Date A Live Vol 3 Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Triple Date

"——Got it? You will be meeting with Tohka at 10 in the morning, the location is the aquarium located east of Tenguu city. After that midway you will make up a reason to sneak out. You will be picked up by once you're outside. Following that at 10:30 you will meet with Kurumi at the ticketing booth, returning to the plaza outside the station to see Tob.i.+.c.hi Origami. However, at this point Tohka would have been placed aside for 30 minutes, you will need to immediately rectify the situation. The same goes for the rest of the girls, you'll need to reduce the time gap between them and make proper adjustments, you cannot leave each one of them alone for too long. We will take care of the schedule here, s.h.i.+dou no matter what you do, in order to not let them feel down, you have to persuade them with warm words. Although the priority here was to let Kurumi fall in love with you to the point where you can kiss her, but you must not hurt Tohka's feelings, and it would be troublesome if Tob.i.+.c.hi Origami were to find out. In short——I say, s.h.i.+dou, are you listening properly?"

"......I, I heard you."

......But whether he properly stored them inside his brain was a totally different issue altogether.

s.h.i.+dou muttered in his heart, faking a cough as though he was trying to cover it up. He replied to Kotori's voice in the transmitter.

In the end s.h.i.+dou was unable to reject the invitations of Tohka and Origami, thus forcefully forming a triple date situation.

Originally the date with Kurumi should be placed as the topmost priority, however if he were to go back on his promise, Tohka's mental state would deteriorate significantly, risking the backflow of Spiritual power, and because of the possibility of barging into Tohka's and Kurumi's date, Origami cannot be left alone as well.

And the result.....is this h.e.l.lish schedule.

"It's useless if you just listen, you know. Ingrain it properly into your brain."

"Uu......"

Was he seen through. Sweat dripped down his face.

"Haa......Well whatever. Basically just act accordingly as the situation goes. Are you ready?"

"Aa, aaah......Probably."

After saying that, he took a good look at his clothing. s.h.i.+dou at present, was wearing a simple attire consisting of a navy blue s.h.i.+rt and beige coloured pants.

Kotori read that [The evaluation that girls give regarding the attire for guys was basically negative]. It was normal to see amateurs fail because of focusing too much here and there, therefore it was okay if the clothes are not of good quality, what's most important was cleanliness.

"Now then, it's almost time. ——Let our battle (Date) begin."

"Oo, oh."

Saying that, s.h.i.+dou took a deep breath as though trying to suppress his nervousness.

At present, s.h.i.+dou was standing in front of the dog statue at the east entrance of Tenguu Station.

Although it had an actual name, but due to its similarity with the loyal dog at s.h.i.+buya station, the nearby residents call it Pachi with both sarcasm and endearment. [3C 1]

Due to it being placed in front of the station, hence it was the same as Hachi, having the functions of a rendezvous point. Surrounding s.h.i.+dou, many other people could be seen.

At this point, a familiar voice entered s.h.i.+dou's eardrums, as though rending apart the crowd.

"s.h.i.+dou!"

Turning his head towards the direction of the sound. Over there was, Tohka who was displaying a smile that was brighter than the sun.

She was not wearing the usual school uniform, but an attire comprising of a thin s.h.i.+rt and hot pants. She looked as though they were tailor-made for her.

"Th, this is......"

Just as s.h.i.+dou was staring at Tohka in a daze, Reine's voice was heard through the transmitter.

"......Aaah, as expected of Tohka, she looks great no matter what she wears, well let's not ask too many questions. Not bad right?"

"Ye, yeah......"

s.h.i.+dou dumbly replied. Not bad was an understatement, it was on the level of excellence. His attention was grabbed in an instant.

"s.h.i.+dou?"

"Aa, aaah......Sorry. I was distracted. ......Nn, it suits you. You're very cute, Tohka."

"Wha......"

At s.h.i.+dou's words, Tohka's face was dyed red.

Flailing her arms wildly and turned around.

"Al, alright already, let's go! Hurry up!"

"Wh, what's with you, what's with the rush——"

But at this point, s.h.i.+dou suddenly clammed up. It was because Tohka who had been walking in front stopped all of a sudden, b.u.mping into her as a result.

"Tohka? What's wrong?"

"Mu, muu......"

Tohka turned her head around with slanted eyebrows as though troubled. Her face still had traces of red.

"s.h.i.+dou, speaking of which, where exactly are we supposed to go......?"

"Eh? Isn't it the aquarium?"

Tohka revealed a troubled expression, looks like she does not know the exact location.

"Haha......Hold on for a second."

s.h.i.+dou took out the ticket from his wallet, his eyes looking at the map on the opposite side of the ticket.

"Lemme see? Tenguu Gojuusou huh. Nn, then it's just right opposite us."

Saying that, he pointed in the opposite direction that Tohka was walking at. Tohka immediately turned around, closely following behind s.h.i.+dou. She more or less must be wanting him to lead the way.

At this moment.

"......!?"

Noticing a familiar figure entering his line of sight, s.h.i.+dou furrowed his brows.

Forcefully stopping himself from turning around, he s.h.i.+fted his vision to the left side.

At the plaza that was separated by a single road. In front of the fountain, it was the figure of Tob.i.+.c.hi Origami.

With an attire consisting of a sweater and a miniskirt, a small bag slung on her shoulder, she maintained an unmoving posture. For people who did not know anything, they probably would think that she was a human-sized model.

The time to meet with Origami was 11am. The current time was 10:05am. It's too early no matter how you look at it.

"Nu? Is something wrong, s.h.i.+dou?"

"No, nothing, nothing at all! Let's hurry up and get a move on!"

It would be bad to stay here and keep looking at Origami. s.h.i.+dou moved Tohka to his right side as though trying to cover her, turning his face to Tohka's direction and started to walk.

"Ara, just like that. Not letting the girl walk along the road and not letting her out of your sights. Nn, although it's old fas.h.i.+oned, but it is also unexpectedly gratifying in its own unique way."

"I, is that so......"

s.h.i.+dou bitterly smiled as he softly replied to Kotori. Although it wasn't his intention to do so......Well, but at least the result was still alright.

Origami finally disappeared from his line of sight, at this point, Tohka who was walking beside him spoke.

"Speaking of which, s.h.i.+dou."

"Nn? What's the matter?"

"What exactly is an aquarium?"

"What......Tohka, don't tell me you've never been there before?"

"Don't be mistaken. s.h.i.+dou's the only one that I'll go on a date with."

"......"

