"Y-you... what's gotten into you all of a sudden?!" Shinobu stammered for a long time, her gaze wandering, not daring to meet Rokuya's eyes at all. "Asking such a ridiculous question-did eating all that beef damage your brain?"
"Answer me directly, Shinobu." Rokuya's voice remained calm, but it carried a firmness that allowed no refusal.
Shinobu drew a deep breath, both hands gripping the edge of the table so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She closed her eyes as though making some sort of decision, then suddenly opened them and declared loudly, "We are family!"
The moment those words fell, a tide of complicated feelings surged through Shinobu.
There was a trace of relief, because she had finally found a legitimate, unassailable excuse to keep him by her side, to care about him and depend on him without reservation; but more than anything, there was regret.
Family.
That word was like a sturdy defensive barrier, protecting her fragile pride while forcibly pushing away that hazy, heart-fluttering possibility between them.
Rokuya watched her contradictory expression, relieved yet faintly disappointed, and the corners of his mouth curved almost imperceptibly.
He had expected this answer. This scheming little girl, so unwilling to be honest, hid all her vulnerability beneath a sharp tongue and a strong exterior. Asking her to face her feelings honestly right now really was a little too much.
But that was all right. He had plenty of patience.
"I see..." Rokuya deliberately drew out the words, a hint of mischief flashing through his eyes. "Since we're family..."
Shinobu watched him nervously, her heart in her throat, afraid that he would keep pressing her.
"Since we're family, go get me some more beef." Rokuya tapped his empty plate with complete assurance. "I'm not full yet. If the pillar of this