It all started with a phone call between the girls.
"How about a trip to the beach?" Shizuku suggested.
Honoka caught her meaning instantly. "You mean…?"
"Yeah," Shizuku confirmed.
Their long history as childhood friends let Honoka understand Shizuku with just a word, but Miyuki lacked that knack.
"What do you mean?" Miyuki asked, puzzled.
"Oh, sorry, Miyuki," Honoka said.
"I want to invite everyone to our family's villa," Shizuku explained.
"Your family owns a private beach?" Miyuki asked, impressed.
"Yeah…" Shizuku replied, her tone hesitant.
Miyuki realized Shizuku's family must be wealthy to own a private beach, but she also recalled the ignorant comments of self-proclaimed critics.
"Is that why you sound uneasy? Because of those remarks?" Miyuki ventured.
"Yeah… calling it 'a nouveau riche hobby that destroys nature,'" Shizuku said.
"That's just jealousy from people who can't afford it!" Honoka interjected. "Your family takes great care to protect the environment, don't they?"
"Honoka, you're being too loud," Miyuki chided gently.
"Oh, sorry…" Honoka said, sheepish.
Knowing Honoka lived alone, Miyuki chose her words carefully to avoid mentioning family disturbances.
"So, when should we go?" Miyuki asked.
"Haven't decided yet. I need to check Tatsuya-san's schedule first," Shizuku said.
"Onii-sama's?" Miyuki said, surprised.
"Yeah. My dad's been nagging me to 'introduce my new friends,'" Shizuku admitted.
"So your father's coming too…" Honoka said, her voice tinged with concern.
"It's fine, Honoka. He's busy with work, so he'll only be there for the first hour or so," Shizuku reassured her.
Honoka's hesitation stemmed from Shizuku's father treating her like a daughter, always giving her generous pocket money that made her feel guilty.
"I'll check with Onii-sama then," Miyuki said. "Who else are you inviting?"
"I'd like to invite Erika and the others, but I don't have their contact info," Shizuku said.
"Got it. I'll handle that," Miyuki offered.
"Thanks…" Shizuku said softly.
The conversation drifted to lighter topics, and they didn't hang up until well past midnight.
The next morning, when Miyuki brought it up with Tatsuya, he gave her a wry smile.
"So that's why you were up so late," he said.
"I'm sorry," Miyuki replied with a playful smile.
Tatsuya's mild reprimand was clearly for show, and he didn't press further, as if he'd expected her response.
"What about your schedule, Onii-sama?" Miyuki asked.
"Next Friday through Sunday is free, but after that, it's tight," he said.
Tatsuya's summer breaks were always consumed by Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion training and Third Division research. Last year, he'd also tutored Miyuki, leaving little room for rest. This year, final meetings for the flight magic device filled his calendar.
"Then I'll ask Shizuku to plan for those days," Miyuki said.
"Just us?" Tatsuya asked.
"They want to invite Erika, Leo, and the others, but Shizuku's not as close to them," Miyuki explained.
"I'll reach out to Leo and Mikihiko then," Tatsuya offered.
"Please do. I'll contact Erika and Mizuki," Miyuki said.
Her expression silently pleaded for his help, and Tatsuya's quick agreement brought a radiant smile to her face—one that might've caused a nosebleed in any typical high school boy.
"I'm heading out. Lock up properly," Tatsuya said.
"Onii-sama, how old do you think I am?" Miyuki teased.
He said this every time he left, and she always responded the same way. Though she was a year younger, she wasn't a child who needed such reminders.
"There might be people out there who know about your situation," Tatsuya said. "I don't think you'd lose to anyone, but better safe than sorry."
With that, he gently ruffled her hair, rendering her speechless as always.
"Understood. Have a safe trip, Onii-sama," she said, beaming.
"Yeah," he replied.
Today was a final meeting at the Third Division. With the Nine Schools Competition eating up the first half of summer break, the tight schedule left little time before the flight device's launch.
Excited about the villa invitation, Erika and Mizuki went shopping for essentials.
"Erika-chan, sorry I'm late!" Mizuki called.
"Rare for you to show up after me," Erika teased.
"I got stopped by some stranger over there," Mizuki said.
"Ah… a pickup attempt," Erika said, smirking.
To Erika, Mizuki was undeniably cute—a type that would attract certain "enthusiasts," as she imagined the guy who'd approached her.
"Why didn't we invite Miyuki?" Mizuki asked.
"She'd want to hang out with Tatsuya-kun, right? I figured we shouldn't intrude," Erika said.
"That's surprisingly thoughtful of you, Erika," a voice said.
"Miyuki!?" Erika yelped, spinning around. "What are you doing here?"
"Same reason as you two," Miyuki said with a smile.
Erika scanned the area but didn't spot the boy she was looking for.
"Where's Tatsuya-kun?" she asked.
"Onii-sama's busy even during summer break, so I'm on my own today. You could've invited me," Miyuki said, pouting slightly.
"We didn't know! Want to join us?" Erika offered.
"Sure. Shopping alone isn't much fun," Miyuki agreed.
Erika and Mizuki already drew attention, but with Miyuki joining them, the crowd's reaction was impossible to ignore. Men trailed them like moths to a flame, but when the girls headed to the swimsuit section, their admirers reluctantly gave up the chase.
"Finally, some peace," Erika said, relieved.
"Can't help it. You and Miyuki-san are both gorgeous," Mizuki said.
"You were pretty popular yourself, Mizuki," Miyuki teased.
"Baby face and big boobs—she's top-tier for weirdos," Erika added with a grin.
"Erika-chan!" Mizuki protested, blushing.
Miyuki watched their playful banter with a fond smile. Last year, she hadn't had friends like this.
"Miyuki?" Erika said, noticing her distraction.
"Oh, sorry, I wasn't listening," Miyuki said.
"No, I just wondered if something was up," Erika said.
"I was thinking about last year," Miyuki admitted. "I spent every day studying at home, so I never got to hang out with friends like this."
"Oh yeah, Tatsuya-kun was your tutor, right?" Erika said.
"Yes. Onii-sama was top of his class even in middle school," Miyuki said proudly.
Without magic, Tatsuya was undeniably a model student. Erika and Mizuki knew this from his help during exam season, and even with magic, they considered him above their level.
"Let's make this summer a blast then!" Erika declared.
"Right. Onii-sama's busy, but I've got you two," Miyuki said warmly.
And so, they made plans to keep the fun going even after the villa trip.
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