Date A Live Light Novels Volume 2 Chapter 3 - Epilogue

Friday, December 25, 2015

Date A Live Light Novels

- Volume 2 : Chapter 3 - Epilogue Here:

- You can see Date A Live Volume 2 just :

Volume 2

Chapter 3: Excessively Distorted Compassion

Part 1

"Hey, Tohkaa~……"

While letting out a perplexed voice, Shidou *knock* *knock*, knocked on the door.

But…there was no response.

"Tohka……I'm begging you, hear me out on what I have to say."

Once more, he said that while knocking on the door.

When he did that— *Don!* A loud sound occurred and the whole house shook.

"…Uh!"

Due to the sudden noise, he twitched his shoulders in reflex.

And, from the door that Shidou had been knocking on, a mumbling voice echoed.

"……Fuun. Don’t bother me……Hurry up and go to that side Idiot –Idiot."

And with that response the matter ended like that. Tohka was completely sulking.

"Haaaah…What am I supposed to do…?"

Shidou was completely at a loss, he sighed gloomily while rubbing his brows with his fingers.

Shidou was currently in front of a door located in the deepest part of the 2nd floor in the Itsuka residence, there was the word [Tohka] scribbled on paper and pasted to the door.

It had been 5 hours since [Yoshinon] went back to the other world.

After that, he was retrieved by <Fraxinus>, and went back to his house, which was a good thing. But, upon entering the house he found that Tohka had locked herself inside her room and refused to come out.

"—Shidou. Got a moment? There is something I want to confirm."

From the intercam that was on his right ear came Kotori’s voice.

"Ah……? What now, this isn't the right time for that—"

"Shidou, you really did kiss Yoshinon properly, right?"

"……Uh, huh? What's this all of a sudden……?"

From the sudden question, Shidou made a shrill voice.

"Just answer, at that time Shidou and Yoshinon's lips met together. That isn't a mistake, correct?"

"……Ah, yeaah……"

"Fumu……"

"S-So what's wrong with that? I'm saying this first, that was completely an accident—"

"I know that. Instead of that, I would even praise you for achieving the goal we were aiming for."

"…Then what is it?"

When Shidou asked, Kotori after groaning [umu] replied:

"—It would seem that even though you kissed, you couldn't seal any of the Spirit's power at all."

After being told that Shidou's eyes widened.

That's right. Even after kissing [Yoshinon], she was still using her Spirit powers.

"Well, the affection level wasn't raised as high as that time with Tohka and of course sealing all of the power is impossible, but even so— it is a little concerning that not even a little bit of it could be sealed. In numerical values, I thought that even at that stage it would be divided by 2 or even 3."

After saying that, she once again returned to talking to herself.

"…Somehow either Yoshinon has a hidden special ability, or—"

"Hey, HHeeeeyyyy, Kotori. I think Yoshinon is also a big problem but……err."

While saying that, Shidou had his eyes turned towards Tohka's door.

Kotori probably guessed what Shidou was thinking and replied immediately.

"—Ahh, it's about Tohka, huh? How is her condition now?"

"Just like what you can see……I was trying to talk to her just now, but it was no good."

"I see. From seeing the numerical values it would seem that her powers temporarily resurfaced, though then they flowed back into the Pass and are once again sealed. But...it would be better if you hurried up and fixed her mood."

"Her mood……but how?"

"……Shin. If it's okay with you, would you leave this problem to me?"

After Shidou asked, he heard a strangely sleepy voice from the intercam— It was Reine.

"Eh…?"

"……As expected, she is getting worked up about that. If I am not mistaken, tomorrow is a Saturday. Would you mind leaving Tohka to me in the afternoon? Let's see……How about you let us go out and buy the groceries?"

"I don’t mind but what is this about all of a sudden?"

A few moments after Shidou asked, Reine let out a sigh.

"………With things like this, it is better if the Shinperson concerned is not there. These are delicate traits of a woman’s heart. Please remember that."

"Ha-Haaa……"

Shidou, scratched his cheek with a confused feeling.

Part 2

"……And so, that's about it, Tohka. I am thinking of going out shopping, would you mind accompanying me?"

The next day, 13th of May (Saturday) 10 A.M.

Just like what she said yesterday, Reine visited the Itsuka house and said those words in front of Tohka’s room.

Her current attire wasn't the usual white robe or the army uniform. From her chest pocket a stuffed bear covered in scars was peeping out from the jersey like clothing with dark colored bottom. There was also a bag on her shoulder, showing that she was planning to go out and buy something.

But Tohka was the same as yesterday, and from beyond the door echoed an irritated voice.

"Shut up, leave me alone………!"

She still sounded angry. Shidou, who was standing right beside Reine let out a sigh.

"She has been like this since yesterday."

"………Fumu."

Reine put her hand on her chin to show that she was thinking.

And then from the bag, she brought out a terminal like computer, and started fiddling around with it using her other hand.

After looking at the terminal screen, she closed it and stepped forward towards the door.

"………Tohka."

"I told you to leave me alone………! I wa—"

"………I am thinking of eating something outside while shopping. How about it?"

When Reine said that, Tohka was unexpectedly silent.

And then, after 10 seconds.

...

*Creak*

The bedroom door opened, and from inside Tohka's angry face popped out.

She probably hadn't changed her clothes since yesterday; she was still dressed in her high school uniform. What's more her clothes were still wet. Speaking of which, maybe she hadn't slept, there were dark circles under her eyes. If she were to walk beside Reine, others would say they were sisters.

"Wha…?"

Shidou opened his eyes wide in surprise.

"Re-Reine-san……? What on earth did you do………?"

"…………Nothing. It's because her hunger value is rising. I thought it is probably about time that she is reaching her limits now."

“I see………eh, yesterday night I tried calling her out for supper but she didn’t come out…"

"……That is well; she probably doesn't want to see your face."

"……"

And he was told such harsh words directly and plainly.

But, it was the truth. Tohka, who had finally come outside, upon seeing Shidou *pui* she turned her face away, and walked away with heavy steps.

"Hurry up and let's go!"

"………Un, let’s do that. Rain has also been falling since this morning. Please do not forget to bring an umbrella."

While saying that, Reine made eye contact with Shidou that seemed to say [Leave this to me].

"………I-I'm counting on you."

The only thing Shidou could do was to send both of them off.

And just like that he was standing there dazed for a few minutes.

"Errrr………"

But, he immediately realized he was wasting his time. He lightly pulled his cheek to regain his composure and then descended the stairs.

"It's a day off from school after all………I guess I'll go shopping in the afternoon too."

He planned to go shopping yesterday right after school, but because of various things he couldn't go.

Shidou hurriedly finished dressing, and left the house taking an umbrella with him.

"Umbrella— well, I'll hang on to it just in case, since Kotori is still sleeping."

After opening the umbrella and saying that, Shidou made footprints on the road of rain.

—And then, wondering how long he spent walking.

"………Uh!?"

In the middle of walking to the shopping street, he noticed the back of someone he recognized. Shidou then stopped his legs.

That was, because he found someone with rabbit like ears attached to a green colored hood.

"Yo-Yoshinon………?"

Shidou, raised his eyebrows as that name came out of his mouth.

Yes, due to the area being destroyed by yesterday’s spacequake, from over the other side of the prohibit entry sign that was placed up, the Spirit [Yoshinon]'s figure was there.

Shidou hid his body behind the wall, observing [Yoshinon].

"The alarm……didn't ring……Eh, the same pattern with Tohka at that time, huh."

Speaking of that, when he encountered [Yoshinon] the first time, the alarm wasn't ringing. Maybe because, she was a Spirit that frequently comes and goes to this dimension from the other world.

"………But, what is the best thing to do now…?"

Now that he found her, there was no way he could ignore her now— he did not know what kind of action he should take.

After Shidou took some time pondering over his thoughts— he pushed the buttons on his cell phone.

After hearing the calling tone going on for a while, he heard a sleepy voice from his cell phone receiver.

"………Fua~i……Hello………? Onii-chan…………?"

It was clearly the sound of her just waking up. And of course, it was Shidou's sister, Kotori.

"Hey. Good morning Kotori."

"Unn-……Gud morning. What's wrong…………?"

"…It's an emergency. I found Yoshinon."

"………"

The moment Shidou said that, on the other side of his cell phone, *Pachin!* *Pachin!*, he heard the sound of cheeks being hit with all her might.

And right after that a dignified voice, that he knew and at the same time doesn't, echoed.

"—Tell me about the whole situation in detail."

"Y-Yeah."

While being a little overpowered by the sudden change, Shidou explained the current situation in a simple manner.

"………I see. Another quiet appearance huh? This is troubling— So, Shidou’s existence hasn’t been discovered by the Spirit yet, right?"

"Aahhh……I think so. What should I do?"

"Do you have the intercam?"

"Eh? Aah— yeah just in case."

Shidou, lightly felt his pocket to confirm the feeling of the small device was there.

Since the affair with Tohka, he was told to carry one just in case there was a problem.

"That is good. Wear that. Don’t lose sight of the Spirit and standby for orders."

"Eh? Wai—"

—— *snap* *toot*,*toot*,*toot*. The call disconnected.

"Sta-Stand by………"

From the careless instructions, he raised his eyebrows.

Since, there was nothing else he could do. He quietly put the intercam onto his ear, and peeked at [Yoshinon]’s condition.

After 5 minutes had past, from the intercam he heard his precious little sister's voice.

Apparently she had finished her preparation in a short time, and then moved towards <Fraxinus>.

"—Can you hear me? Shidou."

"……Yeah, I can hear you."

"We can't leave her alone if this continues. For now let's make contact first."

"……Understood."

After taking a good breathes, he steadily walked towards [Yoshinon].

Even now [Yoshinon] was not in the state to realize Shidou was there, she was desperately looking at the ground.

"………Well then, talk to her."

"Eeh...Pl-Please wait a second."

Because of Shidou approaching the Spirit, a window was displayed on the bridges main monitor.

①The same time when trying to talk to her, face upwards after rolling over then show your stomach, to show that you have no hostility towards her.

②Immediately hug her tightly, to tell her the love from this side.

③To show that you are unarmed, talk to her after getting stark-naked.

The method to avoid provoking the Spirit, were shown in 3 patterns.

"*Tsk* Although it hurts to not have Reine here, it can't be helped."

Kotori, after taking a glimpse at the vacant seat on the lower bridge, she clicked her tongue.

Currently, Reine should be taking Tohka shopping right now. They also couldn't take the chance of abandoning Tohka and lowering her mood even further.

"—All members, choose!"

Together with that order, from the display on Kotori's hand, the crew's choices appeared on it.

—①,②,③. All together, almost all the votes of that amount were gathered.

"*Tsk* It’s a little broken."

While Kotori was murmuring frustrated, voices from the lower bridge echoed.

"It should be ①! To animals, exposing the stomach is the pose for surrender! The other party would feel safer!"

"Ridiculous! Obviously ② is the decided one! Rabbits die when they are lonely!"

"That is just a girl wearing a rabbit hood— it’s not even a real rabbit anyway! Leaving that aside commander, it's choice number ③!, to show that there is no ulterior motive from this side— it is to go naked, there are no other choices than being naked!"

"Shut up old hag! You only just wanted to see a naked high school boy!"

"Wha……? Uh, what a rude remark! Don’t you know!? When persuading a primitive man that has been brought back to modern times, to be fully naked is the most effective way to go!"

"What kind of talk is that! Anyways it's ② pick ②!"

"No, it must be ①!"

"Naked! Naked!"

"…………Quiet!"

*Bam*!, the console got hit, and the crew that were getting heated, got yelled at.

And inside the quiet downed bridge, she slowly took the mike and—

"——Shidou, before talking to her, take off your shirt."

She calmly, said that.

Then from the lower bridge, a few numbers of female crew members, and for some weird reason one male crew member, did a Guts pose ^{[2C 1]}..

But—

"No way!"

Shidou's shout echoed at the same time as it being delivered via the speaker.

"—!?"

The [Yoshinon] in the screen, *piku* twitched her shoulders in surprise.

"………! This is bad."

The moment Shidou let out his shout, [Yoshinon], turned towards him with a trembling motion.

Her face turning pale and her teeth made clattering sounds, her whole body started to tremble.

"…………Hi, i……………u"

And thus, she was making a face showing that she would cry at any moment now and immediately raised her right hand high up.

Shidou's heart constricted as if were being squeezed by an illusionary hand.

He had memories about that movement. Yesterday, [Yoshinon] was behaving like this when the giant doll manifested.

"Wai…, Wait! Calm down!"

But, even if as he said, that there was no way they could communicate.

When Kotori also realized what [Yoshinon] was trying to do, she too shouted out.

"Shidou! For now if you still have time ——pick ①! Show her your stomach and roll over!"

"Hu,——Haaaaah………!?"

"Hurry!"

There was no other way.

After Shidou threw his umbrella on the ground, on the road wet with the rain, *Roll*, he threw himself down and rolled.

"I give up, I surrender."

"…………!?"

At that instant, when [Yoshinon] was going to swing her hands down, she made a dumbfounded face.

And then, timidly, she slowly lowered her hand to its original position, and started examining Shidou’s current state.

"………D-Did we………succeed?"

"—Probably, try talking to her while you avoid provoking her."

Being told that, Shidou who was still rolled over, slowly raised his neck.

"………Y-Yo………"

"………………"

Even when he tried talking to her, [Yoshinon] continued staring at him in full alert mode.

"Wha-What is wrong with today……………?"

"………………"

"T-This is some amazing rain………………"

"………………"

Nothing, there were no replies coming back.

"……………What am I going to do about this?"

Shidou tried tilting his head to the side.

It might be a mistake but— right now, he thought that he could see [Yoshinon]’s left hand.

Meaning, she was not wearing her puppet.

At the same time Shidou was raising his eyebrows in doubt, once again a restraining voice echoed from Kotori.

And again choices appeared on the <Fraxinus> monitors.

①Walk and approach her while talking in a tenacious way, and fill in the gap of the distance.

②To regain normal composure, temporarily retreat.

③Ask her why she is not wearing her puppet.

"Fumu………"

After looking at the total results from the crew members, that were being shown in the small display on her hand, Kotori made a small hum.

The most common one was, ③. As expected everyone, realized that she was not wearing her puppet.

And certainly it was also a matter that even Kotori wanted to find out.

"Shidou, pick ③. She might have lost her puppet, and is probably now looking for it. It was about time to get a reaction anyway, try asking her about the puppet."

"………Understood."

With Shidou in agreement, he opened his mouth.

"Hey…………you, are you perhaps, looking for your puppet…………?"

"………………!"

The moment Shidou said that, [Yoshinon] immediately opened her eyes wide.

And when he thought that, she ran towards him and she immediately grabbed his head, as if to ask a question she shook his head hard.

"………………! ………………!?"

"Ah, ouchouchouchouch……………! Wait, please stop that."

When he said that, [Yoshinon] steadily removed her hands from Shidou’s head.

Shidou got up while looking at the girl, and he then tried asking again.

"As expected……………you were looking for it."

And [Yoshinon] kept nodding her head hard.

After that, she looked at Shidou with very worried eyes. It was as if, she was asking for the whereabouts of the puppet.

"………………Uh, so-sorry. I don’t know where it is too…………"

When Shidou said that, [Yoshinon] made a face as if the world is about to end, and losing her strength she sank down on the floor.

And just like that she hung her head low, [ue…………, e…………] and the sounds of weeping started to leak out.

"Er, errrrr……………"

If she were to go on a rampage it would be troubling, but this was also troubling in its own way. Shidou quickly fell into a panic with his sights wandering around.

"——Calm down, Shidou."

And, the honest voice of Kotori got delivered into his eardrums.

Receiving [Yoshinon]'s reaction, the window was deployed on the screen for the 3rd time.

① "That kind of guy, I will make you forget about him" appeal to her as a reliable man.

② "Together with me, let's go find the puppet" appeal to her as a kind man.

③ "Actually I am the puppet all along!" appeal to her as a man filled with a humorous sense.

"All members, your choices!"

When Kotori sent out that order, the total results were shown on her small-scaled display.

The most votes were on ②, the next was ①. And only one vote was on ③.

"Well, ② is the safest choice. ………but who was the person that picked something like number ③."

"…………Is it a bad choice then?"

From behind, Kannazuki’s dispirited voice mumbled.

"………………"

Kotori ignored him and pulled the mike towards her.

"Shidou, accompany her to look for that puppet."

And from behind, [aah, an ignoring play is also not that bad too…………!] was heard but, she ignored it.

"Er,erm about this, Yoshinon."

"………………!"

The moment Shidou raised his voice, [Yoshinon]'s body shook in surprise again.

And when she immediately waved her hands, the water puddles around her rose up, forming like bullets that exploded near the place that Shidou was sitting down.

"No……………nowaa!?"

Without thinking, his body cramped.

"So-sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you!"

As if to examine the condition on his side, without lowering his guard he cautiously looked over there (………comparatively, when their eyes met she would look away) to [Yoshinon], he fixed his posture and lowered his head a little.

And then to show that there will not be any resistance he raised both of his hands up, then continued his words.

"Err………I-If it is okay…….I, will also help to search for the puppet with you?"

"……………!"

The moment Shidou said that, [Yoshinon] opened her eyes wide in surprise.

After a few seconds, and for the first time her face turned very bright, *um* *um* she swung her head hard up and down.

After Shidou exhaled an [okay], he finally raised his hips up from the wet ground.

It was quite wet but, well, now wasn’t the time to care about it.

"Ermmmm………soo, about that. The puppet, where and when did you lose it?"

When asked, as if she was hesitating [Yoshinon] eyes wandered around, and then she opened her cherry blossom colored lips.

"…………Yes...terday…………"

And then, she pulled the rabbit ears that were stuck on the hood and covered her face, while hiding her eyes she carried on talking awkwardly.

"The scary…………people, when I realized…………we were………attacked, I lost it………"

"Hmmm……………? You, were attacked by the AST huh?"

When Shidou said that, [Yoshinon] threw her head down vertically.

"I see, it was after that………………"

While Shidou was talking, he looked around by craning his neck to the left then right.

Whether it was destroyed buildings or cracked roads, he expanded his full view as much as possible. This was going to be a hard task.

And, as if matching together with that reaction, from his right ear sounds were delivered from <Fraxinus>.

"——We will send you as many cameras as we have. Try to communicate with her as much as you can while searching."

To show that Shidou understood, he poked the intercam a little, and once again brought his eyes to [Yoshinon].

"Okay……now then, let's start searching, Yoshinon."

"……………!"

[Yoshinon] consented——after mumbling a little in her mouth, she let out her voice.

"I, I am…………"

"Eh?"

"I………am, not Yoshinon,………but Yoshino. Yoshinon………is my, friend………"

"Yoshino…………?"

When Shidou replied her by saying her name, the girl— Yoshino tried to run away.

"Ah…………wait!"

And, probably she was surprised by that voice, Yoshino twitched her shoulders again.

