Licking her lips, she tasted sweat.

The Personal Territory that surrounds her body is able to control gravity, humidity, temperature as well as anything imaginable.

Therefore, if one wants to know the reason for perspiration, one must consider external factors. For example, excessive exercise, serious illnesses—

Or, overwhelming panic.

"............"

Tobiichi Origami swallowed her saliva, as though trying to regulate her breathing, tightly held the handle of the high efficiency laser blade <No Pain> in her hand.

Currently wrapping Origami's slender body, is not the school uniform that she is used to wearing, but a suit that has a splicing device and a Realizer unit made for combat equipped.

Modern magicians wear these in order to perform magic, mechanized armor.

Wearing this, the magicians that expands their Personal Territory, could very well be called superhumans.

However—Right now. Origami who is currently a superhuman, has been totally driven into a corner.

"—Uwaaaaaaaa!?"

"......Tch."

In response to the cry that came from the communicator, Origami softly let out a sigh.

A familiar sound. That was the anti-Spirit team that Origami belonged to, an AST member's voice.

That makes—nine people already. All members besides Origami have already been defeated.

"......Ku"

While Origami used surrounding obstacles to hide her figure, she gave an order inside her head.

At once, the light within Origami's Personal Territory bent, the screen showing the scene that Origami's normal vision could not.

Near Tenguu Base where the JGSDF was located, the special training grounds.

It was where Origami and the AST members used when they had the CR-Unit equipped, special areas that have been applied with magic.

And in the center of the desolate forest of rubble, a girl whose hair was tied in a bunch calmly stood.

—Takamiya Mana.

As Origami silently recalled the girl's name, she observed Mana's body posture once more.

Her age is about 14 to 15 years old. Under the left eye of that adorable face is a tear mole, with remnants of innocence still remaining.

However, encasing that petite figure is an unadorable mechanized armor that did not match that girl at all——CR-Unit.

It was slightly different from the models that Origami and the AST members normally use, the shoulders are outfitted with military equipment resembling shields. It is said to be the newer prototype from the AST team's equipment

"—Hey, the last person. Wherever you are hiding, please hurry up and come out now."

Mana simply stated, while totally ignoring the AST members that lay at her feet.

Although it cannot be seen from this angle, but the neutralized eight members of the AST should have collapsed in the shadows of the surrounding obstacles.

It was an absolute one sided power. It was just like having a Spirit as an opponent.

—It was the end of last month when she was posted to this Tenguu base.

It was said, that she was the JGSDF's trump card.

It was said, her ability to control the Realizer unit is one of the top in the world.

It was said—that she k.i.l.l.e.d a Spirit by herself.

Just based on those rumors, she would indeed be an abnormal monster.

However, on her first meeting she said sentences on the lines of "Is there anyone who can beat me here? Even one is okay." Of course, for the AST who prided themselves as elites, there is no way they would take it lying down.

Thus, as an excuse to find out Mana's combat ability, a special mock battle of one versus ten was held.

Although truthfully speaking, Origami had no interest in this......

"......"

Without saying anything, Origami remembered the conversation that she had with Mana the day before.

The day that Mana had been posted to Tenguu base, Origami and the AST members were looking at the battle images from the other day.

Mana looked at the image showed on the screen—Itsuka Shidou, and said.

"—Nii-sama."

Origami has never heard of Shidou having such a sister before. After Origami raised this issue to her, Mana spoke with a shocked expression.

(!! Master Sergeant Tobiichi knows Nii-sama!? Umu......Nn, okay, I can tell you the details.—But, this mock battle, you must participate, this is the only condition.)

After that conversation, there were no other choices left.

In the end, Origami had to participate in the exercise—

The result was the same as what she currently sees now.

Nine members have already been neutralized; Origami has also lost all other equipment aside from her laser blade for close combat.

On the contrary, Mana was still untouched.

"......Hey, at this rate time is going to run out you know?"

Mana let out a sigh, letting out such a statement that seems to lack keigo.

It was not a solution to keep hiding like this. Origami allowed her body to float, appearing in front of Mana.

"—Oh. Finally determined aren't you?"

"......"

Origami gave a mental order in her head, activating the thrusters on her back.

Origami's inventory is only left with one <No Pain>. There is no other available option aside from close combat.

Leaning her body forward, she flew into the sky at an intense speed.

"How straightforward. I don't dislike that you now."

As the corner of Mana's mouth rose, the shields on her shoulder started to change, equipping itself onto her two arms.

"<Murakumo>—Twin Blade Mode."

The next instant, huge blades of light emerged from the tip of the shields.

