9 End of the Banque (2/2)
On the sideline, both Isis and Mai took notice of all the looks the dancing young couple was receiving. ”A lot of girls here are glaring at Maria which is not a good sign, nee-san. When school starts, will Maria be bullied a lot?” Mai asked her older sister, who had her eyes glued on the blushing Maria, who once again messed up.
'She is not going to have an easy school year, especially with all the attention she drew tonight. The road this girl must walk is filled with many thorns, but I see something great lies in store for her.' Isis said nothing but smiled at her innocent adorable little sister. ”Mai, your friend is very special. What will you do if others start to bully her?”
”Don't worry, nee-san, I'll definitely protect Maria-chan!” Mai grinned and pumped her small fist into the air. Isis couldn't help but giggle and pat her energetic little sister on the head. Both sisters found their little moment interrupted when they heard some sniffing and turned towards the direction of where it was coming from.
”Maria...My sweet Imoto didn't even save a dance for her nii-chan but instead with some boy. She picks some boy over her handsome nii-chan! Maria~!” Rolled into a ball was none other than Michael, weeping tears as he watched his precious little sister smile and blush as she danced with the Scarlet heir.
”Michael-kun, I sense some strong competition in the future for you. Seems someone will be snatching away your cute Imoto in the future,” Isis teased her friend, watching how a look horror took over his handsome face.
”No! Over my dead body! Maria promised to marry onii-chan~!” protested Michael while little Mai couldn't help but sweat-drop at Maria's older brother, who had a serious sister-complex.
Though the night was magical and came with its ups and downs, Maria was smiling by the time she returned home with her onii-chan. Who for some reason was depressed and uttering death threats towards a certain redhead?
After Shirone and Kuroka tucked her into bed, Maria's mother walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. ”So I take it my little Maria enjoyed herself tonight?”
”Yep~! I even made a new friend!”
”That's wonderful, okaa-sama is happy that her precious Maria made a friend. It really puts my heart at ease that when you start school in two days you won't be on your own.” Maria was all smiles and giggles until it dawned on her that in two days she would be starting school which brought along a lot of dread and anxiety.
'Something is telling me that I'm not going to have an easy school-life,' thought Maria, before her mother kissed her on her head, wishing her good night.