"H‑huh? T‑Tohka… Tohka-nee?"
"I'm not Tohka."
"But you—"
"Just call me Tenka-nee."
"Tenka-nee?"
"Mmh‑hmm."
Listening to the voices inside his body, Shichen couldn't help but laugh.
He had done it—he had turned Yoshino into a familiar!
A familiar is nothing more than mana so dense that it can take physical form; by the same logic, a Spirit is a mass of spiritual power.
If their bodies could also be converted into that power, then a Spirit could be "familiar‑ized."
Modeling the process on an ordinary familiar, Shichen had managed it.
If Yoshino could become a familiar, then a pure Spirit like Tohka certainly could, and the other Spirits should pose no problem either.
Whether the method would work on humans, dragons, or elves he still didn't know—Tohka and the others were special cases after all.
"Onii-chan." Yoshino suddenly spoke up.
"What is it, Yoshino?"
"Why am I inside Onii-chan's body?"
Like Yatogami Tenka, Yoshino could sense what was happening outside, so she knew exactly where she was.
"I put you there."
"Why would Onii-chan do that?"
"So you can stay by my side forever, of course."
"Uu… I was going to stay with Onii-chan anyway."
"I see… Yoshino, I'll let you in on a secret: I'm not from this world."
"Eh? What do you mean, Onii-chan?"
"I came from another world. Haven't you noticed all Spirits are female? I have powers just like yours; doesn't my existence feel out of place?"
"How could—"
"You don't believe me?"
"I believe you, but…"
"You're afraid I'll leave?" He smiled.
"Mm." Yoshino admitted honestly.
"Yoshino, do you know why I absorbed you?"
"Eh? Does that mean… I can leave with Onii-chan?"
"It's not certain yet, but it should work."
"That's wonderful!"
"Are you really that reluctant to part with me?"
"Hmph!" A poorly timed snort broke in.
"Tenka-nee—"
"Tenka, what's your problem?"
"Do I have to leave this world with you too?"
"Yes—and you don't get to refuse."
"Hmph, I don't care. But what about Tohka?"
"Aww, you can't bear to leave her? Why not go visit?"
"None of your business."
"That won't do—you're my daughter, remember."
"Shut up!"
"Eh? Tenka-nee is Onii-chan's daughter?" Yoshino gasped.
"I am NOT his daughter—don't listen to him!" Tenka snapped.
"Eh? Really?"
"Yoshino, don't mind her—she's just embarrassed."
"Oh, I see…"
"Don't just accept that!"
"Uu—"
"Enough about me. You still owe me an answer."
"Relax. I'll take Tohka along too." Shichen said with a smile.
"Hmph—that's more like it."
"But when the time comes, you'll have to face her, you know~"
Tenka fell silent.
"I may leave this world soon, and I'll be taking Tohka. Tenka—are you ready?"
"Hmph. None of your concern."
"Eh? Onii-chan is leaving soon?" Yoshino seized on the key point.
"Don't worry, Yoshino—I'll come back."
"I see…"
"So, Yoshino, will you come with me?"
"I will!" she answered, firm and clear.
"Great."
…
Shichen released Yoshino. She was clad in a green Astral Dress.
"Onii-chan, what's this?"
"Nothing to worry about."
He took her hand and drew most of her spirit power back.
Light filled the room; Yoshino's Astral Dress dissolved into shining motes and merged into Shichen's body.
But the two of them had overlooked one detail.
"Eek!" Yoshino squealed, hugging herself.
She was stark naked!
Her pale, tender skin glowed faintly pink; her petite figure was impossibly enticing.
"Ah—sorry." Shichen hurriedly handed over her pajamas.
"I‑it's fine…"
"Want me to help you put them on?"
"Eh? N‑no, that's—"
"It's fine—no need to be shy."
After dressing her, Shichen lifted Yoshino onto his lap.
"Yoshino, here—"
He placed Yoshinon in her arms.
"Whoa!"
"My, Onii-chan's a bit forceful, isn't he?"
The puppet came alive and teased him at once.
"I just didn't want Yoshino to struggle with her clothes," he answered shamelessly.
"Uu…" Yoshino bowed her head, ears burning red.
"Hmph‑hmph, looks like she doesn't actually mind. I'm fine with it."
"N‑no, that's not—" Yoshino's protest lacked conviction.
"But Onii-chan really is amazing—who knew you had this kind of power?"
"Oh, I've got plenty more where that came from."
"Then I've a question: if you're not from this world, why do you have powers like ours?"
"That answer will have to wait until a certain someone shows up."
"Hmm?"
"Never mind… I should go fix breakfast. Tohka and the others are probably hungry."
"I'll help!" Yoshino clung to him.
"All right—let's go."
…
Carrying her, Shichen headed for the living room.
Yoshino stayed there to watch TV—she couldn't resist turning it on first thing in the morning—while he went into the kitchen.
First order of business: kinako pan for Tohka.
Luckily the kitchen had all the ingredients.
Halfway through, a knock came at the door.
He told Yoshino to stay put and answered it himself.
As expected, Murasame Reine stood outside, dark circles under her eyes.
"Reine, what brings you here?"
"I came for breakfast—may I?"
"Of course."
She followed him to the kitchen.
"Need any help, Shichen‑kun?"
"Not really—just sit tight and eat."
"I see…"
"If you don't mind, could you wake Tohka and the others? They're in my room."
"…Very well." Reine headed toward the bedrooms, expressionless.
"Oh—Reine." He called after her.
"Yes?"
"Anything special you'd like to eat?"
"Something I'd like…"
"If you name it, I'll make it."
"Could you… make steamed buns?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Steamed buns?" Shichen blinked.
Hardly anyone in this world ate them.
"With sweet red‑bean paste."
"Got it." He nodded.
"I'll wake the others, then."
She turned away again—her footsteps lighter than before.
By the time Tohka and Kotori had washed up and arrived, breakfast was nearly ready.
Kinako pan was expected; the steamed buns were not, and both Tohka and Kotori stared.
"Why are there steamed buns? Did Onii-chan want them?"
"No—Reine did."
"Really? Reine likes steamed buns?"
"Shichen, are steamed buns tasty?"
"I think they're great."
"Reine, may I have one?"
"Go ahead." Reine gazed at the buns, lost in thought.
"All right, everyone—eat up before it gets cold."
"Okaaay!"
"Time to dig in!"
Breakfast was lively.
Reine's expression while eating steamed buns was odd, as though she were remembering something long past.
Shichen didn't ask—he simply enjoyed the cheerful meal.
…
Time flew.
With most of Yoshino's spirit power sealed, there were no more issues.
She refused to go to school and chose to stay home, which Shichen accepted.
Over at Ratatoskr, Kotori still hadn't secured him a meeting with the brass.
Every weekend he took Tohka and the others out—camping, picnics—and the whole "meeting" idea slipped his mind.
A month passed in a flash, and on this particular morning at Raizen High something was different.
"Everyone, settle down please—there's an announcement," homeroom teacher Tama‑chan said gently from the podium.
"Tama‑chan‑sensei, what is it?"
"Mm‑hm~ Today our class is getting another transfer student!"
"Eh—?"
~~~
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