The Sajyou family is one of Japan's most renowned magus families with quite an extensive family compound. Among all its impressive facilities, nothing stands out quite like their garden.
This beautiful garden was originally created by the late lady of the Sajyou household—a witch who hailed from England. It's filled with lush greenery and vibrant flowers, but what really catches the eye are the countless pigeons fluttering about with surprising energy. These free-ranging birds aren't just kept as pets, though—they serve as sacrifices for Hiroki Sajyou's black magic rituals.
"Black magic cannot be separated from sacrifices," the master of the house often explained. "The suffering experienced by these sacrifices is what gives black magic its power."
When Ryuuto pushed open the garden door, the pigeons immediately scattered in all directions as if fleeing from disaster. Yet surprisingly, one gray pigeon flew directly toward him and landed comfortably on his shoulder.
"Looks like you're the only one who isn't afraid of me," he said with a small smile, gently stroking the bird's feathers. "Good morning."
The gray pigeon stretched its neck proudly and responded with an enthusiastic series of coos that almost sounded like a greeting.
"You also want to go to Fuyuki? Sure thing—I'll take you along when the war begins," Ryuuto promised.
The pigeon cooed excitedly before spreading its wings and flying off. As he turned back toward the glass door, he heard a small but commanding voice.
"Talking to pigeons again? Father says you shouldn't do that." A young girl—who was technically Ryuuto's aunt, despite her age—approached him with her chin held high and a suspicious look on her face.
"I don't know how you've done it," she continued, narrowing her eyes, "but even if you've managed to fool Father and my sister, you can't fool me. You've sneaked your way into our family, you... you e-evil demon." Her accusation caught him by surprise.
The truth was that Manaka had used her magecraft to plant suggestions in her father's mind so he would allow Ryuuto to live with them. She hadn't bothered doing the same with her quiet, obedient sister, assuming it wasn't necessary. This oversight meant Ayaka was the only family member who could sense that something wasn't quite right about their new houseguest.
The Sajyou household runs like clockwork, largely thanks to Manaka the eldest daughter. She's a genuine prodigy who handles everything around the house with remarkable skill. Her younger sister Ayaka looks up to her tremendously—while studying magecraft, she pitches in with whatever household tasks she can manage.
Their father Hiroki doesn't just bring home the paycheck; he actively helps his daughters with daily chores—showing a level of consideration that breaks the stereotype of traditional Japanese men. Then there's Ryuuto, who couldn't be more different. He never lifts a finger around the house, stays out until all hours, and constantly asks Manaka for money. Anyone looking at the situation would see Ryuuto as the family freeloader, so it's no wonder Ayaka gives him the cold shoulder.
A strange feeling of misunderstood heroism washed over him. 'If only she knew I'm secretly protecting humanity in places she's never even heard of,' he thought to himself—by which he meant nightclubs.
"Who exactly are you?" she pressed, her eyes narrowing. "What's your relationship with my sister?"
He knew that Hiroki had once told his younger daughter, "Your sister doesn't need the garden," which was why Ayaka had always considered this space hers. His frequent walks through her sanctuary had probably only made her dislike him even more.
Seeing her precocious attitude, he couldn't resist the urge to tease her. "You know what?" he said, leaning in slightly. "That adopted son story isn't actually true. Want to know my real identity?" He paused for dramatic effect. "I'm actually… your sister's biological son!"
"...Biological son?" The young girl's face froze, her eyes widening as she processed his words.
Interestingly, he wasn't completely making this up. Before transforming into a human from the black mud, he had only consumed two people.
One was Manaka. The other was himself.
So this body he'd created was genetically 50% from his mother, and the other 50%... 'Wait, does that make me my own father?' he wondered, tilting his head slightly at the bizarre thought.
"T-That's impossible!" she stammered. "There's no way my sister could have a child! You must be some evil demon who's wormed his way into our home."
He just smiled at her accusation. "So... what exactly do you plan to do about me?"
"Hehe, don't freak out when you hear this..." she said with a smug little smile. "I've been saving up my allowance to order holy water and crosses directly from the church. Once I have enough, I'm going to use them to purify you!"
"Oh no, please don't," he replied with exaggerated fear.
"You know..." she said suddenly, turning her face away slightly. "I might be willing to let you off the hook."
This caught his interest. He raised an eyebrow. "Really? Would the esteemed young magician consider sparing this unworthy creature?"
"Yes, but there's one condition."
"What might that be?"
After he asked, she lowered her head and fell silent. A good five seconds passed before she finally looked up again, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Could you... pat my head the way you did with my sister earlier in the dining room? If you do that, I'll accept that you're really my sister's child."
"...Huh?" he just stared at her, completely caught off guard.
He thought to himself, 'This kid should really hate me.' Everyone knew the Sajyou family dynamics—the eldest daughter Manaka had a serious son complex, while the younger Ayaka had both a father complex and a sister complex.
Logically, Ayaka should want nothing to do with Ryuuto—this outsider who had somehow won over both her father and beloved sister.
"Why would you want that?" he asked, genuinely confused.
The little girl's cheeks turned pink as she answered defensively, "Because you're a boy, obviously! I just want to know what it feels like when a boy pats your head! Dad has never done it, so you'll have to do instead! That's all it is! Really, that's the only reason!"
"...I see," he mumbled, nodding vaguely. Without giving it much thought, he placed his hand on top of her head and began gently stroking her hair.
"...Mmm," she murmured, closing her eyes in contentment as she enjoyed the sensation.
But after a while, she noticed her head starting to feel warm from all the rubbing. Ryuuto seemed to be getting carried away.
"Yoshi yoshi yoshi, yoshi yoshi yoshi yoshi yoshi yoshi," he repeated, patting faster and faster.
She looked up at him with a suspicious frown. "...I've been sensing a subtle malice since a minute ago. Is that just my imagination?"
"Definitely your imagination," he replied without missing a beat. "What you're feeling from my hand is nothing but pure, burning sincerity."
Kids her age are still so trusting—Ayaka simply accepted his explanation and lowered her head shyly.
"Hey, could you maybe... teach me how to talk to pigeons next time?" she asked hopefully.
"That's easy," he said with a casual shrug. "After I finish up my business in Fuyuki, I'll come help you in the garden too."
Her face lit up when she heard this.
"Well, I guess I have no choice," she said, trying to sound reluctant despite her obvious excitement. "From now on, you have my special permission to enter my garden... after all, I am your aunt."
...
Later that morning in the Sajyou family kitchen, Manaka was busy cleaning up after breakfast, looking adorable in her apron.
Her movements were graceful, her posture elegant. She had rolled up her emerald sleeves, revealing her fair skin now covered in soapy bubbles as she washed the dishes. Even performing such an ordinary household task, she looked like she'd stepped straight out of a fairy tale illustration.
"Ryuuto patted my head today," she murmured to herself with a smile. "Hehe... that's the first time."
A soft blush spread across her pretty face as she bit her lower lip, her voice dropping to a dreamy whisper.
"I wonder what I could do to get him to pat my head again?"