“Listen, Rina. I don’t care what it is, just do something, anything a sister would do.”

“Huh?!”

The extreme bout of discomposure that overtakes me forces me to whisper those words into Rina’s ear. What am I even doing? There’s only so much I can reasonably expect people to do…

“Pardon me. Just forget I said –”

“I understand. Please, let me have at it.”

What the Hell do you mean, you understand?!

I can already feel my heart speeding in my chest the second I begin to wonder what she’s up to, and just then… Rina crosses her arms, puffs out her cheek a little, and turns away from me in what might be considered a ‘huff.’

“I-It’s not like I like you or anything, Onii-chan!”

Damn it all; even Rina’s blown out a fuse or two! Well, sure, it’s kind of like what a sister might do, but where the damn Hell did she pick up that sort of know-how?!

Actually, wait. Hold on. I’m more surprised that this kind of stuff even seeped into this world’s culture!

“T-That’s…”

“No doubt about it…”

Presented with Rina’s antics, the demons begin to stir.

So this is where it all ends, huh? There’s no way that’d be enough proof that she’s my sister…

“There’s no way around it, that is indeed Yuuto-sama’s beloved sister!”

“It would be unthinkable for anyone but his sister to act toward him in such a manner!”

“There’s no way that sort of tsundere wouldn’t be a sister!”

How the Hell do you figure?!

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“I must humbly apologize for expressing doubt, Rina-sama. You truly are Yuuto-sama’s younger sister…!”

Would you look at that, even Anri bought it. I have to admit, seeing them swallow this much so easily is more disturbing than it is reassuring…

“Ahem. Now, there can no longer be any doubt among you. Rina is indeed my sister. Should something ever happen to her, then… Well, you can figure out the rest, can you not?”

“O-Of course!”

“We all pledge allegiance to Rina-sama!”

Well, at least her safety’s been assured. Let’s just leave it at that.

Once the demons had dispersed and the Great Hall had been emptied, Rina and I moved until we reached the entrance to a room on the top floor of this castle.

“Alright then. From this day forth, this shall be your room. I’ve made sure that it’s the second largest room in the castle.”

“Is this… my room…?!”

Rina’s eyes go round at the sight of the inside of the room. I couldn’t be happier that I managed to find some free space on the top floor. My own room’s close enough, so it won’t take too long for me to come to her aid should she need it.

“What’s the matter? That surprising, is it?”

“I-It is… Back at my old household, I only ever slept on a pile of hay in the horse stables…”

Just thinking about that image makes my heart twinge. Cold days must have been Hell on Earth for her…

“Oh, and about that whole naming bit we talked about. Since you are my sister in a way, you should always address me as Onii-sama.”

“O… Onii-sama?”

“Indeed. If you don’t want to, you can always call me Onii-chan. I don’t mind.”

“Well, that’s a little too…”

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“Pfft. I was joking.”

I’ve always been an only child, so I never could help but long for someone to call me Onii-chan. But then again, considering that I’m the High King and all, I really shouldn’t be caught dead being called that. I have my position to think of.

“So you don’t mind me calling you Onii-sama?”

“I don’t. Although I do have to apologize for giving you this role without discussing it with you first.”

“Oh, no! It was no trouble at all, really! I completely understand that you thought of the idea for my sake, Master!”

“You mean Onii-sama.”

“Ah! S-Sorry about that, Onii-sama!”

Rina falls into a panic and bows her head. I know I’m the one who made the suggestion in the first place, but it really does feel a little off when she calls me that…

“So then… What should I do while I’m in the castle?”

“You can do whatever you want. There’s a library in this castle, so should you ever feel the need to educate yourself on some matters, you may go there to read. Since you’ve spent almost your entire life as a slave, I doubt that you’ve been lucky enough to receive a formal education.”

“A-Are you sure?”

“Of course. Since you’re supposed to be my sister, there won’t be anyone around who’d complain about that. Although I should tell you this much in advance: since we’re both former humans, there might come a time when I need a favor that only you can do. I might ask you for something when that time comes.”

“I-If it’s anything I can do, please just tell me! I’ll do anything!”

Now that line’s just asking to be taken out of context.

“Oh, also…”

I stretch my right hand towards Rina.

“Incantation: Grant Ability!”

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This spell would allow me to bestow one of the spells in my arsenal onto Rina.

“I’ve now given you the Disaster Cannon. Should you ever find yourself in any danger, you may use that spell to protect yourself.”

“T-Thank you very much…”

Well, this does mean that I can’t use the Disaster Cannon anymore. But I’ve still got plenty of offensive spells on hand, so many that it’s almost a waste to have as much as I do. It shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I can’t help but wonder if I’m being just the tiniest bit overprotective…

“Very well then, it’s about time for us to go to bed. You may have as much fun with the feel of your first ever bed as you please.”

“E-Excuse me!”

Just as I’m about to leave the place, Rina calls to me and stops me in my tracks.

“Why would you go this far for someone like me…?”

“…”

Once again, I turn to face Rina.

“You’ve spent more than ten years as a slave, robbed of your freedom. I simply wanted you to give you some measure of that freedom. Although it’s entirely possible that any freedom you obtain in this cramped castle might wind up mattering little…”

“Well, I’d hardly say that it’s cramped…”

“…But the moment you know exactly what you want to do in life and leave the castle is the moment you will obtain true freedom. And until that time comes, I will do all I can to support you.”

“…!”

Huge tears pool in Rina’s eyes and begin to drip down.

“Thank you so much… I’m really… truly thankful…”

“Hmph. I’ve heard you be thankful more than enough times. You should hurry back to your room and give your body some rest. Given all that’s happened, I’m sure you must be exhausted.”

“Alright…”

Still wiping away her tears, Rina enters her room and softly closes the door behind her.

I let out a long breath. Just why do I go this far for her? Giving her freedom is only one of the two reasons I do. The other reason is…

“It’s because she’s so cute, isn’t it…?”

The way I mutter makes me feel like a young boy attending high school again.