At that instant, the rain surrounding Yoshino suddenly turned into something like needles and flew towards Shidou.

"Uwaaaaaaaa!?"

He lowered his head on the spot in panic, and managed to somehow dodge them.

It was okay since there were just few. But, if this was shot more towards Shidou's body, he would have been a cactus by now.

"C-Calm down! It’s me it’s me!"

When Yoshino turned this way while twitching, and after seeing Shidou's face, she took a deep breath.

Shidou stood up while talking in a timid tone.

"I-If it is okay use this…………although you are already wet, it’s still better than nothing right?"

He picked up the umbrella that he had just thrown away, and gave it to Yoshino.

"? ? ?"

"Aah, this is how you use it."

He grabbed Yoshino's hand while she was tilting her head in curiosity, and then held it up.

When he did that, she was surprised by the fact that raindrops no longer touched her, and Yoshino looked up with eyes that were turning around in amazement.

The transparent vinyl umbrella was repelling the rain that was falling and hitting it while shining brightly.

"………………! ……………!"

Yoshino excitedly, flapped her other hand that was not holding the umbrella.

"Y-Yeah, you are happy with it huh? Use it, use it!"

And after Shidou said that, Yoshino turned her eyes to Shidou as if she was asking him.

"Ah………? Me?"

Yoshino nodded her head repeatedly.

"Aah, I'm okay. It's okay just use it."

After hesitatingly looking at the umbrella and then to Shidou for a few moments.

"Th………ank, y………ou."

And after she bowed and lowered her head, they continued their search for the puppet.

"Doing something cool like that."

From his right ear, he heard Kotori teasing like voice.

"S-Shut up."

"—Well, if the Spirit's feels like it, something like a wet shirt could immediately be dried though. But even before that, she has no difficulty making rain bullets from the invisible film that she set up."

"I-Is that right?"

………Well, that wasn't really a problem. He just could not bear to watch, a little girl getting soaked by the rain.

Shidou lightly wiped his wet face, and began the search.

Part 3

"—How did it go? Did you find the puppet?"

"No, not yet. We haven't found it yet."

When Kotori asked the question, she heard a reply from a crewman down at the lower bridge.

The time was now 12:30 p.m. It has been almost 2 hours since Shidou and Yoshino started their search. If they continue working under this rain, their bodies would get too cold and, their fatigue would also accumulate.

It would have been okay if [Ratatoskr] were able to send in the mechanics department members too but— it would be dangerous if too many people were to be thrown into the search, they might scare Yoshino and then they might lose everything. Even if she wasn’t scared by them, there was a chance that her good impressions that was supposed to only　go to Shidou, would be spread in multiple directions.

"How about the images?"

Kotoris eyes turned to her right hand side, and the crews that were fiddling with their consoles, without looking away, replied back.

"The resolution is a little rough but…………we can manage somehow."

"Then bring it up on the monitor."

Kotori said that, and on one part of the <Fraxinus> bridge monitor, images of the area from around the time of yesterday's battle between the AST and Yoshino were being projected.

It was like it was dragged into the aftershock of the battle, the camera took some distance to get a better picture of the area, and compared to the resolution from just now the image quality　now was quite bad.

"She no longer has the puppet—— in the image of when the Spirit was lost."

After a while, the image enlarged and close-upped on Yoshino.

"——Turn it back, the image from just before the AST attacks land, we are able to confirm that the puppet is in the Angels mouth. It is right to think that it was lost during that attack."

"So, where's the important puppet?"

"Because of the smoke getting thicker, although I can't say that it is for certain but…………I can confirm the shadow of it falling off, I think the worst case scenario of it being burnt up because of that attack has been avoided."

"Fumu……………"

Kotori used her hands and hit her jaw.

"Right after when Yoshino was Lost, aren't there anymore images left of the surroundings?"

"I-I will try looking for it."

And, at that moment the speaker went, *riiinnnngg* such a sound leaked out and she heard it.

"Yoshino?"

"……………!"

It had been almost 3 hours, since they began searching for the puppet.

While Shidou was combing up his wet hair, he looked at Yoshino beside him who was still looking for the puppet.

It would seem that he realized an amazingly cute voice echoed.

Yoshino once again as she was scared, she twitched her shoulder— maybe she got a little used to Shidou's voice, this time she didn't make needle water bullets and shoot them.

"………Are you hungry?"

When Shidou asked, Yoshino face turned red and *pun* *pun* swung her head from side to side.

But, at that timing, her stomach grumbled.

"………………………!"

It would seem that Spirits get hungry too.

He heard that for the life form called Spirit, all it needed for sustenance was Spirit energy but… …speaking of which, after Tohka's power was sealed she became very gluttonous.

"…………What am I supposed to do."

Although he doesn't know how long it has been since Yoshino started searching for the puppet, but since it was already past noon, it would be weird not to be hungry. Shidou's stomach was a little empty too.

Using his finger, Shidou gave his intercam a small poke, and a voice from Kotori that had already guessed what subject he was about to raise:

"——Hmm I guess so, how about taking a rest while having lunch?"

"Un………I guess you're right."

After making a light stretch he said to Yoshino.

"Yoshino, let's take a rest, okay?"

When Shidou said that, Yoshino swung her head sideways. And then her stomach grumbled again.

"………………!"

And, after Yoshino had pondered for a while, she finally consented with hesitation.

"Okay, well then…………"

After saying that, Shidou rearranged his thoughts.

He had his wallet just in case but if he was this wet, it would be difficult to enter a shop.

Shidou placed his hand on his face for a while, and then he poked the intercam.

"………………Hey, Kotori. If it's about a resting spot, is our home okay?"

And right after saying that. Kotori made an exaggerated shocked voice.

“Wow. Haven't seen you for quite a while and you turned quite daring. If you are planning on pushing her down please be careful."

"……Hey."

"I know. …………Well, there is no other place to go anyway, I will specially permit it then."

"Roger."

Shidou made a short reply and then, talked to Yoshino.

"Well then………let's go."

Yoshino while remaining silent, gave a small nod.

Part 4

"……Umu."

While Tohka was rubbing her stomach and sighing, she was following Reine as they walked through town in the rain.

She was feeling somewhat bad from having not eaten anything yesterday afternoon, and for not having slept much.

But, the reason for this uneasiness was not from her lack of sleep or from her empty stomach—Tohka somehow understood that.

"………………"

Tohka clenched her teeth, and *splash* kicked the wet ground.

But even if she were to do something like that, there was no way the irritating swirling in the bottom of her stomach would just end.

And Reine who was walking in front of her suddenly stopped walking. Tohka stopped right on the verge of bumping into her.

"……How about we go and have our lunch first. Is this place okay?"

Right in front of them was a building with a colorful signboard. If she wasn't mistaken, this place was a family restaurant.

Tohka made a big nod.

"Un…It would help if you were to do that. My stomach is so empty that I think I am going to die."

"……Well then, let us enter."

When both of them folded their umbrellas and entered the shop, following the shop attendant, they settled down at the end of the non-smoking area.

Immediately, they skimmed through the menu and placed an order.

While waiting for their orders to come, in order to calm her stomach, she drank the water the attendant placed on the table in one gulp.

"……Tohka."

Reine, faced Tohka with her pair of eyes decorated by thick and cloudy eye bags.

"What?"

"……Before the food gets here, I would like to have a little talk……is that okay?"

"Nu…Well, I don't mind but……What kind of talk is it?"

Tohka, in order show that she was alert, she lifted her body from the table and nodded.

The woman known as Murasame Reine was ………hard to understand because she seemed to always be thinking of something—and because of that habit, it felt like she could see through anything—it felt a little irritating.

Whether or not she realized what Tohka was thinking at that moment, Reine remained in a dreamy mood and took out a machine like object from her bag, and then unfolded it on the top of the table.

"What is that?"

"…………Aah, please don't mind this."

While saying that, Reine was using her other hand and *click* *click*……and lightly operated it.

She focused intensely on the terminal, filled with curiosity but Tohka finally managed to ignore it, and returned her sights back to Reine.

When she did that, Reine returned her eyes back to Tohka and opened her lips.

"……Well, I am not good at making conversation so I will get straight to the point. Tohka, the reason you are irritated—no, it would be better if you could— can you tell me the reason why you have been irritated and the origin of it?"

"—Kuh."

From Reine's words, Tohka unintentionally gasped.

"Uh, I am not really—"

"……As expected, you can't forgive Shin for meeting up with another woman."

Shin. A nickname only used when referring to Shidou.

"Wha, why did shidou appear right there…"

"……Oya, is it not related to him?"

"…………"

Tohka placed her elbow on the table, and then scratched her head in a sign of surrender.

And after making a big sigh, she said in a suffering voice.

"…I don't understand."

"……Don't understand what?"

Reine tilted her head to the side as she replied. And Tohka whose face was down, lifted her face up.

"Umu………Even I don't know myself why it turned into this kind of feeling."

She seemed to be troubled as she continued her words.

"Yesterday……shidou, left the school and——that, kissed or whatever it's called, that girl."

Kiss. Just that single word, caused pain around her chest area.

"……Aah, it would seem so."

"It's not really...It isn't any of my business who shidou meets with and where, and whoever he kisses. I am not supposed to find any faults in it. …But, the moment I saw that, it was already—How should I put it? It was rather—yes, it was a rather bad feeling."

"……………Fumu."

"When I realized what had happened…………I started raising my voice. What's more……Right after that, the rabbit said that girl was much more important to him than me……I was already—sad, and scared, to the extent that I couldn't do anything, and I became unable to understand what happened at all…………I don't even understand what this means………this is the first time this happened."

And once again she made a big sigh.

"As expected……………Is there something wrong with me?"

"…………No, you are not sick or anything. That is a normal and healthy response"

"I-Is that so?"

"……Aah, it is nothing to worry about. But——it is better if we clear that misunderstanding first."

"Misunderstanding…?"

"……Aah, regarding that kiss, that was a total accident, and……it doesn't mean that girl is more important to Shin than Tohka."

After Reine said that, she glimpsed at the machine, as Tohka raised her face.

"Uh, re-really…?"

"……It is true."

"Bu-But shidou was…"

"……If he doesn't think of you as someone precious to him, do you think that he would go to the extent of putting his own life in danger just to save you?"

"——Ah…"

After being told that, Tohka was at a loss for words.

She completely forgot about the weird and indescribable swirl of emotion that were affecting her heart and stomach.

—Yesterday, didn't Shidou protect Tohka? Just like last month?

And what's more, in spite of knowing the chances of dying by getting shot by an assassin.

Tohka, while pushing her hands around her chest area, swallowed her saliva.

"……………, I—"

I've been so stupid.

Tohka shook her throat to make a groan, and then scratched her head again.

And after that, immediately stood up from her seat.

"……Tohka?"

"Sorry, can we postpone today's shopping to another day?"

Tohka bit her lips before letting out her voice again.

"……I have to, apologize to shidou."

After hitting her jaw with her hands, Reine made a small nod.

"……Then go."

"I am grateful."

Tohka made a short reply and left the family restaurant taking the umbrella in her hands, she ran out into the raining town.

"…………Fumu. Well, that is one problem solved……maybe?"

Reine muttered while being left alone, she glanced through some values from the graph being displayed on the small terminal.

The fact that Tohka's mind and body would be disturbed by this incident was expected.

Although she was pouting like a spoiled kid………If Tohka, really did think badly of Shidou, she would not have hated the girl that Shidou met up with.

Speaking in either ways, from the irritating feeling that she couldn't calm down herself, she learned a weird and indescribable terror and uneasiness………speaking of which would be the closest to the truth.

Because of that, even without her mood being fixed, the thought of changing Tohka's consciousness itself, was not really that difficult.

Yes—but, it was better if she could realize it by herself.

That fact—Shidou protected her, and what kind of meaning that holds, and when the time came, when she found that answer, she would know what she really felt.

"Well, jealousy is also a fine part of love."

She muttered while closing the terminal.

"……But, we have to be careful. loveThat could also be, the emotion that will destroy the world."

And then,

"——Sorry for the long wait! Here is the double cheese burger set rice with large servings of fried chicken, fried oyster set, mix grill, margarita, and the spaghetti bolognaise. And please be careful of the hot iron plate."

"……Un?"

And from the sudden appearance of the shop attendant, Tohka's high calorie meal was lined up on top of the table.

"Please take your time and enjoy."

The attendant lowered his upper part of his body by an angle of 45 degrees like he was used to it thus making a bow, and then left the spot.

Reine who was left alone, scratched her cheek in front of that abundant amount of food.

"………This is……troubling."

Part 5

"Let's see…………we have eggs, ah, there is also chicken meat. There's some rice left in the rice cooker too………I guess Oyakodon^{[2C 2]} is okay."

He roughly determined what menu to make from looking inside the fridge, and right after taking out the needed ingredients, he took a small peek in the direction of living room.

Over there was Yoshino who was curiously looking around things near her while sitting on the sofa.

When Shidou returned, he immediately changed his clothes but Yoshino's dress was still the same rabbit coat from before. Just as Kotori had said, even after getting bathed by rain, she was not wet at all.

Same as Tohka's light dress, this was probably that AstralDress or something.

"Could you wait for a few moments. I'll be done soon. ——Ah, if you are free you could watch the television."

"…………?"

Shidou said that while peeling and chopping the spring onions, Yoshino tilted her head in curiosity.

"Un, there is a remote control there—yes yes, now push the top left button."

Following Shidou's instruction, Yoshino pressed the remote control button.

When she did that, the television along the wall turned on, and *Wahahaha!* such a voice echoed.

"——!"

In that instant, Yoshino's body cowered; the water accumulated in the sink rose, turning into bullets and were shot at the television screen.

"Wha…?"

"You idiot, even though I told you not to scare her."

In his right ear, he heard Kotori's criticizing voice.

And speaking of Yoshino, she opened her eyes that was shut tight, and lowered her head at Shidou　in panic.

"N-No…………Don’t worry about it. Sorry to have scared you."

Right after Shidou made a dry smile, he resumed with his cooking.

He heated up the pot that has water measured in it, and tossed in the sliced chicken meat and spring onions. And when it reached to a boil, he put in the beaten eggs.

And then he let it flow on top of the rice filled bowl. Finally he scattered Japanese parsley on top of it, and it was complete.

Since he was accustomed to this sort of work, it did not even take 10 minutes for him to finish cooking.

"Here you go, it's done. Let's hurry and fill our stomach so we can go and find Yoshinon okay."

While talking, he held the bowls with both his hands and headed into the living room.

He put one in front of Yoshino and right across her he placed his own portion, and he entered the kitchen again to get a chair, some chopsticks, and a spoon just in case, before returning to the living room.

"Now then, Itadakimasu. ^{[2C 3]}."

Shidou clapped his hands together while saying that, and Yoshino imitated that movement then lowered her head.

Then she grabbed the spoon with her hand, took one scoop of Shidou's specialty oyakodon, and transported it into her mouth.

"…………………!"

When Yoshino did that her eyes immediately opened wide, and *slam* *slam* starting hitting the table.

"Un?"

But when Shidou faced toward her direction, she turned her eyes away in embarrassment.

Afterwards, Yoshino looked like she wanted to tell him something, but instead she made an embarrassed face and found difficulty in putting it into words, *gu* she gave Shidou a thumbs up.

"O-Ou……………"

Shidou made a wry smile, and replied back by giving a thumbs up. It would seem that it was to her liking.

She was probably quite hungry; Yoshino opened her small mouth with all her might, and started munching down.

And—by estimating the moment when Yoshino would be finished her meal, Kotori started talking.

"Do you still want to rest? I still want more information if possible from the Spirit. Since this is a good chance, why don't you ask Yoshino how old is she?"

"A question?"

And when Shidou was asking back, Kotori immediately suggested him to ask questions.

"………Aah, I get it."

Shidou, as he had finished his bowl he exhaled a satisfied breath and then turned his eyes towards Yoshino.

"Hey………Yoshino. There are some things I would like to know though—can I ask you a few questions?"

Yoshino tilted her head in curiosity.

"Err…you seem to take care of it very preciously. That puppet—Yoshinon, what kind of existence is that to you…?"

When Yoshino got asked that question, she timidly opened her mouth with difficulty.

"Yoshinon, is …………a frie…nd, and also……………a he…ro."

"Hero?"

When asked again, Yoshino nodded.

"Yoshinon is… …my, ideal… …yearnings of… …myself. Unlike me… …not weak, unlike me… …not hesitant… …it's strong, and cool…"

"Your ideal self…huh."

Shidou scratched his cheeks, and recalled back the time when he met Yoshino inside the department store.

Well, certainly the current Yoshino compared to the Yoshino talking through the puppet, from the tone to the attitude it was like she was a different person. But—

"I…like this current Yoshino better though…"

During the time when Tohka appeared, he remembered the numbers of jokes accumulated from the puppet, he made a bitter smile.

Certainly, during that time Yoshino was talking cheerfully but—he could not bear it anymore.

Although it was hard to hear what she was saying, though she was awkward, Yoshino has been honestly answering his questions, and it was a good feeling.

But the moment Shidou said those words, Yoshino's face went *poof*, her face was blushed red. She then hunched her back and used the hood to cover and hide her face.

"Yo-Yoshino…? What's wrong?"

Shidou said that while was trying to peek, Yoshino lowered the hands that was holding onto the hood and, gradually raised her face.

"………Tho, those words, because… …it was the first time… …I have been told."

"I-Is that so…?"

Yoshino made a deep consent.

Well…originally she was a Spirit that has only a few chances at having a conversation with a person. It might be because of something like that.

"Shidou, was that… …in your calculations?"

And, over there Kotori asked such a question.

"Huh? Wha-what calculations…?"

"……Never mind. If that's wasn't then it's okay."

"Ha-Haah…?"

It was his sister that said something that didn't make sense, Shidou knitted his eyebrows.

"Don't mind it. There is not a problem for now—it just unexpected how calm you are, I guess the results of the 'living together training' are starting to show."

"……I wonder."

Shidou replied vaguely. Certainly he was calm to a certain degree but, he could differentiate whether it is from the results of the training or not.

But, he could not afford to be occupied by the other side. Shidou fixed his sights back to Yoshino, and asked the next question.

"So——Err, Yoshino, it seems that even though you were attacked by the AST, you rarely retaliate, what kind of reason do you have for doing that?"

When Yoshino got asked…………she looked down again.

Right after she grabbed the cuffs of the inner dress with the light film composition just like Tohka's AstralDress, she let out a voice that would sound like it would disappear.

"…………I……hate, painful things. I also hate……scary things. Surely, those people too……whether its pain, or scary things, I think they……don't want it too. That's why, I……"

It was such a small and faint voice, Shidou could have easily missed what the she was trying to say.

But because of that—from those words Shidou, felt a piercing like wave to his heart.

"…………Yoshino…………you, just for a reason like that—"

But, Shidou did not finish the end of his sentence.

While Yoshino's whole body was trembling, she continued talking.

