"I say, have you been secretly binge-watching shows behind my back lately?" Lucas complained with a hint of disbelief.
[The simulator must also keep pace with the times, constantly collecting materials and information to build varied storylines.]
Wow, AI writing scripts now?
"I thought only the artist circles were hit hard by AI…" Lucas murmured. "So, how do you come up with these storylines?"
[That's top secret. Enough chatter, pick your talents quickly.]
Lucas stopped arguing with the system and started examining the talents.
This time, the simulator's talents were quite "stingy," with the highest grade only purple, and some effects seemed oddly vague.
A little sister?
He had no idea what kind of sister it would be—after all, sisters come in many varieties.
Biological, adopted, useful, useless, controllable, uncontrollable…
Honestly, starting with a kinship talent was pretty rare. In previous simulators, as the protagonist, Lucas never had a complete family; relatives always tended to dwindle.
Just by looking at these talents, Lucas suspected his character's growth ceiling in this simulator wouldn't be very high. After some thought, he finally picked three talents:
[Flower Charm Expert], [Commoner], and [My Sister Can't Be This Cute].
With these talents, at least he could live a peaceful life as an ordinary citizen.
Of course, that was just Lucas's wishful thinking.
After all, this was an "Villain Life Simulator." No matter how the start goes, the character's path would inevitably be tinged with some darkness.
[Talent selection complete, simulator officially starting.]
[Age 0: You were born in a fishing village on a remote island. Like most villagers, your parents make a living by fishing and selling fish. Life is simple and poor, but peaceful.]
[Age 1: Your father is a skilled fisherman. Because his name contains the character "Qiang" (meaning strong), his nickname is "Fish Seller Qiang." Every time he returns from sea, he brings back more fish than other boats. Your mother sells them, and you grew up in the fish stall. The first word you learned wasn't "Dad" or "Mom," but "Hua" (flower).]
[Age 2: Like other kids in the village, you have no chance for schooling. The most familiar scent to you is the smell of fish.]
[Age 3: As usual, your father returned by fishing boat. But this time, besides a boat full of catch, he also brought back another "catch"—a newborn baby girl.]
[He said she was found on a nearby abandoned island. That island had seen war long ago; it still has an old, broken cannon named "Kunikuzushi." Thus, the island is called "Kunikuzushi Island."]
[Your kind and honest father couldn't bear to leave the baby to die on the island, so he brought her home. After a brief discussion with your mother, they agreed to adopt her—after all, it was just one more mouth to feed.]
["A little girl can eat quite a few fish, you know?" The simple couple couldn't abandon this cute baby. So, you, still too young to understand, somehow ended up with a little sister (Talent 'My Sister Can't Be This Cute' activated).]
[Because your parents are uneducated and bad at naming, your father simply named the baby after the island she was found on—Kunikuzushi. Although your mother complained that it hardly sounds like a girl's name, compared to other strange names, it was at least somewhat acceptable.]
What the heck?
Lucas never expected the system to give him a sister named "Kunikuzushi."
Honestly, that sister's energy is a bit overwhelming.
[Age 4: The arrival of your sister has made life much more interesting. Even at your young age, you can help your parents take care of her—changing diapers and such. Though you vaguely sense this sudden sister came out of nowhere, you still treat her as your most important family member.]
[Age 5: You haven't been to school but you're clever and adorable. From an early age, you've learned to attract business with your cute face and innocent eyes. Your fish stall's business is booming, especially among the nearby aunts and married women, who love to come buy fish from you (Talent 'Flower Charm Expert' activated).]
Hey, hey, this talent is supposed to attract the opposite sex of this age group?
I don't want to be some middle-aged ladies' idol! I'm not Feng Gong!
[Age 6: Your sister Kunikuzushi is already three years old. But unlike other kids, although she's cute, she has a fiery temper. She often makes other children cry, and only you and your parents can somewhat keep her in check.]
[Age 7: At your request, your father finally agrees to take you out to sea and teach you fishing. You're not ambitious—your dream is just to become a good fisherman like your dad and live a simple, peaceful life in the small fishing village.]
[Luckily, your fishing talent isn't exceptional but not bad either. You quickly grasp the techniques, but due to your age and strength, many tasks are too difficult. By the time you return home, you're exhausted and your skin is several shades darker from the harsh sun. Your sister Kunikuzushi laughs, "Big brother turned into a big black fish!"]
