Only Ryan, Sorcha and Aria are still on the table finishing their breakfast. After Anthony left, they talked a bit more about some random stuffs.When they were about to finish, Ryan asked Sorcha, "Where should we stay?"
"Ah, is it alright in the garden?" She asked him back.
"Mm. Anywhere is fine."
"I"ll ask Aunt Claire to prepare some snacks for you later." Aria interrupted them.
"Thanks mom." "Thank you Mrs. Barrons." They simultaneously said.
"No problem. If you need anything just call me, I"ll be upstairs."
Then they both nodded.
The sweet smell of the peonies at the entrance greeted them. There are red and white orchids beside the pathway towards the table set where the two sat facing each other. A man-made pond can also be seen a few meters away which contain kois that look as if they"re dancing in the water.
The beautiful atmosphere in the garden made the two feel comfortable.
"Your family seems to be very close with each other." Ryan smiled gently at her.
"Mm we are. Please dont mind my dad"s childish behavior. He"s just like that with us" She said.
"Haha I think your father really loves you. It"s my first time seeing this other side of the General. I didn"t know he can laugh like that. He always have a stern look in his face before."
"Yes, I know." She smiled childishly, exposing her cute set of teeth.
Ryan was a bit stunned seeing her. "She can actually smile like that." he thought. He always had the impression that Sorcha is too matured for her age. Seeing her now, he feels like she"s finally acting like a proper child.
Recovering from his daze, he said, "I was surprised when the general told me that you want to join the military."
"Well, I was surprised too when I heard that you used to train for the military." She said.
"I felt like I"m more suited to become a teacher. Don"t you feel the same?" Ryan asked.
"Mm. I think so as well. I like the you now." Sorcha casually answered.
Hearing those ambiguous words, Ryan felt his mouth twitch a bit. Then he hurriedly changed the subject. "Should we start our lessons now?"
"Okay." Sorcha said then focused on what Ryan"s going to teach.
"Let"s first talk about military signals and codes..."
Ryan introduced to her the basic military signals and codes, the ranking system in the military, the general orders, proper conduct for soldiers, and so on. Although Sorcha has read about some of them already, it still feels new to her when Ryan explained everything.
~~
"Thank you very much Mr. Ryan for today." Sorcha said to him.
"Hey, just call me big brother when we"re not in school. I thought we"re quite close already?" Ryan said to her as he watch her changing expressions.
"Uh, but would it be fine?" She scratched her head, hesitating.
"Haha I"ll feel sad if you won"t. I"ve long been wishing to have a little sister" he told her.
"Okay.. big brother." She acquiesced.
Ryan laughed then brushed his hands to her head, "I"m going now. I"ll go back next time."
Ryan saw her pouting when he did that but she just said, "Mm. Take care." Then waved her small hand.
Ryan waved back at her.
"Such a cute little sister." he thought as he leave the mountain.