Tale of Discovery

"Are we going to be leaving after this?" Tohka asks me after swallowing the chunk of cake that she bit off.

Nodding my head once, I say, "We've already had plenty of fun, don't you think?"

"We're going to be coming back here again in the future, right?" she questions anxiously.

"Of course," I respond with a smile plastered to my lips.

With that said, I look over at Yoshino and Natsumi who are sitting beside one another at the same table that I am seated at.

Currently, the two of them are relishing a cake that I had brought for them according to their request.

Everyone has already changed back into their casual clothes, including me. Naturally, that doesn't concern Natsumi's case, as she never changed into any swimwear, to begin with.

When I had offered to 'bring' one for her, she denied instantaneously, claiming that I must absolutely have lecherous thoughts for offering that.

Being surprised by her claim, I asked her why she would think that way, only for her to dramatically describe the scene of me 'attacking' her in the water.

Having seen that she was strongly against changing into a swimsuit, I decided to let her be. Of course, that didn't stop me from dragging her along to everything we tried out in the Ocean Park.

In the end, we ended up here, in a section of the place that seems to be specifically for those who are done playing and want to enjoy a meal or some pastry.

With Tohka being the way she is, we had no choice but to buy numerous pastries.

During all this, Kotori had remained relatively silent and seemed to be deliberating on some matter. Most likely one related to Ratatoskr and the spirits.

---

"Welcome to your new home," I say in a merry tone as we step through the door leading inside the house.

As a response to this Natsumi simply lets out a sigh before passing by me and beginning to explore the house.

Shrugging my shoulders, I proceed to cast a glance at Kotori and say, "Meet me in my room."

Having said my piece, I then walk through the house toward the stairs and head to my room.

AI, have you analyzed anything new?

{Affirmative. Requesting permission to materialize in front of Father.}

Oh, I thought it was about time that Irene appeared in this Platform. Anyway, this would make a good opportunity to reveal a few things to Kotori, so permission granted.

Following my confirmation, a bright light abruptly shines in front of me for a few seconds before gradually dimming.

Unexpectedly, unlike almost all other times a bright has shined, I am unable to see through this one no matter what.

After a few moments, the light completely fades, revealing a shocking sight.

"Irene?" I subconsciously mutter while gazing at the little girl standing before me.

"We meet, Father," the girl who looks just like Irene, albeit different in some features, says in a stiff tone.

At this moment, realization seems to dawn upon me as a random notion passes through my mind.

"No way… You are AI?"

The moment those words leave my mouth, the little girl, whom I assume to be AI, smiles, or more accurately, tries to smile.

Instead of the typical cheerful smile that I am used to seeing on Irene's face, I am met with a stiff one that is quite obviously forced.

Letting out a small sigh, I say, "You don't need to force yourself to smile."

As if taking my words as an order, AI's expression immediately reverts to the impassive state she was in when she appeared.

I take this chance to inspect her properly from head to toe as well as the odd phenomena around her.

Unlike Irene, AI is dressed in a black dress with no frills at any end of it. The dress has numerous symbols that somewhat seem to belong to the same category that the bull-like symbol under my belongs to.

Apart from their clothing, numerous other differences can be spotted at first glance.

First and foremost, her skin is tanned, unlike Irene's almost snow-like white skin.

After that, there is the fact that her hair is ghost-white in color and her eyes are white too.

Leaving her physical appearance aside, there is the fact that she seems to be the type of individual that struggles with expressing themselves properly.

That much can be understood from what happened a short while ago.

"Say," I utter while peering into her eyes, "Why didn't you appear in the other Platforms if you could do so?"

As a response to my inquiry, AI's brows twitch a few times before her whole body stiffens as she seems to not know what to say.

"Forget it," I say while shifting my sight to the odd phenomena around her body.

Right now, what seems to be cracks in space are forming all around AI's body before seemingly getting patched up the next moment.

Curious about them, I say, "Why are there cracks forming around you?"

"Due to the instability brought forth with my materialization, space and time within a certain expanse get destabilized."

Huh? So, she's basically telling me that trouble is bode to follow me if I were to let her stay materialized? After all, I can't infer any scenarios in which I am not being troubled by this 'property' of hers other than baiting foes.

Before I can ask more questions, a figure steps into the room.

Turning around, I find Kotori, who still has her black ribbons on, walking over to my bed with a solemn look on her face.

Surprised that she doesn't make any remarks regarding AI, I turn back around, only to see that she is unperceivable.

Hey, AI, can you hear me?

{Affirmative.}

Where did you go?

{Inside Father.}

…

…

Alright.

I will look into that matter later, but for now, I need to focus on the discussion I had been planning to hold with Kotori.

"A room has already been prepared for her," Kotori suddenly says, "Now, we don't have any rooms left for any future spirits you might want to bring over to this house."

"I see," I respond in a casual tone, "Are there any other places we can take up residence?"

"Perhaps," she responds vaguely.

Letting out a sigh of exasperation, I ask, "Do you know the reason I've called you over for?"

Hearing this, Kotori's expression turns even more serious as she says, "I don't, but I have a feeling that it's going to be very important and informative."

Nodding my head at her response, I begin explaining, "You see, I am planning to face that organization; DEM, was it? Anyway, I am planning to face them head-on."

"How?" Kotori asks as she squints her eyes.

"Using my 'discovered' powers as well as the aid of the spirits that are willing to help."

"Oh? And who would those be?"

"You, of course," I respond almost immediately, "Surely, you will help your big brother out like a good sister would, right?"

Kotori simply rolls her eyes and says, "Fine. As long as you don't do anything extreme."

Hearing her words, a grin forms on my lips as I walk over to the bed and take a seat beside her.

Realizing that I probably don't have 'good' intentions for doing so, Kotori attempts to get away, but before she can do so, I push her down on the bed and directly seal her lips.

As such, I remain on top of her and kiss for a solid three minutes before separating my lips from hers.

Ignoring the blaming look on Kotori's face and the tears in the corners of her eyes, I continue, "Kurumi and Tohka could possibly help me as well."

"Nightmare?" Kotori says as her expression changes from pitiful to confusion, "Why are you so sure about that?"

"Well," I say, "Let's just say that Kurumi and I have formed a very strong bond."

Following this, Kotori's eyes widen by a huge margin as a look of complete disbelief becomes apparent on her face.

"You… You…" she says in a shaky tone, to which I just shrug my shoulders and say, "Don't worry. Our bond isn't a weak one either."

Having said that, I place my palm against Kotori's left cheek and proceed to lean in for another kiss.

This time, Kotori reacts drastically different from before as she frantically tries to return the kiss in a manner that suggests she is currently panicking inside.

After a somewhat long whole of passionate kissing, I finally get off Kotori and the bed before stating, "If you ever feel lonely, just come over to me."

Kotori, who is presently lying on the bed in a dazed state doesn't respond to my words but continues to stare at the ceiling with unfocused eyes.

Shaking my head, a wry smile forms on my lips as I search for Natsumi through the house. It would be better for me to interact with her frequently...