Volume 11 - CH 3(2/2)
“Alright......”
He calmed down by taking a deep breath and held the kitchen knife again.
At that moment.
“----Shi-shidou. I’ll help out”
Kotori’s slightly trembling voice could be heard from behind.
“Hnn? Aah, thank you. Then, over there-----“
Shidou turned around while saying that and-------froze. His hands were trembling from his loss of composure and that caused the knife to fall and stab into the ground.
However, it was unavoidable. Kotori and Yoshino------Both of them weren’t in their familiar child appearances but have grown to girls who are about the same age as Shidou.
Both of them grown taller, and were covered with a special beauty to girls who placed their hands on the door to adulthood. Unlike Yoshino, whose breast grown accordingly too, Kotori’s breast did not change much.
But, that was not all. It was their outfits.
He don’t know the reason but, both of them were wearing an apron with frills over a swimsuit and a head dress on their head, making them look like summer maids which was out of season. What’s more, it seems that they are embarrassed because, they were contracting their shoulders with red cheeks in an uncomfortable manner.
“Wh-what are you two wearing, both of you!? Forget that, your body-----“
After Shidou said that in a flustered tone, both of them looked at each other before cuddling into Shidou’s arms with awkward movements.
“W-why not”
“That.....is right. More importantly, please let us.......help too”
“He-help out......”
Sweat flowed down when Shidou heard their words. Since they were joining Shidou’s arms, he might accidently feel their breast if he made any movements. Especially, Yoshino’s were dangerous. It seems that there is some room for him, in Kotori’s side.
“......Shidou? Are you thinking of something rude?”
“......!”
Kotori sensed something and glared at him. Shidou quickly swung his head. Now that he thinks about it, Kaguya said the same thing in the morning. For a moment there, he was about to leak out a question about “Do girls with small breasts have sharp senses?” but, Shidou will become today’s Ikedukuri[11B 1]?for dinner if he asked so, he gave up on the thought.
This situation was as if he was dreaming. But.........Shidou had an idea for this development.
That’s obvious. That’s because Shidou has experienced looking after this power just a few days ago.
“Natsumi! This is your work huh!?”
Shidou saw the top of her head twitch while it was poking out from the shadows of the sofa, when he shouted.
After a while of silence, Natsumi gave up and slowly revealed her face. As expected the Spirit-Natsumi, who has the power of transformation was over there.
Just like Kotori and Yoshino, Natsumi grew up to a high school girl. But.......she was wearing a normal maid outfit and was not like them, who were in stimulating outfits.
“-------wait over there damn it!”
Kotori shouted when she saw Natsumi.
“Natsumi! Why aren’t you in a swimsuit! We already agreed that all of us will go like that!”
Natsumi looked away awkwardly at Kotori’s words.
“....No, well you see.........thinking carefully, it’s kind of embarrassing and so uncool and somewhat idiotic.......”
“So you let us wear something this idiotic!”
“Ko-Kotori-chan.....calm down......”
Even though Yoshino calmed her down, Kotori still looked pissed. She rolled up her invisible sleeves and jumped towards Natsumi.
“Why you little; I’ll make you like us!”
“U-uwahh!”
Natsumi raised a screechy shout and quickly ran away from the shadows of the sofa. However, Kotori did not give up too. both of them then started running around the living room.
“Wait right there! I’ll tear off those clothes..!”
“Iyaaaaaaaaah! I.am. going. To. Get. Raped!”
“Who the hell is going to do that!?”
Kotori shouted to Natsumi, who said that with teary eyes. Dust puffed up nearby them because they were running around vigorously.
“O-oi, both of you calm down!”
“It’s, not good ...... To fight......”
When Shidou was trying to stop them, he took of his apron and walked to the living room. Yoshino with a troubled face followed him from behind.
But, that didn’t go well. Since they were playing tag in the living room with many obstacles, Natsumi’s leg got caught under the carpet and fell towards their direction. Of course, Kotori who was chasing behind her also had to stop suddenly. She dived to Natsumi’s back with all her might.
“Wa-wawa!”
“Wha-----!”
“Kyaa............!”
“Wai------“
All their voices mixed together and afterwards; they caused a grand crash with the sofa and table dragged into the process. Incomparable to the amount of dust when Kotori and Natsumi were playing tag, huge amounts of dust puffed out.
“Ouch......are you all alright-----!?”
Shidou raised his body while saying that with a groan but-------his voice screeched.
That’s because, his face was thrust into Natsumi’s skirt when they fell. Natsumi’s butt which was separated with one thin cloth expanded in his view, causing him to gasp.
“Gyaa--------------!”
“U-uwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?”
The same time they shouted, Natsumi stood up as if she felt a backlash from something. Shidou’s face got squashed for a moment there.
“Hey, what are you doing Shidou!”
“A-are you okay, Shidou-san......”
