Volume 13 - CH 3(2/3)
“Ah, so Kaguya also knows her?”
In response to Shidou, Kaguya nodded.
“Obviously. Even we hurricane children have an interest in these things.”
“Information. Kaguya mainly chooses to read Shōnen manga, but she also buys Ecchi manga by inserting it between battle manga and sport manga.”
“Wait a minute Yuzuru!”
Yuzuru spoke in a whispering manner as Kaguya covered her mouth with her hand. Kaguya’s face went red as she shouted.
“Don’t say inappropriate things!? By the way, you’re also the same! Doesn’t the Shoujo manga that Yuzuru always reads have even more explicit scenes!?”
“Question. Can you please explain what kind of explicit scene? Please explain everything with a detailed example.”
“T-That’s........A man and woman on the bed......”
“Repetition. I can’t hear very well. Please say it once more.”
“U-Ugu........Muu.........”
Kaguya’s face went even redder as she created a frustrated-looking face.
Upon watching those two’s actions, Kotori clapped her hands.
“Well-well. Although it’s good for you to be on good terms, let’s do this afterwards. ---------Right now, what’s important is how to capture Nia.”
Once Kotori said that, everyone started at the round table and thought deeply.
A moment later, Yoshino raised her hand slowly.
“Uhm......Is it alright?”
“Yes, of course.”
“That’s.......Perhaps, the way to befriend Nia-san is to give her more time, I think. If we face her precisely, I think she will be able to understand Shidou-san’s natural goodness.”
“Yoshino.........”
After Shidou said that, Yoshino’s face turned red.
Kotori went “Muu”, groaning while placing her hand on her chin.
“Maybe......That’s the more proper method. Even if she only loves 2D beings, if we continuously approach her sincerely, the potential of her opening her heart isn’t zero.”
“Then, the plan shifts to a long term approach?”
Shidou asked in response to Kotori.
“The worst is that there’s no other way to do so........ In the very end that will be the last resort method. While we must do the method carefully, if DEM smells her whereabouts, then there’s no guarantee she will be safe. We can’t do it too slowly either.”
“I-I’m sorry........”
After Kotori said that, Yoshino shrugged her shoulder while apologizing. Kotori shook her head right and left.
“There’s no need to apologize. Truthfully, I also want to pick that method.........If she takes a look carefully, I think she will realize that Shidou can beat those manga characters.”
Kotori said that while averting her gaze away a little, she stirred the chupa-cups stick. Somehow after hearing that, Shidou’s face went a bit red.
Then, accordingly, Tohka, who had previously inclined her head while folding her arms, turned to look at Shidou.
“Hey Shido. Why does Nia can only love 2D?”
“Eh? Uhm.......That’s.......”
Although Tohka only threw a simple question, but Shidou couldn’t answer that.
Surely, that’s the root of this problem. Why can’t Nia love anything but 2D..........On the other side, she can’t love a 3D human being.
Kotori also thought about that question. While placing her hand on her chin, she said.
“I’m also a bit curious.......I’ll do some investigation.”
“Eh? Investigation?”
“Somehow, ten years ago Nia must have already become a manga artist. Then, whether she was a real human or a pure Spirit, she must have left some traces of her existence in this world. That will be our clue.”
“I see..........”
Shidou folded his arms while saying that. There’s a point in Kotori’s words for sure.
“Although.......It’s not like there’s always something we can find. Anyway, we should think up a special plan.”
After that, someone responded to Kotori’s words; Natsumi who is sitting next to Yoshino let out a small voice.
“.....If that’s the case, isn’t it better to just follow the person’s preference? Isn’t that the problem in the first place?”
“Even if that’s true........Both the cosplay and game tactics ended up in failure, you know? Even though crossdressing as a female worked on a certain someone back then......”
While saying this, Kotori turned to look at Miku. After Miku noticed her gaze, she threw a kiss to Kotori. Kotori let a sigh out of shock and returned her glance.
“........Although with Shidou, he can’t cross the dimensional barrier. Or perhaps, we should use a road roller or something else to flatten him?”
“H-Hey......”
