Misaki and I were sitting on the bed. Long papyrus rolls, with a language I couldn't understand, were spread out across it. A thick wax tablet lay in front of us. Misaki held a reed pen gently in her hand.
We were in her and Riri's room. The breeze from the open window brushed past us, gently moving our hair. From here, I could see the vibrant trees, blooming flowers, and the clear, shimmering lake that looked like pure glass under the sunlight.
Misaki was teaching me how to read and write their world's language. She kept smiling while explaining things, and I... I just kept staring at her face.
She leaned forward, writing something carefully on the wax tablet with her reed pen.
"Do you understand this?" she asked, turning toward me.
I smiled. "Yes. You're teaching really well. Even a dumb student can understand easily with your methods."
"Ohh, come on," she laughed, curling a strand of her hair shyly with her fingers.
I glanced down at the tablet. Her strokes had left neat, clear impressions on the soft wax surface. I took a deep breath and tried to focus. I really wanted to show her I was a fast learner too.
Then she handed me the pen. "Now try it. Write your name."
I took the pen… but my hand started shaking as I brought it close to the tablet.
She noticed and gently held my hand. "Relax. Don't be nervous. Let me help you."
My fingers stopped trembling as her hand rested over mine. Together, we began to move the pen across the wax. A cold breeze blew in from the window, brushing across our faces. I couldn't help but glance at her again while she smiled softly, helping me shape each letter.
"It's done," she said.
"Oh, it's done already?"
She smiled again. "If you ever feel like you're having a hard time learning, just ask me. I'll help you with any doubts you have. I'm sure Riri's a way better teacher than me though. You'll probably like her teaching more."
I looked at her. "Can you teach me daily?"
"If I get some free time, I'll definitely help," she replied.
"Do you go to the magic school too?"
"Nope. I've already graduated."
I blinked. "Graduated? What's your age?"
She grinned. "It's 23."
"23?!" That's three years older than me.
"Even Riri graduated last month," she continued.
"Wait, what's her age?" I asked.
"She's only nineteen."
Both of them look way younger than their age
WHAM!
Misaki and I quickly got up from the bed. We looked around, trying to figure out where the sound came from.
Then I heard a deep, dinosaur-like growl echo through the room.
My eyes widened. "W-Where's that sound coming from…?"
Misaki smiled. "You're finally back, dear."
"Eh?"
She reached out into the air, patting something that didn't seem to exist — as if she were stroking the neck of an invisible animal.
And then…
A massive dragon-like creature appeared right in front of me — its body shimmered with golden light as the air around it rippled. It had been invisible the whole time!
Startled, I stumbled back and fell on my butt.
It had sleek, dark scales like polished obsidian. Swirling golden patterns ran across its legs, wings, and shoulders like living tattoos. Its eyes glowed with ancient intelligence. Two white horns curled upward from its head, and a thick tail lashed behind it like a whip. The wings were large and elegant, folded across its back, and the golden markings shimmered as it moved.
I froze. "W-What... what is that thing?!"
Misaki smiled sweetly. "Don't be scared of Raku."
"Raku?!"
"Yes, that's my Raku," she said, hugging the dragon tightly.
I stared, shocked. "Wait… you live with this thing?!"
"Please don't call him 'it,'" Misaki said seriously. "He's like family to me and Riri."
"L-Like family…?"
Suddenly, Raku growled again and leapt toward me. I shrieked as I found myself trapped between his massive legs. Then… SLURP!
He started licking my face.
"NOOO! STOP!! GET OFF!!"
I squirmed and slid back on the floor, trying to get away from him
Just then, the door burst open.
All my brothers and Riri entered the room.
Jatin blinked. "What's that?!"
Riri stepped forward, smiling. "Yuki, you're finally back."
"Yuki?!" I asked in confusion.
Raku walked up to Riri, and she scratched beneath his neck. The dragon-like creature purred, his long tongue flopping out like a puppy's.
I turned to Misaki. "But you just said its name is—"
She gave me a warning look.
"Right… I mean, yeah, his name is Raku," I corrected.
Riri chuckled. "She calls him Raku lovingly. His name is Yuki."
"Lovingly…?" I muttered.
—
We were all standing outside in front of our home. Raku — or Yuki — stretched his wings wide and soared into the air, landing smoothly on the rooftop.
"Yuki can change his body size whenever he wants," Riri said.
"So that's how he was in the house all this time without us noticing," Rizu noted.
Riri looked up. "He spends most of his time up there, invisible."
Rizu crossed his arms. "So in short, he's lazy."
Misaki frowned. "Nope. My Raku is very hardworking! He helps us travel long distances quickly."
Rizu smirked. "So we can ride him?"
"Yeah," Riri nodded. "Use a saddle and you'll see the most beautiful views of this land. Want to try?"
Rizu shrugged. "Not today. Maybe some other day."
Ayush suddenly said, "Hey, have you guys noticed the golden patterns on him? They look a lot like Jatin's demigod markings."
Rizu raised an eyebrow. "Now that you mention it, they really do."
Jatin looked surprised. "Is he… connected to me somehow?"
Shon added, "Maybe those markings represent some divine power."
Riri smiled. "Those golden lines are found on all sacred creatures. It's believed that Goddess Sylvie herself created them. They say if a creature has those, it means they have a pure heart — just like hers."
Rudransh burst out laughing. "Pure heart?! Him?!"
Jatin glared at him but said nothing.
Raku yawned and flew in circles above us.
We all looked upwards at him, our eyes following every graceful twist of his wings.
I was just starting to enjoy this peaceful time… Why does something weird always happen to ruin it?! My life seriously suuuuucks…
Suddenly, Raku vanished into the air again — invisible.
Ayush looked up. "Where'd he go?"
And then—
POOF!
He reappeared right in front of me.
"NOOOOOOO!!"
He tackled me and began licking my face again. Everyone burst out laughing.
Riri chuckled. "Looks like he really likes you."
I closed my eyes.
Please, God… I want to go back.