On the rooftop of a mansion where Nia resides, the shadows began to spread out.

From the shadows, Kurumi slowly raised herself up before coming out with a jumping move. She stretched her body lightly and slowly looked up to the sky. After that, a familiar voice resounded from the shadow that was spreading on the ground.

“-----Well, well.”

“It looks like it has become a troublesome matter.”

“How was it?”

After uttering those words, several girls came out at the same time from the mansion rooftop’s shadows.

They’re all girls with an asymmetrically fluttering hairstyle and all of them have a clock’s dial as their left eye.

Of course they also have the same voice. The reason is because they’re all [Kurumi]’s voice.

Kurumi’s angel is <Zafkiel>. Using [The Eight’s Bullet] Kurumi can create her own clones. They are all talking to Kurumi through the shadows.

Kurumi lets out a sigh and replied to them.

“Right.”

It’s true that Kurumi had already meet with the Second Spirit she had been searching for this all time, and using Nia’s angel, Kurumi already obtained the information regarding [The First Spirit].

However, Kurumi has reached a serious conclusion as a result.

Kurumi gave out a sigh and shrugged her shoulders.

“Even if I collect enough Reiryoku to go back to 30 years ago using [The Twelfth Bullet-Yud Bet], I absolutely cannot win against [The First Spirit].”

“.................”

After Kurumi said that, Kurumi’s clones suddenly became quiet.

They were all looking at Kurumi silently.

“------------Ara?”

In response to them, Kurumi giggled and laughed.

“What’s with that face, us? ----Do you think I will accept it just like that? Do you think I will waste all the human lives I took this whole time just because of that?”

After saying that, Kurumi twirled around as if she was dancing, and she kicked the ground lightly to stand at an angle.

As she looks down to the vast town, she continued to speak with a singing tone.

“The First Spirit’s power might be too powerful-----but, what about it? My angel <Zafkiel> has the power to manipulate time. In front of time, any kind of power is meaningless.”

Kurumi looked back at those clones.

Among the information Kurumi got from Nia, the most important one wasn’t [The First Spirit]’s ability, -----Rather, it was the reason and cause for its appearance.

“It’s was a very simple talk. The First Spirit didn’t exist in this world until 30 years ago. In that case, I need to go to the time before the First Spirit appeared in this world, and just eliminate the cause for its appearance.”

As Kurumi said that, she created a gun shape using her right hand’s index finger and thumb. Then, *Bang!*, she shot it towards an empty space.

All clones brightened their expressions upon hearing Kurumi’s words.

“----Well, it would be a lie if I said that I’m not regretting the fact that I cannot kill that hateful Spirit with my own hands. Tough, but let’s put that aside.”

Right. The most important thing is-----------to erase the reality of that [Spirit]’s existence being born into this world.

Restore the history to how it should be, just like what Shidou did.

Kurumi lowered her eyes and gripped her fist as if she gained a new determination.

“But still............”

After that, she gave out a sigh.

From Nia just now, Kurumi already knew the reason of [The First Spirit]’s arrival. She thought about that in her mind and spoke to herself with an appalled voice.

“Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott, Ellen Mira Mathers, and Elliot Woodman.”

She called out the names of the three biggest sinners.

“Although it’s no use to say it now....... but the next time I see you three, I will likely be unable to control my urge to kill you."

After saying that, Kurumi kicked the ground again as she began to disappear into the ground.

And so, Shidou and the other’s battlefield had just begun.

After the story line has been decided by everyone, Shidou and the other Spirits began splitting their work between a drawing team and a special team.

Firstly, for the drawing team, Natsumi is in charge of working on the major parts of the drawing: sketching the rough outline and drafting the cover.

Although they wanted help out more to lighten Natsumi’s burden, in order to keep consistency between story and drawing-style, this task had to be entrusted to Natsumi.

While Shidou and the others are free, they viewed a video that gave a simple explanation regarding the work process for a manga. They then practiced their sketches on the paper in order to have some preparation before being able to help out with the manga.

When everything is done, the time is already 2:00 a.m. of December 30th.

