Ch.286The Switch (6)

The award ceremony had just ended, and the recipients were guided to a luxury suite. They were expected to stay there and fulfill a week’s worth of scheduled activities.

It was a kind of ritual.

These were newcomers who had achieved great accomplishments in their fields. How often would there be an opportunity for such individuals to gather in one place, engage in deep conversations, or demonstrate public discussions?

The prestige of the Akea Award was extraordinary, so the recipients considered this process itself an opportunity and an honor.

However, there were exceptions.

“Where did Mr. Rheinland go?”

“I believe he went to the restroom. He’ll be back soon.”

Except for Eidel, the other two recipients spent time answering questions from reporters and engaging in various conversations to build rapport.

Two hours quickly passed as they discussed refugees, minorities, child welfare, and environmental issues.

Yet there was still no sign of Eidel.

The two recipients, feeling something was amiss, asked:

“I don’t see Mr. Rheinland anywhere.”

“…Please wait a moment. I’ll check on him.”

***

“Payment confirmed.”

About 3 billion credits.

Just enough to build one detector.

For an ordinary person, it was an enormous sum that would be insufficient even if they lived leisurely for a lifetime, but for someone involved in big science, this was pocket change. The production cost of this particle accelerator would exceed thousands of trillions.

“Still, well…”

If it could reduce the production period by even a day.

If it could help discover gravitons even a day sooner to write my graduation thesis.

And.

If it could create a world where Ireh doesn’t suffer, it’s right to bring in all the funds I can gather.

“Mr. Rheinland!”

As I was about to board the spaceship after loading Ireh and Sonia first, someone came running breathlessly.

“You can’t leave like this!”

“Why not?”

“There are many things to do, including panel discussions and press conferences. You need to return immediately.”

“…”

“Come on, the other recipients are waiting. No, don’t board the spaceship…!”

I started the engine.

“Vroom, vroom.”

“This puts us in a difficult position!”

“It seems there was a miscommunication. I clearly informed the committee that I needed to leave early due to urgent matters.”

“At the very least, you should hold a press conference before leaving.”

“May I ask why?”

“Media outlets provide part of the prize money every year.”

I see. So there are vested interests.

Well, I have my own interests too.

“I have my doctoral defense starting this month. Since my research isn’t complete, I need to hurry back.”

“Mr. Rheinland!”

“I’ll be going now.”

Before the man could say anything more, I bowed my head slightly and closed the door.

Whoosh.

The engine emitted a deep, resonant sound. I felt my body float for a moment, and then the spaceship instantly pierced through the atmosphere and soared upward.

Through the window, I could see the man staring blankly up at us.

Sonia, who had set our destination for the Londenium planetary system, turned around.

“I’ve never seen you meet with committee members. Did you really tell them you were leaving early?”

“No.”

Ireh burst into laughter.

“Young master.”

“What?”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“I’m perfectly sane.”

It’s those people over there who’ve gone crazy.

“Just imagine spending a week there engaging in meaningless discussions. What a waste of time, don’t you think?”

“So you’re just taking the money and running away.”

“Hey now, ‘taking and running’? You make it sound like I extorted the money.”

Sonia clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

“This could damage your reputation.”

“Not my concern.”

“Didn’t you say you cared about that last time?”

“Sonia, why do you think I care about my reputation? It’s for my research. If my standing or that of my family diminishes, research funding might decrease. But this case is different. Worrying about trivial matters at the expense of time would be putting the cart before the horse.”

Look at this situation. Asking a doctoral candidate facing graduation to clear an entire week? Isn’t that too much? If they had any conscience, they would let me go.

“Sigh, I understand. At least send them an email.”

“I already did.”

“Well done.”

I glanced at Ireh and added one last thing.

“Remember this. My top priority is always graviton research.”

***

Even using the warp drive, it takes several hours to travel from the north to the west. Until arrival, Eidel took a nap, while Sonia and Ireh each opened a book.

Suddenly, Sonia spoke up.

“Miss Ireh.”

“What?”

“Are you still afraid of men?”

“…”

“I apologize. If it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t ask further.”

“No…”

Ireh shook her head.

“I’m fine. I was just startled back then. I’m better now.”

“Do you still think men are beasts?”

Ireh nodded.

“Still do.”

But that doesn’t mean she fears men. The emotion Ireh usually feels is closer to disgust than fear.

From the beginning, Ireh’s level of power had long surpassed that of ordinary people.

Her spirit bullets are powerful enough to kill a divine body with a single shot. Fear is what the weak feel toward the strong.

“May I ask one question?”

“Sure.”

“Why do you avoid other men but stick so closely to Young Master Eidel?”

“…What?”

Ireh pointed at herself blankly.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Sonia continued.

“It’s strange.”

“That’s… because I need to monitor you and Eidel. And we’re research colleagues too.”

“For that, your physical contact seems quite aggressive.”

“When did I ever?”

Sonia made a humming sound and pulled out some photos.

Ireh was startled.

The photos clearly showed her initiating physical contact with Eidel.

Images of her hugging Eidel’s arm and nuzzling his face while sleeping. Placing her hand on his shoulder and pressing close while peeking out. Even holding his hand while standing in a buffet line.

It was beyond aggressive—it was blatant.

“Anyone would think you’re having an affair. Do you know how uncomfortable this makes the young master?”

“I, I don’t remember any of this…”

“Then what are these photos? They were all taken recently.”

“Who took them?”

