Chapter 51 : When you meet someone better than me

“Ershi, you idiot! You moron! You perverted magician!”

Ever since the day Ershi rejected her feelings, Serena would get furious just from seeing her face.

She avoided talking to her because she felt like all the curses she had bottled up inside would just explode out.

She kissed her on the cheek, touched her wherever she pleased.

She said Serena was more precious than anything else in the world.

And yet, she claimed none of that was love?

Serena resented her past self, who had felt her heart flutter at Ershi’s affection and teasing.

And beyond resentment—she was hurt.

“…You could’ve just said it was love, you idiot.”

No matter how much she hated her now, the kindness Ershi had shown wasn’t something that could just disappear.

And that made it even more painful.

She had felt, more than anyone else, how much Ershi cared for and looked after her.

That’s why the wound from the rejection was no small thing.

Even now, holed up in her room, she felt like hugging her knees and crying.

But if she cried, wouldn’t that be the same as admitting she wanted Ershi’s love?

To protect her pride—and her heart, which had been toyed with—she decided not to cry.

“I’ll never forgive her. Never.”

Wiping her burning eyes, she clenched her fists and strengthened her resolve.

Even if Ershi got down on her knees and begged, she wouldn’t waver.

Because she wanted Ershi to suffer just as much as she did.

That’s what she decided.

She was sure of it.

And yet.

“Serena, you’re still awake, aren’t you?”

She faltered for a moment at the smiling face of the unwelcome guest who appeared late at night, while she was tossing and turning in bed.

*

‘…So you’re saying this is all my fault in the end?’

‘Not exactly. What I said is similar to what the House Head said, but also completely different.’

‘And what’s that?’

‘At the very least, the House Head still has a chance to clear up the misunderstanding.’

That’s what Ord said.

That Serena, even though she didn’t show it well, probably still liked Ershi.

That maybe she was so angry she didn’t even want to talk because she was that hurt—because she liked her that much.

And that healing that wound and setting things right was something only I could do.

So in the end, he was telling me to figure it out on my own.

Honestly, he talks way too much.

Wouldn’t it be nice if he just said things simply?

Still, thanks to him, I had made up my mind.

I was prepared to accept Serena’s anger just as it was.

‘She’s probably still awake at this hour, right?’

She always had trouble sleeping, so I had read her bedtime stories a few times.

I didn’t need to check—I just knew.

See?

She’s not sleeping.

She’s sitting on her bed, staring out the window.

“…Hmph!”

But as soon as I entered the room, Serena snorted and flopped down on the bed.

On top of that, she pulled the blanket over her head, all the way up, clearly showing she wanted nothing to do with me.

Sigh… Seriously.

Not going to be easy from the start, huh?

“Hey~, Serena? I’m here. Don’t you have anything to say?”

“…”

“The moon looks really pretty tonight. Don’t you think? Come here and look at it with me.”

“…Get out.”

From under the covers, Serena finally opened her mouth, peeking out only her eyes to glare at me as I sat on the window ledge.

It had only been three days since I last heard her voice, but even the quiet grumble felt precious.

“Get out right now. I don’t even want to see your face.”

“Aw, come on. We’ve been so distant lately. Don’t you think it’s time we made up?”

“Idiot, moron, pervert, pedophile.”

“Yes, yes. I’m an idiot, a moron, and even a pervert.”

But I’m not going to admit to being a pedophile, no matter what.

Where on earth did she even learn that kind of word?

“…You’re disgusting.”

When her sharp insult didn’t get the reaction she wanted, she seemed annoyed and ducked her face back under the blanket.

She’s like a little hermit crab, I swear.

If she’s going to be like that, I’ll just have to be unreasonable too!

“Alright then. Maybe I’ll just sleep here like this tonight!”

“W-What are you doing?! Get away! Go away!”

When I slipped under the blanket and hugged her from behind, she immediately started squirming and kicking with all her strength—just like I expected.

She must’ve gotten stronger from her recent swordsmanship training.

Still, that kind of strength can’t match someone like me who’s been trained by Ord and bullied by Victoria.

Heh heh heh.

“Let go of me! Can’t you hear me?! I said I’m really going to get mad!”

“Go ahead. Get as mad as you want. Let it all out—I don’t mind—!”

But mid-sentence, Serena’s head smacked right into my chin.

The shock rattled my skull and nearly knocked me out cold.

Seriously… why now, of all times?

I was just starting to set the mood!

While I was still dazed, Serena wriggled out of my arms and sat up.

Bathed in moonlight, her chest heaving with angry breaths, she looked like an angel of wrath descending from the heavens.

