Date A Re:Live

S2 Chapter 36: Miku Fantasia, Part 1

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]

One moment everyone... *walks in wearing an idol's outfit, holding a microphone, soon breathing and in a singing tone* Welcome everyone... to the next arc of this story! This is the Miku Fantasia arc! *does a finishing pose, soon getting up and spinning to change back to my usual outfit* Sorry, I may have gotten a little carried away right there with that idol impersonation. I think it's because not counting the two movie arcs, this is the semi-final arc of Season 2.

I still can't believe how fast I went through this one compared to Season 1, then again... Kurumi's arc was 9 chapters, so maybe that's it. Though I have a good feeling depending on if what I'm planning goes the way I expect, Season 2's final arc will be pretty long itself. Regardless, Miku's finally taking the stage, leaving Mukuro as the only Spirit who's yet to have her identity confirmed by Ratatoskr.

As a friendly remember to everyone, as Tohka's already been inverted, expect something completely different for where the story will go after the contest between Miku and Shido, or should I say Shiori for now, ends. Best of all... Artemisia's finally able to fight alongside the others again as of this arc since the Bahamut CR-Unit will finally be fully readjusted for her.

Oh! Luckily just caught myself, time to reveal the arc's emotion. Its "Suffering", and while it relates to Miku, there's a lot more than just her canon story this can apply to, in fact... actually I'll just let you read to know what I'm talking about. It's pretty much one of the earliest scenes of the chapter, and a prelude to something that'll happen in the next arc.

This arc's a concert everyone, so let's begin the first song of this performance! *giggles* I think I've got Miku fever because I'm writing the Miku arc ^^

-Miku Izayoi, Code Name: [Diva]-

Angel: Gabriel, the " Army-Breaking Songstress" - Gabriel is a unique Angel, simply being Miku's own voice, a translucent keyboard always hovering in front of Miku when in use, but also appearing as a giant golden organ if in the right environment. If taking the form of the organ, it may just appear as one or many of the gold organ's pipes. It responds to Miku's song, voice, wails, screams or any sound she can make with a musical nature to it, but doesn't work on Spirits who will shrug it off, with Rinne being outright immune. Gabriel's alternate forms are unique as they last a true form, but have a specific use for each, and is the one angel Natsumi can use the alternate forms of if she makes a Kaleidoscope copy of it.

- Alternate Form: March - Gabriel's primary method of support, it enhances the physical strength of the user and any listeners of her choice. These physical enhancements can take the form of having more power, faster speed, stronger durability or increased stamina. She can't gave give more than one type of enhancement, and can't mix and match them between a group, meaning they must all have the same enhancement.

- Alternate Form: Rondo - Gabriel's p rimary method of defense which can also be used to restrain others as well. However, it can fail against a Spirit of a higher threat ranking than her own since their spirit mana be much more powerful than hers and able to resist it, and is outright useless if used on an Inverse Spirit who's dark spirit power outright counters it due to its opposite nature.

- Alternate Form: Solo - Gabriel's primary offensive technique, and Miku's most often used one. While usually used as a sonic shout that can attack or act as a small barrier, its true power brainwashes the listeners. It can't alter their memories though as while it messes with its victims' perception of Miku and has them prioritize her well-being above anything else, it doesn't affect their existing views on other people.

- Alternate Form: Requiem - Gabriel's primary method of healing and its most pacifistic technique, creating a relaxing song that has an analgesic effect and can help reduce and heal from damage that could otherwise be fatal. The point of its reduction will fail upon use on extreme injures like near amputation which simply emit too much pain.

- Powers: Miku 's elemental affinity as a Spirit is Sound, with Mind as her secondary element. Miku's power is directly tied to her voice and actually restored it after she lost it for good while still Human. As a popular idol, Miku's skill with her voice makes no one a better wielder for Gabriel's power, and the danger she presents isn't due to her sound powers themselves, but her ability to gather people through her fame and use her voice to bend them to her will. Being sound-based, speakers easily extend the range of her powers, however the fatal weakness of her abilities is they're rendered useless if no one can hear her voice. Also, if her powers are overused, she'll temporarily be unable to use them or speak until her mana recovers.

Risk Factors: A

Spacequake: B

Spirit's Astral Dress: C

Angel Rank: AA

Strength: 85

Consistency: 72

Spiritual Power: 159

Agility: 67

Intelligence: 70

Tohka was currently napping on the couch, Rinne trying to figure out how to play a handheld video game console that Mana lent her, sweating as she kept having trouble and messing up on the game. As this was happening, she didn't notice Tohka was all restless. A familiar nightmare replaying in her head.

"THEY MUST PAY!"

Tohka rolled over slightly, leaning against the couch wall as the nightmare intensified, becoming more than it had ever been before.

Tohka suddenly found herself in the Spirit Dimension, back before its final destruction by Westcott's actions. Namely in the Sandalphon region that once house her Sephira Crystal. In moments, the ground ruptures and Spirits are seen screaming as they tried to run away.

"What... what is this?" Tohka gasped, panting as she felt herself becoming terrified. The sight of the rupturing energy spreading out worsened and anyone caught within them were suddenly vaporized instantly, their screams running through Tohka's ears like an echo she couldn't silence.