What's going on, my face was getting warm. ......Usually she would answer with "D, don't get me wrong! It's just going to the aquarium right!" or the like.

Clearing his throat as though trying to calm himself down, s.h.i.+dou spoke.

"If we're talking about the aquarium......Well, it's just a place with a lot of fish."

"What!"

Tohka spoke with wide-open eyes.

"s.h.i.+oyaki?"

"No no no."

"Then, stir-fried?"

"I told you that you're wrong already!"

"Don't tell me it is, acqua pazza?" [3C 2]

"Haa......?"

"Ha, don't tell me it's steamed?"

"I'm not talking about eating! Besides why are you so knowledgeable in those cooking methods!?"

Although he didn't know where she learnt such knowledge from, but it was to such an extreme extent. s.h.i.+dou would probably be stumped by her knowledge if it weren't for his expertise in the culinary arts.

"Muuu, am I wrong?"

"Yeah. It's a place to see aquatic creatures swim around."

"Fish......swim......!?"

Tohka frowned with an expression of high alert.

Now that she mentioned it, Tohka had probably never seen fish aside from being gourmet food before.

"Ah—......Well. You'll know once you see it. Let's go then."

"Mu......muuu, th, that's right."

s.h.i.+dou led Tohka who was nodding, moving forward along the road.

Not long after, the two arrived at their destination Tenguu Gojuusou. Recently completed only last year, it was a hybrid commercial facility that was considered new. Various guesthouses and indoor playgrounds, cinemas and a large scale shopping centre were lined up beside it, just like a mini-sized shopping district. And because it was a new attraction, popularity was very high, one can usually observe a large number of people frequenting the area.

"Ah, there. That's the aquarium."

"s.h.i.+dou."

At this moment, Tohka suddenly held s.h.i.+dou's hand.

"......!? Toh, Tohka? Wh, whwhwhwhat's the matter......?"

"Mu, we might get lost with so many people around."

"Aaah......yo, you're right."

As s.h.i.+dou tried to control his rapidly-beating heart, he held Tohka's hand in response, walking into the aquarium together.

Pa.s.sing the ticket to the personnel, they stepped into the dark interior of the aquarium.

Following that,

"Wh......What is this......!"

At the same time the hand that was being held trembled, Tohka's voice echoed within the aquarium.

The surrounding tourists looked at s.h.i.+dou and Tohka together.

"To, Tohka. We must be quiet here."

"! Uu, umu......I'm sorry. But s.h.i.+dou, this is ...... awesome."

Tohka slightly lowered her volume and raised her face.

The interior of the aquarium had a layer of gla.s.s, fish species of all shapes and sizes were swimming around. The scale of it was so large even s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but sigh in admiration. It would be natural for Tohka to be shocked at this scene.

"Ar, are these all fishes......?"

Tohka asked while not looking at the ground as she walked.

"Aaah, that's right. Beautiful right?"

"Uu, umu. It's beautiful......"

Saying that, Tohka let go of s.h.i.+dou's hand, shuffling up to the front, firmly pressing her hands onto the huge gla.s.s wall. In front of her eyes, a large shoal of tiny fish swam by.

Tohka's eyes grew round, tightly following the shoal's movements. Seeing her like this was somehow cute, and s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but smile.

"s.h.i.+, s.h.i.+dou, let's go further in and have a look!"

"Haha, okay, then——"

Just at this moment. The earphone in his right ear gave a shrill alarm, s.h.i.+dou's shoulders involuntarily shook.

"s.h.i.+dou, it's almost time for you to meet with Kurumi. will pick you up, hurry up and go to a secluded area."

"......"

"s.h.i.+dou, you're not coming?"

Probably feeling puzzled at s.h.i.+dou who suddenly stopped in his footsteps, Tohka inclined her head with a confused expression.

"Ah......About that,"

s.h.i.+dou's gaze swam about for a moment, after which he slightly bent his body forwards while holding his stomach.

"Ah, it hurrrrrrrrrts......"

"!? Wh, what's the matter s.h.i.+dou!"

"N, no. My stomach is a little......I'm going to the toilet, can you wait a while?"

"Wh......Ar, are you alright......? I, if it really hurts then Kotori should......!"

"N, no need! It's not as serious to that extent so don't worry so much! Okay!?"

"Uu, umu......"

Although s.h.i.+dou already said it like that, but Tohka was still looking at s.h.i.+dou with an expression of utmost concern. A strong sense of guilt expanded within his chest.

But if he continues to be indecisive then Kurumi would be left waiting. s.h.i.+dou walked towards the exit feeling like someone who left an abandoned puppy inside a cardboard box.

"I, I'll try to make it back as soon as possible, go look at the fishes first!"

"Uu, umu, I got it. If you really can't stand it then you must immediately contact Kotori alright......!?"

"Oh, yeah......"

s.h.i.+dou nodded his head, walking off while holding his stomach.

Walking around the corner, out of Tohka's line of sight, s.h.i.+dou corrected his posture, breaking into a sprint.

"Well......, you really were waiting."

When s.h.i.+dou arrived in front of the ticketing booth while still panting heavily, Kurumi was already there.

She was wearing a frock and a long skirt that seemed to be of extremely high quality, however because they were all pitch black, it looked as though she was wearing funeral clothing.

"No. I just arrived here myself."

After saying that Kurumi lightly smiled. s.h.i.+dou readjusted his breathing, facing Kurumi once more.

"Sorry......I was slightly late."

"Ufufu, you didn't really need to rush, you know."

"N, no, Well......haha."

s.h.i.+dou smiled as he vaguely explained.

Although he could move around at fast speeds due to , but in order to transfer, they had to move to a secluded area without any obstacles. In order to move from the aquarium that was high in human traffic to the entrance of the station, he had to run quite a long distance first.

"——Now then, today's main event is starting. Do a good job."

Kotori said. s.h.i.+dou tapped his earphone to indicate his acknowledgement.

Today's biggest mission, was to kiss with Kurumi and seal off her Spirit power.

At the same time that he reaffirmed his conviction, Kurumi's lips entered his line of sight, s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but scratch his cheek.

At that moment, Kurumi gave a deep bow.

"I'm extremely grateful that you invited me today. I'm very happy. ——Then, where shall we go first?"

"Nn......right."

At the same time s.h.i.+dou spoke, his right ear could hear Kotori's voice saying "Wait a moment".

On 's main monitor, multiple choices were displayed.

①Have a love love shopping date inside the large shopping mall.

②Watch a sweet romance movie together.

