Ch.185Boycott (4)

Ireh went to visit Rustila the next day to persuade her.

It wasn’t easy.

After hearing about Eidel’s polygamy proposal, Rustila had become extremely curt.

“Tell him I can’t come out today because I’m sick.”

Simply put, she was sulking.

So much so that she even declared a strike.

“I can’t work.”

Ireh sighed and spoke.

“Rustila, can’t you forgive me, even just a little?”

“I’m not angry.”

“Then please come to the lab, just for today.”

“How could I show my face there?”

Rustila replied while doing push-ups.

“You saw Zernya visit the lab last time. Now that she’s his fiancée, she’ll visit more often. There’s nothing good about me being there.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.”

“…Rustila.”

Ireh sighed. He’d lost count of how many times he’d done so.

If Eidel had proposed polygamy with an ordinary woman, Rustila wouldn’t have resisted this much. Zernya and Rustila—they were enemies even before becoming romantic rivals.

“You know, Rustila. Your Vega, my Altair, and Zernya’s Deneb form a triple star system.”

“You mentioned that before. You said we need to stay with Zernya to receive the [Great Triangle] effect? I’ll die of stress before fighting the outer gods.”

“…Then, what about the crystal research? That’s something only you can do.”

“Ireh.”

Rustila straightened her arms and stood up. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel and muttered.

“That’s exactly why I’m like this.”

“…”

“I thought about it carefully last night. And I came to a conclusion. I’m going to stay here until Eidel comes to find me himself, not you. That’s the only way I can save face.”

Ireh nodded.

As Rustila continued her weight training in silence…

“…Well, I heard the president and vice president were caught doing something naughty in the student council room by a junior yesterday.”

Whispers from senior military science students reached them. Rustila’s brow furrowed involuntarily. She perked up her ears.

“Really? How far did they go?”

“From what I heard, they went all the way.”

“Someone said they even did SM play. The vice president made the president get down on all fours like a dog, then sat on him and pulled his hair…”

“Ah, good times.”

Rustila’s earlobes turned bright red in an instant.

“I, I, I…!”

“Calm down, most of what male students say is exaggerated. You need to filter what you hear.”

Ireh tried to stop her, but it was too late. Rustila was about to explode.

“He proposes polygamy to me, and then he goes all the way with that thieving cat first?”

“I said calm down! The rumor must be distorted, for sure!”

“Right, now I know why he didn’t come yesterday. He was rolling around in bed with her…!”

Crunch.

Rustila bit her fingernail.

Before anyone could stop her, she ran toward the science building.

It seemed like discipline needed to be enforced.

***

Rustila appeared before me with a cold expression.

“…Eidel, I heard such rumors. Are they true?”

“No?”

I was dumbfounded. How did rumors spread to the point where people were saying Zernya and I spent the night together? I can categorically deny it.

“Eidel, tell me the truth. I’m running out of patience.”

“It’s really not true. Really.”

“…”

“When I told Zernya I wanted polygamy, she stomped all over me. That’s all. Nothing strange happened.”

Ah, does this sound like an excuse?

I immediately knelt down and bowed my head.

“…I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For saying I want to marry both of you.”

Rustila didn’t answer right away. I kept my head bowed, staring at the floor.

After a while, a trembling voice emerged.

“Eidel, I thought I knew you well.”

“…”

“I thought you were someone who couldn’t lie. But now I see that’s not entirely true.”

“…”

“You told me before. That I just needed to wait 8 years. I could have been patient and waited. I was thinking of you and humanity’s future. But was this what you meant when you asked me to wait?”

Rustila, who was usually pure and kind, was reprimanding me for the first time.

Once she started, Rustila poured out words of reproach like a broken dam.

Yes, this is better.

Rather than pretending to be okay or acting like nothing’s wrong, speaking like this is refreshing for me too. Even while being scolded, my mind felt clearer. As Rustila caught her breath, Ireh asked.

“Let me ask one thing. Is it true that you spent the night with Zernya?”

“We didn’t sleep together. I was scolded and stomped on, though.”

“Can you prove it?”

“It’s difficult through conventional means, but I can swear. I’ll swear on all the papers I’ve written. I really didn’t sleep with her last night.”

“…I believe you. You’re still a virgin, then.”

I’m glad you believe me, but why does that feel offensive?

Anyway, I’ve passed the crisis.

Rustila’s feet approached. Her bootlaces were untied, probably because she came in a hurry. I properly tied her laces and bowed my head repeatedly to apologize.

Rustila asked me with a solemn gaze.

“Guess how I feel.”

“You’re angry.”

“Why do you think I’m angry?”

“Because I’m marrying Zernya.”

Rustila shook her head.

“Eidel, if you want to marry Zernya, I won’t stop you. If you tell me that truly makes you happy, I’ll gladly step aside. Of course, then there would be no need to terminate the contract with Virgo.”

“Is it because I said I wanted polygamy?”

“That’s a reason, but it’s not why I’m angry. In that case, Zernya would be the one I’m angry with.”

