Fifteen thousand meters above Tengu City, aboard the Fraxinus battleship, the command deck was alive with confusion and speculation.
Kannazuki, golden hair gleaming under the fluorescent lights, leaned toward Kotori, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Commander, are there… male Spirits? That guy dressed just like the Princess—he just beat her. Should we intervene?"
Kotori, all twin red ponytails and black ribbon, barely glanced up from her lollipop. She spoke with practiced calm, unhurried.
"Not necessary. Judging by his actions, he's not hostile to humans. Let's wait and see—once this is over, we'll reassess."
She turned, flicking her gaze to Reine. "Oh, Reine, bring Shiori up here when you get a chance."
"Yes, Commander."
Reine's face was impassive, but beneath that mask, concern for Shiori gnawed at her. And confusion.
Since when did male Spirits exist?
Down below, as Shuo Nangong and the Princess looked skyward, a squadron of armored girls streaked through the clouds—the AST, Anti-Spirit Team. Their weapons spat missiles, arcing toward Shuo and Tohka.
Shuo recognized them instantly. Origami Tobiichi at the lead—he'd admired her ever since he first watched the series.
"Sorry, ladies, but you're not crashing my moment with the Princess."
He smiled, and with a casual gesture, the missiles detonated harmlessly in midair.
To keep the AST at bay, Shuo conjured a shimmering barrier—cutting off their attacks before they could even reach him.
Tohka watched the sky, her deep violet eyes shadowed with sorrow.
"It's them again. Always the same… so tiresome."
Shuo chuckled, teasing.
"Foolish Princess, feeling better yet? I told you I wasn't your enemy, but you just had to pick a fight. Now look—no weapon, no advantage."
Tohka's cheeks darkened, remembering her missing Angel.
She reached for it, but her body began to shimmer, edges blurring—fading away.
"Hmm, heading back to the neighboring dimension, huh?"
Shuo's gaze sharpened. He knew she was about to vanish, returning to the other side. He could easily keep her here, but… what's the fun in rushing? There'd be plenty of chances to meet again.
Still, the thought of her loneliness gnawed at him.
With a flick of his wrist, Shuo conjured a massive box of snacks—kinako bread piled high.
Just before she disappeared, he pressed the box into her arms. Her dazed, adorable expression made him smile.
"Foolish Princess, you'll be all alone over there. Take these snacks. Next time we meet, I'll give your Angel back."
She blinked, confused, clutching the box as she dissolved into motes of light—gone.
Shuo turned to the AST girls, still floating above. He dropped his barrier, snapped his fingers—gravity took hold, and the armored squad tumbled earthward.
"Attacking me the moment we meet? That's a bit much. Maybe you all need a little lesson."
He strode up to Origami, hand on his chin, grinning mischievously.
"You lot—don't hurt my team. If you've got a problem, take it up with me!"
Suddenly, the AST captain called out, voice ringing with conviction.
"Captain!"
"Captain!"
"—"
The girls rallied, faces flush with loyalty and resolve—ready to live and die together.
Shuo watched, sweat breaking out at their melodramatic display.
Do I really look like the villain here?
He released the gravity, restored their stamina and injuries with a wave, and couldn't help but complain.
"Seriously, I'm not even a Spirit. Why all the hostility?"
The AST captain glared, skeptical.
"Not a Spirit? Who are you kidding? You're dressed just like the Princess, and you expect us to believe you're human?"
But fate had other plans.
"Captain, HQ just sent a scan—he… he's actually human!"
An AST girl piped up, voice trembling. The squad stared at each other, stunned.
"He feels so familiar, but… where have I seen him before?"
Origami, silent, pondered the question.
Shuo dismissed his Astral Dress, returning to street clothes.
"Now do you believe me?"
Awkward smiles all around. Embarrassment hung heavy in the air. Still, the AST captain couldn't wrap her head around Shuo's decision to help the Princess.
She offered an apology, then led her team away.
Origami lingered, her cool gaze flickering toward Shuo, unreadable.
Shuo watched them go, then returned to Shiori's side—only to find a new presence: silver-haired, blue-eyed, dignified. Murasame Reine.
She was more than she seemed—the root of all trouble, the legendary First Spirit: Takamiya Mio.
Shuo's curiosity spiked.
"System, if Shiori's a girl, why does Takamiya Mio still orchestrate this whole plan for Shiori to seal Spirits?"
The system chimed in:
"Ding. Takamiya Mio wants Shiori to become the strongest, to gain an existence as enduring as her own. Also… Shiori's predecessor was female."
Shuo nearly choked.
Wait—Takamiya Mio is a sick lily blossom?!
He'd imagined all sorts of reasons, but never this.
Just then, Reine's voice cut through his shock.
"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Murasame Reine. Our Commander would like to invite you to Fraxinus for a discussion."
Shuo grinned, mischief sparking in his eyes.
"So, Reine—ever heard the name Takamiya Mio?"
CRASH.
Reine's composure shattered. Her body trembled, eyes wide with shock. She stared at Shuo, and in that moment, she knew—he'd uncovered her secret.
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