Ch.163Dating is Like Writing a Thesis (1)

I soon obtained information about the irregular polyhedron from Zernya. It was a top-secret matter of the Adelbein family.

“You got this right away?”

Ireh was shocked.

“I, I wasted hundreds of iterations just for this one thing…”

She made a dejected expression. I offered her mild consolation.

I had already told Ireh that Zernya had become our ally. But when tangible results appeared before her eyes, she laughed hollowly.

“…I thought that child could never be persuaded.”

“I promised her last time. To do the right thing. I said that Rheinland would handle any fallout that might come from exposing the problems in the Adelbein family.”

There’s no guilt by association in the Federation anyway. If I cover for her, the Rheinland name might get slightly tarnished, but we won’t be arrested together.

Of course, even that tarnish can be covered up with greater achievements. Research must continue.

Among the information Zernya sent was the method for creating the irregular polyhedron. It was even more detailed than what the prosecution had obtained.

After reviewing the experimental blueprint, I came to a definite conclusion.

“…We can no longer conduct research that doesn’t violate human ethics with these materials. We’ll have to revert to using crystals for the trap research, even if it’s more cumbersome.”

“Then I…”

“Need to study more. You know there’s no end to learning, right?”

Ireh let out a short “ah” and sighed.

I plan to make her an excellent physics student. She needs to know things whether I use her as an assistant or not.

“Still, can I take a break today?”

“There’s also the option of studying while attending the party.”

“Are you crazy? Everyone will think I’m weird!”

Ireh fidgeted with her textbook and pouted. I chuckled and tucked a paper under my arm.

“Why are you taking that?”

“To read it.”

“Let’s just enjoy the party at the venue, okay?”

“I don’t care what others say!”

That’s right. It was already the new year. I had become an adult. And I was about to attend a New Year’s party doubling as my coming-of-age ceremony.

I invited as many acquaintances as possible to the party. Most of my classmates attended, except for Zernya who had declared she was settling family matters.

Among them were people I didn’t know at all. It felt like friends of friends of friends… There seemed to be hundreds when I roughly counted.

“Is this really a New Year’s party? It’s too grand.”

“It’s hosted by our family. There’s no reason not to come for free food.”

Ireh’s mouth fell open.

Surprised? This is the life of an nth generation chaebol. Be amazed.

“Eidel! Over here!”

A clear, beautiful voice called out. Rustila was waving her hand. I brought Ireh along as I walked over.

Besides Rustila, several others were seated around a circular table. All familiar faces.

Among them, Kristin caught my eye first. She was sitting with Mezulen. Both looked gloomy.

Kristin, spotting me, stood up abruptly, placing her hands on the table.

“Rheinland! I’m sorry to ask this right when we meet, but about that incident, have you found out anything?”

She was talking about the irregular polyhedron.

I nodded.

“I’ll just tell you the conclusion. Director Hueritia’s release will be difficult.”

“Ah…”

Mezulen’s face turned pale. Kristin sat back down with a thud. It was unfortunate but reality.

“But we might be able to reduce her sentence.”

“Is that true?”

“Yeah. I’ll tell you about it later.”

It wasn’t a topic to bring up right away at a New Year’s event. Above all, there were many ears listening. Kristin and Mezulen nodded.

“So, where did everyone apply to again?”

Welton chimed in at the perfect moment. The gloomy atmosphere began to lift. Students each shared a few words.

As expected, Kristin applied to law school. Rustila joined the military, Seti was in business economics, and James applied to the Department of Media and Public Relations. Welton and Mathers were in engineering.

All the same as the previous iteration. Especially James and the engineering duo could be useful in the future. I hope they both grow up quickly.

“What about Mezulen?”

“Ah, I, I…”

Mezulen’s pupils dilated. She mumbled in a shrinking voice.

“…Bio, biology.”

Biology. The same major as her mother. It must have been difficult to say.

However, no one mentioned that point. That was fortunate.

Without the atmosphere becoming awkward, it was Ireh’s turn. Since she was meeting Kristin’s group for the first time, they exchanged greetings.

“Have you known Eidel for a long time? Which department did you apply to?”

“No, not really. And I applied to the Physics Department.”

“Ah, hmm.”

Everyone nodded.

“That explains why you came with Eidel.”

For some reason, they all seemed to understand.

“If you get into the college, we’ll be classmates. Let’s all be friends.”

James sincerely raised his glass. It was time for a toast. Dark red wine was poured into each glass in turn.

Time in the space age is loose. Age is often counted by common year units rather than birthdays. A person’s official age becomes the current cosmic year minus their birth cosmic year.

Therefore.

“Ah, damn.”

All of us except Seti were adults this year.

