"I can tell—you're someone who isn't satisfied with the status quo."
Raiden Makoto sat on the shrine steps, patting the spot beside her.
"The unparalleled Su Ran, blessed with beauty and wisdom there's an empty seat at my side. Care to join me?"
"You really do know how to talk.
Much better at flattering people than your sister."
Su Ran accepted her praise with satisfaction and sat down beside her.
"Your sister is so dumb."
He said it without hesitation.
"If she'd be just a little more proactive, she'd gain a lot more happiness.
But she insists on being overly cautious."
Makoto nodded in agreement.
Though she understood Ei's mindset— grief from the past made Ei afraid to move forward, even when happiness was right within reach.
The fear of losing Makoto again was enough to glue Ei in place.
"I read in Ei's light novels that a lap pillow is quite the experience.
Want to try it?"
Makoto smoothed her clothes, patted her thigh, and looked at Su Ran with bright, hopeful eyes.
It was written that this could relieve stress.
Maybe it would help him too.
After all he had done for both sisters, she truly wished to return even a little warmth.
Su Ran placed his hand on her thigh—
and squeezed.
"The premise of a lap pillow is a soft, meaty thigh.
Yours isn't as thick as Ei's.
It's too soft—feels like I'll hit bone the moment I lie down.
Honestly, you might as well lie down and let me use your stomach as a pillow."
"..."
At that moment, Raiden Makoto finally understood what people meant by "a man with zero romantic awareness."
She'd only seen them in novels.
She didn't expect Su Ran to be one.
After seeing how he flirted with Kamisato Ayaka and teased Ei, she assumed he was an experienced veteran.
But now she considered a horrifying possibility:
Maybe… she simply wasn't his type.
That would explain why he turned down her lap pillow so easily.
But the thought had barely formed when—
Su Ran casually wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Brother, you smell amazing."
"..."
Makoto blinked at him, utterly lost.
Had she been isolated from society so long that she could no longer understand modern interactions?
Was this enthusiasm supposed to mean he liked her?
Or didn't like her?
Makoto never particularly thought about relationships.
But seeing Ei practically become a bride, she grew curious.
And with Ei's extensive light novel stash, Makoto had inadvertently absorbed a fair bit of modern Inazuman romance culture.
Naturally, she became somewhat curious.
"But… I'm not your brother."
Makoto made a token attempt to escape his grasp.
"That doesn't stop me from being interested in you."
Compared to her sister's strong, quirky personality, Makoto's gentle and domestic temperament was practically cliché.
But this was Mei's face.
Of course Su Ran was interested.
And she could cook—really cook.
Her resistance weakened noticeably.
"But if you do this… what about Ei?
She's still waiting to become your bride."
Ei was already willingly positioned as Su Ran's future wife.
As the elder sister, Makoto couldn't possibly take that from her.
Curiosity was one thing—
stealing her sister's happiness was another.
"But the outcome is simple—
fewer aunts, more sister-in-law energy.
Doesn't change much for me.
Actually, if Ei becomes the younger sister instead of the wife…
bullying her becomes even more fun."
Becoming Ei's brother-in-law instead of her husband sounded far more entertaining.
"That's… but if Ei finds out, she'll be angry…"
Makoto realized she was talking nonsense.
Su Ran liked making Ei angry.
If Ei got mad, he'd probably be even happier.
Makoto gave him a helpless look.
"Ei once told me that when someone saves your life, you should offer your body in return.
Is this considered… using that kindness to your advantage?"
"Hmm…
Why wouldn't it be?"
Su Ran thought about it and fully agreed.
Exploiting a life-saving favor was that bad?
If someone owed him, why not collect interest properly?
Leaving value untouched— that was the stupid choice.
"You actually admitted it so openly?"
Makoto felt she had met a truly unique specimen.
Despite living over a thousand years, she thought she had seen everything.
Apparently not.
"But think about it—
I'm the unparalleled Su Ran, beautiful and wise.
Marrying me wouldn't be compromising— it'd be aiming upward."
"..."
It… did make a strange kind of sense.
But why did it sound so infuriating?
"And that means not only do you owe me for saving your life, you'll owe me emotionally too."
"..."
Since when could debts be calculated like this?
Inside the house, Ei—after thinking for a long time finally understood what Su Ran meant.
"He likes me, so he doesn't want me to act like Sister.
Is that it?"
No wonder he'd said if she behaved like Makoto, he might as well choose Makoto herself.
Relief blossomed in Ei's chest.
At least she knew— in his heart, she wasn't a substitute.
If she wasn't herself, he'd rather pick someone else.
The gentle version wasn't the real her.
He wanted the original.
I understand now!
I'll go challenge him!
She glanced at the table full of dishes one last time then stood and exited the room.
When she reached the Sacred Sakura, she found Makoto leaning against Su Ran's chest—
chatting and laughing softly.
Only when they noticed Ei arrive did the two immediately separate.
Makoto quickly pulled away in a panic.
"Ei—what brings you here?
Did something happen?"
Ei looked at her sister, then at Su Ran.
"I'm here to test my blade."
—------------------------------
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