Chapter 520: Cherry(1)
Chapter 520: Cherry(1)
At this point, I can't even call it "forced angst" anymore. It’s more like reaping what I sowed.
After all, I was the one who included the illustrations for "better understanding," and I was the one who hid the truth that Hitler was a total piece of shit.
According to Mari, Zelt holds the highest authority among designers. When someone like that says they were personally inspired, you can pretty much guess the impact it’ll have.
[I have only taken inspiration; I will not imitate it without Xenon's permission. However, this unique silhouette is truly artistic.]
[While everyone else was chasing extravagance, Xenon captured hearts with a simple, understated beauty.]
[It makes no sense for such a person not to be from the future.]
"Everything leads back to me being a 'person from the future,' for fuck's sake."
Then again, the designs themselves did technically come from the future, so I didn't have much of a defense.
Zelt went on to declare that he would only take inspiration from the designs and would never create a uniform identical to the original. He claimed that the moment he started imitating, it would be nothing more than a copy and an insult to me. So, I just gave him a short response.
[...Do whatever you want.]
I added some flowery language for the official press release, but that was the gist of it.
As always, it wasn't a "to hell with it" mindset. Zelt himself said he wouldn't plagiarize, even if he was inspired. Back on Earth, you'd get punched in the face for walking around in Nazi German uniforms, but just referencing the design should be fine.
Moreover, as Arwen said, from this world's perspective, War of Blood and Iron is just a fantasy. It’s not something that actually happened. Unlike the Xenon Biography, there’s a high chance people will only feel a vague sense of unease, and even if the atmosphere starts heading in a bad direction, I plan to smooth things over.
'Still, it doesn't change the fact that I've released poison into the world.'
If a bolt of lightning fell from the sky while I was walking down the street, I’d just have to accept that my time had come.
Thanks to all this, a craze for trench coats and uniforms had swept in, but it was currently stagnating because of that damn Great Depression. Once mana engines are introduced and power looms start spinning, the issue will be resolved, so for now, I’m just churning out designs.
[A craze beginning to sweep the globe. Trench coats, in particular, can even block the biting cold of winter...]
[Uniforms are for soldiers only. However, many are striving to earn the right to wear these magnificent garments.]
[Style is a universal language.]
As expected, the nobility and military families showed intense interest. Uniforms were originally attire that only high-ranking nobles or knights could wear.
Since uniforms are a kind of symbol, it couldn't be helped. In other words, for a commoner to wear a uniform, the only answer was to become a knight. Of course, even if one wasn't a knight, uniforms were so damn expensive that the average commoner couldn't even dream of owning one.
Regardless, nobles all over the world were currently striving to come up with even cooler designs. There were many reasons, but one was to attract more recruits to their knight orders.
Even the Navy Knights' uniforms were quite stylish by my standards. Every time Nicole and Dave wore them, they’d puff out their chests with pride.
[Those bewitched by beauty usually come to a bad end.]
[Instead of chasing such things, wouldn't it be better to increase the budget?]
[Given the current state of affairs, this phenomenon is inappropriate...]
Naturally, there were those who didn't welcome this craze. Even within military families, opinions were divided.
No, the budget is already tight. Does it make sense to make such a fuss just to produce a single uniform?
I admit the design is cool, but isn't it bad to be so obsessed with it?
To be honest, they were right. Despite their style, the Nazi German uniforms had zero practicality, and the soldiers all froze to death in the Soviet Union. It wasn't a fight between old fogeys and the youth, but a heated debate between realists and idealists.
I kept my mouth shut during all this. Both sides had a point, so it was awkward to take a side. I’ll just live quietly, publishing my books, and wait until the lightning strikes. I figured if I crossed myself and repented, maybe I’d be forgiven.
"How was Cherry? Did anything happen?"
"Everything seemed fine. Cecile even did a separate background check, and she said Cherry's just living a normal life."
After returning to the dormitory, I asked Mari about Cherry’s recent status. Fortunately, nothing I feared had happened, but apparently, she was wandering around without a single friend, looking quite gloomy. Due to her rock-bottom social skills, she was living an involuntary loner life. It was a tear-jerking situation in more ways than one.
"Still, not having a single friend is a bit... strange. It's not like Cherry has a weak presence."
"Her chest is certainly big. It looks even bigger than Cecile's."
"No, that's not what I meant."
When I denied it, feeling exasperated, Mari snickered. With all her white teeth showing, she looked like a mischievous prankster.
"Chest? You mean the squishy things?"
"Ah."
But soon, her expression had to change to one of "oops." Ariel, who had been listening to Mari's conversation, suddenly chimed in.
