Kenkō’s therapy session lasted from 5:00 to 7:00. Her friends placed food baskets and bowed at Kakunō. He sat at the foot of her bed; the horizon never looked so bright in such a time.

Kenkō failed to sleep even once and sat as well. To end her sulk, she moved closer from behind. “I’m sorry…” she checked his upper arm. “I give you twenty more.”

He got out of her bed and turned. “It’s no big deal. I numb the pain every time. No worse than a bee sting—”

Sorrows rolled down her cheeks. Even as she embraced tighter, it only worsened. “Don’t say that, Lil Bro.” She sniffled. “I clawed you worse than any dragon. Look, it’s infected.”

At another time, he would feel annoyed by the nickname. He knew the truth and sighed. “Work your magic, dude.” Within seconds, the unbearable itch finally left. Still, the scars remained. As Kenkо̄ hugged him again, it felt colder. “I’m telling you. I’m okay.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not. It never was. I can’t just hurt you again and pretend it’s a dream. I’m supposed to be your big sister. Not a burden.” The sobs flowed quietly.

He rubbed her back. “Come on. I’m far from mature. And we all understand why you pretend they could hear you. Anywhere else, and you’d be in the looney bin.”

She let go and shook her head. “It’s not that. It’s this….” The new wrinkles instantly faded. Even her smoothened skin glowed once more.

His eyes frowned in worry. “B-But I don’t understand. You told us you got over it. I saw you comfort Leuchten.”

She embraced again and unexpectedly smiled. “I want to know, Lil Bro… how arthritis feels. A hunched back, cane at the ready. Or doing wheelies.” Tears were now at their peak. “I don’t wanna die looking like this. Because I won’t share your pain.”

He heard the sobs once more. Kenkō’s wrapped arms exceeded the air conditioning. The room had an even temperature, yet he only felt a tundra. At that moment, he recalled a reptilian face.

She dried her eyes. “Remember when we met? ‘Where does it hurt? Here or here?’”

Her hand felt warm instead. So, Kakunō’s heart did as well. The golden sunset shone through the hospital room. It enhanced her smile, and he returned it with his own sniffles. “Sorry, Big Sis. I don’t have much to shed.” He opened the door. “Come. A princess is waiting for us.”

She giggled with closed eyes and followed. “Why would I ever forget…?”

Back home, sorrows had flowed out more. Hayato refused to let go of her mother’s chest, and she did not fare better. On the other hand, Haruto kept the straightest face. He wished he had known better. Family should have been on the highest pedestal.

Grace rubbed her son’s back. William apologized on the floor, but Tokino returned it tenfold. “We don’t fault your presence in any way. You’re more than welcome next year.” She gave Calico a basket. “Eat to your heart’s content.” She bowed, and they did the same. Outside, she waved at their airship flying into the sky.

Hokori gently woke up Yukino, who cried in her sleep. “Here, kiddo. I saved it just for you.”

She gasped lightly at the financier box. Nothing could describe her endless thanks. All that was left was to wait upstairs. For the first time, she did not frown.

He turned to the rest. “I got somethin’ to tell ya, man. I’ll call you that from now on.”

Hayato ended his sorrow and looked up. “What is it, Uncle?” His questions got piled into one.

“That.” He pointed at his purple shirt. “That’s our ticket to happiness.”

Hayato cocked his head once more. Even his parents followed. Luckily, his uncle did not want to play charades and chuckled.

“Here’s the thing. Your Mom and Dad wanted your party to end on a high note. But my fireworks dealer’s behind bars. So, I got a better idea.” He walked out of the living room. “We gon’ meet Charles Frederick.”

Tokino’s eyes squinted. “Brother, what do you mean? That’s a brand name. Besides, we have to wait for—”

The devil spoke at the main door. However, it smiled at all of them.

Yukino’s heart raced upon hearing two voices. She flash-stepped downstairs and jumped for a hug. “Big Siiiiis!!!” The waterworks now had no end.

Kenkō rubbed her back and put her down. “Now, now, Yukichi. I prefer your laughter.” She looked from afar. “Same with you, Hayataro. Come here.”

His tears came next, but it was of sheer joy. He hugged her to the floor. The two launched a combined attack.

“Okay, okay!” She covered her belly. ”That’s enough. You’re shining bright again, guys.” She hugged both.

Tokino held her chest in relief. Haruto sighed with closed eyes, but then he felt pain. It was one that he never tolerated. “Would you quit it…!?” His eyes narrowed a bit.

Hokori patted him one last time with a grin. “Nah, boy. You’d be a sandbag in another life.” He opened the main door and put his hands in his pockets. ”Let’s hit the road, y’all! We’ll come back lookin’ saucy as fuck.”

