"Good morning, Sofia," mother called cheerfully.

"G..good morning, ma'am.. I.. I'm sorry I fell asleep in your room," Sofia dejectedly apologized.

"Oh, there's no need to worry about that, dear. Come here, let's wash your face. And, Takahiko, after this, please take Sofia for a walk to show her the village. Let her experience the beauty of our home. Don't get involved in anything else just yet, understand?" Mother seemed to encourage me to spend time with Sofia.

Once again, my brothers' words about Sofia's feelings for me echoed in my mind. I wondered if my mother shared the same thoughts. As for me, I find myself unable to let go of the memories of my past love. I'm not even sure if I can see Sofia in a romantic light. I must admit she's adorable, and I found joy in our journey together. I feel embarrassed and inexperienced when it comes to matters of the heart. I can't help but wonder, what's so special about me?

I followed my mother's instructions and headed to the washbasin to freshen up my face. Afterward, I waited for Sofia by the front door. It didn't take long for her to join me, her face still flushed with a touch of shyness. Mother gave her a gentle nudge towards me.

"Now, go and enjoy your walk," Mother said, playfully pushing us out of the house.

Sofia and I stood there awkwardly, not quite sure what to say to each other. But as the older one, I knew I had to take the lead.

"Shall we go, Sofia?" I asked, trying to break the silence.

"Yes," she nodded, looking slightly relieved, and together we started our stroll.

Shielded by the morning chill, we strolled closely side by side. Sofia was still clad in her sleeping attire, but a shawl, likely from my mother, wrapped around her to ward off the cold. Her hair was neatly arranged, giving her a composed appearance. I noticed her eyes seemed a bit swollen and puffy, as if she had shed tears recently. Despite being a 15-year-old teenager, there was a certain maturity in her demeanor.

"Did you cry last night?" I asked gently, concerned.

"Eh? Uh... I did, actually," she admitted, looking surprised. The mature facade she had displayed moments ago faded into her usual expression.

"I hope my mother didn't say something unpleasant to you," I expressed my worry, trying to understand the reason behind her tears.

"Oh, no! No! Your mother was really kind to me last night! We just had a really serious talk, and I... I got a bit emotional at that time... Ahaha," she chuckled, attempting to brush it off. However, I knew my mother wouldn't mistreat her.

"Is that so," I replied calmly.

I calmly changed the subject, "So, what do you think about this village?"

Sofia closed her eyes, and with a solemn tone, she replied, "I like it here. It's so calming, and time seems to flow at a gentler pace. I've never been to a place quite like this before."

Smiling, I acknowledged her response, "I understand. You've been a city girl for a long time."

She pouted playfully, thinking I was teasing her, "What's wrong with being a city girl?"

Quick to reassure her, I explained, "Oh, nothing is wrong with it at all. I just didn't want you to feel uncomfortable or unsatisfied with the simpler life we have here."

"Oh, no, I would never complain about that. I was the one who insisted on following you here, remember? I don't mind at all", She hurriedly assured me

Her reassurance brought a sense of relief, and I gratefully replied, "I'm grateful you introduced me to your mother, Takahiko. She is a strong woman. And your brothers, they can be quite enjoyable company."

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"I'm glad. It's worthed to bring you here."

"Yes!"

Her innocent smile gave me a sense of relief, and we continued walking through the fields. In the distance, some villagers were already hard at work, tending to their daily tasks. I took the time to explain their way of life to Sofia, sharing insights into their daily routines and happily answering any questions she had. As we strolled along, we also passed by the lord's manor—a grand structure with a tall gate, standing in stark contrast to the humble village houses. Behind the gate, a beautiful garden came into view, making the manor easy to identify. Besides serving as the lord's residence, it also functioned as a government office, receiving guests from the capital.

