On Norn's side, they were scores you can't really call good.
According to Jinas, they were average, or maybe even a bit lower for her age, but it seems it's not bad.
Even though I say that, if we were to compare her to Aisha, saying there's no inferiority would just be sugarcoating it.
Well, she did come here after journeying for a year. It was an exam she took soon after settling down, it can't be helped.
I'm sure at least she would have liked a chance to study and review.
Eh, there's no need to rush.
It's fine as long she improves from here on.
Even if she can't become number one, setting average as the final goal is not a problem.
Human society is made up of compromises like that.
It's fine if you're not superior. It's fine if you're just average.
"Norn, which subject do you want to study?"
"..."
Norn didn't respond.
Just continuing with her eyes cast down, averting her eyes with a sullen face...
It seems she still doesn't like me.
I'd like to close the distance a bit more between her and me.
However, well, I wonder what can be done about it.
"I'm not all that familiar with the subjects that can be studied though... If I remember correctly, after studying the common knowledge class work for three years, you're allowed to choose. In our school, there's some pretty interesting lessons you can take. For the time being, try attending for a few years and see if you can find something that you would like to do. If there's nothing, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to try and specialize in healing magic. Mother was a healing magician as well after all. Since there's few healing magicians around this area, you'll be able to find work in a doctor's office or hospital."
"..."
Since there was no reply, I was just going on and on talking myself.
And suddenly, Norn looked this way.
It was somehow a gaze that wanted to say something.
I kept silent.
"...I want to try living in the dorm."
Norn quietly said that with a nervous tone of voice.
I started to think over those words.
"Living in the dorms, huh."
That's no good.
Though, it'll be simple to just reject it.
However, I'll try thinking about it seriously.
It seems that Norn went out of her way to gather her courage after all.
First off, it's having a 10 year old young girl living on her own.
Regardless of other things, that's too soon.
However, living in a dorm isn't living alone.
Fundamentally, there are two people per room.
Since Norn came over here, she only has a few acquaintances.
She has no friends as well.
If she were to live in the dorm, she might be able to make friends.
I'm sure there are more or less some problems in regards to her age though.
There are kids in that school who start living in the dorms and attending from a younger age as well.
The dorm has some extent of precise rules and is a safe place.
Even saying she's 10 years old, I'm sure she won't be inconvenienced.
I want to get along a bit better with her, but if things continue in this state... I have the feeling that even if we manage to get closer physically, we'll just remain at the same distance emotionally.
In my previous life I was always secluded in my parents' house.
Secluded, rejecting everything.
My family tried making plans for this and that in order to try and close the distance between us.
Fishing using expensive items, bringing delicious tasting things, talking about the future with sweet words.
Each time, I felt like my heart was getting further away from my family.
I got the feeling like I was being treated as an animal.
Rather than living in the same place, seeing each other's faces everyday, and speaking of each other's complexion, living in a somewhat separated place and watching over her from a distance might be the better option wouldn't it?
Isn't it important for each side to mutually calm down and look over things in regards to the other side?
Aisha took on a natural attitude that looks down on Norn.
I've told her to be careful about it, but since the person herself doesn't seem to be self-conscientious about it, the disposition is a bit bad.
I'm sure there's no other option than to try and fix it over a long period.
Being looked down on by Aisha inside the house, continually unable to face me whom she hates...
I don't think I can stand at the top myself, but in this world, I am considered excellent as I go about.
The bitterness of trying to grow up surrounded by superior siblings...
There's no option other than running away from home.
I already know the fate of a young girl who runs away from home.
Being pulled in by a bad man in exchange for letting her stay over, requesting these sorts of things and those sorts of things.
If that's the case, then from the start, it's better to have her stay in a place that is safe I'm sure.
Besides, Sylphy is in the dorms as well.
She stays at home once every three days, but in reverse, that means she's at the dorm two out of every three days.
If a time ever comes up where something happens, I'm sure she can quickly support her.
Fortunately, it seems Norn doesn't hate Sylphy.
I guess the naked socializing on the first day was having an effect. [3]
Yeah, after thinking about it, I don't think it's a half bad suggestion.
