Chapter 1 The World of Happiness
Dozing off is similar to death. Both cases, the consciousness falls into the dark. The difference is whether waking comes after that.
If so, did the awakening of the consciousness correspond to
resuscitation or rebirth──while thinking over such a shameless topic,
Itsuka Shidou slowly opened his eyes.
"........ Hmm."
It wasn't the ceiling, but a white ridgeline that first came into view.
After a few seconds later,
Shidou noticed it was a blanket. Apparently, he had been sleeping.
"Nn..."
Accompanied by a snore of laziness, Shidou turned over his body before standing up.
It was the room he was familiar with. It was the same unchangeable morning as usual. Warm sunshine was coming through the window, but the air was still a bit cool.
While thinking of this, Shidou slanted his head to the side.
"...What day is it today?"
As if in a state of being half-asleep, he couldn't remember the date at all. No, to precise, it was not only the day that was left vague, but the month as well. Shidou could only judge the approximate season from the temperature felt on his skin.
Although Shidou himself had no experience, it was probably close to the feeling of a morning hangover. His condition before going to bed couldn't be clearly recalled. Although it should have been the usual morning, a strange hazy feeling of something being out of place
had wrapped around his mind. It was like an anxious feeling of having nothing to rely on.
"...Well, whatever."
It was strange, but he couldn't think up an answer. Shidou decided to cross-check everything for the time being as he walked out the room while scratching his head.
After walking down the stairs and through the corridor, Shidou heard the sound of the TV coming from the living room. It seemed that Kotori had gotten up.
"Good morning, Kotori. ...Hey, what day is it today──"
As the door to the living room was opened, Shidou's words came
to a halt.
The reason was simple. It was because there was an unexpected face in the living room.
One of them was Kotori. That wasn't the issue. She was his cute little sister with black ribbons on her head. Right now, she was sitting on the sofa facing the TV with her favorite Chupa Chups in tow.
The problem was next to her. A girl was sitting next to Kotori, stretching her back beautifully.
Her light colored hair was tied around her neck. Her correct posture and manner was as if mechanical. The radiance exuded from her pair of eyes was like the light source of an electronic screen.
"──Ma...ria?"
As Shidou rounded his eyes staring, he called out the name that came to mind.
Yes. That figure was unmistakably that of Maria, the management AI of the airship
"Eh? A-aah..."
With a vague reply, Shidou brushed his bangs with his finger.
Certainly, just as Maria had said, his bangs were leaping out sideways.
However, right now there was something Shidou cared about more than the bangs on his head. Of course, this matter was Maria sitting on the sofa.
Maria is the management AI of
So how was Shidou able to distinguish her as Maria without any
pause──? "…..... "
At the same time as realizing that, along with a slight headache, a memory appeared within
Shidou's mind.
It was the memory of that battle. Isaac Westcott, who had gained the power of the Spirit of Origin through the Spirit Ceremony, and the Spirits that fought against him. In the process,
Maria was able to gain physical form through the power of Nia's
Angel
remembered it being said that...after maintaining the state of controlling the output of power, Maria can remain materialized like this.
Ah, that's right. Why did he forget this beforehand?
Forgetting about that fierce battle. Forgetting how everyone won together.
Forgetting about the Spirit that sacrificed herself to save Shidou and
the others──Mio. Mio. Takamiya Mio.
She was the source for everything, the Spirit of Origin──as well as Analytic Officer of
And Shidou's──no, Takamiya Shinji's──beloved person. Although it was only temporary, he had forgotten even her── "What's up
Shidou? Haven't you woken up yet?"
Shidou silently placed his hand against his forehead. Likely suspicious of that, Kotori had asked that while slanting her head.
"Ah...I'm fine. Say, Kotori, what month and day is it today?"
Shidou gently shook his head as he reissued again the question he had stopped midway asking earlier.
"Haah...? You must still be sleeping. Today is March 19th." "March──19th."
Shidou pondered over this date several times in his mind. March
19th, from the day of the date between Shidou and Reine──the date of the decisive battle──nearly an entire month had passed.
At the same time as noticing this, as if being pulled along a sweet potato vine, his memory began resurfacing one after the other.
Shidou and the others had triumphed. But at that moment, Mio and Westcott both died in a mutual kill.
And after everything was over Mio's Sephira Crystal, which came
down in front of Shidou along
with the stuffed bear, finished its role and disappeared into the air. He could clearly recall the memories that had been hazy until now. That's right. After that, everyone had lost Mio──the sadness of losing Reine, and returned back to a peaceful daily life.
"Yes...that's true...everything──is over."
After Shidou absentmindedly spilled out those words, Kotori widened her eyes before averting her gaze.
However, she quickly sighed and stood up from the sofa, and then she gently embraced Shidou.
"──Eh?"
"...I'm sorry. I was insensitive ──it's been a little while since that decisive battle. You don't have to force yourself."
While saying that, Kotori tightened the grip around her hands.
"Kotori..."
Shidou felt a faint tremble in Kotori's arms as she bit into her lips.
