"Tohka? Y‑you… why are you here!?"
"Eh? Do you know me?"
"Hey! What in the world is going on? Why has Tohka shown up here?"
That question from Yatogami Tenka was, of course, directed at Shichen.
"Heh‑heh ~ Didn't I already tell you about this?" Shichen answered with a smile.
"Then why didn't you say anything to me first?" Tenka asked coldly.
"Why should I? A daughter who doesn't listen—should I still report everything to you ahead of time?"
"Besides, you kept dithering. If I'd waited until you were ready, who knows how long it would take. I'm about to leave and don't have time for your hesitation."
"Shichen, what exactly is happening? Where am I right now? And who is she? Why does she look exactly like me?" Yatogami Tohka interrupted, puzzled.
"Tohka, you're inside my body right now~"
"What? I'm actually inside you? Amazing!"
"Right?"
"You two… could you be a little more serious!" Tenka couldn't help cutting in.
"Ah! I almost forgot—Shichen, who is this girl who looks just like me? And why is she inside you? You called her your daughter—what did you mean by that?"
"Don't fire off questions all at once. First: her identity. She's your elder sister; her name is Tenka," Shichen explained patiently.
(He did wonder, though, how Tohka could see what Tenka looked like while inside him.)
"Tenka… my sister…" Tohka murmured.
"Tohka, I—" Tenka started, but the words caught in her throat.
"Wow! I actually have an older sister? Is that true?" Tohka asked Shichen excitedly.
"Absolutely true."
"Tenka, are you really my sister?" Tohka asked, eyes shining.
"Mm… I am," Tenka admitted honestly.
"Fantastic! I'm not alone anymore—I have a sister!"
"Tohka, don't you… have anything you want to ask me?" Tenka couldn't help saying.
To Tenka's surprise, Tohka wasn't demanding to know why they'd never met; she was simply overjoyed at having a family.
Maybe Tenka should have revealed herself sooner?
"Ask you? Nope! I'm too happy to worry about that!"
"…Really?"
"Though I do have one question," Tohka suddenly added.
"You… you can ask," Tenka replied, a trace of nervousness in her voice.
"Tenka, why are you inside Shichen?"
"…That's what you care about?"
"Uh‑huh. I'm curious."
"…Then ask him!" Tenka snapped, a bit vexed.
"Tohka, are you angry?"
"No!"
"Really? Then Shichen, why exactly is Tenka inside you?" Tohka turned to him.
"Because Tenka originally shared a body with you. When I sealed your spirit power, I accidentally absorbed her into myself."
"So that's it… Wait—does that mean Tenka's been with you all this time and knows everything we did?"
"Yes…"
"Ah!"
Tohka suddenly turned bright red. "Tenka, you—"
"Hmph~ If you didn't want anyone to know, you shouldn't have done it."
"Ugh…"
"Tohka, what are you embarrassed about? Tenka's your sister. So what if she saw?" Shichen soothed.
"Now that you mention it… And since we once shared a body, wouldn't that mean Tenka has also, in a sense, uh, with you…"
"Shut up!" Tenka shouted, flustered.
"…She's mad again. Why? Did I say something wrong?"
"What do you think?" Shichen asked helplessly.
"Seems fine to me."
"…As long as you're happy."
"So why is Tenka angry?" Tohka persisted.
"Ask her yourself. I'll let you sisters catch up."
"Eh? But Shichen, you haven't answered the rest of my questions."
"Just ask Tenka."
"Oh… okay."
Tenka sighed quietly.
That night, Tohka chatted with Tenka non stop—telling her about everything that had happened, the incredible moment she met Shichen, and the happy life she'd enjoyed since.
Tenka already knew it all, yet listened patiently without interrupting, playing the role of audience.
Shichen listened too; he hadn't expected innocent Tohka to have so many thoughts.
He felt lucky to have come to this world.
…
Shichen released Tohka from his body, but Tenka chose to remain inside—perhaps because of her reserved nature or unfamiliarity with the others.
While Shichen and Tohka brushed their teeth, she was anything but quiet—bubbling with questions.
"I actually have a sister! And she looks just like me—well, a bit more mature… How can I enter your body, Shichen? Why has Tenka stayed inside you? And who are those other beings in there? What's with the huge rainbow‑colored bird, that white bird‑thing, and that big whale…?"
"Tohka…"
Shichen finished brushing and looked at her helplessly.
"What?" Tohka mumbled around her toothbrush, blinking wide‑eyed.
"…How about we go buy kinako pan later?"
"Eh? Really?"
"Of course—eat as much as you like."
"That's amazing! Why the treat?"
"Haven't I always been nice?"
"But you usually limit how much kinako pan I can have."
"Well, we're about to head off for a while, so you won't get any for some time."
