Chapter 254: Akiha Tohno

"No, no, don't bully my big brother!"

When the voice of a hamster, which was trying hard to roar at the big cat, sounded, the group finally realized that there was another person behind Tohno.

It was a girl a few years younger than Tonho, who looked about the same age as Sakura. Her black hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and on each side of her pointed ears, there was a red bow tied. She looked very cute. Although her emerald eyes flickered with uncertainty, they were still firmly fixed on the black katana flower in front of her.

It's worth mentioning that although the girl spoke in Japanese, she was dressed in traditional clothing, with a bright red top and a gray-white bottom, as if she were in a traditional period drama.

In an instant, everyone's gaze was focused on the girl.

The girl's face immediately turned red, and she hid behind Tohno again, the courage she had mustered disappearing without a trace.

"Shiki-kun, who is she?" Mikiya asked.

"My younger sister, Akiha, Akiha Tohno," Tohno gently patted the girl's head and said with tenderness, "Come on, Akiha, greet everyone."

"Mmm..." Akiha tightly clung to the hem of Tohno's clothes, refusing to speak or move.

"I'm sorry, Akiha is always introverted. Sometimes even talking to me makes her blush. I thought it would be good for her to interact with people, so I brought her along," Tohno apologized to everyone and continued to comfort his sister, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Everyone here is my good friend, and look, there are also my older brothers and sisters here."

Upon hearing Tohno's words, Mikiya approached with a smile similar to Shiki Tohno's. "Akiha-chan, I'm Mikiya Kokutou, Shiki's older brother."

"Ryougi Shiki, Shiki's sister," Shiki also showed a rare gentle expression.

"And me, and me," Azaka refused to be outdone, "I'm Mikiya Kokutou's sister, Azaka Kokutou. Akiha-chan, call me sister."

Upon seeing the "bad woman" who bullied her big brother approaching, Akiha once again found the courage. She subconsciously took half a step back with her right leg and clenched her tiny fists tightly, as if she intended to duel with this "bad woman."

Although lacking in imposing momentum, the posture was quite well-executed.

"Oh, the Bijiquan," Shinji immediately recognized this classic posture of the Bajiquan.

If he remembered correctly, Akiha was the most Chinese-style modern character in the Type-Moon universe, and she had a special fondness for the Bajiquan, even though she might never have come into contact with anything Chinese.

Of course, in Shiki Tohno's eyes, this scene became his little sister rejecting the goodwill of his friends, which was very disrespectful.

"Hey, Akiha—"

"Fake Mikiya, don't say anything for now."

"Hey, Azaka—"

"Brother, you don't say anything either."

Easily shutting down the "brothers," Azaka turned to Akiha with an entirely different gentle tone and said, "Akiha-chan, you love your brother, don't you?"

Akiha nodded vigorously.

Seemingly very satisfied with this answer, Azaka revealed a brilliant smile.

"Mmm, I see, that's why you want to protect your brother. I understand, I understand. Just like you, I don't want anyone to take my brother away by a 'bad woman.' So you shouldn't be hostile towards me. I stand with you."

Akiha tilted her head, although she didn't fully believe Azaka's words, her clenched fist gradually relaxed.

On the side, the two brothers exchanged glances and communicated silently.

"Miss Azaka is amazing."

"Yes, she's good at this."

Just when they thought everything was over and they could finally relax, Azaka came up with a new trick.

"Akiha-chan, this big sister will tell you, your true opponent to fight is not me, but that woman—yes, her, Shiki Ryougi. She not only wants to take away my brother but also yours," Azaka said to Akiha.

"????"

Shiki was puzzled. As a bystander who was just spectating, why was she suddenly being targeted?—Hmm, that was Shinji's simplified translation of Shiki's expression.

After a brief moment of confusion, Shiki sighed helplessly and said, "Are you just trying to start trouble for no reason, Azaka?"

