Chapter 79

Hearing his sister's voice calling his name, Shido had no choice but to obediently nod.

----------------This is the dividing line for the relocation

"Tohka, please open the door! It was all a misunderstanding!"

The next morning, Shido was knocking on the tightly closed door of the guest room at the far end of the second-floor corridor.

Since returning yesterday, Tohka has been staying in her room and hasn't left the house.

No matter how much Shido called out to Tohka, she did not respond.

It's like watching a sulking child, leaving you feeling utterly helpless.

"Sigh~ It still doesn't work after all?"

He had knocked on the door countless times, and after numerous unsuccessful attempts, Shido lowered his head in despair.

Meanwhile, Lingmeng, who was watching TV on the sofa on the second floor, sighed after hearing Shido's sigh.

"Ah, not only do I have to recruit new concubines, but I also have to appease the ones I've already taken. Being a harem male lead must be really tough!"

"Ugh... Tohka is still completely ignoring me..."

Back in the first-floor living room, Shido's face was etched with exhaustion.

"Hey, Shido."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Shido looked up at Lingmeng.

"Should I help you persuade Tohka?"

"Huh!?"

Shido's eyes widened at Lingmeng's sudden request.

Why are you so surprised? Don't you want my help?

Shido quickly waved his hand.

"No, no. I was just a little surprised that you suddenly wanted to help, Lingmeng. After all, you usually give me the impression of being someone who wouldn't help someone in distress and always wants to stir up trouble..."

"Huh? What did you say?"

Lingmeng frowned slightly, clearly displeased.

"I'm... sorry..."

Realizing he had unconsciously blurted out his inner thoughts, Shido awkwardly scratched his cheek.

"Well, never mind."

Lingmeng shrugged and continued.

"Based on my observations over the past few days, Tohka seems to be the type who gets jealous easily and is also easily provoked. In that case, we just need to address her symptoms."

Thinking back to the scenes of Tohka and Origami's interactions, it seems that's indeed the case, isn't it?

Shido tilted his head in confusion.

"Treat the symptoms? What do you mean?"

"Just wait and see what good news I have. If I fail, I'll livestream myself wearing School Swimsuit and White Stockings while performing the 'Gokuraku Jodo' dance!"

Without answering Shido's question, Lingmeng simply patted her shoulder lightly. Then, after making a bold statement, she stepped onto the stairs to the second floor.

Although I don't know what exactly the Pure Land of Bliss that Lingmeng was talking about is.

However, upon hearing about White Stockings and School Swimsuit, Shido realized that Lingmeng seemed to be serious this time.

Well, the reason Lingmeng helped is actually quite simple: if Tohka wouldn't open the door, wouldn't she have nowhere to sleep?

Although Kotori also said that Lingmeng could temporarily return to the quarantine area for a few days before Tohka calmed down.

But Lingmeng was supposed to stay here with Kotori, and she didn't want to go back on her word.

Um... sleeping with Kotori seems pretty nice though (laughs).

(Lingmeng seems quite confident, doesn't she? Could it be because 'women understand women better'?)

Shido thought to himself.

If Shido knew what Lingmeng was thinking right now, Lingmeng 'd probably give him a good beating (referring to punching his face).

"Ah... right, it seems we're running low on groceries. I need to go buy some. Is Lingmeng alright?"

With a sudden realization, Shido clapped his hands, glanced nervously at the second floor, and then grabbed his umbrella and wallet.

Thinking to himself, "If Lingmeng really succeeds, I'll make her something delicious to reward her?" Shido opened the door and went out.

----------------This is a dividing line for shifting perspectives

"Knock knock knock..."

Arriving at the far end of the living room, in front of the door with the words "Tohka" and "Lingmeng" written on it, Lingmeng gently knocked on the door.

"Hey- Tohka, come out and let's talk about our life goals!"

Didn't I already tell you not to bother me?

An unpleasant sound came from inside the door. It seemed Tohka was mistaking her for Shido.

"Ah, I'm not Shido ~"

"... Is it Lingmeng?"

"Um."

