The Sun beams grace the floor and the wall behind me. 

 

Miyu is… Not in her bed?! 

 

Panic rushes to my head, I attempt to stand up but I’m quickly pulled back down.

Miyu is on top of me. Using my cold body as a pillow.

Silly Girl… Is it even comfy there?

 

The door opens, Akano carefully steps in.
Akano - Ara? Where is my… Awww~. So adorable.
- Good Morning, Akano.
Akano - Slept well, Drago?

- Absolutely. Yet… I’m afraid she didn’t… | I turn my head to face Miyu.

 

The Mother looks at her Daughter, forming a bright smile.
Akano - I’m confident she did.
- It’s hard for me to believe… But if she truly did. I’m happy. 

 

Akano - Drago, Miyu has to bring her School Books back, you’ll help her.
- Obviously, Akano. No need to question it.
Carefully, Akano shakes Miyu out of her sleep.

 

The young Lady slowly gazes around her, rubbing her eyes.
Miyu - Morning, Mama, Drago.

Akano - Good morning, Love. Slept well?
Miyu - Absolutely! Drago is really comfy to sleep on! | It’s touching to hear that from Miyu.

- I’m happy to hear that, Miyu. 

 

Miyu - Mama, what do Dragons eat?

Akano - Mainly meat, but if you ask for breakfast. Then… We could try something.
The young Lady quickly stands up and starts to undress?!

 

In an instance, I cover my eyes.

 

Miyu - Oh… Drago, could you please leave my room for a bit?
- Y-Yes! | I stand up, keeping my eyes closed, I bump into a wall.

 

I hear the Ladies laugh, happy they do. But…
- Akano, please help me…
Akano - Here, feel my hand? | She rests it on my head.
- Yes. | So soft and gentle. Befitting of a Mother.
Akano - Good, now follow it.

 

Miyu - Wow! Mama it works!
Akano - Dragons have very sharp sense. Especially when it comes to their Humans.
It’s so easy and… soothing to follow Akano’s hand. 

Akano - Miyu get changed, eat breakfast and deliver your books.

Miyu - Do I really have to?
Akano - No questions, just get dressed already.
Miyu - Yes, Mama…
I hear the door close behind me, the relaxing sensation of Akanos hand disappears.

 

Akano - Come on, I’ll make you something to eat.
- Thank you, but… Where’s Haru?

Akano - He heads to work early in the morning.

 

The Mother leads me to the Kitchen. Opens the fridge and takes out a large chunk of meat.
- Akano…?
Akano - What? Too much?
- Way too much.
Akano - Well… How about… this then? | She cut the meat in two pieces holding up one of them.

- That’s plenty. Thank you.

 

Akano takes a large bowl from the cabinet above her, lays the meat inside it and sets the bowl in front of me.

Akano - Eat up, you’ll accompany Miyu today a lot. | She pats my head before sitting at the table, facing me.

 

This meat smells amazing!

 

My Claws sink into it, my tail wagging excitedly.
- Thank you very much, Akano.

Akano - Don’t mention it, Drago. How is it?
- Very juicy. I like it!

Akano - Glad to hear it. 

 

Miyu comes into the Kitchen, dressed in a summer skirt and T-shirt.
Akano - You look handsome, Miyu.
Miyu - Thanks. Drago, what do you think?
- Very charming, Miyu. | She’s visibly happy. 

 

Miyu joins her Mother, preparing her own Breakfast.

Akano - Drago, don’t forget those Ingredients, please.
- Of course not, Akano. We’ll head out to find them after Miyu delivered her Books.

Miyu - Ah! Drago, please go grab my bag.
- On the way.

 

Returning to her Room, I see her bag resting against the bed. 

 

How do I… Carefully I lift the bag with my tail and return to the Kitchen.

Miyu - Thanks, Drago.
- You’re welcome, Miyu. 

Akano seems to have remembered something. Walking to the Fridge, she takes out a bottle of water and kneels in front of me.
Akano - Open up. | I obey her words.
I see her open the bottle and start pouring water down my mouth.
Miyu - Mama, isn’t that too cold for him?
Akano - Don’t worry, I wouldn’t pour it so casually if it was cold. 

 

The water was refreshing, exactly what I needed right now. The Weather is truly pressuring.

 

Miyu stands up and walks over to my tail, she ruffles it and takes her bag.

Miyu - Mama, we’re off.
Akano - You have Money, right?
Miyu - I do. We’ll be back soon.
Akano - Take care then.
I swiftly dash to Miyu’s side, she closes the Door and start heading down the stairs.

 

- Miyu, in case you need to speak with me. You can do so, through your Mind.

As she steps down her face changes, intrigued by the idea.
- Try it out. Perhaps it will be useful.

 

Miyu ~ Does it… work…?
- Indeed it does. I can hear your mighty tone.
Miyu ~ Hehe. It feels like I’m using my voice…
- That is normal. To me, it is as if we’re talking out loud. Yet, we don’t move our lips.

