Thanks to Suyun’s cooperation, the hypnosis was successful.  
In fact, Winterer herself had become quite submissive.  
Calming her down and reassuring her was not difficult.  

*“You don’t want to wear a collar like a dog, do you? If you promise not to rampage, I won’t put one on you.”*  
*“Yeah…”*  
*“If you hurt people, Haru will get angry, so you’ll only use your powers against monsters, right?”*  
*“Uh-huh…”*  

- *Ding!*  
*[The skill ‘Complete Hypnosis’ threatens to punish her if she misbehaves!]*  
*[The skill ‘Complete Hypnosis’ raises her soft arm to showcase its strength.]*  

The hypnosis went in without any resistance.  
It seemed that her mental state had significantly deteriorated.  
So much so that, at this point, I could even begin treating her mental illness.  

…However, I couldn’t treat her right away.  
As much as I wanted to, she was still in the middle of a trial.  
It would be better to treat her after receiving a reduced sentence due to mental illness.  

*‘Still, it’s pitiful. Maybe I should help just a little.’*  
*“And you know? I don’t know what happened, but I think Haru did it because she likes you.”*  

I couldn’t treat her, but there were plenty of ways to console a downcast girl.  

Winterer’s tear-stained eyes looked towards me.  

*“Little one?”*  
*“You’re a dependable older sister for Haru. I’m sure she’s being a bit spoiled. She can be quite cute.”*  
*“……”*  
*“So you should accept her. It’s common sense for an older sister to indulge her younger brother’s whims, right?”*  
*“Where’s that common sense from?”*  
*“Besides… Winterer, you’re the strongest, right? As the strongest sister, you can do this for Haru?”*  

- *Ding.*  

*“…I am the strongest. The strongest in Korea, Winterer!”*  

Winterer’s expression brightened slightly.  
Thanks to the hypnosis, I had boosted her self-esteem a little.  

Objectively speaking, she was like a little girl whose pout had been soothed by a compliment…  
But hey, she was cute, so it was fine.  

*“Right. If anything comes up, just tell me. I’ll help you with anything related to Haru.”*  

Additionally, I felt sorry for making her cry, so I offered to help her with anything concerning Haru.  

Seemingly pleased, her face lit up like a child who had received a Christmas gift.  

*“———Anything?”*  
*“Yep. I’ll help with whatever I can.”*  
*“Can you promise that with your famous hypnosis?”*  
*“Of course. For Haru’s sake, I, Seo Yu-jin, will cooperate with Winterer no matter what. Got it?”*  

- *Ding.*  
*[The skill ‘Complete Hypnosis’ pouts, claiming its master is digging their own grave.]*  

*“…Hehe. Hehe. Got it, little one. I look forward to it.”*  

Though her laughter sounded a bit mischievous…  
The sentiment to help Haru was the same for both of us.  
It should be fine. Probably.  

* * *  

In one of the C-rank gates managed by Cheonhwa,  
An ice storm raged.  
This was the work of the self-proclaimed first-class villain, Winterer.  

- *Kwaaaaang!!!!*  

*“Kyaaaahh!! This feels so refreshing!!!”*  

Her combat style was truly overwhelming.  

Enemies trying to block her path froze instantly.  
The moment her delicate fingertips touched them, they turned to ice, preserved.  
Even monsters cloaked in flames were no exception. All of them.  

Only ice remains where she had passed.  

*“I didn’t think you’d be this strong….”*  

Even the A-rank awakeners managed by Cheonhwa couldn’t hold back their astonishment.  

If the veterans were like this, how would regular folks react?  
The accompanying non-awakened individuals expressed their admiration repeatedly.  

*“Winterer, you look like a princess from the Winter Palace….”*  

- *Swish. Crack.*  

*“You there, non-awakened individuals, keep away from the ice! It’s dangerous until I finish up!”*  
*“Oh, Saint!!!”*  

There was another object of admiration: Yu-jin.  

He was busy running around, severing the life force of the monsters.  

He thrust his katana between the icy layers, piercing directly at their vital points.  
The monsters, frozen and only able to roll their eyes, met their end.  

His skill, without a single mistake, was indeed remarkable.  
Admiration filled the eyes of those watching him.  
They gazed in awe at the young hero.  

*“There are vital points that are difficult to target because they’re frozen, yet you haven’t missed a single one. Right, Suyun?”*  
*“Yes. It’s true, he knows vital points better than I do.”*  

However, there was only one person who did not share this bright expression.  
The angel in white, Korea’s best healer: Ryu Suyun.  
The figure before her was certainly not a hero…  
———but a patient in need of treatment.  

*‘Winterer is relatively fine. But Yu-jin is in critical condition. He doesn’t realize he’s twisted.’*  

She understood.  

