-Spiritual Kinship- 2nd half

Chapter 22 - Fraxinus EX

[The monitor was connected During the entire duration of the twins conversation with Mukuro. It displayed her happiness levels and mental state. Her affection levels, happiness measurements, and other parameters remained constant. She really was not joking when she said she had sealed her heart.] MARIA's voice echoed in the room.

"W-What did you say?" Kotori's eyes widened in schock.

But that was to be expected. To seal a Spirit's power, it was a necessary for one of the twins to kiss the Spirit. However, if the Spirit couldn't open the door to her heart, it was impossible for them to be sealed.

Syouji didn't know what to make of this. That was because he had been abhorred, detested, seduced and even killed by Spirits before, but it was the first time he encountered a Spirit that made him question his very own existence.

[Mukuro currently wields the Angel <Michael> in the form of a key. You had witnessed one of its abilities just now. If she used the <Lock> ob her heart any external influence would be rendered incapable of affecting her.]

"I see... then, what should we-" As Syouji began to talk, whispers could be heard from outside the door of the command headquarters.

"...? What's that sound?" Kotori said with suspicion as he approached the door.

At that moment, Syouji could see MARIA show a slight smirk as the doors flung open in the next instant as Kotori [Waahh!!] was crushed by a force, hitting the floor with a *thud*. Of course, it was none other than the Spirits that were supposed to be waiting in the other room.

"Ugaaah!"

"Kyaaa!"

"Constriction. So heavy. Kaguya, you need to lose weight."

"Why should I?! It's not just me!"

"I should be the one saying that....guh!" Kotori groaned from the weight of the four Spirits. "You all need to lose weight."

Kotori struggled as she was being crushed and entangled in a chaotic mess of bodies as the Itsuka twins watched in bewilderment.

"Why is everyone here?" Shidou questioned.

"Muu...sorry. We didn't mean to eavesdrop..." Tohka apologized dejectedly. By now, the Spirits have started to sluggishly stand up from the floor.

"It's not Tohka-san's fault! It's just that the two of you made us worry so much!"

"Syouji-kun, if there's anything we can do to help, please tell us."

Miku accused while holding onto Mayuri's shoulders who spoke with her arms crossed as the other Spirits nodded in agreement with her.

"Seriously, what a pain... you can stay as long as you don't make any disruptions." Syouji gave a small sigh as he shook his head with a wry smile as the Spirits faces lit up.

"This time, we can't just win with Reiryoku alone." Kotori spoke up in a sincere tone. "If we can't boost her affection levels, we won't be able to seal her and her heart is firmly locked."

"Enquiry. Is there any way to unlock Mukuro's heart?" Yuzuru questioned.

[There is on possible method I could think of. However, whether or not it will work is uncertain.]

"And what would that be MARIA?" Syouji asked.

[If it is true that her Angel can lock her heart, then it's possible to unlock it as well.] MARIA said in a matter of fact manner. It seems that MARIA is sassier than MARINA. Moreover, Syouji is still yet to come up with a meaning for her name.