"So? What are you trying to say? Is it all my fault? Is it my fault for making you cry?" Feyn Senior tilted my chin up. "So you're not the one being cheap, right? Then tell me—what would make you happy enough to help me? What would make you willingly help me find that person? Another kiss? Or... something else? Just say it. Big sister will satisfy you, alright?"

"Disgusting—!!!" I suddenly shoved Feyn away with all my might. The force surprised even me. Feyn Senior stumbled backward, tripping over my princess bed and collapsing onto the mattress.

She wore a white vintage blouse and black skirt. Her raven hair spilled across the pearl-hued velvet bedspread. Her body tilted sideways, shapely thighs parted from the fall. My eyes accidentally caught a glimpse of pale skin beneath her black skirt—stockings sheathed in nude silk.

Even Senior Sister looked flustered in this state.

She took deep breaths to steady herself, then deliberately rearranged her pose into something alluring. "What’s wrong, little sister?" Her voice dripped honey. "See something that made you blush? Hate me? Or... do you want revenge?"

Her voice—soft, intoxicating—could melt any girl’s heart. Let alone a timid boy like me. For the first time, a wild urge to destroy something surged inside me.

But I knew this was just Senior Sister’s trap. If I acted now, I’d prove I had no principles. My own words would crumble. I’d said I hated her—I couldn’t let myself glance at that tempting openness.

"Senior Sister, you see through everything about me as a girl... but you’ll never understand the real me."

"Eh?" Feyn froze, utterly bewildered by words even her experienced mind couldn’t unravel.

Who could understand? The heart of a timid boy trapped inside a girl’s body!

But in this moment, I chose courage. If I had no right to make her leave... then I would go.

I turned my head away, avoiding her thighs, and stepped forward to slip past the wall.

My foot suddenly caught on something—maybe what she’d knocked over when she fell. My ankle twisted. I fought for balance but only tumbled faster, completely unexpectedly!

Pure accident. Even Senior Sister’s reflexes couldn’t react.

*Thump!* The world spun. Darkness swallowed my vision. I landed on something impossibly soft and fragrant.

It was so soft. So sweet-smelling. I almost wished to stay unconscious.

Until that softness shifted beneath me.

I pushed myself up dazedly. I was sprawled over Feyn Senior. My legs pinned hers apart. My eyes hovered less than half a foot from the swell of her chest—the very place I’d just rested my head.

Her scattered hair. Her languid gaze. No sharpness remained, no urge to resist. Only a lazy signal that could drive any otaku mad—making them pounce to claim her. If only I were still a boy.

Instead, I could only savor the thrill of pinning down this proud, statuesque goddess.

Feyn’s cheeks flushed crimson. Seeing me stare, she grew shy for a split second—then deliberately arched her body, flashing a teasing smirk. "Eager for revenge already? Such an impatient little girl. Why stare? Want to try controlling big sister? Do you even have the courage... Princess?"

"N-no! It was... an accident!" I turned away, face burning.

"Hmph? Accident?" Her laugh was low. "Then where exactly are your hands?"

"Eh? EH?????" My right hand wasn’t braced on the bed. It was... cupping part of her breast.

I jerked upright, yanking my hand back—but my legs tangled, forcing me to brace my palms on either side of her neck. My twin tails spilled down, mingling with her hair. A reminder: we were both girls. Our eyes locked. Lips nearly touching. Breath mingling...

Feyn had grown used to surprises. Trapped beneath me, she still seized control, pouting playfully. "These are the lips that stole your first kiss. Want them back? My tsundere princess?"

"Don’t think I won’t!!!" I snapped inches from her face. Even she flinched at my shout.

My hands moved on their own—absolutely on their own—to clutch her collar.

*Riiip—!!!*

Fabric tore sideways. A button pinged off my cheek. Snowy skin flashed into view—along with the white lace edge of her bra...

"Eh?" Genuine shock froze Feyn’s face. She’d never expected such ferocity from a little girl. The sheer contrast between my appearance and actions stunned her. Though she could easily overpower me, she forgot to resist. Her breath grew deeper, faster, tense.