I had brought her to the dormitory after deciding I couldn't just leave her at the mansion anymore. Because of her, I had to watch my language more than usual, but it was hard to adapt in such a short time. Mari also realized her slip of the tongue and went "oops."
"Who's squishier than Mommy with horns? The only person bigger than Mommy with horns is Big Sister Cherry Blossom."
Ariel had climbed onto Mari's lap before anyone noticed. She then started kneading Mari's chest with her hands.
It looked just like a cat kneading. Of course, the words coming out of her mouth were more than enough to get on Mari's nerves.
"...Ariel. You shouldn't say things like that carelessly. Especially not to other women."
"Why?"
"Because it's deeply connected to one's pride. Anyway, you just shouldn't. Okay?"
"But it's true that Mommy with horns is the biggest."
Facts hurt more than any silver tongue; Ariel raised her question with a face of pure innocence. Mari couldn't help but twitch the area under her eyes. Her smile right now definitely wasn't a real smile.
Since she had an ability similar to mind reading, she must have realized that Ariel was being dead serious. I almost burst out laughing but managed to hold it in.
"T-That's true. But still, you shouldn't say it out loud. Okay?"
"Why?"
"Because it might hurt someone's feelings."
"Mmm... okay."
Though she didn't seem to understand, Ariel nodded as if she'd accept it for now. She leaned her back against Mari's chest, using it as a cushion. As Ariel leaned back, Mari stroked her hair and gently touched the sprout on her head.
Mari might have felt a surge of annoyance for a moment, but she didn't say anything. It looked like she was suppressing it as much as possible.
I smiled softly at the two of them, who looked like they were filming a comedy skit, and quietly handed over some cookies. Naturally, these were cookies Adelia had baked herself. They got more delicious with every passing day.
"Here, eat these."
"Wow!"
As soon as I handed her the cookies, Ariel took them with a bright smile. Then, she popped one into her mouth and started munching. Her chubby cheeks, still full of baby fat, wobbled. She was so cute I wanted to give her a little pinch.
Knock, knock, knock—
Just then, someone knocked on the dormitory door. Everyone except Ariel, who was busy eating cookies, looked toward the door.
[Isaac. I brought Cherry. I'm coming in.]
It was Cecile's voice, enchanting as always. She had brought Cherry as I had requested. I wanted to go pick Cherry up myself, but if I did, there was a chance our relationship would be discovered.
Not that it mattered much if it was, but I should at least ask for her opinion first, shouldn't I? I hadn't been able to pay much attention to her lately, so I planned to clear the air during today's conversation.
Creeeeak—
"Hello..."
Cherry, who came in with Cecile, gave a greeting that was either shy or gloomy. I accepted her greeting and scanned her to see if there were any changes.
Last time, her school uniform top looked like it was screaming for help, but not anymore. At least it looked like there was some breathing room. Also, there was a slight light in her eyes. Before, she had been nothing but dark and depressed, but she had improved to some extent.
"Whoa. It's Big Sister Cherry Blossom!"
"A-Ah, hello..."
Ariel, who had been munching on cookies, spotted Cherry and shouted loudly. It seemed she called her Big Sister Cherry Blossom. Cherry flinched upon seeing Ariel but then gave a small wave. Even as intimidated as she was, she crumbled before Ariel's cuteness.
"I introduced you to Ariel last time, right? Is this your second meeting?"
"Yes... she touched my chest back then..."
"Can I touch the squishy things of the sister who's squishier than Mommy with horns?"
"Ahem. That's sexual harassment. You can't do that."
I decided to ignore the conversation happening behind me. There was zero malice involved, which made it even more of a problem.
Cherry also seemed to have heard Ariel's words, as her face turned slightly red. She then subtly covered her chest. Failing to educate a child is strictly the parent's responsibility. I closed my eyes and offered a silent apology.
"...Sorry. I'll educate her later."
"N-No... it's okay..."
A minor incident occurred, but we managed to move past it somehow. Cherry already knew about Ariel's existence, so it was fine. All that remained was to reveal Ariel to the world. Until then, I planned to get everything in order.
First, it would be best to start with Cherry's work, Red Sunset Once Again. I hadn't been able to look after her for too long because I was "busy," but I shouldn't have used that as an excuse. Cherry was someone whose dreams had been crushed once before and were only just starting to grow again; I could have accidentally planted seeds of anxiety in her.
It was truly irresponsible of me, and I realized once again what a flawed person I was.
"Then I'll go talk with Cherry for a bit."
"Got it."
"Ariel, you have to listen to Mommy, okay?"
"..."
