Chapter 12
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Together Next Year Too
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A single small candle sat atop a palm-sized chocolate pie.
It wasn't much of a birthday cake,
but Ruena was wishing earnestly before it,
her hands clasped neatly under her chin, gripping them so tightly her knuckles turned white.
The girl didn't talk much, and her expressions rarely changed.
Still, over a year and some change,
hanging out with her had taught me to read her moods, more or less.
She likes it.
She was always stone-faced,
but when she was happy, the tips of her ears would flush the faintest pink.
And they were pink right now.
I quickly tamped down a smile tugging at my lips.
"Okay. Time to blow it out."
"Yeah."
"Pro tip: blow it out in one go for better odds on your wish coming true."
"...Yeah!"
Was extinguishing a single candle really worth that much focus?
Her deep breath before the flame looked just like a gladiator steeling himself for a fateful duel.
"The wax is gonna melt all over."
"Oh."
Ruena finally took a long breath and puffed—
Foooh—
The candle went out safely.
I clapped quickly and glanced at my bag.
Should I give it to her...?
Should I? Or shouldn't I?
I hesitated, then squeezed my eyes shut and pulled it out.
It was a box just the right size to hug.
"Here, your gift."
"Gift...?"
"I told you, you get presents on your birthday."
Ruena took the box and stared at it for a good long while.
I didn't rush her.
She always took her time admiring things she liked before touching them.
A moment later, Ruena carefully opened the box.
The instant she peered inside,
her pupils quivered ever so slightly.
"Like it?"
"......"
Instead of answering, Ruena slowly lifted the gift from the box.
My birthday present for her: a teddy bear.
She already has one, though...
I knew that.
Ruena already had a teddy bear.
Probably hidden under the covers on one corner of her bed right now.
I'd seen it the first time I entered her room.
I remembered how flustered she'd been—not like her at all.
But even clearer was the bear's state, peeking out from the blankets.
The fabric was worn,
stitched up in places,
stuffing poking out from a paw.
Anyone could tell it was old and deeply cherished.
And—
After that, I'd never seen another doll in her room.
Given the Eliad family traits,
that bear was probably her one and only doll friend.
So she'd treasured it until it got that ragged.
Or maybe she hid it meticulously.
Either way, I wanted to give her a teddy bear for her birthday.
My little sister always said more dolls were better.
But—
I never imagined a real bear would crash the party and ruin everything.
Worst case scenario.
I'd thought it would be the perfect party and gift.
That damn bear had shredded my flawless plan.
If only I'd been stronger, I'd have skinned that thing myself—!
I let out a small sigh and looked at Ruena.
She was still holding the teddy bear in both hands, motionless.
Doesn't seem like she hates it...
I snuck a glance at the bear.
Just the right size to cuddle, soft fur, gentle face.
The little black ribbon around its neck was the charm point.
According to my sister.
I'd begged her to help pick it out.
We'd wandered for hours, determined to find the cutest one.
What if it's not a gift, but a trauma trigger?
That worry kept nagging at me.
Regretting it deep down, I watched Ruena's reaction.
"...Don't like it?"
I asked cautiously.
Ruena's eyes widened round, and she shook her head.
"No."
"Good."
"Yeah."
A short, simple Ruena-style reply.
It didn't erase all my anxiety, but relief washed over me.
At least she didn't hate it.
Another failure, then.
I'd really wanted to see her truly happy for once.
Cursing that bear inwardly, I swallowed a sigh.
Then—
Ruena, who'd been still until now, hugged the teddy bear to her chest.
Cradling it like something precious.
"Thank you."
"Uh..."
A tiny voice.
Yet it rang crystal clear.
My brain froze; no words came.
I just gawked like an idiot,
staring at her.
She was still fixated on the bear.
Ruena gently stroked its head and murmured softly.
"It's soft."
"Glad you think so."
"...Yeah. I like it. A lot."
My heart skipped a few extra beats for no reason.
Ruena was still all eyes for the bear.
Good thing, too.
My face had to be a total mess right now.
A Noir with ironclad composure couldn't let her see this sloppy expression.
I ignored the heat rising at the back of my neck and turned away.
"Next time... I'll do it right."
"Next year too?"
"Yeah. Next year too."
Her ear tips flushed pink again.
Ruena nodded faintly and hugged the bear tighter.
Then,
her lips curved up the tiniest bit.
Only the sharpest eyes would notice.
So cute...
Her tenth birthday had started disastrously but ended on a high note.
And so—
Half a year flew by after royally botching her birthday.
My own birthday was now less than a week away.
Ruena had come to visit our estate, for once.
Technically—
her father, the grand duke, was here as a guest of House Noir.
Reason doesn't matter. She's here to play.
I rushed out to the garden.
There she was, standing in the winter snow.
"Ruena!"
"Celen."
"It's cold out here. Why not wait inside?"
"This way I see you sooner."
That disastrous birthday hadn't been a total loss.
Over the past half year since,
she'd started talking a bit more,
and a subtle warmth crept into her blank expressions.
Tickling all over.
I clenched my fist briefly, then approached casually.
"Still, you'll catch a cold."
"I'm fine."
"No you're not."
"...Being with you matters more."
This was her problem!
Making hearts race while acting oblivious.
I really hate this...
Another trial for a Noir to overcome.
I swallowed a long inner sigh and unwound my scarf.
Then draped it around her neck.
"Let's go in. Gotta be freezing."
"Yeah."
Ruena nodded and offered her hand.
Blank face, but sparkling eyes.
It hurt differently than half a year ago.
This is the real problem!
Suppressing the urge to yell it to the heavens, I took her hand.
Thus, I led Ruena into the Noir estate.
Come to think of it, it was a first.
Her stepping foot inside our house proper.
Feels weirdly tense.
Should I show her my room?
Or give her a tour of the place?
Either way, I prayed we wouldn't run into my damn siblings.
"Ruena."
"Yeah?"
"First time here, right? Where to first?"
Ruena blinked up at me.
Then she squeezed my hand lightly and spoke.
"...Kitchen."
"Kitchen?"
"Yeah. Where you bake cakes."
Ruena hesitated, then glanced up shyly and continued.
"Birthday..."
"Huh?"
"I want... to give one too. A gift..."
Totally unexpected.
I heard my iron mask shatter across my face.
I whipped my head away to hide the wreckage.
This girl is the issue!
How do you even defend against ambushes like this?
Keeping a straight face,
I brainstormed countermeasures in my head.
Truly grateful no one had crossed our path.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ One corner of the forest, littered with the bear's carcass.
A small figure appeared in the midsummer woods, silent until now.
A girl with purple hair and yellow eyes.
But—
She didn't act like any child.
She grinned with interest at the mangled bear corpse.
"Heeey—it's a total wreck, huh?"
Bright, playful voice.
The girl prodded the body with her toe and shrugged.
"As expected of an Eliad? Even pre-awakening, this wasn't enough."
Her face smiled, but her eyes were icy cold.
As if the playfulness had all been fake.
The girl circled the bear's corpse slowly.
Not a hint of disgust amid the thick blood stench.
"Aw, bummer. I put some effort into this setup. Guess it's impossible before that day."
Her gaze fell to the bear's claws.
Still formidable, but
the tips dulled, surface cracked in multiple lines.
The girl murmured intrigued.
"Or maybe that kid drained its strength—?"
The brat with Ruena Eliad.
No one in the girl's memory.
"Noir... Celen Noir...?"
She repeated his name, eyes narrowing.
Then beamed and shrugged.
"Whatever. This time, I'll erase her without a trace. Looking forward to it, Ruena?"
With that, her shadow twisted grotesquely.