I Became a Spirit in Date A Live, but I Refuse to Go on Dates

"And while you're on your date with Kotori, I'll take Tohka and the others somewhere nearby to have fun. Don't worry."

With that, Lingmeng turned and walked toward Kotori and the others.

"All right, we've talked enough. Time to go~"

"Right."

Shido nodded and followed Lingmeng.

"So Reine sent you here?"

"Yep, that's right!"

"Hmm..."

Meanwhile, Kotori was just as puzzled as Shido by their sudden arrival.

After a few questions, Tohka and Yoshino told her what had happened.

"Reine actually took it upon herself to arrange this...?"

Kotori muttered, frowning slightly.

Reine was usually a stickler for the rules, but today she had made her own arrangements.

Kotori wasn't angry over something like this. She just found it strangely novel.

Noticing her expression, Tohka and Yoshino grew worried.

"Um... Kotori, you don't look very happy."

"Did... did we cause you trouble by coming along...?"

"Oh—"

Realizing she had worried them without meaning to, Kotori hurried to explain.

"Not at all. Honestly, I feel better with you two here. I'd be worried leaving the other two alone in the apartment."

"Mm! Then that's a relief!"

"Okay... Sorry for the trouble..."

Tohka and Yoshino both relaxed.

Kotori could only give them a wry smile.

"Hey~ We're back."

At the sound of that voice, they looked up and saw Lingmeng and Shido returning.

"Oh, Lingmeng, what were you talking about with Shido?"

"Nothing much. Just something small."

Tohka asked innocently, and Lingmeng gave her a vague answer.

When Lingmeng looked at Kotori, she paused.

"Stare—"

She even said the word aloud as she fixed her gaze on Kotori.

"Um..."

Under Lingmeng's unwavering stare, Kotori felt awkward from head to toe. She asked with an embarrassed look,

"Lingmeng, why do you keep staring at me...? Is there something on my face?"

"Did