Call Me Big Sister

Zac, Martha, Carrie, and Armani, the four of them were sitting at the dining table. Zac sat opposite Armani, looking at her with confusion and fear.

"Just who is this woman, and why is my mom acting all friendly with her?"

[Why don’t you ask her yourself?]

"I tried, but the moment I open my mouth, she is giving me a threatening look. Like she is implying a ’you don’t have the right to talk’ kind of vibe."

[I’m sorry about that.]

"No, you are not. You’re clearly enjoying it."

[What can I say, one man’s suffering is another man’s joy.]

"Mom, who is this pretty lady?" Carrie asked curiously.

[Yep. Your sister clearly has more guts than you.]

"Well, she’s not the one getting the ’I’ll-kill-you’ look," Zac thought.

Martha noticed the confused looks on Carrie and Zac’s faces and smiled awkwardly. "Oh, sorry. I completely forgot to introduce her to you two."

She turned toward Armani.

"She’s Kitty... well, Armani. She was a junior during my days at the academy. Back then, she was the only person who became friends with me out of genuine kindness. We were practically inseparable. As time went on, we became sworn sisters and promised to be together all our lives."

"And you broke that promise," Armani said.

Martha gave a small smile and continued. "Your father knows her too. In fact, she absolutely adored him. He was the biggest inspiration for her to become a variant."

She let out a small sigh. "I still can’t believe it’s been so long. Time really flies."

"Yeah, it does," Armani replied with a smile. "But I still can’t believe you’ve never told your children about me."

"Come on, Kitty. You know I had my reasons."

Carrie’s eyes sparkled. "So, Mom, does this mean I get to have a pretty aunt?"

"Pretty? More like a wolf in sheep’s clothing." Zac murmured in his mouth while eating his food.

"Did you say something, brother?"

He looked up and saw all of them staring at him. "Me? No. I said nothing." He saw how Armani is still looking at him with the same terrifying smile.

"Do you think she heard me?"

[100%]

Armani turned her face, looked at her, and laughed. "Carrie, do you really think I’m that pretty?"

"Of course! You’re the third most prettiest person I’ve ever seen."

"Oh?" Armani raised an eyebrow. "Then who are the first two?"

"Obviously, I’m number one. I’m the prettiest person there is." Everyone immediately rolled their eyes. "And my brother is number two."

Zac blinked. "Though I think it’s because of some illegal drug he secretly used."

"Carrie!" Zac shouted in frustration.

Martha immediately narrowed her eyes. "And what about me? Did you forget your mother because you got a new aunt?"

Carrie instantly changed targets. "Mom, you’re prettier than all of us."

"You’re only saying that because you want extra candies." Carrie gave her an innocent smile. Martha shook her head before turning back to Armani. "So, what brings you to Mellow City, Kitty?"

"I had a small job to take care of nearby. Since I was already here, I thought I’d come visit you guys." She spread her hands. "And here I am."

"Hmm... What about life?"

"Nothing much. That old man made me vice principal of New Dawn Academy." Armani sighed dramatically. "And now he wants me to do all his work."

"That must be exhausting. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like something you’d agree to."

"What can I say? The old man faked his death and made me promise I’d become vice principal."

Martha burst out laughing. "He’s still pulling schemes, I see."

"Yep. I should’ve known that old man’s lifespan is longer than a turtle’s."

The two women laughed together.

After a while, Martha suddenly asked, "So, you’re still single?"

Armani’s smile stiffened. "Unfortunately, yes. Nobody seems willing to put up with me."

"That’s because you’re crazy and arrogant."

[For once, I completely agree with you.]

Martha casually dropped a bombshell. "You know, speaking of that, I still remember when Zac was just a little baby. You practically raised him. You were always carrying him around, taking him outside, feeding him, and refusing to let anyone else hold him."

"And every day, you’d say that you’d marry him when he grew up."

PFFFT!

Zac instantly spat the soup he had been drinking back into his cup.

Armani’s face also turned slightly red. "Sister! Don’t say things like that! That was a long time ago."

Carrie gasped dramatically. "So my aunt is going to become my sister-in-law?"

"No!"

Both Armani and Zac shouted at the exact same time.

Carrie looked genuinely disappointed. "And here I thought I’d finally get a pretty sister-in-law."

"Why does everyone enjoy making fun of me?" Zac thought with a helpless smile.

[Some people simply have faces that invite bullying.]

[And you’re one of them.]

"Kitty, since you’re already here, can you take care of Zac’s recruitment?" Martha asked. "I heard him saying it got ruined by some crazy woman."

"Mom, you have no idea what you’re talking about," Zac thought.

"Yeah," Carrie chimed in. "Brother said she was the worst kind of woman he’d ever seen."

"You are not helping it either, Carrie."

[Bro, your family is digging a grave for you.]

Armani’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. "Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll take care of it."

