Raising a bird was no easy task—let alone a chick still half-covered in fuzz.
At this stage, they were extremely sensitive to temperature. Too little warmth or even a brief fluctuation could easily prove fatal. And that wasn't all. Feeding had to be done at strict intervals, sanitation had to be maintained carefully, and the entire environment had to be watched constantly.
That afternoon, Minamoto Senya took Rikka out to a pet shop that specialized in birds and all the equipment that came with them.
After explaining what they needed, the shop's older-sister-like owner gave him a rather intense once-over while warmly lecturing them about the basics of raising fledglings.
Of course, it was only a look. It wasn't as though she had any ulterior motives. In this world, most creatures' instincts contained a buried logic: the appreciation of beauty in the opposite sex. It was human nature, nothing more.
Even so, Senya found the woman's overly enthusiastic gaze a bit overwhelming. He silently let her words wash over him while letting his eyes wander to the colorful array of birds in their cages. Meanwhile, Rikka, ever earnest, had her phone out and was carefully jotting down every detail of the shop owner's lecture.
She had always dreamed of raising a pet since she was little. Now that the chance had finally come, she wasn't about to let it slip by.
In the end, at the owner's recommendation, the siblings purchased a heating lamp, a temperature-controlled pad, and several packs of specialized feed and cleaning supplies. For now, that was enough. If the chick managed to get through this fragile stage, they could return in a few days to buy water dishes and feed trays.
The trip back home was in stark contrast to their hurried departure. Rikka, normally the picture of languid laziness, was practically glowing with impatience, rushing ahead with sparkling eyes.
By the time Senya slipped off his shoes and stepped into her room, she had already placed the tiny chick on the warm mat and switched on the heating lamp.
She was grinning so broadly she looked about ready to bubble over. Senya couldn't help but let out a soundless laugh.
The pet shop owner had already drilled the essentials into her, so there wasn't anything more for him to add. Quietly, he excused himself and went downstairs to start cooking.
Dinner was delayed because of all this. By the time everything was ready, the clock had already struck half past seven.
That was when their older sister, Toka, came home from gymnastics training at the school gym. As she stepped inside, Senya and Rikka had only just sat down at the table, rice bowls in hand.
"Why are you eating so late?" she asked, frowning.
Rikka's ahoge shot straight up like an antenna. "Ah! W-well, um, we just… weren't all that hungry!"
Toka narrowed her eyes. "Why are you panicking?"
"Eh? Panic? Me? No way! I'm totally normal! Right, Senya?"
"…"
Ignoring her younger sister's painfully transparent attempt at acting natural, Toka shifted her gaze toward Senya, her voice quiet and probing.
"She didn't cause some kind of trouble again, did she?"
Senya rose unhurriedly, carrying a ladle of pea-and-egg-drop soup from the kitchen. "No need to get worked up. Sit down and have some soup first."
He wasn't opposed to traditional miso, but when cooking for himself, Senya preferred his own style.
"I already ate at the gym," Toka replied. But even as she said it, the thought crossed her mind: It's just a bowl of light broth. No way I'll gain weight from that. So after washing her hands, she sat at the table anyway.
With Rikka fidgeting nervously across from her, Senya finally laid it out: she wanted to raise a bird.
Rikka had begged him not to tell the family—not to hide it forever, but at least not this soon. Still, Senya knew her too well. She was terrified their parents would say no, but it was better to come clean now than be discovered later.
And besides, he was confident he could win them over.
"You realize finals are coming up soon? And Mom's about to have a baby. You seriously want to bring a bird into the house right now?"
Of course, persuasion wasn't going to be simple.
The moment Toka's words landed, Rikka's head shrank back like a turtle.
The conversation quickly turned into Senya's calm reasoning against Toka's skeptical frown.
Rikka promised she'd study diligently for exams—no excuses. As for the risk of bacteria birds could carry, Senya had an answer ready.
Once the chick was a bit older, he'd take it to a vet for vaccinations and deworming. Simple as that.
"You really are… unbelievable." Toka exhaled a long sigh, her tone halfway between resignation and scolding. "What are you going to do if Rikka suddenly demands the moon next?"
She gave Senya a look not unlike a strict wife eyeing her overly indulgent husband. Helpless in the face of his quiet authority, she had no choice but to concede.
Senya smiled. "Rikka's not that unreasonable."
"Exactly!" Rikka's energy instantly rebounded, latching onto her sister's reluctant compromise.
"You can guarantee your grades won't drop?" Toka pressed.
"Y-yes!" Rikka nodded furiously, though her confidence was visibly shaky.
"Fine. But until the bird gets its shots, you're not to get too close to Mom. And you'll wash your clothes by hand—no using the washing machine."
"Got it!"
As long as she could keep Lord Dark the World—her overdramatic name for the chick—nothing else mattered!
"And every expense from now on comes out of your own pocket. This was your decision."
"Got it!"