While Shidou was sweating, Natsumi raised her finger in response to Kotori’s words.
“........Uhm, what if I use my <Haniel> to transform Shidou’s shape into a manga book.........”
“Hasn’t the approach to become 2D been somewhat ridiculous since the very beginning!?”
Shidou said that while sweating, as Natsumi puffed her cheeks.
“..........I-Isn’t it obvious that it’s merely a joke. Sorry then. Though I’m not a character who could do a joke..........I get it. I’ll keep silent. I won’t say anything anymore..........”
Natsumi slowly fell down from the chair out of depression. Shidou gave out a voice in confusion.
“N-No, that’s not what I meant......Sorry.”
“Mu~..........”
“N-Natsumi-san........”
But, Yoshino, who is sitting next to Natsumi, stretched her hand and pulled Natsumi back to her chair.
“---------I see.”
Origami, who had been in deep thought, suddenly raised her voice.
“? What’s wrong Origami? Did something come up?”
Kotori asked, as Origami nodded.
And then, Origami said something unexpected.
“Natsumi’s plan probably will work out. About Shidou becoming a book.”
Shidou widened his eyes upon hearing Origami’s words.
“Eh? W-Wait a minute. Although Nia said that she cannot love anything but 2D, but she means the character in the manga, not the manga book itself you know? Even if I become a book........”
Shidou said that with a bothered face, on the other side, Natsumi kept staring at him.
“........Ah, you listen carefully to Origami’s words..........Of course you would. That’s because my brain quality is different from Origami’s. The persuasive power of her words is also obviously different too. No wonder. Because that’s obvious already........”
“T-That’s not it...........”
Looking at Natsumi, who got depressed again instantly, Shidou struggled to explain himself to her.
But, as if she doesn’t mind it, Origami continued.
“That’s not what I meant. I’m not saying to turn Shidou into a book. Instead, I’m saying to create a manga that has [Shidou] as a character in it.”
“Wha........!?”
Upon hearing Origami’s proposal, everyone who is sitting in the meeting room raised their voices at the same time. Only Tohka, who didn’t react for a moment, then she said “Wha....!?” as if to match with everyone else’s reaction.
“I see........”
Kotori placed her hand on her mouth while making a serious face.
“A manga where Shidou becomes the protagonist........Huh? Certainly it can be called a 2D character as well.”
“H-Hey, hey. Wait a minute. Even if it can work out for a while, the me inside the manga won’t be the same as me in real life, isn’t it? Won’t it end up with the same result........?”
Shidou responded with a sullen face.
Right. Just by looking at today’s example already made them understand that Nia is fairly strict in regards to her favorite character’s appearance.
If Nia says that “Shidou won’t do such thing!” or something like that, it would cause an identity crisis for Shidou.
But, as if to object that opinion, the Yamai sisters raised up their opinion.
“Fufufu, if that’s the case, in order not to detach from reality, isn’t it better to just draw something real? ----Thankfully, there’s a mountain of material around Shidou that can be used for a manga.”
“Consent. If we portrayed Shidou like that, then it won’t be the same as tricking Nia with the game back then. As expected from Master Origami. It’s a nice idea.”
“N-No, even so, Nia has her own personal preference too in the first place, right? More importantly is whether Nia will read it or not, and will she like the character on the book or not........”
“I-It’s alright......!”
Replying to Shidou, the girl who has the same height as Natsumi and a tender look, Yoshino spoke.
“Y-Yoshino.......?”
Shidou widened his eyes upon hearing Yoshino’s strong tone, which was different from usual. But Yoshino face turns red out of embarrassment. She gripped her right hand tightly and continued.
“Shidou-san already helped us.......If we draw what Shidou-san did up until now straightly, Nia-san will likes Shidou-san too........I’m sure........!”
“U-Uhm..........”
Upon hearing Yoshino, who would normally never speak with such strong tone, somehow made him feels embarrassed. Shidou hesitantly mumbled with an awkward tone.
After that, both the crew and Spirits gave their agreement towards the plan.
“Shidou-kun’s documentary, isn’t it? If that’s the case, it will probably work...”
