Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: A Clue to the Solution
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I'd initially planned to take her somewhere secluded to talk. After all, she didn't strike me as the type to lie.
‘But still...’
Eve had stopped crying, but she was still sniffling. Dragging her off to some deserted spot might lead to misunderstandings.
Sensing something was off, I spoke as gently as I could.
"I know you might not believe me, but I've never touched you—today's the first time we've even talked."
"W-what do you mean?"
"Please, just give me one hour. If you still can't believe me after that, I promise I won't bother you again. I won't look at you, speak to you—I'll just quietly drop out a week from now."
I was playing my trump card.
Eve's eyes wavered, but she still seemed hesitant.
"Please, I'm begging you. I'm innocent too—I have no idea why I'm being labeled a pervert and facing expulsion."
My earnest plea must have gotten through a bit, because she finally nodded reluctantly. We headed to the cafeteria in front of the dorms, set up for students.
With its outdoor terrace, passersby students were buzzing as we walked in.
Probably because the supposed sexual harasser and his victim were together. Ignoring them, I turned to Eve.
"Order whatever you want."
"Uh, iced Americano, please."
"Sit tight—I'll be right back."
Figuring girls might like something sweet too, I added a chocolate cake. It was pricier than expected, making a dent in my wallet.
Handing it to Eve as she waited at the table, she jumped in surprise and shook her head.
"No! It's okay!"
"Just eat it. Talking to me must be making you anxious—consider this a way to relax a little."
If she wasn't lying and this was all a misunderstanding, being here with me had to be tough for her.
"...I'll gain weight."
Even as she said it, she took a forkful, her eyes lighting up as she dug in eagerly. She had a great figure, not an ounce of fat, but complimenting that now would seal my fate as a pervert, so I kept my mouth shut.
"First off, let me make one thing clear: I've never met you before, never touched you. Today's the first time we've spoken."
"..."
"I'm sorry, but I need to know about what happened. I know it's hard, but if you can explain bit by bit, even if it takes time..."
If she bolted right then, I couldn't blame her. Reliving it must be traumatic.
But I needed to know.
Information was key to solving this.
"I'll wait as long as it takes, so take your time."
It did take quite a while after that.
Head bowed, glancing at me now and then, it wasn't until thirty minutes later that she finally spoke.
"It was in the library."
"Right, the library."
I nodded, listening intently. Another ten minutes passed before she clenched her fists tight and continued.
"He came up out of nowhere. Covered my mouth and groped me everywhere."
"Even in the library, it was a quiet spot?"
"Yes... I like old books, so..."
Her quick reply hit the mark. Sensing the key point, I smoothly shifted the topic.
"Old books? I love them too. Especially ancient records about the Demon Realm Forest—I've read those cover to cover multiple times."
"The D-Demon Realm Forest? You mean Chernie's Exploration Record?"
Back when I was a sherpa there, I'd devoured every related book in my hut, so of course I remembered.
Chernie's Exploration Record was basic reading for anyone doing that job.
"I've read that, plus Black Light Mystery Text, Forest Without Moonlight, Devil's Signpost—all of them."
"Wow! Really? I've read Devil's Signpost too!"
With that, Eve started chatting away. I smiled, responding and recommending more old books on the Demon Realm Forest.
"You've read a lot about the Demon Realm Forest—have you tried Black Forest and Princess Meila?"
Black Forest and Princess Meila.
It didn't have much real info on the Demon Realm Forest—just stuff covered elsewhere.
It wasn't really an old book in that sense.
It was a romance novel set there.
With no clients, I'd read it during downtime, nitpicking like, "That's not right," or "They know nothing about the Demon Realm Forest."
But.
I smiled brightly and nodded.
"Yeah, it was fun. My favorite part is when Princess Meila gets saved from the magical beasts at the silver lake in the Demon Realm Forest."
"M-me too! That's my favorite scene!"
