"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law! Over here! Long time no see~!"
"Mm, it's been a while, Rin."
Inside the school funded by Eden, Elias raised his hand and gently patted the head of a pink-haired, blue-eyed little girl who had run up to him. Unlike her older sister, her aura was still youthful and fresh—full of energy and cheer.
This lively girl was none other than Sakura's long-absent younger sister, Rin.
"Brother-in-law, why are you the one picking me up today? What happened to my sister?"
"Sakura ran into a little surprise during her mission. She thought she'd already found the culprit, but it turns out there's someone else behind the scenes. So, she had to keep investigating and couldn't come today. I happened to be free, so she asked me to come instead."
Elias said as he grabbed Rin's small backpack.
It was a little heavy—packed full of homework for the holiday. He couldn't help but remember his own school days from his past life, sighing inwardly about how "homework hell" was a trial all students had to endure.
Rin, however, didn't seem bothered in the slightest. A proper girl of her age wouldn't waste time worrying about homework—she could just claim a Honkai Beast ate it later, right?
"Hehe~ Brother Eli, having you pick me up gives me so much face! Come on, hold my hand—I want to show off to my classmates!"
Rin giggled as she grabbed his hand. Her bright, outgoing personality was the total opposite of Sakura's calm reserve, and Elias found the difference rather refreshing.
Still, he let the girl have her fun. After all, while Rin was currently just Sakura's little sister, she would one day be his little sister too—and with Elias' personality, that meant she'd be spoiled endlessly.
In fact, he wasn't exaggerating when he said this—
He had already devised five or six different methods to save Rin from becoming the Herrscher of Corruption. Her future was already under his protection.
"Hmm? Brother-in-law, why are you staring at me like that? You can't be thinking about other things while you're with a girl, you know. That'll cost you major points!"
"It's nothing. I was just thinking that… I'll make sure nothing ever happens to you."
While mentally running through his Nth simulation of those six rescue scenarios, Elias replied casually. In his eyes, Rin was still just an innocent little girl who didn't know much yet.
But what he didn't realize was that this "innocent" little girl was actually a master strategist when it came to romance.
Half of the reason Sakura had managed to capture his heart so effectively was thanks to the coaching of this so-called "naive" little sister.
"Eh?"
Rin froze completely upon hearing his words. She looked up at his face, her own cheeks instantly flushing crimson.
"B-Brother-in-law, what did you just say?"
"Hm? Ah, nothing. That's not something you need to worry about."
"But it's way too worrying to just ignore!"
Rin tightened her grip on his hand and shook it hard, feeling a sudden urge to come clean.
She really wanted to tell him she wasn't some clueless child—she'd read tons of romance novels, manga, and even those kinds of love stories. She'd watched countless drama series, all to become the ultimate love guru for her dear sister!
She knew a lot—way more than her sister did!
Because of her past experiences, Rin was far more mature than her peers. After all, this was the same girl who had once tried to escape from the Fire Moth's protection zone on her own.
"Brother-in-law, don't tell me you're not satisfied with my sister and now you want to 'capture' me too? Wow, so those TV dramas were right! I thought that plotline was fake, but I guess I need to rewatch that series again."
"What on earth are you thinking, kid? You're the one who tried to push Sakura onto me when we first met—said that if I accepted her, you'd throw yourself in as a bonus 'little sister' package."
Elias chuckled, tapping her on the head before rubbing it gently.
"Ah, you still remember that, huh…"
Rin's face reddened even more in embarrassment. Back then, she'd just been eager to see her sister happy—so eager that she'd even offered herself as a 'buy-one-get-one-free' deal.
"Th-Then, Brother-in-law, do you still want me now? Rin's fine with it, you know. Don't worry, I'll handle convincing my sister—it's actually pretty easy to talk her into things."
"…You really are Sakura's sister."
Elias' eye twitched. He couldn't quite wrap his head around how kids these days thought. Then again, even recently, Griseo had been pestering him nonstop to pose as her art model.
That wouldn't have been a problem if it were a normal modeling session… but she wanted him to model without clothes. Elias still had no idea who had been feeding her such forbidden knowledge behind his back.
