Vol. 2 Ch. 2 Love Master

Chapter 2

Love Master

The next day at the library.

"Hey, what are you planning?"

"Huh?"

What is this berserker saying?

"I know you have something planned for later... physical activities, right?"

"H-How did you know that?!"

"I just know, so what are you planning?"

"I don't know how you found out, but yes. I was planning to do some exercise later with the others."

"...is that all?"

"Huh? Yeah."

"Okay then."

She went back to reading.

The reason I'm going to do physical tiring activity with the others was for Cecil's request. I got a plan into making him and Alex fall in love with each other.

I don't know how berserker found out about it, but this event made me realize that this person is too smart. Actually, being smart has nothing to do about it... how the hell did she know?

...I guess thinking about it is useless...

"Oi kid."

Someone called out to me, it was the person who read books here everyday around 11:00am or so. She is reading on the table near the counter.

"What is it brat?"

"You plan to sneak Celeste later? I'll come with you."

"Fine."

Xeline went back to reading.

I read random books until 12:00pm.

Next, I went to the lake to get some Nails and strings... this was for my plans for later.

I put them on my pocket, went to the bench and ate.

After eating I drew picked up the map the Berserker gave me and drew something on it. I'll use it for later.

I went to the woodworking shop.

"Oi old man, wood working."

"Yeah, yeah."

He handed me two books.

"You know what to do with that, now come here."

One of the books was a thick compressed book called 'Full list of Wood Materials' and one is a thin book 'How to Woodwork'. A 'Compressed Book' is a book like the potion books or the ones the tailor gave me.

"This is the saw, use it to cut. This is the hammer, use it to hammer. This is the varnish, use it to shine. These are rulers, pencils, which are obviously for drawing on wood, this is the chisel, use it to-"

"You suck at teaching."

"Just read that damn book, I don't care... now don't disturb me and work on that side."

"What should I work for?"

"I don't know and I don't care, I'll give you request when you don't suck that much anymore."

"Fine."

I read and finished the thin book, 'How to Woodwork' easily.

There are a lot of things that needs to be done compared to smithing.

But the summary is.

Draw, shape with tools, then varnish.

Some, like bows or instruments, needs strings.

The first thing I made through woodworking is a bow.

I wanted to build a folding ladder for Celeste to let her escape that school without me, but this old man doesn't have any blueprint for it. I'll go to the library at another time for that.

I finished the bow after working for an hour, and it's pretty bad.

I threw it away at the stack of failed wood carving that will be used for burning.

"Oi Old man, everyday 2:00 to 3:30, let's practice playing piano.

"Fine."

So my schedule for the woodworking shop is 12:30-2:00 is woodworking, then 2:00-3:30 piano.

For the rest of the time woodworking I didn't touch another wood, but just watched the old man do woodworking to learn more.

After watching him we went to the music room to play.

Like yesterday I would play and he judge.

And at 3:30 I would leave.

"It's time for me to leave old man."

"Yeah, yeah."

I left the woodworking shop and went to the lake to fetch Celeste.

When I came to the lake, a person was there.

"Center-cha...mffpmffp."

It was Onee-chan.

I hurried over and covered her mouth, she's probably going to shout 'Center-chan!'.

"Shhh!"

She nodded two times then I removed my hand.

"Center-chan... that made my heart race... do it again!"

"......."

I ignored her and looked up the window.

Celeste was there and beside her was the crazy girl.

"Oi kid, wait."

"What?"

"I'll come down there first, in case Onee-chan shouts."

"Yeah, that would be good."

I read what was on her mind. If no one is left beside Onee-chan, she will be noisy resulting to people coming here making the kidnapping of Celeste fail.

Xeline went out the school through the front gates and went here.

"Xeline-cha...mfpfpfmt"

I covered her mouth again.

"Shhhh!"

"Heehee... that made my heart race again Center-chan."

"......"

Xeline went beside Onee-chan.

"What are you waiting for? Go get her slow kid."

"Shut up useless brat."

I jump over to the window.

Seeing this, Onee-chan was surprised.

"Center-chan! Are you even human?!"

"Onee-chan, shhh!"

"Oh, sorry!."

"......"

I ignored her and grabbed Celeste in a princess carry.

I looked at her face while she was in my arms.

"Ready?"

"Uh huh..."

She was beet red when she replied.

"Kyaa—"

"Onee-chan...Shh! Oi slow kid! hurry up!"

Onee-chan was so excited and flinging her arms and her eyes in a >< Shape while Xeline was covering her mouth.

This is when I thought I did a stupid decision and should've just made onee-chan wait somewhere else.

I jumped down with Celeste then looked at her face.

"You okay?"

"......"

For some reason, she was red and cannot speak.

*Pssssssshhhh!*

"O-Onee-chan?!"

Xeline shouted in a soft voice.

