*****
NOVELASIUS
- TL: the guild
- Discord: https://discord.gg/GBKEa55867
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/topasius
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ENJOY~ PYUUN~
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Love Advice (2)
Germain had been deeply troubled for the past few days. Melina, the first-year classmate he had feelings for, had made a date with Korin.
Why… Why does it work for Korin, but not for me?
He had spent much more time with her, so why?
Germain was anxious.
Who was Korin? The hottest knight at the academy and a legendary figure who had countless women around him. If Melina had feelings for him…
No, no. Korin-hyung knows. He knows that I like Melina. He wouldn’t betray me like that…
Even if he trusted Korin, what about Melina? If she had feelings for Korin, wouldn’t that ruin everything?
Although Germain was the future priest and spy of the Jeruem Order, he was still just a seventeen-year-old boy. He couldn’t cultivate patience and approached Melina directly.
“Melina…”
“Oh, Germain. What’s up?”
“Did you… maybe… make plans with Korin-hyung for Friday?”
“Yeah, so? How did you know?”
“Oh… I, I just heard by chance. Why though?”
Melina smiled and clapped her hands, as if Germain was cute.
“Are you wondering why I made plans with Korin-senpai and not with you?”
“Uh, yeah…”
“It’s because he’s easy to be around.”
“Easy?”
Then what about me? Before he could even ask, Melina replied.
“He doesn’t have any ulterior motives. He approaches without hiding anything.”
“I, I don’t have any either!”
Melina let out a blatant laugh.
“Sure, sure.”
“I’m serious!”
It’s often said that girls are mentally more mature than boys at a young age. Looking at the anxious Germain and the teasing Melina, it seemed somewhat true.
“Senpai! Did you wait for me?”
“Oh, your outfit looks nice. It matches well with the straw hat.”
“Wow~ You’re sharp!”
“I had friends who were fashionistas. If they dressed up and I didn’t notice, they’d sulk.”
Of course, there are always exceptions.
I had suggested lunch with Melina to show Germain how it’s done, but now that I’ve said it, I have to follow through.
I went to the salon with Melina, got some advice from her perspective as a girl, and we even had lunch together. I thought about connecting her with Germain, but…
“Actually, the reason I wanted to have lunch with you, senpai, is because I have something to consult about.”
“What is it? Can I help?”
“Hmm~ I think so. After all, you’ve conquered all the beauties of the academy, Korin-senpai.”
“So that’s what everyone thinks of me…”
Why do people always misunderstand me?
“So, what’s the consultation about?”
“It’s about Germain.”
Is this a coincidence or fate?
Melina smiled as she took a bite of the pudding that came with dessert.
“Actually, I like Germain. I’m thinking about dating him.”
“Germain has similar thoughts too.”
“Haha~”
Melina swirled her spoon around in the pudding, wearing a playful expression.
“Of course, I know that. It’s obvious from the way he acts. He’s a bit cute, so I’ve been playing hard to get.”
“You’re quite devious.”
“Isn’t that part of the charm?”
I thought of her as a junior, but she’s more mature than I expected. Anyway, I roughly understand Melina’s concerns.
“So, you’re saying you’ll accept if he confesses first?”
“Exactly. It’s just that it’s a bit embarrassing for a girl to confess first, you know?”
Well, this world has a mixed modern-medieval setting, but it’s essentially closer to the Middle Ages.
Machismo isn’t just machismo here; it’s considered a virtue of masculinity. The same goes for women. There’s a subtle notion that women who make the first move are too forward.
“Hmm…”
“What’s wrong?”
“I wonder if I’ve been too much with the girls.”
They all confessed to me first and approached me. Marie, Alicia, Hua Ran, and Lunia… I lived with a modern mindset, so I didn’t consider this.
“You seem to have a lot of guesses, so there’s nothing I can really say.”
“Is it that much?”
“Yes, that’s why I want to ask for your advice.”
Basically, she wants advice from me, who has a lot of experience with women, to make Germain confess to her.
“So you want Germain to be the one to confess to you first?”
“Exactly.”
“Alright, I’ll advise him to be more bold and make a move.”
“Yay~! Thank you, senpai! I really enjoyed the lunch!”
“Wait a minute.”
I stopped Melina, who was thanking me.
“You should pay for lunch today since I gave you advice.”
“What? Ah, senpai!”
