DATE A LIVE BIG FANFIC COLLECTION

by APTX1412

Fanfic collection of Date A Live. The story is not mine. Each chapter is not related to the other chapters. Author credits will appear in the story.

6. Charlotte - Opposite of Every Thing 5-8

Opposite of Every Thing

Chapter 05 - Chapter 08

By : Charlotte Eraviel

...

Summary

When good things go south, people show their other selves. A change of heart, is something that triggers when people witnesses something they do not want to see ever in their lives. A kind person can lose their kindness, and the worst person can actually be the kindest person you'll ever see... AU

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Chapter 05: Training

Back at Shidou's training session, he's still having a hard time summoning Sandalphon. He tried every method in store but nothing helped him.

"This is troublesome…" Kotori said as she crossed her arms while holding Camael. "Guess we have to do it the hard way."

"Come on now, Kotori. You know it's not gonna be easy for a human like me, at least that's what I believe I am." Shidou said as he sighed.

"And you're saying that I'm not?!" Kotori shouted in irritation as she pointed Camael in front of Shidou.

He panicked and tried to calm her down, but no such method came in his mind. Pulling her ribbons might be the best way, but it's not gonna be easy as he himself knew that he doesn't stand a chance against her when it comes to physical combat.

"N-No! I d-didn't mean to-"

"ENOUGH TALK!" Kotori ignored his pleas and suddenly charged at him. "I'm gonna do this my way!"

As she got close, she forcefully brought Camael down with terrifying strength, making a little shaking in the room while releasing flames on its blades as it hit the floor. Shidou instinctively dodged backwards in order to get a breathing room, but it didn't go as planned.

"What are you resting for?! Don't let your guard down or else you're gonna be sliced in half!" Kotori said as she jumped towards him, lifting Camael up and suddenly did a splitting slash from air.

"O-Oi! That's dangerous!" Shidou said as he barely dodged to the side by rolling, but still he could feel the heat of Camael's flames as it burst out every time it made contact to something.

"Stop dodging or else nothing will happen!" Kotori said as she kept on charging towards him.

"Do you really want me to get killed?-" Something sparked inside Shidou's head as he heard what Kotori said, and spaced out a little. His eyes turned a little gold, but not very obvious to others.

Kotori immediately dashed towards him and readied Camael to strike him.

"Oi! Stop spacing out or you're-" Kotori was surprised as her Camael made contact on something. "What…"

Shidou made a stance that looks like he blocked Camael with a sword, but nothing could be seen on his hands except a small mist, slowly revealing a great sword.

It was Sandalphon.

He pushed Camael with great force and made Kotori step back a little.

"So, I guess that's how it is…" Kotori said as she stuck her axe on the ground.

"Errr, what could that possibly mean…?" Shidou asked in confusion.

Kotori crossed her arms and said, "Before that, how did you manage to manifest it?"

"Uhh… I don't know exactly. But it felt like you weren't really trying to hit me, and then I thought that I should not let you down." Shidou said like it's a matter-of-fact.

"Wha-" Kotori suddenly blushed from his statement, immediately grabbing Camael and pointed it in front of him. "W-w-what are you saying?! I'll definitely slice you if you don't do your part! And I am REALLY trying to hit you earlier!" She continued as her blushes grew.

"A-alright, alright! If you say so!" Shidou said in panic.

~o~O~o~

In a certain room, inside the huge training room, there are two people inside watching Shidou and Kotori. One is a spirit and the other one is a member of the crew of the Airship.

"Ara, Ara…" The spirit, Tokisaki Kurumi, said as she placed her hand on her cheek when she saw what just happened. "He's so wonderful! Manifesting an Angel like that."

"…Must be your first time seeing it?" The other person, Murasame Reine, said as she looked at her PDA-like device. "His Reiryoku generation seemed to be a little stronger than his previous one."

"Yes, I've only heard about it from him." Kurumi said as she remembered what Shidou said yesterday. "So, when did he first manage to do it?" She asked with an obvious hint of interest.

"…It was back in his school trip, where Kaguya and Yuzuru made their first appearance to Shin…" Reine said as she showed various images from her PDA-like device to Kurumi. Those images were pictures from Arubi Island and they're focused to Shidou.

"The Yamai sisters huh…" Kurumi said as she browsed through the images. She would sometimes give a happy expression, then a surprised one, and chuckle. Reine just smiled at her, as she finally realized why Shidou's sticking together with her.

She's no different from the other girls.

She just let her continue to look on those images, they're just too many so it'll take a while for Kurumi to see all of it.

~o~O~o~

"Now Shidou, try to hit me with a Reiryoku-generated attack." Kotori said, more likely, ordered him to.

"Are you serious…?" Shidou asked with uncertainty.

"I'm serious." Kotori said, implying the word 'serious' along with her serious look. "What? You think that's enough to leave a scar on me?" Kotori said and crossed her arms as she smirked.

"Uhh…" Shidou didn't reply a word to her, but what he meant was obviously written all around his face.

"Come on, just do it! It's not like I cannot block or dodge it." Kotori said with confidence.

"O-Okay." Shidou replied to her and grasped Sandalphon tighter with his hands.

He took a deep breath, and began to think about something.

'I mustn't let Kotori's expectation from me to become a waste.' Shidou thought as he lifted Sandalphon upwards. "Uuuuuu….."

Kotori readied Camael of the incoming attack from Shido, though she thought that she didn't need to exert more effort in blocking it.

At least, that's what she thought.

"Haaaaaahhhh!" Shidou brought down Sandalphon with great force, slicing the thin air and releasing a massive white wave of compressed energy from his greatsword, headed towards Kotori.

"Wha-" Kotori was surprised from what Shidou just did and instinctively dashed to the side to avoid his attack. As the wave of energy hit the wall, the whole place shook a little and the wave spread throughout the walls and floors and disappeared as it made contact to the four corners of the room.

"What was that…?" Shidou asked as he saw what he just did.

Kotori stood up, composed herself and said, "I see, I see." Kotori said as she sighed.

Shidou didn't say a word and instead, a lot of question marks fell off his head. He didn't quite catch what Kotori just meant by that. Well, nobody else with a blunt statement like that.

"What were you thinking when you swung Sandalphon, Shidou?" Kotori asked.

"Errr… N-nothing really!" Shidou said as he sweat dropped.

Kotori sighed.

"Shidou, we all know that you're bad at lying." Kotori said as she looked at him sharply while crossing her arms.

"Ah…" Shidou made an awkward smile. Yes, he's really bad at lying. It's pretty obvious.

"Well, I… I just thought that I shouldn't let your expectations from me go to waste." Shidou said honestly while rubbing the back of his head.

"Nuuu-…!" Kotori blushed again as she heard his explanation. "Y-You're awfully honest, a-aren't you…?" She said as she looked away from him to hide her embarrassment.

"Anyway…!" She coughed to ease her 'humiliation' and then said again, "I can understand a thing or two about what's going on in you."

Shidou just had a confused look on his face. He didn't quite expect that Kotori might know about how this power of his works in his aid. At the very least, that one thing might be pleasing or not for him, for now.

"It's just my hunch, but it's like you need a goal when you're going to manifest an angel." Kotori explained in detail. "And the greater your goal is, the stronger the power granted to you by the Spirit's Reiryoku."

Shidou caught what she meant. Though it's just her hunch, her theory applies on his situation. It's the same when he's in Arubi Island, where he desired power for him not to be helpless again who always can do nothing for the spirits; and who's always protected the spirits around them.

In short, he wanted to switch their roles. It's time for him to protect them, rather than them protecting him.

"I guess that makes sense." Shidou said as he lowered Sandalphon. "What you just said is true for me. I did establish a goal before I summoned Sandalphon for the first time."

"Is that so?" Kotori said as she smiled a little. "Then, we're not gonna waste time on Reiryoku-based combat. We're going to focus on your physical status." Kotori continued as she lifted Camael and placed it on her shoulder.

"W-wait, is it really necessary…?" Shidou asked as she sweat dropped. Yes, he's worried about that. Physical status means his physical combat capabilities, and we all know that Shidou is incapable of executing something like that, at least for now.

"Of course it is! You can't just rely on the Spirit's Reiryoku all the time! You need them so you can preserve your energy while you're still combat effective!" Kotori said with a little irritation. "In fact, most of the wizards have high combat capabilities, and you expect to face them head-on? Think about it." Kotori said.

She had a point. Shidou with zero close-quarter combat experience facing the wizards will be him throwing himself on the fire.

"Also, one more thing." Kotori said. "Throw your Sandalphon away for now." She ordered.

"Uhhh…" Shidou hesitated.

He then threw away Sandalphon and it disappeared to thin air.

Kotori observed what just happened and made a conclusion.

"I see. When you let go of the Angel, it seems like it's going back to where it's supposed to be." Kotori said. "It cannot maintain itself unless it's on direct contact to you."

Shidou seemed a little disappointed in that discovery. He still have a long way to go to be in perfect compatibility with the Spirit's Reiryoku.

"So, how am I supposed to fix that…?" Shidou asked dejectedly.

Kotori thought of something, but nothing came to mind.

"I don't know, for now, let's postpone your physical combat training and just focus on how you can summon and control an Angel freely." Kotori said as she readied her Camael.

Shidou nodded.

~o~O~o~

Back to another room inside the training room, there were two people having a pleasant conversation with each other. Seems like they're on good vibes as of that time they're just talking about a single person in general.

"Seems like Shidou is having a hard time." Kurumi said as she observed Shidou struggling on his training. "I want to help him, but it won't do any good for him." Kurumi sighed.

Reine just looked at her PDA that she just got back from Kurumi after seeing all of the photos from the training camp. In her point of view, Kurumi did enjoy rummaging on those pictures and she seemed satisfied.

She just smiled. Now she's certain that she has nothing to worry about when Shidou's around her.

"Ara, is there something on my face?" Kurumi asked as she noticed Reine suddenly smiled at her.

"… Nope, I just realized why Shin's so attached to you now…" Reine said as she directed her gaze to Shidou who's busy doing his training outside their room.

Kurumi blushed from her remark. She didn't expect that to come from her.

"Ara, is he really?" Kurumi tried to deny what Reine just said, but deep inside, she was really happy. Happy that she knew that Shidou and her are getting close. So much for her desire to devour him, but that feeling is somewhat partly not existing in her anymore.

"…Yes. And Shin has become more decisive than before." Reine commented.

Kurumi didn't reply on that one and just smiled as she just pinned her attention to Shidou. Seems like Shidou's making progress as he's now summoning and then unsummoning Sandalphon in a repetitive sequence.

"…It looks like Shin has mastered Angel summoning." Reine said as she browsed through her PDA.

"Seems like it." Kurumi said. "By the way, I bet you still have something to ask to me." Kurumi said as she faced Reine with a serious look.

Reine placed her PDA down on the table and closed her eyes.

She sighed.

"…I'm just curious…" Reine said. She then decided to break the ice. "…Why were you after Shin…?"

Kurumi tensed up a little. She then sighed.

"To be honest, I'm not really after him." Kurumi said as she looked back to Shidou with a worried look. "I am after the power inside him. If there's a way to separate him and that power, I may have done that long ago…"

"…For what reason…?" Reine asked.

"So I can use Zaphkiel's twelfth bullet, Yud Bet, and go back thirty years to the past and kill the first spirit who appeared in this world, the very same spirit that brought about every spirit that has followed, and then have enough power left to go back." Kurumi said as she clenched her fists.

Reine was surprised from her explanation. She didn't expect that objective from her. And it seems like to her, Kurumi does care a lot about Shidou. And it seems like she was not what she was supposed to be, the 'most cruel spirit', in her point of view.

"…For what reason do you want to kill the first spirit…?" Reine asked again.

Kurumi didn't answer her question. She's having uncertainties if she's going to tell her or not, as somehow she knew that she will tell Shidou about it, and that's the last thing that Kurumi wanted to happen.

"…It's alright if you don't want to talk about it…" Reine said as she noticed her hesitation. Seems like she wanted it to keep it to herself for the time being.

Kurumi smiled at her which replied by a smile from Reine too.

'I guess this is for the best… right?' Kurumi thought.

~o~O~o~

It's already night time, but it was unknown to Shidou who's focused too much on his training. Well, this training is a crucial part for the rescue plan he had in mind.

At the same time, he managed to master manifesting Sandalphon on will. Not bad for starters, mastering it in a short period of time. He continued summoning and unsummoning the Angel, trying if he really mastered it or not, and it seems like it works on his will.