“But, that’s also mean that we should draw about the spirits too, right? Is it really alright?”
“What? It’s only Nia who’s going to read, even if leaked outside, nobody will think it’s anything but fiction.”
“Ooh.....So Shido will become a manga? That’s amazing! I wanted to help too!”
“Kukuku......Somehow it seems like us Yamai should lend our power.”
“Consent. On the 39th match, submission illustration showdown, our work got printed together under the title [Rare illustrations from twins!], and we ended up with a tie again.”
“..........You two really do everything..........”
“H-Hey~.........”
Shidou raised his voice nervously, but everyone doesn’t seem to hear that at all.
Kotori grasped her fist and hits the table to calm everyone’s down.
“--------Well then, let’s do a vote. Who approves this project to create a manga about Shidou?”
“Yes!”
In response to Kotori’s words, everyone raised up their hands except for Shidou.
“........”
Everyone looked towards Shidou.
“Ukh..........”
Shidou gave out a sigh, he slowly raised his hand up as well. Everyone went *Waah* out of excitement.
“Alright! Everyone has already agreed! Let’s work on the plot right away-----“
Then,
At the moment after Kotori almost finished her sentence, the console installed inside the conference room started ringing a *Pipipipipi* sound.
“Eh........? What sound is that, Kotori?”
Once Shidou asked, Kotori knitted her eyebrows and turned her glance to the console.
“It’s a call. Moreover, it’s from the external line........? I don’t recognize the number though......”
Kotori pushed the call button while saying these words.
After that, a familiar voice of a girl can be heard coming from the conference room’s speaker.
“--------Hey. You’re quite the schemer, boy.”
“Wha..........”
Upon hearing that voice, everyone’s face went pale from shock, starting first with Shidou.
“N-Nia.........?”
Right. The voice heard from the speaker is surely the Spirit who has become the main topic of discussion in the conference room.
“Unbelievable! This underground facility’s circuit is encrypted, how come she’s easily-----“
Migimoto shouted, however his voice stops halfway.
It seems like he realized something in the middle of his sentence. With the omniscient Angel <Rasiel> that Nia holds, whatever encryption or any other security won’t matter for her.
“I see. You’ve heard everything........Haven’t you?”
“Well yes~. Basically I dislike spoilers, although I don’t want to use <Rasiel> this way, I just don’t want you to playing around with Tokiya or my Otome heart anymore.
With a dry laugh, Nia said that. Upon hearing that tone, Shidou and the others started sweating.
The others also noticed that. Then they started whispering to each other.
“.........S-She’s angry, isn’t she.......?”
“........Uhm.......It’s feels like she’s really angry.”
“She really likes that Tokiya-san character, doesn’t she~?”
Perhaps Nia didn’t take notice towards those whispering comments.....Then Nia continued her words as if to reply to them.
“.......Well, though it’s fine since you’ve seemingly change your plan somehow, but that plan, don’t you think there’s a big hole in it?”
“H-Hole....?”
“Yes. For example, once the manga is finished, why are you talking with assumption that I’m going to read the book?”
“Wha......”
Shidou widened his eyes.....Certainly there’s that kind of possibility.
In the case of a manga lover like Nia, probably Nia will read it unconditionally, but.....Perhaps it can be said that they are only relying on the other party’s kindness.
“Isn’t it right? My work is super busy, I have a limited number of books I can read, you know? Actually, I haven’t even read ten percent of those manga books I’ve bought today. There’s a lot of my favorite series that came out while I was in confinement. Why would I waste my limited free time by reading a manga book drawn by an amateur with ulterior motive like that! Well......If it was until then I might be willing to read it, but I’m in angry mode right now. I can even defeat the existence named Ashura[2]. As if I would read a book from you all, who’ve disgraced my Tokiya!”
“N-No way......”
Upon hearing Nia’s words, Yoshino created a face that looks like she is almost crying.
“Well, bye! That’s it! Stop doing something useless!”
“-------Wait a minute.”
But as Nia was going to cut off the call, Kotori placed her elbow on the table and stopped her.
