Before I know it, I wake up in a bed.
It's not the infirmary bed, but a softer, more comfortable one.
I sit up and roll my legs over the side.
My head still feels a little heavy, but the worst of the pain has faded.
Looking around the room, it doesn't seem to be Haruka's.
Come to think of it... When Haruka dragged me into her room, I remember seeing other doors.
I wonder if this is one of them?
"True... Sword..." I mutter, my left hand instinctively clenching into a fist.
...Was any of that real?
"Corruption Purge Protocol..."
Huh?
I frown.
Where did that come from?
It's not a memory... Not exactly. More like something that was always there, and only now decided to surface.
Divine Circuit.
Another one.
I flex my left hand slowly, staring at the sigil.
...And one more, drifting up from somewhere deep.
Shizuka.
I don't know that name.
But for some reason... it feels important.
*Sigh*
I get up from the bed and walk towards the door.
"Wonder how Kotori is doing," I mutter to myself.
I grab the door handle and pull it open.
No one is here.
"Where is everyone..."
In any case, this is the corridor Haruka dragged me through earlier.
Hm?
I hear voices coming from the right.
And walk towards them.
As I get closer, I can hear them more clearly.
Few doors down, I find them in... A kitchen?
Everyone is here. Lenah, Haruka, Touko, Kaito, and Kotori.
"Ah, Horikita, you're awake," Haruka says, her eyes lighting up with a bright smile.
"Perfect timing! We were just about to start dinner."
"Dinner?" I repeat, confused.
"What time is it?"
"It's almost 8 pm," Lenah replies.
"You've been asleep for quite some time."
"W-What?!" I exclaim, my eyes widening in surprise.
"I slept that long?"
"You needed it," Kaito says, nodding in agreement.
"You really pushed yourself out there."
I flush slightly, averting my gaze.
"I'm fine now,"
"I can fight."
"No one is doubting your capabilities, Horikita."
"But you need to understand your limits. You are not invincible." Lenah says, and leaves no room for argument.
"I know that!" I let out.
"I just… I don't want to be a burden."
"Burden?" Haruka repeats, tilting her head.
"That's an inefficient assessment, Horikita. You are a valuable asset, not a liability. Your actions today provided us with critical data on the enemy's capabilities and the effectiveness of Divine Ki. That is not a burden; that is a significant contribution."
"Besides, you saved Kotori," Kaito adds, his voice sincere.
"That's not something anyone's going to forget."
At the sound of her name, my gaze finds her at the stove. She hasn't looked up once.
Before I can think about it, I'm already moving towards her.
"Kotori," I say, my voice soft.
She glances up at me,
"Are you okay?" I ask, my hand reaching out to touch her arm.
"Affirmative," Kotori replies.
"My body has faster self-repair capabilities than a standard human." Kotori's attention is already returning to the stove.
"The damage to my left leg has been fully repaired. I am currently operating at 97% efficiency."
I frown, not liking the way she's dismissing her injuries.
"It's not about efficiency," I tell her, my voice firm.
"You were hurt. Because of me."
Kotori pauses her cooking, turning her head slightly towards me.
"Causality is irrelevant," Kotori states.
"The outcome was positive. You are safe. I am functional. The mission continues. That is the only data that matters."
"It matters to me!" I insist, stepping closer.
"I don't understand,"
"Why are you so insistent on this?"
"Because… Because you're important to me!" I blurt out, before I can stop myself.
The kitchen falls silent.
Haruka, Lenah, Touko, and Kaito all stop what they're doing and turn to look at us.
"Important?" Kotori repeats.
Heat rushes to my ears as I realize what I just said.
"I-I didn't mean…" I stammer, trying to retract the words
"I just meant that you're a valuable member of the… of the team! And… and I don't want anything bad to happen to you!"
I can feel the weight of everyone's stares.
This is so embarrassing. Why did I have to say that?
Kotori continues to look at me.
"I see," Kotori says slowly.
"If you are concerned about my well-being, then the most logical course of action is to ensure that I am operating at peak efficiency. That requires me to focus on the mission and to minimize any potential risks to my system."
I sigh, frustrated.
Since everyone is already staring, I point my left finger at Kotori.
"Listen! From now on... You belong to me!" I shout, my voice a desperate attempt to sound stronger than the burning shame on my cheeks.
Kaito is about to drink water, but he spits it out.
"H-Huh?!" Kaito stammers.
"Ara, Kita, you're so forward~" Touko teases, her silver tail swaying. Then, quieter—
"...I'm glad you're okay."
I notice Lenah looking between us.
She doesn't say anything.
Haruka, of course, is practically vibrating with excitement.
"Oh, my," Haruka says, clapping her hands together.
"This is even better than I could have hoped for! Declaration of ownership! The possessive alpha dynamic! The data is off the charts!"
"Belong to you?" Kotori repeats, her head tilting slightly.
"Elaborate."
Why can't I ever think before I speak?!
I grit my teeth, trying to find the right words.
"I-It's not what you think!"
"I just meant that… that I want to protect you! And… And I don't want you to get hurt! So… So you have to listen to me! And… And do what I say!"
The words sound ridiculous even to my own ears.
Kotori stares at me for a long moment.
Then, the corner of her lip twitches upward, just for a second.
"Understood," Kotori says, nodding slowly.
"If that is your directive, then I will comply. From this point forward, I will prioritize your commands above all others."
"W-What?" I stutter, unable to believe she actually agreed.
"You mean… You'll do what I say?"
Kotori turns towards Haruka.
"Haruka, can I be reassigned to Horikita's team?" Kotori asks.
"Are you sure about that, Kotori?"
"I am certain," Kotori responds, her gaze firm.
"My primary directive is to ensure Horikita's safety, and I believe I can best accomplish that by working directly under her command."
Haruka is silent for a moment, processing Kotori's request. Then, a slow, knowing smile spreads across her face.
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised,"
"It seems my little ace has a way of… acquiring things. Very well, Kotori. Request approved. You are now under Horikita's command."
Haruka turns to me, her lips twisting into an impossibly smug grin.
"Congratulations, Horikita. You now have your own personal Kotori."
My face flushes.
"I-I didn't ask for this!" I protest, but my voice lacks conviction.
Kotori turns towards me.
"What are your orders, Horikita?" Kotori asks, her focus absolute as she waits for my response.
What do I say? What do I do? I have no idea how to command someone, especially someone as capable and…
I notice the food behind Kotori.
I clear my throat, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
"Um… just… just keep doing what you're doing," I stammer, gesturing vaguely towards the stove.
"And… And stay close to me. Okay?"
"Affirmative," Kotori replies, turning back to the stove.
What have I done?
I'm not sure what to do, so I stand here, awkwardly, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone.