Chapter 36
Chapter 36
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Otherworld Bar Owner (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Under the pale winter moonlight filtering through the window, Erika read and reread the letter the maid had brought her.
A formal notice from the school announcing that she had been selected as the class representative.
Even though she had topped the politics department, she wasn't student council president and hadn't done much in the way of activities. It had to be because she had become enormously famous after that kidnapping incident.
It made her sick.
They wanted her to share her experiences from the kidnapping?
Even if it had been a fabricated incident, it had long since become truth to the public. Did they really think recounting those memories in front of thousands of spectators less than a month after being rescued as a victim wouldn't reopen old wounds?
It was the worst.
"This pisses me off..."
She slumped over her desk, burying her head.
Tap!
Tap!
An irritating noise came from the direction of the window. She glanced over absentmindedly, then nearly screamed.
Good heavens—Lucas was perched on a massive oak branch stretching up to the fourth floor of the mansion.
His pale face grinning at her through the glass looked just like a ghost.
"Lucas...!"
She rushed over and flung open the window. Lucas tumbled inside, dripping water like he'd been caught in a downpour, steam rising from his soaked body.
"What the hell? Why are you here?"
After catching his breath, Lucas unleashed a tirade with an angry glare.
"Hey, you call that a question? You haven't been coming around, so I had to come myself! Come on, that's no way to treat a friend. Even your dad showed up, paid the money, and left—how could you not even show your face? And you're all better now!"
"Shh, keep your voice down."
Erika pressed a finger to her lips.
"They said you were seriously hurt everywhere—how'd you climb a tree? And how'd you even get into the mansion?"
"Through that side door from last time. Why? And tree? Anger makes anything possible. I was so mad I forgot the pain. But seriously, why haven't you been answering? I called through Richard several times, and they just kept saying you were recovering—"
Erika clamped a hand over Lucas's mouth, unable to listen anymore.
"I said be quiet. The maids might be eavesdropping outside."
"Why would the maids eavesdrop?"
Lucas lowered his voice dramatically.
"Dad's..."
Erika hesitated to continue. It felt awkward now, embarrassing to air her family's messy situation.
"...having me watched. I've been confined to this room for ten days because of the grounding. If I try to leave, the maids come block me. I yelled at them a bunch of times, told them I'm fine now, but it didn't help. They probably took your calls too—I had no idea you phoned."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"Knew it. Overprotective much."
"No, it's straight-up imprisonment."
Erika stated it flatly, then fixed him with an odd look.
"Lucas."
"Yeah?"
His nonchalant reply made her call again.
"Lucas."
"What?!"
"Help me out."
"With what?"
"Get me out of this house."
"...Hah!"
Lucas let out a massive sigh.
"You think I'm some magic wand that grants wishes? How am I supposed to butt into your family drama?"
His nagging tone earned him a fierce glare from Erika.
"Already forgotten how I helped you? When you open that bar, what's my stake worth?"
"..."
Lucas fell silent, looking chastened, then plopped down on the floor like he owned the place. He always seemed oddly comfortable sitting on floors.
"You're serious? You could tough it out here and live comfortably forever. Get a job at your dad's company—think of all the info you'd get. Sweet-talk him from the inside—"
"Dead serious. I can't stand another day in this hellhole. I was planning to leave after graduation anyway."
Erika jumped up and yanked open her massive wardrobe. Shoving aside layers of fancy dresses, she pulled out a travel bag.
"I'm all packed. Here."
The bag held her ID, saved-up cash, books, simple clothes—everything for a serious midnight escape.
"Now that you're opening the bar, I can head there, help out, and still do White Crow Unit missions. I'm not asking you to do anything huge. Just lend me your name."
"..."
Lucas sighed repeatedly, chewed his lip, rubbed his scarred arm, fidgeting restlessly.
Finally, in a subdued voice, he spoke.
"Graduation ceremony's tomorrow, right?"
"How'd you know?"
"It's Schupaven's top university—graduation dates are public. Anyway, meet me there."
"Wasn't gonna go."
"Why?"
Erika showed him the school letter on her desk. Lucas's eyes scanned it quickly, then he tilted his head this way and that.
"Because of this?"
"They want me to talk about the kidnapping in front of thousands."
She felt her face and voice turn icy.
How could people be so cruel? Why force her to realize anew how insane the world was?
"Yeah, it's a crazy ask. But you hate this more than being locked up by your parents?"
"Well... no."
"Then do it. Show a different side. Package yourself as the tragic heroine like before—captivate them. Get sympathy votes or whatever, turn public opinion into your ally. Bonus: it'll polish my image too."
"That helps us?"
"Dilutes any link to the White Crow Unit even more. No one will suspect a thing—not even the Leader... if you act convincingly sincere. Chin up. Might as well make the most of it!"