"Please, someone help! Save us!" A Spirit cries before the energy kills her, her screams ringing throughout the area.

Tohka tried to close her eyes, and even cover them so she couldn't see... but it didn't work, her body was a complete illusion... right now, she couldn't block her ears and she couldn't shield her eyes. Every second of this horrible destruction, she was forced to experience it all.

"Stop it... please... I swear, I'll do anything if you make it stop." Tohka begged, continuing to see everything against her will. She soon screamed as she couldn't take it anymore "JUST DON'T LET ME SEE THIS ANYMORE!"

Her wishes weren't answered, and soon the entire world before her was suddenly ripped apart and exploded into shreds. Every final scream flooded into her head at once, and Tohka fell to her knees, breaking down and shivering at what she just had to see.

"Toh... ka!" Shido suddenly said.

Tohka looked up as she heard Shido's voice, confused to where she was now. Only to gasp as she saw herself behind a glass, and Ellen stabbing Shido, making her gasp to her horror.

"Shido!" Tohka screamed, seeing Shido collapse onto the ground before her. "No, get up! Don't leave me!"

"Don't bother [Princess], there's no hope for him now." Tohka suddenly turned to see Westcott nearby, hidden behind more glass to shield himself. "I'm going to make you watch as we take his life. Feel free to try and stop us, but I'm afraid there's nothing you can do."

Tohka gasps as Ellen prepared to swing down, causing Tohka to form her Astral Dress and Sandalphon as she tried to cut through the glass, but her attacks didn't even dent it.

"I won't! Let! You! DO! THIS!" Tohka screamed, shedding tears as nothing she did worked. "I won't let you die! Please Sandalphon, I need to save Shido! I'll pay any price, please! JUST LET ME STOP THEM!"

Sandalphon's voice wasn't heard, either it just couldn't respond or it was its way of saying it couldn't give her any more than she was already giving.

'Take anything you want, please... break my heart. Rip it in two! Just not Shido, not him. You can't... I don't care what you do. Please, just spare his life... someone please spare it! I beg of you!' Tohka thought, and Ellen's blade came down. With that, she screamed louder than she ever had before, and in the end...

*SLASH!*

Tohka failed to even register what she saw, but she did register the sound... and the moment she found her voice it broke apart.

"SHIIIDOOOOOOOOOO!"

Tohka suddenly felt herself back in the same place she had met her Inverse Form in a previous dream, still in shock from the scene of seeing Shido die. It didn't take long for her to hear the familiar footsteps belonging to her dark counterpart, and she turned to see her holding Nahemah in hand.

"They must pay, Humanity must pay!" Inverse Tohka declared once again, swinging Nahemah down at Tohka who was thrown back by the force. Due to her current emotional state, it didn't matter she had her armor and weapon this time. "So why... why do you still defend them!?"

"I don't even know what you're talking about!" Tohka replied, still shaking from everything she had seen before. Inverse Tohka swung again, knocking her to the wall.

"Don't you dare lie, you know... and you always will!" Inverse Tohka screamed, grabbing her by the throat. Tohka felt herself starting to lose all her air. "I told you before, you will be the messenger of our rage! There's no escape! The time is coming, and you will follow!"

Tohka coughed as she lost more air, and soon Inverse Tohka threw her across the landscape, and as she did she looked up to see her dark spirit power flare... and for a brief moment the sight of faces showing negative emotions were seen within it as Inverse Tohka formed Paverschlev.

"Now Nahemah!" Inverse Tohka, holding up her sword as Tohka tried to move, only to collapse to her horror. The dark energy spiraled around the Demon King before she swung it down. "Finish it, and wake her up to reality! PAVERSCHLEV!"

Tohka stared in horror as the attack neared her before it hit her and she screamed.

Tohka suddenly felt the pain transfer as phantom pain to her chest, and screamed loudly in real life as she woke up and rolled off the couch, hitting the floor with a thud. Rinne in surprise moved her game console's controller oddly and...

"[Congrats, you win!]"

"Wait, I won this time? Yes!" Rinne cheered, soon remembering Tohka's scream. "Oh wait, Tohka? Are you OK?"

Tohka got up, holding her chest for a moment until the pain finally vanished.

"Yeah, I think I just had a muscle cramp or something. Albeit a very painful one!" Tohka replied, and luckily that was enough of an excuse that Rinne didn't notice anything about Tohka having a nightmare. "I think it's fading now, I'm OK. I'm fine now."

"Alright, I was kinda worried for a moment." Rinne smiled, completely oblivious to the lie. "I better give this game back to Mana now."

Rinne left the room, and soon Tohka curled on the ground, shaking at the nightmare she just had.

"What's happening, is..." Tohka breathed, recalling her Inverse Form's words. "Is it trying to take over? Or worse, trying to replace me? What's going on? Please... someone help me, Shido... I need you."

Shido was seen walking through the streets of Tenguu City, currently talking with Maria via the headset.

"Sorry we haven't been able to help you directly with setting things up Shido, since we know Sister's identity we've needed more hands here and info from Rio and Mayuri to add in. Only two Spirits' real identities elude us now after all." Maria apologized.

