Re:Chapter 7 - Date A Day Out

...

So...

bored.

It's been three days since I met Natsumi, and in that time she's gotten along with Kurumi and I quite well. Ha, you should've seen the look on her face when she first ate my food. Priceless. She also has a real knack for video games, destroying both of us, especially at fighting games. Still, she's quite happy now. It's nice seeing that girl smile and laugh. She really deserves it, especially after all the shit she's been through.

With Natsumi moving in, there aren't anymore empty rooms in Kurumi's apartment, so either we'll need to find a new place sometime, or I can just make more rooms with Helel. Ah, Helel. What would I do without you? As I think this, I feel Helel's crystal pulse with joy.

That is, if any Spirits end up moving in. Kurumi and I have grown a bit closer as well. The two of us have been spending quite a bit of time together, even with Natsumi joining our little group.

However, this brings me to my current predicament. I'm bored. Very bored. Don't get me wrong, hanging out with the girls has been fun, but we've pretty much just stayed inside, playing games and such. So, this morning, I've been thinking up a solution. Something that'd be fun for all of us. The solution?

"An amusement park?" Kurumi asks, confused by my sudden inquiry.

"Yeah, the old one got destroyed when Natsumi showed up, so I wanna know if there are any other ones nearby." I explain my reasoning.

"You're in luck, then. There are two parks in Tengu." The time Spirit explains.

"Seriously?!" I exclaim, to which Kurumi nods. "Alright then, I'mma go get Natsumi. We've been inside for long enough, it's time for a day out!"

"Whoa!" The green-haired Spirit exclaims, eyes shining in awe as we enter the amusement park. I feel as excited as her, having never been to an amusement park. Kurumi surely feels the same way. We made our way into the park, only to be greeted by this sight.

Many people are wandering around, obviously, it's the weekend, after all. But there really are a lot of people, walking around, having fun and visiting the many stalls and attractions here. There's a lot here, a rollercoaster, merry-go-round, dunk tank, and that's just things I can see easily!

"Either if you girls ever been to one of these?" I ask, curious.

"No." Kurumi replies.

"Nope." Natsumi replies.

Kurumi and Natsumi have been stuck in a not-so-good mindset for a long time, to say the least. Hopefully this day out will bring forth those joyful emotions from deep within 'em.

Lord knows I love seeing Kurumi's and Natsumi's beautiful smiles.

"Neither have I. Well then." I say, turning to the girls, a big smile on my face. "Let's go explore!"

"No way!" Natsumi complains.

"Oh, c'mon, it'll be fine!" I retort.

I and the shorter Spirit argue with one another as I try to coerce her to ride the rollercoaster.

"Natsumi, you can fly, can't you?" I ask.

"Yeah?" The green haired Spirit replies, slowly.

"Then why are you so scared of this?" I ask.

"It's different!" She retorts immediately.

"How?!" I shout.

"It just is!" She shouts back.

This is going nowhere. "Fine then. What do you want, in exchange for going on the rollercoaster with us?" I ask, causing her to stoll for a moment, thinking.

"I want you to make me some cake later." Natsumi decides.

"That's all?" I ask, a brow raised. "Consider it done, now let's go!" Natsumi follows Kurumi and I onto the rollercoaster, the poor girl shaking in suspense.

"I'm surprised you're so adamant about this, Issei-kun." Kurumi observes.

"Well, I've never been on one and wanted us all to experience it for the first time, together." I explain.

"So you want to take our 'firsts', hmm?" The time Spirit asks with a sly grin.

"HUH?!" Natsumi shrieks, understanding the meaning.

"What? No, I-" I try to defend myself.

"And not just mine, but poor Natsumi-chan's as well? You truly are a beast, Issei-kun~" The black haired Spirit teases.

"I... ugh. Just... let's get on the damn ride." I say, groaning, as I relent to the Spirit's teasing.

"Ufufu~ Very well." Kurumi says with a sly grin, before turning to the shorter girl. There's nothing to worry about, Natsumi-chan." She reassures the smaller Spirit.

A minute later, as we enter our seats on the ride, I place a hand on the witch Spirit's shoulder, who looks up to me, a worried expression on her face. "It'll be okay. Trust me."

"O-Okay..." She says, quietly.

I pat a vomiting Natsumi on the back right after the ride is over. The poor girl got a lot more motion sick than I thought a person could get.

