The entryway wasn't a proper place to talk, so the three of them moved to the living room.
After arriving in the living room, Sagiri immediately commandeered the seat next to Kanzaki Saku. Hugging her knees, she stared at Gabriel, who sat opposite her, with eyes full of wariness.
Gabriel sat very upright, strictly following the standard template of 'the perfect child from another family'.
"Sister Sagiri, please take care of me from now on." Gabriel took the initiative to show goodwill, easing the tension between the two.
"My name is Tenma Gabriel White, just call me Gabriel. My family used to be distant relatives of Mrs. Izumi's side, but my parents passed away in an accident when I was very young, so I've been taking turns being cared for by relatives."
"This time, Mrs. Izumi returned to her hometown to visit. After learning about my situation and seeing that I was all alone, she kindly brought me back. I'm really grateful to her."
She spoke, lowering her head slightly, her eyelashes trembling gently as if tears were swirling in her eyes.
Kanzaki Saku was deeply moved after hearing this—she even concocted a story about both parents dying. He could almost imagine the expressions of her real parents if they heard this; truly, a 'filial' daughter powerful enough to make one laugh.
"Mrs. Izumi is truly too kind-hearted to take in a child like me. I will definitely work hard to repay this kindness in the future!" Gabriel lifted her head, her eyes flashing with a light of sincerity.
Sagiri let out another "Tsk" from the side, muttering softly: "Hypocrite..."
"Sagiri!" Kanzaki Saku frowned, his tone carrying a hint of rebuke. "How can you say that? Gabriel just arrived at our home, and with a situation like this, we should care for her more."
He turned to Gabriel, softening his voice. "Don't mind her. Sagiri is just a bit shy with strangers; she'll be fine once she gets familiar."
Sagiri whipped her head around, staring at him with wide eyes. Her face was written with the shock and grievance of "You're actually speaking up for her?"
Gabriel hurriedly shook her head, the rims of her eyes seemingly turning a bit red again. "No, no, Sister Sagiri is right. I was too presumptuous. Suddenly moving in and disturbing the lives of Brother and Sister..."
She twisted her fingers uneasily, that cautious and sensible appearance eliciting pity.
Knowing her background, Kanzaki Saku naturally wouldn't be swayed. This Gabriel definitely had issues. Although this was a [Reversal] world, as an angel who came to the human world to experience life, she was fully capable of sorting out her own accommodation.
Yet she insisted on expending effort to disguise herself as an orphan and infiltrate his home; she definitely had ulterior motives.
"How could it be a disturbance? It's livelier with another person in the house. By the way, you lived in the countryside before—are you used to the lifestyle? If there's anything you're not accustomed to after suddenly moving to the city, be sure to say so."
Kanzaki Saku began to play the role of the good brother caring for his new sister, making it convenient to find reasons to get closer and extract more information later.
"It doesn't matter, Brother. I can adapt. It's just that Sister Sagiri might not be used to it yet. After all, Brother is so gentle and outstanding, Sister Sagiri must rely on Brother a lot, right? Suddenly having someone else sharing must make her feel uneasy. It's normal."
Her words were spoken with consideration and understanding, but to Sagiri, they sounded entirely like a provocation.
Sharing? Who wants to share Brother with you! That is my Brother!
Sagiri's breathing became noticeably rapid, her chest heaving.
Gabriel seemed not to see her anger, continuing to speak in that innocent tone laced with a hint of envy.
"It's so nice. Sister Sagiri has always been able to live with Brother. I'm different; back in the countryside, I didn't have such a reliable brother to rely on. In the future, I will definitely cherish this properly!"
As she spoke, she pressed her palms together, making a 'so happy' expression.
"The days of the past are over. From now on, just rely on me as your biological brother!" Kanzaki Saku gave his promise.
Sagiri, seeing Kanzaki Saku actually start chatting with that new blonde sister, and even looking so caring, felt her lungs were about to explode from anger.
One had to know that she was displeased even when Shiina Taki, who was just a friend, got slightly close to Kanzaki Saku. Now, with someone directly overlapping her position coming in, it was truly a case of like repelling like.
Moreover, just now when Brother hadn't returned and Mother was cooking, Gabriel wasn't this well-behaved; she had declared she would replace Sagiri's position in the family.
"Brother!" Sagiri couldn't help but raise her voice, filled with grievance and indignation. "Why are you being so nice to her! She... she is clearly faking it! Look at her appearance!"
"Sagiri, enough." Kanzaki Saku turned his head, his expression turning serious and his tone heavier. "Gabriel is our new family member. You cannot be this rude. Apologize to Gabriel quickly."
"Family?! She isn't!" Sagiri shook her head violently. "I won't admit it! Even if Mom just casually brought someone back..."
Closing the room door and leaning her back against the door panel, the pitiable look on Gabriel's face—looking as if she were about to weep—vanished without a trace instantly.
Replacing it was a pleasant smile carrying a thick sense of malicious amusement, the curve of her lips somewhat wicked. She raised her hand and casually rubbed the top of her head where Kanzaki Saku had just patted, as if savoring something.
"Truly a nice scent," she muttered to herself in a low voice. The sound no longer held the previous obedient softness; instead, it revealed a dangerous magnetism.
Accompanied by her whispers, a fluctuation undetectable to ordinary people swept through the room. From between her smooth golden hair, two small black sharp horns quietly poked out.
At the same time, a slender black tail with a heart-shaped tip nimbly drilled out from under the hem of her skirt, swaying gently in the air.