Despite being part of the Neighboring World Exploration Team, Shido and the others still had to attend classes like any normal teens their age.

As luck would have it, not only were Shido Takamiya, Tohka Yatogami and Origami Tobiichi on the same squadron, they were not only schoolmates, but also classmates before that. That's why they knew each other before Mio introduced them the other day.

The bell rang, signaling the end of classes and the start of lunch break. Normally, when he didn't have lunch with his friend Hiroto Tonomachi, Shido had lunch with Tohka and Origami, but today was a bit different. They grabbed their lunch boxes and started heading for the class next door.

"Heey, Kaguya, Yuzuru, are you ready yet?"

"Ah, coming."

"Hurry. Please wait a bit."

After hearing Tohka's call, the twins, Kaguya and Yuzuru Yamai hurriedly grabbed their lunch boxes and went with Shido and the others.

As luck would have it, they had transferred into this school after they learned they were going to be part of the NWET. Since they were in a different class, Shido, Tohka and Origami only found out they studied in the same school yesterday, so they made plans to have lunch together today.

Normally, Shido, Origami and Tohka simply go to the cafeteria, but they are in a bigger group today, and there's also one more reason why they didn't want to be in a place with a bunch of people. Although they all thought about it, none of them said it.

That's why, they decided to have lunch on the rooftop today. The door wasn't locked when they got there, their school usually allowed access to the roof, and so they decided to take a seat and enjoy their meal together while having a conversation.

"We were called the Children of Hurricane back home. Everyone knew we'd be great important people one day. Kuku, maybe they could sense our magic power. It seems that the power of the Yamais is too great to be contained."

"Explanation. We were troublesome children, but everyone took care of us. We always wanted to come to the city, and that's why we decided to enlist ourselves."

Kaguya and Yuzuru had just told Shido, Origami and Tohka their story. They lived in a simple village in a calm rural area. Maybe their parents had some situation or something, but the twins had been abandoned when they were still babies, but they were raised by the people of that village.

The desire to come to the big city grew with them, so when they got a good score in the compatibility test, they decided to try their chances and everyone supported them. Of course, since it's their first time in a big city like this, they are still amazed at everything, and also a bit lost. So having friends close by like this was really helpful.

Well, this story didn't explain why they talked like that… but it's fine, Shido thought. It was probably something they came up with to stand out a bit, or maybe they thought it was cool? Sometimes they spoke normally though.

"Question. Yuzuru is curious to hear your story… err, Origami-senpai? Why did you join the Neighboring World Exploration Team?"

"There's no need for that, just Origami is fine. As for why… have you heard about the fire from five years ago?"

Both Kaguya and Yuzuru nodded. That's nothing to be surprised about, it was national news for a while.

A Spacequake happened, but there was an oversight during the repairs, which led to a big fire that engulfed the city. The situation was quickly controlled, but there were still damages and victims.

That said, to this day, no one knows how exactly the fire started. An oversight is the main theory, but there's actually no evidence to back it. Rather, the evidence that was found pointed to it being deliberately caused by someone, but no one was able to ever find a culprit.

"I lost my parents in that fire. At first, I was mad at the people responsible for that oversight, but then, as time passed, I stopped and thought about it. The real problem was the Spacequake. The next chance I had, I took the test and enlisted myself."

Although Origami got a 1% score, which is on the low end for women, she quickly proved that she was quite skilled, which was probably one of the reasons why Mio chose her for the Spirit Team.

"Apology. Sorry for asking about that…"

"It's fine. No need to step around it."

Origami didn't seem to mind it, but Yuzuru still seemed to feel a bit guilty for asking. Kaguya tried to change the mood by continuing the conversation.

"S-since we're talking about it, Tohka, why did you join?"

"I… last year, I lost my sister to a Spacequake. I wanted to join to try and find her."

Yes. Last year, Tohka and her twin sister, Tenka, had been victims of a Spacequake incident. That case was strange, even though it happened in the middle of the city, it was too quick to be detected and made a great number of victims.

Mio visited each and every single victim that had survived and apologized to all of them, that's when she met Tohka. For some reason, Mio decided to have Tohka spend some time in her home while she recovered, as she had no other family, which is when Shido met her. Tohka now has her own apartment, but Mio became something like a mother to her, and she sometimes still visits.

As for Tohka trying to find Tenka, there were rumors that some people, humans, but not from the Neighboring World Exploration Team, were sighted in the Neighboring World, prompting the start of rumors that some people survived the Spacequakes and were waiting for rescue.

Needless to say, that rumor was never proved true, and most people regarded it as just desperate family members trying to hold on to some hope. Considering the dangers of the Neighboring World, it seemed unlikely that normal people could just survive there for any amount of time.

