Reiki was about to let go from the side of the car when Chishiki placed a hand on his shoulder which made him stop, she said. "You never told us the name." He looked up at her and said. "Name?" Akemi moved her left hand away from the steering wheel and placed it on top of her lap, she said. "Yeah, since we can't start a company without a name." Reiki stared at them and thought. Oh… I forgot… Let's go with something simple. He said. "It's Kyoko." Chishiki brows furrowed, she said. "Fictitious?"

Akemi crossed her arms and looked at him weirdly, she said. "That's not an appropriate name for a shop." Reiki flashed them a wry smile, he said. "How good is your english?" Chishiki's lips curved into a confident smile, she was about to open her mouth to say something when Akemi spoke first. Akemi said. "I spent a few years in america." Chishiki pursed her lip into a line as she felt slightly irritated and said. "I'm well versed in the language." Reiki nodded at them and said. "It's the closest thing we have to the word concoction."

Akemi crossed arms slightly loosened, she said. "Wouldn't that look awkward? A potion shop using the word we use for imaginary?" Chishiki nodded in agreement, she said. "For once I agree with the bottom queen. It would be misleading if we wrote that on a sign." Reiki rolled his eyes at them, he said. "Then write them in romaji." Akemi's lips turned into a slight frown, she thought. At moments like this, I worry about our 'messenger'. Chishiki gave him a flattering smile and said. "Reiki, since the two of us made such a long trip. Is it possible for us to eat at a high-class restaurant on the company's tab?"

Akemi's eyes widened in disbelief, she said. "He just helped us out with our debts! You keep this up and we'll be bankrupt before we know it!" Chishiki let out a chuckle and waved her hand at Akemi without even glancing at her. Chishiki said. "The disparity between ten and seven million is not that big." Akemi slapped her hand on the steering wheel, she said. "My debt was originally thirty-five million. I only needed more time to pay off the remaining seven." Reiki chuckled at them and said. "Just this once, since the company isn't even making any money."

Akemi turned her head to face him, she said. "Stop agreeing to every little thing she asks!" Chishiki gave him a big smile and said. "If the day comes of you being replaced, I'll do everything I can in my power to make sure it doesn't happen." Reiki gave them a mysterious smile and said. "Oh, you don't have to worry about that. In their eyes, I'm more important than you two." Akemi and Chishiki were shocked by his words. Akemi said. "What do you-." Reiki raised his hand and waved at them, he said. "I'll see you two here tomorrow." He let go from the side of the car and landed on the ground with a soft thud.

Chishiki stared at him and thought. He's not bluffing. She waved at him and said. "Until next time, messenger." The window slowly raised while Akemi quickly said. "B-Bye Reiki." The car window closed followed by the sound of an engine turning on as the black vehicle drove down the street and took a left.

----------------------------------------

Living Room

Ketsueki was sitting on a chair by the dining table as she ate a couple of fries, she glanced at the three girls sitting on the couch. Ketsueki thought. At least they had a good time here. Shiro was hugging a pillow that was slightly deflated from her headlock. Mio was holding onto a piece of paper with two inscriptions as she studied it while Yuki was fidgeting on her seat as she repeatedly squished the pillow in her hands. Ketsueki moved her gaze back onto the food on the table as she grabbed a few fries and ate them while chewing.

Ketsueki thought. Mio is content with studying the inscription she's holding while Shiro's busy watching tv. Yuki on the other hand looks like she's about to run a marathon. She gulped down the food in her mouth and reached for more fries, she continued her train of thought. Reiki is taking his time wiping sweat on the front lawn… I guess I could check on him using mana-. Ketsueki glanced at the front door while trying to place a fry in her mouth, she thought. He's back! She slowly inhaled and exhaled and calmed herself as the sound of footsteps slowly came closer.

Reiki made his way into the living room and saw the three girls sitting on the couch with his older sister by the table eating fries. He noticed Yuki fidgeting on the couch and thought. She needs to go out. Reiki made his way behind the couch and pulled himself up from the backrest as he placed a hand on Yuki's head and said. "Hey, Yuki. Let me finish my meal and we'll play some ball outside." Shiro glanced at her older brother from the corner of her eye as her gaze lingered on Reiki's hand on Yuki's head.

