Chapter 14: Even You (3)

“Keirsey, would you like to ride Storm with me?”

“Uh??”

“Would you like to go on a date with your Oppa?”

She was startled as if she had found out very secrets of the Universe. Then she shook her head vigorously and refused.

“Oh, no, Oppa. I... I... want to go on a date…but I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

“I know. I will help you.”

“…Are you sure?”

When I said that I would help her, the momentum changed quickly and she began to worry.

It was so cute that I had no choice but to stroke her silky black hair. If there was one thing that was different from usual, I caressed her a little more today. I moved closer and ran my hand through her long and soft hair up to the back of her neck as if stroking a treasure.

“Yes. Let’s go for a ride on Storm. It will be fun.”

Keirsey stayed still for a while and replied cautiously.

“Okay…let's… take… a r-ride.”

“You made a good choice.”

I took two apples from the basket –one for Storm and the other for Goldie – and handed the closed basket to Keirsey.

Feeling a strange gaze, I turned around and saw Keirsey looking dissatisfied with Goldie eating an apple. But as soon as she noticed my eyes, she relaxed her expression.

Well... Keirsey's reaction was unavoidable considering what she had been hearing about the Ice family while growing up.

I looked at Storm, ignoring her actions.

“…Storm, let's go slowly this time. She is my treasure.”

I requested quietly to Storm in the hope that he will behave well. I stroked his mane several times and then slowly pulled him out of the stable.

Keirsey was staring intently at the series of actions.

I smiled slightly and asked her why was she focused. To which she replied, “…Because Oppa looks cool.”

Bewildered, I loosened my neck.

“...You’ve seen me lead a horse a few times already.”

“Yes, and you looked great every time.”

Just like other people, I also liked hearing compliments. So I just thanked her shyly.

Then I led Storm near Keirsey and asked, “Keirsey, lift the basket a little higher.”

“Like this?”

As she said, raising the basket to her chest, I grabbed Keirsey’s thin waist and lifted her.

“Hey!”

With a cute scream, Keirsey tried to crouch down, but as I held her waist, she couldn’t move as she wanted. I easily sat her down on Storm. She looked like a princess with both her legs on the left side of Storm.

Without wasting any time, I also got on Storm, sitting behind Keirsey.

“It’s okay, Keirsey. Be still.”

I held Storm's reins with my right hand and hugged Keirsey with my left hand so that she wouldn't fall.

“…Ah..!”

Keirsey suddenly voiced her surprise at my touch. Which was understandable since our bodies were almost glued to each other.

“Shall I let you go? Though you may fall.”

“Ah..! No… I like it. I was just surprised because Oppa usually doesn't hug like that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah… I think I’d be anxious if Oppa lets me go. I don’t even mind if you hug me a little tighter."

Satisfied with Keirsey's answer, I kicked Storm on the side and signaled him to move.

Storm obeyed and began to walk more smoothly and gently than ever before. I signaled Storm to get out of the training ground while I thanked him internally for not causing any problems.

“Ugh..!”

Even with those gentle steps, Keirsey was terrified and anxious. The way she hugged my arm and tried not to fall off the horse made me laugh.

We slowly got out of the training ground and found a place covered with fresh grass and flowers. It wasn’t as beautiful as the plains of Pryster estate, but we were able to find a place with a pretty good view.

Kirsey gradually relaxed. The force she was using while hugging my arm lessened and we began to enjoy the scenery more and more.

After a while, she slowly leaned her body against me. Her head touched my neck. A faint scent of flowers wafted through my nose. Though I wasn't confident if the source was Keirsey or flowers around us.

I and Storm waited for Keirsey until she felt comfortable. As time passed, I could even see a satisfied smile on her face.

I felt it was a good choice to ride Storm with her. It reminded me of the walks we went on when we were home.

“Keirsey, did you forget about lunch?”

“Ah! Right.”

As if waking up from a good dream, Keirsey answered in a dreamy voice, then opened the basket on her lap and took out a sandwich.

I opened my mouth with an, "Aahh!!" and Keirsey fed me.

“Hmm... It’s delicious.”

As I was genuinely admiring, Kirsey ate the sandwich I just took a bite of. Then wiping the sauce off the side of her lips, she agreed.

“…Wow. It's perfect.”

We made eye contact and remembering the old days, we burst into laughter.

...I urged Storm to walk again and we began to enjoy the scenery; Flowers were in full bloom and butterflies were flying. My mind felt at ease and my heart felt light.

