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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Even If It's My Sister
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Even if it's my big sister.
A predator's eyes, brimming with pure killing intent and devoid of even a shred of mercy. Any prey that locks eyes with them properly freezes in place, without so much as a chance to draw breath.
Far from dreaming of escape, all they can do is await being devoured. Resistance isn't even an option.
Like a snake slowly coiling around its victim's throat, all the prey can do is die as their airway tightens.
Just like me, kneeling before them right now.
"Hands up straight. Sis."
Instantly, a surge of anger welled up inside me. But as I met those hollow, violet eyes, my defiance snuffed out in a flash.
"Uh, y-yeah..."
I stammered as I slowly raised both hands high above my head.
Until now, I'd never really believed in survival instincts. More like I'd chalked it up to just being lucky.
But right now, the instinct inside me was screaming. Any whining, even a little, and you're done for right here.
Since running into her in the bathroom, Roselia had stared at me without uttering a single word. That alone convinced me.
This was the first time she'd been this utterly silent. It would've been better if she'd just scolded me—at least then I could breathe under this suffocating pressure.
"I'm sorry... I really won't fall asleep in the bath again..."
I bowed my head as low as possible, offering my sincerest apology to Roselia and Camilla. Fortunately, their intimidating aura softened just a bit. Seizing the moment, I pressed on.
"Could you... let it slide just this once?"
Roselia let out a deep sigh at the desperation in my voice. Finally, she thawed her icy expression and lifted me by the scruff of my neck.
"10 p.m."
"Huh?"
"From now on, be in bed by 10 p.m., dear."
10 p.m.? That's prime time for studying circuits. The hour felt shockingly early, and dismay washed over me.
"...How about midnight?"
I ventured the suggestion with faint hope. Roselia simply stared at me in silence. That quiet was answer enough.
"...Got it."
10 p.m. it was. Looked like I'd have to wake up at dawn from now on.
"You'll wake at 9 a.m., so keep that in mind. I'll assign Sierra to watch over you, so no sneaking around."
Roselia added firmly, as if reading my thoughts.
A perfect blockade. Bowing my head, I had no choice but to accept reality.
"And the punishment for harming your body hasn't been dealt yet."
Roselia's red eyes gleamed right before my face. Was another penalty coming?
"I'll... take the switch."
"..."
Getting hit was familiar by now. Besides, Roselia didn't strike that hard, so it wasn't all that scary.
"It only counts as punishment if it's something you really hate."
After pondering alone for a moment, Roselia curved her red lips into a sinister smile.
The seductive grin lasted only briefly before she suddenly yanked my body right up to her face.
"Eek—"
Roselia gripped my scruff with one hand while hiking up the hem of my dress with the other.
Something soft brushed against my lower belly, just below my navel. I looked down. It was Roselia's lips.
Pbbbt—
A bizarre noise bubbled from Roselia's lips against my belly. At the same instant, a revolting sensation shot up my spine, making my whole body convulse.
"Hiiik?!"
I flailed wildly, instinctively trying to shove her away. But she held my scruff tight, not budging an inch.
Pbbbrrrbt—
The vibration hit deeper and stronger than before. For someone like me who feared physical contact with women, this was utterly unbearable.
"Ugh, aaagh!!"
My crumbling reason teetered as I lifted my foot and kicked Roselia square in the face.
It was something I'd never have done if even a shred of sanity remained. But my toes connected solidly with her left cheek.
At least it pried her lips off my belly.
I yanked my dress down with both hands, covering myself. My face burning red, I glared at Roselia.
"D-don't do that... ever!!"
Unlike my shout of terror and shame, a peculiar smile played on Roselia's lips.
"Seeing you hate it this much makes it perfect. This'll be your punishment from now on."
Her voice held not a hint of jest. Chills raced over me at that resolute expression.
I'd never imagined a belly raspberry could be this horrific. Taking a few switches would've been a thousand times better.
But Roselia's firm look told me no words would change her mind. From now on, I'd have to be extra careful.
Roselia set me down on the floor. Camilla, who'd been watching quietly from the side, approached.
"I want to do it too."
"What?"
