Chapter 7: Double Isekai

Chapter 7: Double Isekai

After receiving Raisa's invitation, I couldn't help but be dumbfounded.

What do visits between nobles even mean anyway?

I thought about it, and couldn't really come up with an answer. The only thing I knew for sure, was that it could not be today. There were still way too many things for me to sort out before I could do something like that.

I coughed a little hard.

"I... apologize, but could you give me some time to see when I am free? I will tell you tomorrow."

Raisa nodded.

"Haha, naturally. It would be a little difficult for both of us if you had to come so soon... though I would still make plans if you wished for it."

I nodded back awkwardly, but was still a bit confused by why it would be difficult if I came over soon. Thankfully, it seemed like my response was in line with things. Natan was practically elbowing me the entire time which was honestly pissing me off, but I just ignored it for now.

We finished our meal rather quickly, then spent the rest of the break just talking with one another. Something I offhandedly noticed was that the rich-looking people tended to sit together, while the poorer ones were more isolated.

Raisa then led us back to class, though it wasn't necessary. The class we had was an English class, but it was even more boring than math because the teacher was going over the basics of reading and writing.

Since this game was written in English, the language they used was also English so this class was basically just going over what was second nature to both me and Nathan. Perhaps I was worried a little too much about how difficult this school was going to be.

Though, I guess magic probably wouldn't have the same simplicity. At the very least, I could put most of my energy into learning that instead of the other classes.

As for the last class, it was... self-defense, I think?

This time, we were led to what looked kind of like a large gymnasium. From there, there were countless wooden weapons of many different kinds. However, for today we were just doing simple strength tests, seeing for how long we could run for the strength of our arms and other such things.

I was a little concerned for Nathan as he had injured himself, but he seemed to be fine. I found myself outperforming Nathan for the tests, but if he wasn't injured we probably would be very similar in strength.

As for the other people, I found myself very close to the top. Still, a few people were ahead of me. One of them being Raisa. I wasn't trying my hardest because it wasn't like I had to run for my life or anything, but they all seemed to like this was a life and death matter.

Once gym class was over, school was also finally over.

Now, I was supposed to have a meeting with Nathan, but I just realized I didn't think of any solution for getting back home. I finally got to leave the school, and both Natan and Raisa were next to me.

I was wondering how to find an excuse to get Raisa away so I could have a private meeting with Nathan, but that was when a voice called out.

"Lord Bryson? The carriage is ready."

A butler had walked up to me the moment that I had gotten there. It would be a little hard to meet up with anyone at this point...

I cleared my throat and tried my best not to speak nervously.

"Is it alright if a guest comes back with me?"

The butler looked back at me with confusion for a few moments. However, he then saw Raisa standing next to me and then put on an understanding expression.

"Ah, so long as their caretakers allow it."

Raisa looked a little excited. I then gave a nod and gestured toward Natan.

"Then please send someone to check on this person's mother. Also, please remember his location so that we can send him back."

The butler flinched. He looked back with confusion. After a few moments, he coughed rather violently.

"Um, where is his place of residence?"

I sweated a little. The reason I asked this was because I wanted the servants to find where Natan's house was so that he wouldn't have the trouble of getting back later. I flicked my hand as though I was offended.

"Is it not obvious? Even if you don't know where, one of you can find the place. For now, I will have him come over, while someone asks. If there truly is a problem, then he will be sent back right away."

The butler stared at me for a few more good seconds before giving a small bow.

"...If that is what you wish."

Raisa let out a displeased hum from behind me, but she seemed to be joking around.

"Why didn't you invite me? If someone is coming over anyway..."

I looked at her with a strange expression.

"Didn't you say that there would be problems if we met too soon?"

Raisa shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, it could still be arranged..." n-)O)(V).e)-L-(b.-1/(n

I gave her an awkward look before shaking my head.

"Let me just... think of a plan first, ok?"

Raisa pouted.

"Fine, fine."

She then left on her own carriage, while I began walking towards the one that my butler was going to with Nathan. That was when someone called out from behind us.

"Wait! What are you doing with Natan?"

I instantly recognized the voice. Chances are, I probably wouldn't be able to ever forget it. After Nathan and I turned around, we saw Minori.

For reference, she was in Class B. I complained about it while playing the game, but all things considered, it probably would've made things more awkward if she was in Class A. There were tears in her eyes as she pointed at me accusingly.

"Stop! Haven't you already done enough?"

My expression distorted. As for what it became, I couldn't tell you because there were too many emotions swirling in my head. As for Natan, he looked somewhat dumbfounded, at a loss as to what to do in this situation.

I heard several people in the distance muttering among themselves. It appeared that a new rumor was going to start, but I honestly didn't really care at this point.

"I... am simply inviting Natan over."

Minori balled her hands into fists and shook her head violently.

"No! That's not true! It can't be!"