[Your father pats your head and says with pride, "Good. You're a qualified son of the sea now." At that moment, exhausted from a day's work, you finally cry like a normal kid.]
[Age 8: Over the year, you often go to sea with your father. Though young, your body is strong. You swim like a black fish, constantly improving your fishing skills. You believe it won't be long before your family can buy a bigger fishing boat.]
[You thought life would continue peacefully and carefree like this, but misfortune strikes unexpectedly. One time, while out at sea with your father, you encountered a band of pirates…]
[Pirates near the remote island were nothing unusual. Rather than true pirates, they were more like sea thugs who made a living by raiding passing merchant and fishing boats. Fortunately, these pirates generally only stole goods and rarely harmed people.]
[When your father saw the pirate ship approaching, he tried to stay calm. Before the pirates boarded your fishing boat, just to be safe, he told you to hide on the deck and not make a sound no matter what happened.]
[It wasn't your first time encountering pirates. Usually, after grabbing the fish catch and other supplies, they would leave, sometimes even leaving food and water behind. After all, even pirates know that overfishing is foolish. To them, they weren't robbers, just collectors of protection fees. Of course, without them, you wouldn't need protection at all.]
[You thought this time would be like before—the pirates would take the day's catch and leave. But unexpectedly, they seemed to have drunk quite a bit, and since the catch wasn't much, it angered the already drunk pirates. Soon, hiding beneath the deck, you heard the sounds of shoving and angry curses.]
[Then came the sound of drawn katanas slicing through flesh, followed by wild, mocking laughter—and your father's agonized cries.]
[You hid beneath the deck, unable to see what was happening above, but a deep unease settled in your heart. Soon, you felt sticky, foul-smelling liquid trickling through the cracks in the deck, landing on your cheek—it was blood!]
[Overwhelmed by terror, you nearly screamed out, but remembered your father's warning. You quickly covered your mouth, stifling the scream in your throat, yet the fear was too great, and you fainted.]
[You don't know how long passed before you slowly woke. The deck above was quiet, and the sky had darkened. Without hesitation, you rushed to the deck—and there, lying cold and lifeless, was your father's body.]
[You stood there in shock, looking at his body riddled with blood holes, the blood already clotted. This horrifying sight was unbearable. You shook him, imagining he'd pat your head like before.]
[But there was no response except his stiffening body. You noticed his hand was clenched tight, as if holding something. Summoning all your strength, you pried open the stiff fist—and inside was a small token, likely snatched from the pirates when they weren't paying attention.]
[You carefully pocketed the token. You never saw what those pirates looked like. This token was your only proof for revenge. Gathering your courage, your small frame steered the fishing boat back to the village, only to pass out from exhaustion. Before fainting, you thought you heard your mother and sister crying.]
[Age 9: Your father's death dealt a heavy blow to your family, but life had to go on. Determined to act like a man, you took on the responsibility of supporting the family. You became the youngest fisherman going to sea, but the work was no easier than the adults'.]
[Age 10: Losing your father made you a target for bullying in the village. The mischievous kids often mocked you and your sister. You tried to endure it, but Kunikuzushi couldn't take it anymore. One day, fed up, she picked up a rock and smashed it on the leader's head. When everyone was shocked at the blood streaming down his head, you grabbed a nearby wooden stick and charged into the crowd alongside Kunikuzushi.]
["Avoid fighting when you can, but if you must fight, then fight hard." This was one of the few "life lessons" your seemingly simple father taught you siblings. Now, you and Kunikuzushi lived by it.]
[Fights among children were usually simpler affairs. The bullies, terrified, forgot how to resist. More than ten kids fled from just you two.]
[What surprised you even more was that Kunikuzushi was the main force. Though younger and a girl, she fought like a rabid dog—locking onto a target and hitting with all her might. If she were stronger, it wouldn't be impossible that she might have seriously hurt some kids.]
[After this "battle," you and your sister somehow became the leaders of your village's kids. The kids who once mocked you became your "little brothers." Of course, they feared Kunikuzushi the most. Beneath her cute face lay a temperament like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.]
[Age 11: With the help of your "little brothers," business at your fish stall improved greatly. Sometimes you'd take your father's token and try to find information related to it. However, in your small fishing village, no one recognized the token.]
[Age 12: You gathered a few trusted "little brothers" and started fishing on your own. The older fishermen mocked you as mere kids, saying you couldn't survive alone in the big sea.]
[But when your boat returned fully loaded, their mouths were shut. That night, staring out at the endless dark sea, you silently promised your father you'd take good care of your family.]
