"You integrated the technique I taught you into your Reality Field?"
Melusine rubbed her chin, her expression thoughtful.
"…I see. That does sound feasible. A path I hadn't considered."
She gave a slight shrug and added, "But your timing was rather unlucky, Origami."
Melusine glanced at Tobiichi Origami.
"I'm not sure you'll believe this… but I didn't interrupt you and Shidou because we discovered your location. It just so happened that I needed a secluded place to talk to the others. Pure coincidence."
At that, Origami's expression remained as blank as ever, but Melusine could still sense the heavy emotional blow she'd taken.
Origami felt cursed by fate. She had finally mustered up the resolve to act—only for things to go so sideways.
Meanwhile, Itsuka Shidou felt like a million ants were crawling across his entire body.
Even though Melusine's overwhelming presence had suppressed any immediate retaliation, Tohka and the others couldn't resist glaring daggers at Shidou.
The good news was that Origami had confessed the truth under Melusine's questioning, so most of the girls' resentment had shifted toward her.
The bad news was that Shidou was stuck in the middle—literally. Origami's condemnation was also their condemnation of him, and he felt every searing glance.
I need to change the subject… fast.
"Um…"
Shidou turned to Yuzuru, who was closest to him, and asked hesitantly, "I've been meaning to ask… Why are you and Kaguya wearing swimsuits?"
That question landed like a spark in a powder keg—igniting the Yamai twins on the spot.
"Shidou! Are you pretending not to know?!"
"Furious. I can't believe you're that kind of man, doing something and not owning up to it. You've disappointed both me and Kaguya, Shidou."
"Wha—?!"
What did I even do?!
Shidou cried out silently in his heart, face stricken.
It felt like he was Qin Shi Huang, waking up from a nap only to find his empire collapsed and his territory given away to some foreign empress.
"What's wrong, Shidou? Are you seriously going to act innocent and say you didn't soak me and Yuzuru's clothes with water and steal our underwear?! That trick won't work! We'd never mistake someone else for you!"
"Agreed. A love-blinded Kaguya could never fail to recognize Shidou."
"H-Hey! Don't act all righteous—you fell for it too!"
"Dismissive. I have no idea what you're talking about."
The twins bickered for a while before snapping their heads back toward Shidou.
"In any case! You must pay for what you did! You dared mock the honor of a Yamai—so you'll compensate with your body! Specifically… we're taking your underwear, Shidou!"
"Also… Yuzuru's going to drench you with a water gun."
With predatory eyes locked on him, the twins advanced toward a pale, trembling Shidou.
Just then, a figure dropped from above—landing between them and Shidou like a living wall.
The pressure radiating from her was suffocating.
"Shidou's underwear belongs to me."
Origami spoke with calm precision, every word clear and absolute. Her monotone was as immovable as a mountain.
You could almost see sparks fly where their gazes clashed.
But before a full-blown confrontation could erupt, Melusine raised a single hand.
The instant she did, all three girls dropped into a crouch and covered their heads.
The reflex was so practiced, it was practically instinct—like a certain dignified vampire princess.
Yep… brute force really is the ultimate truth.
"I came here to explain that, actually."
Melusine lowered her hand and composed her thoughts.
"Tohka, Kaguya, Yuzuru… the Shidou who did all those awful things to you—and to the other students—probably wasn't the real Shidou."
They wanted to argue, to protest of course it was him… but the bruises still throbbing on their heads made them hesitate.
Melusine could see the disbelief lingering in Kaguya and Yuzuru's eyes. But Tohka looked more confused than anything. It seemed she had sensed something strange as well.
For all her simplicity, Tohka had remarkably keen instincts.
"Let's start with the timeline."
Melusine turned to Tohka. "Tohka, when Shidou showed up and attacked you and the others… was Origami in the classroom?"
"Eh? Uh…"
Prompted by the question, Tohka thought back.
"No… Origami wasn't there. I didn't see her get attacked by Shidou either."
Melusine nodded. "Exactly. That means the real Shidou had already been secretly taken away by Origami. The one who appeared afterward was an impostor."
The moment she said that, Tohka, Kaguya, and Yuzuru all turned sharply toward Origami, their eyes narrowed.
"But," Melusine continued, "that fake Shidou wasn't working with Origami either."
She saw the suspicion in their eyes and quickly added:
"In fact, when I arrived at school, I saw Shidou cornering a female teacher, trying to kiss her."
Everyone: "!!?"
"Of course, my arrival scared her off."
Melusine shrugged, clearly not thrilled by the memory.
"Then he turned his attention to me. He grabbed my chin and tried to pull something. I lost patience and knocked him out."
"What happened after that?!"
"Outrageous! He must pay for this outrage!"
"How dare he deceive us Yamai sisters! He'll pay in blood!"
