Chapter 22

Sure, here is the translation:

---

Sure! It might be a bit too long.

---

“Sylvio! Let's play!”

I knock on the door of Sylvio's room energetically.

“...”

However, there is no response from Sylvio. But he's not out. I saw him enter his room with some snacks and a book just a while ago.

He's so elegant, like a noble.

...Rustle...

If I listen carefully, I can hear the sound of pages turning. That's proof that Sylvio is in there.

Sylvio is kind. He wouldn't ignore my invitation to play, even if he's focused. No matter how good the story is, he would always respond without a frown.

He's a good big brother. Maybe this is a good way to deal with Elinora. I might try it next time.

“Sylvio-kun? Are you not there?”

No matter what, Sylvio isn't coming out.

Is he still sulking about what happened yesterday?

I recall what happened last night.

Last night, I was playing shogi with Sylvio.

I'm not particularly good at shogi, but Sylvio has been practicing every day, and his skills quickly caught up to mine.

Now, our win rates are about even.

The day when I can't keep up with him is not far off.

In fact, on the board, I'm attacking Sylvio's king with the minimum number of guards for my king.

“Sylvio, you're good at defending.”

“...”

Then, Sylvio makes a bitter face.

“Huh? What's wrong?”

“...It's nothing. Here, it's your turn.”

“Uh, okay.”

I place my bishop in the middle of the board, threatening the opponent, and boldly attack the enemy's territory with my rook, knight, and gold general.

Sylvio uses his silver and gold generals to protect his king, staying out of the range of my bishop. It's like he's a bodyguard.

By the way, a bodyguard's job is to protect their client. In movies, you often see bodyguards shooting guns or beating up dangerous people, but that's actually considered unprofessional.

A bodyguard's priority is to protect and evacuate their client safely. They should always observe their surroundings, predict movements, and ensure safety. A timid person is more suitable for this role than someone skilled in combat.

Anyway, Sylvio's silver and gold generals are annoying.

The king slips away like flowing water, and the surrounding silver and gold generals stick to it.

“Ah! You're making a barrier with your silver and gold generals again, Sylvio!”

“...Barrier... Sylvio... Barrier”

“Huh? What's wrong?”

Sylvio's shoulders droop as if he's giving up.

What? What's going on?

...Oh, did he react to the word 'barrier'?

After that, Sylvio's formation crumbled as he tried to protect his king.

My bishop captured his king.

When the king is captured, there's no point in continuing the game.

The defeated pieces, their spirits broken, are quietly put back into the box.

“Al, I'm going to bed.”

“Okay, I'll clean up. Good night!”

Sylvio left the study and returned to his room, looking unsteady.

That's what happened last night.

Now, thinking back, maybe I crushed Sylvio's spirit with my words at that moment.

Well, it can't be helped. Sylvio will be in a better mood by tomorrow.

I made a homemade baseball ball, but since Sylvio won't play with me, I decide to go to the dining room to eat some snacks.

On the way, I was bouncing the ball against the wall when the maid, Mel, scolded me.

Behind her, Mina was fidgeting, glancing at the ball in my hand and then looking away, clearly restless.

I know, Mina wants to play with the ball too. What a troublemaker. I'll throw the ball into the break room later for her.

I head to the dining room, leaving Mina looking disappointed.

Recently, thanks to me and Baltor, the variety of snacks has increased, and people gather more often. The main reason is that Baltor had more sugar hidden than we thought.

Because of this, several shelves have been set up to make it easier to get the dishes.

In the dining room, Elinora was sitting with a plate of cookies in her hand.

“Ew!”

“What do you mean 'Ew!'?”

Oops, I reacted without thinking.

It's true, reacting with 'Ew!' to someone's face is rude. Alfred, you need to reflect.

“I'm sorry. Why are you here? Didn't you say you were going to play in the neighboring village today?”

“Well, it's fine... No, it's not fine. 'Ew!' is not fine.”

“I'm sorry, Elinora. I won't do it again.”

Elinora crosses her arms and nods dramatically.

Good. She forgave me.

It's a relief... to still be alive.

“I felt like staying home today would be more fun, so I decided to go tomorrow.”

Elinora explains while nibbling on a cookie, probably made by Baltor.

Wow, what a selfish reason.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“No, I don't. I'm very happy, Alfred.”

While maintaining my composure, I try to please Elinora, who is glaring at me with one eye.

“Strange way of talking. Well, if that's the case, let's play.”

“Why?”

Elinora's sudden invitation makes me sound like an idiot.

Because usually, at times like this, it's practice.

Elinora points at my hand.

“Is that a ball?”

“It's a ball.”

“Then, let's play with the ball today.”

“Eh? Here? There are dishes, isn't it dangerous?”

“Do you prefer swords?”

“Alright! Let's play catch! I'll be the pitcher, and Elinora will be the catcher!”

I loudly throw the ball and the words at Elinora. The game of catch has already started!

The roles of pitcher and catcher are just a matter of feeling.

“What's catch?”

Elinora catches the ball and asks.

