When she went back to the bar, I was able to run to the locker room... My heart was beating too fast... I went with the flow in the moment and stayed calm like in my military training, but this was a date, it was nothing as simple as go to battle... Something didn't sound right there...

I breathed hard and washed my face several times. Natsumi was really beautiful, but she looked several years younger than me... I didn't want the general public to see me as a degenerate...

I looked at myself in the mirror… this wasn't me, I needed to concentrate… I needed to calm down… having this riot of emotions in a real battle would cost me my life.

So I made up my mind… I would have to ask Tonomachi for recommendations on a pair of Galges in order to train myself mentally, and ask him about Raziel… I'm sure he mentioned that name; it was in a game he got vicious at.

I took a shower, changed clothes, and went down to Tenguu City.

What happened this afternoon, being something exceptional and everyone being evacuated, I was able to leave the high school without problems wearing my emergency unit, but the return trip had to be on foot.

I didn't care anyway, the path wasn't long... and I wanted to go to the viewpoint...

I stood for a few seconds leaning against the railing.

Looking at the horizon.

Thinking.

How was Kotori doing? Was she outside the fissure again? Will I be able to save her? What will happen to Sister? Why didn't Princess escape from prison while she had the chance? Will Kurumi-san feel guilty about the failure of her necklace?

But only one question lingered in my head as I turned my back on the starry sky.

Will I be able to save Natsumi's heart?-

Who is Natsumi, Shi-nii? - I opened my eyes and turned around, in front of me was Origami

Origami…-

Answer me Shi-nii… Who is Natsumi?-

She is... someone I met at work today...-I replied, lying to her would be worse

She is she a spirit right? -Surprised, I just narrowed my eyes somewhat annoyed, surely she heard the term while discussing it with Nozomi-nee-chan

It's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations, Origami, but yes, she's a spirit- I started walking

Do you love her? -She asked me… all of a sudden

I don't know... but I can't leave her just like that... - I replied- The Itsuka saved me for a reason... Nozomi-nee-chan saved me for a reason... now I must fulfill my mission... save all the spirits

You don't need to do this… You can't just carry all those people's problems and be done with it! You can't save them all! You can't… YOU CAN'T SPEND YOUR LIFE REGRETTING YOUR PAST ONII-CHAN!

ENOUGH KOTORI!-I yelled... I was exasperated... but when I saw Origami's face I understood that she hadn't said her name. At that moment I realized what I was really saying, who I was talking to... I wasn't talking to my adoptive cousin Tobiichi Origami... I was talking to my little sister Itsuka Kotori...-

Wh… who is Kotori-san?-She asked me, with a small voice…

However, I couldn't answer her, I left angry, I left sad…I left…crying…I missed Kotori…I wanted to live with Kotori…I wanted to make her happy…I wanted my old life back.

Kotori has been in every one of my nightmares, imprisoned by her malevolent alter-ego… being forced to watch our family being chopped up and then burned… and I… I couldn't do anything… I never could… now I'm in the CST… but I still can't... That was going through my mind at that time...

I may have more tricks up my sleeve, but Sister beat me, she got ahead of everything I had, she engaged Kotori against me… I had to harm Kotori… I tried my best and still lost… And as my train of thought went in a self-destructive spiral, I heard a voice.

Calm down Shido... it wasn't your fault...-

I know Rinne... but... BUT... even so... it hurts... it hurts so much this... impotence...-she immediately she hugged me and gently caressed my hair

Don't worry... sooner or later, sooner or later we'll get Kotori-chan back... and we can go to the amusement park together, like so many years ago...- We were in the area where my home used to be... now it was a vacant lot... called a cursed land, I was hunched over, leaning on the only corner that survived her halberd and flames, with Rinne next to me.

I don't know if… I don't know if she can make it… What if there are more spirits like Kotori? What if I find the wielder of Gabriel and she starts another slaughter again? What should I do Rinne? Is it okay for me to continue? I don't think I can…-And before I could finish speaking, I felt a slap on my left cheek, immediately followed by one on my right cheek made with the back of her hand.

That's not the Shido I know…-She told me… it took me a while to realize that the slap came from her- The Shido I know doesn't falter, he doesn't lie down to die, he's strong and can handle everything the world throws at him… What are the spirits if not humans plus... You Shido... You are a human plus plus, you are someone above the average, above the exceptional... You are a modern Samurai! - She said. Seeing her while I was sitting, and she standing up… she had an air of nobility, almost as if she were a guardian angel, however, what she said made me laugh

You're right… it's just the pressure speaking for me… I have to stay strong… I didn't train for years to come and give up now…- I stood up… I had to change my face… I wasn't going to lie down and die now…

That's my Shido... but to be sure...- And she kissed me... it was a tender and soft kiss on the lips- I know you will not, but remember that kiss every time you feel bad- She told me with a soft blush on her face, and with a wide smile.

