Chapter 199

Chapter 199

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 199: Bigamy (4)

The research results proved successful.

While researchers generally enjoy publishing papers, their greatest satisfaction comes from seeing their work make the world a better place – especially when it benefits someone dear to them.

Just like now.

“I love you.”

Rustila repeated herself.

“I love you, Aidel. Truly.”

The phrase ‘I love you’ stands as humanity’s most universal expression of affection. Though it might seem cliché, like boilerplate code, its simplicity leaves no room for misinterpretation – particularly when spoken by a young woman to a man of her age. The words carry sweetness like sugar and excitement like salt.

“Aidel, I like you. I’ve loved you for a long time. I really wanted to tell you this…”

Rustila’s gaze flickered nervously between me and the empty space. She exhaled softly as if relieved. Perhaps she was waiting for a reaction from the Virgo Constellation.

She continued.

“I’ve been so anxious. What if you found someone else? What if I ended up alone?”

She started rambling.

“Ah, s-sorry. I don’t even know what I’m saying! Ahaha…”

Her voice trailed off as she scratched her flushed cheek.

“What I mean is… if it’s okay with you! You know… that!”

Even her stammering was cute and lovely. The way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, twirling her hair between her fingers while nibbling her cherry-colored lips, like a maiden on her first date.

I smiled and rose to my feet.

“Rustila.”

With everything now laid bare between us, there was nothing left to conceal.

“I love you too.”

As soon as the words left my lips, I reached for her waist and drew her close.

Rustila didn’t resist my touch. Instead, like a celestial body yielding to gravitational pull, she naturally leaned into me.

Thud.

Our chests met.

“Ah…”

A warm breath escaped her lips.

Against my body, I felt two contradicting sensations merged with a comfortable warmth. Her form was both firm yet soft – the body of a trained soldier, hardened through rigorous training, yet maintaining the gentle softness of a woman, yielding like pudding to the touch.

The soft, feminine curves pressing against my chest stirred my masculine instincts. After months of sleep-deprived haziness, this simple embrace sent blood rushing through my veins, bringing clarity to my mind.

This moment felt right.

It was time to say what needed to be said.

“Rustila.”

“Yes, Aidel.”

“Be the co-author of my life.”

After their mutual confession and intimate embrace, Virgo offered no resistance. The only sensation was a slight, sweet ache in her heart and quickened breathing.

“Co-author?”

“When I retire, I’d like to write an autobiography or memoir – and I want to write it with you.”

“That means…”

Aidel simply smiled in response.

No further words were needed. His meaning was clear – he wanted to spend his life with her.

For most women, such a proposal might seem ordinary, but for Rustila, who had spent countless hours collaborating with Aidel on academic papers, it was the most touching confession imaginable.

“Of course, Professor!”

Rustila replied with a shy smile, embracing him.

My man. He’s finally my man. I won’t let anyone else have him. I’ll never let him go.

“Hold my hand.”

Wordlessly, Aidel intertwined his fingers with hers. Though he was primarily an academic, his hand had a distinctly masculine strength and texture – unmistakably that of a man.

She could feel his ring pressing against her skin – the engagement ring from Zelnya. How wonderful it would have been if that ring had been their wedding band instead.

Though the thought brought a twinge of regret, she didn’t let it show. Now wasn’t the time for such thoughts – all that mattered was Aidel, here with her in this moment.

Having just confirmed their feelings for each other, Rustila gently played with Aidel’s hand as she asked.

“Is today our first day?”

“What are you talking about?”

Rustila was startled, not expecting Aidel to question it.

“You should count from the day you made the contract with Virgo.”

“…Ah. Right.”

Aidel was correct. Originally, Rustila had planned to confess to him then, even prepared to rush things if necessary.

“It’s already been over half a year,” she mused.

“Indeed.”

“Time really flies.”

Back then, Aidel had asked her to wait eight years. She never imagined he would complete his research on counteracting the 12 Constellations’ disadvantages in just six months.

The speed was truly incredible.

Then she remembered something – when she first used ‘Insight,’ she had detected an Outer God attached to Aidel…

Surely not.

“Aidel.”

“What is it?”

“Is there still an Outer God in your mind?”

“Hm?”

Aidel scratched his head awkwardly.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“No.”

He sighed before continuing.

“Since it’s just between us, I’ll tell you. Yes, there is. But it’s a good kid – doesn’t give harmful quests. It’s more like a Constellation, so there’s no need to worry.”

“R-really?”

“Really.”

“Let me check quickly- Ugh!”

Using ‘Insight’ after so long proved devastating. The Outer God was indeed still coiled in Aidel’s mind. Rustila clutched her head in pain, stumbling as it felt like her occipital lobe might explode.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m… I’m fine. I can handle this much.”

Using clairvoyance to peer into the mind of someone contracted with an Outer God was essentially self-harm – it meant directly viewing the Outer God’s true form.

Thankfully, the Constellations’ blessings had strengthened Rustila’s mental fortitude, preventing any serious damage.

“So, when you say it’s a good kid…”

Rustila said skeptically. Aidel stared vacantly for a moment before his expression slightly darkened.

“This kid is troublesome.”

“N-no way. Is it giving you quests?”

“No.”

Aidel dismissed with a wave.

“It’s just throwing tantrums.”

“An Outer God throws tantrums?”

“Well, it’s more like threats, but they’re not very intimidating.”