"What Mother did. I want to try it."
I crossed my arms and clutched my dress tight.
"No way. You already punished me."
"..."
"It wouldn't even feel like anything anyway."
Unlike with Roselia, Camilla didn't faze me much. Holding hands or cheek kisses felt nothing out of the ordinary.
She was still a child, after all—just a baby from my perspective.
"..."
Fortunately, Camilla fell silent without pushing further.
"Let's go have dinner."
With Roselia's words, the punishment for my little fiasco came to an end.
"Ughhh..."
The horrific sensation of the raspberry resurfaced. I shuddered and hugged my arms instinctively.
I never wanted to feel that again.
Never.
A dim night. Soft moonlight filtered through the window cracks. True to our agreement, at 10 p.m., I lay in bed staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Can't sleep?"
Camilla, sharing the same blanket beside me, asked. Her eyes didn't look sleepy either.
"Obviously not..."
I muttered softly. I'd powered through circuit studies past 10 p.m.—even 10 a.m.—plenty of times.
For a night owl like me, 10 felt like early evening. But with the promise to Roselia, I had to force myself to sleep.
I squeezed my eyes shut and burrowed under the covers. I counted sheep in my head. One, two, three... Even past a hundred, sleep evaded me.
Finally giving up, I opened my eyes again. If only my incense had worked properly, I wouldn't be suffering like this.
"Want me to help you sleep?"
Her voice made me roll over to face Camilla. Facing each other to sleep had become routine.
"...Help how?"
"Not perfectly, but I can use magic to induce drowsiness."
"Not knock me out, right?"
"I'm not you, Sis. I wouldn't do it that crudely."
Her tone grated a little, but not enough to pick a fight over.
If it didn't harm my body, trying it once couldn't hurt. I wasn't dozing off on my own anyway.
"Sure, give it a shot."
Camilla sat up in bed. The rustle of blankets followed as she quietly scooted closer.
"Close your eyes and relax."
Camilla's hand touched my forehead. A warm energy spread slowly from my head throughout my body. I accepted it wordlessly. My body definitely felt looser.
After a few minutes of silence, she withdrew her hand. My eyes softer now, I smiled at her.
"That was good. Thanks, Camilla. I think I can sleep now."
Camilla really lived up to her genius reputation.
"...Then good night."
She said it and pulled the blanket back over herself, closing her eyes. Silence filled the room after that.
Unlike me, still somewhat alert despite the magic, Camilla soon breathed evenly in deep sleep.
"...Night, Camilla."
This time, I resolved to sleep and shut my eyes tight. Thanks to her spell, drowsiness soon overtook me.
'Come to think of it... what was that dream?'
A strange cave I'd never seen. A gloomy, unfamiliar man. And that eerily red flower. Nothing familiar at all.
...Probably just nonsense.
Sticking to a 10 p.m. bedtime would be my biggest hurdle for a while.
Owl hoots drifted in, mingled with Bella's steady breaths.
Had she counted those breaths in her mind a thousand times? Camilla slowly opened her violet eyes.
Her big sister lay deep in slumber beside her. Camilla stared at that face in silence for a long while.
When she'd seen her sister collapsed in the tub, bleeding, it felt like a knife plunged straight into her heart.
She'd sighed in relief upon confirming she was just asleep, but the pain lingered in her chest even now.
Yet her sister acted like nothing happened, flashing that carefree smile. It even pissed her off.
"...If it hurts, I won't forgive you."
Only after this incident did Camilla truly realize it. She couldn't live without Bella.
If anything happened to her, Camilla wouldn't stay sane.
If anyone hurt her sister, she'd hunt them to the ends of hell. She'd keep their brain alive while dooming them to a lifetime of flesh-ripping agony.
"I won't forgive anyone who harms Sis."
Even if it's my big sister.
Clutching that sticky obsession, Camilla slowly wriggled under the blanket.
She couldn't sleep yet. A child's curiosity still gnawed at her, unsolved.
In the peaceful night's silence.
Pbbbrrrbt—
"Ngh... ughh..."
From under the covers, only Bella's anguished murmurs echoed for a while.
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