When the vermilion sky returns to the continent, those who left will come back.

War is unavoidable. Fight or surrender?

The choice is yours!

Illusionary Feather drowsily heard a voice from his dream as daylight flooded outside. He slowly woke up.

"Just now in my dream... someone spoke to me."

"...What did they say?"

"Hmm? ...Can't remember."

"Maa~ If I can't recall it, forget it. Probably nothing important anyway."

Fully awake, Illusionary Feather muttered to himself, then realized he'd slept on the floor.

He looked up at the bed. A girl lay curled like a fetus, wearing a white shirt and blue pleated skirt, hogging his bed.

"Huh? Is that Blazing Heart?"

"Whoa, she grew overnight. Her hair turned pale yellow and got cut short. Feels like a totally different person."

He observed the girl on the bed.

A few seconds passed.

"No, wait—that's Senior Misa."

Illusionary Feather finally realized, startled.

"Oops, too loud."

He clapped a hand over his mouth.

Glancing around, he spotted another black-haired girl sleeping beside Misa.

"Ah, there she is."

Illusionary Feather sighed in relief.

—But I remember Senior Misa left yesterday evening.

...

"So, junior, I'm heading back. See you tomorrow!"

Misa waved goodbye at the door of Dorm 307.

"O-Okay... take care, senior."

Illusionary Feather replied weakly after being teased all afternoon.

"Junior sounds so drained. Want me to strip a few layers to pep you up?"

Misa teased without a hint of shame.

"...Save it. If you want me to regain energy, just leave already."

He shut her down fast.

"Ooh~ Then I'm really off, junior!"

Misa turned to leave. Unlike Belka, who always rode a dragon away, she walked toward Yayang's gate as if catching a bus.

Memory ended.

"Huh? In my memory, she left yesterday evening..."

Illusionary Feather puzzled over it.

"Eh, I'll ask later. Breakfast first."

Giving up, he stood to leave.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

Whoosh~

His foot slipped on something on the floor, sliding forward with a screech.

After steadying himself, he picked up the banana-peel-like object. Not a banana peel.

Pink, lace-trimmed, minimal fabric, triangular.

His eye and mouth twitched at the sight.

"This is bigger than Blazing Heart's size. And only two girls here..."

So that meant...

Red liquid dripped from his nose.

Illusionary Feather whipped the underwear behind him, dashed to the bathroom.

After washing up, he cooked breakfast.

"Ah~wooo~" Misa yawned awake in Illusionary Feather's room, glancing around. Not her room.

She pondered briefly, then waved it off.

Clueless.

She got up, picked up her underwear—the very item Illusionary Feather had handled—and put it on.

Just then, Blazing Heart sat up in bed.

"Yo, little sister Blazing Heart, morning!"

Misa greeted warmly.

"...Oh. Morning."

Blazing Heart tilted her head, slow to react.

Stepping out, the heat hit them instantly.

"So hot outside," Misa complained.

Blazing Heart didn't speak but tugged her collar, clearly uncomfortable.

In the kitchen, Illusionary Feather had finished breakfast and was heading to wake them.

"You're up."

He greeted the pair.

"Junior Illusionary Feather, morning!"

Misa's eyes gleamed oddly at his neat appearance.

"Oh, senior, morning."

"And Blazing Heart, morning too."

After greetings, they ate silently.

Ever polite, Illusionary Feather avoided awkward topics—why Misa was here, whose underwear was on the floor—until after breakfast and cleanup.

"Why were you in my bed, Senior Misa?"

"...Dunno."

"Why was your underwear on the floor?"

"Guess it's a habit."

"...."

"Junior, where are we playing today?"

"Oh, we're going to... wait, don't dodge this."

"Hmph~ Juniors are so petty! Boys should be generous."

"Explain properly, and I'll forgive you."

"Master~"

"Blazing Heart, wait a bit longer, okay?"

"...."

"Honestly, I don't remember."

"Really?"

"Really."

"...."

After endless debate, they gave up.

No one recalled last night—why they shared a room.

But the day had just begun, especially for Illusionary Feather.

Outside, the croaker device beeped.

