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As the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita Family—the family's most dazzling jewel—she was born under high expectations and lived an enviable life, yet her entire life plan was firmly bound to the family's grand path.
She only needed to proceed step by step, then find a suitable partner to marry into the family, and her lifelong happiness would be guaranteed. In fact, she didn't think there was anything wrong with this; in the real world, she had always lived that way.
But now, living in this world and given a chance to start over, she had been vaguely pondering one thing.
—What should I do?
Unlike other heroines with clear motivations—gluttony, studying, chasing dreams—she had no such goal.
Regarding studies, she would take over her parents' business in the future, so she didn't need to work so hard to get into Todai.
As for self-improvement, she was too lazy for that.
In the end, she even felt the days of true simulation were torment, because she had to repeat experiences she once loathed.
Tea parties, banquets, balls… she had seen such scenes too many times.
Yet precisely because of that, she could see through people at a glance—what they were thinking, what they wanted to ask. Compared with hypocritically dealing with these masked individuals, she would rather stay home and play games with her younger siblings.
Would nothing change this time either—she thought of her strict mother, and she thought of her sister who pursued her.
"Yukinoshita Haruno, come take a picture with us."
A female classmate called out. Yukinoshita Haruno responded brightly, a sunny yet melancholic smile on her face. While chatting, her mind calmly turned over her own problems, as if her soul and body had separated.
They carefully clutched their graduation yearbooks.
After saying goodbye to her classmates, the intelligent, beautiful girl slowly walked to the school gate, where a kimono-clad beauty was already waiting.
"Congratulations on your graduation, Yukinoshita Haruno." Her mother's expression was gentle.
Yukinoshita Haruno hummed in acknowledgment. After a moment of silence, she looked at the head of the Yukinoshita Family and, as if possessed, suddenly spoke.
"Mother, I want to move out and live alone in high school. Is that okay?"
Seeing her daughter's calm expression, Yukinoshita's mother slowly frowned.
"Why? Are you unhappy at home?"
"Hm… I just want to try living alone." Yukinoshita Haruno's words revealed none of her true thoughts.
"You haven't even entered high school yet. Living alone is very inconvenient, and once you're in high school, you'll also need to attend our family's various social gatherings."
Her voice remained kind and gentle, her gaze warm, but within that gentleness was a compelling force that allowed no refusal.
Yukinoshita Haruno suddenly smiled. Sure enough—this was it; her mother wouldn't allow rejection or resistance.
But.
Why could Yukino so easily get everything she wanted? Yukino only had to ask, and their parents gave her a high-class apartment to live in, almost never truly refusing her.
She knew these thoughts were somewhat unreasonable; after all, she was the true heir… But before being the heir, wasn't she also a daughter?
Yukinoshita Haruno pressed her lips together and walked out of school.
Her mother's puzzled voice sounded behind her.
"Yukinoshita Haruno, where are you going? There's still a celebration banquet prepared for you today…"
"I made plans to have dinner with a classmate!" she said casually, finding an excuse.
"This child… remember to come back early." Yukinoshita's mother sighed in distress.
Yukinoshita Haruno wandered aimlessly through the streets, deliberately avoiding the boisterous crowds—circling buildings, looking at flowers, swinging on a swing. Pink petals fell with the wind, and time seemed to slow.
As the swing soared, her elevated gaze suddenly caught a certain figure.
Her eyes gradually sparkled with starlight.
All her life in this world felt uninteresting; only this boy was a splash of color in the monotony—she was very curious what would happen if she truly gained another family member.
Then the girl nimbly jumped off the swing and jogged to the flowerbed outside the park.
"Kiyono, why are you here?" She leaned curiously beside the boy who was squatting to observe puppies and flowers and whispered in his ear.
"Hm? Yukinoshita Haruno?"
Kiyono turned in surprise and answered seriously, "Looking for inspiration."
"You just want to find other kids to play with, don't you?" Yukinoshita Haruno giggled and poked his cheek with a finger. "Also, it's about time you started calling me Big Sister!"
"Big Sister, I'm thirsty—go buy me a cola," the little boy said innocently.
"Kids can't drink that; you won't grow taller."
"Then what about bubble tea?"
"Only milk, okay."
The seemingly meaningless back-and-forth lasted two minutes. Kiyono stood, blinking, looking at the black-haired girl in a uniform with a corsage pinned to it.
"Yukinoshita Haruno is going to be a beautiful high-school student."
"Kiyono is also going to be a handsome middle-school student… By the way, did you come by bike?"
Catching sight of the bicycle parked nearby, Yukinoshita Haruno edged closer, narrowing the distance between them. They were barely ten centimeters apart, able to feel each other's breath.
"Yes—why?"
"Take me out to play."
Yukinoshita Haruno drew out the last word, smiling sweetly.
If she were facing a real middle-schooler, she would never act like this. Even with Yukino, she would never show negative emotions or weakness. But Kiyono always gave her a very different feeling, she thought as she studied his face.
Though he wasn't old, he felt reliable and trustworthy. More than that, it was his temperament—a fresh, unworldly air.
—You're the high-school student, hey!
Kiyono raised an eyebrow. Today, the "medium-sized Yukino" seemed a bit off. He thought for a moment and decided he had to risk his life to accompany Big Sister Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita Haruno usually treated him impeccably on the surface. Whether sincere or not, a real older sister wouldn't do much more.
"So, where do you want to go?"
Where to go?
Yukinoshita Haruno's eyes glittered, and a certain choice lit up in her heart.
"Right now, I want to… play music!"
