Hello everyone, and welcome to the second chapter of Date a Live: Happiness of Eden. Just as I said before on the first chapter, this year I'll be focusing on this story since Date a Live is one of my favorite shows. I apologize for waiting so long, but it couldn't be helped as I've had lots of stuff to take care of; my job for instance. And last year's December hard on me for "good" reasons. First; this chapter has proven to be a very big one. The second reason; I got a stomach bug and had to spend some time resting. Final reason... my grandfather died, and I needed time to myself. I've been having a tough time recently, and still am now.
Anyway, I'm certain some of you guys are eagerly waiting for Rio's appearance, and I promise that the chapter when she appears will be soon. Probably around the fourth month or fifth one. I ask you all to be patient until then. For now, enjoy the second chapter.
Chapter 2: Daily Life.
(30 years ago)
It was a peacefully sunny day, the sun was shining down on a field full of grass and flowers with mountains in the distance. A single butterfly flew down and landed on a yellow flower. But the peaceful atmosphere was broken as a wave of purple energy in the shape of flames spread out from out of nowhere, passing the butterfly and flower with the insect flying away in a frightful manner.
The blue sky with clouds, even space was being distorted as another wave of purple energy as flames burst up from the ground with rubbles being sent flying into the air from an unknown force. The clouds began spiraling around together, forming a tornado that slowly began to reach down towards the ground. The world itself seemed to be distorted as the tornado struck the ground, causing a small flash as the first Spacequake in existence took place, growing incredibly large that it engulfed not only the field, but a nearby city as well. Everything was reduced to nothing, and that included the people.
Up in outer space, the Spacequake grew large enough that it stuck out like a sore thumb. A nearby satellite flew by, perhaps the only that witnessed the occurrence take place. '30 years ago, the Eurasian continent was attacked by a massive Spatial Quake, resulting in an incredible 150 million casualties. And now...' A familiar voice narrated, before the screen turned black.
(Trust In You.)
The song began with a green stream displayed in a white world, before a green sparkle rained down from it with the camera following the sparkle. It rained past a metallic tree, until disappearing upon reaching a seed-shape device that the three came out from, which was revealed to be attached to a ship.
The screen changed to show Kotori, Tohka, Rinne and Yoshino, all in Spirit forms, gently floating down. They all landed on the ground with the Efreet Spirit standing behind the Princess Spirit on her right, while Yoshino was behind Ruler on the left. All four of them turned towards the screen as it zoomed in close to their faces, showing their eyes with Ruler's veil clearing to reveal her gleaming red eyes.
The screen then changed to show 3 new, different Spirits gently floating down to the ground. Two of them were standing behind the third one, facing the sides. The two at the sides looked incredibly similar like twins as they both have orange hair, with a long strand on each side of their head ending in a tornado-like twirl. The one on the left had braided up hairstyle, and she has a lean figure. Her Astral Dress is mainly the color purple and had chains on her right hand and foot. The lower half of her body had a half skirt around her waist which dropped to the knees and opened around her thighs.
The look-alike on the right's hair was braided in three portions, and she has a curvy figure. Her Astral Dress was similar to her look-alike's one, yet was bluish-purple with a small cape and has chains on her left hand and foot.
Finally, the middle Spirit has a voluptuous figure and smooth skin that has never missed maintenance. She has long bluish-purple hair in a hime cut, while her eyes sparkle like silver. Her Astral Dress is mainly yellow with blue and white ruffles covering some parts of her dress. She wears a yellow moon hair clip with a lily connected to the curve ends of the moon. White lilies and petals can be seen next to the moon hair clip. She also wore crescent moon earrings and a choker on her neck with a white lily attached to it. Her legs are covered by white tights, and she had on yellow high-heel shoes with lilies on the ankles.
They all landed on the ground, before the screen zoomed in on the middle one's hair with none of their faces visible.
The screen changed once more, this time showing Mana and Origami together in their Realizer suits and armour. Mana had her arms crossed, while Origami was standing up straight. The pony tail haired girl looked towards the camera as it zoomed in to show her glare, and the white-haired female's lower face.
It changed once more; showing Kurumi and a horde of her clones all in different stances or positions. The original stood in the middle of them all, wielding both of her guns as she brought them up crossed over her chest with the left arm over the right. The camera zoomed in on Kurumi's face to show her smiling deviously with the bangs of her hair covering the eyes from view.
The screen changed again to show the members of Ratatoskr together with Reine and Kannazuki in the front. Reine had her arms crossed, Kannazuki's left hand placed on the hip and Kozue having her hands folded, while the rest were standing up straight. The screen zoomed in on Reine and Kannazuki, showing their frowning faces directed at the camera.
The screen changed to show a black world where Issac Westcott stood with Ellen Mathers behind him, both looking at the camera. The screen zoomed in on their faces, yet their eyes were covered by their bangs with Issac having a sinister smile displayed.
The screen changed back to the white world, this time showing Shido in his summer school uniform standing, looking straight at the camera with narrowed eyes. The camera zoomed out to show him standing straight, before zooming out once more to show his friends and siblings standing with him in a line with them still in their Spirit forms and Realizer equipment equipped.
The line consisted of Mana at the start, Origami second, Kotori third, Rinne standing beside Shido on his right, Tohka at Shido's left, Yoshino and Yoshinon as the seventh members, Kurumi right next to the Hermit Spirit with her right hand placed against the hip and finally, Reine at the end with both arms still crossed.
"Fate: Does everything happen for a reason?"
It changed to show a part of Tengu City's streets, Tohka, in school summer uniform, jumped into the air throwing her right hand up with a wide smile. The screen froze and changed into a deep purple colour with the words "Tohka Yatogami" displayed. The world turned back into normal as Tohka fall and landed on the ground with an excited expression. She then took off running down the street.
"Like the encounter that brought us together (together)".
Tohka ran past the kneeling down form of Yoshino, who was smiling down at Yoshinon as the two were starting at one another. However, Tohka's running caught the attention of Yoshino and Yoshino as they looked over, before the screen froze and changed into a bright green colour with the words "Yoshino" displayed. The camera then zoomed in on Yoshinon with her name displayed as well. The world returned to normal as Yoshino stood up on her feet.
"Binding my story to yours".
"If I never understand this beating in my chest (up to you)".
The Hermit Spirit began following Tohka as a nearby van drove by. Nearby, Kotori watched the two Spirits with a grin as she leaned her back against a tree, enjoying a lollypop that she was holding. She gave a smirk as the world froze and turned a yellow colour with the words "Kotori Itsuka" displayed. The world returned to normal as she pushed herself off of the tree and pulled her treat out, before walking off somewhere.
A bus drove by on the road, clearing to reveal Origami walking down the street, passing by a table that Ai Yamabuki, Mai Hazakura & Mii Fujibakama were all sitting down around.
"The only way I can go is down".
The camera zoomed in on Origami and turned into a light blue world with the words "Origami Tobiichi" displayed. The world returned to normal as Origami walked out of view as Ai, Mai and Mii looked over, while Tamae walked happily into view down the street in the same direction that Origami went.
"So make your choice".
The camera changed into a red world, showing Kurumi in her Astral Dress looking up towards the sky with a grin as the words "Kurumi Tokisaki" were displayed. The world returned to normal as the camera zoomed out to show the Nightmare Spirit standing atop a building's rooftop. She was looking up towards the sky as a shadow of a familiar airship was visible, traveling forwards.
"Let's begin this thrilling date!"
The camera changed once more to the street level, this time showing Shido and Rinne besides one another facing forward with the same rooftop that Kurumi was standing on nearby with Nightmare still there. A sound caught the attention of the two "childhood friends", before Shido looked over his left shoulder and Rinne over her right shoulder. The world turned into a bright pink one as the camera focus on Rinne with the words "Rinne Sonogami" displayed. It then changed colours to an electric blue world as the camera focused on Shido with his full name on display as well.
Something flew into the air in the distance, leaving white colours trails. The camera zoomed in on them, revealing them to be three AST members with their features covered. The camera zoomed right into one member's left wing, covering the screen in black.
"Every time we talk, every time we touch, every time we laugh, I'm reminded".
The screen changed to show Shido and Tohka walking side-by side down the street in their summer school uniform. Shido was carrying both his and Tohka's school bags, watching Tohka as she held up a wrapped up kinako bread. The Princess Spirit opened her mouth wide and took a big bite out of the bread, looking in absolute bliss as she enjoyed her snack. It suddenly changed to show a Tohka's left eye up close with the camera slowly zooming out.
The screen changed to show the living room of the Itsuka household. Two bits of toast shot out of the toaster and into the air, before landing neatly on two plates that Rinne was holding up with both hands. The Ruler Spirit brought her hands down, while Tohka, Yoshino and Yoshinon all stared at Rinne in amazement at her professionalism. Even Kotori, who was brushing her teeth in the room, turned to look at Rinne as well. The screen changed once more, this time showing Ruler's face with her veil on. The camera zoomed out slowly to show Ruler flying forwards in her Astral Dress.
The screen changed to show the Class 2-4 classroom, where the students were getting the room ready for a party of some sorts. Shido, Rinne, Reine, Tamae, Ai, Mii and Origami were all looking up at Tohka, who was standing ontop of a chair placed on tables gather together, decorating above the blackboard with a purple paper garland with Mai keeping a steady hold on the chair she was standing on. Hiroto Tonomachi was standing on a chair as well, helping Tohka decorate the classroom too. Shido had his left hand placed against the hip, while Rinne had both hands folded behind herself as they watched the Princess Spirit help out.
The screen changed, this time showing the white world with Tohka in full Spirit armour, running at a fast pace with Sandalphon in her right hand. And flying besides the Princess Spirit on her right was Ruler, keeping up with Tohka as they advanced forward together. It changed once more, this time to Takadai Park with Shido and Rinne standing right in front of the railing, looking down towards Tengu City. The wind picked up a little, causing their hair and clothes to slightly blow in the breeze.
"Of this love that I won't ever give up".
Kotori in Spirit form, flew down out of nowhere to beside Ruler on her right with Camael in hand, flaming sprouting from the hands and legs out of nowhere. Yoshino, also in Spirit armour, came down from above mounted on Zadkiel, running fast to keep up with Tohka on her left.
The screen changed once more, this time showing Shido, Rinne and Tohka all seated in a train in their school uniforms. Shido was seated in the middle, Tohka on his left and Rinne on Shido's right with their bags laying against them. The human boy looked at Tohka first, then at Rinne as the two Spirits closed their eyes. The camera split into two with both sides showing Rinne and Tohka leaning their heads against Shido's shoulders with peaceful faces.
"Because I've never wished to stay by someone's side as much as this".
The screen changed back to the white world, showing the four Spirits still advancing together, before flashing to outer space with clouds covering the Earth's surface. It changed back to the white world as the twin orang-haired Spirits flew down and passed them, glancing down towards the other Spirits as Yoshino and Kotori split up from Tohka and Rinne. The four disappeared from view, yet Tohka and Ruler continued on beside one another.
The bluish-purple haired Spirit came in from above the side, riding upwards on a road that looked like a piano keyboard up, while Mana flew in out of nowhere in a black and blue CR-Unit, vaguely resembling a wolf's fangs and claws. Mana ignited the CR-Unit's thruster wings, kicking her speed up a notch as she drew in closer towards Tohka and Ruler, while Kurumi came down out of nowhere, appearing as if she was coming down to block the two Spirit's way with the keyboard road still above her.
Behind Mana, another piano keyboard road appeared as the unknown Spirit slid down it with a smile, while Mana changed course and flew into the air, where black unknown creatures filled the white world's skies. The screen changed to show a humanoid robot with a red eye in a black world with a light shining down on it.
The camera changed again, this time showing an invisible ship bursting through the clouds into the night sky with a full moon shining in the darkness. It returned back to the white world, showing Origami armed in her Realizer suits, blade in hand. Ellen, in her own CR-Unit gear, flew in and clashed blades against Origami, creating a bright flash, before pushing the younger woman out of view with her hair briefly going over the camera.
The screen cleared to show the ground level of the white world with the camera moving forward at lightspeed towards a new Spirit. It was a little girl around Yoshino's height, she had long plum hair that reaches to her legs. The girl's hair was tied with one single braid and has a bow at the top of her head. She was wearing a lavish pinkish-red dress with a gold emblem on the center. The dress also contained a large robe that reaches her feet. Finally, she had a pair of black panty hose with strappy low red heeled shoes with an ankle strap with pink detailing and small wing shaped straps on the side.
The girl's hair and robe blew in the breeze as the camera went past her right shoulder and showed someone in the distance. The screen changed to show the blade of Sandalphon letting out a small shine, before changing to reveal Shido was the one holding the Angel in his right hand. The camera zoomed in on Shido's face as he narrowed his eyes as they changed from brown to a golden colour, gaining pupils that a Spirit would have.
The camera went past the boy towards the sky of the white world, where Tohka and Ruler flew down from above with the camera showing their relived expressions with Ruler's veil gone. The camera spun around to show the two Spirits closing in on Shido with Tohka's right hand out, and Ruler's left hand out as well. Shido opened his mouth in surprise as he reached out with both hands and successfully managed to catch the girls' hands.
"I want to believe, Date A Live".
The camera zoomed around the three of them, showing the happy faces of Shido, Ruler and Tohka as the two Spirits gently landed on the ground in front of the boy, still keeping their hands together. The title "Date A Live Happiness of Eden" then appeared right in front the camera as Shido, Ruler and Tohka all disappeared from view. The title then disappeared as the screen turned pure white.
(Song end)
"...Do...? Shido? Wakey, wakey, rise and shine". A ticklish voice stirred Shido from his slumber, which he let out a grown as he flipped over to his back. It got worse for him as his alarm clock began ringing, causing the blue-haired boy to groan once more in discomfort. Luckily, the ringing stopped by unknown means, something that the teenage boy was grateful for as he attempted to go back to sleep. However, he felt something incredibly soft being placed on his left check as the same voice from before spoke.
"Shido, I know you've been working hard lately, and I'd be more than happy to let you sleep in, but Kotori insisted that you wake up. So please Shido, could you get up? For me". The famine voice pleaded to the boy. Shido found himself unable to refuse the voice's plea as he finally opened his eyes. His vision was blurry for a few moments, before clearing up to reveal the vision of beauty looming over him. Looming over him was his girlfriend Rinne Sonogami, who was smiling down at Shido as she kept her right hand placed against Shido's left cheek.
Rinne was wearing a grey pleated skirt with a thin white border at the hem, dark grey tights with black Mary Jane shoes, a soft white shirt with a pointed collar with a thin black bow at the top bottom. A red knit cardigan with a coloured pearl detail along the top border. This was Rinne's new outfit that she bought from the shops recently.
It has been 2 weeks since Rinne's return, and while not very much has happened, Tohka, Yoshino, Yoshinon and Kotori have all grown close to the Ruler Spirit. Kotori had grown to trust Rinne to help Shido look after Tohka and Yoshino as she's proven to be quite helpful with the Spirits.
