This is not the date I wanted.

"So, are you ready, Shidou?"

"..."

"Shidou?"

"…Ah? Ah, sorry, I'm ready."

"What's wrong? Is it possible that your strength hasn't recovered yet?"

Seeing Shidou who was obviously in a daze, Kotori asked a little uncomfortably.

"No, no, my body has fully recovered."

Shidou replied while waving his arms.

Although he doesn't remember what happened in the bathhouse, the therapeutic effect of that bath is indeed significant, and Shidao now feels very energetic.

"Just... had a slightly weird dream."

"What kind of dream?"

"Hmm...how should I put it? It seems like I dreamed about my childhood...but it doesn't seem to be..."

Shidou answered vaguely.

"…What does that mean?"

Kotori looked at Shidou with a puzzled expression. In response, Shidou could only give an awkward smile.

"Anyway, it's not a big deal. Don't worry about it."

"Well, you just have to be okay."

Although she was a little worried, Kotori nodded and accepted Shidou's words.

"Well, today is the date with Rokuko. Although his attitude has softened due to the release of his heart, you still can't be careless, understand, Shidou?"

"Yes, I understand. I will definitely make Rokuko shy."

Shidou nodded firmly. As if responding to Shidou's determination, Kotori, Kannazuki, and the members of "Fraxinus" all nodded in support.

however--

"By the way...how can I meet Rokuko?"

"..."

Shidou's question caused everyone to fall silent for a moment.

Yesterday, Rokuko disappeared after leaving only a promise of "See you tomorrow." In fact, the specific time and place have not been set, so even if Shidou is asked to prepare, he doesn't know what to do.

"Well... could it be that he is trying to use this opportunity to escape by stalling for time?"

[Cursed Doll] Shiizaki asked anxiously. In response, Reine, who looked sleepy, slowly shook her head.

"No... If she really wanted to escape, there was no need for her to meet with Zhen yesterday. It is more appropriate to assume that she would take the initiative to contact at a certain time. You see, a [door] has now opened behind Zhen."

“Indeed…eh?”

Suddenly realizing the strange part in Reine's words, Shidao turned his head abruptly, and he found that the space behind him had been distorted to form a black hole similar to a vortex.

Shidou only saw a slender arm stretched out from the [door], grabbed his arm and pulled it in.

Then, the scenery in front of him suddenly changed from the bridge of the airship to the pedestrian street of Tiangong City.

"Alas. The time has come, sir."

Next to Shidou, Hoshimiya Rokuko was looking at him expectantly.

"...Ah, sorry to have kept you waiting, Rokuko."

After about a while, Shidou finally understood his current situation of being taken out of the airship by Rokuko using an angel. He took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and then answered.

[Ah, it's connected...! Shidou is alright, right?]

Kotori's voice came to his ears. After all, he had guessed that this situation would happen to a certain extent, so Shidou wore a headset for communication from the beginning.

"Oh, that's good..."

Shidou answered in a low voice that Rokuko couldn't hear.

【That's good. 】

Hearing that Shidou was fine, Kotori breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the location chosen by Rokuko was in Amamiya City instead of some incredible place, so she still had a way to grasp Shidou's location.

[Anyway, let's focus on the date with Rokuko first. Unlike before, Rokuko's favorability and emotional value can now change. As long as everything goes well, we should be able to seal the spiritual power.]

"learn."

After answering softly, Shidou turned his gaze towards Rokuko.

"By the way, how does Guan'er plan to give Liu'er happiness?"

Rokuko asked curiously.

"Well... although I have a lot of preparations, but before that..."

Shidou looked at Rokuko's outfit at the moment, the pink cheongsam, the silver hand and foot armor, and the key-shaped scepter "Seal Master" in her hand, combined with Rokuko's outstanding appearance, it was undoubtedly very conspicuous. Shidou could feel that every time the pedestrians passed by them, they would turn their heads and cast curious glances at them, "What a beautiful girl?" "Is this cosplay?"

"This dress is really too eye-catching. Can you change it?"

"Well, since the master wishes, Liu Er has no objection."

Rokuko nodded readily.

"Well, and then there's the hair..."

Shidou suddenly stopped talking midway.

How about cutting your hair a little shorter? Shidou originally wanted to say this. After all, Rokuko's hair has grown to a rather exaggerated extent. Judging by the visual, the length is at least three meters. Even if part of it has been tied into a bun, there is still a long part of the rest scattered on the ground. If it is left as it is, it is very likely to be stepped on by others or himself and get injured.

(After all, it’s unclear whether Rokuko deliberately chose to grow his hair long, so it’s better not to say something that could easily lead to missteps.)

Even if the words are well-intentioned, they can cause resentment in the other party if you are not careful with how you say them. This is a lesson Shidao learned the hard way after having sex with women many times.

