Facing Chinatsu's reproachful questioning, Shido sighed deeply. He knew he bore an undeniable responsibility for this matter.
He put aside his momentary embarrassment, his expression becoming serious and solemn as he began to explain the considerations behind his actions.
"Chinatsu, you are right. Dragging Koushi into this is my responsibility."
Shido admitted frankly, looking directly at Chinatsu, "However, please believe me, this was not our desire, but a necessity imposed by the situation."
He paused, organizing his thoughts, and continued, "Koushi... he didn't truly escape this vortex just because you erased his memories."
"An organization named 'DEM' has been capturing Spirits globally, and they stop at nothing. If they discovered the relationship between Koushi and you, if they found out he is your only blood relative..."
Shido's tone grew heavy: "They would definitely capture him at all costs and use him as a... hostage against you. At that point, Koushi's situation would be a thousand times more dangerous than it is now."
"We informed him and brought him in to protect him, and to gain the initiative before DEM could make a move."
He looked into Chinatsu's eyes, trying to make her understand the helplessness and necessity involved:
"We couldn't keep him in the dark forever; that would only expose him to greater danger due to his ignorance. Therefore..."
Just as Shido was about to further explain Ratatoskr's philosophy and the "Sealing" plan, attempting to gain Chinatsu's Understanding or even cooperation, Chinatsu gently raised her hand, interrupting him.
"Enough." Chinatsu's voice was calm, yet carried a clear sense of knowing everything. "You don't need to say anything more. The reason you told him the truth... I already have Understanding."
Her gaze returned to Koushi, who was lying unconscious on the ground, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
— There was heartache, helplessness, and perhaps a faint, imperceptible annoyance toward her older brother for disregarding his own safety like this.
But deep within that gaze, there was a profound and inseparable bond.
She watched quietly for a few seconds, as if trying to imprint this moment onto her heart.
Then, she withdrew her gaze and looked back at Shido, her tone becoming serious:
"In that case..."
Chinatsu's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable sense of trust and entrustment.
"My... clumsy and overly ambitious Idiot Older Brother, I will temporarily entrust him to your care."
"He's fine now, he's just passed out at most. Let this idiot lie there for a while, ignore him, and consider it punishment."
This statement not only entrusted Koushi's safety to Shido but also implied her temporary approval of the "protection" plan Shido and the organization behind him had devised for Koushi.
Just as Shido looked in Chinatsu's direction, still harboring many questions—especially regarding the truth of Koushi's previous bizarre disappearance—and was about to speak, Chinatsu's voice rang out again, as if reading his mind, interrupting his unspoken inquiry.
"Now then," Chinatsu's voice returned to its calm and detached state, carrying an undeniable resolution and a sense of "this ends here." "The time for formalities and family ethics is over. It is time to discuss serious matters."
Her figure did not reappear, but her words came through clearly, as if right next to him.
She slowly turned, her gaze no longer resting on Shido, but directed straight toward Yoshino, who was subtly shielded behind Shido and still looked somewhat uneasy.
The rational and approachable smile returned to her face, completely different from the seriousness she had shown when facing Shido moments ago.
She walked back, gracefully squatting down in front of Yoshinon, bringing her eyes level with the petite, blue-haired girl, and then extended a hand toward her, palm up, in a gesture of invitation.
"Yoshino, and Yoshino," Chinatsu's voice was gentle yet carried a firm strength, "I am founding an organization. Its name is Anti-Entropy."
She looked into Yoshino's azure eyes, which held confusion and a hint of curiosity, and explained seriously:
"The purpose of this organization is to liberate Spirits like us, and to seek justice from the 'bad people' who know the truth about Spirits but deliberately conceal it, or even exploit that truth for profit and harm us."
Her tone gradually became serious: "Humans suppress us with force and drive us away with fear. Therefore, Spirits must naturally retaliate with force to protect ourselves! Constant retreat will not bring true peace, and limitless tolerance will only encourage them to escalate their actions!"
Her words were like heavy hammers striking the soul: "Dignity exists only upon the sword's edge! Truth exists only within the striking range of power! Only by defeating and terrifying our enemies, making them clearly realize that harming us will incur an unbearable cost, will they be willing to sit down and treat you in an equal, peaceful manner!"
