Chapter 30: Sorry, Sister
Hearing Satoru's teasing words, Mukuro's previously indignant expression suddenly froze in astonishment.
Clearly, she hadn't expected Satoru to say such things.
Was her sister... suffering?
As this thought crossed her mind, Mukuro instinctively turned her dazed gaze toward her sister.
What met her eyes was an equally stunned delicate face, though its complexion did appear somewhat pale.
However, this seemed less due to Mukuro's influence and more a result of having just been "scolded" by Satoru.
At this moment, Satoru perfectly resembled a "villain gloating over success," standing on moral high ground to criticize others!
"S-Satoru, I'm not suffering at all! I stay by Mukuro's side willingly! This is what I truly want!"
Asahi, who was being stared at by everyone, quickly collected herself and urgently explained, her eyes filled with determination.
She genuinely wanted to stay by Mukuro's side and protect her properly.
This child truly needed her protection...
"Stop pretending to be noble. If you were truly that selfless, you wouldn't seek closeness with friends—having your sister should be enough, right? In reality, you're just using this approach to make others see you as a good sister who loves her younger sibling, all to boost your own image~"
"N-No, that's not true... I don't think that way..."
"Oh? Is that so? Then you appear even more 'noble'~ Acting with such intentions would be hypocrisy. But acting this way without such intentions—what should we call that? I believe it should be called 'arrogance'~ Thinking it's only natural to protect your sister, and now stepping forward to save your friend as if it's 'nobility'—isn't that the epitome of arrogance? Do you consider everyone else beneath you?"
"..."
Satoru's words pierced Asahi's heart like a needle, sinking deep within.
She had originally thought her actions were perfectly normal—making her sister happy while protecting her friends. Wasn't that good?
But now, after Satoru's accusations, she didn't know how to respond.
Could she truly be such a terrible person?
Was she beyond redemption?
These increasingly complex thoughts weighed heavily on Asahi, making her expression grow increasingly troubled, while Mei and Ayano watched with increasingly peculiar looks.
However, neither of them spoke up this time.
Whenever faced with troublesome situations, he often resorted to unconventional methods to resolve them.
This approach frequently required him to play the villain's role.
As he himself put it, "When there's a big bad guy around, any conflicts can be temporarily set aside."
Honestly, always using such tactics.
Though he'd said before that "playing the villain is actually quite thrilling~" they still felt this method wasn't ideal.
But there were no other options now.
Interrupting at this point would only make Mukuro more dangerous—that would be disastrous!
"My sister isn't that kind of person! What do you know about my sister?!"
But even if they didn't interrupt now, Mukuro was already utterly furious. Her entire aura intensified countless times over, seemingly draining all the air from the surroundings!
Such terrifying pressure!
Those who had initially considered speaking up to mediate finally abandoned the thought entirely at this moment.
Even though it was their first time witnessing the power of a "Spirit," they had already recognized the dimensional gap between them.
If Mukuro held even the slightest intention to kill them, she could accomplish it in an instant!
"Well, I can't argue with that. After all, you're her sister—you'd know best~"
At this point, Satoru seemed to "back down," nodding with a smile as he agreed.
"So why do you think she agreed to her friend's idea to cut your hair~?"
"Th-That's because…"
Of course, his next sentence was a direct counterattack.
It completely deflated Mukuro's previously overwhelming aura.
"Because she didn't actually care about you as a sister. What she cared about was having someone think of her as a good girl, someone to praise her. Whether it was you—her cute, obedient little sister—or not, I doubt she minded~ When it comes down to it, she's just a selfish person who only thinks of herself and never considers others~"
"You!!"
Hearing this, Mukuro finally couldn't hold back anymore. She shouted in rage, even pointing the tip of her staff directly at Satoru's face!
Everyone instinctively gasped, but Satoru, who was experiencing it firsthand, broke into a radiant smile.
Because he could see it.
Though she appeared utterly enraged, the golden-haired girl before him had eyes filled more with overwhelming guilt than anger. Her body trembled violently…
"To deprive someone of their right to pursue happiness just for your own happiness—don't you think that kind of woman is going too far, Mukuro-chan~?"
"I… I didn't, I really didn't…"
Mukuro, once brimming with fury, now looked dazed. Her eyes began to dart around, unable to meet Satoru's gaze, much less her sister's.
Because she understood.
This person before her seemed to be talking about her sister, but in reality, every word was directed straight at her…
"Enough! Mukuro! Stop dwelling on those things!"
But just then, a familiar, emotional voice suddenly rang out.
She was enveloped in a warm embrace…
Her tightly wound nerves finally snapped completely, and she could no longer hold back her tears.
"I-I'm sorry! Sister! I was so scared…"
Even though she had become an incredibly powerful Spirit, her heart had never felt more fragile than it did now…
***
T/N: For those who were wondering what happend to this fic I have good news for you. I got the raws thanks to a kind reader who helped me. So ill be continueing this fic but from 1st December as I need to stockpile some chapters and I'm a bit busy this month. Thanks for waiting.