Chapter 156

Chapter 156

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 156: Meoww (2).

DM to: PhysicsPervert

Hey

Hey

Heyyy

Brother

?

What

What

Talk to me

You’re in trouble

Sis Rustila is planning to visit you today

?

She’s coming to our house?

Yeah

It could be problematic if Adelwein is there

If possible, try to get her out of the house

Just for today – make sure she’s somewhere else

Nooo

Hmm

No

Actually, this is perfect

?

This is our chance to have them meet and reconcile

I’m bringing Zelnya along today

???

Ah

Damn

This is really going to be something

And that was why Ceti decided to buy popcorn.

“Rustila is coming to our house today.”

Right after college class ended, Zelnya froze like a stone upon hearing the shocking news from Aidel.

“We agreed to have a grand party when we come of age. But today, it seems they’re just coming for a casual visit.”

Aidel spoke about the schedule with a gentle expression.

“Looks like they took the express shuttle? They’ll be here soon. We should go in and greet them.”

His expression was remarkably bright.

When Rustila was around, Aidel would always have that kind of look on his face. It was a smile he had rarely ever shown to her. Zelnya felt an emptiness in her chest as if a hole had been punched straight through.

She was certain of what this emotion was.

It was envy and jealousy.

“Do we really have to go in?”

“They’re a guest. It wouldn’t be polite to keep them waiting. Besides, they’re coming to see us.”

“To see… you…”

She was at a loss for words.

As time went on, she regretted everything. If she had been more amiable from their first meeting, perhaps that smile might have been directed at her by now.

Zelnya had no right to stop Aidel from going into the house. With things as they were, she had no choice but to go in with him.

Go and apologize to Rustila for what happened.

And then, declare anew:

Aidel von Reinhardt is the man I’ve chosen.

Rustila stepped off the shuttle with a spring in her step, Ceti trailing behind her while munching on popcorn.

“Welcome.”

Sonia and a group of androids greeted them.

“The young master is preparing for the party. Shouldn’t you head inside quickly?”

“Oh, really?”

“Haha.”

Both Rustila and Ceti laughed, though for different reasons – Rustila from genuine joy, Ceti from sheer disbelief. It seemed Sonia was deliberately trying to stir up trouble.

And then, finally, the inevitable encounter occurred.

“Huh…?”

As Rustila passed through the dock entrance, she froze at the sight before her: Zelnya, dressed in a headkerchief and white apron, mopping the floor like a proper maid.

“What… why are you here?”

Rustila’s expression soured instantly.

“Hello there. It’s been a while.”

Zelnya replied casually, straightening her back.

Rustila’s mind went blank. She whirled around to face Ceti, her eyes demanding answers.

“Ahaha, well… I’m just as confused as you are. I guess my brother brought her today…”

“Actually, I’ve been living here for almost two months now. There were some circumstances.”

Zelnya interjected, her eyebrows drooping meaningfully.

Two months.

Living together.

Circumstances.

Each phrase landed like a carefully placed blow. If this were a lovers’ quarrel, it was definitely a power play – and in truth, that’s exactly what it was.

Why else would Zelnya be here, wearing a maid’s outfit, cleaning floors as if she owned the Reinhardt house, with an expression that suggested she’d been expecting Rustila’s arrival?

Rustila’s face contorted with anger. The situation was even more infuriating when broken down piece by piece.

“You…”

Rustila growled, stomping her foot with anger.

“How much did you torment Aidel while I was gone?”

“Torment him? Look around – I’m just cleaning the house. Does this look like tormenting to you?”

Indeed, it wasn’t.

Zelnya had carefully orchestrated this situation and was patiently waiting. She hadn’t even provoked Rustila, so she wouldn’t be at fault this time. Above all, Zelnya was in high spirits and had no intention of raising her voice on this important exam day.

Just then, a low, deep voice called out.

“Sister, Rustila! You’re here. How did the exam go?”

Rustila’s lips instantly curved into an involuntary smile.

“Aidel!”

Forgetting to remove her coat, she rushed toward him. Her movement was swift – so swift that Zelnya, whose reflexes were slightly slower, could only click her tongue in annoyance.

“Did the exam go well?”

“Yes, really well! Looks like we’ll be attending college together next year.”

Zelnya’s face drained of color.

“You seem taller than before, Aidel.”

Rustila observed, rising to her tiptoes to compare their heights. Both were still growing, not having reached full adulthood yet.

“I have grown a bit. You seem taller, too.”

“I’ve been training hard. You wouldn’t believe how much the master pushes me to succeed. But it’s paid off – I’ve formed contracts with four more Constellations.”

“Oh? So you can now shoot Multi Star Sword Energy in five directions?”

“Of course. I’ll show you later.”

It was a subtle boast – a hint that she could protect him even if he became an Outer God’s target. Rustila had indeed achieved the impressive EX level before turning twenty. At this rate, she might become the youngest Omega grade Inspector by her sophomore year.

