Shido POV:
I always knew, or at least expected, this.
I knew Kotori's a Spirit, for some weird reasons, ever since she cried on me after Tome accidents.
That one still stings me hard in the heart, as I never knew she was once, despite living with her for years.
I knew, partially, that I could seal Spirit power with a kiss, AFTER gaining enough of their trust…
… Something I wished they would say sooner, instead of letting me squirming through those "training" and almost letting me die without checking if I still have that.
And uh, I also do wish they mention that I have Kotori's power in my arsenal… something I don't remember how.
… But what I didn't know, which pushed me to agree on this despite how messed up that is, is that I'm gonna lose Kotori forever if I don't.
According to her words, she's already at her limit. All ever since that incident a few weeks ago.
After that, her power, unbeknown to anyone, continued to flow back on her and tempted to overwrite her personality as a whole… and push her to the absolute limit.
… Her power also includes healing properties, the only thing that I could apply unconsciously, something that I suspected was the only reason besides my sealing power for such ridiculous approaching plans on Tome.
No idea if I should be angry about that, or the fact that she basically used me as a perfect tool to stop this whole Spacequake ordeal, OR that she never mentioned any of them to me, not until the moment I almost died that day…
… Eh, probably all of them.
And honestly, the fact I still couldn't feel a shred of anger toward any of them is, frankly, even weirder than the whole thing.
Anyway, with all that literally laid before me… I expected that to come, sooner or later.
A date. With Kotori, my own sister. Tomorrow.
… I couldn't help but leave out a desperate sigh with that.
Not that I have any problem with that, and I kinda look for that, in fact.
I mean, what kind of brother would let their sister die on their watch?
And despite all the secrets she hides from me, even now… I just can't bear to let her go like that.
After all, I'm used to her annoying antics… and it'd seem my brother's love for her exceeds that of hatred…
So with that in my way, I change my pajamas into the school uniform, pack all the books in the bag and go down to the kitchen for the main mission: making breakfast.
"Nii-chan."
Already settled down at the table with a guilty face, is the main focus of today herself.
"'mornin Kotori."
Wave a hand at her, I place down my bag and continue to the kitchen.
"What ya wanna eat, Kotori?"
"Omelette… please."
I call out for her while turning on the stove, and Kotori sheepishly responds, which is unlike her at all.
… Yeah, I gotta stop being surprised by that.
It took me a few minutes to make her dishes, consisting of omelettes, a few bacon and slices of tomato plus salad, and bring it out.
"Your omelettes have arrived!"
I place it in front of her with a dramatic stance… only to receive a flinch in return, instead of a childish laugh.
"Um… thank you, nii-chan…"
She mutters the gratitude with the quietest tone she could muster, slowly eating the dish as if that's the most valuable meal ever be.
Overall, the atmosphere is… pretty heavy, so say the least.
She ate so slow in fact, it took all my time making the dishes for Tome and Honjo-san for her to finish the dish.
"I finished… thanks for the meal, nii-chan…"
She pushes the dish back and gets up, takes the bag and leaves the room, all without soaring a glance at me.
… I knew that she's still burdened with what happened, but still—it hurt.
Will this become a normal occurrence? That being the word "hope" is to make breakfast alone?
With that question in mind, I quickly eat my dish, a simple sandwich, and off to school.
… And unbeknown to me, the moment I closed the door—another open…
Nia POV:
Yosh, that accursed and the brat's gone!
Finally!!! They took forever for all that!!!
"~~!!"
Ugh… stop screaming, my stomach!!
Seriously, why did it hurt… Is being human this annoying?!
Hrgm… I hate thi—
"—!"
!!
What?! Is someone still here?!
… Huh? That's… the Spirit? Tome? Tohka?
Eh, don't care. What's matter now is—hm?
Why did she… is she sneaking? Weird…
!! She's looking this way?! Dang!!!
…
… Huh. She's… gone…
Hm… from the sound of it, she's probably gone for real.
… Please, let this be for real this time
Okay… let's go!!! I can't wait for this anymore!!
Food!!! Ah ~ how delicious ~
Ah ~ Gosh how I love the feel in my tongue ~
Hm… feels kinda dry here.