 

The young Lady steps outside the building and immediately feels pressured.

- Miss?
Miyu ~ I’m fine. Just… surprised by how hot it is. Let’s go.
- I’m right above you, Miss.

 

Other Dragons can’t fly, hovering over their Human is an even further fetched dream.

 

Miyu ~ Drago, can other gifted people see you?
- No, Miyu. They barely register my presence.
Miyu ~ That’s a huge relieve… I’ve been worried ever since you came back…

- Be at ease, Miyu. Our Bond strengthens my powers and conceals me even further.
Miyu ~ Really?! How much!?

- A Bond is the ultimate enhancement to a Spirit’s abilities.

Miyu ~ That’s really cool! Ah! Look, where almost here!

 

I can’t identify the reason behind Miyu’s joy, it could be because of our arrival or because she can get rid of the books…

 

Pushing open the Gate, I continue to follow Miyu.
Miyu ~ Drago… Why do I feel so… dizzy…?

- Let’s rest under that shade. Drinking water is crucial. | I point at a nearby Tree

 

The Tree has a bench circled around the bottom side of its trunk.

 

Miyu ~ I don’t have water…
- Your Bag does.
The shape of a bottle pokes the inside of her Backpack. Miyu hastily takes it out.
Miyu ~ Thanks a lot, Drago… | The contents of the Bottle disappear in one go.

- You’re welcome, Miyu. 

 

The way to this School isn’t short, nor does it have much shade to hide from the Sun. 

 

Miyu ~ Drago...t-there… | Apparitions!
Putting up my stance, I get ready to fight. Viciously growling at them, to no avail.

 

Miyu ~ They’re… ignoring us…
- Rather… they’re running from something. | The Apparitions wander in the bright sun, slowly they start to struggle to move. Sinking into the ground eventually.

 

Miyu ~ This means… Apparitions are weak against the light!

- It appears to truly be as you say.
Bursting on to her feet, Miyu makes haste towards the front door of the School.

 

- Miss, where do we go?
Miyu ~ Into my Class, we are asked to leave our Books on the Bench.
Following her up the Stairs, we walk straight to the end of a corridor and enter the Classroom.

 

Empty… Feels abandoned… forgotten. 

 

Miyu ~ This is where I sit, Drago. | At the end of the third row.
- Quite the spot for you, Miyu. I like it.

Setting her back on her Desk, she takes out the Books carefully. Finally, arranging them in a random order.

 

Miyu ~ We’re done here. Le…
- Miss?

Miyu ~ D-Dra...Drago! 

 

I twist around and growl viciously again. The Apparation starts showing its physical appearance.
Miyu ~ Let’s run!

- We can’t make it past it. It’ll catch us. 

 

From the corner of my eye, I catch another Apparition sneaking onto Miyu. I jump at it, tearing it to shreds until nothing is left.

- Ride me.

Miyu ~ W-What…?
- Jump on. | Trembling, she barely moves a muscle.
- Miyu, please. We have to run for it.

 

Her eyes scream with fear. I turn to her, grab her by the waist and shoot out the window.

 

Damn School! I should’ve known better. 

- Miyu, are you okay?
Miyu ~ Kind of… I’m sorry…
- Don’t be. I know you where scared. That’s why I’m here. To prevent harm coming to you. 

Miyu ~ You’re nice, Drago. | Her arms wrap around my chest.
- It’s okay, Miyu. Shall we go home?

 

Miyu ~ What about the ingredients? I want Papa to see you!

- In that case, we go there now. But first… Please climb on my back. | I slow down until I hover, letting Miyu carefully sit on my back.

 

An impressed smile forms on her face, complete sunk into the wonderful view from up here. 

 

Miyu ~ Drago… This is amazing! | She looks underneath us, the People walking look like Ants.
- I’m happy to hear you like it.
Miyu ~ I love it even! It’s so… wonderful! 

 

- Remember what you watched as a Kid, Miyu?
Miyu ~ You mean the Anime?

-Yes. They had… very similar events.
Miyu ~ That’s why I watched them so much with you. | She lies down, hugging me.

 

Miyu ~ Let’s go get those ingredients, Drago.
- On the way, Miss. | I start flying forwards, gradually increasing my speed.

 

We fly over the Town, a quiet one at that. I slow down, letting Miyu have a better look at her surroundings.

Miyu ~ Drago, what do we search for?
- Unique grass and flowers. The fields further away should have them. 

Miyu ~ Let’s go see. | I speed up again, casually getting closer to the ground.

 

Finally, I stretch my feet and come to a stop.
Miyu ~ Drago it’s only tall grass, I can’t see much.
- Then let’s hover across and see. | Slowly I start to hover over the field. Hopefully we find some soon. 

 

After scanning half the field, we finally found some.
- Here. This is the grass we need. | Looks like normal grass, yet this one has very special usage.
Miyu ~ How much?
- One handful should be sufficient.
Casually the young Lady starts collecting.

