Sitting on the high-backed chair, Luo Shu found himself feeling profoundly awkward.
Luo Shu could only voice his confusion:
"By the way, why are you in this position, Mukuro?"
"I'm scared of pain."
Mukuro Hoshimiya's answer was impressively straightforward.
"Is this not okay? Big Brother."
One sentence, and Luo Shu fell silent.
He could only wordlessly raise his head, staring at the silver metal wall opposite, saying nothing.
"Tch."
A familiar scoff came from beside him. Natsuki Minamiya fanned open her folding fan, hiding her thoroughly amused expression:
"All talk and no action when it comes down to it, is that it?"
Hearing this provocative remark, Luo Shu glanced at Natsuki Minamiya before suddenly seeming to understand something. He wrapped his arms around Mukuro Hoshimiya's waist:
"I see now. So Natsuki, you're into NTR, huh?"
"What?" Natsuki Minamiya's eyes widened instantly. "How could I possibly have that kind of preference?"
"Eh? You're not?" Luo Shu put on an exaggerated expression of surprise. "But weren't you provoking me to hold Mukuro tighter just now?"
"Hah?" Natsuki was dumbfounded, her brain momentarily short-circuiting.
Seizing the moment, Luo Shu said mischievously: "If you're not into NTR, why would you enjoy watching me hold another girl in my arms?"
Finally grasping Luo Shu's twisted logic, Natsuki Minamiya glared at him in exasperation and spat:
"Who said anything about being a pair with you? You pervert!"
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately adopted a serious expression: "Regarding me being a pervert, doesn't Natsuki bear some responsibility too?"
"How is it my responsibility?"
Natsuki instinctively retorted before suddenly lowering her head to glance at the floor visible from her height. Her face immediately flushed red as she clicked her tongue in irritation:
"Sorry for having my physical age permanently stuck in a loli state!!"
Seeing Natsuki properly riled up now, Luo Shu grinned, ready to press his advantage.
However, at that moment, Tabane Shinonono finished tying the tourniquet around Mukuro Hoshimiya's arm.
Realising what was coming, Mukuro panicked and clung tightly to Luo Shu.
Being embraced by this 17-year-old girl whose figure would put most married women to shame, Luo Shu froze completely to avoid any embarrassing reactions.
"Mukuro, calm down, calm down!!"
Luo Shu gently patted Mukuro's back, his tone both comforting and slightly strained.
His gaze then shifted to Lacus, who had been quietly smiling this whole time.
Taking in that perpetually gentle expression, Luo Shu couldn't help but complain:
"This is your doing, isn't it?"
Lacus stepped forward gracefully, placing a hand lightly on Mukuro's shoulder as she said soothingly:
"There's nothing to worry about, Mukuro. Both your big sister and big brother are right here with you!"
"...Mmm~" Mukuro hummed softly, gradually relaxing.
Observing this, Luo Shu tilted his head slightly to glance at Mukuro's profile before turning back to Lacus with questioning eyes.
At that moment, Lacus watched as Tabane Shinonono inserted the syringe into the medicine bottle, drawing up the deep blue Adjuster Drug.
"This girl seems to have a deep fear of being abandoned by family due to past experiences. When we were alone earlier, nothing I said could calm her down."
"So?" Luo Shu glanced at Mukuro Hoshimiya and pressed further.
Lacus turned her head towards Luo Shu with a smile:
"So I made a suggestion - that I become Mukuro's older sister."
"That's all it took?" Natsuki Minamiya blinked, looking somewhat surprised.
Just having an older sister made Mukuro Hoshimiya behave? If it were that simple, just how terrified of abandonment was this girl?
"Of course not."
Lacus shook her head, then affectionately stroked Mukuro Hoshimiya's hair, eliciting a cat-like purr from the girl:
"You know, after calling me 'big sister', the first question Mukuro asked was whether I'd abandon her for friends."
"Naturally, I said no, but Mukuro didn't seem willing to believe it."
Natsuki immediately understood and nodded:
"Ah, you mean getting a boyfriend and forgetting about your little sister. That does happen often."
"Yes, this girl is quite sensitive indeed." Lacus twirled a strand of Mukuro's hair around her finger.
In truth, it wasn't just male friends - Mukuro saw anyone connected to her sister, even mere acquaintances, as potential threats who might steal her away.
Through her empathic abilities, Lacus clearly understood Mukuro's psychological flaw.
To put it in simpler terms, Mukuro had severe yandere tendencies - an extraordinary possessiveness towards important people in her life.
And sisters could obviously be stolen away by strange men.
Mukuro Hoshimiya strongly resisted this possibility.
"So, you and Mukuro reached an agreement?" Natsuki clearly guessed where this was going.
"It was to reassure little Mukuro."
Lacus winked at Luo Shu.
Seeing this expression, Luo Shu looked puzzled:
"An agreement involving me?"
"Exactly."
Lacus nodded with a demon-like smile:
"If Mukuro's worried about her sister being stolen by a bad boy, then why not have the bad boy steal her, too? That way, she can always stay with her sister."
'That's how you solve this?'
Luo Shu paused, his expression turning very peculiar. But, feeling Mukuro's arms tighten around his neck, he realised this was indeed the case.
'So, to prevent Lacus, her newly acquired sister, from leaving her due to dating or marriage, Mukuro had packaged herself up and delivered herself to me?'
'There's actually such good fortune?'
Now understanding the situation, Luo Shu didn't bother questioning it anymore.
After he thought this, Luo Shu shot Natsuki a deliberately provocative look.
Natsuki Minamiya: "..."
For some reason, Natsuki found her fists itching.