Chapter 218

Chapter 218

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 218: Honeymoon (2)

In Western wedding traditions, there’s a custom known as the garter ceremony, which consists of two parts: the Garter Removal and the Garter Toss. During the removal, the groom uses his teeth to take off a decorative band, called a garter, from the bride’s leg. Afterward, he throws it to his unmarried male friends – this is the toss.

And now, it was my turn to perform this ritual.

“Do I really have to do this…?”

“If you’re too embarrassed, you don’t have to.”

Rustila replied, her face flushed pink.

In contrast, Zelnya remained perfectly composed. She declared confidently,

“You can live as a virgin forever. I’ll have children for both of us.”

“Wh-what nonsense is that!”

“Well, with the virgin constellation, you won’t be able to have children anyway,”

The tradition requires the groom to reach under the bride’s dress to remove the garter – symbolizing the bride’s transition from maiden to wife. The suggestive nature of the act serves as a metaphor for the loss of virginity.

Rustila’s face turned crimson at this realization.

“Fine! I can do it too!”

“Hmph.”

Zelnya responded with a slight sniff.

And so, both women took their seats side by side before me.

I felt incredibly nervous.

This tradition wasn’t part of Korean wedding culture, and the thought of putting my face between my wives’ legs in front of everyone made my heart race. I could feel something stirring inside me.

“Do it now, rookie.”

That wasn’t my conscience speaking – it was an Outer God.

“I’ve observed human behavior extensively, but experiencing it this closely through you is a first. This will provide excellent new data. Now hurry up.”

The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ has sponsored 50,000 Pron.

system_ened

Why were they suddenly giving me Pron?

“Consider it a wedding gift.”

I pressed my hand against my forehead and sighed. This was becoming absurd.

“Kid, if you’ve committed to something, you should see it through. Hurry up. I want to see what happens next.”

I nodded.

Embarrassment is temporary, after all. On such a special day, I shouldn’t hesitate.

Without warning, I ducked under Zelnya’s skirt. She yelped in surprise and instinctively pushed down on my head.

“What are you doing, coming in so suddenly!”

Then I saw it.

The garter, I mean, of course.

Its white lace trim was delicate and pretty.

I carefully gripped the garter between my teeth and pulled it away, following its rose-like fragrance. As I emerged, whistles from the guests filled the air.

When I held up the removed garter, the crowd erupted in cheers. Zelnya’s face had turned completely red. Despite her earlier composure, she now looked close to tears.

“Throw it! Quickly!”

The male guests shouted, reaching out their hands. It was time for the toss.

I threw Zelnya’s garter. It arced through the air and landed perfectly in Welton’s hand. He removed his sunglasses with a grin.

“Lucky me.”

Like the bride’s bouquet toss, there’s a belief that whoever catches the garter will be the next to marry.

“Now, I just need to throw the bouquet, right?”

Zelnya stood up awkwardly, clearly trying to change the subject. Her embarrassment was evident.

“Quickly! Throw it quickly!”

She tossed the bouquet toward the female guests, but due to her height, it flew low and landed in Merlin’s hands.

“Oh…”

Merlin exclaimed softly.

“Both of you, come forward!”

“Time to waltz!”

Tradition dictated that the garter-catcher and bouquet-recipient should dance together. It was customary for guests to playfully tease the pair. However, this situation was particularly amusing since both Welton and Merlin were my fellow academia classmates and research lab colleagues.

“Ha, running into the same guy as always.”

“Not my fault…”

Though subtle, they often bickered when their paths crossed. They had no prior connection until becoming entangled in my research lab.

“It would be really funny if those two got married.”

What would they tell their future child who asked, ‘How did mom and dad meet?’ Just imagine: ‘We met in the lab.’

Now, that’s pure love.

“Aidel.”

My thoughts were interrupted – I still had one more wife waiting.

Rustila sat with her legs crossed shyly, lips pursed. Her lip gloss made them look like ripe cherries. She slowly raised her legs, revealing her sleek curves.

“…Hurry up.”

This time, I approached more deliberately. Rustila gradually parted her legs to make room. Left, right – I located the garter.

Just as I caught it between my teeth, her leg suddenly folded inward. Startled like an insect in a Venus flytrap, I tried to pull back. But Rustila wrapped her calf around my waist, drawing me closer.

I struggled like a caught fish, my breath catching.

Then, in the next moment:

A touch beyond the skirt.

