Chat Group: Anime Girls are Moist-Chapter 435: The Burden of an Older Sister....

After dinner:

"Mabel, go wash the dishes."

Without warning, Yukino directed this order at Mabel, whose stomach was now quite full.

"Eh?"

Mabel was just about to refuse, but the moment she met Yukino's cold gaze, she shrank back and scurried off to the kitchen to do the washing up.

"Yukinon, don't bully Mabel for no reason."

Haruno gently chastised her.

"..."

Yukino paid her no attention. She'd deliberately sent Mabel away. With just the two of them left in the living room, she decided not to hide anything anymore. She fixed Haruno with a sharp look and abruptly asked:

"What happened between you and Mother?"

"Oh my, Yukino, what are you talking about? What could possibly have happened between me and Mother?"

Haruno acted innocent, but Yukino wasn't fooled by her sister's pretend cluelessness.

"If nothing had happened between you and Mother, there's no way she would have stayed so calm when she found out about what you did yesterday."

"If nothing had happened between you two, you wouldn't have tried to drown your sorrows in alcohol and gotten that drunk."

"I don't believe our dignified mother or my 'perfect' sister would behave so out of character otherwise."

Yukino's questions came rapid-fire, each supported by clear logic. She was determined to dig the truth out of Haruno.

"..."

Hearing Yukino's accusations, the smile on Haruno's face gradually faded to a calm, self-deprecating expression.

"I never imagined that in your eyes, I was this 'perfect sister.' I'm not sure if I should be happy or not."

"Sister, tell me—what exactly happened between you and Mother?"

Yukino was certain now that there was more to this story.

"All right. Since you're asking so earnestly, I guess it can't hurt to tell you."

Haruno crossed her right leg over her left in a casual motion.

"Yukino, how would you feel about having... an older brother?"

"An older brother?"

Yukino frowned. Her first thought was of their mother. But her mother and father, if she remembered correctly, hadn't seen each other for a long time.

"Haha, I misspoke. I should have said 'brother-in-law.'"

"?"

Yukino was taken aback, staring at Haruno in disbelief.

"A brother-in-law?"

She was sure her sister didn't have a boyfriend. Suddenly, she thought of their mother, and a bad feeling rose in her chest.

"Don't tell me..."

"Looks like you've guessed it. Heh, who'd have thought that even I'd end up in a position where I have to go on these marriage interviews."

Haruno sounded lighthearted, but a deep sadness glinted in her eyes—sorrow that she couldn't rid herself of.

This was the burden that came with being born into a family heavily involved in politics. In a world like theirs, arranged marriages for political reasons were common.

Just as many other sons and daughters of powerful families had limited freedom in love, so too did she. At the very least... either Haruno or Yukino had to be the one to marry for the family.

As the ultimate "siscon" (big sister who dotes on her sibling), Haruno had chosen to shoulder that duty herself rather than have Yukino forced into it.

And so, the responsibility of an arranged marriage fell on her shoulders. Now the time had finally come. Yesterday, their mother had told Haruno about all the plans for her upcoming "marriage meetings," involving potential suitors from distinguished families or powerful corporations.

Realizing the day had arrived, Haruno had indulged in one last fling—hence her drunken escapade. That was also why their mother, so strict under normal circumstances, had uncharacteristically refrained from scolding her.

"..."

Yukino wasn't stupid. Just from that brief explanation, she could deduce a lot.

"Sister..."

At that moment, she had no idea how to comfort Haruno, because she herself...

No. Their situations were still different. In Yukino's case, everything that happened with Rei Ao was a trade. Yet, one thing was certain, no matter how much she wanted to deny it:

Compared to her sister's impending marriage to a total stranger, Yukino's situation with Rei Ao was different.

She knew him well—his power, his personality, his faults and strengths, his flirtatiousness, and even his desires. She was familiar with every inch of his body, too. And she didn't dislike him.

Otherwise, she never would have gone through with last night without any resistance. As much as Yukino hated to admit it, her feelings for Rei Ao were complicated.

She wasn't exactly "in love," but she held more than a little fondness for him. After last night's deep physical and emotional exchange, that bond had grown another step.

But as for Haruno, if she went through with a political marriage, she'd only ever see the part of her partner they showed on the surface. Even after marriage, she might never really get to know the other person. Arranged marriages like these were a sad reality.

At the same time, Yukino realized something else. With hesitation, she asked:

"Sister...is this happening because of me?"

"‖..."

Haruno's eyes narrowed slightly, and she let out a small laugh.

"Heh, Yukino, what are you talking about? You'll have an arranged marriage in the future too, you know. We're both daughters of the Yukinoshita family. This is the price we pay for enjoying what that name gives us."

Her words seemed to imply that Yukino was in no way at fault. But Yukino wasn't about to be misled. Connecting the dots—like why her mother had so easily allowed her to move out—she could guess her sister had taken on everything behind the scenes.

Haruno clearly didn't want to dwell on the topic. She stood up.

"I should be going now. I just got my phone fixed, and I see Mother's left me a bunch of missed calls."

"Sister...take this."

Not knowing how else to comfort her, Yukino took out two protective charms Rei Ao had given her.

"What's this? A necklace?"

Haruno studied it curiously. At first glance, it just looked like a simple black crystal pendant.

"They're protective charms. One's for you, and one's for Mother."

Even with all that talk about arranged marriage making things awkward, Yukino still wanted to give her the charm. She reminded her sister:

"Please, make sure to keep it on you at all times—even in the bath."

"Oh?"

It was rare to see Yukino so serious. As a sister who adored Yukino, Haruno felt warm inside, despite it all.

"If it's a charm my beloved Yukino made for me, of course I'll wear it. But as for giving one to Mother, I can't promise she'll actually wear it, though I'll pass along the message."

"All right then, I'm off. Yukino, don't miss me too much~"

And with that, Haruno was gone, leaving Yukino standing there, lost in thought.

"An arranged marriage..."

Those words weighed heavily on her mind. She knew Haruno was doing this for her sake, and she didn't want it to end up like that.

"If it were Rei Ao..." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

She trailed off, caught in her own complicated feelings.

~~~

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