It couldn’t be helped.
The communication earpiece’s positioning function was disrupted by the spirit, and the visuals were blurry due to the intense skirmish, but the audio remained crystal clear.
This was because Shidou Itsuka wasn’t the only one wearing a communicator—Kotori Itsuka herself, having made the snap decision to teleport down, was also equipped.
For those accustomed to Kotori’s way of speaking, “DATE” simply meant “operation.”
But to someone hearing it for the first time, it naturally carried its literal meaning: a “date.”
Kotori Itsuka had proposed a date to the spirit, and after some consideration, the spirit had accepted the invitation.
In short, that was the situation.
Fraxinus would seize every opportunity to increase interaction with the spirit—it was the most fundamental step in saving them.
Without dialogue, no ideals could be conveyed.
Without communication, mutual understanding was impossible.
This responsibility was supposed to fall on Shidou Itsuka, who had the ability to seal a spirit’s powers.
However, the spirit had specifically named only one person: the “cute little demon girl.”
The spirit’s wishes had to be considered.
Besides, even though Shidou still carried traces of Kotori’s spiritual energy, which could heal his injuries, given the danger Beast had previously displayed, no one could guarantee his head wouldn’t be twisted off this time.
To be honest, that spirit was… somewhat incomprehensible…
Afterward, a thorough check of the equipment confirmed that all readings at the time were functioning normally.
Her mood was stable, her stress levels showed little fluctuation, and her affection toward Shidou was at a “friendly” level.
By all accounts, dialogue should have been possible, and the visuals Fraxinus observed when they reestablished contact with Shidou appeared calm and peaceful.
Yet, in a situation that should have been safe, one where Fraxinus’s intervention could have further increased her goodwill…
“Seal my powers? I won’t ask how, only that you prove you have the ability to protect a spirit who’s lost their strength.”
Her approach was simple and direct, leaving no room for negotiation.
Had Kotori arrived a moment later, there was no doubt that the steady, friendly longsword would have severed the boy’s neck.
Killing someone she found agreeable seemed to pose no issue for her.
Was she truly testing their “ability to protect spirits”?
The moment she posed the question, she interfered with the communicator, preventing Fraxinus from pinpointing Shidou’s location and cutting off his escape.
“Kotori.”
Shidou’s voice came through the earpiece.
Kotori, under everyone’s gaze, looked at the boy beside her.
His face practically screamed, “Let me go!”
“…Enough, Shidou. A spirit like Beast is too much for you right now,” Kotori sighed, standing up.
She tossed her military jacket into Shidou’s arms, revealing her complete middle school uniform underneath.
“You don’t have my spiritual energy anymore. If you want to help, stay here. I’m leaving the command duties to you today.”
“Command?!”
“Reine, Shidou’s in your hands.”
The girl pointed to the commander’s chair and took the communicator earpiece handed to her by analyst Reine Murasame, who nodded.
“Wait, me in command? That’s absurd! Doesn’t anyone else have an issue with this?!”
He was just an ordinary high schooler, yet Kotori, a mere middle schooler, held the commander’s seat with confidence.
Shidou swallowed his words and quickly looked around for anyone who might object.
“Oh, the weather’s nice today, isn’t it…?”
“I still haven’t picked out a gift for my daughter. What do you think, Kanban?”
“Flowers, maybe? Young people like that sort of thing, right?”
To his surprise, everyone his gaze landed on immediately turned away or started chatting as if nothing was happening.
Your commander is about to head into danger! Can’t you react normally?!
“Shidou,” Shidou tried to say more, but a pair of large hands clapped onto his shoulders.
Kyōhei Kannazuki spoke with a serious expression, as if proclaiming his creed.
“We trust the Commander’s judgment.”
“I…”
The phantom pain of his severed arm still lingered faintly.
Without the healing flames now, it wouldn’t be surprising if he got killed.
Still, he didn’t want Kotori to take the risk.
“Hmph, the data will show her affection level, mood changes, and stress values. If a decision point comes up, options will appear. It’s time to show the results of your training,” Kotori said, turning back as she reached the door.
“My safety is in your hands, big brother.”
Instinctively, Shidou reached out toward her, but Kyōhei held him firmly in the commander’s chair.
Reine, in sync, took the military jacket from Shidou’s hands and draped it over his shoulders.
“Do your best, Acting Commander.”
“Work hard, Shi…”
“But the galge training was all for male protagonists!!!”
***
“Spirits, spirits… damn spirits!!!”
Gritting her teeth, flames practically shooting from her eyes, Ryoko Kusakabe led her team toward the explosion site at full speed.
The cast on her leg had just been removed, and one of her trusty brass knuckles had been destroyed in the last battle.
She hadn’t brought the remaining one this time.
While medical Realizers could heal non-fatal injuries, the human body’s capacity to recover had its limits.
By all rights, she should have been in the hospital for a week, enjoying some peace and quiet.
But the spacequake alarm blaring after just two days spiked her blood pressure through the roof.
The frustration of climbing out of a hospital bed with a medical crutch during sick leave to work overtime created an aura so oppressive that no one dared approach her.
“Origami, you okay?”
Despite her burning anger—enough to want to unleash a round of Gatling Gun fire—Ryoko glanced at the silent girl beside her.
“If you’re not in top shape, stay back with me and provide fire support.”
Origami Tobiichi had no visible injuries, but her overuse of the Realizer in the last battle had taken a heavy toll on her body.
Another high-intensity fight could leave her unable to get back up.
If her hospital room hadn’t been right next door, and if Origami hadn’t blocked her door when Ryoko tried to get up slowly, Ryoko wouldn’t have let her join this operation.
“I’m fine,” Origami replied coolly.
The team’s assembly speed was much slower than usual, making it uncertain whether they’d even encounter the spirit.
Still, their mission to expel remained unchanged.
This area seemed cursed lately, with spirits appearing one after another, yet the AST’s combat forces couldn’t be reinforced quickly.
Ryoko’s team was primarily tasked with reconnaissance this time.
Command had requested reinforcements from other regions, which might arrive in Tenguu City in about ten minutes.
Until then, if they found the spirit, driving her off with long-range methods would be ideal.
“Captain, the target’s gone!”
“Hm,” Ryoko responded curtly through the communicator, squinting.
The buildings and roads had been erased, and in the spoon-shaped crater, a less noticeable circular tunnel stood out.
…A tunnel?
“Where’s the probe?!”
“Get it up here!”
“Where’s the nearest shelter?!”
“Prepare for demolition! If it’s far enough from the shelter, throw the bombs in! Blast that damn Beast! My annual leave!!!”
“Yes… yes, sir!”
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