Several days of ordinary routine quietly passed.
(King Crimson!)
(The boss knows everyone doesn't want to read about daily life, so he deleted these few days. Hurry up and thank the boss.)
During this time, Shido underwent intensive "special training" aboard the Fraxinus—the main content being clearing numerous bishojo dating simulation games to learn (theoretically) techniques for conversing with women and raising their affection levels.
Although the process was filled with "psychological trauma" in every sense of the word, he finally managed to stumble across the passing line set by Kotori and Reine.
At this moment, Shido stood on the bridge of the Fraxinus, his face bearing a tragic solemnity, like someone about to head to the execution grounds.
"Well then, regarding the next training session..." Kotori licked her precious jewel, her tone relaxed. "It's about time we moved on to real-life women. Time is running out."
Reine pushed up her glasses, her voice carrying its usual fatigue: "...Hmm, are you truly sure about this?"
"It's no problem," Kotori shrugged. "Even if he fails, the only loss will be Shido's social credit."
"Don't make such terrifying statements with such a casual expression! You people!" Shido finally couldn't help but yell, cold sweat pouring down him.
After a round of "friendly" communication (mainly Shido protesting unilaterally), the training target was confirmed—their homeroom teacher, Tamae Okamine-sensei.
"W-why Tama-sensei?!" Shido's face turned pale.
"In a real situation, you'll have to challenge even more difficult targets, you know!" Kotori shut him up with a single sentence.
Thinking of the catastrophic consequences that might arise if the target were changed to a girl his age (gossip, social death), Shido could only accept this "relatively safe" choice through tears.
---
Koushi was leaning against the corridor window, enjoying the breeze, when he saw Shido and Tama-sensei talking at the end of the hallway. At first, he paid no attention, assuming it was just a normal teacher-student conversation.
But soon, he realized something was off.
Shido's movements were stiff, his expression was tense, and he was stuttering—it looked exactly like he was performing some kind of humiliating act. Tama-sensei was smiling happily at first, but her expression grew increasingly strange later on... (Hmm? What is Shido doing? Flirting? And with Tama-sensei? When did he get so gutsy?)
Koushi immediately became interested. Adopting the mindset of a spectator looking for entertainment, he quietly moved closer, pretending to look at the scenery while secretly straining his ears.
When he heard Shido utter lines like, "It's all because the teacher is my mentor," and, "I've fallen for..." in that wooden, scripted tone, Koushi nearly burst out laughing.
(Pfft—What cringe-inducing lines! Shido, are you reading a script? Your acting is even more exaggerated than mine! Wait a minute, I seem to recall this is the plot where Kotori and the others trick Shido into practicing in real life.)
However, the moment Shido yelled the two words, "Marry me!" Koushi's laughter stopped abruptly.
He watched Tama-sensei, as if a strange switch had been flipped, instantly transform from the gentle hamster teacher into a desperate marriage maniac, grabbing Shido's sleeve and launching into an endless stream of future plans, even mentioning "blood seals" and "carving knives"... (Holy crap?! What kind of divine development is this?! Although I expected it, where is your teacher image, Tama-sensei?! Is the resentment of a twenty-nine-year-old truly this terrifying?!)
Koushi watched dumbfounded, simultaneously casting a look of mingled sympathy and schadenfreude toward Shido, who was fleeing for his life.
(Tsk tsk tsk, poor Shido. He's probably going to have a psychological trauma regarding the word 'marriage' for the rest of his life.)
But immediately afterward, a subtle sense of déjà vu flooded his mind.
(Wait a minute... Shido's clumsy, direct, and even slightly reckless way of 'confessing'... and that drive to push through, even though he himself is panicking...)
Koushi's expression gradually grew strange.
(This feeling... why is it similar to how he acted previously when facing 'Chinatsu'? Although the target and the scenario are completely different, that core characteristic of a naive youth who 'commits and never looks back'... it's exactly the same!)