The reason is because Onee-chan just had a massive nosebleed and fainted.

I dropped Celeste softly on the floor and went to Onee-chan.

"Oi! What happened."

"I don't know... Onee-chan? Are you alright?"

".......Sai....kou..."(...The...Best...)

""She's fine.""

I carried Onee-chan in a princess carry then she regained consciousness and hugged me. and went to the library by avoiding the entrance of the school.

We carefully looked around if a person from their school is watching then went inside the library.

"...is that Roxelle? What happened to her?"

""Just the usual.""

"I see."

After Onee-chan calmed down Berserker asked us a question.

"What are you guys doing anyway?"

"Sneaking this girl out for reasons."

"I just wanted to see how Cecil-chan's story will progress."

"I came to make sure this kid doesn't—"

"Shut up, and don't speak, don't waste time."

"At least you know how it is."

"Me! Me! I just wanted to come because you guys left me out yesterday!"

Onee-chan shouted while her cheeks are cutely puffed.

"Anyway, this problem of Cecil will probably be solved later."

"What? Really? How can you be sure about that, Nameless-san."

"I'm not that sure, but I got a plan."

"What is it?"

"I don't have to explain, let's just go to the blacksmith now."

We went to the blackmith.

"Oi stalker, time to go!"

"Go? Go where?"

"Don't play dumb."

"......"

"Tsk."

I dragged Cecil out by dragging his hand.

"This guy is so powerful!"

"Kyaaaaah!"

Why is onee-chan screaming again?

We just decided to ignore her and went to Alex.

"So you're here, are you ready?"

"Wait Alex, I have a condition."

"What?"

"You need to run one round around the whole town with all of us."

"""Ha?!"""

"Yay!"

"I'm leaving."

Alex, Cecil, and Celeste was surprised.

Onee-chan was happy.

And the brat wanted to leave.

"No! Don't leave Xeline-chan!

Onee-chan hugged Xeline.

"But Onee-chan!"

"No buts!"

"......."

Xeline gave up and returned.

"Why should we do that, Nameless-kun?"

"It's payment for dressing up this guy, in fact, you can both dress up while running, that will promote the shop, right?"

"...That's a great Idea, But I have one condition."

"What?"

"You all should wear something that I will give you!"

"Of course."

"I don't care as long as this ends quickly."

"Please give us all cute outfits Alex-chan!"

"....Costumes......"

"Then, it's a deal!"

Cecil went near me and whispered.

"Just what are you planning?"

"Just do it, I don't need to explain. You'll thank me later."

"...if you say so."

After that, we all went inside the shop and Alex gave us costumes to wear.

After wearing them we went to the store floor.

"Everyone is so cute!!!!!"

The one who said that was Onee-chan.

Onee-chan is wearing a maid outfit.

Celeste is wearing a blue dress.

Xeline is wearing a white goth Lolita Outfit.

Alex is wearing a butler outfit.

Cecil is wearing a suit inside a trench coat.

And I am wearing something like what a pirate wears based on what I saw in a book.

Why the hell does Alex have these kinds of things at the shop?

I guess this just shows her.... I mean... his passion for sewing.

"I guess your plan is going smoothly."

Someone whispered to my ear.

"Eh? When did you get here?!"

The one who whispered to me was the berserker.

"Acei-chan!"

"Hi."

"Go run with us!"

"Sorry.... I don't like physical activities."

"Buuuu...."

"Aceilette-sama! Can you at least wear a costume?"

"But I don't want to-"

"You don't have to run! You can just stay here!"

This is bad... for my plan, I need not to be seen by everyone. If Berserker stays here, it will be ruined.

Berserker looked at me then smiled.

"Nah, I'd rather read in the library... I think I might get in the way of someone when I stay here."

Huh?

"Acei-cha—"

"Sorry, take care!"

Before Onee-chan talked, Berserker walked fast, I never would've thought that I would see her do physical activities like that in my entire life.

I guess he knows that Onee-chan won't stop until she goes with us so she left before Onee-chan had the chance to do it.

But still, I expected berserker to know my plan only up to the phyiscal activities.

But did she know what I would do after that?

...That's impossible.

But....

I don't really know, that person is too smart for me to handle.

Why would she even walk all the way here just for that?

And how did she know we were here? or... did she follow us after we left the library?

It's useless to think about it.

"Cecil-chan, don't worry! you look good in this kind of outfit too!"

".....thanks Roxelle."

Why is Cecil depressed again?

I don't have time to think about it so I'll just start telling the rules.

"Well then, I'll tell you the route....First , we start at the entrance of the tailor, then the next destination is the pharmacy, next is the knights guild. Then you go to the clinic from the knights guild. After that, go through the market on the wall side. The next is the path between the inn and aventurers guild. Then the finish line is behind this shop.....I'll show you a map."

