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

Shido shook his head and turned Lingmeng down.

"What guest? I'm just here for a free meal." Without waiting for Shido to agree, Lingmeng snatched the kitchen knife from his hand and began chopping vegetables with practiced ease.

She was just that helpful, after all... Okay, fine. Lingmeng was only afraid she would die of boredom if she kept sitting there doing nothing.

"Um..." Shido was about to say something, but when he saw Lingmeng's masterful knife skills, he closed his mouth.

"You can cook, Lingmeng?" Shido asked in surprise.

"Surprised? I really can cook. Why else would I go to a department store to buy ingredients? Wouldn't it be easier to eat at a restaurant? Well, I don't have the money for that, either."

Lingmeng chuckled. Her parents had died, and she had never had much money for takeout. If she wanted to fill her stomach, she had to cook for herself. Over time, she had gotten good at it.

"All right... If you can cook, come help me." After a moment's hesitation, Shido decided to let Lingmeng help.

Normally, Shido could have prepared a meal for four without much trouble. Tohka's presence, however, had turned that simple task into a formidable one.

He knew just how much Tohka could eat. Making enough food by himself would be a huge challenge.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get moving." Lingmeng picked up the knife again and threw herself into the fray.

Shido smiled at the sight and got back to work, too.

Before long, all the dishes were ready.

"Wow, did Shido and Lingmeng make all this? It looks delicious!"

"Big Brother and Lingmeng are amazing!"

Tohka and Kotori exclaimed as they looked over the spread of dishes.

"Haha... It's nothing. I only finished so quickly because Lingmeng helped me." Shido scratched his cheek and laughed awkwardly.

"Oh, it was no big deal." Lingmeng waved a hand, then picked up her chopsticks. "Time to eat."

With that, Lingmeng picked up a piece of hamburger steak and put it in her mouth.

"This is so good. As expected of my cooking."

The satisfaction of taking a big bite of meat filled Lingmeng's face with delight.

You'll Make a Wonderful Wife Someday!

"Mmm— I didn't expect Shido and Lingmeng's cooking to be this good!"

Tohka devoured her food with her chopsticks. Kotori took a few bites and said contentedly,

"You're really good at cooking, Lingmeng!"

"Oh, it's nothing—" Lingmeng said shyly. But Kotori's next words hit her like a bolt from the blue.

"You'll make a wonderful wife someday, Lingmeng! If you marry Big Brother, I'll get to eat your cooking every day."

"Pfft—!" Shido, who had been eating, spat out his food.

"What's wrong, Big Brother? You shouldn't waste food."

Kotori turned to Shido with a slight frown.

"You're asking me what's wrong? Why would you say that to a guest out of nowhere?"

Shido wiped his mouth with a napkin, his voice rising.

"But I really like Lingmeng." Kotori gave him a pitiful look.

"You still can't say that..." The sight of Kotori like that softened Shido's heart.

Even in little-sister mode, you're still trying to get me to date Shido? I really can't let my guard down for a second.

The corner of Lingmeng's mouth twitched. She smoothed her expression and said, "It's fine, Shido. Kotori's still a kid. Don't take what she says too seriously."

"All right... If you say so, Lingmeng, I'll let it go..."

Shido thought he was being a little too lenient, but he decided to leave it at that.

Kotori struck a victory pose. "Yes!"

"Shido, Lingmeng, what does 'marry' mean? If you both marry me, will I get to eat your cooking every day?"

Tohka's eyes suddenly lit up as she asked.

"..." All three fell silent—not just Shido and Lingmeng, but Kotori, too.

What could they say? Tohka's mind worked in ways no one else's did.

By then, Shido and the others had finished dinner, and night had fallen.

Lingmeng and Tohka sat on the sofa, chatting and laughing about recent events, while Shido headed to the sink and cheerfully washed the dishes.

"Hey, Shido." At some point, Kotori had appeared beside him.

"That tone of voice... Don't tell me..." Shido muttered, turning to look at her.

Sure enough, Kotori had switched to her black ribbons and entered her cool Commander Mode. Her adorable little-sister mode had taken a back seat.

"I knew it..." Shido's mouth twitched as he set down the last plate.

"You know, I'm surprised. I'd only just told you about Element Maker, and the very next moment you ran into her. Your luck is so ridiculous I almost wondered if you were the protagonist of some harem anime."

Kotori put an unwrapped Chupa Chups in her mouth as she spoke.

"I don't think I am... At least, I hope not..." Shido said with a wry smile.

"Anyway, let's put that aside." Kotori glanced at Lingmeng, who was playing with Tohka in the living room. "Have you asked Element Maker out on a date yet?"

