Chapter 34: Operation (2)

“Why him of all people?”

Sylvia recalled Alice’s question. The place was a cafe not frequented by many people. That day, the cafe employee was wiping tables, and next to them sat students with unusually loud voices. Alice’s question pierced through the noise coming from all directions and landed squarely in Sylvia’s heart.

“Why Orland?”

Sylvia also remembered what she had answered Alice back then. This was because the question Alice threw then was filled with an incomprehensible amount of anger. When Sylvia asked again, Alice, as if she had been waiting for just that, poured out her dissatisfaction.

“Why? You know the rumors about that Orland guy, don’t you? His relationships are complicated, his personality is bad, he’s famous for beating people up all the time, so why do you like Orland? He’s definitely trying to use you.”

Alice’s expression back then looked truly frustrated.

“Alice, I’m sorry. But I like Orland. Because he’s incredibly kind to me and treats me well.”

To Sylvia, Orland was a being who held various meanings. He always whispered love to her. He was someone who showed off his great muscles, teaching her what masculinity was, and he was also a considerate man who knew how to restrain his desires for her.

Back then, Alice fidgeted with her hair and said this to Sylvia. Alice was puffing out her cheeks then, which made Sylvia think she looked a little cute.

“People like that are only after your body, Sylvia. Huh? Don’t see him. After we graduate, I’ll find you a good person. Okay?”

Despite Alice’s earnest plea, Sylvia ultimately didn’t break up with him. It might have been because she was a little angry that Alice said his ‘body was his purpose’. They had even almost completely cut ties because of this issue, having fought seriously over it.

What was tormenting Sylvia’s heart now was one sentence Alice had thrown back then.

The words that Orland’s purpose was her body.

In other words, it also meant that if he couldn’t get her body, he wouldn’t treat her well anymore. In fact, Orland had often explicitly demanded her body from Sylvia. Each time, Sylvia had just shaken her head and refused.

Although she denied Alice’s words, Sylvia was actually scared too.

She was scared that Orland might just up and leave after taking her body.

And now, Orland was trying to leave even though Sylvia hadn’t given him her body. The warm gazes towards her gradually decreased, and he didn’t even try to touch her anymore. With each passing day, Orland was becoming a more ascetic, serious, and slightly calmer person.

He no longer bothered people, and he drank less while hanging out with his delinquent friends. Rumors also circulated that he had broken up with all the women he was dating. Sylvia was at a loss wondering why Orland had suddenly changed.

“That’s just because he got tired of it.”

“What?”

The only person Sylvia could consult with about this kind of issue was Sophia. Sophia. With her pink hair and pretty face, she was an object of contempt among people because of her perceived loose morals. Alice had also advised Sylvia not to meet Sophia, but Sylvia knew that Sophia was a very kind and good girl.

It was Sophia who found her lost brooch, and it was Sophia who smoothed things over with people when Sylvia was being looked down upon for being a commoner, helping her overcome the crisis. Moreover, Sophia, who was experienced with men, had gradually helped Sylvia whenever she struggled with her romantic relationships.

“He got tired of it. How should I put it? Men sometimes fall into a depressive state where everything feels like a hassle. It’s something that happens often to really successful people.”

“Is, is that so? Then is it okay to just leave it like this?”

Sophia shook her head at Sylvia’s question.

“No, if things go wrong, it could lead to big trouble, you know?”

The place was a cafe not frequented by many people. That day, the cafe employee yawned while wiping a cup. There was no one else at the other tables. Sophia’s answer pierced the silence and landed squarely in Sylvia’s heart.

Sylvia jumped up in surprise, and when the startled employee dropped a cup, she apologized and sat back down. Sophia giggled while watching the employee hastily clean up the cup. Sylvia asked Sophia.

“W-what kind of big trouble?”

“It means if his girlfriend doesn’t comfort him, he could get more depressed and his performance might drop. Or maybe he’s not getting satisfaction from dating you, so he might just break up with you.”

