CHAPTER 237: UNFINISHED BUSINESS [2]

So that was the unfinished business you mentioned earlier, Rachel...?

...to bully Kiera?

I quietly backed away from the scene, not because I was afraid Rachel would catch me, but because I really didn’t want to get involved.

Not when she was in that mood.

You know the one—the one where her tone was sweet, her smile gentle, but she was about five seconds away from metaphorically dropkicking someone through a wall.

Rachel stood there in the middle of the garden path like she owned the ground beneath her feet—arms folded, chin slightly raised, and a faint smile that sent shivers down spines.

Kiera, for all her wit and social sharpness, looked like a deer caught in an arcane spotlight. Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

"Oh? Cat got your tongue?" Rachel mused, her voice sweet but wrapped in blades. "Or are you realizing that calling someone a loser repeatedly—even as a ’joke’—doesn’t sound so cute when someone actually calls you out for it?"

"I-I didn’t mean it like that," Kiera stammered, glancing around as if hoping someone would step in to save her.

Rachel leaned in, just a little. Enough to make the space between them feel like a noose tightening.

"You didn’t mean it?" she echoed softly. "That’s convenient."

Kiera clenched her fists, trying to muster what little composure she had left. "Look, I—I didn’t know he was your brother, okay?"

Rachel blinked slowly, then tilted her head. "So if he wasn’t my brother, it would’ve been okay?"

"N-No, that’s not what I—!"

Rachel sighed dramatically and straightened up. "Honestly, I’m not even mad. Just disappointed. You seem smart. Sharp tongue, quick brain. I thought maybe you’d be the type to understand that words carry weight—even in jest."

Kiera lowered her gaze, her lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line.

I, on the other hand, did what any rational person in my shoes would do—I tried to get as far away from this situation as physically possible.

But of course, in this cursed world, my luck might as well be named "Worst Luck Ever."

—She’s already sensed you. Trying to leave now would only make it worse.

That voice in my head? Zaho Yuren, casually dropping bombs via mental communication like always.

’Ah... Seriously? She already noticed me?’

—Yep. You’re well within her range now. Too late for a quiet escape.

Damn it.

So I was already caught in the web? Just great.

I didn’t want to be a part of whatever drama was about to unfold. I really didn’t. I transmigrated here to survive, maybe get strong, and live a somewhat peaceful life—not get dragged into emotional family conflicts or heroic vengeance arcs.

A transmigrator is a human being too, okay? We need rest. We need joy. We need to be allowed to slack off from time to time!

Kiera who was tried to be delinquent at start of semsetser was now being scolded by my older sister, who actually looked like the final boss of some underground gang.

—Honestly, I still can’t believe I let someone like you pass the trial and entrusted you with my precious weapon. Have some self-respect, kid.

I rolled my eyes internally and ignored Yuren’s unnecessary commentary.

Easy for him to say. He didn’t have to deal with a terrifying hero-sister appearing out of nowhere, blowing my peaceful cover into pieces.

Knowing full well there was no escape, I quietly stepped into the lion’s den.

Rachel stood there, arms folded, gaze sharp like always. "Looks like you’ve grown a little backbone since leaving home. You used to run away from anything even slightly inconvenient."

She wasn’t wrong... Normally, I would’ve happily vanished at the first sign of trouble.

I tried to play it cool. "What are you talking about, sis? Why would I run away from you? You’re not trouble at all."

...Even though every fiber of my being knew this was trouble.

Rachel raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

"Is that so?"

"Hm."

I nodded with the innocent expression of someone who absolutely had not just lied to a terrifying war goddess.

"Anyway," Rachel said, shifting her focus, "I need to finish my conversation with her. So Rin, you—"

"No," I cut in, stepping forward, "let her go first."

Her expression tightened. The air around us changed. Her gaze sharpened, and for a second, I wondered if I’d stepped too far.

"Did I..." Her voice dropped, smooth and dangerous. "Just hear that correctly?"

I gulped. "Yeah. I think you heard it right."

Kiera, still standing awkwardly a few steps behind, looked at me with wide eyes.

Touched? Grateful? Hard to tell. But I wasn’t doing this because she was pretty or anything. Let’s be clear about that.

Honestly, I probably could’ve played dumb and walked away—but I’d already been spotted, and if I had to get dragged into this, I might as well control the damage.

Even if this place was tucked away, someone else might wander in.

A witness. A gossip.

And I didn’t want tomorrow’s academy bulletin headlining:

"Hero Rachel Evans Threatens Student—Younger Brother Watches, Unbothered"

So I took a breath and tried to sound reasonable. "It’s not about taking sides. I’m just saying... you have a reputation, sister. You’re here as an inspector, not a cadet’s older sister. If someone sees this, it won’t look good."

I thought I’d made a good point. Logical. Level-headed.

Rachel?

She just stared at me, completely unimpressed.

"...You done?"

That was a no, then.

Rachel’s eyes narrowed slightly, her faint smile returning—but this time, it didn’t reach her eyes. That was never a good sign.

Still, she straightened her posture and gave a slight shrug, flicking her hair over her shoulder with practiced ease. The moment passed, just like that.

"Tch. Fine," she said, as if sparing Kiera was doing me a favor. "Lucky you, Kiera. My baby brother wants to play mediator today. Guess you live another day."

Kiera, pale and stiff as stone, quickly bowed her head. "I-I’m sorry. Truly. I didn’t mean anything by what I said earlier. I was just... stupid."

Rachel gave a noncommittal hum and waved a hand. "Don’t grovel. It’s pathetic. Just remember who you’re talking to next time."

With that, she turned her back to Kiera, clearly dismissing her from existence, and gestured for me to walk with her.

I gave Kiera one last glance—she looked like she’d just been released from a demon king’s grip—and quietly followed Rachel down the garden path.

The tension faded as we walked, leaving only a faint buzz in the air.

"Was that necessary?" I asked her, once we were out of earshot.

"Absolutely," Rachel replied without pause. "You think I’m going to let anyone talk down to my little brother? Please. I’ve broken bones for less."

I grimaced. "You know, some people just use words. Talking? Diplomacy?"

"I am talking. That was diplomacy. You’ve never seen me angry."

"...Please don’t let me."

That earned a soft chuckle from her. The threat had passed. For now.

She relaxed a little, her shoulders losing that steel rigidity. "Anyway, how’s academy life treating you? Anyone giving you trouble?"

"Besides you?" I mumbled.

"I heard that."

We walked in silence for a bit before she spoke again, her voice lighter, more conversational.

"There is still one more unfinished business for me left to do."

Damn. Not again!