Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: See You Later (2)
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Why are Yoru and Ariel arguing?
I glance back and forth between them in bewilderment.
They don't seem to care that I'm right here beside them.
It means they're completely focused on their argument, just the two of them.
"I just want to say goodbye to Kline. That's all. I have no other personal feelings about it."
"Liar."
"Sigh. From the start, I have no desire to pick a fight with you, his little sister. Can't you just cut me some slack?"
"That might not be a lie, but still no."
I try to piece together the context from what they're saying.
So, Yoru came here to meet me.
Ariel found out for some reason and came to block her.
Now Yoru's trying to persuade Ariel to leave?
Something like that.
'Hmm......'
No, anyone looking at this would say Ariel's the one in the wrong, right?
I'm not particularly taking Yoru's side, but no matter how I look at it, Yoru hasn't done anything wrong.
On the contrary, she's rationally appealing that she doesn't want to ruin things with Ariel.
Alright, then. What should I do in this situation?
Arguments between girls aren't something a guy can easily butt into.
If I clumsily intervene, I could end up catching flak from both of them at once.
That's how fierce a women's battle of wills can be.
"Hold on a sec."
I step between them anyway, ignoring it all.
A battle of wills? I don't care. It's scarier if they end up on bad terms over something like that.
I don't want my precious little sister Ariel, or Yoru whom I've grown close to so quickly, to hate each other.
If you're going to hate someone, hate me instead. Don't fight with each other.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but calm down. Someone from the family might see."
"Ah, Kline."
"......Oppa."
Yoru immediately turns to me with a slight smile and a greeting.
Ariel, on the other hand, glares at me with a blank expression.
This alone shows the difference in their responses.
I don't want to badmouth Ariel, but their maturity levels are worlds apart.
"It's nothing much. I just asked Ariel to step back for a moment. I need to say goodbye to Kline."
"No way. You're just saying that, but you plan to steal Oppa away."
"Goodness. No matter what I say, she won't listen. Kline, could you talk to her? Please?"
Hmm.
I know taking sides in a situation like this could provoke a bad reaction from the other one.
But I can't just ignore it either.
Even I can see Yoru's in the right here.
"Ariel."
"Yeah."
"Don't do that. I get some idea of why......"
I place my hand on Ariel's head.
Not to ruffle her fluffy hair like before.
This is more like a gentle reprimand from an adult.
"Yoru is a precious person to me. You can't act in a way that troubles her."
"But she'll cause trouble for Oppa."
"Ariel. Your actions right now are the ones troubling me."
"......"
Those words must have been the finishing blow.
Ariel crumples like a folding fan and hangs her head.
Her face is still expressionless.
But somehow, I could tell.
She's sulking.
"......Yeah. Got it."
With that, Ariel turns around.
She trudges back to the mansion, head still down.
My little sister didn't do anything dramatic.
No arguing or rebelling against me, no crying or clinging.
She just accepted my words and left.
But that very action hinted that Ariel was sulking.
"Sigh. Is it my fault, Kline?"
"No."
But there's no helping it.
In this moment, siding with Yoru is right, and Ariel needs to get used to it.
That her big brother won't always take her side unconditionally.
She'd realize it eventually anyway, so better now than later.
"Thanks for saying that. Hmm...... What should I start with? Now that things have turned out like this, I suddenly have nothing to say."
"Then let me go first. Congrats on your tournament win. Taking down an older opponent in just fifteen exchanges? Incredible talent."
"You think so? Ahaha! Right? I was pretty great."
Praise her a bit, and her energy bounces right back.
Shaking with a beaming smile—she's awfully cute.
Yeah. This is the charm of talking with Yoru.
"But! It's downright outrageous. Kline. You beat an even older opponent in just four exchanges!"
"Ah, you noticed? I tried hyping you up indirectly. Thanks for calling me out instead of falling for it."
"And you brazenly admit it and even thank me! Really, I'm worried about taking you as my disciple."
"Don't say that. I truly appreciate you. Without your advice and guidance, it wouldn't have been an easy win."
"Really? Not just empty words? You're not pretending to praise me to praise yourself?"
"Of course not. 'Read your opponent's mind. Sense the flow and spot the weakness.' That was gold. I'd love to learn more next time."
"Ahaha. Next time too?"
Yoru bursts into giggles at my words.
But for some reason, I get a strange feeling.
I know she's genuinely laughing, clearly delighted and having fun.
Yet somehow—it felt like my words had stirred a huge ripple in her heart.
No evidence. Just a hunch.
"Alright then. I should give you this. Good thing I brought it just in case."
Yoru rummages in her bosom at my words.
A small pouch emerges from her Aonia traditional attire.