"Ara, it looks like it was too much for her~" Kurumi teases.

I sigh at the worst Spirit's antics. "Not now, Kurumi."

Kurumi merely smiles. "Oh, alright."

"You okay, Natsu?" I ask concerned.

"Y-Yeah, I think I'm fine now." Natsumi replies, shakily.

"Good. Now, hold still for a sec." I wave my hand over her.

"That felt weird. What was that?" Natsumi asks, confused.

"I used Helel to clean the vomit out of your mouth." I explain. There really isn't anything I can do with Helel, is there?

"Wha-? You can do that?!" The short spirit asks.

"What part of 'powered by imagination' didn't you get?" I ask with a blank look, raising one eyebrow.

"Ufufu~ you really think outside of the box, Issei-kun." Kurumi says, a smile on her face.

"Natural talent." A small bark of laughter escapes my lips after I say that. "Now c'mon you two, let's go see some more stuff!"

As the three of us walk through the amusement park, I realize something.

Issei is too damn nice to us.

Sure, he has that foreknowledge and all, but still, to go out of his way to help Kurumi-san and I? Someone's gonna take advantage of that one day.

Though, it won't be me. He's earned my trust after what he's done for me, or at least most of my trust.

These past three days knowing him, I know he's someone trying to make the best out of his second chance at life, so I shouldn't judge him too badly for wanting to do things differently than how he did before.

Plus, he and Kurumi-san have gotten really close.

It wasn't obvious at first, with the both of them teasing one another, but they genuinely do like one another, even if they don't realize. I don't see how they couldn't, even I can see it!

I wonder if I ever...

...

"Natsumi! C'mon!" Issei calls out to me.

"C-Coming!" I call back, as I run back over to the male Spirit.

A few hours of exploring and I feel like we still haven't seen everything in this massive place. While walking, Natsumi stops suddenly.

"Hmm? What are you looking at?" I ask, seeing her face glued to a poster on the wall of a small building. It's an ad for a puppet show, happening in the park, at 4 o'clock. "Puppet show, eh?" I say looking down at her. "You wanna see it?"

"Wha?" The green haired girl grows a blush on her face. "O-Of course not!" That's clearly a lie, I can practically feel my eyes rolling.

I look down at my watch. "It's three forty-five now. You interested, Kurumi?"

"I suppose." The taller Spirit says.

"There'll probably be cat puppets." I say with a grin.

"Let's go!" Kurumi says, suddenly very enthusiastic.

"It's settled then." I say, satisfied.

"Huh?!" Natsumi lets out a squeal.

"C'mon Natsu-chan, the puppets await!" I say, beginning to walk towards the show.

"Ufufu, oh Issei-kun." Kurumi says, shaking her head with a smile.

"H-Hey, wait up!" Natsumi shouts, running after us.

The puppet show ended not long after it began. Oddly enough, it was a story about the ugly duckling. Didn't know this story got to over here. I saw Kurumi's eyes practically light up when a cat puppet appeared. I swear, that girl might be a killer, but damn can she be cute. Natsumi too, was really invested in the show. I caught her eyes glued to the puppets, particularly a bird puppet. Maybe our green haired friend likes birds?

The host of the show, an older man, with graying hairs, steps up onto the stage and addresses the crowd. "Thank you all for watching the show. The puppets used today are quite old and we've already acquired replacements. Because of this, we're giving away the puppets for anyone who wants them behind the stage. We only ask no one takes more than one." Children in the crowd cheer and begins going towards the stage's back.

"Either of you want any of 'em?" I ask the girls.

"Hmm. That cat puppet looked rather well taken care of. I wouldn't mind taking it." Kurumi says, standing up.

"What about you Natsumi?" I ask the shorter girl, while I stand up.

"Hmph. Why would I want a puppet?" Natsumi says, in a very tsundere manner.

"I saw how your eyes lit up when the bird was up there." I say, leveling a glare at her.

Natsumi stiffens. "Oh fine!" She relents, standing up finally. "Let's go get that bird!"

I sigh. "Honestly, you need to be more honest, Natsu-chan." She sputters at my words, making Kurumi and I chuckle.

Our little trio of Spirits walk towards the back of the stage. The old man from before is handing the puppets out to the kids with a kind smile on his face. The three of us get in line.

"I didn't know you liked birds, Natsumi." I point out.

"Yeah, well..." She begins to speak, hesitantly. "Birds can fly wherever they want. That's something I wanted to be able to do for a long time, so..."

