...
"Shido, we are coming!"
In the headquarters of Fraxinus, Kotori stood in front of a newly-built Realizer Device. It was a Teleporter, which would send a Spirit to a certain Neighboring World. In this case, it would be the one that Shido was trapped in.
A few days ago, Shido was summoned by a mysterious force out of nowhere, and he had never returned since. This had caused every Spirit to panic, almost reverting their reiryoku; it took Kotori and Mana tremendous amounts of time and effort to help them calm down.
But now, they had finally finished forging this teleporting device, and would be conducting its very first experiment. If it succeeded, then everyone else would follow suit! The question was: Who should be the volunteer?
Kurumi Tokisaki!
In fact, she wasn't the only one who volunteered, everyone else did too. But with some logical debates, they realized that she was the best choice. Why? Because of her abilities.
With the power of Zafkiel, the Angel of Time, she would be able to fix any mistake that occurred along the way. For example, if she was stuck in the transmission, she could just use [Dalet] and return her body to the current timeline.
Reluctantly, everyone else agreed to this idea, after all, they couldn't risk losing anyone.
"Ara Ara, I will be able to have Shido-san all to myself~"
She put a lithe finger on her soft cheeks, and licked her lips, as if she was going to taste something delicious.
"Don't say that dangerous line, or we will keep you here for yourself!"
Kotori retorted as she folded her arms. She didn't want her to go first, but as early said, it would be best to send her first. She had to let go of her personal feelings.
"Kuku, the Spirit of Time, you are given the opportunity of a lifetime to visit our beloved kinsman in the hurricane's way! Be grateful for your gift!"
"Translation. Take care of Shido for us in the time you are given, Kurumi."
"Do your best...."
"Boy will be thrilled to have this sexy onee-san..."
"Not fair, I wanna see Darling too..."
"..."
Finally, the device started illuminating, marking the completion of its process. And with a flash of light, Kurumi was nowhere to be found.
"Good luck."
Kotori muttered to herself.
...
Where am I? Why am I here? What am I doing right now?
Shido was wandering aimlessly as he evaded pedestrians.
He was summoned to this place, and felt like he had been through a battle. However, he couldn't remember anything. Based on the heavy feelings in his chest, he could tell that it was something really important, yet he just couldn't recall it. Why couldn't he return home or find out what happened in the past two days?
Running into the back of an alley, Shido panted as he tried to calm down. He knew this street, this city, this country ---- but he didn't feel safe.
All this was because the Spirits weren't with him.
If there was anything fortunate out of the situation, it was that he didn't have to worry about money or a place to stay.
Thanks to Haniel's ability, he was able to transform some cash and get a hotel to stay for the night. But he would like to stop doing that, since it was basically cheating.
After having breakfast, he suddenly had the idea of using the 10th bullet of Zafkiel to learn about his past memories, but it didn't show him any details of what happened. A huge portion of his memory was taken, just like that.
Raising his hand and summoning the Angel of Zafkiel, he pointed the weapon at his head.
If the 10th bullet doesn't work, then how about the 6th bullet...
"Ara Ara, trying to shoot yourself, Shido-san? You are too young to commit suicide."
A seductive voice sounded off from behind, snapping Shido out of his thoughts.
"Kurumi!?"
Shido jumped, and to his joy, it was really the girl that he expected!
"Don't be so startled, you make me think that you are avoiding me~"
Kurumi covered her mouth with a teasing smile.
Kurumi, nicknamed the Worst Spirit, had always been difficult to get close to: not only because she was known to have slaughtered more than ten thousand humans, but also because her character was confusing to say the least.
She claimed that she wanted to devour Shido in order to get his reiryoku, but she regularly helped them in their fights against DEM or the forces they were facing.
She was not an ally, because of her unpredictable temperament, but she was not an enemy: this is how Shido had long perceived her.
She had her own goal: to accumulate enough energy to go back in time and kill Phantom, the Spirit of Origin. However, after the decisive battle against DEM, to which she had greatly contributed, Kurumi had "surrendered".