She agreed without hesitation. Their parents' shop had been booming lately, which meant her allowance had increased. On top of that, she managed Senya's fan account with nearly a hundred thousand followers, bringing in random bursts of digital gold. Senya himself had no interest in any of it, so she got the spoils.
Compared to that, feeding one little bird was nothing.
With their toughest opponent, Toka, appeased, the rest of the family would be easy.
———
The days passed peacefully.
Rikka scraped through finals respectably enough, climbing ten spots from her last exam ranking. Barely a pass, but a pass all the same.
Senya, as usual, carved through the tests with ease and reclaimed the top spot in the year. Nothing worth bragging about.
And then, in late July, Yukino finally returned from her studies abroad in the UK.
The very next day, Senya invited her over, along with Saeko and Eriri, for a long-overdue get-together.
She arrived early, hitching a ride with Senya's mother and carrying a box of chocolates from overseas.
It hadn't been that long, but Yukino seemed transformed—more polished, more striking. Her delicate features had only grown more beautiful, her slender waistline more defined, her clear eyes sparkling with intelligence. Her soft lips gleamed a gentle shade of pink.
Her chest, however, had not changed in the slightest.
Not that it mattered. As Rikka had once teased, genetics were on her side. Between her mother and sister, it was only a matter of time.
And besides, the look in Senya's eyes when he first saw her again—genuine awe, if only for a moment—was enough.
"Thank you again, for helping us move," Senya said sincerely.
She shook her head. "I told you already—that was my mother's idea."
With just the two of them in the living room, Yukino wasn't overly flustered, though she did let her gaze wander curiously around the house.
"Even so," Senya pressed gently, "without your help, it wouldn't have been so smooth. We saved so much thanks to you."
"Honestly…" She sighed. What do you mean, 'because of our relationship'? Just call it friendship already.
Still, she didn't dislike the phrasing.
"The place looks great," she said instead. "Bright, convenient location, good atmosphere."
"Mm. Everyone's happy with it."
"And Rikka?"
"She's sick. Caught a fever."
"From the air conditioner?"
"More like from overindulging. Typical."
He chuckled, remembering. And so he explained: the chick, the sleepless nights, the obsessive care during finals, and finally Rikka's reckless binge on ice cream and watermelon. The stomach pain, the flu, the fever. Typical.
When Yukino stepped into Rikka's room, the girl tried to sit up, pale-faced but smiling. "Yukino… cough, cough!"
"Don't push yourself." Yukino touched her forehead, feeling the heat. She turned sharply to Senya. "You took her to the doctor?"
"Yeah. Just a mild fever. Medicine will do."
"Sorry, Yukino," Rikka whispered weakly. "I wanted us to all go to that Mr. Pan theme park you love… but…"
"Forget it," Yukino soothed, holding her hand. "There's plenty of time. Rest now."
"Mm… Nii-san."
"What is it?"
"Sorry to trouble you with Black Wings too…"
"It's fine. Just focus on getting better."
They left her to rest.
"Your room's this one, right?" Yukino asked as they stepped into the hall.
Senya raised a brow. "You could tell?"
"Of course."
Hanging from the door was a katana—one she had commissioned for him years ago.
"Want to see it?" Senya offered.
"W-what for?"
"The bird. It's kind of fun."
"Oh… right." Yukino felt oddly relieved. She followed him in.
His room was almost stark—just a desk, a bed, a bookcase. No decorations, no clutter. It felt more like a business hotel than a teenage boy's room. But it suited him.
"…Strange. Where's the bird?"
By the window sat a small straw nest, feed dish, and water bowl. Empty.
Together, they searched until, at Senya's call, a small black bundle waddled out from behind his desk.
He crouched and held out his hand. The chick flapped its stubby wings, hopped into his palm, and blinked up at him.
"You didn't poop back there, did you?"
"Chirp!"
It sounded indignant.
"You can talk to it?" Yukino gasped.
"Hardly. Rikka just likes chatting to it nonstop, so I picked it up. That's all."
He stroked the bird gently, its soft feathers fluffing under his fingers. "Ugly little thing, but the down's still pretty soft. Want to try?"
"Chirp!"
The bird cried again, almost like it understood.
Yukino accepted it carefully, stroking its head with one finger. The chick nestled down in her palm, eyes closing.
"…It seems to like you."
"Animals always do." She lifted her chin proudly.
In truth, she found it rather cute.
"Rikka calls it Black Wings, but I just call it 'bird.'"
"…That's not fair. Black Wings isn't that bad."
"Picture yourself outside yelling it at the top of your lungs."
"…Okay, maybe it is a little much."
They both laughed quietly.
Soon after, Eriri and Saeko arrived, and the living room filled with chatter. They talked of schools, plans, and even the summer fireworks festival.
But when Senya casually mentioned he had already promised to accompany Utaha to her publisher's banquet that same night, Yukino's hands froze mid-motion.
The chocolate box snapped shut with a sharp click.
"No more," she declared flatly. "These are for your parents and sisters."
"…What?" Senya blinked. There are still a dozen pieces left, and you call that 'no more'?
He could only sigh.