Date A Live Light Novels Volume 2 Prologue - Chapter 2
Friday, December 25, 2015
Date A Live Light Novels
- Volume 2 Prologue - Chapter 2 Here:
- You can see Date A Live Volume 2 just :
Volume 2
Prologue: New Daily Life
"shidou! I baked something called a cookie!"
Her night-colored hair fluttered around her waist.
Her eyes sparkled like radiant crystals.
An impossibly beautiful girl said those words excitedly, while thrusting the container she held in her hands towards Shidou.
Itsuka Shidou was under incredible pressure as he turned his body and called the name of the girl.
"To-Tohka..."
"Umu? What!?"
With a carefree smile that could make flowers bloom, the girl —— Yatogami Tohka answered.
"......Well, about that…"
There were so many things he wanted to say, but he couldn't find the appropriate words in the face of her dazzling smile.
Unable to find something wrong with Shidou's expression, Tohka lifted the container's lid.
"More importantly Shidou, look at this!"
The many things inside were irregularly shaped and had burn marks everywhere. They could barely be called cookies.
Shidou and Tohka were in the same class, but in order to 'give the individual students a holistic education'... or so they were told, things like laboratory practicals and home economics were conducted in small groups of students.
In other words, only the girls had home economics today.
"What is that..."
"Umu, I had everyone teach me. I made this, so try eating it!"
...
Shidou felt a shiver run down his spine.
Not because of Tohka's cookies. . .
Putting it simply ——, all the other boys were watching him with glares of resentment.
But that wasn't completely unreasonable.
The fact that he was even able to enjoy the girl's homemade cookies made him the target of all the other guys jealousy.
What's more, it was said that right after transferring in, that Yatogami Tohka had exploded upwards in the (rumored) "Girl You Want Most as a Girlfriend" rankings.
The guy closest to him, just next to him, his friend Tonomachi Hiroto, had a hollow expression on his face, [fuck, fuck, FUCCCCCK... only a dead Itsuka is a good Itsuka] was grumbling something under his breath.
"Hm? What's wrong shidou? You’re not going to eat it?"
"I... Err... About that..."
Shidou said with a nervous twitch in his cheek. Tohka's shoulders began drooping little by little.
"Ugh... I see, it's because shidou is good at cooking..."
"—! I-It's not because of that. I-I’ll eat it!"
Shidou made up his mind, and took a cookie from the container.
And then, as he slowly lifted it to his mouth——
"...!?"
While his attention was elsewhere, a silver blur flew in a straight line in front of his eyes.
The shot came from the hallway, and after breaking the cookie in Shidou's hand into small pieces, it pierced the wall.
"Wha-What...!?"
He shouted as his body instinctively stiffened.
Tracing back the trajectory of the silver blur, he saw a fork stuck into the wall. *Biiiin……* was the hum from its vibration. It had a simple design. Probably some utensil from the cafeteria.
"What, who threw that! That's dangerous, you know!"
Tohka shouted as she turned toward the hallway. Shidou did the same as his eyes turned in that direction.
[......]
Standing over there as if she had just thrown something a few seconds ago, was a silent girl with her right hand stretched out.
Her skin was light colored, and she had hair that brushed the top of her shoulders. Her features were unusual, but graceful; she had no expression whatsoever on her face, giving off the impression of a lifeless doll.
"To-Tobiichi?"
"Nu."
Sweat was sliding down Shidou’s cheek, while Tohka had knitted her eyebrows together in displeasure.
This girl——Tobiichi Origami, slowly approached them while looking at both of them.
After stopping in front of Shidou, she lifted the lid of the container she was holding with her left hand and brought it out like how Tohka did a few moments ago.
"You don't have to put Yatogami Tohka's thing in your mouth. If you are going to eat something, then eat this—"
Inside the container, there were perfect cookies that were uniform in shape lined up in neat rows. It looked like a product straight from a factory line.
"E—Errrr……"
"Don't interfere! shidou is going to eat my cookies!"
While Shidou was having trouble responding, Tohka answered with a high-pitched voice.
However. Origami didn't flinch at all. Her expression didn't even twitch as she shook her head.
"The one who is interfering is you. You should leave immediately."
"What are you saying? Coming afterwards and acting all high and mighty!"
"The order in which we arrived does not matter. I cannot allow you to have him ingest your cookies."
"Wha— WHAT DID YOU SAY!?"
"You did not sufficiently wash your hands . What's more, while you were baking, you choked during the rising of the wheat flour, causing you to sneeze three times. This is unusually unhygienic."
"Wha……"
As if she got thrust into the void, Tohka’s eyes spun around.
For some reason, the moment Origami finished speaking, the surrounding male students started to get very noisy and excited. All eyes were on Tohka’s cookies.
But Tohka wasn't in any state to notice this influx of attention; *Grrr...* she clenched her fist.
"shi-shidou is strong, so that much is okay for him!"
"You appear to be unaware of the consequences —— Also, you messed up the proportions of the ingredients. I don’t think by skipping parts of the recipe, that your cookies can be considered finished."
"...?!"
When Origami said that, Tohka frowned, she looked at Origami and her own cookies.
"Wha... Why didn't you say anything when we were in class?"
"It wasn't my duty to point it out. ——In any case, the odds that my cookies would satisfy him are obviously higher."
"Shu-Shut up! There's no way cookies from someone like you could ever be delicious!"
Tohka shouted, while her eyes were spinning at an unstoppable speed. She took a cookie from Origami’s container, and put it in her own mouth.
And then crispy sounds could be heard as she started chewing on it——
"Fuaa..."
Her cheeks were dyed the color of cherry blossoms, as she made an ecstatic expression. It seemed that the cookie was delicious.
But Tohka immediately changed her expression by shaking her head vigorously.
"Fu-Fuun, It wasn't such a big deal! If your cookie is like that, then mine is more delicious!"
"That is most unlikely. You should just gracefully admit your defeat."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?"
"What?"
"Ca-Calm down, both of you"
If they were left alone, a fight might break out; so Shidou went in between and created some distance between them, while saying "Maa, maa" in order to calm them down.
"Nu… then shidou, whose cookies do you want to eat?"
"Eh?"
And, faced with such words all of a sudden, Shidou made a idiotic sound.
Tohka and Origami, from both the left and right at the same time, brought out their containers.
"Well, shidou?"
"..."
Both Tohka and Origami had glints in their eyes that could pierce and pin down an enemy, and as they stared at Shidou, a sweat drop began to flow down his cheek.
...Somehow, it was an atmosphere where no matter which one he ate, he would be killed.
Shidou followed what are his survival instincts— and took the cookies from both containers with both his hands, and put them in his mouth at the same time.
"Uh, y-yeah, they are great! Both of your cookies taste great!"
Tohka and Origami stared at shidou’s condition.
"Umu, my cookie was eaten a bit faster!"
"Mine was 0.02 seconds faster."
These words were both said at the exact same time.
"..."
"..."
And then, their faces quietly met.
"...Errrr"
Today was not the first time that the ambiance was like that.
Shidou felt like giving up or something like that, but jumped once again in between both of them.
And at that very moment, as expected from both sides, a huge amount of stress that was building in their fists was released and aimed at each other's vitals ——and ended up hitting the head and the belly of the poor boy who got between them.
Chapter 1: Mission: Under One Roof
Part 1
"...Haaa..."
Shidou let out a long and heavy sigh.
Walking upon the residential street as the sun slowly set, he dragged his legs and knees like an old man as he slowly moved forward.
Fatigue had set into his face, and somehow, even the fringe that was almost entirely covering his eyes had lost its luster.
Although he was only a 16-year-old boy......he looked older than his age.
But, that was something to be expected!
"...Haaa."
He sighed one more time.
In the end, Tohka and Origami had started quarrelling, with Shidou having to intervene.
Plus, the conflict between the two of them wasn't new.
Although Tohka enrolled just a month ago into the same Raizen High School that Shidou was attending, the two of them (Tohka and Origami) would have competitions like this every single day.
——However, if it was simply about normal schoolgirls having some verbal quarrels, Shidou probably wouldn't be in such a critical condition.
"..."
Shidou recalled Tohka and Origami's forms from last month.
On one side was an evil [Spirit] that people thought as a disaster that would wreck the world.
On the other side was an Anti-Spirit Team wizard belonging to the JGSDF.
They were both girls with abnormal powers beyond that of humans.
For the time being, it was a normal human being, Shidou, who was acting as the mediator between these two girls.
"Seriously, can't those two just get along...?"
After saying that, Shidou lowered his head gloomily, realizing his own dumb remarks.
Until a month ago, both of their goals would have been to take each other's life.
Right now, in order to prevent Tohka's Spirit from going berserk, Origami and the rest of the AST openly avoided aiming for her life according to the [Orders]...Naturally, forming a good relationship was not going to be a simple task — that was obvious.
However, if this were to continue on, then Shidou's body wouldn't last, as one would expect from this situation.
Shidou then released his biggest sigh yet——
"Hmm...?"
Suddenly, he lifted his head up.
Unexpectedly, standing alone, he felt something cold drip on his neck.
"...Uwaa"
He said it like he was groaning, and a frown appeared on his face.
Before he knew it, the sky was getting covered by heavy gray clouds.
"Rain, huh? Hey, hey, didn't the weather forecast say it was going to be clear [fine day]?"
He ranted against the weather forecaster whose recent predictions have been off the mark.
And with an unbelievable timing that made it seem like this was planned from the beginning, *splash* *splash*, large water droplets started to stain the asphalt road.
"Argh, damn it..."
In a hurry, he raised his bag that he was holding onto above his head. He then hurriedly jogged to his house.
But, as if the rain was laughing at Shidou, it intensified in a blink of an eye.
"Hey, hey, you can't be serious..."
As he felt the cold sensation spread all over his uniform, Shidou frowned his eyebrows in annoyance.
Now that both of his parents were overseas on a business trip and the housework was thus left to Shidou, the latter, instead of thinking of matters such as "my clothes are sticking to my body, how uncomfortable" or "it'd be bad if I were to catch a cold", was rather concerned about whether his uniform would get dry the next day. A concern that is usually left to the housewife. Trying as much as he could to avoid getting his clothes wet, he ran toward the direction of his house even though he knew that it would be a futile effort.
However, immediately after turning right at a T-junction...
"Ah..."
In the middle of the downpour, Shidou suddenly stopped running.
He resisted the numbness in his legs. It wasn't like his legs were tired, or that he stopped caring about being drenched.
But because in front of him was --------
Instead of the water jewels that were falling from the sky, there was something else that bothered him that appeared from afar.
"A girl...?"
Shidou's lips spoke those words.
Yes, it was apparently a girl.
A mantle with a cute design, wrapped around her body, was forming a small shadow.
Her face was not visible, mainly because her hood with decorative rabbit ears was covering her entire face.
What was standing out the most was her left hand.
An amusing-looking rabbit-shaped puppet was equipped on it.
Such a girl, in an area which was empty of people...
*pyon* *pyon*
...was hopping around cheerfully in circles.
"What...?"
Shidou scrunched his eyebrows and watched the girl.
In his head, questions were being processed.
'Why was that girl not holding an umbrella but jumping up and down under the rain instead?'— No, that wasn't the question.
Why?
Why did he feel like as if his eyes were being stolen by that girl?
It was a question like that.
She was certainly wearing an eye-catching attire.
But no, it's wasn't about that.
Although he couldn't put it into words well, an uncomfortable sensation was overflowing in Shidou's mind.
It was an incomprehensible sensation. Plus, he recently felt something identical to that.
"..."
The cold rain clung against his skin as his clothes were wet, but he no longer cared about this discomfort.
He could only stare at the girl, who was dancing freely in the middle of the downpour of cold raindrops—
*Sliiiiiiiiide*!
"What...?"
He opened his eyes, bewildered by what just happened.
...The girl lost her footing.
Her face and stomach hit the ground hard, splashing the water puddle. Incidentally, the puppet on her left hand slipped off and flew forward.
And then, lying face-down on the ground, she had stopped moving.
"...H-Hey!"
Shidou in panic rushed over, and turned her over while holding her small body.
"A-Are you okay? Hey!"
For the first time, he was able to see the girl's face.
Her age should be around Shidou's sister's - Kotori's age. Her azure, fluttering hair was blue as the sea. Her soft lips had a pink color and she was a girl that looked like a beautiful French doll.
"...!"
And then, the girl opened her eyes, revealing her long eyelashes and her sapphire-like pupils.
"Ahh...I'm glad. Are you hurt somewhere?"
After Shidou said that, the girl's face turned ghastly pale and her eyes were spinning round and round, then she sprung up as if she was trying to escape from Shidou.
After that, she pulled a certain distance between them; her whole body started to faintly tremble. She looked at Shidou with fear in her eyes.
"...Err..."
Well, although it was simply in order to help her, he did suddenly touch her body, which might have been a careless act...despite that, Shidou was still a little shocked.
"Ab-About that. I was just——"
"—! Don't, come closer... please..."
"Eh?"
Just as Shidou made a step forward, the girl timidly said:
"Please...Don't hurt...me."
The girl followed with those words.
Did she see Shidou as someone who would harm her? It did seem that way, and she looked like a trembling little animal.
"Errr..."
And, to Shidou, who had no idea how to react to that, noticed the puppet that fell on the ground.
It should be something that previously fell off the girl's hand. He slowly bended over, picking it up, then presented it to the girl.
"Is this...yours?"
"...!"
The girl widened her eyes and wanted to rush towards Shidou, but suddenly stopped.
Although she wanted to retrieve that puppet, she made a face that expressed her fear of approaching Shidou, so she restlessly kept waiting for a better timing.
When Shidou saw the girl's state, he made a bitter smile. He then brought forward his hand that was holding the puppet to slowly shorten the distance.
"...!"
The girl twitched her shoulders ——maybe because she realized Shidou's intentions, she crept forward and approached slowly.
And then, she snatched the puppet from Shidou's hand and wore it on her left hand.
Suddenly, the girl started manipulating the puppet's mouth to open and close it.
"Yaahh——, sorry 'bout that bro. You're a life-saver—"
It was probably ventriloquism Shidou thought, as the rabbit made a strange high-pitched voice.
Tilting its head to the side, it looked at the girl's face as though it was questioning her...And as if it wanted to barge between Shidou and the girl, the rabbit puppet continued talking.
"———Hmmm hey—, when ya were waking me up, it looked like ya touched Yoshinon in lots of places. So, how was it hmmm? Be honest and tell us how— was it?"
"W-What...?"
The puppet made an impression as if it was laughing *kara* *kara*, clattering and moving its body accordingly.
"Oh you're kidding—— Don't pretend, ya lucky pervert...Well, for the time being, ya did help me up, so treat this as a special service that I.gave.you"
"...Haaa..., yeah."
After the puppet said those words, he gave back a bitter smile.
"Umm, well, see ya. Thanks, sir."
