Vol 1 Chapter 2: My Precious Little Sister

A Little Girl Waiting for Her Big Sister

"In a world where love must be hidden lest it be destroyed... There are still small hands that believe home is real."

The night wind touched the neighbourhood like the fingers of a mother who has lost her child: cold, soft, and all too silent. The homes of the commoners had extinguished their lanterns. The city sank into darkness, as if the world were closing its eyes early to forget the suffering it could no longer change.

However, in one corner of the district, one house still had its lantern lit. And behind a small window scarred by time, stood a little girl.
Her long black hair, let loose, danced slowly in the breeze that passed through the night.
Her eyes—jet black, like a deep well that reflected only one person: her big sister.

"Knock-knock."

The knock came from the back door of the house.
It was soft, but enough to shake the little girl's entire heart.

"Huh? Big sister is home?!"

The little girl immediately ran, her steps light but full of hope.
She opened the door and—

"Big sister!"
“Where have you been, Big Sister? Yuna has been waiting for a long time…”

Her arms immediately wrapped around the waist of the red-haired woman shrouded in shadow.
Her tiny face pressed against her chest, which had been drenched in a rain of blood and sin.
But Yuna didn’t know that—and Scarlett wouldn’t let her know.

“Sorry, Yuna. I’m late home… I had urgent business.”
“I kept you waiting.”

“Hmm, it’s okay, Big Sister. Yuna knows I’m busy…
But don’t push yourself. I’m worried you’ll get sick.”

The words sounded gentle.
But they held the most terrifying thing for a tyrant hunter: concern.

“Have you eaten?”

“No, Big Sister.
Yuna’s been waiting for you.
Let’s eat together.
Yuna’s prepared dinner.”

Scarlett could only nod slowly.
The outside world knew her as a killing machine.
But in front of this child… she was just a big sister trying to be human.

“You are indeed my kind little girl… Thank you, Yuna.”

She stroked her sister’s head.
Not with hands accustomed to taking lives,
but with fingers that longed to believe in a warmer world—even if only for one person.

“Come on, Sis. Let’s go inside, it’s cold outside.”

Two hands from different worlds clasped together as they entered a simple home—but to them, more meaningful than the palaces of the nobles.

—

Dinner with My Beloved Little Sister

At the simple dining table, the warm aroma of spaghetti, soup, and toast wafted.
Beside them, two glasses of warm milk steamed gently.
It wasn’t a luxurious meal. But in a world where love must be hidden, a shared dinner was a small revolution.
They washed their hands together and sat facing each other.

“Hmm… as usual,” Scarlett said with a smile, “my little sister’s cooking is always the best in the world.”

“You’re exaggerating… My cooking is just so-so, not as good as yours.”

Yuna’s cheeks flushed.
The little girl looked down, embarrassed but happy.
As if the world could still make room for praise that had no agenda.

“Yuna, do you know why I said that?”

“Why, Sis?”

“Because you cooked it with love.”

The words hung in the air like a spell that refused to be dispelled.
Love, in their world, wasn’t decoration.
It was the fuel for survival.

“Enough, Sis…”

Yuna covered her face with her tiny hands.
But her smile still leaked through her fingers.

“But… Yuna is glad you enjoyed Yuna’s cooking.”

After eating, they washed the dishes together.
They took turns, splashing water on each other,
laughing quietly enough for the world to hear their happiness.
Because happiness, in a place like this, could be punished.

—

Sleeping with Little Sister

The night was growing late.
Their house had two bedrooms.
But tonight, hearts separated by time chose to seek each other.

Scarlett had just put on her pyjamas when…
Knock-knock.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
Followed by an even softer sound.

“Big Sister Scarlett, can Yuna sleep with you tonight?”

Scarlett opened the door.
And there stood the little girl in white pyjamas.
Not from crying—but from holding back her longing for too long.

“What’s wrong, Yuna?
Are you afraid to sleep alone?”

“No… Yuna just… wants to be with you.”

Scarlett took a deep breath.
The wounds on her body could heal.
But the regret of leaving her little sister waiting for her in solitude…
that couldn’t be covered with bandages.

“It can’t be helped.
My bed is still free.
Come here.”

“Okay, Big Sister!”

Yuna jumped with a giggle, and Scarlett caught her in her arms.

