Volume 12 - CH 2(2/3)
He was getting vague feelings as if his body was melting like a doll somehow managing to maintain its shape. Actually, it’s even a miracle that he can walk with his legs while maintaining his sense of balance. But even so, his walking posture was getting better than before for some reason. People at the sidelines won’t think that Shidou is suffering a serious sickness if they saw him.
“E.......rrrr, What was I doing......?”
After thinking that far, Shidou stopped on the road and tilted his head. He could not remember why he is here in the first place and where he is walking towards to.
Thinking back, he woke up in an unfamiliar room with drips and electrodes connected to his body like it was natural for a patient. The instant he noticed that, Shidou felt that he should not be there and left the room to head outside.
And after a while of walking, he reached to a familiar lane of buildings. There was a wide road and several shops were lined beside it. It’s the Tenguu main street that Shidou often comes for shopping.
He does not know the time but, he saw Students everyone in the city probably because they were heading home from school. Everyone was wearing warm looking coats and was walking while letting out white breaths.
“........Hmm?”
He noticed one more abnormality.
Shidou looked downwards to peek at his own appearance.------it was his familiar, often worn, Raizen high school uniform. Although he put on the blazer because it was hung beside the bed, he was not wearing any winter clothings like a coat.
But even so, Shidou was not feeling any sense of cold like just now. He is so okay that he first noticed this after looking at the outfits of the pedestrians.
No way, is it because he has a fever............no such thing. It feels as if an invisible film was surrounding him and was maintaining a suitable temperature for his body.
And.
“Hmmmmm? Itsuka-kun? Didn’t you head back early for today?”
“Ah, it’s really him. What’s more, he’s acting like an energetic teenager because he does not have a coat under this freezing sky”
“So I guess this is playing hooky. Guilty!”
After Shidou was idling, voices as such could be heard suddenly from behind.
When he looked over, Shidou’s found his classmates-the 3 friendly girls Yamabuki Ai, Hazakura Mai, and Fujibakama Mii wearing different color coats standing there.
“Rather, Itsuka-kun. What was up with that during today’s physical measurement?”
“Righttt. What kind of trick is that? Planning to be number 1[12B 1]?”
“Yeah yeah. Well I guess we can forget that since Itsuka-kun can manifest a typhoon with a sneeze using his urges of wanting to see a girl’s panties”
While saying that, 3 of them walked over to Shidou. Shidou silently turned over to them.
He then looked at their faces by order and started thinking with his feverish head.
Just what do they want from Shidou. They said many things to him but, they won’t get to the main point. Rather, Shidou was feeling that he could only recognize half of their voices.
Just how should Shidou reply back? Just what action should he take? After thinking through-----
“Aah......oh yeah”
He reached one answer.
Girls are in front of him.
If that’s the case, there is only one thing Shidou should do.
Shidou silently talked towards the 3 of them who were still chattering.
“-----Yamabuki, Hazakura, Fujibakama..........you girls, now that I take a good look at you all, you’re all cute”
He then looked at them with the eyes of a gentleman.
Yes. This is what Shidou has to do in front of females.
The action he continuously repeated to save the world.
Once he meets a girl, Shidou has to make her fall for him.
And at that moment, the chatting girls stopped their movements as if the stop button on a remote control was pressed.
And after a few seconds, they brought their eyebrows closer in suspicion.
“Hu......huh?”
“What’s with this sudden joke......?”
“Forget losing your mind from the heat, losing your mind thanks to the cold is a rare case..........”
Ai Mai Mii told him that. But Shidou did not laugh even though they were fooling around and continued in a serious tone.
“I am not joking. All of you are super cute. Why didn’t I notice this until now.----Yamabuki. No, Ai”
“Heh!?”
After he grabbed her hands while calling her first name, Ai opened her eyes wide in surprise. And after a while, she twitched as if she recalled something and hid her own lips with her free hand.
However, Shidou did not worry about it and continued his words whole wearing a gentle smile.
“I know how a gentle person you really are. Thank you for always taking care of Tohka. But, I noticed this along the way. I noticed i would end up looking towards Ai over Tohka’s shoulders........”
