Kotori, This Is Bad! My Sister Is Going to Be Tricked Away by a Bad Woman

"Kotori, I'm back."

'Shido' pushed open the front door. As she changed her shoes, she carefully set the bag of ingredients in her hand on the entryway counter. Bending down, she pulled a well-preserved pair of pink fuzzy slippers from the shoe cabinet. A cute little bow adorned each slipper—those belonged to her adoptive mother, who was away on a business trip.

She carefully lined up the slippers and placed them on the floor in front of Qian Huanyue.

Qian Huanyue looked down at the slippers, which were clearly meant for an adult woman, and naturally slipped them on. She placed her own bag of ingredients onto the entryway counter.

"Excuse me," she said softly as she stepped into the Itsuka family's living room.

"Welcome home—"

A clear voice, sweet to the point of seeming deliberate, came from the living room. Kotori, a white ribbon tied in her hair and a lollipop in her mouth, jumped down from the sofa. Her face wore an impeccable adorable, innocent smile belonging to "little sister mode."

Yet the instant Qian Huanyue entered the living room, her lively eyes swiftly and thoroughly examined her from head to toe.

Kotori's internal alarm went up another level!

"Big brother, who is this pretty big sister?" she asked, tilting her head with an innocent tone.

Big sister actually brought a girl home!!!

'Shido's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, but she quickly relaxed. "Ah, this is Qian Huanyue. Huanyue, this is my little sister, Kotori."

"Hello, little sister Kotori." Qian Huanyue smiled and naturally handed over a small paper bag. "A little gift for our first meeting. I hope you like it."

Inside were beautifully packaged fruit-flavored lollipops she had bought on the way over.

Kotori accepted the paper bag in surprise, and her eyes brightened slightly before she quickly resumed her well-behaved expression. "Thank you, Big Sister Huanyue! You really didn't have to!"

Tch, she sure knows how to win people over...

Kotori grumbled inwardly, though her face still carried a maximally adorable smile. She skillfully unwrapped one of the lollipops Qian Huanyue had given her, put the new candy into her mouth, then asked casually:

"Is Big Sister Huanyue Big Brother's classmate? I don't think I've heard him mention you before." She blinked her large, innocent eyes, though a barely noticeable test lay hidden in her tone.

Qian Huanyue naturally sat down on the sofa, her posture elegant and relaxed. "No," she said with a smile, shaking her head. "Shido and I happened to meet not long ago, and we ran into each other again today."

Huh? Since when did Big Sister get so popular with women?

Kotori's suspicions deepened, but she put on an enlightened expression. "So that's how it is~ Then you two really are fated!" She skipped over to sit beside Qian Huanyue, leaned closer, and lowered her voice as she asked mysteriously:

"Then... what do you think of my big brother? He rarely brings friends home, especially..." She deliberately drew out her words, her eyes curving into crescents. "...such a cute girl."

In Kotori Itsuka's imagination, Qian Huanyue would become tongue-tied at those words, then blush.

Kotori smugly waited to enjoy the other girl's flustered reaction.

Yet rather than becoming shy as Kotori expected, Qian Huanyue leaned forward slightly and responded in an equally intimate whisper, a mischievous gleam flashing in her eyes:

"Shido... is a very gentle and attentive person. She may seem a little careless, but she notices so many little details..."

"And," Qian Huanyue deliberately paused, watching Kotori's eyes widen slightly. A meaningful smile curved her lips. "When she helps others, she looks especially cool."

A loud clatter came from the kitchen, as though a pot lid had fallen to the floor.

Kotori was completely stunned. She even forgot to lick her lollipop.

Th-this reaction was wrong! Normally, shouldn't a girl blush and deny it after being teased like that? Why did this "Big Sister Huanyue" look so unruffled? She was even turning the tables on her!

This girl... was way too high-level!

Just then, 'Shido' fled from the kitchen carrying a plate of sliced fruit, her cheeks bright red. "Um... dinner will take a little while longer, so p-please have some fruit first!"

"Thank you, Mr. Shido/Big Brother."

Qian Huanyue and Kotori spoke in unison. Then they both froze for a moment, and Qian Huanyue gave Kotori a gentle smile.

The direct form of address made 'Shido's ears redden even more. She stammered, "N-no need to thank me... You two chat. I'm going to cook!" With that, she fled back into the kitchen.

Kotori watched Shido leave, then turned back with an innocent smile on her face. "Big Sister Huanyue, would you like a tour of our house? How about I show you Big Brother's room?"

"No," Qian Huanyue said with a smile, shaking her head. She had already seen it long ago when watching anime and playing games. "That's Shido's private space. We should respect her privacy."

That proper answer left Kotori speechless for a moment. Every test she had prepared was lightly defused by that flawless response.

As Kotori considered her next probing strategy, an enticing fragrance suddenly drifted from the kitchen. Qian Huanyue took a light sniff, her pale violet eyes widening as her expression brightened with anticipation. "It smells so good. It looks like Shido really is an excellent cook."

