Chapter 384: Sisterhood

Yukinoshita Haruno was like central air conditioning—a warm sun.

She radiated her own warmth, but it was an equal warmth, like sunlight that everyone basked in equally.

However, her feelings toward her younger sister, **Yukinoshita Yukino**, were undoubtedly special.

"Ohayou, long time no see, Yukino-chan's classmate," Haruno greeted with a sunny smile that would make any gloomy otaku cringe, waving at Li Mo.

"We've exchanged names before, Haruno-san," Li Mo said. "Also, aren't you going to greet your sister?"

"We've already greeted each other. It's just that Yukino-chan is a bit rebellious and didn't respond," Haruno replied with a smile.

On the surface, she seemed cheerful and lively, the type who could easily get along with anyone.

But deep down, she was a cold person.

Someone who is kind to everyone is kind to no one.

"Sis, why are you here?" Yukino pressed.

"Huh? Can't you give your sister a little face in front of others? Don't be so cold. Or is Li-san not an 'other'?" Haruno teased, her tone playful.

Li Mo, meanwhile, was mentally digging through his memories for a spell that could help him read emotions. He then said, "Haruno-san, if you're teasing Yukinoshita, don't drag me into it. What if I accidentally become your brother-in-law?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Yukino's leg shot out in a swift, natural kick, striking Li Mo's shin.

Then, the younger Yukinoshita said, "You should go home."

"Right, right," Li Mo replied with a smile, opening the door to his apartment. But the moment he closed it, he focused his hearing to eavesdrop.

Would these two sisters engage in a battle of wits, or would Yukino get completely outplayed?

Li Mo immediately dismissed the possibility of Yukino turning the tables on Haruno. How could that happen? Even he could see through Yukino's paper-tiger nature. On the surface, she was a sharp-tongued critic, but deep down, she was more lost than anyone.

Well, she was still just a student, after all.

As he leisurely changed into his indoor shoes, Li Mo continued eavesdropping. Judging by the footsteps, the two sisters seemed to have moved into Yukino's upscale apartment.

"Go and listen in for me."

A shrine maiden shikigami emerged from his shadow and floated over to the neighboring apartment. As a spirit, it could pass through walls and remain invisible, making it perfect for gathering intel.

The shikigami floated into the neighbor's apartment. The layout was identical to Li Mo's, right down to the furniture—after all, it was a rental high-end apartment, likely furnished by the same team.

Of course, the living room wasn't important. What mattered were the two people inside.

"What would you like to drink, sis?"

"Tea is fine, Yukino."

Miss Yukino remained silent, boiling water and preparing tea before setting it down in front of Haruno.

"What brings you here, sis?" Yukino asked, sitting upright as if facing a teacher rather than her own sister.

Haruno picked up her tea. "Yukino, must there always be a reason for your sister to visit you?"

"I just can't figure out what would make you set aside your social engagements and work to come see me."

"Of course, it's because my little sister is so adorable."

"There's no one else here, sis," Yukino said. "A while ago, I had a talk with Dad, and we talked about you."

"Oh? Yukino's learned to communicate with Dad? Ah, back in the day, whenever Yukino felt wronged, she'd come running to her big sister for a hug."

"Is this jealousy, sis?"

"Yes, I need a hug from Yukino to feel better," Haruno said with a smile.

*Given my sister's personality, she's probably overthinking my intentions, right?*

Haruno knew her sister well. Yukino's aloofness was her armor, her decisiveness a result of life experience. But when faced with something she couldn't handle, she'd freeze up.

Every time Haruno did something, Yukino would overanalyze it, becoming hesitant. That version of Yukino was also quite endearing.

However…

Haruno was caught off guard when Yukino stepped forward and hugged her.

"I've hugged you. Now what, sis?"

Direct and straightforward. Since when had Yukino become so decisive?

Haruno was momentarily stunned.

"Sis, is there anything else?" Yukino soon returned to her seat and asked.

"Since when did Yukino become so direct?"

Direct.

No beating around the bush. The old Yukino wasn't like this.

"Sis, have you ever met someone with multiple personalities?"

"Huh?" The elder sister was confused.

The younger sister explained calmly, "The guy next door changes every so often, and he's also a member of my club. A few days ago, subtle hints worked on him, but later they didn't. No amount of indirect talk gets through to him. You have to tell him—no, *warn* him—that he can't do something before he'll stop."

Through her interactions with Li Mo, Yukino had learned what it meant to deal with someone stubborn. He wouldn't listen to anything, but the tacit understanding was that as long as she used the format of "thing + no," he'd back off.

Haruno's interest was piqued. "Oh, is that so?"

"Otherwise? Sis, overthinking just makes you feel worse…" Yukino said earnestly.

Facing her sister's gaze, Haruno's smile stiffened…

Li Mo stopped listening after that. He had teased Yukino so much that she'd had an epiphany? What kind of plot was this? Wasn't she supposed to find someone to rely on?

Recalling his verbal sparring with Yukino, Li Mo couldn't think of anything particularly special.

He decided not to dwell on the sisters' conversation. They weren't going to come to blows.

With no "bloodbath" to look forward to, a bored Li Mo turned his attention to magic, wondering if he could find a way to shorten the incantation for **Ars Magna**.

**Aureolus Izzard** had provided a useful idea: using the collective power of the students in **Shibuya Private High School** to complete **Ars Magna**. But the problem was, Li Mo wanted to embed **Ars Magna** into his body as a foundation for "mystery."

"Maybe I could give myself a hundred mouths to chant simultaneously? But I haven't invested in self-modification…"

Annoying.

Perhaps he should focus on high-speed chanting instead?

He'd need to visit **Fuyuki City** again to ask **Medea** for advice, but for now…

"Ding dong—"

The doorbell rang. Li Mo went to the door and opened it to find the Yukinoshita sisters standing outside.

The elder sister, Haruno, said, "Want to grab a meal? Big sis is treating."

"?"

Li Mo was momentarily stunned, then, seeing the sisters' amicable atmosphere, replied, "Thanks for the offer, but you two should go ahead. I'll pass."