Yukinoshita Haruno's navy-blue eyes—seven parts similar to Yukino's—sparkled with starlight. She radiated a beautiful, delicate, soft girlish aura that made it impossible to look away, and her voice tripped like dancing piano notes.
"Are you talking about karaoke?"
"Karaoke isn't out of the question, but a single microphone is too limiting. I want a professional place with guitars, drum kits, and a piano!"
Yukinoshita Haruno tossed her hair, all sunshine and brightness.
I just escaped elementary school! If you want to form a band, find someone else!
Haruno flashed a brilliant smile. She plucked off her corsage and tossed it into a nearby trash can, then ran to the bicycle. Her slightly permed hair fluttered in the wind, exuding a stunning charm.
She patted the pillion, hinting for Kiyono to hurry.
"Oh, come on… I don't have that much money for a place like that." Kiyono climbed on, resigned.
"It's okay—I've got plenty of cash in my pocket. Big Sister does," she said, fully embracing the rich-lady label.
Once Big Sister Yukinoshita Haruno settled on the back seat, Kiyono pedaled skillfully. They rode with the wind through the city, crossing streets and passing crowds. Reds turned to green, greens to red, and the girl simply lifted her chin to the gentle blue sky.
Guided by Haruno's "remote control," Kiyono rode to a fairly distant recording studio.
—Yukinoshita Haruno was actually very interested in music—or rather, she simply liked releasing her inner emotions through instruments.
Inside, the lighting was soft. With the door shut, neither inside nor outside sound could pass through. A faint fragrance lingered, and a professional array of equipment stood ready for use.
"Little Brother, what instrument are you interested in? Big Sister can play anything—pick whatever you like!" She playfully brushed her fingers over the instruments one by one.
From most men's perspective, Yukinoshita Haruno was dazzlingly perfect—highly capable, yet not unapproachable. When such goddess-like tenderness focused solely on you, it was a fatal poison.
"I'll just watch you play." Kiyono took a seat to the side.
Big Sister Haruno didn't mind. She glided to the black-and-white keys, then moved through guitar and bass, finally letting out a satisfied breath. At the right moment, Kiyono handed her a water bottle.
Her phone rang again and again. She merely glanced at it, then switched it off.
"The phone… aren't you going to answer?"
Kiyono couldn't help asking. He had a fair guess who was calling—and why the girl's mood was gray.
"No. Today I belong to my little brother." She winked.
Kiyono shook his head.
How to judge this phenomenon?
If it were him during the first simulation, he would have said, 'Rich lady, transfer me 50 first.' In this world, everyone lives with a lot of helplessness. The poor have the pains of being poor; the rich have the troubles of being rich. He didn't have the energy to run other people's lives.
But now, the sibling bond was indeed there, and the kindness of adoption wasn't yet repaid. If she needed it, he was willing to think for her, to comfort, to solve problems.
However, Yukinoshita Haruno's inner strength far surpassed that of other girls; she needed no one's comfort. He only needed to accompany her in silence when she felt low.
"Never mind that. The most important question—am I amazing, Big Sister?"
She arched a brow.
"Very cool."
Kiyono was full of respect. In truth, he couldn't discern the subtleties, but mastering so many instruments already felt impressive.
Haruno hummed twice in triumph. For some reason, the boy's slightly exaggerated praise—something she had heard all her life—brought a different kind of happiness. She suddenly remembered that her original intention for practicing was simply to look cool.
"Kiyono, try the guitar." Her smile was unusually dazzling, as if she had found the joy of nurturing.
"But I haven't practiced…" Kiyono protested weakly.
"It's okay, it's okay—Big Sister will teach you." Haruno coaxed patiently; at that moment, she looked like a mischievous woman luring an innocent boy.
In the enclosed space, the boy couldn't resist and complied.
At least he had the [Nimble Fingers] trait; playing a guitar should have been easy-peasy.
However…
"It's rare to see your clumsy side."
Haruno's tone was teasing. In fact, she held a very high opinion of Kiyono; his talent, character, and personality were all trustworthy. Only now, seeing his clumsy look, did he truly resemble a middle-school little brother.
"Yukinoshita Haruno, we're more than three years apart. I really don't get the music you like," Kiyono said innocently.
"Hmph!? How dare you tease Big Sister's age!" The "medium-sized Yukino" twitched her lips. "Then you pick!"
Now it was Kiyono's turn to scratch his head. In truth, he hadn't listened much to the music of this era himself. After a moment's thought, he suddenly remembered the effect of his trait.
He grabbed a pen and paper, jotted down a song from memory, and handed it to her.
"I'll practice this."
Under the light, Yukinoshita Haruno let out a soft "Oh."
"WHITE ALBUM? I've never heard of it. Did you write this?"
"I thought it up when I was bored…"
Kiyono coughed. He had checked when he was bored—most music in this world differed from what he remembered. Of course, he had no interest in plagiarism; this was purely to satisfy a little hobby.
"Oh…"
Haruno propped her fingers in her hair, circling him with interest. She had just found the boy's naïve side, and now he was showing talent in another field…
When they left the studio, the sun had already set.
Haruno fell into step beside him, the afterglow casting their shadows long and slanted.
"I didn't realize we played for so long. When we get home, Mother will definitely scold both of us, won't she?" The girl in uniform stretched.
"I'm innocent." Kiyono kept a straight face.
"You're a war criminal just like me."
Yukinoshita Haruno laughed—lightly, softly, airily.
Hands clasped behind her back, she took a few steps forward, walking ahead of him.