"Don't worry, I get it." I say, calming down the witch Spirit.

The line slowly shrinks until we get to the old man.

Natsumi walks up the to box. "And which one would you like, little miss?" The old man asks politely.

"Erm. The bird one." The short girl says quietly.

"Sure, here you go." He says handing her the bird. As she grasps it, she lets out a small gasp of joy and hugs the bird to her chest tightly with both hands.

Way too cute.

"Could I have that cute cat one, please?" Kurumi asks, walking up to the man.

"Of course, young miss." He hands the cat to her, which he hugs to her chest, like Natsumi with that bird puppet. "I can see those puppets are going to a good home." He says, with a gently smile on his face. I can only smile at the two girls nodding at the man's guess.

"Excuse me." A voice says, behind us. I turn my head to look at the speaker.

Oh shit.

That thought sums the situation up entirely. Standing there is a beautiful girl, with long, light purple hair and grayish eyes. She wears a short, purple dress and a pink jacket over it, only slightly hiding her ample 'assets'. She also has brown shoes complete with a yellow flower clip on then both, a third rests in her hair.

In front of me is none other than Miku Izayoi. And considering the fact I can feel Reiryoku coming from her, she's already become a Spirit. Of course! It's October, 6 months until April, Miku supposedly became a Spirit 6 months before canon. Or was it six months before meeting Shido? Fuck it, either way she's here now and she's a Spirit.

This CANNOT end well.

"Could you give me those puppets?" She asks the old man sweetly. Odd she'd even ask nicely, what with her hating men and all.

"Hey!" "Don't skip!" "What are you doing, girl?" People in the line behind us shout, clearly upset at her.

The idol turns to the people and speaks.

"Hush."

Reiryoku laces the very sound of her voice.

"...!" "...?" "...?!" The three of us simultaneously tense at the feeling. I'm surprised by how it feels, it's an odd ripple across the brain, even just standing near her using it. Judging by their expressions, Kurumi is curious, but cautious, and Natsumi is shocked by this development.

The people's eyes widen before they begin speaking again. "Of course, Onee-sama." "We're sorry."

Fuck, seeing this in the anime made me sick, but to see it here is just... I can't even put it into words. Awful. It's awful. Just another reason to be pissed at Mio, I suppose, taking advantage of Miku and turning her into... this.

Kurumi and Natsumi stare at the situation, wide-eyed, before Kurumi's eyes sharpen like daggers.

"Young lady, there was a line. You really shouldn't skip like that." The old man gently admonishes Miku.

"I said give me those puppets, you stupid man." Again, she uses Gabriel to mind control the guy.

And there it is.

Still, was Miku this bratty in canon? Maybe she's just recently gotten a taste of being a Spirit, so she's on a power-trip.

"Of course Onee-sama." The old man begins to hand the box to her-

"Ahem." A sound interrupts the moment, one coming from Kurumi, of all people.

O-hoho! This is gonna be good~

"Hmm? Oh my! Aren't you cute!" Miku purrs, while getting closer to Kurumi. Doing this, she also pushes me out of the way.

Well fuck you too. I'm not gonna say anything, though. I wanna see where this goes.

"Why, thank you." Kurumi says while holding a hand to her face. Natsumi just stands there, dumbfounded. "You're quite cute as well."

Miku's eyes notice the cat puppet in the other girl's hand. "Oh and that puppets is quite cute as well! Give it to me, would you." She says, not asks.

"This? No thank you, I quite like it." Kurumi says with that same pleasant smile, but I can see her eyes... they promise death if this course of action continues.

"I said give me the puppet." Miku's Reiryoku washes over Kurumi, unlike the people who absorbed it. The red eyed Spirit's eyes narrow.

"Well, aren't you rude?" With Kurumi's words, Miku seems shocked her powers didn't word. Instead of trying again, she simply reaches for the puppet.

"I said give it." Before she can grab it though...

click

...She has Zafkiel's barrel pressed against her skull.

Kurumi's eye narrows with contempt, as her crimson eye glows with an eeire light, despite the sun hanging over the sky. Her bangs almost seem to create a shadow. "I said no." Miku's eyes widen and are steps back, in fright, though not from the literal gun being pressed against her forehead, but because she has lost control.

"Why?! Why isn't my voice working?!" The idol Spirit shrieks, frantic.

