“.......Haaah?”

Kotori’s suspicious voice could be heard over the other side of the phone.

Nevertheless, it was something natural. Shidou would probably give the same reaction if she suddenly calls him during break time to report about [That information].

Yes. Shidou slipped out of the classroom after the homeroom ended and called Kotori after he reached an empty spot.

Kotori was giving agreeable responses when she first picked up the phone but, the rustling sound of her changing her ribbon could be heard half-way through and she said those words.

Kotori followed her words with perplexed words.

“Wait for a moment there. What is going on? Please explain in details”

“......Just like what I said. <Devil>, transferred into my class”

Shidou bitterly said that words he told Kotori just now, once more.

“Like I say, I don’t get your meaning. Why would <Devil> transfer into your school......no, in the first place, <Devil> is an unidentified Spirit. We have not confirmed her neither her name nor face before. Just how did you know that the person that transferred in is <Devil>?”

“That’s.......”

That was a good question. Shidou hesitated.

“I have no time now so I’ll explain the details when we get back home. But......i am serious. Believe me”

“...........”

After Shidou said that, Kotori kept silent for a while before *Haa* making a sigh.

“......I get it. I’ll send an observation unit over just in case. Anything more, will depend on the results we get”

“.......! You believe me!?”

It was something he said but, it was a little unexpected. When Shidou let out a surprised voice, Kotori replied back with a tired manner.

“Honestly, it’s a 50 50. -----but, there’s no way I won’t do anything if I was told that <Devil>’s identity is known when we are clueless about her”

She then continued on.

"I don’t think Shidou would say something without any proof anyway. No........even if it’s a gut feeling, you have done enough for me to believe those words”

“Kotori..........”

“However, if you are thinking of making <Ratatoskr> investigate and get information’s about a girl you like; you won’t get away easily”

“I-I won’t do that!”

After Shidou shouted, Kotori [Unn] groaned.

“Then, we will start investigating now. Err, what is that female student’s name?”

“Origami. It’s Tobiichi Origami”

“Tobiichi Origami. Tobiichi------“

Kotori stopped her words at that moment. Her throat sounded softly as if she recalled something.

“Isn’t that.....perhaps it’s, AST’s Tobiichi Origami?”

“Huh....!?”

Shidou widen his eyes when he heard Kotori’s words. AST. It is the abbreviation of the Anti-Spirit team, even within the JGDSF.

It’s true that Origami was affiliated with that organization. But, this should be something in the previous world. There’s no way for Kotori to know that-----

Shidou twitched his shoulders when he thought that far.

“Kotori, don’t tell me you have memories of the previous world....?”

“Haah? What are you saying? You’re still dragging yesterday’s dream again?”

However, Kotori replied back with a calm tone.

“If I am correct, there is a member with that name in the AST. She fought with the girls many times before. But, she resigned just a while ago”

“Wha----“

Shidou’s word’s got stuck. It’s not like Kotori regained her memories of the previous world. But even so, Origami was still affiliated with the AST.

The reality those 2 facts shown. It was something really simple.

---Origami is in the AST in this world too.

“Just why.......”

“What do you mean by why.......you mean the reason why she quit the AST? How would I know that”

Kotori probably misunderstood Shidou’s mumble as a question; Kotori *fuun* snorted while saying that.

“But now that you mentioned it, the time when Tobiichi Origami resigned AST and the time <Devil> started appearing, matches. Fumu, If the reason why she turned into a Spirit was because she resigned then......”

Kotori groaned while started mumbling something.

But, half of those words passed through Shidou’s ears.----inside Shidou’s head, the fact that Origami entered the AST was swirling inside his head.

The reason why Origami entered the AST in the previous world in the first place, was to kill the Spirit that killed her parents. In this world where her parents were saved, just what kind of event pushed Origami to do such a thing.

“----Hey Shidou, are you listening?”

“......! Y-yeah.......sorry”

Shidou got surprised when Kotori called him.

