As dawn crept closer, Illusionary Feather had a dream lasting barely a minute—less a dream, more a warning.

"Kid, you’d better hold back when you wake up, or things’ll get messy! Hahaha~"

An unknown voice echoed in his dream before he snapped awake.

Squinting slightly, he opened his eyes.

Before him lay a figure carved like translucent crystal. Though her chest was disappointingly flat, her face was stunningly beautiful—and completely naked.

Blazing Heart knelt straddled over him on the bed, bare knees pressing into the mattress, her bare bottom resting on his abdomen. Her eyes held not a trace of emotion as she timidly whispered, "Master... good morning."

Illusionary Feather didn’t hear her. His blood was boiling like magma inside him.

Unaware, the magma erupted from the volcano—well, from one nostril as a trickle of blood.

"Blazing Heart, why aren’t you dressed? You tossed the blanket on the floor and sat on me—what are you planning?"

Snapping to his senses, Illusionary Feather scolded her.

He only managed that sentence before reaching down to grab the fallen blanket, rushing to cover them both.

Unexpectedly, Blazing Heart obediently lunged forward—and the blanket smoothly draped over them.

But that lunge made his blood surge hotter.

He felt a soft, warm pressure against his nose.

"So Blazing Heart isn’t flat after all... and that faint, sweet scent is so soothing."

"What?! Could it be—"

His thoughts ignited his blood to eruption point.

Luckily, he darted out of the blanket just before it burst.

*Splash~*

A wave of red splattered the floor. Clutching his nose, he bolted to the bathroom.

Blazing Heart peeked out her cute little head, glanced around, then ducked back under the covers.

"Blazing Heart, get dressed before I come out," he called from the bathroom.

"Ugh... still flowing..."

After frantic cleanup, Illusionary Feather emerged.

He assumed she’d be dressed by now, so he glanced at the bed without hesitation.

To his shock, Blazing Heart wore only his oversized T-shirt. Her pale, bare legs peeked out below—clearly, nothing else covered her lower half.

Sensing his gaze, she uncharacteristically blushed. A faint pink flush spread across her face as she curled her body, tiny hands tugging the shirt hem to hide herself.

Illusionary Feather realized his shirt, though long, couldn’t possibly cover her underwear too. Which meant—

*Pfft~ Splash~*

Blood surged again. His nose gushed anew. He clamped it shut and fled back to the bathroom—but not before flicking off the magic air conditioner with his free hand.

After all, wearing only a T-shirt in that chilly draft would make her cold.

*Rustle~*

He dealt with the nosebleed inside.

Once it stopped, he called louder: "Blazing Heart, get fully dressed before I come out!"

"...No!"

"...Impossible!" he muttered under his breath. "She always dresses herself without reminders. What’s wrong with her today?"

"Can’t figure it out." To be safe, he stuffed tissues into his nostrils—preventing "volcanic instability."

Fully prepped, he exited the bathroom. Blazing Heart hid under the blanket, only her head visible, watching him. Her shyness had vanished.

"Hey, I told you to get dressed."

"..."

"Unhappy about something?"

"..." (She shook her head.)

"What do I need to do for you to come out?"

"...Clothes..."

"Can’t pick them yourself?"

"Today... special."

"Can you tell me why?"

"Going out... with Master."

"Don’t we always go out together?"

"Shopping."

"...Ah." Hearing "shopping," Illusionary Feather finally understood.

"You want to wear something special?"

"Master... help... clothes."

"Don’t say two words at a time. You want me to pick your outfit?"

"Mm."

"Alright."

He got it now. The girl wanted his help choosing clothes for their shopping trip—that’s why she hadn’t dressed like usual.

He rummaged through the wardrobe, pulled out a black gothic-style dress, and tossed it onto the bed.

"Change yourself. I’ll make breakfast."

"...Underwear..."

"...Just pick that yourself."

"Master’s favorite."

"...Fine." Surrendering, he walked to the wardrobe, grabbed pink underwear from the bottom drawer, threw it over without looking back, and headed straight for the door.

"So Master likes pink."

*Thud~*

For the first time ever, Illusionary Feather collapsed face-first—not from a fight, but because his body lurched forward while his feet lagged. The cool floor pressed against his cheek.

He stood, brushed off dust, and his eyebrows twitched.

"After that brat’s antics, I forgot to dress myself—even my pants!"

Springing up, he blurred back to his room, changed at lightning speed, and reached the kitchen.

"Hah~ Speed hasn’t dropped."

He began preparing breakfast.

