Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers

Tengu City, Faxinus

"I'm back." Shido walked inside the control room after the door slid open. However, he was not alone, beside him was Yoshino who was holding his hand while looking around curiously.

"Welcome back, Onii-chan. And good job, you found a little girl as your wife." Kotori said sarcastictly , her crimson eyes was staring at Yoshino who looked like a girl that lost her way then shifted her gaze at Shido who let out a helpless smile.

Everyone inside Fraxinus had been monitoring the events happening outisde and they have seen everything even Shido's bold way of proposing to Yoshino.

The male members smiled at each other and nodded while the female members were squealing as they didn't expect Shido to say those words. They all knew that Shido didn't really mean it that way but they couldn't help but interpret his words with the other meaning.

"Like I said, that was not a proposal..." Shido wanted to explain further but he knew that they would only smile at him knowingly. 

Kotori only snorted at his words but the others nodded their head in understanding. The matter between them was still not finished and Shido had already made a move on another girl. She knew that she was being unreasonable, however, even though she was not showing it on her face, Kotori was also a bit jealous of Yoshino.

If possible, she also wanted Shido to say that to her while holding her petite body with his strong arms.

The mere thought sent a rush of heat to her face.

'No, no! You shouldn't think like that, Kotori!'

She shook her head frantically to remove those indecent thoughts from her mind. Kotori moved her gaze back to Yoshino who looked innocent and pure and somehow, her mind gradually cleared up. Her facial expression also softened and watched her with a warm gaze. 

She had been receiving news about the bullying that AST had been doing with Hermit while the Spirit was only passively defending and running away. She didn't try to fight back and only focused on evading their pursuit.

Now that they have a chance to get Yoshino, Kotori immediately calls back Shido and deploys him for the mission.

Kotori and the members of Fraxinus wanted to help him by giving Shido choices but Shido rejected them ever since the last time they did that almost made him fail as their choices are so horrible.

Yoshino was still shy, hiding almost half of her face with the raincoat. She was observing the place where Shido have brought her. Then her attention shifted to the people inside the control room who was also looking at her. While the male members didn't say anything, the female members' eyes was shining like stars, looking at Yoshino as if she was an adorable doll.

As if noticing their strange gaze, Yoshino hid her petite body behind Shido and us him as a cover. Yet, if the others didn't know what happened then they would suspect that Shido kidnapped her.

"It's alright Yoshino, they will not hurt you." Shido turned his head to Yoshino who hid behind him. He couldn't help but pat her small head, he couldn't blame the female members for reacting that way since she was just too cute. 

Shido then thought back on what happened when Yoshino was about to answer him.

...

"..."

"I..."

Shido held his breath while waiting for Yoshino to answer him. He was also a little nervous since even though he was confident that Yoshino would say yes, there is still the possibility of her rejecting him since her trust to him might have not reached that high.

Even the lousy and annoying voice of Yoshinon wasn't heard as she was also waiting for Yoshino to answer. She wanted her to make a choice of her own without relying on her. Even though, she didn't mind if she rejected Shido and continued to be just the two of them. Yoshino felt that it would be better for her to stay with Shido since she could see that Shido was sincere with his feelings and he could give her the happiness that she couldn't give Yoshino.

The silence continued, Yoshino once again opened her mouth and finally spoke in an almost inaudible voice. 

"I want to be... with Shido-san...." Yoshino said those words with a serious yet bashful face. Just as she said that she hurriedly covered her face as she could feel that her face was so red right now and she was too shy to look at Shido's face.

However, before she could fully cover her face, Yoshino suddenly felt a strong force colliding with her. She instinctively shut her eyes as she was not prepared. Yet, even after a few seconds had passed, she felt no pain. Instead, she smelled a familiar scent that was surrounding her, giving Yoshino a comforting feeling. Yoshino could also feel a pair of strong yet gentle arms wrapping around her back and slender waist. 

"I'm glad. I'm truly glad, Yoshino..."

"Thank you for believing me."

Yoshino woke up from her daze as she heard Shido's quivering yet heartfelt words. It caused Yoshino's face to blush even deeper as she was overwhelmed by Shido's sudden action. 

Her body became so soft like a marshmallow as she felt that her small body would melt with the warmth emitted by Shido. However, she didn't allow herself to fall into this kind of feeling as she felt that she needed to say something first.

"No... I should be...."

"...the one who should be thankful."

"For coming to my life... And for bringing me hope."

Yoshino's voice carried a rare strength, filled with gratitude, happiness, and emotions she struggled to put into words.

"Yoshino!"

Hearing her true feelings, Shido felt his heart tighten. He could see that Yoshino was beginning to open up to him, and the realization nearly brought tears to his eyes. At that moment, he felt like a proud parent watching their child take an important step forward.

His arms instinctively tightened around her, and Yoshino smiled softly. She didn't mind his embrace in fact, for the first time, she realized that Shido, too, was just like a child in some ways. She could feel him trying to hold back his emotions as if he was afraid to let them show.

"Yosh... Yosh..." Yoshino murmured softly, her delicate hands reaching up to gently pat Shido's head in an attempt to console him.

The soothing gesture brought an unexpected comfort, making Shido feel as though he were once again in the embrace of a loving parent (not Mio). It was an intoxicating sense of warmth and security, one that felt all the more precious because it came from Yoshino and her inherently gentle nature.

As the two remained wrapped in each other's warmth, a familiar, teasing voice suddenly rang out, shattering the quiet moment.

"Oh my, what a beautiful scene~!"

Yoshino's face instantly turned a deeper shade of red upon hearing Yoshinon's playful remark. She wanted to retort, but her usual shyness took over, leaving her only able to let out a small, embarrassed squeak.

Shido, on the other hand, let out a helpless sigh. "Yoshinon, can you give us a moment?"

"No can do, Shido-kun~! This is a prime-time romance drama happening right before my button eyes! How could I possibly look away?" Yoshinon giggled mischievously, swinging slightly in Yoshino's hand. "Besides, I have to make sure my dear Yoshino doesn't get swept away by your sweet words too easily~!"

Yoshino, still flustered, gently squeezed Yoshinon, as if trying to silence the cheeky puppet. "Y-Yoshinon..."

Shido chuckled at the sight, feeling warmth spread in his chest. Even if Yoshinon made things chaotic, moments like this reminded him how precious Yoshino was, and how much he wanted to protect her smile.