She agreed to let Shido seal her powers and entrusted him with the rest... while embarrassedly admitting that he could have sealed her a long time ago.
Kurumi had confessed to Shido that fighting alongside him had made her finally accept what had happened, and that she wanted to move on.
It couldn't have been an easy decision; Kurumi had been fighting alone for years in order to fulfill her purpose.
To give up, to accept that all her victims would remain victims, and to move forward carrying her burden... must have taken incredible fortitude.
Soon after, Kurumi had moved into the Spirit Department, right next to the Itsuka Household.
From what the others had told her, she was always friendly, polite, and sometimes mischievous: in short, the usual.
However, there was still a certain barrier between her and the others (although she got along particularly well with Kaguya).
Maybe it was due to the fact that they had been living there for a longer time, or that they had at one time clashed.
Or, that Kurumi, after so many years on her own, had a hard time trusting people again and forming real bonds with them...
Shido could only hope that this barrier would fade with time.
However, that wasn't his priority right now...
"Kurumi! Cover yourself!"
He quickly took off his jacket and wrapped it around her slender figure.
Due to the teleportation, her normal clothes were torn to shreds in the original world, leaving herself completely naked in front of Shido the moment she emerged in this neighboring world!
Shido had a second to capture the sight of her sexy collarbone, plump breasts, slim waist, unblemished skin, and even her ...
"ARA!" Kurumi gasped as she turned around with her cheeks red, but felt her heart warm for a minute. "What a gentleman..."
"Hold still, I think I can help you with this."
Shido raised his hand and created a dress with Natsumi's powers. At the moment, he was glad that there was nobody nearby to witness this scene.
In a moment's notice, Kurumi's slender body was cladded in a beautiful gothic lolita dress, truly worthy of a damsel from a rich family.
Kurumi felt her face flushed even more, this kind of clothing was exactly what she liked...and felt embarrassed about.
"You have the potential to be a tailor, Shido-san."
She wore a small, impenetrable smile.
"Before that, can you tell me how you got here? Where's everyone else?"
Shido ignored her teasing and got straight to the point.
...
After some time, Kurumi briefly explained the situation to Shido.
"Oh, I see you have made some progress..."
Shido was glad to learn that the others had found a way to reach him, his eyes litting up with enthusiasm, and he asked.
"Will the others come as well?"
However, what responded to him was silence.
"...Shido-san, don't you find this a rare opportunity for the two of us to be alone?"
Kurumi broke the silence with a slight discontent tone, and added.
"If you are worried about the safety of this world, my clones didn't find anything in particular."
Indeed, she had her shadow that stored all her clones, who would be perfect in a recon mission. If they didn't find anything suspicious, then this world would be most likely considered safe.
"...My sincerest apology, my lady." Shido quickly reacted and bowed his head. "Please let me take you out on a date."
"Hehe~" She laughed a little, and then, once she calmed down, gave him a small wave of her hand. "If you want to, we can go."
She stepped forward, and locked her arm with his.
"Kurumi?!"
" Please, Shido-san. This is how you walk around, on a date."
Shido immediately understood that it would be futile to struggle, and surrendered to the soft,
warm touch.
"As you wish, my lady."
Kurumi's smile widened at these words, and she thought he looked very cute like this.
They set off quietly, chatting about all kinds of things on the way. Apparently, the place Kurumi wanted to take him to was about a half-hour walk away.
They could have taken the bus, but she wanted to take the time to chat with him and enjoy a quiet walk.
"Did you get the rest you needed?"
"Yes, thank you... I really need it after these days..."
"Oh? Have your previous dates been hectic?"
"Err..."
Shido realized that it might not be wise to tell the one he was dating that the other ten girls had resulted in mutual declarations of polygamy.
There were two risks: One, that Kurumi would be offended by the fact that he had multiple partners... and two, that she would think their date would end the same way.
"Forgive me, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't push it further."
"Ah... thanks..."
But luckily for him, Kurumi retreated.
"If you don't mind, we'll start with a snack."
She also deftly changed the subject.
"Since you got up quite late, you must have had a late breakfast, so a snack will be more appropriate than a meal..."
