Boo-hoo, Ei's Going to Throw Me Out, Boo-hoo-hoo (Mass Release Day Today, One More Chapter to Come)

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The morning sun filtered through the thin gauze curtains, settling over the tatami mats of Tenshukaku like a delicate veil of gold.

The morning light was soft and warm.

It streamed through gaps in the curtains, casting patches of light and shadow, as though nature had used its delicate brushstrokes to paint a beautiful scene across the tatami.

Some patches were long, others short; some bright, others dim.

They crossed and overlapped, forming a distinctive pattern, like the marks of time recording the history and stories of Tenshukaku.

On this quiet morning, the light and shadows seemed to be quietly telling of years gone by, drawing one into the peaceful, lovely atmosphere.

Baichen lay curled up under the covers, motionless as a hibernating animal.

The aftereffects of being "taught in turns" by the two Electro Archons the night before had left his whole body aching and weak. He didn't even want to move a finger.

"Little Baichen~ Time to get up!" Makoto's energetic voice rang out beside his ear, and the covers were abruptly pulled away.

Cold air swept over him, and Baichen instinctively curled into a ball.

"Five... five more minutes..." He buried his face in the pillow, his voice muffled.

Makoto planted her hands on her hips, a mischievous gleam flashing in her violet eyes. "If you don't get up, I'll have Ei throw you out~"

The temperature in the bedchamber plummeted the moment she finished speaking.

Baichen quietly opened one eye and saw Ei standing behind Makoto, her gaze cold enough to freeze someone to death-

But it wasn't directed at him. It was directed at her loose-lipped older sister.

Makoto shrank under her glare and muttered, "I was only joking..."

Seeing this, Baichen's eyes darted about, and he suddenly went into full drama mode.

He rolled into the corner of the bed, wrapped in the blanket, and put on a tearful expression. "Ei... are you going to throw me out, big sister Ei?"

His blue-violet eyes grew misty, making him look just like an abandoned kitten.

Ei's expression softened instantly.

She hurried over and gathered him into her arms, blanket and all. "No."

She shot Makoto a cold glance. "She's talking nonsense."

Makoto stared at the complete change in her younger sister's attitude, dumbfounded. She couldn't help protesting, "Hey! I'm your actual sister!"

Ei ignored her, focusing on comforting the "poor little thing" in her arms.

She first poured him a cup of warm water, then personally wiped his face. Finally, she even did something unprecedented and sang him a lullaby-

Although she was hopelessly off-key.

[Ei's affection: 100% (stable)]

[Raiden Makoto's affection +2%, current affection: 97%]

[Achievement obtained: Morning coddling, a resounding success]

Makoto rolled her eyes as she watched from the side. "Ei, when you refused to get out of bed as a child, I poured cold water straight over you!"

"Could you bring yourself to do that?" Ei asked without looking up, her fingers gently combing through Baichen's hair.

Makoto was too choked up to reply.

Indeed, watching the boy snuggle in her sister's arms and act spoiled, she couldn't bear to raise her voice.

The tug-of-war over getting him out of bed lasted a full two hours.

By the time Baichen was finally coaxed into getting dressed, it was almost lunchtime.

"It's all your fault, big sister Makoto..." Baichen muttered, rubbing his eyes. "You kept me up late..."

Makoto nearly choked on her saliva. "Huh? You were the one who-"

Ei shot her a sharp look, and Makoto immediately shut up. She changed the subject in resignation. "...Let's eat at Uyuu Restaurant. I'm hungry."

System, sign in.

[Sign-in successful!]

[Obtained: Festival kimono set ×1 (stored in system inventory)]

[Effects: Charm +30%, Electro affinity +20%]

Uyuu Restaurant was especially lively that day, its main dining hall packed with visitors preparing to attend the Thunder Sakura Festival.

When the proprietress saw the three distinguished guests, she hurriedly led them to the most secluded private room.

"I want shrimp tempura!"

"Tricolor Dango."

"Eel rice..."

The three were still ordering when the private room's door suddenly slid open.

Yae Miko poked her head in, waving a folding fan and smiling. "Oh my, what a coincidence~"

Makoto rolled her eyes. "Were you following us?"

"Of course not~" Miko sat down as though she belonged there. "I just happened to feel like having eel rice.

Her gaze swept over Baichen. "You're looking well today, Little Baichen~"

Baichen instinctively edged closer to Ei.

Whenever Miko spoke in that tone, nothing good ever came of it.

Sure enough, the next second she dropped a bombshell (not a real bomb): "I heard you're going to the Thunder Sakura Festival. Take me with you~"

Ei didn't even look up. "No."

