Sachi, Mizu, and Shiro stood in the training grounds, their faces glistening with sweat as they practiced their magic under the watchful eye of John. With Tengen still absent, they had taken it upon themselves to train together, pushing each other to improve and grow stronger.
As they went through their drills, Sachi couldn't help but notice the way Mizu seemed to gravitate towards Shiro. She would offer him advice, help him adjust his stance, and even playfully tease him when he made a mistake. It wasn't anything overtly romantic, but Sachi couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in her stomach.
After their training session ended, Sachi pulled Shiro aside, her expression serious. "Can we talk for a moment?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency.
Shiro nodded, sensing the seriousness in Sachi's tone. "Of course," he said, following her to a quieter corner of the training grounds.
Once they were alone, Sachi took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I couldn't help but notice how close you and Mizu have been getting lately," she began, her gaze searching Shiro's face for any sign of discomfort.
Shiro blinked in surprise, not expecting Sachi to bring up the topic so directly. "Oh, uh, yeah," he said, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Mizu has been really helpful during our training sessions."
Sachi nodded, her expression unreadable. "I know she's just trying to be a good friend and help you improve," she said, trying to keep her jealousy in check. "But...it's just hard for me to see you two getting so close when we're supposed to be engaged."
Shiro's eyes widened in realization, and he reached out to gently grasp Sachi's hands. "Sachi, I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," he said sincerely. "You know you're the most important person to me, right? Mizu is just a friend, nothing more."
Sachi felt a wave of relief wash over her at Shiro's words. "I know, I trust you," she said, giving his hands a reassuring squeeze. "But...maybe we should consider including Mizu in our engagement."
Shiro furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Sachi took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. "I mean...what if Mizu became your fiancée too?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shiro's eyes widened in surprise, shocked by Sachi's suggestion. "Are you serious?" he asked, his mind racing with a million thoughts.
Sachi nodded, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I just...I want us to all be together," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "And if Mizu is going to be such a big part of our lives, maybe it's only fair that she becomes your fiancée too."
Shiro took a moment to process Sachi's words, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never considered the idea of having two fiancées before, but the thought of sharing his life with both Sachi and Mizu filled him with a strange sense of warmth.
Finally, he looked at Sachi with a soft smile. "If that's what you want, then I'm okay with it," he said, his voice gentle. "But let's talk to Mizu first and make sure she's comfortable with the idea too."
Sachi's eyes lit up with relief, grateful that Shiro was willing to consider her feelings. "Thank you, Shiro," she said, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "You're the best."
Shiro hugged her back, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. As they stood there in each other's arms, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the bond they shared, and hopeful for what the future might hold.
Sachi and Mizu walked together along the quiet cobblestone paths that wound through the school grounds. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape as they made their way towards a secluded spot by the edge of the lake.
As they settled down on a grassy patch overlooking the water, Sachi couldn't shake the feeling of nervousness that had settled in her stomach. She knew she needed to have this conversation with Mizu, but she wasn't sure how to broach the topic.
"So, Mizu," Sachi began tentatively, trying to sound casual. "How are you finding the training sessions with Shiro?"
Mizu smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Oh, they've been great!" she exclaimed. "Shiro is such a quick learner, and it's been really fun helping him improve his magic."
Sachi nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yeah, he's definitely come a long way since we first started," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But...there's something I wanted to ask you about."
Mizu tilted her head curiously, sensing the seriousness in Sachi's tone. "Sure, what is it?"
Sachi took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. "Mizu, do you...do you have feelings for Shiro?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mizu's eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Sachi reached out and gently took Mizu's hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay if you do," she said softly. "I just want you to be honest with me."
After a moment of silence, Mizu finally nodded, her gaze fixed on the ground. "Yes," she admitted quietly. "I do have feelings for Shiro."
Sachi felt a pang of sadness in her chest, but she pushed it aside, determined to stay strong for Mizu. "That's okay," she said, giving Mizu's hand another squeeze. "I'm glad you were honest with me."
