Path of the Extra Chapter 379: Leo Karumi [13]

"This is the last thing I ever thought would occur in a thousand years."

Nathan grinned, yet he partially hid his face, as though unsure if he should chuckle or dismiss it as an illusion.

"I can’t decide which shocks me more," he remarked. "You consenting to assist with the year-end celebration... or you truly permitting Lea to visit here."

"Well," Lea murmured gently, rubbing her cheek with a bashful grin, "plenty of events led up to this moment..."

They rested against the kitchen counter side by side, near enough to seem relaxed, distant enough to prevent the grown-ups from overhearing without effort. Past them, the lounge brimmed with guests.

The children—including Lia—sat on the rug in the room's center, gathered near toy vehicles, everyone but Lia donning those silly triangular party hats. The grown-ups, including Leo and Lia’s mother and father, lounged on the sofa and seats, conversing with family, neighbors, and anyone else Jeanne had summoned.

A crowd filled the house today—larger than Leo anticipated. He hadn’t known his younger sibling had so many companions.

Even so, he paid attention to Lea and fought the impulse to roll his eyes while responding in his typical flat voice.

"What she’s saying is that she followed me from campus, shadowed me across the roads, grew sentimental in the downpour to persuade me, and laid on the guilt—prior to treating me to apple pie and aiding me in selecting a present for my sibling."

"H-hey, don’t phrase it that way!" Lea fretted, her cheeks flushing crimson.

Then, as though the reality hurt, her posture slumped and she gazed downward.

"B-but... I suppose I can’t really refute it..."

"Hah."

Nathan uttered a brief chuckle, still appearing dazed.

But Lea abruptly lifted her head, her eyes broadening.

"Hold on—did you mention I guilted you?!" she exclaimed.

"Did I actually succeed in doing that to you?"

She inclined toward Leo, her eyes almost glittering.

Leo gave a sly smile, entertained.

"What’s your guess?"

In mere moments, her face dropped once more. Her expression soured as she averted her gaze, pouting.

"Of course... as if that would ever occur," she grumbled.

"You stupid evil prince."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Dodging his look, she raised her glass and sipped her strawberry drink.

Leo held a glass as well—his fourth serving of apple juice that day. Nathan had apple juice too, naturally.

Following a large swallow, Lea glanced back at Leo.

"Truthfully, this feels somewhat unexpected," she confessed. "I learned your family is wealthy, so I imagined a grand estate or similar. I even put on nicer clothes since I wasn’t sure about the sort of... high-class home I was entering."

"High-class?" Leo echoed.

"What films have you been viewing?"

He drank a bit and went on, as if clarifying an evident fact.

"And no, we don’t require an estate. My father travels frequently, and my parents both believe it’s excessive. They’re seldom present—owning a vast home would simply be wasteful. It’d also overwhelm me and Lia living alone there, despite the staff and everything. Anyway... I’m fine with it."

Lea observed him briefly, then whispered to herself,

"You essentially just confirmed you’re incredibly affluent, you know. Wow..."

She exhaled, then offered a gentler smile.

"Even so... your folks truly desire the finest for you and Lia, right?"

"Yeah," Leo replied.

"They constantly seek the best for me."

"And Leo puts in his utmost effort always!" Nathan chimed in cheerfully.

"Hey!"

Before Leo could respond, Nathan slung an arm over his shoulder with a mischievous smile.

"You see, Lea," Nathan continued, "Leo’s genuinely a mama’s boy. He adores her."

"Nathan. I’m on the verge of snapping your arm."

"Sorry, sorry!" Nathan chuckled, releasing him at once.

Lea giggled as well, and Leo’s spirits sank slightly.

"I observed that," Lea noted, beaming.

"Yesterday, during his scolding when he was truly paying attention."

Leo tsked and drank more.

"It’s my mom," he grumbled, irritated.

"Why wouldn’t I heed her?"

It seemed ordinary. It was anticipated. Their gazes toward him—kind, entertained—only worsened his discomfort.

He faced away, tsking once more.