Living in the dorms at 10 years old.
I wonder if she can properly learn to be independent and socialize properly. [4]
"I get it. It's fine for Norn to live in the dorm. I'll submit an application."
"Eh!! Onii-chan!?"
The one who raised her voice in surprise was Aisha.
She was making a face like she couldn't believe it.
"Why! Norn-ane's scores weren't good at all!"
Her maid tone from just before had crumbled.
"Aisha??"
"Even though I put that much effort into it! It's no fair for just Norn-ane!"
It's not that sort of problem.
However, looking at it from Aisha's side, it might look like I'm showing favoritism.
In order for her own wishes to be fulfilled, she took full points on the exam.
It could be that during this past week, she's been reviewing and preparing for it in a place where I wasn't watching.
Norn didn't do anything.
And yet, I'm allowing Norn to do as she wants.
That is unfair. It is favoritism.
During times like these, I wonder what my parents said in my previous life.
I can't remember.
For example, listen to what I tell you or listen to what I say. I have the feeling I was told something like that.
I wonder if I was able to agree with that.
I'm sure I wasn't able to.
I wonder about Aisha.
Would she be able to accept it with that way of talking.
I'm sure she wouldn't be able to.
No, she's a superior child.
I'm sure, if I told her what I was thinking, she would understand it.
That's what I think, but that might just be my arrogance.
In any case, I'll try talking to her and see.
"Aisha. It's not like I'm particularly listening to Norn's selfishness. Just, I thought that living in the dorm would be better for her sake."
"But."
"Norn hasn't made any acquaintances since she came over here... Well, I can't really say much myself, since things don't really balance up with me as well. I'm sure you've seen this past week, but it almost looks like breathing has become difficult."
"But, Otou-san said... we should live together with Onii-chan."
Hm.
After being told like that, I feel like I have no choice other than to tie Norn to the house.
No, there's no way that's the case.
There's no way it's better to always do as one is told.
Paul is often mistaken after all.
I can't really say that my decision is correct as well though.
"Of course, I have no intention of abandoning my duty of looking after you two. But, if things continue like this, things won't end up well for Norn. By living in the dorm, she might be able to obtain something."
"...."
Aisha cast her eyes down.
For some reason, those eyes had tears building up in them.
"...Showing partiality to Norn-ane, is it because my mother is a mistress?"
Abruptly, Aisha said those things.
Mistress.
After hearing those words.
I instinctively felt that this is bad.
"By mistress, you mean Lilia-san? Aisha, who told you that? Was it Otou-san? There's no way Norn could have said it right?"
"Mother and also Norn's grandmother..."
Large tears were falling from Aisha's eyes.
Speaking of Lilia and Norn's grandmother, in other words, Zenith's parents' home.
I can't help that Lilia has said it.
She feels one step drawn back in regards to Zenith and I.
It seems she intends to pass things through completely with the position of a maid.
Therefore, it can't be helped if she makes the request for the position to be one step back in regards to Zenith's daughter.
I'm sure Paul would connect with them equally, but by no means does that make them equivalent.
Zenith's parents are nobles.
If I remember correctly, it was a house with a considerable pedigree.
My aunt, Therese, was by no means a bad person.
However, it's not like everyone has a lenient way of thinking about the social position.
In the first place, they have reason to be affectionate towards Zenith's daughter, but if it's Lilia's daughter, then there's no reason to be affectionate.
They're not related by blood after all.
It's not a matter of blaming either side.
It's that sort of culture.
"Is it because I'm only connected half by blood...[sniffle]..."
However, there's no way a child wouldn't be hurt over things like that.
Aisha with her face completely crumpled up started hiccuping.
I might have misunderstood something a bit.
Aisha is a difficult child in Aisha's own way.
"I don't think of Lilia-san as a mistress at all. I feel that both you and Norn are equally my little sisters."
"But... I, gusu... worked hard, studied, and took the exam, Norn-ane is??"
Aisha was appealing while crying between pauses.
After all it seems she studied for it.
Even though there was only one week before the exam.
She was able to take a good score...
"Aisha."
"What is i