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Ryden wasn't used to this level of closeness.
Being treated like the "little brother" made him feel like he'd lost some standing.
"So... what were you doing before?" he asked.
Sera clearly enjoyed teasing him, fully committing to the big-sister role.
She was completely a brother-lover.
"Didn't I tell you already? Call me 'Sister.' I was working in Narcotics. Dangerous job. I was away for a long time on a major case. Once it wrapped up, I transferred back."
She paused, then hugged him again.
"Don't worry, Ryden. Your sister won't leave you again."
She really was obsessed.
Ryden rolled his eyes.
"But I'll be reporting to MIT soon. It's a private institute, and their start date lines up with other schools. Aunt Sarah will come with me when the time comes."
Sera hadn't even finished processing that before remembering the woman's salary.
Her face darkened.
She grabbed Ryden by the collar and yanked him up.
"You little brat! How dare you! Why did you hire a housekeeper? Why is she pretty? And why are you paying her so much?! Did she drug you or something? Ryden, wake up! Your sister only makes a hundred dollars a month! We can't afford this! You'll go broke! Do you hear me?! Wake up!"
She shook him violently, nearly rattling his brain loose.
Ryden hurriedly pried her hands off and shoved her toward the edge of the bed, gasping.
"Cough... wheeze... you're way too worked up. Cough."
Realizing she had gone overboard, Sera stiffened.
She looked embarrassed and started patting his back to help him breathe.
"Then tell me," she said. "Why did you do it?"
Faced with her intensity, Ryden had no choice.
"I designed a powerful weapon and sold it to Stark Industries. I'm now a shareholder and provide technical support. I'm not exactly rich overnight, but I'm not short on money either."
He continued.
"Aunt Sarah is capable. You know how I am-I read and experiment all day. I don't have time to cook or clean."
Sera nodded as she listened.
But she still muttered under her breath about the housekeeper earning more than her.
"Even so, you don't need to pay her that much! Fifty dollars is more than enough for a maid! Even if you have money, you shouldn't throw it around! You should give it to me-what kind of brother doesn't let his sister manage his money? Otherwise, you'll waste it! What will you do when you want to get married?!"
What was she even saying?
Ryden slapped away the five slender fingers reaching for him.
"I'm an adult. You don't need to manage my money. Focus on yourself."
He added calmly, "Aunt Sarah used to be a nurse. She understands medical care and she's trustworthy. I need someone reliable, or my research could get stolen."
Sera froze.
Her eyes suddenly filled with tears.
"Ryden... you've changed. You used to listen to me. Why are you so cold now?"
Her voice trembled.
"I promised Mom and Dad I'd take care of you. Ryden, don't leave me. You're the last family I have in this world."
She threw her arms around him.
Her thoughts drifted back.
The two of them playing as kids. Running. Laughing.
Ryden loved books and was often bullied. She had always been the first to step forward.
That was why she learned martial arts from one of their father's friends.
Then came the hospital.
Their parents, clinging to her hand with their last strength.
Telling her to protect her brother.
And telling her a secret.
A secret they begged her never to tell Ryden.
Ryden had died once already.
Fear wasn't something he had much of anymore.
But holding a crying woman still made him uncomfortable.
Especially with her chest pressing against him in a way that made it hard to ignore.
He gently patted her shoulder.
"Alright. That's enough. After the explosion, I've been... off. Less sensitive. I might've lost some emotional response. Give me time to adjust."
Sera immediately pulled back, alarmed.
She wiped her tears and inspected him from head to toe.
If Ryden hadn't stopped her, she probably would've started a full medical exam.
"You should've said that earlier! You scared me half to death. Next time, I'm taking you in for a full checkup. I won't rest otherwise."
She stared at him seriously.
"Ryden, nothing can happen to you. I'd lose my mind."
The sudden warmth was too much for him.
This level of sisterly obsession was exhausting.
"Alright," Ryden said quickly. "To celebrate your return, let's go shopping. We'll bring Aunt Sarah and buy some new clothes."
It was the ultimate trump card.
Shopping.
Sera's eyes lit up instantly.
Then she heard the rest.
"...Why bring that old woman?"
Pfft.
Ryden nearly spat out his tea.
Old?
She looked barely thirty.
She was in her prime, and his sister called her old.
Women really were impossible to understand.
"How is she old? She's young. She's the mother of a friend of mine. Is that how you talk about people?"
Sera puffed out her cheeks, suddenly looking like a sulky teenage girl.
No big-sister act at all.
If the officers at the Brooklyn Precinct saw her like this, their jaws would hit the floor.
Was this really the cold-faced Officer Sera?
She looked like a girl acting spoiled.
"I won't complain if she comes," Sera said smugly. "But from now on, you have to call me 'Sister.' Otherwise, I'll tell her what you just said about her."
She looked extremely satisfied with herself.
"Fine. Fine. Whatever you want."
Ryden gave up.
"'Sister.' Happy? Let's go."
His study plan was officially dead.
Why did people always interrupt his learning?
I'm a good student, damn it.
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