“…The method of sealing…”
Kotori Itsuka felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if she had encountered this issue before… oh, she really had.
But that was aboard the airship Fraxinus, and the atmosphere back then, if anything, wasn’t as awkward as it was now.
Because Shidou’s ability to seal spirits and the sealing method had long been disclosed to everyone in the Fraxinus command room, and the strategy plans for approaching spirits were formulated on that premise.
Moreover, at that time, in the isolation room with her, the only one asking the question and about to hear the answer was Shidou alone.
Kotori Itsuka felt a slight regret.
If she hadn’t been so fixated on the chance to legitimately go on a date with her brother, if she had told him the answer back then, the one embarrassed now wouldn’t be her, but Sh15.
…But in truth, she didn’t regret it that much. After all, her plan hadn’t completely fallen apart.
Crunching the hard candy in her mouth, letting the doubled sweetness of Chupa Chups work its magic, Kotori Itsuka activated her 178-IQ little brain, rapidly analyzing the current situation.
Having to reveal the sealing method was now unavoidable.
Though Kotori didn’t want to blurt it out so carelessly, hiding something this important from her brother just for self-satisfaction was something the current strong her couldn’t do.
But she absolutely couldn’t announce it loudly to all three.
Regardless of the specifics of how sealing is completed, directly telling the target “I’m going to date you and make you blush” was, no matter how you looked at it, way too outrageous.
If told something like that, the purpose of the date would become too strong, as if it weren’t about having fun together but simply a reluctant means to achieve sealing.
Oh, my foolish brother, you’ve really given me a tough problem.
Muttering complaints in her heart, Kotori Itsuka glanced at Kyoumi beside her.
Capturing two spirits in a single appearance window was unrealistic.
This girl’s attitude was also ambiguous.
Though she said she’d cooperate with sealing and wouldn’t mind contributing her power if it meant a peaceful, normal life, that expression of simply finding something fun lacked much persuasiveness.
As commander, Kotori Itsuka had her own judgment.
Kyoumi clearly wasn’t a target that could be sealed in this appearance.
As long as they maintained the current favorability and ensured she didn’t resist contact with Shidou in the next appearance, that would count as success.
So, obviously, the focus right now should be on Tohka.
Therefore—
“Hmm… the prerequisite for sealing is to have fun together and have a good impression of Shidou…”
Though true, Kotori Itsuka didn’t reveal the key point.
Regarding this answer, aside from Tohka nodding with a confused umum, the other two didn’t fully accept it.
But for now, this was enough.
“Yeah, if the favorability isn’t high enough, it’ll be hard to proceed later, so saying it now would be pointless.”
She winked at Shidou Itsuka, but the non-blood-related siblings apparently lacked telepathy; Shidou tilted his head in confusion, earning an angry kick under the table from Kotori, who was annoyed at his lack of cooperation.
“Ah, is that so?”
Seeing the girl didn’t want to say more in front of certain people, Kyoumi didn’t press.
“A bit of a shame.”
That wasn’t can’t say, but will say later expression.
But since she couldn’t tell everything, clearly the cute little demon miss hadn’t given Kyoumi the answer she hoped for.
Ah… though it’s a little regrettable, it’s not unacceptable.
“Hmm…”
Judging thus, the girl placed both hands on the table, stood up, and slowly stretched.
The post-meal dessert in front of Tohka had also hit bottom.
Though Shidou still looked a bit bloated, strolling at a walking pace wouldn’t be an issue.
“Dinner’s done; let’s go shopping. Didn’t Shidou-kun get four raffle tickets?”
Naturally taking the lead, Kyoumi pushed the cartoon flag back toward Shidou.
“Eh?”
That was something she had wanted earlier, so Shidou had eaten an entire kids’ meal to get the flag, yet now the girl was returning it.
This left Shidou Itsuka with a puzzled expression, and even the pursuit of the sealing topic was postponed.
“I’ve had my fun with this; here, take it back. My Divine Raiment has no pockets, and I can’t take it back to the other side. It’d be a waste if it fell on the ground and got stepped on.”
“…Kyoumi?”
Shidou Itsuka widened his eyes.
The girl had said back to the other side.
Spirits disappear after the appearance phenomenon ends; even the densest person would understand her meaning.
This opportunity, she was leaving to Tohka.
“Hm? Don’t misunderstand. I’m not angry. Meeting you all has been pleasant. Though the target this time isn’t me, the date isn’t over yet, is it?”
Without waiting for Kotori to stand and make way, Kyoumi vaulted over the sofa back with one hand into the aisle, theatrically lifting her hem and spinning in front of the boy like the heroine on an opera stage.
“This time I’ll step back, but next time, who to choose is up to Shidou-kun.”
Speaking words of concession, Kyoumi already grabbed the boy’s hand and pulled him from his seat.
“Next is the commercial street, right? Let’s go~” She forcefully dragged the boy toward the door.
“Huh? Wait, Shidou??!”
“What are you suddenly doing?!”
Paying no heed to Tohka’s and Kotori’s feelings, Kyoumi’s steps were quick, and her sudden action meant they couldn’t catch up immediately.
“Kyoumi?”
Stumbling nearly to a fall, pulled to the doorway, Shidou Itsuka noticed the girl’s somewhat gloomy expression.
“Shut up and listen. They’ll catch up soon. This can only be said to you alone, Shidou.”
Having already judged from Kotori’s attitude that this appearance window only allowed time for one spirit to be sealed, and taking advantage of Shidou removing his comm earpiece while explaining, while Ratatoskr couldn’t monitor the boy.
“Listen well. Since you can use Kotori’s self-healing flames, after sealing, you should also be able to use Tohka’s power. Since you’re taking her power, you must protect her properly.”
“Also, Kotori’s mental strain is already very high. If you can’t seal her today, before I disappear, I’ll use physical means to suppress the impurities in her body for a while longer. Don’t brush it off. She… is probably really looking forward to her date with you.”
“Mental strain… impurities in her body, looking forward to a date… with me? What do you mean…?”
“—Shidou, where are you going?!”
Hurried footsteps approached. Hearing Tohka’s voice, the girl raised a brow.
“Since the protagonist this time isn’t me, of course I won’t kindly explain for you. Consider it a little revenge.”
Placing her forefinger to her lips in a shh gesture, Kyoumi drew one raffle ticket from Shidou’s hand.
“And,” Kyoumi drew out the word, looking at the tense girl pushing through the door, “…trust me.”