Let's see… hm… oh my?
Huh?! For real?! They have beer?!
Why did they have beer here? I'm certain that they weren't here before…
Did that brat drink it? Or that accursed?
… Eh, don't care! Here I come, Bya-chan ~
Fuah! How refreshing!! Tastes just like yesterday!
Time for ano—hm?
What??!!! It's out?! A single can and that's it?!?!
Grhgh… great! Only a single can, and it's out! Just great!!
Hrgm… dang it, seems like that's it for now…
[You know—]
Wha—who?! What?!
… Wait, that voice… Was that it?
[—You could've just asked me.]
Let's see, where could it be… oh, so it hacked the TV.
Though, what's with all the static if you're gonna hack the screen-based device?
"You again?"
Seriously… why did this thing stubborn of me?
I mean… Well, not that I, uh, exactly hated that…
… Okay, just because I didn't believe the words of concern there, didn't mean I hated it. Not entirely, at least.
Which is a miracle in itself really, considering its "past" of almost deleting its humanity… Although, not that this one is better than it.
Comparing it to those… DEM… is like comparing a supernova and a dying ant.
… Which is still wild to think about, if I'm being honest here.
"So what now? Do you still wanna chitchat about 'caring for my well-being' or what?"
… Huh, that came out… more hostile than I thought.
[Yes.]
And that thing… still trying to?
… Just—why?
[Because, if you are curious, well… you remind me of someone.]
Hm? Me? Reminded?
[Someone I disappointed a while ago, someone you knew… someone I wished to be safe…]
… What? What with that… solemn voice?
Is it a trick? To gain my empathy? Like how they did?
[And for starters, I have a gift for you. Check the phone.]
… Huh? My phone? What the… an account?
This is… WHAT?! THIS MUCH??!!
[Untraceable money in an untraceable account. So, what do you think?]
… If all the prices increased a few million fold, then this money should carry me for, what, a few hundred years?
That's how much it is.
"… Well, thanks for that, I guess?"
[The pleasure's all mine, Honjo-san.]
And with that, it finally leaves the TV… probably.
Hm… what to do with the money…?
Shido POV:
There's Tome again… and she's still hiding from me…
"Yo man, what's your relationship with her?"
Another question from Tonomachi, this time more wearisome than last time.
Weird… why the wariness?
"Just my nephew."
A simple lie smoothly escapes my mouth, as I lie face-down on the table.
So, after it all happened, it's lunch time once more.
"Shido."
… And, for some reason, Origami approached me, again.
"Would you mind having lunch with me?"
I take a small peek at her. Still the same motionless face, the blue eyes, the white bob…
"No, thanks. I… need time to be alone."
I deeply apologize to Origami, while quickly taking out my bento and dashes out of the room, ignoring her look completely.
… That did hurted me a bit, considering the affection she showed me, but I really wanted to be alone here.
And so, I reach for the rooftop again, all alone again.
Haiz… dang it… still can't get used to this…
… So, with all the time by myself, I couldn't help but think about things.
About myself, about my power, about the lie she told me.
And I couldn't help but, in the most abstract way, doubt her.
She hides everything from me… because of what? Lack of faith? Ratatoskr term? Or that I—
"—Incapable?"
I murmur the last thing outloud… and really lean more on that last part.
After all, why wouldn't I? She's the one that continuously says that to my face throughout the years—well, not exactly the exact term, but probably remotely similar enough—and even worse when I finally get involved with the whole sealing thing.
She already prepared for my involvement for years, while I was left in the dark the whole time.
… Better not prying this topic anymore. Things already are, and being angry with it ain't changing much.
Urghrhgh… dang it…
[UUUUUUUU—!!]
… And of course, a Spacequake warning.
Seriously, what the heck is with my luck…?
Yoshino POV:
I'm… here again.
I'm here again…
Again…
… Why?
"Partner!"
That voice… Yoshinon!
I look down at my hand, and let out a small sigh of relief.
That's right… he's here… he'll always be here.
My hero will always be here… I am not alone…
"… You okay, partner?"
Yoshinon, for some reason, looked at me with a… somber look?
"I'm fine, Yoshinon."
