Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

"..."

A moment of silence. Byakuya clicked his tongue and glossed over the page as lightly as ever. "Since we're here anyway, we should at least say hello to Kiriko-nee."

"Of course. Bronya hasn't seen Kiriko-nee in a while either."

Having worked here before, they walked down the hospital corridor as people greeted them one after another:

"Yo, it's young Byakuya! Long time no see~"

"Uncle too, you're looking well. Seems like recovery's going great, but you'll have to cut back on the drinking from now on."

"Long time no see, Bronya—you've gotten even prettier."

"You flatter me, Auntie."

Bronya gave a slight nod. "Have you been doing well lately? You should be getting proper sleep—your body can't handle staying up late."

"Haha, Auntie knows. Thanks for worrying about me, Bronya." The kindly woman smiled warmly.

"By the way, Uncle, do you know where Kiriko-nee is?"

"You mean Kiriko? She should be in room xxx right now. Speaking of which, you two aren't blood-related, are you, young Byakuya?"

"Of course not. Miss Bronya's quite a catch too—between us, which one do you like?"

"Ahem, ahem~"

"Uncle's joking again."

Just then, Bronya appeared behind Byakuya. After exchanging greetings, she took Byakuya's arm and prepared to leave. "We still have things to do, so we won't intrude."

"Ah, these young people these days..."

"Haha, look at you—practically an old man already. Since when do you get to worry about the young folks?"

Even afflicted with terminal illnesses, everyone still freely joked and laughed. Perhaps... that was the hallmark of Yakushi Hospital.

In Ayatsuji Kaito's hospital room, Byakuya and Bronya found Yakushi Kiriko. She was adjusting his condition, speaking with gentle care:

"There shouldn't be any problems now. But do be careful—don't drink too much, alright~"

"Hahaha, I really owe you, Dr. Kiriko. I haven't felt this good in years."

Ayatsuji Kaito flexed his muscles as he spoke. Though still somewhat gaunt, he radiated vitality. "If I were a few years younger, I'd insist on racing a few more rounds."

"So you do understand."

Yakushi Kiriko narrowed her eyes, her words carrying a naturally languid air. "Still, while intense exercise is off the table, swinging a sword now and then is fine."

"Also, this isn't entirely my doing. If I'm not mistaken, they should be arriving about now."

"Kiriko-nee."

"Yo, Kiriko-nee~"

Hearing the two overlapping voices, Yakushi Kiriko turned around, her emerald eyes brimming with warmth. "See? Here they are."

20. Siblings

"It seems you have things to discuss."

With a lazy remark, Yakushi Kiriko withdrew from the room, leaving the space to the three of them.

"... You two are swordsmen, aren't you."

Though phrased as a question, his tone was declarative. Ayatsuji Kaito could sense the sharp aura emanating from both of them. "And earlier, that was this young lady?"

"Bronya is pleased to meet you, Mr. Kaito." Bronya gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Byakuya extended a hand. "The name of the Ayatsuji Style has reached even my ears. I wonder if I might witness a bit of it? By the way, I'm Byakuya—Yakushi Byakuya."

"Yakushi, huh..."

Ayatsuji Kaito murmured to himself. He looked at his thin hands—though they had filled out considerably—and said, "Haha, since a junior wishes to learn, I naturally accept."

"Pity about my body..."

"No need to worry, Mr. Kaito. Patients Kiriko-nee has treated never require rehabilitation. Please trust her medical skill."

"That's right. In fact, you can try getting out of bed right now without feeling the slightest discomfort."

As he spoke, Byakuya retrieved a wooden sword for the first time in a while. Training at the academy used fantasy forms; the wooden sword was only useful off-campus. "How about giving it a try, Mr. Kaito?"

Ayatsuji Kaito was silent for a moment. He tried lifting his leg from the hospital bed and setting it on the floor. Then, bit by bit, he transferred his weight until he stood upright.

"... Truly miraculous skill." Even Ayatsuji Kaito couldn't help but marvel.

A wooden sword was handed to him. With Byakuya's medical expertise, he had long since discerned the man's condition—there was no issue. "So, care to give it a try, Mr. Kaito?"

"Ah, of course!"

He was hailed as "The Last Samurai," and what samurai could be without a sword? The moment Ayatsuji Kaito gripped the wooden sword, his entire aura shifted.

Before long, in the courtyard specially set up for rehabilitation, Ayatsuji Kaito and Byakuya crossed blades.

As expected, Byakuya emerged victorious. "The Ayatsuji Style lives up to its reputation. Byakuya acknowledges your skill."

"Can't compare to you, young Byakuya."

From White Night's swordsmanship, Ayatsuji Kaito sensed multiple schools mutually reinforcing each other, gradually pushing him toward the peak of the blade. "So it's a style that draws from a hundred schools."

"Heh~ I just tinker around on my own. After all, I'm a very greedy person..." White Night showed no arrogance about it. "Rather, Mr. Kaito, if you were born in ancient times, a man of your character would probably..."

—Prefer to die on the battlefield, wouldn't he?

As a swordsman, there's no way he'd be content to wither away in bed. He'd likely choose some peak moment, in a great battle, to bring down the curtain with a blaze of glory.

"But Mr. Kaito still has Ayase."

In a flat tone, Bronya cut in. "In today's peaceful environment, Mr. Kaito, please settle down and enjoy your later years. Miss Ayase still needs your encouragement and guidance."

