Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

When the sound of knocking echoed, Yvan opened the door to the study and found Mina the maid and Ekaterina standing outside. Without any sign of surprise, he smiled.

“Your Grace, the young lady has come to see you.”

When Yvan announced her, Aleksei—who had been bending over some documents as if collapsed on them—jerked his head up as though startled.
Then, seeing Ekaterina, he gasped and rose to his feet.

“Um… I’m sorry, Onii-sama. May I have a moment of your time?”

Ekaterina spoke while fidgeting with her clasped hands. She couldn’t quite raise her face and instead kept her eyes on her fingers. So when—

“Y-yeah. Of course.”

—she got that answer, she sighed in relief.

The others in the study were gone—apparently Forli had already left. With only the same three as yesterday silently watching, Ekaterina, urged forward by Mina, stepped up beside Aleksei.

“I came… because I wanted to apologize.”

Once she declared it, she steeled herself.
You’re an adult, apologize and deal with problems swiftly and properly. The longer it’s delayed, the worse the damage gets!
…Or so she thought, though she still couldn’t raise her head. Even if she trusted her brother’s siscon tendencies, if he were actually disappointed in her, she’d just die on the spot.

“What I said at lunch… was unfair to you, Onii-sama. I understand now that everything you said was out of concern for me. And yet, I was… My words were far too cruel. Please forgive me.”
“…”

Aleksei seemed at a loss for words.
Then, after a small cough, he spoke.

“…Well, I thought it over afterward. What I said to Lady Czerny may have been a rather hasty judgment. You’re a smart girl. Spending three years at the academy among people of different classes could indeed broaden your perspective in good ways. I should have taken that into account. So, you have nothing to apologize for.”

Ooh!

“Now that I think about it… since I didn’t even let you make your social debut, Lady Czerny must be your first real friend. I realized it far too late. I… am not very perceptive when it comes to people’s feelings. I know that, but still…”

Ooooooh—!
You understand me well, Onii-sama—!
And that slightly bashful, self-conscious look on his face—so cute!

Ekaterina flung herself at Aleksei.

“Thank you, Onii-sama! I love you!”

Aleksei didn’t move. He seemed completely frozen.
But the tension snapping made Ekaterina’s excitement skyrocket to max.

“I’m so happy to have such a kind brother! I promise I’ll strive to conduct myself as a duke’s daughter should, worthy of your trust! I’ll also be good friends with Lady Flora and broaden my horizons just as you said! So please, let me keep making you lunch! I’ll continue eating here with you so I can learn about the duties of our house!”
“Ah… yes…”

It might’ve sounded like she was agreeing with him, but really, she was extracting verbal approval for all the things she wanted.
Feeling that somewhere deep down, Aleksei nonetheless caved completely under his sister’s pressure.

“And also, Onii-sama—”

Releasing her arms from around him, Ekaterina took his hand and smiled sweetly.

“Just now, you said you weren’t good at understanding people’s hearts. But I’ve heard there’s a word for that. It’s called ‘room to grow.’ At your young age, you already govern this vast duchy. Your knowledge, ability, and judgment are all astonishing. If you also understood every nuance of human emotion, you’d be far too perfect—there’d be no room left for growth in your life. I’ve heard that recognizing one’s flaws is the first step toward improvement. I’m sure you’ll overcome this someday, you’re truly remarkable, after all. I respect you from the bottom of my heart.”

Onii-sama, the way you looked so cool-headed and rational, yet secretly harbored a complex about it, is so utterly adorable!

Anyway, back in my school club days—and later at work—people who were aware of their weaknesses and had the drive to improve often ended up surpassing those who could do things effortlessly. Take myself, for example. I was all reckless energy when I first joined the company, but by the time I nearly worked myself to death, I could handle backdoor maneuvering and political finesse just fine.
If it’s my brother, he’ll surely become so insightful that people will fear him as the sly chancellor who sees through all hearts! …maybe that’s not exactly the best goal.

“Ekaterina, you’ve grown quite mature. Where did you learn such things?”

Ack! I can’t say it was coming from my old club advisor in my previous life!

“Ah, that was, um—something I heard from one of my tutors! All of the teachers you arranged for me were so excellent, Onii-sama!”
“I see.”

It was a pretty flimsy excuse, but Aleksei nodded. In retrospect if Ekaterina were to have learned that whole “room to grow” line from anyone, the tutors really were the only plausible option. Good job, me.

Then Aleksei smiled—so faintly it almost seemed fragile.

“Thank you, Ekaterina. You really are a kind girl… I’m sorry for making you sad.”

Aaaahhh.

Inside, Ekaterina nearly reeled backward in awe.
This—this was it.

So this is what people call *precious*!

I’m so glad I was born as your little sister! she thought, throwing her arms around Aleksei once again.

“I’m the one who should apologize for saying such awful things. Thinking that you must’ve been hurt by my words makes me hate myself.”

Making my beloved sad—unforgivable!
You’ve healed me in my previous life, Onii-sama. In this one, you’ve cherished me more than anyone. I owe you nothing but gratitude.You’re only seventeen, burdened with responsibilities far too heavy for your age, and yet you carry them with such grace.
I just want to support you, even a little.
You’re still just a boy, and yet you work so hard every single day. You’re amazing. Truly amazing.

“…”

Ah—my apologies.
I kind of ended up patting his head. His pale blue hair is so silky!

And there he goes, frozen again… Has anyone *ever* patted this man’s head before? Probably not. I’m so sorry…

“W-well then, I’ve taken up far too much of your precious time, Onii-sama. I do apologize. I’ll be excusing myself now. Everyone, I’m sorry for the disturbance. Good day to you all.”

With a graceful curtsey to her brother and the others in the room, Ekaterina cheerfully left the study with Mina in tow.

“Milady, shall we return to your room for your meal?”
“Before that, I’m going to see Lady Flora. They say you should strike while the iron’s hot!”

First the brother route—next up, the heroine route!
Though maybe it’s actually *me* who’s being captured by the heroine! Wahaha!