Date A Re:Live
S1 Chapter 19: Kurumi Fallacy, Part 6
By : Tohka_Yatogami
...
Summary
Even a similar story can take it's own path. Shido and Mana are amnesiac siblings living with their friend Kotori, however the past catches up to Shido when he nearly runs into a space quake, and his world changes as one girl asks... "Are you here to kill me?" (Stronger Ratatoskr, weaker DEM, games & movie are canon to story) [Shido/Tohka/Harem]
Alright, it's date time everyone! The 5 date extravaganza between Shido's and Kurumi is about to begin, and none of the others even aware that they all (sans Kurumi) asked Shido for a date right after each other. *giggles* I swear, since Kurumi was already a creation Tachibana had based on info I remember right, he likely already had things up to Volume 4 before he began. This is the scene that probably gave the series the same "Date A Live", though unless someone can ask Tachibana this question... the world may never know.
I hope what I decided with in regards to Yoshino and Kotori's dates would work well, I went with things similar to their Mayuri Judgment dates as a reference since I had some trouble thinking on how to get the ball rolling with theirs' considering where they are and having to squeeze things from their dates in. In hindsight, it's probably a good thing I'm not even bothering to show what time it is aside from the meet up points.
What's probably my favorite part about the dates was the creation of Kotori's date outfit. I may not be the best when it comes to fashion, especially when it isn't anything not considered tomboyish... my one weakness ^^;, but I think I did pretty well with how I designed them at least. For Tohka and Yoshino's outfits, I went with the one Yoshino wore during this scene, and Tohka's yellow outfit during the beginning of Mike's arc since she already wore her pink outfit from canon back in Origami's arc.
I think the biggest thing that will come from this chapter though? Finally returning after napping for a while, not counting the brief reply she made during the previous chapter's flashback scene, Saya's finally gonna speak up again... and I think you'll all know what that results in since this is going to happen at the same point the group mentions Kurumi's name. From there, the whole game changes.
Now it's time for Kotori's data sheet before we start, and as a bonus I've also added Kurumi's. Though hers is at the end notes so I don't crowd the start notes more than I already have. Enjoy the chapter everyone ^^
-Kotori Itsuka, Code Name: [Efreet]-
Angel: Camael, the "Bright Burning Annihilating Demon" - Camael is a battle axe that's primarily red with some traces of black, large enough that before her body's empowered growth spurt, it was even larger than Kotori, yet still able to be held in one hand. Camael can generate flames that can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, but will only do so upon Kurumi's command to avoid accidentally starting a fire as a consequence.
- Alternate Form: Megiddo - By contracting and shifting some of its parts around, Camael changes into a large cannon. Megiddo focuses flames channeled into it or converted from nearby spirit and then releases them all on Kotori's command into a concentrated fire beam. Megiddo's destructive force is usually around 50 degrees Celsius when fired on average, but can reach up to around 300 degrees Celsius if Kotori has a sufficient power supply to draw form or properly charged long enough.
- Powers: Kotori 's elemental affinity as a Spirit is Fire, she can gather heat molecules from the air and concentrate them into her spirit mana for her attacks, as a consequence this becomes harder in colder areas, but can sometimes be amended if she can burn the area to create her own heat. Kotori mentions that during the Tenguu Fire, she was the most powerful she had ever been and wasn't able to stop her body from producing flames during the event until Phantom locked her powers away.
Risk Factors: AA
Spacequake: B
Spirit's Astral Dress: A
Angel Rank: AA
Strength: 170
Consistency: 100
Spiritual Power: 215
Agility: 130
Intelligence: 178
Soon Shido was heading over to the Station Statue, heading over for the first of his five dates. As he did, Maria replied as he tapped his headset to make sure it was fully functioning and in working order.
"Test, testing. Can you hear me Shido?" Maria asked.
"Yeah, I hear you Maria." Shido replied, breathing a bit. "So, do we have things covered for everyone but Kurumi?"
"Best that we could, I had had everyone visit the girls separately to help them get ready for the date and any advice on where to go, so we've limited the chances of you meeting up with the other girls best we can. You'll be what guarantees if they see you or not though, no pressure." Maria confirmed.
Shido breathes.
"Alright, first is going to the aquarium with Tohka." Shido confirmed.
"She came 5 minutes early, so she could call you soon enough. Now... let's start our dates, shall we?" Maria giggled. "Shiizaki?"
"3, 2, 1. Date has begun." Shiizaki counted as the time hit 10:00.
-Tohka's Date-
Meanwhile by the station statue, Tohka was checking her reflection using her cell phone. The moment she noticed Shido however...
"Hey, Shido!" Tohka called out happily.
Shido saw her wearing a pale yellow-orange dress jacket only zipped up near the bottom with poofy sleeves with both had ruffles at the ends of both, a pale yellow sleeves dress with a white stripe design at the top, jean shorts with ruffles at the bottom of the sleeves and a pair of blue and white sneakers. He blushed a bit.
"I helped her choose that outfit, what do you think?" Maria asked.
The crew gives their thumbs up of approval
"Hey Tohka." Shido replied, scratching his head. "You look really cute in those clothes."
Tohka blushes, soon taking Shido's hand.
"Come on Shido, let's go!" Tohka giggled, Shido nearly tripping as she did. As they headed off towards the aquarium, Minowa noticed something show up on the Fraxinus' screen... and then her eyes widened.
"Commander, we have a problem!" Minowa responded, showing Origami had come an hour early as she waited by the statue worriedly.
"Origami!? I thought she was coming at 11!" Maria panicked.
"Judging by her face, it seems she was just more nervous than she was impatient." Reine answered, noting Origami was checking how she looked every few seconds.
Back with Tohka and Shido as they were heading to the aquarium, as they were...
"So Shido, what kind of place is this aquarium thing?" Tohka wondered, surprising Shido.
