It was the day during the summer vacation a year ago when Wanya died protecting Aimi. Aimi has graduated from junior high school and entered my high school. I have moved up a grade to become a third-year student.
During my second year, Wanya's seat remained in the classroom, but naturally, as a third-year student, Wanya's seat was not prepared.
After a year, no students at school would even mention Wanya.
At home, Aimi and my family still talk about Wanya, looking through photo albums we took together since we were young.
Today, the three of us have come to visit Wanya's grave.
We were supposed to come here just the two of us.
"Hey, Sae, let's finish the grave visit quickly and go play."
The voice calling from behind belongs to Taniichi Go, who has been in the same class since second year. After Wanya's death, he has been trying to cheer me up. Since he was also a classmate of Wanya, he came along for today's grave visit.
"Onee-chan, it's been a year, hasn't it?"
Aimi, who has grown a bit more mature since becoming a high school student, asks while lighting incense at the grave. Her hair, which used to be shoulder-length in junior high school, now reaches her chest.
"Yeah, it feels like just yesterday."
I take the incense from Aimi and offer it to Wanya's grave.
"Surely, Wanya must be in heaven, right? Since he saved me."
In response to Aimi's question, I can only fold my hands and nod.
After offering flowers and incense, we leave Wanya's grave.
"Hey, it's been a year, you know? I know you liked Wanya, but there's no point in thinking about someone who's dead. You should look for the next guy."
At Taniichi's words, my sister and I frown.
"Shut up."
I can't help but say it out loud. Even though I know I can't see Wanya anymore, I still haven't come to terms with it after a year. Taniichi's words feel like a stab to the heart, and I get irritated along with my sister.
"I'm going home now. See you."
"Goodbye, Taniichi-senpai."
I coldly tell Taniichi and head home with Aimi. I can hear Taniichi's voice from behind, but I don't turn around.
After returning home, I lie on the bed and look through the emails I exchanged with Wanya on my phone.
"Wanya, are you really in heaven?"
I mutter, holding my phone in my hand.
◇◇◇
"Hahahaha... Achoo!"
"Are you catching a cold, Kain-sama?"
"Are you okay, Kain-kun?"
The two of them are worried about the big sneeze.
"Maybe someone is talking about me?"
Kain laughs and answers, but both of them look exasperated.
"Indeed, that might be the case. Kain-sama does unexpected things, so Father is always troubled."
"My father always laughs about Kain-kun's stories."
Kain takes a sip of tea, thinking he hasn't done anything that bad.
Today, after returning from school, Kain is having tea with Terecia and Silk on the terrace of the castle. From the terrace, you can see the beautifully maintained gardens surrounding the castle. Around the table where the three of them are sitting, three maids are on standby, preparing refills of tea and snacks.
"Kain-sama, I'm lonely because you've been busy and can't spend time with me."
"Kain-kun is still only ten, but he's already a viscount. Father says it's okay to announce the engagement soon."
"I want to be able to proudly say, 'Kain-sama is my fiancé.'"
Since becoming the lord of Drindor, Kain has been very busy and hasn't had much time to have tea with the three of them.
With Alex-niisan taking up the position of magistrate and Retia joining the guild, things should calm down.
Kain plans to work on internal affairs with Alex-niisan and Rula during the summer break, so this is a brief respite.
"Maybe it's better to wait until after the summer break. By then, Drindor should be more settled."
With Alex and Rula joining the internal affairs, Kain wants to expand the city of Drindor. During the summer break, he plans to focus on internal affairs and complete the work in one go.
"During the summer break, I'll be going to the Marveik territory with Silk. I know we can't travel together, but I'll bear with it."
"I can't travel with you, but I plan to go to the Marveik territory. I think it will take two days. And I have something to give you both."
Kain takes two boxes out of his item box and hands them to Terecia and Silk. They open the boxes and their eyes widen in surprise.
"A beautiful necklace..."
"Yeah, it's really beautiful..."
Terecia and Silk hold the necklaces, their eyes shining as they admire them. The necklaces are made of mithril and magic stones, with a two-centimeter oval-shaped magic stone attached to a mithril chain. Terecia's is red, and Silk's is green.
"I made them from magic stones and mithril. Would you like to wear them?"
Kain's words make the two of them blush. Since they haven't officially announced their engagement, Kain is not allowed to touch the princesses directly in public. The maids put the necklaces on them. The two of them look at themselves in the hand mirrors given by the maids, sighing in delight.
"These necklaces contain my magic power. If anything dangerous happens, just hold the magic stone and infuse it with magic, and I will know."
This is something only possible with Kain's creation magic, and even the royal magic engineers cannot make such items, which could be considered national treasures. Terecia and Silk don't realize the value of these necklaces, and neither does Kain. They are just happy to receive gifts from Kain.
Kain thought of these items out of concern for the two of them. Of course, the maids standing by are listening to their conversation and breaking out in cold sweat.
The tea party ends, and as Kain is walking back from the castle, he is called from behind. Turning around, he sees Tiphana smiling warmly at him.
"Lord, it's been a while. I've been lonely without our mock battles. We still have some time, so let's go."
Of course, Kain can't refuse, and Tiphana leads him to the training ground. The maids report to the prime minister, and Kain is called to the castle again later.
Thank you as always.
I wanted to write about Sae and Aimi again after a long time.