Seemingly noticing that the speaker was not Shido, but Lingmeng Tohka retracted her previous tone and spoke apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Lingmeng... I need some peace and quiet right now... Could you please not talk to me for a while?"

"Zhongsheng: 'My little V icon is finally back. Tears welling up.'"

Chapter Twenty-Six: Harem Harmonizer

Seeing that Tohka seemed to intend to stay inside, Lingmeng could only sigh helplessly.

"Oh dear, throwing a tantrum isn't a good idea."

Tohka voice came from inside the door.

"I... I wasn't throwing a tantrum..."

"Still saying you don't?"

"Waaah..."

Lingmeng sat down on the floor and then leaned her back against the door.

"Hey... Tohka, can you tell me why you're so angry?"

"Hmm... actually, I'm not too sure either."

Lingmeng gave me a knowing look.

"Well, I think I know pretty much everything. You're feeling a bit resentful because you saw Shido kissing that girl, right?"

"..."

Tohka remained silent, which seemed to imply her agreement.

"Oh, it was all just an accident. I can promise you that."

"This must be a lie you told to help Shido, Lingmeng..."

"Why would I bother Shido that kid Shido if I had nothing better to do? If you think I'm just talking nonsense, you can go ask Kotori for the video footage from back then."

Despite Tohka's suspicions, Lingmeng remained calm and handled the situation with composure.

"Even if that's really the case, Shido probably values that girl more than I do... He was willing to risk such a huge threat to come out and see her..."

"Then can you explain to me why he still tried to save you yesterday? If he really didn't care about you, he wouldn't have risked his life to push you away."

"!!!"

Lingmeng's words stirred up Tohka's memories, and it seemed that what she said was indeed true.

If Lingmeng hadn't been there, Shido would probably have ended up with a huge hole in his body, just like when he sealed himself away last month.

"I... I didn't ask Shido to save me..."

Tohka hugged the Kinako Bread pillow tightly, speaking haltingly.

Looks like I'll have to use my trump card...

Lingmeng shrugged and said, "Tohka, actually that child is a spirit just like us. We don't need any proof, right? After all, she summoned Angel right in front of us."

"..."

Upon hearing the word "elf," Tohka hugged the pillow even tighter.

As an elf, she naturally understood what this title represented.

Before meeting Shido, she lived a life constantly being hunted and hated by others.

Anxiety, pain, despair... and other negative emotions almost consumed her completely.

If Shido and Lingmeng hadn't intervened in his life, his spirit would probably be almost completely worn down by now.

"Ahem, actually, I understand how you feel. After all, it's really not a pleasant feeling when someone you care about is talking to you one second and then runs off to someone else the next."

However, one cannot judge a book by its cover; one must carefully understand the cause and effect before speaking out.

Well, this happened because nobody told you which child was an elf. So you don't need to blame yourself too much."

"Um..."

Lingmeng's expression shifted, and then she spoke.

"Tohka, I have one last question for you."

"What's the problem?"

"What exactly is the reason you like Shido?"

"... Because Shido doesn't care about my identity. Even if the world rejects me, he will affirm me even more... He's even willing to risk his life for me..."

"Yes... how could I forget... the one who saved me, the one I love—isn't that Shido?"

Have you finally figured it out?

Seemingly sensing the change in Tohka's mood, Lingmeng's lips curled up slightly.

Then--

"It seems you've figured it out. I won't say anything more; you can come to your own conclusions."

After giving her a pep talk, Lingmeng stood up, wanting to leave as gracefully as an anime Protagonist.

But--

"Snap--"

Just then, Tohka suddenly flung open the door from inside the room.

"Waaaaahhhhhh..."

Lingmeng was sent flying by the force of the impact. After a beautiful parabola, she landed headfirst on the ground with her buttocks sticking up.

(Why... why is this happening...?)

Feeling the pain on her face, Lingmeng looked like she was about to cry.

"Lingmeng, I've made up my mind! I'm going to apologize to Shido —wait, why are you in such a weird pose?"

Seeing Lingmeng's comical appearance, Tohka tilted her head in confusion.

(It's all your fault.)

She propped herself up with her hands and patted her clothes. Lingmeng gave an awkward smile.

"Um... don't mind it."