Today is the anniversary of his death.
That summer holiday day one year ago. Today is the anniversary of the death of Kazuya, who died protecting Ai.
Aimi graduated from junior high school and entered my high school. I was one grade higher and became a third year student.
During my sophomore year, Kazuya's seat had been left in the classroom, but as you would expect in the third year, his seat was not prepared as a matter of course.
After a year passed, none of the students at school would touch on the subject of Kazuya.
I still talk about Kazuya at home with Aimi and her family. Looking at the photos in the albums they have taken together since they were little.
Today, the three of us are coming to visit Kazuya's grave.
We were actually going to come together.
The three of us were supposed to come together, but we didn't. "Hey Saori, let's hurry up and finish visiting the grave and go out.
The one who calls out to me from behind is my classmate from the second year, Taniichi Go, who has been my classmate since the second year.
After Kazuya's death, I had been depressed for a long time, but he came to talk to me about something. I was originally classmates with Kazuya, so he came with me to visit his grave today.
''Sis, it's been a year already, hasn't it?''
Aimi asks me while lighting incense in front of the grave.
Now that Aimi was in high school, she was becoming a little more mature. Her hair, which had been shoulder-length when she was in middle school, had already grown to the front of her chest.
''That's right. A year goes by in a blink of an eye.''
I take the incense stick from Aimi and offer it to Kazuya's grave.
'I'm sure you're going to heaven, Kazuya Nii-chan, right? And you helped me.
I could only clasp my hands together and nod in response to Aimi's question.
After laying flowers and incense, we left Kazuya's grave.
''You know, it's already been a year, right? I know you liked Kazuya, but I can't help but think about the guy who's already dead, so let's find the next guy.
My sister and I wrinkle our foreheads at Gu City's words.
''--Urusai.''
I couldn't help but say the words.
Even though I knew I wouldn't be able to see Kazuya again, I still hadn't gotten my mind in order after a year.
Taniichi's words, which seemed to gouge my heart, irritated me along with my sister.
''I'm going home for today. Bye.''
Goodbye, Tani-shi-senpai.
I coldly tell that much to Taniichi and go back to the house with Aimi.
She could hear Taniichi's voice behind her, but she didn't turn around.
After returning home, she lies in bed and looks at the text messages she exchanged with Kazuya on her phone.
'Kazuya, you really are going to heaven, aren't you?'
I muttered with my phone in hand.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Hahaha ... hackshun!
Do you have a cold, Master Cain?
Are you okay? Cain-kun.
A loud sneeze has them both worried.
'Has someone been gossiping about it?'
When Cain replied with a laugh, they were both dumbfounded.
It's a good idea. It's always a problem for your father, because he does many unexpected things.
My father is always laughing at the stories about Mr. Cain.
Cain sips on his tea, thinking that he hasn't done anything that bad.
Today, he's having a tea party with Telestia and Silk on the terrace of the royal castle on his way back from the school.
From the terrace, I can see the beautifully landscaped gardens that surround the royal castle.
Around the table where the three of them are sitting, three maids who work at the royal castle are waiting for them and are preparing refills of tea and sweets.
''Cain-sama, I miss you because you haven't been able to keep up with me lately because you've been so busy.
'You're only ten years old, Cain, and you're already a viscount. Your father said you can make your engagement public in a little while.
I can't wait to be able to proudly say, "Lady Cain is my fiancée.
I had been busy with many things since I became the lord of Drintru, so I didn't have time to slowly have a tea party with the three of us.
Brother Alec was posted as a deputy, and the guild would settle down now that Letia-san had arrived.
When the academy goes on summer break again, I'm planning to do the internal administration in earnest together with brother Alec and Lula, so it's a brief respite.
I'm sure you'll be able to find out more after the summer vacation is over if you can. I'm sure Drintru will have calmed down by then.''
With Alec and Lula joining the internal politics, Cain wanted to make the city of Drintle more spacious.
The summer holidays would allow him to concentrate on the internal administration, and he wanted to finish it all at once during that time.
''During the summer holidays, I'll be going to Malbeek territory with Silk. I would like to join you on the road, but I know it's not possible, so I will be patient.
'Oh, I can't go with you on the road, but I'm going to go to Malbeek territory. It should take me two days to get there. And I have something I made for you two that I'll give you.
Cain took two boxes from the item box and handed them to Teres and Silk.
When they opened the boxes they received, their eyes widened in surprise.
'Nice necklace: ...'
Yes, it's really beautiful: ...
Teres and Silk take the necklace in their hands and look at it with a twinkle in their eyes.
The gift to them was a necklace made from magic stones and platinum with creative magic creation (creative making).
On a platinum chain, there is a two-centimeter-long magic stone shaped into a beautiful oval shape. The red magic stone is a telescope and the silk is green.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. If you want to wear it, I'd like you to wear it.
The two of them blush at Cain's words.
Since they hadn't officially announced their engagement yet, Cain wasn't allowed to touch Her Highness directly in public. The maid had put a necklace on them instead.
They are enthralled as they look at their own images in the hand mirror handed to them by the maid who was waiting for them.
''That necklace is filled with my magic power, and if something dangerous happens, I can grab that magic stone and put my magic power into it, and it will be transmitted to me.''
It was something that could only be done because of Cain's creation magic, and it was a near national treasure, something that even the mages that the country held could not make.
Teres and Silk didn't know how much this necklace was worth. Of course, so did Cain.
The only thing that preceded it was the feeling that they had received a gift from Cain.
As for Cain, it was a realization of what the two of them had come up with out of concern.
Of course, the maids who were waiting around were in a cold sweat as they listened to the conversation between the three of them.
After the tea party was over, Cain was walking from the royal castle when he was approached from behind.
When he turned around, Tifana was there with a conciliatory smile on her face.
''Master, it's been a long time. I've missed you since you haven't played a mock battle (and made love to each other) recently. There's still a little time left, so let's go.''
Of course Cain couldn't refuse, and Tijuana (a battle-crazed maniac) took him straight to the training grounds.
The maid reported to the Prime Minister, and later on, Cain was called back to the castle.