Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers-Chapter 174: Are You Lovers?

"No, you've arrived just on time, Clementine." Shido said, turning to look at her.

"Hmm? And who might this be? Is she your lover, Master?" When Clementine arrived, the first one she saw was Shido then the people in black that was strangely bind by something. And she just happened to see Rumia when she walked closer to Shido making her raise an eyebrow.

"N-No, I'm not his girlfriend..." Rumia stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at Clementine's assumption. She and Shido didn't share that kind of relationship, at least, not yet. Still, she cast a sideways glance at him, secretly hoping to catch a reaction. But to her disappointment, his expression remained completely neutral.

Still, Rumia couldn't help but feel curious about the woman who had just appeared. Despite the rather revealing armor she wore, there was no denying her beauty and sex appeal. Rumia found herself glancing back and forth between her and Shido, quietly wondering what kind of relationship the two shared.

"Is that so?" Clementine was doubtful, eyeing Rumia with a faint smirk. She could sense the closeness between them, but chose not to press further since she could feel Shido's eyes warning her.

"This is Rumia Tingel," Shido said, stepping in to make introductions. "You could say she's a friend and a companion. And Rumia, this is Clementine. She's... a notorious killer, currently hiding from her former organization."

"Hello, Clementine-san." Rumia greeted politely. Though Shido's words had surprised her, she hadn't expected someone so beautiful to be a notorious killer. But as polite as she is, Rumia still introduce herself to Clementine. However, considering that she was close to Shido, Rumia didn't have to worry about anything at all. Rumia trusted Shido and believed in his judgment.

"I see, I see. I'm Clementine, by the way," the woman replied with a casual nod. Her gaze flicked between the two of them, a sly glint in her eyes, as if putting together a puzzle only she could see."Are you sure the two of you aren't dating?"

"Don't talk nonsense," Shido sighed from Clementine's curious glances so he tried to go to the point. "Help me extract information from him instead."

"Yes~!" Clementine replied with a playful laugh before drawing her stilettos and strolling toward Succulent, who lay sprawled on the ground.

He was originally furious that he was being ignored but, the arrogance that had once marked his expression quickly vanished the moment he laid eyes on her.

Clementine was tasked by Shido to infiltrate the capital without anyone knowing her identity to search for information about Eight Fingers. Although she got some information about the security and slave trade department and their heads. She still didn't discover their hideout and the location of the other members.

She had been preparing to make her next move, with the Six Arms as her likely target due to their deep ties with Eight Fingers. However, just as she was about to proceed, she heard Shido's voice inside her head, summoning her to his location.

At first she was stunned when she first heard his voice but it might be a skill of Shido that allow him to communicate with people telepathically so she just listened to them before she head towards his location like a shadow.

"Y-You! You-re that-" Before Succulent could finish his words, Clementine pierced her Stilettos on his shoulder making him let out a groan of pain, his earlier arrogance now replaced by fear.

"Rumia, you should look away," Shido said calmly, casting her a brief glance. He knew all too well how brutal Clementine's methods could be.

But Rumia stood firm, despite the unease in her eyes. Her face had gone slightly pale, but her resolve didn't waver. She shook her head gently.

"No," she replied, her voice soft but resolute. "I know this world is dangerous... and things like this will happen often. I want to get used to it." She bit her lower lip, eyes locked on Shido's, her tone filled with determination.

Shido could only sigh inside seeing her stubbornness, but somehow, he smiled as Rumia was strong unlike other girls who can't stand the sight of blood. He figured it might have something to do with her past. Whatever she had been through, it had clearly shaped her into someone stronger and more resolute.

He reached out and gently patted her head, a simple gesture that instantly softened the tension in her face. The fear she tried so hard to hide seemed to melt away under his touch.

Though she appeared brave on the outside, Shido could sense the lingering fear she carried. She didn't want to show it, not to him, but it seemed he already understood without needing her to say a word.

Rumia's cheeks flushed slightly, a subtle warmth spreading across her face. Yet she felt a quiet joy blossom within her at his gentle gesture. She leaned into the moment, allowing herself that brief comfort.

As Shido continued to caress her head, his eyes shifted back to Clementine. She was already at work, using her charm spell to control Succulent's mind. The once defiant man now stared blankly ahead, his lips beginning to move as he started revealing everything he knew.

...

After tens of minutes passed, Clementine finally finished extracting the information they needed. With a satisfied smirk, she stood up and casually strolled back to Shido's side.

"Master, I've completed the task~" she said playfully, her tone light as she leaned in closer. "Do I get a reward?"

Although, she was still a bit scared of him due to his power, Shido had a strange feeling that could warm a girl's heart easing their worries and making them comfortable with him. Clementine was no exception.

"...I will give you something later, then." Shido thought for a bit then said.

"Yey!" Clementine was only joking but she didn't expect Shido to actually reward her. She became elated and started to talk to Rumia. She could sense that Rumia was a kind but strong girl

"Rumia-san, Rumia-san. How did you meet Acheval-san? What are you to him? Are you two really not dating?" Her question was like water pouring out of the damn making Rumia speechless and blush.

"Clementine!" Shido felt headache since Clementine was so nosy.

"Kyaa!" Clementine screamed like a girl who was being molested when Shido raised his voice at her making him more speechless.

Rumia on the other hand giggled at the interaction of the two. She felt weird with their relationship, especially when Clementine was calling Shido master. She also called him master before but Shido waved his hand and let her call his name directly instead.

Thinking of that, a blush appeared on her cheeks and thought that Shido wanted to have a closer relationship with her since he asked to call him by his first name. However, she didn't hate the idea and even wondered when would Shido took their relationship to the next step.

"Let's just find this Coco Doll first, and locate the other members of the organization."

"Yes~!"

Shido felt a little ache on his head seeing how mischievous Clementine was. Did she forgot that he was her master that had powerful abilities? Thinking of that, Shido glared at Clementine then look at her from head to toe, and thought that he would teach her a lesson later that she would make this mischievous woman meek.

Seeing his cold eyes, Clementine shivered, but she didn't feel scared at all, instead she felt an indescribable feeling from his gaze making her body hot. She wondered if Shido became annoyed and wanted to make her shut her mouth with his thing.

Shido had a hint of what Clementine was thinking and he didn't say anything but Rumia was curious since the expression that Clementine revealed was somewhat... lewd. However, her thoughts were interrupted when Shido told them that they would move.