felt her insides churning at the display. The contrast between this pleasant demeanor and the Zelnya she had known until now was jarring. For a moment, she even suspected manipulation by an Outer God of the Descartes Legion. However, the Constellation’s response confirmed this wasn’t the case.

Meanwhile, Aidel’s thoughts aligned with his father’s as he turned to Ceti.

“I hope you two get along.”

Zelnya had transformed into a different person. Aidel hoped this change would allow Ceti and Zelnya to resolve their past differences and develop a better relationship.

“Since we’ll be living here together for at least a month, I hope we can put aside any hard feelings and get along.”

Aidel said between bites of roasted onion.

To Ceti, this suggestion felt like a nightmare.

Get along?

And even call her sister?

The very thought filled her with mounting anxiety and irritation.

“Y-Younger sibling?”

Zelnya made the first move.

“Let’s get along well…”

She added in a gentle, sweet voice.

Unable to handle the situation any longer, Ceti fled from the dining table.