Shido and Mayuri stepped inside the school gates, reaching the classroom just before the bell rang for the first period.

"Glad we made it, just five seconds away from being late."

The blue-haired guy chuckled to the blonde girl next to him.

"Being late is the least of our problems, the real issue is her."

As they entered the classroom, they were showered by many surprised and curious gazes. Nevertheless, they simply took their seats and sat down next to each other, waiting for the roll call from the teacher.

On the far right corner, there sat a girl with long purple hair. Her expression was unknown due to the shadow caused by lighting, making Mayuri and Shido glance at her with caution. But fortunately for them, they weren't alone in this matter.

—Earlier—

"Shido, you can't just walk into this without a plan!" Kotori's voice trembled with concern, her fists clenched at her sides. "What if Ren tries something again? What if she…hurts you?"

In the Spirit Base, the other Spirits circled Shido as they cast looks of worry, frustration, or determination.

"Kotori-chan's concerns are valid, but Ren's recent actions suggest her motives might have shifted. Still, walking into this blind would be a mistake, my honey."

Kurumi's voice cut through like silk threaded with steel.

"My honey?"

Beast Tohka asked curiously, her face slightly red.

Kurumi smirked and nodded, fully acknowledging the fact that she used a more intimate name-calling.

"We need to approach this carefully. Ren appearing at your school and asking for you specifically is not a coincidence. If she means harm, the students could be at risk."

Mayuri, standing quietly by the window, finally spoke.

Shido took a deep breath, addressing the room with a steady tone. "I understand all of your concerns, but this isn't something I can avoid. Ren's actions have always been deliberate. If she's reaching out now, it's because there's something she wants me to know. If we don't face her, she might escalate—take hostages, or worse."

"B-but what if it's a trap?"

Yoshino clutched her puppet Yoshinon tightly, her soft voice trembling.

"That's why I won't go alone," Shido reassured her. "I've thought about this. I'll send a clone of myself to meet her first. That way, if it's a trap, the real me won't be caught off guard. And if she's sincere…then we'll know."

Mayuri tilted her head, her tone skeptical. "Do you really think Ren won't see through a clone? She's clever, Shido. If she realizes she's speaking to a copy, it might make things worse."

Shido nodded. "I'm aware of the risk, but I'm confident we can pull it off. I just need time to gauge her intentions. Once we know, we can act accordingly."

Mayuri stepped forward, her calm presence easing some of the tension in the room. "I'll accompany you. If something happens, I can step in. And the rest of us will remain on standby, ready to intervene if things go wrong."

With a final glance around the room, Shido added, "I need all of you to trust me. This is the best way to handle it."

—Present—

"How's [Me] looking?"

"Finally, you are speaking like me now, my honey."

The real Shido sat in the base, monitoring the situation through a linked consciousness. He felt the clone's nervous energy as though it were his own, but his resolve stayed firm.

On his laps, Kurumi sat happily while leaning her back against his chest, demanding a head-pat, which he granted. He never thought that he would make a clone of himself for a mission like this, but as the occasion presented itself, he accepted it without complaints.

He had misgivings about using his clone as if it was a disposable character, but Kurumi offered to help him get through this inner turmoil. Apparently, she had created thousands of clones over her life as a Spirit, using them and disposing of them whenever needed. She had no emotional baggage because they were all a part of her, and all of them lived or died for their common goal: To exterminate the Spirit of Origin.

Of course, now that such a goal was no longer needed, she made sure to preserve her clones and let them live happily and freely.

But now, she had to help her lover learn the hard way of handling his clone.

"A lamb to the slaughter."

Was what she would call it.

Other Spirits, minus Yoshino and Natsumi, were gathered around them, paying close attention to the monitor on screen, which was playing a vital image:

The back of the school courtyard, where Ren was waiting after the first period.

"Hey, Shido. Are you okay? I haven't seen you for a while now."

Shido's clone was walking through the school's hallway with Mayuri, but was stopped by a familiar figure.

Mai Sakurajima, the bunny girl senpai that he felt like he hadn't seen for a long time. It made him feel surreal, considering how many crazy things had happened to him and everyone. Funny enough, she used to have the problem of being invisible to her classmates, just like a blonde Spirit next to him.

"I'm fine, Mai-san. Just busy with life." He gave a wry smile, his hand holding onto Mayuri's. "We gotta go."

Without waiting for her response, he took Mayuri and walked toward the school backyard, leaving the bunny girl senpai gazing at their silhouette from behind.

"Why do I feel like something's wrong? Must be my imagination." Her eyes were filled with concern, then she decided to follow them.

But when she turned the corner, she saw a cute girl with blue wavy hair.

"Yoshino-chan?"

She was surprised for a second, then let out a squeal of joy.

"Mai-san, how are you?"

Yoshino, cladded in her Raizen high school uniform, smiled gently and approached the bunny girl senpai.