After the puppet said those words, the girl turned on her heels and then ran away.
"Ah—hey!"
Even though Shidou called to her, the girl did not respond.
She continued running and followed the bending road. Her figure instantly disappeared.
"What was...that?"
A few seconds had passed after watching the strange girl retreat. Shidou was still standing at that same spot; he said that while scratching his cheek.
"...Ah."
And then he realized.
He didn't realize it when he was having his attention taken away from the girl, but—— Shidou's whole body was now totally dripping wet.
To top it off, because of the place where his knees touched the ground, his trousers were left magnificently dirty.
"Gosh——really..."
While wondering whether there was any more stain remover left at home, he disheveled and scratched his hair. Droplets of water left his hair and flew in every direction.
There was nothing he could do since he was already this wet. Thus, Shidou conveyed his current mood through a side, wanting to cheer up, and continued walking back home.
"Ahhh...I'm soaking wet."
A few minutes have passed since he started grumbling while walking.
"...Hm?"
After finally arriving in front of his house, as he inserted the key into the house entrance, Shidou slightly frowned.
After turning the doorknob, he pulled the door.
As expected, the door that was locked after he left opened without any resistance.
"——Kotori...that girl, she finally came home."
After taking a deep breath, Shidou's expression faintly stiffened.
Shidou's sister, Itsuka Kotori, attends the junior high school in the neighborhood, as a 13-year-old second year junior high school student.
And at the same time, she was also a commanding officer in the organization that neutralized Spirits through peaceful means. <Ratatoskr>.
Since his sister had to help the Anti-disposal unit with some matters concerning the protection of the Spirit Tohka, she has not come home during the previous month. Shidou sighed as the image of Kotori's face came to his mind.
"Really."
Even though he understood that she was busy on Tohka's case, he still couldn't forgive her for sleeping outside of home without his consent.
Although she managed to attend school normally...as a brother, he had to lecture her for a while.
"Besides——"
Shidou gulped.
There were a lot of questions that Shidou had to ask Kotori no matter what.
Shidou went through events that were hard to believe just a month ago.
Kotori had an important role to play in them.
"..."
Although it's just meeting up with his sister, it was extremely heart throbbing.
Shidou strengthened his resolve and *eei!* slapped his own cheek. Then, he stepped foot into the house.
"——I'm home."
He took off the shoes and socks that were soaking wet because of the rain, rolled up the cuffs of his trousers before leaving wet footprints on the wooden floor as he walked.
From the corridor, he could hear sounds coming out from the television; there was no doubt that Kotori should be in the living room.
Shidou changed his direction to the bathroom and tip-toed towards it.
It was impossible to have a conversation when he was soaking wet anyway. It should be better to enter the living room after drying his body and changing his clothes.
While holding his bag and socks with one hand, Shidou opened the bathroom's door like he always used to.
And—
"——!?"
In an instant, Shidou's body froze.
—In the bathroom was the figure of a girl.
Covered under the long night-colored hair were eyes that shone like crystals.
Even by adding the ten most grandiose adjective he could think of, they would not be enough to represent 10% of the beauty of this beautiful girl that gave off an overwhelming presence.
That girl was the only one in Shidou's memory.
It was the Spirit who was supposed to bring destruction to the world. But also the second year, class 4, student number 35 of the public school Raizen High School.
Yatogami Tohka was there.
—There was not a single cloth that was covering her body.
"To-Tohka...?"
Shidou muttered, dumbfounded.
Her limbs could be qualified as artistically beautiful. In an instant, Shidou's retina, optic nerve, brain cells, vibrated, became feverish and exploded.
She had breasts that could be entirely covered by his palm, a slender waist, and buttocks that looked soft. All the girls in the world would hold a reverence that would pierce through the boundaries of envy or jealousy to this charming yet mysterious naked body.
"...?!"
And finally, Tohka twitched her shoulders and turned her face towards his direction.
"Wha...shi-shidou!?"
"—! Ah, Er, No , this is a misunderstanding…! It's because—"
Although he didn't know what was wrong, those words automatically came off Shidou's mouth.
"E-Enough. Just get the hell out...!"
"Guefugh...!?"
Shidou took a magnificent right straight punch to his stomach, causing him to fly backwards, hit the wall behind, and fall hard on the floor, butt-first.
In a flash, *Slam!*, the bathroom door tightly closed.
"*Cough*, *cough*...gosh, that girl, she punched me seriously."
He said that while coughing violently, but his mind brought a little correction.
If Tohka were to punch him seriously, Shidou's body would already become a convenient container that could be detached into two parts.
Gradually, the pain inflicted on his stomach, mind, and retina started fading away altogether with the skin-color corrosion from the impact—— he also somehow took back his heart's composure.
Then, the bathroom door opened by a little bit. Tohka poked her face through the gap with her cheeks flushed bright red.
"...Did you see, shidou?"
"—!"
Shidou shook his head furiously at Tohka, who was staring him intensively.
...He actually did see a little, but if he were to be naively honest and tell her, this time his whole body would become able to fit into a suitcase.
Tentatively she understood that and came to an agreement, after Tohka made the sound [muu...], she fully opened the door.
Of course, Tohka has already put on her clothes.
But it wasn't the usual school uniform. Kotori probably lent it to her; it was Shidou's favorite dressing gown.
Due to her size being slightly bigger, her skin was showing from her collar until her collarbone, making it oddly erotic. It was a little troubling for Shidou to know where to place his eyes.
However, now wasn't the time to worry about that. He pointed his fingers at Tohka, and shouted.
"Wh-What are you doing over here, Tohka...!"
But Tohka tilted her head to the side, wondering what Shidou was talking about.
"What? Didn't you hear from your little sister? I think that, hum— it was something about some sort of training. I was told that I'll be staying here for the time being."
She said that nonchalantly.
"T-Training...!?"
After Shidou had brought his eyebrows together, he set his sight towards the corridor.
He then stood up, walked briskly, and slammed open the door in confusion.
"Kotori! What the hell is this about!?"
"Oh—"
When he did that, the little twin-tailed kid that was sitting on the sofa, watching the television, turned around, bringing those round eyes that looked like an acorn towards Shidou.
"O-Onii-chan. Welcome back!"
"H-Hey I'm home...Wait, that's not it!"
He replied normally without thinking, and then furiously shook his head.
"You brought Tohka here, didn't you...? Oh, and training, what on earth is this about...!?"
"Now, now... Calm down, calm down."
"How can I calm down!? W-Why did you bring Tohka here...? Isn't she supposed to go home with Reine-san as usual!"
"Eh? Well—about that—"
Kotori stretched a finger in the direction of the kitchen.
"Oh...?"
Shidou brought his eyes towards the direction that Kotori was pointing at—and again, he stiffened.
"...Ah, I'm coming in."
That's what she said.
There was a woman with an excessively sleepy face, arriving at the dining table that was separating the living room and the kitchen. She was adding many sugar cubes into a steaming hot cup.
—She was Murasame Reine, the analysis officer of [Ratatoskr] and also the assistant homeroom teacher in charge of Shidou's class.
Incidentally, she was not wearing her usual military uniform, a white robe, but the pajamas of Shidou's mother while having a towel hang around her neck. Her hair was somehow a little moist.
"Re-Reine-san? What are you doing...?"
"...Fumuu?"
After reflecting on Shidou's question for a short while, she scratched her head and said:
"...Ah, I'm sorry. Am I using too much sugar?"
"No, that's not the problem!"
He couldn't help but shout.
Reine definitely put enough sugar cubes in that cup to worry about getting hyperglycemia, but that is not important now.
To calm down his own heartbeat, Shidou lightly patted his chest and then continued, saying:
"What is this about? Shouldn't Tohka be currently living in <Fraxinus>?"
Tohka, who was currently being protected by [Ratatoskr], should now be living in the isolated area, which also happened to be a part of the airship interior the organization owned called <Fraxinus>. It was said that she also commuted to school from there.
Though she had her powers sealed, she was previously known as a Spirit that bringing destruction to the world.
It was made this way so that if, per chance, anything were to happen, immediate actions could be taken. Not only there was that, in order to conduct a regular inspection efficiently, it seemed a strong seal was placed in that isolated area which also had rooms prepared.
Therefore, when Tohka finished school, she should have returned with Reine to <Fraxinus>...
"...Aah, that's right. I should've given you an explanation."
Reine said that while rubbing her eyes, that had dark circles around them.
"...But, before that."
"Before that...?"
"...Wouldn't it be better if you change your clothes first? The floor is getting wet."
"Ah."
After being reminded of that, Shidou let out a brief sound.
Part 2
"...So? What is this all about?"
Shidou, having changed into his casual clothes, set his sights towards Reine and Kotori, who were sitting on the other side of the table.
These three people were currently on the second floor of the Itsuka residence, in Kotori's room.
The space was about the size of six tatami mats. The room was filled by pink dressers, a bed, and there was a crowd of fancy accessories and dolls that were placed everywhere.
He originally wanted to continue the conversation in the living room, but due to some sensitive topics that should not reach Tohka's ears, they relocated here.
Incidentally, Tohka was under a trance, watching rebroadcasted anime in the living room. She should be quiet for the next 20 minutes.
"Well—about this."
Kotori poked her soft cheek with her finger, pushing it upward.
"From today onwards, Tohka will be temporarily staying here in our house!"
Then, puffing her chest out with pride, she made an innocent smile.
"That is why I'm asking how it turned out to be like thiiiiiiiiiiiiiis!"
"......Now, please calm down, Shintarou."
As Shidou was shouting, Reine spoke out.
Whether or not it was a matter of course, she had still mistaken his name.
"It isn't Shintarou, but Shidou."
"......Ah, you're right. I take it back. Sorry about that, Shin."
"......"
It was not taken back. It just became a nickname.
He couldn't help but think it was on purpose but...as he looked closely at Reine's face, he couldn't help but think that she might have really mistaken his name.
However, Shidou could not corner her about his name any more than this.
"......The reasons can be more or less classified into two parts."
Reine started speaking with a seemingly calm voice.
"......The first part is about——who will continue to take care of her afterwards."
"Take care of her afterwards...what do you mean?"
"......Shin. Last month, you kissed Tohka and sealed away her powers, right?"
"...Ugh, Ye-Yeah..."
Shidou lowered his head in defeat.
At the same time, the feeling from that time resurfaced, and his face reddened a little.
"Ah—Onii-chan's face is getting red- How cute~~"
"Sh-Shut up!"
Kotori, who seemed to enjoy that, said it cheerfully from the depths of her heart. Shidou averted his sight awkwardly.
"...Well, that's fine, but there's a problem...There's currently something like an invisible connection running between Shin and Tohka."
"Connection? What does that mean?"
"...To put it into simpler words, when Tohka's mental states becomes unstable, there's the chance that the spiritual power that is sealed within your body will reflux."
"Wha...?"
Shidou's body froze in fear.
——So the seal that was placed on Tohka's spirit powers would let them get back to her...?
Does it not mean that Tohka will once again have the power to slice heaven and earth in a single swing?
If by any chance that was the case—— this was a possibility that can make people shiver just by thinking about it.
"......As you know, Tohka is now living in the isolated area of <Fraxinus>."
Whether she was aware or not of Shidou's panicked state, Reine continued talking in a soft manner.
"......Although we are usually monitoring Tohka's condition......Somehow, when she is on <Fraxinus>, the levels of stress measured are higher compared to the levels when she is at school."
"I-Is that so?"
"......Yes. Moreover, it seems she doesn't like the regular inspections that occur twice a day. Although it is within her tolerance for now, it would be hard even for an expert to say whether we could continue on like this—— And that's why—"
Reine touched her chin with her fingers.
"—considering that the results gained from the inspections have been stable, we will be changing Tohka's living quarters to outside of <Fraxinus> for a while." "Ha-Haa...is that so."
"......Ahh. Due to these circumstances, it has been decided that Tohka will be staying in this house for the time being while the special Spirit residential building is being built."
"Please wait."
Shidou put his right palm on his forehead, his face twitching.
"......What's wrong?"
"Wh-Why does it have to be my house...?"
Reine made a small groan at Shidou's question.
"......Well, to put it bluntly— when she is with you, Tohka's mental state will be at its most stable condition."
"Eh..."
As soon as those words were said, he held his breath.
"......That is to say— while this is hard for us to judge, Tohka hasn't put her trust on any human other than you. Whether it's me or Kotori, although we had many opportunities to be in contact with her—— that wasn't the case ......Firstly, even if it's by a little, we will secure a safe place. Then, we will test whether if Tohka is capable of living a normal life."
"...I see..."
Shidou wiped the sweat on his forehead.
Certainly, after the explanation, everything seemed to be clear to Shidou.
What more— well, he was told that Tohka trusted him.
...He didn't hate it.
But, as if he was going to change his mind, he lightly shook his head. This wasn't a request he could easily accept. As if he was trying to dodge it, he asked a new question that was directed at Reine.
"So...What is the other reason?"
"...Ahh, this one is more straight-forward —Shin, it is for your training."
"..."
The words that were mentioned when he had changed his clothes a while ago were repeated.
Training. With that single word, many unpleasant memories surfaced in his mind.
"Oh yeah, that topic did turn up...But, there is no need for any more training right?"
"...Huh? Why is that?"
"Why is that...'cos the the Spirit's power has already been sealed..."
When Shidou said that, Reine turned into a wobbly state which made her swing her head to the side.
"......Who told you that Tohka is the only Spirit?"
"Eh...? What do mean...by—"
"......It means exactly what I said. A special trait of the calamity designated creatures—also known as Spirits—are causing spacequakes. But Tohka isn't the only one. At this current time, we have confirmed that there are other ones beside her."
"Wha——"
Shidou suddenly felt like his heart was getting pulled and squeezed.
—The Spirits. So Tohka wasn't the only one?
Wondering whether it was nervousness or fear, whirlpools were forming in the bottom of his stomach. It was an emotion hard to describe. The constant trembling that his whole body was releasing could be felt from his hands and legs, all the way to his fingertips.
But Reine didn't care about the stiffened up Shidou, and went on.
"......Shin. We want you to continue taking on the role of conversing with the Spirits. That's what the training is about."
"...Y-You're kidding—"
Then, just as he shouted and struck his thigh...
"——Huh?"
Kotori, who has been quietly listening to the conversation, raised her small voice.
Before anyone noticed, the color of the ribbon that had been tying her hair in twintails had changed from white to black.
"——!"
...Shidou felt like he had already seen this before. Kotori was now in Commander Mode.
"You don't want to, Shidou? Are you saying that you hate dating Spirits and making them fall for you?"
Her tone was totally different from a few seconds ago. While giving off adult-like vibes, Kotori had spoken.
—Right.
[Ratatoskr] proposed to use this method to subdue the Spirits, which is through peaceful and non-violent means—
That is for Shidou to get in good terms with the Spirits, and then seal the powers in his own body— even to put it in words, this was a stupid thing to do.
