Chapter 216

Chapter 216

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 216: I’ll Give You My Surname (6)

“If you want, I will let you go now.”

“W-why all of a sudden?”

Though she had never liked him, Rejane had never hated Arnold enough to want him gone. Yet here he was, making this proposal after everything seemed settled.

He spoke with unsettling calmness.

“Not everything is over. Rejane, you need to find your own path now. How long will you continue living with a man who doesn’t match your heart, bearing all that stress?”

“I, I…”

Rejane found herself bewildered. Her mind flashed to the conversation between Arnold and Aidel from the previous week.

“What about Ceti?”

“I will take care of her.”

“Ceti doesn’t want us to divorce.”

Arnold nodded.

“I know. But you deserve to live your life, too.”

“What do you mean…”

“How painful were these past 20 years living with me? Always under the elders’ scrutiny, your youth withering away in solitude like fallen petals. All you’ve gained are wrinkles and medical expertise.”

Rejane gritted her teeth.

“Of course, if that happens, our daughter will hate me.”

“Even knowing that you want to send me away?”

“If that’s what you want.”

Rejane’s gaze fell to Arnold’s hand, where he held their wedding anniversary ring – the one Ceti had given them – instead of wearing it.

“I know you love another man.”

“No?”

Rejane shook her head. What nonsense was he speaking?

“That person is dead. Not of this world.”

“……”

Arnold’s expression turned pale.

Rejane understood the underlying meaning of his words but chose not to address it. What mattered was the present situation.

Her voice trembled.

“Arranged marriage isn’t the issue anymore. The problem is, it’s too, too late. Too much time has passed for us to return to what was before.”

It was inertia. Their relationship wasn’t loving, but after coming so far, breaking up seemed impossible. They had no choice but to continue forward.

“Honey.”

Rejane approached with shaky steps. She took Arnold’s hand and opened it, revealing the silver ring fully. She placed it back on his finger and said,

“Over the past decade, while caring for patients on the battlefield, I’ve realized something. We’ve had no room to breathe.”

Working 36-hour shifts treating soldiers fighting Outer Gods, catching brief naps, only to work another 36 hours – this had been their life. Fulfilling her duty as a doctor meant sacrificing her role as a parent.

Yet.

Even so.

“Leaving the children’s education to robots was unacceptable. No matter how busy we were, we should have had family dinners like last week at least once or twice a month.”

This recent realization hit hard – living for so long, yet doing so little for her children.

Rejane reflected quietly. Being controlled by the Adelwein family. Constantly doubting Aidel, whom she should have treated as her own child. Being cold to Ceti. If she didn’t start making changes now, she’d truly regret it.

“I can’t get a divorce.”

“……”

“I’m not leaving. No, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t leave.”

Just last week, Rejane had tried to take Ceti away. But not anymore. What fear could drive her from Reinhardt when her own child wanted to stay?

She finally admitted it to herself. If she thought of Aidel as her own child, everything would fall into place. What parent would distrust their child without reason?

“So don’t talk about divorce. Making Ceti unhappy is not what I want… Ah!”

Her words were cut short as she was pulled forward into an embrace, the solid warmth taking her breath away.

Arnold spoke softly…

“…I was waiting for those words.”

When he released her, a dazed Rejane pressed her forehead firmly.

“Were you testing me from the start?”

“I was clumsy. With such a stern expression always, how could I possibly read your mind?”

“Ha.”

Arnold cleared his throat.

“You’re right. There are many things I haven’t done for our daughter. I want to do better from now on, but I worried you were thinking of leaving. I didn’t want to burden the children anymore.”

Rejane’s mouth fell open.

“At least we agree on that.”

“Indeed.”

She gently brushed Arnold’s shoulder.

“I know you’re a good person. Your eyes are different when you’re with patients.”

“You’re the same.”

“Can we get along well from now on?”

“My father used to say couples get to know each other through fighting. We’ve been fighting for 20 years, so we should be able to get along well for the next few decades.”

Arnold placed a hand on Rejane’s shoulder.

“If you’re willing, I have a gift for you.”

“What is it?”

“A surname.”

“What?”

“I’d like to give you my surname.”

In their time, surname conventions were more flexible. Couples could either unify under one name or keep their own. Rejane, under pressure from the council, had remained an Adelwein.

