[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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"How can you expect me to seduce a man? No sane man would agree to something like that!"
Shido shouted in protest, his voice full of grievance. Hearing this, Kotori sighed helplessly.
The latest attempt at a strategy had clearly failed.
Though Shido and Alexander had a friendly relationship, Kotori understood that it wasn't 'that' close. It was nowhere near the kind of bond required for something as intimate as a kiss, let alone anything taboo.
"But... you still need to target Alexander now," Kotori said, her voice laced with frustration.
She, too, was torn. The task was undeniably difficult. Yet the situation was clear: the three spirits had all aligned themselves under Alexander's leadership.
If Alexander could be captured, the other two spirits would likely follow. However, if Alexander remained free, the others would remain out of reach as well.
This was a deadlock—one that seemed impossible to overcome.
"Shido," Kotori suddenly asked, "if you were a girl, do you think you could win over Alexander?"
"A girl? Kotori, that's absurd!" Shido shook his head emphatically. "I'm a man—a 'real' man! The only way I'd become a girl is if I went to Thailand, and even then, it's not happening!"
Kotori's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"You'll see soon enough," she said cryptically.
The next moment, Kannazuki Kyohei appeared with two burly men in tow. In their hands, they carried a schoolgirl uniform as if it were a sacred relic.
"What... what are you planning to do?!"
Shido took a step back, an ominous feeling rising in his chest. He retreated further until his back hit the wall, leaving him cornered and helpless.
The three men showed no intention of letting him go. Kannazuki Kyohei, in particular, wore a sly, unsettling grin as he closed the distance.
In an overly soothing tone, he said, "Relax, Shido. As your senior, I'd never steer you wrong. Trust me—just once, and you might even enjoy it."
"NOOOO! I don't want to wear women's clothes! Kotori, save me! KOTORI!"
Shido's pitiful screams echoed through the air, enough to bring tears to a listener's eyes. However, in Ratatoskr's control room, Kotori calmly removed her headset.
Leaning back in her chair, she murmured, "Shido, the fate of world peace and the safety of the spirits rests on your shoulders. Do your best!"
While Kotori delighted in forcing Shido into women's clothes, Alexander had already returned to his own world with Yoshino.
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It was late, and Alexander wasn't about to take Yoshino out exploring. By the time they arrived home, Kurumi had already returned.
When Kurumi saw Alexander emerge from the basement with Yoshino in tow, a playful smirk appeared on her face.
"As expected of you," she teased. "You managed to bring Yoshino back so soon after we parted. Tell me, how did you 'convince' her?"
"Convince? I didn't trick her," Alexander replied, holding Yoshino's small hand. "I treated her with sincerity."
As his voice echoed through the house, several figures emerged from their rooms, rushing toward the living room. Nero was the fastest.
"Let me see! Let me see! Is there another adorable Spirit in our home?"
The moment Nero's eyes landed on Yoshino, they sparkled like stars.
"So cute!" she exclaimed.
Without hesitation, Nero scooped Yoshino into her arms, rubbing her face against Yoshino's with unrestrained enthusiasm. The sudden affection left Yoshino stunned. She had never been greeted so fervently before.
"Big brother..." Yoshino's eyes welled up as she looked pleadingly at Alexander.
She liked Nero but had never experienced such overwhelming attention and wanted her big brother to rescue her.
Alexander quickly stepped in, prying Yoshino from Nero's embrace.
"Nero, don't scare her. Yoshino is shy around strangers," he said with a hint of irritation.
Nero, realizing her overzealous behavior, stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
"Sorry, sorry! I couldn't help it. I like Yoshino too much!"
She crouched beside Yoshino and whispered in a soft voice, "Yoshino, will you sleep in my room tonight? I can tell you bedtime stories."
Nero's approach had shifted to a gentler persuasion. However, Yoshino quickly shook her head, clutching the hem of Alexander's shirt tightly.
"No... I want to sleep with big brother," she said softly.
For a moment, the room fell silent. Then, as if on cue, several pairs of eyes turned toward Alexander.
Their gazes carried a singular, unspoken accusation: Beast!