[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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"I'm really sorry, and thank you for your help," Shido said as he walked alongside Alexander. While they strolled together, Shido tried to strike up a conversation, though his attempts often fell flat.
Alexander, on the other hand, showed little interest in chatting. To him, Shido was little more than a tool—a means to an end. Naturally, Alexander didn't care much about what Shido thought or said.
Unbeknownst to Alexander, Shido was internally agonizing over how to win him over. If Alexander had known what was going through Shido's mind, he would have likely sent him flying with a single slap.
"Have you been to this area before?" Shido asked.
"No, it's my first time."
"Really? There's a great home appliance and gaming store nearby. It's worth checking out."
"Gaming?" Alexander smirked. "Shido, I'm not bragging, but no one in this world can beat me at video games."
"Haha, really? You don't seem like the kind of guy who'd be into the second dimension," Shido jokes.
"Then you're mistaken!" Alexander replied confidently. "No one in my world understands the second dimension better than I do. Of course, I'm not just into that—I enjoy sports too."
"Sports? Like table tennis, basketball, or soccer?"
"Bouncy ball."
Shido fell silent.
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As they chatted, Alexander found himself growing somewhat familiar with the new world he was in, thanks to Shido's guidance. Though their interaction was superficial, it at least ensured Alexander didn't get lost.
Meanwhile, Kotori, watching their "bonding" unfold on her monitor, was growing increasingly excited.
"Shido, you're making progress! It's time to take the next step! Quickly, find a way to kiss him. It should be easy since you're both men."
Kotori's logic stemmed from how close female friends often behave—shopping arm-in-arm, hugging, rubbing cheeks, and even exchanging light kisses weren't uncommon in those dynamics. However, she overlooked one crucial detail: there's a world of difference between 'girlfriends' and 'guy friends.'
Many men who consider each other as brothers-in-arms would rather endure unimaginable torture than hold hands while shopping.
Shido wisely refrained from bringing up Kotori's outlandish suggestion. If he had, he might have been instantly struck down by Alexander.
"This… uh… Alexander, don't you think kissing between men is kind of strange?" Shido ventured cautiously.
Alexander chuckled. "Well, as long as it doesn't involve me, I don't care. People can do what they want." His nonchalant attitude left Shido deflated. The conversation had confirmed one thing: Alexander was a perfectly normal man.
Shido struggled to find a way forward, but Alexander was oblivious to his internal conflict. He was far more focused on the increasingly overcast sky.
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A light drizzle began to fall. As passersby sought shelter from the rain, Alexander stood unfazed, gazing upward.
"It's raining? This doesn't feel natural," he muttered.
The clear sky had turned cloudy without warning—a phenomenon that couldn't be explained away as coincidence. The best explanation for this strange weather was that it was… man-made.
"Yoshino. It has to be Yoshino."
Alexander's thoughts immediately turned to the Ice Spirit. Yoshino, a frail and timid girl, had led a tragic life. Born weak and chronically ill, she spent her childhood confined to a hospital bed, gazing longingly at the sky with only a tattered hand puppet for company.
Her mother, who loved her dearly, passed away unexpectedly. That devastating loss left Yoshino with no family and only deepened her isolation. Even the nurses pitied her too much to break the heartbreaking news.
It was perhaps due to this pity—or sheer coincidence—that Zero appeared before Yoshino. Zero offered her the chance to become a Spirit, and Yoshino accepted. But in doing so, she unknowingly gave up all her memories of her past life, including her mother. This cruel twist spared her the pain of loss but came at the cost of her identity.
Unlike most spirits, Yoshino was gentle and cautious. She feared hurting others and avoided people whenever possible. Even the anomalies she caused were minor, manifesting as nothing more than soft drizzles like the one now falling.
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"Yoshino must be here."
Alexander's eyes gleamed as he turned to Shido. "Thanks for your help, Shido. I'll take it from here."
Before Shido could respond, Alexander nodded in satisfaction and vanished in a blur. He knew he had to act quickly. If he didn't find Yoshino before AST arrived, things could get messy.
The moment Alexander disappeared, Kotori's urgent voice came through Shido's earpiece.
"Shido! Spirit waves have been detected in your area. Hurry and follow him! Follow the directions!"
"I know, Kotori. I'm on it!" Shido replied as he dashed after Alexander.