Letting out a content yawn Akari slowly rose up from bed rubbing her eyes to rid herself of any leftover sleep. She opened her hazel eyes and gazed around the guest room where she and Manami had slept… A small smile tugged at her lips. It was good to be home… Speaking of Manami she wasn't currently in the room. Her bed was left empty and neatly made and seeing as her glasses were gone from the nightstand alongside her hair ties Akari assumed that Manami had got up early and was probably downstairs or taking a shower. She supposed she might as well join her best friend downstairs and get some breakfast.

Leisurely stretching her aching muscles Akari tossed the blankets aside and went to get ready for the day. Yesterday was uneventful but still highly enjoyable, despite the jet lag Akair felt that day. It's been a while since she's seen Aguri in person, no thanks to a certain creepy faced bastard. It was a shame though that Aguri's familiar was not there to meet them.

How rude…Akari thought. Was it not the duty of a familiar to be a polite and obedient servant? He wasn't even there to pick up their luggage. Did he forget that they were coming to visit? How careless. Aguri must be too soft on him. She'll make sure her familiar won't be as forgetful and inconsiderate.

Descending down the stairs with a tired smile Akari caught a glimpse of dark hair from the corner of her eye; it was Manami. The petite dark plum-haired girl was hunched over the kitchen table muttering quietly to herself as her right hand furiously scribbled something down on a piece of paper. Akari quietly tipped toed her way closer and without warning she snatched the paper Manami was working on. This surprised Manami who jumped back reflexively.

"Manami. What did we say…?" Okuda merely squirmed sheepishly in her seat before replying.

"T-t-that we shouldn't obsess over the bonding ritual…." She muttered quietly as she fidgeted with her fingers. One of the many habits she had when she was nervous or embarrassed.

"Because…." Akari said probing Manami to continue.

"B-Because we should take time to relax…"

"Exactly! Now come on and get ready Aguri said she was taking us to the town you can work on your summoning spell later."

Manami merely pouted but complied anyway.

The town was fairly large, of course not nearly as large as Tokyo or Nagasaki but it was only a short car ride away from the latter. The cool wind of the ocean was especially nice and relaxing. The smell of salty water was wafting in the breeze alongside the fumes of cars. It was busy, but it wasn't overwhelming. It was nice.

"So what do you think of the town so far?" Aguri asked expectantly.

"It's very nice." Okuda replied as she gazed out towards the nearby docks.

"I agree and it isn't too far from Nagasaki!" Aguri replied.

"I'm glad you two seem to enjoy it here! If you want we can go hang out in the beach for a while. Me and Koro love going there, it's so fun and relaxing."

"Speaking of Mr. Koro why isn't he here with us?" Akari asked seeing as the familiar stayed home. "He also wasn't there yesterday to greet us and now he won't even be joining us that seem-"

Aguri cut Akari off before she could continue.

"Koro assured me he had something very important to do yesterday and it took up more time than he thought. As for today I specifically told him to stay at home so we could have some girl time." Aguri explained defending her friend.

"Hm…I see but I still think-" For the second time that day Akari was interrupted.

"A-ah I w-would love to go see the beach...!" Okuda exclaimed nervously hoping to change the subject.

"Yeah let's just put a pin in this conversation and go have some fun in the beach!" Aguri exclaimed grateful that Okuda managed to change the subject.

"Okay, but we left our swimming suits in our luggage back home." Akari noted.

"Well then we'll just have to go shopping for some new swim suits first!" Aguri said optimistically. "Come on!" She continued excitedly as she grabbed them both by the wrists and dragged them to the nearest clothing store.

Aguri dragged me and Akari along before we had time to protest. We soon entered a boutique store that had a blue and beige color scheme. The walls were lined with thousands of swimsuits that ranged in color and style. I kind of felt overwhelmed by all the options. I shot Akari a glance silently hoping she would help me make my choice, after all, she knows a lot more about fashion than I do. Akari simply took hold of my hand and with a friendly smile lead me to the one-piece section. We both knew we both don't like showing too much skin…Me because I don't like drawing unwanted attention and Akari is still a bit self-conscious in regards to her still developing body….by which I mean her breast….it's her breast that she's self-conscious of. I guess they were small but at least she was no longer flat chested.

Standing in front of the mirror I can see how tense my shoulders are…I usually were one-piece swimsuits with a summer dress over it, but I didn't have a summer dress with me. The store only sold swimsuits and swimwear. Not only that but I had wanted to be bold and get a two-piece this time. It didn't show much more than a regular one-piece, it was a tankini after all. But still, for me it was step outside of my comfort zone.

