A/N: Hello there, readers! Here is Chapter 4, "When Their Hearts Collide".

Not much to say, except that this chapter is also the updated version of the original.

"Okay. So, in conclusion...you met two Spirits when you were walking home just now."

Kotori's voice felt off. It was like she was trying to hold something back.

"...Yeah."

Knowing what would happen to him, Shido only nodded nervously.

Shido had just informed his sister of what happened when he went home from school today. Right now, Kotori was summarizing his report.

Unfortunately for Shido, she didn't appear to be amused by his actions.

"They are Kurumi and someone who looked like [Phantom]."

"...Yeah."

"They suddenly separated, so you decided to go after the Phantom lookalike, leaving the others to chase Kurumi. Without bringing the communicator device with you."

"...Yeah."

"You followed the doppelganger all the way to the school, where she introduced herself as Sonogami Rinne. She claimed she isn't Phantom and requested you to go for a date with her tomorrow."

"...Yeah."

"She then proceeded to tell you that she knows about your ability to seal Spirit powers, the fact that [Ratatoskr] has been helping you, and also said that she was Kurumi's ally."

"...Yeah."

"And you accepted the date, regardless."

"...Yeah."

"ARE YOU INSANE!?"

"Bu, but..!"

As Kotori's built-up anger finally burst out in three loud words, Shido didn't get a chance to make an argument.

"Think, Shido, think! Kurumi is out for your blood, and she brought another Spirit with her this time! And you just went there like a sheep running toward a pack of wolves!"

Kotori yelled as she held her big brother's body and pushed him to a wall.

"Wa, wait, Kotori, calm down-"

"No, you should calm down and think just what you are trying to do this time. Those two are targeting you! Can't you see that!?"

Shido's pleas to calm Kotori down was ignored as her grip on his body tightened.

For a moment, silence filled the atmosphere between the foster siblings. Their eyes were directed at each other, and not a single sound was uttered.

But Shido didn't need that to tell what his sister was thinking. He knew very well that Kotori's anger was born of worry. It was not unreasonable.

If anything, he was the one unreasonable in this situation.

"But... even so, I..."

Shido had made up his mind. He won't run away from any of his missions. Especially this one.

"Kotori... I-" Shido was cut off again.

"Don't say things like 'my life is always in danger' or stuff like that. None of those girls seriously meant to kill you. Even if some did want to destroy you, their intentions were fleeting emotions. It is not the case with Kurumi." Kotori said in annoyance.

"I am aware of that... but you also realized it, right?"

When he said that, Kotori raised a brow, clearly expecting him to explain.

"If Kurumi really wants to, she will do it. Kill me, I mean."

It was undeniable. Kurumi would have eaten Shido a thousand times over by now if she really wanted to do so since that day on the school rooftop.

Of course, Kurumi letting him be for now was no reason to trust her, but seeing her willingness to help him twice to save Origami, Shido couldn't help but give her the benefit of doubt.

At that, Kotori's expression became more melancholic.

"I know. It scares me sometimes... I know she is there, somewhere. But I can't do anything about her. On the contrary, she can do anything, to anyone, anytime. Doesn't it scare you, too?"

"Maybe more than you. I am her target, after all."

Shido laughed nervously. He did say that he was going to save Kurumi, no matter what. And he didn't intend to back on that promise.

But he was also human, the thought of death instilled him with fear, he couldn't deny that.

"Then why-"

"That's exactly why. If I continue to fear her shadows, then she will never be saved. If I won't save her, who will?"

It was Shido's turn to cut Kotori off. It was a question for his sister, but it was also directed at his own resolve.

"That's..."

They both knew the answer. None. Knowing that, Shido continued;

"Besides, I don't think Kurumi will interrupt this date. Rinne said that the date was for her own reasons."

"She might be lying. To be frank, I can barely believe any of her words."

Kotori's words were as cold as her expression.

"If she is aware of the Ratatoskr, then it's likely she only wanted to lower our guard against her. And, if she is even willing to be allies with someone like Kurumi, then it's likely she has a similar moral compass. That is, non-existent."

"What?"

For some reason, Shido couldn't accept Kotori's explanation. What kind of paranoid thinking was that?

He almost felt offended at the way Kotori could so easily denounce Rinne.

"Rinne isn't that kind of person!"

Shido widened his eyes as soon as his voice left his mouth.

Kotori stared at him in shock, as if she was severely scolded.

It took him a few moments to realize he just yelled at his sister, angrily at that.

