Extra Story: A Trip with My Brother

In the southern region of Wegener, not far from Brugge, lies a quaint seaside town.

Luo Wei and Helena sat on a white park bench, gazing at the ocean while enjoying their meal. They had just bought an enormous serving of seafood paella—one had to admit the local vendors here were incredibly generous. Luo Wei ate until he was stuffed, yet the dish still hadn’t been finished.

"Here, Helena, one more bite~"

Luo Wei held a heaping spoonful of paella to Helena’s lips.

"Mmm..."

"Brother, it’s too much... I can’t eat anymore..."

Helena blinked her big blue eyes pitifully, her cheeks puffed out like an adorable little squirrel.

"Well, then there’s no helping it..." Luo Wei glanced down at the paella. "Guess we’ll have to waste it."

"No wasting!" Helena immediately gulped down the offered bite.

"Good girl~"

A triumphant smile curled on Luo Wei’s lips—this trick always worked.

True to her principle of "never wasting food," Helena devoured the rest in a flurry, finally clearing the plate.

After lunch, the two lounged leisurely on the bench, sipping their drinks. A cool sea breeze drifted by, and Helena cradled her coffee cup for warmth, taking small sips before letting out a contented sigh.

Watching her serene expression, Luo Wei couldn’t help but chuckle.

"So, where do you want to go next?"

"I don’t know..." Helena shook her head blankly.

Even if they did nothing but sit here quietly watching the ocean, she would be perfectly happy.

"Then let’s explore the town," Luo Wei suggested after a moment. "I heard the night market here is especially lively. Maybe we’ll find something interesting."

"Yes, yes!"

As the coffee cooled, Luo Wei stood and extended his hand. Helena happily clasped it tight.

Hand in hand, they strolled from the sandy shore into the winding streets of the coastal town.

Before they knew it, afternoon had arrived.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting the town in a warm, golden glow.

Helena’s smile remained radiant in that gentle light.

Her brother was traveling with her.

Over these past days, they had visited countless places—endless fields of tulips, the busiest trade ports of the empire, and tasted delicacies from distant lands.

Every day brought new adventures, new flavors.

Helena was truly happy.

So, her brother had remembered the words she’d babbled in her delirium. He’d kept every promise he made back then.

And...

Helena glanced down at their intertwined fingers.

They really did seem like they were on a date...

Just like an actual couple.

...

Luo Wei’s attention drifted across the street vendors. The southern towns had always been steeped in mysticism, and he’d already spotted several intriguing silver trinkets along the way.

Helena let go of his hand and stood obediently behind him, watching as he haggled with the shopkeepers.

Her brother was a master negotiator—a true expert. But his animated bargaining also drew the attention of passersby.

Some of those gazes made Helena uneasy.

A group of young girls, out shopping, kept stealing glances at Luo Wei, giggling and nudging each other as if daring one another to approach him.

Helena shot them a frosty glare before slipping her arm through Luo Wei’s.

"Hm? What’s wrong?" Luo Wei paused mid-bargain.

"Nothing~" Helena smiled sweetly.

But her grip tightened, pressing herself against him.

She threw another glance at the girls—a silent declaration of ownership.

Muttering among themselves, they scattered.

"Helena, I can’t really browse like this..." Luo Wei sighed.

"Ah! Right..." Helena quickly released him.

...

As dusk settled, the streets of the seaside town buzzed with life.

Though they still walked hand in hand, snacking and exploring as usual...

Helena’s mood wasn’t as light as before.

Not because of those girls earlier.

But because...

Under the flickering lantern light, she looked down at their clasped hands again.

Just like a real couple...

But they weren’t.

A restless frustration coiled in her chest.

After all this time since reuniting with her brother, he still hadn’t shown any deeper interest.

At most... they held hands or hugged.

Helena wasn’t satisfied. She didn’t want to just be his little sister forever...

Suddenly, she recalled something Emily had once told her.

"If you love someone, act fast! Don’t hesitate, or they’ll always see you as just a sister—never understanding your true feelings!"

Helena frowned. She had tried...

She and her "strategist" Emily had devised countless "conquest plans" for Luo Wei. Yet no matter what she did, the way he looked at her never changed.

She was starting to believe he simply didn’t like her that way...

Noticing her lagging steps, Luo Wei paused and gave her hand a gentle tug.

"Tired?"

Helena shook her head. "No..."

"Then why the long face?" Luo Wei was perceptive as ever.

"I..." Her expression crumpled into a pout.

"What is it?"

"Brother, do you..."

"Do I what?"

Helena pulled her hand free and mustered her courage.

"Brother! Do you like me?"

To her surprise—

"Of course I do."

Luo Wei answered without hesitation, handing her a cup of lemonade he’d just bought from a stall. "How could I not like Helena? Here, try this. It’s pretty good."

"Oh..." Helena accepted the drink quietly. "Thanks, brother."

Even though he’d given the answer she longed for, why did she feel so... underwhelmed?

What was missing?

"Then..." she fumbled, "do you think I’m pretty...?"

