Next day, on 10:57am 22nd October.

Shidou looked at the clock displayed on his cellphone screen while, standing at the door in front of the Itsuka house.

The autumn sun felt good but, as expected it was already unpleasantly cold with short sleeves. Sometimes the chilling wind would shake the red leaves on the trees and pat Shidou’s cheeks before passing back to the sky.

“Shidou!”

And at the same time when the clock reached 11am, he could hear a lively voice coming from the entrance of the mansion soaring beside the Itsuka house. When he looked over, he found Tohka wearing autumn fashion clothing running towards him while innocently swinging her hands. He slightly raised his hands to respond to her calling.

“Sorry, did I make you wait?”

“No, it’s right on time. Rather it should be me saying sorry, calling you out all of a sudden”

“Don’t worry! More importantly, where are we shopping today!?”

Tohka tilted her head and asked questions while her eyes were sparkling.

Yes. Last night, Shidou told Tohka he wanted her to follow him to go shopping with him.

“Aah---------let’s see, let’s head to the station for now I guess”

“Umu!”

Tohka nodded back energetically. How should he put it, it felt like she was so happy to be able to go out with Shidou until it can’t be helped. Various emotions like happiness, embarrassment, pleasantness, jumbled up together and Shidou scratched his head while making a wry smile.

“........Shin, don’t forget about today’s goal”

From Reine’s voice unexpectedly shaking his right ear’s eardrum, Shidou twitched his shoulders.

“....... Ye-yes”

Shidou replied back with a soft voice and took a glance at Tohka’s side face while walking beside her.

It was Tohka’s usual face. There was nothing strange at all.

---But, maybe.

“..............”

Shidou gulped.

The figure of the [Other Shidou] that appeared in his school a few days ago passed by his mind.

Yes. This Tohka, might be a fake disguised by Natsumi.

Shidou silently gaze at Tohka’s face while remembering the conversation he exchanged with Kotori yesterday.

“-------------[I am inside one of these. Can you guess which one am I?]............

Just before the day Shidou went out shopping with Tohka. He was with Kotori looking at the photo contained inside the envelope together while making difficult faces before muttering.

“Wha-what does..... This mean?”

“......... If we take it literally then”

The one answering Shidou’s voice was not Kotori but Reine. Just now, she was called over by Kotori through the <Fraxinus>.

Reine lined up the 12 photos on top of the table.

“......... Natsumi will disguise as someone from these 12 people......... That would probably be the case”

“..........uh”

He gasped from Reine’s words. But..........Shidou also somehow guessed that would be the case.

Natsumi’s ability he saw a few days ago. The power of the Angel that reproduced Shidou’s appearance with little difference. If she uses that, it might be possible to disguise exactly as someone else.

“And, it means she’s telling me to guess which one she is disguising as......huh”

“That should be the case........the last part [Before everyone disappears] draws my attention a little though”

Kotori folded her arms together while saying that. Shidou gulped.

“The thing......... Is the time limit right?”

“That might......be the case. Honestly, information is too little to make a decision”

“......... Anyway, we have to move out as soon as possible”

Reine looked at the photos while nodding difficultly before placing her hands on her mouth.

“Even if you say move out, just what are we going to do?”

“Let’s see..........first off?us<Ratotoskr>, will try placing Reiha observation for everyone taken in these photos. The opponent is a Spirit possessing her full powers. Things will be fast if we find even a little Reiryoku leak out”

“I see..........”

“.......However,”

And, Reine opened her mouth to continue Kotori words.

“........... It’s better to think the possibility in observing her reiha is extremely low. So, at the same time, Shin, we will probably have you make a move too”

“Yeah....... So what should we do?”

Shidou gripped his fist while nodding. Although the cause is still unknown, thinking back, it was originally all of this began when Shidou harmed Natsumi’s mood during the first contact. Also, he dragged everyone into this. He can’t just keep quiet and look at the situation.

But.

“........That’s true. For the time being, choose the sequence on who you want to date”

“..........Huh?”

From Reine’s voice, Shidou let out a dumb voice.

“Da.....te? Wha-what does that mean?”

When Shidou asked with his eyebrows brought close together, Kotori answered indifferently this time.

