Episode 161

It started simply enough.

I received a reminder email from Professor Stranov:

A follow-up note stressed:

The professor’s words were absolute. Though I had initially planned to attend alone, this request left me no choice but to distribute invitations.

First, I approached my father, asking if he could accompany me as my guardian, given that I’m still a minor. He shook his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement that day.”

“I understand. Nothing can be done about it.”

“Why not ask Rejane?”

“Would Mother really go with me?”

“You won’t know unless you try.”

That was all he said. After some thought, I decided to approach Ceti first, reasoning that if my sister agreed, our mother might follow.

“Why should I go?”

“It’s a wedding. We should offer our congratulations.”

“But I don’t even know them. How can I congratulate strangers?”

“By next year, they won’t be strangers anymore.”

“Time is money. If you want to congratulate them, do it on my behalf.”

That’s when we were interrupted.

“What’s this? What’s going on?”

Rustila entered the room, joining our conversation. Her cheeks were flushed as if she’d just washed her face with hot water, giving her a thoroughly heated appearance.

“Oh, my brother’s acquaintance is getting married.”

“A wedding? Who is it?”

“Professor Feynman.”

“Oh! I know them!”

“…Wait a minute.”

Ceti, who had been muttering the name “Feynman” repeatedly, suddenly frowned.

“Isn’t that the person who would hug you and cry every chance he got?”

“Bingo.”

“No wonder the name felt familiar!”

Ceti grabbed the back of her neck. Though they’d never spoken directly, she knew of them. Once the Graviton Bomb research began, their paths would cross more frequently.

Why?

Because Ceti would become the major shareholder of their lab.

“So you do know them?”

“This is driving me crazy.”

“You’re going, right? Think of it as expanding your network, rookie.”

“Oh, can I come too? Would that be alright?”

“Well, Rustila did co-write a paper with the professor. It would be polite to attend.”

Rustila’s intuition proved invaluable during the Ether Belt restoration simulation research. That’s when she and Professor Feynman first connected.

Blood may be thicker than water, but the ink of a thesis binds tighter than blood - a true academic bond.

She had no choice but to go!

“With Aidel… at a wedding venue…”

“Oh, I can’t deal with this.”

And so, an entertaining trio was formed - or rather, a quartet since Sonia would definitely join us.

“Where’s the venue?”

“I just sent you the address.”

Ceti looked troubled, sighing deeply before leaving. She returned shortly after with Rejane.

“Brother’s going to the wedding venue.”

“And?”

“Sister Rustila and I are going too.”

“So?”

“Mother, please come with us.”

“…Why?”

“Because you’re our mom.”

Mom - a word heavy with implications.

They needed her because they were minors, and hey, there’d be good food. Plus, she could handle the wedding gift - after all, it would cost more if three minors paid separately.

“I really don’t need to go…”

“Oh, Mom, please!”

Ceti employed her dragging strategy, not wanting to be the only one pulled into this situation.

And that’s how Rejane got kidnapped.

As soon as the second semester ended, we flew to the wedding venue in mother’s private spaceship.

I decided to bring Ire along - the thought of our protagonist sitting alone in her shabby room while we enjoyed ourselves at the venue tugged at my heartstrings.

“Wow.”

Ire was clearly dazzled by the luxurious buffet. Her reaction pleased me like watching a daughter with a big head wonder.

“Where’s Zelnya?”

“She said she’s busy.”

Rustila sighed with evident relief.

“Student?”

“Professor? Professor!”

Professor Feynman suddenly appeared arms spread wide for an embrace. We hugged warmly, startling Ceti, who stood nearby.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Professor!”

I introduced my group and offered my congratulations. Mother wore a bright smile, contributing to the harmonious atmosphere.

“Please give a wonderful speech today.”

“Of course. I’ll do a splendid job in the family’s name.”

Afterward, I met with the host and carefully reviewed the speech script one last time. Time passed quickly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.”

The host announced into the microphone.

The wedding ceremony began.

“Here comes the bride!”

Bang!

Fireworks exploded as a woman in pure white appeared, holding a man’s hand. The woman was unmistakably Professor Kallis Stranov, and beside her stood her father, Bell Stranov - Professor Feynman’s soon-to-be father-in-law and head of Megacorp ‘Stronium’. He had provided most of the funding for this wedding, and this was my first time seeing him in person.

Professor Stranov looked more radiant than ever. Though already known for her beauty, her wedding makeup would captivate any man.

“The groom enters!”

