Date A Live - Volume 20 - Chapter Ep

Final Chapter 

Last Day Alive 

In the end of the world, the sparkling grains of light rained down like snow bathed in moonlight. 

Until a few seconds ago, ‘Mio’ and the remnants of the reiryoku that formed the huge sword spread a veil of color over the cracked sky. 

There was no escaping this ruin. The end drew near. Shidou’s eyesight was momentarily snatched away by the view. The scenery was a little bit too beautiful to decorate the end of the world. 

In such a painting-like landscape, with her Astral Dress flickering and glimmering, Tohka slowly descended down. 

With the Northern Lights serving as a backdrop from her figure, it was just like a Goddess sitting in heaven--or an angel who had come to rescue dead human souls. 

“--Tohka.” 

Half-stunned, he called out her name. 

Tohka slightly raised her chin in response to those words-- 

“--Hmm.” 

Then, with high pressure, she huffed from her nose. 

He finally noticed it in that reaction. Tohka’s mood was a little bit different than before. 

“Tenka……?” 

“Aah, I’ve borrowed this body for a while. Too bad for you that it is not Tohka.” 

“No, that isn’t……” 

Just as Shidou was about to speak, Tenka continued to interrupted him. 

“As you can see, this is the limit. This world is over and you are released. Rejoice, that is what you wanted.” 

“Huh? Released……but Tenka rewrote the world……” 

“The power to overwrite the world with the neighboring world is no longer left in that woman’s

Sephira Crystal. --Seems like <Rasiel> was the chief reason for stirring up your uneasiness.” 

While saying that, Tenka slightly shrugged her shoulders. Listening to that, Shidou said, “That Kurumi……” as sweat dripped down his cheeks. 

However, he immediately reconsidered this. Certainly, the omniscient <Rasiel> made it possible to understand this world. But at the same time, he knew that meant Mio’s Sephira Crystal and Tohka’s existence would soon disappear. 

--Ah, that’s right. Shidou understood. For this reason, Kurumi urged and sent Shidou to go on a last date with Tohka. 

Suddenly, at that moment, Shidou was able to understand the meaning behind Kurumi’s words. He recalled he was recommended to use <Zafkiel> rather than <Rasiel>. <Zafkiel>’s method wouldn’t have uncovered any lies, but allowed one to personally re-experience one’s own memories--more than that, the reason was that she didn’t want to inform him of Tohka’s time limit. 

“……That girl.” 

For being called the “Worst Spirit”, she was remarkably kind. Shidou breathed out as he shook his forehead. 

“…………” 

No, there was one more person who shouldn’t be forgotten as very kind. He looked that way to Tenka’s direction. 

Playing the role of a villain, the Spirit that led to Shidou and Tohka’s date. 

“What’s with that look?” 

“No, it’s nothing.” 

If such a thing is said, Tenka would become grumpy again. Shidou judged it to be that manner as he put a stop to his strained smile. 

Although Tenka raised her eyebrow in suspicion, she kept talking as if saying, “Well, fine”. 

“I used that woman’s power to no more just make a boundary. --A world where time advances differently than the real world.” 

“The progression of time is different……?” 

“Ah. Takamiya Mio’s Sephira Crystal was already collapsing. It would have been able to keep its presence for a few more minutes at most. So I manipulated the speed of time within this boundary to extend time for as long as possible. The month you spent in this world is only about three minutes in the real world.” 

“--I, see……” 

Listening to what Tenka had said, Shidou took in a long deep breath to reflect his understanding. 

The fact that Mio’s Sephira Crystal will collapse in a few minutes…….essentially meant the end of Tohka’s life. 

That was why Tenka snatched away Mio’s Sephira Crystal and created this world. 

All for Tohka, in order to have these last moments. 

Aah, really-- 

“…..You really are kind.” 

This time he could stand it any longer. Those words spilled out from his mouth. 

“…………Hmm.” 

However, Tenka didn’t look grumpy as Shidou had expected. While huffing from her nose a little, she slightly looked away. 

“Anyway, if you shut up, you’ll be released. You should spend the rest of this time with Tohka.” 

“Tohka……but what are you going to do?”

