CHAPTER 15

BRANCHING OUT

Today is the day! Dawn has not yet awoken as I'm busily bustling about, triple-checking whether I have everything I need.

Dad got me this professional looking fountain pen and it's so cute! I take it out of my suitcase, admiring it again for the umpteenth time. Its sleek, forest-green body is accentuated by a gold band attached to a pocket clip.

Apparently he bought it as soon as he saw it since it reminded him of me, hehehe.

“Aey… You’re looking at it again?”

Snapping the case shut with a smooth click, I can't help but feel indignant at my little brother's comment.

“So you love it that much, huh?”

My hand reflexively moves towards his head and begins ruffling his hair without skipping a beat. “Have you come to see me off, Noel?”

“Mmn…” He looks a little pouty. It could have been sleepiness from waking at such an ungodly hour, or it could have been loneliness from me moving out for the next three years. Most likely, it was a mix of both.

Sigh, this little brother of mine is so helpless.

Grabbing Noel's hand, I kneel down to face him. He's almost my height, but I wanted to take in all his facial features up close. “Take care of dad and everyone here for me, okay?” I wrap him in my arms and squeezeeeee. “I'll miss you so much, so make sure to write to me and visit! I'll come back whenever I can too!”

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That seems to cheer him up a bit, because he uses all the strength in his tiny body to squeeze me back. Even though he's getting red in the face from the effort, unfortunately I have to say it's not very strong, hehe~

Dad is standing outside the room, and he swoops my luggage out of my hands with ease. Taking hold of my now free hand, we all walk with linked arms towards the main entrance.

Dad's hands are rough and warm, his grip is gentle but strong, making me feel protected.

Noel's hand is as smooth as a daisy petal and cold to the touch. It's smaller than mine causing a sisterly desire to protect and look over him well up inside me.

It's saddening, but I won't be able to see him grow up everyday.

There's swirling emotions in my chest - excitement, anxiety, loneliness. “I'll only be a town away” I don't know if I'm saying it to Noel or to myself as I step into the carriage.

“Anytime you feel even a hint of homesickness, you can always come back, little blossom. I'll write a letter of permission no matter the reason.” Dad's words are reassuring, it settles some of the anxiety building in my chest. “I know you'll excel no matter what.”

Noel's mouth hangs open for a little bit, his eyes looking at dad like he just did something really astounding. “I-I know you'll do really amazingly at the University! S-so don't worry about us and do your best!” Noel's angelic voice is welling up with determination.

Hmn? Why are you having a weird rivalry with dad?

Ms. Anne, Constantine, and all the help shout words of encouragement and a few of them are even sniffling…

Uh, I'll only be a few hours away. I think this while hiding my slight distress with a smile.

I'm really blessed, huh?

Dad shuts the carriage door for me and the driver calls out, asking if I'm ready.

Mmmmmnnnnn…

I slam the carriage door back open with a bang and run out to hug dad and Noel again. They look at me wide-eyed in surprise, but before they can recover, I quickly hop back in and embarrassedly tell the driver to leave as fast as he can!

“Goodbye everyone!” I shout before slamming the door back shut, a heat spreading in my cheeks.

I hear a chorus of chuckling as we pull off onto the road and wave with both my arms through the window.

Of course, I make sure to give the widest smile I can.