My Idle System

"You seem to be alone with your older sister and are about to head home. Have you finished talking with your friends?"

Seeing how Eva turned her attention back to her brother after exchanging a few words with her, Annabelle was prepared to step aside and not be an obstacle, ready to leave and go back alone if necessary.

"No, it's not that we are alone and returning home; it's just that I'm making space, making it more convenient for my special girl friend."

"Ah, I mean a female friend."

But hearing her brother's response to the unexpected question, which she found surprising, because if she knew her brother even a little, she should know he didn't have friends after all, she felt even more taken aback.

'Is he trying to hint at her? Tease her?'

As all kinds of thoughts raced through Annabelle's head, she heard Eva's chuckle and noticed how they continued to talk normally, or perhaps not normally, but seemingly bickering? This time, she really felt out of place.

"Mo-, I mean, Sis Eva."

Coming to Annabelle's rescue was another beautiful girl: the second top student who had given the Salutatorian Speech previously, Eva's younger sister, who immediately asked her after arriving.

"What are you doing here?"

Christian, seeing Olivia arrive and how she nearly mistakenly said "mother" instead of "sister" at first, was filled with amusement. He was also curious about what Eva would have told her daughter to make her call her sister now. As for the peculiar gaze she had just sent to Olivia upon her arrival, it certainly didn't go unnoticed by him.

Then, noticing how he had actually become the center of attention, or rather, how his group had, Christian took a couple of glances at his surroundings. He felt that many of the gazes were filled with envy, but he didn't care at all.

More importantly, he looked at Olivia, observing how she was talking with Eva while seemingly ignoring him and his sister. He once again realized that she could be quite rude. However, hearing the tone between mother and daughter, he also recognized that she was at least different with her mother.

But in the end, it was all just a passing observation; for Eva's sake. He still didn't plan to get too involved with Olivia.

"Okay, it seems that I need to go with my younger sister for now. See you later." Eva said to him and his sister after finishing her conversation with Olivia.

As Christian gave a short reply and Annabelle followed with a more polite one, they found themselves alone in silence after Eva left. In sync, they both started walking back to their house.

While the mood was awkward on the way back, it improved when they arrived at their house, filled with decorations, especially when his sister returned to take more photos before he changed back into his clothes.

As it was a celebration with just the two of them, Christian began to think about what he should tell his sister. Her not saying or asking anything till now didn't mean she wasn't curious, after all, and he felt his sister had every right to know.

But he was still undecided about how much he should share. He was waiting for her to at least ask and was prepared to answer to the best of his abilities without lying.

While all kinds of thoughts went through his mind at this unexpected encounter with Eva, Annabelle looking at her brother, who seemed a little distracted as they were preparing to barbecue on the roof. Finally couldn't hold herself back any longer and said.

"You know, Chris?"

Seeing how he gave her his attention right away when she called him, Annabelle tried to think of Eva again. She knew herself well and was naturally very curious about how they met, how often they met, the extent of their relationship, why it was specifically her, and many more questions that were running through her mind.

But at the core of everything was her younger brother's happiness, and Annabelle considered herself open-minded when it came to these kind of matters. So, as long as Eva was genuinely good person, someone truly suitable for her brother, who would sincerely care for his well-being and cherish him, Annabelle would have no objections to their relationship.

Then now, noticing how her brother seemed both uncomfortable and resolute, as if he was ready to answer anything she asked, Annabelle gave him an assuring smile, as she finally said.

"Actually, there's no need to talk about Eva right now. I can wait until you are ready to talk."
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Seeing her brother relax after what she said, Annabelle wasn't sure how to feel exactly, but she continued anyway.

"Chris, while I can wait, I still want to know."

"No, I need to know, so please don't make me wait too long."

'As I consider myself an involved party in your life.'

While she didn't voice all her thoughts, Annabelle chose not to dwell on things too much, as it was a special day, a day meant for celebrating and happiness.

'Are we playing push and pull, sister? Are you trying to find the right amount of pressure? Is that why you said all of that?'

Christian, feeling much more relaxed after what his sister said, couldn't help but think about it. He also felt a little guilty, but as he saw how eager his sister was to continue their celebration, he tried not to dwell on things too much and focused on enjoying the rest of the day.

…

Christian was now in his room after finishing the celebration with his sister, which had lasted well into the night and included another round of hugs before it finally ended. Naturally, he had also received his Idle Practicing slots. But as he prepared himself for sleep, he found his mind drifting, reflecting on everything that had happened today.

If Christian had to sum up his thoughts about his graduation, then he had no real issues with the event itself; it was just his encounter with Eva. He who had always considered meeting her by chance to be a stroke of luck, today, didn't share the same feeling.

Even with the unexpected hug from her, which, while he was naturally happy about, as it felt different from the ones he shared with his sister.

When she first approached him and his sister, and he realized there was no escaping it, Christian was resolved to face the situation head-on. He had prepared himself to initiate the conversation and see how things would unfold. But Eva's control over the entire situation at first, not just the conversation, rendered his plans useless.

When he had barely managed to patch things up midway, or at least, that's what he thought, things seemed to take an even worse turn. He couldn't shake the feeling that Eva and his sister were subtly taking jabs at each other, making the situation even more uncomfortable.

Then came the moment when Eva claimed he had told her about his sister, which was naturally untrue. As he had only met Eva twice, when would he have had time for that? Of course, it wasn't that he was embarrassed to talk about his sister or anything like that, not at all.

But he still didn't feel their relationship had reached the point where they could casually talk about each other's family. After all, Olivia's case which he opened during their first meeting is different, she was just a fellow student from the same school, making the whole situation feel different.

Even then, he went along with Eva today, not wanting to make her seem like a liar. More importantly, he was somewhat known at school for being an orphan, not exactly famous, but it was a well-known fact. His parents had never shown up at any school events after all, and after the hacking incident, his information had spread even more between students.

So if Eva had asked Olivia about him, and if Olivia had paid even a little attention to the happenings at school, she would naturally know about it by now.

That's why, while he didn't dwell on this point too much, Christian still didn't like this move? Or was she trying to lighten the mood? Perhaps to get on his sister's better side? As these questions crossed Christian's mind, he recalled the conversation that followed, which didn't seem to support that idea, making these claims feel entirely unconvincing.

In the end, Christian decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and planned to ask her directly when they met again. He didn't mind asking her awkward questions, after all, she wasn't his sister, with whom he tried to avoid any uncomfortable conversations.

He also felt a sense of obligation to be a better brother for his sister, which naturally didn't apply to Eva. Even if he was attracted to her or had feelings for her, which he wasn't sure of.

And the most important thing in these relationships, he believed, was to avoid holding back and accumulating problems.