Chapter 37: The Dilemma
There was a great celebration among Shidou and Ritsuka's group as well as the locals by the afternoon. They didn't know what the occasion was and they were so sure that there is no current event that they have knowledge. The locals however are persistent and insisted that today was a worthy of a celebration. When both Shidou and Ritsuka asked what is it the locals replied them back.
It's because they were vastly entertained by the gameplay between the two pair of twins and never they have seen that intense sport since ages. No matter how mundane it is, as long as it made the locals happy, Shidou and Ritsuka thought it was ok.
There was dancing and singing at that time. Yuzuru and Kaguya joined together with Ishtar and Ereshkigal when dancing. Even Circe seemed to be happy mixing in with the locals. Ritsuka and Shidou really digs it when they have a singing challenge.
Immediately out of nowhere, Shidou was pulled out from the rest of the crowd. He still didn't know who it was but whoever it was, they have the strength and agility for it. Farther and farther until he was far enough from them. They ended up in a restroom hidden somewhere. Shidou glanced toward the perpetrator and realized it was Kaguya.
It seemed that she was flushed from doing it and Shidou realized that Kaguya seemed to be worried over something. It might be so serious to the point she needed Shidou to drag him somewhere private.
"Kaguya? Is there something wrong?" Shidou asked her worryingly.
"There's something that I want to tell you, is that ok?" Kaguya said. Shidou could really feel this is serious since Kaguya dropped her chuunibyou attitude.
"Tell me what is it."
"As a Spirit, I admit that I am an amazing, powerful and talented one. I can wield a bunch of powers, stuffs and everything you can name of." Kaguya huffed from self-proclaim. "and tomorrow you need to choose between us, whether you like it or not to decide this endless battle for good."
Yes, Shidou also realized that this challenge they were referring has unfortunately, time limit, or so they claim but Shidou does not like to challenge their idea.
"Shidou, I want you to choose Yuzuru and not me." Kaguya said as she pointed him.
Shidou just blinked from hearing it as he was in a state of disbelief. Did Kaguya wanted to choose Yuzuru?
"She's incredibly lovely and super cute, Shidou. She deserved to enjoy the life to the fullest. She also a moe character with big boobs, don't you like it, Shidou?" Kaguya explained.
She then sighed. "Of course, I'll disappear, that's the outcome. It's not that I want to disappear, I just want for Yuzuru to live to the fullest and experience more of this world."
"…the most suitable Spirit after all is Yuzuru. I chose the battle of the charm because no matter how you look at, Yuzuru is the cutest of us."
Then Kaguya stared hard at Shidou with intensity. "If you do not choose Yuzuru then I'll destroy the whole island with all your friends…" Such dissonance from her active personality.
"You don't really mean it, do you?" Shidou tried to reassure her.
"Tohka, Origami, especially Ritsuka, whom you've talk the most, don't you value their lives that much?"
"It doesn't need to end up like that, right?"
It might have been easier said than done. Shidou was really conflicted but in the end he has no choice but to agree at her.
There's no doubt that Yuzuru would contradict Kaguya with her words later on.
"Petition. I want you to choose Kaguya to win this match instead of me." Yuzuru said as she faced Shidou in the same place. It seemed that Shidou's gut feeling is right; Yuzuru has the same feeling as Kaguya and it only made Shidou harder to decide between them.
"Explanation. Kaguya is the best sister that I could ever hope for. Surely, you must realize how lovely she is. Her fragility and earnest is hidden within her egoistic exterior, which I found to be the cutest. Hugging her will make you closer to the heart. Another thing is that she's the best at conveying her desires than me, even though she liked to act as if sheis in a theater."
Shido just gulped from hearing it.
"Reality. Choosing Kaguya will make me cease to exist and I'm willing to face that ending just to make Kaguya happy." Even with her cool expression, Shidou can spy some contentment and satisfaction in her.
"Desire. I want Kaguya to live. Kaguya is more fitting Spirit than me."
Then Yuzuru pointed at Shidou. She wanted him to fulfill her will no matter what and she made sure it will because she will create a heavy consequence.
"Reminder. Shidou must choose Kaguya over me tomorrow or else obliteration of the island will follow. I'm totally serious about it."
Shidou was just speechless, even after Yuzuru left him on his own in front of the restroom. She must have joined the locals together with Ritsuka's group and Kaguya for dancing.
Shidou meanwhile just stood there aloof.
"Shin, are you alright?" Reine's voice over the intercom interrupted his heavy thoughts.
"I'm fine. It's just its getting harder to decide right now."
"I understand. That's why it's important to you must choose the two of them instead of one of them. The way they said it is genuine. No hints of lies. No ulterior motives to be detected. This could be the way they feel."
"Wishing for her own disapperance so that the other can live." Shidou was frowning to himself. What the heck is going on?
He just stared toward the setting sun.
"Shin, I thin—*blitz* *kreesch*" The connection to Reine was cut immediately. Shidou checked his intercom at once.
"Reine-san, are you still there? Can you still hear me?" Shidou wondered why would something interrupt the connection. It seemed that it is night impossible because Reine is just near from his area. He looked around once more, as if he wanted to see if there is a signal jammer nearby, but in reality there is none.
