Sibling Issues 2

(Ayaka's POV)

I hurried myself back home in frustration. It didn't take long for me to arrive at the place where our clan resides.

...

Can't they mind their own business?! I already had enough thinking about it every time I'm at home!

But... Sigh* Lady Orihime did help me come back to my senses. Simply feigning ignorance or running away from it wouldn't solve a thing.

But! Even if she had good intentions, the way she provoked me is unforgivable! Sigh* She really is that Guuji's mentor...

"A good tea would be good right now... I've been sighing too much." I mumbled to myself as I silently approached the entrance to the estate.

"Hey, Isn't that Lady Kamisato herself?" One of the guards at the entrance pointed out to his colleague.

"Hmm? You're right! But for some reason, she seemed to be in a bad mood. Prepare yourself..." The other one nervously deduced.

" " Welcome back, princess! " " They said while averting their eyes. I wanted to ask why, but I'd rather rest right now.

"I'm back." I only replied with a smile. But I'm sure it definitely wasn't a genuine one... More on the ominous side..

"I wonder who told you to call me that?... Thoma? Or is it somebody else?" I tried to interrogate them in a soft tone... yet it remained filled with hostility.

"Umm..." They're slightly quivering in fear... How cute...

"Tell me... Or I won't be able to guarantee the safety of you two..." That ought to do the trick.

"It was milord, Ma'am! Though I heard him say its a suggestion of one of the mysterious visitors that came earlier!"

"That's exactly right, Your Highness! We wouldn't dare lie to you!"

What?... Who? Visitors? At this time? How come I haven't heard of it? With countless questions, I sprinted straight to my office.

...

"Thoma! I heard that we have visitors! Who are they and why am I not informed?!" I raised my voice a little bit for some reason.

The shocked Thoma only stared at me in disbelief for some reason. Why? I don't understand at all.

"Uwah... What a misfortune. I suggest looking around, Milady. And all the questions you have might be answered..." My friend answered while also averting his eyes.

I couldn't take it anymore so I listened to his advice and immediately scanned the surroundings, and then myself. I had a feeling I was forgetting something.

...

...The gods must be cursing me. No... Our god himself is the curse...

"How did this happen? Did I fail as a brother somehow?" I saw Ayato mumbling on his seat in despair.

"You're wrong in this one, Thoma. On the contrary, I consider this a blessing, a fortunate situation!" That... That bastard exclaimed with his usual smile.

"You mustn't look, Nii-Sama. It's disrespectful for a lady." The former Oni Chief blocked his eyes and bowed at me.

Ahh... I forgot... How? Why did I forget to tidy myself up before coming here? I covered my disheveled state, and hurriedly ran away in embarrassment.

He saw it... My clothes were loosened and my body was full of sweat... And he completely saw it... Why was he here in the first place?

...

That Idiot Brother of Mine!!!

***

"Your sister was really hot back there, Ayato. I think I've fallen." Lu smirked at the Yashiro Commisioner.

"I'd rather not think about it, Your Majesty. And I believe that talking about it is rather inappropriate." He responded with a solemn look.

"I must concur on this one, Your Majesty. Please do us a favor by forgetting about it. I can't have my lady's reputation be tarnished like this." Thoma added with a wry smile.

"Ehh~. But isn't being honest the best way to compliment a maiden? Am I wrong?" The deity continued smirking.

"That's not how it works since we're talking about my sister in this case. Especially when you're saying it with a straight face to her brother, Lu." Ayato held his head as he shook it.

"Really? I doubt being related has anything with admitting someone's beauty. If anything you should be proud for having a beautiful sister." Lu winked at him, yet the commissioner only sighed heavily in response.

"Is that true, Nii-sama?" Chiyo caught on to something else apparently.

"Of course~. You're lovely too, Chiyo." The deity smiled slyly at her.

"Hmph! You only say that to make me feel good." The oni chief didn't buy it at all.

"C'mon, forgive me already. It's not like I wanted to leave you out. And I'm repaying the time we lost currently, aren't I?" The two continued to bicker.

...

I entered my office that was occupied earlier once again. This time, I made sure that everything was fine. I don't plan on making a fool of myself twice.

"Take my seat, milady. I still need to double check what I prepared back in the kitchen. We're serving a celebrity today, after all." I accepted Thoma's kind hearted gesture with a smile and sat beside my brother.

"Now then. What reason may you have for this visit, Your Majesty?" My idiot brother was flabbergasted that I started the conversation. Meanwhile, the two visitors were simply amused it seems.

Am I ignoring what happened before?... Of course I am. And if I can... I want to erase my memories and the others about it...

"My buddy, Ayato here, heard of my recent successful recovery, so he invited me for a hotpot to celebrate it. I invited Chiyo while at it since she's free." That ba- Lu answered with an unchanging smile.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Lady Ayaka. Please forgive my brother's disrespectful attitude." At least his sister has some proper manners...

"It's alright, Lady Chiyo. If not for my brother hiding such an important information from me, this wouldn't have happened in the first place." I feel like I can get along with her well.

"How can I predict that you would come back in that state?" Ayato reasoned without facing me.

"Yeah Yeah. Whatever you say." I ignored him even if it's a bit petty.

Lu seems to be having fun as he watched our interactions. I really want to erase that amused expression he has right now...