Excited, Eve spilled details. Since I remembered every Demon Realm Forest bit perfectly, our conversation flowed easily.
Time flew by on books, but she wore a satisfied smile.
"Another coffee?"
"Oh, let me get it!"
"Nah, stay put."
The quiet girl was now chattering nonstop once she opened up—it was cute, so I smiled and stood.
Her throat must be dry from all the talking, I thought, and she accepted without hesitation. A sign she'd relaxed a lot already.
‘Good, we'll take it slow like this.’
Only a week left, but if I could get key info from her, waiting a day or two was fine.
Coming back with coffee and cookies for a palate cleanser, I spotted a male student haranguing Eve.
Her face, bright moments ago, darkened as she bowed her head. He raised his voice even more—I could hear him clearly.
"Are you insane? Talking to him? Laughing like it's fun? Do you have a brain or not?"
"..."
"No shame, or just loose? Come on, no need to talk to that creep."
"Hey."
I stepped in.
Tray of coffee and cookies in my left hand, I grabbed his wrist with my right.
"Who the hell are you?"
I'd only meant a light show of force, but he flinched hard in panic, releasing Eve's wrist. Still, he didn't back down.
"What gives you the guts to meet Eve after groping her like that? How do you even have the nerve?!"
"I didn't do it, and it's none of your business. Who are you to butt into things between me and Eve?"
I'd said it to seize control from this third wheel, and it worked better than expected—he flew into a rage and swung at me.
Eve yelped in shock, but sorry, I wasn't taking the hit. I caught his sluggish punch, squeezed a bit, and he grimaced with a groan.
"Guh!"
"I've got enough on my plate already, so I'll let this slide. Be smart and walk away."
I was already branded a harasser and assaulter—adding actual assault wouldn't help.
"Or want to test me? I'm expelled in a week anyway—could beat you down today and leave tomorrow, no big deal."
With a menacing glare like I meant it, he freaked, spat a few curses for face, and fled.
I set the tray down, then asked Eve, lost in thought.
"You okay? Sorry I didn't step in sooner."
She seemed shaken. Her face was bowed, hair falling messily. I worried about her expression.
But soon, she lifted her head slowly, a strange resolve in her eyes.
"I love the smell of old books too. My nose is pretty sensitive."
"Huh?"
Was she confessing a fetish out of nowhere?
But her next words cut deep.
"You smell nice, Daniel."
"Y-yeah?"
"In the library, when I was assaulted, there was this pungent, unique smell—like a magic potion, I think."
"..."
"And that guy just now... he had the same smell."
Eve caught her breath and added,
"Also, the Dean's been protecting me—no one knows I'm the victim except you, the perpetrator."
Her eyes asked how that guy knew. She gestured for me to sit.
"Let's talk. I think I've misunderstood something."
*
"Rin, what're you doing?"
Her classmate Hare entered with a smile, but Rin stared blankly out the window, not even noticing.
"Rin?"
"Huh? Oh, you're here."
Only after another call did Rin snap out of it, smiling awkwardly at Hare before gazing outside again.
"What? Something out the window?"
"No, just... the moonlight's pretty."
"Yeah, it is."
Hare looked at the moon too, smiling. But the black-haired girl's eyes were fixed lower.
‘Two hours.’
Already two hours.
Sunset had faded to dark, yet those two kept talking at the cafeteria. Sometimes serious, sometimes laughing.
‘He's different with her today.’
Another girl, not the blonde.
Ignoring the sharp pang in her chest, Rin stared vacantly, hypnotized.
While Daniel stepped away for more coffee, Chapheni from Class A approached the waiting girl with a grin.
He said something, tried pulling her along—but Daniel returned, rescuing her coolly.
Like a prince saving the damsel from a fairy tale.
"..."
"Rin?"
Hare, reading a magazine after glancing out, found Rin's fixation odd and called again, but no reply.
"Sigh."
She exhaled.
"Rin?"
Forcing a smile.
"Yeah? What's up?"