I quickly realized anything that I would say probably wouldn't convince her. I looked at Natan, and from his expression, I knew he was thinking really hard. His brain was probably working on overdrive to think of a solution.

He then slowly walked a few steps up and gave a stiff smile.

"Don't worry about it, Minori. Just trust me on this ok?"

Minori looked a little hopeless.

"But... but..."

Natan waved dismissively.

"Bryson's not that bad, alright? Don't judge a book by its cover, you know?"

Minori was rendered speechless by his words. While she was still in shock, we used the opportunity to get away and into the carriage. It was rather regal, with red cloth covering the seats.

But... there was a small problem.

"Jess?"

Nathan couldn't help himself from exclaiming like that. After all, out of all the characters in 'Downfall From Grace' the one he focused all his attention on was her. Because she was sitting in one of the carriage seats.

Jess raised an eyebrow when she saw Natan. She didn't seem to be concerned over how he knew her name but instead turned to me with a slightly hostile expression.

"Why is he here?"

I cleared my throat in an attempt to hide my nervousness.

"I simply hope for him to come over for a period of time."

Jess stared me dead in the eye.

"As I said. Why?"

I felt my voice get stuck in my throat. After all, it's not like I could just say I wanted him to come over so we could plan our next actions for the sake of this shitty dating game so that everybody doesn't end up dying.

"It's because..."

Jess raised an eyebrow.

"Because?..."

Nathan cleared his throat.

"I actually asked him to. And in part, it was because I wished to meet with you."

Jess turned to Nathan and looked at him as though he was an animal.

"Seriously?"

Nathan hesitated for a split second but nodded intently. There was a big smile on his face, probably because he could talk with Jess.

"Yeah!"

Jess muttered something inaudible to herself before responding.

"Alright then."

From there, the carriage ride carried on awkwardly. Nathan opened his mouth a few times, clearly wanting to say something, but found himself unable to break the silence. He was shifting around his seat and even had a slight blush.

At some point, Jess broke the silence.

"So?"

Nathan practically jumped in his seat.

"Ah, yeah?"

Jess let out a small sigh.

"You said earlier you wished to meet with me. Is there business you have?"

Nathan coughed awkwardly, trying his best not to break down, but failing miserably.

"Ah, a meeting might've been too far, really I just wanted to bask in your afterglow... I mean, uh, be graced by your very pre-"

He stopped talking, realizing that he was just digging himself a bigger hole the more he talked.

"...Um, ignore all of that. I just wanted to see you."

Jess stared blankly back at him. I was quite surprised that she was able to keep a straight face the whole time. After a few moments, she closed her eyes and gave a small nod.

"Then you can get off of this carriage now. You have completed your objective, no?"

Nathan's expression froze on his face. In fact, I could vaguely see that he had become an ice sculpture as the smile that the previous smile he had on his face had frozen. It might've just been my imagination, but I also heard a cold wind blowing by.

"Ah..."

He slowly turned to the carriage window and took a diver's position. I realized that he had planned on directly yeeting himself out of the window because of emotional damage. In a panic, I grabbed him by the shoulder.

In his current state, he would probably just crack his skull open upon exiting. Although we had already died once, I doubted our luck would be so good that we transmigrated again. Plus, I didn't want to be left alone here, even if I could get Minori all to myself.

"Hey, hey, since he's already on the carriage he might as well stay for a little while."

Jess glared at me.

"The reason he came was to see me. That has already finished, so keeping him here is simply a waste of time."

I could feel Natan shiver. The interior of the carriage definitely wasn't cold, but I still felt a strange chill. He began muttering to himself.

"Waste... of time... waste..."

The corner of my lip twitched.

"I... I still wish to talk to him personally, so it's not a waste of time at all."

Jess clicked her tongue.

"Oh really? If you have something to talk about, then do it now. Taking him all the way back to our manor just to have him leave a few moments later? That is simply unneeded squandering of precious time."

Nathan shivered once more. I think his soul was coming out of his mouth.

"Unneeded... Squandering..."

Jess flicked her hair and put the final nail in the coffin.

"Besides, it looks like he agrees with me. Just look at him."

Nathan fell silent at this point, which gave me a bad feeling. I immediately wrapped both arms around his waist, while he suddenly lurched forth, slamming against the door of the carriage.

"JUST KILL ME! SOMEONE KILL ME! LIFE ISN'T WORTH LIVING ANYMORE! I WANT TO DIE! I WANT TO DIE!"

I desperately held him back, with sweat pouring down from my forehead.

"Shit! Calm down, Nathan! She... didn't mean it! Just calm down for now!"

Nathan, in fact, did not calm down. His continued slams against the door made it so that he broke open the carriage door. He flailed both his arms and legs as tears spilled down from his face.

"I'M A WASTE OF TIME. I'M USELESS, UNNEEDED. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

He seemed to want to transmigrate again. But I'm pretty sure that just doesn't happen in isekais.