“Y-yeah-------“
Shidou, who replied to their voices, stopped his words again. It probably got caught onto something when they fell; Kotori’s bottom swimsuit was slid down------as for Yoshino; her bra part got unraveled, causing her voluptuous bust to peek out from the side of the apron (Yoshinon performed a fine save though).
They realized that a moment later. They dropped their sights onto their body and their face blushed red.
““Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?””
Both of them shouted at the same time and crouched down to hide their breast and buttocks.
At that moment, Natsumi was pushed over when she stood up and once again fell onto Shidou’s face with her butt.
“Ukyaaaaaaaaaa!!”
“..........!?”
3 shouts and 1 voiceless shout echoed throughout the Itsuka living room.
“Haaa........that sucked.....”
After a few minutes. Shidou cool his nose with a wet towel while making a big sigh.
Kotori, Yoshino, and Natsumi already reverted back to normal. From what Shidou could see, they were dropping their shoulders apologetically.
“Fuun.......I’m sorry”
“I am sorry....Shidou-san”
“.......sorry”
Starting from the right side; they started apologizing. Shidou made another sigh before making a wry smile.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.------it’s my fault to make you all concerned about me. You wanted to cheer me up right?”
After Shidou said that, 3 of them nodded while they were still apologetic.
Looking at them like that, Shidou scratched his head. It seems, he was so down that the girls could easily find out. Even though he was told not to break the Spirits mental state in a daily basis, this was the completely opposite of what he should be doing. After Shidou placed the towel on the table he *pan**pan* slapped his face to take focus.
“-------Thanks, you girls. I am focused now. I am okay now”
Shidou saw their cheeks relaxed a bit when he said that.
Kotori immediately opened her eyes before folding her hand to act tough.
“Fu-fuun......That’s good. I won’t pry on what happened to you but, the Spirits will feel uneasy if you keep that up”
“Aah, sorry”
Shidou felt that Kotori acting tough was kind of cute so he made a wry smile while shrugging his shoulders.
But, it seems Kotori does not like to be taken lightly by Shidou. She made her mouth look like a へ shape and continued.
“It’ll be a problem if you keep losing focus like that. We won’t know when a Spirit will appear. Of course for unknown spirits, there is still Kurumi and also even <Devil>----“
“Eh?”
Shidou raised his eyebrows in reflex when he heard the codename Kotori said.
“He-hey wait a second there, Kotori. <Devil>......? Who is that Spirit?”
He looked back at Kotori and replied back.
<Devil>. At the very least, it was a name Shidou did not hear before.
However, Kotori brought her eyebrows closer in doubt.
“What are you saying Shidou. It’s that Spirit hunter <Devil> you know? Alongside <Nightmare>-Tokisaki Kurumi, she’s the target we have to be the most cautious to. Don’t tell me you forgot”
“Alongside....with Kurumi?”
Sweat flowed down Shidou’s forehead.
This world has a slightly different kind of flow compared to the world Shidou knew. He was forced to know that today. If that’s the case, there is a possibility that a Spirit Shidou does not know has appeared already.
However-----it was hard to believe that a Spirit worth being cautious alongside that worst Spirit-Kurumi would appear.
Kotori folded her hands with deeper doubt when she saw Shidou’s reactions.
“Are you....seriously saying that? What is wrong with you today? It’s as if your memories until yesterday completely disappeared”
“....aah, sorry”
He slightly lowered his head when Kotori’s words were close to the mark. Kotori then made a sigh before making the rod of the Chupa chups in her mouth stand.
“........so, you really don’t remember?”
“Aah......can you explain to me if possible. Er-----about that <Devil>”
When Shidou said that, Kotori sighed once more before nodding.
“<Devil>. We confirmed her manifestation but, we have no success in contact; she’s an unidentified Spirit. And-----“
Kotori left one moment gap before continuing her words.
“------This is just my speculations but, she might be an inverse-type”
“Wha........!?”
Shidou widen his eyes in reflex.
“An Inverse type......? What do you mean? Are you saying that an inversed Spirit appears normally?”
“Like I said, I don’t know the details”
Kotori said it irritated. This information must be something the Shidou of this world has to know.
The question of----why an inversed Spirit appeared did not stop popping out but, there were mountain worth of things he does not know. He regained his composure and continued his questions.
“.........what was that [Spirit hunter] you said just now”
“Just like what I meant.------<Devil> does not appear alone. She will only appear when other Spirits manifested as well............and attack that spirit. For Natsumi, it would have been dangerous if the girls weren't there to save her”
After Kotori said that, she looked towards Natsumi. Maybe she recalled back the events that happened then, Natsumi’s shoulders were slightly trembling.
“Wai-wait. Attack Spirits? That’s........”
