Vol 7 Chapter 1

Chapter 6: Nightmare, ReappearPart 1

"You seem to be in some sort of trouble – ne, Shidou-san, would you like, to negotiate with me?" From within a dark room in the abandoned building.

The girl who had appeared from the dark shadows, said so while smiling in an odd manner.

"What…?"

The sight in front of him, caused Shidou to be shocked and surprised, to the point where he could not even scream, where he could only watch. It was a girl, so beautiful, that it caused people to shudder in fear.

Then again, to use such a phrase, 'shuddering in fear" …… which did not describe beauty at all, to describe the girl in front of him, the reason for that can be understood by the words that she said. What was on her smiling face was not a face of kindness or joy, but rather, a face of a predator, one that caused people to have goose bumps as a result of nervousness.

Black, uneven hair on both sides, shaking while accompanied by a giggle, with a blood red dress wrapping her frail body. However, what truly made this girl unique was her eyes. On her face was a pair of differently-coloured eyes. If one looked closely, they could see her left eye showing a clock, with the fingers ticking away in a regular manner.

"Tokisaki… Kurumi…!?"

Shidou only managed to squeeze the name of the girl from his throat. Kurumi. Shidou's former classmate – the worst Spirit who murdered on her own volition.

As Kurumi listened to Shidou, her eyebrows twitched slightly as she relaxed her shoulders.

"Ara, did I mistake things. –I saw a Spirit abducting Yoshino-san and the Yamai sisters, Tohka-san captured by DEM Industries… and your helpless expression."

"Wha—"

Shidou began to tense up.

—It was exactly as Kurumi said.

A few hours ago, Shidou had been in the Tengu Square where the Tenou Festival is held, against the Spirit that controls music and sound – Miku Izayoi.

However, Yoshino, Kaguya, Yuzuru and the audience were all controlled by Miku, as a result of her Angel "Gabriel

In addition, Kotori, who had heard the "music" through the speaker, had also became an enemy… coupled with the sudden appearance of Ellen, a Wizard of DEM Industries, who had abducted Tohka.

Shidou, who had barely escaped with his life, had managed to successfully hide in an abandoned building away from the streets, but he could do nothing other than hit the floor weakly with his fists.

Indeed, she was correct. No, it was because of this, that he couldn't understand what she meant.

"…Why do you know all of these?"

"Ufufu, please don't ask such boring questions. As long as it concerns Shidou-san, doesn't it mean that I have a right to know?"

As she said, Kurumi revealed a cute smile. For some reason, the shadow at Kurumi's feet moved at the same time, as if one could almost hear a giggle from the other side of the shadow.

"…"

Shidou gulped down his saliva as he recounted the events of several months ago. Indeed, Kurumi possessed many "eyes" and "ears". Having a few "Kurumis" in the crowd isn't surprising.

As for Kurumi, she knew that right now, there is nothing else that can protect Shidou. There is nobody to save Shidou: anybody who would prevent Kurumi from eating him are all absent.

"Ku…"

Shidou curled up his body, withdrawing a leg in the process. As if seeming very happy at the sight of a helpless Shidou, Kurumi twisted her lips.

"Fufu, please calm down. –At least, right now, I don't have any plans for Shidou-san"

"What…?"

Shidou frowned at Kurumi's words.

"What do you mean? Didn't you intend to "eat" me?"

"Mm, I don't disagree –But, as I have mentioned earlier. Right now, I wish to negotiate with Shidou-san."

"Do you really want me to believe what you say?"

"Do I have a reason to lie now?"

"Uu…"

Shidou was silenced by her words.

Indeed, as long as Kurumi wished, killing or eating Shidou would not be a problem for her. There was no reason for her, who had the say of whether he lived, to lie right now. However, when it came to the girl in front of him, it was one who had plans to watch an expression of peace turn into horror: there was also a possibility that Kurumi had orchestrated all of this.

As Shidou thought hopelessly while keeping up his guard, he looked back at her and asked:

"What was it that you wanted to negotiate with me?"

"Mm— it's about what happens after."

"After?"

As Kurumi listened to Shidou's shocked words, she rhythmically stepped on the floor as she approached Shidou.