After all, Shido would later raise Spirits like raising little pigs and have to take care of every Spirit's appetite at home. Naturally, her cooking would be good.

"Of course!" Kotori immediately switched into "little sister proud of her big sister" mode. After all, the ribbon on her twin tails was still white. How scheming could she possibly be?

Just then, 'Shido' emerged from the kitchen carrying the final dish, a bashful smile on her face. "Dinner's ready."

Golden fried pork cutlets, bright green bell peppers, steaming miso soup, chicken pieces, and fragrant white rice.

So domestic!

If Shido were a girl, I'd definitely marry her!

Qian Huanyue looked at the table full of dishes that were perfect in color, aroma, and flavor, offering heartfelt praise inwardly. This skill truly matched the level needed to feed a whole household of Spirits in the future.

"You made all of this?" Qian Huanyue looked at the abundant table in surprise. This time, her praise came straight from the heart. "Shido, you're amazing."

Blushing again at such direct praise, Shido unconsciously twisted the edge of her apron between her fingers. "I-it's nothing special... Just ordinary home cooking. I hope it suits your taste."

After the three sat down, Kotori deliberately took the seat opposite Qian Huanyue, preparing to continue observing her during the meal.

However, to her surprise, Qian Huanyue's table manners were elegant and natural. There was nothing suspicious about her at all—except for how her pale violet eyes sparkled throughout the meal, as though she had discovered some treasure.

That expression... did she really like Big Sister's cooking that much?

Qian Huanyue cut off a small piece of golden pork cutlet and placed it in her mouth. The crispy coating and tender, juicy meat made her narrow her eyes in satisfaction. "This is delicious!"

She sampled the other dishes as well, offering precise praise after every taste. "This miso soup is seasoned just right," "The bell peppers are crisp and refreshing," "The chicken has been marinated so thoroughly"...

Shiori was so thoroughly praised that she could barely sit still, but the corners of her lips could not help rising. "I'm glad you like it..."

Kotori watched her big sister's blushing, hopeless appearance again and helplessly facepalmed inwardly.

Big Sister, have you forgotten you're a girl? Don't let all those years of dressing as a boy fool you!!

Kotori grew increasingly confused. She had initially thought Qian Huanyue was merely a suspicious person putting on an act, but now it seemed the other girl was genuinely enjoying this meal.

After finishing the last sip of miso soup, Qian Huanyue contentedly set down her bowl and chopsticks. This home-cooked meal had given her a warmth she had not felt in a long time, but reason reminded her that she should leave. After all, as a Spirit, she had no real place to stay, and if she remained too long, what if the call of the neighboring world suddenly made her disappear while they were together?

"Thank you for the meal. This was the most delicious meal I've ever had," Qian Huanyue said sincerely, a trace of nearly imperceptible loneliness flashing through her pale violet eyes.

She missed Kurumi a little. Later, if she acted spoiled, could she ask her how to stay in the present world?

Qian Huanyue stood and waved to the two of them. "Thank you so much for today. It's getting late, so I should be going."

Shiori hurriedly stood as well. "Should I walk you home? It's already dark..."

"No," Qian Huanyue refused gently but firmly, then smiled faintly.

"Goodbye, Shido. Kotori," Qian Huanyue said softly before turning to open the door.

Just as the door was about to close, Shiori suddenly came back to her senses and hurried after her. "Wait!"

Qian Huanyue stopped and looked back in the night. Moonlight traced her in silver, making her appear both hazy and gentle. "What is it, Shido?"

"Um..." Shiori nervously twisted her fingers together, her cheeks flushed beneath the hallway light. "We... haven't exchanged contact information yet..."

The moment those words left her mouth, Shiori herself froze. She had clearly been living as "Shido," yet at this moment of parting, she so naturally wanted to hold on to her connection with this girl.

Please.

Say yes.

Qian Huanyue was slightly taken aback as well, then revealed a gentle yet complicated smile. Looking at Shiori's nervous, hopeful expression, she said softly, "The next time we meet. Perhaps the bond between Mr. Shido and me is even closer than we imagine."

I don't even have a penny on me, much less a simple communication device. I should just brush this off.

"Next time... when will that be?" Shiori could not help asking, an urgency she herself had not noticed in her voice.

Qian Huanyue looked at the moon in the night sky, thoughtful. "Very soon... perhaps sooner than you think, Shido."

She gave Shiori one final smile, then turned and disappeared into the night. Her silver hair glimmered once in the moonlight before vanishing around the corner of the street.

"Big Sister, she's already long gone~" Kotori's teasing voice came from behind her. Inwardly, she decided that she would definitely use Ratatoskr and the Fraxinus to investigate this woman who seemed especially close to her big sister.

Only then did Shiori come back to her senses. She gently closed the door and lightly pressed a hand to her chest, feeling strangely empty inside.