"Yuu, pass me the chips. And the cola too."
"My arms aren't long enough."
"The chips are in the snack cabinet. The colas are in the fridge."
"I know. But before I go get those, can Sora get up for a second?"
Inside the living room, Kamiyā Yuu, currently serving as a human cushion, smiled bitterly. Kamiyā Sora was lazily nestled against him. Though she wasn't heavy, it still made moving inconvenient.
It was already July, and Tokyo, Japan, was in the middle of blazing summer heat. The urban heat island effect had turned the densely populated metropolis into a giant steamer. Standing under direct sunlight carries the risk of heatstroke at any moment.
With the weather this hot, there was no way these two siblings with hardcore shut-in tendencies would willingly go outside.
Kamiyā Sora wore a thin white lace camisole. The upper part was made of translucent white gauze, slightly clinging to her smooth, flawless, pale skin due to a thin layer of sweat. The straps were loose and had slipped from her fragrant shoulders onto her arms.
Her lazy appearance made it seem almost as if she were deliberately tempting Kamiyā Yuu.
However, because today was Sunday, the two had already indulged themselves recklessly the previous night and this morning to make the most of their rare day off. Both their bodies were exhausted to the limit, so Kamiyā Sora's casual clothing was simply because she was too lazy to tidy herself up.
"No. Just carry me with you while you go get them."
Kamiyā Sora covered her cherry lips with one hand and yawned softly, narrowing her beautiful eyes as she enjoyed this rare moment of peace.
Kamiyā Yuu stopped the hands roaming across her delicate body and firmly pressed against her slender waist before lifting her up and placing her beside him.
"I don't exactly have extra arms. Wait here for a bit."
Cooling mat, piles of snacks, two large cans of cola, laptop computer, TV remote—
Kamiyā Yuu brought over everything necessary for them to leisurely spend the day off together.
In the end, Kamiyā Yuu leaned comfortably against the wall while watching television, and Kamiyā Sora lay on the cooling mat playing with the laptop.
"Sora, your school starts summer vacation the day after tomorrow, right?"
Kamiyā Yuu casually played with the silver hair scattered across the floor as he spoke.
"Mm."
Kamiyā Yuu continued with interest,
"Interested in coming to the company to hang around a bit?"
"Why?"
"I'll probably be very busy during this period. I might not even be able to come home at noon anymore, so leaving you alone at home worries me."
"Yuu, are you treating me like a child again?"
"No. I just want to stay with you all day, see you nearby all the time. You don't mind, right?"
Kamiyā Yuu changed his wording slightly and smiled softly.
Kamiyā Sora, who had been looking at the laptop screen, turned her head. After meeting Kamiyā Yuu's gentle gaze, she revealed a shy and tender smile.
"Mm, that's completely fine."
Kamiyā Sora was already in her second year of high school. After summer vacation ended, she would become a third-year student and soon have to face the issues of higher education and employment.
Japan's social system was fairly complete. Whether continuing education or directly entering the workforce, both were viable choices. There was no issue of high school graduates being unable to find jobs. Of course, if one had the opportunity to attend university, that would naturally be the better option, making it easier to enter large corporations or high-paying professions after graduation.
Japan's economy was well-developed, yet could also be described as stagnant.
Its rigid economic structure made entrepreneurship extremely difficult for ordinary people. Simply finding stable employment and peacefully living out one's life had become the dream of most Japanese people.
After discussing it together, Kamiyā Sora and Kamiyā Yuu had decided that after graduation, Kamiyā Sora would directly work at Kamiyā Yuu's company as his personal assistant.
Part of the reason Kamiyā Yuu suggested she come work at the company during summer vacation was also to help her familiarize herself with the environment beforehand.
······
The 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio quickly returned to normal operations.
The reboot of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' had greatly shortened the production schedule, indirectly increasing the burden on all employees. Under the temptation of the generous bonuses Kamiyā Yuu promised, quite a few staff members chose to work overtime to complete their tasks.
