“……….Haaah?”
Kotori’s suspicious voice could be heard over the other side of the phone.
Nevertheless, it was something natural. Shidou would probably give the same reaction if she suddenly calls him during break time to report about [That information].
Yes. Shidou slipped out of the classroom after the homeroom ended and called Kotori after he reached an empty spot.
Kotori was giving agreeable responses when she first picked up the phone but, the rustling sound of her changing her ribbon could be heard half-way through and she said those words.
Kotori followed her words with perplexed words.
“Wait for a moment there. What is going on? Please explain in details”
“……..Just like what I said. <Devil>, transferred into my class”
Shidou bitterly said that words he told Kotori just now, once more.
“Like I say, I don’t get your meaning. Why would <Devil> transfer into your school………no, in the first place, <Devil> is an unidentified Spirit. We have not confirmed her neither her name nor face before. Just how did you know that the person that transferred in is <Devil>?”
“That’s……….”
That was a good question. Shidou hesitated.
“I have no time now so I’ll explain the details when we get back home. But……..i am serious. Believe me”
“…………….”
After Shidou said that, Kotori kept silent for a while before *Haa* making a sigh.
“………I get it. I’ll send an observation unit over just in case. Anything more, will depend on the results we get”
“……….! You believe me!?”
It was something he said but, it was a little unexpected. When Shidou let out a surprised voice, Kotori replied back with a tired manner.
“Honestly, it’s a 50 50. -----but, there’s no way I won’t do anything if I was told that <Devil>’s identity is known when we are clueless about her”
She then continued on.
"I don’t think Shidou would say something without any proof anyway. No………..even if it’s a gut feeling, you have done enough for me to believe those words”
“Kotori…………..”
“However, if you are thinking of making <Ratatoskr> investigate and get information’s about a girl you like; you won’t get away easily”
“I-I won’t do that!”
After Shidou shouted, Kotori [Unn] groaned.
“Then, we will start investigating now. Err, what is that female student’s name?”
“Origami. It’s Tobiichi Origami”
“Tobiichi Origami. Tobiichi------“
Kotori stopped her words at that moment. Her throat sounded softly as if she recalled something.
“Isn’t that…….perhaps it’s, AST’s Tobiichi Origami?”
“Huh…..!?”
Shidou widen his eyes when he heard Kotori’s words. AST. It is the abbreviation of the Anti-Spirit team, even within the JGDSF.
It’s true that Origami was affiliated with that organization. But, this should be something in the previous world. There’s no way for Kotori to know that-----
Shidou twitched his shoulders when he thought that far.
“Kotori, don’t tell me you have memories of the previous world……?”
“Haah? What are you saying? You’re still dragging yesterday’s dream again?”
However, Kotori replied back with a calm tone.
“If I am correct, there is a member with that name in the AST. She fought with the girls many times before. But, she resigned just a while ago”
“Wha----“
Shidou’s word’s got stuck. It’s not like Kotori regained her memories of the previous world. But even so, Origami was still affiliated with the AST.
The reality those 2 facts shown. It was something really simple.
---Origami is in the AST in this world too.
“Just why……….”
“What do you mean by why……….you mean the reason why she quit the AST? How would I know that”
Kotori probably misunderstood Shidou’s mumble as a question; Kotori *fuun* snorted while saying that.
“But now that you mentioned it, the time when Tobiichi Origami resigned AST and the time <Devil> started appearing, matches. Fumu, If the reason why she turned into a Spirit was because she resigned then……..”
Kotori groaned while started mumbling something.
But, half of those words passed through Shidou’s ears.----inside Shidou’s head, the fact that Origami entered the AST was swirling inside his head.
The reason why Origami entered the AST in the previous world in the first place, was to kill the Spirit that killed her parents. In this world where her parents were saved, just what kind of event pushed Origami to do such a thing.
“----Hey Shidou, are you listening?”
“……..! Y-yeah……….sorry”
Shidou got surprised when Kotori called him.
“Mouu, get a grip. Anyway, we will be investigating if whether or not Tobiichi Origami is a Spirit. Shidou, you report to us too if you find anything.----but, if Tobiichi Origami really is that <Devil> then she is a really dangerous Inverse-type. Please don’t be reckless”
“Y-yeah……sorry about that”
After Shidou said that, he offed his phone.
“…………………”
He leaned against the wall after stuffing his phone into his pocket. The much information got too complicated inside his mind, and he couldn’t arrange all of them.
But, nothing will happen like this. After Shidou took a deep breath, he then returned back to the 2nd year class 4.
When he entered the classroom, he found a crowd of people at the window side. It seems everyone was interested at the cute transfer student. Origami was making a troubled face in the center of his classmates.
And at right at that moment, the chime signifying the start of class time rang and everyone went back to their seats while waving back. He saw Origami *Haa* exhaled, after she waved back to them.
“…………haha”
Shidou’s cheeks turned softer by reflex when he saw that unfamiliar scene. If it was the Origami he knew then, she won’t change her expression at all.
But……..this was something he doesn’t get.
Why would Origami enter the AST in this world? Why did she become a Spirit? Why-----did she inversed. And also, how is she able to return to her human form and maintain her consciousness even though she inversed. It’s just plain mysterious no matter how much he thinks.
And, the teacher entered the classroom when Shidou was thinking.
“Class is about to start. Sit down”
“Ah…….sorry”
After Shidou quickly returned to his seat, he took out his textbook and notes onto the table.
But, naturally, he can’t focus in class. Shido’s sights were directed towards Origami’s direction.
---Like I thought, I have to talk to her at least once. Shidou does not know anything about the Origami of this world.
But, people would probably crowd around her like just now, if it becomes break time. Judging by this rate, it is going to be hard for Shidou to talk to her.
“…………………”
After Shidou immersed himself in thoughts for a while, he wrote words at the edge of his note.
He then tore it out and folded it before placing it onto Origami’s table without the teacher noticing.
“…………?”
Origami, who noticed that, tilted her head.
After looking at the words written inside the piece of paper, Origami widen her eyes in surprise.
At that day’s break time. After Shidou sneaked out of the classroom, he headed towards the stairs leading to the roof.
Since it was far away from the classroom block, there aren’t many students that would come here. Actually, the stairs was so quiet that it made the hustle and bustle echoing in the school a lie.
However, that does not signify the fact that no one was here.
There was already one girl standing there.------it was the transfer student, who is the topic of the day; Tobiichi Origami.
Even within the students that passed their 3 years here in the school; only a very small number of them knows of the existence of this isolated area. It’s weird to think that a transfer student would be at such a place.
However, Shidou was not surprised. That’s because,
“Err, this”
Origami took out a torn piece of paper from her pocket and showed Shidou. It’s true that it was Shidou’s handwriting and the words were mainly to tell her to come here at break time.
Yes. Shidou called Origami out here.
“Aah, Sorry. Calling you out all of a sudden”
“Uun. That is okay……..so, what do want?”
Origami asked with a slightly stern expression.
But, it was probably normal. She was called out to this remote place by a male student she first met. It’s not weird for her to feel danger. Rather, Shidou should be grateful to her for listening to his request and come here alone.
However for some reason………………….it’s quite a new experience that instead of Shidou being cautious of Origami, Origami was the one that was cautious of Shidou.
“Ah---…………..”
Shidou scratched his cheeks while wondering what he should talk about. There were mountain worth of things he wanted to ask but, suddenly pressuring her with them will bring out the possibility of strengthening her cautiousness.
“Hey, Origami”
“Ehh?”
Origami made a surprised face. Shidou didn’t get the meaning at first but, he immediately realized the reason.
“So-sorry. Tobiichi……….san. Sorry for calling your name”
“U-un, I was just a little surprised. Err……….Itsuka-kun”
Origami said Shidou’s name. Shidou made a wry smile when he heard that unfamiliar call.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing. More importantly, Tobiichi-san. You said something when you saw my face during the morning right? What was that all about?”
“Aah…………”
When Shidou said that, Origami made an expression as if she recalled back something.
“Sorry to rub you in the wrong way. Itsuka-kun looked exactly like a person I met a long time ago so, I got surprised”
“Eh……….?”
Shidou raised his eyebrows in reflex.
“That’s-----me…………?”
“Uun, there is no way. That’s because, I met that person 5 years ago. Itsuka-kun is still in elementary school. Also----“
Origami looked downwards.
“-----That person already passed away. 5 years ago, in front of me”
“…………..!”
Shidou realized something when he heard those words. The identity of the person Origami was talking about.
That person is definitely Shidou. It’s true that when Shidou saved the parents of the Origami from 5 years ago; his eyes met with Origami even though it was just for an instant.
“Is that all you wanted to talk? I want to go back to class………”
“……………! Ah, wait a sec”
Shidou quickly stopped Origami, who was going down the stairs. Shidou has not gained any of the information he wanted.
Nonetheless, he could not see any advancement if he acts as a student that knows nothing. He made up his mind and opened his mouth.
“Perhaps, the person you met 5 years ago-----was during the fire disaster in the Nankou town?”
“Eh------?”
Origami widens her eyes when she heard Shidou’s words.
“How, do you know……..”
Just when she was about to finish, Origami made a surprised face.
“Perhaps---that person was Itsuka-kun’s older brother………..?”
“Heh?”
Shidou let out an idiotic voice when he heard Origami’s unexpected words. It seems, she thinks that Shidou is the brother of the person she met 5 years ago. But it was probably normal for her to do that. She won’t believe him if Shidou told her that it was him.
He does not want to have her misunderstand this but…………….if he is able to advance the conversation smoothly then it had to be done. Shidou judged that and tilted his head forward.
“Well……….around there I guess”
When Shidou said that, Origami suddenly changed her expression. Her eyebrows distorted and her face looked as if she was going to cry soon.