"But………it's because, I… …am, weak… …and a coward. If I am alone… …I am useless. I am… …scared of being hurt, when I can't, do anything… …the inside of my head… …will go crazy…, that's why, I might… …do bad things to everyone…"

Halfway through, it became a teary voice.

After sucking in her snot, she continued on.

"Thats why… …Yoshinon… …is my, hero… …when Yoshinon is… …with me, even, if I get scared… …he would say… …it's okay. And, then… …it will really turn out okay. That's why… …that's why."

"……………Kuh."

Shidou unintentionally bit his lips. He was gripping both his hands so hard, that blood might spurt out.

If he did not do that—he could not bear it anymore.

Yoshino. This small girl was. Too kind—and too sad.

Whether it was [pain] or [scary] things it was certain that she did not like it.

Thinking of the enemy, that had targeted her countless times with hostility, bad intentions and killing intent, and yet—still she decided not to hurt them. She chose to do that? Such a difficult thing?

Yoshino is—weak?

Yoshino's head was shaking from her own evaluation—there is no way, she is weak.

Aah, but, that is—cruel, and awfully cruel sense of mercy.

"——"

Without thinking Shidou stood up from his seat.

And then circled around the table and knelt down beside Yoshino—and just like that, he gently caressed Yoshino's head.

"……………,e…,err"

"I will."

"——,……?"

"I will—save you."

He said that and, Yoshino stared in wonder. Without caring about it, Shidou continued.

"I will definitely, find Yoshinon. And…………hand it over to you. That is not all. I will make Yoshinon no longer need to protect you. You no longer need to go through those [painful] or [scary] things. I won't let them near you. I will—become, your hero."

While patting her head through the hood, he said that sentence that was totally out of character.

But—he did not stop there.

Because, in Yoshino's kindness, there was something important lacking.

It was only one problem which was: even if she has the mercy of a saint, that mercy would not be shown in return to her.

If that's the reason, then there was no choice but to have it be given from the outside.

No more, about what would happen to the Spirit or what not, it was no longer relevant to him.

To Yoshino. To this overly kind little girl, to have nothing save her, that kind of thing, he could not forgive it.

Yes—that was what he thought.

"……………? ……………?"

During that time, Yoshino's eyes were turning black and white but, after 10 seconds passed, she opened her lips.

"………Th…ank you……very m…uch."

"…………Ou."

He was a little happy when Yoshino honestly said such a thing. He made a small nod.

But, during the occasion Yoshino was letting out her voice, he accidently turned his eyes to those cute lips………feeling uncomfortable Shidou averted his sights away.

"…………? Shidou… …-san…?"

Yoshino was tilting her head while looking at Shidou.

"No, err, about that……………It’s about before. I'm sorry."

"Eh……………?"

"No……………how'd you put it………I kissed, you."

To put it in accurate terms it was not in Shidou's personality to bring up this kind of talk but………………it might be an important matter to a girl. He put the meaning in the apology and said it.

But Yoshino was in a blank state and was staring in wonder; once again she tilted her head.

It was like; she did not understand what Shidou had just said.

"…………What is, a kiss?"

"Eh? Aah, that is…………lips touching together, like this…"

Even though Shidou explained to her, Yoshino made a face as if she did not understand at all, and then thrust her face up directly at Shidou's face.

"Is…………it, like…………this?"

"………………Uh!"

It was a distance that, if he were to bring his face a little closer, their lips would touch.

His heart was about to fly out in this dangerous situation but, Shidou remembered his living together training with Tohka, and somehow succeeded in pretending to have a calm face.

"Uh, ah, aah…………yes, it feels like that."

But Yoshino made a small groan, and again she said in a soft voice.

"……I, don't remember……clearly."

"……Eh?"

Hearing that reply, Shidou frowned.

But—at that instant.

"shidou…! I'm sorry, I was—"

Suddenly the door opened and Tohka who left the house early in the morning, while she was breathing hard on her shoulders, entered the living room.

And then, she saw Shidou and Yoshino's figure facing each other and would be kissing any at moment, *piki*, and her body stiffened up.

"Eh……?"

Right after, Shidou made an absentminded face.

"To—Too, To-To-To-To-To-To-To-To-To-To-Tohka………!"

On his face, sweat gushed out.

"……………Hi……"

Yoshino probably felt something strange; she turned backwards, and leaked a soft voice.

But it might be something that cannot be helped. To Yoshino, Tohka should be the scary opponent that took her puppet away from her—and on top of that, Tohka who was quietly lingering around the living room entrance, a difficult to explain pressure was leaking out from her.

Incidentally from just now, a loud noise was coming out from the buzzer on his right ear indicating it is an emergency situation.

"…………………"

While being silent, Tohka made an awfully gentle smile, and just like that she slowly entered the living room.

-*Twitch*, such a feeling was transmitted to her hands. It would also seem that Yoshino's body was trembling.

"To-Tohka, this is……"

It was like his mental state turned into that of a man who got caught having an affair at the scene of the crime, Shidou hastily moved his hands.

But Tohka passed through the both of them, leaving the living room and headed straight into the kitchen, she then took out all the food and drinks from the refrigerator and shelves, and just like that she exited to the corridor.

From the door, *dadadadada* such footsteps could be heard—and the moment he thought it reached the second floor, this time *BAM*, the sound of the door being slammed could be heard.

…………Looks like, she plans on shutting herself inside again.

And what's more, this time it's a siege with a sufficient supply of food in stock.

"Er,errr…………………"

"…………It turned into something annoying."

From his right ear, he heard a voice mixed with a sigh.

"Wh-What should I do now……?"

"For the time being, you can only leave her alone for now. Even if Shidou were to try and talk to her now, it'll only cause a reverse effect anyway."

"I-Is that so……"

He said that, and takes a glimpse at Yoshino that was sitting beside him.

But, wondering when it happened, Yoshino's figure that was supposed to be on top of the sofa suddenly disappeared.

"Are……? Yoshino?"

"——It looks like, she got [Lost] to the other world when Tohka's was approaching her. Having her puppet being taken away, must have been quite a traumatic experience to her."

"…I see."

Fuu, he exhaled a good breathe—and frowned because of a bad feeling.

It would seem that Yoshino remembered Tohka taking her puppet away.

Despite that……she said she could not remember the kiss with Shidou.

No, even yesterday she was definitely also in a state that she doesn't mind it; it might be perhaps that she holds no special emotion towards the act of kissing. Spirits have different knowledge and sense of values depending on what the matter is, there might be a possibility that it is like that.

But—in Yoshino's reaction there was, a little sense of discomfort.

Shidou touched his mouth, while moving his lips.

"Hey, Kotori……there is something that I am worried about. Can you investigate it for me?"

"What?"

Shidou, told her the questions that was floating in his mind.

"Fuun……I understand, I will send Reine to investigate it when she gets back."

"Ou, I'm counting on you."

And, when Shidou said that, Kotori continued on as if she remembered something.

"…………Aah, yes yes, although I missed the chance to say this because of Shidou's interruption but we have some good news."

"Ah?"

"From the investigation we got from the images, we have confirmed the whereabouts of the puppet."

"Really?! Where is it now?"

"That is—"

When Kotori told him the location, Shidou’s cheeks twitched.

"U…………………ugah!"

In the room in the deepest part of the second floor where Tohka rushed in, while eating the food that was within arm’s reach that she brought in moments ago, she raised those shouts. Well from others perspective, it was a stressful way of eating.

"What is this………What is this MOU……………! Gu, muguuuu…………….!"

When Tohka was absent from home, Shidou invited the little girl from a few days ago in.

As an event that was the only thing that happened, there was no factor for making Tohka angry at all.

Shidou is Tohka's good friend. And that friend brought a new friend back.

It was no mistake that Tohka's correct method of interaction was supposed to be reconciling with Shidou and apologize for what happened a few days ago, after that [Welcome, and sorry about what happened before], while saying that and taking the little girl's hands.

But—she could not do it.

The moment she saw Shidou and the girl alone in the room, the so called [bad feeling] rushed through her whole body, and it became impossible for her to be in that area.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…………………!"

Tohka devastated through the food one by one, and squatted down on the spot.

"……………shidou—"

—I want to apologize, to shidou. I want to reconcile— with shidou.

Those feelings were not a lie.

But………because the [bad feeling] was swirling inside her chest, she could not do it.

While being in the posture of sitting on the floor while grasping her knees, Tohka moaned in pain.

Chapter 4 - Multiple requests at Tobiichi's House

Part 1

"We are meeting…here right?"

Shidou was holding a paper bag filled with pastries in his left hand, while in the right a map drawn on some memo paper. Right after making a gloomy sigh, he looked up at the high-rise apartment.

To calm down his nervousness he patted his chest, [This is work, it's inevitable] and took a deep breath.

…But, nevertheless.

"Why is it that I have to do something like a robber…?"

"There is not much of a choice. Shidou is the only person that can get invited into the Tobiichi's residence."

When Shidou complained, from the intercam equipped on his right ear, he heard Kotori's voice.

Yes—right now Shidou has arrived at Origami Tobiichi's house which is an apartment.

From the carefully investigated images taken at that time, when Yoshino went Lost—we found out that when Origami was returning to base, she picked up the puppet and brought it back with her.

The only way to reclaim it was to: "Hey Tobiichi, is it okay if I come over to your house to play?"

He asked her this a few days ago and thus he was invited to her house.

"…Speaking of which, from the beginning is there even a need for me to be invited here? If it's something like retrieving one puppet, it should be easy for [Ratatoskr] to—"

"…We tried, specially."

"Eh?"

From the sigh mixed words, Shidou tilted his head.

"I'm saying that even though we tried infiltrating 3 times a few days ago, all of it was a failure—In the room there were infra-red lasers set up, tear gas that sprays out, even sentry guns were installed in important parts of the room……6 members of our mechanics division got sent to the hospital. Seriously, what on earth is that girl fighting with?"

"Ha-Haa…"

"There is the possibility of retrieving it by forcefully entering and using brute force but—if we have the privilege of getting an invitation...Then isn't that a better choice?"

"…I understand."

To Shidou who is a normal timid person, it was a really reluctant kind of work to do but… When he saw the uneasiness on Yoshino, he could no longer say anything.

And what's more—to Shidou himself, there was something that he wanted to discuss with Origami.

And, there was one more thing that was bothering Shidou—Shidou asked Kotori a question.

"Speaking of which…How is Tohka doing?"

"It's the same as usual. She is locked up in her room."

"…I see."

Shidou scratched his cheek troubled.

A few days ago, right after she saw Yoshino invited to his house, Tohka's condition still remained strange.

No, it does not mean that she had continued locking herself up in her room like last time; she goes to school properly but somehow he felt like she was avoiding him for some reason.

And after he asked the question, he pulled himself together.

That was a problem that could cause a stomach ache but this is more important right now.

"—Okay."

Shidou resolved himself, and facing the apartment door he stepped forward.

The automatic door opened, and to the machine installed near the entrance, he typed in Origami's house number.

When he did that, he immediately heard Origami's voice.

"Identify."

"A-Ah…it's me, Itsuka Shidou."

"Enter."

As soon as she said that, the automatic door of the inside entrance opened.

Shidou, while remaining hesitant entered the apartment, and rode the elevator 6 floors up, just like that he reached the designated room number.

"…Well then, according to the plan."

"Okay, leave it to me."

He said that, and Kotori replied back with those words.

Right now, flying around near Shidou was [Ratatoskr]'s controlled super small-sized camera that was the size of a bug.

The plan was—while Shidou was getting Origami's attention, the camera would go around performing the search.

"…Fuu."

And after taking a deep breath once more, he rang the doorbell.

When he did that, immediately—as if Origami was waiting in front of the door, the door opened.

"H-Hey Tobiichi. Sorry about making such a unreasonable request—"

Shidou lightly raised his hand to give a greeting—and froze. *splat* He dropped the bag filled with pastries that he carried in his left hand. The silence that followed was as if the staff was now unable to enjoy a delicious cake which he has planned earlier.

The reason was simple—Origami's attire was...

It's true that this was Tobiichi's house. It is her freedom to wear what she wants. It was not something that Shidou should be complaining about.

But that was just—beyond expectations.

A dark blue one piece with a frilled apron attached to it. And on her head a cute head dress.

Yes, right now she was from head to toe, in complete maid style costume.

The number 1 genius of his high school, of all things. That permafrost, Miss Tobiichi Cocytus Origami.

"E-Errr……T.o.b.i.i.c.h.i.-s.a.n…?"

"Yes?"

Gems of sweat were forming on Shidou's face while he let out his voice, but Origami just tilted her head a little. Her expression as always, was expressionless like a doll.

That was the state that Origami was in.

Truthfully speaking "I am Origami's twin sister, the cosplay loving Irogami-chan!" In such a scenario, Shidou entrusted his hope to this fleeting scenario but his hope was completely smashed.

"N-No…what kind of attire is that...you?"

Origami, lowered her eyes down onto her own attire curiously and after that, tilted her head once again.

"You don't like it?"

"No……It's not about that……"

Instead of hating it, it's more like he wants more of it but it would be embarrassing to put that into words.

……Somehow, he couldn't look straight anymore. While Shidou's face was red, his eyes wandered around trying to avoid looking at her.

"Enter."

Without showing any sign of caring, Origami invited Shidou inside the room.

"So-Sorry to bother you…"

Shidou picked up the paper bag that fell on the floor, and closed the door with his slightly trembling fingers grabbing onto the knob.

"……?"

And, Shidou frowned. Suddenly from the intercam, static-noise echoed.

As if to ask Kotori what was wrong, he poked the intercam. When he did that, he heard a little of Kotori's voice mixed in with the static.

"Ku………uh, Don't tell me———jamming——Shi—, Can't——conne——, somehow——"

He heard it until there and then, *snap*, that sound interrupted, and he no longer could hear anything from it.

"……!? O-Oi…"

"What's wrong?"

When he was asking the intercam, Origami who was in front of him turned back.

"Ah…N-No…It's nothing."

"I see."

Origami turned back to the direction that she was facing, and he made a big sigh.

He does not know the reason but it seems that transmissions aren't getting through here. If that is the case, then the camera might also be out of service too.

No…even if by chance the camera was still functional. The situation was still the same since they couldn't send any information back to Shidou.

The point is—right now he has no choice but to successfully clear this mission all on his own.

"…Oi oi, are you serious?"

After Shidou grumbled in a volume that Origami couldn't hear, he scratched his forelocks.

But even if he was to state his displeasure, nothing would change. To confirm his determination Shidou swallowed down his saliva and chased after Origami.

And then, Origami pressed on, and entered the living room.

"…Un? This smell is…"

And, the moment he entered the living room, he smelled a floating sweet aroma.

Although, it does not feel like it is the smell of food. To put it another way, this is—

"Tobiichi? Are you using incense?"

"Yes."

"He, heee………"

How do you put it, it was a little unexpected. It might be a self-created image but, Tobiichi Origami didn't seem to be the type to be interested in these sorts of things or pleasures.

He felt he saw a side of her that she hadn't shown to her other classmates before, it was a little embarrassing.

…But, wondering why.

This aroma, when he sniffed some of it, his head went a little blank, it was like if you were to lose focus, your whole consciousness would be blown away……well, it was a product that was highly effective for creating a relaxing mood.

"Have a seat."

"Ah, aah…"

After being told that, he sat down in front of the coffee table that was placed in the middle of the living room.

"……"

And then, after seeing Shidou sit down, Origami also lowered her hips to settle down.

Right beside Shidou.

"Eh…?"

Normally, he thought that she was supposed to sit opposite of him but in the Tobiichi house this might be a normal thing.

Seeing Origami's refreshing face, he started wondering if his common sense was correct or wrong, Shidou started being a little uncertain of it.

"Err…"

"……"

"About that…"

"………"

After a few moment. Shidou nodded in agreement.

—Yes, I see. As expected, to the Tobiichi family this position is the standard one. There was no sweat flowing down his cheeks. That is because this is a normal thing to do.

But as expected it immediately started to get awkward, feeling that he should be the one to start a conversation, Shidou opened his lips.

"To-Tobiichi?"

"Yes?"

"No, it's just a simple question……Tobiichi, you are living here alone?"

Origami, made a small consent.

"…I-I see."

It might be……was as he had thought but when it was made clear that, the fact that he was intruding into a girl's house, one in which lives alone, his heart beat started to get violent.

"Wh-When did you start living alone?"

When Shidou asked her, as if complementing she continued adding on.

"Right after my parents died 5 years ago, I lived with my grandmother for a while but around the time I entered high school, I transferred here alone."

"Living alone starting from high school huh……isn't it a problem?"

"That does not seem to be the case."

She said that with minimum use of her facial muscles, and was continuously staring at Shidou's face. And as you know, the distance was very close.

…It was somehow, although they were only having a conversation but there was a strange atmosphere developing.

Shidou tried to hide his embarrassment from her; he scratched the back of his head exaggeratedly.

"No, haha,ha…but as I thought I really do think you are amazing. Sooner or later I will probably start living alone too but somehow, if I'm alone whether it's food or cleaning it'll be a problem."

"No problem."

"Eh?"

To the Origami who plainly declared that, he turned his face to her in wonder.

"I will do it."

Shidou's body froze up in an instant.

"Uh…!? Errr…that means…"

However, faster than Shidou talking, Origami stood up from her spot.

"Eh?..."

"Wait here."

And just like that even without the sound of footsteps, she walked into the kitchen.

It would seem that she went to the kitchen to get the tea ready.

Shidou was blankly staring at Origami's back who was standing in the kitchen……and immediately swung his neck sideways.

"…Oh yeah, the puppet is…"

He made a soft mutter, and sent his sights around the room's interior.

The completed set of light-colored simple furniture was beautifully arranged inside the room.

Instead of it being girly-like, he could not feel the presence of this room being used in daily life. It was like the interior design of a model house.

"…Un."

From the quick survey, he could not see any puppet like objects.

Objects itself are limited here but the house structure space was large, it was going to be a problem finding it.

And what's more, it was a problem on how to deceive Origami's eyes. As expected, it would be necessary to start searching properly when Origami takes the tray away. No, it should be the opposite; Shidou would pretend to take the tray away and then—

And like that, Origami returned carrying a tray that had a pair of saucers and teacups with sugar and milk.

While being silent, she arranged all of it on the table.

"By all means."

Saying that, while approaching Shidou and once again she lowered her hips to settle down beside him……he wondered why, compared to just now the distance was much closer this time.

"Ah-Aah. Thank you."

The smell was different from the incense, a faint scent of Origami's shampoo drifted into his nasal cavity.

After wiping off the sweat that was naturally spewing out using his sleeves, he extended his hands to the teacup.

"……!?"

But, just before he touched the cup, he frowned his eyebrows instinctively.

The contents of teacups between Origami and Shidou, were clearly different.

From looking at Origami's tea, it was clear, transparent and reddish brown.

And the other one which belonged to Shidou, he could not understand what was at the bottom of the cup until he faltered; it was a mud like liquid.

He thought it was coffee for an instant but…it was wrong.