That’s when the trio spotted Lia beginning to unwrap the presents. Attention turned to the lounge, and the chatter hushed into eager waiting.

Lia ripped open the initial package.

It turned out to be a pink bracelet crafted from plastic.

The room erupted in cheers and applause—except for Leo, Lea, and Nathan.

"That’s ridiculously inexpensive," Nathan murmured.

Leo and Lea agreed with nods.

Lea’s look grew tense.

"Obviously, the parent of that child feels threatened by Lia," she whispered harshly. "Handing her an item that’ll clash with her style. Grown-ups can be truly repulsive."

Leo and Nathan regarded Lea with slight astonishment—nearly admiring.

"President..." Nathan breathed.

"I didn’t expect you to criticize adults so harshly."

Leo concurred, similarly taken aback.

"Indeed. I figured you’d flatter them despite knowing their duplicity. You come off as such a perfect student."

"E-eh? F-flatter? Perfect student?" Lea stammered, her eyes darting between them.

"Wh-what do you guys think I am...?"

Then, sensing the scrutiny, she straightened up.

"I-I’m not a perfect student!" she declared.

"I-I can misbehave too! Yes—I can act really naughty as well!"

Leo and Nathan both grinned slyly. Nathan bent closer and teased in a whisper.

"Prez... have you ever uttered a swear word?"

"A-a swear word?"

"Yes, a swear word. Like for instan—mpfgh!"

Lea swiftly covered Nathan’s mouth with her hand and pressed a finger to her lips, silencing him.

"I get what a swear word means, you fool!" she snapped quietly. "We’re at a child’s birthday gathering. Why on earth would I use a swear word!?"

"...Whoa," Nathan muttered into her hand.

"You just did."

Leo began clapping slowly, seeming impressed. Lea shot him a glare.

"When did I?!"

"You said, ’Why on earth,’ and ’you fool,’" Leo answered steadily.

"That qualifies."

"No, it doesn’t!"

"Given how you phrased it, it does."

"T-that—"

Lea went silent, unable to respond. She inflated her cheeks, sulked, and released Nathan’s mouth.

Nathan breathed out and ruffled his hair.

"Prez, don’t get so agitated. We’re only teasing," he assured her. "And don’t heed us too much—particularly Leo’s got a wicked streak! Believe me, you wouldn’t want his influence! I speak from experience as one of his targets!"

"Nathan. Do you wish to die right now?"

Nathan jabbed a finger at him, smirking.

"See?"

Their squabbling persisted until fresh applause drew their focus to the lounge. Lia had just expressed thanks for a stuffed fox—now hugged tightly—and reached for the subsequent gift sack.

"Wow..." Nathan uttered abruptly, eyeing her.

"Your sibling is truly charming."

Leo and Lea fixed him with dull, unimpressed stares.

"What?" Nathan objected.

"You can’t argue it! She appears so sweet holding that fox!"

"Why the fixation on foxes?" Leo inquired.

"I simply enjoy them, that’s it!"

"You like them excessively," Leo stated flatly.

"Perhaps you’re fixated."

"I’m not!"

"You were sketching a fox when we first encountered each other."

Nathan tensed, then retorted, embarrassed.

"W-well... you’ve no grounds to judge! You’re fixated on apples!"

"You are too," Leo countered.

"Recall? It was a fox munching an apple."

"Ugh..."

Nathan, bested, turned aside and brooded. Leo found it irksome, not endearing.

Lea, however, appeared deeply intrigued.

"Fox? Apples?" she questioned.

"How did you two first connect?"

Nathan’s features twisted into a sinister smile—then he swapped it for a theatrical, sorrowful pose, one hand on his cheek.

"It happened in a grim phase of my existence," he intoned gravely. "Amid foes and starvation, I clutched only a branch... with sand abrading my soles. As adversaries were set to attack, Leo positioned himself before me and rescued me—emerging as my savior... and the affection of my heart."

Revulsion washed over Leo’s countenance. Lea seemed torn between laughter and seeking aid.

