The date between Itsuka Shidou and Tokisaki Kurumi seemed to be going smoothly.
However, Tianqi Sanluo could clearly see that the boy appeared distracted — he kept lowering his head from time to time, as if listening to someone's orders.
"Thank you very much for inviting me. I'm very happy—so, where shall we go first?"
"Uh… well…"
While Shido was hesitating, a screen aboard the airship Fraxinus popped up with a set of options:
① Leisurely shop at the mall.
② Watch a sweet romantic movie together.
③ Go to a women's lingerie store to admire her trying things on.
> "Everyone, vote!"
As soon as Commander Itsuka Kotori gave the order, the small personal display in front of her immediately showed the results.
As expected, options ① and ② dominated the votes.
"Obviously we should go with option ②! In a dimly lit space, their hands could accidentally brush together—it's so romantic!"
"No way! Girls all love shopping! Option ① is absolutely perfect!"
However, the vice commander Murasame Reine had a different opinion.
"According to the data, the target might not necessarily reject option ③. In fact, it might bring some unexpected results."
"Ugh…"
Time was pressing—there was another unknown Spirit beside Tokisaki Kurumi, and they needed to make a quick decision.
Though Kotori disliked option ③, she had to admit that the first two options carried a slight risk of being spotted by Tohka at the aquarium. The odds were low, but still there.
As for option ③—judging from Kurumi's previous reactions, she probably wouldn't refuse.
"Shido, choose option ③. Take her to the lingerie store in the station mall."
"Oh, got it—option ③… huh?"
From the speaker came Shido's clearly bewildered voice.
"Um, Kurumi, is there… anything you'd like to buy? I mean, something you wear… something that looks really nice…"
Being the pure and awkward herbivore-type boy he was, Shido tried his best to express his meaning in the most roundabout (and clumsy) way possible.
"Eh? Clothes? I do feel like shopping a bit."
Her answer was somewhat right—but not quite what he meant.
"Ah, not clothes—more like… what you wear under clothes…"
"Under the clothes…?"
Shido's meaning was obvious. Once Kurumi caught on, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
"F-Forget it, that's kind of weird… let's just go somewhere el—"
Just as the flustered Shido was about to walk away, he felt someone tug gently at the hem of his shirt.
"Huh…?"
He turned to see Kurumi, head slightly lowered, gazing up at him with innocent eyes—like a bashful young maiden.
"Will… you help me pick one, Shido?"
"Eh! A-Ah… sure…"
Shido nodded stiffly, unsure how else to respond.
Kurumi then smiled shyly, a faint, charming curve forming on her lips.
"Hehe, then—please help me choose a cute one, okay?"
"Uh… o-okay."
Since he was the one who'd brought it up, there was no way he could refuse now. Moving stiffly like a robot, Shido stepped forward.
"Wow, he actually took the bait! I thought he'd definitely refuse something like that."
Kotori's surprised voice echoed through the bridge.
"...Hey."
Shido lightly tapped his earpiece in irritation, silently accusing, "This is your fault."
"How amusing… truly amusing."
Tianqi Sanluo finally understood—this boy named Shido Itsuka was also following the orders of some organization while on this date with Kurumi. They communicated through that special device in his ear.
Judging from his awkward behavior, it was clear Shido had little experience with such "date missions." His exaggerated reactions when receiving commands from the rear would be obvious to any Spirit with half a brain.
Combining what she'd already learned from Kurumi and what she now observed, Tianqi Sanluo could basically conclude that Shido's ability to seal a Spirit's power depended on a specific "key step" during a date—it wasn't something that just happened arbitrarily.
And if her guess was correct, the organization behind him revolved entirely around this ability of his: the special communication device, the real-time surveillance during the date, and the decision-making team behind the scenes.
It seemed the boy carried far more secrets—and far greater intrigue—than she had imagined.
Originally uninterested in their date, Tianqi Sanluo suddenly felt more spirited, following the two from a distance. But she maintained just enough space not to draw attention.
She knew full well that the whole date was being monitored. She couldn't act rashly or disrupt things, lest she draw the organization's attention and cause unnecessary trouble.
Still, ever since arriving in this world, Tianqi Sanluo had never felt this constrained.
But compared to the hardships of her past life, this level of frustration was nothing.
"Honestly, that Tianqi Sanluo is like a piece of sticky gum—always clinging around."
Seeing Tianqi Sanluo tailing them on the Fraxinus screen, Kotori grumbled irritably, her twin tails swaying with her movements.
"Can't be helped—she's also a Spirit. And right now, Shido doesn't have enough energy to handle a fourth date."
Reine's tone was oddly meaningful, but nobody paid it much mind.
"Tch, still nothing?"
"Commander, we've only got her name and basic appearance. A full ID match will take more time…"
At that moment, Kurumi's disguise proved quite helpful.
After all, the Spirit database classified appearances mostly by outfit, hairstyle, and accessories—just like how anime characters are distinguished. Beautiful faces were considered the least important feature, since every Spirit was a stunning beauty anyway.
Meanwhile, Shido, wiping nonexistent sweat from his forehead, was accompanying Kurumi toward the lingerie store when something across the street caught his eye.
At the plaza in front of the station fountain stood Tobiichi Origami, who had been standing motionless in the same spot for the past thirty minutes.
Well—not completely motionless. Three men were now trying to chat her up in an overly "friendly" manner, just like the thugs from the other day.
But Origami didn't move. She didn't even seem to notice them.
When one of the men, angered by her silence, reached out to grab her shoulder—
—Origami's hand shot up, twisting his arm in a painfully precise motion before slamming him to the ground.
In an instant, the man cried out in pain, tears in his eyes, while his friends froze in fear, too scared to move.
Eventually, the police arrived and escorted the men away.
Origami simply returned to her original position, her expression unchanged, like a mannequin.
"That white-haired girl… she's from AST, right?"
Even though Origami wasn't wearing the AST's standard CR-Unit, Tianqi Sanluo could tell from her movements alone.
And judging by her carefully chosen outfit—she was probably dressed for a date. But since she lacked any Spirit energy, she couldn't be Shido's next target.
After a brief glance, Tianqi Sanluo lost interest. She thought, Just another AST grunt. When the time came and Tenguu City burned, she'd fall with the rest of them anyway.
"Mr. Shido? What's wrong?"
Kurumi, noticing his odd reaction, asked curiously.
"Ah, nothing…"
Shido quickly turned away, making sure Origami didn't see him, and entered the tall building beside the station.
They took the escalator up to the third floor—the lingerie section. Though he'd visited this mall several times before, this was his first time entering this particular area.
Right from the entrance, the displays were filled with alluring lingerie.
Naturally, both the clerks and customers were all women.
The moment Shido stepped inside, countless curious eyes turned toward him.
"...You two go ahead. I'll wait outside."
Tianqi Sanluo wasn't interested in such things and simply stood by the entrance, waiting.