Chapter 86 Volume 4 Chapter 19: The Girl's Afternoon Tea (Part 6)
Compared to Itsuka Shiori’s astonishment, Miku remained perfectly composed.
“Isn’t this how it’s always been?—Even while maintaining my Spirit powers, I’ve still been able to live a very satisfying life. So I have no reason to give up my power. Although I’d like to stay friends with you, Shiori-san, those two things are completely unrelated, okay?”
“B–But…”
Shiori didn’t know how to refute her.
Ratatoskr’s goal was to use Itsuka Shidou’s power to seal Spirit abilities, allowing Spirits to live peaceful lives.
However, this Diva—Izayoi Miku—had already been peacefully living in this world for more than half a year *without* Ratatoskr’s help.
But…
Just as Shiori hesitated, the spacequake from four days ago popped into her mind.
“Miku… four days ago, did you cause a spacequake near Naminami Station…? Doesn’t that mean you can’t fully control your power?”
Once Shiori finished speaking, a look of surprise surfaced on Miku’s face.
“Oh my? You actually know about that? Weren’t you in the shelter at the time?”
“Eh? Ah, uh, that…”
Shiori wanted to make up an excuse, but because of her ‘ordinary girl’ persona, she didn’t know how to explain it.
“It was told to her by her cousin, Itsuka Shidou, right? Shiori-san.”
At that moment, Tianqi Sanluo spoke up, saving Shiori from trouble.
“Oh? Itsuka Shidou…?”
The moment she heard that man’s name, Miku immediately frowned.
“Sanluo-san, if I remember correctly, that ‘Itsuka Shidou’ is that disgusting man who barged into the theater four days ago, right? You even called out his name back then.”
“That’s right, that was him.”
As she spoke, Sanluo cast a meaningful glance at the relieved Shiori.
“When I met Shiori-san yesterday, I noticed her name and appearance were very similar to that guy’s, so I looked into it. Turns out the two of them are cousins. No wonder they look so similar, right, Shiori-san?”
“Ah, yes… Shidou is my cousin.”
She didn’t know Sanluo’s motive, but since she was being helped, Shiori naturally wouldn’t ruin the cover.
Mentioning Itsuka Shidou again made Izayoi Miku visibly unhappy. Her brows twisted with disgust toward that man—but because of that, her suspicion toward Shiori faded.
“Good grief… I can’t believe that guy actually has such a cute little cousin…”
“Ah… hahaha…”
All Shiori could do was let out a dry laugh.
“No wonder. Even though a spacequake happened, that stinking man still ran there… That must’ve been arranged by you, right, Shiori-san?”
“Oh, uh, right… When I learned there was a spacequake, I told my cousin to go there and check the situation…”
Miku’s gaze was far too familiar—exactly like four days ago—triggering Shiori’s psychological trauma from when she was still Shidou. So even while randomly making up excuses, her voice trembled with nerves.
Fortunately, Miku’s resentment was directed only toward the male “Itsuka Shidou,” not toward the cute girl “Itsuka Shiori.”
“Shiori-san, please keep your distance from your cousin from now on. You don’t need to rely on him. He’ll betray you sooner or later.”
“Ah… okay…”
She had no idea what that out-of-nowhere warning meant, but Shiori knew this wasn’t the time to argue. Clearing her throat, she continued:
“So… back to the point. That uncontrolled spacequake is dangerous. If you leave your Spirit power unchecked, someday you might hurt your fans or your friends. So please—let me seal your power, Miku…”
Shiori took a deep breath to calm herself, staring straight into Miku’s eyes as she spoke.
But Miku’s furrowed brows relaxed. After letting out a soft sigh, she slowly shook her head.
“…Thank you for worrying about me that much, but it’s pointless.”
“Eh? Why?”
Shiori asked.
Then Miku’s expression turned completely blank.
“Because—that spacequake was something I triggered on purpose.”
“—!”
For a moment, Shiori’s mind froze, unable to comprehend her words.
There were Spirits who could cause spacequakes at will—for example, a certain Spirit of Time who almost flattened Raizen High School. So the fact that the Diva in front of her could do it wasn’t impossible.
And according to recent intel, it seemed even the Genie (Asura) Sanluo beside them had obtained the ability to trigger spacequakes at will…
Shiori shook off that unnecessary thought to avoid letting the Spirit next to her notice, and resumed thinking seriously.
“Miku… why would you… do that?”
Her motive.
Izayoi Miku, a Spirit who had fully integrated into human society—what reason would she have?
Miku maintained her gentle tone as she played with her light-purple hair tips.
“I already told you when we first met, right? I love the feeling of standing on a stage.”
“That’s true.”
“When I happened to pass by the station, I noticed that a certain music group was holding a concert at Tengu Grand Theater. And then I realized something: I’ve never sung at Tengu Arena before.”
“Eh?”
What does that have to do with a spacequake?
“So then, I suddenly really wanted to sing. So I yelled ‘He-ya!’—”
As she spoke, Miku struck a cute pose with a cheerful smile.
“!!!”
Shidou’s face twisted with disbelief.
“J-Just for that reason…?”
“How can you say ‘just for that reason’? That’s so mean.”
Miku seemed utterly unaware of the seriousness of what she’d done.
“But… there were people around… If someone didn’t escape in time—”
“Then that’s too bad, isn’t it? Because I wanted to sing. If something really happened… it’d just be their bad luck.”
There was not a trace of guilt in her expression.
She didn’t think she had done anything wrong.
“…A child.”
After quietly examining Miku’s demeanor for a few seconds, Sanluo gave her evaluation.
Not knowing right from wrong—at least on the surface. Doing whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. No empathy for others. And this wasn’t because of overwhelming power or some deeper motive—she simply lived for her own happiness.
Coming to watch this unfold had definitely been the right decision.
How would Itsuka Shidou conquer such a self-centered person? Sanluo was honestly looking forward to it.
If Shidou couldn’t handle even someone like her, then he could forget about talking big about saving Sanluo. He’d just be lighting a lantern in an outhouse—seeking death.
“You really don’t care? Triggering a spacequake for that kind of reason—how could you…”
“Care? What are you talking about?”
Miku tilted her head, unable to understand Shiori’s intense reaction.
“If your friend—yes, for example, that girl who walked home with you today—if she had been there, she could’ve died! If something like that happened, what would you do!?”
Shiori shouted.
“Friend? I’ve never heard of anyone treating a brainwashed lackey as a friend.”
Sanluo snickered at the side, gleefully waiting for Shiori to suffer.
If this were Shidou in male form, it’d be even funnier.
But as Shiori, she actually looked cute instead of ridiculous.
Miku seemed to think for a moment, her gaze drifting.
“I would… be very troubled.”
“That’s right! So—”
“Because then I’d have to spend more time searching for another girl I like.”
“…Eh?…”
Shiori thought she misheard.
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