"Koneko, don't hold back anymore, do what you want," Tenraku leaned into Koneko's ear and encouraged her, before snapping his fingers and making the bonds that had been restraining Kuroka disappear.
"Ni, Li, let's go," Tenraku said.
"Wū wū wū, it's so touching, Lord Tenraku, it's really touching…" Tenraku twisted the crying Nekomata girls and walked out of the room.
Kuroka wanted to curse Tenraku, but seeing Koneko just watching her with tears and not speaking, she couldn't help but feel a pain in her heart.
"Shirone, don't believe whatever I just said, I was just lying to that guy. Onee-san is a bad woman, how could she do that kind of thing, I just…" Even though Shirone hates her, Kuroka didn't want her to blame herself for it.
Kuroka forced herself to calm down and said cruel words, but before she could finish, Koneko rushed over and hugged her tightly.
"Liar, liar, Onee-san is a big liar!!!" Koneko cried, almost exhausted.
Unexpectedly, everything that her Onee-san did was for her. She didn't hesitate to fall into darkness and blame herself, but she still hated and misunderstood Onee-san all the time. The self-blame in her heart almost suffocated the girl.
Seeing Koneko's self-blame and pain, Kuroka couldn't help but tremble and her disguise crumbled.
"Sorry, Shirone," Kuroka said softly, closing her eyes and holding Koneko tightly.
The simple apology seemed to unlock something in Koneko and all the pent-up emotions burst out, she cried uncontrollably.
In the hall, Tenraku, Rias, and others were waiting patiently. After learning the truth about Kuroka from Tenraku, the girls were silent for a long time. The truth is always surprising, and it must be painful and self-blaming.
Although everyone was worried about Koneko, they were also happy for her. Knowing that her elder sister had not betrayed her, and had always loved her, was the most important thing for Koneko.
After a long wait, Koneko and Kuroka finally teleported out of the Saints and Demons Hall.
"Hello everyone," Kuroka greeted everyone, while Koneko next to her held her tightly, it was as if she was afraid of losing her again.
The whole room became lively as everyone gathered around to express their concern.
Rias even stepped forward and hugged Koneko directly, "It's great, Koneko, it's really great." Rias constantly rubbed the girl's cheek, she didn't say anything, but her worries for Koneko were evident.
"Kaicho, everyone, I'm sorry for worrying you," Koneko's voice was hoarse, and her eyes were red and swollen, but everyone felt that she was in better condition than ever.
It seems that Koneko has finally unlocked the knot in her heart.
Thanking everyone for their concern, Koneko walked up to Tenraku. "Senior Tenraku, thank you," Koneko said, bowing sincerely.
If it wasn't for Senior Tenraku, she may never have known the truth, and never have had a chance to reconcile with her elder sister. Although those cruel truths were very painful and self-blaming, they were not important anymore. Now she had the courage to face everything bravely.
"You're talking silly again, Koneko. If you really want to thank me, then live happily and bravely," Tenraku said with a smile as he nodded her forehead.
"Um," Koneko nodded vigorously. She had grown a lot and was determined to never be lost or shrink again. She would live bravely and happily, as this is what Tenraku had expected of her.
"Senior Tenraku, Rias Kaicho, I have one more request," Koneko said, her voice steady. "I want to ask you to take in my elder sister, I know this request is a bit excessive and even brings trouble to both of you, but I don't want my elder sister to go back to where she was before and I don't want to be separated from her again. I will make sure she never does bad things again, so please…" Koneko's face was pleading as she looked at them.
Tenraku smiled and looked at Rias, "This is Koneko's request, naturally I have no objections. Rias, what do you say?"
Rias looked at Kuroka next to Koneko, with a trace of scrutiny in her eyes. Although she was moved by what Kuroka had done for Koneko, she couldn't ignore the fact that Kuroka was not a good person.
If she couldn't be sure that Kuroka was harmless to herself and her family, Rias would never keep such a threat close to her.
"Koneko, have you decided?" Rias asked.
"Um," Koneko nodded.
"What about you, Kuroka, do you have anything to say?" Rias asked Kuroka.
"No one can separate me from Shirone. It doesn't matter if I stay or not, I just leave with Shirone," Kuroka replied with a smile.
"Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you are out here? Although Koneko is your Younger Sister, she is also my important Peerage and family. No one can take her away from me," Rias said with a stern look on her face while Kuroka continue to look at her with indifference.
The atmosphere in the room became tense. Koneko pulled on Kuroka's clothes, and seeing her Younger Sister beg, Kuroka couldn't help but do whatever her sister wanted.
"Forget it, as long as you can take me in and let me do anything, I swear I won't betray you. I also apologize for hurting you before. If you want, you can hit me again. I will not fight back," Kuroka said with a lowered posture.
This act of humility impressed Tenraku and Rias as the women standing before them is very proud.
After taking a deep look at Kuroka, Rias made her decision. "Kuroka, you will be our companion and family from now on, but please remember what you said. If you dare to betray us and betray Koneko, I will never spare you," Rias said firmly.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh, I see, I see, you are troublesome Miss," Kuroka said with a grin.
"Great, Onee-San (Elder Sister)," Koneko said happily.
The atmosphere in the room finally relaxed, and everyone welcomed Kuroka to join regardless of her past actions. Looking at her Younger Sister's happy smile, Kuroka couldn't help but feel nostalgic. Maybe this would be good…
To be continued…
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