Sei smirked, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as she revealed her unique ability to embody the traits of three distinct characters—an impressive skill that could easily go unnoticed by those who weren't particularly close to her.
It was a talent she sometimes wielded like a hidden weapon, meant only for the keenest observers to detect.
"Are you planning to stay at the library to discuss the unfolding events surrounding Sei and Takeru's ongoing fight?" Jin inquired, his tone casual yet revealing a hint of interest as he watched the scene unfold before him.
With a warm cup of tea cradled in his hands, Jin took a sip while keeping his gaze fixed on Sei, who joyfully engaged in her brownie cookie recipe alongside Kenjuro.
The three of them—Kenjuro, Kenya, and Jin—shared a special bond of care and affection for Sei. Kenya was especially endearing, embodying the little brother figure with an easy rapport with her, while Kenjuro and Jin represented the roles of older brothers, ever vigilant and protective, looking out for their younger sister with instinctual care.
"Come on, enough with the eating," Jin said, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice as he struggled to hide his growing frustration.
"What are you talking about?" Sei and Kenya replied in perfect harmony, their voices merging into a playful chorus of confusion.
"Is that truly your only reason for wanting to fight Takeru?" Kenya asked, his brow furrowed. Genuine confusion was evident on his face as he tilted his head slightly to the side.
"Yes! That's exactly it! I've also been pondering this, and it could be that he hails from the Shiba clan, you know, the fire benders," Sei responded thoughtfully, casting her gaze around the library as her eyes scanned the shelves filled with books. She pushed herself up from the cozy chair to check the volumes she had been searching for.
"Maybe this book can clarify why the Shiba Clan holds such deep-seated hatred for flame aura!" Sei exclaimed eagerly, lifting an old and heavy tome from the shelf. A sigh escaped her lips as she marveled at its age and condition.
"Hmmm! That book certainly looks a bit worn and vintage!" Kenya said, walking over to her with a curious gaze. He glanced at the book before nodding in agreement, an unspoken bond of understanding passing between them as they needed out over the dusty literature.
Cough! Cough!
Both of them began to cough, the sound echoing in the quiet room as they cautiously reached for the dusty old book that had been resting on the shelf for who knows how long.
With tentative hands, they pulled the book from its neglected spot, instinctively stepping back to avoid any lingering dust that might float into the air.
Leaning against the equally dust-covered bookcase for support, they surveyed the scene before them. In their haste to brush off the layers of dust that had settled on their clothes, their movements became slightly clumsy.
This unexpected rush caused them to lose their balance, leading to an unfortunate tumble that not only sent them sprawling but also caused the entire bookcase to tip over, spilling books out like scattered leaves in the wind.
Jin and Kenjuro stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief, as the door abruptly swung open. To their astonishment, it was their relative Yasuo, a devoted disciple of their esteemed clan, who appeared before them. The sight of him elicited mixed feelings of surprise and confusion.
"Silence!" he commanded firmly, his voice echoing through the air as he quickly moved to close the door. The suddenness and intensity of his action left the four of them momentarily paralyzed, caught in a web of unspoken tension and questions.
After Yasuo decisively shut the door, the lingering silence was broken when the four of them spoke in unison, their voices slightly nervous and apologetic.
"Sorry!" they exclaimed, their expressions a blend of worry and respect.
"You came here with him?" Kenya asked Sei, who had fallen beside her.
"Mmmm!" Sei nodded and stood up, pulling Kenya up with her.
"Err... Sei-sama and Kenya-sama, please look around!" Jin said, sounding confused.
Kenjuro added, "We won't help!" as he stood up alongside Jin.
They strolled over to the door, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly in the hallway. After a moment, they turned around to glance back.
To their surprise, they found Kenya and Sei standing just outside, their expressions bright and cheerful as they watched them. Both wore warm smiles and in unison, they enthusiastically called out,
"Have fun!" in that playful and mischievous manner that Sei always seemed to enjoy and find endearing.
"Heh!" one of them chuckled in response, feeling lighthearted.
At the same time, the two guys who had earlier taken a tumble on the floor—looking a bit disheveled yet still in good spirits—picked themselves up with a sense of comical camaraderie.
They acted like siblings, filled with easygoing playfulness as they brushed themselves off and made their way out of the library, their laughter lingering in the air behind them.
''AHO!'' Sei and Kenya yelled at the same time with confused faces and anger.
As they carefully scanned the entire area of the library, their eyes caught sight of the unsettling scene where several bookcases had precariously toppled over onto the floor.
"Alright, alright," Kenya said, shutting his eyes tightly as he tried to take a deep breath, working hard to calm himself in the heat of the moment.
Despite his efforts to maintain his composure, he suddenly erupted in a fierce shout, his eyes blazing with fury.
"What the hell sibling!" he exclaimed, frustration and disbelief radiating from him.
Sei watched him with a mix of confusion and bewilderment, her eyes widening as she struggled to find the words to express her feelings.
She remained silent, caught up in the moment, and her heart raced as she tried to make sense of everything happening around her.
Suddenly, a brilliant light flooded the room, streaming in through the window and illuminating every corner as if the sun had burst forth with intensity.
BOOM!
+Note Aho (アホ) means Baka (バカ)= fool