"Wait, you don't know? Why'd you wanna come if you didn't know what it was?" Shido asked.
"I just wanted to go on a date with you, it didn't matter what is was." Tohka replied. Shido chuckled, realizing he should have expected that.
"An aquarium is a place full of creatures that live in the water." Shido replied, and seeing Tohka beginning to drool he sweat dropped. "No, it isn't a place to eat marine based food. You'll realize it when you see it."
The two soon reach the aquarium and walk into it, and Nakatsugawa sees the screen alert them to Kurumi's presence.
"Main target has appeared!" Nakatsugawa alerted, and Maria shrugs.
"At least she's only 10 minutes early compared to Origami, that's less cause for worry." Maria smiled, soon resuming focus on the Tohka date.
Meanwhile inside the aquarium...
"I can't believe this place is real!" Tohka shouted, making Shido panic.
"Tohka, use your inside voice!" Shido whispered, making Tohka blush embarrassingly.
"Right sorry. I can't help myself, this is the neatest thing ever." Tohka said, her eyes sparkling at all the marine life she was seeing swimming above her. "Those are all real fish and more up there? It's all so beautiful. Come on, let's go see the rest!"
Tohka began happily skipping through the rest of the aquarium, and at that moment Shido's phone beeped, warning him of the current time.
'Uh oh, I need a way to excuse myself and not seem suspicious.' Shido thought, and soon got an idea as he whispered into the phone. "Maria, make a stomach growling sound so I can go say I'll get us some lunch."
Maria gives a thumb's up, and Tohka suddenly heard the sound, blinking as she looked at her stomach and then Shido.
"Was that you Shido?" Tohka asked, surprised to hear her stomach not doing it for once.
"Uh... yeah, you go on ahead to the next section and I'll go grab us some food real quick." Shido replied, Tohka nodded as she continued on. Shido sighed before rushing towards the bathroom.
"Beaming you now!" Maria replied, sending Shido to the ship and then to a nearby corner building near the station square. He soon began rushing over to Kurumi's location, trying to make himself look like he just barely made it on time.
-Kurumi's Date-
Kurumi notices him coming as he stopped to catch his breath, and noticed she was wearing a black Gothic Lolita dress, black boots, a black purse with a purple rose design on it, and her usual yellow scrunchies had been swapped out for red ribbons that also had purple roses on them.
"Sorry for... nearly being late." Shido panted.
"Don't worry, I got her a bit early anyways. So where should we go first?" Kurumi asked.
Soon Maria brings up some choices.
1. Safe Option - Take her to the mall
2. Romantic Option - Take her to the movies
3. Risky Option - Take her to the lingerie store
"Go with number 2, then their hands can touch during a romantic movie moment!" Kawagoe giggled, blushing a bit.
"Option 1 is an obvious choice, what girl doesn't love shopping? You can't go wrong there." Shiizaki replied, holding up a finger for emphasis. Reine thought on it a bit and turned to Kannazuki.
"You have a thought?" Reine asked.
Kannazuki puts a finger to his mouth and hums a bit before answering.
"Neither choice is bad, but both are attached to the station. Considering each girl so far arrived earlier than expected, having anything that requires being close to the station might be too risky if Kotori and Yoshino end up doing the same." Kannazuki answered. "It is often better to not go looking for trouble, even if its little."
"True, and Kurumi didn't seem to have a problem with showing Shido her panties. Even if it was an act back then, right now she'd know not agreeing to it would make her be the suspicious one to Shido." Reine replied, tapping a button. "Shido, go with option 3."
Shido blushed at the response he got.
"The lingerie store!?" Shido shouted loudly, Maria coughing to remind him where he was. Shido covered his mouth as he realized this and blushed. Kurumi looked away blushing a bit as a result.
'In hindsight, maybe trying to show him my panties wasn't the smartest idea.' Kurumi thought, sweat dropping a bit. "...If that's what you want, I don't mind going to one of those stores."
'[She took the bait and ran with it!]'
"Good... then let's go." Shido replied, feeling his face heating up. Even more as Kurumi grabbed his arm.
"It'll be your job to help me pick out something cute." Kurumi smiled, leading him towards the store as he sweated a bit.
'This is the swimsuit store all over again!' Shido thought.
Meanwhile as they headed over, the waiting Origami suddenly feels birds land on her.
"Eh?" Origami blinked, soon seeing more of them do so as she sweats. "Maybe I should just stand still... please don't release any droppings on me!"
Soon Kurumi and Shido reach the store, the blue haired boy barely keeping himself together as they went in.
"Wow! There's so much here for me to try on." Kurumi giggled, some of the girls staring at Shido already. Kurumi soon picked up a pink and blue pair and held them up towards Shido. "Which one do you think would look best on me?"
Maria's eyes float around.
"Nice try Kurumi, but we've seen through her moves, time to double knot that twist of yours! Shido, tell her you like that black one next to her!" Maria shouted, making Shido's brain heat up as a result.
"Well... they're both nice, but I like that black pair next to you better." Shido replied, making Kurumi's eyes turn to it.
'I really went too far at school, I think he knows what I'm trying to do now. No choice, I'll just have to go along with it and lead him to a feint.' Kurumi thought, looking at him again. "You really think the black one suits me better? Alright, I'll try it on so we know for sure."
Shido sees her go in a dressing room and takes a moment to breath and slow his heart rate as a bunch of woman stare at him, finding his choice a bit perverted. Shido mentally groaned since he knew they didn't understand the situation.
Soon Kurumi opens the blinds to the room, and Shido blushes red as she sees Kurumi wearing the lingerie while somewhat shyly blushing. Trying to hide her own embarrassment in wearing them.
"So, how do I look?" Kurumi asked, Shido's brain shutdown and went through a reboot. 'Because this feels really embarrassing!'
Meanwhile the talkative trio who was watching from afar all stare in shock.
"Look at that body she has." Ai began surprised.