"Why not~?" Miko pouted aggrievedly. "I helped a lot with bringing Makoto back to life!"

Makoto snorted. "You knew about the resurrection plan all along."

Seeing that playing the victim wasn't working, Miko immediately changed tactics.

She leaned close to Baichen, her foxlike eyes curving into crescents. "Little Baichen~ Would you like to go to the festival alone with big sister? Yae Publishing House just released a limited-edition light novel..."

Two icy gazes pierced her instantly.

Ei and Makoto shielded Baichen between them, one on either side, their gazes murderous.

"Uh..." Baichen was caught in the middle. "How about... we all go together?"

Ei was adamant. "No."

Makoto quietly leaned close to Baichen's ear. "If you really want her to come, you can use your ultimate move."

Baichen looked bewildered. "Huh? Ultimate move... what ultimate move?"

System, what ultimate move do I have?

[Are you an idiot?!]

[Act spoiled, of course!]

[Do you think Ei's 100% affection is just for show?]

It dawned on Baichen.

He bit his lip, then suddenly threw himself into Ei's arms and looked up at her pleadingly. "Ei~ Let Lady Miko come with us..." He tugged gently on her sleeve. "Please..."

Ei's body visibly stiffened.

She looked down at the boy in her arms, emotions surging in her violet eyes.

"Please~?" Baichen pressed his advantage, nuzzling the crook of her neck. "I want to have fun with everyone..."

Ei's throat moved.

She was silent for a long time before finally giving an almost imperceptible nod.

"Yay!" Miko cheered. "Little Baichen, you're the best!" She reached out to ruffle the boy's hair, only for Ei to slap her hand away.

Makoto pouted sourly. "If I'd known that would work, I should've tried it this morning..."

[Yae Miko's affection +10%, current affection: 70%]

[Achievement obtained: Victory through acting spoiled]

Lunch ended in a strangely harmonious atmosphere.

Miko eagerly discussed their plans for the festival, Makoto occasionally threw cold water on them, and Ei focused on feeding Baichen the entire time, as though the other two weren't there.

"I heard there's a new fireworks show this year!"

"I'm going to eat at every food stall!"

"Little Baichen would look so cute in a yukata~"

On the way back to Tenshukaku, Miko suddenly produced a package with an air of mystery. "I prepared festival outfits for you~"

Makoto eyed the package warily. "What are you plotting this time?"

"Whatever do you mean~?" Miko blinked innocently. "I just thought a family should wear matching outfits!"

Back at Tenshukaku, the three opened the package to find four yukata in the same style but different colors.

Ei's was deep purple, Makoto's light purple, and Miko's pink and white. Baichen's, meanwhile... was pale pink, embroidered all over with Thunder Sakura petals and paired with a fluffy fox-tail accessory.

"Th-this is women's clothing, isn't it?" Baichen picked up the yukata, the corner of his mouth twitching.

Miko waved her fan with a mischievous grin. "Oh my, you caught me~"

Ei tossed the pink yukata straight back in Miko's face. "Get another one."

"Don't be so stiff~" Miko nimbly dodged it. "It would definitely suit Little Baichen!" She turned to Makoto. "Don't you think?"

Makoto studied Baichen, stroking her chin. Her eyes suddenly lit up. "True... Ei wore something similar before, too~"

Ei's face darkened instantly. She scooped Baichen up and turned to leave. "We'll prepare our own."

That afternoon, Baichen was made to sit in front of a mirror and try on no fewer than ten outfits.

Ei preferred dignified styles, while Makoto liked more lively designs, and the two argued over it endlessly.

"The one embroidered with cranes is good!"

"It's too old-fashioned! The one with the wave pattern suits him better!"

The final compromise was a pale silver yukata, elegant yet with a touch of playfulness.

Ei personally tied the sash embroidered with lightning patterns around him, her movements as gentle as though she were handling a treasure.

"Turn around," she ordered.

Baichen obediently turned in a circle.

The hem of the yukata fluttered in the breeze, setting off his snow-white skin.

Ei's eyes darkened slightly, and she suddenly pulled him into her arms. "...You look good."

Makoto practically bubbled with jealousy at the side. "What about me? How do I look in this?"

Ei didn't look up. "Whatever."

"You're playing favorites!" Makoto sat down to the side, puffing out her cheeks. "I'm your actual sister..."

Toward evening, Miko arrived uninvited, carrying several candy apples. "The festival warm-up has started~ Want to go look around first?"