"Uh... Well..." Shido scratched his cheek, breaking into a sweat.

"So you haven't." Kotori sighed helplessly. "I must have been a fool to place even a shred of hope in a herbivore virgin like you."

"Sorry to disappoint you!"

"Sigh. If you haven't asked her yet, do it in a little while."

With that, Kotori left the kitchen, swapped her black ribbons for white ones, and returned to the living room.

"Ask her in a little while? What's that supposed to mean?" Shido muttered, his face darkening.

"Um... It's getting late. I should head back." Lingmeng glanced at the Clock on the wall.

"Huh? You're leaving, Lingmeng?" Tohka looked reluctant to see her go.

"Yeah. I shouldn't stay out too late." Lingmeng smiled and patted Tohka on the head.

"...Okay! Then come visit again sometime!"

"Sure, no problem." Lingmeng stood up to leave.

"Big Brother, why don't you walk Lingmeng home? It's not very safe for a girl to go home alone this late."

Seeing Lingmeng about to leave, Kotori spoke to Shido beside her.

"...Oh, right." Shido paused, then agreed. He knew exactly why Kotori wanted him to walk Lingmeng home.

It had nothing to do with her claim that it was unsafe. She wanted him to use the chance to ask Lingmeng on a date.

"You don't have to. I'll be fine on my own." Lingmeng waved a hand.

"Lingmeng, let me walk you home..."

"All right. If you insist, come along."

Lingmeng didn't know why Shido was suddenly acting this way, but she agreed.

"I'm leaving, then. Hurry up and catch up." With that, Lingmeng headed for the front door.

"Okay. Kotori, Tohka, I'll be right back." Shido hurried after her.

"Be careful out there, Big Brother!" "Be careful, Shido!"

"So this is where you've been staying these past few days, Lingmeng?"

Shido had arrived outside Lingmeng's Hotel. Looking at the rather small building, he asked her the question.

"Yeah. I don't have money to spare on a fancy Hotel. This place is a little small, but it's nice enough, and the price fits my budget. So I decided to stay here."

"I see..." Shido murmured.

"Well, you've walked me here. You can go home now, right?"

Seeing that Shido still didn't seem ready to leave, Lingmeng urged him on.

"Uh... Well..."

"What's with the 'uh'? If you have something to say, just say it."

Shido hesitated. After a long struggle with himself, he finally mustered the courage to blurt out,

"Ling... Lingmeng, if you have time... would you go... would you go on a date with me in a few days?!"

Shido lowered his head in embarrassment.

Lingmeng merely tilted her head and gave him a baffled look. "Huh? Why?"

"B-because you're a Spirit, aren't you?" Shido stammered.

"So you already know?" Lingmeng sighed. "Your sister told you, didn't she? Just how determined is she?"

"Yeah..." Shido admitted.

"Hey, Shido. If I told you the Spirit called Element Maker was my twin sister, would you believe me?"

"Uh... Well... Sorry, I don't think I would," Shido replied, shaking his head.

"Tch. I guess I can't fool you after all." Lingmeng looked up at the pitch-black sky with a wry smile.

I Thought We Were Bros, and You Want to Get with Me?

"Well, I am a Spirit, but I'm not going on a date with you."

Lingmeng shrugged and spoke casually.

"W-why?" Shido asked, confused by the rejection.

"You're asking why?" Lingmeng sounded suddenly furious. "I thought we were bros, and you're trying to get with me? And you're asking why? Get lost!"

"You've got it wrong, Lingmeng... That's not what I meant..." Shido hurried to explain.

"Haha, I'm kidding. You're so easy to fool."

Lingmeng laughed in amusement, her expression instantly returning to normal.

"So you were joking..." Shido's mouth twitched. He didn't find it funny.

"Yeah. I know why you want to date me. You want to seal my Spirit Power so I won't cause any more Spacequakes."

"How did you know, Lingmeng?" Shido looked a little surprised.

"Your sister told me. Well, I could've found out with my abilities anyway."

"I see..." Shido fell silent for a moment, then said, "I know you don't want to cause Spacequakes and hurt people, Lingmeng. So why..."

Why? I can't exactly tell you I used to be a guy, so I'm not interested in you, can I?

Lingmeng grumbled inwardly, then spoke.

"No reason. I just don't want to. Even if we did go on a date, I might not like you enough for you to seal my power. So let's forget it."

That was Lingmeng's answer. She could now control the frequency and range of Spacequakes to some extent, but that didn't mean she would never cause another one.

Lingmeng truly hated the thought of countless people dying or losing their homes because of her.

If all it took to seal her power was a hug or holding hands, Lingmeng would gladly agree. After all, that would be better for everyone.