"Haha, yes indeed. To still be able to hold a sword in my old age, and have my daughter by my side—for someone like me, that's already great fortune."

Thinking of his daughter's adorable face, even Ayatsuji Kaito's expression gradually softened, revealing a kindly warmth befitting his age.

With that, the exchange with Ayatsuji Kaito came to an end. Next, it was finally Yakushi Kiriko's turn.

"Sis Kiriko, what are you doing?"

"It's been so long since I've seen you. Big sis needs to recharge on Xiao Bai energy." Yakushi Kiriko leaned her whole body against White Night, speaking in a languid tone as she acted spoiled.

"There's no such thing!"

Even so, White Night let her be, and Bronya silently moved over to join them as well.

"Oh my~ Is Xiao Bai tired of big sis? Boohoo~ Xiao Bai's all grown up and doesn't need big sis anymore. sob.jpg"

"Alright, alright~"

Bronya hugged Yakushi Kiriko from behind, a hint of doting seeping through her flat tone. "Sis Kiriko, Bronya is here. Always right here."

At some point, the mature Yakushi Kiriko had started acting spoiled more and more often—of course, only in private.

"Mhm~"

Sandwiched between the two, Yakushi Kiriko's face flushed slightly. Her slender, fair arms looped around White Night's neck.

Even doing nothing, her heart felt warm, a sense of happiness welling up.

As for White Night? He didn't struggle either. He completely relaxed his body and leaned back, feeling the warmth of Sis Kiriko's embrace.

For a moment, the three huddled together, forming a warm and harmonious picture of beauty.

"Xiao Bai, want to play games?"

Seeming to have recharged enough, Yakushi Kiriko finally let go of White Night reluctantly.

This was the private lounge next to Kiriko's office, and it was her break time. She pulled out several game controllers. "We haven't played together in ages."

"For games, leave it to Bronya." Bronya unhesitatingly took a controller.

"Alright, then I'll go prepare some snacks."

White Night smiled gently and made his way to the kitchen with practiced ease. The room's layout was just as before, though it hadn't been used in a while. "As expected, this kind of thing has to be me."

The electronic screen flickered as time ticked by...

"Your snacks, Miss Kiriko." White Night, like a butler carrying a tray, gave a slight bow toward Yakushi Kiriko.

"Is there VIP service included?"

With their hands busy on the controllers, they couldn't spare them. But since it was White Night, with their relationship... this posture felt more like a bit of fun?

"Yes, my lady."

White Night gave a slight bow, then cut the dessert into small pieces and fed one to Kiriko's lips.

Kiriko didn't shy away. She opened her small mouth, her moist lips glistening temptingly in the sunlight, and bit into the snack White Night offered. After savoring it, "You've improved again, Xiao Bai."

"At this rate, big sis won't be able to leave you. Xiao Bai, you'll have to take responsibility for big sis, okay~"

"White Night."

Bronya's flat voice came from the side. Since they were all the same person, there was no need to hold back. She naturally accepted the snack, the two coordinating with perfect tacit understanding.

"Is Xiao Bai going to become an all-purpose attendant?"

"Emm... that's not impossible. But if I had a choice, I'd prefer to be called a 'butler.'"

Who wouldn't want an all-purpose butler? Poised and polished, able to flawlessly carry out any request, and even capable in a fight when it counts.

Too bad... someone like that probably can't be found. So, White Night himself would take on the role!

Game time always passed quickly.

Break time ended. White Night and Bronya followed Yakushi Kiriko as usual, helping her with tasks and treating patients until the night hung high.

"...Is something the matter, Sis Kiriko?"

At the door, Yakushi Kiriko stood there holding a futon, her figure striking. Dressed in a thin nightgown, her proud curves were unmistakably revealed.

Without answering White Night, Yakushi Kiriko threw herself onto the bed, her ample bosom gently bouncing with the mattress. "Xiao Bai, it's been a while since we slept together. Tonight, let's try whispering some secrets~"

At that moment, the angel in white vanished, replaced instead by an abyssal succubus, seductively tugging at one's heartstrings.

"...I'm quite greedy, Kiriko." White Night's voice came out a little hoarse.

Then, while Yakushi Kiriko was still stunned, Yin-Yang shifted places! A tempting, delicate figure—now it was Bronya standing there instead. "This time, let Bronya take over, Kiriko-nee."

21. The atmosphere was just right...

"...Xiao Bai has someone he likes, doesn't he?"

Yakushi Kiriko fell silent for a moment, then pressed her body close to Bronya, burying herself in that pair of soft peaks. Her slightly wavy green short hair fell loose, scattering across her pretty face.

"Mm."

Bronya's slender hand patted Kiriko's back, but now she could only respond dryly, not knowing what else to say.

"A classmate from Broken Blade Academy?"

"...No."

"So, it's those eyes that saw it again?"

"Probably."

"Then it's a one-sided crush?"

"..."

A moment of silence. Bronya's hand stopped. She sat up slightly, her silver-pink eyes meeting Kiriko's straight on... then she lowered her forehead to rest against the other's.

"Kiriko-nee, Bronya has always liked you. Bronya is right here, always, always."

A pair of pale, slender little hands crept up quietly, catching Kiriko's soft fingers, then interlacing them. A hint of ambiguous warmth rose in the room.