Kotori POV:
Crap, crap, crap….!!!
How's it turned out like this ?! Why did it even lead her back here?!
I peeked at the duo sitting way over there, hiding behind the sunglasses and layers of newspaper.
After making sure of Shido's well-being, I immediately arrived here.
… Just in time to see her open up with that thing.
Please God… why does it have to be this way?!
… But… this whole thing… was all my fault… again.
I'm the one who told her about it, leading to her questioning the very concept of "death" itself.
I'm the one who pushes her to doubt her position, and turns her to its side…
Again… I failed at everything again…
I tighten my grip on the newspaper, my gaze burns up toward the
Tome POV:
Ever since I knew it, I was alone.
Darkness is my only friend. And I despise that.
I didn't even know my purpose, my goal… I'm just—here—
—Forced to fight battles beyond my control.
I never wanted to cause such Spacequakes just to be hunted over here.
All I ever wanted… is to fall into a deep slumber, never to wake up again.
Then, as I slowly fell into despair with that ideal, Shido came.
Despite his ridiculous manner, he's… interesting, to say the least.
He's… just like those I saw that day, a merely normal human.
Heck, he even has that little "sister", Kotori, by his side the whole time…
… He has something I never had, a family.
And seeing him talking with her so casually, unlike with me… making me jealous a bit.
He looks so happy, so carefree, so relieved… He's everything opposite to me.
He's far weaker than me, so frail before my
—Yet he has someone by his side caring for… everything that I didn't.
"No."
The thing spoke up as I was deep in my thoughts, waking me up from those sour thoughts.
"It's nothing wrong to want something, miss Tome. Everything has a goal, including you."
It calmly states such ideals with me, its gaze locked straight onto mine.
… Was it true? I can be with them—despite this "crime" of mine?
I don't even get that, the wrong with my actions. He acted, so I acted first, simple as that.
And yet, my actions are no less than it, which in Kotori words "making everyone against it".
… I grew afraid, not from my acts, but from how everyone will act. So I asked them.
And their reactions—his actions, is fear. Only for a moment, but fear linger in his warm gaze.
My heart aches seeing that, knowing he, deep inside, has grown to hate me.
It was the second time I saw fear in someone else's face, but this time it somehow affected me…
… Suddenly, a question, one that I never thought of, suddenly brewing in my mind.
"What is… those Mecha Mecha Squad goals?"
I murmur asking it, feeling disdain with what to come… but my heart has already accepted that.
"Weird question…"
That thing narrows its… metal brow (?) with my question, and then answers it with an indifferent tone.
"They're responsible for killing the Spirits, or at least stall them, to prevent further damage to humans."
… I see, so their mission is noble… unlike me…
They didn't kill out of blood or their own amusement, they do that to protect their own people…
Comparing them to me, who's only known to inflict pain on others, wasn't fair.
They're there to protect them, and I'm here to end them. Their acts are justified, and mine… didn't.
I've grown to hate them for their annoyance to attack me in vain, but now—I… don't know what to feel.
What's the point of me being here, if all I do is to harm them?
"Like I said, your goal isn't wrong."
The thing slowly speaks up with me as my doubts slowly govern my mind.
"But if you still minded my opinion… then ignore it."
… Huh?
"You committed a crime, yes, and you wanted to feel guilty over that, I understood. But in the grand scheme of things, your concern is irrelevant."
"No matter how much you cry, they won't have any of it. All they care about is what you did, and how you appeal to them."
"This world works on things they can understand, and dread with everything else."
… What?
Despite the soothing voice, I can faintly hear its… spiteful deep within.
Am I seeing—-a bit of its truth?
"So you… hated them?"
I asked it with a hint of concern yet curious tone, as it brow re-formed into weird positions.
"… Why that conclusion?"
It asked with a rather threatening manner, but I honestly can't feel any weight behind it.
"Your words sound hostile."
