Anya: "I want a dad!"
That one line hit like a rock tossed into calm water.
Kanna's ahoge perked straight up. She chimed in without hesitation.
"Kanna wants one too. Michiru needs one."
Her logic was simple and blunt.
Michiru needed one—so Kanna did too.
And if she could have Michiru-mama and a dad who both loved her… yeah, that sounded awesome.
Shin quietly watched her two companions.
Her Contract Holder's wish. Her friend's desire.
Together, they stirred something in the still waters of her calm heart.
She slowly, solemnly nodded, her silver hair catching the light like moonbeams.
"A wish deserves an answer."
That's what she was. A sacred sword. Granting wishes was literally in her job description.
And just like that, a wild, borderline-ridiculous—but completely sincere—plan came together right there in that little bedroom.
No strategy meetings needed.
Just a look.
A nod.
Done.
Objective: Get a dad.
Tactic: Just yell it out.
The three girls popped up from their floor cushions like springs.
Anya stood in the center.
To her left: Kanna, eyes determined (even if her face was still adorably blank).
To her right: Shin, cool and composed.
They exchanged a glance.
Took a deep breath.
All three grabbed the doorknob together.
"One, two, three!"
Click.
The bedroom door flew open.
The living room came into full view.
Kobayashi was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, frowning at her laptop, a hot cup of tea in one hand.
Michiru was draped lazily over the sofa armrest, scrolling through her phone like she was waiting for inspiration to strike.
Yor sat primly on a single armchair, flipping through a fashion magazine with a glass of water beside her.
The three of them had long since moved past awkward chitchat and were now comfortably doing their own thing.
This was their balance—casual, chill, introvert-approved.
Then it hit.
Three tiny, confident voices exploded like thunder across the room:
"Mama (Kobayashi! Michiru!), we want a dad!!"
Anya, Kanna, and Shin's voices blended in perfect sync, loud, clear, and absolutely serious.
For a beat, time stopped.
"PFFFFFT—!!!"
Kobayashi spat her tea out in a glorious arc, straight onto her laptop keyboard. The screen was instantly soaked.
She froze like she'd been tasered.
Eyes wide. Face locked in a Did I just hear that?! expression.
"PFF—COUGH COUGH COUGH—!!"
Michiru's fingers slipped. She choked on her own spit and broke into a violent coughing fit.
She shot upright like a board, face bright red, eyes locked in disbelief on the trio in the doorway.
"Pffft—"
Yor's hand shook. Her water glass sloshed over—half spilling on her expensive dress, half splashing onto the floor.
Her usually sharp, elegant gaze was now full of stunned panic.
She sat frozen, glass in hand, water dripping off her fingers.
CLUNK.
Kobayashi's laptop, soaked in tea, slid off her lap and hit the carpet with a thud.
The screen flickered a few times… then gave up and shut off.
"Cough—ugh—w‑what did you three just say?!"
Kobayashi finally choked out, voice hoarse and panicked.
She scrambled for the laptop, but her eyes were glued to the three girls, who stood there with smug "mission accomplished" faces.
Yor gently set down her glass, trying to look composed.
But her trembling fingers and the wet blotch on her dress told a different story.
She inhaled deeply and tried to speak calmly.
"…Anya? Did you just say…?"
Her eyes drifted across Kanna and Shin, then landed on Anya's face—full of sparkles and expectant joy.
"A… a dad?"
Michiru was completely thrown.
She was Kanna's guardian, sure.
Kanna had even started calling her "Michiru-mama" like the others.
But she was still just a student—definitely not an actual mom.
And now Kanna was saying she wanted a dad?
Michiru's brain filled with question marks.
Where the heck did this come from?!
The living room was in chaos.
A soaked keyboard. A wet rug.
Michiru coughing her lungs out.
Kobayashi frozen mid-panic.
Yor looking cool—but clearly cracking.
The air smelled like tea… and confusion.
And right there, at the eye of the storm—
Anya.
Kanna.
Shin.
Standing proudly in a row at the doorway, faces glowing under the combined shock and curiosity of the three adults.
Anya looked so proud. Her whole face practically shouted: We nailed it!
Kanna's ahoge stood tall like a victory flag.
Shin looked completely at peace—like her job was done.
After all, she'd already nudged Kobayashi toward Rei Ao.
And as far as she was concerned, Rei Ao-nii should be her dad anyway.
Now with the three of them pushing at once?
Flawless execution.
The whole situation was wild. Awkward. Tense.
Kobayashi, Michiru, and Yor all stared at each other. No one had a clue what to say.
And that one line—"We want a dad"—had only just started making waves.