[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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In the drizzle, a small figure darted forward. Dressed in a rabbit-like outfit and with a petite frame, she resembled a lively, adorable little rabbit.
However, the little rabbit seemed flustered. With a light tap of her toes, she leapt gracefully into the air, but suddenly, a blue light shot toward her!
The AST troops had arrived. As always, they were quick to respond to the presence of a Spirit.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Under the barrage of lasers and flashes of light, the small figure struggled to maintain her balance in midair. It was clear she wouldn't be able to evade for much longer, and the next strike was about to hit her.
"Careful."
A voice suddenly rang in Yoshino's ears. Before she could react, her small frame was enveloped by a glowing magic circle. In the blink of an eye, she vanished before the AST could land their attack.
"What just happened?" Kusakabe Ryoko stared in disbelief at the scene before her. She couldn't comprehend how they had failed. Her attack had been perfectly aimed and seconds away from hitting its mark. Yet, the target had completely vanished.
No one around her had any answers. Meanwhile, Yoshino, the one at the center of it all, was equally perplexed.
"Huh? Where am I? How did Yoshino end up in a place like this?"
In her hands, a rabbit puppet came to life and spoke.
The puppet, also named Yoshinon, was an extension of Yoshino's personality—a constant companion since she became a Spirit. Yoshino herself was too shy and timid to communicate directly, her frailty compounded by the rejection and hatred she had faced from humans. Over time, Yoshinon became her voice and her only source of comfort in an otherwise lonely world.
"This is a safe place," a gentle voice said as Alexander emerged from the mist. He smiled warmly at Yoshino and her puppet. "Hi, Yoshino and Yoshinon. My name is Alexander, and I'm here to help you."
Despite his kind tone, Yoshino instinctively clutched Yoshinon tighter. The hostility she had faced throughout her life made her wary of everyone, even someone as seemingly kind as Alexander.
Seeing Yoshino's frightened, rabbit-like demeanor, Alexander sighed in exasperation. "As I thought, I'm not cut out for kidnapping little girls," he muttered under his breath.
Finally, Yoshinon broke the silence. "Who are you? And why did you bring Yoshino here?"
Alexander considered how best to ease her fear. Deciding on a harmless white lie, he replied, "I'm Alexander, a Spirit just like you. I saw you were in danger and stepped in to help."
To further convince her, Alexander summoned his angel, Sandalphon, as proof of his identity. Seeing the angel, Yoshinon breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wow! He's really a Spirit, Yoshino. He's like us! He probably won't hurt you," Yoshinon said reassuringly.
Hearing this, Yoshino visibly relaxed. Slowly, she approached Alexander, her wariness fading.
"Hi, I'm Yoshino, and this is Yoshinon," she said quietly, holding up her puppet. "Thank you for helping us. Without you, little Yoshino might've been hurt."
Although she doubted that a few lasers could seriously harm her, Yoshino was still grateful for Alexander's intervention. She understood the importance of manners and wanted to express her thanks.
Alexander let out a relieved sigh. Thanks to his angel, he had managed to win her trust. Convincing this timid little girl to relax had been no easy feat.
Just as he was about to proceed with his plan to protect—or, as he jokingly called it, "abduct"—Yoshino, a voice rang out.
"Target spirit detected! All units, prepare to attack!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of explosions filled the air as lasers rained down like a storm. The already fragile ruins around them began to crumble under the relentless assault. Roofs were blown away, and the AST troops swiftly descended upon the scene.
Their speed was truly astounding.