Realization

In the dim light cast by the moon through the window, Okino Rinka, who had already turned off the lights, could barely make out the furnishings in the room.

After throwing back the covers and slipping on her slippers, she sat on the edge of the bed, feeling it was time.

Although for some people, eleven o'clock might still be considered early.

But from what she knew of Sister Otome, she usually went to bed by ten and seldom stayed up past half-past ten.

Except, of course, for nights like last night when Fuyumi-nii would sneak into Otome's room.

Based on her experience of sleeping in the same bed with her as a child, she knew as long as her movements were not too loud, she wouldn't wake her.

With her thorough understanding of Sakuragi Otome, after stuffing a white teddy bear under the covers in her bed, the girl, moving with her usual light and measured steps, naturally walked to the door of her room.

Extending her arm, which glowed faintly in the dim light, she pressed down on the doorknob.

With a 'click,' she opened the door and moved in the same rhythm she would as if she were just getting up at night, slowly making her way to the bathroom.

After spending a moment there as she usually would.

She walked back to her room door as usual, then reached out to pull on the doorknob, locking herself out as quietly as possible.

After this quiet activity,

She stood in the hallway outside her room, listening intently for any sounds from Otome's room.

Hearing nothing from the room, she let out a silent sigh of relief.

She could have sneaked into Brother Fuyumi's room in a secretive way if necessary.

But what if, however unlikely, while she was stealthily opening the door, Sister Otome happened to wake up and caught her in the act?

How would she explain it?

Claim she was going to the bathroom?

But why so silently, like a thief?

If asked, even if she were to think whole night, she would find it difficult to explain herself convincingly.

Thus, rather than sneaking around with the risk of getting caught, it made more sense to pretend to be up for a bathroom break as a way of testing the waters.

After all, it's common for girls to go to the bathroom in groups.

And at night, after hearing someone in the house use the bathroom, it's normal for others to feel the urge and decide to go too.

Based on these considerations.

If Otome hadn't fallen asleep yet, there was a high chance she might also get up to use the bathroom.

If not... then she must be asleep.

Standing still, waiting patiently.

Once she was sure that Sister Otome was indeed asleep, the girl cautiously slowed her breathing and tiptoed towards Sasaki Fuyumi's room.

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In Sakuragi Otome's room

Covered with a light blanket, the girl lay on her side.

Her deep blue eyes, hidden in the darkness, quietly looking at the closed door.

The eyes that moved slowly from the door to the wall seemed to have passed through the blocking wall and saw a little girl who was tiptoeing and sneaking behind her back

Though she couldn't see it, Otome, whose senses had been slightly enhanced after getting Fuyumi's nourishment, was extra vigilant and could hear faint footsteps that were barely there.

These sounds were so soft that they could easily be dismissed as an illusion if not carefully attended to.

But since she was awake and constantly alert to any noise outside her door, Otome naturally didn't think it was an illusion.

After getting constantly pleasured and tortured by Fuyumi over the past few nights, the girl thought tonight would be no different and hadn't planned on sleeping early, expecting him to make his move.

Thus, Otome, who usually went to bed early, was waiting for that bad to sneak in and steal the beauty.

However, she didn't anticipate that this time, the 'bad guy' would be the one getting stolen...

Although she had just said she didn't mind if Rinka and Fuyumi got together,

But wasn't this girl a little too anxious?

Just after she gave a subtle hint..

Does she like Fuyumi that much?

Just as these thoughts surfaced in her mind... Otome remembered how Rinka once spent all her efforts to bring herself and Fuyumi together.

If she really liked Fuyumi that much, then why did she do that?

'Was it because... I'm her sister?'

That she stepped aside ...for me?

Turning over in bed, a mix of emotions swirled in the girl's heart, and she clasped her hands over her chest.

The slight discomfort and reluctance in her heart dissipated with the memories flooding her mind.

Considering that Rinka could give up the person she liked for her sister, what reason did she, as the older sister, have to stand in her way after making such a promise?

With gratitude and guilt towards Rinka, Otome decided not to focus on the noises outside any longer, and slowly closed her eyes.

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Click~

Gently opening the door, Okino Rinka took advantage of the moonlight outside the window and walked slowly to Sasaki's bed.

According to ordinary people's thoughts, being called here in the middle of the night... no, in normal circumstances, things should be discussed openly, perhaps in a well-lit room right after dinner, not under the cover of darkness...

Who calls a girl into a boy's room in the dead of night?

It felt like... like sneaking around.

Feeling caught and guilty, and thinking this through made her realize just how strange her actions were.

Last night she was scared and had no choice but to sneak in to seek comfort, but why was she sneaking around again tonight?

Obviously, she could have just walked into his room openly after dinner to ask Brother Fuyumi about whatever he wanted.

What was this now?

Now, it seemed almost like she was creeping around like a thief.

And why hadn't she felt weird about it before, without any resistance?

Moreover, why hadn't she found it weird before? No, why hadn't she resisted at all?

Instead, she had been eagerly waiting till midnight to sneak over just because he said, 'Come find me'.

Had she always been this unguarded around him?

As she contemplated these thoughts upon reaching his bedside, Rinka discovered that she hadn't thought about her Brother Kazuki all day.

After school in the afternoon, she no longer had same the urge to go find her Brother.

In the club, upon discovering that Brother Fuyumi might be involved with another girl, her curiosity and interest had filled her heart.

Had she ever cared this much about Brother Fuyumi before?

And after finding out that he was cheating on Sister Otome, that photo she took, did she really not have any intention of blackmailing him with it?

She didn't know.

And sometimes 'not knowing' is an answer in itself.

Especially when she came running just because of his one sentence.

Even though she felt guilty, she didn't refuse, right?

After all, with that photo in hand, she should have been the one in a position of power.

This was...

'Was my affection for Brother Okino that fragile?'

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