Ch.164Dating is Like Writing a Thesis (2) (Revised)

This was my first time visiting the Kersil family’s main house. But that fact alone wasn’t a reason to be nervous. The cause of my unsettled heart must lie elsewhere.

I slowly moved forward.

In the kitchen, androids were busily carrying food. The dining table was small, with just enough space for two people.

“Where are your parents?”

“They’re not here today.”

Rustila Kersil answered with a smile that reached her eyes. As her aegyo-sal folded, her eyes curved like a crescent moon.

“Sit here.”

I sat down with my legs neatly together like a bachelor on a blind date. Before me, the table was laden with so much food it looked like it might collapse.

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

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

Rustila scratched her cheek and smiled innocently.

It wasn’t just food. There was alcohol too. Four bottles of whiskey with gold-foil wrapped openings, and dark glass bottles of wine. A carbonation device was thrown in as a bonus.

“This is quite elaborate. Do you know much about alcohol?”

“My parents told me not to drink before becoming an adult. I got rebellious and… well, ended up researching it thoroughly.”

I laughed at that and tried to pour some whiskey. I wasn’t skilled at it, but I got the hang of it eventually. Rustila laughed sweetly as she watched me struggle.

Glug, tap.

We filled each other’s glasses. Our fingertips touched accidentally, startling us both.

No matter how I thought about it, this was strange. I usually didn’t get this flustered. Today was uniquely different.

“…The atmosphere is romantic.”

Rustila glanced at the spherical lighting and remarked casually.

“Eidel, you said you liked this kind of thing before, right?”

“Mm.”

My throat felt parched. My hand kept fidgeting with my inner pocket. Ah, damn. Papers. If I could just look at my research papers for a moment, I might calm down.

But I couldn’t do that. I didn’t want to break this mood. I took a slow, deep breath.

“Phew.”

Just then, Rustila was also exhaling softly. She smelled nice.

We exchanged glances and picked up our forks. The proper meal began.

The meal proceeded slowly and leisurely.

“What should I do? I’m nervous.”

Rustila fidgeted with her phone like someone without composure. The acceptance announcement was coming soon. Unlike her, I wasn’t nervous.

I knew she would be accepted.

“Eidel, look at this! I made it! I made it! I really made it!”

“Really? Hey, congratulations!”

Rustila got up from her seat and jumped around. I poured her a celebratory drink. She downed the strong liquor in one go.

And so we drank, and drank, and drank some more.

We were drunk.

My face felt hot. My mind was in complete disarray. My vision was blurry, as if processed with a filter.

Half out of my mind, I engaged in conversation. As drunk as we were, our topics were all over the place. Hobbies, daily routines, studies, exercise, movies, career paths. Various subjects served as our drinking snacks.

“…Eidel, do you have someone you like?”

After emptying two and a half bottles, Rustila asked that question. My thoughts, which had been flowing sluggishly, came to a complete halt.

“I do.”

“What kind of person are they?”

“First, they have to be tall. Tall enough that I need to lift my head slightly to see their face. And I prefer yellow eyes. I like a fair complexion…”

Rustila continued as she poured more alcohol.

“…Their personality should be quirky, but they should see me in important moments. Someone I can seriously consult with. Someone who’s like a friend. Someone who can be a support when things get tough—that’s my ideal type.”

“Are you looking for a marriage partner?”

“Maybe.”

Rustila glanced at me as she emptied her glass.

“What about you, Eidel?”

“…Someone who can write papers with me?”

“Come on, don’t joke around.”

“I’m half serious.”

“There must be someone whose appearance you like?”

“It’s not right to judge by appearance alone. No matter how pretty someone is, if they have bad intentions, I can’t develop feelings for them.”

Simply put, I prefer kind women.

“Like you, I also like women who feel like friends. It’s nice if we have common interests and similar hobbies.”

“Anything else?”

“Once they start something, they should see it through. I find persistent people who don’t know how to give up quite admirable. They have sincerity, you could say.”

Actually, many people in academia meet these conditions. Specifically, the physics professors. They share my interests and never give up, which is why they became professors.

But most professors are much older than me. And in many cases, they’re married.

So to find the best ideal type, I should look among graduate students my age… Ah, damn. They’re all men. Is this how everyone becomes gay?

“Phew, it’s hot.”

Rustila shifted uncomfortably. She was wearing a white zip-up hoodie. It looked quite thick.

“I’m going to take this off for a bit.”

Rustila pulled the zipper all the way down. I had been looking at the world through a glass, but when I put it down, I gasped.

She was wearing a dark gray tank top. Her neckline, oblique muscles, and collarbones were clearly exposed. Her skin looked flushed due to the alcohol and lighting.

There were also scars on her chest and shoulders. They looked like small tattoos.

“Eidel… I’m drunk.”

In contrast, I sobered up from the alcohol.

