It was raining outside. The rhythmic patter of raindrops against the roof filled my house with a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Inside, I sat across from Mystia, pying a game of shogi to pass the time.

  The shogi board had been a gift from an old man in the vilge. He had given it to me as thanks for teaching his child a few magic tricks. The only problem? I had no idea how to py. Mystia, however, seemed to know her way around the game and was currently teaching me—though, judging by her amused expressions, I wasn't exactly the best student.

  "Can't you make the rain stop with your ability?" she asked, moving her piece with ease.

  I leaned back and crossed my arms. "Why should I? I don't hate the rain."

  She sighed in disappointment. "I can't open my stand like this. No customers will come in this weather."

  I shrugged. "You don't need to work every day, you know. You should take a break. Or go py with Cirno and Rumia."

  Mystia gnced out the window at the downpour. "In this rain?"

  I coughed. "Ahem... I guess they won't be coming out either."

  We continued our game. Predictably, I lost.

  "Alright, one more!" I decred, determined to win at least once.

  Mystia smiled. "Fine."

  Another game. Another loss.

  "One more," I insisted.

  She huffed, pcing her hands on her hips. "You're so bad at this game that I even gave you my Silver Generals, and you still lost!"

  Her words stung my pride, but I wasn't about to give up. We pyed again, but before we could finish, Mystia gnced out the window.

  "It looks like the rain stopped," she muttered.

  I looked outside. Sure enough, the heavy downpour had suddenly ceased, leaving behind a quiet, damp world. Something about it felt odd, though. Mystia, instead of looking relieved, frowned.

  "Are they making a prank?" she mumbled under her breath.

  I raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

  She smiled at me, but there was something mischievous in her eyes. "No, it's nothing. Carl, can you go outside for a second?"

  I blinked. "Why?"

  "Just go," she urged.

  Confused but trusting her, I got up and walked to the door. The moment I stepped outside—

  SPLASH!

  A torrent of rain suddenly poured down on my head, drenching me instantly.

  I stood there, water dripping down my face, while the sound of high-pitched ughter rang through the air. Looking up, I spotted three small figures floating in the sky, pointing and giggling at me. Before I could react, they flew off in the direction of the shrine, their ughter fading into the distance.

  Behind me, Mystia burst into ughter. She clutched her stomach, barely able to breathe.

  "What the hell just happened?!" I wiped my face and turned to her.

  She smirked. "You got pranked."

  I gred at the disappearing figures in the sky. "Who are they?"

  "The three little troublemakers—Star Sapphire, Sunny Milk, and Luna Child," she expined. "They love messing with people. I've been pranked by them before too—making me get lost in the forest, stealing my food... stuff like that."

  I grabbed a towel and dried my hair, still scowling. "And you never got revenge?"

  Mystia shook her head. "They're good at hiding, so I gave up."

  I clenched my fist. "Well, I won't. I'll make sure they regret messing with me."

  Mystia chuckled. "Good luck. You're gonna need it."

  As I finished drying off, I made a mental note—this wasn't over. Those fairies had started a game, but they had no idea who they were dealing with.