Download - Date a Live - Volume 01 - Dead End Tohka
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
1 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
2 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
3 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
4 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
5 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
6 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
7 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
8 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Prologue:ChanceMeeting-Restart-
—Heheldhisbreath.
Itwasanunbelievablescene.
Itwasasifapartofthetownhadjustvanished.
Initsplacewasanenormouscraterthatprobablyevenafallingmeteoritecouldn'tcreate.
Agroupofhumanfiguresflutteredinthesky.
Itwasabsurdbeyondevenhiswildestdreams.
However,Shidoudidnotevennoticethisabnormality.
—FortherewassomethingmuchmoreextraordinaryinfrontofShidou'seyes.
Agirl.
Agirl,wrappedinastrangelight,stoodthere.
"Ah—"
Envelopedbyhisfaintvoice,thesighslowlyfadedaway.
Thepresenceofthegirlwassooverwhelmingthatitsuppressedthatofanyotherobject.
Likemetal,yetalsolikecloth,thedresswasmadeofastrange,eye-catchingmaterial.
Attachedtothedresswasaskirtthatradiatedlight,beautifulenoughtocauseonetoloseconsciousness.
However,thebeautyofthegirlherselfovershadowedeventhose.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
9 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Herlongblackhair,likeaplumeofsmoke,weavedaroundhershouldersandwaist.
Coldlylookingupatthesky,hereyeswereofastrange,hardtodescribecolor.
Herfigure,whichwouldprobablymakeevenagoddessfeelenvious,waswarpedbyweariness,asshestoodsilentlywithpursedlips.
Hisvision;
Hisattention;
Evenhisheart;
—Inthatmoment,theywerestolenaway.
Itwasso...
Excessively;
Abnormally;
Sointensely;
Beautiful.
"—What's..."
Dazed,Shidouspokeforthefirsttime.
Evenifmythroatandeyesaretobedestroyedforblasphemy,hethought.
Thegirlslowlyshiftedhergazedownwards.
"...Yourname?"
Hisvoice,carryingthequestionfromthebottomofhisheart,shooktheair.
However.
"—Ihavenosuchthing"
Withasadlook,thegirlreplied.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
10 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"..."
Atthattime.
Thetwo'seyescrossed—ItsukaShidou's[1A1]storyhadbegun.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
11 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
12 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Chapter1:TheNamelessGirl
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
13 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
14 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part1
"Ahhh..."
Thefeelingofwakingupwastheworst.
Afterall,whenyouwakeuptofindyoursisterpassionatelydancingtoasambarhythmwhilesteppingalloveryourstomachorchestorhead,otherthanaspecialgroupofpeople,anyonewouldbeunhappy.
April10th,Monday.
YesterdaywasthelastdayofSpringBreak,sotodayisaschoolday.
Whilerubbinghisblearyeyes,Shidoudeclaredinaloweredvoice:
"Ahh,Kotori.Mycutelittleimouto."
"Ohhhhh!?"
OnlythendidshefinallynoticethatShidouwasawake.ThelittlesisterwithafootstillonShidou'sstomach—Kotori,turnedherheadwhileadjustinghermiddleschooluniform.
Herlonghair,separatedintotwobunches,swayed,asshegazedatShidouthroughherroundacorn-likeeyes.
Incidentally,eventhoughshewascaughtsteppingonsomeoneearlyinthemorning,shedidn'tseemtobesecretlycursing,"Damnit!"or"I'mcaught!".Ifanything,itseemedthatshewashonestlyhappythatShidouhadwokenup.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
15 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
16 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Oh,andfromShidou'sposition,therewasastunningviewofherunderpants.
Itwasn'tasifitwasjustshowingaglimpse.Evenshamelessnesshasitslimits.
"Whatisit?Mycuteonii-chan!"
Kotorianswered,withoutevenasignofmovingherfoot.
Incaseyouwerewondering,Shidouwasnotcute.
"Well,getoffme.It'sheavy."
Kotorigaveanexaggeratednodandleaptfromthebed.
Shidou'sstomachwasleftwithanimpactlikeabodyblow.
"Gfhu!"
"Ahahaha,gfhu!Ahahahaha!"
"..."
Shidousilentlypulledtheblanketoverhishead.
"Ahh!Hey~!Whyareyousleepingagain!"
Kotoriraisedhervoice,slowlyshakingShidou.
"Justanothertenminutes..."
"Noway~!Wakeupalready!"
Aftersittingupandgrimacingatthedizzinessresultingfromshakinghisstilldazedhead,Shidouopenedhismouthwithagroan.
"R-Runaway..."
"Eh?"
"...Actually,I'vebeeninfectedwiththe'ifIdon'tsleepforanother10minutesI'llticklemysistertodeathvirus',a.k.a.theT-virus..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
17 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Wh-What!?"
Kotoriwasassurprisedassomeonewho'dfoundahiddenmessagefromaliens.
"Runaway...whileIstillcancontrolmyself..."
"B-But,whatwillyoudo!?"
"Don'tworryaboutme...aslongasyou'resafe..."
"Noway!Onii-chan!"
"Gaaaahh!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Shidoublewtheblanketaway,excitedlymovinghistwohandsandroaring,asKotoriranawaywithadreadfulscream.
"...Sigh"
Exhaling,hecoveredhimselfwiththeblanketagain.Lookingatthetime,itwasstillbeforesix.
"Whatatimetowakesomeoneat..."
Grumbling,hesuddenlyrecalledsomething.
Ashishalfasleepbrainslowlywokeup,lastnight'smemoriesresurfaced.
