"Th-this is…"
A clear, youthful voice rang out, filled with astonishment and disbelief, as though she had just stumbled upon something unimaginable.
Just earlier, noticing that Kyouno was completely clueless about everything in this world, the little girl Yumiyo had suggested they take a walk around the neighborhood, so she could act as a tiny tour guide and introduce this strange new friend to the basics of modern life.
The maiden, having nothing better to do, simply nodded in agreement.
And so, the two of them, one tall, one small, walked together through the bustling streets filled with people and vehicles.
Throughout their walk, an endless downpour of information rained down on Kyouno.
Bewildering, novel, and at times . . . overwhelming.
"These… these monsters… they're called "cars"?! Humans can crawl inside their bellies and control them?!"
Kyouno exclaimed in shock as Yumiyo explained the strange beasts speeding past—automobiles.
"Oh no! That person's trapped inside a glass frame!"
"That's called a TV screen?! He can talk? And dance inside it?! What sort of sorcery is this?!"
Kyouno froze in front of a massive LED screen mounted on a building, watching vibrant ads unfold—TV
"Th-that tiny black mirror everyone's holding… it's called a smartphone?! It can talk?! You're telling me it can carry voices across hundreds of miles… and even transmit images?!"
"Wait . . . what is an "image"?!"
Kyouno stood dumbfounded as Yumiyo explained the bizarre tools people were holding—smartphones.
...…
And so, the two of them walked and talked.
Most of the time, it was Kyouno exclaiming in awe, her voice filled with expressive wonder, while Yumiyo's soft, patient tone calmly explained everything.
Despite the flood of relentless questions, the little girl never once lost her temper, explaining everything with quiet gentleness.
Though their ages, and even their worlds, were entirely different, somehow, they talked with the ease of longtime friends.
But—
To the eyes of passersby, all they saw was a young girl… laughing and chatting to herself.
Several people gave a shiver, sneaking glances back at her.
Whispers began to spread:
"Hey, is that girl nuts? Whose kid is that?"
"Look at her clothes. Probably some poor, filthy kid."
"What a pity. It's bad enough being poor, now she's crazy too."
Hearing those words, and feeling the cold, judgmental stares, Yumiyo bowed her head, her cheeks flushing red with shame.
Even though Kyouno had once explained that, for some unknown reason, only Yumiyo could see and touch her, while everyone else could not, still… embarrassed was embarrassed.
Seeing the little girl's downcast face, and hearing the mocking whispers around them, Kyouno let out a long sigh.
Her expression grew apologetic.
She reached out and gently patted the girl's head.
"Huh…"
"There's no need to hang your head. You did nothing wrong. Ignore those trashy words."
Her voice was calm but firm, as if something was boiling beneath the surface.
Then Kyouno slowly turned her gaze toward the crowd around them, her eyes sharp and cold like a blade.
She had never been the kind to stay silent or be pushed around.
Especially when it came to people dear to her, she never let them be bullied.
In the past, the local scumbags had mocked her and her sister as fatherless brats, calling their mother a poor, pitiful widow—
They were now buried beneath ice. (Still alive, tho~)
And now these people… dared to insult her sworn little sister?
Unforgivable.
Let this Kyouno return the favor!
"Tempest!"
A whisper, light as the wind.
Instantly, the air surged beneath the feet of the gossiping crowd.
"FWOOOOOOSH!!!"
A whirlwind blasted up, sweeping them off the ground and tossing them into the air.
"Wh-what the hell?!"
"Aaaaahhhh… help me!!!"
"What kind of demon is this?!"
"Somebody… save me!!!"
They flailed wildly in midair, like puppets with their strings cut.
Then—
The wind vanished.
In the very next moment, they began plummeting toward the earth.
"AAAAAAHHH!!!"
"I don't wanna die!!!"
"What the hell kind of demon is this… save uuuuus!!!"
They screamed in unison, as if death itself was already breathing down their necks.
They were sure they'd be smashed to pieces like sacks of rice in the next instant.
But—
"Wind Cushion."
No one was hurt. No blood. Not even the sound of a thud.
It was Kyouno, just before the group could hit the ground, a gentle current of wind, soft as a cloud cushion, had suddenly appeared, catching every one of the poor souls who were just about to "meet their ancestors."
After all, the little girl had already told her—
In this world, only beings known as fairy could use magic. In other words, regular people were fundamentally incapable of using it.
Human bodies here were fragile, delicate, easily broken.
That's why she chose a spell that was low-key, non-threatening, and completely non-lethal.
A magic that caused no harm.
Just a warning.
A heart-stopping jolt, meant to teach those mouths to shut.
Indeed, the people felt no pain. When they opened their eyes, they found themselves lying safely on the ground.
But even after getting back on their feet, every single one of them was ghost-pale, trembling from head to toe.
That's what they get for badmouthing her little sister!
Just as she was basking in her triumph, Kyouno suddenly froze.
She remembered, the little girl was still behind her. A flicker of unease crossed her face.
Did she....scare her?
She turned around and met Yumiyo's clear, shining gaze.
But it wasn't fear.
No trace of panic or horror.
It was…
An expression that sparkled like a starlit sky, pure, gentle awe.
"Kyouno sis… you're amazing" - Yumiyo said softly, her voice as light as a breeze, yet filled with admiration.
Kyouno let out a breath of relief, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips.
"Haha, of course! I am one of the strongest fairies, after all."
"Hahaha!"
She burst out laughing, clearly enjoying herself, not giving a single thought to whether some real fairy out there might be irritated by the self-proclaimed title.
"Now then… where should we go next?"
Kyouno asked, her tone bubbling with excitement like a child stepping into a magical theme park for the first time.
Her fascination with this new world only grew, especially now that she had such a sweet little guide~
"Um... let me think... right now, we should…"
But before the little girl could finish her sentence—
"Yumiyo…?"
...