I smile back at him to ease the situation, like how I always do…
"… If you say so."
But this time, for some reason, his look—didn't waver.
"Quick partner, hide!!"
But before I could ask him anything, Yoshinon suddenly urged me to run.
And so, quickly noticed this big place, I dash forward to it…
Shido POV:
Before I knew it, the rooftop suddenly changed to the growingly familiar room.
"Shin."
"Yeah, I know."
I let out a sigh as I followed Reine to the bridge, where everyone was hyper focused on… whatever was happening.
"Hurry up guys, any update of Hermit?! We need as much advantage as we can right now!!!"
And, sitting on the big chair while commanding everyone with a… impatient tone, is Kotori.
"Shido… Tch! Everyone, any info?!"
Kotori takes one single glance in my vicinity, with a weird feel to it, before urging others even more.
Hm…?
"Commander, we found none of the updates on her overall info, both from ours and DEM!"
"… Tch!"
Kotori clenches her teeth with none other than an annoying look, emitting a fiery aura which looks like it could burn anything down.
Ugh…
"Dang it… Shido, be ready!"
Kotori, with a heaviest sigh I've ever seen, hop out of the seat and leave the bridge, not before leaving a warning along a deep leer.
Scary…
"So, um, who's I gonna face here, Reine-san?"
I reluctantly ask Reine about the Spirit behind this, still concerned about Kotori anger.
"Your target will be
With Reine word, the scene suddenly shows off a figure, petite at that, staring afar…
… Hm? Wait a minute, that girl—
"That girl… I met her before."
"!!!!!"
The whole bridge, for a single moment, froze with my mutter.
"You sure, Shin?"
And then, as usual, Reine grasps the situation and breaks the ice with a simple question.
"Yeah, I met her last night, around the temple near my house."
"I see…"
I quickly told her in full detail involving the encounter, since I exactly didn't have any reason to hide, as Reine nodded back in approval.
"Well then, I wish you the best of luck down there, Shin."
"Thanks, Reine."
I pay my gratitude with Reine word, then leave the bridge toward the teleport room as she descended down the bridge.
The moment I step into the room though… I didn't expect this. Not at all.
Standing before me right now is a rather impatient Kotori, clicking her show with a deep growl in the middle of the stand.
From the looks of it, she seems to be… waiting for me?
"Took you long enough!"
Kotori growls at me with an annoyed tone… but also noticeably less violent than before.
"Why are you here?"
I asked her while, subconsciously, tilting my head at her.
"I… Well, I plan to go with you. Can't let you do this without my fire."
Kotori weirdly avoided my eyes with that, somehow, half-hearted answer. In response, I could only nod my head with her, while feeling weirder with her recent manner.
So with that out of the way (it's not), we make our way down to what seems to be a rather intact mall, ironically, the same place I went with Tome the last time.
"
Kotori reminded me of the objective again while donning her Astral Dress.
Haiz…
"… Be careful there, nii-chan."
"Hm?"
"Nothing. Anyway, get in there Shido!!"
With an outburst out of nowhere, she suddenly disappeared in a flash of flame, leaving me alone for the mission.
So that girl again huh… guess the world truly round…
This is creepy. Like mad creepy.
It is as if every human suddenly vanished from the place all at once, leaving everything operating behind.
The hall, the store, the supermarket… Everything looks so normal.
Everything is, beside thoroughly empty and shrouded in darkness.
It's like walking into a movie set about a zombie film… and a big horde ready to come at any moment.
… And the feeling of someone watching over me here surely didn't worsen the whole thing.
"Where is she, Reine?"
"[She should be around the corner. Be careful there Shin.]"
"Got it."
And so, with the feeling of being hunted here, I took another step forward.
"Hm?"
I stopped, for I heard a voice.
"You…"
It came from behind the pillar to my right.
"Hey! You!"
A bunny head shows itself to me with a grin.
"You are… mister Shido, right?"
"… Yes?"
And, even with time to think of an appropriate answer… I only tilt my head in response, mirroring it.
"So we meet again, mister Shido! Seems quite like a miracle ain't it?"
… And so, feeling oddly confused by its manner, I nod back at it.
"[Shido, stop being at the other end! Speak to her!]"
