The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 40

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 40

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding a Lot

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"Thank you for inviting me to dinner. See you tomorrow, Ruby."

And just like that, the boy vanished without a second thought—arrogant or polite, who could tell...

Tremble, tremble, tremble.

An earthquake hit the table.

"Phew... Stop crying now."

Grandfather muttered while eyeing his rock-hard fist clenched tight.

"I'll help you work through that grudge soon enough."

"Grandfather... Please don't talk to your fist..."

"Hmph."

Uncle was already propping his chin on his hand, watching the scene unfold. I let out a hollow laugh and scratched my temple.

"Sorry about that, Uncle. Khalid's been through a lot since he was little, so he can be a bit socially awkward..."

"I like his spirit, though."

"Huh?"

Uncle glanced back at Grandfather, who was still calming his rampaging fist.

"Father."

"Phew, fine."

"You've been bored lately, haven't you? And you're in good shape."

"...? I don't know what you're getting at, but show some respect for your elders, eh?"

"It's time to raise the talent you've been waiting for."

"..."

What was that about?

As I watched quietly, Uncle turned his head. A massive question mark floated over Void's face as he chewed his food.

"It'll be good motivation for Void, too."

"Huh?"

Oh, I got it.

I quickly pieced together Uncle's intention.

Grandfather had always wanted to train sturdy northern knights. Khalid clearly had potential—just look at how he passed the entry test—so he was saying to raise him right.

"And Ruby, too..."

"Yes, sir!"

I answered briskly. Believe it or not, I was a member of the Jebert Knights myself.

Training with Grandfather? It'd be tough, but I was curious!

"Ruby, too..."

But Uncle just furrowed his brow and trailed off.

"...Why does this feel so off?"

"Huh?"

Uncle shot me a deeply reluctant look. He was sneakily trying to dump that pickled eggplant back onto my plate.

You jerk!

"Anyway, I'll leave the kids to you."

"Got it!"

Grandfather grabbed his plate and shoveled in the mountain of steak.

He barely chewed a few times before swallowing and jumping to his feet.

"Alright! My blood's pumping now! I'll whip these little boogers into shape!"

A nobleman's dinner etiquette worse than a mercenary kid's...

I took advantage of everyone staring at Grandfather to successfully drop the eggplant on the floor.

Void's face had gone from pale blue to looking positively bruised.

Seeing that made me suddenly worried. If even thunderbolt-headed Void was scared...

'Grandfather's training must be brutally intense.'

"I don't like anything too tough..."

I muttered without thinking, and Grandfather gasped dramatically.

"Argh, who said anything about making it tough for you?! You can just sit in Grandpa's arms and watch..."

Creeeak, creak.

Grandfather's expression soured in real time as he mulled over his own words.

"...But just watching won't cut it?"

The exact same look Uncle had made earlier.

A tiny mutter slipped out.

Why did it feel so off...?

Void Jebert was deep in thought.

"Young Master, would you like some tea?"

"No..."

"Oh, but it's your favorite fruit tea..."

He ignored the maids' fussing, chin propped on his study desk. His smooth brow was deeply furrowed.

'Ruby's my little sister...'

Tap. Tap. His index finger drummed a steady rhythm on the desk.

'That punk from earlier... He's her friend.'

Khalid, was it?

The guy who popped up out of nowhere.

They said he was Rubian's friend from back home, come all this way to find her.

Sure. That made sense.

'Liam's friends visit sometimes, too.'

But...

'Why does he bug me so much?'

Void's brow furrowed even deeper.

It was inexplicable. This feeling, this emotion...

Like someone was yanking away his precious little sister...

"Dude, when your little sis brings home some mangy mutt calling it her boyfriend? Man, it's a total mindfuck."

"Huh? You're not even close with your sister."

"Sigh, what do you know? It's not about being close or not."

"Huh."

Why was that academy buddy's words popping into his head?

"What's wrong with me?"

Void shook his head gravely. His thick black hair fluffed up messily.

'Is it because Ruby's so small and weak and pale?'

That sneaky thief of a guy was taller than him and all dark and grubby. Those dirty eyes were just like Father's...

"Gasp. Talking smack about Father."

Void shook his head again.

Anyway, if that jerk messed with her, Ruby would get steamrolled.

"Ah, that's it!"

Void shot to his feet.

Yeah, that was the worry! As her big brother, what if that creep treated her badly? Or led her astray?

"I really need to keep an eye on her."

To make sure he remembered his resolve, Void pulled out his diary. His hand paused as he reached for the pen.

'But... what if she ends up liking that punk more than me?'

"Haha... Not very brotherly."

Void rubbed his brow and shook his head.

Act mature, Void Jebert. You're already in your third year at the academy...

He steeled himself and flipped through the diary again. His hand stopped once more.

Nth Month, Nth Day, Nth Weekday / Weather: Cloudy / Mood: Awesome

Achieved 100 sword swings today!

Uncle Obron praised me big time. Gave me raspberries as a reward, but they were super sour...

...

Had dinner with Ruby...

...

Tomorrow, even harder!

Perfect content. Perfect structure.

The problem was the pink handwriting that had snuck in at the end.

"Argh! She peeked again!"

This demon! Void bolted upright.

No matter how well he hid it, how did she find it every day?!

"Young Master! No running!"

No one could stop the boy as he dashed out like an arrow.

Bang! He flung open the door. Rubian, lounging on her bed fiddling with a pale purple stone, looked up.

"Look at me!"

"Huh? What's up?"

That innocent, clueless face!

Void glared at Rubian, huffing indignantly.

"Your peeking at my diary... Who was that guy earlier?!"

"Huh?"

"Who was that guy?!"

Rubian tilted her head and sat up straight.

'Damn. What am I even saying.'

He'd barged in using the diary as an excuse, but facing her clear face made totally different words spill out.

The diary clutched in one hand was already forgotten.

"That guy! The one with the washed-out night-sky hair!"

"Khalid? I told you, he's my friend."

"How old is he! He was taller than me—how's he your friend?!"

"Uh... Twelve."

"See?!"

"I'm pretty mature for my age. I have lots of older friends!"

The maknae's beaming smile.

Somehow, Void's stomach burned.

"But why are you suddenly like this?"

"I don't know!"

"Huh?"

"You're my sister—how can you have a friend closer than me?!"

"Well, you have friends too, Brother."

"That's different!"

Rubian cocked her head. Her neatly trimmed silver hair shifted smoothly.

A pin delicately tucked by her right ear.

Today's was a squirrel. Damn... My sister is so cute!

"What's the problem?"

"I don't know!"

He yelled on instinct, and Rubian pursed her lips slightly.

"...But why are you mad at me since earlier?"

"..."

"You barge in and start grilling me..."

Gasp. Void swallowed hard.

Her milky cheeks puffed up just a bit. Lately, the maknae had a little chub on her cheeks—adorably so, times a hundred.

But this was bad. She was one step from pouting.