Chapter 163: Alter
[June 3rd, evening.]
[The wind and rain gradually eased, steam rising around.]
[Tonight, you and Marie Alter had carried out all sorts of mischievous deeds.]
[You secretly swapped Gilles de Rais' "Prelati's Spellbook" with Tristan's "Yuki-onna 2".]
[You tried to prank Ashwatthama from the India class—who is notoriously hot-tempered—but accidentally caught Arjuna Alter passing by, causing his pants to fall.]
[You lay down right in the middle of the path Nightingale had to pass, pretending to be dead, and your antics went too far, making her chase you two across three city blocks—almost getting you killed.]
[After escaping, you and Marie Alter burst into unrestrained laughter.]
[With Alter's twisted and mischievous nature, once she truly indulges in wrongdoing, it probably wouldn't stop at just pranks like these.]
[But when she's with you, she really only seems like an adorable mischievous girl playing harmless tricks.]
...
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,"
In the Academy City plaza, Eikou and Marie Alter sat on the wide stone steps, people bustling past around them.
Both were soaked from head to toe, clothes disheveled, hair messy, panting like they had just escaped death, then plopped down onto the steps laughing like children.
Out of courtesy, Eikou, naturally, couldn't let a lady sit straight on the steps, so he removed his coat and spread it on the ground in a flamboyant gesture to make space, which Marie Alter happily accepted with delight.
"Alright,"
Eikou brushed back his wet hair, summarizing what had just happened,
"Now we know—don't casually provoke Miss Nightingale even for a joke."
"Wasn't dropping the pants of the Lostbelt King the most dangerous part?" Marie Alter leaned in, propping an elbow on his shoulder, smiling wickedly as she teased him.
"It's fine. If someone investigates, I'll just say it was you — Madam Student Council President — who instigated me."
Eikou blinked and grinned,
"I hope we can still play like this next time, because honestly, I've always wanted to do these kinds of pranks with the Servants."
"Fun, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
The damp, gentle night breeze swept through the city buildings, carrying their rain-soaked laughter up into the dark sky.
Eikou and Marie Alter sat quietly on the stone steps, watching the flow of people weaving together like a moving tapestry. The puddle at their feet reflected bright neon lights, and in each reflection of their faces was a smile full of joy and anticipation.
Marie Alter blinked her golden eyes, her long thick lashes wet from the rain,
"Mochizuki Eikou," she looked at him with interest, "why are you always like a child?"
Eikou snapped his fingers, baring his teeth in a grin: "Of course it's to preserve this purity."
"Purity?"
"Umu, as long as I keep a child's heart, I won't confuse right and wrong. I'll remember my original intentions, remember the teachings of my parents, so I can become a younger and brighter person."
"Not afraid people will call you childish?"
"Whatever. That's my secret to staying happy."
"Hehehe, in other words, you're just a slow‑to‑grow kid inside. No wonder you're still a virgin." Marie Alter laughed, then squeezed his arm.
"I suddenly prefer you in the cute sweet girl style, please switch back."
"Don't you feel closer to a girl who's a bit mischievous?" Marie Alter leaned against his warm chest, speaking in a coy tone, "But now I'm tired… I just want to find a quiet place to rest a bit…"
"Is that so? How about we go get a massage together?" Eikou suggested.
"That sounds nice… but I want somewhere quieter…"
Eikou smiled: "Then let's go look for one. I'll stay with you."
Marie Alter froze slightly, lifting her head to look at him with puzzlement: "You're serious?"
"What else?"
Eikou answered seriously:
"It's only seven in the evening; our date is far from over. Besides, I feel like you've been acting a bit strange ever since the movie ended… it makes me worried. Right now I should stay with you."
His hand gently rested on hers, holding that cold white backhand.
Without any hidden thoughts — he simply wanted to comfort her sensitive and lonely heart.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"..."
Marie Alter bit her lip lightly, a little moved.
He clearly knows he might get completely "eaten alive," but he still can't help wanting to stay with her? Instead of thinking for himself, he cares more about her feelings?
Sigh… so empathetic he's almost saintly—definitely the type who gets bullied easily.
Bad at rejecting others… he'll suffer a lot in the future…
Good thing Eikou met someone like her. If he met some lonely widows instead, wouldn't such a pure boy get "eaten down to the bone"?
Marie Alter smiled gently, wiping rain off his face.
"Oh dear, you're being so gentle I almost can't bring myself to strike. Then let's go have dinner, and end the date here, alright?"
She spoke in a very soft voice.
…Lies.
If she were her younger self, she probably would've really stopped here, and certainly wouldn't take advantage of Eikou's kindness.
But unfortunately… she's a bad girl now (Alter).
Marie Alter's goal for the date had never changed — to seduce Eikou and find a way to "eat" him.
Not only that, but Eikou's kindness stirred all sorts of bold "ideas" in her. Later, once they confirmed their relationship, she could even take advantage of his soft heart — no matter how unreasonable the request, he'd nod. And then she could turn any moment… into an "cream‑eating" moment, maybe…?
"Haa…"
Marie Alter's smile looked calm, but her rose‑colored lips unconsciously let out a soft breath, sweet as honey.
Eikou didn't notice at all; he simply looked at her drenched, delicate figure and said: "Then let's get changed into dry clothes first, okay?"
"Can't we just go like this? Clearly we're already a pair of delinquents."
"Of course not…" Eikou shook his head, "there's a time and place for everything — when we go eat, we still need to look presentable."
Following his gaze, Marie Alter lowered her head to look at herself. Her dress had been soaked completely, faintly revealing smooth, seductive skin beneath, the wet fabric clinging tightly to her, outlining the youthful yet alluring curves of a young maiden.
"Oh~ I see..."
She flashed an adorable smile and poked his slightly reddened cheek.
"You're worried the restaurant staff will see your girlfriend like this, right? Sorry, I almost forgot you have a really strong possessive streak."
"No I'm not! Just go change!" Eikou said, face red.
"Alright then, Mochizuki 'Super Possessive' Eikou‑kun."
Just as Eikou was about to retort that this wasn't possessiveness at all, Marie Alter suddenly leaned in and planted a firm kiss on his cheek.