"T-that's…"

Seeing that her plan had backfired, Kaguya and Yuruzu were now both feeling very awkward. Shido decided to throw them a bone.

"As for me, well, I just joined because of my score. Also, it's kind of embarrassing to say, but it feels like an adventure, doesn't it?"

"A-ah. That's right, Shido gets it."

"Agreement. Yuzuru also thinks it feels like an adventure."

The twins quickly jumped on Shido's safe boat, though they didn't seem to think too differently from him either. They had moved all the way here after all.

By now, they had mostly finished their lunch. All that was left to do was enjoy a bit of a rest before going back to classes.

But it seems Origami had a different thought in mind.

"It's about time we get started."

Origami said, getting up and then messing with her skirt. A second later, it dropped to the ground, revealing she was wearing a pair of black panties. Quite tight fitting ones at that.

Everyone was stunned by the suddenness of it. Origami, not minding any of them, moved closer to Shido.

"Now, come, Shido."

"A-ah."

Origami got closer to Shido, backed up by reflex, but he ended up with his back on the ground. Origami, now on top, grabbed his hand and put it on her waist.

Although his brain was too shocked to do anything, Shido understood the situation. Considering their job as the Spirit Team, it was hard to refuse her, and deep down he didn't want to, but he was a little embarrassed by it.

"Wait, you-! Get away from Shido!"

Tohka grabbed Origami from behind and lifted her to get her away from Shido. As that happened, Shido happened to get an even better view of Origami's panties, but he decided that knowledge was best saved only for himself.

"Y-you can't do those kinds of things!"

"That is literally what we have to do. If you don't want to, don't get in other people's way."

"I-it's not that I don't want to. B-but it's embarrassing."

Kaguya and Yuruzu were watching as if it was an amazing scene from a show, though their faces were bright red. Shido didn't know which side to take.

On one hand, he knows it's something they must do eventually, and it's not something he doesn't want to do. On the other, he's not an exhibitionist, nor is he keen on the idea of forcing the girls when they are embarrassed like Tohka.

"O-Origami, I don't think we have to hurry too much. Besides, doing it at school with everyone here is kinda…"

"... I understand. Then, help me get dressed, Shido."

Shido was a bit confused at first, but it didn't seem like Origami intended to concede any further, and he himself wasn't totally against it.

So Shido grabbed the skirt Origami had dropped on the ground and helped her put it back on. Origami hugged Shido tightly, saying that she'd lose her balance otherwise. It was hardly unpleasant, so Shido didn't complain.

He did end up touching her a bit as he helped Origami put her skirt back on, which made him regret his decision a bit, but he steeled his heart and went through with it.

After that, although they still had a few minutes of break time, everyone was too embarrassed to say anything. Origami did try to sneak pressing her breasts on Shido's arm, but Tohka saw it and stopped her.

It wasn't long until the bell rang again, and they all returned to their classes. That said, Shido was unable to concentrate for the rest of the day.

/

Just like Shido and the others, Kurumi Tokisaki and Maya Yukishiro, who also happened to be schoolmates, were also on their lunch break in their school.

Naturally, with Kurumi being well-educated and Maya being really quiet, their break was nowhere as agitated as Shido and the others'.

"What does Maya-san think?"

"About what?"

"Of course, about Shido-san and the new team."

While they had all agreed to give this whole thing a try, they obviously had their own thoughts about it. Since they were in a reasonably private place, Kurumi decided to ask Maya for her thoughts.

"... I don't really have much to say. The new CR-Units are a big mystery, but that's a given considering it's experimental technology. At the very least, with those Sephiras as cores, I can believe something more powerful than we've ever seen can be built. I don't have much to comment about Shido and his ability. Rather, I should be asking you."

"Yes. Although his ability has a very interesting method of usage, it is most definitely real. I did a small test after we parted ways yesterday, and I was definitely stronger than normal. I've never had much contact with boys before, but… I think this might be fun."

Kurumi said while licking her lips. If Maya didn't study in the same school as her, she would find it hard to believe that Kurumi was actually a pure maiden instead of an experienced woman with a high body count.

"... But there is one part that bothers me."

"Ara, what is it?"

"Although there is some degree of difficulty, the current equipment is enough to explore the Neighboring World as far as we know. So why make this new team?"

"Isn't it because of Shido-san's ability, which makes using the new Spirit CR-Units possible?"

"In that case, isn't this selection strange? There are 10 of us on this team, excluding Shido. Shouldn't tests start with smaller numbers? Besides, there is Captain Ellen. She has apparently already made use of Shido's ability, but she's not getting a Spirit CR-Unit? I can't really explain it, but it just seems strange."

"Ara…"

Now that Maya had said it, Kurumi did notice these odd points. It's not as if something seemed wrong per say, but it just felt odd.