To try and identify what this liquid was, he lowered his face towards it, the moment he got close, a strong irritating smell equivalent to that of biological weapons or nuclear waste, performed a raid inside Shidou's nasal cavity.

"——Enfrt!?"

Instinctively, his body bent backwards like a bow.

"What's wrong?"

"Wh-What's wrong…what on earth is this!?"

"Tea, from overseas."

"Tha-That's quite a special country…"

Shidou frowned while pinching his nose and peeked at the cup again. Shidou's animal instinct was stubbornly telling him to refuse drinking it— It might be that, if he were to drink this he would be recognized as an adult, it might be that kind of thing.

"Ah…Tobiichi? I feel bad for having you prepare something so precious. I, might be weak against this—"

But, with Shidou restraining himself, Origami advanced the teacup further towards Shidou.

"No……Tobiichi?"

"By all means."

"No, It's not by all means…"

"By all means."

"Err, about this"

"By all means."

"………Itadakimasu."^{[2D 1]}

Somehow, he felt like he hated his own character. In the end without turning it down, Shidou faced towards the cup again.

"……"

But, as expected if he were to just drink like this it would feel awkward.

Even if it was a just little, Shidou wanted to make the taste milder. He took the milk that was placed on the table with his other hand, and poured it into the cup filled with that liquid.

…Speaking of the result, it did not dissolve into it.

It was completely separated and the milk was floating on the tea's surface—it was like an ocean that has heavy oil poured onto it. On the contrary, he felt that the current situation was getting worse.

"…Eei, I don't care anymore!"

When Shidou made up his mind, he held up the cup, and let the liquid flow into the depths of his throat.

"——Obufuuu…!?"

He did not lose to the odor but the stimulating taste was violating Shidou's taste buds.

There might be a chance that he will never put this into his mouth but he felt that if he were to drink hydrochloric acid the taste might be the same, it was that kind of taste he was feeling now. It was not bitter or spicy, it just hurt.

"Wa……, Water…!"

But, there was no water in his arms reach.

"……!"

Shidou immediately, breaking the packaging of the box of cakes he had brought over, and then shoved in the broken human shaped cookies from [Tenguu excellent cakes], into his mouth.

A gentle sweetness was spreading through inside his mouth. …Shidou lost all his energy and fell on his back, and finally took a breath.

"Haa…, haa…"

And—

"…Ah?"

Shidou pressed his chest.

For some reason, his body was strangely hot; it felt like his body was burning. …He was wondering if today's temperature was high.

In addition to that.

"……"

For some reason Origami, placed her hands beside Shidou's face which was now facing upwards because of him falling over. Her body sat over his stomach area—she had taken a mount position.

"……!? Tobiichi!?"

"Yes?"

It was as if Shidou was the one who was saying weird things, she replied back in a cool and calm manner.

"N-No, what are you…"

"I can't?"

"I-I think you…can't."

While Shidou was restraining his head from almost being embraced, he somehow made those words.

Whether it was Origami's moderate weight, the smell that only girls have, the soft touch, or the rustling of the maid clothing, this was bad even if you didn't mix all of that together. If he were to relax even a bit, it felt like she would activate a Trap Card on him. ^{[2D 2]}

"I see."

When Origami said that, she blinked her eyes.

"Then, make a trade."

"Huh...?"

"In return for me stepping aside, I have only one request. I want you to swallow it unconditionally."

"Wha-What is it…?"

Right after he swallowed his saliva down, he asked.

When he did that Origami, after unusually taking some time hesitating, she let out a soft voice.

"You, call Yatogami Tohka with Tohka."

"Heh…? Aah…ye-yeah you're right."

Shidou made a small nod. It was certainly true.

No, because the name [Tohka] was originally given to her by Shidou, it was a normal thing to do. The talk of forging a surname in the family register for her was Reine's doing.

"But you call me, by using Tobiichi."

"Ah,aah……"

"This is quite unfair."

With that said, *pui* Origami turned her face away.

"Eh……? No, err…"

Shidou weighed Origami's intention but question marks were floating in his head.

"So this means…? Should I call Tohka with Yatogami from now on? Somehow I can't get used to that…"

"………"

Origami without saying anything, tightened the mount, increasing the weight on his stomach.

It was around the weight of a normal girl. It was not that heavy.

But still, the question was not about that. Because of the feeling of steam almost erupting out of his ears, Shidou attacked.

"Then…Then what are you telling me to do…!?"

When Origami relaxed the mount back to normal, while turning her face away a little, she let out her words.

"I want you, to call me Origami."

"Err……"

"You can't?"

Origami said that to him.

Although it was the usual vocal sound without any accent but—just a little, he felt that she was holding in an insecure echo in her voice.

"No…it is not that I can't……I think."

"I see."

"………"

And again for a while, silence was flowing by.

This was expected, even Shidou understood that. …After clearing his throat with a cough, he shook his throat.

"Errrr………O-Origami."

"………"

When Shidou called her that, Origami raised her hips from Shidou's stomach without saying anything, and then stood up on the spot.

And then while being expressionless, *hop*, she hopped.

"Heh…?"

Because of the surreal scenery, Shidou who had also gotten up, stared at her in wonder.

But Origami was not in the attitude to be caring about that; she opened her lips a little.

"—Shidou."

"……!"

Speaking of which, this might be the first time Origami called him that. …It felt like usually it would be [Itsuka Shidou], he would be called in his full name.

"O,Ou."

Somehow he felt something itching him while replying back to her, and after that Origami *hop* hopped once again, and of course her facial muscles did not move an inch.

……It might be that, she was in delight.

After being immersed in the aftertaste, a few seconds passed and Origami cast her eyes down and she took a deep breath.

And then—

"Please wait."

For some reason she suddenly said that, and turned back.

"O-Oi, Tobi—"

"………"

"…Origami, where are you going?"

"Shower."

Origami, turned to Shidou and made a small glimpse, and said only that word before leaving the living room.

"Huh…?"

Shidou who was left alone in the living room, after being dumbfounded for a while, he finally understood the situation, [hafuu] and he took a deep breath. Just like that, he once again fell on his back.

"Ah—"

He placed his hands on his chest.

His heart was beating at an unbelievable rate.

But, he can't keep on doing that. Right after a few seconds, he immediately woke his body up.

"Oh yea……! Isn't this a good chance to find the puppet?"

Because of the continuous amount of stimulating experiences he had, he had almost forgotten about today's goal, to find the puppet.

This was the anticipated opening—a once in a life time chance.

"But why did she……suddenly have to take a shower?"

He twisted his neck, did she get sweaty or something?

……But really isn't she a little bit too defenseless? If Shidou had more courage, there might be a chance that he might go and peek in the bathroom. The behavior just now was also the same but, he felt that Origami did not pay much attention to these sorts of things.

"……Well, it does not change the fact that I got saved."

Shidou stood up straight and he began to carefully examine the living room much more thoroughly compared to the earlier quick survey.

"The places in plain sight where it could be easily seen……nope."

He mumbled, and while hiding his footsteps, he also checked the middle of the shelves.

In reality, it might be more effective if he searched for it by scattering all of the objects from the inside, like a burglar's household search, but……obviously he can't do such a thing here.

The absolute objective this time was to recover Yoshino's puppet, but it was also to not let Origami sense what he was up to as much as possible.

"…Somehow, it is hard to investigate since I have to rearrange everything back to how it was…"

Because all of the insides of the drawer's space had been meticulously arranged, if the arrangement was off even a little she would discover it immediately.

But, if he were to always take that into consideration nothing could be accomplished. While rearranging it back to its normal place as best he could, he continued with his search.

"Looks like it's not inside the living room…which means…"

Shidou brought his eyes to the kitchen which was separated by the dining table.

He thought that the probability of it being there was low but the chances of the puppet being used as an oven glove wasn't zero. It might be a good idea to have a quick look just in case.

"Let's see…?"

When he arrived in the kitchen, he searched systematically starting from the cupboard to under the sink, he checked it all.

"Un…this is?"

And, Shidou's eyebrows twitched.

In the rubbish bin located at the deepest part of the kitchen, he spotted several small empty bottles in it.

"What the heck is this…?"

He tilted his head, and used his hands to pick them up.

"Certain-kill Red viper."

"Large unequaled black nose-goblin."

"Soft shell turtle gourd 1000."

"The Great Mana."

Etc, etc, etc…

It was a lineup of useless high grade energy drinks, that costs don't know how many thousand yen.

No matter how you would look at it, these aren't the type of goods that a high school girl should be taking as a nutrition substitutes.

Shidou scratched his cheek.

…Well, most probably it is something impossible but, he was thinking that, if this was all poured inside a pot and boiled, it might produce a liquid with an extremely strong taste.

Incidentally, if it was given to a man to drink, not only would his whole body turn shining gold and immediately turn into hyper mode, a certain part of his lower area would probably turn red from the heat produced.

"We-Well, it is a violation of privacy to pry into other peoples tastes."

Well, conducting a house-search inside a girls house itself, was a very high ranking intrusion of privacy, so Shidou does not sound convincing at all even if he were to say anything.

"As expected, it is not in the kitchen. So the next place would be—"

Shidou returned the medicine drink bottles back into the rubbish bin, and started walking, while he was focusing his attention at the living room entrance.

He was certain that in the corridor, where he entered the house but just before the living room was a door; the only door to the left.

It had now been over 15 minutes since Origami had gone to the shower room. Feeling a need to increase his pace, Shidou hurried to the corridor.

And walked to the last door without stopping—

"…Uh."

Reaching halfway, he stopped his legs.

Just right in front of the last door, there was a door connected to the bathroom door, and he heard the sound of water dropping from the shower coming from there.

His heart beat that had dropped a little, suddenly spiked again.

"…Calm down, calm down."

For the time being he wrote the word [human] on his palm three times and swallowed it, he tried imagining Origami having a potato head, and he also tried counting prime numbers to calm himself down.

……Honestly speaking, he was really not that calm.

For some reason today, the Berserker inside of Shidou's head was running wild. Seriously what was the reason? It was like the stimulation of having drunk many types of high vigor medicines.

If he were to continue and stay here, there might be a chance that he might do something crazy.

Shidou impatiently placed his hands on the last door and flung the door open.

"………This is the…bedroom."

In the space of six tatami mats, the bed and clothes closets were arranged.

"………Unn?"

And, immediately after entering the room, Shidou made a doubtful voice as he narrowed his eyes.

…Somehow, he felt that there was something out of place.

The room is small…? No, this is—

"…That girl sleeps in quite a huge bed."

Yes. For some reason the bed was double sized. Thanks to that, the room looks strangely small.

And mysteriously, compared to the other furniture this bed was oddly new. New as in, it seemed that it was a product that had only been removed from its packaging only in the last few days.

"Did she buy a new one recently…? No, but still…"

While saying that he moved to the bed's pillow side—and then twist his head again.

It could be compared to a hotel's bed maker, on top of the tightly beautiful sheets, there were two pillows arranged side by side.

And what's more, on the pillow cover a message [No problem], was embroidered on it.

"………"

He flipped it to the back.

On the back [I don't mind] was written there.

There was no room for option.

"………"

After a silence that was longer than before.

"We-Well then………where is the puppet…"

Since he didn't understand it no matter how much he thought about it—eventually Shidou, stopped thinking about it.

And—over there.

"Ah."

Shidou that has his face looking up let out a small sound.

On top of the tall wardrobe located at the side of the room, a slightly recognizable silhouette was being enshrined there.

A rabbit shaped puppet that had been given a comical design—without a mistake, that belongs to Yoshino.

"So you are in such a place huh…"

Like this, he was able to save Yoshino now. In Shidou's side, he took a breather.

But, the moment Shidou took a step towards the wardrobe's direction, at that time.

"………"

From outside the bedroom, *kachin*, he heard such a sound.

It was not the sound of a normal door. That is most likely, the sound of the shower room being opened.

It would seem, that Origami finished her showering.

"This is bad……"

Shidou quickly grabbed the puppet on top the wardrobe, and forcibly stuffed it into his pocket; he then killed the sound of his footsteps and returned back to the living room.

It was in hair's breadth. He made it just in time. Shidou took a small unwinding breath.

The only thing left after this was to hold onto this, and safely retreat.

…The degree of difficulty on the last thing left to do… …he felt that it would be high if he does it, and hoped that it was only his imagination.

"Ah………Oh yeah."

Suddenly, he let out his voice which sounded like an internal monologue.

The most important goal for visiting the Tobiichi house, he managed to achieve it.

But Shidou, has one more private objective for himself.

It has been Origami pace when he was invited into the house, and he was not able to pull the strings of the conversation but………there might be no other chance than this.

Once more—he wanted to try having a talk with Origami.

Regarding the Spirits.

And, like that, and as if to suspend Shidou's thinking, he opened the living room door. It would seem that Origami returned.

Shidou *gulp* drank his saliva, while letting out his voice he was faced towards her direction.

"H-Hey Origami. There is something I want to ask you about—"

But.

"I…………Uh!?"

Shidou placed his eyes on Origami, and stopped at her body.

The state of Origami that was inside the living room was, not the maid outfit from just now—She was now naked and was covered with a bath towel.

What's more, since she has just bathed in water, the towel was gracefully clinging to her, because of that her body line rose up to the surface. A very alluring beauty was in the air.

"Wha, whawhawha………"

No matter how much this is her own house, it was visiting time, and in the time while having a male which is in the same generation as her in her house, as one would expect, her appearance is too abnormal.

"What?"

But when Origami said it like it was extremely normal, she tilted her head a little as if wondering why Shidou froze up.

"……Ah, aah, did you forget your change of clothes? Ah, hahahaha………you're quite clumsy huh."

When Shidou made a dry laugh, like a machine that has not been oiled, he faced towards the direction of the day after tomorrow.

"………"

What's more, while being silent Origami approached Shidou without making any sound of footsteps—like the same as just now, she folded her knees to the part he is breathing, and he then felt a warm temperature there on that area.

"—!?"

Shidou got shocked and twitched his shoulders; he then took some distance away from Origami by jumping.

"……?"

Origami tilted her head in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

"Wha…, what's wrong…"

While she was saying that, Origami steadily filled in the gap in distance.

Shidou desperately enclosed himself with thoughts—and immediately released his voice.

"O-Origami! Err— th,there is something that I wanted to ask you!"

Origami, stopped in her tracks.

"What?"

"Ah……aah, err…………"

To confirm something, Shidou poked the intercam.

There was—no sound, could be heard. The communication was, completely being cut off.

If it is now, no matter what he says, it would not be transmitted to Kotori and the others.

After strengthening his resolve, Shidou opened his mouth.

"Err………Origami. You— hate, the Spirits………right?"

"………"

The moment Shidou said those words; he felt that Origami's mood changed.

She tilted her head a little, as if she doubted Shidou for bringing up that topic.

"Why?"

Origami looked directly at Shidou's eyes and asked.

This was only natural. Since honestly speaking, it did not make sense. If he was not able to communicate with <Fraxinus> then, she would definitely avoid leaking any unwanted information; she was probably scolded that she has been stirring up unwanted suspicions.

But Shidou, could not bear to not ask any longer.

To Origami. Because of the Spirits she lost her parents—and was now, bearing her fangs at the Spirits.

"……………No, err— about that. E-Even among the Spirits, there are good people………such a thing."

"Impossible."

Without even thinking, it was immediately cut down.

"Even by just appearing the Spirit would break the world. Just by [Being here] they destroy the world. That is evil. That is a disaster. They are the enemy of all living things."

"Th……That kind of way saying that is—"

"—I, will never forget."

Shidou's sentence was interrupted midway.

Her expression, and her voice tone, has not changed even one bit but………he wondered why, he felt a cold intimidating air from her.

"5 years ago, the Spirit that took away my parents."

"5 years…….ago?"

When Shidou made a dumbfounded voice, Origami made a small nod and continued.

"5 years ago,a large-scaled fire occurred at the Tenguu City Nankou town."

"Eh…?"

Shidou raised his eyebrows. Shidou used to live there too before.

Because of the fire his house got burned down, and the current house now is from after he moved.

"The matter was officially covered up but...that fire was—started by a Spirit."

"Wha……?"

Shidou opened his eyes wide in shock.

"It was a Spirit that has pure red blazing flames covering her. I— lost everything to that Spirit. I definitely will not forgive her. I will not let any more people feel the same way as I did before."

Although it was soft but, she said it in a voice that made him think it was filled with firm determination, Origami clenched her fist tightly.

"And, of course—Yatogami Tohka is not an exception."

"Eh…?"

Because of Tohka's name suddenly appeared in the conversation, Shidou stared into wonder.

"Right now she is...not confirmed as a Spirit. But, I cannot pardon her existence."

"………Bu-But, if the Tohka now does not cause any spacequakes, she won't go on a rampage. If that happens then—she is no different than a normal girl right?"

But, without showing a single speck of hesitation or indecision Origami swung her head sideways.

"It is true that her Spirit readings have vanished. But, because the reason is still unclear, it is normal to be ready for the worst case scenario."

"………Tha-That is—"

Shidou became hesitant.

The point that Origami said was right. That's because, she does not know that Tohka's powers had been sealed by Shidou's ability.

"But……even if the spacequakes do occur, it isn't their will to make it happen right!? Despite that—"

"—?"

When Shidou said it like that, Origami tilted her head in curiosity.

"How...do you know that?"

"………Uh, no, that is—"

He said too much. Shidou was finding some evasive answers while his sights were swimming around.

But, Origami continued on using a monotonous voice.

"Since this is a good chance, there is also something that I wanted to ask you."

"Wha-What is it……?"

"On the 21th of April. I saw you when I was in the middle of an operation."

"……Uh."

When she said that date, Shidou's back froze.

That date was—the day when Tohka came over to this world silently.

This means—it was on that, day that Tohka got her powers sealed by the kiss from Shidou.

"What kind of person are you?"

While she was staring at Shidou with peaceful eyes, Origami said that.

"No, errr, about that…"

He can't leak information about [Ratatoskr]. Shidou became flustered—

"………"

But, he bit his lower lips and breathed to calm himself down.

"…Tobiichi. You might not believe this but—even if it's a little, could you listen to what I have to say?"

Without a speck of hesitation, Origami lowered her head forward.

"Un……err, that. Although I can't say it specifically……in reality, I have met with Spirits plenty of times, and I have talked to them— Not only Tohka………Yoshino too."

"Yoshino?"

"Aah— it's the Spirit that you call the [Hermit]."

Although Origami's expression did not move at all, the moment Shidou said that, *breathe*, it felt that her usual breathing got a little faster.

"That is very dangerous. You should stop it."

With a voice that has no accent, she warned him.

But Shidou swung his head sideways.

"—Tobiichi. You, have you even once tried talking to Yoshino……? No—probably not. Since you don't even know her name."

He turned his whole body towards Origami, and continued.

