Chapter 74

An hour later.

The two were in the storage room of the relief center. There, among various stage props borrowed from the relief center, including the box of props they had just used, they were searching.

"It's not here..."

"It's not here..."

The two sighed simultaneously in the storage room. It was already dark outside, and the first star was beginning to twinkle. At this rate, they would miss the evening meal at the dormitory.

"By the way, you. Aren't you going to ask?"

"Ask what?"

She stopped searching and turned to Ein. It seemed he was also looking at her, and their gazes met.

"The reason why Zwey is so afraid of knives"

"Will you tell me?"

"I might tell you."

With a voice so small it was barely audible, Cecilia blinked.

"Anyway, you. Even if you hear this story, you probably don't have the kind of mind that would use it for something weird, right?"

"Is that... an insult?"

"No, it's not."

"Huh?"

"It's a compliment."

Though gruff, it was undoubtedly a compliment, and Cecilia's eyes widened. Ein averted his gaze from her surprised expression and bit his lower lip.

"That guy, he saw his mother being killed right in front of him."

"Huh?"

"You know how in our hometown, twins were hated as 'children of the devil'?"

"Oh, yeah."

It was a story she had heard from Zwey. When Ein and Zwey were born, their parents were pressured by the villagers to kill one of them.

"Their father and mother scolded the villagers, and for a while, no one said such things. But..."

One night, Kadi Mirand, who was known for being the most devout, broke into their house with a knife. Kadi worked as a part-time groom for the Makiyas family and was not suspected when he entered the grounds without permission.

Kadi climbed a tree and entered Zwey's room. At that moment, Mrs. Makiyas was in Zwey's room, and she shielded Zwey from Kadi's knife, dying in the process.

"Since then, Zwey has been afraid of knives. He probably thinks that he should have died instead of his mother."

"Such a thing..."

Cecilia was speechless at the tragic past. Just seeing her mother killed would be shocking enough, but the fact that it was because she was protecting her... was unbearably painful.

(But that's why...)

Grace must have said she didn't want to tell anyone.

If someone knew such a secret without her knowing, it would certainly be unpleasant.

"When we got this power, we shared a lot of things. But that guy, no matter how much I ask, he won't share that particular event."

Ein stroked the silver bracelet wrapped around his wrist.

"We are one, yet two."

They had always lived like that, supporting each other. Seeing the same things, feeling the same things, and bearing the same pain.

But there was one important memory that he couldn't share, and he must feel inadequate for not being able to bear that weight together.

Looking at Ein, who was gazing into the distance, Cecilia thought for a moment before speaking.

"You two are both so strong."

"Huh?"

"If it were me, I don't think I would even consider sharing such painful memories. And I don't think Zwey could bear it alone either..."

"Zwey is the strong one. I couldn't bear anything in the end."

"No, no matter what anyone says, Ein is strong! Very strong. Because you try to protect Zwey and even push me away!"

"You... really?"

His eyes narrowed as if to say, "You say that now?"

Despite his glare, Cecilia smiled more broadly.

"Your mother's death must have been painful for you too, right? Yet, you put Zwey first and tried to protect him. No matter how you look at it, Ein is strong!"

"..."

Even though she had never lost a family member, she had been separated from them, so she could imagine how it felt.

"When my life as a bird ended, the thought of never seeing my family and friends again was more painful than the idea of no longer existing. The inability to say anything to the people I loved and being forced to leave them forever was unbearable."

Death must be lonely, painful, and heart-wrenching for both the one left behind and the one left behind.

"Anyway, Ein is really trying hard!"

When she expressed her sincere feelings, his cheeks suddenly turned red. Then, with a look of frustration, he turned his face away from Cecilia.

"Don't suddenly treat me like a younger brother!"

"Huh? I was treating you like a younger brother!?"

"You were! ...Unconsciously, I guess."

When he said it with a growl, Cecilia said, "Sorry," in a flustered voice. Even after her apology, his expression did not improve, and she looked around nervously.

(Maybe I hurt his feelings!? I didn't mean to treat him like a younger brother!)

After looking at the flustered Cecilia, Ein sighed. Then, as if to change the atmosphere, he spoke in a slightly louder voice than before.

"Anyway, let's look for the brooch."

"Ah, yeah! Wait, ah—!!"

As she pointed behind Ein with a loud voice, he covered his ears and turned around, saying, "What is it!?"

"Look! It's here!"

"Huh?"

"It's over there!"

"Oh..."

Zwey's brooch was in a box containing imitation precious metals. Someone must have picked it up and mistakenly put it in there.

Cecilia reached for the box on the shelf, and at that moment, a sharp pain shot through her shoulder.

"Ow!"

"Does it still hurt?"

"Ah, yeah. A little."

With Ein's help, she took down the box.

"Sorry. It must be difficult for you to do daily activities, right?"

"Not at all. I can move it much better now! It's just a bit painful when I lift it high. —Wait, it's really here!"

"..."

Cecilia held out the brooch to Ein with a happy face. However, he grabbed her shoulders without looking at it.

"I'll take responsibility."

"Huh?"

"I'll take full responsibility."

Cecilia felt an ominous premonition from Ein's words.

"Support for your school life from tomorrow is on me."

I want to bring in Gil and Oscar soon! ❤

Thank you very much for your support for the book and the manga adaptation!