Chapter 164

Chapter 164

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 164: There Is A Thesis For Romance (2).

It was my first visit to the Kersil family’s main house, but that alone wasn’t enough to explain my nervousness. The source of my unsettled heart had to be something else.

I moved forward hesitantly.

In the kitchen, androids bustled about carrying food. The dining table was intimate – just wide enough for two people to sit across from each other.

“Where are your parents?”

“They’re not here today.”

Rustila answered, her eyes crinkling with a smile. As her eye bags folded, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

“Sit here.”

I sat down properly, legs together like a nervous bachelor on a first date. The table before me was so laden with food that it seemed ready to buckle under the weight.

“Isn’t this excessive for just the two of us?”

“I heard it’s good to offer a variety…”

Rustila said, scratching her cheek with an innocent laugh.

It wasn’t just food – there were drinks, too. Four bottles of whiskey with gold-foiled necks sat alongside wine in dark glass bottles. A carbonation device was included as well.

“Quite the setup. Are you familiar with alcohol?”

“My parents forbade drinking before adulthood. So naturally, out of rebellion, I… ended up studying it thoroughly.”

I laughed at that and attempted to open the whiskey. Though clumsy at first, I gradually got the hang of it. Rustila watched my struggle with gentle amusement.

Drip, pop.

We filled each other’s glasses, our fingertips brushing against one another. Both of us flinched in surprise.

Something felt off. Usually, I’m not this easily flustered. But today was different, for some reason.

“…The atmosphere is romantic.”

Rustila murmured, glancing at the vintage lamp.

“Aidel, didn’t you say you liked this kind of thing last time?”

“Mm…”

My throat felt parched as my hand brushed against my empty inner pocket. Damn. If only I could read a bit of my thesis, it might calm my nerves. But I couldn’t – I didn’t want to spoil this mood. I took a slow, deep breath.

“Whew.”

By coincidence, Rustila also exhaled softly. Her breath carried a pleasant scent.

Our eyes met as we picked up our forks. The meal officially began, proceeding at a leisurely pace.

“What should I do? I’m so nervous.”

Rustila fidgeted with her phone, clearly lacking composure. The announcement of successful applicants was imminent. Unlike her, I felt calm – I knew she would pass.

“Aidel, look! I made it! I made it!”

“Really? Congratulations!”

Rustila jumped up from her seat in excitement. I poured her a celebratory drink, which she downed in one go. She kept drinking, and soon enough, we were both drunk.

My face felt hot, my mind scattered, and my vision blurred as if pixelated. Our conversation meandered through various topics – hobbies, work, studies, exercise, movies, career paths – like scattered appetizers on a plate.

“Aidel, do you have someone you like?”

Rustila asked after two and a half bottles. My thoughts ground to a halt.

“Because I do.”

“What kind of person?”

“They need to be tall – just enough that I have to lift my head slightly to see their face. I prefer yellow eyes and a fair complexion…”

She kept speaking while pouring another drink.

“…someone with a quirky personality, but who pays attention during important moments. Someone I can seriously consult with, yet feels like a friend. Someone reliable when things get tough – that’s my ideal type.”

“Are you looking for a marriage partner?”

“Maybe.”

Rustila glanced at me while emptying her glass.

“What about you, Aidel?”

“Someone who can co-author a paper with me?”

“Oh, stop joking.”

“I’m half-serious.”

“There must be someone with an appearance you like, right?”

“It’s hard to judge by appearance alone. No matter how attractive someone is, if they have a bad heart, I can’t feel drawn to them.”

Simply put, I prefer kind women.

“I like women who feel like friends, like you. Having common interests and similar hobbies is important.”

“Anything else?”

“I admire persistence – people who see things through to the end and don’t give up easily. I guess they tend to be sincere.”

Truthfully, many people in academia fit these criteria – the physics department professors share my interests and have demonstrated that persistence by reaching their positions. However, most are either much older or married.

To find my ideal type among graduate students my age… Ah, damn. They’re all men. Is this how everyone turns gay?

“Whew, it’s hot.”

Rustila shifted in her seat. She was wearing a thick white zip-up hoodie that seemed out of place in the warm atmosphere.

“I’ll just take it off for a bit.”

As she unzipped the hoodie, I lowered my glass and caught my breath. Beneath it, she wore a dark gray tank top that revealed her nape, collarbones, and clavicles. Her skin appeared flushed, whether from the alcohol or the ambient lighting.

Small tattoo-like stigmata were engraved on her chest and shoulders.

“Aidel… I’m drunk.”

Her words had the opposite effect on me – I felt suddenly sober.

She rose from her seat and moved to my side.

“So, I feel like I can say it now.”

