Chapter 184

Chapter 184

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 184: The Boycott (3)

“What do you mean?”

“I’m saying Aidel still loves you.”

“That must be a misunderstanding. He told me himself that he’s interested in Zelnya.”

Ire shook her head.

“Polygamy.”

“Polygamy?”

“He’s considering having multiple wives.”

Ire let out a light chuckle.

“Isn’t it funny?”

Rustila frowned. She knew what polygamy meant – a system where one husband has multiple wives. While there were no legal restrictions against it, she personally disapproved of such arrangements.

“Did Aidel really say that?”

“Yes.”

“That sounds like he’s openly planning to cheat.”

“It’s not infidelity if all the wives agree. Infidelity is something done in secret.”

“By my standards, it’s still cheating.”

Rustila replied sulkily.

“I’m not in a romantic relationship with Aidel. If he chooses Zelnya, I should respect that. But if he’s considering polygamy because of me, I want him to just forget about me.”

Ire fell silent, finding no words to respond to Rustila’s declaration.

“Really, are you sure about this?”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I really am fine.”

“Then why are you crying?”

Only then did Rustila notice the hot tears streaming down her cheeks. She quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve, but it was too late.

“Ahaha… Why am I doing this? I’m sorry.”

“Rustila…”

Ire pulled out a tissue and handed it to her. Then, without a word, she opened her arms wide in invitation.

As if drawn by an invisible force, Rustila fell into Ire’s embrace, her quiet tears turning into open sobs.

“It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Ire thought while holding her friend.

As expected, still so fragile. Even a hero destined to become the Sword Saint was nothing more than a woman in matters of the heart. Fate, the Constellation, Aidel – they were all so cruel.

Time passed slowly until finally, Ire asked.

“Are you feeling a bit better now?”

“Yes.”

Rustila nodded.

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“If it’s polygamy, does that mean Zelnya and I would share the master bedroom?”

Rustila glanced at Virgo as she spoke, relieved when the Constellation’s power remained stable since she was merely asking a question.

“I suppose so.”

“Then it would be difficult.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to live with someone I’m not even close with.”

Rustila briefly pushed thoughts of the Virgin Constellation from her mind. An image formed: herself holding a wedding bouquet, standing beside Aidel with Zelnya.

No way.

Absolutely not.

“So, if a girl who’s really close to you liked the same man as you, would polygamy be acceptable then?”

“I still wouldn’t like it, but it might be the best alternative.”

Ire was taken aback by Rustila’s response.

“You just said you absolutely hated it.”

“Talking with you helped me calm down. I thought about what if Ceti and I fell for the same man? There wouldn’t be any other solution.”

Rustila smiled sadly.

“I wouldn’t want to see Ceti hurt because of me, and I’m sure she’d feel the same way. Rather than one of us getting hurt, maybe it would be better for both to find happiness.”

Ire noted how quickly Rustila had developed this reasoning – a hasty attempt to make sense of Aidel’s actions and the concept of polygamy in her own way.

Inwardly, Ire celebrated. This was her chance.

“Don’t you want to try making up with Zelnya? Maybe become friends?”

“No. I can assure you that will never happen.”

Rustila’s teeth clenched.

“Zelnya insulted my dream. She said I could never become an inspector with my skills. If it weren’t for Aidel, I might have given up on becoming a soldier back then.”

Determination blazed in Rustila’s blue eyes. “I can never forgive her.”

Ire sighed at those words. Getting these two to get along seemed like an impossible task.

She wondered if Aidel had met with Zelnya by now. Gazing out the window, Ire lost herself in thought, wrestling with what to say next.

After finishing work for the day, I hurried to the student council room. As usual, I found Zelnya there, absorbed in her studies.

She yawned and waved lazily.

“Welcome, honey.”

“Honey?”

The only “honey” I was familiar with was the sweet substance used in food and experiments.

“We’re going to be a couple soon. Whether we like it or not, we’ll have to get used to using such terms in public, won’t we?”

Zelnya flashed her characteristic smile.

“Besides, we mustn’t forget to show affection to each other.”

She beckoned with her finger, and I approached hesitantly, feeling like a guilty defendant.

“Shall we practice?”

“What?”

“This.”

Zelnya leaned in and whispered in my ear.

“I love you.”

“……”

“Now, it’s the vice president’s turn.”

I stood there dumbfounded, unable to speak. Zelnya smirked.

“Hurry up.”

So arrogant.

With a quick motion, I flicked her forehead. She let out a short groan, clearly not expecting the strike. Frowning, she protested.

“Why did you hit me?”

