Chapter 222: Adorable Kotori
"Big brother, please—Chupa Chups, Chupa Chups. Without Chupa Chups, your cutest little sister will die."
Franklin's face filled with black lines as he lightly chopped Kotori on the forehead with his hand.
In the next instant, Kotori clutched her head and looked at Franklin with teary eyes. Franklin, however, had no intention of comforting her at all.
"Talk properly. It's just a lollipop—you're not going to die over it.
Or is that how you see me, as some idiot big brother who can't even satisfy his cute little sister's reasonable request?"
Hearing Franklin say that, the tears in Kotori's eyes vanished instantly. She became excited at once, throwing herself into Franklin's arms and rubbing her head hard against his chest.
"I knew it—big brother is the best. I won't do it again next time. I want lots… lots… lots… lots of Chupa Chups."
Being spoiled like this put Franklin in a good mood. The Chupa Chups he prepared were nothing but benefits—calling them miracle pills wouldn't be an exaggeration.
He snapped his fingers lightly, and a small bag of Chupa Chups of the same quality appeared in his hand.
Seeing the bag in Franklin's hand, Kotori's eyes instantly lit up. She released Franklin and lunged straight for the Chupa Chups.
Seeing this, Franklin was just about to raise his hand to tease his adorable little sister when the image of Kotori's tearful eyes from moments ago flashed before him.
The hand he had raised paused, then lowered again. Constantly teasing his dear little sister really was a bit too much. The candy was immediately snatched away by Kotori.
"There are ten inside, all specially made by me. Each one lasts about two hours—roughly three days' worth.
Three a day is enough. The nutrients inside are more than sufficient for your needs. Don't eat that junk outside anymore—just eat at home from now on."
She had been a little dissatisfied that there were only ten at first, but after hearing Franklin's explanation, Kotori's eyes shone brightly. She hugged Franklin again,
then lightly pecked his cheek before quickly running out the door.
"Thanks, big brother. I knew you treated me best."
Watching her cheeks flushed red as she left, Franklin smiled helplessly. He didn't plan to follow her out.
Recalling the location of Raizen High School in his memory, Franklin also didn't plan to stay on the ship any longer. He still needed to make contact with Origami Tobiichi—after all, there was indeed no memory in his mind of saving her.
But judging by his own character, there was no way he wouldn't have saved her in advance—he might have even saved her parents.
Even though most of his strength had been sealed during that period, he was still effectively invincible on Blue Star. There was no way he'd be stupid enough to not do something so basic.
"Big brother, why did you leave again? Aren't you going to attend the romance guidance class? I really think you need it.
After all, if we're being honest, you really are a straight-up blockhead. Otherwise, you wouldn't have reached high school without ever dating anyone."
Just as Franklin landed back on the school rooftop, Kotori's voice came through the earpiece, leaving him somewhat helpless.
"You didn't say anything just now—how was I supposed to know? And that's way too hurtful.
I've always had someone I like. I devote everything every day to keeping her happy, and I even plan to take care of her for the rest of my life.
How would I have the time to date some bad woman whose background I don't even know?"
Hearing Franklin's reply, Kotori—now seated in the center of the control room with the black ribbon back on—instantly darkened in expression.
"Can you tell me which little fox it is that made you put in so much? I'm genuinely curious."
The moment Kotori said this, the Fraxinus's control room fell into complete silence. Everyone looked at Kotori with strange expressions.
Kotori hadn't yet realized what was wrong when Franklin's loud voice suddenly rang out through the control room.
"My dear, adorable little sister—are you planning to marry another man in the future? Because if that happens, I might really go crazy."
Before he even finished speaking, Kotori immediately switched the live feed on the big screen to her personal monitor. At the same time, the volume rapidly dropped, and she directly cut the connection.
Feeling the intense gazes around her, Kotori's cheeks turned completely red.
With her strong personality forcing her to hold on, even though she was extremely embarrassed, Kotori still raised her head and glared at everyone in the control room.
"What are you all looking at? Is there spirit intel on my face? Get back to work—every last one of you.
Keep staring and I'll dock your pay, cut your bonuses, and send you down to help my brother."
Instant silence. Everyone, smiling faintly, turned their attention back to their own screens.
Meanwhile, Kannazuki Kyouhei, standing beside Kotori, was knocked down by another punch.
"Ah~ thank you~"
That disgusting voice earned him a kick from Kotori.
"Idiot… idiot… idiot… stupid big brother, making me embarrass myself like this…"
Though she muttered softly, Kotori's face was completely flushed, and a blissful smile spread across it.
Hearing the crackling static from the earpiece, Franklin smiled and shut it off, heading down from the rooftop toward the newly assigned second-year classroom in his memory.
Noise filled the hallway as Franklin—his clothes already transformed into Raizen High School's uniform—walked inside at an unhurried pace.
Spotting that familiar short white hair, Franklin moved silently, drawing no attention at all. He passed behind her and sat down in the back row by the window—his seat.
The moment he sat down, Hiroto Tonomachi in front of him immediately turned around, which actually startled Franklin a little. Even Origami Tobiichi hadn't noticed him—how did this guy?
"Lin, first day of second year and you're already late. That's a record even for you.
So where'd you go? Out on a date with a girl you like?"
Even though he'd been called "Lin" for a year already, hearing it again still caused Franklin physical discomfort.
"Something like that. I really was delayed by something involving a girl."
As he spoke, Origami Tobiichi—who had noticed Franklin's arrival—turned around. Her lifeless eyes locked onto him, making Franklin even more uncomfortable.
"Hiroto, wait a moment. I've got something to take care of."
Standing up and walking over to Origami Tobiichi, Franklin directly extended his right hand.
"I don't have many memories of you, but I feel like there's a lot of history between us.
If you're willing, would you like to go to the rooftop and talk?"
Faced with Franklin's straightforward invitation, Origami Tobiichi froze briefly, then—without any hesitation—grasped his right hand. Hand in hand, the two of them walked out of the classroom one after the other.
"That's Origami Tobiichi—the top student who ranks first in the grade every exam, right? How did she end up going out with Franklin?"
"Not just going out—if I'm not mistaken, they left holding hands."
"This is kind of hard to take…"
Yamabuki Ai, Hazakura Mai, and Fujibakama Mii all curiously turned to Tonomachi Hiroto.
"Tonomachi, do you know anything about this?"