The next morning Shichen and the others—including Tohka—got up early.
After washing up together, they returned to their rooms, changed into their going‑out clothes, and got ready to set off.
It was a rare Saturday, so staying home was out of the question; more importantly, Yoshino needed to venture back into society.
Shichen felt it wasn't strictly necessary—he could protect her forever and let her do whatever she liked as long as she was happy—but Yoshino's condition still wasn't right. She had yet to open her heart; most things were still dealt with through Yoshinon.
Perhaps constant companionship would help her recover, but his time in this world was limited.
Because Kotori had barged in last night, he hadn't been able to test whether he could store Tohka inside his body like a familiar.
After all, it had been a precious chance to sleep together.
"S-Shichen…-nii."
Already dressed, Shichen was waiting in the living room when Yoshino's soft voice floated out from the inner room.
"Oh!"
His eyes lit up: a shy girl in a cute white sundress and a wide‑brimmed sun‑hat that almost hid her whole face was walking toward him.
Yoshino was wearing the outfit Ratatoskr had prepared for her, not the green Astral Dress, making her look extra lively and adorable.
Apart from the puppet Yoshinon on her hand, she was completely different from before.
"Heh‑heh~ Onii-chan, what do you think? Isn't Yoshino adorable? Has your heart skipped a beat?"
"She's so cute I can hardly keep myself from hugging her," Shichen admitted freely.
"U‑uh…" Yoshino blushed.
"O‑oh! Onii-chan, it looks like Yoshino wants you to hug her too."
"U‑uh!" Yoshino glanced up in panic, then quickly lowered her head again, her small ears flushing pink. "D‑Don't try to fool me. That's not what Yoshino meant at all."
"Um…" Yoshino cautiously looked up and whispered, "I… I'm fine with it… if Onii-chan wants to."
When they washed up that morning, "Onii-chan" had sounded too distant to Shichen, so he'd asked her to change how she addressed him.
She chose the same form Kotori used.
"Really?"
"M‑mhm…" Yoshino nodded.
"Then I will." Shichen squatted and gently hugged her.
Yoshino didn't move, but with her cheek resting on Shichen's shoulder she showed a faint smile.
"Ah—! Shichen, what are you doing with Yoshino?"
Yatogami Tohka dashed out of her room. Seeing them, she puffed her cheeks.
She wore a white dress as well, though with a corset‑style vest over it.
"Come here—you get a hug too." Shichen released Yoshino, stood, and opened his arms to Tohka.
"Yay~" Tohka happily bounced into his embrace.
"Hee‑hee~ Shichen's arms are so comfy."
"That's still no excuse for you to sneak into my bed every night."
"What's the problem? We've shared a bed for ages already."
"Onii-chan, didn't you get enough hugging last night?" Kotori emerged next.
"Kotori, why are you dressed like that?" Shichen asked, puzzled.
Kotori was in her commander uniform—white shirt, tie, belt, red skirt—and draped in her coat. Most striking, her hair ribbon was black.
"Because we're paying the Fraxinus a visit." Kotori grinned, producing a lollipop and popping it into her mouth.
"Candy first thing in the morning… Why the Fraxinus? Using it for transport?"
"Not exactly. It's about Yoshino—she needs a check‑up."
"Hmm?" Yoshino tilted her head.
"Don't worry, Yoshino—I'll be with you."
"I understand."
"Then let's go."
Kotori led the way out. Shichen took Tohka's and Yoshino's hands and followed.
The moment they stepped outside they were teleported straight onto the Fraxinus.
"Good morning, Shichen, Kotori, Tohka, Yoshino, and Yoshinon," Reine Murasame greeted them, sporting her usual dark circles.
"Morning, Reine. I'll leave Yoshino with you," Kotori instructed, heading for the bridge.
"Understood."
"Reine, may I come along?" Shichen asked.
"Of course—that's actually better."
"Great."
"Shichen, I want to go too!" Tohka raised her hand.
"Don't you want to explore the ship?"
"Boring. I'm not interested."
"All right… Yoshino, shall we?"
"Okay!"
Reine led them to an examination room filled with equipment—including a medical capsule.
She operated a console; the capsule opened.
"Yoshino, could you lie inside?"
Yoshino looked at Shichen.
"It's fine." He patted her head reassuringly.
"I‑I understand." She climbed in and lay down, turning her head nervously toward Shichen. He gave her a gentle smile.
"I'll begin."
The capsule closed, infrared scanners sweeping her body.
Tohka watched curiously. Shichen moved beside Reine and asked, "What exactly are you checking?"
"Primarily her spirit power—and her physical condition."
"Huh?"
"Unlike Tohka, Yoshino's spirit is abundant. Headquarters needs to confirm it's stable so no danger arises."
"That's all? Aren't I here? And Tohka's results are already out."
"Can't be helped—until you act, they're probably afraid of dying."
"…Reine, you really dare say anything."
"Because Yoshino is truly pitiful," Reine murmured, eyes on the data.
"What do you mean?"
"You know Yoshinon's situation, right?"
"Yes."
"Yoshinon isn't just ventriloquism. The scan shows a very faint reaction hidden in Yoshino's mental signature."
"You mean?"
"Simply put, whenever she wears Yoshinon, another personality coexists inside her."
"Coexists?"
"Yes. When Yoshinon speaks, Yoshino sometimes seems to shut her mind off deliberately."
"I thought so." Shichen glanced at Yoshino; she couldn't hear them—she was happily making eye contact with Tohka.
"And about how Yoshinon formed, I found something interesting," Reine continued.
"What is it?"
"There are several reasons someone develops an alter, but the most common is to escape the intense pain and pressure of abuse—convincing oneself that the person suffering isn't them but someone else, so they create another persona."
Shichen fell silent.
"You don't think AST caused it, do you?"
"No…"
Reine nodded gently. "Incredible as it sounds, Yoshino didn't do it for herself; she created a persona that could help suppress her power so she wouldn't hurt others."
Shichen exhaled deeply.
He'd always known Yoshino was kind—naïvely so. For the sake of those who hurt her, she restrained herself.
Without living it, one could never grasp her true gentleness.
Maybe Yoshino knew the spatial quakes triggered endangered people and tried hard to control herself. Maybe AST attacked her to protect others.
They weren't wrong—but Shichen's heart ached for Yoshino.
"Shichen-kun, thank you for helping Yoshino—for helping someone so gentle," Reine said sincerely.
"Do you really think that?" Shichen asked calmly.
"I do." Reine nodded.
"I see… How's the exam?"
"Almost done."
"Then can I take Yoshino now?"
"Mhm. Let her experience the world more—it'll help unlock her heart."
"I will… By the way, would you like to come with us?"
"Eh? May I?" Reine blinked.
"Of course." Shichen smiled.
"Then… I'll gladly accept."
With Reine in tow, Shichen found Kotori, and they had the Fraxinus teleport them to their destination:
An amusement park.
~~~
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