“The Adelwein name won’t carry a good impression in the future.”

“……Is that really the only reason?”

Arnold didn’t answer; he just kept clearing his throat like someone with a cold, adjusting his nose bridge.

So that’s his tell when he’s embarrassed, Rejane thought.

“Oh.”

Her eyes wandered as she touched her earlobe, understanding the boldness of his proposal. Finally, she said,

“Can I really accept it?”

She couldn’t help but smile.

“Of course.”

That year, two Adelweins married into the Reinhardt family.

My parents remained in the office for hours. Eventually, Rustila and Zelnya decided they couldn’t wait any longer and had to leave.

“Please let them know I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything.”

The two fiancées shared what appeared to be a light embrace before departing.

Though “light” wasn’t really the right word anymore. As our wedding day drew closer, both had grown increasingly comfortable with physical affection. Rustila would press herself against my chest, while Zelnya would intertwine her leg with mine.

It was another hour after my fiancées left before my parents finally emerged from the office.

Their demeanor had visibly changed – they seemed much more at ease. I immediately called Ceti’s attention.

“Hey, look at that.”

“What is it?”

“The ring.”

Ceti’s eyes widened in recognition.

Father was wearing his 20th wedding anniversary ring again – the one he had removed just last week.

“Seems like their discussion went well.”

“Y-yes, it does.”

While reading ‘Surviving Outer Gods,’ I often felt sympathy for Ceti. I had always wanted to find a way to make her happy.

This development should be enough. Family tensions would no longer be a source of stress. With harmony restored at home, I could focus properly on my research and better handle the Outer Gods’ situation.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Aidel, what about your fiancées?”

I answered honestly, though I was taken aback – it was the first time Rejane had addressed me by name.

“Mother, everything’s fine, but you don’t need to be so formal with me.”

“If you say so… alright,”

Rejane nodded.

“Just give me a moment. I’ll prepare dinner tonight.”

“Ma’am, would you like our help?”

“No need.”

Mother dismissed the androids. As she inspected the refrigerator’s contents, she began preparing ingredients with unexpected skill and efficiency.

Well, I supposed this shouldn’t surprise me – she would have received proper bride training in the Adelwein household.

My sister and I sat on the sofa, clutching our rumbling stomachs as we waited for our delayed dinner. The atmosphere was unusually warm as we watched our mother cooking in her apron. I broke the silence.

“Even the Lord of the House would… Oh.”

I stopped mid-sentence, noticing something, and touched my sister’s shoulder.

“Hey, are you crying?”

“……”

“I asked if you’re crying.”

“Just shut up…”

She’s still just a kid, after all.

I gently patted her head, pressing it down slightly. Though it might seem awkward between siblings, today was special. Despite her grumpy act, she didn’t push my hand away.

“Kids, dinner’s ready.”

Just as the meal was about to be served, my sister whispered:

“Thanks, brother.”

And as an unexpected bonus, my research budget doubled after that. Yahoo!

From that day forward, my parents’ relationship visibly improved, both in public and private. Their expressions became more animated, and their personalities seemed to bloom.

Mother let down her guard around me, showing a warmer side, while my traditionally stern father even started attempting humor.

Speaking of which…

“What’s this?”

Humor Collection for Middle-aged People

“Give that back immediately!”

Was he actually making an effort to be more lighthearted?

If there was any downside to these changes, it was that my father had discovered dad jokes.

“Aidel, doesn’t physics get physical?”

“Ha.”

I’m still not sure whether to consider this development a blessing or a curse.

The second semester of my sophomore year passed in a blur. During that time, I did whatever it took to earn early graduation credits – including a tearful strip dance performance for my professors. The results spoke for themselves:

—— Professor Feynman ——

Aidel. I’ve been waiting for a student like you for a long time.

—— Professor Stranov ——

YAYAYAYAYAY

Thanks to these efforts, I secured my acceptance into graduate school without any complications.

Graduate school.

Finally, graduate school.

Now, the real journey begins.

From here, there’s only one direction – up. To where? The ivory tower of knowledge. Why? To reclaim my lost degree. To restore my rightful place!

Doctorate degree, here I come!

However, before all that…

“Aidel, I… I can’t hold it in any longer……”

Should we start by having a child?