Chapter 216

However, before that,

"Let's call the police first, Sister Asahi!" She patted her back, which was covered with white hair, comfortingly. "It's okay! Even if everyone is against you, I will never leave you!"

"That person must pay the price!"

"Huh, how did the topic suddenly escalate to this?" Ogura Asahi, who was pretending to cry, was taken aback.

"No, thinking about it carefully, it doesn't seem to have reached the point where we absolutely have to call the police..." he explained weakly.

"What are you talking about, Sister Asahi!" Shiina Mahiru's face was extremely serious. "If you allow someone like that once, he'll take advantage of you, and there will be a second and a third time, until he... eats you up completely!"

With a slight blush, she uttered lines she wouldn't normally say, "So we have to make the other party pay the price from the very beginning!"

It seems that what was said is indeed true. Considering Ouka Mai's personality, he had to admit that the probability was very high.

He was also racking his brains, wondering what to do with her. If he didn't stop her, who knew what unconventional things she might do in the future.

"But... but isn't calling the police too serious? That would only completely destroy their relationship."

"You're just too kind, Sister Asahi!" Shiina Mahiru gripped his Hands tightly, as if trying to give him strength.

"You can't deal with bad people using common sense! You have to make them feel fear in order to completely eliminate the possibility of things getting even worse in the future!"

"That's what they say, but the reality is much more complicated..."

Seeing his hesitation, Shiina Mahiru was puzzled for a moment, then suddenly felt like she'd been struck by lightning. "Could it be that, Sister Asahi, you actually like that person?!"

"No, I don't have that idea yet."

"That's settled then! What else are you worried about—is the other person actually from a very wealthy family?"

"It's good, but it's not up to our standard."

"Then, are you worried about being gossiped about?" she Kokoro.

Savoring the youthful fragrance emanating from her, Ogura Asahi lazily said, "Well, it's not that there wasn't that consideration..."

"Then why are you so protective of that man?" Shiina Mahiru asked sadly, feeling sorry for him.

"Huh?!" He was so shocked his voice distorted. He released her and sat up, looking at her with a complicated expression. "Mahiru-chan, I never said the other person was a man..."

He was forcibly kissed by a man—what a terrifying story! Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine!!

"Huh?" Shiina Mahiru's pupils contracted slightly, and she blinked. What had she just heard?

"Huh?!?"

"Could it be that the other party is a—?!"

"Yes, she's a girl about your age." Ogura Asahi nodded in confirmation of her idea.

It must be said that the differences between people can sometimes be far greater than imagined.

It's hard to believe that Shiina Mahiru and Ouka Mai are both first-year high school students. This difference isn't just in height and physique, but also in personality.

One is gentle and shy like the girl next door, the other is domineering and handsome like a seasoned professional—that seems to be true.

Of course, what he found even more unacceptable was that his neighbor Kanau, was only a year younger than them.

"Oh, I see! You're right! Sister Asahi is so pretty, it's normal for her to be liked by other girls!"

Shiina Mahiru sat awkwardly on the spot, her face flushed and at a loss. The atmosphere, which had been filled with anger, suddenly became filled with the scent of citrus.

Can such a significant change occur simply by altering the gender?

Isn't this a form of gender discrimination? Ogura Asahi thought to herself with a cold eye.

"Anyway, I don't think she meant any harm, so let's let her go for now," he sighed, ending the conversation.

In fact, given the current state of affairs in the island nation, even if he were to sue Ouka Mai, it's still uncertain who would ultimately win—this wicked martial arts society!

Instead of calling the police, it's better to just have a samurai duel with her.

It seems like the neighbors next door are showing a similar trend lately—he's utterly fed up! In this world, can't boys have any dignity left?! He's absolutely furious!

"Since you put it that way, Sister Asahi..." Shiina Mahiru didn't want to press the issue further and prepared to change the subject.

Thinking about a topic my classmates had been discussing lately, I subconsciously asked, "Does Sister Asahi have someone she likes?"

Ogura Asahi's eyes widened in surprise for a second, then she replied mischievously, "Yes, like you, Mahiru."

"Huh?"

He used his fingers to lift her delicate, egg-like chin, and looked her into the eye. "Of course I love my sister."

"I... I didn't mean that!" She looked away shyly.

"Hehe~ And you? Do you have someone you like at school?" He dodged the question, casually stroking her chin like he was petting a dog, then withdrew his hand with satisfaction.

"No! That's not true!" Shiina Mahiru hurriedly waved her hands.

"Hmph~ There aren't any boys at school that our Mahiru can fancy."

"It's not that I don't like them, it's just that they're not my type..." She pointed to her finger shyly.

"So what kind of girl do you like?" He was genuinely curious about this.

"..."

"Can't I say?"

"It's not that I can't say, it's just that I'm a little shy, and besides, there's no point in saying it." She murmured softly from her cherry-like lips.

"Why? I don't object to early relationships, as long as the other person satisfies me."

It used to be Ashiri, and now we have to add her to the list... emmm... if they want to find partners in the future, the pressure on the other person will be unimaginable.

As for your parents Relatives, they're easy to talk to. They've always believed in free choice in matters of love for their children; whatever you like is fine.

But things won't be that easy for him!

Gaining his approval and taking away his sister (or god-sister) whom he's watched grow up is, without exaggeration, incredibly difficult!

Family background doesn't matter; their dowry alone is enough for them to live a life of luxury.

He doesn't have high requirements for appearance; he just wants someone who meets the average standard of his family.