Bothoftheirparentshadleftonbusinesstripsyesterday.
BecauseofthatShidouwastemporarilyleftinchargeofthekitchen,andsoShidou,whowasbadatwakingup,askedKotoritohelpwakehim.
"Ah..."
Troubledthathemight'vedonesomethingbad,hequicklygotoutofbed.
Holdingdownhisbedhairandsuppressingayawn,Shidouploddedoutoftheroom.
Atthatmoment,thesmallmirrorhangingonthewallcaughthiseyes.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
18 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Aboywhoseforelockswereabouttoinvadehisvision,probablybecausehehadn'thadahaircutforawhile,wascastingalamelookatShidou.
"..."
Togetherwithhisdecliningeyesight,hislookshadalsobeenslightlydegrading.Sighing,hedescendedthestairsandenteredthelivingroom.
"...Huh?"
Aslightlydifferentviewthanusualgreetedhim.
Thewoodentablethatwasinthemiddleofthelivingroomwasonitsside,asifithadbecomeabarricade.Behindit,aheadwithtwin-tailswasquiveringslightly.
"..."
Silencinghisfootsteps,Shidouapproachedthesideofthetable.
Sureenough,Kotoriwassittingtherehuggingherkneesandtrembling.
"Graaaaahh!"
"Kyaa!Kyaaaaaaa!"
AsShidougrabbedherbytheshoulders,Kotoriletoutadespairingscreamasherlimbswentlimp.
"Calmdown,calmdown!I'mmyusualself."
"Gyaaaa!Gyaa...ah?O-onii-chan?"
"Yep,that'sright."
"You...You'renotscaryanymore?"
"It'salrightnow.I'mKotowi'sfriend."
"Oh,ohhhhhh."
AsShidoutalkedtoherinbabytalk,Kotori'stightenedfaceslowlyrelaxed.
Itwasasifshewasawildfoxsquirrelthathadopeneditsheart.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
19 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Sorry,sorry.I'llgotomakebreakfastrightaway."
AfterlettinggoofKotori'shandandstandingup,Shidouputthetablebackwhereitbelongedandwentintothekitchen.
Workingatthelargeelectronicscompanythatthetwoofthembuilt,Shidou'sparentswereoftenawayfromthehouseatthesametime.
Atthosetimes,itwasalwaysShidou'sresponsibilitytopreparefood,sohewasalreadyusedtoit.Infact,hewasconfidentthathecouldusethecookingtoolsbetterthanhismother.
AsShidouwasfetchingsomeeggsfromthefridge,heheardthesoundoftheTVcomingfrombehindhim.ItseemsthatKotorihadcalmeddownandhadturnedontheTV.
Cometothinkofit,itseemsKotorihasadailyroutinetoeatwhilecheckingouthoroscopesorfortune-tellingcorners.
Well,mostofthefortune-tellingcornersusuallycomesattheendofthemainprograms,andareobviouslyjustspeculations.Aftersurfingthroughallofthechannels,Kotoristartedtowatchwhatseemedtobeaboringnewsprogram.
"—Earlythismorning,inthesuburbsofTenguuCity—"
"Huh?"
OverhearingthecontentsoftheuselessnewsprogramthatusuallycouldonlyserveasBGM,Shidouraisedaneyebrow.
Thereasonwassimple.Fromtheannouncer'sclearvoice,heheardafamiliarstreetname.
"Nnn?It'sprettycloseby.Didsomethinghappen?"
Leaningoverthecounter,henarrowedhisvisionandstaredattheTV.
Onthescreen,theimageofastreetthathadbeenabsurdlydestroyedwasbeingdisplayed.
Buildingsandroadshadbeenreducedtomountainsofrubble.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
20 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Thedevastationwasliketheimpactofameteorite,ormaybethesceneofanairraid.
Shidouscruncheduphisbrows,andreleasinghisheldbreathhesaid:
"Ahhhh...Soitwasaspacequake."
Asiffedup,heshookhishead.
A'spaceearthquake'referredtothephenomenonoftheshakingofawidearea.
Itwasthegenerictermgiventoexplosions,quakes,vanishings,andsuchthingsthathappenforunknownreasonsatrandomtimesandplaces.
Likethewhimsofalargemonster,destroyingastreetforthesakeofit,thesewereextremelyunreasonablephenomena.
Thefirstoccurrenceofsuchaneventwasaroundthirtyyearsago.
IthappenedrightsmackinthemiddleofEurasia—theregionthathadcontainedcountriessuchastheSovietUnion,China,andMongolia,causingthemtohavedisappearedinasinglenight.
ForShidou'sgeneration,justlookingatthepicturesinthetextbookwasunpleasant.
Itwasasifeverythingabovegroundhadbeenscrapedoff,leavingabsolutelynothingbehind.
Casualtiesnumberedabout150million.Itwasthelargestanddeadliestcatastropheinhumanhistory.
Inthesixmonthsthatfollowed,similarincidentsoccurredonasmallerscaleallaroundtheworld.
Shidoucouldn'tremembertheexactnumber,butitwasaroundfifty.
Onland,atthepoles,intheocean,evenonsmallislands,suchcaseshadbeenconfirmed.
Ofcourse,Japanwasnotexempt.
SixmonthsaftertheEurasiaSkyDisaster,theregionfromSouthTokyotoKanagawaPrefecturehadturnedintoacircleofscorchedearth,asifaneraserhad
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
21 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
beenappliedtoit.
That'sright—itincludestheareathatShidouwaslivingintoday.
"Butitsuddenlystoppedhappeningforawhile,right?Whydiditstartincreasinginfrequencyagain?"