Lately, within the Fire Moth, there'd even been rumors that the fan-artist Danzhu was being surpassed. The reason? A new illustrator known as Stars—who had skyrocketed in fame through a series of beautifully drawn doujins, all centered around none other than Elias himself…
"Kids these days are really something else. I can't tell if you're just an exception, Rin, or if they're all like this now. Anyway, you're still young—you'll meet someone you truly like in the future. Just be careful with your first love, alright? You can always come to me for advice when that happens."
"Brother-in-law, you're doing it again—treating me like a child."
Rin narrowed her eyes, pouting in annoyance.
"But you are a child."
Elias couldn't help but laugh.
(Hmph! Brother-in-law, you idiot. You're my first love! If it weren't for my age, I'd have already 'captured' you by now. My sister wouldn't have stood a chance.)
Rin tightened her grip on his hand, her expression softening as memories surfaced.
She would never forget that day.
Back then, when the Fire Moth's higher-ups had wanted to confine her—to use her as a hostage against Sakura—Elias had stood up for her. Just like today, he had taken her hand and led her openly toward freedom.
No matter how many soldiers or war machines stood in their way, no one dared to stop him.
In that moment, Rin had felt something she'd never experienced before.
Even after so many years, she still remembered every single detail vividly. And being as emotionally perceptive as she was, she had instantly diagnosed her own condition.
She had fallen in love with Elias—the same man her sister loved.
(Ugh, if only I'd been born a few years earlier… Then I wouldn't have had to give my brother-in-law to my sister! Why does my first love have to be him? How am I supposed to move on now? Would that mean betraying my sister?)
Rin's face twisted into a miserable expression.
If her first love had been anyone else, it wouldn't have mattered—she could've believed she'd find someone better in time. But this was Elias. She'd fallen for the sun itself.
And compared to that blazing sun, every other boy in the world was nothing but dust—insignificant fireflies.
Still, Rin prided herself on her rationality. No matter how strong her feelings were, she could endure them. After all, it had been just a fleeting moment. She knew her place—she knew she and Elias could never truly be together.
That man belonged to her sister.
Rin knew how much Sakura had suffered for her sake in the past, how many terrible things she'd been forced to do. Though she never said it aloud, Rin had always felt guilty about it deep down.
So she poured her heart into helping Sakura win Elias' affection—it was her way of repaying her sister.
She sincerely wished for Sakura's happiness.
After all, her own feelings were just a first love. Maybe someday, she'd move on—even if that chance was slim.
But her sister? Once Sakura fell in love, it was forever.
Comparing the two, Rin resolved to bring the pair together no matter what—and to break herself out of her "bad habit" of loving Elias.
"Brother-in-law…"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"You'd better treat my sister well, okay? And don't make me fall for you again in the future. I mean, I doubt it'll happen—but if you pull another hero-saves-the-girl moment on me, I really won't be able to take it."
Rin scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Just that one moment years ago had already sealed her first love with this man. If anything similar ever happened again… she was terrified Sakura might actually kill her. There was no way her combat power could ever match her fusion-warrior sister's.
The little girl had already played the whole scenario out in her mind.
With her sky-high emotional intelligence and cute looks, if she ever went all in, she could probably conquer Elias without a problem.
And then, one day, when the truth inevitably came out, her dear sister would fall into darkness and—slice!—cut her down on the spot.
(Rin: Wait, hold on! Why does every version of this story end with me getting stabbed?! Shouldn't you be going after your cheating man, sis?! Oh right… you're one of those women who forget they even have a sister once they get a boyfriend…)
(Ugh, I guess for my own safety, I'd better never fall completely for him. Damn it! It took so much for me to fall in love for the first time, and I still lost so badly!)
Sometimes, emotional intelligence was useless. In a fight like this, brute strength could actually decide everything—if you couldn't outwit your rival, you could always remove her.
Unfortunately, not everyone could be like Miss Pink Elf, who had maxed out both stats.
"Brother-in-law, can we not go home yet? Let's go have some fun today!"
"Sure, where do you want to… hmm?"
Elias' tone shifted mid-sentence as his eyes caught an unexpected figure in the distance—a serene woman in a nun's habit, surrounded by laughing children.
He didn't even need to see her face. That silhouette was unmistakable.
"Aponia? What are you doing here?"
"Ah, Elias. What a coincidence… or perhaps, fate?"
Aponia smiled gently, greeting him with her usual calm grace. Only then did Elias notice the children around her—familiar faces. They were the same kids from Aponia's old orphanage.
He suddenly remembered—he'd arranged for them to attend this school long ago and had simply forgotten about it over time.