Mizu looked up at Sachi, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "But...what does this mean?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Sachi took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Well, I was thinking...what if you became Shiro's second fiancée?" she said, her heart racing with nervousness.
Mizu's eyes widened in shock, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. "You...you want me to be Shiro's second fiancée?" she repeated, unable to comprehend what Sachi was suggesting.
Sachi nodded, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I know it's a lot to ask," she said quietly. "But...I want us all to be happy, and if that means sharing Shiro with you, then I'm okay with it."
Mizu's mind was spinning with confusion and disbelief. She had never imagined herself in a polyamorous relationship, let alone with someone as kind and caring as Shiro. But the idea of being with him filled her with a strange sense of warmth and excitement.
After a moment of silence, Mizu finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I...I think I would like that," she said, her cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment. "If Shiro is okay with it, then I would be honored to be his second fiancée."
Sachi couldn't help but smile at Mizu's response, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Mizu," she said, giving her friend a tight hug. "You don't know how much this means to me."
As they sat there together, watching the sun dip below the horizon, Sachi felt a sense of peace settle over her. She knew that there would be challenges ahead, but with Mizu by her side, she felt confident that they could face anything together.
Alec and Anna were seated in the cozy living room of their home, enjoying a quiet evening together. The soft glow of the fire cast flickering shadows across the room as they sat in comfortable silence, lost in their own thoughts.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, breaking the peaceful atmosphere. Alec glanced at Anna in surprise before rising from his seat to answer it.
Opening the door, Alec found himself face to face with a young messenger, who looked slightly out of breath from his journey. The messenger held out a sealed envelope, his hand trembling slightly.
"Are you Alec Kiyo?" the messenger asked, his voice shaky with nerves.
Alec nodded, taking the envelope from the messenger's outstretched hand. "Yes, that's me," he said, his brow furrowing in concern. "What's this about?"
The messenger took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "I have a message for you from Sachi and Shiro," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "They asked me to deliver it to you personally."
Alec's heart skipped a beat as he heard the mention of his son's name. He quickly tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter inside, his eyes scanning the words written on the page.
As he read the message, Alec's expression softened, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "It's from Shiro," he said, turning to Anna. "He's talking about his new fiancée, Mizu."
Anna's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the news. "Really?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "That's wonderful! I didn't realize Shiro had found someone special."
Alec nodded, his smile widening. "It seems so," he said, his voice filled with pride. "He sounds quite smitten with her."
Anna's smile mirrored Alec's as she reached out to take his hand. "We'll have to arrange a meeting with Mizu soon," she said, her eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait to get to know her better."
Alec nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of happiness wash over him. Despite the challenges they had faced in the past, it was moments like these that reminded him of the love and bond they shared as a family.
As he folded up the letter and tucked it back into the envelope, Alec couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the happiness that Shiro had found. He knew that no matter what trials lay ahead, they would face them together, as a family united by love and support.
Laughter filled the air as Shiro, Sachi, and Mizu enjoyed their time together, basking in the warmth of their friendship. They were lounging in the courtyard of the Kiyo estate, the sun casting dappled shadows across the ground as they chatted and played.
However, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered when Tasukeru Hinata, fueled by his hatred for Shiro and Sachi, approached them with a scowl on his face. His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Mizu, his disdain evident.
"What's this?" Tasukeru sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "The noble brat has found himself another plaything?"
Sachi bristled at his tone, her protective instincts kicking in. "Watch your mouth, Tasukeru," she warned, her voice sharp. "Mizu is our friend, not some 'plaything.'"
Shiro's eyes flashed with anger as he stood up, his fists clenched at his sides. "Leave her alone, Tasukeru," he growled. "You have no right to speak to her like that."
But Tasukeru paid no heed to Shiro's warning. Instead, he drew his holy flame sword, the flames flickering ominously along its length. "You dare to challenge me, Shiro Kiyo?" he spat. "You're nothing but a spoiled noble brat."