I showed them a map of Quina I drew before with a map route on it.(http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=zlb3id&s=9)

Everyone looked at it.

"Everyone okay?"

They all nodded.

"Then, let's go to the starting line."

The starting line was in front of the shop.

"Everyone ready?"

They all nodded.

"3,2,1....."

"Start!"

Everyone started running.

While we ran, people around started looking at us.

The reason was obvious, we were wearing unique outfits that are not worn every day.

After 400 meters, a gap has shown.

Last place is Xeline.

Ha!

Second to the last is Celeste.

In front of her was Alex.

Third place is Cecil.

Second place is me.

And first place, surprisingly... no, it's not surprising... is Onee-chan.

Onee-chan is running backwards and looking at us appreciating everyone's costume.

She was just running easily without effort and sweat while the others, except for Cecil, was breathing heavily.

"Onee-chan... I wasn't expecting you to be athletic."

"Hmhm! Impressed, Center-chan? I train at school!"

Yeah, I forgot that she stayed at school from 7:00 to 3:00 which was way too long.

Xeline was just required to attend from 12:00-1:00 and normally, it should be 11:00-3:00 like Celeste.

"Onee-chan, are you ready to give me the first place?"

"Do you think you can catch me! Center-chan?!"

"I would want to stay, but I have important things to do!"

For my plan to succeed, I need to be able to get there first. no. I need to have a large lead from them.

I stopped and kneeled in sprinting position, this is to relax myself and go at full speed.

"Center-chan?! Why did you stop."

Then...

*psssh!*

I ran in a burst of speed, surpassing onee-chan in an instant.

"So fast!"

"That guy... he will be a great blacksmith."

"Nameless-kun isn't human!"

"...so cool......"

"Damn show off kid."

I ran as fast as I can so I will have a good lead.

The reason I did this race because I realized something after playing the piano yesterday.

My heart rate was fast because I was tired.

This made me realize that this is one of those things that will make your heart beat faster.

I know that this is in another book, but I don't need to read it anymore because it so obvious.

They say that when the heart rate increase, love is activated.

But there should be a trigger.

The reason I need to have a large lead was because of that trigger.

I ran at full speed.

After a few minutes I reached the finish line.

"haa...haa.... time to get started!"

I took out the nails I got before and planted them everywhere.

These nails are attached to strings.

The strings and nails are all strategically placed.

Okay, now , we're all set.

I could set this up yesterday or a while ago, but that would be risky because if whoever finds find out, they would remove it, destroying the plan and also giving the possibility of my hunting skills exposed.

....what's taking them so long?

After a few seconds I saw someone I know running towards me.

It was unexpectedly Alex.

Then behind him there are two figures.

"Ohh.. So that's what's happening."

Behind Alex there were two figures but four people.

Cecil was carrying Celeste, and Onee-chan was carrying Xeline.

Xeline was breathing heavily with a flushed face, and so was Celeste.

Celeste was being carried by Cecil at his back, and Xeline was being carried by Onee-chan in a princess carry.

"Cecil-chan, want to switch babies?"

"Haa..haa...no, I'm too tired to switch... how can you be not tired."

"With Xeline-chan or Celeste-chan, I can run the whole world without getting tired!"

For some reason I believe that, because she was not even sweating even while wearing that outfit... what a monster.

After a few moments when Alex was about to reach the finish line.

"Okay! I want to at least get Xeline-chan to second place!"

Onee-chan suddenly had a burst of speed.

Instantly overtaking Alex and reaching the finish line.

"Second place is Xeline-chan and third place is me!"

"This damn brat got lucky today."

"haa..haa.. shutup, why the hell do I have to do this stupid activity anyway..."

The next who crossed was Alex followed by Cecil who was carrying Celeste.

"Roxelle.. your too fast, why didn't you try to win if you're that fast?"

"Why? If I did that, I won't see all of your cuteness! It would be a waste!"

It's a good thing Alex proposed wearing these or else Onee-chan might've reached here before I finished my preparations.

"haa..haa..."

"......"

"Cecil-san?"

For some reason Cecil looked at his outfit, closed his eyes and smiled a lonely smile.

"....Cecil-san, does it really not look good?"

Alex asked with a worried look on his face.

"No! it's not that it looks good!"

"Oh really?....."

"Yes! Yes! Believe me!"

"......."

Nope, she looks loneley.

"Then... what's wrong Cecil-san?"

"N-Nothings wrong!"

"Alex-san, could you check his outfit... it might have some things that are hurting Cecil."

"Wha? Is it true?!"

"No! nothings hurting me!"

"Let me see!"

As Alex was going to Cecil.

"Eh?"

"Wha?!"

I pulled a string.

The string rose and it tripped Alex's leg.

Alex tripped over the string and fell over Cecil.

This was the reason for my strings. By putting a lot of strings, I can make him fall anytime and anywhere on this small area.

