Chapter 338
Chapter 338
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 338
Chapter Title: Onsen Confessions
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I have no idea what the opportunity is.
*It’s the same as always.*
My blood felt like it was turning to alcohol. I kept drinking until I felt that way. The small lights in the dark bar blurred in my vision. Elias smacked his lips after his drink, then pulled a cheap little bottle of rum, about the size of his palm, from his jacket pocket.
“Drink rum and then whiskey, and suddenly the whiskey you usually have tastes twice as good. You have to regulate the flavors going into your mouth periodically. That’s how gourmet eating is possible, and it keeps you from uselessly complaining about the world. Nobles get complacent and don’t even appreciate what they eat, taking it for granted while piling on the complaints….”
“Yeah. They’re not without that side. In my view.”
I felt my brain and eyes heating up from the alcohol as I slowly nodded. I had no clue what I was even saying. As I ruminated on that thought, I spotted one problem—I realized I’d just channeled my 21st-century modern self at the end there and belatedly clamped my mouth shut. Fortunately, since Elias was with me, it wouldn’t be a big issue that a noble like me had dissed the nobles.
“Gourmet appreciation starts from gratitude. If your mindset’s off from the beginning, whatever you eat is just a pile of nutrients, right?”
Yeah…. After that, Elias’s gourmet theory poured out endlessly. I often found eating burdensome, so I mostly stuck to familiar foods and wasn’t all that interested in fine dining, but listening to how Elias thought and lived was enjoyable. It always had been, ever since I started reading him. I nodded mechanically, trying to etch his words firmly into my mind.
“But the places we stay at usually don’t stock rum like this, so I always carry some. Here, have some!”
“Yeah, yeah. Thanks. I need to hit the bathroom for a sec….”
“Me too!”
*Stop following me already….*
I’d wanted a brief break for my ears, but no such luck. Elias chattered nonstop from the bathroom all the way back to our seats.
“You?”
“…….”
At some point, drowsiness made me miss part of the conversation. What were we talking about? We’d gone from fine dining to chatting about Ulrike and the Class 1-A kids, then to pointless gripes about the school library’s biased collection, then casino suggestions, then wild talk about blowing up headquarters, and… uh…. I couldn’t keep track of when we’d said what, so I pressed my eyes with my hand and answered.
“Same as you. …Probably. Even if not, you’ll convince me soon enough.”
“Ahahaha! Luca’s drunk~”
“Seems like it.”
“Oh no! Admitting that kills the fun. Normally, this is when the others go, ‘I’m heading out~’ and leave me behind.”
“If you don’t leave now, you won’t walk home on your own two feet.”
“Even in the dorms? Even next door? Even when I’m lonely?!”
“Still. What’s the difference at this point….”
“With Luca here today, it doesn’t matter~ You’ll hang out with me till dawn~”
Elias slung his arm around my shoulders like a maniac and shook us side to side. I couldn’t pin this guy down. The combo of his sparkling eyes and cocky smirk made him look like he’d boast some massive attitude—and he kind of did, now that I thought about it—but he wasn’t like that around other friends. The Class 1-A guys from the Imperial 2nd Education Academy would be baffled by this side of him. Of course, I knew that cocky facade was a defense mechanism. His playboy act was deliberate to an extent, but the recklessness and temper that dominated it were lifelong defenses fused into his psyche and true nature. No single label fit. Just like I’d thought before.
*…I wonder how Elias would’ve turned out in a world without Friedrich Hohenzollern.*
Still, I doubted he’d be any more proper. As I smiled at the thought, Elias shoved his face right up to mine.
“Wanna hit the casino?”
“In this state, I’d lose everything. My brain’s not spinning at all.”
“You don’t seem like the type to lose….”
“Hey, guys.”
Someone called from behind, so I turned slowly. Elias, still not drunk, stood up and clapped.
“Narcé~”
“Oh, Lucas’s clothes….”
Narcé, who’d lightly hugged Elias, trailed off as he looked me over. Elias patted my short jacket.
“I lent him mine. Doesn’t it suit him?”
“Hmm~ It does.”
After blurting that childish line to him in the hallway, I’d stopped by Elias’s room. That’s when Elias, claiming he needed to unpack his suitcase, dumped everything out and started handing me his clothes. They weren’t my taste, but I tried a few on just in case… and obviously, given that I was drunk here, my affinity didn’t go up.