Breathing.

A strange, rough sound reached my ears.

“…Caught you?”

My heart skipped a beat.

I couldn’t believe it. I’d expected such mischief from Zelnya, but Rustila? She was bolder than I’d imagined.

“Eek!”

I quickly grabbed the garter and slipped away. The audience’s cheers were even louder than they’d been for Zelnya. I hastily threw the garter toward the crowd to calm the commotion.

“What, what?”

Matus caught the garter. Well, it seemed all my lab colleagues were destined for marriage. A good omen for the lab, indeed.

Rustila rose unsteadily to her feet, her deep blue eyes trembling. Meanwhile, Zelnya appeared shocked, her brow furrowed as she questioned me.

“Hey, hey. What did you do?”

“…Well.”

I casually wiped my mouth. Some things were better left known only to those involved.

Zelnya glared at the trembling Rustila.

“You, you sly woman. Acting so innocent all this time…?”

“Oh my, hadn’t you noticed?”

Rustila replied with a knowing smile. Zelnya’s expression darkened like an active volcano.

Truthfully, I was surprised. I’d assumed Zelnya would be more experienced in such matters, but Rustila had proven unexpectedly… formidable.

Rustila tossed her bouquet toward the guests. As expected, Christine, being closest in height, caught it. She and Matus stepped forward for their dance.

The celebration would soon conclude with the newlyweds departing for their honeymoon via spaceship after the feast.

“Young master.”

Sonia’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Congratulations on your marriage. Truly.”

“Thank you, Sonia.”

“It’s quite moving, looking back. Over twenty years have passed since I first brought you here. That childish figure is gone now, replaced by such a dignified man.”

Sonia’s gaze held a touch of melancholy.

I understood why – she likely thought of me as her son.

She had always cleaned for me, cooked my meals, done my laundry, and even scolded me when I misbehaved.

She was just like a mother. Sonia was.

A third mother, alongside Reika and Rejane.

“Um, young master.”

“Yes?”

“If it’s alright, I’d like to accompany you on your honeymoon.”

I was speechless. Sonia quickly lowered her head, embarrassed.

“I-I’m sorry. That was presumptuous.”

“No, it’s fine.”

I did need an android’s assistance – for carrying luggage, booking hotels, and planning itineraries. A versatile android like Sonia would be perfect.

As the celebration wound down, I asked Rustila and Zelnya,

“Are you bringing an android?”

“We should have a few.”

“Who travels without an android these days?”

We agreed that each of us would bring a 5th-generation android from our respective households. They were like personal secretaries, and naturally, I would bring Sonia.

“Um, are you certain you want me to come?”

“Of course. Who else would I choose?”

As soon as I answered, Sonia placed her hand on her waist and began swaying her hips.

“Dancing when you’re happy?”

“You remembered.”

“Of course. We’ve known each other for years.”

Sonia’s movements became more animated.

“Reinhardt.”

A familiar voice. Ire Hazlen stood behind me, waving from a short distance.

“Congratulations on your wedding. You finally succeeded.”

“What do you mean by succeeded?”

“Zelnya…”

Ire whispered softly.

“You changed the future, right? So it was a success.”

I nodded. Ire continued,

“Enjoy your honeymoon. I’ll complete my research meanwhile and prepare for next semester.”

“How are you finding it? Is physics enjoyable?”

“…A little bit.”

Ire smiled gently, and I found myself smiling too. It was remarkable to see Ire Hazlen, who had once fought fiercely against Outer Gods, now walking the same academic path as me.

“That’s how everyone becomes a physicist.”

“I’ll try my best.”

As I turned my head, I heard a shout: “Aidel!”

The next moment, my body was lifted like helium gas. Rustila had scooped me up in a princess carry, now dressed in a lighter outfit.

Zelnya, similarly changed, followed behind. She briefly frowned before pointing toward the exit.

“Everything’s prepared. We just need to leave.”

“Where are we going?”

“Are you being silly? The honeymoon, of course.”

Rustila bounded forward with me in her arms while Zelnya and Sonia followed. From a distance, Ire waved goodbye.

“Have a great trip!”

“Son, your mom wants grandchildren!”

“Sex, ugh!”

Amid a shower of flowers and rice from the guests, we boarded the honeymoon ship. With the wedding ceremony complete, all that remained was a cozy journey with my wives.

And so, before the start of graduate school, our brief holiday began.