"She's like a supermodel!" Mai added in shock.
"No fair, I want a body like that." Mii finished with jealousy, soon blowing a paper wad to wake Shido back up and regain his focus.
"U-Uh... you look in-freaking-credible!" Shido blurted out, making the trio pale slightly. "Uh... I need to go use the bathroom real quick, I'll meet you outside the store!
"...Oops." Mii whispered to herself, the trio seeing Shido rush out the store.
Luckily, Kurumi seemed more bashful than embarrassed and blushed, smiling with a hand on her face.
"Was that honest or just his orders, either way I think I'm really blushing." Kurumi told herself.
Once Shido went outside and caught his breath, Maria alerts him again. He checked his phone to see it was nearly time for Origami's date with him.
"Already!?" Shido exclaimed.
"Get to the bathroom and we'll beam you!" Maria replied.
Shido rushes over to it, and soon he's beamed up.
In the aquarium, Tohka watched some Dolphins swimming around happily, soon wondering why Shido was taking so long.
"The lines can't be that long can they-"
Tohka soon heard her own stomach growl, making herself blush as she put her hands over it.
"...Of course, he's probably just buying my share. No wonder that would take a while." Tohka chuckled embarrassingly.
Mana stared at her hospital room ceiling, tapping her fingers as she yawned.
"...This is boring, I feel fine and I'm still not allowed to leave." Mana groaned, unable to even sleep it off. "Something distract me already!"
Mana's flung her arms into the air, causing part of the equipment to bunk her on the head.
"Except for that." Mana said a bit dazed, soon falling back onto the bed.
-Origami's Date-
Shido panted as finally made it to the station statue again, panting before he saw the scene with Origami and the birds. Origami noticed him and sweated.
"Please help! I'm too afraid to move because I worry I might make them go on me!" Origami sweated, tearing up slightly.
"Hold on, I think I have an idea." Shido replied, soon turning around a bit and whistling with his fingers, the birds all heard it and flew in the direction he whistled, flying off Origami without any worries. Origami sighed in relief.
"Thank you Shido." Origami smiled, blushing a bit. Shido saw she was wearing a sleeveless white top with a blue skirt with floral designs on the bottom, a pair of sandals and a simply silver necklace with a diamond shaped green gem. "Is it... too plain?"
Shido shakes his head.
"Not at all, it highlights your nature perfectly, being simple is what makes it look great." Shido replied honestly, making Origami's whole face go red as a result. "So where do you wanna go exactly?"
Origami, still too bashful to talk, points at the movie theater.
"The movie theater huh, any particular movie?" Shido asked.
"Well-"
Origami suddenly heard her stomach grumble, and she blushes red as she looks down a bit. Shido blinked a bit.
"...Origami, who long have you been waiting here?" Shido asked, and Origami whimpers as she looks away. "The movie isn't for some time right? How about we get you something to eat first?"
"Uh... O-OK." Origami nodded, feeling herself blush and then smile as Shido took her head and lead her to a restaurant. They soon both ordered a pasta dish, with Shido being surprised she got one all red colored, indicating it was likely super spicy. Origami noticed him staring.
"What?" Origami asked worriedly.
"Oh, nothing. I just didn't expect you'd get a spicy one." Shido replied, making Origami sigh in relief.
After eating for a bit, Shido heard the headset alert him as Kotori finally arrived for her date. Looking at his plate, he takes another bite and then coughs a bit after eating it, getting Origami's attention.
"Oh no, do you need the Heimlich!?" Origami panicked, waving her arms erratically. Shido holds out his hand though.
"I'm fine, just went down a wrong pipe." Shido said hoarsely, rubbing his throat. "I'll be right back, gonna use the bathroom."
Shido got up and headed into the bathroom, once he had, Origami stared at his plate and soon noticed how much food he had left. Then recalled about an indirect kiss and blushed.
"...Well, I'm sure he won't mind if I do it once." Origami blushed, taking his form and a bit of his food, taking a bite. Meanwhile Shido was beamed out of the bathroom and towards the Station Statue area for the third time.
-Kotori's Date-
Kotori was sucking one of her usual Chupa Chups when she saw Shido and smiled.
"Shido!" Kotori shouted as she waved to him, getting Shido's attention as he came over. Shido saw that Kotori was wearing a light green and white colored blouse with three layers and a pair of dark blue jeans. Her usual ribbon around her wrist, though she had her hair tied in a small scrunch at the end, hanging it over her right shoulder.
"So... how do I look?"
"You look really pretty, but then again you were always really cute."
Kotori's cheeks get a twinge of pink from that reply.
"Y-yeah, I've always been cute. Although..." Kotori began, her fingers twitching together. "I've never really been on a date so I don't know what to do."
Shido blinks before taking Kotori's hand.
"Just go where you feel like you'd like to visit, it should come to you as you do." Shido replied, making Kotori silently gasp before smiling a bit.
"W-well, if you say so. Then let's go this way." Kotori replied, taking them towards a crepe shop.
Origami soon took another bite of Shido's food.
"...OK, last one I swear." Origami whispered to herself, but soon noticed she had eaten everything off of Shido's plate and goes white as she realized this. "Uh oh!"
Origami sweats a bit.
"Oh wait, I'll just say the movie's soon and to just head over there. Then he won't notice this!" Origami said nervously, putting money down to pay while leaving the table and texting the message to Shido.
Kotori got a strawberry crepe and Shido bought a blueberry crepe, both took a bite out of them and smiled.
"These are really good, aren't they?" Kotori asked, smiling at Shido.
"Yeah, they really are." Shido replied. Soon Kotori blinks as she remembers something, and giggles a bit to Shido's surprise. "What is it Kotori?"
Kotori giggles again.
"Well, it seems a little dumb and probably not something too serious. Though I did hear one of my classmates while I was still in middle school say if you eat mixed berry crepes with someone you like, you'll find true happiness with them." Kotori answered.