[Age 14: After two years of hard work, you not only kept the family afloat but also bought two new fishing boats, organizing a small fishing fleet. You gradually established a foothold in the village. In these remote places where the Shogunate's officials rarely tread, different clans often form small factions to protect themselves. You and Kunikuzushi became the "big shots" of your village. People nearby gave you a nickname—the "Mad Dog Siblings."]
[At 15 years old: Though you had firmly established yourself in your fishing village, constant friction brewed between your village and others nearby. Whether competing for fishing waters or market business, the fishing villages around the island had been at odds for centuries.]
[Some villages traced their roots to pirates, with fierce folk and, given their distance from Shogunate control, fights would often break out at the slightest provocation, creating a chaotic atmosphere.]
[Among these villages, the most arrogant were the "Dragon-Tiger Brothers" from the "Wild Village." They had trained in a dojo for a few years, and their skills were quite good. Gathering a gang of thugs, they secretly ruled the island's fish market. All the fish stall owners had to pay protection fees monthly, or face various reprisals.]
[However, your reputation alongside Kunikuzushi was steadily rising. Many fish stall owners and fishermen, long exploited by the Dragon-Tiger Brothers, began seeking your help. As for your choice...]
[1. Refuse to help, to avoid becoming enemies with the Dragon-Tiger Brothers.]
[2. Lend a hand, and stand against the Dragon-Tiger Brothers.]
Was there really a choice?
Just do it.
"I choose the second option."
[You chose to help them, which officially declared war on the Dragon-Tiger Brothers. You knew in your heart that sooner or later, they would come looking for trouble.]
[What you didn't expect was how soon that day would come. One day, while selling fish at your stall, Little Tiger—the younger brother of the Dragon-Tiger Brothers—came knocking.]
[Entering Immersive Mode]
[Mission Objective: Eliminate the Dragon-Tiger Brothers]
When Lucas regained consciousness, before he even opened his eyes, a sharp fishy smell already hit his nostrils.
Sure enough, he was in the middle of a fish stall, surrounded by water tanks filled with fish. In his hand, he was holding a freshly scaled sea fish, not quite dead, still futilely wagging its tail.
Beside him was a purple-haired girl about twelve or thirteen years old. Her short hair gave her a somewhat boyish vibe, but it couldn't hide her exceptional beauty. Even as a humble fish vendor in this remote market, her aura was remarkable.
Of course, she was none other than his sister, Kunikuzushi, who looked very much like the Kunikuzushi from the simulator, just younger.
"Business is good, little brother Lucas," came a somewhat cheeky voice from behind Lucas. It was a lean young man who looked no older than eighteen or nineteen. Though young, his eyes held a hint of coldness, and a prominent scar ran above his lip. He was the younger brother of the Dragon-Tiger Brothers.
His smirking expression clearly showed he meant trouble.
Kunikuzushi didn't hesitate—she grabbed a nearby fish scaler. Lucas calmly placed a hand on her shoulder, shook his head, then turned to face Little Tiger with a smile.
"Well, if it isn't Little Tiger. What brings you to my little fish stall?"
"Of course, to buy fish," Little Tiger grinned. "How much for this flower tuna per catty?"
"Twenty thousand Mora per catty," Lucas answered.
Little Tiger laughed. "Is that fish skin made of gold? Or are the scales gold?"
"Do you see any flower tuna around here?" Lucas raised an eyebrow. "These are caught in the open sea. I think it's expensive, and you think it's expensive too."
Little Tiger nodded. "Pick me one."
Lucas knew Little Tiger wasn't really here to buy fish—he was probably looking for a fight. But he held his ground, grabbed a flower tuna, and asked, "How about this one?"
Little Tiger squinted. "You guarantee this fish will stay alive?"
Lucas sneered, "I run a fish stall. You think I'd sell you a dead fish?"
Yet Little Tiger asked again, "I'm asking you—will this fish stay alive?"
The tension in the air thickened. Little Tiger's words were a provocation, trying to bait Lucas into giving him an excuse to strike.
Before Lucas could respond, Kunikuzushi couldn't hold back. She threw the flower tuna in front of Little Tiger and snapped, "Are you looking for trouble? Take it or leave it!"
"Who said you get to talk here?" Little Tiger's eyes scanned Kunikuzushi up and down, a wicked smile creeping across his face. "Your sister's looking prettier every day. Why sell fish here? Why not send her to the red-light district on Yoshiwara Street? One night there would pay for a month's worth of rotten fish sales! Ha ha ha!"
