Connecting with you is not a lie

　　"Is it true? Why do you suddenly want to date me?"

　　When dinner was over, Shinichi's question was still unanswered.

　　Rui wiped the table with one hand and responded casually.

　　"I like you and want to be your girlfriend. Is there anything wrong with this logic? Shinichi."

　　"No, that's not what you said before…" And what's with that title? Would calling them by their first names make them seem more like a couple than brother and sister?"

　　"What did I say before?" Rui thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Ah, you mean 'This is good, a little happiness is enough to satisfy me'?"

　　Shinichi nodded, then took the sweeper from her hand and replaced her daily cleaning.

　　After dinner, Hina went back upstairs under the pretext of preparing for lessons. Now they were the only ones on the first floor, and she didn't eavesdrop at the living room door.

　　He shouldn't think too much about it, Shinichi always felt that Hina was helping Rui.

　　Is he being wronged by the two sisters at home? This damn love luck...

　　"That's true, but have I ever said that I don't want to date you?"

　　Rui leaned against the back of the sofa, curled the hair on her cheek with her fingers, and answered.

　　"Even if there is, it has nothing to do with me now... Besides, you just promised me, and I recorded it, but you are not allowed to repeat it."

　　Shinichi sneered and disdain: "Rui, this society is not as simple as saying 'I just recorded' to threaten people—"

　　The short words were less than five seconds, and Shinichi continued to speak without changing his expression.

　　"Unless you plan it beforehand and actually record it, then it's fine."

　　Holding the broom, he turned around and looked at Rui who put down her cell phone.

　　"Rui, just tell me what your goal is. We weren't outsiders, and I didn't want to compete with my little sister in a battle of wits or love. It really doesn't suit us."

　　"Is it true?" Rui spoke without emotion.

　　"You have to be careful when talking to girls. These words alone imply that you hate me and don't like me. You are so cold and my heart hurts. I want to cry."

　　Shinichi: "😐"

　　But these simple words made Shinichi feel guilty. He always felt that he had taken pity on her today, no matter her actions or words.

　　As he had said to Nino not long ago, careless words could carry painful power. Although Shinichi always remembers to be careful with his words and actions and rarely says stupid words that are clearly hurtful, he cannot avoid accidents.

　　"Sorry, I didn't mean that. I just hope we can be honest with each other…"

　　Rui turned around and walked towards the bathroom.

　　"Okay, now let's take a shower together."

　　"You have clearly gone too far with your misunderstandings!"

　　Shinichi felt his brain hurt.

Why is it so difficult to communicate with teenage girls?

　　"Stop joking, you know that with my current state, it's impossible for me to agree to date you."

　　"...No kidding."

　　Rui turned her face to the side.

　　"Even so, I still seriously want to date you."

　　Her expression didn't look like she was lying, and Shinichi rarely saw Rui lie, she had always been a straightforward person.

　　But even so, it would be too strange to say that she suddenly woke up from her desire for exclusivity, and it was okay to be his sister in the first place, until she suddenly became the girlfriend of the woman who wanted to bathe together...

　　His eyes were drawn to her injured left hand, and Shinichi had some suspicions in his mind.

　　"Is it because of… Injury?"

　　Rui covered her left wrist and looked at the floor.

　　"Thinking of the moment when I cooked you something new. The moment it cuts into your hand. When I was sent to the hospital, waiting for your return. Understand that you enjoyed the date and all I could do was bleed on the kitchen floor at that moment... I couldn't take it anymore."

　　"Do not you understand? I also want to date you, I also want to be cared for by you as a love partner, and I also want to hold your hand tightly like a partner…"

　　"But you never set your sights on me. Even if you sit at the same dining table to eat, you seem to be getting further and further away from me."

　　"That's why I thought if I used your guilt and concern for my injury to make a request for a relationship, there might be a slight chance you would agree…"

　　"I want to be with you and enjoy happiness even for just a second."

　　There was a suffocating pain, Shinichi looked at the depressed side of her face.

　　"Rui, you..."

　　(Don't let yourself be so humble to me...)

　　The words got stuck in his throat.

　　Shinichi took a step forward, trying to comfort her with his words.

　　But before that, Rui raised her hand to signal him to wait.

　　Then she walked to the sofa, took out the manga book hidden in the pillow, flipped through it according to the bookmark, and walked back to it original position.

　　Rui lowered her head with unknown sadness in her calm tone.

　　"Since you don't want to, then forget it."

　　"I left, walked to a distance where you couldn't see me, and kept watching you there."

　　Shinichi: "😐"

　　Both parties were silent for a long time before Shinichi spoke.

　　"What's that?"

　　Rui looked at the floor with an expressionless face.

　　"What?"

　　Shinichi remembered her tone just now. He thought it was because she was trying to suppress her emotional ups and downs, but now he remembered the feelings of being written down...

　　"Did you just read your lines?"

　　Rui didn't deny it, she didn't dare to look at him increasingly frightening cold gaze.

　　"[Unconvinced Love] is my favorite manga recently besides [Miss Shinumiya Wants Me to Confess]. There are also many classic lines in it. You can read it."

　　"Haha."

　　Shinichi laughed twice, and his anger at being teased increased, but soon, glared at Rui, and planned to continue the unfinished cleanup.

　　"Forget it, you are the one who is hurt the most. I will spare you this time. If you dare make a joke like that next time, I will be very angry."

　　To Shinichi's surprise, Rui bowed her head and apologized.

　　"Sorry I was wrong. I shouldn't have used that sentence to play with your feelings."

　　Her words were still direct, which made people uncomfortable.

　　But then, she stood in front of him and grabbed his collar with his right hand.

　　"But you are also wrong."

　　"I said I wanted to date you wasn't a joke, that sentence also contained my feelings."

　　Rui raised her head.

　　The hand suddenly exerted strength. Shinichi was dazed. At the same time, Rui stood on tiptoe and kissed him with her eyes closed.

　　It was a kiss that was more like a vow than tenderness.

　　The cold and gentle touch quickly disappeared from his lips, and Shinichi stood there silently, letting her straighten his collar.

　　Rui lifted her rosy face, slightly curved her lips, and gave him a smile.

　　"Don't worry, I have reasons for you to agree to it voluntarily."