Disclaimer: I don't own Date A Live and its franchise. This story is rated 18+/MA for profanity and adult content. You have been warned!
Important note:
"…" —for character's dialogue.
'…' —for character's thought.
*…* —sometimes, I use a sound effect in this story.
Pairing(s): Well, this story is a cliche harem story. If you don't like it, then SCRAM! All 10 spirits with spirits from game and Date A Live the movies will join the fray. There's going to be a OC Semi-Spirit, but only one. You'll find about this special mysterious Spirit in the future chapter!
Please, enjoy~
Chapter 01
As I stared at the mirror in front of me, the brown irises stared back with dull, detached look. If you look keenly enough, you could find agitation, wariness and apprehension were masked behind lazy, indifference mask.
A sigh escaped my lips. Today, I felt my emotions running wild. From the moment I found out what was the date of today, I could not hold back the anxiety that ate my mental state. It was great achievement I could maintain my mask.
Today was the 10th day of this month: the beginning of the end of my peaceful life, my second chance in life to be exact. I have known this day would come long ago, where I found myself, who was supposedly to be dead, was alive and well.
Who was I joking? Certainly, I was alive but I was not well.
I moved the hair strands that covered my eyes and stared the reflection of my face, but at the same time it was not, deep in thought. It was the face belonged to the protagonist of a Light Novel I have read. It looked like a pretty boy doing a cosplay and has dyed his hair blue.
I still remember the character's name—Itsuka Shidou. And somehow, I ended in this body five years ago.
I, who was once named Edward Smith, have always been alone. My brain was a bit above average in intelligence department, a typical smart, bookish boy. Though I was a nerd, I was very well with physical activity. It was because the demanding workload in my part time job. Besides that little tidbit, I was also a NEET, or Otaku if prefer.
Date A Live was one of my favorite Light Novels.
So far, I have never been late for reading the translated new volume, which some translators have kindly translated and published for free in the internet. Though I could speak Japanese, reading was too much for me at that time.
From my memory, today is the day where Itsuka Shidou supposedly starts his life-threatening adventure. Unfortunately, that misfortune would fall upon me because I have replaced Itsuka Shidou in this reality. It was both funny and unbelievable, but here I am, staring at my own reflection that shows Itsuka Shidou's face. Whenever I saw this face, I always thought: 'Damn Jap! How smug he can be with this handsome face? Does he know how easy it is for him to find a girlfriend in a real life?'—my thought was filled with envy.
My predicament was truly ridiculous. It smelled very cliché, a story where somebody who was easily forgotten was reincarnated in the different world. The cliché tropes from web novels, where the protagonist building harem and own a cheat-like ability.
If you think I am happy with all of this, then you are sorely mistaken.
I was mature enough to understand how dangerous my situation was. If I was given a choice, I would ask a peaceful life without overpowered magical girls threatening my life. Living a fulfilling life with a pair of loving parents, finishing my education, getting a good job, dating a wonderful and beautiful woman and then marrying her, having children with my wife, and dying of old age. Truly, it would be wonderful life.
But alas... reality is truly harsh place. It is heartless enough to not give its denizen a chance to choose.
What a pity...
In past five years, I have been preparing myself for what was going to happen. I was aware how much I have changed timeline. Heck, I would not be surprised if my choices created lot divergences from the canon plot I was aware of.
I had created many differences in past five years and that was the one of many reasons why I felt anxiety and apprehension. There was always effect for every cause. I could not predict the effect of my choice, changing the plot of this story whatsoever. The fear of unknown, it is natural instinct belongs to the human. And I was a human.
Between the two of us—Edward Smith and Itsuka Shidou, we were a different person. I could not be the true Itsuka Shidou even though I supposedly play his role. I was aware this fact long time ago.
Itsuka Shidou does not know what he can do, and when he knows about his extra ordinary ability, it is already late. Many things could be changed. There would be less dangerous events in his life. He would have a better chance against the threat in his immoral quest.
The Itsuka Shidou I knew was only an ordinary boy who lived an ordinary life before the involvement of Spirit fucked up his life. He did not know the true face of this reality—the danger in which was hidden in this gentle-looking world. There was the existence of supernatural being that could wipe out a city in instant hiding under his nose all along, like a lurking predator under the calm yet dark water.
Unfortunately, Itsuka Shidou I knew has a good social skill, or at least better than me.
Though as him I was the top student in the Raizen High School, I was a loner and everybody in the school was far inferior from me. It has created a gap between us and there were also some unneeded attentions; boys showed jealousy while girls showed curiosity and interest to me.
Thankfully, my aloof façade kept the girls away in arm-length. It isolated me from the society, but I did not feel troubled because of it. After all, I did have more important matter than thinking my below average social skill, it was preparing myself before the hectic life with Spirit whatsoever.