Yuki looked up at him as her eyes sparkled, she excitedly said. "Really?!" He gave her a nod and said. "Yeah, give me five minutes then we'll head out." He moved his hand away from her head under his younger sister's burning gaze. Reiki made his way to the dining table and sat back on his seat while Yuki slowly inhaled from her nose and exhaled using her mouth. Yuki thought. I need to spare any energy I can. She stopped fidgeting on the couch while Shiro moved her gaze back to the show.

Mio glanced at her friend from the corner of her eye and moved her gaze back onto the inscription she was holding, she thought. I wonder what it would be like to have an older brother like him... Reiki devoured the food on the table as he reached for his glass of water and downed it in one go. Ketsueki watched her younger brother eat all the food on the table at a rapid pace, she thought. His appetite is growing by the day… Maybe we should move to a different apartment already?... No, I made the mistake of telling him of my nonexistent promotion… I'll have to take it slow…

Ketsueki placed her right hand on the table and tapped on it repeatedly using her index finger. Reiki used a fork to slice off a part of the sausage on his plate, stabbed it, and moved it closer to his older sister. Ketsueki came back to her senses and saw the piece of sausage in front of her mouth, she moved her gaze to her little brother. Reiki flashed her a smile and said. "Onee-chan, what's occupying your thoughts?" Ketsueki mimicked his smile and said. "A few things here and there." She opened her mouth and let her little brother feed her.

Shiro was watching her older siblings as she puffed her cheeks and let out a hmph which went unnoticed by Yuki and ignored by her friend Mio. While chewing Ketsueki stared at Reiki eating three sunny-side-up eggs followed by half a dozen slices of bacon, she thought. Three months… In three months Sachi, Namida, and I would have gathered enough merits to leave the company… Ketsueki gulped down the food in her mouth and said. "Delicious as always." She continued her train of thought. Then all I have to worry about is my little sister and…

Ketsueki's eyes were filled with infatuation as she stared at Reiki who was wiping his mouth using a napkin as he emptied all the plates. She thought. 'My' boy. Reiki started picking up the plates and stacking them on top of each other, Ketsueki said. "I'll wash the dishes this time, Reiki." He looked up at her and said. "Onee-chan, are you sure?" Ketsueki waved her hand at him and said. "It's fine, I'm in a good mood today." She stood up from her seat and took the stack of plates in front of her little brother.

Reiki watched his older sister make her way to the kitchen as his gaze wandered onto her butt while she wore a loose-fitting shirt and shorts. He thought. I don't remember her wearing that in my previous life. He wiped his mouth using the back of his mouth and did a half turn to look at the couch. Reiki saw Yuki strangling the pillow in her arms as she looked up at him with expectation-filled eyes, he let out a chuckle and said. "Let me get the ball from the tv stand and then we'll go out."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Yuki slowly stood up from the couch while Reiki made his way to the drawer on the tv stand and opened one of them. He took out the same baseball he used yesterday and said. "Yuki, let's go." Yuki raised her right hand as much as possible and shouted. "Agreed!" Reiki closed the drawer using his knee as he turned, Yuki was standing beside him as he looked at Mio and Shiro sitting on the couch. He said. "You two want to watch?" Shiro ignored him as she crossed her arms and turned her head to stare at a wall. Mio carefully folded the piece of paper she was holding and placed it in her pocket, she said. "I've reached a good point to take a break from studying the inscription."

Mio stood up from the couch and did some light stretches, she continued. "A breath of fresh air and exposure to the sun would do me some good." Reiki tossed the ball in the air a few times as he caught it with his right hand, he said. "Okay, let's go then." Shiro's eyes opened wide as she turned her head and stared at her older brother in disbelief. Reiki made his way to the front door with Mio and Yuki who were excitedly following him. He casually threw the ball behind as Yuki caught it with her left hand, she said. "Reiki, walk faster." Yuki placed her right hand on his back and tried to push him forward.

