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Chapter 18
Killian handed me a glass of water.
“I kept knocking but didn’t get an answer. You said you wanted some water.”
“Oh. Uh, yeah, I did. But where’s Lise?”
“She said she was going to see Master for a bit. But hey, why did you call me, Tia?”
Lise, you love-blind fool… even your unrequited love is wholehearted.
Unable to come up with a reply, I drained the glass in one go and asked Killian,
“Your nap? You’re done already? You didn’t sleep long.”
“I slept a lot. But Adel… is still sleeping, right?”
As he asked, the corners of Killian’s mouth twitched slightly. Oh. Just the thought of him makes you happy, huh? I smiled indulgently at Killian, who seemed a little disappointed that Adel wasn’t around.
“Adel’s still not as strong as us. You understand, right? For now, it’s just the two of us.”
Killian nodded, and the smile that started on his lips spread to the corners of his eyes.
“Of course, I understand. I can be with you. So… why did you call me, Tia?”
Ugh. This persistent guy. No, this persistent favorite character. He’d been fine for a while, but…
“Hmm? Call you? Did I?”
I tried to play dumb.
“Just a minute ago, by yourself. You said my name.”
“Ah… did I? I don’t really remember.”
“‘Haaah… Killian….’ That’s what you said. Tia.”
Did he really just mimic me like that?
Even though he’s my favorite, this was a bit much. Why is he so persistent?
I couldn’t exactly say it was because of Noten Märchen, so I needed an excuse, but maybe because I was tired, my brain wasn’t working. Should’ve just chewed on some almond chocolate.
“Must’ve been sleep talking. That’s probably it.”
That was the best excuse I had. One that covered even the sigh I let out. Otherwise, he’d probably ask a million questions about why I sighed.
“Sleep talking? I thought you didn’t take a nap?”
“I must’ve dozed off. If I knew this would happen, I’d have just gone ahead and slept properly.”
“Ah, I see. But Tia, do you sleep talk?”
“I think I do, sometimes, when I’m really tired.”
Did it work? Did it?
Please, just let it slide. Pleaase!
“Isn’t sleep talking usually… connected to dreaming?”
Killian’s eyes were full of anticipation. For some reason.
“I guess? It happens while you’re sleeping, so probably?”
I agreed, hoping to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“Yeah, that makes sense. Talking in your sleep must be connected to your dreams.”
“Haha. Anyway, it was just sleep talking. I’m totally awake now!”
Once Adel wakes up, let’s make a cake with lots of strawberries!
As I stretched and said this, Killian nodded with a smile and quietly picked up a book.
Phew… From now on, I need to keep even my muttering internal.
Just as I made this short resolve and was sneaking glances at Killian reading, there came a series of quick little footsteps and the door burst open. It was Adel.
“T-Tia!”
“Adel, did you sleep well?”
Her purple eyes darted quickly around the room.
Heh. As expected. First thing she checks is for Killian.
This trip really is a success in so many ways.
I called Adel over with a proud feeling. She came and sat beside me.
“Did I sleep for t-too long?”
“Not at all. It’s good to rest properly.”
“When did K-Killian wake up?”
As Adel said his name, Killian lifted his gaze from the book to look at her.
Ahh. Yes, just as it should be.
It was a shame I had no way to frame this intense gaze they were exchanging.
“I woke up a while ago.”
“A-while ago?”
Adel looked at me with tearful eyes for some reason.
“Killian just got here, Adel. Really.”
We didn’t leave you out. We didn’t do anything.
“R-really? You just got here?”
“I woke up a while ago. I only came here recently.”
“Why would you say it in such a confusing way! Seriously.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean— Ah! No, I mean, I didn’t!”
“So you did mean it that way, huh?”
“How could you say that when I said I didn’t?”
Uhhh?
Things are going off track?
“Whoa whoa! Calm down! Killian? Adel? Let’s all be quiet little clams, okay? Clams!!!”
At my weird outburst, Killian and Adel both widened their eyes and stared at me. My heart nearly stopped, but I had to press on.
Crossing my arms, I raised one eyebrow and spoke clearly.
“If you two keep acting like this, I’m not playing with you anymore.”
“Tia! That’s…!”
“T-Tia!”
It was time for a strong move. If you’re going to be in a love-hate relationship, do it properly—not this childish nonsense. Heheh.
“Killian and Adel, you’re both such good friends to me but… sniff.”
The two kids’ eyes trembled.
“It really breaks my heart when you fight like this. Sob Sniffle.”
“Tia! I’m sorry. I really am! Don’t cry, okay?”
