“Oppa.”
I stretch lazily while looking at Sen, who has popped her face out of my window. She pouts, probably disappointed with my reaction.
“Why aren’t you surprised?”
“I’ve seen you so many times coming in and out that I can’t be surprised anymore.”
Sen has been in and out of my window so many times that I’ve become desensitized to it. To be honest, it’s not even about becoming accustomed; I’m just so in-tune with her movements now that I can’t miss them.
As I open the window for her, Sen gracefully hops in. It might seem casual now, but this window is around the fifth floor. Hanging off it carelessly could create some serious misunderstandings with people around.
“So, what’s up?”
“I heard a rumor that you’ve become a public resource.”
“…What?”
What did she just say to me?
As I unconsciously ask again, Sen clears her throat and says again.
“I heard you’ve been spending time with people—Eve and Hayun too.”
“…”
She’s not wrong. But saying I’ve become a public resource feels a bit off.
“So everyone is just waiting for their turn.”
“That’s a creepy thought.”
It stings my neck a bit, realizing I’ve created some weird expectations. I mean, I do plan to spend time, but I didn’t intend to make anyone wait.
“Today, I came to stake my claim. So hang out with me.”
“Well, okay.”
I didn’t really have plans to be with anyone else, so I figured it wouldn’t be bad to be swept up by Sen’s boldness.
“By the way, I don’t really have any plans.”
I thought we’d just chat casually, but Sen seems pretty serious.
“We’re going downtown. Change your clothes first.”
“Downtown?”
“Yeah, downtown.”
It’s such an unexpected suggestion, especially coming from Sen. But she was already walking out the door.
“Meet me at the main gate in 30 minutes.”
“Do you really need 30 minutes to change?”
I wondered what took so long, but Sen shot me a sharp look.
“If you come out looking sloppy on your first outing as an older brother, just watch.”
Bang.
Sen closed the door behind her. I scratched my head, realizing I didn’t even need to check my closet. Most of the clothes here are just for training.
“You’re saying to choose something…?”
I seriously have no sense of fashion. Feeling the pressure, I stood in front of my closet when a bunch of maids came in.
The most prominent one, Bertia, smiled and greeted me with her hands properly together, followed by maids carrying hangers overflowing with clothes.
“Hello, Sir Daniel. The princess mentioned you might need these.”
“Ugh…”
I could only let out a sigh. But Bertia skillfully brushed off my reaction and asked.
“If you need help choosing, I can assist you.”
“No, I’m good.”
Bertia frowned slightly and nodded to the maids, who quickly brought the hangers right in front of me.
“Well, while you’re getting ready to meet Sen, could you tell me what outfit you’d like?”
“…”
I felt like I was being tested. As I started to feel a little pressure, I slowly reached out.
Slap!
Bertia’s hand lightly hit the back of my hand.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
I realized my choice was wrong. I picked another outfit.
Slap!
“Sorry.”
“Then why did you bring a ton of clothes with you?”
They should just bring the clothes they want instead of throwing me into this trial.
But Bertia sighed and replied nonchalantly.
“I prepared several outfits suitable for various situations. You won’t be wearing just one today. There are quite a few female students waiting besides Sen.”
“That’s not true.”
“Then is Sen the only one?”
“…”
How do I explain this? I did think about spending time with others if possible, but saying it out loud felt so trashy.
“The princess Elise is already getting ready.”
“I feel scared to ask, but what’s she preparing for?”
“I can’t say.”
“Oh, come on! That’s scarier!”
Ahem.
Bertia gently placed her soft hand on my shoulder. I realized for the first time that she could have such a warm smile.
“Princess Elise is capable but somewhat distant from the throne, and she gets along well with her other siblings. So, even if you enter the royal family, you won’t get caught up in any political strife.”
“No way, are you kidding me?”
What in the world is that supposed to mean? Suddenly meeting Elise feels terrifying, but Bertia and the other maids’ smiles spread thinly like a net.
Bertia cleared her throat and started picking a few outfits.
“Let’s go with a solid color. Since it’s getting cold, wearing a coat would be much more comfortable for you.”
“Is this how you just brush off the conversation?”
“Huh, the outfit actually suits you quite well. You definitely have a good build. Now, can you take off what you’re wearing?”
“…”
How can Bertia handle being Elise’s personal maid with such a thick skin? I nodded and reached out.
“I’ll change in the bathroom.”
Thirty minutes later, Bertia and the other maids looked satisfied with my appearance.
“You look great!”
“Really?”
I just put on a simple outfit and threw on a beige coat, yet I got unexpected compliments.
“Let’s go. If you go first, I’m sure she’ll be happy.”
“…Thanks.”
“Anytime, my lord.”
“What?”
“Nothing, Sir Daniel.”
Seeing her playfulness annoyed me a bit, but she did help, so I let it slide.
As I opened the door and started heading towards the rendezvous point, I noticed two people with sulky expressions standing outside.
Eve and Hayun.
“Daniel! You finally came out!”
“Hold on, we need to talk.”
“Huh? What’s up?”
Seeing the two people I spent time with just yesterday, I wondered what was going on, but they took a step closer, starting to grill me.
“If it was a date, you should’ve said it was a date! I wanted to see how dapper you look!”
“At least Eve spent some time with you at the library, but I just sparred with you!”
“No, it wasn’t a date. Don’t misunderstand.”
I was desperately trying to concoct a weak excuse.
“It was chat time for morale boosting. You shouldn’t be down before fighting the apocalypse.”
“Then let’s do it again!”
“Yeah, me too.”
“You both already refueled your morale through conversation. I trust you.”
As I gave a thumbs up, Eve lunged at me.
“Give me your finger! I’m gonna break it!”
“Shouldn’t we be fair about this?”
Man, seriously.
Somehow managing to shake them off, I headed toward the rendezvous when I saw Sen standing in a threatening stance with her hands on her hips.
“You’re late.”
“Sorry, there was some trouble.”
I didn’t expect Eve and Hayun to cling to me like gum. If Bertia hadn’t prepared that fancy outfit, I’d have ripped it off already.
“Well, since I like your outfit, I’ll let it slide.”
Sen smiled, seemingly satisfied with my look.
“Then how do I look? Tana helped me.”
Wearing a checkered baker’s hat, a checkered coat, and a white sweater underneath, who would say she’s an assassin from the Chokugen Faction?
“It suits you, you look pretty.”
“I didn’t expect such a straightforward response.”
Without realizing it, I gave a wry smile.
“I decided to be a bit more honest.”
“Really? That’s nice.”
Sen immediately linked her arm with mine. I was a bit surprised at first, but now that we’re siblings, I had no reason to reject it.
Noticing my slight discomfort, Sen got even closer to me while we walked.
“So where are we going?”
You must have called me for a reason, I thought, but Sen brightened and replied with excitement.
“I want to buy some dishes, like bowls and cups. Oh, and blankets too.”
“Huh? What’s wrong with what the royal family uses?”
It seemed a bit random, but Sen grinned and casually rested her head on my shoulder.
“When we graduate and live together, I’ll need my own stuff, right? I want to buy some things early.”
“Oh.”
I see now. Since Sen has become a McClain, she’s going to live at my house. Originally, I brought her here to give her a place to come back to after graduation.
I felt an uncontrollable wave of bitter emotion rushing in, and I turned my head away.
“Is it really necessary to buy things now? There’s still a lot of time left.”
“There are many things here. Plus, I want to get them early. Just seeing them will make me feel good!”
“…Alright, let’s buy them.”
As I followed her hand leading me towards the downtown area, my steps felt oddly heavy.
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