“Uun......? Aah, you’re Kotori-chan? I guess this is the first time we’ve talk to each other like this. Hi, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
Kotori replied to her, and continued her words.
“----------Well, I’ll go straight to the main problem. From the way you spoke, I think it’s...... If it’s a book worth reading, then you’ll spare some times to read that book, right?”
“..........Um? What are you talking about?”
“Please answer. If the manga we create can be better than your own manga at one thing, then it’ll be worth reading, right?”
Upon hearing Kotori’s words, Nia laughed loudly.
“Ahaha! Well, I think it is. But, even if there’s something amusing in it or not is according to the person themselves. Even though you said that, it’s really amusing. Do you really thing that I will think the same way as you?”
“Certainly you’re right about that..... But if that’s the case, isn’t there one absolute standard that we can use to judge it?”
“Absolute standard....?”
When Nia asked back, Kotori replied back to her with an extremely serious tone.
“Yes. -------It’s the sales amount.”
“Wha.....!?”
It’s not only Nia who raised her voice in response to Kotori’s words. Everyone else who is present inside the conference room also pointed their gaze towards Kotori at the same time.
“Fuun......How interesting. Are you serious when you said that you can win against me, Honjou Souji, by the sales amount?”
“Yes. If we win, you should obediently read the book.”
Nia kept silent for a few seconds, then she went *Ahaha* as she laughed very loudly.
“It’s fine. Let’s see whether you can really win.”
After Nia said that, she cut off the call.
For a while, the conference room fell into a deep silence.
“H-Hey, Kotori. What did you say.......? Our opponent is a pro manga artist you know?”
“It can’t be helped, right? That’s all because she clearly declared that she won’t read the manga.”
“Even if that’s the case.......!”
After Shidou said that in a high pitch, Kotori extended her palm to stop him.
“Calm down. It’s not like I’m not thinking of anything.”
When Kotori said that, she raised up the chupa-chups stick.
“...........Haa.”
Nia gave out a sigh while lying down on her bed.
On the side of the bed, there’s a mountain of manga and light novels piled up on the stack. However right now she doesn’t feel like she wanted to read them. She isn’t working on the new manga ideas either. She just kept staring at the ceiling.
She thought about the reason for her current problem. -------Because of the previous information she gained from <Rasiel> and the direct call she did with Shidou, Kotori, and the others.
Whatever they are, drawing a manga with Shidou as the protagonist in order to make Nia read it and make her hold affection towards Shidou himself.
“...........They are underestimating me.”
Nia pouted her cheeks out of displeasure.
Right. Nia certainly is fond of manga and anime. And her declaration about her never loving anything but 2D wasn’t a lie either.
But that doesn’t mean that she will love everything as long as they’re 2D.
That topic has also become a common misunderstanding amongst Otaku. Creating a popular anime stage in a certain place that is fun to visit, the so-called pilgrimage tactic in order to grow the town’s local government, with the thought process that Otaku like these kinds of things, don’t they? As long as there is an easy-going moe character present, generally everything will go smoothly. ------Naturally, what an Otaku really likes is an [Interesting Anime]. It doesn’t mean they’ll like everything as long as its anime. The backbone is also important for a moe character.
The case this time is also the same. Even though Nia has Tokiya as one of her waifu characters (Even though he’s a man, he’s still called a waifu). In the very end, those characters have an excellent personality that made her hold a high feeling towards them. It’s not like that she can go *Kyun* at every manga character.
Besides, even if they draw a manga based on a real person as the model, it’s not like Nia will be able to open her heart.
“..............” Nia fell into silence; she stroked her left hand gently to the air.
Following that action, a book appeared from the empty space.
<Rasiel>. An Angel that knows everything that has happened in this world and Nia’s best and worst Angel.
“............”
Nia started at <Rasiel>’s front cover without opening it, then she remembered the old memories from the not so distant past.
Although Nia holds an omniscient Angel that could know everything in this world, she doesn’t have any particular desire or ambition, nor does she ever think to use this power for something bad. She doesn’t mind living a peaceful life at all.
Actually, with the help of her personality that allowed her to talk with anyone, Nia felt that it was comparatively easy to interact around in human society.......Well, even though certainly using <Rasiel>’s power was a big help.