"That's true. You've really thought of everything for me, Kurumi... thank you."
Shido's thanks were sincere: He could see that Kurumi had done everything to take care of him and make him feel good.
He didn't usually let his... conquests take the initiative, but...
I have to say, being pampered like that... is also nice.
Their walk was, thanks in large part to Kurumi guiding Shido, very elegant.
Many people turned around as they passed, surprised by the aura they gave off as well as the cute couple they were.
They finally arrived at their destination: The walk had not made Shido tired at all, on the contrary, he had enjoyed it.
The place Kurumi had chosen was not a surprise to Shido.
It was a neko café. Simply put, a cafe... but filled with cats.
This kind of place was quite popular with families... and girls.
And since Kurumi was... almost a cat fetishist, it wasn't surprising that she knew and enjoyed places like that.
"Ara, Shido-san. I have a feeling you just thought something very rude."
"Eh?!"
For a moment, Shido feared that Kurumi had the power to read minds.
"Your face is so easy to read..."
"Argh..."
That was a thought he was often given. He had absolutely no talent for hiding his emotions.
So, resignedly, he explained to Kurumi what he had been thinking (omitting the part about his possible fetish for cats).
The latter, although slightly suspicious, nevertheless shook her head.
"Hm. You're not entirely wrong, but you should know that I choose the establishments I frequent carefully. Some neko cafes are unsanitary and others are veritable cat prisons that use them as toys to lure people in and sell them tasteless and overpriced drinks."
It was a fact: After all, it was a business like any other. Likewise, there were many disreputable maid cafes.
"A true neko cafe is a place that serves as a bridge between humans and cats, where both parties can rest and relax. A place where cats can come of their own free will, leave when they feel like it, and be pampered if they wish. A place where humans can coexist with them, while enjoying tasty food, to recharge their batteries and get their fill of catness!"
Kurumi's eyes burned with a fiery flame as she laid out her neko cafe ideal to Shido.
(Catness?... I guess that's a term she made up...)
While Kurumi continued her plea, Shido turned her attention back to the front of the café.
It was colorful, but not extravagant: the menu and prices were clearly displayed, and two huge cats playing together were painted on the front, leaving no doubt as to the nature of the establishment.
Eventually, Kurumi finished her speech about the greatness of neko cafes and how important it was to only endorse the "real thing", and Shido hurriedly offered to let her in before she could start talking about it again.
When they entered the café, Shido was surprised to see how much more like a normal living room it was than a café.
There was thick carpeting, tables, but also armchairs, bean bags, cushions, toys on the floor, and even an electric fireplace.
On the walls were wooden platforms for the cats, but also shelves with books for the customers to use.
The atmosphere was warm, and resembled the European family homes sometimes seen in movies.
There were a little less than a dozen customers, and about twice as many cats, napping or being petted quietly.
"Welcome!"
A young waitress with long brown hair dressed in a black uniform greeted them.
"Hello, two please."
The waitress, whose youthful features and enthusiastic attitude clashed with her "serious" uniform, looked at Shido and Kurumi in turn.
Her lips stretched into a smile full of implication.
"Oh, oh, oh. I see, I see. I see."
"H-hello..."
Shido, who was a little uncomfortable with her behavior, greeted her.
"Oh, sorry! Where are my manners... Welcome, lovely couple!"
She bowed politely.
"Would you prefer armchairs, or a classic table?"
"Mh... I would like Shido-san to discover the full potential of this place, so armchairs, please."
"Of course! Please follow me!"
Shido wondered what she meant by that.
(I guess I'll find out soon enough...)
The waitress guided them to three armchairs located not far from the electric fireplace, featuring a low table presumably intended for drinks.
Once they were seated, she gave them each the menu of the establishment, and informed them that she would return in a few minutes to take their order.
The chairs were so comfortable that Shido thought he could easily fall asleep in them.
But he forced himself, like Kurumi, to adopt a somewhat dignified posture.
He looked around, sniffing the air.
"What is it, Shido-san? Did you catch the scent of someone you know?"