Unlike the other two, Rinne never lost control of herself, or become disheartened easily. Yoshino and Yoshinon greatly liked Rinne as she's very gentle and supporting, she's even helping Yoshino with learning how to do the recorder again. And Tohka had grown to like Rinne because of how delicious her cooking was, and because she was teaching Tohka how to cook as well. All in all, things were returning to how they were in Eden at a fast rate, and Shido was glad everyone was warming up to his girlfriend.
And in school, Rinne had regained her same popularity she had in Eden. She was well like by the boys, joined the lacrosse team again and was well liked by the females. Of course, after the first week, Shido and Rinne came clean about their relationship as they didn't want to hide anything from their friends. It was also so that the guys of school wouldn't try anything with Rinne. The boys, especially Tonomachi, were heartbroken at how such a perfectly girl was taken. The girls congratulated Rinne for her new relationship and wished her well, while Ai, Mai and Mii gave Shido an earful on choosing the new girl over Tohka.
As for the Spirits, Rinne was the one that told them. She told Tohka, Yoshino and Kotori of her new relationship with Shido when he was out of the house. He didn't know how it went, but when he came back, Tohka, Yoshino, Kotori and Yoshinon all seemed accepting of his and Rinne's relationship. Shido wondered what it was that his girlfriend said to the three, but decided it was unimportant as it meant that he could be with Rinne now without concern.
During this short time, Rinne's powers as Ruler still haven't returned yet, no matter what they tried. She even asked Tohka and Yoshino for help as they've had more experience calling on their powers in Limited Astrel Dresses, yet that didn't change the results either. Rinne didn't lose heart and kept trying to call forth her powers, determined to be of help to Shido in his mission to save all Spirits. Her resolve truly amazed Shido, Tohka, Yoshino and Kotori as they could see she's trying with all her heart. Shido was certain that in time, the "Ruler" will return, but that time isn't now.
"Good morning...Rinne". Shido groaned out with a tired voice, something that made the pink-haired girl giggle a bit. "Good morning to you too, sleepyhead". Rinne greeted her boyfriend of 2 weeks now, before looking down at Shido's current outfit. He was wearing a white v-neck shirt with short sleeves and blue baggy long pants with white lines at the sides. The Ruler Spirit sighed a bit at seeing this, yet she made no comment on Shido's choice of sleepwear.
He has been studying hard lately and getting ready for the upcoming school trip, so he's been staying up late a bit. And just as she did in Eden, Rinne's been coming over to wake him up and make sure he does not oversleep.
Shido let out a deep yawn once more as he flipped over to the right and onto his stomach, intending to go back to sleep. "Let me sleep in a bit more... I had to stay up a little bit later than usual last night". The blue-haired boy groaned out, pushing his face into the pillow to drown out any sound and go back to sleep.
Rinne straightened her posture, before bringing up her right hand and gave a giggle. Thinking that he did deserve to sleep in for today, Rinne decided to handle the morning routines herself. She turned around, but just as she took a step towards Shido's door...
Kaboom!
An explosion came out of nowhere and shook the house, making Rinne widen her eyes in surprise. Shido, now wide away from the unexpected wake up call, turned over and sat up from his bed with a surprised face. "Whoa! What on Earth was that?!" Shido questioned in surprise, while Rinne went towards the slide door to the balcony and opened it.
(Play Trust in You by Sweet Arms.)
Shido immediately got to his feet as Rinne went out on the balcony and stopped in front of the wooden railing. She looked over to the large Spirit apartment, where smoke clouds were coming out of the living room section where she had left Tohka. "Ahhh!" Shido gasped out as he came up right next to his girlfriend on her left and looked towards the Spirit apartment. Upon seeing the smoke clouds coming out, he immediately turned tail to go check on Tohka. "Shido, wait up!" Rinne called out as she chased after her boyfriend, just in case he needed assistance.
The two quickly arrived at the Spirit apartment and entered, heading over straight to the living room with Shido in the lead. Once there, the blue-haired boy ran towards the door and pulled it open, before stepping inside. "Tohka, what's wrong?!" Shido questioned with an alarmed voice, placing his left hand against the door's left side hinge, while Rinne stopped right outside the room and watched just 3 feet behind the boy.
Inside, Tohka was seated on her knees in front of a floor table that had books, pencils and a knocked over glass cup. She was wearing their school's PE summer uniform with a yellow ribbon holding her hair. She was also shaking, a sign that she was crying. "Oh Shido, look". The Princess Spirit said as she turned towards the blue-haired boy, revealing that she had been holding a notebook in her hands, only it was wet now.
Shido recognized the notebook to be his one, which he had lent to Tohka. "I'm sorry. I accidently got the notes I borrowed from you dirty!" Tohka apologized, getting Shido to blink at her. "What?" Ratatoskr's main operative questioned, shifting his eyes towards the knocked over glass and saw a bit of orange juice leaking out. Tears began leaking out of the Princess Spirit's eyes as she spoke. "I lost control when I thought you would hate me for it". Tohka explained to Shido, who eased his gaze at seeing nothing was wrong.
Tohka closed her eyes and began to cry, scrunching the book up. As a result of Tohka's negative feelings, her powers began to return as her hair began to blow with purple coloured energy erupting around the Princess Spirit. Rinne cried out in alarm, while Shido looked up at the purple energy with wide eyes, before turning towards Tohka. "It's all right! I won't hate you because of something like that!" Shido called out towards Tohka, catching her attention as she calmed down, causing the purple energy to slowly die down, and looked at Shido with hopeful eyes.
"What? Really, you won't?" The Princess Spirit questioned the human boy, which Shido nodded to her. "Of course not, silly". The blue-haired boy answered the Spirit, while Rinne sighed in relief as she laid her right hand atop her chest. However, a powerful burst of sub-zero wind erupted out of nowhere from behind Rinne and blew into the living room, causing Shido to flinch while Rinne gasped in concern as she turned around. She saw the bathroom's door encasing in ice at an incredible rate with the hallway freezing up quickly as well.
Rinne quickly went up to the bathroom door and opened it. "Yoshino! Yoshinon! What's wrong!?" The Ruler Spirit cried out in concern as she ran inside, where the temperature was more cold than outside the room. Inside the bathroom, it was mostly covered in ice as well, even the bath filled with water was slowly freezing up. Yoshino was inside, wearing just a towel around her body and hair wet from the bath she was taking. Strangely enough, Yoshinon wasn't on her left arm.
The little girl turned towards Rinne, giving a sad expression as she pointed towards the bathtub with her right hand. "Ahhh, Rinne... Look there. Yoshinon is..." Yoshino said with a low voice as Rinne turned to look at where the Hermit Spirit was pointing towards. To Rinne's surprise, she saw Yoshinon stuck in the bathtub's drain, blocking out the water. Shido stepped right in front of the open door and looked inside. Yoshino brought her hands up as she shook from the sadness that she was experiencing.
"Yoshinon...Yoshinon!" Yoshino cried out, releasing more of her Spiritual powers as the ice in the bathtub began growing larger, much to Rinne's alarm. "Don't worry Yoshino, I'll save Yoshinon!" Rinne told the little girl as she went straight up towards the bath and thrust her hands into the water. She flinched at the intense cold water, yet Rinne fought through it as she grabbed hold of the rabbit puppet with both hands. Rinne pulled once, before pulling once more and successfully pulled Yoshinon out of the drain, yet the force pushed the Ruler Spirit off her feet and sent the puppet flying into the air.
"Weeeee!" Yoshinon cried out as she flew through the air, black flipping before landing on Yoshino's left hand, who had wide eyes as she watched. The rabbit shook the water off of her similar to how a dog would, before suddenly stopping with the right forearm up, and holding the left hand into the air in a pose. She turned towards Rinne, who had fallen on the floor on her rear end and waved her right hand at the Ruler Spirit. "Hey Rinne... Thanks for saving me, as usual". Yoshinon thanked the Ruler Spirit for her help.
Yoshino wiped away the tears in her right eye with her hand, smiling down at Rinne in a grateful manner. "Yeah Rinne. Thank you, very much". The Hermit Spirit thanked Rinne, who opened her eyes and smiled up at Yoshino and Yoshinon. Shido grew his own smile at seeing his girlfriend help look after the Spirits yet again. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, another explosion happened back in the living room where Tohka was, catching everyone's attention as they looked over.
Outside the house, more smoke was coming out of the building as a result of Tohka's powers, heading towards the blue sky. "Sorry, Shido! This time I spilled the kinako!" Tohka cried out in apology for yet again, causing trouble for the human boy. "It's alright! I promise that's not going to make me hate you either!" Shido called out in response to the Princess Spirit, while Rinne began laughing in both joy and amusement at another chaotic morning.
(AST Military Base)
While Shido and Rinne were taking care of the Spirits back at home, something else was taking place at Tengu City's Military Base, where the members of the AST work. In a supreme court room, Origami Tobiichi stood in front of a U-shape table in her green military outfit. Her superior officer Ryouko stood just a feet away from Origami with hands folded behind her back. Seated around them were judges of the military, all of them being adult men in black suits. The reason for this was to deliver Origami her punishment for the unauthorized use of White Licorice a month ago, right before the events of Eden took place.
The tips of Origami's lips were down, before she extended them out a bit, but remained silent. "Master Sargent Tobiichi... We'll be taking disciplinary action". The head judge told the high school girl, resting both elbows against the table with the right hand holding the left. Origami showed no reaction at the news and just closed her eyes, accepting of her fate of punishment. Ryouko, on the other hand, wasn't so accepting. "Wait, you can't! Just let me-!" The adult woman began, only to stop at the sounds of the door being opened.
Everyone turned towards the door and saw two people standing outside the room. One of them was a tall man, around his 30s, that had dark ash blond hair and has a pair of sharp eyes as if a knife was used to cut slits on his face. He was wearing formal jet black suit, a white tie and black dress shoes. This man was the one that opened the door, while behind him stood a beautiful, deceptively young-looking woman with light Nordic blonde hair, pale skin and a slender body. She had on black sunglasses that covered her eyes from view and was wearing a necklace with a green crystal and a black suit with dark grey stockings, finally black high heels.
The dark ash blond haired male gave a cunning smile at everyone, no hint of emotion displayed in his eyes. "Sorry. Is this a bad time for us?" The man questioned, keeping his right hand against the door. The head judge widened his eyes as he recognized who interrupted them. "Ahhh, Mr. Westcott!" The nameless man said in surprise, identifying the man to be Sir Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott, the director of Deus Ex Machina Industries.
Isaac's grin widened as he chuckled a bit.
(A little bit later, back at the Itsuka household)
Back with Shido and the Spirits, everyone including Kotori was now at the Itsuka household to have breakfast together. Shido had managed to calm down Tohka earlier, while Rinne helped Yoshino and Yoshinon get dress for the day. After that, they all went over to Shido's house for the couple to make breakfast for everyone. Right now, they were all in the kitchen.
Yoshino was wearing a white sleeveless sailor dress that goes past her knees with a black necktie. She had her hair in a lose pigtail style with a fringe that framed her face with two yellow elastic hair bands. Yoshinon was wearing a dress much like Yoshino's one as well.
Kotori was wearing a white a-line dress over a dark red sheer undershirt that reached just past her elbows with a black frill at the hem. She had black and white horizontal stripped tights. She had her black ribbons on in her ponytail style. Not to mention she was currently enjoying a lollypop right now.
Shido, Tohka and Rinne were the only ones wearing the same clothes as earlier in the morning. Although Shido now had an apron on as he brought out some dishes, while Rinne's sleeves have dried up. Kotori was standing next to her brother as she scolded him, while Rinne was at the stove, cooking fried eggs with a frying pan. Lastly, Tohka and Yoshino were seated on the couch besides one another, both boring disheartened expressions with Yoshinon patting her friend's head in a comforting manner.
"Am I not always telling you to be careful!? The Spirits' power will return to them if their emotion states are unstable, so you gotta keep them happy. Rinne's the only exception, and she even helps you out now, but you're still having trouble? This is all because you slept in too early". Kotori scolded her brother as Shido placed the dishes down on the table. The only male in the house then gave out a tired yawn, closing his eyes and raising the right hand up a bit.
Rinne looked over from the frying pan towards her boyfriend's younger sister with a small nervous smile. "Don't you think you're being too hard on him, Kotori? He's been staying up late to get ready for our school's test. Shido is trying his hardest, so don't be too hard on him". The Spirit Ruler said to the youngest Itsuka sibling with a soft voice, catching Kotori's attention as she looked over to Rinne. "You're only saying that because he's your...boyfriend..." The commander of Ratatoskr hissed out with jealous in her voice, still coming with the fact that her brother was in a relationship.
Shido turned and began walking over to join Rinne in cooking breakfast, giving another yawn as he did so. Kotori calmed herself down, before she reached up and took hold of her lollypop's stick with her right hand. She brought it out and held it up as she watched her brother. "Anyway, I still have work to do, so I'm gonna head out in just a minute. Shido, make sure to spend time with not just Rinne, but Tohka and Yoshino too since you have a day off". Kotori instructed her brother, taking a glance at Tohka and Yoshino over the shoulder.
Kotori then faced forward as she put her lollypop back in her mouth. "And don't forget the intercom just in case". The Flame Spirit added as she held up the Shido's earpiece with her right hand, catching Shido's attention as he turned to look at her, while Rinne went back to the frying pan. "But I've got so much studying to do. And on top of that, prepping for the school trip is driving me nuts". Shido complained since he's got lots of schoolwork left to do, and get ready for the upcoming school trip.
At Shido's words, Tohka grew an excited expression and even began shaking her rear end a bit. "Our sugar trip nut?! Is it sweet? It sounds sweet!" The Princess Spirit exclaimed in excitement, mind thinking of a treat to have and completely misunderstanding what Shido said. Rinne giggled innocently with her eyes closed, raising her right hand to in front of her mouth. Shido nearly face faulted as he turned around and began walking up to Tohka, hands holding up the end of the apron he was wearing.
"How...did you get "sugar" from that?" The blue-haired boy questioned as he stopped in front of the couch and looked down at Tohka's joyful face. "Anyway, I'm counting on you bro". Kotori stated, turning around and started heading out to join her crew aboard Fraxinus, waving her right hand up as she did so. Kotori's words caught Rinne's attention as she was just about to pick up the fried eggs with a spatula in her left hand.
"Kotori, wait!" She called out to her fellow Spirit, catching Kotori's attention as she stopped and looked over her shoulder towards Rinne. "Make sure you grab something to eat on your way. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and lollypops aren't healthy to have in the morning". The pink-haired girl told the commander of Ratatoskr, giving a stem expression as she spoke.
Kotori's eyebrows twitched at Rinne's words, but grew a small smile as she knew that was just Rinne's nature to look after others. One of the many things she learned about the Ruler Spirit was that she was truly a kind and gentle person that almost seemed too good to be true. She honestly could see why Shido spoke so highly of his girlfriend's caring nature. "Okay, okay Rinne. I'll get a proper meal on the way. See ya". Kotori bid farewell, resuming her leave.
Rinne watched Kotori leave with a gentle smile, before turning back to the frying pan as she began to pick up the fried eggs with the spatula. Shido stared at the pink-haired female with a small, happy smile for a moment, and then resumed setting up breakfast.
