22. For my sister (1)
#22
“Ronan.”
“ok?”
“Your hair… you combed it?”
“Are you dissatisfied?”
Ronan growled leaning back. Asher quickly averted his gaze.
“Oh no…that can’t be possible.”
A refreshing morning with cool air. They were waiting for Iril at the carriage station on the west side of the island.
Asher continued to glance at Ronan’s head.
If her usual hair was like a crow’s nest today it seemed like a beautifully plaited nest. Her clothes were as neat as possible giving off a quite different vibe from usual.
-Rock!
At that time a carriage stopped in front of the station. It was a luxury carriage designed to allow you to stretch your legs and relax.
Eventually the door opened and a white-silver-haired woman walked out. Iril opened her big eyes wide and looked around her.
“Waaah…! This is the system…!”
“…What is all that?”
Ronan frowned at her appearance. Iril’s eyes which had been looking around all the time landed on the two people.
“oh! Ronan! Asher!”
Iril smiled brightly and shouted. Instead of answering Ronan extended her index finger and pointed at the bundle in both her hands.
“…What did you bring so much?”
To be exact it was not a bundle but a bundle of ‘s’. One on each of her hands and one on her back. Iril was three-dimensionally surrounded by three large bundles.
“Hehe I brought it for you to eat.”
Iril unpacked one of her bundles. Inside was a lot of potatoes covered in dirt. The remaining two bags were filled with various vegetables and things like cheese that she made herself.
Ronan laughed.
“Where the fuck are you going to take refuge?”
“Ehehe the farming went well this time. “How delicious is cheese?”
I think I told him to stop digging up potatoes and things like that. Anyway being self-indulgent runs in the family. Ronan was in the car trying to pick up her bundle.
“Invisible Hand.”
With a familiar chant three bundles floated in the air. Ronan and Iril turned their heads at the same time. Asher was smiling awkwardly with her hands clasped together.
“I’ll bring this to the dorm. thank you for this food.”
“uh? “Where is Asher going?”
“oh…! I have something else to do today. “See you tomorrow at the entrance ceremony.”
After she finished speaking Asher started walking away without even looking back at her. Ronan chuckled as he watched Asher’s back gradually getting further away.
“You arrogant bastard.”
“Uhm… that’s a shame. Asher it’s been a while since I saw her.”
“I know.”
“Well there’s tomorrow too!”
Iril smiled brightly again. She was as she said. Ronan called Iril to attend the entrance ceremony tomorrow.
“By the way Ronan.”
Suddenly Iril grabbed Ronan’s hand.
“how have you been doing? Did you eat well? Why are you so skinny? Do you know how surprised my sister was when a magnificent carriage suddenly came by? “Where did you get the money?”
“I had a good time and ate well. “I haven’t used a carriage in a long time so don’t worry about it.”
Ronan said calmly. The cost of the carriage was a very small amount of money compared to the income I had earned so far. That was sent in the first place because they could not find a better carriage.
“Ugh… I can’t believe it… I actually saw a letter! “I heard you were admitted as the runner-up?!”
“huh. Department of Martial Arts.”
“really? “You’re not lying to make your sister feel better are you?”
“It’s true.”
Iril lifted her head and looked Ronan in the eyes. The sister I met after a long time was still beautiful. Sunset-colored eyes the same color as Ronan’s were shining under the spring sunlight.
“If you don’t believe me take a look.”
Ronan presented her certificate of admission that he had prepared in advance. Ronan’s name was written on her luxurious paper. With the modifier second seat.
Iril read her certificate several times before returning it to Ronan.
“lol. “It’s real.”
Iril smiled once and lowered her head. She didn’t answer for a while. She continued speaking in a slightly main voice.
“You’re all grown up my little brother.”
Her small shoulders began to shake. Ronan pursed her lips as if trying to say something and then she hugged Iril with a very careful movement.
“…Sister raise your head. “There’s a kid I’d like to introduce you to.”
“Uh…uh…introduction…?”
Iril’s eyes were red as she raised her head. There were tear marks on her pale cheeks.
As if her younger brother wasn’t enough to bring her to her senses she was admitted to the best academy on the continent. And that too.
It’s not that she doesn’t understand her feelings but she can’t keep doing this forever. Because today is a day to be happy.
Ronan who cupped her hand and brought it to her mouth shouted to the sky.
“Sita!”
“Bwaaaaaa-!”
Then Sheeta flew around in the sky and landed on Ronan’s shoulder in an instant. Iril’s eyes widened. She was a creature I had never seen in my dreams.
