Ti fast-forwarded to the afternoon. After school, Shido went straight ho, preparing dinner for the evening.
"Shido, is dinner ready yet~"
"Just wait a bit, it will be done right away."
Hearing Tohka's pleading voice from the living room, Shido answered.
However, despite his words, Shido, who was currently holding a frying pan and stir-frying vegetables, was actually feeling a bit restless.
Inside his pocket, there was a letter.
The envelope was made of light orange-scented paper, faintly emitting a light floral fragrance. Exquisite maple leaves and ginkgo patterns were drawn on the surface of the envelope. At the seal of the envelope, several delicate, small words read "To Ryougi Yutsuki".
If this letter were shown to others, most people would be absolutely sure it was a love letter. In fact, this was indeed a love letter.
However, this love letter was not written by Itsuka Shido himself, but handed to him by the junior he t today—Tsukimichi Kousuke, for Shido to pass on to Yutsuki.
If you ask why it turned out like this—
...
"A love letter...?"
Hearing Shido's proposal, Kousuke widened his eyes in surprise.
"Mhm... exactly."
Shido nodded and said with an absolute tone.
"After all, Kousuke, although you have feelings for Ryougi-san, in reality, you haven't interacted with her, right? Just confessing like that would be too reckless."
"Indeed, exactly—"
As if struck by a bolt from the blue, Kousuke suddenly realized.
"Based on what I know, the students who have confessed to Ryougi-san up until now are countless, but without exception, they have all been unfortunately turn down. If you go confess like this, I can only see a tragic future where you get friendzoned."
"So... that is why I should write a love letter?"
Kousuke looked at Shido nervously.
"Exactly."
Shido nodded affirmatively.
"Since a frontal assault won't work, we might as well change our approach. Maybe Ryougi-san is the type who is relatively reserved and values taking things step by step. Expressing your feelings romantically with a love letter, letting her understand what kind of person you are from it, maybe she will have a good impression of you."
Shido crossed his ten fingers, rested his chin on them, and feigned deep thought.
But in reality, what was he even saying right now? What was he planning to do? Even he himself wasn't quite sure.
"I see... I understand. I will go write my feelings into a love letter right now and give it to Ryougi-senpai."
"Wait!"
Shido stopped Kousuke once again.
"Is there anything else, Itsuka-senpai?"
"Um... After you finish writing your love letter, don't give it directly to Ryougi-san. Let pass it to her for you."
"Eh? Why is that?"
Kousuke's face was full of question marks.
"Um..."
Shido's brain worked rapidly. Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, he explained.
"Ryougi-san... she must have received a lot of love letters too. Handing it to her so directly, it might be hard to catch her attention."
"Is that so... Then why must Itsuka-senpai hand it to Ryougi-senpai? Aren't you two unacquainted?"
"Well, well, naturally it won't be handing it to her... I can... pass it on, right! I can ask my friends I know in Class 3 to pass your love letter to Ryougi-san."
"Ah... Speaking of which, the twin seniors in Class 3 are Itsuka-senpai's wings."
"Ahem— Let's not talk about that for now. Anyway, if we do it this way, Ryougi should probably pay a bit more attention to your love letter."
"But... doing this, isn't it a bit unfair to others?"
Hearing Shido's proposal, Kousuke was partly tempted, but also sowhat hesitant.
"Kousuke, liking and pursuing soone is inherently a kind of competition,that's right! Love is war. There is no such thing as fair or unfair. Hesitating out of concern for the people around you will only make you miss a good opportunity. You have to be proactive and not let go of any chance."
Shido patted his shoulder and said earnestly.
"As your senior, I truly want to lend you a hand."
"Senpai... To think you would consider things to this extent for ..."
Hearing Shido's words, Kousuke was deeply touched, and the corners of his eyes couldn't help but beco a bit moist.
"I understand! Then I, Tsukimichi Kousuke, will humbly accept Senpai's kindness!"
...
And so, after school, this love letter carrying Kousuke's overflowing feelings fell into Shido's hands just like that.
Honestly, when he first stopped Kousuke, he just inexplicably, simply wanted to stop him from eting Yutsuki. But after his head cooled down, he felt like he was digging a hole for himself, and he was digging deeper and deeper.