"I beg you. Even if it's little, even if it is a little it's okay. If Yoshino appears from the other world this time, try talking to her— Just like what you said, there might be evil Spirits out there. But, Tohka and Yoshino— I don't know how am I going to put this into words but…they are really...good people…! Those girls are really kind, they are so kind that it is rare to find them even in human society……!"

"………"

Without saying anything, Origami was staring at Shidou in a very calm state.

It was quiet. But he could not feel that cold and mysterious air anymore; it was a mysterious gaze instead.

"………"

—Ah, I see. Shidou finally realized it.

He knew that Origami had no authority to make left and right decisions for the AST.

But even so, the reason for him to specially take on the risk of leakage of information just so that he can talk to Origami about this matter—it is because he just had to do it.

Of course, the biggest reason was to save Yoshino, but that was not the only reason he had.

That was, he felt that he finally understood it by experiencing it directly.

"I—see, I………"

Once again, Shidou faced his eyes towards Origami.

"I……I think I want to do something about Yoshino— I want to save her, I also want you to accept Tohka too. However, on the same level as those wishes. I don't want you, Tobiichi—yes, I don't want you to kill all those...good people…!"

"………"

"I know that, you are also a good person too……! Although you are still in high school, but you are fighting to protect the world! It is not something anyone can do. I respect you for that."

Yes. Shidou does not have the right to say that Origami was wrong.

She lost her parents to the Spirits 5 years ago—and she did not want other victims to be like her anymore, she was a noble girl that took up weapons to protect others.

At that determination, there was no way Shidou's cheap words could stain it.

But—

"How……how did things turn out to be this way…… There is no one—there is no one that is bad at all. Tohka, Yoshino, and Tobiichi, even you too, you are all good people yet."

"That is—"

Beginning to speak, after Origami made a small gulp she continued.

"That is, something that cannot be helped."

"……Uh."

"Provisionally, the things you said are true, about [Hermit] not wishing to have any conflicts with us —But, as the fact is, she is a Spirit. Therefore the threat of a spacequake occurring is still there. We can't just ignore this danger that threatens so many people, just for that one girl only."

It was a very accurate assertion. Kotori had also said the same thing.

Surely, if there was someone wrong it would probably be Shidou.

Shidou, shifted his eyes to his hands that were accumulating sweat, while trying to hide his expression he was grinding his molars.

In his head, he could understand what Origami just said. But he could not agree to it, no matter how he tried.

"—There is one last thing that I want to confirm."

When he said that, Origami tilted her head in curiosity.

"If you all can't confirm Spirit powers, like Tohka—there won't be any reason to attack that Spirit anymore right?"

Yes. What Shidou was saying were his idealistic thoughts. It was just too unreasonable.

—But, due to the Tohka incident there was a chance that these unreasonable thoughts might succeed.

"………"

Origami kept silent for a while before replying.

"From my point of view it is not my intention to do so. Just because her readings disappeared, it is too dangerous to leave the Spirit alone."

"………Uh, that sort of—"

"—But. To the higher ups, as long as there is no confirmation on the Spirit's reading, we have no choice but to recognize it as a human. I cannot attack her based on my own judgments."

"Whi-Which means?"

"That question, shows positive signs"

Origami said that while remaining cool.

Shidou, unconsciously drank his saliva, and gripped his hands tightly.

"—Thank you. It is enough now since I heard that."

"I see."

After Origami replied with that short sentence.

"—Is that the reason why...you said you wanted to come over today?"

Just a little, just by a little her eyelids fell, as she said those words.

Although there were no changes in her voice that has no accent, for some reason he could feel that she was unhappy.

"Uh, no……th-there is no such thing. The reason I came here today, was to talk to Tobiichi……"

As expected, he can't say anything about the puppet, so he made a lie.

Because of the intercam being dead, it became Shidou's job to conduct the search—Originally, while the camera was conducting the search, it was supposed to be Shidou's goal to distract Origami through conversation and to prevent raising any suspicions.

"………"

As soon as Origami heard Shidou's answer, the atmosphere that became a little thorny vanished in an instant.

And then, she steadily approached Shidou for a second time.

But, at that time.

*UUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu—*

And, the spacequake alarm rang from outside.

"Th-The alarm…?"

"………"

Origami became silent for a few moments. Before standing up she took a breath.

"Origami……?"

"—Dispatch. Hurry and go to the shelter."

Origami said only that before, going out to the corridor.

Right after Shidou was left alone and was dumbfounded for a while.

"…Don't tell me, Yoshino—?"

He raised his eyebrows from the alarm that was shaking his eardrums—and gripped tightly onto the puppet inside his pocket.

Chapter 5: Frozen Earth

Part 1

"………!?"

Yoshino opened her eyes. And she trembled in panic.

Together with the feeling of waking up after dozing off in the dark——a gentle breeze brushed her cheeks and the view of the city flowed into her sights.

"Eh……………, ah……"

Yoshino looked around her.

She was inside—a city which she does not know.

The only thing surrounding Yoshino was a crater formed from an explosion of some sort that had blasted the area off.

And the sky was cold and raining.

It was the something which she has already experienced many times, an experience that she was starting to get tired of—it was the feeling of the real world.

But if there was something different this time it would be——that her irreplaceable friend was missing from her left hand.

"………!"

From the sky, she heard a sound that she had memories of.

And over there was—as what Yoshino had predicted, a number of humans covered with machines and armor floating above her.

"—Target confirmed. All members, initiate attack."

""Yes.""

After that response the humans fired many bullets from their arms and legs at Yoshino.

"………………………!?"

Yoshino gasped and flew into the sky by kicking off the ground.

Just like that, to escape the attacks from the humans, she was using complex maneuvering and running away.

"Don't let her escape!"

""—Roger.""

She heard such voices echo behind her, and many more bullets were fired at her.

It was the final strike, because each attack held a lethal level of power respectively. If not for the AstralDress, the attacks would have resulted in Yoshino being killed over a 100 times; it was the incarnation of killing intent and malice.

"………!………!"

While Yoshino was dancing in the sky feeling confused, she was also raising inaudible shouts.

Her heartbeat turned rough,

Her stomach started to hurt,

And her eyes were spinning round and round.

Yoshino could not tolerate the malice and killing intent targeting her from someone else

Normally it would be—different.

Usually, [Yoshinon] would talk for her from her left hand.

Since [Yoshinon] was very reliable, it would act as if this attack was nothing to it.

That's why, Yoshino would feel safe and okay. And she would refrain from hurting everyone else.

But, right now—

"Kya………………"

Yoshino felt a strong impact behind her, and while she was making a soft scream she fell to the ground.

It was not an attack that could pierce through the AstralDress. However, it was a heavy attack that sent Yoshino, with her AstralDress's protection, to the ground.

The feeling of fear was spreading inside Yoshino's heart to the extent that it could not be helped.

*clatter* *clatter* her tooth cried,

*rattle* *rattle* her legs trembled,

*shake* *shake* and her sights was shaking.

The inside of her head was already mushy to the level that it can’t be helped.

"U, a,a………"

*zaa*,*zaa*-----and the rain had gotten even stronger.

"—Okay, let us up this all the way."

At the same time when the leader styled lady said those words, all the humans and their ominous weapons were all pointed at Yoshino at once.

And then, from the machines, the most killing intent they have released so far was poured into it, and took shape before it was launched at her.

Just the moment before impact. Yoshino raised her right hand high up to the sky.

—and.

"……………<Zadkiel>…………!?"

She swings her hands down, together with the angel's name.

"——Took her down!?"

Ryouko's mildly excited voice was heard through the transmitter.

While Origami was making a long and thin sigh, without lowering her guard she looked around the surface of the earth covered with smoke.

"……………………"

It had been almost 30 minutes, after the residents had finished evacuating and the alarm rang.

The moment they confirmed [Hermit]'s figure, Origami and the rest of the team immediately began their extermination plan.

Right now in the area were 9 members of the AST floating on the air, covered with long-ranged equipment.

Together with the wiring suits covering them and the normal thrusters unit as its center, it was extermination equipment that has a whole bunch of anti-Spirit ammunition loaded in it.

Normally the weight of the equipment would be too heavy to move around with but—it was compensated by the gravity neutralizing absolute power field, the Territory which is brought forth by the Realizer.

All of the members were facing the visitor, the [Hermit], and Ryouko was watching the situation.

"Wha—?"

The voice of someone filled with confusion was, delivered to all of the members ears through the transmitter.

The smoke covering the area where [Yoshino] fell dispersed immediately—and from the inside of the smoke, the figure of a doll with a slow-witted silhouette appeared, which was unconfirmed until just a few moments ago.

—On its back, [Hermit]'s small body was tightly attached to it.

"That is—"

The sound of Ryouko's voice through the transmitter shook Origami's eardrum.

There was a memory of that doll. It was the weapon [Hermit] summoned from last time—the Angel.

And thus, the puppet took a slouching posture, and when she thought that both its front legs touched the ground, *Guoooo*, a white smoke-like substance was released out of the abdomen part right pass the four legs, and from the mouth.

The puppet then turned its head and faced toward the sky.

—*KuooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO*———

And, it raised a strange roar that left a buzzing in the ears.

When it did that—the doll as the center, a crispy sound came from the ground, and the ground turned white and increased in radius.

"Wha-What is this………!?"

A voice of a team member filled with uneasiness echoed.

But [Hermit]'s doll did not care about the team, and continued letting out an evil cold air and roars.

Each time it did that, the ground continued turning white.

"…………"

Origami sent her sights to left and right.

The image that was projected in her sights was—the whole city, having the same phenomenon occurring.

Suddenly the puddles made from the heavy rain started to rise, and instantly froze to form countless commercialized-like needle shaped ice.

The frost was creeping and falling around the city's road and building, the situation was like having one whole city being put into a freezer.

In the blink of an eye—Origami and the others had their vision covered in ice.

And adding on to this terrible situation, the area they are in right now was getting endlessly supplied with water from the sky.

When the large quantity of raindrops, touched the ground covered in ice, it was immediately absorbed into the ground.

An endless invasion and the growing of ice castles.

That was what; Tenguu city was covered up with.

"…………………Kuh! All members! Don't falter! Shoot!"

Together with Ryouko's orders, Origami fired that instruction into her brain.

And the muzzle's equipped onto her whole body, activated all at once.

The other AST members acted the same, and fired at [Hermit] with all ammunition they had left.

But—

"…………"

Origami stopped breathing for a moment.

Before their ammunitions reached [Hermit], they froze far from it, without even igniting, the ammunition fell to the ground.

Origami immediately sent instructions to her brain, and simple analysis was put into operation.

When she did that, many weak but vast amounts of Spirit energy readings appeared on her view, it was so much that it was scary.

"Wha………what is going on?"

"—It is probably, the rain's fault."

"Ah, rain?"

In the midst of the team's confusion, Origami made a short answer.

"Yes, although it is little, the rain contains Spirit power."

The heavy rain left no gaps in her view.

The moment it touched the ammunition, it would get covered in ice and even the firepower would freeze before falling to the ground.

The rain covered in the Spirits power and the cold air. In this curtain of water, and the ice castles that covered the land, acted as a strong protective wall to protect its enshrined master.

"…………!"

And—at that moment, [Hermit] showed some movement while she was attached to the giant dolls back.

Guoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo——and it raised a roar that was like the sound of a moving machine, this roar was larger compared to just now, the doll then bent its body backwards.

That aspect was a little different from usual.

Yes, putting it into words, instead of releasing cold air, it was as if it was sucking in the atmosphere by taking a big breath.

"………….! All members, take cover!"

The same time Ryouko made that order, she sent mental instructions from her brain to the thruster units, and left the airspace where Origami and the others were floating just a moment ago.

That instant, when she thought that, the doll moved its head back to its normal spot, together with an unpleasant sound that can tear her ears apart, from the mouth, a blue beam was released.

"Uwa…………!?"

"Gu——"

In the transmitter, she could hear the voice of anguish from the other members. It would seem that, it was too late to run away.

"———"

She made her body spin midair, and took a glimpse downwards.

Over there were 2 ice boulders with a radius of 3 meters, *roll* *roll* that were rolling around.

There was no mistake. It was the owners of the anguished voices she heard from the other side of the transmitter just now.

"…………., Did they get frozen together with the Territory……? This isn't a joke……!?"

"……………………"

While hearing the other team members voice, Origami brought her eyes to [Hermit]'s behavior without lowering her guard.

And—maybe [Hermit] felt that the AST members were in disarray, it showed some movement once again.

When it thought that Origami and the others had turned their backs, the doll landed onto the ground with its four legs, and just like that with tremendous speed, it ran away like it was sliding on the frozen ground.

"Kuh……….we are chasing her!"

""Roger!""

Origami and the others sent the instructions to their own brains, and drove the Thruster units.

Part 2

"……………….!?"

Tohka was sleeping in the deepest room located on the second floor of the Itsuka house; she immediately raised her face up when the unexpected sound of explosions echoed.

"Wha-What………..!?"

She raised her body because she was surprised by the dangerous situation, *rumble* *rumble*, she opened the window while these sounds happened.

At that moment, Tohka shook her body unconsciously.

Instead of an outrageous feeling of fear, she shivered from the unexpected coldness, of the wind that entered from outside the window.

It was so weird that the surrounding temperature was dropping. Tohka looked around in a bad mood while frowning.

"Th-This is………"

Rain was pouring down on one side of her view , what's more, the moment the raindrop touched the ground it froze up and turned to ice.

"Wha-What on earth is happening now…………"

And, at that moment, she suddenly remembered something from just now.

During the time she was having an afternoon nap, she felt that something like the sound of Uuuuuuuuuuuu——echoed.

She thought that it was a dream or something, but that was………

"Was that…………the thing called the alarm…….!? Which means this is the……….spacequake?"

The image of the explosion and so on was quite different from what she heard from instructor Tama-chan , from what she can see, it was a strange situation. She has to hurry and evacuate to the so called shelter.

And—at that moment when Tohka was about to leave the room.

"……………!?"

Outside the window, a strange object passed by with tremendous speed.

It was a doll with a body length of 3 meters that had a short and stout form.

What's more on the back of the doll, it was being ridden by a girl with a green colored coat.

"That was……from that time."

Yes, that was the girl that Shidou had met up with.

The same time she confirmed that, Tohka, felt a shaking in her heart.

She does not have any basis. But for some reason—she couldn't help but feel that Shidou might be with that girl.

"……………"

After biting her lips, Tohka ran out of the room.

Part 3

"Wha………, what the heck, is this………?"

While holding the puppet in his hand, Shidou who had just left the apartment opened his eyes wide at the view that was spreading in front of him.

At any rate, the town's landscape that he was familiar with, turned into a winter wonderland.

What's more, it was not snow accumulating on it. The town was purely, frozen.

"—Did you not hear the alarm? It's Yoshino."

From the intercam that had been keeping its silence, he could hear Kotori's voice from it.

"Leaving that aside. What were you doing before the Spirit manifested? You took quite a sweet time leaving the room."

"…………No, I got caught by a birdlime^{[2E 1]} that was set up at the front entrance."

Yes, when he was trying to leave Origami's room, his leg got grabbed by the trap; it was something that would slow him down from going outside.

………………But it was a weird trap. Although it would take someone's time but it was not a trap that was impossible to escape from. If he were to say which it was, instead of catching an intruder from outside, it would be to slow someone down from escaping from inside…

"……………Nononono."

Now was not the time to be worrying about such things. He shook his head and regained his thoughts.

"So this is…Yoshino's doing?"

"Yes."

He said that while viewing the city covered in ice and Kotori replied back to him.

"It is not a situation where you can take your time leisurely and make plans. The rain water was supposed to be drained originally but even that got frozen up, if this situation continues there might be a chance that serious damage could be caused to the ground and underground shelter."

After taking a deep breath, Kotori continued on.

"—The only ones that can stop Yoshino are you, and that puppet. Will you go for it?"

"Of course. I can't leave Yoshino and the city like this anymore."

"……………Shin, I have one thing to say too, is it okay?"

And, from the intercam, he heard a sleepy voice. It was Reine.

"………………I did a lot of investigating but—it would seem, your question was not necessarily a misunderstanding."

Speaking of the—Question, it was probably what Shidou asked, when Yoshino visited his house a few days ago.

Now that he thought about it, he felt that Kotori did mention she would get Reine to investigate it.

"……………Since we don't have time I will tell you the brief details. Yoshino is—"

Reine explained the situation briefly.

"………………"

The same time when he heard that, a feeling of his heart being tightly squeezed, passed throughout Shidou's whole body.

But—mysteriously it wasn't that surprising.

The only feeling he had was an agreement of, aah, if it's Yoshino then, it's understandable——

And the absolute conviction of, as expected I need to save the girl.

"…………Kotori."

He looked at the city again and took a breath. He then made his determination by, hitting his chest a few times which was beating violently.

She might have guessed Shidou's intention just by that, Kotori's voice resounded back.

"—Very well. Run straight to the right, until you get out of the main street. Looking at the speed and the direction Yoshino is heading, you will reach there in approximately 5 minutes. If it is from that spot you can reach that location before her."

"Roger………!"

Receiving his instructions, he swiftly stepped on the ground firmly. But,

"Hurry and finish increasing her affection level, and give her a kiss."

"………………Uhh."

………………It was a specific way to say it out of the mouth, Shidou became a little shy from that.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"N-No………….Although it is not about that but……..errr."

Shidou said that while lightly blushing, Kotori made a [haa] sigh like she was tired of him.

"Why are you getting embarrassed now? It's not like this is the first time you've done it."

From Kotoris words, Shidou remembered what had happened inside the department store, his face turned even redder because of that.

"Th………That, might be true but……………No, how’d I put this? Although it was like an accident at that time but...If I am suppose to do it intentionally, then it feels like a crime or something…"

"—Aah, what is this? Is there a chance that Shidou might be a lolicon?"

"…………Th, tha, that's wrong!"

"That reaction. Bull’s-eye? Is your strike-zone from middle school and below? Kyaa—scary. I have to be careful from now on."

Kotori said mischievously.

"Oi oi."

And Shidou replied back while scratching his cheeks.

"No, that won't happen."

No matter how much he wasn't connected by blood, Kotori was his sister and they have been brought up together since they were young.

As expected, there was no way such a thing would happen.

"…………………"

"Kotori?"

"Shut up, hurry up and go!"

It was rare for Kotori, in her oppressive Commander mode, to raise her voice while shouting.

"Wha-What's wrong with her………?"

While Shidou was feeling it was hard to understand her, he dashed in the middle of the cold rain.

He was somehow maintaining his speed, while running on the frozen road.

And immediately he arrived at the main street with no one in sight—he then firmly gripped his foot on the ground.

"—She's coming."

Right after Kotori's warning—immediately, he saw a slow-witted silhouette.

It was a smooth and inorganic form. On its head, long rabbit-like ears. There was no mistake. It was the Angel <Zadkiel> Yoshino summoned.

Shidou, raised his voice until his vocal cords almost got crushed.

"—Yoshinoooooooooooo!"

"…………………!"

Yoshino who was attached to the back of the doll which was moving at extreme speeds, showed some reaction.

