Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 64 (Part 2):

“What will you have?”

“I’m not sure.”

Helmut pondered, looking at the menu with its dazzling array of food pictures. This place was extraordinary. Coming in, he noticed that the customers were either women or couples. So, the sight of just the two men was unusual.

“Then I’ll just order something.”

When Alea rang the bell on the table, a waitress hurried over.

“Oh, Mr Alea. It’s been a while since you visited. It’s the first time you’ve come with someone?”

With a full, coquettish smile, the waitress looked back and forth between Helmut and Alea.

“Oh, it’s true what they say, like attracts like. You’ve chosen a friend well. How can two such handsome people be together?”

“He’s from the swordsmanship department. Stop the nonsense and take our order, will you?”

Alea replied familiarly, pointing at the menu to place her order. It wasn’t just one or two items. The waitress grinned, took the order, and disappeared. Soon, a feast was laid out before them.

“This is on the house!”

The waitress left a plate with two slices of crepe cake and vanished. Helmut gulped down a juice mixed with two kinds of fruits. It was neither too sweet nor too bland, just refreshingly tasty. The accompanying scone was also good. While Helmut enjoyed the scone with a generous spread of strawberry jam, Alea devoured the spinach frittata, hamburg, and even the complimentary crepe as if possessed.

Helmut knew something about Alea. She only ate once a day. It was too bothersome to take care of every meal at the academy, and she thought it unnecessary to spend so much time just to consume nutrients for survival. Helmut found her even more extreme in this aspect. Only after filling up a bit did Alea ask.

“How’s the food?”

“Delicious.”

It was his first time trying a scone. The freshly baked scone was crispy and savory. Topped with homemade strawberry jam from the restaurant, it melted deliciously on his tongue. The food here looked and tasted different from his usual meals, but it was undeniably delicious. Even Helmut, who was indifferent to money, hesitated to come again due to the high prices.

“Of course.”

Alea continued with a triumphant look.

“Besides, you’re quite something, being born on January 1st.”

“I wasn’t born today.”

“What?”

To say he wasn’t born on his birthday sounded like a joke. Seeing Alea’s puzzled look, Helmut added an explanation.

“I don’t know my birthday, so it’s today.”

“Oh, I see.”

Struggling to find words, Alea wasn’t usually at a loss like this. Not just unusual, but peculiar, and even that seemed an understatement to describe him. And his past seemed extraordinary. Not knowing his own birthday? She knew he was raised by his grandfather, but even if his parents had passed away, shouldn’t he know the day he was born?

“Anyway, happy birthday.”

In the end, Alea decided to just wish him a happy birthday. It was a phrase she hardly ever used, sounding awkward even to her own ears. What was she congratulating him for? After a moment, Helmut realized she was wishing him a happy birthday.

“Ah, thanks.”

An awkward silence fell. Curiosity getting the better of him, Helmut asked.

“Why are you buying me this?”

“It’s your birthday.”

“Yeah it is my birthday, but why are you…”

The previous tutor who told him not to act like he knew her. Ethan Kudrow had a reason as a guardian, but Alea had said it as if they were breaking off relations, and they were nothing to each other. If anything, they couldn’t even be called ‘friends,’ just ‘acquaintances.’ Alea struggled to find an answer.

“…I guess I just wanted to.”

Impulsively, Alea felt uneasy. Why had she brought him here and was with him? She couldn’t explain it herself. Maybe her mind was a bit clouded by hunger.

Just then, someone approached them. Since their entrance had drawn attention, the current approach allowed them at least the luxury of finishing their meal. The sound of a dress brushing the floor was heard. Light footsteps. A girl. Or rather, a young lady.

“Excuse me, Mr. Alea. How do you do?”

Again Alea? Helmut finished his scone without looking over, thinking the voice sounded familiar.

“Who?”

The cold response seemed to surprise the other party, who then widened her eyes in shock.

“Oh my, Mr. Alea! It’s me, Xenia! From the recent trip to Baden with the Zahringen group…”

Only then did Helmut look up. He recognized the name. It seemed Xenia didn’t recognize him. He had been in disguise then. But whether he was disguised or not didn’t matter. Xenia’s gaze passed over him as if he didn’t exist, fixated on Alea as if enchanted.

“Oh, yes.”

Alea finally showed a sign of recognition, though it seemed obvious she had known all along. It’s not like she would forget someone in such a short time.

“I’ve been so sad not to hear from you, but I’m glad to see you like this!”

Xenia approached shyly, her cheeks blushing. Alea’s expression turned icy.

“Excuse me, but why?”

Alea was being as polite as possible, considering she had joined the Zahringen group and comfortably made her way to Baden. Despite her reputation for a nasty temper, she was somewhat less harsh depending on the person.

“I just happened to see you and wanted to say hello. May I sit?”

It seemed Xenia had quickly forgotten her previous rejection due to being “engaged”. With her attempting to take a seat, Alea stood up. There was still some food left, but her appetite had vanished.

“No, I’m quite busy.”

With a slight bow, Alea turned and left, clearly avoiding the situation. Xenia’s face paled as her smile faded. Alea stopped abruptly.

“What are you doing?”

The words meant to follow her. Helmut, who had just finished his juice, also stood up. Leaving behind a tearful Xenia, they headed towards the cafe’s entrance where Alea had just finished paying.

“This is why I hate going out.”

Alea grumbled, pulling her hood back up. The dark green hood covered her sparkling silver hair completely, but it didn’t seem to hide much.

As they stepped out of the cafe, people’s attention immediately turned to Alea. It wasn’t so much that they saw her as their gaze was drawn the moment she appeared. It was a natural yet strange reaction.

Otaku_Tensei

I'm currently Translating the following novel: Helmut: The Forsaken Child. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•