they said outdated lines that were used to pick up girls long ago.

"Wh, what do you want."

"......, Um, ah......"

Faced with the arrival of the three men, Tohka frowned in suspicion while Yoshino on the other hand hid behind Tohka. As for Kotori, she was glaring at the men's faces with an icy glare. Which was rare of her to do so.

"Now, Shin. Time for you to enter the scene."

"Ha, haa......"

Reine's voice had just sounded out as one of the three men grabbed Kotori's wrist with a smile on his face.

"Come on. Alright? It's just for a while, I promise you'll be very happy?"

Saying that, he pulled Kotori's arm forcefully. At this moment, another guy was waving in Shidou's direction. It seemed like he's urging him to hurry up and stop them.

"No other way then, let's go."

Shidou patted his diaphragm once more before he took a step forward.

"Um, I'm really sorry for interrupting, but——"

At that moment,

"——Third Executive Officer Awashima Fumio."

Kotori said to the man who grabbed her arm.

"Eh——"

The man's shoulders jolted. However there wasn't a hint of satisfaction on Kotori's face, she continued to scrutinize the other two.

"As well as Third Officer Teshirogi Yoshiharu. Third Officer Kawanishi Takashi. ——Hm those aren't bad disguises at all. You all pass. But your lines suck. Who's the scriptwriter?"

As Kotori spoke with half-closed eyes, sweat poured from the men's faces as they started retreating.

"H, how do you know people of our rank——"

"Rank? What's with that. Since you are in my department in <Ratatoskr>, you are akin to being my family. Would there be any parent who forgets how their child looks like?"

"......!!"

Kotori's words made the men kneel down and cry.

"C, Commander......"

"It's a hot day. Rest for now."

"Yes!"

Kotori waved her hand and the three who had just displayed delinquent behaviour wonderfully made a salute before returning to their original places.

Tohka and Yoshino tilted their heads in wonder.

"Muu. What was that just now?"

"Kotori-san......amazing."

Kotori lightly shook her head, as though telling them to pay no attention to what has happened.

"......U, um."

Shidou fell into confusion, scratching his face in unease.

He had met with a problem even before he set out to resolve one. However it was logical once he had thought it through. Leaving other Spirits aside, the plan involving the use of <Ratatoskr>'s staff members is totally useless for Kotori's case. Shidou lightly tapped the earpiece, protesting to <Fraxinus>

"......Isn't this totally useless?"

"......And I had prepared staff members who had never made direct contact before, they had special make-up applied as well......"

However Reine ignored Shidou's words and she mumbled softly to herself.

"Th, that is indeed amazing. But what do we do now that the plan involving the staff members is useless?"

"......That's right. I could have been underestimating Kotori."

"Th, then what do we do now——"

"Don't communicate so openly, Shidou."

Suddenly hearing Kotori's voice caused Shidou to jump. Not knowing when, Kotori had appeared in front of his eyes with her hands on her hips.

"Ah, no......"

Whilst incoherent, he turned to face Kotori. He had an expression that looked like he had been discovered while talking to Reine.

"Really now......it's alright if it was me, but what would you have done if you were caught by other Spirits?"

"Guh......"

Kotori shrugged wordlessly. Although it was frustrating, he could not retort.

However, it's not a solution to remain silent. Shidou shook his head and attempted to change the topic.

"To, Tohka and Yoshino......Where did they go?"

"Hm."

Kotori curtly replied, using her chin to indicate where. In that direction were the figures of the duo who were wearing the swimming tubes and were already swimming in the pool.

"Oooh, this is great! Look at this shidou! We won't sink!"

"......!......!"

Tohka let out cries of elation, and Yoshino too was nodding her head in jubilation. It seems that the two of them were enjoying their first time in the pool.

However, today's mission was not them. Kotori, who was the most important person for today, was waving the stick of her lolipop disinterestedly. Now that he thought about it, Kotori seems to have never entered the pool before. It shouldn't be a case where she doesn't know how to swim, but.

"......Shin, no matter what you're going to do, why don't you try asking Kotori first?"

At that moment, Reine's voice sounded out.

