"Where is this place?"
Yatogami Tohka stepped into the bakery and looked around curiously.
This shop felt different from the ones they had visited before—the customers and clerks here were all real.
When the two of them entered, they drew almost no attention; the other patrons were still focused on choosing their bread.
"A bakery," Shichen answered.
"Bread? What's that?" Tohka asked in confusion.
"It's these yellowish things you see here."
"Oh? So this is bread. It smells wonderful here! Are these things edible?"
"Absolutely. I guarantee you'll like them."
"If you say so, I'll look forward to it."
"Welcome—can I help… you?" A young saleswoman came over, but stopped mid‑sentence, her eyes fixed on Shichen, staring without blinking.
"Is something the matter?" Shichen asked with a smile.
"N‑no… nothing at all!" The clerk waved her hands nervously.
"Whoa—look at that guy!"
"Huh? Wow!"
"He's so handsome!"
"Never seen anyone like him!"
"Even better‑looking than those idols."
"But he seems to have a girlfriend already—"
"What are you after?" Tohka suddenly stepped in front of Shichen, displeased, and glared at the clerk.
"Sorry… Is there anything you'd like?" The clerk bowed in apology.
"Hmph ~" Tohka still looked annoyed.
"What's wrong with you?" Shichen asked, amused.
"They're all staring at you. I don't like it."
"They're only looking…"
"Do you want them looking at you?" Tohka turned and glared at him.
"No, I want you to look at me," Shichen replied.
"Ugh… y‑you… Stop teasing me!" Tohka turned away, blushing and flustered.
"Heh‑heh~"
Shichen dropped the banter and told the clerk, "Sorry, she means no harm."
"N‑no… it's my fault," the clerk said, shaking her head.
"Let's move on. This is our first visit—what do you recommend? One of everything, please. Oh, and an extra kinako‑pan."
"Certainly! Leave it to me." The clerk bustled off enthusiastically to pack their order.
The other customers had stopped choosing bread and were now stealing glances at Shichen. Once you noticed him, he was hard to ignore.
Shichen paid them no mind and browsed the shelves with Tohka.
Every loaf looked enticing—glossy, fragrant, delicious. Even though she had eaten a great deal earlier, she couldn't help pursing her lips, almost swallowing.
"Shichen, what did you buy?" Tohka asked, trying to distract herself.
"You'll find out soon."
"Is it all for me?"
"Of course."
"Mm… Is it tasty?"
"You'll see."
"You…" Tohka puffed her cheeks, glaring.
"Don't rush—it's specially prepared for you."
"Really? Then I'll wait a bit." She glanced back at the shelves and finally swallowed hard.
Shichen chuckled quietly. So cute—simple and a total foodie.
Before long the clerk returned with a large bag.
"Here's your order."
"Thanks. How much?"
"The total is…"
Shichen still had plenty of cash; Kotori Itsuka had planned ahead.
He paid and led Tohka out.
"Please come again! I can give you a discount next time," the clerk called.
Not only she but even the customers looked reluctant to see him go. They decided they would visit more often—just in case they ran into him again.
Outside, the glow of sunset washed over Shichen; he realized dusk was falling.
"Shichen, when can I eat?" Tohka cared nothing for the hour—her eyes clung to the paper bag.
"Patience. Let's go home first."
"Home?" Tohka blinked in surprise.
"What's wrong? Did you forget? You're staying in this world to enjoy its beauty."
"I—can I really stay?" Gloom returned to her eyes, just like when he first met her.
"It's not whether you can stay," Shichen said gently. "It's whether you want to."
"Um… Will it really be all right if I do?"
She looked at him timidly, sadness leaking through. "I think I understand why AST attacks me. If not for me, people here would live better, right?"
"And you? Don't you want a good life?" Shichen asked back.
"I—"
"Honestly, how those people live has nothing to do with me. Compared with them, what matters more is your happiness." Shichen gazed into her eyes.
"Shi…chen…" She returned the gaze, mesmerized.
"Shichen-nii, there are some things you shouldn't say out loud~" Kotori's voice chimed in at just the right moment.
Shichen ignored her. "You don't have to put others first. You're alive too—think of yourself."
"B‑but… I ruined their lives. Can I really live here? Together with them?"
"It's simple—just don't cause any more damage," Shichen said with a small smile.
"Eh?"
"Remember the last two days? You didn't cause any trouble at all."
"But I can't guarantee—"
"How will you know if you don't try? Besides, I'll help you."
"You'll… help me?"
"Will you trust me?"
Tohka stared blankly at him; her lips moved, but no words came out.
"Just say you want to live here, and I'll help—whether the whole world turns against us. So speak your mind."
His tone was gentle, guiding rather than urging.
"I… I want to live in this world!" Tears glimmered at the corners of her eyes, but her voice was firm.
"Then—let's go home." Shichen offered his hand.
"Mm!" Tohka clasped it.
"My, my—Shichen-nii really dares to say anything," Kotori laughed inside the Fraxinus, lollipop between her teeth.
"Commander, are we sure Shichen-san is safe?" Kannazuki Kyouhei asked nervously.
"Relax. As long as I'm here, he won't do anything anti‑human. He dotes on me, and without him we can't do a thing," Kotori replied without looking away.
Her gaze lingered on the screen, on the two figures hand‑in‑hand. She bit down, crushing the lollipop with a loud crunch.
"Forgive my bluntness, but what's so special about Shichen-san?" Kannazuki pressed.
"You'll find out soon enough. The brass ordered it—can you refuse?"
"I suppose not…"
"And Onii-chan isn't some fool driven by lust. Just listen."
Kotori signaled everyone to watch the screen. Shichen was asking Tohka crucial questions.
"Tohka, how did you leave before?"
"I don't know—I just vanished naturally."
"'Naturally vanished'?"
"Mm. I moved from this world into another space."
"What kind of place was it?"
"I'm not sure… The moment I arrive there, I automatically go dormant. All I remember is floating in darkness, weightless—like sleeping."
"And when you wake up, you appear in this world?"
"No. Coming here isn't my choice. I'm drawn here at irregular times and can't leave on my own… It's like someone forces me awake."
Her words plunged everyone on the ship into silence.
People who know Spirits believe a space quake always accompanies a Spirit's appearance, devastating the city. But if Tohka was telling the truth, their arrival has nothing to do with their own will.
If so, space quakes are truly accidents, and Ratatoskr's policy of persuading Spirits is correct—it was a heartening discovery.
Yet Tohka's account also raised another doubt: her words hinted at a mastermind manipulating everything behind the scenes!