Shido suddenly felt a tightening in his chest, not just from being seen, but also because the girl in front of him was none other than the beautiful genius, Origami Tobiichi. Shido’s face flushed slightly, and he averted his gaze, unable to look directly at her. However, Origami seemed unfazed, rising calmly and addressing Shido with a single phrase.
“I’m fine!”
“I’m glad you’re okay!”
Shido let out a sigh of relief but still avoided looking directly at Origami. (Origami’s reaction is surprisingly calm! But that’s probably for the best; it seems my reputation is still intact!)
“What’s wrong?”
Seeing that Shido wasn’t speaking, Origami walked over to inquire.
“Ah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. I just encountered something unexpected, so I was a bit startled.”
“Is that so?”
Origami left with those words and turned to leave. Just then, Shido’s earpiece crackled with Kotori’s voice.
“Shido, this is a great opportunity. Use this chance to practice with her.”
“What? But she’s Origami Tobiichi!”
“It’s not just about teachers. Most spirits are around your age, so information about your peers is crucial. Although she’s not a spirit, she’s an AST member who has fought against them. She could be a valuable reference, and she doesn’t seem like the type to gossip. Or should I find someone else?”
“Um…”
Shido thought about the three gossip-mongers in his class and held his breath.
“Hey!”
“What?”
Origami turned back, causing her skirt to swirl and revealing a glimpse of something alluring, but Shido was too distracted to notice.
“Origami, your uniform looks really good on you!”
“It’s just a uniform!”
“Yeah, I know!”
“Idiot, who asked for your compliment on the uniform!”
Kotori chastised Shido through the earpiece.
“No, it just slipped out.”
Maybe unable to bear it anymore, Reine took over the mic to offer guidance.
“Shido, do as I say!”
“Yes!”
Even though he felt he might be set up, Shido lacked the confidence to interact on his own, so he nodded.
“Origami!”
“What is it?”
“Actually, I’ve known about you for a long time!”
“I have too!”
“…”
Even though Shido had mentally prepared for this, hearing it from her still shook him. However, he had to follow Reine’s instructions.
“I was really happy when I found out we were in the same class in junior high. I spent the whole day watching you.”
“I was too!”
Origami looked at Shido calmly.
“Not only that, I would even smell your gymnastics uniform after PE!”
“I would too!”
(She does that too?)
Shido broke into a cold sweat, unsure if it was more bizarre that he was saying such lines or that Origami was calmly responding with “I would too!”
Why were they even practicing with such lines? But given the context, Shido couldn’t tell Origami that these were all lies. His mind racing, he continued following Reine’s instructions.
“It seems we’re quite compatible!”
“I think so too!”
“Then, if you’re willing, would you like to go out with me?”
After saying those words, Shido realized how intense they were and turned away, muttering, “This is moving too fast, isn’t it?” (From Origami’s perspective, I must seem like a strange guy who confesses to a girl he barely knows and then self-deprecates.)
“Uh, what I mean is…”
“Sure.”
“Huh?”
Shido’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“What did you say?”
“I said yes.”
“Wh-wh-what? What are you saying?”
“I said I would go out with you!”
Origami stepped closer, taking Shido’s hand and guiding it to her chest, slightly opening her collar to let Shido feel her smooth skin.
Origami’s skin was smooth, supple, and radiant, like the finest jade, and the sensation transmitted through Shido’s hand was unparalleled.
“From now on, we’re a couple. If you’re willing, we can start whenever you want!”
“Am I dreaming?”
Shido supported his sweating forehead with his other hand, whispering, “Stay calm, Shido! This must be a dream. No girl would agree to go out with a guy she barely knows after just one confession.”
“It’s true!”
Origami pulled Shido closer, making their bodies touch more intimately.
“If you don’t mind, we can even do it at school!”
“Wha…?”
Shido froze.
“Hmph, first Qianye, now Origami Tobiichi. Shido sure knows how to attract proactive girls!”
Kotori, sucking on a lollipop and crossing her legs, watched as Shido stood frozen on the screen.
“Yes, it seems we should focus on girls like her in the future!”
Reine, her glasses glinting as she took notes diligently, seemed to be deep in thought.
“Waaaaaaa…”
A sudden alarm disrupted everything, and the frozen Shido came to his senses.
“Tch!”
Origami pouted, looking like someone who had been interrupted just as things were getting interesting. She took out a photo from her pocket, one of herself in uniform, complete with what appeared to be a handwritten signature.
“I have an urgent matter. Use this photo to comfort yourself while I’m gone!”
“Don’t say things that might be misinterpreted!”
With that, Origami dashed off down the hallway.
“Hey… hey, wait, Origami!”
This time, even though Shido called out, Origami didn’t stop.
“What should I do now?”
Shido, seeking help from Kotori and Reine, glanced at the photo and tucked it into his pocket.
“Shido, it’s a spatial quake. We’ll use the Fraxinus to retrieve you.”
“Is it Qianye or Tohka this time?”
“I’m not sure, but the spatial quake is happening at Kaizen High School!”