"…Phew."
Kotori leaned back, the chair creaking, rubbing her strained eyes—a gesture unbefitting a middle schooler but expected of Ratatoskr's commander. A day after the city-wide chaos—officially a riot—Kotori had no rest. Post-incident cleanup, Ratatoskr operative orders, Fraxinus system tweaks from Miku's lingering song, report drafting, Spirit checkups (especially Tohka's inversion), and a heated argument with her foolish brother. Endless tasks, but this was Ratatoskr's role. No complaints, no weakness—saving Spirits was their daily battle.
"…"
Thinking of Spirits, one stood out. Kotori pulled a white amulet from her pocket, staring as she recalled a conversation.
'It may seem trivial to you, but for me—it's a purpose worth any sacrifice.'
"Plan… What's she up to?"
Two Spirits kept Ratatoskr at arm's length despite knowing its goals and Shidou's power. Kurumi was clearer—her aim revolved around Shidou, her affection evident yet convoluted. Kotori wished she'd just fall already, though the idea of her as a sister-in-law gave chills. Still, Kurumi's intent to protect Shidou was clear; no immediate threat unless Shidou gave up.
The other, Unknown. She saved Shidou during Yoshino's incident, contacted Tohka, and was tied to Kurumi. Her purpose and abilities? Unclear. Kotori owed her life and received the amulet, suggesting no hostility. Yet Mana's warning lingered after her safe return and thorough checkup.
'Kotori-san, a word of caution. Watch out for Unknown.'
'Huh…?'
'Her killing intent was worse than Nightmare's. No lie—she gripped her sword to kill me. Yet her sympathy was real. Creepy as hell. Don't let your guard down.'
Kotori overheard their exchange via Fraxinus. Mana's raw opinion confirmed Unknown's killing intent. Without Kurumi's intervention, it would've been a brutal fight. Unknown pitied Mana's fate—her lifespan cut to ten years by DEM's magecraft—yet coldly marked her as an enemy.
"…Makes no sense."
Unknown's erratic behavior—slipping up under Kotori's probing, almost naive, giving the amulet just to talk, yet hostile to Mana under Ratatoskr's protection. Her genuine sympathy clashed with her ruthless intent.
'Maybe she's… like me.'
'All for my Queen.'
"…Kurumi, huh?"
A puzzle piece clicked. Kotori pondered, hand on chin. Shidou and Unknown shared a trait: prioritizing Kurumi above all. Shidou's unconscious sympathy for her likely stemmed from this. It explained Unknown's hostility—Mana repeatedly clashed with Kurumi. Unknown's logic: sympathy for Mana's fate, but no mercy for Kurumi's enemies, no matter who.
"…Ri."
A contradiction arose—Kotori herself. She'd fought Kurumi on the rooftop, nearly killing her in a rampage. Yet Unknown saved her, even wanting to talk. Did Kotori not cross her line? Was it excused as a Spirit's loss of control? Even so, resentment would be natural. How much did Unknown know about Phantom, the enigmatic entity tied to Spirit crystals?
The plan. Unknown said Kotori and Shidou were indispensable to it, distinct from Kurumi's goals. What did a Spirit so devoted to Kurumi want? Her actions suggested she wished for Shidou's victory in this war-date. True or false, Kotori couldn't tell. A heart that cherished others yet eliminated obstacles for her plan.
Unknown—true to her name, a mystery. Her purpose?
"…Kotori."
"! Reine…"
Startled, Kotori looked up to see Reine Murasame, Ratatoskr's analyst and friend, her weary appearance betraying exhaustion. Kotori had been too lost in thought to notice her enter.
"Sorry, I didn't notice. Got lost in thought."
"…It's fine. Thinking about Unknown?"
"Yeah. You guessed… well, this amulet makes it obvious."
Kotori toyed with the amulet. Reine's insight was expected; anyone else might've scolded her to rest. Lucky.
"I can't stop thinking… What's your take on her, Reine?"
"…Hm."
Too vague, perhaps, but Reine considered it seriously, her subtle expression shift clear only to Kotori. After a moment, she spoke.
"…She probably doesn't like me much."
"…Really?"
Kotori tilted her head, surprised. Reine had met Unknown once, but her conclusion was unexpected—Kotori thought they'd get along.
"I think you two would hit it off."
"…Why?"
"Your speech, your vibe—similar."
"…Is that so?"
"Your face says you don't buy it."
Reine's skeptical look suggested Kotori's reasoning—Unknown's blunt, natural demeanor matching Reine's—was too vague. Fair, but Kotori meant it.
"—Oh, we should go."
"…Ready."
"As expected. Let's move."
Time pressed. With Reine, Kotori left the office for Fraxinus, floating 15,000 meters above Tenguu City. Their task was singular.
"Another splendid… war-date day."
"Oh, you're back?"
