Ch.8181. Cheer Up, Future Me

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[ Remaining Time ]

[ 00 : 00: 29 ]

My head is spinning.

No, how am I supposed to survive this…!

“Calivan, isn’t there any way you can help-“

[I haven’t really experienced romance myself. So I can’t offer appropriate help. Sorry.]

“…”

You worthless human.

What are you good at besides being a guardian? Huh?

[…That’s harsh.]

Ignoring Calivan’s grumbling, I address another spirit in the Soul Linker.

“Valkarsus, you…!”

[…I can’t help you either. My apologies.]

“…”

Even Valkarsus, whom I trusted, steps on my foot.

You’ve lived a long time…! You have abundant life experience…!

Why can’t you give me one piece of useful advice…!

[…I have no romantic experience either. It’s truly beyond my capabilities. How did you manage to ask two people who’ve been single for over a thousand years?]

“…”

[Perhaps you should practice playing dead? If you put your heart into the performance, there’s a chance they might believe…]

I’m never asking for your advice again.

I might actually die here, you people!

[No, I don’t think you’ll die. If you were going to die, you would have died already.]

[I agree with that. I believe you’ll figure something out somehow.]

“…”

[I’m going to sleep now. It’s still a bit difficult for me to stay awake for long…]

With those words, Valkarsus’s connection was immediately cut off. He really went to sleep.

Why did I go through all that trouble to accept these enemies as companions?

As my vision flickers, I watch Yuria entering by “tearing” through the door with her grotesque appearance.

[Darwood, why, aren’t you answering…?]

[ Remaining Time ]

[ 00 : 00: 15 ]

Seeing the remaining time, my blood boils.

Really, isn’t there any solution? Not even one?

-If you put your heart into the performance, there’s a chance they might believe…

At that moment.

The words I just heard from Valkarsus flash through my mind.

Wait.

Performance?

“…”

I quickly look around.

The appropriate “props” immediately catch my eye.

I frantically piece together a plan in my head.

I recall the setting. I meticulously analyze the “preferences” of the person in front of me.

Honestly, this is an absurd thing to do.

But to get through this situation right now, there’s no other way.

[…If you’re going to, abandon me and leave again.]

Meanwhile, Yuria’s hand, which has come right up to my face, slithers up my body like a climbing snake.

[ Crisis situation detected. ]

[ Judged to be a direct threat to life. ]

[ Applying skill: Desperate Situation at EX rank. ]

As such notifications continue to appear, Yuria continued speaking like a deranged person.

[Rather, let’s, together, forever-]

The chill reaches me. If this continues, Yuria might grab my neck and strangle me.

“…”

So, before that happens.

I gently take her hand and stop her.

“This isn’t funny, Yuria.”

[…What?]

I desperately control my facial muscles. Creating an expression, adjusting my voice tone and atmosphere appropriately.

Before doing this, the first thing I need to do is.

‘…I’m sorry, Elnore.’

She probably won’t hear it, but I’m still human, so I should apologize.

I’m sorry. Really sorry.

But I have no choice if I want to survive.

Please, let this work.

“To be jealous of such ‘child’s play.'”

As soon as I say that.

Yuria’s eyes widen.

●

[…]

Yuria’s mind was still ringing.

Previously, when she stayed in a storage room filled with junk due to the curse of severance.

When she thought Darwood had completely left her, she felt something very similar to what she was feeling now.

‘…Huh.’

However, even in that state.

She paused.

At the edge of her vision was Darwood Campbell’s face, faintly smiling.

Somehow, the atmosphere was very different from usual.

Of course, he was always a man with a huge gap between when he was serious and when he wasn’t.

But now, how should I put it.

It’s like he’s exuding the aura of a “lady-killer” with his whole body.

“…”

She unconsciously gulped.

For a moment, she was almost overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

Of course, that doesn’t mean she could just let this situation slide.

Because of the feeling that had been ringing in her head, she felt she absolutely had to do something.

[What, do you mean? Child’s play-]

Before that sentence could be completed, Darwood grabbed her chin and pulled it sharply toward his face.

In an instant, the distance between them narrowed until their breaths touched.

Close enough to see the color of each other’s eyes.

“…”

Her consciousness almost flew away.

This man, right now.

What did he just do?

A forwardness that shows not even a nail’s worth of his usual indecisiveness.

‘Su, suddenly, like a completely different person…!’

No, this is too different from before. Until just now, he was clearly flustered by her questioning.

As she tried to suppress her increasingly pounding heart, Darwood spoke calmly.

“That ring doesn’t have the meaning you think it does. I thought someone like you would naturally understand, so I didn’t bother explaining.”

[…]

“Are you listening, Yuria?”

Yuria, with dazed eyes, barely managed to continue her thoughts.

‘Um, so…’

What was she trying to say here?

It feels like most of her brain functions have deteriorated.

That’s because the destructive power of what this man just did was extraordinary.

In fact, the impact of that “strike” was greater than expected, as when she opened her mouth again, the previous hostility seemed considerably diminished.