(AST Base)
Outside of the AST's base, Origami stood in front her two friends; Mikie Okamine and Mildred F. Fujimura just in front of the base's half opened gate. Origami and Mikie were wearing their school uniforms, while Mildred was wearing her casual outfit; which was red and black goggles, a white coat over a black bra, green long baggy pants and dark shoes.
Thanks to the unexpected help of Isaac Westcott, Origami's trial ended well for her as she's still apart of the AST, and only on a 2-month suspension. After the whole stunt she pulled, it was truly a miracle she wasn't kicked out of the AST.
"Well, you must be really relived Origami". Mikie said with a relived expression, holding her hands down with the right one over the left. "That's true. Honestly, it's a miracle that you got off with a two-month suspension after everything you did". Mildred remarked as she knew that if someone pulled the same stunt as Origami, they would have gotten fired. "Yes, I agree". The white-haired female said in agreement, grateful that her trial ended this way.
Origami's response made Mildred smile while Mikie stared at Origami with eyes of wonder. "Although, I have to say I'm curious on why such an important person at DEM would take the time to help you". The brown-haired girl with pigtails said in wonder as she gently laid her right hand on her face's right side. At her words, Origami grew a small frown as she wondered about the reason herself. And all she had was what Westcott said to her right after the trial.
(Flashback)
The trial had just ended, and all the judges had already left the supreme court room. The only ones left were Origami, Isaac and Isaac's female companion with the teenage girl standing in front of the adult man. Isaac placed his left hand on Origami's right shoulder, all the while still smiling with no emotion in his eyes. "I believe in you, young Wizard. You have the potential to defeat the Spirits". Isaac said to Origami, yet she felt no reassurance or joy in his words.
(Flashback end)
Origami had no knowledge about that man, or why he helped someone like her. True, she was one of the most skilled members of the AST, yet that didn't seem like a good enough reason why. "Anyway, it doesn't matter why. Get some rest for now. We'll hold the fort in the meantime". Mikie told her idol, before both she and Mildred saluted Origami with their right hands.
Wordlessly, Origami returned the salute with her own. She then dropped it and looked down. She then looked up towards the sky in thought, thinking about the boy she harbored intense feelings for; Shido Itsuka.
(Later on/ Itsuka household)
Shido, Tohka, Yoshino and Yoshinon all sat down around the table as they enjoyed the breakfast that Shido and Rinne cooked for them. Speaking of the Ruler Spirit, she opened the kitchen door with her right hand, while carrying a pink handbag with the left arm. She was about to head out to shop for groceries as they were running a bit low, so Rinne volunteered to get some more.
The pink-haired girl smiled brightly as she looked over her shoulder towards the others, just in time to see Tohka poke her fork on the egg yolk, resulting in it spilling on top. Both the Princess and Hermit Spirit, plus Yoshinon, watched in amazement before they began to eat. Rinne tilted her head and smiled happily with both eyes closed. "I'm heading out now, everyone". Rinne announced, catching Shido's attention as he looked towards his girlfriend.
"You sure you don't want to stay and eat breakfast with us Rinne?" The blue-haired boy asked his girlfriend. Rinne opened her eyes and gave Shido a reassuring look. "Don't worry about it Shido, I already had something to eat before I woke you up. I'll eat with you all for lunch when I get back. Enjoy breakfast with Tohka, Yoshino and Yoshinon". The Ruler Spirit answered, assuring him that she's fine and they'll eat together later.
Shido frowned slightly, before smiling at his girlfriend. "Okay. Just be careful out there, there's no telling what could happen". The oldest Itsuka sibling told the Ruler Spirit, which she nodded at him. Just as she was about to head out, Yoshinon took that moment to cause "mischief" again. "Wait, Rinne! Aren't you gonna kiss your boyfriend goodbye before you leave?" Yoshinon questioned the pink-haired girl with a voice full of comical dark mischief.
At the puppet's words, both Rinne and Shido froze in their places. Their faces turning red at the thought of kissing each other in front of others rendering them speechless. The two looked down nervously in a halfhearted attempt to hide their flushed expressions, while Yoshino looked at Yoshinon with a small frown.
"Yoshinon, you can't say something like that". The Hermit Spirit lightly scolded her best friend. Yoshino didn't want to see Shido and Rinne kissing for two reasons. The first is that she gets incredibly embarrassed now at the sight of a man and woman doing the fact. Second reason is because she feels a bit jealous herself at the thought of someone kissing Shido.
Yoshinon turned to look at the young girl and chuckled at her. "Aww, come on. It's not so bad, every couple does it. I mean, it's not like I'm asking them to kiss each other on the lips". The rabbit themed puppet crackled, moving both hands over her mouth. Shido and Rinne were silent as they were still embarrassed, but then Rinne closed the door. She turned around and walked over to Shido, the eyes of his, Yoshino and Yoshinon glued to her as she moved.
Rinne stopped once she was right next to Shido on his left, and then looked down at him. To the surprise of him and Yoshino, and Yoshinon's excitement, Shido's girlfriend started to lean down towards him. Even Tohka stopped eating her breakfast to watch with a jealous look. "R-R-Rinne?" Shido stuttered in surprise, face flushing even more than before as Rinne's face drew closer to his and then...
Kissed him on the left cheek.
Shido blinked in surprise as he wasn't expecting this, Yoshinon started laughing and Tohka and Yoshino grumbled in jealousy. After a moment or two, Rinne leaned away from Shido and smiled down at him, cheeks red from her actions. "I'll...be home soon". The Ruler Spirit told her boyfriend, before she walked away to the kitchen door and pushed it open. Rinne walked out of view, closing the door as she left.
(Music end)
Shido stared at the kitchen door for a few moments, before he turned to look the two Spirits and puppet, only to sweat drop at what he saw. Tohka was staring at him in jealousy, Yoshino was looking down with her bangs covering her eyes from view, yet the red face was a giveaway on what expression she currently had. And Yoshinon was giggling to herself. "Hehehe... Man, you sure are lucky to have a girlfriend like Rinne, Shido. A girl like her is hard to find these days". Yoshinon said with a wide grin, before reaching down and took hold of a slice of toast with butter.
Shido chuckled nervously, while Tohka dropped her jealous face and went back to eating her breakfast, and after a moment, Yoshino followed Tohka's lead. The blue-haired boy watched the two Spirits enjoy their breakfast with a simple smile. However, his phone started ringing suddenly. Shido slightly widened his eyes, before he brought out the phone and looked at it.
To Shido's surprise, it was a message from Origami. Besides from the events of Eden, Shido hasn't seen or heard from her ever since she attacked Kotori a month ago. Last he heard when he was Eden, Origami had been retrieved by the AST after their assault on Neo Tengu Tower, A.K.A. Eden's core. So, to finally hear from her after everything that's happened is a relief to Shido.
Full of curiosity, Shido brought up his right hand and tapped on his phone's center over the letter icon, causing the screen to change and show what the message said. It simply said "We need to talk. I am outside". The oldest of the Itsuka siblings widened his eyes in surprise, and then realized this was a chance to ask her about Eden and if she remembered the events that took place. Deciding to take this opportunity, Shido stood up from his seat, catching the attention of Tohka and Yoshino as they looked from their food to him.
"What's wrong Shido?" The Princess Spirit asked, chewing on a bit of bread she took a bite of. "Nothing. Actually, I think I'm gonna join Rinne with shopping". Shido answered, before he began to walk around the table. "Anything you wanna have for lunch?" He asked the girls as he walked past, curious to know if there was anything specific they wanted to have.
Yoshino lightly blushed as she shyly held up her right hand. "Oyakodon". The Hermit Spirit requested with a small smile, thinking fondly of the first meal Shido cooked for her and how delicious it was. Tohka swallowed her food at that moment, keeping both eyes on Shido. "I'll go with you and Rinne, okay". The Princess Spirit told the blue-haired boy, catching Shido's attention as he looked over his right shoulder to give Tohka a reassuring look.
"No, stay and enjoy your breakfast. I'll be right back". Shido replied to Tohka as Yoshino and Yoshinon turned their gazes toward him, just as he went through the kitchen door. "See ya later!" Yoshinon cried out in a cheerful manner as she waved her left hand, while Yoshino raised her right one and waved it as well. "We'll see you later then!" Tohka exclaimed, holding up her right hand and waved good-bye to Shido.
"Oyakodon..." Yoshino muttered with longing since she looked forward to eating her favorite food again. "Hey Yoshino!" Yoshinon suddenly cried out, turning to look at her best friend with a wide smile, keeping hold of the slice of bread in her hands. "Guess what's almost on TV?" The rabbit puppet questioned, catching Yoshino's attention. "It's our favorite soap opera!" She revealed, before she and Yoshino turned towards the TV. It had been turned on earlier when breakfast was served and was currently on the news channel.
The news channel was giving a weather report on how twin hurricanes had disappeared so suddenly. "That's it for sports. Now onto today's weather. Last night, two strong, fast-moving hurricanes appeared in a Specific Ocean without warning and disappeared without a trace". A human male adult in a black suit with glasses said on the TV, before Yoshino changed the channel with the remote. The TV was now showing a romance drama called Housewife Theater: Love An Illusion.
It showed an estranged married couple in the same room with the husband packing up his clothes in a suitcase on the bed. A few feet away, the man's wife watched him with her hands folded. 'You're really leaving then?' The wife questioned her husband, catching his attention as he looked over to her. 'I have to. I can't stay here anymore. I'm tired of my life with you'. The husband answered his wife, and then went back to packing.
Yoshino watched the drama intently, clutching the remote in her right hand. Yoshinon had her usual wide smile present and Tohka watched, munching on another bite she took from her slice of bread. As she watched, Tohka couldn't keep herself from thinking about her life with Shido in Eden after they had gotten married. 'I wish I could remember. Shido and I must have been happy together'. The Princess Spirit thought to herself, longing to remember her life inside Eden just as Shido remembers his lives.
Speaking of Shido, let's go over to his side after he closed the kitchen door. The blue-haired boy looked towards the house's front door, where he saw Rinne in front of it, holding the door handle with her right hand. She now had on flat black ankle lace up boots on for footwear, matching her tights. "Rinne, hold up a minute!" Shido called out, catching Rinne's attention as she blinked in surprise. She looked over her left shoulder towards the blue-haired boy and stared at him with eyes of wonder.
"Shido? What is it? Is something wrong?" Rinne asked her boyfriend, worried that something wasn't right, and he needed her help. "No, it's nothing like that Rinne. Actually, Origami's here outside of the house". Shido answered, much to the surprise of Rinne as she widened her eyes and let go of the door handle. "Really? Origami's here? That must mean she has been finally let off for what she did to you and Kotori". The Ruler Spirit said with a disapproving expression.
She was well aware of Origami's attack on Kotori a month ago to achieve her desire to avenge her parents that were killed 5 years ago, the same day Kotori became a Spirit. Rinne could understand how strong a desire was, but disapproved of Origami's carelessness as she had endangered innocent people. Rinne does consider Origami a friend, which was why she never scolded her during their time inside Eden. She was just glad nobody was killed during her attack on the amusement park that Shido and Kotori went to on their date.
"Rinne, this is our chance to ask Origami if she remembers either you or Eden". Shido told the Ruler Spirit, snapping Rinne out of her thoughts as she looked at him. Rinne gave an uncertain look at her boyfriend. "That doesn't seem likely Shido. If Tohka, Yoshino and Kotori couldn't remember, then I doubt she remembers". Eden's ruler said to Shido, yet he didn't grow disheartened. "But we still have to try. Even if the chances are 1%, there's still a chance". The blue-haired boy expressed, bringing up his left hand and then turned it into a fist to express the strong will he had.
Rinne stared at Shido silently for a few moments, then grew a serene smile at him. "That strong spirit of yours is as strong as ever. Okay, let's go see Origami". The Ruler Spirit told her boyfriend, much to Shido's joy as he lowered his fist. "Okay, just give me a moment". Shido requested, before he turned around and went upstairs to his room. Rinne watched him go, before looking down in thought. 'Origami's our second last hope of anyone else remembering everything that happened. If she doesn't remember, then Kurumi's our last chance'. Rinne thought to herself, a bit worried that the last two partners of Shido won't remember her or Eden like the others.
After two minutes, Shido and Rinne walked out of the Itsuka household and turned left down the street. The oldest Itsuka sibling now had on a short sleeve black open jacket over his white shirt, changed the blue pants for dark jeans and now had brown shoes on.
The couple looked around their surroundings to spot Origami, paying no attention to the passing by citizens of Tengu City. Just then, Rinne spotted Origami a few feet ahead of them, hiding behind a power pole. She tapped Shido's right shoulder and pointed towards the AST member with her right hand. "Shido, Origami's other there". The Ruler Spirit informed her boyfriend as Shido turned to where she was pointing and indeed saw Origami. At seeing Shido's gaze on her, Origami hid further behind the power pole.
"Ahh, what are you doing Origami?" Shido questioned the white-haired girl as he and Rinne walked up towards her. At his question, Origami came a little bit out of hiding. "I just found you". Origami answered as if that answer explained everything. Shido gave an anime sweat drop at that, while Rinne giggled in an innocent manner. "Yeah, because you told me to come out". The blue-haired boy pointed out. Rinne ceased her giggling and looked past her right shoulder to see some passing by citizens staring at Shido and Origami.
The AST girl turned her gaze towards Rinne just as she looked at Origami. Both females made eye contact, and to Rinne's disappointment, Origami showed no reaction of surprise or shock at seeing her. "Shido, who is this?" The AST member asked Shido, turning her gaze towards him. Origami's question caused Shido's face to fall slightly since it meant that Origami didn't remember the events of Eden either. He quickly returned his expression to normal to not worry his friend. "This is Rinne Sonogami, she's my childhood friend". Shido introduced Origami to Rinne, slightly turning his head to look at the girl that he fell in love with.
The Ruler Spirit looked at her boyfriend and gave him a soft smile for introducing her that way. She then looked back at Origami and bowed her head in greetings to the AST girl. "It's...nice to finally meet you, miss Origami Tobiichi. Shido has told me much about you". Rinne greeted her fellow female respectfully, feeling a small bit of happiness to "officially" meet Origami.
The white-haired female was silent as she stared at Rinne with her normal emotionless gaze, before she turned towards Shido. "Shido? Why did she walk out of your house?" Origami questioned Ratatoskr's main operative, something that made Shido slightly widen his eyes in alarm. He knew that this was Origami's way of questioning him what his relationship with Rinne was, besides the fact that they were "childhood friends". If Origami knew his and Rinne's relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend, she'll get jealous, and he was worried on what she'll do. Plus, there was still the fact he and Origami "were together", something he needed to take care of sometime.
Shido did his best not to let his inner panic be displayed and gave a small smile at the AST girl. "She's staying with me and Kotori. Rinne wanted to live with us so that we could catch up on lost time, and her parents were okay with that". He explained to Origami, hoping she'll believe him and drop the subject. Fortunately for the blue-haired boy, his pleas were answered.