I’d even picked an artifact earring. Elias had insisted silver suited me better than jewels, so I went with it. Even if Leo, with his FM tendencies and emphasis on prior consultation, showed up right now, I’d have nothing to say.
“I thought you didn’t like seeing Lucas in clothes like this. You don’t really like it either, do you?”
Elias didn’t answer Narcé right away, then smiled.
“It’s my clothes, so it’s fine. And besides, he’ll be taking them off soon~”
“Change again? Fashion show’s a hassle now….”
“No more changing! Obviously, it’s time to get naked! Can’t drink here forever~”
“Oh, that. I’m not going. Have fun.”
“Huh?”
“I’m skipping the bath. Meet you in the lounge when you’re done.”
“What?! Why not?”
I pondered how to dodge it, but with Narcé there, honesty seemed best.
“I don’t like seeing skin.”
“…….”
My carefully considered truth made both Elias and Narcé freeze. Elias rolled his eyes with his mouth agape, then raised his brows.
“Uh, we wear pants at least, Luca.”
“I know.”
Narcé chuckled briefly, covered his mouth lightly, and turned away. Elias grabbed my shoulder and yelled.
“You know and still hate it?! Then how’d you pull off that Italian-American act as Primro… no, whatever. I couldn’t even imitate that look….”
“Forgot what I did at school this year? That disciplinary committee day’s still fresh in my mind.”
“Haha~”
Jeremiah’s slovenly, less cultured-citizen vibe had been pure acting, possible only because it was a role. In acting, anything goes. What mattered now was no situation or person demanding a performance from me. Elias tilted his brows and asked.
“But it’s just the seven of us anyway. We rented the whole onsen building—no one else comes! Can’t you…?”
“What’s that got to do with it? I don’t like showing skin even alone.”
“So you’re skipping…? For real?”
“Yeah.”
Elias slumped his shoulders at my firm reply.
“Ah, bummer…. I was gonna booze with you and just soak….”
“Quit yapping. I know it’s a natural hot spring—hot enough for you?”
“Dunno. No fun alone. Narcé, wanna drink with me later?”
“Hmm, can’t till I pass out, but….”
Narcé glanced at me and smiled softly.
“With divine power to burn it off, we can keep going. Sure.”
“…….”
I grabbed Elias’s arm as he started to stand.
“What? Luca.”
Still holding his arm, I rolled my eyes.
“…Wait. Just wait a sec.”
* * *
“You sure it’s okay~? You said no.”
“It’s fine.”
Elias’s question got a curt mutter from me, and Narcé chuckled lightly. This massive Renaissance-style building had no other visitors. The Cheringen family had rented the onsen out temporarily. Unlike the party hall and bar earlier, only the seven of us from Eschet came here. If others were around, I might’ve ditched hanging with Elias.
Narcé seemed to know I was trying to get close to Elias. His expression suggested he’d said that on purpose. But Narcé was one of the few who could party with Elias till morning, so I couldn’t send him off with Elias. I had only half a day left, and I needed to settle things alone with Elias.
*…Did Elias drag Narcé along on purpose?*
Does he know? The suspicion flickered as Elias’s unusually chipper humming sounded suspicious. But it didn’t last.
At the onsen entrance, I faced a huge issue. There were two entrances to the bath, both connecting to one space. Recalling this wasn’t a modern spa or pool but a bathhouse, I hesitated, then realized it was as I thought and clutched my forehead.
“…Mixed bath?! You guys, is this sane for the 19th century?”
“Why? Mixed bath? Old humanity term?”
“…….”
Elias kept asking, not even grasping the concept. Right, they don’t have that idea. Pointless for new humanity to quibble now.
“…You’re sure we wear pants? I know, but Germany—better confirm twice.”
“Obviously~ Normies don’t go in naked anyway. Not sure about commoners, but we do. Gotta go back to council, government, or HQ after… hm. Dunno why, but wanna punch someone. No, thinking of Uncle pisses me off….”
Narcé lightly covered his mouth and reached into his jacket, turning away.
“No worries~ Even in the 17th century, pants were standard. Want the onsen guidebook?”
Yeah, new humanity wouldn’t need separate spaces. Convinced, I headed to the changing room.
“You’re really wearing a robe in here…. I’d go without.”
“Put one on.”
“Fine. I am, Lucas.”
Narcé chuckled and pointed to his clothes.
I’d entered the onsen in the half-pants and robe Elias had packed for bathing. Good call. But Elias deflated seeing it.
