The sun was slowly setting beyond the horizon, dyeing the clouds in a soft orange-red hue. The warm glow of the evening light bathed the entrance of Isabide Special Academy, wrapping it in a golden embrace. The school gate, carved from ancient oak, bore intricate runes etched into its frame. Each pattern shimmered faintly with a subtle magical glow, like a pair of guardian hands silently watching over the children within.

Beyond the gate, a cobblestone path stretched ahead, flanked by towering trees whose lush branches intertwined to form a natural canopy. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, casting dappled light upon the ground in a delicate dance of shifting shadows. The air carried the fresh scent of earth and greenery, evoking a serene sense of calm and peace.

Isabide Special Academy was unlike any other school. It was a sanctuary for children with unique needs—students who were allergic to magic or had other extraordinary conditions. Layers of magical barriers enveloped the entire campus, shielding it from the ambient magical energy of the outside world and providing a safe haven for its students to learn and grow.

In the open space outside the academy, several beast-eared girls were sweeping the ground. The sunlight shimmered on their furry ears and swaying tails, adding a lively charm to the tranquil scene.

Among them, a beast-eared girl named Doni noticed Tetsuya standing at the gate. Setting her broom down gently, she trotted toward him, her tail swishing lightly and her ears twitching in delight.

image [https://truth.bahamut.com.tw/s01/202502/661f0d9d428eef2e97a58d91b8bb2519.PNG]

"Tetsuya, is it your turn to pick up Miyo today?" Doni asked with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Tetsuya looked up and returned her smile with his usual easygoing expression. "That’s right, Miss Meow-Meow."

The moment she heard the nickname, Doni's ears stood straight up, and her tail gave an involuntary twitch. She planted her hands on her hips and let out a frustrated sigh. "I've told you so many times—don't call me Miss Meow-Meow!"

"Alright, alright, Miss Doni," Tetsuya said with a chuckle, clearly amused.

Just as Doni was about to retort, Tetsuya’s gaze shifted toward the school gate, his voice laced with joy. "Miyo!"

At the entrance, a female teacher walked out, holding the hand of a petite girl with short silver twin-tails. The girl clutched a wooden staff, its head adorned with delicate runes that gleamed faintly. She kept her head slightly lowered, a hint of shyness in her posture. However, upon hearing her brother’s call, her eyes lit up, and she immediately let go of her teacher’s hand, dashing toward him.

image [https://truth.bahamut.com.tw/s01/202502/c800cd8ccb43a7dd79b224c61948fb70.PNG]

"Onii-chan!" Her small voice overflowed with excitement.

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Tetsuya crouched down with open arms, his tone gentle. "Miyo, over here!"

Without hesitation, Miyo leaped into his embrace, her tiny hands clutching tightly onto his shirt. Tetsuya softly stroked her hair, his voice filled with warmth. "How was school today?"

Rather than answering, Miyo simply nestled into his chest like a kitten seeking shelter, basking in the comfort of her brother's presence.

Doni leaned down and, with careful ease, scooped Miyo up from behind, supporting her small frame in a firm but gentle hold. Pressing her cheek against Miyo’s, she nuzzled affectionately. "Little Miyo, it’s only been half a day! Did you miss Onee-chan? You're getting cuter every time I see you!"

Miyo squirmed slightly, furrowing her tiny brows as she protested in a soft voice, "Miss Doni, p-please let me down…"

Doni, however, showed no intention of complying, instead hugging her tighter and grinning like a cat that had caught its favorite toy. "Your face is so soft and smooth, I don’t wanna let go!"

Watching the scene unfold, Tetsuya chuckled and cleared his throat. "Hey, Doni, don’t scare my sister."

Miyo peeked out from Doni’s embrace, her large, watery eyes turning pleadingly to her brother. She murmured, "Onii-chan… don’t just laugh, save me…"

Seeing her distress, Tetsuya patted Doni’s shoulder. "Alright, alright, let her go. If you keep this up, Miyo’s going to get mad."

"Geez, you’re no fun!" Doni pouted, but despite her reluctance, she obediently set Miyo down. She gently ruffled the girl’s hair before stepping back. "Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore."

Once her feet touched the ground again, Miyo quickly hid behind Tetsuya, clutching the hem of his shirt like a startled rabbit.

Tetsuya glanced down at her, his voice tinged with amusement. "Doni just likes you, don’t take it too seriously."

As they made their way home, Miyo held onto Tetsuya’s hand, her pace slow and slightly uneven. Occasionally, she limped.

Noticing the difference, Tetsuya looked down in concern. "Miyo, why are you limping? Did you hurt your foot?"

Miyo hesitated, lowering her gaze. "I bumped it while playing hide-and-seek with my friends today…"

"Hide-and-seek?" Tetsuya furrowed his brows slightly, then asked curiously, "Isn’t that hard for you? You can’t see—how do you play?"

Miyo lifted her head and smiled faintly. "I can’t see, but I can sense the magic in people. To me, their magic feels like glowing torches of different colors. Recently, I’ve been practicing focusing on them. It’s actually pretty fun!"

Hearing her explanation, Tetsuya stopped walking, crouching down to ruffle her hair. "Our little Miyo is amazing! Alright, let me carry you home today."

"No way!" Miyo’s face turned bright red as she gently pushed him away. "That’s embarrassing!"

"You’ve had a long day, and your foot is hurt. No more acting tough," Tetsuya said with a smile, giving her no chance to refuse as he turned and lifted her onto his back.

Although Miyo continued to mumble small protests, the grip of her tiny hands on his shoulders slowly relaxed. She nestled against him, her expression softening into a quiet, contented smile.

image [https://truth.bahamut.com.tw/s01/202502/24eb2af1997273989135f0f1dcd910ca.JPG]

As they walked home, the golden hues of the setting sun stretched their shadows along the cobblestone path. The gentle wind carried the rustling of leaves, whispering a lullaby of warmth and serenity.