"You won't tell Erina?" Sui asked, a bit surprised.
"Hmm," Alice nodded, glancing at the already asleep Erina. Puffing out her cheeks, she continued, "If Erina found out I stole her boyfriend, she'd definitely cry. She's always pretending to be so strong, but deep down, she's fragile. I hate it when she acts like that!"
Sui looked at Alice in surprise. It seemed she really understood Erina.
Even though she claimed to dislike her cousin, Sui thought, perhaps she actually cared about her. After all, despite their constant clashes, there was a bond beneath it all.
"But why did you do this?" Sui asked.
"Because… because…" Alice's face turned a deep red, as if blood might start dripping from her cheeks. She lowered her head, stammering and unable to finish her sentence.
"Because I like you! Are you happy now?" Alice finally blurted out, mustering up all her courage. The moment she said it, she quickly bowed her head again, her face flushed with embarrassment. She dared not look at him.
Despite often teasing Erina about her romantic inexperience, Alice herself was just as inexperienced. She was a novice in love, just like Erina.
Initially, she had only thought of Sui as a good cook and someone close to Erina. She didn't have any romantic feelings for him. But as time passed, she found herself thinking about him more and more, unable to forget their interactions.
When Sui had comforted her that morning and embraced her, Alice had felt a sense of peace and warmth she'd never experienced before. Though she was new to love, she eventually realized that she had fallen for him.
It took her a while to admit it, but the alcohol gave her the courage to say it out loud tonight.
"Why do I have to be the one confessing like this? This is so embarrassing!" Alice puffed her cheeks out again, her face still flushed, and glared at Sui.
Sui was momentarily speechless. He hadn't expected her to have feelings for him.
"This is so sudden," he managed to say.
"Love is always sudden, isn't it?" Alice shot back, her voice tinged with irritation and the lingering scent of alcohol.
For girls, the first time often carries great significance. After that incident, Alice had started to care deeply for Sui and found herself constantly thinking about him. She had already harbored a good impression of him, and when Sui helped her overcome her failures, she realized she had fallen in love with him.
"I see," Sui sighed.
"You said you'd take responsibility! You can't go back on your word! If you try to back out, I'll tell Grandpa and Erina!" Alice pouted and lightly hit him with her small fists.
Sui was once again speechless, but remembering his previous promise, he nodded and said, "Don't worry, I'll take responsibility."
"What about your parents?" Sui asked, concerned.
"Are you stupid? Of course, you can't tell them!" Alice retorted, glaring at him. "If my mom finds out I stole my sister's boyfriend, she'll kill me! And my dad won't let me off either!"
Sui was silent, but inwardly he felt relieved. If her parents didn't find out, he wouldn't have to face that situation.
After realizing her feelings for Sui, Alice had thought long and hard. While she wanted to have him all to herself, she was also worried about hurting Erina. Despite considering Erina a rival, Alice still cared for her cousin.
"I'm letting you off easy by not making you break up with Erina," Alice said, patting Sui's shoulder. Then, with a triumphant smile, she added, "Erina always took my toys when we were kids. This time, I'm taking her boyfriend—call it payback."
Remembering how Erina always seemed to outshine her in cooking and everything else, Alice felt a surge of pride. For once, she had bested her cousin.
This was another reason she wanted Sui to be her boyfriend.
Sui was left speechless again. Why did he feel like a toy being fought over by two sisters?
In truth, he didn't have any romantic feelings for Alice. She was beautiful and had a charming personality, but his relationships with Erina and Tohru had developed naturally over time. With Alice, it felt more like a responsibility.
"Are you tired? You should go to bed early," Sui said, noticing Alice's flushed face and the smell of alcohol on her breath.
He then picked up the tsundere girl, intending to carry her to the bedroom.
"Have you and Erina… you know, done it?" Alice suddenly asked.
"Uh-huh." Sui nodded. There was no point in hiding it.
"Then I'm going to sleep with you tonight." Alice's cheeks turned crimson, but she looked straight at Sui and said, "I fell asleep last time, so it doesn't count! I can't let Erina get ahead of me!"
Sui was stunned. Seeing her swaying drunkenly, he wondered if she had been intoxicated and acting on impulse all along.
However, remembering his promise, he couldn't refuse. He nodded and picked her up.
A flicker of panic flashed across Alice's eyes. Although it wasn't technically her first time, she had been asleep before, and now, with no experience, she felt anxious.
But she bit her lip, a blush spreading across her face. "You have to be gentle with me," she whispered.
"Okay," Sui agreed, then carried her into Erina's bedroom and undressed her.
Alice's skin was as fair as milk, smooth as silk, with a faint pink hue from her shyness.
She sat on the bed, her face filled with nervousness and shyness.
"It's okay, don't be nervous," Sui reassured her.
Alice nodded but then stood up again, her voice trembling with fear. "I-I changed my mind. Can I leave now?"
Sui: "…"