“Wow! What is this? cute!”
“Oh if you just touch it…!”
There was no time for her to stop him. Iril sniffling her nose reached out her hand and touched Sita’s head.
“Bwaaaang~”
“Huh?”
However contrary to Ronan’s expectations Sita did not offer any resistance. In fact he made a groaning sound as if he was in a good mood.
“It’s really soft. What animal is it? “What’s your name?”
“Uh…um…the name is Sita. “I don’t know what kind of animal it is.”
Sita even crossed to her Iril’s shoulder and she nuzzled his face against her cheek. It was something he had never done to anyone except Ronan. She laughed as if Ronan was dumbfounded.
“Pyeong-ah~ Pyeong-ah~”
“Ahaha! “It tickles!”
…Although it was a little heated it was fortunate that we got along well. Ronan took his sister to the downtown area.
“Let’s go get something to eat.”
Tomorrow was the entrance ceremony. Today I was planning to buy the necessary items at the academy. He also returned the favor to his sister.
****
Ronan guided her to the restaurant she had found out about in advance. It was the bull steak restaurant she went to with Marya on her first day in the islands.
“This is my first time eating something like this in my life…!”
“delicious?”
Every time I put my fork in her meat it oozed out like an explosion of juice. Iril nodded her head quickly up and down.
Ronan smiled in satisfaction. She felt full even without eating.
“Eat a lot.”
“Yes! Ronan you eat quickly too!”
Iril cut her steak into bite-size pieces and began putting it on Ronan’s plate. There was no point in refusing she said. she said holding a piece of her meat near her sister’s mouth.
“Ah~”
“Ah what? “I am not a child.”
“Ah~~”
Iril was stubborn. Ronan sighed and looked around her. Fortunately there were not many customers in the restaurant.
Ronan bit down on the meat as quickly as a crocodile biting down its prey. Iril stamped her foot and made a fuss.
“how is it! “It’s really delicious!”
“…It’s okay.”
Ronan reluctantly nodded her head. Iril returned to Ronan and Sita holding out a piece of her meat.
The smile did not leave my sister’s face throughout the meal. As she left the shop Ronan left a few coins under her plate.
****
After finishing the meal the siblings moved to a large boutique called [Silk’s Song].
She received the school uniform she had ordered and bought Iril who only wears simple clothes some clothes that match her drawing paper.
“Ro Ronan! Clothes like this don’t suit you…! Come on something else….”
“suited.”
“You are so light and airy. “I can’t even go out to the field dressed like this…!”
“These are not clothes you wear to work in the first place. By the way are you still working in the fields? “What about the money I gave you?”
“Of course I wrote it! “How well written!”
Iril said she had spent three pieces of silver from the money Ronan had previously given her. He bought some seedlings to plant in the field some new clothes and started raising four chickens.
“I bought it with great enthusiasm! “You don’t know how great it feels to be able to eat eggs every morning!”
Iril said triumphantly placing her hands on her hips. Ronan sighed at her.
How much did I give you? I think it was roughly over 300 gold coins.
I expected it but I didn’t know it would be this serious. Ronan clapped his hands and called the clerk. Everyone in the store was looking at Iril as if they were fascinated.
“Please give me everything you’ve chosen so far.”
“Ro Ronan!!”
“Listen carefully sister. I finished second and received a scholarship until I graduated. In addition various subsidies are pouring in so the money is just piling up and has no use. So please spend some money for me.”
I meant it. No matter how much I thought about it there really was no place to spend money.
Asher suggested that we equip ourselves like other warriors. But to Ronan his armor was nothing more than a cumbersome shell and his swords were all just the same thing. The only difference is when it becomes unusable.
Iril nodded his head with a serious expression and clenched his fists.
“okay. Then if I go back this time I want to buy a goose too. “I’m going to raise a rabbit and buy a barrel for making alcohol!”
“…”
“Should I remove the rabbit?”
Ronan counted the clothes in silence. The moment I left the store people’s eyes poured in like a roar. Iril wearing a pure white dress was as beautiful as an angel who came down from the sky.
Iril said linking arms with Ronan.
“Hehe it’s so nice to walk like this with my little brother. “Where are we going now?”
“Um…let’s go to the workshop area. “I need to buy a knife.”
“Is it broken now?”
“huh. “Some idiot started a fight.”
Ronan clicked his tongue. The black iron sword which had been useful recently became completely unusable after the argument with Schlieffen.
