The morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, lighting up a perfectly set breakfast table. The air was filled with the comforting aromas of miso soup, grilled fish, and tamagoyaki—a scene that should've been nothing more than an ordinary day.
But something just wasn't right.
Kitsune balanced a plate of steaming rice in one hand, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. Today, breakfast wasn't only about food—it was all about teasing Taiyo into oblivion.
She turned just in time to see him shuffle into the kitchen, his hoodie slipping off one shoulder, his messy hair and lingering pink flush from earlier making her stifle a laugh.
Caught in 4K.
He plopped down on a floor cushion without a word, clearly hoping for a quiet meal. Too bad for him.
Sibling Banter at Its Finest
"You okay there, little bro?" Kitsune asked with fake innocence as she slid his plate across the table.
"Don't call me that," Taiyo muttered, spearing his tamagoyaki. "It's cringe."
Kitsune gasped dramatically. "Oh, cringe, is it? Coming from the guy who was watching anime girls moaning on full blast this morning? I'm surprised you didn't wake up the neighbors."
Taiyo choked on his soup. "I told you—it was already on when I woke up! I didn't even turn it on!"
"Uh-huh," Kitsune leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So, what was it? 'Busty Catgirls Save the World'? Or maybe 'High School of the Lewd'?"
"STOP!" Taiyo groaned, looking like he wished he could disappear. "Why are you like this?"
"Because life's too short not to mess with you," Kitsune said with a smirk. "Speaking of which—remember back in the Isekai? You used your Appraisal skill all the time, right?"
Taiyo tensed, shooting her a wary look. "...What about it?"
Kitsune's smirk widened. "Well, every time you used it on Yuki, your gaze kinda... drifted. Lower."
Taiyo dropped his chopsticks. "I—I DID NOT!"
"Oh, but you did." Kitsune leaned in. "And don't think I didn't notice you sneaking a peek at my stats, too."
Taiyo turned ghostly pale. "I—THAT'S NOT TRUE! THAT'S GROSS!"
Kitsune clutched her chest like a melodramatic heroine. "Gross?! How can you say that to your lovely, charming, fashionable older sister? I'm heartbroken, Taiyo!"
"You're impossible!" he groaned, slumping onto the table.
Kitsune poked his cheek. "C'mon, admit it. You think I'm at least a little waifu material."
"STOP TALKING," Taiyo begged, his voice cracking.
Kitsune burst into laughter, wiping away a tear. "Oh my god, your face! You're too easy to mess with."
The Calm Before the Truth
For a few moments, the teasing died down, and the clink of chopsticks on plates filled the room, while the TV hummed softly in the background.
It was peaceful. Too peaceful.
Kitsune's gaze drifted to her brother as memories of the Isekai crashed into her—battles, that wild Takoyaki shop, the shadowy figure that dragged them back here. Did Taiyo remember? Did he feel something was off too?
A Chilling Realization
"Hey," Kitsune said softly.
Taiyo paused mid-bite. "Hm?"
"Do you feel weird? Like… about being here?"
Taiyo tilted his head. "You mean, waking up back home? I dunno—it's kinda fuzzy. I know this is real, but somehow it feels… fake. Does that even make sense?"
Kitsune nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's like this place is trying too hard to be normal. Like it's some scripted illusion."
Taiyo's frown deepened. "You think we're still in the Isekai?"
"Maybe." Kitsune tapped her chopsticks on her plate. "Or maybe this is just another level of whatever game we're stuck in."
Taiyo groaned. "Ugh, my brain can't handle this before 9 AM. Can we not do the whole 'existential crisis' thing right now?"
Kitsune smirked. "Fine, fine. But just so you know—if we are still in the Isekai, I'm totally telling Yuki about your little Appraisal habit."
Taiyo's face flushed cherry red. "WHY DO YOU KEEP BRINGING THAT UP?!"
Kitsune ruffled his hair. "Because I'm your big sister, and it's my job to make your life a living hell."
The Journey Isn't Over
Despite all the bickering, there was still a warmth between them. No matter if they were in the Isekai or this weird, altered reality, they were siblings.
Deep down, both knew the truth.
This wasn't the end.
The mysteries of the Isekai still clung to them.
And if this world turned out to be a lie, Kitsune was ready to tear it apart until she found the truth.
But for now? Breakfast came first.
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TO BE CONTINUED…