"Uh, o-of course I don't!"
Shidou having said that, Kotori bent her body slightly forward while opening her lips.
"Geez— If that's the case, then there's nothing we can do anymore."
"Ah...?"
"We can either quietly watch the world getting messed up by spacequakes or patiently wait for a miracle-like event by letting the AST kill the Spirits. It'll probably be one of those two."
"...!"
After being told that, Shidou was left speechless.
It was not like he has forgotten about it— but having that reality facing him once again made his heart struck by a prickly pain.
The Spirits, who exist in the alternate dimension that is said to be the neighboring world, would rarely appear in this world.
On these occasions, there would be a large fluctuation with the walls between the dimensions, causing a phenomenon known as a spacequake to occur.
Whether it was on a large or small scale– as long as Spririts appear in an area, the latter would be absurdly destroyed, as though a bomb had exploded.
After that, the Spirits would be known as dangerous existences, and people would be attempting to eliminate them by any means with the help of members of the JGSDF's Anti-Spirits Team's, the AST's, military powers.
"The unusual power that can seal the ones of the Spirits away— you are the only person in the whole world that holds that. And yet, you're saying that you don't want to do this. Doesn't it mean that there is no possible alternative anymore?"
"...Wh-What's with...that..."
Shidou looked as if he was in pain.
A heavy responsibility was put on him without him knowing. His stomach started to ache due to the heaviness of his duty.
But—back to the original topic...
There were still a lot of things that Shidou had to confirm no matter what.
"—Kotori."
"What is it?"
As if she somehow managed to guess what Shidou was about to ask, Kotori leisurely replied.
"...First of all, will you tell me what on earth is [Ratatoskr]? When did you enter into such an organization? And—about my power, what on earth is it?"
Yes. That was what Shidou always wanted to know.
Due to Kotori always being away from home, he wasn't able to ask her that
Kotori sighed, and took out her favorite food—a Chupa Chups—from her pocket. Only after unwrapping it and putting it in her mouth that she began to talk.
"—I guess you're right. This is also the right opportunity to tell you, so let me get straight to the point."
After saying that, she let the back of her body lean on the cushion behind her.
"[Ratatoskr] was formed by volunteers...Well, to put it simply, it was something like a kind of nature conservation association— And of course, its existence was not publicly announced."
"Nature conservation association huh..."
Somehow, he felt like it was something that didn't make sense, and because of that he hesitated to interrupt the talk. As if he wanted her continue talking, he continued making only agreeable responses.
"Yup...What's more, the main goal and the reason for forming [Ratatoskr]— is to shelter the Spirits and to provide them with a blessed and happy life......Well, it also seems like there are corrupt people in the biggest leadership group, the ROUNDS, that want to do something like obtaining the enormous powers of the Spirits."
"Ah...? Wasn't it to prevent the spacequakes?"
"Well, of course there is that. But that is a secondary goal. If that's how you see it, then we are the same as the AST."
"...Hmm, well, I guess you're right. So...such an organization exists. When and why did you become the Commander there? I had no idea of what you were."
He said those words in displeasure.
Although he didn't have any intent to say 'Don't keep secrets from me', this was something important— that is to be hiding a secret like being involved in something that can endanger her life. He was a little unsatisfied as an older brother.
Having guessed his feelings, Kotori snorted.
"I was appointed as the commander of the combat unit of [Ratatoskr]...around five years ago, I think."
"Five years ago......Huh— Wait, WHA...!?"
After Shidou finished making simple calculations in his head— he lifted his tilted head back to its normal position.
"Stop spouting that crap. Five years ago...weren't you just an 8-year-old girl?!"
Shidou was hit by a feeling of disbelief.
Even though it was not an ordinary organization, still, to have a girl that is about as old as an elementary third year student be its commander, that is just plain crazy.
"Well, during those few years, it was something like training. In reality, it was only recently that I have taken the command post."
"N-No, it isn't about that. Why would they take a small girl in the first place—"
"Well, how do I put it? [Ratatoskr] realized that I possess an overflowing intelligence."
"How can I be convinced by something like that!"
"Even if you tell me that, nothing can be done since it's the truth. Why can't you just believe in the words of your little sister more obediently? Do you think you will look smart if you doubt other people's word?"
...Her behavior was completely different from the usual cute Kotori's. Sweat was drooping down Shidou's cheek.
"......That double personality of yours, is it [Ratatoskr's] fault?"
After Shidou said that, Kotori snorted.
"That's simplistic and rude. Think a little before you say anything. In the first place this is—"
"This is...?"
"......"
After Kotori looked at Shidou with a difficult expression, she swung her head away and ignored Shidou's words.
"—That matter isn't important. Right now, we are talking about [Ratatoskr]. Plus, about five years ago, some incidents happened and became the turning point for the organization."
"Hey, don't just change the—"
But, Shidou words were stopped halfway.
It was because Kotori put her fingers around the rod of the Chupa Chups she was eating, took it out of her mouth and pointed it at Shidou.
"—Due to the discovery of the boy who can seal the Spirits' power with a kiss, [Ratatoskr] thereafter has positively shifted its objective towards protecting Spirits."
"Wha..."
Shidou's eyebrows were deformed in shock.
"An-And that boy is...me, right?"
"Yes."
Kotori nodded, and once again, put the Chupa Chups back into her mouth.
And as for Shidou, things were chaotic in his head. Having all kinds of information being given to him in one shot, it became impossible to process all of it.
"Wait, please wait a moment...First of all, why was I provided with this kind of power?"
"Dunno."
"Huh...? N-Nononono. Don't try to deliberately mystify that matter."
"I'm not deliberately mystifying it. I really don't know. Through the medium of a kiss, it can rob and take away the Spirit's power, and seal it safely inside one's body. I only know that you had this ability. As for the reason why you have these powers, I personally have no idea."
"Th-Then, how did you know that I have this kind of power! And five years ago! What on earth happened back then!"
The moment Shidou said that while scratching his head...
Kotori averted her gaze to the ground.
"..."
After seeing that she seemed different than usual and took on an expression of grief, Shidou was shocked.
She looked as if she was feeling deep sorrow. As if she recalled some painful memories.
——It looked like she felt remorse because of something wrong that could not be undone.
On that— face.
"Ko-Kotori...?"
When Shidou called her name, Kotori came back to earth, and her shoulders slightly trembled.
"Eh—yeah, it was discovered through [Ratatoskr]'s observation device. That's how it was. And I also managed through the same method."
She was completely different compared to her usual Commander Mode. Plus, Kotori said those vague words in an evasive manner.
But he...for some reason, he didn't have the heart to pursue this subject any longer.
"A-Anyway—"
After Kotori coughed and cleared her throat, she pointed at Shidou with her finger.
"Right now, the most important information is that [you have the powers to do something about the Spirits]. Got it?! So make your choice— From now on, will you accept or not to capture the Spirits' heart for us?"
"..."
Shidou pressed his lips together in displeasure. It was a question that has quite a bad disposition.
Shidou was the only one that could seal the powers of the Spirits.
If Shidou doesn't do this, the Spirits— the thing is, their existence and circumstances are the same with Tohka's, so Shidou has thoughts of wanting to save them. Every time they come over to this side of the world, the AST would attack them.
Even though it's not the intention of the girl to destroy this world.
Having a one-sided conclusion, deciding they are a disaster and aiming for their lives.
And there's—— that problem with the spacequakes.
If the Spirits powers aren't sealed, someday again, there was a chance that the large-scale great disaster level of that Eurasia might happen again.
Shidou made a big sigh and scratched off some of his hair.
"...Give me a little time, to think about it."
"—Well, that is okay for now."
Kotori said that with a sigh, and directed her gaze towards Reine, who was sitting beside her.
"Well then Reine, the preparations."
"...Okay, leave them to me ...Or rather, everything is already complete."
After Reine said that while wobbling her head, Kotori whistled.
"As expected. You work fast."
"...Preparations? What is that about?"
A bad feeling resurfaced when those two made that restless conversation. Shidou asked them while sweat was dripping down off his cheek.
When he did that, Kotori replied like it was a natural thing to do.
"Eh? Therefore, Tohka's room preparation was already decided. She is going to use the second floor's guest room."
"Wai-Wait a minute! Didn't you say you will let me think for a bit!"
"Yes, that's why you shouldn't worry about things here. Take your time and think."
"Don't speak the impossibleeeeee!!!!!"
When Shidou shouted, Kotori blocked her ears in relief.
"You're noisy. Either way, until the specially designated residential area is finished, we have no choice but to let Tohka stay here. By the time you'll make your decision, it'll be too late for training."
"Even If you say something like that...I think there's something wrong with having a young girl and boy of the same age living in the same house..."
As Shidou's face was beet red when he said that, Kotori coldly laughed at him.
"If you were able to make such mistakes, we wouldn't have any hardships at all."
"Guh..."
It was a little saddening that he couldn't deny it.
"But, even so...!"
And, as Shidou was still clinging onto opposition, from Shidou's back—the door that installed in Kotori's room entrance, *Kachin*, opened.
"...!"
His shoulder twitched, and then turned around.
While he was wondering how long has she been there, from the corridor Tohka gave him an anxious look.
"...shidou. As I thought, I can't? I...can't stay here?"
"...Uh."
With eyebrows that are shaped in the form of a 八, Tohka looked over with sad eyes, causing Shidou to be left speechless.
...If there was any human that can say no in this situation, he would really like to meet him.
Shidou, made a loooooong sigh.
"...I-I understand..."
Part 3
"…So, speaking of this training, what is it? What on Earth are you going to make me do?"
Shidou, after having his head forcefully dragged around about three hours ago—
After finishing his dinner, Shidou asked Kotori, who was sitting on the living room sofa.
The only ones in the Itsuka family living room were Shidou and Kotori.
After all that, Reine returned to <Fraxinus>. As for Tohka, after eating dinner, she proceeded towards the guest room. The accessories she used while staying at the isolated area of <Fraxinus> were delivered a little while ago. It seems she was unpacking her luggage now.
"Nothing in particular, it’s OK to do nothing."
Kotori, who had her hair tied up with the black ribbon, said that while moving her lips, which had a finished rod hanging from her mouth (of course, it was not tobacco, but a Chupa Chups).
"Huh…? What do you mean? After saying all that stuff about training."
"Un——, speaking accurately, the theme this time is to lead an ordinary lifestyle…I think."
"Ah?"
"Basically, your training, based on the assumption that you will be dating all the Spirits from now on, is to manage to have a conversation with girls without being nervous."
"…Ah, now that I think about it, you did say something like that."
After he recalled having to train with galge last month and to undergo training in the art of flirting— his cheek twitched.
"This time, we will be making the best of 'living together with a girl' as live combat training. The point is that even if you suddenly encounter a chest tightening situation with a girl, you will stay calm and be able to behave gentlemanly and act accordingly."
"…Haa."
"That's why Shidou, during the time that you are living together with Tohka, no matter the kind of naughty event that will happen, it will be best if you can cope with the situation without being flustered."
"Wha…What’s up with that…"
Shidou’s brow formed a grand wrinkle, and he moaned.
Suddenly a new question floated into his mind.
"…Speaking of which, why must I seduce the Spirits in the first place? You can just seal the Spirits' powers by kissing, right? In that case, there's no need to abruptly strike——"
"Oh my, is forcing yourself on others what you prefer, Shidou? Good luck in not having your name appear in the morning newspapers."
"I won't be in them!"
As Shidou shouted, Kotori shrugged her shoulders in a relieved manner.
"——It’s useless. If the Spirits don't open their hearts to Shidou, they won't let you seal their powers completely."
"Is-Is that so…?"
"Yes, and I don't particularly mean that they have to be deeply in love. At the very least, it will be hard if they don't trust you enough for them to not refuse the kiss. That's why Reine monitors the Spirits individually on their mood and positive feelings."
"Ha,Haaa…"
The more he hears about this, the harder it is to understand what his ability is.
"…Hm?"
And— Shidou twisted his head.
For Kotori, it seems she began moving her lips normally.
"…I see, I understand. Un…later…"
If he looked closely, in Kotori’s right ear, he could see she was wearing a small intercam.
"Kotori? Who are you talking to?"
"——Aah, it's nothing. Don’t worry about it—— more importantly Shidou."
Thus, Kotori jumped off the sofa and stood up.
"I want to go to the toilet."
"Huh? Why don’t you just go then."
"From what I saw a while ago, the light bulb is out. Could you go on ahead and change it?"
"—? Ahh…I don't mind."
While Shidou was thinking that Kotori was being very suspicious, he pulled out a spare light bulb from one of the shelves.
He then took a stool meant for this type of work and headed towards the toilet.
And then, after he put the stool on the floor he proceeded to open the door—
"—!?"
His posture froze accordingly.
But it was a natural thing to do. In any case— it was because his guest was in there, on the toilet.
"Wha…shidou!?"
Tohka was currently sitting there with her panties below her knees.
"To…To-To-To-To-To-To-To-Tohka…!? What are you doing over——"
Shidou squeezed out that voice, while he felt his pulse rate suddenly accelerate.
Weird. The toilet door was not locked.
In addition, the light bulb which Kotori said was out— was shining brightly and dazzlingly. Incidentally, the light switch that was installed beside the door was off.
This was absurd, for someone that entered abruptly to be able to see through this ploy.
"Tha-That’s my line!, hurry up and close it!"
With Tohka's cheeks turning beet red, at the same time as having one hand pulling down her gown’s hem, she violently grabbed the toilet paper that was installed on the wall, and then threw it at Shidou’s face with all her might.
"Goah…!?"
Although it was just soft toilet paper, but if it was thrown abruptly, it would still have a decent amount of impact.
Shidou emitted a groan, and collapsed facing up on that spot.
*Roll**Roll**Roll*……and, the toilet paper that had commenced a kamikaze [2A 1] attack on Shidou’s nose drew a white line along the corridor.
"Wha-What happened…?"
And while Shidou was gazing at the ceiling, Kotori appeared overhead.
"That was pathetic. Even though I just told you not to panic and get flustered."
Because of her daunting pose as Shidou laid on his back, her underwear was fully exposed. Well, even if it was Shidou, because it was his sister’s panties, he was not panicking.
"…Kotori. This is your fault…"
As Shidou said that, Kotori took the Chupa Chups by the stick, popped the candy out of her mouth and held it up beside her lips.
…What happened was that they had estimated when Tohka would enter the toilet, before sending Shidou to attack. And what's more, they politely played with the door lock and the light switch.
"——Shidou’s condition is always being monitored by the <Fraxinus>. Then the crew and AI will judge each of Shidou’s corresponding success rates individually— And of course this time, it’s a failure."
After saying that, Kotori showed Shidou something that she was hiding behind her back.
"Ah…?"
It was a small-sized radio.
