Chapter 52: Special privilege

Early morning, as the sun began to rise, Linea waited at the dormitory gate.

She was early; she’d finished preparing quickly.

“I…don’t look strange, do I?”

Linne fidgeted with her clothes, checking her reflection in the glass. Today, she was leaving the academy grounds for the capital’s central district. She’d dressed up, a rare departure from her usual uniform, something she couldn’t have managed without Sara’s extensive knowledge of fashion. She’d repay Sara later.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and waited. The clock ticked past the appointed time.

‘She should be here soon…’

Time dragged on, but Ellie was nowhere to be seen. Each time the dormitory door opened, her hopes soared, then plummeted as it closed again, revealing no sign of Ellie. After the fifth time, she finally gave up and started walking.

****

Knock, knock, knock!—

“…Li…Ellie!”

A sleepy voice called out. Ellie blinked, rubbing her eyes, and opened the door a crack.

“Mmm…”

“You’re…just waking up now? Seriously…?”

“Hee hee.”

Ellie, ignoring Linne’s scolding, launched herself into Linne’s arms. Linne, momentarily speechless from the sudden attack, stood frozen, holding Ellie.

“Hee hee, Sister…”

Ellie nuzzled her face against Linne’s chest, her affectionate gesture making Linne’s heart flutter. She gently stroked Ellie’s hair, the soft, fluffy texture addictive. She’d been worried about Ellie getting angry, but Ellie seemed happy, smiling brightly.

“Oh, right. We don’t have time for this.”

Ellie’s cuteness had made her forget the time. Linne slipped her arms under Ellie’s and lifted her effortlessly. She carried Ellie into her room, the door still ajar.

“First, a bath, and then…”

Linne busied herself, preparing everything, while Ellie, still half-asleep, sat quietly in a chair, nodding off occasionally.

Splash, splash.—

“Mmm…”

Linne splashed some water on Ellie’s face, and Ellie blinked, her eyes fluttering open for a moment, then closing again as she realized she was being washed. She frowned as Linne rubbed her face with a wet cloth. Linne realized why.

‘Her calluses…’

The rough skin of Linne’s hands must be irritating Ellie’s delicate skin. She finished washing Ellie’s face gently, her years of caring for orphans making her touch practiced and efficient.

“What about her clothes…?”

Linne looked at Ellie, who was nodding off again, and considered her options. She carefully lifted Ellie and placed her on the bed, where she promptly collapsed, as expected.

Linne looked at Ellie’s sleepwear. A thin, almost translucent camisole that reached past her waist, currently riding up, revealing a glimpse of her pristine white underwear, adorned with a cute little ribbon. And beneath the ribbon…

“I shouldn’t be doing this.”

Linne shook her head, dispelling the inappropriate thoughts. She had to change Ellie’s clothes.

She sat Ellie up and gently lifted her shirt. Ellie obediently raised her arms above her head.

“If only she were always this cooperative… Eek?!”

The shirt suddenly slipped from Linne’s grasp, and she quickly averted her gaze, her face burning as she remembered the flash of pale pink beneath the white fabric.

It was just a child’s body, no different from the orphans she cared for. But the realization that it was Ellie’s body triggered a strange, unfamiliar reaction. Her heart pounded, and her breath hitched, as if she’d just run a marathon.

“Haaam…”

Ellie stretched and opened her eyes, blinking sleepily, staring at Linne with a confused expression.

Linne wanted to…confirm what she’d just felt. She reached for Ellie’s shirt again, slowly lifting it. Ellie’s smooth, white skin was revealed, and a cold voice said,

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Ellie’s eyes were now wide awake, fixed on Linne. Linne responded casually,

“Oh, you’re awake. Just wait a moment. There’s something I need to check.”

Linne’s hand continued upwards, the fabric about to reveal more of Ellie’s youthful body when—

Slap!—

A sharp sound echoed through the room.

****

“I can’t believe you. Not only did you sneak into my room, but you also tried to undress me.”

“S…sorry…”

“That’s a crime, you know?”

Tap, tap.— I rhythmically tapped my open palm with my parasol, looking down at Linne, whose face was flushed, her head bowed submissively. A bright red handprint adorned one cheek.

“Haa… You seem remorseful, so I’ll let it go this time. Let’s go, you pervert.”

We walked to the gate in silence. The silence became unbearable, and I finally spoke,

“So, what’s with…that outfit?”

I glanced at Linne. She was wearing a white blouse and a long skirt, a surprisingly normal outfit for a pierced, blonde delinquent. She almost looked…mature.

“Is it…weird?”

“No, it’s…fine.”

…for a pervert.

Linne smiled brightly at my compliment. I hadn’t noticed before, being with her constantly, but she was pretty. Of course, she was no match for my beautiful sister.

“And you’re wearing that dress?”

“Th…this is…”

I was wearing a black sundress over a white shirt, one of Sister’s favorites, though I didn’t particularly like it. I’d just put it on because it was lying on my bed. It had felt… surprisingly nice, but I couldn’t admit that.

“You look…pretty.”

Linne’s words made my heart flutter, my head spinning.

“Ugh…are you trying to seduce me with your sweet words?”

“Seduce you? I’m just saying what I see.”

Boom.—

Something exploded in my head. I probably looked like I was steaming.

“Ellie? Your face is bright red. What’s wrong?”

Linne’s casual question made me wonder if she was genuinely clueless or just pretending. There was no way to know.

“It’s…none of your business!”

I walked faster, pretending to be nonchalant. Linne, looking confused, followed me.

We reached the gate quickly. The wide path, designed for large crowds, made my heart race. The high walls and open gates of the academy resembled a grand castle. And…

“…Why didn’t you tell me there would be so many people?”

The gate was crowded with students.

“Looks like we’ll have to wait for a carriage.”

“Hngh…my legs hurt…”

Carriages came and went constantly, but the line seemed endless. We joined the queue.

Waiting was always tedious, the long line stretching endlessly before us. As we waited, a commotion broke out near the front.

“Linne! Hurry!”

“Wh…what? What is it?”

I grabbed Linne’s arm and pulled her closer. She stammered, looking flustered. I looked at her pleadingly.

“Carry me!”

I wrapped her arms around me, desperate. She flinched, then seemed to understand and stopped struggling.

“O…okay. Just a moment.”

She took a deep breath, as if preparing for a great feat, and then lifted me effortlessly. I wasn’t that heavy… I felt slightly insulted.

Lifted into the air, my vision expanded, and I could see further than usual. I noticed a commotion near the front of the line.

“What are those people doing?”

“Where?”

A group of students approached the front of the line and simply…took a carriage, without waiting. The other students in line didn’t complain. It was strange.

The student in front of us explained,

“They’re student council members.”

“What? They can just cut in line?”

“Not usually, but they have priority when it’s urgent. It’s a perk, I suppose.”

Her explanation clarified the situation.

“Hmm…”

I see.
An idea struck me. I climbed down from Linne’s arms and walked towards the front of the line, where the student council members were waiting for their carriages.