The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently waking the Itsuka Family. Shido, as usual, woke up early, tied on an apron, and began busy preparing breakfast for the family in the kitchen. The sizzling of frying eggs and the scent of toasting bread gradually filled the air.
Meanwhile, in another bedroom, a scene completely different from the kitchen's orderliness was unfolding.
"Tohka—wake up! If you don't get up, Shido's breakfast will be all eaten up!"
Kotori, wearing pajamas, stood by the bed with her hands on her hips, shouting at the large lump of bedding.
Unusually, she didn't have her ribbons today, and her smooth red hair was loose, yet she still possessed the demeanor of a little parent.
A muffled groan came from inside the blanket. It wiggled twice, and then fell silent.
Kotori sighed, walked forward resignedly, grabbed the corner of the blanket, and yanked it off!
"Ugh..."
Deprived of the blanket's protection, Tohka's curled-up form was exposed to the air.
She was wearing light purple cotton pajamas printed with rabbit patterns. Her long hair was messy from sleep, and a few strands stuck to her flushed cheeks.
She groggily sat up, her eyes still half-closed, her head bobbing as if she could fall back asleep at any moment.
"So sleepy... Shido..."
She mumbled unconsciously, her voice thick with sleep.
"Sleepy? The sun's already high in the sky!" Kotori snapped irritably, yet she still reached out and steadied the swaying Tohka to prevent her from toppling over.
She half-pushed, half-pulled the drowsy Spirit off the bed and led her toward the bathroom.
"Open up." Kotori picked up the toothbrush already loaded with paste and commanded.
Tohka reflexively opened her mouth, allowing Kotori to insert the toothbrush. She then instinctively began brushing slowly, her eyes still vacant as she stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror.
"Hey! The foam is dripping! Look down!"
While reminding her, Kotori picked up a comb and skillfully helped Tohka untangle her sleep-mussed long hair. Although her movements weren't exactly gentle, they were careful, ensuring she didn't pull her hair painfully.
After brushing her teeth, Kotori wrung out a hot towel, placed it directly on Tohka's face, and rubbed vigorously a few times.
"Mmm! Mmm mmm!"
Tohka was jolted somewhat awake by this sudden "attack," letting out protesting whimpers, but she didn't struggle. Instead, she slightly tilted her face up, like a cat being groomed.
When Shido emerged from the kitchen carrying the prepared breakfast—golden fried eggs, perfectly toasted bread, and warm milk—this was the scene he witnessed:
Kotori, acting like a fussing mother hen, was swiftly wiping Tohka's face with a towel, all while muttering, "You're such an idiot. Can't you even wash your own face?"
Tohka, meanwhile, allowed herself to be manipulated like a doll. She was sleepy-eyed, with red marks on her face from the towel rubbing, and her light purple pajamas accentuated her fair skin, radiating an innocent, soft aura.
Seeing his sister display such a rare "dutiful" (?) side, and Tohka's completely dependent, defenseless appearance, Shido couldn't help but stop at the dining room entrance, a warm, helpless, yet doting smile appearing on his face.
(Honestly... these two...)
He didn't speak to interrupt, but simply watched quietly for a few seconds before gently placing the breakfast on the dining table and returning to the kitchen to prepare the remaining food.
The aroma of food mingled with the subtle splashing sounds from the bathroom and Kotori's nagging, forming an ordinary yet heartwarming scene of a family morning.
-------
The sun was perfect, and the breeze was gentle. Stepping out of the house, Tohka seemed fully charged, completely shaking off her morning grogginess and becoming full of energy.
She walked with light steps, her dark hair fluttering behind her. Her amethyst-like eyes curiously surveyed everything along the way, occasionally pointing at something novel and asking Shido about it, filled with infinite curiosity about the city where she was about to experience "ordinary life."
Shido watched the vibrant Tohka beside him, and his mood also lightened somewhat.
However, when he habitually walked with Kotori to the familiar intersection, both of them simultaneously slowed their pace, their eyes subconsciously searching the crowd for that familiar figure.