It would seem, that she noticed Shidou.

<Zadkiel> that was moving like it was sliding on the frozen road, stopped right in front of Shidou.

And when he thought the slow-witted doll bent its body, Yoshino who was attached to the back, raised her face that was soggy from crying.

"H-Hey, Yoshino. Long time no see."

"…………Shidou-san………"

Yoshino raised her body, and *un* *un* vertically swung her head.

At that occasion, Yoshino pulled out her hand that was inserted in the hole behind <Zadkiel>'s back. On Yoshino's finger many ring-like objects were shining, and from inside <Zadkiel>'s interior, there were thin treads stretched out. Like a puppet, it might be used to control <Zadkiel>'s movements.

"Yoshino, there is something I want to give to you."

"…………?"

After wiping her tears with her sleeves, Yoshino tilted her head as if questioning him.

"Aah, this is—"

And, that moment when Shidou took out the puppet that was kept in his pocket.

"Shidou!"

The same time when Kotori's voice echoed, from behind Shidou a light beam of some sort, was aimed and fired at Yoshino.

The shot grazed the tip of Yoshino's shoulder and her cheek, as it continued on passing behind her.

"Wha…………?"

Shidou's voice clogged up, and he immediately turned his head to look behind him.

Over there was Origami covered with overly exaggerated equipment, and was floating on air while carrying a large cannon.

"O-Origami………"

And what's more, it was not only that. Wondering when it happened, in Shidou and Yoshino's surroundings, AST magicians were gathering around them.

"—That young man over there. It's dangerous. Distance yourself from that girl."

With a voice that was passed through using a machine, the woman that appeared to be the captain made a practical speech.

But,

"U——ah, ah, ah, ah, ah……"

And immediately such a voice came from behind him; Shidou turned his face back to its original direction.

Yoshino looked at the AST members figure and, *tremble* *tremble* her body started trembling.

"…………………Uh."

Shidou, raised his eyebrows and gasped.

"Ah, aaaah, UAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh---------!"

She shouted, Yoshino then inserted both her arms into <Zadkiel> again.

And while spreading an extremely cold air around it, it slides towards its back direction.

"U,Yoshino……….! Wait!"

Shidou's entreaty could not reach.

<Zadkiel> which was being controlled by Yoshino, was *Guuooooooooooooooooo*--------making such sounds while sucking in the surrounding atmosphere.

"Th-That is……..!"

Tohka who had been running in the frozen city, was frightened at the scenery she was looking at.

In the cleared up road, she was able to recognize the figures of Shidou, the blue haired girl she saw a few days ago, and also the AST members standing there.

And, the girl driving the doll retreated to the back of the doll and, the doll bent backwards and started sucking in the surrounding atmosphere.

"——Uh."

Tohka felt a cold chilly feeling deep down her stomach.

The only level she could describe that feeling was it an instinct of some sort, but somehow she understood what that was. And that thing was—not something good.

It was hard to put into words but, yes, the shaking of the atmosphere and the moment before Tohka uses <Sandalphon> with all her might to make a final blow, it was extremely similar.

"…………….., shidou!"

Tohka raised her voice.

But, she understood that even if she did call out to him there was no meaning for doing so.

Tohka immediately stomped her heel on the ground.

"<Sandalphon>…………!"

And, she called that name. It was Tohka's final sword, the throne. It was the name of the miracle that held a shape.

"……………………………, Kuh—"

But nothing happened. Tohka distorted her face.

It was not like she did not predict this. She did receive many explanations from Kotori and the others, just in case.

Like what kind of existence Tohka was. And what Kotori and the others were planning to do with Tohka.

And following that process, Tohka was also told why her powers were sealed up.

Naturally, it would be a lie if she wasn't uneasy at first. That's because the power she had until now, suddenly disappeared all in one day.

Depending on the situation, she understood that it was a necessary factor to lead a normal life with Shidou and the other humans.

Honestly speaking—Tohka's current lifestyle was unbearably fun.

Although she was still intolerant of Origami, and still does not completely trust Kotori or Reine.

But, the days passed together with Shidou, were shining radiantly and were flowing with feelings she had never felt before.

—But.

"<Sandalphon>——<Sandalphon>! <Sandalphon>………uh!"

For the sake of saving Shidou, right now, she once again sought for the power that was supposed to be unneeded.

She stomped her heel to the floor, over and over again.

But, no matter how much she tried; <Sandalphon> would not manifest itself.

"Kuh—I beg you……Please come out, <Sandalphon>………!"

She clenched her teeth, and her eyebrows approached each other, while she was close to crying, she continued kicking the floor.

"…………Kuh."

Inside her head, the clear scene of Shidou falling down from the assassination bullet resurfaced.

His stomach completely gouged out. Shidou falling down powerless. Herself not being able to do anything.

She absolutely does not want to experience that again.

—At that moment, the girl's <Zadkiel> moved its head back to its original position.

"………………Uh!"

*wobbling* *shaking* Tohka's mental state, was turning unstable. The tremendous amount of stress which was enough to blow her conscious away was, overrunning inside Tohka's head.

"Ku—a, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

And then, the moment when <Zadkiel> released the condensed cold air from its mouth.

"U-Uuwahh………!?"

Shidou fell on his butt unintentionally.

He was overpowered by <Zadkiel>'s tremendous pressure.

The AST members that were spread out in his surroundings initiated a barrage of attacks on <Zadkiel> when it began sucking in the surrounding atmosphere, but all the attacks were blocked by the surrounding rain.

And thus——an extremely strong stream of cold air was released by Yoshino’s <Zadkiel>.

"Wha——?"

Although he did not know about the details but from the only knowledge he had, it was an attack that would probably rob Shidou of his life, and he somehow expected that this would be the case.

Judging from the timing and speed—it was something that was impossible to avoid.

"Shidou—"

And, he heard Origami's voice, but it was too late. Shidou closed his eyes unintentionally—

After his body was stiff for a few seconds, but feeling no discomfort, he wrung his neck and opened his eyes.

"Thi-This is—?"

And while he was dumbfounded he opened his mouth.

It was because, before Shidou knew it, a giant throne was rising in front of him, and it might have protected Shidou from Yoshino's attack.

"San....<Sandalphon>………….?"

Yes. It was the luxurious throne with the texture of metal. On the steel blue colored armrest, the back of the sword's handle was popping its face out like it was peeping.

That was, none other than Spirit Tohka's peerless weapon—<Sandalphon>.

"Wh-Why is this—?"

"—It’s simple."

From his right ear, Kotori's voice echoed.

"Kotori…………? What does this mean? Wasn't Tohka's power sealed?"

"I told you before. If Tohka's mental state turns unstable, there is a chance that the supposedly sealed powers would counter-flow back, from Shidou to Tohka—Although it is far from her full powers but it was unexpected for her to be able to summon her angel………………Well aren’t you loved, Shidou?"

"Huh……….? S-So why is Tohka's—"

When Shidou was flabbergasted, there were movements in the surroundings.

Shidou was not the only one that was surprised at the throne that suddenly appeared. Yoshino made a face as if she saw something that was out of this world, and immediately controlled <Zadkiel> and used it to run away with incredible speed.

The AST members activated their thrusters and chased after her.

Origami also took a glance at the luxurious throne in front of Shidou, and after making a small frown; she followed the other AST members and chased after Yoshino.

"……………………"

After Shidou has been blankly pre-occupied for a few moments, he immediately opened his eyes wide.

"Oh yeah, I need to chase after Yoshino too—"

And,

"shidou!"

From behind, he heard his name being called out.

It was a cute tone, and a unique intonation. And what was more importantly, the luxurious throne right in front of him. There was no need to figure out who the owner of that voice was—it was Tohka.

"Tohka………huh? Eh—?"

But when Shidou faced towards her, he opened his eyes wide upon Tohka's figure that he was not familiar with seeing.

Tohka was wearing her usual Raizen high school uniform but—whether it's her chest or skirt, her most important parts were, swayed with a beautiful light membrane.

"Tohka, what is that………….?"

"Nu?"

When Shidou said that, Tohka drop her sights down and looked at her own body while blinking in surprise.

"Ooo!? What is this! AstralDress!?"

It would seem that she has finally realized what her current state is after being pointed out. Tohka raised a surprised voice.

And after a few moments, of patting and touching the light membrane, she immediately raised her face and returned her sights to Shidou's direction.

"More importantly—shidou, are you okay? Are you injured?"

"Ah………aah. Thanks to you."

Shidou replied while looking up at the luxurious throne rising in front of him.

And when he did that, Tohka looked away awkwardly and continued on with a shaky voice.

"Err………..about that, I, I am sorry………in a lot of ways."

"Eh…………?"

When Shidou replied blankly, Tohka [muumuu] gave a groan.

"That's why………! I was, irritated by something I don't know and……err, I couldn't express my gratitude to shidou………since I caused many problems so—I always, wanted to apologize to you……"

"No……………that, it was my fault anyway………"

Although he was supposed to show some courtesy on denying Tohka's words but—there was no time, now.

Shidou *gulp* swallowed his saliva.

The Angel <Sandalphon> and also the AstralDress, which belongs to the Spirit known as Tohka.

Even she was not in the complete condition but it does not change the facts of her still having superpower that exceeds mankind.

The Spirit powers that could oppose Yoshino's <Zadkiel>. And also the AST's CR units.

Shidou immersed himself with his thoughts for a few seconds and fixed his eyes back to Tohka.

"—Tohka, I have a request."

"Nu……? Why the sudden formalities?"

Tohka wrung her neck curiously.

Shidou fell to his knees without any hesitation at all, and lowered his head very low.

"Shi-shidou?"

"—I beg you. Lend me your power. I know asking something like this from you is unreasonable. But, I want—her, I have to save Yoshino no matter what…………!"

"…………………"

After she was silent for a moment, Tohka echoed her voice a little.

"The Yoshino you're talking about—is that girl?"

"Aah."

"…………Uh."

After shortening her breath, Tohka continued on with her words. She was somewhat—sad.

"……………I see. As I thought, that girl is important. —More than...me."

"……………Uh? Who said something like that?"

Shidou raised his face, and saw Tohka's eyes.

"Eh……………?"

"That’s wrong—It's not something like....that."

"Shidou. That's dangerous. Don't tell Tohka any unnecessary information—"

He ignored what Kotori said and opened his lips.

"That girl—is the same as you, Tohka."

"Same………?"

"Aah, Yoshino is the same as you——a Spirit."

"……………!? That girl is?"

Tohka made a dubious voice while raising her eyebrows.

"—That is not all. Because she...also holds powers that she can't do anything about on her own, just like you, she has been feeling pain all this time…………!"

"……………"

"I—promised her. That I will become a hero and I will save her. ………But, with only my power, I can't even chase after her………!"

Once again, he lowered his head deeply.

"I beg you, Tohka. Please lend me…………your power!"

"…………………"

The silence flowed by.

But—it did not continue for very long.

*Suuuu--…..haaaaaaa*, he heard the sound of someone breathing.

"……………Uh, haha."

The echo of the small laugh was also heard.

When he raised his face, he understood that Tohka was putting her hand on her forehead.

And that mouth, started moving.

"…………Aah, I see. That's right. How did I forget something like this. —The person who saved me, was this kind of man."

"Tohka……?"

Because of the rain, he could not properly hear what Tohka just said. He replied back to her in doubt.

But without replying back, Tohka immediately turned her body around.

"—All I have to do is chase after that girl, right?"

Tohka's dignified voice was shaking inside Shidou's eardrum, as if it was erasing the sound of the rain.

"…………, Tohka!"

"Don't say anymore. Time is precious."

After saying that she walked a few steps and, *GAN*! She kicked the luxurious throne <Sandalphon> that was at that spot.

When she did that, the giant throne fell forward and transformed into a weird shape.

"Thi-This is—?"

"Ride it. You're in a hurry right?"

When Tohka rode on the back part of the throne, she urged Shidou to get on.

"Ah, aah…………"

While being perplexed, Shidou followed Tohka and rode on <Sandalphon>. Instead of a throne, it has the appearance of an awkwardly shaped boat or a surf board.

"—Grab on."

And, at the same time Tohka said those short words.

"……………………!?"

With incredible acceleration, <Sandalphon> started sliding on the frozen ground.

His body was attacked by murderous wind pressure and gravity. Shidou immediately clung onto the decorations on the back.

But Tohka was barely grabbing onto anything, and was standing calmly on the back of <Sandalphon> as if she had strong magnets equipped under the soles of her feet.

"If we hold back on the speed we're going to lose sight of her! We're going on like this!"

"O—Ou………"

Inside the incredible wind pressure, Shidou barely let out his voice.

"—Seriously."

And, from the intercam on his right ear, a voice as if someone gave up echoed. It was Kotori.

"Although Tohka responded quite well, it was all good but—that was careless, Shidou."

"Sorry, I will listen to your preaching later…! Just lend me your power now without saying anything, Kotori……!"

When Shidou said that, Kotori made a sigh, and continued talking.

"—Of course. It is our mission to save the Spirits. We will not waste any effort when helping you."

"I'm in debt to you…………!"

And, at that moment <Sandalphon>'s speed increased. Shidou put strength in his neck, and somehow put his foot on the back of <Sandalphon>, and while being supported by Tohka they continued advancing on the ice.

Part 4

"——B team, go on ahead! We're going to trap [Hermit]!"

""Roger!""

From the transmitter, she heard the voices of Ryouko and the other AST members responding to her.

Origami together with 2 members of the AST, delicately changed their direction, and withdrew from the main team chasing after [Hermit].

The target location would be around 1 kilometer ahead from the intersection point.

While the Territory was neutralizing the G force, which was strong enough to normally make someone's consciousness turn hazy or make it impossible to open their eyes due to the wind pressure, they reached the targeted location.

"……………"

And with the feeling of kicking the air she used the brakes, and diverted to that direction.

In her sights, she already caught a glimpse of the [Hermit] advancing in her direction.

At the same time the 3 members as the B team confirmed the sighting, they dispatched themselves to left and right, they made an instruction in their minds and 2 anchor units which were equipped with the thrusters under their armpits, were shot out to the ground.

From the total of 6 anchor units light threads were stretched out, and entangled with each other to form a net.

"——Deployment of the laser web completed, machine Beta and Gamma tied together confirmed."

"Okay, we're going to corner her!"

When Origami said that, she heard Ryouko's shouting voice through the transmitter which was chasing after the [Hermit].

"…………!?"

[Hermit] finally arrived and seemed to have realized that an ambush has been set for her.

But——it was too late.

From the front, and both the left and right the light of an entangled net with magic barred her way.

From behind, Ryouko and the A team were pursuing her.

And from above, Origami and the B team were floating with the completed Laser web.

"A———ah, ah, aah…………——"

The [Hermit] who was attached to the back of the doll, opened her eyes wide and let out a voice filled with despair.

"All members—attack!"

However, the AST did not show any sympathy or mercy to the opposing Spirit.

Together with the orders, all of the AST members pulled out the laser blade <No pain> which is a standard high-powered close combat equipment, and charged at [Hermit].

—But,

"U…….a, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh—!?"

The same time with [Hermit]'s scream, there was an incredible turbulence occurring in the surrounding.

And the raindrops that were pouring down froze up and turned into hail, swirled around and covering [Hermit]; it became the shape of a blizzard dome.

Origami did not care about it, and swung down the <No pain> at the ice storm barrier protecting [Hermit].

However, there was an immediate change.

From the point that touched the barrier, the <No pain>'s blade and Origami's surrounding Territory were making a cracking sound and begun to freeze up.

Origami immediately, made the sword <No pain> vanish, and de-activated her Territory.

"……………Ku——"

The weight of her body and the equipments she was wearing, suddenly returned and the scenery which she was clearly visible until now turned blurry and she became unable to see.

In addition to that, the piercing cold air that was filled in the city and the cold raindrops pouring down from the sky, attacked Origami's body for the first time.

In the blink of an eye, from the greenhouse environment it became something like climbing a snow mountain in the middle of winter. Her heart made a big leap as if she got frightened, and it made Origami's breathing painful.

"Basic Territory re-activate."

Inside the exhausting feeling close to making her fainting, she somehow managed to get that language out of her mouth.

When she did that, an invisible barrier once again manifested around Origami, and gently made her body float. She activated her thrusters, and somehow managed to escape from [Hermit]'s barrier.

"Kuh…………Everyone, are you alright!?"

Ryouko's voice was heard. They might have used the same method as Origami to escape [Hermit]'s barrier too.

But when all the responding voices were counted, including Origami, the total was only 5.

2 more people probably got frozen together with their Territory.

"…………………"

Origami brought her eyes to the blizzard dome that was born on top of the frozen road.

Goooooooooooooo——it was making low howls while winding up a whirlpool, it has a hemisphere of an estimated radius of 10 meters.

The ice bullets imbued with the Spirit's mana raged, and formed a fortress of cold air.

Plasma blade and the Territory which normally has no substance were also frozen, it became obviously clear that this isn't a normal blizzard.

"Tsk…………this is annoying. What are we going to do about this?"

"—It is not like there is no way."

She having said that remark, she sent the data of the barrier which she had scanned earlier ago to the other members.

"This is……"

"Yes. The value of mana covering the barrier is not a big deal. It will react to the magic output of our Territory, and would temporarily focus its defensive power on that one spot."

"Which means……in a de-activated Territory condition, we won't get frozen?"

"Probably."

When Origami said that, Ryouko groaned with difficulty.

"That doesn't sound so realistic. No matter how much we can escape getting frozen up, it is still a barrier with lumps of ice bullets whirling around it. Although the wiring suits has some bullet-proof properties built-in but…………I don't think our body would hold out until we reach her."

Ryouko said that, and another member raised her opinion.

"How about—a bombardment of attacks using a gun with no magic applied to them."

"…………That would also difficult. Even if by any chance we were able to pass through the barrier, the Spirit still has its AstralDress you know? Using a physical attack which is not covered in magic, we wouldn’t even cause any injury to the Spirit after all."

That is true, what Ryouko said actually does make sense.

The Spirits' AstralDress, can only be broken by the magic output released by the Realizer.

However, the barrier of this blizzard that is covering the surrounding has that kind of magic readings.

It is a 2 layered wall of different attributes. That was a troublesome thing.

But, Origami activated her thrusters and, flew up to the sky.

"Origami?"

"Doing it like this is okay."

Origami muttered that, cast her eyes down and prepared her breathing, to increase her focus.

And in her surrounding, the territory that was deployed which normally has a radius of 3 meters instantly expanded to nearly 10 meters.

The radius of the territory, the more it expanded, the lower the density would become which causes its ability value to drop.

The territory now which had now expanded to a 10 meter class radius would probably not be able to stop the Spirits attacks.

But—right now this was okay. Just like that Origami got close to a residential apartment nearby.

"——!"

—*GOGOGOGOGO*……!

The top part of the building that enters the range of the expanded Territory got twisted out, and was grabbed mid-air.

