Miyazawa Ruby

"Big Bro, Big Sis, how do you do this?" a girl about seven years old asked Rena and Ryuki.

She was cute, with white hair tied into messy twin pigtails. She'd tried fixing them herself, but the tangles only got worse.

"We'll get to that later. First, come here so I can fix your hair," Rena said, sighing as she began undoing the girl's messy ties.

"While she does your hair, I'll teach you this," Ryuki said, smiling at the girl. He started explaining multiplication while Rena combed through her hair.

It was early morning. Before school, Rena and Ryuki helped this girl with her homework. Ryuki usually took charge of the lessons, while Rena handled her hair and clothes.

The girl's ruby-red eyes sparkled. "Oh, so that's how you do it," she said, her small mouth dropping open in surprise.

"You get it?" Ryuki asked.

"Yes! Let me try it myself—I'll show you," she said. She snatched the pencil from his hand and tackled 10 + 8 + 90. Counting on her tiny fingers, she announced, "108."

"Correct. Good job," Ryuki said, patting her head with a smile.

She closed her eyes and grinned, basking in the praise like a content kitten.

"Okay, Ruby, now that you understand, finish all the questions. Then we'll take you to school," Rena said.

"Yes," Ruby nodded eagerly. She bent over her notebook and started writing the answers.

Ryuki stepped aside with Rena so Ruby wouldn't overhear. "So, what's your plan?" he asked.

"I want to kill him," Rena said without hesitation, her voice firm with resolve.

"Same here. I want him dead too," Ryuki replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Two eight-year-olds plotting murder—if any adults overheard, they'd panic.

"What's the best way?" Rena asked, turning from Ruby to face Ryuki. Her purple eyes caught his attention.

He shook himself—focus. She might've been a boy in her past life. Back to the plan. "It's simple. At night, sneak to his house and cut his car's brakes. My gift says we do it in two days, or we wait three months for the next chance."

"Then it's settled. We kill him in two days," Rena said, nodding. Her eyes turned cold. "I don't want that bastard breathing a second longer than he has to."

"I get why you want him gone, but have you thought about what happens after?" Ryuki asked.

"Can't your gift find a way to do it without the police catching us?" she countered.

"It's not the police I'm worried about. It's Ruby. Like me, she's got no family except that jerk. If we kill him, she'll end up in an orphanage. That's a hard life."

"Then I'll ask my dad to adopt her. From this girl's memories, he loves her and spoils her. He's rich, so raising another kid won't be a problem," Rena said.

"Hm, let me check something first," Ryuki told her. In his mind, he asked his gift: How do we save Rena and Ruby from Rena's father?

The answer came: [Expose Rena's father's affair to her mother. At divorce, make sure Rena goes with her mother.]

If his gift gave a solution, Rena's dad was hiding something.

"I asked my gift how to save you and Ruby from your father," Ryuki said.

Rena's eyes widened. She stared at him. "If it answered, he's up to something bad. Did it say 'nothing,' or did it give a way?"

"It said expose his affair to your mom. After the divorce, go with her," Ryuki explained. Rena fell silent.

"Big Bro, Big Sis, I finished my homework!" Ruby called, running over to them.

She handed her notebook to Ryuki. "Think about what you want to do," he told Rena as he checked Ruby's answers.

"Big Sis, is something wrong?" Ruby asked, peering up at Rena.

"No, I just have a tough choice to make," Rena said, forcing a smile.

"Oh! Then pick something that makes everyone happy," Ruby said, bouncing on her toes.

"Yes, I'll do that," Rena replied, glancing at Ryuki. He nodded, understanding her, and handed Ruby her notebook.

"Great job, smart girl. Everything's right. Here's a treat," Ryuki said, patting her head. He opened his fist to reveal a piece of candy.

"What is it?" Ruby asked, her eyes widening. She grinned, snatched the candy, and popped it into her mouth.

Miyazawa Ruby was the game's first sub-heroine. Ryuki and Rena had met her a few days ago and had been helping her every morning since. She called them Big Bro and Big Sis because they seemed mature, even though they were only a few months older.

It felt strange when she called Ryuki Big Bro, but it warmed his heart too.