Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Raising My Little Sister (2)
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Who would've thought the day would come when I'd make an ocarina myself.
I could just head to the marketplace and buy some fancy, high-end one.
But somehow, that felt too impersonal, so I didn't.
Wouldn't an ocarina I carved myself be way cooler as the first gift for my little sister?
With that in mind, I wandered around the trees near the mansion, picking up branches one by one.
Thud. Thud.
If I tap them against the ground a bit, I can get a feel for it.
Whether this one's suitable for making an ocarina or not.
Of course, I'd never made an ocarina before.
Heck, judging a branch's condition just by tapping it on the ground like this was a first for me too.
I'm no druid or anything.
But surprisingly, it works.
This one's core is too dense, this one's too damp, this one doesn't have a nice shape.
A few taps, and I can tell its condition right away. What a talent.
A strange sense of pride welled up.
'Am I actually a genius?'
In the original story, I was always compared to my sister and dismissed as untalented, so I never really believed it.
But here was some unexpected talent of mine shining through.
Thud!
"Oh."
Found it.
A branch sticking out like a pistol grip. No moisture. Looks easy to hollow out.
I pocketed the branch and headed back to the mansion.
Time to make the ocarina.
I sat in the open space in front of the mansion and gripped the carving knife.
I asked the maids to lend me one, and they gave me puzzled looks at first.
But when I said it was for Ariel, they squealed and made a huge fuss.
-Heavens, you're too sweet, Young Master!
-I'm sure your feelings will reach the Young Lady.
-Only you would take care of the Young Lady like this, Young Master.
Hmm... Is that so?
Am I not just a regular big brother who looks after his little sister?
I couldn't understand why they were acting like this when I thought this was normal sibling stuff.
Anyway.
Scrape-
I washed the branch with water and smoothly peeled off the bark.
Removing the bark is a given. Can't have it roughing up Ariel's skin.
Of course, that kid's got soft skin but has never gotten hurt once.
Peeling it makes it look nicer too. Yeah.
Scrape, scrape-
I finely shaved off the bark, revealing the pale wood grain underneath.
First time making one, but it's surprisingly satisfying.
At this rate, maybe I'll become an alchemist in the future.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
I'd been focused on peeling the bark when Ariel appeared by my side before I knew it.
She plopped down next to me and gave me her usual blank stare.
"Whatcha doing?"
"I'm making a gift just for you. Say thanks already."
"I don't have a hobby of eating wood."
"That's an impressive interpretation. You said it so confidently that now I'm embarrassed."
Is it?
Ariel doesn't know what an ocarina is, apparently.
Well, hardly anyone read her books when she was little.
The most I ever did was read her a few fairy tales.
"It's called an ocarina. You blow into it, and it makes a sound."
"Why give it to me?"
"So you can play it alone when I'm not around."
"Sounds boring."
"Don't judge it before trying. Doesn't it bother you when people judge you without talking to you first?"
"I don't care as long as I have Oppa."
"Oh... You're a master at leaving me speechless."
We bantered idly as I hollowed out the inside of the branch.
Using the carving knife, I delicately carved a circular path inside, creating an air channel.
One wide enough for Ariel's small lips to blow into easily.
"Hmm. That should do it."
Now just to make a few small holes on top, and it's done.
As I took a breather, Ariel suddenly parted her lips.
"Oppa is amazing."
"At what?"
"You make stuff all by yourself like it's nothing. Oppa can do anything."
"Sharp eyes, huh? As expected of my little sister."
"And you're shamelessly great at that too."
"When someone praises you, learn to accept it graciously."
Ariel's clear eyes sparkled as we talked.
She wasn't showing it much on the surface, but she was definitely interested in my ocarina.
I could tell—I'd spent so much time with her.
Scrape, scrape-
I made round holes one by one along the branch.
Ariel was gradually leaning her head toward me.
She was showing her anticipation without realizing it.
"There. All done."
The ocarina was finally complete.
I'd spent the whole afternoon on it, and it looked so refined that no one would believe a ten-year-old made it.
Even from a plain branch, it could stand up to store-bought ones.
"Wow."
Clap clap clap-
Ariel clapped.
But her clapping form was adorably clumsy.
Like she'd seen someone else do it and was imitating them.
"Where'd you learn that?"
"I saw people clapping when Oppa swings his sword, so I copied them."
"Good job."
Attempting it is what matters.
If no one teaches you, you have to learn it yourself somehow.
I handed the ocarina to Ariel.
It looked twice as big as her tiny palm.
"Now put it to your lips and blow."
"......"
