These Dangerous Girls Placed Me Into Jeopardy-Chapter 2Vol 3. : I Held My Sister’s Feet in My Hands

“...I told you, just call me by name directly.”

“...Fine, suit yourself. It’s not like you’ll ever change.”

I’ve said it a dozen times already.

“My apologies, Lord Ethan. As always, I stand just behind your side, like a shadow...”

I didn’t even look at the wound on her back earlier—she probably has some way of healing it on her own.

In my mind... it’s clear. All of this is so she can stay by my side.

The others were transferred to single rooms because of hospital capacity, and Rainie also got her own room.

Shirley said she’ll still be around most of the time.

It’s just that she doesn’t let herself be seen by anyone. I don’t know how she does it—maybe some stealth technique—but only when it’s just the two of us, like this, does she show herself and speak to me.

It’s like... a ninja guarding her lord.

Rainie’s obsession with me is that deep.

If this counts as some kind of chuunibyou, then it’s way past terminal stage—hopeless.

She’s too serious. She really is.

She tries to protect me while also minimizing any disturbance to my daily life.

That’s why if I don’t speak to her, she won’t speak to me.

But today... she looked like she had something she wanted to say.

I scratched my cheek and tilted my head.

“...Hey, do you have something to say?”

Rainie paused, her face darkened a little.

“...Forgive my rudeness. Lord Ethan, you were with that woman again just now, weren’t you?”

“...You mean Lillian?”

Definitely not talking about Nurse Jie. That only leaves one person—Lillian Ji.

“Now that we’re back to our normal lives, isn’t it time to cut ties with that woman?”

Break up with her, huh...

It’s not like we were officially together or anything. And besides, I don’t have any reason to break things off.

Sure, there’s a massive gap between us in terms of what we are, but...

Still, there’s this weird, baseless confidence.

What if we end up... meeting each other’s families?

Rainie saw I wasn’t taking it seriously at all and doubled down.

“That woman is dangerous. The more beautiful something is, the more deadly. Things that seem harmless on the outside often carry venom within. You should understand that well enough.”

“Well... she has changed a lot, you know. She’s been really kind to me this past month.”

I used to be scared to death of her.

But now... all that fear is gone. I even want to get closer to her.

So who’s changed—her, or me?

“That’s just a disguise. Her true nature hasn’t changed in the slightest.”

I wanted to argue back, but I had nothing. Because what Rainie said... was true.

I can see it—her true title. I know exactly what she is.

She’s still the [Necrophiliac Killer].

But as long as Lillian doesn’t try to hurt me, I won’t push her away.

“...Even so, I can’t just abandon her like that.”

Rainie still looked unconvinced.

She lives for me, breathes for me. But her obsession is so firm it can’t be shaken.

Since I clearly wasn’t getting through to her, I figured I’d leave her alone to sort herself out.

Even so, Rainie kept following behind me, a little further back now—like a real shadow.

Around eight in the evening, I arrived at the front door of my house and came to a stop.

Still lost in thought, Rainie didn’t notice and bumped straight into my back.

“...My apologies. I was... thinking.”

I turned and patted her head.

“Wanna come in and sit for a while? Serena would probably be happy to see you.”

Rainie used to be part of our little trio when Serena and I were kids. They got along well too. But ever since we got to the hospital, Rainie’s been avoiding my sisters altogether, so she hasn’t seen Serena even once.

As expected, she shook her head.

“No need.”

“...Alright then. I’ll head in.”

I waved and opened the door.

The house was dead silent.

...Don’t tell me no one’s home?

Mom’s shoes were in the cabinet, so she must be here.

Dad’s still at the hospital—he was handling my discharge paperwork.

She must be asleep. It’s Sunday, after all. She didn’t show up once at the hospital. Probably still shaken by what happened.

Those possessed freaks, and the spirits manipulating them from the shadows, probably don’t dare move anymore. One wrong move, and—

They’ll burn for it.

...That’s good, though. It means Mom’s long overtime hell might finally be over.

I’d better keep quiet. Don’t wanna wake her up.

I took off my shoes and walked upstairs without putting on slippers.

Suddenly, déjà vu.

I remember—there was a time I got knocked out in the park, woke up late at night...

I came home super quietly to avoid waking anyone. Didn’t even wear slippers.

Then I ran into Serena on the second floor—she’d been waiting for me.

Could it happen again...?

That strange feeling lingered.

It was like I already knew what was going to happen. Half-dazed, I climbed the stairs.

But Serena wasn’t there.

“...Hah.”

What am I thinking? Getting worked up over déjà vu like it’s some kind of prophecy... so chuunibyou.

A familiar voice hit my ears.

From where?

Behind me.

I turned.

...Of course she was there.

Then why didn’t she answer earlier? Did she not hear me?

“So you were home, huh.”

She set her shoulder bag on the floor and unzipped it.

As she pulled out her toiletries, she asked,

“Why are you so surprised? I only found out you were discharged from that omniscient Shirley lady.”

