"Bronya, you... Is that really how little you think of me..."
Scratching her head, Herta found that her brain had momentarily frozen.
Had they still been in her original world, anyone who described Ms. Herta that way would probably have been treated as a lunatic and a heretic.
She was Herta, a member of the Genius Society. Even in the scientific community, she was an unattainable flower on a lofty peak, admired by all.
"No, it's because I think of you as my closest sister that I don't worry about those things."
"So what if Herta is an idiot? I like having someone like that as my best friend!"
Smoothing her wind-tousled hair a little, Bronya looked at Herta, her beautiful amber eyes filled with sincerity.
"Oh... That's more like it..."
"Herta, you aren't lying to me, are you? You'll really come back to see me?"
"Of course! I even swore to heaven. You still don't believe me?"
"What if I'm no longer here when you come back..."
Her eyes narrowing slightly, Bronya looked toward the distant, vast blue sky and spoke in all seriousness.
"Then... that won't matter either. Wherever you are, I'll find you!"
"Let me tell you a little secret. This sister of yours is the most, most, most amazing super genius. There really aren't many things in the world I can't do..."
Folding her arms across her chest, the contours of her proud, snowy peaks trembling slightly, Herta raised her head, her cute little face full of pride.
"You don't even think before you brag..."
"I'm telling the truth! I'm not lying to you, Bronya!"
Herta looked at Bronya's face, her eyes filled with earnestness, without the slightest evasion or hesitation.
"All right, all right... I believe you, okay?"
"Speaking of which, Herta, I'm really a