“Mouu, get a grip. Anyway, we will be investigating if whether or not Tobiichi Origami is a Spirit. Shidou, you report to us too if you find anything.----but, if Tobiichi Origami really is that <Devil> then she is a really dangerous Inverse-type. Please don’t be reckless”

“Y-yeah....sorry about that”

After Shidou said that, he offed his phone.

“..............”

He leaned against the wall after stuffing his phone into his pocket. The much information got too complicated inside his mind, and he couldn’t arrange all of them.

But, nothing will happen like this. After Shidou took a deep breath, he then returned back to the 2nd year class 4.

When he entered the classroom, he found a crowd of people at the window side. It seems everyone was interested at the cute transfer student. Origami was making a troubled face in the center of his classmates.

And at right at that moment, the chime signifying the start of class time rang and everyone went back to their seats while waving back. He saw Origami *Haa* exhaled, after she waved back to them.

“........haha”

Shidou’s cheeks turned softer by reflex when he saw that unfamiliar scene. If it was the Origami he knew then, she won’t change her expression at all.

But......this was something he doesn’t get.

Why would Origami enter the AST in this world? Why did she become a Spirit? Why-----did she inversed. And also, how is she able to return to her human form and maintain her consciousness even though she inversed. It’s just plain mysterious no matter how much he thinks.

And, the teacher entered the classroom when Shidou was thinking.

“Class is about to start. Sit down”

“Ah.....sorry”

After Shidou quickly returned to his seat, he took out his textbook and notes onto the table.

But, naturally, he can’t focus in class. Shido’s sights were directed towards Origami’s direction.

---Like I thought, I have to talk to her at least once. Shidou does not know anything about the Origami of this world.

But, people would probably crowd around her like just now, if it becomes break time. Judging by this rate, it is going to be hard for Shidou to talk to her.

“..............”

After Shidou immersed himself in thoughts for a while, he wrote words at the edge of his note.

He then tore it out and folded it before placing it onto Origami’s table without the teacher noticing.

“........?”

Origami, who noticed that, tilted her head.

After looking at the words written inside the piece of paper, Origami widen her eyes in surprise.

At that day’s break time. After Shidou sneaked out of the classroom, he headed towards the stairs leading to the roof.

Since it was far away from the classroom block, there aren’t many students that would come here. Actually, the stairs was so quiet that it made the hustle and bustle echoing in the school a lie.

However, that does not signify the fact that no one was here.

There was already one girl standing there.------it was the transfer student, who is the topic of the day; Tobiichi Origami.

Even within the students that passed their 3 years here in the school; only a very small number of them knows of the existence of this isolated area. It’s weird to think that a transfer student would be at such a place.

However, Shidou was not surprised. That’s because,

“Err, this”

Origami took out a torn piece of paper from her pocket and showed Shidou. It’s true that it was Shidou’s handwriting and the words were mainly to tell her to come here at break time.

Yes. Shidou called Origami out here.

“Aah, Sorry. Calling you out all of a sudden”

“Uun. That is okay......so, what do want?”

Origami asked with a slightly stern expression.

But, it was probably normal. She was called out to this remote place by a male student she first met. It’s not weird for her to feel danger. Rather, Shidou should be grateful to her for listening to his request and come here alone.

However for some reason...............it’s quite a new experience that instead of Shidou being cautious of Origami, Origami was the one that was cautious of Shidou.

“Ah---..........”

Shidou scratched his cheeks while wondering what he should talk about. There were mountain worth of things he wanted to ask but, suddenly pressuring her with them will bring out the possibility of strengthening her cautiousness.

“Hey, Origami”

“Ehh?”

Origami made a surprised face. Shidou didn’t get the meaning at first but, he immediately realized the reason.

“So-sorry. Tobiichi.......san. Sorry for calling your name”

“U-un, I was just a little surprised. Err.......Itsuka-kun”

Origami said Shidou’s name. Shidou made a wry smile when he heard that unfamiliar call.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing. More importantly, Tobiichi-san. You said something when you saw my face during the morning right? What was that all about?”