"Iwonderwhy...?"
AtShidou'squestion,Kotori,stillstaringattheTV,tiltedherhead.
AfterthatSouthKantoincident,spacequakeshadnotbeendetectedforawhile.
However,fiveyearsago,startingwithacorneroftheredevelopedTenguuCity,thesemysteriousphenomenastartedpoppinguphereandthereagain.
Moreover,mostofthemhappenedin—Japan.
Ofcoursehumanshadnotbeensittingarounddoingnothingforthosetwenty-fiveyearsinbetween.
Startingthirtyyearsagowiththeareasthathadfinishedredevelopment,undergroundsheltershadspreadatanexplosiverate.
Togetherwiththefactthatithadbecomepossibletoobserveprecursorstospacequakes,acertifiedJSDFdisasterresponseteamhadbeenputtogether.
Theirpurposewastotraveltodisasterareasandrebuildthedestroyedfacilitiesandroads,buttheirworkcanonlybedescribedasmagic.
Afterall,completelydestroyedstreetscould,inaninsanelyshortamountoftime,berestoredtohowtheyusedtobe.
Theirworkwasclassifiedastopsecretandsonoinformationwasavailabletothepublic,butwhenyouseeacollapsedbuildingrestoredinasinglenight,youcan'thelpbutfeellikeyoujustsawamagictrick.
However,eveniftherepairworkcouldbedonereallyfast,thatdoesn'tmeanthattherewaslittlethreatfromthespacequakes.
"Doesn'titseemliketheareaaroundherehasalotofspacequakes?Especiallylastyear."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
22 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Hmm,seemsthatway,huh.Maybeit'sabitearly..."
Kotorimuttered,whileleaningherupperbodyontothearmsofthesofa.
"Early?Whatis?"
"Nnn...,nophing."
ThistimeitwasShidouwhotiltedhishead.
ItwasnotduetowhatKotorisaid,butratherbecausethelasthalfofitseemedslightlymuffled.
"..."
Silently,hecircledaroundthecounter,andwalkedtowardsthesideofthesofawhichKotoriwasleaningon.
MaybeKotorihadnoticedit,butasShidoucamecloser,shegraduallyturnedherfaceaway.
"Kotori,turnthiswayforamoment."
"..."
*bonk*
"Guhh!"
Kotoriheldherheadwithherhands,andturnedaroundwithajolt.Aweirdnoisecamefromherthroat.
Seeingtheiteminsidehermouthasexpected,Shidougaveashortsigh,"AsIthought".
Eventhoughitwasrightbeforebreakfast,Kotorihadherfavoritecandy,ChupaChups,inhermouth.
"Hey!Haven'tItoldyounottoeatsweetsbeforemeals?"
"NNNnnn!NNNnnnnn!"
Takingawaythecandyandbringingoutastick,hefoundKotoritryingtoresistby
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
23 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
pouting.
Shidoustrainedhisfaceashelookedtowardswherehewasabouttohit,sincehereallydidn'twanttohitsomeonewithsuchcutefeatures.
"...Jeez.You'dbetterproperlyeatyourbreakfast!"
IntheenditwasShidouwhofolded.HerubbedKotori'shead,andreturnedtothekitchen.
"Ohh!Iloveyou,Onii-chan!"
Shidousuitablywavedhishandsandreturnedtohiswork.
"...NowthatIthinkaboutit,today'sthemiddleschoolopeningceremony,right?"
"That'sright~"
"Thenyou'recomingbackatlunchtime...Kotori,anyrequestsforlunch?"
AfterKotorithoughtitthroughwitha"Hmmmm",sheshookherhead,andthensuddenlystoodup.
"Deluxekidsplate!"
Itwasalunchitemforkidsofferedatanearbyfamilyrestaurant.
Shidoustraightenedhisbody,andlikethat,gaveanapologeticbow.
"Thatcannotbepreparedinthisstore."
"Ehh~"
Whilesuckingonalollipop,Kotorirepliedwithadissatisfiedvoice.
Shidougavealoudsighandshruggedhisshoulders.
"Whatever,nothingIcandoaboutit,it'saspecialoccasionsolet'seatoutforlunch."
"OHHHH!Really!?"
"Yeah.Then,let'smeetattheusualfamilyrestaurantafterschool."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
24 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Shidousaid,andKotorirubbedherhandstogetherinexcitement.
"Nogoingbackonyourword!It'sapromise!Youhavetobethereevenifanearthquakestartsorafireeruptsoraspacequakehappensorthefamilyrestaurantisoccupiedbyterrorists!"
"No.Ifthere'sterroriststherewewon'tgettoeat."
"Youhavetobethere!"
"Fine,fine,Igotit."
HearingShidousaythat,Kotorivigorouslyraisedherhandsintheairwitha"Whoooo~!"
Shidoudidnotevenconsiderthathemighthavebeenabittoogenerous.Well,today'sspecialanyways.
Fromtonightonwardstheywouldhavetoeatmealsathomeforawhile,buttoday'stheopeningceremonyforthetwoofthem.Thismuchluxuryshouldbefine.
Well,whoknowswhetherakidslunchthatcosts780yenreallycountsasluxury.
"Nnnnn..."
Shidoustretchedlightly,andopenedthesmallwindowinthekitchen.
Theskyhadclearedup.Itseemsliketodaywillbeagoodday.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
25 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
26 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part2
Itwasaround8:15A.M.whenShidoureachedthehighschool.
Aftercheckingtheclasslistpostedinthecorridor,heenteredtheclassroomwherehewouldbespendinghisnextyear.
