New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Beneath the Surface

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Oh, splendid! You have done it, Leon!” (Duncan)

“I thank you very much.” (Leon)

Upon informing him of my successful passing of the entrance examination, Duncan-ojisan took my hand and shook it vigorously. He appeared to be even more delighted than I was. As I had been instructed to come to the branch office once the results were announced, I proceeded there directly from the university.

“Well then, we shall have a celebration this evening. Nicola.” (Duncan)

“Yes, sir. I shall dispatch a messenger to your residence. We shall also inform the branch manager and the chairman of the association.” (Nicola)

“Indeed. I must send an express letter to Chairman Nii-san and Vice-Chairman Nee-san. Leon, might I trouble you for one copy each of your certificate of acceptance and your first examination results?” (Duncan)

“Yes, of course.” (Leon)

Is he sending them to Emilia? Well, they are necessary for the scholarship application, I suppose. It is of no consequence as I obtained three copies of each. I present the respective documents.

“Good, then I shall compose the letters, Nicola.” (Duncan)

“It is somewhat difficult to say this, Branch Manager, but your next appointment will be arriving shortly.” (Nicola)

“Ahhh, is that so?” (Duncan)

“I shall prepare a draft for you.” (Nicola)

“Hmm, I leave it to you. Since we are sending them together, Leon, it would be best if you also wrote a letter.” (Duncan)

“Yes, you are quite right. I shall write one.” (Leon)

If I do not send one, regardless of what Tou-sama might think, Kaa-sama is likely to become quite displeased.

“Well then, you may write it here. My, my. I never doubted you would pass, but I am truly overjoyed. Adele will surely be delighted as well.” (Duncan)

Yes, that is likely. Though Lotte-san’s reaction may be somewhat more ambiguous.

“And also, Leon. I must ask you to remain in the royal capital for a few more days. Right then. Nicola, I leave it to you.” (Duncan)

“Yes, sir.” (Nicola)

I had been considering returning home tomorrow. I shall simply inform the household by letter. That should present no issue.

“Very well, we shall see you at our house this evening.” (Duncan)

With that, Oji-san departed from his office.

“Please use this stationery, Leon-san. Allow me to offer my congratulations once more.” (Nicola)

“Thank you very much. It seems the work of a secretary is quite demanding.” (Leon)

“Hahaha. Not at all, I assure you. Oh dear, I have yet to bring your tea. Please wait a moment.” (Nicola)

I sat upon the sofa and contemplated the contents of my letter.

But why must I extend my stay in the royal capital? Could it be that he wishes for me to do some sightseeing? No, in any case, I will be residing in the royal capital for several years beginning in October. I wonder what it could be. Well, I shall inquire about it later.

Nevertheless, to think I ranked seventh overall in the first examination. That is rather excessive for someone such as myself. Although I was disparaged by the interviewers, the fact that I managed to avoid falling further, despite my poor performance in history and national literature, is entirely thanks to Biegel-sensei.

I must properly express my gratitude to Emilia when I return. That is right. I should purchase souvenirs here in the royal capital. I wonder what would be suitable. Perhaps I should consult Adele-san. I must also purchase gifts for my elder brothers and my sister-in-law.

Ah, but first, the letter. I must write the letter.

 

—

 

“Congratulations! Leon-chan!” (Adele)

“Well, um…” (Leon)

I had finished writing the letter and arrived at Oji-san’s house.

When I announced my success, Adele-san embraced me.

Wow. She smells rather nice. And there is something soft against my chest.

“Onee-chan, you are clinging far too much.” (Lotte)

“Am I?” (Adele)

“You are causing Leon-kun discomfort.” (Lotte)

I am not experiencing discomfort.

“Is it not fine? Lotte. How stingy of you.” (Adele)

“It is not stinginess! Students at the training school are considered the same as company members! You yourself always say that anything which could be misconstrued as romantic interaction between men and women is strictly forbidden. I said let go of him!” (Lotte)

But did you not say previously that if one were to date someone, it should be a Salomea university student?

“Mouuu. We are at home, is it not fine? Leon-chan and we are cousins.” (Adele)

Lotte-san pulled at her, and Adele-san released me.

“It is not fine. Huff, huff, cousins can marry, you know. First of all, we are not related by blood.” (Lotte)

“Is that not a good thing?” (Adele)

“Really, Onee-chan is… Congratulations, Leon-kun. But do not let it go to your head.” (Lotte)

“Ah. Thank you very much. Both of you.” (Leon)

“Well then, that settles it, Leon-chan will also live here with us.” (Adele)

“Onee-chan, that is precisely why it is impossible.” (Lotte)

“Oh, Onee-chans. Please do not fight.” (Yohan)

He looks worried.

“We are not, we are not. We are merely teasing one another. I shall embrace Yohan as well.” (Adele)

“Uhyahya. That tickles.” (Yohan)

“Now then. There is a matter I wished to discuss.” (Leon)

“A matter? What could it be? Do you also wish to become my little brother, Leon-chan?” (Adele)

Somehow, it feels as though that is already effectively the case.

Yohan-kun was laughing, being tickled.

