Having finished the exnations, I showed the newly summoned girls to their amodations so that they could carefully consider the deal I offered.


    It took me some time to exin everything properly, but after I had finished this, I went back home to wake Cassandra for breakfast like she had asked me to.


    She was looking forward to my cooking and got a bit annoyed at first since I hadn''t even touched a pan. She still seemed to enjoy though.


    After that, a few of the girls went inside the Kingdom while some stayed home to rx.


    For today''s day off, the initial n was to prepare a banquet with everyone''s favorite dishes, but the addition of Angelica and Cassandra put a wrench on this since I also wanted to include them, but didn''t know them too well yet.


    Still, next on the list was helping Maya with her bath.


    She seemed displeased that she needed help even for something like this, but ultimately, there was nothing either of us could do. Just entering and leaving was impossible for her.


    And so, the two of us were finallypletely alone inside the bath, and as I was scrubbing her back, I saw that her eyes were a little bit watery, and even though the water was falling on her back, drops were still running through her face.


    Those were tears, and I could pretty much tell the reason they were there.


    This girl has a lot on her mind, and for the sake of others, keeps everything to herself.


    But inside this ce, she ended up rxing a little, and so, couldn''t contain her emotions anymore as they started to overflow.


    Throughout my life, I think I only saw Maya crying when she was like 6 or so. This is a rare sight, but... it was understandable.


    I decided to feign ignorance and pretended I wasn''t seeing anything. I wanted nothing more than tofort and reassure her, but I knew that doing so with this girl would have the reverse effect.


    Bringing attention to her tears was only going to make her regret shedding them as she would feel bad that she was being a bother.


    As usual, she had me between a rock and a hard ce. No matter what I thought about doing, it felt like it wouldn''t be positive.


    So, while I was silently considering my options, she surprised me...


    Maya: "...I was scared."


    I had imagined.


    I tortured myself imagining it more than I''d like to admit.


    Miwen: "I know. You can confide in me if you want."


    I''m sorry Licia, but the help you offered me... allow me to extend it to her.


    Maya: "...It''s fine now... I just... I didn''t want you to see me like that... I don''t want you to have to worry about me..."


    ...One way or another, the universe brings bnce.


    She is a girl who worries and cares about everyone. Always willing to help them. These actions will always add to her worries and troubles, but she refuses to trouble anyone else.


    And for that, she dedicates herself to bing the best in every activity possible, even the rare one that she struggles with at first. Her effort and determination are a result of her desire to be self-reliant.


    This girl has a brother who will worry and care for her independently of circumstances.


    A man who couldn''t bepared to her in any field. He failed and gave up on bing his ideal, being way lesser than her in his selective kindness that turns to cold cruelty towards those he deems undeserving.


    He, who should by all means be a fraction of what she is... will do everything in his power to help the girl who refuses to ask for help.


    His methods will always rely on the things she cannot do, precisely because she is so good. A constant reminder to her that she can''t ever beplete, for that would imply she had darkness within herself.


    She who wishes to live life without troubling anything, out of the good of her heart... will never realize her wish as long as he is alive.


    By following his pride, he guarantees that she will never get what she wants, what she desires.


    She will never be by herself. There will always be at least one person who wille to her aid, even if she never calls for him.


    He robbed her of her desire in an attempt to find meaning in his own life. An act that could easily be seen as cowardice.


    And yet...


    Maya: "...Thank you... for being there... for always being there for me..."


    That innocent girl could only thank him while the tears kept flowing down her eyes.


    I never cared for what she thought about me, no matter if she hated or loved me for the things I did, I simply went ahead and protected her like I wanted to.


    And thisck of care, both in regards to myself, as well as for others... a mindset she could never have... was what saved her in the end.


    It was only because I gave up on being like my father, that I could see to it that she was safe.


    As proof of that, our hero... the definition of a good man... precisely because he is so good... thanks to all the weight he carries... wasn''t able to help her.


    ...When Maya got a Gift, quite some time ago, she left the house quite quickly. It took her just a few weeks, and her visits became incredibly infrequent, until one day, she didn''te back at all.


