Chapter 85 Volume 4 Chapter 18: The Girl's Afternoon Tea (Part 5)
“Isn’t that right, Shiori-classmate?”
At the sudden mention of that word, Shiori’s body froze instantly in place.
“Why…?”
Just as she spoke, Itsuka Shiori immediately sensed something was wrong. She hurriedly waved her hands and refuted:
“W-What are you suddenly talking about? That’s really unexpected—totally different from the impression Miku usually gives…”
“Ah, it’s fine—you don’t have to play dumb anymore. Someone who doesn’t obey my requests couldn’t possibly be an ordinary person.”
As she spoke, Miku still displayed the same smile as before.
“Miku, you…”
“No, if you really were a Spirit, I’d actually be very happy. To be honest, I’ve always wanted to meet other Spirits besides myself—there should be many more, right?”
“Oh, there are. And one of them is right beside you now—she’s even the world-famous ‘most brutal Spirit.’”
Thinking that, Shiori cast a resentful glance at Tianqi Sanluo, who was calmly sipping her tea.
And so, Tianqi Sanluo was once again dumbfounded.
“Itsuka Shido, what does this have to do with me this time?! It’s not like I told you to say that! Just keep acting properly! Otherwise, believe it or not, I’ll twist off your head and use it as a chamber pot!”
Tianqi Sanluo was not someone who would silently endure—especially when there was no reason to. She glared viciously back.
“So, Shiori. Who exactly are you? Are you really a Spirit? Or one of those so-called ‘magicians’?”
For some unknown reason, Izayoi Miku let out a sigh.
“Was our meeting truly just coincidence? Or was there some purpose behind it?”
Her tone clearly fell low.
At this moment, Shiori seemed to want to continue pretending.
“N-No, Miku-san, I really don’t know what you’re talking about—just because someone doesn’t follow your request… does that automatically make them a Spirit?”
“Sigh—Shiori-classmate, there’s no point in continuing the act.”
As she said this, Miku’s gaze slid toward Tianqi Sanluo.
This time, even Tianqi—who could face mountains of corpses and seas of blood without flinching—felt slightly panicked.
She had no intention of revealing her identity early. Next, Izayoi Miku would surely try using her spiritual power on her to verify her suspicion.
If she refused the command, Miku would definitely realize she was also a Spirit.
If she obeyed… it would be humiliating, and who knew what kind of demand Miku might make?
“…Izayoi Miku, you’d better think carefully. If you go too far…”
In an instant, Tianqi Sanluo made up her mind: as long as Miku didn’t get excessive, she’d play along.
But if she did—Tianqi could simply knock her unconscious then and there without a sound, erase her recent memories, and wait for another time to enjoy the show.
“Tianqi-classmate—please stand up.”
Fortunately for her, Miku only wanted to test her ability and didn’t ask for anything perverted like telling her to strip.
The voice that vibrated the eardrum carried a faint spiritual power—far too weak to affect Tianqi at all.
Still, to avoid revealing her identity, Tianqi immediately put down her teacup and stood up, her eyes hollow.
“What is it, Miku-san?”
Her movement was clean and crisp—she looked exactly like the “obedient child” Miku had described.
“It’s fine—you may continue, Tianqi-classmate.”
Satisfied with her cooperation, Miku didn’t push further.
As soon as she finished speaking, Tianqi feigned returning to her senses, looked around in confusion, and slowly sat back down to resume drinking her tea.
“……”
Itsuka Shiori fell silent.
He had no idea whether Tianqi had actually been controlled or was just acting; even with his keen eyes he couldn’t tell.
But since things had come to this, there was no need to keep pretending.
Telling the truth might be the best option.
Shiori swallowed hard. Facing Miku, he made up his mind and said:
“…Miku, I’m neither a Spirit nor a magician. I am, without question, a human.”
Hearing this, Miku let out a soft sigh and looked disappointed.
“Shiori-classmate, are you still trying to hide things from me—”
“—But, I do have the power to seal a Spirit’s rehi…found…pow—”
Shiori cut her off abruptly.
Miku’s eyes, which had been lowered in disappointment, immediately widened.
“Seal… spiritual power? What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s like this…”
Shiori began explaining his ability bit by bit, along with his past experiences “conquering” Spirits.
He didn’t know why he possessed such a power, but it undeniably existed.
He gave concrete examples of the Spirits he had already sealed, emphasizing that sealing erased the spiritual waves and thus prevented AST from hunting them—allowing Spirits to live peacefully in this world.
Both Miku and Tianqi listened attentively.
This guy… though weak, maybe he wasn’t completely useless?
At least he had courage and determination.
But only that. Without strength, he was still essentially cannon-fodder.
After the simple explanation, Shiori stared straight into Miku’s eyes and said:
“If… if you’re willing to believe me, Miku, I want to—save you.”
“There it is, there it is again!”
Hearing such cliché lines, Tianqi wrinkled her brows in disgust and downed her now-cold tea.
Why did Itsuka Shido always want to save Spirits? Couldn’t he see that even without him, Izayoi Miku lived freely and comfortably?
But Tianqi’s instincts told her that Miku wouldn’t accept so easily.
Which was exactly why she stayed—to watch the show.
If Miku turned out to be this disappointingly spineless, then she would have to personally correct the script.
After hearing everything, Miku made no response. She simply rested her hand thoughtfully against her lips.
Silence filled the reception room. The ticking of the clock and the beating of hearts seemed louder than ever.
Finally, after who-knew-how-long, Miku sighed gently.
“…I see. I believe you. Your voice doesn’t sound like you’re lying~”
“R-Really?!”
Shiori’s voice, made sharp and girlish by the voice changer, rose in disbelief.
Honestly, she had only been gambling. She thought even a Spirit wouldn’t easily accept such absurd claims.
But apparently, Miku believed her?
Thinking about saving Miku, Shiori naturally turned her gaze toward Tianqi Sanluo.
After all, Miku was far from the only one he wanted to save.
Tianqi had no intention of giving a friendly response—she simply shot him a razor-sharp warning glare.
“What kind of reaction is that? You look as if you were certain I wouldn’t believe Shiori-classmate.”
“N-No, it’s just…”
“Sorry. I teased you a little.”
Standing up, Miku slowly walked toward the window, gazing at the scenery outside.
“I was definitely surprised, but Shiori-classmate doesn’t sound like someone who’s lying. And although our meeting was indeed something you arranged… the reason was to save me—that’s something to be happy about, isn’t it?”
“Ah… yeah… hahaha…”
Feeling embarrassed, Shido scratched the back of his head.
Judging from this, the sealing might actually go smoothly?
If so, he needed to consider what to do after the sealing.
He couldn’t wear women’s clothing forever—nor could he go to Thailand for gender reassignment surgery, right?
“And… about that sealing method…”
“Ah, you don’t need to say anything more.”
“Huh?”
Seeing Shiori’s confusion, Miku narrowed her eyes and said:
“Shiori-classmate, I believe you—but I don’t need you to seal my power.”
“Wha—”
Shido froze at the unexpected answer.
“As expected… it’s not that simple. The show is finally starting.”
Like an audience member who had finally gotten the payoff she’d been waiting for, Tianqi Sanluo felt all her earlier patience had been worth it.
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