"Hey! Wait a moment! "
The communication was cut off.
Vacation? Relax? And what's more, for 6 days? Even if he said that, to be told to take a vacation so suddenly is troublesome.
...But well, at least Second-dono is safe, so I'm a bit relieved. It seems that the team was properly formed and if I think that I can always contact him like this, then there's no problem――
『Unless it's an emergency, avoid contacting me as much as possible -Second』
――Or maybe not! A strange message arrived! Is-isn't this more like "please don't disturb my time with Yukari?" I'm wrong, right?
"How was it? "
Eko stared into my face anxiously.
Ever since Second-dono was teleported, Eko had a face as if the world had ended, but when she heard me communicating with him, her complexion got a lot better. Just now, she was anxiously listening to the contents of the conversation while moving to my left and right.
"...Seems like it'll take him six days to come back. In the meantime, we're on vacation."
"Free days? "
"Umu."
"I see."
"Right."
Silence.
Eko and I, we both are thinking the exact same thing.
And that is―― What should we do these six days?
"Silvia, I'm hungry."
...or maybe not.
———————————–
"Since we got a vacation, I'm thinking of visiting my parents' house."
Noon.
We returned to the town of Pae Ho, and while having lunch, we thought about how to spend these holidays.
"Are you okay with that, Eko? "
"Yep, let's go! "
Eko immediately nodded to my proposal.
It was easily decided.
"Well then, let's not waste more time."
"Timeー"
The capital is four hours away from Pae Ho. So even if we leave now, we will arrive at the capital by nightfall. Eko and I returned to the inn and, after checking out, we rode our horses to the capital.
Along the road I began to think.
Why did I decide on something like "going back to my parents' home"?
I would've never thought of such a thing if I was still in the Third Knight Order. Actually, I would have avoided doing so.
...Umu, I wonder why that is?
Before I could think of an answer, we arrived at the capital.
——————-
"Ahh, Silvia-chan! "
The first one I encountered when I returned home was my elder sister Claris. Her short blond hair and high height, combined with her lack of breasts, makes her look a bit neutral. Elder sister is supposed to be 20 years old this year, but it seems she's still growing taller.
"Elder sister, it's been a long time."
"How have you been? As usual, you're still quite stiff...Huh? Who do we have here? "
"Good morning! "
"Isn't it already night? "
"Ah, I see. Good evening! "
"Oh my god, so cute..."
My elder sister started to pat Eko's head. Eko just narrowed her eyes and began to make some purring sounds.
"It's decided. I'm keeping this kid."
Just what in the world is she saying...
"She is our team member, Eko Leafret."
"Ohh, Eko-chan, huh?"
Elder sister then said, "How is it? ", "Do you want to stay here? ", to somehow try to convince Eko.
"I can't, because I already have Second."
"Ohhh! The rumored super handsome Prince! "
Prince? ...Ahh, come to think of it.
"Who's being so loud…? Ohh, isn't it Silvia? You are back."
Hearing my noisy elder sister, father came over.
"Father, I came to greet you using these holidays I got."
"Nice timing. I had some things I wanted to talk to you about… huh? This child is?"
"Good evening! I'm Eko Leafret! "
"...I see. I'm Noir Virginia."
"Ahh, by the way, I'm Claris Virginia. Howdy～"
Elder sister introduced herself while making a silly pose. What's with that 'howdy'? I'm a bit worried since she did it in front of Father. Father has warned her many times, but it seems like he has now half given up.
"C'mon Eko-chan. Shall we go over there to talk a little? "
"Talk a howdy! "
Ahh, Eko was taken away. I hope my elder sister doesn't teach her anything weird… or rather, what was that 'talk a howdy'?
I was having those thoughts. Then, I remembered my father wanted to talk to me.
"Say, Father. What did you want to talk to me about? "
"Right. But before that, may I say something? "
"Yes."
"Silvia, you've changed a lot."
I have changed?
"Are you not aware of it? "
"Yeah, I'm ashamed to admit it, but I don't know."
"In this short period of time, you seem to have grown a lot. You no longer act timid before me, nor submissive, you are now calm and full of confidence. You now give a similar air to that person."
"――! "
Similar air to Second-dono? Fufufu.
"That… makes me very happy."
"It seems like he's a good influence on you. That is great."
Father smiled satisfied, then his expression turned into one more cheerful, and continued.
"It seems like he won the Magic Tournament. Moreover, I heard that he even refused the formal recruitment from the First Prince in public, while on the other hand, he showed he was on good terms with the Second Prince."
Gehh! This is bad!
"...Ab-about that..."
I couldn't think of a good excuse, so my words got clogged.
Then, Father immediately began to laugh, "Hahahaha".
"Thrilling indeed! It was amazing! I knew my eyes weren't lying! "
Eh?
"Hey, Silvia. Never let go of him. He will surely be an irreplaceable existence for our Virginia Household, no, for our Castall Kingdom."
"O...kay."
I didn't hear wrong, right?
I was sure I would be questioned with something like "Who in the world is he?".
"With this the talk is over. How long will your holidays last? "
"About six more days."
"Is that so? Then, just take it slowly."
"...Yeah. Thank you very much."
After saying so, my father, who was acting awfully kind, left.
No, he should have shown such kindness occasionally.
Ahh, that's right, this time it felt somewhat different. Maybe it's as my father said, and I might have gained some confidence. I feel that the fact that I've been making hundreds of clears of an intermediate class dungeon with Second, has given me some solid self-assurance. Therefore, my vision might have broadened to the point where I felt the slight kindness of my father.
"――And, what about Second-san～? "
"Uwaa!? Elder sister! Don't just sneak behind me! "
My elder sister, who was supposed to be playing with Eko, was suddenly standing behind me and almost made my heart stop. Due to the surprise my face turned red. No, this doesn't mean that I'm flustered due to the contents of the question... wait, who am I giving excuses to?
"About that, I believe I also have the right to hear it, right? "
...At the worst timing, someone came to complicate things further. Elder brother Alex sat down in a chair opposite to me while showing off his proud long blonde hair.
"Second, huh? ...I'll have to ascertain his personality with these eyes of mine."
Elder brother muttered something by himself. This person hasn't changed from the olden days either. He's already 22, but ever since he was 14 years-old he has had this strange self-important tone.
"Huh, it's been a long time, Silvia. When were you going to tell me about this guy Second?"
"It's been a while indeed, elder brother. However, what do you mean about telling you…?"
"Then, I also want to know! Silvia, are you in love with Second-san～? "
"What!? Is that true!? "
"T-that's wrong...! "
...And even if it's not!
Ahh, this is getting awkward!
Tch, what are Eko and Father doing at a moment like this――
"Delicious! "
"I see, is it tasty? I don't mind if you eat more."
"Thanks! I'll eat! "
"Umu, umu."
Not good, those two seem to have an excellent compatibility! Isn't he totally like a grandfather pampering his grandchild!?
"Silvia, tell that man this. If you want my sister, then you need to defeat me if you want to take her away! "
"You hear that～? What are you going to do Silvia～? Tell me, tell me～. "
"Geez, enough!! "
They are so noisy!
I shouldn't have come visit my parents!