“That’s obvious. I will return to Tohka again. I’m not going to get in the way anymore.” 

“That can’t be. Even though we were here together--”

As Shidou spoke, Tenka shook her head as if to refute those words. 

“--Today, I completely disregarded my own words and tagged along. At the very end, let me go through my role. In such a world, I am a being equivalent to a God of creation. Any less respect and divine punishment will need to be delivered.” 

And so, such a thing being said in these circumstances necessitated a relieved sigh. 

Listening to those words, Shidou began to hold back his voice……deeply bowing his head in assent. 

“……Oh, yes. Thank you, my Goddess.” 

As Shidou said in a jokingly pace, Tenka turned her eyes downward. 

“Just know. --But before the world is completely over; you can only seal the remnants of the Spirit of Origin’s reiryoku. There’s no denying the possibility of creating some sort of aftermath upon the verge of annihilation.” 

“……All right. But wasn’t it Tenka who absorbed Mio’s Sephira Crystal? Rather than Tohka, shouldn’t I have to seal your power?” 

“No, problem. Tohka and I are intricately linked. In fact, Tohka would have used that woman’s power to incarnate me. If you kiss Tohka, that’s all you need.” 

“No, sealing is more than just kissing, if the other person doesn’t open her heart to me--” 

“--That’s why I said there’s no problem.”

“Eh……?” 

As Tenka said in a strong tone, Shidou involuntarily widened his eyes. 

“Spending time with you, Tohka’s heart was sparkling. It was enjoyable, pleasant, and truly a blessing. --I like that feeling in Tohka’s heart.” 

And so, Tenka continued on. 

“I was the one who created this world for Tohka’s sake…… but a little, just only a little, once before the very end, it wasn’t as if I wanted to meet you.” 

“Tenka--”

“If. If I. If I was able to meet you earlier too--” 

Tenka said that as she shook her head just a little. It was boorish to say any more than that. Instead, Tenka broke away from her usual sour look and smiled. 

“--Good-bye Shidou, the date with you wasn’t bad.” 

Then, while saying so, Tenka’s posture fell apart as if losing consciousness. “! Tenka!”

Shidou hurried to support Tenka. Then, as if to match that rhythm, her body faintly glowed as the Astral Dress she wore disappeared into particles of light. What left behind were the faintly colored clothes Tohka had worn beforehand. 

“……Nh, ……Shidou?” 

And so, Tenka said in a small voice as she raised her head. No, with the tone of that voice, Shidou had noticed. --Right now, she had become Tohka instead of Tenka. 

“……Aah, are you tired, Tohka?” 

“Mu……Umu. The talk with Tenka seems to be over.” 

As Shidou called out to her, Tohka spoke as if she had sensed everything. 

Undoubtedly, she must have reached that conclusion during the gap felt while Shidou was taking to Tenka. Shidou confessed out an “ah” in assent. “I see……then.”

Tohka smiled after looking up at the sky. 

“--Let’s continue this date.” 

And so, under the crumbling sky. 

The two spoke to each other side by side. At first they walked without a destination.

After walking for a while, they sat down on a miraculously remaining bench. 

Looking back to each encounter until now--repeating stories of whatever came to mind. 

“--But I was really shocked eating kinako bread for the first time. I didn’t even imagine that there was something so delicious like that.” 

“Haha, I’m glad you like it so much. We happened to be in front of the bakery by accident.” 

“Umu. I thought at that time. This guy who is making me eat something so delicious isn’t a bad person……so without that, it may not have been possible to seal the reiryoku.” 

“Eh, I was saved by kinako bread!?” 

“Fufu, just kidding. Thinking back to it now--it must have felt so delicious because Shidou let me eat it.” 

“Tohka……” 

“Oh, that’s right. Because it was with Shidou and everyone that it was so much fun. The time I went to the aquarium, the time I played at Ocean Park……even the time Shidou became a woman who was not Shidou.” 

“Opps, did you add something extra at the end just now?” 

“What are you saying? Isn’t that a good memory? The band at the Tenguu festival was so much fun.” 

“Un, well, that was a good memory in of itself……” 

“If you think about it now, if you had learned how to become a woman who is not Shidou earlier, it might not have been necessary to flee when Shidou entered the hot springs during the school trip.” 