Kurumi greeted Shidou at a spot facing the stage, where the crowd roared for an encore.
"Yeah, couldn't keep you waiting on our date."
"Hehe. Meeting another woman mid-rendezvous? Not taking the stage, Shiori-san?"
"Ugh… give me a break…"
Kurumi giggled at Shidou's groan, enjoying his discomfort.
"Kidding. Looks like you sealed Miku's power successfully."
"…Even without her Voice, she trusted I'd listen."
"Oh, how passionate. I'm jealous."
"Stop teasing… She wants to see you. Wanna go after?"
"Sure… if she doesn't pounce first."
"Haha…"
Miku might just do that. Shidou half-smiled, not voicing agreement as Kurumi feigned concern.
Miku, once obsessed with her Voice, chose Shidou's seal—a shocking yet heartwarming trust. Her affection was… extreme, making him sweat before Kurumi.
"Still… I'm glad. We're on this date, even if a day late."
"After all that chaos, we owe everyone's passion."
The city-wide uproar canceled Tenou Festival's second day—Shidou was out cold anyway—but student zeal and Ratatoskr's efforts revived the third day. Tomorrow would cover the missed day, a testament to their fervor.
This was how Shidou and Kurumi's date happened, despite a clash with Kotori—
"Your body… okay?"
An expected question. Shidou hid his nerves with a grin.
"Hm? Oh, a day's rest fixed me up."
"Hmm… Take this!"
Kurumi poked his side precisely.
"Ow—!?"
"…Terrible liar."
"Ugh…"
Pain radiated, and Shidou clutched the railing, writhing. Using two Angels simultaneously while healing had predictable consequences.
Sighing, Kurumi exposed him.
"You argued with Kotori before coming, didn't you?"
"N-No way…"
'Oh, there was, love-struck brother?'
Kotori's snark hit via earpiece. No escape.
After saving Tohka, Fraxinus's thorough checkup mandated a day's rest. Shidou protested—Kurumi's promise couldn't wait. Kotori's quip, 'Make that woman wait,' sparked a shouting match. Despite her sermons, Shidou's stubbornness won, but Kurumi saw through his bravado.
"I know… But you got scolded by Unknown, didn't you?"
"What…"
Kurumi faltered, clearly avoiding the topic.
"That… wasn't reckless. It's different from your scolding. Completely off."
"No way! If that counts, I wasn't reckless either! You were way worse!!"
"Nonsense. You were far more reckless. Without me, who knows what—"
"I'm grateful, but that's separate from you overdoing it! Like I said, think of yourself—"
"Not from you!!"
"No, you—"
"No, you—"
'You're both idiots, equally reckless!!'
"Guh…!?"
"Eek…"
Kotori's roar blasted through the earpiece, a critical hit to Shidou's eardrum.
'Do you know how much I suffer from your recklessness!? You don't, flirting through your fights!! Honestly—'
"Kotori, my ears…!"
Her accusation was absurd, her volume overwhelming. As Shidou feared eardrum damage, Kurumi clapped.
"Oh, Miku's on stage!"
"Right, gotta hear her sing!!"
'Tch…'
Riding Kurumi's exaggerated cue, Shidou escaped. Kotori's annoyed click echoed, but she relented, knowing they came for Miku's performance.
A spotlight hit the stage.
'Thank you all. Today… I'll sing something special.'
Miku sang, her melody—
"That's…"
"Yoshitsume Yoruna's song."
The gentle, strong tune was unmistakable—the song Miku, as Yoruna, meant to sing before losing her voice. Now, as Miku, she sang it proudly.
No spiritual power, no enchanting Voice. None needed. Shidou knew from her first performance—this was her truth.
Miku was an idol. Spirit or not, her voice, her presence, brought joy. No one could deny it.
The song ended.
Miku's eyes widened, tears falling amid thunderous cheers. Her voice captivated all.
'Thank you… truly…'
Her tearful gratitude resonated, then—
'Darling… I love you…!!'
"…!?"
The crowd erupted. Shidou, hit hardest, sweated, heart pounding.
He couldn't look at Kurumi.
"Darling… huh?"
"!!"
Her icy tone accelerated his pulse to uncharted levels.
"No memory of swooning, someone said. Which playboy might that be?"
"It's… a misunderstanding…"
"Oh, it's fine. I'm not your lover. I'm very understanding of multiple women, darling."
"Haha…"
Trapped, Shidou could only laugh. His Kurumi folder wrestled with curiosity and fear of being devoured.
This was bad. Time to call his reliable sister.
'Pfft… Tough being popular, darling?'
Scratch that—she was an enemy.
"Oh, why so sweaty, Shi-dou-san?"
Her voice should've been joy, but it brought only cold sweat.
Could he win this war-date? For now, Shidou desperately sought words and actions to soothe the girl with her fierce smile.
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