Chapter 37 - Passing through the Night

12.30.1205

Rean and Towa made their way across the restaurant, before deciding which table to sit at.

Before Rean could go and get them some food, Towa stopped him to ask him a question that had been in the back of her head since they arrived at the restaurant.

"Rean, how much did this cost?" Towa nervously asked.

When Rean told her about his plan to take her out somewhere nice, she didn't expect him to take her somewhere this nice.

"Haha. I've been saving my mira for a while now, but seeing you here makes it all worth it." Rean answered. He had promised himself not to let Towa know just how much of a hole this date was making in his wallet.

Rean recalled stumbling upon an ad for a new restaurant in Heimdallr back in April. The restaurant had a fairly unique way of ordering food, as in you didn't. It was a buffet where upon paying an entrance fee you'd be free to put all the food they had on display on your plate until you were stuffed. Of course, the entrance fee was beyond absurd, as the restaurant did need to make a profit after all.

Towa wasn't satisfied with his answer, but decided to look past the cost until tomorrow.

"Alright then, anything you saw on the way that caught your attention?" Rean asked.

"I'll have you know that I can go pick out my own food. Thank you very much." Towa answered.

"Suit yourself. I'll be back in a minute, you keep watch over our stuff." Rean responded as he placed his coat on his chair.

"Take all the time you need." Towa advised as she took off her coat and placed her purse on the table.

Towa watched as Rean made his way to the main area to pick out his food. Despite the fact that she was supposed to watch their belongings, she made an effort to track him as moved around the main area.


Rex carefully entered the restaurant. Once inside, he tried scanning the area to see if he could spot his next paycheck. Almost instantly, he spotted them filling up their plate.

"Rean Schwarzer, you've wronged me in the past, but tonight you're going to be my meal ticket." Rex told himself as he got in line to pay the entrance fee.

Even though he still hadn't graduated from Thors yet, Rex had managed to land an internship for a local newspaper. While his morals were below average, his photography skills more than made up for that. He had even been promised that if he could land an exclusive during the holiday break then he'd be promoted to a paid position. Luckily, he had received a tip earlier that day. Word on the street in Heimdallr was that the Ashen Chevalier was taking his girlfriend out for dinner at the city's newest gathering spot.

That would've been enough to entice any journalist into entering the restaurant for a chance to get the scoop. The identity of the Ashen Chevalier's girlfriend had become the source of gossip in the tabloids and newspapers. Due to the national hero's many close relationships with female friends no one was able to confirm who he was dating. After careful speculation the press had honed in on five likely suspects. The heiress of the Reinford Company: Alisa Reinford, the daughter of the Radiant Blademaster: Laura S. Arseid, the mysterious girl of unknown origins: Emma Millstein. the up and coming Bracer: Fie Claussell, and the sister of the Debaucherous Prince: Princess Alfin Reise Arnor.

Rex however had another motive: revenge. It was Rean who helped bring his side hustle to a close during their first year at Thors. Ever since then, he kept a close eye on the Ashen Chevalier, ready to snap a photo to use as blackmail at any moment.

"A table for one my good sir." Rex ordered once he got to the counter.

"I regret to inform you that tonight is a couples night. We're only letting in lovers at the moment. Do come back tomorrow." the cashier said.

Rex felt his plan crumble before him as he saw Rean making his way back to his table. He couldn't see where he had gone, much less who he was with.
"Then good thing he's not alone!" a woman announced as she placed her arm around Rex's shoulder.

"Vivi!?" Rex exclaimed once he got a good look at the person joining him.

"Sorry I'm late dear. You know how much I enjoy being fashionably late." Vivi boldly lied.

"Well, as long as you show up, then it's okay." Rex responded in an attempt to play along.

With that, Rex paid for their entrance fees and the two looked for a table to spy on Rean.

"What in the world are you doing here?" Rex asked as he sat down.

"I got the same tip. You do realize just how much money we could make from this right?" Vivi answered.

"We? I already spent a fortune to get us both inside." Rex commented.

"Rex, look over there someone's making their way to the main area!" Vivi shouted as she pointed towards someone from the same area Rean disappeared to.

"Alright…" Rex said to himself as he readied his camera.

They were both disappointed once they saw that it was just their former Student Council President.

"Damn it, false alarm." Rex commented as put down.

"I guess those internships she took paid really well." Vivi muttered to herself.

"I suppose Schwarzer's girl got her food earlier." Rex concluded.

"Wait, you don't think that maybe Rean's dating Towa do you?" Vivi asked.

"Schwarzer and Herschel? Considering she's competing with Reinford, Arseid, Millstein, Claussell, and Arnor, I doubt it." Rex responded.


