As the sun of dusk filtered through the glass and bathed Itsuka Shido, it gradually roused his consciousness.
Awakening from sleep, Shido did not immediately feel the revitalizing energy from rest. Instead, he felt an unusual fatigue, the kind that comes from intense physical exertion, especially in his lower back, where a dull ache prickled like tiny needles.
Next was a severe thirst, as if his body desperately craved water. Not only was his body parched, but Shido also felt an internal fire burning within him, a blaze akin to the phoenix’s flame, healing his exhaustion and slowly restoring his strength, yet intensifying his thirst.
Contrary to his physical fatigue, Shido experienced a strange sense of mental relief, as if years of internal pressure had suddenly dissipated, leaving him feeling light and almost euphoric.
Half a minute after regaining consciousness, Shido’s interrupted thoughts began to resurface, and the events of his recent past gradually materialized in his mind.
Opening his eyes, Shido tried to move his slightly numb arms, only to discover they held a weight that felt unfamiliar and heavy. Looking down, he saw a pink-haired girl curled up in his embrace, as naked as he was. Her pink hair was a disheveled mess, and her slender, fair body was covered in passionate love marks and scratches, testaments to their wild night.
“Wait, what did I do?”
Shido slowly remembered the intensity of their encounter and understood the scene before him.
“I can’t believe I did this with a girl I just met, and it wasn’t even a dream!”
Shido, still a high school student, wasn’t averse to the idea, but as a responsible man, he didn’t want things to happen this way. Should they talk about it? After all, this unnamed girl was his first, and he was hers.
“Mmm❤️ Mmm～”
During his recollection, Shido unconsciously tightened his embrace, causing the girl in his arms to let out a soft moan.
“I’m sorry!”
Shido apologized, attempting to sit up, but his back spasmed, and he lost balance, landing with his lips pressed against hers in an unexpected kiss.
Thus, Shido found himself once again observing the girl up close. Her pink hair was a chaotic mess, her flushed cheeks a delicate shade of pink, her petite nose almost touching his, and her closed eyelids fluttered as if she were about to wake.
******
“Ah, it’s been so long since I had a good night’s sleep. This was truly satisfying!”
This was the first thing Ji Qianye intended to say upon waking, but what emerged was:
“Mmm❤️ Mmm ah～ Chup❤️”
(⊙∀⊙! What is going on? Why am I kissing a man as soon as I wake up?)
Ji Qianye instinctively freed herself from Shido’s embrace and slapped him.
“Pervert, you… Five River Shido?”
Only then did she realize the man before her was Itsuka Shido—the protagonist of Date A Bullet, and her intended target. Now, she had slapped him.
With the memories of their encounter flooding back, Ji Qianye felt a wave of embarrassment and shame.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was you!”
She quickly knelt down to comfort Shido.
“I thought someone was trying to take advantage of me, so… I’m sorry!”
As she gently stroked Shido’s face, she apologized profusely.
“It’s okay! I know you didn’t mean to.”
Seeing Ji Qianye’s quick apology, Shido’s rising anger subsided. As a responsible man, he couldn’t stay angry with a beautiful girl.
“You…”
Shido tried to speak, but seeing Ji Qianye’s disheveled state, he shyly averted his gaze.
“Your clothes!”
“Clothes? Oh, I’m sorry! I’ll change right away!”
With that, Ji Qianye transformed her spirit attire into light particles in front of Shido, then used her spirit powers to create a simple dress. Naturally, Shido caught a glimpse of more than he should have, but let’s consider it a bonus for him!
“Um…”
Ji Qianye tried to speak, but her embarrassment made her look away, unable to meet Shido’s gaze. This was understandable, given the intensity of their encounter, even if she had initiated it. She was a girl, after all, and modesty was to be expected.
(What did I do?)
(All I wanted was for Shido to take me on a date, to seal away my powers, and end this wandering life. But instead…)
(Did I really sleep with him? With the famous grass-eater harem protagonist?)
“Um…”
(He was even a virgin until the very end, and I took that from him?)
“Um…”
(What if Tenka and the others find out? Will Shido become a playboy?)
“Um…”
As Ji Qianye’s thoughts raced, Shido repeatedly called her name, but she seemed not to hear. Unable to get her attention, Shido placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Eek!… Shido?”
At Shido’s touch, Ji Qianye’s expression briefly showed alarm, but she relaxed when she saw it was him.
“Um…”
“Um…”
Both spoke at the same time, creating an awkward atmosphere.
“Shido, you go first!”
Ji Qianye decided to let Shido take the lead.
“Okay!”
But when it came time to speak, Shido froze, unsure of what to say. He rarely had the chance to talk to girls his age.
After much thought, Shido managed to say,
“You were amazing just now! Is this some kind of spirit magic?”
“Magic?” Ji Qianye looked confused.
“Don’t you know what spirits are?”
“Spirits? I only heard about them from you today!”
“Wait, what did you say?”
Ji Qianye’s mind raced with shock.
“Do you know someone named Yuzuruha Tenka?”
“Yuzuruha Tenka? I don’t know her. Is she a spirit too?”
Shido’s voice was filled with confusion.
“You don’t even know Tenka?”
Ji Qianye was taken aback by the revelation.
“What date is it today?”
“April 1st, Fool’s Day!”
Shido pointed to the calendar in the room, which displayed the current date: April 1st.