"Do you think I'm a dog?..."
Shido grinned sourly, though he was aware that his behavior might look strange or even out of place.
"I was just thinking... it doesn't really smell like cats."
Cats being living beings, they had natural needs.
To put it simply, it was easy to end up with a house that reeked of cat urine and feces when you had a cat.
Even when the cat did its business properly in a litter box, if it was not changed regularly, the smell would quickly become strong and unbearable for those who were not used to it.
Older people's houses usually had that kind of sickening smell.
Kurumi smiled with pride.
"Exactly! That's how you can recognize a real neko cafe! The pale imitations reek of feces and used cat litter... but the real places use the best organic litter on the market! They are changed several times a day so as not to inconvenience the customers, and the establishment is at all times as clean as possible!"
"I...I see..."
Shido was a little bewildered by Kurumi's eagerness to tell him about the glory of neko cafes.
The contrast was all the more surprising since he had a rather different image of Kurumi: A serious, strong, elegant person, with a cute side to her, but not a neko cafe fetishist...
Shido took advantage of a slight respite to look for the residents of the place.
He counted about twenty of them, but was not sure of his count: Indeed, even if most of them were sitting still, some were wandering around or disappearing.
The majority of the cats were dozing on beanbags, shelves, or even tables, but others had joined the other customers of the café.
They were being petted, fed with treats sold by the establishment, or observed with curiosity by the children and adults who came to visit them.
It was clearly forbidden to carry the cats or to force them to come against their will: they were the hosts, and the customers the guests.
Photos were allowed, but without flash: the lighting was good, so it was not a problem.
Kurumi and Shido placed their orders: Shechose an assortment of doughnuts, while Shido opted for an appetizing Liège chocolate.
It wasn't lunchtime yet, so in view of his chaotic diet over the past few days, Shido thought it would be better for him to just eat the dessert, fast for the rest of the day and have a light dinner.
"Well, Shido-san? What do you think of this place?"
Kurumi asked the fateful question as they waited for their orders.
At the intensity of her gaze, Shido felt a cold sweat run down his back.
He knew from Kurumi's monologues that this was her favorite place, her secret base, her safe haven.
She would not accept any criticism about it: if Shido gave an answer she didn't like, their date would end here.
Fortunately, he didn't have to lie.
"I really like it. It's relaxing and warm. I can see why you like it so much. Thank you for sharing, Kurumi."
Kurumi looked ecstatic. She nodded her head, looking satisfied. Then...
"Oh? It looks like we have a guest..."
A black cat approached Shido's chair, then with a supple leap, jumped onto Shido's arm.
It finally settled down near Shido's elbow, looking satisfied.
At the same time, the waitress arrived, and put their orders and glasses of water on the low table.
"Well, what do you know? Noir came ? That's rare..." She said, giving Shido a puzzled look.
"What do you mean?"
Kurumi's curiosity was piqued.
"Well... to put it simply, let's say he's one of our least social residents. He never mixes with customers, and runs away as soon as he's approached, even with food."
Shido watched as the cat seemed quite at ease, and rubbed its nose against his arm.
"That's... hard to believe."
"You must have a special aura!"
Once the waitress left, Kurumi glanced enviously at Shido.
"I've been coming for... um, a long time though, and she's right, I've never seen this one come close to me."
"Haha..."
Unable to change the subject, Shido took a spoonful of his dessert, which he found delicious.
Kurumi also tasted her pastries with a satisfied expression.
"By the way, Shido-san."
"Hmm?"
As Shido drank some water to clean her mouth from the sweet taste of chocolate, Kurumi quietly called out to her.
"I love you."
"Gh-cough, cough!"
Shido swallowed hard and was seized by a violent coughing fit.
With tears in his eyes, he struggled to pull himself together, while Kurumi, with her usual smirk, watched him wordlessly.
"You...you what?" he finally stammered.
"Ara? Did you hear me wrong? I said I loved you."
Several questions ran through Shido's head, but the one that lingered the most was: Why now?!
Based on his previous dates, Shido was not fooled: He more or less expected his dates to end with a confession from Spirits.
