"Tsubaki Kujuxi."

"Great! We'll meet again, Juxi! Hahaha, goodbye!"

Hmm, quite an unexpectedly optimistic attitude. Yu Nai is the kind of person who treats strangers coldly and ruthlessly, while Yuanhui is completely the opposite, easily getting along with people around him.

Yuanhui came back skipping.

"Wait! Before showing off, let's exchange phone numbers and emails!"

"Oh." Juxi felt the familiar sensation of his head about to explode again, as if the food in his stomach was coming up.

What Juxi never expected was that when he took out his phone to look at the screen, his father had actually given him an unfamiliar number, and the words "elder sister" were written on the note.

Juxi's mind was instantly filled with mixed emotions. Should he... or not.

"Hey!"

A big hand waved in front of Juxi's eyes, "Are you okay? You were lost in thought."

"Uh, sorry, I didn't notice..."

"Huh? Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm really, really fine!"

Yuanhui smiled slightly, "Well then, goodbye!"

"Ah! G-Goodbye!"

After saying their goodbyes, Juxi hurriedly rushed back home, contemplating how to dial the number his father had given him... Got it! He would dial and let the other person speak first!

But he was worried about how to face this girl, as it seemed like another girl might soon occupy his place.

Juxi dared not think further.

He took a shower, turned on the TV and switched to some entertainment programs. The late-night comedy show was just a couple of losers fighting, so he turned off the TV and lay on his bed.

Juxi muttered to himself while looking at his phone, "Should I dial this number or not?"

Hmm! It's probably better to call and ask, but...

Is it... the dreaded illegitimate daughter?

Juxi composed himself and clicked on the number his father had given him.

"Hello, um..."

"Ah, little brother! Why are you calling so late? Our mom... huh? Little brother! Say something!"

(Stunned on the other end of the phone)

Or... is it disgusting?

Nervously, Juxi dialed that string of numbers, "Hello, um... what..."

"Ah, that's my little brother, so annoying. Ah, stop it, darling... Hello, sorry, what did you say earlier... Hello? Why is there no sound?"

Or... is it disillusionment?

It would be more comforting to confront face-to-face. Or maybe... Yukari-san works at a nightclub? His eyebrows furrowed at the thought.

No way! After all, the other person is a young girl, there's no way she would do such unsightly work. But... sigh, what is it about this call that is making me so anxious? Juxi's heart was filled with impatience, wishing to know the other person's identity immediately.

Finally, he gathered the courage and made the call!

"Hello, this is the Arashiyama residence. May I ask who's calling?" A magnetic female voice answered the phone.

The person on the other end was polite and courteous, not as harsh as Juxi had imagined, but...

"Hello, I'm looking for someone."

"Oh? Who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for Arashi Yukari. Is she home?"

"May I ask who's calling?"

"I think I'm her brother, so..."

"Oh, so you're Tsubaki Kyusho?"

"Yes, that's right."

"That's wonderful! We couldn't reach you all day today. Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."

"No, there's no need. Just send me the address, I can go by myself."

"How can that be... Young Master... You don't have to come in person, actually."

Um...

Juxi's hearing became distorted as he listened to the voice on the phone, and even his eyes started to create illusions.

The raging winds and pouring rain tried to hinder Juxi's steps, but he continued running towards the place he longed for, conveying his unreceived intentions. Ignoring the judgmental gazes, he ran through the streets without an umbrella.

Yukari...

All the anticipation in his heart was occupied by that person, and even his heart was filled with a deep longing for Yukari.

Overwhelmed by emotions that struggled to break free, no one understood the burden Juxi carried. Raindrops fell on his cheeks, but this pain was nothing compared to the unhealable wounds he had endured.

Juxi tripped over a brick on the muddy road, and his phone flew meters away, stopping in front of a random house's gate!

"Who left this... Juxi Young Master?"

A maid in a maid outfit was clearing a blocked drain in the garden when she saw Juxi's phone on the ground. Following the phone, she saw a disheveled Juxi.

"Juxi Young Master, please come inside and change quickly. Don't catch a cold!"

Feeling dizzy and nauseous, Juxi suddenly felt no rain above his head. The maid put the umbrella on his head and didn't leave.

The maid's face was pale, but not cold. Her words flowed freely without restraint.

"Who are you?"

"Young Master, we've been waiting for you for a long time."

The maid's complexion did not match that of a normal person, but Juxi no longer cared about such details.

