Ugly Sister, Beautiful Brother

The sound of bubbling broth filled the kitchen, a soft and comforting hum that matched the warmth lingering in the air. The rich aroma of miso soup and grilled fish spread through the small apartment, creating a familiar sense of home.

Minami sat at the dining table, her arms resting on the surface, staring blankly at the steaming bowls in front of her.

She felt lighter than before. The weight pressing down on her chest since school had eased, if only a little. She had told Kazuya.

She glanced toward the kitchen, where Kazuya was preparing the final touches of their meal. His back was turned to her as he moved with an effortless rhythm, plating food with careful precision. He had always been like this—gentle, attentive, protective.

And now, more than ever, she was grateful for him.

Kazuya turned around, carrying a bowl of rice in one hand and a plate of tamagoyaki in the other. His gaze softened when he saw her watching him.

"You're staring, Minami," he teased, setting the food on the table.

Minami quickly looked away, pouting. "I wasn't."

He smirked, pulling out his chair and sitting across from her. "Liar."

She huffed but didn't argue.

Kazuya pushed the rice bowl toward her. "I made all your favorites." His voice was light, casual, but she could hear the concern beneath it. "You better eat a lot."

Minami picked up her chopsticks, her fingers lightly tracing the edges. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble, Onii-chan."

He raised an eyebrow. "What kind of brother would I be if I didn't take care of my little sister?"

Minami bit her lip. A warmth spread in her chest, chasing away the lingering cold from earlier.

She scooped up a small bite of rice and placed it in her mouth. The familiar taste melted on her tongue, bringing back memories of childhood—of Kazuya cooking for her when their parents were too busy, of them sitting together at this very table, laughing about silly things.

It was safe here.

It was home.

Still, as much as she wanted to enjoy the meal, her appetite just wasn't there.

She sighed, lowering her chopsticks.

Kazuya immediately noticed. His gaze flickered to her untouched plate, then back to her face.

"You're not eating," he said.

Minami shook her head. "I just… don't feel like it."

Kazuya frowned. He stood up without another word, walked around the table, and pulled out the chair beside her.

Before she could react, he picked up a piece of tamagoyaki with his chopsticks and held it up to her lips.

Minami blinked. "O-Onii-chan, what are you—"

"Say ahh," he said, completely serious.

Her cheeks burned. "I'm not a kid!"

Kazuya gave her a pointed look. "You are my little sister. And right now, you need to eat."

Minami groaned, crossing her arms. "This is embarrassing."

Kazuya smirked. "I used to do this all the time when you were small. You never complained back then."

"Because I was small!"

"And now you're still my precious little sister," he said, voice teasing but undeniably warm. "So open up."

Minami hesitated. The way he was looking at her—so full of affection, so determined to take care of her—it made her heart ache.

Slowly, hesitantly, she leaned forward and took the bite.

Kazuya grinned. "Good girl."

She nearly choked. "Onii-chan!"

He chuckled, reaching for another piece. "Come on, one more."

Minami sighed dramatically but opened her mouth again, letting him feed her.

The food tasted better when he gave it to her.

Minutes passed in comfortable silence as Kazuya continued feeding her small bites, making sure she ate enough. It felt… peaceful. Like for a moment, the awful things from earlier didn't exist.

When she finally took the chopsticks from him, deciding to eat on her own, Kazuya leaned back in his chair, watching her with a proud expression.

"See?" he said. "Wasn't so bad, was it?"

Minami rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her small smile. "You're annoying."

"And you're adorable," he shot back.

Minami paused mid-bite, her face instantly turning pink. "W-What are you saying all of a sudden?!"

Kazuya laughed. "What? I can't compliment my little sister?"

"You never do it this much!"

"Maybe I should do it more often, then," he mused, tapping his chin. "You are cute, Minami. I should remind you every day."

Her face burned. "Stop teasing me!"

He chuckled, reaching out and ruffling her hair.

Minami pouted, swatting his hand away. "My hair—!"

Kazuya just grinned. "There she is. My cute little sister."

She huffed but couldn't stop the small laugh that bubbled up.

For the first time that day, she felt genuinely okay.

The moment settled into a quiet lull.

Kazuya's smile softened, and he reached out, gently placing his hand over hers again.

"Minami," he said, voice lower now.

She looked up.

His usual teasing expression was gone. His eyes, deep and serious, held nothing but sincerity.

"I love you," he said.

Minami's breath caught in her throat.