At least, to me she did.

“You said you didn’t like me… So why do you keep doing things that make me so angry?!”

Tears of an angel rolled down her cheeks.

Her small mouth was tightly closed, trying to hold back sobs, but the trembling corners looked like they were ready to spill a hundred things she’d been holding in.

She could say them all, if she wanted to.

I wanted to say all that… but instead, I just reached out and wiped away her tears.

Serena didn’t shake off my hand or pull away.

She just stared at me with eyes full of resentment.

“…I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

The silence hung heavy, so I decided to break it myself.

Maybe because my apology sounded too casual, Serena didn’t show much of a reaction.

Right.

She’s probably thinking, “Let’s hear what you have to say first.”

In that case, I’ll tell you exactly how I feel.

“Serena. I like you.”

“…Huh?”

“I mean it. I probably like you more than anyone else in the world. I’m serious.”

It must’ve been sudden.

It must’ve been confusing.

Anyone would be surprised to hear something like that out of nowhere.

Serena stared blankly for a moment, mouth slightly open in shock—but soon narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

“What are you saying now? You’re lying again just to mess with me, right? I’m not falling for it. You think I’m that easy?”

“It’s not like that. And that’s not all I wanted to say, either.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Wait a sec. Trying to say all this while lying down is making my neck stiff.”

I sat up too, raising myself to meet Serena at eye level.

The wary look in her eyes reminded me of the night we first met.

The moon had looked especially beautiful that night too—though I wonder if she remembers.

Anyway, I cleared my throat and continued.

“Serena, do you know there are many forms of love in this world?”

People, throughout their lives, come to care about many things.

Sometimes it’s an object, sometimes an action, and sometimes a person.

“The way you adore Pumpkin—that’s love too. Love doesn’t always have to be between people. If you truly care for something, I think that’s love in its own right.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“When I say I like you… I mean I like you as your sister, as family.”

The kind of love Serena had wanted to confess to me that day… was probably romantic love.

She’s young, so it’s understandable.

It’s the most common and sweetest form.

For a child, that might be the only kind of love they can understand.

“…What is that? Are you messing with me? You said before you didn’t love me.”

“As family, I do love you. Truly. I’m sorry I didn’t explain it properly back then.”

“You’re lying…”

“I’m not lying.”

“Then prove it. Don’t just say it—show me.”

Proof.

She didn’t have to say it out loud.

I could already guess what she meant.

Her slightly flushed cheeks and tightly pressed lips looked softer than ever. 

Like a small fruit blooming under the sunlight.

“…Haa.”

With no other choice, I gently held Serena’s face.

She hadn’t expected me to actually reach for her, it seemed—her wide-open eyes trembled.

Then she squeezed them shut with all her might.

Not even knowing what I might do next, so tense… Why did she say that in the first place?

Still, since she had said it, I decided to give her what she wanted—and placed a kiss.

On her forehead.

“…?”

Serena opened her eyes slightly, perhaps because it wasn’t what she had imagined.

What, did you really think I’d kiss you on the lips?

“This is as far as I’ll go. Save that part for someone you truly fall in love with someday—someone you’d want to marry.”

Serena’s happy ending has to be with her prince.

If someone like me stole that first kiss, it would only stain the happiness she’s meant to have.

So please understand.

You may not get it now, but someday, you will.

“…That’s so unfair. You acted like you were going to.”

“Adults are always unfair. Didn’t you know?”

“Idiot. Dummy. Pervert. Fraud.”

Another nickname, huh?

As payback, I lightly flicked her small lips with my finger.

Serena flinched slightly at the touch.

“Ugh… I told you, don’t treat me like a kid.”

“You are a kid. If you want to say that, at least grow a bit taller first.”

“Just wait. I’ll definitely grow taller than you someday.”

“Alright. I’ll be waiting for that day…”

Wait a second.

Did Serena just call me “Unni”?

“Serena… what did you just call me?”

“…What? You are my unni. Did I say something wrong?”

“N-no, it’s not wrong, just…”

She had never called me that before—so suddenly hearing it now felt…strange.

Strange, yet happy.

I guess you could call it awkward happiness.

One thing’s for sure: it sounded way better than I’d ever imagined.

“Ha, could you say it just one more time? Please?”

“No. Your face is annoying.”

“Aw, come on. Just like before—cute and cheerful—say ‘unni~’!”

“I did not sound like that!”

Tch.

What a shame.

Still… thanks to that, when I looked a little sullen, Serena finally gave me a small smile.

Really, what a troublesome little sister with terrible taste.