“It is what it means. Starting from tomorrow, we will have Shidou date all 12 members shown in the photos one by one. And then-------you will check whether if you feel there is something odd with your date partner”

“........! I see!”

No matter if Natsumi has transformation abilities, and even though she can reconstruct outer factors like voice and appearance, if they were to converse, he might be able to notice a point that is amiss from usual.

However, it is not like there is not something wrong.

“..........but, everyone taken in the photo....right”

When Shidou asked with sweat flowing down his cheeks, Reine [......aah] replied back.

“............. Of course, it’s not like we will finish with all the members in one day. Even though we are in a hurry--------the limit for one day is probably 3 to 4 people”

“No, that is not the problem............well even if Tohka and the rest is okay, Yamabuki, Hazakura, Fujibakama, Tama-chan-sensei and........even Tonomachi, I will have to invite these people to dates right........?”

From Shidou’s words, Kotori shrug her shoulders as if she given up.

“Haaa........now isn’t the time to be saying that right. Rather, Shidou having that kind of thoughts, might be what Natsumi wants”

Told by Kotori with a rebuking tone, Shidou [Uu........] faltered.

“........Tha-that’s right”

After Shidou said that, Reine made a small nod.

“........... Of course, we will provide maximum support as much as we can. Although it will be in a range where Natsumi’s eyes won’t touch..........in the end”

“Yes..........then, I will be counting on you for the support, Kotori”

But Kotori, frowned her eyebrows difficultly.

When Shidou twist his head from Kotori’s reaction, Reine raised her voice.

“........... Yes, sorry but, Kotori can’t join in as this time support”

“Eh? Is that so?”

“Well that is just about right. ..........even I am one of the suspect”

Kotori *fuun* exhaled while saying that. Shidou [Ah] opened his eyes wide.

“..........so that’s the case. This time, I will be serving in the support role. I am sorry to Kotori but, until we can determine which one is Natsumi, Kotori cannot enter the <Fraxinus>”

“Yes. It is a necessary measure. There is no choice”

Kotori shrug her shoulders in indifferent manner beyond expectations. During the point of time her picture was put into the envelope Natsumi sent.

It’s certainly made sense. There was no out of the place feeling coming from Kotori’s talk until now but, as long as there is 0.1 percent that she might be Natsumi, she cannot enter the <Fraxinus> which is the central figure of <Ratatoskr>. Something like a Spirit holding hostility to him suddenly appearing in the bridge, just thinking about it is dreadful. Thinking like that, it should be proper to leave the support role to Reine who is not in the suspects.

“But......... I wonder why Reine-san isn’t included. Even though Tama-chan-sensei and Yamabuki and her gang is included”

“..........Hnn, this is completely a guess but, I was not around you when Natsumi was selecting the suspects. Recently, I have been secluding myself inside the <Fraxinus> investigating and analyzing Natsumi.

“Aah........I see”

“..........well naturally, there is also the possibility I might not have matched Natsumi’s discernment”

Reine said that while shrugging her shoulders in self-mockery. It was a joke which was somewhat troubling to respond to. Shidou made a powerless wry smile.

Kotori made a cough to bring the talk back to normal.

“Anyway. Our winning condition is in the end, to make Natsumi fall in love and seal her Reiryoku. Please pay attention and be careful.”

Midway in her words. Kotori resentfully distorted her face and

“-------if we harm Natsumi’s mood any more than this then, rather than sealing Natsumi, we might be in danger with her taking hostages.”

“..................!?”

From Kotori’s words, Shidou felt his heart being squeezed.

“Wa-wait a second. Why hostage”

“....... Try thinking about it. Natsumi told you to try looking for her in these people.---------if there is 2 people with the same face, then the choices will become half”

“........! That is......”

Shidou’s face was filled with fear.

It’s true that she was right. Even that time when Natsumi disguised as Shidou, only when she was lined up beside the real Shidou did Tohka and Origami was able to see which one was the real one.

If it was Natsumi who has met a painful experience once, she would probably not make the same mistake.

Then what would she do. The answer was very simple.

“............she will confine the person she is disguising as somewhere else.”

“That’ll probably be right”

When Shidou said painfully, Kotori made a sullen face while nodding.