"I see, though we didn't get one of those. Now that I think about it the menu didn't..." Shido suddenly stops and blinks. He looked to remember he had a blueberry crepe, and Kotori had a strawberry crepe... "Wait, you mean!?"
"Took you long enough. So, what do you think, wanna try a bite of each other's? If that whole indirect kiss thing is weird then just bit the other side. Besides, it is only a rumor. No need to take it that seriously." Kotori giggled.
Shido chuckled a bit, and took a bite of Kotori's crepe as she held it out before offering the same. The two laugh after it was done.
"Simple things like this, they're kind nice, aren't they?" Kotori noted, making Shido smile as he rubbed her head. Making her blush as she smiled a bit.
"Yeah, they are." Shido replied. Soon Maria sent another alert as it was nearly time for Yoshino to arrive, and Kotori noticed as he pulled out his phone. "Oh, I got a text from Mana. She's a bit bored and wants to talk with me for a bit. Mind meeting me by the shoe store while I take this?"
"Go ahead, I've gotta figure out where to take us next." Kotori nods, and Shido walks off to go meet Yoshino. As he did, Kotori checks a mirror.
"Please don't let this be a pimple!" Kotori panicked, soon touching it to reveal it was just a strawberry piece from her crepe. "Phew! Just a strawberry, that's a relief."
-Yoshino's Date-
Shido soon headed back to the Station Statue, Yoshino was seen kneeling on the ground, looking at a butterfly that flew onto her finger. Yoshinon soon noticed Shido behind them.
"And the guest of honor has arrived!" Yoshinon announced, making Yoshino turn as she saw Shido. The butterfly flying off as she turned. "Thank you for coming Shido."
Shido saw her in a yellow and white one piece dress, a sun hat with a pink ribbon, and sandals with pink ribbon laces. Yoshinon was wearing a similar dress herself. Shido's face goes pink for a moment at the sight before her pinches his focus back into place.
"Yoshino, you look adorable!" Shido quickly said, making Yoshino blush a bit as she had Yoshino cover her mouth bashfully.
"Thank you Shido." Yoshino replied happily, and soon she takes Shido's right hand in hers as they begin walking. "I hope it's alright, but I don't think I have much to do on this date. Will that be a problem?"
"Not at all, it'll be a Yoshino style date. You should enjoy it." Shido replied, making Yoshino smile in response. The two soon stopping by an ice cream stand as Shido buys them some ice cream.
'I don't think I've ever seen Yoshino this happy, so sweet.' Yoshinon thought.
Kurumi finally walked out of the store, having taken a while to leave after debating on if she should by the lingerie or not, eventually she ended up going with buying it.
"I can't believe I actually bought it. Shido, you are a very dangerous man." Kurumi giggled to herself.
Meanwhile from a distance, Watcher was looking at her from a distance with binoculars while wearing a sailor fuku uniform to go incognito. Phantom having used her powers to create a necklace to watch through the events by, knowing Kurumi would sense her otherwise.
"Is she making a move or has she not started?" Watcher whispered, unsure of Kurumi's actions.
"(Not sure, don't drop your guard though.)" Phantom replied, making Watcher nod as she adjusted the binoculars to look closer.
Soon the dates resumed, and Shido began getting back to the others before they worried he suddenly disappeared, starting with Tohka. He came back to the aquarium where he saw Tohka in the same place, she smiled as she saw him.
-Tohka's Date-
"There you are Shido, I was getting worried!" Tohka smiled happily.
"I had too much food to carry back, so let's head back to the food court together.
"OK!" Tohka giggled.
They headed over, and due to Ratatoskr's aid, Shido already had a ton of sushi ready for Tohka to devour. Shido stared in shock at how much she ate.
"Wow, I guess seeing all the fish made you really crave the sushi." Shido chuckled, sweat dropping a bit. Tohka smiles and nods in reply.
"Takoyaki please!" Tohka requested, making the chef nod to prepare it.
-Kurumi's Date-
Shido blinked as he noticed Kurumi with a shopping bag.
"Wait, you actually bought that lacy underwear?" Shido said surprised, he didn't think she'd actually get it either.
Kurumi giggled a bit.
"You did tell me 'you look in-freaking-credible' in it, didn't you? I felt I had to buy it." Kurumi smiled, making Shido chuckle a bit. "So where to next?"
"Well... I think I got a good surprise ready." Shido replied, making Kurumi blink.
Soon they passed by the pet shop, and Kurumi saw a bunch of cats in view of the window, making her shake as she stared at the adorable and cute little creatures in their full fluffy glory.
"Something wrong Kurumi?" Shido asked.
"N-No, nothing at all!" Kurumi quickly replied, sweating a bit as she looked at the cats. 'Don't give in... don't give in... don't give-'
At that moment, Kurumi put her face to the glass and made a face like an adorable schoolgirl's as she stared at them.
"Cats and kitties, it truly is Kurumi's kryptonite, isn't it? Score!" Maria cheered, raising a fist victoriously. "Shido, we have a member in there who'll offer you to play with them. Put out the catnip for her. Please hurry before I do another cat pun too."
Shido chuckled mentally, soon seeing the said Ratatoskr member put a sign up.
"So, you like cats huh?" Shido asked, Kurumi tried not to answer and Shido pretended to noticed the sign. "Hey, that sign says you're allowed to play with them. If you want we can do this instead."
Kurumi flinched, sweating... and unfortunately her love of cats won over.
"Yes please!" Kurumi suddenly shouted, soon blushing from embarrassment as she left herself wide open. 'I wanna say he did this on purpose, but I never gave him a clue about this! I dropped my guard!'
-Origami's Date-
Origami and Shido were inside the movie theater, and Shido ended up learning it was a scary movie about a monster attacking and destroying all of China. He was a bit freaked, but Origami?
"S-Shido, I wanna leave now!" Origami cried, hugging Shido tightly.
