Clothbound Magic Circle – Part 3
Ding‑dong.
“Coming!”
After work, I stopped by my sister’s house—well, Grandma’s old place.
The one who opened the door was my niece, Hanako.
“Oh! Uncle Heisuke! Good evening!”
“Evening. I brought a little something.”
“Waaah, thank you so much!” She bowed politely.
Such a well‑mannered kid. Seven years old, if I remember right.
Behind her, a shy little boy peeked out from the doorway.
I crouched down to meet his eyes.
“Yuya. Good evening.”
“…Good evening…”
His voice was tiny, but he greeted me properly.
“That’s very polite of you.”
He blushed and hid behind the door. He’s five.
Inside the living room, nostalgia washed over me.
My sister keeps the house repaired, but hasn’t remodeled it, so it still looks almost exactly like when Grandma lived here.
“Oh—right. Sis, I’ll take care of my errand before dinner.”
“Okay! My hands are full right now, so just do what you need!”
I called out to her while she cooked, then headed to the storage room on the first floor.
“I think it was somewhere around here…”
The storage room was packed tight.
I pulled out box after box, searching for what I came for.
Hanako was helping her mom, but Yuya watched me with wide, curious eyes.
“I’m gonna pull out a lot of stuff, so be careful.”
While digging through the clutter, I finally found a paper bag—exactly what I was looking for.
Inside were Grandma’s handwritten embroidery patterns, and old flyers filled with designs.
As I checked the contents—
A familiar monitor appeared in front of me.
■ Anti‑Physical Defense Magic Circle
Effect: Enhances physical defense
Embroidered Coverage:
10% → +3%
30% → +7%
50% → +10%
Recommended Materials: Cotton thread, silk, spider silk
Magic… circles?
I checked another pattern.
■ Anti‑Magic Defense Magic Circle
Effect: Effective against magical and mental attacks
Coverage:
5 cubic cm → +0.2%
Recommended Materials: Spider silk, crystal
Every pattern came with an explanation.
Wait—
Grandma’s embroidery patterns were magic circles?!
As I stared at the designs, deep in thought—
“Dinner’s ready!”
My sister stood behind me like a looming statue.
“Uwah!!”
“I called you several times!”
“…Sorry…”
At the dining table, delicious dishes were lined up.
“Good evening,”
said Kazuki, my sister’s husband.
He’s gentle, but he always protects my sister. I’m grateful for him.
We chatted peacefully while I enjoyed the rare luxury of a home‑cooked meal made by someone else.
Afterward, we ate the cake I brought, and I headed home—paper bag in hand.
I couldn’t wait to examine everything properly.
When I reached my apartment, there was a fish tank placed in front of my door, and a note stuck in the frame.
To Hei‑chan
I’ll be away for a while.
I’m going to visit a friend who researches magic so he can analyze the Orb‑water and related stuff.
I’m really sorry, but while I’m gone, could you feed the medaka in the tank?
—Todoroki
