Case 84: When the younger sister doesn’t seem like one.

As someone who didn't grow up with Lyra for most of her life, and as someone who didn't share an ounce of blood with her, I never expected her to treat me as though I were her real big sister.

At most, I only wanted to be someone she would remember fondly... someone she could rely on—her family.

But... since when did it all go wrong, I wonder.

The person named Cecilia de Orleans was, in many ways, sensitive to other people's emotions. That was carved in her being, and it wouldn't be altered no matter what.

So when I inherited her body, I was overwhelmed by what I could 'see'—lots of hidden thoughts, hidden intentions barred by shells of deception. It took me a while to get used to this power, and I certainly wielded it to accomplish my goals.

Yet, I sometimes wished I didn't have such an ability.

With Lyra, I was overjoyed when I sensed the familiar affection she developed for me, but when that affection slowly morphed into something else as she went through puberty, I didn't know what to feel.

In her eyes that were looking at me, I saw something teetering on romantic attraction—just a budding type of love found in teenage crushes. Of course, those tended to wear off with time, but not in this case.

I wasn't a fool. I knew my little sister had for me an obsession I'd hardly seen before. Combine those two, and... it'd make for a worrying future.

''Is the water too cold?''

''...I think it's good enough.''

Feeling her callous palms gently caressing my skin, I hung my head low, looking down blankly at the floor. Her touches were more comfortable than I had imagined.

But somewhere, some sort of shame plagued my mind. Maybe because I didn't want her to see my scrawny body or my pale skin. Maybe I was just not used to her seeing me in this setting.

I'd bathed with my lovers before, and even if I felt a bit embarrassed during those times, it couldn't come close to this moment. What was it that made everything so nerve-wracking all of a sudden?

''Nn...''

As she gradually moved down my back, gingerly applying the body wash with slow, circular motions, I found myself relaxing. I wasn't sure if this was right or not. My feelings were all jumbled up, and I couldn't possibly make sense of them.

So, like the irresponsible, confused person that I was, I decided to just let the moments pass.

Closing my eyes, I completely let go of my strength, leaving everything to my little sister. The warm water running on my body, the fluffy vapor clinging to my skin, and her gentle touches did wonders to ease my mind.

Even as she stroked along my arms or massaged deep into my neck and shoulders, I couldn't feel a fault.

Maybe... this wasn't so bad, after all.

''...''

But then came a hurdle.

Lyra's sudden pause made me perk up. I turned around, meeting her reluctant eyes. Promptly ignoring her slightly rose-tinted cheeks, I gathered my thoughts for a second.

...Ah.

She wasn't sure if she could touch my front. If she were the Lyra I knew, this would be just about right. Some things weren't meant to change even with time.

My heart was split between wanting the relaxing touches to continue and giving Lyra a way out of this awkward situation. So, I did what any sensible person would... and provoked her.

''Just do it,'' I uttered, pouting. ''Don't tell me you're aroused by the sight of your taken older sister's naked body. I... don't need to tell you who started this, right?''

Almost as soon as I said that, Lyra narrowed her eyes. Something told me she didn't like my remark, and my heart raced in anticipation of her answer. I had a premonition that it would be overwhelming.

''...And what if I was?'' She responded, putting her palms firmly on my shoulders. ''Just because you're my sister... doesn't mean that you're not naked.''

''Ngh... stop messing around... pervert.''

''...''

''...''

I'd only intended that exchange to be an icebreaker of sorts, but my infinite wisdom and peak human interaction skills shot me in the foot instead.

In the end, I quickly spread the body wash across my front instead, leaving Lyra with the final job of washing away the foam. Then, she expertly cleaned my hair, even giving me a nice scalp massage on top of it. I thought I was at a spa all of a sudden.

''Do you want to use the tub?''

''Mhm... yeah.''

Under Lyra's watchful eyes, I stood up and submerged myself in the bathtub. Almost instantly, I felt all my worries melt away as the watery heat enveloped my body.

''...Aren't you going to leave?'' I ask.

''No.''

I thought I was used to those kinds of flat answers by this point, but I actually might when she consistently told them like this. Such outrageous statements... I didn't even know where to begin.

''Hand.''

''Hm?''

''Give me your hand. This way, I won't suddenly sink down, will I?''

I wasn't sure what had gotten into me, but I opted to hold Lyra's hand while I dozed off. Given the opportunity, I would totally take a little nap here since it felt so nice, but then...

''Go to bed if you want to nap.''

''...I know. I'm not napping.''

''You look like you're about to.''

''No way...''

But it was the truth. I didn't exercise today like I did the day before... ah, wait, I did. I had sex with Rachael all night. So that was why I felt so eepy.

So, it was about time I became honest, ''...Maybe I want to nap. Let me wash my face and—hyah...?!''

When I carefully got up and reached for the towel to wipe myself, my whole world shook. Then, I found myself nestling squarely in someone's embrace, having my whole body lifted in the air. The cozy and familiar scent eased my senses right away.

A certain force of warm air surrounded me, sucking away the moisture bit by bit. Soon enough, I was all fluffy and dry.

''...This is really convenient.'' I laughed. Dryly.

As someone unfamiliar with these kinds of magic usages, I couldn't help but envy the people of this world. For instance, how good must it be to be able to bring the towel toward me from afar with telekinesis like Lyra just did?

But I was soon moved out of the bathroom in a princess carry, having only a piece of cloth on me.

After putting me on the bed, Lyra went back and brought out my clothes, which she nearly shoved at me for some reason.

''Change to them and lie down. I'll tell the chefs to make dinner a bit late.'' She said.

''Ah, okay. Thank... you.''

Before I could finish my thank you, she had already exited the room.

Bathing in the silence for a few moments, I couldn't help but have such thoughts—what a strange night it was.

*****

''Hah...''

Right outside Cecilia's bedroom, Lyra powerlessly slumped down on the floor, hand covering her deeply flushed face. Even that was trembling, showing just how much she had endured during those minutes in the bathroom.

Merely thinking about her big sister's irresistible allure shook the heroine more than any battles she had with Jeanne. She'd tried to hold it in, but her patience exploded when Cecilia carelessly rose from the water, unknowingly shoving that destructive visual at her face.

''I really can't take it anymore...''

*****