These Dangerous Girls Placed Me Into Jeopardy

It was just past five in the morning. Up until now, I’d always made Western-style breakfasts since they were simpler and faster. But since I had so much time today, I figured I’d go all out for once.

Just as I started rinsing the rice to cook porridge, I heard a yawn—“Huaaah~”—from the living room doorway. Mom walked in.

Her hair was a total mess, the dark circles under her eyes as heavy as ever, her shoulders slumped. She looked totally out of it. It wasn’t that she hadn’t slept well—more like she just hadn’t slept enough.

“Mm? Ethan? You’re up so early...”

“You’re one to talk. Didn’t you say you had the day off today? Why are you up already?”

It was only 5:30. I thought Mom would sleep in until noon at least. I’d even planned to prepare lunch for her while making the bento, but she beat me to it.

“Ah, I figured since I’m actually home for once, I should make breakfast for you guys. You’ve been the one making breakfast these past couple of years... I really am such a bad mom...”

“Well, it’s fine. I’m used to it now.”

Because of her job, Mom usually didn’t get home until after midnight, so waking up early to cook for us was tough.

Still, she managed it all the way until I finished elementary school. Eventually I just couldn’t stand watching her work so hard anymore, so I took over the job myself.

Some people think housework is a pain, and yeah, it kind of was at first when I wasn’t used to it. But I had time on my hands anyway, and it gave me something to do. Plus, learning to manage a household is a useful skill. Cleaning and organizing feels good—watching things fall into place is oddly satisfying. Cooking’s the same. I especially love making desserts. Kneading dough, baking cakes—that kind of thing is genuinely fun.

And honestly, chopping vegetables like lightning, carving radish flowers, flipping a wok one-handed—it all looks pretty damn cool.

“Leave breakfast to me today. What were you planning to make, Ethan?”

“Let’s see... red bean porridge, stir-fried celery with cashews, scrambled eggs with green peppers, fruit salad, and maybe some taro cakes.”

“Huh? Red bean porridge—as in sweet red beans? Taro cakes, um...”

Mom awkwardly smoothed her hair, clearly not recognizing a few of the dishes I mentioned.

“Haha, I’ll take care of it. You go lie down and snooze on the couch a bit longer.”

Ever since I took over the kitchen, I’ve been gradually improving. Mom and Dad gave me a decent allowance, and they even bought me my own oven, so I’d often try new dishes using different ingredients. What started as a few things Mom taught me has expanded into a full collection of recipes.

“My little boy’s all grown up now, huh...”

Suddenly Mom got sentimental. She hugged me from behind and rested her cheek on my back.

That position—being hugged from behind—reminded me of when Serena hugged me in the bathroom earlier. I shuddered slightly, almost nicking my finger with the knife.

“Uh, Mom? What are you doing...”

“Let me hug you for a bit. What, now that you’ve grown up you won’t let your mom hug you anymore? Sniff sniff, Mommy’s gonna cry now~”

“Don’t joke around like that, you’ll get hurt.”

“I remember when you used to call me Aunt An Yue... the first time you called me Mom, your face turned bright red. Haha~ I can’t believe it’s already been ten years...”

“Yeah...”

“Heh, I bet that girl Cora is completely obsessed with her big brother.”

“Huh?”

The thing I’d been worrying about most just casually came out of Mom’s mouth, and I froze.

But since she was leaning against my back, she didn’t see my reaction and kept talking cheerfully, “That girl has the exact same taste as I do. And you look so much like your dad—of course she’s head-over-heels for you.”

Phew... scared me for a second. I thought Mom had found out something for real.

“You think so?”

“Absolutely! And Serena too! Even though she acts cold, she’s definitely the type who loves her big brother deep down. I mean, she’s... ahem. Anyway, she definitely likes you.”

“Ahaha...”

Well, you’re not wrong, Mom. She definitely does love her big brother... just a little too much.

“So be careful around Cora, my sweet son. Who knows when that girl might pull something drastic.”

“No way, Cora’s such a good girl...”

Although that “Scheming-Type” tag she’s got still bothers me a little. But since her title’s pink and says she’s a brocon, it should be fine... probably...

“Heheh, who knows? When I was chasing your dad, I had to use all kinds of tricks too. That girl’s my daughter, you know...”

Wait, does that mean she’s taught Cora all those tricks too?

Whaaa! Mom, what exactly have you been teaching her!?

