Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

Silver-white spiral long hair cascaded down, intertwining with Yakushi Kiriko's short emerald locks, slowly scattering across the soft bed...

The next day, when the sky was still dim, Bronya opened her eyes with a hint of confusion.

Mm~ What's going on?

What she held was warm and smooth like jade, making Bronya unconsciously hold it tighter. Then... as her awareness gradually cleared, last night's memories surged forth from her mind like a tide.

Emmm...

A fair, delicate face flushed crimson, and her body under the thin sheet shifted slightly.

—Last night, she'd released Non-chanting Water Magic. It could be said that aside from the final step, the two had done just about everything! Naturally, under the sheet, there wasn't a single thread of cloth.

"Mm..."

In extreme shyness, Bronya's face grew even redder, her brain nearly overheating. She even opened a mental link, the intense emotions almost transmitting to White Night's side!

"Huh??? What's going on over there?"

Just at that moment, Yakushi Kiriko's eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if she was about to wake up. "Wh-Wh-White... White Night, save me, Bronya needs help."

"Then tell me what it is."

But describing it in words was too complicated; Bronya directly initiated a deeper synchronization.

"Clatter clatter clatter~"

A very rhythmic sound—White Night skillfully wielded the kitchen knife, leaving afterimages on the cutting board. He'd gotten up and was preparing breakfast~ But in the next instant...

"Crack—!"

A surging torrent of memory impact. Though not as intense as the original, it was close enough to feel firsthand! Affected, the cutting board was mercilessly split in two.

"Are you trying to kill me! Syncing that kind of experience to me!"

When White Night came to his senses, he didn't even care about his severed finger as he roared through the mental link.

It was visible that White Night's usual joker face now showed a palpable panic. "Alright, nothing much, I'm hanging up here."

"Eh??? Hey! Wait! You've got to save me! Bronya needs help!"

But there was no response from the other end.

White Night panted, cupping a handful of cold water to splash on his face to cool down. Blood flowed from the severed finger, the clear water mixing with a hint of red...

Moreover, the sting of the severed finger gradually suppressed the strange physical sensations. White Night let out a long sigh. "What a mess this is..."

"Ohayou~"

A mature, slightly husky voice—Yakushi Kiriko propped herself up with a hint of languor. The sheet lifted slightly, revealing what lay beneath...

[Big], [White], [Round]

Mm~ What's blocking my view? Bronya clearly couldn't handle it; the blush that had faded surged back, dyeing her fair face red.

"Bronya~"

At this moment, the gap in skill showed... Yakushi Kiriko advanced instead of retreating, her slender fingers lifting Bronya's chin, then she pressed down directly.

"Mm!!!"

Bronya's body tensed slightly, then over time, gradually went limp—Yakushi Kiriko was a doctor, intimately familiar with human anatomy, and at this moment, she had the upper hand completely.

Help... Help! If this keeps up...

In a short while, Bronya was pinned to the bed, their fingers interlaced, her silver-pink eyes nearly dripping with water.

An indescribable strange sensation—a pair of fair, slender legs rubbed slightly against each other, and further down...

(For what happens next, please use your imagination; this needs to pass censorship.)

Activate Crimson King. Bronya lay limp on the bed, her eyes losing focus, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat.

"Bronya really is adorable~"

In contrast, Kiriko was positively radiant. She half-lay on the bed with a languid, seductive grace, her slender fingers tracing across Bronya's flushed face.

Then she leaned down slightly, her warm, jade-like lips close to Bronya's ear, exhaling moist breath. "Remember, big sister was the first~"

"What took you so long to get up, Kiriko-nee?"

Near noon, White Night acted as if he knew nothing, greeting her as usual.

"Not at all~"

In response, Yakushi Kiriko leaned against the doorframe, her entire posture exceptionally alluring. She smiled meaningfully. "Big sister actually got up quite early, just delayed by washing the sheets."

Emmm... Why wash the sheets?

On that question, White Night wisely skipped it. "By the way, where's Bronya? Why hasn't she come out?"

"That kid ran off early this morning. Enough about that—for lunch... what has Xiao Bai prepared for me?"

With languid steps, Yakushi Kiriko drew close to White Night, bringing a faint, fresh fragrance.

Hmm... wait, you're saying she ran away?!

"Where are you now?"

"Get lost!!!"

Only a flustered, angry shout came through the mental link, then the connection was unilaterally cut off from the other side.

"By the way, Xiao Bai, can you tell your big sister about the person you like?"

At the dining table, Yakushi Kiriko finished the lunch White Night had prepared and casually brought it up. "After all, as your older sister, I ought to vet them for you."

"I have quite a few people I like~"

White Night said leisurely, then shifted gears. "But... the one I've truly made up my mind to pursue is only her—Twin Wings Edelweiss!"

"Pfft~"

She'd just picked up her tea, planning to sip and listen, but the bombshell was too much. A big mouthful sprayed out. "Cough, cough, wait wait wait, who did you just say?"