Kotori inserted a battery into it, and matched the frequency. As she did that——
"—This world, it is filled with deceit. The adults are all rotten. We can't be like that. Show them the power — the overflowing wonder. We can’t stop our legs that will face the future—"
…It was a poem he had heard from somewhere being blandly recited out loud.
Yes. It was something that Shidou wrote when he was in middle school.
"Gy…Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!?"
Shidou screamed as if he had ceased functioning, pulled out the radio's battery and dropped it.
"Even if you do that it's useless. After all, it is already being aired."
"Wha…!?"
Shidou’s face was completely dyed red.
"It is the Penalty's successor from last time. It will be a problem if you don't take it seriously just because this is training—— well, relax. As long as you don’t get it all wrong, something like revealing the author's name will not happen."
"Isn't that saying that if I get all of it wrong, it will be revealed!"
"That's why I'm saying that before it happens so you can get used to it. It's not like I told you to make her get all lovey-dovey. No matter how nervous you get, if you calm down and are able to act correspondingly, you pass."
"Tha-That’s unreasonable…"
The galge was much better. The training this time had a degree of difficulty that was too high for Shidou, who had no immunity.
"Spe-Speaking of which, didn't you say we shouldn't make Tohka's mental stability even worse…!?"
"Ahhhh, well that's not a problem. There are a lot of things that will cause her emotions to swing. In these sorts of events, the chances that the Spirit powers reverse back to her are very low."
"Bu-But even so…"
And, while Shidou was saying that, from his back a - *screech* - sound echoed.
Tohka opened the toilet door by a bit, and half of her fully red face peeked out.
"To-Tohka…?"
Even though it was Kotori’s fault in the first place, but for someone who was caught doing something like peeping just a moment ago, it was hard to face each other. Shidou averted his gaze and said in a soft voice.
"So-Sorry…it wasn't on purpose. Please forgive me…"
After he said that, Tohka, with cheeks that were blushing in embarrassment, pointed at the white line along the corridor that she was focusing on.
"…I will forgive you…so erm, some…how, could you please get me the paper?"
"Ah…"
Which reminded him that the toilet paper that was meant for emergency use might be out.
Shidou took the toilet paper that fell on the corridor with his hands, rolled it back and handed it to Tohka.
Part 4
"Shidou, it seems that the bath is ready, so go on ahead."
What kind of traps did you set up this time…?
Shidou braced himself, when Kotori threw those words at him, it was around 8 P.M.
"…The bath, huh."
Shidou answered in a hollow voice, and was creeping his head into the living room.
While Kotori was lying down, she was holding a controller from a game console connected to the television.
As expected, Tohka’s presence— was absent.
Yes. Just a while ago, when Shidou stepped away for a few minutes, Tohka’s figure had disappeared.
Kotori said that she went to go get something from her room…having reached this stage, Shidou wasn’t that naïve to believe that.
"…No, I’m okay with taking it afterwards. How about you going ahead, Kotori?"
"……"
*Twitch*
Kotori, who was enjoying swaying along in sync with the game’s BGM, halted her fingers for a moment. Shidou did not overlook it.
"I’ll pass. Right now is the good part."
! She said that with a poker face while looking at the screen.
—Shidou was certain of this.
This is a trap set by Kotori.
While Shidou wasn’t there, they made Tohka enter the bath, same as with the toilet incident just moments ago, and they would then have Shidou barge in. They were probably planning to produce a happy and embarrassing situation.
A commander with many stratagems in her head like Itsuka Kotori would never overlook an opportunity such as the classic bath scenario.
However, Shidou had already experienced the bathroom incident when he returned home. There was no way he would fall for it a second time.
While making a small shrug with his shoulders— it was time to play his prized, hidden card.
"Oh well, don't be like that— especially today, since we are going to use the bubble bath melt."
"—!?"
In an instant. Kotori’s twin tails twitched and ruffled up.
Everyone in the Itsuka family have the opportunity to enjoy the carbonated gas when bubble bath melt were to be used. However, only the first person to take a bath was assigned to put them.
As such, Kotori had almost never missed this role before.
"……"
"……"
A moment of silence after an evening meal.
If a person that doesn’t know anything sees this, they would probably see a quiet scene of a brother and sister.
But— right now, severe psychological warfare (?) had unfolded between these two.
-Well, what are you going to do now, Kotori?
Right now in Shidou’s mind; Kotori’s impregnable castle was being assaulted by bubble bombs, a downright surreal scene unfolded.
Kotori, in a calm manner, moved her toes. Shidou was sure of his victory, and raised the sides of his lips.
—Fu,hahahahahaha! Don’t look down on me, you little brat. For I, Itsuka Shidou, have been your brother for many years, it isn't just for show.
But, for a brief moment, Kotori replied with a shaky voice,
"He…Heeeeeeeeeee, Yes……That's nice……Shidou, go on in...first."
"Wha…"
From that unexpected response, Shidou raised his eyebrows— No matter how much she is in Commander mode, there was no way Kotori could fight back against the magical powers of the bath bubbles!
…And, looking closely, Kotori’s shoulders were trembling, he understood that by seeing that and from seeing her right hand tightly gripping her left hand.
"……"
She was completely holding it in.
And-at that time,
"Kotori, sorry to make you wait. Well, it’s a challenge!"
From behind a voice echoed, Shidou turned around in shock.
Over there was, Tohka standing there while holding something that looked like a blanket.
"Tohka?!"
"Nu, what's wrong shidou? Making such a weird face."
"N-No…where did you go?"
"Un. Kotori asked me to play a game with her, but today was a little cold after all. So I went to find something that can cover my knees from the inside of my room."
"…Wha-"
From Tohka words, Shidou reflexively staggered. He felt like his sight began to distort and blur.
-Was Kotori speaking the truth? Shidou, had gotten himself all worked up for nothing…!?
"…I'm going to take— a bath…"
For some reasons it felt like he had lost. Shidou exited the living room all wobbly.
"—? shidou, what’s wrong?"
"…I wonder."
The voices of these two were heard behind him as he left the corridor. He prepared clothes and a bath towel randomly, before opening the changing room door of the bathroom.
"……"
Just in case, he knocked on the bathroom door before opening it.
"…What, there really is no one."
He let out a sigh of relief, and quickly took off his clothes before entering the bath. The moment he grabbed the bubble solution in his hand— he suddenly felt like he had done something bad to Kotori.
He thought of letting Kotori use it tomorrow instead. He tossed in the ordinary bathwater additive that doesn't produce bubbles into the bathtub.
And then he quickly washed his body before sinking his body into the bath dyed in a milky white color.
"Fuu~~"
A long and slender sigh. Many repeated echoes resounded off the bathroom walls and returned back into his ears.
"Today was again…Tiring……"
He sunk his shoulders into the hot bath, and let out another sigh.
From the pores of his body, it felt like his entire body's fatigue melted away.
Shidou, took his time and slowly closed his eyelids.
…And now, he wondered how much time past.
"-Fun,fufufufu-n,fufu-n~"
The sounds of someone humming, brought Shidou out of his daze.
"Ah…? What…?"
Shidou rubbed his drowsy looking eyes, and faced towards the direction where the humming was coming from—
"—!"
His body stiffened, and he cursed himself for letting his guard down.
But that was natural. Because right now, facing the glass that separates the bathroom from the changing room, he saw the faintly visible figure of a black haired girl.
"Thi-This was your aim huh, Kotori—!"
Shidou groaned while holding back his stomach.
Making it look like it was the same pattern as last time and then using a surprise attack.
It wasn’t to have Shidou move towards where Tohka was, but the reverse.
While being simple, it was an effective strategy. Because currently, Shidou has no place to run.
"I've been deceived. Kotori—!"
Right now in Shidou’s mind; Kotori was wearing sunglasses while making an inappropriate laugh and saying, [Because you’re a little boy] while sipping on a glass of whiskey. That scene floated across his mind.
Having finished removing her cloths, Tohka put her hands on the bathroom door.
"—!"
Shidou in confusion, and without thinking, dove into the bathtub and shut the lid before he could be found.
And then as if in an appearance of someone who was passing by, the sound of the door opening was heard.
Next, with a *rattling* sound, the lid of the bathtub was removed. And then-
"Tou!"
*Splash!*
And, without checking the inside of the bathtub, Tohka vigorously jumped into the bathtub.
Splashing into hot water- and at the same time, Shidou felt something soft land his on stomach.
"Nu?"
And finally, Tohka felt something was unusual.
Thus…Shidou could no longer continue holding his breath and broke from the surface of the milky water with he made 'a good day pose' on his face.
"Y-Yo."
"……"
After that in just a few seconds.
"——!?"
Tohka, face was glowing as red as a tomato, and raised a scream that doesn’t sound like a voice.
"Ca-calm down, Tohka…!"
"-! You idiot! D-Don’t come out…!"
Tohka grabbed Shidou's head with all her strength, and plunged him down into the water.
Naturally, Shidou who didn’t take a good breath, didn't have sufficient oxygen in his lungs.
"—! …………!"
And then having been locked in this grapple in the bathtub for a while.
Shidou finally lost consciousness, *plop*…and began floating in the bathtub.
Somewhere in his mind; Kotori said [yes, it’s a No], he felt like he again heard a long voice from the radio— but there was nothing Shidou could do.
Part 5
"That was a comp—completely……bad experience."
He somehow brought back his consciousness. Shidou after coming out of the bath, washed the accumulating pile of dishes in the sink and prepared tomorrow’s rice. Finally returning to his own room— he was completely tired out.
The clock hand turned to 11 O’clock.
The good children, both Tohka and Kotori, were already sleeping in their respective rooms.
Although for a healthy young high school boy it was still early— today’s fatigue wasn’t normal at all.
—As expected, even for Kotori, today was exhausting.
Shidou entered his room and then dived into his bed. He immediately fell asleep.
"……ri. Kotori, please wake up. It's time."
Everyone has already fallen asleep— it was long into night. She felt that her right eardrum vibrated and Kotori twitched her eyebrows.
"U……nn……"
But, to be woken up by something like that, a 13-years-old sleep (such as Itsuka Kotori) wasn’t that shallow.
On top of her bed she twisted her body around, rolling up the blanket and winding it around her body before turning over to the side, and once again started to give out calm sleeping sounds.
"…Kotori. Kotori. Please do not go back to sleep"
"Un~"
Kotori used her hands to rub her weak blinking eyes, and sluggishly brought her body up.
"Whaaat is it…Oniii-chaan…"
"……Sorry but I am not Shin. It’s me, Reine."
She made a small twist with her neck, and "Fuaaaaaaaa………" giving one big yawn.
"Reine…? What's wrong, at a time like this…"
While Kotori was rubbing her eyes with her one hand, and the other was swinging at the bedside, finding her hand phone while groping with her hands, she turned on the lights on the menu screen and squinted her eyes towards the display.
It was 3:20 A.M. It was the time when, all good and bad kids were inside their dreams.
"…The preparations are ready. We’re leaving the final instructions to you."
After being told that, Kotori [ah] opened her mouth with a small gap.
"Un…Oh yeah…I asked you...to help me...wake up…"
While Kotori was bobbing her head like Reine, she once again reached towards the area around her bedside.
And she took into her hand, a mouth-sized rod attached candy that she had placed there. She then tore open the messy wrapping and shoved it into her mouth.
"-!"
At that instant, on her tongue something like an explosive-like feeling was transmitted to her brain. Kotori jiggled her whole body. And at the same time, a refreshing and stimulating fragrance passed through her nasal cavity.
Yes, that wasn’t the usual Chupa Chups. It was her secret weapon, the super refreshing Super Mental Candy that Kotori uses only when she wants to hold back her drowsiness.
Kotori took her black ribbon in her hands, and tied her hair in her usual twin tails.
"Ah- I have woken up. Sorry about that, Reine."
"…I don't mind- without delay, this is the report. Shin is currently in a sleeping state."
"I see. And, how about the other members?"
"…I told them to be on stand-by as ordered. We can go at any time."
"That’s sufficient."
When Kotori said that, she killed the sound of her footsteps and left her room, descended down the stairs and reached the front door.
And then, with the sound of *kachinn*, the door was unlocked.
In front of the front door there were black battle uniforms and Balaclava.[2A 2], There were several men in this American Special Forces-like attire ready on stand-by.
"The target is on the second floor. I’m counting on all of you."
"Roger."
The men obeyed Kotori’s instruction, and invade the Itsuka house without making any sound with their feet.
"Un…Uunnn…"
Shidou let out a small moan, and on top of the bed he lightly stretched his spine.
His eyes greeted the morning sun light coming from the window, and the sound of birds chirping was entering into his ear.
"Un…It’s already morning huh."
He spilled out a yawn, while blinking his eyes, he turned to the other side of the bed.
—And.
"Ah…? What is this…?"
The felt like his cheek touched something soft. Shidou raised his eyebrows a little.
In order to find its identity, he slowly placed his hand around his head, and felt around.
When he did that, from the direction above his head.
"Un…"
What the—
A cute voice was heard.
"……"
Shidou stopped his breathing for a moment, and gathers his thoughts.
He took a glance of his surroundings. In front of his eyes was a thin fleece cloth. And on the ceiling, he could see a lamp, that was different from his own room.
Over there— This was not Shidou’s room.
Judging from the room’s interior…It looked like it was the guest room on the second floor which he seldom entered.
"Whi~ch me~ans…"
He slowly, very slowly turned his face to look up above his head.
"……Mu?"
Over there, as expected, was Tohka’s beautiful appearance.
She probably woke up moments ago. The instant Shidou raised his sights upwards—their eyes, met.
"……"
"……"
After a few seconds.
"Hiiiiiiiii——"
"Wha…?"
Shidou and Tohka choked at almost the same time— and quickly they both got up from that spot, as if a gong was rung initiating the start of a competition, they split themselves apart and took some distance— one towards the pillow side and the other towards the leg side of the bed.
"Wha-What are you doing, shidou! Why are you on my bed…!?"
"I-I Do-Don’t know! Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What am I doing here…!?"
"The one asking should be me!"
"You’re righttttt!"
Shidou, while in an unexplainable tension shouted.
And, at that timing the door of the room opened, Kotori appeared.
"Okay, Out! Calm down a little more, Shidou."
"……Kotori……!? Do-Don’t tell me, this was your doing!"
"Let me see, what this is about. Isn’t it about Shidou being unable to restrain his overflowing blue libido of puberty, so he crawled into Tohka’s futon? Stop making weird accusations on me."
Kotori shrugged her shoulders while acting dumb, and said that with a small smile on her face.
"Wha…?"
From those words, Tohka face blushed, and pulled the blanket to cover her chest.
"I-I'm innocent!"
He shouted, Kotori didn’t care and for some reason, started to take out a hand phone from her pocket.
But that was, for some reason Shidou’s property.
"You…Isn’t that my phone. What are you doing?"
"Eh? Aah."
Kotori made a small grin, and turned the phone screen so that it could face Shidou.
On that screen a mail had been written. And the receiver's name— Tonomachi Hiroto, Shidou’s friend, was being displayed.
