Looking at the scene before him, Christian couldn't help but think that no matter how his feelings might keep changing about games and other things, his sister's presence, her touch in his life, would always give it that special something. Whether their interactions were brief or a little longer lately, it still carried a significance he didn't think would ever change, unlike everything else.
So, coming back from his sentiment, the reality of the situation finally settled in for him, and he responded, thanking her.
Then, looking at his sister, he gave her the best beaming smile he could muster, and feeling a bit emotional, he finally went toward her and hugged her tightly.
After giving her the longest hug he could, nearly a full minute, Christian looked at his sister, who smiled warmly at him once they separated, and spoke.
"Well, it's finally really over now."
"Hmm, that's if you didn't fail the year. And assuming you didn't, then after finally getting your high school certificate, at that time! It should finally be over."
At his sister's reply, Christian felt she was really killing the mood. So, after giving her a sharp look and huffing in annoyance, he simply headed to his room, eager to change out of his current school uniform as soon as possible.
"I'm just joking! Change and come down immediately."
Hearing his sister's voice still giggling, Christian continued toward his room without bothering to reply.
"Okay, we should go out and celebrate if you're feeling this happy!"
'You mean, you are feeling this happy, right?'
Hearing what his sister said, Christian couldn't help but counter in his mind.
He was now sitting together with his sister, and after relaxing a little and joking around, hearing her mention going out, he hesitated a little.
After all the time he spent on his exams, his sister was naturally happy and felt relieved, especially now that they had ended and she had confirmed that he had done perfectly on them.
So he could understand that she wanted to celebrate a little. Also, it's not like he was against the idea of going out, but he felt there was no need for that; staying at home and doing something, like having a small celebration party or even playing games together, was enough.
He just felt there was no need for public activities on days like these.
But although Christian didn't feel like going out that much, after some convincing from his sister, he eventually relented. It was hard to extinguish her enthusiasm, and despite his reservations, he felt that maybe he could enjoy some time with her outside.
So, standing up and looking at his casual clothes, which he felt were comfortable, Christian seemed to ponder for a moment. Then, finally he told his sister that he was ready and she could go change. However, she immediately looked at him with a peculiar gaze and asked.
"Huh? Are you really going out ?"
"Is there a problem?"
"It's not about a problem, but if you're not planning to wear the clothes we bought, then we shouldn't have bought them in the first place."
"So it wouldn't feel like such a waste afterward."
"So, can you go change your clothes?"
Seeing the changed gaze his sister was giving him, sharp and piercing, leaving no room for argument, Christian ultimately decided not to contest her. He immediately planned to head to his room.
But his sister suddenly spoke up again.
While Christian thought cheekily inside, he didn't voice his thoughts. Instead, he just looked at her questioningly.
"I'll choose the clothes you should wear."
After taking a moment to look at his still-smiling sister, whose expression didn't evoke that usual warm feeling, Christian finally relented once more.
Christian, driving the car with his sister next to him, made some rounds around the city before finally heading to the restaurant where she had apparently made a reservation earlier.
As for the previous episode regarding the clothes, she had actually chosen something similar for both of them to wear, even opting for matching colors.
This left him somewhat puzzled about the reason behind her choice. However, his sister simply left him with a strong and direct comment, offering no explanation.
'What? I want us to wear something similar. Is there a problem?'
While the incident lingered in his mind for a while, he ultimately didn't dwell on it.
Now sitting in the somewhat luxurious restaurant and looking at his sister, Christian asked.
"So, you made plans even before our conversation, right?"
"Yes, after all. You've been working really hard lately, on top of the exams, and knowing you, now that they're over, you should be very happy today."
"So I thought, let's do something different, and you can have a day where you don't have to do anything after all."
'So, we had the same thought?'
While Christian thought that at first, he realized it wasn't the same actually.
After all, his decision came spontaneously without any prior plans; he had just intended to relax, but his sister had even made plans for what would come next.
'She's one step more prepared.'
While Christian didn't care much about the outing, seeing how his sister thought of all these kinds of things still made him happy.
As time passed and they finished eating, Christian thought that was the end. However, seeing how his sister planned for other activities next, he felt at a loss. But, knowing she couldn't cancel everything, he finally spoke up.
"Sis, let's just go to a café and relax."
"There's really no need to do so many things after all."
Hearing her brother, Annabelle struggled a little inside, wanting him to do something different from his usual routine after the last twenty days. However, after hesitating and contemplating, she ultimately conceded and agreed.
After all, the plans were made to help him do something different with the goal of relaxing; if it went against that purpose, then there would be no meaning to it.
Now drinking the latte in front of him, with his sister in front of him, Christian suddenly thought of something.
As he sipped the latte in front of him, with his sister seated across from him, Christian suddenly thought of something.
"Sis, you didn't think about drinking alcohol?"
Annabelle, now looking at him strangely, also asked,
"You wanted that kind of drink?"
"Well, I just thought, why not? After all, I still haven't tried it."
Annabelle looked at her little brother and pondered carefully before finally rejecting the idea. They couldn't drink outside at his age anyway, and even without that, she would prefer his first time drinking to be inside the house. After all, she didn't want to have to drag him back while also having to keep a careful watch on what he might do.
Most importantly, she actually didn't have much alcohol tolerance and got drunk easily, so she wouldn't be able to drink much with him outside. While, she also had some concerns about maintaining her dignity as the older sister!
"Well, maybe we can drink at home next time?"
Hearing the reply, Christian just shrugged. He had merely thought of the idea; it's not like he had a strong longing for it after all.
After some time, they finished what they had ordered and even enjoyed a little dessert along the way.
Christian and his sister were finally preparing to go out.
But as Christian was talking to his sister and seemed about to stand, he suddenly caught sight of someone out of the corner of his eye.
He was initially surprised and froze for a moment, but quickly returned to normal, not wanting his sister to catch on, and then sat back down.
"Do you want to stay a bit longer?"
Hearing his sister's question as she was standing, Christian immediately thought of an excuse and replied to her.
"Actually, I just remembered something I need to do, so you can go back alone. I'll return later."
"Huh? What happened?"
"I can stay back with you; it's not like I have anything to do alone at home."
Looking at his sister, who didn't seem to read the room properly, Christian finally reiterated.
"No, no, Sis. You seem tired, so just go ahead. Don't worry about me."
Annabelle, looking clueless, glanced at her brother as he spouted all kinds of nonsense, and finally, she decided not to tease him anymore. Though she was a bit puzzled about the exact reason behind his sudden shift, there must be a reason after all. She could only hope that this time she really hadn't misunderstood.
"Okay, but don't stay out too late."
Seeing his sister finally walking away and leaving the café, Christian breathed a sigh of relief and looked ahead.
Now, turning his head away from his sister's faded back to the front of him, astonishingly, a mature woman with long blonde hair was sitting at the table in front of him, looking out at the flowing river through the glass, with her light blue eyes seemingly spacing out.