The three of them continued their walk through the small forest, with Jahy at the forefront, brandishing a small stick like a royal scepter.
She swung it through the air as she went, singing a recently learned tune in a clear, cheerful voice.
"Kitty, kitty, tail, tail, a cat's-tail grass upon the road..."
Her clear voice and the charmingly nonsensical lyrics were so infectious that even Yukinoshita found herself humming along.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the leafy canopy, painting the forest floor with a shifting mosaic of light and shadow. The serene, harmonious natural setting, combined with the trio's leisurely pace, created a picture of perfect tranquility.
"It's so peaceful out here," Masao mused aloud, breaking the comfortable silence. "I wish time could just stand still like this."
For once, Yukinoshita didn't offer a sarcastic remark. She, too, was savoring the atmosphere.
Her mind drifted to her own parents and older sister. Their family outings were always to various social functions and events—occasions saturated with endless small talk and fake smiles.
Words like "relaxation" and "warmth" had never been part of her family's lexicon.
Suddenly, Masao slapped his own forehead, his face screwing up in dismay.
"Ah, I just realized we forgot something."
"What is it?" Yukinoshita asked, noting his annoyed expression.
"We should have prepared some food and had a picnic right here. This spot is perfect for it."
"You're right, the environment is very suitable for a picnic," Yukinoshita agreed with a nod. "However, we don't have a car. Carrying all the necessary gear by hand would be exhausting. It would drain our energy and patience long before we could properly enjoy it."
"You've got a point," Masao conceded, easily picturing the three of them arriving at the scenic spot completely worn out, with no spirit left to appreciate the view or the food. "Well, this is nice too. When summer vacation comes, I'll find the time to get my driver's license. Once I have it, I'll officially invite you out for a picnic, Yukinoshita. How does that sound?"
Masao had just turned eighteen. Summer break was the perfect window, and with the experience from his past life as a seasoned driver, he was confident he could ace the test.
"I will consider it once you have successfully obtained your license, Masao-kun," Yukinoshita replied, her tone measured.
Speaking of licenses prompted Masao's next question.
"Do you have a driver's license, Yukinoshita?"
Yukinoshita shook her head. "Not yet."
Her birthday was on January 3rd, so she had also recently turned eighteen. With the pressures of university preparation, she simply hadn't found the time.
Hearing that she was also unlicensed, Masao saw an opportunity.
"How about we take the lessons together during the summer break? We could help each other. Maybe even make a friendly contest out of it—see who gets their license first."
Yukinoshita looked him over, her sharp gaze seeming to pierce right through him.
"I don't require anyone to 'help me.' However, your challenge... I accept."
Seeing her agreement, Masao decided to press his advantage.
"Since it's a formal contest, there should be proper rewards and penalties. How about... the loser has to grant the winner one request?"
The moment the suggestion left his lips, he was met with a gaze from Yukinoshita so full of contempt that it could have frozen lava.
"Masao-kun," she said, her voice dripping with icy disdain. "You are not, by any chance, plotting to do... certain things... to me, are you?"
"I... I would never...!" Masao stammered, his eyes darting away as he offered a vehement denial.
He was the pure, innocent, and respectable Tanaka Masao! How could she suspect him of such improper thoughts?
Besides, what exactly did she mean by "certain things"? If she didn't specify, he couldn't possibly be expected to understand!
Seeing him unable to meet her gaze, Yukinoshita let out a cold "Hmph!"
She crossed her arms and lifted her chin in a gesture of pure pride.
"Nevertheless, I accept. You would do well to prepare yourself for defeat, Masao-kun."
The question of whether Masao would dare to make an inappropriate request was almost irrelevant; in her view, he would simply never get the chance.
When it came to academic or skill-based learning, Yukinoshita Yukino possessed an unshakable confidence. As a prodigy who could quickly master any subject she turned her mind to, the very possibility of losing never even entered her calculations.
'She agreed?' Masao watched as Yukinoshita, proud and elegant as a phoenix, strode past him. 'It seems that she is already preparing her concession speech.'
In a mirror of her own attitude, the thought of losing never crossed Masao's mind either. In terms of talent and learning speed, he would admit she was his superior. But there was a saying: "Slow-footed, start early."
In this specific case, he felt he had already reached the finish line and was lounging comfortably, while Yukinoshita hadn't even heard the starting pistol.
How could she possibly win?
'I'm really starting to look forward to the summer vacation now,' he thought with a private smile. 'Hurry up and get here, summer!'
—
After walking a little farther, they finally arrived at their destination.
Jahy looked up at a bird's nest nestled securely in the fork of a branch and immediately turned, pressing a finger to her lips in an exaggerated "shush."
Masao and Yukinoshita softened their footsteps and followed her gaze upward.
Jahy stared at the nest, her small frame practically vibrating with excitement.
"It looks like the bird isn't home," she whispered. "We can safely retrieve our objective now."
"But it's so high up. How will you reach it?" Yukinoshita asked, a note of concern in her voice.
"By climbing, of course!" Jahy declared with boundless confidence. "It's not that high. I can get up there with very little effort."
"But isn't that too dangerous? You don't have any safety equipment..."
As Yukinoshita and Jahy began a hushed debate over the safest method of ascent, Masao looked on, puzzled.
"Why do you need to climb at all?" he interjected. "Couldn't we just knock the nest down?"
A profound silence fell over the small clearing. He had spoken at a normal volume, and his words seemed to hang in the air, sucking all the sound out of the forest.
He was then met with two pairs of eyes staring at him with identical expressions of horror and scorn.
Shifting uncomfortably under the twin weights of their judgment, Masao finally managed, "W-what? What did I say?"
"Masao-kun," Yukinoshita began, her voice colder than a winter stream. "I cannot comprehend how you can suggest something so heartless."
"Yeah!" Jahy chimed in pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You home-wrecking jerk!"
Even Jahy, a demon, was scolding him.
Having lost her own home after it was destroyed by the Magical Girl, she had developed a profound understanding of what it meant to have a place important to you torn away.
This time, she had no intention of destroying the nest; she just wanted to retrieve the mana stone and leave. Giving that obnoxious crow a piece of her mind while she was at it would simply be a bonus.
"Masao, you're truly evil!" Jahy continued, her hands on her hips. "Can you imagine how sad that crow would be if it came back and found its home gone?"
Standing there, being lectured on ethics and empathy by a demon from another world, gave Masao an overwhelming sense of absurdity.
'A demon is calling me cruel?' he thought, bewildered. 'The world really has been turned upside down.'
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