Chapitre 24: Ritsuka and Jalena's (Topaz) relationship
Continuing where we left off...
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I leave my room with Fou on my shoulder and head towards the train room and see Stelle talking to Pom-Pom and Himeko drinking a cup of coffee.
Himeko: Oh? What happened to make you look like that, Ritsuka?
Himeko said this noticing my annoyed expression after receiving Herta's call.
Ritsuka:Grandma Herta called me asking me to return to the station and take care of some things since someone important is going to visit the place in a little while.
Himeko: "Grandma Herta". Hehe... I have to admit you and Herta must be pretty close for you to be able to call her that way without receiving any consequences.
Stelle: Who's visiting the space station?
Stelle said this and I notice Pom-Pom hiding behind her legs when he sees Fou on my shoulder.
💭Why is he afraid of Fou?
Fou: Fou...
(Special translation: So this is the special creature I sensed. Finally a worthy opponent our battle will be legendary!
Ritsuka: An important and renowned researcher named Screwllum. He is Herta's friend, so she doesn't want the station to get into too much trouble by interrupting their meeting. Besides the fact that someone I know who works at the IPC is at the station and Herta wants me to kick her out.
💭Herta wants me to kick out a member of the Stone Hearts... If any random person heard this they would think Herta had gone crazy.
I say this with a sigh as I mention Jalena.
Himeko: Kicking someone out of the IPC? Only Herta would be able to say that. I hope it won't be a big deal if the IPC is involved.
Ritsuka: Don't worry, this person who works at the IPC is a good friend of mine, so she won't be a big deal.
Stelle:"She"?
Stelle said, crossing her arms as she heard what I just said, and I felt her suspicious gaze on me.
Ritsuka: Do you have anything to say, Stelle?
Stelle: So you have a girlfriend who works at the IPC? It seems that no matter where you are, you always attract women. I bet you only have girls on your contact list.
Stelle said this, seeming very jealous, and Himeko let out a light laugh when she heard this.
Ritsuka: That's not true! I have a lot of contacts with men too!
Stelle: Prove it then!
Stelle said this, walking closer to me, waiting for me to show her my contacts, and I immediately broke out in a cold sweat when I realized the trap I had fallen into.
💭 Oh-oh. This is not good. If I show her my contacts, I don't want to imagine Stelle's reaction.
The reason for my fear of showing my contact list to Stelle is because I know that most of the contacts I have are girls and the only male contacts I have are Arlan, Aventurine, Dr Ratio, Screwllum and Sampo.
💭 It seems I have no choice. I'll have to use my secret technique. Nigerundayo!
Not wanting to push my luck against Stelle, I use my Emanator powers and teleport to escape.
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Space Station
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Arriving at the station, I walk towards the control zone to meet Asta. I send a message to Himeko informing her that I'm at the station and inform the group that I must be away for a few days to solve the station's problems.
I say this taking advantage of the opportunity that Fragmentum's activities are still blocking the train's path, giving me the perfect opportunity to do other things while our next stop has not yet been decided.
Arriving at the control zone, I meet Asta who has a nervous expression.
Asta: Ritsuka? Is that you?
Asta said, surprised to see me.
Ritsuka: It seems that as soon as I was away for a while, the station started to get agitated. In a way, that's to be expected since Screwllum is coming here.
Asta: I assume Madam Herta informed you of the situation?
Ritsuka: Yes, besides her saying that Jale-Topaz is here, right?
I say that almost saying Topaz's real name. She made me promise not to say her real name in public and that I can only call her "Jalena" when it's just the two of us alone.
Asta: Miss Topaz's arrival only agitated the rest of the researchers even more. There's so much to do in such a short amount of time.
Ritsuka: How long do we have until Screwllum arrives?
Asta: About an hour.
💭 An hour? I don't think I should be taking Jalena out of the station in that time.
Asta: I almost forgot to ask. Who's that cutie on your shoulder?
Fou: Fou! Kyuu~
(Special translation: Hello, Ritsuka's victim number 2.)
Asta said this while looking at Fou who was on my shoulder.
Ritsuka: This is my best friend and companion on my journeys. His name is Fou. He is a very special animal and he is part of my home world.
I say this while introducing Fou to Asta who smiles big and can't resist Fou's beauty.
