Chapter 114: Once Upon a Time, There Was a Certain Code Word

“Instructor, Tina has something to report.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“The Sweet Cone member from Phantom Squad kept pulling Tina aside to ask if she looked especially pretty today. Tina requests instructions on how to respond in such situations.”

“Ah, that kind of troublesome girl. If you say she’s pretty, she’ll keep pressing for details on *exactly* where she’s pretty until she’s satisfied.”

“Does Tina need to do that as well?”

“No. I have a special method that will make Sweet Cone stop pestering you instantly.”

“What is it?”

“When she asks where she’s pretty, just say ‘big sis’ straight to her face. Guaranteed—she’ll freeze solid on the spot for half a day, unable to take a single step.
Then you just gracefully flick your sleeve, not taking a single cloud with you, and leave her a cool, distant back view to admire from afar.”

“Understood. Tina has learned.”

Su Xiaoxiao, who had been rushing to rescue Su Xiao Zi, suddenly halted mid-step.
That overwhelming déjà vu instantly dragged up every memory of the past, and embarrassment flooded her face.

Meanwhile, Tina stood there with a perfectly blank expression, showing zero reaction.
She had apparently seen Su Xiao Zi being cornered by Evran and wanted to help—but her method of helping was… just a little…

In an instant, both Su Xiao Zi and Evran froze as if struck by lightning.

Suddenly, Su Xiao Zi dropped the hands covering her eyes and shouted in utter disbelief,

“EH!!! Evran, are you actually a boy!?”

The shock even rattled Evran. She frantically denied it.

“No! I’m a girl! T-Tina, what are you saying!?”

“Tina, you really saw Evran’s—!?”

She didn’t know the full situation, but nodding first seemed correct—
Following that logic, Tina nodded decisively.

This triggered an even louder wave of questioning from Su Xiao Zi, mixed with Evran’s desperate explanations and protests.

O-Of course, Su Xiao Zi’s suspicion was mostly an act…
Because… she had accidentally seen it herself and could confirm—Evran was 100 % a girl.

Thanks to Tina’s surprise attack, Su Xiao Zi finally found her escape route.
While continuing to “question,” she somehow managed to get every last piece of clothing onto Evran without realizing it.

Evran also suddenly noticed she was now fully dressed…

She had been completely played.

Su Xiao Zi wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve and let out a long breath.

“Phew~ All dressed now. Evran, you bad little sister—you’re not allowed to tease Big Sis like that next time, okay? Or you’ll get a spanking~”

Evran bit her lip. She couldn’t believe that after cornering Su Xiao Zi so thoroughly, she’d been defeated by Tina’s sudden awakening and that final blow.

“G-Getting spanked by Big Sis… I’d be okay with that! If it’s Big Sis Xiao Zi…”

“Kyaaaa! Evran is way cuter than Xiaoxiao! But I’d actually spank you~”

Su Xiao Zi clutched her burning cheeks and squealed in overexcited delight.
Running into a little sister who perfectly matched her ideals—and even took the initiative—was hitting her right in the heart.

Meanwhile, Su Xiaoxiao, standing awkwardly in the living room, decided to sneak away while no one was looking.

You guys seem to be getting along great—no issues here. I’ll just slip back…
Best if Evran stays over there forever. If everyone’s having fun, she can stay a little longer.

A lot longer! Just don’t let Evran come near me!

Using Xiao Zi to contain Evran felt like the perfect win-win plan to Su Xiaoxiao.

However.

“Xiaoxiao~ So you’re home already♪”

Evran spotted her the moment she stepped out and called sweetly.

A chill ran down Su Xiaoxiao’s spine.

She covered her face with one hand, inching sideways toward her room while muttering,

“No, you’ve got the wrong person. I’m Su DaDa, not Su Xiaoxiao. Nothing to see here—good night, I’m going to bed.”

“Bed already? But you promised you’d play with me when we got home~ Boo hoo, Big Sis Xiao Zi, Xiaoxiao’s breaking her promise!”

“Eh? What’s that, Xiaoxiao? Breaking promises? Good kids aren’t supposed to lie! It’s still way too early for bed—go play with her a little.”

“Wha—!? What kind of betrayal is this!?”

‘Su Xiao Zi, you traitor—you fell for Evran’s little-sister act that easily!? Have some backbone!’

“Ehehe~ Home flowers can’t compare to wild flowers; rabbits don’t eat the grass near their burrow~
Huh? Why does that sound familiar? Did I say that myself once?’

When she turned back, Su Xiao Zi already had Evran wrapped in a full hug, nuzzling happily, little hearts practically floating above her head.

But Su Xiaoxiao completely failed to realize the gravity of “play with her a little.”

A strong sense of impending danger washed over her.

Weird… why do I suddenly feel a little upset watching my little sister hug another girl and make those weird happy noises?
Ugh, too bright. Can’t look.

I prefer staying alone in my room. Yep.

“Ehehe~ So soft——wait, Evran’s sleeping in my room tonight?”

Su Xiao Zi, still lost in little-sister bliss, suddenly snapped awake and shook her head awkwardly.

“Can’t she?”

“It’s not that she can’t, it’s just… right! Tina’s in my room too—it’d be a little cramped with three people.”

“Your room is plenty big, isn’t it?”

Su Xiao Zi released Evran, turned her gaze to the adorably blank Tina, locked eyes with deep affection, spread her arms, and hugged Tina instead.

With a dramatic sigh, she declared,

“Little Tina would get jealous if she saw me with another girl~”

Hey! Su Xiao Zi, why do you suddenly seem kind of scummy!? Hugging one, then the other!

“Th-Then what about me…?”
Evran deliberately put on a pitiful expression and asked the ultimate question.

Su Xiao Zi turned back with another affectionate smile, pulled Evran into the hug as well, and truly embraced both at once before delivering her soul-shaking answer—

“You’re both my wings.”

Su Xiaoxiao facepalmed. She couldn’t watch these two drama queens feeding off each other anymore.
With a flick of her little hand, she slammed her door shut.

Peace at last.

“Aaah, I was joking! Evran really can’t sleep in my room—I already have little Tina, and she really would get jealous!!!”