A Little Sister's Plotting

--- Hiromi Okamura's POV ---

[Private space has engulfed the current space dimension]

[Diameter: 10 meters]

[Timer: 04:99]

[Any words spoken inside the private space will only be filtered to the constellations]

"KYAAAAAAAH TIME OUT! TIME OUT! MY HEAD, STOOP! Don't SQUASH MY HEAD!!!"

With teary eyes, I begged my once gentle Onii-sama who have both of his knuckles drilling into my head from both sides.

We're at home, right in front of the table where our dinner is served.

"Ah, sure sure~ didn't I tell you to vote for me yesterday? Hm? Are you going back to your rebellious phase, you naughty girl? It's a relief Rimuru didn't get to choose, probably just because of how kind is the guy. But you sure have enough guts not to tell me anything?" He asked with a perfect smile that didn't reach his eyes.

The cold and icy heterochromia eyes narrowed and stares right into my soul.

"T-there's a reason deeper than the sea for this!"

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--- Currently Explaining ---

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"hmmm.... I see" (Akihito)

"Yes, that's what happens... So I-- KYAAK--!!"

Just when I thought I am saved, the demonic brother appears once again to crush my head with his knuckles.

"And I told you that skill comes in with 'Taboo' did I not? What do you think will happen if you acquire that skill? Do I need to tell you about that too? Do I not tell you I will give you skills on my own?"

"I'MSORRYI'MSORRYI'MSORRY STOP HURTING MEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!"

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--- Please standby ---

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"You're too reckless!"

I looked down, not knowing what to say to my angry Nii-sama. Something inside of me just changed.

It was sadness and a little bit of frustration.

"You know you've drawn gazes of some weird constellation yourself, Hiromi. So I assume you knew what it felt like to interact with those kinds of vague variables. Their existence is beyond human comprehension and you are just a little bit stronger than an average player in Aincrad."

"I know you understand what I am talking about, Hiromi. So stop doing any more of this, I am concerned about your--"

"BECAUSE YOU NEVER ASKED FOR MY HELP!" Finally, my emotions went to burst.

The tears that threatens to fall from my eyes finally submitted to gravity, and my watery eyes sighted a new face of my brother...

A brother who widens his eyes in both shock and confusion...

"YOU NEVER NEEDED ME! YOU INSISTED YOU HAD OUR FINANCE COVERED, YOU WENT AND GET ME INTO A PRIVATE SCHOOL, YOU PROVIDED AND SHOULDER EVERY SINGLE THING WITHOUT EVEN QUESTIONING MY CONCERNS!!"

This might be the first time I let out so many emotions since that day. The day our parents passed away because of me.

"I KNEW YOU PAID A HITMAN TO GUARD ME WHENEVER I GO TO SCHOOL, I KNEW YOU DESTROY THE CRAP OUT OF ALL THE THUGS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD YOURSELF, I KNEW YOU WERE THERE AND BLACKMAILED THE PRINCIPAL TO EXPEL SOME OF MY BULLIES BACK IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!"

It didn't take long for my eyes to tire out.

"BUT EVEN I... Hic, EVEN I WANTED TO AT LEAST LIFT A FEW OF YOUR BURDENS!!!!"

Haa... At this point, I am just throwing tantrums.

"I WANT YOU TO STOP DRINKING COFFEE AT NIGHT! I WANT YOU TO STOP CHECKING THE CCTVS OF THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD! I WANT YOU TO STOP BRIBING! I WANT YOU TO STOP BLACKMAILING! STOP FORCING YOURSELF TO PUT UP WITH ME WHEN YOU ARE TIRED..."

"IF ALL YOU EVER DID WAS NEVER FOR YOURSELF, AND IT ALL WAS FOR ME THEN--- Please, Don't do anything and... Don't leave me."

Because if you're doing everything just for me, one day you'd end up like our parents...

"Haa..."

*Thud* He falls softly, hitting my head with his chin even though it doesn't hurt. His right-hand pulls my body for a hug while I tried hard to stop the tears from my cheeks from falling onto his chest.

"You are one troublesome little sister."

Even though that's what he said... As if my head was a turn-on and off switch that he pressed, I stopped crying.

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"I guess I should tell you everything now so our plans won't overlap."

"U-un..."

We both sat on the couch. I've calmed down and he sits with a leg over his other one while both his arms are folded.

I noticed it too, I was also able to easily engrave a thought into my friends' minds back in school, ultimately causing them to act like how I perceived: It is the art of Manipulation. Reading their desire was as easy as a book.

Onii-sama himself always gambled his way to get something done... No, unlike me who forge such a childish plan, Nii-sama was on a whole another level.

His ability to manipulate and control was even better than mine. All I was able to do, was hide my face behind the mask that calls him "Onii-sama".

"So, what are you going to do with that skill?"

"Huh?"

"The skill that you got from D, what do you plan with it?"

"I- I wanted to send it over to Rimuru-san first... He said he could scan it if something malicious was stored and then he'll send it back to me."

"...you even thought that far, huh...?"

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"Fine then, but just know this Hiromi. I'd do anything for you, or even if our parents are still alive, I'd do it for them. I simply choose who gets my favor, that is all. But... I understand now."

He smiled at me and put a hand on top of my head.

"Let's just say if I am in trouble, I'd immediately run off to you."

Slowly, the corner of my lips raised.

"...Very well, Nii-chan"

I might've gained this manipulative personality from you in the first place though...

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To be continued