“E-errr, Itsuka-kun, I err”
“Aah, I know. Ai loves Kishiwada from next door class. It really is true that a maiden in love looks beautiful.-----I am a little jealous”
“Hidebuu!”
Ai backed off with a blushed face when he told her with a serious gaze.
Shidou smiled and took Mai’s hands because she was beside him.
“-----Mai”
“Y-Yesh!”
She probably saw what happened with Ai. Mai raised a high pitched nervous voice.
“You usually say that you’re plain but, I don’t think so. You don’t have to dress up and make up your own character. Mai, you’re you. That’s all; after all, you are my special only one”
“Abeshi!”
Those words most likely touched Mai’s heartstrings. Just like Ai, Mai’s cheeks blushed and her body curved up.
After seeing that, Shidou touched Mii’s hands next.
“Mii”
“What”
Mii was making a complex expression showing a weird expectation yet shows a sense of cautiousness to Shidou.
“Now that I think about it, you have the most secrets among you 3. It was pure curiosity at first. But, after talking to Mii, I was able to peek to the other side of that mysterious mask before I knew it.------I want you to show me everything”
“Tawabah!”
To match up with his last sentence, he brought his face closer and smoke burst out from Mii’s ears.
After seeing that happen, Shidou smiled and took a step back before making a snap with his fingers.
And for some reason, he understood in his head so naturally that [Something will occur] if he [Does this in this way].
When he did that, the already low temperature dropped even lower to respond to his actions and froze the water particles in the air and Shidou made glittering crystals around them.
As if a miracle was performed, Shidou then flipped his hand from bottom to up and created an ice flower. He repeated that 3 times and gave the transparent flowers to Ai Mai and Mii respectively.
“Here you go, my princesses”
“Wh-what is this!?”
“Amazing........a magic trick?”
“Cold! It’s real!?”
Ai Mai Mii showed a shocked expression. After seeing that, Shidou smiled while continuing his words.
“Those flowers represent me. Once the season change----no, it’s a fragile flower that will melt by the temperature of a humans palm but, if that appearance is able to enter your eyes even for an instant, and remain in your mind; I have no regrets”
After Shidou made one finger stand, he *fuu* blew out. After performing that, ice flower petals fluttered about.
“-------I understand that you all feel nothing of me. I won’t tell you all to force yourself to be mine. But, will you all forgive me if I continue harboring feelings for Ai, Mai Mii in my heart?”
After Shidou said that and brought out his hands; the faces of Ai Mai Mii turned even redder and shouted in confusion.
“U-uwaaaaaaaaaaaaahnn!”
“R-remember this you damn bastard!”
“I don’t get what you said but, it’s so snobby!”
They then ran off while holding onto the ice flower.
Shidou did not chase after them and gently relaxed his cheeks.
“Fufu........your innocent faces are so cute”
And he twitched his shoulders at that moment.
“-----Wait, what did I just say.......?”
Shidou pressed his forehead by reflex. The moment he saw Ai Mai Mii, he felt like he had to flirt with them for some reason.
What’s more, Shidou was currently the Spirit’s power very naturally. The power to control the cold with one finger. This is the <Hermit>- Yoshino’s power.
“Just what is happening here? What is going on with me........”
But, the moment Shidou distorted his expression.
“Oh my, Itsuka-kun? What are you doing here?”
Another female different from just now called out to him from the front, and made Shidou direct his consciousness there again.
When he looked over there, he found a small girl with glasses on there. It was Shidou’s homeroom teacher Okamine Tamae AKA Tama-chan.
Whether it’s because he saw her or not; Shidou made a painful expression while kneeling in front of Tama-chan.
“Sensei, please forgive me!”
“Heh!? W-what is happening here”
Tama-chan showed her surprise at the sudden event. Shidou lifted his face without breaking his posture that looks like a knight serving the queen and started right at Tama-chan’s eyes while continuing on.
“I.......was afraid. Even though I said I wanted to marry Sensei before, I then doubted myself if I was able to support Sensei when the time comes for it”
“I-Itsuka-kun........”
“But, I finally made a firm decision. I will make Sensei wear a wedding dress within her 20’s”
“Hauuwaa!”
