The softened demeanor as she answered his questions wasn’t an act.
Leaning her back against the shelf, her expression hidden in the shadows, Shidou Itsuka realized… that must be the real her.
Why does she show such intense aggression?
Why the urgency, as if something’s pushing her?
It’s not just about ‘disappearing’ soon…
“Hey! Shidou! What did you give her? I want some too!”
Tohka stepped forward, her gaze inevitably drawn to the snack in the girl’s mouth, though she maintained a cautious distance.
“Uh… sorry, Tohka, I only brought one box… here…?”
Shidou turned back stiffly, sensing an overwhelming wave of resentment from her.
“Shin, Tohka’s emotional fluctuations are intense, and her affection level is dropping…”
“No way…”
During their first interaction, Tohka didn’t seem like someone whose mood would shift so abruptly.
Even if she was upset, she’d voice her dissatisfaction directly.
Shidou’s mind raced through possible explanations, landing on one term…
[Jealousy]
No, no, no, how could that be?
This was their first proper date, and the last affection reading from Fraxinus was only around 50—barely friendly.
If his galge training was any guide, it was way too early for jealousy—
“Hmm, intense emotional fluctuations, affection dropping…”
Yuu Kagami flicked her bright red ponytail, her silky purple hair cascading down Kotori’s neck.
She leaned close to Kotori’s cheek, repeating the message from the earpiece.
“I see, so that’s how you judge it—like a strategy game.”
“Too close—!”
A vein pulsed on Kotori’s forehead as she swatted Yuu’s hand away, stepping back and shaking her twin tails.
No longer blocking the carefree spirit, she turned a stern glare on Shidou.
“Shidou, your date today is Tohka. Focus on calming her down, don’t rush things. Leave her to me… huh?”
Mid-sentence, Kotori’s peripheral vision lost track of the purple figure.
She spun sharply, looking toward where Shidou’s body had blocked her view.
Shidou turned too—
“Pinch the edge, tear off the wrapper—the outer layer’s not edible,” Yuu said, her silk-gloved fingers deftly peeling open the candy wrapper.
With a tug, the pink candy was revealed to the girl.
Tucking the chocolate stick packet under her arm, Yuu freed her hands to demonstrate.
Tohka nodded, mimicking her, grasping the snack’s ends and pulling gently.
“Snap—”
The plastic stick and candy parted perfectly.
Without its stick, the lollipop lost its soul, now just a hard candy in lollipop wrapping.
“Tch! This thing’s such a hassle!”
“…Here, take mine. Hold the stick, put the candy in your mouth, and don’t bite it right away, or it’ll be gone too fast.”
“Huh?! Really? You’re giving this to me?”
“—When?!”
Kotori’s face darkened, her hands darting to the pocket specially sewn into her dress.
As her eyes confirmed, the familiar logo on the discarded wrapper told the story.
“My Double Chupa Chups!!!”
Like a cat with its fur standing on end, Kotori’s frantic, clawing posture completely abandoned her commander’s composure.
It was only natural.
Even at home, with her white hairband as the soft sister, Kotori would fiercely defend her Double Chupa Chups, guarding her favorite snack from Shidou’s motherly mode.
With her black hairband as the commander, she was almost never without one—carrying or eating it, the Double Chupa Chups was practically a symbol of Kotori Itsuka’s existence, except when sleeping or eating meals.
Fraxinus even had a dedicated Double Chupa Chups production line, including her favorite strawberry cream and cherry among seven core flavors—a fact even Shidou, who controlled the household finances and kitchen, didn’t know.
And now, someone had swiped two of the five Double Chupa Chups from her pocket while she wasn’t looking, using the strawberry cream one to win over another girl’s affection.
This was unforgivable—
“Kotori, calm down, it’s just two Double Chupa Chups!”
His reliable support had turned into a squirming cat in his arms.
Shidou, sweating, held his sister’s waist tightly as her forward charge dragged his shoes, leaving shallow grooves in the ground.
“Let me go! Listen, Shidou! This is a matter of principle! This is a battle for my dignity as commander!!!”
“Your commander dignity is already crying!!!”
“Shin, Tohka’s affection toward Yuu has surpassed her affection for you. Analysis suggests it’s due to the Double Chupa Chups.”
“Don’t add fuel to the fire at a time like this, Reine-san!”
Picturing Kotori going even more berserk at those words, Shidou loudly protested the analyst’s ill-timed addition, closing his eyes and tightening his grip.
“Hmph…”
A soft hum reached his ears, but the expected outburst didn’t come.
“Of course, Double Chupa Chups is the best candy brand. Anyone with taste would agree,” Kotori said, her anger inexplicably dissipating.
She crossed her arms, boasting proudly.
“…Also, too tight, Shidou.”
From his angle, Shidou couldn’t see her expression, only her faintly reddened earlobes.
“How long are you gonna hold me?”
“Oh… sorry…”
Releasing her quickly, Shidou scratched his cheek, shifting his gaze to the two spirits.
“Kotori, I think… we can’t have alone time with Tohka this time…”
“Well… seeing this situation, we do need to rethink the plan… Your debut date is with three beautiful girls, Shidou. You’re something else…”
“Don’t tease me…”
Sighing helplessly, Shidou rubbed his hair in frustration.
In his line of sight, Yuu tossed a chocolate stick into the air, and Tohka caught the high-calorie snack with agile movements.
A beast tamer?!
“But with the spacequake alarm, everyone’s gone to the shelters, right? Is there anywhere we can go?”
A rude thought crossed his mind, and Shidou slapped his cheeks, quietly seeking opinions from the Fraxinus crew.
“No need to worry, Shidou-kun. Based on Tohka’s reactions, we’ve already set up a food street at top speed, located at…”
Kyōhei’s reassuring voice came through Shidou’s earpiece.
At the same time, Tohka’s nose twitched slightly.
Sniff sniff~
“What’s that smell?”
***
Current Intel / Affection Levels
– Tohka’s affection toward Shidou: 52 (Not resistant)
– Tohka’s affection toward Yuu: 61 (The kind kin who gave candy)
– Tohka’s affection toward Kotori: 34 (Cold)
– Yuu’s affection toward Tohka: 72 (A beautiful girl)
– Yuu’s affection toward Shidou: 68 (A pleasant boy)
– Yuu’s affection toward Kotori: 76 (The beautiful girl on the date)
– Yuu’s affection toward AST: 68 (Dedicated warriors/beautiful girls)
– Yuu’s affection toward Fraxinus: 11 (Strangers)