"—!?"
Shidou choked. That's because the mail's article was about—
"There is an incredible radio station. Try listening to it. It seriously causes my heart to tremble. This will change your view on life."
After writing something like that, she had placed the URL of a web page onto the end of the message.
"Huh…? Wha-What is that URL…"
"Aah, yesterday’s show started its transmission on the internet radio. With this on the internet, anyone can listen to Shidou’s masterpiece anytime they want to."
"Wha…!?"
Shidou, his eyes opened wide with fear and stretched out his arm.
"St-Sto——"
Before Shidou finished his word, Kotori pressed the send button.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?"
He shouted and snatched back his cell phone, and was desperately pressing the cancel button— too late.
Due to the convenience of the modern civilization that transmit information quickly, a disastrous piece of information had been sent to his friend.
"Wha-What the hell did you do…!"
"It's a Penalty. It's going to be troubling if you are going to panic from just touching Tohka’s breast with your cheek."
"Un, Even if you say th...at…?"
He sensed an uncomfortable feeling after hearing Kotori’s words, he then twisted his neck.
…Come to think of it, the moment he gained his awareness, he felt like he touched an unusually soft object.
He timidly looked towards where Tohka was, her eyes were filled with circles.
And then, for some reasons she remembered a feeling from just now and started touching her body— after touching the area where her breasts are, her whole body stiffened up.
"……"
Poof! It appeared almost as if smoke were about to rise, Tohka’s face was completely red.
"U…Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
And then Tohka raised a tremendous scream, and started grabbing things around her and throwing randomly.
"Uwahh………Ca-calm down, Tohka!"
Shidou dodged somehow, and tried leaving the room but, he was hit by an Akebeko[2A 3] ornament, and fainted.
Chapter 2: Rainy Girl
Part 1
"Oh, Itsuka…Eh? What happened to you?"
It was morning and Shidou, who was dragging his heavy legs into the classroom, was called out with a puzzled voice by Tonomachi.
Well even if it wasn't him, looking at his current state, everyone would have had the same impression too.
Because whether it was his face or hands, his whole body was practically covered in bandages, on top of that his steps were staggering so much that it seemed like he would fall over anytime.
"…Aah, a little something."
Shidou gave a wry smile while saying so, then let out a small sigh.
Over to the side Tonomachi, as if he remembered something, suppressed his laughter.
"Oh yeah, I heard that net radio, what was up with that? It was pretty damn interesting."
Shidou's face twitched upon hearing those words.
"Y-you've already heard it? that..."
"Oh, I listened to it a little before I left the house. But... that's supposed to be a joke right? It would be scary if that were real."
"Ah…Hahahaha… Yeah, y-you're right…"
Shidou let out a dry laugh and averted his gaze.
"Lea-Leaving that aside Tonomachi, what are you looking at?"
Shidou raised his voice in order to change the topic as it would be troublesome if he gained more interest in that radio broadcast.
Tonomachi looked like he was gazing seriously at the gravure page in the back of a manga magazine.
"Ah, this— Oh yeah, I also want to ask you about something."
"W-what is it?"
Shidou asked him back. Tonomachi was unusually serious and continued speaking.
"Nurse, miko, or maid…… Which one do you like most?"
"…Huh?"
Shidou let out a startled voice due to Tonomachi's unexpected question.
"It's been decided that the gravure costume for the next issue will be based on the readers' voting poll… This is so troubling."
"…Ahh, is that so..."
Shidou replied with a sigh. Tonomachi seemed like he didn't mind and thrust the magazine towards Shidou.
"So? Which one do you like!?"
"Eh…errrrmm…then……the maid…?"
Shidou replied due to being pressured by Tonomachi's unusual vigor. In that moment, Tonomachi's eyebrows suddenly twitched.
"Wh-What's wrong?"
"——To think that you would like maids! I'm sorry but our friendship ends here!"
"……"
Shidou, scratched his cheek, then walked over to his own seat.
"H-Hey, where are you going? Itsuka!"
"……Our friendship ends here right?"
"Hey, What the heck? Aren't you being too serious. Don't you think a world where Maid lovers and Nurse lovers can coexist in peace is also kind of good? "
It seems like Tonomachi is in the Nurse faction.
Shidou placed his bag on his seat, all the while ignoring Tonomachi who threw the magazine on his table and followed him over.
At that moment, the girl sitting beside him who was reading a bulky reference book——Origami Tobiichi glanced towards him.
"……"
"O-Oh…Tobiichi, good morning."
"Good morning."
Origami replied in a monotonous voice and then tilted her head.
"Maid?"
It seemed that she heard the conversation just now. Shidou waved his hands all flustered.
"…Uh, n-no, don't mind that."
"I see."
Origami made a short reply and once again returned her sights towards the book.
"Good mornin—"
Immediately after, Tonomachi waved his hands towards her, but Origami's expression did not change in the slightest.
Tonomachi shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly, and started grinding Shidou in the side of his stomach.
"Although this happens every time. Why is it always you who always gets a reply back after a welcome? Y-You…"
"Ho-How should I know? Stop it already."
Shidou shook off the annoying Tonomachi, and arrived at his seat.
The door of the classroom rolled open, and Tohka entered.
Naturally, due to Tohka currently now living in the Itsuka family house, the route to school was exactly the same as Shidou's. However, if they were to go to school together it would probably appear suspicious, so Tohka had to leave a bit later after Shidou.
In addition to that, she was still affected by that terrible induction she received after moving into his house yesterday. He couldn't bear adding more fuel to the fire when 75 days haven't even past.
"……"
Tohka silently sat in her seat on the right side of Shidou's desk and without looking at him, she moved her lips.
"…Err, about…this morning, I'm sorry. Is your body okay?"
It seems she was still bothered about that matter this morning. Shidou scratched his cheeks while making a bitter smile.
"O-Oh…Don't worry about it…"
"Mu……"
Tohka made a small nod. And finally— Shidou had realized something.
"…Ah."
Several classmates were listening in on their conversation and were sending them stares of interest.
But, it seems Tohka had not yet realized it.
"Bu-But you were also at fault too. You suddenly…You know…I was surprised."
Because of Tohka's words, everyone listening caught their breath.
"To-Tohka…Why don't we have this talk later…?"
"Huh? Why is that?"
Tohka faced Shidou while tilting her head, and finally noticed the gazes coming from everyone.
"…Eh?"
Tohka gasped in surprise and sweat starting falling down her cheeks. She had remembered that yesterday at home it was explained to her that the fact that Shidou and Tohka were living together was a secret.
"I-It's not what you think everyone! It's not like me and Shidou are living together!?"
"——!?"
Everyone from the class frowned all at the same time.
"I-Idiot…"
Shidou muttered softly and then intentionally spoke in a loud voice.
"A-Aaah! In the morning when going to school we coincidentally bumped into each other! Were you okay Tohka!?"
"Mu…? U-Umu, no problem!"
Tohka seemed to have guessed what Shidou intended, although it was difficult, they matched their lies together.
Well, although it did look kind of forced…Originally, the talk of [a high school male and female living together] itself sounded unrealistic, he continued blabbering until everyone felt satisfied just in case.
…Well even so, there was still one person to Shidou's left side who wasn't satisfied…A female student was releasing a glare that would give anyone the chills.
"……"
Somehow, he felt like he would come out tattered. Shidou made a deep sigh.
—However, that problem would be resolved at a surprising speed.
The 4th period bell rang and echoed throughout the building, indicating that lunch break had started.
And at the same time,
"shidou! It's lunch time!"
"……"
At Shidou's desk— to the left and right, *Jyan*! tables were docked on both sides.
And of course, on his right was Tohka, and on the left was Origami.
"…Nu…What do you want? You're disturbing us."
"That's my line."
From Shidou's left and right, sharp gazes were exchanged from both sides.
"We-Well……Calm down. Isn't it okay if everyone eats together? Right…?"
When Shidou said that, reluctantly, Tohka and Origami quietly sat down. And then both of them took out their own bentos . from their respective bags.
Shidou followed, bringing out his own bento, and placed it on the table. All of them opened their lids together, and then—
"……"
He saw Origami's eyes widen a little bit, and he cursed himself for being unprepared.
Shidou's bento was something he made for himself in the morning. And of course it was made along with Kotori's (although she hadn't been returning home this month).
Naturally— if it was necessary to prepare another person's portion of hurriedly prepared bento, it was Shidou's job to do so.
"……"
Origami gave Shidou a cold look, and compared Shidou and Tohka's bento boxes— checking the contents.
—The same menu was arranged inside both of their bentos, looking identical.
"Nu, wha-what? Even if you give me that look, I won't give it to you…"
Tohka didn't realize the seriousness of this matter and gave Origami a puzzled look.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Thi-This is…"
When Origami asked her question, Shidou burst out in a cold sweat and avoided eye-contact.
"Ac-Actually. This was being sold by the lunch vendor this morning and coincidentally Tohka was also there—"
"Liar."
Origami interrupted Shidou midway, and then removed Shidou's bento box lid.
"154 days ago, you bought this at the discount shop that is in front of the station for 1580 yen, and you are still using it. This is not something from the lunch vendor."
"H-How do you know something like tha-?"
"That isn't important right now."
No, he thought that this was kind of an important question, but he was overpowered by Origami and wasn't in a position to say anything. Like just now, his words would have been stopped halfway.
"Muu, what were you two talking about just now! Don't split up the group!"
From the side, Tohka who was feeling left out, raised her voice, puffing up her cheeks.
And, at that moment.
*Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-----------*
A loud alarm sounded and echoed throughout the whole town.
In an instant, the noisy classroom during lunch break, suddenly went quiet.
—It was the spacequake alarm.
Around 30 years ago, a threat towards people, the worst disaster, was referred to as spacequake, and looms as an omen for disaster.
"……"
At that moment, Origami had showed an expression of hesitation, and then immediately stood up from her seat and left the classroom at an amazing speed.
"…Eh?"
Shidou was in a confused state and could only follow her using his eyes…Well, although it was a little indiscreet, he couldn't help but think that he was saved by the alarm ringing at the perfect time.
While Tobiichi Origami was a student, she was also a talented individual in the Ground Self-Defense Forces' AST.
Meaning, she was heading towards the battlefront right at this moment— To kill the Spirits, just like the situation with Tohka before.
"……"
Shidou clenched his teeth.
He knew he couldn't stop Origami. But—
Over there at the classroom door, a girl's voice echoed in a dazed state.
"……Everyone, it's the alarm. Please evacuate to the underground shelter immediately."
The physics teacher dressed in a white coat— Reine, pointed her fingers towards the direction of the corridor.
After the students swallowed their saliva, they exited towards the corridor one by one.
"Nu? shidou, where is everyone going?"
Tohka asked while looking at the other classmates and tilting her head.
"Ah-Aah…to the shelter. There is one under the school."
"Shelter…?"
"Aah. For now, let's leave the explanation for later. We are going too Tohka."
"Nu-Nuu."
Tohka regretfully glanced at her untouched bento, and stood up following Shidou's instruction.
They followed the other classmates and exited to the corridor.
"……Shin. You're coming this way."
Riene caught Shidou by the collar.
"Uh, Reine-san? This way means…"
"……Isn't it obvious? We're going to the <Fraxinus>."
When Shidou questioned her, he raised his voice but not loud enough to allow the other students to hear them, and Reine replied.
"……It has only been one day……You might not have made your decision yet on what you will do from now on. But there's something we want to show you. The Spirits and the current situation."
Shidou swallowed his saliva to moisten his dry throat and clenched his fist.
"…I understand. I'll go."
Reine made a small nod sleepily with one eye open, and after looking at the students that were lined up, she faced towards the entrance.
"……Well, let's hurry. It won't be long before the spacequake."
"Y-Yes. And— Ah, Reine-san. Is it okay if we didn't bring Tohka along?"
He said as he glanced towards Tohka.
Speaking of Tohka, she was looking confusedly at the classmates that were lining up for evacuation.
"……Aah, it's about that— Umu, we will have Tohka evacuate to the shelter with everyone else."
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"……Aah. With her powers currently in a sealed state, Tohka isn't that different from other humans. Also, if she sees the battle between the Spirit and the AST, she might be troubled if she remembers the time it happened to her. I told you right? [Ratatoskr] wants to avoid having Tohka accumulate stress as much as possible."
"No, but……"
Right when Shidou wanted to say something, down from the direction of the corridor, a high pitched voice echoed.
"Ho-Hora, Itsuka-kun and Yatogami-san, even Murasame-sensei too! P-Please don't just stop and stand over there! If both of you don't hurry and evacuate, the dangerous is danger!"
Shidou's homeroom teacher Okamine Tamae, nicknamed Tama-chan, perked up her small shoulders and said that in a hurried state. The meaning of her words was confusing though.
"……Un, if we get caught we'll end up in an annoying situation. Let's go."
Reine made a signal with her eyes and faced her feet towards the entrance.
"Uh, ah wait a second—"
Although it was a little worrying, it couldn't be helped. Shidou made a small groan and scratched his head. He then took Tohka's hand and placed it in Tama-chan's hand.
"Sensei, I'm counting on you to take care of Tohka!"
"Fue? Eh? Ah, ye-yes, of course."
Tama-chan was quickly entrusted with Tohka, her eyes were in circles as if she was suddenly dumbfounded, while saying [I-I'm also a teacher too!"].
"shidou…?"
Tohka curved her eyebrows in uneasiness.
"Tohka, listen. Please evacuate together with Sensei to the shelter."
"What about you? What are you going to do shidou?"
"Ah…I, have an important task to do. Go on ahead without me. Okay?"
"…! Ah! Shi-shidou!"
"Itsuka-kun! Murasame-sensei too!? Where are the both of you going!?"
While hearing worried voices from the pair left behind, Shidou and Reine ran outside the school building.
Part 2
"—Aah, both of you came. The Spirit will soon appear. I'm counting on you for the preparations, Reine."
From the captain's seat, Kotori said this to them, with Shidou and Reine having arrived on the bridge of the <Fraxinus>.
"…Ah."
Reine made a small nod, flapping back her white coat's hem, and sat down at her console on the lower bridge.
"—Now then…"
And, when Shidou remained silent, Kotori asked him a question while tilting her head.
"Although we are sorry that we didn't give you much time but have you made your decision? Shidou."
"…Uh—"
He choked. But, over from the bridge, a loud sound from the siren echoed.
"Wha…What?"
"An unusually strong Spirit wave reading has been detected! It's coming!"
A male crew member's shout came from the lower bridge, and Shidou's eyes were spinning from the confusion.
When Kotori heard the shout, *pachin* she snapped her fingers.
"Okay. Switch the Main monitor to the image of where the prediction site is."
When Kotori gave the order, a bird's-eye view of the town was projected on the main monitor.
It was the main street which was lined with many shops. Of course there were no human figures visible, as if it was a ghost town.
