The bullying only continued after that.

She, realizing that I was not repentant in the slightest, continued to threaten and even humiliate me in public.

She, or one of her underlings, would do things like lift up my dress in public, exposing my panties to the world. Or splashing a water spell at me, making me soaking wet, making me late for the next class as I had to change back in my dorm room (while humiliating me as well since my dress would also turn translucent because of it). Or even outright stripping or destroying me out of my clothes while I was in front of the class doing a presentation.

Now that I thought about it, a lot of her bullying involved making me have wardrobe malfunctions in public. I suppose she thought it would be the ultimate humiliation for a girl like me.

No, what annoyed me the most was not that (even though it was indeed very humiliating).

It was how half, no, two-thirds of the academy seemed to fawn over her.

To them, she was basically their idol that could do no wrong. The girls admired how "elegant" she looked, while the boys, well, they were all entranced by her beauty and her larger-than-average boobs, that she gleefully showed off by her low neckline.

Perverts. All of them. Both her and those boys.

I'm so glad that my Hugo isn't like that. He's a gentleman, through and through.

A couple of times my dress was blown upwards in the wind as we played, and every single time he would avert his gaze.

Honestly, if he's the one taking a look, I wouldn't mind that much…

Once again, I started to think about my little brother with a smile and a blush.

Oh Hugo, I missed you already…

Without you around, it feels… lonely…

That was the conclusion that came to me.

I was lonely.

No one really got close to me, knowing that I was the target of Merinda. They didn't want to earn her wrath as well.

There were even those who thought that I deserved all the harassment I was receiving for "daring to defy Lady Merinda", whatever that meant.

In the end, throughout the entirety of my first year, I couldn't make a single friend.

Of course, I didn’t divulge any of that in my letters back home. For all they knew, I had a perfectly happy and normal school life over here.

Why? I didn’t even know it myself.

I tried to justify it in my mind, saying things like “I don’t want to burden Father even more than he already is”, or “I don’t want to worry Hugo.”

However, I knew that it wasn’t the real reason. Not in the slightest.

Perhaps I simply refused to admit any of my own weaknesses, denying to show any of them to the world.

Oh Hugo, please forgive your sister for her faults...

-----

“Sis! What kind of spells did you learn there? Tell me all about it!”

We were now sitting in the dining room, having roast chicken for our dinner, along with some bacon strips, eggs, and vegetable soup.

It was a more lavish meal than usual. I suppose it was to celebrate my return.

I sat across Hugo, who was still all smiling and happy ever since I returned.

I couldn't help but smile in return.

"Let's save the magic talk for later, you two," Mother said with her own smile as she placed our plates. "Marina, how long are you going to stay? The entire summer?"

"Yes, Mother," I took a sip of the vegetable soup.

Warm and delicious. The food I got served with at the cafeteria couldn't even compare.

I mostly remained silent at the table, only answering questions shortly and promptly.

Even as I was surrounded by my family's warmth, I couldn't relax fully, like how I used to a year ago.

Because I knew I was lying to them.

----

I left the table first, excusing myself by saying how I was still tired from my trip.

Hugo gave me a concerned look, which only hurt me even more.

I went to my room immediately. After changing into my nightgown, I buried myself in my pillow, hoping that I would fall asleep immediately.

After two hours of stirring and shifting however, no luck.

I could not sleep after all.

Hugo…

My mind suddenly returned back to my little brother.

And then, a strange desire came into me.

I wanted to sleep with him.

W-we never did something like that before after all.

I-it’s only fair to do it at least once. Before we both get even older, making it even more awkward.

I-it’s something brothers and sisters do. I-it’s completely normal.

With red cheeks, I stood up.

And I began to walk towards his room, tiptoeing so that Father and Mother wouldn’t notice.

I now stood in front of his door.

I was about to knock, but I realized that he must already be asleep already at this hour.

And so I pushed it open on my own.

The room was pitch black as expected, and he was sleeping peacefully on the bed in the corner of the room.

I closed the door behind me. Even locking it. Just in case.

Still with crimson on my face, that was thankfully obscured by the dark, I walked over to his bed.

“H-Hugo… c-can I… c-can I sleep with you? J-just for tonight, I-I promise...”