Although naturally everyone should go to sleep and continue working on the drawing early next morning, Natsumi kept insisting to continue the work. They decided to work overnight and take naps in turns in order to maximize their working efficiency.

When Natsumi drew the draft, she framed her illustration by using a ruler and a pen. Then, she drew the text box. Once that was done, the real work will begin. Everyone would re-draw the rough sketch of all the characters Natsumi had drawn using pencil.

However,

“........Uwaah! I drew over the frame!”

“Ku........The jet-black tears have fallen upon the pure holy ground!?”

“Disturbance. The ink has already stuck under the ruler.”

“.........No problem. This can still be repaired.”

Although Shidou and the others have all drawn an illustration before, they’re still amateurs. So, there’s no way they could draw the manuscript neatly during the beginning.

Though with enough concentration and adaptive power, they looked at the draft’s open space and moved the pen more carefully. Somehow, they managed to draw the line properly on the draft.......Well midway, Kaguya and Yuzuru had switched their pen type from the Mili-pen to the Superfine Marker for inking the small parts.

And after inking was done, they erased the pencil traces diligently. Then, they changed the image into data by using a scanner and send it to assistant-team lead by Nakatsugawa.

Though it can be said that they are rushing on the work, with only a small number of people, they won’t be able to finish the manga book within only 2 days.

However, that doesn’t mean that Shidou and the others can suddenly increase their drawing ability. Inking Natsumi’s rough sketch using a pen is more stressful than everyone had thought it would be.

“..............”

“..............”

“..............”

Inside the large room, there is the scratching sound of a pen moving. Even though they played some CDs as background music; while working, there’s almost no effect at all to the person whose heart is supposed to be heal by the music.

After some time has passed since they started working. “Hi, everyone! How’s the work progress?”

Suddenly, the room’s door opened. It’s Kotori, who brought along some bags with both of her hands. “.........Aah, Kotori. Well, somehow.”

“........Somehow, you look older even though it’s just been a few hours since we last seen each other.”

Kotori said that while sweating. She placed the bags on the table and raised her voice.

“Refreshments. I’ll put them here, please drink them while you’re taking a break.”

“Kaka........An offering, huh? What good dedication, Kotori.”

“Gratitude. Thank you very much Kotori.”

“............”

The Yamai sisters expressed their gratitude, Origami kept silence while waving her hand. At that time, “Uuh......” such a voice can be heard. Perhaps, Natsumi was replying to Kotori’s words.

Then, since Kotori already got a response from everyone, she walked towards Shidou’s desk.

“..........Shidou, can I have a moment?”

“Ng? What is it?”

“It’s about Nia, so-“

“.......! Did something happen!?”

When Shidou asked, Kotori nodded. Then, once again, she raised her voice to everyone.

“Sorry, everyone. I’ll be borrowing Shidou for a while. He’ll work twice as faster once he gets back.”

“Hey!?”

Shidou voiced his protest, but Kotori didn’t take notice. She gripped Shidou’s sleeve and pulled him forward.

“H-Hey.........”

Shidou, while being dragged by Kotori, was walking out of the room like a dog being lead.

After they had left the mansion, Shidou lowered his eyesight due to the dazzling sunshine.

“Ukh........It’s already this bright? This is bad, how many hours are left?”

“Although manuscript is also important, but first just get into the car.”

After saying that, Kotori pointed to a car parked in front of the mansion.

Shidou sat on the back seat as per Kotori’s instruction. The car left right away, moving along the road.

“Then..........”

Shidou looked to the stores and houses on the street outside the window as he asked Kotori.

“Did you find out something about Nia?”

“Yes--------Actually, we have contacted someone who is Nia's mangaka acquaintance.”

“I-Is that true? Then, if we ask that person—“

“Yes. We might be able to find out something regarding Nia’s past.”

Kotori said that while looking at Shidou. Shidou gulped down his saliva.

After twenty minutes had passed, the car carrying Shidou and Kotori stopped right before a café.

“--------It’s here. Please get off. Reine is already talking to that person.”