Not in a romantic way—never in a way that made her uncomfortable. But in the way that only an older brother could say. In the way that told her he meant it. That she was precious to him. That no matter what happened, she would always have him.

Her fingers curled slightly against his palm.

A small, genuine smile crossed her lips.

"I know," she whispered.

---

A quiet stillness settled over the room.

Kazuya lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths. But inside him, there was no peace.

His irises burned a deep, unnatural red. The whites of his eyes had darkened into a pitch-black abyss. Shadows flickered across his skin like living tendrils of flame, curling and twisting from his fingertips as if the darkness within him couldn't be contained.

A smirk tugged at his lips, sharp and cruel, as his fingers clenched into a fist. A black, smoke-like flame coiled around his palm, dancing with a life of its own.

"Those three…"

His voice was low, barely above a whisper, but the hatred behind it was suffocating.

"Rika. Mayu. Saki."

He let the names roll off his tongue, tasting the sheer disgust in each syllable.

"They thought they could hurt her? My Minami?"

The shadows on his arm darkened, pulsing with a malevolent energy.

"They will beg." His voice dripped with venom. "Beg for mercy that will never come."

The image of them flashed in his mind—the way they laughed, the way they enjoyed hurting her. The way they touched her, ripped at her clothes, took pictures of her.

His fingers twitched. The shadows crackled, black flames curling hungrily.

"I will burn their names from existence."

He exhaled, a slow, measured breath, but the rage within him only grew.

"They will learn what it means to suffer."

Then—

Knock. Knock.

The moment shattered.

The black smoke disappeared in an instant. His red eyes flickered—then dulled back into their usual deep brown. His expression turned blank as he sat up, running a hand through his hair, as if shaking off whatever had just possessed him.

Another knock.

Kazuya rolled off the bed and crossed the room in a few long strides.

When he opened the door, his eyes widened slightly.

Minami stood there, clutching her pillow to her chest. Her head was lowered, her cheeks flushed, her entire body fidgeting with hesitation.

"Onii-chan…" she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kazuya leaned against the doorframe, tilting his head. "What is it, Minami?"

She hesitated. Then, even softer, she said, "…Can I sleep here?"

Kazuya blinked.

A slow, amused smirk spread across his lips. "Minami, are you a little kid?"

Her entire face turned red. "I—! I-It's not like that! I just…" She looked away, gripping the pillow tighter. "I feel… scared."

His smirk faded.

Scared.

Because of them.

Kazuya exhaled slowly, then reached out. Before Minami could react, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside.

"Eh—?!" Minami squeaked, stumbling forward as Kazuya shut the door behind her with a soft click.

She turned, flustered. "Onii-chan, I—"

"Not gonna," he said simply.

Minami blinked. "Not gonna what?"

"Let you leave."

She stared at him, cheeks still burning. "You—! You could've just said I could stay instead of dragging me in like a kidnapper!"

Kazuya chuckled. "Where's the fun in that?"

She pouted. "You're the worst."

"And you're adorable."

Her face somehow turned redder. "S-Stop saying that!"

Kazuya only smirked and walked past her toward the bed. He patted the empty space beside him.

"Come on," he said. "You wanted to sleep here, right?"

Minami fidgeted, her fingers curling around her pillow.

After a moment, she finally stepped forward, hesitantly climbing onto the bed. She sat stiffly, hugging the pillow against her chest, looking awkward and unsure.

Kazuya watched her for a moment before sighing. "Relax, Minami."

She huffed. "I am relaxed."

"You look like a scared kitten."

She shot him a glare. "I do not."

Kazuya just chuckled.

They laid there in silence for a few moments, facing each other.

Then, slowly, Minami scooted closer.

Her head pressed against his chest, her arms wrapping around him. She buried herself in his warmth, her small hands gripping the fabric of his shirt.

Kazuya stilled.

His breath hitched for just a moment before he exhaled, wrapping his arms around her in return. He pulled her closer, his grip tightening around her slim waist, his warmth encircling her completely.

There was no space between them.

Minami pressed impossibly close, her soft curves molding against him, her scent filling his senses.

She took a deep breath, inhaling his familiar scent. "You smell… safe," she murmured.

Kazuya smiled softly. "Is that so?"

She nodded, eyes fluttering shut. "Always have."

A moment passed.

The room was quiet except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. The warmth between them was comforting, but Kazuya's heart remained heavy.

