On Itogami Island, thanks to warm currents and its tropical location, even in the dead of winter temperatures remained above 20°C. It truly was summer all year round.
In summer, the wind blowing across the sun-heated sea felt hotter than the desert. For those who worked outdoors—like the island's law enforcement—it was torture.
Natsuki, a professional mage and instructor for the Island Guard, was among them. If the guards couldn't handle something, she stepped in.
She also taught English at Saikai Academy's high school division. So she didn't lack for time outside.
Now though, it wasn't just Natsuki suffering. Two vampires were too.
"Ugh... why did I come to this world? Damn that man, it's all his fault!"
"Uuuu... Flandre feels terrible! Why is the sun so big? Mr. Sun is so mean!"
Even under parasols, Remilia and Flandre could feel the intense heat.
The temperature wasn't the issue—it was the blinding sunlight. Remilia had accidentally stretched a wing out and immediately felt it burn.
After seeing that, Flandre clung to Ren's neck and refused to let go.
Ren held a parasol over them both. The sun didn't reach her there.
Flandre liked clinging to Ren anyway, but the blazing sun had definitely made her grumpy.
Yeah… vampires just don't do well during the day.
While Natsuki went to school, Ren figured it was a good time to introduce the girls to the island.
He also wondered if he should arrange for them to attend school.
Flandre could probably handle it.
But Natsuki, while fond of Flandre, clearly had reservations about letting her enroll. Probably because she didn't fully trust that Flandre wouldn't lose control.
"Man… I really wanna block out the sun!"
Remilia looked at her hand, her frustration growing.
Even Gensokyo's summers weren't this bad!
Natsuki glanced over, not taking her seriously.
At first, she'd been wary of Remilia—figuring any sister of Flandre's had to be powerful.
But after seeing how she flailed in the sun? Her wariness dropped sharply.
What she didn't know was that Remilia, though sun-sensitive, had survived a direct hit from Amaterasu and recovered quickly—then napped during Reimu's battle like it was nothing.
"I'd advise against it," Ren said quietly. "If you cover the whole island in red mist, she'll make you experience what it's like to be locked in a basement."
Remilia paused, looking at Natsuki.
Natsuki stared right back, space around her rippling.
Those dreaded "Laeding" appeared again.
Remilia: "..."
If you're so tough, fight me without those chains! I'll poke a dozen holes in you with Gungnir!
"Tch... once I become ruler of this island, you'll be my subordinate! I'll make sure to squeeze everything out of you!"
"Ruler of Itogami Island? Planning to build a Night Empire?"
Natsuki raised an eyebrow.
At first, she might've been cautious of such a declaration.
But after today?
She seriously doubted these two could pull it off.
When have you ever seen a true ancestor vampire struggle with sunlight?
No true ancestor, no Night Empire.
Honestly, Remilia might not even beat Natsuki herself.
Still, watching this vampire—childlike in both body and mind—make such bold proclamations made her want to laugh.
"Hmph! It's only a matter of time. Since I've come to another world, of course I'll make the Scarlet Devil Mansion go on a grand conquest! Sounds fun, doesn't it?"
Remilia puffed out her chest and posed triumphantly.
Then—
"Ah! Sister's body is smoking!"
"Uwaah—"
Flandre, still in Ren's arms, blurted it out.
Having dropped her parasol while posing, Remilia panicked and picked it back up.
Only to realize... she wasn't smoking at all.
She'd been tricked by her sister—again.
Wait, again?
Natsuki nearly burst out laughing.
Really? That's all?
With a deeply bitter glare, Remilia stared at Flandre in Ren's arms.
Flandre snickered as she leaned against Ren, who was also fighting back a smile.
Remilia, maybe figure out how to grow up first before you start ruling anything.
This pair of sisters? Even more amusing than Kuroka and Koneko.
One pretends to be dignified. The other lives to tear that facade apart.
Truly, "loving sisters" indeed.