His family stood even more confused as it had closed. They quickly shrugged and followed suit. Yukino almost forgot to bring her sun hat.

Haruto internally grunted and went outside last. “Really wondering why you call me ‘boy.’”

On public transit, every question got answered. Eons ago, Coelestis housed a gifted man. One who tailored cloth that even the Gods envied. The city’s whole army once had tunics from him.

“And that ain’t all.” Hokori pointed. “I heard he strangled a skydrake with his scarf. It grew back whenever torn. And y’all saw that with my drip.”

Kakunō caressed his chin. “Hmmm… I get the last part. But isn’t that just marketing? The company’s swimming in debt.”

He chuckled and raised his Cordovan. “And that’s our mission, fam. Ain’t nobody wants a boring world.”

Far away, turmoil occurred. Numerous employees stormed out of the four-hundred-story building. In return, repossessors entered. Even the aquarium fish did not get spared. A man drank his last coffee and ran inside an office. “What’s the holdup? We’re outta here!”

The corporate executive had twenty calls on his Every Hub. Unexpectedly, it was not his setback. He swiped down and sighed. “I wish I could. But this guy’s going nowhere.” He pointed from afar.

It was like the word flamboyant laid atop the table. Not only did the man have one scarf, but ten. The letters “Qu” were everywhere, from his tank top and insulated jacket. Somehow, his micro skirt was the least striking.

He grinned and pulled up his heart shades. “Fret not, boys. We got customers.” He jumped off the table and corrected his pink thong.

Ten minutes later, the family arrived at the southwest’s edge. Yukino looked up and gasped at the golden highrise. It was all Palladium, said her father.

Inside, everyone became mesmerized. It was more dazzling than the city’s megamall. 3D supermodels struck poses above a virtual catwalk. Each towered forty meters.

At the other end, larger-than-life idols sang and danced. A plaque commemorated the first earthly group celebrated in their otherworld. Kenkō’s inner self screamed upon seeing her favorite. She had found the dog features and yellow jacket adorable.

At first, they only saw empty walls—until walking closer. Runes turned visible, and innumerable stores opened. Tokino stopped in her tracks at the women’s section. “By the Gods. Such grace…” she looked at the moving mannequins.

Hokori chuckled. “Take a good long look, kid. Victoria’s Secret? Gucci? All is null before this guy’s craft.”

While everything stayed vibrant, a depressing note stayed. Despite the building’s incandescent emotion, not another customer walked.

He held Yukino’s shoulder. “Don’t gloom, kiddo. We’re on a mission, remember? And would ya look at that? It’s him truly!” As he pointed in the distance, they stood in surprise. The Minagawa couple had eyes wide awake.

In short heels, the mentioned fashionista gasped. “My darlings!” He kissed their cheeks. “What’s this?” He looked down at Hayato. “Oh, you two. Congratulations.”

Haruto and Tokino found no mistake over his set of 24 karats. He still had a love for tights, no less. However, they never knew of his peach locks, if he had any. It was even a puffy ponytail.

Above all, he looked like he had just turned eighteen. His build was no longer toned and defined. Anyone else would have seen a young but dashing queen.

Tokino blushed over his words. “I-It’s not what you think. We’re not that old. I gotta say, Gilbert. You’re prettier than I remember.” Internally, she felt her beauty dimmed in comparison.

He giggled with closed eyes and mouth. “Thank you lots, hon. I don’t go by that name anymore.” He turned and raised his arms high. “I’m reborn again—if that makes sense. It’s all thanks to my humble assistant.”

“Woah there.” Kakunō raised a finger. “I’m none of that, man. I cloned you because you had the balls to fight a seadrake. You barely breathed coming down.”

“So mean of you, hon.” He put a hand over his bent hip. “Don’t blame me. Blame the spliced genes within. Speaking of which….” He walked toward Hokori. “Oh, my Madonna. Your gun show’s obvious even with denim.”

He eyed his attire from top to bottom. As it went on, his eyes and mouth drooped. He thoroughly felt his six-pack upward.

Hokori moved his hand away. He wagged his finger and tsked. “Save it for bed, fam. We’re here for Operation Wardrobe Revival.”

Charles’ memory had jogged. “Oh, yes! I almost forgot that, darlings. A billion apologies.” He snapped his fingers. He was more than excited to show them his magnum opus.

The store’s largest elevator materialized at the center. Curiously, it had no pulley system. Hayato and Yukino walked in beside their siblings. Hokori leaned against an elaborate wall.

