Vol 7 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 6: Nightmare, Reappear
Part 1
”You seem to be in some sort of trouble – ne, shi+dou-san, would you like, to negotiate with
The girl who had appeared fro in an odd manner
”What…?”
The sight in front of him, caused shi+dou to be shocked and surprised, to the point where he could not even screairl, so beautiful, that it caused people to shudder in fear
Then again, to use such a phrase, ”shuddering in fear” …… which did not describe beauty at all, to describe the girl in front of him, the reason for that can be understood by the words that she said What was on her s face was not a face of kindness or joy, but rather, a face of a predator, one that caused people to have goose bumps as a result of nervousness
Black, uneven hair on both sides, shaking while acco her frail body However, what truly irl unique was her eyes On her face was a pair of differently-coloured eyes If one looked closely, they could see her left eye showing a clock, with the fingers ticking away in a regular manner
”Tokisaki… Kurumi…!?”
shi+dou only irl from his throat Kurumi shi+dou's former classmate – the worst Spirit who murdered on her own volition
As Kuruhtly as she relaxed her shoulders
”Ara, did IYoshi+no-san and the Yamai sisters, Tohka-san captured by DEM Industries… and your helpless expression”
”Wha—”
shi+dou began to tense up
—It was exactly as Kurumi said
A few hours ago, shi+dou had been in the Tengu Square where the Tenou Festival is held, against the Spirit that controls music and sound – Miku Izayoi
However, Yoshi+no, Kaguya, Yuzuru and the audience were all controlled by Miku, as a result of her Angel ”Gabriel
In addition, Kotori, who had heard the ”h the speaker, had also became an enemy… coupled with the sudden appearance of Ellen, a Wizard of DEM Industries, who had abducted Tohka
shi+dou, who had barely escaped with his life, hadaway fro other than hit the floor weakly with his fists
Indeed, she was correct No, it was because of this, that he couldn't understand what she meant
”…Why do you know all of these?”
”Ufufu, please don't ask such boring questions As long as it concerns shi+dou-san, doesn't it ht to know?”
As she said, Kurumi revealed a cute smile For some reason, the shadow at Kurumi's feet le from the other side of the shadow
”…”
shi+dou gulped down his saliva as he recounted the events of several o Indeed, Kuru a few ”Kuru
As for Kuru else that can protect shi+dou There is nobody to save shi+dou: anybody ould prevent Kuru him are all absent
”Ku…”
shi+dou curled up his body, withdrawing a leg in the process As if seeht of a helpless shi+dou, Kurumi twisted her lips
”Fufu, please calht now, I don't have any plans for shi+dou-san”
”What…?”
shi+dou frowned at Kurumi's words
”What do you mean? Didn't you intend to ”eat” me?”
”Mht noish to negotiate with shi+dou-san”
”Do you really want me to believe what you say?”
”Do I have a reason to lie now?”
”Uu…”
shi+dou was silenced by her words
Indeed, as long as Kuru shi+dou would not be a problem for her There was no reason for her, who had the say of whether he lived, to lie right noever, when it cairl in front of him, it was one who had plans to watch an expression of peace turn into horror: there was also a possibility that Kurumi had orchestrated all of this
As shi+dou thought hopelessly while keeping up his guard, he looked back at her and asked:
”What was it that you wanted to negotiate with me?”
”Mm— it's about what happens after”
”After?”
As Kurumi listened to shi+dou's shocked words, she rhythmically stepped on the floor as she approached shi+dou
Then, as she stood close to shi+dou, she placed her lips next to his ear and whispered:
”Ne, shi+dou-san Weren't you going to help Tohka-san?”
”What…?”
As shi+dou listened to Kurumi, he couldn't help but let out a shocked voice
”What do… you mean”
”Exactly as it says shi+dou-san, don't you want to rescue Tohka-san from DEM Industries?”
”Is, isn't that obvious…! Isn't the eneanization that kills Spirits? How could I leave Tohka in the clutches of those people!”
”Ehehe, well said, well said Now this is our shi+dou-san”
Kuruhed much more happily However, shi+dou frowned, due to an unknown uneasiness
”But, why… do you want to know about these things?”