"Oh, okay then". Origami simply said, much to Shido's inner relief. He turned to look at Rinne, just as she lifted her head from her bow and looked at him. "Rinne, why not go on ahead?" Shido suggested to his girlfriend, a suggestion she nodded her head to. "Sure, besides I still need to shop for groceries". The Ruler Spirit said to her boyfriend, before giving a wink with her right eye that only Shido could see. The blue-haired gave a thankful smile, before Rinne turned to look at Origami.
"It was nice to meet you, Origami. I hope we see each other again soon". Rinne bid farewell to her friend, bowing her head slightly once more. Origami silently stared at the Ruler Spirit for a moment or two before she spoke. "...I look forward to our next meeting". The AST girl told Rinne, finding her interesting for some unknown reason.
Rinne's expression grew happy at Origami's words as she knew that was the first step of becoming true friends with her again. Feeling joy fill herself, Rinne turned and began walking down the street, waving her left hand at Shido and Origami. Shido gave a small smile as he waved his right hand at Rinne until she eventually disappeared from sight. He then turned his attention over to Origami and saw her looking right at him. "Anyway, what has been going on with you? After that incident, you-" Shido began, before he stopped himself and looked through the corner of his eyes. H then turned his head right to see more citizens passing by.
There were still passing by people staring at him and Origami, something he didn't need right now as he needed to speak to her in private. He turned his gaze back to the white-haired girl. "Origami..." Shido began, only for Origami to speak before he could continue. "Shido". She said softly, getting him to raise an eyebrow. "It's kinda hard to talk out here. Why don't we go somewhere where we can be alone?" The blue-haired boy suggested to Origami.
Origami breathed out in surprise for reasons Shido had no idea why.
(Later)
"WAIT! WHY ARE WE IN THE WOMEN'S REST ROOM!?"
It was no joke. Origami had led Shido to a women restroom in a nearby park, and even into one of the toilet seats. This really gave an unnecessary shock to the system to Shido, though he supposed that it was his fault for letting Origami decide on where their private conversation will be.
Right now, he was standing in front of Origami with both hands slightly raised, while she was still as calm as ever. "No one will get in our way here". She simply told him, before she, much to Shido's further shock, leaned forward and lifted up her skirt, revealing the white panties hidden underneath. Fortunately for Shido, he couldn't see them, but that didn't stop his mind from running out of control.
Location and circumstances aside, this was exactly how his and Origami's first time together in Eden was in the timeline he chose Origami as his partner. Back then, he let himself go with the flow as everything was okay to do so, but this wasn't the same. "What are you doing?" Shido questioned even though he already knew as Origami placed her hands through the sides of her panties and began to take them off. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" He practically screamed out, hands reaching out and grabbed hers just as she was halfway through, stopping Origami's attempt to seduce him.
The AST girl plainly looked at him with half lidded eyes, and then blinked. "Well, why else would you bring me here? We are in a bathroom, Shido". Origami answered, as if that explained the reasons for her actions. "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO BROUGHT ME HERE!" Shido corrected, before backing away to create a bit of distance between them. "I wanted to go somewhere private so that we could talk about what happened last month". He explained to her, while she fixed up and straightened her panties.
Shido felt nostalgic talking about last month, the time before the events of Eden took place. It honestly felt like a lifetime to him, yet he needed some answers to questions he has. "I mean, I haven't... been able to talk to you since then. So, um... what happened with you after that?" Shido questioned her, lowering both arms. "I had a hearing and was sentence to a two-month suspension". Origami answered the blue-haired male, something that made him slightly frown. 'I see. It would explain a bit on how she got caught up in Eden'. Ratatoskr's main operative thought to himself, having wondered where she had been when Rinne activated Eden.
"I see..." Shido said to Origami, just as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Although I am still not yet satisfied". The white-haired female stated, causing Shido to almost flinch as he knew exactly what she meant by that. "The Flame Spirit; Efreet. I know you said she was not the one that killed my parents. But you have no conclusive evidence to prove that". Origami told the blue-haired boy, their minds flashing back to a month ago and Origami's attempt to kill Kotori.
Shido narrowed his eyes down at Origami, refusing to back down. "Yeah, technically that may be true. Please though, you must believe me. I would never lie to you-" He spoke, only to get cut off by her. "No, do not misunderstand. I really do want to believe what you're saying. I do. And if it is all possible, I want to avoid killing your sister to". Origami told Shido, something that he was able to believe as her eyes showed her honesty. "Origami... thanks". Shido thanked her, bowing his head down a little to her in gratitude.
"I should be the one thanking you. After all, I'm... I'm grateful you're treating me like normal". Origami told the blue-haired boy as Shido raised his head to look at her. "I did sort of try to kill your little sister. No, more than that. I practically killed you 3 months ago". The white-haired female added, slightly lowering her head upon thinking of that day she tried to shoot Tohka, but ended up getting Shido instead.
Shido slightly frowned upon remembering that as well, before looking away to the side, placed his left hand on his head's side and right hand on the hip. "Guess I can't say "Don't worry about it". But, even so, Origami I want things to stay the same between us, no matter what happens. Is that a problem?" Ratatoskr's main operative said to Origami, speaking from the heart as he still considered her an important person.
Origami blinked and gave a surprised look at Shido's words, before she broke it and slightly shook her head sideways. Shido gave a smile at Origami and exhaled in relief. "Well then, I better get going". The blue-haired boy stated as he turned around, bringing up his right hand to open the toilet seat door. "Wait". The AST girl suddenly said to Shido, catching his attention as he slightly turned to look at her.
"Shido... tell me something. Are you human?" Origami questioned the oldest Itsuka sibling, much to his surprise as he widened both eyes and lightly gasped. Of all the things he was expecting her to say, this was not on the list.
(Meanwhile, back at the Itsuka household)
As Shido and Origami had their private discussion, the Spirits back at the Utsuka household were enjoying the day without concern. Right now, Yoshino and Yoshinon were still in the kitchen, watching their soap opera. Tohka, on the other hand, was upstairs.
She had changed out of the school's PE summer uniform and was now wearing something more casual to wear. She was wearing navy shorts with a white trim, an off-shoulder light blue blouse with a short frilly front, longer at the back with short white puffy sleeves and a drill trim across top of bodice. She still has the yellow ribbon though. Finally, she had light brown slippers on for footwear.
She was heading towards Shido's room, dragging a vacuum cleaner with her. "I'll make Shido's room nice and clean to thank him for making us breakfast. And after that, I'll do Rinne's room so that she can help me cook better". Tohka said with a bright voice as she opened the door to Shido's room and stepped inside, placing her right hand against the door.
(Fantasy)
Tohka laughed happily with her cheeks red, and eyes closed in a joyful manner. The reason why was because Shido was gently patting her head with his left hand. "What a good girl. Thank you Tohka". Shido thanked the Princess Spirit, eyes closed and smiling down happily at her as she continued to laugh in a joyful manner.
(Reality)
"Ahhh..." Tohka breathed out joyfully, an anime blissfully face at the thought of getting praised by the human boy. She truly did want to help out around the house like Rinne and get better at cooking, but what she truly desired the most was receiving praise from Shido. She dropped the happy face and replaced it with a determined one as she raised her right hand. "Right. Let's get started". The Princess Spirit declared, before taking another step forward.
However, as she did so the vacuum machine knocked into a red suitcase that had been placed against the wall right beside the door. The suitcase fell to the ground, opening as it hit and revealed spare clothes, towels and other things. Tohka looked at the open suitcase with a confused face. "Huh? What is all this?" She questioned, before her mind flashed back to that one scene from Yoshino's soap opera; of the husband packing his things to leave.
'I can't stay here anymore, I'm tired of my life with you'.
Instantly, Tohka was filled with tread as her mind went wild and began thinking that just like how the man was leaving his wife, this was a sigh Shido was leaving. "Ahhh!" Tohka gasped in horror as she dropped the vacuum machine's tube. "It can't be!" She said with a scared voice, beginning to slowly back away.
(At Fraxinus)
Flying up above Tengu City, the Fraxinus airship of Ratatoskr was in its invisibility mode. The members of Ratatoskr were in their places, monitoring the happiness levels of Tohka and Yoshino. Right now, the monitor was showing Tohka backing away from Shido's room with her happiness meter displayed; going straight from happy to sad. The alarms immediately went off as this wasn't a good thing.
"Oh no. Movement on Tohka's happiness meter is dropping!" Munechika called out in alarm, tapping away at his station's keyboard. "It's going into patten C now! That's a danger sign!" Kozue remarked, typing away at her keyboard as well.
Kotori, in commander outfit, was sitting down at her seat with Kannazuki standing right beside his commander on Kotori's right. "Tell me what Shido is currently doing?" Kotori questioned with an alarmed voice, turning her head left as she spoke. "He left the house about 20 minutes ago". Masaomi answered the younger Itsuka sibling, much to her anger at learning Shido wasn't keeping an eye on the Spirits.
"What!? I told him to be careful!" Kotori exclaimed, placing both hands on the setup in front of her. "What about Rinne?! Where is she?" The Efreet Spirit questioned, hoping that her brother's girlfriend was still around the house. "She left around 21 minutes ago to go shopping for groceries". Kyouji reported to Kotori, much to her growing anger as she gritted her teeth.
(Back at the Itsuka house)
Tohka, back downstairs, walked up and stopped in front of the open kitchen door. She looked inside to see Yoshino seated on the couch, both her and Yoshinon still watching the soap opera. 'Wait! Wait! Please think about this more carefully!' The wife called out, catching Tohka's attention as she looked over towards the TV, where she saw the husband in a black suit, leaving the house with his wife calling out to him.
'I did think about it, which is why I'm leaving. Face the truth; I can't be with you anymore. So, goodbye'. The man bid farewell, before he turned away from his wife and started walking away. Seeing this intensified Tohka's worries. She turned away and began running towards the front door, intending to head out and find Shido.
(Back with Ratatoskr)
The monitor showed Tohka running out of the house, now wearing tan sandals for footwear, and down the street. "Tohka rushed out of the house!" Kozue reported as she and the other members of Ratatoskr typed away on their keyboards. "Her happiness meter is entering the danger zone!" Hinako informed the commanded from her setup. "She's heading in the direction of the supermarket". Munechika remarked, revealing where Tohka was heading to. "Speed 38 kilometers per hour, with a tailwind!" Masaomi called out with Kotori sparing him a glance.
"I think...she's probably heading towards Shido since he's gone shopping with Rinne". Kannazuki suggested to Kotori, catching her attention as she turned to look at him for a moment, then faced forward. "Is Shido's location the supermarket?" The young commander of Ratatoskr questioned her subordinates, wanting to know her brother's location. "Actually... location is unknown". Kyouji answered Kotori, looking through a digital map of Tengu City that didn't show Shido's location and had the words "Lost" displayed.
"What did you say!?" Kotori questioned in shocked surprise at the answer. "We can't connect to the intercom either". Hinako commented as the monitor started showing multiple icons that displayed the word "Lost" over and over again. "It looks like its been sabotaged. It's either the AST, or something more powerful". Kyouji informed Kotori, much to her growing anger and annoyance.
(Back with Shido and Origami)
The cause of Ratatoskr's difficulty to find Shido was Origami's phone as it had a jamming device that was blocking Shido's earpiece to the Fraxinus. The device was blinking red in Origami's pocket, something that Shido wouldn't be able to find out about as his complete focus was now on Origami. "I always thought it was more than a little strange. I know without a single doubt I shot you that day. And as far as what happened during the last incident..." The AST girl said without emotion, remembering the two times Shido should have died from things that would normally kill a person.
The only reason he survived was because of Kotori's Spirit power he absorbed from her, the regeneration ability. Without that ability, he'd be sunk long ago. "Don't worry, I won't report it to my superiors. Because, if they decided you are a Spirit, I may be ordered to put you down". Origami told Shido, much to his alarm as he lightly gasped. Despite being no stranger to danger, death was a flat out no for him since he's already died too many times in Eden and would honestly like a break from it.
After a moment or two, the Itsuka boy narrowed his eyes a bit at Origami. "I'm a human, okay. At the very least, that is what I believe I truly am". Shido told the white-haired girl, believing with all his soul that he was human and not a Spirit. Immediately after he finished his sentence, Origami began to walk past Shido. "I see". She said to Shido, passing through him to in front of the toilet seat's door. Shido's eyes were slightly wide at her rather unexpected acceptance of his words, having expected her to be more demanding or something along those lines.
"You believe me?" He questioned her, slightly turning to direct his gaze on her. "I already told you, I do want to believe what you say". Origami replied to the teenage male, pushing open the toilet door and walked out of the stall, yet turned to look back at him. "Someday, if you ever feel like telling me everything, I would appreciate all of the details". She added, before turning to look forward and leave.
(DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation {OST} 04 Dream)
However, Shido stopped her by placing his right hand on Origami's left shoulder. The AST girl looked back at Shido, where she saw him having a small serious expression on his face. "Actually Origami, I'd appreciate it if you answered two very important questions of mine". The blue-haired boy told his friend, wanting to be certain about something with Origami.
Origami's eyes showed her interest as she turned around to look at him in the eye. "I'd be more than happy to answer your questions". Origami informed Shido, much to his relief at her compliance. He retracted his hand from her shoulder and narrowed both eyes. "Origami... Was that really the first time you've met Rinne?" Shido questioned the AST girl, causing Origami to slightly tilt her head to the side. "...Yes, I'm certain it was". She answered in a slightly confused voice, having never expected a question like that.
"You're absolutely certain you haven't?" Shido questioned Origami once more, taking a step forward to her. The AST girl still looked confused, but gave Shido a nod as her answer. "I really am. This was really my first-time meeting Rinne Sonogami". The white-haired girl answered once more, much to Shido's disappointment. He gave a small sigh of defeat, before directing his gaze at her once more. "Okay, here's my second question. Do you know about something called Eden?" Shido questioned Origami, hoping she'll remember that at least.
Much to his disappointment, Origami shook her head. "I have no idea what this "Eden" you speak of is". The white-haired girl answered with an honest voice. Shido slightly gritted his teeth in anger at Origami's answer as it truly meant she remembered nothing of Eden, or Rinne. He breathed out to calm himself, before looking at Origami with a small thankful smile. "Thank you for answering my questions, Origami". The blue-haired boy thanked her, which Origami nodded to him.
She turned around and left through the door, closing it behind her as she went. Seeing that Origami was gone, Shido looked down with a sad face that almost everyone he knew truly have lost their memories of Rinne and Eden. 'There's gotta be some way to restore everyone's memories, but how? Just looking at Rinne restored mine, so what could restore theirs?' The Itsuka boy thought, wondering what could trigger everyone's memories and help them remember everything that took place in Eden.
Shido was then broken out of his thoughts by the door opening. He lifted his head to see that Origami had returned and was now staring at him, keeping the door open with her right hand. "Shido, I was wondering if you were free". The AST girl told her "boyfriend", much to his nervous confusion. "Uhhh, what for?" He questioned her, dodging the question as he wanted to know what she was up to. "I have to buy energy drinks for the school trip. I want you to choose them with me". Origami answered, explaining why she wanted to know if he had some free time.
