And so, embarrassed, I supported my sister Xiao Ling's shoulder as we walked back home. Yating and the others got up to help carry things. Uncle Li dashed downstairs and hauled up the last box. Seeing him panting heavily, I quickly poured him a cup of tea.

"Uh, I’m really sorry. I’m only causing trouble for you all now." During that trip downstairs, I suddenly realized a serious problem: I’d become so weak. I wanted to help but just made things messier. Even my sister called me an idiot. Ugh. Luckily, Miko said nothing. My mood dipped a little.

"Little Shu, don’t you dare apologize!" Uncle Li waved his hands vigorously, signaling me not to worry. "My old face is burning red. Your condition is mostly from bearing Miko’s pain. You didn’t see her running around happily this afternoon. Caring for you a lifetime would be only right—we’re family." He even stood up immediately, leaving me completely taken aback.

"That’s right, Hua Shu," Miko added. "You became like this for me. We were never formal before—why apologize now?"

Hearing them, I felt much better. I hurriedly called Uncle Li to dinner and changed my shoes. Yesterday, Xiao Shan and the others had cleaned the floor; now our footsteps had dirtied it again.

While eating, Uncle Li suddenly asked, "Little Shu, how will you go to school the day after tomorrow like this?"

His question stunned me. My identity was now a huge issue. Thankfully, my parents’ inheritance was in the bank card Miko’s mom set up for me—I could still access it. But school? Impossible. I was an unregistered resident. I replied, "Uncle, I can’t attend school. I’ll just live-stream full-time at home to support the family."

Uncle Li frowned. "You’re only fifteen, almost sixteen. Skipping school means missing so much joy. Since we’re family, I’ll transfer your registration to ours. We’ll say you’re a distant relative lost as a child—I found you. I can manage this. Only catch: you’ll have to be Miko’s little sister, haha."

Missing joy from school? I never felt that... But Uncle Li could fix my registration. Why refuse? "Then I’ll trouble you! Thank you."

"Still so polite? We’ll be family soon!"

His words felt oddly awkward—like a son-in-law and father-in-law talking, as if he was handing Miko to me. I glanced at Miko, daydreaming with a smile. She seemed to sense my thoughts, nodding back with a grin.

Did she really sense them? Did that nod mean agreement... or was I overthinking?

"The registration’s easy, but school enrollment’s tough," Uncle Li continued. "Education’s strict now—I can’t get you straight into ClearWater Academy’s high school. How about junior high, third year? Retake the entrance exam. It won’t be hard for you."

"Third year..." I hesitated. Honestly, I disliked school—endless homework, pointless lectures. In junior high, I’d just chatted with Miko, eaten together, watched anime at home. Everyone thought we were a couple. Well, we did look the part.

"No problem, Uncle! My brother agreed! Put him in our Class 7—I’ve got an empty desk behind me!" Xiao Ling blurted out.

"Hey! Sister, don’t decide for me! Why so excited? Happy I’m joining your class? ... I’ll supervise your studies, you know."

"Fine, settled. I can care for my sister too." She looked so happy—I couldn’t refuse. Her joyful face was adorable. As her brother, seeing her happy would warm my heart.

"Leave it to me. Since it’s decided, I’ll go now. Miko, take care of Little Shu." Uncle Li said goodbye and left immediately, talking on his phone like arranging something. Such a good person. Meeting this family was wonderful. Bearing pain for Miko meant nothing...

"Um, Hua Shu," Xiao Shan said, "Yating and I wanted to stay another night, but our families refused. We delivered everything—we must go. Don’t worry! Junior high’s close. I’ll bother you daily. Hope you don’t mind~ Even if you do, I’m coming anyway~"

"If it’s useless, don’t ask! Idiot!" I waved bitterly as Xiao Shan left grinning. Next time, she’d be my senior. Heh heh...

After seeing them off, Yating and I cleared the table. I offered to wash dishes, but Miko pushed me out laughing. "Your hands can’t touch cold water—they’ll freeze!" Helplessly, I scratched my head and headed to my room to do homework...

Snap!

What homework was I even doing! I was so stupid. Clearly going back to junior high, yet I’d written high school assignments for ages. I felt like a nagging complainer—this head swap must’ve ruined my brilliant IQ. Yes. This head’s just too dumb!

As I thought this, a girl’s phantom appeared on the bed behind me...

"Hua Shu-chan, you called me dumb... heh heh heh."

I threw the homework in the trash. Just as I turned to tease my sister struggling with her work, a chill hit my back... I whipped around. Holy crap! Turned too fast—my head spun. Ugh. But I glimpsed a white shadow. Tch, must be a hallucination. Rubbing my temples, I walked to Xiao Ling’s room.

"Really, Hua Shu-chan, so eager to meet me..." The phantom murmured.

Bang bang bang!

I banged on her locked door. "Xiao Ling! Stop writing! Come watch TV with Sister Miko~ Homework’s boring!" I laughed, teasing her. Huh? No reply? Headphones? Try again!

"Sister, come out now—I’ll grant any wish~" I teased recklessly. Suddenly no homework felt weird. No response—I headed to the living room to chat with Miko.

Click—the door opened. Someone grabbed my arm, yanking me in. The girl pinned my shoulders, forcing me onto the bed. She smiled sweetly.

"Heh heh heh, Onii-chan~ Did you say... anything at all?"

Is it too late to regret this...?