"It's alright, I'm here. Besides the movie's almost over." Shido replied, holding her closer and making Origami blush as she unconsciously snuggled him closer to Shido's surprise.
"P-Please protect me Shido." Origami begged, making Shido rub her head to comfort her.
Soon the movie got to a scene where things looked up for the citizens, making Origami blush as it reminded her of Shido beating the Goliath.
"You're amazing, just like he is." Origami said to Shido, who hadn't been paying full attention and blinked at her.
-Kotori's Date-
Kotori and soon ended up going on a small go-kart course, the both of them feeling the kart's high speed blow onto them.
"S-Shido! Slow it down, this is too fast!" Kotori shouted, screaming loudly.
"Believe me, if I could I would have already. I can't feel my arms or face anymore!" Shido shouted in return, yelling as they dealt with a swerve Shido had to make on the course. "Who designed this thing to be so dangerously fast!?"
On the Fraxinus, everyone turned to Kannazuki who whistled innocent to avoid suspicion. Soon the two stopped as they reached the course's end.
"Whoa... that was crazy. Despite that, I kinda enjoyed it." Kotori replied, Shido looks at her.
"One more time maybe?" Shido asked.
The two blink at each other before nodding, the two paid for another ride before they repeated the event above.
"This thing is crazy!" They both shouted.
-Yoshino's Date-
Shido and Yoshino soon visit a garden area, seeing a bunch of animals and flowers present everywhere.
"It's so pretty Shido." Yoshino replied, smiling at him.
"Yeah, maybe we should make our own garden at home and see what it brings us?" Shido offered, and Yoshino nodded as a butterfly landed on her nose and surprised her a little bit.
"Looks like you got a little friend their Yoshino." Yoshinon giggled.
Shido smiled and soon takes his finger to get it off Yoshino's nose, who smiled as she saw it fly back into the garden.
After a lot of rotating back and forth, Shido eventually returned to Kurumi right as they neared the very same park that she and Phantom first met at.
"Hey, I'm a bit thirsty. Want anything to drink?" Shido offered.
"A nice orange juice would do." Kurumi replied.
"OK, I'll be right back. Why don't you take a seat until then?" Shido nodded, soon heading off to get some drinks. Kurumi sits down on the bench as he heads off.
"He's a bit all over the place, but..." Kurumi began, smiling a bit as she giggled. At least he knows how to treat a woman right. I guess it doesn't matter where he keeps going, after all..."
Kurumi smirked.
"He'll be mine soon enough. Ooh, it makes me all warm and tingly-"
*Meow!*
Kurumi's eyes widen at that, hearing the sound of a cat... no, a young possibly close to newborn in age kitten. Worse, it wasn't a normal meow, it sounded like a pained one. Kurumi got up to get closer to the source of the sound and soon found it before suddenly glaring and shedding any sweetness her face had.
"Her emotional state, it's getting-" Maria began, only to see the camera suddenly go entire black on Kurumi's end. "What the? What happened, get the picture back up!"
"We can't! Nothing's disrupting the feed, the lens has been entirely blocked!" Mikimoto reported, making the AI gasp.
"...I don't like this." Reine said, biting her nails a bit.
A group of punks who clearly seemed to be gangsters based on the apparel they wore, most of which hid their faces, were firing BB guns at the defenseless kitten she heard. Worst part of all? They intentionally missed a few times just to scare the cat, which had no way to know when it would actually be hit.
"Man, this guy's a feisty one!" One of the gangsters said, firing at the kitten even more.
"Look how close it is!" Another of the gangsters followed up.
Kurumi grit her teeth at the sight, and soon at that moment, her hair blew slightly revealing her clock eye as it suddenly shined bright, getting the attention of the gangsters as they turned towards the black light shining from where she stood, the kitten running away.
Tohka, Origami, Kotori and Yoshino were all looking around for Shido. Wondering where he went and then...
*BUMP!*
All four of them crash into each other from behind and fall on their butts.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Tohka apologized.
"No, it was my fault!" Origami apologized as well.
"I should have paid more attention." Kotori winced, falling a bit harder than the others but nothing too serious.
"I'm OK..." Yoshino softly said.
Soon the four girls all realize they had crashed into each other!
"Huh? Why are you here!?" They each asked. "Because I'm on a date with Shido!"
Soon they all blinked at that response.
"Eh!? No way, I asked Shido on a date for 10!" Tohka exclaimed.
"B-But I asked him on a date for 11!" Origami panicked.
"I asked him on one for 11:30, what do you mean!" Kotori asked confused.
"Uh... I asked him on one for 12." Yoshino added.
They all blinked again.
"Wait, does that mean Shido accepted them all? I swear, he just can't turn a girl down. Especially if it's us." Kotori giggled.
"But wait, where is he if he's not with us?" Tohka wondered, now curious to his whereabouts. "Even funnier is we all had a 30-minute gap between our dates except me and Origami's."
Origami suddenly gasped.
"Oh no..." Origami suddenly breathed, getting their attention. "This is bad! There's still someone else who could have been on a date with him on 10:30, I'm so stupid! I didn't ask Shido when he was going to be on his date with Kurumi! He must be alone with her right now!"
Everyone panicked.
"Quick, we gotta find him right now!" Yoshinon declared, raising a hand urgently. Everyone quickly ran around to start looking.
Shido comes back with the can of drinks, but sees Kurumi's not on the bench anymore, surprising him.
"That's weird, where did she go?" Shido asked, taping his headset. "Maria, do you know where Kurumi went? I don't see her here."
...No response.
"Huh? That's odd, why can't I reach her?" Shido asked, hitting it a few times to hear static. Right at that moment he sees the injured kitten walk into view and collapse. "Oh my god, what happened to you?"
Shido picks up the kitten, and right as the headset static clears up a bit.
"S-Shido!" Maria replied loudly. "S-something's h-h-happened, we can't find Kurumi and... interference, if... request, this may be the last for a while!"
