12 Seasons in the Sun

In a hidden warehouse not far from the Bell Family Estate...

"Sebas, have you been slacking as of late?" Heinz asked the Maxwell family butler in front of him while casually flipping a throwing knife in his hand. He frowned as he gazed at the dead body lying a few meters away from him.

The dead man's limbs were bent into impossible positions and his head was permanently turned to the right. Even in death, there was a look of anguish in the man's face. Clearly, he suffered immeasurable pain during his last moments.

"I don't want bugs creeping in my territory you know? You better 'step up your game' my friend. Do you really want me to clean up your mess for you?"

Heinz was answered with a chuckle as the man wearing a black suit removed the white gloves from his hands. "Heinz, the only way to kill a big snake is to lure it out of its nest. Even if you kill a small one, more will come to take its place. Why not catch one and wrangle some answers from it? I think this approach is much better than mindless killing."

"You have a point. So, did you get the answers you were looking for?"

"Not much. The mastermind was not stupid and merely sent a disposable pawn. However, I did get some interesting information."

"Oh?" Heinz raised a brow at his friend's reply. "What kind of information?"

Sebas made a smile that would make teenage girls squeal in delight. Although he was in his early forties, he was a good looking man. His age only added a sense of maturity to his already suave appearance.

"He said, he was not alone."

"Looks like this week is going to be busy."

"Indeed." Sebas nodded his head. "I will report this to the Madam. Please, could I ask you to help me dispose of the body?"

"Good grief, you just arrived and I'm already cleaning up your mess."

"Thanks Heinz, I owe you one."

-----

Ciel was humming a song as Chloe slept on his lap. Although the weather was nice and the afternoon breeze made them comfortable, the children still decided to rest under the shade of an Ash Tree.

Kate gazed at the sleeping girl with envy. She was seated beside Ciel and leaning on his shoulder. The aggrieved girl was lamenting the fact that she didn't think of doing the same thing in the past. This sly fox really knew how to take advantage of Ciel's kindness!

[Hoh~ who is this girl?]

'Stella? You're finally awake!'

[Mmm, tell me. Who is this little fox that is sleeping on my darling's lap?]

'Hmp! Ciel is not your darling. He is mi(ne)- my best friend!'

Stella chuckled inside Kate's mindscape. Silly girl, you and I share the same body. Do you really think that you could hide things from me? She ignored Kate's stubborness and resumed her questioning.

[Alright, fine. Now tell me who is this girl?]

'Um, you see...' Kate chirped like a baby bird telling her mother about the grievances in her heart. Stella listened and chuckled from time to time. She gazed at the younger girl sleeping peacefully on her darling's lap and smiled.

[This might be a good development.] Stella mused.

Kate needs to develop a backbone, and having a love rival was not necessarily a bad thing. This was what Stella thought and decided to just watch and see what happened. She was not worried about any other girls appearing in front of her and making their moves on Ciel. When push comes to shove, she could just pin Ciel down and have her way with him.

Stella knew she was strong and she didn't want to bully a partially blind girl. She felt that it was beneath her to beat up a disabled person. If Kate didn't act fast enough, she didn't mind teaching Ciel 2+2 and jump to fourth base in one go when they grew older.

(A/N: This is a wholesome novel! Anyone who says otherwise should find me in discord chat!)

[I see. So, what are your plans?]

Stella was curious about what Kate's next move would be.

'Um? Shouldn't you swap with me and fix this problem?'

[...Are you serious?]

'Yes?'

Stella facepalmed and flicked Kate's forehead in their shared mindscape.

[Don't always rely on me. You need to learn how to solve problems on your own. You're already thirteen years old.]

Kate was kicked out of the mindscape. She grimaced and rubbed her forehead. You just woke up and you dare to bully me? Hum, I will not switch with you again!

Ciel noticed Kate's sudden movement. He turned his head and glanced at her. "What's wrong?"

"An annoying pest has woken up," Kate mumbled under her breath.

