"This looks a bit troublesome."
With meticulous observational skills, Fred recalled the young man's expression from earlier and felt somewhat helpless.
It seemed highly likely the other party would come seeking revenge.
However, he didn't regret his actions.
Wrong was wrong, right was right - bullying the weak was simply wrong.
Since he had the ability to help others, why should he regret it?
Still, it would be best to resolve this permanently in one go. After all, petty people were the most troublesome.
The other party definitely wouldn't dare to act openly, which left only a few possible methods of interference.
First, the research institute was Coordinator territory, so they couldn't make a move there.
As for the gym, he couldn't think of any way they could secretly target him there.
That left the maintenance volunteer corps.
It wasn't like accidents couldn't happen in the volunteer corps either.
Plus, it required going to space.
Space wasn't just the home of stars - it was also an excellent place to conceal evidence of crimes.
If he were in their position, he would choose to strike there too.
"Brother~ You're spacing out again!"
"Did the cosmic radiation here fry your brain..."
Amid Flay's genuine concern, Fred snapped back to reality.
"You're the one with the fried brain... You should read more books."
Fred said with obvious teasing disdain.
"Hmph! I'm ranked first in my class! You just praised me for being smart earlier!"
"I said you were pretty, not smart."
Fred laughed.
"Then I take back what I said about you being smart earlier! Stupid brother!"
After a brief moment of intimacy following their long separation, the two siblings resumed their normal way of interacting.
As for Heather, watching the two of them, her smile grew even more doting.
"Fred, take good care of your sister. And now, let's go to our new home."
"Otherwise we'll miss dinner."
Hearing their mother's words, the two siblings temporarily called a truce.
Of course, in Fred's view, he was simply teasing his sister.
After all, when you have younger siblings, it'd be a waste not to tease them.
Overall, although he had gained a baffling enemy, he was still quite happy about the family reunion.
However, what Fred didn't expect was that his happiness would soon disappear.
"We're living here?"
After some hassle, Fred got out of the car in the villa district and looked at the small European-style villa before him, his lips twitching slightly.
For him alone, a single apartment was fine since he wasn't a fan of large houses but rather a pragmatist.
As long as it was convenient enough, had sufficient living space, and wasn't oppressive, a bigger house would be useless.
Now that there were three of them, moving out was normal.
This villa wasn't particularly luxurious - just an ordinary three-story European-style house with a garden.
More than enough for three people.
The problem lay in its location.
This house was situated right between Kira and Athrun's homes.
The three houses formed a clear triangle.
And he was the point in the middle of that triangle.
"What's wrong? Isn't it good? I saw this developer had five-star reviews."
Heather looked strangely at her eldest son who had stopped walking as if hesitating about something.
"It's not that it's bad..."
Before Fred could figure out how to explain, his gaze met Kira's who happened to be passing by after school.
"Brother!"
When Kira saw Fred, though unsure of the situation, the corners of his mouth visibly lifted high.
However, his excitement quickly stalled upon noticing the girl beside Fred.
She seemed somewhat shy, though Fred couldn't be certain.
Perhaps it was just his preconceived misunderstanding.
"Brother?"
Hearing Kira's words, Flay also looked up curiously at her brother.
Her grip on her brother's hand instinctively tightened.
Since when did her brother have other younger siblings? Could it be their father...
Meanwhile, Fred maintained a calm expression but was utterly speechless internally.
He had considered that his sister might meet Kira earlier than expected, but no one told him they'd become childhood neighbors.
Whatever. He was tired. Let nature take its course.
After all, he was the biggest variable in this equation.
Clearing his throat lightly, Fred began introducing Kira.
...
That evening, as darkness fully descended upon the Kira Yamato household.
Heather was in the kitchen teaching Caridad Yamato cooking while chatting like mothers do, while in the living room, Fred watched the noticeably shy Kira and the completely oblivious Flay, his lips quirking slightly.
He couldn't decide whether to stop Kira's gaze or encourage it.
Though he cherished his sister, it was precisely because of this that he recognized Kira's virtues.
An Ultimate Coordinator - powerful enough to never let anyone bully his sister, and gentle-natured too.
Definitely among the best of good people.
His sister probably wouldn't find such opportunity elsewhere.
But if he took initiative, wouldn't that make him someone who trades his sister for favors?
Let relationships follow fate... follow fate...
Muttering this to himself, Fred offered a gentle smile.
"Speaking of which, starting next week Flay will be Kira's junior at school. I'll need to trouble you to look after her, Kira."
"She can be a bit princessy sometimes, so please be patient with her."
"Brother~~~!"Hearing her brother expose her shortcomings, Flay grabbed Fred's hand, shaking it while acting cute."
As for Kira, his face grew even redder. He opened his mouth but couldn't find words, eventually managing only a dry response.
"I will...!"
"I'm counting on you, Kira!"
Fred's expression remained gentle, though he spoke with personal motives.
He believed he wouldn't die and would do everything to protect his family.
But nobody could predict the future.
Regardless of whether the two would end up together, he still hoped Kira would protect his sister.
Especially if something happened to him.
Hearing Kira call her brother "brother" again, Flay subconsciously frowned. But having just heard her brother recount Kira's experiences, the compassionate young girl didn't say anything more.
Fine, let him be brother then - it's not like it's real anyway.
And he's kind of cute.
As for Kira, his subconscious keenly detected the complexity in Fred's emotions, but being still young, he didn't understand these feelings. He only knew he seemed to have made a solemn promise.
Of course, this brother had saved him, and as a Natural, this brother was different from others.
He couldn't possibly fail in something this brother entrusted to him so earnestly.
Not to mention... he seemed to be falling in love.