"I found this injured kitten, can you get some help? I think I have an idea where Kurumi went." Shido requested.
"O-OK Shido! Just... careful out there!" Maria reasoned, blanking out before Shido saw the kitten beamed away. He rushed into the forest, soon walking around. Looking around the park's stone path, he eventually smells something off and soon sees a mass of shadows he barely avoided. The sound of a clock ticking was heard.
"This is..." Shido gasped, pretty sure it was Kurumi's power.
Once the shadows retreated, Shido ran their source, and once he got there... he saw a gruesome sight, one that the Fraxinus got as their video feed and it alone was finally restored.
Against the trees and part if the ground, there was blood, and shredded clothing. The scariest part of it though? Not... a single... body. It was as if someone just spilled blood transfusions and cloth tatters for a prank, but the current location made that unlikely since few would find it.
Everyone on the Fraxinus stared in horror, Reine herself had her eye shake in pure terror as she began breathing heavily. Shido's breathing soon became a bit too fast before finally... he screamed at the top of his lungs as he nearly had a break down, soon holding his mouth before he puked a bit at the sight.
"What the hell? Who... who did this!?" Shido asked, hoping the answer didn't come from who he thought it would.
"Oh dear, looks like you finally saw me."
Shido gasped as he turned, and soon turning to meet his gaze was none other than Kurumi Tokisaki in her Astral Dress, her left eye still hidden from Shido's view. Shido felt the danger from her aura leak out as if she wanted him to see it, and soon he tried to run.
"Nuh uh Shido, you don't just walk off on a lady." Kurumi smirked, flicking her hand forward as her shadow extends and white hands restrain him. Pulling him to the ground. "It's such a shame, I honestly wanted our date to last a little longer. I guess it can't be helped now."
Shido breathed heavily as Kurumi got closer to his face, but before she could do anything... Shido screamed and a flash went off.
*SLASH!*
Kurumi's eyes widened a bit, and Shido was seen holding Sandalphon in his hands, his Spirit Ascension active as he struck the sword against Kurumi's side. Horror on his face as Kurumi's side was shown starting to bleed as she tumbled back and fell to the ground.
"No..." Shido gasped, unable to comprehend what he had done. Kurumi looks at him and smirks with a weak chuckle.
"I knew it... you really are good Shido." Kurumi commented, after hearing that... Shido soon ran off. Leaving Kurumi there, she soon got up, and a gunshot was heard as she was back on her feet. "You can run Shido, but you can't-"
Suddenly Kurumi noticed an attack and dodged it, she grits her teeth as Phantom dropped into view.
"(I can't believe you'd do this Kurumi, sure they were scum and not completely innocent... but you devoured unarmed civilians! This is how you've been getting stronger all this time?)" Phantom called out, Kurumi only gritted her teeth. Soon firing at Phantom to her surprise. "(What the?)"
"Look at the pot calling the kettle black!" Kurumi yelled, confusing Phantom.
"Don't play innocent, I remembered everything you did after you erased my memories. Lying to me about the Spirits and not telling me I was one... killing the hosts you gave them to for the sake of refining them for your precious 'First Spirit'... and most of all, you hid a cruel persona under that sweet child act and cruelly ripped the truth into me after you made me murder Saya!"
Phantom's eyes widen.
"(What? What are you talking about?)" Phantom asked, she knew that wasn't what happened. Suddenly it all became clear as she felt Kurumi's aura now, why it was so much crueler and twisted.
"I'm done acting like your friend to hide the truth! I will destroy your dream, and I'll do it in the cruelest way possible!" Kurumi screamed, summoning Zafkiel and firing at Phantom. The invisible dodged the shots before Kurumi got up close and fired a successful shot on her.
"(AH!)" Phantom cried, holding it. "(Phantom is in pain, it hurts Phantom!)"
"Oh, it'll end soon. Once I kill you that is." Kurumi coldly replied, aiming her gun at Phantom's head. Taking this chance, Phantom thrust her hand on Kurumi and soon she felt her powers disrupted. "What did you do!?"
"(...Phantom locked your powers away, you're too strong so you'll break free by tomorrow. For now, its long enough.)" Phantom heaved from the pain, looking up at the sky. "(Watcher! Please, help me!)
Kurumi looked as Watcher jumped into view and landed by the two.
"I've gotcha buddy, just hang on." Watcher replied, Kurumi trying to rush at them before Watcher flew off, making Kurumi glare at them.
"...So, you've seduced another with your lies, haven't you? I swear to you Phantom, you will burn for your sins, and for trying to lie about them." Kurumi spat darkly, glaring with pure hate in her eyes.
Meanwhile back in the city, the other Spirits were still trying to find Shido without any luck, until Tohka suddenly gasped as she saw him walk towards them with a somber look on his face.
"Shido!" Tohka called out, getting the others' attention. Shido looks up at them as they run towards him, his face no less sad after seeing them.
"What happened?" Yoshino asked.
"Yeah, we've been looking for you." Kotori followed up.
"Spill, what's going on?" Origami asked worried, she tried to take his hand before she pulled it away to her surprise. "Shido?"
"I... I'm sorry, I need to go!" Shido quickly replied, running off. Leaving all the girls worried.
The Fraxinus soon returned to the Ratatoskr base, its entire crew in a bad mood. Everyone turned as they saw Reine and the others walk back in looking defeated. Maria reappeared on his hologram projector and curled up.
"We heard what happened, it was really bad. Wasn't it-" Mildred began, but stopped as she heard Maria sniffling a bit.
"Were we... were we doing the right the right thing?" Maria suddenly said, getting Mildred's attention.
"After getting to know four Spirits, Shido had clearly come to recognize that Spirits don't cause spatial quakes on purpose, that they don't want to hurt others... it was all he wanted to believe from what you told me. I honestly wanted to believe that."
