"Shichen, don't interrupt me. I'm apologizing to Megumi—no, to Onee-sama," Jeanne said sternly.
"What are you even apologizing for? Stop messing around. Everyone's watching—don't set a bad example," Shichen scolded.
"I'm not setting a bad example. This is on me. I wronged Onee-sama," Jeanne shot back righteously.
"…"
Shichen looked around. No one seemed bothered by Jeanne's behavior—everyone was instead studying Kato Megumi with open curiosity. In their eyes were curiosity, confusion… and respect.
"Onee-sama!"
From the crowd, Beatrice squeezed through excitedly and threw herself at Megumi.
Megumi smiled and caught her. "Beatrice. Long time no see. Did you miss me?"
"Yes! A lot!" Beatrice nodded rapidly, beaming.
"I missed you too." Megumi gently rubbed her head.
"Hehe…" Beatrice narrowed her eyes in bliss.
Shichen watched in surprise. Beatrice's attitude toward Megumi felt even more reverent than how she treated him. But he didn't mind—family was family.
And Beatrice's affection toward him and her reverence toward Megumi were clearly different.
Still, hearing Beatrice call "Onee-sama"… that cute voice gave him a strange sense of déjà vu. He'd once assumed Beatrice's "Onee-sama" referred to someone else. Voices really could mislead.
"Sister." Est stepped up as well, tugging at the hem of Megumi's skirt.
"Est. Long time no see." Megumi's strength was impressive—she held Beatrice with one arm and lifted Est with the other, hugging both little ones like dolls.
"Mhm. Sister… I missed you." Est wrapped her arms around Megumi's neck, smiling.
"That's my spot!" Beatrice protested.
"No, it's mine." Est actually argued back.
"Mine!"
"Mine."
"Alright, alright, don't fight," Megumi soothed. "You two share, okay?"
"Okay."
"Mhm."
They exchanged a look and obediently nodded.
Shichen's eyes widened. Those two actually compromised that easily?
"Um… could you respond to me too?" Jeanne raised her hand to speak up—still kneeling with her head bowed.
"You can stay like that," Megumi said flatly, not even looking.
"Yes…"
"Everyone, don't mind her. Let's get dinner ready first," Megumi began issuing instructions. "Tohru, Rem—put in some extra effort and make more tonight. Sella, Leysritt—please help as well."
And somehow, everyone just… listened.
"Okay."
Tohru nodded and headed to the kitchen with Rem.
"We'll help too," the others followed as well.
The rest of the group stared blankly at Megumi, like they were waiting for orders.
"Hehe—don't worry about me. Do whatever you like. I'll introduce myself properly later," Megumi said with a gentle smile.
They glanced at each other, still confused, and dispersed.
A few stayed.
"Mom…?" Illya looked at Megumi and blurted it out without knowing why.
"Illya, call me 'Sister' instead," Megumi said, briefly glancing at Shichen.
Shichen noticed the look… but she didn't explain.
"Sister!" Illya happily corrected herself.
"Good girl."
"Why did Illya want to call you 'Mom'?" Irisviel asked curiously. She didn't sound jealous.
"I'm… connected to Illya in the same 'source' sense now," Megumi answered simply.
"I see… that makes sense."
"Iri, it's been a long time."
"You really do know everyone," Irisviel laughed. "Just like Jeanne."
She also noticed something odd: she felt an impulse to call Megumi "Sister" too.
It was weird. Irisviel didn't see herself as a child, mentally or emotionally.
Megumi just nodded softly.
"Then… Onee-sama, please take care of us from here on," Irisviel said first, offering goodwill.
"'Take care'? Aren't we family?" Megumi smiled back.
"Yes. Family." Irisviel returned the smile.
"Um… I'm family too," Jeanne tried again.
"Keep your head down," Megumi said coolly.
"Yes…"
"But I'm the second sister, at least let me have some dignity…"
"And when you tried to cut in line, did you think about the consequences?" Megumi countered.
"…I couldn't help it. Shichen was right there. And if I didn't act first, who knows how long it would've taken…" Jeanne admitted.
"That's not an excuse for you to jump ahead of me."
"I…"
"Stay down. You can get up once dinner is ready," Megumi relented.
"Okay!" Jeanne replied brightly.
…She was still being punished, and she sounded happy about it. The "holy maiden" had fully evolved into a comedy act.
"So Jeanne messed up because of me?" Shichen finally realized.
"More like you couldn't control yourself," Megumi shot him a look.
"…You can't blame me. Jeanne's charm is lethal."
"Hehe!" Jeanne giggled, pleased by the compliment.
"Hm?"
"Hmph—" Megumi made a small questioning sound, and Jeanne immediately shut up.
"And you—no sweet-talking," Megumi warned Shichen.
"…Yes, ma'am," Shichen answered obediently.
The café fell quiet for a moment, until Mio walked over.
"O… Onee-sama…"
"Third Sis." Megumi reached out and took Mio's hand.
"Onee-sama." Mio said it surprisingly smoothly, like the word belonged in her mouth.
"Mm. How are you feeling?" Megumi's gaze slipped to Mio's belly, a flicker of envy passing through her eyes.
"No problems." Mio shook her head.
"…I'm sorry," Megumi said softly. "Back then, I took Shichen away and left you alone for so long."
Mio didn't mind. "It's fine. I met Shichen again. That's enough."
She'd once wanted to get even. But standing in front of Megumi, she found she didn't want revenge anymore.
Instead, she felt an involuntary acceptance… even respect.
It was so absurd she almost didn't believe herself.
But maybe this was what it meant to be "Onee-sama."
Mio began to understand why Megumi stood at the top.
"I'm glad you don't hate me," Megumi said. "From now on, let's get along—for Shichen."
"Mm. For Shichen." Mio nodded.
Just like that, they reconciled—directly, almost effortlessly.
Meanwhile, one particular "second sister" stayed face-down on the floor.
Afterward, Megumi reminisced with everyone. She understood them even better than Jeanne did, and it was even easier for people to accept her.
Shichen went with Eriri to help her move in—starting tonight, she'd live here too.
By the time they finished, dinner was ready.
At dinner, Megumi gave a proper introduction, though it was fairly ordinary—her being "Onee-sama" and her relationship to Shichen didn't need explaining anymore.
After dinner, Megumi took a shower and—naturally—walked into Shichen's room.
"My room isn't ready yet. I'll sleep with you tonight," she said matter-of-factly, wearing pink pajamas as she climbed into his bed.
"…Preparing a room would be easy," Shichen reflexively argued.
Megumi didn't answer. She just stared at him with a blank expression.
"…Ahem. Right. It's late. Making Sella and Leysritt set up a room now would be rude. Fine—sleep here," Shichen pivoted instantly and climbed in beside her, lying stiffly on his back.
"Sometimes you're just an idiot," Megumi sighed, then snuggled in and hugged his arm.
He felt a soft warmth—subtle, but perfectly placed.
"Finally," Megumi exhaled. "I can sleep next to you."
"You've wanted that for a long time?" Shichen turned to her.
"Yeah. For a long time."
"…Then I kept you waiting."
"Not that long," Megumi smiled up at him.
"Yeah," Shichen smiled back. "We've got plenty of time ahead."
"Mhm. Sleep."
"…Just sleep? That's it?" Shichen blinked.
"What?" Megumi looked at him calmly. "Were you hoping for something else?"
"…"
~~~
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