I muttered under my breath and stabbed the steak with my fork, shoving it into my mouth and chewing it.
Nini, watching from the side, broke into a bright smile.
“You look good when you eat.”
Shut it, Nini. It’s not what you think.
Nini is pleased with your behavior
Suspicion Level: 5%
Affection: -3%
This wasn’t even a dating sim game. Why is the system acting like one? What’s wrong with you, system?
The game’s mechanics were veering off-script from the original, and it was starting to rankle me.
Meanwhile, Nini kept transferring food from the serving dishes onto my plate.
Ugh, I swear—
All I could do was resent his unwanted generosity until the meal finally finished.
Once it was over, the sisters led us each to separate rooms. The sedative in the food hadn’t kicked in yet, so my head was still clear.
I took the chance to settle into my room and focus on mental preparation.
Knock, knock.
“Sis.”
Not for long, apparently.
“Are you sleeping?”
Since I didn’t give him an answer, he knocked again.
“Not yet. What is it?”
I was thinking about ignoring him, but part of me thought he might have something important to say, so I replied.
“Can I come in?”
“No.”
“I’m coming in.”
Hey! Then why did you ask?
Ignoring my refusal, Nini swung the door open, pillow in hand, and strolled in like he owned the place.
What kind of joke was this? I stared at him, my expression flat with disbelief. He only grinned, sheepish but smug.
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“Then lie down like a corpse, close your eyes, and count sheep.”
“What age do you think I am?”
And barging into someone’s room in the middle of the night is age-appropriate behavior for you?
“Looks like you can’t sleep either, sis.”
“I’m going to sleep now.”
And you will, too. Never underestimate the power of sedatives.
“Then I’ll just stay a little while. Until you fall asleep.”
“Uh… where exactly do you think you’re climbing into?”
“Under the blanket, of course.”
“And why, exactly?”
“It’s cold outside the blanket.”
Brazen. Shameless. The kind who wouldn’t listen no matter what I said.
I narrowed my eyes, sitting as far from him as possible, but by then he’d already claimed one side of the bed, smiling like this was all natural.
“It’s warm.”
…Did this kid eat something other than the sedative?
“Sure.”
I muttered, taking the farthest corner of the bed I could.
Sharing a bed with someone who felt more awkward than friendly was just… weird.
And with the main quest looming ahead, my nerves were already stretched taut.
I should use this chance to dig for information.
Almost like it had read my mind, the status window popped up:
Ask Nini a question:
- 1. Got any info on the safe house? (30G)
- 2. Do you remember anything about yourself? (50G)
- 3. You do realize you’re suspicious, right?
So this is what bone-deep poverty feels like. If I’d known it would come to this, I would’ve at least robbed a couple of empty houses on the way here.
I swore to myself again: during this quest, I’d hoard gold like my life depended on it.
But for now… I had no choice.
“You do realize you’re suspicious, right?”
“Why?”
“For someone with amnesia, you’re awfully calm.”
“Well, that depends on your mindset. Did you decide to see me that way, sis?”
“Oh… is that so?”
For a moment, it felt like he’d hit the nail on the head. I mumbled, feeling self-conscious.
“But, sis”—Nini suddenly rolled onto his side to face me, meeting my eyes—“why are you so casual with me?”
“What?”
The unexpected question surprised me.
“You have been speaking to me like we’re close from the start, sis. Are you usually this casual with everyone?”
“I’m not.”
Thinking about it, why did I do that? I’d been speaking with Nini too casually, without even realizing how unusual that was.
Maybe it slipped out unconsciously because I thought he was younger.
“Sorry. No, I mean, I apologize.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Nini shook his head.
“I’ll be casual with you, too.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“No…”
“Hm?”
Is he playing with me? His expression was quite serious.
“Fine. Do as you please.”
We don’t even look that much different in age, so what’s the problem?
“And you too…”
“Hm?”