However, on a certain time, a curiosity bothered Nia’s mind.
“----------How was I born, anyway?”
Thinking again, that was the beginning of all her mistakes.
Back then, if she could have kept her big curiosity and didn’t open <Rasiel>, the Nia right now probably would have been a more sensible Spirit.
However, Nia already understood. The reason behind how she became her current self.
..And herself from long ago.
Once she understands that......No, perhaps it’ll be more accurate to say that when Nia remembered it, at that moment, she felt like she wanted to take out all of her stomach contents.
Furthermore, in Nia’s mind, she kept producing the feeling of distrust like a poison.
And to make it worst, in Nia’s hand exists an Angel which could know everything in this world.
Nia began to do some investigation about the human who live around her inside society. From friends, acquaintances, to even the store keeper that she had visited.
Then, Nia ended up being alone.
The more she investigated, the more she knows, and the more she cannot stand the creature called human beings.
Somehow even if they have a kind face, there’s always a cruel true character hidden inside them. No matter how much love exists, there’s always a pitch-black hole inside their heart. Then, Nia became disgusted by creatures called human being.
Though inside human society, it’s impossible for her to live without interact with anyone.
That’s why Nia masked herself skillfully.
She tried her best not to use <Rasiel> on someone she just met, and interacted with people as if they’re a game’s NPC.
But inside her heart, there’s only one existence which she opened her heart to.
They’re those who live in the different world than hers, those who live in a 2D world.
Those manga and anime characters don’t have any hidden side of themselves other than the one Nia that can see from them. They will never betray Nia.
And then, Nia sank herself into that world. Until the point she decided on a job where she could create that kind of world herself.
That’s why, it’s not accurate to say that Nia cannot love anything but 2D.
Nia just cannot open her heart to a real human being.
“That’s why........It’s useless.”
Nia stared at the ceiling above her while touching <Rasiel>’s cover with her left hand.
For example-------That’s it. Like whether Shidou’s words are lies or not.
“..............”
Nia let out a small sigh; she tried to brush away her curiosity. Before that, she should wait for a while; Nia’s desire will bring an undesired result.
Nia already experienced this kind of thing several times. Whenever she became curious, Nia always ended up filling her heart with suspicion.
“.........No, I shouldn’t.”
Talking to herself, Nia returned her hand to its original place.
Then-----Nia gave another sigh and she hates herself for that.
At that moment....
“-----Ara, ara. In the end, you’re not using that Angel?”
From the room where there’s nobody but Nia, an unfamiliar voice could be heard.
“...........! Who!?”
Nia jumped from her bed out of confusion. The books piled up like a mountain around her collapse just like a sliding snow.
Nia looked at her surroundings with her face that looks really cautious. A shadow begins to spread from an ink stain pasted on one side of the wall. -------From there, a figure of a girl began to be seen.
That girl has black hair tied up in an unbalanced twin-tail. Besides, she has white skin contrary to her black hair. She wears a crimson and black colored dress on her body.
However, looking at the appearance of the girl in front of her made both her consciousness and memories all hazy as if they were torn apart into pieces. With an appearance that looks neither like a God nor a Devil. In the middle of her face enshrined a pair of different colored eyes. On her left eye, there are the hands of time engraved on it, *Kara-Kara*, the surface of her eye looked entirely like a clock’s dial.
This doesn’t seem to be reality, looking at this scene is entirely like seeing a dream------or more likely a beautiful nightmare. For this girl to appear so suddenly a normal human will surely scream or stand dumfounded.
However, Nia doesn’t choose any of them. She lowered her body posture, with full of caution, Nia pointed her hand towards the girl.
“-----------Who are you, anyway? Isn’t barging in without knocking on the door impolite?”
When Nia said this, the girl placed her hand on her mouth while giggling suspiciously.
“Ufufu, please excuse me for my impoliteness. -----But, there’s no need to be so cautious like that, I only want to be your ally. At least for now.”
“..........Ally?”
