Before Kazuya could explain what had happened, his sister suddenly grabbed his wrist and tugged him toward the dining hall. "No excuses until you eat," she said firmly, her tone carrying both worry and authority.
Saira followed hesitantly, her silver hair shimmering under the warm glow of the house lights. She looked around with wide eyes, marveling at the ordinary furniture, the polished floor, the framed photographs on the wall. To her, this was another world entirely.
On the dining table, steaming bowls of rice and curry awaited them. The aroma filled the room, rich and comforting. Kazuya's face lit up instantly. "Rice and curry… my favorite!" His stomach growled, and he sat down eagerly.
He picked up his spoon, scooping rice and curry together, savoring the taste. Relief and joy washed over him. After everything… this feels like home.
But Saira sat frozen. She stared at the plate before her, the spoon beside it, her hands resting stiffly on her lap. She had never seen such utensils, never eaten food like this.
Kazuya noticed her motionless state. "Saira," he called gently. "Here, let me show you."
He picked up her spoon, demonstrated how to scoop the rice and curry. "See? Easy."
Saira hesitated, her fingers trembling as she picked up the spoon. She mimicked his movements, awkward at first. Then she brought the food to her lips.
The moment the flavors touched her tongue, her face bloomed with happiness. Her eyes sparkled, her lips curved into a radiant smile. "It's… delicious!" she exclaimed softly.
Kazuya's heart skipped a beat. He stared at her, mesmerized. She's so cute… he thought, the words slipping from his lips. "She's so cute."
Saira blinked, tilting her head, her cheeks faintly pink. His sister raised an eyebrow, smirking knowingly.
The three of them continued eating. The room filled with warmth, laughter, and the clinking of spoons.
After dinner, the warm glow of the dining hall lights softened into a quiet calm. Kazuya's sister, still tidying the table, suddenly paused. Her gaze fell upon him—more precisely, upon the ragged edge of his left sleeve, torn and frayed as though clawed by something unseen.
Her brows furrowed, doubt and worry flickering across her gentle eyes.
"Kazuya… why is your left sleeve torn?" she asked softly, her voice carrying both suspicion and concern, as though afraid of the answer.
Kazuya leaned back, his expression serious. "Sis… I need to explain everything."
He began recounting his journey. How he had discovered a portal to another world. How goblins had attacked him. How a giant wolf nearly killed him. How a dragon saved him, soared with him through the skies, and formed a contract with him. How that dragon transformed into a girl—Saira. How he named her. How they met a lost child, helped her return to her village, and finally returned to Earth.
His sister listened, her brows furrowed. When he finished, she crossed her arms. "So… you're saying all this happened? And you brought this girl here from another world?"
Kazuya nodded earnestly. "Yes."
She sighed, shaking her head. "Kazuya… are you sure that the Isekai was not just a delusion?"
Kazuya's chest tightened. "No! It's real!" He clenched his fists. How do I make her believe me?
Suddenly, an idea struck him. He stood abruptly, rushing toward the kitchen. His sister and Saira exchanged confused glances.
Moments later, he returned—holding a knife.
His sister's eyes widened. "Kazuya! What are you thinking?!"
Saira stepped forward, alarm flashing in her blue eyes. "Master…?"
Without hesitation, Kazuya pressed the blade against his hand and cut his forearm. Blood flowed quickly, dripping onto the floor. Pain shot through him, but he gritted his teeth.
Both girls screamed, rushing toward him.
"Kazuya!" his sister cried, tears welling.
"Master!" Saira's voice trembled.
Saira placed her hands over the wound. Her hands glowed, silver light radiating. The blood stopped. The skin knitted together. Within moments, the wound vanished, as if it had never existed.
Kazuya flexed his hand, showing the healed flesh. "See? This is proof. Saira healed me. She's from the other world."
His sister's tears spilled over. She clutched his shoulders, sobbing. "Why would you do that? You scared me…"
Kazuya's voice softened. "Because I wanted you to believe me."
Silence filled the room. His sister wiped her tears, her expression shifting. "So… it's true. There really is another world. And she… she came from it."
Saira stepped back, bowing slightly. "I am Saira. I am bound to Master Kazuya by contract."
His sister sniffled, smiling faintly. "I'm his sister. And you… you're his pet, huh?"
Saira tilted her head, unsure, but nodded. "Yes… his pet."
Kazuya blushed furiously. "Sis!"
His sister giggled, wiping her eyes. "I'm just teasing."
Suddenly, Kazuya's eyes widened. "Homework… I forgot!"
He rushed toward his room, panic surging. "I need to finish it!"