Chinatsu's gaze was burning, filled with conviction: "Currently, Anti-Entropy needs allies, it needs strength. Yoshino, Yoshino, I need your power. Would you... join us?"
After delivering this highly inflammatory invitation, which reflected her personal philosophy, Chinatsu slightly turned her head, glancing at the visibly nervous Shido next to her, her tone carrying a hint of mockery, yet clearly handing over the choice:
"Of course, there is another option here—this idiot, who seems to be going through puberty and is driven by hormones, and the organization behind him, seem to have a different theory. Yoshino, Yoshino, you can also choose to speak with him first and hear his side."
"I will return after you have made your decision."
Chinatsu's figure vanished as the portal closed, and the suffocating pressure in the ruins dissipated. Only then did Shido let out a long breath, his strained nerves finally relaxing slightly.
Just now, he had been so frightened his heart nearly leaped out of his chest, terrified that Yoshino, in that intense situation, would be immediately convinced by Chinatsu's powerful and revenge-filled declaration and join Anti-Entropy on the spot.
(Fortunately... Yoshino is even more docile than I imagined...) Shido thought to himself, feeling even more pity for the timid Spirit.
As if to confirm his thoughts, Yoshino carefully lifted her head, her azure eyes looking toward Shido, and spoke in a faint yet clear voice:
"Um... well... Shido-san... I, I am not very interested in the 'Anti-Entropy' that older sister mentioned..."
She gently hugged the Yoshinon puppet in her arms, explaining the reason softly:
"I... I don't like fighting... and, and I don't want to see anyone get hurt... so..."
Hearing these words, Shido felt even more that Yoshino's kindness was heartbreaking, but this goodness—which completely avoided conflict and didn't even wish to see aggressors hurt—seemed so fragile in the face of cruel reality, carrying a nearly sorrowful compassion.
He composed himself, preparing to explain Ratatoskr's philosophy and the "Sealing" plan to Yoshino, offering her an alternative path.
However, just as he opened his mouth, Kotori's urgent voice came through his headset, stopping him:
"Shido! Wait! It's too early to throw out the concept of'Sealing' right now! Her guard hasn't completely dropped yet; you need to establish trust and goodwill first! Stick to the plan—go on a date with her!"
"A... a date?!" Shido nearly bit his tongue. In this environment, right after an intense battle, with debris all around?
"That's right! A date!"
Kotori's tone was absolute. "It's the quickest way to close the distance and make her drop her guard! Invite her now!"
Shido looked at the timid Yoshino gazing at him, and the rabbit puppet on her hand that was also "looking" at him, and his face flushed slightly.
Gritting his teeth, he swallowed the explanation of the plan he had intended to give, forced out the most natural smile possible, and extended the invitation to Yoshino:
"Um... regarding other plans and things, maybe it is a bit too early to talk about them now..."
He scratched his cheek, saying somewhat awkwardly, "If it's okay... Yoshinon, Yoshinon, right now... would you please go on a date with me?"
To Shido's surprise, upon hearing the invitation, "Yoshinon" did not show shyness or refusal, but instead seemed even more excited!
The small hand controlling the puppet kept tapping (as if clapping), and it spoke loudly in its unique, comical tone:
"Heh heh~! Not bad! You really can't judge a book by its cover; I didn't expect you, Shido, to be so bold as to directly ask us out~! Hmph, of course it's OK~! I should say, it's rare to meet someone who can understand Yoshinon's humor and talk nicely to Yoshinon, so actually, it's Yoshinon who wants to ask you to spend time with us~!"
After speaking, Yoshinon let out a burst of cheerful laughter, and the tension that had built up due to Chinatsu's appearance completely eased.
And so, in this department store—which had just experienced a Spatial Quake and fierce combat, resembling apocalyptic ruins—a peculiar "date" began.
Shido, along with The Hermit, Yoshinon, whose communication was primarily represented by "Yoshino," walked toward the areas inside the department store that were still intact, perhaps retaining some faint traces of past prosperity.
For Shido, this was a "capture" that concerned the survival of a Spirit and had to succeed; for Yoshino, this was perhaps a rare opportunity to communicate calmly with a person (albeit through Yoshinon) and experience the outside world; and for the lively Yoshinon, this was probably just an interesting adventure game with a new friend.
Three different intentions intertwined on this dilapidated stage, weaving a marvelous prelude.
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