Case 9: To taste blood.

''...Big sis.''

Quite some time had passed since my step-sister first called me 'big sis.' From then on, my heart was filled with this unknown flutter and utter adoration for the small and infinitely cute creature called 'Lyra.'

Every time she opened her tiny mouth to chirp out some words, I had an indescribable urge to pat her and hug her to death. Was this how being an older sibling felt?

''It's a beautiful day outside!''

[You seem excited.]

''Of course, Lucy. I'm going down to the city with Lyra today!''

[Hm...]

Either way, since it was before the prologue had even begun, things were relatively peaceful. The marchioness was neutralized, and I, the supposed villainess, wasn't evil, so nothing could harm the protagonist anymore.

In fact, I had already seen the noticeable effect of this peace. According to my observation, she was generally more relaxed and perhaps more cheerful than usual, which, due to her expressionless face, wasn't so obvious.

After around a month and a half, head pats became the norm, much to my delight, and handholding even became possible. I hoped I would be able to hug her soon. She seemed so warm.

''My lady, you should wear thicker clothing...''

''Isn't this enough? I can barely move.''

''Absolutely not. I really don't want to see you coughing anymore.''

''Ahahah...''

Facing Mary's concerned eyes, I could only let out a nervous laugh. However, even if the winter's cold contributed to my bodily reaction, the problem... probably wouldn't have been solved if I had worn thicker clothing.

Still, built like a ball of fur, I tumbled my way to the main entrance, where a small girl could be seen leaning against the wall, fidgeting with her dragon's wing.

Okay, 'tumbled' was an exaggeration, but it was legitimately difficult to move sometimes.

''...Big sis.''

''Hi, Lyra.''

''...''

And I got Lyra looking at me weirdly. I shouldn't have done this.

''If it's too cold, we can stay inside...'' My little sister said, her obsidian-like eyes flashing a brief worry.

''Nope, it's all good. These are just Mary being overprotective, so don't worry.''

''Okay.''

So, hand in hand, we began our walk toward the city. We could have gotten there by car, but since the distance wasn't so significant, I thought it would be nice to get some exercise in as well. Of course, there were guards coming along with us, but they were competent enough not to make their presence known actively.

Upon entering the capital of the Libre Empire, Syrus, a busy scene greeted us.

Befitting the main stage of the entire game, the city was as vibrant and diverse as it could be. Thanks to that, there were many useful facilities I could utilize to improve our quality of life as well, not just for the plot progression.

For example, there was a huge mall somewhere south of where I was standing, in which a few occurrences with the love interests happened, but... it was an ordinary mall. I could buy so much in there with little cost, so I wouldn't have to worry about being starved to death.

''Do you have somewhere you want to go?''

While entertaining such positive thoughts, I blurted out a typical question, not forgetting to add, ''I'll take you there.''

Feeling the little hand inside my clutch twitching, I then turned to the side to meet her round eyes.

''...Have you been here before?'' She asked.

''Oh. Erm... yeah, Mom and I used to visit Syrus as tourists.''

''Okay...''

It was... a bit awkward when she just stared at me this intently without a change in expression, so I could only smile. Eventually, she told me that she wanted to try street food.

This development was actually present in the game as one of the love interests took Lyra to a stall and then discovered that it was her first time eating that kind of food—a template plot, really.

But now, I got to do it myself.

''Heheh...''

Either way, street food in Syrus was as organized as it got, all thanks to the imperial family's effort to plan the city out ever since the boom in technological development began. At least, that's what the narrator in the game said.

So, street food vendors were actually quite organized and hygienic. They had to get permission before opening, after all.

''Oh...''

''How's it?''

''Mghm... ish good.''

It was as though I could see sparks in her eyes. Holding the chicken skewer, Lyra took a huge bite, whistling as she juggled the piece in her mouth. Seeing the Amethyst in her arms salivating, I generously extend my skewer to her.

[...Thank you.]

''No problem.''

[Hey, give her some, too.]

''Alright, alright.''

As I fed Lucy and Amethyst alternatively, Lyra stopped eating for a second.

''You eat too little... big sis.'' She said.

''It's fine; I don't eat that well to begin with,'' I replied nonchalantly.

Besides, it was true that this body didn't exactly need to eat food as much. Nevertheless, since the good girl Lyra was so concerned, I decided to accept one bite of her skewer... of course, by her feeding me!

''Is it good?'' She asked.

''Mhm!''

As I patted her head, something bleach white entered my vision. Falling through the air gracefully, it soon landed on the back of my hand, hesitating to melt yet eagerly crumbled.

''Oh... it's snowing.''

Looking at the sky, I silently admired the beautiful sight of fresh, innocent snow. Each dot was like a fairy, whispering to me that time... was moving.

Slowly, slowly... we would reach the end.

''Shall we go?''

''Mhm.''

Hand in hand, Lyra and I continued our little outing in the city.

cough—! cough—!

''Whew...''

Dear diary, I have always wondered if time would pass faster when I had fun.

Even though the snow had ultimately prevented me from going outside, Lyra was still accompanying me through everything. Day after day, with her by my side, I gradually understood that she was a really, really thoughtful and kind child.

She was... right. She was merely put in the wrong environment.

Evidently, after almost three months of me trying to fatten her up, Lyra had grown considerably. Her height had reached the bottom of my chest, making her head a perfect choice to rest them fruits on whenever I felt pain in the shoulders.

By now, I could confidently say that I had become quite close to this little angel—not at the level of real siblings yet, but nonetheless close. Time with her was genuinely enjoyable, and sometimes... I wondered if I was still right in using her to achieve my survival.

Either way, let me get back to the first question—would time pass by faster if I had fun?

Well, it wasn't as though I was writing a diary.

''Hah...''

...If I had something bothering me, it would be my health. Over time, I could physically feel my body getting weaker, even if the change was so minuscule at times. I would be more sensitive to the temperature, I would have less energy, and I would feel terrible overall.

Peaceful days were so enjoyable, yet I had seemingly forgotten the dire situation that I was in right now. Lost in those moments of comfort, I was subconsciously denied the fact that perhaps...

''Ugh...!''

Feeling a sudden sharp pain as if hundreds of needles were thrust into my heart, I slumped to the ground, trying to stabilize in desperation as my vision shook violently. An unstoppable tide surged up my throat, ending in a warm, thick stream of blood that erupted out of my mouth.

cough—! cough—!

''Hah...! Hah...!''

The palm of my hand was of the same color as the ground—deep red. Even after a while, I couldn't meaningfully calm down—not when I could vividly smell the metallic scent of my own blood. There was this... empty sensation—like something had been taken away from me.

''Hahah... as I thought.''

...perhaps, this body was terminally ill.