Unlike Tohka, who was curious about everything, Mikoto understood modern society quite well. And because she had a quiet personality, she did not actively say where she wanted to go.
"Um, do you like arcades?"
"Mm."
The arcade in Tengu City had a great variety of machines. From dance gas to racing simulators, and even photo sticker booths and claw machines that girls liked, it had everything.
"Ah..."
After entering the arcade, Shido caught sight of an unfamiliar machine from the corner of his eye. It was the newest version of The House of the Dea○.
[What are you going 'ah' for? Are you planning to make a girl play a zombie shooting ga with you? If this were a Spirit with a worse personality, you would already be dead once.]
Kotori's displeased voice ca through the earpiece.
"Sorry, let's go over there."
Shido scratched his cheek and pointed to the other side. There was a whole row of claw machines there, and the plush toys inside were all very cute.
"Yakumo-senpai?"
"Let's play that one, Shido."
The hem of his school uniform was gently tugged. Shido turned around and saw Mikoto pointing at the new machine from earlier.
"But..."
"It's fine. I also play gas like Bioha○ard... though I always end up stopping halfway."
Mikoto smiled shyly.
"When I play alone at ho, it still feels a little scary. But this is an arcade, and there are two of us. I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Mm, then let's play this."
The two chose the horror ga where they shot zombies. Thanks to a Spirit's terrifying dynamic vision, even though they had never tried this new version before, they barely needed any continues and cleared the whole ga.
"I really didn't expect the final boss to be that person."
"Yeah, the story in this one had a lot of twists."
After the ga ended, the two of them were still happily talking about the plot.
[Ara, Shido, do you want to hear sothing very interesting?]
"Wh-What?"
Kotori's mischievous voice ca from the earpiece, making Shido feel a little uneasy.
[According to the values on the screen, your affection toward Mikoto is rising faster than Mikoto's affection toward you. At this rate, you might be the one who gets conquered before the day is over.]
"Why are you asuring my values too?!"
This embarrassing fact made Shido show an expression that was half-laughing and half-crying.
"But, speaking of that, this is strange."
Inside the airship, Kotori looked at the data on the screen and frowned slightly.
"Mm. Mikoto's affection has stopped rising."
Kotori and Reine both discovered that Mikoto's affection toward Shido had stopped after rising to the level of a close friend.
[Shido, Mikoto's affection has stopped rising. You're only one step away from making her blush. Push forward and take her down in one go!]
"Ah, got it."
The date was going smoothly. Mikoto did not show disgust or dissatisfaction either. Yet only her affection value stayed at its previous position and did not move anymore.
"Then, can we start the sealing now?"
Little by little, the sun began to set. It was ti to end the date.
"Kotori?"
[No, Shido. Mikoto's affection still hasn't risen. It's clearly only one step away.]
"How could this be..."
"Um... did sothing go wrong?"
From Shido's expression, Mikoto noticed that sealing her Spirit power did not seem as smooth as expected.
"Maybe Shin isn't the type Mikoto likes?"
After thinking for a long ti, Reine reached the only possible answer. Unlike the first date, Mikoto was doing her best to cooperate with Shido. Yet her affection had still hit a wall.
"That would be troubleso."
Kotori sighed. The Spirit before them was gentle, but in so ways, she was unexpectedly difficult.
"Shido, what are the exact conditions for sealing? If it's convenient, can you tell ?"
"Well... first, we have to..."
Shido thought for a mont, then told Mikoto the exact steps of the sealing process.
"I see. I understand. Then it looks like the problem is with ."
"Huh?"
"Can I borrow your earpiece, Shido? I want to say a few words to Kotori."
"Mm."
Shido took off the earpiece and handed it to Mikoto.
"Can you hear , Kotori-chan?"
[No problem.]
"Shido has already told the exact process of the sealing. What I'm about to say next, I only want to say to Shido alone. Because it involves so private matters, if possible, I really don't want anyone else to know. So could you and Ratatoskr turn off all monitoring equipnt?"
[...I understand. From now on, Ratatoskr will no longer record or listen to any conversation between you and Shido.]
Although she was very curious about that secret, Kotori was not the type of girl who would dig into another person's privacy. She simply cut off all monitoring.
"Then, let's find a place to sit."
"Mm."
Mikoto removed the earpiece, then sat down with Shido on a nearby bench.
"Mm... where should I start? Shido, do you believe in parallel universes or multiverses?"
"Huh? Um..."
The very beginning of the story was already a shocking developnt, leaving Shido completely stunned. Mikoto told him that she was a person who had crossed worlds, including everything about Tsukuyomi.
"I see. So that's why Yakumo-senpai understands human society so well."
"Do you not find it hard to believe?"
"Well... ever since I learned Spirits exist, unbelievable things have been happening around ."
Shido smiled bitterly.
"What cos next is the important part. The reason my affection toward Shido can't rise is because before I crossed worlds—I was originally male."
"Wh... what?"
For a mont, Shido felt like his brain had frozen.
"I promised Tsukuyomi that I would live properly. Whether it is the fact that I beca an existence like a natural disaster, or the fact that I changed from male to female. Even so, I still want Shido to know this truth. Because kissing soone like would, after all... feel unpleasant, right?"
Mikoto had been suppressing her own feelings the whole ti. She could not fall for Shido because this feeling contained deception.
"I know this is unfair, Shido. So even if you cannot accept it, that is fine."
"Yakumo-senpai..."
Shido looked at Mikoto. The girl's smile was full of bitterness. She had only been a completely ordinary person, yet by chance, she beca a Spirit, and even had her gender changed. That fate was like a curse, and the pain inside it was sothing Shido himself could not truly understand.
"I..."
Shido opened his mouth with difficulty. He wanted to answer her.
"You don't have to answer now. Rather, what I want is Shido's answer after you've thought it through carefully. So, let's say goodbye here, Shido."
However, Mikoto did not want the decision Shido made to co from a sudden rush of emotion.
"I had fun on today's date."
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