③Inside the lingerie store, observe her as she tries them out.

"Everyone, choose!"

Saying that, the mini display on Kotori's palm immediately displayed the results.

"Umu......"

The same time Kotori nodded, the voices of the crew members echoed from the bottom of the bridge.

"We must choose ② here! Inside a dark room, unintentionally overlapping hands! There's no other choice other than this!"

"No no, of course we must choose ①! Girls love shopping the most!"

Indeed, it looked as though both choices are feasible. However Kotori scratched her cheek. The largest shopping mall and cinema closest to here......is at Tenguu Gojuusou right were Tohka is. Although it didn't feel as though they would b.u.mp into each other, but there's no need to increase uncertain factors.

Then with that, the only option left is......

"If it's ③, it would obviously cause one to feel grossed out right......?"

Kotori ended off with a troubled tone, Reine's voice sounded out from below.

"......No, from the numbers as well as yesterday's reaction, we cannot totally say for certain that she would reject the idea."

"Umu......"

Kotori frowned and nodded. Although the risk was high, but if it works, then it would prove to a large extent that Kurumi likes s.h.i.+dou to a certain degree. It's just like using litmus paper.

"s.h.i.+dou, it's ③. Please bring her to the lingerie store inside the station's building."

"Ooh, understood......That's not right, haa......!?"

From the loudspeaker, s.h.i.+dou's stupified voice resounded.

"E, eeeeh......Kurumi. Do you have anything you'd like to buy......or, see? Fo, for example something to wear......and the like?"

"Do you mean western clothing? Aaah, I do wish to take a look at those."

"We, western clothing you say......How about the ones that you wear inside......"

"Inside......?"

At this point she probably caught on to what he had meant, Kurumi's cheeks slightly reddened.

"N, no, it's indeed strange right! Alright, then let's choose a different——"

s.h.i.+dou's forehead perspired as he readied himself to leave, just then the hem of his clothes was suddenly forcefully held.

"Eh......?"

Turning to look, Kurumi's eyes were gazing upwards at s.h.i.+dou.

"Will s.h.i.+dou-san......choose?"

"Eh!? Aa.....aa, aaah......"

s.h.i.+dou nodded while feeling troubled, Kurumi showed a shy smile.

"Fufu, well then——please, choose a cute one okay?"

"Eh, ehhhh......Alright."

It was he who first invited her, furthermore she didn't seem to dislike it. s.h.i.+dou started moving forwards with stiff movements akin to a robot.

"That was surprising. She actually agreed."

"......Hey."

It was your instruction in the first place, s.h.i.+dou lightly jabbed the earphone.

Just at this moment, the plaza opposite the station entered his sights. In front of the fountain, he could see the figure of Origami whose posture was unchanged since 30 minutes ago.

However one cannot totally say that there was no change at all. It's probably due to the large volume of people, a male trio was talking to Origami in an attempt to pick her up.

But Origami did not move an inch. It was as though she didn't even perceive their existence at all.

At this point, one of the trio, possibly feeling frustrated at being ignored, grabbed Origami's shoulder.

Origami then used graceful movements to twist the man's arm, bringing him to the ground.

It probably hurt a lot, the man groaned with tears in his eyes. However, the man's companions were frozen in fear. Afterwards the surrounding people who heard the commotion started to gather around, in the end even the police arrived, taking the men with them.

Origami then returned to her original position, as though nothing happened at all.

"........."

"s.h.i.+dou-san, what's the matter?"

Kurumi asked, probably thinking that s.h.i.+dou who stopped walking with his face dripping with sweat was acting suspicious.

"No......It, it's nothing."

s.h.i.+dou acted like he didn't see Origami, entering the building near the train station.

After which they arrived at the lingerie store on the third floor by taking the elevator. Although s.h.i.+dou had come to this building many times, it was the first time that he entered such a s.p.a.ce.

Since the entrance had large amounts of s.e.xy female lingerie lined up. Of course, whether it was the store attendants or the customers, everyone here was female.

When s.h.i.+dou entered the store, curious glances were shot at him from the surrounding people in an instant. Although he felt better by having Kurumi by his side, this still was no place that could make him happy.

"Well, how cute! Which one does s.h.i.+dou-san think is good?"

Kurumi immediately found her targets, displaying two sets of underwear. Both sets were adorned with cute designs of exquisite lace, s.h.i.+dou involuntarily blushed.

"Ye......Well. Then......"

"s.h.i.+dou, hold on for a moment."

On the monitor of the bridge, another multiple choice window was displayed.

①The right one. The flirtatious design with black lace as a foundation.

②The left one. A refres.h.i.+ng, pale blue design.

③"I prefer the one that reveals some more......" Pointing to the lingerie displayed at the back.

"Everybody, choose!"

Following Kotori's shout, the tabulated results were shown soon after. Although there was a difference of millimetres, but ③ unexpectedly had the most votes.

"Since we're already here we must of course take the offensive! Numbing the target's senses at the start, then when its time to kiss resistance encountered would be a lot less!"

Voices of the crew echoed. Kotori groaned as she supported her chin with her hand.

"Well, since the AI already gave us a third option, then we should try it out to see its value. ——s.h.i.+dou, its ③. Choose the lingerie behind Kurumi."

Kotori finished, the s.h.i.+dou in the image pointed behind Kurumi.

"Is, well. ......Although both of them aren't that bad, but I prefer the one over there......"

Following the instructions, he pointed behind Kurumi. At this point——s.h.i.+dou's cheeks suddenly twitched a few times.

Hanging over there was, made of material that was almost transparent, an extremely dangerous item.

"Does s.h.i.+dou-san like this kind......?"

"N, no, how do you put it......"

Just as s.h.i.+dou was in a confused mess, Kurumi placed the lingerie in her hands back to their original positions, taking up the s.e.xy lingerie s.h.i.+dou pointed at after hesitating for a while.

"No, Kurumi, you don't have to force yourself——"

"No, it is because s.h.i.+dou specially chose this——Of course I must try it on. Please see if it fits okay......?"

"Eh, that is......oh, yeah......"

s.h.i.+dou nodded his head, Kurumi entered the fitting room in front of his eyes, drawing up the curtains.

Naturally, it became a situation where s.h.i.+dou was left by himself inside the store. ......It feels as though the reality of his surroundings have become more intense.

"......"

It feels as though an uncomfortable atmosphere had wrapped itself around his body. At this moment, s.h.i.+dou's shoulder was prodded by someone.

"Nn......?"

