???: Good morning, Onii-chan~
[Shirou groaned as he slowly opened his eyes-only to find a mischievous grin staring down at him from above.]
Shirou: R-Ryokou-?!
[The girl teasing him was none other than his younger sister, Ryokou, who had just returned from her job overseas in England. For the time being, she was staying at Shirou's place.
Without warning, Ryokou clamped a hand over his mouth, eyes sparkling with playful intent.]
Ryokou: Nii-san~ Did you miss me?
Shirou: flicks her head off and wriggles away from her When the hell would I miss a gremlin like you?!
Ryokou: Aww~ That's so cold! I just wanted a welcome-back hug... Pwease~?
Shirou: Nope! Let me go!
[Just then, the door creaked open.]
Shizuka: ...Shirou?
[Shizuka stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide with confusion. From her angle, it looked... compromising.]
Shirou: Wait! Shizuka, it's not what it looks like!
Ryokou:tilts her head innocently Who's that, Nii? Your girlfriend?
Shizuka:blushing furiously I-I'm not his girlfriend!
Ryokou: grinning So there's no competition for me then, huh? You're sure you won't steal my muscular, handsome, big brother?
Shizuka: grabs Shirou's arm, flustered I-I'll take him! I still owe him for everything he's done for me, so... he's mine!
Shirou: ...Uhh, Shizuka?
Shizuka:flustered W-What?! She's your new girl, right?!
Shirou: Calm down—she's my sister. Biologically. And what do you mean she's my new girl? I don't even have a girlfriend yet.
Shizuka: Ah-o-oh. S-sorry, I overreacted...
Ryokou:giggles No need to apologize, Shizuka-san. Actually, thank you for taking care of my brother.
Shizuka: shyly I-it's nothing...
Shirou:bonks Ryokou lightly on the head And you—cut it out. Bad girl.
Ryokou: Oww! Okay, okay, I'm sorry...
Shirou: Don't mind her, Shizuka. She's always been like this, even around other people.
Shizuka:smiles No, it's fine. She seems
like a sweet little sister.
Shirou: Yeah. As weird as she can be... I still cherish her.
[A few minutes later...
Downstairs, the smell of freshly cooked food filled the air.]
Shirou: Breakfast is ready!
Ryokou: Yay! Nii-san's cooking! I missed this so much!
[Kei stirred from his makeshift bed on the couch and blinked at the trio.]
Kei: Mornin'—Wait. Ryokou?!
Ryokou: glares Why are you here, you gorilla?
Kei: sighs Still got that fire in you, huh? I'm doing great too, thanks for asking, Ryokou—chan.
Ryokou: I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!! she pulled a metal bat out of her bag and charged.
Kei: Here we go again! bolts for the door
[Moments later, a loud THWACK! echoed outside.]
Shirou:sighs There they go again...
Shizuka: Why does Ryokou hate Kei so much?
Shirou: serious Well... it's complicated. Back in high school, Kei was Ryokou's bully. He was in my class back then, but we weren't close. He'd often go to the lower grade just to tease one person—my sister.
[Shizuka stayed silent, listening.]
Shirou: When Ryokou finally told me, I confronted Kei. Gave him a lesson. After that, he changed. Became oddly attached to me, like a magnet. He even apologized to Ryokou, but... she never forgave him. Even now, she still holds that grudge. But... I hope one day she'll heal and let it go.
Shizuka: softly That must've been hard for her. Trauma doesn't just vanish overnight.
Shirou: Yeah... but I believe in her. She'll
come around.
Ryokou: returning to her seat Now, where was I? Ah, right. Nii~ can you come with me to our company event later?
Shirou: Sure. I've got a day off today anyway, so it works out.
Ryokou: Yay~ You're the best! You can come too, Shizuka-neesan!
Shizuka: flustered A-Are you sure?
Ryokou: Totally. I'll make sure someone's there to keep my brother company while I'm busy with the program.
Shizuka: O-Okay then...
Kei: What about me?
Ryokou:sternly You stay. Here, you gorilla.
Kei:sighs ...Gorilla, huh.
Shirou: chuckles Don't worry, Kei. Just hang out here or explore the town if you like.
Kei: relieved Got it. Thanks, man.
[Elsewhere...]
[A dimly lit office. A man swirled red wine in his glass as a subordinate approached.]
Member: We've confirmed the target. His name is Shirou Fukushima. He's been protecting our drug route target.
???: Shirou, huh...? A nobody meddling in our business.
Member: Shall we proceed?
???: grins Send the data to the Four Fiends. Let each of them handle this in their own way. But I want the targets—alive or dead.
Member: Understood. exits
???: sips wine Let the game begin... chuckles menacingly
[Later, at Roenji Trading Ltd.]
Ryokou: Welcome to Roenji Trading!
Shirou: Whoa. This place is way bigger than the company I worked in.
Shizuka: It's amazing! No wonder it has so many branches.
Ryokou: Right? Let me show you around!
[She led them through the facility—introducing them to staff, walking through departments, and finally bringing them to her elegant office.]
Ryokou: Aaand that's the end of the tour! I'll grab us some coffee—sit tight!
Shirou: Thanks, Ryokou.
Shizuka:smiling You really shine here, Ryokou-chan!
[Meanwhile, outside...]
[A sleek motorcycle parked silently in the lot. Its rider stepped off, long coat fluttering in the breeze.]
[FOUR FIEND: YGGDRASIL]
Yggdrasil:pulls off her helmet and stares up at the towering structure of the building This place looks more like a fortress than a corporate headquarters. she pulls her leather gloves tighter and checks her walkie-talkie I've got eyes on the target. Location confirmed. Proceeding with the plan.
???:on the other end of the line Keep your focus. We don't want another failure like Bigman. If this goes sideways, you'll have more than just a dead man to deal with.
Yggdrasil: scoffs Don't remind me. I know what happens to those who mess up. Don't worry, boss, I'll make sure I don't end up like that idiot.
[She tucks the device back into her pocket and straightens her coat, scanning the area with a cold, calculating expression. Her eyes flicker to the motorcycle parked outside—the very same one she had noticed earlier.]
Yggdrasil: to herself Let's see how well Shirou Fukushima handles things when his world is about to turn upside down. Now, let the hunt... begin.
[With one last glance toward the entrance, she walks toward the side door, blending in with the crowd. The mission begins, and she's ready to play her part—whether it means charming her way in or letting her true skills speak for themselves.]