"Thank you for the thorough tour, Shidou-san, Tohka-san."
"No big deal. Easy enough."
"Indeed, an easy task!"
At dusk by the school gate, Kurumi bows politely. Shidou gives a wry smile at her formality, while Tohka beams proudly.
After Tohka and Origami's crash, Tohka joined the tour. Origami left abruptly for a call—wonder what that was. An unexpected turn, but Shidou's grateful for Tohka. Pathetically, he'd have been too flustered by Kurumi to probe her motives. Raising her affection is the goal, but he needed time to think.
And… maybe it's wishful thinking, but Kurumi seemed—happier with Tohka around.
"I'll take my leave. See you tomorrow at school, Shidou-san, Tohka-san."
"Yeah, see ya."
"Tomorrow, then!"
Kurumi bows, waves, and walks into the sunset. Shidou and Tohka wave back, parting. Exhaling, Shidou reflects: today's sole intel—Kurumi's a Spirit. His mind's nearly fried. He needs to debrief with Kotori, but Tohka catches his eye.
"Hey, Tohka, you seemed chummy with Kurumi."
Initially wary, Tohka chatted with her naturally by the end. Shidou thought Kurumi looked… joyful.
"Hm? She's your friend, like Yoshino, right? So, we should get along."
"Well, yeah, but…"
After her clash with Yoshino, Tohka's quick acceptance of Kurumi, another Spirit, is surprising. Maybe their shared Spirit nature connected them?
Seeing Shidou's doubt, Tohka ponders, frowning.
"Tohka?"
"…Hm, Kurumi's… ugh, sorry, Shidou. I can't explain it."
"No worries. I'm glad you two hit it off!"
Tohka slumps like a sad puppy. Shidou pats her head, reassuring her. Their bonding is genuinely pleasing, even if Kurumi's purpose is unclear.
Humming cheerfully, Kurumi walks home, almost dancing. That school, those classmates—Shidou's peaceful daily life, a mundane yet cherished scene he protects.
What did he think when she revealed herself? Surely, only of her. Walking beside him, what were his thoughts? That brief school life with him was unbearably—
—What was I thinking?
That thought is forbidden to Tokisaki Kurumi. She has no right to it.
Recall your fate. Never forget your sins. Countless crimes brought her here—to erase that Spirit, to undo that tragedy.
She'd sacrifice everything, even her life, for it.
Closing her eyes, great sins replay—anger, passion, hatred washing away excess. Ignoring the creaking within, she surrenders to it.
Kurumi waited too long. As that girl said, hope appeared. Ironic, a time Spirit waiting for time to ripen.
Her vow's hope lies in her hands.
Why hesitate? That girl showed her a convenient tool. So why—
"…Oh, my."
Her deep thoughts snap. She'd stopped, an eerie sensation enveloping her.
She knows it well—the territory of the woman who's killed her repeatedly.
"Found you, Nightmare."
Blue hair, a familiar sight. Yet, it grates her nerves now.
"…Hah. Even you make that face, huh?"
"Oh? Do I? Care to describe it?"
"No deal. Just die already, Nightmare."
"Fufu, so cold."
"Shidou, you!!"
"Real sister or adopted, which do you prefer!?"
"…Guys…"
Kotori and Mana Takamiya, self-proclaimed sister, grill Shidou with fierce intensity, worsening his headache.
Recap: After seeing off Kurumi and Tohka, Shidou and Tohka shopped for dinner. Hunger fuels no fight, and discounted meat lifted his spirits. Then Mana appeared, leaping into his chest, crying Brother.
Chaos ensued. He brought her home, where she called Origami sister-in-law—vehemently denied—causing more misunderstandings with Tohka present. Total mess.
No fool, Shidou wouldn't trust a girl claiming to be his sister. But, not truly an Itsuka by birth, he can't fully dismiss her.
When asked about their mother, Mana claimed only two or three years of memory, sparking a real vs. adopted sister showdown with Kotori. Headache city.
"Hey, Mana, where do you live? If someone's caring for you, I might need to meet them…"
To avoid escalating, he pivots. Mana, usually blunt, hesitates.
"Uh… that's…"
"What, some shady place?"
"No… a special dorm for work…"
"Work? You're working?"
She seems Kotori's age—school? Kotori balances commander duties and school, but still.
Under their scrutiny, Mana's eyes dart, then she bolts.
"W-Well, I'll visit again!!"
"Hey—!"
Before he can stop her, she sprints off like a dog, vanishing. The self-proclaimed sister leaves as a whirlwind, revealing nothing.
"What the hell…"
"I'll look into her. But, Shidou…"
Kotori, clearing Mana's teacup, fixes him with a serious gaze. He knows instantly.
"…Kurumi, right?"
"Yeah… You okay?"
Uncharacteristically soft for commander Kotori, her concern warms him, prompting a smile.
"I'm fine. I was a mess today, but tomorrow, I'll dig into her reasons."
To ease her worry, he grins. Today's pathetic display lacks conviction, but now, calmer, he's resolute.
"I want to know what she's thinking. If she's in trouble, I want to help."
Why reveal she's a Spirit now? Why approach him? That unease… only she can explain. She appeared with purpose, tied to him.
He wants to help—his promise to her. And to confirm she's not the robed girl's worst Spirit.
"…Don't get too invested."
"Huh? Don't I need to, to charm a Spirit?"
"Well… yes, but…"
As Ratatosk's commander, Kotori's glad he's eager. But her sisterly instinct senses he's too invested in Kurumi. His inability to ignore despair, even if he's caught her issue, fuels her unease.
His usual goofy grin doesn't erase it.
"I said leave support to you… but did you need to save me before I died?"
A writhing black shadow at Kurumi's feet swallows her wounded clone, pierced by that woman but still alive, recoverable.
"Since you've contacted Itsuka Shidou directly, I've no reason to hide. Better to minimize pointless losses."
"…Fair point."
Creating clones costs spiritual power. If the girl can act, no need to waste one. For the vow, conserving is wise.
"How's school life with Itsuka Shidou?"
"Intriguing."
"Like it? You could focus on it. I can handle Mana Takamiya."
Usually teasing, her words now seem half-serious. Kurumi blinks, then chuckles softly.
"Fufu, amusing joke."
"I'm serious if you want. I'm no match for you, but I'm a Spirit too. One wizard's nothing."
"Fufu, humble. But no need to worry."
School life with Shidou and friends—such sweet resonance. But to Kurumi, that sweetness is a sin.
Time is finite; time is money. The time Spirit knows this best.
"For my vow and your plan—I won't keep you waiting long."
Kihi, kihihihi. With a broken laugh, Kurumi sinks into her shadow. Only the robed girl remains, as if alone from the start, her robe fluttering in the breeze.
"…Itsuka Shidou. My plan—"
Her voice, carried off by a gust, reaches no one.