Hibiki Sakura · Love Shattered · Murderous Intent Surging (Continued)

"I'm sorry, Tanaka, you must have seen this. My little sister is a bit too lively."

Tanaka Yukishin put down her teacup and gently shook her head.

"No, please don't mind. This kind of lively interaction is the norm between siblings. I understand."

As the barbecue continued and the conversation deepened, Sakura Hibiki felt that the groundwork had been laid enough and the time was ripe.

She licked her signature little fang, her eyes gleaming with a determined light, laying the groundwork for her final offensive.

"Speaking of which," she began casually, her voice carrying just the right amount of curiosity, "Tanaka-kun, how did you and my unreliable second brother meet?"

As she asked, Sakura Hibiki placed a perfectly grilled, sizzling piece of beef tongue onto Tanaka Yukishin's plate.

Tanaka Yukishin thanked her and replied.

"It's in the club. Sakura is my senior."

"Oh, it's a club!"

Sakura Hibiki suddenly understanding, then a look of admiration appeared on her face.

"Speaking of clubs, I just remembered! Tanaka-kun, aren't you going to participate in that amazing Gyokuryuki competition soon? Wow, to be a regular member in your first year of high school is really incredible!"

After she finished speaking, she cupped her face in her hands, her large, bright green eyes sparkling with pure admiration, like they were studded with tiny stars.

One of Japan's specialties is the seniority system.

This is a situation that occurs in the vast majority of groups.

After all, it's more important than improving one's own or the abilities of future generations.

Many vested interests prefer to maintain their established positions and, as rule-makers, impose a framework to suppress newcomers in order to protect their own interests.

It is difficult for a family to prosper for a long time, but a rule that remains unchanged and benefits the class can exist almost eternally.

Seniority-based ranking is one such rule.

However, just as "where there are poisonous snakes, there is always an antidote within a hundred paces."

Later generations also found corresponding solutions.

In Japan, this is known as "the underdog overthrowing the superior."

Prove yourself with your abilities.

Then, based on the specific strength of his abilities and the targets he was targeting.

Individuals, groups, rules, etc., generate corresponding and unpredictable effects, and then obtain the desired results.

As fellow high school students, Sakura Hibiki doesn't pay much attention to sports activities like the Gyokuryuki.

However, this does not prevent her from using this identity to boast about Tanaka Yukishin's behavior and abilities.

Tanaka Yukishin stopped picking up meat with her chopsticks, looking somewhat helpless in the face of Sakura Hibiki's straightforward praise.

He shook his head slightly, his tone calm.

"It's alright. After all, there needs to be a suitable path to get out of that school. And competitions are the most suitable method for students."

This matter is really not worth mentioning to him.

After all, they're using superhuman abilities; they shouldn't be unable to handle even ordinary people's sports activities.

What's the difference between that and the so-called "bomb saint" or someone with the body of Pangu playing basketball?

On the other hand...

Sakura Hibiki her advantage, continuing to build momentum with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "When my silly second brother asked you, Tanaka-kun, to deliver a message, didn't he... well... show his particularly carefree and unreliable side?"

"The unconventional side?"

A vivid image flashed through Tanaka Yukishin in an instant.

Recalling Sakura Sae's astonishing kneeling, and Hiratsuka Kaoru bowing deeply) after malicious competition.

And that line, "This is my request once a month."

The image was so impactful that his lips twitched slightly before he managed to maintain a calm expression.

He nodded, his tone tinged with a mix of emotion and helplessness.

"The word 'unconventional'... is indeed very fitting. Senior Sakura's words and actions at the time were truly... impressive and quite surprising."

Very well! No one knows my second brother's character better than I do!

He only reveals his true "idiot" nature without any reservations in front of friends he truly respects and considers to be of good character!

This shows that Tanaka-kun holds a very important place in my second brother's heart! My judgment was right after all!

Sakura Hibiki was secretly delighted.

Seeing that the time was ripe, she took a deep breath, mustered all her courage, and decided to abandon all the detours and go straight for the ball!

She put down the clips, placed her hands on her knees, straightened her back slightly, and looked directly at Tanaka Yukishin with her emerald green eyes, asking clearly.

"Um... Tanaka-kun," her voice trembled slightly, but was mostly firm, "What do you think of me...?"

The moment the words left her mouth, two red clouds instantly rose to Sakura Hibiki's cheeks, and her heart pounded like a drum.

She suppressed her shyness, her gaze fixed intently on the answer.

Sakura Ibuki also put down her chopsticks completely at this moment.

He leaned slightly forward, his hands crossed to support his chin, his face clearly showing his "watching the show" attitude.

He eagerly scanned back and forth between his younger sister and Tanaka Yukishin, waiting to see how Tanaka Yukishin respond.

Tanaka Yukishin seemed taken aback by her directness and paused for a moment.

Looking at Sakura Hibiki's expectant yet nervous expression, he thought carefully for a moment and answered honestly, "... Hibiki-san, you're a wonderful person. You're a beautiful, cute, cheerful girl, very energetic, and also very sincere."