Ei had intended to refuse, but when she saw the anticipation in Baichen's eyes, she had no choice but to agree.

The four arrived at the central square of Inazuma City, where quite a few temporary stalls had already been set up.

The colorful lights had just come on, voices filled the air, and the sweet aromas of grilled squid and candy apples drifted around them.

"I want to play the shooting game!" Makoto excitedly pulled Baichen toward a stall. "I'll win a prize for Little Baichen!"

Miko bought four skewers of Three-Color Dango and pressed one into Baichen's hand. "Try it. It's much tastier than what Ei makes~"

Ei gave her a cold glare but didn't stop her.

She simply stood quietly at Baichen's side, making sure the surging crowd didn't jostle him.

"Ei..." Baichen suddenly tugged on her sleeve. "Look..."

Following his gaze, she saw a small stall selling hair ornaments.

Most eye-catching of all was a pair of amethyst hairpins, glittering under the lights.

"Want them?" Ei asked.

Baichen shook his head. "I think... they'd really suit you and big sister Makoto."

Ei froze for a moment, the corners of her lips rising slightly. She walked over and bought the pair of hairpins, then handed one to Makoto. "He picked them."

Makoto accepted the hairpin in delighted surprise, then suddenly hugged Baichen. "Little Baichen is the best!" She kissed the boy's cheek. "I'll definitely win you a big prize tonight!"

[Raiden Makoto's affection +3%, current affection: 100% (locked)]

[Congratulations, host: Your reward for maxing out affection is ready to claim~]

As night gradually fell and grew darker, the festival atmosphere did not cool down. Instead, it grew even more enthusiastic.

Amid the festivities, Miko somehow conjured up a few masks from who knew where. He excitedly showed them to everyone and insisted that each of them put one on.

Baichen looked at the masks curiously, and one fox mask caught his attention.

The mask was exquisitely designed, its fox eyes so lifelike that they seemed to be looking at him.

Baichen hesitated, but after Miko repeatedly urged him, he finally put on the fox mask.

Ei and Makoto received a matching pair of Electro Archon masks.

The two masks were similar in style, both depicting the majestic Electro Archon, their power apparent at a glance.

Ei and Makoto exchanged a look, then put on their masks at the same time. Instantly, they looked mysterious and powerful.

"That way, no one will recognize you~" Miko said smugly. "Especially you two." She pointed at the two Electro Archons.

The four made their way through the bustling crowd, sampling every kind of snack and playing every game.

True to her word, Makoto showed off her prowess at the shooting game and won a giant Electro plushie for Baichen;

Ei stunned everyone at a stall that tested knife skills, prompting the stall owner to call her an expert.

Most surprising of all was Miko.

She crouched down at a goldfish-scooping stall and caught one with every scoop, filling an entire bag with goldfish.

"These are for you~" She handed the bag to Baichen. "Let's keep them in the pond at Yae Publishing House."

Baichen hugged his assortment of gifts, his eyes curving into crescents as he smiled.

Ei watched him, her gaze unbelievably gentle as she saw how happy he was.

She quietly took his hand and laced her fingers through his. "Are you happy?"

"Yeah!" Baichen nodded vigorously. "I love festivals the most!"

Makoto looped her arm through his from the other side. "Then you'll have to have even more fun at the official festival tomorrow~"

Miko was just about to come over when a single look from Ei stopped her in her tracks. She pouted aggrievedly. "Stingy..."

When the first firework bloomed in the night sky, its brilliance was like the stars suddenly lighting up, dazzling everyone who saw it.

The fireworks were a riot of color: red like fire, blue like the sea, and purple like a dream. They intertwined to form a breathtaking picture.

Baichen stood among the crowd, tilting his head back as he gazed quietly at that firework.

His eyes were clear as water, like the bright moon in the night sky, while the brilliant flames streaked across them like shooting stars, reflecting the peace and beauty within his heart.

Amid the noisy crowd, Ei and Makoto's gazes both fell on Baichen at the same time.

They seemed to have completely forgotten the dazzling fireworks, their eyes seeing only Baichen's figure, like that of an immortal descended to the mortal world.

Ei's eyes shone with tenderness so thick it could stretch into threads, as though Baichen were the most precious and treasured person in her life;

Makoto's gaze, on the other hand, was full of curiosity and exploration, as though she wanted to see through Baichen's calm exterior into the world deep within his heart.

At that moment, Baichen seemed to become the center of the entire world, while the brilliant fireworks became his backdrop.

His presence was so radiant that Ei and Makoto both forgot everything around them, their eyes fixed solely on his picturesque figure.

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