    Aside from the times I did something dumb, our rtionship was never bad, and we liked being around each other quite a lot.


    So, no matter how she excuses it, I understand the reason why she behaved that way. It''s the same motivation for most of her actions, after all.


    She knew that the possibility of acquiring a Gift changed things. It removed the biggest barrier for me to be like my father.


    At least in her eyes, this opened up the possibility for me to realize my dreams... all she needed to do was... remove herself.


    Thest standing chain. As long as she was around, my efforts would be dedicated to her, instead of myself.


    Sadly, I had already realized that my path was different from his, so her sacrifice ended up being fruitless.


    Even though I knew this... I couldn''t argue against her.


    This brilliant girl was right about her main point. I didn''t care half as much about myself as I did her.


    But even though she was right and took the right course of action... Things still didn''t work the way she intended.


    Even if alone, and untrusting of anyone else... My Gift still forced me to take responsibility for someone else.


    And in time, I developed the same care for other people, as I had for her.


    In a way, this was the closest I could get to my father, and thus, even if not the way she intended, and even if it was something I had already given up on... she got what she wanted.


    The only problem was... how heavy it became.


    Because even if she went away... I still cared for her.


    And now, I was responsible for caring not only for her but for everyone that I summoned too.


    To the point where I became scared of the consequences as I risked destroying the everyday life we had constructed.


    Even though it was for the sake of... everything I had dedicated my life to up until I met them.


    As Mom had said... "Kindness is a weakness"...


    As such, the more kind you choose to be, the stronger you must be.


    Or else, you will need to sacrifice something.


    This was true for me yesterday... and it has been true for the rest of my family for all of their lives.


    It''s a simple problem... if you carry more than you can... You will fall, or, you will drop something.


    But if the problem is simple, it''s only fair for the solution to also be.


    My father is responsible for much more than I am.


    Why? Because he is stronger.


    And so... if I want to carry more... I''ll simply need to be stronger too.


    I discovered back then that I couldn''t be like him. I realized that I wouldn''t want to be either, as the ones I desired to protect were only the ones close to me.


    Yet, I again took a lesson from the path that man walked.


    But as such... worry not, dear sister of mine.


    Your brother will take on any challenge and any opponent. I''ll see to it that they kneel under my feet and beg you for forgiveness.


    I''ll then proceed to get scolded by Licia, as she will definitely say that there''s no need to humiliate someone.


    But I''ll listen to her and the others and will remedy any action I take.


    I won''t sacrifice my rtionship with them, and I will be there to protect you no matter what that may mean.


    It may be hard, or even impossible.


    But all I ever needed was the power. I''ll use it to make my own heroic tale, one where I fulfill my unspoken promise to you and them.


    This, I swear.


    Miwen: "...Home is where you are happy and protected. Family consists of those who trouble and love you. As long as I am alive, Maya, you will always have a home to return to, and a family to count on."


    Thus... the unspoken promise is no more.


    If there''s any weight to words, mine ought to be as heavy as the stars.


    Maya: "... Is that part about troubling me necessary?"


    Miwen: "Absolutely. I''m your brother after all."


    She couldn''t contain a slight, small smile. And I couldn''t contain my pride over it.


    If there''s one reward I could ask, it''s this one. From her, from the girls... and from whoever else this man who uses both good and evil may choose to his side.


    Her bath had alreadye to an end, but I knew she wouldn''t like to get out until she had her feelings under control again, so I told them to cry as much as she wanted while it was just the two of us.


    Once she was satisfied and hadposed herself, regaining control over her feelings, we left.


    Mia: "...Hey."


    Miwen: "Something wrong?"


    Mia was close to the bathroom door, waiting for us toe out, and after I helped Maya to the sofa, she brought me to the kitchen.


    Mia: "I thought it was strange that you were so adamant about helping her... did you predict it was going to go like that?"


    Bathing is more often than not a moment of self-reflection.


    The rxation it provides helps us manage our feelings.


    Maya is a strong girl, who would rather keep everything to herself.


    But in many battles, the deciding factor is not the strength, but the terrain.


    I would be lying if I said I could predict the result, that would never be the case with this girl, but... since she taught me time and time again that I would never win against her,I took the fight somewhere I would have the advantage.


