Tick-tock, tick-tock…

Ahhh! So annoying!

So annoying!

Shut up already, you stupid clock! Or I’ll smash you!

I rolled around on my bed, hugging a pillow, utterly frustrated.

It’s already eleven o’clock! Eleven! Eleven!

But Brother still hasn’t come back!

Evening study ends at nine, right? Even if he crawled, he should be home by now!

But Brother still hasn’t returned…

WHY! ISN’T! HE! BACK! YET!

Ahhhh! I’m so worried! I want to call him! I want to know where he is! I want to rush to his side right now!

Normally, I can’t go home early because of that annoying evening study. But coming home even later? Unbearable!

This means I can’t say goodnight to Brother! I can’t act spoiled with him!

So annoying! Annoying! Annoying!

…Sister Xinran should still be waiting outside. I’ll ask her about the situation.

I opened my room door and asked Sister Xinran, who stood in the hallway, “Has Brother not come back yet?”

“Mm.”

“Damn it. Which vixen lured Brother away…”

I’ll kill that bitch!

Don’t let me find out who seduced him… or I’ll make her regret it!

But who could it be? I’ve eliminated all possible candidates. Could it be that librarian teacher? No, impossible. That ugly woman? Brother would never like her… What’s going on…

“…Ugh, damn it. Then I’m counting on you, Sister Xinran! You must wait for Brother!”

“Mm. You go to sleep first. I’ll wait here.”

I closed the door, returned to my room, and sighed. Sister Xinran is amazing—she can be natural with Brother, showing her true self without worrying about his thoughts.

But I can’t. I want to show my real self to Brother… but with my twisted personality, he’d never like me.

I curled up on my side, hugging the pillow like it was Brother… Sister Xinran sneaks into his room every night… I’m so envious! I want to sleep hugging him too!

But I can’t break our agreement. Sister Xinran and I promised: during the day, Brother is mine; at night, he’s hers.

If anyone breaks it, we’ll expose the other’s secrets to Brother. He’s so serious—if he knew about those things, it’d be over! He’d distance himself without hesitation… So we’ve kept this for four years.

Actually, if Brother stays out all night, Sister Xinran should be saddest. Her time with him shrinks.

At least I can find him at school for lunch. But she’s a stranger to him there.

Still, sleeping with him… I’m envious! Mmm, give and take… Sigh…

Listening to the annoying clock, it neared 1:30 AM…

“Whoa!”

A surprised voice drifted through the half-open door. That familiar voice—Brother! He was finally back!

I sat up instantly, crept to the door, and peeked through the crack.

Sister Xinran was talking to Brother… Ugh, too far to hear.

I held back from rushing out. In Brother’s mind, Keling is a well-behaved sister who should be asleep by now.

I can’t ruin the “Little Sister Keling” image.

If he knew I fake cuteness on purpose, he’d completely avoid me.

But coming home at 1:30 AM… Where was he fooling around? Just like I thought—a vixen seduced him! I’ll kill…!

No, calm down. No one should like Brother. I forced all possible admirers to pair up with others. Sister Xinran watches him too.

Besides, Brother’s unpopular at school. No male friends, let alone girls who’d seduce him. He wouldn’t provoke anyone. So he must’ve had an accident.

…I felt a bit relieved.

But someone might still like him. His homeroom teacher interacts with him most… and that girl behind his seat!

Tomorrow, I’ll investigate thoroughly. Eliminate all possibilities. No one steals Brother!

It’s so late now—Sister Xinran probably won’t visit his room. Otherwise, I… Ugh, forget it. Getting caught would be bad.

I’m curious what they discussed, but our agreement stops me from asking.

I’ll sleep first… Must wake up before Brother.

…

At 5:50 AM, before the crappy alarm rang, I woke up and silenced it.

Brother rises at six to cook breakfast, then knocks on my door around 6:30. So six to 6:30 is golden blank time!

I pressed my ear to the left wall… Seconds after six, water splashed. As usual, Brother washed up on time. No matter how late he sleeps, he prepares breakfast and bento for us sisters. That’s one of his good points.

While he washed, I slipped out silently, dashed upstairs to his room.

After washing, he goes straight downstairs. This time is all mine!

I pounced onto his bed, hugged his blanket, and inhaled his scent… Ah… So happy!

Like being hugged by him. I squeezed my thighs together… Ugh, mustn’t dirty his blanket.

Phew, his bed is a terrifying den! I almost got lost in it!

Right, I should search his room. His computer has no bad stuff, no books under the bed—but checking is wise. If something appears, it means he likes someone. Plus, I learn his interests. Two birds, one stone.

I looked around. Nothing unhealthy.

Then I noticed the trash can.

Many tissues inside. Did Brother… jerk off? Or wet dream? But so many crumpled papers… all stained with his… Taking one won’t hurt…

No! I can’t… Just a peek. I’m checking his health! Not because I want to… *cough cough*…

Alone but nervous, I pinched a paper ball with thumb and forefinger, brought it to my nose…

“…Coffee?”

Not what I expected—a strong coffee smell.

Disappointed. Just coffee… Huh? Why coffee? And why trash it?

Before I could think, my watch beeped—my alarm.

Almost 6:30. Brother will wake me soon. Hurry back!

I restored his room exactly, raced to mine, covered myself, and pretended to sleep.

A minute later…

Huh? Brother didn’t come to wake me?

What’s wrong? He’s pathologically punctual—how could he forget?

After waiting, I left my room. Downstairs, Brother cooked… Ugh, forgot due to poor sleep?

He actually forgot… Disappointing…

Switching to obedient mode, I stood behind him and whispered, “B-Brother? Why didn’t you come back last night… Where were you?”

He turned while speaking, “Hm? Oh, Keling. I overslept in the park. Ahaha, sorry to worry you… Uh!”

He froze seeing me.

Is he looking at me?

No—at my head?

He stared dumbly at my head. I asked, “B-Brother? What’s wrong? Didn’t sleep well? You look awful.”

His gaze shifted to my face… Then his face turned ashen, like seeing doomsday, full of despair.

This reaction…! Did he discover…

I almost dropped my obedient mask, showing despair too.

“What are you doing?”

Sister Xinran’s voice broke the silence. She must’ve watched from upstairs, speaking when things felt off.

Brother snapped back, acting normal, “N-Nothing. Just slept late. Wait—breakfast is almost ready…”

But I saw the unease in his eyes.

“Really okay, Brother? Sick?”

“Fine, fine.”

He turned back to cooking, likely aware his face looked bad.

Until we left after breakfast, Brother stayed dazed. Whatever I said, he brushed off with “Mm,” “Oh,” “I see,” totally absent-minded.

Abnormal. Brother’s state is definitely abnormal!

After he left, Sister Xinran and I stared silently.

We agreed not to interfere day and night… But today, I can’t hold back!

“What exactly happened last night, Sister Xinran!”

The four-year balance shattered at that moment.