After Shidou said that in a passionate tone, Tama-chan twisted her body while pressing her chest as if he shot through her heart.
“R-really, Itsuka-kun..........!? Within, my 20’s..........that’ means I have only 3 months left you know!?”
“Even if family registration is not possible, I should be able to give you a wedding ceremony! Let’s hold the ceremony at the chapel now that we have the chance, once we register there, let’s perform it before the altar!”
“What is that, that sounds so wonderful!?”
Tama-chan pressed her cheeks while shouting. Shidou then picked up one hand sized rock from the shrubs nearby and handed it to Tama-chan.
“Sensei-----no, Tamae, accept my love”
“Eh? Is this is........? This is just a rock right?”
Tama-chan looked doubtful and peeked at the rock in Shidou’s hand.
After Shidou raised the side of his lips, he covered it with both his hands and blew at it.
After Shidou opened his hands, the object that was just a rock from the roadside a moment ago, turned into a beautiful ring case.
“Kya! This is.........”
Tama-chan opened her eyes wide. Shidou slowly opened the ring case and showed her the silver engagement ring inside the case.
And at the same time, he shouted loudly to call the people passing by.
“Come on everyone; give your blessings to Tamae. -----Okay, Everyone!”
“”“..........!”””
After he did that, the strangers normally walking pass by until now, suddenly twitched their shoulders. They then looked towards Shidou and Tama-chan before starting to clap.
“Congratulations!”
“You two match!”
“Uuooooon! Be happyyyyyy!”
“Eh? Eh?”
Tama-chan looked confused at the sudden events and looked around her in panic.
After Shidou looked at her while raising his free hand high up, he made a snap with his fingers. When he did that, a glowing mirror manifested above Shidou’s head and emitted light to his surroundings.
Next, the bags and umbrellas the pedestrians have transformed to instruments like trumpets and violin-------before starting a magnificent melody.
A song composed by Felix Mendelssohn [The Wedding March]. It’s a piece everyone must have heard at least once; it’s the song every girl yearns for.
Even Tama-chan who was blank at first, probably understood that Shidou most likely hired a flash mob. Her expression slowly turned into entranced.
“Tamae-----will you marry me?”
“......Yes!”
After Tama-chan nodded while blushing, she started searching her bag after remembering something.
“Hah........oh silly me, I forgot to bring marriage registration sheet......! W-wai-wait for me Itsuka-k-----No, MY HUSBAND!”
After Tama-chan said that, she forgot to take the ring and ran off.
“Kuh.........What [Japan’s winter is not a big deal]. It’s definitely cold enough”
DEM industry’s 2nd Executive chief-Ellen Mathers, was walking in the Tenguu city streets while her body was slightly trembling.
She’s a characteristic female with Nordic blonde hair and pale skin tone. Her body is now being covered with a comfy coat, and a warm looking Russian hat was worn on her head.
When she was in her motherland England, a subordinate told her [Japan’s winter is not a big deal] so she lowered her guard but, now that she take the time to think about it, the subordinate she talked to was born from Alaska. It’s not like she was blaming this for her subordinate but, Ellen made the decision to make a special training course for her when she head back to her motherland.
Ellen is the strongest Wizard, both recognized by her and the world. Even without her wiring suits, it’s possible for her to use the Realizer; with that, she can easily adjust the temperature by deploying the Territory around her body.
Nonetheless, it’s not a praiseful thing to use the Realizer other than missions and more importantly, Ellen’s strongest pride won’t allow her to use the Realizer for such reasons.
Yes. She especially can’t do that in Tokyo. She’s still able to make excuses if it’s in Japan’s Hokkaido or the Tohoku regions but, this city is located quite southern even in the Kanto region, and is given a warm and humid climate in the K?ppen-Geiger Classification. There’s no way Ellen M Mathers would lose to the cold in such a place.
“Ha........Achoooo!”
Just when she thought her nose was itchy, she let out a loud sneeze.
“Ukuh.........”
Ellen pressed her mouth and looked around to check if anyone heard her odd bodily urges.