She pulls out a red candy from inside.
"What's that?"
"Candy. Really delicious. I absolutely wanted you to have it, Kline."
"Feels more like you just wanted to feed it to me, not because it's delicious."
"Ahaha! That obvious?"
Yoru giggles and places her hand over mine.
So soft.
Warmer than Ariel's, cooler than mine—a girl's hand.
"If possible, please take it. I won't push. I have no right to burden you like that."
"Should I eat it?"
"Yes. If possible. I'd love for you to have one sometime when you think of me. Who knows? Something really, really fun might happen."
"No need to be so cautious. Just tell me to eat it right here."
"I can't do that."
Yoru smiles faintly.
For some reason, it felt like a sad smile.
"I don't want to burden you, Kline. So please, forget it and eat it whenever you remember. That's enough for me."
"Hmm. Alright?"
"Yes. So now— Whoa!"
Yoru lets out an uncharacteristically subdued squeak.
Her flailing hand swipes at empty air.
It couldn't be helped.
I'd just popped the candy she'd given me straight into my mouth.
Crunch. Crunch.
Mm. Tasty. I get why she wanted me to have it.
"Delicious. Got more?"
"K-Kline......! You can't do that! How can you eat something from a stranger so casually!"
"Says the one who just gave it to me."
"Ah, uh. But, but! You ate it without any suspicion!"
"Of course. You're not a stranger, Yoru."
"......Huh?"
Yoru's eyes go wide beneath her eyepatch.
It looked hilariously startled.
"I don't suspect you. From the first time we met, I never thought you were untrustworthy."
"Ah, uh."
"From what you said earlier, what's the point of saving this candy for later? Eating it deliciously right here and now is proof of my feelings toward you, right?"
That's why I ate it.
I don't know why she's so cautious.
Why she wants me to eat it but keeps holding back those feelings.
So I took the lead.
I ate Yoru's candy right in front of her.
To put her at ease.
"Doesn't seem like anything changed even after eating it. So, satisfied now?"
"Ah. Uh. Th-that...... Y-Yes."
Yoru hangs her head.
Unlike Ariel's sulk earlier.
This was pure embarrassment.
Her face flushed red up to her ears.
"......Thank you, Kline."
She whispered it.
"No problem."
"And don't do that so casually with other girls. It could lead to misunderstandings......"
"Did you misunderstand, Yoru?"
"......"
Why make such a fuss over one candy?
I shrug and answer.
"Whatever. So, we can meet again next time? We got here talking about lessons, after all."
"Ahaha. Yeah. Right. Lessons."
Good, she recovered quickly.
Yoru chuckles, seemingly calm now, and leans slightly toward me.
Hands clasped behind her back.
A little below my gaze, she flashes a bright smile and says,
"That'll be for next time. Feels greedy to ask for more now."
"Heading somewhere else?"
"Yeah. I'd love to stay in Leonhart territory as a guest chef, but...... Greed brings divine punishment. I'll be satisfied with this and move on. Your action just now was more than enough anyway."
Yoru straightens up and twirls gracefully.
She glances back at me over her shoulder.
Even with the eyepatch, it feels like she's staring right at me.
"So, let's definitely meet again. I'll come find you next time."
"If you're coming, give a heads-up at least. I can prepare a welcome."
"Ahaha! No, let's save that for the fun of it. I'll tell you the secret of my candy then too."
With that, Yoru turns away.
Step-step.
Like a breeze, the girl slips into the bushes.
"See ya! Catch you later!"
"Yeah. Later."
I wave back one last time.
And she leaves, carrying the scent of moonflower.
Pledging to meet again someday.
So.
Now that I'm back at the mansion, what am I doing?
"Little sis. Won't you forgive me already?"
"No. Oppa deserves punishment."
"Yeah, yeah. My bad. Then at least give me a little space. Too close."
"No. Oppa's mine. Can't let go of what's mine."
"You won't listen, huh."
I'm lying on my little sister's bed, turned into a body pillow.
......Don't ask why I got this punishment.
If my little sister wants it, I have to oblige.
Ariel clings tightly, rubbing against me.
It could pass as a kid nuzzling family.
'Hmm......'
But...... isn't it kinda...... erotic?
No? Damn, what am I thinking about a much younger girl?
I shove all thoughts aside and become a living doll.
If hugging me cheers up my little sister, I'll do it as much as she wants.
That's a big brother's duty.
Anyway, this wraps it up.
The long feast is over.
I drift off wondering what story awaits next.
......I try to.
"Little sis."
"Yeah, Oppa."
"Don't drool on my cheek."
"......Yeah."
I'm not an ocarina, you rascal.