With Ari
Today, I was with Ari.
Our little outings, to the garden and the small forest behind the mansion, which were starting to become a bit of a regular thing, were now allowed once a week, on the condition that Captain Luke and Vice-Captain Hans accompanied us.
Even though it was just the very entrance of the small forest, since you never knew what might be in there…
It was still fun.
And as always, Marle walked with us too.
Ari and I walked along together, step by step, patter patter.
We held hands as we walked.
To my side was Captain Luke, and beside Ari was Vice-Captain Hans. Marle followed behind us.
There were probably more guards around too, but to keep Ari and me at ease, they were watching over us from a bit farther away.
I say “probably” because Papa told me they were there.
But I’ve never actually seen them.
Apparently, those unseen guards are called Shadows.
That sounds kinda cool.
“Ari, this is fun, right?”
When I looked at her profile… ahhh, there’s an angel right here.
“Yeahhh, it’s funnn!”
Ari was all smiles!
Apparently, Ari and I look a lot alike.
It’s a little frustrating, but we’re about the same height.
She has the same fluffy hair texture as me.
And the same hair color as Papa.
Ari wore her hair in short twin-tails with red ribbons.
Chubby cheeks, with a dimple on the right.
Big round eyes, slightly droopy at the corners.
Too cute, seriously. Ugh, I’m such a doting big brother.
She wore a soft white dress with a floral pattern.
As for me, I had on a white shirt and blue pants.
Everyone says Ari and I look alike, but we’re not twins.
I was born in April, and Ari was born the following March.
In my past life, that’d mean I had a little sister in the same grade as me…
Man, that’s kinda embarrassing.
Well, putting that aside.
I really liked the small forest beyond the lush green garden of our home.
The first time I met the miso bees, that was a shock, huh?
But now we’re even keeping bees.
The miso from the miso bees had filled up one of our food storerooms, gratefully so.
We were letting the miso age.
Lately, I’d actually been thinking I wanted to make white miso.
I love dishes made with white miso too.
I caught sight of the storeroom dedicated just to miso over there, and my thoughts drifted off that way for a bit.
“It’s a beautiful day today.”
““Yeah.””
Ari and I answered together.
“So, what will you be doing in the garden today?”
Hmm, what should we do?
Oh, jump rope sounds good.
“Hey, I thought of a new game.”
“I want a rope about twice my height, can you get one for me?”
“What might you be planning, I wonder? Surely not tying us up? Eh? Tying up Ojousama? Could it be that Young Master Kaito has such tastes… ow!”
“That hurt! Captain Luke, I’m gonna get a bump, you know!”
Oof, that looked painful, Captain Luke’s right-hand striped straight swing.
Huh? What does that mean?
Exactly what it sounds like.
Man, Captain Luke shows no mercy.
“Hey, what do you mean by ‘such tastes’?”
Ahh, Ari… let’s just ignore that, okay?
You don’t need to hear about that stuff.
I covered Ari’s ears from behind with both hands. Bad for her education… wait, now I can’t hear either.
Marle, I’m fine hearing that stuff, you don’t have to cover my ears too!
Whoa… Marle, your face is kinda scary though.
Ari had been going, “Hey, hey, what does that mean? Tell meee,” nonstop.
Hm? Captain Luke? When did he get over there?
What’s wrong? What’s there?
He’s beckoning us over, right?
Good, Ari’s attention shifted… ah, Ari, don’t run!
“Ari, it’s dangerous to run!”
Ahh… she didn’t hear me, did she?
“Ojousama, you mustn’t run! If you fall, you’ll get hurt!”
“Ehh~ what is it? Show meee!”
“““““Ah!”””””
All our voices overlapped.
She fell with a loud thud… oof, that was a big one.
Is she gonna cry?
“Are you alright?”
Marle rushed over and picked Ari up.
“Ari, you okay? You alright?”
What do you think about this chapter?