"What? No kinako bread? How long?" Tohka froze.
"Maybe a few months."
"A few monnnnths… I'll die—"
"Don't exaggerate."
"Wait! But you can make it yourself, right? You could bake me some!"
"…Why are you suddenly so clever?" Shichen shook his head.
"Hee‑hee~"
"Quit giggling and finish brushing."
"'Kay!"
…
After buying a huge bag of kinako pan for Tohka and watching her demolish it, Shichen took her, along with Itsuka Kotori, Tokisaki Kurumi, Yamauchi Sawa, and Origami Tobiichi, out for another day of fun.
He intended to say goodbye to everyone.
Kurumi and Sawa accepted the news calmly. Origami and Kotori were more complicated—but, to Shichen's surprise, Origami actually welcomed his departure.
"Origami, you seem happy that I'm leaving?" he asked while walking with her alone.
"Mm." She nodded seriously.
"Why?"
"I don't want you spending too much time with Tokisaki‑san."
"I see… because she's a Spirit?"
"Yes."
"But she hasn't done anything, has she?"
"You don't know—Tokisaki‑san has killed many people," Origami said gravely.
Shichen did know—he was in fact the reason Kurumi had become who she was.
"Shichen-sensei, don't you believe me?"
"I do believe you…"
"So it's better if you're gone for a while."
"I won't be away long."
His official story was that he was going abroad for further study; it also explained his leave from the school where he taught.
"That's enough," Origami said softly, glancing at Kurumi ahead of them. "AST won't just ignore her."
"Origami, can I ask you a favor?" Shichen stopped, turned to face her, gently gripping her shoulders.
"Eh? S‑Shichen-sensei?"
"If AST moves against Kurumi, would you help her?"
"Why? Tokisaki‑san has killed so many people."
"But weren't they all scum who deserved death?"
"Murder should still be punished by law…"
"Origami." Shichen cut her off. "Do you know what kind of people Kurumi killed?"
"What?" Origami was stunned.
"Murderers, rapists… people who destroyed innocent lives. Don't they deserve death?"
"But the law—"
"Do you think the courts would sentence them to death?"
Origami fell silent; she knew all too well how lenient Japanese law could be.
"I'm not asking you to approve of what she did—just to know she doesn't kill the innocent. She has power, so she chose to act."
"That disrupts public order…"
"'Order' is made by people. Do you think she's wrong?"
"…I'll keep an eye on her," Shichen promised. "She won't abuse her strength."
"Why does Tokisaki‑san listen to you?" Origami asked, looking into his eyes.
"That's because…"
"Because she likes you? And you like her?"
Shichen nodded.
"…I understand. If it comes to it, I'll help her."
"Really? Thank you, Origami!"
"It's the least I can do."
"Won't it trouble you?"
"A little, but for you, Shichen-sensei, it's fine."
"Origami, there's something else." Shichen smiled.
"Mm?"
"I like you too, you know~"
"Eh?"
Origami stared, stunned.
"Shichen, what are you doing back there? Hurry up!" Tohka's voice rang out ahead.
"Coming! Let's go, Origami."
He took her hand and jogged after the others. Origami could only be pulled along, dazed, feeling the warmth of his hand and watching his back—the same back she remembered from five years ago.
After a two‑day‑one‑night camping trip, Sunday evening Shichen collapsed on the sofa the moment they got home.
"Whew—so tired."
"Shichen‑nii, let me give you a massage." Yoshino appeared beside him, her small hands kneading his thigh.
"Yoshino always spoils me." Shichen ruffled her hair.
"Hee‑hee~"
"Hmph‑hmph~ Since Yoshino pampers you, be sure to treat her well," Yoshinon reminded him.
"Do I need the reminder?" Shichen grinned.
"Hmph‑hmph—just making sure."
"Shichen, I'll massage you too!" Tohka moved behind the sofa and worked on his shoulders.
"Good… a bit harder."
"Like this?"
"Mm." Shichen closed his eyes, satisfied.
"Shichen‑nii, were you really that exhausted?" Kotori asked, sucking on a lollipop.
"Two straight days of me doing all the work while you lot just enjoyed yourselves and ate—how could I not be tired?"
"Is that so—so why not let me serve you?" Kotori teased.
"No way!"
"Are you even my sister?"
"You already have Tohka‑nee and Yoshino."
"Not enough."
"Still no!"
"Shichen‑kun, shall I massage you as well?" Murasame Reine offered drowsily.
Shichen glanced at the half‑sleeping Reine, blinked, then nodded. "In that case… please."
Reine moved to his other side and began massaging his other leg.
Shichen watched her face; though expressionless, she seemed oddly content.