Since it's the Shinomori family, Arashi Yukari must be living in this house. I just need to wait, and Yukari will appear by my side.

Silently comforting myself in my heart, don't worry! Even if she goes on a trip besides her home, it won't take long, right?

"Come inside quickly. If the young lady comes back and sees the Young Master like this, she'll definitely scold me."

The maid grasped my sleeve and pulled me into the house without saying a word. After sitting on the sofa, she immediately brewed tea and handed me a towel.

She had given me countless warmth and caresses, and even though it could be troublesome at times, we would always understand each other. Maybe I was a mess before? Or maybe a carefree playboy?

But the departed soul had regained its radiance after leaving the flesh and gained a chance to reunite. But why do I recall memories from my past life? Is it because of that girl... or maybe...

"It's me, partner."

That tone, so similar to Juxi's, echoed in his mind, and he secretly exclaimed, "Who are you exactly?"

"Do as I say, and I can unravel the doubts in your heart!"

"Hello, may I ask... Juxi?!"

Juxi was shocked and covered his chin, as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight. The girl's simple and pure face represented her dislike for heavy makeup. She appeared like an angel at the entrance of the living room, striking the core of his heart!

"Yuka...!!" He realized his slip of tongue and quickly corrected himself.

Although he corrected himself, the word "sister" was clearly shouted, and Yuka couldn't understand what was going on. "Sister?"

But it seemed like my arrival was a rare and honorable occasion, as Yuka's eyes turned from blue to shiny golden light from the moment I entered the room.

"You came because you changed your mind?"

What change of mind? Did she feel delighted? Another companion in my heart whispered with excitement, the longing from my previous life would transform into the will of this life, so her only goal is to be with you...

"Huh? Isn't it about accepting the marriage proposal?"

Yuka leaned against me with flattery, her gaze seductive, and her hand occasionally wandering on my back, along with those two words "marriage proposal"... It felt a bit creepy.

"Marriage~!!"

Only then did I snap out of my daze. She said a significant word!

"Juxi... brother... Are you okay?"

Before I could cool down from the shock, this "brother" brought me back to reality. How could I be okay when I was already stunned by such a blow?

Life without a sister is like a night without starlight, dim and without radiance...

"It's okay... um... I still have unfinished business, so I'll leave first."

After finding an excuse, Juxi wanted to leave, but unfortunately, the girl who was at the door just now stood in front of the living room like she was giving orders, with a gloomy face, asking, "How can Young Master Juxi leave without listening to Miss's words?"

Listen... listen to what? Are you sure this is not a kidnapping? I sat here holding my breath, not daring to exhale.

The atmosphere became extremely tense.

"Forget it, let Juxi go!"

Originally, I thought I was doomed, but now I was granted amnesty by Yuka. What on earth is happening?

"Maybe I misunderstood his intention. It's just that I'm really anxious and selfish, right?"

"It's not what you think?"

"Don't force yourself. I'm just a selfish and hopeless bad woman!"

She continued to sob, Juxi was speechless... damn it! Women's most devastating weapon is their tears, their tears are irresistible.

Being stuck here is a loss of a man's dignity... it's better to dismiss this idea completely.

I sat back on the sofa, twisting my thumbs, feeling sweaty on my forehead, and my mind was filled with turmoil. It was clear that Juxi's act was a compromise, and Yuka's smiling face clung to Juxi's elbow tightly, not willing to let go.

"Um! I... really, my dad just called and asked me to go home early. It's already seven o'clock! How about..."

Juxi awkwardly forced a smile and pointed to the time on the watch for her to see.

"How about staying here overnight?"

The moment the blonde maid spoke, including Yuka, everyone was shocked. Stay overnight at the Shiminami household?

"It's not what you think, Young Master's house is in the city, right?"

After hearing this, Yuka and Juxi looked at each other, then mechanically nodded. Then the maid took out a form, on which it was written: Last bus departure time at Yūyī Road—6:50 pm!!

"Wait a minute!!"

A pitiful cry echoed through the mansion.

...

You know what?

I never dared to imagine that one day I would wake up like this.

The rainy season usually lasts for three days or more, and it seems impossible to hail a taxi.

"Then please follow me, Young Master Juxi, to the guest room on the second floor for a brief rest. Dinner will be ready shortly, so please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything you need," said the maid with coffee-colored hair, in a respectful (yet assertive) tone.

"Yes...yes!"

Sitting in the monotonous guest room on the second floor, there were hardly any noticeable features. The dim room only had an empty bed and nothing else.