Miyu ~ What now?
- The flowers behind you… could you collect them as well? | Curiously she spins around, casually collecting them.
Miyu ~ Are these the ones we need?
- Precisesily. At first glance I thought these were normal flowers. Yet, these are just the right ones.

Miyu ~ These have a really bright red… Is the distinct feature?
- Indeed. That’s the only one. Most Spirits hold these as useless, but the usage of these is… almost unlimited.

 

Miyu ~ Could one eat the Petals?
- A Tea would be best. Eaten raw? They have a horribly bitter taste. 

Miyu ~ Anything else we could need any time?
I look briefly around, this field holds nothing of usage to us.
- No. The field is empty of special plants. Shall we depart, Miyu?

She rests the ingredients in a separate compartment of her Backpack and jumps on to my back.

Miyu ~ Bring us home! | I boost off towards home.

 

Approaching the Apartment, we both pick up the smell of food. 

Miyu ~ Woah! Mama must be cooking!

- I can’t wait to taste it!

 

Carefully I land on her Balcony and she jumps off, quickly handing me the plants before racing off to the Kitchen.

Placing the flowers on the Balcony, I press the fluids out of them. Behind me is a small wooden shelf.
Taking the bottom shelve, I carefully rest the Flowers there. Not all, I will keep some for the Tea I was telling the young Lady.

 

With a happy nose and empty stomach, I head to the Kitchen.

 

Akano - Hey Drago! How was your trip?
- Pleasant, we’ve also found a weakness of the Apparitions.
Miyu - Yeah! They’re weak to light. | Akano strikes a confused face.

 

Akano - Any light? Or just the Sun.
Miyu - Drago?
- That we still have to find out. 

 

Miyu - Mama, could you make us a Tea?
Akano - Sure thing, Miyu! What kind of Tea?
- Ma’am, we’ve collected these flowers for the paste.
Akano - Can you make Tea out of them?
- Only the petals. 

I slowly lift my body and show her what Miyu and I found.

Akano - I see. Are these the bitter ones?
- Indeed they are.
Miyu - Mama, did you make Tea out of these before?
Akano - Sadly no, but I was always curious. Now’s the time to make it. It’ll be ready after Lunch. Please sit down. 

 

Miyu - I’ll go change.
Akano - Okay. Please close your Balcony door, I have the Conditioner on.
Miyu - Will do!

 

I watch as Miyu leave the Kitchen then turn to Akano.
Akano - Any special way to prepare these?
- Boiling Water and throw them in.
Akano - That simple? Alright.

The Mother finishes with lunch and sets it on the table, quite the large pot. 

 

Springing back to the Counter, Akano sets a small pot with a water to boil. Carefully she rips the petals of the flower.
Akano - Are there enough for the paste?
- Certainly. I wouldn’t forget about the wish you and Miyu have.

 

Akano - How was her School?
- Sinister, abandoned and infested with Apparitions. 

Akano - Thought so. That’s why I called her in sick.
- I see. So her studies were affected?
Akano - Thankfully not. I couldn’t stand her coming home and sleep for hours. 

- I’m sorry that I didn’t return earlier.
Akano - There wouldn’t be much you could’ve done. There’s probably way too many for you to fight.
- Correct… But I still feel like I could’ve done something to help.
Akano - Drago… look at Miyu now. She’s overjoyed that you’re back. I assume you are happy to see her as well.
- Of course!
Akano - Now, let’s see how this tastes… after Lunch.

 

Miyu - I’m back~!
Akano - Good, sit down. Lunch’s ready.
Miyu - Where’s Papa?

The Mother looks at the time.
Akano - Soon to come home.
Miyu - Awesome!

 

Haru enters the Apartment shortly after, he changes and washes up a little and sits down beside his Family.

Miyu - Let’s eat! | The Parents nod at Miyu.

 

Haru - How was your collecting, Miyu?
Miyu - Drago and I got everything. We just gotta wait a little longer.
Haru - Can’t wait to meet him. Eh… See him, I mean. | His family bursts a quick laugh.

 

After Lunch, Akano serves the petal-made liquid. In its cooled state. 

Akano - Special Tea from the petals of the flowers Miyu and Drago brought back.
Haru - Woah! It’s cooled as well! | He doesn’t hesitate.
Haru - Ah~! Is there more?!
Akano - Haru~... Calm down.
Haru - But it’s super good!

Akano - Haru!
Haru - Yes, Love… I’ll behave. | When the Husband bows to the Wife, the Spirit can rest assured of the Family’s excellent relationship.

 

Now, let’s taste it.

 

Hmm~! Sweet and cooled, perfect for combating the heat. 

 

After everything was eaten and everyone was satisfied with their Stomachs, I followed MIyu to her room.
Here she rests reading a book.
Miyu - Drago, do Dragons read books?
- In the Spirit World, yes. But not too many. There isn’t really a high interest in books due to rough daily work. 

Miyu - I want to visit it, someday. | She looks at the ceiling with a smile.
- One day, Miyu. I’ll happily take you there. | Can’t wait for that day to come.