That night, after dinner, Yoshino sat back on the sofa with a thoroughly satisfied look on her face.
Beside her, Tohka Yatogami wore the same blissful expression, gently rubbing a stomach that—despite everything she had eaten—showed no sign of change.
Surprisingly, Yoshino was every bit the foodie that Tohka was, though in a slightly different way: she loved delicious food, but she was no bottomless pit.
Most of the dishes had still ended up in Tohka's stomach.
"Yoshino, how was it? Pretty tasty, right? Shichen's cooking is the best!"
"M‑mh!" Yoshino nodded hard.
She had loosened up a little, thanks largely to Tohka; the two of them had just become partners‑in‑food.
If Tohka hadn't been there, Yoshino would have felt too shy even to lift her chopsticks.
"He‑he‑he." Tohka grinned in triumph.
"Tohka, what are you laughing at? You look awfully pleased with yourself," Yoshinon asked.
"But of course!"
"Ohh? Is it because you liiike Onii-chan?"
"What do you mean by like?"
"It's—"
A‑hem. "Would you girls like some dessert? I made pudding too," Shichen cut in before Yoshinon could finish.
"Ohh‑ya~!"
"I want some!" Tohka shot her hand into the air.
"How about you, Yoshino?"
"I‑I'd like some too…" Yoshino raised her small hand, head bowed in embarrassment.
"Ha‑ha, just say it boldly—no need to be so formal."
"I…I'll try."
"Kotori, do you want any?"
Kotori Itsuka puffed out her cheeks. "What do you think, Shichen-nii? You won't let me have lollipops and you're planning to withhold dessert?"
"See, Yoshino? Be straightforward like her."
"R‑right… I understand."
"Reine, would yo—"
"Yes!"
Shichen hadn't even finished before Reine Murasame answered in haste.
Wow… It was the first time he'd seen her like that: behind her glasses her eyes were brimming with anticipation.
"Got it." He nodded, went to the kitchen fridge, and brought out the pudding.
The puddings were a simple mix of eggs, milk, sugar and a few extras. Shichen had made a lot, but with Tohka around there was no such thing as enough. He'd set aside a bit and now placed two servings per person—including himself—on the coffee table.
"Pudding is served~"
The moment the bowls touched the tabletop, Tohka lunged for them.
"Tohka, no snatching—two each, that's it."
"Eh? Only this much?"
"No matter how much I make it'll never be enough for you. Just enjoy what you have."
"…Okay."
"Don't be shy, Yoshino—give it a try."
"Mmh."
Kotori didn't stand on ceremony; she scooped up a spoonful, popped it into her mouth, and her delicate little face broke into a radiant smile.
"Mmm~ Delicious! Tastes just the way I remember."
The way she remembers? Shichen glanced at Reine, curious about her reaction.
Reine didn't rush. She lifted a small spoonful, placed it on her tongue, closed her eyes, and seemed to savor it carefully.
"How is it, Reine?" Shichen couldn't help asking.
"…Mm."
Reine opened her eyes and—for once—actually smiled. "It's very good."
"Is it? Great."
Shichen tried his own; to him it tasted simply "nice"—maybe a tad better because he'd made it himself.
After dessert the group watched TV for a while. Eventually Reine left; since she lived on the Fraxinus, the moment she stepped out the door she was teleported away.
Shichen returned to the living room to accompany the other three. Yoshino was utterly fascinated by television.
The Fraxinus really is an amazing thing—practically the perfect travel tool: food, clothing, shelter, transport, all handled. If only I could take it with me… preferably with an A.I. so it could fly itself.
Then again, I can't even take people with me right now, let alone a whole airship.
…Wait a second.
Shichen suddenly remembered—maybe he could take people. After all, Tenka Yatogami was residing inside him right now. She'd become no different from a familiar. He could still feel her presence clearly, even though she'd been quiet for a long time—especially at night, when he slept hugging Tohka; sometimes Tenka's presence became so intense it woke him up. More than once he'd opened his eyes to find his hand measuring Tohka's heartbeat.
