Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers

"Shido-san..." Yoshino murmured shyly as she took small, hesitant steps toward him, pulling the hood of her raincoat over her face in an attempt to hide her deep blush.

Her naturally introverted personality took over, momentarily pushing aside the fear she had felt toward the AST waiting outside. Right now, her focus was entirely on Shido, her heart beating faster with each step she took toward him.

"It's been a while, Yoshino. How are you?" Shido asked with a gentle smile.

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, he placed his hand atop her raincoat, softly caressing her head.

"Fuwe~"

A barely audible sound escaped Yoshino's lips as she tensed in surprise at Shido's sudden action. Her face grew even redder, embarrassment washing over her. Yet, despite her flustered state, she didn't ask him to stop.

Instead, Yoshino remained still, quietly enjoying the warmth and gentleness of his touch causing her heart to beat faster with every passing second.

She slowly closed her eyes, a blissful smile unconsciously forming on her cute face. The warmth of Shido's hand, the gentle way he patted her felt so comforting and reassuring. At that moment, Yoshino could feel it. The invisible thread that was delicate yet unbreakable, connecting her to Shido.

His touch reminded her of how her mother used to gently pat her head whenever she was sad. Yoshino found herself recalling the time when she was just an ordinary girl, part of a happy family before she became a Spirit.

As memories of her joyful yet distant past resurfaced, Yoshino's eyes welled up with tears. A single droplet escaped, trailing down her cheek before falling to the floor. Shido noticed this sudden change making him panic as he didn't know why she was suddenly sobbing

Although he could sense a person's emotional levels, Shido could not read other people's minds.

"Y-Yoshino, what happened?! Why did you cry?" Shido said hurriedly causing him to stutter. Shido was truly weak against a girl tear, especially a cute and adorable Loli's like Yoshino who was like a doll.

Hearing Shido's worried words, Yoshino slowly wiped the tears from her eyes. It was then that she suddenly realized that she had cried in front of Shido causing him to see her embarrassing and shameful side of her.

Despite having the appearance of a child, Yoshino was actually far older than Shido. So even though her mind was still that of a child, living for so long had developed her mind to some extent. This caused her to be conscious of Shido as a member of the opposite sex. The realization made her heart flutter, adding to the warmth spreading across her already flushed face.

In addition to the strange sense of closeness she felt whenever she was near him, Yoshino found herself wanting to stay by Shido's side for as long as possible.

However, that was easier said than done. She still wasn't used to talking with others, and the thought of expressing her feelings out loud felt overwhelming. Even so, deep inside her heart, she wished she could stay like this... with him... for just a little longer

Still, she was determined to change. Yoshino wanted to grow, to become more like Yoshinon who was her idol. And to do that, first, she needed to have the courage to initiate a talk with another person.

Yet, she didn't know anyone that she could talk to. She was a Spirit and as a Spirit, she was not welcomed in this world so she was constantly hunted by AST. It would be best if she could talk with another Spirit but, Spirits aren't cabbage in the market where you can find it anywhere.

"Oh dear, it looks like Shido-kun missed Yoshino so much that he completely forgot about me." While the two was having a moment of feeling each other presence, a teasing voice suddenly resounded from the side.

Shido instantly recognized the voice, and a wry smile appeared on his face as he shifted his attention to the grinning rabbit puppet in Yoshino's left hand.

"Hey, Yoshinon. Of course, I haven't forgotten you," Shido replied with a chuckle, pretending not to hear the teasing in her voice. "I was just a little excited to see you two again."

"Yoshinon…" Yoshino murmured softly, her face turning even redder. She was embarrassed by Yoshinon's teasing but too shy to say anything. Instead, she kept stealing glances at Shido, curious to see how he would react.

"It's been a while, Shido-kun," Yoshinon continued, her playful tone not fading in the slightest. "Looks like you've gotten better at tricking girls since the last time we met."

Yoshino blinked in confusion, tilting her head slightly. She didn't quite understand what Yoshinon meant, but the mischievous glint in the puppet's eyes made her even more flustered.

When Shido heard Yoshinon's words, the corner of his lips twitched yet he tried to act normal. He knew how good Yoshinon was at teasing people, that's how she could make Tohka so helpless in the original series that she almost floated to the air because of how puffed her cheeks were because of frustration.

"Well, leaving that aside for now, you know, Yoshino was missing you so much you know?"

"She was always waiting at the shrine after what happened that day hoping to see you again."

"Can you bear to let Yoshino be disappointed again and again?"

Yoshinon's tone suddenly turned 360 as she was a mother who was concerned about her daughter who became in a daze after meeting her prince charming. It should be correct as Yoshinon's was created by Yoshino to help her ease her mind after constantly being chased by AST. Yoshinon's personality was made subconsciously by Yoshino based on her mother's personality.

Hearing that Yoshinon had been waiting for him all this time, Shido felt a tightness in his chest. The thought of Yoshino enduring solitude while hoping to see him again filled him with guilt. He couldn't help but feel sorry for making her wait so long.

Shido felt a pang of guilt as he looked at Yoshino, who was fidgeting with the edge of her raincoat, her gaze darting between him and the floor. It was clear she wanted to say something but was too shy to voice it.

"I'm sorry for making you wait, Yoshino."

Shido's tone changed to that of serious yet gentle to not startle Yoshino. He returned his determined gaze at Yoshino who was looking at him bashfully while her face was revealing an awkward and expectant look.

"That's why, this time..." Shido took a deep breath while looking directly at Yoshino's petite figure and doll-like face. 

Meanwhile, Yoshino waited for Shido to continue, her expression both expectant and bashful. She couldn't help but recall the scenes from the romance series she had watched on the TV display inside a store. Even though she had never stepped inside, she would often stand outside, captivated by the heartfelt moments. And now, standing before Shido, she felt as if she had become part of one of those very stories.

And right now, Shido looked just like the man from the series, as if he were about to confess to her. The mere thought sent a rush of warmth through Yoshino, turning her entire face into a deep crimson hue.

"Come with me Yoshino."

"I promise you'll never be alone again," Shido said softly. "I'll stay by your side and make you happy."