Chapter 28:

What If I'm laughing at My Own Pathetic Situation?

The Entire Truth Behind the Mysteries

Rurouni decided to admit defeat.

There was no other choice this time.

He obidiently lowered his head.

"...No."

"I have nothing to say."

Then he looked up with a pathetic expression.

"Please don't tell Mom or Dad about this, Onee-chan."

Somya grabbed him by the collar.

"I'm not someone who bullies the weak."

No, you are...

A big one at that.

"But I clearly remember telling you..."

"...If you ever need help..."

"...You must ask me."

How are you going to help me?

You are the problem not solution for me.

She pointed at the test with extra drama.

"And look at you now."

"Acting so hopeless in front of your own Onee-chan."

She smiled, eyes shut.

"You're pathetic, my sweet little brother."

Rurouni's last remaining pride shattered like glass.

Yep.

Kara...

Your mom was right.

I've literally lost count now.

He apologized genuinely.

"...Sorry, Onee-chan."

"I'll ask for your help with studying from now on."

Somya's expression immediately brightened.

She gently tapped him on the back.

Unfortunately...

Her definition of "gentle" was completely different from Rurouni's.

THUD!

Rurouni's vision went black.

Thirty seconds later...

Rurouni slowly opened his eyes.

"..."

He stared at the ceiling, completely confused.

"Huh?"

"What happened?"

Then he noticed something.

His desk had been completely transformed.

Books.

Notes.

Practice questions.

Pens.

Everything was arranged neatly.

Somya sat across from him with the expression of someone who had been preparing for this moment her entire life.

Rurouni asked with hesitation.

"...Were you really serious about that?"

"Of course."

She opened the science textbook.

"Now then..."

"Let's start."

Rurouni looked at the first MCQ.

His confidence lasted approximately three seconds.

"...The answer is..."

He thought carefully before choosing a good looking option.

"...This?"

Somya announced like a reporter.

"Wrong answer."

"..."

She leaned closer and blew gently into his ear.

Rurouni jumped like a scaredy cat.

"W-Wait!"

"I was scared, you know!"

Somya laughed while looking at him.

"Yeah, anyone can see that."

"Now try again."

Another question.

Rurouni answered.

Wrong.

This time...

She tickled his side.

"Wrong again."

"O-Onee-chan!"

"If this goes on!"

"I might die from a heart attack!"

Somya patted him like a little kid.

"Don't worry."

"You're my little brother."

"You won't die that easily."

Huff...

You say that like you're some kind of big shot.

Another question.

Again wrong.

Again and again.

Rurouni's face slowly became lifeless.

"...I understand why people hate tuition now."

Sometimes she teased him.

Sometimes she tickled him.

Sometimes she roasted his answers so badly that Rurouni's confidence disappeared completely.

And sometimes...

She made him repeat:

"Onee-chan is cute."

Fifty times.

Sometimes...

"Onee-chan is smart."

Another fifty.

Sometimes...

"Onee-chan is kind."

Another fifty.

And sometimes...

"Onee-chan is beautiful."

Rurouni stared at her with irritation.

"...Are we studying science or praising you?"

Somya smiled proudly.

"Of course, both."

"...But that's not how studying works."

"Who's the teacher?"

"...You."

"Exactly."

Oh.

So you want to scam me even while studying.

You're basically treating me how Kara treats to animals.

Onee-chan, you're even more dangerous than I thought.

"...Yes, ma'am."

Despite all the teasing...

She never actually punished him for getting an answer wrong.

Whenever he made a mistake...

She explained why.

Whenever he didn't understand something...

She explained it again.

And when he finally understood...

She moved on to the next question.

The two continued studying.

One hour.

Then another.

Then another half hour.

Two and a half hours in total.

By the end...

Rurouni dropped his pencil onto the desk.

"Huff..."

"I'm still alive."

Somya nodded and stood up proudly.

"Of course you are."

"Your teacher this time was me."

A question suddenly popped into Rurouni's mind.

I just don't get it.

Do girls like getting praised this much?

Or is my Onee-chan a special case?

Then Rurouni sighed.

There's no way I can answer that question.

I don't know enough about normal girls.

And I definitely don't know enough about Somya Rakhora...

The most dangerous existence in my entire life.

"...You know..."

"...I actually feel better."

Somya raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.

"Even after studying science for two and a half hours?"

"Oh, I see."

"So that's your way of complimenting me."

Then she patted him gently.

This time...

Rurouni accepted it.

"...Maybe because I finally understand it."

Somya gently patted his head.

"See?"

"That's why you should ask for help."

"...Yeah."

"...Thanks, Onee-chan."

No, thanks.

What's the point of understanding science...

When my entire life gets into danger.

The warm aroma of breakfast drifted through the house.

Freshly cooked rice.

Miso soup.

