Chapter 235: Yoshinon and Yoshino
"No. For a first encounter with an unfamiliar Spirit, it's better for you to go alone, Lin.
If I go with you, it'll probably have the opposite effect. Spirits are always very wary of other Spirits."
Since she had already said that much, Franklin didn't press the issue. He gently rubbed Tohka's head and turned to leave the restaurant.
"Thank you, Tohka. I feel like I like you even more now."
Hearing Franklin's words, Tohka's cheeks immediately flushed, and her gloomy mood quickly improved.
Just moments ago, because Franklin was about to leave to 'flirt' with other Spirits, even the food in front of her had seemed tasteless. Now, she felt the food regain all of its former deliciousness.
"I think I like you too…"
Leaving the restaurant, Franklin took off and flew toward a park two blocks away. The moment he stepped into the curtain of rain, an extreme chill washed over him.
Somewhat surprised, Franklin carefully sensed the source of this cold. It wasn't coming from his body, but from deep within his soul.
"Time, ice element, wind element, fire element… just what exactly is that fragment of the Dimensional Tome? Why does it possess such terrifying power?"
At this moment, Franklin grew even more interested in the ultimate goal of the task.
The instant his divine sense expanded, Franklin froze in place—he had already been discovered by the hand puppet, Yoshinon.
After calming himself slightly, Franklin headed straight for Yoshino. Landing outside the park, he saw a blue-haired girl inside who looked as delicate and beautiful as a porcelain doll.
She was wearing a green cloak adorned with rabbit ears, with a dreamy appearance and a petite figure. Her apparent age was close to Kotori Itsuka's.
At this moment, she moved lightly through the puddles in the park like a spirit dancing in the rain. Just as Franklin was about to greet her, Yoshino noticed his presence.
In an instant, her foot slipped. Yoshinon flew out, and Yoshino fell flat onto the ground.
Seeing Yoshinon land at his feet, Franklin casually picked it up and put it on his hand, then walked straight toward Yoshino.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Just as he was about to help her up, Yoshino suddenly sat up, ignoring the mud and water on the ground, and quickly scooted backward.
"D-don't come closer…"
"P-please… don't hurt me."
"???"
"Sorry, I don't mean any harm."
Franklin immediately looked at the puppet in his hand and infused it with the spiritual power emanating from Yoshino.
"Hey, brave knight Yoshinon, could you tell Yoshino that I don't mean any harm?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the puppet in his hand began to move.
"Yo, kid, you know quite a bit, huh? You even figured this out—and you can wake me up too. You're not simple."
Watching the puppet move and drag his own hand along with it, Franklin felt an indescribably strange sensation.
"I can sense what's going on in your heart, you know. Don't think about weird stuff, or I'll get mad."
"Ahem. I'm not. Don't make things up. Since you can sense my heart, you should be able to tell I don't mean you any harm, right?"
"Who knows? Now hurry up and let go of me. You're stirring things up inside me—I'm all messed up. If I get stretched too much, Yoshino won't be able to hold me properly anymore."
"..."
"Hey, stop letting your mind wander, okay? I already told you I can sense it!"
Completely exasperated, Franklin covered the puppet's mouth, then looked toward Yoshino.
Her eyes were wide with shock, clearly unable to believe that Yoshinon could move while in Franklin's hand.
Seizing the opportunity, Franklin smiled at Yoshino.
"Hello, Yoshino. You heard what Yoshinon just said, right? I really don't mean you any harm.
And this is the Neighboring World—there won't be any provocatively dressed people here to hurt you.
I'm having a meal nearby with another kind and adorable Spirit. Would you like to come along?"
"Ow—"
Franklin felt what it was like to be bitten on the hand by a puppet. It really was strange—his hand was completely out of his control.
"Kid, you're really not well-behaved. I never said I completely trust you. Your head is full of perverted thoughts—completely untrustworthy."
Franklin was speechless. He pinched its mouth shut again, then looked back at Yoshino.
"So? Do you want to come take a look? Nothing unexpected will happen, I can definitely protect you."
After meeting Franklin's gaze, Yoshino pulled her green cloak down lower, covering her head.
"…C-can you… give Yoshinon back to me?"
Her voice was extremely soft—if one wasn't listening carefully, it would be easy to miss entirely.
Franklin didn't force the issue. He removed Yoshinon from his hand and handed it to Yoshino. After taking it, Yoshinon was once again worn on Yoshino's hand.
"Yo, finally free from this kid's body. I was seriously getting stretched out—I thought I was about to be used for something improper."
At this moment, Franklin's face darkened. He felt he never should have put Yoshinon on his hand in the first place.
"How much information did you pull from me, exactly? It feels like you didn't get anything useful, but you sure picked up a lot of useless stuff."
Yoshinon covered its mouth.
"Heh… heh… heh, that's not something I'll tell you. But you're not wrong—at least your intentions seem good."
As it spoke, Yoshinon looked at Yoshino.
"Go with this kid and take a look. If things work out, Yoshino might never get hurt again in the future.
This kid is ridiculously strong."
Hearing Yoshinon's encouragement, Yoshino timidly looked toward Franklin.
Seeing this, Franklin smiled and crouched down.
"Hello, Yoshino. I haven't properly introduced myself yet. My name is Franklin. You can call me Franklin, or Lin.
From now on, can I stay by your side and protect you? Or… let me be your knight. I promise I won't let you get hurt."
Before Franklin could finish speaking, Yoshinon jumped in front of Yoshino.
"Hey, you sleazy kid, I won't allow that. Before you pass my test, you're not allowed to just take Yoshino like that."
"Well, that's fine. Since I've decided to stay by her side, I'll be the one to decide this.
I'll protect Yoshino. I won't let her suffer even the slightest harm."
"That sounded pretty cool, kid. But I still have to say—let's judge by the facts."
Franklin smiled, waved his hand, and an umbrella appeared in it.
"Yoshino, let's go."
Looking at the hand Franklin extended toward her, Yoshino hesitated for a long time. In the end, she timidly reached out and placed her hand in his.
Grasping that soft little hand, Franklin felt as if he were holding a block of ice—cold, very cold. He frowned slightly and looked toward the puppet, Yoshinon.
"Yoshinon, why is Yoshino's body so cold? Is it because of her body itself, or because of external factors?"
"Sharp senses, kid. It's indeed due to external factors.
She's been staying in this rainy-season weather for a long time, and she's dressed very lightly.
Even as a Spirit, her body will still be affected over time.
What, are you regretting holding Yoshino's hand?"