Towa felt out of place in the restaurant. She could feel the other customers staring at her as picked out her food. She couldn't really blame them, as everyone but her and Rean were wearing expensive looking attire. Meanwhile, her and Rean looked like they just put on whatever clean clothes they found in their closet. Which they did.

Towa felt guilty about "suggesting" to Rean that he should stay in Heimdallr for the rest of his holiday break. She felt even worse about not having arranged a proper spot in her family's home for him. Due to the limited space and not wanting to use her family member's room while they were away, Rean had been sleeping in her bed with her since he'd arrived. While she enjoyed having him there, she also worried that Rean was uncomfortable due to how small the bed was. They practically had to hug the whole night so neither of them would fall off.

Towa started hearing some of the other customers start whispering amongst themselves. As she walked around to put more food on her plate, she was able to piece together that word of the Ashen Chevalier being in attendance was spreading.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Rean's becoming popular. I just hope this doesn't become a problem going forward." Towa thought to herself as she made her way back to her table.

Towa nearly dropped her plate once she saw the chaos happening around Rean. It was nearly impossible to see him in the sea of girls who had flocked over to their table while she was off getting her food.


Rean had no idea how this mess started. All he was just sitting by himself as he waited for Towa to return. He didn't dare touch his food until she was there to eat alongside him. That's when the first warning strike hit.

"E-Excuse me… You wouldn't happen to be the Ashen Chevalier would you?" a woman nervously asked.

"Huh? Oh, yes that's me." Rean replied. He had no idea where she came from.

"I-I was wondering if I could get your autograph?" the woman continued.

"Sure, but I don't have a pen on me." Rean explained. This wasn't the first time he'd been asked for an autograph, but normally those were in more casual environments like when he went on an errand while Towa stayed to look after the store. Although he was a little annoyed this time, seeing as we wanted to spend time with his girlfriend.

"Oh I have one!" another woman announced as she approached the table.

"Where did that lady come from?" Rean thought to himself.

Rean started to question if his sixth sense was starting to become unreliable.

"So, where's the paper you want me to sign?" Rean asked.

"Paper? Oh no, I wanted you to sign my arm." the first woman revealed as she rolled up her sleeve.

"Um…" Rean responded.
"Oh, after her can you sign my arm?" the second woman asked as she rolled up her sleeve.

Rean suddenly sensed a stampede making its way towards him. He was soon bombarded by requests for autographs and photos by multiple women.

"Is that really the Ashen Chevalier!? Sign my cast!" one girl screamed.

"Not until I take a photo with him to post on the web!" another girl shouted.

"Will you sign my baby!?" someone else shouted.

It was starting to become a bit too much for Rean.

"I need to do something about this before my food gets cold. I paid good money to be here with Towa, so I'm not going to leave here without enjoying myself with her." Rean thought to himself.


"Rex, are you taking photos of this!?" Vivi yelled.

"Yup, we just hit the jackpot! Ashen Chevalier? More like Ashen uh… I'll let whoever's in charge of the headlines come up with something." Rex replied as he took multiple photos.

From the looks of things, it seemed as if Rean had accidentally invited multiple women out on the same day.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the Class VII girls and Princess Alfin are in the front row." Rex joked.

"Wait, we should probably get a witness testimony. Excuse me miss!" Vivi said as she approached the nearest bystander.

"What is it?" Towa responded. She did her best to hide her growing frustration at the sight in front of her.

"Oh hey Towa, long time no see. What are your thoughts about the chaotic sight in front of you? It sure seems like Rean's good looks are finally causing him some trouble." Vivi asked.

"Huh? Oh uh… Yeah. I'm sure his girlfriend is going to give him quite the scolding later." Towa answered.

"Oh my, did I hear you correctly? Girlfriend as in singular. We assumed these were all his lady friends. So you know who his main- I mean only squeez is?" Vivi asked.

"P-Perhaps…" Towa replied. She wasn't sure for how much longer she could last before accidentally revealing that she was Rean's girlfriend.

"Well? C'mon spill the beans. I'm sure you have lots of dirt on your former underling." Rex asked Towa as he took a picture of her and Vivi.

"W-Well I suppose I do know a lot about Rean…" Towa replied.


Luckily, before Towa could out herself, Rean made an announcement that caught everyone by surprise.

"Everyone take a few steps back!" Rean yelled as he raised his fist in the air.

It didn't take long before his adoring audience realized what he was going to do and moved back to give him the space he needed.

"Heed my call… Valimar the Ashen Knight!" Rean yelled as a flash of light filled the area.

Valimar soon appeared before everyone, with Rean out of sight.

"Valimar, you know what to do!" Rean yelled from (presumably) inside Valimar.

"Acknowledged. If you wish to get the Rean's signature then go to Mater Park. We'll be waiting there." Valimar announced before another flash of light filled the area.

