Chapter 3: Life at the Spirit Mansion

The sun was setting over Tengu City, casting long shadows across the upscale apartment complex located right next to the Itsuka household. This was the "Spirit Mansion," a special residence built by Ratatoskr to house the Spirits.

It was secure. It was luxurious. And for Shido Itsuka, it was his new prison.

"This is absurd," Shido muttered, staring up at the building. He was holding a suitcase in one hand and a stuffed rabbit (Yoshinon’s spare) in the other.

"Stop complaining," Kotori said, sucking on a Chupa Chups. She stood by the entrance, dressed in her casual clothes. "Reine’s analysis was clear. The mana inside you is fluctuating because of the biological rewrite. You need to be in close proximity to the Spirits to act as a buffer."

"You just want my room for storage, don't you?"

"Don't be silly. I want your room for a home theater." Kotori grinned. "Now, get in there. They’re waiting."

Shido sighed. He adjusted the strap of his bag—which kept sliding off his narrower shoulder—and walked through the automatic doors.

---

The Lobby

The moment Shido stepped inside, the air pressure seemed to drop.

Standing in the lobby, arranged like a tribunal of goddesses, were the residents.

Tohka. Yoshino. Kaguya. Yuzuru.

And, for some reason, Miku and Origami.

"Welcome home, Shiori-chan!" Miku was the first to react. She floated across the room like a ghost in a horror movie, arms wide open. "I’ve been waiting! I’ve been waiting so loooong!"

"Miku?! You don't even live here!" Shido yelped, dodging Miku’s glomp by ducking behind a decorative fern.

"I bought the penthouse!" Miku announced proudly, hugging the fern instead. "Money is no object for love! Now we can have pajama parties every night!"

"Objection," Yuzuru stepped forward, her eyes sharp. "Miku’s intentions are impure. Shido should room with the Yamai sisters. We offer double the care."

"Keh-keh," Kaguya struck a pose. "Indeed! Bathe in the dark glory of a three-person slumber! We have video games!"

"I... I appreciate the offer, but—"

"Shido."

Origami stepped out from the shadows. She was wearing a silk nightgown that looked suspiciously like a wedding dress.

"I have prepared Room 304," she said. "I have soundproofed the walls. I have reinforced the bed frame. I have installed a camera."

"Why the camera?!"

"To monitor your health. And for archival purposes."

"Absolutely not!" Shido screamed. "Kotori! Help me!"

Kotori stepped into the lobby, looking bored. "Alright, settle down, you animals. We’ve already decided on the room assignments."

The girls froze. They turned to the Commander.

"Based on mana compatibility and emotional stability," Kotori said, pulling a clipboard out of nowhere, "Shido will be staying in Room 202."

Tohka gasped. "202? That’s... my room!"

"Correct," Kotori nodded. "Tohka was the first Spirit Shido sealed. Her Reiryoku wavelength is the most synchronized with his. She’s the best anchor to keep him from exploding."

"Exploding?!" Shido paled. "Reine didn't mention exploding earlier!"

"It's a figure of speech. Mostly." Kotori smirked. "So, Tohka, you’re in charge of Shido. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, and make sure Natsumi doesn't kidnap him."

Tohka looked at Shido. Her eyes sparkled with a pure, blinding intensity. She grabbed Shido’s hands.

"Leave it to me, Kotori! I will protect Shido! We will be the best roommates ever!"

"Y-Yeah," Shido smiled weakly. "Thanks, Tohka."

From the corner of the room, Miku bit a handkerchief in jealousy. Origami began typing furiously on her phone, likely ordering a breaching charge to blow a hole between Room 202 and her own apartment.

---

The Communal Bath - 8:00 PM

The Spirit Mansion was equipped with a top-tier communal bathhouse on the first floor. It was spacious, lined with cedar wood, and filled with steaming, mineral-rich water.

Usually, Shido would be forbidden from entering while the girls were bathing.

Usually.

"Come on, Shido! The water is perfect!"

"Wait! Tohka! I can't!"

Shido stood in the changing room, clutching a towel to his chest. His face was burning.

"Why are you hesitating?" Kaguya asked, already naked and strutting toward the bath area. "We are all women here. There is no shame."

"Correction," Yuzuru added, pushing past Shido. "Shido is shy. It is a 'maiden's modesty'."

"I am a guy!" Shido hissed. "In my soul, I am a guy!"

"Your soul doesn't have parts that need washing," Miku said, appearing behind him and untying his bathrobe sash. "Now, strip!"

"Eeep!"

Shido scrambled into the bath area, wrapped tightly in a large white towel. The steam was thick, obscuring vision—thank god.

He found a corner as far away from the others as possible and sank into the water, towel and all.

"Phew..."

"Shido."

Origami surfaced from the water directly in front of him, like a submarine breaching. She was wearing nothing.

"Gah!" Shido squeezed his eyes shut. "Origami! Personal space!"

