Chapter 2: Meeting between Siblings

6 years later

"Honestly…"

He put his head on his arm that place on his knee.

"…what the hell was I do here!?"

This is already 6 years passed since the (fake)death plan fail. He thinks, he just needs to find another chance to defect, but he doesn't do it. Honestly, there's some… no, there's a LOT of chance before, but strangely he doesn't do it. Now he was depressed.

"Are you alright, Dante?"

Beside him, Mana was just sit there. She seems worry about Dante depressed aptitude.

"Nah…Don't worry. I'm okay. Just feel little tired."

So far, he was thinking all he does before. He feels relief that not much spirit that appear on this world this past year. Even there is, he can save them without get suspicious by create another spirit existence that make any spirit that meet him will disappear. People on DEM call it Slayer. He can become Slayer when he try to save spirit, but he can as well become wizard in the same time so anyone will not suspicious to him. All the debt, thank for Nishiro who can play his role as Slayer when he do his job as wizard.

"I glad. You look depressed this past time. I think something happen to you."

"It's alright. In fact, there's some 'work' that make me depressed in real."

"Is that… about Wescott that give you that hard work?"

"Mostly. Hah… if he can do his work more seriously, I'll not always clean up all he did. If this continue more than this, there's no doubt someone will take this chance to lift up the flame of revolution inside the company."

"Heh… I hope that will not happen."

"So far as now, I can hold it. But I doubt I can do it again on future."

"But you must, for Issac sake."

"Ellen?"

From the door, there's a young woman with purple eyes and pale blonde hair. She is Ellen, know as strongest wizard in the world. In fact, the title as "strongest wizard" is no more only she possessed alone. Because, there's another person that same strong as her that even can draw against her.

"To can see you can easily depress like that, I feel sorry to my beloved rival."

"Hoi… don't say some embarrassing like that. Even I was 'strongest wizard', I still human inside. I can tire, you know? Well… not only from works."

"I see. Actually, why you just accept all of their challenge if you feel tire about it?"

"I accept, I'll tire. If I decline, it's only hurt their feeling. And hurting woman felling is not my style, you know?"

"Heh… when did you become so gentle like that?"

"Don't ask me."

"And as well, you look really close to Mana."

Just by some words from Ellen, Mana face kinda red somehow.

"I-Is not like that, Ellen! I just worry about him little. Moreover, when I look on him remind me to my lost brother."

"Is that so? Then, why you not think he was really your lost brother?"

"Hah…Ellen. For clarify it, I don't remember I have little sister. It's just coincidence for me to have same face as her lost brother. It's that pretty clear for you?"

"Never mind it. And oh yeah, Issac was called you two to face him right now."

"What? We both do something wrong or… another mission?"

"Just hear it from him. You will know."

As she informed them, she left the room.

"Hah… another hard works again."

"Don't complain. I know you're a reliable person, so you can do it without worry."

"Haha… say it easy than do it. And Mana…"

He looks her with serious face.

"...If you still not meet your lost brother, I don't mind to become the substitute for your brother."
"EH!? No no. It's okay! It's okay! You don't need to…"

"Don't worry, I don't mind. Well… lost a family is really sad you know. Yeah… really sad…"

He seems down after say it. Look like he reminds something about his family.

"Well… it's not the time for depressed. Let's meet Issac now. I can tell we make him wait for long."

""You're right. Let's get going."

They're then stood up and walking to some room.

Issac Wescott Room

"Alright. You both already here. So, let's discuss it."

Issac take some document from his desk and read it.

"We got request from Japan government for some assistance regarding the spirit. From you know, lately the frequency of Spirit appearing on Japan is quite high. So, as their request, we're sending reinforcement."

"And the reinforcement that you talking about is just both of us?"

"No. It's only Mana actually."

"Eh? Only me?"

"Yes. With your power is more than enough for reinforcement. And for you, Dante, I have another mission for you."

"What mission?"

As he asks it, Issac took another document and gives it to him. Dante take it and read it.

"This is…"

"Yes. There's some information that [Princess] lately was appeared on Tenguu City. But, she strangely never appears again after that. I want you to investigate it. Of course you will do it secretly."

"You mean by secretly?"

"Don't tell anyone about your real job there. On there, we just tell them you're Mana supervisor, so don't worry about other stuff."

"I see. I get what you mean. But it was really important job that even you were sent me to do it than other wizards?"

"It was. We have concluded that maybe what just happen is relating to Ratakoskr?"

"!"

Dante seen surprised. Of course he surprised. Lately, Elliot was not told him anything important, but now the organization is on the move again even he still not comeback?

"I get it. So, when we're going to Japan?"