    Miwen: "Nah, she totally caught me off-guard."


    Mia: "Underying it... well, it''s fine. In that case, congrats, I''ll give you a five out of ten for your speech. Be sure to sound more confident next time."


    Kind of hard to do when I also had my own feelings on the matter...


    Miwen: "Eh? Just average? Isn''t that a bit too mean?"


    Mia: "Are you saying you did a good job then?"


    ...You win some, you lose some.


    But to win against Maya only to lose against this idiot...


    The universe and his weird bnce, I guess.


    Since Mia had taken me to the kitchen, I used the opportunity to empty the fridge of all the beer.


    And then when I opened the doors again, I noticed the tragedy... we were out of alcohol.


    Quite mysterious. But that was something I couldn''t allow... even more so on a day off.


    It totally had nothing to do with the fact that I wanted to have a little one-on-one talk with Johnny and asked him to help me out.


    In the start, I was pretty casual and friendly, something that I rarely do with people I haven''t summoned, but... it was important to prepare a good trap.


    He must''ve thought I was only interested in knowing a little more about him since he was with my sister and answered all my questions about his family, what he did before meeting her, where he was from, and other personal things about himself.


    I tried not to poke into anything major or that might''ve been ufortable to talk about, so, he left his guard down.


    I expected more from someone Maya took a liking to. This mistake was enough for me to attack.


    Miwen: "You did well in protecting her. But next time, be careful so your head doesn''t roll."


    Johnny: "Don''t worry, if something like this happens again, I''ll beat their shit!"


    I went ahead and turned to face him.


    Miwen: "...You misunderstood. Yes, if something like this ever happens again, you better make sure you beat them, or at least that you die protecting her... because if you don''t, I''ll be the one to make sure your head rolls."


    He should consider himself warned.


    There''s no point in running or betraying her. Even if he survives, it won''t be for long.


    He must never prioritize his neck over hers, because if he ever does, I''ll be sure that there''s no longer a head attached to it.


    If he''s going to be by her side, it better be until hisst breath.


    Johnny: "Y-yeah... I''ll be-"


    Miwen: "...Also, I hope you know that if she ever mentions cheating, or if you even look at another girl... you can say goodbye to the other head. If you catch my drift."


    I may not be as good of a person as Maya, but I was full of warnings and pieces of advice that would prevent him from dying in the near future.


    And well... Turns out that when the only fact that someone knows about you is the 7 killings you did on the night prior, they listen really well and take it very seriously when you threaten their life.


    Still, lucky Johnny. He got the talk from me and my father... While certainly not that pleasant, it could''ve been much worse. He could''ve gotten it from my mom.


    But I was satisfied with what I managed to tell him, so we made our way back.


    As a nice gesture, I took most of what we had bought to the kingdom, and we just carried a few bottles to drink on the way.


    I might''ve gone a bit overboard, but I was also nning on sharing with the neers.


    Things like this can surprisingly go a long way, and in their situation, perhaps a drink or two might help theme to terms with it.


    I also made sure to confirm everyone''s age before I gave them the beers that were on the fridge. It took me a while, but I learned my lesson on what happens when you get a bunch of girls drunk.


    Surprisingly, when I got home... two uninvited guests were waiting for me.


    With a lot more alcohol.


    And a lot of meat.


    Marcus: "Hey little guy! Your mother said she wanted to talk to Maya''s boyfriend and your... and others... So I thought a barbecue would be nice. Wanna help your old man out?"


    ...Suddenly, I felt a lot of pity for poor Johnny.


    And also for the girls.


    But I quite liked the idea.


    Since I had given up on my initial n for this day off, an open-air barbecue party with everyone sounded pretty nice.


    Miwen: "That''s... yeah, sure. Let''s go inside the Kingdom though, there''s a lot of space there."


    My house simply cannot amodate everyone, even counting the small area outside.


    While Father instantly epted the offer, Mom looked at me with suspicion, but I promised her that I wouldn''t lock them inside or anything.


    I had already given up on most of my ns that involved kidnapping since there was no need for them anyway.