[…Th-then, what does it mean-]

“It’s just a facade.”

[Don’t lie. You were looking at the ring on your ring finger with such a happy expression, how could it be-]

“I had to deceive you in advance because it was obvious there would be friction if I let you misunderstand like that.”

Yuria’s mouth fell open.

Wow.

What on earth is this person saying?

‘Trash…!’

Thinking of such a word immediately, Yuria continued with an incredulous expression.

[Why would you do such a thing…!]

“If I coldly rejected the Tristan lady, it was obvious she would become someone who would interfere with the ‘real thing’ out of jealousy. I’d like you to understand it was a rational choice.”

[…What?]

With those words.

Something was smoothly tied to the “collar” she always wore.

[…]

Yuria, with round eyes, looked down and saw a plain scarf with a ring attached. It didn’t have any special features on the surface.

However, the ribbon had the seal of the Campbell Barony engraved on it. A fabric with the family seal that nobles commonly carry around.

It’s an item commonly used as a token of “affection” among academy students who find it difficult to obtain heavy items like rings with precious metals.

Darwood continued with eyes showing firm resolve.

“A mere ring like that cannot express my heart.”

[…]

“My true feelings are contained in this instead.”

Yuria’s eyes shook uncontrollably.

So.

This person is now.

[If, if I understand correctly. Right now, Darwood…]

“Mm.”

[The Tristan lady was clinging so persistently, with me, with me…]

The text was momentarily cut off.

It was a phenomenon that occurred because she had to catch her breath, even though she wasn’t actually speaking with her throat.

[With me, Darwood’s, ‘true relationship’ is being interfered with by a mere nuisance. So you just accepted it to ‘appease’ her, is that what you’re saying?]

Looking at it laid out like that.

The other person is truly a trash of insane proportions. That’s what she thought.

To the extent that she understood why her sister was wary of this person.

But.

“Yes.”

Seeing him cut it off decisively with a resolute expression.

It feels like there’s nothing more to say.

Because, regardless of whether the other person is trash or whatever.

“…”

‘If it’s trash that likes her the most’.

She felt an intuition that she could accept any form.

Yuria touched the scarf tied to her collar with a flushed face.

Hadn’t he even given her this token that his heart wouldn’t waver?

“…Is it true?”

A “voice” rather than “text” leaked out.

With that single word, the feeling that had been constantly ringing in her head seemed to disappear instantly.

“Yes. It’s true.”

“Really, really true?”

“Of course.”

“You won’t leave me for someone else?”

“Of course not.”

The pounding of her heart grows even louder.

Yuria touched the scarf tied to her collar as if entranced.

“…A token of promise between Darwood and me.”

The more she repeated it to herself.

It was a phrase that seemed to seep into her heart.

●

“…So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone until at least graduation from the academy. I plan to announce it to everyone after I’ve smoothly sorted everything out.”

“…”

Trying not to show the cold sweat pouring down my back like a waterfall, I barely control my facial muscles that are starting to cramp.

I somehow managed to pull off that Casanova act earlier that’s completely unlike me, so I can’t get caught now.

My desperate effort seems to have worked, as Yuria, clearly unaware of my state, nodded timidly with her entire face flushed red.

The demonic energy that had been emanating from her entire body has long since disappeared without a trace.

“Are you a bit relieved now?”

“…”

Nod, nod.

“…Good. Then I’ll see you later.”

Nod, nod again.

Yuria, red to the tips of her ears, left my room like an ungreased machine, creaking.

She remained in that state until her figure completely disappeared at the end of the corridor, clearly unable to fully process what she had just heard.

“…”

And the same goes for me.

What did I just do?

[I’m speechless, truly speechless. I thought you’d survive somehow, but…]

I sigh and speak to Calivan, who is chuckling.

“…Calivan.”

[What.]

“What do I do now?”

[How would I know, you trash.]

“…”

I close my mouth at the cynical response.

I know I deserve to be cursed at.

How do I really fix this?

[I never thought I’d see someone two-timing demons. Can you handle this?]

“…Theoretically, it’s possible.”

I just need to make both Elnore and Yuria think they are “my only companion.”

Until I graduate from the academy and all the main scenarios end, and until the demonic energy is sealed when the Demonic Vessel and I “bloom true love” as Atalante said.

[So.]

Calivan said in a dispassionate voice.

[You’re saying fancy words, but doesn’t it just mean you have to keep two-timing without getting caught?]

“…”

[Against two Demonic Vessels who could each destroy the world if they go berserk?]

“…”

[Aren’t you going to the Tribal Union as an exchange student with those two starting tomorrow?]

“…I am.”

[Then there’s a high probability those two will keep seeing each other?]

“…High.”

[What are you going to do?]

“Calivan.”

Taking a deep breath, I answer in a cold and serious voice.

“Please stop explaining it so clearly, it makes me want to die.”

[…]

I don’t know either, you damn human.

I’ll leave that to my future self.

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