“No, it’s not like that,” Xiao Qi quickly explained. “The towel is just for drying hair, nothing else. If you’re worried, I’ll put it away.” She retreated into the bathroom, hung up the towel, and then stepped back out. She had learned from her parents that her brother’s parents had tragically died in a car accident. She had worried he wouldn’t be able to overcome his grief, and it seemed her fears were well-founded. Her brother hadn’t fully recovered; he even harbored paranoid delusions. He actually believed she intended to kill him, despite these being ordinary daily items.
“Brother, I truly have no intention of harming you.” Xiao Qi waved her hands, her heart aching at Jiu’s terrified expression. They used to be such close friends, confiding everything in each other, but now even getting close felt impossible. Her brother’s gaze, however, continued to sweep over her, scrutinizing her with extreme caution. Xiao Qi didn’t understand how her brother had become like this, and she couldn’t help but blame herself.
‘If only I had come to my brother sooner, he wouldn’t have ended up this way. It’s all my fault, all my fault.’
Xiao Qi instinctively tightened the knot of the bath towel around her waist. Her brother was still worried she might be hiding a weapon. To dispel his doubts, she knew she had to show him everything, holding nothing back. Having made up her mind, Xiao Qi bit her lip, bravely raised her head, and looked at him with concern.
“Brother, you must believe me. I am the closest person to you in this world, besides Mom and Dad. For you, I can… I can…” Xiao Qi’s words trailed off, unspeakable. As her hands moved, the bath towel came undone. It slipped from her chest and fell to the floor.
Bang!
The door in front of Xiao Qi locked, trapping her brother inside and vanishing him from her sight.
‘Has Brother come to despise me? Am I repulsive to him? Am I not pretty enough? Perhaps…’ Xiao Qi suddenly lost all courage, her confidence utterly shattered. She had believed that if she appeared before her brother without reservation, any misunderstandings or grievances he held would simply vanish. Yet, her brother hadn’t reacted with excitement, as he might in a novel; he hadn’t rushed forward to embrace her.
‘Brother isn’t a pervert, he’s not a pervert. But… I am a little, a little disappointed! Why isn’t Brother a pervert? Why? Is my charm not enough?’ Xiao Qi felt as though the life philosophy she had clung to for over a decade had crumbled. Life no longer held any meaning.
“Brother…” Xiao Qi called out, her voice filled with grievance.
Thud!
Xiao Qi fell straight to her knees, her body leaning forward, her head pressed against the ground without an ounce of dignity, her backside tilted upwards. It was as if she were performing a pilgrimage, prostrating herself before the door. Pain spread deep into her bones, but this physical anguish paled in comparison to the torment in her heart.
I pressed against the door from the inside, peering out through the crack. She was lying on the ground, sobbing softly, her face streaked with tears. She wore only a white bra and panties. What was I even thinking? This was Xiao Qi, merely someone who bore a resemblance to Yamashita Izumi; they weren’t the same person. It took me a long time to regain my composure.
I had promised Uncle Goblin that I would take good care of Xiao Qi. Seeing her so heartbroken, I felt incredibly guilty. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Perhaps it was because I had died once, but the visual stimulus didn’t impact my mind or body much. I opened the door and walked over to her, extending my hand.
“I’m sorry. Ever since Mom and Dad left, I’ve been especially panicked. Please don’t be angry; it’s all my fault. You can stay here during school. Just tell me if you need anything.”
“Brother!” Xiao Qi called out weakly, her almond eyes, moist as water, stared intently at Jiu, as if trying to etch him into her very mind. She swiftly reached out and grasped his hand, afraid of missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Xiao Qi was helped to her feet. Feeling her brother’s warm touch, she shyly lowered her head.
“How did you get into my house? I remember the door was locked.” I averted my gaze from Xiao Qi’s body, returning to the room to retrieve a blanket and drape it over her.
“Well, um… when I left as a child, I asked Auntie for it.” Xiao Qi glanced sideways, observing Jiu’s expression. Sure enough, at the mention of ‘Auntie,’ Jiu’s face became unnatural, as if he was desperately trying to avoid something.
“Brother, I didn’t mean to, I…”
Xiao Qi felt truly wronged; she had accidentally said something she shouldn’t have again. The departure of their uncle and aunt had deeply affected Jiu, and these things simply couldn’t be spoken of.
“It’s alright. Mom would be very happy to know you’ve come to our home. Would you like tea or coffee?” I forced a smile. I rarely mentioned Mom and Dad in front of outsiders; my classmates had no idea I was an orphaned and helpless child.
“Coffee, couple’s coffee.” The cloud on Xiao Qi’s face vanished without a trace at the mention of coffee, replaced by pure happiness.
“Just a moment, I’ll make it for you right away.” I entered the kitchen, took out the Martian coffee, poured it into a cup, added hot water, and stirred it with a spoon. In moments, the coffee presented two distinct colors: dark brown at the bottom and white on top, with a rich aroma wafting into our nostrils.
Xiao Qi was sitting on the sofa, her eyes narrowed into slits, looking as if she was about to fall asleep, her head nodding slightly. It was much like being in a classroom, where the body yearned for sleep but the spirit stubbornly resisted. I carried the freshly brewed coffee and gently placed it on the table, not wanting to disturb her.
The moment I set the cup down, Xiao Qi suddenly jolted awake, her back ramrod straight, her bright, sparkling eyes fixed on me. The blanket slipped from her shoulders, revealing her soft, rounded arms.
“Brother,” Xiao Qi called out instinctively, her eyelids slowly closing again. She felt an extraordinary heaviness in her eyelids, as if a massive stone pressed down on her lashes.
“If you’re tired, go to sleep. I’ll register for school tomorrow.”
“Oh,” Xiao Qi responded, her body losing strength as she leaned back against the sofa. The blanket completely fell off, draped over her stomach.
She truly was my childhood sweetheart, still as clingy and gentle with me as she was when we were children. However, we were both grown now, no longer little kids, and a certain distance should be maintained between us.
Indeed, sleeping on the sofa was uncomfortable. I picked up Xiao Qi and carried her into my room, placing her on the bed. Just as I was about to release her hand, she wrapped her arms around my waist. The suddenness of it made me lose my balance, and I tumbled onto the bed.
Fortunately, Xiao Qi didn’t wake up. Her eyes remained closed, showing no signs of stirring. I gazed at the sleeping girl in my arms; Xiao Qi was in a deep slumber, her thin, alluring lips tightly sealed, looking utterly peaceful—even more adorable than when she was awake. Since Xiao Qi and I were lying on our sides on the bed, I felt a soft, delicate sensation in my hand. As a male who had fully developed, I felt an urge to do something, not out of conscious intent, but from a primal genetic instinct. Moreover, there was no one else at home, meaning the chance of anyone finding out was zero. As long as my hand speed was quick enough, she wouldn’t notice. I was merely referring to escaping Xiao Qi’s embrace.
I looked at the quiet Xiao Qi, feeling a blush creep onto my face… A thought suddenly popped into my head: ‘A kiss.’ Staring at her adorable, sleeping face so close, I couldn’t help but swallow.
We used to do this often as children, or so it seemed. Although we were both grown now, as Xiao Qi’s childhood sweetheart, I should still be entitled to this ‘benefit.’ As I leaned down, Xiao Qi’s flawless face magnified in my vision.
Her skin was as fair as milk, smooth to the touch. Her body was warm and soft, making her very comfortable to hold. A beautiful girl like Xiao Qi was undoubtedly the perfect girlfriend in the hearts of countless young boys.