“To-Tobiichi……..san?”
“…………..!”
Origami walked to Shidou and after taking his hands, she took a deep bow.
“Your brother saved my father and mother. If not for that person, they would have died on the spot. It might not be enough no matter how much words of thanks I give you but, let me say this. Thank you----Thank you very much…….!”
“A-aah………..”
Shidou got taken back at Origami’s reaction and replied back vaguely.
But, her words were able to give Shidou one important information. As expected, Shidou successfully saved Origami’s parents 5 years ago. Shidou exhaled in relief.
“Ah”
Origami noticed something and immediately let go of Shidou’s hands before she lowered her head one more time with her cheeks blushing.
“I-I am really sorry; that was all of a sudden”
“No……..it’s okay”
He made a wry smile when he felt a weird strong emotion from the reaction that does not look like it belongs to Origami.
However, the same time he confirmed one reality, the other problems turned even more mysterious.
“Err……………..Tobiichi-san. Tobiichi-san’s parents were saved right?”
“Yes”
Origami nodded. Shidou exhaled before continuing.
“Then, are you living together with them now?”
“………….No. My parents died in a car accident 4 years ago”
“------!? Eh……….!?”
Shidou raised a high-pitched voice in reflex when he heard those words Origami said while she was looking downwards.
“N-no way…………”
The correcting force of history; such a word grazed his mind. Kurumi did not deny nor agree this but-----in the end, the powerless feeling of unable to change the death end of Origami’s parents no matter what he does, attacked Shidou.
“Itsuka-kun………….?”
Origami frowned her eyebrows in suspicion in response to Shidou’s shock. That’s normal. It was only natural for her to feel something was off if a boy she first met today showed such a reaction.
However, she swung her head to calm herself down before lowering her head.
“I am sorry……………….even though, Itsuka-kun’s brother saved them”
“No, there is no such thing”
“But”
Origami lifted her face and continued on with a dignified manner.
“In the 1 year after Itsuka-kun’s brother saved my father and mother, I received many things from them. That was something that I won’t get if not for Itsuka-kun’s brother; it is something precious to me. I am----really thankful”
He could not see any falsehood coming from Origami’s face when she said that.
“I- I see…………….”
Shidou said that while slightly looking away. It was really sad that Origami’s parents died and he felt sorry for her but……………..the words he heard from Origami just now helped him quite a bit from the thought that what he did was all useless.
However, Origami said that her parents died from a car accident. If that is real then-------
After making his resolve, Shidou lifted his face, stared at Origami’s eyes and opened his mouth after he gulped.
“Then-----why did Tobiichi-san entered the AST?”
“Eh----“
Origami gasped when she heard Shidou’s words.
Yes. That was Shidou’s question. Origami’s parents escaped the Angel’s attack on that day on the fire disaster. If that happened then, Origami shouldn’t be harboring any hatred towards the Spirit…………?
“Why do you know of the AST------“
When Origami was about to finish, she recalled back something and raised her eyebrows.
“Perhaps, Itsuka-kun has gone outside when the space quake alarm was initiated?”
“Eh…………? Ah-----“
Shidou let out a short reply when he heard and saw Origami’s words and suspicious expression.
That’s right. Origami affiliated with the AST in this world too means that there was the possibility that Shidou was seen running to the spot to talk to the Spirits.
“A-aah……..actually”
“………..Like I thought. I wasn’t mistaken after all”
“Heh?”
“This topic was raised several times in the team. That, there was a citizen still around the danger zone. -------I felt that the person looked similar to [That Person at that time] but, I thought that it would be Itsuka-kun”
After saying that, Origami’s sights turned stern.
“It is really dangerous. Please avoid that from now on”
“E-eerr…………………”
Shidou replied back vaguely when he was pressed for an answer. Even though he was told that; as long as there is a mission from <Ratatoskr>, he has to continue standing in front of the Spirits from now on too.
Just how did she take that reaction? Origami exhaled.
He was prepared if she wanted to pursuit for more but, Origami did not pry further into his situation.
Instead, she made a strong-willed expression and looked back at Shidou.
“You asked………why I joined the AST”
“Yeah, can you tell me if it’s okay with you?”
Origami tilted her head forward when Shidou said that.
“Itsuka-kun, if you know the AST then, you should also know the cause for the Space quake right?”
“……….Spirit.”
“That’s right. A special biological disaster, Spirit. -----And, you might have already investigated this but, the one that killed your brother at that fire 5 years ago, was a Spirit”
“That’s-----“
Shidou’s throat rang as if he was speaking ambiguously. Shidou was alive and well like this but, he probably looks someone that got erased to Origami at that time.
Origami clenched her fist harder and continued.
“That person sacrificed himself to save my father and mother. The reason for my current self, is thanks to him.-----that’s why, I thought this. I don’t want any more people to end up like him. That………..I will become someone that would protect the people from the Spirits”
“Ah………..”
A meaningless voice leaked out from his throat.
It felt like the scattered puzzle pieces were concentrating into one frame.
In the previous world, Origami made up her mind to defeat the Spirits because of the anger caused by the Spirit killing her parents.
Shidou went back to the world of 5 years ago to avoid that and successfully saved Origami’s parents.
But, the secondary [Shidou’s death] that happened when [Her parents death] was avoided, became the new live coals to Origami’s new determination.
How----ironic. Shidou felt his heart turning noisy at the wicked prank of fate.
“………Itsuka-kun”
Origami tilted her head maybe because she felt suspicious since Shidou was silent. Shidou’s fingers twitched.
“Aah, no, nothing……………”
Of course he was not okay. But, he could only answer that now.
Shidou succeeded in changing the world. But in the end, Origami has witness something. She witnessed a Spirit----killed a person.
However, the meaning of that does not only show despair.
The events that happened in the previous world and this world were different. The results were the same at first glance but, instead of her parents that she was with for several years getting killed in the previous world; in this world, the only person Origami saw die was a young man who she has no clue what his name was.
More importantly, that young man was now living normally like this. If he could explain that fact properly to her then, she might-----
But, Shidou bit his lips at that moment. There was one big problem he forgotten.
Yes. Not only did the Origami of this world turn into a Spirit, she also inversed too.
Shidou was not very clear on how to make the [Inverse] appear. But, he was very certain that the Spirits have to fall into deep despair for it to occur.
“……………….”
Shidou looked at Origami once more. It’s true that her atmosphere and talking pattern was different from the Origami he was familiar with. However, the girl right in front of him right now does not look like she feels despair to this world at the very least.
Kotori warned him not to be reckless. However------he had to ask her this.
“Can I ask……..one more question?”
“What is it?”
Origami tilted her small head. Shidou made up his mind and asked her.
“----why did Tobiichi-san…….turn into a Spirit”
However.
“Hai?”
Origami widens her eyes in wonder at Shidou’s words.
“Err, turn into a Spirit……? What are you talking about?”
“Heh?”
It was Shidou who widen his eyes this time from that unexpected reaction.
He thought she was playing a fool but…….he was wrong. Origami really does not know what Shidou was talking about.
“What do you mean……? If I am correct, that’s……….”
And, when Shidou mumbled softly while thinking about something, the bell signifying class was about to start soon, echoed in the school. It seems lunch break was over.
“It looks like lunch break is over. I will be going back first.------Thank you very much, Itsuka-kun. I am very happy to have talked to you”
She then went down the stairs after she said that.
“Ah------“
Shidou let out his voice as if he was relying on that back. There was still mountain worth of things he doesn’t know. He felt that he must not let Origami go back now.
“Can we talk----a little longer?”
“But, it’s already time for class you know?”
“It doesn’t have to be today! If you have a free day----can I meet you again then?”
“Eh? Isn’t that--------“
Origami made a surprised look and her cheeks blushed next.
After seeing that reaction, Shidou noticed it one beat later and [Ah] his face turned red.
---That way of talking sounds just sounds as if I was inviting her to a date…….!
“Err……..”
When Shidou was being flustered on how he should take fix those words, Origami looked away while opening her lips.
“……….er, can you give me some time to think about it?”
“Heh? O-of course……..!”
After Shidou replied by reflex, Origami bowed down at the spot.
“Then, I’ll be going now”
She then jogged down the stairs.
“……………….”
……..Honestly, it was an unexpected scene. She’s girlish………….he feels bad to the Origami of the previous world for saying this but, her reaction does not look like it belongs to Origami.
“No……….”
Shidou slowly swung his head. Origami must be a girl like this in the first place. Her personality turned to a calm and rational stance because of her parent’s death.
But……………what is this weird feeling. He feels that the current Origami is cute but, his heart feels somewhat lonely or it feels like it is lacking something.
“………….I might have gotten too used to the old Origami”
After Shidou mocked himself, he followed Origami and went down the stairs.
While tiredly mumbling to himself and walking through the corridor, he reached the 2nd year class 4. The English teacher entered the classroom immediately and the 5th period started.
And-----after who knows how long passed since class started.
Suddenly, Origami, who was sitting on his left side, started making odd movements.
“Hnn…………?”
Feeling something was off, Shidou looked over there to see Origami tearing a piece of paper from the edge of her note and writing something on it.
She then folded it into half and placed it at the edge of Shidou’s table while avoiding the teacher’s eyes. It’s like what Shidou did during class at 1st period.
“This is………….”
“………………….!”
After Shidou received it, Origami’s cheeks blushed and after a moment of looking around in a chaotic manner, she made her textbook stand and hid her face inside.
“…………………….”
After school on that day. Shidou went up the school roof alone and while he was leaning on the floor, he was staring at the clouds drifting in the sky.
He took out the folded piece of paper from his pocket and held it up to the sky.
