CH 16

Arriving home, Jin immediately went to his room and collapsed onto his bed. He didn't even bother with dinner, simply telling his family that he had already eaten on the way home.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten to put a band-aid on the wound on his cheek. He had stopped at a convenience store to buy it, taking a rather long route back to avoid being tracked by the madman from earlier.

Thankfully, Freed Sellzen hadn't followed him. Either the lunatic was more interested in retrieving his sword than chasing after Jin, or he simply didn't care.

When Jin entered the house, he noticed that Issei hadn't returned yet. He was probably still walking Katase home, just as Jin had instructed.

Maybe my idiot brother will finally make a move? Jin mused. Then again, knowing him, the chances are slim.

His attention shifted to the light sword handle he had taken from Freed Sellzen.

"How do I use this?"

He turned it over in his hands, examining it closely. Perhaps it worked like a toy sword where the blade popped out when a button was pressed?

But after thoroughly inspecting the handle, he found no buttons or switches. He even peered into the hole at the top where the light blade had emerged, but there was nothing.

No buttons… Does it react to touch instead?

Jin ran his fingers over every inch of the handle, pressing and tapping in various spots. Still, nothing happened.

After exhausting every logical option, only one possibility remained.

"Well, the answer is obvious then."

Standing up, Jin positioned himself in front of the mirror while gripping the handle with both hands.

He had observed what Freed did earlier. If his assumption was wrong, this would be a moment of embarrassment he'd never live down.

"Here goes nothing."

Thinking back, he realized that Freed had activated the sword effortlessly—without any visible mechanism. That meant only one thing: Magic.

Yes. It had to be Magic. Freed must have used Magic to trigger the sword.

Until a few days ago, Jin had been a normal person. He had never used Magic in his life, and aside from regaining his memories and receiving the gift from Lady Selene, he still lacked knowledge of the Supernatural.

So, if he wanted to make this sword work, he had to experiment.

The only thing he knew about Magic was that it required some form of energy—whether it was called Mana, Magic Power, or something else.

Unfortunately, his only exposure to Magic came from an old anime he had watched years ago with Issei and their childhood friend: Magical Girl Milky Spiral.

And in that show, the characters always screamed dramatically when using Magic.

"…Ooohhh!!"

Jin's voice echoed through the room.

Nothing happened.

He stood there in silence, still holding the handle.

A second passed. Then another.

"…I look stupid."

At that exact moment, his bedroom door was slammed open.

"Nii-san! What's wrong?! Are you—"

Issei's concerned shout abruptly stopped as his gaze landed on Jin.

First, his eyes darted to the sword handle Jin was holding.

Then, he looked at Jin's stance in front of the mirror.

A moment of silence passed.

Then, Issei's lips curled into a knowing grin.

"Uh… Have fun?" he teased before closing the door and bolting down the stairs.

His footsteps were loud as he half-ran back toward the living room.

Jin stood frozen in place, his face heating up in embarrassment.

His brother had definitely misunderstood the situation.

"…Shit."

He muttered a quiet curse before slapping a hand over his face.

The next day, Jin had breakfast as usual and walked to school with Issei.

As they strolled together, Issei was still laughing about what had happened the previous night.

"Seriously… I never expected you of all people to do that, Nii-san."

He clutched his stomach, struggling to contain his amusement.

Jin sighed, his expression deadpan.

"As I said, forget about it. I already explained what happened, didn't I?"

"Yeah, yeah… You were just practicing Kendo movements," Issei mocked, barely holding back another laugh.

Jin rolled his eyes.

"I was serious."

"Sure, sure," Issei said, covering his mouth in a poor attempt to suppress his chuckles.

Jin clenched his fists. Damn it, Issei. If only he had stayed with Katase longer! Instead, he had come home just in time to witness Jin making a fool of himself.

I swear I'll get back at him later…

A smirk suddenly crossed Jin's lips as an idea popped into his head.

"Enough about that," he said nonchalantly. "How was Katase yesterday? Did you score another girl?"

"Hah?!" Issei's reaction was immediate. He turned to Jin, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Nii-san… what the hell are you talking about?"

Jin gave him a knowing look.

"Obviously, you and Katase. What? You didn't even kiss her?"

"Of course not!"

Issei practically shouted, looking at Jin as if he were crazy.

"You expect me to kiss a girl who always looked down on me?"

But then, Issei's brows furrowed as he thought back to the previous day.

"…Wait a minute. I didn't feel that attitude from her anymore after I defeated her. Huh?"

He turned back to Jin, his expression growing serious.

"Hey… Tell me, Nii-san."

Somehow, without Jin saying anything, Issei had picked up on something unusual.

Usually, Jin wouldn't push Issei toward any girl—especially with his perverted tendencies. Yet, yesterday, he had specifically told Issei to walk Katase home.

Even if Issei was dense, he wasn't that dumb.

"…Are you telling me that Katase is attracted to me now?"

"Yes," Jin answered bluntly, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"…Huh?"

Issei blinked, his mouth hanging open in shock.

Jin sighed. "You really didn't notice? What a dumb brother."

He then picked up his pace, leaving Issei behind.

Issei stood there, frozen in place for a solid few seconds. Then, realization struck him like a lightning bolt.

"W-Wait… H-HEY! Nii-san! WAIT FOR ME!"

He quickly snapped out of his daze and ran after Jin.

Jin smirked.

Ha! Now the tables have turned.

For the first time that morning, he was the one teasing Issei.

After a few minutes, they arrived at the school's front gate.

As usual, Sona Sitri was standing at the entrance, greeting students.

When she saw Jin, her smile momentarily faltered.

But as expected of the Student Council President, she quickly regained her composure, her professional smile returning.

"Good morning, Hyoudou-kun. Jin-kun."

"Good morning, Kaichou," Jin replied calmly.

"G-Good morning…" Issei mumbled, looking slightly intimidated by her.

Ignoring Issei's nervousness, Sona turned her full attention to Jin.

"I will be waiting for you later in the Student Council room. Please come after school."

Jin smirked.

"Alright. I'm looking forward to it. Are you looking forward to it too, Kaichou?"

Sona adjusted her glasses, her expression unreadable.

"Yes and no. But a bet is a bet—I won't run away from it."

"What a surprise. Alright, see you later."

"See you later."

With that, Jin walked toward the main building.

Issei, still confused, suddenly froze.

"…Nii-san… Could it be… even one of the Three Great Onee-sama?!"

Jin simply smirked.

"Who do you think your brother is, Issei?"

"WOAH! Nii-san, teach me your ways! Do you have a secret?!"

Jin paused dramatically.

"Be handsome."

"…You asshole."

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