”Ehehe, hehe…”
As Kurue sue to lick shi+dou's ear
”…nngh”
”So you want to save Tohka-san… but no matter how much you want to save her, it's impossible with just shi+dou-san, isn't it? After all, you don't even knohere Tohka has been taken to And even if you do find the location, you have to prepare against DEM, who are focused on capturing the Spirits
Besides, you do know the Wizard who captured Tohka-san, didn't you? She's a troublesome woman An opponent that is unmatched for humanity”
”Tsk! You don't have to tell me! But, because of that, I-”
”Eh, eh As expected of shi+dou-san to say so like this However, this is an act for a brave fool You won't be able to acco with just your eo alone, he'll definitely either be killed or captured”
”Ku… what exactly are you trying to say”
”Ufufu… do you not understand? I've already said it— I' you”
”Wha…!?”
shi+dou widened his eyes upon listening to the unbelievable words co out from Kurumi
”Help…? Kurumi? Me?”
”M to help you save Tohka-san”
As Kuruain
Unable to understand Kurumi's motives, shi+dou held his forehead with his hands in order to calm his confused mental state
Kuruel of incoth Indeed, if her assistance is obtained, then there is so Tohka
Even if he understood this, shi+dou didn't raise his hands and celebrate in delight
”…what are your intentions?”
”My intentions… I simply wanted, to help out shi+dou-san”
Considering shi+dou will never believe her, Kurumi decided not to mince her words
”You…”
”Ara ara ara”
Listening to the words of shi+dou with his eyes half-open, Kuruh she was crying
”This is sad After all, I' this in the interests of shi+dou-san”
”…”
”Distrust Hm, this can't be helped either”
As shi+dou continued to stare at Kuruh he was getting tired of her actions
”Truthfully speaking, I havefor DEM Industries As a reward for helping, I would also like to use shi+dou-san as bait It's give and take”
”Reasons…?”
”Mm I wish to find someone”
”Someone? Who could that be?”
”It's a secret”
Kuruer on her lips and blinked at shi+dou In return, shi+dou casted eyes of suspicion upon her
”Please relax I a – of course, I won't force you to believe what I say”
”Uu…”
Listening up to now, shi+dou unhappily closed his mouth
Truthfully speaking, it was still impossible to fully trust Kurumi
However, her existence was indeed shi+dou's re final chance
It was a question as to whether the medicine within the bottle was a deadly poison or an antidote If a decision wasn't reached – if nothing was done, one would collapse from the illness
Hence… despite the risk, shi+dou had no choice but to accept
Even if it were poison, in order to save Tohka, he'd accept it
”…I understand I trust you Please, assist me, Kurumi…!”
shi+dou said so as he clenched his fists Kuruantly lifted the hems of her dress and curtsied
”Mm – it'd be my pleasure”
Kurumi did a whiirl bowing, as she giggled
Afterwards, as though to let her dress flutter, she spun and rhythmically stepped towards shi+dou
”Then, then, let's take action We don't have spare time to waste Let's hurry, so we can settle this, before it's too late”
”Yes, what can I do? I've to sacrifice in order to save Tohka”
As she listened to shi+dou's words, Kuruhed even more wildly
”Aha, aha, a, Tohka-san She's able to capture shi+dou-san's attention so whole-heartedly Ufufu, it makes people jealous”
”Don't joke with me”
”It's not a joke – though unfortunately, it's still not yet possible Right noe' are confirer?”
”You sure prepared for this”
”Ufufu Because, there's no way shi+dou-san would reject my request”
”Ku…”
shi+dou revealed a face of unhappiness at that point, as though he had been played with Seeing that, Kurumi became even more cheerful
”Bu, but, we don't have anything to do in this case, don't we?”
”Not so Before rescuing Tohka, we still have to address another issue, don't we?”
Kuruh she intended to interrupt shi+dou's words
I at He sighed deeply, and said that name
”Miku… is it?”
”Moes by that name”
That's correct Right now, the reason that shi+dou was hidden in this abandoned building away from the streets It was due to the Spirit: Miku Izayoi
Miku used heradvantage to increase her range of control, going all-out to search for shi+dou That was most likely – to punish shi+dou, who had betrayed her trust
Seeing shi+dou recount so intently, Kuru
”…what is it?”