Mio tried to move Yuki's arm away from his back, Mio said. "Yuki, you don't need to rush. We're staying until we eat lunch, we have all the time you need." Shiro tried her best to hug the stuffing out of the pillow in her arms, she picked up the remote on the coffee table and turned the tv off. Shiro threw the remote onto the couch as he stomped on the floor while she made her way toward the front door, she said. "Onii-chan! What is this supposed to mean?!"

She quickly reached her older brother and Yuki putting on sports shoes while Mio wore her flat-heeled shoes. Shiro repeatedly poked Reiki's back and said. "Onii-chan, why didn't you ask me to join?" Reiki finished tying his shoelaces as he stood up, raised his right leg, and tapped the tip of his shoe on the floor a couple of times. Mio and Shiro were stunned to see Yuki doing the same thing, Reiki said. "Well, you couldn't watch-."

Shiro's cheeks turned red as she jumped on her older brother's back and tried to place a hand over Reiki's mouth. Shiro said. "Onii-chan! Stop talking! Stop talking right now!" Mio looked at her friend oddly while Yuki placed both her hands behind her head. Yuki let out a chuckle and said. "Shiro, you don't have to be so embarrassed." Reiki moved her little sister's hand away from his mouth while Shiro was on his back grabbing his clothes. He turned his head to face Yuki and flashed her a smirk, Reiki said. "Do you need me to call Kuma-san for you?" Yuki's entire face instantly turned red as she rained a barrage of fists on his side.

[System: User has received 59 Damage.]

[System: User has received 82 Damage.]

[System: User has received 102 Damage.]

[System: User has received 134 Damage.]

……

Yuki looked up at him completely flustered as she stomped on the floor once, she said. "Reiki, shut up! You promised me you wouldn't tattle!" Reiki started laughing as he placed a hand on top of Yuki's head, he said. "Technically, I didn't say anything." Mio stared at her friend's red face, with a puzzled look she said. "Who's Mr. Bear?"

Yuki quickly turned around to face her friend, she clenched her hands into fists and said. "Nobody important!" She stormed her way toward the door and opened it as she walked outside. Shiro glared at her older brother, she menacingly said. "Onii-chan?" Reiki let out a chuckle and tried to place a hand on top of his little sister before he could touch Shiro's head, she slapped his hand away.

[System: User has received 33 Damage.]

Mio pulled on the edge of his shirt which got his attention, she looked up to him and said. "I would like to know, it would be nice to have a way to subdue her." Reiki stared at her and thought. Subdue? He flashed her a smile and said. "Let's just say, I caught her hugging something first thing in the morning." Mio and Shiro were caught off guard by what he said while Reiki took a step toward the door as he saw a streak of white coming to his face. Reiki's right arm blurred as he caught the baseball aimed at his face.

[System: User has received 44 Damage.]

He turned his head to face the open doorway and saw Yuki with her arms crossed glaring at him, Reiki said. "Alright, alright. I'm not going anywhere." He made his way out with Mio behind him while Shiro quickly slid open the shoe compartment and hastily took her sports shoes out of it, she said. "Onii-chan! Wait for me!" Shiro neatly placed the white indoor slippers she wore on the ground alongside the other as she tried to put one of them while hopping one leg. She managed to put on the right shoe without bothering to tie her shoelaces, Shiro hopped on her right leg as she tried to make her way outside ignoring Mio who was watching her.

Mio watched her friend hopping on one leg as Shiro managed to put on the left shoe and squat down as she quickly did her shoelaces. Shiro made her way outside while Mio closed the door. The two of them made their way closer to Reiki who was casually tossing the ball repeatedly into the air and catching it with his right hand while Yuki glared at him. He let out a chuckle and said. "Yuki, ever heard of wall ball?" Yuki maintained a straight expression and dryly said. "No."

Reiki caught the baseball mid-air using his thumb and middle finger as he spun it around on his index finger. Yuki's eyes lit up as she stared at the trick in awe but shook her head as she managed to keep a straight face. Shiro and Mio glanced at each other with blank looks. Mio covered her mouth using her hand and spoke in a whisper, she said. "Reiki has Yuki under control." Reiki continued. "It goes like this, the ball banks off the wall as it bounces off the floor." Shiro covered her mouth with a hand similar to what her friend did, she said. "Mio, don't you think those two are a bit too close?"