"Sandalphon!" Shidou shouted and a blinding light appeared in front of him with a greatsword floating on it. He grasped the sword and then tried to release the Reiryoku on it, disappearing to thin air.

Kotori was amused on what she's seeing right at that time. Witnessing Shidou improve in a matter of hours makes her happy somehow. To her, all those pushes and forces she did earlier wasn't in vain.

"How… was it, Kotori?" Shidou said between his panting. One could notice that he's already tired.

Kotori didn't reply immediately as she was drowned in her thoughts. She's still worried about him losing his humanity.

"Ah, I guess that will do." Kotori snapped from her thoughts. "Do you still want to continue? You know probably what's next." Kotori said as she walked to the corner of the room, opening a hidden closet and taking a wooden sword and spear on it. She then threw the wooden sword to Shidou and held the spear.

"I pretty much expected this…" Shidou said as he caught the sword and sighed.

He's getting pretty hungry after all those trainings, and yes, it's already night time, which means, dinner.

"Ne, Kotori, can we continue this tomorrow?" Shidou asked as he sat down on the floor. "I'm planning to skip school tomorrow too."

"YOU WILL NOT SKIP SCHOOL TOMORROW!" Kotori shouted as she heard his irresponsible response and stomped her foot. "We're still going to do the training at the same exact time, and by the end of the day tomorrow, you should be ready. And it's gonna be your last day of training!" She continued as she softened her expression. "Be sure to complete your training by tomorrow!"

"O-Okay!" Shidou said as he sat up straight. "Wait, WHAT?! Already?!"

Few seconds later, two figures appeared and walked to them. It was Reine and Kurumi who were inside a certain room watching Kotori and Shidou this whole time of their not-so-normal training.

"…Good work Shin. You made a great progress today…" Reine said as she looked on her PDA. "Seems like the Reiryoku inside you is stable."

"I-Is that so…?" Shidou said with an awkward look. Somehow, he's worried about it. He then looked to the girl beside Reine, the very same girl who helped him two days ago, and the same girl who's named as Nightmare.

Tokisaki Kurumi.

"Kurumi…" Shidou mumbled her name softly, enough for the girl to hear him.

Kurumi didn't reply to him and just smiled. Shidou couldn't help but smile also to her to return the favour. Sooner or later, he might realize what or who she is to him.

Kotori noticed their eye contact and suddenly got irritated. She can't stand the current relationship of Kurumi and Shidou. More likely, she cannot accept it. For someone who threatened her brother's life before suddenly enters their life like there's nothing happened between them, is just unacceptable.

"Good work, Shidou." Kurumi said with a happy look. Judging from earlier, she seemed to be comfortable with the person around her.

"A-ah, thanks." Shidou replied with an awkward smile.

Kotori popped a nerve and walked away from them. She can't stand seeing those two being that close with each other.

"Kotori!" Shidou called her but she didn't pay heed on him. "What's wrong with her?" He asked with a worried look.

Kurumi tapped Shidou's back and said, "I'll talk to her. I think it's about time for it." She then followed the red-haired little sister of Shidou outside the room.

Shidou turned to the other person. "What did you talk about, Reine-san?" He asked.

Reine didn't say anything and just swung her head. In fairness, she has the ability to talk and say things in the right way and right time.

~o~O~o~

'Why did that spirit have to be here anyways? She's not needed!' Kotori's thought as she walked down the corridors outside of the room.

"You seem to be in a bad mood." A voice suddenly spoke that made Kotori stop on her tracks. She didn't look behind to where the voice came from as she already know who it was and she doesn't want to see that person.

"Whose fault do you think it is?" She asked without turning around.

Kurumi chuckled a little.

"Ara, was it mine? I haven't done anything." She said as she leaned on the wall.

This time, Kotori turned around with an irritated look on her face.

"Just you being here is the reason!" She shouted as it could be heard to the end of the hallway.

Kurumi sighed. She didn't expect her, the spirit of fire, could be this childish. Not to mention she saw a different side of her this morning, and she just realized it and laughed out loud internally, inside her thoughts.

"Why did you care, though? You could've ignored me." Kurumi rebutted.

"I could ask the same thing to you." Kotori said as she crossed her arms. "You could've ignored me too."

"It's because Shidou's worried about you and your constant stomping out." Kurumi dropped the bomb and directed to the point.

Kotori was surprised from what did Kurumi just said. She did not expect it to hear from her, of all people. She then looked away from her to hide her humiliation.

"You should try lessening your selfishness. The world doesn't revolve around you." Kurumi said as she turned around and walked away. "Try to loosen up for a little while, then you'll understand what I mean. Though I'm not the one to talk."

Kotori just stood from where she was after Kurumi left the scene. Somehow, she thought that what Kurumi just said was right, but she's just protecting Shidou, and it was the least she could do for him for forcing him to enter this kind of predicament. Yes, and that was saving the spirits.

She continued her walk and headed to the command room. She could try cooling off in there.

~o~O~o~

Kurumi was walking down the corridors as she was thinking of what happened earlier. Of course, she had no rights to talk like that when she just butted in the issues of the siblings, but she cannot ignore it when Shidou's involved.

'I hope I'm doing the right thing.' She thought as she kept on walking. After a few minutes, she arrived back at the room where Shidou and Reine was. Good thing that she didn't lose her way back, because this place is a kind of maze.

Shidou saw Kurumi enter the room and walked towards her. Reine just followed him.

"How did it go, Kurumi?" Shidou asked with concern. Of course, Kurumi and Kotori has never been in good terms with each other since the day they first met.

"…" Kurumi didn't reply immediately. "I… think it's fine now." She said. "Though I said something that I shouldn't have…" she continued in a small voice.

"Hmm?" Shidou didn't quite catch the last sentence Kurumi said. But he was surprised though, he didn't expect Kurumi to take initiative to talk to Kotori.

"Ah. Nothing, it's fine." Kurumi said. "What's your plan now?" Kurumi asked as she tried to dodge the subject.

"I guess I'll do the same routine. School then training here." Shidou replied and started to walk away. "I'm going home and make dinner, you two should drop by." Shidou said.

"I'll take up on your offer then." Kurumi said. "How about you, Reine-san?" She asked the other woman casually.

"…I'll pass for now, I need to make a summary of today's events for Kotori…" Reine said as she raised her one hand. "…You two should go ahead. But no indecent acts, alright…?" She joked.

"Ara…!" Kurumi blushed from her joke.

"W-What?! L-Like hell I would!" Shidou said in a higher volume.

"…Oh, by the way Shin…" Reine said. "…Can I take a strand of your hair?" Reine asked as she tried to speak normally to avoid misconceptions.

"You're not gonna use it for something else, right…? Like hexing me…? Shidou asked nervously. Kurumi just chuckled on his reply.

"…Did you seriously think that I'm a witch…?" Reine ask to complement Shidou's joke. "…It's somewhat needed for the final analysis of today's progress… Your progress, specifically." Reine said.

"O-okay. If you say so." Shidou permitted.

"…Then, if you'll excuse me…" Reine said and then pulled a strand of Shidou's hair. He just let an 'oww' expression for a mere second after his hair hot pulled.

"…Alright. This will do. You two should get going now, it's pretty late…" Reine said as she went back to the room where she and Kurumi were in earlier.

With that, Kurumi and Shidou went out of the room and ported out of the Fraxinus.

~o~O~o~

In the late evening, there were two people walking down on the dark streets somewhere in Tenguu City. It seems that they came from the supermarket, as one of the two persons is holding two plastic bags filled with groceries.

"Sorry to drag you along, I forgot that the fridge was empty." The boy, Itsuka Shidou said in an apologetic tone while carrying the groceries.

"It's fine, Shidou. In fact, I'm happy that I get to eat your delicious cooking." The other person, Tokisaki Kurumi, the spirit codenamed as 'Nightmare', said as she held Shidou's arm with her left hand. Not her usual clinging, but like she's being escorted by him.

"I-I see." Shidou blushed from her comment. His heart could use a little help, it's racing so hard. His face was completely red, and it's made obvious due to the streetlights.

Kurumi looked up to him and noticed that his face's beet red.

"Are you okay, Shidou? Your face is red." She asked.

"A-Ah, yeah. I'm just a little tired from training. It's nothing serious." Shidou reassured the spirit girl beside him. Kurumi smiled as a response.

*BZZT*

Shidou's phone vibrated in his pocket. Seems like he received a text message from someone.

"Just a second, Kurumi." He said as he put down what he was holding and took his phone from his pocket and read the message he just received. It's from Kotori.

I've excused you from school. You can have a day-off tomorrow. But our training schedule is still the same. It's up to you to do whatever you want with your free time.

P.S. It's good to have some time to free roam… I guess.

Shidou chuckled after reading Kotori's message. Kurumi sneaked up to him and looked at the message on his phone, and a bright idea suddenly popped inside her head, and she seems excited about it.

"So much for my free time and Training." Shidou said as he sighed, but not in disappointment.

"Ne, Shidou…" Kurumi called as she clung on his right arm completely, which caught him off-guard and blushed a little.

"Y-yeah…?" Shidou asked with a little stutter. Well, he could feel heaven from his right arm. That soft sensation is giving heat up to his face and made his blushes harder.

"Since you, or we have a day-off tomorrow, how about let's go on a date…?" Kurumi asked straightforward as she looked up to him with a smile. Puppy smile, to be specific.

"D-D-D-D-Date…?" Shidou said nervously. Not like he had been on a date with her before. But this time it's different, since she's the one asking him out. "W-why?"

"Ara… does Shidou not want to hang out with me…?" Kurumi acted like crying right now as she took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her 'tears'.

"A-Ah, it's not like that!" Shidou said in panic. "I just wanted to know, why so sudden?"

"I have this unexplainable feeling inside me that makes me restless and…" Kurumi broke away from him. Yes, she's still acting, partly. "Your very presence, is like a drug to me…!" Kurumi said as she dragged herself back to him, and hugged him completely with her head on his chest.

Here goes her teasing again.

"My presence is like what…?!" Shidou asked in confusion.

"Can't I, Shidou…?" Kurumi asked with a teary look. Shidou knew that she was just teasing him, but at the same time, he felt that she's doing it for him to ease his worries and fatigue.

Shidou sighed. It's not like he'll lose anything if he goes or not.

"Alright." Shidou said as he patted her head. "I'm okay with hanging out."

He might look like a dense idiotic protagonist right now, judging from the current situation, but it's not a good idea to do anything rash.

"Really? I'm so happy!" Kurumi said, breaking away from him and then hugged his right arm and leaned on him. She looked so clingy right now, but at least there's no malice around her.

Shidou just smiled at her. He then picked up their groceries using his other hand, since the other was occupied. It's not pretty heavy for him as he didn't bought too much.

They continued their walk back to the Itsuka household, with Kurumi smiling all the way while Shidou had this small blush on his face. You know why.

~o~O~o~

(Few Minutes Earlier)

In a certain training room inside the Fraxinus, there's an extra room hidden in it where it seems like camouflaged from the outside. Inside that room, there's a woman in her late 30's, seemingly tired, doing a little analysis with the machines present.

"…This is unusual…" The woman, Murasame Reine, said as she looked to the result of her analysis. "…Really this is…" She said again.

The results were a little unpleasant, judging from her expression.

"…He has 5 Reiryoku flows in him, along with his life force…?" She said as she tried to think for a plausible explanation regarding this phenomenon. "… And they're flowing alternatively in opposite directions…?"

Visually, it's like the first, third and fifth flow were in the same direction while the second, fourth, and the sixth, which is his life force, is on the opposite direction.

"…Shin... What on earth happened to you…?" she asked herself.

She had a feeling that she shouldn't report this to Kotori immediately, at least, not right now.

.

.

.

Chapter 06: Date

(Earlier that Day)

A girl in the middle of a room slowly opened her eyes. Her vision's still a little blurry because of the long sleep she just had. The girl have a dark night hair, tying a portion of her hair in a ponytail style. She seemed to be a little uncomfortable in her position.

"…Ah, it's morning already…?" She said in a small voice as she slowly opened her eyes. "…I should get up, wash my face. Then eat my breakfast and go to school with Shidou…"

As she completely opened her eyes, she found out that she wasn't in her room. She was inside a room with lots of space, no other objects could be seen around. More importantly, she wasn't alone. There were three other girls beside her, who were unconscious, immobilized on a chair full of chains and locks. She tried to move to them but she also cannot move as her state was the same as them.

