Josh and Jack turned their heads simultaneously, releasing Susan, who tumbled to the floor, her clothes disheveled from their unwanted advances.
Jack's voice wavered as he nervously questioned, "Hey, bro, you wouldn't actually do that, would you?"
Josh, teasing Jack with a smirk, added, "We're all buddies here, right? Maybe you've got a soft spot for her?"
Jack chimed in with a laugh, "Who in their right mind would fall for a girl like her?"
Their callous remarks pushed me over the edge. I could no longer contain my anger. I snapped at them, "Will you two please shut up? You're testing my patience." My eyes conveyed a dangerous intensity.
Sensing the brewing storm in my gaze and feeling the weight of my anger, Jack and Josh silently exchanged glances and decided, "Let's go." They hissed their frustration but walked past me. As our eyes briefly locked, they delivered a parting warning, "You will live to regret this," before exiting the male restroom, leaving Susan and me behind.
"Thank you for saving me," Susan said, her voice trembling with tension.
I turned toward her, my expression stern, and irritation seeping into my voice as I replied, "Why don't you try standing up for yourself? Playing the victim only hurts you in the end."
Seeing her brought back memories of my past life, which only fueled my irritation further. I glanced at her once more and advised, "Try fighting for yourself. If it becomes too much, leave it to me, the so-called villain." With that, I turned and walked away from the male restroom. A message appeared:
[TITLE EARNED: THE ONE THAT STANDS FOR THE WEAK]
I glanced at the message and allowed a faint smile to cross my lips as I continued my departure. Susan's cries echoed behind me, and I couldn't help but think that perhaps, for the first time, someone had told her that they would stand up for her. In a way, she reminded me of myself.
---------
There I was, standing in front of our family home's gate. I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me as I gazed upon the nameplate that proudly displayed our family name, "Kazuma family." It had been a while since I had taken the time to stand here and reflect on the memories that this place held for me.
The memories came flooding back, like a torrential rain that washes away the dust of time. I remembered all those moments when I had stood in this very spot, waiting for the school bus, playing with my friends, or simply lost in thought. The gate, with its weathered wooden frame and iron bars, had been a silent witness to the passage of time in our family's life.
But my trip down memory lane was abruptly interrupted when I heard a familiar voice calling out to me. "Onii-chan (Brother), where have you been? I've been waiting for you all this while. You promised to play with me today," said the sweet, feminine voice.
I turned my attention towards the source of the voice, and there she was, standing in front of the house door that she had just managed to force open. It was my little sister, Nezuko. Her radiant beauty never failed to astound me. She was like a goddess, the embodiment of all that was pure and enchanting.
As I looked at her, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride and responsibility. She was the one thing I cherished above all else, the one I wished to protect with unwavering devotion.
Recalling our past, I remembered that she was supposed to be fifteen now. She was blossoming into a young woman, and her physical features were nothing short of captivating. Let's start with her hair, a cascade of spun gold that seemed to capture the sunlight itself. It fell in soft, silky waves down to her shoulders, catching the light in a mesmerizing dance of honey and sunlight. Each strand shimmered with a natural luster that drew the envy of many. But I was here to protect her, to shield her from any harm. Deep inside, I felt a sense of duty to do so, perhaps even more so than in my previous life.
I tried to delve deeper into my memories, to understand why this sense of responsibility was so ingrained in me. But my thoughts were interrupted by a sudden system prompt that appeared in front of me.
[FAILURE TO RECALL PAST MEMORIES]
[SYSTEM ERROR]
I stared at it for a moment, my curiosity piqued. It worried me that I couldn't access memories of my sister five years into the future from my past life. But I decided to push that concern aside for now and focus on the adorable little sister who stood before me.
I raised my head to meet her gaze, locking eyes with her. Those eyes, the windows to her soul, were a captivating shade of cerulean blue. They held a depth and clarity that seemed to reflect the boundless skies above. When she looked at me, it was as if the entire universe had paused to take notice. I couldn't help but feel that her eyes held secrets, dreams, and a profound innocence that I was determined to preserve.
Her petite figure was graced with the delicate curves of youth. She moved with a grace that was both natural and enchanting, like a ballerina in the midst of a captivating performance. Her skin, smooth as porcelain, seemed to glow with a rosy hue, giving her an ethereal quality that was impossible to ignore.
But it wasn't just her physical appearance that made her special. It was her personality, a delicate blend of kindness, intelligence, and a fierce determination to excel in all she pursued. She had a smile that could light up the darkest of days, and her laughter was a melody that brought joy to everyone fortunate enough to hear it.
As her older brother, I had watched her grow from a precocious child into the remarkable young woman she was becoming. But as she ventured deeper into adolescence, I couldn't help but worry.
The world could be a harsh and unforgiving place, and I felt a growing responsibility to shield her from its challenges and dangers. I knew that my little sister possessed a vulnerability that was both endearing and worrisome. Her innocence was a precious treasure, and I was determined to protect it.
While I was still lost in these thoughts, my sister looked at me with anger welling up inside her and cut me short of the trance I was in. She walked towards me, her feet stomping on the floor with purpose, each step making a noticeable sound. When she reached where I was, she grabbed my hands and said with an angry expression, "I caught you now, brother. You're going to play with me."
"Okay, Nezuko, you caught me. Let's go play," I said with a smile spreading across my lips. I couldn't believe I still held these kinds of emotions within me.
Hearing this, my sister smiled, and she began dragging me by the hand as she ran towards the door. She said in a happy and low tone, "I love you, brother."
Hearing her say this filled me with emotions, and I smiled as I followed her into the house.
Author Note:
Please gift me powerstones 🥲