Chapter 64

The last time I met Reina was before I regained my memories from my previous life.

It had been a long time since we last met, and I didn’t expect her to remember the exact day.

Even as my sister, it was quite a shock.

(Did she used to be this eccentric... yeah, she was.)

As I recalled various memories, Reina puffed out her cheeks slightly, looking a bit dissatisfied.

"By the way, Zeros, why are you talking so formally? Speak more casually like before, and call me 'Onee-chan' properly."

"Which time are you talking about..."

Regardless of the tone, it had been years since I called her 'Onee-chan.'

However, Reina seemed to be particular about this, and every time I called her 'Nee-san,' she would say the same thing.

"Hmm, what a troublesome brother. I'll pursue this matter later..."

"―――!"

Leaving those words hanging, Reina turned around.

Noel, who was in the sharp line of sight, took a small breath.

Reina continued, addressing Noel.

"You. Your name is... what again?"

"N, Noel Fanatis..."

"Right, a name I don’t know... So, why were you pointing a sword at my dear, dear brother?"

"――"

Reina, with a seemingly gentle smile that hid a fierce intensity, pressed Noel.

Noel, overwhelmed by the pressure, lost her words and her cheeks turned slightly red.

Silence fell.

The tension in the air was palpable as everyone waited for Noel's response.

"...I, I'm sorry! I'll take my leave for today!"

Leaving those words, Noel sheathed her sword and ran off gracefully.

The tense atmosphere dissipated, and relieved voices could be heard from the surroundings.

Reina, who was left behind, ran her fingers through her long hair, as if to say, "That's the end of this pretense."

"Hmph, I was thinking of how to punish the insolent one who dared to provoke my beloved Zeros, but I didn’t expect her to be such a weakling, fleeing at just a bit of pressure. The prodigy of the Fanatis family isn’t much, is she?"

Reina said coldly.

From her words, it seemed she had known Noel's name all along.

Well, that makes sense, considering she's from the Fanatis Dukedom.

But more importantly, there was one thing that caught my attention—

"Umm, somehow, I feel like her reaction was a bit different..."

"......Yeah."

Shuna, who was standing next to me, seemed to share the same thought, and we nodded at each other.

Well, since Reina doesn’t seem to have noticed, and I’m glad the troublesome duel is over, I have no complaints.

With this, everything is settled—

"By the way"

"Ah!?"

Just as I was about to heave a sigh of relief, Reina turned to Shuna.

...Ah, the target has changed.

"Next is you. You seemed to be having a friendly conversation with Zeros... What’s your relationship with him?"

"S, Shuna Trimmel. I have been appointed as Zeros-sama’s attendant this time."

"......Hmm."

"E, eh...?"

Reina, having heard the response, continued to observe Shuna, circling around her.

Confused, Shuna looked at me with pleading, moist eyes, but... even I can’t do much against Reina in this state.

"(Hang in there, Shuna.)"

"(B, but that's not fair~)"

We communicated through eye contact.

Seeing this, Reina finally smiled slightly, as if satisfied.

"......Alright."

"R, Reina-sama?"

"I’m acknowledging you as Zeros’s attendant. After all, Zeros chose to believe in you, so I had no intention of opposing it from the start."

"! Yes! Thank you!"

Shuna, grateful to be acknowledged by Reina, bowed her head happily.

I, who had been worried about what would happen, also heaved a sigh of relief.

However,

"However"

"!?"

Reina, still smiling softly, grabbed Shuna’s shoulders firmly.

Then, she said one last thing.

"I have one piece of advice... No matter how much Zeros trusts you, don’t think you can easily become my sister-in-law."

"Wh-What!?"

"What are you talking about?"

Her sudden statement made me blurt out a genuine comment.

In any case, the announcement of the results, though noisy, ended without incident (without incident...?).

◇◆◇

While Zeros thought (or tried to think) that everything was over.

A figure stood on the top floor of the academy, watching the entire exchange.

She was slightly shorter in stature, with flowing silver hair.

Her gaze was fixed solely on Zeros, and she had observed everything from the scene with Noel to Reina’s arrival, capturing every word with her slightly longer ears.

After witnessing everything, she smiled softly.

"I was considering what to do after hearing the reports from the examiners... but I’ve had a good idea. I’m looking forward to the opening ceremony tomorrow."

After muttering this, she directed a sharp gaze at Zeros.

"Please wait, Zeros Sylphid—your hidden secrets, I will expose them all."

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