"First, all the fish at our stall are fresh—never rotten," Lucas smiled as he stepped in front of Little Tiger, holding a fish-killing knife. "Second, you can insult me all you want, but don't insult my family."
"What if I do? You're just a stinking fish seller," Little Tiger sneered, tightening his grip on Lucas's hand and pressing the knife against his stomach. "You got the guts? Try stabbing me."
Before he finished, a "shing" sound rang out. The knife had already plunged into his belly. For a moment, Little Tiger couldn't believe it. When he saw the blade sticking out, he let out a howl. "Smash... smash that fish stall!"
Immediately, seven or eight men armed with weapons stepped out from the crowd. Clearly, Little Tiger had planted them nearby, ready to attack at a moment's notice.
"Kunikuzushi," Lucas whispered, "remember what Dad said?"
"Of course," she sneered, gripping the fish scaler tightly. "If you have to fight, then fight hard!"
The fish stall, reeking of blood and fish, instantly erupted into chaos.
Lucas knew this fight was inevitable. Better to seize the initiative than wait for the other side to strike first. Among those thugs, only Little Tiger had real skills—and now he'd been stabbed, temporarily out of commission. The rest should be easier to handle.
Though the "Dragon-Tiger Brothers" name sounded fearsome, it was quickly clear to the thugs that the "Mad Dog Siblings" were the ones you really didn't want to mess with.
Without the ability to use his real-world strength inside the simulator, Lucas was at a disadvantage because of his young age. But his rich combat experience had become muscle memory. With a fish-killing knife in hand, he moved with precision, easily driving his opponents into painful retreat.
If he hadn't needed to watch over Kunikuzushi, this fight would have been much simpler.
Little Tiger gritted his teeth, clutching his belly, but the expression on his face grew increasingly shocked.
He had heard about this brother-sister duo and knew they could fight, but no matter how he thought about it, he never expected them to be this fierce.
Looking at the brother's skills, there was no way this kid was just fifteen or sixteen years old. As for the smaller girl… despite her age, when she fought, she was even crazier than her brother—her slender body agile and fast, striking multiple times without a shred of mercy.
Of course, it was thanks to Lucas blocking the blows that Kunikuzushi hadn't ended up covered in wounds. With her wild fighting style, she probably would've been battered badly otherwise.
"Everyone stop right now!"
Just as the two groups were about to come to blows, a sharp command rang out, the overwhelming pressure instantly silencing both sides.
A black-and-purple haired girl appeared at the fish stall, followed by a squad of Tengu Mercenaries. She frowned, waving away the lingering stench of fish. "I'm Kujou Sara, Squad Leader of the Tengu Mercenaries. You lot causing trouble on the streets and disturbing the peace—come with me."
Sara again?
This simulator really did have an inexplicable connection to her.
However, this Sara wasn't the current active Tengu Mercenary general in the real world. She looked younger, maybe just a few years older than Lucas, and her rank was only Squad Leader, clearly less experienced.
Still, her presence was formidable. With the well-equipped Tengu soldiers behind her, the thugs who had been fighting the siblings immediately quieted down.
"This lady, you're seeing things wrong!" Little Tiger forced a pained smile, clutching his abdomen. "This kid was the one who struck first, my men just backed me up. If you want to arrest anyone, arrest them!"
"Two half-grown kids randomly stirring up trouble with you thugs?" Sara snorted coldly. "Right or wrong, I'll sort it out. All of you, come with me!"
"Wait!"
Kunikuzushi darted forward. "I'll go with you, but you have to treat my brother's injuries first."
Indeed, though Lucas retained his combat experience, his body's limits and the need to protect Kunikuzushi meant he'd taken several cuts. Not exactly life-threatening, but he was bleeding enough to look pitiful.
Little Tiger sneered inside. He'd dealt with the Tengu Mercenaries before, knew Sara's usual cold severity. Even with a stab wound in his stomach, Lucas wouldn't get any special treatment from her.
Sure enough, Sara replied coldly, "Everyone here is injured in some way. Before interrogation, all wounds will be treated uniformly."
"No!" Kunikuzushi clutched Lucas tightly. "What if my brother dies?"
To be honest, even if this sister was a bit wild, Lucas could never fault her.
"Afraid of dying? Then don't fight," Sara said flatly. "Besides, he won't die."
