“Scrub.”
Sophie was stunned. What… what did this bratty little sister just call her?
The evening breeze swept across the canal in the old district, scattering the newly lit lights on both banks into a shimmering mass of golden specks.
Shironaka Fueno maintained that gentle, obedient, and flawless smile, as if she had merely provided the most objective and fair conclusion based on Elder Brother’s overall performance today.
As if to ensure Sophie hadn’t misheard her.
“Scrub!”
“Scrub!”
Shironaka Fueno repeated it slowly.
Sophie’s eyes gradually widened.
Little Yue was one thing; Sophie hadn’t told her her identity, plus she had spent over four hundred years doing nothing but shipping people from the moon. But on what grounds did Little Dino have to mock her?!
She was hurt. She was saddened. She was angry.
This dead bro-con of a bratty little sister.
It seemed it was time to make her understand.
An Elder Brother is an Elder Brother.
The majesty of an Elder Brother could not be defiled.
“Hiss—”
Sophie leaned down slightly, revealing her sharp little fangs, and let out a low, threatening hiss at Shironaka Fueno.
【Log: You have activated [Hiss-en-Dazs].】
【Log: Skill check failed.】
Shironaka Fueno, still wearing her scrub-mocking expression, blinked in surprise. She seemingly hadn’t expected Elder Brother to resort to such a primitive and direct method of retaliation. She blinked, then couldn't help but smile faintly.
However.
She didn't show a flustered expression like Kaila would, nor did she retreat from Sophie’s sudden proximity.
Miss Knight would indulge Elder Brother.
She would not.
Fueno leaned forward slightly, placing her hands behind her back, and closed the distance as she mimicked Sophie’s posture.
“Hiss—”
Sophie: “?”
The enemy not only refused to surrender but actually dared to strike back?
How dare you!
“Hiss!”
“Hiss—”
【Log: You have activated [Hiss-en-Dazs].】
【Log: Skill check failed.】
Sophie took half a step forward.
Shironaka Fueno also took half a step forward.
“Hiss!”
“Hiss.”
【Log: You have activated [Hiss-en-Dazs].】
【Log: Since [Shironaka Fueno] is very familiar with your personality, she is completely unaffected by your behavior.】
The two of them stood on the arched bridge of the old district, hissing at each other with dead-serious expressions.
Pedestrians heading home passed by, unable to stop themselves from looking back repeatedly. They likely couldn't fathom why these two young ladies—dressed in exquisite long gowns and matching top hats, looking like they had just stepped out of a noble’s manor—were engaged in such an intense exchange of etiquette by the bridge.
Sophie ignored the gazes of others.
Because she realized something.
She actually couldn't scare Shironaka Fueno.
The girl knew her too well. A normal level of hissing was indeed insufficient to shake the other's psychological defense.
As neither of them backed down, the distance between them grew smaller and smaller. First, they could feel each other's breath brushing against their cheeks as they spoke, and then even the tips of their noses were almost touching.
“Hiss—”
“Hiss—”
Sophie stared intently at Fueno.
Fueno looked back at her with equal seriousness.
Neither could be the first to retreat.
For an Elder Brother to lose to a little sister—how unbecoming.
For a little sister to lose to a scrub of an Elder Brother—equally unbecoming.
But looking at Fueno’s mock-serious expression, Sophie’s mind couldn't help but conjure up many scenes from the past.
Back then, Little Dino wasn't as flawless as she was now. When she taught Sophie how to manipulate strings, she always kept a stiff little face, acting like a strict teacher. But whenever Sophie accidentally got herself tangled into a ball by the silk threads, she would hide to the side, covering her mouth and giggling secretly.
Once discovered, she would immediately put on a stern face again.
After all, as the face of the Chenzhong family, she had to maintain her elegance at all times; she only showed her relaxed side in front of Sophie.
After so many years.
She was still the same.
The corner of Sophie’s mouth twitched.
Shironaka Fueno immediately caught this flaw and pressed her advantage—
“HISS!!!!!!”
“Pfft.”
Sophie couldn't hold it in. It was impossible. Seeing the usually lady-like Shironaka Fueno hissing so earnestly was just too funny.
In the next second, Fueno also turned her head away, her shoulders trembling slightly.
“Hahahaha, what was that face you just made?”
Sophie straightened up, laughing until she was out of breath.
“That expression was so stupid.”
“Elder Brother was the one who started it,” Fueno retorted softly.
The laughter on her face hadn't entirely faded, but her tone had already returned to its usual composure.
“Besides, Dino was only correcting Elder Brother’s mistaken perception.”
“What mistaken perception?”
“Elder Brother doesn't truly believe that simply showing your fangs and hissing can scare Dino, does he?”
“Well, that’s hard to say…”
Damn it.
Just wait until I level up this skill and upgrade it from hissing to Kick-Hissing.
Bratty little sister, let’s see if you can still move then.
Rate on N.U.