We sat shoulder to shoulder; our gazes met. The atmosphere was delicate, like handling a swaddled infant. My mind buzzed with anticipation. Alcohol had a way of loosening lips, making it easier to speak hidden truths.

“I…”

Rustila began, her cherry-like lips parting.

But at that precise moment, a voice rang out from above.

“Ah, sorry to interrupt.”

Starlight suddenly poured down from the sky. Rustila and I halted our conversation, looking up in bewilderment. A constellation was descending toward us.

“Hello, pure girl. And, pitch-black boy.”

It was a humanoid constellation wearing a pure white dress – a being I’d encountered before. Her mere presence evoked feelings of beauty and purity. She was one of the Zodiac’s twelve: Virgo of the Virgin.

“Long time no see?”

She looked at me and smiled.

I couldn’t help but smile back at the absurdity of the situation.

Only Rustila remained tense; her expression hardened.

The sacred atmosphere shattered suddenly.

“I’ve been observing you for some time now. Human youth is truly mysterious, yet worthy of blessing.”

Rustila’s cheeks flushed pink, while I maintained my composure. I was well aware of the constellation’s identity before us.

“Greetings, pure one. I am Virgo – or more precisely, a fragment that governs ‘purity.’”

Virgo introduced itself while gazing at Rustila, who stepped back in surprise.

“Why would one of the Zodiac’s twelve appear before us?”

“Because I wish to forge a contract with you.”

Rustila cocked her head questioningly. Virgo proceeded to explain, summarizing three key points:

The world faces imminent destruction.

Rustila’s assistance could help reduce this possibility.

Even with a contract, success remains uncertain.

“…Is this true?”

“Little can be predicted with certainty. We’ve merely sensed distant harbingers of the end.”

“None of my contracted Constellations have mentioned anything like this.”

“That’s because I’m particularly attuned to such omens. Form a contract with me, share your intuition, and you’ll understand the basis of my concerns.”

This diverged from the original storyline, where Rustila was chosen by the Constellation of Infantry rather than Virgo.

Nevertheless, Virgo’s reasoning was sound.

“This concerns Laplace’s Legion, doesn’t it?”

“…Young one, you seem well-informed.”

I nodded.

“They say Laplace can manipulate causality itself. This universe could vanish without our awareness, reverting all our civilizations to a previous point.”

Virgo appeared taken aback.

I pressed on.

“The Constellation speaks the truth. Cooperation is essential. Someone must forge a contract and offer assistance.”

“…Indeed. But do you think this girl is the one?”

“Perhaps.”

I deliberately kept my answer vague. Knowing Rustila’s nature, she would eventually forge a pact with Virgo despite her inner turmoil.

I could have intervened, but I needed to carefully consider whether that would be wise. Laplace’s power was truly formidable – beyond what our current theoretical resonator could contain.

Virgo addressed the silent Rustila.

“Girl, I have rarely encountered someone as pure and wise as you. You surpass my previous contractors. Surely, you will be the one to stop it someday.”

“…When?”

Rustila’s voice quivered.

“Being chosen by the Zodiac’s twelve is an honor. But I understand that contracting with Virgo means I can’t confess my love, or marry. While I desire the power to defeat the Outer Gods, what I want most is to experience my youth.”

“Of course, you’re free to decline. This is merely a suggestion, not an order.”

“But if not me, you’ll have to contract with someone else, won’t you?”

The unexpected question gave Virgo pause.

“Well, I suppose so.”

“Then what about that person’s life?”

“…….”

“No Constellation would appear in these circumstances without urgent cause. Every moment must be crucial. I want to help, I truly do, but…”

“Child.”

“… I’m sorry. This is all so sudden – I need time to think.”

Rustila’s words trailed off, her voice waterlogged with emotion. Her reasoning was sound. Virgo fell silent.

I remained quiet, too. Just when I thought I might finally experience romance, the Virgin Constellation had chosen Rustila.

Ten minutes crawled by.

Finally, Rustila spoke again.

“…So I must bid farewell to love forever?”

“That may be so.”

“And I won’t even be allowed to hold hands.”

“Girl, it’s not quite as restrictive as you imagine. Physical contact is permitted as long as it’s not sexual. You may even harbor feelings – just don’t voice them aloud. Most of the holy power remains intact that way. However, you cannot accept another’s confession either.”

“Even that seems harsh to me.”

Both Rustila and I were completely sober now. She seemed to feel a chill as she gathered and donned her clothes.

“Are you still considering it?”

“Just a little longer…”

Her aquamarine eyes turned to me, glistening with moisture. Her light makeup was on the verge of running. Looking at Rustila filled me with complex emotions.

Who knew dating could be this complicated?

It compelled me to speak up.

“Virgin Constellation.”

“Speak.”

“If I drive Laplace’s Legion from this world, then I can break the contract, right?”