"What's wrong?"
Mikoto tilted her head, confused by Shido's panic.
"Um... uh... If you're sleepy... I... I can let you use my lap as a pillow?"
Shido seemed very embarrassed as he scratched his cheek and spoke.
"Huh?"
Mikoto froze for a moment, then shook her head.
"Thank you for the offer, but... um... I'll just close my eyes for a bit."
After saying that, she leaned against the bench and quietly rested her eyes.
[Huh? Why did it fail?]
"It would be strange if it worked, right?"
Facing Kotori's doubt through the microphone, Shido smiled bitterly and retorted.
[!!!]
Just then, he felt a small impact on his shoulder.
"Yakumo... senpai?"
Shido turned his head and saw that Mikoto, who had been resting her eyes, seemed to have really fallen asleep. Because she had lost her balance, she had fallen against his shoulder.
The girl's peaceful sleeping face was right beside him. He could feel her sweet breathing near his neck. This sudden situation made Shido's heart start beating without listening to him.
Her moist lips were in a place he could reach by lowering his head slightly. Seeing the Spirit so defenseless made Shido's mind grow hazy.
[No, Shido. Though we don't know why, Miko's affection toward you is still low. If you kiss her now, the sealing will not succeed.]
"I know. Besides, I wouldn't kiss a girl while she's asleep."
Kotori's voice pulled Shido back to reality. He quickly shook his head.
[Still, she really is a defenseless Spirit.]
"Yeah."
Looking at Mikoto's sleeping face, Shido agreed. This was completely different from when he had sealed Tohka. Back then, if he had said even one wrong word, Shido might have been cut down on the spot.
About fifteen minutes later, Mikoto woke up.
"Sorry. I seem to have fallen asleep without noticing."
She gave Shido an apologetic smile.
"No, it's fine."
Shido waved his hands, telling her not to worry.
"It's time for me to go back."
Mikoto lifted the plastic bag holding the salmon. Most of the ice inside had already completely melted.
[Uu...]
A groan came from the earpiece. It seemed the date could not continue.
"Um, I'll walk you back."
"Mm. I'll trouble you, Shido."
The two left the park and, led by Mikoto, walked toward the shrine.
"This is fine. Thank you, Shido."
After walking for some time, Mikoto turned around, bowed slightly to Shido, and thanked him.
"I had fun on today's date."
"Is... is that so? Me too."
"Thank you, Shido."
"I should be the one thanking you for agreeing to spend time with me, Yakumo-senpai."
The two exchanged farewell words.
"Oh, right. Please also thank the people who helped us with our date this afternoon."
"Sure, I got... it..."
But their last exchange before parting made Shido freeze in place.