"What is this place…?" she asked herself.

"Have you come to now, Princess…?" A voice suddenly spoke inside the room. The girl searched for the source of it and saw a woman in a black casual dress with pale blonde hair color. The very same woman who tried to capture her back in their school trip. Ellen Mira Mathers. "Or should I say, Yatogami Tohka?"

"You…!" Tohka suddenly had an anger emotion in her as she saw the face of the woman and tried to break free off from the chains.

"Please calm down, with your current strength, you have no means of breaking it off." Ellen said to her calmly.

"Don't mess with me! Get these things off me right now! I have to go and save Shidou!" Tohka shouted as she kept on struggling.

"You need not to worry about him anymore, he'll be brought here in a few days." Ellen said with certainty. "But if he resists too much, he might break a limb or two."

"Kuh…!" Tohka tried to increase her strength in breaking off the chains. But suddenly a territory surrounded her and gave her a very strong pressure. "T-This… is…!"

"My territory is the most accurate and powerful among the other wizards." Ellen said to her as she increased the area of the territory. "Please understand that resistance is futile."

"...Nnnnnngggg…!" Tohka was hurling with the pain she's taking due to the territory.

"Ellen, that's enough…" A voice which belong to a man spoke.

"Ike!" Ellen said as she saw the man walked towards them and she immediately got rid of the territory around the Princess.

Tohka panted so hard after getting released from the torture. She looked to the girls beside her, and noticed that they're slowly regaining consciousness as their eyes were blinking.

"…Aah, what's with the ruckus early in the morning…?" One of the girls with orange hair, Yamai Kaguya, asked as she slowly raised her head. "…Huh?!" She snapped as she saw Ellen and Isaac in front of her.

"Ask. Who are you?" The other orange-haired girl, Yamai Yuzuru asked the man in front of her without fazing. She seemed to have recovered faster than the other girls.

The last girl, Yoshino, regained consciousness but didn't spoke a word. She was too afraid to say anything as her puppet, Yoshinon, wasn't on her left hand but on her lap.

And of course, they're restrained.

"I'm honoured to meet you, Princess, Berserk Twins, and Hermit." The man said as she stood in front of the girls and looked at them each while mentioning their names. "Or should I say, Yatogami Tohka, Yamai Kaguya, Yuzuru, and Yoshino?"

"I'm Isaac Westcott of DEM Industries." The man introduced himself.

Tohka didn't say anything and just glared sharply at him as she finally caught her breathing. The twins didn't have any reaction from his boring introduction.

"I wonder why they don't like me…?" Isaac asked the woman beside her, Ellen.

Ellen closed her eyes in disappointment and said, "You should've given more thought about how to approach them if you want them to like you."

Tohka felt enraged.

"Are you the one behind all of this?! What are you after?!" Tohka asked in a higher tone due to anger.

The pale color-haired man chuckled a little."It would be simple if I'm gonna state it." Isaac said. "I want your spirit powers to make the world go in a different path along with its logic."

"Huh?!" Kaguya was dumbfounded.

"Question. What are you implying?" Yuzuru asked with a vague expression. She probably knew what he meant by that.

"What…?!" Tohka didn't quite understand what did he meant by that.

Yoshino didn't say anything.

"But all of your presence in this world are too balanced." Isaac said with a strong evil intent. "I wonder what could sink you girls in to despair…?"

"…Ngh…!" Their expressions became a little tensed up.

"How about physical pain? It's probably the fastest way, don't you think?" Isaac thought out loud like it's a matter-of-fact. "Peeling off their skin, shaving their teeth, or probably give them a high electricity shock?"

"How about we mess up your dignity as a woman?"

"Did you have people close to you in this world?"

"How about we capture and kill them in front of your very own eyes?"

The last sentence caught their attention, but Tohka had the most obvious reaction among the rest. She then remembered the first time she went on a date with Shidou, seeing him get 'killed' in front of her by Origami. After reminiscing those bad memories, she gritted her teeth while sweat ran down through her face due to fear.

She doesn't want that to happen anymore. And she will do anything to prevent it.

Isaac noticed her sudden change of expression. It seems like he was right on track.

"Ellen." He called.

"Most probably the person closest to them is Itsuka Shidou, whom I mentioned earlier." Ellen replied. "Even on our interrogation earlier, Yatogami Tohka even reacts differently whenever that person's name is brought up."

"Is that so…? Then, let's wait for him before we continue with our plan." Isaac said as he walked away.

"W-wait! What do you plan on doing to Shid-?" Tohka was interrupted by Ellen's territory again. This time, all of them were caught in the territory.

"Please stay put." Ellen said as she increased the intensity of her territory.

"…Nnnngggghhhh!" The spirits struggled on the pressure and they started to lose consciousness again.

"S..Shi…dou…" Tohka said and lost consciousness afterwards.

Ellen didn't bat an eye and went of the room.

~o~O~o~

*ALARM CLOCK RINGS*

A certain blue-haired boy inside his room in the Itsuka Household woke up from his sleep. He didn't move a muscle as he was too tired, yes, too tired, due to his activities from yesterday. He was half-awake at that time, but yet he was thinking about something.

He remembered his alarm clock getting thrown to the door by him few days ago, and it's ringing like hell early in the morning. He reached for it and shut it off. Yep, this time, it didn't fell on his face, which is a good omen to him, probably.

He then closed his eyes again and turned around. His fatigue's very strong this time, as he used too much Reiryoku yesterday for his training. And he doesn't feel like moving for the next few hours. It was just six in the morning anyways, and it's not a good thing to wake up very early on a day-off, uh, self-declared day-off, to be specific.

He opened his eyes and suddenly his heart skipped a beat from what he just saw, but then calmed down immediately. There was another person on his bed beside him, sleeping soundly. More importantly, that person was a girl. He didn't panic as he just stared at the sleeping girl while smiling.

He touched the sleeping girl's cheek.

Her skin's so soft, and very fragile, like it could be easily torn apart. Having a physical contact with her made him feel a little embarrassed, but at the same time, he also had a feeling of happiness.

"Mhhmmm." The sleeping girl murmured as she slowly opened her eyes, seeing a blue-haired boy in front of her, and smiled at him. "Good Morning, Shidou. Do you like watching sleeping girls?" She greeted with a little teasing.

"Good Morning to you too, Kurumi." Shidou said, going with the flow of her teasing, or I'd say, he's trying to counter it. "Do you really like to sneak in someone else's futon?" He continued with a smirk.

Kurumi noticed that he's trying to counter her with another teasing, but alas, we all know that nobody could defeat her in teasing. I just know it, and you know it too.

"Ara… I'd only sneak in your futon." Kurumi said as she dragged her face on Shidou's chest, which caught him off-guard. "Hmmm, you smell nice, Shidou." She said as she sniffed him. Yes, HIM.

"O-Oi, Kurumi! What're you doing?!" Shidou asked as he tried to break free from Kurumi's embrace, but she's too strong.

Seems like Kurumi had won the teasing competition early in the morning.

"Nothing in particular, just sniffing you." She said on his ears, which made Shidou more and more flustered.

"K-Kurumi, I have to prepare breakfast now." Shidou said as he held her shoulders. "Remember, I promised to hang-out w-with you today, r-right?" he continued nervously. Well, of course, it's a date, after all. He regretted that he has to use that one to escape from her clutches.

"Of course, how could I forget it? I'm the one who invited you, after all." Kurumi said as she beamed a smile at him and tilted her head. She looked so bright at that time.

Shidou's heart thumped as he saw her smile. And it beats faster and faster as he stared at Kurumi's beaming smile.

"Shidou? Is something the matter?" Kurumi asked as she noticed that Shidou's frozen in place. She didn't know that she was the reason. "Ooooii, Shidou?" She called as she waved her hand in front of him.

He was brought back to earth after a few seconds and said, "A-ah, it's nothing! I have to prepare our breakfast now." He then got out of the bed and walked to the door. "Oh, you can use the shower first." He said and then went out of the room.

Kurumi stayed on the bed, imagining 'something' very great, for her at least. Which is also might be in Shidou's mind. She just giggled at that 'something very great' and went to the shower.

~o~O~o~

Shidou walked downstairs and headed to the kitchen. Early in the morning, he had Kurumi clinging to him, especially on his bed. It's like they're a married couple.

'….?!' His expression suddenly became stern as he thought of something very unusual. Yep, and that thought is him and Kurumi were actually couple.

Various images appeared inside his brain that made him space out. Sorts of things couple do early in the morning, and especially before going to bed at night.

His stern expression become sterner as he remembered something dangerous, but he couldn't point it out clearly by just thinking about it. Yes, and that one was 'what happened last night'.

He then dug his memories of what happened at that time. As far as he can remember, he and Kurumi just had a dinner, then he went straight to bed after. The event when Kurumi entered his room was unknown to him, and he didn't know how on earth she managed to enter his room, when it was locked.

He sighed.

'I guess I'm overthinking about it.' He thought to himself and then started to prepare their breakfast.

As usual, their breakfast are the same. Eggs, bacons and toast. I wonder if they ever get palled on their everyday breakfast.

After a few minutes, Shidou finished preparing their breakfast and at the same time, Kurumi appeared in the living room. She seemed to have finished her shower and already changed her clothes.

"…Ah…" Shidou was stunned as she saw Kurumi appear. She was wearing her casual black one piece dress, matching the color of her hair and giving a harmony with the color of her right eye, while her left one was covered behind by the strands of her hair.

"Shidou?" Kurumi called him as she noticed him spacing out. She didn't probably realize that he was stunned by her unearthly beauty.

"Ah. You look… b-beautiful." Shidou commented as he looked to the side to hide his blush.

"Ara, Shidou. You're making me blush." Kurumi said as she suddenly appeared beside Shidou and leaned on his arm.

Since when did she arrive there?

"Since when-" He stopped as he realized that it's pointless to ask her that.

He just sighed.

"Let's eat-" he got interrupted again. Many interruptions this morning. Yes, more than one is many.

*DING DONG*

"Coming!" Shidou said as he heard the doorbell rang. "I'll be right back." He said to Kurumi as he headed towards the door. She just smiled at him and sat down on her 'own' chair in the dining room.

Shidou walked to the main door and opened it as he arrived there. Two figures appeared in front of him, one is a short redhead twin-tailed girl wearing a white school uniform with midnight blue skirt, which is tad short in length, and a purple silverish-haired woman who seemed to be in her late 30's, wearing a pink blouse with a white laboratory coat on top of it. She seemed to be sleepy, as her eye bags were very visible.

"Onii-chan~~!" The twin-tailed girl jumped to Shidou and hugged him as the door opened. And another good thing, he managed to keep his balance, so he avoided a great scandal early in the morning.

"Oh, Kotori. Good Morning." Shidou greeted her sister, Itsuka Kotori, and patted her head. She's wearing a white ribbon today. "Good Morning to you too, Reine-san." He greeted the other woman.

Reine didn't reply but instead, she just smiled and waved at him. Shidou didn't quite get why she didn't greet her back, but got a blunt response only.

He dropped those thoughts off. It's pointless to think about tiny things.

But something's bugging him off. It's why Kotori's not coming home at night and just arrives in the morning. He thought that she's taking priority on saving the spirits, so she stays outside more often.

At least, that's what he hoped for. He doesn't want her sister to do reckless things. Though he's not the one to talk.

"Let's eat breakfast, you're just in time." He said as he tried to push Kotori away from him so they could start walking. "Come on now, Kotori."

"He he he~~" Kotori had this mischievous grin on her face and then went behind Shidou and jumped on his back. "Piggyback ride!" She said as she made a 'success' pose.

Shidou nearly lost his balance, but luckily he got his hand on the wall that gave him a support.

"Oi, Kotori. That's dangerous." Shidou said as he composed himself while Kotori's on his back, giving him a tight hug.

"Not for you at least, Onii-chan~!" Kotori said as she hugged him tighter.

If only days like these could last.

He sighed and walked back to the dining room. Reine went ahead already as they were having fun on the door. And it doesn't have any other meaning. So don't get the wrong idea.

As they arrived in the dining room, Kotori's cheerful expression died down. The reason is she saw again her 'archenemy' sitting on the usual chair at the table beside Shidou's.

Kotori popped a nerve.

"Onii-chan! What is that woman doing in here again?!" Kotori asked as she shook Shidou while grabbing his neck.