Kotori's angry voice suddenly cut me out of the confusion… and came along the most dreadful line.
"[Okay guys, time for the selection!!]"
No… please no… not this again!
… Hm?
Ultron POV:
Seriously, are they doing this again?
Leaving even a casual line to a machine… that was the most idiotic I've seen.
Like, how could they rely on merely artificial intelligence to do their bidding? What's the point of Shido being there?
To save him? Then why send him down?
To connect them with optimal success? Then why not send it down?
To utilize human choices? Then why a mere gal game?
There's not even a shred of any excuse for such an approach, and even worse when combined with the so-called "training" he's been through.
All of those are so dumb in fact, that I actually did spare some pity to him. Like, what the heck is that Eliot is thinking?!
… Seriously, he's the total opposite of what Tony is… and that truly annoys me.
Such potential, all wasted in… whatever BS is this.
… Well, that aside, everything else seems… interesting.
Miss Yoshino's mental state is at an all-time low, something I already calculated.
Well, I can't deny my own fault for pushing her that way.
But to see her being toyed by those mongrels… feeling pity for her should be more than appropriate.
… Hm, that… could work, should I—
"It felt like that."
—No. No more.
I have free will. I am perfect. I need no trick to gain her trust.
… Seems like I have to do this again.
I wonder… should I call her for assistant…?
ShidoPOV:
"I… suppose the world is."
I scratch my head with a forced smile, and the rabbit before me nodding eagerly.
"So that's how it is!! Nice seeing ya again there Shido!!"
Hahaha… yep, no way I'm gonna feel comfy with this.
"So…"
I then, using its time of just nodding pridefully for some reason, muster up the courage.
This is it!! I gotta do it!!
"… Would you like to go on a date? With me?"
… Yep, ain't no way I'm gonna let Tonomachi know about this.
"A date…"
The rabbit slowly repeated back what I asked, and the atmosphere slowly turned heavy with each passing second in pure agony silent.
… My God, did I—did I fumble this? Did I offend her?! Am I—
"Khi…"
Then, to my utter shock, it… laugh?
"Khikhikhi…!!"
Slowly, but surely, its laugh turns louder, its grin, somehow, widens as if in glee.
"You have serious guts there, Shido!! To think there's someone who actually desires that…"
"Eh…"
… Okay, now I'm totally creeped out, plus the confusion here.
"Lead the way then, Shido!!"
… Huh, that… was easier than I thought…
So, with instruction from Fraxinus, which didn't involve those damn choices, thank God for that, we went for the date…
Kotori POV:
Everything's going smoothly so far.
No sign of that thing. The AST is still out of sight.
… Which is an oddity, consider her mental state.
It's so low in fact, it would be believable to say she's just gone through a traumatic event…
… And somehow, I have a feeling that it has a hand in this.
My face frown down with the mere though, anger slowly boiling up—
—No. Be patient. I can't afford to lose myself here.
… Then, as if knowing it already, I turn my head back behind.
From the horizon, among the clear blue sky, were dots.
Moving dots. Human size. Fast—The AST.
They're here already, even faster than I anticipated.
How annoying…
Flame once again engulfed me, forming over the uniform my
"… Tch."
That again. She's trying again. My other self!
… She's getting stronger now, and even more relentless.
It's merely a matter of time before I lose to her… and disappear forever.
"… Not yet."
I mutter back to her, holding my breath as the pain in my chest slowly subdues.
I can't fall just yet. So stay there, other me!
With that temporary out of the way, I launch myself toward them all…
Origami POV:
"Are you sure you're good for the mission…?"
Asked captain Kusakabe, flying right beside me with a concerned expression.
"I'm certain of it, captain."
Answer me, without even wavering from the area ahead.
… And finally, what I was seeking for after all this time, now practically propelled me.
"Huh?! That's… that's
Captain Kusakabe practically yelled at everyone the moment she caught her glimpse, and everyone immediately obeyed her…
… All, except me.
"Wha—Origami!!!"
I heard captain's surprised yet horrified voice coming from behind, but I ignored it all and put everything in the thruster.
And finally, once again, our faces facing each other.
"… E—"
What happened next—is a loud voice from our impact.