──Kotori would likely never admit this, but those words were likely
to be directed towards herself.
Murasame Reine was Kotori's most trusted subordinate and closest
friend. She was exposed as
Having said that, before that war, Shidou had already decided──he
would tightly hug Kotori after everything was over.
Although the order had been reversed, it didn't matter. Shidou
reached out his hands to hug Kotori.
"...Shidou?"
Kotori let out a little surprised voice. However, she didn't struggle and try to leave his hands. The two of them held their bodies close to each other for a while.
Then──
"...Hmm, I see. So that's how you initiative a natural embrace, as expected of Kotori. I've learned it now."
Looking on at such a scene, Maria spoke with interest as she took out a notebook to begin writing.
"──!"
In an instant, Kotori's face flushed red as she rushed over to grab
the notebook from Maria.
"W-what are you taking notes of, Maria!?"
"Don't worry. This nothing more than my means of collecting information──Kotori's wiles and maneuvers has already been preserved in the form of images for further review later."
"That isn't reassuring at all! Delete it for me immediately, immediately!"
"Even the commander cannot arbitrarily delete records that are kept in the most important database. This requires two crew members below the deputy commander and the permission from the Round Table. Doesn't it matter that these images will have to be made public?"
"Why would that be regarded as important information!?"
As Kotori gave a loud scream, Maria used her calm expression to feign innocence. Seeing their
interaction, Shidou couldn't help but laugh. "──Haha, ha." "...! W-what are you laughing at!"
Kotori said discontentedly as her face was red as a rose. Shidou
replied back with a "sorry, sorry"
while shrugging his shoulders.
"Anyway, have you eaten breakfast yet? I'll make it right now──speaking of which, can Maria
also eat?"
"Yes, no problem. This body can do almost anything that humans
can do. It feels comfortable to
hug as well. Soft and fluffy. Do you want to try it?"
After saying that, Maria spread out her hands. Shidou made an ambiguous smile while scratching his face.
"Haha...maybe another time."
"Hmm...is that so. It seems the correct answer for a hug is to not
speak of it or direct the necessity of it like in the case of Kotori.
──Database registration. Category method of falling in love: Kotori- style."
"So, you can log into the database without any authorization!?"
After saying that, Kotori grabbed Maria's shoulders. Shidou smiled
while looking on at them.
Then, he washed his face and changed his clothes to begin the preparations for breakfast.
"──Then, I wish you a pleasant journey, Kotori, Shidou."
After breakfast, Maria waved farewell to Shidou and Kotori, whom had both finished their preparations. Shidou returned the gesture as the tips of his shoes touched the front of the entrance.
"Aah, then we'll be heading out. I'll go do some shopping on the way back."
"Yes. ──But it is vexing to just see Shidou and the others off after
finally obtaining a long-
awaited real body. When the time is right, I'll make the transfer to high school next month."
"...Maria, you are
wasn't a heavy burden on Nia, but wouldn't it be troublesome if you don't take your work seriously? Since the reiryoku of the Spirits is still there, there is the danger of that power running rampant even though the possibility isn't high."
Maria twirled her fingertips as Kotori narrowed her eyes with some dissatisfaction in her tone.
"Oh, will you please not underestimate my handling ability? The high school level of curriculum is trivial to me. I can take the first year entrance exams even while doing the regular tasks. But in order to reach the top, it was necessary to invite out Origami with someone named Shidou on the day of the test."
"You don't have to say that with great fanfare! Your intentions are obvious!"
As Kotori shouted, Maria shrugged her shoulders and lowered her gaze.
"Well, it's fine. I'm content with this status quo for the time being.
It's not bad to send Shidou out of the house with the feeling of a newlywed wife."
After Maria said that, she disappeared into the kitchen as if coming up with something.
And ten seconds later, she returned this time wearing a pretty apron. As she said, the look resembled that of a newlywed wife.
"Let me say it again, I wish you two will have a pleasant journey." "Haha...then, we'll be heading out."
"Really..."
Shidou forced a smile towards a discontent Kotori as he opened the door.
And at that moment, along with the soft sunshine of early spring, a buzzing sound was heard coming from the front gate.
"Hmm?"
Looking closely, many Spirits had gathered in front of the Itsuka residence. Kaguya, Yuzuru, Yoshino, Natsumi, and Mukuro, all of whom lived in the Spirit mansion next to the Itsuka residence. And for some reason the appearance of Miku, who should have lived in her own home in the city, could also be seen.
"Ah, it's so lively today."
"Hey, what are you guys doing?"
Shidou asked while puzzled. As everyone's attention was drawn to that question──Miku seized that opportunity to capture Natsumi.
"Natsumi-san, caught you! Kunkunkun! Su~unsunsunsunsun!" "Gya──────────!"
Taking advantage of her leverage of Natsumi's petite body, Miku
buried her face against
Natsumi's head, squirming as if to smell her scent.
A few seconds later, Miku complexion looked glossy while Natsumi looked exhausted as if all of her vitality had been sucked dry.
"Ah, Darling! And also Kotori-san and Maria-san as well! Good morning~. Today is so
beautiful!"
