School hours quickly passed, and it was time for lunch break. Because Tokisaki Kurumi had also transferred, the number of people who usually ate together increased from four to five. They were worried about what might be discussed in their conversations, especially since Tobiichi Origami, an AST member, and Itsuka Shido, half a Ratatoskr member, were also in the class.
Therefore, after they pushed their desks together, Yoshino set up a magic circle to conceal their voices and presence. This way, to others, it would seem like they were just having a normal conversation, and the magic circle was undetectable by ordinary people, allowing them to relax.
"It's good to see you again, Sister Kurumi. After we parted last time, I've been waiting for you to visit my home, but you never came. If Sister Niya hadn't told me you were fine, I would have thought you were captured by DEM!" Yoshino looked at Tokisaki Kurumi with a hint of complaint. She had been eagerly anticipating her visit. Last time, when Tokisaki Kurumi left after playing with Honjou Nia, Yoshino, knowing Tokisaki Kurumi's preferences, came before her wearing a cat-themed pajama.
At that time, Tokisaki Kurumi was about to leave, but she froze when she saw Yoshino appear in a black cat pajama. Especially when Yoshino put her hands to the sides of her head to form paws and gave a cute 'meow.' Seeing Yoshino deliberately acting cute, Tokisaki Kurumi immediately used her spirit power to instantly appear in front of Yoshino, hugging her tightly and rubbing against her, with pink hearts constantly appearing around her. Tokisaki Kurumi was truly charmed by Yoshino.
It was then that Tokisaki Kurumi promised Yoshino that she would definitely visit her home when she had time. However, even after the Itsuka Miku and Natsumi incidents, Tokisaki Kurumi was nowhere to be seen. This made Yoshino both angry and worried. Angry because Tokisaki Kurumi broke her promise, and worried that Tokisaki Kurumi might have been captured by DEM.
"Oh my, I'm truly sorry, Yoshino. I've been a bit too busy lately, so I haven't been able to visit you. I'm really very sorry." Looking at Yoshino's complaining expression, Tokisaki Kurumi apologized with a slightly guilty conscience. In truth, she frequently visited Yoshino's home, although it was always when she was asleep. But she did come, didn't she? That doesn't count as breaking a promise, does it?
"Let's not talk about that for now, Kurumi. What's the reason for your sudden transfer?" Toujou Nozomi asked. She had been curious about it since the morning. If Tokisaki Kurumi had already said her goal wasn't Itsuka Shido, then what was her purpose in transferring?
"Well, it's a bit of an idea, actually. After all, this matter is somewhat related to Mr. Shido." Turning to look at Itsuka Shido, who was surrounded by Yatogami Tohka and Tobiichi Origami, Tokisaki Kurumi said, "After rescuing Honjou Nia last time, I asked her to tell me about the First Spirit. After all, this has always been my goal, as Honjou Nia is the only one who knows about the First Spirit's existence."
"However, Honjou Nia told me that even if I used 'The Twelfth Bullet' to go back in time, I wouldn't be able to defeat the First Spirit. At first, I didn't believe her, but she saw all of this using Ratziel. So, I gave up on that idea." As she said this, Tokisaki Kurumi's wine-red pupils dimmed slightly. Her long-standing goal was unattainable, and even Tokisaki Kurumi felt very disheartened.
"Sister Kurumi." Yoshino saw Tokisaki Kurumi's dimmed expression, came to her side, and held her hand, wanting to comfort her. But she truly couldn't think of anything to say regarding Tokisaki Kurumi's actions. She could only try to convey her concern through her eyes.
"It's alright, Yoshino. After realizing I couldn't defeat the First Spirit, I shifted my target to the three people who caused the First Spirit to appear: Isaac Westcott, Ellen Mathers, and Elliot Baldwin Woodman. If these three culprits disappear, then Spirits won't appear." And the massive Spatial Quake thirty years ago, which killed 150 million people, wouldn't have happened. Tokisaki Kurumi added this silently in her heart. This was her biggest goal, and the greatest motivation that had always supported her.
"Hmm~ I've heard of the first two, the DEM members and the strongest Magician. But who is that last person? I've never even heard of him." Toujou Nozomi looked at Tokisaki Kurumi with a puzzled expression. This person hadn't even appeared in the memories alaya had given her. Does such a person truly exist?
"That's why I need to get close to Mr. Shido. Because that person is the founder of Ratatoskr, the organization his sister, Itsuka Kotori, belongs to. I need to get a good understanding of this organization." This was her most important reason for coming to school. Her goal was to understand the situation through Itsuka Shido.
