Gomen ne, Onii-sama Chapter 1.3

Don’t worry, Oniisama!

Third Year

With her hair tied up as always, the servant’s young lord met her gaze through the mirror.

Those copper eyes of hers were still, as though devoid of any light of emotion.
When the servant stopped moving and tilted her head in wait, the question that came to her was beyond expectation.

“Hey, Keika. Between my father and I, who do you think will achieve more for the Ruzil?”

The small lord who had just turned nine, questioned her with a perfect smile.
The copper hair and eyes served to make the calm girl appear older than she was.

Her, and the clan head; just whom did Keika hold allegiance to? ―――Indeed, the girl was instigating betrayal.

Keika’s lord had suddenly matured over the last two years.

Her vigour for studies seemed almost mad; enough that even the more power worshipping members of the clan drew away from her, to say nothing of her mother.

However, even compared to the current clan head who was extolled as the most talented in history, it was clear that the girl was by far more promising.

Keika was a true daughter of the Ruzil, as well as a magician.

However, as though overturning such a taboo, the girl solicited Keika, as her copper eyes brimmed with dark emotions.

The girl asked Keika. Would Keika betray the head and become her first retainer, or would Keika content herself to a lifetime of mediocrity?

Keika knew full well that she was not such a talented magician that she could afford to overlook this crossroad in life; this chance*.
Excited, Keika could dimly feel the blood rushing away from her arms and legs.

“…I-, I… swear a lifetime of allegiance to you.”

“Thank you, my dear Keika. There is something that I would like you to investigate―――”

With a smile, the small lord whispered a plan into the maid’s ear.
Trembling with fear and joy, the maid accepted her order as though in a dream.

…*

…*

Finishing my early morning training, after wiping down my sweat, as I was about to return to my room and was walking down the outdoors corridor, I found Gil-sama’s hand beckoning me over from the shadow of a pillar.

Even though he always avoids me because he’s scared of me or something. How rare.
I could just act normally and leave for my room after a glare, but I just happened to have needed a word with him as well, so while secretly feeling pretty elated inside, I accepted his invitated and headed over to the pavilion.

When I sat down, Oniisama who was sitting opposite me stared right at me, and frowned while looking a little troubled.

Making such a cute troubled face, are you trying to kill me through moe!?

Thinking all this while waiting for Gil-sama to talk, what came out of his mouth next overturned my expectations.

“Origa, I don’t think overworking yourself like this is…”

“There is no need to hear this from *you, Oniisama. I am properly taking care of my body.”

“Your complexion didn’t look very good. If I was wrong, I’m sorry.”

“…My.”

I’m a little surprised.

Water magic is the magic of healing.

If this is what’s happening with Gil-sama, then although I haven’t noticed it myself, I probably am a little tired.
There’s the fact that I’ve gotten a healthy body after reincarnating as well, and since I don’t know what my limit is, I often overuse magic, or study for too long and hurt my body. I’d better be careful.

“…Understood. I shall take a rest later. Is there anything else?”

“Anything else?”

“Did you call me all the way over here only to say just that?”

Seeing him blink blankly, I accidentally muttered “How rare.”.

Speaking of which, I get the feeling that he’s been a little assertive lately.

His face slightly flushed, he dropped me a bombshell question.

“Ahh… Ummm, hey. For a break, how about you come with me to the festival in the city?”

――――Sorry?

Then, is this an event that appeared because I pushed ‘fate'[the story] forward?

That’s just how crazed his fans were.

“…”

“I had tried visiting town, and heard that there would apparently be a festival soon. You’ve never been there before, right? So since it was a good opportunity, I was wondering if you were interes… ted…?”

Is that okay? It’s okay right? Isn’t it okay?

Even leaving out questions like, ‘Why is such an event occurring, even though his impression of my should be as bad as it gets?’, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Even if I can’t hold hands with Oniisama, if it’s just accidentally doing something like saying ‘Open your mouth. Ahhhn.’, it wouldn’t be a problem, right!?

“…”

“…Origa?”

Because I suddenly started screaming in my mind as I leapt into delusions, I spaced out for a little.

Because in front of me, Gil-sama’s face was a little cramped.
Anyway, while I was opening my mouth to try my best to reply, ―――unfortunately, I felt a signal being lit.

…Ah. This conversation is also being watched by one of Otousama’s subordinates.

Is this also a trap to test and check out thoughts?

“No.” that is.

“…Are you failing to comprehend it, Oniisama? At present, war could erupt with the neighbouring nation at any time. One of the cornerstones of the nation wasting her time precious instead of improving her magic? Just what are you trying to say?”

Both the fact that war is coming, as well as the fact that the Clan of Fire will be necessary, is according to ‘history fact'[the setting].

That’s why there’s no denying that I need to become strong, even a moment sooner. I wasn’t lying.
As long as I recite 【Origa】’s lines according to memory, there won’t be a problem.

“You’re going to improve your skills and, burn, people?”