“No, I can’t do anything about my body!? Rather that was the worst pinch!” 

“That’s true. So what you needed was <Haniel>. If you had sealed Natsumi’s powers sooner, you could have entered the woman’s bath!” 

“Can you stop inviting a misunderstanding with that notion!? It’s not like I was trying to enter the woman’s bath in the first place!” 

“Ah, that’s right. Sorry, sorry.” 

“Really……If I remember correctly, Natsumi’s power was certainly troublesome. You know there was that time when Natsumi transformed into someone else among everyone.” 

“Aah, that happened too!” 

“At that time, I was honestly a little suspicious when Tohka was eating so little. I wondered if you were Natsumi transformed.” 

“Mu, is that so?” 

“Ah. It was a misunderstanding after all, but I was really surprised at that time. --Ah, that’s right. Speaking of Natsumi, there’s one thing I have to apologize to Tohka for.” 

“Why do you have to apologize? What is it?”

“Hey, do you remember the word, Natsumi?” 

“Umu! Of course! Isn’t it a greeting that means I love you?” 

“Yes. That’s it, but I actually thought that up on the spot--” 

“It’s my favorite word. Even when I had a hard time, I felt it would get better when I said the words that Shidou taught me.” 

“I-I see……” 

“So, what does Natsumi mean?” 

“…………Well actually, it’s a word with an even stronger meaning than ‘I love you so much’.” 

“What, is that right! ……Fufu, I see. Natsumi.”

“Un, what?” 

“Natsumi!”

“……Aah, Tohka.” 

“Mu?”

“Natsumiiiiiiii!” 

“Ah! I’m all better!”

“Ah, I’m fine now. That’ll fix me up whenever that happens!” 

“But yes, how nostalgic. Ah--there was the time when everyone drew d?jinshi together.” 

“There was that. That deadline was really tough……but it was thanks to Tohka and everyone for selling so much. That bunny girl outfit looked really cute.” 

“Nm……it isn’t like Shidou to give up suddenly. If you say that, the Shidou who came to help when we were trapped in that fairy tale world was really cool.” 

“That’s because it was me but also not me……it was an ideal image of me made by everyone.” 

“Don’t worry. I always think Shidou also looks cool.”

“! Haha……I see. It’s embarrassing to be praised so suddenly. But that doesn’t feel right since I was piglet in that fairy tale……Tohka was Momotaro. Anyway, I think that look suited you.” 

“Well, I felt that it was easier to move around. Everyone was in various different outfits……fufu, it was tough at that time, but looking back I felt I enjoyed it a little due to how strange it was.” 

“Ah……certainty that might be it.” 

--Etc. 

While looking at the world that was gradually breaking apart, we exchanged stories that didn’t fit this catastrophe. But that was good. That was--good.

This casual time was such a blessing that he really couldn’t believe it-- That’s why he couldn’t believe it.

The girl who was talking with a smile now would soon disappear. 

“……” 

During this pleasant conversation, with that thought lingering in his mind, Shidou felt a small breath clog his throat.

--It was hopeless. It was hopeless. He desperately endured the tears that were about to overflow. It should be harsher for Tohka than anyone else. However, Tohka continued to cheerfully talk.

Surely, in order for her to greet him one last time with a smile. Surely, in order to not leave behind any regrets to Shidou. 

Therefore, he couldn’t afford to cry. Shidou somehow kept talking and smiling as his fingertips were faintly trembling. 

“--Aah, that’s right--” 

Tohka muttered while exhaling a deep breath out. 

“Un……what happened?” 

“No, I was thinking that it was time to say hello to everyone. I haven’t been able to convey my gratitude even though I’ve made this world for so long.” 

“Ah……yes. But it can’t be helped. Surely everyone--” 

“--Shidou! Tohka! Are you safe!?”

At the moment Shidou was talking, such a voice echoed from behind. 

“Eh?” 

“Mu……?” 

Looking that direction in astonishment, they realized that Kotori and the other Spirits were already beginning to approach them unnoticed. 

“……Fu.” 

“……Haha.” 

