A few minutes later, Fuu—who’d been startled by my horrifying words—and Flan—who’d been thrilled to see the “male lead” appear—finally calmed down.

After thoughtfully setting out snacks for us, Fuu, the “older brother,” swayed his slender waist back into the kitchen.

With his sister and master finally “reunited,” Furide was overjoyed. But I? I felt utterly wretched.

Across from me, Flan sat rigidly, head bowed since the moment she arrived. She hadn’t even put down her sketchboard or the parasol strapped to her back.

Was she scared?

I glanced up, stealing a peek at the elf girl before me.

…

I had to admit one thing: girls change dramatically as they grow.

Elvenfolk aged along a curve—after a certain age, their faces barely changed. Serica was the perfect example.

In under ten years, little Flan—who’d already been adorable as a child—had blossomed into stunning beauty.

Her frail appearance stirred an instinct to protect her.

This lovely elf girl, fragile as a candle in the wind, could’ve lived a peaceful life sheltered by family and lovers. So why…

Why…

Why had she become an *ero-manga* artist?! Was the “pretty-girl doujin artist” trope really *that* popular these days?!

I glared at Flan again. My fierce stare made her tremble slightly.

Honestly, if the evidence hadn’t been rock-solid, I’d never have linked this delicate little Flan to that vile, greasy doujin artist “Whisper Teacher”!

These two shouldn’t even exist in the same dimension!

True, Flan—sketchboard on her back—clearly meant to devote herself to “art.” Unlike years ago, her eyes now genuinely sparkled with “dreams and hope.” As her self-appointed older brother, I felt proud.

But why did it have to be *figure* art…

No. Even if Flan became a regular *ero-manga* artist, I could’ve painfully blessed her path. A girl chasing dreams *is* beautiful.

But why did it have to be Fuu’s and *my* doujin…

…

I took a breath and forced out stiff words.

“You can… put down your sketchboard and parasol.”

I’d come to “catch her red-handed,” yet my fingers nervously twirled strands of hair near my ear.

“I… I never expected you’d recognize me, Flan.”

Flan suddenly giggled softly across the table.

“Hehe… because you’re material…”

Huh? Be-because *what*?!

Flan, you just shattered your own character setting!

“Ah! N-nothing at all!”

Flustered, Flan waved her hands. Unlike Furide—a native elf steeped in arrogance toward humans—her chronic frailty made her gentle with everyone.

“B-because you’re the big brother I played with back then…”

She smiled weakly. “And… and Brother’s been talking about you nonstop lately. He gets this look… like a love-struck girl. Ah~ My cross-dressing brother really suits being taken from behind~ Mmf! Heh… hehe… Big brother, have some bread!”

She shoved a baguette toward my mouth.

By now, I couldn’t tell if this elf was doing it on purpose.

Also, Flan… you just slipped up, didn’t you?

…

Flan was undoubtedly the “Whisper Teacher” I sought.

But even with stakes this high, I couldn’t bring myself to scold a fragile elf girl.

Thankfully, Fuu’s return eased the tension.

Heaping “elf specialties” onto the table, he’d taken on the air of a newlywed housewife. Sweat glistened on his pale neck, stray hairs clinging to his skin… it really turned me on—

“Master? Is something wrong? Does the food not suit you?”

“Cough! N-no!”

I shook my head frantically, shoveling unidentifiable plant-based dishes into my mouth. Elves, being vegetarians, served no meat. As my dad put it: *Even elf farts smell like flowers!*

Calm down, Arisa. You’re a future Hero—don’t get bewitched by a cross-dressing elf! You didn’t come here to watch a trap cook for you!

I subtly studied the elf siblings.

Nervous Flan hadn’t touched her food. Furide, meanwhile, beamed happily as he watched me eat.

Flan *was* Whisper Teacher—that was certain. But if I confronted her now, her gentle nature would never confess.

Besides, I only had suspicions, no solid proof.

I could force a confession… but Fuu was here. Scolding his sister in front of him? Even if he adored me, he’d kill me.

Brute force wouldn’t work. I needed gentleness.

My hand slipped into my pocket, caressing today’s “trump card”—a tiny vial Lorian had shoved into my hands that morning.

*“Little Ya-Bro, just drip this into their soup. One sip and these elves will sleep like logs for hours! You can do whatever you want~”*

Yes. Behind every successful man stands a reliable woman. Lorian was that woman.

*“I meant to slip this into* your *soup tonight… but for your reputation, I’ll sacrifice it…”*

That’s enough, Lorian. Stop self-destructing.

This was my plan: drug the siblings, then search Flan’s room for evidence.

*Not* for any weird reasons! Honest! Mother in heaven, forgive your son’s sin—this is for humanity’s happiness!

…

All set. Now to lure them away.

As I racked my brain for a distraction, Furide and Flan suddenly stood in unison, exchanging a glance.

“M-master…”

Fuu smiled sweetly, but his body trembled. “The… the soup’s run out. I’ll fetch more!”

“B-brother…”

Flan’s face was panicked, yet her body quivered with excitement. “I-I’ll help you!”

Perfect. Their kitchen trip was my golden chance! Time to slip Lorian’s potion into their bowls…

Focused on dosing the soup, I missed the hushed whispers from the kitchen.

“Flan… you’re *sure* it’s just sleeping potion? To knock out Master?”

“Brother! You already dumped the herbs in—no backing out now! You owe me… specific poses for my sketches. My… my inspiration’s been dry lately…”

“Mmf… doing *this*… and *that*… to a passed-out Master… S-sorry! Heavenly Father, forgive me! This is for my bond with Master!”

“Sorry, Heavenly Father… forgive your daughter’s sin. This is for art… and dreams…”

…

Minutes later.

“Hehe~ Sorry to keep you waiting, Master! If you like it, please drink every drop!”

Fuu emerged with Flan, both beaming as they set down bowls of soup.

“Oh! Fuu, Flan—you two eat up too. Don’t mind me~”

I smiled back, piling food onto their plates.

Another peaceful day at the elf siblings’ dorm~

“Wow! Thank you, Master—*pfft*!”

***THUD***

Fuu collapsed.

“Hehehe, Brother, gulping it down is so unladylike… *urk*—”

Flan slumped over too!

Haha! Plan… suc—

Huh? Why’s my head… spinning?

***THUD***