---“I am free this Saturday”
That paper was given by Origami just now. It looks like the reply to Shidou’s invitation. There was a small mail address written under it.
“Saturday……..huh”
After saying that, he put the paper back into his pocket and took a light stretch.
He managed to make a promise. Without <Ratatoskr>’s help, and judging by the fact that it’s a girl he first met tentatively; it wouldn’t be exaggerated to say that he gained a big gold star of excellence.
Nonetheless, there was still a mountain worth of problems.
In the first place, was it really possible for Origami, who turned into a Spirit and inversed to not know what happened to herself.
Several thinkable possible conclusions popped up in Shidou’s mind.
The dumbest and yet the most possible one, was that it was all Shidou’s misunderstanding.
It’s true that he saw Origami in the video Kotori showed him. But, he can’t deny the fact that another Spirit might have an Astral Dress that look exactly like Origami’s.
What’s next was simply the possibility that Origami was lying. It didn’t look like it to Shidou but, it’s not like Shidou studied criminal psychology nor was he a famous gambler. It’s more than enough to think that he was tricked by Origami’s acting.
Or maybe------
“Don’t tell me, that there are 2 Origamis……………there is no way right……?”
Shidou mumbled that and laughed tiredly.
Anyway, he has to consult <Ratatoskr> including with that matter.
But………….Shidou *Fuaaaa* leaked a big yawn when he was about to raise his body. At the same time, he felt his body gradually relaxing.
It was only normal for that to happen to him. He has been searching through the database the whole night yesterday so; he didn’t had a good sleep.
“Ori…….gami…………”
Shidou mumbled that name before closing his eyes.
After who knows how long passed.
“Hn…….”
Shidou opened his eyes after leaking a soft moan.
After a few seconds, his mind awakened and he noticed that he fell asleep. It seems he was tired beyond his expectations.
“Ah………this is bad. What time is it?”
Shidou frowned his eyebrows from the odd feeling when he took his phone out from his pocket to check the time.
“Hn………..?”
Something feels different from before he fell asleep.
After a few moments of thinking, Shidou realized the identity of the problem.----it was a pillow. Even though Shidou did not place anything under his head, he could feel something oddly soft under there right now.
When Shidou was about to extend his hand to under his head to confirm the identity of that feeling, a girl immediately fell into Shidou’s view.
“--------Oh my, pranks are a no no”
“Uwah!?”
He suddenly widens his eyes from the surprise.
Late after a beat, he realized the identity of the feeling under his head----and also the girl.
“Ku…Kurumi!?”
He called the girls name with a screechy voice.
Yes. The girl that entered Shidou’s view was the Spirit-Tokisaki Kurumi, who sent Shidou back 5 years ago.
It seems that Kurumi was giving a lap pillow before Shidou noticed.
“Ufufu, nice to meet you, Shidou-san. Your sleeping face was cute”
“…………!”
It was really embarrassing so, Shidou jumped off Kurumi’s lap.
“Oh my, oh my”
Kurumi giggled because Shidou’s reaction was funny to her, before standing up with elegant movements.
Kurumi’s outfit was not the usual red-black Astral Dress that he was used to seeing. It was the Raizen high school uniform that Shidou saw when he first met Kurumi. Her long bangs were covering her left eye which was carved with the number of the clock.
“Kurumi, you…………”
Shidou’s body got nervous at that moment.
Now that Shidou thinks about, there might be a chance that the Kurumi existing in this world might not have the same memories as the Kurumi Shidou knew. Shidou was forced to know that today. It was a normal procedure to be cautious around the worst Spirit-Kurumi.
But, after Kurumi widen her eyes, she placed her hand on her mouth and laughed.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to be that cautious, Shido-san. If I wanted to [Eat] Shidou-san then, I would have done so when you were sleeping defenselessly”
“Uu………….”
It’s just as Kurumi says. Sweat flow down Shidou’s cheeks.
But, she’s not someone to be relaxed around with. Even though Shidou agreed with Kurumi’s words, he kept a watchful eye at her behavior without lowering his guard.
“Oh my. How distrustful.-------we are comrades that changed the world after all”
After saying that, Kurumi shrug her shoulders jokingly.
Shidou widen his eyes when he heard those words.
“………….! Kurumi, you-----“
“Yes, I remember. I know of the previous world.----and Origami-san too”
“…………..!”
Shidou felt goosebumps when Kurumi said that name.
That’s obvious. Other than himself, she was the first person in this world he met that knows of Origami. It’s like a traveler who was thrown in the desert finding a guide. Shidou halted his clingy emotions to Kurumi and opened his mouth.
“Kurumi, listen to this. There is something wrong with this world. Origami-----“
“-----She became a Spirit, right”
Kurumi said it as if to cover Shidou’s words. Shidou widen his eyes in shock.
“…………, You knew?”
“Yes. I found out just now though”
“I see…………”
Shidou slightly looked downwards before he continued.
“Just……….what is going on? Did something happen to Origami?”
“Even I am not sure what it is. Hooweveeer-----“
After saying that, Kurumi made a spin.
“If it’s the Origami-san now then……it’s not like there is no way to find out”
“Re-really?”
“Yes”
After Kurumi smiled, she used her heel and stepped onto the roof. When she did that; the shadow lurking under Kurumi’s foot covered her body and formed the red-black dress.
Astral Dress. The castle and armor protecting the Spirits. Shidou glared at her cautiously when Kurumi suddenly manifested that.
“Ufufu, please don’t look so scary”
Kurumi said that while holding up her right hand. A long pistol jumped out from the shadow when she did that before settling down in her hands.
Kurumi licked her lips and continued.
“If I use this [Yud] and shoot Origami-san then I can find out just what life she has been going through in this world. Well of course, I can’t take everything in but, if I focus on the point on how she become a Spirit then, I think I can gain the information you wish for”
“[Yud]………..i get it!”
Shidou widen his eyes. [Yud]. If he was correct, that bullet will give Kurumi the target’s past memories. If she uses that, she will probably be able to gain the knowledge on what happened to Origami.
“But………if that’s the case then, you could have just used [Yud] on the Inverse Origami of the previous world to find the cause right?”
When Shidou asked her without any particular reason, Kurumi shrugged her shoulders exaggeratedly.
“Well-----That will happen according to theory. This only happens if I managed to get close to that Origami-san and shoot her with [Yud]”
“Uu…………….”
Shidou’s cheeks twitched. It’s true that, she don’t have such a time for such a leisure activity, if she was dealing with the Inversed Origami.
“A-anyway, we will be able to find the cause for Origami inversing in this world if we have that right? I am counting on you, Kurumi. Lend me your power”
“Ufufu, what should I do”
Kurumi placed her gun mouth at her lips as if she was enjoying this.
After school. Origami, who was on her way back alone, came back to Raizen high school.
There was one reason. When she was going back home, she noticed the hair ornament she usually wear, was missing.
It’s didn’t really hurt for losing one small pin but-----it’s a different story if it’s the one bought by her late mother.
Nonetheless, it’s not like she knew clearly where she dropped it. In the end, Origami followed back the path she walked and after looking through the, entrance, corridor and classroom, she reached the stairs leading to the roof where she spoke with Itsuka Shidou during the afternoon.
“Ah----found it”
After Origami lean down, she then picked up the pin dropped on the floor.
It looks like she dropped it when she was talking to Shidou. It probably happened when she grabbed his hands excitedly when she found out that he was brothers with the boy of that time.
“I have to be careful………..”
While mumbling that, Origami simply cleaned the pin with her fingers before wearing it on her hair.
And at that moment.
“Eh………..?”
Origami saw 2 people on the roof through the glass.
One was her classmate, Itsuka Shidou.
And the other person------was the Spirit-<Nightmare> wearing her red-black Astral Dress.
“Ah-------“
The moment she recognized that,
Origami’s consciousness got shut down as if there was a power outage.
“Hn…….?”
Shidou felt that he heard a creaking door opened at the direction of the roof entrance.
When he looked over there, he saw a girl standing there looking downwards.
“Ah-re…….Origami?”
Yes. He couldn’t see who it was for a moment there since she was looking downwards but------it was definitely Tobiichi Origami. Even though class was over just what business does she have here?
When Shidou was questioning that, he quickly stopped his words.
The reason was simple. Shidou recalled back the Spirit- Kurumi standing beside him right now.
In this world, Origami was also affiliated with the AST until a while back. Which means, the possibility that she saw Kurumi was not zero. At the very least, she probably saw her in documented videos.
“O-origami, this is err”
Even though he managed to make a promise with her, it won’t be good if she make a weird misunderstanding. Shidou raised his voice to somehow fool her.
However, Origami continued looking down as if she could not hear Shidou’s voice and while both her hands were limp, she slowly walked forward.
“Origami………?”
“Oh my oh my?”
When Shidou called her name suspiciously, Kurumi distorted her eyebrows to match with him. Afterwards, after the shadow wrapped Kurumi and covered her in black, she immediately returned to original appearance.
“This is the first time meeting you in this world……….i think right, Origami-san? Well, there might be a chance that you met me before but-----“
“Spi-rit………”
---and.
Half-way through Kurumi’s words, Origami mumbled that before jet black darkness spread out from her body like a spider’s web.
The scene was like, only the surroundings around Origami turned into night time. Shidou widen his eyes in reflex when he saw that weird scene.
“Wha-----“
Next, the darkness swirling around Origami entangled to her body and formed into a mourning dress.
That was definitely----
“Astral Dress…….!?”
Shidou let out a voice filled with surprise.
Yes. It was the Spirit’s armor- the Astral Dress that Origami, who appeared on the roof, was wearing.
What’s more, it wasn’t the pure wedding dress like the one Shidou saw but instead it was the black dress after she inversed.