"Mmm? Pest? Did you get bitten by an ant?" Ciel looked on the ground and on the side of the tree. He didn't notice any ants when they chose this place to rest. However, if there were indeed ants in their position, they would have to change locations. He can't allow the two girls to suffer due to his negligence.

"Ciel, um, can I ask you a question?" Kate fiddled with her fingers. "What is your relationship with Chloe?"

Ciel fixed her gaze on Kate's hazel eyes. He could faintly see his image reflected in them.

"Chloe is my little sister," Ciel replied. A smile broke out of his face and it made Kate's heart skip a beat. "We're not related by blood of course, but for me, she's my precious little sister."

"Th-Then who's more important to you?" Kate asked anxiously. "Chloe or Me?"

"Both of you are important," Ciel answered without batting an eye. "Comparing the two of you is like comparing which season I liked the most. Winter season is cold and it's a time when snow falls from the sky. Many people dislike the snow because it blocks the road and makes things difficult for them. However, it is also the season where we celebrate Christmas."

"A time of merry making, exchanging gifts, and spreading the good cheer." Ciel paused and placed his hand over Kate's hand. "Then we have Spring. A time where the flowers bloom and the world regains its colors. It is also a time of growth as Winter gracefully leaves the stage with a bow."

"How about Summer?" Kate asked. She completely forgot her question and waited for Ciel to continue his explanation about the seasons.

"Summer... personally I don't like this season because it gets quite hot," Ciel shook his head helplessly. "However, it is also the time when people go to the beach to enjoy their summer vacation. Some say that it is the perfect time to go traveling and go on an adventure. As for me? I'd rather stay home."

"Ciel, let's go to the beach!"

"Alright. I'll accompany you, but I'll tell you now that I don't know how to swim."

"Eh? You don't know how to swim?" Kate's eyes glittered. "There is something that you can't do?"

Ciel scratched his cheek because of Kate's straightforward question. "I can't do everything. There are some things that I can and can't do."

"Ciel, swimming is easy. If you like I could teach you."

[Ahem! Allow me to teach darling. That way I could 'touch' and guide his body with a valid reason!]

'Shut up and go back to the peanut gallery Stella! I. Would. Be. The. One. Teaching. Ciel!'

[Hmp!]

The two glared at each other in their shared mindscape unwilling to back down. Their standoff was broken when Ciel spoke once again.

"After Summer, we have Fall. This season is..."

"Fall is?"

"The season I met you."

'Kuh!'

[Kuh!]

Kate and Stella received damage. It's super effective!

"Although I don't dislike Fall, I don't particularly like it either. However…" Ciel's light-blue eyes glimmered for a brief moment as he stared at Kate. "I think that I'm also starting to like this season of the year."

Kate squirmed in her seat. She could tell that the warm feeling coursing through her heart was a good thing, but she has to act like a proper lady in front of Ciel. She raised her chin and looked at the sky. A tinge of red was creeping on her face, but she pretended that it didn't exist.

Then it happened.

Kate's hand went to the back of Ciel's head and gently drew him close towards her. Then, his lips were sealed with a kiss. It happened so quickly, that there was no time for him to react.

It was only a short kiss. Kate backed away leaving a dumstruck boy in its wake. Ciel stared at the girl in front of her in shock.

Kate merely smiled and gave him a mischievous wink.

"Darling, I think I'm starting to like Fall too."

'Stellaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! You're dead!'

Ciel blinked once then twice. He still couldn't wrap his head on the sudden kiss he received from Kate. It was not like he didn't like it, he was just surprised because he didn't expect Kate to steal a kiss from him. He didn't know that Kate had this aggressive side to her.

Stella gave a hearty laugh as she returned to their shared mindscape, leaving Kate with an embarrassed flush on her face.

"Um, Ciel, this is a misunderstanding." Kate waved her hand in front of her nervously.

"The only misunderstanding here is your existence! Stay away from Big Brother! Big Brother is Mine!"

Chloe glared at Kate and huffed in indignation. She still hadn't kissed his Big Brother on the lips and this thieving cat just went ahead and did it under her nose. If she didn't teach this girl a lesson, then she had a feeling that her Big Brother would really be taken away from her.