That afternoon Sayo had shield practice with Lisa. She felt more light hearted than she had in a while, and thus was able to be productive in practice. They worked on parrying, which was an incredibly difficult skill to master. It required precise timing and motion to get right.

Sayo didn't even come close in one session, but she learned the basics.

She was walking back to her quarters to put her practice weapons away when she passed by Hina. Her twin was loitering near the bottom of the stairs, looking around for something. When her eyes landed on Sayo, they lit up. Alas, she must've been waiting for her.

"Big Sis!" Hina called out, jogging to meet Sayo midway. When she spoke again it was at a normal volume, which was subdued for her. "Do you have a few minutes, I need to talk to you about something." She wasn't smiling for once, her expression set in a more neutral place and lips drawn in a line.

"I suppose." Though Sayo was sweaty from practice, she didn't have to be anywhere for a while yet. She had thought earlier about changing things with Hina, perhaps this was her chance.

A hint of a smile appeared on Hina's lips. "Great!" She still managed exuberance even when somber. "There's a room I scouted out over there." With one thumb over her shoulder, she pointed behind her.

Hina spun around in a clumsy turn, one she would usually complete smoothly, walking in the direction she indicated. Sayo followed her down the hall and into an unmarked room.

Once they entered, Hina shut the door behind them. The room only had a table and some chairs; it was likely a meeting space of some kind. The sisters remained standing.

"I've been thinking." Hina started talking, frowning uncharacteristically. She didn't think much either, Sayo thought uncharitably. "And I want to apologize."

This was a surprise. "Really?" Sayo asked, not sure if she could believe it.

"Yes." Hina nodded as she spoke. "I'm not exactly sure what I'm apologizing for, but I'm not completely stupid. I know my presence here is bothering you." Sayo could only breathe and watch. "I don't want to make your life harder, so I've decided something." Hina took a deep breath, seeming to gather herself. A tear appeared in the corner of her eye and she wiped it away. Still Sayo said nothing. "If you still want me to leave, just tell me and I'll go."

She was offering… to leave? That was what Sayo so desperately wanted before, but now she wasn't so sure. Had Hina even changed anything about Sayo's life in this castle, her relationships here? Sayo was the one who brooded and cut people off, the one who pushed people away. She made those mistakes, not Hina.

She always blamed Hina for her problems, but it was time to take responsibility and make a change.

Her friends accepted her for who she was and had given her some great advice. She had to be brave enough to follow through. To stop hating and, at the very least, accept her sister.

It was going to be difficult and she still could slip along the way, but if she didn't try she might as well leave the castle since she'd never be able to face Tsugumi again.

"I won't do that." Sayo shook her head once. "You can stay. I should apologize too, I've treated you awfully since you arrived." It hurt to apologize to Hina, but Sayo knew she owed it to her.

"That's okay!" Hina leapt forward, a toothy grin on her face, and engulfed Sayo in a hug. Sayo returned it gingerly, pushing down the twinge of annoyance. "This is so boppin!"

"Well, it could be nice." Sayo gently pried Hina off her, pushing her back to arm's length. "You have to stop chasing that cat though, understood."

Hina laughed, an open and honest sound. "Sure, as long as it doesn't mess with me!" She lifted one hand to pantomime a cat scratching motion.

That was close enough. "Good." Sayo released her grip in Hina's arms, stepping back to a normal conversation distance. "I don't think you ever told me, what have you been up to for the last year?"

Hina leapt on the opportunity, immediately starting the tale of how she decided to leave home. Sayo listened to her story, which was followed by another and then another. Sure, she felt annoyed at how much Hina talked, but she didn't want to be angry any longer.

She took the first step towards fixing things, towards not hating her twin sister. Now it was time to take the second.

Omake:

People didn't visit the kitchen very often. Sometimes Tomoe stopped by to sample different treats and talk with Saya, while Moca would visit to poke fun at Tsugumi. Sayo came by every day to work, but she could hardly be counted as a visitor.

That was why the arrival of a young woman with shoulder length blue hair was a surprise. She came early in the morning, before many of the castle residents were awake. The new hire, a bright girl named Aya, seemed to know her, since she went over to greet her. They shared a few words before coming towards Tsugumi.

"Tsugumi, this is Hina." Aya introduced the girl, who on closer inspection looked strikingly similar to Sayo. "We traveled together for a while."

"It's so nice to meet you!" Hina grinned brightly. "That's right, Aya and I traveled together. I'm also Sayo's sister!"

Sayo's sister? Had Sayo ever mentioned having a sister? Tsugumi couldn't remember that occurring. She knew Sayo was from far away and thought she didn't have any family nearby.

"That's nice, I know Sayo." Tsugumi returned the smile. "She helps out here."

"Isn't she great!?" If it was possible, Hina lit up even brighter. "Big Sis is so boppin at everything, she's probably great at cooking too!"

"She's a fast learner." Tsugumi didn't mention the many baking mishaps Sayo had suffered. "And a hard worker."

"Of course she is!" Hina puffed out her chest as if she was the one complemented. "Big Sis is the best, don't you agree?"

Tsugumi hesitated at that, only because it was a leading question. "I agree." She said softly, casting her eyes down towards her feet. Not only was Sayo helpful in the kitchen, she was good at fighting too. She carried herself with confidence and made everyone in the castle feel safer.

She did way more than Tsugumi did, that was for sure.

Tsugumi pat her own cheeks to break that thought. She looked at Hina again, noting how her eyes were the exact same shade of green as Sayo's.

Outside of their appearance, they seemed to be nothing alike.

End Arc 3