However, Origami did not stop moving.

Bringing <No Pain> above her head, she accelerated even more.

But Origami knows that she will lose if she rushed in like this.

"—Now's the time."

So, the instant that Mana's and their Personal Territories touched, she rapidly shrank the size of her Personal Territory.

The Territory that is usually expanded to a radius of three and a half meters has been reduced to that of one-tenth.

Instantly, the parts of the thrusters that are outside of the Personal Territory regained their original weight.

At the same time Origami disconnected the thrusters from the wiring suit, grabbed the deactivated <No Pain> tightly and curled up, moving under Mana's elbow.

"Wha......?"

Because of the sudden action, Mana widened her eyes.

The thrusters that lost its controller followed the law of inertia, bearing down towards Mana like a gigantic bullet.

"Tch! Too naive...!"

However Mana swiftly regained composure, using the laser blade to cut the thrusters in half.

Sparks scattered everywhere, the two halves of the thrusters fell to the ground with smoke billowing out.

But- this was the opportunity that Origami was waiting for.

"—Tch!"

The blade of <No Pain> reappeared once more, falling towards Mana's back.

Aiming for the opening as Mana focused on intercepting the thrusters, an unblockable hit.

As Origami had targeted, the blade of <No Pain> left a light scratch on Mana's CR-Unit.

—However.

"Wha......"

Origami was left speechless.

The instant the sharp edge of the laser blade made contact with Mana's equipment; her whole body had the feeling as though one was being constantly stroked by a palm—Origami's movements stopped.

"—Fuu, that was dangerous"

Mana turned her head towards Origami to make eye contact.

Origami felt difficulty breathing. It's unmistakable. Mana had stopped Origami's movements, with just her Personal Territory alone.

......Truly, it wasn't a result that had not been predicted.

It had been considered that with just Mana's reaction time, maybe she could have already dealt with Origami immediately after she had intercepted the thrusters. Whatever the reason, she was right next to Mana, right inside her Personal territory.

But disregarding the above, if it was Origami's Personal Territory that has been shrunk to thirty centimeters, such an action is not impossible, at least that was calculated to be.

But......it was not calculated to be that easy.

"Too bad, it's checkmate."

Mana slowly turned her body, the blade of light touching Origami's shoulder.

At the same time, the alarm above their heads sounded. Afterwards, voices came from the battle suits.

"Battle practice has ended. The winner is Second Lieutenant Takamiya Mana"

After the battle practice.

Origami who returned to the hangar inside the base, was rearranging her thoughts while staring at the ground.

As though wanting to recall that feeling she felt several minutes ago, tightly gripping her right hand.

"............"

Due to deactivation of the Personal Territory, the body feels extremely heavy. Just the act of raising the arm and clenching the fist brings about the abnormal feeling that one is swimming in an extremely viscous mud.

But it was also due to this phenomenon that hinted at her own uselessness, Origami unconsciously added strength to that tightly held fist.

"Takamiya——Mana"

As though she were showing off, that ability to make use of her Personal Territory and special suit to that extent. Truly, she was without doubt a legendary genius.

This should be something to celebrate. Mana is a human, an AST member. Meaning, she has the same goal to take down Spirits like Origami. If there are more magicians that are just like her, the success rate for combat should greatly increase.

But, even though this fact had been understood, an unexplainable sense of frustration grew stronger and stronger within Origami's heart.

"......She's strong"

Origami stared at her clenched fist and said. At the same time, a voice came from overhead.

"—You're amazing too, Master Sergeant Tobiichi."

Hastily raising her head, not knowing when she came close, Mana who was wearing the combat wiring suit is standing there with sports drinks in both hands.

"Don't mention it."

After saying it, she offered the sports drink in her left hand.

"............"

Even though she had just deactivated her personal territory, Mana's movements did not seem to be sluggish at all.

Origami looked at Mana in confusion, at the same time raised her heavy arm and took the bottle.

Mana gave a satisfactory nod, continuing her conversation after taking a mouthful of the drink.

"To tell you the truth, that was really scary. Even though it was just a few millimeters of the tip of the blade, but I haven't had anyone that can touch me in combat for a long time. "

No sense of sarcasm added, just a pure assessment of Origami's ability.

"What must I do—to be as strong as you?"

Origami asked Mana, who looked as though she was troubled with her brows knitting together,

"I've heard you have killed a Spirit before. I'd like to hear the details."

Regarding Origami's words, Mana lightly shrugged her shoulders.

"Killed.......a Spirit, you say? Well, what you've said isn't wrong—"

Faced with that uncertain reply, Origami slightly slanted her head.