Turning around surprised, standing right there were a trio of girls. Although he was stunned for a moment, but he immediately remembered. They were indeed s.h.i.+dou's cla.s.smates, the trio Ai•Mai•Mii.

"Ya—Ya—Itsuka-kun. Why are you at this kind of place? Crossdressing fetish?"

"Speaking of which, weren't you supposed to go to the aquarium with Tohka-chan on a date today?"

"Eh? Don't tell me you went back on your words? You want to die?"

Ai, Mai, Mii spoke up one after another.

"Eh? Ah, no......"

s.h.i.+dou involuntarily became confused. Although he was curious as to why the female trio knows about the promise between him and Tohka......But that isn't the point right now. If they find out about him being with Kurumi right now, there could be a very dangerous situation in the future.

Probably noticing that s.h.i.+dou was acting abnormally, the three of them angrily stared at s.h.i.+dou.

"Eh? Wait, really? I can't believe it. Did you actually reject Tohka-chan's invitation——"

"N, no, it's not like that! I was just about to go there now!"

As s.h.i.+dou shook his head in a panic, the trio responded with suspicious glances.

"Is that true? If you are lying I won't forgive you. My father is a cadre of a black magic cult. It's possible to cast a curse such as 'Contact with a girl will shorten your lifespan by a year' you know?"

"That's right. Letting Tohka-chan cry is not something that can be easily resolved you know? My mother is an SM Joou-sama, she can instruct you till you can say your thanks in tears you know?"

"If that is true then I'll make you disappear. My uncle has an occupation overseas as a killer. I'll use the 'Kill one for another coupon' I had on my birthday you know?"

"Using a voucher to kill someone! Besides who else are you trying to have killed!?"

Unable to stop himself from shouting, s.h.i.+dou sighed.

"A, at the very least, as long as you didn't break your promise with Tohka, we would be very relieved——"

At this moment, the fitting room curtains opened.

"How is it......?"

Kurumi rubbed her knees together seemingly embarra.s.sed, wearing lingerie that had a surface area that was seriously lacking for a high school student, even though it was barely able to provide cover, her pearl-white skin was exposed.

"......Hold it, Itsuka-kun?"

In an instant, it felt as though the surrounding temperature plummeted.

"Th, that is, this is......"

At this moment, ——just as s.h.i.+dou was about to give an excuse, his right ear heard a shrill alarm.

Following that, Kotori's voice could be heard.

"s.h.i.+dou, it's time. Although I wanted to focus on Kurumi, but if we're late and she comes to find us it'll be troublesome. Go to Tob.i.+.c.hi."

"E, even if you put it that way......"

"Alright already, hurry up and go. ——Ah, don't forget to say 'You're cute' to Kurumi okay?"

"......Un, understood."

s.h.i.+dou with his mind made up, said "it hurrrrrts......" holding his stomach.

"I'm sorry Kurumi! My stomach isn't feeling very well! I'm going to the toilet so please wait a while! Also that underwear suits you a lot! You look very cute!"

s.h.i.+dou left after throwing such a line down, behind, Kurumi's face turned red.

However the three people at his surroundings, gave out terrifying growls targeting s.h.i.+dou's back.

"Hold it right theeeerrrreeeee! Why is Tokisaki here!?"

"And your relations.h.i.+p with her is close enough to pick such a lewd underwear for her? Are you just playing around with Tohka-chan!?"

"I'm really deliberating as to whether to stab you or shoot you to death!"

s.h.i.+dou escaped while feeling like he was about to cry.

"So, sorry, Origami......I'm slightly, late......!"

s.h.i.+dou said while heavily panting. Origami expressionlessly stared at s.h.i.+dou's eyes and replied.

"There's no problem. I just arrived here as well."

Doubt.

......After using a huge amount of effort to suppress the urge to say that. Origami had been here for an hour at least, but it would be suspicious for s.h.i.+dou to know about that.

"Eh, ehhhh......Where are we going today?"

"Movie."

s.h.i.+dou's face twitched. If we are talking about the closest cinema here——

"He, hey Origami, where is the cinema......"

"Tenguu Gojuusou."

"......So it really is there!"

s.h.i.+dou showed an awkward smile, lightly tapping the earpiece.

"Nnn......Yeah. Because there's a possibility of making contact with Tohka, it's not very desirable. Ask for another location and see."

"Ab, about that Origami, if it's okay with you can we change to another location——"

As s.h.i.+dou was about to continue, Origami handed a ticket to him.

"I'll give this to you first. Don't lose it."

"......Yes."

The initiative was totally taken away from him, and the ticket was already prepared, if he were to reject it again it would seem unnatural.

"Well, there's no other way then. Since the area is large, it should be okay as the facilities that they're going to are different."

"Th, that's true."

s.h.i.+dou softly said, looking towards Origami.

"Well then, let's go."

Origami nodded. The two of them started to walk.

However Origami suddenly hugged s.h.i.+dou's elbow, forcefully pressing her body onto his, s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but freeze up.

"Th, that is......Origami-san......? What are you doing......?"

"Just linking arms."

A quick and simple reply. Realising that saying nothing would work, he started to walk again with his heart beating wildly.

His arm would transfer the feeling of something soft at times, and s.h.i.+dou's eyes started to swim wildly.

Miraculously feeling that time was pa.s.sing by extremely slowly. Walking along the road that he and Tohka walked on earlier, he relaxed as soon as he reached Tenguu Gojuusou, it felt as though he suddenly aged a year.

Entering their destination, for some reason Origami started to walk towards the aquarium.

"......! Hey, Origami......! Wh, whwhwhwhwhwhere are you going, isn't the cinema supposed to be over here......!?"

Hastily grabbing Origami's elbow, but Origami extended her finger, silently pointing towards the front.

"It's not screening time yet. Let's go and eat lunch first."

"Eh?"

Looking in the direction that Origami pointed to. Beside the aquarium, a restaurant could be spotted.

"Ah, aaah......I see, is that so?"

s.h.i.+dou gulped in relief.

However, the aquarium where Tohka was at was right under his nose, if it's like that it could be bad for his mental health.

There should be other places where they can eat. Just as s.h.i.+dou was about to suggest a change of location——he was half forcefully dragged off.

"A, aare......?"

At the same time s.h.i.+dou was at a loss at what to do, he had already entered the restaurant.

It seems that a table was booked in advance. Origami gave her name, bringing him to the window seat.

It seems that even the food had been ordered beforehand, the waiter left after affirming their order for beverages.

"......"

"......"

After which for a period of time, the two of them sat facing each other, maintaining silence.

