Honestly, it's one confusing situation after another. First is the issue with that song from before. What was it? Who is this voice that I continue to hear? Why was my body emitting her voice? Although the power itself was rather weak, it reminded me quite a bit of what I've heard people describe when they summon their hall.

And who is this person who resembles me? After I received a few sucker punches from an angry Yamiso for "ruining the plan," we finally came to an agreement that it wasn't me. This was due to the fact that my new wounds, ones the fake didn't have, were from another fight entirely. Still, an individual that resembles me? As in, another Selot?

Also, what was it that Crystal found? She said she sent whatever it was to some friends for research, but what she found and why she was so tired after retrieving it, is currently beyond me.

After clearing things up with the two, I'm finally able to leave their company and return home. It's probably around midnight at this time, so whatever Sueka made is no doubt cold by now. I hope she doesn't worry too much when she sees my injuries.

After a short time of walking, I finally arrive back at the apartment.

"Sueka!" I shout. "I'm back! Sorry for the delay!"

I look towards the kitchen and see part of the wall slightly burned, but otherwise there's no real damage. I scan the apartment and see Sueka sitting at the table with a wrapped dinner in front of her. For some reason, she doesn't exactly look very happy.

"Is...something wrong?"

She silently shakes her head, continuing to avert her eyes.

"Something is wrong."

I walk over to the table and sit myself down.

"If something's on your mind, you can talk to me. If it's within my power, I'll do as much as I can to help."

She slowly pushes the dinner towards me. I give thanks, then begin to eat. The noodles are a bit burnt, but otherwise still taste good.

"Say...Oren?"

"Hm?"

I look up...and see her smelling me.

"Trust me, I'm Oren."

"You know about the impostor?"

"Just ran into him, actually."

She jumps to her feet.

"Where is he!?"

"He's gone and...did...he do something to you?"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

She nods. I too quickly rise from my seat.

"What did he...!?"

She rushes over to me and...BEAR HUG!!

"Oren...you won't leave me, will you?"

She sets me down.

"Why would I leave you?"

Still not convinced, she quickly asks me, "what's your plan?"

I pause for a second to think.

"At first, my plan was to save up enough to get us out of New Vegas separately. I have some business to take care of here, so I'd pay for your departure first. However, after speaking with Hisashi, I..."

I stop talking and look at Sueka. Her eyes...show feelings of betrayal.

"Sis, did I say something wrong?"

"You'd leave me..."

"What? I didn't fini..."

"YOU'D LEAVE ME!!"

"What did that impostor say to you?" I ask.

"We're family, so why go separate ways!?"

"I wasn't planning t..."

She bursts into tears and runs into the bedroom, knocking over the shōji we just bought for separating the rooms. What happened between the two? What did he do!? The thoughts of any and all worst case scenarios begin to swirl through my mind. Lies? Assault!? No, Sueka's too strong to be assaulted. But what if she was caught off guard because of the impostor's disguise!? No, don't think such things. She mentioned leaving. Such thoughts don't match with...

Leaving...

(Oh...Now I see.)

I begin to calm myself and choose to wait a short amount of time to let Sueka calm down, too. At least, I pray she does calm down. I clean up as much of the apartment as I can from what I will assume was the skirmish between Sueka and my impostor.

An hour or so passes. I suppose it's finally time. I quickly put up and attempt to repair the shōji, then slide it aside as it was meant to be used. I see Sueka in her night gown looking outside through the bedroom window.

(Alright, here it goes.)

"Sueka, I'm sorry."

She flinches at this statement. Bad choice of words.

"Oh, I mean, sorry for the misunderstanding."

She looks at me with eyes swollen from crying.

"Sueka, I have no intention of leaving you here. I will not deny, what I did say before was my initial plan."

She looks away, tears slowly running down her face once more.

"However, that isn't my plan any longer."

At this, she quickly looks up at me again.

"Hisashi commented that this would probably happen. So, after giving it some thought, I agreed to have us both leave at the same time."

Her eyes begin to widen.

"And," she begins to say, "what about your 'business' that you need to take care of?"

I remain silent. I don't wish for her to know what I'm doing, as I don't wish for her to get involved. This part of the plan hasn't changed.

"Look at yourself, brother!" she says, pointing to my new injuries.

"These are nothing, I promise."

"Can you promise me that you'll live long enough to leave with me!?"

Again, I remain silent.

"Doryoko died fighting a fight he couldn't win. Oren, don't sacrifice yourself for something you can't win either!"

"I promise, I'll prevail."

"Can you keep that promise!?"

I turn around and have my back to Sueka. I don't wish to puzzle her while I think. It's true that my opponent is strong, but if I can utilize that song from before, I might be able to...

Hara...

The sound of what I think is...clothes falling...I hear behind me. Shortly thereafter, I feel Sueka hug me from behind. This time, a gentle hug, a warm embrace with...

(Crap! She's not wearing a bra!)

Knowing her, she isn't wearing anything right now!

I attempt to break free from this awkward situation. We're siblings, for crying out loud!

"Please, don't," she quickly says.

I stop struggling.

"I don't want you to go. I want to be by your side, forever. You're the first person to be by my side, even when nobody else wanted to. We promised to grow up alongside one another. To be there for one another. Please, if you're going to do anything that you are hesitant to accomplish by yourself, please let me be by your side to help you. I know I'm not that dependable. I know that I'm a klutz. Heck, I know I'm not even that beautiful. I'm just a reckless animal. But, even so, I'm an animal loyal to the man closest to her. Please, don't le..."

I put my hand over hers.

"Sueka, don't sell yourself short. You're more dependable than you think. You're the reason I keep on going. I have no intention of leaving you. I just want you safe."

"I feel safer by your side, even in battle."

"And you're impressive in battle, of that there's no doubt. It's just that..."

"Promise me, Oren."

I stop talking.

"Promise me that we'll get through all this. Together. No more solo risks."

I remain silent, then let out a sigh.

"A promise... Very well then, I promise."

Although it's not by any means painful this time, Sueka hugs me tighter. I move to walk towards the door.

"Please," she says, "stay with me."

I stop. She knows that I prefer to sleep on the roof.

"Just...for tonight?" she pleads.

I think about it, then smile.

"Alright. For one night."

The two of us return to the bed, and sleep side by side, with Sueka continuing to hold me in her embrace.

(Brother,) Sueka thinks, (I love you. And I mean that in ways beyond that of normal siblings. We are not related by blood, and you've always been there for me. To believe in me. To care for me. I hope that, one day, you'll see me as an equal, and love me the same way in return.)

I didn't see this at the time, but, outside of the apartment, looking through the window, was a cloaked figure floating down on a gunbai when we weren't looking, watching everything that had transpired.