—There was no one. That black-haired mischievous friend who always "happened to meet" them here and walked the last stretch joking around was still nowhere to be seen today.
Shido and Kotori exchanged a look, both seeing the same doubt in the other's eyes.
"Koushi... is he not coming to school again today?" Shido asked quietly, his brow slightly furrowed.
Kotori shook her head, her eyes beneath the black ribbons thoughtful:
"I can't be sure yet. Maybe he just overslept, or took a different route. Confirm it once you get to school."
At this intersection, the two parted ways as usual. Kotori headed toward the middle school section, while Shido continued toward the high school section with Tohka.
However, this brief tranquility was quickly broken.
Not long after passing the intersection, several familiar figures emerged from the convenience store ahead, running right into Shido and Tohka!
"Oh—! Isn't that Itsuka!"
"Wow! It's really true, just like the rumors said! He's walking to school with a super cute transfer student!"
"Seriously."
"Damn it! When did you sneak around and manage to pull something like this off!"
Leading the group was Tonomachi Hiroto, along with Aoi, Mai, and Mii, the "Tsukkomi Trio."
The group instantly surrounded Shido and Tohka, their faces filled with gossip, envy (Tonomachi), and an undisguised intent to "interrogate."
"Wait! Stop talking nonsense!" Shido blushed and quickly waved his hands, trying to explain, "Tohka just happens to be walking the same way as me..."
"Walking the same way? Who are you trying to fool!" Aoi put her hands on her hips, looking completely unconvinced.
"Exactly! You were already so close in the classroom yesterday!" Mai chimed in.
"And Tohka-san here looks like she doesn't know how to refuse. Shido, you didn't happen to use some kind of tactic, did you?" Mii pushed up her non-existent glasses, issuing a sharp challenge.
"Shido! Confess right now! How did you'snag' such a cute girl! As your friend, I have the right to know the details!" Tonomachi grabbed Shido's shoulders excitedly and shook him.
With everyone making such a fuss, Tohka didn't quite understand what "snag" specifically meant, but she could sense they were talking about her and Shido. She blinked her purple eyes, looked confusedly at the agitated crowd, and instinctively leaned closer to Shido.
Shido was getting a massive headache from their noise. Especially when he felt the curious gazes of other commuters heading to school, he became so embarrassed his toes curled. He knew that trying to explain to these guys was futile and would only make things worse.
"Argh! I'm not wasting my breath on you guys! Tohka, let's go!"
Seeing the "Seriously" trio about to continue their brainstorming, Shido acted decisively. He grabbed Tohka's wrist, ignored the need to explain, lowered his head, and, as if escaping a zombie siege, pulled the still-confused Tohka, broke through their loose encirclement, and frantically bolted toward the school!
"Hey! Don't run, Itsuka!"
"He's guilty! He's definitely guilty!"
"Seriously."
"Stop! Hand over your girl-snagging secrets!"
Tonomachi and the trio's disgruntled shouts came from behind, but Shido ignored them, pulling Tohka to run even faster.
Although Tohka didn't understand why, running while holding Shido's hand and feeling the rush of wind past her ears didn't scare her at all. Instead, she found it fun, flashing an excited smile, and even had enough energy to look back and make a cute face at their pursuers.
"Shido! Are we playing a running-away game? This is thrilling!"
"Thr... Thrilling, my foot! Just run!"
They ran wildly until they burst through the school gates, completely shutting out the noise behind them. Only then did Shido stop, panting heavily, release Tohka's hand, and rest his hands on his knees while catching his breath.
(Koushi... what exactly is going on with him...)
(And I have a feeling... today's trouble has only just begun...)
He looked at Tohka beside him, who was still energetic as if she had only just finished a morning workout. Thinking about the even more curious stares and interrogations he would likely face in the classroom, he couldn't help but offer a wry smile.
This "ordinary" school life had certainly become anything but ordinary due to the arrival of the Spirits.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"