(Itsuka Shido, what are you doing?)
Shido couldn't help but sigh, roasting himself in his heart like this.
Honestly, regarding this matter, whether Kousuke actually confessed to Yutsuki or how Yutsuki would reply, Shido had no reason or right to interfere.
Although up until now, in order to seal their Spirit energy, he had dated and kissed every Spirit, it was only to save them from malice and despair, so they could live normal lives.
He valued the Spirits and was willing to help them when they faced difficulties, but he didn't want to restrict them, using the fact that he had saved them as an excuse to forcefully keep them by his side.
Furthermore, although they only interacted for a short few hours, Shido could still feel Kousuke's uprightness and kindness. That kind of feminine, beautiful boy was probably also the type Yutsuki liked. If Yutsuki really agreed to date Kousuke, he wouldn't have any reason to say anything about it.
(However—)
For so reason, although he knew it logically, Shido couldn't get past a hurdle in his heart.
(Damn it, what is this irritable feeling and sll that feels like burning?)
"Onii-chan! It's burning! The food is burning!"
"Ah? Waaaa—"
Hearing Kotori's voice, Shido finally realized the truth of the burning sll and hurriedly turned off the stove.
"That was close... I was almost done for."
Shido wiped his cold sweat and said with lingering fear.
"Seriously, what are you spacing out for, Onii-chan! Cooking like that is very dangerous!"
His sister Kotori, wearing white ribbons, licked her Chupa Chups and reminded him with a tone like a little adult.
"I am very sorry... Hey! Kotori, how many tis have I told you! Don't eat lollipops before dinner!"
"Haha~ Not letting eat lollipops is worse than asking to commit seppuku, Onii-chan."
"Is a candy really that necessary..."
"Hm? What is this?"
Suddenly, Kotori noticed the envelope in Shido's pocket and casually pulled it out.
"Hey! Kotori, give it back!"
Shido hurriedly tried to snatch the envelope back from Kotori's hand, but was dodged by Kotori with a few nimble evasions.
"Mhm... A very cute envelope. From a girl? Could it be a love letter for Shido?"
After a brief inspection, Kotori guessed.
"...A love letter... for Shido-san..."
"My, my, how amazing, Shido-kun! Not only Yoshino, but to actually receive a love letter from a girl, your karma is truly heavy."
"A love letter? Is it true, Shido?"
Soon, Tohka and Yoshino, who were waiting in the living room, were attracted by the commotion in the kitchen.
"No! It's not! Listen to explain, this love letter is actually—"
Shido hurriedly waved his hands, wanting to clarify the misunderstanding.
"Shido!"
Tohka stared into Shido's eyes and asked with a very earnest and serious tone.
"What... is a love letter?"
Shido suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.
"My... Tohka-chan, don't you know what a love letter is?"
The rabbit puppet Yoshinon asked probing. To this, Tohka obediently shook her head.
"I don't know, isn't it so kind of book? Do Yoshino and Yoshinon know?"
"...Um... that..."
Being asked this by Tohka, Yoshino's small face flushed red, feeling a bit at a loss.
"Ah, but this love letter doesn't seem to be for Onii-chan. The recipient have Yutsuki-nee's na."
Kotori added with so surprise.
"That's why I said you misunderstood." Shido breathed a sigh of relief and explained helplessly. "Furthermore, this love letter wasn't written by a girl, but by a first-year junior at our school."
"Hoh... Then why would a love letter written by a first-year male student at Raizen High School for Yutsuki-nee be in Onii-chan's hands?"
Kotori noticed the weirdness.
"Um... Because that boy is relatively shy and introverted, he asked to pass the love letter to Yutsuki..."
Feeling Kotori's suspicious gaze, Shido couldn't help but feel a bit guilty and explained vaguely while looking away.
"Hoh... Is that so~ (`∀´)Ψ"
Noticing Shido's reaction, Kotori seed to understand sothing. When speaking, she intentionally dragged out a tone, and a aningful smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
"I'm back!"
Right at this mont, Yutsuki's voice ca from the entryway.
"Yutsuki-nee! Onii-chan has a love letter to give you!"
"Wait a second, Kotori!!!!!"
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