Published: January 24, 2026
After making a promise with Titania, I left the Phoenix Shrine.
Passing through the torii gate, I returned once again to the Heavenly Spirit Shrine.
There, Fuuka and Nagisa were dismantling the watchtower.
When Nagisa raised both hands, a magic circle appeared, and the assembled pillars and beams silently detached.
It was like watching intricate woodwork being played in reverse.
The wooden pieces floated into the air.
Fuuka nimbly jumped up near the wood and began sucking them into the storage magical tool.
“Such beautiful magic,” I muttered as I watched the magic Nagisa was using.
To perform all this with magic, normally multiple spells would be used simultaneously.
But she was completing it with a single spell.
“Mr. Orun, welcome back. That was quick,” Nagisa said with a smile while maintaining control over the technique.
“Yeah. Something came up that I had to do before investigating the principles of the technique,” I answered lightly.
“Something you need to do?”
“I’ll tell you about it later.”
Nagisa tilted her head briefly but didn’t press further, returning her focus to the magic.
After a while, the last beam slid through the air, and Fuuka skillfully stored it in the storage magical tool.
“…Done,” Fuuka sighed softly, and Nagisa smiled brightly.
“Thank you for helping me, Sister Fuuka! Thanks to you, it finished quickly.”
Watching their exchange, I sensed a change in the atmosphere around the shrine grounds.
With the watchtower gone, the lingering mood of the festival finally came to a close.
“You’re welcome. I moved my body, so I’m hungry now.”
“Haha! You really have become a glutton, Sister.”
“…That’s not true.”
“Eh~, it definitely is~”
Fuuka averted her gaze slightly at Nagisa’s teasing.
As I found their interaction endearing, Fuuka noticed my gaze and turned to me with a sulky expression.
“Orun, are you thinking something rude?”
“No? Not at all.”
“That face definitely means you’re thinking something rude.”
She glared at me sharply, and I gave a wry smile.
“No, no. I just felt a bit relieved seeing the usual Fuuka.”
“……”
Usually, Fuuka would back down quickly, but today she seemed unusually concerned.
Is she worried about showing a strange side in front of her little sister?
…Though judging by Nagisa’s reaction, it might already be too late regarding the food-related matters.
â—‡
Leaving the Heavenly Spirit Shrine, we returned to the inn where we had been staying.
“Oh, Orun, Fuuka, Nagisa-chan, welcome back,” Shion called out when she noticed us from the veranda where she was admiring flowers and birds.
Bathed in the morning light, her calm presence sitting on the veranda looked picturesque enough to watch forever.
She held a teacup with white steam gently rising.
“Shion, we’re back. What are you doing?”
“Nothing much. The inn staff prepared this tea for me to enjoy while looking at the garden… It’s really relaxing.”
At her soft voice, Fuuka quietly murmured “I get it” and glanced at the veranda as if wanting to sit beside her.
Nagisa smiled at the sight.
“Breakfast should be ready soon as well… Everyone, let’s head inside.”
Following Nagisa, Shion, and Fuuka into the room, a gentle aroma wafted toward us.
“…It smells good.”
I said without thinking, and Fuuka nodded proudly, “Right?”
Opening the shoji doors and stepping inside, several low tables were lined up, already beautifully arranged with food.
Bowls of steamed white rice, steaming miso soup, pickles, rolled omelet, and grilled fish.
Seeing such a carefully prepared breakfast naturally stirred my appetite.
Just then, Luna, Oliver, and Mr. Haruto also entered the room.
“Looks delicious again today!” Luna said excitedly as she ran over.
Oliver looked around the table with curiosity.
“No matter how many times I see it, it’s impressive,” he said.
“I’m starving! Let’s eat quickly!” Mr. Haruto exclaimed in his usual cheerful tone, instantly making the atmosphere more relaxed.