"G-good morning...so what is going on here? Miku, isn't your school not in this direction...?"
"Ah, I'm off school today for work. But today's task seems very
difficult, so I felt like
replenishing a bit of energy from everyone before heading to the
scene."
As Miku spoke, she assumed a lovely pose. It was with a style worthy having come from a top idol.
"Eh...how come, was that really the reason?"
"Shudder. From your sudden attack, I thought it was a zombie coming to bite us."
Listening to Miku's explanation, the Yamai sisters Kaguya and
Yuzuru, dressed in the same
uniform, both wiped their sweat from their foreheads.
Certainly "receiving energy" was generally an expression used for
the act of receiving
encouragement. But with Miku's application, this turned into a direct
energy drain attack.
"A-are you okay, Natsumi-san..." "Mun...bestir oneself."
"...W-why is it always me..."
Under the joint intervention of Yoshino and Mukuro, Natsumi was
able to escape from Miku's
clutches.
Then, Miku replied while raising three of her fingers.
"There are roughly three reasons why I chose Natsumi-san! First, it is because Natsumi-san is very cute! Second, it's because Natsumi-
san smells very good! Third, because Natsumi-san is slower than the
others, she's easier to catch!"
"It's mainly the third reason──!"
Natsumi screamed while standing up to her feet. Because of the energy taken from Natsumi,
Miku revealed a cute "hehe ★" idol smile.
"That must be exhausting...Natsumi." "...I've already gotten used to it."
As Shidou spoke with a wry smile, Natsumi sighed as if having given
up.
"But that being said, why are Natsumi and the others here?"
"Aah...we were just about to head out. Because of Kotori's foul schemes, I'll have to go to junior high next month, so I have to buy the necessary supplies..."
As Natsumi muttered, Kotori narrowed her eyes and retaliated back as soon as she heard that.
"Who are you calling foul? ──although
available to make preparations,
isn't it more fun to go shop at the stationary store with your friends?"
Right? Kotori raised her head to seek approval from the other two.
Both Yoshino and Mukuro nodded in turn.
"Yes...I'm looking forward to buying something with Natsumi-san and Mukuro-san."
"Mun. The same is true for Muku. It is still more interesting to go shopping together."
"Mu...u..."
After listening to Yoshino and Mukuro's replies, Natsumi shut up as her cheeks turned slightly red. It seemed she was bashful in showing approval, but also didn't show any opposition either. It was better to say that she looked quite happy.
Perhaps moved by the scene in front of her eyes, Miku staggered as if struck.
"Aah...what a dazzling scene...it feels like my heart is being
washed. ──Hello, manager? Please cancel my work for today...... Eh, no I am not feeling uncomfortable. It better to say that after being supplemented with energy, I'm so full of ample vitality that I want to go shopping for stationary with everyone else! ...No, no, between recording the program song and finding matching pens, the side that which is more important is self-evident!"
Natsumi quickly grabbed Miku's phone and said, "I'm very sorry, yes, she'll go to work..."
"Aah! Natsumi-san is no fun!"
Miku frowned as she twisted her body. In order to admonish her, Yoshino and Mukuro both shook their heads.
"You can't Miku-san...you'll inconvenience the staff like this." "Yes, if you want a matching pen, we'll buy it for you. So fulfill your
duty properly."
"Really? Nuu──it's a shame I can't participate directly, but I'll endure it for today."
Miku smiled as her eyes sparkled. Seeing this, Natsumi let out a heavy sigh as she handed back to the smartphone to Miku.
At that moment as if to match that timing, the sounds of a light horn popped up from behind.
"Oops..."
Was that noise due to everyone blocking the traffic...Shidou considered that as he quickly turned his body around. The rest of the Spirits also turned to that direction after following his lead.
However, shortly afterwards everyone was stunned.
As most of them had expected, there was a round moped parked there──but it was the familiar face riding it that Shidou and the others recognized.
"Nia!"
"Yahho──why has everyone gathered together this early in the morning?"
Lifting the googles on her helmet, Honjou Nia waved her hand. She was also among one of the Spirits that had her power sealed by Shidou.
"No, we have to go to school and some are going shopping...but why are you here Nia?"
"Ah, it's good that my work is finally over, but I have no food left at home. ...Convenience store bentos have no taste, but if I come to the Spirit mansion a warm meal will be ready..."
"I-I see...having said that, so you can ride a motorbike."
While saying that, Shidou turned to look at the moped Nia was riding. Nia responded back with
an "Ahaha" laugh.
"Of course, I am respectable Onee-san after all. As far as it goes now, can anyone else here also
drive? Maybe next time I should take everyone out for a drive?"
Nia replied with a wink. Unlike Yoshino, Miku, the Yamai sisters, and Mukuro who were all excited, Kotori and Natsumi casted a suspicious gaze at Nia as if saying "...is it really no problem?"
As if to agree with that suspicion, Maria came out wearing an apron to speak.
"──On the standpoint of guarding everyone's safety, I don't recommend it very much. After all, do you even have a driver's license, Nia?"