On <Ratatoskr>'s screen which had the image of Kotori displayed, a selection window was once again opened.

① Let's go and play at the water slide together! Hugging her tightly from behind!

② Let's go and rest in the hot springs! It's heartpounding because it's a mixed bath!

③ Let's float away at the lazy river! Let me be, your exclusive float!

"Hm, well then everyone, choose!"

Kannazuki loudly declared. At the same time the crew members pressed the buttons in their hands.

The screen swiftly displayed the results. ① had the most votes. Next was ②. ③ did not receive a single vote.

......It seems like a result that they had seen before as a dark cloud appeared on each of the staff members' faces.

However Kannazuki did not seem to notice at all and he nodded his head relaxedly.

"Hm......it looks rather apt. Since they have arrived at the Ocean Park, they should take on the rides that it is famous for."

"Although the hot springs are quite popular, that isn't a place that young people should go to."

"③ is not an option, Vice-Commander, only ③ is a no."

The crew stared at Kannazuki closely. Kannazuki, on the other hand, laughed aloud.

"How horrible. No matter the power of dictatorship, I would never repeat such a brainless act."

Saying that, he put the microphone close to his mouth.

"Shidou-kun, choose ③. Go to the lazy river, you will be the Commander's float——"

"Hold it!"

At that, two members below the bridge jumped out and forcibly dragged his body away from the microphone.

"Wh, what are you doing, you guys!"

"Analysis Officer Murasame! Do it now!"

As the crew members subdued Kannazuki one after the other, they cried out.

"......Hm? Aaah."

In response to the cries, Reine turned the microphone on after scratching her cheek.

"......Can you hear me. Choose ①. Go to the water slide with Kotori."

"I understand. ......But, did something happen? It sounds so noisy on your side......"

Kannazuki was still crying out "Shidou-kun! The float! Be the Commander's float! Face-down!" while on the bridge near the Commander's seat, but Reine ignored that for now as she continued.

"You don't have to care. In short, you two must go together alright?"

"Ha, haa......"

Shidou did not seem to understand but he still nodded his head.

Hearing his reply, she turned off the microphone. Upon seeing that, the crew members who were pinning Kannazuki down finally relaxed their hold.

"Really now......what are you all doing, everyone of you! Such a rare chance! Speaking of which, inflicting violence upon a superior officer, that's a major felony!"

Kannazuki declared, while another staff member spoke with half-closed eyes.

"......In the situation where Medical Officer Rindou makes a medical conclusion of health problems, or two-thirds of the staff with Analysis Officer Murasame included determines that there is a problem with the ability to lead, do you know that we are able to strip you of your ability to command?"

"Uh......"

Kannazuki surveyed the bridge. Everyone was glaring at Kannazuki's direction.

Kannazuki made a fake cough and he continued to speak while cold sweat flowed from his face.

"......Ok, I won't pursue the incident just now, let's continue with the battle plan shall we?"

"Those who think that the Vice-Commander does not have the ability to lead please press the button in your hands——"

"Didn't I say that I won't pursue it already!"

Under Kannazuki's pleas, the punishment was suspended for now.

Receiving the somewhat garbled instructions from <Fraxinus>, Shidou sneaked a peek at Kotori.

"H, hey, Kotori."

"What."

Kotori did not move her gaze as she brusquely replied.

Shidou was at a loss for words......but he forced himself to continue.

"It......it's such a rare chance, let's go play for a while."

As Shidou said that, Kotori made eye contact with half-closed eyes as though assessing him.

"Hmph, what do you want to play?"

"Hm, how about the water slide?"

Saying that he pointed to the gigantic mountain that reached to the ceiling. The long slide extended from the summit and occasionally there would be people wearing swimsuits descending from the top accompanied by screams and the strong flow of water.

After Kotori glanced at where Shidou had pointed, she turned around and sighed.

"Although it feels a little old fashioned......Well, I guess we'll give it a try. Right, let's go."

After saying such depressing words, she started to walk towards the water slide. Instead of calling her a girl who was enjoying her date, it might be more fitting to describe her as a commander who was focused on the date.

