[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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"Spirits are Spirits. Why should they be like ordinary people?" he replied calmly.
Kotori's expression faltered.
Alexander continued, "Sealing their powers doesn't eliminate the problem; it only postpones it. Besides, accidents always happen even without the spirit. Humans are also a calamity you know?"
Therefore, in Alexander's eyes, the best way to treat spirits is to guide people to take the initiative to accept spirits, just like Kurumi and Tohka, everyone in his world knows that they are spirits, but no one hates them.
He paused, his tone turning serious. "True change comes from understanding and acceptance, not hiding or sealing away what makes you different."
Kotori's eyes narrowed, conflicted by his words.
"But if spirits retain their powers, people will always fear them," she countered softly.
"Then just make people like them."
Alexander's statement was so casual, yet it left Kotori momentarily speechless.
'Just make people like them?'
Kotori frowned, her thoughts swirling. If it were truly that simple, then what had all of Ratatoskr's efforts been for? They had toiled for years trying to bridge the gap between humans and spirits, yet progress was painstakingly slow.
"It's not that easy to get people to accept spirits," Kotori replied, her tone measured but firm. "For instance, there's a Spirit known as 'Nightmare.' She's killed over 20,000 people. Do you really think anyone would accept someone like that?"
Alexander's eyebrow twitched at her words.
Kurumi, the Nightmare in question, smirked but didn't seem the least bit bothered. "If someone is harming others, am I supposed to just forgive them?"
Her tone was sharp, unapologetic. Though her methods might not align with conventional morality, for Kurumi, they were necessary.
Kotori sighed, her gaze fixed on Alexander. "See? That's the crux of the issue. It's an impossible barrier to overcome."
Her voice softened as she continued, though her mind was already spiraling into another set of problems. The method Ratatoskr used to seal a Spirit's powers required a kiss from Shido Itsuka, her brother. However, Alexander was different.
He was male.
Kotori hesitated, biting her lip as an unsettling thought crossed her mind. 'How in the world would Shido handle this situation?'
For a brief, horrifying moment, her mind conjured the image of Alexander and Shido kissing.
"No! Absolutely not!" Kotori blurted aloud, shaking her head violently as if to rid herself of the mental image.
Alexander, oblivious to her internal struggle, raised an eyebrow in concern. "Are you okay? You look like you've got a headache."
Kotori hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice and asking cautiously, "Um… do you think it's possible for two people of the same gender to, you know… be together?"
"Uh…"
Alexander blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. After a moment of thought, he shrugged. "Why not? People say the opposite sex is for reproduction, but the same sex? That's true love."
Kotori's eyes widened at his response, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. 'Is he implying something?' she wondered, but then her mind returned to her brother.
'No. No way.'
Kotori clenched her fists, steeling her resolve. Her duty was clear, and personal feelings couldn't get in the way. 'This is for the spirits,' she told herself firmly.
"I'm sorry, Big Brother," she muttered under her breath, her heart heavy with determination. If it came down to it, Shido would have to charm Alexander.
Her imagination ran wild: Shido taking Alexander out on dates, making him flustered, and eventually sealing his powers.
"Wooo…" Kotori whimpered, burying her face in her hands. The idea was too much to bear.
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Alexander, utterly clueless about her turmoil, stood up and stretched. "Well, we're about done here. Kurumi, let's go."
"Of course," Kurumi replied with a graceful nod, following him out of the coffee shop.
Kotori watched them leave, sighing deeply. When their figures finally disappeared from view, a man stepped out from the shadows behind her.
"Commander, should we reveal our identity to them?" Kannazuki Kyohei, Ratatoskr's second-in-command, asked in a low voice.
Kotori shook her head. "Not yet. I've already assessed their stance—they're not aligned with our objectives. They won't join us easily."
She exhaled another sigh, her expression weary. "For now, stick to the plan. Get Big Brother involved. We'll need his help soon."
"Understood, Commander!" Kannazuki replied before disappearing into the night.
As for Shido Itsuka, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing, he had no idea that his sister was about to give him one of the most challenging missions of his life.
Meanwhile, the most glaring obstacle loomed in Kotori's mind:
'Alexander doesn't even like men!'