"Drinks for the school trip... Hold on a second; why would you want me to choose them?" Shido questioned the AST girl, wondering what this has got to do with him. "Because I want you to". Origami answered, like that answer explained it all. "H-how...come?" Shido questioned once more with a slightly nervous voice. "Because I want you to". The AST girl repeated, an answer that made Shido sweat drop a little.
He gave a small sigh of defeat, knowing that when Origami was like this there was no way of saying "no". "As long as I can go home first". The blue-haired boy told her, which Origami gave him a nod as she had no problem with that.
(Music end/ With Tohka)
Tohka was running down the street towards the supermarket to find Shido, all the while crying tears of concern. 'It's alright! It's alright! Shido isn't going anyway. I'm only checking on him. I just want to ask Shido!' The Princess Spirit shouted out inside her head, wiping away some tears from her right eye. She then ran past the same park that had the bathroom where Shido and Origami were in.
Speaking of the blue-haired boy, he was walking out of the bathroom at that moment. Tohka managed to spot him as she stopped in her tracks and looked at him. "Shido!" She cried out, catching Shido's attention as he turned to look at her and reacted in surprise. "What!? Tohka!?" He exclaimed in surprise; having thought she'd still be at home and not out here. "Weren't you going to the supermarket with Rinne? Did your stomach start hurting or something?" Tohka asked Shido as she slowly approached him, which he took a step back.
"Uhh, no, not exactly". The blue-haired male answered with a nervous voice, having a good feeling that the next few minutes aren't gonna be peaceful. Tohka's eyes had a look of pleading in them as she stared at Shido. "So, Shido, there's something I kinda wanted to ask if that's okay". The Princess Spirit said to the teenage boy, only to give a cry of surprise as Origami walked out of the bathroom and stopped right next to Shido. "Origami...Tobiichi!" Tohka exclaimed in shock to see her rival for Shido's affection here and walking out of the same bathroom.
Origami gave the Princess Spirit her usual blank face. "Hello, Tohka. What do you think you're doing here?" The AST girl greeted Tohka in a normal fashion, not really angered or annoyed to see her. "No, that's what I should be asking you!" The Princess Spirit shot back, then ran up towards Origami and stopped in front of her, staring at the teenage girl right in the eye. "Talk! Why were you in the same bathroom as Shido?" Tohka questioned her rival, demanding to know just what she did with Shido.
Shido stared at the two girls in concern of another fight taking place. "Tohka, there's a good reason for that". The blue-haired boy said in a nervous voice, hoping to de-fuse the situation before it got out of hand. Origami didn't have the same thought as Shido as she leaned in and laid her left hand on Shido's chest, pressing against his left arm as well. "It's our little secret, don't worry about it". Origami told the Spirit, while Shido's eyes had turned white in comical horror with the jaw dropped for good measures.
"What? What is the meaning of this, Shido!?" Tohka questioned the teenage boy, turning her attention from Origami to him. "M-meaning of what?" Shido stuttered in a nervous voice, unsure of how to calm Tohka down. The Princess Spirit then gave a small gasp as her imagination went wild again. "Oh no, were you planning to raise money to go somewhere?" She questioned in concern, placing her right hand above her chest and below the neck.
Shido's comical horror changed into a comical confused one as he stared at Tohka as if she had grown another head. "Huh?" He said in confusion, wondering where she got that idea from. Origami leaned her head off of Shido, but kept her hands where they were. "Wow, how did you figure that out?" The AST girl asked the Princess Spirit, much to Shido's horror once more at how she wasn't denying the misunderstanding and was playing along with it instead.
Origami's words filled Tohka with comical shock and horror as her eyes turned into comical white circles, even taking a step back. "Ahhh, no, it's true". Tohka said in despair and sadness, before collapsing to her hands and knees. As Shido and Origami stared down at her, everything turned black around Tohka with a spotlight shining down on her, as if this were a soap opera. And put the icing on the cake, she was crying. "Why Shido? I don't understand! Are you tired of me!?" The Princess Spirit cried out, lifting and waving her head with a few tears flying out of her eyes.
Things only seemed to get worse because of her negative emotions, a bit of Tohka's powers were unleashed and created a shockwave of energy, leaving a small tremor around her, creating small cracks around a few buildings and a large one on the ground. Tohka continued to cry without care about the release of her powers in front of Shido and Origami, until she quickly stood up and took off in tears and sadness.
Shido gasped in concern at seeing Tohka run away in sadness and despair, feeling his own heart get engulf in guilt for causing her sadness. "Tohka!" He shouted out, holding his right hand out towards her running away form, yet she didn't stop and continued to run. Lightly gritting his teeth, Shido turned to look at Origami where he saw her still looking expressionless, though she did retract her hands from him. "I'm sorry. I'll see you later". Shido told the white-haired girl, before taking off after Tohka as fast as he could to catch up.
Origami watched Shido go, and couldn't help but think about the two questions he asked her in the bathroom. 'Rinne Sonogami and Eden? Why would Shido ask me about that?' The AST girl thought, before lightly hissing as she placed her right hand upon her head. Out of nowhere a small headache came, but wasn't anything to worry about.
(Meanwhile somewhere else in Tengu City)
Rinne walked down the streets of Tengu City passing through the city's citizens, holding onto her handbag with the left arm and carrying a grocery bag with her right hand. The former ruler of Eden had just finished shopping for everything that they needed and was now on her way back to the Itsuka household. She even picked up something along the way for Tohka.
Rinne giggled happily with both eyes closed in a joyful manner. She then opened her eyes and looked down into the white grocery bag. "That's everything we needed to make launch and dinner later. We'll even be set for the next week". Rinne said with a happy voice, looking forward to cooking more for her friends just like before. The pink-haired female then tilted her head up to look towards the sky in wonder. 'The school trip is coming soon. I have to admit that I'm both excited and nervous. This'll be my first time out of Tengu City after all'. She thought to herself, curious to know what it's like outside of Tengu City.
Even in Eden, Rinne had never left Tengu City before, no matter how many times she reset the world. So, to finally leave the city even if it was for a school trip, was both exciting and terrifying for her. Rinne was so engrossed in her thoughts that when she was around a corner, someone bumped into her. The unexpected surprise caused Rinne to shut her eyes instantly and take a step back. "Oh dear, my apologies little lady". A masculine voice said to Rinne, before she opened her eyes to look at the person she bumped into.
Fate must have some weird sense of humor because the person she bumped into was Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott with his female companion right behind him. The adult man still had that smirk on his face as he stared down at the former ruler of Eden. The moment Rinne had opened her eyes, she made eye-contact with Westcott and what she saw in the man's eyes made her shiver a little. 'This man... he's unlike anyone I've ever met before'. Rinne thought to herself, having no knowledge of this man since she's never seen him before in her Angel.
Westcott's female companion frowned at Rinne, and took a step forward towards her, only to be stopped by Isaac holding up his left hand. "Now, now, Ellen. There's no need to threaten this charming young lady, it was just a simple accident. No harm was done". Isaac said to the woman, now revealed to be named Ellen. The adult woman didn't respond to her boss and just stepped back.
Seeing that she had backed off, Isaac turned to look back at Rinne. "I'm sorry for bumping into you, I must have been too deep in my thoughts that I didn't pay attention to my surroundings". The adult man said to Rinne, giving her what she supposed was an apologetic smile, yet it did nothing to calm Rinne's nerves around this man. Giving an uneasy smile, Rinne bowed her head to Isaac in a respectful manner.
"I-it's alright. I'm partly to blame as well since I too busy thinking to see you". The former ruler of Eden replied to the adult man, lifting her head to look at him in the eye once more even though she wished that she didn't need to.
"Anyway, I should be going now. My friends are waiting for me. Good-bye". Rinne bid farewell as she went around Isaac from the left and began running in a calm way to not give away anything. Isaac watched the Ruler Spirit leave over his right shoulder for a few moments, before chuckling as he faced forward and began walking off with Ellen right behind him. 'What an interesting girl. I guess deciding to for a walk through Tengu proved to be an interesting choice after all'. The director of Deus Ex Machina Industries thought to himself, rather pleased at the decision he made.
Meanwhile with Rinne, she slowed her pace once she felt that she was at a safe distance from Isaac. She let out a small sigh of relief, holding the bag of groceries up as she did so. "That man's eyes were unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's like he had no emotion whatsoever. It's almost like he's the complete opposite of Shido". The pink-haired girl said to herself, comparing Isaac's gaze to Shido's and saw the difference between the two. "I hope that I never run into that man again. He feels like bad news". Rinne added, looking forward to focus on getting back to the Itsuka household.
Unknown to Rinne at the time that she will cross paths with Isaac again someday, and even fight his companion Ellen soon.
(With Shido)
For the last few minutes, Shido has been chasing Tohka in hopes of calming her down. Eventually, he arrived at the park where they had their first date. Shido stopped to look around his surroundings, feeling nostalgic due to how much he's been through since that first date with Tohka. He shook his head sideways to focus on the task at hand, and then looked forward; where he saw Tohka standing in front of the wooden railing, looking over the city.
"Hey, Tohka..." Shido slowly said as he walked towards the Princess Spirit, lifting his right hand up and reached out to her. "Don't touch me!" Tohka snapped as she shot around to look at Shido, who retracted his hand at how she lashed out at him. "Rinne is one thing, but Origami is another altogether! You like Origami better than you like me, don't you?" She accused the blue-haired boy, much to Shido's confusion at why she thought he'd prefer Origami over her. "No, I don't". Shido told the Princess Spirit, speaking from the heart because Tohka had a special place in his heart that Origami didn't have.
'Shido. Shido!' A familiar voice shouted out from the intercom in Shido's right ear. Shido lightly turned right and placed his right hand over the intercom to talk to Kotori. "Just great. Yeah Kotori, what's up?" The blue-haired boy responded to his sister through the intercom, though kept his left eye on Tohka. 'We finally got through. What in the world were you doing!?' Kotori demanded from her side, almost getting Shido to flinch at how loud she was.
(Back on Fraxinus)
'I'll explain later, it was just something I needed to check on'. Shido responded to Kotori, who was watching him and Tohka through the screen on her setup, while everyone else was watching through the large monitor. "Whatever! Anyway, Tohka's anxiety has been going through the roof recently, which means her Spirit powers are starting to return to her!" Kotori told her brother with an alarmed voice, getting up from her seat and slammed both hands down on the setup.
"Because her powers have flown back to her so many times now, it's extremely likely that the Spirit Path is starting to waver. Not to mention if what Shin told us about in Eden, Tohka using her full powers as well probably played a hand in it". Reine remarked from next to her seat, standing with both arms crossed. Kotori and Kannazuki had turned to look at her when Reine began speaking, before the young teenage girl turned back to the screen showing Shido and Tohka. "The bottom line is that at this rate, there might even be a Spacialquake". Kotori informed her brother, while Kannazuki looked at the screen at well.
(Back with Shido)
'You need to do something to make Tohka feel better'. The commander of Ratatoskr told Shido, resulting in him sweating a little bit. It wasn't a Spacialquake that got him worried, it was the thought of Tohka losing control of her powers just as she did before on the day Eden was activated for the first time. Shido's mind flashed back to Tohka's face that day when she was suffering because of her Spirit powers uncontrollably returning and resulted in his death when he tried to help him.
Shido lightly gritted his teeth, and forced those memories away as he had no intention of letting that happen again. "You want me to make her feel better. Okay, but how exactly?" Shido questioned Kotori, taking a quick glance over Tohka to see her still staring at him.
(With Ratatoskr)
"Come on, it's what we've been doing this whole time, isn't it? Don't act as if you've forgotten everything". Kotori responded to her brother from her side, before straightening her posture a bit. "It's the basics of how we chose to fight the Spirits..." Reine began, neither her or Kotori noticing Kannazuki taking his leave. "...Where the AST annihilate Spirits by attacking them rather violently..." The sleep deprived woman continued on where she left off.
(With Shido)
'We at Ratatoskr on the other hand..." Kotori took over, making Shido narrow his eyes upon remembering how Ratatoskr handles Spirits. "Take Spirits on dates and make them fall in love". The blue-haired boy finished for them, eyes narrowing as he spoke.
(Back with Kotori)
"Awww, you remember after all". Kotori remarked with a grin, retaking her seat and brought up her right hand with a new lollypop in hand. "Well then, it seems to me it's about time...to start our date". The flame Spirit added, waving the lollypop forward a bit.
(Play DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation {OST} 12 Report/ Meanwhile.)
Unfortunately for Shido and Ratatoskr, Tohka's increase in Spirit power has not gone unnoticed by the AST. In the AST's military base's observation room; they've detected traces of Tohka's signal. "Are you certain it's a Spirit?" Ryouko questioned to be certain. The observation room was full of high-tech gear to track down any nearby Spirits with a few female workers working the devices. Ryouko, Mikie, Mildred and two nameless AST members were standing on an elevated platform in an oval hexagonal shape with a double white trim.
Ryouko, Mikie and the two females were in their uniforms, while Mildred was the only one in casual clothes. "Yes, it's very faint, but the signal is definitely there". Mikie answered her commander, then turned her gaze to the side. "The code name is...Princess". The brown-haired female added, catching Ryouko's immediate attention at what she said. "It's the Princess!?" The adult woman called out in surprise since they haven't encountered the Princess Spirit since their attack on Hermit.
"But we aren't seeing a spacequake! How could a powerful Spirit like her manifest without one!?" Ryouko questioned, wanting an explanation on how such a dangerous Spirit appeared out of nowhere like this. "It's unlikely, but we can't exclude the possibility". Mildred informed the female commander, having no answer on how Princess appeared like this. "Of course, this had to happen when Origami isn't around". Mikie commented, certain that her comrade would have been more than happy to take another crack at Princess due to their battles in the past.
"In any case, I'll go check". Ryouko declared as she turned around and began walking off with Mikie and Mildred turning their heads to watch, then follow her. "Squad B should stand by fully armed. Squad A will be rushing to the site with me". The female adult gave the orders to her subordinates, in commander mode and ready to act. "Roger!" Mikie, Mildred and the two nameless AST girls responded to their commander, following her lead as they left.
(Ratatoskr)
Unfortunately for the AST, their advance to Tohka was long detected by Ratatoskr before they even arrived in the area. "Commander, the AST is on the move!" Masaomi informed Kotori, him and the other members typing away on their setups. "They've must've detected Tohka's energy!" He added, while Kotori slightly narrowed her eyes in annoyance at the terrible timing the AST has. "They're sending a single squad! It's an advance recon-in-force unit!" Hinako called out from her station.
Kotori replaced her annoyed face with a confident smirk. "Their involvement has already been taken into consideration". The young commander of Ratatoskr stated, having honestly been expecting them from the start. "Figure out where they'll appear! Hurry!" Kotori told her subordinates to location where the AST members will show up so that they can intercept them. "Understood!" Everyone except Reine responded to their commander, getting right to work.
Rather quickly, they found the AST and got straight to work to keep them from interfering.
