...
"Big... Sis..." Lucian choked; he couldn't even say it fully. "This is too hard. Spare me, hero."
"Is it really that difficult for little Lu?" Ines Fujin countered. "Look, I switched right away."
"It's not the same... Mainly because I'm used to calling you 'Ines.' Suddenly calling you 'Big Sis' feels kinda weird." Lucian scraped the pan to keep the chicken wings from sticking, but he couldn't fully concentrate on cooking anymore.
"Ahem, little Lu." Ines Fujin cleared her throat a few times—she wasn't entirely used to it either.
Lucian: "..."
"Yes?"
"Didn't you say before that you'd give Big Sis a joining gift too?"
"Yeah, but it might be a bit later. I've been too busy recently."
"What I mean is, if you haven't prepared anything, it's fine... If little Lu feels uneasy about it, we can change the form."
"Whoa, I thought you were going to say you didn't want anything at all." Lucian's sarcastic tone was on full blast. "I really haven't prepared much of a gift. So, what idea do you have now?"
Actually, he'd already prepared most of the message and gift.
"How about we go out together instead? As siblings." Ines Fujin finally revealed her true intention. "During that time, the Trainer has to call me Big Sis."
In Ines Fujin's mind, every meeting now should create opportunities for the next one.
Lucian thought about it and agreed. "Sure."
He didn't know what Ines Fujin was scheming, but if it was for this reason, then he could manage to say it.
But he hadn't expected Ines Fujin to be so insistent about this...
"Is she really that fixated on this?" Lucian couldn't help but wonder inwardly.
He was long past the innocent stage of first love.
This kind of beautiful, hazy feeling... could it be called flirtation?
But Lucian was afraid he was overthinking it. Maybe Ines Fujin just wanted to satisfy some personal kink?
Either way, he enjoyed this atmosphere deep down—otherwise he wouldn't have agreed so readily.
He just didn't know what kind of tricks Ines Fujin would pull.
"Ines, do you really like little brothers that much? You already have two cute little sisters, and you're still so greedy."
"It's alright. Mainly because I don't have a little brother, so I want to experience what it's like to have one."
"Then why not big brother? If it's Onii-chan, I could force myself to call you little sister right now."
Since Lucian had already agreed, Ines Fujin switched back to addressing him normally. "Trainer, you really are good at taking everything for yourself."
"Thanks~" Lucian said shamelessly.
"Then let's set a rough time first. Two days... is that okay?"
"So urgent?"
"It's because the Trainer is such a busy man~ Last time we set a date, and the Trainer still delayed."
Lucian knew he was in the wrong. "Last time was an accident~ Didn't you say you understood I was busy?"
"So that's why we're setting a rough time now."
"Fine, two days it is. But does it support installment payments?"
"Installment..." Ines Fujin burst out laughing. "Fine, fine, fine. As long as the Trainer has time."
"Mm-hmm." Lucian couldn't help it—he was currently tangled up with Silence Suzuka, Tokai Teio, and the others, barely able to squeeze out any free time.
...
During the conversation with Ines Fujin, Lucian finally finished all the dishes.
After he and Ines Fujin carried all the plates out, Auntie just happened to get home from work.
Everyone enjoyed the delicious food together happily.
"Onii-chan, I wish you could stay and cook yummy food for Hana-chan every day." Hana-chan somehow managed to get sauce all around her lips.
Lucian wiped her little mouth with a tissue. "If you want to eat, you can come visit Onii-chan's house anytime. It's not that far anyway."
Ines Hanakami's ears twitched. "Really!? Then can I bring Big Sis too?"
"Why not Second Sis?"
"Hmph, no way I'm bringing Tsuki-chan. She just stole all of Hana-chan's chicken wings, waaah..."
"Hana-chan can't get mad. If the chicken wings are gone, Onii-chan can make more next time, right?" Lucian rubbed her head.
"Mm! Then when can I come eat at Onii-chan's house?"
Lucian noticed that all the Ines sisters liked to lock in dates first. "Whenever Hana-chan wants to come, just have your Big Sis call me."
"Thanks, Onii-chan~ Hana-chan loves Onii-chan the most!" As a reward after wiping her mouth, Ines Hanakami planted a sweet kiss on Lucian's cheek.
Lucian: "You wiped all the leftover oil on my face, huh?"
"Hehe, does Onii-chan want shrimp? Hana-chan will peel it for you, okay?"
"Sure."
Seeing her little sister outdoing her so much, Ines Fujin couldn't sit still. "Hana-chan, you haven't even touched your food. If everyone finishes and you're left to do the dishes, what then?"
Her little sister spending time alone with the Trainer using her own money... that kind of thing couldn't actually happen!
Ines Hanakami's eyes darted around. "But the shrimp isn't peeled yet. What should I do?"
Yeah, what should she do?
"Let Big Sis handle that. You eat first." Ines Fujin naturally took the shrimp from her sister's hand. "The Trainer doesn't mind, right?"
"Of course not."
Soon, one plump, shelled shrimp after another piled up in Lucian's bowl.
"Ines... that's enough. Are you addicted to peeling or something?" Lucian pressed down on the shrimp and rice in his bowl so it wouldn't overflow.
"I'm just afraid the Trainer won't have enough to eat."
"It's plenty." Lucian picked up a few shrimp and put them in Ines Fujin's bowl. "Here, you eat some too."
"Should I thank the Trainer now?" Ines Fujin eyed the spot where Lucian's chopsticks had touched, then popped them into her mouth without any hesitation.
For her, it really wasn't a big deal.
"You're welcome."
...
Dinner passed in a joyful atmosphere.
Ines Fujin walked Lucian downstairs.
Moonlight nourished the spreading tenderness of the night, a gentle breeze stirring ripples in the heart, and the air seemed filled with a faint, imperceptible satisfaction and anticipation.
"Ines, you don't need to see me off. Thanks for the hospitality today... Wait, no—I cooked everything. What am I thanking you for? Hurry up and thank me, Ines!"
"I know, thank you for the delicious food, Trainer." Ines Fujin adjusted her hat. "But the Trainer used my family's pots, pans, and bowls. Shouldn't you say thank you too? It'd be even better if you called me 'Onee-chan,' don't you think, Otouto?"
"Hah, I'm not thanking you, and I'm definitely not calling you that~ Goodbye."
...