At this moment, it could be that they have noticed Shidou and Kotori's situation as Tohka and Yoshino who were floating on the water looked over at them.

"shidou, Kotori. Where are you going?"

"Eh? Aaah......We're going to play at the water slide."

Tohka widened her eyes and tilted her head. Shidou smiled bitterly as he pointed at the mountain once more.

"Aaah, it's that one."

"Oooh......! There are people coming down!"

Tohka's eyes shone brilliantly and she waded to shore with the swimming tube still on her.

"I want to go to!"

"Eh, eeeh?"

Shidou made a surprised sound. That can't be helped. Since he had finally created an opportunity where he and Kotori could play together and raise her feelings, he had to be faced with a complicated scenario when Tohka came into the picture.

"Nu......I can't go?"

Tohka probably noticed Shidou's reaction as she dejectedly let her shoulders drop. If she were to grow long ears and a tail, both of them would probably be hanging limply.

Unease naturally settled in his heart. However, if he did not reject her request outright......

"Shin, you don't have to mind. Just bring Tohka along."

Suddenly, Reine's voice entered his right ear, interrupting Shidou's words.

"Reine-san? Will this be alright?"

"......Aaah. Or should I say that she came at the right time. Probably."

"Eh......?"

"......Nothing. Well in short, it's no good rejecting Tohka who just wants to play."

"I, I got it."

Reine's words. She must have had some plan up her sleeves. Shidou looked at Tohka once more.

"Nn, I got it. Let's go together, Tohka."

"! Oooh, can I!?"

Tohka's expression changed, immediately brightening up. Although Shidou thought that he heard Kotori clicking her tongue behind him, he was probably mistaken. Shidou continued to speak.

"Ah, aaah. But we need to find a place to put that swimming tube down first."

As Shidou was in the midst of looking around, Yoshino's voice sounded out from the pool.

"Shidou, san. If it's alright with you......let me hold that......for you."

"Eh? Really?"

Shidou spoke with a surprised tone. He assumed that Yoshino would want to play on the slide like Tohka.

Probably sensing Shidou's thoughts, Yoshino shook her head with a pale face.

"That's......too scary. And......Yoshinon would, get washed away again......"

"Aaah......is that so?"

Shidou scratched the back of his head and smiled bitterly. It seems that the previous incident has caused a mental trauma.

"That's why......Yoshinon and I, will......watch together."

"Really. Then can I trust you with Tohka's swimming tube?"

"Yes......Leave it to me."

Once Yoshino agreed, Tohka grabbed the tube that was around her stomach, pulling it upwards. But naturally, the swimming tube was blocked by her bust and she found difficulty in removing it.

"Nu, what's with this. I can't get it off."

Saying that, Tohka increased her strength. The swimming tube subsequently reached Tohka's chest, pulling Tohka's swimsuit upwards as well. Her soft breasts could be glimpsed from under the swimming tube. Shidou hastily cried out to stop her.

"Wait, Tohka! Stop stop! You remove it from below!"

"Nu?"

Finally realizing it after being reminded, Tohka pulled the tube downwards. The swimming tube successfully fell to her feet.

"Oooh! You're amazing shidou! How did you know?"

"Gah......Well, hm."

Shidou mumbled as he scratched his face, Tohka didn't seem to mind as she passed the tube to Yoshino.

"Then I'll leave this in your care, Yoshino."

"Yes."

Yoshino nodded as she took over the swimming tube. Shidou started to walk towards the water slide.

At this point he finally realized that Kotori was hugging her arms with her toes tapping the ground.

"Koto, Kotori......"

"Letting your date partner wait is a NG no matter how you look at it. If this were practice you would have been punished already."

Shidou's shoulders shrank, but Kotori sighed as she slowly moved in the direction of the water slide. Shidou hastily followed behind her.

"Tohka, let's go."

"Yeah!"

After finally climbing the stairs, they arrived at the summit of the cliff. The staff members of the water slide were in the midst of instructing visitors to proceed in an orderly fashion.

It was fortunate that there were not many people playing with the water slide. It would be Shidou's turn soon.

Shidou followed the instructions of the staff, sitting on the water current with his hands grabbing the edge.

