Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Date A Live.
Mio's POV:
Excellent. Things are going as they should.
Fuyu Hana has killed Minerva Riddell and reclaimed Metatron, and has given it to its rightful wielder. Origami has become the Light Spirit and has been sealed by Shin, making it four out of ten.
Things are still going as planned, but I wonder how things will play out now, given that Origami has become a Spirit earlier than she should?
As I ponder this, I think of a certain game that supposedly happens between the end of season 1 and the start of season 2. One that involves a certain [Ruler]...
Yes. She will be an excellent test, for both Shin and Fuyu.
Yoshino's POV:
So far, things have been going nicely.
Minerva has been dealt with, Origami has become Angel much earlier than canon, and Shido is currently training to use his powers.
Tohka trains him on his swordplay with Sandalphon. Since her powers revolve around using raw energy, this is pretty much the best she can do.
Kotori trains him on utilizing Camael's flames. The increased regeneration from her powers will be a big crutch for future endeavors, but she's training him to not rely on that too much.
Origami trains him on long range combat with Metatron, as well as utilizing its light powers. Since she recently got her powers, this training also helps her out as well.
My training, however, is more complex. Zadkiel's powers give control over water, ice and steam, and Shido has to learn to use all three. Right now, he already has a grasp on using ice, which is helpful for defense, so we're working on that before we move on to water manipulation.
More importantly, however, is the other power Shido got from me: the ability to use Pure Reiryoku. This can easily be a trump card because of just how absurd its usage is, and Shido being able to use it is a big deal, since it could, in theory, make his copied Angels as strong as the originals.
I talked about how Shido had the potential to be a one-man army, but with Pure Reiryoku in the mix, that might actually be possible.
Also, the Spirit Mansion has finally been built. It would've been made earlier due to Yoshino's outburst in canon, but I'm now Yoshino, and I have a pretty good handle on my powers. However, I did give the scenerio to Kotori that if a Spirit did get upset, a normal human household wouldn't last against their rampaging power. Naturally, she agreed, and we decided to construct the Spirit Mansion.
Origami and I have already moved into our new home, and Miyoi was even allowed to live with us. We thought Tohka would take time to ease into moving in with us, but she was surprisingly agreeing this time. So, now all the Spirit, except Kotori, have been moved into the Spirit Mansion, with Miyoi living as an extra.
I look at the date on my phone. It's currently July 25th. There's still a bit of time before the Yamai Arc, so perhaps we should train Shido today as well.
"Yoshino, we have a problem!" Kotori shouts at me from my ear piece. "Tohka's powers have suddenly gone out of control! You need to get over there and help Shido!"
What!? Why are Tohka's powers going out of control!?
Grunting, I quickly change into my Astral Dress and rush outside to help Shido. As I take into the air however, a certain mosaic figure appears right in my time, forcing me to stop.
"Mio!?" I gasp, shocked to see her. "What are you doing here!?"
"I'm sorry, Yoshino, but I can't allow you to save Shido this time." Mio tells me. "As much as I myself hate it, this must happen for it to begin."
Her words leave me shocked. She wants Shido to die? Why? For what purpose?
Before I could even ask her, she puts a hand on my head, and I suddenly lose consciousness.
Ugh... My head...
I wake up to a splitting headache, finding myself back in my old room in Miyoi's old apartment. I sit up and look around the room in confusion, wondering why I'm back here.
"You okay, Partner?" Yoshinon asks, appearing in front of me.
"Aside from a bad headache, I'm fine." I say while rubbing my forehead. "Why are we back in my old room, though?"
"No clue. All remember is that we were going to save Shido, but then that Mio lady stopped us and knocked you out."
...! That's right! Tohka's Reiryoku suddenly went out of control, and Mio Takamiya, for some reason, stopped me from saving Shido!
"I'm confused, partner. Doesn't she need him alive to revive Shinji?"
"Yeah." I reply with a heavy frown. "Him dying literally goes against her own goals."
So many are going through my mind right now. Why did she stop me? Why did she let Shido die? What's this 'it' she mentioned? Is there something I'm missing or not remembering?