The tankini consisted of a dark violet tiered ruffled top with a u- neck line that left my collarbone exposed and black panties. The top just barely hovered over my belly button. Perhaps the dark navy one-piece suit would be better…?

"W-what do you think…?" I asked shyly and gave a small twirl when Akari spun her finger around directing me to spin as she hummed in thought.

"I quite like it, though I wish they had more pastel colors for that article of clothing. I think a pastel purple would have suited you nicely." Akari commented.

"Hmm I don't know Sis I think the darker colors really bring out Manami's fair skin and bright eyes." Aguri commented as she grabbed her chin thoughtfully, her head slightly titled.

Akari blinked mouth open wide so much so that it nearly touched the floor. I too blinked in awe.

"Oh my god! That was actually good fashion advice and from YOU?! The world is coming to an end if you've actually gained any sort of fashion sense!" Akari exclaimed. Aguri pouted slightly dejected.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She cried, very offended.

"Oh uhh j-just that you have a….uhh… an u-u-unusually, exceeding peculiar, exotically odd and all together… quite impossible to describe sense of fashion." Akari explained nervously as she tried her best not to hurt her sister's feelings at least not more so.

"It's weird." The words came out before I could stop them. "OH I mean….uhh…not…at all weird…is what I meant….What I mean to say w-was weirdly average…" Nailed it…

"Well…It doesn't matter as long as I feel comfortable in it! So I say get the swimsuit if you like it." Aguri said with a pout although she tried shrugging it off as though it didn't affect her.

I thought it over…and for some reason I could hear the taunts of the flower girls. A frown tugged at my lips. If I was going to turn over a new leaf, this would be a nice step forward.

The beach was incredibly beautiful and relaxing. The salty smell and crisp air was refreshing and the sand beneath my feet was so fine and warm. The sunny sky shined brightly with little obstruction as its rays glimmered on top of the blue sloping waves. The rays of sun were warm and I liked the feeling of the light on my skin, but I did make sure to but on sunscreen beforehand. Akari and Aguri were currently dotting on their own sunscreen. While they did that I started scanning for a vacant area were we could place down the beach towels and bask in the rays of the sun. I had to use my hand to block the over joyous rays of light from burning my retinas.

"L-let's set up there." I pointed to a small strip of beach that was left almost vacant near the small fishing dock on the left side of the beach.

Akari took a glance to the spot I was suggesting and with a sunshine smile instantly agreed with my decision.

"Good eye, Manami." She said as she made her way towards me.

"T-Thanks." I responded modestly. A warm sense of validation ran through my body and made my heart resonate happily.

Akari's choice of bathing suit was a pink crochet flounce bikini top with matching bikini bottoms. The pink went really well with her pretty short green hair...Aguri on the other hand decided to go with a blue bikini with a neon fish pattern.

"Do you guys want to go for a dip or what?" Aguri asked as she laid down our towels.

"Actually I want to catch some nice sunrays and I want you to tell me stories." Akari exclaimed as she put on some sunglasses.

"Like Cinderella?" I asked confused slightly tilting my head in thought.

"No I mean like you know…Aguri's a professional witch she must have some good stories to tell about her adventures and such!" Aguri exclaimed. I flushed slightly in embarrassment….Of course she didn't mean fairy tale stories what was I thinking?!

"Oh…well uhh…I don't know…What you're thinking of is a quester, a witch usually aligned with a guild that takes missions and quests. I'm actually a support supplier. I make potions, runes, and other enchanted objects to help questers on their missions, whether they are magical folk or not….I was a support healer for a team in a guild once though…would you like to hear about that?"

"Yes please!" Akari exclaimed. I simply nodded my head in agreement as I sat down on my respective towel eager to hear one of Aguri stories.

"And I was like I never made a shield that big before and then as the swirling wave of fire came, I blinked and found myself standing behind a large blue shield! Needless to say everyone was so impressed and Koro praised me the whole day he even made me my favorite dinner as a reward!"

"W-Wow that sounds incredible!" Okuda exclaimed as stars began forming in her purple eyes while she listened intently to the reverting conclusion of Aguri's tale.

"Ohh so you and Koro are indeed pretty close huh~" Akari commented slyly with a feline grin.

"Oh hush you!" Aguri replied as she playfully slapped Akari's shoulder all the while trying to hide her coloring cheeks with her opposite hand.

"So how did you manage to cast that protective barrier spell?! Logically speaking you were low on mana and you only had that short ride over to memorize the spell so it should have been impossible!" Okuda excitedly commented her words effortlessly flying through her mouth at top speed.

"Uhhh hmm….Well it just you know…kind of happened… Like I felt a surge of energy and WHAM! I just did it…" Aguri explained.

