Chapter 3: The Reaper

Everyone was preparing for a dinner at the dining room. By some coincidence, the girls of the dormitory have already cooked some foods before Itsuka could have given them that free meal. So they readily invited the Itsuka household along with their friends.

All of them were now in the dining room and the air of awkwardness was really emanating.

Shidou was trapped between Tohka and Yoshino, whom both of them are trying to pull away his arms to each other. It was getting uncomfortable for him but he endured as much as he can.

Kotori was in front of Shidou's seat and was sporting a smug look secretly. Beside her was Ritsuka who came in later on, greeted and introduced herself.

After being satisfied from watching Shidou, her sight was shifted toward Mashu, who seemed to becoming aware of Kotori's calculating gaze; no matter how much she ignored her, she just couldn't help but return a gaze back at her and when she did, Kotori pretended to ignore her and seemingly look at the other place that was mildly interesting.

Mashu's seat was beside Tokha's by the way.

Scathach did not indeed to join their current dinner as the table could only accommodate six people and she was aware that she wasn't 'hungry' yet. Kotori really wanted to let Scathach join them too but it seemed that the teacher of Shidou was avoiding them, according to her awareness. Too bad, she really wanted to look closer at Ms. Scarlet too.

Just like she was doing at Mashu, whom who was now getting uncomfortable any moment now. Kotori has the guts to climb up the table, effectively avoiding all of the plates and main course. and stare at Mashu face to face.

"Um, Kotori-chan?" Mashu didn't know if this is their norm at this place but she was honestly creeped out as she was forced to lean back as Kotori boldly invade her personal space.

"What's your name, Ma'm?"

"Mashu Kyrelight—"

"You're beautiful!" Kotori blurted out.

"Thanks I think?"

"Kotori, get down!" Shidou ordered Kotori, which the younger sibling obliged carefully.

"You do really take care of your sister, eh?" Ritsuka hummed, as she clasped her fingers together, elbows resting on the table as her upper lip was hidden by her half-clasped hands; for extra-convincing, the area of her eyes were shadowed, a feat she learned from Sherlock Holmes.

Ritsuka was sitting beside Kotori by the way.

"Oh, yes I do." Shidou replied and it was really a genuine answer.

Eventually, Ritsuka leaned sideways as her left arm let her face rested on it, her gaze carefully studying Kotori who decided to give Ritsuka a gentle smile. Suddenly, The Master of Chaldea has the urge to headpat this cute creature but resisted her charms.

Being exposed to deities and entities capable of charming powerful individuals can really make her resistant to some levels.

"Funny thing though, she reminded of my daughter—"

"Pardon. Did you say daughter?" Shidou did not expected that answer. Even Kotori was surprised but kept it carefully well hidden within her. Even Mashu was gawking at her from her Senpai's claim. Really?

"Oh… I'm terribly sorry if you misunderstood me. What I meant to say is that I have a younger sister too…" Ritsuka looked at them carefully and hoping that Mashu would understand her too. Mashu just nodded at her in agreement.

"I see." Even Shidou felt his resemblance with Ritsuka even if things that could compare them were fewer. Starting with a younger sister, Shidou could see himself in Ritsuka. He believed that she was taking care of her sister well just like how he did.

"What's her name, Ritsuka-san?" Kotori wondered. It does help being able to do this childish innocence as she is not technically rude toward Ritsuka.

"Her name was Jackie and well…"

Origami was hiding outside the dormitory after smelling Shidou's scent being inside. She does not care about the dormitory or that they have a new neighbor but if Shidou was involving his neighbors from now on, then Origami has now choice but to adjust her stalking period.

She crouched down as she crawled to the nearest window that was connected to the dining room, hoping to get a good peek of Shidou eating a meal. It was nearly dark and she was set between the building and some good, big floras, a garden to be precise, so she was well hidden.

Inch by inch, she made her way toward the desired window before a noticeable sound took her attention.

What greeted her were two red dots not far from her, and red dots mean two reflective eyes of a wild animal. Origami was alarmed but she was well prepared. She took a knife from a pocket and flung it at its target.

Two red dots immediately moved away and evaded the knife. Origami hoped that it would scare the unknown animal away.

Unfortunately, Origami was terribly mistaken.

"Mommy?"

Origami felt fear gripped her heart for a moment but she shook herself. She realized that it wasn't an animal or anything but a human being. Upon used from the darkness, the proof was in front of her already based on her little figure.

A young girl to be precise.

She don't know why she was scared of all the sudden but her instincts screamed at her and she just ignored it. Origami deduced that this young girl belonged to the dormitory and since she was young, she definitely believed that the young girl would not gave away her location.

"Shoo, shoo." Origami ordered the girl as she fan her arms at the young girl.

However, the young girl did not listen to her. "You are not mommy." The young lass growled. Origami prepared herself.

If the young girl will be her opponent right here right now, so be it. She will down her in one move and tie her up with the rope intended for Shidou and will release her in the morning. Origami immediately assumed a fighting stance, something that was taught to her as a Wizard, although she doesn't need to use her tech or her magic right now.

The lass immediately rushed before her with the speed that did not expect by Origami. Its as if the young girls form melted by the darkness and her only guide was those red eyes earlier.

This is definitely getting abnormal according to Origami. Origami tried to grab the moving target only to catch nothing but a shadow.

