Prelude VI

Prelude VI — Last Day Reminisce.

I was only a year old when my little sister was born.

At that age, I barely understood anything. Left, right, front, back—it was all a blur. But I do remember the day they brought her home.

She was so small, bundled tightly in blankets, her tiny fists clenching and unclenching. 

When they placed her near me, her crimson eyes fluttered open for just a moment. 

She stared at me, and I stared back, mesmerised by the fiery glow in her gaze.

From that day on, as we grew older, we became inseparable.

As little kids, we didn't have a care in the world. We played together every day, though "playing" for us was different from most children. 

Instead of running around outside, we were taught etiquette. 

Every gesture, every step—there were rules for everything.

Since I was the male heir, my father took me under his wing, personally training me to carry on the family name and the weight that came with it. 

Kurumi, on the other hand, was my responsibility as well as my parents'. My mother guided her, preparing her for a future filled with expectations.

Despite the responsibilities and all push onto us... because we had each other, we were able to blitz past anything.

""Oh, Tokisaki-san, are those your children?"

"They act so mature for their age. What did you teach them?"

"Hahaha, don't embarrass me," Father would reply with a laugh, waving off the compliments from his colleagues.

Sometimes even he and mother would always be surprised at times by how well-behaved we were.

"My~ Maya-san, your daughter is so adorable!"

"No, I like Ikari-kun better. What do you say we engage our children?"

"Eyyy… I don't know~"

One day, Kurumi overheard one of Mother's friends suggesting an engagement. 

With her innocent curiosity, she turned to me and asked. "Brother, what are they talking about?"

"They're thinking of engaging me to a girl," I replied. "One I might marry someday."

"Marry?"

"Yes. A girl I'd spend my whole life with."

I said it nonchalantly, recalling Father's words about responsibilities and the duties of a man. 

To me, it was just another part of growing up.

But back then, Kurumi didn't see it the same way.

"No! I don't want it!"

She ran to Mother and her friends, her voice loud and determined. "The only one who will stay with my brother is me!"

Her proclamation caught everyone off guard.

"My, my, how feisty~" 

One of the women chuckled, brushing her words off as childish nonsense.

After all, who would take a four-year-old seriously?

While they brushed her words off, at that moment, my gaze only lingered on Kurumi, at that time.

And from that moment on, Kurumi and I only grew more and more closer.

We did homework together-she'd finish hers quickly and then insist on watching or learning what I was doing. 

Thanks to that, we always ranked at the top of our academy.

Until one day—

"We've decided," Father announced over dinner. "Kurumi will attend an all-girls school, and Ikari will go to an all-boys school."

The news hit Kurumi like a thunderbolt. 

Her face paled, and she dropped her fork onto her plate.

"Why?" she asked, her voice shaky.

"—You two are too close." Mother said with a teasing tone, her usual sing-song. 

"Kurumi, if you don't let go of your brother, how will he ever find a wife? Ufufufu~"

It was typical of Mother to say such things, with a smile on her face, but now I knew where Kurumi got her personality.

Anyways, mother had said that as Father nodded in agreement. 

They didn't seem upset about our bond, but there was an underlying concern.

Afterall. In the end. We're siblings….

""Is it wrong for me and my little sister to be close?" 

I asked, looking directly at Mother.

"Well, that is—"

"Not wrong, no." Father had interrupted looking over to me. 

"You're siblings, but there's a line you shouldn't cross. Both of you are becoming adults, yet neither of you has any real friends."

"We've heard the reports from your school," Father added. "You both keep your distance from others."

He wasn't wrong. I was distant by nature, keeping people at arm's length.

Kurumi, on the other hand, attracted attention wherever she went. 

Boys were drawn to her beauty, while girls sought her friendship because of me. 

But neither group was genuine, so she avoided them altogether.

And this was briefly before we'll meet Sawa.

"So, you want to separate us for a while, is that it?" 

I concluded with a heavy sigh and a shake of my head.

"Yes. That's exactly it. And you, Ikari, will also take extra lessons. If you can't handle them, then——"

He didn't complete his words, but I knew what he'd say next. 