"Oh, Shidou boy?" The voice was somewhat familiar. He looked around for the source of the voice and found out it was Ainu, who was busily sitting on the wall together with Izanami. Their feet swinging in perfect harmony.
"Ainu? Izanami? What are you doing here?" Shidou asked them.
"Nothing. I just want to reiterate your vow."
"Vow? You mean what I've said earlier?"
"Of course, that's what you call a vow." Ainu said and then just chuckled.
"The Yamai twins are interesting, no?" Ereshkigal remarked.
Shidou was temporarily alarmed. It means that the Tohsaka twins are present throughout the Yamai's wish to each other. How much did they heard though? He hoped that they just treated as something of a chunnibyou case.
"Err, yes. If that's what you mean."
"Their idea of obliterating this island was just ridiculous."
"Really, you even heard that too? I guess they are just really good acting." Shidou assured them. Both Ereshkigal and Ishtar was aware that Shidou was trying to bluff his way out. He even has the tendency to scratch the back of his head, as he tried to show himself that he was ignorant at the best.
Nevertheless, Ishtar felt teasing Shidou was fun.
"I've also heard about how you must choose between them. Must have been quite a dilemma." Ereshkigal said with a sad face.
Shidou then appeared worried and then sighed. "Y-Yeah I think so. I need to choose between them whether I like it or not." He fumbled his hands. "I guess you have heard the whole dialogue then. Why bother eavesdrop to it then? It must have been a boring conversation."
"I said it was interesting, Shidou, not boring." Ishtar corrected him. "Are you trying to divert the topic, Shidou boy?"
"P-pardon but no. I thought it was just mundane at the best." Then Shidou caressed his chin, as if he got an idea. "You're twins right?"
Ishtar just huffed. "Isn't it obvious? We are indeed twins. The yin to the yang." Then she squinted her eyes at him. "I dare you to doubt my credibility, Shidou I dare you."
"Y-yes, I won't question it further." He assured her but later on he became sad again. "You really loved your sister, huh?"
"Is this related to the Yamai twins? If so, that is quite absurd. Imagine choosing one of them to love." Ereshkigal said and just giggled.
"Yes, that's quite right." Shidou breathed in relief. It seemed that the Tohsaka twins misunderstood what the Yamai twins have said to him. "It's just that they really loved each other but they thought that they need to choose one." Shidou already have the idea of what he will do but it doesn't hurt if he can get some ideas and opinions from the another twin.
"My opinion? They're stupid that's all."
"Pardon?" He scrunched his eyebrows in confusion it seemed that he was just wasting his time here and that Ainu was just as rude.
"Oh, it's nothing. Forget what I've said earlier." Ishtar said as she waved him off. "They're Spirits, right?" She said nonchalantly.
Shidou felt his hair stood up on his nape. How much do they know?! Then suddenly, as if his memories came back, he felt nostalgic before. Did he meet the twins before?
As if further reinforced his claims, both Ishtar and Ereshkigal's eyes lit with mysticism. Even against the sunlight, he could see the unnatural glow from their eyes and their expression became grim and teasing. The atmosphere become odd all of the sudden.
Nevertheless, he stood ground. It would not be great if he just panicked on the spot.
"I know there's something that you want to ask, Shidou boy." Ishtar just said it menacingly.
"Are you both Spirits?" He sweatdropped.
"Maybe, maybe not." It seemed that Ishtar was content on teasing him. Shidou proceeded anyway.
"Why reveal yourself all of the sudden?"
"You amused me, so I'm willing to reveal myself that we are … unique." Ishtar said as she tossed her hair elegantly.
"What are your motives?"
"Having fun." Ishtar just smirked.
Shidou was troubled, really. Not one of them were right and he isn't content with her answer. He kept on glancing between Ishtar and Ereshkigal. He viewed them in a new light. Maybe he needed to report this to Reine as well as the Ratatoskr. Another question that sprouted from his mind is that can he still walk away from this?
"… You seemed restless, Shidou boy, I bet you will report this to the Ratatoskr."
Shidou's eyes glistened. How did Ishtar know?
Ishtar floated in front of him, and was having an eye to eye with him. "Relax, you know that I'm just messing with you right?" then she circled him around.
"…just like I've said earlier, I wanted you to remember your vow, right?" She whispered into his ears.
"…and if I don't? You'll kill me?"
The Red Devil of Venus frowned from what Shidou said. "That's so lame. I'm not a savages compared to the Yamais. I mean we have no issues between Izanami." She referred to her sister, Ereshkigal. "And no, we won't destroy this island because you offended us, we literally lived here."
"Yup. You can't just assume that we'll kill you." A simple word and yet a lot of impact, Ereshkigal then just smiled and wave.
"So let's keep this as our little dirty secret. Can't let Ms. Reine know about this, right?" Ishtar said in a suggestive tone.
Shidou nodded nervously. Even if he tried to backtrack, he felt as if the intensity is preventing him.
"Of course, I won't stop you from sealing the Yamais, they are really volatile at the best." Ishtar said as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
She then pat Shidou's cheeks teasingly. "So do your best and make some impact, Shidou." Then she retreated in front of him and waited.
Shidou was awed from it and blinked instinctively and when he opened his eyes, they were just gone.
Shidou realized that there's not only two Spirits existed on this island but four. If he couldn't do about it, he might as well doom this world. He wondered if the connection from the intercom was now back.