"Very." Luo Wei nodded, studying her. "Helena’s grown into such a lovely young woman—more beautiful every day."

"Really?" Her blue eyes sparkled as she looked up.

"Really."

Luo Wei wasn’t lying. Helena’s appearance had only hit its lowest point during her malnourished phase, but after being well-fed and cared for by him, her skin became fair and smooth, paired with her big azure eyes and pale golden hair, making her as adorable as a doll.

The only flaw...

was that her chest remained flat...

Ahem... Luo Wei quickly stopped his wandering thoughts.

Helena giggled happily, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Because "Strategist" Emily had once said: If you don’t want your brother to see you only as a little sister, you must make him develop a certain... interest in you!!

Since Brother likes me...

and thinks I’m pretty!

Then he’s bound to start having thoughts about me!!

We’ll win!

Helena’s confidence swelled so much that she blurted out without thinking:

“So, Brother... can you also give me those... physiology lessons? The kind you gave the witch lady...”

Pfft! Luo Wei spat out his lemon water.

Then he stared at her in shock. “What did you say??”

Helena’s face instantly flushed red, so embarrassed she wished she could vanish into the ground...

She lowered her head, thankful it was nighttime—otherwise, he’d surely notice she was as red as a boiled lobster...

The atmosphere grew quiet again.

Luo Wei awkwardly cleared his throat, pretending he’d misheard, and tugged her along to continue their stroll.

But Helena refused to move.

She stood rooted in place, head still bowed, stubbornly waiting for his answer.

“Brother... is it... not okay...?”

Her timid voice carried a hint of hope.

She wanted an answer.

“I can teach you from that magic book,” Luo Wei deflected. “Oh, right! Weren’t you interested in magitech too? Let me tell you about our school’s—”

“Brother!!”

Helena pressed her lips together stubbornly, glaring up at him like an angry kitten.

Luo Wei sighed in resignation.

“Well...”

“Helena...”

“I...”

She’d never seen him look so flustered before.

Disappointment flickered in Helena’s eyes.

But the next moment—

“I didn’t say no. What I meant was...”

Luo Wei helplessly ruffled her soft hair. “You’re still too young...”

“Too young?” Helena glanced down at her chest.

Then, with determination, she declared:

“I can grow bigger! Don’t worry, Brother!”

Luo Wei facepalmed. “That’s not what I meant—well, technically it is small...”

“Huh?” Helena grew even more confused.

“Just—wait until you’re an adult!” Luo Wei mussed her hair irritably. “And stop thinking about this nonsense! Seriously, who even taught you these things?”

“Emily did.” Helena betrayed her accomplice without hesitation.

“That little vampire? Evelyn’s sister?” Luo Wei snorted. “No wonder you two were whispering together all the time lately. Seems like she needs a good scolding! I’ll have Evelyn discipline her properly later.”

Helena couldn’t care less about Emily’s impending doom. Only one thing mattered now.

Brother had said... “Wait until you’re an adult.”

Didn’t that mean... once she grew up...

It would be allowed?!

So that’s why Brother never thought of me that way!

Helena had an epiphany.

Overjoyed, she clung to Luo Wei’s arm, all her earlier gloom vanishing instantly.

Grow up faster, grow up faster...

This was her only goal now.

Luo Wei glanced at her beaming face and sighed. Of course he knew what she was thinking...

And he hadn’t lied earlier.

If he dared to mess around with a minor, the "Supreme Will" would undoubtedly smite him mercilessly...

(The book would be gone.)

The night deepened.

A cool, slightly salty breeze brushed past as the two wandered from the city to the docks, hand in hand.

The night view here wasn’t as grand as Saint Callen’s, but the scattered lights shimmering on the waves had their own unique charm.

As Luo Wei admired the scenery, Helena yawned sleepily beside him.

“Tired?” He turned to her. “Let’s head back and call it a night.”

“Not tired!” Helena shook her head vigorously.

She was sleepy, but she didn’t want this perfect day to end.

Luo Wei teased, “If you don’t sleep well and take care of yourself, your chest might never grow bigger, you know?”

“Ah!” Helena’s eyes widened. “Then let’s go back right now!”

“Just kidding~” Luo Wei laughed.

Helena pouted. “Brother, you’re making fun of me again...”

But Luo Wei’s expression softened.

“What I really meant was—”

“Tomorrow is something even more worth looking forward to, don’t you think?”

Helena stared at him blankly.

“Will... tomorrow be happier than today?”

“Of course!” Luo Wei grinned. “Our journey’s still long. Who knows what fun things await us? So, come on—let’s go back and sleep. Don’t pick up bad habits from that witch, staying up all night. That’s just wasting your life!”

“Okay.” Helena nodded, then stretched out her arms cutely.

“Brother, I’m tired~”

“I’ll carry you.”

Luo Wei bent down, and Helena leaped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Let’s go home~”

Mimicking her tone, Luo Wei chuckled and broke into a jog.

“Let’s go home!!”

Helena nestled against his back, savoring the happiest moment of her day.

And she believed—every day with Brother would be just as joyful.