About ten minutes later, Blazing Heart tiptoed out and sat obediently at the table.

Illusionary Feather emerged just then, carrying a simple breakfast.

With fewer freeloaders today, he’d expected it to be quicker—but well, that wasn’t important now.

Sitting beside her, they started their quiet two-person meal.

They ate at a snail’s pace. By the time they finished, it was nearly eight.

Illusionary Feather cleared the table, ready to head out with Blazing Heart.

As they left the kitchen, he flicked his hand. At the玄关, blue light shot from the sink. Water gushed from the tap, automatically washing the dishes. (Magic—Water: Flowing Spirit)

At the玄关, Illusionary Feather quickly slipped on his shoes, waiting for Blazing Heart beside him.

But today’s Blazing Heart was unlike her usual self. Normally gentle yet capable, she now fumbled helplessly with her shoes.

She stumbled, tumbling into his arms, her hands instinctively clinging to him.

"What’s gotten into you today, little Blazing Heart?" he grumbled, steadying her before seating her on the玄关 step.

"I’ll do it."

He knelt, cradling her small foot gently in his left hand while sliding her shoe on with his right. After both were on, he stood, tied the laces, then flicked her forehead lightly. "There. Time for shopping."

They stepped outside together.

Silent, they walked to the school gate. Blazing Heart occasionally hurried to keep up.

On the sidewalk, Illusionary Feather’s longer strides naturally widened the gap. Lost in thought, he didn’t notice.

*Tap-tap-tap~*

Blazing Heart sped up. Her hand hesitated, reaching for his—only to retreat each time, stealing shy glances at him.

Just before a crosswalk, Illusionary Feather halted abruptly. Blazing Heart, having finally mustered courage to grab his hand, panicked. Momentum sent her toppling forward—

Straight into his arms as he turned to catch her.

She went limp.

"My bad," he apologized softly. "I left you behind."

"..."

After steadying her, he extended his right hand with a smile. "To make it up to you, I’ll follow your lead today."

After a long pause, she placed her left hand in his, nodded, and whispered, "Mm."

From then on, he matched her pace, walking beside her as they began their "shopping" adventure.

Somehow, Illusionary Feather muted their presence—no passersby even glanced their way.

Passing a park, they spotted a crepe stand.

"Master... crepe..."

"Let’s queue up."

They joined the line’s end.

When their turn came, Blazing Heart chose strawberry, while Illusionary Feather got chocolate.

After paying, they sat on a park bench.

Blazing Heart ate silently. Illusionary Feather scanned the area—then spotted a blond pair approaching on the path behind. He recognized the guy.

"Yo, Leilo! Morning!" Illusionary Feather called first.

"Oh, Illusionary Feather! Heard you were out with your little girlfriend today. Where is she?" Leilo teased warmly upon spotting him.

"..." Blazing Heart’s short stature and the flowerbed blocking the view made her invisible.

"Just hidden," Illusionary Feather sighed.

"Ah." Leilo nodded.

"Leilo, who’s this?" the girl beside him asked.

Illusionary Feather turned. She had long, straight golden hair. Her figure couldn’t match Belka or Misa’s, but rivaled Kerdling’s—and her face shared Leilo’s sharp features.

"Oh, Lyster, he’s a friend."

"Call me ‘sis’."

"..."

"Haha! Classic, Leilo." Watching Leilo flush and look away, Illusionary Feather grinned.

"Hmm?" Leilo raised an eyebrow at him.

"Come on, it's not like anything's lost. Having such a beautiful sister, others would envy you endlessly," Illusionary Feather quickly explained.

"Sigh~ But as a twin brother, I really can't help feeling discontent."

"That's just fate. But hey, are you really that free?"

"Oh right! I was about to take Lyster to see my new work earlier, but seeing you made me forget."

"Then you two go ahead. I'll take Blazing Heart for a stroll too."

"See you tomorrow then."

"See you tomorrow." Lyster gave a standard social bow.

"Mm, see you tomorrow." Illusionary Feather also bowed politely like a gentleman.

After they left, Illusionary Feather sat back down. He noticed Blazing Heart had finished her crêpe, a trace of cream still smeared on her lips.

He reached out a finger, gently wiped it off, then held the cream-coated fingertip before her. Blazing Heart obediently took it into her mouth, sucked lightly for a moment, and released it.

"Master, that girl from just now is very dangerous."

"What are you saying? She's Leilo's sister; she won't do anything. Anyway, let's head to the next spot," Illusionary Feather replied, not taking her words seriously—at least on the surface.

Then the two walked back onto the pedestrian path.