All I Need Is My Sister

IV : Double Date?

"Are you okay?" Aoi gasped when she saw Nene coming back.

Clearly, she'd come back in a worse state than when she'd left, which defeated the whole purpose of leaving in the first place. But, well, nevermind that.

"It was just colder than I expected it to be," she told Aoi, deciding to help herself to another glass of juice.

"I see... Well, the party is about to come to a close soon, from what I can see. Some people have already left and the only ones left in the dancing circles are the older nobles."

"Really?" Nene had to stop herself from sighing in relief. "I guess we'll just have to wait for Akane then, huh?"

Aoi nodded her head. "That seems to be the case."

Nene looked around, noticing that indeed, the hall was far quieter. Anyone that was still left was minding their own business, talking in small groups.

"You know, I admire your resilience," Nene told Aoi.

"Hm?"

"Just... being able to talk to all of those people and not getting tired at all. I would have lost my voice."

Aoi laughed at Nene's deadpan tone, tilting her head. "Oh, I'm used to it."

"I can tell you are," Nene said, looking at her. How did someone look so nonchalant all the time? As if nothing could surprise her.

When Aoi noticed that her sister's gaze was still on her, her smile fell just a little, as if she had started thinking about something else.

"After a while, you start to notice... Everyone treats you in a certain manner one way or the other."

She stared down at her half-empty glass, leaving Nene thinking... What?

She was about to open her mouth and ask a question, the contents of which she wasn't too sure yet, when she was stopped by a voice behind her.

"Lady Nene."

The sound of the girl's voice made Nene's back prickle. She tried to turn around as calmly as possible, and as she expected from the familiar voice, she was face to face with her... former? Group of friends, the speaking girl being a particular green-haired girl.

"Lady Sakura!"

"You've been rather preoccupied throughout the party, haven't you?" Her tone was polite and far too even. "We were wondering when you were going to come up to us."

"A-Ah, well..."

There goes Nene's other plan during the party. Maybe she shouldn't have gotten distracted with talking to Aoi...

"We missed you!" The short-haired girl behind her whined, taking hold of Nene's hands. "After all, today you've been spending all your time with..."

All of the girls' vision was directed towards Aoi, who was watching without making any comments with either her voice or expression.

She smiled at them all, causing them to stiffen, and said, "Hello, ladies. I'm sorry to have kept my sister from you, I really am."

Nene stammered-Aoi didn't need to apologize!-and bowed to her friends, "It's my fault. I'm sorry for ignoring all of you today, it truly wasn't my intention."

She was starting to get a little antsy, especially after noticing the way the expressions of her... 'friends' had quickly turned unreadable. She was worried they were going to say something rash, especially considering all the things they had done before she turned back in time.