Chapter 61: I hated it

Linne’s neck creaked as she turned, a forced smile plastered on her face.

“What’s wrong? I didn’t say anything surprising.”

I eyed her suspiciously. Was she hiding something? She kept avoiding my gaze.

She was acting strange, but I didn’t dwell on it. Linne was always strange; it was pointless to overthink it.

“It’s fine. I’m not curious, so just…follow me.”

“Really? You’re not going to…nag me? Are you sure you’re Ellie?”

“I’ll leave you behind if you keep it up.”

“Ha ha, just kidding.”

Sister, seemingly agreeing with me, took my hand. Linne took my other hand, her much larger hand enveloping mine in a warm, comforting grip.

“I didn’t say you could hold my hand. Why are you even…?”

“Just…felt like it was okay now…?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Linne just grinned, ignoring me. I couldn’t even get mad; I just let it be.

“Haa…why am I even with this…commoner…?”

“Your hands are so soft…and smooth…they feel nice.”

“Ugh, don’t just grab my hand and then comment on it.”

Squeeze.—

Sister suddenly tightened her grip, her fingers turning white, like a corpse’s.

“Sister?”

“…Yes?”

Her eyes, unfocused a moment ago, regained their focus. She quickly released my hand, her face flushed.

“S…sorry. Did that hurt?”

“Nope. Not at all.”

I shook my head, but Sister still looked flustered, blowing on my hand and rubbing it gently. I smiled; even her awkward attempts at comfort were endearing.

She was too good for…anyone else.

Whoosh—

“Why are you blowing on my hand?”

“What? You like it, don’t you?”

“Of course not!”

She was always pushing my buttons. I wasn’t usually this irritable… She was talented at provoking me, this blonde, pierced delinquent, with her icy heart and fiery temper.

I yelled at her, and Linne lowered her hand dejectedly, her ears drooping.

“Hee hee…”

Sister giggled, looking at Linne, a strange glint in her eyes. She sometimes looked at our parents like that… I didn’t understand it, but she seemed amused, so it was fine.

“Ugh…”

Linne glared at Sister, a look of… something in her eyes. Sister met her gaze calmly. They stared at each other for a long moment, then both turned to me.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

I cowered under their intense gazes. And they were both so…beautiful. The most beautiful girls in the academy, perhaps. Well, Sara was also quite pretty.

“Sister…?”

Sister placed her hand on my head, stroking my hair gently. I closed my eyes, enjoying the warm, comforting touch, a familiar tingling sensation spreading through my chest.

“Mmm…”

I quickly opened my eyes, mortified by the involuntary sound. They hadn’t noticed, thankfully. Sister just smiled, her smile a little wider than usual. She seemed…pleased.

“Sister, this is…embarrassing…”

“Hee hee, sorry. Did you not like it?”

“No, it’s not that I didn’t like it, it’s just…”

“Just…?”

Sister’s smile widened, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she glanced at Linne, who glared back silently.

“N…nothing.”

Sister didn’t press me for an answer, thankfully. I sighed in relief.

“Ellie, excuse me for a moment.”

Linne’s words made me turn; a large hand reached for my head. Or at least, it felt large.

Pat, pat.—

Her hand, much larger than even Sister’s, ruffled my hair.

“Linne, if you know it’s rude, you should stop.”

I wanted to push her hand away, but my hands were trapped, held by Sister and Linne. I tried dodging, then gave up. It was easier to just…endure it. I’d put her in her place later.

Her touch grew bolder, her strong, firm hand moving through my hair.

Her touch was surprisingly gentle and precise, as if she knew exactly where to touch, how to… She found all my…sensitive spots.

‘This is…dangerous.’

My mind screamed a warning. I wouldn’t be able to go back after this.

“How does it feel? Good?”

“Huh…”

I’d been enjoying it, without realizing it. I quickly composed myself and said,

“N…not bad.”

It was just a commoner. Just…a head pat. I wouldn’t be affected by a commoner’s touch. Not me.

Linne’s hand continued its exploration, moving from my hair to my face, then to my chin.

“Feels better than your sister’s touch, doesn’t it?”

“Mmm…it doesn’t…feel good.”

I almost agreed, then caught myself. Linne smirked at Sister, who was now glaring at us, her jaw clenched.

“Hmm…is that so?”

“…Oh.”

Linne’s hand froze, then retreated. Sister sighed in relief. I felt a twinge of…disappointment, but it was for the best.

“I was going to give you an even better head pat if you just said one word…Too bad.”

“An even…better…?”

I stared at Linne’s hand, my eyes unfocused, mesmerized. If that was good, then what would an “even better” head pat feel like?

Linne wiggled her fingers playfully, and my gaze followed.

“You’re not interested at all, are you, Ellie?”

“Even if I was, I wouldn’t…tell you.”

“Hmm…how about this: I won’t ask for anything in return, just…let me pat your head. Is that okay?”

“Do whatever you want.”

Linne’s hand reached for my head again, a suspicious smile playing on her lips. I told myself it would be fine.

A commoner, touching me? The thought was absurd. But the moment her hand touched my hair, the absurdity vanished.

It felt…amazing. Her hand moved through my hair, a gentle yet firm touch, until she stopped, and I was jolted back to reality, the sudden absence of her touch leaving a hollow ache.

“Feels better than your sister’s, doesn’t it?”

“Yes! It feels much better than Sister’s! So…!”

“Good girl. As a reward, I’ll pat you some more.”

I didn’t care about anything else.
Linne’s touch was all that mattered.

****

“Haa…haa…”

I gasped for breath, my body heavy, as if I’d just returned from a long journey through a dreamscape.

“Ha ha, sorry. Are you okay? I got a little carried away.”

“….”

I turned away, unable to look at her. I couldn’t believe I’d enjoyed being touched by…Linne. I’d be less embarrassed if it had been Sister. I tried to pull my hand away from hers, but her grip was firm. I ignored her attempts at conversation and walked away.

We reached a clearing, a barren expanse of dirt and fallen trees.

“Shall we rest here?”

“Yes!”

The instructors and students settled down to rest. I looked around for a suitable spot.

‘There…’

I saw the pile of giant marbles I’d been playing with earlier, neatly arranged on a large, flat stone slab.

“Sister, let’s sit over there.”

Sister, who’d been walking silently beside me, didn’t respond. I looked up at her; I could barely see her profile.

“Sister…?”

Why was she so lost in thought? I shook her hand.

“Sister!”

“Oh, Ellie…ha ha…”

She finally turned, her voice weak and lifeless, her face pale and drawn, her eyes unfocused.

“Sister, are you alright? Are you feeling sick?”

“I’m fine. Sorry for worrying you.”

She looked…defeated, her usual confidence replaced by a quiet resignation. I was worried, even though I found her vulnerable state… endearing.

“It’s probably my fault.”

“Linne, did you…do something to my sister?”

“She’s upset because I was playing with Ellie too much.”

So that’s what it was. She was jealous because she couldn’t play with Linne.

“She… really likes you.”

“I know. I didn’t expect her to be this attached.”

Linne smiled wryly.

I suddenly hated her.