Back then, Chiya had never realized just how dangerous a girl like Rice could be.
He washed his hands slowly, staring at the running water.
Such a small, delicate body… yet the way she clung to him earlier carried a kind of overwhelming warmth that made his thoughts spiral.
But when she pressed herself completely against him, that curvaceous body assaulted his mind like a storm.
Fortunately, he acted decisively and forced himself away from that devilishly alluring body before he was completely consumed by desire.
Now his mind was crystal clear, filled only with profound philosophical thoughts, free from any worldly desires.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Fujiwara Chiyo saw Rice Shower sitting on the sofa, dressed in a pink nightgown. The lace trim barely revealed her fair, delicate skin.
"Onii-sama."
Rice stood in the room, already changed into a soft pink set of sleepwear. The fabric was simple, but it suited her perfectly, giving off a gentle, almost fragile impression.
"How is it?" she asked, holding the edge of her sleeve and turning slightly.
"Are you asking me to rate it?" Chiya smiled faintly.
Rice nodded.
"Then it's perfect," he said without hesitation. "Everything looks good on you, Rice."
"Hehe~"She smiled, clearly happy with that answer.
"Getting ready for bed?" he asked.
"Mm… it's already late," she said, fingers fidgeting together. "So Rice thought… it would be better to sleep early."
Then, after a small pause—
"Onii-sama… will you sleep too?"
"I will," he said, glancing toward the bed. "But I'll take the sofa tonight."
"No!" Rice suddenly raised her voice, then immediately shrank back, embarrassed.
"…I mean," she lowered her head, voice softening, "Rice just… wants to sleep near Onii-sama."
"Alright." He agreed.
Before his mind could get filled with life philosophies again, Fujiwara Chiya decided to get to sleep quickly. He took off his jacket and lay down on the bed with a decisive motion.
"Onii-sama…" she whispered.
"Mm?"
"Can you… pat Rice's head?" She leaned her head against him.
Fujiwara Chiyo stroked her hair.
If he were a dozen years younger, he might actually be able to enjoy a pure sibling bond with her. Unfortunately, he was now just an adult with a mind full of naughty thoughts.
"Onii-sama…can Rice…come a little closer?"
"Of course."
Miyu pressed her head against Fujiwara Chiya's chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart.
"Onii-sama"
"Hmm?"
"Rice hopes that Onii-sama will always be Rice's Onii-sama… Whether in Tracen or anywhere else, Rice hopes that Onii-sama will always keep an eye on Rice."
Her deep purple pupils glowed in the dimly lit room.
"This is Rice's second selfish request."
Trying not to focus on Miyu pressed against his chest, Fujiwara Chiyo diverted his attention.
"I understand. If that's what you want, I'll always keep an eye on you."
"Rice… likes Oni-sama."
"I like you too, Rice."
Like a true older brother, Fujiwara Chiya stroked her head.
Hearing those words, Rice's body trembled slightly. Listening to his heartbeat, she slowly closed her eyes.
A few minutes later, as the girl in his arms began to breathe evenly, Fujiwara Chiya finally let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, Rice had fallen asleep before his own composure vanished.
Now he could sleep soundly, too.
Fujiwara Chiya closed his eyes as well.
The clock in the room ticked away. After an unknown amount of time, the brown-haired girl in his arms stirred again.
She lifted her head and looked at Fujiwara Chiyo, who was fast asleep.
"Oni-sama…"
She spoke in a voice so soft it was barely audible.
"Starting today, Rice… is going to become a spoiled, naughty girl."
She reached out, touching Fujiwara Chiya's sleeping face, then burrowed under the covers and kissed his broad chest.
That night, Fujiwara Chiya had a dream.
He dreamed of a grown-up Rice Shower. She had grown taller, her hair had grown longer, and her once-childlike body had gained a touch of femininity. She had lost some of her cuteness, yet she had become even more beautiful.
As soon as she saw him, she ran over as usual.
"Onii-sama!"
It was that familiar greeting again.
"Little one, you've grown up," Fujiwara Chiya chuckled. "Why are you still calling me 'Onii-sama'? Aren't you embarrassed if someone hears you?"
"Onii-sama will always be Rice's Onii-sama, and Rice will always be Onii-sama's Rice." She puffed out her cheeks.
"You're right."
"Anyway, Rice asked Onii-sama to come out because there's something she wants to tell you."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Rice… likes Onii-sama."
"You seem to have said that a long time ago, back when we were still attending school at Tracen."
"I did."
Her beautiful violet eyes gazed at Fujiwara Chiya.
"But this time is different."
She stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around Fujiwara Chiyo's neck.
"This time, Rice wants to be Onii-sama's bride."
"Bride? Wait, Rice…"
"Rice won't wait." Her fair, beautiful face drew closer and closer. "Because Rice is a spoiled, naughty girl."
Her warm, soft lips pressed against his. Fujiwara Chiys felt her petite tongue darting around inside his mouth and against his teeth.
Only then did Fujiwara Chiyo understand what those words, "I like Onii-sama," truly meant.
It wasn't dependence.
It was love.
"Onii-sama, you'll always be Rice's Onii-sama…"
As those whispered words reached his ears, everything around him became a blur.
...
Sizzle!
Early in the morning, a sharp sound was accompanied by a pleasant aroma wafting through the room.
In bed, Fujiwara Chiya opened his eyes, still half-asleep.
He smacked his lips twice, sensing an inexplicable sweet, cloying taste on his tongue.
Fujiwara Chiya ran his fingers through his tousled hair and slowly sat up.
Clatter, clatter—
The sound of a spatula sizzling in the kitchen reached his ears. Fujiwara Chiya turned his head and saw a petite figure bustling about inside.
"Rice?"
"Onii-sama!" Hearing the voice, Rice turned around, her face beaming as she said, "Just a moment, Onii-sama. It'll be ready in a second."
Humming a tune, she arranged the finished dishes on plates.
Fujiwara Chiya silently got dressed.
Come to think of it, didn't I sleep with Rice last night?
I must have slept too soundly, I can't remember a thing.
After splashing water on his face in the bathroom, Fujiwara Chiya sat down at the dining table.
Rice placed the prepared meal in front of him.
"Please eat, Onii-sama."
"Mm, thank you for your trouble."
Fujiwara Chiya picked up his chopsticks.
This felt like the first time he'd eaten breakfast in his dorm room since starting work.
There was an inexplicable sense of warmth.
Rice untied her apron and sat down across from him.
Watching her clasp her hands together and say, "I'm thankful for this food," Fujiwara Chiya suddenly froze.
For a moment, the Rice before him seemed taller and more beautiful.
"Onii-sama?"
Blinking her beautiful, wide eyes, Rice looked at him.
"Is something wrong?"
"No… not at all." Fujiwara Chiyo picked up his chopsticks. "It's delicious, Rice. I'll take you to class later."
"Yes! Onii-sama."
Rice's eyes crinkled with joy.
She was Oni-sama's little sister; she had been, she was, and she always would be.
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A/n: Just so you know, I might be put into a list trying to translate this chapter in ChatGPT because of some parts, you know which parts, violate their user regulations. So I have to use Deepl and fix it manually for this specific chapter.