As Rustila continued chattering, her final words particularly irritated Zelnya.

“I’m planning to enter the military academy!”

“Oh…”

Aidel expression subtly shifted.

He had mentioned before that his ideal type was a woman with a graduate degree. Judging by his reaction, it hadn’t been a joke.

Then, a soft voice came from behind.

“I’m thinking of pursuing graduate school, too.”

Zelnya announced.

Checkmate.

Rustila interpreted this as both a challenge and a declaration of war.

Since another major event was planned for year-end, today’s party was kept relatively simple.

While Zelnya wiped down the tables, Rustila swiftly arranged the food.

“I wonder where we’ll be reassigned later.”

“Better prepare to be fired.”

“Eek!”

The androids exchanged light-hearted banter, though they didn’t slack in their duties.

Meanwhile, Sonia lounged on the sofa, stretching with a yawn.

“Ah, this is comfortable. It’s refreshing to see humans occasionally taking initiative in daily tasks.”

“Sonia, you’ll end up deactivated at this rate.”

An android commented, approaching her.

Yet Sonia remained unfazed.

“I’m exclusively assigned to young master Aidel. They won’t dismiss me for not doing what others can handle. Besides, with those two working so diligently, what place does a robot like me have to interfere?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“By the fifth generation, Roland, we develop a certain intuition. Something is happening between those humans.”

“So you’re saying this is meant for human interaction?”

“Exactly. This isn’t the time for androids like us to step in.”

“Then perhaps you could at least massage the master’s shoulders?”

Sonia paused thoughtfully before responding.

“That makes sense. However, it might be better to wait a while.”

With a fluid motion, Sonia rose from the sofa. By then, the party preparations were complete. The spacious dining table was adorned with lavish dishes – enough to feed ten people with plenty to spare.

“Aidel, Ceti. I wasn’t sure what you’d prefer, so I ordered a variety.”

Zelnya said with a smile, deliberately trying to provoke Rustila.

“Well then, let’s eat.”

Aidel raised his glass filled with carbonated soda, not alcohol.

“To Ceti and Rustila’s college acceptance!”

“Cheers!”

Everyone exclaimed as their glasses clinked together.

While the others sipped their drinks, Rustila stared blankly at her bubbling soda, her stomach churning with similar turbulence. Beside her, Ceti had already started munching on popcorn.

Ceti glanced around the table, assessing the atmosphere. An unmistakable tension hung in the air. She knew what was coming.

“Aidel, is it true that Zelnya stayed at your house for two months?”

“Yes, she did.”

Ceti immediately jabbed Aidel in the side.

“I was planning to tell you anyway. It happened like this…”

Aidel launched into a detailed explanation.

Rustila’s stern expression gradually softened. Despite her dislike for Zelnya, she was someone who could evaluate situations objectively.

“It was because of the Outer God, wasn’t it?”

She mused while cutting her meat.

She employed both her insight and inner vision, and her mind became clearer.

Suddenly, Zelnya set down her fork and stood up, bowing her head.

“I apologize for my past behavior. I’ve been reckless until now. Going forward, I won’t torment you or cause you any trouble. If you make it to college, I promise to do my best as student council president next year to support your academic life.”

Through her connection with the God of ‘Truth and Lies,’ Rustila could sense Zelnya’s sincerity. It was confounding.

“However… there are still matters I cannot yield on.”

That statement, too, rang true.

Both girls turned their attention to Aidel, who appeared satisfied with the situation.

“Rustila, I can personally vouch for her; Zelnya has changed from before. At the very least, I hope you won’t dislike her.”

“Oh… alright. For now…”

“Oh wow, what a relief!”

Perplexed, Rustila attempted to use her insight again.

— Unable to read due to an unknown barrier

She found it impossible to discern Aidel’s true intentions. Her confusion grew like a sponge absorbing water.

However, Rustila soon detected the Constellation within Zelnya.

“Deneb? Is that really you?”

“My, my, who do we have here? It’s been quite some time.”

Rustila’s main star ‘Vega’ and Zelnya’s main star ‘Deneb’ shared a long-standing friendship, a phenomenon known as adjacency or star wisdom.

“What happened? Deneb, you’ve always been so selective about your contractors.”

“Indeed, I still am. It’s not easy finding someone perfect in medicine, with a good personality, and everything else.”

“This is wonderful news, Rusti. Deneb and I have a synergy effect. Simply being near this girl makes us stronger!”

Synergy, in simple terms, was a stacking buff. In gaming terms, while Vega specialized in offense, Deneb focused on support. Working together granted additional effects like enhanced sword energy power or accelerated Ether recharge—a phenomenon validated by modern physics’ called ‘adjacency entanglement effect.’

“Oh, really?”

Zelnya, having received similar information, offered a sweet smile and extended her hand to Rustila.

“Let’s get along well, Rustila.”

Rustila’s arm tensed at the gesture.

Crunch, crunch.

Meanwhile, Ceti and Aidel continued munching their popcorn.