Although he was soundly rejected by Shiratori, what Shido cared about wasn’t any future strategy to seal her, but rather the harsh words she used when calling him foolish.
“…Is it really like that?”
[Shido, don’t overthink the current situation.
Ratatoskr has already dispatched personnel to search for Yoshinon.
We should have results very soon.]
“Yeah.
Still, I can’t help but feel concerned about what she said.”
Recalling his recent interaction with Shiratori, Shido felt as though she had been offering him advice rather than a threat.
“It really feels strange.”
Perhaps awakened by Shido’s muttering, Yoshino’s fingers twitched slightly on his shoulder before she opened her eyes.
Seeing an unfamiliar environment and realizing she was on the back of an unknown person, her body shuddered in fear.
In an instant, the rain surrounding Yoshino transformed into needle-like shards, hurtling straight toward Shido’s body.
“Woah, ahhhh!”
Noticing the rain suddenly turning into icicles, Shido frantically pulled Yoshino beneath him, swiftly ducking down to protect her.
“…!”
Seemingly due to him leaning over, Yoshino caught a clear view of Shido’s face.
Recognizing that he wasn’t a stranger, she immediately halted her attack.
“Calm down, it’s me…”
Shido let out a helpless sigh, gently rubbing Yoshino’s head to comfort her.
Fortunately, the number of icicles wasn’t high and their force wasn’t too intense.
Had Yoshino drawn upon just a bit more Reiryoku, Shido would likely have been turned into a pincushion by now.
“Don’t panic like that every time you get startled…
It’d be awful if innocent people got hurt.”
Yoshino nodded in acknowledgment of her mistake, stepping out from under Shido’s protection.
“Um…
weren’t we…
at Shiratori-nee’s place just now…?”
Yoshino wandered around the unfamiliar street, appearing surprised that she wasn’t at Shiratori’s villa, her eyes cautiously searching her surroundings.
Every street was completely unfamiliar, filling her with dread.
“Where did it go…”
Turning her head back despondently, Yoshino looked at Shido with inquiring eyes.
“Ah, explaining this is a bit of a hassle…”
The situation was far too complicated, and Shido had no idea where to begin.
It felt like no matter how he framed it, it would hit Yoshino hard.
“You fell asleep halfway through.
Shiratori seemed very busy, so she asked me to take you with me.
She said she’d host you properly next time when she gets the chance.”
Opting for a compromise, Shido watched Yoshino fall into deep thought.
After a moment, she seemed to accept the explanation and nodded.
“Thank you for helping me…”
Stepping closer to Shido, Yoshino bowed her head deeply.
“There’s no need to be so polite over something like this.”
“Is that so…”
“Yep!”
Grumbleee—
Suddenly, an awkward noise shattered the atmosphere.
“Yoshino?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Yoshino’s face flushed bright red as she apologized, even though she had done nothing wrong.
“Are you hungry?”
Before Yoshino could even speak, the hungry rumblings of her stomach laid out the truth crystal clear.
Yet she shook her head frantically, waving her empty left hand around as if waiting for the absent Yoshinon to explain on her behalf.
However, her left hand held nothing.
Realizing this, Yoshino squatted down beside a utility pole as if all color had drained from her world.
Although a Spirit’s Reiryoku could supply all life-sustaining needs, Yoshino didn’t seem to have mastered that method yet.
If only Tohka could master it too…
“So, want to grab something to eat together?”
Carefully placing a hand on Yoshino’s shoulder, Shido reached for his wallet.
He had plenty of funds, but with the bloodstains on his shoulder and both of their wet clothes, stepping into a restaurant would likely prove difficult.
Thus, the only viable option for a meal was his home.
Plus, with no one home at the moment, the chances of Yoshino being triggered by strangers could be kept to a absolute minimum.
Yoshino’s stomach let out another hungry rumble.
“Alright, let’s head out then.”
An hour later, the two arrived at the Itsuka residence.
Curiously enough, Yoshino’s rabbit hoodie wasn’t wet at all.
Barring any surprises, that was likely part of her Astral Dress, right?
Asking Yoshino to take a seat on the sofa first, Shido changed his clothes, tied an apron around his waist from the kitchen, and bent down to open the refrigerator.
“We have eggs, chicken, and leftover rice in the cooker…
Let’s make Oyakodon.”
“Yoshino, how does Oyakodon sound…?”
Shido chopped onions while glancing toward the living room, but the sight that met his eyes left him utterly speechbound.
“Yoshino, this is how you use the remote control.
A picture will suddenly appear next, so considering it might startle you, I think you should prepare yourself mentally.”
Light blue hair and a calm tone—even though her outfit had been swapped for a school uniform, it didn’t diminish her recognizability in the slightest.
“Shi…
Shiratori?!”
Shido doubted whether his eyes were simply stinging from the onions, quickly using his hands to scoop up some water and wash his face.
“Waaaaah!
My eyes hurt!”
The onion residue on his fingers washed right into his eyes, causing Shido to clutch his face in agony.
Now his eyes truly were stung blind.
“Hello.”
Watching the disheveled Shido, Shiratori, who was lounging on the sofa, offered a calm greeting.
“What on earth is going on here?!
Why are you in my house?!”
“Shido, if you don’t stir the eggs soon, they’re going to burn.”
Shiratori called out in reminder.
“Shoot, shoot!”