This was certainly the plot divergence. And to be honest, I did not care. It was the most important step I must take to keep myself from the dreading death flag. I did not want them rise like no one business. Preparing my body, mind and sources as I deemed acceptable for facing the life-threatening situation I would face soon was smart step I have taken. There was no regret, only desperate determination.
In this world, the Date A Live universe, there were supernatural beings with dangerous ability and could easily wipe out the fragile human existence in blink of an eye. These beings were known as the Spirit. More importantly, as Itsuka Shidou, I would meet and interact with them. It was something I could not stop from happening; it was a destiny, not a fate.
The time in which Itsuka Kotori self-sealed her Spirit's mana into Shidou was the time Shidou's normal life was finished, what left was the calm before the storm. Thus, when I found myself wake up in the middle of roaring fire, with Kotori's unconscious naked body next to me, my fate was already sealed. It was irritating and sickening when you must take responsibility of something you did not commit in the first place. Denying such outcome was not being irresponsible. It would be justified if one denied one involvement in something he/she did not do.
It was suck. It was annoying. It was maddening. However, I could not do a thing because a hidden organization monitoring me since then.
Actually, there was a way to save myself from this trouble—doing suicide, but I would not throw away my precious second chance because some cliché like being reincarnated as a harem protagonist of some fictional story. Hence I prepared myself to the pint of obsession.
Well damn... I could not help but think how absurd this crap was. I, who was a loner, have to save multiple girls so they could be accepted by the world. It was too troublesome. The bunch of cute and gorgeous girls falling in love with me was not a just compensation. What I need was a calm, easy life.
Besides the life threatening situation those Magical Girls would pull me in to, I remembered another threat that could not be left alone. Deus Ex Machina, or D.E.M for short, and of course the sick bastard Sir Isaac with-damn-long-middle-name Westcott. He was the main antagonist in the series and he succeeded stealing the second Spirit's inversed power. It was the beginning of the bleak future. Westcott was clearly dangerous and the biggest threat to me. To put it in RPG's term, he was the Last Boss. And I was sure we would face each other soon and I was in need of a plan to deal with the bastard. Unfortunately, for five years I could not find a single brilliant plan yet. He was really formidable enemy.
Besides the threat from D.E.M, I was also wary of Ratatoskr, the hidden organization in which had been monitoring me in past five years.
I knew they were supposedly the good guys who will help me seal the Spirit's power. However, let's be real, the human nature was nasty and vicious like a snake, and I did not know what the higher ups in that organization have planned for all the power sealed in me in the future. In fact, they had planned to kill Shidou —the canon one, not me— when they found out the Angelmanifestation.
I was well aware Mr. Woodman was earnest in his attempt to help the Spirit. However, there was not wrong to be cautious. Being cautious will prolong one's life.
So much death flags I must avoid somehow...
My anxiety grew slightly as that reminded me of what awaiting me in the next few hours. It was enough to crack my aloof mask.
To tell the truth, I could control the Spirit's sealed mana in me, I could enhance my physical power to a superhuman level at least. I could manifest the Angel too, but the risk was too big. Just utilizing small amount of mana, I already felt feverish and my head became hazy and spinning. Forcing more would deteriorate my mental state at fast rate. If I forced myself, I would end up as a sitting duck and Ratatoskr higher ups would execute me. I would die if I was not being cautious.
I was aware how cynical I have become, but from my past experience, human could be worse than the diabolical beings themselves.
"Well... whatever, let's see what will happen in the future..."
Who said being reincarnated as harem protagonist was good? Whoever says that, I will find a way to meet him/her and then break his/her handsome/beautiful face.
"Heh... I think it is enough for my inner Chuuni to break the fourth wall. *Sigh* now I act like Neptune from Hyperdimension Neptunia..."
After stopping my musing, from now at least, I immediately cleaned my face and brushed my tooth. As I prepared myself for today, I heard someone calling me from outside of the washroom.
"Onii-chan, where are you? You are not kidnapped by alien, right? Hey, Onii-chan, where are you! Stop hiding! Your beloved little sister is worried sick of you."
I let loose a tired sigh. It was too early for this kind of shit!
Just like what you are thinking, the one who called me was no other than Itsuka Kotori. It seems, she tried to wake me but thankfully I have awoken first.
I finished brushing my teeth and thought about it. Last night, Kotori made a promise to wake me up even though I did not need it. I did not know if the scene of Kotori waking me up would be similar with the first episode of the anime or not. However, it was not bad to be cautious and wary. Besides, I did not find a 13 years old girl dancing samba on top of me and then kicked my gut as definition of fun.
The panties flashing fan service was not worth for the pain.
Well, when that happened to Shidou in the anime, I could not help but laugh. However, I did not want it happening to me. I would die again if that happens.