"Its fine, I think we've already run through the ragged parts of the Festival, so the easier stuff is all we have left to deal with." Shido replied, making Maria sigh in relief. "To be honest I think info about Nia might be more important, after all what she told us..."

Maria nodded, Nia clearly warned them that if they weren't serious with the last three Spirits that they would be in trouble. Considering she was one of them... that wasn't an idle claim, especially if it ended up being a threat. Suddenly at that moment...

[WARNING! THERE HAVE BEEN PRECURSORY SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING SPACEQUAKE!]

"The Spacequake alarm!" Shido shouted, everyone evacuated right as buildings began to shift and he tapped his headset. "Maria, is it Nia?"

"No, it's not her. We've traced it to Tenguu Arena. Go hide in an alley and stay put, we'll send you over to the scene once we're close enough to beam you over." Maria replied, soon hanging up.

Shido went to an alley way quickly, and soon felt himself beamed up onto the Fraxinus. Once on, he rushed to the main area where Reine and the Fraxinus crew were waiting and soon caught his breath.

"So, which Spirit is it?"

"According to these readings, we've encountered Spirit No. 9. The Spirit known as [Diva] and the Sound Spirit." Reine replied, showing some info but no picture. "Unfortunately, we have little more to go off of. According to Rio, the most recent Diva only became a Spirit a year ago, so she's the second most recent Spirit to be born behind Tohka."

"What's more is she's only shown up once and then... poof! Not even the DEM's had any idea where she's been until now." Maria added, showing the chart for her appearances and the clear yearlong gap. "I'd exercise caution, we don't know anything about this [Diva] and we barely got info on her predecessors."

Shido nods, looking at the info and learning what he could.

"Alright, so where is she? Better yet... where's the Spacequake?" Shido asked.

"Tenguu Arena, strangely fitting for her abilities. The Spacequake however? That's the odd thing, it was so high in the air we almost missed it." Maria answered, showing a recording of an indigo Spacequake going off high in the sky.

"It seems she may have only been trying to have some privacy, or maybe she knew the DEM won't jump over to Tenguu City since this is our home field advantage. She likely knew trying to get her here would get us involved... at least that's my theory on it. Never mind that, go do your magic Shido."

Shido was suddenly forced to the teleported and beamed into Tenguu Arena, once he was inside...

"-Let me... sing you a song! And let's sing along!"

"Wait, that's... music? Is there something playing in here?" Shido asked.

"No Shido, my guess is that's Diva singing right now. Luckily that'll let me trace her, and she's over..." Maria replied, and soon an arrow of light forms to create a path. "There! Just follow the arrow Shido."

Shido does so, and after finally crossing through the path, he sees the stage area with the Spirit in question. Upon seeing her, it was clear to anyone without a doubt that she a beautiful girl. She had a voluptuous figure and smooth skin that looked to have never missed maintenance, long indigo hair with eyes of the same color, but not as vivid as her hair's indigo.

Her Astral Dress was based off a pop idol's outfit, fitting for her code name, and was mainly yellow with blue and white ruffles covering some parts of her dress. She also had a yellow moon hair clip with a flower connected to the curve ends of the moon. White flowers and petals could be seen next to the moon hair clip. She also wore a choker on her neck with a white lily attached on it. Maria suddenly gasped.

"Wait a second... Shido, I think I know who that is!" Maria replied, getting Shido's attention.

"Really?" Shido whispered, and after checking her references... Maria gasped as she found she was right. "Who is it Maria? Tell me."

Maria breathes.

"Shido... that's Miku Izayoi, the famous rookie idol." Maria answered, making Shido gasp.

"The one Hiroto told me about? No way, I can't believe it... what are the chances?" Shido whispered, as he kept hearing her song though he noticed how great it was. "Though I'll admit, that song's lovely."

Shido tried to slowly get closer... only for his foot to kick a can he didn't notice due to the darkness. Miku stopped singing as she heard it too.

'Oh shit!' Shido and Maria thought simultaneously, hoping Miku wouldn't attack in response.

"Who's there?" Miku asked, trying to find the source of the noise. "Hello, do I have an audience out there? I can't see you if there is."

The two sighed in relief.

"Jump up there and try introducing yourself, she doesn't seem hostile." Maria replied, and Shido nodded as he jumped up and grabbed the ledge as he pulled himself up. 'For some reason, I feel I'm forgetting something... but what?'

As Shido did, an option for talking appears saying to tell her {Didn't mean to sneak up on you, but your voice sounds great}, once he got high enough he got Miku's notice.

"Oh, you climbed all the way here just to see me? Lovely night isn't it, it's nice to meet... you..." Miku suddenly trailed off as the light showed Shido's appearance, revealing him to her.

"Oh, hello there miss." Shido replied, unaware of Miku's odd staring towards him. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your singing, but your voice is beautiful."

And suddenly... Miku's emotional state drops to Maria's surprise. Shido sweats as he sees it as well, and Maria sweat as she thinks.

"Uh... say something about how she looks!" Maria sweated, hoping it was just Miku being uncomfortable.

"Uh... has anyone ever told you how gorgeous you are?" Shido asked, and noticed she hadn't changed her expressions at all. Maria paled as the emotional readings suddenly dropped to less than half, making Shido whisper. "Maria, what's going on here!?"

