The bridge of the Fraxinus had just barely recovered from the previous signal interference when Shido was "kabedonned" by Chinatsu and received a sudden "date" invitation.
On the main screen, the dramatic scene unfolding in the hallway was clearly captured.
"Target Chinatsu initiated physical contact! The posture is aggressive... no, it's closer to... the 'kabedon' as defined in youth culture!" Shiizaki reported quickly, his tone laced with surprise.
"Shido-dono's heart rate is soaring again! Cortisol levels are elevated, indicating a state of high tension and confusion!" The physiological monitor immediately added.
"Target Chinatsu's facial temperature has risen significantly, displaying typical physiological characteristics of'shameful anger,' but her gaze is evasive, and there is a contradiction between her words and her body language, which preliminarily matches the 'tsundere' behavior model!" Kanmoto analyzed, pushing up his glasses.
Kotori watched Chinatsu's "mortified yet holding strong" appearance on the screen, along with Shido's completely bewildered expression, and chewed vigorously on the lollipop in her mouth.
[Emergency Options Generated! How should Shido respond to the sudden "date" invitation?]
[Option One: Agree immediately, "O-Okay! What time tomorrow? Where should we meet?" (Shows proactive attitude)]
[Option Two: Confirm gently, "Eh? Tomorrow? Classmate Hōōin, are you serious?" (Expresses surprise, gives the other party room to back out)]
[Option Three: (Kannazuki passionately offered) "Ooh! Is this a confession of love?! I accept! Whether it be a mountain of swords, a sea of fire, or the grave of love (marriage), I am willing to follow you there!" (Manually blocked by Kotori)]
"Delete Option Three!" Kotori ordered, her face dark. "Option One is too eager and might seem frivolous. Option Two is better; it expresses willingness without putting too much pressure on the other party, fitting Shido's usual personality. Everyone, vote!" Option Two passed with an overwhelming majority.
[Shido, select Option Two, your tone must convey surprise and a slight uncertainty!] Kotori's instruction was immediately transmitted to Shido's ear.
Thus, the bridge members heard Shido's somewhat stuttering reply: "Eh? T-Tomorrow? Classmate Hōōin... are you serious?" This reaction was perfect in Kotori's estimation.
Next, they saw Chinatsu, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, drop the line, "D-Don't talk nonsense! Meet in front of the station at nine tomorrow morning! I'll kill you if you're late!" before rushing back into the apartment building without looking back, practically tripping over her own feet.
As Chinatsu left and Shido cluelessly started his journey home, the tension on the bridge slightly eased, and they entered the analysis phase.
"Reine, do you have any idea about that strange interference and that mask?" Kotori looked seriously at the analyst.
Murasame Reine shook her head slightly, her dark circles appearing deeper under the screen light: "...Cannot be analyzed. The energy signature exceeds all known databases. That mask... carries a strong sense of 'will,' and is not merely an energy phenomenon. Its purpose is unknown, but it seems... not directly malicious, more like a form of... 'observation' or 'teasing.'"
She paused. "...High vigilance is required."
"That appearance of 'Koushi' is also extremely suspicious!" Kanmoto pulled up the data. "His behavior pattern severely contradicts the'seriously injured recuperating' intelligence, and his suggestion to pair Shido-dono and Chinatsu is very abrupt, as if... he is actively pushing the plot forward."
"Pushing the plot?" Kotori chewed on the word, her gaze sharp. "Could it be that Koushi really is problematic? Or perhaps some 'thing' existing within that apartment building isn't satisfied with just being background scenery."
She looked at the frozen image of Shido leaving the apartment building on the main screen, muttered to herself, and then issued an order:
"Record all anomalous data, raise the priority level to maximum. Furthermore, fully analyze the reason for Phoenix-in Chinatsu's sudden change in attitude. We must be thoroughly prepared for tomorrow's 'date'!"
Itsuka Residence, Late Night
Shido returned home, dragging his exhausted and confused mind and body, to find Kotori, who had changed into her white ribbon (Sister Mode) and a cup of hot milk, waiting for him in the living room.
"I'm home..." Shido greeted weakly, collapsing onto the sofa.
"Welcome back, Onii-chan~ Today was truly an 'eventful' day, wasn't it!" Kotori blinked her large eyes, her tone teasing, as she pushed the hot milk toward him.
"Well then, let's start the strategy meeting! Regarding tomorrow's 'date'~"
Shido sighed and recounted everything that had happened that day in detail, from being pulled away by Chinatsu, to encountering Origami, to "Koushi's" strange sales pitch, and finally, Chinatsu's sudden kabedon invitation.
He specifically mentioned the bizarre signal interference and the "colored contact lens" that flashed in "Koushi's" eyes, though he still dismissed the latter as a bout of chuunibyou.
Kotori listened attentively without interrupting. Only after Shido finished did she speak: "First, Onii-chan, Koushi's condition seems better than we expected, which is good news. However,"
She changed the subject. "He and Chinatsu, as well as that apartment building, are full of mysteries. Especially Chinatsu's final change in attitude—it was too abrupt."
"I thought so too..." Shido scratched his head. "She was so adamant about saying 'no way' before, so why suddenly... And she looked so angry, yet so shy..."
"That is the key!" Kotori held up a finger. "According to the Fraxinus's preliminary analysis, her behavior is highly likely to be 'tsundere'!"
"Tsundere?"
"Exactly! It's the type who acts cold and haughty on the surface but is actually very shy and caring on the inside! Her previous rejection might have been a subconscious defense mechanism, or perhaps the 'dere' part hadn't been expressed yet."
"And your subsequent line, 'We need to understand each other,' might have happened to strike a chord with her, allowing her to find a seemingly reasonable excuse ('You were the one who suggested understanding each other first!') to hide her true feelings (that she actually wanted to go on a date with you), which is why she used that embarrassed and annoyed method of invitation!"
Kotori analyzed the situation logically, leaving Shido dumbfounded. (So... that's what it was?)
He looked at his sister, who seemed completely confident and insightful, when a thought suddenly struck him, and he couldn't help but blurt out, with a hint of curiosity:
"Um... Kotori... why are you so clear about the psychological workings of a 'tsundere'? Could it be that... you are actually..."