"I am washing your back," Origami stated, holding up a sponge.

"I can wash my own back!"

"Your arms are shorter now. You cannot reach the thoracic vertebrae efficiently. Allow me."

Origami moved behind him. Before Shido could protest, she began scrubbing his back. Her touch was firm, professional, and terrifying.

"Your skin is softer," Origami noted analytically. "Muscle density has remained high, but the subcutaneous fat layer has increased in the gluteal region."

"Stop analyzing my butt!"

Across the bath, Tohka was blowing bubbles in the water, watching them.

"Hey, Yoshino," Tohka asked. "Why is Origami washing Shido?"

Yoshino, who was sitting on the edge of the tub with her feet in the water, blushed. "Um... maybe... it's a skinship thing?"

"Skinship!" The puppet Yoshinon laughed. "Origami’s going for the kill! You better watch out, Tohka, or she’ll scrub Shido right out of your hands!"

Tohka frowned. She splashed through the water, creating a massive wave that hit Shido and Origami.

"I want to wash Shido too!" Tohka declared, grabbing a bar of soap.

"Hey! Ow! Soap in my eye!" Shido flailed.

"Let me help!" Miku dived in from the side of the pool. "I'll wash the front!"

"No! No front washing!"

"Keh-keh! A chaotic melee! The Yamai sisters shall join the fray!"

"Assent. Initiating scrubbing sequence."

"Stop! I'm clean! I'm very clean!"

As Shido drowned in a sea of bubbles, limbs, and aggressive hygiene, he saw something floating in the water.

It was a rubber duck.

A yellow rubber duck with a drawn-on winking face.

Hehe, the duck seemed to say.

Natsumi, Shido thought as he was dragged under by Miku. I hate you.

---

Room 202 - 10:00 PM

Shido lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He was wearing a cute pair of pink pajamas that Tohka had lent him because his own were "too boring."

He was exhausted. Physically, mentally, and spiritually.

"Shido?"

Tohka sat on the bed next to him. She was wearing a matching set of blue pajamas. Her hair was down, smelling of the same shampoo Shido had been forced to use.

"Yeah, Tohka?"

"Are you okay? You look... tired."

"I've had a long day," Shido admitted. "Being a girl is hard work."

Tohka giggled. "You make a pretty girl, though. Even the boys in class were looking at you."

Shido groaned. "Don't remind me. Tonomachi asked for my email address three times."

Tohka lay down next to him. The bed was large, but she scooted close, their shoulders touching.

"Hey, Shido..." Tohka’s voice was quiet, hesitant.

"What is it?"

"Is it... different?"

"Is what different?"

"Being a girl," Tohka said. She poked Shido’s chest lightly. "Does it feel different inside?"

Shido sighed. "Honestly? Not really. I mean, my center of gravity is off, and I get cold easier, and people treat me differently... but inside? I'm still just me. I still want to protect you guys. I still want to cook dinner. I still want to save Natsumi."

Tohka smiled, a genuine, warm smile that made Shido’s heart skip a beat—just a little.

"That's good," Tohka said. "I was worried. I thought... maybe if you stayed a girl, you wouldn't need me anymore."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because girls hang out with girls," Tohka said simply. "And boys protect girls. If you're a girl, you don't need protecting, right?"

Shido turned on his side to face her. "Tohka, look at me. I got beat up by a volleyball today. I almost drowned in the bath. I definitely need protecting."

Tohka laughed. "True. You are kinda weak right now."

"Hey!"

"It's okay," Tohka whispered, reaching out to hold his hand. Her fingers interlaced with his. "I'll protect you, Shido. Until you turn back. And even after that."

Shido squeezed her hand back. "Thanks, Tohka."

The room was quiet for a moment. Peaceful.

Then, Shido felt something lumps under his pillow.

"Huh?"

He sat up and lifted the pillow.

Sitting there was a Whoopee Cushion.

PFFT-PBBBBBBT.

The sound ripped through the quiet room, loud and unmistakably flatulent.

"..."

Tohka stared at Shido. Her eyes went wide.

"Shido..." she whispered, trying to hold back a laugh. "Did you...?"

"No! It was a cushion! It was Natsumi!" Shido grabbed the pink rubber device. "Look!"

Tohka burst out laughing. She rolled around on the bed, clutching her stomach. "It's okay, Shido! Girls fart too! Hahahaha!"

"It wasn't me!" Shido wailed, his face burning red.

On the whoopee cushion, written in black marker, were the words:

Sleep tight, Princess.
— Natsumi

Shido glared at the ceiling.

"Just you wait, Natsumi. Tomorrow... tomorrow I'm finding you."

He turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.

Beside him, Tohka’s breathing slowed as she drifted off to sleep, still holding his hand. Shido closed his eyes, trying to ignore the faint scent of lilies that seemed to follow him everywhere now.

Somewhere in the city, a witch was laughing.