Unlike Mélusine, who had resented her own school days, Shidō Itsuka didn't seem to mind going to school at all.
On reflection, that made perfect sense.
Japanese high schoolers started classes around 8 a.m. and were usually done by 3:30 p.m. Shidō didn't participate in any after-school clubs either, which meant he even had enough time to cook dinner for all the Spirit girls after school.
What had Mélusine's high school life looked like? She'd had to be on the track by 6:40 in the morning for morning drills, then attend early study sessions. Evening study wrapped up at 11 p.m.
And the worst part?
Shidō had no homework. No. Homework.
Was this some kind of divine lifestyle?! Compared to that, hers had been a waking nightmare. How could she complain about his school life being too hard?
No wonder so many Japanese light novels featured high schoolers saving the world. Of course they could — they had the free time for it!
"Still, I didn't think you'd actually keep going to school like normal."
"...What's that supposed to mean?"
Kotori looked at Mélusine with a lollipop in her mouth. Her black hair ribbon indicated she was currently in Commander mode.
"I mean, didn't I take out that executive director of DEM? And Ellen's in your custody now too. DEM must be at its weakest point ever. I figured Ratatoskr wouldn't miss a chance like this — you'd all be busy dismantling their operations."
As Mélusine finished, she noticed Kotori giving her a rather strange look.
"I'm honestly surprised you can even say something like that."
Kotori had always known Mélusine's thought patterns didn't follow conventional logic. Despite her overwhelming power, she often misunderstood things humans took for granted. It was evident even in daily life — common human reasoning, like conspiracy theories or political maneuvering, completely escaped her.
Why bother with schemes when you were born strong? Just show your strength and be done with it.
Maybe it's because she's still learning, Kotori thought.
Even though she'd long since recognized Mélusine's inhuman logic and instincts, Kotori had never truly seen her as a non-human entity. It had just never occurred to her to think that way.
"But you're right," Kotori admitted. "After news of Westcott's death broke, Ratatoskr's been putting most of our energy into acquiring DEM. They were the first company in the world to develop and sell Realizer Units, even before Ratatoskr was founded."
"Then shouldn't you all be incredibly busy?"
That's what puzzled Mélusine.
Trying to absorb a larger rival corporation sounded like a massive undertaking. So why did Kotori still have time for school?
"We're busy, sure. Some of those people barely even sleep."
Kotori sounded completely unfazed.
"But Ratatoskr's mission is to make peaceful contact with Spirits and resolve the spacequake threat without violence. Everything else is secondary. So this"—she gestured around them—"is my main job. Acquiring DEM might be lucrative, but it's nowhere near as important as dealing with you guys."
At the mention of profit, Kotori's tone wavered slightly. After all, not everyone in Ratatoskr had pure motives. There were already people scrambling like mad to carve up DEM's assets for themselves.
Westcott had created DEM to study Spirits. Woodman had created Ratatoskr to help them. But both organizations had ended up with their fair share of opportunistic idiots. That kind of thing was inevitable.
Just like how being smart didn't guarantee good character, being capable didn't mean you wouldn't act like a moron.
"So…" Mélusine asked, "did you all try to 'capture' Nia too?"
"Of course. There's an unsealed Spirit wandering around our base every day. How could we not try?"
Mélusine was a special case. She could integrate well into society, defend herself against AST, suppress her spacequake output, and—critically—she already had someone she loved. Plus, sealing her Spirit power would kill her.
That's way too many debuffs stacked on one character. Not even worth attempting.
But Kotori didn't think they'd encounter another case like that. So when other Spirits appeared, she wouldn't give up so easily.
And yet—
"You failed."
"How were we supposed to know her ability was that broken? No matter what kind of strategy we came up with, she always found out instantly. How are we supposed to win against that?"
Kotori crossed her arms, irritation clear in her voice.
"And then she just casually drops that she's into girls."
Mélusine blinked. Her golden eyes clouded in confusion.
She's into girls?
Wasn't Honjō Nia a full-blown 2D otaku? Had Miku rubbed off on her or something?
"If it were just that, we could've sent Shiori again... but no, she says she likes girls who are 147 cm tall, weigh 20 kilograms, have silver hair, golden eyes, refer to themselves with 'Lancelot', and possess both fairy-like beauty and knightly dignity."
As she spoke, Kotori gave Mélusine a very pointed look.
"..."
That was... absurdly specific.
You might as well just ask for my government ID at this point, Mélusine thought.
And now she understood why Nia was so fixated on her.
She was the only person Nia's Tome of Revelation couldn't fully read.
Nia despised those who approached her with malice — loathed the filth in the human heart.
But she feared those who came with kindness — afraid her ability would hurt them, or that they'd grow to hate her because of it.
That's why she loved the 2D world.
And why, in the original story, she'd longed so badly for Shidō to seal her powers.
Then Mélusine had appeared.
Nia could sense genuine goodwill from her — and yet, her Tome of Revelation couldn't fully decipher Mélusine's thoughts.
They'd even run a few tests. Anything Mélusine didn't want Nia to see would appear as redacted blacked-out blocks in the tome. They had no idea why, but Nia had been even more excited than Mélusine at the discovery.
"Still…" Mélusine asked, puzzled, "didn't your airship go in for repairs? Can you still carry out Spirit capture operations?"
"Hmph! Do you think all our support depends on the Fraxinus?"