"Eh? How rude, of course I do! Look!"
After saying that, Nia took out her driver's license from her wallet. While it should be expected, even Nia carried her driver's license on her person. Incidentally, her eyes were squinting in the photo.
"Hmm. So have you renewed your driver's license?" " Eh?"
As Maria pointed that out, Nia's eyes turned into two blank dots.
"──Nia, you should have been kidnapped by DEM for the last five years. During that time,
shouldn't your license have expired?" " "
Nia looked at the driver license in her hands for a while, remaining
speechless── "…..... Tehe."
Then, she adorably stuck out her tongue to take back what she just said.
"H-hey, Nia! What kind of respectful adult tries to drive without a
license!"
"Danger. How really contemptable..."
"No, don't blame me for this!? After all my sense of time has been blurred...this is all due DEM's harm!? This isn't my fault!?"
Nia shouted with tears in her eyes. In order to console her, Kotori sighed while spreading out her hands.
"It's true that this is DEM's fault, but the police wouldn't care
about that. Before you get arrested, get your driver's license
renewed. ──If you want to eat, move the moped to the side of the apartment or push it back yourself."
"Yes."
Even though Nia made a regrettable face, it couldn't be helped.
Shidou bitterly smiled while watched this situation.
"Ahaha...but it's such a strange coincidence. Everyone has
unexpectedly gathered here at this
time. ...Or are Origami and Kurumi also nearby?" "──You called for me?"
"──Did you say my name?"
"Hiya…..!?"
Suddenly hearing those voices coming from behind him caused Shidou to unintentionally jump up.
Looking back closely, he could see there were a girl with a doll-like face and a girl with long bangs covering her left eye. ──They were the Spirits he had just mentioned, Tobiichi Origami and Tokisaki Kurumi. Both of them wore coats over their school uniforms and scarfs around their necks,
"Origami, Kurumi, when were you here...!?" "I've always been here."
"I was just passing by. It was so lively here that I wanted to see what
had happened." "I-I see..."
Although he was worried about what Origami meant by "always", he
felt he shouldn't ask more.
While twitching, Shidou wiped away the sweat pouring from his face. Then, Shidou slanted his head.
"Say, Kurumi, that uniform that you're wearing..."
"Ara, ara, really Shidou-san. Did you forget? After that battle, I went under
"Eh...ah, yes...that's right."
Listening to her say it like that, Shidou began to recall that it had
occurred like that. ...It
seemed that he was really exhausted. Shidou carelessly scratched his face
"That's true. Please cheer up a little.────Ah, please forgive me, I
must head on first. A friend
is waiting for me." "Friend?"
Shidou widened his eyes at the unexpected words. Before sealing her
reiryoku, Kurumi was considered the Worst Spirit; he thought the
words just didn't suit her very well. "Yes, yes───"
However, Kurumi didn't notice this, turning her gaze forward.
Shidou looked like he was dragged along, looking at the same side.
Immediately, an elegant-looking girl was standing there, as if she noticed Shidou's gaze, she bowed. Shidou reflexively bowed too.
"That is .... Kurumi's friend? I mean..... what a surprisingly
wonderful thing to imagine. "
"What do you mean?" "Ah, nothing."
Kurumi half-closed her eyes while looking at his face. Shidou made
a gesture like saying "Oops"
before covering his mouth with his hand.
But, looking at Shidou like that, Kurumi smiled satisfied, turning around and waving her hand.
"Fufu, that's fine. I think so too."
She said it like she was joking, and then walked towards her friend.
"───Sorry for let you waiting, Sawa-san."
"No, no. Moreover, is it okay? Don't you want to go with him?" "Ufufu, don't worry about it.───Even without having me, there's
still a lot of beauties around Shidou-san."
"Ara. that's true."
And just like that, Kurumi talked to her friend very happily. Shidou sighed, but when he looked at Kurumi's peaceful face, he could feel the warmth spreading in his chest.
Then, after looking on at this scene, the mouth of the Yoshinon
puppet on Yoshino's left hand
began move.
"No, but this coincidence is really amazing. Everyone has gathered together so early in the morning. Shidou-kun, are you spreading out some strange pheromones?"
"That's impossible..."
From the accusation that flew across, Shidou couldn't help but
force a smile. Having said
that...what Yoshinon had said wasn't unreasonable. So far, everyone has not gathered together like today. There was the feeling as if they had assembled under the guidance of someone───
"Hm──?"
Suddenly, Nia seemed to recognize something as she looked
around at everyone's faces before
speaking.
"You said that everyone is present...but isn't there someone missing? Did she go on ahead first?"
"Eh?"
Upon hearing that, Shidou also surveyed around everyone's faces
just like Nia.
A large number of Spirits had gathered around the road in front of the Itsuka residence. Kotori, Yoshino, Natsumi, Kaguya, Yuzuru, Mukuro, Miku, Nia, Origami, Kurumi, and also Maria and Kurumi's friend Sawa.
Despite so many people here, there was still the feeling of one person missing.
That's right; there was one person who wasn't here── "───Shidou!"