Shiro's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his katana, his resolve hardening. "I'll show you who's the brat," he retorted, drawing his sword without hesitation.
Mizu watched with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest as she realized the gravity of the situation. She knew that Tasukeru was dangerous, but she had never seen Shiro so enraged before.
The clash of metal rang out as Shiro and Tasukeru's swords met, sparks flying as they clashed. Shiro's katana, though finely crafted, was no match for the power of Tasukeru's holy flame sword. With a loud crack, Shiro's blade snapped in two under the force of Tasukeru's attack.
Undeterred, Shiro pressed on, using the broken hilt of his katana as a makeshift weapon. He lunged forward, aiming a blow at Tasukeru's stomach, but the other boy's golden armor shimmered to life, deflecting the strike with ease.
Tasukeru sneered, his eyes alight with triumph. "Is that the best you can do, Kiyo?" he taunted, his sword poised for another strike.
Shiro gritted his teeth, his frustration mounting. He knew that he was outmatched, but he refused to back down. His gaze locked with Tasukeru's, determination burning in his eyes. "I won't let you hurt my friends," he vowed, his voice unwavering.
Sachi watched the confrontation unfold, her heart heavy with worry. She knew that Shiro was skilled, but Tasukeru was a formidable opponent, and she feared for his safety. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, ready to intervene if necessary.
Mizu, too, felt a surge of fear and anger as she watched her friends face off against each other. She may not have known Shiro and Sachi for long, but she cared for them deeply, and she couldn't bear to see them in danger.
But before the situation could escalate further, a voice cut through the tension, commanding and authoritative. "That's enough."
All eyes turned to see John, the new teacher at Oxford Elementary Magic School, striding towards them with purpose. His gaze was stern as he surveyed the scene before him, taking in the sight of Shiro, Sachi, and Tasukeru with their weapons drawn.
"What's going on here?" John demanded, his voice sharp. "Explain yourselves."
Tasukeru straightened up, his expression defiant. "These nobles were harassing Mizu," he claimed, his voice dripping with scorn. "I was merely defending her honor."
Shiro opened his mouth to protest, but John held up a hand to silence him. "Is that true?" he asked, turning to Sachi and Mizu for confirmation.
Sachi shook her head, her voice firm. "No, it's not," she said, her gaze meeting John's. "Tasukeru attacked us without provocation. We were just minding our own business."
Mizu nodded in agreement, her voice trembling slightly. "It's true," she confirmed. "We were just talking, and then he showed up and started threatening us."
John's expression softened slightly as he took in their words. He turned his gaze to Shiro, his eyes searching. "And you, Shiro? What do you have to say?"
Shiro took a deep breath, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "I won't deny that I fought back," he admitted, his voice steady. "But only to protect my friends. Tasukeru has been harassing us for a while now, and I've had enough of it."
John nodded, his gaze lingering on Shiro for a moment longer before turning back to Tasukeru. "I see," he said, his tone grave. "Tasukeru, you will come with me. We need to have a talk about your behavior."
Tasukeru bristled at the command
, but he knew better than to argue with John. With a scowl, he sheathed his sword and followed the teacher back towards the school, his steps heavy with resentment.
As the tension began to dissipate, Sachi let out a long sigh of relief. She turned to Shiro, her eyes softening with gratitude. "Thank you for standing up for us, Shiro," she said, her voice sincere. "You're a true friend."
Shiro smiled, the weight of the confrontation lifting from his shoulders. "Of course," he said, his tone gentle. "I'll always have your back, Sachi."
Mizu stepped forward, her eyes shining with admiration. "You were amazing, Shiro," she said, her voice filled with awe. "I'm proud to have you as my fiancé."
Shiro's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the praise, but he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at Mizu's words. "Thanks, Mizu," he said, his smile widening. "I'm lucky to have you as well."
With the threat of Tasukeru temporarily dealt with, the trio returned to their training, their bond stronger than ever. Though challenges lay ahead, they knew that as long as they had each other, they could overcome anything that came their way.