Luckily, apparently there was no one looking at Ellen’s direction. *Houu* she sighed before walking again.
“........I knew I should have settled things in the company café”
She then murmured with a soft voice.
Yes. After finishing her afternoon work early, at the same time with her rest, Ellen wanted to enjoy an afternoon tea so she went to a café in the city.
It’s not like she hates the café for company staff members but.........Ellen’s favorite- Strawberry short cake is not served in DEM’s café.
Ellen raised her face up and looked up at the sky. The sky covered with thick clouds looks like accumulated snows floating about.
“..........at this rate, it will really snow in the middle of the month”
While slightly bringing her eyebrows closer, she immersed herself in thought.
If snows start to pile up, the road leading to the café from the branch company will probably be turn harsher. Before that happens, it might be a good idea to request to add strawberry shortcake in the company menu.
And, after Ellen was walking while thinking such thoughts, a light impact attacked her body suddenly. Apparently, she bumped into a passerby in front because she was not careful.
“Sorry. I wasn’t careful------“
After Ellen looked back in front, she stopped her sentence after reaching that much.
The reason was simple. The person was someone familiar.
“.........Itsuka Shidou”
Ellen sharped her sights after calling the boy’s name.
The person there- the high school student Itsuka Shidou is another strategical target just like the spirits.
For some reason, he looks dazed and was not wearing a single coat under this cold winter. His appearance looked so off that she felt a little colder just by looking at him.
“Hn....You’re”
Shidou moved his sights to Ellen to respond to her voice. At the same time, she noticed a slight change in Shidou’s expression. Should she describe this as “Light being illuminated in his eyes or be described as “a machine in hibernating mode activating”, regardless which, his blank condition from just now disappeared and was staring at Ellen.
“Wh-what?”
After Ellen said that cautiously, she took a step back.
However, Shidou grabbed Ellen’s hands as if he had no intentions to let her get away.
He then whispered with moisten eyes.
“Ellen-----I have yearned to meet you”
“Huh..........?”
Ellen let out a dumb voice after hearing those unexpected words.
“You are a DEM wizard. We are incompatible existence. I know that. You even tried to kill me many times. -----But, there’s no rule saying that we can’t understand each other even though we are enemies”
“.........What the hell are you saying?”
Even though Ellen replied back with a dubious gaze, Shidou continued his passionate words.
“Ever since the last time I met you, Ellen, you never left my mind. Please, Ellen. Come to <Ratatoskr> with me”
He then said that while looking at Ellen’s eyes.
Ellen was blank because she could not grasp the situation for a moment but, she immediately found out. Most likely, he’s putting on a bad act to pull Ellen- the strongest Wizard to <Ratatoskr> from DEM.
“This is not a funny joke; let me go”
After Ellen spat those words out, she tried to swing Shidou’s hands off.
But, after Shidou poured more strength into it, he pulled Ellen’s hands and moved his other free hand around Ellen’s hips. The pedestrians were interestingly looking at them.
“Wha.........”
Even she didn’t think he would go this far. Her face looked shocked by reflex.
“I am not joking. I-----to you........”
“..........Don’t you think this prank is going too far?”
After Ellen interrupted Shidou’s words, she lightly brought her eyebrows closer and focused her consciousness.
After Ellen did that, the Realizer hid in her pocket received her orders and activated; a small territory ranging to a radius of 2 meters with Ellen as the center.
Just like the name Territory, it’s a space that can freely change the space’s properties by the user’s will. After Ellen *Fuun* sighed, she drew an image of Shidou’s body being suppressed in her head.
Instantly, the inside of the Territory increased its gravity and caused Shidou to sink into the ground.
But------
“Wha----“
Ellen opened her eyes wide in bewilderment.
The reason is simple. Shidou who was supposed to completely be in Ellen’s range, was still hugging onto Ellen like just now, and staring at Ellen with appealing eyes.
“Impossible”
For an instant Ellen was in doubting the Realizer for being broken. But-----she was wrong. She certainly felt the Territory being deployed and more importantly, the sleeves and hem of Shidou’s clothes were slightly trembling as if it was being pulled down by a strong force. Even small cracks and cracking sounds could be heard from the spot Shidou stepped on.