Yuki pondered for a moment, she said. "Isn't this game a bit simple?" Mio looked at Yuki who was attentively listening to Reiki. Mio said. "Not unless you're willing to bear the brunt of her infinite energy." Shiro slightly flinched back and moved her hand away from covering her mouth, she said. "I know but…" Reiki stared at the baseball spinning at the tip of his finger, he said. "We'll adjust the rules for our round. The ball is only allowed to bounce off the floor once."

Yuki pondered for a moment, she shrugged her shoulders and said. "Sure, count yourself lucky that I'll enjoy this as long as you're my opponent." Reiki flashed her a mysterious smile and pointed at the fence of the modern house across the street, he said. "We'll use the fence of that house." He made his way closer to it while Shiro, Mio, and Yuki had looks of hesitation all over their faces. Mio thought. This has disaster written all over it. Shiro stared at the tall and sparkling house, she thought. I should call Onee-chan.

Yuki raised her hand at him and said. "Reiki, I don't think this is a good idea." Reiki turned his head sideways and saw the three girls' apprehension, he said. "Don't worry, I know the owner who lives there." Yuki made her way closer to him as the hesitation instantly vanished from her face, she said. "In that case, throw the ball already." Mio massages the temples of her head, she thought. How could you trust him so easily? Reiki moved his gaze onto the other two girls and said. "Shiro, Mio. Be careful where you two stand okay? I don't want anyone getting hurt."

Shiro and Mio made sure to watch from a place they wouldn't interfere. Shiro raised both her hands and said. "Onii-chan, you can do it!" Mio glanced at her friend and thought. A few seconds ago you were against him… Yuki turned her head sideways and said. "What about me?" Shiro glanced at her friend before moving her gaze back onto her older brother which made Yuki feel irritated. Yuki glanced at Mio who was observing Reiki with a focused gaze, she turned her head to face the fence and took a deep breath.

Yuki thought. Focus, I can see their faces of embarrassment when I win. The baseball spinning on Reiki's index finger slowly came to a halt as he caught it with his palm, he said. "Yuki, do you have another set of clothes on you?" She came back to her senses and looked up to him, Yuki said. "I think I'm out of clothes, besides the one that I'm currently wearing." Reiki nodded at her and said. "Are you fine with just playing around?" Shiro's eyes had a hint of panic, she thought. Oh... Mio's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him and moved her gaze onto Shiro who stood beside her, Mio said. "Did he just ask competitive Yuki to take it down a notch?"

Yuki looked up to him while the other two girls stared at Reiki with disbelief all over their faces. Before any of them could say anything Reiki casually threw the ball at the cement fence as it banked off it and bounced from the ground as Yuki caught it. Yuki held the ball with her left hand and stared at it while Shiro and Mio were staring at their friend. Yuki looked up to Reiki with confusion on her face, she said. "Umm-." He flashed her a smile and said. "Try it."

Yuki moved her gaze back onto the baseball she was holding as she threw it at the fence as it sharply banked off it and bounced from the floor. Reiki caught it and threw it again as the two continued to play while Shiro and Mio froze. Yuki's mouth subconsciously formed into a small small, she thought. This… This is nice, surprisingly. Reiki threw the ball as it banked off the fence onto the floor and bounced in Yuki's direction. He turned his head sideways and said. "How about you two? Wanna join?" Shiro came back to her senses as she quickly made her way to the spot beside her older brother and said. "I'm in."

Mio let out a soft laugh and said. "It would be rude to turn down an invitation, especially since everyone is playing." She made her way to the empty spot beside Yuki's right.

----------------------------------------

Enrel's Laboratory

Inside a large room, two of the walls were filled with high-tech preservation chambers with different kinds of herbs in their unique environment. In the center of the room were four large stainless steel tables, on top of them were either books or parchment filled with dozens of herbs in different quantities that were all over the place. Enrel was sitting on a metal chair with a cushion as she was using a metal workbench while holding a quill she used to cross out a few items written on parchment. Floating above her was a sphere of light illuminating the room, the sphere grew in size as it traveled to the center of the ceiling. The metal door leading outside swung open as Melanor walked and waved her hand as the door closed by itself. Melanor said. "Enrel, where's Reiki's half?"