The family arrived at the highest floor within seconds. Most felt little to nothing, but Haruto covered his mouth and went for a bin. Luckily, amazement overcame him.

There lay two aisles with empty mannequins. Suddenly, they all had glamorous fashion. It dawned on Haruto what he needed to do. Tokino giggled at the prospect. His cheeks reddened.

“This is a joint effort, darlings!” exclaimed Charles. “Honey Pie’s already done with his wardrobe.” He held Hokori’s arm close with both. The private suite awaited them.

The sibling quartet had hearts beating twentyfold. The younger two ran the fastest. Meanwhile, their parents had the usual shopping approach.

Kakunō expressed the most tradition out of everyone. Ever since he joined, he never cared. However, one day, he fell in love with the modern era. He believed he could find the middle ground, and the Gods blessed him so.

He smiled, donning the purple haori with a diamond pattern. Culture remained as bamboo silhouettes. “Exiled” emboldened in vertical kanji (追放).

He felt his style did not get accented enough. So, he chose the opposite of flashy. “Oh, yeah…” he wore all-white. What made it special were its holographic oak leaves. It all moved when he did.

“Aaaand that’s about it.” He wore his geta. “Now, here’s whether you guys got better—” His eyes widened.

Yukino presented her yellow sun dress. “Look at this, Big Bro! The words connect!” She stood beside her sister. ‘Immortal Heart’ appeared in Times New Roman.

“And check this out. Isn’t it cool?” Whenever alone, the purple words ‘HIME’ would show. Chibi versions of herself hung around each letter. One slept with a snot bubble, and another had ‘>

Next, she showed the Japanese sweets printed around the bottom. “I’m starting to like them, Big Bro. Thank you!” She went on to play with her younger brother.

Kenkō stepped in, hands on her hips. “I gave Hayataro his blue bermudas. He’s already cool enough.”

Kakunō stood confused at her cyan waistcoat. Her overall prim look did not feel right. He never thought she would throw away her love for cuteness. Then, the devil spoke once more.

Her top outfit became a purple capped sleeve shirt on the fly. This time, it had a cartoon lion with a syringe. “Please wait a little longer,” it said in its speech bubble (もう少待ください。).

He sighed with closed eyes. “I guess the trousers show you still mean business?”

She smirked and corrected her bowtie hair clips. “Of course. We’re mages.”

Meanwhile, Haruto chose something close to his country’s fashion. The red-rimmed white parka had matched his pants and shoes. However, he felt the “REGAL RIGHTS” blended letters everywhere were too much. Luckily, the back had a plum blossom branch and flowing petals. His old outfit would still ring true.

He brought his red shirt to insinuate the notion. Its kanji was now within a purple crown silhouette. “Hmmm… I don’t know.” He skimmed through other instant print designs on a screen. He turned before he had to press. “Tokino, can you help me with—”

He never expected red cheeks again. Alas, his wife’s back gave some personal memories. It got bolstered when she fastened her white strapless garment.

He was unsure if it was the lavenders—or the words ‘pull it gently’ in his native tongue. Either way, he flustered more. “H-H-Hey…! W-Why are you wearing that?”

“Hm?” She turned around, eyes innocent. Yet, her smile told a different story. “I’ve no shame treating you, honey.” She wrapped her arms around him and made a move on his neck. Then, she turned back faster.

“I’m still a mother, though. You’ll have to wait.” She wore a bolero of the same flower color. In fact, it still showed the characters that completed her husband’s. ‘Forever,’ now within a purple crown like his.

“You should stick with that, honey.” She politely demanded. “Unless…” she moved close, “…do you want to ‘fight’ about it? There’s the dressing room.”

Her smirk would have killed him a thousand times. So, he retaliated with his hands banged over a wall. Breath on her neck, he whispered, “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Outside Coelestis, a girl stood on a hill. She walked around the bones of brigade mages. They all thought vigilantism was a good idea.

By a tree, a man sat against it. Just by standing three meters apart, she sweated bullets. “Your pet’s killed more than the city can handle. What’s the next step?”

He opened his eyes and stretched. “Don’t mistake it, Ms. Viento. He’s no pet. Machines only do what’s told. And to think Ted Manson’s legacy had lived. Sadly, he’s fighting his destiny.”

He walked past her and failed to express joy upon seeing the city. “After the fiasco, gather all of my ‘wild geese.’ They’re ready for the run of their lives. And in time, Ms. Viento, your archmage twin shall be yours again.”

For a moment, she recalled the horrors of fire and blizzards. She found nothing to go against and kneeled. “As you wish, Mr. Gankyū.” Her body faded alongside the wind.

As this story went on, a living time bomb’s countdown began.