"Wha… what the heck? What am I saying?"

He literally just met Rinne a few hours ago. He knew nothing about her.

So why did he defend her like that?

Suddenly, averting his eyes from Kotori felt very appealing.

"Shido, what happened to you?"

Kotori's shocked face turned analytic. She knew something wasn't right, and he agreed.

"Uh, I... I'm sorry. That came out wrong."

He tried to apologize, but it was too late. Shido could tell from Kotori's gaze, questions and suspicions were growing.

Her hands let him go, and Kotori took out her Chupa Chups. Shido knew what she was about to do. She clearly was going to-

"Speaking of which...you didn't explain your conversation with this Rinne very well."

…Interrogate him.

Shido hesitated. "I told you everything just now, didn't I?"

Kotori narrowed her eyes. "You did, but only the important points. I'm asking to tell me everything. Every detail. Besides her music and her Angel, what else you found?"

Hearing such a specific question, he was silenced.

"Should I tell her?"

Shido omitted a few facts from his report just now. He didn't say a word about the strange feeling he felt when he was around Rinne, nor the tears he shed when she disappeared.

He didn't intend to hide it. However, those were things he couldn't explain at all, especially the latter. They would only make Kotori worried more than she already did right now. He didn't want that.

That being said, Shido was not willing to make any lies, either. If his sister asked, then he would answer, truthfully and without hiding anything.

"Well..."

Once again, Shido thought about Rinne.

"….Just what happened to me today?"

It was almost beyond his words to explain.

"...It's complicated."

"What do you mean? Elaborate."

"It's just..."

Shido took a deep breath. He would try his best to word his feelings.

"I don't seem to be myself when I'm around her."

He decided that was the best way to start. It was definitely true.

"When she smiled and introduced her name, I felt... strange."

He knew he should not use vague words.

"The next moment, I found myself unable to think clearly."

But he couldn't come up with a better way of wording it.

"I could feel my heart beating faster than it should, but I don't know why."

Kotori's eyes widened at his words. She stopped chewing the Chupa Chups.

"When she asked me to date her tomorrow, something urged me to accept."

He didn't even know what was possessing him to say yes.

"I felt... something about her... felt different."

And whatever it was, it made him feel very strong feelings.

"Yeah, something was obviously different. Different from any Spirit I've ever met. And when she held my hand..."

He paused again. How should he describe this?

"…I felt like I was possessed... by feelings that I can't understand."

Kotori's expression changed. The anger and worry she displayed had disappeared.

It was replaced by pure shock.

"Shido, don't tell me..."

Kotori's voice was barely a whisper, but Shido caught it.

"What? You can explain about it?"

He almost felt relieved. It would be best if Kotori could explain it.

"You... are you in love with her?"

"Wait, what?"

A question he never even dreamed before hit him like a truck.

"Wh... what are you talking about!?"

Shido felt his voice was louder than necessary, and for some reason, he could feel heat on his cheeks.

Kotori remained silent, her eyes staring at him as if he had grown a second head. Did she really mean that?

"Kotori, that's a bad joke. I can't possibly fall in love with a girl the day I met her, can I?"

…However, that would explain many things, wouldn't it?

"I am... in love with Rinne?"

The statement felt so right and wrong at the same time.

"No, it's impossible."

Love at first sight only existed within Yoshino's soap operas. It couldn't possibly happen in real life.

But... what else could explain it? That warmth, that nervousness... is that how love is supposed to feel?

"Can love explain the familiarity I felt? No, it can't. And I'm not in love with her!"

Yet, the question felt it hit too close to something. So close it scared him.

Kotori couldn't believe it.

Shido was her big brother for ten years.

She knew him better than anyone.

She knew it was impossible for him to fall in love with a stranger. Let alone at first sight.

He might be a little too overprotective towards Spirits, but not in that kind of way. Not like this.

However, it was reality.

"Shido..."

Kotori didn't trust her own voice, so she whispered his name.

However, there was no response. Shido was not listening.

"...Hey Shido!"

"Eh!? Sorry! What?"

Yelling this time, Shido snapped back to his senses, and he returned her gaze.

However, from his stare alone, she could tell that his mind was still elsewhere.

Kotori felt her teeth clenched. No… she wouldn't let this happen.

"Shido, I will allow it."

"Eh?"

She was rather amazed she could keep her voice even and professional when her mind was anything but calm, but she steeled herself.

Kotori wouldn't allow her big brother to know what she was feeling now.