As Shidou and Tohka saw their faces, they both began to laugh unbearably. 

“W-what happened to the both of you?” 

“Guess. It’s because it’s been a long time since seeing Kaguya’s punchable face.” 

“I don’t want to hear that from someone with the same face as me!?”

And so, such verbal exchanges were made. While Shidou tried to calm down his breathing, he spread out his palms as if to apologize. 

“It’s because the timing was too good……I was wondering if some sort of God had blessed me.” 

“Ha……?”

Kotori made a face as if not understanding what she was saying. 

Then, in response to that, Tohka slowly got up from the bench and turned to face everyone. 

“I’m saying that it’s just good. --Everyone came here. It’s good to look at everyone’s face at the very end.” 

“…………” 

Listening to Tohka, the Spirits turned breathless. 

However, that fact may have already been transmitted by either Kurumi or Nia. Even though there was some biting their lips, no one looked away. 

Tohka gently opened her lips while staring affectionately back at everyone. 

“Kotori, Yoshino, Yoshinon, Kaguya, Yuzuru, Miku, Natsumi, Nia, Mukuro, Kurumi, and--Origami. 

Thank you so much everyone. Although I was rude when we first met, I really felt lucky to be able to meet everyone. The days I spent with everyone sparkled like a treasure. Whether it is now or another time--I was very glad and had fun. 

Mana and Kannazuki, all of the crew members, Ai, Mai, and Mii, Tama-chan sensei, Tonomachi, everyone in class, please tell them this for me. 

Really, really……thank you. 

Thanks to everyone--I was happy.” 

“Tohka……”

“Ugh, ugh--” 

“Tohka-zan……”

At Tohka’s words, the Spirits lowered their faces as tears started to fall. Tohka, who smiled as if she was a little troubled, turned towards Shidou. “....... Shidou--it’s about time. Before the world collapses ......please.” And, as if prepared, she said so.

“........................Yeah.” 

Shidou took a deep breath, and after breathing out, he replied back. He stepped in front of Tohka, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Immediately Tohka was looking at Shidou’s eyes--?slowly, closing her eyes. Certainly, like she was waiting for a kiss.

“…………” 

Of the sort when coupled with her beauty, her body looked just like a carved sculpture. 

While minimizing the tremors shaking his hand, he closed his eyes as well and brought his lips close to Tohka’s lips. 

--But, at that moment. 

“Tohka-san……” 

Such a voice was heard coming from among the Spirits. 

“Eh--?” 

“……!” 

Shidou and Tohka suddenly open their eyes, turning to the owner of that voice. Over there--it was a little girl with a rabbit puppet on her left hand. “Yoshino……? What’s wrong?”

Tohka looked at the girl in surprise--staring at Yoshino. 

Yes. Just at the moment Shidou was about to kiss Tohka, Yoshino raised her voice to stop it. No--not only that.

“……Is it okay? Tohka-san……” 

Yoshino, with tears pouring down, squeezed out her voice from her throat. 

From such a scolding expression coming from Yoshino, Tohka was left momentarily breathless. 

“Y-Yoshino……?” 

“Is it really okay……! These last words are……so……!” 

Yoshino yelled out, matching her eyes that were wet with tears to Yoshinon who was on her left hand. 

“……Yoshinon.” 

“--Un. Good luck, Yoshino.” 

After Yoshino exchanged such words with “Yoshinon”, she took a deep breath-- As it was, she pulled out “Yoshinon” from her hand.

“Wha……!?” 

At such a scene, the Spirits all raised a startled voice. 

That’s right. Yoshinon is Yoshino’s most important friend. So much so that they were always together and being separated was enough to make her mental state unstable. No one ever imagined Yoshino removing Yoshinon by herself. 

“……Natsumi-san. Please hold onto this for a little while.” 

“Eh……!? Y-yes……” 

Yoshino handed over “Yoshinon” to Natsumi, who then let out a voice as if she had turned inside out. Rather than from the politeness, it was as if she was overwhelmed by Yoshino’s mysterious intensity. 

Yoshino then took one step ahead and continued to make her declaration to everyone. 

“Everyone. I will use the victory privilege right now. Do you mind?” 

“…………!”

