The first place I arrived at was the maid-only quarters where Ameri was staying.
Unless there was some special task, she would likely still be here, so she should be around.
“…Ameri went out?”
“Yes. She said she needed to buy something and left.”
I thought so.
The ambitious plan I had set up was derailed right from the start.
I never expected Ameri to leave without saying a word…
I hadn’t specifically prohibited it, but still, she could have at least mentioned it…
Well, today I returned earlier than usual, so I guess I can’t complain.
Ameri must need a lot of things, having left her hometown and come so far.
When she returns, I’ll have to ask her about the things she bought and how much they cost.
I’ll have to buy things for my beloved maid as well.
Sigh.
There was nothing much to do until Ameri returned, so I went back to my room and lay down on the bed.
Glancing to the side, it seemed my younger sibling still hadn’t returned, as the bed next to mine was just as it had been in the morning.
…Alyssa.
She had said she would make a flow in the end, or something like that.
No, she had been talking about the flow even before that.
What kind of flow was she referring to?
Looking back, Alyssa is such a suspicious child.
Leaving aside her strength and wealth, she knows far too much.
She knew that Sharen-sama liked swordsmanship, so she asked about a strange novel called “Dahno So” which I had no clue about… and there were many other times she had said strange things.
It’s almost as if she knows the future.
…The future?
It’s like when she recognized the mercenary disguised as a thief, or when she knew about my attributes, things no one else could have known.
Even when she told me to take it easy during the entrance exam, there were too many suspicious things that now seem obvious.
…Does Alyssa really know the future?
It doesn’t seem like she knows it perfectly, since there are so many awkward points.
Still, I have to keep that in mind.
If I bring it up with Alyssa, I’m sure she’ll react somehow.
‘…The future.’
When I was younger, I also thought I knew the future. When I dreamt, I often saw Alyssa and myself grow up.
Throb.
‘…It hurts.’
The pain that never becomes familiar, no matter how many times I endure it.
The stomachaches and headaches that always plague me, but seem to worsen when I try to recall the past.
I haven’t thought deeply about the reason, but I personally suspect it’s due to stress.
The reason the pain intensifies whenever I recall my childhood is probably because I was so overwhelmed back then.
Now, it feels like it’s all from a distant past.
After my sibling was born, my health, which had already been poor, deteriorated even further.
It became so difficult that even walking around the garden felt like a struggle.
Unexplained fevers, stomach pains, and difficulty breathing.
Even on days when my condition was slightly better, going out was out of the question, and the only thing I could do was walk around the mansion.
Compared to other mansions, it was small, and parts of it were quite worn out, but to my younger self, it was everything—my entire world.
Old paintings, rusty luxury items, shabby statues.
Everything looked new to my eyes, and they were precious items.
I had so much fun playing hide-and-seek in the mansion with Alyssa, who could barely speak…
Throb-
When did it all start?
When did things take a turn?
When did my relationship with Alyssa deteriorate so quickly?
Was it when my dress, which I liked so much, got stained with muddy water?
Or when I hurt Alyssa’s hand and got scolded by mother?
Was it when mother started comparing the emerging Alyssa with my own limitations?
…That was just the turning point.
I must have started hating her even earlier.
Ah, never mind. Forget it, Amy.
What good will it do now to think about the past?
What matters now is getting Alyssa to open up.
For that, I need Ameri…
Knock knock knock.
“Miss Amy, I heard you were looking for me. Are you inside?”
“Ameri?”
“I heard you were looking for me. May I come in?”
“Yes, come in, Ameri.”
“Thank you, Miss Amy.”
Perfect timing, Ameri.
Clink.
When Ameri entered the room, she seemed to be in a good mood, as if something pleasant had happened outside.
Her face was full of smiles, and I couldn’t help but feel a little happier seeing her.
But remembering my purpose, I cleared my throat lightly.
“Ameri, the reason I called for you today is that I have something to ask.”
“Please ask me anything, Miss Amy. If you feel thirsty while talking, would you like some sweet tea?”
“I do like your tea, Ameri, but I’m fine for now. Please, sit next to me.”
Tap tap.
Ameri tilted her head, looking curious, but she obediently sat on the bed.
Her gentle smile and kind expression calmed my nerves, which had been sharpened by Alyssa’s actions.
“Ameri, you’ve taken good care of both me and Alyssa, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I have, but…”
“Do you know what Alyssa likes? The things she particularly likes—objects, people, actions… Anything.”
“Alyssa? Hmm… I think Miss Amy know her better than I do…”
“…It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I don’t actually know much about Alyssa.”
To be precise, it was closer to not knowing what she liked.