Okay, I would not die because Kotori's power in me, but it still hurts like bitch if that really happens. I could feel the phantom pain from imagining that alone.
I continued my morning prep, ignoring Kotori who was shouting nonsense in the house. However, my peace was short lived as I heard the sound of footstep getting closer towards my direction. With a loud bang, the blurry glass door was open. I was wondering how it did not break by the force Kotori has exerted.
Then, from the gap, Kotori's head popped in and her red irises scanned the washroom until they stopped on me.
"Ah! Found you!"
"..."
I stared back silently, bewildered. My eyes looked at her dully. This one was not a mask, it was instinctual reaction.
"Onii-chan! Why are you in here? You should sleep in your room and wait for me to wake you up! Do you know how much your little sister has sacrificed for her wonderful plan to wake you up? I woke up an hour early! An hour! Sixty minutes! At least show your gratitude to your little sister and let me wake you up!"
The sealed Spirit narrowed her red eyes, her angry expression was cute. Moreover, I kept finding how mesmerizing her eyes were.
To tell you the truth, I was always fascinated whenever I saw the abnormal eye color in this world.
Kotori's irises were not blood red, they were vibrant red. I would have mistaken her wearing contact lens if not for her pupils that shrink and expand according to the light. Moreover, her hair color was bright too. I mean, reddish pink hair was too much in my previous life.
Then again, my hair color was blue now. I meant it was literally blue to the root. Heck, even my pubic hair was blue too. I should stop commenting other's hair and eye colors, less I was called hypocrite by somebody.
"I have told you, I don't need help to wake me up. I can wake up on my own." I spoke with dull tone, I was sure my eyes were dull like a dead fish, or the anime's fabled deadpan expression. I could imagine a bead of sweat rolled behind my head too.
"But... today is the new school year! This is the first day since the holiday finished! I want to wake you up! You always wake up before me. Why can you overslept for once and let your beloved little sister wakes you up."
'...And let you turn me into a living trampoline? Sorry to burst your bubble Kotori...' I shook my head, disagreeing with Kotori. "It shows I am more desciplined than you ever be."
"At least, change you expression when you want to be smug!"
"Whatever helps you in your dream, now, wait for me in the dining room! I will start preparing our breakfast soon."
"The nerve you have Onii-chan! You are not only ignoring my self-sacrifice, but you're also asking me to do something just like that! Do you have no shame?"
'...If shame will kill me, then I am okay without shame...' I let loose a tired sigh, and the I stared at Kotori with lazy eyes. "So, what do you want me to do?"
"Treat me in the restaurant for lunch! I want Duluxe Kid Meal!"
One of my eyebrows rose, as if I tried to ask her 'Are you serious?'
I knew her game already... Kotori want me to go to city and hope spacequake happened so I can meet Tohka—er, I meant «Princess»...
Yeah, she had yet to be named and she would not get the symbol of her identity if we did not meet today.
Speaking of which, I was not sure if I would meet her. I mean, there was the butterfly effect and I have changed the time line way too much. As I cared for, it could be Yoshino, or Yamai twins, or Natsumi, or Mayuri, or Rinne, or Miku, or Nia... wait if my memory was correct, that comicus was in the D.E.M's hand... or Origami... right, I have yet found about her whereabouts since the fire incident...
Whatever, I could wing it as long as it was not Kurumi. I had yet prepared my mind enough to meet her soon. That chick oozed 'Yan' vibes too much. I did not have a dream to be eaten literally by her.
"Right..." I paused for a moment, and then I sent my exclusive smile. I called it exclusive smile because I rarely smiled to other. It was a trait I brought from my previous life, only my—Shidou's—adoptive parents and Kotori who got the honor to receive it.
"We will go to nearby family restaurant later..."
"Yay! I love you Onii-chan!"
Kotori said that while winking one of her eyes, the left one, playfully. Then, she pulled her head from the gap and just left the door open. I could hear her footsteps getting away from my position.
Straining my ears, I wanted to make sure she was really gone ahead. However—"Ehehehe... Onii-chan's smile... he smiles to me... ehehehe~" I immediately wiped my smile when I heard that disturbing giggle, thanks to my slightly enhanced hearing from the Spirit's mana.
I did not know how or when it started, but this world's Kotori ha distorted affection to me for some reason. It was not a brotherly affection, which off chart from Fraxinus' AI observation. I was not that dense to ignore the hint. However, I was clueless how to react at that. Though I was not the true Itsuka Shidou, I really cared for Kotori and my—Shidou's—adoptive parents. They were the people who gave me experience of being in a family, something I did not have privilege to experience in the past.
I let loose another tired sigh. When I was aware how much I have sighed this morning, I felt depressed. Really, my second chance in life was too complicated. Whoever had sent me here, could he or she send me to more peaceful world instead?
To Be Continued