I begin trying to remember everything I know related to Date A Live, but the sounds of the door opening breaks my thoughts as we turn our heads to see Origami walking in. "Yoshino!" She gasps, before running up to hug me tightly. "Thank goodness you're awake! I was so worried!"
It's obvious that she heard about how I was knocked out was worried about me, so I wrap my arms around her to comfort her. "Yeah. I'm fine now." I say softly. "Sorry to make you worry."
"I'm glad you're alright." The Light Spirit says before parting from the hug. "Come on. Miss Miyoi is making breakfast."
"Right." I nod, and Origami moves back so I can get out of bed.
I'll think about it after breakfast.
As I sit down to have breakfast, I think about the most recent events. The questions are still floating around in my head, desiring to be answered, but I can't think of anything solid right now.
"I heard about what happened yesterday." Miyoi spoke as she places pancakes on the table. "Tohka's Reiryoku went unstable, and when Yoshino tried to stop her, she got jumped by [Phantom]."
I nod, looking down at my food. "I didn't expect her to appear at all, and before I could even do anything, she had already knocked me out." I grit my teeth. "Because of that, I couldn't protect Shido. He got hurt because I was unprepared." I feel my heart begin to ache. This is the first time I failed to protect Shido, and yet... it hurts so much.
"Ah! I-It's okay, Yoshino!" Origami tries to cheer me up. "It's not your fault that Shido got hurt. None of us expected the Spirit of Origin to interfere."
"Origami's right." Miyoi agrees. "That Casanova won't hold it against you. Plus, he's already made a recovery, so cheer up." I know that, but this guilt is eating me up. I need to know for sure that Shido's alright.
"By the way, why are we back in our old apartment?" I ask.
"Ah, right. You were knocked out at the time. Well, after Tohka's rampage, Kotori decided to do some renovations to the Spirit Mansion, so we moved back here for the time being."
"I see."
We finish breakfast, and Origami and Miyoi got their school stuff. "Alright. Let's get going."
"Wait." I speak up. "I want to come along. I need to know that Shido's alright."
"That's fine." Miyoi shrugs. "They usually meet at our apartment anyway, since it's closer to school." I nod and the three of us walk outside.
"Hey! Morning, everyone!" We hear Shido greet us as as he, Tohka and Kotori run over to us.
"Good morning, Shido!"
"Oh, good morning, Itsuka-kun!" Tohka and Origami both greet Shido.
"Coming out as well this time, Yoshino?" Kotori asks me. "Planning to take a walk?"
"Something like that, but I wanted to check on Shido." I reply.
"Shido's fine. It was reckless of him to approach Tohka while her powers were going berserk, but thankfully, it wasn't anything too major."
"Thank goodness for that." I say with relief. Looking up at Shido, I give him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Shido. I wanted to come save you, but-" Shido interrupts me by patting me on the head.
"Hey, don't worry about it." Shido says with his usual kind smile. "I heard about what happened. I don't blame you at all. I'm just glad you're okay." His words of forgiveness ease the guilt in my heart and I smile.
"See? Told you it was fine." Miyoi says. "Now, how about we head to school?"
"Yeah, let's-Hey wait!"
"Huh? What's up?" Yoshinon asks. "Did ya see something interesting?"
"Yeah! That!"
I look in the direction Shido was pointing...
...
...
"What..." I barely whisper, shocked by what I'm seeing.
In the distance, at the heart of the city, was a tower with blue roots surrounding it. I recognize it clearly. Neo Tengu Tower.
"What? Shido, have you forgotten our town's new symbol, the Neo Tengu Tower?" Kotori asks, sounding disappointed.
"Neo Tengu Tower?" Shido asks.
"Yep. It was just finished, and it's still a hot topic." Miyoi tells him. "From what I've heard, it's opening in August."
"Does it even have any floors inside? The thing looks like a complete root tower!" Yoshinon comments.
Miyoi shrugs in response, and I look back at Neo Tengu Tower. If that thing's here, then it can only mean one thing.
"Shido!"
And a single girl's voice calling out to Shido was all the confirmation I need as we turn to the owner of the voice. Standing there was a girl with short, light pink hair, with part of it tied up in a braid, and light brown eyes, wearing a uniform with a sweater that has the logo of Raizen High School.