In the middle of that image, *Warp*.
"Eh…?"
At first, he had thought that the image projector was having some problems but— that was wrong.
The space.
The space, that originally was empty, distorted, it was as if a ripple on the surface of water was created by throwing a rock at it.
"Wha-What is this…?"
"Ara? Is this the first time Shidou has seen this?"
The moment Kotori said that, the space distortion grew larger—
He thought that a small light was produced on the screen, and together with the sound of an explosion, the screen had turned pure white.
"——!"
Although he knew that this was an event happening inside the screen, he instinctively covered his face with his arms.
After a few seconds, while slowly dropping his arms, he opened his eyes, and on the screen was a totally different scene from before.
In the town, a hole had opened up.
There was no other way to express it.
A portion of the buildings that were supposed to be lined up, were shaved off into a shallow bowl shape.
Shops, street lights, telephone poles, and even the surface of the road that was supposed to be there, everything, had disappeared.
What's more, maybe due to the after-effects of the explosion, the surrounding area looked as if a huge hurricane had struck.
This mess…it resembles that place about one month ago, the place where he first met Tohka.
Which means, just now, that was—
"…Spacequake…"
Shidou said in a shaky voice, Kotori [yes] consented.
"—This is the dimensional distortion that occurs when a Spirit comes over to this world. And the calamity of an outbreak-inducing nature."
"……"
He had seen the ruins of buildings many times but this was his first time seeing the moment the explosion occurred.
His palms were sweaty.
There were times when he tried to figure out the phenomenon in his head— and thanks to this experience, he finally felt like he understood it.
He understood the terror it causes— The town, the space where people live their daily lives, was destroyed, all in an instant.
"Well, at least this time the explosion was on a small-scale."
"It seems like it."
Kotori and a tall man right behind her— Vice commander Kannazuki Kyouhei, had commented.
"Good fortune— was what I wanted to say, but since this is the [Hermit] this much should be normal."
"Well, I guess so. Even among the Spirits, she has the docile-type disposition."
Shidou, still silent, pushed together his brows.
—That explosion just now, it was small-scaled?
At first, he didn't understand what Kotori and the others were talking about, but then immediately remembered.
That might be the case. Since the spacequake left a crater around 10 meters in diameter. From their perspective, it should be a small compared to the others.
Of course…even if he fully understood this now…
"…Hey, Kotori."
Something in Kotori and the others' conversation bothered Shidou. He opened his mouth to speak.
"What on earth is [Hermit]?"
"Aah, it's the code-name of the Spirit that just appeared. Wait for a moment— Can you zoom in on the screen?"
Kotori, pointed her finger towards the crew members on the lower bridge.
When she did that, the image zoomed in, towards the crater that was right in the middle of the town.
And with that, something changed on-screen.
"…Rain?"
Shidou quietly muttered.
Without warning, he thought that the screen turn darker, *drip**drip*, rain started to descend.
But— that wasn't what interested him, he no longer cared about the rain.
In the middle of the area that looked like a crater, they were able to detect the figure of a small girl.
"—?!"
A shock hit his heart, as if it had been grabbed by an eagle's talons, and passed throughout his whole body.
Standing still in the middle of the enlarged screen, was the figure of one girl. And what's more— he recognized of her.
"Ah, that is…"
Covered by a hood with rabbit ears like accessories, was a blue haired girl.
She looked to be around 13 to 14 years old, wearing a large coat and innerwear made from a mysterious material.
And on her left hand, with a comical design, a rabbit puppet was equipped.
If Shidou's eyes and brain were working properly…then that was without a doubt—
The girl he had encountered yesterday when he was returning home from school.
"—? What's wrong Shidou?"
Seeing Shidou act strangely, Kotori spoke in a dubious voice.
Shidou, after gazing at the screen once, reasserted himself.
"I-I've met that with that girl before…"
"What did you say? When did this happen?"
"Just yesterday…when I was returning home in a hurry, rain started falling—"
Shidou, going through his memories, spoke briefly about the events that happened yesterday.
After hearing Shidou talk for a while, Kotori pointed her fingers to the crew on the lower bridge.
"Send the Spirit wave reading from yesterday at 1600 to 1700 to my terminal, ASAP!"
And then she lowered her sights to the screen she was holding, and scratched her head in frustration.
"…It didn't recognize the main numerical value of the disorder huh. It was the same with Tohka last time…Shidou, why didn't you tell me this at home yesterday?"
"Do-don't say something impossible. I didn't know she was a Spirit when I first met her…!"
At the same time Shidou was shouting, the speaker that was installed on the <Fraxinus> bridge roared with a loud sound.
"—!? What, is going on—"
"—The Spirit did appear…So we aren't the only ones taking action."
Shidou's finger tips twitched a little from Kotori's words.
"The AST…huh?"
"Yes."
He glanced towards the screen— Smoke swirled around the place where the Spirit was — which was now being called [Hermit]. Probably, a missile or some sort of explosive was launched at her.
And surrounding her, a small number of humans wearing heavy mechanical armor were floating around.
The Ground Self-Defense Forces' Anti-Spirit Team, in short, the AST.
Different from the organization, [Ratatoskr], which was led by Kotori and the others, they were a special team holding military power that aimed to eliminate all Spirits.
Inside the smoke, a small silhouette *Hop*, jumped out— It was [Hermit].
The girl with her left hand tucked into a puppet came out. She twisted her body to escape from the surrounding AST members holding their ground, and leapt into the sky.
The AST members immediately responded, and pursued [Hermit] all at once.
And with the weapons that were installed into their armor, an innumerable amount of ammunitions were fired.
"—! Look out!"
Reflexively Shidou had shouted— but the warning didn't do anything useful across the screen. The large barrage of bullets and missiles released by the AST members hit [Hermit]'s body mercilessly.
"Those guys……doing that to that girl…"
His eyes opened wide, and he was grinding the back of this teeth.
"……What are you trying to say after all this time?"
As he did that, Kotori, had said that while having her eyes halfway open.
"Didn't you learn anything when this happened to Tohka? To the AST, it doesn't matter what appearance the Spirits take. The only thing that matters is their sense of duty to protect this world; To those people, they would reject any dangerous existence and follow their survival instincts like animals."
"But…even so!"
The moment Shidou opened his mouth, from the smoke, the girl leapt into the sky once again.
But- [Hermit] wasn't fighting back and was only running from place to place.
"That girl…Why doesn't she fight back?"
"This isn't unusual. Even among the Spirits [Hermit] is a very docile type."
"…Then—"
"If you're asking for the AST to have mercy, it's useless— As long as that girl is a Spirit, they won't stop."
"…Kuh!"
In response to the flat out answer, Shidou bit his lip.
No…Even if he were to repeat himself, he already knew the answer.
Her disposition, or her personality, to the AST it doesn't matter.
To them, they only cared about taking down the enemy that causes harm to this world.
—The method that could overthrow this situation…there was only one way.
Shidou clenched his fingers in a fist so tightly, he thought that blood was about to flow out. Quietly, he cleared his throat.
"…Kotori."
"What?"
"…If it wasn't because of her Spirit power…that girl would have never been targeted by the AST, right?"
When Shidou said that, Kotori knitted her eyebrows together, and her eyes faced Shidou.
"Yes— That's absolutely right."
"The spacequakes…they wouldn't have occurred right?"
"Yes."
Shidou kept quiet for a moment, he took a deep breath, and continued speaking.
"—And I can make that happen?"
"If you still don't believe me after seeing Tohka's present condition, then I don't mind if you doubt me."
"……"
After Shidou scratched his head, he used both his hands to pull his cheeks.
He gently lifted his down cast eyes, and reasserted his determination.
"Help me with this, Kotori! …I— want to save that girl…!"
"—Fufu…"
Kotori, looking happy, made her candy rod stand up.
"Now that is—— My Onii-chan."
She turned to face the crew on the lower bridge, and shouted.
"All members prepare for a Level One capture!"
"ROGER!"
The crew members began manipulating their consoles all at once.
While Kotori was gazing upon this scene, she licked her lips.
"Now then—— let us begin the DateWar!"
Part 3
"—Hey, Tama-chan sensei."
Tohka who had evacuated to the established large-type underground shelter in the school, as if to suppress her rustling feelings, grabbed the hem of her skirt tightly, and asked Tamae who was sitting right beside her.
"Ya-Yatogami-san even you have started calling me that…"
Tamae faced towards Tohka, Tamae had now calmed down to a degree compared with a while ago.
But Tohka, disregarding Tama's sigh of rejection, continued her words.
"That sound just now, what was that? What on earth is this place?"
"Wha-What are you saying. That alarm just now was the spacequake alarm. Because there might be a chance a spacequake might occur, everyone has been evacuated to the underground shelter since it will be safe here."
"Spacequake…? What is that?"
Tohka tilted her head, and Tama-chan wore a 'surprised' expression.
"Eh? What is a spacequake? You don't know?"
"……Muu."
After being told that, Tohka made an awkward and unhappy face.
It would seem that this 'spacequake' thing, was a word that everyone knows.
There might be a chance that she had asked a bad question. Tohka had been warned by Shidou to avoid doing things that might stand out. 'To be extremely ignorant is okay but try to avoid crossing the line that could lead to exposing yourself.'
And, not knowing how to handle the silence, Tama-chan shook her hands in panic.
"Ah, no no, it's alright. I guess that, there are still people that don't know."
"…Nu, sorry."
Tama-chan said [no no] once more, and raised her finger.
"A spacequake is a general term for occurrence of a large scale disaster. Well, in simple words, one day suddenly in the world somewhere, *DON*, an explosion will occur. Although there are many theories taught like the 'Atmospheric Pressure Alteration theory' or 'Plasma theory' but the real cause has still not been clarified."
"—An explosion, you say?"
Through Tama-chan explanation, Tohka raised her eyebrows.
"Yes. The biggest one to date was around 30 years ago. The Eurasia Sky Disaster. There were around 150 million casualties, it was the worst disaster since the dawn of history."
"Wha-What's up with that, wasn't that dangerous!"
"Yes. That is why everyone evacuates to the Shelters— Well, although there haven't been any spacequakes that big since then— in this neighborhood, for the past few years there have been small scale explosions occurring frequently."
From Tama-chan's lecture, Tohka's eyebrows came together closely.
"The-Then why isn't shidou here at this dangerous time, where did he go?"
"Eh…? Eh, errrr……that is……"
Tamae, adjusting her glasses awkwardly, looked over to the other students that were sitting around.
"……"
While remaining silent Tohka, started gripping the hem of her skirt that was in her hands more tightly.
"……shidou."
*Thump* *Thump*
Around the area of her chest, she heard these sounds.
For some reason she didn't know……She had a bad premonition.
And then, when the throbbing in her heart reached a climax.
"……Uh."
Tohka immediately raised her face.
"Errrr……I-It's okay. Although I can't see him around here……I think he most probably forgot something and went back to get it. He should be back here by now, somewhere around here in the Shelter…"
And, Tamae who was surveying the inside of the Shelter returned her sights to Tohka.
"Ara……? Ya-Yatogami-san?"
She looked at where Tohka was standing before but, her figure disappeared.
Part 4
"Fuu…This way right?"
Shidou who had been sent to the ground using the teleporter in the lower section of [Fraxinus], was following the voice in the small intercam that was equipped to his right ear.
"Yes. The Spirit is already inside the building. Don't make a mistake with the first contact."
"……Understood."
Shidou said that while his sweat dripped down his cheek, and separated his hand from the intercam.
And then, to calm down his throbbing heart, he took a deep breath.
Right now, Shidou was in a large department tower just outside the shopping district.
It would seem that the [Hermit], was a Spirit that had a fairly high appearance rate— By using movement pattern statistics, which also incorporated the results of Reine's thought analyses, they could estimate the Spirit's most probable route.
And of course, due to the movements of the AST there might be a chance that the route would change. If that happens they would recover Shidou, and then head towards the next predicted location— However, at this moment this department store location was ideal.
The AST's main equipment— the CR-unit was unsuitable for indoor combat.
And naturally, there might be a chance that they would destroy the building to smoke out the Spirit like that time they did to Tohka. But, for the time being, they should be waiting for the Spirit to come out from the building on its own.
And therefore during this time, without the AST knowing, it was a precious opportunity for Shidou to sneak onto the battlefield and converse with the Spirit, even if only for a few minutes.
"……"
In the middle of April, while wearing this intercam and following the instructions from [Ratatoskr], he remembered that time he had his conversation with Tohka.
And to think that, it hasn't even been a month since then. He didn't think that he would once again return onto the battlefield but it couldn't be helped.
For some weird reason which he couldn't understand, Shidou had an unbelievable power.
If he used that power, it could stop the spacequakes. It was also said that it could stop the attacks on the Spirits as well.
—And what's more, that was something that Shidou has wished and hoped for.
"…Well, even if I think that."
Shidou made a small sigh… —And the reason was, he had to seduce the Spirits and kiss them— the difficulty level was somewhat too high for Shidou.
"—Shidou. The [Hermit]'s signal has entered the area."
"—!"
From the unexpected voice echoed by Kotori, it made Shidou's body nervous.
And, at that instant.
"—You, hav' ya come here to bully Yoshinon too…?"
"…Uh!?"
And suddenly a voice echoed from overhead, Shidou quickly raised his head.
Over there was [Hermit], currently floating upside down as if she was defying the laws of gravity.
"Your wrong- Since Yoshinon is a kind girl who hasn't done anything mische— Eh, unn?"
Suddenly, the girl's body that was upside down, flipped around in mid-air— righting herself, before landing on the ground and stood there.
And then, *clatter* *clatter* she moved the puppets mouth.
"oOOYaa? I was wonderin' who it was but aren't ya that lucky pervert Onii-chan?"
After looking at Shidou with a serious face, the puppet skillfully *pon*, smacked his hands together.
…Seriously, how do you control something to that extent with only one hand?
But now wasn't the time and situation to be asking something like that.
Immediately, from his right ear came Kotori's voice, [wait for a moment].
Right after [Hermit] words.
① "Aah, long time no see. How you doing? You okay?" Frankly give a normal greeting.
② "Lucky Pervert? What do you mean by Lucky Pervert, Huh!" Give a casual tsukkomi. [2B 2]
③ "Fuu……, I don't know nee. For I, am just a wanderer passing by." Go with the 'Hard-Boil' act.
Looking at the 3 choices displayed on the <Fraxinus> bridge's main monitor, Kotori licked her lips.
By the way— on the bridge monitor, all sorts of other parameters were being displayed, including an enlarged projection of the [Hermit]'s bust, various stats and text windows.
No matter how you look at it, it was a love simulation game— in short a Galge screen.[2B 3]
"All members, Begin picking your choice!"
Together with Kotori's command, the crew from the lower bridge pushed the buttons on their hand.
All together—— ①,②,③ ,all received roughly the same number of votes.
"Eeh? It should be ②! This galge main character is the Tsukommi-type! It has to that one!"