“Aah........”

When Shidou said that, Origami made an expression as if she recalled back something.

“Sorry to rub you in the wrong way. Itsuka-kun looked exactly like a person I met a long time ago so, I got surprised”

“Eh.......?”

Shidou raised his eyebrows in reflex.

“That’s-----me........?”

“Uun, there is no way. That’s because, I met that person 5 years ago. Itsuka-kun is still in elementary school. Also----“

Origami looked downwards.

“-----That person already passed away. 5 years ago, in front of me”

“..........!”

Shidou realized something when he heard those words. The identity of the person Origami was talking about.

That person is definitely Shidou. It’s true that when Shidou saved the parents of the Origami from 5 years ago; his eyes met with Origami even though it was just for an instant.

“Is that all you wanted to talk? I want to go back to class......”

“..........! Ah, wait a sec”

Shidou quickly stopped Origami, who was going down the stairs. Shidou has not gained any of the information he wanted.

Nonetheless, he could not see any advancement if he acts as a student that knows nothing. He made up his mind and opened his mouth.

“Perhaps, the person you met 5 years ago-----was during the fire disaster in the Nankou town?”

“Eh------?”

Origami widens her eyes when she heard Shidou’s words.

“How, do you know......”

Just when she was about to finish, Origami made a surprised face.

“Perhaps---that person was Itsuka-kun’s older brother........?”

“Heh?”

Shidou let out an idiotic voice when he heard Origami’s unexpected words. It seems, she thinks that Shidou is the brother of the person she met 5 years ago. But it was probably normal for her to do that. She won’t believe him if Shidou told her that it was him.

He does not want to have her misunderstand this but...........if he is able to advance the conversation smoothly then it had to be done. Shidou judged that and tilted his head forward.

“Well.......around there I guess”

When Shidou said that, Origami suddenly changed her expression. Her eyebrows distorted and her face looked as if she was going to cry soon.

“To-Tobiichi......san?”

“..........!”

Origami walked to Shidou and after taking his hands, she took a deep bow.

“Your brother saved my father and mother. If not for that person, they would have died on the spot. It might not be enough no matter how much words of thanks I give you but, let me say this. Thank you----Thank you very much.....!”

“A-aah........”

Shidou got taken back at Origami’s reaction and replied back vaguely.

But, her words were able to give Shidou one important information. As expected, Shidou successfully saved Origami’s parents 5 years ago. Shidou exhaled in relief.

“Ah”

Origami noticed something and immediately let go of Shidou’s hands before she lowered her head one more time with her cheeks blushing.

“I-I am really sorry; that was all of a sudden”

“No......it’s okay”

He made a wry smile when he felt a weird strong emotion from the reaction that does not look like it belongs to Origami.

However, the same time he confirmed one reality, the other problems turned even more mysterious.

“Err............Tobiichi-san. Tobiichi-san’s parents were saved right?”

“Yes”

Origami nodded. Shidou exhaled before continuing.

“Then, are you living together with them now?”

“.........No. My parents died in a car accident 4 years ago”

“------!? Eh.......!?”

Shidou raised a high-pitched voice in reflex when he heard those words Origami said while she was looking downwards.

“N-no way........”

The correcting force of history; such a word grazed his mind. Kurumi did not deny nor agree this but-----in the end, the powerless feeling of unable to change the death end of Origami’s parents no matter what he does, attacked Shidou.

“Itsuka-kun.........?”

Origami frowned her eyebrows in suspicion in response to Shidou’s shock. That’s normal. It was only natural for her to feel something was off if a boy she first met today showed such a reaction.

However, she swung her head to calm herself down before lowering her head.

“I am sorry.............even though, Itsuka-kun’s brother saved them”

“No, there is no such thing”

“But”

Origami lifted her face and continued on with a dignified manner.

“In the 1 year after Itsuka-kun’s brother saved my father and mother, I received many things from them. That was something that I won’t get if not for Itsuka-kun’s brother; it is something precious to me. I am----really thankful”

He could not see any falsehood coming from Origami’s face when she said that.