“There is no postponement. We will investigate 12 people in 3 separate days, and find Natsumi no matter what”

“Aah....... I will definitely find her”

Shidou re-gripped his fist and tilted his head with energy.

---And, now in the present.

Shidou was walking beside Tohka while examining her manners.

“Nu? What’s wrong Shidou?”

“! No, nothing...........”

Shidou suddenly met with Tohka’s eyes and unnaturally averted his sights. While scratching his cheeks, he fastens his walking pace by a little. Starting from the face, body, voice, the movement of tilting her head, the gesture that looks like a small animal, all of it perfectly belongs to Tohka inside Shidou’s memories. At the very least, she does not look like a fake.

But, that perfectness in return looked suspicious, and Shidou’s head was in disorder.

And, maybe guessing Shidou’s confusion, Reine's voice could be heard from the Incam. “..............calm down. Even by any chance Natsumi is disguising as Tohka, she probably won’t make any faults if you stay normal. It might be good to stir her up a bit”

“Stir her up....... You mean”

After Shidou replied softly, he immersed himself in his thoughts and--------once again brought his sights back to Tohka.

“He-hey Tohka. How long has it been since we come out together with just the both of us?”

“Mu? Why so suddenly?”

Tohka send her sights back in wonder. Shidou swing his hands to trick her.

“No, it’s just somehow. I thought, we weren’t really coming out with just the both of us.”

“Mu..........is that so? I feel we went shopping just a few days ago but........”

“Aah, really?”

While saying that, Shidou *fuumu* groaned in his mind. The day Shidou and Tohka met Natsumi, they also came shopping on that day. It looks like she remembers properly.

Wondering what she interpreted from Shidou’s silence, Tohka hurried and made an add-on.

“So it’s that, I think its okay no matter how many times we go out. Umu, today I was very happy and had a lot of fun.”

After saying that, she made an unworried smile. Towards that cute expression, Shidou’s face turned hot on reflex.

But, now wasn’t the time to be thinking about that. Shidou distorted the side of his lips and made it look like a shape of a fearless smile. And, after taking gulp, he opened his mouth.

“Really, amazing. That’s exactly like Tohka.-----right, Natsumi”

“................!”

When Shidou call out to her, Tohka twitched her shoulders and stopped her legs on the spot.

He made a small gasp from Tohka’s reaction and Shidou also stopped walking.

It’s not like he has any positive proof, he just made a nonchalant single comment with the aim of trying to trick her. Honestly, even by any chance Tohka was a fake disguised from Natsumi, he thought she would might not have shown any reaction.

However, from Tohka’s reaction, no way---------

When Shidou stiffened his body for nervousness, Tohka slowly faced towards Shidou and looked at him with a glare. That sight was filled with hostility that makes him think it does not belong to the normal Tohka.

Shidou poured strength into his fist.

“Don’t tell me, is it really you......?”

But,

“..........Shidou. Who is that woman called Natsumi? Just now, who did you make a mistake in calling?”

“Heh?”

Tohka asked him in a bad mood, and Shidou felt the strength coming out from his firmed fist.

Rather than being flustered from her identity found out, Tohka’s manner looks purely like she was in a bad mood.

“...........Shin. Right now you are in a date. If you make a mistake in calling out a woman’s name with someone else, I think it is only normal to be in a bad mood”

“Ah........tha-that’s also........true”

After Shidou mumbled while letting sweat ooze down his cheeks, he spread his hands out to calm Tohka who was sending him a doubtful sight.

“So-sorry, sorry. Hoora, it’s that, have you heard of [Natsu-mi]? It was originally a greeting in the Dominica commonwealth and has been popular recently........”

“Is that so.....?”

Naturally it was a random speech. Shidou nodded while apologizing to the people of Dominica in his heart.

“Fumu, what meaning is it?”

“E-errr.....something like, I love you......”

“Muu........”

When Shidou answered something random, Tohka’s cheeks slightly blushed.

“Mu......I see. Fufu..........”

After saying that, her cheeks relaxed. It seems he has escaped a predicament. Shidou made a relieved sigh.

But at that moment, Tohka noticed something again and twitched her shoulders.