"Year2,Class4,huh?"
Sincethespacequakethirtyyearsago,theregionfromSouthTokyotoKanagawaPrefecture—inotherwords,theemptyregionoflandcreatedbythespacequake,wasredevelopedastestcitiesusingvariousnewtechniques.
ThepublicschoolthatShidouattended,RaizenHighSchool,wasonesuchexample.
Filledwithfacilitiestobeproudof,thisschoolthatonecouldhardlybelievewasapublicschoolwasjustbuiltafewyearsago,soitwasstillinanalmostperfectcondition.Ofcourse,beingahighschoolbuiltonanolddisasterarea,itcameequippedwiththenewesttypeofundergroundshelter.
Forthesereasonstheapplicationratewasprettyhigh,soShidou,whodecidedtoapplyjustforthereasonthat"itwasclosetohome",hadtoworkquitehard.
"Mmmm...."
Withalighthum,hesurveyedtheclassroom.
Therewasstillquiteabitoftimeuntilhomeroom,butalargeamountofpeoplehadalreadygathered.
Therewerepeopleoverjoyedatbeinginthesameclass,peoplesittingalonelookingbored,andpeoplewithvariousotherreactions...buttheredidn'tseemtobeanyfacesthatShidouknew.
AsShidoumovedhisheadtochecktheseatingchartdrawnontheblackboard,
"—ItsukaShidou."
Unexpectedly,frombehindhim,aquietvoicespokeinmonotone.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
27 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Huh...?"
Hedidn'trecognizethevoice.Curious,heturnedaround.
Aslendergirlstoodthere.
Thegirlhadhairthatwasbarelyreachinghershouldersandafacelikethatofadoll.
Thereprobablyisn'tanybodywhowouldfitthedescription'doll-like'better.
Whilenoblelikeapreciselycreatedartificialbeing,atthesametime,herfacedidnotcontainanykindofemotion.
"Eh...?"
Shidouquicklyglancedaroundthearea,thentiltedhishead.
"...Me?"
SincehecouldnotfindanyotherItsukaShidounearby,hepointedathimself.
"Yes."
Withoutanyparticularfeeling,thegirlimmediatelyreplied,givingasmallnodinShidou'sdirection.
"Whydoyouknowmyname...?"
Shidouasked,andthegirl,asifconfused,tiltedherhead.
"Youdon'tremember?"
"...Um."
"Isee."
Shidouhesitantlyreplied,andthegirl,seemingespeciallydejected,gaveashortcommentandwalkedtowardsaseatbythewindow.
Likethat,shesatonthechair,takingoutsomethinglikeathicktechnicalmanual,andbegantoread.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
28 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"What...isgoingon,exactly?"
Shidouscratchedhisfaceandfrowned.
Inanycase,itseemedsheknewaboutShidou,buthadtheymetsomewherebefore?
*whack*
"Gefhuu!"
WhileShidouwasdeepinthought,amagnificentslaphithimontheback.
"WHATAREYOUDOING,TONOMACHI!?"
Hehadimmediatelyknownwhotheperpetratorwas,andyelledwhilerubbinghisback.
"Hey,youseemquiteenergetic,yousexualbeastItsuka."
Shidou'sfriend,TonomachiHiroto,beforeevenbeingjoyfulatenteringthesameclasswas,asifshowingoffhiswaxedhairandmuscledbody,foldinghisarmsandlightlybendinghisbodywhilelaughing.
"...Sex...What'dyousay?"
"Sexualbeast,youbrute.Itakemyeyesoffyouforjustamomentandyougotsomuchmanlier.WhenandhowdidyougetclosetoTobiichi,huh?"
WrappinghisarmaroundShidou'sheadwhilesmirking,Tonomachiasked.
"Tobiichi...?Who'sthat?"
"C'mon,don'tactdumb.Justnowyouguyswerehappilytalking,weren'tyou?"
Tonomachipointedhischintowardstheseatbythewindow.
There,satthegirlfrombefore.
Asifnoticingtheirstares,thegirlglancedupfromthebook,turningtolookatthem.
"..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
29 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Shidou'sbreathwascaughtinhisthroatasheawkwardlyturnedhiseyesaway.
Ontheotherhand,Tonomachiwassmilingandwavinghishandinanoverlyfamiliarmanner.
"..."
Thegirl,notshowinganyparticularreaction,shiftedhereyesbacktothebookinherhands.
"There,look,she'salwayslikethat.Outofallthegirls,she'sthemostdifficult,havingbeencomparedtopermafrostortheColdWarorMahyadedosu[1B1].Howintheworlddidyougethertoopenup?"
"Huh...?Wh-Whatareyoutalkingabout?"
"Noway,youreallydon'tknow?"
"...Hmm,wasshereallyinourclasslastyear?"
AsShidousaidthis,Tonomachiheldhishandsoutinan"Ican'tbelievethis"pose,makingasurprisedexpression.HewassomeonewholikestoimitateWesterners'reactions.
"C'monman,it'sTobiichi,TobiichiOrigami.She'sthesupergeniusthatourschoolboastsabout.You'veneverheardanythinglikethat?"
"No,thisismyfirsttimehearingaboutitbut...Isshethatamazing?"
"Amazingcan'tevendescribeit.Hergradesarealwaysatthetopoftheyear,andinthemockexamnotlongagoshegotsomecrazyresultsandwentstraighttothetopofthenation."
"Huuuh?Whyissomeonelikethatatapublicschool?"
"Dunno.Probablysomethinglikefamilycircumstances?"
Givingabigshrug,Tonomachicontinued.
