Ch.36Alcohol is the Problem (3)

“…me.”

“… …”

“Wake…!”

“…Wake up!”

“Mmm…”

What could this sound be? An unidentifiable noise echoed in my ears.

I groaned at the mysterious buzzing sound ringing in my ears. My head was spinning, and my insides burned as if set on fire.

I felt so terrible that I wanted to close my eyes and fall back asleep.

“Wake up!”

“Huh…?”

But this time, I heard it clearly. Someone was definitely shouting at me to wake up.

At that sound, I trembled and barely managed to open my eyelids that had refused to budge. An intense light stabbed my eyes, forcing me to blink several times until I adjusted.

Eventually, as my blurry vision gradually brightened, a familiar face came into view. White hair and blue eyes. And that somewhat dissatisfied expression.

Though my dizzy head delayed my judgment slightly, it was definitely Marie.

“Are you finally conscious?”

“Ugh…”

I couldn’t immediately answer Marie’s disgruntled question. As soon as my senses returned, a headache overwhelmed me.

I clutched my throbbing head and barely managed to open my mouth. A very dry voice emerged, as if I hadn’t drunk water in ages.

“…Where are we?”

“Where else? The grand hall, of course.”

Ah, right. I remember Cecilly bringing me here before everything went blank. I don’t recall what we talked about during that time.

We must have discussed something important, but strangely, I can’t remember. Well, I was drunk, so that’s understandable.

I don’t know what I did afterward, but I probably just fell asleep quietly. Old habits die hard—I tend to pass out when I drink too much.

“I was wondering where you went, and here you are sprawled out sleeping. Just how many glasses of wine did you drink?”

Marie’s words, delivered in a tone suggesting I was pathetic, pierced my ears perfectly. Mixed with reproach, her sincerity shone through.

I pressed the bridge of my nose firmly and opened my mouth. My voice was still cracked.

“…Don’t know.”

“Right. You wouldn’t. Here.”

“Huh?”

While I was pressing the bridge of my nose, Marie handed me something. Unlike a wine glass, it was an ordinary glass cup containing clear liquid with spherical ice.

After drinking only wine, I didn’t expect there to be regular glasses. Of course, even if there were, I would have stuck to wine.

“It’s just cold water. I didn’t put anything strange in it, so stop complaining and drink it.”

As I was staring blankly at the glass cup due to my dizziness, Marie informed me in a blunt voice what the liquid was.

Only then did I say “Ah” and carefully took the glass cup. Perhaps because of the ice, a cool chill traveled through my hands as soon as I received it.

I examined the ice-filled glass carefully, then gripped it tightly with both hands to avoid dropping it and brought it to my lips.

Gulp- gulp- gulp-

“Ahh!”

After drinking about half of the cold water, a sincere exclamation burst from my mouth.

Until just a moment ago, my chest had been burning as if a fire had been lit, but thanks to the cold water, I felt like I would survive. My throat, which had been as dry as a desert, also seemed to return to normal.

“Are you feeling better now?”

Marie smiled slightly after seeing my reaction and asked me. I answered, feeling my dizzy head gradually improving.

“Thanks to you. Where did this come from?”

“It was on the table. There’s not just wine, but cocktails too.”

Apparently, there wasn’t just wine. Well, the wine was so delicious that I drank it continuously, so it’s understandable that I didn’t notice.

I shook my head left and right to clear my mind, then looked around. Now that I was examining the surroundings, the band that had been performing on the stage was nowhere to be seen, and the number of people in the hall had significantly decreased compared to what I remembered.

It seemed that quite some time had passed while I was passed out in the chair. Embarrassed, I scratched my head and quietly asked Marie.

“Um… by any chance…”

“I don’t know how long you’ve been sleeping either. I just got some free time myself. It’s been about 4 hours since we parted.”

As if reading my mind, Marie spoke first. She crossed her arms and wore an expression of clear disapproval.

Of course, she must have been busy going around here and there, so such a question might have been rude. I pondered what to say and then opened my mouth.

“…Then can we hang out together now? You said so before we separated.”

“Oh? Y-yes. But are you going to be okay?”

In response to my question, Marie was flustered only briefly before immediately expressing concern for my condition. I had been nearly completely drunk before passing out, so her worry was justified.

However, perhaps because I had fallen asleep and woken up, the effects of alcohol had somewhat subsided. Moreover, the cold water Marie had given me acted as a sort of remedy, making normal activity possible.

Of course, the headache and nausea persisted. I vaguely recall hearing that wine in particular causes severe hangovers.

“I can move around. And I heard something from my father. He said circulating mana when you have a hangover will help alleviate it.”