"T-They're gone!?" one of the fangirls said.

"T-They said they were going to Mater Park!" another fangirl shouted before they bolted for the doors.


Towa watched as all the women that were ganging up on Rean stormed outside to meet with him, even Rex and Vivi followed them. She soon made her way to her table, and to her surprise, all their things were still there.

"I suppose I'll ask for a bag to place Rean's food inside before I go." Towa said to herself as she placed her plate on the table next to Rean.

"That won't be necessary." Rean announced as he got up from under the table.

"R-Rea- '' Towa shouted before he covered her mouth to stop any potential more fangirls from popping up.

"Haha. Did you really think I'd leave you here to eat alone?" Rean teased as he helped Towa sit down.

"What happened to you being at Mater Park with all your fans?" Towa angrily asked.

"T-That was just something me and Valimar came up with in case we ever got bombarded by the press. I suppose it came in handy with those fangirls." Rean answered as he took his seat.

The two began eating their meals silently. Neither were really sure how to ignore what had just happened. The two soon finished their first plates at the same time, but weren't exactly in the mood for another plate.

"I think we should go." Towa bluntly requested.

"Sure thing." Rean responded as he left a tip for the staff. At this point his wallet was completely empty.


The pair held hands as they walked silently through the streets. Towa made sure to hold a firm grip on Rean's hand in case they needed to make a mad dash to her home.

Not wanting the rest of the night to be silent, they both started thinking of ways to apologize before entering Towa's family's store.

"I-I'm so sorry!" both shouted to each other.

"W-Wait, why are you apologizing!?" both responded.

"Y-You spent only Aidios knows how much money that restaurant, but we barely ate anything." Towa elaborated.

"B-But I ruined the mood by not doing anything to diffuse the situation with those fangirls sooner. We both didn't feel comfortable after that." Rean explained.

"R-Rean that wasn't your fault. I'm sorry if I made it seem like I was mad at you for that, I'm only mad at all of them for ruining our date." Towa replied.

"Still, I should've known that it wouldn't be a good idea to be out in public so soon." Rean commented.

"R-Rean… It's okay if you're ashamed to show me around publicly. I-I'll gladly wait in the store while you go enjoy-" Towa responded before getting interrupted by Rean.

Rean never wanted to hear Towa speak like that again. He was proud to call her his girlfriend. If things weren't so complicated with him being the Ashen Chevalier, he'd proudly carry her around the entire continent and tell every citizen that she was the love of his life. But he couldn't declare his relationship to her outside of their circle of friends and family without it becoming a media storm. He didn't want to badger her and her family with constant unwanted attention because of him. Even if he couldn't do it publicly, he was determined to spend every waking moment he could reminding her that he loved her with every fiber of his being.

"Towa… Please, I couldn't be happier being your boyfriend." Rean assured her before bending over to kiss her then and there in front of everyone in Vesta Street.

"R-Rean, people might have c-cameras." Towa said as she reluctantly pulled away from him.

"And? Even if it's on some shoddy tabloid, I might as well make it clear to the people of the Empire who my heart belongs to." Rean replied before Towa used his shirt to pull him down and continued their kiss.


Rex and Vivi angrily walked through the streets of Heimdallr. The situation with Mater Park was a bust.

"Can't believe we stayed there a whole hour listening to that Divine Knight talk about the weather!" Rex complained.

"Even worse, I don't even think Rean was inside." Vivi added on.

The duo soon made their way right outside Vesta Street, where they were met with a surprising side.

"Gross, it's just two perverts making out in the middle of the street." Rean ranted.

"That smaller one sure is grabby. Hey wait, is that Towa!?" Vivi shouted.

Luckily for them, it seems as if their former Student Council President was more focused on making out with her unknown lover than anything going on besides them.

"Rex, aren't you going to take any pictures?" Vivi asked.

"Eh, who cares about Herschel's love life." Rex answered as he walked away. He was hoping he could make it back to the restaurant and get a refund.

"I suppose you have a point. I'm guessing she started dating a coworker or something." Vivi replied as she followed Rex.


"D-Did you hear something?" Rean asked as he tried catching his breath.

"Yeah, you. Less talking, and more smooching!" Towa ordered as she led him inside her family's store and locked the front door.


Author's Note

Sorry for this chapter being late, I got distracted with other projects.

Oh and yes, all those fangirls did ditch their dates for a shot at Rean.

Thank you all for the kind reviews! To answer Mike AZ 2's question: Yes Altina remembers nothing about the Black Workshop, but I figured that she still knew of it via Rufus. So in this scenario, I figured that she probably saw it as where to return too once she had no orders.

Preview - "First things first, here you go, Rean. It's your graduation present." Towa announced as she handed him a small wrapped box.