“Yes. It’s just like the AST and DEM.------at first, we suspected her for being a part of their organization. That........Just maybe, they tamed a Spirit to attack other Spirits. But from what we can see, <Devil> is not associated or aiding the neither DEM nor AST. Actually, both the AST and DEM also attacked <Devil>”
“Then why........would <Devil> attack the Spirits........?”
“Who knows. There might be a reason but we won’t know until we ask her. She would immediately blink somewhere so <Ratatoskr> has not come in contact with her, not even once"
Kotori shrugs her shoulders exaggeratedly. Sweat flow down Shidou’s cheeks while he placed his hands on his chin.
The Spirit that hunts other Spirits, <Devil>. A weird odd feeling appeared inside Shidou’s heart when he heard that.
“Hey.........can I see an image or a video of that <Devil>......?”
“We do have it but..........i think it’s meaningless to see it okay?”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
When Shidou asked, Kotori [Uuun] scratched her head while moving the candy’s rod up and down.
“Well..........a picture is worth a thousand words. Wait over there”
Kotori left the living room, after she said that. She then immediately brought a B5 size terminal tab from her own room.
“It’s this. Take a look”
Kotori placed the tab on the table and played the video.
A completely destroyed city was shown. There were smokes and explosions nearby and he could tell that it was in the battlefield.
--inside there.
[That] was there.
It was a human silhouette covered with darkness. I see, it’s no wonder that Kotori said [it’s meaningless]. Not only was it difficult to distinguish the human shape, her face was covered in darkness and could not be seen. But, the part where several wings were floating around that human provided enough convincement to give the name <Devil> to that silhouette.
When he saw that.
“.....ah-----“
Shidou leaked a soft voice.
It was not because he saw the Spirit’s strange appearance.
---it was because he knows this Spirit.
It’s true that he can’t see her face and expressions.
But, Shidou knew. He saw this Spirit before.
“No....way.......”
*Kata**kata* his teeth clattered. His whole body trembled with short intervals in between.
That’s because, that’s-----
“........Ori-gami....”
Yes. That was Origami, who turned into a Spirit and inversed.
The next day. After Shidou reached school with Tohka like yesterday, he let out a loud yawn, when he reached his own seat.
Tohka, who was sitting at his right side, opened her eyes in wonder.
“Mu, are you sleepy, Shidou”
“Aah......I didn’t sleep enough yesterday”
“Muu, that’s no good. Are you okay?”
“Haha......well, I guess I’ll take a nap before dinner after school”
After Shidou made a wry smile, he simply wiped off the tear oozing out from his eyes and made a small sigh before absent-mindedly gazing to his left seat. The seat that Origami used, in the previous world.
“.............”
---The reason for his lack of sleep was obvious. The reason was divided into two big roads last night.
For the first one; he went outside. Shidou slipped out of his house alone after dinner and head towards a certain place.
Yes. It was the mansion Origami used to live at the previous world, and the Tenguu Nankou town residential area where the fire disaster occurred 5 years ago.
There was one reason why he did that. He thought Origami might be there.
However, reality wasn’t that sweet.
There was no one living in that mansion’s room and the house that the Tobiichi family used to live had another signboard placed in front. He asked the people living in the house about the Tobiichi family just in case but, they don’t know their exact location.
“Origami........”
Shidou looked at the empty seat while mumbling to himself.
The video Kotori showed yesterday. The unidentified Spirit- <Devil> shown inside, was definitely Tobiichi Origami. What’s more, she was not a normal Spirit-----but an inverse-type.
*Creak* he clenched his teeth.
---he doesn’t get it.
In the world 5 years ago, Shidou should have succeeded in changing history. Origami should be living as a normal girl in a normal world.
But even so...........Just what happened to make Origami turn into a Spirit. And why was she inversed.
Furthermore, judging by what Kotori said, Origami attacked other spirits. If that’s the case then it’s no different than the time she was with the AST.
And, <Devil> will disappear too when the Spirit got Lost. Thanks to that, the city won’t suffer that many damages.
His head hurt because there were many things he don’t know. Just what happened in this 5 years and this world. Shidou scratched his head.
“Damn it........why is that the only.......”
He recalled back another action he took yesterday while saying that in irritation.
The other action Shidou took. That was to collect as much information of this world as possible.
---The moment he found out about Origami in this world, endless amount of uneasiness and questions filled his mind.
He thought that just maybe; events different from the one in Shidou’s memories might have occurred in this world and he does not know about it. Or maybe--------events that should happen never happened at all.
Shidou returned home and talked to the girls (Kotori looked quite suspicious though), and managed to peek into the <Fraxinus> database even though it’s brief.
Conclusion; he found out that the flow of history in this world almost matches with Shidou’s memories.
Kotori turned into a Spirit 5 years again, and found <Ratatoskr>.
On 10th of April, Shidou met Tohka and sealed her.