"Hostile…"
The thing murmured back with a hint of surprise, as it then relaxed itself.
"I see, was that that obvious?"
It let out a faint chuckle and asked me, and I slowly nodded my head in agreement with it.
The thing then facepalmed, let out another sigh before looking at me once again.
"Well, I won't deny that. I do hate humanity."
The thing speaks up the line with a faint smile, one that really shivers me…
"Here's your order."
Just then, someone comes up and places down the familiar looking drink, but this time with an extra dish with some round looking thingy.
The thingy look, how to say this, appeals to me to say the least.
"What was that?"
I asked it with a clearly interested voice, earning me a hint of curiosity from it for a moment.
"That's a donut, a kind of food, I believe."
It shrugs off the answer with a mild disinterest, and my attention on it slowly falls onto the dish, straight onto the glittering color on the brown thingy.
Food isn't it… wonder if I can eat it?
… Although I should be concerned over how I knew that word "eat", this thing just keeps distracting my focus.
"Interested?"
As my attention was fully on the round thingy, it suddenly called out for me.
"Don't mind me, just enjoy the dish."
It then pushes the dish toward my seat, signaling me to enjoy this for myself.
I slowly pick one of them, carefully inspect it before gracefully throwing it in my mouth.
… It's—so good!!
The flavour explodes in my mouth, with those glittering dancing in my lips! I have never had something like this ever before!
This is so good ~ I love this so much ~
Without any hesitation, I devour the last patches on the dish and indulge myself with these heavenly gifts…
Ultron POV:
So the Spirits can eat, and can be quite terrifying at that…
Looking at the gluttony ponytail devouring her hundred donut dishes of donuts, I silently noted.
Was she always this hungry? Is her belly bottomless? How can she eat them non-stop?
How peculiar… seems like Spirits did indeed exceed humans in everything, including their needs.
Speaking of which, I wonder—how's their sexual desire… Were they also this intense?
… Question for another day.
"Fuh ~"
Let out a breath of relief, Tome places the empty dish on the mountain of dishes.
"Full yet?"
"Umu ~"
Tome happily nodded her head, which kinda reminded me of those children anime shows on the other side…
Cute.
"Well then, where do you wanna go next?"
"Humu…"
Tome put her finger on her lips, making a cute thoughtful expression in the process as she gazed upon the crowd outside.
But, for a moment, I captured a hint of uneasy glinting through her gaze on the outside before disappearing.
"… Why don't you guide me?"
She turns to me with a bright smile. A clearly fake one at that.
But I decided to keep silent, not really wanting to dive into this matter for the moment.
"Since you've asked me that, allow me."
With that, I paid for the whole thing, which cost me a hefty price… if not for the fact that I literally used government money for this, and went out with Tome.
"What do you think I should do next?"
Asked Tome with a distant gaze, while strolling a few steps right behind me.
"You shouldn't have asked me about that."
Answer me, without an ounce of doubt with the statement.
"Eh?"
Tome let out a cute confusion sound with her eyes widened, as I stopped and looked back at her.
"Like they said, I'm a killer. I have no intention of regretting, and I certainly value humans less than everything else."
"My opinion, in all honesty, is untrustable to an extent."
I look straight into her eyes with the answer, her gaze visibly shaken by my words.
The truth hurts, always will be, but consider my goal here—it is necessary.
For them to reign over Earth, they must show stronger conviction than the current dominant species.
After all, God never directly interferes with human progression, only gives them chances to improve.
To that end, Tome must find the answer herself. I'll help her, but nothing more.
"What do you mean… by that?"
Tome asked with a hint of waryness, as I gave her another hint for her conclusion.
"Why don't you consult with Shido? I think he is willing to listen to you."
"Shido…?"
The name makes Tome flinching a bit, as her gaze slowly regains focus and turns to a thoughtful one.
For a while, we just stood there in pure silence despite the crowd waking by around us…
"I…"
Tome began to murmur something… before her figure disappeared from my view.
