Shichen turned toward the source of the voice and frowned.
He hadn't expected to run into him here and now.
Wasn't this guy showing up a bit too early?
And … did he just call out to ?
So he knows who I am, too?
Shichen was only half‑surprised, yet couldn't keep a hint of astonishnt out of his eyes.
"And you are…?"
Shichen asked with feigned puzzlent as a man and a woman approached.
The man wore an ink‑black suit, tall and lean, his dull ash‑blond hair neatly swept back.
His eyes were razor‑sharp, as though carved with a knife.
He looked no more than in his mid‑thirties, yet his entire bearing radiated a seasoned air that felt almost unreal at first glance.
Trailing just behind him was a woman dressed like a secretary: dark sunglasses, pale‑gold hair, porcelain skin. She stood half a step to the man's side, as deferential as an attendant.
"Shichen, that man feels dangerous…,"
Yatogami Tohka instantly sensed sothing off and watched him warily.
"Heh."
Itsuka Kotori bit her lollipop and chuckled softly.
Murasa Reine's face stayed blank, still looking half‑asleep, while Yoshino could not help hiding behind Shichen.
"So it's Princess—and Hermit as well."
The man identified Tohka and Yoshino by their Spirit codenas the instant he saw them.
He started applauding, smiling at Shichen.
"As expected of Origin."
"And you are…?"
Shichen asked again.
"Hm? You don't recognize ?"
The man blinked, then nodded as if rembering sothing.
"Right—you, of all people, wouldn't bother rembering ."
"So you know who I am?"
"It was a dreamlike encounter,"
he replied with a knowing smile.
"Is that so? And you called Origin—what do you an by that?"
Shichen's voice was calm.
"Quite simple: you're the very origin that brought Princess and the others into being!"
Spreading his arms, the man raised his voice, excitent—almost madness—flickering across his face.
"I see,"
Shichen nodded lightly.
That was enough. From that one line—and the fact that Tohka and the others wielded his power—he could already piece together what was going on.
Definitely his style… though it almost made Tohka and Tenka his daughters.
"Shut up! We're not your daughters!"
Yatogami Tenka snapped at precisely the right mont.
Ignoring her, Shichen went on:
"So, what do you want?"
"Please, no need to be on guard,"
The man waved his hands as if frightened, taking a step back.
"I don't intend to do anything. I rely wished to et you."
"et ?"
"Yes. My na is Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott. I hope you'll rember it this ti."
Westcott bowed slightly, hand over heart.
"That na's too long."
"Then simply call Isaac."
"Fine, Isaac. I've rembered it. If you have nothing else, you may leave."
"Very well."
Isaac smiled faintly, turned with his aide, and walked away without a trace of reluctance.
"Shichen, who is that guy? He felt so dangerous."
Only after he left did Tohka finally relax.
"Don't worry about it—he ca for ,"
Shichen replied, ruffling Yoshino's hair.
"Really? Then let's head back. I want to eat your cooking!"
Tohka bead.
"Glutton…"
Shichen shook his head, laughing.
"All right, let's go ho."
The words had barely left his mouth when all of them vanished from the spot—no one nearby even noticed—teleported instantly through Fraxinus.
Back in the apartnt, Murasa Reine followed as usual. Shichen planned to feed her as well—and ask a few questions.
Once ho, Yoshino visibly relaxed, her whole expression easing.
"Yoshino, you and Tohka hit the bath first. I'll start dinner."
"Okay, Onii-chan."
"Co on, Yoshino—let's go!"
Tohka tugged Yoshino toward the bathroom.
"Shichen, cook fast~"
"Take your ti in there,"
Shichen laughed, watching them disappear into the bath before turning to Kotori and Reine.
"You two, with —kitchen."
"I'm not helping, you know~"
Kotori teased.
"Quit acting. I've got questions. Move."
Shichen glared.
"Fiiine…"
Kotori obediently followed Reine into the kitchen.
"Need a hand, Shichen?"
Reine asked, still placid.
"Please."
They began washing vegetables in practiced sync. Only running water broke the silence until Kotori finally couldn't stand it.
"Onii-chan, didn't you say you had questions? Why aren't you asking?"
"I'm waiting for you to confess on your own."
Shichen glanced at her.
"But—I don't even know what you want to ask."
Kotori pouted, eyes darting away.
"Really?"
Shichen's face went blank.
"Since you say that, you can sleep alone tonight."
"Eh? Why?"
"I have no idea why you insist on sleeping with us."
"Onii-chan, you're so an!"
Kotori puffed her cheeks.
"Do you still see as your Onii-chan?"
"Fine, fine, I'll talk!"
Kotori relented.
"You want to know about the code na Origin, right?"
"Hah—so you did know."
Shichen snorted.
Kotori sidled up, giving his arm a playful punch.
"…Where did that title even co from?"
"Easy. You're a Spirit too, so you got a code na."
"You're saying I'm a Spirit?"
Shichen glanced at Reine.
The woman kept washing vegetables, looking half‑drowsy as ever.
"Who told you that?"
"People higher up in Ratatoskr. They're the ones who gave your code na."
"When did this code na appear?"
"They never told ."
"And why Origin?"
"Because you're the origin of all Spirits. Without you, they wouldn't exist."
"That's impossible."
"Onii-chan?"
"Did those higher‑ups ever ntion the term Deus?"
Reine's hands paused for a heartbeat, then resud as though nothing happened.
"Deus? Is she another Spirit?"
Kotori tilted her head in confusion.
"…Can I et these people in charge?"
"I have to file a request."
"Then please do. I need answers."
"Since it's you, of course I will. I'll submit it right away!"
Kotori turned to leave, but Shichen stopped her.
"No rush. It's late—do it tomorrow."
"Hehe, Onii-chan really dotes on ."
"Hmph—says the girl who tried to hide things."
Kotori hugged him from behind, nuzzling his back.
"All right, all right—I'm not mad. Go grab a bath."
"Okay!"
Kotori skipped away.
"My turn?"
Reine asked quietly.
"Yeah… Reine, about that Isaac—what do you know?"
"Isaac? He's an executive director of DEM," she answered.
"DEM?"
"Deus Ex Machina Industries. On the surface it's a vast electronics manufacturer. In secret, it develops and supplies Realizer Units and sells weapons based on them to militaries and corporations worldwide. Isaac founded the company."
Realizer Units—those armored suits AST troops wore to fight Spirits.
With them, humans could just barely contend with Spirits—assuming the Spirit didn't want to battle seriously.
That alone spoke to Isaac's capabilities.
"I see…"
Shichen nodded softly.
"You don't seem surprised."
"Just forgot the details. Thanks for the reminder."
"You're welco… Is that all you wanted?"
"One more thing. How did Isaac locate us?"
"He probably detected the mana fluctuations inside Yoshino."
"Then we'll need to seal her power soon."
"Agreed."
"Haha—ti to cook. I'll make sothing different today."
Shichen changed the subject with a smile.
"I'm looking forward to it. I'll step out for now."
"Sure."
Once Reine left, Shichen focused on preparing dinner.
~~~
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