Yes. Even though Shidou received Ellen’s Territory’s influence, he was still hugging Ellen’s body without changing his expression.
It’s clearly a weird situation.
Of course, she went easy on it. Ellen’s Territory density is no.1 in the world. If it’s something seriously used on a normal human, the target’s body will instantly compressed and become a blood bag.
But even so, the Territory deployed by Ellen now, is definitely not something a normal high school boy should be able to work under in. Actually, when Ellen snuck into the Itsuka family house, Shidou could no longer move from this level of restraints.
Then why in the world-----
When Ellen wondered why, Shidou took a few stomps forward while holding Ellen’s hips before *Kui* lifting Ellen’s chin to fully bring her to the corner.
“Ellen......Please understand. I love you”
“........Uh!”
After Ellen frown her face, she increase the strength of the Territory, increase her physical capabilities and fend of Shidou’s hands by spinning her body.
“Woah there”
“Fuu-----“
She then launched a palm strike to Shidou’s head with that momentum.
It’s an attack enhanced by the Territory. Forget dodging, it’s probably hard to even see the attack with a normal person’s reflex.
But, after Shidou easily dodge that attack, he extends his hands to Ellen’s body again.
“Don’t look down on me......!”
She hit away Shidou’s hand by the heel of her palm and launched a kick targeting his stomach. But even that ended up missing with Shidou turning his body at the very last second.
Shidou dodge, blocked and handled Ellen’s attacks; while Ellen was rejecting Shidou from getting closer. After a few seconds, lightning fast attacks were launched. The pedestrians stopped and were awestruck after seeing this one scene that would appear in an action movie.
“Kuh----“
Even though Ellen was not wearing her wiring suits, she would not even imagine that a there is a human that can have an equal fist fight with Ellen with the Territory deployed. After Ellen grinded her teeth in hatred, she grabbed the Russian hat worn on her head and threw it at Shidou’s face with all her might.
“-------woah”
Of course, Shidou pulled back and easily dodged it.
But, that action was within her expectations. All she needs is something to cover Shidou’s view even for an instant.
“Ha!”
Ellen launched a sharp spin kick from Shidou’s blind spot.
It was performed with perfect timing. In a moment later, she will be able to hear Shidou’s groans.
However.
“Eh......?”
Ellen opened her eyes wide unintentionally. The moment Ellen thought her kick reached Shidou, Shidou’s body disappeared like a light.
And after a moment, Shidou appeared in a close position to Ellen who lost her balance after her kick was dodged.
“Wha-----“
“Don’t cause trouble for me, Ellen”
After Shidou said that sweetly, he returned the Russian hat which he grabbed before she noticed, back to Ellen’s head before moving his hands around Ellen’s legs to lift her body up. Basically, she looks like she’s being given a princess carry.
“Hyaaa!?”
Ellen raised a high-pitched voice at the sudden event. Shidou gave an affectionate gentle smile even after seeing such a response.
“Wh....what are you doing”
After Ellen sharpens her sights to regain her composure, she manipulated the Territory to push Shidou away. But just like what happened just now, only his uniform flapped and Shidou’s body did not budged.
If she worn her Wiring suits, she would be able to deploy a strong Territory incomparable than the one now but, it’s not a good idea to use the emergency equip device with many people looking. However, in order to break this situation------
When Ellen hesitated, Shidou brought out his lips.
“------A naughty child needs a punishment”
After saying that, he slowly brought his lips to Ellen’s lips.
“HUH......!?”
Ellen gasped after guessing Shidou’s aim.
“Eh, Errr, wait......Damn it!!”
Her eyes swam around due to the confusion and she flapped her arms and legs to try to run away from Shidou. But, Shidou’s strength was so strong making her unable to swing free. Even though she tried increasing the Territory’s power, her mind was so much in chaos that she could not focus properly.
“St-stop, I-----“
“----Ellen”
Ellen twitched her shoulders while shutting her eyes tightly when her name was called in a distance where his breath temperature could be felt.
Next, a soft feeling appeared on Ellen’s forehead.
“..............heh?”
