At first, Yoshino wanted to use a magic circle to directly teleport to the place where Tobiichi Origami buried her parents, but when she used magic, the scene of the world's consciousness tearing apart the space before appeared in her mind, causing Yoshino's movements to stop.
If it was just her alone, she wouldn't worry, but there were other people with her. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance that they would be injured, she didn't want to try it. She didn't want them to get hurt.
Although she knew from the conversation with Gaia Loli's consciousness that the world's consciousness had stopped attacking her, the world's consciousness suddenly acted when she planned to practice magic after returning from the A Certain Scientific world.
If she didn't pay attention to the surrounding movements, she might be teleported to another world in the next moment.
Thinking of this, a picture suddenly appeared in Yoshino's mind.
She is a child who likes to play pranks, and then because a certain prank was too much. The parents... that is, the world's consciousness, got angry! She was kicked out of the house and told to come back when she had reflected on it.
Thinking of this, Yoshino couldn't help but blink her eyes with some doubts. Is she a child who likes to play pranks?
"It's okay, Yoshino. It's okay to walk for safety. Today is a day off, and we have a lot of time to go to that place. Don't worry about burdening us." Toujou Nozomi looked at Yoshino's timid appearance. The appearance of a child who had made a mistake and was waiting for an adult to punish her was funny. She had clearly done a good thing, but she had only made herself and others walk a little more, as if she had done something wrong. Is this kind of thing as serious as deceiving the world without permission?
"Yes, yes. Yoshino, you were already very tired after doing that kind of thing just now. Now we are just walking a little more. It's nothing, and according to what you just said, I calculated that we can reach there in a few hours by taking the train, so don't worry too much." Minami Kotori touched Yoshino's head and said. She was a little puzzled. She felt that something had changed in Yoshino, as if she had changed back to the timid look she had when they first met, that gentle, docile, and shy appearance.
But under her caress, Yoshino showed a comfortable expression and then relaxed. Well! It's still the original recipe, it's still the original Yoshino.
"That's right, we're not those impatient boys. It's nice to walk around the streets; it's our first time strolling with so many people, it'll be very interesting." Tokisaki Kurumi then stepped forward and said to Yoshino. She had almost recovered her spiritual power and no longer looked as tired as before. Dressed in casual clothes again, she returned to her young lady demeanor.
"Mm! Tobiichi-san, is it okay? To walk with us to that place? Although it's in the outskirts of Tengu City, we can still get there by tram in a few hours. Can you wait for these few hours?"
Feeling everyone's understanding, Yoshino's face broke into a bright smile. Then, remembering the person in charge of this matter, she cautiously approached Tobiichi Origami's parents.
"...Mm! I understand. Anyway, I've waited five years, and since I've endured five years, I don't mind a few more hours. As long as in the end... you let me see my mom and dad." Tobiichi Origami looked at Yoshino with complex eyes, wanting to say something to her. But upon seeing so many people, she swallowed her words.
"Mm, thank you." After thanking Tobiichi Origami, Yoshino led everyone on their way.
Half an hour later, a group of beautiful girls appeared on the tram. Since it was a holiday, there weren't many people on the tram. The group sat on their seats, chatting animatedly. Toujou Nozomi, who had wanted to sit with Yoshino, let them sit on the other side of the seats at Tobiichi Origami's request, while she sat with the others on the opposite side.
Although the two successfully held... *cough*! *Ahem*! Sat together, Tobiichi Origami said nothing. Her gaze was fixed on Shiina, occasionally nodding slightly, as if trying to discover something about Yoshino. It was as if she wanted to see something extraordinary in Yoshino, making Yoshino feel uneasy with her hands on her lap.
'Hey! Shiina. What's going on now? Why is Tobiichi-san looking at me with such an expression? I don't think I did anything extra in the future, did I?' The helpless Yoshino could only ask her dog-headed strategist, Shiina. However, she didn't get the answer she wanted... 'Hehehe~ Maybe she's grateful because you saved her parents, Yoshino, and she's wondering how to repay you. Yoshino just needs to let her offer herself in marriage; such good opportunities don't come often.' Shiina, not sensing any hostility from Tobiichi Origami, teased Yoshino.
'Don't talk nonsense! What offer herself in marriage! She likes Itsuka Shido, what does that have to do with me? And if a pervert like her notices me, my future life will be very troublesome! I won't know when my drink will be drugged, and every time I go out, someone will follow me to take candid photos. And she might use those candid photos to do some strange things!!!' Seemingly imagining that terrible future, Yoshino's face turned somewhat pale. Itsuka Miku was just a bit more direct in her behavior, but Tobiichi Origami uses these disgusting methods to annoy people endlessly! Even if she wasn't worried about drugs, she didn't want to experience being stalked.
'Uh... I see. Then you should be more proactive. Anyway, you're her benefactor now, she should explain things well.' Shiina felt a cold sweat run down her back; she had truly forgotten that point. If this perverted person really had any ideas about Yoshino, her future life would be terrible.
