I’ll Live A Long Life to Adore My Absolute Fave—Currently My Stepbrother!

My sloppy drawing now hung on the wall of this spacious mansion.

The oil paints in this world were quite difficult for me to use; the colours wouldn’t spread out and blend as I wished. I also struggled a lot when the oil and the coloured pigments didn’t mix well–I’d like for the painters here to teach me their ways. 

But after painting on the canvas a few times, I finally got to the point where I could show it to someone. When I showed Father my painting of Brother with a perfect smile on his face, he hung it up without a second thought—in his office.

That piece was actually still in my trial-and-error phase, so I was still not satisfied with the end result. In fact, I was going to paint over it again, but my hand wouldn’t move– even if I had drawn it badly I couldn’t bear to cover up my brother’s smile. At that moment, Father entered my room to check up on me and asked, “How are you getting on with your painting?” Then, seeing the completed painting, he simply took it away. 

By the way, another set of canvases arrived afterwards. Father, did you want me to draw instead of study?

I washed the brushes and carefully stored them, before letting out a sigh as I looked at the white canvas.

I studied hard during my study hours, drew in between, and went for lunch with Brother once a week. At night, we played a bit with Luna to tire her out so she could sleep easier. Actually, this was usually done by the maids, but this was one of my few chances to see my family.. I frolicked around with Luna and Brother and read books for her–watching her really soothed me. 

Sometimes, Father would also join us in playing with Luna, rolling on the floor only to be looked at with weird eyes by the maids, but Father couldn’t care less about that. Wow, I admired that side of him.

Today was no different. Luna had started to walk on her own and she was currently placed on Father’s chest, who was already lying on the floor. 

I suggested prohibiting shoes in Luna’s room, Father finding it to be a revolutionary idea– instantly buying a high pile carpet. I couldn’t help my burst of laughter. After that, no one had any scruples on rolling around with Luna. Conventionally, no nobles would raise their children in this manner, but when Father openly claimed with a serious attitude that he would cry if Luna forgot his face, it had become normal for us to frolic on the carpet here.

On another note, whenever Brother returned from school, he and Bruno always went straight to the greenhouse or the laboratory, always preoccupied. 

Does he forget how old he is? Isn’t he only thirteen? 

When I accidentally muttered that thought, Brother was amused as he looked my way, stroking my head with a far off gaze. “If you say that, Alba, your painting hanging on the wall of Father’s office is also not something that could be done by a nine-year-old. Alba is really a genius.”

“I’m no genius, but I was thinking that it would be nice to live off of painting” 

“Then Father and I will be your patrons. After you graduate from the academy, you can just stay here and paint all you like. Ah, but selling the paintings might be a bit complicated…”

“Well, my paintings are still too bad to even be shown to others.”

“No, I don’t mean that.”

In my past life, I had only been doing digital art, so with the different painting techniques here, I still couldn’t reach the point where I could be satisfied with my own work. I took pride in my atsunuri technique1 but I had never really done any serious oil painting before. What a regrettable thing! If only I studied this kind of painting properly before, I could have captured every wonderful moment of Brother’s with ease and perfection. Urgh, all I could do now was work hard on my own. 

Seeing me so hyped up, Brother only wryly smiled and advised me to practise moderation as he ruffled my unruly hair.

.

Time passed and without any accidents, our princess had started to walk on her two stubby legs and we could not take our eyes off her while I had reached the age to start school.

I looked at my figure in the mirror nervously, donned in my brand new uniform–a white blouse with an embroidered collar and freshly polished shoes. After today, I’d be attending junior high. Just wearing the same uniform as Brother was enough to overly excite me, causing others to warn me about toning it down. It would be regrettable if I were to develop a seizure from this excitement and fail to attend the entrance ceremony.

Anyway, I would go to school with my brother every day from now on–if I got excited each time, things would get difficult. I just had to get used to it.

“Ah, but what should I do if I bump into Brother at the academy…! I don’t think I can’t stop myself from running towards him…!” I worriedly said.

Sven reassured me, “It’s alright, young master. You’ve trained yourself from doing that during your weekly lunches at the academy–haven’t you succeeded already?”

“Oh yes! I did that! But still, if I happen to see Brother running around or his handsome studying figure, what shall I do…?!”

“I believe you will do well. Every day you’ve seen him frolicking around with Luna and you managed to control yourself. You will get used to the sight of him running and studying for sure.”

