Chapter 86 (2/2)

To not only be recognised Surfania, but to be genuinely seen as an equal, it was unbelievable.

There was no need to mention sociability, the number and types of books she had read, her skill at boardgames, and her quick retorts that flashed past like greetings. Within these, there wasn’t a single thing that Surfania could beat Chris in.

The only thing Surfania was above Chris in was her knowledge as a ‘younger sister’ and that she knew Chris’ weak point. She didn’t have a single other point that could beat Cris.

She had actually been rather insecure.

Surfania, who was well aware of her own faults was worried. Even though Chris had said that to her, Chris would see that she was unworthy of being a rival in time. Surely one day Chris would grow exasperated and abandon her….

Surfania hid her fears behind harsh words, keeping Chris away with her coldness. Even though Surfania’s uneasiness made her behave like a pouty child, Chris had accepted all of her. Like that Surfania and Chris had been able to tell each other everything.

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Well, until now that is…

“Surfania, are you alright?”

“…n-”

After being driven out of the room, in the empty hallway of the church, Surfania had buried her face in her knees. Then hearing a voice made her shoulders trembled.

“Huh? Leon…?”

“Ahh…the things Michelie said, don’t take them to heart.”

I’m not taking…them- to heart…”

“Okay. Good.”

In response to her mixture of sobbing and attempts at acting tough, Leon sat down beside Surfania.

Without saying or doing anything, he just stayed there with her. She couldn’t express just how thankful she was for that. Thinking that, at the same time she was disgusted by how spoilt she was acting.

Now that Chris had left her behind, was she going to hold Leon back instead like a greedy child.

“….t-”

Seeing just how inexcusably weak she was, Surfania stubbornly forced her tears to stop before slowly wiping them off her face with her hands.

“Mm. Are you okay now?”

“I’m fine. Because I won’t lose…”

To be left behind – it was frustrating.

Without saying anything, not even a single word, and to be abandoned without even a glance back was pathic.

She couldn’t forgive herself. She, who had selfishly held Chris back without ever trying to improve herself.

So, Surfania made herself stand up.

“Exactly. Am I going to let myself be defeated just like this? I’m so sorry I let myself be called an idiot, let myself be looked down upon by that evil little sister. I am Surfania Calibrachoa. I’m not just a tacked on extra to Chris. I am, I’m…!”

“Yeah. that’s it. Just like that.”

“Exactly! That’s why, Leon”

Surfania didn’t quite have the self confidence to call herself a genius. That’s why, if she alone wasn’t going to be enough, she needed depend on others help. She would use the power and influence of her older sisters, even if she disliked them, if she did that – she could surely be able to reach Chris.

Tear tracks still visible on her face, Surfania stood tall with a fiery rage burning inside her.

“I will, over that idiot, triumph. I will leave that blackhearted little sister in the dust, and will stand in front of Chris such that she can’t ignore me…!”

“Exactly, m’lady.”

Looking up at Surfania, Leon smiled broadly.

Leon also stood up so he could stand beside his friend, who knew her own weakness’ but still kept going.

“Alright. I’ll lend you a hand with that.”

“Of course. I would have dragged you into it even if I had to by force.”

Standing next to Leon, eye to eye, Surfania abruptly turned on her heel.

Even though she had vowed to become strong and independent, Surfania knew that she couldn’t do anything alone. She was stronger with someone by her side.

Surfania knew this weakness would surely become her strength one day, unlike Chris who walked alone.

To catch up and grab the shoulder of their friend who had selfishly left them behind, these two walked forward together. The girl who didn’t show up at all in the fate Chris knew, what disturbances shall her steps make?

“Let’s go, Leon.”

“Roger that, Surfania.”

In this world there wasn’t a single soul who knew the answer to that.