“Yes. If the Clan of Fire fails to burn away the enemies, the citizens of our nation will be trampled upon.”

Unlike the future saviour of the country who was now making a troubled expression, that’s the only thing I can do.

When I silently stood up and made to leave, my arm was caught.
When I slowly looked him in the eyes, I found that determination blazed in those eyes that pained my heart.

“Origa. I really do think that we should visit town. The people of this family are strong. But you need to get to know what normal people are like as well.”

“Get to know them, and learn the preciousness of their frail lives? Ridiculous.”

To show a sheltered girl a new world, and even if only a little, change this unfeeling family full of bloodthirsty power-worshippers.

I’m sure that’s the reason for his unusual behaviour.
But 【Origa】 will not be swayed―――that’s how the story goes.

“Enough. I will not humour your blather. It is a waste of time.”

“Killing people will give birth to hatred. That’ll just cause a cycle-”

“Oniisama. If you do not desire scars that will accompany you for a lifetime, then shut your mouth this instant.”

With a snap, I created a small ball of flames by my fingertips and held it to his nose, causing him to widen his eyes and stiffen.

He knew that this flame, this magic, could give birth to nothing but hatred and pain.

Hating, and being hated. History repeating itself.

In the novels, Gil-sama also took a stand under that belief.

However. Agreeing and fighting alongside him is not my role.

“If you hate to see blood running, then please become strong enough to stop it, before saying such things to me.”

“Origa, wait.”

“Our clan, no, our *country, has no other way but this. It is our best hand.”

I repeated this. To let the people in the distance hear, and to remind myself once again.

“As long as this is our best hand, Otousama and myself as well, will continue to light the other nations in flames.”

To signify that we had nothing left to discuss, I shook off Oniisama’s arm when I once again felt a signal being lit.

The signal from the maid that I had convinced to become my arms and legs.

To determine which of these people were listening in for Otousama, and to remove them from the stage―――this was my first act of resistance towards Otousama.

She joined me in training a few times and was a little whimsical, but Keika had enough magical ability to be chosen as Origa’s maid.

A success in identifying that little crow that was listening to things it wasn’t supposed to, trying its best to think, and quietly whispering to the clan head.

It’s terribly irritating having no choice but to do things reactively, but it can’t be helped.

My maid Keika is a good example; this clan’s complex regarding power is really much too strong.

In this age, of the families once extolled as the Five Great Magic Clans, only the Fire, Wind, and Tree clans are left.

That’s why a boy who inherited exceptional talent but not a smidgen of the fire element was a strong symbol of decay to such people.
Because of that, everybody was overly conscious of Oniisama, wanted to get rid of him, and wished to forget about him completely.

There were only two ways to protect him.

――However, on top of this being terribly difficult, it wouldn’t be any good for his independence.

So as to avoid stimulating their complexes about him, and so that things wouldn’t escalate beyond a certain point.
Mysteriously, this meant that I would be doing the same things as 【Origa】, but that was my best hand.

“Ah, I know. ―――If I hear nothing but nonsense, the ‘one who gave you this useless knowledge'[your teacher in swordsmanship] may find himself in a crisis as well, you know?”

‘Please watch your words’, I threatened him.

I’ll probably be quite busy from now on, even with Keika at my disposal.

It’s a few years earlier than planned, but as long as I make things fit together with 【Origa】’s actions, I can say for sure that I know what the future holds.
Although I know the setting and the story, I had better begin seriously dealing with anyone who might try to kill ‘outsiders’.

When I glanced backwards, I found Oniisama slumped lifelessly.

Once I think of the future path that Oniisama needs to tread, having a bad impression of me suits things just fine.

It would be fine to think of the events today as falling under that.

Just like in those books.

I can’t imagine just how wonderful it would be if I could help him directly.

That’s why it might be better this way.

…*

…*

It was two days prior that the girl had collapsed from anaemia, as a result of continuing to train in disregard of her growth-related mana imbalances.

The feelings behind those gifts were not pure thoughts of consideration for her, and so there was no need to go out of her way to think of ways to thank them.
Just showing her healthy self would be plenty thanks, after all.

Upon forcing her still sluggish body to the terrace window, she found that something was lightly fluttering outside.
In wonder, the girl opened to window to find a get-well card and a ribboned bouquet.

The bouquet in her hand was made from field flowers and was terribly simple, yet she could feel from it a kindness that exceeded any other, no matter how gorgeous they might be.

The girl couldn’t thank him directly.

Still, it meant that even when she forced herself to act well, there was still somebody who had noticed that she hadn’t recovered.
Because of that, the girl had no need to show her thanks.

Sinking into thought for just a while, she pulled out just one flower, and after glancing at the contents, she threw the card into the fireplace along with the bouquet.
Pressing the flower between the pages of a diary that nobody would read, the girl muttered something with a troubled smile, before walking towards the door.

Don’t worry, Oniisama!
―――I’ll give my best tomorrow as well!

Chapter end