"Are you a student here now? I didn't hear about your transfer."

"Yes…I'm in 1st year…"

She meekly answered.

"Yoshino is a freshman, isn't that fantastic!?"

Yoshinon on her left hand waved its tiny limbs frantically.

"Yeah yeah, that's fantastic~"

Mai patted its head affectionately, earning a yelp from the doll. She had always liked Yoshino and her best friend, after all, they resembled bunnies just like her.

And with this, she forgot to follow Shido and Mayuri.

"Nice going, Yoshino."

Kotori's voice filled Yoshino's ears.

Yoshino secretly gave a thumbs up behind her back, and her mission was successful.

Nevertheless, there was another girl with short black hair standing near a window. She wasn't really trying to hide, but nobody noticed her presence.

"Interesting, I never see more than one girlfriend of Shido's at once." She glanced at Yoshino and Mayuri curiously, then decided to follow Shido from behind. Her footsteps were very light, almost leaving no sound in the hallway.

…

Ren was standing beneath the cherry blossoms illuminated by the sunlight. She looked as ethereal as ever, her long purple hair catching the glow like strands of silk. Her arms were crossed, her expression composed, but her heart was a storm of conflicting emotions.

Why am I nervous?

Ren thought, adjusting her school uniform and the skirt.

I came here because I wanted this. But now that I'm standing here, waiting for him, it feels…

She let out a quiet breath, lowering her gaze.

Her memories of her defeats, of the battles that chipped away at her carefully constructed facade, surfaced unbidden. Each clash with Shido and the Spirits had brought back fragments of who she once was, and each fragment had sharpened the ache in her chest.

I've loved you all this time, and yet I've pushed you away. I don't deserve forgiveness, but I…I want to make it right. But I can't just say that outright. I can't let myself be that vulnerable.

She straightened, her composed mask slipping into place as she felt Shido's presence approach. But when she looked up, she saw him with Mayuri.

They are really here?

She narrowed her eyes slightly, studying the young couple.

"Ren. I'm here. What do you want to talk about?"

"Just so you know, don't try anything funny."

Ren's lips parted, but for a moment, no sound came out. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind countless times, yet the words seemed caught in her throat.

"Shido. May I speak to you…alone?" Finally, she asked.

"No, whatever you have to say," Shido's clone looked at Mayuri with an ease of heart, "you can say to both of us."

"I wanted you to hear it first, but fine."

Ren's sharp eyes softened slightly, but doubt lingered.

It feels like him, but there's something…off. Could it be…?

"Do you trust me enough to meet me here, knowing our past?" She asked, her tone probing.

"I trust that if you wanted to hurt me, you wouldn't be standing here talking. So, tell me…." Shido's clone tilted its head slightly. "Why are you here?"

Ren hesitated, the storm in her heart intensifying. She clenched her fists, glancing away.

He's approaching me first, just like I hoped. But why does it feel like he's testing me?

Her voice dropped, almost a whisper. "I…wanted to see you. After our last encounter, I began to remember things. Things about myself, about you."

The clone remained silent, allowing her to continue. Ren's gaze returned to him, a glimmer of vulnerability breaking through her composure.

"Shido, I…I realize now that I…" Her words faltered, her pride warring with her sincerity. Finally, she took a step closer, her voice firmer. "I want to make things right. With you. But it's not easy for me to say."

She's struggling. She wants to open up, but she's afraid. Just like I thought.

Shido's consciousness felt a pang of sympathy.

"Ren," the clone said gently, "whatever it is, you can tell me. I'll listen."

For a moment, Ren's guard wavered. She took another step forward, close enough now that the faint scent of cherry blossoms lingered between them, making Mayuri on high alert. Not just her, all the Spirits in the Spirit Base were ready to teleport with Mukuro's abilities within a moment's notice.

But then, she stopped, her eyes narrowing slightly as realization dawned.

"This isn't you, is it?"

She said quietly, her tone laced with disappointment.

"What do you mean?"

The clone stiffened, he tried to maintain his cover as much as possible.

"You're good, Shido. You've always had a way of making girls feel seen." Ren's lips curved into a faint, rueful smile. "But this…feels hollow."

She's sharper than I gave her credit for.

In the base, Shido winced.

"If you want me to be honest, you should have had the courage to face me yourself."

Ren stepped back, crossing her arms.

"Why should I? You tried to kill me multiple times, very sickly and cruelly." Shido's clone smirked, shaking his head dismissively. "Enough of this game, how about you come with us and talk with everyone? Otherwise, we will take you by force."

"You…!"

Ren's eyes widened in shock and anger, but she soon recovered. After a few moments, she sighed and smiled wryly. With this, she finally let out what she had been trying to say.

"I….got rid of Westcott."

A/N:

I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Hope you are enjoying a great time with your families, friends, and those that you love.