“Then, before that, what does the [That’s exactly like Tohka] mean?”

“Eh? Ah, errr, that’s..........”

Unable to think of a good excuse, he became flustered. He sensed Tohka’s face getting more and more doubtful.

“............. This is bad. Everything will be for naught if Tohka is in a bad mood. Can you do something to take back her mood?”

“You say mood but......it’s not going to be that easy------“

Shidou made his eyebrows into a 八 kanji shape while looking around---------and [ah] raised a soft voice.

“He-hey, Tohka. It’s not afternoon yet right? It’s a little early but, can we go eat?”

After saying that, he pointed towards the restaurant across the street. There was a poster put up saying [All-you can eat lunch time in session!] under the signboard showing the shop name.

“Nu? Lunch huh. Well....I don’t mind”

Tohka said that with a stern face. Normally, her eyes would be sparkling and her voice would be bouncing but....... Well, it can’t be helped.

Shidou brought Tohka who was making a difficult face along with him while entering the restaurant.

Although it was quite packed because it was lunch hour but, luckily they managed to secure a seat without waiting. He left his bag into the basket under the chair, and sends his sights towards Tohka sitting opposite him while whipping his hands with a wet towel.

“Okay, Tohka. It looks like it is in an all-you can eat style. Go ahead and take your food first”

“Mu........”

Tohka smiled broadly for an instant from Shidou’s words----------however, she swung her head as if she remembered something.

“I’m okay. Shidou you go take first.”

“Eh? Why again?”

“Nothing. Well then, go faster”

“O-ou.........”

Urged by Tohka who was stubborn and won’t give up, Shidou stood up from his seat.

“What happened to her, that Tohka”

“............. I do not know. But, it is probably safer if you follow her wishes here”

Reine said to him. Shidou [That’s true] made a short answer before walking to the corner with various foods lined-up.

He then took a plate on his hands and dished up some random food before heading back to his seat.

Nonetheless, maybe because of the nervousness of having to find Natsumi, it’s not like he had that much appetite. What Shidou brought back were a small amount of salad and few slices of grilled chicken.

“Okay then, Tohka go and take yours”

“................mu”

When Shidou said that, Tohka stared at the food Shidou brought back before standing up from her seat.

He slightly tilted his head while sending Tohka’s back off. He thought she was still thinking about the thing just now but........something feels off. What on earth happened to make that Tohka make such a difficult face during eating time.

When he was thinking about things like that, Tohka came back faster than he anticipated. She placed the tableware on the table and sat on the chair.

“Well then, let’s eat”

“Aah, that’s right.........wait”

Being lured in, around the time he was by Tohka when she joined her hands to make an Itadakimasu[8C 1], Shidou raised his eyebrows.

The reason was simple. The amount of food Tohka brought back was extremely little. And it was even less than Shidou who has no appetite.

“Tohka........? You, is that enough for you?”

“Nu..........umu, it is enough. My stomach will be full with this much”

“................!?”

From those words, Shidou opened his eyes wide in fear.

---Impossible. The food in front Tohka she dished up was very little in amount. Unless she was a female high school student with a small appetite, there is no mistake, that amount will not make her full. And Tohka, was a glutton standing out from the people Shidou knew of.

He made a small poke on the Incam to tell that it was an emergency situation. But, a disturbance was running inside the <Fraxinus> without Shidou needing to inform them.

“No way..........Tohka can, with that amount........!?”

“Don’t tell me she feels sick!?”

“Impossible! That hungry monster is!?”

The sounds of the crew making a commotion and restlessly operating the console were finely shaking the eardrum in his right ear. Maybe from the confusion, he felt as if he heard a somewhat rude naming but, Shidou chose not to ask for now.

That’s because, this un-Tohka like action has hinted a single possibility.

Which means--------there is a possibility this Tohka is not real.

“Reine-san........!”

“..........Calm down. Let’s look at the situation for now”

Reine told him in a soft voice. Shidou placed his hands on his chest to calm the heartbeat which turned violent before he knew it, and looked back at Tohka.

“Tohka......... What’s wrong? Did you get sick?”

“Nothing like that. why?”