Asta: He's adorable! I bet Peppy will love having another little friend at the station.
💭That is if Fou doesn't scare Peppy....
Ritsuka: Okay, I'll see what I can do. You take care of the preparations for Screwllum's arrival, I'll deal with Topaz. When I'm done, I'll meet up with you.
Asta: Yes sir.
With that, I walk towards the elevator and go to the floor where my office is located.
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Ritsuka's office.
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I enter my office expecting to be greeted by Jalena's presence, but the moment I open the door I am surprised by the outfit Jalena is wearing.
(Photo)
Jalena: Hey! Ritsuka! Long time no see!
💭 A bunny suit..... Hmm.... A formidable weapon. Unfortunately for her, I have already adapted to this weapon thanks to Artoria (lancer) and Scathach, so these tricks no longer have any effect on me.
Although I have to admit that Jalena looks very good wearing a bunny suit, if I wasn't used to seeing this suit I would certainly lose this battle against her.
💭 Her thighs are still quite thicc... Nice. I can only imagine the view from her rear.
Ritsuka: Good to see you again, Jalena.
I say this in a neutral tone and maintain my composure, not giving in to the temptation of the wonderful outfit that Jalena is wearing.
Jalena: Come on, there's a pretty girl in front of you, do you know what that means?
Jalena said this, holding my right arm, making me feel the sensation of two piles of hopes and dreams that she has in her body.
💭I know very well what this means, but I doubt that what I'm hoping for will happen without a price.
Ritsuka: I agree that you look great in this outfit, but why are you dressed like this instead of your work uniform?
Jalena: Well, when I got here you weren't there so I asked Madam Herta what happened, she told me that you were very tired from work and said that you needed something to cheer you up. So you can order me arround all you want.
💭 Of course that grandma would want to add more fuel to the fire.
Jalena said this imitating a shy girl, but I can see that this is just her act to make me fall into her trap.
Ritsuka: Anything? Then.... Can you buy me Astrite for Wuthering Waves? I really want to have this woman.
I say this while showing the photo of the character called "Changli" who is part of the gacha game I'm playing.
(Photo)
Jalena: Of course....you ca-hey! I'm already dressed like this, why are you even asking for that! You idiot!
Jalena said, blushing with embarrassment and I controlled myself so as not to end up laughing in her face.
Ritsuka: Okay. Jalena, you can change your clothes. It's pretty obvious that you didn't win this round.
I say this with a victorious smile and see Jalena pouting.
Jalena: How come that didn't work? I did my research and they said that this really charms men.
💭This research is correct, the difference is that I've adapted to it.
While Jalena is irritated to see that her plan didn't work, I see Numby running towards me and he jumps on me.
Ritsuka: Hehehe... Good to see you again, Numby.
I say this while holding Numby who is very happy to see me.
Numby: 🎵🎶
(A/N: I don't know how Numby sounds.)
Numby looks at Fou and Fou starts to stare at Numby, they stare at each other until it seems like they're greeting each other.
Jalena: Who is this adorable little thing?
Jalena said, staring at Fou, who seemed to be talking to Numby.
Ritsuka: His name is Fou, he's my best friend and he's part of my home world.
Jalena: Your home world? You don't talk much about your home.
Ritsuka: It's because I didn't have much to say, besides the fact that I had no way of getting in touch with them.
I said this with a serious expression and Jalena stopped mumbling to herself.
Jalena: Do you have it now?
Ritsuka: I did, but it was only for a moment. Anyway. Wouldn't it be better if you changed your clothes?
I said this, taking one last look at Jalena's outfit, etching this vision into my memory so I wouldn't forget it. I still kept my expression neutral so as not to give suspicion.
Jalena: Tch! It seems I really lost this round.
Ritsuka: You have to be more creative if you want to catch me by surprise.
Jalena: You may be good at masking your reactions, but I'll be able to catch you off guard.
Jalena said this as she headed towards my bathroom to change her clothes and I let out a sigh of relief.
Ritsuka: That was close. If she had stayed for a while longer, I wouldn't have been able to hold back my honesty.
Fou: Fou...
(Special Translation: Another victim of females who fell into his trap. Until when will Ritsuka understand that the more females he hunts, the more complicated and worse his situation will be?)
I look at Fou and see him shaking his head as if he were disappointed.
