Chapter 38

"Isn't that Rina? What's wrong?"

I called out to the red-haired girl who was arguing with her sister. She turned around, her eyes widening for a moment.

"Ah...! You're really here! Why did you lie—"

"...Tch"

"Did you just click your tongue!?"

"It's your fault."

Mira said this with a straight face, then for some reason glared at me with a sidelong glance.

"Brother, who is this... woman?"

"‘Woman’... I feel like I was about to be insulted..."

"It's your fault."

"It's Rina. We were together in the city of swords."

"...I see... While neglecting your cute sister... you were with another woman..."

She was muttering something, but her voice was too low to hear clearly. Rina asked timidly,

"Who is this girl?"

"It's my sister, Mira."

"S-Sister... I see..."

"? What's wrong?"

"Well... I was just wondering if everything was okay..."

Rina had a rather indescribable look on her face, but I couldn't quite understand why.

"Anyway, she's still a child, so that's to be expected! —But! Why did you leave the guild without permission!?"

"Huh? I didn't leave without permission. I submitted my resignation properly."

"I didn't know anything about it!?"

"I guess I forgot to tell you."

"At least say goodbye! ...If you suddenly disappear, I'll worry!"

Hmm. Is that how it is?

"Besides, it caused quite a stir, didn't it? The winner of the Sword God Cup leaving the city is unprecedented."

"I ignore precedents, so there's nothing I can do about it."

"...You really are something..."

Rina sighed in exasperation.

"So, what do you need? Or did you come back to your family home too?"

"Half right. Father is retiring from the vigilante group, so I came back after a long time."

Rina's father was the head of the vigilante group in this town.

"Speaking of which, you were a daddy's girl, weren't you?"

"...You, are you really not aware of someone similar closer to you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing... I'm not a daddy's girl!"

Hmm?

Mira suddenly clung to my waist.

"What's wrong, Mira?"

"...Pout"

She seemed a bit sulky, probably because I had been talking to Rina.

"Stupid brother..."

I picked Mira up.

"Sorry. Can you cheer up?"

"...Kiss"

"Huh?"

"Kiss me, and I'll forgive you."

A kiss.

That's a small request.

I pressed my lips to Mira's forehead.

"Wha...?"

For some reason, Rina was staring wide-eyed.

"Y-You, what are you doing with your sister!?"

"? Isn't it normal for a brother to kiss his sister? Not on the mouth, but on the forehead."

"Even if it's normal, I can't stand it!"

Well, if my sister tried to kiss me, I'd definitely fight her off.

At that moment, Mira, still in my arms, turned to look at Rina.

I couldn't see her face, but...

"Ah!? You had a completely triumphant look just now!"

"What are you talking about? Mira is only five years old."

"That's right. Brother, that lady is definitely crazy. You should get rid of her and never see her again."

"Hey!?"

"Ugh... Brother... That lady is scary..."

"It's okay. I'm here for you."

Rina, why are you so worked up over a five-year-old?

As I tried to enter the house with Mira, who had tears in her eyes, Rina stopped me.

"Wait a moment! I didn't come just to see you!"

"Hmm?"

"You mother, Lady Farah, wanted to talk to you!"

"Hahaha, Aler, you can't be overlooked. Bringing such a beautiful girl as your girlfriend..."

When we brought Rina into the house, my mother said this with a delighted smile.

"N-No, she's not my girlfriend!"

Rina, flustered, denied it, but her cheeks were red.

"It's not, Mother. She's just a pig."

"I'm not a pig!"

So, don't fight with a five-year-old.

"Indeed, she is a beautiful girl."

Father nodded in agreement. Perhaps because it's rare for a young woman to visit, he was a bit excited.

"...Oh my?"

Mother, who is usually calm, noticed this right away. She is quite sensitive, as befits the Sword God.

"Hehe, Father? Who is more beautiful, me or her?"

"Of course, it's you, Mother! Oh, but you really do look young! You still look like you're in your twenties!"

Father, sweating profusely, was desperately praising Mother, who was smiling but not with her eyes.

Father, you're pathetic.

Perhaps Father's full effort in praising Mother worked, as her smile finally returned to normal. When she turned her gaze, Rina, who had been watching with a pale face, shuddered.

"So, what did you come to talk about?"

"Y-Yes!"

Rina, her voice trembling, bowed to Mother.

"I came to ask you to take me as your disciple!"