“Oh, that? I’ve heard about that from my brother too.”

“Ugh.”

I stood up from my seat and circulated the mana within my body. Even if I lack talent in martial arts, I can at least activate mana.

Then, as I focused my mind slightly, the mana that had been moving sluggishly like a grub began to move vigorously. Every time I circulate mana, I think about how this refreshing and cool sensation always feels novel.

‘It’s also amazing that people fight using this…’

While I was thinking about that and tidying up my clothes.

Marie heard my method of circulating mana to alleviate hangovers and seemed to ponder for a moment before suddenly widening her eyes. Something must have clicked in her mind.

Eventually, she grabbed my arm with an urgent expression and shouted. Her expression of panic was priceless.

“Hey! Hey! Stop right now! You shouldn’t circulate mana now!”

“Huh? Why? It’s getting better…”

Ding-

Before I could finish speaking. As if I had been hit hard on the head with a hammer, an indescribable headache washed over me.

Due to the sudden headache, I staggered back to where I had been sitting. Not only that, but my stomach, which had been calmed by the cold water, seemed to flip, causing nausea.

“Using mana makes hangovers worse! Instead of reducing the duration of the hangover, it brings all of it forward at once!”

“Ugh…”

“Really… either know things properly or don’t do them at all. What are you doing?”

Even as the criticism continued, it didn’t register in my ears. The headache and nausea that had barely subsided hit me all at once, leaving me disoriented.

“Seriously… this isn’t some comedy.”

Marie grumbled as if dumbfounded and sat down in the chair next to me.

It seemed she intended to wait until I recovered, which would likely take a long time. Feeling unnecessarily apologetic, I had to apologize.

“…Sorry. I had no idea this would happen.”

“Shut up and just drink your water.”

Come to think of it, the half-empty cold water was still in my hand. Following her instruction, I downed the remaining water in one go.

Thanks to the ice, the coolness remained, and I could feel the refreshing sensation traveling down my throat. My upset stomach seemed to calm down somewhat, making me feel a bit better.

But the nausea remained the same. Fortunately, I stopped circulating mana immediately; otherwise, I might have collapsed.

“Ugh…”

“If it’s too hard, I can call someone to take you to your room. Usually, at events like this, there are waiters on standby for people like you who are drunk.”

Judging that my condition was worse than it appeared, Marie suggested with a concerned voice. However, I noticed the disappointment hidden in her consideration.

Of course, anyone would be disappointed if they finally got some free time but couldn’t keep their promise due to the other person’s condition. Even if that condition was terrible.

Moreover, while I was sprawled out sleeping, she had probably been going around trying to help her family, which must have left her extremely tired. Yet, she came to me to keep her promise.

So I’d rather not give her any more disappointment. I tried to reassure Marie by pretending to be fine.

“I’m okay. My head is just a bit dizzy, but not enough for you to worry.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“But moving around would be tough. Should we just talk here?”

“Here?”

While feeling nauseated, I glanced at Marie and saw her looking at me with round eyes. To conserve energy, I nodded instead of answering.

Marie blinked her cat-like eyes and eventually smiled as if she couldn’t help it.

“You’re generally good, but sometimes you can be so clueless.”

“That’s because of the wine right now.”

“What a convincing excuse.”

“Didn’t you drink too?”

“I did drink, but not as much as you. And a characteristic of the Reckyless family is that we don’t get drunk easily.”

With looks like that and blessed genes too. I was thinking enviously when I looked ahead.

It seemed they were starting to clean up, as waiters began clearing tables one by one. The number of students who had participated in the gathering had decreased even more.

Nevertheless, one person stood out—Cecilly in her red dress, of course. As always, she was walking around amicably with Rina.

If asked to name her closest friend, she would undoubtedly choose Rina. Whenever I saw her, Rina was almost always by her side.

“… …”

Did she notice my gaze? Cecilly, who had been talking with Rina, looked directly in this direction and waved her hand gently.

Although I lacked the energy to move, since she greeted me first, I should respond. As I weakly waved my hand, Cecilly chuckled.

“Is she looking at you?”

Marie asked with a voice full of discontent from beside me. I answered with a weak voice.

“Probably. By the way, Cecilly always seems to be with Rina.”

“…Birds of a feather flock together, I guess.”

Her evaluation of Cecilly had become quite harsh, perhaps still holding onto what happened before we parted. I could only respond with a bitter smile.

Meanwhile, Marie stared at her well-maintained nails and spoke in a calm voice.

“…Issac.”

“Yes.”

“I’m just curious, what’s your ideal type?”