The same time she opened her eyes in fear, Ellen was slowly lowered down to the ground. Shidou was waving his hands to her.
“I’ll leaves things here for today. I don’t have any interest on forcing an unwilling girl.------Well, see you later. My cute Ellen”
After leaving that, Shidou took a nonchalant exit.
“..........”
Ellen was sitting on the ground blankly for a while but, her face immediately turned red afterwards.
She then whipped her forehead with her coat’s sleeves before clenching her fist and let out her voice in hatred.
“Itsuka..........Shidou, I will never......forget this humiliation......!”
After Ellen said that with teary eyes, she head back to the company building while escaping the public eye.
“Shidou! Shidou! Where are you!”
Tohka and the other Spirits were running around the city shouting.
The residents walking near them looked at them with curiosity but, they did not care about it at all and continued shouting.
Around 1 hour passed after the search started. At first everyone looked around the <Ratotoskr> underground facility but, they discovered traces of Shidou escaping outside; the girls then moved up to the land to look for him in the area.
“Muu......Shidou, where did he go with such a body condition?”
“Perhaps........there’s no way he collapsed somewhere right..........?”
After Tohka said that, Yoshino replied back while making an uneasy 八 eyebrow shape. It’s true that, they can’t dismiss that because of Shidou’s current condition. Tohka looked over to Kotori with a worried face.
When she did that, Kotori “I get it” nodded.
“With that possibility in mind just in case, we entered nearby hospitals to look for him. Reine will contact us when someone is brought in as an emergency case and it looks like it’s about Shidou.”
And, the moment Kotori said that, a call came from the Incam with good timing.
“......everyone, can you all hear me?”
Reine’s sleepy voice shook their right ears. Everyone, placed their hands over the Incam to prevent missing any information.
“Reine, what’s wrong?”
“........Yeah, I found Shin”
“! Really!? Where is he? Did he collapse and was brought to a hospital as expected......!?”
After Kotori shouted, Reine shook her throat that sounds like a groan.
“......No, apparently he did not collapse. Forget that------“
“........Forget what?”
Natsumi made a doubtful face while pressing the incam after hearing Reine’s stumbling sentence.
“........It’s faster if you see it yourselves. Anyway, just head over there, it’s at the main street of the 3rd district”
After leaving that, the call ended. Natsumi pouted her lips in dissatisfaction.
“Wh-what was that, leaving such a worrying sentence......”
“But, it’s good news that we know the place. Let’s head over there now!”
Everyone nodded at her words. Tohka kicked the ground and dashed off.
“Okay, let’s go! Let’s go to Shidou!”
But immediately, Kotori called out to her from behind.
“Tohka! Wrong way! 3rd district is this way!”
“Mu! Oohh, oh yeah!”
After Tohka shouted, without losing her speed, she performed a beautiful turn by turning aside adroitly as if was performing dance steps and chased after everyone.
She headed to the street with Yoshino who smiled wryly, while the others shrugged their shoulders-------soon, they came out to an open street.
“She said the main street of 3rd district so it should be around here......”
“I wonder where darling is”
“......! Ever-everyone, over there........!”
When everyone was looking around restlessly, Yoshino suddenly shouted and pointed at the end of the street.
The Spirits all directed their attentions there. And, they all gasped at the same time.
But that was only natural. That’s because, only one zone had an early snowfall and the surface was covered in white.
No, that was not all. Just when they thought sparkling drops of ice fell from the empty air together with snow, there were several beautiful ice candle stands placed at the side of the wide street.
Next off, the candle stands leading from the back of the street, *Bo**Bo* started to light up systematically and it drew a magical flower street.
“Th-this is.....”
When Tohka was shocked at the mysterious scene, a young man leisurely walked down the middle of the street as if he owns the place.
He had a familiar Raizen high school uniform and a neuter face.
---There is no mistake. That’s Itsuka Shidou, the person the girls were looking for. He was not wobbling around like just now and his face doesn’t look sick.
“Shi-Shidou......?”
In a troubled manner, Tohka brought her eyebrows closer together. After she did that, as if to respond to her, the pedestrians around them started to c-->>