"Oh it is." I say, drawing the idol's attention. "Your Gabriel just doesn't work on those who have lots of Reiryoku in them, it gets repelled instead of absorbed." I step closer to her. "Word to the wise, don't try controlling Spirits."

Gabriel does work on sealed Spirits, but for un-sealed ones? No damn effect.

"Shut up!" She shrieks, her voice hurting my eardrums a bit, causing me to wince at the volume.

"Nah." I say, causing her eyes to widen further.

"Spirits?! How...?! How could a stupid man like you become a Spirit?!" Miku accuses.

"Oh my~" I say in a Kurumi-like tone, placing a hand over my mouth. "Do you talk to all of your fans like that, Yoimachi-san?"

Miku's eyes widen once again, before narrowing dangerously. "How do you know that name?" She growls, her voice no longer shaky and loud, but instead cold as ice.

"How else? I found your music some time ago, and liked it. Which is pretty odd, since I more prefer rock and metal over pop. But, I don't deny, you made good music." I say, the idol's glare not affecting me in the slightest. It's like she's trying to make my head explode with her glare alone, it's almost cute. "I heard about that whole scandal, and I think it was just bullshit."

"Huh?" Miku's eyes widen then narrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean it seemed fake, none of it seemed very plausible. People only listened to the higher-up's story and not yours, which made me less skeptical." I explain. "I mean, sure, anything can happen, but this just seemed like bullshit."

Miku mulls over my words as silence appears. No one says anything. Only the chatter of people in the distance can be heard.

"Anyways, you seem to be doing alright, so I'm glad to see that." I say to her with a smile. "But," I remove that smile and glare at her. "You shouldn't go around controlling people."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? Humans are nothing but cattle, meant to worship me!" Miku proclaims with a haughty tone of voice, a smug smile plastered on her face. "Besides, why should I listen to anything a worthless guy like you has to say?"

"No clue. You don't have to listen to me, but-" I stare her dead in the eyes as I say this. "Remember that humans are capable of great good and great evil in equal measure. Don't give up on we humans just because you've seen the worst of what we can do. We can be better."

"Hmph. 'We' humans? You talk as if you are one." She says, condescendingly.

"We all are." I say, causing her smug smirk to fall. "All of us Spirits, except the first, were and still are human. As are you, so don't throw that away, Yoimachi-san."

We both stare at one another, neither backing down to their beliefs. One, believing humans are incapable of good; One believing humans are capable of good and evil both. My eyes meet her grayish ones for what seems like hours, neither of us budging.

"Hmph." Miku turns away with a huff, giving up. "I didn't want the stupid puppet anyways."

The idol Spirit begins to walk off, but I speak up. "Yoimachi-san!" She turns and looks at me one more time. "Give what I said here some though, would you? Try to see the good humans can do, instead of focusing on the bad."

Instead of responding, she merely walks away with a scoff. Looking around I see the people in line and the old man have snapped out of their trance. Turning to the girls I say, "Come on." The three of us begin walking away.

"So," Natsumi begins. "She was a Spirit, too?"

"Yes, her name is Izayoi Miku, holder of Gabriel." I explain.

"Ara? I thought you called her Yoimachi-san?" Kurumi asks.

"I did. From what I know, she used to be an idol, before her manager wanted something 'not safe for work' from her." I explain. Kurumi, who realized what I mean almost immediately, scrunches her face in disgust. "So she ran, and the higher-ups made a story up about her, ruining her. Shame too, she made some good music. "

"Wait, didn't you say you came to this world a week or so ago?" The green haired Spirit asks.

"Yeah, I sort of binged her music when I had some free time. It was pretty good, admittly." I explain with a chuckle. "Anyways, if all of that wasn't bad enough, she also lost her singing voice from the trauma of it all, plunging her into despair. Then Mio showed up and gave her a Sephira Crystal, turning her into a Spirit, saying it would give the poor girl her voice back."

No one speaks for a moment. Kurumi's eyes narrow and her free fist clenches as she holds the cat puppet tighter, before she lets out a long, calming exhale. "We Spirits have had it pretty rough, haven't we?" She asks, quietly.

"Yeah." I say simply, as we finally leave the park. "That's why I wanna help you girls. You've all suffered too much, and deserve a good life. So that's what I'm gonna do, give you all a good life."

"Ufufu~ you really are special, Issei-kun..." Kurumi giggles.

