The battle against the third angel—

It signified the end of yet another conflict.

A dimensional deep layer, existing as the reverse of this world.

There stood Nameless, in the place once inhabited by the first angel.

“…Hmm, I guess it’s over now. Alright, alright.”

With her mechanical sword in hand, Nameless nodded.

On the edge of her vision, the monitor showed Zero disappearing from the central city.

“I panicked, thinking some second round was starting, but I’m glad it ended quickly.”

Slumping with exhaustion, Nameless drooped.

Around her lay the remnants of countless butterflies.

“—Why? Why are you interfering with us?”

01, the master of the butterflies and known as the Doctor, spoke irritably.

His body was in tatters, evidence of a fierce battle.

Seeing the anger rising in his expression, as if about to lunge, Nameless feigned fear and teased him.

“Well, you were trying to capture that angel, weren’t you?”

“All angels are to be offerings for Trim. Only then will it be truly complete.”

“I know, I know. Strengthening the vessel to stabilize the Mirror Realm link, right? I get it.”

“…If you know that much, then why?”

“—Good question. I’d like to know myself. Why did you betray us?”

Suddenly, the world split open.

From the rift emerged a gentlemanly figure—the Professor—with a pleasant smile.

“Oh, you came too, Professor. Where’s Trim? Not with you?”

“That child still can’t stay awake long. She’s sleeping now.”

“I seeee.”

Neither side drew their weapons.

Still, their eyes carefully watched each other’s movements.

“Let me say this first—I didn’t betray you.”

“Oh?”

“Then why did you attack me? Look at this—my precious uniform’s ruined.”

“Ah, right, right.”

Nameless snapped her fingers.

The uniform was momentarily engulfed in black flames—

And the next moment, it was pristine again, as if brand new.

The Doctor checked and nodded.

“Hmph, fine. Let’s hear your reason.”

“You’re so irritating. You were the one who wouldn’t listen and tried to force your way in, Doctor. Whatever.”

Nameless summoned a white chair and sat down.

Then, a table and tea party set.

Lastly, she brought out two more chairs and gestured for them to sit.

“Maybe this time I’ll invite you two to a tea party. Let’s talk.”

“How carefree…”

“Well then, I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Seeing the Professor accept so easily, the Doctor sighed and sat as well.

Nameless confirmed this and began.

“Let’s get to the point. The reason I stopped you, Doctor… is because there’s a more efficient way to complete Trim.”

“…Oh?”

“I see. Then this is worth listening to.”

Nameless popped a cookie into her mouth and chewed happily.

Then, leaning forward, she spoke proudly.

“Let me make a proposal that neither Salvation nor Inquiry can refuse.”

■

The young girl form that left my arms—held incredible destructive power.

She moved on instinct.

Watching her was like letting a visual novel play on auto.

And now—

I’m fully recovered, watching the sunset, feeling great.

On the bed, a girl gazes sadly at the setting sun.

Yes, I’m no longer a loli.

The Loli-ciera pickup period is over. No plans for a rerun.

Keep it up and I’ll end up surrounded by perverts instead of cute girls.

I want to gather cute girls.

And build a garden of yuri!

With that in mind, the current scene was glorious.

Clam-chan and Rinka-chan, who’d stayed by my side, were dozing off with their upper bodies leaning onto the bed.

And Hikari-chan was sound asleep atop the Man-Eating Frog.

…I wanna sleep up there too.

“—I’m back now＾＾”

“Oh, finally decided to return?”

A teleportation magic circle appeared—Zero had returned.

Left in the morning, back by sunset.

You must’ve gone wild out there.

When I spread my arms, Zero dissolved into particles of light and merged into my body.

『―Zero has entered the room―』

Suddenly, my brain turned into an ancient chat room.

『I’m back＾＾ Sorry for being late』

The cheerful voice of the Starreader’s Staff-kun was clearly in a good mood.

Did something good happen?

『Haha, actually everything wrapped up around noon. I was late because I went shopping＾＾』

Seriously? While your master was burning up with a fever ＞＜ you went on a shopping spree?

『You call that suffering? I watched through the cameras—it wasn’t much. You really understand what the audience wants』

Hehe, well, I kinda moved without thinking.

Just followed my heart.

『Excellent. So, I bought a dress-up set for you to turn into Loli-ciera for my sake. No refusals allowed. Took effort finding spicy outfits that fit that form』

That’s just plain gross, you know.

『Say it more like a tsundere heroine』

You’re disgusting! The worst! Pervert!

Don’t look at me like that!

You lolicon!

『Ah~＾＾Yes, yes. Hard to get my partner-ium when I’m alone. Feels like it soaks into all six organs』

So the six organs do exist…

Also, I’m gonna turn into a little girl again, huh…

『Sorciera turns into a loli again!? While exploring a beach-themed dungeon, Fectom General Academy is caught in a trap, and Sorciera protects everyone, turning into a child. She forgets her mission, splashes in the sea—』

The summer event has begun.

A gag-universe summer event totally unrelated to the main story.

『Free SR is me, [Midsummer Silver Star: Zero]. Limited gacha is [Midsummer Little Star: Sorciera]＾＾ There’s synergy when in the same party』

Summer gacha games are full of swimsuit traps…

Hope Nana-chan’s okay.

Summer’s the time when devs squeeze players’ wallets. I’m worried.

What if Nana-chan becomes a streamer for money?

I’d have to stop her.

『Demonsgear’s image is in tatters now. …Oh, that reminds me, I want to introduce you to a new lifeform』

Why are you calling it a “lifeform”??? That’s clearly a bad omen.

