Reunion With Aurora-chan

I found myself thinking something strange, like why the sound of the manor’s entrance closing felt so solemn.

Beyond the enormous doors was a space covered in gray carpeting.

A staircase stretched upward at the far end, with hallways extending to both the left and right.

Everything was neatly arranged and meticulously cleaned, clearly well cared for.

“It’s warm.”

There wasn’t even a trace of the chilly cold from outside within the manor.

And it wasn’t simply because we were indoors—it felt more like standing near a fireplace burning with a very low flame.

“We use magic to warm it. Every room is kept at the same temperature.”

“So that’s why… Magic really is amazing.”

Haki didn’t have any convenient applications like this.

Since House Fols couldn’t use magic because of the way it interacted with Haki, that meant they couldn’t use this kind of warming magic either. Weren’t they losing out quite a bit just because of that?

If Saria hadn’t had such a comfortable climate, House Fols might have struggled as well.

Just as I was thinking that, a loud sound echoed in my ears.

It was definitely the sound of a door opening, but none of the doors in sight were open.

“Nova-sama!”

Hearing the voice from above, I looked up and saw its owner on the second floor to the upper left.

Aurora-chan was leaning over the railing, her eyes sparkling.

Apparently, the sound just now had come from the door she opened when she came here.

I was about to tell her that was dangerous, but by then she had already pulled herself back from the railing.

Aurora-chan ran to the staircase, hurried down it, and came over to us.

It hadn’t been long since I last saw her, but I was relieved to see she was doing well.

“Hey, Aurora-chan. Long time no see.”

When I greeted her, Aurora-chan came to an abrupt stop in front of me, straightened her posture, and gave a formal noblewoman’s curtsy.

“Welcome, Nova-sama… Welcome to House Ark Gate.”

Her movements were polished and perfectly befitting a young lady of House Ark Gate, but since I knew what she was really like, it felt stiff and overly formal to me.

“Come on, Aurora-chan. Don’t do that. I’d rather you act like you did last time.”

“…………”

When I said that, Aurora-chan glanced briefly at Shia.

They exchanged looks for a while, but eventually, instead of a practiced smile, she returned to the spirited expression I remembered.

“Really? Then I’ll do that. Still, I was surprised. I never thought Onee-sama’s fiancé would turn out to be you.”

“…Yeah, there we go. That’s the Aurora-chan I know.”

I laughed now that she seemed like the Aurora-chan I remembered, but she puffed out her cheeks in a sulk and turned away.

“That reaction is kind of embarrassing, so I wish you’d stop.”

Her reaction was just like when we first met, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Ahaha, sorry, sorry. But I’m not officially her fiancé yet.”

When I told her that, Aurora-chan narrowed her eyes at me.

“Hmm. Not yet, huh.”

She really emphasized the “yet,” didn’t she?

“Hey, hey. Can I call you Nova Onii-sama?”

“Eh… no, that seems a little exaggerated—”

“It’s fine, right? Nova Onii-sama?”

“Ugh…”

Aurora-chan tilted her head and looked up at me from beneath her lashes.

I doubted she was doing it intentionally, but the effect was devastating.

Well, she called Shia Onee-sama too, so I supposed there was no helping it.

I decided not to think too hard about what exactly couldn’t be helped.

“All right. But don’t go calling me that too openly in public, okay?”

“Of course! Nova Onii-sama!”

Aurora-chan answered with a smile, but immediately afterward, she exchanged a glance with Shia for just a split second.

Did these sisters have some habit of communicating through eye contact?

They had exchanged looks several times already, but I couldn’t imagine anything actually being conveyed in such a brief instant.

“So, what are we doing now? I heard everyone’s meeting in an hour.”

“Until then, I’m going to show Nova-san around the manor. You wanted to see him, Aura, so I called for you.”

“Really!? Thank you, Onee-sama!”

“You’re welcome.”

Oh, just as I thought, Shia and Aurora-chan really did seem to get along well.

Shia was kind and overflowing with compassion like a goddess, and while Aurora-chan made mistakes from time to time, she was a kindhearted girl at her core too.

There was no reason they wouldn’t get along.

“Then I’ll show you around starting this way.”

“Yeah, I’m counting on you.”

Shia gestured toward the hallway on the right, and the three of us headed in that direction.