"Mashiro, hold on tight!"
Rita rode the bicycle. Though she had not ridden one in a long time, her skills had not deteriorated much. After all, bicycles, electric bikes, and motorcycles were basically the simplest means of transportation.
"Mm!"
Mashiro Shiina sat sideways on the bicycle's rear seat, one arm around Rita's waist and the other holding the packaged fried tofu and Baumkuchen.
The wind swept through Mashiro Shiina's long hair, sending it fluttering behind her... The air of youth blossomed in that moment.
Just as they were about to reach home, Rita suddenly slammed on the brakes.
"What is it, Rita?"
The sudden stop startled Mashiro Shiina. Her beautiful eyes held a trace of curiosity as she looked at Rita.
"Something seems to be happening. Get down first..."
Sensing the area ahead, Rita got off the bicycle. Once Mashiro Shiina had climbed down from the back seat as well... she set the bicycle aside.
"Mashiro, could you wait here for a while? Watch the bicycle." Rita smiled at Mashiro Shiina, who stood beside the bicycle.
"...Okay."
Mashiro Shiina stared at Rita in silence for several seconds before giving a single flat reply.
"You can have some Baumkuchen first. I'll make you something tasty when we get back."
After reminding her, Rita turned and headed toward the house ahead. Once she had reached an angle where Mashiro Shiina could no longer see her, she waved one hand...
A cute little girl with a huge dandelion and a black single ponytail appeared beside Rita. The girl looked extremely frail, yet her strength was impossible to ignore.
"Firefly Grass greets her master."
Holding her enormous dandelion, the little girl first looked at Rita in confusion. Then, as if she had understood something, she sweetly called out to Rita in a soft,