What followed was Melusine recounting her experience traveling back in time to Shidou. She didn't ask Natsumi or Yoshino to leave the room—she simply let them listen too.
She spoke of the Shidou from another worldline, of the true identity of the Spirit who killed Origami's parents, of the search for Kurumi from five years ago, and of initiating another time leap.
"Shidou, you remember, don't you? Last night, after I left with Origami, we went to find Kurumi."
"Yeah… I remember that. So you really did manage to change the past…?"
Shidou scratched his head, unsure how to react to something so absurdly monumental.
Because he still retained his memories of Origami, he could recall her telling him her parents had been killed by a Spirit. He remembered Melusine and Origami leaving to find Kurumi.
He'd gone to bed that night as usual—nothing had seemed amiss.
And yet, when he awoke, the entire world had changed.
So why hadn't he connected those events sooner?
Of course, there were still things Melusine chose not to reveal. For example, she hadn't actually used Kurumi's Twelfth Bullet to go back—she'd used her own time-space magic.
As for how she returned…
That had taken some improvisation. Since Shidou from another worldline wasn't a valid anchor, she'd turned to Spirit Origami instead—who, being a fusion of two worldlines, was unique enough to work. Once Origami was pulled back to her timeline, Melusine used the lingering remnants of her temporal imprint as a tether and successfully returned before the traces disappeared.
Shidou stood deep in thought, eyes cast down. Melusine didn't disturb him. Instead, she turned to Yoshino and Natsumi.
"And what about you? Do you believe what I've said?"
Her voice was quiet, even.
"Shidou retained those memories. But you, who remember none of it—does this all sound completely ridiculous?"
"I… I believe in you, Lancelot-oneechan. And in Shidou-san too…"
Yoshino's voice wavered a little at the start, but her sincerity was unmistakable.
"Geez, Yoshino, you trust them way too much."
Yoshinon added, tone half-teasing, half-worried.
"I get the feeling that if it were Lancelot and Shidou saying it, you'd let them sweet-talk you into bed in three sentences flat."
"We'd never do that!"
Shidou shouted instantly.
"Sure, sure. Honestly, if Shidou were that kind of guy, then Tohka, Kaguya, Yuzuru—they'd all already be shaped like him by now."
Then Yoshinon turned serious for once.
"So… don't betray her trust, got it? You too, Lancelot."
Shidou was caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. Then he nodded solemnly.
"I won't. Ever."
Melusine noticed Yoshinon glance her way and smiled faintly.
"I am the Fairy Knight Lancelot. I carry the name of the strongest among the Round Table. I may not be good at dealing with people, nor particularly eloquent… but I would never do anything to make a beautiful girl cry."
Yoshino had made her choice to believe.
Which left only Natsumi.
"To be honest… it's still hard for me to wrap my head around. I mean, how can Yoshino believe such a crazy, impossible story so easily?"
Natsumi sighed, then turned away and muttered softly, "But if Yoshino believes it… then I guess I'll believe it too."
The thing that had haunted Shidou all day had now been put to rest. Melusine's story confirmed that Origami wasn't just a figment of his imagination. He felt immensely relieved.
"By the way, where's Nia?"
Shidou asked Melusine curiously.
As a massively popular professional mangaka, Nia was often seen clinging to Melusine. Shidou had figured if anyone could make sense of this, it would be the all-seeing angel wielder, Honjou Nia.
"Like I'd let her be here."
Melusine frowned. Apparently Shidou hadn't considered the bigger picture, so she explained:
"This is a hobby session. Drawing, for fun—like building sandcastles or playing with blocks. If we had a pro hanging over our shoulders, would it still be any fun?"
There's a saying, she thought. The fastest way to ruin a hobby is to turn it into your job.
Sure, Natsumi had serious talent—borderline professional—but she was still no match for Nia. If Nia had been present, Natsumi would've frozen completely.
"So, I left Nia with Miku."
"…She's definitely going to cry, isn't she?"
"Oh, please. It's all an act. Getting to cuddle up with a popular beauty like Miku? That shameless woman's probably over the moon."
Tobiichi Origami, Honjou Nia, Izayoi Miku—the three delinquent-class Spirits. Only those three could dive under someone's covers without a shred of shame.
"If Nia and Miku hit it off, I'm totally dragging her to the next signing event. Pairing Miku's idol appeal with Nia's reputation would pack the venue. Nia's basically a relic from the previous generation at this point."