Suddenly, the area was filled with strong gravity and a nervousness which was strong to make breathing hard. His legs were slightly trembling, and he was close to collapsing if he ever relaxed.
However, it was the most natural thing ever. The [Demon King] that is the avatar of destruction and holds tremendous power. That was what manifested in front of his eyes right now.
“Like I thought------You’re <Devil>……….!?”
Origami did not answer even when Shidou asked.
However, that was the only thinkable answer now that he saw her like this. At the very least, it wasn’t Shidou’s misunderstanding. If that is the case then, it would mean that Origami was lying as expected. It didn’t felt like it at that time but-----
“Shidou-san, standing there might be dangerous you know”
Kurumi suddenly said that to him when he was thinking in shock.
Next, several clusters of darkness popped out around the silent Origami; it then expanded and formed a giant [Wing].
He saw that before. It was the appearance of the angel that destroyed the city of the previous world with raining beams-----her inversed form.
“………<Demon king of Salvation(Satan)>……….”
After Origami mumbled that, the countless [Wing] pointed its tip towards their direction.
“………….!”
His body froze from the sudden event. In the next moment, Shidou *Don* was pushed aside.
One beat later, he noticed that it was Kurumi that pushed Shidou aside.
“Guh……………..!”
It was already too late when he noticed that; Kurumi already jumped up to the sky. The beams shot by the [Wing] shot towards the spot where Kurumi used to be at just now, pierced through the school fence and flew into the sky.
“That was----quite a violent greeting!”
After Kurumi shouted, she then pulled the trigger of her pistol. When she did that, harden shadow bullets were shot towards Origami.
But, the [Wing] floating around Origami extended out into a shield and easily blocked the attack.
The remaining [Wing] pointed its tip towards Kurumi up at the sky and-----
“Kuh-----“
The black beam was shot towards the defenseless Kurumi.
The beam pierced through Kurumi’s chest and stomach; her head and limbs were also severed. The silhouette of a delicate girl was reduced to a pitiful corpse within an instant.
“Kurumi……….!?”
As if to match with Shidou’s shout, the parts which used to be Kurumi fell down from the sky. The same time they touched the ground, they started disintegrating like ash.
“O-Origami, you-----“
Shidou lifted his face and stopped his words.
“Eh----?”
He then let out a dumbfounded voice.
It’s obvious on why he did so. Origami, who killed Kurumi, fell to her knees powerlessly and the countless [Wing] floating around her turned into light particles before disappearing into the atmosphere.
And right after that, the black Astral Dress decorating Origami’s body opened and she returned back to the uniform appearance, similar to what she was in just now.
It’s as if------she achieved her goal by killing Kurumi.
“What……is this……….”
Shidou was unable to understand the event happening in front of him and after a while later, Origami slowly lifted her face.
And.
“…….Ah-re, Itsuka-kun? What are you doing in a place like this”
After she recognized Shidou, she said that in a surprised manner.
“Huh………..?”
Shidou’s eyes turned black and white at that unexpected response.
That un-malicious expression and tone doesn’t make him feel that she shot Kurumi just now. If that was acting then, she would be a famous actress that will leave her name in history, or a genius criminal.
“What the heck…..is this………..”
When Shidou mumbled in a dumbfounded manner, Origami tilted her head in wonder. However, rather than directing that response to Shidou, it looks like she was trying to recall back why she was on the roof.
“Perhaps, it happened again…….”
After Origami said that softly, *Pan**pan* she dust her lap while standing up on the spot.
“Again? Wha-what again…….?”
“Eh? Ah……..you heard me?”
Origami awkwardly scratched her head when she heard Shido’s words.
“Actually, my consciousness has been shutting down recently. I think its anemia or something though……..”
“Your consciousness………?”
Shidou brought his eyebrows closer while he gulped.
Origami looked at Shidou oddly before [Ah] she raised a voice as if she recalled something.
“Err, now that I think about it; did you read the paper I gave you in class?”
“Heh……..?Y-yeah……..i read it”
After Shidou answered, Origami turned around and faced her back at him.
“Err, so that’s it……you see”
After saying that, she ran away from the roof.
“Ah------“
It was too late even though he tried to stop her. Origami entered the school and *Ton**ton* went down the stairs.
Having left alone on the roof, Shidou stood still blankly for a while.
Origami appeared, turn into her Inverse spirit form, killed Kurumi and left without knowing anything. The whole event probably only took 5 minutes. However, Shidou’s surrounding made a weird turn in that small time.
“Kurumi……….”
Shidou called her name and,
“-----Yes yes, did you call?”
When Shidou felt a shadow appearing beside him, Kurumi, who was killed by Origami just now, popped her head out from it.
“………..”
“Oh my, you don’t look that shocked?”
“…………Something similar happened once before”
Shidou scratched his head while answering her. Most likely, she probably switched with her clone at the point when Origami appeared.
“………….I don’t like the way you use and throw away your clones. Even though they might be clones, they are still alive right?”
“Ufufu, Shidou-san you are so kind. But you need not worry. It is possible to recreate the [Me] that got killed just now with the [8th bullet(Het)]”
“…………..”
He silently exhaled. His and Kurumi’s value to life is too far apart.
It seems that Kurumi will not talk about that matter anymore. She looked towards the direction where Origami disappeared to, to change the topic.
“What do you think about that Origami-san?”
“What……even if you ask me that”
Honestly, he doesn’t know. He made a troubled expression and placed his hand on his chin.
“Well, one thing is for certain; Using [10th bullet (Yud)] to gain information looks tough……..and that’s fact”
“That’s……true”
He had no clue on what kind of situation Origami was in right now but, there was no mistake that she turned into her Spirit form when saw Kurumi. It will be tough getting close to her like that.
“Why………..did this happen. I-----is what I did, a mistake…….?”
After Shidou said that painfully, Kurumi *Fuu* sighed.
“I don’t think so. If you didn’t save Origami-san’s parents at that time then, the Tenguu city of this world should be trampled mercilessly by the inversed Origami. This situation is not the [Worst]…don’t you think so?”
“Th-that might be true but……..”
Shidou hesitated when he was told that.
It’s not like he didn’t understand what Kurumi meant. Thinking of what happened in the previous world; this world right now could be called peaceful.
But…………Shidou couldn’t agree with this. Just what happened to Origami after that? He got curious about that.
Kurumi *Giggled* maybe she saw Shidou’s expression.
“Well, I know Shidou-san would feel that way.------it’s true that even I am interested on how the world was rewritten by just changing one event”
“! Then-----“
Shidou stopped his words when he reached that point. Kurumi erected one finger and blocked Shidou’s lips.
“Howww everrr……….i am not that kind you know. Anything further up here, will require another fee okay?”
After saying that, *Nii* she distorted her lips. Shidou gulped when he saw that gruesome smile.
“Fufu-----“
Kurumi shrugged her shoulders when she saw Shidou’s appearance and spin around one more time.
“Okay then, I will be leaving now.----let’s meet again, Shidou-san”
After leaving only that, Kurumi disappeared into the shadows.
“-----So”
After Shidou got back home, Kotori, who was waiting for him with her black-ribbon commander mode, said that while making the rod of the chupa chups in her mouth stand.
“Can you explain what is going on, Shidou”
After she said that, she glared at Shidou.
Shidou clearly knows the reason for this.------it was about Origami.
There were 3 people right now in the Itsuka family living room. One was Shidou, the other was Kotori and the last one was a sleepy woman, who has prepared a small tab with her already. It’s <Ratatoskr>’s analyst officer-Murasame Reine.
“E-even Reine-san”
“……….Hnn, well, think of me as a secretary substitute. I will leave if it’s inconvenient for you”
“N-no that isn’t true…….”
Shidou scratched his cheeks while saying that.
There wasn’t a single Spirit around and they were probably told to stay in the mansion. Looks like they really want to hear Shidou’s circumstances.
“Okay, go on Shidou”
Kotori jerk her chin to urge him.
“Y-yeah……….”
However. Even though he was overpowered by the atmosphere, Shidou stilled hesitated.
It’s true that, he would tell them his situation when he gets back home, in order to gain help from <Ratatoskr>. But, the moment when the time comes, he felt lost on how to explain the event that happened to him.
Kotori snorted unhappily maybe because she guessed Shidou’s thoughts.
“…………..Fuun. What, can’t talk after reaching to this point? Or maybe, are you feeling uneasy that I can’t understand Shidou’s talk? Don’t look down on me. I wonder if Shidou looks at me as a unreliable commander?”
“No, I didn’t plan to do that”
After Shidou swung his head, Kotori pouted her lips as if she was sulking and leaked out a soft voice.
“……………Why can’t you count on me a little more……Onii-chan”
“…………….!”
Shidou widen his eyes after Kotori told him that.
He then scratched his head before making a sigh.
“………….that’s right. Sorry about that, Kotori”
After a self-admonition, Shidou slightly lowered his head.
---Just, why must he be that scared? Kotori, the girl in front of Shidou is much smarter than him and is a very strong girl.
“This might sound weird but, what I am going to tell you is undeniable truth.------Will you listen?”
After Shidou said that, Kotori’s expression brightens up in an instant. But, she quickly twitched her eyebrows and returned to her commander mode face before nodding.
“Yes, of course”
After Shidou made a wry smile at Kotori, he started talking.
About, the fact that he was acquainted with the girl called Origami.
About, the fact Origami turned into a Spirit, inversed and destroyed the city.
About, the fact Shidou traveled back in time 5 years using Kurumi’s power to prevent that; and by saving Origami’s parents, he managed to change the route for the world to move to.
About, the fact that Origami exists in this world as the Spirit called <Devil>.
---It took around 5 minutes.
