When Shidou finally stirred awake, it seemed everything had resolved neatly. The scene was more chaotic than when he'd arrived, but the Yamai sisters were laughing together, and—
"Well done, Shidou-san," Kurumi said, her exquisite smile the ultimate proof. "Your wish reached them perfectly."
His body, though not incapacitated, refused to obey fully. Leaning on Takanotsume's shoulder, he trudged slowly toward the ryokan, eyeing the darkened, storm-ravaged path—no typhoon could've caused such destruction.
"…The ryokan didn't get blown away, right?" Shidou muttered, genuine worry in his voice.
Kaguya and Yuzuru flinched in unison, their guilt palpable. No one would believe a sisterly spat caused this. Kurumi giggled, watching them with amusement.
"No need to fret," she said. "The ryokan and your classmates are safe. She confirmed it for me."
"Oh… her," Shidou said, relieved. "That's reassuring."
Kurumi showed him her communicator. She meant the white-haired girl, Unknown, who hadn't appeared this time but was clearly nearby.
Kaguya, visibly relaxed, let out a theatrical chuckle. "Kukuku… as expected of the pure vampire. Such capable vassals!"
"Point. That's your version of Kurumi, and it's wildly inaccurate," Yuzuru retorted.
"Sh-shut up! It's close enough!" Kaguya snapped.
"V-vampire?" Takanotsume blinked. "Does Kurumi drink blood?"
"No, thank you," Kurumi said dryly. "Even I draw the line at that."
"Haha…" Shidou laughed, their varied expressions—Kaguya's dramatics, Yuzuru's deadpan, Takanotsume's confusion, Kurumi's exasperation—all blending into smiles. His body was wrecked, exhaustion overwhelming, and this school trip had been a disaster. But everyone was safe, and that was enough.
"By the way, Takanotsume," Kaguya said.
"Request. Could we borrow Shidou for a moment?" Yuzuru added.
"Hm? Sure, but why?" Takanotsume asked.
"Just wait here!" Kaguya insisted, dragging Shidou down a side path with Yuzuru, leaving Takanotsume tilting her head and Kurumi smiling wryly, sensing their intent.
Silence fell between the two left behind, unsure what to say. Takanotsume spoke first.
"I haven't thanked you," she said. "Thank you, Kurumi. Because of you, Shidou and I were saved. Without you, he might not have reached the twins."
"No such thing," Kurumi replied, shaking her head. Shidou would've reached them without her meddling—she'd seen that future. If anything, making him use that power was a mistake. She couldn't accept Takanotsume's gratitude.
"Mmm, I don't think so," Takanotsume said.
"You're too kind," Kurumi said, her smile darkening. "Would you say the same if I told you I'm still after Shidou-san's life?"
Takanotsume's eyes widened, her breath catching. Kurumi continued, her smile mischievous.
"I'm in a contest with Shidou-san. If he wins, my power will be sealed, like yours. But if I win… his life is mine."
"Wha—!?" Takanotsume gasped.
"Do you still think I deserve thanks?" Kurumi asked.
She implied her aid was for her own gain. Takanotsume hadn't been told, it seemed, and Kurumi's grin widened. No real reason drove her—just a whim to see Takanotsume's reaction.
Takanotsume closed her eyes, thinking, then met Kurumi's gaze with her night-dark eyes.
"I'll thank you anyway," she said. "You saved us, regardless."
"You're an odd one," Kurumi said. "Even knowing I might take Shidou-san's life?"
"I believe in Shidou," Takanotsume declared, her smile radiant.
Kurumi's eyes widened, caught off guard.
"He's saved me… saved everyone," Takanotsume continued. "If he accepted your challenge, he has a plan. I trust him—and I believe he'll win."
"Oh… oh my," Kurumi murmured.
Takanotsume's unshakable faith in Shidou, her belief he'd never lose, was almost infuriating. Worse, Kurumi understood it, which annoyed her more.