Storm didn’t cause a single problem, as if he had become another horse altogether.

The time itself seemed to slow down in this gentle and calm atmosphere.

“…Keirsey. From now on, let’s come out like this more often.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“I love you so much, Oppa.”

“I know. But you shouldn’t behave as today.”

I was talking about the cold appearance of Keirsey that I couldn’t help but be surprised at earlier. I asked her not to behave that way again carefully so as not to offend her.

"......Yes.”

As if she was also reflecting on herself, she bowed her head and spoke sinfully. But I was confused now.

Was it right that I tried to change them?

Before coming to this academy, I thought that the reason they became the villains in the novel was that they couldn’t find someone to completely lean on.

…I found out that Asena wasn’t leaning on me, but still... Still, I believed that the future would change because of my actions. However, Keirsey’s appearance earlier shook that belief once more.

Maybe it was fate for them to become like this? Or were they ruthless by their very nature? If that was the case then were my efforts for nothing? I just hoped it was my imagination...

“You are never going to behave like today. Can you promise me?”

“…yes. I promise you, Oppa. I don’t even know why for a moment—”

“It’s okay. You may be angry all of a sudden. Let’s be careful next time.”

“I’ll be careful... Sorry...”

Keirsey bowed her head and replied in a sad voice. She was clearly depressed.

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

I opened my mouth and pushed her with my chin as if urging her to notice my open mouth.

“Oh~.”

Kirsey fed me a sandwich without a word. But the direction was slightly off and the sauce was applied to the tip of my lips.

“Oh, my hands are busy... Keirsey, please clean this up.”

Keirsey nodded and looked up at me.

With her small and soft finger, she cleaned the sauce from my lips, and her body suddenly stiffened.

Noticing her fingers were glued to my lips, I looked down in confusion.

“…Keirsey?”

While I called her name and looked down to see what was going on, I felt as if I had seen her swallowing saliva.

“Oh sorry.”

Keirsey hurriedly removed her fingers from my lips and sucked them to clean the sauce. Though I wanted to reprimand her for behaving like that I also didn't want to look like a nagging older brother so I ignored her actions this time. Keirsey then put the sandwich in her mouth and began to chew.

We enjoyed our time a little more just like that.

“Oppa?”

Whatever she was thinking, Keirsey, who had been quiet for a while, opened her mouth.

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you a favor?”

I closed the gap between my elbows and hugged her even tighter, placing my chin above her head.

“What?”

“…Can you come to visit me from now on?”

“Well?”

“After class, I’m the only one who comes to visit Oppa. Can’t you come to visit me sometimes?”

It was a very reasonable suggestion, so I nodded my head.

“Of course.”

I didn’t mean to ignore her efforts. So I decided to reciprocate them.

“…that…that continuation. Moving forward... frequently.”

“Yes?”

Perhaps she thought it was an unreasonable request, Keirsey buried her head in my arms with agitation. The posture was a little uncomfortable, but it wasn’t a big problem.

“Do you want me to keep coming?”

“….yes.”

“Frequently?”

“….yes.”

“Hmm, but I will be late because I have to take care of Storm.”

It had been a long time since she had asked me for something. So I wanted to hear the reason behind such a request.

“Is there a reason?”

“……”

“…Keirsey?”

“…that… so…”

“…If there is no reason it will be difficult to come frequently. You never know what’s going to happen with Storm.”

“…Ah! Those…boys keep talking to me…Ugh…it’s a little annoying.”

“…..What??”

I doubted my ears, bowed my head, and tried to make eye contact with her.

The more I tried, the more Keirsey buried her face in my arms.

“Do boys bother you?”

“….Yes. Come and have a look... Really.”

“Is that so?”

It was an unexpected problem. Unlike the novel, Keirsey now had a bright personality, and of course, there would be a few unexpected side effects.

“Oppa is in Knight's Department, Right? Can’t you become my knight and protect me?”

The words to protect her like a knight lit a fire in my heart...

Kirsey seemed to know how to handle me. Initially, she used to play aegyo… Now, it seemed like she instinctively knew how to persuade me with words as well. As we had been living together for years now, it seemed that she had learned a lot about me.

“Okay, Keirsey. I will come regularly.”

The decision was quick. I planned to see with my own two eyes what kind of guy was annoying my sister.

“Really?”

Keirsey asked in an unnecessarily high-pitched voice. She seemed excited and relieved. I also didn't break her expectations.

“Yes. I promise.”

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