Maria gulped in worry.

"I don't know! Uh... OK, I may regret giving you this one, buy say the view from below was great without implying you don't mean it in a sexual way." Maria answered, honestly grasping at straws. 'Hiroto, why do I have no data on this!?'

"Uh... the view from below... was..." Shido began, only for Miku to finally react in an odd manner as Maria saw all her emotional readings hit rock bottom to the lowest a Spirit's readings could go without undergoing an inversion. "You OK?"

Suddenly the headset blares in a warning.

"GET OUT OF THERE!" Maria warned, but not fast enough. After her position made her breasts bounce briefly, Miku lurched forward with her eyes rolled behind her head as she screamed out a sonic wave. Flinging Shido off the platform and off the stage platform, he barely caught himself on a wire despite he would survived the fall.

"What... just happened!?" Shido panicked, completely confused how she went from saying it was nice to meet you to outright attacking him. "Maria?"

The AI was silent in fear as Miku walked near the ledge and stared down at him, the light formerly shining over her now gone.

"This is rather unexpected. Why haven't you fallen down yet, why aren't you dead!?" Miku said, a glare shadow over her eyes. "Disappear from this stage, this world and this confluence of time and space! Do it as soon as possible, you wretched plebeian!"

"Is she serious!?" Shido thought aloud.

"I said disappear, not talk! I'd rather you not even expend the energy your halitosis latent breath. Are you too stupid to realize your that your mere presence contaminates the purity of the air!?" Miku stated angrily.

"...OK, she clearly has some issue with me I don't know about." Shido told himself.

"You're not very good at following instructions, are you!?" Miku shouted, making Shido gulp a bit. "Can you even comprehend why I wouldn't stomp on your hands right now and send you falling to your death!? Because I care about the bottom of my shoe too much to let it touch filthy scum like you!"

It was clear, this Spirit was violently against talking to Shido and he knew it, Maria soon replied quickly.

"Shido, we're teleporting you now! Shield your eyes!" Maria screamed.

Shido nods and closes his eyes, and at that moment Miku breathes in and prepares another shout, likely closing her eyes and not seeing Shido get beamed up as parts of the arena break apart. Back on the ship, Shido gasps for breath.

"I actually thought I was gonna die!" Shido exclaimed, falling on his butt.

"That was strange, the emotional graphs seemed to indicate what you said didn't matter. It was almost as if it was you, or rather your presence she didn't like." Reine wondered, thinking a bit, soon looking at Nakatsugawa. "Nakatsugawa?"

"Yeah commander?" Nakatsugawa replied.

"See if anyone in your 'waifu' circle has any further information on Miku Izayoi, I think we're going to need it." Reine replied, making him salute as he takes out his phone. "For now... we'll just need to avoid contact with her, I don't think anything will change."

The following day, the last bit of the Tenguu Festival was about to be cleared up as Shido was with Tohka and Origami at Rindouji All-Girls Private Academy, where all 10 high schools' organizers would be present to decide on where they'd have everything set up for the festival. Shido yawned over a lack of sleep due to last night.

"Are you alright Shido? Reine told us about what happened." Origami asked concerned.

"Mostly, just had trouble sleeping all night." Shido yawned again, rubbing his eyes. "Say, you don't mind taking care of things for me if I fall asleep, do you?"

Origami rubs his back and nods, and soon everyone heard Rindouji's organizer and her group walk in. The three turned around, only for Shido to gasp before messing up his hair to look different, leaving his two girls confused... until the girl in question walked by and turned to face everyone.

'Indigo hair and whitened pupils!' Tohka thought in shock.

'That's... that's her, that's Miku Izayoi!' Origami thought, similarly shocked.

"Hello everyone, welcome to the meeting." Miku introduced, giving a brief glare towards Shido who she quickly recognized, and which he caught as his hair flopped back to normal. "Now, let's get started."

Shido stared in horror, the very Spirit they were after had been in Tenguu City the whole time just like Nia had. Though in this case... that wasn't a good thing right now with Miku's apparent hostility towards Shido.

At Fraxinus, everyone was gathered as Nakatsugawa brought a disc containing information one of his contacts gave him.

"Luckily, I found a contact who had information, she was at one of her private concerts and snuck in a camera to try and get some info about the mystery idol. Snapped a few pictures without getting caught." Nakatsugawa stated.

Maria began to search through them.

"Let's see... what do we have here? Oh, uh... Mana, I'd advise you to look-" Maria began, only to have Mana forced herself through and saw Miku's listen BWH information... it was a B94-W63-H88 which made her scream.

"It's bad enough I'm being out-sized, but most of the time I'm being out-sized by people in at least the 90s! I hate this! It was bad enough Nia's true form is a 92cm!" Mana cried, making everyone stare at her blankly.

"...OK, I'm now starting to get very worried that my niece just seems to learn this information." Reine stated, making Rinne sigh and nod. "And worse is we know this is gonna happen one last time when we find [Zodiac]."

Artemisia quickly sweat drops as she pulled Mana away from the screen. Maria cleared her throat and resumed looking through the info.