"Sara, don't be so harsh," a graceful silver-haired woman suddenly stepped out from behind Sara. She looked slightly younger than Sara, roughly between Lucas's and Kunikuzushi's ages.
Despite her youth, her presence was strong as she smiled softly. "How about this—let me interrogate these siblings, and you take the others?"
"Lady Ayaka…" Sara's face flickered with hesitation. "This kind of thing is usually the Tengu Mercenaries' job…"
That's right. This woman was none other than Kamisato Ayaka!
Lucas wondered why Ayaka and Sara were mixed up together.
"Brother sent me out today to patrol with the Tengu Mercenaries and learn about the people's livelihood," Ayaka said calmly. "This is a good opportunity. If I don't get any answers, you can take over."
Though Sara was the adopted daughter of the Kujou family head Kujou Takayuki, Ayaka was the official Kamisato family heiress. By status alone, Sara had to give her face, so she reluctantly said, "Then these two are yours."
Ayaka nodded and was about to approach Lucas and Kunikuzushi, but two Tengu Mercenary soldiers immediately flanked her, as if afraid the "little ruffians" might harm the lady.
"You can step back. No need to worry about me," Ayaka shook her head, smiling. "Please come with me—I have high-grade Golden Wound Ointment that can help heal your injuries first."
Lucas felt a bit confused. By the rules of the simulator, he and Ayaka should be meeting for the first time. Why would she care so much for a smelly little fish seller like him?
Seeing this, Little Tiger and his gang instantly started protesting, "Unfair! Why do they get special treatment? We want good medicine too!"
"Don't worry," Sara shot them a cold glance. "My subordinates will 'take good care' of you."
…
As promised, Ayaka brought the siblings to the interrogation room. She handed the Golden Wound Ointment to Lucas and cleared the room so Kunikuzushi could treat her brother's wounds.
Kunikuzushi opened the exquisite medicine box and looked at the fine powder inside. "Brother, this medicine looks pretty good."
Lucas glanced at the powder. Though he didn't have the [Medical Sage] talent active, his accumulated medical knowledge told him this ointment was expensive—likely a noble's special supply. He smiled, "This Golden Wound Ointment is valuable stuff. It'd be a waste to use it all on me. Sneak some into your pocket for emergencies."
"What waste?" Kunikuzushi didn't hesitate to spread the powder on Lucas's back, fuming, "You're my brother—you deserve the best!"
"Though I'm touched by what you said…" Lucas laughed helplessly, "Can you go a little easier? I think my wounds are getting worse..."
"Don't worry, you're not going to die."
Though Kunikuzushi said this, her hands immediately softened their movements. She gritted her teeth and growled, "What nonsense 'Dragon-Tiger brothers'? Once we get out of here, we're definitely teaching them a lesson."
"We'll see about that later," Lucas replied calmly. "I'm more curious about the results of this interrogation."
As the Golden Wound Ointment was applied to his injuries, Lucas felt a cool sensation, and the dull pain faded considerably.
"Next time we get into a fight, don't do it like this," Kunikuzushi scolded, tending to his wounds. "Every time you do this, I don't even know how many times you had to take hits for me."
Lucas turned and gently ruffled her hair, smiling, "Who else am I supposed to be but your big brother?"
"That's still not okay!" she bit her lip. "You're the only family I have besides Mom. What would we do if you got killed?"
"Don't go cursing me like that!" Lucas chuckled helplessly. "Don't worry, I've checked my fate—I'm destined for wealth and honor. I'm not dying anytime soon."
"Always acting tough…" Kunikuzushi snorted. "But, big brother, don't you think it's strange?"
Lucas cocked his head. "What's strange?"
"It's that Kamisato family heiress," Kunikuzushi said, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Someone so high and mighty—why is she so nice to us?"
"Who knows?" Lucas grinned mischievously. "Maybe she saw how handsome I am and fell for me at first sight?"
"Cut it out!" Kunikuzushi smacked his back again. "How could she like a fish seller like you?"
In the simulator before, Lucas hadn't had a sister, just a 'somewhat special' older sister like Saiguu. So this 'sister' Kunikuzushi was a whole new experience.
They chatted and laughed a little more, when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Kamisato Ayaka walked in, smiling gently.
"Looks like your wounds are mostly taken care of. Ready to start the interrogation?"
"Of course," Lucas nodded. "Also, thank you, Lady Kamisato, for the medicine."
"My brother is innocent!" Kunikuzushi blurted out. "Can you… not interrogate him?"
