From the very beginning, Shidou had a bad feeling that something terrible would happen on this date.
And sure enough, on such an important day, he encountered an unexpected presence.
Moreover, that Spirit was none other than the one who had once razed countless cities to the ground, slaughtered innumerable people, and was known as "the most brutal Spirit"—Tenqi Sanluo.
Although for now she didn't seem to have any intention of attacking Tenguu City,
who could say whether she might suddenly lose her sanity—for reasons known or unknown to them—and start a massacre in Tenguu City?
To make matters worse, today was the most crucial day in Shidou's attempt to capture Kotori's heart. Nothing could be allowed to go wrong.
"What should I do…?"
Shidou admitted that the moment he saw that blood-red figure, he truly panicked.
"...Calm down, Shidou."
"You're telling me to calm down… How am I supposed to calm down right now…?"
Shidou grabbed Kotori's hand and pulled her to the side, trying not to draw Tenqi Sanluo's attention.
"Hmph, you're actually being smart for once,"
Kotori said, her face slightly red, rare praise slipping out.
"So, what should we do?"
Shidou still couldn't help glancing toward Tenqi Sanluo, who was looking around, his expression full of worry.
If she continued to linger here, it would be impossible for him and Kotori to carry on with their date. He didn't want it to end right after it began—they couldn't afford that.
"What should we do, you ask…"
Kotori's face didn't look any better. Tenqi Sanluo's sudden appearance had been beyond anyone's expectations.
And then, through the earpiece, amidst a series of murmurs, came an overly excited, perverted male voice—
"Ahhhh! That's it! Shidou-kun, hurry up and go say hi to Tenqi Sanluo! Then let the most brutal beauty step on you, grind you into the ground, humiliate you with her cute voice, and finally sit on you like a mount—just thinking about it is too exciting, ahhhh!!"
"...!!"
Shidou didn't even need to guess who that voice belonged to.
Apparently, with Kotori not in command on the airship, chaos had broken out there. Every now and then, the man's ecstatic, perverted shouts could still be heard.
"Shidou, what's wrong?"
Kotori noticed Shidou's strange expression and asked.
"...Kotori, just listen for yourself."
Kotori took the earpiece from Shidou, and the moment she put it on, the man's voice came through—her red twin tails instantly stood upright.
"Kannazuki!! Get back to digging the hot spring!!"
"Ugh… I knew it… Mr. Kannazuki…"
Shidou wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Maybe Kotori's outburst worked, because after Kannazuki's wailing faded, the airship gradually quieted down.
Putting his earpiece back on, Shidou cautiously glanced again at Tenqi Sanluo in the distance, then at Tohka and Yoshino playing in the pool. He took a deep breath.
If those two drew Tenqi Sanluo's attention, things would become disastrous as well…
But the real problem now was—how to warn them without causing a scene.
Yoshino wouldn't be too bad—her voice was quiet and she rarely attracted attention.
Tohka, however, was another story. If Shidou's explanation wasn't clear the first time, she might loudly ask again, and then even if Tenqi Sanluo didn't want to notice, she would.
And even if he did manage to calm them down… then what?
As long as Tenqi Sanluo was here, they couldn't have a normal date. They'd have to find another place.
But if they changed locations right at the start of the date… wouldn't Kotori be upset?
While Shidou was frowning in worry, a calm, familiar voice came through his earpiece—it was Reine.
"...Shidou, my suggestion is to invite Tenqi Sanluo to join your date."
"Wh–What!?"
Shidou couldn't believe what he just heard.
"It's too late to change locations now. If you suddenly switch places right after starting, it'll definitely affect Kotori's mood. And Tenqi Sanluo is right by the park's entrance—if you try to leave, you'll have to pass right under her nose. That's too risky. If she notices you, things could get much worse."
Reine's voice was as calm and emotionless as ever.
"So instead, since she doesn't currently seem hostile, invite her to join the date. Use this opportunity to raise her affection toward you. Even if you can't seal her today, it'll make things easier in the future."