Then, as she stood close to Shidou, she placed her lips next to his ear and whispered:

"Ne, Shidou-san. Weren't you going to help Tohka-san?"

"What…?"

As Shidou listened to Kurumi, he couldn't help but let out a shocked voice.

"What do… you mean"

"Exactly as it says. Shidou-san, don't you want to rescue Tohka-san from DEM Industries?"

"Is, isn't that obvious…! Isn't the enemy an organization that kills Spirits? How could I leave Tohka in the clutches of those people!"

"Ehehe, well said, well said. Now this is our Shidou-san."

Kurumi laughed much more happily. However, Shidou frowned, due to an unknown uneasiness

"But, why… do you want to know about these things?"

"Ehehe, hehe…"

As Kurumi maintained the strange smile on her face, she reached out her tongue to lick Shidou's ear.

"…nngh"

"So you want to save Tohka-san… but no matter how much you want to save her, it's impossible with just Shidou-san, isn't it? After all, you don't even know where Tohka has been taken to. And even if you do find the location, you have to prepare against DEM, who are focused on capturing the Spirits.

Besides, you do know the Wizard who captured Tohka-san, didn't you? She's a troublesome woman. An opponent that is unmatched for humanity"

"Tsk! You don't have to tell me! But, because of that, I-"

"Eh, eh. As expected of Shidou-san to say something like this. However, this is an act for a brave fool. You won't be able to accomplish anything with just your emotions alone. If Shidou-san is to go alone, he'll definitely either be killed or captured."

"Ku… what exactly are you trying to say"

"Ufufu… do you not understand? I've already said it— I'm helping you."

"Wha…!?"

Shidou widened his eyes upon listening to the unbelievable words coming out from Kurumi.

"Help…? Kurumi? Me?"

"Mm. I'm going to help you save Tohka-san."

As Kurumi said so, she smiled again.

Unable to understand Kurumi's motives, Shidou held his forehead with his hands in order to calm his confused mental state.

Kurumi is a Spirit— hence, possessing an Angel of incomparable strength. Indeed, if her assistance is obtained, then there is some hope in this nearly impossible goal of saving Tohka.

Even if he understood this, Shidou didn't raise his hands and celebrate in delight.

"…what are your intentions?"

"My intentions… I simply wanted, to help out Shidou-san."

Considering Shidou will never believe her, Kurumi decided not to mince her words.

"You…"

"Ara ara ara"

Listening to the words of Shidou with his eyes half-open, Kurumi intentionally placed her hands at her eyes, acting as though she was crying.

"This is sad. After all, I'm just doing this in the interests of Shidou-san"

"…"

"Distrust. Hm, this can't be helped either."

As Shidou continued to stare at Kurumi with suspicious eyes, he shrugged his shoulders, as though he was getting tired of her actions.

"Truthfully speaking, I have my own reasons in searching for DEM Industries. As a reward for helping, I would also like to use Shidou-san as bait. It's give and take."

"Reasons…?"

"Mm. I wish to find someone."

"Someone? Who could that be?"

"It's a secret."

Kurumi placed a finger on her lips and blinked at Shidou. In return, Shidou casted eyes of suspicion upon her.

"Please relax. I am not lying – of course, I won't force you to believe what I say."

"Uu…"

Listening up to now, Shidou unhappily closed his mouth.

Truthfully speaking, it was still impossible to fully trust Kurumi.

However, her existence was indeed Shidou's remaining final chance.

It was a question as to whether the medicine within the bottle was a deadly poison or an antidote. If a decision wasn't reached – if nothing was done, one would collapse from the illness.

Hence… despite the risk, Shidou had no choice but to accept.

Even if it were poison, in order to save Tohka, he'd accept it.

"…I understand. I trust you. Please, assist me, Kurumi…!"

Shidou said so as he clenched his fists. Kurumi elegantly lifted the hems of her dress and curtsied.

"Mm – it'd be my pleasure."

Kurumi did a whimsical action, which resembled that of a rich spoilt girl bowing, as she giggled.

Afterwards, as though to let her dress flutter, she spun and rhythmically stepped towards Shidou.

"Then, then, let's take action. We don't have spare time to waste. Let's hurry, so we can settle this, before it's too late."

"Yes, what can I do? I've to sacrifice in order to save Tohka."

