Anyway, Rin felt it was all Yae Sakura's fault. If she didn't have to consider this woman, why would she ever need to compromise and swallow her pride?
Rin shook her head again, her long hair swaying widely. Perhaps, over the years, she'd grown too accustomed to being a demon fox, she'd picked up a touch of animal instinct. Whenever she felt at ease, she'd unconsciously curl up and always want to nuzzle against someone.
"Brat."
"My name is Shiraha. 'Shira' as in white, 'ha' as in leaf."
Shiraha corrected her, not letting go of her hand. He tried to pull Rin up, but Rin simply sat sideways on the floor, looking somewhat languid and drowsy.
Rin said bluntly, "I'm tired."
She needed time to process everything about this era. Either way, she couldn't stay with this brat any longer. Both of them being equally familiar with Sister made it very hard for Rin to make a move against him.
"I'll find a room for you."
Shiraha instantly understood and prepared to tidy up yet another empty room.
Come to think of it, the Raiden residence was almost out of rooms. After all, this wasn't the original Raiden estate. Uncle Ryoma had specifically switched to this house near the school for his and Mei-nee's convenience. Its size was far smaller than the original Raiden mansion.
Rin shook her head. "I'll sleep here. You go to school."
"..."
A brief silence. Elysia narrowed her eyes, her starry gaze somewhat subtle.
That's quite an excessive request, Rin.
Shiraha's expression didn't change.
Even though the two of them had seemed to get along quite well just now, had even just shaken hands and made peace, a handshake was a handshake. Caution was still caution.
Rin demanded, "For Sister's sake, shouldn't you trust me?"
Shiraha was perfectly composed. "Rin-nee, you're more important. I'll stay here with you."
At the very least, he needed to see that Yae Sakura was still alive. The moment Yae Sakura's consciousness surfaced, it would prove Rin was still controllable.
So far, all Shiraha had seen on this weeping, whimpering body was Rin's consciousness.
"What about your studies?"
"I'm first in my grade."
Rin was quiet for a moment, then continued searching for reasons.
"Aren't you afraid..."
Aren't you afraid of your parents scolding you? Aren't you afraid of disappointing your elders? Rin didn't voice any of it, because Shiraha was first in his grade.
Wait, how could you be first in your grade?
Rin felt like she was starting to have trouble breathing.
Oh, right. From the looks of it, his family was also quite wealthy. In the Far East, students from wealthy families generally didn't have poor grades, after all, there were all sorts of extracurricular tutors.
"I want to be alone for a bit."
Rin's voice softened.
Shiraha instantly fell silent and sat obediently off to the side.
This gesture made Rin, who was, at her core, still a child, go completely blank.
Did I just say... I wanted to be alone for a bit?
Yae Sakura, who'd been quiet for a very long time, spoke softly at this moment. "Let me come out and talk with him... Rin."
Yae Sakura's gentled voice made Rin tremble. How could there be two people so alike in this world? But there truly were.
If Rin believed in reincarnation, she'd definitely think Yae Sakura was Sister reborn.
Rin didn't agree. But her consciousness gradually lost dominance. The pale blue, cyan-tinged pupils now shifted to a pale violet. Yae Sakura gently ruffled Shiraha's hair.
"Rin-nee?"
Shiraha called out softly.
"I'm here."
Yae Sakura answered, her voice tender. What a sensible child. Such a pity the demon fox had, over these years, grown accustomed to being accompanied, just warily accompanied. Silent companionship, much of the time, was no longer very effective.
Shiraha blinked, his eyes lively. He didn't say much more.
Yae Sakura didn't say much more either. She leaned against the bedside and sat on the carpet, savoring a moment of peace.
The demon fox, it seemed, also had her own past, her own family. This sudden reality left Yae Sakura's mind somewhat tangled.
After all, the evil spirits of her era were generally never redeemed.
About a minute or two passed. Shiraha snuggled up beside her and very naturally leaned against Yae Sakura. It was a very intimate gesture... which made Yae Sakura stiffen for a moment. Shiraha's current age could no longer be considered all that young.
"Tsk."
Elysia discovered that Shiraha's ability to get along so easily with others, seemed to have been cultivated by her.
"Shiraha..." Yae Sakura called softly. "You should be wary of me."
Rin, who'd just begun to soften slightly, instantly bristled.
She knew it!
That ignorant, backward country bumpkin, that shrine maiden, that idiot, that arrogant fool! Did she really think her earlier gentle call of my name had any good intentions?!
Shiraha responded quickly. "I believe in Rin-nee."
As long as Yae Sakura was still alive, he'd believe in Rin.
This would continue until the day Yae Sakura fell into darkness.
"This trust has no logic behind it. Shiraha, you should—"
The voice cut off abruptly. Rin opened her eyes again. In those pale blue, cyan-tinged pupils was reflected Shiraha's small, upturned face.
She tightened her arm slightly, staring hard at the brat in her embrace.
Shiraha added, "I was a little worried at first. After all, even though Sakura-nee said Rin-nee was a good kid... so much time has passed. Whether there'd been any changes, I wasn't sure."
He paused, lifted his face, and met Rin's gaze. "But after getting familiar, Rin-nee was able to say what she just said to me. So she's definitely not a bad person."
Rin froze for a moment, then laughed bitterly. Yae Sakura, when you offered that warning just now, did you ever imagine it'd backfire like this?
She also softened her voice. "But you should still be at least a little wary of me."
Shiraha blinked. "I've been keeping my guard up the whole ti, I understand. I'll trust Rin-nee, but warily."
Rin was quiet for a moment. The smile on her face grew increasingly radiant. She'd almost forgotten, Shiraha was still a child. No matter how precocious he seemed, how clever could he really be?
It didn't matter that she couldn't go to the Realm right now. She had plenty of time.
At this thought, she hugged Shiraha a little tighter and planted a fierce kiss on his forehead.
"If I want to keep living in this era... what do I need to prepare?"
Yes, yes just live on like this. Shiraha, we were meant to be family from the start. And between family, there should be no secrets. So once we're familiar enough, you must tell Rin-nee the location of the Realm.
Though come to think of it, the title "Rin-nee" still felt a little strange.
"I don't know. But Uncle Ryoma definitely knows. Uncle Ryoma knows everything!"
Then Shiraha also boldly lifted his head and planted a kiss on Rin's cheek.
Rin didn't react at first. And after she did, she didn't take it to heart.
Forget it. Just a child. Consider it bitten by a dog.
Elysia sighed quietly and wistfully. She was starting to not quite understand the situation anymore.
Rin touched her cheek at that moment. "I'm hungry again."
"I'll go get something for Rin-nee to eat."
Shiraha broke free and left the room directly. Elysia was already waiting in the hallway, arms crossed over her chest.
"You're having quite a lot of fun, aren't you, Shiraha."
"Rin has a second personality."
Shiraha spoke softly, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
Elysia's little face puffed up, but she still followed along. "I could see that."
Shiraha hopped downstairs, jumping two or three steps at a time. "I think, going forward, we need to draw one faction in and suppress the other."
Elysia sighed again. "How?"
Shiraha thought for a moment. "I just considered it, actually, we should draw one faction in first, and keep the other one dangling."
"It's just a shame. I probably won't be able to go to the Realm for a while."