"...yeah, you really are nice, Issei." Natsumi admits, quietly.

"Heh." I let out a small chuckle at their praise. "Thanks you two. Now, c'mon, I'm hungry. I'm thinkin' tacos. You two ever had tacos?" They shake their heads negative. "Oh, then you're gonna love this!"

Late that evening I slip into bed, rain pouring outside. After we ate a thunderstorm passed though, lighting crackling amongst the dark sky. After we returned, Kurumi placed the cat puppet on a shelf in her room, as did Natsumi with her bird, a happy smile on their faces as they did so.

Before that, we had a dinner of homemade tacos plus that cake Natsumi wanted, which I got my clones to make in a pocket dimension so it would be a surprise.

After I brushed my teeth and such, I laid down in bed, waiting for-

"Hello, Issei-kun~" Kurumi says, stepping into my room, clad in a white nightgown.

Speak of the devil.

She's been sleeping in my bed every night since our date, and I couldn't be happier. She wordlessly slips into bed, clinging to my body as though I was a body pillow, her soft hair brushing against my skin.

"Are you uncomfortable, Issei-kun?" The time Spirit asks me.

"I don't think I've ever been more comfortable, Kurumin~" I tease.

"Ufufu~ you're sweet." She giggles. "I am surprised though."

"Hm? What about?" I ask, curious as to what she means.

"I'm surprised you haven't taken advantage of the situation." She says with a sly grin, confusing me a bit. "I've slept right here with you and you haven't once tried anything."

"W-Well... It wouldn't be gentlemanly of me to ask ya to do stuff like that. We've only known each other for a week, y'know?" I stutter, forming an awkward response to the Spirit's teasing.

"Ufufu~ perhaps I wouldn't mind those things." Kurumi teases, her sly grin becoming more fox-like somehow. "Why I might even let you have a peek~"

"Huh...?" I ask, in disbelief. Is she teasing me, or...? "Are... are you serious?" I ask slowly, surprised at this turn of events. I know she likes to tease people, but...

"Indeed I am. Perhaps you want a demonstration?" She asks, coyly.

Kurumi reaches her hand towards her chest, snaking a finger under the top of her white nightgown. The fabric is the only thing hiding her chest from view, but Kurumi boldly lowers her finger, pulling down the fabric.

My body stiffens and I can feel my face heating up, anxiousness filling my body.

Kurumi, a fox-like grin still on her face, pulls the fabric lower and lower, the tops of her breasts coming into view.

Is she seriously going to-?!

She continues to pull, moments feeling like hours as more and more of her creamy skin is revealed, until...

BOOM

"AAH!"

A large crack of thunder makes us both jump, as does Natsumi's startled scream. Kurumi's hand flies away from her nightgown and our emotions have all been replaced by fear from the sudden thunder from outside.

A moment later, the door to my room opens, revealing Natsumi, clad in light green pajamas, her body, trembling in fright.

"H-Hey, can I s-sleep with you two tonight?" The witch Spirit asks, shakily.

Kurumi and I glance at one another. I shrug and she nods, prompting me to turn back to Natsumi and say. "It's fine with me."

Natsumi climbs into bed, to my right side, since Kurumi is to my left. She begins to lay on her back, until-

BOOM

Another big crack of thunder makes her jump and hold onto me for dear life. I pat the short girl's mop of green hair, reassuringly. "It's okay Natsu-chan. You're gonna be fine." She lets out a small squeak, perhaps in embarrassment, as her tiny body tightens it's hold around mine.

I chuckle. "Good night, you two."

"Good night." Kurumi says.

"Nihht." Natsumi says, muffled due to her face being pressed against my body. I merely let out a chuckle and wrap my arms around the two girls as the sound of rain lulls us to sleep.

Seeing Miku today made my memories of the Spirit's backstories come back in full force. Some Spirits have had it rough, some really rough, but one is suffering more than most. More than even Kurumi. But, I'll save my plans for tomorrow. Yeah...

Tomorrow seems like a good day to go to war. I wonder how the Pacific is this time of year?

AN

Seventh chapter done!

No real significant changes here, sadly. Haha.

Like I said in the original version of this chapter, I know Miku became a Spirit 6 months before Shido met her, which would be in April. I, however, wanted her to become a Spirit 6 months before canon instead, so here she is.

Edit: January 14, 2023: Added Kurumi teasing, an idea from Bakuganman.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the next!