CHAPTER 180: THE WARMTH OF A SISTER

The classroom door creaked open, letting in a soft draft of air. Standing at the entrance, framed by the tall double doors, was Fran. Her navy-blue hair caught the afternoon light, and her cat ears twitched playfully as she leaned on the wooden frame. A cheerful grin spread across her face.

"Hey, sister!" she called, her voice lively and full of warmth. "How are you?" She waved her right hand with that usual brightness, though the faint tug on her lips hinted she already sensed something was off.

At the back of the room, Dila didn’t move right away. Her chin was still resting on the wooden table, her silver hair draped loosely down the side. Her blue eyes barely lifted toward Fran. A quiet sigh slipped out before she spoke, her tone tired and soft.

"What is it, Fran...? Come in."

The tone made Fran’s smile falter for a second, her ears lowering slightly. But she forced the brightness back, refusing to let Dila’s sadness dim her light. "Heh... alright, alright."

She stepped into the room, her sandals tapping softly against the floor. With each hopscotch-like step, her skirt swayed lightly and her tail flicked behind her, trying to keep the mood from sinking too deep.

As she neared Dila’s desk, she leaned forward with that same teasing playfulness, though her eyes were gentle. "You look gloomy again, sister," she said softly, the playful smile still on her face—but this time, there was worry behind it.

The empty classroom seemed to warm just a little as Fran’s presence filled it, her small energy brushing lightly against Dila’s quiet gloom.

Then..

Fran move closer with her usual bounce, her tail lightly swaying behind her as if keeping rhythm with her steps. she rest her palms on the edge of the desk and smiling.

"So... how was your time, sis?" she asked in a sing-song tone, her voice gentle but playful. Then her ears twitched, and she added carefully, "I heard something funny, sis... hmm, is it your classmates?" Her smile was soft, but her tone carried a little hint of worry hidden under her teasing words. "They said something about the incident today, am I right?"

Dila let out a quiet sigh, her chin now resting on her arm. "Please... don’t bring that up, Fran," she said softly, her voice carrying the faint trace of embarrassment and guilt.

Fran blinked, then quickly straightened up with an apologetic grin. "Ah, sorry, sister!" she said, waving both hands as if brushing the topic away. "Okay, okay!"

The silence lingered for a few seconds, only the faint creak of the classroom walls breaking it. Then, suddenly, Fran stepped forward even closer and wrapped her arms around Dila from the side, pressing her cheek gently against her sister’s shoulder. "I love you, sister," she murmured with a bright smile, snuggling closer.

Dila blinked in surprise, her lips curving into a small laugh. "Where did that come from?" she asked, smiling softly as she glanced at her sister.

Fran giggled, her eyes closing in a happy squint. "Silly sister... of course I’m always like this!" she said cheerfully, her tone light and full of affection.

Dila chuckled quietly, shaking her head. "I know... but something’s off," she said teasingly.

Fran only laughed harder, her shoulders shaking as she clung tighter. "Hahaha! As i said you’re Silly sister, I was comforting you!" she said between laughs, her voice warm and genuine. "I don’t want to keep seeing my sister always sad." Her eyes softened then, glimmering with care as she smiled up at Dila.

Dila turned her head slightly, her silver hair brushing Fran’s cheek. She looked at her little sister for a moment, and her faint smile grew. She raised her hand and gently patted Fran’s head, her touch slow and tender. "Thank you for worrying about me, Fran..." she whispered.

Fran’s face lit up instantly. She closed her eyes, smiling wide, her hands clenching near her chest. "Hehehe... pat me more, sis! More!" she said in a dramatic, playful voice.

Dila chuckled, her voice soft like a breeze. "Spoiled cat," she teased, smiling fondly.

Fran puffed her cheeks and shook her head, pretending to be offended. "Nooo! I’m your sister! Not your cat!" she declared dramatically, pointing at herself with both hands while grinning from ear to ear.

Dila couldn’t help but laugh again, the heaviness in her heart easing as her sister’s warmth filled the quiet classroom.

Fran tilted her head, resting against Dila’s palm, her tail curling slightly behind her. "So, sister..." she said softly, her voice carrying a gentle hum, "have you eaten yet?"

Dila blinked, her hand now absently patting Fran’s soft navy-blue hair again. "Oh... actually, no," she replied, her voice calm and faintly tired, though she didn’t stop the slow rhythm of her pats.

Fran giggled under her sister’s hand, her ears twitching with every gentle stroke. "Hehehe, I knew it!" she said with a teasing grin. "That you didn’t eat lunch yet." She leaned closer, smiling with mock seriousness before her tone softened again. "Well... neither did I," she admitted playfully, her voice turning sweet. "I was waiting for you, you know?" Her eyes gleamed with mischief and affection as she grinned up at Dila.