Saira followed quickly, her kimono swaying. "Master, wait!"
His sister watched them go, giggling softly. "My little brother… bringing home a girl from another world, cutting his hand just to prove it, and now running off to do homework. He hasn't changed at all."
She leaned back in her chair, smiling warmly. "But maybe… he's growing up faster than I thought."
Kazuya barged into his room, his movements hurried and restless. The door creaked as he pushed it open, and Saira, following behind, tilted her head curiously. She observed how he handled the door—so casually, so human. Every detail fascinated her, for this was a world unlike her own.
He dropped his school bag near the desk, pulled out his notebook, and placed it neatly on the study table. His pen scratched against the paper as he began working on his homework, his brows furrowed in concentration.
Saira entered slowly, her bare feet making no sound against the floor. She gazed around the room, her eyes wide with wonder. Posters of dragons lined the walls, shelves sagged under the weight of books, and the faint hum of the ceiling fan filled the air. She stood there for a while, simply absorbing the atmosphere, before quietly sitting near his bed. Her blue eyes never left him, watching his every movement with quiet intensity.
Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the sound of Kazuya's pen. Then, without looking up, he said, "Saira, could you bring me some water?"
Her face brightened. "Yes, Master!" she replied happily, standing up at once. She walked downstairs with graceful steps, eager to fulfill his request.
But as she reached the kitchen, she froze. She realized she didn't know where the water was kept. She looked around, puzzled, her mind racing. What do I do?
At that moment, Kazuya's sister appeared. She saw Saira standing there, confused, and without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around her.
Saira stiffened, flustered. She had never been hugged before, not like this. Her cheeks flushed pink, her hands hovering awkwardly in the air.
Kazuya's sister smiled warmly. "Thank you, Saira. Thank you for saving my brother's life. I'm so happy he has someone like you by his side."
Saira's lips parted, her voice trembling. "I… I am happy to be here. It is my duty to help my master."
His sister's eyes softened. "Then stay with him. Protect him forever, in all his exploits—even in that other world you came from."
Saira nodded firmly. "Yes. It is my duty."
His sister giggled, then tugged Saira gently. "Come with me." She dragged her toward her room, leaving Saira bewildered but obedient.
After a while, Saira returned to Kazuya's room. She carried a tray with a glass of water, her steps careful. She placed it on his desk, bowing slightly.
Kazuya picked up the glass without looking at her, sipping absentmindedly. But when his eyes finally lifted, he nearly choked.
She was wearing a night robe.
His face turned crimson. "W-where did you get that?" he stammered.
Saira blinked innocently. "Master, your sister gave it to me."
Kazuya sighed, shaking his head. "Of course she did…" He drank the water quickly, trying to calm himself, then returned to his homework.
Saira sat near his bed again, folding her hands neatly in her lap.
As Kazuya scribbled away, Saira grew restless. Her eyes wandered around the room, landing on the bed. Its soft, inviting surface seemed to call to her.
She raised her hand, tempted to touch it. But just before her fingers brushed the fabric, she withdrew. No… I should not touch my master's belongings without his consent.
She tried to focus on other things, closing her eyes to meditate. But the temptation gnawed at her. Again, she reached out, again she pulled back.
Finally, she could resist no longer. Her fingers pressed against the bed. It was soft. Fluffy. A delighted smile spread across her face. She began toying with the blanket, pressing her hands into the mattress.
After a while, she sat on it, bouncing lightly, giggling to herself.
Kazuya turned, startled. He saw her enjoying herself, her silver hair swaying, her laughter soft. He smirked faintly. "She's such a child at heart." He shook his head and returned to his homework.
Time passed. Kazuya stopped writing, stretching his arms. He glanced at Saira. She was fast asleep, curled up on the bed, her breathing steady.
His heart softened. She looks beautiful… even while sleeping.
Quietly, he walked over, pulled a blanket, and draped it over her. "You'll catch a cold," he whispered.
He returned to his desk, finishing the last of his homework. His pen scratched until the final line was complete. He leaned back, stretching again.
Suddenly, his phone rang. The sound startled him. He opened the drawer, pulling out the device. The screen glowed with an unknown number.
He hesitated, then answered. "Hello?"
A soft, firm voice spoke. "I'm coming to meet you tomorrow."
Before he could respond, the call ended.
Kazuya stared at the phone, confusion swirling. Who was that? He thought for a while, but no answers came.
Yawning, he placed the phone back in the drawer. His eyelids grew heavy. He turned off his penlight but left the study lamp glowing faintly.
He lay down, exhaustion pulling him into slumber.
