111 - - 112. The Brave, the Nervous Younger

The next day, October 1.

The school matches will be held from today.

The place is the Imperial Arena, the biggest arena in the capital.

The opening ceremony starts at noon, but a large crowd has gathered since the morning.

We, the members of the Royal Academy, were in the waiting room.

"A-ni-ue, are we there yet?"

Mikhail asks me while lying on the sofa.

He rests his chin on my lap and flaps his legs.

"I'm almost there, wait for me."

"I can't wait to battle!"

"I heard that the first day is just the opening ceremony and exhibition, so the battle will be after tomorrow."

"Ekishibishon?　Can you eat that?"

Elise, sitting in front, explains.

"It's a match before the actual event, where the winners are not counted as winners. It's like a trial match.

"Heh, what's the point of doing that?"

"Well, it's an event to make the game more exciting. These guys are going to do it, I'm looking forward to it tomorrow!　Like that. Well, it's a prelude."

We're having a friendly conversation.

Gaius, on the other hand, is on his feet and fidgeting.

"If you don't mind losing, you don't have to work so hard, do you?

"Not really. The exhibition is meant to put pressure on the other teams. It's important.

Gaius paces around the room.

"Gaius, what are you doing?　Do you want to go to the bathroom?"

"...... shut up."

"Oh, okay, you're nervous."

"...... No, no, no, no. I'm going to the bathroom."

My brother walks out of the room.

"Mica, get out of the way. I'm going to the bathroom."

"Okay, sir."

With that, Mikael stands up and gets on Elise's lap.

"You left so easily, Micah!

I'm the brother who can read the air. I won't interfere with your honeymoon.

"Great job, Mika!"

I pat Mikhail on the head and leave the group.

I follow my brother's trail out of the arena.

A large crowd flows into the arena bleachers.

I walk through the crowd and make a beeline for my brother.

The arena is located in a large sports park.

There was a small forest where I could take a bath and Gaius was there.

"Yo!"

"...... Stop following my signs like you should. Are you stalking me?"

"No way. It's your brother.

I go up to him and pat him on the head.

Gaius is silent and does as I say.

"You're nervous, aren't you?"

"Yeah. ......"

Gaius' face was stiff as he mumbled something.

Even though his companions had been empowered, they were still demons and reincarnated souls.

He could not shake off the fear that he might lose.

"...... If we lose, the Holy Grail will be taken by either a demon or a reincarnated person.

I didn't think Dantalion and Kazuma were bad guys.

Well, we don't know if the people behind them are good guys.

"We have to win ...... at all costs, we have to win ......."

I don't blame you for getting worked up, but you can't keep going on like this.

"Hey!"

I tickle Gaius' side.

"Whew!"

"Oh, you make a surprisingly cute voice."

When my brother pulls away from me, he turns red in the face and throws a thrust.

"Don't do anything weird all of a sudden, idiot!"

I'll take that thrust head-on.

Zdooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

In the aftermath, the forest behind me is blown away and the land is cleared.

I restore the forest with creation magic.

"You've got a good thrust now, haven't you? That's my brother! Yes... yes..."

"God d*mn it!　It's your brother's fault!　You scared the shit out of me!"

No, I'm just trying to make you feel at home. Don't get so mad at me."

Gaius turns away.

"Brother, I know you're worried. But the game has already begun. A leader's anxiety is contagious. It's not good to show your feelings in public."

"...... I know."

I hugged him and patted him on the head.

"If it gets hard, I'll listen to your complaints anytime. You just have to keep your head up in front of your teammates."

"...... yeah. Okay."

When I tried to pull away, he just gulped and stuck to me.

"What's wrong?"

"...... nothing."

"Okay. More. Good, good. You're a spoiled brat, aren't you?"

I stroke Gaius.

"Hey, bro. About yesterday... ......"

"Oh, what?"

"Is your brother going to marry ...... Henrietta?"

"What? What's that?　I've never heard of it."

He looks puzzled, but Gaius laughs.

"Right!　Yeah, yeah, yeah, you've got to be!"

Gaius smiles broadly as he pulls away from me.

He skips away from me.

"Come on, bro!　What are you doing?

"Oh, oh ......"

I was a little surprised to see my brother in such high spirits.

"I felt like an idiot for worrying alone!　I know, there's no way this simpleton is going out with anyone!"

I return to the waiting room with my brother, who skips.

"Oh, Gaiusu is back!"

"Mika, I'm sorry for worrying you. I'm okay now!"

Gaius looks over at his teammates and says emphatically, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

"That's Julius! You know how to put your brother in a good mood.

"I'm glad ...... you're feeling better, Gaius!"

Mikael looks up at Gaius.

"What?"

"Did you give him a peck or something?"

Gaius silently puts his brother-in-law in a headlock.

"Aniue!　It's not fair!　I can't believe you gave me a cuddle!"

"Bollocks!　No, no, no!"

With a yank, Mikael escapes from Gaius and clings to my waist.

"It's not fair that Gaius is the only one!　Me, too!

"Well, I wish I could have one, too, handsome."

"Wow, I thought you might want me too!"

Smiling, everyone gathers around me.

"Move over, move over, move over. It's almost time for the opening ceremony."

""""er ......"""

The others murmur in dissatisfaction.

Exclusive? She's a real pain in the ass.""Who's your girlfriend?

Come on, come on, guys. Get into your uniforms.

Yes!"""Yes!"""

They wear white uniforms, which are different from school uniforms.

Unlike the school uniforms, the white uniforms are made of a stretchy material.

"My brother made me these workout clothes, they are very comfortable.

"You can even make clothes, you're so versatile it's scary."

"Aniue can do everything, it's amazing!

We put on matching uniforms and leave the room.

The other teams were just about to enter.

"Hello, Gaius!　Let's fight fair and square!"

Kazuma shows his white teeth.

"Yeah, nice to meet you."

"We had a ...... good tangle ...... show ...... before the rotten ...... match! ......♡"

Dantalion twists and turns.

"You've been peeking again!"

Finally, a silver-haired young man says.

"Hey, hey you guys. You've come a long way!"

"Uh, yeah. ...... you too. Great job, Anti."

The captains of the four schools lead the way and we head into the arena.

Let the school battles begin!