"OK, blood type... birthplace... birthday... OK, none of this information seems particularly helpful so far-" Maria stops as she passed by an image, soon going back a few. "Wait, I think I missed something... ah, there's a video among these pictures."

Maria plays it, showing said contact as she was brought by Miku to her home and where she asked a few questions.

"Say Miku, I was wondering. Why was this concert only for girls?" The contact asked.

"Why would I allow men in? They're nothing but dirty smelly pigs, god for nothing jerks who are better off disappearing!" Miku replied, huffing a bit. Soon getting close to the contact. "Girls like you on the other hand?"

Said contact's unseen face was shown widening by the camera shifting a bit.

"W-wait, you mean you... oh boy, I don't think I'm on that train actually." The contact said, before the video got cut off. Making everyone blink at that, while Shido suddenly paled a bit.

"So... she hates men, and brought woman home to get... uh, cozy I think is the term, with them." Rinne thought aloud, and then her eyes widened as she turned towards Shido with a smirk. "Strange, I think Shido once said the chance of meeting a Spirit who likes girls was-"

"Don't you dare." Shido warned.

"But it's clear that-" Kaguya tried to say.

"Don't finish that sentence!" Shido warned again.

"Why? What's wrong with saying Miku-" Tohka tried to say.

"I SAID-" Shido was about to warn again, only for Natsumi to smirk.

"Miku Izayoi is a lesbian!" Natsumi exclaimed, making Shido scream in defeat as he fell to his knees. "Ooh, never knew you'd jinx yourself Shido like that Shido. How does it feel, tell us?"

Shido just groaned.

"Hey wait, but then there's no way we can do anything about her! If I cross dress she'll still know it's me by my voice!" Shido shouted, only for Natsumi to smirk. "Wait, Natsumi... why are you smiling that way?"

"Oh nothing, nothing at- Think fast!" Natsumi shouted, soon tapping Shido and making green light surround him.

Once it ended, everyone looked to see Shido was now a girl with long hair, which Mana looked like when her hair wasn't tied up, with a green flower clip in her hair. She had the same school outfit on as the Yamai twins', possessing the same sleeveless Summer sweater, and to Mana's horror... was pretty busty.

"What did you do to me!?" Shido asked Natsumi, only to cover his mouth as he heard his high pitched female voice. "Wait, this isn't my... oh my god, I'm a girl!"

"No! This is... this is a joke right, tell me it is Natsumi. You only gave my big brother's gender swapped form 95cm breasts as a joke right!?" Mana asked as she groped her brother's breasts and made him gasp slightly from the feeling, her eye twitching and Natsumi blinking at somehow knowing her bust line instantly.

"Uh... nope, after I got my memories back from Haniel I learned this. If I transform someone into the other gender or shift their age, they transform into how they would actually look like in such a form. That my dear Mana? If Shido was born a girl, her true size. Sorry about that." Natsumi answered honestly, and Mana slid to the floor crying.

"Hey, if I could even make you feel big for a moment I'd do it but it ain't my call."

Mana sobbed more and Natsumi patted her head, knowing how she felt too well. Soon the talkative trio looks at Shido's female form up close.

"Oh my god, I'm so jelly of how you look now." Ai replied, soon blinking. "Wait, what do we call you as a girl? Shido's obvious a boy's name?"

"Uh... how about Shidomi? No, scratch that. How about, uh..." Shido tried to think.

"Shiori, that's the feminine version of your name." Rinne replied, smiling in a way to show she seemed to be enjoying this too much. "You know, I did once believe I'd only be able to have daughters. Now I get to see how what it would have been like for this Spirit sealing mission."

Shido, or rather Shiori currently, groaned upon hearing that.

Shiori was soon heading over to Tenguu Square, blushing embarrassingly over the fact she had been turned into a girl just because there ended up actually being a lesbian Spirit among the Sephira Spirits.

'Worst thing about this? I don't know why, but I think I'm starting to like this, or I'm at least getting too comfortable with it. I'm totally scared how things will be after this is over!' Shiori thought, soon getting a message from Reine.

"Shiori, the booths for Rindouji are area S01, see if noticed her there." Reine stated, and Shiori nodded as she walked close by.

Eventually she saw Miku walk out into view, and slowly began to follow her from behind as she entered somewhere that said 'No Entry" in kanji. She opens the door and goes inside, soon seeing Miku on the stage.

"Alright Shiori, now or never. Also since Miku might here you whisper to me, I've established Mayuri's aid in creating a way to talk through our thoughts, just think and your brain waves will talk through the headset for you." Maria replied, making Shiori nod.

Eventually she walked into view, catching Miku's attention as she looked at her, Maria sweating and crossing her fingers that Miku didn't know the truth. At first her look seemed to say she knew, but then it became normal.

"Hello there, what's your name?" Miku asked, and it was so cute that Shido forgot something.

"Uh, I... forgot!" Shiori replied, making Miku blink.

"YOU FORGOT!?" Maria repeated in shock.

"I... freeze up when I get nervous!" Shiori said quickly, making Maria sigh in relief at her save. "Sorry!"

Miku giggled at that.

"There's no need for you to be nervous around me, although it does make you irresistibly cute." Miku commented, making Shiori smile with an open mouth as she sweat dropped slightly.