"That’s good." Martha smiled. "With you being the vice principal, I’d feel much better sending him to Central City."

"Sending him?" Armani blinked. "No, no, no. You’re all coming with me."

"Stop joking, Kitty. I want nothing to do with Central City."

Armani’s expression softened.

"Sister."

Martha fell silent.

"I know how much you miss Eldric, but you have to come to the fact that he is gone, and your children are the only family you have around you now. Can you really bear being apart from them?"

Martha lowered her head.

Before she could answer, Carrie suddenly raised her hand. "Auntie, where’s this Central City?"

Armani smiled. "It’s the biggest city in the world, Carrie. You’ve never seen anything like it."

"Is it bigger than Maroon City?"

"You bet it is."

Carrie’s eyes instantly lit up. "Mom! Let’s go there!"

Martha looked toward her son. Zac met her gaze and smiled. "I think it’s a good idea, Mom. I don’t want to be away from you and this little devil either."

"Hey! Don’t call me that!" Carrie protested.

Martha looked at her children for several moments before finally sighing. "If that’s what you all want... then fine. We’ll go."

"That’s great, Sister." Armani’s smile widened. "Zac will head there first. After a month, I’ll personally come back and bring you and Carrie to Central City."

Everyone nodded.

Seeing the opportunity, Zac immediately spoke up. "Actually... there’s a favor I would like to ask."

Armani looked at him. "What is it?"

"My friend Marty also wants to join New Dawn Academy. Is there any chance he could get in too?"

Armani raised an eyebrow. "Your friend?"

Before Zac could continue, Martha nodded. "Marty is a good kid, Kitty. He’s responsible, hardworking, and always looked after Zac."

"So... is it possible?"

Armani waved her hand dismissively. "That’s not a big deal. If he’s your friend and Sister trusts him, then let him come."

Zac’s eyes lit up. "Thank you, Miss Vice Principal."

***

After lunch, Martha stood on the balcony, quietly looking over Mellow City. The wind gently brushed against her hair.

A few moments later, Armani walked over and stood beside her.

"Can you believe it?" Martha said softly. "It feels like just yesterday you were running behind me and Eldric like a little kitten."

Armani chuckled. "And now you’re the vice principal of New Dawn Academy."

Martha’s smile gradually faded. "My children have grown up...And Eldric...he..."

Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. Armani placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don’t worry, Sister. Nothing bad would have happened to him. I know it."

She looked toward the distant horizon. "He’ll surely come back one day. I promise."

After comforting Martha, Armani finally said her goodbyes and left to find Zac. She soon spotted him sitting alone on the staircase outside the house.

The moment he saw her approaching, he immediately stood up. "Hi, Auntie. Are you here to say goodbye?"

The atmosphere instantly changed. A terrifying pressure descended onto Zac’s shoulders, making him hard to stand.

"Who gave you permission to call me ’Auntie’?" Zac felt cold sweat trickling down his back.

"And do you really think I didn’t hear what you said about me?"

"I didn’t say anything." He gritted his teeth as he struggled to remain standing.

"You called me a wolf in sheep’s clothing."

"You heard that?"

[Oops. I did tell you.]

The pressure grew even heavier.

"You also said I was the worst kind of woman you’ve ever seen."

[Your mouth continues to be your greatest enemy.]

"Fine. Let me be exactly that kind of woman."

Zac suddenly had a very bad feeling. "You have one week to report to New Dawn Academy."

Armani’s smile widened. "If you’re even a single day late, you’ll be cleaning toilets for an entire month." Zac’s face instantly turned pale. "Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes, ma’am."

"And one more thing." She pointed a finger at him. "You are not allowed to tell anyone about my relationship with your family."

Zac immediately nodded.

"In public, you will address me as Vice Principal Armani or Miss Armani."

"Yes, ma’am."

Satisfied, Armani turned around and began walking away. Zac suddenly asked, "What about in private?"

Armani stopped walking and stood there silently. "Call me big sister."

Zac stood there blinking. "Did she really just say ’Big Sister’?" He scratched his head. "Wouldn’t that make Mom my big, big sister?"

"There’s definitely something wrong in her head."

[Why don’t you try saying it to her face.]

"I don’t have a death wish."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out two metallic cards. "I almost forgot." She tossed them toward Zac.

"These are entry permits. Anyone entering the Central City for the first time needs one. Without a permit, the city gates won’t let you in."

"Don’t lose them." Then she handed him a small card with a number written on it. "This is my VSB number."

Zac looked surprised. "You’re giving me your contact information?"

"Don’t get overly excited. If the problem can be solved by asking someone else, then ask someone else. Only call me if you truly have no other options."

"What if I just want to chat?"

"I’d rather talk to an ugly bum than a person who relies on illegal beauty products."

"Hey, that’s not true!"

Before Zac could say another word, Armani disappeared.