“Why you say....... Well that’s because”

Even when Shidou took a peek at Tohka’s plate, Tohka might have noticed his sights or might not have notice *Pan*! She joined her hands together.

“Anyway, Itadakimasu!”

“A-aah........itadakimasu”

As if he was lured in, Shidou joined his hands together, and started setting his hands on the food dished onto his plate. And like that,

“Gochisousama[8C 2]..........”

“Ha!?”

Shidou immediately heard Tohka’s sinking voice coming from the opposite side, and he opened his eyes wide in shock. When he looked over, he found out the food on top of Tohka’s plate has already disappeared.

“Di-did you eat all already........?”

“..........umu. It was delicious”

Tohka joined her hands while saying that, and made a Gochisousama. But, she was clearly in a state where she was not satisfied.

“Tohka..........maybe it isn’t enough for you?”

“! The-there is no such thing”

Tohka swing her head in a panicked manner.

But at that moment, [Kuuu--] a puppy barking-like sound echoed from Tohka’s stomach.

“..........err, just now”

“Thi-this is enough for me”

*Kyuu*,*korokorokoro*.

“.......Tohka?”

“I-I told you I am okay!”

*Gyuuu*,*Guruguruguruguru*.

“U-umuu........”

The sound of Tohka's stomach echoed noticeably loud and she made a face looking downwards. Shidou brought his eyebrows closer in suspicion.

“See......as expected it is not enough for you. What happened to you, today?”

When Shidou asked, Tohka took a moment before lifting her face in resignation.

“........there was a [Pull away from a girl that eats more than a guy] show in the television I saw yesterday.......”

“Heh........?”

“So........I don’t want to be [Pull away] from Shidou, and........”

Tohka narrowed her shoulders in embarrassment. *Haa* Shidou made a relaxed sigh.

“I, prefer girls who eat a lot with energy though”

“! Re-really!?”

“Aah. Rather, I feel sad when food is left behind”

When Shidou said that, Tohka suddenly gasped, and made an energetic nod before standing from her seat.

And after walking through the area with food lined up, she came back with a big plate fully-loaded with delicious looking food. The nearby customers and hall staffs were sending their shocked sights towards them.

“Itadakimasu!”

But, Tohka did not really bother about them and started eating the delicious looking food.

“It was the usual Tohka......right?”

3:15pm. Returning back to his home, Shidou called back Tohka’s words and actions while checking the time displayed on the screen of his cell phone, and mumbled to himself.

After lunch, Shidou walked around the city and finished his shopping, and he was talking with Tohka the whole time but---------he could not catch sight of any strange points.

Of course, following what Reine said, he tried many ways to stir Tohka up and asked Tohka about things she only knows about. But Tohka, replied all of the question calmly. Thinking normally, she doesn’t seem to be disguised from Natsumi.

“As expected, it should be someone else I wonder?”

After Shidou said that to the Incam, Reine’s voice replied back from his right ear.

“......... It’s still not time to say anything. Anyway, there is no other choice but to believe Natsumi’s transforming ability can be broken for now, and continue your actions. It is almost time. We will have you enter the 2nd investigation”

“-------Yes. Who is next? Where should I go.........”

“..........Hnn, Shin should just stay there”

“Eh?”

“........the timing is good, and since it piles up on the person’s wishes. Since we are at it, I made it so it could be dealt with simultaneously. I think she is going to be there soon-------“

And, right in the middle of Reine’s words, *Pin**Pon* the house chime rang.

“Hn? Who is it?”

Even when he looked at the intercom screen, no one was being shown on it. After Shidou tilted his head while walking out the corridor, he walked towards the entranceway and opened the door.

“Yes, who are-------“

“Baaa!”

“Uwah!?”

The moment he twisted the doorknob, something flew out from the door gap towards him and Shidou bend backwards on reflex.

At that occasion the cell phone he was holding slipped of his hands and flew towards the [That] that brought its face out from the entranceway. But after [That] evaded the cell phone with amazing body control, it joined its small arms together skillfully while *Puri**Puri* getting angry.

“Mou--. Shidou-kun. That’s dangerous”

When he looked carefully, he found out, it was a puppet imitating a rabbit. It was Yoshino’s friend [Yoshinon].