“That is out of the question. Leon-kun. Do not let Onee-chan get carried away. Please state your business quickly.” (Lotte)

“Yes. I wish to purchase souvenirs for the people in Emilia, but I found myself wondering what might be suitable. Might you be able to advise me?” (Leon)

“Ah, souvenirs.” (Adele)

“How unexpectedly dutiful of you.” (Lotte)

Ah? Lotte-san.

“And so, who are the recipients? A woman? The fact that you are asking us implies it is a woman, does it not? Someone you fancy? A lover?” (Adele)

“Ah, no.” (Leon)

“Onee-chan!” (Lotte)

“Ah, no. Among those for whom I am purchasing gifts, there is indeed a young woman, but she is my sister-in-law.” (Leon)

“What a bore. So, it is primarily for men. Asking us about such things will not yield useful answers. First of all, the company deals in clothing as well, and everyone has rich sensibilities. It is quite difficult.” (Lotte)

“That is true, I suppose.” (Adele)

Adele-san is visibly losing interest.

“Yohan, what do you think would be good?” (Leon)

“Toys!” (Yohan)

“Toys, I see. That is right, they sell souvenirs from the opera company, you know. Things like printed portraits of the actresses. They bear a striking resemblance.” (Lotte)

My sister-in-law would likely be pleased.

“There is also someone who is not from the company.” (Leon)

“And that is?” (Lotte)

“A teacher who was very kind and devoted in helping me prepare for university entrance.” (Leon)

“Someone to whom you are indebted…” (Adele)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Ah, I have an idea!” (Lotte)

“What might it be, Lotte-san?” (Leon)

“Would it not be best to simply ask Secretary Nicola?” (Lotte)

Ah, indeed. She seems knowledgeable about various aspects of the royal capital. That is a splendid idea.

“That will not do!” (Adele)

“Eh?” (Leon)

“Why not? Onee-chan!” (Lotte)

“Do you not understand?” (Adele)

“I do not understand! Why?” (Lotte)

“Well, you see. If it were merely a souvenir for a casual acquaintance, then that would be perfectly acceptable. I am certain he would recommend something safe and appropriate.” (Adele)

“Then, is it not fine?” (Lotte)

“Haaa. You are still such a child. Do you believe that teacher would be truly pleased with that?” (Adele)

“Ugh. How could I possibly know that?” (Lotte)

“If this teacher was so very helpful to you, Leon-chan, then you must choose something with all your heart! The sentiment is what brings joy, more than the object itself. No matter what it may be.” (Adele)

Ooh.

“Or so the director of the opera company always says, anyway.” (Adele)

“Adele-san. Thank you very much. I shall endeavor to choose carefully.” (Leon)

“Yes. That is my little brother for you!” (Adele)

“What? Onee-chan?” (Yohan)

“Ahahaha. I was not referring to you, Yohan.” (Adele)

 

—

 

The day after the celebration was held for me. I engaged in something akin to sightseeing, riding the horse-drawn railway and wandering through the eastern district of the royal capital, where I purchased several souvenir items.

When I returned to the dormitory, I received a message from the superintendent instructing me to go to the branch office. Wondering what it could be, I proceeded to the branch office, where Uncle Duncan met with me immediately.

“Ah, my apologies for summoning you so abruptly. Please, have a seat.” (Duncan)

He indicated the sofa.

I wonder what this is about.

I sat down opposite Oji-san.

“Now then, regarding the matter of asking you to remain in the royal capital, it concerns the scholarship.” (Duncan)

“Eh?” (Leon)

So that was the reason.

“This is rather sudden, and I apologize, but I need you to go here tomorrow for an interview.” (Duncan)

He handed me a sheet of high-quality, thick paper. It was folded in two.

“Scholarship Review Notification?” (Leon)

The lettering was embossed in gold leaf.

“Lachesis… Foundation.” (Leon)

That was written towards the bottom. It appeared to be an organization that provides private scholarships.

I took it and opened it.

—

To Mr. Leon.

We have recently received a scholarship application to our foundation on your behalf and will be conducting a review. You are therefore requested to please attend at the following date, time, and location.

—

Ah, so they sent the certificate of acceptance here.

The date is indeed tomorrow, at 10 o’clock in the morning. The location is North District, East 6. However, it also states that I am to ride in a carriage dispatched by the foundation.

“Well. Ah, it is a most gracious offer, but…” (Leon)

Even if Oji-san decided this on his own authority…

“Indeed. Look at this as well. It is a letter from Nii-san.” (Duncan)

“Ah, yes.” (Leon)

It is Tou-sama’s handwriting. Let me see.

I skimmed past the seemingly unrelated sentences, searching for the main point. There it was.

—

If Leon passes, promptly send the enclosed document to the Lachesis Foundation, whose details are recorded below. However, you are not to inform Leon until a response is received from the foundation. Furthermore, upon receipt of this letter, you are to send a reply to the main office confirming this.

—

No matter how one reads this, it resembles not so much a request from Tou-sama to Oji-san, but rather an order from the chairman to a branch manager, that is to say, a command from a superior to a subordinate.

What is the meaning of this? The date is from ten days ago. That was when I was still in the town of Emilia.

“I understand that it is Tou-sama’s instruction. But what exactly is the…” (Leon)

“Well now. I do not fully comprehend it myself. But in any case, please go.” (Duncan)

“I understand.” (Leon)

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)