Mildred soon rubbing the projector, trying to comfort the AI.
"...but after what he saw with Kurumi, that's no longer the case at all. We didn't see it, but she killed intentionally, and she enjoyed it! How is... how is Shido supposed to do this now? Especially after what he did to escape Kurumi!?" Maria cried.
Nearby, Reine watched this before heading to her private quarters. She put her hand to the wall and lowered her head before slamming it into the wall, not caring how much it hurt her. Tears quickly began to fall from the ground, her eyes leaking them as she showed genuine sadness from them.
"Everything I've done led to all if this. If only... if only I did things differently." Reine cried, covering her eyes. "All those innocent people who died would still be alive right now, if only... if only I hadn't made that one choice."
Reine slowly slumps to the floor, crying loudly as only the room stood between her and anyone who could listen.
Shido went around walking for a few hours, calming his nerves. After that he returned to the house as night was nearly upon Tenguu City, and once he came back, his harem was present there waiting. Tohka noticed him as he finally arrived, making the others turn to look as well.
"Hey... are you feeling any better?" Kotori asked, Shido looked up at her. He sighed a bit and walked up to them before answering.
"No... but I think I've gotten past the worst of it by now." Shido replied, not wanting to lie about how he felt.
"I see, then we can go now." Tohka said, grabbing his hand. Shido blinked as the others did the same.
"Huh? G-go where?" Shido asked confused before they began pulling him to his surprise.
"We're continuing our dates silly, though as a group date." Origami replied. " The day's not over yet, so let's use the rest of it before its wasted."
Shido chuckled, and he soon felt them take around. It was mostly getting food together, and spending time at the arcade since those were the only things that were open at this late in the date. Afterwards, Shido and the other stopped at the viewpoint.
"I'm surprised we ended things here." Shido lightly chuckled, soon noticing the girls staring at him seriously. "What?
"...Maria told us about what happened, about what went on between you and Kurumi." Yoshino suddenly said, surprising Shido. Yoshinon nodded in response.
"I gotta say, now it makes sense why you ran off like that. Going through all that, and then how you ended up escaping? No one wants to go through the former, and the latter? You're not the kind of person who'd ever wanna hurt someone like that, much less get praised for it." Yoshino added, making Shido nod.
"I see... then you know how I feel." Shido answered sadly, remembering the cruel smirk on Kurumi's face when she saw her in her Astral Dress. "Then you also know I have to somehow stop her from killing anymore people."
"Yeah... we do." Kotori said, looking sad as she saw Shido's troubled face.
"It's just... I don't know how I can do that. For once, I don't feel like I can save a Spirit, because it's almost like she doesn't want to be saved. I'm not sure how I should go about it with her. You're all Spirits, but Kurumi's completely different from you all... both in what she is and how she acts. So I-" Shido began, soon feeling Tohka and Origami take his hands, and Yoshino and Kotori put a hand on his shoulders.
"Now that isn't true and you know it." Tohka smiled, soon taking hold of Shido's left hand.
"Huh?" Shido asked.
"Kurumi is the same as us... the same me." Tohka replied, still smiling as Shido stared at her surprised.
"You remember, right? When we finally met again back in April, we didn't even remember our past together. I was anything but kind to you, I treated you like a monster out to hunt me, but you talked to me, you listened to me. Slowly but surely, you broke through my shell, and even when I tried pushing you away to protect you... I still ended up having you there for me. You saved me... I didn't even know I needed you, but I did. Finally, you made me remember, both you and how amazing this world really is."
Shido stared in shock, surprised by how wise Tohka's words were.
"If you and I hadn't met that day, if it weren't for you, I most likely would have ended up just like Kurumi." Tohka stated.
"Tohka..." Shido breathed, soon he felt Origami take his right hand and he looked at her.
"Tohka's right, you haven't forgotten, have you?" Origami smiled, looking directly into Shido's eyes.
"When you first saw me as a Spirit, I had given up on life, on any reason to keep living. I let my parents' death by my powers swallow me in despair, and that despair became the chains that bound me. I wanted nothing more than to die, because what was the point of living if I was just going to continue suffering in those chains? It honestly seemed like only death would free me. Then... you came along, you gave me hope, gave me a family. You gave me a reason to live again."
Shido stared deeply at Origami.
"I'll never get my parents back, but because of you I learned I had to keep living. You became that reason for me Shido." Origami replied.
"Origami..." Shido breathed again, soon Yoshino put her hand on Shido's right shoulder.
"I was always so scared, so alone..." Yoshino said softly, Yoshinon looking at Shido. "I only had Yoshino to protect me, and... Yoshino couldn't trust others if they ever looked like they could hurt me. You said you'd be my friend, my hero... and soon I grew to see you as more than that. First a brother, then as someone I want to be with forever."
"Yoshino..." Shido breathed, before finally he felt Kotori's hand on his left shoulder.
"And me?" Kotori started, grinning a bit.
"I've know you most of my life, but then you made me fall in love without even intending to. I was always a crybaby and shy, I still am. I wanted to be stronger but didn't know the right way to do it. I wanted to be more than your honorary little sister... and then you taught me something important. To be strong isn't to be powerful, it's to stand up and have courage even though you're afraid. That's a memory and lesson I'll always cherish."
"Kotori..." Shido breathed one last time.
The girls all stare at him, each giving their own smiles after their words of encouragement.
"You see Shido? We're all the same, and Kurumi is no different. Right now, there's only one true difference between us, and that..." Tohka answered, having her and Shido's fingers grasp each other. "Is having someone close who's reaching out his hand."
Shido gasped, and remembers when he first met Kurumi. She had plenty of chances, and the look she gave seeing those cats earlier today? There's no way that could be fact, only experience could give you them... that part of her had to have been real, and was waiting to return.
"...Thank you, all of you. Because of all your words, I've finally realized what's important." Shido smiled, his determination restored.
