n

n

n

n✿

nAfter leaving the store, Aaron naturally took the box from my hand.

nThen the large box appeared to have shrunk in size when he lifted it.

n“I can listen, but I wanted to listen to your stories instead.”

n“…My brother wants to do everything for me.”

n“Haha! Then would you like to go somewhere instead?”

n“You don’t have to ask me that.”

nIn response to my statement, Aaron stared at me sweetly.

n‘…After all, that face was a foul whoever sees it.’

nEventually, I sighed with laughter and put my hand on his arm, then his eyes widened.

n“Let’s go!”

n“It’s an honor.”

n“If I knew there was a place we’ll go, I should have stopped by there first.”

nWell, I could buy a father’s gift next time.

nIt didn’t look like we had been out for a long time, but the sun that had been floating in the middle of the sky was setting until it reached the roof of the building.

nThe days were short because winter wasn’t over yet.

n“It’s okay. It’s been pre-ordered, so all you have to do is pick it up.”

n“Then I’m glad…”

n“Originally, I was going to eat until dinner, but my father took it away. This time I decided to yield.” Aaron said it was a pity.

nIt was hard for me to hold back the laughter that popped out at his words.

n“That’s nothing, so I even yield.”

n“What kind of concession is that?”

n“…Father surprisingly grumpy, too.”

nThere was a laugh in Aaron’s tone as he said that.

nAaron and father often had a gentle argument over strange things.

nTypically, after I learned to dance for the first time last year, they had a fight all day over who would dance with me first.

nIt happened to be when Aaron came to the North.

nIn the end, Aaron, who hit the knight saying that he would help his younger sister practice, won.

nAfter that, my father played against Aaron for a long time.

nIn other words, it hurts to say that Fern, who has recovered his hollow and broken arms, grumbled.

n“Ahaha, did you prepare a present for father?” Erita hurriedly changed the subject.

nIt’s been half a year since I’ve seen him, so I thought it wouldn’t be the case now, but it’s still there.

n“You gave father a fountain pen last time. When he signs all of his documents, He always uses it.”

nHis answer got a little faster. I like how my family was harmonious.

n“Really?”

n“Of course. Did you see me lie?” Aaron said as he glanced at me with a smile.

n‘Why? Why do you look at me like that?’

nIt’s like his eyes could see through me.

n“Hahah! The sun is setting already. Let’s hurry up.” I laughed awkwardly and pulled Aaron’s arm.

n“It’s not that way.”

n“Oh, please go first.”

nAnd I stopped again because of that…

n✿

nContrary to my thoughts that we would go to a place like a blacksmith’s shop because we even ordered in advance, we stopped in front of a completely different place.

nOf course, it’s not a place we go to…

nDid you order a father’s gift here?

n“…Was it here?”

n“It’s right here.”

nWhen I asked, Aaron smiled slightly and opened the door. It didn’t seem like he’s used to it once or twice.

n“I thought it was some kind of weapon because my brother even entrusted me with the order in advance.”

nSo was it a lie that he said he’s used to places like this and didn’t have any dating experience?

nI followed him with reasonable doubt.

nAs we entered the store, colorful jewels caught my eye.

nNevertheless, it’s not promiscuous and looks luxurious.

n“It must be expensive.”

nLook at that shiny necklace! Of course, it’s pretty. I continued glancing around the store and whispered.

n“Hey, don’t you think we should come here a little later?”

n“I think the owner’s away.”

n“Oh… He’s probably working inside. He’ll come out soon, so let’s wait a little bit.”

n“That’s a relief, but is it okay to leave this place like this?”

n“What if there’s a thief?”

nAn ownerless jewelry store. Isn’t it perfect to be a target for bad guys?

nAt what I said, Aaron looked embarrassed for a while and soon burst into laughter.

nIt’s like a reaction from a person who heard nonsense.

n“No, because there are no employees…”

nFeeling embarrassed by the reaction, I mumbled little and sat on a fluffy sofa.

n“Hahaha! Were you worried about that?”

n“He’s also nice.”

n“I-, I’m 18 years old now!” I tried to say it unevenly, but it didn’t work for Aaron.

nMy brother might do the same even when I turn twenty-eight.

nOf course, my older brother’s attitude was closer to embarrassment than dislike, but…

n“As I heard, you’re a kind person.”

nThen, suddenly, someone else’s voice spoke. I turned my head in surprise.

n“Oh no. I’m sorry if I scared you. It’s become a habit not to show signs of my presence.”

nWhen my gaze met the gentle-faced man, he apologized in a gentle voice.

n“…It’s okay.”

nAs I swept my chest in surprise and smiled awkwardly, I rolled my gaze and saw his face.

nIf anyone saw a warm-hearted man with such a good face, a smile would come out naturally.

nBut as I heard, it’s…? That man seemed to know me.

nNo, he must have heard of me.

n“Kayden, you talked a lot today.”

n“Haha!! What are you talking about?”

nSure enough, it was clear that he knew Aaron.

n‘So he was lying when I said I didn’t have close friends.’

nFirst Callion, and this man named Kayden.

n“It’s a little late to introduce myself. My name is Kayden Ambron. It’s small, but I run this shop.”

n“My name is Erita Krovachatz.”

