Finally—or perhaps I should say at long last—the housewarming party had begun.
It started with a speech from me as the host. Unlike my previous birthday party, I’d had plenty of time to prepare, so I’d carefully scripted what I wanted to say. Well, since the guests were all people I knew, there was no need for anything overly formal. I just spoke for a few minutes about how grateful I was that they’d made the time to come and invited everyone to enjoy themselves.
By the way, my house was located in the Central District of the Royal Capital. Since Magnawell-san was so large that extending his neck would cast a shadow over most of the city, his attendance was, understandably, out of the question. Instead, Fafnir-san had arrived as a proxy to deliver a congratulatory gift on his behalf. I planned to visit Magnawell-san in person later to thank him properly.
The garden, which served as our venue, had been prepared by Anima, Eta, Theta, and Caraway-san, with help from Illness-san and the other maids from Lilia-san’s estate. It looked absolutely stunning, decorated with a vibrant, elegant touch.
While I needed to thank everyone eventually, I decided to start with the two people who had been most instrumental in getting the party off the ground.
"Ein-san, Zwei-san. Thank you so much for all your help with everything."
"I am simply glad to have been of service," Ein-san replied.
"If I was able to assist you in any way, Miyama-sama, there is no greater joy," Zwei-san added.
They both offered slight smiles. Seeing them standing together like this, I couldn't help but notice how many similarities they shared. It wasn't just their polite way of speaking; they both carried a similar cool, composed atmosphere.
However, Zwei-san felt a bit "sharper" than Ein-san, possessing a slightly more intimidating aura. Even though my Sympathy Magic told me she was friendly toward me, I still found myself instinctively straightening my posture in front of her, as if I were facing a strict teacher. I really hoped I could bridge that gap and become a bit closer with her.
After some brief small talk, I excused myself to continue my rounds. Right as I walked away, Alice, who had been hiding her presence until then, suddenly appeared at my side.
"Hmm. Since she’s technically part of the family, I suppose it feels a bit wrong to leave her so misunderstood. Why don't we clear the air?"
"Wait, what? Misunderstood?"
"I’m talking about Zwei-san. What kind of person do you think she is, Kaito-san?"
"Huh? Well... she’s a calm, capable professional. And from what Fia-sensei told me, she’s extremely strict about etiquette."
I tilted my head, confused by her angle. Alice let out a soft sigh and gave me a wry smile.
"Actually, that’s a massive misconception."
"Are you saying she isn't like that at all?"
"Well, in my experience, she’s a bright, expressive, and incredibly hardworking girl who just happens to be a little too serious and endearingly clumsy."
"What...?"
I could grasp the "hardworking" part, but clumsy? She seemed entirely flawless to me. And expressive? Bright? Her expression almost never changed, and her voice was always perfectly level. Alice’s description couldn't have been further from the image I had of her.
"I’ll explain it as we go. Let's head back to her for a second."
"O-Okay, sure."
Still baffled, I followed Alice back to where I’d just left Zwei-san.
"Oh? Miyama-sama? I thought you had gone to greet the other guests."
"Ah, I asked him to come back for a moment. It’s been a while, hasn't it, Zwei-san?"
"Shaltier-sama. It has indeed been some time. I am honored to see you again," Zwei-san said, her movements perfectly graceful as she bowed. I still didn't see any of the traits Alice had mentioned.
"You’ve certainly grown up well. It feels like only yesterday you were scurrying around behind Ein-san, crying 'Ein-onee-chan! Ein-onee-chan!' at the top of your lungs. Such nostalgia."
"Sha-Shaltier-sama? Wh-What in the world are you saying?"
"And oh? You’re still using those gloves so carefully? I remember when you came to me in tears, sobbing about how the gloves Chrome-sama gave you had torn, and I had to fix them for you."
"Shaltier-sama! L-Let’s find somewhere else to talk! M-My family is watching... I have my dignity as an older sister to uphold...!"
As Alice continued her exaggerated trip down memory lane, Zwei-san’s composure began to crumble at an alarming rate.
"Come to think of it, you were always such a sweet, family-oriented girl. When Ein-san baked you a cake for your birthday, you could have eaten it all yourself, but you insisted on bringing a slice to me. You smiled and said, 'Let's eat together, Shaltier-sama!'"
"Shaltier-sama! I beg of you! Please, that’s enough...!"
"When I asked if it was really okay for me to have some, you gave me the biggest grin and said, 'Of course! Because you’re my precious family too, Shaltier-sama!' Ah, truly a heartwarming memory."
"Have mercy, Shaltier-sama!! Please, just stop already!!"
Wait, what? Zwei-san was acting like a completely different person. She looked exactly like a younger sister being relentlessly teased by her older sibling. While I was reeling from the shock, Ein-san appeared as if from thin air, letting out a soft, wistful sigh.
"That brings back memories. Back then, Zwei really did adore me."
"Ein!? Stay out of this!"
"To think you won't even call me 'Onee-chan' anymore... How tragic. Have you finally grown to hate me?"
"I don't hate you! I would never hate you!!"
"But you’ve taken to calling me just 'Ein' lately, haven't you?"
"Th-That’s just... because... it’s embarrassing...! It doesn't mean I don't love you, Onee-chan...!"
"I’m sorry, I couldn't quite hear that. Could you say it again? A bit louder this time?"
"Aaaaggghhh!?!?"
With Ein-san joining in on the teasing, Zwei-san was now flushing bright red and looked to be on the verge of tears as she desperately tried to stop them. It was a display of emotion so intense it was impossible to reconcile with her usual stoicism.
"So, there you have it," Alice said.
"So... the person I’m seeing right now is her actual self?"
"Exactly. She usually tries to act cool, and since she’s a magical doll, her baseline facial expressions are a bit limited. It leads to a lot of misunderstandings. But inside? Her emotions are constantly doing a hundred-meter dash."
"I... I see..."
So she was intentionally acting cool to maintain her "sisterly dignity"? I wondered why she felt the need to go that far... As if reading my mind, Alice gave me a mischievous grin.
"There’s a reason for that, and it’s actually quite cute. Like I said, Zwei-san is a massive sister-con. She absolutely worships Ein-san. And when you think of Kuro-san's family, who’s the first cool, polite maid that comes to mind?"
"Wait... are you saying...?"
"Yep. Ein-san is her ultimate idol. That 'cool' persona she puts on is just her trying her hardest to imitate the older sister she loves so much."
"So... Zwei-san is actually kind of adorable."
"Oh, she’s the resident tease within the Six Kings' inner circle. Even Ein-san gets in on it."
This was a massive revelation. The legendary Zwei, whom even Noin-san and Fia-sensei were terrified of, was actually just a sister-loving girl who got teased by everyone. I had a feeling that Fia-sensei and the others didn't have the slightest clue about this.