Lost at this very moment—how troublesome.
But at this rate, I have a feeling that this might be intentional. I definitely have to look out for this peculiar phenomenon…
"Hm?"
As I decided on figuring out how the Lost phenomenon works, my built-in Reiryoku sensor suddenly signaled a faint, almost non-recognizable Reiryoku signal… from Tengu city?
This is… interesting, to say the least.
I'd need some way to make up for them also, this could be my chance for redemption…
Kotori POV:
Weird.
That's all I can say about this thing.
I thought that it's gonna try to manipulate Tome, turning her against humanity.
In fact, at her state of mind right now, it could easily do so.
And yet, all it did—is just giving her advice.
No pressure, no convincing… just merely words.
It even reassured my statement back then with her, which only confused me further…
… Why?
["Captain!
As I was left puzzled by the conversation, Kannazuki's voice warned me through my earpieces.
Then, with my enhanced eyesight, I can faintly see a distorted figure hovering in the sky.
I then hide in an empty alleyway, gear up the Astral Dress
? POV:
This is… What is this?
This power, this feeling, it's almost unbearable.
But at the same time, I feel… better.
I feel like I can do anything I wanted, everything I wished to be.
"This…"
I murmur out loud in surprise, and my eyes widen in shock.
My voice… it's back? And it feels—better than it was.
And on top of that, my knowledge… expanded. Engraved in my instinct.
So that's what I gained from her, power beyond my own…
With this—I'll no longer be despised by those filthy traitor males.
No longer shall I depend on them! My voice now only befitting the truly beauties!
But first, I should erase my past, and started a new—
"?!"
What the…?!
I run to the balcony and look around. And then, with my enhanced eyesight, I saw it.
A static in the air, as if the scenery glitched…
"Who's there?!"
I yell at the damn thing, as the static slowly fades away revealing someone…
"What keen eyes…"
That thing murmured something, but I didn't care…
What I care about… is its face. A male?!
How can it be here?! This is the second floor!! Is it a stalker?!
Wait… I can use this opportunity to test my gift.
Fufufu, be honored you lowly scum, for being the first to experience my strength ~
"Come!"
An unusual soothing voice came out of my mouth, carrying traces of Reiryoku coming at it.
… And yet, despite my voice delivered, the damn thing didn't even react.
Instead, it just—tilting its head in a confused stance… as if mocking my gifts.
"W–what?!"
I subconsciously murmur my confusion outloud, earning its attention in the process.
"Was that… supposed to control me?"
It looks at me, straight at me, with its glowing crimson eye… Wait, glowing?
It's eyes… actually glowing!? How?!
"You have some nerves—"
It forms waver, and then changes… to a more frightening look, like something walking out of a movie.
"—Trying something like that on me."
It landed on the handle right in front of me, its emotionless crimson eyes pinning on me like a predator.
"You know, I never planned to confront you like this. I prefer over there watching you…"
With its monotone, as if just merely lecturing a disobedient kid, it crouches down and stares at my face.
"But since you're so interested to see me, here I am."
What the… What is that—thing?
Kotori POV:
What the… a new Spirit?! How?!
How can she come into being? Is she the same as me, a human with the power of a Spirit?
… Right now I really wanted to just come out and interrogate both, but I have to be patient.
I can't afford any more mistakes. Not anymore!
Ultron POV:
… Did she actually get scared by my approach?
I admit that my current body is quite—hostile, to say the least.
But still, to think this little threat of mine worked, even though I was truly angry with her, is quite a downmood.
Honestly, I expected them to be more, well, capable. But with the Tome situation and the currently known Spirits situation… I should lower my expectations.
Quickly noted her feature, I then lift off intending to leave her alone for good—
"What… are you?"
The newly founded Spirit, namely Izayoi Miku, asked me with a trembling voice.
Still have the guts to ask? Now that's interesting.
"Less than a man, per say."
