"Ahhh..."

Waking up felt awful. His arms were heavy and sore, and his stomach, neck, and thighs ached as if someone had deliberately trampled them.

April 8th, Tuesday.

Spring break had ended yesterday. Today was a school morning. Last night’s birthday celebration for Yage had gotten a little wild, and he’d slept like a log.

Qin An rubbed his blurry eyes and groaned softly.

Only then did he realize he was fully awake. His sister, standing on his stomach, turned toward him. Her white-and-green elementary school uniform fluttered with the motion. Her long twin-tails swayed, round eyes fixed on him, lips pouted enough to hang a wine bottle.

From Qin An’s angle, her underwear was plainly visible—not just a hint. Her pleated skirt had flipped completely upward, revealing blue-and-white stripes squarely in his line of sight.

"Yage, it’s showing."

"Brother, what are you talking about?"

Qin Yage didn’t move her feet.

"Nothing. Yage, you’re heavy! Get down."

"No way! First, look what you did, you perverted little sister-obsessed creep!"

Yage yanked off Qin An’s blanket. Curled in his arm was a sleeping girl, tiny as a cat, soft snores escaping her lips.

"That’s Xiao Chan. She crawled in herself last night."

"But didn’t you say siblings shouldn’t sleep together?"

"She’s just a kid. It’s fine."

"Kids shouldn’t either! Then I’m a kid too, so I should—"

Before Yage could finish, the cat-like girl slowly sat up. Eyes half-closed, swaying unsteadily, her hands fumbled for support.

Qin An caught her. She blinked drowsily. "Morning, Brother."

She planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "Morning, Brother."

Then she turned to Yage. "Morning, Sister."

"I’m not morning anything."

Xiao Chan closed her eyes, lifted her forehead, and murmured in her sleepy, babyish voice, "A return gift for your morning kiss, Brother."

"Brother, I want a morning kiss too..."

Yage’s face flushed, but she leaned her forehead forward anyway.

"Hey, get off me first! You’re crushing me."

"Dummy Brother," they chorused in rare unison.

This three-bedroom apartment had been their home for three years in Divine River City, ever since *that woman* brought them to Japan. She’d prepared everything—housing, school transfers, adoption papers—but neglected herself. Empty bottles littered the living room. She lay facedown on the table, raven-black hair spilled across the floor.

Qin An shook her shoulder. "Sister Yuqing, go sleep in bed. You’ll catch a cold here."

"No... no... I’m still drinking."

Resigned, Qin An stripped off his shirt and draped it over her. As he turned toward the kitchen, his legs turned leaden. He glanced back—Qin Yuqing’s long legs had clamped around his ankles. She mumbled, "Xiao An’an... don’t go. Don’t go."

"Alright, alright. I’m making breakfast. What do you want?" He stroked her hair.

"Sunny-side-up egg rice."

"Got it."

Satisfied, Qin Yuqing drifted back to sleep.

Qin An tied an apron and chopped vegetables at the stove while his sisters waged war over the TV remote.

"I want the horoscope show!"

"No! Xiao Chan wants *Magical Girl*!"

"You hogged the TV all yesterday! And you’ve watched that *Magical Girl* episode five times already!"

"Hmph! Mortals can’t grasp the true meaning of Magical Girls. I’m training to become one—I must never miss an episode!"

"You’re an idiot!"

"*You’re* the idiot, Sister! Magical Girls are the best!"

"Want me to eat all your milk candies?"

"Then I’ll eat your lollipops! Hmph!"

"Qin Chan, today you’ll taste what a real older sister can do."

"Hmph! Sister, prepare to witness the true power of Magical Girl Xiao Chan!"

"Brush your teeth now," Qin An called over the chaos. "Breakfast is ready, or you’ll be late."

"Sister, you’re older—you go first!"

"No, younger sisters should be prioritized."

Qin An grabbed both by their collars, marched them to the bathroom, and ordered, "Brush and wash. Together."

This scene replayed daily.

"Sister Yuqing, I left your egg rice in the fridge. Heat it before eating."

Qin Yuqing mumbled a vague nod and collapsed back to sleep. Heaven knew how much she’d drunk last night.

After leaving instructions, Qin An headed out with Yage and Xiao Chan. The elementary school and junior high were in opposite directions, but Xiao Chan’s kindergarten shared Qin An’s route.

"Brother, be careful with Xiao Chan. Pick her up right after class, okay?"

"Got it."

"And Xiao Chan—stop making him carry you all the time!"

"I know, Sister!" Xiao Chan stuck out her tongue at Yage, then chirped at Qin An, "Brother, horsey ride!"

Qin An crouched. Xiao Chan scrambled onto his shoulders.

"Yay! All aboard the Brother Express!"

Yage watched them, smiling wryly. *Maybe I was just like her once. I should act more mature... Oh no—I forgot my lollipop.*

Xiao Chan’s kindergarten was modest—a small private facility with a single slide. The abandoned sandbox beside it was the real attraction.

"Don’t play too rough. Keep your skirt clean. Wash hands before eating. Be good for the teacher. Get along with classmates." Qin An smoothed her hair.

"I know, I know! Brother sounds like an old lady. I’m not ordinary—I’m a Magical Girl!" Xiao Chan brandished a toy wand from her backpack.

She’d first seen *Magical Girl* on TV last year and declared her destiny. Yage had scoffed, but Qin Yuqing enthusiastically trained her for it. Who knew what schemes hid behind that?

*Maybe... real Magical Girls do exist.*