“Be careful. You shouldn’t jump around…”

“But you’ll catch Yuna, right?”

“You’re such a cute girl.”

She pinched her sister’s cheek.

“Stop it, Sis. Yuna’s cheeks will stretch…”

“Let’s go to sleep.”

“Yes, Sis.”

The blanket was spread out.
The small body curled up inside.
And for a moment, the world felt… less cold.

“Sis, what kind of place is the Academy?”

The night sky was still gloomy.
The candles by the bed danced slowly, lit not by courage,
but by the fragility of the silence.

“The Academy is… a good place to study,” Scarlett said, after some reflection.

“Yuna can quench her thirst for knowledge.
Yuna loves learning, right?”

Scarlett gently stroked my sister’s hair.
It was so soft, like silk that had never been touched by the winds of a battlefield.

“Yes, Yuna loves learning, Sis.”

Her small smile answered all the hurt Scarlett had ever felt.
In this world, there aren't many things you can trust.
But Yuna... is always like spring amidst the ruins of an endless winter.

"You'll be 14 years old soon, right?"

"You'll be entering the academy, just like I used to."

"Yes, Sis. Yuna will study hard so she can help you later."

Her heart warmed. But it also ached.
It was as if the world was teasing her:

"See, this is what you can have...
but it could also be lost at any moment."

"Good girl..."

Scarlett smiled, but her heart was wary.
The world doesn't like good people.

"Besides, what kind of place is the academy, Sis?"

"I thought it was a place where kids from all walks of life gather.
They study, socialise, maybe... form relationships."

"What kind of relationships?"

"Friendships. Business partners.
If you're lucky... maybe even a couple."

"Do you have any relationships like that?"

"Sure. Friends. Coworkers.
But nothing more.
I graduated too soon.
I didn’t have time to go deep.”

“Thank God…”

Yuna sighed like someone who had just been freed from a shadow she couldn’t explain.

“Big Sis, stay like this.
Stay with Yuna… forever.”

“Don’t worry.
I’m not going anywhere.
I'm your family, right?”

“Yes. Big Sister is the most precious family to Yuna.”

Scarlett stroked her head gently.
Her tiny body leaned against her big sister with total trust—a trust that could destroy anyone who betrayed her.

“It’s late. Let’s go to sleep.”

“Good night, Big Sis…”

“Good night, my little angel.”

Yuna closed her eyes.
Her breathing was slow and calm.
In an instant, she was asleep—trusting that the world wouldn’t hurt her tonight… because her big sister was here.
And Scarlett?
She was awake.

—

My Mind Won't Quit

POV: Scarlett

“Living together forever, huh…?”

The question arose not from hope, but from pain:

“I want to believe the world can improve.
But I've seen mothers cry because of laws that only serve the oppressor.
This world is built on power, not love.
And that's why… love must learn to fight.”

Baron Porco was just one of many such rotten faces.
They took refuge behind wooden chairs and paper laws.
But the children they took never returned.
Their mothers' tears never served as evidence in court.

“This world is rotten from the roots.
And those with power cultivate that rot as a garden they adore.”

Who's to blame? I don't know. But I know what must be done.

“Even if it means bleeding every night… I will still protect my sister.”

Because that day… ‘someone’ opened my eyes.
Someone I met behind the curtain of blood and falsehood.
Someone who said that silence is not an option,
that evil grows because good people choose to bow down.

"Scarlett, if you do nothing, the world will take Yuna from you.
Just as they took everything from me."

From that day on, I chose.
I, Scarlett, the Iron Lady whom the world calls the demoness, have decided:

"I will stand. Even if it means dirtying my hands with blood.
Even if I have to slaughter all the tyrants one by one.
I will not let the world take the only thing that keeps me alive."

Because maybe, this world doesn't need more laws.
Maybe this world needs more love…
…that dares to fight.

I stared at Yuna's tiny face sleeping in my arms.
Her breathing was peaceful.
Her hands gripped my shirt tightly, as if afraid I would leave while she was dreaming.

"Don't worry, Yuna."
"As long as I'm still breathing… I will be your shield."

I hugged her small body tighter.
That peace had finally come—but only as a visitor.
Not a host.

And as the night deepens,
As love lulls me to sleep in one world…
Ambition awakens me in another.
…and my other body,
in another place,
in a palace rotting with falsehood,
begins to open its eyes.