Date A Live - Volume 11.5 - Chapter 1

Date A Live Volume 11.5 – Itsuka Parents 

“…Wow, it’s really crowded in here.” 
On a certain winter day, Shidou went to a department store located within the city by himself. The promotional section of the eleventh floor, where Shidou was currently on, was holding an exclusive, limited-time exhibition for various Hokkaido-imported products. Freshly farmed local food ingredients, which constituted a rare sight, and delicious-looking, sweet snacks were neatly arranged together, ready for sale. Of course, the people who treated this particular event as their primary objective were in excessive abundance, filling the entire store to the brim with overflowing customers. 
Without a doubt, Shidou’s goal was also this very event. Having learnt about the existence of the recent exhibition, which was starting to resemble a bustling marketplace, Shidou had travelled all the way to the department store on foot for the sake of purchasing the materials for tonight’s dinner. 
“It’s not like I can get hold of this many fish and crustaceans every day… I’ll make seafood-don, I guess. Everyone’s present today too.” 
Shidou thought aloud while counting the number of portions required with his fingers. 
It was as he had said. Due to today being a rest day, the Spirits were presently staying at the Itsuka residence, patiently awaiting Shidou’s return. 
There were currently seven people at his home: Tohka, Yoshino, Kaguya, Yuzuru, Miku, Natsumi, and Origami. As for Kotori, being the commander of Ratatoskr, she had to leave for work-related purposes but should come back before dinner time later. 
“This amount should be enough if I count that way. Nine portions… no, Tohka can eat at least three people’s worth, so it should be eleven portions.” 
In the end, what began as a quantity which he could habitually carry in the past became an unbearable weight in Shidou’s hands. If only there was someone willing to lend a helping hand. well , asking for assistance when he hadn’t even given his best would be outright overthinking the problem. Some things are better left as they are. 
Shidou lightly forced a smile and advanced towards the fresh food counter while carrying his shopping basket. 
At that moment… 
“Eh…?” 
The unexpected ringing of Shidou’s cellphone in his pocket made him stop in his tracks. He thought that the call must have come from one of the Spirits at home. 
However, the truth blatantly refuted Shidou’s assumption. The screen displayed the following message: 
 Unknown Number ? 
“…Who could it be now?” 
Although the entire thing felt rather suspicious, Shidou still tapped the accept icon and received the anonymous call. 
“Hello?” 
A vague, unclear voice then resounded from the other end of the call . 
Your daughter has falen into my hands. If you want her back, prepare a hundred million yen by tomorrow. ? 
Shidou was momentarily stunned by the unforeseen statement. 
“H-Huh?” 
This isn’t some joke. I’ll let you listen to her voice now. ? 
Hyaaa—save me, daddy! ? 
From within the device, came a rigid lament which seemed to be fake at first glance. 
“…..” 
After hearing that voice, Shidou couldn’t help but heave a deep sigh of relief. 
“You even used a foreign number to call me… What’s the matter, Mom, Dad?” 
Ara, we‘ve been found out.? 
As Shidou finished speaking, a voice that was noticeably sharper than before could be clearly heard from the opposite end. 
On the other end of the phone were his dear parents, who were currently on an overseas trip, Itsuka Tatsuo and Itsuka Haruko. Incidentally, Haruko had played the part of the kidnapper whereas Tatsuo had acted as the daughter - a downright terrible assignment of character roles. 
“You haven’t contacted me in a long time, and this is what you do at the first opportunity…” 
 Sorry, sorry, we were too busy with all the work. Aah, it really is Shii-kun, uncovering us in an instant.? 
“Please stop calling me Shii-kun… Anyway, what did you call me for?” 
What, do I need a reason to call my son? ? 
Sad, truly sad. Dad is on the verge of crying. Huhuhu~.? 
“…I’m hanging up.” 
Ah—wait a moment. You haven’t changed much, huh? Always so serious.? 
Exactly. If it were Kotori, she would innocently be surprised.? 