At that moment, a cheerful voice was heard coming from the entrance of the mansion.
"────"
Under the influence of that voice, Shidou suddenly jerked his head back. There, he saw a single girl running over here.
Long hair in the color of the night that gently swayed while illuminated by the sunshine, glittering crystal like eyes, from her overtly refined facial features the most defining was her innocent smile that radiated a sense of compassion.
Yes. ──She was the Spirit · Yatogami Tohka. The Spirit who was given her name by Shido. "Toh, ka."
"Umu! Sorry Shidou, I guess I'm a little late...?"
At the moment Tohka approached in front of him, there was an unfathomable feeling causing his eyes to open widely.
"What's wrong, Shidou, does it hurt somewhere?" "...Eh? Ah───"
Just while listening to her, Shidou noticed───tears were falling down
from his own eyes.
"It's nothing...haha, maybe I'm just still sleepy." While trying to cover it up, he wiped away the tears. In fact, Shidou didn't understand what was going on.
Why───why did his heart tightened when he saw Tohka? "Compared to that...let's head to school. We'll be late."
"Ooh, that's right! Everyone has already waited for so long. Let's go!"
Everyone nodded in agreement to Tohka's voice───as they each
set foot for their respective destinations.
The skies seemed clear just like everyone's future. The footsteps in
route to school were so light that he surprised even himself.
There were many sad things. There was also a painful farewell that
he couldn't forget.
However, even when taking that into consideration, Shidou's life
had been full of wonderful encounters.
Surely, these noisy but enjoyable days will continue from now on as well.
While watching everyone's smiles, Shidou secretly thought about
that to himself.
◇◇◇
───One evening several days from then. After a lively dinner, everyone headed home.
After tidying up, Shidou removed his apron and placed it on the kitchen table so that he could lightly stretch.
Slight fatigue, but an even greater sense of fulfillment filled his body. Shidou didn't dislike this feeling. While washing the dishes that the Spirits had eaten clean, a mischievous thought passed through his mind. What sort of dishes should he surprise everyone for next time?
"..."
Suddenly, Shidou fell silent while looking on at the ceiling.
He had no complaints about his current life. DEM was being well- behaved, and his current routine with the Spirits was raucous but pleasing. He felt grateful from the bottom of his heart that these days could continue on like this.
But when finishing the housework, when there was no one else to talk to───moments where he was alone with nothing to do, an unexpected feeling of unease passed through his mind.
"The feeling...of having forgotten something..."
At that moment, the door to the living room was pushed open, as Kotori entered with rolled up sleeves and white ribbons in tow.
"Onii-chan, the bath is free."
Kotori spoke with a smile. When wearing black ribbons, she was a fierce and dependable commander. But when wearing the white ribbons, she became a cute little sister that acted her age.
The smile from his little sister caused the feeling of unease passing through his mind disappear. Shidou returned the smile to Kotori as his hand reached for the door of the refrigerator.
"Ooh. Thanks, Kotori. ──Ah, I want a hot cup of milk, does Kotori
want some as well?" "Oh─! I want to drink!"
"Alright, I really can't thank you enough."
Kotori made an exaggerated nod as her eyes were sparkling. Inconceivably, her twintails also appeared to be lively stirring in excitement.
"...Hmm?"
Shidou slanted his head. The Spirits had returned home and Maria had gone back to
for work, but Shidou had clearly heard another voice that didn't
belong to Kotori.
Looking for the direction of that voice, it turned out that there was a small girl sitting on the sofa.
Hair tied in a single ponytail and a birthmark mole under her left
eye, the girl's features would cause others to remark a passing resemble to Shidou's own.
But it was no wonder that was the case. She was Shidou──in actuality Shinji's true younger
sister, Takamiya Mana.
"Wow!"
"Mana, when did you!?"
"Oya, I just came normally through the front entrance, you didn't notice?"
While saying that, Mana helplessly shrugged her shoulders.
Apparently, she had arrived while Shidou was cleaning the dishes...he didn't know if he was too focused on scrubbing away the stains or if Mana could erase the traces of her footsteps.
However, despite being surprised at Mana's sudden appearance, Mana's visit itself should be very welcomed. Shidou shrugged his shoulders with a wry smile as he set aside portions of milk enough for three people into a small heated pot.
After a few minutes, after carefully watching the steam rising from the white surface of the milk, he poured it into the prepared mugs.
"I've kept you waiting." "Wow, thank you."
"Thank you very much. Itadakimasu."
Kotori and Mana both breathed out a "fuha" sigh at the same time
after drinking a sip of the warm milk.
Because their movements were perfectly in sync, Shidou smiled unintentionally.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Nii-sama?" "Aah, no. It's nothing."
After brushing that aside in a casual tone, Shidou took a sip of the
warm milk. The warm sweetness spread across his mouth as the gentle heat flowed down his throat and into his stomach.
Then, as if remembering something, Kotori twitched her eyebrows.
"Mana, since you've come here, is the inspection over? How are the results?"
As that matter was brought up, Shidou also turned his gaze over to Mana just like Kotori.