"OK, note to self. Your usual personality is apparently the kind of girl she likes. That's a bonus." Maria stated, noticing her mood was going up steadily. "Alright, let's see how we should reply to this."

1. Situational Response - "You're Miku Izayoi right, do you mind if I get an autograph?"
2. Curious Response - "Why are you here exactly?"
3. Perverted Response - "Will you sell me the current panties you're wearing for 30,000 yen?"

"OK, another pervy response as expected... hey wait. That would be perverted if a guy said it, but right now Shido is Shiori, so maybe... Shiori. Try option 3, but like you're telling a joke. Make a cute face for emphasis." Maria replied, making Shiori go wide eyed.

"What!?" Shiori shouted, soon looking at Miku with a cute expression. "Uh... I wonder, would you be willing to sell me the panties you're wearing right now for 30,000 yen?"

Miku gives a silent gasp to that, but then smiles.

"I actually have a counter bid." Miku mentioned, making Maria and Shiori go wide eyed at that. "I don't wanna sell them to you, but I'd consider trading them for your own."

"W-W-What!?" Shiori gasped, her eyes white. "Wait, I was just joking there. You don't need to give me your panties!"

"Oh don't worry, I was too. Wouldn't I have been freaked by that question had I been serious?" Miku asked, making Shiori chuckle oddly at that. "That uniform, you go to Raizen don't you? Then let's try this again, I'm Miku Izayoi and I go to Rindouji."

Miku holds out her hand, and Shido nervously takes it.

"I-I'm Shiori Takamiya, nice to meet you... in person I mean! Yeah, I-" Shiori replied, soon sweating a bit as Miku giggled at her. "Oh man I'm fumbling this."

"OK, that's not being faked... wait, is Shiori actually more nervous and shy than Shido is? Wow, I hope that's not gonna have a side effect later." Maria wondered, soon thinking. "Try asking her some questions."

Shiori tried to think, and then remembered the second option.

"Um... if you don't mind my asking, why are you in here right now? It's still off limits." Shiori asked.

"Oh, I just love the stage. It's too hard to keep away from it." Miku admitted, soon turning like she was facing the crowd. "To have everyone hear my voice, I can feel excitement crackling in the air. Yet I don't feel that from you. Have you not heard of me?"

Shiori sweats.

"Uh... w-well, I guess I've only heard your songs recently?" Shiori wondered aloud.

"Aww, how cute." Miku replied, putting a finger to Shiori's lip. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you were in here if you don't. It'll be our little secret."

Shiori nods, blushing a bit.

"Wow... Kurumi wasn't kidding, I think Shiori's falling in love with her while trying to make her fall in love with her. Wonder where this is gonna go?" Maria inquired, soon thinking a bit. "Guess we'll see."

The two began walking out, only for Shiori to trip over a wire and causing some of the props to fall on her.

"Oh my, are you alright?" Miku asked, Shiori held her right hand which got a little scraped up. Miku took out a handkerchief and wrapped it around Shiori's hand.

"Oh... thank you." Shiori thanked.

"You're quite welcome." Miku smile before walking off, Shiori holding the handkerchief with her other hand. Blushing as she did.

"...I'm never washing this hand again." Shiori blushed, making Maria sweat drop a bit.

Back at home, Shiori was seen cooking some burgers for dinner, wondering why Natsumi didn't change her back.

"Seriously, why can't you just turn me back already?" Shiori cried, and Natsumi turned as she had a pocky stick in her mouth and ate it.

"Because with Miku finally into you, I ain't risking a change back between forms affecting anything. Plus, the big names of Ratatoskr all agreed you should stay like that until you seal Miku, we'll deal with the fallout after that." Natsumi answered, making Shiori cry a bit. "Oh come on, based on that handkerchief I think you like it."

Shiori blushed.

"W-why would you say that!?" Shiori blushed.

"Why didn't you deny it?" Natsumi teased, making Shiori gasp in horror before Natsumi blink. "Wait, you mean you... ooh... I'm gonna stop talking now before this gets weird. Starting now."

Kurumi sweat dropped a bit as she finished making a new handkerchief to gift Miku with.

"Good news is we have an excuse for you to meet up with her, she likes to have tea with one of the girls she's taken a liking to each week. Looks like you got the winning vote." Kurumi smiles, showing Miku's personal blog and making Shiori blush.

"I don't know whether to be honored or embarrassed." Shiori blushed, soon finishing up the burgers. At that moment, the TV shows an ad playing Miku's latest hit.

"And now, singing her newest hit Mermaid Love Story!" The TV person said.

As everyone listen, Yoshino looks in awe.

"She has such a lovely voice." Yoshino commented, and Tohka's eyes sparkle.

"I wanna do that too, karaoke!" Tohka requested, her eyes sparkling. "Come on, take me! Take me!"

"Ooh, me too!" Rinne asked, walking in at that moment. Mana giggled at her mom's excitement.

The follow day, Shiori was seen at Rindouji at a place where and soon noticed as a few students came out and noticed her.

"Is there something we can help you with?" One of the students asked.

"Uh... yes please, I met Miku in Tenguu Square the other day." Shiori replied.

"What? Are you another fan?" She replied, almost as if this was a usual thing she barely bothered to care about anymore.