Huh? - It was what I said, since I was in the ruins of my old home, but the heaviness of my body was gone... at that moment I obviously didn't understand that it was because I was with Rinne- I'd better go home, surely Nozomi-nee-chan is worried... and tomorrow I have to apologize to Origami for what happened today...

I went to the supermarket to buy food for that night's dinner, I was thinking of doing something special to celebrate Natsumi's integration to society, although it didn't make much sense if Natsumi didn't eat it... But it didn't matter, for me it was a reason to celebrate.

I bought some pork chops, a little red wine, tomato sauce and various spices to put on them, it was a recipe I saw on the internet a long time ago. Walking past the candy aisle, I saw a column of Chupa Chups… I bought one of each flavor and proceeded to checkout.

After that, I took the subway to go to Nozomi-nee-san's apartment.

Upon arrival I greeted the concierge, went up to the third floor, took out my flower keychain with my two keys and opened the main door, Nozomi-nee-san was inside talking to Origami...

Oh... I'm sorry to disturb the conversation... - I told them, while I was about to close the door

Wait Shi-kun, Origami and I had just finished talking-

Yes, Shi-nii-

Great, then, um... I'm sorry, Origami- I told her, after entering and bowing

Hiiii?! - Apparently my sudden apology scared her a little

I... I was a little harsh with you today... I didn't want to yell at you like that... - I told her... I was really sorry for my low self-control

No... It was my fault Shi-nii... really... I'm so sorry- Origami looked adorable being so embarrassed.

No no, I insist, it was my fault, I should have feigned ignorance, I knew that I was going to lose my temper with that subject- I answered her, while leaving the bags on the counter

But…-

OH NOW YOU TWO! Get married or get a room or something! They're so sweet that they're going to make me cry for being single! - Saying that from the sofa, Nozomi-nee-chan looked at us and crossed her arms, with her hands on her ribs, and then began to wiggle like a snake making weird faces...

I-I-I-I-I-I better go now, Goodbye Nozomi-nee, goodbye Shi-nii!- Origami shot out the front door and closed it behind her, completely blushing, after a sigh, I turned to see my tutor.

Nozomi-nee…- I told her, what she did was really something out of place

You know what I think of you two…-

Yes but... she is like a younger sister...-

But that didn't prevent you from getting sweet with her... or with Witch- She said, looking at me seriously

How…-And before I could finish the question, she answered it

Ryoko- She said, while giving that smug smile like all the Onee-san that she is

Ryoko-saaaaaaan… My revenge will be terrible! -I raised my arms in anger, while looking helplessly at the ceiling

So… do you know her?-

I met her today… Natsumi-san is…-

Wait... Did she tell you her name? - She said to me. She tried to jump and stand-up, but I managed to grab her and gently lower her to the sofa before she fell to the floor... she still has the cast on her foot from the last battle... normally we would use the medic Realizer, but those were still being used by members of squad 3-7, who were badly damaged after the battle with Sister a few weeks ago- Ouch ouch ouch…

Calm down Nozomi-nee-chan, you still haven't recovered from your wounds- I told her after laying her down again

Don't change the subject, Witch told you her name, why? - Her glare was piercing my mind

Well... after today's spirit jailbreak, she decided to give up and accept the necklace-

Aha… then you captured her and she fell in love with you…-

N-n-n-no! We met at the base bar!-

Huuuuuum... I understand... So you sat at the bar and she hit on you, right?-

Yes... and no... Apparently, my way of seeing the spirits caught her attention...-

Well, it's natural, many people in the CST fight against the spirits in order to lock them up or kill them, so that they don't do more damage to society... they don't see them as humans... The truth is that I was like that too... Especially against Princess… But…-

But?-

That changed when I met you... I remembered something very important... They may be people with incredible powers, terrible powers... but they are still people, even more so, Japanese citizens, so it is our duty to watch over them too...- Nozomi-nee-chan looked something sad, but like a distant sadness

I understand... Well, we were talking a bit, she got dizzy and I took her outside to get some fresh air... and... it was getting dark when she asked me to go out on a date...-

That's... excellent for Natsumi-chan... But... Origami won't be happy to hear it...-

She doesn't have to know…she's my lovely little sister…but…I can't do much for her now…it may have been my first kiss, but I don't see her as a romantic partner Nozomi-nee-chan- It was the truth, there would be no happy end between us.

Okay... I'm not going to interfere in your love life... but a Spirit is a great responsibility... do you think you can make her happy? - She made a good point; however, my resolution was unshakeable...

Of course, I will make Natsumi happy and heal her heart-

Moving on to another topic... Who is Kotori-chan? - With those words, my face turned white...