This girl is Rinne Sonogami, codenamed [Ruler]. She's the main Spirit of Rinne Utopia, and Shido's "childhood friend".
There's no doubt about it now.
We're currently in the events of Rinne Utopia!
"Yo, Shido, you okay there?" Yoshinon asks, making me look at Shido, who was standing there staring at Rinne like a deer in the headlights.
Ah, that's right. Rinne is supposedly Shido's ideal woman.
"Oh, um..." Shido stutters, unable to answer.
"What's wrong, Shido?" Rinne asks, tilting her head to the side. "Did you already forget about me?"
"Uh um..." Shido still doesn't answer.
"What's wrong with you, Onii-chan?" Kotori asks with a frown. "That's Rinne, your childhood friend, remember?"
"A-Ah, right." Shido chuckles nervously.
"Good morning, Rinne!"
"Good morning, Rinne-chan!" Tohka and Origami happily greet Rinne.
"Oh, good morning, Tohka-chan! You too, Origami-chan!" Rinne returns their greetings, then returns her gaze to Shido. "I've been waiting out here for you guys. Shall we head to school."
Shido just stands their like he's in deep thought.
"Shido, you're spacing out again." Kotori says, looking at him with concern. "If you're still sick, then maybe you should stay home and rest."
"Yeah, maybe I'm not back at 100% yet." He admits. "But I'm fine now."
Rinne looks at him with worry. "You'd better watch out for your health, okay? If you get sick during summer, the heat might drag it on for a while."
"I understand. Thanks for the concern."
I look at Rinne before grabbing Shido's arm. "Shido, there's something I need to talk to you about." I tell him, before looking at everyone else. "You girls go on ahead to school."
Everyone looks at us with confusion, with Rinne especially having a frown on her face. "If you say so." Miyoi shrugs. "Try not to keep him too long, okay?"
"I'll try to make it quick." I reply.
"Okay then. Come on, girls." Miyoi gestures the girls to follow her, leaving me with Shido.
Once they were far enough away from us, I turn to Shido with a serious expression. "Shido, I'm sure you've noticed the abnormalities as of late."
"Kinda hard not to. That tower is a dead giveaway that something's off." He replies, pointing at Neo Tengu Tower.
"Yes, it clearly doesn't belong here, and yet everyone else believes it to be normal except us." I point out. "Based on that, it's obvious that this isn't the Tengu City that we remember."
"Then, where are we?" He asks nervously.
"It's possible we're in an almost exact copy of the actual Tengu City. This may be the work of a new Spirit, and a really powerful one at that."
I see Shido's nervousness grow. "Like...as powerful as you?"
"If a Spirit can make a complete copy of a city and make everyone else believe it's real, then they're definitely someone who could give Partner a run for her money." Yoshinon says seriously. She's right. Rinne as [Ruler] is a SS-Class Spirit like I am now. My stats are higher than hers, but her abilities could force me to have to use Origin Mode.
Of course, that didn't do anything calm Shido, instead making him pale at the thought. "Then what are we supposed to do?"
"Our best bet at getting back home is to find that Spirit and convince her to let us leave." I tell him. "Fortunately, I already have a pretty good lead, and it happens to be your so-called "childhood friend"".
Shido blinks. "You mean...Rinne?"
"You didn't have any memory of her until you saw her, correct?" I ask, and he nods in response. "Well, neither did I, which already makes her suspicious. That makes her our best lead right now. You need to get close to Rinne, but don't do anything to make her realize you're suspicious of her."
"So, what? Do I need to take her out on a date?"
"That's exactly what you need to do!" Yoshinon answers for me.
Shido thinks about it for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I'll do it."
I nod back. "Alright, now get going. At this point, I'm pretty sure you're late."
"Crap! You're right! Gotta go!"
As Shido rushes to get to school, I turn my gaze to Neo Tengu Tower.
So, this is why you stopped me, Mio.
You wanted to test my resolve by pitting me against Rinne.
If that's how it is, then fine.
I swore that I would create a happy ending for everyone, and Rinne is no exception.
I'll find a way to save her from her fate, and let her live alongside the rest of us!
So, here we are! The start of Rinne Utopia!
How will Yoshino keep Rinne from disappearing?