'Mm! I understand! I'll try my best!' Yoshino nodded, swallowing as she looked at Tobiichi Origami beside her. After merging with 'Yoshino,' she also gained the original Yoshino's memories of her. Every time she manifested, she would unhesitatingly fire countless projectiles at Yoshino, attacking her with full hostility and murderous intent, along with the people in mechanical armor. Although the current Yoshino had matured a lot, she still felt a little fear, as this was already a psychological shadow, albeit one left by her predecessor.
"Tobiichi-san? Is there something you need from me?" Although she was very scared, Yoshino still asked. If this continued, by the time they reached their destination, the conversation probably wouldn't have made any progress.
"Herm... no, Yoshino. Why did you help me? I'm an AST member; every time a Spirit appears, I try to kill them with the intention of eradicating them. Our relationship should be irreconcilable. Why did you still help me in the end? And even got yourself injured." She had originally intended to use Yoshino's code name, but after thinking about it, she called Yoshino by her name directly. She couldn't understand why Yoshino would help her when they were enemies. The matter of sending her back to the past was just a transaction, but what she did in the end was completely outside the scope of that transaction.
"Tobiichi-san..." Yoshino looked up at the confusion in Tobiichi Origami's eyes, then lowered her head, pondering how to answer her.
"It must have been very painful to realize you killed your own parents, Tobiichi-san." Instead of answering her question, Yoshino asked back.
"...Mm! It was very painful. At that time, it felt like my heart was stained black, my mind felt like it was collapsing, and the whole world was crumbling." Thinking of that past scene, Tobiichi Origami's eyes dimmed. It was indeed a Spirit who killed her parents, but the Spirit was her future self from five years later. There was no more cruel answer than that.
"That's also why I wanted to help you, Tobiichi-san. Because I don't want to see others in despair, so when I saw your despair, I rescued you." Yoshino then pointed to the Yamikura Yatsukabusa twins who were happily chatting, "They split from the original Yamikura Spirit. Before Yoshino met them, they were always dueling to earn the title of the sole Yamikura. The winner would become the only Yamikura, but the loser would disappear. But they each loved the other, wanting to sacrifice themselves so the other could live."
Following Yoshino's direction, Tobiichi Origami looked at the Yamikura Yatsukabusa twins sitting together and chatting. Their hands were intertwined, and their bodies were pressed close to each other. They seemed to be talking about something happy, as both their faces showed bright smiles. This confirmed what Yoshino said: their relationship was truly good, and they deeply loved each other.
"But neither of them wanted to die. Not because they were afraid of death, but because they both wanted to stay with each other, to see this world together, and to experience more things they hadn't experienced. At that time, their hearts were very helpless, and somewhat despairing. So Yoshino helped them, allowing them to live as independent individuals. Now they can smile so happily; this is Yoshino's greatest reward." Yoshino smiled as she looked at the Yamikura Yatsukabusa twins. Although there was always an unconscious lily-like atmosphere between them, their radiant smiles made Yoshino feel very happy. She felt that her efforts were rewarded.
"And Sister Niya, although she seems carefree and a bit tomboyish. But she is the Spirit among us who has suffered the most. Five years ago, she was captured by Ellen of DEM and imprisoned in DEM, enduring torment from DEM for five years. During those five dark days, she was also very desperate, and once experienced a reversal phenomenon. To get her out, I attacked the DEM branch and rescued her from inside. Although she usually stays cooped up in her room, she has now learned to smile more." She just usually likes to use 'Future Record' to make herself touch her butt and waist, at which point she has an excuse to tease Yoshino. Every time, she only lets go after making herself blush, what a naughty older sister!
"Mm!" Tobiichi Origami nodded. She saw several Spirits sitting opposite her. In her impression, Spirits were beings that brought disaster, a group that had to be eradicated. But seeing them chatting like ordinary girls in front of her, it greatly changed her definition of Spirits.
"So when I saw your despair, I wanted to help you. I don't want to see you live in pain later." Saying this, Yoshino took Tobiichi Origami's hand. When Yoshino's small hand gripped hers, she could feel Tobiichi Origami's body noticeably tremble. She seemed to be struggling with something, but quickly calmed down.
"I don't want to see others in despair, so even if we are enemies, I want to help you. There's no need for a reason, because harming someone might require a reason, but saving someone doesn't." Yoshino pointed to her chest, where her heart was located. "What I want to save is your despairing heart, Tobiichi-san."
"!!!!!?" Hearing Yoshino's last words, Tobiichi Origami's eyes widened. A strong emotional surge welled up in her, making her unconsciously tighten their clasped hands. Her other hand went to her chest; she could feel her heart beating. That powerful beat made her feel alive. (She was already alive.)
'Saving my despairing heart, huh...' Thinking this, Tobiichi Origami's gaze towards Yoshino became strange.
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