"......Shin, I said it before, there's no meaning if you don't go down together."

Reine's voice reminded him through his right ear. Shidou tapped the ear piece to indicate his acknowledgement.

"Um Kotori, let's go together."

"Eh——"

Shidou's suggestion made Kotori widen her eyes......but she subsequently turned away while coughing.

"It's, it's fine. I'm not a kid anymore."

"Don't say it like that. There's nothing wrong about this. Alright?"

"Gu......Didn't I say that it's fine already!"

Kotori hugged her arms once more, turning her face away.

......This is bad. When Kotori gets into a tantrum, she wouldn't listen to whatever he says.

At this moment.

"What's the matter Kotori, you don't want to play? Then I'll go with shidou then!"

The moment he realized that it was Tohka's voice that sounded out behind him, his back was suddenly assaulted by something soft.

"Toh, Tohka?"

"Mm, then let's go shidou!"

Tohka smiled innocently, pressing herself onto Shidou. Although an additional person would add to the stability when going down the water slide......How could he get it across, those two weapons of destruction located on her chest were making him feel troubled.

"? What's wrong shidou, are you not going to play?"

"N, no......um, how do I put this."

Even he himself could feel his face burning. As Shidou stuttered with a distracted gaze, Tohka leaned her body forward in order to have a better look at Shidou's face. This, however, caused Shidou's back to undergo an assault by two airbags.

"............Muu."

On the other hand, Kotori who was standing on one side was glaring at Shidou. Her deeply furrowed eyebrows. Lips that had formed a へ shape. You didn't have to put in much thought to know. She was definitely infuriated at Shidou who was at a loss at the situation.

However in the next instant, something unexpected happened.

"——Eh?"

Kotori took a step forward, and as though sitting in between Shidou's legs, she sat down before him.

"Kotori?"

"Wh, what. Do you have something to say?"

"No......nothing......"

Shidou said with a pathetic look, Reine's voice softly spoke into his right ear.

"......Excellent. Nice work, Tohka."

"Eh?"

"......Hm, even though it's a date, I believed that Kotori wouldn't be honest."

"Reine-san, don't tell me, just for that——"

He was just about to speak when he stopped. The reason was simple. Tohka, who had incited Kotori's retaliation, pressed her body even closer.

"Oooh, is Kotori joining as well! Alright, let's go!"

Along with Tohka's words, her sweet breath breezed past his neck, sapping away Shidou's strength. It wasn't just her chest. Stomach, hands, arms, feet, any part of his body that made contact with her soft body, he felt as though his brain would flow out from his ears.

"N, To, Tohka......Could you move a little......"

"Muu......"

Kotori who had turned her head and witnessed this spectacle was gritting her teeth in frustration for some reason and she changed her position on the unstable water current.

"Oi, hey, Kotori......?"

Shidou did not manage to finish speaking as Kotori had already turned to face Shidou, tightly hugging his body.

It was as though she were a koala hugging a tree.

It was common for them to hug while they were bathing together before, but he felt unusually excited right now.

"Kotori, you are taking part for real!? Alright then, I guess I have to be serious as well......!"

Saying that Tohka held the edge of the water slide tightly and the weight of three people was added onto the water current.

"Uwah!?"

"Kya......!"

Shidou and Kotori let out a wail from the unexpected speed.

In a position that was enough to anger the staff, Tohka was just like a launcher. Even though most of her strength had been sealed, Tohka's strength was still beyond that of a normal person. She made use of such strength to push them off. Under the terrifying acceleration, Shidou couldn't help but panic.

"U, uwaaaaaaaaah!"

"......! ......!"

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

Tracing a path that almost went out of the slide, the trio left a mix of wails, inaudible screams and laughter as they went down the slide.

However——midway down the slide. The most extreme bend arrived, and the three of them flew out of the slide and were thrown into the air.

"Hyi......!?"

"............"

"Oooh! We're flying!"

The same time Tohka's excited voice entered his eardrums, Shidou felt the buoyancy that surrounded his body vanish——and just like that they plummeted to the pool at the bottom.

