My 'System' Is Myself!?

Kirari stood before the window, moonlight spilling over her and stretching her shadow across the floor.

Her fingers clutched the window frame so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. Her nails nearly dug into the wood.

Her expression remained composed, but a storm churned in her eyes. Anger, resentment, jealousy, and a trace of fear that even she hadn't noticed.

She had been watching everything that happened around the laboratory.

She knew the moment Haruno and her mother entered.

They remained inside the entire night.

Neither woman emerged until the following morning.

When they left, Haruno's cheeks were flushed and her mother's hair was slightly disheveled.

They didn't need to say a word. Kirari already understood what had happened.

Haruno and her mother had spent the night with Genichi.

An ugly look flashed across Kirari's face.

The satisfaction she had felt over Yukino's stupidity vanished without a trace.

That naive idiot had called Genichi a murderous monster to his face. She had threatened to call the police and have him arrested. She had actually said those things under such dangerous circumstances.

Kirari had believed it was a gift from heaven.

She had thought Yukino's foolishness would cause the Yukinoshita family to fall completely out of favor, finally giving her an opportunity to take their place in Genichi's eyes.

But Haruno and her mother weren't fools.

They understood better than anyone what consequences Yukino's actions would bring. Genichi's opinion of them was worsening, and their family's position was beginning to crumble.

So they had chosen the most direct solution.

They had risked everything, using the most intimate and undeniable method available to bind their futures to Genichi's.

Kirari clenched her teeth.

She had never considered Haruno a genuine rival.

Haruno was intelligent and capable, but she was far too sentimental.

Her feelings for Genichi, her protectiveness toward Yukino, and her sense of responsibility toward her mother were all weaknesses. Every one of them was an opening Kirari could exploit.

Haruno's mother was different.

That woman was calmer, more decisive, and far more ruthless than her daughter.

She had immediately understood the situation, chosen her response, and acted without hesitation.

She had left herself no path of retreat and given her opponent no opportunity to interfere.

Kirari didn't need to guess. That damn woman's move had been aimed squarely at the Momobami sisters.

"I can't wait any longer."

Kirari spoke under her breath, a hint of madness creeping into her voice.

"If I keep waiting, I'll lose my chance forever."

She turned and left the room, crossed the hallway, and stopped before another door.

She didn't knock. She simply pushed it open.

Ririka sat beside the window with a book in her hands, though she wasn't reading it.

Her gaze was fixed on the moonlit courtyard outside, her thoughts seemingly far away.

Hearing the door open, she turned toward her sister.

"Onee-sama?"

Confusion colored her voice.

Kirari walked over and looked down at her.

Moonlight streamed in from behind her, shrouding her face in shadow. Her expression was impossible to see, but her eyes shone with unsettling intensity.

"Ririka, I need you to do something."

Ririka set down her book, rose to her feet, and faced her sister.

"What is it?"

"I want you to win Genichi-sama's affection."

Kirari spoke as casually as if she were commenting on the weather.

"I want you to become someone he'll choose to keep by his side."

Ririka's expression froze.

Her eyes widened as she stared at her sister in disbelief. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Her mind went completely blank. Only Kirari's words continued to echo through it.

Win Genichi-sama's affection.

Win Genichi-sama's affection.

Win Genichi-sama's affection.

"Onee-sama, you…"

Her voice trembled with alarm.

"It won't only be you."

Kirari interrupted her, madness gleaming in her eyes.

"I'll do it with you. Together, we'll win Genichi-sama's favor away from the Yukinoshita family."

Ririka fell silent.

She lowered her head and stared at her hands, her fingers trembling slightly.

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

Genichi's composed face. His deep eyes. The faint curve that sometimes appeared at the corner of his mouth.

She remembered the tone he had used when praising her abilities, the gentleness with which he had wiped the tears from her face, and the warmth of his hand around hers.

What did she feel for him?

Gratitude?

Admiration?

Dependence?

Or something else?

She didn't dare continue that thought.

"Ririka."

Kirari's voice softened.

"Do you know how the Momobami clan has survived until today?"

Ririka raised her head and looked at her sister.

"By gambling."

Kirari spoke quietly, but every word carried unmistakable conviction.

