Even Siblings Think Differently

“Hey, Mr. Magnus Kou, greetings! I'm Takahashi from the Elven Tales agency,” A recruiter approached us before we even exited backstage. He gave a business card, its design a mixture of gold and green, and offered, “As Sera’s manager, I would like to provide her with a good opportunity to become a popular hit to the cosplay industry. This offer includes not just guaranteeing us a place to hit the Regent of Glamour rankings, but also provide Sera a stress-free work-life balance.”

I flipped the business card upside down, checking the company name and contact details. Does this agency focus on elf characters? Narrowing my eyes, I asked, “What’s in it for me?”

“Oh, no worries! This opportunity is not just for Sera, but it’s specifically for you, Mr. Magnus. You’ll still be Sera’s manager, but you’ll work exclusively for the agency. The income split will be negotiated through the contract signing, but I can assure you that the payout will be enough to raise your own family.”

“My own family?”

“I’m not saying you have your own family already. Never mind it. It’s always included in my business script. I know you’ll need time to think about this, but if you have your answer, just call the number on the card. I’ll be personally going into your house, together with my boss, for the negotiation. I’ll be waiting for your response,” he said and ran off out of sight.

How does he know my house? This sounds sketchy. It’s best to think about this further. If any agency knew that Sera was a real elf, our fates will drastically change.

Walking through the hallway past the backstage, I asked Sera, “We still have time. Do you still want to roam around? There’s too many delicacies specifically in this area of Tokyo. I’m sure you’ll like foreign cuisine.” She did enjoy the fries earlier, and for her, it’s just a sample culture adapted globally.

“Sure! By you mean foreign, it’s just new to me that Japan is on good terms with other lands beyond the sea. I thought there’s nothing existing beyond the ocean’s horizons.”

“There is. We can travel by water through boats or by air through planes.”

“By air? Does that mean you fly across the large ocean!? It’s just outstanding! This world doesn’t even have magic.”

“Yes, there are technologies and inventions that–”

As we passed across a closed room, we heard a loud table slam from the inside. Without going near the door, we could hear the conversation, more so an argument of two people with the same voice, beyond it.

“Ironic, isn’t it? I’m the one who has a career. I’m the one who’s providing. I’ve been building my image from scratch, faking my personality, neglecting my wants… Then my sister came, Good Morning, crumbling the tower of cards I'd built. What a lively welcome!” A long pause, and the voice continued, “Tell me… Why are you doing this?”

“Nee-san…”

“You’re not content with having a normal life? Not everyone has the privilege to have the life that you had! Sleep, study, cook meals, that should be your job, Rise! That’s all you should be doing to help Mom… Not this… Have the career that you need to pull us out of this torment–”

“Why are you always like this, Nee-san!? Why does it feel like you’re so distant from me, like you’re not the sister I know… I didn’t aspire for this normal life you wish. I’m not the type to become friends with anyone I talk to. I just can’t accept sitting inside my own prison, treating this life as a blessing in disguise.”

“What are you pointing at? That my efforts were all in vain? That as your family, I shouldn’t have helped!? That I destroyed your life by sacrificing mine!? I shouldn’t be the one responsible for being a breadwinner, but what choice do I have!? You’re in the same sick state when Mom had an accident! I stepped into this unknown, a hint of danger always lingering, stalkers, threats, kidnapping… Is this the life that you want to have!?”

“Then… Why aren’t you asking for my help!? Why are you shouldering all this burden alone!? Why aren’t you even telling me what’s happening behind the curtains!? Am I really a family to you!?”

“I want to but I can’t! …… Please, Rise… Just so you know, I’m so tired. Don’t make this more difficult. Just study, and pull us out of this miserable life…”

“…That’s what I hate about you the most.”

The door slammed open, Rise coming out of the room. When our eyes met, tears already flooded her cheeks, her makeup ruining her appearance. She covered her eyes with her arm and ran away opposite our direction. Her relationship with her sister might not be the same as mine, but even siblings think differently.

“Do you know her, Kou-nii?”

“We shouldn’t pry into their business, Sera.”

Sera and I spent the afternoon roaming around the venue, checking the other stalls, before we went to a restaurant for two. We also bought sweet snacks on our way. Before the sun sets, we already went home, bringing the title of being eligible to participate in the finals next week. As when I just stated not to get involved, we witnessed a car parking outside our house, Hina standing and leaning near our gates.

Sera’s eyes were narrowed at her, remembering that her familiar face was the one that caused the ruckus earlier. She tucked my sleeve and hid behind my back. When Hina witnessed me, she gestured with her head to make me go inside the car.

I commanded Sera, “You can go home first. Tell Mom I’ll be back soon.”

“Will you be alright?” She asked, her eyebrows withdrawing.

Rubbing her head, I replied. “Don’t worry. We’ll only have a small talk.”

Sitting on the back of the car beside Hina, Kazami-san drove the car to a destination only I wouldn’t know. Hina scrolled through an online shop on her phone, mostly showing sales of dresses and fashionable accessories. Silence filled the air until I broke the awkwardness.

“Nice Porche,” I said, pushing my back onto the backrest repeatedly.

“This was the agency’s vehicle. Don’t destroy it,” she replied, still scrolling through her phone.

I picked out a pack of snacks from my pocket and offered it to her. “Do you want some chocolates?”

She gestured a stop and uttered, “I’d rather stick to a healthy diet and calculate my calorie intake.” I caught her attention when she glared at the chocolate pack.

Since she declined the present, I put the snack back in my pocket. “Disregarding your dermatologist’s advice, you just don’t like sweets.”

Her head jerked back, gasping, her eyes widening. “I–Is there anything else about me that Rise said to you!?”

Accompanied by a notification ringtone, my phone vibrated from my other pocket. When I pulled out and opened the lock screen, I saw a gift notification from FCO5 Game, telling me that I have received rewards for participating in the OtakuMania convention. My eyes bulged when I squealed, “Oh, another freebie!” Directing my attention to my phone screen, my finger flew towards the game icon and loaded the game.

The flush that creeped across Hina’s cheeks vanished like drying water on a cloth. Her shoulders slumped and her lips pursed flat, pouting. “That’s so cringe. I thought you’re this fine man who’s willing to throw all his time to pursue his passion. Yet, here you are, consuming dopamine intakes to satisfy your lust.”

Lust? Was she based on her statement after seeing the FCO5 loading screen of Shizu-sama in a summer bikini? “Answering your question earlier, Rise also said you hate Anime stuff, too ironic for a cosplayer.”

Her head pivoted away from me towards the car window, her arms crossing before her chest. Still pouting, she replied, “I just never liked it.”

“That’s why you always suck at the games you stream.”

“I’m not even saying I’m good at it.”

“I frequently visited your page containing your cute stream clips full of screams, and all I could see in your comment sections were thirsty men. Aren’t you even aware you’re posting thirst traps?”

She returned a fevered stare at me as colors drained out her face, “At which lineage did you inherit that kind of insult? You’re aware who’s in front of you is a girl, aren’t you?”

“Speaking of awareness, aren’t you the thunder of a lightning? Internet Explorer? Recently knowing that Rise’s cosplaying, you sure aren’t interested in Otaku news.”

“Do I even have the time? My agency provided me with a stack of schedules, and… my free time is occupied.”

So that was what she meant by having no classmates. “And how did you get the time to kidnap me?”

“You’re the one who said it’s just a small talk, right? I know Rise won’t tell you anything about what we’re going through, but I witnessed you seem to quite have a good relationship with her.”

Was that all people think about being friends with Rise? Intending to change the topic, I paced towards the road and asked, “Where are we going?”

“…To the reason why I started my career.”