”Ah, it's just, I was thinking about what happened today on the stage Ufufu, how suitable, shi+dou-san Or should I say, shi+ori-san?”
”…ugu”
shi+dou frowned and ht away
In order to conquer theunder desperation, all of it, had been observed by Kurumi
”Even so, regardless, Miku is desperately trying to capture shi+dou-san And thousands of people as well as three Spirits have joined her… is that correct?”
”…yes, that's correct”
”Mm, in that case let's try to solve the issue froe of support and if she is to continue, itTohka If shi+dou-san were to be captured by her, it'd be worrying for me too”
”Solving… that's easy to say”
”In reality, it isn't really that difficult of a question If ere to look at it, she isn't one suitable for prolonged battle”
”Even so, Miku has an Angel which can control people with ‘sound'”
”That's not an issue I' swayed by such a performance If I had full say in the antly, wouldn't I?”
As if jokingly saying, Kuruer and thuun shi+dou quickly shook his head
”No, we can't do that”
”Ufufu, I was joking I understand the kind shi+dou-san wouldn't want to resort to such means to settle h to want to save a person like me”
As she said so, Kuruhtly different frohter earlier
Before shi+dou pointed this out, she continued
”But, if we can't kill her, there are soht problems Even if we aren't able to convince her in the shortest tiree Tohka-san she is not to disrupt us in any way”
”An… agreement?”
shi+dou muttered in a low voice Indeed, they couldn't let the victi about that ”But, how are we going to negotiate with her?”
Indeed, the e crowd of people There was a hu Miku Even approaching her would be difficult
Realising what shi+dou was thinking of, Kurumi used her hand to lift shi+dou's chin
”If we could let Miku-san and shi+dou-san have some time to themselves… how does that sound?”
”What? If, we could pull that off…”
shi+dou stopped immediately, and shook his head
”No, it'd be too difficult And you saw it for yourself, she's not a good target for negotiation, especially when I'm extremely hated by her now… and more importantly, that Spirit, who possesses the natural ability to manipulate people with her ‘voice', she has innately different values of humanity from others”
Listening to shi+dou's words, Kurumi twitched her eyebrows
”What is it, Kurumi?”
”…that, how is that so”
”What…?”
His chin currently being held, shi+dou was having difficulty understanding Kurumi's words As such, Kurumi partially opened her eyes, and replied
”I can't exactly express it well, but regarding her values, is it really natural?”
”What do you mean?”
”How do I put it, that lady, she gives off a strange feeling…”
Then, Kuruan to huh she thought of so
”shi+dou-san Do you have any of Miku-san's possessions?”
”Miku's… possessions? Why are we talking about that?”
”If my hypothesis is accurate, we may indeed be able to find her weak point”
”What did you say…?”
shi+dou raised his eyebrows as he spoke
It didn't seeh he didn't knohat to do, the idea seeh it wasn't substantiated, without any other alternative means, they would have to make do with this as their clue
Even if so, the enemy is a Spirit Such items shouldn't be easily obtained—
”…no, wait”
shi+dou's cheek twitched as he touched his chin
Part 2
”Nn… uu…”
Acco sounds, Tohka opened her eyes, and yawned
”Uwaaah…”
It was a usual action, like always When Tohka slept, she would unconsciously think of what she was going to do next Firstly, she needed to wake up Next, wash her face Followed by eating her breakfast, dressing up… yes, and go to school with shi+dou
Today's lunch would also be shi+dou's specialty lunches What would be inside the lunch? Itabout it
”Umu… Nnnmu…”
While still in a state of seet up from her bed
That hen Tohka realized she couldn't move her body as she wished
”Muu…?”
Trying to rub her wet eyes in order to confirs, she realized that her hands were likewise immobilized
Feeling strange, she lowered her head, and realized that she was sitting on ahandcuff-like objects There were also small bits on her hands, and electrode-like objects on her head and legs
”What is… this…?”
Looking closely, she noticed she wasn't wearing her nightgown Unknown to her when she had changed her clothes, she was instead wearing the school uniforh School
Tohka turned her neck and looked at her surroundings
This wasn't Tohka's room, and neither was it shi+dou's ho as a high school classroom However, there were only empty floors and walls And, as far as she can see, there were no visible s or doors
It was an odd room To make a comparison… it was similar to as shown on television earlier, a prison used to hold repeat offenders
”This… where is this…?”