Cecil saved Alex from falling by grabbing his shoulders and Alex's hands were placed on Cecil's chest.

The operation was a success.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

But there was something else...

The one who shouted was, no.

The one who squealed was Cecil.

"What?! Cecil-san you're?!"

Cecil was covering his chest with both of his... no... her arms.

She had a bright red face and was looking at Alex with a flushed expression.

Her eyes were sparkling with embarrasment.

""""You're a girl?!""""

"What?! You guys thought Cecil-chan was a guy?!"

Me, Xeline, Celeste, and Alex were surprised.

Onee-chan seemed that she knew all along.

So that was the reason she said before 'don't worry, that kind of outfit also suits you' to Cecil.

Alex was looking at Cecil with bright red face when he saw this side of her.

*hic*

"Ah! You made her cry Alex!"

"I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean it!"

Cecil suddenly started crying.

Alex was surprised and didn't know what to do.

"Ummm... Cecil-san! I-I'm sorry for touching you! You could hit me all you want!"

"*Hic* no! That's not the reason why I'm...."

"Eh? umm... Can I ask you a reason?"

"The reason.... *hic* The reason I am lonely was... when you made me wore costumes for males, the reason I got lonely was not because I didn't like them, it was because it made me realize that you don't even see me as a girl...*hic* this made me lose hope that you would ever see me as a girl..."

"See... you... as a girl?"

"Eh?!"

Cecil seems to not realized what she's done.

This made both of their faces beet red.

"Oi stalker, you knew along that Alex was a guy?! I'm leaving!"

"Center-chan! Read the atmosphere! Stop messing around!"

This was the first time Onee-chan scolded me.

Still, I got worried for nothing! I thought Cecil would get angry at me for no telling her that Alex is a guy which will make our relationship bad and affect my job in the blacksmith.

"....Cecil-san..."

"Oi stalker, just get on with it."

She looked at me and nodded.

Knowing that the truth has been spilled, there is no turning back.

"Alex-san....I always knew that I look like a guy, and I am also a blacksmith which isn't womanly... the reason I was looking at your shop was because I wanted to wear a dress... I wanted to at least wear those dresses that you put in your shop... those dresses were the most beautiful things that I saw... I wanted to wear them.... that was the reason I was looking at your shop but a reason was added to that."

"....."

"The reason was because there was someone I admired inside the shop, doing what he loves the most, not caring about what anyone says... I was fascinated by you... then one day I realized something."

"...!"

Cecil looked at Alex in the eyes with a face full of conviction.

Their faces were both beet red.

"I realized my feelings for you... I realized that I ---?!"

Alex stopped Cecil's lips with his hands.

"You don't have to say anymore..."

"......"

Cecil's face then started to become gloomy.

"Cecil-chan...."

"Rejected!"

"Center-chan!"

Onee-chan looked at me with angry eyes and I averted my gaze. I just copied what the guy in the comedy book I was reading before.

Alex grabbed Cecil's hand with fingers intertwined with each other.

"?!"

Cecil looked at Alex with a surprised look.

"Cecil-san... the truth is I already knew that you were staring at the shop for a long time....The truth is.... when you looked at the clothes in my shop... I was motivated, there were a lot of times that I was questioning myself if what I'm doing is really weird for other people... Saying why a guy like me is doing tailoring..."

"Nope, I thought it fit you."

"Shut up Center-chan."

Wow, Onee-chan is like a different character today. Am I really that annoying?

"But everytime I saw you looking at them with sparkling eyes, I got motivated. The truth is, I wanted to call out to you... to reach out to you... but you never came... I was doing my best to make you enter the shop..."

"......"

"Then one day, you were dragged inside the shop, it made me so happy that you really wanted to try out my clothes the entire time... I got exited and gave you the best ones, but when you looked lonely, my heart felt like it was collapsing... but I didn't give up! I wanted to see you smile for my outfits!"

"When you made a lonely smile a few seconds ago, it felt like my whole world was destroyed..."

"...."

"But when you said that my dresses were beautiful, it felt like I was saved... the person that I wanted to come to my shop this whole time has always watched me made them... she called them beautiful."

"....."

"But was not all, you only didn't see the dresses, but you also saw me as a guy. You already saw who I am without even talking to me. That made me happy the most."

"So Cecil-chan... let me say it..."

"....?!"

He held both of her hands and put them in a position where they are held between their faces.

Both of their faces are beet red with the pupils of their eyes shaking like it was sparkling.

"Cecil... I have fallen for you."

Hearing this Cecil's face became deep red... her eyes has opened wide and her mouth was opened like she wanted to say something but it won't come out.

Alex remained a serious face after saying the statement.

Looking around, Onee-chan was holding her cheeks with her eyes focused on them, her face was beet red and she wore a happy smile.

