Netori: I Shall Steal All Of My Enemies' Women For Revenge!

The picnic basket swung lightly in Haruto's grip as he trudged along the forest path.

It was packed with neatly wrapped bento, an assortment of sweets, and a thermos of warm tea, carefully prepared for their little outing.

Ahead of him, Haruka stood still, holding a worn map that fluttered slightly in the crisp autumn breeze. She squinted at it as if trying to decode a hidden message.

Around them, the forest was alive with the colors of fall—brilliant yellows, deep reds, and burnt oranges swirled together in a breathtaking view.

The leaves crunched underfoot as the siblings walked, and the occasional gentle rustle of leaves above reminded them of nature's quiet charm.

"A picnic in autumn, huh?" Haruto mused, glancing up at the sky streaked with soft gray clouds.

"Feels a little unconventional. What if it rains?"

Haruka sighed, lowering the map to look at him. "The weather forecast said clear skies, brother, so it's fine. Besides, it's the perfect time for this."

"Is it, though? Because you've been staring at that map for ten minutes."

Haruto grinned, leaning over her shoulder. "So, where to now, fearless leader?"

"Ugh, don't rush me," Haruka groaned, clutching the map tighter. "I… might've forgotten exactly where this place is."

Haruto let out a soft laugh, shaking his head.

She continued, her voice soft and low as if she was ashamed, "We should've just gone to Mom's grave instead. At least we wouldn't be wandering aimlessly in a forest."

Haruka's expression softened as she glanced down at the map again. "I just… thought this would be better. Remember how Mom used to bring us here during spring break? The sakura trees were the first to bloom in this area. She loved this place."

The memory of their mother flooded back to both of them.

Her soft laughter, the way her eyes lit up at the sight of the cherry blossoms, and the warmth of her hand as she guided them through these same paths.

It felt fitting to honor her memory here instead of the cold, gray stone of her grave. Experience tales with empire

"I know what you're trying to do, Haruka," Haruto said gently, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"We already held a memorial service today. This is just… for us, right? Don't stress so much."

Haruka's lips tugged into a small pout as she turned to him. "But aren't you tired, brother? We've been on a train, and now we're in the middle of a forest…"

"Not when I'm with you," Haruto replied with a playful smirk.

Haruka rolled her eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching upward despite herself. "You're impossible."

She turned her attention back to the map, muttering to herself as she tried to make sense of the unfamiliar trails.

Haruto chuckled and set the basket down on a fallen tree trunk. He plopped himself down beside it, his gaze lingering on Haruka as she fussed over the map.

Their relationship felt unchanged since that fateful kiss. Haruka was still the same—determined, a little clumsy, and endearingly stubborn.

But for Haruto, something had shifted.

He found himself replaying that moment over and over in his mind. Her soft lips, her trembling confession, the way her eyes had shimmered with unspoken emotions.

She had confessed she loved him—not as a brother but as a man. And yet, here they were, acting as if nothing had happened.

Haruto leaned back, his hands resting on the rough bark of the trunk. He wasn't sure what disturbed him more: that Haruka seemed perfectly at ease or that he wasn't.

Did he want to bring it up again? Did he want clarity about her feelings—or perhaps his own?

His gaze drifted to her, watching as she absentmindedly pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

She was beautiful in a way he hadn't allowed himself to notice before, and that realization made him guilty as he was supposed to be his best brother.

Since when did they change into something more than that?

"Found it!" Haruka's triumphant voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She turned to him, holding up the map with a victorious grin. "I think I figured out where we are, brother."

Haruto stood, brushing stray leaves from his pants. "Lead the way, then, oh great navigator."

She shot him a playful glare but grabbed his hand, pulling him along the trail. As their laughter echoed through the forest.

"Here we are! The place where the sakura should bloom!" Haruka exclaimed, her tone filled with enthusiasm.

Haruto followed her gaze, only to be met with the sight of a massive, ancient tree stripped bare of its beauty.

