"..."
Akira, who had been training seriously, didn't notice the little loli secretly watching him in the shadows, gathering information about her opponent, until she walked over and he finally realized…
Looking at her pitiful expression, cute and soft, Akira couldn't help but laugh. "When did you get here?"
The little loli pouted and replied weakly, "J-just now…"
If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have made that bet. Great—she dug a hole for herself.
But how was she supposed to know Akira was this abnormal?!
Blinking her big eyes, Yuhi Kurenai acted cute. "Akira, Akira, I really admit defeat. Can we just cancel the spar tonight? I'm the little sister, you're the big brother!"
She surrendered decisively.
Even the wooden post had been cracked open by Akira's punch. With her delicate skin and tender flesh, she would really cry for a long time!
Actually, being the little sister didn't seem so bad?
Cute loli acting cute was a lethal move. Akira internally screamed "AWSL" and smiled as he poked Yuhi Kurenai's cheek, raising an eyebrow. "Heh heh, now you're scared? Weren't you pretty confident this morning?"
"I'm scared, I'm scared!" A person under the eaves has no choice but to bow their head. Yuhi Kurenai didn't even dare slap away Akira's poking hand and asked carefully, "So can we just leave tonight's spar at that?"
"Mm, of course…"
The word "okay" was already at his throat and about to slip out—but Akira forcibly swallowed it back.
It had only been a small bet to begin with. Since Yuhi Kurenai admitted defeat, that was naturally best. No risk to his family status—he would be the brother and she the sister.
But…
Akira suddenly realized something: the system hadn't "dinged" yet!
Where was the mission reward?
Yuhi Kurenai… no, Rakugō Rumi hadn't she already admitted defeat?
Why wasn't the mission complete?
Couldn't this kind of bug be exploited?
His heart tightened. Akira called out to the system in his mind: 'System, hasn't Yuhi… Rakugō Rumi admitted defeat? Why hasn't the reward been issued?'
[Ding, mission not completed. Please defeat the challenger Rakugō Rumi. The reward will then be issued!]
'I…' Akira cursed inwardly.
"Subduing the enemy without fighting carries more weight than defeating them in battle. Fine if you don't double the reward—but it doesn't even count as completing the mission?!"
The system really was unreliable!
[Ding, please fulfill the mission requirements to obtain the reward!]
The exchange with the system happened in an instant. Yuhi Kurenai was still looking at Akira with pleading eyes, waiting for his answer. She truly didn't want to cry for a long time…
So annoying!
"..."
There was no choice. The mission requirements had to be fulfilled. The stupid system didn't accept early surrender. Akira could only let Yuhi Kurenai suffer a little.
"Of course… not!"
"Eh?" Yuhi Kurenai's eyes widened in disbelief, shock, and confusion.
Her cute offensive had actually failed?
This wasn't scientific!
"Eh what eh? Acting cute won't work this time." Akira knocked lightly on Yuhi Kurenai's head and put on a stern face. "A bet is a bet. Even if you admit defeat, we still have to go through with it. And…"
"This is also tempering your will. When facing setbacks, your first thought shouldn't be retreating. That's not good!"
For the sake of the system reward, what's wrong with letting Kurenai suffer a little?
Isn't this also for her own good?
Right?
You can't give up just because you encounter setbacks. You should strive and work hard!
"..." Yuhi Kurenai was almost in tears. It made so much sense!
But she still felt like Akira just wanted to solidify his position as big brother—this was revenge!!
She was angry, yet unable to refute him.
All she could do was stomp away in a huff and sulk on her own…
"My foolish little sister. If you want to surpass me, then go to sea… ahem, if you want to surpass me, then work hard and strive. One day, you'll understand my good intentions…"
In a great mood, Akira started quoting memes.
One day, Yuhi Kurenai would understand her brother's "good intentions." Yes, that's exactly how it was!
Yuhi Shinku, who had finished cooking and was about to call them for dinner, happened to hear this speech and fell silent. "..."
He decided to take back his previous comment about Akira having a maturity beyond his years.
And why was this kid doing things he couldn't understand again?
Kids these days… what are they even thinking…
...
After dinner.
The spar began as scheduled.
Backyard.
Akira and Yuhi Kurenai stood facing each other—one brimming with confidence, the other also brimming with confidence.
'Does this little girl have some trump card?' Seeing her expression, Akira's heart sank slightly. She had been full of worry in the afternoon—why was she so confident now?
Something felt eleven out of ten wrong.
Not good—his family status was in danger again!
'Hmph, I won't cry for a long time!' Yuhi Kurenai thought confidently. She had already figured out what to do.
She wouldn't get punched and cry for a long time.
As long as she admitted defeat fast enough, Akira's fist wouldn't be able to make her cry!
Looking at the two little figures facing each other, Yuhi Shinku, serving as both witness and referee, spoke up at the right moment. "Are you both ready? Then begin!"
"Whoosh!"
After announcing the start, he flashed away, leaving only the two of them in the yard.
"I won't let you punch me into crying!" Yuhi Kurenai declared confidently, her expression serious as she charged toward Akira.
"..." Akira truly didn't dare underestimate her. When it involved family status, he had to be cautious.
The yard wasn't large. Yuhi Kurenai ran toward him—and midway, she "seemed" to trip over something. With an exaggerated "Ah!" her small body fell flat onto the ground…
She raised her head with difficulty, looking at Akira two meters away, her expression extremely serious. "Such powerful Earth Release! Akira, you're too strong—you already learned Earth Release Ninjutsu. I'm no match for you. I admit defeat!"
Hehe. She admitted defeat in front of the referee. Akira probably wouldn't punch her anymore, right?
If he dared, Father would definitely stop him.
Perfect plan. She was too smart!
Akira: "..."
Yuhi Shinku: "..."
No wonder she looked so confident—she had already figured out how to lose.
The acting was way too exaggerated, and the excuse was flimsy…
"You, you…" Yuhi Shinku didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but found her adorable.
He stepped into the middle and solemnly announced, "Yuhi Kurenai was defeated by Akira's Earth Release and knocked down. I declare that Akira has won this bet. From today on, Akira is the older brother, and Kurenai is the younger sister!"
Yuhi Kurenai stopped pretending and jumped up from the ground. "Yay!"
"..." Akira didn't know what to say.
[Ding, mission completed. Reward being distributed…]
As Yuhi Shinku's announcement fell, the system notification rang in Akira's mind. At the same time, information surfaced in his thoughts…
It was the memory related to Hadō #1 · Shō—its spiritual pressure operation, release method, underlying principles…
Simply put, if Akira were in the world of Bleach, he would have already mastered this Hadō…
But Akira fell into thought.
'Admitting defeat in the afternoon didn't work. Admitting defeat at night did. What exactly is the mission completion standard? Time? Referee? Or some other factor?'
Understanding the system's completion criteria was necessary.
It would affect future missions.
The bet had been proposed by Kurenai, scheduled for the evening. Admitting defeat in the afternoon didn't count; admitting defeat at night completed the mission. Was timing the key?
Or was it because th
ere was a witness and referee involved?
He would have to explore it slowly in the future...