Chapter 13: Who Are You?

Chapter 13: Who Are You?

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"Utaha's here. What's this... curry?"

Watching Utaha enter, Elric noticed the bags of ingredients she carried. They were all meant for making curry rice.

"Yes, it's curry," Utaha replied, her tone cheerful despite the cold glare from Sora standing nearby.

By now, Utaha was used to the frosty reception. Sora always glared at her like this whenever she visited. Choosing to ignore it, Utaha turned her attention to Elric, lifting the bags in her hands with an excited smile.

"Sorry to bother you today," she said.

"If you knew you were a bother, why come at all?" Sora muttered under her breath, her voice laced with irritation.

Elric, already focused on the task at hand, didn't respond to Sora's remark. Instead, he continued coating chicken pieces in flour before frying them, his movements precise and efficient.

"Elric, are you making sweet and sour pork tenderloin?" Utaha asked, leaning slightly closer to him.

"Yes, sweet and sour pork tenderloin," Elric replied, glancing at the bags she'd brought.

Curious, Utaha's gaze shifted to the sizzling pot, but her real focus was on something else. Subtly leaning against Elric's side, she inhaled deeply, catching the faint, familiar scent that lingered around him. This is exactly what I needed—childhood friend energy replenished, she thought with satisfaction.

After finishing with his own ingredients, Elric opened one of Utaha's bags. A frown flickered across his face as he scanned the contents.

"Utaha, didn't you buy all the necessary ingredients?"

"Hm? What's missing?" Utaha asked innocently.

"You forgot the onions. Chicken, carrots, and curry sauce are here, but the onions aren't. That's pretty important for curry."

"Ah… it seems I did forget," Utaha said, covering her mouth with a hand in mock embarrassment.

Of course, this wasn't an accident. Utaha had intentionally left out the onions. Her real aim was to create an excuse for them to go shopping together. She had been hoping for an opportunity to be alone with Elric—something increasingly rare. If she invited him out directly, he'd likely decline, citing the need to cook dinner.

'I've always wanted to experience what it's like to go shopping with him. Maybe we'd look like a newlywed couple out on errands…' Utaha thought, her cheeks flushing slightly at the daydream.

Just as she was about to suggest, "Elric, why don't you come with me to buy them?"

"Alright, I'll go downstairs and grab them," Elric said casually, already slipping on a coat and heading out the door before Utaha could respond.

The door closed with a soft click, leaving Utaha staring at it, speechless.

'I hesitated too long!' she scolded herself, feeling a wave of frustration.

Still, she quickly rallied her spirits. It's fine. There'll be more chances in the future. This small failure just sets the stage for future success.

But her attention shifted to a more immediate problem—the obstacle sitting across from her: Kasugano Sora.

"Sora, have you been feeling better recently?" Utaha asked, attempting a warm, friendly tone.

Sora's health had always been frail, and it surprised Utaha to see her looking so different today. Her complexion was rosy, her frame seemed less frail, and there was a certain vitality in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Hehe… who are you?" Sora replied, her voice light but her words pointed.

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[I don't mind if my brother has many friends, but I don't want him to have a girlfriend.]

[It's fine if women admire my brother, but they're not allowed to get close to him.]

[My brother only needs me. All the other girls, get out of here!]

[Kasumigaoka Utaha, this vile woman, must have sinister intentions toward my brother!]

I've always had too many thoughts about Kasumigaoka, but because of Elric's presence, I usually keep up a polite façade around her.

Now that Elric has gone downstairs to buy onions, there's no need for me to hold back anymore.

Sora's eyes instantly turned cold as she glared at Utaha. In an icy tone, she asked,

"Who are you?"

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Her cold gaze was like looking at some estrus animal. Sora spoke slowly.

"What's wrong? Sora is angry? Do you think I'll steal your brother away?"

Utaha, keenly aware of the way Sora looked at Elric, knew that her feelings were similar to her own—far beyond mere familial affection or friendship.

She didn't seem fazed by Sora's sudden hostility. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest, exuding an air of dignity.

"Feeling a sense of crisis? Sora, you really can't hide your feelings."

"You conniving woman, have you been scheming against me for a long time? I won't give you a chance."

Sora seethed internally, cursing Utaha as she met her gaze.

"Not give me a chance? What good will that do? Elric is my childhood Friend. Honestly, we've known each other far longer than you have."

Because Utaha grew up with Elric, her claim wasn't without merit. In comparison, Sora, though part of the same family group, hadn't spent nearly as much time with him.

"What's so special about knowing him longer? You're just a woman with nothing but…!"

Sora bit her lip, barely suppressing her words. Despite her irritation, she couldn't outmaneuver Sora's sharp tongue.

But she was Elric's sister, after all. She had her own advantage—a secret weapon.

"Hmph, Utaha, have you ever slept with my brother?"

Sora's shocking declaration hung in the air.

"Sl-slept with him?!"

Utaha's composure shattered as she stared wide-eyed at Sora.

"Yes," Sora replied with feigned innocence. "Every time I was sick or feeling unwell, my brother would stay by my side until I fell asleep.

"Not just that—when it thundered and rained, he'd calm me down. When it snowed, he'd go out and build snowmen for me. And when spring came, he'd take me to admire the blooming flowers.

"And during… those times, he'd even help rub my stomach when I was in pain."

"All these moments I've shared with my brother—they're mine. Have you experienced anything like that? No, I bet you can't even imagine them, Utaha!"

"You're overflowing with jealousy, Sora," Utaha said, regaining her composure with a smirk.

She'd panicked at the mention of sleeping together, but upon hearing Sora's elaboration, she relaxed.

"Sora, everything you've said is just the love of a good brother toward his sister. Do you truly believe Elric feels anything deeper for you?"

"And…"

Her gaze briefly swept over Sora's slight figure before she fell silent.

The implication was painfully obvious.