Did that mean Tenka could sense what was happening outside? Maybe—but not important.
If Tenka had become a spirit core dwelling within him, then when he eventually left this world he should be able to take her along. Could he do the same to someone else—turn them into a similar state? Absorb them somehow?
He'd never tried. Tenka's situation was unique; everyone else had a physical body. But if Tenka could, then perhaps Tohka could too? In essence she was a pure Spirit born from a core—she might be able to be converted into spirit energy and drawn into him, just like Tenka.
Hmph! Right then, "she" inside his mind suddenly snorted in displeasure.
Ever since they'd entered this world "she" had only spoken once—when warning him that Tohka carried a shard of divinity—then fallen completely silent, even though Kotori, Origami, Yoshino and Reine all had Divine Fragments as well.
It was as if "she" were sulking.
Shichen had gained several fragments from Megumin, making "her" even livelier, but here she'd clammed up.
[What's wrong?] he asked.
[…]
[Asleep?]
[…]
No reaction. He stopped pressing, but he thought he understood: this world's situation had made her jealous. Given her sudden outburst just now, it must have been triggered by his thought of bringing others along inside him. If more people moved into her space, of course she'd be annoyed.
Which meant…his idea was feasible!
Maybe he should test it with Tohka first.
But now he found himself more concerned with "her" identity. Knowing himself, he'd only be interested in girls he already knew from familiar worlds; he wouldn't get that close to complete strangers. So who was "she"?
Someone he knew in the future—or the past?
He doubted he could pry it out of her now; he'd just have to wait and see—maybe once he'd collected all the Divine Fragments.
Just you wait—I'll figure out who you are, and when I do, I'll give you a good scolding.
[…]
…
Around ten that night Shichen urged the girls to take their baths. Saturday was tomorrow, but he doubted they could stay up much longer.
"Ohh‑ya~ Onii-chan, are you going to help Yoshino bathe?" Yoshinon suddenly asked.
"Uh!" Yoshino blushed and looked at Shi.
"What? Shichen, you're going to bathe Yoshino? You really are a lecher!" Tohka declared.
"Why would you think that?" Shichen rubbed his temples and turned to Yoshinon. The puppet was forever saying outrageous things; he was starting to suspect it really was Yoshino's alternate personality.
"Come on, Onii-chan—you put her shoes on for her and played with her tiny feet. There's no way you aren't interested in her body."
"Ugh!" Yoshino's face went crimson.
"Can you not make me sound so desperate?"
"Oh? So you will want to do it later?"
"That depends on when Yoshino is willing," Shichen answered honestly.
"I see, I see. Well then, Yoshino's willing right now."
"N‑no I'm not!" Yoshino squeaked.
"Ha‑ha, I know." Shichen patted her head.
"Mngh… Shichen, you can wash me instead!" Tohka announced solemnly.
"Don't make trouble."
"I'm serious! We sleep together every night anyway—you've already touched my whole body."
"What? Shichen-nii, you still sleep with Tohka?" Kotori gasped. "I thought you said it was just that one night!"
"Ohh‑ya, Onii-chan—looks like a love triangle!"
"It was your fault to begin with!"
"Heh‑heh. Anyone who wants everything has to pay a price."
"What do you mean 'everything'?" Tohka tilted her head.
"Never mind. Go take your baths. Tohka, you can show Yoshino how to use the hot water."
"Oh!"
Tohka perked up. "Yoshino, Yoshinon, let's bathe together! I'll teach you how to use the shower."
"T‑Tohka‑san, I actually know how…" Yoshino whispered.
"What? How come?"
"I…don't remember."
"Is that so? Then we'll bathe together."
"…Okay."
"Let's go!" Tohka eagerly pulled Yoshino toward the bathroom.
"Shichen-nii." Kotori remained behind, glaring unhappily at him.
"Don't blame me—Tohka keeps sneaking into my room."
"Excuses! Couldn't you stop her?"
"I'm upset!"
"So what do you want?"
"I'm sleeping with you tonight too!"
"Eh?!"
~~~
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