Even here, I get the “Senpai, treat me” attack. But it won’t work on me.
“Hey, Miss Melina, it’s not that kind of era anymore.”
“Ugh…”
“It’s all part of the labor cost. You’re paying for lunch today.”
“Tch… You’re firm.”
“I’ll buy the coffee, though.”
“This isn’t a date, you know?”
“You’re too young to call this a date. We just hung out a bit.”
“Wow… You have that kind of mindset, huh~”
The sun is starting to set.
“I’ll walk you to the dorm. Thanks for helping me shop today.”
“No, thank you. I’ll count on you in the future.”
I need to figure out how to push Germain to make a move.
Germain couldn’t hide his anxiety all day.
Melina had gone on what was essentially a date with Korin. It was driving him crazy with anxiety.
Korin Lork is objectively an attractive guy.
His naturally wild appearance and flawless personality. Though his messy relationships with women were a flaw, he was still chased by numerous women.
He was a cool older brother, but if he went on a date with the person Germain liked, it became a different story.
His imagination, rich with the peculiar traits of adolescence, was like a poison.
“Ahhh!”
Though he was a devout religious person and a spy for the Order, he was still just a seventeen-year-old boy.
“Huff… Are they not back yet?”
That was why this boy had been standing in front of the dormitory for five hours.
It was already late at night, with a chilly night breeze blowing, and he was waiting for Korin and Melina to return from the city.
His waiting wasn’t in vain, as Germain finally saw the two walking together from afar.
Korin and Melina.
Even from a distance, they were exchanging friendly smiles and conversations as they walked towards the dormitory, carrying shopping bags.
Why… why are they so close?
Could it be real? No, there’s no way Melina would… but Korin-hyung wouldn’t. He knows… he knows I like Melina; he wouldn’t…
Would he?
Suddenly, Germain recalled the rumors.
No one denied that he was a good person, but his shameless affairs with women, pretending not to care while flirting here and there.
Even Professor Deina, Professor Lulala, Chief Professor Josephine, and Erin Danua, the director. In the city, he was even seen with the swordswoman Lunia.
His spectrum was so broad that even some male students were interested in him—the ultimate alpha male.
No. I… I trust Korin-hyung.
As a spy hovering around Korin, he believed in Korin Lork’s character. He believed in his sincerity.
“Oh? Germain?”
The two stopped when they saw Germain in front of the dormitory.
Melina glanced between Korin and Germain, sensing the tension and misunderstanding from Germain’s expression.
And Korin noticed it too. The right move would be to clear up the misunderstanding… but instead, Korin pulled Melina close by her shoulder.
“Senpai?”
“Germain, what are you doing here?”
“Uh, well, I…”
He couldn’t say he was worried about losing Melina.
Why is he pulling Melina’s shoulder so familiarly? I haven’t even done that!
Germain was both frustrated and hesitant, watching their every move.
“Do you have something to talk about with Melina? Melina, go ahead and talk to him.”
“Uh, okay…”
What’s with that attitude? It was as if Korin was giving her permission.
Germain wasn’t happy about it, but there was nothing he could do. He could only try to pull Melina as far away from Korin as possible.
“It’s really late, isn’t it?”
“Uh, yeah…”
“Did you… and Korin-senpai… you know…”
“Huh?”
Melina seemed to realize something from Germain’s tone and was startled. She understood and clarified immediately.
“Senpai is just really considerate. He didn’t want me walking alone late at night, so he came with me.”
“To the girls’ dormitory?”
“Then why are you here?”
“Uh, um… just passing by.”
“Really? It’s late. You should go in.”
“Yeah…”
Melina abruptly turned and skipped back to Korin, smiling bashfully.
“Alright, be careful. Let’s hang out again when we have time.”
Korin gently touched her shoulder, smiling warmly. Melina shyly smiled back as she watched him leave.
“…”
This is bad.
Melina is going to fall for Korin. Not now, but on the second date? She definitely would.
“I can’t let that happen.”
Before it’s too late, he had to act. With urgency, Germain made his decision the next day.
“Me… Melina! Please date me!”
“Wow… This actually worked. Is Korin-senpai really a natural?”
“Huh?”
“Oh, no! Sure! So we’re a couple from today?”
“Gasp! Really?! Thank you! I like you!”
The second-year trio was watching the scene.
