"Shichen… is what Reine said true? Are you being controlled by someone?" Tohka asked worriedly, staring at him.
For a moment, everyone stopped focusing on Mio and turned their eyes to Shichen, concern written all over their faces.
"Um… it's not exactly accurate, but it's not wrong either," Shichen answered uncertainly.
"Brother, what's going on? Is it connected to the time you suddenly disappeared?" Kotori asked anxiously.
"Yeah… it's probably related."
"So it's true!"
"Then what about now?"
"Can you resist her?"
"So Reine really did something that huge…"
"If it was for the person she loves… I can understand it…"
"Hey, hey—are you guys seriously switching sides already?" Kurumi snapped, glaring at Miku and the others. "You're defending the Original Spirit now?"
"Kurumi, what's the big deal? He's fine, isn't he?" Sawa tried to calm her down.
"You can't think like that. If you judge only by the outcome, then lots of people 'did nothing wrong.'"
"Sure, but Reine did it for Sh—"
"I know!" Kurumi cut in. "I'm not saying I'll do anything unforgivable. She still needs to be held accountable—just… not too harshly."
"Kurumi really is kind," someone murmured.
"I'm doing it for Shichen, okay?" Kurumi huffed.
"Oh~ so Kurumi really likes Shichen," Sawa teased.
"Sawa!" Kurumi yelled, blushing.
Origami's voice turned cold. "This is about Shichen. Can you two be serious for once?"
"S-sorry…" Sawa apologized immediately.
"Sorry. So what do you plan to do?" Kurumi asked Origami. "We're in similar situations."
"I have my own plan," Origami said. "But Shichen comes first."
"You don't have to 'pledge loyalty' like that," Kurumi said. "Shichen's feelings for all of us are basically the same."
"I'm genuinely worried about Shichen," Origami replied flatly. "This isn't some 'main-wife rivalry' like you're imagining."
"I never said anything about that."
"What's a 'main wife'?" Tohka asked, confused.
"Don't mind them," Kotori said. "Brother is the important thing."
"Right! Shichen—what does it mean that someone is controlling you? Is it serious? Do you want us to help?"
"Well… she is controlling me," Shichen admitted, "but it was also for my sake…"
"She?"
"For your sake?"
Everyone caught the key point instantly.
"Back then, when I got separated from Mio, it was because my power had increased and I had to fuse it immediately… anyway, she only thinks from my perspective. She doesn't care about anyone else."
"So she's completely acting for Shichen…" Mio murmured.
"Yeah. She's actually kind of like you," Shichen said. "And she seems hostile toward you."
"Toward me? I see." Mio's gaze cooled. "So that's why she took you away immediately… she was jealous."
…
As expected, Mio—of all people—saw through it at once.
"Then who is this 'she,' exactly?" Tohka pressed.
"I… don't know what she truly looks like," Shichen admitted.
"Huh? You don't know?"
"She only talks to me in an unseen space. She's never appeared in front of me."
"Then—there's nothing we can do to her," Mio frowned.
"Uh… were you planning to do something to her?" Shichen asked.
"She treated me like that. I should return the favor," Mio said evenly.
"…Fair point."
Tohka blinked, then suddenly focused on the practical conclusion. "So that means Shichen is safe now, right?"
"It sounds like it," Shichen said.
Mio relaxed a little too, and Reine added, "From what Shichen described, she probably likes him a lot—just like we do."
Reine had checked with Ratziel, but found nothing—not even a trace. That only reinforced how far beyond her comprehension this mysterious "she" was.
Origami then shifted the topic back. "All right. If we're done with that, we can return to the original matter."
She stared at Mio, expression unreadable.
"… whatever punishment you want to give me, I'll accept it," Mio said humbly. "Please don't hold back."
"You said that?"
"I did."
"Then wait," Origami said calmly. "We haven't even eaten dinner yet. Shichen, aren't you going to make something to celebrate?"
"Celebrate?" Shichen blinked.
"I still have a grudge," Origami said, "but I'm not going to destroy her. We may even end up getting along. So your reunion—should be marked."
Sawa gave Origami a thumbs-up. "Wow. You're kind. No wonder you've got the same hair color as me."
"Weren't you almost killed by her?" Origami asked.
"I don't really feel it," Sawa said lightly. "I'm alive, I'm still young, and I even became a Spirit."
"That's because Shichen saved you," Kurumi emphasized, exasperated.
"And that's why I'm grateful to him," Sawa shrugged. "The rest doesn't matter."
Shichen looked at Sawa and sighed. "You don't need to force yourself to be 'fine.' If you're angry, say so. Mio won't feel right unless she makes amends."
"I'm not forcing anything," Sawa said. "But if we're doing punishments… I might have an idea." Her smile turned mischievous.
"I can accept anything," Mio said.
"Not yet," Sawa replied, glancing at Origami. "After Origami."
Shichen decided it was safe enough to leave them and headed to the kitchen. "You all… talk. I'll make dinner."
"I'll help," Reine said, following him.
Back in the living room, things grew quiet again. Mio looked at everyone—familiar, yet awkward.
Tohka, to her credit, took Mio's hand first. "Reine… I mean, Mio. Sit."
Mio looked relieved. "Tohka…"
"Wait," Miku said, remembering something. "Tohka is Mio's 'daughter,' right?"
"Then doesn't that mean Tohka is also Shichen's daughter?"
"…Uh…"
"I'm not Shichen's daughter!" Tohka protested instantly.
"Why not? Wouldn't that be fine?" Mukuro asked, honestly confused.
"Because… because…" Tohka faltered.
"Because if she were his daughter, she couldn't be with him," Reine said with a grin.
"That doesn't matter," Mukuro said bluntly. "If there's love, it's fine."
…
The room went dead silent.
"Did I say something wrong?" Mukuro asked, tilting her head.
Sawa sighed. "I thought I was the twisted one. Turns out you're worse."
Mukuro blinked, still not understanding.
…
By the time Shichen and Reine finished dinner, Mio had visibly eased into the group, and the meal itself felt warm—like a real family.
Afterward, it was already late. Since everyone had school the next day, they went to bed early.
Origami didn't go to her own room, though. She followed Shichen—along with Mio and Reine.
Once they were in Shichen's room, Shichen finally asked, "Origami… how are you going to punish Mio? Let me be included too."
"Don't worry, Shichen," Origami said, nodding. "I'll include you."
"Hm?" Shichen frowned, confused.
Mio and Reine also looked uncertain.
"Mio, Reine—whatever the punishment is, you'll accept it, right?" Origami asked.
"Yes," Mio answered.
"Then I want to witness it," Origami said calmly.
"Witness it?"
Mio and Reine froze in shock.
Shichen also went still.
~~~
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