Chapter 209. Sirin: Kiana, I'm Going All In Against You!!!
At night, Kiana and her companion didn't linger by the sea. Once the air turned colder, they walked home hand in hand.
Though she'd talked a big game, the moment they got back Kiana yanked her hand from Xander Masato's and bolted—guilty as a thief, desperate not to be seen.
That sort of thing wasn't urgent anyway. After her confession succeeded, she suddenly felt Sirin had a point: getting closer step by step really did feel wonderfully happy.
So, shaking off Xander Masato, she hurried upstairs to share her joy with Sirin—and while she was at it, to thank her properly for the advice she'd shared.
Knock, knock, knock.
Standing at Sirin's door, Kiana rapped a few times. Bronya and Elysia's rooms were right next door; for no reason at all, Kiana felt a flutter of nerves and didn't dare run into them.
"P-please, come in!"
Paying no attention to Sirin's oddly strained voice, Kiana twisted the knob and hurried inside.
Instinctively, her eyes went straight to Sirin's streaming setup.
This hour was when her viewers were most active—and the time Sirin usually went live.
But the monitors were dark, the chair empty. Sirin was nowhere to be seen. Kiana swept the room and quickly spotted her in bed beneath the covers.
"Why is it you?!"
Seeing Kiana come in, Sirin's flustered expression froze, then flipped to shock.
"What do you mean 'why me'? I've got something happy to share with you, that's all~"
Kiana shut the door behind her, unbothered by Sirin's attitude.
Honestly, the two of them bickered so often she'd long since gotten used to it.
"Shoo, shoo! I'm busy tonight. No time for you!"
Sirin waved her off like she was chasing out a stray.
If Xander showed up and saw Kiana here—what then? She'd finally gotten a chance where she didn't have to make the first move. If Kiana ruined it, where would she cry about it?
"Come on, don't be so heartless. We're best sisters, aren't we?"
Kiana, not listening at all, grinned and sat on the edge of the bed. Seeing Sirin's bare, smooth arm peeking from the covers, she quipped, "Why are you undressing for bed so early?"
At that, Sirin's eyes lit up. Right—perfect excuse!
She quickly put on a sleepy act. "Yeah. Didn't sleep well last night, so I'm turning in early. If you've got nothing urgent, head back to your room. I'm exhausted."
"Don't rush me. I won't take long."
"You—"
Seeing that still didn't work, Sirin lost her patience. "I said go! Why are you so nosy?!"
Hearing that, Kiana—who'd been speaking nicely—got a little angry: "I'm not leaving!"
"Fine. Not leaving, huh!"
Sirin nearly threw off the covers to shove Kiana out, but the instant she propped herself up she remembered her current state. She ducked back beneath the quilt and glared.
That odd little motion made Kiana—ready to roughhouse with her—fill with suspicion.
What was Sirin hiding?
"Got something under the quilt I'm not allowed to see?"
"N-no!"
But when Sirin's gaze began to drift, Kiana knew at once.
Sirin was definitely hiding something!
Without another word, Kiana reached for the blanket to lift it. Sirin panicked, clamped both hands on the edge, and refused to let Kiana pull it away no matter what she said.
When tugging didn't work, Kiana shifted her grip and flipped the quilt up from behind in one go. The flung covers fell over Sirin's head—and the sight before Kiana made her eyes go wide as her face slowly turned red.
A graceful body lay stretched across the mattress, clad in a gauzy, half-revealing robe. Beneath it, black lingerie as thin as ribbons peeked through—barely covering the most critical spots and doing nothing to hide the blush spreading across her skin.
White skin flushed with pink—paired with the bedroom's warm light—made the scene unspeakably suggestive.
Th-this is worse than wearing nothing at all!!!
Freed from Kiana's grip, Sirin yanked the quilt back up to cover herself and snapped in a mortified fury, "Satisfied now?!!"
Her face was even redder than Kiana's. Sirin glared at her in shame and anger, as if she could eat her alive.
"I—I—I'm s-sorry!!!!"
Kiana ducked her head and blurted an apology.
But maybe the apology rattled her brain, because Kiana immediately noticed something off. Almost as soon as the words left her mouth, she lifted her head again and asked, "Why are you wearing something that… that bold… in your own room?"
At that moment, her brain finally slipped its leash and started racing.
Sirin wasn't an exhibitionist or a narcissist. What was the point of wearing seductive underwear?
Kiana couldn't see it herself; Sirin wasn't a pervert. If she changed into something racy… wasn't it to please someone?
Please who?
Who would Sirin want to please?
In this house, there seemed to be only one answer.
Kiana's heart gave a heavy thud.
"You and Xander… you set a date tonight?!!"
Sirin, who'd been seething, caught the disbelief in Kiana's eyes and felt a surge of secret delight. She closed her eyes halfway, lifted her chin, and wore an expression that admitted everything while loftily refusing to explain.