"U-um... Nathan," Lea ventured cautiously, pausing before blurting, "is... is your mind okay?"

"My mind?" Nathan cocked his head.

"No? It’s in excellent shape."

"Your folks are deceiving you," Leo stated promptly.

"H-hey! Stop that!" Nathan fired back.

"Plus, my mother’s present—we could inquire immediately!"

Before the banter escalated, Lia neared them, and they noticed the entire space observing.

It was nearly remarkable how fast the three composed themselves—calm, blameless—as if they hadn’t been mocking one another moments prior.

Lia neared holding a lovely green headband.

"That’s our gift, right?" Leo murmured, eyeing Lea.

"Shouldn’t you know?" Lea whispered in reply.

"And didn’t we decide it was joint?"

"Just admit you’re too stingy to get a child a gift."

"T-that’s false!" Lea whispered sharply. "It was too rushed to purchase another. Moreover, your mother kept urging me not to get one and suggested we treat yesterday’s as a shared purchase!"

Leo prepared to answer, but Lia was now near, forcing him to quiet.

He peered down at her, intrigued despite his reluctance.

Would she appreciate it? Would she despise it?

Positioned before him, Lia extended the headband and gazed up with anxious eyes.

Leo felt irritated—not toward her, but at the silence enveloping the room. Grown-ups and children watched as if he performed.

Lia then lowered her sight, concealing her features while offering the headband.

"...You dislike the gift?" Leo questioned, bewildered.

He wasn’t alone; Lea and Nathan appeared equally baffled.

Lia shook her head swiftly.

"No," she breathed faintly.

"I-I want big brother to place it on me... please."

Nevertheless, Leo assented.

"Okay..."

Beneath the collective stare, Leo knelt and took one knee. He accepted the headband from Lia.

Then, delicately—while the space seemed to pause—he fitted it onto her head, tweaking until it aligned ideally.

At once, he detected camera clicks.

Leo suppressed a sigh, concealing any revealing emotion.

Next, the applause and cheers burst forth.

Leo checked his parents and struggled to maintain neutrality.

His mother and father both raised their phones, snapping photos—with flashes blazing, as though capturing a star.

Leo disregarded them and concentrated on Lia.

She hadn’t raised her eyes yet. Her hands rested atop her head, guarding the headband.

"Something more?" Leo inquired.

"Can... can you lean in?"

Though puzzled, he bent nearer.

"...!"

Abruptly, Lia surged ahead, encircling his neck with her arms.

And Leo sensed a gentle touch on his cheek—for an instant.

A kiss. She had kissed him.

Before reacting, Lia retreated, spun, and dashed to the group, her tone even tinier as she shouted:

"Thanks for the gift...!"

Strangely, the cheers intensified. Additional camera sounds rang out.

Leo lingered, his fingers brushing his cheek, stunned.

"You were correct," Lea whispered, beaming.

"She’s genuinely lovable."

Nathan bobbed his head, smiling widely.

Leo tightened his jaw and rose.

"I need some air."

Nathan’s smile turned into a sly grin.

"What, does your little sister’s fondness ward off your grim violent urges?"

"Hold on—what grim violent urges?" Lea queried, perplexed.

Leo merely scowled at Nathan and departed.

"What of the cake?" Nathan yelled behind him.

"If questioned," Leo responded over his shoulder, "say I’ll return shortly."

"Fine," Nathan answered.

"Hurry back."

As Leo exited, his disposition remained sour.

It baffled him. Why this abrupt warmth from his young sister? Leo had never acted as a true elder sibling. He viewed her as more bother than kin.

Regardless, it was foolish. Leo lacked the desire to embrace elder brother duties now.

Thinking that, he arrived at the entrance and swung the door wide—

Only to encounter an unfamiliar man in a dark coat, arm extended in surprise, halted just before ringing the bell.

Leo concealed his frustration and inquired calmly,

"Who might you be?"

The man’s face lit with a courteous grin.

"Oh, you’re Leo Karumi! Pleased to meet you. I’m Detective Nolan."