“So you, too…”
Ah, finally, the sedative is kicking in.
I could hear Nini talking, but couldn’t catch the words. My eyelids felt heavy, and my mind foggy.
“Nini… go to sleep.”
Mumbling half-asleep, I closed my eyes.
All guests have fallen asleep.
The three sisters’ house lights go dark.
❧༻༺❁༻༺☙
“You finally fell asleep.”
Nini propped his head on one hand, lying sideways as he gazed at Kate.
Then, with his fingertip, he slowly traced her eyelid, the tip of her nose, and above her lips. She was soundly asleep, unresponsive even to such blatantly intimate touches.
“Hmm.”
He had seen countless humans before, but Kate was different somehow.
Her senses were sharp. She was cautious yet oddly fearless in her actions. She acted like someone who knew something.
“What to do…”
Nini gripped Kate’s neck. It was so thin it looked like it would snap with the slightest pressure.
But a soul taken too easily tasted bland and was low in nourishment.
“Maybe I should wait and see.”
He loosened his grip on her neck. The pallor on her face faded, color returning bit by bit.
Drip. Drip. Rain started falling outside the window just then.
As Nini drew back the curtains, a massive lightning bolt struck, lighting up the entire room.
Like a signal, the silent house stirred, slowly shifting its form.
“Do well, sis. I hope you survive until the end.”
With those words, Nini lay beside Kate once again.
❧༻༺❁༻༺☙
“…Hah!”
Like a spring snapping, I jolted upright, clutching my throbbing head.
Through the window, I saw thick rain pouring down.
When did it start?
SIDE QUEST: Escape the Room and Find Your Party has begun.
Escape your room and reunite with one or more party members
whose whereabouts are unknown
Time limit: 1 hour
Success: 50G / Beginner’s weapon
Failure: Random penalty applied
This is where it really starts.
As I reached to grab my bag after clearing the prologue, I spotted Nini sleeping on the bed.
“What the—you’re still here?”
He was sleeping soundly, making soft, colorful breaths.
Should I just leave him?
At first, I thought any help would be good, but he was getting on my nerves.
After a moment of hesitation, I shook my head and woke him up.
“Nini, get up. Nini!”
“Hmm.”
“This isn’t the time to be sleeping!”
“Is it already morning?”
Half-asleep, Nini asked in a hoarse voice.
“No, it’s just… I think we’re trapped in this room right now.”
“What? Why suddenly?”
Only then did Nini snap to, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.
“Well… I’m not really sure either.”
Even if I do, I can’t say it out loud.
“Whatever the reason, the first thing we have to do is get out of this room.”
Nini got up and grabbed a chair.
“Should we smash the window or something?”
“No! Don’t be so reckless. I mean, if the people in this house locked us in, staying unnoticed is the priority.”
I don’t know why I have to explain every little thing. Time’s ticking, and I’m about to lose it.
“So, basically, move stealthily?”
“Yeah. Exactly.”
Before I knew it, Nini was fiddling with the locked doorknob by the door.
Normally, you’d tackle the obvious exit first, but not now.
I scanned the room. It had changed since we first arrived.
Could it be there?
There should be a hidden secret door. The key to that door was the real prize.
Meanwhile, Nini was still wrestling with the doorknob.
“Hey, Nini.”
He turned to me.
Ask Nini for help:
- 1. Want to check the room with me? (30G)
- 2. I think it’s faster to look for an escape route other than the door. (50G)
- 3. Ugh! Stop goofing around at the door and check for anything suspicious!
More like a threat than a request, but it wasn’t time to be picky.
“Ugh! Stop goofing around at the door and check for anything suspicious!”
Nini blinked wide-eyed at me.
“…Wow, you’re scary, sis.”
“Ahaha.”
I laughed awkwardly. I couldn’t explain that this was beyond me.
Log into the next quest — Chapter 6
- ▸ Yes
- ▸ No (C’mon~ it’ll be fun!)
