Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers

It was Monday morning, and the town was bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. A gentle breeze carried the crisp scent of early autumn, rustling the golden leaves that clung stubbornly to the trees lining the quiet streets. The faint chirping of birds echoed in the distance, blending with the occasional rustle of a passing breeze.

Shido and Kotori walked side by side on their way to school, their footsteps were light against the street. Normally, Tohka would be with them, clinging to Shido acting spoiled as usual, but today was different.

Reine had called her up to Fraxinus for a routine check on her emotional levels, leaving Shido and Kotori alone together in the tranquil morning air.

As for Yoshino, she was also at the Fraxinus with Tohka. Since she had no one to talk to in the apartment except for Yoshinon, Reine decided to bring her along.

Two days had passed since their hot spring trip, yet the memories from that night still lingered in everyone's minds. They had returned the following morning, as Reine and Kotori had pressing duties aboard the Fraxinus, while Shido and Tohka had school to attend.

However, the journey home was wrapped in an unusual atmosphere.

Reine was driving the car while Shido occupied the passenger seat beside her. He had chosen this spot intentionally, to keep his distance from the potential chaos brewing in the backseat, where Kotori, Tohka, Origami, and Yoshinon were gathered.

Tohka was happily talking with Yoshino as if nothing happened last night. She was laughing as she talked like a cheerful girl. Yoshino, on the other hand looked a bit shy when she talked with Tohka, fortunately, Yoshinon also entertained Tohka.

As for Origami, she was behind Reine's seat, glancing at Shido's direction without saying anything as if she was a stalker. This caused Shido to be at loss as Origami was being Origami again.

Meanwhile, Kotori sat silently by the window, resting her chin on her hand as if the events of that night had no effect on her. Her expression was calm and indifferent but deep inside, she felt anything but composed.

No matter how much she tried to ignore it, the memory of what she had seen refused to fade. It left an awkward tension lingering in her chest, making it impossible for her to meet Shido's gaze directly.

Whenever he wasn't looking, she stole quick glances at him, only to immediately avert her eyes the moment he turned her way. 

Kotori scoffed when she saw him chatting with Reine who was letting out a graceful laugh from time to time made Kotori grit her teeth in frustration thinking that it was all his fault for showing her such perverted scene.

It was completely different from how she previously saw it when he did it with Tohka. However, this time, Origami was with them causing Kotori's mind to be in chaos as she didn't expect the three of them to be actually doing that kind of thing together. 

Kotori wanted to scold the three for being shameless, however, she herself also watched them for a few minutes making her embarrassed of her own action.

...

"Kotori?" Shido asked with a wry smile.

Kotori had been glaring at his back with an unkind expression, as if he were nothing more than trash. Shido had a pretty good idea why, no doubt it was because of what had happened that night during their stay at the hot spring resort. But, Shido decided to act like he didn't know anything.

Still, who told her to peek on them while they were doing their evening exerciser? 

"What?" Kotori snapped, her crimson eyes shifting toward Shido as he walked beside her.

Yet, despite that, Kotori maintained her usual strong front in her commander mode.

Shido found himself kind of missing her imouto mode, it had been a while since he last saw that side of Kotori. Lately, she had been wearing her black ribbon almost all the time, meaning she was constantly in commander mode.

In this state, her personality was a bit unpredictable, often leading to absurd situations that gave Shido a headache. Yet, he had to admit, Kotori was a talented commander of Fraxinus since she could lead and earn the trust of members of Fraxinus in such a young age.

He couldn't say he disliked her strong and domineering attitude. In fact, he found it rather cute, especially when she got embarrassed despite trying to act tough.

"Well… You've been staring at me for some time now. Do you have something you want to ask me?" Shido asked with a wry smile.

"Ask you? Heh! You should already know what I want to ask, right? Perverted brother." Kotori sneered, locking eyes with his dumbfounded expression.

Seeing his reaction, Kotori inwardly nodded in satisfaction. It was as if she had caught him red-handed, guilty of some unspeakable act.

"..."

"What? Can't say anything? Well, I don't really care." Kotori scoffed, crossing her arms as she continued walking, her crimson twin-tails swaying with each step.

Hearing her provocative words, Shido's lips twitched. 'You were the one who peeked at us! And now you're acting like I'm the guilty one? You say you don't care, but you keep throwing hints for me to explain myself!'

Shido was completely speechless.

He really wanted nothing but to spank her little butt right now to teach his cheeky little sister a lesson.

Shido watched her petite figure march ahead, her confident stride contrasting with the faint blush on her cheeks.

"You really are uncute…" he muttered with a helpless smile.

Still, no matter how much of a tsundere she was, she was his adorable little sister.

"Wait up, Kotori!" Shido called out, quickening his pace to catch up.