Nanika's Insistence

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Footsteps echoed through the empty corridor.

Step by step, they drew slowly closer.

At the end of the hall, inside a room secured by a heavy iron door, a child in a dress sat blankly on the bed.

Hearing the footsteps, the child slowly raised their head.

A ghastly pale face and hollow, pitch-black eyes—not human in the slightest.

Tilting their head, as if realizing something, they murmured in a low voice, "Someone is coming."

"Why won't anyone play with Nanika?"

The aggrieved voice reverberated through the room, yet no one answered.

The surveillance cameras inside the room remained locked on, missing not a single detail.

This behavior was less like treating a child and more like guarding a prisoner.

Thud.

Finally, the footsteps outside stopped.

A man in a white suit stood there, his cuffs perfectly aligned.

Gold chains adorned his attire, and the top button of his collar was fastened tight.

His white leather shoes were polished to a mirror shine, without a speck of dust.

He had short, silver hair and a gentle face.

He was smiling, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.

He looked perfectly polite.

Wearing white silk gloves, the man gently tugged at his fingertips to adjust their fit.

He flexed his wrists and took out the key his father had handed to him earlier.

Clang.

The lock cylinder turned.

Clang.

Clang.

After several consecutive sounds, the door remained shut.

Click.

Finally, a crisp sound emanated from the lock.

The man raised an eyebrow, knowing this was the precursor to it opening.

He applied a little force.

The door swung open in response.

"Who... are you?"

A small, clear voice rang out.

Coleman followed the sound and discovered it was his younger sibling sitting on the bed.

After a brief assessment, Coleman mused to himself that perhaps "younger sister" would be a more fitting term.

"Me? Your second brother, Coleman. Don't you remember me?"

He bent down slightly, as if searching for a height that would allow him to look the child in the eye. After scanning the room, he chose to pull over a stool.

Screech.

The harsh sound of wood scraping against the floor echoed out, but Coleman didn't care in the slightest.

He leaned back lazily against the stool, smiling.

His fingers felt a slight itch, and Coleman licked his lips.

Very well, seeing this little one made him crave a cigarette again.

He cast a subtle glance at the surveillance camera.

A pity he couldn't; Father would see.

He cracked his neck, trying to make his demeanor as casual as possible, ensuring he didn't project any aggression.

"My dear little brother, do you not remember me?"

The scarlet eyes were hazy and dim, as if covered by a veil.

Yet, upon closer inspection, it seemed as if there was nothing there at all.

Nanika was taken aback by his attitude.

Ever since she gained consciousness, no one except Alluka had ever failed to fear or be wary of her.

Why was this person...

"I remember, Big Brother."

Alluka's youthful, sunny voice rang out in Nanika's mind.

"This is our second brother! He's super amazing! He can take us outside!"

"Does Alluka not like staying here? With me."

Nanika asked in a low voice.

"Does Alluka not like staying with Nanika?"

Alluka sounded a bit puzzled: "Being able to go outside doesn't conflict with staying with Nanika forever. Doesn't Nanika want to see the outside world?"

Ever since Nanika's existence was exposed, Alluka hadn't seen the outside in a long time.

And Nanika had perhaps only seen it a few times.

After all, Alluka had been in control of this body for a long time.

Alluka didn't know if Nanika could see the outside through her own eyes.

But Alluka was unable to see the outside through Nanika's perspective.

Therefore, Nanika must want to see the outside world.

There, there was sunlight, flowers, and butterflies flapping their wings!

"Then what if Nanika is trapped here forever?"

Nanika asked again, with a hint of probing.

Alluka answered as if it were a matter of course: "Then I'll just stay here with you."

Receiving this answer, a warmth spread through Nanika's heart.

She couldn't distinguish what this was, but she was very happy.

"Hey, kid, answer the question."

Suddenly, the voice from the outside world startled Nanika. She raised her head and looked at the boy who was playing with a lighter.

The person was smiling, without a shred of fear, even looking at her with interest.

It was as if he were sizing up some interesting creature.

In those eyes, there was no fear of an unknown entity, nor terror of Nanika's abilities.

There was only curiosity, which left Nanika feeling deeply perplexed.

Was this person not afraid that curiosity would kill the cat?

"What?"

Nanika tilted her head, full of confusion.

"Do you want to go out?"

Leave this place and go to the outside world.

"..."

Nanika did not speak, just looking at Coleman like that, as if she didn't understand what he was saying.

Licking his lips, Coleman shook his head and chuckled.

Suddenly, he sat up straight and said seriously.

"Force it, Nanika. I feel like you can't hold it back much longer."

It was strange, but Coleman simply felt that he sensed it.

That faint, almost imperceptible aura of darkness was slowly expanding.

As if it were craving something.

It was indescribable and unclear; Coleman didn't know what was going on either.

But it was harmless.

At the same time, what Coleman didn't know was what his eyes looked like to Nanika at this moment.

In his blood-red pupils, something seemed to be moving, flickering.

The originally slightly rounded pupils were gradually shrinking, trending toward vertical slits.

The warmth that had always been displayed on the surface vanished, replaced by a chilling, sinister air.

Like a fierce serpent, it lay in wait within the shadows.

Yet, in the very next instant, it vanished.

As if nothing had ever happened at all.

That gentle second brother emerged once more.

"Can you give me a hug?"

Spreading her arms wide, Nanika chose to ignore the strange aura clinging to Coleman, tilting her head with a smile.

Coleman smiled readily, brushed the dust off his clothes, stepped forward, and scooped the child up.

"Why wouldn't I?"

He even took the liberty of patting the child's head.

Oh my, is this what it feels like to have a little sister?

It's really not bad at all!

If not for their father's surveillance, Coleman would have even liked to spin the child around in circles.

And take her out to buy cute little dresses!

"Can you kiss my cheek?"

Without a hint of hesitation, almost as soon as Nanika finished speaking, Coleman planted a kiss on her.

After the first kiss, he discovered how soft the child's face was and, feeling a bit cheeky, gave her another one.

Whoo-hoo!!!

Little sisters are the greatest things in the world!

What good are annoying little brothers anyway?!

Nanika returned the gesture with a big hug, nuzzling into her brother's arms.

So warm.

Hidden deep within the recesses of their mind, Alluka couldn't help but blush upon hearing Nanika's slightly excessive request.

She couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like to be kissed by her second brother, who possessed a face that could drive both gods and men to madness.

Their eldest brother was handsome, but due to his personality, Alluka always felt he was somewhat effeminate and ruthless.

But their second brother was different; he knew exactly how to make the most of his own beauty and charm.

He utilized his face to the absolute fullest.

Including the personality he displayed to the outside world.

Gentle and refined, a humble gentleman who was polite, proper, and respectful toward women.

He was the very definition of a "central air-conditioning" gentleman that married women and countless others adored!

Who could bear to see such a man frown?

But he was kissing her right now!!

Ah, no, he was kissing Nanika!

But for all intents and purposes, that was the same as kissing her!

She silently checked her physical condition, only to find that in the body controlled by Nanika, her heart rate was normal and steady, with no signs of increased blood flow or heat rising to her face.

???

Is Nanika not even the slightest bit shy?

Completely defeated by her brother's gentleness, Alluka was filled with question marks.

Then, she heard Nanika's young, crisp voice ring out.

She said.

"Can you give me your left arm to play with?"