As she listened to Shidou's words, Kurumi laughed even more wildly.

"Aha, aha, amazing, Tohka-san. She's able to capture Shidou-san's attention so whole-heartedly. Ufufu, it makes people jealous."

"Don't joke with me."

"It's not a joke – though unfortunately, it's still not yet possible. Right now, ‘we' are confirming Tohka-san's location. Can you wait a little while longer?"

"You sure prepared for this."

"Ufufu. Because, there's no way Shidou-san would reject my request."

"Ku…"

Shidou revealed a face of unhappiness at that point, as though he had been played with. Seeing that, Kurumi became even more cheerful.

"Bu, but, we don't have anything to do in this case, don't we?"

"Not so. Before rescuing Tohka, we still have to address another issue, don't we?"

Kurumi said so, as though she intended to interrupt Shidou's words.

Immediately, Shidou realized what Kurumi was driving at. He sighed deeply, and said that name.

"Miku… is it?"

"Mm. That lady who specializes in singing, indeed goes by that name."

That's correct. Right now, the reason that Shidou was hidden in this abandoned building away from the streets. It was due to the Spirit: Miku Izayoi.

Miku used her music and voice to control people, using her terrifying advantage to increase her range of control, going all-out to search for Shidou. That was most likely – to punish Shidou, who had betrayed her trust.

Seeing Shidou recount so intently, Kurumi giggled, as though she thought of something.

"…what is it?"

"Ah, it's just, I was thinking about what happened today on the stage. Ufufu, how suitable, Shidou-san. Or should I say, Shiori-san?"

"…ugu"

Shidou frowned and moved his line of sight away.

In order to conquer the men-hating Miku, cross-dressing under desperation, all of it, had been observed by Kurumi.

"Even so, regardless, Miku is desperately trying to capture Shidou-san. And thousands of people as well as three Spirits have joined her… is that correct?"

"…yes, that's correct."

"Mm, in that case let's try to solve the issue from there. She's currently increasing her range of support and if she is to continue, it may get in the way of us rescuing Tohka. If Shidou-san were to be captured by her, it'd be worrying for me too."

"Solving… that's easy to say"

"In reality, it isn't really that difficult of a question. If we were to look at it, she isn't one suitable for prolonged battle."

"Even so, Miku has an Angel which can control people with ‘sound'."

"That's not an issue. I'm not that naïve to the point of being swayed by such a performance. If I had full say in the matter, I'd be capable of killing her elegantly, wouldn't I?"

As if jokingly saying, Kurumi stretched out her index finger and thumb, and did a "PA!" action similar to shooting a gun. Shidou quickly shook his head.

"No, we can't do that."

"Ufufu, I was joking. I understand the kind Shidou-san wouldn't want to resort to such means to settle matters. –Because Shidou-san is one who is crazy enough to want to save a person like me."

As she said so, Kurumi laughed again. But for some reason, this laughter felt slightly different from the cheerful laughter earlier.

Before Shidou pointed this out, she continued.

"But, if we can't kill her, there are some slight problems. Even if we aren't able to convince her in the shortest time, at the very least we will need to make an agreement with her, that while we're saving Tohka-san she is not to disrupt us in any way."

"An… agreement?"

Shidou muttered in a low voice. Indeed, they couldn't let the victim pool increase further, they had to do something about that. "But, how are we going to negotiate with her?"

Indeed, the major problem was the large crowd of people. There was a human wall of unknown thickness protecting Miku. Even approaching her would be difficult.

Realising what Shidou was thinking of, Kurumi used her hand to lift Shidou's chin.

"If we could let Miku-san and Shidou-san have some time to themselves… how does that sound?"

"What? If, we could pull that off…"

Shidou stopped immediately, and shook his head.

"No, it'd be too difficult. And you saw it for yourself, she's not a good target for negotiation, especially when I'm extremely hated by her now… and more importantly, that Spirit, who possesses the natural ability to manipulate people with her ‘voice', she has innately different values of humanity from others."

Listening to Shidou's words, Kurumi twitched her eyebrows.

"What is it, Kurumi?"

"…that, how is that so"

"What…?"

His chin currently being held, Shidou was having difficulty understanding Kurumi's words. As such, Kurumi partially opened her eyes, and replied.

