"This is today's freshest salmon. Here are ice packs to keep it fresh. Thank you for your purchase!"
They secured fresh and cheap salmon. Mikoto looked very happy.
Shido looked around the shop that had suddenly appeared in the shopping district and found that most of the people inside were Fraxinus crew members. The shop manager was the "President", Mikimoto.
"That was faster than expected, and the salmon has ice packs too. As thanks, Shido, would you like takoyaki? Senpai will treat you."
The salmon was very fresh, and she had spent less money than she expected. Since both her time and wallet had room to spare, Mikoto planned to treat Shido to something as thanks.
"Uh..."
[Why are you standing there, Shido? Take this chance and ask her on a date!]
The Spirit's mood value was stable, and her affection toward Shido had also risen a little. Kotori spoke at just the right time.
"Uh... um... You don't have to treat me. Instead... please go on a date with me!"
"Eh?"
Mikoto froze instantly.
"Commander! Miko's emotional readings are in disorder!"
"Uu, was that too aggressive?"
Kotori had thought it was a good idea, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. She bit down hard on the Chupa Chups in her mouth.
"Um... if you don't want to, then..."
Shido also noticed that Mikoto looked very flustered, so he quickly waved his hands.
"No, I'm willing."
But the girl smiled.
Although being invited on a date had truly left her unsure what to do at first—especially considering that she had been a man before crossing over. It felt like she was a cross-dressing boy tricking an innocent young man, and that gave her a feeling of guilt. Not to mention, she was a Spirit. Maybe a missile would fly over during the date and kill Shido through some mysterious area damage.
Even so, there were still things she could not stop worrying about, so Mikoto nodded.
"Safe landing."
Sitting in the airship's control room, Kotori let out a long breath. Miko's emotional readings had stabilized, and that allowed her tense body to slowly lean against the control panel.
"Then... let's go."
Shido scratched his cheek. Though the other party had agreed to the date, whether he could successfully seal her Spirit power still depended on what happened next.
"Mm."
Mikoto nodded and walked out of the fish shop with Shido.
This was the shopping district, so it was also a pretty good place for a date. There were snack shops selling takoyaki and kinako bread, as well as shops selling clothes and small accessories. Even if they walked around for a long time, there would be no problem.
"Good, good. Even though this is only his second time conquering a Spirit's heart, Shido is doing pretty well."
Kotori watched the two of them chatting and laughing through the screen, then nodded in satisfaction.
"At this pace, maybe we can settle it today."
Because of Miko's special situation, if Shido could not complete the capture during her silent manifestation, things would probably become very troublesome.
" Spirit's affection toward Shido is not high. It's even dropping slightly as we talk."
Reine shook her head.
"What? Why is that?"
Kotori looked at the big screen. Just as Reine had said, even though their date looked smooth, Miko's affection value had not risen at all. It had even dropped a little.
[Hey, Shido. You didn't do anything rude, did you? That Spirit's affection is going down.]
"Don't joke around. How could I?"
"Shido?"
Shido, who was talking to Kotori, turned his head and found Mikoto standing beside him, quietly looking at him.
"Uh... um, Yakumo-senpai..."
"Mm?"
"Could it be... you don't like the shopping district?"
[There was no problem with the conversation earlier, and Yakumo-senpai didn't show any dislike. If her affection is dropping, could it be because of the date location?]
Shido thought that.
"Mm... strictly speaking, I don't like places with a lot of people."
Mikoto gave a bitter smile.
"Huh?"
"Because... I always feel like I don't belong. Like... I'm not accepted by this world."
[!!!]
The girl's eyes were dark, and her voice was full of despair. That made Shido remember how Tohka had looked when he first met her.