“Then, because I didn’t come to find you?”

Rustila finally nodded. She answered with reddened eyes and a voice filled with indignation.

“Think about it. If you were going to talk about something so important, you should have at least come to me directly and apologized. How does it look for my dignity and my family’s honor when I have to come to you first?”

“…”

“People will mock me. They’ll say the only daughter of the Kersil family, the contractor of Virgo, is a foolish idiot being played by a man!”

“I’m sorry.”

As I bowed repeatedly, I thought to myself.

Even if things work out later, I’m going to be in trouble.

“…Actually, I know. I know you’re desperately researching for my sake and the future of the Federation. I know you’re always short on time. But still, couldn’t you have saved my face in this situation?”

“I understand. I understand…”

I quickly racked my brain.

I need to give Rustila what she wants before she even asks. Since I still couldn’t read her mind, I watched her carefully before speaking.

“I’ll promise you one thing. I don’t know if such a situation will arise again, but I will never let Zernya into the lab. From now on, this will be a private space solely for research.”

“Good. What else?”

“I’ll write all my papers for you, Rustila.”

“Explain in detail.”

“The crystal research is meant to eradicate Darwin’s Legion, so it’s for your benefit. Also, similar research can create methods to strengthen constellations. This is another way to help you.”

“…Good.”

“Plus, there’s one more confidential research project I can’t talk about now. When it’s completed, you’ll definitely like it.”

I made a line with my finger as I continued.

“Last time, I asked you to wait 8 years. That’s the estimated time to suppress the ‘End’ and finish everything. Rustila, it will actually only take 1 year to address your complaints.”

“1 year?”

“Yes, 1 year on average. The research I just mentioned will definitely be completed in three months, and to apply that research to you, we need the lost fragments of Virgo. Bring them to me as soon as you obtain them.”

“What will you do with them?”

“Well, it’s a secret.”

Rustila made a subtle expression. There were two main reasons I wasn’t telling her:

First, if this plan leaked, Virgo would go crazy.

Second, religious groups that believe in the movement of stars would obviously rise up.

“Fine. I won’t ask. But I want one more thing.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Your clothes.”

“Yes?”

“Let me iron them from now on.”

“…What?”

Did I hear that correctly?

“Why suddenly?”

“You dress too carelessly. There are too many wrinkles. Look, even here. What is this? With your good looks, what will people think of my… friend if you go around like this?”

My mind goes blank.

I didn’t think my attire was that problematic, but apparently the wrinkles are an issue. This seems to bother Rustila.

“But this is because I haven’t changed clothes for days.”

“Why haven’t you changed?”

“I haven’t been to the dormitory for two weeks.”

I’ve just been washing up quickly and going between the lab and lecture halls. Looking at the next room, there’s a makeshift bed set up. In fact, many outstanding graduate students secretly live like this.

“Rustila, you don’t have to iron for me. Sonia is already doing it.”

“I said I want to do it!”

“…Understood.”

Rustila’s tone changed so drastically that I got scared and agreed.

Well, it should be fine. Sonia won’t complain about this one thing. She might even be happy to have less work.

“Anyway, this was my fault.”

I bowed my head once more. Rustila’s expression gradually softened with my repeated apologies.

“Eidel, even though I got angry like this, I still like you as a person.”

“…Is it okay to say that?”

“Don’t misunderstand. I mean I like you as a person, as a friend, and as a mentor in life.”

Why do I feel such vast consideration in those words? Perhaps it’s because she’s someone who can shine even in darkness. Rustila held my hand and smiled bitterly.

“How’s the research going?”

“If you help me, I can write four papers right away.”

“That many?”

“The experiments led to four different conclusions. But without the assistance of the 12 zodiac signs, it will take a long time. So, Rustila, will you stay in our lab?”

At my plea, Rustila burst into laughter.

“Alright.”

She took off her military cap and sat on a chair. A deep sigh escaped from her rosy lips.

“Since you put it that way, I can’t refuse. Okay, I’ll help.”

“Can you start now? Has your muscle pain subsided?”

“To be honest, it still hurts.”

Rustila picked up a crystal and murmured.

“It hurts, so I should work harder.”

***

Meanwhile, there was a great commotion at the Adelbein family.

“So that old man Kashu has been arrested.”

“I didn’t even know he was still alive.”

Zernya’s father, Jerome, was discussing countermeasures with his wife, Trisha. The image of prosecutors descending upon the Adelbein main house flashed before his eyes. All of this had to be managed well by the family head and the council of elders.

“Fortunately, Zernya spread rumors in advance, didn’t she?”

“Yes, thanks to that, we still have some justification left.”

Jerome recalled Eidel’s face.

“Detestable bastard.”

There’s no doubt he sent Kashu to his grave.

“How should we deal with him?”

“Don’t worry, dear. The Rheinland family will soon have their succession ceremony, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s tell Zernya to bring up the matter of becoming their adopted son-in-law then.”

Jerome nodded.

The thought of devouring the Rheinland family made him feel full already.

Jerome, along with his wife Trisha, laughed silently.