“A-Aah.”

Shidou got out from the car. While a little nervous, he proceeded towards the café.

They looked around inside the café--------Then they heard someone who was calling out for Shidou while raising her hand a little.

“Hi, Reine-san.”

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

“.........Aah, so you’ve arrived, Shin, Kotori.”

Reine talked to with a similar sleepy tone. She was similar to Shidou who was currently also sleepy due to last night. Then, she introduced them to the person who sitting in front of them.

“......Let me introduce. She’s a manga artist. Her name is Takajou Hiroki.”

“Ah, nice to meet you—“

Shidou bowed to her, --------but at that point, he stopped his body’s movement.

He thought that Takajou Hiroki was the name for a guy. However, in front of him, there was a woman wearing thick glasses and her age looked seemingly over twenty.

Then, he remembered something regarding another week’s event. Nia herself said there’s another female manga artist who used a masculine name as a pen name like her.

“Please let me introduce myself. My name is Itsuka Shidou.”

“The same, my name is Kotori. Thank you very much for coming here today.”

“Ooh, thank you for your politeness.”

In response to Shidou and Kotori’s greeting, Takajou said that while placing her hands on the table as she bowed in return to them.

And then, she looked up to see both Shidou and Kotori.

“........Well then, today you wanted to ask something about Honjou-sensei, right?”

“Ah-----Yes. That’s right. Anything is fine; can you please tell us everything you know?”

When Shidou asked that, Takajou corrected the position of her glasses and her lens started shining.

“Although I don’t mind about it........What kind of relationship do you all have with Honjou-sensei?”

“Eh?”

“No, please pardon me. But our careers are in the peak of our popularity. I won’t leak out any information to any unrelated person.”

“I see..........”

Perhaps this conversation won’t last any longer. However, Shidou could not think of any good explanation right away. He kept thinking about what to do for a moment.

And then from his side, Kotori raised up her voice.

“------------Actually Nia-Onee-chan is our distant relative, but we couldn’t contact her for several years now........So we’re wandering around asking various people about her circumstances.”

And then, Kotori said those words very carefully. Perhaps she had already assumed this kind of circumstance beforehand? Or it’s was only an ad-lib she came up on the spot? No matter which one, Kotori said that plausibly without changing her expression. Shidou had a feeling that Kotori had a nature talent as a swindler.

“Fumu, I see.”

Takajou groaned a little before nodding. Certainly, Takajou believed in Kotori because she just used her real name [Nia], which has never been present to public.

“I understand your circumstances. I’m also worried about Honjou-sensei. I will cooperate with you as long as it’s within my limits.”

“Is that true? Thank you very much........!”

Shidou placed his hands before him, and bended his body to once again bow to her.

However----------Takajou scratched her cheeks a little.

“However........I don’t know how helpful I can be.”

“What do you mean.....?”

“No, actually, I haven’t met with Honjou-sensei during the recent years as well. Besides.......Somehow it’s looks like that Honjou-sensei also hates me.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

As Shidou asked, Takajou shook her head as she continued.

“No........About 8 or 9 years ago, we had met during a publisher’s party and became friends.......But one day, she strangely became cold towards me and started keeping her distance......I thought, we had a good friendship as fellow manga artists, but.......It looks like my carelessness did something rude to her without my realization.”

“That’s..........”

Upon hearing that explanation, Shidou knitted his eyebrow. Next to him, Kotori also created the same expression as if realizing something.

Perhaps what’s come up in Kotori’s mind was also ------the angel <Rasiel>’s existence.

“What’s wrong?”

Feeling that Shidou and Kotori’s reactions were strange, Takajou inclined her head.

“N-No, nothing wrong.”

“Fumu......Is that so? -----Anyhow, that’s it. Although I can tell you what I know, I’m not sure if that will be useful or not.”

“Yes, please do.”

Shidou said that while nodding, Takajou returned the reply back by shaking her head as well. Then, she continued.

Approximately 40 minutes later,

Shidou and Kotori thanked Takajou and left the café. They went back to the same car that brought them here previously. As the car moved, they stared outside to look at the outside window’s scenery.