Tofu.

Several varieties of vegetables.

The comforting smell filled every corner of the dining room.

Sunlight poured through the windows, painting long golden rectangles across the wooden floor.

For the first time in days...

The house felt peaceful.

Rurouni slowly made his way downstairs.

He had washed his face and changed into comfortable clothes.

His hair was still slightly messy.

The dark circles beneath his eyes hadn't disappeared.

But compared to yesterday...

His expression looked noticeably lighter.

"...Morning."

His mother looked up from the stove.

She smiled warmly.

"Good morning."

She studied him for a moment.

"Hmm."

"You're in a much better mood today."

Rurouni scratched the back of his neck.

"Yeah."

"I kinda am."

His mother placed another bowl onto the table.

"No school?"

"Of course."

"What else?"

She nodded with a worried face.

"I saw the notice."

"I wonder what happened."

Oh, that...

Probably because of me in my dream.

Rurouni shrugged as he pulled out his chair.

"No idea."

"Who knows?"

He smiled with excitement.

"...Maybe the principal finally decided to retire."

His mother laughed softly.

"I don't think that's the case."

"Maybe."

"But it's still worth considering."

She placed breakfast in front of him.

"Either way..."

"Eat while it's still warm."

"Got it, Mom."

Just then...

A chair scraped softly upstairs.

A moment later...

Somya wandered into the dining room.

She stretched lazily as she descended the last few steps.

"...Morning..."

She barely made it halfway across the room before noticing Rurouni.

"..."

She stopped and shocked.

"...Huh."

Rurouni stopped eating, looked up.

"What?"

Somya blinked, pointed his mouth.

"You're smiling."

Rurouni noticed himself.

"Am I?"

"A little."

She slowly sat down.

Then glanced at Rurouni.

"...I thought you were trying to act tough and might collapse after all that science."

Rurouni immediately looked toward Somya.

His eyes practically screamed:

Don't say anything about the science test.

Somya understood and smiled innocently.

"By the way..."

"Yesterday you looked like a zombie."

She tilted her head.

"Today..."

"You only look half-dead."

Rurouni paused, thought what he should say.

"...Ah."

"Thanks, I guess."

Somya smiled proudly.

"You're welcome, nerdy brother."

Their mother quietly placed another bowl in front of Somya.

"Now, both of you..."

"...Eat quietly."

Breakfast began peacefully.

For several minutes...

Only the soft clinking of chopsticks could be heard.

Then...

Rurouni suddenly frowned as he felt something's wrong.

"..."

He looked at his mother.

"...Why do I feel like you're going to tell me to study at home?"

Without even looking up...

His mother answered.

"Because that's the plan."

Rurouni tried to explain.

"...But I studied already."

"So can I go to the bookstore and buy a novel?"

"Eat."

"...Yes, ma'am."

Somya laughed softly.

"There you are."

Rurouni looked over with zero idea what she meant.

"What?"

She rested her chin in her hand.

"The professional complainer finally came back."

Rurouni pointed his chopsticks toward her.

"No."

"I don't remember complaining about anything."

Somya couldn't control her laugh.

"Really?"

"Aren't you the one who complained to Mom that I wasn't playing with you?"

"Even after we'd already played for four hours?"

Rurouni's eyes widened.

"That's the most ridiculous lie I have ever heard."

"Then why don't you ask Mom whether it's true or not?"

Rurouni immediately looked toward his mother.

"There's no way I can say something that embarrassing."

His mother calmly continued eating.

"You did."

"Several times, actually."

Rurouni froze, but still have zero dark memories.

"..."

"...Huh?"

His face slowly turned red.

"W-What are you talking about, Mom?"

"It's not nice to lie about something like that..."

"Even as a joke."

His mother answered honestly.

"But I'm not lying."

"It's true."

Rurouni looked horrified.

"N-No..."

"...You're lying, right?"

His mother shook her head.

"If you don't believe me..."

"...then call your father and ask him."

Rurouni's soul practically left his body.

"Then..."

"Why can't I remember any of this?"

Somya answers the question.

"What else could it be?"

"You didn't even know what fantasy novels were back then, and you—"

Rurouni immediately covered her mouth.

Do you want me to end up in tomorrow's newspaper or something?

You're literally about to say things that shouldn't be said for a nerdy introvert like me.

"...!"

His mother looked at him, no idea why he did that.

"What happened?"

Rurouni released Somya and gave an awkward smile.

"...I remember everything now."

"How we played when we were kids."

He turned toward Somya.

Then gave her the most pathetic smile imaginable.

Please let me live a little longer.

I don't wanna die this early.

"Onee-chan..."

"...Which game should we play?"

Silence.

Nobody said anything.

Then—

Somya burst out laughing.

His mother followed.

Rurouni stared at them for a moment.

Then...