"No, not exactly." Shiori replied, getting a little nervous.

"That's what they all say. I'm sorry, but this is supposed to be her private-"

"Hello Shiori!" Miku called out, making the five all turn as they saw her and two others behind her. "It's alright girls, she's telling you the truth."

The five all nodded before bowing in apology to Shiori and walking off. It wasn't that much longer after when Shiori found herself inside a private room in the school. It made Shiori wonder just what else they had in the school and if she should ask Kurumi about it later.

"Um... thanks, but you really shouldn't have gone to all this trouble." Shiori said, watching Miku poor some tea.

"Oh, it's no trouble at all. It was so sweet of you to give me a new handkerchief too." Miku smiled, making Shiori blush a bit. "Don't worry about it."

Shiori playfully chuckled before sipping her cup of tea.

"Wow, this is really good." Shiori said surprised, not expecting the taste she just experienced. Miku giggled again at that.

Soon enough time just flew by between the two until the sun had begun to set.

"You know, you really are amazing. I've never had anyone like you before. Don't you feel like theirs something special between us?" Miku asked, making Shiori blush in surprise. "I think you should become a student at Rindouji."

"W-what? Uh... I don't think that would work, two of my friends used to be here before they transferred out. Plus, I don't think I'm that good with my grades or money." Shiori panicked, waving her hands in front of her.

"Oh don't worry about those things, I'll personally request you be passed through." Miku replied, soon taking on of Shiori's hands and pressing her breasts against her side to Shiori's surprise. "Please reconsider."

Shiori noticed a small spirit wave distortion when she said that, for a moment she felt something nag on her mind, but luckily it didn't take hold.

"I... the answer's still no." Shiori replied, surprising Miku.

"Shiori?" Miku asked, making Shiori blink at her. "Please take off all your clothes."

The same distortion was seen, and the same feeling as previously. Though once again it didn't work.

"Uh... Miku, I think you're great, but don't you think that's going a little too fast?" Shiori replied, chuckling nervously. 'Did I really just say that!?'

"You're not influenced by my voice at all, are you?" Miku stated, soon getting a more serious look. "Are you a Spirit as well?"

Shiori's eyes widened at that, whatever she did was something Miku had failed to do to someone else before.

"There's no point in trying to hide it, the only ones who can shrug off my voice's commands are other Spirits. There's not a single human alive that has a will strong enough to disregard an order from me." Miku stated, getting up and looking at the window. "Or are you something else? Perhaps one of those people from DEM?"

"I'm... uh..." Shiori tried to reply, unsure of how to respond one Miku turned to stare at her. "Maria, what do I do?"

Maria thought for a bit.

"...Just be honest with her, I don't see a way to walk out of this. It's risky, but maybe knowing she's speaking to another Spirit will let us negotiate with her, just trust what you think after you tell her the truth." Maria replied.

"Well... it's complicated, I'm not a Spirit, but I am one." Shiori replied, making Miku show confusion at that. "I think it's accurate to say I'm a human with powers like a Spirit. A Half-Spirit I guess you could call it."

Miku gasped silently at that, it sounded like she was looking at something that shouldn't exist yet did.

'It doesn't seem like she's lying, that Phantom person didn't seem normal herself. Not to mention I've only met that silvered haired Spirit once before.' Miku thought. "Then what exactly is your power? If you're a Spirit, you should have one."

"Well... I can sort of seal the powers of other Spirits, but not like locking them away. More like a seal shrines would use against evil forces." Shiori answered, making Miku's eyes widen a bit.

"I've already sealed the power of 8 Spirits, and as a result they're no longer able to be found by DEM's radars. You don't lose your powers either, if you needed to protect yourself you could easily call them back, I'd be more like the storage that hides them. Trust me, there's a way you can live peacefully in this world. I give you my world, you don't have to be alone anymore all I want is to help you."

Miku stares at Shiori, and the latter sweats worried how she'd react.

"You know what? I believe you." Miku replied, making Shiori smile a bit... until. "But I don't need you to seal me. The way things are now, I don't think I can be much happier. I have my powers, my music, and a life of luxury. What more could I need?"

"What? Even after hearing that she doesn't want to be sealed? I don't like where this is going... Shido, I think there's something we haven't seen, a third side to her. Just keep pushing, may she might expose it." Maria reasoned.

Shiori looked at her confused.

"But why? You caused a Spacequake the other day, I don't think you have full control of your powers. Sealing you would prevent the Spacequakes and you wouldn't lose anything." Shiori reasoned, trying to change Miku's mind.

"Oh that? Your concern is touching, but I knew what I was doing when I set off that Spacequake. After all, I didn't set if off close enough to do any damage, didn't it? No need to worry anyways, I've already had someone teach me how to control my powers." Miku smiled, picking up a rose to smell.

"I never got the chance to sing at Tenguu Arena, so when I passed by, I felt the urge and decided to let it go! I just couldn't help myself."

Shiori stared in shock, so the whole reason behind the Spacequake and the panic it caused... was just to sing at that stage? Nothing to do with being attacked, the DEM or anything related to that? Shiori's eyes were shadowed behind her hair as she looked down.