Although Mana was now a member of
But achieving such power was not possible without great cost.
Although it couldn't be seen from her appearance, Mana's lifespan
only had about 10 years left.
Kotori and Shidou didn't want Mana to fight again, but in the previous battle they still needed to resort to using her power. As a result, at the end of the battle, they had doubled down on the
Mana's meticulous treatment and inspection. "Aah, that's──"
Mana narrowed her eyes in response to Kotori's question as she
placed her hand against her chest.
"..."
──Had a serious problem been discovered? The brief silence caused Shidou's nerves to feel
tense.
But──
"It's incredible...all of the problems have been cured."
"...Eh?" "Cured...?"
Then, hearing the unexpected words that Mana said, Shidou and Kotori both stared while stunned.
"W-what happened? You said that you're cured...what does that mean?"
"That is to say Mana's body. The damage brought by DEM's lies has disappeared without a trace. It's still a hypothesis, but the reika emitted from when Mio-san's Sephira Crystal might have something to do with it. I was told that if mindful of my health, it wouldn't be a dream anymore
to be able to enjoy living to an old age." "I-is, is that so?"
Shidou instinctively raised his brow at the suspicious clean sheet of
health declaration.
For the sake of an explanation, Shidou looked on to Kotori, who placed her hand against her chin,
mumbling out an "hmm..." before saying "I don't understand!" "But since the instruments onboard
results, there shouldn't be any
mistakes in Mana's physical condition. Although there is room to
further investigate the
cause ..."
"I-I see..."
Although it wasn't fully accepted, but if it was really true it would be
gratifying.
Shidou clenched the handle of the mug as he raised it in a celebratory toast.
After understanding Shidou's intentions, Kotori and Mana also
raised their mugs. Shidou and the
others smiled at each other while lightly drinking to the toast.
"Somehow, I feel that everything is going to well although isn't
that good thing?"
"Yes. DEM is on the verge of collapse and all of the Spirits are very happy! Even the issue of Mana's physical condition has been cured! Being dissatisfied at this level would merit divine punishment."
"That right, Nii-sama. No, with this Mana needs to plan out her future a little more. I had thought my life would pass by in a flash, but it seems that won't be the case anymore. ──Say Kotori-san, can I transfer into your junior high at the same time as Yoshino-san? If I'm going to keep living from now on, it's a bit too much to say that my final education was primary school."
"Oh! Of course. Will my school do?"
In that manner, Kotori and Mana began happily discussing plans for the future.
Seeing this scene, Shidou couldn't help but feel at ease.
However──at that moment. "──Do you really think so?"
"...!?"
Suddenly, after he heard an unknown voice coming from
somewhere, Shidou's shoulders began
to shiver.
It wasn't just Shidou who displayed that response. Kotori had the
same startled response as
Shidou, while Mana raised her vigilance as she didn't dare to look
away even for a little.
It was Mana who first noticed the true nature of that voice. Her eyes revealed a look of disgust as she snorted softly.
"──What are you doing
"Ara, ara. Mana-san is addressing me by my name. Will the sun rise
from the west tomorrow?"
At the same time that voice resounded, a black whirlpool formed in the floor of the room. From
the center a single girl emerged──Tokisaki Kurumi had appeared.
Her long black hair covered her left eye, as the frills adorned to the hem of her skirt began to spread out, swirling as she made a graceful entrance. The dress on her body wasn't an Astral Dress, but rather a black dress that suited her looks.
"Kurumi? What happened? You could come in normally through the front entrance..." Although Shidou had widened his eyes from the surprise, the tone of his voice wasn't overly
tense.
There might have been more shudders had it been the old Kurumi, but now she was under
was now gone.
However, Mana, who had crossed blades with Kurumi, still could hold a good impression of her. Of course, she didn't openly attack and, as Kurumi pointed out, she had called her by her actual name rather than codename...but Mana was still looking at Kurumi with a thorny gaze.
But Kurumi didn't care about this──it was better to say she was quite pleased──as the corners
of her mouth were lightly raised.
"──Well, everything must be done with care. Although this might be merely unnecessary resistance, as long as there is the possibility of not being uncovered by that person, I must take such means."
"That person...?"
Shidou was left puzzled by this intriguing statement as Kurumi merely deeply smiled. Upon seeing this, Mana huffed from her nose even more from the displeasure.
In order to mediate between them, Shidou forced a smile to continue on while also changing the subject.
"Going back to the topic, what do you mean by that? Why are you telling me this if you really think that...?"
"That's just what that means."
Kurumi answered as she playfully spread out her hands.
"For some unknown reason, Mana-san's body has been cured. I
can't understand the logic quite well, but the world has conveniently been rewritten. After that battle finished, everything ended satisfactorily...did you really think that things would go that smoothly?"
"...What do you want to say? Certainly things went off smoothly
without a hitch, but that is an
indisputable fact, is it not?"
It was Kotori who replied back to Kurumi. Before long, she had already changed to her black ribbons and switched to commander mode.