“Guys, you think just dipping feet counts?”
“Leg circulation’s great. Let’s drink now.”
“Uwaaa! Luca hates water, not clothes! Fair, but still!”
“As long as no water dumped from above or dunking.”
“Oh, fine? Then why the robe! Narcé, you too!”
Elias splashed us wildly, then dove under. No rule against diving, but right away? Impressive. Ignoring him, I clinked glasses with Narcé and drank first.
Then, a gulping sound from afar. Something under the water surged up yelling.
“Gah… guys!”
“What the—scared me.”
Ulrike flailed out from a secluded pool edge, waving her arms.
“Accidentally swallowed water. Anyway, temp here’s perfect for diving. Come here if you wanna dive!”
She was diving too? They’re identical…. I swallowed the thought and asked.
“Heike?”
“Probably drinking. Was bored without her—perfect timing. Snacks outside? Robes say you’re not going in.”
“Hm, I’ll go.”
Narcé scanned me and Elias, then stood. I glanced at the two passing by, feeling cold sweat. Narcé had definitely caught on to my goal. Elias grinned as they left, surveying the empty hall. That smile felt ominous as I tried to slip away—then he dove again. I laughed at him.
“Your face’ll prune.”
“Magic barrier.”
Elias rested his elbows on the pool’s marble edge. Tilting his head, he eyed my artifact.
“Earring suits you.”
“Does it?”
“Yeah. My clothes too. But you look best in yours~”
Leaning on the marble, Elias stared at my face, then shifted back to the artifact.
“Can’t switch the other side?”
I shrugged. Elias had been hyped all day that I was playing with him, trying to tweak everything from head to toe his way. In other words, *that* was his idea of “hanging out.” Nobles played passively, but this reminded me he was a 19th-century noble teen—fresh insight. At the same time, it hit me he couldn’t boss others around despite being noble, so I went along without protest. Not that it raised his affinity.
“Don’t like it?”
When I didn’t answer, Elias asked with a serious face. Just a casual like-or-not question. But from *him*, it threw me. I rolled my eyes, then answered earnestly.
“No? It’s cool. Looking again, it’s got that perfect balance or whatever.”
“…Balance…?”
“Dunno, me either. I like it. Trust me.”
“Ah! Gotta trust~”
Elias grinned mischievously, tilting his head.
“Want me to give you one? Or pierce another up top.”
“…….”
Pierce another? Would affinity go up if I said yes? But no more blood today. Try five minutes before proposal ends.
“Later. I’ll think about it.”
“A~ Thinking about it. Honored.”
Elias smirked, then downed my drink.
“Luca still drunk?”
“Drank that much—think I sobered? Still drinking ‘cause of you.”
“Hm~ Right.”
Whoosh—
As Elias finished, wind brushed my ear. Water surged to my knees. Too late, I realized he’d magicked my leg and yanked. A heavy splash hit the surface.
“…!”
Eyes squeezed shut, something pressed my back. Elias laughed heartily.
“Hahaha~”
I saw the water-repelling veil over my head and exhaled slowly. The soaked robe weighed on my shoulders, but relief no water hit my face came first. He could’ve fully dunked but didn’t—he knew everything I’d been through. Grateful for that, but….
I reached for Elias’s collar smirking above me, remembered no shirt, and swung a fist instead.
“Ow!”
“…Joking?! I’m soaked. How long to dry this!”
“Aww~ Too bad, Luca.”
Elias’s mouth curved into a perfect O. Backlit by the lamps, his shadowed face still shone with bright eyes.
“No choice now, huh?”
It took 30 minutes to escape Elias’s water pranks. Exhausted after dealing with him, I barely climbed out and collapsed on the floor.
*Ah….*
High schoolers are tough. Stamina aside, it was a mental drain. Even picturing Elias at thirty, he’d act the same—daunting. Chuckling wryly at the footstep of Elias climbing out, I opened my eyes.
“Hungry.”
“So?”
“Cold~”
Giggling alone, Elias eyed the outdoor pools around the building.
“Outside? Breezy and cool there. Dry robes out there.”
I glanced at my wet robe and nodded.
Outside, the predawn sky’s glow stole my gaze. Stars dotted the vast expanse overhead. Karlsruhe’s cityscape glittered below the cliff in moonlight. This Romantic-era Greek-temple-styled spot filled the heart just looking. I sat with feet in warm water, facing the spring breeze.