Nia narrowed her eyelid and twisted her left hand. Following that movement, a large book appeared like usual. Somehow upon looking that, the girl’s eyes sparkled out of interest.
In order to confront the girl, she touched gently <Rasiel>’s cover. The pages began flipping automatically, and then a faint light shined from the pages.
After that, she touched the page with her fingertip and gave out a small sigh.
“..........Fuun, I see. The reason why nobody was guarding the transportation I was in back then was because of you, Tokisaki Kurumi.”
Nia called out her name with a strong accent as if she was trying to threaten the girl.
However the girl-----Kurumi, she doesn’t seemed to be scared of Nia’s actions. Instead, she shows a fierce grin.
“How splendid. So that is the omniscient Angel <Rasiel>?”
Upon hearing Kurumi’s words, Nia moved her body out of shock.
“............Hee. So you’ve already investigated about me beforehand?”
“Yes. Of course, although I have to rely on [Numbers] to get everything since I don’t have the same level of investigation ability like you.”
Kurumi laughed in amusement.
[Numbers]. Because Nia was curious about what she had just said, Nia touched <Rasiel> for a second time. At the moment, the meaning behind Kurumi’s words echoed inside her head.
“..........I see, clones, huh? Again, there’s another troublesome power that exists.”
While saying this, Nia let out a drop of sweat from her forehead.
Nia claimed this according to <Rasiel>’s written information about Kurumi’s Angel?Zafkiel<Emperor of Time>. She never knew that this kind of powerful ability existed before.
Nia gazed at Kurumi, she’s screaming inside her mind. ------What’s with an Angel that could manipulate time? Isn’t that cheating........!?
Although <Rasiel> could be used for dangerous situations, if Nia should fight one by one with Kurumi, perhaps Nia will have no chance at winning.
However, feeling insecure is surely a bad move. Though Kurumi’s ability to collect information through creating clones is terrifying, there’s no way that she could grasp information about all of <Rasiel>‘s abilities.
And in turn, Nia already knew all about Kurumi’s abilities, and Kurumi should also understand about that as well. Opposing a mysterious Spirit, she’s surely is not ordinary one.
But Nia still had the advantage due to information she has for a battle. Nia thought she’s a step ahead and is confident of that. After judging, Nia gave out a sigh and relaxed her stiffened body a little bit.
“Then, what kind of business does the worst Spirit-sama have with me?”
After Nia asked, Kurumi giggles again.
“---------I have a very simple request, I want you to investigate something.”
And then Nia raised her hand slowly and touched <Rasiel>.
“There’s something I want you to investigate with your <Rasiel>.”
“.........Something you want me to investigate, huh?”
Nia placed her hand on her chin.
“Well, to show my gratitude for helping me, I want to listen to your request, but that depends on the degree........I think. Unlike you, I’m a pacifist. I won’t leak out any important information that will become dangerous later.”
Upon hearing Nia’s words, Kurumi gave out a small laugh.
“Please be assured. This is truly only for my own personal desires. I promise that the information won’t be the cause for any war or become the reason for any person’s unhappiness.”
“............Fuun?”
Nia pointed her gaze to Kurumi.
As if to trying to respond, Kurumi move her lips.
“That’s why, please tell me. ---30 years ago, [The First Spirit] that appeared in this world. The cause and reason for its appearance, the accurate coordinates and time of when it appeared, its powers, as well as-----a way to kill it.”
“............Eh?”
Upon hearing Kurumi, Nia knitted her eyebrow.
“--------Then, this room. Please come in.”
After saying this, Kotori opened the door using a key and urged Shidou and the others to come in.
It’s a room inside the first floor of the high mansion next to Itsuka residence where all spirits reside. Shidou looked back at all the spirits who are behind him, and then he held the door’s knob and turned it.
Then they take off their shoes as they enter the room, they their eyes glimmer with shock upon looking at the room’s appearance.
“This is.........”
Some large working desks are lined up inside the 20 tatami space. On the top of them, various painting tools have been prepared.[3]
This room looks like a larger version of Nia’s work room. But at the same time, the room has some differences with Nia’s. All the desk and painting tools are all new brand, seemingly as if they had never been used before.