After completing the teleport, Souta found himself inside a dessert shop.
The store was fairly spacious and bustling, most of the tables were already occupied.
Because he had reduced his presence, his sudden appearance didn't cause alarm among the customers.
Souta looked toward the row of seats near the floor-to-ceiling windows and spotted a long-haired, white-haired girl seated further inside.
He recognized her at a glance.
He'd seen the short-haired version of her back in a previous timeline. No mistaking her.
At this moment, Origami was sitting across from a blue-haired girl, chatting while eating sweets.
Origami's expression remained cold, no telling which timeline's version was in control.
The blue-haired girl, however, was animatedly trying to keep the conversation going, though it felt a little forced.
"Itsuka Shiori? …Could this be during a 'capture moment'?"
Souta made an educated guess.
Shiori would be using the airship Fraxinus to assist her in sealing Spirits' powers through French kisses.
He glanced at the pink of the blue-haired girl's ear and noticed a tiny hidden earpiece.
Thanks to his superhuman hearing, he caught snippets of noisy chatter, several voices.
She was probably connected to Kotori and the command crew on the Fraxinus.
Souta dropped the idea of walking over and saying hello.
Since this was a "capture moment," then Murasame Reine aka Takamiya Mio was likely watching from behind the scenes.
If Souta made a move and got sensed by her, things could get ugly fast.
Not that he was scared. If he couldn't win, he could always flee.
But until Kurumi returned, it was best not to startle the snake.
If he spooked Mio into launching her Spirit-culling plan early, Souta couldn't just stand by.
So he found an empty seat and waited patiently.
Before long, his system phone buzzed.
Tokisaki Kurumi: "@Souta. What's the situation? Did Mio start early?"
Souta: "No. Shiori's still in capture mode with a Spirit. They clearly don't know about Reine's identity yet, so Mio hasn't made her move."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "So Miku's incident was just a fluke then."
Izayoi Miku: "Darling, can I come home now?"
Izayoi Miku: "Kurumi-san, hello~ I'm looking forward to meeting you."
White Night Demon: "Hey! Don't forget about me!"
Izayoi Miku: "Watching anime now, talk later."
Souta: "@Izayoi Miku. Mio might be watching your home. Don't go back yet, stay put for now."
Souta: "@Tokisaki Kurumi. Kurumi, how much longer until you return to the present?"
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Within five hours. The two 'Angels' of Time and Space are complete, I'm just digesting the last bit of reiryoku."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Actually, I have a question... what time point will I return to?"
Normally, she'd return to the moment she left the present.
But with the current situation, that was uncertain.
She might return directly to the moment Souta was in.
Souta: "I've thought about that. Our system phones link us, so you'll likely return to my current time."
Souta: "Think about it. If you were going back to your departure point, then we would've already met again. But you're not here, so clearly, you haven't returned yet. Meaning you'll come to now."
White Night Demon: "Ugh, we're back in time-loop logic again?"
Chelsea: "Yeah, I've got a headache just from reading this!"
Souta: "Can't help it. Time powers always cause logic holes."
Altair: "So Kurumi will start a video call in about five hours?"
Altair: "I'm looking forward to seeing Mio get wrecked."
Shinobu: "If I recall correctly, Altair used to be a villain too, right? Similar to Mio's role."
Altair: "Miss Shinobu, I haven't been a villain in ages. Let's not bring up the past."
Souta: "In that moment, I shall enact divine judgment upon the realm of gods, I will destroy the world that wounded you! Explode, reality! Shatter, spirit! Disappear, this world!"
Altair: "Shut up! I never screamed anything that embarrassing! And I told you, I'm not a villain anymore! I have no plans to destroy the world!"
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "What's wrong with being a villain? I'm labeled as one too. 'Demon King of the Fallen' is such a cool title. Don't you love it, Altair?"
Altair: "Wait! Miss Black Cat, you chose villainy because you thought it was cool?"
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "Of course!"
Altair: "I'm speechless. Should I say, typical Demon King behavior?"
Souta: "Don't forget our showdown, Miss Black Cat. We're going to see who has the stronger presence."
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "Don't worry, I remember! In five hours, I'll don my battle outfit, and we'll settle it in the video call. Kukuku~ Try not to cry when you lose, godling!"
Souta: "Just don't go weak in the knees."
Souta: "Also, time flows differently in every world. Might not be five hours for you."
Fallen Angel Black Cat of Chiba: "I know, I know."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Don't worry, everyone. I'll notify the group when the time comes."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Souta, could you visit the Itsuka household and tell the sisters and the other Spirits the truth? I'm worried they'll side with Mio and interfere."
Souta: "No problem. But I'll wait until evening. Kotori's still on the Fraxinus, so I'll go after 6 p.m."
Tokisaki Kurumi: "Perfect. I should be back around then."
After the chat ended~
Souta scrolled back through Black Cat's messages.
Then he pocketed his phone.
He couldn't help but offer a moment of silent prayer for the chuuni girl.
Hopefully, she wouldn't tremble and collapse in front of all the "top dogs" once things got real.
Someone knocked on Souta's table.
He looked up and saw a delicate, smiling face framed by snowy white hair.
It was Origami, just now seen sitting by the window.
He'd been too caught up chatting and forgot to monitor his surroundings.
Now Origami was at his table.
Would Mio detect his presence?
Souta quickly glanced toward where Shiori had been sitting, but the blue-haired girl was nowhere in sight.
"Shiori already left."
Origami smiled softly, her eyes filled with joy.
She took a deep breath, clearly restraining her excitement, and said:
"It's been five years, Souta. You finally… finally came to see me!"