"I-is that it?"
With that silent confirmation, Kiana's face turned downright ugly.
Bronya and the others were one thing—she'd come later than them. But that jerk had just exchanged confessions with her, and now he was rushing off to keep a date with Sirin?
Wasn't that taking her way too lightly?
Her fists clenched, the rims of her eyes turned red. She bit her lip as a storm rose in her chest.
She liked him so much—she could even accept his philanderer ways. But did he really spare her feelings even a little?
Jealousy, frustration, grievance—all of it surged at once. She was on the verge of tears.
That sight made Sirin, who'd been a little smug, panic immediately. Kiana was usually a carefree goof, never a care in the world; she'd never once seen her sister about to cry like this.
She forgot all about what she was wearing, scooted over, and hugged Kiana tight.
"Kiana, what's wrong?!"
They liked to bicker, sure, but they truly did treat each other as the closest of sisters.
"N-nothing…"
If she were in her own room, Kiana might have cried. But facing Sirin now, she forced it down.
With an awkward, bitter smile, not daring to meet Sirin's anxious eyes, she waited until her throat loosened and then asked hoarsely, "Sirin, when did you and Xander set it up?"
"Eh? That…"
Sirin actually wanted to fudge that answer—but she quickly met Kiana's gaze. Those eyes, rimmed with tears, were deadly serious.
This answer mattered a lot to Kiana.
Sirin understood that much.
After hesitating a moment, she steeled herself and decided to tell the truth.
Her face turned rosy; even her voice carried embarrassment. "Um, um… it was this morning, actually."
Hearing it was this morning, Kiana finally let out a breath.
Good. Good. As long as it wasn't after tonight.
She was the best at making excuses for herself—at comforting herself. As long as that was the case, she could still smile at Xander tomorrow, cling to his arm, and act sweet.
Her thoughts were a jumble, and Sirin kept talking by her ear.
"Yesterday Xander carried us home, right? S-so this morning… and you can't tell anyone about this!"
"Mm…"
Seeing Kiana dazed, Sirin bit her lip and pressed on: "W-when I woke up, I f-found I wasn't wearing any clothes…"
"Oh, not wearing clothes… not wearing… clothes?"
Kiana's eyes cleared at once, and the way she looked at Sirin began to change.
Thinking Kiana was shocked, Sirin suppressed her glee and deliberately put on a scolding tone. "That guy—my head was spinning and he still couldn't keep his hands to himself. Isn't that scummy? If he'd just asked, I—I wouldn't have refused to let him look…"
"?"
Wasn't it Kiana who helped her undress?
Kiana froze, mouth open—then shut it again when she saw Sirin's delighted expression, letting her continue.
"S-so, I gave him a hint this morning."
"A hint for what?"
"That… that he should drop by tonight. So I can give him a good lecture."
"…"
You're going to "lecture" him dressed like that? Planning to lecture and lecture… then move things to the bed for some verbal and hands-on education?
Still, hearing that, Kiana stopped feeling sad. On second thought, it made sense—Xander wasn't that heartless. Otherwise, how could she have fallen for him?
But while the grievance faded, the awkwardness grew. Watching Sirin trying hard to hold back a smile, Kiana felt a peculiar embarrassment.
Uh, sis.jpg
I think… there may be a teensy misunderstanding here…
She wanted to explain—but worried about hurting Sirin.
Sirin had just been so earnest with her. Wouldn't that be too cruel?
But Xander hadn't mentioned any of this just now. Did he… not understand Sirin's hint at all?!
Feigning dejection, Kiana slipped her phone into the blind spot of Sirin's view and typed quickly.
Kiana: [Xander, Xander—have you made any plans with Sirin lately?]
Soon, a reply came.
Favorite Xander: [Nope. Been pretty busy. Did Sirin ask me out?]
Kiana: [Hehe, nothing. See you tomorrow, my love—mua~]
He really hadn't noticed!!!!
Her heart screamed like a marmot. Suddenly Kiana couldn't bring herself to look Sirin in the eye.
And also—th-this wasn't her fault, right? She'd only done it because Sirin's clothes had drool on them…
Okay, she was the one who drooled. That's fine then.
This silly Sirin—what good is all that imagination if you don't check things with someone first?!!!
Now who's the one stuck in a mess?
"Kiana?"
"Huh?"
She looked up on reflex—and ran straight into Sirin's concerned gaze. Kiana flinched and turned her head guiltily.
Seeing Kiana back to normal, Sirin sighed in relief and couldn't help saying, "Kiana, you scared me just now. It's the first time I've seen you like that."
"That was… an accident. An accident, haha…"
With a dry laugh, Kiana weighed how to break it.
Xander definitely wouldn't be coming tonight. If Sirin got stood up, then tomorrow she'd either storm off to confront him in anger or bottle it up alone—both too cruel. Better that Kiana pull off the bandage herself so Sirin wouldn't be so embarrassed.
