A year had passed, and I was now in my second year of school.

Time shifted from summer to autumn.

It was during a three-day weekend in October.

Over the past year, I had actively participated in various events. For example, I went moon-viewing with Aya-chan, attended Christmas parties, got invited to a Christmas party at Nina-chan’s house, and even went to the first shrine visit of the new year together.

Meanwhile, in between these moments, I had exorcised many monsters. While I could feel myself growing stronger, I was also aware that if I spent too much time without fighting, I might forget that feeling.

That’s why I couldn’t afford to slack off in learning new magic.

For instance, I had been honing my swordsmanship and martial arts by controlling human-shaped figures with my “Silveit” spell, which I invented when I was five, to spar with myself. Additionally, Aya-chan and the Ice Snow Princess had been teaching me “Ice Magic,” and Nina-chan had introduced me to “Fairy Magic.”

That said, I still hadn’t been able to use Ice Magic. I suspected that it might be similar to my Lightning Magic—perhaps only usable through resonance with a monster.

With this rare three-day weekend, I was hoping to learn new magic. Unfortunately, Aya-chan was on a business trip with Renji-san, and Nina-chan was out shopping with Irena-san.

My mom and Hina had also gone out to look at school bags in preparation for Hina starting elementary school next year. It was hard to believe how fast time was flying—next year, Hina would be a first-grader.

I remember when I got my school bag for Christmas, but nowadays, buying it as late as Christmas is considered quite delayed. Nowadays, buying it even six months in advance is considered late—people buy them a year ahead now.

With no one around, I practiced sword techniques and experimented with new footwork in my backyard, using a human-shaped dummy.

Efforts like this weren’t so much about becoming stronger as they were about not becoming weaker.

Humans grow weak so easily.

Just one week without using magic, and it takes time to regain your sense of it. Just one week without moving your body, and it takes time to get back into shape.

That time could be the difference between life and death.

So, I swung my sword to make sure I didn’t forget. I trained so that I wouldn’t lose what I had worked so hard to build.

As I repeatedly struck the dummy and received its blows in return, a voice called out from the side.

“You’re working hard, Itsuki.”

“Oh, Nina-chan.”

In the moment I glanced away, the human-shaped figure I had been controlling with semi-automated Lightning Magic suddenly sprang to life, thrusting its wooden sword straight at me.

I reacted instinctively, snapping my attention back to deflect the attack and quickly dispelling the magic.

Whew, that was close.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I released the Silveit spell from the dummy.

That was way too close. It was undeniable that I had let my guard down since I was alone, but I reminded myself never to be complacent.

I reached for the towel I had left on the porch using Silveit to pull it toward me and wiped the sweat from my forehead before turning to Nina-chan.

It wasn’t just her who had come through the front gate. Irena-san was with her.

“It’s been a while, Itsuki-san,” Irena-san said, smiling gently.

“Y-yes, it has been,” I responded, bowing slightly.

Compared to last year, the relationship between mother and daughter seemed to have improved, as they arrived hand in hand.

“We actually came to see Kaede-san today. Is she home?”

“Mom?”

Kaede was my mother’s name. It wasn’t surprising that Irena-san had business with her, given they were like mom friends, but I wasn’t sure what the specific reason was today.

“She’s out looking at school bags with Hina, so I don’t think she’ll be back for a while.”

“Oh, I see. Do you know when she might return?”

“Um…”

I glanced at the clock. It was currently 3 PM. She’d probably be back around 4, so there was about an hour left until she returned.

“I could pass on the message to her if you’d like?”

“No… it’s a very important matter, and I’d prefer to tell Kaede-san directly.”

Irena-san’s expression turned unusually serious as she said this.

That’s rare—I couldn’t recall seeing Irena-san look this serious, at least not in connection with anything involving Nina-chan.

Wait, could today’s business be related to Nina-chan?

“Well, if you have about an hour to wait, why don’t you come inside? I’ll make some tea.”

“Really? In that case, we’d love to.”

With that, I guided Nina-chan and Irena-san into the house.

“Itsuki, can you actually make tea?”

“Uh, yeah… kind of.”

Nina-chan’s question made me a bit flustered.

After all, she’s a grade-schooler who makes tea as a hobby, while I, despite having been an adult in my previous life, had barely made any tea, even as a grade-schooler in this life.

Being asked if I could make tea put me in a bit of a tough spot.

Sure, I’d done it a few times in both my previous and current lives, but isn’t it just a matter of putting tea leaves into the teapot and pouring in hot water?

…Maybe that’s oversimplifying it.

In any case, I didn’t know any other way, so I led the two of them to the living room—or whatever you’d call the spacious room with the low table—and filled the kettle with water.

As I did, Irena-san came into the kitchen, watching me with concern.

It’s fine. I can do this.

…Probably.

While waiting for the kettle to boil, both Irena-san and I stood in the kitchen. To break the awkward silence, I decided to start a conversation.

“I heard you went shopping with Nina-chan today?”

“Yes, we were looking for a winter coat.”

“A coat…”

I thought coats were something only adults wore. Do elementary school kids wear coats too?

While I was feeling slightly shocked by this cultural difference, Irena-san continued.

“That part was fine, but… I received an urgent work call.”

“…A work call?”

I muttered under my breath.

Irena-san was a “Fourth Rank” exorcist.

She’s one of the rare talents you don’t come across often. She was probably being called in to exorcise a monster that others couldn’t handle.

“That’s why we came to visit your home, Itsuki.”

I still didn’t get it.

How does that lead to this?

“Is it work-related business that you have with my mom?”

“Yes, that’s right. Actually, I have to leave for my job by this evening.”

Wait, this evening? That’s only a few hours away.

“I wanted to ask if Kaede-san could watch Nina while I’m away.”

Just as Irena-san casually dropped that bombshell, the kettle began whistling loudly, signaling the water was ready.

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