“Onii-sama?”
On a morning when we were about to go out, Rena looked at Yukina nonchalantly and playfully applied pressure.
In response, I gave a wry smile.
“Did I let something slip…”
“Really… Onii-sama, you’re always too lenient.”
While complaining, Rena forgave me.
Seeing us like that, Yukina chuckled.
“You two seem close.”
“Yukina-san! I’ll allow you to come along, but please don’t get in the way!”
“I understand.”
“If you understand, that’s fine… But why are you wearing a uniform?”
Rena asked with a hint of dissatisfaction, noticing that Yukina was wearing a white uniform. Today was a holiday, and Rena was in casual attire—a sundress—and I was dressed casually too.
We were heading to Undertale. On a weekday, wearing a uniform wouldn’t be unusual, but…
“I don’t have any casual clothes suitable for going out. Besides, I’m not interested in them.”
Yukiina stated matter-of-factly.
Hearing that, Rena murmured softly.
“The privilege of being an otherworldly beauty…”
I nodded in agreement. Yukina’s lack of interest in clothing stemmed from the fact that anything she wore would look equally stunning. It was like cooking with high-quality ingredients—if the material was good, it would turn out delicious without much effort. Yukina was a top-tier ingredient, so there was no need to fuss over clothes.
“Ahem… Let’s refocus. Today, we’re going on a bookstore tour.”
■■■
“Ohhh! Is this the new installment in that series? And wait, a simplified version of that grimoire is out too?!”
Undertale had several bookstores, and Rena was ecstatic at one of them.
“Is it like this every week?”
“Only once a month. Consider it a reward for working hard.”
“So, you consider it a reward because you love books?”
“Yeah, I do. Back then, it was all I had.”
Yukiina looked at me with a puzzled expression.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to share the story.
“…Did I ever mention that my hobby is landscape painting?”
“No, this is news to me.”
“…When Rena was a child, she was so frail that she couldn’t leave her room. Her world was confined to that small room. So, I started painting the landscapes I saw outside and showed them to Rena. Words alone couldn’t convey it. The only problem was that my skills never improved, but Rena’s eyes would light up when she looked at my paintings. Eventually, it became a hobby. And Rena started showing interest in the outside world, absorbing information through books. Her love for books is a remnant of that time.”
“Luvell-kun is so… caring towards his sister.”
“It’s not just me. Our family spoils Rena. She always looked at me and my brother, who played outside, with envy. It was pitiful. So now, I want to let her do what she wants.”
“What a wonderful family. I envy you.”
“I think so too.”
Yukina’s eyes widen at my words.
And she smiles a little brighter than usual.
“Luvell-kun… is interesting.”
“Can you stop calling me ‘Luvell-kun’? Isn’t it confusing when we’re with Rena?”
“Is it okay to stop? Calling you by your name feels like we’re friends, doesn’t it?”
“I don’t know how you feel, but I do think of you as a friend. I do.”
It’s an honest feeling.
“Is it okay? Calling you by your name feels more like friends.”
“As long as you’re not bothered by it, call me Roy. But please drop the honorific.”
Yukina’s voice sounded fragile as she made the request.
I chuckled and nodded. As we continued our conversation…
“Onii-sama! Let’s go to the next shop!”
Rena emerged from the store, carrying a stack of books in both hands.
I accepted the books with a smile. It was a precious moment for Rena, filling the gaps from her childhood when she couldn’t do these things. And the reason she allowed me to accompany her? Well, that was because she couldn’t go out with me back then.
Even so, she granted permission for me to join her. Honestly, it surprised me.
“…I probably shouldn’t say this, but… I don’t have any friends. So, I don’t know what to do now.”
Suddenly declaring that she had no friends left me unsure how to respond.
I swallowed the words that had almost slipped out. Even I knew that saying what I thought was a bad move.
“…You do spend a lot of time alone,” I finally said.
“Are you mocking me?”
Yukiina’s eyes turned cold as she retorted.
Oops, another misstep. Sometimes, I said unnecessary things—it was a bad habit.
“No, I was just confirming… Well… I don’t have many friends either, so I can’t really say much, but if you don’t mind, I’d like you to call me by my name. I consider you a friend, and the rest is up to you.”
“Then… if you don’t mind… I’ll call you Roy-kun. But, Roy-kun, please stop using honorifics with me too…”
Yukiina said this in an unusually fragile tone.
I chuckled wryly and nodded slightly.
As we were having this conversation…
“Onii-sama! Let’s go to the next store!”
Rena came out of the store, her hands full of books.
I took the books from her and smiled.
■■■
I had a stack of books piled up to my face in both hands.
Rena and Yukina were also carrying books, dividing the load between them.
Quite a haul, I must say.
“Sorry… for making you carry books too Yukina-san…”
“It’s fine. I’m the one who tagged along. But wow, that’s a lot of books. Can you finish reading them?”
