Brother, may I follow you?

　It was my sister, Sheila, who asked the question.

　The third day of the school trip.
　Today is finally the day for free activities in the capital of the Sow Commercial State.
　We were divided into teams of five to six people and we were going to explore the royal capital.

　By the way, I decided on the formation of the team.
　The formation of the team was decided by me, taking into account each person's strength in a balanced manner.

　They've already gathered in teams and are waiting for my signal.

　Just before that, Sheila started to crumble like a baby.
　She looks at me uneasily, and there is something sad about the way she looks at me.
　It's unbearable to see my sister's face like that.
　But Sheila has her own team.
　As an upperclassman, Sheila's role is to protect her juniors.

'Sheila, I'd love to go around town with you too,'

My brother...!

　Sheila's eyes lit up.

　I think she wants to be with me so badly.
　She was honest, even though she was my sister.

'But this isn't a trip back home. It's a school trip. And this is hostile territory. You came here with that in mind, didn't you?

Yes, sir. I understand. So, with my team...

It's a diversionary tactic to draw out the enemy. If we concentrate our efforts, he will avoid us. We'll spread out, if we can.

　This explanation was something we had already talked about before we left the Villa Amst Kingdom.
　Naturally, Sheila also understood the main purpose of the operation.
　However, today Sheila was somewhat formidable.

　Even if I tried to soothe her, she didn't easily improve her mood.
　Her face is upturned and her cheeks are puffed out mindlessly.

　As I was torturing my selfish sister, something appeared tugging at my sleeve.

　It's Sarasa.

'Lacelle-kun, can I have a word?'

Hmm?　What is it?

Give me an ear.

Hmm?

　I didn't know what it was, but I did as I was told and tilted my ear towards Sarasa.
　Sarasa softly whispered in my ear.

　Whispering.

Say '---'

　It was only one word that Sarasa said to me.

　I don't know what it is, but I'm going to put it into practice anyway.
　I turned to Sheila once again.

"Okay, Sheila. You know what?

"Yes, sir. My brother.

'If this plan works and we kick it all to the curb, we'll both go around King's Landing.

　-- and speaks exactly as Sarasa instructed him to.

　What a mess.
　I was going to do that when it all kicked in.
　It wasn't that difficult....
　Why did Sarasa advise me to say these words now?

　I nodded my head.

　But the effect on Sheila was immediate.

　She blushes all at once.
　Her expression shone like a large flower.

''Yes!　By all means!

　Sheila spun around.
　She went back to the team she was in charge of.
　She hummed and was in an unusually good mood.

'Didn't that go well?'

　Salatha peered at me from behind her glasses.

'Yeah. But why was Sheila so angry?'

Sheila, you've been separated from Mr. Lacelle for a long time, haven't you?

Yeah. Well, yes. But in my room...

'But I think he thought he hadn't done anything travel-like with Mr. Lacelle yet. So I was kind of sulking.

Not much....

Yes.

　It's true that I relied too much on Sheila.
　Sheila is the number two strongest in the whole school, next to me.
　That's why I needed her to follow me in areas I couldn't see.

　Maybe I put a little too much of a burden on Sheila.

　That would be one thing to reflect on.
　When all this is over, I'll indulge her as much as I can.

'I think that's a good idea. Next to Lacelle-kun, it's Sheila who's come here and has been on my mind all along.

　Salasa is right.
　We must find and strike the enemy's hideout to give Sheila time to rest.

　For that reason, we must succeed in this first operation.


　◆◇◆◆◆.


　Someone poked his elbow in response to Salasa's advice to Lacelle.

　It was Cecil.
　He was looking at his best friend with a bit of a zit in his eye.

'It's okay, Sarasa,'

What?

You didn't really want to go around with Lacelle, did you?

Yes.

'I'm going to be very clear. In the old days, it would have been, 'Oh yeah, no, that's not true!' I faked it.

You say that, Cecil, you say it too.

'What?　It's just that, um....

　Cecil looked away.
　His cheeks were a little red.

　Sarasa chuckles.

''Cecil. I like you, Lacelle.

"Hey!　Well, you're jumping to conclusions. Sarasa, what's the matter with you?

Maybe. Maybe it's because I've gained confidence. I've been feeling a little stronger lately.

'I see. So Lacelle's training has had a positive effect on the maiden.

What about you, Cecil?

I'm not quite there yet. I haven't reached the state of Sarasa yet. --So, what's your point?　I like Lacelle, so what?

I like you because you and Sheila are friends, Lacelle.

Hahan....

　Cecil suddenly grinned.
　Seeing her best friend's contained smile, Sarasa panicked.

'Wha, what?　Cecil-chan.

They're trying to fill in the outer moat first.

The outer moat...

That's my team's schemer. Very thoughtful.

No, it's not like that!

　Sarasa denied it, but Cecil's expression remained the same as it had been.

'Anyway, I guess we'll have to wait and see if this strategy works before we can confess or not.

Yeah. I know. Take care of yourself, Cecil.

That's mine. But if we both survive, then...

What if...?

Let's go around King's Landing and have a nice ice cream.

No, no--

'What?　Just why?

　The corners of Cecil's eyes drooped.
　He was stunned by Sarasa's sudden rebellion.

　Then, Sarasa bleeps and sticks out her tongue.

'I'm more of a parfait.

What the hell?　God!　Okay, okay. Let's eat both of them!

　Cecil held up his hand.
　Sarasa followed suit.

　Snap!

　They clapped their hands and wished each other well.
　Then the two ran towards different directions.