Celeste was also deep red with both of her hands covering her mouth.

And Xeline was...

Looking the same as always... well, I guess she is smiling a little?

I'm the same too... I understand Xeline, we don't really understand what's so special, but we know that they looked happy so we just smiled at them and became happy at them.

After that moment, Alex spoke again.

"....Cecil-san..?"

Cecil didn't know what to say, she was dumbfounded and she looked very happy.

"Oi stalker! Just speak up! I have no time for this! I still need to do work and mfpffpt!"

"Center-chan! Please be quiet!"

Onee-chan covered my mouth.

Cecil was taken back to reality.

"....Alex... I have fallen for you too... no, I have always... loved you...."

Hearing this, Alex did a gentle smile with her face still red then he hugged Cecil.

Cecil hugged Alex back putting her face on his chest looking comfortable while being beet red.

Seeing this everyone made a happy smile, we were happy for them because they looked happy.

"Onee-chan, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Is this guy to guy, girl to girl, guy to girl, or girl to guy?"

"..........."

"I'm just curious... based on what I read, it was always guy to girl... but this is everything of those... I'm so confused."

"Center-chan, I don't know if your just too innocent, but please stop talking for a bit okay?"

Onee-chan was getting annoyed at me.

Alex and Cecil laughed softly.

"I can't believe a little boy who don't even know what love is was the one who brought us together."

"Yes, thank you Nameless-kun... this all happened because you dragged Cecil to the store."

"Then why are you two still here? Didn't you want to try out dresses or something?"

"Yeah, you're right!"

"But... I stink of sweat...."

"It's fine!"

"No it's not! I don't want to mess up your dress! I'll take bath first! I'll come back later!"

"Then, just take a bath here!"

"Eh?!"

"Kyaaaaah!"

That was Onee-chan, it seems she's back to normal.

Everyone noticed this and just ignored her.

"I would just give you a towel... I have a lot of clothes here, so you better be prepared Cecil!"

"Y-yes! I'll do my best!"

"Wait Before you leave..."

""?""

Xeline was the one who spoke.

She looked at me with a serious expression.

Then she pointed at the ground.

It was a string.

"Explain."

It seems that she noticed them before.

This means that she already knew that I was up to something.

Everyone tilted their heads at Xeline's statement.

"How much of that did you plan?"

"Eh? What do you mean Xeline-chan?"

"This guy needs to explain everything to us. He orchestrated everything."

"Really? How?"

Xeline pulled a thread from the ground.

""""?!""""

"I saw you pull a thread on the ground a while ago, when I reached here, I was surprised that there are threads that are scattered like this."

The others looked at their feet.

"I have seen small materials in making potions so I can see small things, I can see these strings like it was black paint over white you know?"

"....Damn showoff...."

I can't think of any excuses, no matter what you think, having strings and nails around is definitely weird.

I looked at Alex.

"Hey, you truly love Cecil whatever happens right?"

"Yes, whatever happens."

"What if what you feel is just an illusion?"

"what do you mean?"

".... Alex, I asked Nameless to make you fall in love with me... that was the reason he dragged me to your shop."

"Hm? I kinda know that already."

"Eh?"

"Yeah, it was obvious... but when I saw that you were a girl, everything instantly got revealed to me, that all those times waiting for you, I was in love... I didn't care if it was all planned or something, actually, I was happy that you would go through all of these just to make me fall..."

I pointed at Cecil.

"The plan was for me to make Alex check Cecil's outfit."

"This was my plan:

First, I made them wore costumes, no, it could also work even if Cecil was the only one wearing the costume.

Second, I made the run around in order to increase their heart rate this will increase the chances of falling in love.

Third, After reaching this area, I would set up the traps to make Alex trip.

Fourth, I would suggest to Alex to check Cecil's costume, since Alex was a bonifide sewing maniac, he would check Cecil's costume.

Last, I would pull my traps and make Alex trip, making it look like an accident.

When falling down, Alex heart rate would increase, and danger was eminent because falling would trigger human reflex and would sense danger.

While he senses danger, Cecil would save him, this will jumble and confuse him on his heart rate from falling, being tired, being scared, and as well as having a savior.

This would increase Alex's affection a lot because of the illusion that he fell in love with Cecil the instant she saved Alex from his fall.

This would Alex have no choice but to think that this is love and even if his mind rejects or accept it, he would fall in love with Cecil.

In summary, I just forced Alex's mind and body fall in love with Cecil.

The only thing that I didn't expect was Cecil being a girl and Cecil being lonely, which added to that effect."

Everyone was dumbfounded when they heard this.

"Wow, you're unbelievable! From now on... I'll call you 'Love Master!'"

"Yeah, Nameless-kun... I didn't know you were a genius! I'll also call you 'Love Master' now as well!"

""Eh?!""