"Well, it's responsible to think of it that way...no, perhaps that
way of thinking is itself the
fate of this world. In fact, until a while ago, I didn't hold any doubts
about the status quo just like Kotori-san."
Kurumi placed her hand against her chin while contemplating. This roundabout manner caused Mana to cross her arms in irritation.
"Get to the point already. Please say it clearly."
From this, Kurumi wiped the smile from her mouth, looking on at
Shidou, Kotori, Mana in that order as she told them as 'that'. "──This world is not the world where we come from, but a world
created by the hands of a certain person──that is what I wanted to
say."
".............. Eh?"
After that, they remained silent for a brief moment.
Shidou's missing voice leaked out from his throat.
No, not just Shidou. Even Kotori and Mana both had a stunned look as if unable to comprehend what Kurumi was saying.
"W-what are you talking about Kurumi? This isn't our original world...?"
"Exactly. DEM's Isaac Westcott dreamt of overwriting the world
with the neighboring
world──although it is different from what he intended, that person has achieved something close to that."
"Wha..."
Isaac Westcott. Just hearing that name caused Shidou's pulse to
accelerate.
The leader of DEM industries and the Magician that began everything. The main culprit for the creation of Spirits. His goal was to 'rewrite' the world into a world for Magicians by using the power of the Spirits.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Shidou and the others had fought in order to stop that goal.
In order to protect their world, Shidou and the Spirits choose to stand up against that powerful enemy.
Even so, the world still had been rewritten without their
knowledge──?
Shidou placed his hand against his forehead in an effort to manage these confusing thoughts.
"Wait a minute. Even if this is true, how were you able to notice this?"
Mana knitted her brow while asking in a state of bewilderment. Certainly, this question had a point. Before being told by Kurumi,
Shidou and the others had no doubts about this world. As Kurumi
had said, with the valiant power to usurp and alter the world, it would be strange that only Kurumi had noticed this.
But Kurumi seemed to expect that someone would ask this as she nodded while stretching out her hand.
"It's a total coincidence that I approached the truth, it was entirely a side effect. But...I can guarantee I am not making a mistake of any assumption. ──Did you forget? The noble name of the omniscient
Angel."
While saying that, Kurumi opened her palm.
"──
After calling out that name, a book with a luxurious decoration
appeared in front of Kurumi's
hands.
The Angel
It was originally an Angel owned by Nia, but after plundered the Sephira Crystal Isaac Westcott had stolen from Nia, Kurumi had now become a unique Spirit that could use two Angels.
"...──"
Seeing this scene, Shidou held his breath. Certainly, by using
Of course, the possibility of Kurumi lying wasn't zero. But it wasn't
just Kurumi who could use
wouldn't lie.
But in that case, there was another problem.
"W-who...is it and how──"
Shidou uttered his words in a stunned manner.
It was a natural question. Mio who controlled the neighboring world and Westcott who had obtained the same power as her, had both died in the previous battle. The Spirits all had their powers sealed in Shidou and it goes without saying that Shidou wouldn't have rewritten the world.
At least within the scope of his thoughts, there was no one else who could have achieved such a grand vision and certainly no one who would have motives for doing so.
"..."
Shidou turned to Kurumi looking for an answer, but Kurumi merely sighed while looking directly at Shidou.
"It's easy for me to give you a direct answer, but no matter how I phrase it you'll likely won't believe me."
"No, even if you say that, if you don't tell us anything──"
"Please listen until I finish. ──Rather than asking me, it's better if you look at it yourself."
"Eh...?"
Listening to her say this, Shidou widened his eyes as he quickly
grasped Kurumi's intentions.
The reiryoku of all of the Spirits were sealed within Shidou's body.
As long as that was the case, he could do the same thing as Kurumi.
"...I see. So you want me to investigate with
Kurumi replied softly, withdrawing the
pressed her own finger against her head.
"
Please try shooting yourself
with the Tenth Bullet
help invoke your lost memories through the help of your actual
feelings."
While saying that, Kurumi revealed a complicated expression.
Perhaps she had already tried this. ──Surely, there must be a
reason why she believed this
information couldn't be obtained through
With the tension moistening his throat, Shidou closed his eyes to focus his concentration.
"──
After calling out that name, a short pistol appeared in his hands as the shadow was sucked into the muzzle.
"Shidou..." "Nii-sama──"
Both Kotori and Mana looked over with a restless expression.
Honestly, Shidou felt the same, but he couldn't let his cute younger sisters worry. I'll be fine. As he nodded to imply that, he pressed
And then, while imagining the memories he wished to explore, he pulled the trigger.
"────"
In that instant accompanied by that dry sound, a light shock ran through his head.
There was no pain. Instead, like chiseling a hole in a water bottle, the memories began to flow into the head.
There was a scene that he didn't know.
A scene that he shouldn't have experienced.
Immediately after the battle was over. On the battlefield where
Mio disappeared. Mio's Sephira
Crystal fell in front of Shidou and the others.
Yes. There were no differences in his memories up to that point.
Mio's Sephira Crystal should have disappeared here── " !?"
But.
Something unexpected jumped in front of Shidou's vision.