Repeatedly blinking her eyes to awaken herself, to continuously remember what happened
After a while, Tohka finally remembered what happened before she lost consciousness
”That's right, I was on the stage of the Tenou Festival…!”
Yes While fighting with the Spirit Miku, who had suel, as well as the controlled Yoshi+no and the Yamai sisters, a Wizard clad in white ared to let shi+dou escape, Tohka was defeated by her and lost consciousness
”So that means, this is…”
A sudden noise interrupted her while she was in the middle of her sentence, and Tohka raised her head immediately
A rectangular crack had grown in the hich had been co horizontally like a door Rays of light shot into the dark roo for the scenery outside to be seen
Following that, a person walked into the rooh that door
Light gold-coloured long hair that was co that was the black suit that she wore Ellen Mathers The Wizard who fought with Tohka at that time
”You-!”
The nized that face, Tohka tucked in her body, preparing to charge at Ellen However, the , and did not budge
”Please calm down, Tohka-san You cannot break those cuffs with your current power”
Ellen said that as though she was consoling Tohka But her collected attitude of doing things, only served to provoke Tohka further
”What kind of joke is this! You, what do you want! Release me!”
”After releasing you, what do you plan to do?”
”Isn't it obvious! I' to help shi+dou!”
Tohka screa chased by Miku's army of people
But Ellen sighed slightly when she heard Tohka's words
”shi+dou… you mean, Itsuka shi+dou? Please relax We are currently looking into his whereabouts He will be brought here within a few days”
”Wha…!”
”Also, the troops to attack the Tenguu square are in place We will launch our attack at daybreak, and capture , <hermit> and <berserk> all at once You will be able to see your friends soon”
”You, you bitch! What do you want to do with shi+dou?”
”Please relax We don't intend on using violence – However, if you resist, it is possible that you may lose a limb or two”
”…kuu!”
Listening to Ellen's words, a feeling of familiarity flashed within Tohka's er and rage At that htly up to that point, made a ”mshhhh…” sound, - however
”Wha…”
Tohka suddenly felt breathless With a twitch of Ellen's eyebrows, Tohka's body was crushed by an unbelievable pressure
”This, this is –”
The crushi+ng sensation on her body was increased Tohka let out a pained wail
There was indeed an impression It hen she was sandwiched between ASTsimilar to that However, the severity of both, or more accurately the concentration was of a world's difference Her body felt heavy It was difficult to breathe Her consciousness became fuzzy
”Do you understand?”
Ellen said so as she let out a sigh Instantly, the pressure, as though they were false clouds, vanished As the air flowed into her alhtly
”Ack, ack…”
”My Personal Territory's level is the strongest a all the Wizards Please remember that resistance is futile”
”Ku…”
Tohka stared at Ellen with narrowed eyelids, and tried to use her strength But at the saht her action, and she bit her teeth
With her powers sealed, Tohka had no way of dealing with Ellen's Personal Territory Tohka spitefully clenched her fists, as her sole sign of resistance, as she stared at Ellen with narrowed eyelids
”—alright, let me ask you a few questions”
Ellen pulled out a portion of the wall as a makeshi+ft chair, and sat down as she said so
Part 3
What initially projected into Origami's eyes, was a sea of white
After her a Next, she realized she was lying down
”Ah…”
Opening her throat, she made a sound a few seconds later She slowly raised her hand – white again It was a bandage that nearly covered her skin
”O, Origami-san…!?”
Hearing the faami turned her head back
Beside the bed that Origairl
It was her kouhai in the Anti-Spirit Team – AST, Oka her look like a wreck
”Thank, thank goodness… I ondering what I should do if you were to never wake up…”
”…this is…?”
Origami said so, as she looked at Mikie Mikie, who had cried her nose red, took the handkerchief by the side of the bed and blew her nose
”The, the hospital! Origami-san was injured everywhere… and her eyes, ears and nose were all bleeding… I thought you'd never wake up…”
The last sound descended into a sob Mikie took out the handkerchief again and blew her nose
”I'er, yet I didn't do anything… if only then I had left the captain and rushed to your side, this wouldn't have happened…!”
