The morning after the Apartment Cleaning Death Match dawned deceptively peaceful. Birds chirped. Sunlight spilled gently through the curtains. The goldfish swam in its upgraded jacuzzi with the serenity of a monk.
Then someone screamed.
"WHO TOOK MY LACE BRA?!"
Gojo jolted upright in bed, hitting his head against the wall. "Ow—what now?!"
In the hallway, chaos brewed like a potion gone wrong. Suma clutched her favorite pastel bra like a sacred relic. Hikami and Mizuki were in a tug-of-war over a black satin piece that may or may not have belonged to either of them. Hiyori stood on a chair, hurling panties like shurikens.
"I organize by scent, not by drawer!" she yelled.
"You're all insane!" Mizuki shouted, tugging harder.
Gojo stumbled into the hallway, bleary-eyed. "What the hell is happening? Did we get attacked by lingerie bandits?"
Suma turned, eyes gleaming. "There's a traitor among us."
Gojo blinked. "You're saying... one of you stole the others' underwear?"
Mizuki gasped. "Or reorganized them. Which is worse."
"Yeah, I just found my bra in the freezer," Hikami muttered, adjusting her robes. "Why?!"
Arashi strolled in holding a pair of mismatched panties like she'd found ancient scrolls. "Alright. Who summoned a Wind Spirit to mess with the drawers again?"
Everyone froze.
Gojo paled. "That... was an option?"
Just then, the room darkened. A cold wind blasted through the apartment windows, spiraling into the hallway like a summoned force. Curtains fluttered. Hair whipped. The girls stopped bickering.
A tall figure appeared in the gust, dressed in layered grey robes, eyes glowing silver beneath a porcelain wind mask.
Hiyori dropped the panties. "Uh-oh."
The figure bowed solemnly. "Arashi-sama. I bring grave news from the Stormvale Cliffs."
The apartment fell silent.
Gojo turned. "Storm-what-now?"
The Wind Messenger stepped forward, wind swirling around their feet. "Lady Arashi. The Spirit Nexus of your clan has fractured. The Wind Mother is calling her bloodkin home. Your presence is required at once."
Arashi's playful demeanor dropped like a mask.
"I see," she said quietly, the breeze around her stilling.
Suma frowned. "Wait, what's happening?"
Arashi turned to them with an unreadable expression. "There's a storm coming in my homeland. A real one. If the Spirit Nexus breaks completely, it could unleash tornado spirits across the continent."
Gojo blinked. "Okay. That sounds bad."
"Very," she said. "I need to go. Alone."
"No," Hiyori said immediately, arms crossed.
Suma stepped forward. "We're a household. You don't just leave."
"Exactly," Hikami agreed. "Also, who'll stop Gojo from microwaving metal again?"
"I thought that was how you summon Raijin!" Gojo protested.
Arashi smiled, gently. "I appreciate it. But this is a Wind Clan matter—"
Before she could finish, the entire group was already packing.
Mizuki shut her book. "I'll bring sealing charms."
Hiyori slung three blankets over her shoulder. "And snacks."
Gojo looked at Arashi. "You really thought we'd let you go alone? You're family. Chaos and all."
She looked stunned for half a second. Then she turned away. "You're all idiots."
"Confirmed," Suma grinned, hugging her.
The Wind Messenger blinked. "This was... not the expected outcome."
Gojo threw an arm around Arashi's shoulder. "Lead the way, Wind Girl."
---
Later that Day – On the Train to the Wind Clan's Domain
The group commandeered an entire car. Suma made it her mission to hog Gojo's shoulder. Hikami sulked, pretending to read. Hiyori kept watching the window like a traveling cat, munching chips. Mizuki was meditating in the corner, headphones on. Arashi stood silently near the back, cloak flapping slightly even though the windows were shut.
Gojo joined her.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine." Her voice was quieter than usual. "Just… haven't been back in a long time."
He nodded. "I know that look. Like you're about to face a storm you didn't ask for."
She glanced at him. "You don't miss much for a pervert."
"I try."
A soft gust brushed his cheek. She smiled faintly.
"I might need your help," she murmured.
"Then you'll have it," he said without hesitation.
From the corner, Suma narrowed her eyes. "Flirty wind slut," she muttered.
Hiyori whispered, "You're the one sitting in his lap."
"I have tenure," Suma hissed back.
Hikami groaned. "We're about to walk into a magical clan war, and you're arguing about boy seating."
Mizuki sighed. "Focus. The Wind Clan doesn't call unless they're desperate."
Suddenly, the train rattled. The lights flickered again.
Gojo stiffened. "Don't tell me…"
BOOM.
Lightning struck near the tracks. A screech echoed from above. Outside, a whirlwind shimmered with ghostly figures—Wind Spirits distorted and maddened.
The Messenger's voice rang out. "They're already here."
Arashi's eyes glowed faintly. "The Wind Nexus is breaking faster than I thought…"
Gojo cracked his knuckles. "Guess bathhouse battles are postponed."
---
To be continued