“Ah… I, I don’t want that.”

“Oh really?”

Sophia smirked slyly. Sylvia thought Sophia’s smile was just like the wicked demons from fairy tales. Usually, she acted gloomy and timid, but when she was alone with Sylvia, she showed this bright side.

Sophia placed the coffee Sylvia had bought on the table. The luxurious tableware made a pleasant sound as it touched the glass tabletop. Sophia crossed her legs and asked elegantly.

“Sylvia. Then you just need to cheer him on with your body.”

“Ah, my… with my body?”

“Yes. With your body.”

Sophia’s gaze swept over Sylvia’s chest and firm thighs. Licking her lips slyly with her tongue and taking a breath, she blinked and met Sylvia’s eyes again. Sylvia, blushing, stammered.

“B-but… I, I don’t have any experience yet… and I don’t know much about men…”

“You’re even scared to approach men, right?”

One of the reasons Sylvia liked Orland was admiration. Unlike Sylvia, who couldn’t easily talk to people, Orland would heartily approach anyone and engage in physical contact, sometimes aggressively. To Sylvia, who struggled even to order at a store, Orland’s outgoing nature was the very object of her admiration.

Sylvia blushed, recalling Orland’s demeanor, and nodded.

“Yeah…”

“So what are you going to do? Are you going to break up like this?”

“N-no. I, I’ll try my best!”

At Sophia’s provocative words and actions, Sylvia shook her head vigorously and declared so, clenching both fists tightly. She looked like she was about to run straight to Orland, so Sophia had to hold her back.

“Sylvia. You can’t just rush out like that. Huh? Think about it. Who is Orland? He’s like a lecher who’s slept with all sorts of women. So, do you think he’ll be pleased just by you vaguely rubbing against him? Men, you know, like experienced women.”

Sylvia trembled at Sophia’s words. Sophia often made people flustered by bringing up explicit topics so casually.

“E-experienced women?”

“Yes. Experienced women. Think about it, Sylvia. If you make Orland go wild with perfect technique and devotion, won’t he be moved? Huh? Will he like it if you reluctantly touch him there and kiss him while looking scared of men? Orland likes confident people.”

Sylvia nodded. Orland really hated people who stammered or acted timidly in front of him. Sylvia was an exception to that, but in moments like this, when he was indifferent, things might be different.

“Then, wouldn’t you need training? Training to get used to men and improve your skills.”

Sylvia thought Sophia’s words made sense. Sylvia breathed heavily and asked Sophia, leaning her face closer.

“Th-then, what should I do?”

Sophia laughed. Sylvia didn’t notice her blue eyes flashing red.

“What you should do is…”

That night. Sylvia carefully left her room and headed towards the magic faculty building. Sophia was already waiting in front of the magic faculty building. Even at night, there were many people in the park, so Sylvia had to walk with stiff steps, pretending to be nonchalant.

Sophia smiled as if Sylvia looked cute just from afar and waved, and Sylvia, pretending to be unfazed, followed Sophia into a back alley. Sylvia asked as they walked.

“B-but where are we going?”

“A secret place.”

“A secret place?”

“Yeah. Because you need to get used to men. I’ve prepared a place where you can practice various things while getting used to men.”

In reality, this secret place was where Sophia worked as a prostitute, but she didn’t bother explaining that detail to Sylvia. Sylvia nodded with a flushed face, and Sophia said in a low voice at the door.

“But Sylvia. Training here is a secret from everyone else, okay?”

“A s-secret?”

“Yeah. Secret. Don’t tell Alice either. Alice dislikes me, so she’ll absolutely forbid it.”

“Ah, okay.”

Sophia opened the door only after making Sylvia promise several times.

“Wow…”

Luxurious carpets and warm ambient lighting welcomed Sylvia. The soft bed covered with red blankets was comparable to the academy dormitories. And on the bed sat a man with brown hair.

He was smiling, his blue eyes shining.