It was Saturday, meaning that it was day off for most workers, as well as students. It also meant the day would potentially become more eventful, contrary to yesterday and two days before today. Speaking of yesterday, Kapel and another Knight arrived at the household.
Since it was still a weekday yesterday, the house was relatively quiet since the three siblings were out for school. Meanwhile, even though Naytia told Proxer not to worry about what happened on their day of anniversary, Proxer still insisted on making up to her. However, Naytia became mad at him, and said that she didn't get to contribute that day.
Hence, they still went out for a date, with Naytia being the one who scheduled everything. Jogrin, nonetheless, wondered whether they would actually be able to enjoy their day after hearing Zanphia's circumstances.
His predictions were wrong though. When the couple came back yesterday, they were more relieved compared to during the morning. Of course, their worried emotions were far from completely dissipated.
The three siblings came home late yesterday, at 5 pm, two hours before curfew which was originally set by Naytia for Suzannia. Zanphia didn't see much improvement in her mood, but it was unreasonable to expect that in just one day. Proxer and his family were all to familiar with that from their experience five years ago.
Going back to today, which was Captain Ryov and the next Knight's turn to supervise Jogrin.
"Zanphia, come play with Zenover and me!!"
Zanphia, the big sister of the house, was sitting at the dining table, blank expression on her face. Suzannia attempted over and over again to pull her out of her chair, but she just wouldn't budge even a little. Zenover, nonplussed, could only stand behind Suzannia who was struggling much.
He glanced at Jogrin who was sitting on the couch in the living room, like usual. It was clear what Zenover's intention behind this action was. Captain Ryov, noticing the glance, also cast his gaze on Jogrin. In response to that, Jogrin only let out a soft sigh.
"Zanphia, why don't you go play with your little sister and relax for today? You've all got an extra day off on Monday, so I think this is a great opportunity for some bonding time. Don't you think so, Jogrin?"
Naytia came in from the backyard, with a pot of withered plants in her hands. She advised Zanphia to join Suzannia, then look at Jogrin with a smile on her face. Somehow, that face of hers embodied a kind of true terror that Jogrin had never witnessed before. Jogrin questioned whether that was even a smile or not.
"Jogrin!! Come play with us too!! The four of us will have a lot of fun!!!"
"Nuh uh, Suzannia. There will be five of you!"
"Nn?"
"Garty is coming again?"
"How'd you know?!"
While Naytia was being mysterious about who that last person was, Jogrin swiftly revealed who it was. It seemed Zenover already knew it, because what he was shocked about wasn't Garty's imminent arrival, but rather the fact Jogrin could tell.
"She's on her way here, according to 'emotional perception.'"
"Oh..."
Both Naytia and Zenover let out a voice of realization. The name of that ability had been mentioned many times, yet the fact that it existed always seemed to slip their mind. Jogrin couldn't blame them though, since it was the peculiar thing for not just them, but every Zutan as well.
"Zanphia! We need to welcome Garty! Let's go!! Don't you want to make Zenover and her confess to each other?!" Suzannia used more force to pull Zanphia, and this time her body swayed, though only slightly.
"H-hey! Suzannia!! What are you saying all of a sudden?!" Zenover's face was flushed red and he looked around to see everyone else's reaction.
"Mom is rooting for you too. Garty's a good girl and I want her as my daughter. Zenover, please make my wish come true!" Naytia clasped her hands and begged Zenover.
Despite the current topic being something Zanphia was zealous about, it didn't get a reaction out of her. It appeared that those few words spoken by the girls really hurt her, very deeply, to the point that it kept gnawing at her heart.
While Zenover was still getting sheepish, Jogrin stood up from the couch and walked towards him. The Knight that was standing beside Captain Ryov became poised, but was swiftly calmed down by the Captain himself.
"Alright then, Suzannia. I'll join you."
"Really?! Yay!!!" Suzannia yelled with much exhilaration.
"W-what's with the change of mind...?" Zenover couldn't help but wonder why.
"I'll help Zanphia with helping you and Garty become boyfriend and girlfriend."
"Huh?... HUUUUUUH?!?!?"
"She requested my help in that regard just the other day, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to try."
"Even Jogrin's saying that! It's time to step up your game, Zenover! We're all right behind you!!" Naytia put down the pot on the floor and held out a fist and displayed her determination. "Zanphia, surely you won't let this opportunity pass by, right?"
'Not bad. She understood my intention right away.' Jogrin gazed at Naytia and pondered. He then looked at Zanphia and see, and well as sense if there were any reactions from her.
As anticipated, it wouldn't go so well in such a short time. In other words, there were no shortcuts, so they, Jogrin included, would have to put in the effort for Zanphia's sake. Perhaps, now would be the time to witness the magic of the Maladins used to pull Proxer out of the abyss five years ago.
"Stop teasing me! Urgh!! It's not like I like her!!" Zenover retorted with words that he might regret if Garty heard them, but fortunately for him, that wasn't the case.
"From how I perceive your emotions, it's the opposite. Why are you denying it?"
"Oh, Jogrin... That's what youth is about. Being embarrassed over liking someone and denying it. Even in many romance stories, the characters are like too!"
"I see."
"After shyly denying your love for the other person for some time, you come to realize that you actually love them, and that's when the red thread of fate is tied together. That's when you enter a romantic relationship with your significant other!"Naytia seemed to be a huge fan of romance stories, since her eyes were sparkling, like Suzannia often would when she was excited.
"Huh... Youth, huh? I guess I'm too old to understand."
"Old? You? You look the same age as me though?"
Jogrin was hit with a deja vu, and the reason for that was glaringly obvious. He turned to look at Zenover, before returning his gaze on Naytia again. Naytia let out a wry smile, as if saying she forgot something.
Jogrin shrugged his shoulders wryly in return. He closed his eyes, and made an announcement to everyone present, including Captain Ryov and the other Knight.
"I may look young in your eyes, but the reality is that my actual age is 597."
Immediately following that announcement, silence pervaded the rooms, as pairs of eyes were widened.
"You're even old than Grandpa Grunm- No that's not even what I should be concentrating on!!" Zenover stuttered as he didn't know what to say. It was the same for Captain Ryov and the Knight. "You're joking, right?"
"He's not joking... At least I believe him." Naytia answered in Jogrin's stead.
"That's... unbelievable..." Both Captain and the Knight expressed in unison.
At the same time, Jogrin felt that a new pair of eyes was on him. They belonged to Zanphia's. And from "emotional perception," he had no doubt that his old age would become the key to getting her to open up about herself.