"Don't worry, it's just a few simple questions. If your brother is innocent, I won't wrong him," Ayaka assured her. "Little one, please wait outside."
"Eh?" Kunikuzushi hesitated. "Can't I stay?"
"Procedurally, it's not allowed," Ayaka said with a hint of sympathy. "I know you care about your brother, but…"
"Kunikuzushi, you should go," Lucas said. "It'll be fine."
With her brother's words, Kunikuzushi sighed and stepped out.
"I didn't hear wrong, did I?" Ayaka asked cautiously once the door closed. "Your sister… is called Kunikuzushi?"
It was odd indeed—after all, that was the name of a cannon. In Teyvat, it'd be like naming a girl 'Flying Missile.'
"Country folk don't have much culture, names are just thrown together," Lucas chuckled. "Definitely not as nice as noble names."
"I actually think it's… pretty good," Ayaka smiled faintly. "The interrogation on Sara's side is nearly done. I have a rough idea of the situation, so your answers in the next round will decide how you're dealt with."
Though she smiled, Lucas felt an invisible pressure. He nodded, "I'll answer truthfully."
"Did you start the fight with Doujima Tora?" Ayaka asked directly.
Doujima—that was the surname of the Dragon-Tiger brothers.
Lucas hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Yes. Because he insulted my sister."
"Even so, you shouldn't have hit first," Ayaka sighed. "If there's punishment, the one who initiates bears most of the responsibility."
"His goal was to provoke me," Lucas said calmly. "Even if I kept holding back, he kept pushing. You've seen—he had his men ready, just waiting for me to strike."
"As I suspected," Ayaka nodded thoughtfully. "One last question—not part of the interrogation, but from me personally… If you could do it over again, would you still stab him?"
"Of course," Lucas said firmly without hesitation. "If I could stand by while my sister was insulted… what kind of man would I be?"
Ayaka blinked, then smiled softly. "Do you know why I'm treating you kindly?"
"Kunikuzushi asked me the same thing," Lucas laughed. "Is it because I'm handsome?"
"That's part of it," Ayaka covered her mouth, giggling. "But more importantly… I think anyone willing to take a knife for their sister can't be a bad person."
It clicked for Lucas—Ayaka herself had a brother. Orphaned young, they'd depended on each other. Seeing the bond between him and Kunikuzushi probably struck a chord, which is why she bent the rules and helped him.
That's what it feels like to meet a benefactor.
"I'm not that great," Lucas scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Lady Kamisato, you don't have to cover for me. Punish me as the law says if I did wrong."
"No need to worry so much," Ayaka shrugged. "Sara's interrogation is nearly finished. Doujima Tora was stubborn, but some of his men let things slip. Plus, since you're both under sixteen, you won't be punished. Relax."
Relieved by her words, Lucas sighed. "Thank goodness… So can my sister and I go home now?"
"Of course. But it's late, and you're still injured," Ayaka smiled kindly. "You two should stay at my place tonight and head back tomorrow."
"I don't feel right about this…" Lucas quickly shook his head. "We're both smelling like fish—if we dirty the room, that'd be trouble…"
"No worries. I'll have someone prepare some clean clothes and make sure you both get a proper bath," Kamisato Ayaka said casually. "After all, you've been through quite a lot today."
"You're too kind…" Lucas felt a bit touched. "We really don't deserve this."
"No, you've helped me a lot and given me a better understanding of life on the island," Ayaka shook her head. "Just stay here comfortably. If you try to refuse again, I won't be happy."
Lucas figured, if there's free food on the table, why not eat it?
Just then, the interrogation room door suddenly opened. Sara walked in, pushing Doujima Tora ahead of her.
Compared to his previous arrogant demeanor, Tora now looked like a frightened kitten before Sara, cowering and shrinking away. It was clear the interrogation had been tough on him. The wound on his stomach was bandaged but didn't look too serious.
That, of course, was because Lucas had held back—his goal was only to incapacitate Tora, not kill him. Killing would have meant a completely different charge.
"Is his wound okay now?" Kamisato Ayaka asked.
"This kid's just lucky," Sara snorted. "That stab missed all the vital spots."
Lucas, well-versed in medicine and human anatomy, knew that even if someone were stabbed a dozen times, it was possible to avoid fatal injuries if done carefully.
"Tora's men have already confessed; they were the ones looking for trouble. They bear the main responsibility," Sara told Lucas. "According to Inazuma law, if you press charges, those guys could face two to three years behind bars."