From their conversation with Takajou, Nia has a good personality which makes her always friendly and talkative towards anyone.

However, Nia doesn’t like to talk about herself before she became a manga artist. Especially, when questioned about her past relationships with her friends. She always tries to smooth talk her way out of those conversations.

And even when someone like Takajou appeared, who seemed easy to get along well, she kept her distant with her in turn.

“.........What do you think Kotori?”

“Seemingly-------“

In response to Shidou, Kotori moved her lips.

“There’s no doubt that it has something to do with <Rasiel>’s existence........If you think about it carefully, it’s not strange. If you have an angel that could know everything in this world, everyone would want investigates the people around them, right?”

“Even........Still.”

“Yes. Perhaps, that was the reason why Nia distrusted humans. ----But that’s it. There’s no human who could behave like a saint every day and night. Everyone will eventually at least talk bad behind someone’s back. With <Rasiel>, it’s only natural to feel disgusted towards human beings.”

Kotori scratched her head.

“........The root of the problem is surprisingly deep. When I heard that she can only love 2D characters, I thought it was only some kind of joke, but......In short, she won’t open her heart so nobody will be able to betray her, right? Isn’t this.......really sad?”

“............”

Upon hearing Kotori’s words, Shidou kept silent for a while.

Perhaps what Kotori said is true. Perhaps it was because of this reason. The reason why she never talked about her past relationship with her friends...the reason why she absorbed herself into a 2D world.

However, there’s only one thing that felt odd. About Nia, who suddenly acted coldly and kept her distant with Takajou........Those thoughts remained stuck inside Shidou’s mind.

“............, Shidou?”

“Eh? Aah........”

Shidou replied her, as Kotori looked at him with a displeased face.

“I understand that you are sleepy because you worked overnight, but this is important matter. You can’t be spaced-out.”

“Aah..........Sorry.”

Shidou responded back with a short reply. Upon seeing Nia’s rough life, he gripped his fist.

“Anyhow, for now, let’s complete the doujin. No matter what we do, we should make a place where we can talk to Nia once again and negotiate with her.”

When Shidou said that, Kotori made a surprised expression as she nodded back to him.

The work had reached its climax on December 31st at 1:00 a.m.

Inside the work room on the first floor of Spirit’s mansion, Shidou and the others were still busy using pens to ink the empty space of the manuscript.

“............”

Inside the silence, Shidou moved his body towards the desk as if he was sticking to it. Then, he inked the rough character drawn by Natsumi very carefully.

He was wearing gloves with fingertip attachments in order to not get cut off and taint the manuscript. He also stuck a cooling sheet on his forehead to prevent him from falling asleep.

Empty coffee cans and nutritional drink bottles lined up on the edge of the table.

“...........1:00 a.m.......Although we should send the data for the finishing touches......We are almost at our time limit......You know?”

“......Ui~.......”

“Ans......wer. Over here, only a little bit more......”

“..............”

It’s been a day since they started working. Shidou never left his seat except for food, bathroom breaks, and a momentary nap. He continued working on the drawing. It has exhausted his mind more than he expected. When he goes to the bathroom just now, looking at his face reflected on the mirror, his eyes are surrounded by splendid black circle around them, just like Reine’s.

However, Shidou is not the only one who has fallen into that state. On Shidou’s left side, both Kaguya and Yuzuru are in the same boat as Shidou. Their head seemed to feel dizzy as well. The only one who was still calm is Origami, but sometimes she also stopped moving every few hours as if she’s run out of battery.

However, Natsumi was the one who was, without a doubt, in the most dangerous state right.

Natsumi sat on the desk in the back side of the room. She didn’t take a nap even once. Her eyes looked really red, and her fingertips were trembling. However, no matter how much Shidou and the others asked her to rest, Natsumi never once stopped drawing. With that tenacity, the girl has been granted with a pro’s greatness.

Looking at that girl’s figure, Shidou cannot let out any complaints at all. Shidou collected all of his last willpower and placed them into his fingertips. Slowly, he started working on the last part.

