A Joyful Day

Fuyuki, Miyama Town, commercial district.

The rain from yesterday had lasted all night, and while a light drizzle still drifted down this morning, the sight of the azure sky made it clear that today would be a bright, sunny day.

The moods of some people, for instance, were much the same.

"Good morning, Sasuke~"

Hearing this, Sasuke, who was currently squatting in the shop checking the facilities, didn't even bother to turn his head, for it could be no one other than Illya.

The cold morning breeze brushed against Illya's cheeks, causing her long silver hair to flutter slightly.

Illya's attire was the same as yesterday, and her smile was as usual.

Sasuke, carefully cleaning the inner wall of a fish tank, spoke with a calm and composed air:

"I recall that Kaoru made plans with you for noon, didn't she?"

At these words, a smiling Illya slowly walked into the shop, leaned over a fish tank to watch the lively fish, and tapped the glass gently with her slender, fair fingers.

The fish inside were startled and darted to the side, drawing a soft giggle from Illya.

With her hands behind her back, Illya walked with light steps to Sasuke's side:

"I was just too bored early this morning, so I wanted to go out for a walk, and before I knew it, I ended up here."

Sasuke fell silent at Illya's excuse, then called out toward the stairs:

"Kaoru, Illya is here."

Kaoru Sakura, who had been upstairs preparing breakfast ingredients, heard her brother's words and came running down the stairs with a rhythmic 'thump, thump, thump.'

Kaoru Sakura lunged at Illya the moment she arrived!

"Illya!"

Although Kaoru Sakura had only met Illya yesterday, it felt as if they were friends who had known each other for years.

Kaoru Sakura, who was always quick to get close to other girls, was no different even when facing Illya.

Illya's petite frame was instantly enveloped by Kaoru Sakura.

If Sasuke had no way to deal with Illya, then Kaoru Sakura was definitely Illya's 'natural enemy.'

Illya couldn't break free, nor could she stay still; for now, she could only bury herself in Kaoru Sakura's embrace.

Sasuke caught a glimpse of Illya's defeated expression and couldn't help but snort coldly.

As expected, a little devil like her had to be subdued by someone as pure as Kaoru.

Kaoru Sakura seemed to treat Illya like a kitten, unable to keep her hands off her, and only let her go after quite a while.

Having finally escaped Kaoru Sakura, Illya took a deep breath of fresh air; she had nearly been suffocated just moments ago.

Seeing this, Kaoru Sakura rubbed her hair, feeling a bit embarrassed, and laughed playfully:

"Sorry, sorry!"

"I really can't resist anything cute!"

Illya sighed, 'tortured' by Kaoru Sakura, and shook her head slightly as she retorted:

"Kaoru, you are truly dangerous..."

Receiving such an assessment, Kaoru Sakura instantly put on a pitiful expression, even feigning a sobbing tone:

"I can't help it, Illya, I'm just so bored."

"There's nothing wrong with me, yet my brother and Grandpa won't let me go to school."

"I have a stubborn, rigid old man at home, and a brother who's a total mute, sigh..."

"Do you know, Illya? If you count the words those two say at home in a single day, I could count them on one hand!"

"If it weren't for you, Illya, I feel like I'd go insane from the silence sooner or later..."

Kaoru Sakura ranted wildly to Illya about Sasuke and Sakura Masayoshi.

Sometimes, Kaoru Sakura even wondered if Sasuke was actually her long-lost biological brother who had finally returned.

Because Sasuke's personality and Sakura Masayoshi's personality were cut from the same cloth; it was hard not to think of them as father and son.

Facing Kaoru Sakura's complaints, Illya gained a new understanding of Sasuke.

"Since you came over so early, Illya, you must not have had breakfast yet, right?"

"Today, I'm definitely going to whip up my best dish!"

"Or is there something you'd like to eat, Illya?"

Looking at the enthusiastic Kaoru Sakura, Illya smiled and shook her head:

"Anything is fine."

"Can I go to the kitchen and help you?"

To this, Kaoru Sakura was naturally very welcoming, grabbing Illya's hand and heading straight for the second floor.

Judging by the radiant smile on Illya's face, it was clear that she was truly happy at this moment.

Illya currently resides in a castle located in the heart of a sea of trees on the outskirts of Fuyuki, an hour's drive from the streets, and inaccessible without trekking a kilometer through the thicket.

The forest is protected by an Einzbern barrier that monitors all entries and exits; there is no specific path, and the higher one's magical energy, the stronger the resistance encountered upon entry.

Living with Illya, besides Berserker, are her two homunculus maids.

They are named Leysritt and Sella, respectively.

Waking up early this morning, Illya did not want to stay in that empty, cavernous castle.

The sheer scale of the castle made it far too quiet, something Illya found difficult to endure.

Even though the head maid Sella wanted Illya to remain in the castle, Illya had no intention of doing so, and thus she preferred to come to the city.

Therefore, today, Illya came to Fish Fresh House.

Although Illya was indeed curious about Sasuke, her primary goal today was to fulfill the invitation from Kaoru Sakura.

It was for no other reason.

Perhaps the carefree nature of Kaoru Sakura had simply rubbed off on her.

Illya just felt that by being with Kaoru Sakura, she could temporarily cast aside many of her worries.

Today, the old man Sakura Masayoshi was not at home. When he had intended to go for his usual morning exercise around the shopping district, the supplier for Fish Fresh House and old friend of the master, Mr. Hirata, had shown up and dragged him off to go fishing.

However, Sasuke was not worried, as he had sent a Shadow Clone to protect him from the shadows.

Thus, breakfast at the Sakura household today was for three people, just like yesterday.

Thanks to Illya, breakfast was once again quite sumptuous.

Illya did not go out of her way to strike up a conversation with Sasuke, and after eating, she followed Kaoru Sakura into the room to play.

Sasuke went downstairs, put on his fish-selling outfit, hung up the sign, and began business.

Compared to fighting, Sasuke preferred this kind of plain and simple life.

A comfortable life always makes time pass faster.

By the time lunch arrived, it was just as Kaoru Sakura and Illya had agreed.

The table full of delicacies made Illya's eyes sparkle; of course, the reason she was so happy was that she had helped out as a sous-chef!

Seeing Illya so happy, Kaoru Sakura felt a sense of satisfaction in her heart.

Especially since there was taiyaki to eat after the meal.

However, Sasuke always felt that the taiyaki handed to him was problematic.

Although Kaoru Sakura and Illya seemed to be chatting normally and ignoring Sasuke, both of them were keeping an eye on him.

Sasuke understood instantly; they had spiked the taiyaki in his hand.

At this moment, Sasuke could choose to put the taiyaki back on the plate with a blank expression.

But...

Forget it... let them have their fun.

Thinking this, Sasuke took a bite of the taiyaki in his hand.

The moment it touched his tongue, Sasuke's expression changed drastically; his calm demeanor was shattered, and the corners of his eyes twitched!

Wasabi!

An excessive amount of very pure wasabi!

"Bang, bang, bang!"

"Hahahahahaha!!!"

Seeing this, Kaoru Sakura's composure instantly failed, and she pounded the table in fits of wild laughter!

She was even laughing until she was out of breath!

"Il... Illya!"

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

"I told you my brother would fall for our trap!"

Illya, who had scored a point thanks to Kaoru Sakura, looked at Sasuke with a triumphant expression, her smile breaking the etiquette of not showing one's teeth.

However, happy times are always fleeting.