Hearing that, despair crept over Tora's face. In the fishing village market, he was a tyrant—but the thought of jail still terrified him.
Lucas waved it off with a smile. "What's the point of pursuing charges? It's just some neighborhood quarrel."
Not just Tora, but even Sara looked surprised. "Are you sure about this? If you let them go, the Tenryou Commission won't be sending them back."
"I'm sure," Lucas nodded, smiling at Tora. "Fighting is fine, but next time, watch your words."
Tora's expression was complicated, but he said nothing, just nodded.
"Hmph, don't regret this later…" Sara grumbled, but only coldly snorted. "You're lucky this time—get lost."
After Sara and Tora left, Kamisato Ayaka thoughtfully said, "I thought you were just some hotheaded fishmonger. Looks like I underestimated you."
With her sharp mind, Ayaka quickly guessed why Lucas had spared Tora. Sending Tora to prison would only bring more enemies. Letting him go gained some favor—a retreat to advance.
Lucas just played dumb. "Lady Kamisato, you're overthinking it. I'm really just a fish seller."
That night, at Ayaka's invitation, Lucas and Kunikuzushi stayed at the Tenryou Commission's estate on the island.
As one of Inazuma's three main commissions, the Tenryou Commission's resources were abundant. Even their occasional secondary residence was luxurious—much sturdier and nicer than Lucas's small wooden fishing cabin back home.
Better yet, this house had its own hot spring.
"Ah…" Sitting in the hot spring, Lucas finally relaxed deeply. Growing up in a fishing village, he'd never known "bathing" in the way city folk did. When he wanted to wash, he just swam in the sea. So soaking comfortably in warm spring water was a rare treat.
According to Ayaka, the hot spring also helped heal wounds.
But before Lucas could enjoy more than a few minutes, the bathroom door suddenly flew open with a "bang" as Kunikuzushi swaggered in, jumped, and dove straight into the spring, almost shouting, "Splish splash, here I come!"
A splash of water flew everywhere as Lucas helplessly watched the noisy girl.
"Wasn't it agreed I'd soak first, then you?" he asked.
Though young in the simulator, Kunikuzushi's body was already developing, at least showing the beginnings of adolescence.
But the siblings had always been inseparable; bathing together was normal. Lucas didn't really consider Kunikuzushi a "different gender."
"Why be so stingy?" Kunikuzushi scooped up some water and splashed it at his face. "This place is big enough for both of us."
"You brat!"
Soaked, Lucas wasn't about to give up—he grabbed her arm and prepared to tussle like usual. But Kunikuzushi's expression was different this time.
"What's wrong?" Lucas noticed the change and asked, puzzled. "Did I hurt you?"
"I'm not a 'brat'!" Kunikuzushi huffed, fuming. "I'm a girl, too!"
"For that?" Lucas laughed helplessly. "I know you're a girl—that's just what I call you. Besides, to me, it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl."
"Of course it matters!" Kunikuzushi closed her eyes and pounded his chest angrily. "If I'm a girl, then I can… I can… hey?"
She opened her eyes and looked down to find Lucas floating in the water, knocked about by her flurry of punches.
Most girls would use light taps on the chest, but Kunikuzushi's punches were more like a barrage of "ora ora ora!"
"Ahem…" Lucas rubbed his chest. "Can you finish that sentence?"
"No way, silly big brother," Kunikuzushi blushed. "You were looking at Lady Kamisato weirdly earlier. I'm guessing… you like her?"
"Stop joking around," Lucas gave a dry chuckle. "She's the high and mighty heir of the Kamisato clan, and I'm just a lowly fish seller. It's like a toad trying to eat a swan."
"You're not a toad!" Kunikuzushi shot him a glare. "And that lady isn't a swan either. Tell me, who do you think is prettier—me or her?"
"Kunikuzushi, you have to understand, some things in this world just can't be compared," Lucas smiled teasingly at his sibling, whose figure was as boyish as any guy's. "You two aren't even on the same level, so there's no contest. If you want to compete as a girl, maybe wait a few years until you grow up."
As he said this, his eyes inadvertently flicked to Kunikuzushi's chest.
Honestly, after getting used to seeing Shenhe and Sara's mature physiques, occasionally admiring something a bit more modest—plus Kunikuzushi's boyish face—it was actually kind of charming in its own way.
"I—I will definitely grow up!" Kunikuzushi clenched her small fists, brow furrowed. "I—should grow up, right?"