"The Momobami clan has always survived by gambling. If we bet correctly, we live. If we bet wrong, we die. Now we need to make our greatest wager yet."

Ririka remained silent for a moment.

"What are we betting on?"

"Genichi-sama's heart."

The corner of Kirari's mouth lifted into an unsettling smile.

"We'll wager that the two of us can offer him more than Haruno and her mother can."

Ririka lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting her solitary shadow across the floor.

Her fingers trembled gently at her sides as two voices argued within her.

One warned her not to do it. It was wrong. She would be turning herself into a bargaining chip and betraying her own principles.

The other urged her forward.

Wasn't this what she wanted?

To stand beside him.

To earn his recognition.

To be someone he needed.

"Onee-sama."

Ririka finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you think Genichi-sama would choose us?"

Kirari smiled. Confidence and madness filled that smile, along with another emotion too complicated to identify.

"Why wouldn't he? We're twins. We're the head and heir of the Momobami clan. We have power, ability, and resources. We're younger, more attractive, and more willing to follow his lead than Haruno and her mother. He has no reason to reject us."

Ririka studied her sister's confident expression as conflicting emotions surged through her.

She knew Kirari was right. Genichi had little reason to turn them away.

He had never been a man devoted to only one woman. Women constantly gathered around him, and he rarely pushed away anyone who sincerely chose to stand beside him.

But Ririka also knew her sister was oversimplifying matters.

Genichi wasn't someone who could be captivated by beauty alone. He demanded more than affection. He expected value.

"Onee-sama, what advantage do we have over Haruno and her mother?"

Kirari considered the question before answering.

"We're Ghost Wielders. We possess supernatural power. We can accomplish more for him, handle more of his problems, and carry more of his burdens."

Her eyes narrowed.

"What do Haruno and her mother have? Haruno has money. Her mother has experience. Yukino is nothing but a burden. Beyond that, they have nothing."

Ririka remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"I understand."

"You'll do it?"

"I will."

A satisfied smile appeared on Kirari's face.

She stepped closer and gently caressed her sister's cheek.

"Ririka, you're better suited to him than I am. You're gentle, obedient, and never cause unnecessary trouble. He'll like you."

Ririka lowered her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"Onee-sama, what are you planning to do?"

Kirari smiled. There was a touch of teasing in it now, along with tenderness and another emotion Ririka couldn't quite identify.

"I wasn't merely flattering you. I meant every word. You're better suited to him than I am, so you need to initiative. You can't keep hiding behind me like you always do."

Ririka nodded, warmth rising within her chest.

She knew her sister was doing this for her, as well as for the Momobami clan.

Their fates had already become tightly bound to Genichi's.

They needed to win his trust and affection if they wanted to secure their place in the struggles ahead.

"When do we act?"

Ririka asked.

"Now."

A sharp light flashed through Kirari's eyes.

"Haruno and her mother have just made their move, and Genichi-sama's opinion of them is improving. We can't wait. The longer we hesitate, the smaller our opportunity becomes. We need to approach him now, while the situation is still developing."

Ririka drew a deep breath and nodded.

"All right."

The sisters left the room and crossed the hallway toward Genichi's laboratory.

Moonlight fell across them, casting their overlapping shadows onto the floor until it was impossible to distinguish one from the other.

Kirari walked in front, every step firm and determined.

Ririka followed behind her, moving more slowly.

Their footsteps echoed through the silent hallway in a strange, almost ritualistic rhythm.

Madness gleamed in Kirari's eyes.

She knew this was an enormous gamble.

If they won, the sisters could replace the Yukinoshita family and become the people Genichi valued most.

If they lost, they could lose everything. Genichi's trust, the Momobami clan's position, and even themselves.

But she wasn't afraid.

She was Kirari, head of the Momobami clan.

A madwoman.

A gambler.

She had never feared losing.

She only feared never being given the chance to place her bet.

The laboratory door was directly ahead.

Kirari stopped and looked back at her sister.

Ririka stood behind her, her face pale but her gaze unwavering.

"Are you ready?"

Kirari asked.

Ririka nodded.

Kirari drew a deep breath, reached out, and pushed open the door.

(End of Chapter)

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