“Alright.......This is......The end, the finish........”

Shidou said that with a shivering voice; then, he collapsed onto the desk. ----Of course, after he putting aside the manuscript.

At almost the same time, the Yamai sisters and Origami also finished their work. Similar to Shidou, both Kaguya and Yuzuru also collapsed onto their desks. However, Origami stretched her body and then stopped moving for a while.

Then, while waiting for the ink to dry, they erased the pencil traces and gave the manuscript to the assistant team.

“Well, it’ll be alright to entrust everything else to <Ratatoskr> then.”

Not so long after that, the door of the work room opened. Kotori and the others from the other team came inside with a big cardboard box.

“........Hi, Shidou.”

“Aah, Kotori..........Eh?”

As Shidou replied back to Kotori and the others, he struggled to raise his tired eyes.

Anyhow, Kotori, Tohka, Yoshino, and Miku appear to have the same sleepy face as Shidou and the rest.

“You all......That face, what happened?”

When Shidou asked, the girls looked at each other before turning back to Shidou.

“That’s a secret, Shido.”

“Please......Look forward to it.”

“Ufufu......Actually, lack of sleep is beauty’s most powerful enemy, but we cannot just let darling and the others do all the work~.”

After saying that, Tohka, Yoshino and Miku laughed despite having a worn out face. Shidou inclined his head in wonder.

“More importantly, how was your work?”

“Aah......I just finish them just now. After we are done with the erasing part and scanning them, we’ll send them to the assistant team. I think Kaguya, Yuzuru, and Origami have also already finished.”

“Is that so? Thank you, Well then----“

After saying those words, Kotori looked around at the room’s scenery.

Right. There’s a girl who was still continuing to work inside the room, ----Natsumi.

Shidou piled up the papers for a few seconds and slowly got up from the chair. He walked towards Natsumi along with Kotori and the others.

Upon seeing that, both the Yamai sisters and Origami followed them as they walked towards Natsumi.

“Natsumi........Are you alright?”

“...........”

“Natsumi?”

“........! A-Aah........Un........”

When Shidou talked to her, Natsumi shrugged her shoulders. The color of fatigue can be seen clearly on her face. Under her red eyes, there were dark circles around them. Looking like that, Natsumi had already reached her limits.

“Since we already finished our work, we will take over for you. You’re exhausted, right? Please go get some rest.”

“..........Uun, that’s fine. It’s only a little bit more........”

Natsumi shook her head in response to Shidou’s words and continued working. She rubbed her eyes because they seemed to be growing dizzier. She accidently covered her face with the ink stuck on her hands. Somehow, her face looked like someone who defeated at a Japanese badminton match.

“Wait a minute.......Natsumi, didn’t you not take any breaks since yesterday? Moreover, you even do the double the amount of work on both the Name and the draft......”

“That’s right. Our game will be at the sales event. Leave the rest to us, the dark dimension of sleep is already calling out to you.”

“Agreement. You are overworking yourself, Natsumi.”

“Resting is also important work.”

However, even though Yamai sisters and Origami were trying to talk to her together, Natsumi didn’t stop her work at all.

Staring at the blank space of the manuscript, Natsumi inked them with the pen wholeheartedly.

“............I said......It’s fine.”

“B-But............”

While Shidou said that, Natsumi keeps drawing a beautiful line with trembling fingers.

“........Perhaps, I will be the only one who is useless during the event. This is the only thing I can do........Is only this far........That’s why, let me do this. For me to become someone this necessary is something unthinkable. Because I want to be helpful too for everyone........”

“Natsumi..........”

“........I was saved by Shidou and everyone, I was truly happy......Because of that, this time, I wanted to save another Spirit by combining our power together. I’m, really......really....happy. That’s why, there’s no pain at all. It’s really-really fun that I can’t help it. I want to tell her soon........So that stubborn Nia will understand about it too.”

Natsumi smiled a little, before she slowly lifted up her hand that was gripping the pen.

“--------That friendship is a beautiful......thing.”