"What's the matter?"

"Mm...... the thing is, [that], is a little different from the rest of the Spirits—even so do you still want to listen?"

"Whatever it is, no matter how little is the information. Please tell me."

"Hm, it doesn't matter......Although this can't be widely said in public, but I think in the near future you will have the chance to see it for yourself.—I was posted here for this reason after all."

Towards that declaration that did not reveal much, Origami tilted her head.

"......? I've heard that you had been posted here to boost our combat ability."

"What you said isn't totally wrong. But to be accurate, I was posted here to confirm the signs of [a certain Spirit]."

"A certain Spirit?"

"Yes. All this time, I have been chasing after the most brutal Spirit. Its codename is—"

As Mana was about to continue.

Bang! Bang!

The heads of the two had been hit.

"......Sss"

"It hurts."

Origami and Mana held their heads and turned their heads to the right at the same time.

Standing there was, the AST's team leader wearing the JGSDF's military uniform? Kusakabe Ryoko, in her hand was some rolled up book.

"You. Two......"

The blood vessels on her forehead bulged, and at the same time pointed to the scrap iron retrieved from the training grounds with a *Shwa!*—

It was the thrusters that had been cleanly split into two.

"Didn't I say it was a mock battle!? Why did you have to destroy such expensive equipment!?"

The two of them, while staring at Ryoko's extended finger, replied.

"I used half-assed methods to try and ambush Second Lieutenant Takamiya but failed."

"Although we say it is a mock battle, but if we don't fight for real—, then won't we obtain inaccurate data? That's what I deduced."

As such, the heads of the two were hit once more.

"What an insight. Tell me that after properly researching the cost of the parts to build those realizer units! Our budget isn't unlimited you know!"

"Understood."

"Got it."

"Really now......"

After leaving behind a "Be more careful next time", Ryoko left shrugging her shoulders.

Once the figure of her back disappeared, Mana unhappily pouted her lips.

"I say, Captain-dono really is a headache. It is because of that that makes her as annoying like those Spirits."

"I agree."

Origami nodded, Mana happily grinned.

"I feel that we can get along with each other very well, Master Sergeant Tobiichi. We are people who treat Spirits and the like as enemies, if we were to be so materialistic, we won't be able to win even if we could."

After saying that, she exaggeratedly shrugged her shoulders.

Origami wordlessly reassessed Mana's face once more.

As expected......Not just the looks, or the atmosphere, they were both very similar to Shidou's.

But, Shidou should only have one sister.

Even if no words were exchanged, but she did see her a few times before. Itsuka Kotori. Needless to say, she was a different individual from Mana.

However—according to Origami's data, Shidou was adopted. The possibility that Mana was Shidou's real sister cannot be totally denied.

"Second Lieutenant Takamiya."

Origami naturally asked.

"As promised. Tell me about the relationship between you and Shidou."

"Shidou......? Who's that?"

Mana tilted her head. ...... That's unusual. Origami continued while stunned.

"A few days before while we were watching the battle with the [Hermit]—that's the name of the youth inside the video. You, who called that person nii-sama. You promised to tell me if I participated in the practice."

"......Sss, Nii—sama......?"

Mana lightly frowned.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just a light headache......"

Saying that, she pressed the side of her head with her hand.

Origami felt that at this moment Mana looked familiar.—Just last month, like Shidou inside the video.

"......Sss, Sorry about that. It's all right now. Ah, that issue about Nii-sama."

Mana shook her head lightly as though trying to shake off the pain, retrieved a very small pendant from the chest area of her battle uniform

And, opened it. Inside was a photograph of a small boy and girl.

"—Shidou."

Origami softly spoke. That was undoubtedly, Itsuka Shidou when he was young. And at his side, was a girl with a tear mole as her feature—that was Mana no matter how you looked at it.

"This is?"

"A photo of the past.—My only clue, between me and Nii-sama."

"Please tell me the details."

Although Origami stated as such, Mana scratched her head as though she was troubled.

"Even so I must apologize......But I don't remember anything at all."

"......? How come?"

"No......To tell you the truth, I don't have memories of the past?"

"Amnesia?"

"It can be simply understood like that.—But, once I saw that image, I recalled something. I have called that person Nii-sama before in the past."

"Then why, must you still give me that condition?"

Origami said in surprise, Mana apologetically bowed her head

"No—......I wanted to see Master Sergeant Tobiichi's ability. In this platoon you must be considered the strongest. To be honest, you've exceeded my expectations."

"............"