It was a golden rule, no, a basic law of physics: Confessions came at the end of a date.
In all light novels, games, manga, and anime... confessions came at the end in most cases!
Only those who wanted to be original or break the codes started with the confession! Or usually, this confession was fake, then the character developed real feelings, and made a real confession again!
The reason why Shido was so upset was simple: Kurumi's action contradicted his training.
And besides that...
What am I supposed to say?!
Shido took a deep breath in order to calm himself down.
"...Kurumi...why are you telling me this now?"
"To throw you off balance...I am kidding. I wanted to be honest with you...and with myself.
Besides, I think it's more interesting to start our date this way. At least things will be clear."
"That's...one way of looking at it..."
Shido was still baffled, but paradoxically, understood Kurumi's "logic" a little.
A date was a battlefield.
And Kurumi had chosen a different strategy than usual to increase her chances of success.
"Fufu... normally, this is the part where the dense hero asks 'but why..' and the oh-so-feminine girl explains."
Kurumi openly scoffed at the clichés of romance.
"But since I've already gone off script normally...I'll go back to the classics a bit so as not to confuse you too much."
"...I didn't ask for anything."
"Well, you're failing at your job, then. So play your part and ask me why, Shido-san. After all...you succeeded in your original mission of seducing me. Don't you want to know how?..."
It was at that moment that Shido noticed Kurumi blushing slightly.
She's doing her best to look strong but... is she as embarrassed as I am?...
Kurumi was an expert at wearing a mask and acting.
At this very moment, she was still doing it.
Out of respect for her, but also because he thought she was cute like that, Shido decided to play along.
"Okay... why?"
Kurumi smiled gratefully.
"If you insist..."
Shido held back from objecting that she had literally forced his hand.
"Shido-san. How do you know if you're... yourself?"
"Huh?"
But Kurumi's totally off-topic question caught him off guard again.
"Your tastes, your behavior, your values...all of these things, all of this information about you defines you. For example, if a person only knows one thing about you, they will define you as such."
"Um...yes?"
Shido didn't see what Kurumi was getting at.
"But along with that... that factual information isn't everything. The way others see you... affects your own identity. After all, humans are social creatures. If you are recognized for something... you will subconsciously conform to that, to be recognized."
She pointed to Shido's empty cup.
"If it's about tastes like that, it's easy. And that can change just as easily. But behavioral labels..."
Kurumi sighed.
"A person labeled 'cheerful' will have to behave like that, as well as a 'serious' person. To meet the expectations of others..."
"Ah, I see... kind of like a class rep."
"Absolutely. A class representative will carry the expectations of others on their shoulders and therefore will do their best to conform to them. Another example is someone who has a reputation for having a talent..."
Kurumi quoted several examples.
"But it also works for the negative aspects. People who are treated as 'bad guys' eventually convince themselves that they are. After all, it doesn't matter if they tell the world they are nice... if they are recognized by others as bad, then they will be."
It was true.
The majority decided what was and what was not.
If one person called blue 'green', and two people called green 'green', then green would be green.
It was as simple as that, and it applied to everything.
"Your identity, in part, is defined by others. By how they see you... how they treat you."
Kurumi's voice was full of melancholy.
"For years... I was considered a villain. My nickname... The Worst Spirit illustrates that. And... I accepted this role. I acted like one, because I knew that my actions were inexcusable, and that even if I explained myself, my label would not change. My identity...would not change."
"I had resolved... to be the villain."
Kurumi smiled, but this time, it was a sparkling, sincere, warm smile.
Shido's heart was stolen by that smile full of... love and gratitude.
"And you, Shido-san. You were the first to look at me differently. To want to save me... to want, to offer me another identity."
Shido thought back to their meeting. To his own fears, to his fear of Kurumi at first... and then to his resolve, to help her.
"You are the only one who offered me the possibility to change. Not to be the villain anymore... to live differently. That's why I love you, Shido-san."
Her words floated, and echoed for a long time in Shido's head.
After what seemed like an endless amount of time, Kurumi sighed.
