Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: 25. Wilderness Festival
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"A secret... hmm."
Meeting her gaze, those eyes brimming with curiosity.
Before answering her question, I paused for a moment.
The secrets I carried were overflowing.
About this world. And even the future that would soon arrive.
Everything, down to how choices led to branching paths and different endings.
They were secrets I couldn't share with anyone, by their very nature.
But I couldn't just spill everything to her straight out.
She probably wouldn't believe me anyway, and in the worst case, she might think I was crazy.
I had no intention of convincing her, nor any need to.
So, in my mind, I needed to come up with something she could accept.
Something that would pique her interest just enough.
And based on that, give her a sense of caution.
While also being a secret that would be good for her to know.
"Sometimes... I have dreams that feel like precognitive visions."
"...Precognitive dreams?"
Elysia widened her eyes in surprise as she spoke.
It was a natural reaction. Most people wouldn't believe it.
Even coming from my mouth, she'd probably want to call it nonsense.
So what I needed right now was acting skill.
The kind that would make her wonder, 'Is it real?' even if it sounded absurd.
The key was maintaining a natural expression, not awkward acting.
"Yes. It doesn't happen often, but there have been times when things I saw in my dreams actually came true. Especially the vivid, ominous ones."
Of course, the precognitive dreams were a complete lie from the start.
I didn't have precognitive dreams—I passed out the moment my head hit the pillow every night.
But without a white lie like this, how else could I convey what I wanted to say?
No matter how hard I racked my brain, I couldn't think of a straightforward way to explain it.
"Oh my. Really?"
Was it because of her pure heart? She seemed ready to accept my words without a shred of doubt.
I nearly let a pleased grin tug at my lips.
I pinched my thigh hard, suppressing the rising smile with pain.
Only then could I barely hold back the laughter.
"...A few days ago, I had a really unpleasant dream."
"An unpleasant dream?"
"Yes."
Covering my mouth with my hand, I watched her focus intently on my words.
I nodded slightly.
"The Wilderness Festival starts next week, right?"
"Oh, right! Celine and I were just talking about looking forward to it."
As if the festival scenes were unfolding before her eyes.
Her eyes curved softly, a smile drawing an arc on her lips.
"Hehe. Just imagining it makes me excited already, doesn't it?"
Matching the bounce of her shoulders as she smiled brightly.
The two massive shapes hidden beneath her clothes quivered sensually, asserting their heavy presence.
Those full curves, glowing white under the moonlight, seemed to defy gravity.
They jiggled resiliently, relentlessly invading the edge of my vision.
I tried to avert my gaze, but the blatant tremor transmitted through that thin fabric was enough to stir a man's instincts.
I wasn't disinterested in the female form, but right now, I couldn't afford to get distracted.
'...Get a grip.'
"Ahem."
"But Young Master, why bring up the Wilderness Festival all of a sudden?"
Tilting her head in confusion, I cleared my throat and continued.
"In the dream I had... I saw a huge incident happening during the festival."
"A huge incident...?"
Yes. A huge incident would erupt.
And whether they liked it or not, the protagonist Iris and the heroines around her would get swept up in it.
"The festival's clamor turned into screams, and instead of fireworks, black smoke engulfed the academy. It was a horrific scene."
Elysia stared at me blankly, seemingly at a loss for words.
It might sound exaggerated, but what would actually happen could be even worse.
Maybe I should scare her a bit more to keep her on edge.
"..."
Of course, it might not even be necessary.
This was just me giving her advice out of an excess of caution.
The protagonist and the other heroines hadn't fully bloomed yet.
But they were fated to shine in the game The Glory.
None of them were weak or to be taken lightly.
But.
This world had already deviated from what I remembered.
Multiple times, in ways I hadn't anticipated.
"It could just be a random dream. But... what if it's not?"
As the playfulness faded from her face under my serious demeanor.
I looked straight into her eyes and said.
"So, please do me one favor. During the Wilderness Festival, try not to go anywhere alone. Stick with Celine as much as possible."
It didn't have to be Celine.
Iris, Kaien.
Even Balkan or Hye-ra would do.
As long as she wasn't alone.
"Mm..."
With a short hum, as if mulling over my words.
She seemed lost in thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Got it. If you're saying it that seriously... I'll be careful."
Feeling my reflection clearly mirrored in her green eyes sparkling under the moonlight.
She answered with an understanding expression, but a trace of unease lingered.
What if she brushed off my words?
She said she understood, but what if she forgot?
Unable to contain my impatience, I leaned forward without realizing.
Bending my upper body to bring my face close to hers.
One more time. To make sure she remembered.
"Miss Elysia. This is also my personal request."
"...Y-Yes!? Y-Young M-Master, your f-face... it's, s-so... close..."
Flutter, flutter.
Emphasizing each word firmly, as if not to miss a single one.
