Joking, I'd Never Be a Sister Complex! (Part 1)

Looking at the innocent-looking Umaru Doma, Sogo Doma fell into silence.

Wait!

Could it be that he'd had too much whiskey, vodka, and Remy Martin lately, causing his memory to get a bit scrambled? As expected, when it comes to drinking, one must stick to Moutai!

He struggled to recall.

One day ago.

Standing in front of the new house, Sogo Doma wore a brilliant smile.

"Umaru, this is our new home! Wahahaha! Once these smart appliances are installed, doesn't it feel like our new place is packed with high-tech vibes? Wahahaha..."

There was absolutely no element of showing off!

"Onii-chan, can't we just install these things ourselves? Are these people really..." Not answering Sogo Doma's question directly, Umaru pointed at the workers busily moving about.

Idiot.

Sogo Doma, a transmigrator living like a salted fish, thought to himself, then smiled and spoke.

"My foolish little sister, there's an old saying: when it comes to spending money, do it early. Besides, if the two of us were to install all these appliances, heh, are you trying to work Onii-chan to death, or work yourself to death..."

"Right now, we can get everything done for a small price. You know what this is called? This is called 'pay-to-win'!"

"My foolish little sister, whether in games or in reality, only by paying can you become stronger. Only by paying can you become stronger..."

Watching his Onii-chan lost in his own world, Umaru Doma nodded blankly: "Uh, uh!"

Indeed, professional workers were different; they finished the installation in a very short time. After the two parties exchanged polite farewells, Umaru Doma began her treasure-hunting adventure.

"Onii-chan, what is this?"

"Wii!" Nintendo's latest console.

Umaru Doma's eyes began to shine.

Walking up to a screen with two gun controllers, Umaru Doma began to drool again.

"Onii-chan, what is this one?"

"That? It's said to be an online FPS battle game. See that mat under your feet? They say it's a motion sensor. You make moves on it, and the game character follows your actions..."

"Akasaka Fireworks?" Before Sogo Doma could finish his introduction, Umaru Doma's eyes widened, and she hugged her Onii-chan's arm.

Looking at the sparkling eyes of the dumpling-like girl.

Sogo Doma felt rare embarrassment and pushed the dumpling off his arm: "Yeah, I remember Ryunosuke Akasaka saying that was the name. Why? Is it famous?"

"Famous? It's more than just famous, Onii-chan!" Umaru, still looking like a dumpling, said with a serious face: "Akasaka Fireworks is a treasure known throughout the otaku world—no, the entire gaming world! They say the price for a closed beta slot has already reached 5 million yen. Am I, am I seeing the real thing right now?"

"I guess it's real." Ryunosuke Akasaka wouldn't lie to him, right? This should be the real deal!

Upon confirmation, Umaru rushed over with misty eyes: "Onii-chan, Umaru feels so happy!"

"Yeah, yeah," I know, go play your game. His perfunctory tone held a hint of guilt. Seriously, that guy Akasaka wouldn't pull a fast one on him, would he?

"Beep, beep, beep..."

Umaru Doma wanted to say something else, but Sogo Doma's phone started ringing. Looking at the caller ID, Sogo Doma frowned slightly.

"Onii-chan?" Umaru seemed to sense something and looked up at Sogo.

However, Sogo Doma still wore his brilliant smile.

"Well, Onii-chan is going to take this call, so Umaru should go inside and play games. Whoever fails to do that, heh heh heh..."

"Got it. Onii-chan, stop treating me like a child!" Umaru Doma angrily turned on the game console. What's an Onii-chan? Is an Onii-chan more fun than a game? Don't make me laugh!

Stepping out of the house.

Sogo Doma answered the call from Keiryu Doma.

"Moshi moshi." A lazy voice—this was Sogo Doma's most common way of greeting.

Then.

"Sogo Doma!" From the phone came the ear-splitting roar of a man.

"Yo, yo, old man, still so full of energy. Looks like I don't need to worry about you dropping dead early." Digging at his ear, Sogo Doma's smile remained.

There was a long silence on the other end before a low voice spoke.

"Tell me, why did you drop out of Totsuki?"

"Nah, how should I put it? The contract between the Doma Family and Totsuki is already signed anyway, so whether I'm at Totsuki or not shouldn't matter anymore, right?"

"You bastard, do you have any idea how important the title of Totsuki Elite Ten is for your future?" The voice on the phone sounded somewhat irritable, carrying a sense of frustration that he couldn't live up to expectations.

To this.

Sogo Doma was silent for half a second, then he spoke again with a bright smile.

"That? Because cooking and such aren't interesting at all. Just like the piano back then. I, as expected, only want to pursue things that are interesting! Besides, do you really think the Elite Ten is that important to me?"

"..." After a brief silence on the phone.

"Setting aside the expulsion, I want to know why you took Umaru away from the Doma Family without a word?"

"That? Because I want Umaru to have a future that belongs to her alone." Glancing at his good-for-nothing sister currently wrestling with her game, Sogo Doma said nonchalantly.

"You bastard, are you saying the Doma Family can't provide a future for Umaru?"

"No, no, no..." Sogo Doma chuckled. "Old man, you're twisting my words again. I'm saying that Umaru needs a future that is one hundred percent, entirely of her own choosing."

Silence. Endless silence.

How could Keiryu Doma not understand what Sogo Doma meant? This so-called absolute freedom meant being free from family constraints, avoiding political marriages, and even...

"Don't forget, everything you have was given to you by the Doma Family!" After the silence, an icy voice came through the phone once more.

However.

Sogo Doma smiled.

"The theory of interests? In that case, perhaps we should settle the accounts..."

"Shut up!"

"Sogo, you should understand that only within the Doma Family can Umaru receive the best education, obtain the best security, and be able to..."

Hearing this, Sogo Doma's expression turned cold.

He glanced at his good-for-nothing sister once again.

"Are you talking about those young ladies raised with etiquette, who must wear fake smiles even when they are sad?"

"..." The phone fell silent again.

"I don't want that kind of Umaru."

"Are you talking about those young ladies who must walk with dainty, measured steps even when they are in pain?"

"..."

"I don't want that kind of Umaru."

"Are you talking about those young ladies who, after marrying, can only weep in the shadows whenever their husbands shout at them?"

"..."

"I don't want that kind of Umaru."

"Are you talking about..."

"Enough!" Keiryu Doma roared again. "Then tell me, what is it that you want!"

Looking back at his good-for-nothing sister, Sogo Doma smiled. "Me? I just want a lazy sister who gets all excited while playing a new game, shouts in delight while drinking cola, giggles like an idiot while reading Weekly Shonen Jump, and is occasionally devious, but always manages to stay happy!"

Silence. Another several seconds of complete silence.