Chapter 48- Back home

"Ha...it feels so nice to be back." Around eight in the night, I and Dad entered the house after a long journey.

Since we didn't make any halt en route and the traffic was shallow, it allowed us to travel at a good pace and reach home before expected.

"How did the meeting go? Any news for promotion?" As my Mom hugged my super tired Dad, she asked in a hopeful tone.

Even though Dad's earnings were quite good, given his position in the company, it was getting a little tight in budget these days.

Apart from my school fees and other expenses, my sister was in college and naturally, she required daily allowance along with the money she spent on her projects.

I have already thought about taking some part-time jobs, but I have to find a better opportunity to talk about it. Naturally, I could now take care of my expenses and even help my family financially, but money doesn't grow on trees. Thus, I need to create some kind of ostensible source through which I could support my family.

"Hmm... they are talking about promoting me to zonal head...but it's just rumors, so don't raise your hopes much." My Mom didn't seem dissatisfied with the response, rather thankful that her husband at least told her everything, rather than keeping it to himself.

Well, she should thank me for that.

"Mom, this is for you." I took out an amulet I had bought back in Kyoto and handed it to her.

"Thank you, sweetie." The vanilla smell of my Mother's shampoo filled my nose, as she hugged me tightly, pushing my face in her bountiful asset.

I took my chance to hug her back as well, but sadly she detached herself soon after and began talking to her husband.

I sighed seeing how much she cared for him, and felt a little relieved, that because of me, Dad was paying extra attention to Mom. Guilt or not, I don't care about it. After all, until I am here, I wouldn't let this family fall apart.

'Talking about family...'

My eyes turned toward the first floor before I contemplated a bit. However, in the end, I decided to not be so conservative toward my own sister and greet her.

Arriving at her door with a brilliant smile, I knocked twice door.

*Click*

Not so long after, the door was parted, and my sister peeked out only,

"What do you need?"

I blinked at how coldly she just talked. However, I didn't waver at that and asked anyway,

"Can you let me come in? I need to give you something." I decided to break the wall between us and start anew.

However, "No, just give it to me right here or go away."

The urgency in her voice and the way she was rejecting me from even peeking inside her room, no longer seemed her natural wariness toward me.

She was definitely hiding something.

'Appraisal.'

[Name: Fujiwara Shiori.]

[Age: 19]

[Job: Food delivery.]

[Special skill: Art and craft.]

[Arousal meter: 0/5]

[Relationship: Virgin and have only kissed once.]

[Current thoughts: Did he see my bruises?]

[Desire: To have sex in the woods.]

....

For the first time, my attention didn't go to one's arousal meter or desire, rather my whole focus remained on her thoughts.

'Bruises?!' I realized that the matter was serious and such, I used my telekinetic power to pull Shiori away slightly, and push the door at the same.

"Ah! What are you doing?" Naturally, she didn't feel my supernatural skill and believed that I solely used my physical might to push her away.

Once I entered, I found there were several bills arranged on the bed and a bunch of coins as well...like she was summing up an amount for something.

I looked at Shiori for the first time in weeks, and what I found was several dark marks on her arms, some on her legs, and her left cheek was slightly swollen as well. She didn't try to hide it rather looked ashamed to present such a side to her brother.

My fist clenched, body turned stiff as the only thing I could utter in my current mood was, "Who?"

Shiori snapped out of her reverie and instantly replied, "Why do you care? And what are you going to do about this anyway?"

I couldn't blame her for thinking that I was entirely powerless in this matter. But truth be told, even if I didn't have my powers, in this situation, I wouldn't have backed away from targeting that bastard who dared hurt her.

"You don't need to know what I would do, so just tell me. And don't try to shoo this topic, since if you don't tell me, I will ask your friend or boyfriend. And even if they don't say anything, I will come to your-"

"Okay, okay, stop! I will tell you." She panicked when I began counting the things I could do to obtain the information.

Under normal circumstances, I didn't want to read her memories, however, if she didn't tell me the whole thing, then I might have to.

Shiori leaned on her desk, before a sigh leaked from her lips, as she began narrating her situation,

"Actually...there is a boy who has been bullying Shiro-kun(her boyfriend) from the first day...and when I tried to intervene he and his gang beat us up pretty bad. They demanded twenty thousand yen every week if we wanted to remain in the college peacefully that's why I began working as a food delivery partner...and Shiro-kun worked with a manga artist. Because we weren't able to pay the last installment, they created trouble for us again...even the teachers didn't do anything about it...and...the other students...just..."

I slowly made my way toward my sister and softly embraced her.

Her tears fell to the ground as she pressed her head against my chest and clutched my shirt tightly, trying to not cry loudly.

"Why...*sniff*...why is the world so unfair, Minoru?"

She wept in my arms and complained about how things were going so wrong for her and her boyfriend.

I just continued patting her back and assuring her that everything would be fine...

...however, I very well knew, that nothing could become fine until someone doesn't do anything.

'I am sorry Shiori for letting you face so much, all alone...'

*****

A/N:- Some disciplining is necessary.