“I- I see...........”

Shidou said that while slightly looking away. It was really sad that Origami’s parents died and he felt sorry for her but............the words he heard from Origami just now helped him quite a bit from the thought that what he did was all useless.

However, Origami said that her parents died from a car accident. If that is real then-------

After making his resolve, Shidou lifted his face, stared at Origami’s eyes and opened his mouth after he gulped.

“Then-----why did Tobiichi-san entered the AST?”

“Eh----“

Origami gasped when she heard Shidou’s words.

Yes. That was Shidou’s question. Origami’s parents escaped the Angel’s attack on that day on the fire disaster. If that happened then, Origami shouldn’t be harboring any hatred towards the Spirit........?

“Why do you know of the AST------“

When Origami was about to finish, she recalled back something and raised her eyebrows.

“Perhaps, Itsuka-kun has gone outside when the space quake alarm was initiated?”

“Eh........? Ah-----“

Shidou let out a short reply when he heard and saw Origami’s words and suspicious expression.

That’s right. Origami affiliated with the AST in this world too means that there was the possibility that Shidou was seen running to the spot to talk to the Spirits.

“A-aah......actually”

“........Like I thought. I wasn’t mistaken after all”

“Heh?”

“This topic was raised several times in the team. That, there was a citizen still around the danger zone. -------I felt that the person looked similar to [That Person at that time] but, I thought that it would be Itsuka-kun”

After saying that, Origami’s sights turned stern.

“It is really dangerous. Please avoid that from now on”

“E-eerr..............”

Shidou replied back vaguely when he was pressed for an answer. Even though he was told that; as long as there is a mission from <Ratatoskr>, he has to continue standing in front of the Spirits from now on too.

Just how did she take that reaction? Origami exhaled.

He was prepared if she wanted to pursuit for more but, Origami did not pry further into his situation.

Instead, she made a strong-willed expression and looked back at Shidou.

“You asked......why I joined the AST”

“Yeah, can you tell me if it’s okay with you?”

Origami tilted her head forward when Shidou said that.

“Itsuka-kun, if you know the AST then, you should also know the cause for the Space quake right?”

“.......Spirit.”

“That’s right. A special biological disaster, Spirit. -----And, you might have already investigated this but, the one that killed your brother at that fire 5 years ago, was a Spirit”

“That’s-----“

Shidou’s throat rang as if he was speaking ambiguously. Shidou was alive and well like this but, he probably looks someone that got erased to Origami at that time.

Origami clenched her fist harder and continued.

“That person sacrificed himself to save my father and mother. The reason for my current self, is thanks to him.-----that’s why, I thought this. I don’t want any more people to end up like him. That........I will become someone that would protect the people from the Spirits”

“Ah........”

A meaningless voice leaked out from his throat.

It felt like the scattered puzzle pieces were concentrating into one frame.

In the previous world, Origami made up her mind to defeat the Spirits because of the anger caused by the Spirit killing her parents.

Shidou went back to the world of 5 years ago to avoid that and successfully saved Origami’s parents.

But, the secondary [Shidou’s death] that happened when [Her parents death] was avoided, became the new live coals to Origami’s new determination.

How----ironic. Shidou felt his heart turning noisy at the wicked prank of fate.

“......Itsuka-kun”

Origami tilted her head maybe because she felt suspicious since Shidou was silent. Shidou’s fingers twitched.

“Aah, no, nothing..........”

Of course he was not okay. But, he could only answer that now.

Shidou succeeded in changing the world. But in the end, Origami has witness something. She witnessed a Spirit----killed a person.

However, the meaning of that does not only show despair.

The events that happened in the previous world and this world were different. The results were the same at first glance but, instead of her parents that she was with for several years getting killed in the previous world; in this world, the only person Origami saw die was a young man who she has no clue what his name was.

