Happy Friday!
The long holiday also ended a while ago, it was the time when everyone finally recovered from vacation-mode.
There was a slight uproar.
The last afternoon class had ended, and I was heading back with Yurii-sama. There was a crowd at the school building's entrance. When Yurii-sama and I who had lost to our curiosity peeked into the crowd, those in the center were all acquaintances.
Erika was in a panic with her back against the wall, and Cain was blocking the way with his arms folded and glaring at Erika. And Dahlia was standing in front of Erika as if to protect her and was glaring at Cain.
Enough about this pair of siblings, 'why Erika?', was my question.
「Erika, doesn't understand what Cain-sama is sayingg.」
「Liar. If that's the case, how do you explain your recent suspicious behavior.」
「Quit it, niisan!! Why are you bullying Eriksama!」
「Outsiders should be quiet! Out of the way, foolish younger sister!!」
「Disappear, foolish older brother!!」
「This brat.」
「What, old man.」
I realized that the situation was not good.
All of them are acquaintances, so should I go stop them? But, I don't want Erika to be ostracized if I go….
After Yurii-sama patted my leg, he pointed to the right.
「They sent this person, huh…. It will just make things worse.」
「Are you on bad terms with Dahlia?」
「No, I don't like the entire Marian House, Your Highness.」
Coming to stand next to us while looking on, Dia, with a smile that can hardly be called pure, answered Yurii-sama.
「I'm troubled…Al isn't nearby.」
Unlike Dia, Al didn't get emotional and moved according to the situation, so it would've been great if he went though.
「So that means that you weren't able to summon His Highness Prince Alan?」
「I can't use any kind of summoning magic and he is, more or less, a human, Mira.」
「Yurii-sama, please raise the volume of your voice to four-fifths, and call out His Highness Prince Alan's name.」
Nodding while looking reluctant, Yurii-sama took a deep breath,
「Alan!!」
As if it was an incantation, he called out his oniisama's name.
「Did you call me?」
「I didn't call you! Go away!!」
His HIghness Prince Alan, who seemed like he teleported, was slapped on the cheek by Yurii-sama. That looked like it hurt. I thought that it hurt, but I was also hit by Yurii-sama, if you hit me so adorably, it may be hard for me to take it instead.
「Your Highness Prince Alan, won't you calm the uproar? This is, as expected, something that only Your Highness, the virtuous student council president, can do.」
「I know what you're doing, Miss Swain. You're just saying that, you don't really respect me!」
「Ara…it is as you say.」
「You are really refreshing! However, certainly, as the student council president, I need to something about it.」
When His Highness Prince Alan shouted, 'everyone immediately go back, the exams are coming up soon, right,' everyone dispersed. When everyone except for the main characters went back, His Highness Prince Alan stood there with his arms folded, and after he muttered, 'ok', the look on his face turned lackadaisical and he embraced Yurii-sama.
Lately, Yurii-sama didn't struggle, but he did quietly click his tongue and had a sour look on his face. How admirable. He's such a good child. After turning six years old, he became an oniisan.
If there was no one watching, it would be like this.
「Girls are drawn to guys who are more gentle, Cain.」
When I said this, Cain, who shook with a start, looked down at me, and made an even angrier face. What's going on. Did I do something.
「…how long have you been listening?」
「It should be『Did you hear it?』, since I'm your senpai.」
If he was friendly like he was a long time ago, I wouldn't say such malicious things either.
「Um, if I'm not mistaken, it was starting from, 'Erika doesn't understandd', right, Yurii-sama?」
「It was, 'Erika, doesn't understand what Cain-sama is sayingg'.」
「I'm sorry, my mind is not as sharp as Yurii-sama's, so some of it was wrong.」
How amazing. Yurii-sama was already completely flawless.
Cain's eyebrows that were lifted briefly returned to normal.
「Niisan was, bullying Eriksama! Or rather, he pushed her into the wall, with a bam, like this! He was doing something like that! That's why I went in between niisan and Eriksama, but….」
It was inconsistent and I couldn't understand. I'm sorry, Dahlia.
「Even though it had nothing to do with you, you just got involved! Go home, you dolt!!」
「What, you rapist! I'm disappointed in you, niisan!!」
「E…, even the misunderstanding is ridiculous!! That's why I say that you're an idiot!」
「Shut up, idiot!!」
「Shut it, idiot.」
「Foolish older brother!」
「Foolish younger sister.」
They get along well….
「That was a little rude.」
I took Yurii-sama from His Highness Prince Alan, and had Dia hold him. And then, I asked Dia to please firmly hold onto Yurii-sama.