“T-Tia! Me too, me too! I’ll never do it again. I’m sorry.”
When I lifted my head slightly from my hands, Killian and Adel were fidgeting anxiously, stamping their feet. Maybe I should forgive them now.
“You really won’t fight anymore? You’ll be nice to each other, for real?”
“Yes! Of course!”
“Y-yeah!”
The two nodded so quickly I thought their heads might fly off. I wiped my nonexistent tears and said,
“Killian, Adel. I’m so upset, I’m going to bake bread. Let’s go.”
“Tia, were you that upset? I’m sorry.”
“B-bread? What bread? Why suddenly bread?”
Killian’s an F, and Adel’s a T. Hmm. This’ll be fun.
With the two little ones trailing behind me, I headed to the kitchen. What will a strawberry shortcake made with apple-sized strawberries taste like? Probably sweet. Just like the love these two will come to share.
From the way they were whispering behind me, I could tell—it’s safe to relax now.
“Hey. You’re seriously hopeless, aren’t you?”
“Says the one who’s totally beyond saving.”
“Tia was upset, and you’re asking about bread?”
“I was just curious! She suddenly said she was going to bake!”
Sigh…
The two little ones shook their heads. They even forgot to hide their voices from Celestia.
By the time we got to the kitchen, the chef had already prepped the ingredients. Celestia efficiently pulled out aprons for Killian and Adel and tied the ribbons behind their necks.
“W-Wow! Tia, you’re good at tying ribbons too?”
“Of course! What can’t I do!”
“You’re amazing, Tia! Really!”
Adel stared with her mouth wide open. Seeing her, Killian also turned around and stood politely.
Truthfully, Killian already knew how to tie ribbons. He had practiced hard to gain his father Noten’s recognition and praise. But there was no way he was going to pass up the chance for Celestia to tie it for him.
Besides, that sly Adel had been trying to exclude him with “girls-only” activities. Thankfully, sweet Celestia had been stepping in at the right times, so he didn’t feel left out. Still, if he’d tied it himself, she would’ve definitely used it as ammo—“Tia tied my ribbon!”—and rubbed it in.
“I’ll tie yours too, Killian.”
When Celestia stepped behind him, a sweet, fruity scent filled the air. Their heights, once equal, had started to shift a little.
Swish, swish. As Celestia tied the ribbon, Killian’s back tingled, and his fingers twitched.
“All done!”
Celestia beamed. She then turned and effortlessly tied her own ribbon without help.
“Ah…”
“Hm? What is it, Killian?”
“N-nothing! Thanks, Tia.”
He should’ve said, “Let’s tie each other’s!” Regret crept in, but only Killian knew that secret.
The strawberry shortcake session went smoothly, thanks to the ceasefire between Killian and Adel. Both were wary—one more squabble in front of Celestia, and they might be kicked out for real. With the chef’s help, they spread whipped cream onto sponge cake and topped it with strawberries. Simple, but joyful.
“Killian!”
“Yeah?”
Celestia dabbed whipped cream on Killian’s nose.
“So cute.”
She giggled, and Killian, still processing what happened, joined her laughter once he saw her smiling.
“T-Tia!”
“Yeah?”
“Gotcha!”
Adel, gathering her courage, touched a bit of cream onto Celestia’s cheek.
It was a bold move, especially for someone like Adel, who still had nightmares about the orphanage and sometimes wondered if this life was just a dream. As she anxiously looked to Celestia for her reaction, Celestia scooped a big dollop of cream and gently smeared it on Adel’s nose.
“You too!”
“Aha! Y-you got me too, Tia?”
“Even with cream, Adel’s still so cute.”
You’re the prettiest…
Killian and Adel looked at Celestia as she smiled at them fondly and thought the same thing.
The strawberry shortcakes were done. The kids didn’t throw flour everywhere or smear cream all over, but they emerged from the kitchen a little messy nonetheless.
“Making cake is so much work. I’m never wasting it again.”
“Y-you never wasted it before, Tia.”
“Haha. Really? I just meant I’ll eat it gratefully. You will too, right, Adel?”
“O-of course! Definitely. Not long ago, we didn’t even have any. I won’t waste it.”
Adel’s reply was surprisingly firm. Celestia looked a bit taken aback, then as always, linked arms with Adel and nodded.
“That’s right, that’s right. Our Adel is a good girl. Eat a lot so you can grow tall.”
Celestia sometimes wore this strangely satisfied expression and spoke like an adult. Even though she was the same age—seven. But no one ever found it annoying, because her words were always filled with affection.
