Hidden Management Department, 3rd Floor Corridor.
Staring at the closed door before her, Miko Yotsuya made a wry face, looking at her own slightly clenched hand, then at the door, before turning to the 8-year-old girl with a black hair ribbon standing behind her, hands on her hips:
"Um... Kotori..."
"I don't think we really need to disturb the Director, do we?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The petite Kotori Itsuka, still sucking on a lollipop, let out a dissatisfied huff:
"Are you saying that among all the Spirits Luo Shu summoned, I, the Fifth Spirit, don't count?"
"That's not what I meant." Miko scratched her cheek awkwardly before explaining: "Look at you now—you're hardly in any condition to participate in operational planning, right?"
"The Director is summoning Spirits who can actually contribute to the mission, and in your current state..."
Miko glanced at Kotori Itsuka.
Though she'd grown slightly since their first meeting, Kotori still looked every bit the elementary school student.
Having a child like this involved in mystic-side operations would probably land Luo Shu in legal trouble.
And honestly, just days ago she was calling her 'Mum', but now it's all 'Miko this, Miko that', with no respect.
Where did that well-behaved Kotori go?
Not that she wanted to be called 'Mum' in high school, but she did miss the polite version of her...
As Miko silently grumbled to herself, Kotori bit down angrily on her candy:
"Do you think I want to stay in this child form?"
"It's because the page-spirit of Raziel can't fully contain my power for complete resurrection."
"But that said, by inhabiting the page-spirit's body, I can borrow some of Raziel's abilities."
"And according to Raziel's search results—plus what I squeezed out of Nia—if I form a Familia contract with Luo Shu, my power will be greatly enhanced, potentially even reaching Demigod level."
"By then, I can use my power to create a perfect body!"
Hearing Kotori Itsuka say this, Miko Yotsuya hesitated slightly before asking:
"So that's why you want to join in? To participate in this operation alongside those Demigod seniors?"
"What else?" Kotori rolled her eyes at Miko impatiently. "Or should I wait until that big idiot Luo Shu remembers me one day...?"
"I think he's already completely forgotten about me!"
As she spoke, Kotori bit down on her candy with a crunch, as if venting her frustration.
"Well... No matter how you look at it, forgetting about a Demigod candidate seems impossible, doesn't it?"
Miko appeared rather conflicted as she spoke hesitantly:
"I get the feeling Director Luo might be waiting for you to fully recover first."
"He can wait all he wants, but I won't," Kotori muttered. "Besides, there's no reason for a Chief God to refuse when a Familia comes knocking to sign a contract."
"I actually think that makes perfect sense... Surely gods don't have to accept everyone?"
No sooner had Miko finished speaking than she was met with Kotori's utterly disdainful look.
She quickly shut her mouth, offering an awkward smile as she turned away.
"Um, let me knock for you first."
With that, Miko Yotsuya lightly tapped twice on the door.
After knocking, she placed her hand on the doorknob, pushing it while calling out:
"Excuse me."
Rattle rattle!
"Eh?" Miko blinked in confusion when the doorknob refused to budge. "Why won't it open?"
Just then, a mischievous chuckle came from the adjacent doorway:
"My oh my, who could be visiting at this hour? If it isn't Miko and little Kotori~"
Hearing this, Kotori Itsuka and Miko immediately turned to see Nia Honjo peeking her head out from the neighbouring room.
At the sight of Nia, Kotori's face immediately fell as she grumbled:
"Oh, it's just you next door."
"So what's going on? Why is Luo Shu's office door locked?"
"A locked door naturally has its reasons." Nia covered her mouth with a sly grin, beckoning them over. "More importantly, what brings you two here looking for our dear Luo Shu?"
Miko immediately opened her mouth to explain, but Kotori snorted beside her:
"Cut the act!"
"Don't pretend you haven't already used Raziel to check why we're here."
Nia stuck out her tongue before fully emerging from behind her door.
Just as Kotori predicted, she was holding an open Raziel in her hands.
"Indeed, ever since regaining yourself, little Kotori has become less and less adorable."
Kotori huffed at Nia's teasing:
"Words like 'adorable' don't suit me."
"But don't change the subject. What exactly is Luo Shu doing behind closed doors?"
Nia's expression turned playfully suggestive as she smirked at Kotori:
"Are you sure you want to know?"
Kotori immediately grew wary, but before she could react, Nia cheerfully added:
"Ah-ah, no using Raziel's powers to check~ I've already blocked that function for you."
"Hehe, children should act their age~ Learning about adult matters too soon might corrupt you."
"You wretched—!!"
Kotori crunched her candy to pieces between her teeth, glaring furiously at Nia.
Just as Kotori was fuming—
Creak!
The office door suddenly swung open.
Luo Shu emerged, now dressed in casual clothes with freshly dried hair, swiftly closing the door behind him before addressing the trio in the hallway:
"What are you three doing here?"
Hearing his stern tone, Kotori instinctively retreated half a step behind Miko with a slightly awkward expression.
Miko could only sigh internally.
Where did all that fearless bravado from earlier go?
The moment Luo Shu appears, you suddenly turn timid?
Though privately amused by Kotori's behaviour, Miko's smile faded when the girl hid behind her.
This kid... might be a bit of a troublemaker...
Meanwhile, Luo Shu glanced at Nia, who had raised her hands in surrender to indicate her innocence, before turning his gaze past Kotori to Miko. His tone softened considerably as he said: "Miko, what's going on?"
"Well..."
Miko Yotsuya looked at Luo Shu with an awkward expression, torn between dragging Kotori Itsuka out from behind her and feeling reluctant to do so.
Finally, she sighed and admitted honestly:
"I heard the department has some operation going on recently, so Kotori and I thought we might be able to help..."
Hearing Miko share the blame, Kotori immediately poked her head out and said nervously:
"It was my idea!"
"Why does every other Spirit get to participate except me?!"
Luo Shu glanced down at the short redhead before him and scoffed:
"You little brat, shouldn't you be focusing on accumulating power to revive your body instead of causing trouble here?"
At being called "little brat," Kotori glared at Luo Shu indignantly, baring her small fangs:
"None of your business! Can't I join in if I want to?"
"Can't even take a little criticism." Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh. He reached out and roughly ruffled Kotori's hair, thoroughly messing up the hairstyle Miko had carefully arranged.
Under Kotori's furious gaze, Luo Shu scanned the group and said:
"Fine, since you're already here, you might as well join us."
Then he turned to Nia Honjo and said directly:
"Kurumi and the others are all here, right? Let's start the meeting."
Nia stuck out her tongue, made a face at Kotori, then turned and called into the room:
"Ladies, put down your cards~ The master wants us to prepare for a meeting~"
Hearing this, Luo Shu barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Why did this tone feel so weird...
Nia Honjo, can't you speak properly for once?!