“That’s right! I’m ready to go! I’ll do my best at the academy! In order not to taint Brother’s name! Sven, thank you so much!” I shouted with all eagerness, and then turned around and saw Brother covering his mouth with his palm, shoulders shaking.

Ah, being able to witness Brother’s laughter on such a fine morning, am I in heaven?

Father then complimented me, “I couldn’t be happier to see Alba in that uniform, it suits you so well. From today onwards, do your best to take it easy. Of course, if you are not feeling well, tell us immediately.”

“Yes! Father, thank you for preparing my uniform. It really feels like a dream to be able to wear this. I’ll do my best!”

I could see Father looking at me with moist eyes; The emotional atmosphere almost swept me up into tears as well. In fact, I never thought that I would be wearing the same uniform as my brother and going to the academy. My current self was all thanks precisely to the effort put in by Bruno and Brother. 

Thinking of all this, I felt elated in Father’s tight embrace.

“Do your best. And be absolutely sure not to force yourself.”

“Yes.”

Father released me and took a breath before staring at me solemnly and continuing, “Until now, not a single child with Launen’s disease has ever attended the school. you might find the place to be a bit frantic, but I am sure that Orsis and Bruno will help you. Don’t hold back and go to Orsis if you encounter any problems. Do you understand?”

I see. Barely any child with Launen’s disease could celebrate their ninth birthday; that made me a one-of-a-kind case in this world, the exception among exceptions. However, the drug developed by Bruno should have already been popularised, so more children with this disease would live past the age of nine from here on. Father reminded me that I should live up to my life as a pioneer of the Launen’s disease survivors.

I supposed my family also had many difficulties all this time.

They must’ve thought of dissuading me from attending the academy, but as they witnessed how excited I was that I could go together with Brother to the academy, even if only for a year, they couldn’t bear to bring that up. I was glad they didn’t since this was the only thing I wouldn’t compromise.

Mother and Luna stayed at home while Brother, Father, Sven and I boarded the coach. Sven accompanied Father as his attendant. I was a bit embarrassed when Sven looked at me with a benevolent gaze, as though he was my actual grandfather, filled with emotions to see my entrance ceremony in person. 

When we arrived at the academy, Father and Sven headed to the auditorium while Brother insisted on sending me to my classroom. I was already familiar with this compound, as my classroom was also nearby Brother’s former classroom; I would be okay going by myself. Even when I reasoned like that, Brother still wouldn’t relent. In the end, he coaxed me by saying, “I want to send you. I can’t?” 

I surrendered in an instant.

Brother, shooo cute~~ You know I can’t refuse if you say it like that, don’t you? But I like it!

Brother pulled my hand and together we went to my classroom. In the corridors, youthful, bright-eyed new students were making a lot of noise. Perhaps it was because I was used to looking at Brother and Bruno that the other students around me looked so juvenile, even though I was the same age as them. 

Even worse though, was that my body was smaller than theirs. I remembered that my uniform was the smallest size when it was ordered to be made. With a smile, Father had told me to inform him when my current uniform felt tight so they could order a new one, but I earnestly felt it would be a waste of money to make them again and again. When I muttered that, Father and Sven made a complicated face.

As I walked down the corridor with Brother,  I noticed that for whatever reason, everyone was watching us.

How should I describe it? I felt like all the students’ eyes were glued to me. Huh? Was there anything wrong with my uniform? It couldn’t be, mine was the same as everyone else’s… Then, what was this? Baffled, I glanced at Brother and there I saw his sleek and handsome figure with a composure belonging to an upperclassman. 

Ah, it’s him! Everyone’s attention is on him.

That made sense. I was relieved to figure out the meaning of their stares and then Brother sharply swept his gaze around us. They were all stopped in their tracks by that piercing stare. 

Aaaah, Brother is so damn cool winning everyone over simply with his eyes! I want him to look at me that way too!

Author’s note:

Sven: “If anyone were to ask whether he’ll grow so fast that his uniform has to be remade again and again… It would be quite difficult to answer.”

Alba’s father: “If he grows up that fast, I’ll be more than glad to order new uniforms… But Alba doesn’t seem to understand that money is not the problem here…”

chocolala: Alba also seems to forget he’s now in a ducal family that never has problem with money, but everyone is cute pitying Alba for his slow growth…
voeaki: why does it seem like the implication here is the fact that alba won’t live long enough to get a bigger uniform– anyways! alba!! in uniform!!! so small!!!! so cute!!!!!