"Ara, Kotori-chan!" Kurumi called as she saw her appear on scene with Shidou. Her enjoyment starts again. "You're hurting Shidou, you know." She said as she instantly appeared behind them and took her away from Shidou and put her down.

When did she appear behind them anyways? Oh well, this is Kurumi we're talking about. It's old news as to how she can do that.

"Nuuuu-" Kotori was startled and frozen in place.

"Okay, let's eat breakfast now, shall we?" Kurumi said as she pushed Kotori, leading her to her chair beside Reine. Surprisingly, Kotori didn't protest, probably still processing what happened few moments ago.

~o~O~o~

"Thanks for the food." They said as they finished eating their breakfast. Kotori went to the toilet after placing her plates and utensils in the sink.

Shidou took care of the other plates and washed them. Kurumi and Reine sat down on a sofa in the living room and turned the TV on. They didn't talk about anything, probably there's nothing to talk about, and they're focused on the news on the TV. Until Reine remembered something.

"…Kurumi…" Reine called as she directed her attention to the spirit girl beside her.

"Hmm?"

"…Take this, it might help you later." Reine handed two pieces of glossy paper printed with few images.

Kurumi accepted it and took a look. She then smiled, seemingly happy with what was given to her. It might, no, will really help her later.

"Thank you, Reine-san." Kurumi said and placed the two paper inside her pocket.

Few minutes later, Kotori appeared in the living room. Seems like she's done with whatever business she had inside the toilet.

"Shidou, we're going out now." Kotori said as she waved at Reine, signalling her that it's time to leave.

Shidou directed his attention to his sister. She's now wearing her black ribbons. Probably the reason why she headed to the toilet. But why the toilet of all places anyways? The bathroom should be a good place to change ribbons. Leaving it now to your wild imaginations.

"Alright." Shidou said. "See you later then." He continued as he went back to his chore.

"…We'll get going now." Reine said as she walked beside Kotori.

"Good day to you two." Kurumi said as she smiled at them. She seemed to be a little formal when Kotori's wearing black ribbons.

With that, Reine and Kotori left the house. Their destination's unknown to the two, and they don't have to know it either.

After that, Kurumi asked Shidou as she was flipping through the channels to find something interesting, "Say Shidou, where do you want to spend time today?"

Shidou thought of something, but to be honest, he doesn't have much idea for this one, since this suddenly came out of the blue.

"I don't have any idea, how about you?" Shidou replied as he finished washing and wiping the plates.

"Ara, shouldn't the man lead on dates…?" Kurumi teased with a smirk on her face. It's a natural practice, yes. But we all know, Shidou's not the type to lead. Or is he?

Shidou knew that she was teasing him again. He might as well play the cards on his hand.

"Oh, but as far as I can remember, you're the one who invited me." Shidou said as he sat down beside her. He just had a 'Keikaku Doori' expression inside him.

"Ara…!" Kurumi was surprised and made a cute, surprised expression. "But Shidou…? Don't you think it's better if you lead?" She said as she was gleaming with brilliance with a puppy look.

'So bright!' Shidou said internally as he covered his sight with his hands due to this 'blinding light'.

"Honestly, I really have no idea. I wanted to hasten my training so I can go with the main course already." Shidou said as he leaned on the backrest of the sofa.

"Shidou, look at me." Kurumi said as she straightened herself up.

Shidou abided with her bidding and turned his attention to her. She was just there, sitting formally in front of him, with a vague expression on her face. He doesn't know what she was thinking. Seconds later, Kurumi touched Shidou on his chest with her pointy finger and pushed him. He then lost his composure and fell down on the sofa.

"Huh…?" Shidou didn't quite process what happened.

Kurumi then crawled on top of him. Her vague expression didn't left her and just stared at him deeply. Then suddenly, she had a sad and worried expression painted on her face. She's obviously concerned about him, and she's willing to support him in any possible ways.

"K-Kurumi… What're you d-doing…?" Shidou said as he stuttered. He then noticed her worried expression, and wondered why she made a face like that. "Kurumi?" He called.

"You should not strain yourself too much, Shidou." Kurumi said without moving. "You might not feel your fatigue, but your body cannot ignore it. That was a proof." She then leaned closer to him. She's almost an inch away from him. Shidou's getting more and more flustered by the second.

Shidou could feel her breath. She's absolutely too close. There's a sudden urge inside him to kiss her, but at the same time, something in his mind tells him not to step on it.

Which should he follow, his heart, or his mind?

"Kurumi…" Shidou called her name. His heart's racing, and he needs to decide on what route he should take. He needs to think about it carefully, because this will ultimately mend his relationship with Kurumi.

Relationship? Just what kind of relationship does he have with her? Or just what kind of relationship he wants to have with her?

Their bodies were touching, and they could feel each other. They stared at each other, not saying a single word to each other, as their breathing becomes heavy as time passes by.

"S—Shidou…" Kurumi called between her heavy breathing.

"K—Kuru—mi…" Shidou responded as his breathing intensifies.

"Can't… I…?" Kurumi asked.

Shidou knew what she meant by that.

And also, it's a perfect opportunity for him to seal her Reiryoku, but something inside him was telling him not to step that boundary.

Kurumi slowly leaned closer to him, wanting to kiss him. She doesn't know why she's acting like that, but whenever she's with Shidou, sparks are flying around her.

"S—Shi…dou…" Kurumi called again as her lips were almost a centimetre away from him.

She's less than centimetre away from him now. Shidou's still making up his decision. Time seemed to be slower for him as Kurumi's getting closer.

And then, he realized something very, very important.

Before her lips came in contact with his, Shidou held Kurumi's shoulder, pushed her away as he sat up on the sofa, and didn't let her go.

"Shi…dou…?" Kurumi was surprised and saddened by his actions.

He did not response to her call. His eyes were behind his hair. He seemed serious.

"Shidou… what's wrong…?" Kurumi called again.

This time, Shidou made up his mind.

"I'm sorry, Kurumi, but…" He paused. "But, I cannot respond to you right now." He continued.

Kurumi didn't quite catch what he meant by that and made a confused look.

"I don't want to step on that boundary with you with this half-cooked feelings." Shidou said as he held Kurumi tighter. He then gazed up to her. Kurumi's golden clock eye was partly visible to him.

"I want to know more of this feeling that's dwelling in me for now, if it's right." Shidou said with a little regret. It was a wasted opportunity, but a wise decision. "And spending time with you more will probably help me know it."

Kurumi smiled at him. So that's what he meant by cannot respond to her.

"I understand, Shidou." Kurumi said as she touched his cheek, which made him blush a little. "I'm sorry for pushing you to that extent."

'What's this, I'm feeling… weird, but nice…' Kurumi thought to herself as she said those words to him.

"Thank you, Kurumi…" Shidou said and touched her hand on his cheek.

~o~O~o~

Few minutes after Shidou and Kurumi's 'moment', they made their way out of the house and started their date. They could be seen walking together, with their hands connected, along the streets somewhere in Tenguu City. Kurumi's the one dragging him on different places, seemingly enjoying the time she have with the boy he's spending time with.

Shidou doesn't seem to mind and just let her drag him along. They've been on a lot of shops, like in a dress shop, and also the place Shidou didn't want to go for as long as he lives, the lingerie shop, which he had been in once when he had his first date with her.

"Ara, this seems to be a nice place…" Kurumi said as they stood in front of a certain café. Her hand's still joined with him and didn't let go even for a mere second.

"A Neko-café… Sure thing." Shidou said and then he went inside the café with Kurumi.

As they got inside, something like a switch suddenly flipped inside Kurumi, released Shidou's hand and walked to a sofa filled with cats.

"Nyaaaaaaa~~~!"

"Uwaaaa…!" She reacted as she lifted a calico cat and caressed it with her cheek. "This place is heaven…!" She said as more cats gathered around her.

"Can you see this, Shidou?" Kurumi called his attention as some cats leaped to her, one on her head, then two other on her shoulders. "I can't believe such place exists!"

"Nyaaaaaaa~~~!"

Shidou just smiled at the girl surrounded with cats as a response. She must've love animals that much, especially cats. Also, he's glad that he can witness more of her softer side, which she doesn't show to others.

*Doki*

His heart skipped a beat. He didn't realized that he's staring at her too much. She's glimmering with beauty and kindness in his eyes, and the more he pay attention to her, the more this feeling inside him builds up.

He walked to the sofa where Kurumi was sitting and sat down beside her. He picked up a cat and then placed it on his lap, petting it on its head. He then looked to Kurumi and made an awkward smile as he saw something unusual.

"Nyaaaaaaa~~~~!"

"Those cats… they're unusually attached to you too much…" Shidou commented.

"You think so…?" She said as she petted them one by one. It's like she had around ten or more cats gathering around her while Shidou only has three. She's smiling genuinely, seemingly satisfied with the cute creatures around her.

"Ha ha ha…" Shidou chuckled slowly. He's glad that she's not what she seemed to be.

That smile of hers, Shidou wanted to protect it.

Shidou checked the time on his phone. It's already past noon.

"Kurumi, where do you want to eat lunch?" Shidou asked.

"Hmm, let's see…" Kurumi said as she touched her cheek with her pointy finger, while thinking of a place for lunch. "Ah, I know a place!" Kurumi said and beamed a smile.

"Where?" Shidou asked.

"You'll see when we get there." Kurumi said as she placed down the cats on her and bid goodbye to them. "Let's go."

Shidou was left out in the dark as he was dragged outside the café by this cheerful heterochromatic spirit girl and headed to this 'place' where they can eat their lunch. He didn't mind though, as surprises are always exciting… but sometimes not funny.

~o~O~o~

Down the streets, Kurumi was dragging Shidou as she was hugging his arm. They're attracting some of the people's attention, much to Shidou's embarrassment, and Kurumi's happiness.

"O-oi, Kurumi, where are we going?" Shidou asked. There's an anxious feeling building up in him.

"I'm n-ot tell-ing~!" Kurumi said and stuck her tongue out. "Ara…" Kurumi stopped walking.

"What's wro-…?" Shidou stopped his question as he saw a certain someone in front of them. "Origami?"

In front of them, there's a certain girl with short silver hair. She's wearing white clothing, matched with a beige-colored shorts, with a shoulder bag between her right arm and her body.

"I knew it that it was you even from afar…" Origami said with a vague expression on her face.

'Why of all times…' Shidou thought to himself.

"Ara, Origami-san. Fancy meeting you here." Kurumi said and hugged Shidou's arm tighter. Which means, Shidou could feel heaven from his arm, and his blushes were piling up.

"What do you think you're doing…?" Origami asked. It was directed to Shidou, the question is.

"What am I doing… you say…" Shidou said and looked away from her. He knew that if he told her, things wouldn't end well. And that's the last thing he wanted to happen.

"We're on a date~~" Kurumi said with a beaming smile. "We're on our way to eat lunch now, so if you'll excuse us~~" She said playfully walked past to her.

But Origami didn't buy it. She held Kurumi's shoulder and stopped them from leaving.

"What are you trying to pull here…?!" Origami's expression changed. It looks like she's pissed off.

"Pulling…?" Kurumi asked as she released Shidou from her grasp and stepped in front of Origami. "I'm not trying to pull anything here…" She said fervently.

"As if I-" Origami stopped herself as she saw Shidou stepped between them. "Shidou?"

"You two, please stop it now." He said and separated the two. "You're attracting too much attention."

In fact, HE is the one attracting attention, because he has two beautiful girls fighting over him in public. Must be Public Display of Affection? No, that's not it.

"Origami, what Kurumi said earlier is right…" He said with a little worry. Of course, Origami's not the type of person to be friendly with Kurumi since she had a bad past with her.

Origami was surprised by his actions. She didn't expect that Shidou, of all people, will cover for the Nightmare. "Shidou, what are you-" She was interrupted when Shidou turned his back on her.

"And Kurumi…" Shidou called and turned around.

"Yes, Shidou…?" Kurumi answered with a smile. That smile made Shidou hesitant but he had to do it.

"Oww…" He hit her head softly, like a joke only.

"Stop your provocations, it might cause misunderstanding." He said.

"Haaaaiiiii~." Kurumi replied in a bored tone. Well, for a certain person who enjoyed teasing, to be interrupted is not a good day for her.

"Alright so-" Shidou stopped when he turned around. Origami's nowhere to be found. "Aree..?"

"She ran off." Kurumi commented.