Gigantic waves were made and ripples formed inside the pool.

"——Puha! Ahahaha! shidou! This is really interesting!"

Tohka made a dazzling smile once her face swiftly came out of the water.

However Shidou did not have that energy. His body felt heavy for some unknown reason and he was unable to return to the pool surface.

"Nn......!"

After exerting strength to steady himself......Shidou finally realized the cause.

"Eh......, eh......"

Kotori was making soft moans and her shoulders were slightly trembling as she was tightly hugging onto Shidou's body like before.

On a closer look, the two ribbons that she used to tie her hair were missing.

"Kotori......are you alright?"

"O, Onii-chan......"

Kotori spoke with a blocked nose, raising her head to look at Shidou's face. Her face made Shidou widen his eyes.

"D, don't tell me you're crying——"

"......!"

Shidou had just opened his mouth when Kotori hastily released her hands and turned her back to him.

"Ribbon......ribbon......!"

"Ribbon?"

Shidou looked around, and noticing the two black ribbons that were floating in the water, he handed them back to Kotori after retrieving them. Kotori swiftly sank into the water once the ribbons were in her hands.

Following that bubbles started appearing on the water surface, several seconds later.

"......Really, that was ridiculous."

Kotori, who had resurfaced, had returned to her perfect Commander mode.

......However, her nose and eyes were still red.

"............"

"......What is it."

Kotori glared back with half-closed eyes. Shidou stared at those black ribbons as he scratched his face.

He had already noticed it before. The tenth of April. From the start when Shidou first knew about the existence of the Spirits, Commander Kotori appeared......But which Kotori was the real Kotori, as well as what was the reason which made her develop such contrasting personalities.

The white ribbons were the innocent Kotori. The black ribbons on the other hand were the strong Kotori.

It wasn't dissociative identity disorder, but rather a near perfect adjustment of character——

"......Hey, Kotori. Today, why did you choose the black ribbon?"

Shidou asked Kotori this question.

"What's that, you got something to say about this?"

"No, well......although it's not entirely unrelated."

Although there was such a thought, he would never say it. Shidou looked around to avoid her gaze. Kotori quietly took a breath before continuing.

"......I can't. The white me, is the weak me. If it wasn't the black, strong me, today would be impossible."

“Eh?"

Not understanding a single word that Kotori had said, Shidou frowned.

"What's that, talking about being weak or strong."

"It's nothing, it's better if you don't know."

"Wh, what's with you......"

As Shidou frowned and said that in annoyance, Kotori looked away.

"......And I thought that the time was right, in the end she's still not honest with herself."

At this moment, such a voice entered his ear.

"......That's right. Let's try it again."

"Try it again......No. I had enough of the water slide."

"......Hm, you don't have to worry. Just stay quiet and stand there."

"? What, are you talking about......"

Shidou frowned, when suddenly Tohka, who was separated from them in midair, came closer to Shidou and Kotori.

"shidou, Kotori, aren't we going to go again?"

Tohka asked innocently. She probably loved the slide very much.

"No......I, I think I'll pass."

"......Me too."

Shidou and Kotori shook their heads causing Tohka to pout in dissatisfaction.

"Why? And it was so fun too......"

Midway through her sentence, two girls with swimming tubes swam over. Just as they were moving behind Tohka——

"——Eh?"

It seemed like one of the girls had loosened Tohka's costume during the encounter. The top half of Tohka's swimsuit floated to the water. Shidou's eyes shrank to dots.

"......?"

Tohka probably noticed it after a moment. She slowly moved her gaze downwards——

"————!?"

Letting out an inaudible wail, her hands covering her chest, she submerged her head into the water.

"shi, shidou! Di, dididididid you see!?"

"I, I didn't! Nothing at all!"

"R, really!?"

"Really!"

Shidou lied to the best of his ability and as Tohka blew bubbles in the water with a reddened face, she retrieved her swimsuit and retied it while she was still underwater.

Shidou gave a sigh of relief. Although he did catch a glimpse of it, raising a ruckus about it would render his life forfeit.

However, the real threat wasn't from just this.

"......Shidou."