So Origami told you…- I said, looking down immediately

It's not nice to find out about your protégé's life from other people... but I trust you have a good reason for not telling me about that girl-

Kotori… she was my little sister in the Itsuka house…-I said, she immediately covered her mouth with her hands; she just realized what she was asking…

I explained to her everything that she had already explained to Natsumi, that Kotori was Efreet, that she killed our parents, and that she was not aware of what she was doing until that moment… everything

Well... that explains how nervous you were that day in the interrogation...-

Yes… I didn't want something bad to happen to her… now I feel a little more confident because I know that if she gets caught by the CST, then I can convince her to put on the collar… however… I'm afraid she'll lose her mind before that point and THAT Kotori comes back…-

I understand you... I wouldn't like to catch up with Princess on a bad day either, or with Sister, in any case...-

Yeah… well, I'd better prepare dinner…- I said, before going back to the kitchen part of the apartment.

I prepared the chops in the pan with the wine, evaporating the alcohol before adding the spices and tomato sauce, while preparing the rice in the rice cooker.

The silence in the apartment became even more evident when Nozomi-nee-chan's stomach rumbled... I smiled and hurriedly took the ready cutlets out of the pan, served a portion of rice, put a generous helping of sauce and served her. I gave her the food on a small wooden board with western silverware, so that he could eat on the sofa.

You really are a charm Shi-kun... if you were 10 years older I would ask you to marry me- She said, while she was preparing to eat her dinner

Well, it's not like it's hard to indulge your appetite, considering you used to buy ramen and frozen food before I came to this house- I replied as I took off my kitchen apron and hung it next to the refrigerator.

And your parents made your snacks - she answered between bites with an annoyed tone

No... The truth is that no, they worked as representatives of Asgard Electronics since I came to the Itsuka home... Of course, that was before they tried to establish the company to fill the void left by the tax lawsuit against DEM Industries for cruelty towards Japanese citizens, you know, all the things behind the Kuruleaks-

Yes... Kurumi-san earned a huge scolding, but she could no longer keep quiet about the fact that all the spirits that appeared up to that point were Japanese citizens... plus DEM had technology that allowed a non-lethal exit... After it was revealed that Asgard Electronics had that same technology, and some field tests, the change became official-

I am truly grateful to Asgard Electronics... In other countries like the United States, the spirits are in danger of being exterminated by DEM, but Asgard for some reason is more sensitive to the issue...- I said, before sitting down on a bench leaning against the counter from the kitchen.

There are rumors that DEM is an evil company that brainwashes people and wants to harness the power of spirits-

It sounds crazy, but that by itself doesn't make much sense, does it?

You're right, that would be if there weren't more, but DEM mages have been found dead with massive amounts of Maryoku, they even say that their third in command is the perfect form of forced injection of Maryoku-

Is it even possible to forcefully inject Maryoku?-

It's theoretical, nobody knows if it's possible or not, but did you know that Elliot Woodman, founder of Asgard Electronics also founded DEM together with Isaac Westcott and the Mathers sisters?-

He Founded DEM!? - I was very surprised... I remember that once he came to see me directly to give me his condolences for my parents... I didn't see someone in a wheelchair and so fragile forming a diabolical company

Yes, but after seeing the practices of President Westcott and his second-in-command Ellen Mira Mathers, he decided to go out and found Asgard Electronics to try and put DEM out of business- And with a straight face and a fork by her side, she stared at me- Although of course, everything I told you are rumors

Yes... but... if it were true, that would explain why Asgard Electronics is collaborating so much with the Japanese government... They both want to save not only the citizens, but also the spirits- I replied, before serving my plate

Precisely, something tells me that these rumors are not rumors at all… I think they are Kuruleaks V2-

Let's hope it isn't, today's spirit jailbreak gave Kurumi-san a lot of trouble, one more problem could make the CST higher-ups angry- I said, before taking a seat next to Nozomi-nee-chan

Yes... I would really appreciate it if Sawa-chan wasn't so attached to Kurumi-san... the poor thing takes all the blame on her for everything!-

Well, it's also true that they've been friends since before Kurumi-san was transformed into a Spirit, so it makes sense… however, Sawa-sama is already 37 years old…-

Well well, Korone and Kenjiro would be sad if Sawa-chan and Kurumi-san had a fight, for them, Kurumi-san is a second mother or an older sister-

I wonder what they will think when they are adults and see their second mother looking younger than them- I said, giggling- Kuru-nee, you are so cute, so tiny!- I said, imitating Kenjiro's voice

Hahahahahahaha, Oh, don't make me laugh so much! You make my side hurt! -She was holding her sides while laughing hard

Well, it's better that we eat and go to sleep, you need to heal and I need to rest- I told her, while I took another wooden board from behind the sofa and started eating

Sure sure Shi-kun- She said, her smile made me feel at home...

After finishing dinner, I helped her back to her room, washed the dishes, changed my clothes, brushed my teeth and went to sleep...

I had a different nightmare…I was coming home from a day at school where everyone was treating me badly…my indoor slippers were being thrown in the trash, hurtful things were being written on my desk…everything. When I got home, a woman started talking to me, and I answered, I didn't understand what I was listening or saying... Then, the woman jumped on me and started to strangle me... when my vision was fading... I saw a great aquamarine glow and woke up.