By the time they finished feeding the three and their lunch, Caro, Josette, and Rachel had calmed down. The lunch break was over, and they returned to their respective classrooms for the afternoon lessons.
Patty, who had consistently ranked low on tests, now found herself slightly above the middle thanks to Kent’s guidance. Perhaps finding studying interesting, the girl who used to sleep constantly was now diligently taking notes and paying attention in class using the stationery Kent had given her.
After the afternoon classes ended, Caro and Rachel came to the classroom as usual.
“I’d like to join you, at least for part of the way,” Caro said regretfully, as she had to go straight home.
“In that case, may I join you too?” Kent asked.
“Since we’re going to the same destination, it’s fine,” Kent agreed, seeing no reason to refuse Patty as their destination was the same.
“I will join you today as well,” Josette announced.
“Josette, are you going to the shop today?” Kent inquired.
“Yes, I have no other plans today, so I’ll help out at the shop,” Josette replied.
“That would be a great help.”
Kent was about to leave the school with the four women. The sight of a commoner male student surrounded by a group of noble girls was peculiar to those watching, but they left the school without a second thought.
“Well then, everyone, please do your best with your work. I have so many things to do… I’ll help out at the shop again once things settle down,” Caro said.
“We’d be very grateful if you could come, Caro. We’d welcome you with open arms. Well then, be careful on your way home,” Kent replied.
Caro parted ways with them part of the way, and the four headed towards the shop.
“I’ll drop off my luggage first, so you guys can go ahead.”
“Understood.”
“See you later.”
“See you.”
Kent parted ways with the three in front of his house and went inside to leave his luggage. Upon entering the shop after putting away his belongings, he heard what sounded like an argument.
“The shop seems noisy, what’s going on?” Kent asked.
“Well, Josette and Elnet are arguing. It seems they know each other,” the shop employee explained.
Kent approached Patty, who was observing from a distance. Rachel, Catherine, Marie, and Emily were also watching nearby, slightly further in.
“I heard Josette and Elnet are arguing, is that true?” Kent asked.
“They had come just as we were about to open the shop, but as soon as Josette saw Elnet, she rushed over and things got like this,” Catherine explained. She added that the shop was tidied up, and it was just about time to reopen.
“Hey, you two, what’s going on?” Kent intervened, intending to find out the reason.
“Ah, Kent. Welcome back,” Elnet said, her face softening upon seeing him.
“Sister, why are you calling Kent by his name?” Josette asked, surprised.
“Kent and I… it’s a secret,” Elnet replied, then hugged Kent’s arm.
“What is the meaning of this, Kent?” Josette demanded, pressing him.
“Uh, Elnet has been working here for a while now. You two seem to know each other, but what’s your relationship?” Kent asked.
Josette had called Elnet “Sister,” so they were definitely acquaintances.
“Elnet is my older sister,” Josette declared.
“What?!” Everyone in the shop, except for Marie, exclaimed in surprise.
“Could it be that the commoner Josette had feelings for was Kent?” Elnet asked.
“W-w-what are you saying, Sister!” Josette flustered, blushing as she tried to correct Elnet. Kent found her reaction adorable.
“We all knew about it.” The women in the shop seemed to have known all along. Kent also felt a sense of “it’s about time” given their complicated relationship.
“Could it be that everyone knew about my feelings?” Josette asked hesitantly. Everyone nodded.
“Oh, I’m too embarrassed to get married now,” Josette said, blushing and running out of the shop.
“Older brother, you should go after her,” Rachel said to Kent, giving him a thumbs-up.
“Good luck, Kent!”
“I don’t much approve of acquiring more wives, but have a good day.”
“You have a strong rival to contend with, but do your best.”
“Master, fight on!”
“Please take care of my sister.”
“I don’t really understand the situation, but…”
With everyone’s encouragement, Kent decided to chase after Josette.
Kent found Josette by a small river on the outskirts of town. She was sitting there, watching the water flow.
“Is it okay if I sit here?”
“Ah, Kent.” Josette, realizing it was Kent, blushed and looked down. Without waiting for permission, Kent sat next to her.
“So, Elnet is your older sister, huh?”
“Yes. She hasn’t come home for the past few days, and we were all worried.”
“Oh dear, perhaps she was working here in secret?”
“I don’t think she told anyone at home. When I entered the shop and saw my sister working, I asked her why she was here without contacting us. She said she had a boy she liked and decided to work here. The only man working here is you, isn’t it? That’s why I got so angry and we started arguing.”
“So, how far have you and your sister gone?” Josette asked, turning the question to Kent.
“Huh?”
“After my engagement was broken off by the First Prince, my sister devoted herself to sword training and said she didn’t care about men anymore. To see her make that face… it’s the first time. I’m sure your relationship has progressed considerably,” Josette continued.
“Well, we’ve bathed together, I suppose,” Kent replied.
“Bathed together? We haven’t even gotten that far yet,” Josette said, sounding surprised.
“I was hesitant because of Caro, but I never knew I had a hidden contender within my own family. When did you and my sister meet?” Josette asked Kent.
“We met a little while ago when Caro and I were inspecting Baron Frederick’s Territory, which was recently added to our domain. We happened to be on the same stagecoach,” Kent recalled.
“Sumput… right? I wonder what business my sister had there?”
“She said she went to see an acquaintance, but couldn’t meet them,” Kent replied.
“Is that so? Knowing my sister, who lives so freely, I don’t know her full social circle, but if she went to such lengths to meet someone, they must be close,” Josette said, lost in thought.
“But I did realize one thing.”
“What did you realize?” Kent asked.
“It’s that… hesitating won’t get you anywhere… Wah!” Josette suddenly pushed Kent.
“Josette, what are you doing? Uwaaaahhhh!” Off-balance from the sudden shove from behind, Kent fell into the river.