Two weeks before the entrance ceremony.  
The madman who had come to her looking ragged each time.  
Yu-jin, whose self-love had been all but nonexistent…  

*[Yu-jin, you should get some psychiatric counseling. I’ll ask a professor I know for help….]*  
*[I’m fine. I’m perfectly sane.]*  
*[You’ve avoided danger, but you’ve been self-harming for a week. You think you’re sane?]*  
*[It’s not self-harm; I’m just training a bit aggressively. Just give me a few more days.]*  

*‘Even if he’s numbed by hypnosis, there’s no way someone can cut into their own flesh and be sane.’*  

She noticed that Yu-jin felt no pain from the start.  
At the time, she thought of him as a patient with *“congenital analgesia.”*  

But no matter how much one had analgesia, their mind is still human.  
A psyche that tears into its own body can’t be normal.  

To her, Yu-jin was a patient.  
A madman blindly hurting himself, devoid of self-love.  
Someone who had no trace of self-appreciation, a lunatic who would happily throw away their life whenever given the chance.  

*‘Since entering the academy, he has improved a lot, but….’*  

*[No. Yu-jin, you’ve reached your limit…]*  
*[Only one more… Cough. I’m fine.]*  

*‘When I look at him during rounds, he’s still the same. He’s rotten inside.’*  

After a long reflection, her eyes turned back to the front.  
They were fixed on the young man who knew his vital points well as always.  

Her eyes gleamed with determination.  

*‘Yu-jin, I’ll definitely treat you. I’ll bet everything on it.’*  

- *Whispering.*  
*“Hey. Suyun’s eyes are kind of, um. Am I the only one who feels weird?”*  
*“Now Suyun’s joining the fray? This is driving me crazy.”*  
*“Nah, that can’t be. The girl who was crying earlier… No way?”*  

No one knew that Yu-jin was digging his own grave.  

In the back seat of the vehicle heading to the academy,  
The eyes of the virtuous young man widened.  

*“What’s with the sudden… Do you like me?”*  
*“No. To be honest, I want to kill you right now.”*  
*“Then why are you suddenly saying this? Do you want to bite my tongue?”*  
*“I won’t do anything like that, so just shut up and offer your lips. It’s for Haru.”*  

Meanwhile, Winterer only smiled slyly.  
Her expression perfectly matched the phrase ‘pathetic♡.’  

*‘I originally planned to have the little one kiss me, but… for now, I’ll just indulge him. Instead, let’s practice with this guy.’*  

That was her thought.  

Since Yu-jin said he’d do anything for Haru,  
Should she make him kiss her?  

But if that happened, the strongest Winterer would be seen as running away from something she hated.  
She wouldn’t run away. An older sister must indulge her younger brother’s whims, that’s common sense.  

So what to do? It would be a shame to let such an opportunity slip by…  

*Ah. It’s true that I’ve reached my limit in teaching Haru about kissing.*  
*I’ve never actually done it myself. The excuses have been piling up.*  

So, let’s take this opportunity to gain some practical experience

.  
It would build up my experience in teaching Haru and give me an indirect kiss with Haru. Plus, I could mess with that little one.  

It was truly a threefold opportunity! An utterly wicked plan!  
Indeed, a plan befitting a villainous advocate.  

*“You said you’d do anything for me, right?”*  
*“For Haru? Of course. Since I’ve been nice today, just say it. I’ll do anything….”*  

*“Bring your face here. I’m going to kiss you.”*  
*“What?”*  

Yu-jin had no idea what was happening.  

In the back seat of the vehicle heading to the academy,  
His eyes widened.  

*“What’s with the sudden… Do you like me?”*  
*“No. To be honest, I want to kill you right now.”*  
*“Then why are you suddenly saying this? Do you want to bite my tongue?”*  
*“I won’t do anything like that, so just shut up and offer your lips. It’s for Haru.”*  

*“I-I can’t!”*  
*“Shut up and bring your lips here. It’s a ‘command.’”*  
*“Eek!!”*  

Even though he screamed, his body did not stop.  

So Yu-jin quickly sought help.  
He sensed that if this continued, he’d be *“chu-chu”ed* and sought out the only other observer.  
Ryu Suyun, who had been passive until now.  

*“Suyun!! Please stop her!”*  
*“Hehe. Yu-jin? Just give her your lips.”*  
*“Sister!!!?”*  

His plea for help was coldly ignored.  
The brown eyes watching through the rearview mirror softened gently.  

*‘The reason Winterer is like this is probably just for fun….’*  
*‘But Yu-jin’s reaction. It really seems like he hates it. Hehe, is it love?’*  

To her, Yu-jin seemed to have improved mentally quite a bit after just a week in the academy.  

She surmised that the reason must be *“love.”*  
Whether it was for Ninomiya, Yushia, or Alice.  

Even now, facing a situation where he was about to kiss Winterer.  
He was visibly grossed out.  
Even if it’s just before being assaulted, he shouldn’t react like this.  
Unless he truly loved someone deeply.  

Thus, Ryu Suyun was convinced that love was Yu-jin’s cure.  

*‘For now, let’s observe the situation. I need to check whether it’s just a defense mechanism or genuine affection.’*  

Therefore, she merely observed.  
To gather information about his mental illness.  
Until they were just about to share a kiss.  