The concrete of the outer wall was peeling off, the heat insulated materials were shredding, and a sound that was painful to the ears sounded and the concrete foundation of the building was forcibly twisted out. It might be the furniture of the offices inside the building, whether its personal computers or documents these things were leaked out of the Territory, and falling away separately.

It was quite heavy. Her brain started to get the intense burden and a violent headache attacked Origami.

"O-Origami………!? What the heck are you doing?"

Origami didn't care about her and continue making the top part of the building float, she then flew above the [Hermit]'s barrier.

And then, after taking a small breath she said,

"Crush her, with a good amount of materials. With this, the barrier should de-activate for an instant. And we aim that."

"…………Seriously, you're always so reckless……!"

After Ryouko said that with a sigh mixed in it, she gave her orders.

"Everyone, did you hear that!? Although it is rough but there seems to be no other way. All members, charge output to maximum and standby outside the barrier's range! Everyone is going to attack at the same time when the barrier disappears!"

""Roger!""

The remaining AST wizards, were readying their stance with all of their equipments and activated their Realizers.

Origami prepared by breathing, and swung down the hand that was carrying the building.

The lump of metal and concrete that has an incredible weight, dropped right down towards the blizzard dome.

—But,

Origami distorted her eyebrows a little.

On the building parts that she had just dropped, she was attracted to one line on it, and following along with the line, the giant lump of concrete got split into two.

"…………………"

No—that was not all.

The separated debris was chopped finely into pieces and what's more it all happened in a flash.

By the time it touched the ground, all of it turned into fragments and smaller debris.

And the [Hermit]'s barrier was—still, going strong.

"This is—"

And the moment she made that voice, from her ear *Beep* *Beep* an ear hurting buzzer got delivered.

"Origami! Th-The Spirit readings increased! This reading is—"

Before Ryouko could even finish, Origami made the Territory which had expanded to almost 10 meter class, condense to almost 2 meters which is smaller than her usual one.

The large-scaled equipments that were struck outside the Territory field followed the laws of gravity and fell to the ground.

At that moment—in front of Origami, night colored hair danced.

"…………!"

At the Territory that was jammed together to increase the defensive characteristics, an intense burden was forced on it.

There was no need to even think about the reason. It was because the girl that appeared right in front of her, came slicing at Origami with her sword.

"Fuun, you defended against that huh?"

"……………Yatogami...Tohka."

Origami said that name like she was groaning, and drew out the laser blade <No pain> from her hips, and released a sword strike at Tohka whose body was covered here and there by her thin AstralDress.

"To——"

After Tohka dodged that in a flash, she rested her legs on top of the rooftop fence on a nearby building.

"What are you doing here?"

While facing the sword of light at her, she asked the Tohka that suddenly appeared.

While flipping her front hair that was wet from the rain to the back, Tohka made an inappropriate smile.

"—Fuun, sorry about that, I will not let you disturb shidou."

"………………"

Despite wondering why Shidou's name came up, Origami fixed her grip on <No pain>.

"Kuh—why did [Princess] appear here? Did she come here to save [Hermit]?"

Ryouko said that irritated.

Yes. The Spirit with an AAA rank—codename [Princess].

From the girl in front of her, the Spirit reading which usually can't be detected was now, giving out a weak signal.

"——Kuh, we'll deal with [Hermit] later. All members change your target to [Princess]!"

Ryouko shouted—it might be the most appropriate decision.

It might be the chance to shoot [Hermit] but they would be helpless if [Princess] attacked them, when they are focusing on shooting.

The barrier was certainly a problem but as long as they take some distance from it, the [Hermit] would not commence an attack on her own, it was a natural decision to postpone her attack.

But—she wondered why.

Ryouko and the others floated up from the ground, and looked at Tohka who was looking in their direction; she felt that Tohka made a small nod. It was like—her expectations were going along as planned.

However, there was not enough time for careful consideration. When Tohka kicked the building fence, she once again lifted her sword and approached Origami.

"Kuh—"

Origami fixed her grip on her sword of light and, kicked the sky to accept her challenge.

Part 5

Going back 3 minutes before the, situation.

"—What is that!? shidou!"

On the <Sandalphon> that was riding on the frozen road with super speed, Shidou was supported by Tohka and was barely holding on. When Tohka said that, Shidou raised his face accordingly.

"………………Wha…………!"

It was quite a strange scenery.

On the ground a whirling blizzard, it was a beautifully made hemisphere—and surrounding it were the AST wizards, who were preparing themselves with their exaggerated weapons.

"What the heck—is that……….!"

"………………It's the barrier Yoshino constructed. Fumu, it was made quite well."

The moment Shidou said that, Reine explained briefly the analytical results on the dome of cold air.

Magic—which means, it was a fortress of ice that commences an auto-counterattack when it reacts to the output of AST's CR units magic attacks.

From Reine's information, Shidou simplified it even further before explaining it to Tohka. Tohka [muu……] put her hands under her jaws and groaned difficultly.

And, this time, Kotori's voice was shaking his right ear eardrum.

"Things have become troubling. With it like that, no one can get close to Yoshino."

If thinking normally, it was true.

But—*Gulp* Shidou drank down his saliva and, [No] moved his lips.

There's one more. There was something that was still bothering him.

"Although it is something that we have to test to find out but……but it might not be exactly necessary."

"What did you say?"

And, a change appeared in the scenery further in front.

When he thought that Origami floated to the sky, she tore out the top part of a nearby building, and transported it above Yoshino's barrier.

"Wha……?"

"—Tsk, is she planning to shatter the barrier like that? That's quite a drastic way to do it."

Kotori, said it irritatingly.

"Wha-What should we do to—"

And, the moment Shidou said that.

"—Un."

Tohka who was standing nearby him shook her throat a little.

"shidou is going to use that method of some sort...that you know about...to save that Yoshino something?"

"…………No, err………I don't know whether it's possible or not—"

When she said that, he clenched his teeth.

"—No, there is a way. I will do something about it……definitely."

"I see."

When Tohka said that, *grin*, and she raised the edge of her lips.

"Tohka……?"

"Then, I'll leave that problem to shidou. Leave the AST or whatever to me. I definitely won't...let them disturb shidou."

Tohka left those words, and ran on forward from the <Sandalphon> that was still moving—when she grabbed the handle of the sword that was sprung out of the pointed end at the back of the throne.

She then kicked the back of the chair just like that, and flew in midair—she flew towards the direction of Origami, who was still carrying the building.

"Tha....that girl……….!"

While Shidou was still clinging onto <Sandalphon> that was still moving, he opened his eyes wide in surprise.

But, he immediately bit the inside of his mouth and fixed his thoughts, and sternly faced forward.

The thing she was going to do now was dangerous, but he was not going to shout on how reckless it was.

The Spirit Tohka. The girl that had finally managed to escape the endless cycle of battles.

That girl was now—to save Yoshino—and also to support Shidou's determination, has once again jumped into the battlefield.

Other than repaying back that resolution, there are no other existing actions that Shidou could do now to be forgiven—!

Shidou lowered his body, and while clinging onto <Sandalphon>, he rushed towards Yoshino's barrier.

And in the middle of going there, to make his final confirmation, Shidou asked Kotori a question.

"—Kotori. There is something I want to confirm with you."

"What is it?"

"Since it was something that I was not really worried about, there was one thing………I had forgotten to ask. I...on the day when Tohka's power was sealed—was shot by Origami right?"

Yes. If Shidou memories are correct. On that day, Shidou was mistakenly sniped by Origami.

And then, he was injured, with a wound that a normal person would not be saved from.

After a silence of one beat, Kotori replied back.

"Yes. —That's the truth."

"What on earth……was that? Is that also, among my abilities that is unexplainable?"

"…………That would be, half correct and half wrong."

"And you're saying?"

When he asked back, after Kotori made a groan like she was in a dilemma, she then continued her words.

"It is exactly true that it is among Shidou's ability. By any occasion when your body has received a life-threatening damage, your body will be ignited with fire and, once again be revived. It is a shameful undead monster cheat ability. —It is not like, we are, letting it remain unexplainable."

Shidou stared into wonder.

But—there is no time for that now.

"—Right now, I will not ask for what the reason is for now. But there is something I want to ask again. Even if I get injured by a life-threatening injury, I can recover from that. There are no mistakes there right?"

"—Yes. That is an affirmative."

Kotori replied back, Shidou took a deep breath.

"………That's great. If that was my imagination then, I would be heading to my death right now."

"…………Shidou...Don't tell me you plan to..."

And—by the time Kotori was saying that, the building that was floating on the sky was cut into pieces by Tohka, it became fragments of concretes and fell to the ground below.

Immediately, the AST members in the surrounding area, changed their targets to Tohka, and floated to the sky.

With that distraction, the <Sandalphon> that Shidou was riding on, managed to reach the base of Yoshino's barrier.

Or perhaps—with an overly excess vigor, the pointed end of the throne thrust into the barrier.

"Eek…………!?"

*Gakun* a strong trembling attacked Shidou.

But, he could not remain surprised for long. The part which <Sandalphon>touched when it touched the barrier, while an incredibly high pitched shriek was sounding, it was getting frozen too.

It definitely, must have reacted to <Sandalphon>'s Mana.

"This is bad…………"

When Shidou got off <Sandalphon> in a panic, he was standing right in front of the massive blizzard in the shape of a whirlpool.

It was a barrier of raging ice storms. When he saw it right in front of him, the intensity of it was a huge difference.

"Yoshino—is inside this."

After mumbling, he moved the puppet from his pocket to his clothes.

He then bent his body forward to cover it—and Shidou took one step forward.

"Shidou, please stop. What are you planning to do?"

From his right ear, restraining words entered. But Shidou did not stop his legs.

"—Uh, are you planning to enter the barrier with just your body? And only by depending on your recovery powers? It’s too reckless. Stop it!"

From those admirable words that make him think that it was not from the Commander mode, Shidou made a dry laugh.

"Oi oi………During the time I was shot, I heard that you weren't even a little agitated you know?"

"The situation at that time was different. In the area where the blizzard is blowing in, the outer circumference of the internal barrier is 5 meters from the target. It's 5 meters you understand? In that distance, it's like advancing while getting shot by a shotgun, you get it? And what's more, if Mana is detected inside that radius, you will be frozen like Tohka's <Sandalphon>"

And going on and on, Kotori continued talking.

"Do you understand what I am saying? I am saying during the time you are in the outer edge of the barrier, your wounds will not heal. The difference is huge compared to being shot by one bullet. If your ability runs out half way, there is no mistake you will die!?"

"……………Mana— So my recovery abilities, is the powers of a Spirit huh?"

"……………Uh."

He heard the sound of Kotori choking.

But, Shidou did not stop his legs.

It was understandable that this was a stupid move, but he could not stop.

That's because Shidou made a promise.

That he will save Yoshino. And he himself—will become Yoshino's hero.

After taking a deep breath, he took a step inside the barrier.

"Shidou—! Shidou! Stop!"

Kotori unusually started shouting desperately.

"—Stop………..uh, Onii-cha—"

But reaching at the end of the voice, in Shidou's ear, he could only hear the sound of the violent blizzard.

Part 6

"U, e………….., e…………uh."

In the center of the barrier, Yoshino was squatting on the back of <Zadkiel>, and was crying.

It a very quiet area that one would not think to be inside a raging blizzard. Only the sound of Yoshino's weeping and sniffling could be heard reverberating loudly.

She was very scared and could not go outside. But, over here—was quite, lonely.

"Yo...shi...non……uh……"

With a voice filled with tears, she called the name of her friend.

"Y.E.S."

"………………!?"

Yoshino twitched her shoulders in surprise, and immediately raised her head and looked around.

"——!"

And then, Yoshino wiped her tears and opened her eyes wide.

That's because right at the border of the outer edge and the inner part of the barrier, she caught sight of a puppet she was familiar with.

"!, Yoshinon……!?"

Yoshino shouted and jumped off <Zadkiel>'s back, and ran to that spot.

There was no way Yoshino could have made a mistake.

That puppet was unmistakably Yoshino's friend [Yoshinon], which had been missing for the past few days.

But—

"………………Hii…………!"

*Thud*!.

From behind [Yoshinon], someone fell inside and Yoshino instinctively stopped her legs.

No—accurately speaking, the person who fell inside was the one wearing [Yoshinon] on their hand.

She could not tell who it was by the appearance.

That was because the person who fell down had his whole body covered in blood stains and injuries.

"Uh………"

That person must have forcibly entered Yoshino's barrier. From the body that fell down, a large amount of blood flowed out into the area around him.

Yoshino's eyes were sure of it. This was, instead of describing it as a human, much closer to a corpse.

But immediately Yoshino no longer needed to examine the body.

That was because---suddenly, the body she thought was half-dead, started glowing. It was like the numerous wounds made on the body were getting licked by flames that were crawling on their surface.

While Yoshino was dumbfounded, the person's injuries vanished.

And—finally the facial features could be grasped.

"……………!? Shidou-sa………"

Yoshino let out a voice filled in shock.

Yes, that worn-out human was Itsuka Shidou.

Shidou rolled and, when he faced upwards on that spot, *fuuuuuuu*……………He let out a deep breath.

"I……I thought I was going to die…"

Shidou, who barely made it inside the barrier, took in big breaths. And after his heart, which was about to stop, calmed down, he slowly raised his body up.

Even though the outer part of the barrier was a machine-gun-like furious snowstorm, the inside of it was really quiet. It was an area that had nothing weird in it. It somehow reminded him of the inside of an igloo.

And then right inside it, there was a giant doll and a girl with eyes like a rabbits' which were dyed red.

"—Yoshino!"

When Shidou called her, he stood up while carrying the rabbit puppet.

"As promised, I—came to save you…………!"

When he did that, after Yoshino stared blankly,

"U,e,eeeeeeeee…………………"

The tears in her eyes accumulated and she started crying.

"Uwah……………..,wai— D-Don't cry. Di-Did I somehow do something bad……..?"

Shidou hastily moved his hands, but Yoshino swung her head sideways.

"You're………………. Wrong, I am…………….happy………you………..came……….."

After she said that, [Ueeeeee…….] she started crying again.

While Shidou made a wry laugh at that appearance, he used his right hand and gently patted Yoshino's head.

And then, with the puppet that was put on his left hand, *clatter* *clatter*, he tried moving it.

"Ya-ha-, long time no see. Have you been doing great?"

He was mumbling his mouth while speaking to make it look like it was ventriloquism.

Although it was an act that was poorly executed, Yoshino happily swung her head many times to the front.

If you were to think normally, it might be a weird scene.

That was because, [Yoshinon] is a doll that moves by Yoshino's ventriloquism.

But—

Shidou remembered what Reine said a while ago.

"……………From the results of the investigation, regarding the current Spirit class we are monitoring, we found out there was one more small and unusual reading hidden there."

"Errr…………which means—?"

"……………It essentially means that there is another personality existing inside Yoshino that only appears when she wears the puppet."

"!, Tha-That means………….Yoshino knows that about herself too?"

"…………………Maybe so, maybe not. But there is one thing for certain, the person that you were having a conversation with in the department store, instead of it being Yoshino, was the other personality that appeared through the medium of the puppet. Yoshino at that time will leave all the interactions to Yoshinon and is close to a state where she purposely closes her heart. That is the reason why her powers were not sealed even though she was kissed."

"……………"

"…………There is one more thing. Regarding the reason why Yoshinon appears, there is something very interesting about it."

"Something interesting?"

"…………Aah, there are many reasons why she gave birth to a new personality other than the one she already had but—the most popular was to probably run away from things like ill-treatment, strong agony or stress. In short, the reason she accidentally made another personality was to make it as if someone else were taking on the painful experiences instead of herself."

"So that means………that was expected, it was painful that the AST was aiming for her life—?"

"…………Noo. —This is quite hard to believe but this girl, in order to avoid injuring humans instead of herself, probably gave birth to a new personality in order to restrain her own powers”

"——Uh."

"…………….Shin. Please, you definitely have to save that girl. You would be lying………if you do not want to go save this kind and gentle little girl."

—At that conversation.

"……………………"

"Than...k …………….you, very much."

And, unexpectedly, Yoshino lowered her head.

"Eh?"

"…………For, saving, Yoshinon."

After Shidou scratched his cheek, [aah] he nodded.

"The next one—Yoshino. I am going to save you."

"Eh………….?"

Yoshino replied back curiously. Shidou then went on his knees to look Yoshino in the eyes.

He could not hear anything from the intercam. It must have gotten broken while he was passing through the barrier.

It was painful not to know what Yoshino's mental states were but there was no choice.

Either way, he had to do it.

The contact with Yoshino when she lost her puppet and the conversation he just had.

In only those times, he believed that he gained the minimum requirements for Yoshino's trust.

"—Errr, about that, Yoshino. In order to save you—errm, there is one thing that you have to do."

"What……is it?"

While Shidou let his saliva flow down his throat which was dry from the nervousness, he continued his words.

"………Errm, don't think of me as a weird guy please ……Do you still remember about the kiss?"

In an instant Yoshino made a blank face, and immediately swung her head vertically.

"……Uh, I, I see. Errrr——ermm…..in order to save you, you will have to do it………No, I really don't mean it in a weird way! This is—"

And—

"—Eh?"

And Shidou's voice stopped there.

The reason was simple—Yoshino abruptly closed her eyes.

And on Shidou's lips *Chu*, she gave him a kiss.

At that moment, Shidou was attacked by a...somehow warm feeling flowing into his body,

"……………….!? Yo-Yoshino………?"

"…………………?"

Yoshino tilted her head to the side a little.

"Did………………I do...it wrong……?"

"N-No………you're not wrong……….but..."

When Shidou said that, Yoshino nodded in consent.

"If it is what………..Shidou-san says, I will believe it."

At that moment—<Zadkiel>, that was standing idly behind Yoshino and the inner dress that was covering her, turned into light particles and melted into the atmosphere.

And then………the blizzard barrier surrounding Yoshino and Shidou, suddenly lost its energy and disappeared.

Yoshino's shoulders twitched in surprise.

"………………, Shidou,san………….this—"

Yoshino was in a state where she had no idea what was going on, so her eyes spun around and around. And in order to cover her half-naked appearance, she crouched down.

Somehow when she made that kind of reaction, Shidou started to get embarrassed again as well.

"Ah…………aah, un, errr……………I think you have a lot of things you want to say! Bu-But for right now—"

And—at that moment.

"Un………"

Yoshino squinted her eyes from the brightness. After the clouds cleared up—the sunlight was, pouring in.

"It's warm—"

It was as if it was the first time for Yoshino to see the sun, she was in admiration.

No, it really might be her first time seeing it.

Shidou recalled back. He does not know whether it is Yoshino's nature to control water and cold air, but it felt like every time when she appeared in this world, rain was always falling.

"Pre~tty."

She dazedly, mumbled.

Yoshino said that while looking at the sky.

Shidou also, got attracted to it and raised his face.

And then, he immediately found what Yoshino was staring at.