After all, he was giving me that knowing glance he'd always look at me with.

'You are not worthy.'

It's about a man's responsibilities. And that was to Kurumi…. Back then, I wondered….. But now.

⸻[Present].

Father… I'm sorry. 

(Gomen. Otou-sama).

The line you warned me not to cross… it's crumbling.

"K-Kurumi, my dear little sister. What are you doing in my bed early this morning?"

"Waking you up, what else." 

She paused, glancing to the left before answering that as if it were natural of her to do so.

I had a nervous smile on my face.

Normally, she would have simply dragged me out of bed if I refused to get up. That was her usual way of dealing with me.

But now?

What's with this ridiculous situation….

"No, no. I get the part of wanting to wake me up, but why are you undressed?"

[Ahem…. Glazing incoming.]

Her beautiful ivory skin seemed to glow faintly in the soft light filtering through the window.

Her dark hair cascaded messily down her shoulders, framing her golden left eye—the one she usually kept hidden from the world. 

She hadn't even bothered to cover it today.

She was dressed… or rather, barely dressed. 

A white garter belt and simple underwear were all she wore.

I had always known she was beautiful. And to be attracted to her was a sin.

But as someone who had watched her grow up alongside, I'd be damned if I give her up to someone.

While Shido might have his qualities, that was all he had going for him. I didn't hate him, nor anyone else, for that matter. 

The only person I'd say I harbour animosity for are people like Westcott and Mio.

But Kurumi?

I'd watched her grow up. I'd stood by her side through everything. And I couldn't imagine handing her over to anyone.

—Wait, wait! We're getting out of topic.

A-anyways. "Kurumi, isn't this… going a bit far? Don't you think we're rushing things?"

She was straddling me, seated casually on the blanket I had used to cover myself, exposing herself bare.

"Coward.…"

Kurumi muttered such, in disappointment. For some reason, her saying that made my heart tighten.

'...Yeah… Why—'

With a grit of my teeth, I'd grabbed my almost naked sister by the shoulders, "Eh? Brother?" and flipped her over, and now I was on top.

"Sorry."

I said firstly. Even though I had decided to not hesitate any longer. I'm still hesitating.

Now… to make sure she'd set her eyes on any other man than me.

"You asked for it."

Our lips met in a kiss, soft at first, then deeper. I felt her flinch briefly before she relaxed, allowing me to take the lead.

We stayed there like that for seconds I couldn't count, more like, I just lost my sense of time, literally, until I broke it first.

When I finally pulled back, her eyes met mine. Crimson and gold, shining with a mix of mischief and satisfaction.

A chill ran down my spine as I saw the sly smile curling her lips.

…..Oh boy. I don't like that smile.

"Ufufufu~"

She smiled then, before I could react, she grabbed my wrist.

"Eh?" I blinked in confusion as she suddenly flipped me back over.

"How bold, Brother," she said, leaning down until our faces were just inches apart. "But now it's my turn~"

Her lips brushed mine in a brief, teasing kiss before she pulled back, licking her lips slowly.

She stood up, walking toward the door with a sway in her step.

Pausing at the doorway, she glanced over her shoulder with a playful tilt of her head.

"You'd better hurry, or I'll leave you behind~"

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving me lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.

'I… did it… huh?'

I thought, my chest rising and falling with each heavy breath.

My heart raced, and I couldn't deny the truth. A part of me wanted more.

"Dad… mom… I'm sorry."

I said with a wry laughter as I went to prepare for what would officially be my last day and innocence in this world...…

⸻NOTE:

We are at that chapter.

Shits goes down in the next ch. And Mc would be awol from the main world to the neighbouring world.

Since there isn't much or any fanfic I've seen that covers the Neighbouring World. For my own research, I've decided to write about that part.

—(Will be altering a few things and timeline to suit everything that would happen for the future sake.)

And after that place would be Beast Tohka's world before returning.

Considerable time would have passed, and things would change in the main world since there would literally be an Angel and a Demon King working side by side—

Ohto! Forgive me. That's spoiler.

Anyways, you'll get to see this work out if I… write the fic well or don't suddenly loose motivation.