"I think I've guessed that already." Shidou remarked. "But, why didn't you stop her?" Shidou said as he turned his attention back to Kurumi.

"Do I have a reason to stop her?" Kurumi asked him as she made a 'whatever' pose, implying that she doesn't care a bit. "In fact, it's better if she left. She's interrupting our date." Kurumi said as she walked closer to him and hugged his arm.

'She had a point. I'm so stupid.' Shidou thought and sighed internally. He just remembered that they're on a date.

What a guy.

"Shidou, you have something in your pocket." Kurumi said.

"Huh?" Shidou was dumbfounded with what she just said. He then tapped his other pocket and felt something like a folded paper was inserted inside. He didn't remember putting anything in it since they went out of the house.

He took the object inside his pocket. It really was a folded paper. He unfolded it and saw a message inside it, written in a very small font, enough for him to read it when he took a closer look on it.

Do not wander too much, DEM is after you.

"It's from Origami-san." Kurumi said as she read the message.

"Why would she send a message like this if she's affiliated with them?" Shidou asked. It's pretty obvious, though. "More importantly, how did she put this in my pocket?!"

"Shidou, sometimes, you're really oblivious with your surroundings…" Kurumi said and sighed in disappointment. But somehow, she's happy, that he doesn't pay much attention to other girls aside from her.

Shidou just gave her a confused look. He really doesn't have a clue. Or probably, he's just acting like he doesn't. Who knows?

"Alright, let's go to the place~!" Kurumi said and she started walking and dragged Shidou with her.

~o~O~o~

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at their destination. Shidou seemed to have a little uncomfortable feeling, like he has been here before.

"This place seems familiar." He murmured. He knew that he has been here already but he can't put his finger on to when he did.

"Let's go in Shidou~." Kurumi said and pulled him inside.

"O-Oi, this place seems expensive." Shidou said as he had second thoughts about entering the place. Well, of course, his wallet might scream.

"Don't worry about it, I have something that will cover for it~! She said playfully as she took two coupons from her pocket. "Ok, let's get inside~"

'Where did she even get it…?' He thought to himself.

Before Shidou could protest, Kurumi dragged him inside without further ado. As they entered the place, they were greeted by dim lights, with chandeliers hanged on the ceiling, and well-organized tables. This place seemed to be a high-class restaurant for high-class people.

"…Welcome." A voice beside them that seemed to be weak spoke. They turned to the source and saw a purple silverish-haired woman who seemed to be sleepy and tired.

"R-R-Reine-san?!" Shidou was surprised when she saw Reine in this place. Then it was the time it hit her, this was the place where she brought Tohka during their first date. No wonder this place is familiar to him.

"Ara, Reine-san, you're working here too?" Kurumi asked her.

Reine didn't say a word and just smiled at her as a response. "…This way, please." She said and guided the two to their table.

They sat down on their table. Reine left right away as she received 'back' the two coupons from Kurumi, implying that they already placed their order.

"Isn't she gonna take our orders?" Shidou asked the spirit girl in front of him, who seemed to be delighted at staring at him. "Something on my face?" He asked again.

"Nothing." Kurumi smiled at him. "I've placed our orders already. No worries." She said again.

There's an awkward silence after that conversation. Kurumi's trying to avoid 'that' certain topic, since it will spoil the mood more than it was earlier. But she doesn't have anything in mind to talk to him about.

"Oh, right, Shidou…" She called as she thought of a conversation. "Can you tell me how did you get your sealing powers?" She's interested in knowing more of it.

"Uh…" Shidou was hesitant, not because he doesn't want to tell her, but he cannot tell her, because he doesn't have any recollection about it.

"My memories are kinda hazy prior to 5 years ago, can't really remember anything clear beyond that." He replied to her, hoping that she would take it as an answer.

"I see…" She said.

'Must be her work.' She thought to herself.

"Erm, Kurumi…? I hope you don't mind me asking about this…" He said with a little hesitation.

"Hmm? What is it?" She asked.

"Why were you after me… why do you want to devour me?" Shidou asked her. "I just want to have clear thoughts from the person I trust with."

Kurumi was caught off-guard with his statement. She's having second thoughts. Is she ready to tell him about her goals? Or, can she really?

"Shidou…" Kurumi called his name and touched his left hand with her right hand. She seemed to be shaking, afraid of the outcome of her answer to him. She didn't say anything for a few minutes, trying to make up her mind.

"I'm sorry if this will be a little blunt but…" Kurumi stopped. Her hesitation seemed to be growing, but she cannot let herself falter in her now, especially if Shidou wants to know it.

"It's not really you I'm after…" She said and paused for a few moments before talking again. "It's the Reiryoku inside you which is I'm after."

Shidou seemed to understand a little about what she just said, but he could not understand the logic behind 'after the Reiryoku inside him but not him'.

"For what rea-"

"…Sorry for the wait." Reine said as she appeared with a tray filled with food. "…Here's your order. Two Daily Specials." She said and placed them on the table. Their lunch was a variety of food, but it seemingly not heavy for the stomach to digest.

"…Enjoy your date." Reine bowed and left.

"Back to our to-" He was interrupted again by Kurumi.

"I'll tell you when it's the right time." She said. Though she's not sure when that 'right time' is.

"Can't you tell me now…?" Shidou tried to pry more.

Kurumi placed her pointy finger on Shidou's lips, which made him blush. "Shidou, it's rude to ask a lady about her secrets." She said to him. "Alright, let's eat now."

"Itadakimasu~" She said, folded her hands and started to eat her lunch.

Shidou sighed and started to eat his lunch.

She was right again. He wondered why he wanted to know much about it when it would not change anything between them. Or will it? Will that reason be the reason that the two might grow closer to each other, or might separate them?

.

.

.

Chapter 07: Start

Time flew so fast that it's almost 3 o'clock in the afternoon after they ate their lunch. Kurumi had this smile on her lips, indicating that she's satisfied and happy with her date. There was no boring day to her when she's with him, and, it should be Shidou who's supposedly to have fun, but instead, it was her who had fun more than him. Well, what's the harm anyways? If they both had fun, then there's nothing to talk about.

"Did you have fun, Kurumi?" Shidou said as handed a cup of Iced Tea to Kurumi.

She took the beverage and took a sip on it, giving her a chilling and refreshing feeling. "Thanks." She replied to him. "Yes, I did have fun, especially I'm with you." She then leaned on Shidou's shoulder.

He was caught off-guard with her sudden actions, but calmed down immediately as he's feeling at ease whenever she's beside him. He let her lean on him for a few minutes, trying to enjoy her company.

"Alright, shall we head back now?" Shidou asked Kurumi. "Kotori might be looking for us now."

Kurumi separated herself from him and stood up. "Right, let's go." She said.

Shidou then grabbed her hand and they started to walk. He took his earpiece from his pocket, placed it on his ear and contacted Kotori from you-know-where.

"Kotori…?" Shidou said through his earpiece as they walked down the streets.

"I got it. Turn right and head to the second alley after you see a four-way street. We'll pick you up from there." Kotori said and cut the line with him.

"Where shall we head?" Kurumi asked him.

"We should turn right when we reach that crossing, then head to the second alley…." Something caught his eyes as they were walking. He then stopped before they reached the crossing street.

"Shidou, what's wrong?" Kurumi asked with a little worry.

"A-ah, it's nothing." He replied to her. "Erm, Kurumi, wait for me here, I need to get something before we head back." He said as he went to the other side of the street and entered a certain shop.

"…!" She didn't have a chance to say anything as Shidou just crossed the street without looking back.

Kurumi didn't pay attention to the place where Shidou have gone in and instead, she just turned around and saw a beautiful, white wedding dress on display. The shop's closed but the dress was visible through the glass. She stared in awe for a few minutes, imagining herself being in that magnificent dress, and wondered what would be Shidou's reaction if he saw her in it.

She blushed at the thought.

"Silly me." Kurumi mumbled to herself as she touched her blushing cheeks and then turned back around. She saw Shidou heading to her way now. I wouldn't think of it as silly though.

"Sorry, I might've took my time." Shidou said as he approached Kurumi after placing something inside his pocket.

"No worries, Shidou." She replied and smiled at him. "I didn't wait that long." She continued.

Shidou noticed that she's unusually happy, but can't figure out why.

"Let's go now." He offered his hand to her. Kurumi gladly accepted the offer and they continued their walk to their destination.

~o~O~o~

They arrived at the destination and got ported inside the Fraxinus. They were greeted by Kotori and Reine as they appeared in the portal room of the airship.

"Did you enjoy your day-off?" Kotori asked in a not-amused look. She should've expected it that Kurumi's gonna be with him, but she didn't take action and just let them do what they want. She's an understanding little sister, after all. Or is she really? Hmmm, I wonder.

"Well, I would be lying if I say I didn't…" He replied with slight fear. She might get back to him on their training.

"Yes, we did enjoy our date." Kurumi added oil to the fire by giving much emphasis on the word 'enjoy' and 'date'.

Shidou just made a what-have-you-done look while Kurumi didn't pay heed to him and just had this smile on her lips.

Kotori popped a nerve, but immediately calmed herself down. There's no point in getting worked up on small things, especially in this situation.

"I see, good for you then." Kotori said and made a happy but irritated look. It's pretty obvious, and made Shidou shiver a little. "Well, then. Shall we continue where we left off?" Kotori said as she turned around and left the room, leaving the three people inside.

"What happened, Reine-san?" Shidou asked the woman in her 30's, seemingly tired if she would be described.

Reine didn't say a word and just gave him an I-have-no-idea pose as a reply.

"Shidou…" Kurumi called as she sighed a little. "You need to be wary of your surroundings sometimes…" She said as she walked beside Reine. It seems like the two were getting along pretty well.

"Right…" Shidou replied without knowing what she meant. He just thought that he must be alert all the time, which these thoughts were pretty much readable to Kurumi.

"Shidou… you might've misunderstood what I said…" Kurumi mumbled and sighed again.

~o~O~o~

They arrived back to the training room. As usual, Reine and Kurumi went to the other room inside the place while Shidou and Kotori stayed on the training grounds. Kotori walked to a corner of the room and revealed a hidden storage after entering some sort of password. She then took a wooden sword and a long wooden stick, looks almost the same as of a spear or halberd.

She then walked to Shidou and threw the wooden sword to him.

"I'm still having second thoughts about this part…" Shidou said as she caught the thrown training weapon to him and sighed a little.

"Haaah?" Kotori reacted with a not amused look from Shidou's comment. "If you're going to enter that place with that half-assed determination and preparation, you're done before you even started." She continued as she pointed her wooden stick directly towards Shidou.

He gave it a thought and slapped himself mentally for saying those words earlier. He knew that his life's no longer a bed of roses, now that he entered this predicament. It wasn't in the first place.

"I didn't mean it that way… Sorry." Shidou said as he looked away from his sister. She was right though. Going straight to DEM unprepared is like throwing himself to the sharks. "I'll take this seriously now." He said and composed himself.

Kotori rested her wooden spear on her shoulder and said "As long as you understand, then it's fine for me. I'm just worried about you, since you're the only one who has the means of saving them." She blushed while saying the last sentence.

"Kotori…" Shidou was delighted from her reply. "Alright, let's do this then!" He said and pumped his fists, indicating that he's ready

"Oi, you're getting worked up too much…" Kotori said as she made a nervous look. "You're creeping me out."

~o~O~o~

Meanwhile in a certain hidden room inside the training grounds, there were two people inside watching Shidou and Kotori's steady-progressing training. A girl dressed in a black one piece dress, with her hair tied in two locks in an uneven length, and her left eye's covered by a portion of her hair; and a woman who seemed to be in her late 30's, looked like a little sleepy, dressed in a pink blouse with a white laboratory coat on top of it, were inside the room.

"...Here." The older woman, Murasame Reine, said as she placed a mug of coffee on the table beside the other girl, Tokisaki Kurumi. Reine was drinking her own coffee.

"Ah, thank you." Kurumi replied and took a sip on her coffee. "Ne, Reine-san… how long have you been working here?"

Reine didn't reply to her question immediately. Instead, she just stared at the spirit girl who just asked a question.

"…I can't remember exactly, maybe around 8 or 10 years…? … Why do you ask…?" She replied.

Truth to be told, she doesn't want to tell her. What's the harm though? Well, they're a secret organization, right?

"I was just wondering if you have any records about the second spirit who appeared in this world…" Kurumi said without further unnecessary additions.

"… I thought you were after the first spirit…?" Reine questioned her sudden interest towards the said spirit.