Saira slept peacefully on the bed, her silver hair spread like a halo, the blanket rising and falling with her breaths.
The room grew quiet. The lamp cast a soft glow, illuminating their resting forms.
And then, silence filled the night.
***
Kazuya stirred awake, his head heavy, his notebook still open on the desk. He blinked groggily, realizing he had dozed off while doing his homework. His eyes darted to his wristwatch.
8:00
His heart leapt into his throat. "Oh no… classes start at 8:30! I overslept!"
He shot up from his chair, papers scattering, and rushed downstairs in a frenzy. His footsteps echoed through the quiet house as he stormed into the kitchen.
There, his sister stood calmly, humming to herself as she cooked.
"Why didn't you wake me up, Sis?!" Kazuya shouted, his voice cracking with panic. "I'm going to be late today!"
His sister turned, her lips twitching. Then she burst into laughter.
Kazuya froze, his face burning with frustration. "Why are you laughing?!"
She wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. "Because… it's Sunday."
The words hit him like a brick. His panic dissolved instantly, replaced by embarrassment. His cheeks flushed red. "S-Sunday…?"
She nodded, grinning. "Yes. No school today."
Kazuya groaned, dragging his hands down his face. "I can't believe this…" He turned, sulking, and trudged back upstairs.
Back in his room, he found Saira stirring. She rubbed her eyes, her silver hair messy, her movements slow and sleepy. She yawned softly, stretching her arms.
Kazuya couldn't help but smile. "Morning, Saira. Go downstairs, okay?"
She nodded, still half-asleep, and shuffled toward the door. Another yawn escaped her lips as she descended the stairs.
Kazuya brushed his teeth, took a quick bath, and dressed himself neatly. When he returned to the hall, he sat down, his mind drifting back to the mysterious phone call from last night. "Who was that? Why did they say they were coming to meet me?"
His thoughts swirled until his sister's voice called from the dining hall. "Kazuya! Breakfast is ready!"
He entered the dining hall and froze.
Saira was helping his sister arrange plates on the table. But she wasn't wearing her kimono. Instead, she wore a new dress—simple yet elegant, with soft colors that suited her perfectly. She looked adorable, her silver hair flowing freely, her blue eyes sparkling.
Kazuya's breath caught. He stood there, staring, unable to move.
His sister noticed and smirked. "Kazuya, I thought you came here to eat breakfast, not to stare."
Kazuya flustered instantly, his face red. "I-I wasn't staring!" He hurried to his seat, trying to hide his embarrassment.
The three of them ate breakfast together. The atmosphere was warm, filled with laughter and teasing.
After finishing, his sister turned to him. "Kazuya, could you bring some vegetables from the shop?"
He nodded. "Sure."
Saira stood quickly. "I'll come too."
They stepped outside, the morning air crisp. Saira looked around, her eyes wide with wonder. Every car, every sign, every passerby fascinated her. She clung close to Kazuya, marveling at the ordinary world as if it were magic.
After a short walk, they reached the vegetable shop. Kazuya began selecting items, his mind focused.
As he picked through the vegetables, he noticed a girl approaching. She had black hair, cut short in a bob, and black eyes, which felt like he had seen them somewhere before. Her steps were confident, her gaze fixed on him.
Behind her, another figure followed—a familiar face. Kazuya's eyes widened. "Wait… I know him."
Before he could react, the girl closed the distance. She suddenly hugged his arm tightly, pressing herself against him.
"It's been so long since I last met you, boyfriend," she said sweetly.
Kazuya froze. His mind went blank. Boyfriend?!
The boy behind her stopped, his face falling. Disappointment clouded his eyes. He turned and ran away, unable to bear the words he had heard.
Kazuya recognized him, his lips parting to call out. But the girl's sudden declaration left him stunned, his voice caught in his throat. "I've never even met this girl before… what's happening?"
From the rooftop of the opposite building, laughter rang out. A shadowed figure stood there, laughing hysterically. Beside him, another person stood, confused, glancing between the scene below and the laughing companion.
"What's going on?" the confused one muttered.
Saira, standing a few steps behind Kazuya, tilted her head in confusion. Her blue eyes blinked softly, her lips parting as she stepped closer.
"Master…" she said quietly, her voice uncertain. "What is the meaning of 'boyfriend'? And why did that girl call you that?"
Her tone carried no anger, only genuine curiosity. She looked at him with innocent eyes, waiting for an explanation, her silver hair swaying gently as she shifted nervously.
Kazuya froze, his heart pounding. The girl clung to his arm, strangers were watching, and now Saira's question pierced straight through the chaos.
"How do I even explain this…?"