"I will allow you to date her tomorrow. Me and the crew of Fraxinus will help you like usual."

She said that with finality.

Kotori didn't want to continue the conversation. She hoped Shido understood that much.

Shido appeared to be thinking for a moment, before he made a wry smile.

"Thanks, Kotori."

For some reason, she knew that smile meant mutual agreement. Shido needed to think about this as well.

"Humph!"

With a huff, she turned around and went to the door leading outside.

"Hmm? Where are you going? It's dark already."

Despite herself, Kotori allowed her lips to form a smile.

His big brother instinct was still kicking in, even after their argument, it seemed.

Kotori glanced back at him. "I need some fresh air. I have to prepare the plan for your date tomorrow, after all."

"Ah... okay." Shido didn't seem to believe her, but he didn't press.

It seemed he got the message not to pry on her thoughts further.

Oh yeah, before she forgot…

"Also, Shido. Don't forget to call Miku for tonight. The competition isn't called off just because of this."

"Roger that."

At her reminder, Shido quickly reached for his phone.

Kotori left as quick as her legs could take her.

She needed time to think. To sort out her feelings.

"…I must meet that Spirit."

The day had passed, and the night had arrived.

During this time, few to no people would ever visit what would arguably be the creepiest place in the whole city.

The cemetery.

"That was quite a show, wasn't it, Rinne?"

"Was it? I think it was the most awkward first meeting ever."

Already clad in their crimson red-black and purple-gold Astral Dresses, Kurumi and Rinne chatted while walking in the middle of cemetery.

Most buildings and public areas in the city had shelters for citizens to hide during times of Spacequakes. However, certain public areas, such as graveyards, didn't have such facility, which meant it was much more dangerous for citizens.

Also, lack of shelter meant lack of surveillance by both the AST and the DEM. Combined with people's general fear of graveyard, the place was perfect for people who didn't want to be disturbed by others during their hang out.

"Hihihi! I didn't know you can be so nervous when meeting a boy you love."

Rinne felt like burying herself in one of the graves at her friend's statement.

"I guess I was not mentally prepared... it has been such a long time since I last interacted with anyone other than you, Kurumi."

She hoped that sounded like a good excuse. However, Kurumi only laughed at her.

"Ha ha ha! You were watching him all this one year, aren't you? That's not an excuse."

Kurumi's lips curved into a mocking grin as she stared her down.

"Kuh... okay, you won."

Silently accepting her teasing was better than trying to fight back.

"Still, it went on just like you predicted."

Kurumi's expression became serious.

"I've never seen Shido-san acting like that before. It seems that your assumptions are right."

Twirling on her heels as she spoke, Kurumi slowly moved farther from Rinne as she spun.

"...Yeah. I must have met him, somewhere."

Rinne made a contemplative frown and crossed her arms.

"But how? You know that Shido and I never met before. You even used your [Yod] (Tenth Bullet) on me to confirm it. That person's ability to erase memories can't fool your ability to read the past." Rinne said, referring to Phantom.

"Hmm... there is one possibility..." Kurumi stated while still spinning.

"One possibility?"

"You guys have met before, but not in this timeline. My Yud only allows me to see your past, but not your memories from other timelines."

"Other timelines? But that's impossible. No one can send memories throughout timelines except for you. And you didn't."

It was undeniable, and Kurumi seemed to accept it. Silently, they both returned to their thoughts.

Not long after though, Kurumi stopped twirling.

"I don't think this will get us anywhere."

"Is that so..."

It was frustrating to admit it, but if Kurumi – who was smarter than her – thought so, it was better to agree.

"Well, rather than fooling around without any reason..."

Kurumi turned her gaze to meet hers.

"Let's have some fun. What should we do tonight?"

"Hum... the night is still young. Should we go somewhere? Since I decided where to go this morning, I think you should decide where to go tonight."

"I guess. Now then..."

Kurumi closed her eyes, obviously thinking about where should they go.

Minutes passed by. Even so, Rinne waited patiently while crossing her arms before her chest.

"Ah, I know. Let's go to a mall."

"Whoa, it's very crowded."

It was almost laws of nature that malls would be crowded. People went there from time to time, for a variety of reasons.

But this time, Rinne felt like she had to comment about it.

They could hear an anime theme song playing in the midst of the crowd. Among the crowds, many people also wore weird costumes.

It was an anime festival.

Smiling, Kurumi turned to her.

"Of course it would be."

"I see... if there are cosplayers around, we would not stand out that much."