Dislikes, hates, fears.
I knew all the negative things about her, but as for what she liked, what games she found fun, or what she loved…
I knew nothing about the positive aspects of her life.
No, I wasn’t even interested.
By the time Alyssa started speaking and began to truly distance herself from me, I had already started to despise her.
“Alyssa’s favorite thing…”
Ameri placed a finger on her chin and thought deeply.
After tilting her head a few times, she clapped her hands as if struck by a good idea.
“Omelets!”
“…Omelets?”
“Remember when Miss Amy made omelets for her? Alyssa seemed to like them; she smiled and talked about it afterward.”
“…Alyssa liked omelets.”
“She even said they were much better than the ones the chef made. Maybe Miss Amy could make them again?”
Foolish girl.
Of course, the chef’s omelets were far superior to the ones made by an inexperienced sister without proper taste buds.
Still, it might be worth a try.
“Alright, Ameri. While I prepare the omelets, please find Alyssa and bring her to my room. If you can’t find her, just come back. I won’t hold it against you.”
“Understood! I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll make sure to bring Alyssa!”
After Ameri left with a determined expression, I was left alone with my thoughts.
Omelets.
The only dish I could make.
I had once made them for Alyssa and also for Lady Sharen.
I couldn’t even remember why I made them for Alyssa back then, but her smiling face as she ate was still a precious memory in the corner of my mind.
If I made it for her again, would she smile like before?
Even if it wasn’t just to get Alyssa to open up, maybe making it once more wouldn’t be so bad—
To forget this pain for a moment and remember the happier past.
– – – – –
“Ameri, I still…”
I was wandering through the academy, searching for an important figure who wielded the power of earth.
Somehow, Ameri found me, though I had no idea how she knew where I was.
Unlike others, I couldn’t shake her off and flee.
Her innocent and kind eyes stopped me in my tracks.
“Alyssa, I don’t know what’s going on, but why don’t you talk to Miss Amy?”
Ameri, who had cared for both my sister and me since we were young, was not a part of the future I knew.
Yet, she had become an irreplaceable figure in our lives, especially taking care of my frail sister.
“Ameri, please let me go for now. I don’t want to see my sister yet…”
“I will bring Alyssa to Miss Amy no matter what. Failing to fulfill the request of someone so precious to me would make me a failure as a maid.”
“Sigh…”
Miss Amy.
I had acted cold toward her backstage, but deep down, I still wanted to see her.
I wanted to cling to her, yet I tried to stay away until I was prepared.
“Miss Amy has even prepared a gift for you, Alyssa. Please don’t dismiss her efforts.”
“…She prepared something for me?”
“Yes, I’m sure you’ll love it.”
What could she possibly have prepared for me?
Ameri didn’t seem to be lying, so she must have something in mind.
Thinking back on it, my sister had always quietly cared for me, even when I didn’t notice.
My kind, kind sister…
I miss her.
“Fine, I’ll go see her.”
“That’s wonderful! Miss Amy will surely be delighted.”
While Ameri beamed with joy, my face became more troubled.
I had tried to step out of my sister’s shadow to protect her, but here I was, still acting like a child.
Step by step, I walked to the room we shared.
I reached the door, but my hand hesitated on the doorknob.
I couldn’t bring myself to open it.
“Now, now, don’t be shy.”
“I get it, just give me a moment…!”
Clink.
Before I could gather my resolve, Ameri opened the door, revealing the room inside.
A luxurious wooden table.
A delicious-looking omelet placed on top.
And my sister collapsed on the floor.
“…Sister?”
Thud, thud, thud.
“Wh-why…?”
She hurriedly approached her fallen sister without even taking a breath, but her sister still couldn’t open her eyes.
With her lips slightly parted, she continued her faint breathing.
When she placed her hand on her sister’s burning forehead, it was so hot, like touching fire,
That she instinctively pulled her hand away for a moment.
“Ah, Ameri! Quickly, call a doctor, a doctor!”
“…Leave it to me, young lady.”
“What are you talking about? Call the doctor now!!!”
Tap, tap—
“Miss Alyssa, please give this medicine to Miss Amy immediately. Hurry.”
“…Medicine?”
What Ameri handed over as she approached was a small white pill, no bigger than a pinky nail.
Though her heart wanted to run and get a doctor herself, the urgency of the situation led her to clutch the pill Ameri gave her as if grasping at straws.
“She had been doing fine for a while, but… another seizure…”
“…Ameri, once this situation is under control, I want you to tell me everything about my sister’s condition. Every single detail.”
Sister…
Why have you…
become so weak?