"......Say something for goodness sake, s.h.i.+dou."

"Aa......aaah......"

s.h.i.+dou scratched his cheek and opened his mouth.

"Hey Origami, why did you want to have a date with me today......?"

As s.h.i.+dou finished, Origami stared into s.h.i.+dou's eyes.

"I'm not going to let you be by yourself for today."

"Eh......?"

s.h.i.+dou's eyebrows knitted together. But Origami continued speaking, not minding that.

"After the date, come to my house."

"......!? Wh, why......?"

"Afterwards, I want you to stay for a period of time."

"Eh——eeeehhh!?"

s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but yell. The surrounding customers seemed to be shocked as well, their eyes turning towards them.

But, s.h.i.+dou did not have any spare thoughts to pay attention to them.

"Ho, hohohohohohow can this be, that kind of......"

"I'm serious."

"Eh, eeeeeeeeeeeh......?"

s.h.i.+dou's eyes swam about, speechless. In truth, Origami's eyes were as serious as her words. Meaning to say, what she said earlier was definitely not a joke.

At this moment, the heavens really lent him a helping hand. The waiter brought the food over. Using experienced hands to place the dishes onto the table, he explained the dishes in a short and simple way, leaving after placing the bill onto the table.

"Why don't we eat first, the food will get cold! Okay!?"

When s.h.i.+dou finished speaking, Origami nodded her head with a look of understanding.

Placing food in his mouth while in confusion. To tell the truth, he could hardly taste anything.

As he was about to finish eating, an alarm sounded in his right ear.

"s.h.i.+dou, Tohka is feeling very uneasy right now. Come back for now. It's alright since you're troubled right now correct?"

s.h.i.+dou tapped his earphone to indicate his acknowledgement, after which he stood up.

"Nn, Origami! Sorry, I have to use the washroom for a while!"

s.h.i.+dou said that, pa.s.sing by the toilet and walking outside of the restaurant.

s.h.i.+dou showed his ticket stub, once again entering the aquarium, and subsequently spotted Tohka's figure at a location near the entrance.

Her brows formed an '八' with unease, looking around as though she was trying to find someone.

As to who that someone was, there was no need to think about it. It couldn't be anyone else but s.h.i.+dou.

"Tohka!"

s.h.i.+dou walked closer, calling out to her, Tohka's gloomy expression immediately brightened up.

"s.h.i.+dou! Ar, are you alright......?"

"Oh.....oo, how do I put it."

Saying that, s.h.i.+dou patted his stomach with a "Pa!", Tohka let out a deep sigh as though she was relieved. ......Not knowing why, he felt that his conscience was being overwhelmed by guilt.

At that moment, Tohka's stomach suddenly gave "Guruguruguru"...... a cute sound.

"Nu.....nuuu."

Tohka embarra.s.sedly lowered her head. s.h.i.+dou gave a bitter smile. She's probably hungry.

Although that was understandable. After all it was already lunch time.

"Tohka, it seems that you can use the ticket stub to enter the aquarium again, do you want to eat something first?"

"Mu......Umu! That's great!"

As s.h.i.+dou ended his sentence, Tohka vigorously nodded her head.

"Well then what shall we do. Tohka, do you have something that you'd like to eat?"

"Nn, does s.h.i.+dou have anything you'd like to eat?"

"Eh? Me? If you ask me......"

s.h.i.+dou rubbed his stomach. Because he just ate, his stomach didn't feel hungry at all.

However as s.h.i.+dou said that, Tohka revealed an uneasy expression once more.

"s.h.i.+dou......do, does your stomach still hurt......? It seems like we have to tell Kotori about this......"

"Uu......"

Although he didn't know why, but he felt that he had to go for another round of lunch again.

"So, sorry, I've kept you waiting......!"

After eating with Tohka, s.h.i.+dou returned to the building where Kurumi was at, rubbing his full stomach as he spoke.

"No. Aside from that, are you alright?"

Kurumi asked seemingly concerned.

On a side note, in her hand was a bag from the lingerie store.

"Aaah......How do I put it. ——D, don't tell me, you bought that underwear......?"

"Nn.——That's because s.h.i.+dou-san said that it suited me."

"......"

s.h.i.+dou felt embarra.s.sed, scratching his cheek.

As though trying to change the subject, he looked at his surroundings. ......Well, although it was weird for s.h.i.+dou to be looking around inside a lingerie store for females.

"......N, now that you've mentioned it, where did the three girls go......?"

"After s.h.i.+dou-san went to the washroom, they left."

"Is, is that so......"

s.h.i.+dou sighed. At least his life seems to have been spared.

"Ah, they left a message for you. That is——'Itsuka-kun, tomorrow, prepare to cry.'"

"............"

Taking back his words. Tomorrow, he's a goner.

At this moment, Kurumi spoke while observing s.h.i.+dou's expression.

"I say, s.h.i.+dou-san."

"Nn......? What is it?"

s.h.i.+dou tilted his head. Kurumi showed an innocent smile, saying a sentence that brought him to despair.

"It's almost time for lunch now isn't it?"

"Fu......that s.h.i.+dou-san. It was supposed to be an important date, but he seems awfully busy today."

Sitting on the long bench at the park, Kurumi lightly sighed.

The current time was 3:30pm. The total number of times s.h.i.+dou ran off to the toilet was thirty.

It had been five hours since the date started, but the time that they spent together was only about a third of that.

"——Well, it's fine, I guess."

Kurumi used her palm to support her chin, laughing lightly with a "Fufu.".

That's right. That was only a small issue. Everything was just a process, not a stretch of time.

"After all in the end——He'll still become mine."

Using her index finger to lightly tap her cheek, she hummed a song on a whim.

Closing her eyes, the face of s.h.i.+dou naturally surfaced in her mind.

It was possible, that this feeling was what humans call love.

From the moment she found out about s.h.i.+dou, regardless of whether she was sleeping or awake, issues regarding him kept appearing in her mind.

I want to know more about him.

His interests.

His thoughts.

His——flavour.

"——Hehe."

Kurumi's smile deepened, she stood up, and, lightly stretched.

Delusions kept popping up in her head, her body started to feel hot for some reason. As though, she wanted to drink something cold.

Just as well, there was a vending machine nearby. Since s.h.i.+dou won't be back for some time, it should be fine to leave just for a moment. Kurumi walked through the park with light footsteps.

——At that moment.

"......?"

Kurumi went through the park reaching a quiet alleyway, reaching the vending machine, suddenly her eyebrows twitched.