"So..."

Sakura Hibiki's heart raced.

But the words caught in his throat when he met his elder brother's undisguised look of amusement.

That darn older brother is still watching!

Confessing my feelings in front of my family is so embarrassing...

Moreover, he said I was pretty and cute.

Shouldn't... shouldn't the boy take the initiative?

A fleeting, alluring, and shy thought crossed her mind.

But the next second she shook her head sharply, banishing the thought.

No, no, no, Tanaka-kun is so handsome, there must be a lot of girls who like him.

Such a high-quality resource as his is rare, unless you're extremely lucky.

Otherwise, even if it were to be discovered by accident, it would quickly be absorbed by the girls around them.

It's best to strike first.

With that thought in mind, she no longer hesitated, suppressing all her shyness with determination.

She took another deep breath and, in a voice clearer and more determined than before, said, word by word:

"I like you, Tanaka-kun -kun! If it's okay, let's go out together, okay?"

The private room fell silent instantly, with only the soft sizzling of oil on the grill.

Sakura Hibiki's confession echoed clearly, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

She stared intently at Tanaka Yukishin, awaiting her fate.

Sakura Ibuki's grin widened even further as she silently mouthed "Go for it!" to her sister, her eyes blazing with gossip.

Here it comes! The little sister's direct confession!

Tanaka-kun, let's see how you handle this blow from youth!

Tanaka Yukishin looked at Sakura Hibiki's incredibly serious eyes, filled with the courage of someone willing to take a gamble, and remained silent for a few seconds.

Then, he spoke slowly, his voice clear and calm.

"Sure."

Sakura Hibiki's heart was instantly struck by immense joy, and a radiant smile bloomed on her face; she almost cheered out loud.

If her lover is Tanaka-kun, she can persevere even in a long-distance relationship!

However, Tanaka Yukishin's follow-up "but" was like a bucket of cold water, instantly freezing the corners of her upturned mouth.

"However, before that," Tanaka Yukishin paused, her gaze meeting Sakura Hibiki's suddenly surprised and confused look, "I must tell you something very important."

"... What... is it?"

Sakura Hibiki's voice was somewhat dry, and a strong sense of unease rose within her.

Tanaka Yukishin slightly and uttered a thunderbolt, shattering Sakura Hibiki's love.

"I have a girlfriend. And I'm a harem person."

"What--?!"

"Just like... just like his older brother... a scumbag?!"

Sakura Hibiki's smile froze instantly, her mind went blank, as if she had been hit hard by a hammer.

Are you kidding me? Why did her first love end up like this?

She couldn't let go of this relationship that ended before it even began.

And... after seeing someone so stunning, how can I possibly be interested in anyone else in the future...?

A near-desperate premonition enveloped her.

Sakura Hibiki stared blankly at Tanaka Yukishin, then subconsciously glanced at her older brother beside her.

"Cough cough cough!"

Sakura Ibuki coughed violently from the sudden accusation of being a "scumbag," pointing at herself with an innocent and bewildered expression that seemed to say, "What does this have to do with me?"

But seeing his sister so distraught, as if her world had collapsed, he still felt a pang of sympathy.

But the heartache lasted only three seconds.

He turned around and, with a grin, mercilessly delivered another cruel blow to his younger sister, smashing her shattered love into dust.

"Hibiki, do you remember our argument before we waited for Tanaka-kun to arrive?"

Upon hearing this, Sakura Hibiki abruptly raised her head, first giving Tanaka Yukishin a resentful glare.

His eyes held a complex and indescribable look, filled with disappointment, sadness, and a hint of reproach for being "emotionally deceived."

Immediately afterwards, that resentment transformed into a murderous intent that was about to solidify.

He viciously stabbed at his gloating older brother Sakura Ibuki!

Bro! You're dead! Absolutely dead!

I'm going to tell Mom and Dad on you right now! You'll be in big trouble!

She immediately ignored the two of them and channeled her grief and anger into her appetite.

She picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a large piece of roasted meat, and no longer tried to maintain a ladylike demeanor while eating, reverting to her usual lively, generous, and even somewhat bold eating style.

She chewed deeply, as if trying to swallow all her disappointment and resentment.

Seeing Sakura Hibiki's posture and the oppressive aura emanating from her, Tanaka Yukishin's eyes flashed with a faint sense of pity.

But he didn't offer any words of comfort, nor did he change his stance.

He simply picked up the tongs silently, his [Chef's Fortune] ability quietly activated, and grilled a few pieces of the most tender and perfectly cooked meat, then steadily placed them onto Sakura Hibiki's plate.

Sakura Hibiki paused for a moment.

She neither refused nor looked at him.

He simply lowered his head, ate the fragrant rice, and stuffed the pieces of roasted meat into his mouth in large bites.

Although we can't be lovers...

But at least it's a dish that perfectly matches my aesthetic standards, and its quality is up to par.