"Tomorrow you will depart. For now, I suggest for you two to rest assure."

We got it!

"I am hoping for the best result from you two."

Few days later, JGSDF headquarter on Tenguu City

"I am second lieutenant Takamiya Mana, please to make your acquaintance from now on."

Everyone on briefing still puzzled about what just happen. Ryouko, AST captain was telling that there's additional personnel that has been assigned to join them but, they don't know is she was no other than mid-school girl. And when they challenge her, no one able to defeat her even they're overwhelmed her by number. Now, everyone currently on briefing room to briefing something

"Okay. Everyone here? Alright, let's—"

Before Ryouko start the briefing, someone was get inside from door look exhausted.

"Who're you?"

She asked the young man that just entered.

"Sorry for intruding. I'm Karakūkyo Dante, the supervisor of Takamiya Mana. Sorry for rude introduction."

Everyone on briefing room except Mana had seen surprise. What they seen is a young tall man with black little-long hair with bangs and was use a sunglass to cover his eyes. He wears JGSDF uniform with exception of upper part was replaced with some military jacket.

"Ah…you're Kara…Kara…"

"Just call me Dante. Sorry my name is quite difficult to pronounce."

"O-okay... So, you're her supervisor that they talking about. So, what're you doing here."

"Nothing. I just want to see your briefing. Am I interrupting?"

"No. Do as you like. We as well want you to seen it too."

"Sorry for intrude."

He leans back to nearby wall. After that, the captain plays the video. The recording mostly tells about how they fight when against spirit [Hermit]. Even though… they're not winning the battle and the spirit [Hermit] somehow disappear. In the middle of video, Mana and Origami discuss about the spirit that Mana hunt until now, until certain video part takes Mana eyes.

"Nii-sama?"

Just for only a glance, a certain blue haired boy was inside the video. Mana who sees it can't believe. Meanwhile, Dante himself suddenly sharpen his sight after see that part clearly. And then, the briefing is over.

Mana was walking alone on hall until stopped by Origami. As they talking about something, Dante just out from briefing room after discuss something with Ryouko. He then look those two was discuss something.

"What they was discuss about? It maybe not good, but maybe something I can get from what they discuss, moreover that white haired girl… captain-san said she's a classmate with the boy on video."

Walking without sound, Dante getting closer and hide himself on nearby hiding place. He then sharpens his hearing sense to hear what they discuss.

"—en though it may be selfish, that...Information on Nii-sama, you do have it right? As long as it is within your limits, can you please tell me?"

"(Hm… seem Mana asking about him. It was good Mana. Keep it up)."

"—Name, Itsuka Shido. Age—sixteen years old."

"Right."

"(That's the first and the basic information. Well, I already know some of it. As expected to be his classmate.)"

"His family consists of his father, mother and sister. Currently his parents have left the country for overseas work. He is adept at household chores."

"Umu..."

"(I see… to be known that kind of fact, she must be pretty close to him. Maybe… she was his girlfriend?)

"Blood type is AO RH+. Height is 170.0cm. Weight is 58.5 kilos. Seated height is 90.2 cm, upper arm 30.2 cm, forearm 30.2 cm. Bust 82.2 cm, waist 70.3 cm, hip 87.6cm."

"...Okay?"

(Wait a second… that's not what girl knows about their boyfriend! Don't tell me… over-possessive girlfriend? Or pervert type girlfriend?)"

"Eyesight for the right eye is 0.6, left eye 0.8, grip strength for right hand 43.5 kilo, left hand 41.2 kilo. Blood pressure 128/75. Blood sugar level 88mg/dl. Urea level 4.2mg/dl"

*DUGH!*

"S, Stop stop! I don't want to know those things."

"Is that so?"

When they still talk, they don't realize that something looks like falling from something. Origami nodded slightly in response to Mana's frantic shouts.

"That saying, ha…, those really were detailed information. Was that a joke?"

"Not a joke. Those were correct measurements."

"..."

"(Please god… this girl is definitely not right. This girl is definitely not right! Where the heck she got that kind of information!")

Origami replied with a straight face, Mana knitted her brows with perspiration forming on her face.

"...Sorry, what exactly is the relationship, between Master Sergeant Tobiichi and Nii-sama?"

"(Mana… from what she say until know, are you still not know what she definitely is!? She's mostly—)"

Regarding Mana's question, Origami replied with no hesitation, confusion or stutter.

"Lovers."

"(Lovers, with the girl are mostly and on fact that she definitely a stalker-type girlfriend!)"

"Hm… are you said something Mana?"

"Eh? No I don't say anything. What's the matter?"