Knowing its true form, the girls no longer scrambled for frogs but eyed Illusionary Feather warily.

He shifted uncomfortably.

Anyway.

"Illusionary Feather?"

"Uh... Sophia?"

"Yes. I'm contacting you from Branch 19 office. Ready to head out?"

"Just left the dorm. On my way."

"Good. I heard about your situation. Work hard—you're only off duty tomorrow."

"Understood. Though I wonder what you heard... please don't overthink it."

"Bye then."

"Bye."

Pocketing the croaker, he faced two intensely curious stares.

"Master~ Who was that?"

"Junior, junior! Who's that girl?"

"My boss's boss, sort of."

"Is that so?"

Misa looked away, thinking.

"Believe what you want. No time for shopping today anyway."

"No problem. Better than wandering alone. I'll join your patrol, junior."

"...Fine. Annoying, but fine."

"Don't say that. Life's messy, right?"

"Too tired to argue. Let's go."

He ended it, heading to the gate with them.

Patrol began.

He really was dumb. He could've skipped it—it wasn't his duty—but he'd persisted for two days.

Morning patrol solved minor issues, though Senior Misa caused bigger headaches.

At lunch, Illusionary Feather returned to the dorm with Blazing Heart and Misa.

Usually empty, today voices echoed inside: chatter, cooking sizzles, laughter.

Illusionary Feather's instincts screamed:

*Massive trouble. Absolute chaos. Run.*

As he turned to flee, Misa barged in.

"I'm back!" she announced loudly.

"Welcome back!"

"You're here!"

Female voices replied. No males.

Illusionary Feather prepared to bolt.

A figure blocked his path.

Purple hair flowing, gentle eyes fixed on him.

"Little brother Yu, you're back."

"...Yeah. I'm back."

Seeing Belka out here, escape was impossible. Not surrender—just adapt.

"Blazing Heart, you're back too."

Belka smiled at her after greeting Illusionary Feather.

"I'm back."

Blazing Heart replied.

"Come in, little brother Yu! Explain why Misa's with you."

"...Knew it. Nothing good."

He grumbled under his breath.

As the saying goes: the real drama starts now.

Inside the living room, it was packed.

One.

Two.

Three.

...

Counting Belka, Blazing Heart, and Misa—nine people total.

Five mature women, two especially seasoned ones chatting familiarly.

All eyes locked on him as he entered.

—Is this a disaster?

As the dorm owner, Illusionary Feather forced a smile, greeting each:

"Kerdling, noon."

"Hmm, noon, Illusionary Feather."

"Lily, noon."

"Oh."

—Did I offend her?

"Misha, noon."

"Hmph... noon."

—What's her deal?

"Sophia, noon."

"Yes, noon, Illusionary Feather."

"Uh... who are these three?"

He eyed strangers: a green-haired loli from Branch 19, and two mature women who felt oddly familiar.

"Huh? Oh, hello, sisters!"

Illusionary Feather finally recalled the two girls before him. The golden-haired one, with a haughty expression, her curvaceous figure clad in silver armor and a Knight Sword resting beside her, resembled Lily in both aura and facial features.

The other girl wore a mischievous grin, her purple hair and red eyes peeking out from a violet dress. She looked utterly harmless—and reminded him strongly of Belka.

Realizing who they were, he quickly greeted them.

"Oh dear," he said, "just as little Belka described. You're handsome and polite."

Belka's sister praised him bluntly after his polite greeting.

"No wonder. My younger sister often mentions you in letters. Though I wonder about your strength."

Lily's sister added, her tone sharp but carrying a hint of approval.

Illusionary Feather didn't know their names, so he held back. Then he remembered his own introduction.

"Sisters, I'm Illusionary Feather. Please take care of me."

——Though, maybe not too much. It's troublesome.

"Oh dear! I forgot to introduce myself," the purple-haired girl chirped. "I'm Kana Rolin, little Belka's sister. Oh, and we have an older brother too. If you want to win over little Belka, you'll need to convince him as well."

Her words left Illusionary Feather speechless. Wisely, he skipped that topic.

"Ah, Sister Kana."