"..."
Hearing the mangaka he idolized get called "a relic" left Shidou feeling… complicated.
"What's with that look? Are you feeling sorry for her? You can always take her place and keep Miku company. She was looking for you, after all."
Melusine added, casually.
"She said she wanted another date with Shiori. So if you're planning to go see her, remember to bring your girl clothes."
"Ugh… actually, never mind. I think you made the right call. Good job, Lancelot."
Better you than me. He'd remember Nia's sacrifice with honor.
The next morning, bathed in the warmth of sunlight, Shidou walked to school as usual with Tohka.
When he returned to his seat, his gaze naturally drifted sideways… to the empty chair next to his own.
The one where Origami used to sit.
"Origami…"
He murmured to himself, staring at the vacant seat.
Last night, Melusine had explained it to him clearly. Since young Origami had survived the fire with her parents, it was only natural that the family might have relocated—perhaps to another city. After all, she no longer had a reason to pursue Spirits or live a life consumed by vengeance.
Which meant she never enrolled in Raizen High.
Never met them.
A possible future, completely plausible.
"So… can you accept that?"
That was what Melusine had asked him the night before, when they were alone.
"All your memories with Tobiichi Origami—poof. Gone. Never happened. They're nothing but dreams only you remember. To everyone else, she never existed. And carrying that truth alone… it's going to hurt."
It did hurt.
There was no pretending otherwise.
All those memories—the things they'd been through together—now erased.
But…
"Isn't this the best ending?"
Five years ago, Origami's parents were supposed to die. Now they lived.
She no longer hated Spirits. No longer walked a path of vengeance.
She was probably living peacefully somewhere, happily.
That should be enough. Asking for more would be selfish.
She had always deserved better than the world she was given.
Yes. This was how it should be.
Still… even though I said something cool like that to Lancelot last night…
Now, seeing her empty seat again, he couldn't stop the ache in his chest.
He should be glad.
But instead…
Just once is enough. I want to see her smile. Not the Origami chained to vengeance—but the real her, free and happy…
"Morning, everyone. Let's all get fired up for class today!"
The bell rang. Their homeroom teacher, Okamine Tamaki, entered cheerfully.
Shidou didn't hear a word. His thoughts were still with Origami.
He debated whether he should try to find her in this world.
Maybe he shouldn't. Maybe it was better to let her live peacefully without interference.
"Ah, right! I almost forgot. We've got a new transfer student today. Come on in~"
At Tamaki's cue, the classroom door slid open with a click, and a girl stepped inside.
A transfer student, this late in the semester?
Shidou found it odd—but not enough to look. He only glanced up.
And froze.
"…Huh?"
The girl walking up to the podium had doll-like features, a slender frame, and pale, silvery hair that fell to her back—almost like a foreign princess.
The moment she appeared, the class erupted into murmurs. The boys leaned forward excitedly. The girls' eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Only Shidou sat in stunned silence, staring at her.
Because her face was one he knew.
"All right, please introduce yourself."
Tamaki smiled.
The girl nodded. She turned to face the class and spoke in a calm, measured tone.
"I'm Tobiichi Origami. Pleased to meet you."
She bowed deeply. The class erupted in awed whispers.
Some students glanced toward Shidou, clearly recognizing the unusual name. A few tilted their heads in confusion. A few others snickered, reading far too much into it.
But Shidou couldn't respond.
"Wh… what…?"
He whispered, eyes wide.
There was no doubt. That was her. The girl from his memories.
Her hair was longer now—but it was her.
Tamaki glanced around.
"Let's see… There's an open seat next to Shidou. Origami-san, please sit there."
"Understood."
She nodded and walked slowly toward him.
Their eyes met.
Shidou felt his heart race.
But she only offered him a polite smile before sitting down—like they were total strangers.
That tiny exchange cooled the emotions boiling in his chest.
Of course… she doesn't remember me. What was I expecting…?
He looked away with a pained smile.
Out of habit, he glanced at her desk.
That was when he noticed something on the zipper of her bag—a small charm.
A tiny figure.
Shidou wasn't a hardcore otaku—he liked manga, but wasn't deep into merch. He couldn't name most of the plushies Tohka won at the arcade.
But this one…
Silver hair split in two, sky-blue armor, dazzling gold eyes.
Staring at it, Shidou felt like he was looking at a chibi version of Melusine.