Chapter 2

The sky above the estate simmers in hues of periwinkle and warm indigo, an early evening calm settling across the highland cliffs of the Mizuyari Manor. The distant silhouette of Minamo sparkles below.

Standing outside, arms crossed and already exuding "stern but affectionate dad" energy, Alto 'Mizuyari' Mezzanine watches the road with narrowed eyes.

Next to him, Shizuku 'Kurogane' Mizuyari, Emperor of the Universe and certified worrywart, checks his watch for the third time in a minute.

Alto (tapping his foot):
She’s late. You said she left 35 minutes ago.

Shizuku (sighing):
It’s Lily. She probably stopped for ice cream or got distracted by chain accessories again.

Alto (grumbling):
She better not crash it in the parking lot. That thing runs on star fuel, Shizuku. Star fuel. Do you know how annoying it is to compress a sun every time that tank gets low?

Shizuku (dryly):
Yes. I watched you do it. With flair. Like you were doing ballet with the solar system.

Alto:
I was being precise, not dramatic.

Shizuku (smirking):
And yet the flaming tendrils spelled out her name.

Before Alto can protest further, a soft cosmic whooom pulses through the air, followed by the gentle chirp of levitation stabilizers.

Descending from the hill path, sleek as a serpent and glinting with prismatic sheen, comes the Skyshade Aqua, custom-modified and enhanced with spelltech, stellar engraving, and chromatic shielding. The finish shifts from dark lavender to teal under the light.

The hood ornament? A subtle emblem of Dramatic Play's scythe blade, stylized into a swoop.

Lily (from the open window, beaming):
I’m hooooome!

She parks with a bit too much excitement, bumping the mana curb just slightly. Both dads flinch.

Alto (marching forward):
Lily Mizuyari.

Lily (sliding out, hands up):
Don’t worry, it was just the stabilizers adjusting!

Alto (stern):
This vehicle is powered by compressed celestial fire. If you even graze a moon crystal with it, I will personally revoke your driving rights and replace this with a bicycle made of sadness and recycled moonlight.

Shizuku (arms crossed):
And I’m not spending an extra one billion Meere on you, child of mine, if you break it. Do you know how many imperial approvals I had to sign for that stabilizer core?

Lily (deadpan):
…At least three?

Alto (flat):
Try seventy-two.

Shizuku (sighs):
Just… don’t drive like a maniac.

Lily (softly, eyes shining):
I won’t. I promise. I love it too much to ruin it.

They both look at her for a bit. She’s not joking. She’s glowing—not from magic, but pure joy.

Alto (sighing, smiling):
…Okay, come here.

He gives her a side hug. Shizuku steps in too, resting his hand on her shoulder.

Shizuku:
Take care of her. The car too.

Lily (smirking):
No promises on the curb bumps.

Stars begin to peek through the veil above. The car’s lights shimmer in sync with the constellations, ready for journeys across the known—and unknown—realms.