"…After that," Melusine continued expressionlessly, "he changed back into her original form. Since she'd passed out and leaving her there felt irresponsible, I brought her back with me… She's the one sleeping on the couch."
Yes—Melusine had brought Natsumi with her. She'd figured it was safer, especially while trying to keep the other Spirits under control.
Everyone turned to look at the tiny, sleeping girl on the sofa.
The shock was unanimous.
But because they trusted Melusine, they quickly accepted what she said.
"So she's… also a Spirit?"
"Incredible. A transformation so flawless even we didn't catch on."
"But why would she do that? Did Shidou wrong her in some way?"
"Why are you all assuming I did something to her?!"
Shidou protested indignantly.
"Spirit…"
Among the group, only Origami reacted differently upon learning the loli on the sofa was a Spirit.
Her doll-like face finally shifted—hatred igniting in her eyes like a flame.
But before it could smolder too long, Melusine gently flicked her on the head.
"Sensei…"
"I'm not your sensei. And don't misplace your vengeance."
Melusine stood beside her and spoke in a quiet, firm voice.
"Don't let your hatred consume you. Don't let it harm the innocent. The path you walk leads to justice—not wrath. If you forget that… you're no better than a petty revenant."
Origami fell silent. Whether Melusine's words sank in remained to be seen.
"Why does Origami call Lancelot her sensei?"
Tohka tilted her head and asked the question everyone else was thinking.
"Because she taught me many things."
Origami sat up straight and answered clearly. "Not just magical techniques I'd never heard of before—but combat methods as well. With Sensei's guidance, I've made steady progress. Most importantly… she taught me little ways to make Shidou happy. I believe they'll be useful once we're married."
At this, Shidou, Kaguya, and Yuzuru all had their expressions shift from (⊙_⊙) to Σ(っ°Д°;)っ.
Their cheeks flushed pink—except for Tohka, who didn't seem to understand.
"Ways to make Shidou happy? Can I learn too? I want to make Shidou happy."
"Tohka…"
Hearing her heartfelt words, Shidou felt a mix of exasperation and warmth.
"Sensei's sensei…"
Yuzuru touched her chin thoughtfully.
"That means… Lancelot is my grandmaster?"
"Grandmaster! That sounds so cool!"
Kaguya's eyes sparkled.
Meanwhile, Shidou caught onto something else entirely.
"Wait… why did you teach Origami magic and combat skills?"
"At first, it was just an experiment," Melusine explained. "I wanted to see if someone like Origami, a magician, could use the techniques I knew."
"After you nearly died and I almost didn't make it in time to save you, I decided it would be better to strengthen you—or at least your allies. Unfortunately, Kotori refused when I offered to train you, so I focused on Origami instead."
Kotori refused? Why?
"…How were you planning to train me?"
"You already have multiple Spirit powers. Rather than physical training, the most efficient method would be for you to use those powers in combat—against me."
At that last line, Shidou understood exactly why Kotori had refused.
Me… fight Lancelot? No way. I'd die.
"But wasn't the whole threat from DEM?"
Kaguya frowned. "Now that they're out of the picture, do we even need Shidou to get stronger?"
"Reminder: Shidou still has to 'seal' future Spirits. Some may turn hostile."
Yuzuru pointedly glanced at the unconscious Natsumi.
"Oh, right!"
Kaguya's face lit up in realization.
Not to mention Izayoi Miku. She had been ready to kill Shidou the moment she learned he was male.
Spirits were unpredictable. Natsumi had impersonated Shidou, sabotaged his reputation, and fooled everyone—including the Yamai twins and Tohka.
So yeah, giving Shidou more tools to protect himself didn't seem like a bad idea.
"No problem."
Origami suddenly stood and hugged Shidou's arm, her voice calm but resolute.
"I'll protect Shidou. Anyone who tries to hurt him—I'll eliminate. To ensure his safety, I'll stay within three steps of him at all times. Whether he's sleeping, at school, or in the bathroom—I won't leave his side."
That proclamation immediately ruffled some feathers.
"Isn't that way too far?! You don't need to be that close to protect him!"
"Naïve. It's for both his safety and chastity."
Origami stared at Tohka, eyes cold.
"Today's events already proved my point. Shidou vanished briefly—and was instantly replaced. If that happens again, and you fail to protect him—can you take responsibility?"
"Th-that's…"
Tohka's face turned red. When she realized she couldn't argue, she latched onto Shidou's other arm.
"Then I'll stay by his side too! I can do it just as well as you!"
"Wah! You two are sneaking ahead?! The nerve! Shidou belongs to me and Yuzuru!"
"Agreed. Even if I must face my own master, I will not back down. This is the only proper way to repay your teachings."
Now that the misunderstanding had been cleared, things returned to their usual chaos.
All was… strangely harmonious.