“With a month, probably…”
“You really love books, don’t you? Well then…”
Saying that, Yukina took out a book from her pocket and placed it on top of the ones Rena was holding.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a book written by my grandmother, who was once the Sword Saint. I think it’ll be informative for a mage like you.”
“A book by the former Sword Saint?! To lend me such a precious book…”
“I’ve already memorized it. Besides, I have a copy in my room.”
“But…”
Rena glanced at me briefly.
In response, I nodded slightly.
“Take it. Opportunities to read a book directly written by the former Sword Saint are rare.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“It’s my way of apologizing for intruding.”
“Then… I’ll treasure it and read it!”
Rena’s face lit up, making this the highlight of the day. In terms of rarity, this book was probably the most valuable among the ones she had.
Yukina had handed it over casually, but it was something she had because of her family. It wasn’t something available in the market. It was likely akin to an advanced secret technique—a treasured family heirloom.
Reading it would indeed be a rare opportunity. Rena was thrilled, but it was undoubtedly a book that knights from across the kingdom would pay a fortune for.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s the thought that counts.”
Yukina smiled briefly.
However, that smile vanished as we reached the academy gate. There stood Tim and his entourage of students.
“Yukina, you never learn.”
“Senpai Townset…”
“I guess I’ve been too kind to you.”
Saying that, Tim grabbed Yukina’s arm and tried to pull her away.
Rena grabs Tim’s hand.
“I don’t know the situation, but it’s not right to take her away by force!”
“You’re annoying!”
Unable to tolerate being ordered around, Tim forcefully pushes Rena’s hand away.
As a result, Rena’s posture collapses.
Despite being a talented mage at the academy, Rena won’t get injured from just losing her balance.
However, Rena prioritized the book she borrowed from Yukina.
Because she held it dearly, she couldn’t react in time to avoid falling.
But Yukina supported Rena in that moment.
“Are you okay, Rena-san?”
“I-I’m… I’m okay… Thank you…”
Yukina helps Rena up and checks if she’s injured.
Then she turns to Tim, glaring at him with cold eyes.
“What are you doing to my friend’s sister!?”
The anger from Yukina, so unlike her usual self, causes Tim and his entourage to involuntarily step back.
Yukina’s anger was so terrifying.
However…
“Hmph, she’s not injured. There’s no reason to blame me. After all, She’s the one who grabbed my arm.”
“…Can’t you apologize?”
“Is there a need to apologize?”
“…Please apologize.”
“I refuse.”
“I don’t mind resorting to force to make you apologize.”
Yukina says with a cold voice.
It wasn’t an empty threat.
“Do you not know that physical violence is prohibited? If you really want to use force against me, then challenge me to a duel. However, consider what others will think. It’s unheard of for a fiancé to challenge his fiancée to a duel. You should know that. Our marriage is desired and hoped for. Are you going to trample on that?”
As Tim says that, he approaches Yukina.
It’s not something Yukina can strongly oppose, as it’s a problem involving her own family as well.
Or perhaps emboldened by that, Tim grabs Yukina’s arm.
“You just need to obey me. It’s your fate!”
Tim pulls Yukina close, trying to take her away forcefully.
In response, I rack my brains.
Etiquette is crucial in situations like this.
“How do I do this again… Oh, right, right.”
I take out a white badge I had.
The emblem of the academy is engraved on it, and it’s said to be worn at all times.
And in this academy, there’s a way to resolve disputes through physical combat.
That’s a “duel.”
The way to do it is to throw the badge at the opponent and declare a duel.
If the opponent picks up the badge, the duel is accepted. Of course, it won’t be accepted if the badge isn’t picked up, but refusing to pick up the badge is seen as cowardice.
So…
“Then— I’ll challenge you to a duel in Yukina’s place.”
Saying that, I throw the badge towards Tim.
It hits Tim and the badge falls to the ground, making a metallic sound.
Seeing that, Tim trembles with anger.
“Do you understand the meaning of what you’re saying…?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think you can compete with me? I’m the sixth seat of the Sword Demon Ten! You’re just a failed noble… Do you really think it’ll be a match? If it’s just a momentary emotion, then let’s pretend it didn’t happen…”
“No, no, it’s okay to confirm. Can you pick it up quickly? Senpai.”
I point to the fallen badge.
Of course, with eyes that say “pick it up quickly.”
It’s shameful for a superior to evade a challenge from an inferior.
Tim himself said earlier. A match between him and me won’t be fair.
If that’s the case, I can’t run away.
Tim slowly picks up the badge.
And…
“That duel… Tim Townset accepts it.”
“Any time and place is fine. I’ll leave it to you.”
As I say with a smile, Tim forcefully throws the badge back.
“You underestimate me, but I’ll make you regret it!!”
Tim releases Yukina’s arm and, trembling with anger, returns to the academy.
He’ll probably start preparing to teach me a lesson.
Good luck with that.
“Now, let’s go back.”
“O-nii-sama!? A duel!? Do you have a chance of winning!?”
“Who knows? You’ll only find out if you try, right?”
While skillfully dodging Rena’s words, I start tidying up the scattered books.