Professor Feynman pushed through the main doors and glided confidently down the red carpet. When the couple’s eyes met, the groom appeared slightly nervous as he stopped before his bride. She gracefully took his shoulder and linked their arms, bringing tears to her father’s eyes.

“Next, we’ll hear a congratulatory message from Aidel von Reinhardt, son of the distinguished Reinhardt family and a supernova in the federation’s physics community.”

“Ahem!”

I cleared my throat and began.

“It’s truly a wonderful day. The birds are chirping, and the flowers are blooming…”

This was Ire’s first time witnessing such a scene, and her eyes darted everywhere, trying to take it all in.

Having been born and raised on a backward frontier planet, her body had endured endless torment from the Outer Gods. But this - a wedding, a grand reception hall - seemed almost too extravagant to comprehend.

Even the food was overwhelming. She had survived on basic sustenance: artificial meat jerky, calorie bars, and nutrient-packed capsules. But these luxurious dishes before her…

“It’s delicious. So delicious…”

She barely held back tears. When the bride and groom linked arms, though, her emotions overflowed with indescribable joy.

The couple was stunning - a handsome groom beside his beautiful bride. For Ire, who had always felt wary of men, it was revelatory to see a woman so genuinely happy with a man by her side.

“It feels like a dream that my two mentors are getting married. May a brilliant light shine on your future. May the Saint and the Constellation bless you both. Here’s to groundbreaking research and a long, happy life together. That’s all.”

As Aidel returned to his seat, Ire felt relieved. He was the only person at their table she felt comfortable talking to.

“Bride and groom! Show your guests the proof of your love!”

“Kiss! Kiss!”

Ire flushed with embarrassment. Here? In public?

Before Professor Feynman could hesitate, Professor Stranov captured her husband’s lips in a passionate kiss that lasted over a minute. Ire covered her eyes but couldn’t resist peeking through her fingers.

“Oh, save the rest for the hotel!”

“Ha ha ha!”

Ceti giggled.

“The bride looks a lot like Rustila, doesn’t she? The same blonde hair and blue eyes. When she wears her hair up, they could be twins. What a lovely show.”

The words seemed deliberately pointed. Rustila shuddered, a broken gasp escaping her lips.

Seeing Rustila’s reaction, the previously dazed Rejane smiled.

“The future of Federation physics is bright. Bright indeed. Ahhh…”

When Aidel returned to the table, tears streaming down his face, Rejane’s expression hardened instantly. Ire noticed this, quickly deducing that Rejane feared Aidel.

“There you are.”

A deep voice interrupted. Ire turned to find Bell Stranov, the corporate giant’s leader, extending his hand to Aidel.

“Meeting the Federation’s hero.”

“Please, sir, you’re making me blush.”

Ire understood the weight of being called a Federation hero - it wasn’t a title given lightly. Coming from Stranov herself, it spoke volumes about his respect for Aidel.

Rejane rose to her feet, her posture stiff and rigid.

“And you are?”

“I’m the mother of the children here.”

“Ah, madam.”

Bell extended his hand to Rejane for a handshake.

“You have a remarkable child. Thanks to them, my daughter is overjoyed. You’ll surely be blessed for raising such a child.”

“…Thank you.”

Rejane managed, forcing a smile. Ire knew that Rejane wasn’t Aidel’s biological mother, which likely made this interaction particularly uncomfortable for her.

Just then, Bell turned his attention elsewhere.

“You must be Ceti von Reinhardt, correct?”

“Pardon?” Ceti looked up from her phone, startled by the sudden address.

“Your name has been making waves in the stock market lately.”

Bell’s interest was picked by Ceti as well.

“You’re renowned for never taking a loss on your trades. Some even call you the queen of securities. Did you know that?”

“No?”

“Countless people would pay handsomely to see your portfolio. Everyone’s desperate for you to share your secrets.”

“I have no intention of making it public.”

“You certainly know how to accumulate wealth. Indeed - a pie tastes sweetest when enjoyed alone.”

Bell Stranov’s gaze held something beyond mere curiosity as he studied Ceti, seeing glimpses of genius in her. His was the look of someone who recognized potential profit.

Turning back to Rejane, he remarked.

“You have a daughter with quite a talent for commerce.”

Rejane’s shoulders tensed noticeably - a stark contrast to Aidel’s earlier reaction.

After Bell’s departure, Rejane whispered something to Ceti. Thanks to her Constellation-enhanced senses, Ire could catch their hushed exchange about maintaining good relations with that man.

Suddenly, the host’s energetic voice cut through the air:

“Ladies! Please gather around! The bride is about to throw the bouquet!”