Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance Chapter 75

There were ten days left until the festival started. That meant Eileen couldn’t put off deciding on a partner much longer.

 

“How am I supposed to pick one?”

 

As they sat in the café, Eileen’s face turned white as she pressed for a decision. Andrew, who had heard about the bet and saw her struggling to make a decision, said,

 

“Well, before you decide, why don’t they each do a little offensive charm?”

 

“What?”

 

Lucian repeated. Unfazed by the attention he was getting, Andrew continued.

 

“Apparently, you’ve both been so busy that your bets have fallen through, so be fair and give each other a last chance.”

 

Andrew cut a slice of the cake in front of him with his fork and showed it to everyone.

 

“No delicacy can be savored in one bite. Let everyone take the time to properly express their feelings.”

 

Eileen squeezed her eyes shut at the mind-boggling story. Andrew slipped effortlessly between them, and she wondered how he’d managed to keep his mouth shut all this time.

 

‘With my affinity, Laquerta had no choice but to go along with it…’

 

Funnily enough, Lucian, Felix, and Cordelia were in favor of the idea, except for Laquerta, who abstained.

 

“Hmm, good idea. You’re a senior, Andrew.”

 

Lucian was the most enthusiastic, especially since he had the least chance to see Eileen due to the lack of overlap between his undergraduate and graduate classes.

 

“You’re welcome.”

 

The corners of Andrew’s mouth twitched at the compliment from his spit-coated future lord.

 

“Well, then, the festival is almost here, and there are no classes. How about we start right now, and you and I take turns at Eileen’s side for two hours between now and bedtime.”

 

Cordelia set down her teacup and Lucian and Felix nodded in agreement.

 

“Are you okay with that, Eileen?”

 

“Thanks for asking me too…”

 

Eileen, who had been casually swept along, dropped everything and nodded. It was a game that wasn’t going to end unless she picked a favorite anyway.

 

 

* * *

 

 

First up was Cordelia.

 

“Eileen, do you have something you want to do?”

 

“Well, I haven’t really thought of anything.”

 

“Then why don’t we have a picnic for a change?”

 

Cordelia led Eileen to a picnic table in the garden. A large zelkova tree provides shade and a cozy atmosphere.

 

“The breeze feels nice.”

 

A cool breeze blew through the branches of the zelkova. Eileen looked up at the tree, and the sunlight shone through the swaying leaves in shards.

 

“It doesn’t seem like it’s been long since we joined the Academy.”

 

“I know.”

 

Sighing heavily, Eileen flopped down on the table with Star in her arms. She entered the Academy and met Laquerta, Lua, and Moa. Once she’d gotten them settled, she’d joined clubs, and the three of them, including Cordelia, had joined a special combat class. Later, they fought battles they never thought they’d have to fight to solve the Jessie problem.

 

‘Now that I think about it, that was a pretty hectic time.’

 

Eileen chuckled, feeling a sudden wave of fatigue wash over her.

 

‘But it was all worthwhile.’

 

In addition to preventing the worst possible tragedy from unfolding for Laquerta and Jessie, she’s gotten to know new people and appreciate the people she’s with more. It hasn’t been easy by any means, but she has no regrets.

 

Except.

 

Eileen’s expression darkened a little. This festival would most likely be the last time she would be able to relax until all danger had passed.

 

Despite her resolve, she couldn’t help but be afraid. She couldn’t bear to lose any of her loved ones. Eileen was not yet ready to live the life of a hero who overcomes all odds and completes her mission.

 

Cordelia’s hand slowly stroked Eileen’s hair as they stood in the peaceful garden, her mind racing.

 

“Eileen.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Liking the feel of Cordelia’s hand stroking her hair, Eileen turned her head to look up at her. Sunlight filtered through the branches of the zelkova tree, turning her platinum hair white.

 

“This is a gift.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Eileen looked up at the headband in front of her. The headband was made of white silk and light lace, with pale golden flowers perched on top. She couldn’t tell exactly what the petals were made of, but they caught the light and shimmered with a mixture of orange and gold.