Xeline and I was dumbfounded in Cecil and Alex's unusual reaction.

"Wait! Aren't you angry? He just said he lied to you!"

"This brat is right! The love that you guys felt was just an illusion that was set up by some kid."

"Hahaha! Center-chan and Xeline-chan are so cute! I want to hug them!"

""Eh?!""

"... they are too innocent... they don't know love at all..."

""Eh?!""

Even Celeste...

"Love isn't as easy as that."

Alex smiled to me and Xeline.

""What do you mean?""

"Well... it's true that what you did really did heighten my heart rate or something like that, but that isn't enough to make a person fall in love with another."

""........""

"Me and Cecil were already in love with each other without us realizing it, you just made it happen faster, in other words, it was inevitable for us to not fall in love with each other... you just made it happen with the fasted method available... truly a 'love master'"

"".......""

Both Xeline and I were just confused.

Me and Xeline looked at each other.

"....well... I guess.... this is a success?"

"I.. think it is...."

Xeline and I can't think of the logic behind this.

"Cecil-chan! what are you waiting for? I want to see you wearing a dress!"

"R-Right!"

"Come here Cecil, I'll show you the way."

"O-Okay..."

Both of them went to the shop and the four of us followed.

5 of us are currently in the shop and Cecil was in the bath

"I am glad that I have Center-chan! People falling in love with each other are the things I want to see the most!"

"....what about you falling in love, Roxelle-senpai?...."

"I already am in love! I love Center-chan and Xeline-chan!"

""""........""""

"I guess even Roxelle hasn't feel love yet..."

"What are you talking about Alex-chan?! I know love!"

"Well... you sure do, it's overflowing... but for some reason, the love we are talking about is different."

"I know what it is! don't tease me! I'm not a kid!"

She is, she's only 3 years older than me and Xeline.

"You just want to see others fall in love with each other."

"I think I know what kind of affection Roxelle has."

A voice suddenly came from the entrance.

"Berserker? You again?"

"Roxelle, what do you think about romantic fiction books?"

"They are my favorite!"

"I guess this is what Roxelle's version of love is..."

"What kind do you mean Berserker?"

"She learned love through fiction books or in other words, seeing love bloom between individuals. Seeing the main heroine fall in love with the hero made her heart rate fast. Something like, seeing something that heightens your emotions and confuses it for love."

I don't get it.

"No! I really do know love!"

"Well... you do know it, you love your siblings or... to be honest... you love cute things."

"Yes! I love them all!"

"Doesn't onee-chan just love everything or something? It's a more probable explanation."

"Not really, Roxelle... Look at these."

Berserker picked up a beetle.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Her shout isn't the usual happy squeal but a scared squeal.

"O-Onee-chan! I can't breathe!"

Onee-chan squealed and hid behind me and hugged me tight from behind.

"She's scared of insects, well... not cute insects, but insects that activates a humans natural reaction of disgust. The bottom part of an insect."

"Kyaaa! Acei-chan!!! Please throw it away!!!"

"You want me to squish it?"

"Noooo! Don't kill the poor thing!"

Onee-chan's weird.

"Onee-chan... we use some materials from insects in making potions right? How can you be scared of them?"

"This and that are different!"

"Hmmm...... what if I..."

Berserker put the beetle near the face of onee-chan who was hiding behind me.

"Ce-center-chan... Help...."

This is the first time I saw Onee-chan docile. She has tears on the edged of her eyes and is shaking behind me pleading.

"Oi berserker, you sure are having fun... come to think about it, I didn't expect you to know what 'Love' is."

"I just based everything on the book. And based on what is written, I haven't felt it yet."

"I see."

I looked at Onee-chan then looked at Berserker.

"You really like terrorizing others like a berserker."

"No! I was just curious what Roxelle will look like when she feels fear!"

I can't blame her I was curious too.

I looked at Xeline.

Ah.

She turned her face away avoiding eye contact.

We're both the same, I was a little curious too. And based on what Xeline looked like, she can't deny it as well because her face direction when I looked at her.

"Aceilette-sama is so cruel!"

"Huh?!"

"Y-Y-Yes! This berserker is too violent!"

"Nameless, you have been together with me the most, I know you're just as curious too."

"N-N-No! Of course I'm not! But that brat sure is!"

"Wha-wha-what are you talking about! don't drag me in!"

"I hate you three!"

"""?!"""

Hearing Onee-chan shout that with tears on her eyes....

For some reason, I felt an unknown fear coming from myself, even if she really didn't mean what she said, it made me feel scared that I might lose something important... I don't know what it is though....

Scared I might lose Onee-chan's love?

"Horyaa!"

*Punch*

"Gouh!"

"Haaaaa!"

*Bam*

"Gah!"

*thud*

I punched Berserker in the stomach then she bent, and Xeline did an unbelievable heel drop on her head.