Yes, they talked about it before, that Kurumi was after the first spirit and she's collecting 'time' to travel 30 years back to the past. The reason's unknown to anyone aside from Kurumi herself as to why she wanted to travel back and kill the first spirit.

"Let's just say that this spirit is essential to my plans." Kurumi said, trying to shrug off Reine's interest with her plan.

Reine just stared at her.

"…I don't think we have any records prior to that time, but I'll try to look into it…" Reine said and smiled at her and worked on her PDA. She seemed to have a liking towards this spirit.

"Thanks Reine-san, I owe you one." Kurumi said and smiled a little. Seems like a little weight was lifted off inside her.

She then pinned her attention to Shidou, who was having a hard time keeping up with Kotori's attacks. She could see him recklessly attacking Kotori then gets hit by her spear on his side, legs or arms. In her eyes, Shidou might've a broken limb or two every time he's falling down to the floor, but he kept on standing up. She just wondered for a second if saving the other girls were worth the trouble for him, but then she remembered what he said to her clone back at the time on their school's rooftop.

Looks like 'she's' not the only one who fell for his sweet-talking.

'My, my, that's just how he is…' She thought to herself and curved her lips into a smile.

"…I got them now, but I don't think this would be any of help…" Reine said as she tried to catch the black-haired spirit girl's attention which is pinned to a certain boy outside. She then handed her PDA handed her PDA to Kurumi at the time she directed her attention to her. "…Here, take a look."

Kurumi took the PDA and explored the contents in it.

"This is…" She had a surprised expression.

"…That's the only record we had right now… since the incident just happened unexpectedly…" Reine explained. "…I don't even know if it would give you a lead…" She continued.

"No, Reine-san, this is more than enough. Now I just have to go out and see it for myself." Kurumi said and gave the PDA back to Reine.

"…I hope that you're not planning to go there…" Reine said as turned her PDA off. She's referring to the one and only obvious place.

"If it's not there, then it would be troublesome…" Kurumi replied and then sighed. "Besides, this could work out all along, since I know that they're there too." She continued with a smile on her lips. Seems like she played her card now.

"…By 'they're', do you mean…?" Reine inquired. It might really work out, and it's safer.

"Yes, Tohka-san, Kaguya-san, Yuzuru-san, and Yoshino-san. It would make sense if that second spirit is in there too." Kurumi explained. "Besides, someone told me that one too. Your information matches that person's."

Reine didn't reply afterwards. Yes, she thinks that it could work out well, for the girls and for Shidou, since they have the same target. But there's one thing that bugged her out, and she tried not to think over it so much.

That things were working out too well for them.

~o~O~o~

Back to Shidou's training, after a few, uh, several hours, he seemed to be keeping up with Kotori's attacks, learning how to parry, evade and counterattack at the right time. The siblings could be seen exchanging attacks and parries, one could say that they're equal in terms of strength, if the spirit powers are neglected.

But yeah, he's beaten up badly, and a little tired. Thanks to him constantly getting hit by Kotori.

"You're doing great now, Shidou." Kotori said as she went back to her ready stance, the same one when she was holding Camael.

"Well, thanks." Shidou said and dashed towards Kotori.

He applied a little Reiryoku in his legs to boost his dash to her and aimed for her shoulder, but at the time he got near her, Kotori thrust her wooden halberd, aiming for Shidou's side, which he successfully evaded the strike by changing his handling of the wooden sword, blocking the attack by sliding it with his sister's weapon, and then completely repelling it.

But that exchange of attack has an aftereffect.

"That's a pretty nice move." Kotori said as her weapon split in two. She didn't expect that he found the flaw in these kind of weapons.

"You're the one to talk." Shidou turned to her and showed his weapon. It was bent, but not broken nor split in two. That was a sharp move. "I can't do this kind of attack, breaking something from the inside." He said as he chuckled a little.

"If you're talking about flash-quick attacks, then you still have a long way to go." Kotori said as she threw away her weapon. "Do you still want to-"

"Commander! Commander!" A voice suddenly spoke through the speakers inside the room. "This is urgent, please come here in the control room now!"

Kotori's expression changed to a far more serious one after hearing that voice. It was someone's voice that she didn't expect to call her from the control room during the times when she was out of there. And Shidou knew who it was.

"Shidou, do you think you can handle yourself now…?" Kotori asked her brother without looking straight to him.

Shidou didn't reply immediately. He had doubts on his abilities right now, since a few hours of training is nothing compared to the wizards he'll about to face. But there's one thing that sparked in his mind.

'Have confidence and believe in yourself.'

"I can hold my own." Shidou said with a reassuring tone. He knew that his training ends here. "Trust me, I'll get them back."

Kotori smiled. Her attention were not pinned on Shidou. "I see." Kotori said and left the room.

Few moments after Kotori left, Reine and Kurumi appeared from you-know-where.

"…How're you doing, Shin?" Reine asked.

"Ah… I think I'm doing fine. I'm a little tired right now." Shidou said as she sat down on the floor. He's covered in sweat, and his clothes were a little torn. They did have an intense training in a short period of time.

"…You should take a rest in the quarantine room… You can find everything you need there…" Reine said.

"The way you say it is a little odd." Shidou commented.

Reine just ignored his comment. There's no other way to say it rather than calling it using its real name.

"…Kurumi, can you accompany me? There's something I want to show you…" Reine asked the spirit girl who were with her all the time.

"Okay…" Kurumi replied without any hesitation and doubts.

After that, they left the room, leaving Shidou inside. He's wondering how did Kurumi and Reine got along with each other like that.

Not like he's opposed to the thought. In fact, he's happy with that. That Kurumi, whom they deemed as the cruelest spirit they've ever met, is now associating herself with them.

"Well then, time to take a shower." Shidou said to himself and went out of the room, heading towards the said room.

~o~O~o~

In the Fraxinus' command room, a certain redhead twin-tailed girl appeared from the main doors, who seemed to have a not amused expression on her face.

"What's going on?" Kotori asked as she sat down on her throne. "It's not like you to call me like that, Kannazuki." She said and looked to the man beside her.

"I'm sorry, Commander, but you need to see this." Kannazuki said and various feeds appeared in front of them, showing something.

Kotori examined the visuals very carefully.

"Seems like they're expecting us." Kotori said. "No wonder there are two airships above that building."

Yep, and that building was the DEM Industries Japan Branch, where Tohka, Yoshino, Kaguya, Yuzuru and the said second spirit was help inside. The airships were about 1300 feet above ground, just a little below Fraxinus' altitude.

"I bet they're luring us to take the bait, but it's our only chance now." Kotori said and clicked her tongue afterwards. "Didn't expect that they've kept them in their main headquarters, I've expected them to place them somewhere far."

Things aren't really going according to plan.

"What time is it now?" Kotori asked.

Kannazuki looked at his wristwatch under his long sleeves and checked the time. "It's forty-five minutes before midnight." He said.

"Call Shidou and Reine in 10 minutes. We'll have a briefing now. We cannot afford to mess this up." Kotori said and took a Chupa-chups in her pocket. It's been a while since she had one.

Kannazuki nodded and went out of the command room. This might be the first time that he walked out of the room when Kotori's inside.

~o~O~o~

In a certain room, where Yoshino used to stay inside most of the time when a certain boy is in a conquering mission to make spirits fall in love, a young man could be seen watching TV while sitting on a sofa. He seemed to be refreshed after his training earlier.

He just kept on flipping channels, trying to find something interesting.

Few minutes later, someone entered the room and called his attention, at the time something caught his interest in the TV.

"Shidou-kun, the Commander is calling for you." The man, Kyouhei Kannazuki, said as he went inside the room. "Head Analyst Murasame is already on her way there too."

"O-okay, I'll catch up with them in a few minutes." Shidou said and turned his attention back to the TV. It was just a news of certain events related to spacequakes, nothing special. Yep, nothing special about buildings and roads getting obliterated.

~o~O~o~

"What's up Kotori?-" Shidou said as he entered the command room, and was surprised as he saw Kurumi inside there too. "Kurumi, you're here too?"

Kurumi's reply to him was just a plain and simple smile, which made Shidou blush a little.

"You sure took your time." Kotori said with a slight irritation. Not because of his tardiness, but because of something else which is pretty obvious.

"Sorry about that." He apologized. "So I guess, it's time? You wouldn't call me out of the blue without a reason." He continued and looked to the big screen in front of them.

"Yeah, sorry about beating it out to you just after your training, and I know you're still a little tired." Kotori said with a slight guilt. She never wanted him to go alone to that dangerous place, even though he had an intense training.

"Don't worry about it." Shidou reassured Kotori. He could somehow feel what Kotori's feeling right at that time. "Anyways, give me an overview."

"Tohka and the others were held at DEM, Deus Ex Machina Industries Building No. 1." Kurumi said and the big screen focused on a certain huge building which is a little odd if you're to describe it. "It's the only plausible place I could think where they're kept inside." She continued her explanation.

"…Which is true, according to my findings." Reine supplemented.

"What am I up against?" Shidou asked. He's serious right at that time, as he cannot afford to fail this mission.

Kotori zoomed a feed near the building.

"The place is almost like a fortress, only one way in or out… unless you've learnt to fly and enter on the roof." Kotori explained as she directed the feed on top of the building. "The building's interior has several rooms and underground laboratories, and we have no way of locating the girls inside."

"What's the security look like?" Shidou inquired again.

"…Twenty-four-seven entrance security, humanoid robots roaming around the building, electricity-powered fence, wizard patrols inside the corridors of each floor of the building, including the stairs, and side-by-side cameras on every meter of the walls of the interior…" Reine explained in detail. She's not reassured when that kind of security is present.

"You're gonna stick out like bollocks on a bulldog. Stealth's not an option." Kotori said and gave Shidou a 'what's your plan' look.

"Then I'll just have to kick in the front door." Shidou said as he made his decision. "Right in front of her majesty's doorstep."

Kotori was not amused with his answer. "Are you crazy?! There's no way I-" She was interrupted by Shidou.

"What choice do we have? There's no other way to get inside that place!" Shidou argued with his sister. He's prioritizing Tohka and the other girl's lives above all else. Above than himself.

"I am well aware of that above anything else!" Kotori replied to him with complete exasperation. "Am I not allowed to worry about my brother's safety?!" She asked him with vexation.

"I am glad that you're worried about me, but are we just gonna leave them be as we make a near-impossible plan to avoid attention? We don't even know what they're doing to Tohka and others right now!" Shidou totally lost it.

Kotori was about to say something when someone she did not expect to interrupt her.

"Haaaiii, that's enough." Kurumi said as she got between the siblings' heated argument. "So, are you just going to exchange opinions or save the people you want to save?" She asked the two.

The Itsuka siblings didn't say a word after that. Seems like they've finally calmed down. The crew members of the Fraxinus sighed in relief.

"Alright, there's no need to fret about Shidou going alone, because I'm going with him." Kurumi said as the conflict died down.

"Oh, you?" Kotori said with a disappointed expression.

"Yes, the beautiful me." The black-haired spirit just deadpanned and looked to Shidou. "So, what do you say?" She asked the boy, who's the center of the operation.

Shidou's expression brightened as he heard Kurumi's offer to him. The chances of the success will increase drastically, was what he thought.

"That's reassuring, Kurumi." He said and smiled at her. Kurumi's cheeks went pink after seeing his smile.

"How about you, Kotori-chan?" Kurumi asked in a playful tone. Even though she knew that she's wearing black ribbons, Kurumi still wanted to play with her. Not in a literal way.

"Hmph, do as you wish." Kotori said without a care. But deep inside, she's reassured, because she knows that when they're together, their chances are higher than usual. "By the way, if you encounter Mana, please try to capture her alive."

Kurumi and Shidou nodded in response.

"Alrigh then…" Kotori paused and then…

"""Let our date begin!"""

~o~O~o~

In a certain dark room, a young girl was standing in front of a battle suit, which seemed to be a Realizer, but a little different from what normal wizards use.

"This time… I will make sure of it…" The girl murmured to herself as she equipped her realizer. Her expression could not be seen but one could guess that she's angry, because she gritted her teeth.

"Nightmare… It's time for you to meet your end. I will not fall for the same trick twice."

.

.

.

Chapter 08: Break

In the midst of the night, there were two people jumping from building to building, who seem to be heading towards the center of Tenguu City, where a massive and tall building was stationed. The two persons were a boy and a girl, who seemed to be in their teenage years. The boy had his right arm around the shoulders of the girl, who was the one applying the force for them to do the leaping.

