Aoko, Alice, and Soujuurou

For Aoko, returning to Misaki Town wasn't an easy thing, because too many interesting things could happen during the journey, even if she had the desire to return to Misaki Town, that desire would soon be forgotten due to unexpected events that suddenly occurred.

Since graduating high school and leaving Misaki Town, on average she only returned once a year. The last time she returned was roughly at the end of July last year, because during her travels she heard some things about her oddly-behaved older sister, plus she happened to be in Southeast Asia, so she returned as well.

"Hmm, anyway, I'll go back and see Alice and Shizuki first."

Kuonji Alice, Shizuki Soujuurou.

They could be said to be the two people she had the best relationship with in Aoko's not-so-wide circle of friends. The fight with Touko in high school, and the experiences before that, kept the three of them in good terms even now.

After all, they could be said to have saved each other's lives.

More than ten years ago, the Kuonji residence was located on a hill in Misaki Town. Although it couldn't be said to be far from the city, it also couldn't be said to be close, maintaining a feeling of being near yet far from the city.

And over these ten years, due to the continuous development of Misaki Town, the hill was finally included in the development zone. Aoko still remembered how angry Alice was when she heard that the area around her house was going to be developed.

Fortunately, in the end there was a way to avoid it, but in return, the area was immediately regarded as Demon Hill, where evil spirits hid. Occasionally, some naughty students would run there at night to do dares.

Walking past a very familiar road, arriving in front of that familiar gate, Aoko directly pushed open the half-open door, and as she stepped into the yard, she saw someone busy in the yard.

"Yo! Shizuki! I'm back!"

"Aozaki?"

Called by his name, the man who was cleaning the yard—Shizuki Soujuurou—reflexively looked towards Aoko. And seeing that flat expression that hadn't changed for more than ten years, Aoko couldn't help but tease, "I'm back, but you don't seem happy at all?"

"No, I'm happy."

"Then show a little change in your eyes and expression, I can't see at all that you're happy."

Even so, Aoko knew that since Soujuurou said he was happy, then he was indeed truly happy; he was an honest person who said what he felt in his heart.

Although it wasn't visible on his face at all.

"Is Alice here?"

"In the house."

"Then I'll look for Alice first, you just continue your work."

Watching Aoko drag her suitcase and hurriedly enter the house, the corner of Soujuurou's lips lifted into an almost imperceptible curve.

"Um. Welcome back, Aozaki."

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Inside the Kuonji residence.

Going straight to the living room, seeing the black Magus sitting quietly on the sofa reading a magic book, Aoko couldn't help but laugh, "Alice, I'm back."

"Um, I know."

Gently closing her book, Alice looked towards her best friend.

"You came back a bit early this time, earlier than usual."

"Well, I heard some things on the way, and it's also related to Misaki Town, thinking maybe Alice needed help, so I hurried back." Aoko said with a smile.

After a moment of silence, Alice sighed softly, "I don't need your help, moreover, in Misaki Town right now, even if I encounter difficulties, there is someone more suitable to help me than you."

"Eh? Really? Who?"

"Touko."

An unexpected name instantly froze the curious expression on Aoko's face.

Touko!?

Her own older sister!?

"Eeeh? Touko is back? Really?"

"Exactly five minutes before you returned, Sixpence saw her at North Gate Station."

'Wasn't that exactly the train before mine?'

'Does that mean if I hadn't eaten another bowl of noodles, I would have returned on the same train as Touko?'

Thinking of this, Aoko suddenly felt a sense of relief like escaping danger.

One train with Touko? Just being in the same environment as her made Aoko feel uncomfortable all over. Although ten years had passed, and the sisterly feud between them should have faded, she dared to bet that if she met her, she definitely wouldn't be able to restrain herself.

"Touko actually returned to Misaki Town... that's right, the curse I put on her back then has expired, it doesn't matter if she comes back."

[Once you set foot on the land of Misaki Town, you will turn into a Malagasy rainbow frog]—more than ten years ago, after defeating Touko, by borrowing the power of her future self ten years later, Aoko placed such a curse on her.

"Then, what is Touko's purpose in returning? Could it be that she wants revenge?"

"Um." Alice nodded, "She has already gone to the Golden Wolf's place with the person she was with. According to the information Sixpence obtained, it seems she intends to challenge again, and... it seems she is already prepared."

"Let her come then!"

Aoko laughed confidently.

"More than ten years ago I could defeat her, the current me can too. Just Touko, I'll knock her down in no time!"

This wasn't Aoko's arrogance, but rather the confidence that arose after clearly understanding the difference between herself and Touko.

Over these ten years, Aoko also understood what kind of Magus her older sister was—a Grand-ranked doll maker, a genius Magus who revived the foundations of Rune Magecraft. In the realm of mysteries, she was among the best. But even so, she couldn't touch the realm of True Magic, and even her fighting power was weaker.

And to Aoko's attitude, Alice replied calmly. After all, Touko's target was Aoko, it had nothing to do with her. As long as their fight didn't affect her side, that was enough.

"Don't you want to put your luggage down first?" Alice asked.

"You're staying tonight, right? Your room is still there, remember to clean it yourself."

"Ah? I'm not staying?" Aoko shook her head, "I just came back to see you guys, after that I'll look for a hotel to stay in. If I stay here, will it bother you and Shizuki? I don't want to be a third wheel, it's a bit awkward."

As she said this, Aoko's gaze fell on the ring fingers of both of Alice's hands, then she seemed unable to help but chuckle, "But, has it been seven years already? He hasn't given you a ring yet, is he—"

"Aoko!"

"Hehehe!"