"Anyways,that'snotall.HerPEscoresarealsotopclass,andatthesametimeshe'sabeauty.Inlastyear's'MostWantedGirlfriendsRanking-BestThirteen'shecameinthird,Ithink.Didn'tyouseeit?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
30 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Ididn'tevenknowtherewassuchathing.Orrather,bestthirteen?Whyisitsucharandomnumber?"
"Becausethegirlwhoorganizedthiswasthirteenth."
"...Aaah"
Shidoulaughedweakly.
"Bytheway,the'MostWantedBoyfriendsRanking'goesuptothebest358th."
"Thatmany!?Thebottomofthatisnearertotheworstranking,isn'tit?Didtheorganizerdecidethattoo?"
"Ahh.Hereallydidn'tknowwhentogiveup."
"WhichplaceareyouTonomachi?"
"358thplace."
"Theorganizerwasyou!?"
"ThereasonsImanagedtogetthatrankincluded:'hispassionseemsit'dbetoostrong','heseemstobehairy',and'histoenailsseemtosmell'."
"AsIthought,that'stheworstranking!"
"Well,belowthatarethepeoplenobodyvotedfor.AtleastwiththenegativepointsImanagedtowininthatcategory."
"That'spushingitabitfar!Witharanklikethat,itwouldhavebeenbettertogiveup."
"Don'tworryItsuka.YouwereenteredasMr.Anonymousandgotonevoteand52ndplace."
"Wrongresponse!"
"Wellotherreasonsinclude:'hedoesn'tseeminterestedinwomen',and'tobefrank,heseemslikeahomo'."
"It'sanironhammerbringingdeathbyunreasonableslander!"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
31 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Justcalmdown.Inthe'FujoshiSelectedBestCouple',youandImadethetoprankingasapair."
"I'MNOTHAPPYWITHTHATATALL!"
Shidoushouted.Hewasslightlyworriedatbeingpartofthecoupleinfirstplace.
However,itseemedTonomachididnotmindatall(orrather,heseemedtohavegottenoverit),ashecrossedhisarmsandreturnedtotheoriginaltopic.
"Wellanyways,it'snotanexaggerationtosaythatshe'sthemostfamouspersonintheschool.Itsuka,yourignorancemanagestosurpriseeventhisgreatTonomachi."
"Whatkindofcharacterareyoutryingtobe?"
AsShidousaidthis,thefamiliarwarningbellthathehadbeenusedtohearingsincehisfirstyearrang.
"Oops."
Nowthathethoughtaboutit,hestillhadn'tconfirmedhisseat.
Shidoufollowedtheseatingarrangementwrittenontheblackboard,andplacedhisbagontheseattworowsfromthewindow.
Rightthen,henoticedit.
"...Ah"
Asifbysometwistoffate,Shidou'sseatwasadjacenttothatofthepersonatthetopoftheyear.
TobiichiOrigamihadclosedandputthebookawayinherdeskbeforethewarningbellhadfinishedringing.
Shethensatlookingstraightahead,inapostureasbeautifulasifithadbeenmeasuredwitharuler.
"..."
Feelingabitawkwardforsomereason,ShidouturnedhiseyestowardstheblackboardlikeOrigamihaddone.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
32 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Asifmatchingthatmoment,thedoortotheclassroomopenedwitharattle.Fromthereashortfemalewearingthin-rimmedglassesappearedandwalkedbehindtheteacher'sdesk.
Fromaround,studentswerewhisperingexcitedly.
"Soit'sTama-chan..."
"Ah,it'sTama-chan."
"Seriously?Yeahhh!"
—Ingeneral,goodthingswerebeingsaid.
"Alright,goodmorningeveryone.Forthefollowingyear,Iwillbeeveryone'shomeroomteacher,mynameisOkamineTamae."
Theteacherinchargeofsocialstudies,OkamineTamae—nicknamedTama-chan,—spokeinaslowpaceandbowed.Perhapsthesizewasabitoff,asherglassesslippedslightly,andshehastilyheldtheminplacewithbothherhands.
Herchildishfaceandsmallbuildthatcouldn'tevenpassoffasbeinginthesamegenerationasherstudents,combinedwithherleisurelyattitude,hasearnedhertremendouspopularityamongstthestudents.
"...?"
Inthemiddleoftheexcitedstudents,Shidou'sexpressionstiffened.
SittingtotheleftsideofShidouwasOrigami,whowasintentlystaringinShidou'sdirection.
"..."
Foramoment,theireyesmet.Shidouhurriedlyavertedhiseyes.
WhywasshelookingatShidou—no,shedoesn'thavetobelookingathim,thereisthepossibilitythatitcouldbesomethingpasthim,butforthemomentShidoucouldn'tcalmdown.
"...Wh-Whatexactlyisgoingon...?"
Hesilentlymuttered,asabeadofsweatdrippeddownhisface.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
33 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Sincethen,approximatelythreehourshadpassed.
"Itsuka~.You'vegotnothingtodoanyways,right?Wannagetsomethingtoeat?"
Theopeningceremonyhadended,andasthestudentswerefinishingtheirpreparationsandleavingtheclassroom,Tonomachi,hisbagslungoverhisshoulder,startedaconversation.
Otherthanduringtestperiods,itwasrareforschooltoendinthemorning.Hereandthere,groupsoffriendswerediscussingwheretogoforlunch.
Shidouwasalmostabouttonod,butwithan"ah"hestopped.
"Sorry.Ihadplanstoday."
"WHUT?Agirl?"
"Ahhh,well...yeah."
"NOWAY!!"