Compared to that question, the food in the pan was undeniably more important.
Shido immediately abandoned his interrogation and lifted the lid.
It seemed Shido’s instincts as a househusband were thoroughly ingrained.
Meanwhile, following Shiratori’s instructions, Yoshino pressed the power button on the remote, causing the television screen to instantly light up.
“!”
Yoshino’s body shuddered violently.
Just as the pooled water on the sink counter began to swell, preparing to shoot toward the TV like a projectile, Shiratori halted her movements.
“It’s fine, it’s just an image made of pixels.”
Hearing Shiratori say this, Yoshino stared anxiously at the TV screen.
Once she confirmed the television wouldn’t harm her, she nodded.
“Should I make an extra portion of food…
Ah!
No!
That’s not the point right now!”
“No need, I’ve already had some light snacks.”
“You really chime in so naturally, don’t you…”
Shido grumbled with a dramatic sigh.
Seeing that she had no intention of answering his question, he decided to stop dwelling on it and resumed cooking.
He heated up the soy sauce broth diluted with water, then added the sliced onions and chicken.
Once brought to a boil, he poured in the beaten eggs.
Next, he scooped the cooked toppings over large bowls filled with hot rice, topping it off with a sprinkle of Japanese parsley—masterpiece complete!
“Quite a practiced set of movements.
You must have done this countless times.”
Suddenly popping up beside Shido, Shiratori stroked her chin in admiration.
“Eh?
When did you get over here?”
Having seemingly accepted Shiratori’s presence, Shido froze for a moment.
“Just now.
So, is this portion for Yoshino?”
“Either portion works fine…”
“Alright.
Yoshino, food’s ready.”
Smoothly carrying a bowl away, Shiratori served the meal right in front of Yoshino.
Sighing, Shido brought his own bowl to sit opposite Yoshino, looking at Shiratori with a face full of distress.
“I’ll explain later.
Eat first.”
This is my house, you know.
Though he harbored no small amount of doubt and annoyance, Shido temporarily gave up pushing the issue.
Clasping his hands together, he said, “Thanks for the food,” while Yoshino bowed her head and mirrored the gesture.
Then, Yoshino picked up the spoon and took a bite of the Oyakodon Shido had prepared.
Immediately after, she couldn’t stop—swallowing bite after bite, the spoon clinking rhythmically against the bowl.
By contrast, Shido felt rather awkward.
With Shiratori sitting on the sofa staring right at him, eating under such intense observation felt exceedingly uncomfortable, severely slowing down his pace.
Thus, by the time Shido was only halfway through, Yoshino had already completely polished off the contents of her bowl.
Afterward, a satisfied smile washed over her face.
“Glad it hit the spot…”
Once Shido finished every last bit in his bowl, he let out a sigh of relief as if finally liberated, shifting his gaze toward Shiratori lounging on the sofa.
“Um, Shiratori…
why exactly are you in my house…?”
Hearing this question, Shiratori put on a puzzled look, pondering for a moment before speaking:
“Because I didn’t feel easy leaving Yoshino unattended, so I came along to take a look.”
“Isn’t that the kind of thing you’re supposed to do in secret?!”
Granted, Shiratori had stated she didn’t trust him, so following along to check after he brought Yoshino home was entirely logical.
But why do it so openly and brazenly?!
And acting so completely at home, no less!
“Yes, but Yoshino would have detected my presence, and your personnel might have spotted me as well.
Furthermore, since you previously expressed that you hold no malice, I figured revealing myself directly would be far more convenient.”
Shiratori rested a finger against her cheek, tracing small circles as if reminiscing.
“Judging by your initial reaction, you indeed hold no malice, which surprised me a little.
It seems those words from earlier weren’t just a memorized script.”
“That goes without saying!”
Her words sounded somewhat reasonable, yet it still felt hard to swallow.
Shido was utterly helpless against Shiratori’s eccentric personality.
Still, since she was already here—
“However, let me state in advance: don’t even dream of attempting what you tried earlier.”
Well, it seemed his thoughts had been seen right through again.
Shido closed his mouth in disappointment.
“I only want to accompany Yoshino.
Only after confirming that you are truly helping her will I depart.
I won’t let you shape my emotions; I intend to explore my own nature.
Until I figure it out myself, there is no way I will agree to your proposal.”
“Th-That…”
Yoshino spoke up timidly, slowly raising her hand.
“Is it time to talk about…
Yo-Yoshinon’s…
matter…?”
Her halting words brought a faint smile to Shido’s face.
Bending down, he looked directly into Yoshino’s eyes.
“Don’t worry, I will definitely find her.”
“Well then, keep at it~”
Shiratori uttered a drawn-out line completely devoid of emotion.
The mood is completely ruined!
Shido lowered his head in frustration, shook his head vigorously, and pulled himself back together.
“Mm…
I believe in Shido.”
Just as Yoshino nodded—
“I’m back!”
Kotori’s voice echoed from the front door.
Full of energy, Kotori swung the door open and bounced inside excitedly.
At that moment, everyone’s eyes locked.
“Pardon me, I just remembered I have something to take care of.”
Upon confirming the situation inside the room, Kotori swiftly slammed the door shut, her movement so fluid it looked like a video playing in reverse.
Smoothly switching to her black ribbon persona, she activated the teleportation device, heading straight back to Fraxinus.