"I'm just stating the facts." Azaka's spirit was high as if she had the determination to resist tyranny.

An indescribable tension filled the air as if each side had a knife held to the other's neck, ready to strike at any opportunity.

"Azaka, Shiki, this is a public place, calm down a bit." Touko, who had finished smoking a cigarette, couldn't bear to watch any longer. She extinguished the cigarette butt and intervened to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

"Hmph." Azaka tossed her hair and quickly transformed her expression from hostility towards Shiki to a bright smile. "Aikiha-chan, let's go. Let's stay away from this dangerous woman."

After hesitating for a moment, Akiha followed behind Azaka like a little tail. As someone with an ancient brother complex in the Type-Moon world, Azaka had a natural advantage when it came to girls with similar attributes.

Shiki stood in place for a few seconds, looking at the backs of Akiha and Azaka, then glanced at Mikiya and Tohno standing on either side. Suddenly, she had an idea.

"Let's go, Mikiya, Shiki-kun."

With that, she held Mikiya's hand with her left hand and Shiki Tohno's hand with her right hand and walked towards the ticket counter.

This intimate gesture immediately ignited Azaka's jealousy. "Shiki... Ryougi!"

She emphasized each syllable with clenched teeth.

Shiki turned back and smiled as if to say, "Didn't you say I'm the bad woman who stole your brothers? Well, I did it. So what?"

Now even Akiha's anger was ignited. Without the need for any communication, the two sisters had ignited the spirit of solidarity against a common enemy.

"Brother, Shiki, stop right there."

"Brother, wait for me!" Finally, Akiha uttered her second sentence of the day.

"The power of a brother complex is truly terrifying." Shinji, who was watching the situation with an indifferent mindset, had no idea that this statement would soon apply to himself.

...

Lunchtime.

Kirie pleaded coquettishly.

"Shinji, I want to eat that."

"Shinji, I want you to feed me."

"Ah—" Shinji complied.

Sakura had had enough.

"Brother, I want to eat that too, and I want you to feed me."

"Ah—" Shinji complied.

"It's delicious. Brother, have one too." Sakura fed Shinji.

"Ah—"

Then Shinji realized that he had two things in his mouth, not only Sakura, but Kirie also put something in, and turning his head to the side, Fujino also seemed eager to try, making it difficult for Shinji to chew.

And this was just the beginning.

They had a crazy day of playing.

"Brother, I can't walk anymore." Akiha looked at Tohno pitifully.

"Hop on." Tohno immediately crouched down.

"Shinji, I can't walk anymore either." Kirie imitated Akiha's expression and looked at Shinji, completely ignoring the fact that she was several years older than him.

"I'll carry you." Shinji also crouched down.

Sakura and Fujino puffed up their cheeks. They were not as physically weak as Kirie, who trained every day, so they wouldn't get tired even if they walked several times the distance.

"Well, Kirie, I'll give you only ten minutes. I'm tired too."

"And me."

Justeaze and Touko officially joined the fray, whether it was because they were really tired or they just wanted to stir up trouble.

Shinji's legs began to tremble.

But that wasn't the most interesting part. The most interesting part was the Mikiya group.

Azaka, who presented herself as weak and sickly, said, "Brother, I'm tired."

Just an ordinary person, Mikiya, said, "Sorry, I can barely walk myself."

Shiki, a fifth-dan kendoka, said, "How about I carry you, Azaka?"

Azaka replied, "...Brother, you're useless."

...

"Tired."

"Very tired."

"Extremely tired."

That was the feeling of Tohno, Mikiya, and Shinji after a day of playing.

—They would never engage in this kind of group activity again. It was too torturous.

PS: Kirie does indeed have a more proactive personality. Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken a liking to Mikiya in the "Overlooking the Scenery" chapter, directly taking his soul and causing Shiki to come knocking on the door for revenge.

PS2: In case you forgot, Shinji always uses his Hades Cloak to change his appearance to a black-haired young man outside.

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