"And the thought of you messing that up and accidentally hurting or killing any of your friends didn't concern you in the slightest?" Shiori asked, starting to worry about what she was seeing from Miku.

"What friends? I don't have any, and why would I need any? Everyone already adores me." Miku answered, and with that Shiori's eyes widened. Miku didn't even care about other people... she did hate men, but she didn't even give any human a real thought.

What had happened to make her this way? Not even Natsumi had ended up this bad, or even the Cassiopeia affected Kurumi if you considered Westcott couldn't have her kill directly as a precaution to keep the illusion he had her in intact.

"...Because they're totally adore you?" Shiori stated, and Maria saw Shiori was the one having her emotional state go downwards.

"Oooooh boy... it finally happened, a Spirit's actually managed to piss you off." Maria said worriedly, not liking where this was heading. "I'm just gonna be silent, you won't listen to any advice I give you right now."

Miku soon noticed Shiori give her an angry look to her surprise.

"You know, I thought you were just misunderstood when I heard you didn't like men... but now I'm starting to doubt that!" Shiori stated, making Miku's eyes widen a bit as she heard her talk like that to her.

"You're intolerably arrogant and prideful, and you can say everyone adores you, but that doesn't hide the truth. If you didn't have those powers they wouldn't give you a second thought! All that adoration you claim to have, the sad truth is it's just a fake illusion your powers have created! If it's not real, then you can never say it's something to be proud of, because it's a lie to even yourself!"

Miku's eyes shook at that as if Shiori had hit a nerve... which she had, she stared for a moment before sighing a bit, though Shiori could tell she was just keeping a strong face to hide the obvious fact her words had done the damage she expected them to.

"How strange, someone talked back to me, insulted me and is immune to being wrapped right under my finger. I should be angry or hate you for it, and yet... now I just want you even more. Perhaps it's because I can't get you the easy way." Miku replied, making Shiori sweat a bit.

"Alright, then let's play a game you and me. I'll give you a chance to actually seal my powers, but... only if you can make Raizen High beat Rindouji at the Ten-Oh Festival, in other words... you need to take first place."

Shiori's eyes widened, based on Hiroto's words from before, this was a large hurdle to clear because Rindouji hadn't lost the first place spot in years.

"...And what if I lose?" Shiori asked, sweating a bit.

"If you lose, I get you and each of the Spirits you've sealed. Do you agree, or do you wanna run away?"

Shiori stared as a drop of sweat trickled down her face. After thinking on it a bit... she breathed as she made her decision, opening her mouth to answer.

The challenge has been made, and now Shido/Shiori has to face Miku's challenge to have any chance of sealing her powers. Worse is this isn't going to be easy, I'm not sure how well I had Miku's words and thoughts imply it, but the one who learn to control her powers... that was Nia, so I think it's pretty clear why Shido ran into Miku only a day after his failure to seal Nia.

Once again, Tohka's being plagued by the same nightmare with additions the prior time lacked... but in three stages this time. Seeing the Spirit Dimension's destruction from the Sandalphon region, then being put into the scene where she has her Inversion in canon... but with a different result, and ending with the usual where Inverse Tohka attacks her. She still has no idea what's going on, and now she's worried its prophetic... and she's too scared to say anything.

Also... here's Shiori in not cross dress form, but gender bender form! *plays cheering noise on a sound machine* And she's gonna stay like that for a while, if only because I find it funny and in character with Natsumi's teasing. *snickers* Also that moment with Mana? It's kinda a variation on how Kotori reacted when Shido used Natsumi's powers to become Shiori in Volume 12 and checked to see if Shiori's breasts were real.

In regards to the scene where Shiori calls Miku out, I'll mention here I kinda felt by word choice at least that Shido was a bit OOC, didn't feel like saying he "hated" her was really in character for him, the exception being Westcott for obvious reasons. Because of that, I changed it to stating her fame was basically a lie, which I personally feel would have likely had more of an impact due to her backstory.

Oh, and yes. Shido's time as Shiori is gonna affect her mind somewhat. Don't worry, it's not that serious, let's just say it'll be interesting while still keeping him generally in character. *snickers* It'll be very interesting.

Anyways, that's all for the Miku arc's start, so get ready for next time when the Ten-Oh festival contest begins! Until then everyone, stay awesome!

Oh! And I should probably mention this in now before I forget and since it's become relevant with Shiori's appearance, but there are certain passive abilities that Shido can now use without his Spirit Ascension due to sealing Rinne during the Rinne Utopia movie arc. Shido is still unaware of most of these abilities, and therefore has yet to use some of them, but he'll start doing so when he discovers Rinne's.

Tohka - Form a mana barrier automatically

Origami - Teleport Dodging

Yoshino - Dampen enemy territories

Kotori - Healing from fatal wounds minus losing his head, doesn't work on wounds caused by blunt force

Kurumi - Hide in his shadow, and only his

Rinne - Secret

Natsumi - Transform into Shiori

Kaguya - Flight

Yuzuru - Weight Manipulation

-Spirit Bond Levels-

Tohka - 95%

Origami - 90%

Yoshino - 84%

Kotori - 87%

Kurumi - 81%

Natsumi - 73%

Kaguya - 62%

Yuzuru - 62%