*tap* *tap* *tap*

Precise and solid strike stormed her body in a short amount of time. Origami was forced to kneel as pain bloomed around her body. Origami couldn't exactly deal these kind of situation right now.

She tried to ran away from the dorm immediately but a smack to her face pushed her back. Her eyes tried to readjust from the darkness again, which only made worse.

This is definitely an out of bound for her so she resort to her last chance.

A tranquilizer that was intended for Shidou too. If she can strike this stealthy girl, she will make her escape at the instant and avoid this dorm for good at night. Her only guide was the zipping red eyes that the young girl possessed.

"Mommy said that we cannot dismember you or any stranger that trespass our home…" the young girl chuckled out from darkness. "It's ok for us… besides, Mommy wanted to meet you too."

Origami's eyes danced back and forth as she kept track of those bloody eyes. She can't exactly pinpoint the little girl's current location for she was too agile. She can't rely on her voice too but it was enough proof that she was facing an adversary that needed a mental recovery.

Origami only need a perfect timing and all of this nightmare will be over. Those red eyes zipped closer and closer until Origami thrust the injection, only to meet no resistance. Those red dots disappeared immediately, swallowed by darkness once more.

Impossible—

The injection slipped past her fingers as her arm was forcibly bent, exuding pain and a grunt from Origami. It wasn't fractured but it was terribly hurt. A subtle weight on her back followed by a bunch of painful taps greeted Origami until a sharp pain registered on her nape. She realized that injection was struck onto her instead.

Before she can react to anything, darkness induced her sight and fell unconscious. Her prone body smacked the ground and fell flat on it.

The little lass, reappeared out from the darkness and watched carefully at Origami's vulnerable body. The little ripper was carrying a pair of sick-looking knife which she wielded in reverse. The edge of the blades is indeed sharp and can cut through skin but Mommy suggested to use blunt handle to smack her opponent which was fun.

Now, Jack the Ripper, embodiment of all unborn infants, fashioned from the legendary Serial Killer, all sewed into this possibly innocent girl. Jack thought this is her way of 'holding back' and was happy she can make her victim unconscious instead of being dismembered with a result.

Jack crouched down and searched Origami's pocket and coincidentally found a strong rope. Jack was curious why this girl needed a rope at this time but she ignored it anyway and tries to tie down this stranger.

Mommy will be proud of her.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Jackie called from the outside which was made aware by all of them inside the dining room. Ritsuka identified that voice and was all ears. "We have a guest!"

"Mommy?" Shidou was curious, nobody here inside the dining room could qualify for a mother but he felt he was just biased. He thought Ms. Scarlet could qualify as one but shoved that thought away immediately when he felt deadly chills for no reasons.

"Oh, pardon me. Jackie was calling me… you know Jackie really wanted to play house all day long and she wanted me as a mommy." Ritsuka immediately created a backstory on the spot.

Jack was dragging something on the floor as she arrived at the dining room. Eventually all eyes were set on the little girl. Shidou has trouble identifying her until his eyes was on the body Jackie was dragging.

"Hello, Jackie. I see that you have a playmate, uh – Origami? Origami!!!" Shido shrieked when he identified who it was. He immediately stood up and walked in front of Origami prone body.

Origami was tied up evenly that her fingers couldn't even wiggle, complete with a handkerchief covering her mouth. Shidou check her pulse and he was glad that she was still alive. Origami's clothes were dirtied and various parts of her exposed areas has bruises all over.

"Honey, where did you find our guest?"

"Outside, Mommy. She was spying on us while you were eating."

…or she was spying on him if that's how Shido thought. He quickly tried to untie the ropes but for some reasons, it was tight that he couldn't budge it. Shidou believed that Jackie wasn't culprit behind Origami's fate since well… she was just a child. He thought that Origami was already tied down by the time Jackie found her.

Jackie crouched down, as she was entertained on how Shidou would resolve these easy ropes until she offered an easy way.

"Your effort was all silly, Mister." Jackie said teasingly. "Here use this." Jackie offered the knife that was used by Origami earlier. When Origami threw it at her, she easily caught it by her nimble hand.

"Thank you, Jackie." Shidou thanked her as he cut the ropes piece by piece.

"Nothing was too serious and all her wounds are treatable as well. You just need to wait for her to wake up." Nightingale said as she checked again Origami who was now cooped up at the couch. Origami was partially covered in bandages and was sleeping soundly.

"It's a relief that by some chance, you were living in that dorm." Shidou thanked Nightingale. The Nurse of Steel was now carrying a medical kit as she stood up.

"Even though there's no harm done … you should have let this girl rest in the dorm already. We have some vacant room for her to rest."

"Thanks for the suggestion but I insist that she must rest here. I think the blame was on me so I must be responsible." Shidou said sadly as his sight remained on Origami.

Nightingale looked at Origami then at Shidou stoically.

"Then I suggested that she is to be bedridden till morning, and if she's not recovered on that day, then you must bring her to the nearest hospital…" Nightingale said as she prepared to leave the Itsuka's home.

"Will she be alright?" Tohka asked curiously as she poke Origami's cheek. The food back at the dorm were great but too bad, Shidou said that they needed to leave to take care of Origami too. She's worried about her too, even if its just for a little bit.

"Have a good night." Nightingale said as she closed the door for them.

Itsuka sighed as he watched Origami sleeping in peace. Thanks to her, she interrupted the dinner at the girl's dorm. Now he wanted to her to recover as much as possible and offer an explanation tomorrow.