The graduation ceremony was over, and Rion was back home. She would actually return every once in a while for a few days, so she hadn’t spent the entire year away. Still, this was a happy occasion. The trend in our house for celebrations was pretty big, and a graduation party was planned and held. Also, since there was the opportunity, the people who were scattered all over to prepare for the ceremonies had come back—in other words, the Celsius house had all hands on deck for the first time in a while.
“Congratulations on your graduation, Rion! Plus...welgomm baaaaacggkkk!” I exclaimed.
“I’m home, Kel-nii,” said Rion. “You cried so much yesterday, are you getting enough hydration?”
“Welcome home, Rion-sama,” said Efil. “I have put extra effort into my cooking today. Please enjoy a— Urgh, no... The tears just flow out...”
“Efil-nee!” Rion exclaimed in shock.
“Ah! The head maid started crying after the master?!” Ruka also exclaimed.
“I am crying as well, Ruka!” Gerard wailed. “She’s grown up so muuuuch!”
“Where are your tears even coming from, Gerard? You’re right that Rion’s grown so much, though! Have you gotten a little taller?” Sera asked.
“Wow, you can tell, Sera-nee?!” Rion replied excitedly. “To tell you the truth, I’ve grown three millimeters this past year! The blessings of a growth spurt!”
“And I am being treated to a feast in celebration of this graduation. This is the blessing of having a family,” said Mel. “I’m already looking forward to when DarkMel graduates.”
“Come on, sister Mel, at least be happier about her graduation than the food,” said Shutola.
“I’m coming in!” Colette called out. “I heard that Rion-sama graduated, so your humble Colette has rushed here from Deramis! Oh no, I am sincerely here to celebrate Rion-sama! I absolutely did not come to enjoy these blessed scents for the first time in a year or to fulfill any other untoward schemes! If you like, I could even celebrate from outside this estate. Ah, but I might absorb something unintentionally; it would be inevitable...”
At any rate, in the midst of such noise, I was remaining calm with Parallel Processing so I could watch over the proceedings. Most of me was a blubbering mess, so I had no idea why only I had to keep my cool. Anyway, no use complaining. I was also specifically here to respond immediately should someone attempt a surprise attack, so I could enjoy every part of it. If that were to happen, I would only profit, and that was why I was able to do my best.
Given all that, the celebration that had kicked off as soon as we got home was very lively. Gatherings like this were nice, and the main crew was already there. It had been a while since everyone had been in the same place, so there was a lot to catch up on, giving a really big boost to the fervor.
However, Dorothy was standing in a corner by herself, holding a cup of juice, seemingly overwhelmed by the exuberance of the crowd. Her jaw was slack, and she seemed completely at a loss. I understood why—she had come for a sleepover at a friend’s house only to be greeted by such a huge party.
But wait a second. She graduated from Lumiest too, just like Rion. So there’s something to be done here, isn’t there? As the head of this house, I should congratulate her grandly! Okay, me, get a move on, will you? Stop crying, come on. Ugh...I can’t move! When it comes to battle, I can sync all my mental partitions without the slightest delay, but right now I can’t move! Damn you, textbook definition of a battle junkie! MOOOVEEE!
“Heya! Are you Dorothy-chan?” Ange called out.
“Ah, yes. I am...” Dorothy answered.
“I knew it! Congrats on graduating too! Do you drink?” Ange asked.
“Ah, thank you. And no, I am underage, so I cannot drink.”
While the calm me was trying and failing to move the decidedly not calm rest of me, Ange of all people took the initiative.
Oh no, my pride as the head of the house— No, wait, I actually never had any. Let’s leave Dorothy to Ange.
“Huh? Really? I totally thought you were older than me,” said Ange.
“Well...yes, but my backstory says I’m not,” Dorothy explained. “Also, I’ve never actually tried it, so...”
“Ah, I see! Your backstory, huh? Yeah, I get it, you’re talking about the backstory you used to get admitted. Makes sense if you’re going to school. As a former assassin, I understand you so well.”
“Um, right...”
“But you managed to graduate along with Rion-chan, didn’t you? So now’s the time! Let your big sis Ange here teach you how to drink properly!”
“Whaaat?”
Oh? As I would expect from Ange... Dorothy is a really difficult opponent to open up, but your approach was perfect. It does seem like she’s a little creeped out, but that’s good for a late bloomer like her.
“Huh? What? You’re gonna learn how to drink, Thee-chan?” Rion asked. “Then I wanna learn too!”
“Rion-san!” Dorothy exclaimed in shock. “No, you can’t! If you do that—”
“It’ll be fine, Thee-chan. I had my birthday just a little while ago, so I’m of drinking age now.”
“Oh, Rion, my precious little girl, there is no need to rush things, you know?” said Gerard. “Imbibing alcohol so suddenly is bad for your body. No, I don’t approve!”
“You’re not convincing at all considering how much you drink, Gerard. Heh heh, all right, why don’t I teach you how to drink, Rion?” Sera volunteered, standing up.
Hey. You sit. Please, just sit back down. There’s no need for that; Ange will take care of things perfectly.
“Unlike Gerard, who mistakes booze for water, I’ve failed and suffered hangovers many times,” Sera boasted. “In other words, I am the closest one to Rion and best suited to teach her!”
Sera used all her brilliant wit to deftly argue a seemingly solid point.
But is she right? She might be...
“No, that’s the quality you want least in a teacher! Failing more than once means you didn’t learn,” Gerard pointed out.
“In the first place, you’re out the moment you touch a single drop of alcohol. There’s nothing you can even teach her,” someone interjected.
“What?! Why?!” Sera shouted indignantly.
Of course, none of us actually bought into her silly reasoning. We came together to wholeheartedly reject her instruction. For the sake of Dorothy’s and Rion’s futures, we couldn’t possibly back down.
Gerard, now is the time for us to come together in perfect harmony!
“Um...”
As we were frantically trying to stop Sera, someone else approached Dorothy from a different angle.
“Yes?” Dorothy answered. “Erm...I believe you are from Deramis. You’re...”
“Yes, I serve as the Oracle of Deramis. My name is Colette Deramilius,” Colette introduced herself. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Oh no, the pleasure is mine. So, what sort of business do you have w—”
“You want to know what business I have?!” Colette burst out excitedly. “Then let me get right to it! I’ve been wondering for a while now, but I can sense Rion’s fragrance on you, and it’s strong! Oh no, I don’t intend to pry about the reason! But how should I put this? I feel this scent is evolving into the most harmonious one I’ve ever experienced! You could even say it’s divine, so it would be apotheosing! If it’s not too much trouble I would love to bask in this wonderful fragrance from up close! Aaahhh!!! I’m already in trouble even at this distance! I can feel my consciousness going faint!”
Dorothy was totally silent.
Oh, right. You’ve been Rion’s roommate for a year, Dorothy. Well, yeah, uh...for now, I can say that that’s the worst expression I’ve seen you make today.