"W-Wow, they're… huge!"
Rin was utterly stunned, her eyes wide as she stared at Aponia's divine figure—especially the overwhelming curves that defied logic. The poor girl's worldview was shaken.
(If my sister had a figure like that, she wouldn't even need my help! Seriously, what does this Sister Aponia eat to grow like that? I need to find out—I'm still growing, and time is of the essence!)
Meanwhile, the children from the orphanage noticed Elias and lit up with excitement.
If not for him—the serum he'd provided infused with his Holy Blood and the healing energy of the Abyss Flower—none of them would've survived their Honkai infections.
"Miss Aponia, how are things going between you and Lord Elias?"
"Yeah! You're so pretty, Miss Aponia! You've definitely become his wife by now, right?"
"Huh? Then should we start calling him 'Dad'?"
"P-Please, don't say such things!"
Flustered by the children's outrageous words, Aponia's composure finally cracked. Though she certainly had her airheaded moments, the kids' blunt honesty was too much even for her. Her face turned bright red, her usual serenity replaced by visible panic.
Rin drew in a sharp breath, already calculating how her sister could possibly compete with someone like this divine woman.
Her conclusion: not a chance.
(Rin: I-I can't win at all! This sister's figure is criminal! Compared to her, my sister's like… an apple next to a watermelon! Against such overwhelming power, all my schemes are worthless!)
...
"Everyone… how do you even know about my feelings for Elias…? Wait—was it Kalpas who told you?" Aponia asked, her gaze shifting suspiciously toward a certain masked man standing not far away.
Only then did Elias notice that Kalpas was there too—lugging around an enormous sack as he followed from a distance. If not for his sheer intimidating aura, anyone else would've taken him for a stalker.
"Aponia, do you seriously think I'm that bored?" Kalpas crossed his arms and shouted.
Gossip might've been human nature—but strictly speaking, Kalpas wasn't exactly human.
"Miss Aponia, Kalpas big brother doesn't gossip at all! We only know because you told us!" one of the children from the orphanage declared, hands on hips.
"Eh?" Aponia blinked, momentarily dumbfounded.
"Yeah, lately every time you talk to us, it's all about Lord Elias. It's super obvious! But honestly, it's way more interesting than those same eight-hundred stories you told us back at the orphanage—please keep it up!"
"Uh… o-okay…"
Aponia's gaze drifted toward Elias, only to dart away the instant their eyes met.
Because she, more than anyone, understood how extraordinary this white-haired boy was—the one who could defy fate itself. Having once been bound by destiny's chains, she knew the weight of his existence better than anyone.
In a sense, Aponia was the most devout follower of the Eli Gate. For while Elysia loved Elias as a man, Aponia worshipped him as her faith.
So, without realizing it, she had begun spreading that faith herself. Thanks to her, even these children—young as they were—had already become perfect little Eli Gate believers.
Aponia: "Eli Gate~!"
Children: "Eli Gate~!" ×N
Random passerby: "Eli Gate!!"
Elias: "…Ely, you've really grown the church fast, huh? I'm literally running into followers on the street now."
As for the question from the children earlier, Aponia didn't quite know how to respond. After all, she hadn't had much screen time lately—it had all been Miss Pink Elf running rampant in the spotlight.
Even though Aponia had once managed to seize her moment and "ascend," she hadn't truly maxed out Elias' affection level. In truth, he had only "accepted" her because she'd placed herself directly in his path—and he'd simply taken what was offered.
And ever since Misteln had appeared, Aponia had begun to sense danger.
That dreamweaver was far too popular.
Her "Dreamcraft" completely overshadowed Aponia's own "Discipline."
Her counseling clinic was on the verge of closing down.
"This won't do… I need to take another step forward."
Having been thoroughly "enlightened" by the children's teasing, Aponia's eyes now gleamed with determination. The next moment, her gaze locked onto Elias, and a rather… twisted and domineering plan began to form in her mind.
Elias, meanwhile, was blissfully unaware of the chaos this moth-winged nun was about to unleash.
Right now, he was laughing uncontrollably at something he'd just realized.
Elias: "Wait a second—these orphanage kids call Aponia 'Mom' and Kalpas 'Big Brother.' Doesn't that mean—pfft—HAHAHAHA! I have to tell Ely about this!"
Kalpas: "Elias, you damn well better shut up!!"