"...I...I didn't know it would be so embarrassing...my god..."
"K-Kurumi..."
Kurumi lowered her head, but she couldn't hide her rosy cheeks.
"Sorry, Shido-san... I thought it would be easy, but... ahhh, saying all those things... It was embarrassing... but I'm glad I could do it..."
Kurumi mumbled to herself, while pressing her hands against her cheeks.
She was absolutely adorable, and her confession, combined with her uncharacteristically cute behavior, made Shido's heart beat faster than ever.
Shido himself was in a state of shock: he could hardly believe what he had just heard and what had just happened.
When he regained the ability to speak, it was to ask a question.
"Kurumi...answer me honestly..."
Kurumi shyly looked up at him, which nearly made him bend over backwards at such cuteness.
"Is it... really you, or one of your clones?"
"..."
Kurumi gazed at him with a round eye, before puffing her cheeks.
"...How rude...it's really me."
"S-sorry... it's just... it was so... surprising..."
"Don't remind me... it's embarrassing!"
"If it's embarrassing, you shouldn't have done it.
"Shido-san, you're being rude! Have some respect for a lady's heart!"
"Ah, sorry..."
Shido and Kurumi found themselves quarreling, in a way that was not like them at all.
When they calmed down, Kurumi coughed.
"I... I just wanted to tell you how I felt. So... think about it. I'll listen... to what you think of me, at the end of our date, okay? Just tell me if... yes, or no, you feel the same towards me."
Her demeanor was strange again, but so cute that Shido could only nod in agreement.
For several minutes, there was silence as Kurumi gradually regained her composure and normal behavior, while Shido tried to calm his racing heart.
Shido wanted to get up and go to the bathroom, so that he could sort out his thoughts. But it was then that he realized... he couldn't get up.
"...eh?"
"Shido-san?"
Kurumi seemed as surprised as he was.
They were so engrossed in their conversation that neither of them had noticed that cats had gathered around and on Shido.
The reason Shido couldn't get up was because four cats had settled on his legs and were sleeping there.
"..."
As if time had returned to normal, Shido then felt the weight and warmth of the kitties. And not only on his legs.
Other cats lay all around his feet, forming a wall.
Some of them had slid into his seat, against his sides, a look of pleasure on their faces.
And it did not stop there: more cats came to join them, as if they had waited for the end of their conversation.
In a few seconds, cats started to lie on Shido's arms, literally pinning him to his seat.
Noir, the first one that had come along, deftly jumped on his head and curled up in a ball on it.
"Eh?!"
Shido was buried under about twenty cats. In fact, almost all the residents of the establishment had come to him.
"Sh-Shido-san, what did you do?..."
"...nothing."
(Good thing I'm not allergic...) thought Shido.
"Are you sure? You didn't roll in catnip before you came?"
"Who would do that before a date?!"
"Hm. You're right. Besides, if I had, it would have kicked in much sooner..."
Kurumi looked genuinely curious and envious. However, the other customers in the cafe seemed rather jealous and unhappy.
In fact, some of them had been enjoying the company of the cats until now, but all of them had deserted to join Shido.
"Mom, Mom, why did Mr. Kitten leave?"
"... It' s that mean boy over there who lured it away."
"Eeeh?"
" Bastard... He's dating a beauty, then he steals my heart's only solace?!"
"I have to kill him, without hurting the cats... ugh..."
Shido heard various hurtful comments, but also some more disturbing ones.
"Would that mean that your charisma affects even the animals?!"
"Kurumi. Stop talking nonsense and help me..."
"Ara, sorry. But first, let me take some pictures... for my personal collection."
"Kurumiiiii!"
Shido, totally paralyzed by the mass of cats, could only groan, while Kurumi had fun at his expense and recorded the scene.
The managers of the place were stunned by Shido's success, and had to deal with complaints from other customers.
After checking that Shido had not brought any suspicious substances with him, they had to admit that there was nothing they could do if the cats simply preferred him to others.
A compromise was finally reached: the cats didn't seem to mind being petted by other people as long as they weren't being moved.