She always thought so, but Lucas had a knack for persuasion. Even knowing it was sophistry, she found herself swayed.
Maybe it was his feigned sincerity, his confident tone.
Or perhaps those rare warm glances, so different from his usual dangerous aura...
"Why ask about the graduation date, though?"
"Perfect time to bolt. Easy to blend into the crowd."
"Good idea. Fits my plan."
"Yeah? Okay, spill. What exactly do you need? My name?"
Erika calmly explained her idea. Lucas soon doubled over laughing, clutching his stomach.
"Hahaha! You're really going full tragic heroine! Doesn't suit you at all!"
"Shut up."
She smacked his back, but he kept laughing, nearly in tears.
When he finally calmed, wiping his eyes, he whispered,
"Perfect for buying time. I don't know your dad well, but this could embarrass the family—no way he'd spread it around. He'll probably come after me, but I can just play dumb."
"You sure? What if word gets out?"
"Hits you harder than me—I'm fine. Hell, it might even help. After folks see us as a ridiculous couple, who'll think we're rebels?"
"So you'll help?"
"Yeah. Mrs. Schmidt won't kick out a rich girl either. You'll bunk in the living room for a bit, though. Think you can handle it, missy?"
"I slept in a cave..."
Lucas ignored her glare, pulling out a notepad and pen.
"Alright, let's write the speech and letter. Make it as dramatic as possible."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Rüdelheim Comprehensive University gathered the nation's finest talents, who went on to become pillars of Schupaven's political and business elite after graduation.
Thus, the ceremony drew attention from across the country—even before final term ended, job offers poured in for the students.
'That girl must have gotten offers too. Maybe a professor even offered her a grad spot. But she won't say, so who knows.'
Emet Braithner sat in the front row of the packed auditorium, clapping contentedly.
Business had boomed since Erika entered middle school, making school events tough to attend, but he always made entrance and graduation ceremonies.
They weren't just milestones for his child—they were networking goldmines for parents.
This time too, politics department parents and others from various faculties clustered around him, chatting and exchanging cards.
They all brought up the widely reported kidnapping, desperate for a word with him.
"My boy was always a headache, but he barely scraped into the Leader's office. Your daughter topped her class with a stellar rep—must have tons of offers. Jealous! What's she doing after graduation?"
A major hospital director fished smugly. Emet smarted inside but smiled smoothly.
"Whatever she wants. I'll support whichever path she chooses."
Then the emcee at the podium boomed through magic amplification,
"Next, a speech from class representative Erika Braithner. Distinguished guests, please give her a warm welcome with applause."
Erika appeared in gown and cap, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Her clear skin and aquiline nose like her father's, tall stature, silky black hair and lively dark eyes like her mother's—they always left a strong impression.
Plus, looking healthy and poised after such horror moved those who had worried for her.
Standing tall at the podium, Erika scanned the hall calmly before speaking.
"You've probably heard my name before..."
Her clear voice launched the speech; all fell silent, listening intently.
Emet's chest swelled with pride.
His troublesome daughter, always going astray, had grown into a fine lady he could show off anywhere.
Realizing that brought tears to his eyes.
When he'd grounded her out of worry for her health and the public's eyes after the awful incident, she'd seemed resentful—but today, no sign of it as she delivered flawlessly.
He figured the trauma had taught her a lesson.
Find her a good man she likes, give him grandkids, and their tangled father-daughter bond would smooth out—like back when she said Daddy was the best.
Emet Braithner never truly knew his daughter.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The speech was masterful.
As a kidnapping victim, she detailed what people wondered about: despair, fear, the joy of rescue—painting it so vividly she drew tears from the audience.
She praised the Great Leader's concern that sped police aid and thanked those who worried and helped her.
It even touched the hearts of students who disliked her.
As Erika bowed at the end, thunderous applause erupted.
After she exited.
Once formalities wrapped, families gathered for photos—but Erika was nowhere.
As Emet scanned around, the emcee approached.
"Mr. Braithner? Your daughter asked me to pass this."
He took the thin envelope.
Maybe an apology for everything, he thought—his daughter bad at expressing feelings, so a letter instead.
But the neat handwriting dashed his hopes gloriously.
「Father, I'm leaving home today. I've found someone I love. I can't forget the face of the man who saved me recently. I'll repay every penny I owe someday. Farewell.」
"Erikaaaaaaa!"
His roar echoed, but she was long gone.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "All good?"
The streetcar stop in front of the university.
Graduation not over yet, the empty platform bench—he raised a hand as Erika came running.
"Yeah, thanks to you."
Her cheeks faintly flushed, she soon composed herself and nodded.
"Nice escape. Congrats on graduating."
He offered a bouquet of roses.
Winter-bloomed via magic, pricey—but now, such expenses were no burden.
Erika smiled faintly, accepting it.
"Well, shall we go? New lodger."