"Twin Wings Edelweiss."

"That 'Twin Wings'—is it the [Twin Wings] I'm thinking of?" Yakushi Kiriko rose from her seat, leaning half her body across the table toward White Night.

"Well, it is indeed that [Twin Wings]."

A slender hand reached out, the back of her palm pressing against White Night's forehead. "Really, you don't have a fever. So why are you talking nonsense?"

"Alright, Kiriko-nee..."

White Night gently brushed her hand away, his tone a bit helpless. "I know you care about me, but I have a handle on things. If it truly becomes impossible, I'll give up."

"..."

Yakushi Kiriko's emerald eyes locked deeply with White Night's. She sighed and sat back down. "Fine, your big sister won't meddle anymore. But you have to make sure you're safe!"

"Mm. Actually, even if I fail, it's no big deal. I still have my sister. Big sister would welcome Xiao Bai into her arms anytime~"

22. Toudo Touka

During White Night's stay at Yakushi Hospital, Ikki had also wrapped up the Swordsman Killer incident, and everything returned to daily life.

"Yo, Ikki, it's pretty lively here~"

The Kurogane Training Class had expanded, with more and more students joining.

Ikki greeted White Night. "It's White Night. Where've you been all this time? I couldn't find you anywhere."

"Heh, secret training, of course."

White Night elbowed Ikki and chuckled. Yeah, confirmed—still the same old vibe. "Looks like things worked out well on your end too."

"That's all thanks to Bronya. By the way, where is she? I didn't see her this time."

"She's feeling a bit unwell, staying in the dorm for now." White Night casually slung an arm around Ikki's shoulders.

"Speaking of which, have you heard? After the selection matches, the academy is holding a special training camp. Too bad I couldn't find out where—otherwise, I'd go have some fun~"

Actually, he'd just forgotten. Who pays that close attention watching an anime? If even the location slips your mind, you definitely gloss over it.

"Stare—!" *2

Shizuku and Stella wore grim faces, their eyes locked on the scene. Even though White Night had Bronya, the distance between Ikki and him... was still a bit too close.

Emmm...

Gradually, White Night started to sense it too... the death glares from those two! Seriously, what's wrong with you? You're jealous over a guy? Are you the Jealousy Kings?

Amid the peaceful routine, the selection matches proceeded in order. This time, it was finally Shizuku's turn, but...

—Her opponent this time was the one known as [Raikiri], the student council president of Broken Blade Academy: Toudo Touka!

"...Not looking good."

In the spectator stands, Arisugawa furrowed his brow slightly. As a former assassin of the underworld, he knew Toudo Touka's strength all too well!

"No need to think about it. She can't win. A firm will can't make up for the gap in strength."

White Night leaned against the railing and said leisurely, "Don't get mad. I'm just stating the truth. Even if the truth... is a little harsh."

"There's really no chance?"

"Ikki, I know she's your sister, but you have to be objective. Besides, Shizuku isn't the only one with willpower. Toudo Touka's blade carries its own weight too."

On the match field:

"Scatter, Yoi Shigure!"

No words were needed—both sides could already feel that will—the pursuit of victory!

A kodachi manifested in Shizuku's hand, her sharp gaze fixed on Toudo Touka as she began to channel mana.

Seeing this, golden lightning flickered in Toudo Touka's hand, slowly revealing its form. "Roar, Narukami!"

Shizuku recalled the days of old, tightening her grip on Yoi Shigure as her Fighting Spirit began to surge: I will surpass my limits! For... my dear brother!

[Match Start!]

Accompanied by an electronic chime, the match officially began. Yet... the two on the field did not move, remaining still relative to each other, leaving the audience puzzled.

"Huh, why is that? Neither of them is moving. Nenene-sensei, what are they doing?"

"Well, they should be observing their opponents."

Nenene's youthful voice rang out, explaining the situation on the field. "At this level of Knight, making a rash move... would surely lose the match in an instant~"

"Not only that, but in this match, Shizuku has no intention of launching the first attack."

Seated in the spectator stands, Ikki was also explaining things to Stella. "Toudo-san has her ultimate close-quarters technique—Raikiri! It's so unforgettable..."

"That it earned her the name [Raikiri]."

Beside him, White Night smiled faintly. "I hear that in the past, whenever Toudo Touka used Raikiri, it ended in her victory without exception."

"But didn't she lose at last year's Sword Martial Festival? Doesn't that mean Raikiri was countered?" (Stella)

"No, the person who defeated Toudo-san and took the championship last year used a spear as their Spirit Armor."

Ikki continued his explanation for Stella. "In that battle, the opponent kept a certain distance, using the range advantage to seal off Raikiri."

"That person is Morohoshi Yudai, known as the 'Star of the Swift Waves.' His strength is passable." (White Night)

Back to the field:

"Freeze, Frozen Plains!"