(Music end/ Tengu Street)
At a random alleyway of Tengu City, Ryouko opened up a sewer lid and pushed it above her. She looked around her surroundings as Mikie came up next to her from the sewer, both females out of their uniforms and in their Combat Realizer uniforms. "It's awfully quiet". The female commanded stated, while Mikie turned her gaze towards Ryouko. "I-Is the Princess really around here?" She asked her commanded with a trace of fear leaking out. Mikie had a little history with Tohka as she was almost killed by the Princess Spirit, only to have been saved by Origami.
The two then pushed the sewer lid off them completely and climbed out, the rest of the force following their lead. They spread out a bit, before a single AST girl turned to Ryouko with a look of panic. "Captain! The map doesn't match what we're seeing at all! And the GPS stopped working" The nameless girl informed Ryouko, much to the surprise of her and Mikie as they looked at her. "It's just like back then!" The female commanded exclaimed, thinking back to the time they attempted to go to the hot springs, and how everything gone crazy when an unknown opponent attacked them.
"This has to be Princess!" Ryouko said in assumption, thinking back to a report her girls gave about Princess appearing in the middle of all that chaos. She then gritted her teeth in anger. "We won't get anywhere at this rate!" She added, before looking up to nearby buildings' rooftops. "We could go high and..." The female adult began, only to be cut off by another one of her girls. "Not an option. We have yet to evacuate the residents". The AST girl informed Ryouko, much to her growing annoyance as she slightly turned to the girl.
(With Shido and Tohka/ Play DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation {OST} 01 Small Happiness)
Shido and Tohka were now standing across one another with the Princess Spirit staring right at Ratatoskr's main operative with her arms folded. Shido had offered to take her on a date, yet Tohka was being skeptical since this didn't calm her down from the misunderstanding from earlier. "A date? Really?" The Princess Spirit questioned the boy, which Shido nodded with a nervous smile.
"That's right. Do you maybe wanna go shopping and walk around town for a little bit?" Ratatoskr's main operative asked her, yet Tohka broke eye contact and lowered her gaze. "What for? I mean, aren't you like tired of being with me?" The Princess Spirit questioned in response, which Shido shook his head and held up the right hand in a reassuring manner. "No, of course I'm not". The blue-haired boy reassured her, before holding up his right hand's index finger upon getting an idea to get back on Tohka's good graces.
"I promise to buy you anything you want to eat while we're out, how does that sound?" Shido offered to Tohka, resulting in her ribbon twitching as she moaned a bit. Yet she tried to remain strong as she turned away from Shido. "Really? You think that'll work?" The Princess Spirit said with slightly red cheeks. "Well, then what about kinako bread or whipped cream bread". The teenage boy offered, getting Tohka's ribbon to twitch once more as those were her greatest weaknesses,
"You can have as many as you want". Shido added, resulting in Tohka's ribbon twitching again. After a moment or two of waiting, Tohka turned around to face Shido with a small grin. "I guess... Yeah, just for a little while, okay". The Princess Spirit told Shido, anger defeated by her love for food. "Uhhh, sure thing. Let's get going". Ratatoskr's main operative said as he and Tohka began to visit her favorite bakery to buy some kinako bread first.
Tohka had a rather kitty-like face since they were heading to get her favorite foods in the world, while Shido simply looked relived. 'It looks like this'll work out'. The blue-haired boy thought; relived that things would end peacefully soon enough.
(Music end and play DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation {OST} 05 Comical/ A few minutes later)
Shido spoke a bit too soon because the bakery that he and Tohka were standing in front of had a sign that said they were all out of kinako bread. "Huh?" The blue-haired boy gasped in surprise. "HUH?!" Tohka gasped louder than Shido did as she stared at the sign. 'Shido, Tohka's happiness meter is going down again! Do something!' Kotori shouted out from Shido's intercom, getting him to flinch at how demanding she was.
Shido smiled nervously as he turned to look at Tohka, where he saw her pounting with her ribbon twitching in anger. "Hey, it's totally alright Tohka. Trust me, there's plenty of other bakeries around here. All the stores can't be sold out, so we'll find you some bread soon enough". The blue-haired boy said in hopes for the Princess Spirit to calm down.
They then went to another bakery, this time for some whipped cream bread, only to find out that they were sold out of that as well. Tohka's ribbon still continued to twitch to represent her anger, the baker gave an apologetic smile and Shido sweat dropped. 'They can't all be sold out'. Shido thought in comical despair as this wasn't helping to calm Tohka down even a bit.
They went to another bakery to buy both kinkao bread and whipped cream bread. And like the last bakeries, they find that they didn't have any and instead had a sign that said "You told me that you liked this kinako and whipped cream so I chose July 2 to be kinako and whipped cream day', plus a sold out sign. "Are you kidding me!?" Shido comically exclaimed, while Tohka began shaking. "Shido..." Tohka began, turning to look at the blue-haired boy with white eyes with tears on the edge, pointing to the store's display of bread.
"Where'd the kinako and whipped cream bread go?" The Princess Spirit questioned the boy, which Shido turned to look at her with a serious face. "Listen to me. I'm gonna take care of this for you, I promise". Shido told Tohka, determined to find her favorite foods and give them to her.
(Ratatoskr)
Kotori stood up from her seat and slammed both hands down on her commander setup, staring right at the monitor with a frustrated face. "How can every store be sold out at once?" She questioned the reason why something impossibly crazy as this could happen. "Maybe they all had them on sale or something". Reine suggested to the younger female, unsure herself how this happened.
Just then, the main bridge's door on the right side of Kotori's commander seat opened to reveal Kannazuki, only he was carrying multiple bags with his arms, half had kinako bread sticking out. "Hello everyone, I'm back!" The Vice Commander announced, catching everyone's attention as they turned to look at him. "We can't have Tohka going out of control again like she did this morning, so I bought out all the kinako and whipped cream bread. Just in case of an emergency". Kannazuki added with both eyes closed in a happy manner.
"THAT WAS YOU!?" Everyone except Reine shouted out in surprise at Kannazuki, who tilted his head in confusion. "Yes?" He answered in a confused voice, not really seeing what the problem was here. "Go take those to Shido right now, you idiot!" Kotori ordered her second in command with a demanding voice.
(Later on)
Kannazuki managed to deliver the bags of kanako and whipped cream bed to Shido in private, which he gave to Tohka soon afterwards. Now right, the two were walking back home to the Itsuka household with Tohko currently enjoying a kanako bread, plus carrying the rest of the bags of leftover bread. She took a bite and moaned in bliss at the taste she loved. "Yummy... Kinako bread is really delicious. Shido, where'd you get all these from?" The Princess Spirit asked the teenage boy, which he gave a nervous smile with both eyes closed.
"Actually, you don't want to know that, kay". Shido answered, turning from looking at her to facing forward. "Okay, I don't want to know that". Tohka declared, much to Shido's relief as he laughed nervously.
(Meanwhile with AST/ Music end)
Back with Ryouko and her squad, their search Princess has been going on even when Shido and Tohka started their date earlier, and now they were lost in the middle of Tengu City. One of the AST girls held a tracking device in her hand that showed Tohka's location, but then the signal dropped dead. "Captain, we've lost the Princess!" The nameless girl informed her commander with an alarmed voice, causing everyone to stop and turn towards her.
Ryouko turned around to fully face the girl. "What did you say?!" She questioned in surprise that their target just disappeared all of a sudden. "C-Captain..." Mikie said with a worried voice, turning to look at Ryouko for guidance on what to do next. The black-haired female turned back forward, yet had her head slightly turned left. "We can do a detailed analysis later". The female adult stated, then looking up above as she placed her right hand on the hip.
"Everyone, back to base". Ryouko commanded her unit, seeing no reason to stay out here any longer. "B-but captain..." The same AST girl from earlier said as she walked up to Ryouko from her right, catching the female commander's attention as she slightly turned her head. "How do we get back?" The young girl questioned since they were literally in the middle of a maze since the street they were in was, oddly enough, shaped like one.
(With Shido and Tohka/ Play DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation {OST} 09 Evening)
Meanwhile with Shido and Tohka, they had just arrived back at the Itsuka household where Shido pushed open the door for him and Tohka to enter. "We're home!" Shido announced as he and Tohka entered and stopped at the shoe rack, where they took off their footwear. Rinne walked in from the door to the kitchen and smiled at her boyfriend and fellow Spirit. "Shido, Tohka. Welcome home". The Ruler Spirit greeted them back warmly, which Shido returned with his own smile.
"Sorry if we took so long. Have you already started cooking lunch?" The blue-haired boy asked the pink-haired girl, curious if she's already made lunch for everyone. "Not yet. I was just about to since you and Tohka were out for so long". Rinne answered her boyfriend, just as Yoshino and Yoshinon poked out of the kitchen door with smiles present. "Welcome back, Shido!" Yoshinon greeted Shido brightly, waving her right hand at him. "Oyakodon... hooray". Yoshino said with a low, but happy voice.
Shido and Rinne chuckled as they looked at the Hermit Spirit and rabbit puppet. "Okay, you've waited long enough. Rinne and I will get started soon". The blue-haired boy declared, much to the joy of Tohka, Yoshino and Yoshinon. The Hermit Spirit returned to the kitchen with Tohka following after her, leaving the young couple alone. Shido and Rinne went right up to each other, where they wrapped their arms around one another and slightly pressed their bodies together.
"How did everything go with Origami?" Rinne asked her boyfriend with a curious voice. "It went well, she's been let off with a 2-month suspension". Shido answered, before his face fell a little bit. "...She really doesn't remember. I asked her if she remembered you or Eden, but Origami made it clear her memories are either gone or suppressed". The blue-haired boy informed his girlfriend, generally sad that even Origami doesn't remember.
Rinne brought up her right hand to gently rub Shido's left cheek in a comforting manner. "It's alright, Shido. You tried, that's what matters". The Ruler Spirit told her boyfriend, happy with him trying so hard to find a way to restore everyone else's memories. Rinne's effort to comfort Shido worked since he gave her a thankful smile, having needed some cheering up from coming up to another dead-end.
Shido's face grew a little serious again. "The only person that we can ask left is Kurumi, and we have no idea where she is". Ratatoskr's main operative said with a hint of longing in his voice to see the Nightmare Spirit again. The time he spent with Kurumi inside of Eden was truly filled with happiness, so to part ways without even saying "good-bye" to her put a damper on Shido's spirits. His and her life inside of Eden was proof that Kurumi could be saved, and Shido was determined to accomplish the goal he made for himself a month ago.
Not to mention before Rinne's return, Shido had encountered Kurumi at the Tanabata Festival. But that was a story for another time. "Don't worry about it Shido. After all, you're important to Kurumi, so I'm certain that she'll come around soon to see you again. You just need to be patient". Rinne told her boyfriend, certain Kurumi will return soon. "I hope you're right. I really miss her". The oldest Itsuka sibling said with a small frown, something that caused Rinne to stare at him in concern.
Shido took notice of his girlfriend's concerned look, so he gave her a reassuring smile to calm her. "Don't worry about me, it is something out of our control. For now, let's go make lunch for Tohka, Yoshino and Yoshinon". The blue-haired boy said to Rinne, bringing up his left hand and gently stroke Rinne's hair. Rinne softened her expression greatly at feeling Shido's warm hand, even half closing her eyes from the touch. "Okay". The Ruler Spirit said almost as if she were in a daze, much to Shido's relief.
(Music end)
Shido and Rinne soon made two bowls of oyakodon for Tohka and Yoshino with Shido even making another for his girlfriend. Right now, all three Spirits were in the kitchen, sitting around the table as they enjoyed their lunch, not to mention continue watching Yoshino's soap opera. The Ruler Spirit was sitting across the Princess, while Tohka was sitting beside Yoshino and Yoshinon just like in the morning.
Rinne and Yoshino were slowly enjoying their oyakodon, while Tohka had already finished hers and was now enjoying a whipped cream bread. As they ate, all three females watched the soap opera, which showed that the husband and wife had made up. The wife was happily watering the garden, while the husband was bringing in his wife's favorite treat from the house.
Yoshino watched her show, chewing in her mouth with Yoshinon holding onto the cup of oyakodon. Tohka had a blissfully happy face with both eyes closed, while Rinne just finished up her launch. The pink-haired girl pushed her chair back from the table and stood up on her feet. She placed her empty bowl with the other empty ones in a pile, before gently picking them all up. "Tohka, Yoshino, Yoshinon. If any of you need me, I'll be in the kitchen, cleaning the dishes". Rinne informed her fellow Spirits, catching the attention of Hermit as she looked towards her.
"Okay". Yoshino replied to the Ruler Spirit, then turned back to her soap opera. Rinne started walking to the kitchen's sink, while Yoshinon turned to look at the blissfully smiling Tohka. "Man, I gotta tell ya; I was REALLY surprised when you ran off out of the blue like that". The rabbit puppet said to Tohka, having noticed when she left the house earlier in the day. The Princess Spirit took another bite of her whipped cream bread, before responding to Yoshinon. "You were?" The Princess Spirit asked, too good of a mood right now to worry about anything.
While the three Spirits were enjoying the peaceful afternoon, Shido was upstairs heading to his room. As he walked towards his open door, Shido brought up his right hand and took off the intercom. Just a few moments after entering, Shido took notice of his lying down open suitcase. "That's weird. I could have sworn I closed this". The oldest Itsuka sibling remarked, then took notice that the case's lock was broken. "Wait, the lock's broken. How'd that happen?" Shido questioned as he walked up and knelt down to his suitcase.
"I spent all that time packing for the school trip. Man, I guess since Tohka's calmed down a bit, I might as well get this thing fixed". Shido said to himself, closing the suitcase in mid-speech. "I have to meet Origami anyway". He added, turning to look at his digital clock to check the time. Seeing that it was nearly time for him to go, Shido picked up the suitcase and headed back downstairs.
He stops by the door to the main room/kitchen and glanced inside to tell the Spirits he was heading out. "Hey, I'm going out for a while, okay!" Shido called out to the Spirits, catching all of their attention as Tohka, Yoshino and Yoshinon glanced over to him, while Rinne stopped washing the dishes. "See ya later!" Yoshinon cried out to Shido, waving her left hand at him.
"Later, gator!" Tohka called out, waving her left arm to Shido as well. "Don't stay out for too long and be careful!" Rinne told her boyfriend. giving a quick glance over the left shoulder, before going back to the dishes. Shido chuckled a little at them, before the sounds of his phone ringing captured his attention. He brought it out and saw that it was Origami calling him. He answered the call and brought it to his right ear. "Hey Origami". The Itsuka boy greeted, catching Tohka's attention as she blinked at what he said.
"Yeah, it's fine now". Shido said to the phone as he headed to the front door, pulling his suitcase along with him. As he stopped to put his shoes back on, Shido didn't notice Tohka was watching him from the kitchen door, growling a bit despite the whipped cream bread in her mouth. "Where do you want to meet?" Shido asked as he stood up on his feet and left the house with the suitcase.