Dila’s hand paused for a moment, her gaze softening as she looked down at her sister. "Waiting for me, huh..." she said quietly, a small smile tugging at her lips. She brushed a few strands of Fran’s hair aside, her tone turning warmer. "Alright then, Fran... let’s go to the cafeteria. Like last time."

Fran’s eyes lit up instantly, her face glowing with excitement. "Yehey!" she exclaimed, springing up from Dila’s side with a little twirl, her tail flicking happily behind her. Her joy was pure and childlike, bright enough to make the empty classroom feel alive again.

Dila stood from her seat, smiling softly as she watched her sister’s beaming face. The afternoon light poured through the windows, painting golden streaks across the floor. Lunchtime had long passed, and the halls would be quieter now, but that didn’t matter.

For Dila, the thought of sharing a meal with Fran—just the two of them—felt comforting after such a heavy day. She adjusted her self positioning, her capelet brushing lightly behind her as she said, "Come on, before the kitchen closes." She said Teasingly.

Fran clasped her sister’s hand happily, her eyes gleaming. "Let’s go, sis!" she said cheerfully, tugging Dila along. Their footsteps echoed through the corridor, soft and close, as the fading sunlight followed them down the hallway—two sisters finding a little warmth at the end of a long, exhausting day.

The long marble hallway of Twilight Academy was bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun, the golden light spilling through the tall glass windows. The air was calm, carrying the faint scent of flowers and polished floors.

Fran was walking a few steps ahead of Dila, her steps light and playful as always. Her hands rested behind her head, her long navy-blue hair swaying with each motion. With her eyes closed, she hummed a cheerful tune; "hmm hmm hmm" her tail flicking in rhythm.

Dila walked quietly behind her, she summoned her staff and then tapping it lightly against the floor. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight. "Fran, you’re going to bump into someone if you keep walking like that," she said with a soft chuckle.

Fran tilted her head, still humming, and teased, "Who am I going to bump into, sis? There’s no one left in the hallway!" Her grin widened as her ears twitched playfully.

Dila let out a quiet laugh. "Yeah, you’re right," she said softly, shaking her head.

But before she could take another step, a calm voice spoke from behind her.

"May I join you, High Princess?"

Dila froze. Goosebumps rushed down her arms as the sudden voice echoed faintly off the walls. "Ahhhhhh!" she yelped, spinning around in shock, her silver-white hair fluttering.

Fran also jumped, her tail puffing out. "Meooowww!" she cried, landing back a step and clutching her chest.

Dila’s hand shot to her own chest, her heart racing. "Wh—where did you come from!?" she gasped, eyes wide.

Prince Jade stood there with his usual composed smile, his emerald eyes calm and warm under the light. He wore his dark academy uniform neatly, the silver embroidery glinting faintly as he chuckled softly. "Wait... High Princess, you didn’t notice me?" he teased, a small smirk on his lips as he brought a hand to his mouth politely. "Maybe you were too absorbed in your sister’s presence."

Dila blinked rapidly, her face flushed faintly with embarrassment. "You really startled me..." she muttered under her breath, still holding her chest.

Fran puffed her cheeks, pouting at her sister. "Sister! You startled me with your scream, you know!" she said, her voice half annoyed, half playful.

Dila turned to Fran, guilt flashing across her face. "Sorry, Fran," she said softly.

Fran’s pout lasted only a second before she smiled again, her blue eyes lighting up. "Apology accepted," she said brightly, wagging her tail slightly as if nothing had happened.

Then Jade stepped closer, his tone returning to his gentle calm. "So, Princess," he said, his voice warm but steady, "would you have room for one more to join your lunch?"

As he spoke, his hand lightly brushed against Dila’s, a polite gesture—yet it startled her again. She flinched, raising her hand quickly. "D-don’t touch me!" she said sharply, her voice trembling just a bit.

Jade immediately withdrew his hand, lowering his gaze with a small bow. "My apologies," he said softly. His tone wasn’t offended—only respectful, sincere. "Forgive my manners."

For a moment, silence lingered. The sunlight streamed past them, a few dust motes floating in the air.

Fran blinked between the two of them, sensing the tension, before breaking into a grin. "Soo..." she said cheerfully, tilting her head, "does that mean you’re coming with us, Prince Jade?"

Jade lifted his head, meeting her gaze with a faint smile. "If her highness allows it," he replied gently, his eyes shifting toward Dila—quietly waiting for her answer.

Dila looked away, her expression softening a little, her heart still fluttering from the sudden scare. "Fine..." she said quietly, looking at the floor. "But no surprises next time."

Jade smiled faintly. "Understood."

Fran giggled softly as the three of them began walking again—one humming, one silent, and one quietly smiling under the warm light of the academy halls.