Facts proved that the tsundere trait had long since fallen out of favor.
When surrounded by bad women eyeing like tigers watching their prey, while you're still trying to play hard-to-get and push-pull games, others have already made a direct attack and are enjoying the rewards long-term.
The result of doing this is inevitably becoming a losing dog, not even able to catch the heat of listening in at the wall.
Unfortunately, the young Mortis still didn't understand this logic.
She was just thinking of putting on an angry act, waiting for Onii-chan to coax her, while also bargaining for a few little perks, and laying the groundwork for a breakthrough in their sibling relationship.
But she didn't expect that Mutsumi would be so spineless. That she would take the initiative to go up.
While resenting iron for not turning into steel, there was also a trace of regret in her heart.
If she hadn't thrown a tantrum just now, wouldn't the one holding Onii-chan's hand and returning to the room now be her?
But she quickly comforted herself inwardly, 'It's okay, falling behind once doesn't change anything.'
Just treat it as letting Mutsumi have a turn, after all, they're sisters, deep sibling love.
'Anyway, Mutsumi's dumb and doesn't talk much, can't even act spoiled like me, she's not a threat at all.'
———
A light white puff-sleeved long dress perfectly hugged the girl's curves as soft as spring hills, brown low-heeled strappy sandals revealed toes as round and translucent as white rice, and a light sunhat completed the look.
Clearly a simple outfit, not a single extra detail, yet so beautiful it moved the heart.
Like a heroine walking out of a manga.
"Onii-chan, how is it?", The girl lifted her face, full of expectation for an important person's evaluation.
"Very good, very cute, and very beautiful," Kaito didn't hold back on his praise. Compliments only mattered when spoken aloud, and besides, this was genuinely from his heart, not a shred of falsehood.
Mutsumi gently curled her cherry blossom-colored lips. She didn't speak again, but anyone could see that she was in a great mood, thoroughly enjoying Onii-chan's praise.
The two didn't waste time and went to the living room to meet up with Mortis, starting today's trip just like that.
This morning's destination was in Shibuya, an amusement park with pretty good reviews.
Maybe not as famous as big IPs like Sanrio or Disneyland, but although small, it had everything, complete rides and affordable prices. Visitors all gave it high praise.
By the time they arrived via train, the place was packed.
Since it was Sunday, couples and close-knit families of three were everywhere.
They queued outside for about half an hour before finally buying tickets and entering.
Inside the park was even livelier: the carousel spinning with music, the roller coaster shooting toward the sky, a crepe stall giving off a sweet scent, and not far away, staff in fluffy mascot suits bending down to hand balloons to children.
"Is there anything you want to play?", Kaito never forgot his duty as a companion.
"I want to eat that!", It was Mortis's first time in such a lively and bustling place. She pointed at the crepe stand nearby, looking excited.
He looked to the side at Mutsumi, the meaning simple, 'Want one?'
Mutsumi gently shook her head. She wasn't very interested in overly sweet things. High in calories, easy to get sick of.
Kaito didn't insist. He walked to the stall and ordered a crepe from the owner.
This was a snack from France. After spreading out the thin crepe, cream was smeared on, then sliced bananas and strawberries were added, a bit of chocolate sauce squeezed on, and finally it was rolled into an ice cream cone shape, done.
The vendor was generous with ingredients. Lots of fruit and cream, not expensive either, only 480 yen per serving. Mortis had to use both hands to hold it.
She took a small bite. The rich cream flavor and chocolate sauce melted in her mouth, lighting up sparkles in the girl's eyes.
"Tasty!", Mortis mumbled unclearly, holding the crepe to his mouth, "Onii-chan, try it too!"
The crepe with a bite taken out of it was clearly missing a chunk. Some unknown residue sparkled in the sunlight. Kaito paused for two seconds, but still didn't refuse. He took a bite from the side she hadn't eaten, then nodded slightly.
"Pretty good."
