Chapter 18
Lina was walking alone in the forest lit by suns.h.i.+ne.
There was no hesitation in her footsteps because she had been here once.
Two years ago, Lina, who happened to know that Soma had gone out of the mansion early in the morning to go somewhere, quietly followed him afterward.
On the contrary, even though two years had pa.s.sed, she vividly remembered about that time.
She was able to vividly remembered how her heart throbbing fast.
Moreover, her heart was throbbing fast even now.
At that time, it was caused by the curiosity toward unknown matters, and the rebellious feeling of sneaking out of the mansion.
Today, it was quite different compared to that time, but the similar feeling was she convinced that something was going to happen to where she was heading.
However, given the fact that it was two years ago, it wouldn't always be the same place like in that time, but… somehow, her guess was right.
She heard a voice from the figure that walked away earlier.
It was also a moment of proving that her memory was right.
However, Lina was surprised. It was because the scene reflected in her eyes was different from what she expected.
She was thinking whether he would do a sword dance like on that day, but it wasn't like that. In fact, he wasn't alone.
It was a girl who stood close by Soma's side.
The age of the girl probably similar to Soma… or about the same as Lina, and she saw the girl had brilliant red color eyes.
The girl with hair held on both sides swung her hands around while shouting something.
"So, why such things happened!?" (Aina)
"I've come up with this because I couldn't think of anything else. If I can't feel mana, you have to directly shove it here." (Soma)
"Are you stupid? You're asking me to use magic on your head!? If your timing is a bit slower, your head would be burn, you know!?" (Aina)
"No, you don't have to worry about that. If it is going to hit me, it will hit. But before that happen, I will cut the spell." (Soma)
"Now, I am more worried!" (Aina)
The sight where making noises together with Soma was… somehow strange to her.
It was different from how she felt when she looked at Soma's face from her room, or… perhaps it should be said that it wasn't the feeling she had about Soma in the first place.
What she felt that girl… was standing too close to Soma, or why she was too familiar with Soma.
"–Aah"
In that moment, their eyes met.
It wasn't her imagination.
She didn't locked eyes with the girl though.
While Lina was staring at the girl, Soma changed the position of his head to block Aina, and looked to where she was.
It was completely like the other day.
On that day also, Soma was looking at her at the timing and way that she didn't expected. Indeed, she was surprised.
As if he knew everything since the beginning.
"…No, it's definitely not like that. It is surely a coincidence… yes, it is." (Lina)
It was strange if it wasn't a coincidence.
Because Soma didn't have any skills.
There was no way for him to detect Lina who had completely erased sound and presence.
— Intermediate Rank – Presence Blocking: Seclusion.
Even people in the mansion didn't notice that Lina was secretly leaving the mansion, but… if he had noticed her even if it was coincidence, there was nothing much she could do.
To tell the truth, she was actually thinking to surprise him when he returned home on that day, but… she was the one who being surprised.
She was dissatisfied with that, but… well, she might as well return the favor all at once.
"Wait a sec? Is there something wrong?" (Aina)
While Aina was thinking how stubborn he was, she asked Soma.
Apparently, the girl didn't seem to notice Lina. Therefore, she understood that she shouldn't make any mistake.
If it was so, why did Soma become aware of her? That would be… Nah, it must be a coincidence, there were no other reasons.
Lina shook her head to deny that sudden thought.
"Hmm… Now, how should I explain this…" (Soma)
"Eh? Wait a sec… what do you mean?" (Aina)
"Well. I think it is faster to look than to explain by mouth. Anyhow, look that way." (Soma)
"That way…? Even if you say that, to have something else— eh!?" (Aina)
As Soma told her, Lina saw the eyes of the girl who looked at her direction immediately, and then, Aina unexpectedly opened her mouth.
Yes, it was a matter of course for Lina to hope for such a reaction.
At any rate, [Intermediate Rank – Presence Isolation] was a skill that first cla.s.s a.s.sa.s.sins used.
Even if one walking side by side with other person, there was nothing to be noticed if the other person didn't notice.
Of course, Lina had never learned such a specialization, so there would be more or less some gap, but… even so, it wasn't something to be notice that quick.
However, since it was pointless to say anything, she didn't know the other girl and she got the reaction she wanted. So, Lina had recovered some self-esteem.
"It can't be… there was no one there until now!" (Aina)
While feeling pleasant at such a reaction, Lina walked toward the two, and she suddenly noticed something.
While Aina still had a loose mouth, Lina remembered this.
That's right, she didn't forget to smile.
She learned it from her mother that she should start with a smile when greeting people.
So, Lina put up a smile.
Whatever she wanted to do afterwards, she needed to smile first.
While smiling as it was, the faces of those two became clearly visible, and when Lina approached at the distance where her voice could reach, she opened her mouth.
"Good morning." (Lina)
— Lina was wondering what went wrong.
But she couldn't figure it out.
For this reason, she let out a small sight and muttered as if she couldn't help it.
Even so, she thought that there was no doubt it was caused by her brother's ability.
—
TLN: