Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 157: Call Me Sister-in-Law
Their hair had exactly the same texture, so Nero and the girl were almost certainly siblings. The fact that brother and sister had entered the orphanage together probably meant their parents had died in some sort of accident. They might still carry painful memories of it.
I decided not to ask for details.
“She’s adorable. Is she your little sister, Nero?”
“Yes. Her name is Lelie. She’s my precious little sister.”
Nero gave me a warm smile.
Wait a moment.
From what he’d told me earlier, Nero was ten years old, the same age as me. That meant he would have to leave this orphanage next year.
Then the two of them would be separated.
That was rather sad.
Nero must have noticed that my mood had turned sombre, because he changed the subject.
“Next, I’ll show you the courtyard. Why don’t we all play together there?”
“Sure. I’d like that.”
I glanced at my servant, and he immediately handed a pouch of money to one of the sisters who had just entered the dining hall.
As expected of a servant employed by House Heine. He was excellent at reading the room.
That completed my official mission at the orphanage.
Now I could concentrate on getting to know the children.
The courtyard Nero showed me was larger than I’d expected. It was almost a small athletic field. There was plenty of room to run around.
I didn’t really know what sort of games commoner children played, so I was looking forward to finding out.
There were no balls or playground equipment. Apparently they played using nothing but their own bodies.
And instead of ordinary tag, they played something called “goblin.”
Was that really a good name for a children’s game?
Maybe it was supposed to teach them to avoid being caught by actual goblins, but it still felt a little too vivid.
They drew lots to decide who would be the goblin, then everyone scattered at once.
They clearly played this all the time. The children ran about shouting happily. Since I was among the oldest, I took it easy on them. Nero did the same, deliberately letting himself become the goblin sometimes and chasing the younger children without catching them too quickly.
In the middle of all that, a mischievous idea came to me.
Which of us was faster, Nero or me?
We were the same age, and I trained regularly. I was pretty sure I was faster.
It was my turn to be the goblin.
I glanced at Nero.
His eyes widened slightly, as if he sensed what I was thinking.
Did he understand?
I started chasing him.
“Run, Big Brother!”
“Wow! You two are so fast!”
With Lelie cheering him on, Nero took off like the wind.
I chased him like the wind.
The other children watched from a safe distance, cheering excitedly. Apparently they’d never seen Nero run seriously before.
Damn it, I couldn’t catch him!
You’re ten years old! Why are you this fast?!
Was this some kind of cheat ability?
I got genuinely competitive and chased him harder, but the gap refused to close. I wasn’t using strengthening magic, of course, but even without it I’d thought I was faster than this.
Was it my clothes?
Yes. It had to be the clothes I was wearing!
In the end, time ran out before I could catch Nero.
“Young Master Julius, it’s nearly time to return to the townhouse. Lord Alex instructed us to make sure you eat lunch there.”
“Haa… haa… Is it that late already? I was almost about to catch him.”
When I stopped, the children apparently decided the game was over too and gathered around us. Nero came over as well.
“I’m amazed by how fast you’re, Lord Julius.”
He said it with a perfectly cool expression.
Damn it. He wasn’t even out of breath!
Did I actually lose?
“You’re fast too, Nero. I was surprised. If I’d been wearing something easier to move in, I would’ve caught you easily.”
“I’m sure you would have.”
Nero gave a wry little laugh.
Ah. He thought I was making excuses because I’d lost.
Grrr.
“I demand a rematch.”
“We’ll be waiting whenever you’d like to come back.”
“Lord Julius, please come play with us again!”
“Big brother, come again!”
The younger children beamed at me with completely innocent smiles.
Yes, yes. Children really were adorable in any world.
“I’ll come again. Until then, all of you stay healthy. And listen properly to Nero and the sisters.”
“Okay!”
Did they really understand?
Nero watched them with a laugh.
After saying goodbye to the children, I headed back towards the cathedral entrance. Naturally, Nero guided us all the way there.
“Thank you very much, Lord Julius. Everyone was smiling even more than usual today.”
“Really? Then I’m glad I came. By the way… there’s one thing I’ve wanted to settle clearly. Nero, you’re a boy, right?”
“…I am. Did you think I was a girl?”
“I couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility.”
Nero puffed out his cheeks.
That expression was completely maidenly!
That’s exactly why I couldn’t tell!
He needed to act more manly and dignified… No, even standing proudly he’d probably still look like a girl.
This was simply a matter of facial structure.
Nero wasn’t at fault.
When I returned to the townhouse, Brother Alex was waiting for me.
Why?
Why was Brother Alex here?
While I stood there confused, Brother Alex studied me for a moment, then smiled.
I instinctively took a step backwards.
“Julius, your clothes are quite dishevelled. Did simply visiting the cathedral somehow leave you looking like that?”
“I didn’t only visit the cathedral. I also went to the orphanage attached to it and made a donation. While I was there, I played with the children.”
“Hmm.”
Brother Alex looked me up and down, inspecting my clothes.
I didn’t think a little disorder in my clothing was such a serious problem…
“Oh, Julius is back.”
“P-Princess Daniela?! Ah—good day, Your Highness…”
When I hurriedly greeted her, she giggled.
“We’re not in public right now, so you don’t need to be so formal. You may call me your sister-in-law, you know?”
Wha—?!
I whipped my head towards Brother Alex.
He was smiling awkwardly.
Ah. I see.
Princess Daniela was teasing me.
She continued to giggle.
“Your clothes really are quite dishevelled. What in the world have you been doing?”
Ah, now I understood why Brother Alex had been so concerned about my appearance.
Princess Daniela was here.
Standing before a member of the royal family with my clothes in disarray was obviously inappropriate.
Then you should’ve just told me to go change immediately, Brother Alex!
Why didn’t you say so?
After apologising for my rudeness, I told Princess Daniela what had happened at the orphanage.
She laughed with obvious delight as she listened.
Brother Alex, meanwhile, slowly shook his head from side to side.
Huh?
Was it improper for a noble to sprint at full speed?