But in terms of ability, there should be at least one or two things that would satisfy him, right? For example, being able to reach world-class level in a certain field.

After all, he's not some kind of demon; he won't let the other party completely mirror his own actions.

"Because my type is someone like Sister Asahi," Shiina Mahiru whispered. "I like people like her who are beautiful, capable, intelligent, kind, gentle, and cool—I wish Sister Asahi were a boy."

"Oh, I see. I didn't expect your standards to be so high..."

Ogura Asahi picked up the teacup with a trembling voice, his arm shaking slightly as if he had Parkinson's disease, and some of the clear tea spilled.

Although she was probably joking to some extent, who knows how much of it was genuine?

"Yeah! That's why I said it's pointless, Sister Asahi is one of a kind!" Shiina Mahiru smiled and hugged his arm.

The girl's body, though rather large, seemed even more voluptuous than it appeared. Was it because she was slender?

"I'm perfectly content as long as things stay this way!"

He put down his teacup and tenderly stroked her hair. This sensible child, who had lacked love since childhood, always managed to touch people's hearts unintentionally.

He was also troubled; he had originally planned to find an opportunity to explain to her, but now, in this awkward atmosphere, how could he possibly begin?

What's the difference between revealing it now and directly saying he's also interested in her and wants to take their relationship further?!

He's not that kind of person!

"Next time I have time, I'll introduce you to my other family members. What do you think?" he asked softly.

"H-Her other family members?!" she exclaimed in surprise, her body tightening its grip on his arm.

Her small, delicate face held an unease, like a domesticated Shiro-chan released into the wild.

"Well, although many family members don't live here now, two of them will be staying in Tokyo permanently soon. They're about your age and both are girls. How about we start with them?"

He observed her uneasy and timid expression and slowly asked for her opinion.

"... What kind of people are they? Will they hate me?" Shiina Mahiru's eyes were filled with worry that anyone could see, and her voice was fragile.

She was already happy even though she only had Ogura Asahi as her family.

If the new family members are unwelcoming to her, dislike her, or are unwilling to accept her, putting Ogura Asahi in a difficult position—then she would rather stay where she is now.

Past experience told her that in wealthy families, that was highly likely...

A key reason for this is the inheritance and distribution of family property.

Even if she didn't want anything, she could even return her current residence, as long as she could maintain her relationship with Ogura Asahi, but others wouldn't think that way.

The open and covert struggles surrounding these things could destroy the only precious thing she has, which is what she fears most.

"Don't worry, it's alright." He was fully aware of her concerns and gently kissed her temple to comfort her.

"Our family is different from other families; we value love among family members. You are family to me, and they will accept you."

"Really?" Shiina Mahiru leaned her head against his shoulder, her voice muffled.

"Really, really, I promise you!" he joked. "Our Mahiru is so cute, if there's a problem, it must be their problem."

"If they really don't want to get along with you, I'll cut ties with them and move out to live with you!"

"No!!" Shiina Mahiru screamed in his ear, startling him so much that his heart stopped for two seconds.

He looked at her in surprise. Why was this girl, who never spoke loudly, suddenly reacting so strongly?

Shiina Mahiru released his arm, sat down beside him, and said firmly, "No matter what! Sister Asahi can't sever ties with her family!"

"Even if your family really doesn't like me, you have to stand with them! I don't want Sister Asahi to become like that because of me!"

"If you insist on doing that, I'd rather, I'd rather never see you again..."

After saying that, she slumped down there, looking lost and disoriented, her eyes unfocused, and clear tears streaming down her face.

Her already pitifully cute face is now even more heartbreaking to hear about and see.

Seeing her like this, Ogura Asahi felt a pang of heartache. "Oh dear, what's wrong? He was just joking!"

Perhaps it is precisely because she understands the rarity and difficulty of family ties more than most people that she so vehemently prevents him from doing something foolish for her, thus falling into this predicament.

Therefore, it wouldn't be a pity to smash the treasure in one's hands.

He hadn't expected that such a simple sentence would elicit such a strong reaction from her; he had really done something wrong.

He stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms, patting her back softly and comforting her in a low voice—this scene seemed strangely familiar; was this some kind of turn-based game?

"It's alright, I assure you, you'll get along well. They're all gentle people like me."

"How well you get along with me will determine how well you get along with them."

"Your only worry is that I might get jealous if you two become too close!"

"Pfft!" Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but burst into laughter through her tears, gently punching him with her little fists. "No way! Sister Asahi is one of a kind!"

"That's hard to say~ Although those two aren't as cute as me, they're still very, very cute, just as adorable as you~"

"I'm not that cute either..." She smiled shyly, her initial pessimism eased by his joke, and then asked curiously, "What kind of people are those two?"

Chapter 272 Another stolen kiss

"In terms of status, one is my younger sister, and the other is my Great Aunt."

"They're all in their first year of high school, just like you, but they're not attending regular schools. They're currently studying at the Philia Academy —you probably haven't heard of it, have you?"

"They are pursuing professional careers; one is Piano major, and the other is a pastry major."

"My dear sister! My Great Aunt?" Shiina Mahiru body trembled with surprise.

Whether it was the oppressive force of the words "my biological younger sister" at the beginning, or the oppressive feeling emanating from the way she was addressed, everything made her tremble with fear.

He wasn't entirely unable to guess what she was thinking.

"It's alright, they all know about it."

"Huh?" Shiina Mahiru broke free from his embrace, staring at him with wide, still teary eyes. "Huh?!"

"Do you... already know?"