“You big meanie, Sophia! I’m never talking to you again!”
After saying those words, Eilis felt as though the consciousness of her older brother self, Ai Lei, was drifting further and further away.
‘Would a red-blooded man really say something like that…?’
‘Would a real man start bawling like a baby in a situation like this…?’
But! Sophia was truly unforgivable today! The previous discussion about Ai Lei could be set aside for now.
It was one thing to be teased all the time, but today she had been forced into such an embarrassing predicament.
Rage!
Rage!
Rage!
Eilis hurried back to her room, thoroughly dried herself with a towel, and changed into a pair of dry panties and white silk tights. She even put on a new dress while she was at it.
“Bastard! You bastard, Sophia! Ha!! Wryyyyy!” The little white cat of Hagen had appeared again; she really could switch between her two cat-like personalities at any time.
‘That annoying green-eyed brat. I’ve had enough of being with her lately! Isn’t there some way to get her away from me? The further, the better!’
As Eilis was pondering how to deal with Sophia, she suddenly heard a knock on the door.
“Sister Eilis, it’s me, Nino. Are you all right? Is there anything I can help you with?” Nino’s cheeks were slightly flushed; she still hadn’t recovered from what had happened earlier.
‘Wow — it’s Nino! As expected, Nino is the most reliable at a time like this! That stinky green-eyes doesn’t even have the courage to come over and apologize… No! She just doesn’t want to apologize! How hateful!’
A thousand thoughts raced through Eilis’s mind, but she politely hurried to open the door for Nino.
“Ah, it’s Nino. You really are the best! I’m fine. Look, I’ve already taken care of it and changed my clothes.” Eilis spun in a circle and replied with a beaming smile.
“Maybe you should rest for a bit, Sister. You’ve worked hard today and used up so much mana. I’ll take your dirty clothes and wash them for you.” Nino was as attentive as a little silk pillow, looking out for Eilis’s well-being.
“Okay! You really are the best, Nino~” Eilis replied immediately in a cheerful tone.
—
Leaving Eilis’s room, Nino carried the laundry bin and headed toward the laundry room.
However, she hadn’t gone far from the lounge area when Sophia approached her.
“Nino, sorry, but could you give me Eilis’s clothes? Let me wash them. Consider it a way for me to atone for my sins. Please!”
Sophia, your motives were far too transparent!
“Sister Sophia, that’s enough! I’m getting a little angry, too. Why do you always have to tease Sister Eilis?” Nino pushed away Sophia’s outstretched hand and spoke with a hint of gravity.
“Cough, well, Nino… I’ll apologize to Eilis for today’s events later. I admit I went too far today.”
Sophia’s eyes dimmed. She knew that beyond the teasing, there were factors she had deliberately manufactured. She couldn’t tell Eilis the truth about her imminent departure for a distant land. She wanted Nino and Eilis to become closer; she trusted Nino’s character.
Then, changing the subject, Sophia spoke in a way that seemed intended to corrupt Nino. “Hey, Nino. You’re just taking Eilis’s clothes away like this? Aren’t you curious about how Sister Eilis smells?”
At those words, Nino couldn’t resist the temptation. She was an innocent young girl who adored Eilis.
Nino couldn’t help but reach out and touch the pile of fabric. Her heart began to pound wildly against her chest.
A wicked and absurd thought surfaced in her mind —
‘Just once wouldn’t hurt, right?’
Her brain was losing control over her actions. Right in front of Sophia, Nino actually picked up the item and gently…
Wait…
?!
In an instant, it felt as though Nino had been struck by a bolt of lightning. She looked at Sophia, who was giggling while covering her mouth, and her face turned red from her neck to the tips of her ears.
‘Nino Rialti! What on earth are you thinking?! How could you do something so… perverted right in front of Sister Sophia! Aren’t you afraid she’ll run straight to Sister Eilis and tell on you?!’
If her sister found out about this, her days as a sidekick would surely be over!
Struggling violently within, she quickly shoved Eilis’s clothes back into the bin.
She shook her head like a rattle and slapped her cheeks with her palms.
Before she had heard those words from Sophia, she had been so calm and well-behaved.
It wasn’t Sophia’s leading that caused it! These filthy thoughts had already been germinating in Nino’s own heart.
Nino steadied herself, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, trying to calm her racing heart.
“Ara~ So, Nino, you really are the same kind of person as me. Entrusting Eilis to you was the right choice,” Sophia said playfully, crossing her arms.
“W-what do you mean ‘same kind of person’?! Don’t get the wrong idea! I’m not a pervert like you, Sister Sophia! Although… saying it like that sounds right? Cough, ah! No, it’s not! Stupid! Don’t lump my feelings for Sister Eilis in with yours! If you tell on me, I’ll kill you!”
Her cheeks were still tinged with pink, and her red ears gave her away completely. The tsundere girl had entered her usual mode.
“Nino, jokes aside. Actually, there are some things I should explain to you privately.” Sophia’s sudden change of tone caught Nino off guard.
“Huh? What?! What is it? Why can’t you tell Sister Eilis?” Nino asked immediately, confused.
“I’m leaving for the Second Continent soon to undergo swordsmanship training. I don’t know when I’ll be back. Nino, when I’m gone, you must take good care of Eilis.” Every word Sophia spoke was heavy, though a flash of pain was hidden deep within her eyes.
“All right… I understand. But why can’t you tell her yourself? After all… you’re sisters.” Nino stated the fact, a hint of gloom flashing in her eyes. She knew her relationship with Eilis would never surpass Sophia’s.
“I don’t have the courage to say it. There’s no other way regarding my trip to the Second Continent. Nino, after I leave, I hope you can be there to laugh and cry with her.”
“Please, don’t tell her yet.” Sophia suddenly looked up, her eyes rimmed with red. Nino instantly understood her feelings.
…
In the end, the two of them washed Eilis’s dirty clothes together in water of the perfect temperature. Any unusual scent was gone, replaced only by the fresh aroma of soap berries.
The night in the Resistance base lounge area was as quiet as ever, with only Eilis sleeping soundly, completely unaware of anything.
Nino and Sophia lay in their respective beds, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep for a long time.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.