A Rider Doesn't Need a Youth Romantic Comedy [7]

About ten seconds later, Princess Syalis emerged from the laboratory.

Aside from the huge pair of scissors she originally carried, she now held a wing covered with glossy black feathers.

That’s right: the kind and gracious Princess Syalis had generously left the foolish researchers one wing.

After all, one wing’s worth of feathers was enough to fill a pillow.

“I’m going back.”

Princess Syalis eagerly put away her scissors, clearly impatient to return and make her pillow.

“Alright, see you later.”

Standing by the lab entrance, Rōma waved with a smile at Princess Syalis.

Aside from her incomprehensible obsession with sleep, Syalis was essentially just a mischievous kid.

In fact, as one of the few "otherworldly guests" who didn’t require extra effort to contain, Princess Syalis was actually quite popular within the organization.

That’s right, Princess Syalis wasn't from this world.

At some point, visitors from other worlds had gradually started appearing here.

Some, like Princess Syalis, were harmless—but others were dangerous.

For example, the recently contained parasite from the series "Parasyte."

That fully matured parasite had been rushed straight to the lab the moment it was captured.

When communication proved impossible, a group of fanatical researchers immediately dissected it.

Otherworldly visitors who proved harmless—like Syalis—were generally allowed to live within the institute.

A few, after completing training with Mobile Task Force Alpha-9, were allowed to assist in minor field operations, accompanied closely by trusted task force members.

That was Chaldea’s current approach to visitors from other worlds.

“How cruel… Why did you let that monster inside?!”

Looking utterly defeated, Dr. Jane stumbled out of the lab, her face etched with despair.

She really had tried to resist, but in the end, that little monster had chopped off a wing anyway.

Such a perfect specimen, too. And Rōma had even intentionally avoided damaging the wings this time…

Yet it still ended up like this…

Thinking about it made Dr. Jane even more depressed.

Watching the heartbroken Dr. Jane, Rōma roughly guessed what she was thinking.

He didn’t have the heart to tell her that the real reason he’d been careful with the wings was because Princess Syalis had explicitly requested it. It had absolutely nothing to do with helping this unkempt, crazy scientist.

“Well, I’m heading back now.”

This time, Rōma quickly made his escape.

He was still supposed to be a good student, after all. Lingering outside after school wasn’t exactly ideal.

Ignoring the grieving Dr. Jane, Rōma bolted away at lightning speed.

If he stuck around, he’d definitely be forced into making a mission report.

Better to leave that boring work to the team leader.

Makoto Rōma, model student, had homework to do.

Returning home, he casually tossed the takeout curry onto the dining table.

Although he lived alone, Rōma had never developed the master-chef cooking skills that many light-novel protagonists seemed to possess—skills good enough to impress countless heroines.

At most, he could cook reasonably well.

Honestly, Rōma rarely cooked—not because he hated cooking, but because he hated shopping and haggling at the market.

But if someone prepared ingredients for him, he wouldn’t mind cooking at all.

“By the way, did I forget something?”

As he changed out of his school uniform, Rōma suddenly felt like he’d forgotten something important.

It definitely felt like something crucial, but…

Well, if he’d forgotten it, it probably wasn’t that important, right?

Turning on the TV, Rōma began eating his curry as he watched the evening news.

He had zero intention of doing his homework tonight.

...

The next day, Rōma finally remembered what he’d forgotten.

“So, everyone—have you chosen your clubs yet?!”

Slamming her palm down on the podium, Hiratsuka Shizuka sternly questioned the class, her sharp eyes frequently settling on the usual suspects who planned to go straight home after school.

“Ah, damn. I forgot.”

Scratching his head awkwardly, Rōma’s expression twisted into mild discomfort.

He genuinely hadn’t remembered. To him, joining a club was completely unnecessary.

Compared to any ordinary club activity, his extracurricular work at Chaldea was infinitely richer.

“Hey, Sakamoto, have you joined a club yet?”

Rōma lightly poked Sakamoto, whispering quietly. Thanks to Hiratsuka’s speech, the class was becoming noisy, so Rōma’s whisper didn’t stand out.

“Of course. You already asked me this before, remember?”

Pushing up his glasses slightly, Sakamoto answered as if it was obvious.

Thinking about it, a popular guy like Sakamoto obviously would have been invited by at least one club.

“Which club is it? Can I join too?”

Hearing Sakamoto’s reply, Rōma felt greatly relieved.

He really didn’t want to be forced into joining some weird club against his will.

If it was a club Sakamoto had joined, it must be fairly laid-back.

“It’s called the Literature Club, but we barely do anything.”

“It shouldn’t be a problem to let you join, but I’ll have to talk to Hayabusa first.”

After briefly considering it, Sakamoto replied.

This particular club had been formed by Hayabusa’s group, mainly as a refuge from teachers like Hiratsuka who constantly pressured students into joining clubs.

Initially just a small group, it gradually grew larger over time.

Thanks to some of its members having good relations with the student council, the club existed quite comfortably without being bothered.

“Perfect! It’s decided, then.”

After hearing the details, Rōma immediately finalized his decision.

This club sounded absolutely perfect.

Sakamoto merely smiled faintly without comment.

“All right, everyone, quiet down now.”

“If you want to chat, do it after class.”

Clapping her hands, Hiratsuka raised her voice, and the students immediately quieted down.

Seeing this, Hiratsuka nodded in satisfaction and picked up her prepared lesson notes, beginning the day’s lesson.

...

In another time and place…

“Old man, I’m going to find Jolyne.”

In a chilly, stark hospital room, a young-looking man dressed in a purple overcoat spoke calmly to the old man on the hospital bed.

“Are you sure it’ll be okay, Jotaro?”

The elderly man struggled to sit up, but the younger man gently pressed him back down.

The old man’s body had been getting weaker by the day, nearing its absolute limit.

“It’s fine.”

The younger man—Kujo Jotaro—spoke firmly.

He radiated a natural confidence, as if nothing in the world could trouble him.

“I’ll be going now. I’ll be back soon.”

Saying that, Jotaro turned and walked away without hesitation.

From his bed, Joseph Joestar stared worriedly at Jotaro’s departing figure.

Throughout all their past battles, Jotaro had never once been defeated.

Yet, for some reason, this time Joseph felt an overwhelming dread—that perhaps, Jotaro would never return.

Powerless, Joseph lay back on his bed, gazing emptily at the ceiling.

When you grow old, you inevitably reminisce.

In his dazed vision, Joseph saw his comrades from days long past.

Polnareff, Avdol, Kakyoin, Iggy…

And Caesar.

A Stand always responds to its user’s will.

For some unknown reason, this phrase suddenly echoed in Joseph’s mind.

And silently, deep within him, an idea began quietly taking root.

---

This is a fan translation of 骑士不需要青春恋爱物语 by 青琮 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!