"Onee-chan we dealt with the monster!"

"We dealt with the berserker! No please don't be scared!"

"Y-you...two...f-forsaked...me...."

Berserker is lying on the floor twitching while saying her last words.

"Onee-chan.... do you hate me know...?"

"Onee-chan...sorry..."

"Huh?"

Onee-chan looked at us with a surprised face.

Xeline was making a worried face with her eyes almost watering up and her eyebrows with an inverted V.

I was worried as well, but I don't know what face I was making, maybe like Xeline's?

"Xeline-chan... Center-chan..."

""Onee-chan...""

Onee-chan hugged us tight.

"Don't worry! I love you! I will never hate you! I will always love you! Even if you kill me, I will still love you!"

"Onee-chan... that's too much."

"Is Berserker's violence influencing you? Oi berserker, get out of here!"

"W-Why is e-everybody acting out of character..."

"""""You started it!"""""

"Phue."

Berserker finally breathe her final breathe.

Though I must say, I didn't expect her to be the type to touch insects like it was nothing and even use it to scare someone out of curiosity.

"Onee-chan..can't...breathe..."

"My...Bones...Are..cracking..."

Xeline and me was being hugged tightly by onee-chan.

"I will never let you go! I just felt both of your love and I will never let this feeling go away! This is the best feeling!"

"Phue..."

Xeline finally gave her last breathe.

"Losing...consciousness..."

"Hmmmmmpp!!!"

Onee-chan hugged us tight.

"Onee-cha.... Look..at...brat..."

"Huh?!"

Onee-chan loosened her grip seeing the corpse of Xeline on her arms.

She let us go and Xeline fell on her back while Onee-chan caught her before falling on the floor.

"Haaa....Haa...Haaa...."

I am on the floor breathing heavily to catch my breathe...

"Xeline-chan! Wake up!"

"I....can...see..the...light."

"Xeline-chan!!! Don't go into the light!"

"So berserker's violence rubbed off on onee-chan... this is dangerous."

"Eh?! What happened here?!"

A voice suddenly came from up the stairs.

We all looked at the stairs and we got stunned at what we saw.

It was Cecil, she was wearing black dress with has some small gems on the bottom that made it looked sparkling.

I always saw her as a boy, but for some reason, I was amazed at what I saw and my heart rate increased because of amazement.

"....Wow...."

"Cecil-chan! You're so pretty!"

"Oi! Where did your testosterones go?!"

"Center-chan! Please shut up for a moment!"

"........"

Xeline just looked at her with awe.

"Good job to the one who made that... I can see that that dress is made to temporarily increase the heart rate of people by reflecting light to the eye and—"

"You shut up too Acei-chan!"

It seems berserker revived.

Onee-chan is really out of character today.

"Cecil.... you look beautiful."

Alex smiled and looked at Cecil with sparkling eyes..

Then...

"Cecil?!"

Cecil suddenly had tears coming out of her eyes.

"Cecil? What wrong! Does it hurt? Did I make it wrong?!"

"*hic*No... I'm just so happy...I have wanted to do this for so long... this all feels like a dream...."

"........"

Alex went near Cecil.

"This isn't a dream... you are really beautiful, please come every day and wear my dresses."

"*Hic* Yes..."

"For a guy... you sure cry a lot, stalker..."

"Center-chan... I don't know if you're doing this on purpose or not."

This was the second time in my life I saw Onee-chan annoyed.

"Nameless-kun, no... Love Master!"

Alex called out to me.

"Thank you for everything, This was all made possible because of you."

Alex bowed her head.

"Not really, I just made the inevitable happen faster."

"Center-chan! please call me again when you turn into 'Love master mode' again!..... but please shut up on the best parts."

"O-Okay onee-chan..."

I saw Celeste look at the time.

It was already time for her to return.

"....Alex-san, stalker... it's time for us to go..."

"Okay, goodbye everyone..."

It was 5:45pm and she needed to go back.

"Come to think about it, I think I will complete that ladder of yours tomorrow."

"Eh?"

"I already started to learn woodworking."

"........"

Celeste looked down.

"Why?"

"Nothing...."

I wonder what's wrong?

"I'll send you back to school."

"We'll come with you Center-chan!"

"No, it's better if we just go with the two of us, we might get caught if all of us go."

We might get caught if Onee-chan comes with us.

"Buuuu.."

Onee-chan pouted and made a buuu sound.

"Oi brat."

I looked at Xeline and she nodded, she probably knew what I was going to say.

"... Onee-chan... I feel tired..I think something is wrong with me."

"Really? Xeline-chan! Let's go home, I'll take care of you! Bye, Center-chan!"

"Oi, make sure she's safe."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Kyaaaaaa!"

"".........""

With that both of them left.

"I'll go ahead first."

"Eh? The library is along the way right? just come with us."