His fingers gently ran through Minami's hair, feeling the soft strands between them. She was still wrapped in his embrace, her delicate frame pressed against him. She hadn't let go—not even for a second.

Her grip on his shirt tightened, her arms wrapped behind him as if she was afraid he would disappear.

"Minami," Kazuya murmured.

She shifted slightly, her head still nestled against his chest. "Mm?"

"I need to know everything."

She froze for a second before exhaling shakily.

Kazuya rubbed slow, reassuring circles on her back. "Tell me, Minami. Who's the leader?"

Minami's fingers clenched against his back, and she swallowed hard.

"…Rika," she whispered.

Kazuya's jaw tightened. Figures.

"She… She's the worst," Minami continued, voice trembling. "She enjoys it the most. She's the one who starts everything. Mayu and Saki just follow along, but Rika is the real monster."

Kazuya's grip on her waist tightened slightly, but he kept his voice calm. "Where does she live?"

Minami hesitated before answering. "Her family owns a big house in the western district… near the train station."

His mind stored the information instantly. "And the other two?"

"Mayu lives in an apartment near the shopping district… Saki's house is closer to school, just a few blocks away."

Minami let out a shuddering breath as if saying their names was enough to make her relive everything.

"I see," Kazuya said softly. His voice was calm, but his eyes darkened.

Minami hesitated. Then, barely above a whisper, she said, "Onii-chan… Are you going to do something?"

He exhaled slowly. "Minami… after everything they did to you, what do you think?"

Minami bit her lip. She knew Kazuya better than anyone. She knew what that tone meant.

She closed her eyes. "I don't want you to get in trouble…"

Kazuya tilted his head slightly. "Trouble?" He let out a dark chuckle. "I think the only ones in trouble are them."

Minami trembled, but she didn't respond.

And then—

She broke.

A choked sob escaped her lips, and before Kazuya could react, she buried herself deeper against him, pressing impossibly close.

Her arms tightened around his back, her hands gripping his shirt so hard her knuckles turned white.

Kazuya felt the damp warmth of her tears against his chest.

She wasn't just crying.

She was breaking.

His heart ached as he felt her entire body tremble.

She held onto him desperately, pressing her entire body against his, not caring about anything else. Not even about how her full, soft chest pressed into him.

For the first time, she didn't care about her appearance. About how people saw her.

Because right now, she was being held by someone who loved her.

Kazuya's expression softened.

Slowly, he cupped the back of her head and leaned down, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to her forehead.

"Shh… I'm here," he whispered.

Minami hiccupped, her body still trembling, but she clung even tighter, her arms wrapped around him like a lifeline.

Kazuya held her just as tightly.

There was no space between them.

They stayed like that for what felt like forever. Wrapped in each other's warmth, their hearts beating in sync.

Finally, Kazuya spoke again.

"You know…" he murmured. "No matter what anyone says, Minami, for me, you're beautiful."

Minami tensed slightly.

But Kazuya continued.

"You're not just beautiful. You're an angel. A fairy. A goddess." He smiled slightly. "To me, you're the most beautiful, adorable, cute, and hot girl in the world."

Minami sucked in a shaky breath, burying her face deeper into his chest.

Kazuya chuckled softly. "Honestly… I could forget everything just by looking at you all day."

Minami's heart skipped a beat.

Her fingers trembled against his back.

And then—

Kazuya smirked. "Maybe I should just marry you, huh?"

Minami immediately jolted.

Her head snapped up, and she stared at him with wide, red-rimmed eyes. "W-WHAT?!"

Kazuya laughed. "What? You don't want to?"

Minami's face burned. "Onii-chan, stop teasing me!!"

Kazuya grinned. "But you're not even letting me go. Not even a millimeter."

Minami gasped, realizing she was still clinging onto him with all her strength.

But—

Even as she processed it—

She didn't let go.

She didn't loosen her grip. Not even a little.

She knew he was joking.

But deep down…

She didn't mind.

She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her forehead against his chest again. "You're the worst, Onii-chan."

Kazuya smirked. "And you're the best, Minami."

She sighed deeply. "…You're really not gonna let go, huh?"

Kazuya's arms tightened around her. "Nope."

Minami smiled softly against his chest. "…Good."

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms.

No space left between them.

Just warmth. Just love.

And for the first time in a long time, Minami felt safe.

Kazuya was here.

And he wasn't going anywhere.

END OF CHAPTER : 6 : HE HAS POWERS!