Brother-Complex(?) and Platonic Friends

A room that screamed luxury at first glance, complete with an extravagant air. The sign on the door reading No Entry Except for Choi Siwoo! made it clear this was someone's private sanctum.

The girl presumed to be its owner hummed a cheerful tune. Platinum-blonde hair smooth as silk. A voice clear and lovely, like a bird's chirp. Elegant curves that suggested dedicated body maintenance. Even breasts just a touch fuller than those of her peers. Her identity? None other than Erina Yulis.

Unlike her usual strict uniform, Erina lounged in comfy pajamas. A bracelet on her wrist and a face mask completed the look. Try as she might to act mature, her 17-year-old girlishness shone through as she carefully examined the item in her arms.

"...Looks good."

The item was a photo. And in it, Choi Siwoo yawned wide enough to split his face.

This is truly precious, Erina thought. As the one-and-only capture of her precious little brother's rare goofy moment, its collectible value was immense.

...Even yawning, he's so handsome...

Unable to contain the bubbly, squishy feelings welling up, she rubbed her cheek against the photo. Then, with a sharp "Eek!", she yanked it away. Thankfully, no creases.

"Dam-bi, was it?"

Yeah, that sounded right. She was certainly skilled. Erina had been skeptical at first... but to procure a photo of her sharp, ever-vigilant little brother so effortlessly...

I need to commission her again.

Money? She had plenty. This was an end-of-the-world treasure. What did cost matter when it captured her beloved brother's image?

"...Hehe... ehehehe."

Drool trickled from her lips. Grinning like a pervert, she carefully laminated the photo and affixed it to the wall. Of course, she'd prepared copies too—thorough as always.

Smiling in satisfaction, she scanned the room. From ceiling to floor... it was papered entirely with photos of Choi Siwoo. If he saw it, he'd be horrified enough to shred it all on the spot.

But Erina, oblivious, lost herself in blissful daydreams.

"Hum~"

After reveling for a while, she pulled out a toolbox from under the table, labeled [Do Not Touch!].

A clatter, and out tumbled miniature figures scaled down to about 1/30th size.

To the casual observer, just a girl who loved dolls. But the contents? Shocking. Every figure bore unmistakable traits of Choi Siwoo. Uniforms, casual clothes, held items—all varied in intricate detail.

"What to make today~?"

Joy sparkled in Erina's eyes. The cardigan from last time? Or him eating onigiri with a melancholic expression? Nah, everything worked. It was her precious little brother, after all. What wouldn't suit him?

"Hehe..."

Erina pulled out her pricey new ROGUE bio-gloves. An artifact-level item that heightened tactile sensitivity to extremes. Originally for safely mining in polluted sewers or waste plants, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Erina couldn't care less about that.

All she cared about was crafting another adorable proxy of her beloved little brother today.

Just then, her smartphone buzzed on the table.

"Hm? A photo?"

A link from one of her followers. Erina blinked in confusion. She knew they weren't into chit-chat... Was it that urgent?

"Hmm...?"

Hesitant, she tapped it. Then froze. Her breath quickened. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

"W-what is this?"

The screen showed Choi Siwoo posing with two women. Yes, women. Two of them. And one was someone she knew.

"S-Seol Garam, why!?"

Yurika had mentioned her once. Talented with a bright future, but she visited the church often for treatments—something about an illness. Not important now. What mattered was that Seol Garam was a cool beauty who stirred protective instincts even in Erina.

...Siwoo's weak to girls like that...

Classic strong-against-strong, weak-against-weak type. He melted for those who triggered his protector mode.

And this photo? No ordinary snap. A rare street-couple shot, bunny ears and antennae on his head. His expression: annoyed yet shy, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠head turned slightly. The angle, the coat's stylish harmony... Art.

"Y-you're too cute... N-no, that's not the point! Who's the other one?"

The blue-haired woman opposite was stunning too. Wrapped in luxury brands, awkward V-pose and grin screaming headache... but shell-wise, a beauty worth a second glance.

"......"

Erina reflected. She'd never taken a couple photo with him. But she dreamed of it. Once he opened up more, she'd slyly steer things that way. And she'd be first in line.

Stolen. Right here, a future memory with her precious little ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠brother—NTR'd.

"......"

Erina's eyes darkened. Like when she'd seen Yoon Jiye in the hospital room, they filled with shadow, losing all light.

"Haa~ This hits the spot~"

A short golden bob reaching her neck. Green eyes sparkling, the girl wiped sweat from her brow and chugged from a water bottle.

Her identity: Ohana. After indulging her hobby of shooting to her heart's content, she felt worlds lighter.

"PMC's KS-23 shotgun really packs a punch, huh? If only reloading wasn't so slow..."

She rattled off gun names flawlessly—enough to make outsiders mutter, "What're you on about, gun nut?"

But soon, her joy faded to gloom. Tomorrow's arranged marriage loomed.

"...A Phantom exec, right?"

Rumor had it he was a wastrel. Forty years old to her seventeen—a total creep.

Why go through with it? Pressure from her grandmother, O Je-yeon, head of the Five Great Families.

"...Lazy, sure, but his talent's top-tier... The kids would inherit that blood," she'd said.

Truth be told, Ohana hated it. No frilly dress, makeup, fake demureness, or fawning. She wasn't merchandise. She wanted to scream it.

But she knew better. Grandma wouldn't tolerate rebellion. If she were bolder, she'd run away... but childhood-ingrained fear wasn't easy to shake at seventeen.

Then, her phone chimed. Sender: O Je-yeon. No escape.

Ohana sighed deeply, bracing for outfit and schedule dictates.

"Hm...?"

But no. The message read... m-match canceled?!

"F-for real?!"

Details: Opponent's side reported an unforeseen accident. Furious tone filled the text, but who cared?

"Oh my god... Lady Irelua must've helped!!"

Ohana thanked her nightly prayers.

"Oh, another notification?"

A community post from her new A-class girl friends. And there: Choi Siwoo with two unknown women.

"Hmm...?"

The chat buzzed with "Choi Siwoo ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠got a girlfriend?", "Shoulda confessed earlier..." And at the end: "Ohana, you okay?"

Ohana skimmed it and fired off a laughing emoji.

"Pfft, no way."

Girlfriend? Ridiculous. Look at Siwoo's face—clearly just comrades on a mission.

"...Right?"

But if not...?

"......"

Suddenly, a lump in her throat. Huh? No way—she was always healthy. Choking? Never happened before.

Pondering, she snapped her fingers. "Aha!"

"Ate too many rations earlier."

Two combat rolls to feel like a soldier—bad idea. Arms crossed, she nodded sagely. Overdoing it was a no-go.

A hectic weekend where everyone chased happiness in their own way. Centered on Prunel Academy, countless people shed their built-up fatigue through various outlets.

Thus, Erina, Ohana... most had no clue.

Rumble... Slowly, steadily, an ominous darkness crept up Prunel's outer walls.

Like a predator eyeing a complacent prey, danger drew ever nearer.