“No minors who can’t drink wine, right?”

“Everyone’s done well surviving the foreign press until now.”

“Well done, well done.”

Seti was grinding her teeth as she looked down at her wine glass filled with grape juice. She glanced around furtively and secretly tilted the wine bottle toward her glass.

Welton said:

“Mr. Eidel von Rheinland, give us a toast to celebrate becoming an adult.”

“Sure, of course.”

I cleared my throat and began.

“An imaginative poet once said that a glass of wine contains the universe. I now know that to be true.”

“…?”

“Even this wine is made up of atoms. In the beginning, everything started with the Big Bang, and the five interactions and countless particles that emerged from it are intricately intertwined to be presented before us in this state. I feel awe for nature here. That is, when we drink wine, we are drinking nature, the universe itself…”

“Hey, someone shut him up.”

Welton betrayed me.

By the time the party was in full swing, Ireh had naturally become friends with my existing friends. Perhaps because of that, there was something everyone seemed to be missing.

It was Rustila.

Rustila’s pupils were hazily unfocused from the alcohol. She was looking back and forth between Ireh and me. It was quite an obvious stare.

“Hehehe.”

Ireh giggled. Unlike her usual dignified and calm demeanor, it was a somewhat softened nasal sound.

She seemed weak to alcohol. This was something I learned for the first time.

Despite the alcohol content not being very high, Ireh staggered after just a few glasses. She tried to rest her head on my shoulder, then startled and quickly distanced herself again.

“Huh, hm.”

Rustila’s brow furrowed.

For some reason, I felt bothered by her glare. So I had to keep my distance. Fortunately, before that, Kristin called me over and whispered.

“About Mezulen’s mother, what are you planning to do?”

“There’s a separate person in charge. We’ll prove that person gave unreasonable orders to Director Hueritia. That will reduce the intentionality and she’ll receive a significant reduction in her sentence.”

“I see. Have you gathered all the evidence?”

“Of course I have.”

We just need to hand over the collected materials to the prosecution when Zernya is fully prepared.

“Rheinland, I’m sorry to say this, but I’ll be counting on you. I’d like to ease my friend’s worries even just a little.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

“You refused monetary compensation, right? Then, if you ever find yourself in trouble, call me. I’ll handle anything related to legal matters for you.”

“Ah, that’s reassuring.”

“Well then, enjoy your evening…”

Swish swish swish. Kristin quickly left her seat.

I wondered what was happening and turned around. Rustila was there.

“…Eidel, I think I drank too much.”

“I have some medicine with me. Want one?”

Rustila silently nodded.

I handed her the medicine. Rustila, who had been swaying hazily, took it and swallowed it in one go. She gave me a subtle look.

“Shall we go out for some fresh air?”

“That would be good. That would be good…”

We went out to the terrace. The stars in the night sky twinkled like mirror balls. I didn’t smoke, and neither did Rustila. So I took out my paper and started reading.

Seeing this, Rustila chuckled. Looking up at the sky, she said:

“You know, next week is the announcement of acceptance. You said you’d be free that day, right?”

“Yes, very free. That’s why I said I’d come to your house.”

“If it’s okay, could you come earlier? Without bringing anyone else, not Seti or that Ireh Hazlen person. I have something to talk about with just the two of us.”

My body froze stiff. What Rustila just said was rather direct. I automatically put down the paper I was reading.

“No androids either.”

“Huh? Okay.”

“Of course, bringing papers is also forbidden.”

“…”

Forbidding me from bringing papers is a bit too much.

***

Several days passed. It was the day of the college acceptance announcement.

The announcement time hadn’t arrived yet. I told Seti first. I said we’d talk after I returned, regardless of whether we got in.

“Where are you going?”

“Rustila’s house.”

“Wow.”

Seti said:

“You don’t have to come back tonight.”

Seti looked very excited.

Sonia asked if she should at least accompany me, but I shook my head. On this day, I learned that Sonia could also make sad expressions.

So I arrived alone at the Kersil main residence. When I landed and got out, I could see a sky that sparkled more than usual.

The atmosphere was dreamlike. It was similar to an aurora phenomenon, but this wasn’t the polar region. If that was the case, there was only one possible phenomenon.

The constellations had collectively descended nearby.

Since constellations also have intelligence, they occasionally come down like this when they judge something interesting is happening. Layers of various colors bloomed around.

…Is something really going to happen today?

I was usually composed, but not today. The level of tension was on a different dimension. It felt like hearing “Want to come over for ramen?” from a female friend who has feelings for you.

And that situation matched perfectly.

As soon as I entered the house, I could see Rustila in dolphin pants.

“Welcome.”

She smiled brightly and beckoned.