Souta was still puzzled by Shiori Itsuka's early departure.
He had expected the one talking to her to be Origami Master, not Little Origami.
Given how obsessed the former was with Shiori, there was no way that date should've gone wrong.
When he asked about it, Origami's face turned red again.
She hesitated for a few seconds before speaking, clearly embarrassed.
"Because... the other me... she made some extreme demands to Shiori."
"First, she insisted they get a hotel room before she'd agree to a kiss."
"She even licked her lips in front of Shiori and claimed that to seal the reiryoku, it had to be a French kiss or she wouldn't do it at all."
"She also said they had to be completely undressed while kissing…"
Origami's voice got quieter and quieter until she stopped altogether and concluded, flustered:
"Anyway! I was afraid she'd go too far, so I took control back and told Shiori we'd continue the date tomorrow."
"…" Souta was silent for a few seconds.
As expected of Origami Master, he could already picture Shiori's utterly bewildered face.
Who was seducing who? It was pretty obvious.
"You don't mind letting Shiori seal your reiryoku?" Souta asked.
"I don't care. I can't use that power anyway; only the other me can. I have no control over it," Origami replied nonchalantly.
"Alright then," Souta changed the subject quickly, "I came here to check on you. Since everything's fine, I'll get going."
"Huh?" Origami grew anxious. "Souta, do you… do you have something urgent to deal with?"
"Yes. Something big," Souta didn't hide it. "I'm meeting with Shiori and the others to discuss how to deal with this world's main antagonist."
"Main antagonist?"
"Right, I haven't told you yet."
Souta met her curious gaze and gave her a concise explanation.
It was similar to what he'd told Miku earlier, mainly about Takamiya Mio's identity and motives, the truth behind the Spirits, and the consequences of her plan.
Origami was visibly stunned.
It took her a while to fully digest the information.
"Don't worry," Souta reassured her. "Kurumi and I will take care of it. You won't be involved."
"Kurumi-san is coming back?" Origami asked nervously.
"Yeah, she should return in a few hours," Souta nodded.
"You're going to the Itsuka house for dinner, right?"
"Yep. Kotori's still aboard the airship, so there's no point going now. Plus, Mio's up there watching, it's risky."
"There's still a few hours till dinner, so… um…"
Origami looked hopeful as she suggested, "Would you come over to my place? My parents have been wanting to thank you properly."
"Your house?" Souta considered for a moment and nodded. "Sure."
He did need somewhere to pass the time before dinner.
Origami's face lit up. "Then let's head out now. I'll go with you to the Itsuka house later too... after all, I'm a Spirit too."
As she spoke, she tried to reach for Souta's hand, hoping to link arms with him.
But she was too shy to follow through.
She cried out internally:
'Help me out here, me.'
'Will you stop interfering with me and Shiori then?'
'As long as you don't do anything too perverted… like licking... spoons or something, I'll turn a blind eye.'
'Tch, this version of me is so uptight! Fine, I'll take over, once I get us into position, I'll hand it back to you.'
'Thanks.'
After the exchange, Origami's body swayed briefly, then steadied.
She looked at Souta across the table, now decisive. She stood up and grabbed his hand, pulling him up.
"What is it, Origami?" Souta asked, surprised.
"Let's go home," she replied, mimicking the other Origami's tone as best she could.
Then she boldly wrapped her arms around Souta's and leaned against him as they walked out of the dessert shop together.
Souta was taken aback.
Five years had passed, Origami had gotten braver.
He didn't know that the one currently in control, Little Origami, had her face flushed bright red.
Though overwhelmed by shyness, she clung tightly to his arm.
Her heart was a blend of embarrassment and happiness.
Having someone you like... was such a blessing.
Sunny days are for meeting. Rainy days are for missing.
…
Souta ended up having dinner at the Tobiichi house and made polite conversation with Origami's parents.
For the next few hours, he stayed in Origami's room, chatting with the shy girl about recent events.
Once they found their old rhythm, Origami opened up more.
Master Origami from the other timeline wasn't interested in anything besides Shiori.
So she hadn't tried to take control again just lazed in the background.
Of course, what Souta didn't know was that they had switched a few times already.
Like when they played the Pocky Game.
Or when Origami pushed him onto the bed and tickled him.
There were many such moments of intimacy.
But those are side stories, not worth dwelling on.
By 6 p.m., they set out for the Itsuka house.
Since it involved matters with the Spirits, Master Origami took over, and Little Origami yielded control.
"Oh right, Origami. You heard what I told Little Origami about Takamiya Mio, didn't you?" Souta asked as they prepared to leave.
"I did," Origami replied calmly. "As long as we don't block each other out, our senses are shared."
"Then since you already know, I'll leave the negotiations and truth-telling to you. Just make sure they agree not to interfere in our battle with Mio."
"Huh?" Origami looked puzzled. "Why don't you do it yourself? And what do you mean 'just in case'… what are you worried about?"
"Just do as I say. Don't ask too many questions."
"I need a reason."
"…"
Souta had no intention of telling her the real reason.
He didn't want her laughing at his complete lack of negotiation skills. With a mysterious smile, he said:
"I can do it, sure. But if Shiori gets hurt because of me… don't say I didn't warn you."
Origami: "?"
She looked at him, more confused than ever.
"Aren't we going there to negotiate? Why would Shiori get hurt?"
Souta didn't answer.
Origami waited for a response but got none, and eventually gave up.
If it involved Shiori's safety, she could indulge Souta's weird quirks, just this once.
What a troublesome man.
"Let's go," Souta placed a hand on Origami's shoulder. "We'll teleport, saves time."