She was in a good mood, but her ears heard an unpleasant sound.

"............"

Kurumi wordlessly started walking, stopping at a dead end even further inside the alley.

"......Ara ara. What are you all doing here?"

And, spoke while silently half-opening her eyes.

"......Hyi?"

The youths seemed to be frightened by Kurumi's voice, turning around.

Over there were, four people. All of them were carrying guns——But this was j.a.pan. Most likely they're model guns——, facing the depths of the alleyway.

And in the deepest part of that dead end, she saw a shadow slightly quivering. It was a cat. A kitten that was born not long ago, dragging its feet while crying out "Mii—Mii—"

At this point, Kurumi understood. They were probably test-firing their model guns, it was an easy way to relieve stress——Well, it was as she saw it. Kurumi narrowed her eyes.

"......What's the matter. Are you going to threaten us?"

"Hey, what are you going to do about it?"

"Ah......A girl?"

Everyone seemed to notice Kurumi's presence, looking at her together.

"Ah—......We're really sorry, this place is currently occupied. Go over there."

Saying that, they waved their hands as though trying to chase Kurumi away.

However Kurumi took a step forward, revealing a smile full of charm.

"Ara ara. Please don't say that. I have some knowledge about the use of guns you know? May I join in?"

"Aah......?"

One of the youths glared at Kurumi——and raised his eyebrows.

Seems like he finally noticed that a rare beauty was in front of his eyes. As he drew closer to Kurumi, his face showed an intimate look.

"Ah—What's that, you want to join in?"

"Nn. Definitely."

"It can't be helped. Well then, let's——"

"Ufufu, there's no need to trouble.——Aside from that, may we slightly change the rules?"

The youths were puzzled at Kurumi's words.

"Change the rules? What do you mean?"

"It's not anything difficult.——It's just a slight, change of target you know."

A dangerous smile showed up on Kurumi's face.

"Muuu......Where has s.h.i.+dou gone......"

Tohka frowned, looking left and right.

A sea of people were already moving nearby, but there was no sign of s.h.i.+dou anywhere.

Although she was concerned for s.h.i.+dou who kept disappearing, she tried to follow him from behind, but upon entering a secluded building, s.h.i.+dou's figure abruptly vanished.

That's right, even though it was a rare date, s.h.i.+dou kept disappearing, so there was not much time spent together.

"Muu......"

Tohka was displeased, but she felt uneasy soon after.

Being with s.h.i.+dou makes her happy. Just the two of them walking together side by side and chatting already lets her forget her sense of time.

However, no, it was precisely because of that——Once s.h.i.+dou left, that sensation of loneliness would be felt so strongly by her.

At this moment——probably due to being too deeply in thought, Tohka b.u.mped into the person walking towards her.

"Nuuooo......!"

Falling onto her b.u.t.t. Tohka stood up while patting her behind.

"So, sorry. I walked too fast."

"It's all right. I wasn't paying enough attention."

Tohka apologized, and that person used a monotonous voice to reply. ......She didn't know why, but it sounded like a voice that she had heard somewhere before.

Raising her eyebrows in surprise and looking up. ......The face that Tohka did not wish to see the most, was right there.

"Tobi......Tob.i.+.c.hi Origami!?"

"......Yatogami Tohka."

At this moment, Origami probably realized the same thing. At the same time Tohka called out, she replied with a bit of annoyance mixed in her voice.

"Why are you in a place like this?"

"Th, that's my line! What are you doing here!"

"I am not obliged to answer your questions."

"Wha——"

Just as she was about to argue back, Tohka changed her mind, now wasn't the time or place to be quarrelling with Origami.

"......Well forget it. I'm very busy right now. I don't have time to spare for you."

"Right. I'm busy as well."

"Hmph. Doing something that cannot be seen by others......"

"I have to find s.h.i.+dou."

"......What?"

That name that came out of Origami's mouth, made Tohka frown.

"Hold on. s.h.i.+dou is on a date with me, why do you have to b.u.t.t in?"

"That's nonsense. Today s.h.i.+dou, is on a date with me."

"Wh, what!? Stop lying!"

"I'm not lying. You on the other hand, should stop it with those unrealistic delusions."

"I, I'm not deluding myself! Today we came to the aquarium together!"

"What kind of s.h.i.+dou are you talking about, a dog? Or a puppet?"

"Of course I'm talking about the human s.h.i.+dou!"

"............"

As Tohka finished speaking, Origami showed an expression as though she was pondering on some issue——Before long, she raised her head slightly as though she had noticed something.

"Don't tell me......"

Saying that, she left, leaving Tohka behind.

"S, stop right there! Finish your sentence! What exactly is going on!"

Tohka, on the other hand, chased after Origami's back.

"Haa......, haa, haa......"

s.h.i.+dou with his body slowly corroded by fatigue, finally arrived at the long bench of the park where he had parted with Kurumi.

Although the distance in between them wasn't very far, but s.h.i.+dou had been running to-and-fro between Tohka, Kurumi as well as Origami for over thirty rounds. It was almost time for his body to reach its limits.

At this point, s.h.i.+dou wiped his sweat using his sleeve and frowned.

"Aa,re......?"

"What is the problem, s.h.i.+dou?"

"Gah......Kurumi isn't here."

That's right, on the long bench, Kurumi's figure was absent.

"Eh? Hold on a minute, surveillance, any idea on Kurumi's whereabouts?"

"Um, the image was cut off midway. There is probably something wrong with the cameras......"

"......Why is this happening?"

——Suddenly, the instant Kotori ended her sentence.

"Commander! There is a faint Spirit wavelength response nearby......!"

All of a sudden, another voice belonging to one of the crew members could be heard inside the microphone.

"Where?"

"In a nearby alley at the east exit of the park! This response is——it can't be wrong, it's Tokisaki Kurumi!"

"......!?"

s.h.i.+dou raised his head with his shoulders giving a jolt, looking in the direction of the east exit of the park.

"......Hmm. Looks like something happened. s.h.i.+dou, go take a look?"

"Aa, aaah......!"

Swallowing his ominous words back down his stomach, s.h.i.+dou started to move through the park at the same time.

Adhering to the instructions by , pa.s.sing by the vending machine, walking into the narrow alley.

And then.

"——Haa?"

The instant he arrived at the destination.

s.h.i.+dou widened his eyes in a daze, standing there not moving a single muscle.

What he saw was an overwhelming, crimson.

The grey colored walls and floor, were splattered with large amounts of crimson.

