TYHL 40

~Chapter 40~

“Thank you for inviting me to dinner. Then, see you tomorrow. Ruby.”

And just like that, the boy disappeared without hesitation. I couldn’t tell if he was being arrogant or polite…

Tremble tremble tremble.

The table shook like an earthquake.

“Phew… stop crying already.”

Grandpa muttered as he stared at his clenched, rock-like fist.

“Soon, I’ll release this grudge.”

“Grandpa… please don’t talk to your fists…”

“Hmph.”

At some point, Uncle was sitting with his chin propped up, watching everything. I scratched my temple with an awkward laugh.

“Uncle, sorry. Khalid suffered a lot since childhood, so maybe that’s why he lacks social skills…”

“I like his temper.”

“Huh?”

Uncle looked at Grandpa, who was trying to calm down his raging fist.

“Father.”

“…Yes.”

“You’ve been bored lately, haven’t you? Your health is good.”

“…? I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but respect your elders, hmm?”

“It’s time for the talent training you’ve been waiting for.”

“….”

What did that mean?

As I stayed quiet, Uncle turned his head to the side. Void, chewing food slowly, now had a big question mark on his face.

“It’ll be a good stimulus for Void as well.”

“Eh?”

Oh, I get it now.

I quickly understood Uncle’s intention.

Grandpa had always wanted to raise strong northern knights. Just like he saw in the entrance test, Khalid looked like he had potential. So he wanted Grandpa to train him.

“And Ruby too…”

“Yes, sir!”

I answered brightly. After all, I was also part of the Jebert Order.

Training with Grandpa? It’d be tough, but I was curious!

“Ruby too…”

But Uncle just frowned and couldn’t continue.

“…Why do I feel so reluctant?”

“Huh?”

Uncle looked at me with a very displeased face, then quietly put the green pepper back onto my plate.

So mean!

“Anyway, I’ll leave the kids to you.”

“Yes, yes!”

Grandpa picked up his plate and shoved a mountain of steak into his mouth.

Without even chewing much, he swallowed and stood up.

“Good! My blood is boiling! I’ll train these little brats properly!”

How could a noble elder have worse table manners than a mercenary boy…

I used the distraction, while everyone’s eyes were on Grandpa, to successfully drop my green pepper on the floor.

Void’s face had gone so pale it looked almost bruised.

That made me worried. If even that thunderbolt of a boy was scared…

‘Is Grandpa’s training really that harsh?’

“I don’t want it to be too hard…”

Without realizing, I muttered. Grandpa gasped loudly.

“Hey now, who said anyone would make you suffer?! You’ll just be in Grandpa’s arms, watching—”

Creak, creak.

But as he thought over his own words, Grandpa’s expression turned sour in real time.

“…Watching won’t do either, will it?”

His face looked just like Uncle’s earlier.

Finally, he muttered quietly.

“Why do I feel so reluctant…?”

Void Jebert was in deep agony.

“Young master, would you like some tea?”

“No…”

“Oh my, but it’s your favorite fruit tea…”

Even with the maids serving him, Void refused. His smooth forehead was furrowed.

‘Ruby is my little sister…’

Tap, tap. His finger drummed the desk rhythmically.

‘And that guy earlier… that’s her friend.’

Khalid, was it?

A boy who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Ruby’s friend, who had come all this way just to see her.

Sure, that could happen.

‘Even Liam’s friends visit sometimes.’

But still…

‘Why does it bother me so much?’

Void frowned deeper.

This unknown feeling, this emotion…

It was like his precious little sister was being stolen away.

“Hey, when my younger sister brought home some skinny, bony guy calling himself her boyfriend, wow. It really messed with me.”

“Eh? But you’re not even close with your sister.”

“Ugh, you don’t get it. This has nothing to do with being close or not.”

“Eh.”

Why did his academy friend’s words come to mind now?

“Why am I acting like this…”

Void shook his head hard. His black hair swayed messily.

‘Is it because Ruby is so small, weak, and pale?’

That boy looked taller and darker than him. His rough eyes even reminded him of Father…

“Gasp. Did I just insult Father?”

Void quickly shook his head again.

Either way, if that boy bullied Ruby, she wouldn’t be able to resist.

“Ah, that’s it!”

Void jumped up.

Yes, that was the problem! As her brother, he had to protect her from being mistreated or from being influenced badly!

“Of course, I must protect her.”

To keep his resolve, Void took out his diary. But as he grabbed his pen, his hand froze.

‘But… what if Ruby grows closer to that boy than to me?’

“Haha… not very brotherly of me.”

Void pressed his forehead and shook his head.

‘Act more mature, Void Jebert. You’re already in your third year at the academy…’

He tried to calm himself and opened his diary again. His hand froze once more.

Diary Entry
N Month N Day, N Weekday / Weather: Cloudy / Mood: Really good
Today I did 100 sword swings!
Uncle Oberon praised me a lot. He even gave me raspberries as a reward, but they were kind of sour…
…
Had dinner with Ruby…
…
Tomorrow I’ll work even harder!

Perfect. Beginning, middle, and end, flawless.

The problem was the pink handwriting that invaded the end.

“Aww! Well done ★★★★★
But ‘swinging (x)’ → ‘swing (o)’
Sour (x) → Bitter (o)”

“Argh! You peeked again!”

This demon! Void jumped up furiously.

He hid his diary so carefully—how did she always find it?!

“Young master! Don’t run!”

But nothing could stop the boy dashing out like an arrow.

Bang! He opened the door. Ruby was lying on her bed, fiddling with a light-purple stone, but she raised her head.

“Look at me!”

“Hm? What is it?”

That innocent, clueless expression!

Void glared, fuming.

“You, my diary… No, wait. Who was that guy earlier?!”

“Huh?”

“That guy earlier!”

Ruby tilted her head and sat up properly.

‘Ugh. What am I even saying?’

He had barged in using the diary as an excuse, but the words coming out were totally different.

The diary in his hand was already forgotten.

“That guy! The one with hair like a washed-out night sky!”

“Khalid? I told you, he’s my friend.”

“How old is he?! He’s taller than me, how can he be your friend?”

“Uh… twelve.”

“See?!”

“I just act more mature, that’s all. I have lots of older friends!”

Ruby’s bright smile made Void’s chest burn.

“But why are you suddenly like this?”

“I don’t know!”

“Huh?”

“You’re my sister—how can you have someone closer than me?!”

“But you have friends too, don’t you?”

“Well… yeah!”

Ruby tilted her head again. Her short silver hair, neatly trimmed, swayed slightly.

The small squirrel-shaped pin on her ear glinted.

‘Ugh… my sister is too cute!’

“What’s the problem then?”

“I don’t know!”

He shouted out of habit. Ruby closed her mouth a little.

“…But why are you yelling at me since earlier?”

“…”

“Barging in suddenly and scolding me…”

Void gasped.

Ruby’s soft cheeks puffed out a little. Recently, she had gotten chubbier, which made her extremely, extremely, extremely cute.

But this was bad.

She was on the verge of sulking.