The calm on Koneko's face completely disappeared, replaced by sheer disbelief.
I've been petting her for this long, and now you're telling me this cat is my sister who's been missing for years?
"Meow?"
Noticing everyone's eyes on her, the black cat lifted her head and let out a small cry.
No way.
Akeno and Koneko both waited for the cat to transform, but after the single meow, nothing happened. They both unconsciously let out a breath of relief.
Rod first placed Lavinia gently onto the sofa. Then he walked over, grabbed the black cat by the scruff of her neck, lifted her up, and tossed her lightly toward the open space beside them.
"Go on. It's your turn."
She was usually clever, why was she still pretending at a time like this?
Perhaps due to being handled so roughly, the black cat finally reverted to human form midair before landing.
When the girl in a black kimono appeared before them, Akeno narrowed her eyes in surprise, while Koneko trembled violently after recognizing the familiar features.
However, instead of greeting her sister immediately, Kuroka turned and glared at Rod angrily.
"You jerk! Why'd you just grab and throw me like that, nya?! I hate it when people pick me up by the neck, nya!"
The three fallen angels nearby couldn't help thinking: aside from Rod, has anyone else ever done that to you?
Seeing Rod completely ignore her complaint, Kuroka quickly pivoted to avoid awkwardness and waved cheerfully at her stunned little sister.
"Hello, Shirone! It's your big sister, nya~!"
"...Kuroka… onee-chan…"
As if forcing the words out through years of silence, Koneko finally spoke.
"Last time I saw you, I wanted to talk to you right away, nya, but a certain annoying human wouldn't let me transform!"
Rod made a mental note to "deal with her later" for that jab.
"I didn't let her appear before because I didn't want you to misunderstand. But since you've come seeking help now, it's fine for you sisters to reunite. Kuroka is an expert in senjutsu, she can guide Koneko in adapting to her bloodline faster."
Akeno hesitated. "But if others find out that a wanted criminal from the Underworld is here, wouldn't that-"
"It's just a misunderstanding. One day the truth will come out," Rod said calmly.
"Shirone, did you miss your sister? I missed you so, so much, nya!"
Unable to contain her excitement, Kuroka stepped forward to embrace her sister.
But before she could, Koneko took several steps back and raised her hand to stop her, anger flashing in her eyes.
"Don't come closer. I'm not your little sister."
That single sentence froze Kuroka in place.
"Shirone? I'm really your sister, nya. I'm not some imposter pretending to be her!"
She even tugged at her own face as proof.
But Koneko didn't soften.
"I don't have a sister. The day she abandoned me was the day she died."
Her tone was firm.
"I… I didn't abandon you on purpose, nya! It was urgent! I wanted to take you with me, but there were pursuers chasing me, and there wasn't time! I didn't want to leave you behind!"
Kuroka panicked, scratching at her head.
"You still left me."
Koneko's voice didn't waver.
"Shirone, I… I don't know how to explain, nya! Master, help me, nya! Say something!"
At this point, Kuroka looked ready to jump around in circles from frustration.
Rod stepped in.
"I'm sorry for what you went through, Koneko. But she didn't abandon you intentionally."
He explained the truth behind what happened years ago.
The branch of the Naberius family had been conducting research into artificial super-devils. While the research itself wasn't inherently wrong, the process had been cruel and inhumane. Kuroka had been subjected to repeated experiments. When they later tried to perform the same experiments on Shirone, they crossed her bottom line. That was when she killed her master and became a stray devil.
"It's ironic," Rod added calmly. "Their experiments strengthened her, and in the end, that strength was what destroyed them."
"As for why she left you behind, it was to bear all the blame alone. If she had taken you, you would've become a stray devil too, hunted and without a home."
"I'm right, Kuroka?"
"Yes! Exactly like that, nya!"
Kuroka nodded vigorously.
She had indeed wanted to protect Shirone, though not taking her along had been her greatest mistake. And seeing Shirone living relatively peacefully in Kuoh Town now, she knew her sister was better suited to a stable life than the wandering fugitive existence she herself endured.
After hearing the full story, Koneko hesitated.
"Koneko… what do you think?" Akeno asked gently.
Lowering her head, fists clenched, Koneko spoke quietly.
"Because of my sister… I went through some very painful times."
"I hated you. I resented you."
"But… if this is the truth… I'll believe you once. At least… until you lie to me again."
Before Koneko could react further, Kuroka rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
"I knew you'd forgive me, Shirone, nya! I won't lie to you again! I'll never leave you again, nya!"
Overcome with emotion, Kuroka's ears and tail popped out, and she rubbed her cheek repeatedly against Shirone's face.
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