"Sis... it was important... and... I'm strong, you know... nothing can harm me..."
Noir muttered, still wincing from the pain of her pulling his ear, his face scrunched up like he'd just eaten something sour.
"Ahh, my dear brother, it seems you've become arrogant," she said, raising an eyebrow. She mimicked him mockingly, "Nothing... can... harm... me..."
"That's what you said, right? At least try not to sound like you're in pain while claiming that. You're jumping around like a monkey just from a tiny love pinch, and you say you're strong? Hah..."
"Ahh... sis... okay, sorryyy... please... let me go..."
Seeing his desperate plea and deciding it was enough for now, she finally let go and sat down gracefully on the sofa.
While she settled, Noir gently caressed his left ear, which had turned from pale white to deep red after the so-called love pinch.
He looked at her with a wary expression, squinting his eyes like an alien trying to decipher an unfamiliar life form.
She couldn't help it. Seeing his weird, exaggerated face, she burst into giggles, trying to cover her mouth like a noble lady.
"Hehehehehe…"
"Ahh, what are you laughing at? And what's with covering your mouth like some elegant lady? Where's that rude big sister who used to laugh with her hands on her hips while mocking me?"
"Huh? You're talking too much, brat. And who are you calling rude? Don't forget—I was training you in swordsmanship. In training, harshness is necessary—especially for an idiot like you."
"So, it's my fault that you're rude now?" he said, making a face full of disbelief.
"First of all, I. AM. NOT. RUDE," she said with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
Noir shuddered, remembering all the times she had thrashed him during their childhood training.
"Heh," she smirked, seeing his reaction. "Seems like your body remembers me better than your mind does."
"Don't say such... double-meaning things..." he muttered as he sat beside her.
"Only your mind is dirty. That's why you think like that," she replied, smiling.
Noir sighed. There's no point in arguing with her. I can't beat her in a verbal duel anyway…
To avoid the conversation going in a strange direction, he asked directly,
"So, why did you come here?"
He knew it had to be something serious—today he was busy, and he couldn't afford to waste time.
She looked at him, her tone changing.
"Well, you see... I have a younger brother. An idiot, a moron—you get the idea. And this younger brother, at the age of 14, decided to run away from home. Listen carefully, okay?
WHEN—there are so many enemies roaming around—not just our family's enemies, but monsters, bandits, and all kinds of bad people.
THIS. WORLD. IS. FUCKING. DANGEROUS.
YET—THAT. IDIOT. RAN. OFF. ON. HIS. OWN.
WITHOUT—TELLING. ANYONE. WHERE. HE. WENT!"
Noir's eyes widened. He knew this fury. And he knew... she was right.
Back then, he was desperate, hopeless. It felt like the world was suffocating him, like a rope around his neck. He needed space.
He needed to run—not for himself, but for them.
To protect them from what he was becoming.
From the side of himself he was terrified to reveal.
Even so... looking at her now...
The pain in her eyes, the worry etched into her face... he knew.
He had fucked up.
"Why are you silent now?" she said sharply.
"Tell me. What were you doing?"
He closed his eyes. Took a breath.
"I was... running away."
He wanted to lie. He wanted to protect her.
To keep her away from whatever was going to happen.
From him.
From the darkness within.
But he couldn't lie.
Not to her.
Not to the one who raised him.
The one who trained him.
The one who had always stood by him.
And looking at her... he wanted to protect her. Even if he lacked the strength right now, he would gain it. No matter what it took.
But then, a voice whispered from within...
"Don't do it… don't tell her. I know what you're thinking."
"You want to trust her, right? But she's a woman. And women... can't be trusted. They betray. The more you love them, the deeper the knife goes when they turn on you.
Don't take this risk."
"Shut up. She's my sister. I can trust her. She raised me. She taught me. She protected me. Even if the world betrays me, she won't. I know it."
Silence.
Then that voice again... darker this time.
"Idiot... you don't know anything.
You don't know the fate of a villain.
You don't know the destiny that follows someone like you.
A villain... is never allowed love. Never allowed loyalty.
Even the people who care will leave.
Even your world will abandon you.
And remember—
You only know that your sister dies.
But you don't know how.
You don't know why.
Don't take the risk.
Don't defy a villain's fate.
Don't gamble with destiny."