She couldn’t just walk up to her little sister in a plain manner and say something like:
“Hey, little sister, the days of you threatening me with my identity as your brother are over!”
Then, while Ye Xingling was staring at her in shock, she would follow up while the iron was hot.
“Actually, I’ve been a girl since the week before last! Quick, let me hear you call me Big Sister!”
‘That won’t work.’
‘Well, whatever. I guess I’ll just play it by ear… Is Xiaoyue ready?’
Ye Xingyao sighed. Learning how to confess these things to her sister without involving matters like Star Elfs or the Human Alliance—matters far removed from an ordinary high school girl—was indeed an art form.
She couldn’t just make up some story about how her brother had long ago “descended into womanhood” and only just saved up enough money to realize his dream…
If she did that, her standing in the family would be ridiculously low whether she was a brother or a sister!
“Um, should we head out now?”
Yi Shiyue squeezed Ye Xingyao’s small hand. Seeing her thoughtful expression, she spoke up to remind her.
“Okay.”
Xingyao snapped out of her thoughts and returned to reality. She stood in front of the mirror, changing into the girls’ clothing she had prepared earlier. She tidied her outfit and stood at the door, full of energy.
“Xiaoyao, tilt your head for a second.”
Before Xingyao could put on her favorite little leather shoes, the girl beside her called out as if she had discovered something. Xingyao could only comply.
A warm, small hand gently covered the top of her head with a *pat*. Then, with a bit of pressure, she pressed down.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. It turns out this really is a cowlick. I can’t even press it down.”
“…”
Xingyao glanced at the girl who seemed very interested in the few strands of hair on her head. For a moment, she couldn’t think of anything to say. She pursed her lips and lowered her head to change her shoes.
On Monday, both of their classes were concentrated in the afternoon.
The reason for choosing this time to leave was, of course, the fear that Fumier wouldn’t get used to living in the Safehouse and would feel lonely…
Yeah, right. Xiaoyao didn’t have such high emotional intelligence. If her EQ were even half that high, she would have already snatched up Yi Shiyue during high school. There would have been no need to wait until now, only tentatively giving in after Yi Shiyue took the initiative to strike.
First, she had promised Fumier she would visit her yesterday. Thinking of how that girl looked so pitiful yet sensible, not wanting to disturb anyone… Xingyao couldn’t quite bear it.
Second, when they woke up this morning, Hongye Qiu had sent them a message. She planned to meet at the Safehouse, saying some information was easier to discuss offline.
In summary, that was why they were now standing at the door of Ye Xingyao’s Safehouse, which now served as Fumier’s temporary residence.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
Ye Xingyao knocked politely.
“Hmm? Who is it?”
Hongye Qiu’s confused voice came from inside. It turned out she had arrived long ago.
“It’s me, Sister Hongye.”
Since the other two were already there, there was no need to worry about disturbing Fumier. Xingyao skillfully pulled a card from under her skirt, swiped it on the access control, and pushed the door open.
Yi Shiyue, watching from the side, couldn’t help but chuckle. Although she had long known this girl liked to hide things under her skirt, she still found it funny every time she saw her actually do it.
In her memory, Xiaoyao had said…
‘Is that how it’s done in anime?’
*Pfft.*
Yi Shiyue followed behind Ye Xingyao, covering her mouth and laughing secretly.
“Hmm? What are you laughing at?”
Hearing the laughter from behind, Ye Xingyao turned back in confusion. Seeing her trying her best to stifle her laughter, she was somewhat bewildered.
“No, nothing.”
Yi Shiyue’s face changed instantly. She looked at Ye Xingyao with a solemn expression as if she hadn’t been the one laughing just now and nothing had happened.
Xingyao gave her a suspicious look before continuing into the room.
“Good morning, Sister Xingyao, Sister Shiyue.”
Fumier greeted them very happily.
Today, Fumier wore a simple pure white nightgown. She sat neatly on the bed, wrapped in a quilt with half of her calves exposed. Compared to her image yesterday, she now had the vibe of a little girl next door.
“Good morning, Fumier, and Sister Hongye.”
“Good morning to you both.”
Ye Xingyao greeted them cheerfully. In contrast, Yi Shiyue was a bit more reserved, using relatively formal wording.
“Oh, you’re here,” Hongye Qiu spoke in a very listless voice.
Only then did Ye Xingyao notice that although Sister Hongye was usually lazy, she was normally full of energy when working. Now, she had deep bags under her eyes and looked mentally exhausted.
“Sister Hongye… are you okay?” Xingyao asked weakly.
“Oh, I’m okay. It’s not a big deal for me, it’s just… there were just too many documents.”
Hongye Qiu stood up unsteadily. Her swaying appearance made one wonder if she would suddenly collapse onto the floor.
Then, Hongye Qiu lunged toward Ye Xingyao. The latter backed away in fright until she was backed into a corner in one breath.
“Gulp…?”
With her back against the wall, Xingyao tilted her head up to look at the aggressive Hongye Qiu, who seemed ready to take her down with a wall-pin. She swallowed hard.
She felt like she could smell a cherry blossom fragrance from the other woman’s neck. Her breathing became a bit rushed. A long, slender leg stepped forward, slightly pressing against her calf.
Because of her owner’s messiness today, that familiar Japanese-style coat slid down to reveal half of a fragrant shoulder. The figure it outlined was full and enchanting…
“You brat, I stayed up all night for you. Can’t you show a little appreciation?”
Of course, Hongye Qiu wouldn’t continue like an older sister pushing down a younger sister in a manga. No matter how much resentment she held, she only wanted to tease this easily embarrassed Sister Ye Xin.
“Ugh… Thank you, Sister Hongye. Sister Hongye is the best! Mwah~”
Xingyao’s face turned bright red. She acted cute in a high-pitched voice while frantically pleading for help with her eyes from the two people nearby.
‘Shiyue, what’s with that half-smile? Waaaah, are you going to keep smiling like that while I’m being bullied…’
‘Fumier… ugh, she looks completely confused. It seems I can’t count on her.’
“That’s more like it.”
After teasing the Sister Ye Xin she had raised herself for a while, Hongye Qiu finally licked her red lips with a lingering sense of satisfaction as the latter repeatedly begged for mercy. She returned to her seat and let out a comfortable yawn.
Xingyao clearly saw that when Hongye Qiu yawned, she glanced at Shiyue. The latter responded with a meaningful look.
‘When did these two collude?!’