"Fuah..." Reina sighed in satisfaction as Lily rubbed the ointment into her body, taking the opportunity to provide a massage as well. Reina truly did not know what inspired such a change in attitude in Lily, but she swore to make sure that this new Lily was here to stay. Getting looked at like some weird bug for several days straight had been straining for the heart! Getting looked at like a treasure was a million times better, even if she didn't know why!
Her thoughts were interrupted when an ice cold hand gently pinched her cheeks, "I'm done, if you want to sleep put your clothes on first, you'll catch a cold otherwise."
"Sister, I'm an adult you know? You're only one year older!" Reina exclaimed, she drew the line at being treated like a child. While wrapping a fresh set of bandages on her limbs, Lily handed over a bundle of new clothes, with her bracelet sitting on top. 'Hooray, you won't get to give me headaches anymore!' Reina thought happily as she slid the bracelet on, Shadow's protest fading away into a whisper, making him much easier to ignore.
Once again Reina hopped onto the ground, and once again her legs crumpled. Though this time Lily was by her side, she clung onto her waist to not fall face first onto the ground. Reina looked up at her face with teary eyes as she felt her quietly shake with laughter.
"....My little sister seems to have a short memory?"
"Don't make fun of me! I felt so much better so I....AH! This is the first time you've acknowledged me as your sister!" The arms hugging Lily's waist grew tighter as Reina smiled happily up at her.
"Yes yes, and where are you in such a rush to go to that you've fallen out of bed twice?"
The answer came not from Reina's mouth, but her stomach which growled in protest.
"...." Reina buried her face in Lily's stomach as her entire face to the tips of her ears went red from embarrassment.
"Well, it's understandable considering how long you were sleeping. So let's go eat, shall we?" Lily said, scooping the kneeling girl into her arms as she could only muster a squeak in protest while turning an even deeper shade of red.
"Put me down this instant!" Reina yelled out, why was she being carried like a princess?! Wouldn't you usually lend a shoulder to someone having trouble walking?!
Lily had zero intentions of putting her down, she found her reactions to be far too entertaining. She walked out of the room with the squirming girl in her arms, all traces of emotion disappearing as she put on a mask of indifference. Walking past William, she completely ignored his presence as the squirming intensified.
William looked up from the book he was studying, slightly shocked by the appearance of the two. "Why is she in your - nevermind." He hurriedly shut his mouth and looked back down to his work after Lily shot him a glance that chilled him to his core.
Reina looked up at Lily's face, a little stunned at how drastic the difference in attitude she had towards her compared to the person who had been caring for her health. 'If she was this cold towards the person who saved me, wouldn't an ordinary person die from fear if she looked at them?'
This exchange had made her temporarily forget the mortifying position she was in, yet the sudden warmth of the sun and myriad of noise that came from the crowds walking in the streets was a cruel reminder. She renewed her attempt to escape with renewed vigor, yet her body was still far too feeble. She didn't know how long she had been asleep, but she could feel in her bones that she had been inactive for a considerable time. This plus her empty stomach caused her to resort to attempting to appeal to her sisters newfound kindness, "Big sister.....I beg you to put me down, how will I show my face in the future when everyone is seeing me like this?"
"Hmmm, I'll think about it" Lily muttered in a voice only Reina could hear, but from the tightening of the grip on her body, she knew that it was a lost cause and simply buried her face into Lily's chest. If she couldn't see them, nobody would see her!
The reality was that very few people were looking at the duo, this was in small part due to the fact that many people in the streets were hopeful new entrants to the academy and were busy exploring the streets with their friends. The rest was due to the face Lily was making, the majority of the crowd were people her age and so were still innocent to many experiences in the world. When looking at the girl who looked like a fairy, many wanted to get a closer look before they met her eyes and suffered such a shock to the heart that some even collapsed on the spot. Her gaze was simply too terrifying!
Lily walked along the road, feeling the girl in her arms tremble and tense up on occasion. She had chalked it up to embarrassment, while what had actually happened was the lightning in Reina's body had decided to act up and run rampant again while all she could do is endure the pain and not ruin the good mood of Lily. Yes, to ensure that this pampering she had received so far would continue, she resolved to never upset her big sister again!
Reina didn't know how long she had been huddled up in Lily's arms, but the torture had finally ended when she was plopped down on a seat while a terrified host looked to take their order.
Their meal was spent peacefully while Reina wolfed down several plates of meat while Lily looked on, slightly awestruck. Eventually Reina's stomach was full, as she sat back and sighed in a satisfied manner, Lily gazed at the tower of plates by her side and said "I'm gonna have to work hard to support your appetite."Causing Reina to blush and look down, slightly embarrassed of the show she just displayed.
The embarrassment was only temporary as Reina looked out the window they were seated by and observed the steady stream of people walking down the road below them. Having finally eaten, her mind was a lot clearer, prompting her to ask "I've noticed that many of the people in the streets are pretty young, are they looking to apply for the entrance exam?"
"Mm, It's going to occur very soon after all"
"Oh? How soon?"
"Tomorrow"
Bang!
The table shook as Reina fainted in shock.