Shidou calmly revealed his experience to Kotori and Reine.
“…..and, that’s about it”
“……………”
After he finished his story, Kotor *Guuu* groaned before making a small nod.
“-----Rewriting the world……..i see. I finally understand why Shidou acted weird yesterday”
She said that and placed her hands on her chin.
“Well, I will believe you for now. There is nothing that comes to mind for Shidou to lie to me. Also----“
Kotori signaled to Reine. Reine [……….hn] made a short reply and after she manipulated the tab in her hand, she faced the screen towards their direction.
“Hnn……..?”
Shidou peeked into the screen before gasping.
The image shown was the appearance of Inversed Origami standing on the high school roof. At the edge of the picture, Shidou and Kurumi were there. It was exactly the scene Shidou just experienced.
“This is-------“
“Yes. This is the image taken by the automated camera on today’s evening………we sent several camera to look for information regarding Tobiichi Origami but, I never would have thought to see this decisive moment”
Kotori made a painful face while *Fuumu* groaning.
“Tobiichi Origami is definitely <Devil>. But, she does not know about it………actually, I had Reine analyze her parameters but, she wasn’t lying at all”
“Then, as expected………”
“Yes. There is a possibility that Tobiichi Origami has not realized that she turned into a Spirit”
Shidou gulped when he heard Kotori’s words.
“Is that….even possible?”
“This is a pattern we never seen before but……as long as there is a real example here, we can’t deny that fact. I have no clue on why this happened though”
When Kotori said that, Reine, who was manipulating the tab made a small sigh while stroking her chin.
“……….can I say something?”
“Hn, what’s wrong Reine”
“……….Hn. This is just my speculations or just my reasoning but, there is a point I question in Shin’s story”
“Question…..? What is it?”
Reine nodded before continuing after hearing Shidou’s words.
“…………aah, Shidou succeeded in changing the world. And, everyone does not remember the previous world………..you said that right?”
“Yes. The only ones that know about the previous world is me and Kurumi”
“………That’s it”
“Eh?”
After Shidou tilted his head, Reine erected one finger.
“………..I just wondered why you and Kurumi are the only ones that have the memories of the previous world. Kurumi might be okay because of her ability but, I don’t get the reason regarding Shin’s case”
“Uuuuun………”
Now that he was told that; she’s right. Shidou was the one that changed the world so………..he was satisfied with that thought but, it’s true that his current self is the Shidou, who has lived in the new world he created. He doesn’t know of the clear answer on why he has memories of the previous world when instead, he shouldn’t be having any of those memories.
“………….most likely, there must be some kind of condition to save your memories of the previous world”
“Condition……what kind?”
“………….i don’t know the details. If we leave Kurumi out as an exception then the sample cases we have is too little. But for example, let’s say that the condition is [Getting shot by Kurumi’s [Yud Bet] and [Have Reiryoku]……….how about that?”
“? And that’s……..”
When Shidou made a troubled face, Kotori sitting opposite him [Ahh] widen her eyes.
“I see, if several conditions are needed then………..the moment Tobiichi Origami received Reiryoku by <Phantom>, there is a possibility that she will recall back the memories of the previous world. Regardless the fact that she has memories of this world……………!”
“Ah……!”
Shidou finally understood after he heard Kotori’s explanation.
“Wai-wait just a second there Reine-san. Which means……..are you saying that the Inversed Origami [Is the Origami that regained back the memories of the previous world]……..?
Reine quietly closed her eyes at Shidou’s words.
“…….I said this already. This is just my speculations. It’s just a possibility. But…………its fact that thing makes sense if it is thought that way”
“B-but………..Origami was normal when she came to school------forget that, she should be the Origami that has memories of the previous world right?”
“……………I won’t know the details unless we ask Kurumi but, unlike Shin, who has his memories of the previous world in the first place; Origami has memories of this world. Just what would happen if memories regarding the previous world were forcefully poured into her mind…………. I don’t think it would give a good effect to the owner of those memories, at the very least. In order to protect herself, it is possible to think that the Origami who has memories of this world and the Origami who has the memories of the previous world, is separated”
Reine continued on.
“…………..the thinkable switch that will call out the Origami who has memories of the previous world would be-----“
“-----The existence of Spirit’s……..so to speak”
Kotori made the rod of the Chupa Chups stand and said that. Reine […….Most likely] agreed with her.
“…………judging by her reaction when Tohka was in class, she might only react to Reiryoku. If that is the case then………..it is extremely dangerous to manifest the limit Astral Dress in front of her”
It’s true that Origami turned into a Spirit when she saw Kurumi. And, she returned back to the normal Origami after she killed Kurumi.
“B-but……….if that really is true then, what should we-----“
“What are you saying”
After Shidou said that with a trembling voice, Kotori quickly interrupted him.
“It might be true that our opponent is the deadliest and worst inverse Spirit <Devil>. But, turning it to the other side, she will only turn into a Spirit in special conditions even though she has tremendous Reiryoku”
“That’s……….”
Shidou said that much before clenching his fist.-----it was just as Kotori says. Nothing will start if he keeps running.
“-----This might be an irregular case but, as long as we know that Tobiichi Origami is <Devil>; there is only one thing <Ratatoskr> will do”
Kotori looked towards Shidou.
It needs not to be said. Shidou pulled his lips and nodded.
<Ratatoskr>’s philosophy; to pacify the Spirits which is the cause of the Space Quake with peaceful means.
And in order to achieve that, one method is needed.
And that’s-----to [Date them and make them fall for him].
Kotori made a satisfied nod when she saw Shidou’s response before putting the rod of the Chupa chups between her fingers and pointing it at Shidou.
“…….so with that decided, let’s start moving immediately tomorrow. Shidou, somehow take contact with Origami and invite her to a date. The latest is within this week”
“Aah……that’s right”
At that moment, Shidou recalled something and [Ah] let out his voice.
“? What’s wrong?”
“I already did that…….a date promise. She told me that her Saturday was empty……..”
“Haaa!?”
Kotori shouted loudly maybe because Shidou’s answer was very unexpected.
“W-what’s with that? Did you have a love chat before our observation results? Shidou you did that?”
“N-no…….i didn’t really love chat with her……..”
“…………...then why did the topic change to dating”
“Well that’s because………….”
When Shidou was having problems answering, Kotori *Jiii* stared at him.
“Fuuun……………….looks like I need to hear what kind of relationship you had with Tobiichi Origami in the previous world”
“Wh-what are you……………”
With hand movements like a cat cornering a mouse, Kotori patted Shidou’s chin. Shidou’s face turned pale at that weird sensation.
“………….aaaaahhhhhh”
Night time. While lying down on her bed, Origami hugged her long pillow and was rolling around.
The reason was simple. She was currently embarrassed at her own actions she took today.
Even though it was him that invited her, that reply was just too maiden-like. Not only that, she even met up with him again on the roof. What kind of female manga main character are you!? It was a situation where she wanted to retort that to herself.
---but. After Origami exhaled, she faced upwards from the bed and gazed up at the ceiling.
That young man…………….the moment she saw Itsuka Shidou’s face, she was really surprised.
The young man carved deep inside Origami’s memories. Shidou really looks identical to the young man that sacrificed himself to save Origami’s parents 5 years ago.
Maybe that’s the reason; an odd emotion attacked Origami the moment she saw Shidou’s face.
No---that wasn’t all.
The moment she heard his voice.
The moment she smelled him.
The moment she touched his hands.
---Origami felt an indescribable emotion in her heart.
Just what was that? It was not disgusting. However, the weird feeling felt like she was tickled from inside her heart.
“……….don’t tell me this is”
Origami let out a soft voice. An unidentified emotion. A feeling she has never felt before. This might possibly be-----
At that moment, her cell phone left beside her pillow received a message.
“…………!”
The sudden ringtone caused her to bounce up.
She then calmed down by taking a breath and after extending her hands to the cell phone beside the pillow, she found that the sender of the mail was Shidou when she looked at the screen.
“-----!”
The instant she recognized that, her heart started pounded so hard that she does not even know why.
But, she can’t stay frozen like this forever. She took a deep breath before fiddling with the screen and read through the text.
What was written there was an apology for suddenly inviting her today, a text that he will be honored to see her again and also, the time and meeting place for Saturday.
“Wa-wawah”
After Origami dropped the cell phone into her hands as if she held onto a heated rock, she started rolling on the bed in panic.
She can’t calm down for some reason. Her head was in chaos even though she only received one mail from a boy she just met today.
“……….! O-oh yeah, a reply----“
After 10 seconds of chaos, Origami finally recalled back what she should be doing and poured in strength on the cell phone’s keypad.
“……..meeting spot and time understood. Okay……”
But, her hands stopped right before sending the mail.
---Is this reply really okay? Is this just too simple for all that matters?
“………………..”
After Origami silently erased her text, she fixed her posture and retyped the mail again.
She replied back to Shidou’s mail with each words typed in carefully; she expressed poetically that she was happy to talk to him, she can’t wait for next Saturday and she would get a strange feeling every time she thinks about Shidou. But.
“……am I a maiden, seriously!”
Feeling embarrassed half-way through, Origami’s cheeks blushed before erasing the text again.
In the end, Origami only managed to send a mail reply to Shidou on the next day.
11th of November, Saturday.
Shidou walked to the Tenguu station alone.
The sky was clear blue. Although the air was a little chilly, the sun was warm and it doesn’t feel like the temperature of a day closing to winter. It was the best weather for a date.
“-------even so, aren’t you a little too early? The promised time is at 11 right?”
Kotori’s voice could be heard from the small Incam equipped in his right ear.
This Incam was connected to the airship <Fraxinus> floating about Shidou’s spot approximately by 15000 meters and the whole crew in that bridge will be providing support to Shidou’s date.
