Tohka and the others took the food money Lingmeng had given them and happily headed to the temporary shop inside the shelter.
Watching the four of them leave, Lingmeng scratched her cheek and said,
"I wonder if Shido can really win over a Spirit on his own. Kotori and the others are helping him aboard the Fraxinus, but I'm still worried..."
Lingmeng had bought a little something to eat on her way back to the Itsuka Residence after school, so she wasn't particularly hungry.
Now that she suddenly had some free time, she started wondering how things were going on Shido's end.
"Well... I might as well head to the Fraxinus and watch it live."
Lingmeng sighed helplessly and ultimately decided to see for herself.
With something to eat, Tohka and the others probably wouldn't cause trouble, so she could rest easy for now.
After entering the shelter's restroom, Lingmeng used her spatial power to leave.
Meanwhile, aboard the Fraxinus, Kotori and the others were startled by Lingmeng's sudden appearance.
"Hey~ Kotori, how are things going with Shido?"
Ignoring Kotori's expression, which looked as though she had seen a ghost, Lingmeng waved and greeted her with a smile.
Only after realizing that the newcomer was Lingmeng did Kotori breathe a sigh of relief.
"Lingmeng, could you please stop popping up out of nowhere whenever you feel like it? It's scary, you know!"
Lingmeng merely smiled and rubbed her head.
"Sorry, sorry~ I've gotten Tohka and the others settled, so I came to take a look."
"Okay, thanks."
Kotori nodded lightly, then pointed at the large screen ahead.
"Shido's just about to meet the Spirit. You can watch with us."
Lingmeng made an okay gesture, then turned her attention to Shido on the screen.
After entering the Dome, Shido