November 7th, 11:57 PM.
Most people had already fallen into a deep sleep by this ti, but Itsuka Shido was currently in the computer world inside the Fraxinus, undergoing the training Yutsuki had arranged for him.
"Alright. That's enough for today."
"Hah—Hah—"
Hearing Yutsuki's words, Shido let out a long pant and slumped exhaustedly onto the concrete floor. Raphael, which he held in his hand, and Ratziel, fixed to his wrist, both turned into particles of light and dissipated into the air.
"How is it, Shido, can you still stand up?"
Yutsuki crouched next to Shido, speaking with a wicked smile on her face.
"No way... I'm exhausted in every sense of the word."
After feebly grumbling, Shido shifted his body, leaned his back against the railing of the street ruins, and wiped the dust and sweat from his face, looking very worn out.
Unlike his training the last ti he entered the computer world, this ti, Yutsuki brought Shido into the computer world not only to help him get familiar with the newly sealed Natsumi's abilities and Spirit power control but also added a new training subject—escape and protection.
From sudden attacks by DEM Wizards to spacequakes caused by Spirits manifesting, the AST mistaking Shido for a Spirit and attacking him, and even natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. Yutsuki had Marina and Maria simulate various possible ergency scenarios, requiring Shido to complete tasks of protecting Spirits or escaping himself in these crises.
Shido had to admit that he had underestimated this training at first.
It wasn't a problem that could be solved just by using an Angel to repel enemies. The scale of the disaster, the number of enemies, the environnt he was in, and the condition of the people around him—various conditions placed major restrictions on the selection and use of Angels. If he acted without thinking, he would instead fall into an even worse predicant.
For example, when using Camael to block Wizards, he accidentally caused a massive explosion because he didn't notice the adjacent room stored flammable materials. When using Sandalphon, his attack accidentally brought down surrounding buildings, and the debris happened to crush the fleeing Spirits. Various unexpected situations made Shido suffer imnsely during the training.
Just like earlier, he was ambushed by enemies while taking Yoshino to find the lost Yoshinon. In a sealed space, he was surrounded by a massive number of drones equipped with explosive formulas. If this happened in reality, it would be a super massive crisis where he absolutely couldn't laugh it off.
Although he successfully broke out with the simulated Yoshino and Yoshinon using Raphael and Zadkiel, he had to admit that this sense of crisis and tension, which was almost indistinguishable from reality, pushed Shido's mind to its limit.
"Hmph, hmph. Of course, if you thought you could get used to my training just because you experienced the basic training from before, you are too naive."
Saying that, a proud, wicked smile appeared on Yutsuki's face. She pulled Shido up from the ground and, looking at the training data from the past few days, said:
"Although there were a few failed scenarios, you eventually found a way to successfully escape. Your reaction ti and adaptability seem to have improved. How does it actually feel, Shido?"
"Terrible."
Itsuka Shido's face was full of bitterness.
The requirent for this training wasn't a matter of succeeding a certain number of tis. Failing even once ant a complete failure.
Honestly, even though he knew these crises were just hypotheses simulated by electronic data, even though he knew the Spirits he was protecting weren't the real ones, watching Tohka and the others fall into danger or even lose their lives because of his judgnt errors made Shido feel incredibly depressed and awful.
Shido couldn't imagine what would happen to him if these things actually happened in reality.
"Good answer. If you were feeling smug about this little bit of progress, I would've considered slapping you to wake you up."
Hearing Shido's attitude, Yutsuki nodded in satisfaction and tapped his forehead with her finger.
"Well, having said that, you don't need to stress over it too much. Ultimately, this is at most a simulation exercise. What's important is to learn the lessons, to understand what you did wrong and what you should have done."
"Mhm... that's true."
Shido nodded. After slightly adjusting his mood, he asked Yutsuki:
"By the way, Yutsuki, I heard you suddenly ran off to Kotori earlier saying you needed to check sothing? How did that turn out?"
Hearing Shido's question, Yutsuki showed a sowhat complicated expression. She scratched her long hair as if weighing her words, and only spoke after a mont.
"Well... never mind. I planned to find a ti to tell you anyway. Since you asked, I'll tell you."
"??"
Imdiately after, Yutsuki told Shido the information she had discovered using DEM's data: that four Spirits appeared during the fire five years ago.
Hearing this overly shocking news, Shido unconsciously opened his mouth wide, not knowing what to say for a mont.
It took a long ti for Shido to recover, and he asked Yutsuki with confusion:
"...So, Yutsuki, do you think Kurumi or that unregistered Spirit was the one who killed Origami's parents back then?"
"Well, I only found out who was there, not who killed them. To analyze it objectively, and you might not like hearing this, but I think all four Spirits, including Kotori-chan, are highly suspicious."
Yutsuki shrugged and answered calmly.
"If we're considering malicious murder, then Kurumi, who has a criminal record of killing people, is undoubtedly the biggest suspect. But in reality, I don't see any motive for Kurumi to murder them, nor did I find any concrete evidence. Considering the scale of the fire and the panic of the citizens at the ti, I actually think the possibility that Origami's parents died in an accident is the highest."
Shido asked sowhat surprised:
"Yutsuki, are you saying that the death of Origami's parents was a complete accident, and a Spirit killing her parents is just Origami's misunderstanding?"
Yutsuki shook her head.