*‘For now, I’ll keep the car parked….’*  

- *Creeeeak.*  

*‘It can’t be helped. Since this is how it is, it’s counterattack time!’*  

Taking advantage of the halted vehicle,  
Yu-jin’s eyes sparkled golden.  

*“Winterer. I’ll ask you one thing. What kind of kiss do you want?”*  
*“What?”*  
*“There are all sorts of kisses. From a simple peck on the cheek to passionate ones between lovers.”*  

Yu-jin’s question aimed to clarify their definitions of kissing.  

Winterer opened her mouth without shame.  
Because she had already decided on the kind of kiss Haru wanted.  

*“Of course, it’s the kind that lovers do. I don’t want to become a lover to a little one like you.”*  
*“……!!!”*  
*‘Opportunity!’*  

And that was the answer Yu-jin had desperately desired.  

To him, a lover’s kiss was synonymous with kisses with his wives.  
———Kisses from the days when he was fully in *“breeding uncle”* mode.  

*‘Are you asking me to kiss you like I do with my wives? Based on my standards? Alright. Let’s see how far you can hold out!’*  

- *Thud.*  

The moment the direction of the hypnosis shifted,  
Yu-jin quickly reached out.  

Underneath Winterer’s sleeveless shirt,  
He hooked his finger onto the strap of her sports bra…  

- *Slide.*  

*“…? ……Huh!!!!?”*  

Winterer, who had momentarily stiffened, finally understood his intentions after the strap moved slightly.  

Yu-jin was trying to take off her underwear!  

*“……!!!? What are you doing, you perverted little one!?”*  
*“You said you wanted a kiss between lovers, right? Lovers usually do this. Kissing while undressing and caressing. Didn’t you know?”*  
*“T-that, that…!!?”*  

Her surprised reaction was met with the definition of *“breeding uncle”* kisses.  

This was a definition that was difficult to refute for Winterer, who lacked such knowledge.  
Her face showed her embarrassment.  

*‘Is kissing like this? I thought it was just a peck on the lips!?’*  

She had no problem with kissing, but this was a bit. No, a lot.  
Even if she was the strongest villain, she had her pride.  

But for Haru’s sake…?  
And Yu-jin was quite good-looking. Maybe just closing her eyes and letting it happen?  

Those thoughts had her lips moving, nervously chewing.  

- *Slide.*  

*“If you don’t want it, I’ll stop. Just say the word. Please.”*  

As she said that, the strap continued to slide down her shoulder.  

Though it hadn’t moved even 1cm yet…  
If this continued, who knows what would happen.  
It was not something to be underestimated.  

Winterer’s eyes spun as she predicted the future.  

*“Th-this… um, I….”*  

*[The skill ‘Complete Hypnosis’ is…]*  

*“Ah, it would be so embarrassing to be undressed by someone who doesn’t even like me! I should tell you to stop right now!”*  

On the contrary, Yu-jin’s face turned pale.  

*“Please, let the hypnosis work already. I don’t want to undress you either. I can’t face my wives, and I’m terrified of the crime I’m committing. My goodness. The child protection laws won’t let me off the hook—*  
This was the thought that filled him with fear.  

In other words, this was a chicken race between the two of them.  
A struggle of who would explode first: the embarrassment or the guilt.  
It was a battle that made his heart feel tense.  

As for the outcome of the fight, well…  

*“Th-this is too much!!!”*  
*“……Okay, I’m sorry!!! If you don’t want it, I won’t do it!!!”*  

- *Whack.*  

*‘I almost got undressed. I was about to get undressed by that little one!!’*  
*‘Ugh. I feel like throwing up since I’m acting like a pedophile….’*  

In the end, they both ended up fully clothed.  

- *Pfft.*  

*‘Phew. Winterer is really… to be embarrassed by just that much. If it were me….’*  

For Ryu Suyun, who had been observing, it was an undeniably cute little fight.  

* * *  

After subduing Winterer, who had caused a huge uproar and immense damage,  
I quickly retreated to the front seat.  
I was terrified by the cold atmosphere that felt like frost had settled in.  

*“That damned little one, that perverted little one, everything’s blown up….”*  

- *Shush.*  

*“Suyun, it’s not like that.”*  
*“I know. It’s not like Yu-jin meant it that way.”*  
*“…Thank you.”*  

Fortunately, from a third-party perspective, it seemed to be a mitigating circumstance.  

Only then did my tension ease.  
A sigh of relief escaped me without me even realizing.  

*‘Yeah. I’m not a lolicon. I prefer mature ones. Yep.’*  
*“Hmm. By the way, Winterer is kind of cute. The fact that she rejected it… does that mean you prefer the more mature type?”*  
*“Of course!”*  

So it was. I answered without thinking.  
Not even realizing what Suyun’s question implied.  

*“Hmm… then what about me?”*  
*“Huh?”*  

- *Slyly.*  

*“If Yu-jin is okay with it, I could kiss him too. You know, like lovers do.”*  
*“…No way~ Don’t joke around. What’s that even about?”*  
*“Well, I’m not wearing any underwear, so there’s nothing to take off.”*  
*“———What are you saying, sister!!!?”*