Honestly, she was a little uncertain. Most girls her age in the village were already showing signs of development, but she seemed stuck. If it weren't for one missing piece down there, sometimes she wondered if she might actually be a boy.
"Never thought you'd have such normal girly worries…" Lucas's face softened with a rare expression of warmth as he patted Kunikuzushi's shoulder. "Don't worry. With your big brother's help, you'll definitely grow up."
"Really?" Kunikuzushi got excited. "How do we do it?"
"I'll often make crucian carp soup for you," Lucas said, stroking his chin. "I've heard it works well. That older lady Gou Tou from the east end of the village is as big as a temari ball now, and they say it's because she drank a lot of crucian carp soup."
He wasn't talking about the big sister who plays with fans in Naruto, but an Inazuman toy roughly the size of a cantaloupe.
"N-no way!" Kunikuzushi blushed even deeper. "Gou Tou said she often brought different men home to help her get that big…"
Lucas frowned seriously. "No more hanging out with Gou Tou from now on."
Wow, talk about corrupting the little one.
"So…" Kunikuzushi pressed on, "how exactly do those men help Gou Tou get bigger?"
Lucas's face flushed, but he answered, "I—I think I have a rough idea."
"Then help me, big brother!" Kunikuzushi cheered. "I want to be bigger than all of them!"
"No way!" Lucas's face turned bright red. "I'm your brother!"
"Tch," Kunikuzushi huffed. "If you won't help, I'll find someone else."
"Wait!" Lucas quickly grabbed her shoulders. "I—I'll help you."
Though he knew she was just saying that out of frustration, Kunikuzushi naturally hated men—except for him, she hardly took any other man seriously. There was no way she'd actually get involved with them.
Besides, she wasn't his real sister. A little harmless flirting shouldn't be a big deal.
"But one thing first," Lucas warned, "no matter what happens, you can't make a sound. This is someone else's estate."
"Mm-hmm!" Kunikuzushi immediately covered her mouth.
"Alright… here I go."
Lucas held her shoulders firmly, took a deep breath, and slowly lowered his head.
Twenty minutes later.
Lucas wiped his mouth. There was a faint milky scent lingering between his lips.
Though there wasn't much taste, he felt like he'd just sampled one of the rarest delicacies in the world.
As for the whole process, it could only be described by a Chinese saying:
"Kakyoin eating cherries—rero rero rero rero!"
Seeing Kunikuzushi's bright red face, Lucas scratched his cheek and asked, "S-so… how do you feel?"
After hesitating a moment, Kunikuzushi finally forced out, "N-not… uncomfortable."
Lucas knew her well. She'd always been stubborn, and if she said a dish was "not bad," that basically meant she liked it a lot. If she said she didn't dislike her brother, well, that meant she really did.
So her "not uncomfortable" was pretty much code for "I liked it."
"I wasn't asking about that…" Lucas said, half laughing and half crying. "I mean, do you think you've grown at all?"
"No way that fast!" Kunikuzushi rolled her eyes. "But… I do feel a little warm."
"That's good," Lucas nodded. "Keep stimulating yourself regularly. Next time you can do it yourself."
"No way I'm doing it myself…" Kunikuzushi puffed up her cheeks. "My tongue's not long enough. Silly big brother… you have to be responsible until I'm as big as a temari ball!"
"Alright, alright, I'm your brother after all," Lucas said. "But this has to be our secret—no telling anyone." He stuck out his pinky finger. "Especially Mom."
"Mmhmm!" Kunikuzushi hooked her pinky with his, just like their destinies—long ago intertwined and locked together.
The next morning.
Lucas thought Ayaka would send someone to escort him and Kunikuzushi back to the village, but to his surprise, she came herself.
Though Ayaka insisted on going alone, Sara insisted on dispatching a group of Tenryou Commission soldiers to follow. After all, if something happened to the heir of the Tenryou Commission on the island, no one would want to take responsibility.
So, surrounded by Ayaka and a squad of Tenryou Commission soldiers, Lucas and Kunikuzushi made quite a grand return to the fishing village market.
The other villagers were stunned. No one expected this fatherless pair to have such powerful connections.
These simple folk had little experience. Seeing Lucas—the one who stabbed first—come back safe and sound, personally escorted by the Kamisato family's heir, naturally stirred up some suspicion.
"Here's fine," Lucas said, suddenly remembering something. "Lady Ayaka, thank you so much for everything."