The wind howled softly against the windows of Akira Kitagawa's apartment. Moonlight poured through the curtains, bathing the living room in a pale glow. Sera Rymer lounged on the couch in an oversized hoodie and nothing else, tail lazily curling around her bare legs. She eyed the boy across from her with a sly grin.
Akira was trying to focus on a textbook, but Sera had this habit of leaning over the table with just enough cleavage showing to derail all concentration. Her cat ears twitched playfully.
"You've been staring at the same equation for ten minutes, Master," she purred. "Need help… relaxing?"
"N-No! I mean—I'm good!" he stammered, cheeks on fire. "Just trying to finish this page."
"Mm. I could always cast the Spell of Soothing Touch again," she teased, running a finger along her collarbone.
"That's not a real spell!"
"It is in my world." She winked. "And it works wonders for stress."
Before Akira could respond, a sharp crack echoed outside. The light bulbs flickered. Both of them stood at once.
"Something's wrong," Sera whispered, her voice instantly serious. "I feel a Rift opening."
Suddenly, a howling shriek tore through the air. The sky beyond the window shimmered—then ripped open with a swirling vortex of violet light. From it emerged a creature like a skeletal wolf wrapped in chains, its red eyes glowing like twin curses.
Akira's heart pounded. "Is that…?!"
"A Rift Beast! It's found me!"
The wall exploded. Akira tackled Sera down just in time, shielding her as debris flew overhead. The beast snarled and charged into the apartment.
"Akira!!" a voice screamed from outside.
Kurumi.
She had come to check on him—again.
She stood frozen at the shattered threshold, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Wh-What is that thing?! And why is she half-dressed?!"
"Kurumi, run!" Akira shouted, scrambling up.
But it was too late—the beast lunged at her.
Sera launched forward, knocking the monster aside with a blast of wind magic. Her hands glowed as she chanted something in her native tongue—
"Sefaria myen kertha! Lithra graveyn!"
—but the creature was strong. It recovered, thrashing wildly, and leapt again.
Akira sprinted toward Kurumi, grabbing her by the waist and throwing them both out of the creature's path. Her eyes widened in shock as they landed hard on the floor.
"A-Akira?! What—what are you?!"
The Cresettla Stone around his neck pulsed.
Akira stood up, arms outstretched, heart burning. The stone responded. A golden light enveloped him—soft, warm, protective.
He didn't understand the spell forming in his mouth, but he trusted it.
"Haren zayem... medica!"
A healing wave burst from his hands, enveloping Kurumi and pushing back the Rift Beast. Her sprained ankle from the fall shimmered—and healed.
"W-What was that…?" she breathed.
Sera leapt into the air, flipping gracefully above the beast. Her hoodie billowed up, revealing way more than intended.
"Don't look, Master! Or do! Just hold the magic!"
Her hands drew strange sigils in mid-air. Power coalesced, swirling with silver light.
"Fenaris crestal din veinohra... BURST!"
A brilliant lance of light exploded from her palms, striking the beast square in the chest. It let out a dying screech as it was vaporized into glowing shards.
Silence fell.
Akira stood panting, holding Kurumi close. She blinked up at him, face flushed.
"You… you saved me."
"I… didn't mean to. I mean—I did, but—"
"You used magic, Akira. And she's got a tail. You're going to tell me what the hell is going on."
Behind them, Sera landed softly and gave a sheepish smile. The hoodie had slipped off one shoulder, exposing a silky strap and quite a bit more.
"Hi, I'm Sera. Magical girl from another world. Currently bound to your childhood friend by sacred magic. And yeah, my boobs are real."
Kurumi gawked. Then, finally, she sighed.
"Of course. Just my luck. The boy I like turns out to be some chosen one living with a half-naked catgirl."
"Wait, what?" Akira blinked.
Kurumi turned bright red. "Forget I said that!"
Sera chuckled, stepping closer. "Well, looks like things are getting interesting, Master."
Akira groaned, looking up at the hole in the ceiling.
"I just wanted a normal high school life…"
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To be coninued