Chapter 74

In the blink of an eye, as the barbecue set was being prepared, Al followed with his self-introduction.

"I am Aldore Engleaver, from the Marquisate of Endymion. Please call me Al. During Rosza's royal academy entrance exam, the Endymion region caused a lot of trouble, and I apologize for that."

As expected, when my sister heard about the entrance exam, she looked completely clueless and blinked in confusion, so I added:

"Sister, it's about the incident where you sent over 60 students from other regions to the hospital and then withdrew from the exam. You should remember that, right?"

Upon hearing my words, my sister said, "Ah!" and her eyes darted around.

"What are you talking about?

I don't understand at all."

"Hmm...

Well, it doesn't seem to be a problem anymore, so it's fine... By the way, does Mother know about this?"

My sister suddenly looked dejected.

Her emotions were completely exposed.

"Mother probably knows.

When I returned and said I had failed the cut-off, she gave me a really serious look and asked, 'Rosza? Is there something you need to tell me?' I was so scared that I ended up lying and spent some time in fear, but after that, she didn't say anything, so I'm safe."

My sister, just like Mother, smiled like a young girl.

...Well, if that's the case, there's no way Mother wouldn't know.

She must have thoroughly investigated and determined it was safe by her standards.

It would be a no-go by my standards, but she has a unique set of values.

"Huh.

To cause such an incident and then leave it unaddressed without even hearing the details...

It seems Allen's mother is not an ordinary person either.

I'm Lio Zaitzinger. You can call me Lio, Roselia-sempai."

Lio introduced himself with a seemingly happy expression.

What kind of nerve does he have to be happy about knowing his friend's mother is not normal?

"I am Juelle Revarance, a classmate of Allen.

So, Allen has never returned home at all?

Even for a viscount's family, I would think there would be some expectation for regular reports to the family..."

When Juelle confirmed that I hadn't returned, my sister puffed out her cheeks and glared at me.

"Really!

Allen is so heartless...

On the day of the announcement, I believed Allen would pass, so I prepared a lot of celebrations and returned home.

But there was only a scribbled note saying, 'Passed, moving into the dorm,' and no one was home.

After that, no matter how many letters I wrote, I never received a reply.

You don't even come to pick up the allowance, so I've been worried."

My sister was fuming.

Then, her eyes welled up with tears, and she started crying again.

"Really...

I thought Allen didn't want to see the family anymore...

sniff"

The glares from everyone, as if I were a dog, were painful...

Kate, for example, was nodding seriously, saying, "What a jerk."

Indeed, if someone who hadn't experienced my sister's danger heard only this, they would objectively think I was the bad one.

...I have things to say, but I'm not stupid enough to go against this flow.

Minor arguments have often escalated into sibling fights.

While everyone is relaxed by my sister's gentle demeanor, I am not fooled.

From her emotional instability, it's clear that my sister has accumulated four months of pent-up feelings, and it's obvious that a small trigger could lead to a catastrophic eruption.

At this point, I don't care what they think.

I just need to avoid being turned into barbecue meat.

Glancing sideways at the skewers the Dragoon family cook was preparing, I decided to fully admit my fault.

"I'm sorry, Sister.

When I see my respected sister, I tend to become clingy...

But I made a difficult decision to not show my face until today.

I wanted to earn my own money and avoid relying on the allowance.

However, I have adapted to school life a bit.

From now on, I will try to show my face without being too clingy.

I have caused you worry, Sister."

My humble attitude made Al nod, saying, "I see, Allen had his reasons," but my sister turned her face away.

"Hmph.

I invited you to visit the noble school many times, but you never came.

I don't believe a word you say anymore."

Everyone looked at my sister, who was making a childish face, with amusement.

It seems I'm the only one feeling such intense tension...

Finally, Kate introduced herself.

"I'm Kate Sankarpa.

I'm in the same 1-A class.

By the way, you seem to be very fond of your brother?

I have a younger brother too, but he never talks to me, so I'm envious of your good relationship.

Hehehehe."

In a manner reminiscent of a neighborhood gossip, Kate probed, and my sister answered with a smile.

"Really, Allen has been cute since he was little.

Despite all the affection I've shown him, why did he grow up to be so heartless?

Maybe I was too kind?"

My sister swayed her body and face, smiling at me.

I instinctively took three steps back.

My sister calmly closed the distance, taking exactly three steps.

Just then, a saving hand was extended.

"Hello!

Oh, there are so many lively young people here.

Which one is Rosza's brother?"

"Ah, Fu!

You're early?

We were just about to play around with Allen after a long time."

I rushed to the savior, Fu, and bowed deeply.

"Yes!

I am Allen, the unworthy younger brother of Rosza-sempai!

Thank you for always taking care of my sister!"

"Ahahaha!

To spread such flashy rumors in the capital and still be so humble?

I'm Fuuri.

Nice to meet you today."

Fuuri has wavy light brown hair tied back in a ponytail, with side bangs flowing down. She has a tall, slender figure that would be popular with both men and women, but she is dressed in a loose sweatshirt and pants.

Despite being a classmate of my sister, who is a top student, she doesn't seem to have an elite aura.

"...To have Fuuri Elevar, known for her dislike of people, appear here...

This is the most unexpected person I could think of.

Today is going to be fun.

Allen?

Stop drooling over the pretty girl and introduce me already."

"Twenty years since a commoner graduated top of the class from the royal academy, the 'Solitary Scholar,' Fuuri Elevar-sempai...

A genius magic artifact engineer with a father who greatly advanced the magic engine, and a popular model on the cover of women's fashion magazines...

Another formidable rival has appeared..."

"Hehe?

You look plain but you're quite popular, aren't you, little brother?

You're living up to being Rosza's brother.

Well, compared to Rosza, I'm just an ordinary person."

"Eh!

...Allen?

You're not trying to deceive two girls, are you?

If you're dating one of them, there should be a proper way to introduce them...

If there's nothing, then they're just friends...

Is that right?

You're not neglecting me for a girl, are you?

Hmm? No answer?"

"S-s-so, what do you mean by that?

Could it be that Roselia-sempai has special feelings for her younger brother, Allen?

Hehehehe."

"Things are getting exciting, Allen!

Allen?

...Are you okay?

You're not breathing?"