Rustila wondered what kind of threats an Outer God could make that Aidel would dismiss so casually. And what kind of person was Aidel to be able to coexist with such an entity?

Though concerned, she couldn’t jump to conclusions. The situation left her uneasy – Outer Gods were notoriously unpredictable, and something serious could happen at any moment.

Feeling helpless about the situation, she decided to lighten the mood by returning to their previous topic.

“So anyway, today marks our 181st day together, right?”

“Looking at the calendar, it’s closer to 200 days.”

“Shall we say 190, then?”

Aidel nodded, confirming they’d been together for over six months – even before his engagement to Zelnya.

Rustila celebrated silently. She had won. She was Aidel’s first woman, whether in consciousness or sleep. Better yet, she intended to be his first and last.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat dissatisfied. They’d been dating for nearly 200 days, yet they’d only progressed to hugging and holding hands.

Meanwhile, Zelnya had already experienced being carried princess-style and received cheek kisses at the engagement ceremony.

Even if physical intimacy was still too soon, they needed to progress further than what Zelnya had achieved.

“Aidel…”

Rustila called out to her lover in a deliberately sweet, nasal tone.

Aidel seemed to catch the change in her tone and offered a gentle smile.

“Rusty, I have a gift for you.”

“A-a gift?”

The nickname alone made her heart skip, but a gift, too?

Her pulse raced wildly. Could it be a ring?

“Just a moment.”

Aidel disappeared into another room, returning with a large box. Its long, rectangular shape made its contents easy to guess.

“Would you like to open it?”

With trembling hands, Rustila carefully peeled away the wrapping layer by layer.

What emerged was…

“A sword?”

It was a plasma sword with a striking sea-blue blade contrasting against a dark handle. The blade was entirely crystal-coated, and the guard featured the latest combat assistance module.

It was clearly expensive.

“How… how much did this cost?”

Rustila blurted out, immediately regretting the materialistic question.

“I don’t know,” came the unexpected reply.

“You don’t know?”

“It’s not available for purchase. This is the only one in existence.”

“So that means…”

Aidel nodded.

“This plasma sword incorporates our recent research findings. Its output is 50% higher than top-tier commercial models. We’ve completed all testing, so its stability is guaranteed.”

He then added.

“It’s from the Stronium brand, by the way.”

“Is it really alright to give me something like this?”

“Rustila, I’m giving it to you because it’s you.”

Aidel’s tender smile made Rustila blush with happiness, but she frantically shook her head.

“No! I didn’t confess my feelings to receive an extravagant gift! I just… purely like you…!”

“It’s so you don’t die on me.”

“…”

“The ‘end’ is approaching soon. If you fall in battle, I couldn’t go on living. That’s why I’m giving you this.”

Aidel gestured for her to take the sword. His kindness was overwhelming, making it impossible to refuse.

Rustila slowly lifted the sword’s hilt. It was surprisingly light. Despite feeling sturdy – likely due to new materials – it put far less strain on her wrist than her previous weapon. Even in such small details, she could sense Aidel’s thoughtfulness.

It was the most meaningful gift she’d ever received.

“Thank you, Aidel. Truly, thank you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. Love truly couldn’t be measured in material value. She would treasure this plasma sword until her dying day.

Aidel shrugged.

“Want to try it?”

“Here?”

“Just power it up with ether.”

Rustila nodded, concentrating as she gently activated the sword.

Vrrrooom!

The moment the charging process began, the ether on the blade’s surface polarized with fierce intensity.

“Wow…”

The output was clearly different. The ether trapped in the crystal created reinforcement interference, producing a more powerful roar.

“How is it?”

“It’s incredible. Light, fast-charging, high maximum output, and stable waveform too.”

“Lifetime warranty included. Customer.”

Aidel joked.

Rustila deactivated the sword and set it down before suddenly burying herself in Aidel’s chest – a surprise attack faster than light.

Aidel froze, unable to move.

“Rustila?”

She was just as flustered as he was. Why had she suddenly rushed in? Even as embarrassment filled her thoughts, her tongue moved of its own accord.

“I have a wish. May I?”

“Anything.”

“Well, you see…”

Rustila placed her hands on Aidel’s collarbone. He had regained his composure and met her gaze steadily.

Only then did she fully realize what she was about to do.

Rustila slowly rose to her tiptoes, moving cautiously but deliberately.

Smooch.

She pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. It wasn’t passionate or seductive – just a gentle meeting and brushing of lips.

It was innocent, both of them inexperienced virgins. Though she was clumsy, Aidel was even more so, and Rustila, relieved, breathed in his scent.

She carefully pulled back and spoke.

“Let me.”

“Let you what?”

“Call Ceti’ miss.’”

At that moment – thud. Heavy books fell and rolled across the floor behind them.

Still holding Aidel’s shoulder, Rustila turned her head slightly.

Zelnya stood there.

“…”

“…”

Her expression was unusually stunned. Rustila flinched momentarily but soon smiled leisurely.

Aidel noticed Zelnya, too, seemingly frozen in thought. Rustila carefully interlaced her fingers with his left hand.

Swish.

With a practiced motion, she removed the purple diamond ring. Placing it gently on the desk, she kissed both of Aidel’s cheeks in turn.

Smooch, smooch.

After placing three kisses – left, right, and center – Rustila flicked her tongue and glared at Zelnya.

After several seconds of silence, Zelnya’s lips parted.

“What a load of crap.”