"Who are you?" Justin demanded, narrowing his eyes at me.
"I'm her brother," I replied calmly.
Justin blinked, then laughed. "Oh? Then that makes you my future brother-in-law."
I raised my hand sharply. "Whoa. Stop right there. Don't start claiming a place in this family."
I stepped closer, my voice firm.
"I heard everything you said to my sister—and everything she said to you. She doesn't want to bond with you."
Justin's smile didn't fade.
"It's not up to her. I'm one of the very few S-tier Core Pilots in this city. She doesn't get a choice."
"Oh?" I tilted my head.
"So as long as a Core Pilot is strong enough, he can take whoever he wants. Is that what you're saying?"
"Exactly," Justin replied without hesitation.
The words settled heavily between us.
"Then answer me this," I said quietly. "What if an SSS-tier Core Pilot wanted to bond with my sister?"
Justin burst out laughing. "Then obviously he'd get priority over me."
He waved a hand dismissively.
"But wait—don't be ridiculous. The SSS-tier Core Pilot isn't even from our school. How would he even know Aimee?"
"Oh?" I asked. "Have you heard his name?"
Justin straightened, pride creeping into his voice. "You're asking the right person. My dad has connections in the Ascension Authority."
He smirked. "He told me the SSS-tier Core Pilot's name is Kairos Walker."
Aimee gasped.
"…What?"
Justin frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Is there anyone else in Arca City with that name?" I asked.
Justin's smile faltered.
"No. There's only one."
Aimee slowly turned toward me, eyes wide.
"That would mean…"
She swallowed.
"Kairos… you really awakened an SSS-tier trait?"
Justin stiffened.
"…What did you just say?"
Aimee crossed her arms, a smug smile spreading across her face.
"My brother's name is Kairos Walker."
Justin stared at her. "That's impossible. Your last name is Carr. How does your brother end up named Walker?"
"Our family fostered Kairos," Aimee said evenly. "We're not blood-related."
Justin's face drained of color. "…You're not siblings?"
"That's right," I said, meeting his eyes.
"And by your own logic, I'm far more qualified to bond with Aimee than you."
Justin took a step back.
"No," he muttered. "There's no way you're him."
"Didn't you just say there's only one Kairos Walker in Arca City?" I asked.
"Would you like me to pull out my ID?"
I leaned in slightly. "Oh, and one more thing. I'm an SSS-tier Core Pilot. The Imperium values me far more than it ever will you."
My voice dropped. "If you keep pushing this, things could get very unpleasant."
Justin's breath hitched.
"No—no need for IDs," he said quickly, backing away. "I'm leaving."
"Good," I said coldly. "And leave my sister alone."
Justin turned and bolted down the street without another word.
We went back inside.
As soon as I finished explaining what happened, the room exploded.
"What?!"
"What?!"
"WHAT?!"
All three spoke at once.
Carolina stared at me in disbelief. "Kairos… you're really an SSS-tier Core Pilot?"
"That's right," I replied.
Eliza looked like her brain had short-circuited.
"You? A former simp awakening an SSS-tier trait?"
"Dear sister," I said dryly, "you're referring to the old me. I dumped that girl for good."
Eliza's mouth opened. Closed. "…Y-you really dumped her?"
"You seem well-informed," I replied. "Why don't you check for yourself?"
"Tch," Eliza muttered, turning away—her cheeks faintly red. "Like I care enough to look into you."
Aimee practically bounced in place. "Kairos! What are we waiting for? Let's go!"d right now!"
"Aimee, slow down," Carolina said gently.
"Kairos is an SSS-tier Core Pilot now—the highest tier in the Imperium."
She hesitated. "He should bond with higher-tier War Maidens. You and Eliza are both S-tier. You're not even a perfect match for him anymore."
Aimee froze. "But… I still want to bond with Kairos."
"So what's so amazing about being SSS anyway?" Eliza snapped.
I cleared my throat. "Actually… I have extra bond slots."
The room went silent.
"…Extra slots?" Carolina asked slowly. "You mean you can bond with more than one War Maiden?"
Her eyes lit up.
Aimee's eyes practically sparkled.
"Yes," I said. "My SSS trait is… unusual."
Eliza flushed bright red. "So your trait lets you run a harem?!"
"That's not exactly it," I replied. "It's a hidden bonus."
Carolina laughed softly. "No wonder the Imperium classifies SSS traits so highly."
She leaned forward. "And you said your trait can raise a War Maiden's tier?"
"Yes," I nodded. "When I fought alongside a Sentinel today, her Valkyrie was boosted by my Omega Command Core."
Carolina's eyes shone. "That's incredible. Kairos… would you be willing to bond with Aimee?"
"If you're bonded with her," she continued, "I'd feel much more at ease sending her onto the battlefield."
"If Aimee is willing," I said, "then I am too."
"Yes!" Aimee cheered, practically glowing. "I want that! Kairos!"
Eliza stood abruptly. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
Carolina chuckled.
"It is late. Everyone should rest—especially Kairos. The bond can wait until after his exam."
Aimee pouted slightly, but nodded. "Fine. But you'd better save a slot for me."
"I will," I promised.
"Kairos," Carolina added softly, "get some good sleep."
"Good night," I said, heading upstairs.
"Good night," Carolina replied, her cheeks faintly pink.
She watched me go, smiling.
"That boy really has his father's charm…" she murmured. "I'd feel at ease leaving Aimee with him."
She paused. "…Wait."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"If Kairos has an extra bond slot… does that mean Eliza could also…?"