After a few moment, they stopped and let go of each other on top of a structure not too far away from their destination. They seem to notice something unusual.

"It's much bigger when it's this close…" The boy, Itsuka Shidou, said.

The other person, Tokisaki Kurumi a.k.a. Nightmare, the 'cruelest spirit', walked beside him.

"Yes, but it's just a structure." Kurumi said with a tone of disdain. She obviously was not interested on the building, or the place itself.

After that, a loud emergency alarm sounded around the whole city, the alarm you're expecting whenever there's 'something' about to happen, or specifically, whenever 'someone' is going to appear in the city, where there will be a lot of casualties if not prepared for it.

Yes, it was the spacequake alarm. As it was ringing, there were signboards lighting all over the buildings and some of the small structures went underground.

"The spacequake alarm?!" Shidou was alerted as he heard the sound of emergency. "There's a spirit appearing here?!"

Kurumi didn't reply immediately to him and just instantly grabbed him and carried him out of the roof of the building where they were staying.

"Nope." She replied as they were in mid-air and the roof where they were earlier suddenly had explosions. "Most probably this alarm was set off by DEM, so that they could lessen the witness and they could go all out." She said as they landed on another building not too far from their previous one.

"Seems like they're expecting you, Shidou." Kurumi said as she looked up. Shidou did the same and was surprised on what he has seen.

There were a bunch of flying objects above them, which was very familiar to Shidou. Yes, that wasn't his first time seeing those things.

The Bandersnatch. DEM's unmanned units.

"I never expected this to be smooth, but it's not too rough, I guess." Kurumi said as she licked her lips. After a few moments, the group of Bandersnatch open-fired to them.

Kurumi didn't waste time, grabbed Shidou and avoided the incoming attack by dashing from side to side and then immediately jumped off the roof of the building as the architecture got obliterated.

"Come, Me's!" She said and several people, who were identical to her, appeared behind her from nowhere and headed to the bunch of Bandersnatch. The Kurumi's destroyed the unmanned units one by one, as if they were just trash ready to be disposed.

"Zaphkiel, Aleph!" Kurumi said as she released her musket, shot herself on the head and they disappeared to thin air.

~o~O~o~

"Ugh…" Shidou said as he fell down on his knees. They got teleported to the opposite radius of the building, where they were very far from the horde of Bandersnatch.

"Are you alright, Shidou?" Kurumi asked with concern.

"I'm fine." Shidou replied as he tried to hold back something that he must never let out. "I don't think I could get used to it immediately."

"Heehee…" Kurumi chuckled.

"By the way, thanks for earlier. I don't think I could move swiftly like you did." Shidou said as he sat down and tried not to barf. "I'm still a complete amateur when it comes to this."

"Ara, I'm so glad to hear that…" Kurumi said as she formed a smile. "So, I did a good job, right? Won't you pat me on the head?"

Shidou made an awkward look before abiding to her request.

"You're really amazing back there, Kurumi." Shidou said as he continued to pat her head. He might be enjoying what he was doing.

"Ara? Really? But there're more amazing things to mention about me rather than that." She said and pounced Shidou. She's now on top of him and her face was just about an inch away from him. "Want me to show you more of these amazing things?" She then blew on his ears.

Shidou was caught off-guard with her actions. Welp, he might've expected this to happen at least once.

"When this is over, I'll have to punish you with my cruelty." Kurumi spoke near his ears and then bit it, which made Shidou fluster like hell.

Shidou knew that there's no escaping on that situation. He can't even think straight whenever she's this close to him.

"I-I look f-forward to it." Shidou said the first thing that came inside his mind as he tried to fight the fluster.

Kurumi faced Shidou again with a vague expression on her face, which confused him.

"Ara, Shidou. I didn't know you're into 'that'." Kurumi said as she gave much emphasis on the word 'that'.

It took Shidou about ten seconds before he finally realized what she meant by 'that'. His blush grew even more. Even a dense person can get what it is.

"W-what?! No! That was just a metaphor." Shidou tried to give an excuse.

Kurumi raised an eyebrow and asked him in a playful tone, "What part of it was a metaphor?" She asked him.

Shidou was speechless.

"Anyways, I think it's time for us to split up." Kurumi said as her expression changed into a serious one.

"Why can't you go with me?" Shidou asked her. It's not like that he's afraid of going alone, but he's reassured when she's fighting with him. Well, two is better than one, they said, but not in relationships. It's common sense.

"No, No, Shidou." Kurumi said as she swung her head. "I don't think some people will be happy when they see me with you." She continued as she emphasized the word 'people' much.

Shidou knew who the people she was referring too. The people that would never get along with her, no matter what happens, even if the crows turn pink.

"Besides, I have some matters to settle with DEM." Kurumi said as she revealed her plan. "And this matter is something that I should take care by myself." She said and gave Shidou a reassuring smile.

"I see. I guess it's really better to split up." Shidou said with slight worry. He's totally convinced that Kurumi's overpowered and very strong, but that doesn't mean that she's unbeatable. That's why he's worried about her.

"Promise me one thing, Kurumi." He said as he grabbed her shoulders and stared directly at her eyes.

The spirit girl was caught off-guard with his actions and could not reply to him due to a huge surprise.

"When things go rough on your side, I want you to flee from this place at once." He said with determination.

Kurumi sort of expected this kind of words from him. He knew that he's not the kind of person to worry about himself when there's someone in need to be saved. He always places the spirits', their lives, including Kurumi, on top of everything.

"I'll keep that at the back of my mind." Kurumi said as she released Zaphkiel's guns and held it with her two hands.

"Now, Shidou, I'll use Zaphkiel's first bullet, Aleph, on you, so you can arrive at your destination immediately." She said as a massive clock appeared behind her. It was her Angel, Zaphkiel, with her angel's meaning as "Knowledge of God".

"You should visualize or look for a safe place to land, or else you're going to land on a wall." She continued.

Shidou examined the target building and looked for a good spot to land on. He looked around it, but could not find a safe spot. He then saw a spot with five Bandersnatch near the building, and it looks like it's the back door of the architecture. Then a thought popped inside his mind.

"Kurumi, I'm ready." He said as he gave off the signal.

She nodded and pointed her right hand at the first numeral and her left hand at the twelfth numeral of the clock.

"Zaphkiel, Aleph!" She said and some sort of red aura went inside her guns. She then pointed them to Shidou's head.

"Take care of yourself, Shidou." She said.

Shidou glanced at her and gave her a smile, saying that he's going to be fine. Kurumi then pulled the trigger and he disappeared into thin air.

"…"

In an instant, a figure appeared behind her and slashed her body, but the attacker found out that 'she' had failed, because Kurumi was nowhere to be seen.

"Ara, Ara, you give me an unpleasant welcome as always." Kurumi said as she appeared from the under of the room and wore her usual sinister smile. "Did you really think you're capable of killing me like that?"

"That's too bad, as I'll make this unpleasant welcome your last." The mysterious attacker said as she pointed her energized sword towards Kurumi.

Kurumi chuckled before speaking again. "Well, that's an amusing thing to say." She said as she placed her fingers under her lips, implying that she's enjoying it.

"Did someone who just accidentally survived by a one-in-a-million chance lost her memory from fear, Mana-san?" She taunted as she made her voice a little intimidating.

Yes, the person who showed up before her was Mana, Takamiya Mana, the proclaimed little sister of Shidou aside from Kotori. She's a member of DEM Industries and has a position of Adeptus 2, implying that she's second strongest among the wizards of DEM.

"You could say that, but it might help me to crush you!" She said as her booster armament expanded and dashed towards Kurumi with so much killing intent.

Kurumi noticed that Mana's equipment wasn't the same as the one she used before, which made her a little extra careful.

"Well, then. Let's see what you got." Kurumi said as she jumped backwards, but not fast enough for Mana not to catch up to her. In fact, it was her intention to let her get close.

Mana held her sword tighter as she flew towards Kurumi. At the time she got close and about to slash her, Kurumi muttered something.

"Zaphkiel, Aleph!" Kurumi said as a huge clock appeared behind her, and red substance went inside her flintlock pistol that was pointed on her head and pulled the trigger. She instantly disappeared from Mana's sight, avoiding an attack from her.

'This again…' Mana wasn't surprised, as she has seen this kind of ability before. She then looked behind her and saw Kurumi smiling at her while her guns were pointed to her.

In an instant, Kurumi pulled the trigger.

Mana instinctively raised a small territory, enough to block the incoming bullets along with her sword. She got knocked back due to the impact of Kurumi's attack. She has an overwhelming power, after all.

"Ara, I'm surprised you blocked that attack." Kurumi praised Mana a little.

"I'm telling you this, I won't fall for the same trick twice." Mana said as she readied herself.

"I'm glad to hear that." Kurumi said in a playful tone. Seems like she's enjoying her conversation with Mana. "At least I think I can take this seriously."

Mana didn't say a word and immediately dashed towards Kurumi. At the time she got near her and brought a heavy slash, Kurumi disappeared again from her sight and reappeared around 25 feet above Mana, with her guns pointed towards her.

Mana wasted zero time and flew towards Kurumi.

"Zaphkiel, Zayin!" She said and then a red energy went inside her guns. She then pulled the trigger and the bullet struck Mana, freezing her on the spot.

"You underestimated me again, Mana-san." She said to herself and then fired innumerable bullets to her. But she stopped as soon as she noticed that something was not right.

The bullets did not penetrate Mana's body.

"What…?" Kurumi was surprised with what she just witnessed.

A few moments later, a crack could be seen from Mana's frozen image. Mana suddenly appeared from the cracked image as soon as it broke down. The one that got hit by Zayin's bullet was her territory with an afterimage of Mana. She was holding a huge rifle and it was pointed to Kurumi, who was a little flabbergasted due to her failure of finishing her off.

"Didn't I tell you, that I won't fall for the same trick twice?" She said as she pulled the trigger and a massive energy was released, heading towards Kurumi.

"Tch." Kurumi clicked her tongue and then disappeared to thin air and landed on another building few feet away from the one where Mana was standing.

But Mana didn't gave her a breathing room, as she had already predicted where Kurumi will appear. She fired off again to Kurumi who was defenceless after her teleportation.

"…!" Kurumi was surprised as she saw the incoming attack. She had no time to call for Aleph to teleport, Zayin or Bet to stop the incoming attack.

"Me's!" She called and stepped back as three people who were identical to appeared in front of her and delayed the attack for her, but they got annihilated afterwards.

"Kuh…!" Kurumi barely managed to avoid a lethal hit, but instead her left arm getting cut off due to the attack.

She jumped out of the building and headed to another one, trying to get away from her opponent. Mana followed her without further ado.

"Zaphkiel, Dalet!" Kurumi said as she pointed her gun on her head and pulled the trigger. Instantly, her left arm that just got cut off from her made its way back to her.

"Tch!" Mana clicked her tongue as she saw the 'regeneration' that just happened to Kurumi and stopped her chase. It wasn't new to her. "That ability is really annoying."

On the other hand, Kurumi was certain that normal tricks won't do any good for her convenience now. And she's convinced now that she must not take Mana lightly. She changed a lot after their battle at the rooftop of Raizen High.

'I might've played my hand too much before.' Kurumi thought to herself. Yes, she's not expecting this kind of situation to happen. It's just that Mana was unprepared to fight her before, and that's probably the reason why she defeated her easily, as she just only killed her clones, who're just a percent of her real strength. Or maybe lesser than that.

But today's a different matter. Mana stood up in front of Kurumi, prepared, and stronger than before. Her research and training wasn't wasted for this time.

Kurumi knew that she can't win with petty methods, not with the current Mana she's facing right now, who has every little battle data of her. It might end up in a long battle.

But a long battle is very inconvenient for Kurumi.

'I don't know if my time is enough.' Kurumi thought to herself again as she composed herself.

"What now? What happened to your confidence earlier, Nightmare?" Mana provoked.

"I'll just pretend that I didn't hear your provocation." Kurumi said as she released Zaphkiel's musket and flintlock pistol.

Without further ado, their battle commenced once again.

~o~O~o~

*CRASH!*

A loud sound of a wall that just got destroyed was heard at around the bottom of the DEM building, and a lot of broken Bandersnatch on the floor could be seen sparking. The culprit was a young man, who suddenly appeared in the middle of the unmanned units patrolling the area, and was holding a Greatsword on his right hand. It seemed like a battle just happened on that area. Scratch that, it's more likely a one-sided massacre.