A hand. A hand that that had stretched out towards the dying Sephira Crystal.
(──Sorry, but I'll be taking this.)
That──voice. A clear voice resounded in his mind. Shidou quickly
turned to the other side.
And he saw it. He saw the owner of that hand and voice.
Aah, that person is── "────Toh, ka────"
At the same time the scene unfolding in his mind was filled by a tremendous light, Shidou had half-consciously called out that name.
"Eh...?"
"Tohka-san──it's her?"
Shidou's words caused both Kotori and Mana to tighten their
brows.
But it wasn't as if he didn't understand their response. If he hadn't
faced his own memories,
Shidou would have likely had the same reaction.
The scene just seen now was so far detached from reality
──Tohka. The first Spirit Shidou had sealed excluding Kotori from five years ago, she had supported Shidou countless times through each crisis. It was no exaggeration to say that without her support, Shidou's heart would have yielded long ago.
It was because of this that it was so hard to believe. Even anyone else would have seen more
likely, but it was Tohka who had taken Mio's Sephira Crystal and changed the world── "──That's what I meant."
Perhaps sensing Shidou's confusion, Kurumi shrugged her shoulders.
...I see, certainly the
actual experience from
"Here is...a world that Tohka created? By using the power of Mio's Sephira Crystal...?"
As Shido muttered to himself, Kurumi made an exaggerated nod while lowering her eyes down.
"Yes. There's no doubt that this is the world that Tohka-san has dreamt up. It is an ideal space where all problems are resolved in a cohesive way and all concerns are naturally removed."
"Why would she....want to do this...?"
Shidou was left stunned.
Of course, this world was very different from the one that Westcott had envisioned. It was a dream world that had the same appearance as the original world, but with all problems removed or resolved. In a sense, it could be described as a Tohka style world.
But that didn't mean he was convinced. In the end, it wasn't like Tohka to take Mio's Sephira
Crystal to rewrite the world.
Kurumi lightly shrugged her shoulders while shaking her head.
"──Unfortunately, I don't know about that either. As you know, even the omniscient
Certainly, Nia the original owner of
Despite having said that, the information currently available was quite adequate. While trying to calm his racing heartbeat, Shidou gave a small bow of thanks to Kurumi.
"...No, thank you, Kurumi. If it wasn't for you, I would have never recognized the source of the uncomfortable feeling coming from this world."
"Ufufu, not recognizing this is also a type of blessing."
"Y-you..."
As beads of sweat dropped down his cheek, Kurumi interrupted him from continuing to speak.
"──This is the ideal world created by Tohka-san. It should be a convenient world for Shidou-san as well. Although it is different from the original world, there is no difference from reality if you don't
realize it is a dream."
As Kurumi replied in a playful gesture, Mana huffed from her nose in dissatisfaction.
"If you truly think so, why did you tell Nii-sama the truth?" "Because I am not a good girl like everyone else."
The answer was in line with Kurumi's usual attitude, but the
ambiguous reply caused Mana to frown resentfully.
"You."
"Ufufu, just kidding. Please don't give me that scary look."
Kurumi smiled before suddenly lowering her gaze.
"──I have no intention of denying this gentle world. I also thought
it would be nice to immerse
in this world if it could last forever." "...What do you mean?"
As Kotori asked with a suspicious look, Kurumi breathed a small sigh
before continuing on.
"This is certainly the ideal world. But it was one created by forcibly taking away Mio-san's Sephira Crystal. ──If left alone, this world will likely perish along with Tohka-san."
"Wha...!?"
──Tohka and this world are self-destructing?
Shidou held his breath at Kurumi's unsettling revelation. "Wait a minute. What is going on...?"
"Even if you ask that, I can't answer that. Just like what I said before,
I have no idea what are Tohka-san's intentions."
Kurumi shook her head in an extremely calm attitude as Shidou and the others fell into a panic.
...No. To be precise, it wasn't as if Kurumi wasn't unmoved by this. However, having reached the truth earlier than Shidou and the others, she had already experienced being shocked by this beforehand. The time he had spent with Kurumi allowed Shidou to notice this.
"...I, see..."
Since realizing that, Shidou had finally recovered. ──In this chaotic situation, Shidou felt that he couldn't let Kurumi carry the entire burden of acting "calm".
Perhaps noticing Shidou's intentions, Kurumi raised a small smile. "──Anyway that is all of the information I've learned so far. I'll
leave the response to the professionals."
After Kurumi said that, she pulled her skirt in an elegant position, taking dance steps to gradually sink into the shadows like falling away from the stage.
Ripples formed in the shadows like a whirlpool──until it disappeared without a trace. "................... "
After a while, the living room of the Itsuka residence had turned silent.
But──the silence didn't last long. Kotori threw a Chupa Chups from
her pocket into her mouth as she sharpened her gaze.
"...At any rate, let's take action. If Kurumi's words are true, there isn't any time to waste. We'll gather everyone together to take the needed countermeasures."
"...! Aah...!"
Listening to Kotori's words, Shidou nodded fiercely.