Ritsuka: Hey! Don't look at me like that. I'm innocent in all this.
Normally Jalena is a person who prioritizes the professionalism of her work above all else, but after our first meeting, Jalena slowly started acting much more "casual" in my presence.
That's because I'm unable to lie about what I'm thinking thanks to the torture I received from Kyohime who really wanted me to be unable to lie. Her plan worked, but the consequences were beyond what she expected.
Because I'm now unable to lie, any time I'm interacting with a girl, it's hard for me not to be honest about what I'm thinking.
That's why the moment I met Jalena, I ended up being very honest with her.
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Flashback
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It was my first month at the space station and I was having a lot of trouble adapting to the place I ended up being transported to.
In addition, I was getting used to some things about me having recently become the Emanator of Equilibrium among other factors.
Asta noticed that I was pushing myself too hard to the point that I didn't get a night's sleep to rest.
Realizing this when the day came for Jalena to come to the station to collect Herta's bill, Asta asked Jalena to do her a favor.
The favor she asked for was to help me handle my tasks, Jalena accepted and that ended up leading to our first meeting.
Topaz: You are Ritsuka Fujimaru, right? The assistant director that Madam Herta personally hired?
Ritsuka: That's my name...
At the time our meeting happened, I was so exhausted that I couldn't deal with what was going on around me very much.
Topaz: Nice to meet you in person, Mr. Fujimaru. My name is Topaz. I am a specialist in the investment department and a member of the IPC. Lady Asta asked me to help you with certain aspects of your work.
It was at that moment that I finally noticed Jalena's presence and the only thing that caught my attention was...
Her thighs.
Ritsuka:Wow. Thicc.
Due to my tiredness and indisposition, I ended up saying the only thing that came to my mind, since my eyes automatically went to her thighs.
Normally, I would receive an insult if any girl heard this, but since the victim was Jalena, the circumstances are different.
Jalena receives several compliments from her coworkers and superiors, in addition to receiving insults and slander from the dissatisfied residents of the planets she visits.
It doesn't matter if the compliments were false or not, she never became arrogant because of this, after all, what was important to her was to maintain her professionalism and climb the rankings. The moment Jalena heard my comment, she certainly didn't know how to react.
And because she was in a completely unexpected situation and outside of the element she is used to, Jalena ends up doing something that no professional like her would do in a situation like this.
Topaz: Uh. "Wow Thicc" was referring to my legs? Are my thigh that thick? Take a better look. If you don't think before you speak, you could end up being targeted by the IPC.
She said this to me, turning around and showing me her butt to me, and I took it as a challenge and was more bold with my words.
(Photo)
Ritsuka:Wow, you have four butts!
I said these words, leaving Jalena completely red with embarrassment, and it was at this moment that she could no longer maintain her mask of professionalism.
Topaz: Four butts? What the hell are you trying to say?!
Ritsuka: It seems that you are unaware of the formidable weapons you have. You said that you are a member of the IPC, correct? Then why do your superiors allow you to work wearing that daring uniform?!
It was at this point that the stress of work got to my head and my reason and sanity disappeared, and what was left was what happens when Stella meets trash cans.
Topaz: W-What?! Well, you should know that this uniform is in line with the company's dress code!
Ritsuka: So does that mean you use the beauty of your legs to collect fees from your victims more easily? I have to admit that it's an impressive strategy coming from the IPC. I can't take my eyes off the wonderful sight in front of me.
I say this with my elbows touching my desk and placing my hands on my chin; if I were wearing glasses, the lenses would probably be shining.
(Photo)
Topaz: I don't use that kind of strategy! And stop looking at my legs!
Jalena said this trying to cover her legs, which proved to be impossible.
Ritsuka: You're just proving my point by doing that position.
Topaz: Shut up, pervert!
Ritsuka: Am I a pervert for stating the obvious? I'm not the person who walks around with a uniform stuck to my body and showing the side of my legs for the entire universe to see.
Topaz: I already told you! That's part of the rules!
Topaz said this completely losing the composure expected from someone as high-ranking as she is.
It was from then on that because of my "brutal honesty" that Jalena and I became close since apparently I'm the only person who can talk to her without reservations.
Besides her wanting to make a bet that she will be able to leave me unprepared in the same way that I did to her when we first met.