"Hehe~"
Maybe this crepe had sparked her appetite. Mortis lost interest in the rides and instead focused on all the snacks along the road. From ice cream to tricolor dango to takoyaki, what was supposed to be an amusement park trip mysteriously became a food-hunting activity.
But since going to the amusement park had been Mortis' request anyway, whether she came to play or eat didn't matter. Kaito didn't want to ruin her mood and just accompanied her around, almost sampling every snack in the park.
Mutsumi had no objection to this, since her brother would be accompanying her to the aquarium in the afternoon, that would be her main stage.
Once Mortis was full, she finally remembered the main mission.
Carousel, bumper cars, fairy tale park... after trying out a round of these types of rides, she was still unsatisfied. Fun, yes, but too tame, not exciting enough.
Her gaze turned toward the distant roller coaster. Hearing the screams from that direction, the girl looked eager, she seemed to have found her next target.
"Want to ride the roller coaster?", Following her gaze, Kaito thought for a moment and still gave a reminder, "It might be really scary. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"Isn't that just perfect?", Mortis rubbed her hands excitedly, full of confidence like most visitors who had never been punished before, not afraid at all.
Seeing her so full of conviction, Kaito didn't stop her. Experiencing something new was also a good thing. A way to broaden one's horizons.
After all, with him there, she wouldn't be in danger.
He asked Mutsumi too. She hesitated at first and planned to refuse, but then seemed to think of something and changed her mind, gently nodding.
The roller coaster sat two people per row, but there was a single separate seat at the very front, the least popular seat, a huge challenge for the heart.
This setup wasn't ideal for three people. One row could only sit two, meaning one person would have to be separated.
Before Kaito could decide how to solve the issue, Mortis volunteered to take the front lone seat, and said naturally, "Since I'm going for excitement, of course I have to go all the way!"
Kaito paused for two seconds, acknowledged her logic, and pulled Mutsumi to sit behind her, the second row.
With faint iron rail grinding sounds, the coaster slowly started. At first the speed was slow, then gradually accelerated, wind roaring in their faces.
Mortis, leading the way, began to feel nervous. Though she said she wasn't afraid, truly sitting dozens of meters high, the intense sense of weightlessness swept through her. The deep-seated fear of heights embedded in human DNA still kicked in uncontrollably. Damn, her legs felt weak.
As the speed increased, the screams rose and fell nonstop. The green-haired girl finally couldn't bear it. She subconsciously reached to grab her brother's hand, only to find empty air.
Only then did she remember: she had insisted on sitting in the very front, and the one beside Onii-chan now was Mutsumi.
Too bad there was no medicine for regret. Mortis wanted to cry without tears. If there were, she'd definitely buy eight big jars to keep at home.
Screams still echoed in her ears, but Kaito's expression barely changed. Roller coasters were thrilling rides for normal people, but for him? It was like a pro F1 racer suddenly entering a senior citizen wheelchair race, hard to feel anything.
'Feels like… I can fly faster myself.'
The coaster reached the highest point. As it began to plunge downward, the passengers' screams hit a peak, almost hoarse from shouting.
In the howling wind, someone silently clutched his hand. He turned his head, only to see a small, tense face, even her breathing a little rapid.
'Mutsumi, is she afraid?'
Her fingertips had a thin layer of sweat, sticky to the touch, yet still soft.
Kaito thought for a moment, didn't shake her off. Instead, he gently held her hand back.
Such a small motion, yet its effect was immense.
The girl's breathing gradually steadied, like a tiny boat at sea finally finding a lighthouse, bringing incomparable peace of mind.
She gripped a bit tighter, like a wary kitten testing the waters.
Noticing that Onii-chan didn't resist, she finally built up courage, inching closer bit by bit.
Until their fingers interlaced.
———
Meanwhile, the green-haired girl in the front seat had a pale little face, didn't dare look below, eyes shut tight.
Unaware of everything happening behind her.
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