Seasons: Howl

-Glade, Sword Master-

Winter whistled a merry tune as he got ready for school. He was quite happy that Summer had decided to continue training with him. He liked it when she blushed. She looked cuter that way.

Wait, what am I thinking? Winter wondered, shaking his head. I shouldn't be thinking about her, no matter how attractive she is. I have to focus on gaining her trust.

Then there was a loud bang on his bedroom door, disrupting him from his train of thoughts. "Who is it?" Winter called, hurriedly buckling his belt. Glade entered, peering through the door.

"It's me, Bro. What are you doing?" He asked, then spotted Winter struggling to put on his Frostanium boots. "Huh. Still putting on your clothes." Glade snorted, closing the door behind him.

Winter huffed and sat on the bed once he was done, gesturing for his brother to sit down beside him. Glade plopped down on the bed and crossed his legs lazily, yawning. "You're getting up earlier than usual these past few days Brother." Winter remarked. Glade shrugged.

"I don't know why. I just wake up in the middle of the night, and stay up till dawn." He answered. Winter frowned.

"How come?" He asked. Glade shrugged again.

"I told you, I don't know why. It just happens. Maybe it's 'cause I'm kinda worried about how you'll deal with that girlfriend- who is your target- of yours."

Girlfriend? "But I don't have a girlfriend," Winter spluttered incredulously. Then he realised who Glade was referring to. "Summer is not my girlfriend, for Armandia's sake. We're just... friends.... Maybe." Winter retorted, growing a little uncertain.

Glade raised a questioning eyebrow. "Maybe," he repeated. Winter gave a hesitant nod. "Maybe." his brother repeated again. Winter did not like the sound of Glade's tone. So he decided to change the subject.

"Brother, now's the time for you to step in. This evening, Summer and I are meeting up at the gym at five. She's been training with me for a few days now, and is gradually improving. And... and I think she's beginning to trust me. She isn't as prickly as usual." Winter said smoothly. Glade grinned.

"That's great. So, about me... helping you... You think Dad will allow that?" Winter's confidence wavered. That was true. He had not reported to his father about asking for Glade's help.

"Who cares? I'm quite close now; I'm sure of it." Winter said, shoving the thought to the back of his head. Glade snorted and said nothing.

"I just need you to help me see whether she's gotten better. You saw how she handled her sword. It's only a simple check," Winter assured. "It's not like she'll kill you." he added as an afterthought.

Glade harrumphed. "That isn't what I'm worried about," he grumbled. "I still don't like the thought that we're helping her to get stronger. She's a potential enemy. It isn't right."

Winter flinched, remembering the past times when he had spied on other people. Those people had become his friends. And he betrayed them to his father, an experimenter and scientist.

"It doesn't matter. Even if I try sweet talk with her, she won't fall for it. She's... different." Winter muttered quietly. Glade nodded and slapped his back in his usual brotherly way.

"She's different alright. Never seen a girl who has such eyes before." he agreed. Winter smacked him back in response.

Then both brothers burst out laughing and smiling.

~~~

Summer sighed, waiting once again for Winter to arrive. Fifteen minutes. Again.