"I can't exactly express it well, but regarding her values, is it really natural?"

"What do you mean?"

"How do I put it, that lady, she gives off a strange feeling…"

Then, Kurumi began to hum quietly. After a few seconds, she lifted her head, as though she thought of something.

"Shidou-san. Do you have any of Miku-san's possessions?"

"Miku's… possessions? Why are we talking about that?"

"If my hypothesis is accurate, we may indeed be able to find her weak point."

"What did you say…?"

Shidou raised his eyebrows as he spoke.

It didn't seem like a lie. Although he didn't know of what to do, the idea seemed like a plausible one. Although it wasn't substantiated, without any other alternative means, they would have to make do with this as their clue.

Even if so, the enemy is a Spirit. Such items shouldn't be easily obtained—

"…no, wait."

Shidou's cheek twitched as he touched his chin.

Part 2

"Nn… uu…"

Accompanied by small moaning sounds, Tohka opened her eyes, and yawned.

"Uwaaah…"

It was a usual action, like always. When Tohka slept, she would unconsciously think of what she was going to do next. Firstly, she needed to wake up. Next, wash her face. Followed by eating her breakfast, dressing up… yes, and go to school with Shidou.

Today's lunch would also be Shidou's specialty lunches. What would be inside the lunch? It made her excited just by thinking about it.

"Umu… Nnnmu…"

While still in a state of semi-consciousness, when she was about to get up from her bed.

That was when Tohka realized she couldn't move her body as she wished.

"Muu…?"

Trying to rub her wet eyes in order to confirm her surroundings, she realized that her hands were likewise immobilized.

Feeling strange, she lowered her head, and realized that she was sitting on a metallic chair – her limbs were handcuffed by strong handcuff-like objects. There were also small bits on her hands, and electrode-like objects on her head and legs.

"What is… this…?"

Looking closely, she noticed she wasn't wearing her nightgown. Unknown to her when she had changed her clothes, she was instead wearing the school uniform of Raizen High School.

Tohka turned her neck and looked at her surroundings.

This wasn't Tohka's room, and neither was it Shidou's home, but rather, a completely unknown location. It was as big as a high school classroom. However, there were only empty floors and walls. And, as far as she can see, there were no visible windows or doors.

It was an odd room. To make a comparison… it was similar to what was shown on television earlier, a prison used to hold repeat offenders.

"This… where is this…?"

Repeatedly blinking her eyes to awaken herself, to continuously remember what happened.

After a while, Tohka finally remembered what happened before she lost consciousness.

"That's right, I was on the stage of the Tenou Festival…!"

Yes. While fighting with the Spirit Miku, who had summoned her Angel, as well as the controlled Yoshino and the Yamai sisters, a Wizard clad in white armor appeared – while she managed to let Shidou escape, Tohka was defeated by her and lost consciousness.

"So that means, this is…"

A sudden noise interrupted her while she was in the middle of her sentence, and Tohka raised her head immediately.

A rectangular crack had grown in the wall which had been completely empty a moment ago, moving horizontally like a door. Rays of light shot into the dark room, allowing for the scenery outside to be seen.

Following that, a person walked into the room through that door.

Light gold-coloured long hair that was combed upwards, as well as white skin. Contrasting that was the black suit that she wore. Ellen Mathers. The Wizard who fought with Tohka at that time.

"You-!"

The moment she recognized that face, Tohka tucked in her body, preparing to charge at Ellen. However, the metallic cuffs restraining her limbs were too strong, and did not budge.

"Please calm down, Tohka-san. You cannot break those cuffs with your current power."

Ellen said that as though she was consoling Tohka. But her collected attitude of doing things, only served to provoke Tohka further.

"What kind of joke is this! You, what do you want! Release me!"

"After releasing you, what do you plan to do?"

"Isn't it obvious! I'm going to help Shidou!"

Tohka screamed loudly. Indeed. For a long while, Shidou was being chased by Miku's army of people.

But Ellen sighed slightly when she heard Tohka's words.

"Shidou… you mean, Itsuka Shidou? Please relax. We are currently looking into his whereabouts. He will be brought here within a few days"

"Wha…!"

"Also, the troops to attack the Tenguu square are in place. We will launch our attack at daybreak, and capture