TonomachimadeaVshapewithhisarmswhileraisingaknee,makingaGlico-likereaction[1B2].
"Whatthehellhashappenedoverspringbreak!?You'renotsatisfiedevenafterbeingabletotalkongoodtermswiththatTobiichi,butnowapromisetoeatlunchwithagirl!?Didn'twesweartobecomemagicians[1B3]together!?"
"No,Idon'tremembersuchapromise...andanyways,it'sjustKotori."
Shidoureplied,andTonomachiheavedasighofrelief.
"Whatthehell,don'tscareme!"
"You'retheonewhojumpedtoconclusions."
"Meh,ifit'sKotori-chanthenthere'snoproblem.CanIcomealong?"
"Mm?Ahh,Ithinkitshouldbeok..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
34 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
RightwhenShidoufinished,TonomachiplacedhiselbowsonShidou'sdesk,andspokeinalowvoice.
"Heyhey,Kotori-chanisinhersecondyearatmiddleschool,right?Isitalrightforhertogetaboyfriendorsomethingnow?"
"Huh?"
"Uhm,there'snohiddenmeaningbehindthisbut,whatwouldKotori-chanthinkaboutaguyaroundthreegradeshersenior?"
"...Actually,nevermind.Don'tyoudarecome."
Shidounarrowedhiseyes,andannoyed,hepushedbackTonomachi'sfacewhichhadcomecloser.
"Haha.Inanycase,I'mnotsomuchofajerkthatI'ddisturbyourhappysiblingget-together.Itrytoplaybytherules."
"Youalwayssayjustabitmorethanyou'resupposedto."
Grabbinghischeeks,Tonomachimadeanunexpectedfacewhilespeaking.
"Butman,don'tyouthinkthatKotori-chanissupercute?Tobeabletolivewithherunderthesameroofmustbethebest."
"Ifyouactuallyhadayoungersister,Ithinkthatyou'ddefinitelychangeyouropinion."
"Ah...Youhearthatalot.Soisitreallytruethatpeoplewithlittlesistersdon'thavesuchfetishes?"
"Yeah,theyarenotgirls.Theyarejustcreaturescalledlittlesisters."
Shidoustronglyasserted,andTonomachismiledmeekly.
"That'sreallythecase,huh?"
"That'sreallythecase.Ifyoutrytocomeupwithsomethingthat'snotquiteagirl,that'dprobablybealittlesister."
"Then,oldersisters?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
35 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Onnashi?"[1B4]
"Wooow,awomenonlycity!"
Laughing,Tonomachiresponded.
—Atthatmoment.
UUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu—————
"Huh!?"
Thewindowsoftheclassroomshookviolentlyasanunpleasantsirenechoedthroughthestreets.
"Wh-What'sgoingon?"
Tonomachiopenedthewindowandlookedoutside.Surprisedbythesiren,acountlessnumberofcrowsflewupintothesky.
Thestudentswhoremainedintheclassroomallstoppedtheirconversationsandstared,wide-eyed.
Followingthesiren,amechanicalvoicethatpausedaftereachword,probablyforeaseofunderstanding,rangout.
"—Thisisnot,adrill.Thisisnot,adrill.Theforeshock,hasbeenobserved.Theoccurrence,ofaspacequake,ispredicted.Personsinthevicinity,pleasemovetothenearestshelter,immediately.Irepeat—"
Inthatinstant,thestonesilentroomwasfilledwiththestudents'gasps.
—Spacequakealert.
Everyone'shuncheswereconfirmed.
"Oioi...Seriously?"
Tonomachiutteredinadryvoicewhilesweatingprofusely.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
36 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
However,intermsoftensionandanxiety,ShidouandTonomachiandtheotherstudentsintheclassroomwererelativelycalm.
Attheveryleast,noneofthestudentsseemtohavefallenintoapanic.
Afterthistownwasseverelydamagedbythespacequakethirtyyearsago,childrenlikeShidouweretrainedpersistentlyinevacuationdrillssincekindergarten.
Inaddition,thiswasahighschool.Anundergroundshelterthatcanfitallthestudentsexisted.
"Theshelterisrightthere.Ifwecalmlyhidethenit'llbealright."
"R-Right,that'sright."
TonomachinoddedatShidou'swords.
Asfastaspossiblewithoutrunning,theylefttheclassroom.
Thecorridorwasalreadyoverflowingwithstudents,formingalinegoingtowardstheshelter.
—Shidoufurrowedhisbrows.
Therewasasinglepersonmovingintheoppositedirectionoftheline—afemalestudentwasrunningtowardstheentrance.
"Tobiichi...?"
That'sright,dashingdownthehallwaywithherskirtflappingwasthatTobiichiOrigami.
"Hey!Whatareyoudoing!Theshelteristheotherdirection—"
"I'mfine."
Origamistoppedforamoment,sayingonlythat,andonceagaindashedaway.
"Fine...whatthe...?"
Puzzled,ShidouturnedhisheadandjoinedthelineofstudentswithTonomachi.
HewasslightlyworriedaboutOrigami,butmaybeshejustforgotsomethingand
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
37 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
wenttogetit.
Infact,eventhoughthealertwasissued,thatdidn'tmeanaspacequakewouldhappenimmediately.Ifshecamebackquicklythenshe'dbefine.
"C-Calmdownpleeease!It's,alrightso,slooowly!Remember'okashi',O-Ka-Shi!Don'tpush,don'trun,skullll!"[1B5]
FrominfrontechoedthevoiceofTamae,whowasdirectingthestudents.
Atthesametime,smallgigglesleakedoutfromthestudents.