The skeletal branches reached out like fingers against the autumn sky, a somber reminder that spring was still far off.

Despite the reality, it didn't dampen their spirits.

They worked together to set up the picnic, Haruto unfurling the blanket while Haruka began unpacking the bento boxes.

"You brought enough food to feed an army," Haruto teased, eyeing the four large bento boxes filled to the brim with an assortment of dishes.

"Is this New Year's or something?"

Haruka huffed, crossing her arms as she settled onto the blanket.

"Of course not. You need all the protein you can get to maintain those muscles, don't you, brother? That's why I prepared so much."

Haruto chuckled, his emerald eyes softening as he reached out to ruffle her hair. "Thanks. You're the best sister in the world."

But his words, meant to be affectionate, struck Haruka like a dagger. She stiffened under his touch, leaning away.

"Let's just eat," she muttered, picking up an ebi furai with her chopsticks and popping it into her mouth.

The cheerful atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken words, and silence fell between them.

Haruto's smile faltered as he watched her eat, unsure of how to bridge the gap that seemed to have appeared.

However, the quiet was broken by an unexpected sound—a faint, distant cry. Both siblings froze.

"What's that?" Haruto asked, tilting his head toward the noise.

Haruka's face paled, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped her tea cup. "D-don't tell me it's a ghost," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Haruto smirked, unable to resist teasing her. "Haven't you heard the legend about this forest?" he began, lowering his voice ominously.

"Stop it, brother!" Haruka snapped, her ruby eyes darting nervously around. "Ghosts aren't real!"

The cries grew louder, and Haruto's playful grin faded. He stood, scanning the area.

"What if it's a lost child?" he mused. "They might need help."

Haruka's hand shot out, grabbing his arm. "Don't go! What if… what if you're right about the ghost?"

"Come on, Haruka." Haruto sighed, his tone softening.

"The Obon days have passed. The spirits are long gone. But if it is a lost child, they're probably scared out of their mind. We can't just leave them."

Haruka hesitated before reluctantly standing. "I-I'll go with you," she said, her voice trembling.

The two ventured toward the sound, Haruka clinging tightly to Haruto's arm, her nails digging into his skin as they pushed through the underbrush.

Haruto bit back a laugh at her obvious fear, amused by how some things never changed.

When they reached the source of the cries, they found a small figure crouched in the bushes.

A little girl, her clothes dirty and her knees scraped, huddled in fear.

"Don't hurt me!" she cried out, covering her head with her small hands.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Haruto knelt down, his expression soft and reassuring. "It's okay," he said gently.

"We're here to help you. My name is Haruto. What's your name?"

The girl peeked up at him, her hazel eyes wide and glistening with tears. "Minami Adachi," she sniffled. "I'm seven years old."

Haruto offered her a warm smile and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Minami. Are you lost?"

She nodded, her bottom lip trembling. "Yes... I fell and couldn't find my way back."

Haruto glanced at the name tag around her neck, which bore her address and a contact number.

"Don't worry," he said, ruffling her soft brown hair.

"We'll get you back to your family. But for now, how about you join us? We have plenty of food if you're hungry."

Minami's eyes lit up. "Food? Really? I haven't eaten lunch yet!"

Haruto picked her up with ease, her small arms wrapping around his neck as she clung to him. When he turned back toward Haruka, he noticed her pouting, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Ah, sorry," Haruto said sheepishly. "This is my sister, Haruka."

Minami's gaze shifted to Haruka, her awe evident. "Wow! You're so pretty, sister! How do you have white hair and eyes like ruby jewels?"

Haruka, caught off guard by the compliment, flushed a deep red. "It's called albinism," she explained, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Now, let's get back to the picnic blanket. We have plenty of food to share."

Her mood seemed to lift as she took the lead, her earlier pout forgotten. Haruto followed, smiling as he carried Minami.

For now, the peaceful picnic seemed even more special with their unexpected guest.