In the sky that was erased from the gray colored clouds—there was a magnificent rainbow, spanning through it.

—But, that aftertaste did not last for very long. Unexpectedly both Shidou and Yoshino bodies were covered with a mysterious floating feeling.

"Nowah………!"

"…………!?"

There was a memory about this feeling. It was <Fraxinus>'s transport device.

Kotori must have, retrieved them after confirming the sealing was completed.

"………………and."

After a moment, Shidou's view was no longer of the city covered in ice, but instead it was the ship's interior of <Fraxinus> he was used to seeing.

"…………….!? ……………!?"

As expected Yoshino was blinking in surprise.

And—Shidou turned to the other presence that appeared at that area.

"Ooo…………so you are safe, shidou."

Over there was—Tohka standing with her Raizen high school uniform which was burnt in some places. It would seem that, together with Shidou and Yoshino, Tohka who had been in the middle of a battle was also retrieved.

"Tohka—! Ar-Are you okay!?"

The moment Shidou said that, Tohka made a sigh—the hand that was holding the sword and the light membranes that appeared on her body important parts, disappeared into thin air.

"Umu. It's not a big deal………instead of that, isn't your condition much more worse?"

"Ah……………"

Having that pointed out; Shidou scratched the back of his head.

Shidou's clothes right now were dyed red with his own blood, and incidentally it was also filled with holes.

"Hii……………"

And, Yoshino raised a scared voice, and hid behind Shidou's shadow.

It would seem that she was still not good with Tohka. Shidou unintentionally made a dry laugh.

"It's okay Yoshino. This girl is Tohka. She was with me—when we went to save you."

When Shidou said that, Yoshino timidly brought her eyes to Tohka's face.

"Toh...ka………san."

"………………nu."

After Tohka saw Yoshino with a complicated expression, [umu] she then made a small nod.

"Hmm……?"

And, Shidou eyebrows frowned.

Coming from the corridor, loud footsteps were echoing.

Then the door of the transporter room opened, and Kotori entered with her breathing roughly.

"Ko-Kotori…………?"

After Shidou mouthed his surprise at the sudden intrusion, Kotori stared at Shidou's whole body as if she was examining it.

And then,

"You—stupid brother………!"

"Higuuh………….!?"

Kotori held her fist aloft with all her strength and, let out a strong punch at Shidou's solar plexus.

What's more, a miraculous twist was also added to the punch. It was an excellent cork screw.

"Guhaa…………Wha……what the heck are you doing!?"

"Doing something so stupid………! You should only listen to what I say!"

"Uh? What are you—?"

Shidou wanted to raise an accusing voice but—he was stopped half-way through.

The reason is simple. It was because the sister that had just released a punch was now, pressing her face into Shidou's chest, and putting her arms around his body just like that, *Gyuu*, she inserted strength into her arms.

"…………You have to properly, make proper calculations on the recovery limit beforehand……..! And move accordingly to what I say, it will definitely be safer…………"

"Koto...ri…………"

Shidou exhaled, and patted Kotori's head.

"Sorry, for doing something rash."

"…………You seriously were thoughtless. Even an amoeba is more prudent. You half-celled creature."

While Kotori was still pushing her face into his chest, *Blow*! And she blew her nose, and finally let go of his body.

Shidou whose chest part of his shirt was smeared with snot, was scratching his cheeks while making a wry smile.

However, Kotori was showing that she wasn't bothered about that. Speaking of which—the moment her face left Shidou's chest, her usual addressing method of the cold-tongued Commander mode returned.

"—Seriously, moving as you like……All of you are getting examined from head to the toe. So follow me."

She said that and *Pui* turned her head away, and left through the corridor.

"Haha…………"

After Shidou made a powerless laugh, he then turned his face towards Yoshino and Tohka.

"Okay……well then, let's go………Hmm……?"

He wondered why, Tohka looked at Shidou with an unhappy face.

"Tohka…………? Is something wrong?"

"!, No-Nothing! Hurry up and let's go!"

When she said that, Tohka walked heavily.

"What's wrong………….with her?"

After saying that, Shidou, moved his legs together with Yoshino and chased after Tohka's back.

Epilogue: The Past that Starts to take Action

Part 1

"Wha… What the hell is thissssssssssssssss!?"

It had been two days since Yoshino's powers were sealed.

With the examinations done, Shidou and Tohka were finally allowed to return back home. On that day, when he woke up in the morning, right beside the Itsuka residence, something like an apartment building was standing there.

On the land that was vacant just two days ago, as if with a *Don*, it was suddenly there.

It was like getting tricked by a fox or a raccoon.

"What...? Didn't I tell you before? We were making a special residence just for the Spirit's use." A sleepy Kotori said from behind, rubbing her eyes.

"...! Don't tell me this was what you were talking about?"

"Yes. Although it looks like a normal apartment, its durability is a hundred times greater than normal. It has a working Realizer, and its mana resistance is also perfect. If there is a little violence, nothing abnormal will leak out."

"No, that's not what I was asking about! When on earth did this thing get built?! This is impossible to build in just a day!"

"Well, even the JGSDF’s disaster reconstruction team can fix a destroyed building in just one night."

"Wha...?"

With that said, it seemed to be true. It must be the effects made by the Realizer something.

"…Which means, when you said that the residence was going to be built soon, was just a big play on words."

"Don't speak badly of others. I told you before that this is a trial period for Tohka living outside."

"…Nu."

There were a lot of things he couldn't swallow, but it was useless to fight with her.

Kotori turned around, and walked in the direction of the house.

"—So because of that, Tohka will live next door starting tomorrow. I've already told her. She should be packing up her belongings now."

"Ah, aah… I see. I guess so…"

Shidou scratched his cheeks.

Well, she was supposed to live in the residential area the first place, and Shidou's mental health would finally become stable because of this but… it's not like he wouldn't feel a little lonely with her leaving.

"Ara, what is it Shidou? Do you want to live with Tohka longer?"

"!, No, tha-that really isn't the case…"

Shidou denied in panic, but Kotori only shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, if you want to make some kind of mistake, your final chance to do it is around today or tomorrow."

"Wha... What the heck are you saying?!"

"Sca~ary. Retreat, retreat."

While Shidou was yelling with a red face, Kotori hopped and entered the house.

"… Seriously, that Kotori."

Shidou scratched his head in relief and sighed before putting a foot into the house.

And—

"Un…?"

Shidou unexpectedly raised his eyebrows.

There was a little girl wearing a cute one piece, and on her head a casket that was covering her face, she ran out like she was hopping and approached him.

"! Yoshino!?"

Shidou called the little girl's name. The Astral Dress was not covering her body but— there was no mistake.

Either way, it was because there was a rabbit puppet being worn on the little girl's left hand.

"Ya-Ha, Shidou-kun." A high-pitched voiced echoed as the puppet Yoshinon clattered its mouth.

"I- I finally met you. Sorry I didn't say thanks about saving me before."

"Ah, no, that's okay. What are you doing here? Are the examinations all over?"

"Un—, it's only the first examination. There are still more, but I wanted to say thanks to Shidou-kun first. So I was given special permission to go outside a little."

When it said that, the puppet was looking up at the sky as if it was looking at Fraxinus.

"Well, with that said, if the examinations are all done let's go on a date again, okay?"

"Ah, aah… okay."

"Fufu, well then, see you next time~." Yoshinon said as it swung its small hands.

After then, Yoshino twitched and swung her shoulders, and hesitantly faced Shidou's direction.

"Un...? What's wrong?"

"——Ah, er…"

And, when Shidou heard that voice his shoulders sprung up.

Instead of Yoshinon's voice, Shidou heard Yoshino's unmistakable natural voice.

"Is it... okay... if I come over… and play… again?" Upon saying that, she timidly glanced in Shidou's direction.

"O... ou, come whenever you like!"

After hearing that reply, Yoshino's face brightened up and she lowered her head, then ran away.

"Fufu, great great. You worked hard."

"… Un."

Such a conversation was exchanged with the puppet.

"... Haha." Shidou sighed before smiling.

Speaking of which, it might be the first time Yoshino was talking with her puppet put on.

Although he did not know the reason why… he felt a little happy.

"Well then."

After taking a light stretch, he then entered the house.

He ascended the stairs, and when he was about to enter his room, Shidou heard a soft voice.

The door of the guest room located deep inside the corridor opened slowly, and from there, half of Tohka’s face was peeking out and looking at Shidou.

"… Wha-What is it?" Shidou said, his eyebrows closing in together.

"…………………" Tohka, being silent, put her hand out from the gap of the door and made a hand signal to come over.

"You want me to come over?"

nod*nod*

And then just like that, Tohka sank back inside the room.

"Err…"

A bewildered expression floated on Shidou's face for a while, but slowly took his time and walked over.

He knocked just in case, before opening the door.

Tohka was at the right hand side of the room—and was standing in front of the shelves placed close to the wall. Shidou continued walking until he was in the middle of the room, facing Tohka.

"Is there something wrong? Tohka?"

When Shidou asked her, Tohka bit her lips a little and then raised her face.

"…Un. You might have already heard this from Kotori but... Starting from tomorrow, it is decided that I will be staying next door."

"Ah, aah. Looks like it."

"So… umm, there is something I want to talk about with Shidou, while I still can."

"Talk?"

"…Umu."

Tohka delicately turned her gaze away, as if she had something difficult to say.

"Yesterday, during the examination... I heard a lot from... Kotori and Reine."

"——! Errrrrrr… By a lot you mean...?"

"Un…it was about Kotori and the others, how they are trying to save us Spirits… and Shidou who was helping them with it."

Taking a deep breath to slow her heartbeat, Tohka then fixed her gaze back to Shidou.

"I wanted to talk about something... connected to that. ...... Shidou. I beg you. From now on, if Spirits like me and Yoshino appear, I want you to definitely save them."

"Eh…?" Shidou opened his eyes wide.

"From what Kotori said, it seems that there are a number of Spirits that are still not confirmed. Among them, there should be some like me, those who do not want to fight but are still dragged into it— ...that kind of thing, is just pitiful."

Tohka said that, while making a somewhat sad smile.

"That's why please... With Shidou's power, please save those Spirits. …Just like when you saved me."

"……………………"

Shidou swallowed his saliva and looked at Tohka again.

"…………Err, how I would put it? Ummm………"

Kon* Shidou hit his forehead.

Because of Tohka and Yoshino's affair, he should have made up his mind, but for some reason he was hesitant in wanting to put it into words. Shidou shook his head a little before opening his mouth.

"—Aah. I plan on doing so."

"………………"

Although Tohka had gained the answer she wanted, for some reason she was smiling with a complicated face.

"Un… I'm in your debt. But... there is... one more thing. Is it okay?"

"Yeah, what is it? Just tell me."

"Un…"

Tohka was mumbling something and moving her mouth, but she immediately cast her face downwards.

"Eh? What did you say?"

She looked like she had said something but— he couldn't hear it.

While Shidou was trying to hear more clearly, he took a step towards Tohka and—

"…Uh!?"

Tohka had quickly raised her face and put her arms around Shidou's neck, pushing him onto the bed just like that.

And then—

"Unguuu…!?"

At that moment, as if she was hesitating, Tohka slowly joined her lips with Shidou's.

From that sudden act, his brain fell into disorder and screamed.

He was thinking he was still inside his dream or something; if that was the case, what kind of metaphor is in this dream Freud-sensei or something like that; he was rushed with unavoidable thoughts in an instant.

But, without the help of pinching his cheeks to confirm, the deployed sensory organs in Shidou's whole body were continuously telling him that THIS IS REALITY!

The exclusive sweet fragrance that only girls had was tickling his nasal cavity. Tohka's facial features were right in front of him. The comfortable weight leaning against his whole body. And the soft limbs that made him instinctively want to embrace them.

Furthermore— the sensation of the lips that can't be described with words and the taste of liquid fluids that does not belong to him.

With all of that mixed together, the joint sensations trampled all of Shidou's brain cells.

Unable to resist or adapt to the situation, 10 seconds passed.

"Puhaaa…"

It would seem that during the kiss, Tohka had stopped breathing. As if she was taking a breather, Tohka exhaled.

And while still at a mount position, she stared at Shidou’s eyes.

"To-Tohka… what did you…?"

When Shidou said that, Tohka continued on with her fixed gaze.

"… I'll take this as my repayment for this time."

"Eh?" Shidou replied flatly, and Tohka turned her eyes away in embarrassment.

"…I wonder why. It's just an act of lips touching together… but it doesn't feel bad. And mysteriously— I don't want to do it with anyone else but Shidou. And together with that… I don't know if this is right or wrong but… when Shidou… err, was inside the building or something and was kissing with Yoshino... how can I put this… I... felt bad."

While Shidou was still unresponsive, Tohka continued talking while embarrassed.

"…That's why. Err, regarding that… don't do it, with anyone else, anymore."

"…………Eh? Errrr—"

It semmed that Tohka was not told what method was used to seal the Spirit's power. What a self-contradicting request. The request she was demanding was something impossible.

"Reply!"

"Y… Yes.”

Overpowered by Tohka, Shidou had accidentally agreed with her.

Part 2

In a briefing room located at a corner of the JGSDF Tenguu city garrison, combat-personnel and non-combat personnel had lined up in a row.

The report session of the operation few days ago, as well as for the strategic meeting for the new Spirit reading that was observed in the neighborhood, all of this was collected by Ryouko's order.

"………………"

Inside of that, JGSDF member Tobiichi Origami was silently staring at her hand on top of the table, as if to suppress her displeased mind.

2 days ago, because of Princess's obstruction, Hermit managed to escape.

In addition, the Princess also suddenly disappeared during the middle of the battle.

What's more— it was a different reading from what was usually left behind when she went Lost.

All of the members that were frozen together with their Territory by Hermit were safe but… Even if the AST did defeat the Spirit in the end, they were not given any large accomplishments, and the only thing left to do was just to return back to base.

It was only normal to be in a foul mood.

Furthermore, she still didn't know whether Shidou (who was supposed to be in Origami's house) went to the city when the alarm was ringing or not— And incidentally, for some reason, the puppet that she picked up a few days ago, had also disappeared from her house… She was a little fond of it though.

Of course, it wasn't like she doubted Shidou.

Instead of that, by any chance if Shidou did steal Origami's personal belongings, it is a good thing in its own way; Origami planned not to make any further questions regarding this.

And—at that moment, the room door opened, Ryouko who was the AST captain showed her face.

All of the members in the briefing room stood up all at once, and saluted.

"Ah— it's okay. Sit down, sit down."

When Ryouko said that annoyed, she stood in front of everyone.

"Now then, I guess everyone is assembled. —Well then, I was planning to immediately start with the meeting but…………before that. While everyone is happy I have terrible news."

"……………?"

When the members made curious faces, *Sigh* Ryouko sighed.

"…………Since the appearance of Spirits in Tenguu city is large, and we are in the position of needing to provide more results. Additional personnel has been assigned to join us."

"Additional personnel………is it?"

"Yeah. A very energetic top ace. In terms of using the Realizer, it is not surprising that she is in the top 5 in the world. —In fact, it would seems that she has killed a Spirit alone."

"…………!?"

From Ryouko's words, the members started getting noisy.

That was only normal. It takes 10 elite members to go against a Spirit that was beyond one's capacity, and that one person took on a Spirit all alone.

Getting the responses that Ryouko predicted, she shrugged her shoulders, and then looked to the door which she entered from a while ago.

"—Enter."

"Yes."

As if to reply back to Ryouko's voice, a cute sound echoed.

And then the door opened once again—and one girl walked into the room.

"……………!?"

In an instant, all the lined up AST members in the briefing room, raised their eyebrows all at once.

But, that was normal. That was because the person that entered, was a girl that no matter how you look at her was a middle-school student.

She had an intelligent face, and a ponytail tied at the back of her head. She was a characteristic girl with a black mole right under her left eye.

"……………………"

Origami, twitched and moved her shoulders. —On that girl's face, she felt like she saw it somewhere before.

"I am second lieutenant Takamiya Mana, please to make your acquaintance from now on."

Mana turned around with a JGSDF uniform that looks like a cosplay item, and then saluted.

"First Lieutenant Kusakabe…………….who is she?"

A member, threw a question to Ryouko.

Ryouko [This question came as predicted haa………] made such a face and opened her mouth.

"I told you just now right. It's the Top Ace-sama I spoke of earlier."

"Haaa……….!?"

All of the members frowned together all at once.

Mana tilted her head wondering what was up with everyone's reaction.

"Is there anything wrong?"

She said that, with normal respect to everyone.

"What do mean by what's wrong?………….Y-You...aren't you still a kid—!?"

When one member said that, Mana *Fuuu* exhaled.

"I don't think there are any problems with that. It is not related to this and a person's age is just an individual's characteristic. —Or is there one amongst you that can defeat me?"

Mana said that, and it’s not like she was using sarcasm, but she was just stating the truth.

"Wha………?"

That member who asked was staring in astonishment, due to the fact that she did not predict that she would get such a reply back.

"Looks to me, among those here—"

And, Mana set her gaze in Origami's direction.

"—it should be around your level. Although the percentage is low but you look like you have a chance."

"……………………"

Origami did not reply back, and silently faced back.

When she did that, Ryouko *Pokan* hit Mana’s head lightly.

"Quit your useless babbling. I'm going to be showing the images from the day before yesterday, so hurry up and sit somewhere vacant."

"Yes."

Mana replied with that short sentence, and with beautiful footwork, she went and sat beside Origami.

"Well then…………"

And, when Ryouko operated the buttons near the wall, a screen descended from the ceiling, and the room's lightings dimmed. She then operated the terminal on her hand, and immediately, the image of the battle conditions from 2 days appeared.

The images of when Origami was trying to break the barrier [Hermit] constructed was shown on the screen—

"—an interference, entered here."

The same time when Ryouko said that with an irritated voice, [Princess]'s figure was shown on the screen.

Ryouko, made the screen zoom in—and in front of the barrier, there was one boy confirmed standing in front of it.

Origami gasped a little. There was no mistake. That was—Shidou.

And,

"…………………Uh."

Mana sitting beside her suddenly clutched her head, and made a small groan.

For a while Mana used her hands and pressed the side of her head as if to suppress a headache but—she immediately raised her face, *gataa* and the sound of her standing up was heard.

"Hmm……? What is it? Something wrong?"

Ryouko said it with a doubtful voice.

But Mana didn't reply and, stared at Shidou being shown on the screen, she then opened her mouth.

"—Onii-sama?"

"…………?"

Origami frowned, and looked at the side of Mana's face.

And then—she realized the true face of the weird feeling she just had.

That girl, gave off the same atmosphere, as that of Itsuka Shidou.

View the next article to read the next Volume and thx ( it will be in 2016 so happy new years )

Unknown

Izayoi - My Name is Maou you can call me Izayoi san too, I’m 14 years old. i'm a fan of anime and novels so i wanted to share my passion with all of you By posting the light novels of some animes that i really loved :)

Date A Live Light Novels Volume 2 Chapter 3 - Epilogue