"I see. But why do you want to kill the First Spirit so much? You should know that if you kill the First Spirit, this action will cause a series of problems. And because of the restorative nature of history, even if you eliminate the three people who caused the First Spirit to appear, it might only delay the First Spirit's appearance, or have someone else awaken the First Spirit. The result of doing this might make things even worse."
Unable to bear Tokisaki Kurumi's naive thoughts, Shiina spoke up. Having frequently communicated with alaya and gaia, it could confidently say that no one understood the world better than it. Therefore, Tokisaki Kurumi's wish, in its view, was just empty talk.
"...But even so, I still want to try." Clenching her fists, Tokisaki Kurumi said with a firm tone. This was her long-standing goal and her motivation for living. Without it, she didn't know how she would continue to live. She might turn into a walking corpse and then be captured by DEM and taken back for research.
"Then if you prevent the birth of the First Spirit, what will happen to you, Tokisaki Kurumi? You should know that all of you Spirits were born because of the First Spirit. If the First Spirit disappears, then you, as Spirits, will also disappear. Yoshino and Tokisaki Kurumi will no longer recognize each other. You should know that all Spirits were originally human. It's just that their human memories were sealed after they became Spirits. Honjou Nia told me all of this using Ratziel."
Although the information was still incomplete and couldn't confirm the First Spirit's identity one hundred percent, Shiina could already guess her identity with about ninety percent certainty.
"Now tell me, can you truly abandon this bond with Yoshino, Tokisaki Kurumi? Even without the so-called historical restorative nature, are you truly willing to become strangers with Yoshino, with no possibility of ever meeting again?" Shiina asked. It felt Tokisaki Kurumi's internal struggle. It seemed she hadn't given up on her idea yet.
"...Give me some time to think about it," Tokisaki Kurumi said with a bitter smile, shaking her head. To be honest, she truly couldn't bear to part with Yoshino, but she also didn't want to abandon her goal. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, she wanted to seriously consider her problem.
"Anyway, this isn't something that can be fixed in a day or two. Give her time to think it over." It seemed impossible to change her mind all at once. It's better to wait; time will solve all problems.
"Alright, now that this problem is solved, there's another issue concerning Yoshino." Tokisaki Kurumi, wanting to change the subject, turned to look at Yoshino beside her.
"Me?" Yoshino pointed to herself with a puzzled expression. What did it have to do with her?
"Hmm, this matter is about a few days ago..."
"Wait, Kurumi. Itsuka Shido is coming over now." Toujou Nozomi interrupted Tokisaki Kurumi, gesturing towards Itsuka Shido, who was walking towards them. Yoshino also saw Itsuka Shido approaching, so she quietly removed the magic circle, and the group resumed their scene of enjoying their bento boxes.
Itsuka Shido, who had finally escaped Yatogami Tohka and Tobiichi Origami, arrived at the class's 'forbidden zone'—or rather, this forbidden zone was set up by him alone. The Three-Clothes Trio had warned him not to approach this area, or they'd make him regret it! But now, even knowing he shouldn't enter, Itsuka Shido had intruded.
Looking at the several beautiful girls with distinct personalities in front of him, Itsuka Shido felt a lot of pressure. Except for Yoshino, who made him feel safe, the other girls were not to be trifled with. Just now, Toujou Nozomi had held a knife, threatening to send him to heaven. If he could, he wouldn't want to approach here either!
"Um, hello there. Tokisaki-san, my name is Itsuka Shido." Scratching his head, Itsuka Shido, unsure how to speak, introduced himself first. However, his voice attracted the attention of all his classmates, their gazes stinging him so much that Itsuka Shido felt an urge to run away. But this was his sister's command, and he had no choice but to complete it!
"Oh, Itsuka-kun. It's lunchtime now. Why aren't you getting lunch? What brings you to us?" Toujou Nozomi asked with a faint smile. Itsuka Shido coming here now would mean being relentlessly hunted after school, which made her a little curious. What could possibly make Itsuka Shido come here, knowing his fate?
"I'm truly sorry to interrupt your meal, Toujou-san. I just wanted to ask Tokisaki-san, since you're new to the school, you must not know much about it, right? Would you like me to give you a tour of Raizen High School?" Itsuka Shido invited with a warm smile.
Hearing Itsuka Shido's words, Toujou Nozomi and the others widened their eyes, looking at him in surprise.
'Is this guy seeking death?' Toujou Nozomi thought, 'He's truly a brave one.'
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