But my gaze locked onto the pendant nestled between her breasts...

The same pendant she’d kissed and wept over in the shower.

I leaned down. My lips hovered millimeters from hers. Our warm breaths tangled like whispered confessions. I almost felt her silent permission.

Yet my lips brushed past her nose—landing softly on her forehead.

"Eh?" A different flush spread across Feyn’s cheeks. Not the calculated flush of seduction. This was pure, startled shyness.

Time stopped.

*I’m sorry, Senior Sister. I wanted to kiss you while pinning you down... but right now, I just want to comfort you.*

She shoved me off hard, sitting up abruptly. Her face turned away, hair curtaining her chest. One hand braced her weight; the other tugged her torn blouse shut. Her voice dropped low, utterly feminine: "Kissing my forehead... Do you look down on me?"

"Eh? No! It’s not that! I just—"

"What is it?!" Feyn’s voice cracked. She stared at me, tears welling. Her blouse gaped open where the button was missing.

*Wait—what’s happening? She was blackmailing me, bullying me! Why does my outburst make it seem like I’m the bully? Is this a woman’s power? Always right no matter what? But... she’s so cute like this.*

My eyes drifted back to the golden pendant half-buried in her cleavage.

A wave of sorrow hit me. "Senior Sister... you’re kind. Stop forcing yourself to play the villain."

"Eh?" Her flush deepened. She forced sternness into her voice. "What did you say?"

"I saw you," I murmured, glancing at the bed’s edge. "In the shower. Crying over that pendant. There’s a photo inside... of someone you love, isn’t there?"

Feyn instinctively covered the pendant.

"I’m sorry, Feyn Senior. I didn’t mean to spy on you. It was accidental... But that version of you—the one who cries for others—could never truly hurt me. So I’ll help you. However you ask. You don’t need to pretend to be cruel. You don’t need to force an alliance with the Dark Faction to seem reasonable. Your reason is pure, isn’t it?"

"Eh? ... Little Kuroti..."

Seeing her flushed face, I realized how presumptuous I sounded. I fumbled with my collar, cheeks burning. "I mean... your charm, your strength—they do make me a little infatuated... But even if you did nothing! Used no tricks on me! I’d still help you. Because... because..."

I lifted my head, meeting her soft gaze with raw honesty.

"Because I can’t bear to see you cry."

Feyn’s pupils tightened. She stared at me, silent, for a long moment.

Then—deep in the distance—a volcanic eruption lit the sky. Magma glow flooded the princess’s chamber, painting both our faces crimson.

"Heh." Feyn exhaled slowly, a wry smile breaking through. "Saying such presumptuous things. Not at all like the spoiled Dark Princess. Disgusting. I won’t argue with you."

Her words were sharp, but her face held a tender smile. No disgust at all. *Is this the ultimate feminine praise? Scolding you while secretly delighting in your words.*

I wouldn’t spoil this romantic, girlish side of her.

I stood, arms crossed, deliberately turning toward the distant, shadowy Demon Realm. "Tch! So stop wasting energy ‘training’ me or blackmailing me! Just kneel and beg like yesterday. That’d work fine!"

"What—?!" Her breath hitched, shifting to fury. "Little sister! Are you that full of yourself?!"

A wave of sweet fragrance rushed at me.

"Eh?"

Senior Sister moved like a knight. She flipped me onto the bed, pinned my wrists under her knees, and loomed over me. She blew warm air onto her palms, eyes glinting wickedly.

"Eh? What are you doing, Sister?"

"What am I doing?!" She grinned. "You tore my clothes! Told me to *beg*! Time for big sister to discipline you properly!"

"Eh??? No! Stop! Sister!"

Feyn’s fingers descended like rain—lightning-fast, merciless. I shrieked with laughter, squirming helplessly.

"Sister! I’m sorry! I was wrong! Please stop! No more!"

"Beg all you want! If I don’t punish you today, how am I your sister?!"

"Ahhh～～～ HAHAHAHAHAHA—!!!"

Laughter echoed through the gloomy castle depths—two girls tangled in silk sheets, tears of mirth glistening in the volcanic glow.