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Kaito wasn't sure what would happen next, but he'd had a satisfying session of "mowing the lawn" today. He saved his progress, aiming to clear the stage in the next day or two.
A good night's sleep followed.
Elysia, more or less, managed to have a decent rest as well.
In a cozy room somewhere in Europe, the little "villainess" heiress, Sirin, clutched her forehead.
Usually, her dreams were quite enjoyable since she was a world-destroying demon lord. But this time, the companion she was supposed to revive later in the story had replaced her.
And then—
The first thing that "friend" did upon reaching the surface was backstab her!
Pain. It was too much. She was experiencing betrayal for the first time. It actually hurt; that scar felt incredibly real.
She clutched her chest and irritably tossed the manga next to her pillow aside. But the moment she saw the cover, she instinctively crawled out of bed, picked it up, and stuffed it safely under her pillow.
If her mom found her forbidden manga, it would be game over.
"Kiana!"
No response. Only then did she remember that her easily bullied little sister had run away from home.
Did she think running away meant she wouldn't be bullied anymore? Wishful thinking.
She's just as stupid as that guy Kaito!
"Kalpas? Are you okay?"
The photographer nearby asked instinctively.
Even though Kalpas was fierce, as a photographer, he knew better than anyone that his magazine model was a classic case of "sharp tongue, soft heart."
"If you really can't keep going, let's shoot tomorrow. It is getting pretty late."
The photographer suggested it because everyone got along well with Kalpas. Despite his temper, Kalpas was a very warm-hearted person.
"No need," Kalpas's voice was muffled, but he composed himself quickly.
"My spirit is fully charged. Don't worry about me. You guys should worry about finishing up so you can go home."
The next day, following his routine of opening the window to enjoy the early morning breeze, Kaito summoned all his courage and pulled open his bedroom door.
Mercifully, his sister wasn't curled up at the entrance this time.
He had just let out a sigh of relief when the door directly across from his opened with a soft click.
Elysia rubbed her bleary eyes, leaning lazily against the doorframe. The thin strap of her silk nightgown had slipped off her smooth shoulder, tracing the soft curve of her collarbone.
She seemed not to notice, merely looking at him with a sleepy gaze.
"Will there be a surprise for breakfast?"
Her voice carried the raspy quality of someone who had just woken up, sounding even more tender than usual.
Her dream had kept her busy—running from Asia to Europe—but just as she had signed the contract with Eden, she woke up. She hoped the dream would pick up where it left off next time.
"You can take a guess. The moment you guess 'fried dough sticks and soy milk,' 'bread and milk,' or 'buns and porridge,' your surprise will have come true."
Kaito's gaze inadvertently swept over her exposed skin before he awkwardly looked away, letting out a light cough.
"Why is it that other boys know how to cook, but you don't!"
Elysia's cheeks puffed out like a dissatisfied hamster. She took a few steps forward barefoot, her delicate finger almost poking Kaito's chest.
It was always the same few things. Right now, she just wanted something sour, spicy, sweet, or bitter... scratch the bitter part. She wanted something that would make her tongue happy.
Kaito gazed at her silently for a moment before letting out a soft laugh.
"Elysia, if I cut your stomach open right now, I could probably count exactly how many garlic crawfish are still in there."
He was not in the mood to cook this early.
Even though he was in a good mood—having killed a boss in his game yesterday and expecting smooth sailing for the next few days—he wasn't that generous.
Elysia went back to change out of her nightgown, her voice muffled by the door. "You didn't even peel the shells for me yesterday."
Plus, in her dream, Eden didn't know her and was very wary, and Kalpas had died at Kaito's hands. Her "wicked" little brother was always stripping her friends away from her.
And since it only happened in a dream, if she tried to complain, everyone would take Kaito's side. She gnashed her teeth in private. He's so cunning.
Kaito ignored her.
They went out for breakfast. Elysia looked pensive; a girl as melancholic as a lilac certainly drew eyes in the breakfast shop.
Especially when she gently tucked her messy long hair behind her ear and naturally looped her arm through Kaito's, leaning half her body weight against him.
"You made me angry in my dream again last night."
She had intended to lean against the cold wall, but her brother's arm was softer.
"Why am I always the villain in your dreams?"
Kaito didn't push her away. He was used to it. If it hadn't been for the four years of distance during university, he really would have thought Elysia was his "Wife-Sis."
"You killed my friend," Elysia said, her voice low.
Kaito: "..."
I don't even know who your friends are.
Was it Su? I just met Su yesterday, and he's already "gone" in your dream today? Elysia, your dreams are terrifying.
"In the dreams, you're always so heartless. Every one of my friends and partners can't seem to escape your clutches."
And this was only the beginning. Usually, the major deaths didn't happen until the grand finale, but in this bizarre dream cycle, Kalpas had already died in the early stages.
What about the others? Would Kaito show any mercy?
"Sis, please. Don't make me sound like some pathological serial killer. It's your dream content!"
Kaito opened his mouth to argue, then sighed and reached out to ruffle her hair.
Noticing the stares from the people around them, Elysia lifted her gaze and wiped away a non-existent tear from the corner of her eye.
She questioned him: "Kaito, if I only had you left in my life, would you be happy?"
Kaito: "..."
That sounds a bit scary. Kaito was terrified of people who were "obsessively codependent," the kind whose entire world revolved around a single person. In old-school Otaku terms, that was a Yandere.
Elysia sniffled as part of her emotional performance, but a tiny snot bubble popped out of her nose, instantly shattering the mood Kaito was building up.
"Is there a possibility..."
Kaito reached out, popped the bubble, and wiped it away with a tissue.
"That you're already the only person left in my life?"
He cupped Elysia's face, his thumb lightly stroking her cheek with an affectionate look.
Elysia sniffled again, no snot bubble this time.
"Really?" she asked instinctively, the darker side of human nature making her subconsciously hope it was true.
"Fake. Just teasing you."
The wontons had arrived. Under the owner's curious gaze, Kaito decisively let go of her face and began tackling the hunger issue.
"Stop watching the show, Boss. It's not like it's the first time we've eaten here."
He spoke to the owner, who laughed heartily and went back to bring out the second bowl.
"Heartless, cold-blooded, ungrateful, and no conscience," Elysia muttered under her breath, giving Kaito a light kick under the table.
Kaito curled his lip. "If I actually produced a ring right now, you'd be the one who couldn't handle it."
"Just eat. Aren't these wontons enough to keep your mouth busy?"
He blew on a wonton to cool it and held it to her lips.
Elysia lowered her eyes. "...Who says I couldn't handle it?"
Kaito: "..."
If your actual capability was even half as tough as your mouth, you'd be a world-famous entrepreneur by now.
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