Yukinoshita Haruno glanced at Yukinoshita Akira, then shifted her gaze back to Yukinoshita Yukino.
For a mont, an unexpected emotion stirred in her chest.
One was her childhood fiancé—rumored to be her future husband—and the other, her dearest little sister. And yet, why… why did she feel like she didn't belong in the scene unfolding before her?
Why did it seem like those two fit perfectly together… while she stood off to the side, like an unnecessary third wheel?
"Hey, you two… I'm still here, you know."
Her voice was low, but not from anger. It sounded more like a small kitten wling after being abandoned.
"Nee-san, Nee-san…"
Panic flooded Yukino's expression. That was her first reaction.
And then… confusion. She hadn't done anything wrong, so why did she feel guilty?
"Oh my, so Yukino's already been swept off her feet by this flirty guy, huh? Well—"
"Nee-san, what do you an 'swept off her feet'? Sure, he might be a bit flirtatious, but that has nothing to do with , does it?"
"So… you really haven't been conquered by him?"
"Of course not. Or rather, sothing like that is impossible!"
"Good. As long as it's not Yukino, I can relax."
With a beaming smile, Haruno imdiately pulled her little sister into a warm embrace. Yukino, unaware of her sister's hidden intentions, simply allowed it to happen in silence.
Watching the display, Hiratsuka Shizuka looked as though she wanted to comnt.
'You're seriously a hardcore siscon… You don't mind if your fiancé's a shaless flirt, as long as he doesn't lay a hand on your sister? That's kind of ssed up, you know?'
"Yukinoshita Haruno, have you had enough? Spouting nonsense in my house, right in front of ?"
"Aw, don't be mad. Aren't I already yours? As your fiancée, can't I be a little spoiled?"
"Stop saying whatever you want. I've never acknowledged that engagent. My future marriage isn't sothing that can be decided by anyone— not even the gods."
Akira's words rang out with sharp finality, a tone of absolute rejection.
Yet none of the won present felt like he was bluffing.
He was soone who had reached the peak of strength. And when he grew serious—when he released even a fraction of his fury—the sheer pressure that radiated from him was unmistakable.
It wasn't sothing ordinary people could suppress or fake.
"Enough. Starting today, for the rest of the weekend, your job—Miss Second Daughter—is to learn Water Breathing from . And the basics of swordsmanship, too."
"You even created a sword style for it?"
"Sothing like that? It's easy."
"You…!"
Yukinoshita Yukino shot him a glare that seed like she wanted to hit him.
She had seen his swordsmanship with her own eyes.
That technique, combined with Breathing Styles powerful enough to kill demons, was far beyond any martial art she'd ever witnessed.
Such a technique… if it ever spread to the public, it could shake the entire nation.
"I want to learn too!"
Haruno chid in, refusing to be left behind. If Yukino was learning, then of course she wanted to be part of it.
"For you... probably not a good idea. Water Breathing doesn't suit you."
"What do you an, Akira-chan? Are you playing favorites? I'm your fiancée! Why are you picking your sister-in-law over ? Don't tell … you have so ulterior motive?"
Watching Haruno descend into her usual brand of playful madness, Akira could only sigh.
She was always like this.
People like her… if you gave them attention, they'd bloom like flowers under the sun—and grow completely out of control.
"Water Breathing can only be mastered by soone with a calm heart, free from inner turmoil. A soul as still and clear as undisturbed water. Do you think you're that kind of person?"
"E-Eh… o-of course I am."
Haruno answered hesitantly, her neck slightly craned forward.
As an adult, she carried the heavy weight of family responsibilities and social expectations.
She could act composed and wise, even appear peaceful on the outside. But being truly free from inner chaos? That was… very difficult.
To wear the mask of "the perfect Yukinoshita Haruno" every day—her heart never really had a mont of rest.
Yukinoshita Yukino, however, t all those criteria effortlessly.
Yukino now looked at Akira with wide eyes.
What he had just said… it implied that he had created the Water Breathing Style specifically with her in mind.
In other words, this was how Akira saw her.
Akira, of course, didn't realize that the two sisters were already lost in their own thoughts and interpretations.
"Nee-san…"
"Fiiine~ fiiine~ I'm not suited for it, I get it, okay?"
Despite being older than Yukino, Haruno now looked like the younger one—pouting like a spoiled little sister. anwhile, Yukino carried herself with quiet maturity.
"How about this—I'll create a Breathing Technique suited for you too."
"What kind of technique?"
"Fla Breathing. It suits soone full of passion, cheerful, and burning with unshakable spirit—like a flickering fla. What do you think?"
"Passionate, cheerful, and burning like fire, huh…"
Haruno fell silent as she stared at Akira.
Was all that… really how he saw her?
Did he truly an those words?
In reality, Akira had simply repeated the textbook description of Fla Breathing from Kitsu no Yaiba, but sohow, he ended up triggering a whirlwind of emotion between the two sisters—accidentally deploying what could only be described as emotional warfare.
"Water Breathing and Fla Breathing, huh… Yukino and Haruno really do seem to fit those."
Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled softly as she watched them.
A small twinge of envy welled up in her chest.
n like this… why had she never t one before?
"You don't need to be jealous, Shizuka-sensei. I won't forget about you either."
"Eh? too?"
"Of course. Stone Breathing. A style for those with perseverance, endurance, and unshakable will. Do you think that suits you?"
"Um… perseverance, endurance, and a heart of stone? That's… about ?"
Even Hiratsuka Shizuka, normally so bold and outspoken, found herself flustered.
"Mhm. Shizuka's incredibly tough. Her willpower is remarkable. She's been going through matchmaking since she was twenty-six, and even now, in her thirties, she hasn't given up. That's true persistence."
Haruno nodded solemnly as she delivered her 'serious' praise.
"Shut up! I'm twenty-nine years and eighteen months old, okay? I'm not over thirty!"
Hiratsuka, feeling her pride stabbed in broad daylight, jumped up like a startled cat.
And just like that, the atmosphere in the room turned warm and cheerful.
Akira smiled.
Even if the system didn't grant him more Breathing Styles in the future, after mastering Sun and Water Breathing, creating lighter versions suited for others wouldn't be difficult.
He just needed a bit of ti.
So making promises like this? He could do it without a second thought.
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