"So then, does that mean you're not afraid anymore?" Yoshinon asked.
"Nope, I'm completely terrified. Though I'd actually be worried if I wasn't... Kurumi's still dangerous after all." Shido chuckled oddly.
"Don't worry, even if you're scared, the four of us and everyone in Ratatoskr is here to protect you." Tohka smiled, resting her head on Shido. "You'll save her Shido, just like you saved all of us, and just like you save the others."
Shido smiles as the others all rest their heads closer as well.
[Shido, you're really lucky to have girls like this in your life. Even among harems I bet this kind of bond shared between everyone is rare.]
Shido chuckles.
"Hey, don't leave me out of the conversation!" Saya suddenly said, using Kotori's left eye to communicate. "So what's going on, what were you all talking about? Sounds like something serious."
"Oh, sorry Saya. We were just talking about the most recent spirit we encountered. Her name's Kurumi Tokisaki." Kotori replied, and suddenly...
"Wait... that name, what did you say?" Saya suddenly gasped.
"Uh... Kurumi Tokisaki?" Kotori repeated.
Saya's consciousness suddenly began to shake, with that one name... something in her clicked as the memories that Kotori had seen of Kurumi since she came connected to her own. With that, her mind finally registered her forgotten friend.
"Saya!" Kurumi's voice echoed, smiling happily.
"I remember... I remember everything!" Saya suddenly stated, Kotori's left eye shedding her tears for her. "My best friend, that's her name! Kurumi Tokisaki's the one I've been looking for all this time!"
With that, the entire group's faces give a reaction of shock. All this time, the friend of Saya's that Mildred's information thought had proven dead, the one Saya knew as the Spirit known as [Nightmare] during her time...
...She had been standing right in front of them all along!
And the bomb has exploded! Saya has just confirmed the truth everyone was missing this whole time! Took her long enough to wake up, could have avoided a lot of problems if she had managed to appear much earlier, but considering Saya's lifespan right now I think we can excuse her absence. Also... poor Phantom, she learned just how bad that trick that caused Saya's death during her absence has truly run.
Now that they know, the final moves of this arc's game are about to be made. Ratatoskr's gonna stand to support Shido, Kurumi's going for her plan in canon, Shido and the others are going to save Kurumi so Saya can reach her, and the DEM... are going to reveal just how much they've been involved with this arc despite their single attack.
That means the reveal of the mysterious Material A, the secret DEM weapon that Goliath seemed be a prototype test for, and then the epic reveals of who Mio, Phantom and Watcher/Material B. Most of all however... the whole catalyst and reason behind Kurumi's edited memories and only off-screen kills :3
So until next time everyone, stay awesome as we enter the most important part of this arc!
-Kurumi Tokisaki, Code Name: [Nightmare]-
Angel: Zafkiel, the "Emperor of Shadowed Time" - Zafkiel is a pair of guns, specifically a flintlock pistol and musket, that look like normal black colored guns with the addition of small spherical gems on the sides that show clocks. Zafkiel can fire strong bursts of shadow, but can also manipulate time energy with the shots if charged by Kurumi in advance. Similar to Metatron, Zafkiel doesn't really have alternate forms, its 12 Bullets do count as them however. Her bullets either have a one-shot use, temporary, or permanent effect depending on how they manipulate time.
- Alternate Form: First Bullet, Aleph - Accelerates time on a target object or subject, a one-shot use ability.
- Alternate Form: Second Bullet , Bet - Slows down time on a target object or subject , a one-shot use ability.
- Alternate Form: Third Bullet , Gimmel - Causes a target object or subject to age , a temporary ability.
- Alternate Form: Fourth Bullet , Dalet - Rewinds time on a target object or subject , a one-shot use ability. It doesn't work on the deceased, with Kurumi proving this when she failed to revive Saya using it.
- Alternate Form: Fifth Bullet , Hei - Allows Kurumi to see a glimpse of a future event , a one-shot use ability. Kurumi mentions she can't use it to see the same event twice.
- Alternate Form: Six Bullet , Vav - Sends the consciousness of its target into the past , a permanent ability. Kurumi states this bullet is her most costly and places heavy stress on her mind, making her only use it as a last resort or if necessary.
- Alternate Form: Seventh Bullet , Zayin - Temporarily freezes time on a target object or subject , a temporary ability.
- Alternate Form: Eight Bullet , Het - Creates a clone of a target object or subject , a one-shot use ability.
- Alternate Form: Ninth Bullet , Tet - Allows Kurumi to share her senses with someone in a different time or dimension , a temporary ability. This is Kurumi's least used bullet due to the strict conditions it needs.
- Alternate Form: Tenth Bullet , Yud - Peeks into the past of a target object or subject , a one-shot use ability.
- Alternate Form: Eleventh Bullet , Yud Aleph - Allows Kurumi to directly devour a Spirit's power , a permanent ability. Kurumi states this is her second most costly bullet, and she must completely drain a spirit for it to work, otherwise all the stolen power will just return to its owner.
- Alternate Form: Twelfth Bullet , Yud Bet - Sends its target subject or object through time , a temporary ability.
- Powers: Kurumi 's elemental affinities as a Spirit are Shadow as her primary element and Time as her secondary element. Despite this fact however, Kurumi is more often seen using her time powers over her shadow powers, which she's most often seen using for the sake of transportation. Kurumi's time powers also rely on her clock eye which represents her secondary time energy, which Phantom states is not her life force. If the clock is empty, Kurumi can't use her powers until she refills it, she had mentioned that her stored power does go beyond the "XII" spot though.
Risk Factors: S
Spacequake: C
Spirit's Astral Dress: C
Angel Rank: S
Strength: 109
Consistency: 128
Spiritual Power: 220
Agility: 103
Intelligence: 201
-Spirit Bond Levels-
Tohka - 80%
Origami - 68%
Yoshino - 55%
Kotori - 72%