Since they now had a direction to explore regarding Natsumi's abilities and intentions, there was nothing wrong with Yutsuki raising this issue. After all, even though they were prioritizing conquering the Spirit, if Shido's social life was completely destroyed, he wouldn't be able to provide the Spirits with a peaceful environnt. Kotori nodded in agreent with the additional topic Yutsuki proposed.
"Although we're calling this a discussion, Yutsuki-nee, you probably already have an answer, right?"
"Well, I do have a guess..."
Yutsuki shrugged, not denying it.
"A rich person uses money to solve problems, a politician uses power, a gangster uses violence... naturally, people usually use what they're best at as a weapon to solve problems. Spirits are no exception to this rule."
In fact, this question was even easier to figure out than why Natsumi's affection had dropped.
"Money, power, connections... unfortunately, these are things Spirits, who aren't accepted by humans, can't possibly have. So, the choices Natsumi can make are very limited."
Perhaps recalling so unpleasant mories, Yutsuki sighed with mixed feelings.
"Let's give an example. If I were the one trying to ruin Shido's life, I'd probably first post a scandalous news article online like, 'Shocking! A certain playboy high schooler in Tengu City is dating seven girls at once!' Then, I'd use Ratziel create thousands of fake accounts to leave comnts, forcing this news to beco a major social and ethical issue. Next, I'd use Photoshop to create so fake evidence pictures. Finally, I'd use ventriloquism to play different female victims calling the police crying, and when the hype reaches its peak, I'd dox all of Shido's personal information online... Well, these are things I'd only do if Shido was truly a piece of trash, so don't worry."
Thank goodness this girl isn't our enemy.
Everyone in the room thought the exact sa thing in their heads.
"Kotori, if I rember correctly, Natsumi's ability is to change the shape of objects, right? Whether it's living or non-living."
Yutsuki confird with Kotori.
"Yes, there might be hidden tricks, but that's all we know for now."
Kotori nodded.
"Normally speaking, with this kind of ability, the easiest way to ruin a life would be for Natsumi herself to disguise as Shido and then do all sorts of disgusting things."
"I see... that really would ruin Shido's life."
Kotori couldn't help but frown. For example, if Natsumi used Shido's appearance to commit a cri and was seen, it would be considered solid evidence. Even if Shido said soone disguised as him did it, absolutely no one would believe him.
"If Natsumi acts fast enough, I bet by tomorrow, Shido, you'll be hearing all those school rumors turn real."
"Then what should I do?"
Hearing Yutsuki's words, Shido's forehead imdiately broke out in heavy sweat.
"If it's just about stopping Natsumi from getting back at you, the best way is for you to just skip school tomorrow, Shido. Then have Kotori set up people at the school. As soon as they spot Natsumi disguised as you, they can just capture her. But..."
"That won't work!"
Before Yutsuki could finish, Shido shook his head and refused the idea.
"Natsumi thinks I accidentally saw her true face, but it's just a misunderstanding. If I just go and explain it to her properly, she'll definitely understand."
"Hey, hey, Shido, I wasn't finished talking."
Lightly tapping Shido's head, Yutsuki gave a helpless look and said,
"Even if doing that succeeds, it only solves the problem temporarily. As long as Natsumi is still hostile towards Shido, she won't stop. The best thing is for Shido to find Natsumi herself and clear up this misunderstanding face to face. But doing that won't stop Natsumi imdiately. I'm afraid she'll do so things in the anti that will cause you a lot of headaches for a long ti."
"Ugh—my reputation at school is already bad enough anyway. Getting a little worse won't really make a difference."
"I wonder who was was sweating bullets just a minute ago."
Despite saying that, hearing Shido's words, a small smile still appeared on Yutsuki's face.
"So, to make sure Shido can find Natsumi as quickly as possible tomorrow, let's explain this to everyone beforehand. When Natsumi impersonates Shido tomorrow, we'll send Shido a text to let him know."
Hearing Yutsuki's plan, everyone nodded in agreent. However, Shido raised his hand, looking a bit confused.
"Um, Yutsuki... I know this is a weird question, but if Natsumi can turn into , how will Tohka and the others be able to tell the difference between and Natsumi?"
Shido didn't know how realistic Natsumi's transformation could be. Even if he wore sothing recognizable before he left, if Natsumi waited until Shido got to school and then transford to match his outfit, it could end up misleading everyone.
"Oh, that's an easy problem to solve~"
It was as if Yutsuki had been waiting for soone to ask this. A bright smile that scread "just as planned" appeared on her face.
"We just have to make Natsumi think the person who went to school isn't Shido, right?"
"Eh?"
At that mont, Shido instinctively realized he had been played.
The Next Day
"Everyone, today I'd like to introduce a special auditing student."
Following the introduction of the horoom teacher of Class 2-4, Shido—no, it should be Itsuka Shiori—let out a long sigh as if accepting her fate. She walked into the classroom, holding down her skirt with one hand, and wrote her na on the blackboard. Then she turned around, bowed to the unfamiliar crowd, and spoke in a lovable voice modified by a voice changer.
"M-my na is Itsuka Shiori. I'm Itsuka Shido's cousin. It will be a short ti, but please take care of ."
"..."
Just as Shido felt her forehead start to sweat, thinking she had been found out, the students of Class 2-4 burst into loud applause.
And then—sothing felt off very quickly.
Mixed in with the clapping sounds of clap, clap, clap were click, click—!, sounds that resembled a cara taking continuous shots.
Without anyone noticing when, Yutsuki had already left her seat. Holding a high-definition digital cara, she was quickly moving around to find different shooting angles, madly taking pictures of Shiori who was currently bowing!
"Ryougi-san! What are you doing? Horoom is about to start, get back to your seat right now, and caras aren't allowed in school."
Waseda Natsuki said, looking flustered.
"Princess Bamboo, shut up! The twenty-sothing years I've lived so far have all been for this one mont! If you try to stop , I'll be your sworn enemy!"
"Eh, eh?! Why am I getting yelled at? And I'm the class rep!"
"Hmph, hmph—Give up, Princess Bamboo. My comrade has now entered the legendary state of self-forgetfulness. Trying to stop the Maiden of Thunder and Lightning right now... even as a Child of the Typhoon, I am powerless."
"Advice. The current Yutsuki is an existence on par with Master Origami next door. To avoid injury, Princess Bamboo and the horoom teacher should obediently wait until Yutsuki has finished replenishing her Shiori elent."
Yuzuru and Kaguya patted Natsuki on the shoulder and said with very serious faces.
"Eh? What is a Shiori elent? And like I said, I'm the class rep."
How should I say this, this class seems pretty interesting too. Seeing that the people around her looked completely used to this, Shiori couldn't help but sweatdrop.
"Shiori, co here, take a deep breath, and smile."
Seeing the girl's burning gaze, the corners of Shiori's mouth twitched. Actually, when he heard the plan the girl proposed last night, he had already sowhat predicted that sothing like this would happen.
"L-like this?"
Blushing, Shiori raised the corners of her mouth slightly, trying her best to show a kind and friendly smile.
Bang—!
As if hit right in the vitals by a sniper bullet, Yutsuki collapsed onto the floor with a blissful look on her face.
"...My life has no regrets."
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