Even after talking, they had collectively placed their mouths near the microphone and added a {Niii——}. This married couple was as full of rejuvenating energy as ever. 
“That’s why…” 
Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot. Where do you think we are right now? ? 
“Even if you ask me… The United States? Heading out from the main office…” 
Hehe, wrong! Right to answer revoked! Here, Tatsu-kun.? 
Tenguu City of Eastern Kyoto, also known as Eastern Tenguu! In front of the door to our lovely and nostalgic house!? 
*pinpon* Correct! Tatsu-kun gets one hundred million points!? 
Nice! Can you allow me to buy a laptop with one hundred million points!?? 
That would require ten billion points.? 
Evil!? 
“Ha…?” 
All kinds of information turbulently surged forth like raging billows, and Shidou’s eyes diminished into tiny dots. However, the two on the other side of the call did not take note of his circumstances and continued to chat about their previous topic unaffectedly. 
In other words, we’re back! well , only for the short holidays. We have to hurry back sooner or later.? 
Ah, it’s been a long time since I last saw Kotori and you. Is everything fine? ? 
“W-Wait a minute!” 
Shidou abruptly gave out a loud wail, causing the passers-by around him to glance at his direction with astonished expressions. Yet, Shidou did not have the leisure to care about the gazes of others anymore. 
In brief, his father and mother had just stated that they were in front of the door to the Itsuka residence. —In front of where the Spirits were staying and taking care of things; that Itsuka residence. 
Eh? What’s wrong?? 
“N-Nothing… It’s just that I’m outside buying some groceries, so I’m not at home! 
Kotori isn’t there too…” 
Ara, I see. Good timing, did you buy enough for our dinners as well ? Shii-kun’s cooking, I can’t wait! ? 
“I-I wasn’t talking about that! Anyway, can you pass the time somewhere outside for a little bit before I come back?” 
Eh, why? It’s fine if we stay at home.? 
“Kuh… T-There are reasons, so please!” 
Listening to Shidou’s begging pleas, Haruko let out some unconvinced, evil laughter. 
Tatsu-kun, Shii-kun seems to have hidden something suspicious at home when we weren’t’ here. Let’s do a careful search of the house.? 
Agreed!? 
“D-DOOON’T!!!” 
The state of affairs took a turn for the worse instead, causing Shidou to immediately verbalize an ear-piercing screech. 
Un, it’s settled then, we will leave dinner to you. As for the menu, perhaps it will broaden after discovering Shii-kun’s precious treasure? Mommy will have Sichuan crabs.? 
Ah, Daddy wants sea urchins. ? 
After leaving behind their respective orders as if they had known that Shidou would be going to the Hokkaido products fair, the phone call was hung up. 
Shidou, whose face was now ghastly pale, hastily operated his cellphone in a flurry to give Tohka and the others a call . Nonetheless, presumably due to the fact that he had forgotten to charge the battery during the previous night, the screen of his phone darkened in a flash just as Shidou pressed on the “call key”. What bad timing. 
“Why now of all times!?” 
The dire situation which Shidou had found himself in would only deteriorate further if this went on. Deteriorate extremely; it was already past the point of being able to trust the house to their son, who had brought home a number of unfamiliar girls without their knowledge or permission. It was to the extent that they would decide to hold a family meeting. No matter how carefree Shidou’s parents were, there was no way that he could obtain their forgiveness by treating them to dinner alone. 
But excluding the utilization of crabs and sea urchins, Shidou could only think of relying on privacy reasons to oppress their mouths. 
“I need to get back fast…!” 
The longer he delayed, the worse his condition became. Perhaps it was already too late to prevent his father and mother from coming into contact with the Spirits, although Shidou still needed to rush home as early as possible before a life and death situation arose from their confrontation. He exerted renewed determination into his body and pushed away all the other customers in his path while dashing towards the exit. 
Despite knowing that his efforts were utterly futile, Shidou did not forget to load the crabs and sea diligently into his shopping basket so that he would later be prepared for any imaginable eventuality.