Kotori snorted and thrust out her flat chest proudly.
"Naïve! The Fraxinus's analytical systems are just a tool. Sure, losing it affects us, but we are still here — the professionals!"
Mélusine thought to herself: Honestly, you'd be better off without those 'professionals.'
Just then, a hand suddenly plucked the lollipop from Kotori's mouth before she could react.
"Kotori. How many times do I have to tell you? No candy before breakfast. You just brushed your teeth."
Shidō stood beside her, arms akimbo, momentarily radiating genuine big-brother energy — which surprised Mélusine, given how timid she usually saw him.
If this had been White Ribbon Kotori, she might've caved instantly. But Black Ribbon Kotori — the sharp-tongued Commander — was a different beast.
"Tsk. Acting all high and mighty like a big brother... Don't tell me you're planning to sneak off and suck on your little sister's used lollipop when no one's watching, you perverted assassin bug that can't stop kissing every girl in sight."
"W-What the hell?! I'd never do something that gross! I was just trying to get you to cut back on candy!"
Mélusine blinked, quietly enjoying the sibling comedy act playing out in front of her.
"Oho! My noble companion, Dragon Knight — behold my gallant visage!"
A loud, chūni-fueled declaration echoed to the side. Mélusine turned and saw Kazamachi Kaguya striking a flamboyant pose.
With the weather getting cooler, they'd switched to their long-sleeve fall uniforms. But Kaguya wasn't wearing hers properly — she had it draped loosely over her shoulders like a cape, sleeves flapping with every dramatic motion.
It looked cool, Mélusine had to admit. She'd thought so ever since watching Nurarihyon no Mago back in the day.
Though her parents had scolded her plenty for copying that look...
"Kaguya, put your jacket on properly. If we waste more time, we'll be late."
"Aww..."
Sure enough, Kaguya wilted under Shidō's words and dutifully put on her uniform. For girls like her, Shidō really did act as the "parent" figure.
One by one, everyone filed out for school, and the house grew quiet.
"All the noisy ones are gone now..."
From raucous chaos to sudden stillness — the abrupt shift always left an odd emptiness in the heart. No matter how much time passed, it was hard to get used to.
But maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. It reminded Mélusine that at her core, she was still human — not a god, not a dragon, just someone who could feel solitude.
She began mentally reviewing her plans for the day — when she felt a small tug at the hem of her clothes.
"Lancelot onee-san..."
A soft little hand, missing its usual bunny puppet, gently tugged on her sleeve. Yoshino's watery eyes and voice as light as cotton candy could melt anyone's heart.
After all, cuteness transcended gender.
"What is it, Yoshino?"
Mélusine met her gaze directly.
"Are you having trouble with something? If so, feel free to tell me. I'd be happy to help."
She kept her voice as gentle as possible.
Yoshino's cheeks flushed pink. That look — Mélusine knew it well. She'd made it herself in the past, back in school, when she'd wanted to ask for help but been too shy to speak.
"It's just... um..."
Perhaps Mélusine's patience and warmth were working — Yoshino's voice steadied, but she still couldn't quite say what she wanted.
That's when Yoshinon spoke up.
"Well well~ Looks like this is all your fault, Lancelot."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Mélusine blinked in confusion.
Yoshinon waved dramatically.
"You made those pancakes way too good, Lancelot. After eating them, Yoshino still wants more. What a greedy little kitten she is~"
"Y-Yoshinon..."
Being called a greedy kitten made Yoshino shyly lower her head — so cute, Mélusine couldn't help wanting to pat her.
"Fufufu! It was a compliment, Yoshino. I'm sure Lancelot thinks so too, right? Our little kitten is adorable."
"She is," Mélusine affirmed without a moment's hesitation.
Yoshino's blush deepened.
"Though I suppose this was my oversight."
Mélusine rubbed her chin, looking serious.
"It's said that once a Spirit's powers are sealed, they're no different from normal girls. Which means Yoshino is still growing. If she's hungry, it could affect her development."
She patted Yoshino's head.
"Sorry. I didn't consider that properly."
"N-No, it's not your fault at all..."
Yoshino waved her hands in a panic. She'd just wanted more food, and now she was being apologized to?!
"Wait a moment. I'll make something for you."
Mélusine reluctantly pulled her hand back, though Yoshino's hair had felt lovely against her palm.
"Would more pancakes be alright?"
"Mmhm..." Yoshino nodded shyly, and Yoshinon chirped happily.
"Thanks, Lancelot~!"
Mélusine smiled faintly, waved it off, and headed back toward the kitchen.
At the same time, Honjō Nia finally stumbled in from the Spirit apartment next door — bleary-eyed and grumpy.
"Why didn't you wake me up for breakfast?!"
"I figured you needed the sleep," Mélusine replied without looking up, pulling milk and eggs from the fridge. "You stayed up late reading manga again, didn't you? And it's not like you're a student. Sleeping in a bit won't hurt you."
Nia froze.
"L-Lan-chan... You're worried about me? I'm... I'm so touched..."
"Also," Mélusine added blandly, "the last time I approached your bed, you pretended to be asleep and tried to grope me. Now I have trauma."
"You call that trauma?!"
---
T/N: changin pwoerstones tufg
Every 100 Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter.
100ps = 1 chp
200ps = 2 chp
300ps = 3 chp
etc.