"I think you guys will spend a little more time."

"Eh?"

"Well then, see you tomorrow."

With that, berserker left.

"What did she mean?"

"Nameless-san."

"What?"

"...can I go with you to your home..."

"The bench? why?"

"I just want to..."

"......"

We went to the bench.

"So?"

"Can you sit down?"

I sat down the bench.

"Ummm..."

She looked uneasy and don't know what to do.

"What?"

"I-I'm sorry for intruding!"

"Huh?"

She sat beside me.

"......."

"So this is the sight you always look at... it feels good... like it feels free..."

"......."

"Nameless-san?"

"....this just feels weird....having someone sit with me on this bench... this is the first time this ever happened."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

She turned red and faced down.

"So? What do you want?"

"...I just want to stay with you for one last time...."

"Eh? last time? you're going to die?"

"I'm not!"

She looked up the sky and told her story.

".....the truth is, tomorrow will be my last day in town... my parents will send me to school at the capital tomorrow... I was the one who requested it because I wanted to see more of the world rather than being locked up in the school."

"Back at home, I was also sheltered and was never allowed to go outside, I always felt that I was missing out on a lot of things and that I'm just wasting time inside a box with time not moving."

"It was the same at this school, it was fun at first, but it seemed to become smaller, after a while... the school was just another box with stopped time too."

"For the past 2 years, the only thing that was making me stay was my friendship with Xeline-chan, which was enough reason for time to flow again for that box...."

"She said she was not enough reason for me to stop doing what I want.... She was the one who suggested that I should just do what I want and leave Quina. I told her that it doesn't matter, but she said she would stop being friends with me if I don't do it."

"That brats heartless huh?"

"No! I know she's just doing this for me... I think she wants it because she thinks it is for the better."

"...is it for the better? do you want to leave?"

"...I want to see the world outside, I was actually reluctant to do it at first, but because of you... I realized that it was what I really wanted."

"Huh? Because of me?"

"Yes... when you took me out of school, I was shocked.. the truth is I was scared, what would happen if I go out? would I get in trouble? Does the world outside not be as good as I think it is?"

"But just these two days I was with you, a lot has happened. I saw another side to Xeline, I became friends with Aceilette-sama, I saw Cecil's love bloom, and I also ran around town wearing a costume and got carried around by a person."

"Because of this, I figured out that those fears are worth nothing compared to the feeling I had for those two days... Those were the most fun times I had in my life."

"But still, the feeling of being forced to go back to that box still scares me... I don't know what to do."

"Then, just stay here... I'll just sneak you out like before... Based on your story, you will be closed in your box again when you return to the capital."

"Yes, I want to stay... but, I don't want to be a burden to you..."

"You won't be a burden."

"No, that may be what you think, but for me... it makes me feel like a burden..."

"Is that so?"

"I don't want that... I want to be able to learn to escape the box myself... If I always rely on you, I would never be free... I want to be free and not be a burden.... I want to walk beside you as an equal."

"Walk beside me?"

"Yes... when that happens."

She placed her right hand over my left cheek.

".......?"

"......."

She removed them.

"I'll tell you when that time comes..."

"Huh?"

"......this box of yours."

"what?"

"It has no walls."

"......."

"...I want it too...."

"Don't live outside, it's dangerous."

"Heehee, you're the same as always."

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

She smiled at me.

I looked at the sun, it's setting.

"Oi, let's go."

"Okay."

We went to the lake where the window is placed.

"Nameless-san."

"What?"

"Can I have one of those nails?"

"Why?"

"I want it as a remembrance of this town."

"A nail? Seriously?"

"Yes."

"...no way."

"What?!"

"I need those."

"......."

"Come on, let's go."

I carried her in a princess carry.

"I'll give you something tomorrow, the ones I don't need to keep."

I jumped up to the window.

"You alright?"

"Yes."

"Well, then... this is goodbye."

"Goodbye, Nameless-san."

"Oh, wait... I want to copy a scene from a book, it was a book about a person with the same circumstances as you."

"Eh?"

I grabbed her left hand with my right hand, looking like I was about to pull her towards me.

"If they won't let you out, I'll take you by force... my princess."

Celeste became beet red when she saw me do this.

"Hmmmm... I guess fiction books are also good sources of getting the heart rate increase... I should've just read those instead of that psychology books."

"B-B-Baka!"

"Eh?!"

Why did this gentle girl call me stupid? I would not know.

Maybe because I used her as a test subject? Do people really don't like that? It was the same when Aceilette experimented on Onee-chan.

When I was about to jump down.

".....you don't need to take me.... I will be the one to go to you... my prince..."

When I turned back, she was already walking upstairs.

"So, she knew that book too?"

I dropped down the window and went to the bench to rest for a little.

"I guess this will be a busy night..."

With that, I went around the town making something.