And then, Natsumi collapsed and fell off from her chair just as she finished her drawing. Thankfully, Shidou was able to catch her body with one arm.

“Hey, Natsumi, are you alright?”

“..........”

Shidou asked with a worried tone. Natsumi replied with a soft breathing that indicated that she fell asleep.

“........You’ve work hard Natsumi.”

After saying that, Shidou smiled at her and gently patted her head.

And then, Miku, who stood up behind him, raised her voice with a tears flowing down from her eyes.

“Uu........I’m being deeply moveed! To show my concern, darling, let me bring Natsumi-san to her room and lay her down on the bed.........”

“Shidou, bring Natsumi to her room. Don’t forget to lock the door, alright?”

As if interrupting Miku’s words, Kotori said that. Miku went, “Aan, Kotori-san is such a meanie!” and twisted her body.

Kotori ignored Miku and took the finished manuscript from Natsumi’s table. She stares at it before nodding a little.

“--------How splendid.”

After that, she showed it to everyone present.

“This is the result of Natsumi’s soul. With this, our weapon is already completed. -----Everyone, this match, we’ll absolutely gain victory!”

Upon hearing Kotori’s words,

“Ooh!”

Shidou and the others tossed their fist into the air as their answer.

Finally, morning has arrived. It’s already 7:30 a.m. The door to the battlefield has opened.

The circle of participants have already line up at a large convention center------Tengu Square, where Comico Colosseum’s assembly was being held. As they enter the hall, they heard the sound of footsteps, as well as rolling carts from the inside the room.[1]

Comico Colosseum was held twice a year, once during the summer and once during the winter. They displayed and sold a large number of doujin. It was scheduled to be held for only three days. This was a large event where all fans of manga and anime from the whole country gathered. Just like every other year, within those three days, it can be said that more than 50 people come as vendors.

That is the biggest event ever being held. Of course there are general participants too; however, the numbers of circle participants who display their doujin have fairly increased in terms of number. Not so long after the hall opened, the rumble of people marching vibrated inside the building.

It’s been one hour since the opening. The group of circle participants was usually placed in the same spot. Shidou and the others, the circle <Ratatoskr>, finally built their booth in front of the gate after the pedestrian traffic became fewer.

“Alright, let’s go, everyone!”

“Umu, preparation is completed!”

“L-Let’s do our best........!”

The Spirits nodded at Shidou’s words.

Even though it can be said that everyone’s physical condition isn’t perfect yet, they have recover enough of their physical strength because they passed out asleep after finishing the manuscript.

When Shidou woke up, he found Origami clinging next to him. While Miku had seized both Yoshino and Kotori in her left and right arms. As a result, she slept with a happy-looking face. Yoshino and Kotori groaned as if they were having a nightmare. They suspected Origami and Miku for plotting together for this, but the two denied that and said that it was only their sleeping posture. However, <Ratatoskr> knew that they lied and looked at them with suspicion.

Anyhow, today is the time for the decisive battle. Shidou walked along with the Spirits to the wide lobby passage. Then, they went to the east hall to their booth’s direction. Inside the hall, there was a large number of people from each circle participating. Everyone seems to be busy. As they were constructing their booth, they set up the tablecloth and lined up all the books on the tables.

“Hee......Although this is my first time coming here, this is amazing.”

“Consent. Everything here is so creative.”

“You’re right~. This atmosphere somehow feels similar to a live TV show.”

The Spirits looked at their surroundings out of interest, they went *Kya-Kya!* and chatted around.

Then, as she looked at a certain spot in the hall, Kotori shouted something to everyone.

“-----She’s already here, Nia.”

After her words, everyone became nervous.

Shidou gulped down his saliva and looked at the circle’s booth at the opposite direction.

Over there, was the person who Kotori just mentioned -----The figure of the Spirit, Nia.

“............”

Shidou made up his mind and walked forward.

And then, as if noticing Shidou and the others’ presence, Nia tucked her face.

“..........Um?”

After saying that, she lifted up the bridge of her glasses and stood up from the chair.

-->>

next page