Is that why her hidden title is “Scheming-Type”!?

Give me back my sweet, kind, adorable, clingy little sister!

“Well then, your useless mommy will be waiting on the couch for her beloved son’s cooking~ Go get ’em, Ethan~”

“Yeah, yeah...”

About an hour later, at around 6:20, I finished making breakfast and packed lunch for school. Time to go wake the girls.

I took off my apron and hung it on the hook on the fridge, woke up Mom—who was passed out on the couch, drooling—and then headed upstairs.

Just as I reached the second floor, I ran into Serena, already in her school uniform. She looked exactly the same as always, but something about her felt very different now.

“Breakfast is ready. Come eat.”

“Mm.”

“I’ll go wake Cora.”

“Brother.”

“Yeah?”

“Cora... comfort her, okay?”

“Huh? Comfort? What do you mean by that? Hey—!”

She didn’t answer. She just turned and headed downstairs, leaving me with nothing but her back.

Why’s she suddenly back to her usual cold self? Couldn’t she at least explain what she meant...

I shook my head and walked over to Cora’s room. I knocked lightly three times. No response. So I opened the door and went in.

Just to clarify—I do have Cora’s permission to come in and wake her in the morning. Otherwise, I’d never do something like barging into my sister’s room.

The room was practically stuffed with plushies. I walked over to her bed and called out gently.

“Cora, time to get up.”

“Mm...”

She mumbled something in response and shifted under the blanket.

Huh? That’s weird. Usually when I wake her, Cora jumps out of bed right away and greets me with a bright smile. But today she was just... curled up and hesitant.

“If you stay in bed, you’ll be late. Breakfast is ready. I made your favorite red bean porridge.”

I wasn’t about to yank off her blanket or jump on her or anything insane. So I decided to bribe her with food instead.

Even though she’s technically the same age as Serena and me, Cora’s always felt like a much younger little sister.

Between her petite frame and her sweet personality, she’s always seemed like a baby sister to me. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

“...Brother...”

The voice that came from under the blanket was even softer than usual, and a little shaky.

“What’s wrong?”

Cora peeked her face out just a little, holding the edge of the blanket with both hands, and said weakly:

“Cora’s sick...”

“Eh?! A cold?! Let me feel!”

I quickly placed my hand on her forehead to check her temperature.

Hmm... a little warm. Probably a slight fever?

“Yeah, seems like you’ve got a cold. I’ll go get a cold towel—just stay in bed.”

“It’s not a cold... It’s a broken heart...”

“Huh?”

“The only cure... is a hug from Brother...”

Haaah... so she just wants to be spoiled. Her forehead’s probably warm from being under the blanket too long.

Well, at least she’s not actually sick.

What a spoiled little—wait, no. No, that’s not it!

Her hidden title is Scheming-Type Brocon Sister (True)! Scheming-Type!

That means she seems sweet and cute, but deep down she’s dangerous and calculating!

So what, is she planning something right now!?

“Brother?”

“Ah—yeah?”

That tiny doubt in my mind made me slow to respond—and Cora’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Do you... hate me now?”

“Of course not! How could I ever hate you!?”

“Then why... won’t you hug me...”

“No, no! I’ll hug you, I’ll hug you!”

I quickly picked her up and gently patted her on the back, rocking her like a baby.

Ah, so this is what Serena meant when she said to comfort Cora... She meant it literally.

“Brother, do you love me?”

“Of course I do. I’ve always loved you, Cora.”

Cora smiled and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.

“I love you the most, Brother~”

“Yeah, yeah!”

What was I even worried about earlier? Cora’s my little sister! Even if she’s a scheming type, she wouldn’t do anything bad to me. I have to trust her!

“In that case, I’ll be your wife, okay?”

I can’t believe I just heard my little sister say, ‘When I grow up, I’ll marry you, Onii-chan~’—a line straight out of anime.

Ahaha... well, marrying your sister really is something that only happens in 2D.

Still, if I don’t say yes, she’ll probably start crying again.

“Okay, I’ll marry you someday, Cora.”

“Heehee! I love you the most, Brother!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Ahh... it feels like while comforting Cora, I got healed too.

Cora really is my one true emotional support.

“Alright, time to get up now, Cora.”

“Okay!”

Cora answered energetically. I patted her head and left the room.

Energy bar: full!

Let’s go!