"Let me introduce you! This beautiful girl is Shido's cousin, Shiori Itsuka!"
Lingmeng gestured toward Shiori with a somewhat exaggerated flourish as she introduced her.
"Ahaha... It's nice to meet you all... Thank you for always looking after my cousin Shido."
Since Lingmeng had already arranged an identity for her, Shiori could only play along. She smiled awkwardly and gave a polite bow.
"Oh? So Itsuka has a cousin like this?"
"Now that you mention it, she does look a little like Itsuka."
"He looks so plain, but his cousin's a real beauty?"
Nodding slightly, the trio gave Shiori friendly pats.
"If Lingmeng-chan says so, we'll go with that."
"Nice to meet you, Shiori."
"We'll be counting on your help!"
"O-okay...!"
After nervously agreeing, Shiori let out a small sigh of relief.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from behind them.
"You must have done it! Tell me, where did you hide Shido?!"
"That's my question. If you dare hide anything from me, I'll make you regret it."
"Those voices sound like Tohka and Origami, don't they?"
Lingmeng murmured quietly.
Everyone turned toward the source of the voices.
Sure enough, Tohka and Origami were up ahead, glaring at each other as they argued.
"Hey~ Tohka, Origami, we're over here~"
Lingmeng waved to the two of them and called out.
Apparently hearing her, they both looked over.
Their eyes widened when they saw Shiori beside Lingmeng.
"Oh! Isn't that Shiori?!"
"..."
Since both of them had seen Shido dressed as a girl before, Shiori's presence meant he was safe.
Tohka walked up to Shiori and studied her with her arms folded.
"It's still surprising no matter how many times I see it. Shido, you actually—"
"Ahem, you know too much."
Before Tohka could finish, Lingmeng stepped in and covered her mouth