One of the crew members insisted. However, immediately another voice came up from another direction.
"—But, wouldn't it be dangerous since we don't know for certain about the opponent's character? I think ① would be appropriate here."
"No no, from the data we've gathered up till now, we know that [Hermit] rarely takes the chance to attack humans! We should setup a confrontation by choosing ③!"
"……Fuumu."
After hearing the opinions from all 3 directions, Kotori touched her jaw and groaned.
And then, facing towards the mike she opened her lips.
"—Shidou, pick ③."
"……Uh, what the heck is that…"
Shidou, muttered that while his butt hit the floor.
The order delivered to his ear by Kotori— It was totally crazy.
"Uun? What's up?"
The puppet skillfully tilted its head.
This wasn't the time to argue.
Shidou immediately stood up from that spot, finding a chair on display nearby, he put one of his legs on the chair.
"Fuu……, I don't know nee. For I, am just a wanderer passing by………"
*Swoosh*
After conceitedly saying that, he started roughing up his hair.
…Honestly, that was really embarrassing.
"……"
The puppet that [Hermit] was controlling, *Deadpan* with its mouth wide open, kept quiet.
Just like that, a few seconds passed by.
"…H-Hey, Kotori. What are we going to do about this atmosphere……?"
And, the moment Shidou made a small voice of discontent to Kotori.
"Fu……,Ha-Hahahahahahaha!"
The puppet, *clatter**clatter* shook its head while laughing.
"Whaaat? Unexpectedly Onii-chan are you a facetious person? Ahahaha, no one would do that nowadays."
"Ha-Haha……I'm glad that you enjoyed it."
Shidou following the puppet's lead and laughed dryly. No one uses [facetious person] nowadays I think, but he refrained from saying that.
*gloom*
"……Yeah yeah, sorry about that."
The prideful Kotori replied with a small voice, and Shidou returned his gaze back to [Hermit].
As if matching him, the puppet met Shidou's gaze.
"Iyaa—, but I'm lucky pervert Onii-chan. We meet again in such a weird place— Ahaha, I welcome people like ya Onii-san— It seems that everyone hates Yoshinon— If I were to leave this place, they would probably start attacking me again——"
After saying that, it once again started laughing.
"Well that's one surprisingly, cheerful Spirit."
From his right ear, Shidou heard the same words he was thinking about. As expected, even Kotori thought of the same thing.
And, inside [Hermit] words, there was a word that caught his interest. He opened his mouth a little.
"Hey…Who's Yoshinon?"
When Shidou asked, the puppet made a shocked expression, and opened its mouth wide.
"Ah, what a mistake! For Yoshinon of all people, to forget my own introduction! Yoshinon is Yoshinon's naa—mee cute right? Cute right?"
"Aah,aahh…it's a nice name."
Getting pressured by the high tensioned puppet, he nodded.
When he did that, from his right ear he heard Kotori's dubious voice.
"—Yoshinon, huh? Fuun, this Spirit is different from Tohka— she has information of her own name."
"Ah…"
It seemed true after being told that— Tohka, didn't have her own name.
The word [Tohka], was the name given by Shidou.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted, as the puppet approached his face.
"Hm so? What is Onii-chan's name?"
"Ah…Aah——My name is Shidou. It's Itsuka Shidou."
"Shidou huh? —That's a cool name. Well, it doesn't beat Yoshinon though~~"
"O-Oh…thanks. Errr…Yoshinon?"
"Hai Hai— What's up? —This is what Yoshinon is impressed by —Shidou-kun's frontier Spirit —making clever conversation —and using the name you just remembered a moment ago——"
After giving back a dry smile to the puppet that was making an exaggerated gesture by opening its hand wide, Shidou continued his words.
"No, it isn't a very important thing, but errr……the Yoshinon I'm talking about— Isn't the puppet but it's your name right?"
With that said he set his sights passed the puppet, towards its back——the blue-eyed girl.
"……"
When he did that, the puppet that had been cheerfully chatty until now, suddenly went silent.
Following that, from his right ear intercam, *Piiii!*, *Piiiii!* the sound of an alarm echoed.
"—Uh, Shidou, the values of her mood suddenly dropped. What on earth did you just say?"
"Eh…? No, I was just, asking why she doesn't talk instead of using ventriloquism…"
When Shidou frankly voiced that question, the puppet wobbled nearer to his face.
"—I don't understand what Shidou-kun said……What is ventriloquism?"
The tone of its voice remained calm. By the way, the puppet's facial expression didn't change at all.
And yet, he felt an unbelievably strong pressure, Shidou took a step back.
"N-No……About that."
"Shidou. You can think of a reason later. You need to fix the Spirit's mood right now."
An instruction came flying from Kotori. Shidou moved his lips while avoiding eye-contact.
"Ye—Yeah you're right! Yoshinon is Yoshinon. Iyaa……Haha…ha."
When he did that.
"Uun, mou——, it's because Shidou-kun is a mischievous guy——"
The dreadful mood from just now vanished like it was a lie, the puppet voice echoed in high pitch.
"……Wha-What was that just now?"
"Dunno……Well, no matter how friendly she is, the opponent is a Spirit. It's a bad idea to lower your guard."
When Shidou gave a small nod, he fixed his sights back to [Yoshinon].
"Errr——"
Although he didn't let out any words immediately.
When Shidou hesitated to say anything. Kotori's irritated voice snapped.
"Don't freeze up now. Set it up so that the Spirit can't run away."
"…Ho-how…?"
"That sort of thing, isn't it clear what you need to do? You are inside a large department store you know? Since you have time, you should be able to date, right? You understand? Listen— It's not [why don't we have a date?]— It's [let's go on a date], that is the goal. Don't give the opponent an option to pick."
"Ha-Haa……"
While feeling nervous Shidou, returned to facing [Yoshinon].
"L-Let's go on a date?"
And without any preamble, he repeated the line exactly as heard.
"……Without any setup. Can't you have played it a bit more smoother?"
Kotori said disappointedly.
[Yoshinon] didn't seem to react. No, rather the tension seemed to have risen, making it hard to say anything.
*clap* *clap*
The puppet clapped its small hands together.
"HoHo~~! That's nice—— Regardless of how ya look, ya're pretty gutsy to give an invitation out like that. Ufuun, of course it's an O-K. Rather, I finally encountered a human that I can have a decent conversation with. So it is more like Yoshinon to be the one wishing for it~~"
With that said, *Clatter* *Clatter* it laughed.
"I-I see……"
"……Well, I guess everything turned out all right in the end."
While hearing Kotori's voice mixed with her sigh, Shidou together with [Yoshinon], began walking around the department store together.
Part 5
"……"
Origami, whose whole body was wrapped by a wiring suit and stocked with ammunition for her auto-range weapon, was patrolling the sky above the department store.
Around her surroundings there were a few other AST members with the same equipment flying around, and they were all bracing themselves.
AST— Anti-Spirit Team, as a special unit of the JGSDF, they were a team with remarkable and highly special characteristics.
Prepared with a machine that can turn fantasy into reality— the Realizer. They are the team formed to counter the calamity that could destroy the world— the Spirits.
However, only a limited number of humans could use the Combat Realizer unit in practical combat— this limit resulted in the recruitment of irregular members like Origami.
Living in a house outside the garrison, moreover she was allowed to go to school, and only dispatched when there was an emergency.
Even though she received this special treatment, she was a JGSDF member whose dispatch frequency was extremely high.
"……"
Raindrops were continuously pelting the surface of her deployed Territory. [2B 4] That Spirit— it has been almost an hour since [Hermit] first entered the building.
But, [Hermit] was still hiding inside; even now she hasn't made an appearance.
"—Looks like she's being very persistent."
And through her transmitter, she heard the voice of her team captain, Kusakabe Ryouko.
"This is rare even for [Hermit]. To be staying in one spot like this. Normally she would have been spotted *Hop* *Hop* jumping around the place by now."
Yes. [Hermit]'s only movement pattern was mostly just running away.
Everytime Origami and the others had launched an attack, she would just run around, without even fighting back.
But, if she gained the knowledge that by passing time inside buildings could result in a [Lost]—— to Origami this was not an amusing matter.
"The permission to attack?"
Origami asked in a soft voice, and Ryouko replied with a hint of a sigh in her voice:
"—I did try asking for permission, just in case but they said to remain on stand-by."
"Even if the building structure was to collapse, there is the possibility for repairs."
"…Well, if you were to think about it logically, that would seem to be the case. But it isn't that simple. Somebody has to pay for the repair unit, it isn't free— If this situation was like the [Princess] class, like last time then it would be okay— But this time the target is just the weakling [Hermit] class, you know?"
"……"
[Princess].
From that code-name, Origami twitched her eyebrows a little.
Not knowing the exact details of what she went through but the Spirit that held that code-name was now, the human girl— Yatogami Tohka, who was attending the same high school as Origami.
Of course, Origami having confirmed Tohka's existence, had informed Ryouko about it.
But for some reason they couldn't detect a Spirit reading coming from her, thus the assault permission wasn't granted.
Asking for the impossible and then having her family register investigated, they were unable to find anything suspicious.
At the very least, at this time —although Origami was extremely dissatisfied— she was a Japanese citizen, an existence that was Origami's duty to protect.
And so—
"……?"
Origami narrowed her eyes unexpectedly.
In that moment, from the corner of her eye, she felt she saw the shimmer of beautiful black hair.
Yes. It was as if she saw Tohka over there.
Looking down— at the area that had become uninhabitable; she faced the main street that was under a heavy downpour.
"……"
But, she was unable to confirm Tohka's presence.
Origami shook her head silently. It would seem like she was becoming edgy.
If she were to let the Spirit slip away like this, it would be embarrassing. Origami took in a light breath, refocusing herself and continued her patrol.
Part 6
—Sometime had passed since he met [Yoshinon].
Shidou and [Yoshinon] were having a lively conversation, while walking around the inside of the department store.
As normal, sometimes Kotori would whisper some instructions into his ear— oddly enough [Yoshinon] has a low susceptibility towards gags; no matter how lame it was *clatter* *clatter* she would still laugh.
In reality, the <Fraxinus> bridge was monitoring her mental condition, and good values were being reported.
It would make people think that the sudden change in her manner earlier was some kind of mistake; at the moment things were developing favorably.
"—Fumu, this is going beyond my expectations."
Kotori said those words.
"It might be that she has the characteristic that attracts people. The favorable impression is also great. Even if I say to kiss her right now, she won't refuse right?"
"…Hey hey."
He couldn't be sure whether those words were a joke or whether she was being serious, he scratched his cheek.
But in reality, Shidou was also shocked.
Although he was able to talk to Tohka normally now, the first time they met she had a serious case of distrust against humans— each time she got the wrong idea he would encounter a life or death experience.
…But.
"As I thought being able to chat sure is F~u~N. It seems like those other people are boorish—"
"Ha……haha."
The puppet *clatter* *clatter* opened its mouth and said those words, and he replied in a strangled tone.
…How do you say it? He was still troubled.
That wish he hoped to grant— The conversation was proceeding smoothly and lively, and the values in her affection level were rising, then there shouldn't be any problems……that should be the case, but...
"……"
Shidou silently, glanced in the direction of the girl that was fiddling with her puppet.
When meeting her yesterday, and today too. The only one that was doing the speaking was the puppet through ventriloquisms; that person's mouth herself did not even move an inch.
It was like…yes, she was like the string puller for the puppet at a stage theater.
"——Ooo?"
"……Uh!"
And, Shidou was suddenly startled when the puppet unexpectedly turned its face towards him.
"Amazing!! What's that—!"
The puppet excitedly clapped its hands and ran towards the place it had pointed out— Well, of course the one doing the running was that person herself.
The object that caught [Yoshinon] interest, was the thing assembled in one corner of the toy store, a small jungle gym that was made for little kids.
At the excessively colorful strengthen plastic castle, she skillfully climbed up with only her hands and legs.
And when she reached the top of it.
"Wahaha! How is it Shidou-kun~? Am I cool? Is Yoshinon Cool~?"
Such a voice was bounced right down at him.
"H-Hey, it's dangerous if you stand there."
The jungle gym was designed for indoor use and for children. Even if it wasn't that big, she might hurt herself if she were to fall from the top.
No, although he knew she could fly up to the sky, but for some reason in Shidou's mind, he recalled yesterday's image of her [Sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiddeee!].
In a panic, he rushed over to the base of the jungle gym.
But [Yoshinon] shook the puppet hand unsatisfied.
"unMou, even though I was asking if I was cool or not— and, wa-wawawa…!?"
"Wha—!"
It might be that her balance broke when she did that action, on the top of the jungle gym [Yoshinon] flapping her arms as if she was dancing, and then fell right on top of Shidou.
And just like that, while breaking [Yoshinon]'s fall, they crashed onto the floor.
"Uh…ihee……"
While his face was facing upwards, he let out that sound. And for some reason, his front tooth hurt.
And— he had a bad feeling.
Somehow, the girl with blue hair, her graceful facial features were there— right in front of him.
—And just right around the area of his lips, an oddly soft sensation was felt.
"——Umh!?"
After a few seconds, he understood the current situation that he was being put under right now.
"…Wow. Good going, Shidou!"
Even Kotori thought that this development was unexpected. She let out a surprised voice.
That was expected. Because right now Shidou was— with the girl that fell from above, he just managed to perfectly exchange a kiss with her.
"……"
—Keeping quiet, [Yoshinon] raised her body. And at that moment, their lips finally separated.
Unexpectedly……they had kissed.
But with this, [Yoshinon]'s powers should be sealed.
But…wondering why, compared to last month, during the time when he exchanged kisses with Tohka— this time there wasn't a warm feeling flowing into his body or how'd you put it?—
—And, once again from the other side of the intercam, a loud siren resounded.
"Wha…?"
He let out his voice while raising his eyebrows— shouldn't her power have been sealed?
But this sound was, when the Spirit's mood was breaking apart, something that would ring when danger was approaching Shidou.
This meant that [Yoshinon] was now—
"Ouch ouch— ……Sorry sorry, Shidou-kun. I was careless——"
But when [Yoshinon], *clatter* *Clatter* moved the puppet, she spoke calmly.
"Eh…?"
Dumbfounded, he opened his eyes wide. At [Yoshinon], who was not showing any signs of anger.
If that was the case, then what was the sound of the alarm that was being sent into his ears?
"——Shidou, it's an emergency …And most likely, the worst possible kind."
And Kotori, said with an unusually panicked voice.
"Huh…? What is…?"
And. From behind, *step*, the sound of a foot firmly stepping onto the ground, Shidou shook his shoulders.
Timidly, he turned around his head to look backwards.
And over there was— an unexpected face.
"To-Tohka……?"
His eyes widened as he called the name of the girl who was standing there.
Yes, the person standing over there right now was Tohka, who should have evacuated to the Raizen high school underground shelter.