Tohka had a suspicious look, despite the slightly red cheeks and whipped cream bread. 'You have to keep this a secret from your wife'. She heard a female voice from the TV, catching Tohka's attention as she looked over. The TV screen showed the husband in an apartment room, fixing up his tie. He wasn't alone as there was a beautiful woman with long brown hair lying down on a bad, covering her naked body with the blanket. 'This is our secret'. The woman told the man, having a sly smile present.
'Yes, I know'. The husband responded to his new lover. 'She hasn't found out, has she?' The woman asked, which the man just chuckled in response, before looking at her over his shoulder. 'Clueless. Today I brought home her favorite treat, so she was happy and didn't suspect a thing'. The husband answered, while the woman pushed a stray bit of her hair over her ear.
Tohka gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes in concern from feeling the same concern from earlier return, only stronger this time as she felt like Shido lied to her like the man did his wife. "No, it can't be". The Princess Spirit stated, refusing to believe what she was thinking. She shoved the whipped cream bread fully into her mouth, before running to Shido's room.
Once she reached the door, she quickly opened it and rushed inside. Much to her concern, the same suitcase that had Shido's clothes and stuff inside were gone. Tohka looked around her surroundings, even at the ground, before rushing back downstairs to the living room. 'Dear, why are you doing this?!' Tohka heard the wife's voice call out in concern, right before she stopped right outside the kitchen door and looked straight at the TV, gasping at what she saw.
The TV showed the husband, his new lover and wife at a train station, where the wife was trying to stop her husband from leaving. The man was wearing a brown coat, his new lover had a white dress and black hat while the wife still had the same clothes she wore earlier on. 'I thought I told you. There's no particular reason. Our love wasn't real. It was just an illusion'. The husband said his final words, before he and his new lover started walking away.
Seeing this increased Tohka's worries tenfold as she took a step back. "No... Oh, Shido...!" The Princess Spirit said in concern. Tohka's words caught Rinne's attention as she had just finished washing the dishes. She looked over her left shoulder towards Tohka, where she saw her worried expression. Before Rinne had a chance to ask Tohka what was wrong, the long purple-haired girl rushed out of the house to search for Shido. "...Tohka?" Rinne said in concern, wondering just what her fellow Spirit was worried about.
(A little bit later in Tengu City/ Play DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation {OST} 15 Doubt)
Tohka, with her footwear back on, ran through the streets of Tengu City as fast as she could to find Shido before it was "too late", denying what she was thinking all the while. 'It can't be! It can't be! Shido isn't going anywhere! He isn't! He isn't!' Tohka shouted out inside her mind in despair, whipping away a tear that was at her right eye. That was when she passed by the station, before she stopped and walked back because she spotted something.
"Ahhh!" The Princess Spirit gasped in horror at seeing Shido with Origami in front of him as he was talking to her. "Sorry, is it alright if we take this to the repair shop too?" The blue-haired boy asked the AST girl, holding up his suitcase. "Yeah, sure". Origami replied to him, alright to make a pitstop along the way.
Tohka's imagination began to go wild as she imagined Shido and Origami wearing the same clothes the man and long-haired woman from the soap opera wore. 'This is our chance to get away'. Shido said to the smiling Origami, before they turned to Tohka with the AST girls' smile turning into one of victory. 'I can't stay here anymore, I'm tired of my life with you. Good-bye forever'. The Itsuka boy bid farewell with an estranged expression, before both he and Origami began walking away.
In reality, nothing of that sort happened, yet to Tohka it felt like it was gonna happen if she doesn't do something. She screamed out, Spirit powers returning with a burst out and gained a purple aura. Her scream caught the attention of Shido and Origami as they turned to see Tohka ran through the fountain towards them. She took Shido's suitcase from him and continued running off, crying out as she did so with a concerned Shido and unfazed Origami watching her.
Just then, the spatial quake alarm started going off thanks to the return of Tohka's powers. As the civilians began to run for shelter, Shido turned to look at Origami. "Origami, hurry and get to a shelter!" The blue-haired boy told his friend with an alarmed expression, before he started running after Tohka. Orgami watched him off with a naturel expression, as if she wasn't the least bit affected by what's going on.
Meanwhile with Tohka, she continued to run through the streets of Tengu City, sobbing as she held onto the suitcase as to her, it was the last thing keeping Shido from leaving.
In a random CD store, Shido's "friend" Tonomachi was listening to a song from his favorite singer, someone named Miku Izayoi, through headphones and didn't seem to care that the spacequake alarm was going off. He took the headphones off and held them down, all the while with both eyes closed and crying tears of joy. "You won't let me listen to the end, huh? You are such a tease, my little Miku. You know I can't keep up". The idiot boy said as if he was talking to someone right now. "Sir, run away!" The store's owner told Tonomachi, before he left to find shelter himself.
In another store, only a clothing one this time, Ai, Mai and Mii all began to evacuate as well. "Are you kidding?! Like, why now!?" Ai remarked, both arms wrapped around a pink bag as she ran. "I didn't even get my change". Mai commented as she followed behind her friend, carrying a blue bag over her left shoulder. "That's so lame!" Mii called out, running after her friends with a purple bag in her arms.
Back with Shido, he continued to run through the streets in search for Tohka, avoiding the evacuating civilians as he did so. He stopped in the middle of a street to look around his surroundings, before turning right and ran down the street. Unknown to him was that Ratatoskr was trying to contact him.
(Music end/ With Ratatoskr)
"Shido! Shido!? It's no use, he's not wearing the intercom!" Munechika informed Kotori from his station, typing away as he spoke. "At this rate, we won't be able to tell him where Tohka's heading". Hinako said in concern, while Kotori turned to look at her setup's screen. "That stupid Shido! I specifically said wear it!" The red-haired girl exclaimed in anger, taking a mental note to drill into her brother's head to always keep the intercom when this was somehow over.
"Can we get him an intercom?" She questioned, only for Kyouji to suddenly speak up out of nowhere. "Please wait! Shido is heading in the same direction as Tohka!" The "famous" Bad Marriage informed the commander of Ratatoskr, much to Kotori's surprise as she blinked.
(With Shido)
Shido was running up a stairway to the playground that he and Tohka had gone to on their first day, certain that she's there. 'I know Tohka better than anyone. She's definitely here, she'd come here whenever something was wrong back in Eden. So, she has to be!' The Itsuka boy shouted out inside his mind, right as he reached the end of the stairway and stopped.
There, just as he had hoped, Tohka was standing in front of the wood railing looking over the city with the suitcase right beside her on Tohka's left. She had changed into a limited Astral Dress that was a mix of her Spirit armour, and the outfit she was wearing before. The only problem was that she still had a light purple aura around herself and seemed to be nearing regaining her full powers. The wind blew Tohka's hair, slightly blowing it in the breeze as Shido took a few steps forward to her. "Tohka!" He called out to her, catching the Princess Spirit's attention.
She looked over her left shoulder and saw Shido standing a few feet behind her. "Shido... But how did you know?" Tohka questioned the blue-haired boy how he knew where to find her. "How could I not know?" He questioned in response, before he began approaching her in a slow pace. "I mean; this is the place where we first-" Shido spoke, only to be cut off by her. "Do you really want it back that badly?!" Tohka questioned with a loud voice as she turned around to fully face Shido, much to his confusion.
"What?" Shido questioned, taking a glance to the suitcase and figured she meant that. "You really want to be with Origami more than me..." Tohka said with a small quiver at the end of her sentence. "W-what!? No, I don't-" The blue-haired boy began, only to be cut off once more. "You don't have to pretend. Because of what you and Rinne told me, I'm certain of it. If you say you're going no matter what..." The Princess Spirit began, before stomping the ground with her right foot to summon her Angel.
(Play DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation {OST} 22 Decisive Battle)
A red glow appeared on the ground underneath the suitcase, before Tohka's throne that sheathed Sandalphon raised up from the glow. The suitcase fell onto both of the armrests safely. "Haaahhhh!" Tohka breathed out, jumping onto the left armrest with her right leg and reached for Sandalphon's handle. The Princess Spirit drew her blade into the air as she stepped back onto normal ground, then pointed Sandalphon towards Shido. "Then you can go once you've defeated me!" She declared, ready to fight to keep him with her.
"What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere". Shido told the Princess Spirit, honestly bewildered by whatever Tohka was talking about. Shido's words surprised the Princess Spirit as she slightly lowered Sandalphon. "Really? You're not?" Tohka asked the human, taken back as she was certain that he was leaving. "There's no way I ever would. I mean I still have to help Rinne make dinner for you, Yoshino, Yoshinon and Kotori, don't I? And I have a test to study for!" The Itsuka boy told her, gritting his teeth a bit.
"But aren't you... Aren't you tired of being with me?" Tohka questioned him once more, gritting her teeth as well. "I never said anything like that!" Shido responded instantly, honestly angered that she'd ever think that. "If that's the truth, then why do you have your case packed?" The Princess Spirit questioned, turning her gaze towards the suitcase resting on her throne's armrests. "Isn't it the good-bye box that means "we can't be together anymore"? You brought this with you to meet with Origami Tobiichi, leave and go start a family with her just like in Eden! It's just as I thought!" Tohka told her thoughts to Shido, turning back to look at him.
Shido slightly widened his eyes at what Tohka said, before shaking his head in denial. "No, it's not as you thought. It's...the suitcase I was planning to take on the school trip with you next week". The blue-haired boy revealed to Tohka, much to her surprise. "What...? With me?" The Princess Spirit asked in disbelief, which Shido smiled at her. "Yes, with you. Besides, I'm too young to even be thinking of starting a family". Shido answered her, yet Tohka didn't lower Sandalphon just yet and had tears at the edges of her eyes.
"Okay then, does that mean you really aren't tired of being with me?" The Princess questioned Shido, then slightly lifted her blade. "It's alright for us to be together?" She asked him to be certain. "Of course, it is". The Itsuka boy answered her instantly. Everything was silent as the two stared at one another, before Tohka eventually groaned and lowered her blade. Taking that as a sign, Shido began to approach Tohka, but it looked like the trouble hasn't ended yet.
Tohka's spirit powers acted on its own and released a burst of energy from her body at Shido, much to her surprise as she gasped. The energy drew closer to Shido, who wasn't able to move on time, and got hit. "Argh!" He shouted out in pain as the burst of energy's power kicked up a bit of dust. "Shido!" Tohka cried out in concern, lowering Sandalphon completely while the dust began to clear. "Tell me you're not hurt". She pleaded as the dust cleared completely to reveal Shido on the ground. He grunted in response, before attempting to get back up.
"T-That was just like..." The Itsuka boy said with pain leaking out of his voice. It wasn't exactly the same, but what just happened was like how Tohka lost control of her powers on the day Eden activated for the first time.
(On the Fraxinus)
The Ratatoskr crew had been watching the whole thing and were now starting to get worried. Kotori had even stood up from her chair and placed both hands on her setup. "This is bad. There's too much power flowing between them. This may very well be just a small sample of what Shin told us on how Tohka lost control of her powers and killed him. I was afraid that this would happen". Reine remarked, watching the monitor with her ever expressionless face while everyone turned to look at her. "What did you say?!" Kotori questioned, turning to look at the sleep deprived woman.
"Unfortunately, at this rate, the overflowing spirit power will destroy the town and eventually, Tohka herself". The Analysis Officer informed the crew, getting them all to gasp in concern for Tengu City, its citizens and Tohka herself. Kannazuki looked at his commander with an urgent expression. "Right! Then, this is an emergency. We must retrieve Shido and discuss a strategy to make sure we keep everyone safe". The vice commander told his commander, but Kotori just turned to look back at the monitor.
"We don't have that kind of time. No matter what, Shido cannot disappear right in front of Tohka's eyes. We don't know what kind of effect that might have on her. All we can do now is...is bet on Shido". Kotori told the entire crew of Ratatoskr that was staring at her. "Come on big brother, I believe in you!" The younger Itsuka sibling exclaimed, believing in Shido that he can save them all.
(Back with Shido and Tohka)
Shido had his teeth gritted harshly as this whole situation was bringing back unpleasant memories. The out-of-control power, the distance between him and Tohka and her power attacking him. It was exactly like it was back on the school rooftop that day, but he had no intention of letting it end the same. "Shido, what's happening? I swear I'm not doing this". Tohka said in an afraid voice that she just hurt Shido, even if she didn't do the deed.
"I know... I'm sorry that I let this happen again, Tohka". Shido apologized, pushing himself back onto his feet. He began to approach her, even as more energy continued to burst forth from her. The energy struck Shido head-on, getting him to grunt in pain but kept standing. "Shido!" Tohka exclaimed in concern, bringing up Sandalphon's handle and took hold of it with both hands. "Stay back! It's not safe!" She told the teenage boy, just as she released another burst of energy that slashed at the left side of Shido's torso.
(Music end)
"Don't say that, Tohka. There's no way...that I won't make over there. This time... I'm gonna reach you". Shido said with determination to not fail like last time. Tohka gasped, unintentionally releasing another wave of energy. "Shido... Is that what you meant when you said I lost control of my powers? Are you...going to die?" The Princess Spirit asked in growing horror as he struggled through the wave of energy she released. "No! Not this time! Tohka, I swear that I'm gonna reach you!" Shido shouted out with resolve as he took another step forward.
The Ratatoskr crew watched all this happen from the Fraxinus, most of the members holding their breath in. Shido took step after step towards Tohka, gazing directly at her concerned crying face, the same one she made on that day. 'Tohka... This is all my fault. If only I had reached you that day, but I wasn't strong enough. My failure to reach you back then haunts me, even to this day. I promise that I'll never let you make that face or go through that pain ever again!' The Itsuka boy thought to himself, struggling with all his might to reach Tohka.
(Play DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation {OST} 02 Quiet Day)
Once he was just a few steps away from Tohka, Shido stopped but kept gazing at Tonka in the eye. "Tohka! I know that you can't remember, but I'll tell you. The promise we made on our wedding day back in Eden!" Shido cried out to the Princess Spirit, getting her to blink in surprise at what he said. The blue-haired boy slightly tilted his head down and grew a fond smile. "We...promised to be with each other forever. You jumped at the promise, saying you were inadequate, but we'd work on it together". He said with a low, happy voice at thinking about the first greatest day of his life.
Flashes of their wedding appeared in Shido's mind. How he first saw Tohka in her wedding dress, their vows to be together, the kiss that sealed their marriage and finally, slicing their wedding cake together with Sandalphon. A single tear left Shido's left eye at remembering the pure happy face Tohka had that day as like him, it was the greatest one to her. He tilted his head up to smile directly at Tohka.
"We'll always be together, Tohka. I promise. Your heart is in my hand. Those are the words I said to you, something that you wholeheartedly agreed on. You even said that even if I tried to get away, you wouldn't let me". Shido told the Princess Spirit, giving her the same smile full of love he gave her that special day. Tohka let out a stuttering breath as a few tears escaped her eyes as Shido's words felt like an unimaginable dream. "Shido..." The Princess Spirit breathed out with cheeks beginning to flush red, wishing with all her heart that she could remember that important day.