Origami wordlessly looked at Mana's face. Even though it was a one sided win she said that her expectations were exceeded, her heart felt a little complicated.

Mana looked up at Origami and continued.

"That......Master Sergeant Tobiichi. I'm sorry, but I have another request to ask of you."

"What is it?"

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

"..........."

Not knowing since when the situation seems to have reversed......Origami thought for a while, slightly nodded her head and agreed.

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

"Right."

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

"Umu......"

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

"......Okay?"

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

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

"Is that so?"

Origami nodded slightly in response to Mana's frantic shouts.

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

"Not a joke. Those were correct measurements."

"..................."

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

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

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

"Lovers."

◇

"Hold it. What are you doing Shidou?"

"Hehh?"

In the living room at home, Itsuka Shidou who was asked this question all of a sudden incoherently responded.

Turning his head, with black ribbons tying her hair into two bunches, a uniform wearing girl stood with hands on her hips.

Shidou's sister? Itsuka Kotori— Commander Mode.

Round, cute eyes seemed to slant unhappily, with the Chupa Chups lollipop stick in her mouth, pointing straight up as though it were the tail of an animal intimidating its enemies.

"What am I doing......Of course I'm preparing to go to school."

Shidou gave his appearance a glance once over. Wearing a high school uniform (summer uniform), a bag in his right hand, a bento in his left, no matter how you look at it, it is of a person that was about to go to school.

But Kotori shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, as though it were an American sitcom.

"Okay, let me rephrase myself. Shidou, what's that in your left hand?"

"Just a bento."

"For yourself?"

"No......It's for Tohka."

That's right. Shidou's own bento has already been kept inside his bag. The bento in his left hand was for the girl living in the condominium nearby—Tohka.

"Then how do you wish to give it to Tohka?"

"I'm planning to put in inside her mailbox......"

As I can't hand it to her personally at school, so by using the mailboxes spare key, it is placed inside every morning.

Saying this, Shidou gave a short "Ah!"

"Aaa, you're worried about that. It’s that season where the weather gets really warm; you're concerned about hygiene aren't you? Relax; I've put cold packs as well as anti-bacterial sheets. Well it'd be perfect if I'd put dried plums inside, but Tohka seems to hate dried plums—Ah!?"

Halfway through his sentence, his shin was kicked by Kotori. Shidou fell towards the front while curling his body. The bag fell to the floor, but at least he had saved Tohka's bento.

"Wha, What are you......!"

"Because I wanted you to die once. Why are you still putting it in her mailbox?"

"Th, That's because if I don't I can't give it to her. After all we go to school at different times—"

"That's the reason."

Kotori took out the lollipop in her mouth and faced Shidou.

"It has been two weeks since Tohka moved next door. Shidou—have you and Tohka ever went to school together before?"

"Eh? That is......"

Moving his line of sight to the front, he counted the number of times in his head.

"......Now that you've mentioned it, no. Not even once."

Shidou said while using his now bag-free right hand to scratch his cheek.

Shidou and Tohka had once been living together for a short period, but at that time, it seemed as though weird rumors were starting between classmates, in the end they had to go to school at different times.

That being said, they are currently neighbors and not living together, they have no need to be so paranoid anymore. The truth is that the two of them usually go home together.

But not knowing if it has become a habit, but even till now Shidou still goes to school slightly earlier.

Well, it is also because Tohka was more of a late riser than Shidou.

Kotori used her hand to support her forehead with an expression of disbelief.

"After much difficulty in getting her to stay next door, being classmates, there is no reason to waste the event of going to school right?—After all if other Spirits appear again in the future, they won't pay any attention towards Tohka, so you must take this opportunity to be with her."

"Mu, Muuuu......"

Shidou squeezed out a sound from his throat as though he was groaning.

—This world is sometimes prone to sudden disasters known as spacequakes.

Just as it is coined, [Spatial Earthquakes], using the epicenter as the core of the spatial area in a designated perimeter, causes a horrifying explosion that causes everything inside to disappear.

Even though spacequake predicting methods and ways to rapidly rebuild structures have been developed in this modern age, it is still a serious natural disaster.

Although it is not usually publicly revealed—but the real reason for these spacequakes, is due to the existences of [Spirits].

Spirits that are usually non-existent in this world, whenever they materialize, the spatial boundaries would cause a violent quake. This has been believed to be the cause for the spacequakes.

Of course, humans who know of this thought of multiple counter-plans to defend against such a threat.

Among those plans can be divided into two groups.

One, using military might to destroy the Spirits.

While the other plan is—

"You got that Shidou? The next time a Spirit appears, you must make her fall in love with you."

