The car vanished into the city, carrying Ichika off to her audition. Draconis turned and made his way back to the hotel rooftop, where the remaining Nakano sisters were gathered beneath the glow of the fireworks.
He kept his explanation simple. "Ichika had to leave for work," he told them.
Nino's voice was small, a little wounded. "But we all promised to be together…"
"It's her choice," Itsuki said, earnest as ever. "We should respect that."
Nino frowned, her tone sharp with disappointment. "I get it, but… this is the only day all year. She'll have plenty of chances to work. Why couldn't she just wait?"
To Nino, the five sisters together at the festival was sacred—work could wait. But Draconis understood: Ichika had chased this opportunity for half a year. It wasn't something she could just let slip away.
He stepped up beside Nino, speaking softly. "I know it's hard to accept. But chances like this don't come twice. If Ichika passed it up, she might never get another. Sure, compromise sounds nice, but if you keep settling for less, life just becomes… ordinary."
Nino shot him a glare, her emotions bubbling over. "You don't get what this night means to us. We're supposed to be inseparable. Can you not lecture me?"
Her words were sharp enough to make the others wince.
"Nino, watch your tone," Miku snapped.
But Nino wouldn't back down. "Did I say anything wrong?"
Miku was about to argue, but Draconis raised a hand, keeping his voice even. "You're not wrong. And I shouldn't be lecturing you."
He turned away, pausing to murmur to Yotsuba and Itsuki, "She's upset. Keep an eye on her. I need some air."
He left them to cool off, knowing Ichika's anxiety had been justified. Her absence had cracked the unity of the quintuplets, and right now, everyone needed space to settle their feelings.
Itsuki blinked, thrown off. "G? Where are you going?"
"Just something I need to handle. I'll find you after," Draconis replied quietly, heading downstairs.
Yotsuba watched him go, biting her lip. "Is he… mad?"
"I… I don't think so?" Itsuki answered, uncertain.
Draconis was always hard to read; his emotions rarely showed on the surface.
Nino, meanwhile, sat stewing in regret. Her words had come out too harsh. Draconis had always been patient and kind—how could she snap at him like that? She wanted to apologize, but he was already gone. All she could do was sit, brooding, as fireworks burst overhead.
The four sisters watched the sky, colors blooming against the night. It should have felt magical, but with Ichika missing and Draconis's departure weighing on them, the celebration felt hollow.
Nino's thoughts spiraled—had she disappointed him? Was he angry?
—
Across town, Ichika arrived at the audition, changed out of her yukata, and made it just in time. She delivered her lines—ones she'd rehearsed until they were second nature—but Draconis's words echoed in her mind.
Express yourself freely. That's the easiest way to live.
He really was open-minded. She couldn't help but envy that… though, knowing him, he'd probably get smug if she admitted it.
She pictured his face and, without thinking, smiled.
The judges exchanged glances, taken aback by her genuine warmth. She'd captured the heart of a young girl in love—her emotions weren't just acted, they were real.
A promising talent, they agreed unanimously. Ichika passed.
When the results came, disbelief flashed across her face. That was it? She'd actually made it? Relief flooded her, joy spilling over.
She stepped outside, checked the time. The fireworks festival must be over by now…
Suddenly, a magic circle flared in front of her—Draconis appeared in a burst of light.
The bearded manager beside Ichika gaped, looking like he'd just seen a ghost. Draconis flicked a memory alteration spell his way; the man blinked, then shrugged, unbothered.
"All done?" Draconis asked.
"Yeah. I passed," Ichika replied.
"Nice. Congrats."
His tone was casual, but Ichika's thoughts turned to her sisters. "What about them? Did they say anything?"
"Not much. Come on, we're running late. Do you mind if I hold you?" Draconis asked, glancing at her.
"Uh—no, I don't mind…" Ichika stammered, cheeks flushing.
"Good. We've done this before anyway." He bent down and scooped her up in a princess carry. "Hold on tight."
Before she could process it, Draconis took off—racing through the city, weaving between skyscrapers at breakneck speed.
"Ah—!!" Ichika yelped, clinging to him for dear life as the world blurred past. Roller coasters had nothing on this.
"Too scary—waaah…" she whimpered, feeling her whole body go limp.
"Don't worry. It's perfectly safe," Draconis assured her.
"I know, but living through it is still terrifying!" Ichika's voice trembled, halfway to tears.
Draconis just laughed, soothing her as best he could, silently resolving to learn flight magic soon. After all, regular people couldn't teleport—next time he needed to rush someone across town, maybe he could make it a little less… extreme.
—
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