Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 184 (Part 2):

“Ha, got the prize money and won! Feels freaking great!”

Asuka shouted, chugging a beer. The makeup removed, his expression was strikingly different.

On the third floor of the academy cafeteria, with a prime view of the fireworks, they had secured a good spot. The swordsmanship department guys had reserved it.

Sian, next to him, wrinkled his nose as he downed his beer, his face showing pleasure.

“Spent all day in makeup, but it was worth it. Helmut, what did you do during the day?”

“Saw a puppet show.”

“Really? I wanted to see that too. Heard it was a proper horror show. Scary, they said.”

Sian’s eyes lit up.

“It was decent, not scary…”

Helmut hesitated as if recalling something.

“Scary, huh?”

Quick-witted Sian asked casually.

“Why, was the girl next to you trembling and clinging to you?”

“Maybe.”

Helmut’s casual throwaway answer didn’t reveal anything. About that girl he had been with earlier, he kept his lips sealed perfectly.

Just then, the person in question appeared.

“Here you were.”

The moment she appeared, it seemed as though dozens of lights brightened the dim area. It was Alea, dressed in a white robe.

Asuka and Sian realized intensely upon seeing her. If Alea had participated in the cross-dressing contest, she would have been declared the winner the moment she stepped on stage.

As usual, ignoring Sian and Asuka, she spoke calmly to Helmut.

“Did you enjoy the festival?”

“Yeah, I did.”

She had come back to check on them, reminded by the upcoming fireworks. There was also something she wanted to confirm.

Though she looked normal, Alea’s heart was racing.

Asuka bluntly asked,

“Have you been holed up all day today too? Why live life so boringly? Helmut even went on a date with some mysterious girl.”

“Date?”

Alea asked casually as she sat down next to Helmut’s empty chair. Helmut immediately denied,

“It wasn’t like that.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Besides… it’s starting.”

Alea pointed towards the sky. She felt the magic in the air.

The fireworks began with a loud sound, illuminating the sky with brilliant colors.

Asuka and Sian also exclaimed as they watched the display. The level of the fireworks, meticulously crafted by the magic department, was beyond impressive.

“Wow, look at that! It’s shaped like a flower!”

“What’s that? Damn, isn’t that our dean?”

“It’s so detailed! And that’s a duel, right? Two people with swords facing off!”

“The movements are so accurate! Wow! That’s a light spirit.”

“Someone must have been inspired by you.”

The image of a light spirit cheekily flitting about was perfectly realized in the night sky.

It was a display that would be worthy of an imperial festival. As always, it seemed they had unnecessarily poured talent into it.

While everyone was engrossed in the fireworks, Alea sneaked a glance at Helmut, hoping against hope.

The same distance as before. But now, they were together in a different way.

Helmut’s gaze shifted from the sky. Their eyes met.

“…Hey.”

Alea hesitated, swallowing the words she wanted to say. Being in front of Helmut made her hold back, just as when she was a girl.

“About that girl you were with earlier…”

Before she could say more, Helmut interrupted.

“Ah, a stranger. Just walked together for a bit. Is there a problem?”

His tone was casual. Not a trace of disturbance showed in his dark eyes.

‘So, he didn’t notice.’

A mix of slight disappointment and relief escaped her. Immediately after, Alea internally burst with frustration.

‘So dense. Can’t you see the face, almost the same! Good vision yet doesn’t recognize?’

Most would at least suspect a familial connection if not question Alea’s gender known at the academy.

But Helmut’s sense of aesthetics was doubtful. He had been indifferent even when he first saw Alea.

So it wouldn’t be surprising if his face recognition was poor.

Alea stifled an inexplicable anger. It wasn’t something to argue about.

“It’s nothing.”

If he didn’t know, that was it. Alea forced a smile.

As Helmut stared intently at Alea’s face for a moment, he turned his gaze back to the fireworks-lit sky. Alea did the same.

The last night of the festival deepened. Helmut frowned slightly as he watched the sky.

‘Cross-dressing…’

It seemed like a good decision to pretend not to know since he hadn’t intended to dress that way.

Seeing how Alea had come back to check, only one question remained.

‘What’s Alea’s real hair color?’

That was all he wondered. He couldn’t ask, but he was curious. Helmut casually postponed resolving his curiosity.

‘Someday, I’ll find out.’

Alea had missed a few facts.

First, Helmut had never introduced himself to her today by name. Yet when Alea called him by name when she was a girl, he had naturally responded.

‘Alea’s also quite careless.’

He thought.

Second, Helmut doesn’t casually call anyone a friend, not even in jest. Even Asuka had struggled to be acknowledged in that regard.

Who was truly clueless would eventually come to light.

Ultimately, Helmut and Alea’s relationship returned almost to square one after the festival day.

Except now, whenever they met, there was a slight hesitation and awkwardness.

But this subtle atmosphere was quickly buried as natural as they had been roommates for a long time.

The following week, Helmut bought lunch that had been postponed due to Instructor Alan, and they often spent holidays together.

Time flew in their stagnant relationship.

Otaku_Tensei

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