"Uhm… Hey." Ren said awkwardly as he lifted a hand in a small wave.
Alina immediately flinched, her shoulders jumping like she expected him to throw a book at her.
Mostly because he usually did.
Edwin winced internally.
'I don't remember the original Ren hitting her,' he thought, guilt swirling in his chest like cold water.
But before he could process the emotion, a familiar notification shimmered into view.
『Affection Mode has loaded successfully』
『Character is being analyzed…』
Ren blinked as a full character bar unfolded in front of him like a police report.
『 Name: Alina Crowhurst 』
『 Age: 15 』
『 Race: Human 』
『 Relationship: Younger Sister 』
『 Affection Points: 89 / 100 』
『 Hearts: 2 』
『 Emotional State: Nervous, Cautiously Hopeful 』
『 Likes: Drawing, Quiet rooms, Warm praise, Sweets, Books about magic creatures 』
『 Dislikes: Loud scolding, Having her drawings mocked, Sudden shouting 』
『 Special Notes: Has mild fear of her brother due to past teasing, responds well to kindness and gentle tone. 』
Then the system added a snarky personal note.
『Note: She is your damn sister. I didn't send you over here for some sweet home Alabama.』
Ren nearly choked.
He had expected instructions, maybe advice… NOT the system telling him off like his morality supervisor.
'What the fuck?' he thought, staring at the glowing note.
Ren had been bullying this girl and yet she still had two hearts? 'I guess it's because she's a calm loving sister.'
Which honestly made everything worse.
Trying not to look guilty, he cleared his throat. "Can… can I see your drawings…"
The moment the words left his mouth, Alina's eyes widened in pure shock, like he had just asked if she wanted him to buy her a kingdom.
The poor girl didn't know how to process it.
Her voice trembled, but this time it held a tiny spark of confidence. "Do you really want to? Or are you trying to make fun of me again?"
He blinked. "I really want to."
She stared at him suspiciously… as if waiting for a punchline but when he didn't insult her, she finally exhaled and gave a small nervous nod.
"Come on…" she said softly, turning around and heading down the stairs.
Ren followed with his hands in his pockets feeling a weird mix of guilt and amusement.
'I said I wouldn't try fixing Ren's messed-up family ties… but having a real little sister? One who's not sarcastic, petty, or trying to scam me? Yeah, I'm not passing on that.'
Alina's thoughts were practically visible on her face as she walked.
'I really hope Big brother doesn't insult my drawings again.' Her tiny shoulders tensed with every step.
The truth was, the whole reason she started drawing was because of him… back when they were kids.
Ren used to praise her endlessly, telling her she'd be the best artist in the Empire. She clung to those memories like a warm blanket.
But once Ren hit his teens, everything changed.
He teased her relentlessly and mocked her drawings. Called them "scribbles from a bored chicken."
It crushed her confidence.
Now, she sat at the small table in the living room, placed her sketchbook on the table like presenting a sacrifice, and sighed dramatically. "Prepare for your eyes to look upon shit."
Ren gave her a sharp look. "Don't say that…"
"Why? You say it all the time?" she pouted, cheeks puffing adorably. Her golden eyes glared at him with annoyance.
"It's not nice for a girl to say," he said, tapping her forehead gently. "Especially if you're cute like that. Are you trying to drive away any guy that might like you?"
Her cheeks instantly turned pink. "I'll stop… but only because you said it nicely."
She opened the drawing book, flipping it toward him. "Just look…"
Ren braced himself for childish doodles.
Then his jaw nearly hit the table.
Holy.
Hell.
The drawings… weren't just good.
They were incredible… detailed… expressive… and full of emotion. It was far better than what any AI could cook up.
The shading alone looked like it came straight out of a masterpiece gallery.
These weren't amateur sketches… they were professional quality. The Mona Lisa would feel threatened.
Hell, this girl could draw emotions better than half the manga artists Edwin read.
Then, just as he started admiring a breathtaking portrait of a Dragon, his thoughts dropped a gear.
'Not like I ever had enough money or time to see the Mona Lisa anyway…' he muttered internally.
It was tragic but true.
Still… this was ART.
Alina watched his face anxiously. "You're not smiling… If you don't like it…"
"I think this is pretty nice." Ren said firmly, gently returning the book to her.
Then he smirked. "But you haven't drawn one thing…"
She blinked.
"Which is?"
The happiness blooming in her chest was obvious. Her brother actually praised her?
Her heart felt warm, fluttery, and a little overwhelmed. But she was curious… what else could he possibly want?
"Me."
Ren dramatically swooshed his hair backward and posed arrogantly like the noble peacock he was, flashing a grin. "Aren't you going to draw your brother?"
Alina froze.
Then something warm dripped onto her lip.
Her eyes widened.
She slapped a hand over her face.
She was nosebleeding.
The pure audacity of the pose… He was too much.
"S-sure… I'll draw you," she mumbled with her voice small and shy. "Take a pose."
Ren straightened proudly.
And the system exploded.
『Ding!』
『"Alina Crowhurst"'s affection bar has currently been maxed out』
『"Alina Crowhurst"'s hearts have currently been maxed out』
『You have completed a Hidden Mission: Max Out An Affection Bar』
『You have earned a new title: Employee Of The Week』
Ren's smile twitched. Employee of the Week?!? What was he, a cashier at Destiny Mart?
Still… he felt weirdly proud.
…
And somewhere several meters away…
A mature woman crouched behind a bush outside the window, holding a pair of magic binoculars.
Her expression was pale.
She was terrified, confused and concerned all at once.
Her hair was the same shade of blue, though styled elegantly, and her golden eyes were fierce.
She was Stella Crowhurst… The Lady of the House and also Ren and Alina's mother.
'He's acting weird…' she thought, gripping the binoculars tighter. 'Why is he posing for Alina? Why is he letting her draw him? Why is he… smiling?!'
Her breath hitched.
'I need to call the priest.'