CHAPTER 152: Encroachment

Kazuya settled into the cozy living room of Izumi's apartment, which wasn't as grand as her sprawling mansion. But the bookshelves stuffed to the brim with lewd books, the stylistic paintings, and an assortment of knick-knacks lent the space an intimate, homely atmosphere.

Izumi gracefully appeared carrying a tray adorned with cups of matcha green tea and sweet bean paste snacks — some of his favorite Japanese things ever. Setting the tray down, she stifled a yawn that still managed to escape. "Forgive me for that. Otouto-kun, please enjoy."

"Don't mind if I do."

{And just like that, you're a happy man.}

Kazuya ignored the voice in his head and lifted the steaming cup to his lips, savoring the nuanced bitterness of the matcha. "So, what have you been up to these days?"

Furrowing her brow, Izumi seemed momentarily lost in thought. "It's been a quiet time for Karakura Town."

The brief aversion of her gaze signaled a lie. Feeling guilty about her deception, she reached for a basket of fresh fruit and started slicing an apple.

"Anything else?"

He probed for valuable information — anything to persuade her to slow down and take better care of herself.

Izumi's lips curved into a soft smile. "Let's see. I've been practicing my Blut abilities and other techniques. It has yielded beneficial results so far. I also joined a boxing, taekwondo, and judo club to deepen my understanding of martial arts. It's going great so far."

{Look how happy she looks. We don't have to steal that happiness from her.}

"I've got the news that you aren't resting enough, as in overworking yourself."

"Lisa." Her eyes sharpened instantly. "She tends to worry excessively. Look at me, Otouto-kun, do I look like I'm not well rested?"

With a sweep of her arms, she struck a theatrical pose, exuding confidence. Her experience in high school drama club had made her an actress adept enough to fool masses.

"Well, I don't believe you," he said. "You have yawned four times in the thirty minutes I've been here. There are subtle dark circles under your eyes. Speaking of eyes, yours don't have the same energy they once had."

He had noticed these telltale signs the moment he walked in, and now was the perfect moment to lay them bare — to show her that he cared enough to notice even the subtlest details about her.

Caught off guard, Izumi's hand instinctively flew to her eyes, causing the knife to clatter onto the table. "Otouto-kun is observant…"

"As I should be," he retorted. "especially when it comes to family."

She let out a sigh before shaking her head. "You should also know my responsibility. I have to do this, as a pure-blooded Quincy. I must guide them."

"That again. Izumi, what you're trying can't be achieved alone."

"I'm not alone, right, Otouto-kun?" She reached forward and grasped his hands. "I have you. You and I, together, we can sow seeds for a brighter future. All you have to do is—"

He closed his eyes and squeezed her hands. "I'll support you with everything else except this. You should consider… giving up."

It cut him deep to utter such words. At the same time, she had to hear the bitter reality from someone — it was time for her to wake up from her dream of reviving the Quincy race outside of Wandenreich.

Izumi's eyes widened, petrified, as if her entire world had suddenly collapsed. She leaned back against her chair and threw her head back unnaturally, covering her face with a hand. "Hahahaha."

Her maniacal laughter echoed through the room — the kind Kazuya only expected from lunatics.

{She… is broken.}

Her laughter distorted into a broken mess before transitioning to sobs, tears trickling down her face. "After all this time I thought you'd be different… It's my fault to pull you into my world, isn't it? I'm a pathetic excuse for a sister and an even more miserable disgrace for Quincy… I deserve to die."

Swiftly uncovering her face, she reached to grab a kitchen knife that glinted ominously on the table. She raised it to her throat. His Reiatsu flared in response to the crisis. In a blink, he lunged forward and yanked the knife from her grasp. Yet even without the blade in her hand, her motion to slash her throat continued in a daze — a sobering remind of the depth of her suicidal intent.

Izumi's eyes blinked in disbelief, fixated on the knife in his hands. "I've failed everyone—my parents, ancestors, everyone… I've failed as a Quincy. I don't have the right to exist anymore. Let me die—"

He swiftly arrived behind her with Hirenkyaku and struck her head with just enough force to make her unconscious. Catching her slumping form, he carried her to the bedroom, laying her gently on the bed.

Sitting by the bedside, he let out a heavy sigh. "Life is just more than some old family tradition. When will you understand that?"

He could hardly understand the way things escalated. They'd been sharing a seemingly peaceful moment over tea, and then she was holding a knife against her throat, intent on ending her life. It was as if her entire self-worth was tied to her responsibilities as a Quincy. The moment she lost her purpose, she made an extreme decision.

{The mindset of a cultist. They pour everything into their faith, and when that faith crumbles, they don't want to live anymore. It never ends nicely for anyone involved with a cult.}

"I hope it's just an emotional meltdown caused by extreme stress."

{Most likely is. We'll know when she wakes up.}

'Lisa was so off about her. Izumi is a ticking time bomb.'

{Can't blame Lisa. Izumi wasn't like that until you told her to give up,} Nami said, clicking her tongue. {Partner, you have to be careful about this nutjob. Some wrong words will send her deeper into the pit of despair or make her dependent on you. Both of which are bad endings. Perhaps get the true ending 'I turned my cultist sister into a yandere and added her to my ever-growing harem.'}

Gently caressing Izumi's face, he whispered, "I won't let anything happen to you."

{I forgot you're the yandere here.}

Realizing he had to inform Tier about the change in plans, his heart sank at the thought of leaving Izumi alone, even for a moment.

'Nami, can you report this to Apacci? Tell them not to worry.'

{Ugh, my head kills me when I'm away from you.}

'Please, Nami. I can't take my eyes off her.'

{Rawr… fine. Only because you're asking me.}

...

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