We descended to the first floor when lunchtime arrived, and had lunch in the dining room.
That said, I had brought my own bento, so I ate that.
In the afternoon, I chatted in the lounge on the second floor, and around three o’clock, I headed home.
“It’s really just noon, huh…”
Looking at the wall clock in my room, the long and short hands both pointed to the top.
“Will this food last until dinner?”
As I stepped out of my room, I made my way to the door of the adjacent room and knocked.
“Whaaat?”
I heard my little sister’s voice from within.
“Tokyo, can I come in?”
“Hmmnnn.”
Her response was casual, but it was enough of an invitation, so I opened the door. As ever, her room was filled with stuffed animals. Toko was sprawled out on the bed at the edge of the room, reading a magazine.
“Are you done changing already?”
“Been home for hours. Brother’s just late, isn’t he?”
She had a point, especially considering the long conversation I had with Frank and Cedric…
“Do you not have any friends?”
“Hmm? I do. We hang out on weekends.”
“But aren’t those classmates of yours? I’ve never seen you talking to them. Besides, don’t you sit right up front?”
It was right in front of the teacher.
And beside her, there was no one.
“Hmm… Well, there are people to talk to. Like Ilmera, Noel, and Yuika, for example. They’re in the same class, and we’re close in age.”
“Huh? I don’t see you talking much with them.”
“I do, just not usually. I kind of avoid talking too much.”
“Why?”
Shouldn’t Toko normally be quite chatty?
“I’m using the name La Folle. If I talk too much, they’ll find out how unrefined I really am. They’ll see through me.”
Indeed, she lacked refinement…
Even now, she was lying around casually reading a magazine, and her underwear was partially visible.
“Hmm, the dignity of a prestigious family, huh?”
“Yeah yeah. Like the dumb sister who farts during meals?”
She was also that sister who left the bathroom light on and got frequently scolded by Mom.
“Good to know that it’s not bullying then.”
“No way!”
“Huh? Didn’t I hear that you’re someone who’s obsessed with pride?”
“Pride (laughs)”
When Toko turned toward me, she smirked while leaning on one elbow.
Hmm, it doesn’t seem like there is such a thing after all…
“Hey, are you good at ice magic?”
At the question, Toko’s expression stiffened.
“…Why?”
“Your ice magic in class today was impressive.”
“Well… I guess I’m better at that.”
Hmm, hmm.
“How about we think of a nickname for you?”
“d*mn you! You’re not supposed to know that!”
Toko threw a pillow at me, which I naturally caught.
“What’s with that? You’ve lost your dignity, Ice Princess… hahaha!”
“Stop laughing!”
“Sounds lame, doesn’t it?”
“I knew it! I also thought, ‘Who gives people lame nicknames?’ Never thought it would be me…”
Hilarious.
“Hey, can you use spatial magic?”
“Yes. Here, give this to mom.”
Saying that, Toko produced a bento box from somewhere, so I took it. I then returned her pillow.
“Do you know all the spells from the textbook?”
“I’ve worked hard to memorize them. I only started seriously considering becoming a wizard during the summer between junior high second year, so I’m a bit late.”
So that’s when she started…
“Any tips?”
“Review before sleeping and right after waking up.”
Ah, got it…
“It’s going to be tough from here on out…”
“I know, it’ll be fine. High school is hard too, but university exams aren’t necessary so I think it’s easier here…”
University exams…
Indeed, they sound far more stressful.
“Gotta work hard…!”
“Yep. Oh, could you grab those chips for me?”
I grabbed the chips from her study desk and dropped them toward Toko’s face as she lay there.
“Thanks! Let’s do our best!”
Toko took the chips, munching on them while reading her magazine, so I left the room.
“Hey! Close the door when you leave!”
Since she was being annoying, I went back to close the door, then headed downstairs to the living room. Mom was watching a daytime talk show while having tea.
“I’m home. Is this your bento box too?”
“Welcome back. Oh? So you have Toko’s as well?”
“I just talked with Toko. Mom, aren’t there cafeterias at the dorms? And it’s free.”
Frank and Cedric were definitely eating there earlier.
“You and Toko both are picky eaters; it will affect your nutrition.”
“Ah… Yeah, that might be true.”
“I’ve been your parent for 16 years, so I know what I’m talking about.”
“Alright then. Anyway, I’ll be going out for a quick run. Prepare something to eat when I get back. This isn’t going to last until dinner.”
“Just grab a cup of instant noodles if you’re hungry.”
What about nutrition?
Ah, well, I don’t really care either way…
I left the two bento boxes on the table with a sigh and returned to my room. Changing into my workout clothes, I set out for my usual run.
Running is a hobby, so I do it almost every day. This past three months have been the most pleasant.
Well, it can’t be helped, since until now I’ve been sneaking out in the middle of the night to run.
I took my usual route, making it to the park and turning back. When I returned, I ate some instant noodles in the living room with mom while watching TV, then went back to my room. I stared at the textbook while committing the spells to memory.
“Hmm… Let’s try a bit at a time. Dad did say not to overwork myself.”
After closing the textbook, I laid down on the bed. As evening approached and it was time for dinner, I went down to the living room, and our family of four started eating.
“Tsukasa, how was the first day?”
“An ice princess made the teacher cry.”
“Don’t call her that. It wasn’t just you destroying the automaton, was it?”
Toko huffed angrily.
“How about your studies? Are you okay with them?”
“…I’ll do my best. I did learn from Frank and Cedric.”
“Got it… Be sure not to overexert yourself.”
What should I do?
Truthfully, I don’t want to overwork myself, and it seems I can’t right now. Still, I don’t want to lose my arm, either. But it’s all just begun…
Thank you for reading.
If you found this work ‘fun’ or feel eager for more, I’d greatly appreciate bookmarks or a ★★★★★ rating instead of ☆☆☆☆☆, which serves as great encouragement for continued writing.
Thank you very much!