More importantly, that young man was now living normally like this. If he could explain that fact properly to her then, she might-----

But, Shidou bit his lips at that moment. There was one big problem he forgotten.

Yes. Not only did the Origami of this world turn into a Spirit, she also inversed too.

Shidou was not very clear on how to make the [Inverse] appear. But, he was very certain that the Spirits have to fall into deep despair for it to occur.

“.............”

Shidou looked at Origami once more. It’s true that her atmosphere and talking pattern was different from the Origami he was familiar with. However, the girl right in front of him right now does not look like she feels despair to this world at the very least.

Kotori warned him not to be reckless. However------he had to ask her this.

“Can I ask......one more question?”

“What is it?”

Origami tilted her small head. Shidou made up his mind and asked her.

“----why did Tobiichi-san.....turn into a Spirit”

However.

“Hai?”

Origami widens her eyes in wonder at Shidou’s words.

“Err, turn into a Spirit....? What are you talking about?”

“Heh?”

It was Shidou who widen his eyes this time from that unexpected reaction.

He thought she was playing a fool but.....he was wrong. Origami really does not know what Shidou was talking about.

“What do you mean....? If I am correct, that’s.......”

And, when Shidou mumbled softly while thinking about something, the bell signifying class was about to start soon, echoed in the school. It seems lunch break was over.

“It looks like lunch break is over. I will be going back first.------Thank you very much, Itsuka-kun. I am very happy to have talked to you”

She then went down the stairs after she said that.

“Ah------“

Shidou let out his voice as if he was relying on that back. There was still mountain worth of things he doesn’t know. He felt that he must not let Origami go back now.

“Can we talk----a little longer?”

“But, it’s already time for class you know?”

“It doesn’t have to be today! If you have a free day----can I meet you again then?”

“Eh? Isn’t that--------“

Origami made a surprised look and her cheeks blushed next.

After seeing that reaction, Shidou noticed it one beat later and [Ah] his face turned red.

---That way of talking sounds just sounds as if I was inviting her to a date.....!

“Err......”

When Shidou was being flustered on how he should take fix those words, Origami looked away while opening her lips.

“.......er, can you give me some time to think about it?”

“Heh? O-of course......!”

After Shidou replied by reflex, Origami bowed down at the spot.

“Then, I’ll be going now”

She then jogged down the stairs.

“.............”

......Honestly, it was an unexpected scene. She’s girlish.........he feels bad to the Origami of the previous world for saying this but, her reaction does not look like it belongs to Origami.

“No.......”

Shidou slowly swung his head. Origami must be a girl like this in the first place. Her personality turned to a calm and rational stance because of her parent’s death.

But..........what is this weird feeling. He feels that the current Origami is cute but, his heart feels somewhat lonely or it feels like it is lacking something.

“.........I might have gotten too used to the old Origami”

After Shidou mocked himself, he followed Origami and went down the stairs.

While tiredly mumbling to himself and walking through the corridor, he reached the 2nd year class 4. The English teacher entered the classroom immediately and the 5th period started.

And-----after who knows how long passed since class started.

Suddenly, Origami, who was sitting on his left side, started making odd movements.

“Hnn........?”

Feeling something was off, Shidou looked over there to see Origami tearing a piece of paper from the edge of her note and writing something on it.

She then folded it into half and placed it at the edge of Shidou’s table while avoiding the teacher’s eyes. It’s like what Shidou did during class at 1st period.

“This is.........”

“...............!”

After Shidou received it, Origami’s cheeks blushed and after a moment of looking around in a chaotic manner, she made her textbook stand and hid her face inside.

“.................”

After school on that day. Shidou went up the school roof alone and while he was leaning on the floor, he was staring at the clouds drifting in the sky.

He took out the folded piece of paper from his pocket and held it up to the sky.

---“I am free this Saturday”

That paper was given by Origami just now. It looks like the reply to Shidou’s invitation. There was a small mail address written under it.

“Saturday......huh”

After saying that, he put the paper back into his pocket and took a light stretch.

