"Shido would give everything he had for someone else, even if it cost him his life.
"The other Spirits, myself included, can live normal lives like this because of him.
"He's devoted himself to every one of us. Whatever we ask for, he does his best to make it happen if he can.
"Other people might think his behavior makes him a womanizer, but to me, he's a hero."
Lingmeng said this with her arms crossed, then gave Shido a look that said, I did my best.
Saying it outright was a little embarrassing, and words couldn't fully express how she felt.
But to Lingmeng and the other Spirits, Shido was undoubtedly the most important person in their lives.
Miku didn't seem to understand, though. She pointed at Shido.
"If it's really like Meng says, isn't that strange? Shido Itsuka, why would you help the Spirits? There's nothing in it for you, is there?"
"True..."
Shido nodded with a wry smile.
Ever since the day he met a Spirit, his life had been turned upside down.
He had even nearly died several times for their sake.
To anyone looking in, that had to seem strange.
But he had his reasons...
Shido raised his head.
"I don't want to see the Spirits in pain or sadness. They need help, so I lend them a hand.
"Even if I get nothing tangible in return, seeing them smile is enough."
That was right. He hadn't joined Ratatoskr for money or anything like that.
Seeing the sadness that Tohka and the other Spirits sometimes let slip had made him feel he couldn't just abandon them.
Most people might say he was only drawn to their looks, that he was simply after their bodies.
But only Shido knew how he truly felt.
Lingmeng, Tohka, Yoshino,