“Eli.”
“Yeah?”
“Before here, remember the hospital talk with Leo?”
“Huh? What? Artifact?”
“After that.”
Asking Elias “what do you want” wasn’t right. That was *my* duty to find. From now, I’d think what he needed—this was the first question for that.
The hospital talk with Leo was time-based. Especially, what Elias thought hearing Leo say, “You who never wastes time found the best world in the worst,” I needed to know. Elias squeezed his eyes shut, rubbed his chin, and pondered long.
“Hmm…. You always move rationally, so I get all your ‘reckless’ challenges. Honestly stings inside, but I won’t complain~ Leo bragged big-time.”
“What?”
He rephrased it like *that*? Accurate at core. Skipping surface, straight to essence—impressive. Of course, having read nearly all his 10+ year novel, I knew his quick, sharp mind. Under the cheeky grin lay lifelong survival struggles and cool reason. Him distilling Leo’s words to essence wasn’t surprising, but hearing him switch from goofy laughs to straight talk mid-convo threw me. He caught my hitch, shrugged, and explained.
“Leo’s so…. poetic, y’know. Opens his mouth and it’s all Patroclus vibes. Gotta read between the lines every time.”
I’d never pegged Patroclus as poetry poster boy, but I got his feel for Leo.
Good on this topic. Time for question two. I nodded slowly, easing into it casually.
“Eli, got a question.”
“Yeah?”
“Earlier, at the party—what were you gonna say?”
Elias got it instantly. About, *‘Cause we’re in the same boat, feels comfier?’*
“Oh, that’s embarrassing to say~”
Brat…. I know it’s not. Smiling at his nonchalance, I opened slowly.
“What if I *wasn’t* in the same boat?”
“…….”
Elias paused, then spoke.
“We *are*. You’re about to get killed by your bro. Not Leo, not me—*you*.”
“True now.”
“…Hmm, tricky question. If not same boat, we wouldn’t be friends. Unless you pushed hard to befriend me, I wouldn’t have taken your hand first.”
Elias drummed fingers on the warm marble, continuing.
“So, assume bro-less you tried befriending me…. Even if long time, I’d end up friends like now. What’re you asking, Luca? I’m not hanging with you ‘cause you’re a fellow unfortunate.”
“…….”
“That what you were pondering? Felt extra considerate today.”
I didn’t answer, just smiled watching our ripples. Steady waves carried Elias’s voice.
“You asked if I feel comfy ‘cause same boat. No, Luca—I’m past reasons. What makes me enjoy you is you always give new memories. No room for bad ones—you overlay fresh futures. You make it possible.”
I gazed down quietly. His blue eyes on the night sky held light. Calm voice mixed with wind.
“That dance earlier? Trivial blip lost in your turbulent days. Not for me. You’ve heard rumors in politics, right? No good memories in ballrooms since kid, especially center stage. Always humiliation. But you ask me to dance there outta nowhere.”
Elias chuckled softly, continuing quietly.
“First time feeling joy in a ballroom center.”
“…….”
“Yeah, that’s why I adore you. Not just same boat. Time when inescapable past seemed to chain me forever—is gone.”
He went on calmly.
“I’ll feel childhood memories steering my future actions, follow sometimes. They’re part of me now—can’t peel off. Even painful ones are mine. But like you clearing bro’s death shadow, I’m freeing from what I couldn’t control. You showed it’s possible.”
“Me to you?”
I wrung out soundless throat. Elias nodded.
“Always. You think you saved only subjects through events, but no. You gave me a future.”
Heavy. Speechless.
One event holds hundreds of views in hundreds of eyes. I fought to survive; like a meteor, it imprinted different meanings in millions. So, *he* should hear this: the one giving Elias a future was Elias himself. I know it clearly.
“You’re like a trailblazer one step ahead in the desert. Could go alone, but daunting emptiness rules. Yet one step ahead, your footprint’s there.”
“…….”
“Got it? I’m with your present, not past, Luca.”
I smiled silently. The hushed glow already seeped into this era’s oppressed teen. He’d always owned his life. Eternal protagonist before me. At this rate, *he’d* steal *my* affinity. If he saw numbers now….
“Who’re you telling.”
I pulled a buried memory—now alien-like, yet still mine.
Elias looked up. Staring into those true blue eyes, I said.
“If I said I’m alive till now ‘cause I met you, what would you think?”