It was Itsuka Shidou, holding Sandalphon, Yatogami Tohka's Angel, and the person who sealed her Reiryoku, along with four other spirits.

He went inside the building through the wall he just broke, and greeted by a dark corridor with three paths. Two opposite hallway and a stairs that leads upstairs.

"Now, where should I start…?" Shidou asked himself as he looked around. The place is too quiet, except for the sounds that were coming from the outside. Other than that, there's not a single soul that could be seen inside. "I guess it's better to ask some people."

He chose the stairway path and walked upstairs.

As he set foot on the second floor, he was seen by two patrollers wandering around the hallway.

"Hey! Who are you?!" One of the two persons asked him as she pointed her gun towards Shidou. "Don't move, or we'll open fire to you!"

Shidou didn't say anything and just walked towards them slowly while holding Sandalphon tightly. The two patrollers didn't gave another warning and open-fired to him.

As soon as the bullets got near Shidou, it got refracted to a different angle, unmistakably missing him. The two patrollers were surprised to what they just witnessed.

"What… are you?" The other person said as she stopped firing.

"I am… not someone you need to be concerned of." Shidou replied as he lifted Sandalphon over his head and brought it down on the ground with great force, releasing a massive Reiryoku leak on the floor heading towards his attackers.

"An… Angel?!" Were the last words that the two patrollers said before they got knocked out and blown away by Shidou's attack that extended up to the end of the hall, exploding and creating a hole.

"Ah… I overdid it." Shidou said as he sighed in disappointment. "I forgot that I needed someone to ask." He said as he rubbed the back of his head. He just simply didn't worry about what he just did, right?

"No point on staying here then…" He said and walked away. He didn't pay heed to how many Yen worth of structure he just destroyed and headed upstairs using the stairway he used earlier.

~o~O~o~

Back to Mana and Kurumi's fight in mid-air, one could see that they seem like to be on equal footing. They've been fighting each other for a while now, but someone's completely at a disadvantage, if you're going to look into it very closely.

"Haaaaahh!" Mana cried as she charged towards Kurumi to give her a helm breaker slash.

Kurumi managed to refract her attack by shooting two bullets on two different weak spots of her sword where the momentum could be easily affected. Mana didn't waste a single second and threw another heavy slash to Kurumi, thus leaving her back open. Kurumi avoided Mana's strike by bending her back and falling downward a little.

As a counterattack, Kurumi pointed her flintlock pistol on her head, beside her left eye, and her musket on Mana's back.

"...?!" Mana's eyes went wide open.

"Zaphkiel…" Red aura from Kurumi's clock behind her appeared and went inside her flintlock pistol.

Mana was caught in a do-or-die situation. She didn't know if Kurumi will use her Angel's ability first or shoot her first. Either way, one wrong deduction of Kurumi's next move would deal a lot of damage to her. If she would raise her territory in case that Kurumi will shoot her first, she could activate Aleph and then bombard her with raining bullets and her territory will be easily broken, but if she would charge straight to her, she could just directly shoot her and then who knows what could happen when her defences are open.

But, if she were to retreat, she would lose an opportunity to take her down in an instant.

'What should I do…?' Time moved like thirty times slower than usual on her while she was deep in her thoughts, trying to come up with a decision.

After a few seconds, she saw Kurumi moved the flintlock pistol away from her head. This gave Mana an 'opening', or so she thought.

Mana then lifted her territory, a full sphere territory, enough to cover her entire body, assuming that Kurumi will strike first using her guns. But she suddenly regretted what she had done.

Kurumi moved away her flintlock pistol from her upper head down to under her jaws.

"Aleph!" Kurumi said and pulled the trigger.

"…!" Mana's expression suddenly became terrified.

Kurumi suddenly disappeared, but she didn't just disappear, she left a barrage of bullets heading towards Mana, who was immobilized due to her Territory lifted up. She accomplished that because of Aleph's ability.

"Tch!" Mana clicked her tongue, as she was now in a pinch. The bullets got deflected immediately but Kurumi's attack didn't end there.

"Mes!" Kurumi shouted as she appeared above Mana mere seconds after disappearing, and then eight clones appeared behind her and opened fire to Mana, who still had her Territory active.

"Kuh…!" Mana couldn't keep the territory up anymore due to the massive attack of her opponent.

After a few moments of one-sided attack, Mana's territory finally broke.

"Kyaaaah!" Mana was knocked back as her territory got breached and a part of her equipment sparked, indicating that it was destroyed.

"Zaphkiel, Za-" She was interrupted as she felt something stinging inside her.

*BADUMP*

She immediately cancelled what she was supposed to do.

'I'm running out of time…!' Kurumi thought to herself as she covered her left eye with one hand. 'Long battle is really not my forte…'

"When things go rough on your side, I want you to flee from this place at once."

She then remembered what Shidou said to her earlier.

If she left, nobody would support Shidou, and he will be cornered. All of her and Shidou's effort would be in vain if they fail this mission.

'I guess I won't be keeping my word then…' she thought to herself. Not like she agreed on that in the first place, she just said 'keep it at the back of her mind'.

~o~O~o~

Shidou reached the 18th floor of the building. He also found out that this was the floor where Tohka and the other girls were quarantined, thanks to a method of 'asking' some people out along with a little element of scare tactics to take something. Let's not get into details of that, it's pretty obvious.

He arrived on a massive reinforced door that's about four meters in length and three meters high. Judging on how this door has a security mechanism that requires a pass card, this must be the quarantine room, where Tohka and the other spirits were kept inside.

He could also feel Tohka's presence inside, as Sandalphon's energy was resonating with someone inside.

He took out a pass card from his pocket that he just took from someone on his way there. Not really took from someone, let's just say that he 'asked' for it. He then swiped the card in the card reader and a loud sound door opening could be heard on the entire floor.

He entered the dark room, with Sandalphon gripped on his hand tightly, feeling his surroundings. He had his guard up as the place where he was in was prone to ambushes. After a few seconds, the floor suddenly had a dim light, enough to give a vision in the dark. His heart suddenly felt relieved after seeing them okay, but not totally. He could see that there's no visible wounds present on their bodies but he knew that they're internally suffering.

"T-Tohka, Kaguya, Yuzuru, Yoshino…!" He shouted the names of the spirits he saved previously.

But he got no replies. None of the girls responded to his calls. He continued calling their names but still, they remained unconscious. He tried to go to them but then noticed that there's a transparent wall that's separating him and the girls.

"It's about time you show up. I was waiting for you." A man appeared from the wall that just opened behind the unconscious spirits. "Can I call you a friend of theirs…?" The man asked Shidou.

Shidou tightened his grip on Sandalphon and raised his guard up.

"If I remember correctly, we have not met before." The man spoke again. He had a pale-white hair, wearing a pair of black suit with white tie. "I'm Isaac Westcott of DEM Industries." He introduced himself.

"So, you're that Isaac…" Shidou said as he glared at him sharply and took a defense stance. It's obvious that he doesn't like this guy with every fiber of his being.

"Oh… What are you…?" Isaac was surprised on what he had seen. His attention was drawn to what Shidou has been holding all the time. "No way, don't tell me… There's just…"

"I am Itsuka Shidou!" Shidou revealed his name as he had grown impatient. "Let them go now!"

"You… Itsuka Shidou…?" Isaac said as he chuckled a little. "I thought it was impossible, but I see now."

"This is amusing…!" He continued to talk as his chuckles grew. "All of these events are according to that woman's plans!"

Shidou gritted his teeth. He's getting irritated with this crazy man in front of him who speaks undetailed things.

"Just shut the hell up and release them now!" He shouted at him as his anger built up in him.

"And what are you going to do if I won't do what you say…?" Isaac asked him as his chuckles stopped and made a serious look.

Shidou pointed Sandalphon towards him and said, "Sorry, but I'll force you to abide with my orders if I have to!"

"Well, can you?" Isaac taunted.

Shidou clicked his tongue. His patience was already at its peak. The girls were just in front of him and ready to be rescued, but there's still a hindrance that he needed to take out.

"I'm just kidding, I'm not as strong as Ellen." Isaac said and snapped his fingers.

'Ellen…?' Shidou calmed down as he heard that name. Then that's just the time it hit him. He didn't see her anywhere. He tried to analyse his surrounding but couldn't feel her presence.

The whole place suddenly got illuminated by lights, and Tohka's shackles, hers only, was released.

"Tohka!" Shidou called her name.

"S…Shidou…?" Tohka slowly gained consciousness, and saw a boy in front of her, wielding her sword.

"Tohka!" He called again.

"Shidou!" Tohka said his name as she slowly stood up. "Shidou! Shidou!" She called his name again and walked slowly towards him. Her body wasn't in perfect condition but still, she was happy that she got to see her savior and the very same person that she love.

"Shidou!" Tohka called his name again as they reached the transparent wall. She touched the part of the wall where Shidou's hands was laid on to.

"I'm sorry Tohka, sorry to keep you girls waiting." He said to her as he felt a little relieved. Tohka knelt down as she was relieved too, and her legs suddenly became weak due to her bad experience here. "Hey, release Kaguya, Yuzuru and Yoshino too! And open this damn wall!"

"You have a special skill in there." Isaac said. "Why don't you try cutting that wall using your skill?"

Shidou glared at him sharply and then suddenly, he felt something dangerous. A murderous intent was heading towards him from behind, and time seemed to turn a little slower in his perception.

"Ah, I forgot to tell you, Itsuka Shidou." He said as he made a pose like he doesn't give a crap. "If you stand in there… you'll be in danger."

Tohka raised her head and saw a silhouette behind Shidou, ready to stab him.

"Shidou, behind you!" Tohka said as she stood up.

"…!" Shidou was alerted with Tohka's warning and immediately turned around. He then saw Ellen behind him, while her sword heading to his stomach.

"Kuh…!" He tried to repel Ellen's sword with Sandalphon but his attempt was futile, and got stabbed on his sides instead. Ellen immediately pulled her sword. "El…Ellen!" Shidou called the name of his attacker and then knelt down as his blood was spilled to the transparent wall. Sandalphon disappeared from his hand due to the shock of Ellen's attack.

"Heehh, not bad." Ellen said as she was impressed with Shidou's defense.

"Shidou!" Tohka called his name again as she kept on knocking the invisible wall. "Shidou, Shidou!"

"Ellen…!" Shidou called her name again as he tried to stand up but he was petrified.

"It's no use, my blade is not just for show." Ellen said with a vague expression on her face. "I attacked him because he manifested an angel, was that okay?" Ellen said as she directed her attention to Isaac.

"Yeah, it's fine. It could work both ways for us." Isaac said like it's a matter of fact. "Now, Spirit Princess Yatogami Tohka, I think we're going to kill your beloved Itsuka Shidou now."

"Wha-?" Tohka was suddenly embraced by fear.

"Try and stop Ellen's blade with everything you've got… Your Spirit Armor… Your Angel… Or whatever lies beyond that…!" He said.

Ellen aligned her blade along with Shidou's neck, ready to behead him. Shidou just glared at her without saying anything.

Tohka stood up.

"Sandalphon!" She shouted and stomped her feet. Nothing happened. She stomped her feet again and again until a greatsword appeared on her hands.

"Why, why?!" She said as she started slashing the transparent wall. "Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Not him! Not Shidou!"

Ellen raised her blade, readying Shidou's execution on the spot.

"I don't care… what happens to me! I'll… do everything you say!" She kept on slashing the transparent wall as despair started to build up on her. "So please! Not Shi-" She stopped on attacking.

"Toh…ka." Shidou said as he looked to her. Blood was dripping out of his mouth. "Do not… give in… to despair." He said between his breaths as he smiled at her.

Tohka was frozen on the spot. She couldn't understand what he meant by that. Shidou, who's in front of death's door, was still concerned on what she's feeling right now.

"Now, prepare yourself, Itsuka Shidou." Ellen said as she slowly brought her blade on to Shidou's neck.

At the moment that Ellen's blade was just a centimetre close to Shidou's neck, Tohka was more surprised than before.

"Wha-!" Ellen immediately withdrew her blade before getting in contact with Shidou and lifted her territory as she didn't expect this kind of event from happening.

The half of the room where Shidou and Ellen was has been incinerated by flames, but it was obviously not the flames that could be seen on explosions or accidents…

TO BE CONTINUED...