The Spirits all fell silent at Yoshino’s words. Only Shidou made a face as if not understanding what Yoshino was saying. 

Then, Yoshino raised her face as if having decided on her feelings, gazing at Shidou--as she said. 

“--Shidou-san. I love you.” 

“……!?”

“Huh!?” 

From the sudden confession, both Tohka and Shidou raised voices of surprise. 

That’s right. They didn’t even imagine that there would be someone who would confess their love at such a timing where the world was about to come to a close. Moreover, that it would come from someone as docile as Yoshino. 

But the other Spirits just quietly watched on, as if they had already decided. 

Yoshino kept crying as her nose began to redden, but she still kept continuing in a feverish tone. 

“Since the time you saved me, I’ve always loved you……! This feeling won’t lose to anyone else……! Not even to Kotori-san! Not even to Origami-san! And--not even to Tohka-san!” 

“Wha……!” 

Tohka was astonished by Yoshino’s sudden confession, but then she spontaneously felt herself tightening the amount of strength placed into her fist. 

“W-what are you suddenly saying Yoshino!? If you say that, I also to Shidou--” Then.

Tohka felt something trickling down her face. 

But the time she realized it was her own tears, it was already-- Something within herself had broken down.

“Ah, ah, aaah, aaaaaaaaaaah--” 

The waves of emotions she held back up until now began to leak out through the starting point of a small hole. 

In order for Shidou to not be sad, for everyone to not regret, she endured everything that began to overflow. 

“Yes……I also……I also love Shidou……!” 

“Tohka--”

Shidou widened his eyes in surprise. 

But it couldn’t be stopped anymore. She couldn’t stop it. Tohka grabbed onto Shidou’s shoulders, she let out the words of volatile passion to its destination. 

“Shidou……Shidou! I love Shidou! This ‘love” is different form the “love” to everyone else! Who would want to lose……! I want to be with Shidou more! I want to spend more time with Shidou! No……I don’t want to disappear……! I don’t want to be apart from Shidou……!” 

“----” 

Tohka, while shedding huge beads of tears, complained and clung onto Shidou. Tohka, who had ruled herself out so much until just a moment ago.

Not wanting to make everyone sad, Tohka who kept herself strong. 

“Ugh, ah--” 

He looked at that. 

Something within Shidou was cut apart. 

“--Aaah, aaaaah, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah--!!” 

Shidou, who had also been feigning to be as calm as possible to sympathize with Tohka’s feelings, had tried to be cheerful. 

He didn’t want to leave behind any sadness. 

He wanted to at least part ways with a smile. 

He wanted to spend these last moments happily together. 

--Oh. 

--What is this. 

“--What……is this……!” 

At that moment Shidou squeezed out his voice, breaking down while tightly, tightly hugging Tohka. 

“I also......I also like Tohka! I like you so much I don’t know what to do…...! I don’t want to be separated from you…...! I want to be with you more!” 

And so, he cried out with a voice enough to make his throat feel crushed. 

--Why did I endure? To spend the remaining time meaningfully? To not make Tohka sad? Right now, all of that consideration seemed impertinent. Who cares about that. Screw all of that. What he hated was his farsightedness. What he hated was the moderateness he attached to himself. This was the last time he could speak with Tohka. This was the last time he could convey his feelings to Tohka--! 

As if tempted by the lamentation from those two, the world made a noticeably powerful despicable act. 

The sky collapsed, the earth splintered, the surrounding scenery disappeared. 

“Tohka……!” 

“Shidou……!”

Shidou and Tohka called out for each other’s name-- 

Sharing a final kiss in the fading world. 

The world cleared up. 

The original world had been restored. 

Opening his eyes, Shidou and the others saw that the Tenguu City Park had disappeared from the face of the earth, replaced by the sound of waves reaching the shore. 

It was the place at “that time”, after the battle with the Spirit of Origin--the place where Mio’s

Sephira Crystal had disappeared. 

Compared to “that time” the scene did not change. 

Everyone’s appearance, 

The surrounding scenery as well, 

Even the wreckage scattered around was exactly the same. 

It’s just that, in Shidou’s arms, Tohka’s figure--was gone.