"I, I got it."

Looking as though he gave up, Shidou replied with a sigh.

That's right, that is the other method.

To make contact with the Spirit, engage in conversation with them, after her emotions reach a peak—kiss.

Although not knowing why, Shidou has the power to seal the power of the Spirits.

And targeting that power, is the organization that Kotori belongs to, <Ratatoskr>.

"Very well. So, go to school with Tohka for today. Okay?"

"Mn. Understood."

There is no other meaning behind it. Shidou picked up his bag and headed towards the door.

"Slow down Shidou. You forgot something."

Midway, Kotori's voice sounded, Shidou looked at his hands.

"Ah? Is there anything else?"

"This one, this."

Kotori extended her hand, showing the equipment in her palm,

She then extending her right index finger and pointed towards her ear.

As though she wanted Shidou to put on the equipment immediately.

"......That? Why must I......?"

"Because the time is just right, so let's train you while you're at it. Alright, now wear it already."

As such, Kotori half forced Shidou to put it on his right ear while smiling.

"Tra, Training......What exactly is this for anyway."

"Is that so—Today's topic is, to chase away Tohka's jealousy."

"Ha.....haa? Let jealousy......disappear? What's that all about?"

"Nn. Do you still remember last month's incident when Yoshino appeared?"

"......A,aa."

Shidou softly muttered.

Yoshino is a small female Spirit that appeared after Tohka......But, when she appeared, Tohka started to throw tantrums for no apparent reason.

"That's the key point, if Shidou becomes intimate with other girls, Tohka will become unhappy."

"Eh......? Wha, What?"

At the same time Shidou started to protest, Kotori looked like she chanced upon an idiot, let out a sigh.

"A.n.y.w.a.y, If Shidou's relationship with other girls is good, Tohka's mental state will slowly become unstable—In the end, that will cause a backflow of the Spirit's power. If that is going to happen every time a new Spirit appears, it’s going to be troublesome."—"Therefore,

(Kotori pointed her finger towards Shidou.)

today when you go to school, staff members from <Ratatoskr> are going to do various stuff to fan Tohka's flames of jealousy. Shidou, your job is to deal with it when it happens."

"Deal with it, but......That, what exactly should I do......?"

"It's going to be fine, come on now."

Although Shidou had an expression of total confusion, Kotori seemed to not care at all, pushing Shidou by his back through the door.

"It's almost time for Tohka to leave her house. For further details, just listen to the instructions through the transmitter."

"No, wa, wait a second......"

Despite Shidou not totally understanding his situation, it was no use trying to oppose Kotori in this mode; this fact has been deeply understood over the past two months. Having no other option, he started to wear his shoes.

At this point, Kotori's voice sounded from behind Shidou once more.

"Aaa, right, right, there's one more thing. We have a guest today as well. Well, it’s fine if it’s just a simple greeting, try talking to her for a while."

"A guest?"

Regarding Shidou's question, Kotori did not respond, but went upstairs. Since she said she would give instructions through the microphone, most likely she was going to <Fraxinus> via the balcony on the second floor.

Not understanding what was going on. But, it was not a solution to continue like this. Shidou opened the door and stepped outside.

All of a sudden, the sunlight dazzled Shidou's corneas.

"Nn......"

Today was 5th June. By now it should already be the rainy season, but for some reason the skies were clear recently.—As if the heavens have already used up the rain on last month.

Different from the previous years, there was no cloud cover, strong rays of sunlight directly shone onto the earth, causing the temperature to rise.

Unable to bear with the summer heat, Shidou changed into his summer uniform.

At that moment.

"Aare......?"

Looking at the silhouette standing under the sunlight outside the Itsuka residence, Shidou can't help widening his eyes.

Standing right there is, a girl that looks the same as Kotori's age.

Wearing a cool one piece dress, a white summer hat as though wanting to hide her eyes, under the sunhat revealed blue green hair just like the ocean, and those sapphire eyes are constantly glancing towards Shidou's direction.

Also—what was even more striking was that in her left hand, for some reason, had a funny looking rabbit on it.

"Yoshino!?"

There's no way one would forget the name of a girl with such personality. Shidou walked up to Yoshino's side.

"Yahooo—, Shidou-kun. It's been a while hasn't it—"

At this moment, the rabbit puppet in Yoshino's left hand, started to talk by opening and closing its mouth.

"Oh, oh, It's been a while—That, um, Yoshinon."

While slightly nodding his head, he replied to the puppet. This puppet was called [Yoshinon]. Yoshino's friend.

This puppet was orig-->>

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