The bell rang, signaling the start of a new school day. Maria sighed softly as she walked into the classroom with her two friends. Katsumaki—the confident Tengu girl who came with her favorite fan, and Hiyoshima—the mischievous girl who never missed a chance to tease her friends.
"Did you make any more sweets today, Maria~?" Hiyoshima smiled and asked, leaning in too close for Maria to step back a little.
"Oh... um, yeah. I made you macarons and apple pie," Maria smiled as she took out a box of sweets from her bag.
"It feels like you're a mom~" Katsumaki said with a chuckle, accepting the macarons and eating them nonchalantly.
"Shouldn't you make it sound nice?" Maria grumbled.
"Come on, we're complimenting you. But... are you sure no one's following you?" Katsumaki asked, looking around in distrust.
"Huh? Following me? Who would want to follow an ordinary girl like me?"
"Umm... What do you think?"
"...?"
Maria frowned, not understanding why Katsumaki and Hiyoshima looked at her like she was some kind of freak.
But that was it—today was just another ordinary day for her, right?
…No—it should be an ordinary day.
.
.
.
On the other side—The legendary umbrella sibling (?)
"Big bro~ Hurry up!"
Yukagori nimbly skipped over the rocks, the pale-colored umbrella she held reflecting the soft sunlight as her pale yellow eyes sparkled with excitement.
In stark contrast to her, Yukamari walked slowly, one hand slung over the umbrella over his shoulder, unhurried. His long, dark brown hair with yellow highlights swayed slightly in the wind.
"Yukagori... Don't rush. Maria isn't going anywhere."
"No way, big bro! Have you forgotten how dangerous the world is!?"
Yukamari sighed. His sharp eyes looked at his sister who was running ahead with annoyance. "What about you… Did you forget that we're still under the curse?"
"Oh—it's just a little run. It's fine!"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course!!"
Yukamari stopped walking, crossed his arms, and looked at his sister who was breathing a little heavier. Yukagori paused before making a face like he just remembered something.
"Uh… it's just a little."
"Heh."
Yukamari shook his head. "I told you not to overdo it."
"Sigh—okay, okay. It's my fault. Stop staring at me like that!" Yukagori groaned. "But don't be so slow! We have to go to Maria!"
"I know…"
Even though his mouth said that, Yukamari didn't speed up—of course, he wasn't as hot-headed as Yukagori.
"Oh, and by the way," Yukagori picked up her phone and poked around. "Did you know that they have an extremely accurate weather forecast app now?!"
"...?"
"You don't care, do you?"
"Yes."
"Oh—you're being too old-fashioned!"
"I just don't need to use it."
"Sigh, you're so..." Yukagori rolled her eyes, before smiling knowingly. "But you don't seem to be in a hurry...or do you want me to get there first?"
Yukamari paused for a split second.
"Hmm~?"
"You talk too much."
Even though she said that, Yukamari's pace sped up a little. Yukagori smirked to herself.
"Okay, okay, I won't tease you, but you have to hurry."
"Why?"
"Because I'm sure Maria will get into trouble!"
——
(End of Chapter 1)