“No…………”
Shidou replied back softly while taking a glance at his cell phone’s screen. 10:12 am. There was still 48 minutes until the meeting time.
“It won’t be weird if Origami is already here. Of course, I can’t say that this Origami is slightly different from the one I know but…………it’s better than making her wait long right?”
After Shidou said that, Kotori [Fuuun………..] talked with a meaning behind her voice, through the Incam.
“You are quite informed huh-----for just a mere classmate.”
Kotori said it with thorns in her tone. Shidou made a dry smile while sweat was flowing down his forehead.
When she asked his relationship with the Origami in the previous world, he replied that as his answer but………..it looks like, Kotori didn’t believe him.
“………it was because of you all that I became acquainted with Origami in the first place, know this.”
Shidou twitched his cheeks while complaining to the Incam. Actually, even though it started because of the event in 5 years ago, the reason why Shidou started talking to Origami frequently was because of the [Training] Kotori proposed and the love chat with Origami. He told that to Kotori too just in case but……..
“Who knows~~I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Guh……..”
In reality; the Kotori of this world probably has no memories of saying that. Shidou clenched his teeth, wondering how to reply back.
He reached the station hall right when they were talking about that.
The meeting place with Origami was in front of the fountain in the station hall. It was the same meeting spot when he had to go through a triple booking date with Tohka and Kurumi too.
“Ah-----“
Having stepped into the hall, Shidou let out a short word and stopped on the spot.
The reason was simple. Origami was already in front of the fountain.
Nonetheless, it’s not like he was shocked to see Origami there. The reason why Shidou stopped there for a moment was because of her clothes.
She was in a blouse with a cute design, and a cardigan. A skirt with autumn colors. Shidou’s eyes were stolen away unintentionally when he saw that girly style that doesn’t fit with the Origami in his memories.
“Shidou?”
“……….! Y-yeah.”
He twitched his body when Kotori called him.
“Haa………the future looks bleak”
“So-sorry………”
“Please focus. I don’t know what happened in the previous world but, at the very least, the girl in front of you right now is the Spirit hunter <Devil>. We don’t know what she would do if you lower your guard. Please go in with the preparations of handling Tokisaki Kurumi”
Kotori warned him. Shidou took a deep breath to arrange his heart beat before tilting his head forward.
“Yeah I understand”
“Good”
Kotori *suuu* exhaled before,
"Okay-----let’s begin our dateWar”
Saying that, and announced the start of the plan.
At the same time, Shidou started moving his legs, which he stopped, towards the fountain.
She probably noticed him when he did that. Origami, who was standing in front of the fountain, lifted her face and looked surprised.
“Itsuka-kun? You are so early”
“Haha……….that goes for us too right?”
After Shidou said that, Origami looked at the clock standing in the hall, and shrunk her shoulders in embarrassment.
“Err, I didn’t want to make you wait”
“Aah, I thought that too”
Origami widen her eyes after said that. After a while, she leaked a carefree smile.
“Thank you for inviting me for today, Itsuka-kun………..but err, this may sound embarrassing but, I have no experience going out alone with a guy so, there might be unforeseen problems”
“N-no no, even I don’t have that experience”
Shidou swung his head at Origami’s words. When he did that, Kotori’s voice echoed in his right ears to retort him.
“I’m amazed that you can say that after dating that many Spirits”
“Shu-shut up”
“? What are you saying, Itsuka-kun”
Origami tilted her head in wonder. Shidou quickly [No, nothing] played it off.
“Rather………….we are classmates so, can you stop the honorifics?”
“But”
“Here, it will make me feel awkward. So please?”
Shidou said that before clapping his hands together; Origami made her eyebrows look like a 八 shape for a while but, she nodded in understanding soon later.
“I understand……..err……….I get it”
Origami said it with an unfamiliar manner. Shidou relaxed his cheeks in nostalgia.
“Haha………..Origami has to be like that, as expected”
“Heh?”
Origami let out a dumb-witted voice at Shidou’s words. He realized that he called her [Origami] unconsciously again like what he did few days ago.
“Ah…….Sorry, I called you in reflex. Err…….it’s because it’s a beautiful name”
Shidou tried to play it off. He wasn’t lying but, in reality, the reason was leaning more towards the fact he called her that in the previous world. He used to call her Tobiichi at first but, he gotten used to calling her name before he noticed.
Origami looked restless but, she doesn’t look bad. Her mouth made a broad smile.
“Thank you. -------It’s the name my father and mother gave me”
“I see………….”
Father and mother. Those worlds made Shidou feel something complex spreading out in him.
But, Origami slightly looked away while moving her lips, maybe because she noticed what Shidou was thinking.
“That’s why, I don’t mind-----if Itsuka-kun calls me that way”
“Eh?”
“Err, I mean Origami”
Origami said that with slightly blushing cheeks. Shidou’s heart pounded unexpectedly when he saw that.
“Shidou, why are you keeping quiet! Your partner finally got closer you know?”
“Ah-----“
Shidou quickly continued his words when Kotori’s words came into his ears.
“Th-thanks…….Origami”
Even though it was a name he said out naturally just now, it turned out embarrassing now that he officially gain permission for do so. Just like him, Origami slightly looked away from his eyes and replied.
“Un”
“Ah---then, about that. You can call me Shidou if you want. It will be unfair if you don’t”
“Eh?”
Origami widen her eyes in reflex when Shidou said that. And after mumbling something softly, she let out her voice.
“Shid-----, ………..”
But, after he stopped his words half-way, he scratched his cheeks in a restless manner.
“………….I don’t mind until you get used to it”
“Eh? Aah, o-of course!”
After Shidou agreed, a few seconds of silence flowed by.
“Shidou I don’t recommend staying quiet for too long. Anything is okay, just connect the lines”
Kotori’s command flew to him. It was just as she says. He looked for a topic in his head before moving his mouth.
“Hey err”
“Err”
But, his voice covered Origami voice too. A strange embarrassing feeling attacked them.
Origami was the one that broke that situation first. She looked back at Shidou and asked him.
“Now that I think about it, Itsuka-kun, what are we doing today?”
“Eh?”
“Sorry. But, I only heard about the time and meeting place”
“Y-yeah, I forgotten about that. Today------“
After Shidou said that, he heard a certain sound which he has not heard for a long time in his right ear.
Right now in the bridge of the airship- <Fraxinus> floating 15000 meters up the Tenguu city, <Ratatoskr>’s elites were lined up inside.
Under Kotori’s orders, all of the elite love masters were to support Shidou. Everyone was maintaining an ideal nervous situation while looking at the giant main monitor installed in the bridge.
The image of the ground sent by the automate camera was shown in the main monitor. As if to trace Shidou’s view point, the target for this time-Tobiichi Origami’s picture was zoomed in, several different angles were taken from the cameras nearby and all sorts of parameters were on it.
And---right now. The moment Origami asked a question, *Pikon!* such a sound echoed in the bridge and a window was displayed on the screen.
“The choices are out………..!”
Kotori, who’s sitting on the commander seat located at the upper bridge, was moving the rod of the Chupa chups up and down while hitting her lap.
The AI installed in the <Fraxinus>, will observe the target’s the movements of her emotions and will show 3 choices for Shidou to pick.
① [Actually, there is a movie I want to watch with you] watch a romance movie in the cinema.
② [I was thinking of shopping] enjoy shopping.
③ [Let’s stop with the annoying parts] straight to an adult hotel.
“All members, your choice!”
Obeying Kotori’s order, the crews clicked on the button at their hands reach at the same time.
Immediately, the total votes were displayed on the main monitor.
The most was----②.
“Fumu………② huh. It’s the safe road huh”
After Kotori stroke her chin, a crew member at the lower deck; <Bad Marriage> Kawagoe raised his voice.
“It’s hard to throw ① away but, going to a space with no conversation at the first go will make things uneasy”
Afterwards, <Deprive> Minowa opened her lips to show her agreement.
“……Rather, why did ③ suddenly appear in the choices………”
Everyone wasn’t disagreeing and nodded. Within them, sweat was flowing down the <Nail knocker> Shiizaki’s cheeks.
“We won’t know unless we ask <Fraxinus>’s AI”
Kotori shrugs her shoulders while saying that. In reality, Kotori tried to lure Shidou and Tohka to a hotel to rest during Tohka’s conquest but, that was because the Spirit knows nothing about this world (This was a digression but, if Shidou was about to do something above a kiss then, it was planned that an organization member disguised as a garbage collector will step in).
But, the target this time was previously a human. Which means, the probability that she knows about what [That] was built for, was high. If someone was brought to a place like that on a first date then getting slapped can’t be arguable.
After Kotori brought the mike closer, she threw an order to Shidou.
“Shidou, I decided. ②-----“
“----wait for a sec”
But, Shidou interrupted Kotori’s voice with a whisper soft enough to avoid Origami from hearing.
“What’s wrong”
“………..I have something I want to test out with those choices”
“Eh?”
She widens her eyes at Shidou’s unusual serious voice. This was the first time Shidou said this.
However; she noticed something. The Spirit this time-----Tobiichi Origami was a special girl.
If Shidou’s words were correct; this world was a world branched out from the events from 5 years ago-----and Shidou might be intimate with Origami in another parallel world.
If that’s the case then, it won’t be weird for Shidou to already know about Origami’s tastes that they have not yet grasped.
After a moment of thinking, Kotori flicked the rod of her Chupa chups.
“-----I get it. It’s special this time. Please choose the choices you like, Shidou”
“…………….”
After Kotori said that, Shidou poked the Incam silently to show that he understood.
The main monitor then moved towards Origami.
“Hey, Origami. There’s somewhere I want to go so, can I?”
