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Chapter 2 - A Walk in the “Perfect World”

The sunlight hit my face like a personal insult. I stumbled out of my room, boots scraping against the stone floor, wishing someone—anyone—would invent a "reborn into a fantasy novel" support group.

Perfect grass. Perfect hedges. Perfect birds singing at obnoxious volumes. Perfect little brother just waiting to make me feel obsolete.

I muttered under my breath, "This is it. This is the life I get."

A soft, chilling presence slid across my shoulder.

"…You're following me ," I said, rolling my eyes.

He materialized beside me, silent as a shadow. Black robes swished like they were auditioning for a dramatic play. Pale face, perfect hair, eyes that made you feel like a tree just fell on your head—and somehow he didn't look guilty at all.

"I'm concerned," he said, like that explained everything.

I snorted. "Concerned? Please. You literally showed up the second I stepped outside. I'm not a toddler!"

He blinked. Slow. Unbothered. Calm. "I am aware. But one could argue… you are a toddler. Your stamina is… limited."

My jaw dropped. "…Excuse me?"

"You can barely walk more than ten minutes without huffing and complaining," he said, deadpan. "Not to mention the incident with the stairs this morning. I observed it."

I froze. My pride burned. "…I fell once. That's it."

"Three times," he said, almost cheerfully, like he was reading a grocery list.

I glared at him, but the corner of my mouth twitched. "…You're impossible."

He gave me a small smile. "And yet, I am engaged to you. Consider the irony."

I stopped walking. Stared at him. "…Engaged to me. Let me get this straight. You—Death itself—are married to me, and somehow you find time to… keep a scorecard of my clumsiness?"

He shrugged. "Observation is part of the duty. Also… amusing."

"…Amusing?" I barked, but I couldn't stop a laugh from sneaking out. "…I can't tell if I should be offended or grateful for the commentary on my life."

"Both are valid," he said, walking a step closer. "But you should be aware—your little brother does not stumble. Your little brother does not huff. Your little brother is perfect, as usual."

My fists clenched, my brain screamed, and yet… I felt the tiniest twitch of amusement. "…Wow. Thanks for rubbing it in."

He raised an eyebrow, just a fraction, and that was enough to make me scowl. "…And what? You think that makes me jealous?"

"No," he said casually, hands clasped behind him, "I think it's… entertaining."

I groaned and turned away, muttering, "Entertaining. Right. Fantastic. I married Death, and my life is a comedy show starring my little brother and my fiancée."

He just followed silently, swishing robes slightly, and every now and then, he'd glance at me with a faint, unreadable expression.

After a few moments, I stumbled over a small rock in the path and almost fell face-first into the lavender bush.

"Interesting," he said softly, almost approvingly. "…And fragile, as predicted."

I scrambled upright, glaring at him. "…Fragile? Really? This is fragile?" I jabbed my finger at the bush, which was now bent awkwardly like it had personally attacked me. "…Look at that! That bush attacked me."

He just sighed, eyes narrowing. "Nature has no favorites."

I froze. "…Wait. Are you implying Neris is favored by nature?"

"…Yes," he said casually. "…Obviously."

I wanted to punch a tree. Instead, I stomped forward, muttering curses. "…And you—you just stand there, watch, and enjoy it all, huh?"

He didn't respond immediately. Then, in his usual deadpan tone: "It is… entertaining. You fume, you trip, you scowl… all very dramatic."

I stopped, turned, and pointed at him like a gun. "…Dramatic? I am tragic! I am misunderstood! I am—"

"You are aware," he interrupted gently, "that all of this could be avoided if you simply accepted your role as elder brother?"

"…I will never accept it," I said fiercely. "…Especially if it means being overshadowed by a perfect little brother and a stoic Grim Reaper who thinks it's funny to watch me suffer."

He tilted his head again, lips twitching ever so slightly—almost a smile. "…You seem to enjoy complaining more than you should. Observation: 9/10, entertainment: 10/10."

"…You are infuriating," I muttered. "…And I hate that you make me laugh sometimes."

He stayed silent, but I could feel him smirking just a little.

I clenched my fists, fire surging inside me, and muttered under my breath: "…Fine. Laugh now, Grim Reaper. Laugh while I plan how to survive this absurd life… and maybe, someday, show you that I'm not just entertainment."

He followed silently, and somehow, even as the shadows danced around him and the sunlight hit my face, I felt… slightly grateful.

Maybe just a little chaos waiting to happen.

And of course a little chaos was going to happen. Sigh.

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