So a second crowd (of humans this time) formed around Shido.
Kurumi took the opportunity to pet him as well, claiming that her hand was having trouble telling the difference between him and the cats.
It took some choice treats to eventually free Shido from his feline prison.
He was then knighted on the spot by the café manager as a "Great Friend of Cats", a status badge only awarded to those who managed to bond with all the guests in the establishment.
The card he was given gave him a VIP stay in all the neko cafes around the country, and Kurumi tried to convince him to go on a tour with her to visit them.
But Shido firmly refused, fearing that he would choke to death buried under more cats if he tried it again.
...
Kurumi felt embarrassed, but also happy.
She felt that she had managed to catch Shido by surprise by telling him how she felt at the beginning of their date.
But... being so honest, so direct, on such a subject, had been terribly embarrassing, so she'd lost all composure and behaved in what she felt was a rather inelegant way.
If I like, I'd go back in time and change that... good grief.
She was even thinking about this kind of thing in order to distract herself.
Because Kurumi was now apprehensive about Shido's answer.
She thought she had a good chance, given their relationship, but... she was usually so cautious, almost paranoid, that a 99% success rate wasn't good enough.
And then... Kurumi knew that opening up to someone, trusting someone like that... was not easy for her.
She had been betrayed by the one she thought was her ally, when she thought she was saving the world...
She had been forced to kill her best friend, because she had been too naive.
This trauma still remained, and prevented her from trusting others: even if her reason knew it was unfounded, her unconsciousness still refused.
But, with Shido-san... I think I can do it.
That warmth in her, that sweet feeling. What people called love, but for Kurumi, it had a different meaning.
Love was usually an attraction to someone else.
For Kurumi, it was something else.
It was the possibility to entrust herself to him. To entrust her being, her secrets, her feelings to him, and to receive his smile, his warmth in return.
Yes, love could take many forms.
And she was going to do everything to make this date happen.
After all, she had so much to tell him... but she wanted him to have a good time first.
If he's having a good time, he'll open up to me more. He'll let his guard down... and I can drive the nail in!
Yes, Kurumi, even in this kind of moment, was strategizing.
"Kurumi? Why are you smiling like that?"
"!"
Kurumi hadn't noticed, but a wide smile had blossomed on her face.
"Cough. I'm happy to have a picture of you surrounded by all those cats... Cat cuteness + Shido cuteness = cuteness ten thousand fold!"
"...I don't know how you calculate..."
"Fufu."
Kurumi got away with a joke, or rather, a half-truth.
She was genuinely thrilled to have this picture, and had struggled to contain herself at the result.
She had to print it out to maybe decorate her room with it. But she couldn't risk the other Spirits seeing it... they might steal it from her.
This picture is mine, only mine!!!
...
Meanwhile...
"Where the hell is Kurumi Tokisaki!?"
Kotori's furious voice echoed in Fraxinus.
It had been more than 6 hours since the Spirit of Time departed, and she had never come back. Out of concern for others' safety, Kotori ordered them to stay put. Only until Kurumi came back would they decide whether to cross the world or not.
When Kotori herself felt the urge to do it herself, the AI of the Fraxinus airship, Maria Arusu, strongly convinced her not to.
Fortunately, before they reached the breaking point, a flash of red and black light lit up the room, marking the return of the departed companion.
"Ara, I'm back, everyone."
Kurumi emerged out of the gleaming light and smiled.
"Finally....Whohaa!"
Kotori gritted her teeth as she responded, but quickly covered her eyes.
As it turned out, Kurumi was naked....again...
To make matters worse, Miku rushed in and buried her face in her bosom, rubbing affectionately.
"Kurumi-chan's chest feels so soft...~ Darling is so lucky~"
Wordlessly raising her hand, Kurumi struck the back of Miku's neck lightly, knocking her out temporarily.
Only Shido-san can....touch me like that...
...
A/N:
I believe that I didn't provide enough details about how Shido and the Spirits handled world-crossing in the beginning of the story. Therefore, I decided to extend it one special chapter at a time. Hope it fares well in the long run :)