"Maybe just my imagination. Forget about it."

"If you say so…"

Not far from there, the place for Dante to hide is already empty without any sign of someone there before.

Outside of building

"Gaaaagh…! This is my first time seeing a real-life stalker-type girlfriend. What the hell he can get this girl normally… no, from any side it will end up as one side love. Yes, mostly."

"Well well. Seen that also my first time too. The world always has their way to make surprise, is it?"

"Just shut up Nishiro! Anyway…"

He looks to sky. The wind gusting gently around him, but he feel not really right.

"Looks like you… no, we know about it."

"Yeah. She was here… [Nightmare], Kurumi…"

"Are you said something Dante-san? Whose are you talking to?"

"M-Mana!?"

Dante surprised when Mana just already on his back.

"Um… nothing! Nothing! I just talk with myself. Don't mind it."

"That pretty worried me. Even on headquarter sometime I see you talking with yourself. Are you too stressed to the place where you need someone to talk about?"

"No no no! It's not like that. Well… yeah, I was little stress back there but it's to level that I was talking to myself due of stress."

"Then, to who you're talking to?"

"Ah… that's… let's talk it later. More importantly, you better get ready."

"Get ready? For what?"

"If my instinct is correct…"

He looks to sky with serious face.

"…[Nightmare] on this city, maybe."

"W-what!? How do yo—"

"It's just my instinct anyway. If you want, you can ask that captain uh… Ryouko is it? Just ask her if there's any spirit reading nearby. I still have some business, so bye."

Dante leaving Mana behind to his so called business. Meanwhile, Mana that was just informed by Dante just hurried to person Dante mention.

Time skip to six in the afternoon tommorow

A certain black hair girl was bumped to some punk. Her name is Kurumi. She asking an apologize but the punk want something than only apologize. Then, she invites the punk to nearby alley. After the get the dead end of alley, heard a scream of punk because of something. After that, the scream not heard anymore. On alley, only leaving Kurumi that somehow looks like done eating something. Just sometime after that, certain blue haired young girl arrives on location.

"—Tch, one step too late, huh?"

As though to confirm Kurumi's suspicions. A young girl appeared in front of Kurumi's eyes. Hair tied up in a bunch, a girl that looked like a middle schooler. Even though she was wearing casual wear such as a colorful parka jacket and a culotte skirt. The surrounding air, was as dangerous as a ferocious beast who caught sight of its prey.

"Looks like you've been wildly eating again, [Nightmare]."

"Ara ara, you are...Takamiya Mana-san, correct?"

Kurumi slightly slanted her head and said, Mana unhappily let out a *Humph*.

"Even though it is commendable for you to remember my name, that attitude makes me want to puke."

"Ara, I apologize for that then."

Kurumi bowed her head, honestly apologizing.

"However, names are very important. I would be very unhappy if I were to be called [Nightmare] and the like. May I ask that you call me Tokisaki Kurumi?"

As Kurumi finished, Mana slanted her eyebrows in irritation.

"Because it's important, that's why I don't wish for my name to be called by you. Exactly because it is important, that's why I do not wish to call you by that name."

"That feels difficult."

"Shut up, Spirit."

Mana's gaze sharpened.

Kurumi's skin, felt a chill.

Few second later, on alley

Mana just end her business come out from alley. On the exit of alley, Dante was lean back to nearby wall, waiting for her.

"Done?"

"It's done. As same as always."

"Well… even if you say that, don't forget that there's a chance that she will pop out from nowhere still alive again."

"I know it. Okay, my job is done. I'll meet Nii-sama now."

"Oh yeah… your lost brother… yeah… then meet him now. If I correct, you will meet him not far from here."

"Alright. Then bye Dante-san!"

"Bye."

Mana was leaving the area, as well the wizards that scouting nearby to anticipate of spirit doing later. On there, Dante go inside the alley look to the scene of incident that becomes clean like nothing happen.

"You're there, right? Kurumi…"

"Ara… don't say it aloud. If she found out, the other 'me' must die again."

"Hah… when you care about 'other' you?"

From shadow on wall, come out a girl with gothic Lolita-like dress. She have red eye when the other eye take shape of golden clock.

"Don't be so cold. It's not like I don't care about 'us'. And also, let's look to you…"

Kurumi get near Dante and somehow inspect Dante body.

"Ara ara. What a well build body you have. After those few years you have change so much. I was still remembering before I can still pat your head by my hand, but now it was far from my normal arm reach."

"Hah… can you not tease me for a second. Don't forget that I know how to kill you. Do you want me to tell Mana about it?"

"Ara? Please relax a bit Dante-san. You need some day off from your job."

