[TL/N: New Book -
Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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"This isn't the place for a conversation. Let's leave first."
Alexander frowned as more and more people gathered around, especially the policemen and soldiers pointing their weapons at Tohka. He couldn't understand where these people found the audacity to use conventional weapons against a Spirit. It was as if they were utterly desperate.
"Leave? Where are we going?" Tohka asked, looking at Alexander with a mix of curiosity and confusion. Despite everything, she could sense that the man who had given her a name wasn't a bad person.
"To a place where no one will disturb you," Alexander replied calmly.
After speaking, he glanced at the lingering crowd. "What are you all still doing here? Go home already! Go back to your families!"
Ginzo, the officer in charge, felt a vein throb at Alexander's casual dismissal. He wanted to lash out, but after remembering Alexander's status, he decided against it. 'Forget it. I can't afford to cross him. Better to let it slide.'
"Operation canceled. Withdraw!" Ginzo ordered, waving his team off.
As the officers and soldiers dispersed, Tohka tilted her head, her curiosity deepening.
"Who are you? Why do they listen to you so much?"
Alexander smiled faintly. "They... respect me. And they know you won't harm anyone. That's enough for them."
He gestured toward the dispersing crowd below. "If you don't believe me, look for yourself."
Tohka hesitated, then lowered her gaze. To her surprise, the people she looked at didn't seem fearful. Instead, they appeared... excited?
——
"Tohka! Over here! Look at me!"
"Tohka! Come home with me! I'll cook for you!"
"Tohka! Tohka!"
——
The enthusiastic shouts startled Tohka. She stared at the crowd, bewildered.
"Wh-what is going on here?" she murmured, puzzled. Not long ago, these same people had been running hundreds of meters away at the mere sight of her. They had all been terrified, convinced she might harm them. But now? They weren't afraid at all.
Not far away, another figure observed the scene from the shadows. Kurumi, with her beautiful crimson eyes, watched silently as a single tear slid down her cheek.
---
Kurumi thought back to her own struggles. She had risked everything, even traveling back in time, to change the relationship between humans and spirit. She had fought tirelessly to ensure that spirit wouldn't be hated and hunted. And now, witnessing this acceptance, she realized a profound truth.
These humans no longer feared or despised the spirit. Instead, they welcomed them. And this monumental shift wasn't because of battles or sacrifices—it was the subtle but powerful influence of the creator's work in shaping this world.
Kurumi chuckled softly, wiping the tears from her cheek. "Our creator may be heartless... but at least he has a sense of responsibility."
——
As Alexander led Tohka away, the crowd's excitement waned, replaced by visible disappointment. They watched the Spirit leave with longing in their eyes, each wishing for just a little more time to bask in her presence.
——
"What? Tohka left just like that?"
"It's over. With Tohka's personality, Alexander has already taken her away... My heart... It feels like it just shattered."
"Hey, let it break. What can we do? It's not like we have the power to stop him. If I could neutralize spatial quakes like Alexander, maybe I'd be the one taking Tohka away right now."
"Alright, let's head home, wash up, and get some sleep. At least no one died, and even the ones who got hurt only tripped from running too fast."
——
As the group of onlookers lamented, they eventually began to disperse. Watching them leave, the last stragglers followed suit, and the area returned to calm.
Meanwhile, in Alexander's courtyard, Tohka was staring blankly at her surroundings, taking everything in.
"Alexander, is this your home?"
Tohka's voice was filled with curiosity as her eyes wandered over the unfamiliar scenery. Alexander gave a small nod.
"Of course, this is my home," he said gently. Then, with a warm smile, he added, "And from now on, this will be your home too."
Alexander reached out to softly stroke Tohka's head, and to his surprise, she didn't resist. She stood there, frozen in place, her mind swirling with his words.
'My home? I have... a home?'
Tohka was utterly stunned. She had never imagined that one day she would have a place she could call her own. And Alexander's touch—it was so warm and comforting, she couldn't bring herself to push it away.
Moments later, she relaxed, allowing Alexander to stroke her head like a content kitten. The scene was serene, almost idyllic, and anyone watching would have found it heartwarming.
However, from a short distance away, a figure quietly approached.
"So quick, huh? You've already made your move?"
Kurumi appeared beside Alexander, her voice teasing as she watched him with a sly smile.
"Alexander, you're really getting skilled at winning over young girls," she said with mock exasperation.
Seeing the faint smirk on Kurumi's face, Alexander shook his head, sighing in helplessness.
"Don't start with your nonsense, Kurumi. I'm not 'winning her over.' I'm just... taking responsibility for her."
Alexander glanced at Tohka, then turned back to Kurumi. "You know her personality. If she were left on her own out there...she'd be in trouble sooner or later."
Tohka's innocence was painfully obvious to Alexander. She had only recently arrived in this world, and her every interaction with humans had either ended in scaring them off or being hunted down by AST. She was completely unaware of human social dynamics, and emotionally, she was little more than a child.
Alexander couldn't help but chuckle wryly as he added, "Honestly, anyone who's seen 'Date A Live' could probably win her over with two pieces of bread."
Kurumi burst into laughter at his comment.
"That's true," she admitted, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "Since she's bound to be deceived anyway, it's better that she's deceived by you rather than someone else, don't you think?"
Alexander froze, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Kurumi... Could you not say it like that? It's embarrassing..."
Kurumi's teasing grin only widened as Alexander turned away, clearly flustered.