At the same time, three twisted looking objects, floated up like small islands.

Faced with this bizarre situation, s.h.i.+dou was unable to instantaneously grasp what was going on.

No, it didn't take an instant, but many instants, over countless seconds.

When the hypothesis started to form, s.h.i.+dou's brain began to reject the situation that he had understood.

That's because, it absolutely cannot be understood.

In such a street, in this midst of an ordinary day like this.

——Someone, was dead.

"U——waaaaaaaaaaaaa!?"

At long last, reality finally overtook the brain's rejection.

s.h.i.+dou let out a howl.

"s.h.i.+dou! Calm down, s.h.i.+dou!"

Kotori's voice vibrated his eardrums, but that totally had no meaning at all.

The moment his brain understood the scene before him, the pungent stenches in his surroundings a.s.saulted his nostrils, s.h.i.+dou involuntarily felt an urge to vomit. In order to resist his heavy lunch from refluxing, he held his hand to his mouth.

"......!Uuu......!"

"——Ara?"

His vision s.h.i.+fted upwards in response to that voice. In the middle of that extremely crimson sea of blood, a black girl stood.

"......s.h.i.+dou-san. You've arrived already?"

Kurumi who was wearing her astral dress of crimson and black, turned her head towards s.h.i.+dou's direction and spoke. In her left hand was, from G.o.d knows where, an ancient handgun with intricate designs.

At this moment, s.h.i.+dou realized another thing.

Inside the alley, a man was kneeling on the floor trembling.

A very young male. For some reason there were three round circles painted with blood on his stomach, as though it were a target.

"Hyii——,Hyii——"

The man let out short breaths as though he was on his deathbed, s.h.i.+fting his gaze towards s.h.i.+dou.

"Hel......, Help,......me! ......This person is......, a monster......!"

"Ara ara."

Kurumi turned her face towards the man once more, and took aim with the gun in her hand.

"Kurumi......, what are, you doin——"

As s.h.i.+dou squeezed out his voice in a daze, Kurumi started to snicker.

It was not the usual sweet laugh. It was a laugh that would cause one's teeth to chatter and not feel happiness.

"You were already planning to kill something, but you did not think that you would be killed, don't you find it odd? Pointing the muzzle of a gun at a life, isn't it just like this?"

"......, Stop, it......"

As the man raggedly spoke.

Kurumi fired the trigger without any hesitation.

Instantly, a black bullet as though it was a solidified shadow shot out of the muzzle, tracing out a pitch-black trajectory, piercing into the middle of the target drawn on the man's stomach.

"Iguu——"

The man's body twitched. After a while, no sounds were made again.

"100 points, I'd say."

Kurumi let out a brief sigh, throwing away the gun. After that, the gun vanished into Kurumi's shadow.

"I've kept you waiting, s.h.i.+dou-san. I've let you see such an embarra.s.sing scene."

Kurumi, turned her head towards s.h.i.+dou's direction.

"——dou! s.h.i.+dou! Run! Right now!"

s.h.i.+dou at this point finally realised Kotori's repeated cries through the transmitter. Barely able to stand, he tried to force his trembling legs to escape from the area.

However.

"Ufufu, It's......useless, you know."

"Uwa......!?"

Kurumi's voice sounded out from the rear, at the same time s.h.i.+dou's legs were suddenly caught, falling down with his back facing the sky. As it was too sudden, his head hit the ground heavily.

"......"

His eyes seeing sparks as a dull pain forced him to involuntarily twist his features in pain, but now wasn't the time to pay attention to such details.

He had to escape——However, something seemed to be binding his right leg, he couldn't even move a muscle.

White hands stretched out from within Kurumi's shadow, forcefully grabbing onto s.h.i.+dou's leg.

"Wh, what......is this......!"

s.h.i.+dou flipped his body, hastily trying to get rid of his restraints. However his legs were being held with an impossible to imagine force, there was no way he could escape.

At the same time all of this was being done, Kurumi slowly moved closer to s.h.i.+dou's front.

"Fufu, I've caught you."

Saying that she gave a slight smile, squatting down, moving closer as though she wanted to push s.h.i.+dou down.

"......"

His heart felt painful as though it was being squeezed. But, that was not due to Kurumi's beauty and her daring actions——It was purely due to, fear.

That's right. s.h.i.+dou currently——is in fear of Kurumi, in fear of Spirits.

The calamity that kills the world. The natural enemy of humans.

Phrases that had been repeated a few times before.

Lines that Origami had been repeating to the point of nausea.

But, these first experiences accompanied by the smell surrounding his body, invaded s.h.i.+dou's brain.

"——Aah, aah, what a failure. I should have finished them off earlier.——I was still thinking of enjoying my date with s.h.i.+dou-san a bit longer."

Kurumi used her two hands to hold s.h.i.+dou's cheeks.

"......, ......"

I want to run. I want to shout.

But, that's impossible. His legs had already cramped up, his throat letting out ragged breaths.

Kurumi moved closer to s.h.i.+dou's cheek.

However, instead of saying that she attempted a kiss, it was better to say that she was about to bite his throat——

"......Eh......?"

At this moment. Just at this point, s.h.i.+dou's throat finally squeezed out a sound.

The instant Kurumi's lips were about to make contact with s.h.i.+dou, a strange feeling enveloped his body.

A feeling that he never felt before. It was as though the air surrounding s.h.i.+dou turned into a fluid of extremely high viscosity, feeling as though having a mind of its own, a strange feeling.

After that, in the next instant.

"——Sss."

Following a short breath, Kurumi's body was lightly blown off backwards.

That slender body hit the concrete wall, causing the wall to have tiny cracks appear.

"Wha——"

s.h.i.+dou could not understand what happened, widening his eyes in a daze. What in the world, just then——

"——Are you alright, Nii-sama?"

Such a voice vibrated s.h.i.+dou's eardrums who was currently in the process of thinking.

"Haa......?"

s.h.i.+dou raised his head while making a stupid sound.

Not knowing when she arrived, Mana who was wearing her CR-Unit, stood there with her back towards s.h.i.+dou as though she was protecting him. The equipment on her shoulders were like s.h.i.+elds, as well as wings. It was the equipment that s.h.i.+dou saw in the video yesterday.

"Ma, na......"

s.h.i.+dou used a hoa.r.s.e voice to call out that name, at the same time Mana turned towards s.h.i.+dou, nodding her head replying "Yes."

"That was a close one. Did anything serious happen to you?"

"Aa, aaah......"