Then Lily's sister spoke formally: "I am Lily's eldest sister, Vinares Pulis."

"Oh, Your Majesty Vinares," Illusionary Feather blurted unconsciously. Everyone fell silent for a moment before teasing him relentlessly—until Belka called them for dinner.

Throughout it all, Illusionary Feather never got to ask the green-haired little girl's name. As they prepared to eat, they realized chairs were scarce. His dorm usually only hosted Belka and Leilo for free meals; four chairs sufficed. But today, nine people crowded in—more than half the seats missing.

While others hesitated, Illusionary Feather sighed. "I'll go borrow some chairs."

"Feather-kun, take your time," Belka called.

"Master~" Blazing Heart echoed.

Belka and Blazing Heart watched him leave; the others followed with their eyes.

He had only one place to go.

One minute later.

*Knock knock.*

"Coming!"

Leilo opened the door to Illusionary Feather's helpless face. "What's up?"

"...Can I borrow five chairs?"

"What for?"

"Unexpected guests. Short five chairs."

"Oh, that's all? I have six here, including my desk chair. I'll carry them over."

"Six?"

"Can I come too?"

"...Be prepared."

"?"

They didn't hesitate. Leilo led him into his messy dorm—clothes strewn on the floor, shoes scattered everywhere.

——I didn't expect he'd be this sloppy.

Back at Dorm 303, girls' laughter echoed inside. Leilo froze at the door.

——Should I go in?

"Hey, come in!"

"Oh!"

In the dining area, all eyes turned to them. Leilo, unsure of their ties to Illusionary Feather, stayed stiffly polite. After arranging seats, everyone ate in silence.

Probably good manners.

After dinner, they gathered in the sweltering living room.

"Feather-kun's dorm is so hot. No magi-fan?"

"Junior, want me to buy a bigger one?"

"Oh dear, luckily I'm an ice-element Sorcerer."

"Seriously hot!"

"...."

"If you don't mind, my room's much cooler."

Overwhelmed by complaints, Illusionary Feather led them to his room. Skeptical, they followed. A cool breeze hit them as he opened the door. They filed in.

Inside, girls claimed spots on the bed or desk. Two stared intently at the magi-air conditioner.

*Stare.*

*Stare.*

Leilo and... the green-haired little girl.

"Why so cool here?"

"Junior lives this comfortably daily? Unfair."

"Didn't you sleep here yesterday..."

——Loose lips sink ships.

All gazes snapped to Illusionary Feather.

"...Well, it's like this..."

"Feather-kun, explain properly."

"Master~ explain."

"Didn't you sleep with senior Misa yesterday?"

"Did I?"

"Fascinating. You've even won over little Misa."

"Sister knows Misa-senpai?"

"Yes, she's little Belka's best friend."

"Classmate Illusionary Feather, such an improper person."

"I only said she slept here—not with me."

"I see..."

"Illusionary Feather, you..."

Misha muttered under her breath.

They dropped the matter, examining his plain room.

"Illusionary Feather, I studied this device. I grasp its mechanism but not the power source. What is it?"

"Just a summer heat solution. It'll be sold soon."

"You made this?"

"Who else?"

"Amazing! I'd never think of it."

"Excuse me—is the power source liquid magic crystal?"

A soft, ethereal voice spoke. All eyes shifted to the green-haired girl. Her silent presence exploded as she spoke.

"Uh... you can tell?"

"Mm. I see it, but can't fathom how."

"Are you an Inventor too?"

"Inventor? I just like making things."

"Oh, forgot to say—she's Branch 19 technician Kaya Linxina."

"Her presence is just that low?"

"Mm. Always has been."

"Hey, Sophia! Don't hurt the little girl's feelings."

"Wow, cute junior! You finally appeared!"

Misa, bouncing on the bed, pounced and hugged Kaya. Kaya struggled weakly. Belka finally yanked Misa up by her collar and dumped her back on the bed.

They chattered noisily until after dinner. Illusionary Feather returned Leilo's chairs, enduring his grumbles. By dusk, he was back in his room. With tomorrow off and no inspiration, he slept early beside Blazing Heart.