"…If your hair is dragged on the floor like this, it will easily get stepped on and dirty. It's rare to have such beautiful long hair. If you don't want to cut it, how about I tie it up for you? I have hairpins and combs at home."

"Well... Your Excellency's words make sense."

After hearing Shidou's words, Rokuko looked down at the long hair at his feet, his cheeks slightly reddened, and he nodded obediently.

"Since you are so thoughtful, Liu'er will follow your wishes."

[Well done, Shidou. Rokuko's favorability has increased. Keep up the momentum!]

After hearing Kotori's report, Shidou heaved a sigh of relief.

For the time being, they chose their home as their destination. However, as mentioned earlier, walking was too difficult for Rokuko, so Shidou and Rokuko hid in a corner where no one noticed them and used "Seal Master" to teleport back.

"It is indeed worthy of being the official's residence. It is very unique."

Rokuko said as he looked at the Gokawa family's living room with great interest.

"Hahaha - thank you for the compliment. Well, come over here first -"

"I am back."

Just as Shidou was about to take Rokuko to the dressing mirror in Kotori's room to dress up, as they walked out of the living room and were about to go to the second floor, Shidou and Rokuko ran into Mengyue who was walking out of the entrance.

"..."

"..."

For some reason, Shidao felt as if he had secretly brought his girlfriend home to be intimate with her and was caught by his mother who suddenly came home. It was very awkward.

"Hey... you're back... Mengyue..."

Shidou swallowed nervously and replied with a dry laugh.

"Well, I went to the supermarket and bought some vegetables to replenish it."

Nodding slightly, Meng Yue looked at Shidao, then looked at Rokuko, and asked calmly,

"Want to date at home?"

"Well... that's right."

Shidou nodded awkwardly.

"The master is preparing to comb Liu'er's hair, please don't disturb Liu'er and the master."

Holding Shidou's arm, Rokuko looked at Mengyue with a wary look and said bluntly.

"Don't worry, I'm not interested in being someone else's light bulb."

Smiling and shrugging, Meng Yue handed the plastic bag to Shidao and said lightly,

"I'm going to go back first. Put the things in the kitchen yourself, and don't forget to prepare breakfast tomorrow when you're on duty."

After saying that, Mengyue turned around and left the Wuhe family.

"……learn."

Watching Mengyue disappear outside the door, Shidao's face was full of bitterness. Although he was grateful that Mengyue did not conflict with Rokuko and chose to give in and leave, he also felt a little guilty.

[I will help you reconcile with Sister Mengyue later. For now, just focus on conquering Rokuko, Shido.]

As if noticing Shidou's mood at the moment, Kotori smiled wryly and comforted him.

"Well, I see."

18 A Date with Rokuko (Part )

==============================

After Mengyue left, Shidou led Rokuko to Kotori's room and asked her to sit in front of the dressing mirror.

"Well, Rokuko, I'll untie your hair tie."

"Well, I'll leave it to you, sir."

After getting Rokuko's permission, Shidou walked behind her and untied her bun.

——Wow!

Like a waterfall falling from the sky, the golden hair fell to the ground, and the morning sun reflected in it, shining with a moving brilliance like a gem.

"So beautiful."

Shidou couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. In response, Rokuko showed a proud expression.

"Of course, long hair is Liu'er's proudest treasure."

"That's it."

While answering Rokuko with a smile, Shidou secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, he did not propose to ask Rokuko to get a haircut just now, otherwise he would have stepped on Rokuko's landmine.

"So, what style would be better? A single ponytail is fine, but double ponytails are also suitable. Rokuko, do you have any requirements?"

"Huh..."

Rokuko tilted his head cutely, looked at himself in the mirror, thought for a moment and said.

"Then please braid Liu'er's hair into three strands to prevent it from being messy."

"Understood. Leave it to me."

Shidou nodded, picked up a bunch of golden hair, and combed it carefully.

(It’s incredibly smooth.)

Shidou secretly sighed in his heart. Although Rokuko's hair is so long, he didn't encounter any tangles or knots when combing it. The touch is as smooth as running water, as if it would slip through fingers if he wasn't careful.

Although Tohka and the others also took good care of their hair, he had to admit that Rokuko's hair was probably the most beautiful he had ever seen.

"Hmm... Your way of combing my hair is quite gentle. Liu'er really likes it."

Rokuko squinted his eyes in great enjoyment.

"Well, I've combed my sister's hair quite a few times since I was little."

"I see."

Shidou explained. Ever since he was taken in by the Gokawa family, he was often asked by Kotori to help comb her hair. Although Kotori had learned to comb her hair by herself after entering junior high school, Shidou still had some experience in helping girls comb their hair.

He took out three strands of hair and carefully tied them into a pigtail. Later, Shidou tied the remaining hair into a bun like before. How should I put it? It feels like Rokuko's symbol.