“Uh, okay”
Origami nodded and followed after Shidou.
And, after a while of walking. Shidou suddenly stopped.
“Ehh?”
Origami looked up at the building in front of her, and made a blank face.
However, it was only normal. That’s because, the place Shidou brought Origami was a castle-like building with lodging fees and resting fees posted on the signboard.
A very loud alarm echoed inside the bridge immediately. At the same time, <President> Mikimoto and <Dimension Breaker> Nakatsugawa were shouting while they were looking at their personal monitors.
“The emotion values are not stabilizing”
“Tobiichi Origami! Is feeling shaken!”
“Obviously, just what are you thinking Shidouuuuuuu!!”
After Kotori shouted, she tugged the mike closer to her.
“Shidou! Play it off before Origami gets angry!”
“Eh? But”
“Hurry up before it’s too late!!”
After Kotori said that, Shidou faked looking lost for a moment before making a smile to Origami.
“Okay, over here, come”
“Ah………this isn’t the place”
Origami exhaled in relief.
“W-well of course. Come on, let’s go”
“U-un”
Shidou brought Origami pass the hotel. The alarm then finally stopped ringing.
“Haa…………what were you thinking Shidou. It’s so obvious that she would pull back if she was brought to a place like that in her first date”
After Kotori wiped the sweat on her forehead, Shidou made a confused face while letting out a soft voice.
“Sorry. I thought this would definitely be the spot for Origami……….”
“No, why is that”
She did not understand why Shidou fixed Origami and a hotel together. She replied back with twitching cheeks.
“Anyway, pick ②. Go shopping”
“………….I got it”
Shidou nodded and told Origami that they were going shopping.
While looking at the scene on the main monitor, Kotori talked to the crew at the lower deck.
“So, how is Origami’s affection level? It would be nice if it didn’t drop much though……….”
“A-about that…….”
Nakatsugawa fixed his glasses position in a troubled manner.
“Her emotion values were shaken greatly but……….her affection level has not dropped at all……..no, instead, it slightly got higher……….?”
“What did you say?”
Kotori raised a doubtful voice at Nakatsugawa’s words.
While accompanying Origami, they passed the back alley and walked straight into the main street.
Half-way through, Origami suddenly raised her voice.
“So, where are we going?”
“Yeah, I thought of going shopping”
After Shidou asked, Origami tilted her head.
“What are you shopping for?”
“Ah……Errr………..”
Now that he thinks about it, they haven’t decided on what to shop for. He scratched his cheeks while immersed in thought.
“Stop. The choices are out”
Kotori’s voice then appeared in the Incam in his right ear and the automated voice message read out the choices.
3 choices were displayed on the bridge’s main monitor.
① Coordinate her in a selection shop.
② Play with animals in a pet shop and shrink their distances.
③ Go to a pharmacy located at the back alley’s which sells strong vitality drinks and aphrodisiacs.
“Everyone, your choice!”
The total votes were displayed on the monitor once Kotori shouted. The votes were at ① which was the most while ② was close by a slim margin.
“① huh. Same with me”
The crew replied back to Kotori’s voice.
“Well, those are appropriate”
“② isn’t bad but, we don’t know if she likes animal or not”
“…………rather, what is with this ③? This feels kind of special but……….”
Kawagoe raised his eyebrows and asked. It’s true that only one choice was a different kind. What’s the AI thinking?.............is a big scale maintenance needed?
“Shidou, you hear me? Let’s be appropriate and go with ①-----“
“No, it has to be ③”
From the opposite side of the Incam, Shidou let out his voice naturally.
“Huh?”
She brought her eyebrows closer at Shidou’s words.
“What are you saying Shidou. Please calm down. It’s obviously not a place for a teenager to go!”
“No, but its Origami we are talking about here……”
“What does that mean!?”
She does not understand. Kotori shouted.
“Even though you ask me what……………..speaking of Origami, it’s going to be vitality drinks; speaking of vitality drinks, it will be Origami I guess”
Shidou said it as if it was common sense. Kotori placed her hands on her head at that direct manner.
“No seriously, I don’t understand. Just what kind of girl is [Tobiichi Origami] that you know?”
“Eh………? Let’s see, she’s someone that would make me drink the combination of boiled mixed vitality drinks, she would install traps to prevent me from running away from her house, and she would lick my neck when I give her a piggyback ride…..”
“Haaa!? Are you joking here? There’s no way such a girl would exist!”
“E-even if you tell me that………..”
Shidou distorted his eyebrows in a troubled manner. It looks like he was not joking and was serious about it.
At that moment, Kotori recalled back Tobiichi Origami’s affection level movements from just now.
Although she was shaken from that overly unexpected choice, her affection did not drop at all. Possibly this might…………
After Kotori settled her thoughts in 2 seconds, *Fuun* she sighed.
“……….okay. Go try it”
“Commander!?”
A surprised voice came down from the lower deck. However, Kotori did not look away from the main monitor and continued on.
“As replacement, if her affection level drops even a bit or her emotion level turns unstable then, quickly move to ①. Okay?”
“Y-yeah, I get it”
After replying to her, Shidou brought Origami into the back alley.
“------okay, this is the place if I am correct”
“Eh?”
Origami opened her eyes wide in shock when Shidou stopped his legs in front a certain pharmacy in the back-alley.
But it was normal. It looks like a multi-tenant building at first glance. However, after entering the building and heading up to the 2nd floor, a pharmacy with a ghost house-like interior. It’s a secretive spot that won’t be discovered if a person was living a normal life. If Shidou wasn’t told about the existence of this shop by Origami in the previous world then, he probably wouldn’t be able to reach here.
Packaged bottle not commonly seen in drug stores were overflowing the shop. The words written on the label were clearly not Japanese giving this place a 100% for strangeness.
“What………is this shop?”
Origami asked dubiously. But, as expected he couldn’t say [Origami is a regular customer here right], and made something up.
“Well, let’s take a look. Let’s go somewhere else if you don’t like it”
“U-un……….”
Origami looked around the strange medicines lined up in the shop curiously. However, some of it didn’t make sense to her and would sometimes tilt her head………Is her taste different than the Origami Shidou knew?”
If that was the case then, it might be a good idea to quickly change his objectives like what Kotori said. If he was correct, Kotori’s orders were to bring Origami to see clothes, about that? Well, that choice was undeniable correct for a normal girl.
“Itsuka-kun”
Origami talked to Shidou when he was thinking that.
“Like I thought………I don’t understand anything. Let’s go somewhere else?”
“Y-yeah, I see. Sorry----“
But, Shidou stopped his words.
The reason was simple. Origami was making her eyebrows into a 八 shape because she was troubled when she was looking at the products lined up in the shop but…………….she was holding a shopping basket filled with the shop’s most effective looking vitality drinks and aphrodisiacs in the shop.
“Origami, what’s that……?”
“Ehh?”
When Shidou pointed at it, Origami opened her eyes wide in surprise as if she just realized that.
“Th-this is………..when did I…..?”
Origami pressed her forehead and was wobbling as if she was feeling lightheaded.
“Ar-are you okay?”
The moment Shidou quickly supported her body, a loud alarm echoed inside the Incam.
“Shidou! Origami’s emotion values are making strong waves!”
“Le-let’s go out for now! Okay!?”
Shidou heard Kotori’s voice and quickly brought the groaning Origami out the shop.
After a while passed, Origami finally calmed down.
“Sorry, Itsuka-kun………just what happened to me I wonder”
“W-well don’t worry too much about it. It’s my fault for bringing you to such a place. -----oh yeah, let’s go check out some clothes”
Origami nodded when Shidou said that.
They then once again walked side by side on the road.
But, Shidou scratched his cheeks at that moment. It was good to tell her to look for clothes but, he did not know what kind of shop Origami uses. If he was correct he heard that Origami in the previous world would almost always purchase her personal clothes through airmail.
“Speaking of which, what kind of shop does Origami usually buy from?”
“Uuuun………….I buy them near my house most of the time”
After saying that, she made a wry smile and looked slightly embarrassed.
“Actually, I wanted to make it more elaborate but……..I am just bad with that kind of stuff. I don’t have sense for them”
“That’s not true. Your clothes for today are really cute you know?”
“…………..uh!”
After Shidou said that, Origami looked surprised and quickly looked away.
“Origami?”
“U-un………..nothing. M-more importantly, if you want to look for clothes, can we go to the building at the station, even though we might have to back track a bit? I rarely go there”
“Aah, of course”
Shidou agreed at Origami’s words. They then passed the back street and walked towards the main street leading to the station.
“Fuun…………I was worried there for a moment but things don’t look so bad”
Half-way through, Kotori’s voice echoed in his right ear.
“Her affection level is increasing. If things go well, then we might be able to settle this within today.----but, don’t lower your guard. I don’t know the reason but, her sudden emotion value changes are extreme. Please be aware to not startle her too much.”
“Understood…….”
After saying that softly, Shidou walked forward.
Not long later, both of them reached the twin-building soaring in front the station. The building was crowded with shoppers; maybe because it was a rest day.
After reaching the 3rd floor with the escalator, Shidou and Origami entered a stylish selection shop that they found before looking around at the clothes lined up in there.
“Come on Shidou, don’t just look”
Kotori said that in an irritated manner. After Shidou [Ah] moved his eyebrows, he called out to Origami, who was touching the fur of a coat.
“Since we are here, I’ll give you one piece as a present. What do you want?”
“Eh?”
Origami opened her eyes wide.
“No, I’ll feel bad…….see, it’s quite expensive”
Origami showed the coat’s price tag to Shidou while whispering. 39800 yen………..it’s quite a critical price for a high school male student.
But, <Ratatoskr> was backing Shidou up now. Shidou *Don* hit his chest.