I gave Ariel a warm goodbye, but her reaction was strange. For some reason, her eyes looked somewhat vacant. I was puzzled by that expression for a moment, then turned my head in the direction she was staring.
She was looking exactly at where Cherry was standing. But Cherry was looking at me, not Ariel.
"...Cherry?"
"Yes...?"
"Uh... never mind."
It felt a bit unsettling, but I decided to let it go for now. I could ask later.
Just as I entered the room to have a private conversation, Ariel's words reached my ears.
"Ugh... I'm dizzy... I'm dizzier than last time..."
Just what kind of state was Cherry's inner mind in?
I suppressed my growing curiosity and entered the room. Inside was a table I had prepared in advance, topped with delicious refreshments. There was also a typewriter, a gift for Cherry. It was something I had specifically asked Cecile to get.
Given the time that had passed, her work was likely almost finished, and she could practice using the typewriter while preparing for her next project. Since I hadn't been able to look after her, I planned to support her diligently from now on.
Scrape—
"Have a seat here."
"Thank you..."
I sat across from her. It had been a while since we'd sat face-to-face like this. Cherry was looking at the refreshments, but being a writer, her eyes instinctively focused on the typewriter. Of course, even people who weren't writers had that expression when they first saw a typewriter. It was just unusual for her, since she rarely showed any change in expression.
"Have you been doing well?"
"Pardon? Ah, yes... I've been doing well..."
"That's a relief. When you said I didn't need to worry, I was concerned that something might have happened."
"...You were worried?"
As if she didn't understand, Cherry tilted her head and asked. Seeing as she didn't even realize it, it seemed her self-esteem had recovered. Otherwise, she wouldn't have said something so unlike her.
I gave a bitter smile and debated what to say first, eventually deciding to start with an apology.
"Well... you asked me before. You said everything was fine as long as I didn't abandon you. But lately, I haven't been able to look after you because I was busy... and when I even told you not to worry, my heart felt like it was sinking."
"..."
"Yeah. That won't happen again. I'm sorry for not paying attention to you."
"...Someone like me."
"Huh?"
When I apologized, Cherry's reaction was quite unusual. I felt like I'd stepped on a landmine. Sure enough, she lowered her head slightly and muttered in a voice that was nothing short of depressing.
"To think that someone like me would dare to make Senior worry... I'm so sorry..."
"A-Ah, no. That's not what I meant..."
"I should have written the letter while considering Senior's position..."
"Cherry? Hello? Are you there?"
This is driving me crazy. How can every single dialogue choice be a landmine?
I struggled to stop Cherry from her self-deprecation. It seemed the very fact that I had worried was a huge burden to her. Her self-esteem had returned, but only by a tiny speck. Furthermore, anything related to me started from the absolute bottom without any compromise.
"There's no need for that. I granted your request not to abandon you, but then I distanced myself using busyness as an excuse. It's absolutely not your fault. Got it?"
"Yes..."
"T-Then, can you show me your manuscript? I believe you didn't have much left until the conclusion."
"I've finished it..."
I'm jealous. No, that's not it.
I took her manuscript paper. She had said it would be finished in about two volumes, and she really had completed it. Just to be clear, Cherry's debut work, Red Sunset Once Again, was an undeniable hit. It was only overshadowed by the Xenon Biography and War of Blood and Iron; it was racking up far more sales than other works.
Thanks to its romance genre, it was especially popular among women. When I attended Duke Rekilis's birthday party, the women talked about Cherry's work more than War of Blood and Iron.
'In romance, once the male and female leads get together, the conflict usually disappears.'
The reason she finished it quickly instead of dragging it out was due to the inherent limitations of the romance genre. Most romances are short and impactful, and it's very difficult to stretch them out even if you want to. Cherry's work was the same. Didn't it end just two volumes after the male and female leads got together?
Even though all sorts of eventful incidents occurred in between, they stood firm thanks to the female lead's efforts. Future knowledge—both a strength and a weakness of the regression genre. Even though it was her first work, Cherry had tied it up brilliantly.
'To think a girl like this could have just stayed buried.'
I smiled warmly and turned the pages. In front of me, Cherry was munching on refreshments while watching my reaction.
The final scene featured the pregnant female lead and the male lead strolling by a lake. At the very spot where they first met, the female lead reveals her secret. From her perspective, she had hesitated to reveal it.
But the twist was that the male lead had already figured it out. Since she had been consistently dropping hints, it was surprising but definitely not lacking in probability. Thus, they confirmed each other's feelings once more and shared a gentle kiss.
If it ended here, it would be a magnificent conclusion...
[It was summer.]
"......?"
...Or so I thought.
What the hell is this?