Koushi contentedly chewed the fried chicken he had "borrowed" from Shido, savoring the tender, juicy meat beneath the crispy skin, and the perfectly balanced seasoning blossoming on his tongue.
I have to say, Shido's cooking skills are impeccable; he's practically a born househusband.
"Mmm~ As expected, Shido's cooking is the best for my appetite. These past few days at home... wait, home?"
He timely displayed a touch of appropriate confusion, muttering to himself, "What did I even eat these past few days at home?"
He successfully maintained the image of an ordinary person experiencing a "temporary memory blank," flawlessly.
However, when he secretly lifted his eyes to observe Shido's reaction, he couldn't help but be taken aback.
(Huh? Why did this guy's eyes suddenly light up? And they look so resolute? As if he's found his life's purpose?)
Koushi was utterly bewildered.
(That's wrong. According to the'script' and common sense, after experiencing the ultimate blow yesterday—the 'White Moonlight's fall and self-destruction'—shouldn't this guy be sinking into a longer period of depression and self-doubt?)
(Even with Kotori, that brother-complex sister, guiding him, there's no reason for him to recover this quickly, right? Did Kotori give him a'Slap of Love' last night? Or... did she slap him too hard?)
While subtly snatching another sausage roll, he rapidly scanned the relevant "plot points" in his mind.
(Wait a minute... I seem to have overlooked some crucial information...)
A fact he had deliberately (or rather, selectively forgotten due to his 'chaos-seeker' mentality) struck his thoughts like a belated bolt of lightning.
(I am... the first.)
(Before Tohka officially appeared and began Shido's formal sealing journey, it was I, Phoenix-in Chinatsu, who, in this dramatic manner, first carved such a deep impression into Shido's heart—albeit the mark of a 'Fallen White Moonlight.')
(Although I haven't'successfully sealed' him yet, judging by the chronological order and emotional impact... I seem to be the first Spirit that Shido has taken'seriously'?)
(This is bad, this is bad, this is bad!)
A sudden, inexplicable chill shot up his spine, making Koushi nearly drop his chopsticks.
(This script is wrong! According to the original route, Tohka is the fated Main Heroine, the foundation and cornerstone of Shido's harem! What am I now? A latecomer who seized the initiative and came with a tragic backstory Buff... The Main Heroine?)
(Could it be... because my butterfly wings flapped, causing the worldline convergence to deviate, and now I'm going to replace Tohka as the first, most special, and possibly even... Main Heroine in Shido's heart?!)
(Crap, I became the Main Heroine?!)
The moment this possibility occurred to him, Koushi suddenly felt that the sausage roll in his mouth no longer tasted good.
(Are you kidding me! I just came here to seek chaos... and fix my core, by the way! I never intended to genuinely get involved in this kind of troublesome emotional vortex, let alone in the most problematic role of the Fallen White Moonlight!)
He subconsciously shuddered and quickly expelled the terrifying thought from his mind.
(No, no! I have to find a way to correct this! I need to get Shido's attention back on the 'right track'!)
(But... how should I handle this? Should I jump out again, as Chinatsu, and tell him,'Sorry, you're a nice guy, but I actually like girls'? That would be too much chaos, and the risk is even higher!)
(Or... should I hope that Tohka appears quickly and uses her pure cuteness and powerful foodie nature to forcibly reverse the situation?)
Koushi looked at Shido across the table, who had regained his fighting spirit due to a sliver of hope, and his mood was extremely complicated.
(Sigh, that's why innocent boys are... the most troublesome. Give them a little sunshine and they bloom; give them a little memory and they treat it as eternal.)
(Forget it, I'll take it one step at a time. Anyway, right now I'm the 'amnesiac' Koushi. As long as I keep playing dumb and maintain the persona of a 'good buddy,' it should... probably... maybe... not cause any major problems, right?)
He forcibly suppressed the chill and the urge to complain, putting back on his carefree smile—the smile of someone enjoying his best friend's feeding—and said to Shido:
"Hey, Shido, don't just watch me eat! Your lunch is going to get cold if you don't eat it! This piece of fried chicken is mine; you're not allowed to take it back!"
Saying this, he quickly grabbed the last piece of fried chicken, stuffed it into his mouth, and used exaggerated chewing motions to conceal the turmoil in his heart.
(In short, I'll enjoy the food in front of me first. As for the Main Heroine position... whoever wants that troublesome spot can have it! Future problems are for my future self. My current self, Koushi Hōoin (Chinatsu), is only responsible for causing chaos and seeking fun!)
He made up his mind, determined not to get involved in this mess. However, the gears of fate seemed to have already begun slowly turning in a direction he had not anticipated.
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