“Because you’re cute.”

“……”

“Now, it’s the president’s turn.”

Zelnya froze like a statue. The little game she had initiated came to an abrupt end. I spoke carefully.

“Rumors spread around the college the day after our engagement was decided. That was your doing, wasn’t it?”

“Why do you think so?”

“At that time, only you and I knew that Kashu Adelwein was alive.”

“……”

“You must have been afraid. With such a heinous criminal coming from Adelwein, you worried the Reinhardt family wouldn’t stay quiet. You spread the rumor before our family could cancel the engagement.”

I paused, studying Zelnya’s face. Her pupils were trembling.

“……How did you know?”

“Was it true?”

“What?”

“I didn’t actually know. I was just guessing.”

I lightly tapped Zelnya’s head with the edge of my hand. She began to tremble, but before she could speak, I cut in.

“There’s no need to worry. Even if the elders and my father oppose, I’ll stand by you until the end.”

“Vice President, but……”

Zelnya blinked before continuing.

“That’s not the reason I spread the rumor.”

“What?”

Strange. It had seemed like a reasonable deduction.

“Then why did you spread the rumor?”

“Well? Guess.”

Zelnya stood up and tapped my shoulder with her foot, the corner of her mouth twitching into a slight smile.

“So, you didn’t come to see me just for that reason, right?”

I nodded.

“Polygamy.”

“Polygamy?”

“This is the only way if I don’t want to become a live-in son-in-law.”

When a man marries into a powerful family, becoming a live-in son-in-law is typical. However, if the man has more than one wife, tradition dictates that the family remains in the son-in-law’s home.

Using this fact, I had naturally found a way around Jerome’s trap.

For this plan to work, though, I needed Zelnya’s consent.

“Polygamy, you say.”

She laughed.

“Ha.”

Very coldly.

“Aidel. You’ve just announced your engagement, and now you’re talking about taking another wife? Are you out of your mind?”

“I’ll bang my head, President.”

“Yes. Bang it. Keep banging it.”

Zelnya strode towards me as I lay sprawled on the floor. She pulled a glucose candy from her pocket. The packaging looked familiar – I realized it was a product made by a Reinhardt family subsidiary.

“Suck on this.”

Zelnya placed the candy in my mouth.

“Maintain this position until it completely melts. Keep your back straight, yes. If your posture drops or you chew and swallow it, I’ll give you another one. Understood?”

I nodded desperately. Finally satisfied, she patted my back with a sly smile.

“Oh my, what a perfect chair for studying.”

“What- ugh!”

Zelnya took a seat on my back.

“Ugh.”

“Keep your back straight. How can a man be so careless?”

With her weight pressing down on my back, I felt my nerves about to snap. No matter how light Zelnya might be, it felt like carrying two bags of rice. Moreover, she was also holding books, making her even heavier.

“I knew polygamy was somewhat common among the upper class. But I never expected to hear such words from you, Vice President.”

“……”

“So, who is it? Rustila?”

I nodded.

“Well, if it’s Rustila, I don’t mind. The question is whether she can accept it or not. Her dislike of me is also something to consider… Above all, the Virgin Constellation doesn’t grant blessings to those who are married.”

Zelnya spoke as if none of this surprised her.

The candy in my mouth had nearly dissolved when Zelnya checked my mouth and, satisfied, immediately popped in another one.

“Mmph!”

“This is fun.”

My mouth had suddenly become like the coin slot of an arcade machine.

As time passed, I became aware of a warm sensation across my back. It dawned on me that Zelnya was wearing a skirt today. Once that thought entered my mind, my brain seemed to short-circuit.

Just then, knock, knock – someone was at the door.

“President senior, about the proposal you mentioned last time… Eek!”

Ah.

My life is over now.

“What?”

“Ah, no, it’s just…”

“What about the proposal?”

Zelnya casually beckoned with her hand, naturally accepting the documents from the junior student.

“Th-then, I’ll be going now! Have a good time!”

The junior fled like an arrow. Only then was my waist finally granted peace. Zelnya stood up, clearing her throat with a cough. Her cheeks had taken on a slight pink tinge.

“Well, since I’m merciful, I’ll forgive you this time.”

“That’s not really the issue right now.”

The next day, a new rumor began circulating quietly through Stellarium College.

A somewhat distorted version of the truth suggested that the president and vice president were so close they engaged in SM play together…

Soon enough, I learned the rumor had even reached the Military Science Department.

“Aidel.”

Rustila.

She had returned to the laboratory.

“Is the rumor I’m hearing really true?”

She was here to interrogate me.