“So you didn’t know I’d be back today... you’ve just been waiting like this every day?”

So she wasn’t expecting me specifically today.

She was just waiting every day. Just in case.

That hit me hard.

That wait must’ve felt like forever. Not even knowing if I’d ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) come back... my sister...

I almost cried.

“It’s not a dream, Serena. I’m really here.”

“...Yeah. So it’s not a dream. Then, even though it’s late... welcome back, big brother.”

“Mm. I’m home.”

That cold, ice-carved face of hers melted in an instant. The corner of her lips curled up, soft and warm, like a March breeze brushing past every nerve.

Yeah... my sister really is the most beautiful.

Other people’s sisters can’t even begin to compare.

I’m not even a siscon... but a sister like this—how could anyone not love her?

As long as she doesn’t cross any lines, Serena’s the ideal sister.

Now, where’s my other cute sister?

“...Right, where’s Cora? Out somewhere?”

If she were home, she would’ve already launched herself into my arms the second I walked in.

So if she didn’t appear, then that only means one thing—Cora’s not home.

I even made it upstairs and still no sign of her.

I guess... she has a lot of friends. Staying home with me every weekend probably wasn’t fair to her anyway.

She’s the outgoing type who likes going out with friends.

That’s normal.

But... still kind of lonely.

When someone who’s always there isn’t anymore, it leaves this weird feeling behind.

Serena must’ve noticed my expression. She tilted her head.

“Want me to call her?”

“No need. If she’s out with friends, let her be.”

It’s just me getting discharged. Not worth making a fuss over.

Sure, I feel a little lonely without anyone to greet me... but at least—

At least you’re here, sitting by my door, waiting for me to come back.

After putting her toiletries and towel away in the bathroom, I slung my bag back over my shoulder and said,

“Serena, move over. I’m going to my room.”

The staircase in our house isn’t wide. Two people can barely squeeze through side-by-side.

And with Serena sitting dead center like that, it was impossible to pass.

“Let me through.”

“...If you want to go up, just go.”

“I can’t—because you’re in the way!”

“Then just... go up.”

...Looks like she’s in a good mood. She even has the energy to mess around with me.

I looked up at Serena, sitting at the top of the stairs. She looked down at me, face as unreadable as always.

But somehow... it felt different today.

The most obvious thing was her outfit.

She was still wearing her signature black stockings.

It’s May already. The weather’s gotten warm. That should be unbearable by now.

And yet, here she was.

At home, no less.

She’d usually peel them off indoors. But not today. And she was wearing a knee-length skirt too.

She always wore shorts at home.

If the old Serena was cold and indifferent, then now... she had something else. A kind of mysterious allure?

Yeah. Because I didn’t recognize this look, it felt mysterious.

Alright. Time to re-learn everything about my little sister.

Thinking that, I climbed the stairs and stood in front of her.

...Wait. Up close, her underwear...

It was semi-transparent today...?

Serena usually wore weird, heartbeat-killing colors, totally unsexy.

But today—

What the hell is wrong with me?

Just this morning I was staring at Lillian’s chest, and now I can’t take my eyes off Serena’s feet...

I can’t control my damn eyes anymore.

Like I was possessed, I gazed at her feet—and unconsciously leaned closer.

“If you want to go past... then carry me down.”

She pretended to hold up a sign like a traffic cop, and placed her hands on her knees, resting her chin on them. Her calves relaxed back onto her thighs—and a strand of hair peeked playfully out from that inner triangle...

Her long legs, wrapped in black stockings. And her translucent panties, right in my line of sight.

That contrast was overwhelming.

I don’t even know why I...

Maybe it was just because Serena felt different today. That mysterious temptation...

Almost like instinct—I took two steps forward, and got down on one knee.

They were too beautiful. I couldn’t resist. I reached out.

I held those feet with both hands.

I couldn’t not hold them.

How could I let her feet hang in midair, unsupported?

With one hand, I held her soles. Her feet twitched slightly from my touch.

My other hand slid from heel to arch, then back.

Like I was trying to tear through the stockings, my fingers pressed into the crevices of her toes, then suddenly...

I started stroking those beautiful legs.

“These stockings are getting hot... my legs feel warm inside.”

...I seriously couldn’t stop myself.

Why the hell am I touching my sister’s legs?!

“My calves are gonna catch fire, big brother. If you’re gonna touch... go higher.”

Saying that, Serena slowly stretched out her long legs—as if to make it easier for me.

Above the calf is... of course, the thigh.

Far fuller. Softer.

I wanted to touch it. Play with it. Wrap it in my hands.

This place that no one is allowed to touch—only I can go there.

Stepping into the irresistible swamp of “my sister’s legs.”

“Big brother, take them off.”

Yeah... if I peel off this layer of “skin,” I can savor the “meat” underneath—

Click.

The sound of the door opening made my whole body jolt. I fell backward, tumbling down the stairs.

Thud-thud-thud!

“Ah—ahahaha...”

Goddamn it, what the hell was I just doing...!?