"During the Wilderness Festival, absolutely do not be alone. Got it?"
Before I knew it, our distance was close enough for breaths to mingle.
Was it too close? Her irregular breaths tickled my cheek.
"Oh, um... I-I g-got it! I got it, so...!"
Flutter, flutter, flutter.
Startled by the sudden closeness, Elysia widened her eyes and stammered.
Her pale cheeks flushed red like a ripe peach in an instant.
"I-I understand... Young Master..."
But.
'...Wait a second.'
Suddenly snapping to my senses, I realized something odd.
Her reaction was strange.
'This feels off.'
First, her breathing was ragged.
Like someone anticipating something about to happen.
She looked up at me with moist eyes.
"Ha, haa... haht..."
'...Huh?'
Only then did I notice the situation was peculiar.
Our body heat was palpable—no, if I just lowered my head slightly, our lips could touch.
We were far too close.
Her emerald eyes, sparkling under the moonlight, trembled right before me.
Hot breaths leaked from between her slightly parted red lips.
And even the tiny teardrop-like beads at the corners of her eyes.
Not a single element failed to captivate my gaze in that breathtaking scene.
But one thing especially drew my eyes.
Flutter, flutter!
Her long, pointed ears fluttered incessantly, like flapping wings.
So fervently that it fully conveyed how flustered she was.
"..."
"Hoo... haht!"
Flutter, flutter!
Ah.
'We were too close.'
Finally grasping the situation, I jolted back in surprise.
"S-Sorry. I got too into it..."
"Oh, no, it's fine! It just means you were that worried about me..."
She floundered, turning her head as if unsure where to look.
Her fingers fidgeted pitifully, as if trying to hide her burning red face.
'That was close.'
A little closer, and it would've been perfect for misunderstandings.
No, it might already be misunderstood.
Above all, staring into those defenseless, moist eyes made me feel.
My reason might snap.
"...Anyway. During the Wilderness Festival, no matter what, don't go anywhere alone."
"Y-Yes! I'll remember!"
Elysia nodded, her face still flushed.
But seeing her pointed ears still fluttering steadily.
It would take time for her to calm down.
'No, who's worrying about whom here.'
My heart was pounding just as much as hers.
"..."
"..."
In the silence thick with a strange tension.
Elysia fanned herself with her hand to cool off.
"It's, uh, kinda hot all of a sudden! No idea why."
"I was just thinking the same."
In the eerie quiet where our heartbeats seemed audible.
We turned away from each other's eyes, staring at the ground in silence for a while.
In this late hour when no one passed by.
In this tranquil night, with only the chirping of crickets breaking the silence.
"Um...!"
Breaking the eternal-seeming silence was none other than Elysia.
"By the way, precognitive dreams, huh? You really have a lot of special things about you, Young Master...!"
"They're not quite up to calling them precognitive dreams."
"Th-Then, um..."
Adjusting her clothes, fidgeting with her fingers.
She bit her lip as if hesitating, then asked cautiously.
"H-Have you... ever had other dreams? Like, about a future lover or something...?"
She asked playfully, as if offhand.
But her eyes held a subtle expectation.
'A lover.'
"...No idea. Never had one like that."
I shrugged it off vaguely.
I really hadn't dreamed of anything like that.
"Oh... that's a shame."
Elysia smiled as if it were nothing.
But she couldn't hide the disappointment behind it.
Her pointed ears, which had been fluttering lively.
Drooped limply, like a sad puppy's tail.
...Should I have lied and said I had?
Her obvious disappointment tugged at me.
"I'll keep your warning in mind. Since you said it out of worry for me."
Elysia stood, straightening her clothes, and smiled faintly as if nothing had happened.
"Well, I'll head in first. Classes tomorrow."
"Sure. I'll stay a bit longer."
I stood to see her off.
Rustle. Rustle.
As her footsteps faded toward the dormitory entrance.
While I blankly followed her receding figure with my eyes.
She paused with her hand on the door handle, slowly turning back.
Her soft silhouette, backlighted by the moonlight, filled my view.
"Oh, Young Master."
"Yes?"
"Thank you... for today. In many ways."
Through her golden hair fluttering in the night breeze, she smiled brighter than the moonlight.
Then, after a pause, her red lips parted, whispering softly.
"...Good night, Evan."
Her voice calling my name for the first time rode the night air, softly brushing my ear.
Creeak.
Without giving me time to reply, she slipped inside like fleeing, closing the door.
In this place now fallen silent.
Only the faint lingering floral scent she left behind lingered by my side.
I stood rooted there for a long while, staring at the closed door.
'Evan, huh...'
I hadn't expected her to call me by name so suddenly.
But it wasn't a bad ring.
'One week until the Wilderness Festival.'
There was much to prepare in that time.
"The road ahead is long."