 

“Why are you suddenly so emotional? They’re so pretty.”

 

Cordelia said, smiling quietly at Eileen’s delight.

 

“I started the bet because it seemed like fun at first, but I’m pretty greedy too, so I’ve been playing dirty, but I’ll understand whoever Eileen chooses.”

 

Cordelia playfully pulled on Eileen’s shoulder, causing her to lean against the table like she had earlier.

 

“Ouch.”

 

Cordelia stroked Eileen’s hair again, gently, as she lay languidly, as if she hadn’t been able to fight back.

 

“Thank you, Cordelia.”

 

Cordelia’s eyes were calm as she gazed down at Eileen, her eyes still closed, enjoying the breeze and the peace.

 

Eileen’s strength against the Magi was still unknown to the world, but her quick mind could easily tell that her days ahead would be anything but calm.

 

It was the calm before the storm.

 

“Eileen.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Let’s go to the hot springs again this winter.”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

But if they stood together, even the fiercest storms would eventually become just a memory.

 

Two hours later. Lucian pulled Eileen away from Cordelia, who wasn’t hiding her displeasure.

 

“You guys are serious.”

 

“Of course I’m serious, I’m always serious?”

 

Walking after Lucian, Eileen couldn’t help but chuckle at his brazen demeanor.

 

“So what are you going to do now?”

 

“Hoo-hoo, wait and see.”

 

He smirked and walked ahead, not telling Eileen where they were going. Eileen’s eyes widened in confusion as she realized where she had followed Lucian.

 

“This is the kitchen, isn’t it?”

 

A kitchenette off the dining hall that students could use. It was where Jessie often baked cookies.

 

“That’s right, welcome to Lucian’s Restaurant!”

 

Her emerald eyes curved like a crescent moon.

 

“The trend these days is for a homey man. A man who cooks for her with love and care. This one works. Plus, if you can roll up your sleeves while you’re cooking and subtly show off your arm muscles, all the better.”

 

Lucian remembered Allen confidently giving him dating tips. He’d taken the advice, and his biceps were on full display, showing off tendon and muscle.

 

“I wasn’t expecting this.”

 

“Come on, sit down.”

 

Even as she sat down obediently, Eileen thought.

 

‘I wonder if Lucian is a good cook?’

 

There were many excellent cooks in Gaudium, and he rarely cooked himself, as he was busy practicing his swordsmanship in most of his free time.

 

‘It’s okay, I haven’t practiced because of the special class training, but I’ve already gone through the recipe book several times.’

 

Lucian grabbed the pot with an impatient look on his face as he put Eileen’s worries behind him. The food he had prepared was tomato pasta and steak.

 

“So what’s this?”

 

“Tomato pasta and steak…”

 

Eileen was silent for a moment. It looked like a red bird’s nest and monster flesh from hell, but it was also a work of art.

 

‘I wonder if this is how my kids felt when they saw the first greenhouse I ever built?’

 

Lucian’s face crumpled into a grimace, as if he realized he was being miserable.

 

“I’m sorry, I’m out of practice. Let’s just eat something else. You might get an upset stomach if you eat this.”

 

Two precious hours had been wasted, and the appeal had failed miserably. Lucian felt like hiding in a rat hole.

 

Eileen, meanwhile, stifled a giggle at Lucian’s sullen expression. The visual of the food was a little disconcerting, but it was outweighed by her joy.

 

Eileen knew how busy he’d been, juggling festival preparations with his extracurricular activities, and it was adorable that he’d come up with a plan to cook for himself in the midst of all that exhaustion.

 

Eileen took a big bite of the tomato spaghetti as Lucian grimaced.

 

“No, it’s delicious,” she said, “and you thought of me and cooked it for me, so thank you.”

 

It was hard to call it delicious, but it was precious.

 

“You don’t have to force yourself to eat it!”

 

“I don’t have to.”

 

Together, they emptied the bowl of spaghetti. It was an inexperienced meal, but the laughter in the small kitchen was warming.

 

And it wasn’t until after she left that Lucian realized that Eileen had desperately left the steak untouched.