『Wrong＾＾ It’s someone who realized the greatness of cute girls after I spread the gospel. Still doesn’t know left from right, top from bottom, so I thought I’d teach her』

Ah, someone you met as ★Teacher Zero.

I was worried you’d bring some artificial creature or something.

『I’m not that crazy. But still, nothing beats the sleeping face of a cute girl. Yours is the best, of course★』

Aw, Staff-kun＞＜

『giggle』

Having you in my head really calms me.

We’re totally one and the same.

『Like, BFFs? Ultimate besties lol?』

We laughed and played in my mind—

But outwardly, I just smiled faintly in the sunset light.

Incidentally, who wakes up first will determine the next route.

『Always save beforehand』

So, who will it be?

I’d already decided what to do once I turned back from a loli.

『You’re overly prepared. …Oh, by the way, your notebook got seen』

Oops★ Got caught.

But no worries.

This room’s full of that kind of thing.

Tattered teddy bears, old hairpins, lots of that stuff.

But none of it matters.

Just a room full of flags.

I’ll redecorate later!

To something like a gothic castle fit for Sorciera!

『Make sure the bed’s big. More convenient for devouring』

But wouldn’t a smaller bed make cuddling more natural?

『Debate loss. I surrender』

Also, if I redecorate, I want to do it with someone.

Let her pick out plushies and cushions.

In a unified room, that one girly item that stands out—

That’s the thing that stabs the heart after I die＾＾

『…You’re planning to die?』

Of course not.

I’d never make a cute girl cry.

The tears of the cute girls in this academy city—

We shall wipe them away ourselves, peropero.

『Did you just say lick? Did you lick tears? Objection!』

It’s normal for a cute girl to lick another’s tears!

Therefore I’m not guilty!

『Then I can lick your tears too, right?＾＾』

I just gave this monster a new logic…

“…Mmh, huh? Kei, you’re awake?”

Right as my imaginary court was heating up, Clam-chan was the first to awaken.

That Echi Tankchi collar actually suits her.

But trying to put it on Loli-ciera? Not okay.

That kind of thing isn’t for little girls.

『Now you’re being serious again』

“Oh, you didn’t have to wake up yet.”

I gave my usual confident smile.

Clam-chan looked both relieved and a bit sad.

I get it… I totally get it…!

I can read Clam-chan’s complex emotions like a book…!

She’s been gloomy lately—maybe it’s time I gave her a little treat.

This is what they call sweet and sour, baby.

“Hey, Kei. Are you feeling okay now?”

“Thanks to you. …Clam, come sit over here.”

I said, beckoning her.

Clam-chan obediently sat beside me.

Staff-kun, it’s the perfect photo op.

Don’t forget to collect this CG!

『Alright!』

I smiled gently and reached out—

And patted Clam-chan’s head.

Behold, the sacred technique passed down in our land: “Pat-pat head.”

Once only taught to light novel protagonists and edgy fanfic OCs.

I, too, as a maiden of Yamato spirit, perform this with pride.

“…K-Kei!?”

“I don’t remember much from earlier. But somehow… I know you did your best for us.”

“It’s not like I did anything…”

Look, look! Clam-chan’s blushing! She’s cute!

『But doesn’t this head-pat person always die near the end? This reeks of a death flag』

If it weren’t me, I’d be dead.

Actually, I already died a few times earlier.

“Hehe… you’re blushing?”

“N-Not at all!”

Clam-chan turned away and slipped out of my head-pat.

…Hah, you let your guard down!

My attack’s not over yet!

“Seriously… thanks for everything.”

With a slightly serious tone, I met her eyes again.

Confirming that, I said:

“Thanks, Clam onee-chan.”

“…Eh?”

“…Eh? Why… why did you call me b-big sister—”

At that moment, the beautiful girl particles in my blood activated, rapidly multiplying.

The heat produced made my cheeks flush—an artificial blush achieved.

…Hmm, hard to see in this sunset light.

Better increase beautiful girl particle concentration.

『What are you even saying』

“…Did you just call me onee-chan?”

“I did not.”

“Eh, but—”

“I did not. …Right?”

Now it was my turn to look away.

Solciera, blushing and turning away.

How do you like that, Clam-chan?

Don’t I look like the perfect prey?

『She’s definitely the bottom! Q.E.D.!』

Clam-chan always falls for my traps.

Time to reward her.

“Anyway, thank you. You saved me, and—what’s with that smug grin?”

“‘Cause you totally just called me onee-chan.”

“…Clam, I don’t like disobedient girls, you know?”

“Yes yes, Clam onee-chan is such a disobedient girl~”

Just this once, I’ll take the bottom role.

Yes, like a hardcore ClamxSor doujin.

『Behold. This is one valid way to engage with a beautiful girl』

『Indeed』

Hmm?

Hey, was someone else just here?

『Nope＾＾』

Okay then.

For now, I’ll play the “Sorciera still used to being a loli” role for Clam-chan.

Good thing this hits her taste.

“Hey, say it again? Please? Just once?”

“No.”

I turned away.

My cheeks flushed, ears red.

“C’mon, please?”

“No.”

“Just once!”

Clam-chan begged with a grin.

I refused, blushing and grumpy.

At this moment, Sorciera looked like a real, ordinary girl.

And Clam-chan loves that about her.

This time, I’ll give her a little fanservice＾＾

『Yaaay＾＾』

Soon, Hikari-chan and Rinka-chan would wake too.

But until then—

“Say it—onee-chan!”

“Drop dead, onee-chan.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Let’s savor this content to the last drop＾＾