"...Seeingsomeonewho'smoreflusteredthanIamcalmsmedownforsomereason."
"Ahh,Ikindagetwhatyoumean."
Shidougavealightlaugh,andTonomachirepliedwithasimilarexpression.
FacedwithateacherwhoappearedcompletelyunreliablelikeTama-chan,ratherthanfeelinginsecure,inrealitythestudents'tensionseemedtohavedropped.
Andthus,asShidourememberedacertainthing,hesearchedhispocketandtookouthiscellphone.
"Hm?What'swrong,Itsuka?"
"Nothing.'scusemeforabit."
Whileavoidingthequestion,heselectedthename'ItsukaKotori'fromthecallhistoryanddialed.
However—itwouldn'tconnect.Everytimehetried,theresultwasthesame.
"...Damnit.Didshemanagetoevacuate?"
Ifshestillhadn'tleftschoolthenit'dprobablybealright.
Theproblemisthattherewasthepossibilitythatshehadleftschoolandwasheadingtowardsthefamilyrestaurant.
Actually,thereshouldbepublicsheltersnearby,sonormallytherewouldbenoproblem...butforsomereasonShidoujustcouldn'tshakeofftheominousfeeling.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
38 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Notpayingheedtothefactthatthewarninghadalreadybeenissued,forsomereasonanimagewiththefigureofKotoriwaitingforShidoulikeanobedientpuppypoppedupinhismind.
Inhishead,Kotori'swords,"It'sapromise!"swirledandechoed.
"W-Wellwedidmakeanabsolutepromisetomeetthereevenifaspacequakehappened,but...evenshewouldn'tbethatdumb...Oh,right,Ihavethat."
Kotori'scellphoneshouldhaveaGPSlocationserviceinstalled.
Manipulatinghiscellphone,hebroughtamapofthetownontothescreen,onwhichwasaredmarkericon.
"..."
Seeingit,Shidou'sthroatcloggedup.
TheiconshowedKotori'slocationasrightinfrontofthepromisedfamilyrestaurant.
"Thathugeidiot..."
Cursing,hesnappedhisphoneshutwithoutclearingthescreen,andslippedoutofthelineofstudents.
"H-Hey,whereareyougoing,Itsuka!"
"Sorry!Iforgotsomething!Yougoahead!"
AnsweringTonomachiwhilefacingtheotherway,herantowardstheentranceagainsttheflowoftheline.
LikethatShidouquicklychangedhisshoesand,seemingtoalmostfallforwards,hedashedoutside.
Pasttheschoolgate,hetumbleddownthehillinfrontoftheschool.
"...Sinceit'sbecomelikethis,we'lljustevacuatenormally...!"
Runningasfastashecan,Shidouraisedashout.
SpreadoutinShidou'sviewwasaveryeeriescene.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
39 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Roadswithoutmovingcars,atowndevoidofallsignsofpeople.
Onthestreets,intheparks,evenintheconveniencestores,notasinglepersonwasleft.
Thepresenceofthepeoplethathadbeenhereuntiljustafewmomentsagowasleftbehind,buttheactualfiguresofthosepeoplehaddisappeared.Itwaslikeascenefromahorrormovie.
Sincethedisasterthirtyyearsago,itwasthisTenguuCitythatwascarefullyredevelopedwhilenervouslydealingwiththespacequakes.Nevermindthepublicfacilities,eventhepercentageofnormalfamiliesowningashelterwasthehighestinthecountry.
Becauseofthefrequentspacequakesrecently,peopleevacuatedquickly.
Butevenso...
"Whyisthatidiotstubbornlywaitingthere...!"
Heletoutashout,thenopenedhiscellphonewhilestillrunning.
TheiconshowingKotori'spositionremainedinfrontofthefamilyrestaurant.
WhiledecidingthatKotori'spunishmentwouldbeawildflurryofflickstotheforehead,hecontinuedmovinghisfeetatahighspeedtowardsthefamilyrestaurant.
Hewasnotdoinganythinglikepacinghimself.Hejustrelentlesslysprintedtowardsthefamilyrestaurantasfastashecould.
Hisfeethurt,andthetipsofhisfingersgrewnumb.
Hisheadwasdizzy,histhroatstartedtosticktogether,andaclatteringcouldbeheardfromwithinhismouth.
However,Shidoudidnotstop.Thingslikedangerortirednesscouldn'tmaketheirwayintohismind,sinceitwasfilledwiththesinglethoughtofgettingtowhereKotoriwas.
But—
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
40 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...?"
Whilerunning,Shidouhadglancedupwards.Hethoughthesawsomethingmoveattheedgeofhisvision.
"Whatare...those..."
Shidoufurrowedhiseyebrows.
Therewerethree...ormaybefour.Inthesky,thingsthatlookedlikehumanswerefloating.
But,Shidouimmediatelystoppedcaringaboutthat.
Thereason—
"Uwahhhh...!?"
Shidouinstinctivelycoveredhiseyes.
Thestreetinfrontwassuddenlyengulfedinablindinglight.
Itwasfollowedbyadeafeningexplosion,andafierceshockwaveassaultedShidou.
"Wha—"
Shidoureflexivelywrappedhisarmsaroundhisfaceandputhispowerintohislegsbutitwasfutile.
Thewindpressurethatwaslikethatofalargetyphoonblewhimoff-balanceandhetumbledbackwards.
"The...Whatthehellhappened...?"
Whilerubbinghisstillflickeringeyes,hepushedhisbodyup.
"—Huh—?"
Seeingthelandscapethatspreadthroughhisvision,Shidouletoutanastonishedsound.
