The Sister’s Dilemma

After showering, I sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in a light purple gauze robe.

Elegantly, I raised a cup of black tea to my lips, savoring its delicate flavor.

Yet, my mind was consumed by the myriad experiences of the past few days’ adventures.

I wondered how Faein was doing.

She had rushed back just moments ago, clearly deeply affected by the news of Carla and Yukino.

Oh, if only I could hold even half the place Yukino occupied in her heart.

Though Faein had blushed in front of me before, a blush was merely a blush. How could a young, inexperienced homebody like me possibly comprehend the vast chasm between a fleeting blush and true love?

Just then, a faint, eerie glow flickered from the corner of the room, where an invisible magic array was drawn.

Faein materialized within the teleportation array, having evidently traveled from her own chambers.

She stood there, her long hair damp, clad in a flowing black nightgown. Even now, droplets of water fell from her hair, tracing paths down her fair, white arms.

She hugged her arms, leaning against the wall, her head bowed.

“Faein?” I rose and approached her. Yet, despite teleporting here, she remained silent.

“Faein… I know the matter with Yukino has caused you much distress. Perhaps it’s best to rest early. These past two days of battle must have been exhausting for you.”

Faein spoke in a low voice, “What, are you trying to send me away?”

“Eh?” Her slightly resentful words made my heart skip a beat. I longed to step forward, pull her into an embrace, and encircle her slender waist.

However, I had no idea what she was truly thinking. “No, that’s not it. You can stay as long as you wish, Faein. What’s wrong? You seem very unhappy. Are you worried about Yukino?”

“Yes… but not entirely…”

“Eh? Why?”

Faein kept her head down, her lips, glistening in the moonlight, seemed hesitant to speak. “Am I… a bad woman?”

“Eh??? Faein, are you tired? Why would you suddenly say such a thing?”

“How do you see me? I’m searching for my beloved, yet along the way, I flirt and adventure with other women, play games, and even kiss…” Faein’s head remained bowed, concealing her expression, but her voice carried a hint of despondency.

“Faein, are the ‘other women’ referring to me…?” Honestly, the question stung, but I managed a smile. “Faein, when you kissed me and played games with me, wasn’t it all to coerce me, to use me to help you find Yukino? So, your motives were pure, weren’t they? You’re not a bad woman.”

To be honest, even I found my own words unconvincing as they left my mouth.

“Mm…” Faein seemed even more struck, bending over and covering her face.

I thought I heard Faein quietly sobbing. I didn’t know what was tormenting her so deeply. ‘Faein, you’re crying for another girl; how can I possibly help you?’

“I don’t know, I don’t know what to do… I, I want to go find Yukino right away, but, but… but…”

I walked over, my hands clasped behind my back. Leaning in, I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

‘No matter who you love, in my eyes, you will always be a sacred older sister. Even when you’re troubled and blaming yourself, you’re still adorable.’

‘It’s not just you I’ve come to like, but everything about you.’

Faein seemed to find being kissed on the forehead, especially as an older sister, rather humiliating. She stood up, wiped her eyes, then crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, turning her head away from me.

Why did she become so fragile and tearful whenever Yukino was involved?

Though a tearful older sister was also cute, she wasn’t crying for me.

Eh?

No, if it was only for Yukino, she shouldn’t be crying now, should she?

Faein, what are you truly sad about? What is truly troubling you?

Could it be the impending separation? Shouldn’t *I* be the one crying then?

“Faein… now that we have a direction to find Yukino, does that mean you’ll be leaving the dungeon soon?” I knew this question was cruel to me, but I asked it anyway.

I didn’t want to wake up one morning to find a note from her, thanking me and saying she’d remember me!

Faein suddenly looked at me with a serious gaze, a hint of reluctance in her gentle eyes.

While I wasn’t adept at interacting with girls, that didn’t mean I wasn’t perceptive. I could feel that reluctance, though I couldn’t discern if it stemmed from obligation, affection, or deeper feelings.

If it were out of obligation—because I had disregarded my own safety to help her rescue those two girls, and she felt awkward leaving before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony when I needed her help—then I would be truly miserable. In that case, it would be better if she simply left.

Even though there was no moon in the dungeon, the crystals emitted a faint, ethereal moonlight after dark.

“Faein,” I said, offering a desolate smile in the moonlight. “If you wish to go find Yukino, then go. It’s just a pity that I’m entangled with the Coming-of-Age Ceremony and can’t accompany you. Whatever assistance you need, I’ll command the dungeon to fully cooperate with you.”

“Coolie…” Faein looked at me earnestly, but her gaze held no gratitude, only a slight hint of reproach. “Are you trying to drive me away again?”

“Eh? No, this is…”

“You don’t understand! You simply don’t understand!” Faein, for some reason, grew a little hysterical again.

“Faein? But weren’t you the one so eager to find Yukino? If you’re concerned about the dungeon’s ties, I assure you, you needn’t worry! Just go find her!”

“‘Just go’? Don’t you worry about yourself at all?”

“My affairs?”

“Why are you playing dumb? Are you trying to make me feel better? You’re a clumsy little fool with terrible acting! Your body is so sensitive; can your nerves truly be this oblivious? I don’t believe it! The Coming-of-Age Ceremony! What are you going to do? If that woman Suriya wins, how will you be treated? Have you thought about it?”

“Eh? Suriya…?”

“Suriya might not even be the worst! Do you truly wish for that Uguru, and those barbaric, crude, disgusting monsters, to be alone with you for three days and three nights, ‘educating’ you about the knowledge of adults?”

“Eh? Monsters… educate me.” My face flushed crimson. “Absolutely not!”

“Exactly. So, what are you going to do?” Faein’s tone became somewhat seductive and elder-sisterly again.

“What do you mean, ‘what to do’?”

“…Think about it. Hmm, after all, you did help me, your older sister. So, if you have anything you want to ask of me, I might just consider it, but only tonight!” Faein said triumphantly, crossing her arms.

“Ask you? While I’m very grateful you adventured with me, I don’t seem to have anything to ask of you right now. If something comes to mind, I’ll tell you; I won’t be shy with you, Faein.” I smiled innocently at Faein.

However, my adorable smile was met with a furious glare from her.

Her chest rose and fell deeply, causing her ample bosom to jiggle. Her brow furrowed, and she seemed to be fuming. Suddenly, she leaned close to my face and, in a most unladylike fashion, shouted, “I think you *should* be ‘educated’ by Uguru for three days and three nights!”

With that, she activated the magic array and, amidst a flash of light, departed in a huff.

She left me alone in the dim room, staring at the scattered blue starlight remnants fading from the corner of the wall, utterly bewildered.

What did I do to make her angry *this* time?