Chapter 43: A Battlefield of Carnage? Impossible—In the End, I Alone Will Triumph

"Ah la ah la!" Upon seeing Origami, Kurumi Tokisaki's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but she quickly broke into a smile. "So it's Origami Tobiichi. No wonder Sumoru ditched our date to come here—turns out he was meeting you."

After saying this, Kurumi put on an almost tearful expression, looking at Sumoru with a touch of grievance in her gaze. "Sumoru, thinking about other girls while you're on a date with me is simply unacceptable."

"Sumoru, what's going on? Why are you with this spirit?" Origami ignored Kurumi completely, focusing her attention on Sumoru.

"That's a long story," Sumoru replied, lowering his eyes to his toes before looking up at both Kurumi and Origami, speaking in an earnest and serious tone. "Kurumi invited me out today, and as it happens, Origami, you also asked me out. So, quite by accident, we all ended up here together."

"Now, there are two options before you. One of you can continue the date with me, or you both can accompany me."

With utterly shameless audacity, Sumoru laid out his proposal, carefully watching the two girls for their reactions.

If it were any other girl, she would have slapped him without hesitation and stormed off. But these two were far from ordinary: one was a spirit, the other—Origami Tobiichi—whose thinking was unlike anyone else's. Upon hearing this, Origami didn't hesitate to look at Kurumi and say, "She can withdraw. Today, Sumoru is mine."

"That won't do. Sumoru promised to date me today," Kurumi replied, her smile unwavering, refusing to give ground.

Seeing the two girls locked in a contest of wills, Sumoru made no attempt to intervene.

At times like this, a man should choose self-preservation and let the girls settle things themselves. If he stepped in now, Kurumi and Origami might both turn on him. It was wisest to wait until they resolved the matter, then approach.

Of course, Sumoru secretly hoped Origami would yield. Today's date was meant for Kurumi alone; Origami's presence was a coincidence, and Sumoru couldn't bring himself to refuse her outright, which led to this predicament.

"In any case, I won't let you have Sumoru," Kurumi said, waving her hand dismissively, gazing at Origami with the air of a queen.

But Origami, the emotionless girl, was unmoved. "That's my line," she replied firmly.

"So, Sumoru, who will you choose to date today?" Kurumi asked, her smile playful, intent on stirring the pot and curious to see how Sumoru would resolve the situation.

Both girls now focused their gaze on him. Sumoru frowned, hearing the incessant nagging of Kotori through his earpiece.

If only he'd stuck to the plan, he could have enjoyed perfect dates with Kurumi and Origami separately. But now he'd brought them together, throwing everything into chaos. Faced with disaster, he had to make a choice. Kotori's voice came through his earpiece, commanding, "Sumoru, reject Origami. Today's mission is to seal Kurumi—she is your priority."

"Understood," he replied.

The choice was meaningless; Sumoru was always one to avoid trouble. He'd deliberately brought Kurumi to Origami's side for convenience. Frankly, he didn't understand why Origami was so persistent—he didn't like her, yet she wouldn't let go.

He had clearly rejected her last time, but Origami acted as if she'd never heard it.

Because of Origami, tensions between Tohka and Origami at school had reached fever pitch, making Sumoru's life miserable. The sooner he resolved this, the better, or he would never have peace, especially if Kurumi got involved.

Today, he planned to take drastic action to shock Origami, so he stepped forward and said gently, "Origami, I'm sorry. Kurumi and I have something very important to do today, so our date will have to be cancelled."

"Why?" Origami asked, expressionless but with unmistakable persistence.

"No reason. But Origami, do you really know me?" With Tohka, it was just part of the mission, but with Origami, there was no connection at all. She wasn't a spirit, held a grudge against Kotori, and was a member of the AST Spirit Force—a ticking time bomb at his side that Sumoru had to constantly watch.

"Name: Sumoru Itsuka. Age: sixteen," Origami began calmly, without hesitation. "Family: parents, elder sister Shiori Itsuka, younger sister Kotori Itsuka. Parents are overseas, house is empty. Blood type: AO. Height: 178 cm, weight: 55 kg, upper arm: 30.2 cm, forearm: 30.2 cm. Chest: 82.2 cm, waist: 70.3 cm, hips: 87.6 cm. Vision: right 0.6, left 0.8. Blood pressure: 128/75. Blood sugar: 88 mg/dl. Uric acid: 4.2 mg/dl."

"Wait, that's not what I meant!" Sumoru broke into a cold sweat, feeling overwhelmed by Origami's words. Where had she gotten all this information? Some of it he himself didn't even know—she was terrifying.

But seeing Origami's determined gaze, her expression brooking no argument, Sumoru realized nothing he said would make her back down.

Sumoru was utterly defeated.

"Ahaha, it seems Origami is very devoted to Sumoru. In that case, I agree to let you join our date. But do you dare?" Kurumi suddenly stepped in to smooth things over, though her tone and gaze made the challenge clear.

"Of course!" Origami replied without hesitation, stepping forward to take Sumoru's right arm, gazing calmly at Kurumi—a silent counterattack.

Kurumi, with her wicked smile, naturally reached for Sumoru's left arm.

And so, the two girls, one on each side, claimed Sumoru's arms.

"In that case, don't regret it," Kurumi said, shaking her head. Her twin ponytails swayed in the wind, and her face bore a devilish smile. "Sumoru, I find going to the cinema terribly boring. How about we visit a lingerie shop instead?"

"So, Origami, do you dare to go?"

...

(Today's first chapter is posted at midnight, begging for recommendation votes. Recommendation votes are like oo—squeeze, and you'll always get some.)