"Ugh... hurrrk... I think I'm going to throw up..."
"Haa... haa... haa... Today was... another exhausting day..."
November had finally arrived. The weather was less like autumn and more like winter now. Despite the chill, we continued our usual after-school training.
The Ainsworth-style Boot Camp.
I had been putting the two of them through the wringer, but it was finally about time.
"Haa... haa..."
"..."
While Ariane lightly brushed back her sweat-drenched hair, Amelia lay face-down on the ground, motionless.
From where I stood, she looked like a stranded fish. Concerned, I gave her a gentle shake.
"Amelia. Are you alright?"
"Ugh... yeah... My mouth tastes sour... but I'm fine..."
She managed to push herself up into a sitting position. I had pushed them to their absolute limits, but they had managed to pull through.
I decided to share some news with them.
"You two. I have something important to say."
"Haa... haa... What is it?"
Ariane still had enough energy to respond verbally. Amelia simply raised a hand to show she was listening.
"Regarding Physical Reinforcement Week—I’m ending it today."
"Really!?"
Amelia, who had been at death’s door just a moment ago, suddenly bolted upright.
"It’s true. From here on, you'll be focusing on your Individual Training."
"Wait. Does that mean I'll be with Lise-san?"
"Yes. And I'll be coaching Ariane personally."
"Heeey..."
After staring at me with half-lidded eyes, Amelia patted Ariane on the shoulder and whispered something into her ear. It wasn't my imagination that Ariane’s body jolted in response.
I wondered what they were talking about... but it would be boorish of me to pry.
"Well then, we start Individual Training tomorrow!!"
Ranger!!
We disbanded for the day after that.
I told Ariane to prepare for the following morning and then... the next day arrived.
"Hm. You’re early."
"Ranger! Reporting for duty!"
She arrived carrying a backpack, but it was only five-thirty. That was a full thirty minutes earlier than our scheduled meeting time.
"We were supposed to meet at six."
"Ahaha... I just woke up a little too early."
She scratched her cheek bashfully. A faint smile played on my lips as I watched her.
"Well, there's no harm in being early. Let’s go."
Shouldering our backpacks, we immediately set off for our destination.
Ariane hurried to catch up and walked alongside me. I hadn't actually told her where we were going yet.
"So, where are we headed?"
"It’s a long weekend starting tomorrow, right?"
"That’s right. A three-day weekend."
"We’re going to my family home."
"Eh...? Your family home, Ray!?"
"Yeah. My house is near Dogma Forest. We’ll be training in that forest during the break... Wait, what’s wrong?"
She stood frozen in place, trembling. I wondered if something was the matter.
Concerned, I approached her.
"What is it? Are you feeling unwell?"
"N-No... I was just a bit surprised."
"It’s fine. My family are all wonderful people."
"I-Is that so?"
"Yeah. My father, my mother, and my younger sister. It’s a very bright and happy home. There’s no need to worry."
"Well... that's not exactly what I meant..."
And so, we continued our journey toward my home deep in the West of the Kingdom. I had returned there alone during the summer, but headed there with someone else now... the thought felt very strange.
After a while, we entered a narrow trail flanked by sunflower fields. It was no longer the season for them, so they weren't blooming gracefully as they had been that summer.
As we walked, I sensed a presence.
There was no mistake...
"Oof!!"
An impact hit my waist. Naturally, I caught the person gently.
It was Stella, charging in with her glossy chestnut hair swaying.
"Stella. It’s been a while."
"Big brother! Yay! You really came home!"
"Haha. Well, only for the three-day weekend."
"I’m still so happy!"
She rubbed her head against me, and I gently patted her hair.
Ariane watched the scene with a dazed expression.
"Ah... um..."
"Ah! Hello! Nice to meet you!"
"The pleasure is mine."
Stella pulled away from me and gave a deep, formal bow.
"I’m Stella White! I’m Ray’s little sister!"
"I am Ariane Olgren. I am a friend of Ray's."
"Please call me Stella!"
"You may call me Ariane as well."
The two of them shook hands.
Then, Stella’s eyes sparkled as she stared at Ariane's hair.
"Ariane-chan, your hair is so pretty!"
"You can appreciate the splendor of this hair?"
"Yeah! It’s all curly and glossy. It’s so beautiful!"
"Fufu. Stella, you certainly have a good eye."
"Hehe! I'm not big brother's sister for nothing!"
Stella puffed out her chest proudly. Seeing her act so boastfully filled me with a sense of nostalgia. I had only been back recently, but home really was a good place.
Besides, perhaps because Ariane had a younger sister of her own, she seemed to get along well with Stella.
"Alright! Let’s get home quick!"
Stella grabbed both of our hands and urged us toward the house visible ahead.
"Hey! Hurry up!"
Stella ran ahead and waved her hands energetically in front of the house.
"What a cute little sister you have."
"Isn't she?"
"Yes. It’s very heartwarming."
"True. Stella saved me, after all."
"That is..."
"Well, that’s a story for another time. Shall we?"
"I understand."
She didn't pry any further.
"My name is Ariane Olgren. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
When we reached the house, my parents were waiting in the living room.
"Oh my. Thank you for the polite greeting."
"As expected of a lady from one of the Three Great Noble Families. The pleasure is ours."
Ariane exchanged greetings with my parents. As expected of a noble, her manners were perfectly formal and polite.
I usually spend time with her as a friend, but seeing this side of her reminded me that she truly was a high-born lady.
Afterward, the whole family, including Ariane, sat down for a meal.
She told stories about how reckless I was at school, and everyone laughed along. Personally, I thought I was living quite normally, but apparently, that wasn't the case from their perspective.
However, if they could laugh about me during such a pleasant conversation... I thought that was fine too.
"Big brother! Let’s take a bath together!"
"Good idea."
I went to get my change of clothes, intending to share a bath with Stella as usual... but Ariane watched us with a look of pure shock.
"Wait just a moment."
"Whoa! What is it?"
She grabbed me firmly by the collar. Then, I found myself face-to-face with her. Ariane stared at me with suspicious, half-lidded eyes.
"Are you perhaps planning to take a bath with Stella?"
"Of course."
"That’s right! We always do!"
"..."
Upon hearing those words, Ariane closed her eyes and looked up at the heavens. Then, the moment she snapped her eyes open, she let out a cry.
"I cannot permit this! A young man and woman of your age sharing a bath!? Ray! What will you do if Stella becomes unable to get married because of this!?"
"Hm... what do you mean by that?"
I was then lectured by Ariane on the social dangers of opposite-sex siblings of our age being together in such a way. Naturally, upon learning the gravity of the situation, I stood there trembling.
Had I been doing something so dangerous all this time...?
"N-No way... such a consequence?"
"It’s a matter of propriety, and you must behave properly!"
Ariane’s words were conveyed to the entire family. Apparently, my parents had also started to think it might be a problem soon.
And so, I was reluctantly forced to bathe separately from Stella.
In my place, Ariane would be bathing with her.
"Big brother! Even if we’re apart, our bond won't change!"
"Yeah! Of course it won't!"
We shared a firm handshake followed by a hug. Seeing this, Ariane sighed once more.
"Sigh... how should I put it? You really are two of a kind..."
That was surely a compliment.
Even though Stella and I aren't related by blood, we both smiled happily at being called like-minded siblings.