“Here! Throw it back!”

“It's just throwing the ball back and forth.”

She throws the ball back. Good, it wasn't a fastball.

The dining room has enough space for the whole family to eat and for the maids to move around. So, it's wide enough for a child's game of catch.

We throw the ball back and forth in a friendly manner.

“Al, can't you throw faster?”

Elinora throws a faster ball, challenging me.

I catch it, but it's quite fast.

“My shoulder is just warming up.”

Of course, it's a six-year-old's shoulder. It can't get much faster.

Maybe I'll use a little magic to throw it.

I wrap my body with magic and throw it.

‘Die, Elinora!’

The ball, infused with my magic and feelings, heads straight for Elinora's chest.

This is the game of catch with words! It's a mental game, though. I can't say it out loud.

It should have the same speed as Elinora's last throw.

However, Elinora catches my faster ball with one hand as if it's nothing.

“What's that!”

“It's a bit faster.”

“It's full of emotion! The ball carries the words of the heart!”

“Huh, words of the heart, huh?”

Elinora looks at the ball she caught with a suspicious gaze.

“Then, I'll put my words into it too.”

Elinora throws the ball with a cute “Hey!”

Hmm? Did she put something in it?

‘Can I bully you?’

No way! It's an evil curse! That's a negative emotion!

“Watch out!”

Because of the evil thoughts, I instinctively dodge.

“Why did you dodge!”

“Eh? It was too fast?”

“You were catching it just fine before.”

“Sometimes you miss.”

“True.”

I try to calm Elinora down and pick up the ball.

“Let's try again with more emotion!”

“I can catch Al's ball anytime.”

Oh? You said it? Absolutely!

“There!”

‘Please don't bully me!’

I throw the ball with a heartfelt wish at Elinora's face.

Catch it!

“Ah, a bug.”

Elinora deflects my ball with one hand.

“What the heck!”

“Sorry, sorry. A bug landed on my face.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Okay, if you say so.”

Sure, sometimes coincidences happen. I don't want to think that my wish was rejected.

Elinora's ball comes flying again.

Hmm? There's nothing special this time, right?

I think so and prepare to catch the ball with both hands. Just before I catch it,

‘Bring me a riba.’

“Huh! I caught it!”

I look at the ball in my hand, stunned. The ball whispered to me, like a sister scolding her brother.

I did it.

Elinora is looking at me with a smug expression.

She will definitely ask me to bring a riba later.

She has a beautiful face but does terrible things.

Sure, sure, everyone in the family is beautiful except me. Sure, sure, Elinora is cute.

I throw the ball with a curse, but because I threw it carelessly, it goes far away from Elinora.

‘Elinora is cute.’

“Oops, sorry.”

Hmm? Did something get put in it? Oh well.

I thought it was uncatchable, but Elinora instantly runs to where the ball will land.

She jumps to catch the falling ball and holds it to her stomach, refusing to let go.

Finally, she uses her athletic skills to land gracefully, absorbing the impact with her whole body.

It's a very beautiful forward roll.

“...You didn't have to go that far.”

“I felt like I had to catch it.”

“What do you mean?”

Elinora, looking annoyed, says.

“Then, I'll throw a ball that Al will want to catch.”

“I don't want to catch a ball like a dog.”

“Alright. There!”

A slow ball flies from Elinora's hand.

I won't want to catch it just because it's slow. Don't underestimate me.

‘I won't bother you anymore, Al.’

Oh no! I have to catch it!

“Woof!”

Instinctively, I run without looking around and jump to catch the ball as it falls towards the table.

There, on the table, is Elna's favorite cup.

The impact causes the cup to fall off the table and onto the floor.

And...

Crash! Smash!

Elna's favorite cup is broken.

“Oh, that's Elna's favorite cup. She said it was so easy to break.”

That's right. It was bought in the capital by Nord, and she always uses it carefully. It must be very important to her. I broke such a cup.

“Did you hear a loud noise just now? What happened?”

“Ah, no, um...”

“Al broke Mother's favorite cup.”

Elna freezes at the news.

What? Elinora, I can't believe it! You didn't protect your brother? You sold him out immediately.

“Is that true, Alfred?”

Scary. Call me Al.

“No, Elinora suggested playing here.”

“I told you to stop, but...”

“That's the opposite! I broke it, but...”

“...So Alfred broke it?”

It seems that to Elna, the important thing is who broke it.

“...Yes, I'm sorry.”

“Go outside and reflect. You can't come back in until I say it's okay.”

“Okay.”

Elna is quietly angry, not allowing any argument.

And so, I am thrown out of the house.

I remember my rebellious middle school days.

Standing in the hallway was embarrassing, so I pretended to play with a watch, trying to look like I was waiting for someone. It's nostalgic.

When it gets dark, Elna opens the door.

“Do you have something to say?”

Hmm, she's letting me in.

“I'm coming in!”

“No, you're not!”

The door closes again.

What? Why?

No one answers my question.

From the second floor, Sylvio looks down at me with a pitying expression.