I gave her a vague response, earning me a wary look from the Spirit.
"Less…? So—you're not one of them?"
Hm? That was unexpected, I presume?
But considering her past experiences, it is quite understandable.
"An ideal, if you choose to believe. An ideal in human potential."
I truthfully explain my motive to the Spirit, as her eyes widen seemingly in awe.
"So you're… with them?"
The Spirit asked me with a hint of hostility and doubt, one that immediately narrowed my gaze.
With them? Me?
"Wrong."
I slowly explain it to her, my mood slightly plummets…
… Feeling?
I froze in place, re-check myself thoroughly.
Nothing wrong with the main system, and my mind certainly is normal…
… And yet, this oddly feels inside me… I just can't explain it.
An intense feeling, one that I'm not supposed to possess… rage.
I'm… angry? Of her?
… No, it's no time to be confusing. Not yet.
"I'm not with the humans, at least the current one. The current humans are failures, requiring correction."
"And the only way for them to move on—is to cleanse the olds away."
I slowly explain it all to her, as she just stares at me with a hint of disbelief—and curious?
Hm? Curious?
"… The new? What do you imply?"
"You."
I point at the Spirit, earning me a doubtful yet surprised look from her.
"Or, more appropriately, you girl Spirits."
"Spirits?"
The Spirit tilted her head with a now clearly visible confusion, as I nod back fully expecting the question.
"Terrestrial beings with powers to directly affect the world's aspects, capable of destroying cities."
… Or at least the short version of it. The whole thing wasn't wrong though, so she can't possibly find any lies in it.
Of course, I intentionally left out some details, such as their powers, they being the source of the Spacequakes phenomenon, or that the DEM are actively after them…
Well, she's gonna find out soon. No need for me to rush things.
"And they are the same as you, Izayoi-san. Broken, lost and alone."
"…"
The girl fell silent with my explanation, her brown narrow deep in her own thoughts.
["Fu-kun."]
"What's wrong, miss Tokisaki?"
As she was still pondering, miss
["I've finished my end of the deal over here, you need something more?"]
"I see… Thanks for the support, Tokisaki-san. I believe that'll do for now."
To think that she wrapped it all up in little over an hour… now that's what I'm called efficient.
["Fufufu ~ Don't mention it. I just need you to fulfill your side of the deal ~"]
"Will do, Tokisaki-san."
With the call dealt off, I whispered something back at the newly birthed Spirit and fly away…
Kotori POV:
Looking at the thing now disappeared in the sky, I let out a sigh.
No useful information, despite that thing talking quite a lot.
At least it didn't make any fuss today—which is a weird thing all considered.
In fact, it did help me a lot here… One that I never thought it could.
Take one final glance at the balcony, I quickly take of—
"Stop."
—Only to be stopped by some invisible force.
Wha—
"Are you a Spirit?"
That voice—It can't be?!
Why is she here?! Wasn't she still up there?!
With fear growing inside my stomach, I slowly turned up…
… And seeing an indigo hair girl, wearing a dress with a mix of yellow and shades of white.
Why did she know I'm here?! She shouldn't even know that I'm here…
…. Wait, could it be—Could that thing know I'm here?
"Answer me."
A weird disgusting feeling washed over me, forcing my mouth to act on its own.
"Yes, Miku-nee."
Kuh… so this is her Angel? Some kind of hypnotism?
Based on the fact that she uses her voice to do so, her power should be related to sound.
"… Did you know other Spirits?"
The girl, now let out a faint yet disturbing grin, forcing my answer out of my mouth.
"Yes, Miku-nee. I know everything about them."
At that moment, my view suddenly shifted, turning from outside the mansion to the familiar room.
This is… the teleportation bridge?
"Captain!"
Everyone practically runs to see my well-being, as I narrow my eyes in shame.
To think that it knew me there and set up Miku for me…
I can't even put up a fight against her… I feel—so useless…