''...''

  ''Big sis?''

  ''Ah, yes...?!''

  These days, I couldn't focus.

  That immensely crazy dream has been haunting me ever since. I was the type who would immediately forget her dreams once I woke up, yet this one, for whatever reason, imprinted so deeply within my memories that it seemed like a memory itself.

  I couldn't be certain, but my instinct told me so. A good example was when I recalled the 'grown up' Lyra, I would think she looked exactly like how I imagined her to be. Of course, I saw the game's illustrations and all, but that and this world's Lyra were separated by a whole dimension.

  In any case, having that dream flash in my mind every now and then caused many problems. For example, I often found myself distracted or feeling quite awkward around my little sister. Sometimes, I would hesitate when she initiated a skinship, even though I was supposed to cherish that affection of hers.

  More than anything, it worried me. In this reality, I wouldn't be surprised if the dream was because of some strange phenomenon. I was already a lost cause, but if anything happened to this world's hope—to Lyra, to Rachael, to Penelope, or to Kiara—I would be saddened.

  For now, I had consulted Lucy, but she merely brushed it off, saying nothing was wrong with me. Was it really a non-problem? Or... was it something even Lucy couldn't diagnose?

  ''Hah...''

  ''...Is something bothering you?''

  Hearing my sigh, the little... well, not-so-little Lyra looked up at me worryingly. Perhaps she felt guilty of biting my neck the other time, which was adorable, but it was something else instead.

  ''I was just thinking about you,'' I replied, smiling. ''You are already this big, Lyra. I miss the little lady of that winter already.''

  Carrying an ounce of hesitation, the heroine chirped, ''Would you like it if I were small...?''

  ''Hm? Not really. I like Lyra the most.''

  Even now, remembering those vivid touches of the 'mature' Lyra, I couldn't easily face her, but I still tried my best to express my sincerity. Despite it all, it was the truth that I genuinely loved my little sister, be it in the past, present, or future.

  Forever.

  *****

  These days, Lyra couldn't focus.

  Ever since that impulsive bite of her the other day, thoughts about her big sister had always lingered. About Cecilia's baffled expression, one she had never seen before; about her borderline desperate words of concerns; and about her so pitiable, saddened face.

  Even Lyra herself couldn't understand the reason behind her actions. Of course, she knew kissing one's sister so intimately like that was utterly wrong. Yet, at the moment, she felt compelled to do it.

  The desire to give love to such a lovable person—to embrace everything of her and beyond—was indeed swelling inside the heroine even now... but why?

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  Why wasn't it anyone else but Cecilia?

  This was a question that kept Lyra up at night. Her naive, inexperienced mind didn't understand this swirling attraction she had to that person. Not fully.

  Still, at this stage, Lyra knew she had something for her big sister, be it a familiar affection or something else. She found herself happy whenever Cecilia was around, and she could now admit that she wanted to cherish the fuzzy warmth she felt when Cecilia stroked her head or embraced her.

  It was undoubtedly love.

  ''Love can either do good or bad to a person. It can make you feel amazing at times, but also terrible at the others.''

  Lyra remembered Katrina, her nosy teacher's words.

  She thought she had begun to understand it. The more she matured, the more she realized the attachments she held. The lifeless, dull life she was used to now became home to emotional ties that anchored her happiness but also bound her to them.

  Every time she saw her big sister's pained expression as she coughed, something hollowed out inside her. She couldn't help but want to frown at her big sister's frail steps, at her sickly complexion and thin arms.

  She wondered when her big sister would get healthier.

  If she couldn't... then what should Lyra do?

  She didn't want to consider it. Not... yet. Even if it would cause her to carry immense regret later on. It was just her young mind choosing not to care about hardships—nothing more, nothing less.

  ''Big sis?''

  Lately, another problem had also arisen.

  Cecilia... was avoiding her. 'Awkward' was perhaps the more correct word. To Lyra, who ultimately received Cecilia's full affection from very early on, even the slightest hesitation in a hug or a head pat could be detected.

  She'd figured that it was her fault. Because she had done something she shouldn't the other day, a distance was born between them. In the end, even if Cecilia's smile was always beautiful, it felt forced now.

  If anyone had asked the heroine, she would much rather see the usual kind smile, not a mere front. But... she didn't know how to bring it back. Once again, she felt her own immaturity. Never before had Lyra wanted to grow up and amass experience this badly.

  After fighting with this dilemma for a while, her conclusion was to accept defeat and seek help.

  ''Hm... that's a hard one.''

  It brought her back to Katrina, the bubbly social science teacher. Unexpectedly, this was the subject that intrigued Lyra. Perhaps it was the practical aspect of it that drew her in.

  ''Let me get this straight. You accidentally bit your crush's neck and ran away? And afterward, you feel a distance between her and you?'' Katrina asked with a puzzled face.

  ''...Something like that.''

  Of course, knowing how awkward things could be if she revealed that the target was her big sister, the heroine cleverly omitted many details and let the teacher assume the rest. Still, since she showed her embarrassing side, her heart was not calm.

  Admittedly, even Katrina struggled to come up with a solution to this complicated problem.

  ''Well... that kind of action will often spell disaster for sure.'' She sighed. ''But if she treats you favorably nonetheless, then it is perhaps a good sign. It shows that her affection for you is potent enough that she would not completely alienate you.''

  ''Mhm. What should I do now?''

  ''First of all, apologize.''

  Katrina's stern words momentarily faltered Lyra. Nonetheless, the heroine was determined to learn from her mistake.

  ''When it comes to a woman, just apologize first,'' The teacher said. ''After that, you can only restrain yourself from committing the same behavior.''

  ''...Got it.''

  Noticing Lyra's somber expression, Katrina pondered for a moment, yet she couldn't do much. Sighing once again, she murmured to herself, ''Well, there's also the possibility that the girl actually is into that stuff, but...''

  ''...''

  Unaware that those words had slipped into the somewhat deranged heroine's head, Katrina shrugged and ended her consulting session at that.

  As for Lyra de Orleans, her thoughts had just become even more complicated.

  She was reminded of Cecilia's cheeks, which were tinted pink at the time. Irritatingly, the swelling desire—the alien desire to continue 'bullying' her big sister—threatened to invade her sane mind.

  But for now, she intended to admit her wrongdoings and restore her relationship with Cecilia obediently.

  ''Lyra...!''

  Of course, the emotional big sister immediately teared up, seeing her stubborn little sister recognize her fault for the very first time. After this incident, the two arguably became even closer, but the last sentence from the nosy teacher still remained somewhere within the heroine's head...

  *****