As she appeared relaxed, my mind was now preoccupied with the revelation from my brothers about Sofia's feelings for me. I found myself at a loss, unsure of what course of action to take. Should I continue pretending not to know anything? It felt absurd to just blurt out, "I heard you've fallen in love with me." Such a thought felt conceited and awkward. But if her feelings were genuine, what should I do? Can I bring myself to reject her and watch her heartbreak? No, that doesn't sit well with me. But accepting her as a potential suitor is no simple matter either. True, she isn't a blood-related young sister, so it might be permissible, but there's still a significant 10-year age gap. Could that become a problem? Perhaps not, considering that her parents had a similar age difference.

"Why are you lost in thought, Takahiko? You seem lost.", Sofia's voice suddenly brought me back to the present moment.

I chuckled softly and replied, "You're not wrong. I've just been contemplating something important."

As I gazed into her curious blue eyes, a realization washed over me—this teenage girl, whether a sister figure or not, had become incredibly important to me. I couldn't help but envision a future scenario where she would introduce me to a guy I didn't know, telling me they were getting married. In that moment, I knew I would take it upon myself to have a serious talk with that man, ensuring he understood the gravity of his commitment. I would even go to the lengths of invoking a sacred oath embedded with pain curse, to ensure he never caused her any tears. If he dared to refuse such a vow, I would be willing to do whatever it took to keep them apart. I couldn't help but acknowledge that this possessive urge might resemble jealousy, but it also felt like something her late father, Master Maximus, would do to protect her.

"Takahiko?" she asked worriedly.

I have made my decision. It's surprisingly simple at its core. This feeling, surprisingly, echoes the devotion I once intended for Cordelia. Cordelia is no longer with me, I know in my heart that caring for Sofia is not an attempt to replace her. Sofia is her own person, and I am willing to ensure her happiness to the best of my abilities. Certainly, there was also promise between Master and me concerning Sofia, and I am determined to honor that commitment throughout my life. I want to ensure she lives a life filled with joy and contentment, regardless of whether our bond is that of siblings, close friends, or even love between a man and a woman. I simply love her, and that's all that matters to me.

I led her to the hill, a place where my brothers and I used to play during our childhood. Sofia looked a bit tired from the uphill walk to this spot. I couldn't resist patting her head, congratulating her on reaching this challenging place and offering her a view of the village bathed in the soft morning sunlight. Though she still pouted, perhaps displeased that I treated her like a little girl despite her wishes.

Finally, I turned to face her, and with unwavering sincerity, I confessed my feelings.

"Sofia, you know that I love you, don't you?"

Her eyes widened in surprise at my sudden declaration. She tried to regain her composure before replying, "Yes, as your little sister, right?"

I smiled warmly, being true to what I felt in my heart. "Yes, you've always been like a precious little sister to me," I confirmed. "But tell me, do you feel the same way about me?"

Sofia fell silent, her gaze shifting downward. There was a hint of sadness in her voice as she spoke slowly, searching for the right words.

"I... I don't think I feel the same," she admitted. She paused, seemingly trying to find the courage to continue. "Certainly, when I was younger, I thought of you as an older brother whom I can depend on..."

Her words lingered in the air, and I could sense the complexity of emotions she was grappling with.

"But now is different," she mustered all the courage she possessed, her small figure straightening up with determination in her eyes as she gazed directly into my heart.

"I LOVE YOU, TAKAHIKO!"

Her declaration echoed loudly, her emotions pouring out.

"I DON'T WANT US ENDED BEING JUST SIBLING!

I'M IN LOVE YOU AS A WOMAN!

I WANT ONLY YOU! I WANT TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER!"

Her words poured forth, and then she added,

"I don't want to give you to anyone else!"

Her breath was heavy, and it was clear she had poured her heart out to me. Thankfully, we were the only two there to share this moment.

I approached her slowly, and she stood there, resigned to whatever my response might be. Raising both my hands, I gently embraced her body, pulling her head towards my chest. She had grown significantly since the last time I saw her, but she was still small in my arms.

"I heard you loud and clear, Sofia. Thank you," I whispered gently to her. Her sobs slowly began, and tears streamed down her cheeks, their warmth felt against my chest.