“I did.”

“When?”

“I can capture and store scenes I witness at a millionth of a second. Just to clarify in advance, these aren’t manipulated.”

Ireh couldn’t believe it.

That she had behaved this way.

“I have no memory of this at all.”

“Are you saying you did it unconsciously?”

“…”

“…Well, I understand. You’ve been showing vulnerability lately.”

Sonia sighed.

Ireh wanted to deny it, but truthfully, she did feel most at ease when by Eidel’s side.

But that was because she thought of him as a colleague sharing a future and her only true confidant—different from other men.

She never intended to make things awkward for Eidel’s two wives.

“Anyway, there would be serious consequences if I showed these photos to the two wives.”

“No, don’t.”

“Miss Zernya would be especially disappointed. To find out that the big sister she trusted was a thieving cat coveting her husband.”

A thieving cat.

Me?

To think that she, who had never had any interest or curiosity about men or romance, would be called a bad woman flirting with another woman’s husband?

Such a situation must never happen.

“I never did that!”

“The photos speak for themselves.”

“I, I didn’t, really I didn’t…!”

Ireh’s voice, having lost its composure, became completely choked. She was on the verge of tears.

Denial was useless. The evidence had already been secured.

“Miss Ireh.”

Sonia flicked her tongue and said.

“I don’t want to tattle either. I’d be sad if the Rheinland family fell apart, and it would also hinder our current research. So let’s make a deal.”

“A deal?”

“Yes, a deal.”

Sonia smiled slyly.

Ireh immediately understood and spoke first.

“…Don’t tell me you want me to make false reports?”

“That’s right.”

“But that would be deceiving Rustila and Zernya…”

“Are you saying I should show these to the wives?”

Sonia played her trump card. Ireh was speechless.

“Honestly, the past few weeks have been unfair. I’ve been under your surveillance and couldn’t even hold the young master’s hand, while you, Ireh, are trying to monopolize him. What kind of situation is this?”

“…”

“Miss, please.”

Sonia pleaded with her hands clasped. Despite being in the position of power, her tone was incredibly beseeching.

“I want to be with the young master too. Please turn a blind eye, thinking of it as an act of mercy. If by any chance we’re caught, I’ll take all the responsibility.”

Ireh quickly weighed her options.

She wanted to be honest.

To apologize to Rustila and Zernya, explaining it wasn’t intentional and asking for forgiveness. That way, trust wouldn’t be completely broken.

But.

Then Ireh would have to distance herself from Eidel.

To push away a benefactor who had saved her from direct danger at least twice.

She didn’t want to do that.

“I also won’t care about whatever relationship you maintain with the young master from now on.”

Sonia’s words were tempting. Soon, Ireh noticed that her own emotions were strange.

“It’s a simple game. If Miss Ireh keeps the secret, I won’t show these photos to the wives. This way, it’s good for me, good for you, and good for Rustila and Zernya who remain unaware of the situation. Isn’t this the perfect world where no one gets hurt?”

Her words were as sweet as chocolate loaded with sugar.

Yes, unnecessarily revealing this would only interfere with Eidel’s research.

After deliberation, she made her decision.

“…Alright.”

“Really?”

“As long as we don’t get caught.”

“That goes without saying.”

“And it shouldn’t interfere with Eidel’s work. Hugging or holding hands… that should be the limit.”

“No kissing?”

“T-That…!”

Kiss. Just hearing that word made her cheeks burn. Scenes of Eidel kissing Rustila or Zernya flashed through her mind like a panorama, making her head spin.

“N-No!”

“Really, not allowed?”

“That’s too… promiscuous…”

“My goodness, miss. Promiscuous? What kind of life have you been living? Light kisses can happen even while walking down the street.”

“W-What?”

Ireh fidgeted with her fingers and hung her head low.

Kissing.

She used to think it was an obscene act, but having seen Eidel and his wives do it so often, she thought maybe it could be acceptable.

Well. Different planetary systems, different regions have different cultures.

Reluctantly, she nodded.

“Thank you.”

Sonia grinned and got into bed. She snuggled into the soundly sleeping Eidel’s embrace and lightly kissed his cheek.

“Ah, it’s been a while. Doing this with the young master.”

Sonia hugged Eidel with a happy smile. She even placed one leg over his waist, pressing close.

The excessively intimate skinship made Ireh’s head spin.

What followed was an even more intense scene. A deep kiss. Just as Eidel was about to wake up, Sonia moved her lips and intertwined their tongues.

She kissed him so intensely that Eidel was startled.

“W-Who…! Miss Ireh?”

“It’s me, young master. I’m not wearing makeup today.”

“Sonia? Why suddenly… if Ireh catches us…!”

“It’s fine. Miss Ireh said she would turn a blind eye. Isn’t that right, Miss Ireh?”

Eidel looked at Ireh with empty eyes. Ireh nodded timidly. Sonia summarized the situation.

“Now Miss Ireh is an accomplice too.”

“Accomplice… Don’t say such strange things. Miss Ireh has done nothing wrong.”

“I wonder if you’ll still say that after seeing these photos.”

“…What is this.”

Eidel’s expression hardened.

Snuggled in Eidel’s arms, Sonia wore a sly smile. Eidel let out a deep sigh.

Sonia, embracing Eidel, looked extremely happy. It was a scene the old Ireh would never have understood.

“Sigh…”

In this situation where she could neither act nor remain passive, all Ireh could do was sigh.