“Let’s start by telling Elga you’re like this. And once he understands…”
“No!”
“Eh? Why?”
Doesn’t she sound like she wants to get along with Elga?
Once he understands how she feels, surely his attitude will change a little…
“It’s embarrassing…”
“…”
Well, yes. It’s cute how meek she’s being.
I’m sure my bro Elga would look after her if he saw her like this.
But if she never shows him this and keeps riling him up, that will never happen.
How am I supposed to clear this misunderstanding if I can’t explain how she feels?
As I think that, I see Reina approaching on a squid really fast. She turns and brakes like she’s riding a jet ski.
“Reina, it looks like you’ve become a pro…”
“It’s because this squid here is doing its best.”
She says while petting the squid, that looks weirdly happy about it.
This is a male, isn’t it…
“What were you chatting about?”
“Hum…”
I look at Levi, who shakes her head.
She doesn’t want it to be known.
So how do I explain it… As I struggle with what to say, Reina picks up on it and smiles awkwardly.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be fine, but ask me for help if you need it.”
“Yes. I’ll be counting on you.”
She nods, and turns her squid to go practice with the others.
“…Is this okay?”
“Hn? What?”
“Hum, Reina’s your wife, right? Is it okay for you to be talking alone with another girl…”
Ah, is she worried I’ll be suspected of cheating?
I guess I can’t expect her to understand everything without me saying it just because she’s my wife, so I should explain later…
“I think it’s okay, judging by how she reacted. I think she figured a lot of this out anyway…”
“…You two are close.”
“Very. I love Reina, and I’m confident she feels the same way.”
“…It’s love.”
She whispers with an embarrassed expression.
I can see Elga in the distance talking to his squid.
“Does Elga also love my sister…?”
“Of course. They’re the picture of lovebirds.”
“Lovebirds?”
Ah, I guess that expression doesn’t work here.
I explain it to her, and it looks like she understands.
“You’ve been watching them all this time, so if you say so… Well, I can also guess by looking at my sister…”
“Do you want to call him brother-in-law?”
“No!”
You said you did.
But I know this is her character, or she just said it reflexively, so I wait for a bit.
“…It’s not like that’s not it but…”
Yep, she immediately meekly corrected it. She understands.
I feel like she gets it deep down.
But at this rate, the misunderstanding will go on forever.
I have to do something, because if she keeps treating him badly, Livia will get fed up with it too.
If she’s too embarrassed to tell Elga…
“Levi, how about you talk to Livia first?”
“But I’ve been saying all these terrible things to Elga… Obviously she’s going to say it’s too late.”
“Livia wouldn’t shut someone out and not give you a chance to explain. You’re her sister, so you know that, don’t you?”
“…Yes.”
She agrees without arguing, and smiles as our eyes meet.
“Then I’ll talk to Livia first. And then we can get her advice together.”
“…”
This time, she silently nods.
◇ ◇ ◇
I approach Livia, and explain to her how Levi feels about Elga.
“I know.”
““Eh?””
“And darling also knows Levi’s personality.”
As Livia has her usual gentle smile on her face, Levi and I look at each other.
She said it so naturally, that I thought I misheard her.
“T-that can’t be right? I mean… I always act like that when I see him.”
By that, she of course means the way she’s always making fun of him.
All I see is someone who loves her big sister and is provoking him because he took her away.
But I guess Livia and Elga see something else.
“Well, maybe some of my real feelings were mixed up in there. But it was mostly getting back for feeling lonely.”
“I see.”
It makes sense that her older sister has a good grasp on it.
But it looked to me like Elga was shaking with anger…
“Then why does Elga look angry?”
“He’s not angry. He’s actually happy.”
““…Eh?””
Levi and I look at each other again.
Is Elga… Into that…?
“He’s awkward, so it’s hard to tell from his attitude. You’re my family, so he’s always wanted an opportunity to get along.”
“…My brother-in-law?”
“Yes. By the way Arata, why do you look so awkward?
Sorry, I thought it was his thing or something.
Of course I’m not saying that.
“…Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay…?”
Livia tilts her head like she’s confused.
Of course that kind of peculiar interest doesn’t exist on this island. I’m really sorry for thinking something weird.
“Well then… As his wife, I can’t sit by and ignore that attitude towards him, and I’m sure he has a problem with it even if he gladly takes it, so I will help.”
“Really!?”
“Yes, let’s do our best.”
Livia is gentle, but has a strong core. She has to, if she can dominate that Elga.
I’m a little curious about what they’re going to do, so I’m thinking I’m going to listen to their strategy meeting, but…
“Well then.”
Livia claps her hands, and four squids approach.
I’m wondering what’s going on, but then they all grab Levi’s limbs.
“Eh?”
“Big sister?”
“You’re both awkward, so let’s take drastic measures and finish this promptly.”
She’s smiling, but the air around her tells me she won’t be denied.
“Wait! This isn’t right! I don’t think this is right! If I could do that I would’ve already…”
“Let’s go.”
“Listen to meeeee!”
She’s taken away, as I think this isn’t at all what I was imagining.
How will it go… I guess I’ll ask Elga later…
I feel like I shouldn’t meddle too much into their family affairs.
Season’s Greetings! 🎄
Thanks for the update.