“Ideal type?”

I turned my gaze to Marie after hearing her seemingly out-of-nowhere question. She glanced at me once, then fidgeted with her nails and confirmed.

“Yes. Ideal type.”

“Why suddenly ask that?”

“Just curious. There’s no particular reason.”

Although Marie answered as if it was nothing, I could see that her ears had turned slightly red. Unfortunately, it was even more noticeable because her hair was as white as snow.

Feeling somewhat bewildered by her reaction, which seemed personal, I pondered her question about my ideal type while rubbing my chin.

“Ideal type…”

To be honest, I’ve never really thought about it. Maybe in my previous life, but now, I’m surrounded by beauties.

Including Marie, there’s Rina, Cecilly, Leona, Adelia, and finally Cindy, the elf known as the embodiment of beauty.

Depending on one’s taste, these people are definitely not what anyone would call unattractive. If someone said they were, that person would be the strange one.

Anyway, I haven’t thought about it. If I had to say something, maybe someone with big eyes?

With that thought, I stopped rubbing my chin and opened my mouth.

“Well… I haven’t really thought about it. I think anyone with big eyes is good.”

“Then what about women with big breasts like Cecilly or Rina?”

That’s a very direct question. Marie was genuinely serious while I was flustered. I silently faced her now-serious face and then subtly lowered my gaze.

Though not as bold as Cecilly’s, Marie’s dress was also quite daring, with her chest area slightly exposed. Her snow-white skin would likely captivate many men’s gazes.

In any case, Marie’s chest was by no means small. It’s just that Cecilly’s is excessively large; by my standards, Marie’s was also on the larger side.

‘No. That’s not it.’

The conversation briefly strayed due to the alcohol, but I returned to the main point. I raised my gaze to meet her face again and shared my honest feelings.

“…Big is good. Not just me, other men probably feel the same. It’s instinct.”

“R-really? I see…”

Marie was about to turn her head with a gloomy expression. I quickly added, struck by a thought that flashed through my mind.

“Ah. There is one thing. I’d like someone who shares my hobbies.”

“Hobbies?”

“Yes. Hobbies.”

Even in my previous life, setting everything else aside, I got along well with people who shared my hobbies. Although I cut off contact after my parents passed away, I once had a female friend who was almost a girlfriend.

Edin from earlier is a similar case. It might have been due to the wine, but as soon as I learned we shared a hobby, words poured out like a flood. Even though we had just met.

“When someone shares a hobby, I feel a kind of familiarity. The feeling of knowing something together, enjoying it together? I like that.”

“…That’s surprisingly ordinary?”

“Yes. As you know, my hobby is reading, right? But these days, people only read the Biography of Xenon. I wish they would read other books too.”

This was sincere. Before, people used to read various books, but after the Biography of Xenon was released, things changed.

Having become accustomed to the easily readable Biography of Xenon, people don’t even glance at other books. It’s a somewhat sad reality.

“…What about history?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you like history too?”

Marie asked cautiously. I tilted my head slightly at her question, then nodded and answered.

“I do. Why?”

“Just came to mind. No particular reason. Oh, and…”

Marie hesitated slightly after speaking, then shook her head.

“No. It’s nothing. Anyway, your ideal type is someone who shares your hobbies?”

“Yes. What about you, Marie?”

“Me?”

She pointed at herself with her finger, questioning my counter-question. I nodded to confirm.

Then she stared at my face and raised the corners of her mouth. It was a mischievous smile that seemed familiar from somewhere.

“I’m not going to tell you.”

“What?”

“I said I’m not going to tell you. Issac, you’re surprisingly innocent?”

“No. Ha…”

I let out a sigh. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have answered either. This was the result of my judgment being clouded due to my dizziness.

As I was letting out a hollow laugh in disbelief, Marie murmured as if in passing.

“Someday…”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Nothing. By the way, is your head feeling better now?”

“I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“If you throw up here, rumors will spread… Ah, they already will. About a red-haired guy who got drunk and sprawled out sleeping in a chair. That would be really interesting, right?”

“Can I seriously hit you once?”

“If you hit me, I’ll call my dad.”

It took about 30 minutes for my condition to improve. Marie and I left the grand hall, had a brief conversation, and then parted ways as it got late.

And just before parting, Marie called out to me.

“Oh right. Issac. I forgot to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“You looked cute while sleeping.”

“… …”

“See you next week. Bye~”

I couldn’t smile as I watched Marie waving cheerfully as she walked away.

‘I should avoid drinking alcohol from now on.’

This gathering was, at least for me, a dark history in itself.