Side Story 6 – My Beloved Sister

(Third party’s POV)

It is Lillie’s 7th birthday today. Amanda and her brother, Brandon, come to visit Lillie. Adam invited them in. Brandon brought a bouquet of blue roses. He grew them at the back of his home. Brandon unexpectedly has talent with growing herbs and flowers.

“Hi there Lillie. This is for you” (Brandon)

“Thank you, Brandon” (Lillie)

“There is nothing for me?” (Adam)

“Giving flowers to a guy is creepy” (Brandon)

“There, there, here’s a bottle of ointment for treating injuries” (Amanda)

Amanda passes a bottle of ointment to Adam, which he receives gratefully. Well, their relationship is a bit closer now. There is another knock at the door. Lillie went to open it, while Adam and Brandon bicker over small matters. It is Larsen, and Lillie invites him inside. There are bandages on his arm, and he wears a large shirt to cover it.

“Yo, Larson. Man, your grandpa is such a strict person. The laws in this village suck. They normally favour the village head or his relatives.” (Brandon)

“…Wait till I grow bigger. I will overthrow all the rotten people out and create a fair and prosperous village. Here’s a present for you, Lillie” (Larsen)

Larsen presents a beautiful harmonica made of hard blow wood for the vibration and soft dart wood for the mouthpieces. Larsen actually prefers making sharp small weapons to be used for hunting, but his grandfather trains him to inherit his trade skill, which is to make musical instruments, especially the harmonica, for the rich and wealthy.

“Wow, this is so beauchiful. It must have been done with great care and love. Thank kyu, Larsen” (Lillie)

Larsen’s face grew red and hot. He is not used to being praised, especially one from a girl. Larsen stares onto the floor to avoid revealing his face to Lillie.

“So, also nothing for me, huh?” (Adam)

Larsen suddenly got the chance to change the subject, so he quickly snags at it.

“Here, this is for you” (Larsen)

“Eh, thanks. Didn’t expect I would get one” (Adam)

Adam checks the small knife given to him. It is done in detail and has good workmanship. The blade is sharp and smooth.

“Don’t fuss over it. It’s Lillie’s birthday today, so we come to celebrate it” (Larsen)

Adam quickly serves some drinks for the guest. A little while later, the other playmates of Lillie come to the house to wish her birthday.

Adam presented the blue quartz pendant as his present for her birthday. Amanda and the other girl playmates are looking forlornly at the blue quartz pendant, making Lillie shy, and Adam becomes proud of his creation.

“That’s not fair” (Brandon)

“Yeah, you are hogging all the attention away with your gift” (Larsen)

After making sure all the guests have arrived, Adam takes out the baked chicken stuffed with sweet-smelling herbs from the stone stove, and places it on the table. Both the dad and mum are also just back from the farm, and they immediately went to see the birthday celebration in the hall.

“Happy Birthday to Lillie!” (All people gathered)

“Thank kyu, everybody” (Lillie)

Adam passed Lillie a white quartz recorder crystal while the others are celebrating her birthday and busy eating the baked chicken.

“Amanda, here is a present from me and my brother for you, because your birthday is also nearby. My brother will teach you how to use it when you are free” (Lillie)

“Thank you, Lillie” (Amanda)

“That’s not fair, we didn’t get anything” (Lillie’s playmates)

“I have also prepared some coloured stones tied into a pendant that I made myself. Pick which one chu like” (Lillie)

“Yay, thank you, Lillie” (Lillie’s playmates)

Meanwhile, at the boys’ section, they are discussing some serious matter.

“Hey, this meat is delicious. If I got married to Lillie, will I get to eat this every day?” (Brandon)

“Are you serious? I’m the one who baked this chicken though. And my sister will stay with me until she can find a really suitable man” (Adam)

“…..” (Brandon)

“……What is the criteria to get Lillie’s hands in marriage?” (Larsen)

“First, he has to beat both me and my dad in a test of strength. Second, he has to be single and not married to anyone before. Third, he has to be rich and powerful. Third, he has to be fair and wise. Fourth, he has to be a respectable person that respects Lillie’s parents and me. Fifth, he mustn’t be a criminal or commit any crime. Sixth, he must be able to tolerate..” (Adam)

“Hey, continuing to add more rules and your sister will stay a spinster her entire life. Come on, you can’t find such a perfect man in this world. Be practical” (Brandon)

“I said all this is to ensure that my sister can properly find her happiness, rather than marry a random man that she fancies and regret it later. “ (Adam)

“I can say that you are basically shackling your sister down to you. You must learn to let her free” (Larsen)

“Hey, stop accusing me as such. What’s wrong with protecting a sister from the predatory wolves out there that strike at any opportunity available.” (Adam)

“I just hope that none of the Idiot Four come looking for your sister. By that time, you will regret. Learn to trust a ladies’ mettle and intelligence” (Amanda)

“Oh yeah, don’t look down on me. The blue quartz on my sister is not just for show. They have amazing defensive capabilities that will not be easily broken.” (Adam)

“You intend to keep your sister in your bubble forever, do you? Come and teach me how to operate this white crystal your sister called recording quartz” (Amanda, dragging Adam by the ear)

“Ow, ow, please be gentler, you brute. Who will want to marry such an amazon?” (Adam)

“S~shut your mouth, who would want to marry a guy with sister complex?” (Amanda)

“Who has sister complex?” (Adam)

So the good friends Amanda, Brandon, Lillie, Larsen, and Adam continues to spend the evening talking and bickering away while celebrating Lillie’s birthday.