“…Yuxin?”
The one standing there was none other than Li Yuxin.
She’d changed into cozy winter loungewear—a soft fleece sweater paired with thermal pants. Adorable rabbit-shaped slippers covered her feet, and wisps of steam rose from her damp, freshly washed hair.
“Bro, got a minute?” she asked flatly.
“Guess so…”
“I need to talk.”
“!?”
Yumo was stunned.
His sister had actually sought him out…?
“Alright… then don’t just stand here. Come sit in my room?”
“No need. This is fine.”
She seemed utterly unwilling to step into Yumo’s room—even though he meant nothing by it…
“I’ll get straight to the point.”
She cleared her throat, locking eyes with Yumo.
“What do you plan to do with Liyu?”
Damn. Straight to the point?
“…What plans? I owe her.”
“Really?”
“When the school tried to pin blame on me, she defended me. So I’m repaying that debt. Simple.”
“By helping her lose weight?”
“Problem?”
“Do you think changing her looks will fix her timid, insecure personality?”
“At least it’ll boost her confidence, right?”
“You didn’t deny she’s timid and insecure.”
“…So what?”
“She’s timid and insecure, yet she dared to defend you in front of school officials?”
“…………!”
Yumo was momentarily speechless.
He’d slipped up—Yuxin had trapped him.
“Even the meekest person finds courage in a crisis. Don’t underestimate people.”
“I’m not underestimating her. I just want facts. Was she really there when you and Dad were called in? Should I ask Dad?”
“…She wasn’t there. But she later gave a statement to the school.”
“When? To which official? Any proof?”
“…”
“You’re lying, aren’t you?”
“…………”
“She never defended you. She owes you no debt. You have no reason to ‘repay’ her.”
“…So?”
“So why is someone who avoids people suddenly playing knight in shining armor for her?”
“………… Can I just say ‘none of your damn business’?”
“It *is* none of my business.”
Yuxin shook her head, but her stern gaze never wavered.
“But I’m worried you have bad intentions toward Liyu.”
“So what if I do? What if I don’t? Why’s it your concern? Since when are you close?”
“We’re not close. But if I see a scheming jerk manipulating an innocent girl, I can’t just stand by.”
“I’m not—”
*I’m not—*
*Not… what?*
*Not a jerk?*
*Not scheming?*
*Not manipulating a pure-hearted girl?*
Yumo’s self-control was ironclad—he masked his shock in an instant. But Yuxin’s sharp eyes caught that flicker of hesitation.
“Lost for words, *Brother*?”
“…”
“Do you even like Liyu?”
“…Yeah. Problem?”
“Really?”
“…………”
Yumo’s frustration boiled over.
What was wrong with this girl?
What did his relationship with Liyu have to do with her?
“You can’t answer?” Yuxin pressed coldly. “If you don’t truly like her, why date her? Using a girl who’d never refuse you to feed your ego and possessiveness?”
“…Watch your words. I have my reasons. Not your place to judge.”
“What reasons? Spit it out!”
“A demon threatened me. If I don’t get a girlfriend, my whole family dies.”
“What nonsense is this?”
“You don’t believe me? Hey! Show yourself to her!”
…
Silence.
“…What ‘show yourself’?”
“Tch. Knew that bastard wouldn’t reveal himself… Just drop it! I don’t care why you’ve hated me for years—I’m tired of guessing. Think what you want, but stay out of my business! Can’t we just live and let live like before!?”
“No! If you don’t truly care for her, break up now. Don’t ruin her life!”
“NONE. OF. YOUR. DAMN. BUSINESS!!!”
*THUD!*
Yumo slammed his fist against the doorframe. The crack echoed. Yuxin flinched instinctively but held his furious glare without backing down.
The talk ended in bitter silence.
Yuxin slammed Yumo’s bedroom door shut and strode away.
Yumo sat on his bed, knuckles white. For a split second, he’d wanted to slap her.
“Haha! What a spicy sibling fight.”
Yusuozaai finally appeared.
“…Why didn’t you show up earlier?”
“Revealing my demon identity? Bad idea. Might have to kill a few people to protect myself.”
“Threatening me?”
“Yes. So don’t go blabbing about me to anyone.”
“…Whatever.”
Yumo’s anger had nowhere to go. His mind was chaos.
Yet he couldn’t blame Yuxin. She’d hit the nail on the head. Deep down, he *knew* he was just deceiving an innocent girl.
This wasn’t love. He’d forced a girl into his life, molding her into someone he *might* like. Guilt gnawed at him.
But it still wasn’t Yuxin’s place to interfere.
What wind was blowing through that girl’s head?
They’d been distant for years—why pick a fight over something that didn’t concern her?
He couldn’t fathom what his stepsister was thinking. What nonsense filled a middle schooler’s mind?
“Maybe the reason’s simple?” Yusuozaai mused.
“I’m in no mood for riddles!”
“Oh dear, scary~~ But remember what I said?”
Yusuozaai perched her bony hips on his lap, arms looping around his neck. Her face hovered inches from his, close enough to kiss.
“You and your sister don’t get along… So why not spoil *me* like a little sister instead?”
“………………”
Yumo finally understood the phrase “a demon’s whisper.”
Sweet. Tempting. Deadly. Every syllable dripped with lethal allure.
Yet—
“…I’m not in the mood.”
He pushed her away, forcing his focus back on the damn reading comprehension exercises.
——————————
——————————
The next day, at the gym—
The air was thick with tension.
The siblings usually kept their distance, but today, cold silence crackled with anger.
Yumo trained like a maniac, heedless of the hidden injuries piling up in his body.
Yuxin swam lap after lap, refusing to glance his way even once.
Aunt Chen noticed immediately.
“Liyu, they seem…”
“Worse than usual…”
“Did they fight?”
“No idea. I’ll ask Yuxin.”
Chen Xiang’s old worries resurfaced. She intercepted Yuxin mid-lap, blocking the swim lane.
“Just a small disagreement,” Yuxin muttered.
Liyu approached Yumo, but he only snapped, “How should I know?”
No progress was made.