She stood up again. Then she came to my side.

“So I think I can say it now.”

Shoulder to shoulder, gaze to gaze.

We were both as careful as if holding a swaddled baby. My head was buzzing. The atmosphere was dreamy. When drunk, words usually kept inside tend to flow out easily.

“I…”

Rustila moved her cherry-like lips. That’s when it happened.

[“Ah, sorry to interrupt.”]

A voice came from the sky.

Soon after, starlight poured down. Rustila and I stopped our conversation and blankly looked up. A constellation was descending from there.

[“Hello, clean child. And, dark-hearted child.”]

A human-shaped constellation in a pure white dress. Upon meeting her, words like beautiful and pure immediately came to mind. It was a being I had seen before.

One of the twelve zodiac signs.

Virgo of the Virgin.

[“It’s been a while?”]

She looked at me and smiled.

I smiled too. It was absurd.

Only Rustila’s expression hardened.

***

The mood that had been so special was completely shattered.

[“I’ve been watching you two for a while. Human youth is truly mysterious. Still, it’s something worth blessing.”]

Rustila blushed. In contrast, I remained calm. I knew what this constellation before us was about.

[“Hello, pure child. I am Virgo. Or more precisely, just a fragment that governs ‘purity’.”]

Virgo revealed her identity while looking at Rustila. Rustila was startled.

“Why has one of the twelve zodiac signs appeared before us?”

[“Because I wish to make a contract with you.”]

Rustila tilted her head. Virgo immediately began explaining. To summarize in three lines:

1. The world will soon face destruction.

2. To lower that probability even slightly, Rustila’s help is needed.

3. Even with a contract, victory is uncertain.

“…Is this real?”

[“There’s not much I can predict. I just felt the distant energy of the end.”]

“The constellations I’m contracted with have never mentioned anything like this.”

[“That’s because I’m the most sensitive to such matters. If you contract with me and share my intuition, you’ll understand the basis for my words.”]

This was a development not present in the original work. Originally, Rustila was chosen by Sagittarius, not Virgo.

But Virgo’s words made sense.

“You’re talking about Laplace’s Forces.”

[“…Boy, you seem to know about this.”]

I nodded.

“Laplace’s side can distort causality, right? This universe could disappear without us even realizing it. Then all the civilizations built throughout the universe would return to nothing.”

Virgo seemed surprised.

I continued.

“Your words are correct. Cooperation is necessary. Someone needs to contract with you and help.”

[“…Yes, that’s right. But you don’t think it needs to be this child?”]

“Maybe not.”

I deliberately gave an ambiguous answer. In truth, given Rustila’s personality, she would struggle but eventually contract with Virgo.

Of course, I could prevent this. But whether that would be a good choice needed further consideration. Laplace is truly powerful. According to current theory, even a resonator can’t contain it.

Virgo looked at the silent Rustila and spoke.

[“Child, I’ve rarely seen someone as pure and noble as you. You surpass the level of my previous contractors. Surely you’ll be able to stop it someday.”]

“…When?”

Rustila asked. Her voice was trembling.

“Being chosen by one of the twelve zodiac signs is an honor. But I know that contracting with Virgo means no confessions, love, or marriage. I want the power to defeat outer gods, but above all, I want to experience my youth.”

[“Of course, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to refuse. This is a proposal, not an order.”]

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

It was a striking point. Virgo hesitated momentarily.

[“Well, yes?”]

“Then what about that person’s life?”

[“…”]

“No constellation would descend in this kind of atmosphere without reason. So, this must be an extremely urgent matter. Every second counts. I want to help. I really want to help, but…”

[“Child.”]

“…I’m sorry. I just heard about this and don’t fully understand. Please give me some time to think.”

Rustila finished her argument with a voice that sounded submerged in water. She was logical. Virgo remained silent for a while.

I was equally silent. Just when I thought I might finally experience romance, Virgo had to set her sights on Rustila.

Ten minutes passed.

Rustila spoke again.

“…I’ll have to say goodbye to loving someone forever, right?”

[“Probably so, child.”]

“I won’t even be able to hold hands.”

[“Child, it’s not as strict as you think. As long as there’s no sexual contact, it’s fine. Also, you can harbor feelings, but as long as they don’t leave your mouth, most of your constellation power is preserved. Of course, affirming someone else’s confession is also not allowed.”]

“That’s still too strict for me.”

Both of us had completely sobered up. Feeling cold, Rustila gathered her clothes and put them on.

[“Are you still thinking about it?”]

“Just a little longer…”

The next moment, aquamarine eyes turned toward me. They were moist. Her light makeup was starting to fade. Looking at Rustila, I felt conflicted.

I never thought dating would be this difficult.

And that’s why I spoke up.

“Virgo.”

[“Speak, child.”]

“If we drive Laplace’s Forces from this world, then the contract can be terminated, right?”