(Oh no... Could it be that the Fraxinus training, due to my interference, didn't teach him to be smooth but instead amplified his 'all-in' characteristic?!)
The thought of Shido potentially using this "Marry me!" level of direct attack on other Spirits in the future gave Koushi a stomachache.
(Especially... if he uses this move against 'Chinatsu'...)
Koushi subconsciously shivered.
(No, no! I have to find a way to cool him down! This method of attack is too dangerous! It's hurting the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred yourself!)
He watched Shido's miserable figure disappear at the end of the corridor, then looked at Tama-sensei, who was still standing there clutching her flushed cheeks and murmuring about "marriage... blood seals..." He secretly made a decision.
(It seems, as a 'good brother,' it's time to instill some 'normal' views on romance in Shido... At the very least, he needs to know that 'marriage' isn't something you can casually use as an ultimate move!)
He shook his head, turned to leave, and began contemplating how to subtly remind Shido that conquering women is an art, not a suicide attack.
---
Koushi had originally intended to go to the vending machine to buy a drink and, incidentally, "run into" Shido, who had just experienced social death, in order to "comfort" (tease) him. However, just as he reached the corner of the hallway, he witnessed Shido collide with Origami.
(Oh ho? Shido and Master Origami? This combination is great.)
He immediately stopped, relying on his years of experience as a spectator of drama, and silently retreated into the corner, sticking out only half his head to observe.
He watched Shido's flustered, panicked appearance, unable to look directly at Origami, and then saw Origami, who was as calm as ever, showing no reaction even after her panties were seen.
(Tsk tsk, Shido's self-control is lacking. But Master Origami's mental fortitude is certainly worthy of an AST elite.)
Next, he heard Shido's stumbling, obviously unnatural "compliment" and the subsequent conversation.
(Hmm? Why does this conversation sound so familiar? These stiff lines, this wooden tone... it sounds exactly like the routine he used on Tama-sensei just now! It must be training from the Fraxinus. Was it Kotori or Reine? But this training content is too ridiculous!)
When he heard Shido say the shocking line, "Holding the gym clothes and smelling them," Koushi nearly spat out the water he had just drunk.
(What the hell! Shido, are you crazy?! You dare say something like that to the Master?! Aren't you afraid she'll climb into your bed the next day?! No, wait, this must have been taught by Reine or Kotori! Seriously, after all these years, I still can't understand what they are thinking?!)
However, what surprised him even more was Origami's reaction.
"I also do such things."
(!!!)
(Wait! Master Origami, what do you mean by 'also do such things'?! Do you also smell Shido's gym clothes?! Oh, wait! It's the Master, so never mind.)
Koushi could no longer suppress his urge to mock. He felt like he was watching a bizarre and absurd stage play.
And when Shido, on the verge of collapse, yelled out, "Could you please go out with me?" and immediately followed up by complaining to himself, "That was too sudden," Koushi had already covered his face.
(I can't watch this... Shido, your acting and mentality are truly hopeless...)
However, Origami's earth-shattering reply, "Yes," was like the final judgment, completely pushing the farce to its climax.
He looked at Shido's stunned appearance, as if he had been struck by lightning, and then at Origami's face, which was still expressionless but seemed... to have genuinely accepted everything.
A tremendous sense of absurdity and the thought, "This world is too crazy," swept over Koushi.
(Holy cow... What is this supposed to be? Fortune favors the foolish? Never mind, Master Origami already had feelings for Shido anyway.)
(Wait a minute! If Origami really starts 'dating' Shido...? I haven't even finished dealing with my 'fallen white moonlight,' and now here comes a 'fated childhood friend' (?) who is also the 'official main heroine'? Isn't the potential for a harem war starting a bit too early?!)
Koushi felt his spectator mentality was undergoing a severe test.
The plot development before him had completely exceeded his expectations and control.
(It's over, it's over. The entertainment just got bigger... Shido, your luck with women... no, your misfortune with women.)
He silently retracted his head, deciding not to poke this hornet's nest for now.
Shido and Origami... started dating.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"