"Sirin…"
"What is it?"
"I—I have something to tell you."
Her hesitance made Sirin squeeze her shoulder encouragingly. "Whatever it is, just say it. We're good sisters, aren't we?"
"You can't hit me or scold me after."
Batting her eyes, Kiana spoke weakly.
"Is it about Xander?"
Kiana hurriedly shook her head.
Sirin burst out laughing. "Then why would I hit or scold you? Out with it! Since when did you get so wishy-washy? What could you possibly say that would get under my skin?"
"O-okay, I'm saying it."
You asked for it, okay!
Muttering to herself, Kiana drew a deep breath. Looking at the curious Sirin, she said in a small voice, "A-actually… this morning, I was the one who helped you take off your clothes…"
Sirin: "?"
Her smile froze.
When Sirin didn't respond, Kiana thought she'd spoken too softly and quickly repeated, "Actually, this morning, your clothes—"
"Shut up!!"
The barked order made Kiana snap her mouth shut. Sirin's whole body was trembling; Kiana asked carefully, "S-Sirin, are you okay?"
"Me? I'm great. Haha. I'm really great."
Lifting her head, Sirin's face was flushed scarlet. The corner of her mouth twitched as she glared like a vengeful spirit.
"H-ha… s-since you're fine, I'll just… go now. I won't get in the way…"
If she told Sirin right now that she and Xander were already a thing, what would happen?
A shiver ran down her spine. Kiana strangled that suicidal thought.
Smack.
She had just turned when a hand clamped down on her shoulder. Pain shot through her and she twisted back to see Sirin's mortified, furious, practically "we die together" expression.
"You said you wouldn't hit me!"
"I never said that."
"Y-you liar!"
But Sirin wasn't in the mood to argue. She lunged at Kiana with the resolve of mutual destruction.
What happened next… Kiana's misery needs no elaboration.
...
"Are Kiana and Sirin fighting again next door?"
"Sounds like it."
"Should I go break it up?"
"Forget it. We're used to it. Let them tussle and they'll be fine."
Lying in bed, Bronya and Seele each hugged one of Xander Masato's arms, whispering across his chest.
Xander Masato was on the phone with Cocolia; it was late morning work hours in North America.
Seated in her boss chair, Cocolia chatted pleasantly with her favorite child. They'd just discussed the Gensokyo Park plan the kids had dreamed up. Naturally, she strongly approved—and the fact that the kids were willing to hand the management rights to her, increasing the resources and leverage in her hands, moved her deeply.
This child… isn't he afraid I'll sell him out?
She laughed at herself and shook her head, but to say she wasn't happy would be a lie.
In the company—among people from the orphanage or otherwise—only a handful treated her so sincerely, so unguardedly. That was one of the few soft places in her heart.
When the work talk ended and there was time to spare, Cocolia simply kept all four kids on the line to chat. As they shared recent amusing stories, a name from Seele suddenly caught her attention.
Her smile faded; her brows drew together. "Seele, did you just say… Mobius?"
"Yep—Dr. Mobius. She's Elysia's friend. We threw her a birthday party yesterday~"
"The Mobius from Shencheng Technology?"
"I think so. That's how she introduced herself—long green hair, great figure, super pretty~"
Hearing the trap in that, Xander Masato traded a glance with Bronya. Bronya spoke up at once: "Dr. Mobius said she came to the Far East because of a collaboration with Anti-Entropy. You didn't know that, Mother Cocolia?"
Xander had told her that while they were chatting earlier, and she'd been stunned for quite a while.
"..."
"Mother Cocolia?"
"No, it's nothing. Let's… change the subject."
She forced the topic away—but the mood was already gone. After a few perfunctory lines, she hung up.
"Feels like… we might've said something bad…"
"It'll… probably be fine…"
Bronya gave a dry laugh—words even she didn't believe.
Seele was about to add something when her body went suddenly rigid and her expression turned fierce.
She swung a leg over Xander Masato's waist and huffed, "Why do you care so much? Hurry up and finish so we can sleep!"
"Eh? Didn't we already do it during the day?"
"That was Seele. What's it got to do with me? Get up."
"This isn't voice-controlled. It won't 'get up' just because you say so…"
"Tch. Such a hassle."
As she said this, Veliona slowly leaned down, and the sound of moist squelching softly began to rise.
At the same time, Bronya edged closer, eyes sparkling. "Since I'm here already… count me in~"
Elsewhere, in a senior Anti-Entropy office.
Cocolia set her phone down on the desk. Gone was the relaxed ease from chatting with the kids.
Dr. Mobius… collaborating with Anti-Entropy…
Heh. How interesting.
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows, she narrowed her eyes, a flicker of light and shadow in her pupils.
She gazed down at the bustling city below, eyes unfocused on some distant point, and murmured under her breath.
"Welt Yang… and…"
"Raiden Ryoma…"
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