"You trust Shidou-san so much, yet not me? How sad—I might cry," Kurumi teased.
"W-what!?" Takanotsume stammered. "I didn't say that! But if you win, Shidou—!"
Kurumi laughed at Takanotsume's flustered reaction to her fake tears. Rejecting Kurumi even after this would've been natural, but Takanotsume didn't. Suddenly, Kurumi's scheming felt silly.
Should she be mad at Shidou for being so loved, or jealous of Takanotsume's trust? Either way—
"I can't lose," Kurumi declared.
Another spark of her stubbornness ignited.
"W-wait—GYAAAAH!" Shidou's scream echoed through the airport lobby, pulled in four directions by Takanotsume, a bandaged Origami, and the now-sealed Kaguya and Yuzuru.
"What a happy ending," the white-haired girl said, savoring airport food. "Nice trip, huh?"
"To say that amid his screams…" Kurumi muttered, sipping her drink with an exasperated smile.
"You think?" the girl replied. "Most guys would call that a perk, surrounded by four beauties."
"Not with Shidou-san's body in tatters," Kurumi said.
Using that and Sandalphon as a human had taken its toll. Exhausted, surrounded by Takanotsume, a battered Origami, and the lively twins, Shidou's predicament dulled any jealousy.
"You're a bit jealous, though, my queen," the girl teased.
"Your imagination," Kurumi shot back.
"Sure, sure. Nice to make new friends, too, right?"
"I said—!" Kurumi huffed, sipping her drink, reflecting on the trip's chaos.
Thwarting DEM's plot, facing two Spirits, aiding their conquest, and watching Ellen plummet into a trap—it never got dull with Shidou. Who dug that pit, though? Too deep for amateurs, it saved Kurumi time and power. She'd never guess the three girls now frolicking dug it.
Sealing the twins was too much involvement, Kurumi thought. For her ultimate goal, it wasn't ideal—for either side. She'd limit meddling with others, especially considering Shidou's Spirit power.
"One question," Kurumi said.
"If I can answer, fire away," the girl replied.
"Did you predict Shidou-san's power—even that inversion?"
The moment she saw that, Kurumi felt a familiar sensation—inversion, like she'd experienced once. Instinct told her neither she nor Shidou had fully inverted. Shidou, merely channeling spiritual power, not a Sephira Crystal, was likely safe. But it was a guess, not certainty. Hence, her question.
"Inversion, being the flip side of an angel, was a possibility," the girl said. "I didn't expect it to manifest like that."
"As I thought, unexpected," Kurumi said.
"My oversight. My apologies."
"No matter. No one can predict emotions perfectly. What's your take?"
"No issue," the girl said. "It was a fluke, triggered by specific conditions. No need to worry now—it depends on Shidou's heart."
"We agree, then," Kurumi said. "If you say so, I'll believe it."
She casually voiced her trust in Shidou, tilting her head at the girl's stare.
"What?"
"Nothing, just… you trust me that easily?" the girl asked.
"Why wouldn't I trust someone I trust?" Kurumi replied matter-of-factly.
The girl blinked, stunned by Kurumi's nonchalance, then laughed. Bold or reckless, this gentle queen amused her.
"You've gotten softer, Kurumi," she teased. "Your hero's influence?"
"He's not mine," Kurumi said.
"But you don't deny the influence," the girl grinned.
"We're leaving," Kurumi said. "We're busy, you know."
"As you command, my queen," the girl replied.
Thus, the hurricane's tale ended.
"Nightmare's interference… unexpected, but confirming Princess as a Spirit is significant. Well done, return to base."
"Yes, but one question," a voice replied.
"Oh? What's that?"
"Do you think a human could wield a Spirit's power?"
The seeds were sown—prayers, malice, wishes. They'd lead the boy and girl's war date down an even fiercer path.
"Shidou… I'll kill him," a voice declared.
The next stage awaited, with no pause—the war date marched on.
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