Ariel silently brought it to her mouth.
She paused for a moment, then...
Pfuuu-
She blew into the ocarina, making a hilarious sound.
"Kuhahat!"
Ah, that's hilarious.
Her total lack of skill was just too funny.
"Dummy."
Ariel immediately set the ocarina down and glared at me.
Well, as much as her blank expression could glare.
But as an experienced big brother, I could tell.
She's sulking.
"I don't wanna."
"Sorry, sorry. My bad."
"No. I'm not blowing it. You take it, Oppa."
"Really? That hurts my heart. I worked so hard on it."
"......"
"Well, can't be helped. Guess I'll play with it all lonely by myself. Aww—anyone wanna play with me~?"
"......I'll forgive you just once."
What an easy kid.
A few words, and she folds right away.
This is why having a little sister makes me worry about how she'll survive in the world.
"Let me show you first. Watch closely and copy me."
"Okay."
I took the ocarina back from Ariel and brought it to my lips.
Right as I was about to blow...
"Ah."
Ariel let out a gasp.
What?
I haven't blown yet?
Wondering what she was reacting to, I glanced sideways.
Ariel's gaze was fixed on my lips touching the ocarina.
"?"
I told her to learn how to play it.
But there's nothing to learn from lip shape?
I shrugged and blew.
-♩♪♪
I played a tune from my memories.
Public education for the win.
That's why they include music in school.
I played just enough and finished, then checked Ariel's reaction.
My sister was staring at me with a dazed look.
She always looked dazed, but now even more so.
Was my playing that enchanting?
Heh. My shoulders are rising.
"How was it? Pretty great, right?"
"......"
But something's off with her state.
I thought she was looking at the ocarina, but no—her eyes stayed on my lips.
Wait, is she seriously trying to imitate my lip position?
"What's up? Something on my mouth?"
"Yeah. No. Nothing."
Ariel weakly shook her head and mumbled.
"I heard it well. Oppa does everything perfectly."
"Not everything. Just what I can do."
"Okay."
I handed the ocarina back to Ariel.
My sister held it in her palm and stared blankly at it.
Mostly at the mouthpiece where my lips had been.
"Wanna try now?"
"......"
Ariel seemed hesitant.
Like she was debating whether to play it or not.
Then suddenly, she spoke.
"No."
"Huh? Why?"
"Embarrassed."
"Even if you mess up, it's fine. It's your first time, so it's normal."
"Not that."
"Aw, come on. Would this big bro tease you? It hurts that you don't trust me more."
"......I said it's not that."
Ariel hung her head and mumbled something.
Hmm.
If her mind's made up this firmly, I can't change it.
It's a gift for her, so she can use it however she wants.
I shrugged.
"Alright. Do what you want. Play it later or alone or whatever."
"Okay."
"Then you can handle things without me now, right?"
"Okay."
"I'm heading out?"
"Okay."
"You're such a dummy."
"Okay. ......No."
Wait.
It was just a joke. A joke.
Don't clench your fist?
I don't know what'll happen if I get hit by the world's strongest.
"Oppa."
"Yeah."
"Will you play it again next time?"
Ariel's eyes sparkled as she asked.
Like she wanted to hear my song forever.
Well, if that's it, sure.
"Of course."
——
That was Ariel Leonhart's first taste of happiness.
"Here."
After the clumsy performance ended,
Kline Leonhart gave her the ocarina with an awkward smile.
It wasn't some fancy luxury item fit for a duke's family.
Just an ocarina made from a random branch picked off the street.
Its crude shape showed its amateur origins in places.
But none of that mattered to Ariel.
"Thank you, Oppa."
It was warm.
The feelings contained within the ocarina were so warm.
The little sister who was always a loner in the family.
The big brother who pitied her and was the only one to talk to her.
That's why Ariel liked her big brother.
She planned to remember the song he played on the ocarina forever.
It wasn't any particular melody.
Just a tune blown however by a boy just turning ten.
But that was enough.
No.
Maybe not enough.
"Oppa."
"What?"
"Can you play the ocarina for me again sometime?"
A simple wish.
A sincere hope that it would continue.
Kline flashed an awkward smile and turned his head.
"Eh, we'll think about that later."
Ariel hugged the ocarina to her chest upon hearing that.
No firm promise? That's fine.
She believed he would someday.
She would never give it to anyone else.
She would keep it for life.
Yes.
And after that, not even once.
Kline never played the ocarina for Ariel again.
Until the moment his throat was cut by his younger sister.
『Excerpt from Shardia Academy Guidebook Volume 1』
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