"Hey hey hey! Stop making stuff up! What’s this ‘indescribable thing’ nonsense? It’s just a sanitary pad, okay!"

Silly dog Bai Su’s face flushed crimson as he flustered, scrambling to clear his name.

But sadly, a silly dog stays a silly dog. Capped by his IQ limit, he’d never escape human rule.

I twisted my voice into something menacing: "So, pervert, you’re not denying you snuck into your sister’s room while she slept?"

"I—"

"Don’t ‘I’ me! You sicko Bai Su! You even track your sister’s period schedule… Just die already! Scumbag!"

After relentless barrages, Bai Su finally cracked.

He mumbled half-heartedly at first, then surrendered into silence.

The air froze.

Only the sizzle of oil meeting food in the pan, and the clatter of spatula against skillet.

I bit my lip. A slight unease spread in my chest like weeds, thickening fast.

Had I… gone too far teasing him?

Awkwardness clung. Guilt bloomed heavier.

Maybe apologize?

I hadn’t expected this me to be so sensitive… I just wanted to joke…

Hmph. Idiot! Can’t even spot a joke!

Resigned, I pursed my lips, dipped my head, and stepped toward the kitchen doorway—ready to speak.

But the idiot cut me off.

A large hand shot out from the kitchen, landing on my head. Its warm, broad palm radiated comfort, swallowing me whole.

Something inside me trembled.

An impulse flared—to swat it away, then spit in this fool’s face for daring to pat my head.

But the warmth melted it.

Then the hand began stroking my hair, tickling my scalp, softening my heart just a little.

Annoying as it was to admit… it felt undeniably nice.

The hand pulled back, revealing Bai Su’s goofy grin. "Good girl. Brother was wrong… Sigh. Su Su’s all grown up. Hard to believe. I’ll… stop meddling in your life so much."

His smile vanished. Sorrow and sadness flooded his face.

Like a tender little cabbage he’d raised getting snatched by some stray pig???

I bristled.

What stupid expression is that?!

Infuriating! I’m no cabbage of yours!

I stomped on his foot mid-brooding. With a yelp, I yanked his collar, pressed close, and locked eyes with my fiercest glare. "Don’t treat me like your pet, got it? And… you’re the brother. Caring for your sister is your duty. You’ll never ignore me. Understand?!"

(Of course, the second half was pure hypocrisy.

Kids cling to pride and naivety.

They still dream this dog-eat-dog world is kind, believing "people are born good."

Sadly, it’s fake.

Those tear-jerking anime lines? Cringe in reality.

Pretty words with pretty hats? They make you sick.

I knew it deeply.

For Bai Su—this kid—I understood him best.

He’d drowned in sorrow, craving warmth.

My words just gave him a reason to feel needed.

To know someone still stood behind him, yearning for his light.

That was all.)

Sure enough, Bai Su fought back tears but couldn’t hide the flicker of emotion. He smiled softly, sighed, and stroked my head. "Mm… mm!"

Pink apron tied, his warm palm cradled me against his chest. My cheek pressed tight to his heartbeat—thudding against my ear.

The boy smiled, fingers threading through the girl’s hair. She nuzzled his chest as morning sun bathed them. Everything felt perfect.

But perfection never lasts.

I sniffed, frowning. "Bro… did you forget something? That burnt smell?"

Silly Bai Su gasped, shoved me aside, and lunged for the kitchen. "Ah! The eggs! I forgot!"

I watched him scramble toward the pan, speechless, then turned away.

Away.

I was just a passerby—an extra glitch in this timeline. My purpose? To make Bai Su happy.

That’s why the little girl summoned me.

Why I stayed.

I smiled at that big boy fussing over fried eggs.

My existence was a lie. I hoped he’d find happiness inside it.

Then I slapped on my flawless fake scowl, hands on hips. "Silly brother!"

[To be continued]