Lunchtime was over and Zanphia returned to her study mode, while others went back to continue what they were doing. The exception to that was Jogrin, since he didn't want to bother himself with any more attempts at suppressing "emotional perception" for the time being.
In other words, he actually had nothing to do this time. Like usual, blankly staring at the pitch black screen of the television was all he could do.
Time flew, and three more hours had passed.
"Mom? Mom, where are you?"
Zanphia stood up from her seat and called out to Naytia, who promptly responded.
"Watering the plants in the backyard!"
"I'm going to go out and pick up Zenover and Suzannia!!"
"... I'll go with you. Wait a moment!"
"It's fine! I'll go by myself! Hehe, can't wait to see the surprised look on their faces!"
"Are you sure you don't need someone to accompany you?"
As Zanphia was about to rush to her room and change her clothes, Jogrin spoke up without batting an eye. Captain Ryov and Griston stole glances at Zanphia, uncertainty written on their faces.
"Then, will you come with me?" Zanphia prodded at Jogrin's shoulder in a teasing manner.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Ms. Zanphia. I believe it's about time you set off now, or you'll miss Mr. Zenover and Ms. Suzannia."
"Oh, you're right! I'll be going now!"
Captain Ryov knew the reason why Jogrin wouldn't go with Zanphia, so he thought of a way to urge Zanphia and distract her from inviting Jogrin. Realizing what Captain Ryov said was true, Zanphia hastily rushed to her room upstairs.
Jogrin turned to look at Captain Ryov, who nodded in response.
In just a few minutes, she ran back down. She was wearing a cyan T-shirt with white stripes and a pair of dark gray shorts. The most notable piece of clothing was none other than the violet cap on her head. Overall, she had a boyish style of clothing, which somehow compliments her feminine features.
Both Jogrin and Captain Ryov stared at Griston who had an impressed look on his face. He then cleared his throat and looked at the ceiling. Jogrin thought it might be rude to ask Griston what that was about, so he ignored it instead.
"I'll be going now! See you later!!" She dashed out of the door and was on her way.
"Wait, Zanphia!!" Naytia ran into the living room from the backyard, but she couldn't catch Zanphia in time.
The trio at the couch gazed at Naytia who seemed to be in a hurry, and had a concerned expression. Jogrin knew what she had on her mind.
"Will she be fine...?" Naytia asked herself.
...
"I wonder how they'll react~ Zenover's probably have that cringed and embarrassed look, and Suzannia's gonna get all excited like she always does~"
Zanphia'd been brisk walking the moment she exited throught the household's front gate.
The sun was at the point that the land was at an ideal temperature, especially with the cool breezes that constantly brushed against one's face. Leaving aside the Knights training in the campsite nearby, the lack of people and cars also gives emphasis to the tranquility around anyone who tread on this path.
Those who had the luxury to enjoy this tranquility would definitely feel at ease.
Zanphia took deep breaths of fresh air and stretched her arms after slowing down. She felt that her neck and shoulders were getting stiff after hours and hours of studying, not moving an inch from the table sure had its toll.
"Ah! No time to dawdle!"
She took out her phone and exclaimed before picking up her pace again.
Her first destination was Suzannia's elementary school, since she got to leave school a little earlier than Zenover did. Normally, Suzannia would wait for them at school after Zanphia and Zenover left theirs, if she didn't go off somewhere to play herself.
Since Jogrin began living in their house though, she never did so anymore, which was a relief for not just Zanphia, but for the other Maladins and Kapel as well.
Being athletic and young, even though she was stuck at home all day, some brisk walking was a piece of cake for Zanphia, especially when she was in clothing that was easy to move in.
Soon, she reached Suzannia's school which was around 3 km away from home, and she just managed to catch the moment Suzannia came out from the gate.
"Hiya, my cute little Suzannia!!"
"Mm? It's Zanphia!!"
Suzannia leapt at Zanphia when she heard a familiar voice. Zanphia lifted her up with a broad smile on her face.
This scene the attention of many. Because Zanphia and Zenover always came late, most of Suzannia's classmates never actually got to see either of them, but now that they took a look at the big sister of Suzannia...
"She's pretty..."
The elemental school kids, boy and girls alike, all had the same thought.
"Let's go pick up your big brother too!"
"OK!!"
Zanphia and Suzannia walked together hand in hand, as they headed for the next destination: Zenover's high school, which Zanphia attended until last Friday.
Unlike from home to the elementary school, the distance between the latter and the high school wasn't at all, as it was around 500 meters. Hence, the two girls arrived at their destination in just 8 minutes.
However, when Zanphia was close to the school, she felt that something was amiss. There were many familiar faces of boys and girls around the high school. They were also wearing casual clothing, and some of the girls had make-up as well, but she could clearly tell that they were her classmates.
As soon as they noticed her, many of them pretended that she wasn't there, while a few of them displayed scornful looks before looking away. While this might seem unpleasant to many, it was what Zanphia'd been experiencing at school, so this was nothing new for her.
Zanphia, while holding Suzannia's hand, walked past her classmates with her head held low.
"Zanphia?"
Noticing Zanphia's tighter grip, Suzannia wondered if there was anything wrong.
"Come on, Zenover's waiting for us!" Zanphia forced a smile and urged Suzannia.
"Oh? It's Zanphia! Hmm? And who's this cute little girl?"
A girl stood in front of them and started a conversation. Having never met Suzannia, the girl wondered who she was. Zanphia continued to look down, not daring to look at that girl in the eyes. She couldn't make a noise, as if she'd lost her voice. Suddenly, the girl gasped.
"Don't tell me, that's your daughter?! Who's the father?!"
"Um... I'm Zanphia's little sister. My name is Suzannia. Um... I'm nin-"
"Little sister?? Are you sure you're not her daughter? Tell me the truth if you're a good kid!"
The others scoffed as they witnessed Suzannia being talked down on. Zanphia only became more and more panicked.
"S-she really is my l-little sister... Umm... C-can we go now...?"
"Sure sure~ See ya, 'sisters~'"
In the next moment, Zanphia walked away in a hurry. Suzannia, with her shorter legs, had to start running at catch up with Zanphia, lest she fell. Clueless about what just occurred, Suzannia had a look of wonder as she looked back at the girl who was waving at them with a smile.