That's why Jalena is trying to make me feel embarrassed when she almost manages to do it.
There's also the fact that after Jalena tasted my food, she ended up becoming addicted to the food and this only increased the way she acts around me.
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End of flashback
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After a while, Jalena came out of the bathroom dressed in her work uniform.
Jalena: Hmm? I thought you would have already made the food while I was changing clothes.
Jalena said this as she saw me sitting at my desk reading some reports of complaints from some researchers about the safety and some areas of the station that were having problems and needed maintenance.
Ritsuka: I'm not your personal chef, Jalena. Besides, I have to be present when someone important visits.
Jalena: It's the researcher called Screwllum, isn't it? I heard Lady Asta mentioning his name.
Ritsuka: That's right. And as the assistant director, I have to be present when he visits and get you out of the station.
I say this telling the truth to Jalena's face, who is surprised to hear what I just said.
Jalena: What?! Are you going to kick me out of here?
Ritsuka: You and I both know that the researchers aren't big fans of the IPC and that your presence here is a bit of a turn-off.
Jalena: Hmpf. I'm just doing my job. I don't care about other people's opinions.
Ritsuka: So you're not going out on your own?
Jalena: No. Unless you're going to make my favorite meal. Then I'll think about it.
She said this with the smile she uses to do business and I let out a sigh seeing that I can't waste my time with her.
Ritsuka: Whatever you want, but I'll only do it after the visit. Herta will be annoyed but I can deal with that grandma's tantrums.
Jalena: I'll never stop being amazed at the way you treat Madam Herta so casually.
Ritsuka: When you spend your life around people with big egos you gain a certain tolerance for them.
I say this as I get up from my desk and head towards the door of my office.
Jalena: Ah! I have one more thing to ask you, Ritsuka.
Ritsuka: Tell me.
Jalena: Before I got here at the station, I realized that one of the planets that borrowed money from the IPC was saved by the members of the Astral Express. This specific planet is one that has been in debt to us for a long time and the company disregarded collecting this debt since at the time the planet was considered destroyed, but it seems that they managed to survive.
Jalena said this while maintaining her professional smile and I just stood with my arms crossed looking at her.
💭So the Belabog deal that Sampo mentioned is a loan that they took from the IPC. Damn! This situation will definitely get complicated in the future.
Jalena: I was thinking about this case during my trip here and I was surprised to learn that you, Ritsuka, are a Nameless now. And on the day you became a Trailblazer, a few days later Jarilo-VI starts sounding signals beyond the stars again.
Jalena said this walking towards me with her hands on her waist looking into my eyes.
Ritsuka: What are you trying to get at, Jalena?
Jalena: We both know how I do my job and you know my opinion on planets that need help and certainly Jarilo-VI is in need of urgent help. I want to know which side you will be on if I decide to go there.
Jalena said this, waiting for my answer.
💭If she's saying this to me, she's certainly trying to make sure that I won't interfere with her plans. I know the consequences that can happen if Jalena fails the mission and I know how important it is to maintain the ranking she's at now and I don't want to destroy her efforts. Hmmm... it's a complicated situation. Unless if I...
At that moment a crazy idea pops into my head that if I use my cards the right way I can ensure that Jalena doesn't lose her ranking position.
Ritsuka: An interesting question, Jalena, but you forgot an important detail. I don't need to choose a side to play if I have the option of following both.
I say this with a smile on my face, making Jalena raise an eyebrow.
Jalena: You're being selfish, Ritsuka. You can't choose both sides.
Ritsuka: That's where you're wrong. I'm a selfish person, Jalena. I'm willing to make this bet that at the end of all this we'll both come out on top.
I say this with a confident smile and I approach Jalena and place my hand on her chin, gently holding it, making our faces very close and I see her trying to maintain her composure, but I can see that her face is getting red.
Ritsuka: And I'm sure I'll win this gamble.
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A/N:I hope I did a good job of showing the close relationship between Ritsuka and Topaz, as well as the influence that Aventurine has on Ritsuka, which will be very important in the future.
I decided on what the story will be like before the next planet visit. After Ruan Mei's Quest, it will be Topaz's Quest. The reason I did this is because certain very important things will happen in Ruan Mei's quest that will be relevant to Topaz's quest.
As always, criticism or suggestions on how this story is going are very welcome.
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