The two crossed the downtown area arm in arm. Ronan put his hands in his pockets and glared deathly at the passers-by who were openly looking at his sister.
“Did you even go and see that? “You’re spying on someone else’s family.”
“Pyaaaa-“
Intimidated passers-by stepped aside to the left and right. Sita was also fluffing her fur on Ronan’s shoulder. At that time the familiar back of Ronan’s head caught his eye.
“hmm?”
His head as deep blue as the deep sea stood unusually high even among the people busily passing by.
Intuition reacted before vision and stopped Ronan in his tracks. Ronan cursed in a whisper.
“Fuck.”
“yes? Why does it suddenly stop?”
Then the blue head also stopped in place. It was the moment when he was about to turn his head. Ronan hurriedly grabbed his sister’s arm.
“Sister let’s go this way. “It’s a shortcut.”
“huh? okay!”
Ronan entered the alley. Although it was a bit narrow it was still connected to the workshop street.
‘Why is that crazy guy here?’
Rusted pipes and torn off posters passed by on both sides. It was a very gloomy scene but even Iril was happy about it. It was the moment the two people left the alley.
“It’s been a while Ronan.”
“Ha…dammit.”
Schlieffen stood there with his head held high. It was as if he had been waiting for a long time. He continued speaking looking straight into Ronan’s eyes.
“Why are you hiding like that? “You know that such clumsy hiding is of no use.”
“Such a dog…no. “Don’t let people gather in broad daylight and go on your way.”
“Are you here to prepare equipment? The purpose is the same. “I also came to pick up the sword I ordered.”
“Receive the sword?”
Schlieffen nodded. He pulled out the sword hanging from his belt and showed it to Ronan.
It was the sword that had been used in the sword fight with Ronan. The bluish blade made of mithril had scratches the size of a tee.
“okay. The blade got damaged while competing with you last time. “I can’t believe it left scars on a sword made of mithril…”
“Holy shit are you calling that booger-sized thing a scar? Show me what my scars are?”
Ronan smiled as if he was amazed and pulled out the black iron sword.
A swordsman who looked serious even at first glance appeared. The sharp blade was as sharp as harvested corn and the tip was cut off and blunt.
In a way it was natural. Because I hit none other than Mithril in succession with a sword of such speed.
“These are scars man. “You have to have a conscience you bastard…”
Ronan waved the black iron sword in front of Schlieffen. Iril who had been quiet the whole time pulled Ronan’s arm and shouted.
“Ronan! “No matter how angry I am what should I do if I say something so bad?”
“what? But this bastard first….”
“Ronan!”
Schlieffen who was only focusing on Ronan finally noticed Iril’s presence.
“hmm?”
His brows narrowed slightly. The woman whose crown barely reached her chest was preaching to Ronan as if admonishing her child.
“Oh okay. “You don’t have to swear.”
Ronan was scratching his head without responding. It was an unfamiliar scene. He couldn’t believe that he the heir to the Duke of Grancia was the one who had headbutted him without hesitation.
Then Iril turned her head towards Schlieffen.
“I’m sorry… I taught you that swearing is always bad.”
Schlieffen’s time has stopped.
Iril lowered her head once and raised it and she began to say something.
“I’m not good enough as an older sister… so… education… swearing…”
It was a pretty good apology that appropriately discussed morality and responsibility. But Schlieffen’s ears could not recognize a single word among them. It felt like all my senses except sight were blocked.
Her white-silver hair was as beautiful as silk spun from the starlight.
The elegant yet gorgeous features had a formative beauty that even the greatest sculptor could not imitate.
It was a feeling she felt for the first time in her life. It felt like a liquid other than blood was running through my veins.
After finishing her apology Iril looked up at him and said.
“Um…do you feel better?”
“…”
Schlieffen did not answer. Ronan who was worse than he was opened his mouth.
“Answer me man. “My sister asked.”
“Who…me?”
Only then did Schlieffen’s mouth open. He looked at Ronan and Iril’s faces alternately his movements as stiff as a log.
It was another few seconds of silence before he remembered how to speak.
“ah. no. “It all happened because I was immoral.”
“…?”
“I take responsibility. “I will lose.”
Ronan tilted his head. I couldn’t feel the usual power in his downward gaze. It was strange that his tone of voice had changed to that of an asshole.
Iril smiled brightly and held Schlieffen’s hand.
“Wow! Really? thank you! “He is a very nice person!”
“…!”
Schlieffen’s time stopped again. Ronan who saw his ears turning red let out a curse.
“What the fuck.”
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