Mikie said so as she rea
”There is no need to apologise”
”Eh…?”
Mikie widened her eyes in an instant
”Regardless of the reason, my actions were in violation of our orders It must be treated as the selfish actions of one individual, and not the intention of the AST as a whole Where's Captain Kusakabe?”
”She, she… she's at the base Negotiating with the superiors about Origami-san…”
”I see”
Origami silently nodded her head But Mikie twitched her eyebrows, as if she was unable to accept it
”But, but… if so, then Origami-san would…”
”Captain Kusakabe was correct If everyone had helped me then, then the entire AST could have been under disciplinary action”
”Ho could it be!”
”That is not impossible As such, this entire incident isthe <white licorice=””> without permission, and the attack on the Third Squadron They are all my –”
At this ami's memories cleared as a result of her words
”……!”
Origami immediately widened her eyes, and sat up
No – more accurately, she tried to sit up At the th, a pain si of ami's entire body
”Ku…ah—”
”No, you can't, Origami-san! If you don't rest…!”
”…shi+dou, he…”
”Eh?”
”shi+dou, is he alright?”
Listening to Origami, Mikie stopped for a while, and kept quiet for a while
After considering whether to tell Origami, she opened her mouth
”…we're still in theWe don't know the details yet”
”What is it?”
Listening to Mikie's words, Origami felt mystified
Mikie looked at Origami worriedly, as she carefully reached out for the rees on the television, were acco from the speakers
It was broadcasting a news program The chaos on the streets, and the frantic voice of the reporter, compounded the sense of nervousness that the viewers felt
”The uu City has no signs of cal down! The riot police sent out to control the situation has joined in on the unnatural phenouu Ci—”
”……! This…”
”It's exactly what you have seen… There's souu City now This area's far from the city, and hence is considered safe…”
”What, exactly happened?”
”Although it wasn't publicly announced… it's a Spirit A large Spirit reading was uu square All of these people were probably controlled by the Spirit”
”Spirit… if it's a Spirit, why are none of you deployed?”
”Because there isn't a precedent for this, and even the higher-ups were confused… our orders were to standby I was supposed to be waiting at the base, but I was only allowed to come out after special permission from the Captain…”
Origahtly twitched her eyebrows, there didn't seem to be a solution
Regardless, simply by observation there were at least hundreds… maybe thousands that were under the control of the Spirit Even if DEM were their superiors, and were turning a blind eye to what's happening, the AST had a responsibility, and they couldn't possibly attack without accounting for the civilians
But what about shi+dou Was he controlled by the Spirit, like the people on-screen? Or…
That hen Origa consciousness
”Mana—”
That's right, a forer sister of shi+dou Takaer If it was her, she ht have saved shi+dou from the mob
”Mana, where is she?”
”Mana-san…? Ah, right, I was shocked! Although the as that she was a an unknown CR-Unit, and said things like ‘ill be enemies the next time we meet', and she just vanished afterwards…”
Mikie said so as her face showed confusion
As Origaht about what she had heard Mana had indeed h the reasons were unknown, she had indeed severed connections to DEM Industries
”About shi+dou, does she not know?”
”Yes… unfortunately”
”…kuu”
Origami sadly squeezed the voice out of her throat, and in order to avoid excess strain on her body, she sat up slowly However, because of using the powerful ar a massive attack, her body eakened and the action simply caused the pain to return
”I, want…”
Origami clenched her fist, and punched the bed The bed let out a soft sound, and dust flew froa shi+dou Even if she used <white licorice=””> without permission, she still could not achieve her intended effect
”shi+, dou…” As she called out to the ami continued to clench her fist
Part 4
”It's… here, right?”
”Mht”
It was nine at night shi+dou and Kuruhted up by the lampposts and the apartments there
In front of thearden And a Western building that would only appear in fairy tales
This here shi+dou had been once before – Miku Izayoi's home
There should not be anyone at hohts were off
To investigate a Spirit that suddenly appeared, and disappeared as quickly was extremely difficult
However, the Spirit Miku was an exception
That was because not only had Miku attended a few months of school in this world, she also had an active profile as a singer The point was – she was different from other Spirits, and had left many traces of herself in this world
”Then, let's hurry and begin the investigation”