Chapter 20: The First Date: A Sailor Uniform and a Leash

“Huh?”

Shi Yuan watched Xiao Xi, who had burst back into the room, with a flicker of surprise. It wasn’t his return itself that astonished her; that much was expected. Xiao Xi, like a fledgling leaving the nest, was bound to return to his sister’s side eventually.

But then…

What had he just called her? Had he really used her name?

Hmm?

The stray cat who had snuck out now dared to hiss at its owner upon returning home! This was truly… unforgivable!

Shi Yuan instantly adopted an angry expression. She looked at Xiao Xi and demanded, “What did you just call me?”

A sharp intake of breath—

Xiao Xi paused. His heart was seized with panic as he watched his sister already searching for a suitable weapon. What was he to do? He had accidentally blurted out his inner thoughts, and his tone must have been all wrong. Such insolence would surely earn him a harsh punishment from his sister, wouldn’t it?

“Um… I mean… Sister, let’s go on a date~”

“Hmm, that’s not bad~” Sister Yuan smiled as she picked up a rope. In that case, she could consider tying Xiao Xi a little looser. Just a little~

Uh… wait?

Shi Yuan replayed Xiao Xi’s words in her mind. She suddenly realized his statement wasn’t simple; there was a second half to it!

A date?

“A… a date?”

His sister’s thoughts instantly became a jumble. She lowered her head, a blush creeping up her face. ‘Hey, hey, hey, this isn’t right, is it? You’re still holding a rope!’

However, this was indeed a good opportunity for survival. No wonder Senior Sister had guaranteed he would emerge unscathed.

Xiao Xi seized the crucial point and continued: “That’s right! A date! It’s a date! Sister, we’re already together. I think… it’s time we went on one…”

“Pfft—”

Through his headphones, Senior Sister’s uncontrollable laughter erupted. It seemed to be mixed with Shi Meng’s disgruntled grumbling nearby…

‘Oh no, wait!’

‘It was over; he’d forgotten Senior Sister and the others could hear him! How embarrassing… They were hearing everything loud and clear. Seriously, it’s one thing not to offer any advice, but why are you stifling your laughter over there? Wasn’t this supposed to be assistance? How had it turned into a spectator sport?!’

“A date… mm, I’m so happy. Xiao Xi wants to go on a date with me. In that case… I’ll let you off this time~ Hmph hmph hmph~ La la la~”

His sister happily hummed a tune and bounced around. She hugged Xiao Xi, holding him tightly.

‘A date, yes, their first date should be taken seriously,’ she thought, deciding to dress up beautifully, to satisfy herself!

What? Why not satisfy Xiao Xi?

‘Because it wasn’t herself she was going to dress up, but Xiao Xi~’

“Xiao Xi, a date is certainly fine, but you need to wear something nice~ Why are you wearing your school uniform right now?”

“Um…” Xiao Xi slowly lowered his head. ‘How was he supposed to explain this? Do something, Senior Sister, little sister! Offer a suggestion! You can’t just leave me hanging like this, can you? Can you?’

“Come on, back to your room. I’ll pick out an outfit for you~”

His sister pushed Xiao Xi into the room.

Meanwhile, in the car, Senior Sister temporarily turned off the audio player. Shi Meng, looking a little nervous, urgently asked Senior Sister, “Why did you turn it off? I still want to listen! I’m so worried about Brother…”

“Ah, well…” Senior Sister looked a bit troubled. ‘Who knew what Xiao Xi was being led off to do? Changing clothes… surely nothing unsuitable for minors would happen, right? Oh, she was worldly enough, so it wouldn’t bother her. But she couldn’t let an innocent girl like Shi Meng listen to just anything. Best to take a break for now…’

****

After some waiting, Senior Sister still couldn’t suppress her curiosity. It should be almost time for the climax… ah, no, he should have finished changing by now, right? She’d turn it back on and listen~

“Sister, this… this sailor uniform is so strange. The skirt is too short, boohoo… My butt, it doesn’t even cover my butt.”

Xiao Xi looked at the petite girl in the sailor uniform reflected in the mirror. He fell into deep thought.

‘This, this, this… Was this really something he could wear outside? It was too, too girlish!’

‘No way. The blue and white top highlighted youth, and the white over-the-knee socks symbolized purity, but that ridiculously short skirt seemed to tempt others’ desires. This, this, this…’

‘If he saw a girl dressed like this on the street, he would stare at her without hesitation! How could such a petite girl… how could that possibly be him?’

Xiao Xi dared not look at the girl in the mirror. His sister hugged him from behind, patting his head, and comforted him, “It’s alright~ A date, isn’t it about showing your best side to the other person? Xiao Xi, don’t make such a bitter face. You should smile~”

“Smile…” ‘He was already too shy to begin with, and now smile? He felt like he was about to lose all the dignity a boy should have! But he couldn’t disobey his sister either, or he’d be punished again…’

“Ha ha… ha—”

Uh…

Xiao Xi managed a professional, fake smile. His sister nodded in satisfaction. ‘Hmm, this look, well, it’s a bit robotic, but it’s much cuter than his bitter face from before.’

So~ as a reward, Xiao Xi gets a leash~

His sister suddenly produced a leash. She fastened it to the collar she had already put on Xiao Xi.

Xiao Xi looked utterly bewildered.

“Sister…” Before Xiao Xi could speak, his sister gave a gentle tug. Pulled by the leash, Xiao Xi helplessly tumbled into his sister’s embrace.

“Heh heh, Xiao Xi, this is a reward~ When we go out later, walk with me wearing this.”

“Oh no, no, no, the police uncle will catch us, won’t they? Sister, if you don’t want to get arrested, you’d better… Cough, cough, don’t, don’t pull so tight, Sister! I was wrong, I was really wrong—”

“Hmph, my wife, I’ll do whatever I want with you. Don’t think just because you look like a little girl, I won’t dare to punish you in public, Xiao Xi~ We’ve even had a wedding, you haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“I know…” Xiao Xi lowered his head. ‘But inwardly, he was still indignant. This… his sister was truly an audacious lawbreaker. Even though he was a boy, he was still a minor. And now, looking just like a little girl, to be led out like this… Forget being suspected of being involved with the kink community, his sister’s actions alone would surely attract well-meaning Good Samaritans!’

“Hmm…” His sister pondered for a moment. Ultimately, she untied the leash. The collar, however, remained on. She instructed Xiao Xi, “When we go out later, hold my hand. Don’t get lost, and I won’t use the leash.”

‘See? She chickened out after all, didn’t she? And why does she sound guilty about not using the leash? Be serious! I’m really not a dog!’

Xiao Xi internally critiqued his sister, but in the end, he could only silently put on his shoes and let his sister lead him out by the hand.

‘Wait, what was the date supposed to be for again?’

“By the way, Sister, I… I bought two movie tickets.”

“Oh? How thoughtful~ My Xiao Xi is so proactive this time. Have you completely fallen in love with your sister?”

“Ah…” What a strange, teasing question. Xiao Xi didn’t reply. He pulled out the movie tickets, deciding to check what movie it was first…

A sharp intake of breath—