Vacation

The next day, Yoshikage Kira got up to prepare breakfast for everyone.

"Hey, Assistant, I'm here to help."

Yoshikage Kira nodded and made room for Vill-V.

Vill-V's demeanor changed as Hundred Flavors pushed the Magician aside.

But Hundred Flavors found that she didn't seem to need to help Yoshikage Kira.

"Dear... your hand is better?"

So she noticed after all...

Yoshikage Kira paused before nodding.

"...Is that so? That's good, that's good..."

"Go call everyone to eat."

"Mm."

At the dining table, no one said a word. Everyone kept their heads down and ate.

Never mind the others, but why is even Elysia so quiet today?

"What's wrong, Elysia? Aren't you usually quite talkative?" Yoshikage Kira asked calmly.

Elysia's body trembled at his words, and she lowered her head even further.

Elysia rubbed her forehead.

"Pfft." Chiyou burst out laughing when he heard Yoshikage Kira's words.

"What? What's so funny?"

"Nothing... You two really are something. Keeping it all in the family, huh?"

"If Chiyou can talk, he should talk more," Vill-V said with a smile.

"Ahem." Elysia coughed twice, drawing everyone's attention.

"Everyone, let's go out and have some fun."

"I don't object." Chiyou was the first to agree.

Then everyone else agreed as well.

"Then let's leave at noon. We'll go relax at the beach."

After breakfast, Yoshikage Kira sat on the living room sofa as usual, reading a book.

But his thoughts were not focused on the book.

I never thought Chiyou would be the one holding this family together now. As expected, he's the one who cares about this family the most.

"Boss, Boss, look at this!"

Pardo had caught a cicada from a tree outside and ran over to show it off to Yoshikage Kira.

Yoshikage Kira helplessly patted Pardo's head.

"Be careful not to get heatstroke."

"It's fine. Big Brother Kevin is outside too. It's so cool standing next to him!"

Yoshikage Kira withdrew his hand, and Pardo ran back outside.

Another summer has come.

With that thought, Yoshikage Kira returned his attention to his book.

"Senior Kira, look! Such a big beetle!"

"...Aren't you afraid of freezing it to death?" Yoshikage Kira put down his book and looked at the excited Kevin in front of him.

"It's fine. I'm wearing the gloves Vill-V gave me, and this outfit was specially made by Sister Vill-V too."

"...Is that so?"

Seeing that Yoshikage Kira wasn't particularly amazed, Kevin looked somewhat disappointed.

"...Why are you still standing there? Do you want your head patted too?"

"Oh, then I'll head out."

After seeing Kevin off, Yoshikage Kira picked up his book again.

"Assistant, come pick out swimsuits with me!"

"...Are there even any swimsuits for sale outside right now?"

"Eh? Then what do we do? I wanted to go swimming."

"Elysia should have prepared some for everyone. Don't worry."

"Oh, all right."

With that, Vill-V went to find Elysia.

And Yoshikage Kira picked up his book yet, yet, yet again.

Griseo walked over, sat beside Yoshikage Kira, and curiously looked at the book in his hands.

Yoshikage Kira laid the book on his lap so Griseo could see it clearly.

"Many people in this world don't need practical advice. What they need, precisely, is warm agreement."

Looking at Haruki Murakami's reflection, Yoshikage Kira read it softly once.

Feeling something against his arm, Yoshikage Kira glanced at Griseo.

She fell asleep?

"Griseo, wake up."

"Mmm... Brother Yoshikage Kira, what is it?"

"It's time to go."

"Mmm, Griseo's legs are numb."

"...Climb on."

"Okay!"

With that, Griseo climbed onto Yoshikage Kira's back.

"Yesterday, Sister Vill-V and Sister Elysia had an argument."

"Is that so?"

"Brother Yoshikage Kira, were you hurt?"

"I'm better now."

"Then can you make Sister Vill-V and Sister Elysia stop arguing?"

"...I understand."

"Wow, it's the ocean! Boss, hurry and take a picture of me."

With that, Pardo handed the camera to Yoshikage Kira, then ran onto the beach and struck a pose.

Yoshikage Kira raised the camera and took a picture of Pardo.

"Hehe, let me see." After it was taken, Pardo impatiently wanted to see how it turned out.

