Chapter 243: Good Night
"Sorry, Kotori. I got a little carried away. These past couple of days, I've been focusing entirely on dealing with the Spirits, and I ended up getting a bit full of myself."
"I subconsciously started thinking that your love for me was something natural and guaranteed. I'm really sorry. I won't overlook that again in the future."
Hearing Franklin's words, and listening to the faint sound of his skin being scorched, Kotori gradually came back to her senses. She pressed a hand to her aching head, only now realizing how badly she had lost control tonight. She tore off the black ribbon on her head, trying to push Franklin away, but he continued to hold her tightly.
"Big brother, I'm fine now. That was my own problem just now. I was the one who asked you to turn Spirits into humans—I had already thought through those things."
"In the future, I'll control my emotions better. I won't let this happen again. Please, big brother… let go of me. I'm really fine now…"
Hearing the faint sob in Kotori's voice, Franklin slowly loosened his embrace. Looking at her tear-filled eyes, he gently wiped away the moisture at the corner of her eyes.
"I won't ignore your feelings again, Kotori. Love is never just something you say—it needs real actions every single day.
"Tomorrow, let's all go on a date together. It feels like it's been a long time since I last went shopping with you.
"Tohka, Yoshino, and Yoshinon just became human. They need time to slowly adapt to human life. With you there, I'll feel much more at ease. If possible, I'd like to ask you for help."
As he spoke, Franklin picked up Kotori's black ribbon and carefully tied it back in place.
"Kotori, you'll always be my most beloved little sister. If you have emotions, you should let them out. I'm your big brother—if I can't even bear your negative emotions, how could I call myself your brother?"
"You know your brother is a hardcore siscon. If my little sister isn't feeling right, I'll be sad too. So if you have emotions, let them out."
"I'll be more than happy to help you deal with them. That way, our relationship will become even closer, and you won't have to worry about my love for you disappearing."
Kotori's face flushed red as she slowly closed her eyes, and Franklin gently leaned down to kiss her.
The out-of-control spiritual energy was quickly absorbed by Franklin at that moment, and Kotori also took the initiative to respond. Franklin, without the slightest hesitation or guilt, returned the kiss enthusiastically.
After a long while, their lips parted, a single crystal-clear thread stretching before finally breaking.
With a light snap of his fingers, everything returned to normal. Looking at Kotori's deeply flushed face, Franklin smiled and gently rubbed her head.
"Whether you're the Kotori with the black ribbon or the Kotori with the white ribbon, you're both my precious little sister. My love for you will never disappear."
Kotori's face turned even redder as she forcefully pushed Franklin away.
"Hmph, sweet talk. I won't get dizzy just because of a few words from you, big brother. I'm going to rest now—get out already."
As she spoke, Kotori pulled open the door. Tohka, Origami, Yoshino, and Yoshinon—who had been secretly eavesdropping outside—immediately scattered away from the door.
Seeing them, and recalling what had just happened, Kotori's face reddened so much it looked like blood might drip from it. She shoved Franklin straight out and slammed the door shut.
"Lin, what happened to Kotori? Did her spiritual energy reverse?"
Facing Tohka's curiosity-filled gaze, Franklin nodded lightly.
"Yes, but it's been perfectly resolved now. At this point, everyone should go back to their rooms and rest properly.
"You've all been busy and exhausted during the day, haven't you? The school has been temporarily destroyed, so there's definitely no classes.
"Tomorrow's activity will be a date. It might sound strange, but it really will be a date with all of you.
"So please rest well. Otherwise, you won't have any energy tomorrow."
After saying that, Franklin turned and prepared to head up to the third floor. Tohka flashed in front of him, blocking his path.
"Lin, what is a date? I don't really understand. Do I need to prepare anything in advance?"
Seeing Tohka's curious expression, Franklin slowly withdrew his step.
"No need. You just need to go rest. When you wake up tomorrow, I'll take you all shopping—eating, drinking, having fun. Once you experience it, you'll understand."
Watching Tohka sink into thought, Franklin turned to Origami.
"Don't do that kind of thing again today. Otherwise, I'll be unhappy."
Origami shook her head firmly, then turned away without looking at Franklin again, as if she didn't want to know his thoughts at all, and returned to her room.
"Good luck, Lin-kun. Dating so many people at once—what a spectacular scene. I look forward to seeing you get 'chopped' again."
Hearing Yoshinon's voice echo in his mind, Franklin rubbed his forehead helplessly. When he looked over, Yoshinon had already dragged Yoshino back to their room, leaving him a big mischievous face at the corner.
Seeing Tohka standing there, clearly lost in thought and practically drooling, Franklin took her hand and walked her back to her room.
"Stop thinking about it. Go to sleep early. Once you fall asleep, it'll be morning in no time."
Tohka nodded vigorously and immediately jumped onto the bed, pulling the blanket over herself. Seeing this, Franklin felt a little helpless.
He walked into the room and pulled the blanket back.
"You need to take off your clothes before sleeping. Otherwise, it'll be uncomfortable."
"Take off… my clothes?"
Looking at Tohka's blank expression, Franklin sighed and gently pulled her up.
"Watch carefully. I'll teach you once. Tomorrow morning, just do the same steps in reverse."
He slowly unzipped her skirt, letting it fall, then removed her outer layer and helped her unbutton her shirt one button at a time.
Finally, there was the undergarment restraining her ample chest. At this step, Franklin swallowed, and Tohka's face turned completely red.
Carefully unfastening it, Franklin immediately snapped his fingers. A cute set of pajamas appeared on Tohka's body, and the undergarment dropped out from inside.
"That's enough. Tomorrow, let Kotori teach you the rest. I don't think it's very appropriate for me to do it."
Seeing Tohka, face burning red, bury her head under the blanket, Franklin smiled helplessly and left the room.
"Good night."
Turning toward the room shared by Yoshinon and Yoshino, Franklin pushed the door open and walked in.
What greeted his eyes was Yoshinon's smooth, jade-like body—and in front of her, Yoshino with her rabbit onesie pulled halfway down.
"Bastard—"
What greeted Franklin was a flying kick from Yoshinon. Though it landed squarely on his face, every part of Yoshinon's body was perfectly displayed in his field of vision.
Giving a thumbs-up, Franklin was sent flying back by the kick's force, conveniently slamming the door shut behind him.
"Bastard Franklin. If you don't knock next time, I'll summon Icebound Puppets and tear your house apart."
Hearing Yoshinon's voice echo in his mind, Franklin replied with a laugh, "Perfect proportions. And by the way—this is also your and Yoshino's home."