n“I want to talk more, but I’m scared of Aaron’s glare, so I’ll stop here today.”

nAfter greeting, he turned his gaze awkwardly, Kayden turned his back first and approached the shelf.

n“This was the item you ordered.”

nWhat he handed over was a luxurious leather box. The box was quite large for my father’s tie pins or cuffs.

n“I’ll come back next time to find something else.”

n“Yes, please.”

n“Erita, do you want to stop?”

nContrary to expectations of opening and checking the box, Aaron picked up the box lightly.

n“Is it okay if you don’t check it?” Kayden said to Aaron.

n“It’s okay. I can trust your skills.”

n“Ha! I’m embarrassed that you compliment me so much in front of Erita.”

nDespite his words, Kayden’s face still had a gentle smile on it.

nHe looks warm and calm, but what’s with this strange feeling? Is it because the mana surrounding him was cool?

n“That’s all for today.”

n“See you next time. Please stop by sometime, lady.”

n“I will…”

nI nodded awkwardly with mixed thoughts and then left the store with Aaron.

n“Now, we have to go to the mansion soon. If we delay any longer, I will be late for dinner.”

n“Yes. Then let’s go to where the carriage was.”

nI walked along with Aaron. There was a distance to the carriage, so I had to walk a little further.

nBecause the sun was setting, the street was quieter than before. That was then.

n“Oops!”

nThe hat was blown away by a light wind. I hurriedly turned back.

n“It’s the hat that father gave…!”

nFortunately, the hat, which had been blown away by the wind for a while, hit someone and fell off.

nBefore I arrived, the man in the robe picked it up first.

nHis face could not be seen because of the hood he wore deeply, but somehow he seemed surprised to see me.

n“…Here you go.”

nThe man brushed the dust off the hat and held it out to me.

n“Oh, thank you.”

n“It was nothing.”

nThe low-pitched voice from the hood was gentle.

n“I think there’s someone waiting, so hurry up and go.”

nAs I turned my head to the man’s words, I saw Aaron waiting for me behind.

n“Thanks… huh?”

nI turned around to thank him, but the person in front of me just then had just disappeared.

n“What’s going on?”

nIt was a brief moment that I turned my head.

n‘…I guess something urgent happened that he left soon.’

nIt was strange, but it was not big enough to think deeply.

nAt Aaron’s call, I ignored it and moved on.

n✿

nAfter returning home, I went up to my room after dinner.

n“Oh, I’m so full!”

nAs expected, Evan cooked. Spicy chicken vinegar.

nSurprisingly, my father didn’t say much about the fact that I went out with Aaron.

n“…I think Fern was the most pitiful.”

nFern, who was holding father with a pile of documents at that time, looked pitiful.

nKnock, knock~

nThen a knock was heard.

n“Come on in!” I answered loudly and raised my body from the sofa.

nIt was Aaron who opened the door and entered.

n“Are you resting?”

n“Yes. I must have eaten too much for dinner. What brought you here?”

n“I have something to give you.”

nSitting on the sofa with Aaron, I quickly turned to face him.

n“For me?”

n“Yes, it’s yours.”

nWith those words, Aaron held out a familiar leather box.

nIt was the one we got from Kayden’s store earlier.

n“Isn’t this the one you ordered in advance?”

n“That’s right. I was originally going to give it to you in time for New Year, but something came up…” Aaron smiled, blurring his words.

nOriginally, he was supposed to come to the North two months ago, but couldn’t because something came up.

nI don’t know what’s going on.

n“I thought it was a gift for our father.”

n“I have something else for our father. This one’s yours, so hurry up and open it.”

nI stared at the black leather box and placed it on the table.

nInside the box opened with a click sound, there was a necklace and a pair of earrings.

n“This…”

n“Do you like it?”

nI nodded at Aaron’s words.

nA necklace with purple jewels on a simple silver chain and drop-shaped pure blue sapphire earrings.

nIt could have been said that it was a set with the bracelet on my wrist.

nThe bracelet that my father gave me nine years ago was something I always wear.

nPerhaps it was ordered accordingly.

n“…I really like it. Thank you, brother!”

n“I’m glad that you liked it.” Aaron stood up from his seat with a neat motion.

n“Can I wear it on you?”

n“Sure.”

nWith a rustling sound, I felt my head sway to the side and cold metal touching my neck.

n“It’s done.”

nLooking down, a jewel the size of a little fingernail was sitting calmly.

nIt was not a colorful design, so I thought I could always wear it.

nThen Aaron’s straight fingers picked up a blue earring.

nEven a little ticklish for a while, as Aaron’s hand fell out of my ear, it felt strangely lighter.

n“Mana…”

nTo be precise, it must be true that the mana that always surrounds me has become lighter.

n“What do you think? Do you think it’s effective?”

nErita nodded with a blank face.

nSeeing me like that, Aaronn smiled satisfactorily and straightened my messy hair.

n“I’m glad.”

nMy mouth rarely dropped due to the impression that was pouring in. I hugged Aaron tightly.

nHis slightly cold arms were as warm as when he was a child.

n“It’s late, but congratulations on becoming an adult, my sister.”

nIt was a celebration two months late, but it was enough for me.

n