Case 90: Upon a confession.
On the way home, Lyra felt the atmosphere between her and Cecilia sinking.
There was a certain kind of awkwardness lingering in the air after the heroine acted so forcefully for one. Still, that didn't stop her from keeping the trembling woman closer.
As if shielding her big sister from the faint road bumps, Lyra sat Cecilia on her lap, bear-hugging the petite sister whilst constantly caressing her with an ample warmth. From behind, Lyra could feel every missed breath the other person took, every little change in her body temperature, or every indescribable sob coming out of her.
''...''
No one knew exactly what made Cecilia like this except for Cecilia herself. Knowing the stubborn person she was, it would be impossible to get an answer out of her anyway. This... this was Lyra's biggest insecurity—that she wasn't trusted enough by her most beloved person.
Lyra loved Cecilia, and she wished the feelings could be reciprocated fully.
Yet, there were moments when Lyra couldn't bring herself to smile, even if she should have. She should have smiled more to please her sister, who always took care of her so tentatively.
Now, all of that seemed to come back and haunt her. What if she could never try to smile at her sister ever again? What if... she could never tell how much she loved her sister ever again?
Intense regret mixed with guilt swallowed Lyra. She buried her head deeper into Cecilia's unsteady shoulder, her teeth clenching.
''Oh...?''
But even in such a hazy state, Cecilia was, as always, so loving. Still holding the cake she brought for her little sister, the blue-haired woman nuzzled her head against Lyra's, muttering comfort words,
''There, there... everything will be alright...''
Those pierced the heroine's heart, nailing it to the depths of her soul—never to let it be whole again. The only words she could mutter... were but a few whimpers.
By the time the two sisters had gotten to their room, the sun had already sunk halfway below the horizon.
With how tattered Cecilia was, Lyra had expected her to hit the sack right away, but she blankly sat on the edge of the bed, holding onto the cake still.
Unhesitatingly, Lyra knelt before her sister.
It was strange.
As if her usual shrewdness and vixen-like charms had magically vanished, Cecilia now felt simple enough—even a bit silly. Holding out the pale blue box, it looked like she was waiting for Lyra to finally try what she had brought.
''This...'' She smiled. ''My congratulations...''
''Okay. I'll eat it.''
Putting that aside, Lyra leaned in and put her face right on Cecilia's palms. At this point, she was at a loss.
''...''
So, the heroine could only idly feel her sister's gentle kneading, hearing her soft giggles... until she remembered her frustration earlier. Clumsily yet determinedly, Lyra forced a smile and perked up, meeting the other person's cloudy eyes.
The corners of Cecilia's mouth subtly raised.
''Look, you're so pretty when you smile...''
Somewhere in that expression, a trace of acceptance fluttered. As if this were a good outcome—that it was what she wanted. The meaning... couldn't be made clear, but Lyra's superhuman intuition had already smelled the bitter taste.
''Ah...!''
Almost plunging forward, Lyra climbed onto the bed—on top of Cecilia—pinning her down but careful as not to hurt the helpless woman. After staring at the beautifully dumbfounded face for a second, Lyra shook her head and flipped their position.
Predictably, Cecilia fell snuggly into Lyra's embrace, her brief resistance was but futile.
''...Big sis.''
''Hm...?''
''Do you love me?''
''I do.''
Then...
''You would be honest with me, right?''
''...''
The blue-haired woman jolted ever-so-slightly, perhaps realizing what it would entail. Yet, in her sister's arms, she couldn't move easily, not with her exhausted body.
''Heheh...'' Cecilia chuckled. ''I wonder why I always feel like you're cornering me, even though we're sisters...''
''What is the imperial princess doing to you?''
''...''
A few slender fingers gently ran across Cecilia's pale neck, touching the barely healed fang imprints beneath her white choker. As long as they lived together as sisters, there was no way Lyra wouldn't notice such obvious marks. Cecilia must have known this, too.
But her silence had already confirmed everything.
'Hah... a vampire of all things.'
It was ridiculous. Voluntarily donating blood when she was this weak...? Absolutely foolish... but just about right for this woman.
''...Lyra—''
''I'm tired.''
Once again, right about when they started the process of 'reconciliation,' Lyra coldly uttered. She was tired of this pretense... this facade that they wouldn't hide anything from one another.
''Big sis... I'll do anything for you, so... just... if you are going through something... tell me.''
For the first time, Lyra's voice came out weak. It was unintended, but what that mishap caused was undoubtedly potent.
Drunk on the powerlessness which sank her body, and led by the sweet words her little sister whispered into her ears, Cecilia perked up, her eyes trembling.
''R-Really? You'll do anything for me...?'' She asked, her voice smaller than an ant crawling.
''Yes.'' Lyra decidedly replied, feeling the stubborn sister's heart finally show a weakness.
Her own started to race.
''Then... what if your sister was a bad person?''
''I'd be a bad person, too.''
''What if your sister only clung to you to chase wealth and influence?''
''I'd give you wealth and influence.''
''What if your sister were a disguised monster?''
''I'd still keep you. Forever.''
''What if your sister were an existence who only brings misfortunes?''
''I'd shield you from those misfortunes.''
Meeting Lyra's unfazed eyes, Cecilia darted hers to the side, clenching her fists. For one final time, she pried open her lips,
''What if your sister were... the demon queen?''
''Then I'll be the demon queen's little sister.''
''...''
Drops of tears welled up in Cecilia's eyes as she trembled, and before her voice went out completely, ''What if... what if I could only live on by harming others...? What should I do...?''
''Then...''
Smiling, Lyra gently held the woman's face and kissed her forehead, ''I'd help you harm those people. Just for you to live on.''
*****
''...''
Opening my sluggish eyes, I slowly recounted yesterday with a grim mood.
I said something I shouldn't.
I was already short of sleep, but using my power to take care of that lackey seriously shook me. It was akin to sucking out blood from a dried wound—extremely painful.
My mind wasn't right.
But no matter how many excuses I made, what happened couldn't be changed.
Now, it was how to treat Lyra. If she already caught onto my story... what should—what could I even do? At this point, no one could help me. It wouldn't be strange if I were stabbed by my own sister.
Ah... I still had many things I wanted to do. I still wanted to see Lyra grow up some more and find a partner; I want to see her attend and graduate from the academy, to see her on grand adventures, and achieve her deserved greatness.
...Yet here I was, rotting away without a concrete plan.
Should I just...
''Big sis.''
And when I was cornered in my head, a familiar voice sounded.