"Pardo, when did you buy that camera?" Elysia asked when she saw Pardo's old-fashioned camera.

"You mean this, Sister Elysia? Boss gave it to me when I was little. It must be over twenty years old now."

"...It's rather miraculous that it hasn't broken by now."

"Hehe, it actually broke a few times, but Sister Vill-V fixed it for me."

Yoshikage Kira said nothing, merely rubbing Pardo's head as usual.

"They're playing volleyball over there. Let's go take a look," Elysia suggested.

Yoshikage Kira nodded in agreement.

"Come on, Kevin! Let's fight to the death!"

"I'm the volleyball king of Senba Academy! Remember, Chiyou, you're the challenger!"

"Hahaha! Then let me see what you're made of!"

"Kevin!"

"Chiyou!"

"...Are these two fighting a war?" Yoshikage Kira asked as he looked at the pitted beach.

"It's the Assistant. Want to join?"

"No. I'm planning to read afterward."

"No! It'll be my turn later, and you have to cheer for me."

"...I understand."

Afterward, Vill-V looked at Elysia, who was following behind Elysia.

"Elysia, I actually like you quite a lot. I don't want things to be like this either."

"But on this matter, I can't give in."

"Let's settle this, Elysia. If you want me to forgive you, defeat me in beach volleyball."

"Really? Then I won't hold back."

"Hmph. Bring it on, then."

Afterward, Vill-V, Mobius, and Mei formed one team, while Elysia, Elysia, and Apponia formed another, with Sakura serving as referee.

"Dr. Mei isn't a Fusion Warrior. Once it starts, everyone focus on hitting her," Elysia said to the other two.

"...Elysia, I heard that."

"Sorry, Dr. Mei. I won't hit you, but for everyone's sake, sacrifice yourself a little!"

"Take this!"

With that, Elysia leaped into the air, formed a crystal bow and arrow, and shot the volleyball over.

Mobius and Vill-V watched the incoming ball without making any move.

"Void Archives, mimic Feather of Judgment."

With two gunshots, Mei intercepted the volleyball. Then Mobius jumped up and sent it back at a tricky angle.

"Team Vill-V scores one point."

"Woohoo! Well done, Doctor!" Danzhu cheered when Mobius scored.

"Why, Mobius! Have you betrayed us too?"

"Hehe, I don't like being on the losing side, Elysia."

"I won't hold back anymore. Let me show you how strong serious Elysia is!"

"...I should just read." Yoshikage Kira set up a parasol nearby and began reading.

Everyone's shouts mingled with the sound of the sea washing over the shore. Yoshikage Kira thought of himself as someone who liked quiet, but he simply couldn't bring himself to dislike the sound.

Kevin's low temperature made summer less stifling, and before he knew it, Yoshikage Kira had fallen asleep.

"That was really underhanded. We never should have let Apponia participate."

"Hehe~ You said we could go all out."

"Making us surrender with your Discipline is just too unfair!"

"What, Vill-V? Are you going back on your word?"

"Tch. Fine, I forgive you. I'm going to find Yoshikage Kira."

When she arrived beneath the parasol and saw Yoshikage Kira sleeping, Vill-V sat directly on top of him.

Feeling the weight on his body, Yoshikage Kira opened his eyes and saw the unhappy Vill-V.

"What, did you lose?"

"Apponia used Discipline to make us surrender. We were clearly about to win."

"Get off me first."

"Why did you lie to me, Yoshikage Kira?"

"I asked you several times whether you were hurt, and you always said no. Why?"

"Telling you would only make you worry, wouldn't it?"

"I know, but I don't like you lying to me."

"There shouldn't be any secrets between us."

"I'm sorry."

"Hmph, you think sorry is enough?"

Yoshikage Kira looked at the sulking Vill-V, smiled helplessly, propped himself up with one hand, and kissed her.

After a long while, they parted.

"Hmph, there won't be a next time!"

Everyone made up. During the following days of vacation, they filmed a movie, "Summer Survival Rhapsody," and watched it together after filming ended.

Afterward, everyone took a group photo, and the vacation came to an end.

Soon. Very soon, they would be able to live... peaceful lives.

You closed the book, and your longing for a peaceful life grew ever stronger.