After the watermelon incident, Su Xiaoqi informed Sakuragi Hanamichi that he wouldn't be returning for the match that day, asking the three of them to earn more points on their own.
In the basketball world, points were calculated based on individual scores multiplied by 30. While it didn't seem like much at first glance, given their scoring abilities, Su Xiaoqi could easily rack up tens of thousands of points in a single 40-minute game.
However, doing so would not only strip the fun from the matches but might also force the tournament committee to fast-track Shohoku's advancement—after all, no team wanted to play a game where they were just handing out free throws.
Later, when Sakuragi relayed the match results, he also passed on a message from Kawai Mari:
*"Su Xiaoqi, do you really dislike seeing me that much? I, Kawai Mari, will prove my determination to you."*
"What kind of situation is this?"
Su Xiaoqi shook his head with a bitter smile as he read the message.
At that moment, Ikaros walked up to him holding a basketball. "Master, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Su Xiaoqi smiled at her. "Ikaros, I played basketball with you earlier. Now, how about you accompany me in training?"
"Training?" Ikaros looked at him blankly.
"That's right." Su Xiaoqi grinned. "I want you to attack me in your *Uranus Queen* mode."
"Master, that's too dangerous. We Angeloids are far stronger than ordinary humans."
Su Xiaoqi chuckled before assuming a stance and roaring, transforming into his Super Saiyan form.
"Ikaros, this is my Super Saiyan state. I never got the chance to mention it before, but I'm no ordinary human. Let's see if you can keep up with my speed."
"Understood, Master."
*"Uranus Queen Mode, activated. Alpha, engage!"*
As Ikaros caught up to him effortlessly, Su Xiaoqi grinned. "How about a speed race, Ikaros?"
"Affirmative, Master."
After circling the Earth once, a faint ripple of emotion crossed Ikaros' typically expressionless face. "Master… I lost."
Su Xiaoqi patted her head. "You did great. I had to train hard to reach this level. Now, attack me with everything you've got—no holding back. That's an order."
"Acknowledged, Master."
Ikaros' power impressed Su Xiaoqi. While he wasn't sure how combat strength was calculated in a comedic harem anime like *Heaven's Lost Property*, her offensive capabilities did pose a legitimate challenge.
The only downside was that this version of Ikaros hadn't yet evolved into her later forms—otherwise, she'd be even stronger.
"Master is strong. I cannot win," Ikaros stated plainly. "Astraea's close-combat abilities would better assist Master's training."
"That super airhead?"
An image of a blonde, buxom, and hopelessly dimwitted Angeloid flashed through Su Xiaoqi's mind.
*Stupid? Absolutely. But her melee prowess would indeed be more useful for training.*
"Ikaros… do you ever feel lonely being summoned here? You might never see the others again."
Ikaros shook her head. "I have Master. Let's go home."
Su Xiaoqi smiled. "I'll protect you from now on, Ikaros. Come on, let's head back."
Watching his retreating figure, Ikaros' lips curled into a rare smile. "Yes, Master."
---
For the next three days, Su Xiaoqi split his time between training and playing with Ikaros, who, in turn, watched over his sessions and occasionally sparred with him.
That morning, Su Xiaoqi woke up to find Ikaros curled up beside him—*again*.
No matter how many times he told her not to sneak into his bed at night, it never worked. Locking the door? Nailing it shut? None of it mattered. Every morning, she'd still be there.
"Ikaros, today we're going to San-san's world. Once we're there, you *cannot* sleep in my bed anymore. Understood?"
"Understood, Master."
*"Sigh."*
Her robotic reply told him she hadn't processed a word. He could already imagine the storm Kurumi would raise when she found out.
After informing Sakuragi that he wouldn't return until Shohoku faced Shoyo, Su Xiaoqi took Ikaros to Kurumi's *Date A Live* world.
---
"Darling~ I've waited *three whole days*! You owe me compensation!"
Su Xiaoqi smirked. "Then maybe I should just leave. Ikaros keeps me company now."
Kurumi eyed the watermelon-toting Angeloid and scoffed. "No matter how good she is, can she compare to *me*? I'll warm your bed every night~"
"Cut it out. We're not at *that* stage yet."
Just then, Ikaros interjected flatly, "Master sleeps with me."
Su Xiaoqi froze. Kurumi's eye twitched.
"San-san, if I said this is a misunderstanding… would you believe me?"
Kurumi's smile turned icy. "I waited *three days* because you said you needed to train. And *this* is what you were doing? **Cheating on me?!**"
"I'm telling Zhuqing and the others! Prepare for a **four-woman tribunal!**"
Su Xiaoqi grabbed her wrist. "Wait! At least let me explain—no, *defend* myself!"
Kurumi crossed her arms. "Fine. But you'll follow *this world's rules* for apologies."
"And what rules are those?"
"**Kissing.** That's our world's theme."
Su Xiaoqi deadpanned. "Don't bullshit me. I've watched *Date A Live*—the theme is *dating*."
Kurumi huffed. "Every date ends with a kiss, doesn't it? **Same difference.**"
"Can you *please* watch your language?"
"Blame that **silver-haired idiot** in the group chat! Even Zhuqing and Linglong talk rougher now!"
She leaned in, grinning. "Now, **kiss me**, and I'll keep this quiet. Otherwise… how will the others react when they learn you've been *doing things* with Ikaros every night?"
"**We didn't do anything!**"
Kurumi turned to Ikaros. "Do you sleep with Master every night?"
Ikaros nodded. "Affirmative."
"See? Even if you *didn't* do anything, who'd believe it?"
Gritting his teeth, Su Xiaoqi relented. "…Fine. Close your eyes."
"Yay~"
As Kurumi puckered up, Su Xiaoqi smirked—and pressed Ikaros' watermelon against her lips.
"Mmh?! **This texture—?!**"
Her eyes flew open to see **green rind**.
"**PFFT—!**" Wiping her mouth furiously, she glared. "Darling! You made my **first kiss** a **watermelon?!**"
Before she could rage further, Su Xiaoqi gently kissed her for real.
"Still angry?"
Kurumi blinked dazedly. "…Again? That was too short."
Su Xiaoqi laughed. "You said *one kiss*. Now, can I explain?"
"No need." Kurumi sighed. "We all know Ikaros' personality from the anime. I just wanted to see if you **cared**."
"**You little schemer.** So, what's the plan? Should I kill the First Spirit for you?"
Kurumi shook her head. "No rush. With you here, we can deal with her anytime."
She grinned. "For now… let's go **Spirit hunting**."