A calm yet rage charged voice from behind him caused Shidou's shoulders to give a jolt.

"Koto, Koto......ri?"

"......You said you preferred them small."

"Eh——?"

The instant Shidou was bewildered by that unexpected line, that awe-inspiring right punch exploded into Shidou's diaphragm.

"Oga......"

"Hmph, Ogre[4D 2]?huh. The strongest in the world."

Kotori shook her right hand as though shaking off the blood on a sword before leaving.

Shidou twisted his body in pain when Reine suddenly spoke up.

"......Muu, did I do something wrong just now?"

"......The ones that swam past Tohka.....those girls......don't tell me they're <Ratatoskr>'s......?"

"......No, they would be noticed if they were staff. They were bribed with the angels of money prior to this."

"........................"

Shidou let his body float on the water as he felt the hallucination of cupids flying around him.

◇

The time now is 2:10pm. Shidou and the rest were currently at a store within the Ocean Park enjoying a late lunch. On top of the white plastic table that Shidou, Tohka, Yoshino as well as Kotori were seated at, there were large plates of sandwiches and paper cups full of drinks on it. Although it seemed like there was too much......well, with Tohka being here there shouldn't be any leftovers.

"Umu, it's delicious shidou!"

Tohka consumed the sandwiches hungrily, revealing a beaming smile. A girl who can thoroughly enjoy any food she eats. On the contrary, Yoshino, who was seated opposite her was nodding while taking small bites out of her sandwich.

"It's......delicious."

"Is, that so......then that's great."

Looking at the two, Shidou gave a dry smile. It wasn't because of the two. He felt joy upon seeing the two of them eat so happily.

However, there was still the existence of a troublesome issue which caused Shidou to tense up and panic at this heartwarming scene.

The reason for that was simple. That's because seated right opposite Shidou was Kotori who was crossing her arms and sitting with one leg over the other with a bored expression. It was not known whether she was dissatisfied with the meal but her sandwich lay untouched. Furthermore she rarely bit down on the straw of her drink, not speaking most of the time. One does not need to think to know that she was displeased.

"......Muu"

Shidou made an inaudible groan.

It has been more than three hours since they have arrived at the Ocean Park. Although they had attempted to get closer to her via the support of <Ratatoskr>, it didn't seem to be gaining any results.

——Drafting up a strategy before the event, is it truly effective on Kotori compared with the other spirits?

Shidou waved the thought in his heart away. Which one would have been easier. It is true that with an idea of her thought patterns, it may be safer compared to the spirits before. However it was also due to this that the difficulty is exceptionally high. Itsuka Kotori is undoubtedly the strongest enemy thus far.

"Reine-san. How's Kotori's emotional state and affability? "

Shidou lowered his voice and spoke while covering the side of his mouth discreetly, speaking through the earpiece to Reine who was in <Fraxinus>. After several seconds, a troubled voice entered his eardrums.

"......Hm. There's no sign of them decreasing......but there is also no sign of them increasing. It's obvious once you look at the graph. It has been a flat horizontal line all this time."

Shidou lightly groaned. Although he did think that it wouldn't increase, but he didn't expect that there would be no sign of a decrease either.

It just means that Kotori was indifferent. Was it because <Ratatoskr>'s instructions have been seen through, or was it because the person was her brother?

".................."

In the next few seconds, time was slowly flowing away in silence.

"Shidou-kun, it is unwise to remain silent. You should hurry up and find a topic to talk about."

", ah, aaah......Yes."

Once Kannazuki reminded him, Shidou's shoulders jumped. As Kannazuki has said. Silence is the worst thing that can happen. Shidou racked his brains for a topic, his eyes looking around.

At this point——Kotori brought her drink to her mouth, after which it seemed that she had choked as she repeatedly coughed.

"!, cough, cough......"

"Ar, are you alright, Kotori?"

"......Nn, a small amount just got into my windpipe that's all."

Kotori answered as she rose. And just like that she walked away wordlessly.

"Kotori.....? Where are you going?"

"If you ask where a lady is going if she leaves her seat, that would be a death sentence if it wasn't me."

"......I'-->>

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