The Pitifulness Buff

I reluctantly dragged myself awake the next morning. I had been up until nearly midnight finishing my homework, and I’d collapsed into bed without even checking what ability I’d gotten for the day.

Haah—I let out a loud yawn, rubbed my bleary eyes, and sat up to clear my head. Well now, today’s ability was a rare one. A buff-type ability—simple enough. It added a boost. But the boost it gave? That was the interesting part. Today’s buff: increased pitifulness.

Most people would think this ability was useless. But this wasn’t just any ordinary increase. If I went out begging right now, neatly dressed and holding a clean bowl, and squatted for eight hours, my daily income could easily top ten thousand. If I dressed in rags and messed up my hair, I could break a hundred thousand. That was how this ability worked—extremely effective, incredibly powerful.

Well, in that case, I’m not going to school today. I’ll take leave, find some ragged clothes at home, grab a chipped bowl—or better yet, break off a corner myself. Perfect. I’ll make a few tens of thousands.

Humming a tune, I put on the shabbiest clothes I could find and headed downstairs to the kitchen on the first floor.

“Good morning, big brother. How do I look? You haven’t seen my school uniform in two days.” My sister twirled lightly as she saw me, her waist-length black hair dancing with the movement. It was enchanting. Her gray pleated skirt flared out, and a cute red bow adorned her crisp white blouse. Black knee-high stockings hugged her slender legs perfectly.

She really was adorable. So youthful and pure, she caught the eye, creating a stark class contrast with my ragged outfit.

“It’s still pretty cold today. Make sure to put on a jacket.” I looked at her clothes; the thin uniform seemed insufficient to keep her delicate frame warm.

“By the way, big brother, why are you dressed like that? Where’s your school uniform?” She looked at me with confusion, her blue eyes roaming over my worn attire.

“Begging. You know today’s ability, right? I want to go beg. Do you have any broken bowls?” I was blunt about my grand plan. Watch me rake in the cash!

(｀・ω・´)

“Big brother… didn’t you refuse a hundred million dollars? Why are you going begging now?”

“That time was force majeure. This time I’m using my real skill to beg!!!”

“Relying on an ability isn’t real skill! Besides, aren’t you going to school with your sister?” Her voice dropped, and she lowered her head, looking dejected.

“School isn’t as important as making money.”

“Mm… I’m so pitiful. Boo hoo. My beloved brother won’t go to school with me, leaving me all alone to carry my backpack to a school that’s no fun at all.” She knelt down gently, covering her face and sobbing.

This—this was too pitiful! It could make anyone cry! My sister was so eager to walk to school with me, to enjoy our youth together! And I was going to go begging instead? Absolutely unreasonable! Inhuman!

“I’m sorry! I was wrong. I’ll change back into my uniform immediately and go to school with my dear sister!!!” I knelt down too, grasping her slender hands, my tone resolute.

“Big brother~”

“Sister!”

—

Wait, what’s happening now? How am I on the way to school?

When I came to, I was already changed into my uniform, backpack on, standing beside my beaming sister on our way to school.

“Sister! Did you use your ability?!” Sensing something off, I suddenly realized and covered my face in resignation.

“Shh, keep your voice down. Yes I did. Isn’t your cute sister happy to go to school with you?” She puffed out her cheeks indignantly.

“Sigh.”

“Oh, big brother?”

“What?”

“I let you copy my homework yesterday, didn’t I?”

“Yes, I left the homework outside your door, right? You picked it up, thanks.”

“Mm hmm. So you owe me a favor, right?” She looked at me with a sly glint in her eyes. I felt a bit nervous.

“I… I do.”

“Then~ you have to agree to one thing today.”

“Y-You name it.”

“Today, you can’t speak to any woman other than your sister.” Her eyes darkened as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder, her voice low.

“U-Understood…”

“Hehe, then today, big brother’s eyes will only see me~ I’m so happy.”

—

Entering the classroom, I took a seat near the back door, while my sister sat at the first desk in the first row—the result of our lucky draw at the start of the semester. With thirty-two students in the class, I drew number thirty-two, and my sister drew number one. So we were as far apart as possible, something my sister had complained about endlessly.

Still, this spot wasn’t exactly prime real estate. The teacher would pop in from the back door from time to time, putting me in an awkward spot. So, next month on the first, I absolutely had to draw a good seat!

“Hey, Brother Huaimo!” Zhibo, who sat in the second-to-last seat on my left, stood up as he saw me sit down, patting my shoulder with a grin. (The classroom was arranged 4×8.)

“Hey, Brother Zhibo!” I smiled back.

“You don’t look so energetic today.”

“Yeah, I was up late doing homework.”

“H-homework…” Zhibo broke into a cold sweat, his face turning pale.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t do it…”

“Your… no, it’s too late.” Zhibo seemed to think of something and stopped abruptly. Could it be! He wanted to mention that my resources kept him up all night!

So he remembered our oath! I’m so moved. He didn’t say the word “resources” at this moment! Truly a trustworthy comrade!!!

“Ah, my bad. I’ll let you copy my homework.”

“No! That’s not right! A person must rely on their own efforts to reap the rewards! I willingly accept the teacher’s criticism and punishment!” Zhibo declared passionately, spittle flying. If you weren’t dead last in the class, I might believe you. What’s going on?

Suddenly feeling eyes on me, I turned around. In that moment, I froze. The homeroom teacher stood there, hands on her hips, staring at us.

“Students, time to hand in homework~ Those who didn’t do it, please go to the office and copy the English textbook twice~” With that, she walked in with a smile, passed by me, and stepped onto the podium.

Th-Thank you, sister, for your timely intervention. And, brother, walk well. Thank you for not exposing me.

Wah, truly a good buddy, Zhibo!!!!!

Please don’t break your hand from copying!!!

That’s your bro’s blessing for you!!!

(╥╯^╰╥)