He managed to make a promise. Without <Ratatoskr>’s help, and judging by the fact that it’s a girl he first met tentatively; it wouldn’t be exaggerated to say that he gained a big gold star of excellence.

Nonetheless, there was still a mountain worth of problems.

In the first place, was it really possible for Origami, who turned into a Spirit and inversed to not know what happened to herself.

Several thinkable possible conclusions popped up in Shidou’s mind.

The dumbest and yet the most possible one, was that it was all Shidou’s misunderstanding.

It’s true that he saw Origami in the video Kotori showed him. But, he can’t deny the fact that another Spirit might have an Astral Dress that look exactly like Origami’s.

What’s next was simply the possibility that Origami was lying. It didn’t look like it to Shidou but, it’s not like Shidou studied criminal psychology nor was he a famous gambler. It’s more than enough to think that he was tricked by Origami’s acting.

Or maybe------

“Don’t tell me, that there are 2 Origamis..........there is no way right....?”

Shidou mumbled that and laughed tiredly.

Anyway, he has to consult <Ratatoskr> including with that matter.

But.........Shidou *Fuaaaa* leaked a big yawn when he was about to raise his body. At the same time, he felt his body gradually relaxing.

It was only normal for that to happen to him. He has been searching through the database the whole night yesterday so; he didn’t had a good sleep.

“Ori.....gami........”

Shidou mumbled that name before closing his eyes.

After who knows how long passed.

“Hn.....”

Shidou opened his eyes after leaking a soft moan.

After a few seconds, his mind awakened and he noticed that he fell asleep. It seems he was tired beyond his expectations.

“Ah......this is bad. What time is it?”

Shidou frowned his eyebrows from the odd feeling when he took his phone out from his pocket to check the time.

“Hn........?”

Something feels different from before he fell asleep.

After a few moments of thinking, Shidou realized the identity of the problem.----it was a pillow. Even though Shidou did not place anything under his head, he could feel something oddly soft under there right now.

When Shidou was about to extend his hand to under his head to confirm the identity of that feeling, a girl immediately fell into Shidou’s view.

“--------Oh my, pranks are a no no”

“Uwah!?”

He suddenly widens his eyes from the surprise.

Late after a beat, he realized the identity of the feeling under his head----and also the girl.

“Ku..Kurumi!?”

He called the girls name with a screechy voice.

Yes. The girl that entered Shidou’s view was the Spirit-Tokisaki Kurumi, who sent Shidou back 5 years ago.

It seems that Kurumi was giving a lap pillow before Shidou noticed.

“Ufufu, nice to meet you, Shidou-san. Your sleeping face was cute”

“........!”

It was really embarrassing so, Shidou jumped off Kurumi’s lap.

“Oh my, oh my”

Kurumi giggled because Shidou’s reaction was funny to her, before standing up with elegant movements.

Kurumi’s outfit was not the usual red-black Astral Dress that he was used to seeing. It was the Raizen high school uniform that Shidou saw when he first met Kurumi. Her long bangs were covering her left eye which was carved with the number of the clock.

“Kurumi, you........”

Shidou’s body got nervous at that moment.

Now that Shidou thinks about, there might be a chance that the Kurumi existing in this world might not have the same memories as the Kurumi Shidou knew. Shidou was forced to know that today. It was a normal procedure to be cautious around the worst Spirit-Kurumi.

But, after Kurumi widen her eyes, she placed her hand on her mouth and laughed.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to be that cautious, Shido-san. If I wanted to [Eat] Shidou-san then, I would have done so when you were sleeping defenselessly”

“Uu.........”

It’s just as Kurumi says. Sweat flow down Shidou’s cheeks.

But, she’s not someone to be relaxed around with. Even though Shidou agreed with Kurumi’s words, he kept a watchful eye at her behavior without lowering his guard.

“Oh my. How distrustful.-------we are comrades that changed the world after all”

After saying that, Kurumi shrug her shoulders jokingly.

Shidou widen his eyes when he heard those words-->>

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