And what's more, maybe it was due to the falling rain, her body was dripping wet. As if she had been running at full speed just now, she was now breathing heavily.
"——shidou."
As if to obstruct Shidou's process of thought, Tohka's body swayed, and while swaying she let out her voice.
He wondered why— with her only just calling his name, caused shivers to run down his spine.
"……What did you do just now?"
"……Eh? Wha-What do you mean…?"
At that question he touched his lips without thinking— and immediately regaining his thoughts he put his hands behind his back.
But Tohka, wasn't pleased with that response, while making an expression like a grumbling kid, she squeezed out her shaking voice from deep down her throat.
"—Aft-After making me so worried……"
"Eh……?"
"What are you doing flirting around with a girllllllll!!!!!!!!"
*STOMP*————!!
Tohka shouted, and the moment her foot struck the ground, in the middle of the floor where she stood *CLANG*!And, it collapsed forming a small crater; cracks were spreading outwards from the epicenter.
"Wha-Whahwahwah……!"
Due to the sudden situation, Shidou opened his eyes wide and shuddered in fear.
An ordinary high school girl, couldn't break the floor simply by just stomping on the floor.
And of course although Tohka wasn't an ordinary high school girl…her Spirit power should have now been sealed— Following that logic, in this current situation the power she was displaying should only be her physical strength...
"Wha-What does this mean, Kotori……?"
When he asked that, Kotori replied with a sigh through the intercam.
"That's why………this is what we've been trying to tell you from before. Between Shidou and Tohka a link is passing through you two, and if Tohka's mental state becomes unstable, we fear that some of her powers will reverse back into her."
"H-Huh? What do you mean by that, are you saying that Tohka's mental state is now unstable?"
"Yes. And so, before this situation gets any worse, you should fix Tohka's mood somehow."
"E-Even if you say that how am I supposed to do—"
During the time he was saying that, Tohka managed to reach the base of the jungle gym where Shidou and [Yoshinon] were entangled.
And then she alternated her piercing gaze between the both of them, [mumumu…] she murmured while remaining tightlipped.
Then, *glare*! sending a look towards Shidou, followed by a glare at [Yoshinon] she extended a pointed finger at her.
"…shidou. The important task you said you had to do, was it to meet with this girl here?"
"Ah, no, about that…"
No well, although according to those words, it was certainly true but should he reply with a 'Yes' now, he was in doubt whether to tell Tohka his true intentions or not.
And, that time.
"……Iyaa,iyaa……I get it now…"
The [Yoshinon] who had been staring blankly at Tohka since she first made her appearance, let out its high-pitched voice.
On the Puppet's rabbit face, was a prankster like smile- he wondered how that got there.
"Onee-san? Err——"
"……It's Tohka."
When the puppet said that, Tohka replied in a discouraging tone.
"Then Tohka-chan~ Although I feel bad for you but it would seem that Shidou-kun has lost interest in you."
"Wha—?"
"—!?"
Tohka and Shidou both gasped at the same time, and then faced towards the puppet.
"Iiyaa see, how do I put it? Hearing your conversation, it looks like he broke Tohka-chan's promise and then came to visit Yoshinon right? Isn't this crux of the story?"
"……Uh."
Tohka twitched her shoulders, and made a face like she could cry at any moment.
"Yo-You, what are you sayin——mguhhhh!?"
When Shidou raised his voice towards the Puppets remark—— Tohka, *grab*, grabbed him by the mouth with both hands.
"Will you keep quiet for a while shidou?"
While releasing a force that would not allow him to consent or refuse, using an unbelievable amount of strength she *grind* *grind* clamped her grip on his cheekbone.
"……! ……!"
The puppet was in a pleasant mood and with an [it can't be helped like] tone, continued speaking.
"Iiyaa—, Sis—, sorry, but this is probably Yoshinon's fault~ her appearance is too charming~"
"Gu-Gugu……"
"It really isn't that I am talking bad about Tohka-chan you know? Buut~ I can't really blame Shidou-kun for leaving behind Tohka-chan and running towards Yoshinon~"
"U-Ugahhh!!"
For a period of time, while Tohka was still gripping onto Shidou's face and suppressing her trembling shoulders, having reached her limits she screamed.
And finally, she took her hands off of Shidou's face.
"Sh-Shut up! Shutup shutup shutup! That's no good! That kind of thing is no good!"
"Eehh—, even if say it's no good. HoraaHoraa, Shidou-kun how about saying it clearly, that Tohka-chan is already an unwanted child."
"—!"
That instant, Tohka suddenly grabbed onto the puppets collar.
And of course since the puppet was small, it was easily removed from the girls hand, it was then held up in the air.
"—!?"
And, to the girl that had her puppet taken away from her, her eyes began to swirl.
The next moment her eyeballs flickered, her face turned pale white, and sweat appeared on her face. Incidentally it was visible that her breathing has gotten rougher, and her fingers *Twitch* *Twitch* started to shake.
"Yo-Yoshinon……?"
Shidou, while he was rubbing his cheeks that were still in pain, and to the [Yoshinon] that had shown such a fast change, he gave a worried look.
But, it would seems that Tohka did not realize the state that [Yoshinon] was in. Her attention was on the puppet that she was grabbing onto with both her hands, like a knife she gave a sharp gaze, and drew closer to it.
"I……I am NOT an unwanted child! …shidou said… …shidou said that I… He said that it was okay for me to be here! Anymore insults and I will not forgive you! HEY! How about saying something!?"
Probably thinking that the puppet was the one that let out the voice, she grabbed the neck of the rabbit, and shook it.
"……! ……!"
Looking on at that situation, [Yoshinon] began letting out a cry that doesn't sound like a voice.
As if the calm demeanor she held just now was a lie, her whole body was trembling like a Chihuahua.[2B 6]
And then [Yoshinon], fixing back her hood to cover her eyes as if she were trying to avoid being seen, in a nervous manner, she tugged at Tohka's shirt.
"Nu. Wha-What? Don't disturb me. I am talking to this guy right here, right now."
"——Gii...ve…back...please……"
To try and take back the puppet, that Tohka was lifting high up with both her hands, [Yoshinon] *Hop* *Hop* was jumping up and down.
Speaking of which, it might be the first time since yesterday that he had heard her real voice.
"—What are you doing Shidou? Yoshinon's mental condition is deteriorating. Hurry up and stop it!"
And, from his right ear, Kotori's voice echoed.
While scratching his cheek Shidou, spoke timidly with his voice shaking:
"H-Hey...Tohka. Err……that...will you give that back to her?"
"……Uh!"
When he did that Tohka, at Shidou's words, her eyes opened wide in a shock.
"shidou……As I thought…you picked this girl instead of me…..."
"Ha...huh? No, it isn't about that—"
And, at the same time.
"……[Zadkiel]……"
"—!"
As he thought that, [Yoshinon] suddenly raised her right hand into the air and then swung it down, right below her.
In an instant, from the floor it broke through— a giant doll appeared at that spot.
"Wha…!?"
The whole body should be around 3 meters in length; in short it was a plushie toy that took the size of fully sized ragdoll. The outer body was made of smooth gold like material, and white patterns were carved here and there on it.
And also at the part that appears to be its head, a long rabbit like ears could be glimpsed.
"A d-doll……!?"
"—Wha...is this—!?"
Shidou and Tohka, let out their voices at the same time.
[Yoshinon], clinging onto the back of the doll that appeared right under her own feet, and in the two holes located on its back she inserted both her legs into them.
The next moment— the dolls eyes shone red, and while shaking its slow-witted like body, *Guooooooooooooooooo*, it raised a low roar.
And together with that, white smoke started coming out from the body of the doll.
"Cold……!?"
He drew back his legs without thinking.
That smoke, was similar to liquid nitrogen, was something at subzero temperatures.
"—The manifestation of the Angel at this time…!? Shidou, this is bad, run away!"
"Huh...huh……!? Wh-What is an Angel!!"
Suddenly Kotori's shout echoed into his right ear, he then raised a loud voice without thinking.
"It appeared right in front of you right! The absolute shield that protects the Spirits and coming together with the AstralDress it becomes the strongest lance! Making a Spirit into a Spirit [the miracle that holds a shape]! Did you already forget about Tohka's [Sandalphon]!?"
[Sandalphon]. At that name, Shidou moved his eyebrows in shock.
Last month. It was something that manifested when Tohka still had her Spirit powers, a giant throne and a sword.
With this event being shown. It was unusually simple.
That is to say— even though they kissed. He couldn't seal the Spirit powers.
Thus, when he thought that [Yoshinon] pulled her hands back, the doll— [Zadkiel] together with a low roar, bent its body.
When it did that, the department store's windows started breaking, one window after another, and allowing rain to enter and land on the interior shop floor.
No— to be precise, it was a little different.
It wasn't that the windows broke which allowed the rain to enter, it felt more like, the raindrops pelted the window glass with tremendous force from outside until it forced its way in.
"Eh……!?"
Shidou opened his eyes wide in shock, and while his legs were trembling, he looked at the doll rising in front of him. —*Twist*, the doll turned its face towards Tohka.
"……! Tohka!"
Shidou shouted quickly and pulled Tohka's hand, and while he was holding on to her body he caused them to fall to the ground.
"Wha……shidou!?"
Tohka's voice shook his eardrums. However, at the same time as she spoke, in the place where Tohka was standing moments ago, a large number of bullet like objects zoomed passed.
All those bullets showily pierced through the merchandise shelves around them, after that all of it turned into transparent liquid and flowed onto the ground.
"Ra-Rain…!?"
Yes. From the broken windows, hardened raindrops like hailstones, ignored gravity and were released at Tohka.
And— over there, [Zadkiel] driven by [Yoshinon] moved.
"…Uh."
In an instant to protect Tohka, he turned his back towards [Zadkiel].
But, [Zadkiel] kicked the ground performing a keen maneuver that did not match to its slow moving silhouette, it passed through the spot where Tohka was at just now, and just like that it jumped outdoors through the broken windows.
At the midway point of this maneuver— the puppet that fell on the ground from Tohka's hand, was eaten up into the mouth area of the doll.
"……"
Shortly afterwards, Shidou turned his back and his sights away from [Yoshinon], he opened his mouth a little.
"W-We are safe…right?"
"……Yes. The signal has completely withdrawn. You are quite rash aren't you, Shidou?"
From his right ear, he heard that voice.
"Iiya…but why did that suddenly—"
While he was in the middle of speaking—
"Enough is enough hurry up and get away……!"
His face got pushed away and Shidou *Flip* rolled onto the ground from that spot.
"Nowah…!?"
There was no need to think of the reason. It was Tohka who was in Shidou's arms just now.
Her face was blushing and she was clenching her teeth, she made an expression equal to a spoiled child, she then with her shoulders shaking angrily, stood up.
"To-Tohka…?"
"…! Don't touch me!"
"Ouch…"
Shidou frowned without thinking, and then when he withdrew his hands, in that instant Tohka made a surprised face.
But immediately after that she became [mumumu…………] ,*pui* and she turned her face away.
"Wha-What happened to you, Tohka…?"
"Shut up! Don't talk to me! I-Instead of me, that girl is more important right…!"
"H-Huh…? What are you sayin—"
When Shidou made a dumbfounded voice, Tohka started kicking the ground with frustration.
"U-U-U-UUuuuuuuuuuuuuu—!!"
"Wai…… Uwaa…!?"
With each kick, another crack was put into the floor, and it caved in.
Shidou who could no longer sustain his balance, rolled down into the hole.
Part 7
"—All members of AST report in. There is movement by the Spirit. Resume attack at will when sighted."
From her eardrums, Origami's whole body that was wrapped in a wiring suit, heard the transmitted incoming communication.
"—Roger."
When Origami replied, she fixed her firing posture with both her hands gripping the Anti-Spirit Gatling gun [Auldist].
The latest equipment, a long-range type weapon designed to rapidly fire a large numbers of bullets from outside the opponent's range.
The rain that started falling at the same time as when [Hermit] appeared, which had been bouncing off the outer surface of her personal territory, had not affected their preparations outside the building, as she continued gazing at the Spirit readings that was directly being shown onto her retina.
In that instant.
—*GON*, together with that sound, the Spirit blasted a hole in the building wall, and a cloud of dust was raised.
At the same time together with all that, the Spirit readings lit up on the retina screen.
"—Fire!"
At the same time as the echo of captain Ryouko's command, Origami and the others pulled their triggers all at once.
A terrible rumbling sound resounded as the building was riddled by hundreds of bullets, and a dreadful cloud dust was raised into the air.
"……"
Origami, while still resting her finger on the trigger, narrowed her eyes.
Due to her Territory providing her with enhanced superhuman eyesight, she caught sight of a shadow moving at high speed within the cloud of dust.
Origami while remaining silent issued out her orders from inside her mind.
As if responding to her will, the small missiles located within the leg compartments of her equipment activated, from the left and right leg, each loaded with 10 rounds, homing missiles were launched aimed at [Hermit].
"—!?"
The Spirit who was in the middle of having Anti Spirit Gatling bullets shot at her— the [Hermit], immediately turned her eyes towards the homing missiles that were approaching her, and made a surprised expression.
"—!"
When [Hermit] pulled both her hands, the doll lightly danced into the air, and shook off the pursuing homing missiles.
But, by that time it was already too late, the remaining AST members, had locked on to the Spirit's figure.
From behind the homing missiles, and with the barrage of Gatling bullets coming from all directions. Avoiding all of that would be impossible.
"Kya——!"
At the same time, Origami heard a small cry from somewhere with her superhearing, a tremendously loud explosion occurred where all the bullets had impacted at once.
Most probably, most of the attacks would be nullified by the AstralDress that was covering the Spirit— even the [Hermit] would most likely come out uninjured not to mention a [Princess] class Spirit.
Currently, at the point of impact, they confirmed that the giant doll was falling down.
"——Okay! Don't rest your hands from attacking! Shoot! Shoot!"
Ryouko's orders echoed. But——
The finger that Origami was resting on the trigger twitched.
They confirmed that the Spirit body of the giant doll vanished and dissolved into space.
"We Lost……her?"
From someone's whisper, had been sent and heard by the entire AST team members.
When the Spirit returns to the other side, which they called the other dimension- they classify it as [Lost].
Although the AST had the goal of eliminating the Spirits with military power, it is incredibly hard to completely defeat a Spirit which has huge battle abilities; generally when this [Lost] condition occurs, the operation has been deemed a success.
And, therefore, the clouds drifted away and daylight shone down.
The rain that was hitting the Territory stopped promptly.
"—All members, we're all returning to base."
"……"
From Ryouko's voice, Origami lowered her gun muzzle, and deactivated her weapon systems.
But, during the time when she followed Ryouko's back and returned to base—
"……?"
From her eyesight that was improved because of her Territory, something peculiar caught her eye, she lowered her altitude temporarily to investigate.
View the next article to read the next chapter of this Volume and thx
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