Reine's plan wasn't bad, but Shidou was still doubtful about his ability to "capture" Tenqi Sanluo.
He hadn't even succeeded with Kurumi, whose "condition" was comparatively mild—how could he possibly handle the far more violent Tenqi Sanluo?
But at this point, Shidou had no other choice. He could only grit his teeth and move forward.
"Shidou… actually, you…"
Kotori opened her mouth as she watched him walk toward Tenqi Sanluo, wanting to say something—but she swallowed her words.
Risky as it was, this really was the best possible option for now.
---
Just as Tenqi Sanluo was glancing around, wondering what to do in this place, her eyes suddenly caught a familiar figure.
"Itsuka Shidou? Why is he here?"
She narrowed her eyes, surprised to see that even without Kurumi around, fate had still brought her face-to-face with him.
And judging by his determined expression, he was clearly here with a purpose.
"Uh… H-Hi… Miss Tenqi… what a coincidence…"
As Tenqi Sanluo's piercing gaze fell on him, Shidou, who had walked up to her, couldn't even speak properly.
He couldn't help it—her eyes were too sharp, like X-rays boring straight into him.
He felt as though he were standing naked in the middle of a street—utterly exposed and humiliated.
"Mm."
Tenqi Sanluo didn't waste words. She simply waited for Shidou to speak.
Since he'd come to her despite the danger, he clearly had a reason.
Sure enough, after taking a few deep breaths to steady his pounding heart, Shidou spoke solemnly:
"Miss Tenqi, I'd like to invite you to join us—to join me and Kotori on our date."
"!!!"
Noise immediately erupted from the airship.
"...Shidou, that kind of invitation…"
"Oh?"
Tenqi Sanluo raised an eyebrow.
"You're inviting me to join your date? Are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious."
Shidou took another deep breath, doing his best not to lose composure under her gaze—he couldn't let her look down on him.
"Not just you—Tohka and Yoshino are also here. They've joined me and Kotori on this date."
"Oh? Heh."
Tenqi Sanluo let out two cold chuckles, glancing casually toward the two Spirits playing in the pool.
"You sure know how to play, Shidou."
"Uh… well, it's not like that…"
Shidou realized how strange his words sounded and waved his hands frantically in denial.
"Not interested. Get lost."
With that, Tenqi Sanluo turned to leave.
In truth, this wasn't necessarily a bad outcome for Shidou and the others. In some ways, it was even better than if she had agreed.
As long as Tenqi Sanluo left, they could continue their date in peace.
After all, Shidou's main goal today was to capture Kotori—not Tenqi Sanluo.
Seeing this, the crew aboard the airship also sighed in relief.
When they heard Shidou's overly blunt invitation, they had already prepared for the worst—ready to teleport the group to safety and sound a spacequake alert to evacuate civilians if Tenqi Sanluo lost control.
But if she simply left, that would actually be the best outcome.
Unfortunately, Shidou was still Shidou.
He gritted his teeth, and just as Tenqi Sanluo turned and took a step away, he quickly moved forward and blocked her path.
"I'm sorry—but please, join me and Kotori on our date!"
"What?!"
A collective gasp erupted through the airship's communication line.
"..."
Tenqi Sanluo said nothing, her cold eyes scanning Shidou from head to toe.
The pressure emanating from her Spirit power poured over him like a wave.
"Are you… blocking my way?"
"Y-Yes… I am."
Shidou swallowed hard, forcing his trembling legs to stay still.
"I—I will definitely save you! You, Kurumi, all of you! I swear, I won't let you continue to suffer!"
"Hey! Shidou!"
Kotori, watching from nearby, cursed under her breath and immediately readied her Astral Dress, prepared to rush in and save him at any moment.
"...Interesting. Looks like you're not completely useless after all—you've got more than just a sharp tongue."
Tenqi Sanluo looked at the boy standing firm before her despite her overwhelming pressure, his determined eyes unshaken. Her impression of him instantly rose several notches.
Especially because, to her, his reason sounded utterly absurd.
"Fine, Itsuka Shidou. I'll play with you today."