“He’s got guts. Kids these days…”
“…”
“…”
Jaeger and Lork shook their heads, watching Korin’s bold ‘jealousy induction’ tactic and the results.
“How does he know this stuff…”
“Yet his own love life is like this…”
No one could understand it.
Erin was busier than usual these days.
She had to manage the personal training of students like Korin, prepare for the upcoming finals, and organize the fall harvest festival.
Especially the harvest festival, which was a fall celebration that replaced the regular festival.
To be precise, the academy was unable to participate in the harvest festival due to the festival, but this year, Mercaba Academy was cooperating with the city of Mercaba to hold the harvest festival grandly.
The nationwide grand festival, which lasted for a week, would escalate in excitement until the final day, so there was much to prepare.
Come to think of it… they say if a man and a woman spend the last day of the festival together at midnight, they’ll get married. A 500-year-old legend, or so they say…
Erin chuckled to herself. She had never heard of such a story, even though she had been rooted in this city for over a hundred years. Of course, she thought it was just a baseless rumor, considering the source was female students. Still…
“I’d like to spend it with Korin…”
Erin’s cheeks turned red at her own words.
Was she really this straightforward and juvenile? She felt embarrassed.
Knock, knock!
“Come in.”
Creak—the wooden door groaned. It was nearly a hundred years old, so maybe it was time to replace it…
“Master.”
“Oh?!”
Startled, Erin jumped up at the familiar voice. It was her beloved disciple, Korin, who had entered.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“I was just thinking about you, my dear disciple.”
Erin smiled at him as she opened the drawer in the ceiling.
“I received some nice snacks from Josephine. I’ll serve them with some tea.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
It didn’t take long to prepare. Among her treasures was a teapot that could boil water instantly.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Do I need a reason to visit?”
“True, I suppose. Hehe…”
As Korin helped Erin move the cups and snacks, he noticed the piles of paperwork on her desk.
“Finals and the fall harvest festival are coming up, right? It must be a busy time.”
“Yes, I wish I had another body to help.”
“Would you like me to help?”
“You’re busy too. Besides, I can’t ask a student for help.”
Korin shrugged.
“I’d love to spend more time with you, Master.”
“Huh?”
“And it’d be nice to finish work quickly and train together.”
“Th-that’s true. Yes… Ahem…”
How embarrassing. Erin felt pathetic for being swayed by the words of her much younger disciple.
“Master.”
“W-what is it?”
“Happy birthday.”
“Oh. You knew… Ah.”
Korin had experienced the future. He had worked with her even then, so it wasn’t surprising that he knew her birthday.
“This is a birthday gift for you, Master.”
Korin took out a jewelry box. Inside was a beautiful gold necklace, which he picked up.
“May I put it on for you?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
Erin sat quietly, trying to hide her nervousness. Korin approached slowly, placing the necklace gently around her neck.
He was right behind her.
His breath brushed against her ear, his gaze fixed on the nape of her neck, and his hands swept through her hair.
Gulp!
It had been so long since she had received such a gift. It made her feel bashful and shy. It was probably because the young man behind her was special to her.
“It’s done.”
“Ha…”
The tension eased, and she naturally exhaled. Erin looked down at the golden ornament resting against her chest.
“It’s beautiful.”
“I got some advice.”
He had bought the expensive gold necklace on Melina’s advice. He didn’t ask his close female friends for help out of courtesy and conscience.
“I also prepared a matching set of bracelets and earrings. Please wear them during the harvest festival.”
“Of course, it’s a gift, so I should.”
“And…”
Korin hesitated for a moment, as if embarrassed, but he didn’t hold back what he wanted to say.
“You’re as beautiful as ever, Master.”
“Huh?”
Erin couldn’t meet his gaze directly, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment.
“By the way, Master.”
“Y-yes?”
“On the last day of the harvest festival.”
“The last day?”
What a coincidence. She had just been thinking about the girl-like rumor that if a man and a woman spent the last day of the festival together at midnight, they would get married.
“Yes, at midnight on the last day.”
“M-midnight?!”
What a surprising coincidence. Erin’s hand trembled, causing the tea in her cup to ripple continuously.
“Can you spend that night with me?”
“Ah?!”
Her heart pounded with embarrassment.
Could it be?
No way, right?
*****
NOVELASIUS
- TL: the guild
- Discord: https://discord.gg/GBKEa55867
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/topasius
*****
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