Ugh… damn, this hurts so bad…

I woke up groggily to pitch darkness—streetlights already off. Fumbling my phone from my pocket, I switched on the flashlight and checked the time.

Holy crap! It’s 1 AM!

Gripping my throbbing temple, I struggled upright from the park bench.

Tch. My vision’s still swaying… awful.

Seriously unlucky. What jerk throws stuff around here anyway?

I swept the phone light around. No objects that could knock someone out. The culprit must’ve taken their weapon.

Ah, whatever. Just bad luck. At least no blood—just a nasty bump.

Teacher Yang was right. Nights *are* dangerous. Better head straight home next time.

Right—gotta put the signed slips away first. Without them, I can’t skip evening study hall legit.

Huh?

Reaching for the slips, I froze. The inverted pentagram drawn on the back… was gone.

Did I dream it? No—that wouldn’t explain why I came to the park.

Weird… How’d it vanish? Did Teacher Yang use invisible ink? Some prank?

Ugh, forget it. Thinking makes my head pound. Stopping. Now.

The pain soured my mood. Shoving the slips carelessly into my pocket, I trudged home.

Past midnight, I hurried. Normally a 30-minute walk took only 20.

Slipping through the front door, I left my shoes on. The stairs to the second floor were right ahead. Barefoot to avoid *thwack-thwack* sandal sounds, I crept upward.

That noise probably wouldn’t wake them… but better safe.

Empty shoes in the cabinet meant Mom and Dad were out again. Mom’s a mortician; Dad’s a surgeon. Night shifts are normal. Maybe that’s why I’m so… detached.

But my sisters are home. Gotta stay quiet.

Halfway up the second-floor stairs, aiming for my third-floor room, a cold voice cut through the dark:

“Who’s there?”

Seriously? Turn on the lights if you’re awake.

“Ah—it’s me… Xinran? You’re still up?”

Awkward, I fumbled for the hallway switch near the stairs. Found it.

*Click.*

“Whoa!”

Xinran stood inches from my face! Close enough to feel her breath.

I stumbled back—but she stepped forward, pressing: “Why so late?”

Her face! Too close!

“Uh…”

Then I saw it. Above her long hair, glowing pink text floated:

【Cold Big Brother Complex Sister (Fake)】

【An Xinran】

“…”

Since when could I see weird stuff?

An Xinran’s her real name. But *that*?

“Cold Big Brother Complex”? And “(Fake)”?!

Cold, sure. But *brother complex*? Ha! Not a microliter of that in her!

Total nonsense.

Not one memory proves she likes me. None! Photos? Zero! Our relationship isn’t just strained—it’s hostile.

Never clung to me. Never said “I’ll marry you when I grow up.” Barely played together as kids. No chance for her to *like* me.

We don’t walk to school together. She ignores me in conversations. Treats me like air. Never parades around in a towel after showers. Doesn’t care about my life.

Even now—she’s not waiting up for me. Just got up for water, heard footsteps, thought it was a burglar… Yeah. That’s it.

She’s glared at me since she knew I existed.

If she invites me to her wedding, it’ll be a miracle.

Look at her grilling me now—where’s the “brother complex”?

Ah. The “(Fake)” must mean this title’s bullshit.

Wait—what *is* this? Hallucination? Did that hit scramble my brain? Should I see Dr. Wu in Neurology? Dad knows him…

Xinran followed my gaze, eyes narrowing. “What are you staring at?”

I waved my hands. “N-nothing… thought I saw a bug. Why’re you still awake?”

“Just getting water. Don’t dodge—why so late?”

“I, uh… fell asleep in the park…”

Not a lie. I *was* asleep. Just not on purpose. Got ambushed by some weird crap…

Ugh. Still pissed. Who throws things at people resting in parks? My temple throbbed again. I rubbed it instinctively.

Xinran studied me. After a long pause, she turned and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Phew. I exhaled silently.

“I’m boiling water. Want anything?”

“Uh, coffee, please? Forgot to buy any today… huh?”

My sister offering coffee?

This isn’t scientifically possible.