The three of them walked through the small forest, with Jahy leading the way, holding a thin wooden stick.
She swung the stick as she walked, humming a song she had learned recently.
"Chi-chi chicken feathers, chicken feathers, black chicken feathers, chicken feathers…(meow-meow kitty tails, kitty tails, roadside foxtail grass)"
Her clear voice and the cute, nonsensical lyrics made Yukinoshita Yukino unconsciously start humming along as well.
Bright sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow.
The beautiful, harmonious natural scenery, combined with the three of them moving forward at an unhurried pace, formed a warm and peaceful picture.
Tanaka Masao couldn't help but sigh.
"This is so relaxing… I really wish moments like this could last forever."
Hearing Tanaka Masao's words, Yukinoshita Yukino, for once, didn't argue.
She liked this atmosphere too.
[If I got married in the future, had a family and children, then going out for a walk together on weekends would probably feel just like this.]
The thought surfaced in Yukinoshita Yukino's mind before she could stop it.
When she thought about her own parents and sister, going out together was always for attending gatherings or events.
In those situations, there was nothing but endless socializing and fake smiles.
Words like "relaxation" and "warmth" seemed to have never existed in her family.
Suddenly, Tanaka Masao slapped his forehead and spoke up.
"Oh—right, I forgot something."
Seeing the annoyed look on his face, Yukinoshita Yukino asked,
"What is it?"
"We should've prepared food and found a place to have a picnic here."
"Mm, you're right. This environment is perfect for a picnic."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded.
"But we don't have a car. Carrying picnic gear by hand would be exhausting—it'd seriously drain our stamina and patience."
"That's true."
Tanaka Masao imagined the group struggling all the way there, only to be too tired to enjoy the scenery or the food.
"Honestly, this is fine as it is. How about during summer break, I go get a driver's license? Once I get it, I'll invite Yukinoshita-san out for a picnic."
Tanaka Masao had just turned eighteen not long ago~
Summer vacation would be the perfect time to get a license.
Here, it only took about two weeks at the fastest. With his many years of experience as a veteran driver in his previous life, it definitely wouldn't be a problem.
"Then we'll talk after Tanaka-kun successfully gets his license."
When the topic of driver's licenses came up, Tanaka Masao asked,
"Do you have a license, Yukinoshita-san?"
Yukinoshita Yukino shook her head.
"Not yet."
Her birthday was January 3rd, so she had only recently turned eighteen. Because of school advancement, she hadn't had time to go get one.
Hearing that Yukinoshita Yukino didn't have a license either, Tanaka Masao proposed,
"Then how about we do it together during summer break? We can look out for each other—and even compete to see who gets their license first."
Yukinoshita Yukino sized up Tanaka Masao, as if seeing straight through his intentions.
"I don't need anyone to look out for me. But as for your challenge—I accept."
Seeing her agree, Tanaka Masao pressed on while the iron was hot.
"If it's a competition, then there should be rewards and penalties. How about whoever loses has to agree to one request from the winner?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Tanaka Masao received—
Ahem.
He received a look of pure contempt from Yukinoshita Yukino, the kind you'd use to look at trash.
"Tanaka-kun, you're not secretly plotting to make me do this and that, are you?"
"I—I'm not—!"
Tanaka Masao's eyes darted away as he vehemently denied it.
After all, he was the pure, spotless, innocent, and adorable Tanaka Masao—how could he possibly be thinking impure thoughts?
Besides, what exactly did Yukinoshita Yukino mean by "this and that"? If she didn't explain it clearly, how was he supposed to understand?
Looking at Tanaka Masao, who refused to meet her sharp gaze, Yukinoshita Yukino snorted.
Crossing her arms, she lifted her chin proudly.
"But I agree. Tanaka-kun, you'd better prepare yourself mentally for defeat."
Setting aside whether Tanaka Masao would even dare to make a weird request—even if he did, he wouldn't get the chance.
When it came to learning things, Yukinoshita Yukino had absolute confidence.
As a genius, she could quickly master anything she learned. She had never once considered the possibility of losing.
[She agreed?]
Watching Yukinoshita Yukino walk past him like a proud phoenix, Tanaka Masao couldn't help thinking,
[Looks like Yukinoshita-san has already prepared herself for the post-defeat settlement.]
Just like Yukinoshita Yukino, Tanaka Masao had never considered that he might lose.
In terms of talent and learning ability, he really couldn't compare to her.
But there was a saying: the slow bird flies first.
He had already flown to the finish line and rested for a while—while Yukinoshita Yukino was still standing at the starting line.
How could she win? Even light speed wouldn't be enough.
Unless she could surpass the speed of light.
[I'm really starting to look forward to summer break now. Hurry up and get here.]
...
The three of them walked a bit further and finally arrived at their destination.
Jahy looked up at a bird's nest on a tree branch and made a quiet "shh" gesture toward the two behind her.
Tanaka Masao and Yukinoshita Yukino instinctively slowed their steps and looked up.
Staring at the nest, Jahy spoke in an excited whisper,
"Looks like the bird isn't here. We can safely take the thing and leave."
"But it's so high up—how are you going to get up there?"
Yukinoshita Yukino asked.
"Obviously by climbing."
Jahy said confidently.
"This height is nothing. I just need to use a little strength."
"But isn't that dangerous? There's no safety equipment—"
While Yukinoshita Yukino and Jahy were discussing how to get up, Tanaka Masao asked, puzzled,
"Why go up there at all? Can't we just knock the nest down?"
The instant he finished speaking, he was met with two looks filled with disbelief and contempt.
The forest fell silent. Feeling their stares, Tanaka Masao grew uncomfortable and asked stiffly,
"W-what… what's wrong?"
"Tanaka-kun, I really don't understand how such cold-hearted words can come out of your mouth. Do bacteria not have body temperature?"
"Yeah, yeah! You bastard who wants to destroy someone else's home."
Not only Yukinoshita Yukino—even Jahy started criticizing Tanaka Masao.
Although Jahy was a demon, after the magical girls destroyed the Demon Realm and she lost her home, she had come to understand how important a home was.
So this time, she had no intention of destroying the nest. She just wanted to grab the magic stone and leave—and if possible, teach that crow a lesson too.
"Masao, you're way too evil. If the crow comes back and finds its home gone, wouldn't that be really pitiful?"
Being scolded by Jahy, Tanaka Masao suddenly felt an intense sense of wrongness.
[A demon calling me cruel… heaven and earth truly have been turned upside down.]