"That what I was try to have. I have mission here but like I will really do that mission properly. I just need to give them whatever they want even if that was fake one."

"You're naughty Dante-san. Lie to everyone on your place and to make it funny, they still believe you and even still treat you as good person for them."

"But it will not hold much longer. Soon enough they will discover it if I don't hurry to make my existence to nothing soon."

"Why you use that too long method? It's easier to just defect now."

"Like it will be easy as you say…then, I take my leave now."

Just as Dante want to leave, Kurumi say something.

"Or you just delay anything because you now like them now…"

Just by that, Dante stop from his move. He glances toward Kurumi, which somehow make her sweating just from look to Dante eyes.

"Don't joke around. Like hell I was like them now! Don't dare to say it again, Kurumi. Or I personality do Mana's job when you say it again. Remember it."

Just with Dante words that's look serious; Kurumi gulped but still hold her cool.

"D-don't scare me with your killing stare like that. I was just kidding before, okay?"

"…."

"Um…Dante-san…?"

"Hah… look like you understand. So, don't make same mistake again, okay? I don't want to make some incident and my blade is already cut your neck already."

With that, Dante leave.

"Now let see… ah right. There's nothing now. Well… let's just look Mana reunion with her lost brother. But from afar."

Dante then jump to nearby roof and proceed to next roof silently to Mana location. He reaches the location and uses something like device to make him invisible when he fully depleted his existence on that place. On the place, can be seen Mana that just meet face to face with her brother. Then she running up and jumping into the boy chest.

"—Nii-sama...!"

"Ha...Haaa!?"

That what Dante heard from there. But somehow when he look it, he just relief about something and let a silent sigh.

Few minutes later

Mana just comes with her lost brother, Shido by name, to his house. Dante that deactivate his invisible state and stay from the sight

"I don't want make some ruckuses. So, let just hear it from here."

Dante sharp his hearing sense. From there he can hear Mana and her brother, Shido was discussing about something. From the words he heard, he can tell it about something like "sister-in-law", "two-timing" and other words that he sure there's some kind of private life interrogation on there.

After they're arrive on house, they're welcome by cute but somehow forceful way welcoming sound from inside. Dante that on outer wall of house leaning his back and eavesdropped again. He remember that based from what he know, Shido have sister… well, step-sister because he was adopted from very young age.

Dante heard again and looks like there's so called "Sisters War" was happen. One argument to other argument Dante hear just make him laugh a little. He feels his throat dry and take out some drink can from his jacket. He drink it slowly, until—

"Shut up! What about blood ties! A real younger sister can't even marry him!"

*Splurt!*

Just hear some unexpected word, Dante spurting his drink and coughing.

"Haha… what an unexpected word that come out, right Dante?"

"Y-yeah… I don't even think their relationship that goes those far. I know they're not blood related but I don't know it will end like that."

"Well… from some book that I read, the relationship of someone will get closer depend on how long they're together. I assume because they're already together from kid, maybe the sister become like her brother more than sibling love."

"I see…wait…err… somehow I was heard it from somewhere."

"Nah…! Don't mind it! Anyway, you must get ready. Looks like Mana will come out soon."

"So, the reunion is over eh? I think she will ask to stay a night with her brother because she was never seen him for a long time."

"Beat it. I bet she was but she maybe on cornered situation right now."

"Cornered…? Ah… You mean—"

"Right on you're though."

Just few minutes when Dante just talk to himself, Mana just comes out from house.

"Yo Mana! How's your reunion?"

Mana shocked because a familiar voice is heard beside her when she come out from house.

"D-Dante-san!? How you…!? Why are you here!?"

"Just passing by. I was on middle of go home and I was look you with your brother. Well… I just follow you and waiting outside."

"But you don't need to wait until I'm out. What I must tell if Nii-sama see me with you?"

"Just tell him I was the one who take care of you. It's simple is it?"

"If it was simple like that I will not worry. But what I worry is your…"

Mana pointed to Dante face. He then realizes what Mana mean.

"Oh! You mean about my face? Well… I just simple use my hood to cover most of my face or use my sunglasses."

"Is not like that…"

"Is that so? Well… beat it! Let's get back now. I'm as well not want to meet him or anyone."

"Why?"

"Secret."

"Mu…"

And so… they both were walking together to their apartment that already prepare.

Midnight

Dante is on the rooftop of his apartment. He was calling someone with phone.

"Ah…Dante. How long since you call me?"

"No need to unneeded chit-chat Elliot. I'll straight to the point."

"Oh… what is it?"

Dante think for second until he decide to ask it.

"This is about the blue haired boy—"

"—Is he as well can seal spirit power?"