Murasame Reine's blue eyes were wide, the shock in her gaze deeper than ever before.
Her pupils contracted, locked onto Shuo Nangong.
This man…
This man…
How could he possibly know my true identity?
Takamiya Mio.
Her real name.
The First Spirit.
But when Shuo uttered the name, Shiori Itsuka looked completely lost, suspicion flickering across her features.
Reine caught herself, forcing down the panic threatening to break through her calm. She shifted gears, voice steady but strained.
"Sorry, I don't know who you mean. Let's hurry—the Commander is waiting."
With Shiori present and Shuo's origins a mystery, Reine had no choice but to shelve her questions, leading the way through Fraxinus's corridors.
Shuo followed, deciding not to tease the airheaded beauty any further—at least for now.
But whether it was nerves or sheer exhaustion, Reine's steps faltered.
Just like her anime counterpart, she was a bundle of nerves and absent-mindedness. Barely two steps in, she slipped, stumbling toward the floor.
"Ah! Miss Reine!"
Shiori gasped.
Shuo reacted instantly, catching Reine by the waist before she hit the ground.
"Thank you," she murmured, still dazed.
Despite his mysterious background, Reine managed a grateful nod.
Noticing her lingering fatigue, Shuo quietly sent a wave of pure life energy into her, banishing the exhaustion from her body.
He let go, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Reine, seriously—how long have you gone without sleep? You look ready to collapse!"
Reine tilted her head, thinking for a moment, voice lazy and matter-of-fact.
"Hmm… let me see… About thirty years, I guess."
"…Thirty years?"
Was she for real?
Even cosmic-level beings took naps. And here was this yandere Spirit, pulling three-decade all-nighters?
No wonder lilies were terrifying.
"I just fixed you up, but you really need to rest regularly from now on," Shuo advised, half exasperated, half amused.
For a guy who loved beautiful women, Reine's blend of airheadedness, stubbornness, and a touch of tsundere only made her more irresistible.
But Reine brushed off his concern, her tone stubborn as ever.
"Thanks, but I'm comfortable with my routine."
Shuo arched an eyebrow, shooting Shiori a mischievous look.
"Shiori, maybe you should talk some sense into her. I'm worried this fool might drop dead on the spot…"
Shiori blinked, startled by the sudden attention, but couldn't help herself.
"Um, Miss Reine, I really think you should get some rest. Otherwise, something bad might happen."
Reine's expression froze. She hadn't expected Shuo to play dirty and weaponize her feelings for Shiori.
She sighed, defeated.
"Fine, I get it."
Heh. So that's your weak spot, huh? Thought Shuo, grinning inwardly. I'll straighten you out one day, guaranteed.
Meanwhile, at AST headquarters—
The director stared at the report:
A human with Spirit-like abilities, suspected of manipulating gravity, wielding an Angel identical to the Princess.
Capable of wiping out an AST squad, but chose not to. Defeated the "Princess" and took her weapon.
Yet, system scans showed no Spirit energy.
After a long silence, the director handed the photo to his subordinate.
"For now, classify him as a Spirit. We'll keep monitoring."
Across town, inside DEM Industries, a white-haired man watched footage of Shuo's battle with the Princess, muttering to himself.
"A male Spirit? No… a human wielding Spirit power. An unexpected variable. Interesting, but… whoever you are, you won't derail my plans."
Shuo, of course, was oblivious to AST's reclassification and Westcott's interest.
Even if he knew, he'd just laugh—he had no patience for the worries of ants.
Back on Fraxinus, Reine led Shuo and Shiori into the command center.
She stopped at a console, voice barely above a whisper.
"Commander, I've brought him."
The mechanical doors slid open. All eyes in the busy control room snapped to Shuo, trailing behind the others.
Shock. Suspicion. Curiosity.
A human wielding Spirit power, defeating the Princess—he was an anomaly.
Kotori, lollipop perched between her lips, eyed Shuo with a blend of skepticism and intrigue.
"Welcome to Fraxinus. So, what should we call you?"
Shuo flashed an innocent smile, voice playful.
"Just Shuo Nangong is fine. Or, if you'd prefer, you can call me Onii-chan, little sister."
Kotori's face darkened.
Who does he think he is—asking her to call him Onii-chan?!
"Trying to mess with me? Go to hell!"
Unable to hold back, Kotori leapt from her chair, launching a flying kick straight at Shuo's face.
But just as her foot was about to connect, she froze—suspended in midair, immobilized.
Shuo looked up, smirking.
"Not a bad angle. White bunny pattern, huh? Good taste."
"!!!"
The entire room stared, expressions ranging from mortified to bemused.
"You pervert! Hentai! Lolicon! Put me down, now!"
Kotori squeezed her legs together, cheeks burning.
Shuo grinned, ready to tease her further—until Shiori stepped in, voice gentle but firm.
"Um… Shuo-kun, please don't mess with my sister anymore!"
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