Still, no matter how much they thought about it, they wouldn't get anywhere. They simply lacked information. And ultimately, both of them found it hard to imagine Mio had some big evil plan behind it all.

In the end, they decided to just not think about it for now. They'll decide what to do as the situation moves along.

/

Once classes were over, Miku Izayoi started heading to the NWET headquarters.

Normally, she would be skipping the whole way. After all, she would be heading to a paradise similar to her all-girls' school. However, that's no longer the case.

"Tsk."

Miku couldn't help but click her tongue. Not only was there now an insect (Shido) in her flower garden, but there was no way she could ignore or get rid of him. Not only that, she had to endure while he had his way with the pretty flowers (girls) of her garden, and even herself.

She had spent all last night trying to think about a way to do… something, but there wasn't anything to be done. She simply had to learn to accept and live with his presence.

"..."

Although, if she was being honest, she didn't see it as all bad. Yes, she did not like the idea of having a man around her, but that was due to a certain past experience. She didn't really have anything against Shido himself.

As someone who had been in the Neighboring World Exploration Team for a while now, she knew how valuable Shido's newly found ability could be, and the new Spirit CR-Units would also definitely be helpful. Maybe it would even be the key to exploring even more of the Neighboring World and finding the people that have gone missing in the disasters.

Yes, Miku was one of the people who believed that there were people in the Neighboring World in need of rescue, she joined the team to find a certain someone.

That said, the person she wanted to find wasn't a family member or loved one, which is why she never talked about it to anyone. If she ever told anyone who she hoped to find, since she was sure everyone would laugh at her.

"Haaah… it can't be helped. I'll just have to learn to live with it. … Maybe, by some stroke of luck, this could even…"

Miku started imagining what the future might hold for her. Finding the person she's looking for would be good, but there was also another matter she'd like to solve if possible.

For better or worse, she has already understood that she and Shido will have to be near each other, and there was also the matter of using his ability. Assuming Shido isn't a bad man, which he doesn't seem to be, maybe, just maybe…

Miku shook her head and decided to stop thinking about it. She was almost at the headquarters.

Since she had some time, she decided to visit some of her old squadmates. The timing was just right to catch them changing or taking a shower, a bit of naked skinship was sure to lift her spirits.

/

Before they headed to the Neighboring World Exploration Team headquarters, Kotori Itsuka had sent a message to Yoshino Himekawa and Natsumi Kyouno. Not just them, everyone had shared their contact information yesterday.

They were going to meet up at a park near their schools. Unfortunately, only Yoshino and Natsumi were schoolmates, so they couldn't meet during lunchtime. Once they arrived, Kotori was already waiting for them.

"I propose we make an alliance!"

That is what she told them after they met up.

"An alliance… for what Kotori-san…?"

"Of course, it's to make sure the others don't steal onii-chan from m- I mean, from us!"

Although Yoshino was confused at Kotori's words at first, she soon understood them.

They were the youngest members of the Spirit Team. Naturally, that puts them at a disadvantage both in terms of experience in relationships and feminine charm. Normally, it wouldn't really be a problem, but part of their job involves their relationship with Shido, so it was a little worrying.

"Um, I get the idea, but I don't think I should be here. I'm not really good-looking, so I might just get in the way."

"Natsumi-san, I think you're cute… I'm sure Shido-san will also start thinking the same as well."

"G-guh, Yoshino really is an angel…"

Natsumi flinched as if she had been stabbed. Kotori also thought that Natsumi was pretty cute, but she seemed to be lacking in self-confidence.

"Anyway! We have to team up! That will give us an advantage while the others don't think of doing the same thing, and it'll allow us to compete with them after."

Natsumi and Yoshino could both see what Kotori was getting at. Certainly, there was no harm in at least giving it a try. They certainly didn't have enough courage to approach Shido on their own, so staying with someone who was already close to him could help them.

Kotori held out her hand in the air. Yoshino and Natsumi soon understood what she wanted and put their hands on top of hers.

"Alright, with this, we're more than a team now. We're friends!"

"Friends…"

"H-huh?"

Yes, that was also Kotori's objective. Natsumi and Yoshino seemed to be friends already, but they also seemed timid enough that they'd just close themselves in their small bubble. That just wouldn't do, they had to properly get along with everyone, so Kotori took that job upon herself.

Although Kotori might look like an innocent and carefree girl, she's actually quite thoughtful. Maybe, in some other world where things went somewhat different, she would be the captain of her own crew or something.

"Now, while we walk, let's talk. What does everyone like to do? Any hobbies?"

"U-um… I have done some knitting."

"I don't really have anything…"

… The road ahead of Kotori didn't seem like an easy one. Still, she decided she would brave through it. After all, both the objectives of wanting to be their friend and wanting to have them help her not lose Shido were true.