「I don't think that it's impossible, but I won't be angry with a kouhai when Yurii-sama is here. You're not that kind of person. You won't traumatize Yurii-sama, right? Depending on the situation, I will re-examine my relationship with you.」
The silent Dia leaned his head on Yurii-sama's shoulder and endured it as best he could. Please hold onto him like that, Yurii-sama.
「Did something happen, Erika?」
「Eh–? Ufu, I was just assaulted by Cain-sama.」
「Please say it while looking into my eyes, Erika.」
「No wayy–, Mirabell-chan is scaryy.」
She stubbornly didn't make eye contact with me.
「Are you going to take that attitude with me who stayed up all night to help you with the homework that you had accumulated, on the last two days of the holiday?」
「Uuh!? That'ss…but…there's also the kindness of Mirabell-chan and the others…. Besides, I was really, assaulted by Cain-sama though.」
My shoulder had been firmly grabbed onto.
When I looked over, Cain was looking down at me with a grim face.
「Can you now unnecessarily pry into it. It has nothing to do with you.」
「She is my friend, both you and Dahlia are my old friends. It does involve me.」
A vein popping up on Cain's cheek could be seen.
「Even if you are involved, Mira can't do anything about it!!」
「…you said something that Dia would say.」
「Don't put me together with that Roderick good-for-nothing!!」
「You're an adult. Please don't be mad, Dia.」
Yurii-sama must be frightened.
「It's amusing watching you get mad like this just like a kid. However, isn't it proof that you, who recklessly touched the daughter of Viscount Hallen, are unable to see what's going on around you, Cain?」
The air immediately froze.
Cain's face had stiffened, my cheek cramped, the situation had become delicate and everyone's movements have become awkward, and only His Highness Prince Alan and that person were aloof.
His Highness Prince Romeo who came out of nowhere came to stand next to Cain and I, and had a nice smile on his face.
「It's better to not do anything unnecessary, Cain. I, don't want to play at being friends with you. If I can't use you, then it's fine to cut all ties with you. If there are slow people, I won't be able to achieve my goal either.」
Tightly clenching his fist, Cain didn't say anything, and let go of my shoulder.
「…I'm very sorry.」
「Should you be saying that to me, Cain?」
「I was saying that to His Highness Prince Romeo though.」
「Not cute…」
His Highness Prince Romeo looked at me once, and chuckled as if scoffing at me.
It was the same as always, the same as always. Don't be mad, don't be mad, me.
After that, His Highness Prince Romeo looked at Erika, and laughed bad-naturedly and hummed.
「You seemed desperate though. Even without your testimony, we had arrived at the truth a long time ago. The reason why Cain approached you was, to get the final confirmation. No matter how much effort you put into hiding it, you won't overturn our beliefs, Viscount Hallen's daughter.」
Erika's face stiffened.
Hiding…?
「Do your best. It doesn't seem like you'll be able to do anything though.」
Erika was trembling. Erika who was seldon perturbed.
「Let's go, Cain.」
「Yes.」
It seems that, the only ones here who understood the entire situation were Erika, and Cain and His Highness Prince Romeo. And among them, two of them left just now.
Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, Erika forced a smile and leaned on me.
「I don't know anything anymoree. How amazing, Mirabell-chan. Erika, talked with His Highness Prince Romeoo.」
The only ones, who understood what was going on were Erika, Cain, and His Highness Prince Romeo. However, I had somewhat of an inkling as well.
「Yurii-sama, Dia said that he wants to sleep with Yurii-sama tonight no matter what.」
Looking at Dia's face, Yurii-sama stuck his tongue out, ueeh.
「Your room, is right next door to Alan's.」
「It will be fine. Dia will shield you with his own body.」
「Miss Swain, are you talking about shielding against me.」
Saying goodbye to Dahlia who chased after Cain as well, I patted the calm Dia on the back with a pon pon. Please don't make such a scary face.
There were also times where I want to have girl talk. About things like love.
When I said something like that, although Dia was suspicious, he nodded.
Evening, knowing that there's no one else but me, Erika came to visit my room as as I was about to go to bed.
I invited her inside, and we had sweets during our sinfully late tea party. When the two of us adjusted our emotions, Erika started to talk.
「Say, Mirabell-chan…. Erikaa, likes everyonee. Mirabell-chann, Matildaa, Melisschann, Yuriel-sama, Dahlichan, Alfonso-sama, my school friends, the kind teachers, as well as the dorm mother. Everyone is important to Erikaa.」
「Yes. I, and everyone as well, love Erika as much as Erika loves us.」
Nodding, Erika, slowly closed her eyes.
「Howeverr, I know. There are also people who try and sacrifice things for the sake of something.」
Putting down the teacup, Erika bit her lower lip and grabbed my hand.
「Please, Mirabell-chan. With Erika—-」