She was a little disappointed that she could not fully communicate the feelings she had when she cast the spell.

"That's still very impress! Nothing less from you big sis. I hope I get to be as powerful as you! I even designed my incantation spell with a demon in mind so I could match your power level!" Akari excitedly confessed.

"A demon? You want a demon?" Aguri asked as if to confirm what Akari said.

"Yup!" Was Akari's simple reply.

"Oh well then it's only appropriate that I your big sister with a demon familiar teach you all I know!" Aguri said excited by the concept of being her sister's mentor and teacher.

"That's what I told Manami!"

"Well great minds think alike don't they?" Aguri said happily as her lips tugged upwards into a small smile with a giggle verging to escape them.

"So you really can teach us..?" Okuda asked hoping that they wouldn't be a burden.

"Us…?" Aguri asked confused as she slightly tilted her head to the left her bangs swooshing with her movement.

"O-oh uhh I if y-you don't want to I uhh I uhh mean I was thinking…I m-mean Akari said that I-I uhh well I don't want t-to intrude and I don't want a demon really...b-but well I uhh kinda of would like I mean I uhh…" Okuda stuttered out as she flushed in embarrassment.

She couldn't even talk right, how could she possible get a demon…She was so embarrassed that she opted to stare at the fine beach sand below her rather than look into Aguri's confused gaze.

"Oh! No, no! Okuda I would gladly teach you both! I just didn't expect you may have wanted a demon as a familiar is all. Don't worry. In fact! Let's start right when we get home!" Aguri exclaimed hoping to lift Okuda's spirits up.

"R-Really!" Okuda asked excitedly.

"Indubitably!" Aguri said reassuringly with a matter of the fact tone of voice as she got into the 'we can do it' pose.

"But first let's just enjoy the beach!" Akari suggested "After all we did say we were going to relax before worrying about the Bonding ritual."

"R-right!" Okuda replied with a determined smile and a twinkle in her lovely violet eyes and for what seemed like the millionth time Okuda inwardly thanked Akari for inviting her on this trip. Akari was just glad to see her best friend's eyes sparkle with such enthusiasm, seeing her Manami so happy made her feel happy.

"Oh, I know! Why don't we go collect some seashells? I would love some for my collection and some can even be used in potion making!" Aguri suggested.

"O-oh they would also be good for the bonding ritual…I still need to gather some items for the summoning spell." Okuda confessed.

"Yeah, ok! So after that we can go build a sandcastle!" Akari added

"A-and it w-would be nice if we could have a dip in the ocean before it gets dark." Okuda said.

"Okay then! It's decided! Let's make this the best beach day every!" Akari cheerfully exclaimed as she took Okuda's pale slender hand in hers and started jogging towards the shore's end so that they could walk alongside the gentle waves of the beach to find seashells. Aguri quickly followed as she giggled over Akari's enthusiasm.

Koro let out a tired sigh. He was half-way sprawled on the floor with his legs and feet probed up on the long couch in the living area while his bored onyx eyes sadly gazed up at the ticking wall clock whose hands moved so sadistically slow. He really, really, really wanted to go to the beach with the others, but Aguri specifically instructed him to 'hold down the fort' while she and the others had some private girl time. On one hand he could understand that she just really wanted to spend time with Akari and her friend, which she hasn't seen in ages, but on the other hand he's still her familiar and she always takes him out to the beach with her. He couldn't help but pout knowing that he was left out of the fun, it was totally unfair!

Did she purposely not invite him because he ogles her and to a lesser extent other large chested females? If so, was she then perhaps worried he would creep out the two young witches? He could behave! Pinky promise! He let out another sigh. Well, it's not like him promising anything would change things now… What if this was Aguri's form of punishing him when he unexpectedly left to…take care of some business…and didn't come back in time to greet their guests? Who knows?

But if any one of those were the case he believed he could make it up to her. Yes, he most certainly could make it up to her, perhaps a nice meal and some full out pampering for all three witches. Oh! He could do their hair and nails! It would be like a sleepover! He could rent out some movies; make some popcorn, and a homemade meal. Oh! It would be FANTASTIC! The mere thought of all these fun activities made Koro smile unknowingly as he got up from his back and practically started pouncing up and down the soles' of his feet with excitement. This was going to be great! So without further delay he decided to transform himself back into his full demon form. He only had a few hours to prepare everything, but if he was in his full demon form then that limited time gap would be enough. In an unceremonious puff of grey smoke the once handsome young man was gone and was instead replaced by a funny looking bright sunny yellow smiling octopus thing. He let out his signature chuckle as he bolted out of the door (making sure to lock it on his way out) at an inhuman speed. Aguri was going to love this! (And by extension him!)