Chapter 65 of 83

Vol 11 Chapter 2

8 min read1,900 words

Chapter 7: PhantomPart 1

“Kurumi from five years ago......?”

Several minutes before he reached the building’s top. Shidou was really surprised when he heard Kurumi’s words.

[Yes. As I said earlier, there is only me in this world that can mess with time. Then... There is only one person that has <zafkiel>in that timeline. The me from five years ago.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“But the time I can be here is limited, right? I haven’t even searched for…”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[You don’t need to worry. Certainly, I must have been around there five years ago.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Around here…?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Shidou couldn’t believe he was this lucky. He raised his eyebrows while looking surprised.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“…It can’t be. Did Kurumi meet with me five years ago, too? You won’t say that, right?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[No. If I remember correctly, there wasn’t anything like that. Even though I was around there, it was only to observe the great fire that suddenly occurred.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[I thought that this disaster might have been caused by a Spirit.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Hearing her word, Shidou started to sweat. …If he hadn’t sealed Kotori’s powers back then and they were discovered by Kurumi, they might have been her food.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Kurumi sensed something from Shidou’s silence and slightly laughed.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Please. Even I am not that low.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Ri-right…”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Shidou vaguely answered her and coughed to pull himself together. At the same time, Kurumi continued talking.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[I was around there five years ago. But I haven’t met with Shidou-san… I can guarantee that. However- No, that’s why this action has a meaning.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Please think about it. If Shidou-san, who hasn’t met with me, meets me, then… With only this, wouldn’t be the history slightly changed?]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Certainly, it might change…”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Anyway, please hurry. As I have told before, we don’t have any spare time.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Yeah… Understood.”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>After saying that, he clenched his fist.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Kurumi, think about it. Where should I go?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Shidou readied himself and asked Kurumi that.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>And… we return now.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Shidou stared at the figure of the girl at the top of the building, while he was trying to calm his heart that was beating like an alarm bell by taking deep breaths.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>The Kurumi standing there was slightly different from his memories.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>No… In more correct way, the only thing that didn’t change was her age. Her dress was somewhat different. She wore a monotone blouse and a skirt that had laces and frills. Her hair wasn’t tied up but in its place she had Alice band decorated with a rose. Her most characteristic part was her face. As if to hide the clock pattern, she wore an eye patch on her left eye.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>When he saw that dress, Shidou slightly knitted his eyebrows. Then, he asked in a low voice so that only the Kurumi in his head would hear it.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“…Kurumi? Why are you wearing an eye patch?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Please don’t worry about it.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Was it hurt or something?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Please don’t worry about it.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Please. Don’t. Worry. About. It.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>She said it with such a strong tone, he decided to keep quiet.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>At the same time, the five year ago’s Kurumi in front of him responded.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Araaraara”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>She said that jokingly while tilting her head to the side in a cute way.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“What are you whispering? What business do you have at this place?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Kurumi said so in a relax tone. Though, she didn’t look she was relax at all.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>She had a smile on her face, but her eye was observing his moves and behavior in a peaceful but accurate way.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>But, Shidou didn’t have time. He readied himself and opened his mouth.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Kurumi! I ask a favor from you!”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>When he called her name, Kurumi bended her eyebrows curiously.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>She said so while lifting her right arm. When she did that, an ancient pistol flew to her hand from the shadow under her feet.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Then she pointed its muzzle towards him with a smooth move. Shidou shook his hand in a panicked state.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Wa-wait a moment! I mean no harm…”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>The moment he said that, a bullet landed on the floor right under him.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Don’t move without my permission please. I have some questions. If you don’t answer honestly, I can’t guarantee your safety.”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>It seems if he doesn’t answer them, his heart will be stopped. He opened his mouth while raising his hand.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“I, I am Itsuka Shidou. I came from the world of five years later! Kurumi… You have lent your power to me!”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>As Shidou said that, Kurumi’s face changed.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“If you are joking, you will end up dead.”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“I wouldn’t be standing in front of you if it was a joke! Please, listen to me!”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Kurumi narrowed her eyes as if she was measuring the truth in his words. Then, Kurumi’s voice that sounded like she was amazed by the situation echoed in his head.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Araara… The old me is quite cautious, right? …I don’t want to spend any more time. Shidou-san, please touch the me in front of you somehow.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Touch… Don’t say absurd things.”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Did you say something?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>The Kurumi, that is pointing the muzzle towards Shidou, made a puzzled face. Of course, that is natural. When looked from her point of view, he looks like he is murmuring to himself.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Shidou, prepared for another shot, held out his hand towards her.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Please. It is okay if the gun stays like this. Can you hold my hand?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“I am not a naïve young girl that would do something like that when asked by a stranger, OK?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“[Kurumi] says she wants to talk to you.”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>When Shidou said that, Kurumi raised her eyebrows in surprise. Shidou sharing his senses with a Kurumi from another era was Kurumi’s ability in the first place. So this Kurumi, too, should understand it.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Kurumi cautiously took a step while staring at Shidou and touched his hand.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>And like a weak current flowed thorugh, her body shivered a little.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Long time no see… I wonder if it is okay to say that, right. Me.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“…I understand. This is definitely my voice… right? –Just what happened in the world of five years ago?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Somehow five year ago’s Kurumi, too, can hear Kurumi’s voice that echoes in Shidou’s head. Indeed, this way would be more effective than any kind of persuasion.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Kurumi from the original world, briefly explained the situation. That we failed to change the history. And that, in order to try once again, we needed this era’s Kurumi’s power.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“… We need to use [The Twelfth Bullet/Yud Bet] like that, is that what you are saying, me?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>[Yes. That’s right. I wish for it, me.]</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Five year ago’s Kurumi felt silent for a moment… Then she sighed.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“! Re, really?”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Yes. However, the needed power will be collected from you.”</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>Kurumi stopped touching Shidou and moved behind him. Then, at the same time she made a sound with her heel, she raised her left arm high.</zafkiel>