"Hmph~" Kotori snorted at the sight of Shichen being pampered like a lord.
"What? You jealous?" Shichen laughed.
"Absolutely not!"
"You'll regret it later."
"Yeah, right—why would I regret this?"
"You'll see." Shichen shut his eyes again, enjoying every moment.
…
Monday
Though he had no classes, Shichen still clocked in at school as usual to apply for his leave.
Thanks to whatever backstory Ratatoskr had prepared, approval was instant.
After informing homeroom Tama-chan-sensei, he spent the rest of the day in the physics prep room playing games.
Perhaps refreshed from the weekend, he felt too lazy to even sit properly.
With Reine present, he shamelessly lay across her lap—a genuine lap pillow.
Surprisingly, her legs were soft and pleasantly fleshy despite looking so slender.
Lying on his side facing the monitor, Shichen gamed while Reine idly ran her fingers through his hair.
"Shichen‑kun, you haven't told Kotori you're leaving, have you?"
"No, not yet."
"When do you plan to?"
"In a few days."
"A few days?"
"When I'm about to go."
"Isn't that too cruel to Kotori?"
"She'll manage."
"Your attitude toward Kotori and Tohka seems different."
"My attitude toward everyone is different."
"Is that so? Then what about me?"
"You?"
He turned his head, meeting Reine's gaze.
Behind the black‑rimmed glasses were even darker circles, yet they didn't detract from her beauty.
He couldn't imagine how stunning she'd be without glasses—and without those shadows—perhaps even prettier than Tohka and Tenka.
"Reine, will you miss me?" Shichen asked.
"…I will," she nodded softly.
"In that case, I'll come back as soon as I can."
He rolled onto his side, facing her, pressing his cheek to her stomach.
Reine merely looked down quietly, neither resisting nor stopping him. After a moment she again ran her fingers gently across the back of his head.
After finishing his last PE class early, Shichen headed home.
Not long after, Kotori came back, having left school early.
"Shichen‑nii? What are you doing home?"
She hopped into his arms; he lifted her up and sat down on the sofa with her astride his lap.
"Shichen‑nii, you're not planning something pervy, are you?" she asked playfully.
Shichen looked at her delicate face, suddenly serious. "Kotori, I have something important to tell you."
"Why so serious…?"
"Because it's serious."
"Okay… what is it?" she asked, popping a lollipop into her mouth.
"I'm going away for a while."
"Going away… Huh?" Kotori froze, staring blankly. "W‑where?"
"You can guess."
"That… so sudden? Why?"
"I have things I need to do."
"And I'll be taking Tohka and Yoshino with me."
"Eh?" Kotori brightened. "What about me?"
"You can't come," Shichen said, shaking his head.
"W‑why not?"
"Right now, I can't take you—not that I don't want to."
"Can't take me… Then why Tohka‑nee and Yoshino?"
"Because they're Spirits—special."
"Then I—mmph!"
Shichen pressed a finger to her lips. "I know, but the time isn't right yet."
"What… do you mean?"
"Remember? I still have to come for you in the past."
"Don't worry—I'll be back very soon, and then I'll take you with me," he said, messing up her twin tails.
"Why so sudden…"
"It is sudden, but I promise I'll be back quickly."
"Why!"
Tears welled up; Kotori clutched him and sobbed. "I don't want you to leave! You promised you'd always stay with me! Waaaah—"
Shichen felt his clothes dampen. Heart aching, he hugged her tight. "I swear, when I return, I'll stay with you forever."
"Why not now?" Kotori looked up, face streaked with tears.
"So that we can be together forever later."
"I don't understand!"
"Please listen, okay?"
"No! I just want you with me!"
Shichen untied her white ribbon. "Where's your black ribbon?"
"Shichen‑nii, what are you—"
"I gave you this ribbon, right? Guess what I'm going to do."
"I don't wanna! I like myself just as I am—I don't want to be strong!" Kotori buried her face in his chest, throwing a tantrum.
"Kotori."
"No!"
"Look at me first."
"…What?"
Obediently, she lifted her damp kitten face. Shichen wiped her tears with his thumb and pulled out the lollipop.
"Shichen‑nii?"
"Mind if I taste your lollipop?"
"Now!?"
"I want to taste the imported flavor."
"Huh? Mmph—!"
Before she could react, his lips covered hers. She stared wide‑eyed, then shut them tight, wrapping her arms around him, responding as he deepened the kiss.
They finally broke apart five minutes later when Kotori ran out of breath.
"Haa… haa…"
She lay limp in his arms, cheeks flushed like peach blossoms.
"I'll be back very soon, okay?" Shichen asked softly.
"…Mm."
Having soothed Kotori, that night Shichen stored Tohka and Yoshino inside himself and left the world.
~~~
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