If there wasn't an anime festival going on, they would probably be the center of attention already. Because she was still clad in her Astral Dress, and while Kurumi wasn't, her appearance would still attract people's attention.

Her friend now wore a monotone blouse and a skirt that had laces and frills. Her hair wasn't tied up like she was usually, but in its place she had Alice band decorated with a rose.

In other words, it was the exact same clothes she wore five years ago, minus the eyepatch.

Rinne couldn't stop a giggle as she took that in.

"Hey, why are you laughing?"

Kurumi asked, annoyed with her giggle, no doubt. Rinne found that even funnier, and laughed more.

"Hee hee... no reason. It's just... after all that talking with your clones whether or not to keep that appearance, you decided to keep it after all."

"I don't have a choice. This is an open space with surveillance, and my Astral Dress is well known by the AST. So I had to resort to this..."

"Well, something about it is lacking..."

As Kurumi tried to make an excuse, Rinne inserted her hand into the veil covering her head. Inside, her hand shined faintly, conjuring something.

"Here. It would be perfect."

She handed an eyepatch - clearly conjured from her Spirit mana - and handed it to her.

Seeing this, Kurumi widened her eyes in disgust.

"Haahhh? Are you saying I should use that thing? Do you have any idea how disgraceful this appearance already is? And you are telling me to use that..."

"Shido said it fits you right? Then why not?"

"Huh, unlike you, I'm not buying any of his sweet talk."

"Ha ha, but you said his praise honored you."

"Uh..."

At that, Kurumi was silenced. Her past self from five years ago did say that to Shido during the time travel trip.

Hesitantly, Kurumi took a look at the eyepatch on her hand, and finally took wore it on her left eye.

Seeing the past Kurumi in the present, Rinne failed to hold her laughter again. This time though, Kurumi was more embarrassed than annoyed.

"Maybe I should not have come here..." Kurumi regretted.

Rinne smiled sarcastically. "Hmm, what are you talking about, empress of time...? Going to this place was the perfect idea!"

All of a sudden, Kurumi drew out her shorter gun and twirled it on her hand.

"You know what? Suddenly I feel like I want to shoot someone right now."

Kurumi's voice definitely sounded her patience had thinned.

Suddenly feeling guilty, Rinne tried to suppress the nervousness in her voice.

"Um, Kurumi... don't be angry like that. Maybe I went a bit too far. I'm sorry."

Glancing at her, Kurumi seemed to contemplate it for a few seconds before she suddenly held her hand, a rare, genuine smile on her face.

"Well, I don't care. Let's have some fun tonight, ruler of fate."

Rinne was surprised.

Ruler of fate? Was that supposed to be a comeback to her joke?

"Well, it certainly fits me…"

"What should I buy next?"

The voice belonged to a tall, young girl clad in the Grim Reaper's robe.

She carried a staff as long as she was tall with a moon and flower decoration at its top.

If one paid attention, one could tell it was the same decoration as the one on Izayoi Miku's head in her concerts.

"Hee hee... this should be enough to surprise darling..."

A few tens of minutes ago, she received a phone call from her darling, saying to come over.

Tonight, there was a competition with the members of his harem.

The competition was simple: a survival match where the one who can keep silent wins.

So there she was. She decided to visit a mall before going off to her darling's house.

So that she could buy a few things that would help her attain victory in this competition.

Already carrying a few bags, she had finished both her shopping and her planning in her head.

"I guess it's time to go. I can't have them waiting for me."

"I'll win this. I'm undefeated!"

She was already imagining the shocked look of her darling and his harem.

Grinning, she failed to held back her giggles until she reached the mall entrance.

"…EH?"

She dropped her staff in shock.

"Tha... that's..."

In front of her very eyes, there was a girl with an eyepatch twirling a gun on her hand.

She was very beautiful. Even the eye-patch suited her very well.

But for her, it was not a stranger.

"That's the gothic girl who helped darling! Her name was Tokisaki Kurumi, wasn't it?"

Not wanting to be seen, she quickly picked up her staff, and went into a shop to hide, her eyes still directed at Kurumi.

Kurumi appeared different.

"What is she doing here? And why is she cosplaying?"

The girl continued to watch as Kurumi held the hand of another cosplayer girl and walked together.

"Is that her friend? She had a friend...?"

"At any rate, I should inform darling about this. Tokisaki Kurumi is here, along with someone who might be her friend."

She pulled her phone out of her pocket.

"Hello? Darling?"

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