<zafkiel>“Now, now, come forth <zafkiel>. It’s your turn.”</zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel>As if answering her call, a giant clock’s figure appeared from the shadows. Angel <zafkiel>. The thing that send Shidou to this era, the angel that can manipulate time.</zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel>At the same time, as he thought the shadows under Kurumi’s feet looked like they were spreading, they started to coil around his feet.</zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel>The next moment, a fierce fatigue attacked him.</zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel>He remembered this feeling. Right before he was being sent from his original timeline to this one, he had felt like this when he was caught by Kurumi.</zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud>Kurumi lifted the gun in his hand above. Then, a thick shadow came out from <zafkiel>’s [XII] letter and entered in the muzzle.</zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel>“Now. We are starting.”</zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel>Kurumi slowly turned the muzzle. He knew <yud>wouldn’t hurt but still his body became stiff in a reflex.</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>Even though she saw his state, she still grinned.</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>“You said you were… Shidou-san, right? I wish you a good luck.”</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>“…Th, thank you. Also, Kurumi.”</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>“I think that eye patch fits you.”</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>When he said that, the Kurumi in his head sighed and the Kurumi in front of him relaxed her cheeks.</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>“… Your praise honors me. Let’s meet again, five years ago.”</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>Kurumi last said that and controlled the gun that was trembling due to the fierce magical power and pulled the trigger.</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>A jet black line flew out towards his chest from the muzzle.</yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud>The moment <yud>hit Shidou, he felt as if his body moved along with the bullet.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>As if he was caught in the momentum of the bullet and his view went black.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[…dou-san, Shidou-san.]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>When he heard the voice in his head, he opened his eyes. He immediately understood that he had collapsed face-first.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>He was at the same roof of the same building. Well, it might be misleading to say the same. The figure of five year ago’s Kurumi wasn’t here and the Nankou district which can be seen from here hadn’t been surrounded by fire yet.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>“It was a success?”</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[It seems so.]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>Kurumi responded to Shidou’s words.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>Right.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>He couldn’t understand the specific time but he had come back in time.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>To a world before the fire had started.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>To a world before Kotori had become a spirit.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>And, to a world before Origami had killed her parents.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[There is no time to be lost in thoughts, Shidou-san.]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>After being told that, Shidou stood up and took a look at the view of the Nankou district that spread out under his eyes. He clenched his fist and whispered as if he was talking to Kurumi. “…Let’s go ‘n change the world.”</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>Kurumi was silent for a second, then affirmed by saying “yes.” After hearing her affirmation, Shidou started to go down the building by the emergency stairs.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>“Now, we have successfully returned to time before the fire occurred but… What should we do now?”</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[We arrived to a good position with great troubles but it has suddenly become a mess, huh?]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>Kurumi answered him with a teasing voice as if she was surprised.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>“Guh… Th, there is nothing I can do! I mean, why have you been cold for a while?”</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[There is no such thing.]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>Kurumi said so in a pouting manner. Shidou wondered if he had said something rude.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>“Kurumi, is it about the eye-patch?”</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[Anyway.]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>Kurumi raised her voice to stop Shidou’s talk.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[It was only an impolite act of rebellion and only that. The difference between the me now and the me you just saw is, that I know what is going happen afterwards. Let’s organize the situation based on that.]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[First, what do we really need to do?]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>Kurumi asked in the manner of a teacher. Shidou started to think of an answer while running down the stairs.</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>“That is… To prevent Origami from killing her parents.”</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[Yes, that’s right. Then, what can you do in order to accomplish that?]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>“Something like… Stopping Origami somehow.”</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>[Certainly that is the easiest thing to do but, I don’t think that is quite realistic.]</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>“Guh… Th, that’s right…”</yud></yud></zafkiel></yud></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel></zafkiel>

<zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><zafkiel><yud><zafkiel><yud><yud>Origami, who had believed that