"Probably not. Since Origami is so certain it's related to Spirits, even if they didn't kill them directly, they are definitely involved. If Origami's parents died from being caught in the crossfire of the Spirits' power, then the suspicion on all four is the sa. It's even possible that all four are the murderers."
In the end, it was a lack of intel. Yutsuki couldn't help but sigh helplessly in her heart.
The events from five years ago were really hard to investigate. The cri scene had long been renovated and rebuilt during the repeated spacequakes. Kotori's mory of that ti was also very blurry. Phantom always ca and went without a trace, and the unregistered Spirit had completely vanished after that fire. Trying to find the truth with such scarce clues was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"I originally wanted to wait until I investigated more thoroughly before telling you. Sorry, I couldn't prove Kotori-chan's innocence; instead, I made things even more confusing."
"That's not true at all. Although it's a sha we didn't find out the truth, I'm very happy you could tell this, Yutsuki."
Shido hurriedly waved his hand, expressing his gratitude to Yutsuki.
"Is that so? That's good. Then next, I have to ask you a rather serious question, Shido."
"What is it?"
Yutsuki's suddenly serious tone made Shido tense up unconsciously.
"Knowing all this, what do you plan to do? Do you plan to help Origami?"
"..."
Hearing Yutsuki's words, Shido was speechless for a long ti. Then he let out a breath, his face full of a bitter smile.
"Sa as always. Your questions always hit the nail on the head, Yutsuki."
"If you don't think clearly about this kind of question, you won't be the only one in a tough spot when the ti cos, Shido."
Yutsuki spread her hands and said flatly.
"The Origami of today is no longer just the devoted Amazon warrior who responds to your every request. She is also... the enemy of us Spirits."
"I know."
Gritting his teeth slightly, Itsuka Shido looked up at the sky and said slowly.
"Sorry... Yutsuki, about this matter. Let think about it for a while."
Yutsuki clearly didn't intend to force Shido further and nodded in understanding.
"I understand. Then let's end the training here for today. We still have to prepare breakfast and bento for everyone tomorrow. Well then, goodnight, Shido."
"Mhm, goodnight, Yutsuki."
__________________
"Phew... is it morning already."
Feeling the sunlight of the real world shining through the window onto his cheeks, Shido groggily opened his eyes.
"What should I do..."
Shielding his eyes with his hands, Shido muttered in confusion.
After returning last night, Shido didn't suffer from insomnia, but honestly, he didn't sleep very soundly either.
Just like Yutsuki said, even if he knew the truth from five years ago, what was the point? The fact that Origami's parents were killed by Spirits still wouldn't change. The reality that Origami joined DEM to take revenge on Spirits wouldn't change either.
Did he want to help Origami? The answer to this question was a definite yes, but that was just his own wishful thinking. In reality, Origami wasn't a Spirit. Looking at it from just that point, the Fraxinus had no obligation to help him.
Perhaps at his request, Kotori would indulge his selfishness and help him. But that also ant he would likely be indulging Origami, giving her a chance for revenge, putting Tohka and the others in danger.
Furthermore, he had no idea what Origami herself was actually thinking.
"Never mind... I shouldn't think about this for now. Alright—do your best, go prepare breakfast for everyone!"
After slapping his cheeks to cheer himself up, Shido energized himself, ready to get up and prepare breakfast for everyone.
Squish—
Suddenly, a sound effect accompanied by a soft, jelly-like sensation ca from the blanket, instantly freezing the highly motivated Shido in place.
Co to think of it, he had been slling a very nice floral scent from the bed since earlier...
"Mhm~~"
The blanket slowly rose, and soon, silk lingerie that stirred a young man's primal urges caught Shido's eyes. Unbeknownst to him, Natsumi in her adult form had co to Shido's bed. While groggily rubbing her sleepy eyes, she slowly stretched, showing off her perfect, sexy curves to Shido.
"Na-Na-Na-Na-Natsumi! Why are you here?!"
Shido scrambled off the bed in a panic, pointing at Natsumi and shouting.
"Mhm~ I originally planned to wake you up, you lazybones. But Tohka told sleeping with Shido is very comfortable, so I couldn't resist sneaking in to catch so more sleep."
Natsumi in her adult form was clearly very composed and bold. Her slender finger gently rested against her lips, her cheeks slightly flushed, showing an intriguing, sexy smile.
"I didn't expect Shido to be quite a—man—too."
Pfft—! In an instant, Itsuka Shido's face turned as red as a boiled lobster.
"Don't look!!!"
"What happened? It's been so noisy since earlier."
A worried voice ca from the doorway, and then Itsuka Kotori walked into the room. It seed she heard Shido and Natsumi's voices and ca to check on them out of concern.
Then, seeing the current situation in the room, Itsuka Kotori fell into a brief silence.
"What are you two doing first thing in the morningggggg!!!!!!!"
"I'm innocent, Kotori, listen to my explanation————Gya..."
On the other side, Yutsuki, who had just walked into the entryway of the Itsuka house with Yuzuru and Kaguya, heard a scream from a certain boy upstairs—a scream that sounded like the na of an antique mobile suit from Gundam—the mont she entered, resulting from his sister's wrathful strike.
...Looks like I'll be making breakfast today to avoid being late for school.
Ryougi Yutsuki sighed lightly. After taking out a hair tie and tying her hair back, she walked into the kitchen.
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