Kotori caught Shuo's teasing glance and shot him a glare, lips pressed in a silent pout. She didn't notice the subtle look he sent Reine's way—but Reine did. Half a month living together and Shuo hadn't outed her identity to Kotori, which was a relief… but right now, Reine felt her nerves fraying.
"Really?"
Tohka's eyes widened, curiosity and a flicker of jealousy in her gaze. "You said there are other Spirits here, Shuo? Is it Kotori? Or Reine?"
Her purple eyes darted between the two, trying to see through their secrets. Both Kotori and Reine squirmed under her scrutiny, each hiding their own worries, avoiding Tohka's gaze for fear of being found out.
Just as Shuo opened his mouth to reply, a familiar voice rang out from the entryway.
"Hey, boy! It's lunchtime already—did you make anything for us?"
Nia Honjou burst in, trailed by Shiori Itsuka. Shiori's long blue hair and school uniform matched Tohka's, while Nia's presence was unmistakably chaotic.
The newcomers stopped short, eyes landing on Tohka—someone they didn't recognize. Nia's face lit up with mischief.
"Well, well! Kotori sent you to find Spirits, but you brought home a girl instead? Is she your girlfriend? Boy, you're bolder than I thought!"
"Are you dumb?"
Kotori didn't miss a beat, rolling her eyes at Nia's usual nonsense. "Can't you see she's just like you, you airhead?"
"Just like me?"
Nia's eyes sparkled, pushing up her glasses as she studied Tohka. "Wait, you're a Spirit too?"
Tohka, ignoring Nia's question, looked at Shuo, her jealousy and unease growing as she took in the new faces.
"This is Kotori's big sister, Shiori," Shuo explained, ruffling Tohka's hair. "And that one's Nia Honjou—the Spirit I mentioned earlier, just like you."
Tohka turned a critical eye on Nia, sizing her up for a long moment. "She looks pretty weak. Doesn't seem like a Spirit at all."
Nia's confidence crumbled. "Hey, hey! What's with that look? I'm just not good at fighting, okay? That doesn't mean I'm not a Spirit!"
Shuo grinned. "Tohka, Nia's a Spirit, sure—but she's also a helpless, hopeless, totally useless one."
Nia went rigid, then collapsed into Shiori's arms, wailing for sympathy. "Boy, you can't just say that out loud! That's so mean!"
Everyone else just watched in silent disbelief as Nia put on her usual fujoshi drama.
A snap of Shuo's fingers broke the scene. "Look at you—holed up at home all day. I'm confiscating your phone."
Nia's eyes shot wide as Shuo dangled her precious phone. She lunged, clinging to his arm, sobbing with the desperation of someone losing their entire world.
"Please, boy! Give it back! I'll be good, I promise! My manga, my novels, my games—I can't live without my phone!"
Shuo looked down, feigning pity. "You really want it back that badly?"
Nia nodded furiously, hope flickering in her eyes.
Shuo smiled, cruel and sweet. "Dream on. In your dreams, you can have anything you want."
Nia's hopes shattered. She wailed even louder, clutching his arm as if her life depended on it.
Shuo shook her off, then turned his golden eyes toward Reine, who watched the chaos with a strange mix of exasperation and resignation.
Without missing a beat, Shuo nudged Tohka toward Reine. "Tohka, I'm heading to the kitchen. If you have questions, ask Reine. Or Kotori, or Shiori."
He shot a look at Nia. "But steer clear of Nia. Don't let her innocent face fool you—she's the most evil Spirit around, a master of tricking naïve girls and ruthlessly wiping out her own kind."
Kotori and Shiori stared, speechless. Reine's expression twisted in silent protest—she was pretty sure Shuo was really talking about her, but she couldn't prove it. If she could take him in a fight, she'd have decked him by now. But all she could do was swallow her pride.
Nia, meanwhile, was completely stunned. Evil? Deceptive? Ruthless? She'd never hurt anyone, let alone another Spirit. If she were that dangerous, would DEM have ever caught her in the first place?
Tohka, ever the innocent, took Shuo's words at face value. Her face went pale. Instinctively, she summoned Sandalphon, pointing the angelic weapon straight at Nia.
"Shuo, if she's that evil, should I just… finish her off?"
"Wait, wait!"
Nia panicked, arms flailing. "Don't listen to him! I'm a total weakling—I've never hurt anyone, I swear! Please put the scary sword away!"
Tohka huffed. "Shuo said you're a liar. I won't fall for your tricks!"
Nia could only look to Shuo for help, her eyes pleading.
Shuo relented, finally feeling a little guilty. "Alright, Tohka, put Sandalphon away. I was joking—Nia's just a harmless dummy, not some evil Spirit."
He left them to chat, ignoring Nia's wounded glare, and headed for the kitchen.
Minutes later, laughter and chatter filled the living room. Tohka found herself bonding with Shiori and Nia, the earlier tension forgotten.
When lunch was ready, Shuo set out a lavish spread—half the table reserved just for Tohka, the rest for everyone else. It was a proper welcome, and well-deserved.
Besides… Tohka could really eat.
🔥 Want to read the next 50+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]