After that, Yoshino’s sealing, Kurumi’s and Mana’s encounter, the Yamai sister’s sealing, the battle with DEM and the sealing event for Miku and Natsumi. Everything matches exactly to what Shidou knew.
Yes------beautifully leaving out, his relations with Tobiichi Origami.
When he was thinking about that, the chime signifying the start of class time rang and the door opened with his homeroom teacher Tama-chan entering the room. We stood up when we were told to, bowed down before sitting back down.
“Okay, good morning everyone. Let’s work hard for today as well”
Tama-chan said that with a smile. But, Shidou didn’t hear most of her words. He looked out the window blankly while resting his chin on his hand.
“..............”
---As expected, he had to see Origami one more time. After thinking for one whole evening, that was the answer Shidou reached.
When he found out yesterday that everyone didn’t know Origami, and when he found out that the Shidou of this world has not even met Origami before, he thought that he would no longer be associated with Origami anymore. Actually-------he felt that this might be the best choice for Origami. There was just no way that, meddling with Origami’s life when she is living a happy life was a good thing to do. Shidou felt that it was enough if Origami was living somewhere in this world in peace.
But, now that he saw that video, he could not say that any longer.
The ravages of war clinging around Origami weren’t over yet. Shidou’s mission wasn’t over. This disgusting world was still burdening her with a cruel fate.
Nonetheless, Shidou was too unknowledgeable about this world.
However, even if he made his resolve, there were several walls blocking him from his goals.
In the first place, the Origami of this world does not know about Shidou. Even before that, he does not know where Origami is.
“..............like I thought, I can’t do anything alone”
After Shidou mumbled that with an inaudible volume, he *Ton**Ton* tapped the table with his fingers.
As expected, he needs <Ratatoskr>’s help on how he should move. Once he gets back home, he has to explain the situation to Kotori and look for Origami.
......believing something like changing history by slipping through time was doubtful but, they won’t flat out refuse since this was related to the Spirit-<Devil>.
“Okay..........”
While looking outside through the window, Shidou gripped his fist to strengthen his resolve.
And----at that time.
“Ah, oh yes. Today, I will introduce a friend to all of you. ------okay, come in”
The same time Tama-chan said that as if she recalled back the matter, *Gara* the classroom door opened and a girl entered. It’s a transfer student.
He felt that it was rare that a transfer student would come in at this time but, it wasn’t the time for him to be concerned about that. Shidou did not look away and took a glance towards them.
But------
“.........Heh?”
Shidou opened his eyes in shock when he saw the girl walking to the teacher’s desk.
It was a slim girl with a graceful face like a doll. The color covering her back was a little pale and it made her look like a princess from another country.
The moment the girl appeared, he noticed his classmates turned noisy. The males leaned forward with an [Oooooh!?] while the girls had sparkles in their eyes.
However, Shidou was the only one astonished within them and stared at the girl’s face.
The reason was simple. He was familiar with that girl’s face.
“Okay, please introduce yourself”
Tama-chan asked the transfer student.
The girl then nodded before facing forward and talked with a soft voice.
“-----I am Tobiichi Origami. Everyone, glad to meet you all”
She then took a deep bow. Everyone in class turned noisy.
A part of the students probably recalled back Shidou saying the rare name [Origami] yesterday. Some were tilting their head wondering why; maybe they read too much into it vulgarly, they looked towards Shidou with a prankster’s smile.
But, Shidou didn’t have the leisure to respond to that now.
“Wha.........”
He widen his eyes and a trembling voice leaked out from his lips.
Although her hair length was different, it was definitely Miss Tobiichi Origami inside Shidou’s memories.
When Shidou couldn’t let out his voice from the shock, Tama-chan moved her sights to look around the classroom.
“Eeeerr, as for Tobiichi-san’s seat.......The seat beside Itsuka-kun is empty I see. Can you sit over there?”
“I understand”
Origami agreed and slowly walked towards Shidou’s direction.
But, Origami suddenly stopped after taking a few steps.
The reason was immediately known. Their eyes met since Shidou was staring at Origami.
“Ah----“
“Eh.......?”
The same time Shidou leaked a short voice out from his throat, Origami widen her eyes in surprise.
Her eyes met with a boy who was staring at her. There was no way she wouldn’t be surprised.
However, it was strange. Origami’s reactions looked a little different from the said reason.
“----No way. You’re......”
Yes. She said it as if she was familiar with Shidou’s face.
But, after Origami immediately swung her head to regain her composure, she then changed completely by bowing down formally before settling down on the seat designated by Tama-chan.
“---------“
Shidou looked at Origami series of actions while feeling his heart pumping faster.
---What was that just now? Origami knows Shidou?
It was impossible, thinking logically. However, then just now-----
“Okay! Let’s start with the attendance!”
Tama-chan started calling the students name with a cheerful voice but, none of it entered Shidou’s ears.