Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Still Too Early by Four Years (1)
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"Huh."
Karin sat up with a blank expression under a ceiling that felt strangely unfamiliar. She remembered it taking time to find lodging, so she'd crashed at the Cafe Manager's place for the night. But coming in during the dark hours made the room feel oddly alien now.
It looked like a perfectly fine bedroom, so it was probably his.
The issue was how barren it seemed compared to the rooms of men she knew—specifically, her father's. No smell at all.
That stereotypical single-dad stench people talked about? Completely absent. It was bizarre.
The room was so empty of personal items that she wondered if he had no hobbies whatsoever. Even with hot sunlight pouring through the glass window, it felt a little chilly.
Sensing her stirring, there was a knock at the door.
"Yes! I'm up!"
"Can I come in? Just to check your outfit or whatever."
"Y-yeah. Seems fine."
"Alright. Coming in."
Already up and nearly done prepping the cafe for opening, the Manager—fully geared in his usual shirt and apron—entered casually. He tidied the room, then pulled out a comb and brushed Karin's tousled hair.
"If you wanna wash up, shower's in the back. I moved your bag with clothes to the room next door, so grab 'em and head down."
"...You heading out today too?"
"If you don't wanna go, you don't have to. But you'd be stuck alone in my room."
"Can't I just hang at the cafe?"
"Someone plopping down at a table unwashed is a problem customer. Bad for business."
"I'm not dirty..."
"No wash, all dirty."
In the end, Karin opted to wash up. She dragged herself out of bed slowly, fumbling. With a sigh, Julius scooped her up under the arms again.
Treated like a pet once more, her lips pursed in a pout, but freeloading as she was, she couldn't complain. Delivered to her bag, Karin rummaged for clothes and headed to the shower.
If her parents knew she was crashing at a single guy's place, they'd lose it. But with the Manager? Really, nothing would happen.
Inside the shower, she stripped and cranked the hot water. Steam fogged the mirror, starting from the bottom. In the whitening glass, she saw herself: messy pink hair, dumbstruck face.
She knew it was biased, but she looked decent.
Not brag-worthy amid all the beauties around her, but her figure was well-proportioned—few matched it nearby.
Short height the problem?
Dunno.
The only guy around was the Manager, and getting treated like a kid wasn't all that fun.
She thought, I'm pretty good, right? But realizing she was pondering this naked in a guy's bathroom snapped her out of it. She just doused her head.
Gazing down her body through the streaming water, thinking of her blooming youth like this brought a wave of melancholy.
Even if she marched out naked to the Manager, she pictured nothing beyond him carrying her back inside.
Karin, is this really okay?
One guy she knew properly. To him, little sister. Or pet.
"No other way."
She lathered shampoo into her pink hair, puffing it up foamy. Ignoring the sting of soap in her eyes, she cleared her mind.
Dating after graduation.
No, if not now, after?
She envisioned spinsterhood, forced into political marriage with some creep eyeing her dad's trade company.
More depressed, she finished washing, dried her hair, and slipped into casual clothes.
No plans to lounge in uniform here—everyday wear.
Checking the mirror post-shower, she looked tidy enough. Heading out, she spotted a memo on the door.
'Don't come out in weird clothes.'
Did he read her mind about streaking out?
Annoyed, she ripped the note to shreds in one go, straightened her posture, and went downstairs.
Down below, the Manager had breakfast for three ready. He'd seated Reimi Kaisra and was finishing their coffee.
Reimi turned to Karin.
"Big."
"Don't sexually harass someone who just woke up."
"I didn't say 'big.'"
"That's just semantics."
"Anyway. Mina's tiny, I'm average, Ermina's middling—so it pops."
"..."
With a subtle look, the Manager finished the coffee and sat. He yanked Karin's chair right up close.
Karin plopped down without thinking, catching Reimi's sly glance.
"Hmm. Uniform was like a straitjacket, huh."
"Ow, drop it."
"Fine, fine."
"Boing."
"...You know women get busted for harassing guys too."
Reimi burst out laughing at Karin hoisting her breasts with both hands. Julius's mouth twitched, but he stayed silent.
Sips of coffee echoed in the cafe, then clinking forks shattered the quiet.
"Seriously though, unexpected. Flowy clothes as casual wear."
"Mom likes them..."
"Makes sense. When mine dressed me, hmm."
"Home was always stiff formalwear. Jealous."
"Ugh, that suffocating upbringing."
"Heh heh."
They chatted old tales amid a cozy vibe, finishing breakfast. Reimi's curious stares at Karin's chest were a tad awkward, but harmless.
The real venom came from merchant girls: "Big tits mean dumb brain," "Bet those snagged tons of guys."
"Anyway. You're not holing up in my room the whole stay, right."
"Kinda wanted to for a bit."
"Eh? Manager's bed?"
"Yeah. He said crash there."
Reimi's eyebrow arched.
"Just slept."
"True enough. Unpacking dragged on, so late entry."
"Knew it. That neat freak wouldn't blemish his record."
"Neat freak?"
"For guys this era, you're one. From that bastard land. Contraception spells exist—most nobles your age banged their fiancées already."
Mm-hmm. Karin nodded along.
Noble scene? Clueless. But debauched types abounded.
Wait. So why no flirts from those playboys?
Karin sank into self-doubt.
"...Manager."
"Yeah. Why the 'about to cough blood' face."
"I'm a girl, right?"
"Closer to kid. Decision-making feels immature."
"Reimi sis. For real?"
"...Want the honest take?"
"Yes."
"One-nighters off your looks? Plenty. Serious dating-to-marriage? Eh. Rare."
Why.
Why no popularity. Ermina-senpai outshines, sure. But still.
"Manager. Why am I unpopular?"
"Outta nowhere."
"No. Seeing popular you and Ermina-senpai... feels like I'm straight-up destitute there."
"Stock answer: Timing varies. Brutal dry spells hit everyone; self or scene shifts, admirers appear."
"Doesn't vibe like from a lifelong stud."
Julius eyed her puzzled—what's with her?—then lit up like he'd just remembered something.
"Environment flipped. Astraea might be your spotlight. Academy was Ermina's show."
"Who here though..."
"Adventurer needing space magic?"
She pictured partying with adventurers, slinging spells. Not thrilling.
She'd come to dive with Manager and Ermina-senpai. Bracelet just kept her.
"Not hooked?"
"Nah. Unless scraping by solo, I'd rather tag with you."
"Figured."
Julius gave a wry smile, patted her head lightly, rose, and cleared the remaining dishes.
Couldn't peg his bitterness, but "not yet" satisfied her.
Someday, peak popularity—Manager fawning? Kinda thrilling.
Unlikely, she chuckled, downing the last of her coffee.
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