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Shichen still couldn't help giving her the name "Yatogami Tohka."
He could have been a little more possessive and picked an entirely new name—one that belonged to her alone because he had coined it.
But after thinking about it for a moment, he gave up the idea.
If she didn't bear this name, it felt as though something would be missing: his recognition of her, the name he had always remembered.
Either way, the name she had now was still one he had bestowed.
"To‑h‑ka… Yatogami Tohka… mm, I guess it'll do," Tohka said with typical tsundere pride, though her face clearly showed how much she liked it.
"Heh‑heh, as long as you like it," Shichen chuckled.
"Um… how do you write Tohka?" she asked shyly, stepping in front of him.
"I'll show you."
Facing the wall, Shichen traced the characters 十香 with golden flame.
"So that's how it's written…"
Tohka went to the wall and, with her index finger, carefully carved the two characters herself—though they came out a bit crooked.
"Yep, just like that," Shichen nodded, smiling.
"R‑really…?"
Lost in thought, Tohka stared at the characters, then nodded in satisfaction and turned back to him.
"Shichen… —should I call you that?"
"Whatever you like."
"Mm!" She nodded vigorously, her smile dazzling.
"Shichen, Tohka—my name sounds nice, doesn't it?"
"Very nice," he answered from the heart.
"I finally have a name!"
"Hmph ~"
Tohka gave a little pout, turned her head aside, glanced at him and said in a tsundere mumble, "F‑fine, I'll reluctantly be your friend."
"Then we're good friends." Shichen held out his hand.
"What are you doing?"
"A handshake—something only people who get along really well do."
"Really? Are we that close?" She stared at his hand; her own hand twitched.
"Of course. We're friends now."
"I see…"
She took his hand; because she was wearing armor and gauntlets, her hand was larger and wrapped right around his.
"Uh… could you take off that armor?" Shichen asked.
"Take it off? What are you planning?" She watched him warily.
"No, no, that's not what I mean. Your armor stands out too much—could you change into something like what I'm wearing?"
"This is my Astral Dress… Then what should I wear? The same as you?"
"My clothes wouldn't suit you. You were looking at me all day—how about a girl‑student uniform?"
"H‑huh? You… you noticed me staring?"
"How could I not? Your gaze was practically poking me."
"Ugh…"
"So, could you change? In that Astral Dress the AST will spot you in an instant."
"AST?" she asked, puzzled.
"The people who attacked you before. See—wear that armor and they'll attack again. You don't want that, right?"
"…All right. I can change it with spirit power… Turn around."
"Eh? What's there to hide? No need to be shy with a friend."
"Do you take me for an idiot? Shichen, you pervert!"
"Pervert—fine, fine."
Shichen turned away. In less than three seconds she was done.
"Okay."
He turned back. Tohka was now in Raizen High School's uniform—self‑conjured, perfectly fitted, radiating youthful charm.
To him, though, it still wasn't as stunning as her Astral Dress; that gallant knight‑princess bearing fascinated him.
"H‑how is it?" she asked bashfully.
"Very cute."
"Is that so…" She suppressed the upward curl of her lips.
"All right, since you've changed, I'll take you on a date."
"Date? What's that?"
"It's when a boy and girl who are close go out and have fun."
"That's all?"
"Well… you can eat good food, too."
"Nothing else?" She still looked dissatisfied.
"Nothing else. The point is that the boy and girl are together; everything else is secondary."
"Is that so? Fine." She pursed her lips and headed outside.
"Where are you going?"
"Didn't you say we're dating? Let's go."
"Right." Shichen shook his head and followed.
…
Out of the alley, Shichen took out his phone and sent Kotori a message.
"Shichen, what's that?" Tohka asked.
"Oh, it's a cell phone. With it we can talk without being face‑to‑face."
"Amazing!" Her eyes sparkled.
"Want one? Don't worry, I'll get you one later."
"Really?"
"Cross my heart."
"Great!"
"Then let's go."
"Where to?"
"Where people go on dates."
"And where's that?"
"You'll know when we get there."
"By the way, Shichen, that place you were at today—why were there so many people?"
"That's a school—a place where people your age study. I'm a teacher now: the one who teaches you."
"I see… but why are there so many people?"
"Well… it is a bit crowded," he admitted, frowning slightly.
He suddenly remembered: every time Tohka appeared she caused a spacequake, everyone evacuated, and the AST attacked. The only humans she'd really seen were AST soldiers.
"Tohka, would you like to study?"
"Eh?" She stared blankly. "I… I can go to a place like that?"
"Relax." He gently rubbed her head. "Didn't I say not everyone will attack you?"
"I… I want to go!"
"Okay. I'll arrange it—but you'll have to wait a little."
"No problem! As long as I can go."
"Haha—there aren't many who volunteer for school."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll find out."
"Uh… Shichen, your hand…"
"Oh, sorry." He withdrew his hand.
"No… I don't really mind…" she murmured, turning away in embarrassment.
"Really?" He smiled and rubbed her head again; her night‑colored hair was wonderfully silky.
"U‑um… Not for now! Didn't you say we're going on a date? Let's go!"
She slapped his hand away in flustered annoyance and strode ahead.
"Okay, date it is."
Shichen caught up, slipping on the wireless earpiece Kotori had prepared.
Kotori: "Hey‑hey, Shichen-nii, can you hear me?"
Shichen: "Loud and clear."
Kotori: "As expected of you—dating a Spirit."
Shichen: "Still underestimate me?"
Kotori giggled, lollipop clacking against her teeth.
Kotori: "Careful jumping straight into live action; don't mess it up."
Shichen: "Keep doubting me and I won't cook your favorite dishes. And cut back on the candy."
Kotori: "Roger~ We've got the top team here; we can back you up."
Shichen: "No need—just set up a fun place."
Kotori: "Leave it to us!"
"Shichen, what are you doing? Why so slow?" Tohka, walking ahead, called back.
"Coming." He ended the call and caught up.
"Which way?"
"This way." He took her wrist and led her toward the road. She stared at their joined hands and followed.
Before long she yanked him back, scanning the crowd in alarm; a purple‑black orb formed in her other hand.
"Why are there so many people? Could it be…"
"What are you doing?" Shichen lightly smacked her head.
"Uu… Why'd you hit me?" she pouted.
"Didn't I tell you? Aside from the AST, no one will attack you."
"What if they do?"
"There's no what if. Trust me. Don't you want to live peacefully in this world?"
"All right… And you hate it when the AST attacks you, right? They're the same—they don't want to be attacked either."
"…I get it."
"Good girl."
"Don't treat me like a kid!"
"Okay, okay. Time for the date spot."
"Where is it?"
"Come with me—almost there."
Shichen led her to the mouth of a narrow alley.
A rich, delicious aroma drifted out.
"What's this place?" Tohka sniffed the fragrant air.
"Want to go in and see?" Shichen asked, smiling.
"Mmm…"
She swallowed unconsciously, then nodded. "Let's go!"
"Then let's."
~~~
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