Dazedly making out a sound. At this moment, Mana probably misunderstood his reaction, looking at her outfit, scratched the back of her head with unease.

"Aaah......you were frightened weren't you. How should I put this, there is a long story behind this."

At this point, sounds of concrete fragments. .h.i.tting the ground came from the front.

"......, Well, we'll talk about this later."

The same time Mana ended her sentence, Kurumi slowly stood up, opening her mouth to speak.

"Ara ara......to interrupt the date between s.h.i.+dou-san and I, isn't that downright rude of you?"

"You're noisy. What about you, who has your eyes on my Nii-sama?"

"Mana-san and s.h.i.+dou-san are siblings?"

"——Hmph, that has nothing to do with you."

Mana left behind such a line, slightly turning her head. In response to that, the equipment on her shoulders started to morph at the tips, the front parts splitting into five parts just like a human hand.

Next, a greenish white glow emitted from the tips of those ten parts.

"Let's hurry up and settle this, ."

Following her sentence Mana snapped her fingers. The mechanical parts on her shoulders started to give off imbalanced light, reaching out towards Kurumi.

It was something that happened for only an instant. However Kurumi twisted her body, gracefully evading the beams of light.

"Ufufu, that was dangerous."

"——Tch."

Mana softly clicked her tongue, slightly moving her fingers.

Following that, the beams of light that Kurumi had evaded suddenly changed their trajectory, once again turning for Kurumi.

"Gyu……"

Looks like she wasn't able to dodge this time. Her two legs and stomach were pierced through by light, Kurumi let out a strange cry of pain, falling down on the spot. Crimson blood started to spread out slowly onto the ground.

"......"

Faced with such a brutal sight, s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but tightly lock his brows.

"That sure was easy, for a monster."

However Mana's expressions did not change, lightly raising her right hand. Subsequently, the parts that looked like a hand once again changed to the shape which resembled a s.h.i.+eld, a huge blade of light emerged from its tip.

"——"

s.h.i.+dou held his breath.

He recognized that shape. In the video, it was the sword that Mana used to stab Kurumi to death with.

"Ma, na......!"

s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but cry out.

"Is there a problem? I'll get rid of her in a second, so please wait a while."

"No......don't do it! Something like murdering is——!"

s.h.i.+dou said that while Mana widened her eyes as though she had heard something unbelievable.

However she quickly closed her eyelids, shaking her head.

"......That means that this girl used a human ident.i.ty to transfer herself into Nii-sama's cla.s.s. ——Nii-sama. Although I can't tell you the specifics, but it is best that you forget about this girl. This girl is not human. She is an existence that cannot be allowed to live."

Saying that, she started to walk towards Kurumi who was lying on the ground.

"......! That's not the problem here! Stop! Don't do it......!"

As s.h.i.+dou pleaded, Kurumi let out short breaths from her throat, at the same time saying in a weak voice.

"......Fu, fu......Really now, s.h.i.+dou-san, is really, gentle......huh."

——Mana's sword, swung down towards Kurumi.

Shuu, after that disturbing sound, Kurumi did not move again.

"Huu."

Mana lightly waved her right hand, following that action the equipment in her hands returned to their original positions on her shoulders.

"Wh......y?"

s.h.i.+dou looked at Mana's back, letting out a trembling voice.

Mana softly sighed, turning towards s.h.i.+dou, walking up to him. At the same time, the combat equipment equipped on her body let out a faint glow, and in an instant, turned back into normal attire.

"The death of someone whom you know is shocking, but Nii-sama, if that girl doesn't die, the one that would die could very well be you, Nii-sama."

"......"

As Mana finished her sentence, s.h.i.+dou could not talk back.

"Although saying this may be a bit rude, but please believe that whatever happened today was a nightmare and forget it entirely. There is no value in feeling hurt over the death of that girl. The death of that person is a must, she is a thing that does not possess any value for existing."

Faced with Mana's words, s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but tightly grip his fist.

"I know the AST's position......! I also know that I have to feel grateful for being saved by someone! But......But, to call Spirits that is......"

Mana frowned in surprise.

"Nii-sama, how did you know about this?"

"......"

s.h.i.+dou's eyebrows twitched. Now that she mentioned it, Mana didn't know that he knows about the Spirits and the AST.

However after a few seconds, Mana hugged her elbows as though realizing something.

"......That, should be Master Sergeant Tob.i.+.c.hi's doing. After all that one......pays a lot of attention to Nii-sama."

Mana let out a sigh of helplessness, once again focusing on s.h.i.+dou.

"Well forget it, it becomes a lot easier with that. Although I don't know how you knew, but, that's how it is."

Mana said without a tinge of regret.

s.h.i.+dou looked at Mana, feeling an unknown fear for no reason.

"Why......are you able to be so calm. You, just, did that......to a person."

He was probably hesitating to say these kind of words, his throat felt painful. But, he still managed to force them out.

"You just——murdered someone......didn't you......!"

"Not a human. A Spirit."

"Even so......! Why are you still so calm——"

"Because I got used to it."

"......"

When Mana said that, her voice was extremely cold, s.h.i.+dou couldn't help but hold his breath.

"——Tokisaki Kurumi, even among the Spirits she is considered special."

"Special?"

Mana replied "Nnn." while nodding her head.

"She, is , unkillable, you know. No matter how many times you kill, no matter what method used to kill. That girl, will still be alright, certain to appear from some place, once again killing people."

"......!? Wh, what, that kind of......"

As s.h.i.+dou said that——he suddenly realized the meaning behind that explanation. That was the same as what s.h.i.+dou saw in the video yesterday.

"It's just like what I have just said. If you want a more detailed explanation I would be very troubled as well."

Mana softly sighed, lifting up her chin.

That expression, its just like she had aged, looking extremely tired.

"——Therefore. I will continue to kill. To that girl. To . To Tokisaki Kurumi. I will continue to kill her, no matter how many, how many, how many times it may take."

Mana continued with fatigue mixed into her voice. s.h.i.+dou's expression became distorted.

"That's not right......!"

"Eh?"

"That——It's not about getting used to it. Your heart......would only wither away!"

As s.h.i.+dou finished his words, Mana frowned slightly.

"What......are you saying, Nii-sama?"

"That's enough, stop it, Mana......you are my sister right......? Then just once is fine. Please do as I tell you......"

s.h.i.+dou squeezed out his voice from his throat as though he was praying.

That was not a delusion. A heart that was burdened would constantly be whittled down——and if that continued, till the point where it was irreparable, the heart would then break dow