“Leave it to me”
“But”
“Show me the first time you wear that as payment. So have that as your thanks”
Origami made a wry smile in embarrassment at Shidou’s words.
“Itsuka-kun, you often make girls cry?[11C 1]”
“Heh? Wh-why……?”
“I was just wondering that, you seem quite used to this”
After saying that, Origami looked at Shidou with half her eyes opened. Sweat flow down Shidou’s cheeks.
“O-oi oi……..”
Origami then relaxed her cheeks.
“Fufu, it’s a joke.----then, I’ll take you for your word. But since I am at it, can you let me look around a little more? Since showing you first is the condition, I want to choice one that would make Itsuka-kun happy”
Origami said that jokingly.
“Y-yeah”
After Shidou nodded, Origami started looking around the shop with light footsteps.
“Upupu……….make girls cry. You got seen through, Shidou”
“Give me a break……..”
He mixed in a sigh in his reply when he heard Kotori’s voice in his right ear.
“I don’t say you can’t be that. Of course, Shidou being too used on handling girls is something to think about but, it’s alright since its Shidou”
“……….what do you mean by that”
“Your inerasable cherry boy smell”
“Sorry, please don’t say it”
Shidou covered his face with both his hands and looked like he was about to cry sorrowfully. Kotori *Haaa* sigh could be heard.
“More importantly, don’t leave Origami alone”
“Ah……….that’s right”
He looked around when he was told that. But, just where did she go? Origami could not be seen anywhere.
“Ah-re…….where did she go?”
“See, what did I tell you…………Reine, where is her location?”
“………….hnn, approximately 20 meters behind Shin”
Reine talked to respond to Kotori’s words. As <Ratatoskr>’s analyst, she’s also providing support to Shidou.
“Sorry and thanks”
After saying that, Shidou listened to Reine’s words. He then started walking at the back direction.
He then found out that his goal was a dressing room separated by a curtain.
“Aah, I see. So that’s what’s going on”
Shidou nodded in agreement. No wonder Origami couldn't be found anywhere. It seems that she already picked her clothes and has gone to try it on.
While looking at the products in display on the shelf nearby, he randomly spent some time until Origami comes out.
But------
“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?”
Origami’s shout suddenly echoed out from the dressing room, and caused Shidou to gasp.
“W-what’s wrong Origami!”
“W-why am I in…………”
After Shidou shouted, Origami’s frightened voice could be heard from the opposite side of the curtain.
He had a bad premonition. Shidou made up his mind and placed his hands on the curtain.
“Sorry Origami! I am opening this!”
“Eh………….? Ah, no, don’t do it, Itsuka-k------“
Origami tried to stop him but, he still ended up opening the curtain.
“…………..heh?”
But. Shidou opened his mouth blankly with his eyes opened when he saw her.
However, it was only natural. That’s because, Origami, who collapsed down powerlessly in the dressing room was right now wearing a school swimsuit, incidentally; she was also wearing accessories like dog ear headband on her head, a dog tail on her butt, and a leather collar around her neck. Anyone will probably go blank for a moment.
“O-origami………….? That appearance………..”
She twitched her shoulders when Shidou said that.
“D-don’t misunderstand! I won’t-----won’t………..!”
Origami’s eyes were swimming around in chaos. It’s as if Origami does not know why she was in this outfit herself too.
“I don’t remember taking these clothes and yet when did I…………! Why am I in a school swimsuit-------“
While saying that, Origami frowned her face because of a sudden headache.
“School swimsuit………dog ears……uu, my head……..”
The moment Origami said that painfully while pressing her head, *Piii**Piii* the alarm could be heard in the Incam.
“Shidou! Origami’s emotions value!”
“O-Origami! Come, let’s get you changed and see something else! Okay!”
Shidou turned flustered and shouted before closing the dressing room curtain.
“……….I am so sorry. You went through all that to invite me too. I am kind of weird today……….”
Approximately 20 minutes after they left the shop. Origami pressed her forehead with her hands while saying that at a restaurant located at the upper level of the same building.
“Don’t worry about it. It was me that invited you anyway. If you are feeling sick then let’s end it early?”
Shidou said that as if he was worried about Origami. However, Origami swung her head to the side.
“U-un, that’s not it. It’s just-----“
“Just?”
“…………Nothing. Anyways; I am okay. Sorry for making you worry”
Origami tried to play it off before making a wry smile. Shidou was still looking at her worried but, he did not pry further anymore maybe to respect Origami’s words.
“……………………”
Origami made sure Shidou did not notice before making a small sigh.
It’s not like; walking with Shidou in the city was boring. Forget that, being this uplifted feel so nostalgic that it made this so unbearably fun.
But even so; sometimes…………a strange feeling would attack her.
She does not know of the reason too but, the moment she saw that strange costume that would make anyone think [Just what timing would it be for me to wear something like this] in the cosplay shop, a strong wave pushed the back from the inside of her heart.
It’s as if-------this was something she wore before.
Of course, there was no way she did that before. A weird appearance of school swimsuit + dog ears and tail+ collar was something Origami has never worn in her life. Even if a gun was pointed at her and was told [Wear this or I will shoot], that obscene outfit was enough to make her hesitate even so. No one would be fond of wearing that unless a few screws were loose in their head.
However, that was not all. This happened too when she was brought to the weird medicine shop by Shidou. At that time, Origami half-consciously grabbed a shopping basket and started shoving the bottles lined up at the shelves in a fluent manner. She was so good at it that she even wondered that there might be a point card for that shop in her purse for a moment there.
“I………..been to that shop before..?”
“Eh?”
Shidou replied when Origami mumbled.
As if to match up with his actions, the food they ordered just now was served to them. Origami looked over there as if to play off the words she just said.
“Oh here, Itsuka-kun. Eat it before it gets cold okay?”
“Hn? Y-yeah”
As if he was urged by Origami, Shidou took the spoon and started eating his omelet rice. Origami also started eating her seafood doria.
And, after some time pass, right when he was half way done with his omelet rice, Shidou suddenly pressed his right ears and stood up from his seat.
“Sorry. I’ll be back soon”
“Ah, un”
Just what happened? Although, prying in won’t do anything for her. Origami made a small nod before seeing Shidou off.
She let out a big sigh when Shidou could no longer be seen.
“Haaa………..what is wrong with me”
She’s going to feel bad for Shidou at this rate, even though he went through all that trouble to invite her. She has to get a grip of herself. After Origami put down her spoon, she lightly stretched her cheeks to energize herself.
But at that moment.
“Ah------“
A certain object was caught in Origami’s eyes.
Even though she just made a resolve, a distorting feeling attacked her heart again.
The object Origami saw. That’s-----
“I-Itsuka-kun’s………….spoon……”
Yes. Leaving his seat during meal time would mean that he left the spoon that was just in use.
Origami felt her heart pumping with tremendous momentum.
“N-nonono, what am I thinking……..”
She quickly stopped her hand that was extending towards the spoon with her other hand. That’s just going overboard. She would be a perfect pervert if she does something like that. This will cause a case in court.
But, even though she was well-aware of that, her right hand extended forward energetically. It’s as if there was another person inside Origami and was forcefully moving her body.
“Kuh……….calm down my right hand”
Even though she said that, there was no effect.
Her head turned chaotic within time and she no longer understood what was going on anymore. What was correct? What was wrong? The foundations of right and wrong changes according to the age and is there anyone that can say that Origami’s action will be wrong? No, there isn’t (Rhetorical question). Why is this a mistake? The philosopher Oririn Toviichi once said this. No one can prove my existence but, I can make certain of my existence by licking Shidou’s spoon. Which means, My licking proves that I am here.
Inside Origami’s hazy consciousness, she felt her left hand stopping her right hand, turning weaker.
“Ou, Sorry Origami, I made you wait------“
And. Shidou, who got back from the toilet, stopped his legs right in front the table.
The reason was simple. Shidou has encountered the scene of Origami holding his spoon and extending her tongue out to it with a very lewd expression.
“O-Origami………..?”
After saying that, Origami twitched her shoulders as if she just noticed Shidou’s existence. Light filled her eyes when it was empty like she was possessed by something and sweat started pouring out of her face immediately.
“D-don’t be mistaken! This is……not what you think it is!”
He doesn’t know what he was mistaken about but, Origami raised her voice in panic.
“N-no, it’s okay…….I am used to it too anyway”
“Listen! It’s really not what you think! Y-yes, it’s just t-that! Your spoon dropped onto the floor when you stood up from your seat! And it was just so happen that I picked it up!”
Origami begged Shidou by shouting and *Gatan* stood up.
The cup left on the table shook from the impact when she stood up and dropped towards Shidou’s direction. Water splashed onto the hem of the shirt Shidou was wearing.
“Oopps…….”
“Ah! I-I am so sorry, I panicked and-----“
“Haha, this is enough so it’s okay. It will dry fast anyway”
After saying that to calm Origami, who looked ashamed, Shidou pinched the hem of his shirt and lightly squeeze it to remove the water. Shidou’s belly button peeked out when he did that.
And, at that moment.
“-------------!”
Origami took out her cell phone from her pocket with lightning speed and the sound of continuous shutter pressing echoed after the lens was pointed to Shidou with fluid movements.
“Eh?”
“Haah!”
When Shidou opened his eyes in surprise, Origami was also making a shocked expression at the opposite side too. It’s as if her body disobeying her will and moved.
“Believe me, Itsuka-kun……….! M-my body…….is moving by its own…….!”
Origami appealed to him with teary eyes. However, her finger was still continuously pressing on the shutter.
“------Why!? Whyyyyyyy!?”
Origami’s teary voice and continuous shutter pressing, echoed throughout the afternoon restaurant.
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