(With Ratatoskr)
Almost all of the crew had been brought to tears by Shido's words as they touched their very hearts. The only ones weren't crying their eyes out were Kotori and Reine for two different reasons. The sleep deprived still had a sleepy face, despite the heart touching scene on the monitor.
Kotori had her teeth gritted harshly with her eyes displaying great jealousy at what Shido was saying, both about his and Tohka's wedding and the sweat heartwarming words he was saying to Tohka. Every fiber of Kotori's being was screaming at her to stop Shido from going any further, yet she kept herself contained and allowed her brother to continue.
(Back down)
Shido pushed himself to take another step forward and reached out with his left hand. "Make good on what you said back then. Don't let me get away and make it so we're together". He told the Princess Spirit, using every bit of strength he had to keep his hand held out towards her. Tohka stared longingly at the boy, then reached out to his hand with her left one. Their hands drew incredibly close to one another, yet just as they were an inch away, a burst of energy sent Shido flying into the air.
Tohka gasped, looking up and reaching out towards Shido as he drew further away from her, all the while still holding out his left hand out to her. The Princess Spirit let go of her Angel and it fell to the ground beside her, but Tohka didn't spare it a glance and kept on looking towards Shido. The distance between them grew larger, until the Spirit couldn't take it anymore. "No! I won't let you go!" Tohka shouted out, and then jumped with all her might towards Shido with a burst of her power.
As if he had some power of his own, Shido fell directly towards Tohka. Once the two were close enough, they grabbed hold of each other's hands and pulled themselves to one another. Tohka took hold of Shido's left hand with both of hers, while he gently placed his right one on the back of Tohka's left shoulder. They smiled lovingly at one another as they spun around in the air, Tohka's energy dancing around them.
Shido then leaned in towards Tohka, who blinked in surprise with blushing cheeks, before he claimed her lips in a gentle kiss. The spiritual power all began to return to Tohka with her dress glowing a light pink colour. Then, her limited Astral Dress burst into sparkles with Tohka back to wearing her outfit from earlier. The two teens had their eyes closed blissfully as they held the kiss for a few seconds, until Shido broke it. The two opened their eyes and gave happy faces to each other, floating down to the ground and safely landed on their feet.
(Inside Fraxinus)
Ratatoskr celebrated Shido's successful sealing of Tohka's powers; Masaomi and Hinako giving each other a high-five even. "It seems we're in the clear, the Spirit Path has been stabilized. I don't think we'll have a problem for a while". Reine said to Kotori, arms still crossed and eyes glued to the monitor. Kotori still had a slightly jealous face, but managed to get rid of it.
"What did you expect? That's my big bro for you". She stated, retaking her seat on the commander chair and crossed both of her arms. She then chuckled and gave a smirk.
(Music end/ Shido and Tohka)
The sun began to set, shining beside Shido and Tohka with the two standing in front of each other, staring at one another's eyes and arms still around one another. "Tohka... I know that I'm with Rinne now, but I truly meant everything I said. I-" The Itsuka boy began, only for Tohka to stop him. "It's okay Shido, everything will be alright. We just need time". The Princess Spirit told the teenage boy with a soft voice.
Shido blinked in a little bit of confusion at what she said, having no idea what she meant by that. "For now, let's go home. I'm sure Rinne, Yoshino and Yoshinon are all waiting for us". Tohka suggested to Shido, a desire to go home and see their friends suddenly overwhelming her. Shido replaced his confusion expression with a soft smile, before nodding his head at her. "Yeah, let's go home". The blue-haired boy agreed. The two then started heading back to Shido's home, and back to their friends.
Speaking of which, back at the Itsuka household Rinne had joined Yoshino and Yoshinon in watching the soap opera as it was nearing its end. The TV showed the long-haired woman being handcuffed, then escorted away by two cops looking defeated. Watching from a cliff were the husband and woman with their hands joined together. The married couple then turned to look at one another with happy expressions as everything turned out well for them as their love proved to be real. The words "The end" then appeared, a sign that it was all over now.
Yoshino and Yoshinon had happy smiles at seeing the ending, the Hermit Spirit holding a biscuit that was missing a bit in her right hand. Rinne was sitting beside her fellow Spirit on Yoshino's right, and had a content smile herself. "Case close". The rabbit puppet stated, turning to look at Yoshino. "Yep". She remarked as Rinne looked at her and Yoshinon. "You must really like those kinds of soap operas, don't you Yoshino?" The Ruler Spirit asked the younger girl, which she gave a nod of the head.
Rinne then stood up from the couch, before looking down at her two friends. "Well, I better start getting dinner ready. I can't help but feel like Shido deserves a day off of cooking dinner for some reason". She said with a spirited voice, before turning around and walked around the couch to the kitchen, leaving Yoshino and Yoshinon to continue watching TV.
(Much later in the late afternoon)
The moon shined in the night sky with just a few clouds visible, a sign of a peaceful night. In Tengu City, there was a large building that was DEM's Japanese branch, a "base" you could say for the cooperation. Inside of the building in an unknown room, Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott sat down on a couch while Ellen stood behind right behind the couch and behind him. "Oh? You've found Princess, have you? Interesting... She was supposed to have disappeared from Tengu City 3 months ago. Is that correct?" Isaac questioned with a fascinated voice at hearing Ellen's report.
"Yes. In addition, there's this report". The female adult answered, holding up a tablet for him to take. Isaac took the tablet from her and looked at it to see that it had a picture of Tohka, and all her information. "Fascinating. It says the Princess is attending high school". The adult man said with interest, finding this rather amusing. "Her name is Tohka Yatogami. She is a student at Rizen High School. The time she transferred in matches the time all traces of the Princess disappeared". Ellen explained to her boss, increasing Isaac's fascination.
He gave a laugh since the whole thing was amusing to him. "You're kidding me. Very unexpected. I think we should check this out our way then". The adult man said with the same dark grin as he lowered the tablet. "I wouldn't want my most capable asset to get rusty now would I?" He added, placing the tablet down on a square table that was in front of him.
He looked over to Ellen past his right shoulder. "I'm counting on you, my dear. Ellen Mira Mathers, mankind's greatest Wizard". Isaac told the woman, who so much as didn't even twitch at what he said since she had every intention of following his orders to the letter.
(Unknown location)
Up high in the sky above a crowd of clouds, an invisible ship flew through the clouds. It was incredibly large, maybe even the same height as Fraxinus. It changed directions and started heading to parts unknown, eventually disappearing from sight.
(Meanwhile)
At an unknown location atop a large building with a view over the city, a familiar Spirit stood at the edge. Her shadow was somehow stretched out to the other edge and seemed to be wavering a bit as if the wind effect it. Suddenly, more shadows appeared out of nowhere and merged with the first one, shrieking down to a normal shadow of the Spirit.
(Play Date a Live OST-Kurumi's Theme (Portrait)
The Spirit was actually the Nightmare Spirit; Kurumi Tokisaki. She was currently looking over the city down below with her right hand resting on the hip with her Astral Dress slightly blowing in the breeze. "It's still not nearly enough yet, is it?" Kurumi said as if she were speaking to someone. "Hmmm?" She sensed a presence and turned to see someone behind her. "Oh, didn't expect to see you. Yes, it was just wonderful. Who know someone like that actually existed". The Nightmare Spirit said, before giving a chuckle as she turned her head.
"I can't believe it. Sadly, now I have to store up time before I can go back again. But still..." Kurumi continued, bringing up and aimed her pistol to her head. "There's no way I'm giving up". She finished, just as the clock that was her left eye ticketed forward to the eighth symbol. Kurumi fired her pistol, ye instead of her falling to the ground, something else did. "In order to use Zafkiel's final attack; Yod Beth, I need that person's particular power". She said, while the thing that was shot began to get up. It was actually a Kurumi clone that she had just created with that shot.
The Nightmare Spirit giggled as her clone began to raise. "And I will get it. After all, I've won him once before, so I can do it again. Just as he once was, he will be mine again. And this time, I won't give him up. Don't doubt me on that. I will never, ever give up". Kurumi stated, watching her clone as it got up on her knees. "Then I'll kill the Origin Spirit, the earliest one to appear in this world 30 years ago. The source which all other Spirits came. The first Spirit". The Nightmare Spirit added, her clone finally up on its legs and turned to face her.
"I'm going to take it out with my own two hands. But as strong as I am now, that's simply impossible. How can I defeat her, when I was so easily handled by the Ruler?" Kurumi said to her clone, bringing her pistol to her head again and fired another shot. The sound of gun fire reached the night sky as the camera changed to towards the moon up above.
(Music end/ Next week)
The time for Rizen High School's school trip has come at last. Shido's whole class was already at Tengu City airport with their teacher, Tamae leading them all. "All right! Let's head off to Arubi Island for our school trip, everyone!" The young-looking teacher called out to her class, waving a yellow flag up as a sign for them to follow her. "Hai!" The class responded to their teacher, following her lead as she led them to their assigned airplane.
Among the students were Shido, Tohka and Rinne, in their school uniforms and holding different coloured suitcases. The three looked at each other with excited faces, especially Rinne as this'll be her first time out of Tengu City. Following behind them was Origami, who had her eyes on Shido. Tonomachi, Ai, Mai and Mii were walking behind her with all four of them just as excited for the school trip.
(Date a Live: Day to Story ending)
"This is the tale of a long, long journey…"
"Of a hero who left home to save you".
The screen started off as pure black, before slowly lighting up to reveal the night sky full of bright stars. The camera started going downwards, eventually showing the back of Shido, in school uniform with Sandalphon held in his right hand, standing on a light blue ground. The camera zoomed in and shifted around to show Shido's face as he opened his eyes, with the night sky around him transforming into a sunset sky with clouds. Shido tilted his head up to look out across the sea towards the rising sun in the distance.
He continued to look out across the distance, before the sunlight from the rising sun soon blinded the camera.
"From a land of fairy tales, a hero set off on a journey".
The screen changed to show Shido standing in the park where he and Tohka went on their first date in front of the wooden railing. He had his head tilted down with both eyes closed as he held Sandalphone down with both hands and the tip pointing down. The gem on Sandalphone was radiating light from the sunlight on it. Yoshinon came into view, spun around and then smiled at the camera as she closed in and came over the screen.
"Passing through the grassy plains to find his princess".
Once Yoshinon left the screen, it changed to show Shido now at Arubi Island standing atop the large green hill that had a view of the whole island and even the ocean, still in the same position as before. Then, Tohka came into view with a big smile on her face. She gave a happy expression at the camera as she closed in and came over the screen.
"Overcoming pitch black caves and stormy mountains".
Once Tohka left the screen, it changed to show Shido standing atop a skyscraper's rooftop in the late afternoon, still in the same position. The sky was dark, had a few stars and clouds visible with DEM's Japanese branch building close by. Rinne appeared and gave a gentle smile at the camera, before closing in and came over the screen.
The screen then changed when Origami left, now showing Tengu Square with Shido not too far from the building, holding Sandalphone down still.
"His sword held high".
Sandalphone then came up from below and came overview in the camera with its gem flashing for a brief second, before disappearing to reveal a patch of grass with a dark background. The camera moved across to the right, eventually showing Shido kneeling on the ground on his left knee, holding a stabbed to the ground Sandalphone with its gem providing a bright light with a blue flame on his left cheek.
"The flames of courage burns in his eyes".
The blue flames eventually died down into nothing, before Shido opened his closed eyes and lifted his head up. He faced forward, before getting up on his feet out of view.
"I'll cast of the clutches of darkness and take your hand in mine".
A familiar right hand, belonging of that of a certain Ruler Spirit, reached out with Shido's left hand reaching out towards it as well. The two hands then gently grabbed hold of one another in a finger lock. From within the connected hands a light appeared that grew so much stronger and blinded the screen.
"Always with my sword in hand".
The screen changed to night sky full of stars with the camera slowly moving down a black and red sword. On the left side of the camera beside the sword, the Yamai sisters first appeared in their Astral Dress. They then disappeared and were replaced with Kotori in her commander outfit, licking a lollypop.
"I'll break through the darkness to find you".
Kotori then disappeared and on the right side, Miku appeared with a smile directed at the camera. She was then replaced by Yoshino and Yoshinon staring at the camera with bright faces with the puppet waving her left hand. The two disappeared, before Kurumi appeared in front of the blade, smiling deviously as she held her pistol with her right hand at the camera.
"No matter how hard it is, I won't ever give up".
Kurumi disappeared with the black and red sword disappearing from sight. Then, two familiar Spirits appeared at the left and right side of the camera. On the left side was Tohka, but she was wearing a more revealing Astral Dress, half of her hair changed colours to white and now her eyes were a mixture of amber and indigo. Her expression was different from her usual happy one, as if she were a completely different person.
On the right side was Ruler in her Astral Dress, staring directly at the camera from behind her veil with both arms folded. She had her mouth open a little bit with her braids looking as if they were blowing in the breeze. The two Spirits then slowly disappeared from sight.
"So come and take my hand".
"The eternal flames of courage (Dead or Alive)".
"Fills the world with light".
A little girl, around Yoshino's height, came up into view. She had deep pink eyes, long plum hair that reaches to her legs. The girl's hair was tied with one single braid and has a bow at the top of her head. She was wearing a lavish pinkish-red dress with a gold emblem on the center. The dress also contained a large robe that reaches her feet. Finally, she had a pair of black panty hose with strappy low red heeled shoes with an ankle strap with pink detailing and small wing shaped straps on the side.
She smiled happily with both eyes closed at the camera, then twirled around on her right leg with the robe flowing out. The girl stopped twirling around to face the camera and waved both hands with a happy expression as she slowly faded away.
Flames appeared out of nowhere from below the night sky and burned bright, before briefly covering the camera completely. It quickly died out to reveal Shido, Rinne and Tohka, all in school uniform, standing besides one another at the edge of a cliff of the ocean with a few grass covered rocks with flowers behind them, looking across the distance to the rising sun, brining another day for them.
(Ending song finished)
In a dark room, several humanoid robots seemed to be stuck to the wall with cables attached to their backs and bodies. One of them turned on as a red light lit up on its "face", ready to do its duty for its creator.
Standing in front of the group of robots was an adult woman who's face was covered by the shadows, concealing her identity. She was wearing a white DEM Realizer suit that was rather revealing as it showed a bit of skin. The woman had both arms crossed as she stared at the pack of robots before her, until she smirked for unknown reasons.
I hoped this chapter was to your liking, everyone. The changes may not have been much from cannon, but I did my best to at least make a few. I hope that you guys especially liked how Shido told Tohka about their wedding in Eden, it was perhaps my favorite ending of that game. You could even say it was like a dream come true.
By the way, surprise. Kurumi remembers events from Eden, and just to let you know, she has all her memories. If you guys are gonna ask how it is possible, it's rather simple. She unlocked them the same way she regained her memories after Phantom altered them. Rinne's appearance caused a change to everyone in Eden, returning them, but not unlocking them just yet. Next chapter is where Kaguya and Yuzuru make their appearance, and where Rinne finally meets a new Spirit she's never seen before.
Look forward to it guys, I'm gonna do my best to get it done as soon as possible.