"Huh?" Kotori blinked in surprise at Shido's sudden suggestion. "Why so sudden?"
Although she didn't mind going to a hot spring, Kotori still questioned why Shido had suddenly decided on a trip.
"Well, I was just thinking that we've been through a lot lately, so it might be a good idea to take a break and relax a little. What do you think?" Shido explained in a calm tone.
However, before Kotori could even respond, he had already noticed the sparkling eyes of Tohka and Yoshino. Just monts ago, they had been watching a TV show about hot springs, their curiosity piqued. So the mont Shido ntioned actually going to one, their faces lit up with pure excitent, their eyes practically glowing with anticipation.
"Kotori, let's go to a hot spring! I've never been to one before!" Tohka jumped up from her seat, her enthusiasm practically radiating off her.
"...Hot spring with Shido-san..." Yoshino raised her hand shyly, her voice barely above a whisper. She, too, wanted to go. However, her mind started drifting elsewhere, picturing herself soaking in the warm water alongside Shido, their bodies only covered by thin towels.
Suddenly, a puff of imaginary smoke seed to rise from Yoshino's head as her face turned bright red.
"Yoshino is thinking sothing perverted~?" Yoshinon's playful voice chid in teasingly.
Panicked, Yoshino quickly clamped her hands over the mischievous puppet's mouth, her eyes darting toward Shido. She peeked at him nervously, wondering if he had overheard Yoshinon's embarrassing remark.
Fortunately, Shido seed too engrossed in his conversation with Kotori to notice. Letting out a small sigh of relief, Yoshino pouted at Yoshinon, silently scolding her for being so naughty.
"Well, I don't really mind. I've been working nonstop lately, so a little break might be nice," Kotori said thoughtfully before nodding in agreent. "Plus, the weekend is coming up, so we can go then."
"Yay! We're going to a hot spring!" Tohka cheered, her excitent overflowing as she bounced around like a rabbit.
Yoshino, though much quieter, smiled softly, her joy evident in the way she gently clasped her hands together.
Seeing the two girls so excited about the trip, Kotori let out a helpless sigh, but a warm smile tugged at her lips. "Honestly... you two are like kids," she muttered, shaking her head fondly.
She, too, was a Spirit, and seeing Tohka and Yoshino so happy in this world filled her with warmth. However, she knew that none of this would have been possible if it wasn't for soone.
Kotori shifted her gaze to that person, Shido, who was now being hugged excitedly by Tohka while Yoshino shyly held his hand. A mix of emotions swirled inside her. On one hand, she was grateful to him. On the other... she couldn't help but sotis think about how satisfying it would be to land a solid punch on his face.
Still, despite her tough exterior and teasing nature, deep down on her Commander Mode, Kotori also wished to be intimate with her brother like Tohka does. However, her Tsundere personality wouldn't allow her to say that. Instead, she settled for subtle hints, hoping that, one day, her brother would pick up on them.
"Alright! We're going on a hot spring trip!" Shido announced enthusiastically.
"Ooohhh!!" Tohka and Yoshinon threw their hands up in excitent, their voices echoing through the room.
Yoshino, though embarrassed by their reaction, shyly lifted her hands as well. "O-Oh..." she muttered softly, her cheeks turning pink.
Kotori was speechless at their excitent. However, she didn't say anything, just smiled gently. She would be lying if she said she wasn't excited. After all, this was a rare chance to relax and spend ti with Shido outside of their usual problems.
But then, as the thought of a hot spring trip with Shido fully sank in, Kotori suddenly felt her face heat up. A flash of... sothing entered her mind, causing her blush to deepen.
'Wait... will sothing happen there...?'
She quickly shook her head, trying to dismiss the idea. No, no, no! I'm overthinking this!
Still, despite her internal struggle, a tiny part of her couldn't help but anticipate what the trip might bring.
Shido was celebrating with Tohka, Yoshinon and Yoshino so he wasn't able to see Kotori's expression, however, if he knew what she was thinking, Shido would only smile that she was thinking too much.
'It's not like I will lay a hand on my sister, right?'
'Naiwa~'
...
"What are you doing here?!"
As soon as Shido, Kotori, Tohka, Yoshino, Yoshinon, and Reine stepped out of the car at the hot spring resort, they were t with an unexpected sight.
"Are you planning to ambush us again, Origami?!" Tohka shouted, instantly moving in front of Shido as if to shield him. Though, from the way she clung to him, it was clear she was more worried about Origami stealing him than actually protecting him.
Kotori and Reine didn't say anything and just cast their gaze at Shido. They both knew that if soone was involve with this, it would be Shido.
Feeling their sharp stares, Shido acted as if he was oblivious by their look. "I invited her, is that okay?"
Kotori stared at Shido with an unnatural look, she knew that Origami knew about them and the Spirits. Although it might be dangerous to let a mber of AST join them, she knew that Origami would do sothing that would ruin this trip considering that Shido was here.
"Well, what else can I say? You already invited her, so let's just move on." Kotori sighed in resignation, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Still, a small, nagging thought crept into her mind. 'Did Shido also lay his evil hands on Origami...?'
She quickly shook her head. No, there was no way. Considering Origami's usual stoic and indifferent personality, she was probably overthinking things.
Kotori took the lead and walked inside the Hot Spring Resort, her long twin-tails swaying slightly. Reine, who was a silent observer, gently held Yoshino's hand and followed behind her. However, just before stepping inside, Reine cast a glance back at Shido, her deadpan expression unreadable, causing Shido to chuckle.
When the three walked inside, Shido move towards Origami while Tohka was clinging to him, glaring at Origami.
Once the three were inside, Shido turned to Origami, only to feel Tohka's grip on his arm tighten. She clung to him protectively, her violet eyes glaring daggers at Origami. Though Tohka had slowly co to terms with the fact that Shido wouldn't belong only to her, she still couldn't help but feel an instinctive hostility toward Origami.
"Grrrr!" Tohka growled, puffing her cheeks.
But Origami? She didn't even blink. Without a word, she smoothly reached for Shido's other hand and latched onto it, her grip firm. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she leaned into him, pressing herself against his side and taking in his scent.
Shido stiffened. "What's wrong?"
"Mm." Origami simply humd, eyes half-lidded as she nuzzled closer.
Seeing this, Tohka almost blow her top and wanted to fight with Origami. However, Shido raised his hand and lightly chop her head.
"Ow—!" Tohka yelped, clutching her head and looking up at Shido with teary, puppy-dog eyes. She pouted, resembling a child being scolded by their mother.
"Don't fight, okay?" Shido said, his tone firm but gentle. "We're on this trip to enjoy ourselves and relax, not to start another bickering."
Tohka pursed her lips but didn't argue. Instead, she was caught off guard when Shido leaned down and kissed her forehead, his hand gently patting her head.
Her expression instantly lted. A blissful smile spread across her face, her frustration vanishing like mist under the morning sun. It was as if Origami no longer existed in her world.
Origami, watching this, muttered under her breath, "Child."
Tohka's ears perked up. "What did you just say, you damn cat!?"
Origami tilted her head innocently. "What? Did I say sothing wrong?"
"K-Kuh! Damn you, Origami!" Tohka fud, puffing her cheeks again.
anwhile, Shido could only sigh as he found himself caught between their endless bickering.
And so, their ridiculous squabbling continued until they finally made their way inside the Hot Spring Resort.
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