However its form was a little different from the [Yoshinon] he knew about.

That’s because, there was a stitched injury on its face, and a giant bolt was pierced into its head. It looks like a cyborg.

“You’re Yoshinon.....right?”

“Yes. I am everyone’s idol Yoshinon-?”

After saying that, and talk foolishly. *Hou* Shidou sighed. Although it was wearing such an eerie attire, it was still the same [Yoshinon] at heart.

And, when Shidou picked up the cell phone he dropped on the floor, the door opened slowly at that moment and a young girl peeked inside in a scared manner through the gap.-------it was Yoshino. Since Shidou let go of the door knob because he was surprised, only the left hand [Yoshinon] was able to enter.

“Ou, Yoshino too. Sorry. I was a little surprised and the door........”

The opened door opened even further--------and Shidou twitched again once more.

Standing in front the door, Yoshino’s attire was the same with [Yoshinon] and different from usual.

A black pointed hat with wide visor, and again a pure black robe. She was also holding a small broom in her right hand. Yes-------Witch attire that looks exactly like Natsumi’s Astral Dress Shidou was looking for right now.

“Yo-Yoshino.........that’s..........”

When Shidou asked, [Yoshinon] poked at Yoshino’s cheeks to motivate her.

“Go on go on, Yo-Yoshino”

“U-un.........!”

After Yoshino nodded, she looked up at Shidou as if she made up her mind and moved her lips.

“And, Trick or treat........”

“Heh?”

Shidou went blank on Yoshino’s words for an instant, and immediately *Pon* hit his hand after understanding the meaning.

“Ah, I see. That, is a Halloween costume”

It’s true that it was that season. Shidou nodded as if he was convinced.

“Which means...........Yoshinon is a”

“Ufufu, the monster Frankenstein”

*Gah*! It raised both its hands up and [Yoshinon] threaten him. But nonetheless, even if he was directed with cute round eyes and soft paws, it was lacking intensity.

“........Reine-san, perhaps when you mean that person wishes.”

“..........aah, after watching it on television, Yoshino said she wanted to try it once”

“I see.......”

Shidou scratched his cheeks from Reine’s reply. Speaking specifically, Halloween is on the 31st of October but, well if it was feeling the atmosphere then even now is okay.

Although he was surprised because the silhouette looked like Natsumi but, the cute witch look matches the petite Yoshino.

“Hn, it’s cute, Yoshino”

“..............”

When Shidou said that, Yoshino gasped and faced downwards in embarrassment.

And then, *Chon**chon* [Yoshinon] poked his hands.

“Hey hey. I am happy because you praised Yoshino but, are you forgetting something?”

“What.......are you, Ah, candy. Wait a second”

Now that he thinks about it, he had forgotten something important. He walked to the kitchen and looked around the cupboard with candy usually stored in it.

But, the timing was bad and all types of candy were gone. It seems there would be chupa chups if he went to Kotori’s room but, if he were to lay his hands on it, he did not know what kind of crazy retribution will be waiting for him later.

“Ah--........sorry. It looks like I have no candy now”

Returning back to the entranceway, after lowering his face apologetically, Yoshino dropped her shoulders depressed.

“Is.... That so”

“I am really sorry. I will properly prepare it next time.........”

But, during the time Shidou tried telling her, [Franken Yoshinon] brought its face closer.

“Ou----toou? Now that’s a problem Oniii-saan. We are not doing it for fun too you know.------Yoshino! Go on, do it!”

“e......eeh?”

“Mouu-----. That is why, it is Trick or treat,?Trick or treatI will play a prank on you if you don’t give me candy”

“Ah........”

Yoshino let out her voice as if she remembered something and looked up at Shidou with her big round eyes.

“O-oi.......?”

“Iyaa----, there is no choice since there is no candy. I wonder should I let Shidou-kun fully taste Yoshino’s prank”

“Pra-prank..... What are you planning to do?”

When Shidou took a step back and asked, [Yoshinon] made an ominous smile.

“Well that’s......you know”

And with a meaning, it made an eye signal to Yoshino. When it did that, Yoshino’s cheeks blushed and she averted her sights.

“No, what-->>

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