Anyone entering the 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio now would see every employee looking busy.
As time passed, Episodes 3 and 4 of the rebooted 'Magical Girl Nanoha' quietly aired.
The work's fundamentally different nature from ordinary magical girl anime began to reveal itself. Even anime fans who previously had no interest in magical girl series started getting recommended this so-called "highest-budget anime in history."
The dissatisfaction caused by the suspension of Episode 3 gradually vanished amidst increasingly positive reviews.
Meanwhile, television ratings surged from the original 1.4% to 5.4%, leaving less than a 0.7% difference from the third-place anime, 'Miracle Girl.'
······
"Give up. Your growth has been astonishing, but you still cannot defeat me."
The blonde girl clad in black magical armor floated in midair. Beneath her disheveled golden hair, her cold and determined crimson eyes were as sharp as blades.
Holding a magical battle axe, she pointed it directly at Nanoha, who had just been blasted into the ground by a torrent of magical power. The terrifying clash of magic had shattered the earth itself.
The night wind lifted her black cape, scattering the dust raised from the collapsing ground.
A small orange-haired girl wearing tattered white magical armor slowly struggled back to her feet. The jewel embedded in her magical device had grown dim after the violent magical collision.
Looking gently at her device, she softly said,
"Sorry, Raising Heart, for pushing you this hard. But could you lend me just a little more strength? I absolutely need to hear her answer. Otherwise, nothing will ever be resolved."
The dim jewel glowed faintly, and a mechanical voice accompanied flashing English text.
"No problem."
Takamachi Nanoha looked up at the blonde girl in the sky and resolutely asked,
"Fate-chan, can you tell me why you're collecting the Jewel Seeds? What's the point of refusing to say anything? If you tell me the reason, then I'm willing to help you collect the Jewel Seeds together."
Fate horizontally raised the magical battle axe in her hand. Hundreds of golden lightning spheres appeared around her, crackling violently with thunder.
"There is no need for explanation. Nor do I need your help."
She spoke indifferently.
"You only have two choices now. First, hand over the Jewel Seeds. Second, be defeated by me, and have the Jewel Seeds taken by force."
"I see. If you refuse to say anything, then there's no other choice. If I defeat you here, then you won't have any complaints, right? At that time, please tell me why you're collecting the Jewel Seeds. Okay?"
Nanoha's expression turned resolute.
Purple magical light erupted around her small body. When she aimed her magical staff toward the sky, the magical power beneath her formed a gigantic purple magic circle on the ground.
The resulting surge of magical force caused the lightning spheres surrounding her to instantly dim, becoming unable to maintain their form.
"Super A-Rank Magical Convergence Cannon!"
Fate's expression grew grave. She could not understand how Nanoha, who had still been a novice mage only days ago, was already capable of using a Super A-Rank Magical Cannon.
Fate immediately activated her ultimate technique.
"Thunderlight Axe, activate Thunder God Mode!"
"Yes, my lord!"
The mechanical voice of the magical device rang out.
The form of the magical battle axe rapidly transformed into something resembling a gigantic sword hilt. Countless strands of golden lightning gathered upon it, forming a massive golden lightning blade dozens of meters long.
One purple. One gold.
The two became the most dazzling lights in the world.
······
"It always ends at the most important moment! Aaaahhh! And that Fate girl too—just because she's cute doesn't mean people can forgive her for anything. Someone like her would definitely be super annoying in real life. Nanoha-angel has finally made up her mind to settle things with her."
Andō Shū collapsed onto the floor and complained unwillingly.
He felt as though he could already predict how the story would develop next. Most likely, Nanoha would defeat Fate, Fate would explain her reasons, then get redeemed—just another standard magical girl anime formula.
He was the bespectacled boy from the same class as Kamiyā Sora.
When Episode 3 of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' had been delayed, he had not complained. But now, he sincerely hoped this anime would not follow the same tired old magical girl tropes as every other series.