Emily was full of energy from the morning. She continued her explanation excitedly, saying she had learned a new cooking method from someone she worked with in the kitchen, and Diego, as always, silently listened to his younger sister’s words. Then, when the meal was almost over, he opened his mouth.
“I think I’ll be late today.”
“How late?”
“…I’ll probably come home late at night.”
The first year they left their hometown and came up to the capital, on Emily’s birthday Diego took Emily to a nice restaurant for dinner with the excuse of “I want to eat something delicious.” When he said thank you for being by his side, thank you for being born, Emily also smiled brightly saying she felt the same way, and said she wished they could do this on oppa’s birthday too, so from then on, they would eat out together on birthdays and spend cozy time together.
So originally, he had planned to spend dinner time with Emily today as well, but a few days ago, he happened to overhear what Antonio was saying in the guild break room.
‘Did you hear that news?’
‘What news now.’
When he asked indifferently, Antonio continued as if he had been waiting.
‘About Baron Terlo’s eldest son. Apparently his fiancée dumped him flat.’
It was a name he remembered. It seemed the baron occasionally placed designated requests at the guild, and there had been several times when senior guild members who had been there complained that they had never seen such a household before.
Anyway, to think a noble family would be unilaterally broken off from—he was curious about the reason. When he urged with his eyes to continue talking, Antonio went on.
‘The day before yesterday was the fiancée’s birthday, and while acting all busy and competent by himself, he just sent a present home alone. From what I heard, even during the Bloody Cycle, he said several times he couldn’t meet because he was busy, and it seems she held it in and held it in until it all exploded this time. From the other person’s perspective, how angry and hurt in her pride must she be.’
Diego, who had been listening silently, slowly asked back.
‘If he’s busy, that could happen, couldn’t it?’
‘Huh?’
After letting out a ridiculous exclamation, Antonio, who had read the sincerity in Diego’s expression, wrinkled his face greatly. The sound of tongue-clicking came next.
‘There’s a reason you don’t have a lover.’
For this friend who only had a decent build but clearly didn’t know the first thing about romance, Antonio began to lay out explanations with a generous heart.
‘You know that if a married person meets someone else during the Bloody Cycle, it can be grounds for divorce, right?’
‘I know.’
‘It’s no different for lovers. Of course, legally there’s no problem, but continuously refusing to meet on that day or making excuses about being busy means the trust relationship has already broken down.’
‘……’
‘Birthdays are the same. It’s the day I was born. In a way, it’s the most special day for me, but if the person I love prioritizes something other than me, wouldn’t you be heated up or not? And it only happens once a year.’
Thanks to that, Diego reconsidered his schedule for his birthday. Originally, he had planned to spend dinner time with Emily as usual, but after hearing Antonio’s long speech, he thought he shouldn’t do that. Of course, if it were Roman, he would understand his circumstances a hundred times over, but… Since it was the first birthday since becoming lovers, he wanted to be with him.
“Then we can’t eat dinner together today.”
“I’m sorry. Instead, let’s go out and eat something delicious tomorrow.”
“Okay! But what are you doing?”
“What?”
He stopped mid-motion about to drink water and looked, and Emily was looking this way with sparkling eyes.
“Is it like last time, guarding someone?”
“No.”
“Then?”
It wasn’t because of work. Diego fumbled with the water cup with an awkward expression, then confessed.
“I have an appointment.”
“An appointment? With who?”
An even more difficult question to answer followed. Emily, who was mature for her age, was usually exceptionally quick-witted. If he said he was meeting someone on a birthday of all days, even postponing his appointment with her, she would definitely catch on immediately.
Sure enough, Emily raised her voice with a face full of delight.
“Don’t tell me, oppa, you got a lover?”
“…That’s right.”
Seeing her brother rarely being shy, her eyes widened for a moment, then Emily soon smiled more brightly than ever and congratulated him sincerely.
“Congratulations, congratulations oppa! What kind of person are they? Where did you meet?”
Her sparkling eyes were filled with the determination to absolutely hear about it. Diego reluctantly moved his lips and answered slowly.
“It’s someone you know too.”
“Really? Who?”
“Well…”
“Well?”
“…It’s Roman.”
“……!”
Emily’s eyes grew as big as lanterns once more. Then, pressing both hands on the table and suddenly leaning her upper body forward, Diego was startled.
“Don’t tell me, the guild Master Roman?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh my, what a surprise! I’m so happy for you, oppa.”
As if she herself had received the confession, Emily was truly delighted. Her two smiling cheeks were full of color.
Watching that appearance, Diego secretly felt relieved inside. Even if there was no problem in terms of traits, he had worried she might not understand or show concern because they were the same sex, but fortunately there was no such sign at all.
…Well. She liked Roman in the first place.
“Who confessed first? When did you decide to date?”
Looking at his younger sister full of excitement, Diego ended up letting out a laugh.
“I’ll tell you later.”
“Why! Tell me now. Please?”
“It’s almost time to leave. Let’s get ready.”
“Tsk… You have to tell me tonight for sure!”
Though complaining, Emily obediently got up from her seat. As always, washing dishes was Diego’s job, and when he came out after changing into outdoor clothes a moment later, Emily also came out of her room.
The red cloak contrasting with her white skin suited her extremely well. And in Emily’s hands was a box of moderate size.
“What’s that?”
“It’s oppa’s birthday present. Just in case I can’t give it to you tonight.”
Unlike Emily smiling proudly, Diego’s face wasn’t entirely happy. The words ‘why did you buy something like this’ rose to his throat, but instead of letting them out of his mouth, he scattered them with a sigh. Soon he smiled faintly and said words that would make Emily happy.
“Thank you.”
He turned around, planning to put it in his room and open it later, but Emily quickly approached and blocked his way.
“Open it quickly.”
“Now?”
“Yes! I want to see it soon.”
Her expression was so full of anticipation that if others saw, they might mistake it for Emily receiving the present instead of him. Finally, rough hands untied the ribbon knot. When he opened the box lid, leather shoes that looked extremely luxurious at a glance appeared.
“What money do you have to buy something like this.”
“It wasn’t that expensive.”
Diego’s gaze turned to the shoes in the box once more. Both the sturdy-looking appearance and just looking at the precise finishing treatment at regular intervals, it was clear she had paid a considerable price.
Thanks to that, this time he absolutely couldn’t help but feel heavy-hearted. When Emily suddenly begged to work, though it was slightly suspicious, he thought she was really doing it because her loneliness had grown and gave permission… But looking at it now, it seemed like it was because of this.
Sensing her brother’s gradually hardening expression, Emily hurriedly changed the subject.
“Try them on once. Okay?”
“……”
“Quickly~.”
They say you can’t spit on a smiling face, and it was true. Though he thought this probably wasn’t right, seeing her face smiling prettily and looking up at him, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
Not missing the timing, Emily’s urging continued once more, and Diego reluctantly took out the shoes and put them on the floor. When he put in his right foot first and tried them on, surprisingly they fit perfectly as if measured.
“How is it? Isn’t it uncomfortable?”
“…It fits perfectly.”
“Really? See, I told you my eye for things is amazing. Wear these from today on. They suit you so well.”
Just looking at her face, she was clearly delighted. Thanks to that, Diego had no choice but to raise the white flag this time too. After repeatedly saying thank you, he added a word in a stern voice.