Afterall,thestreetthatwasrightinfrontofhimmomentsago,inthebriefamountoftimethatShidouhadhiseyesclosed—
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
41 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Withoutevenatrace,ithad'disappeared'.
"Wh-Whatisthis,whatthehellhappened,thisis..."
Hemuttered,inadaze.
Nomatterwhatmetaphoryouused,itwouldn'tbeajoke.
Itwasasifameteoritehadcrashlanded.
No,ifanything,itwasasifeverythingonthegroundhadcompletelyvanished.
Thestreetinfronthadbeenscrapedoffintheshapeofashallowbowl.
And,inthecornerofthestreetthathadbecomelikeacrater—
Therewassomethinglikeaclumpofmetalthatrose.
"What...?"
Becauseofthedistance,hewasnotabletodiscernthesmalldetailsbut—hesawaformthatwassomethinglikeathronethatakinginaRPGwouldsiton.
However,thatwasnotwhatwasimportant.
Therewasagirlwearingastrangedress,whoseemedtobestandingonthethronewithherfootonthearmrest.
"Thatgirl—whyissheatsomewherelikethat?"
Hecouldonlyvaguelysee,buthecouldmakeoutherlongblackhairandtheskirtthatwasradiatingamysteriousglow.Heprobablywasn'twrongaboutherbeingagirlthough.
Thegirlcasuallyscannedthearea,suddenlyturningtofacetowardsShidou.
"Un...?"
ShenoticedShidou...Probably.Itwastoofarawaysohecouldn'treallytell.
AsShidouwaspuzzlingoverthis,thegirlmadeafurthermovement.
Withaswayingmotion,sheseemedtohavegrabbedahandlethatwasgrowingout
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
42 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
ofthebackofthethrone,andwasslowlypullingitout.
Itwas—withabroadblade,ahugesword.
Givingoffanillusoryshinelikethatofarainbow,orofastar,itwasacuriousblade.
Thegirlshookthesword,andthetrailitlefttracedafaintpathoflight.
Andthen—
"Eh...!?"
ThegirlfacedShidou,andwithaboom,swungtheswordhardhorizontally.
Heinstantlyloweredhishead.No,toputitmoreaccurately,Shidou'sarms,whichhadbeensupportinghisbody,losttheirstrength,andasaresultthepositionofhisupperbodydropped.
"Wha—"
Theblade'strailpassedthroughtheplacewhereShidou'sheadhadbeen.
Ofcourse,itwasnotadistancewheretheswordcouldphysicallyreach.
However,itreally—
"...Haaah—"
Witheyeswideopen,Shidouturnedhisheadbackwards.
Thehouses,stores,roadsidetrees,signsandsoonthatwerebehindShidouhad,inaninstant,beentrimmedtothesameheight.
Asecondlater,thesoundofdestructionechoedlikedistantthunder.
"Eeek...!?"
IthadgonebeyondShidou'scomprehension.Trembling,hishearttightened.
—Whatisthemeaningofthis?
Theonlythingheunderstoodwasthatifhisheadhadn'tbeenloweredjustthen,
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
43 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
rightnowhewouldbelikethescenebehindhim,reasonablydownsized.
"S-Stopkiddingme...!"
Asifpullingabodythatwascutapartatthewaist,Shidoucrawledbackwards.Assoonaspossible,asfaraspossible,Ihavetoescapefromthisplace...!
However.
"—Youtoo...huh"
"...!?"
Anextremelytiredvoicerangoutfromabovehishead.
Hisvision,whichwasabeatbehind,caughtupwithhisthoughts.
Infrontofhiseyesstoodagirlwhouptoamomentagohadnotbeenthere.
That'sright,itwasthesamegirlthatstoodinthemiddleofthecrateruntiljustnow.
"Ah—"
Unintentionally,hisvoiceleakedout.
ShewasaroundShidou'sage,ormaybeslightlyyounger.
Withinherknee-lengthblackhairwasafacethatpossessedbothbeautyanddignity.
Initscenter,apairofeyesthatemittedamysteriousshine,almostlikecrystalsthatreflectavarietyofcolorsoflightineverydirection,wasenshrined.
Heroutfitwasverystrange.Shapedlikeaprincess'sdress,itwasmadewithamaterialwhichonecouldn'ttellwhetheritwasaclothorametal.Additionally,itsseams,innerparts,skirt,andsuch,werecomposedofamysteriousfilmoflightthatdidn'tevenseemtobephysicalmatter.
Andinthosehands,shewasholdingthehugeswordthatwasaroundherownheight.
Theabnormalityofthesituation.
Thestrangenessofherappearance.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
44 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Theuniquenessofherexistence.
AnyofthosewouldbemorethanenoughtocatchShidou'sattention.
However.
Yep,however.
WhatstoleShidou'seyesdidn'tcontainsuchimpurities.
"——"
Inthatinstant.
Thefearofdeath,eventheneedtobreath,wasforgotten,ashiseyeswerenailedtothegirl.
Itwasthatmuch.
Thegirl,wasjustsointensely...Beautiful.
"—What's..."
Dazed,Shidouspokeforthefirsttime.
Evenifmythroatandeyesaretobedestroyedforblasphemy,hethought.
Thegirlslowlyshiftedhersightdownwards.
"...Yourname?"
Hisvoice,carryingthequestionfromthebottomofhisheart,shooktheair.
However.
"—Ihavenosuchthing."
Withasadlook,thegirlreplied.
"——"
Itwasthen.Shidou'sandthegirl'seyesmetforthefirsttime.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
45 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Atthesametime,thenamelessgirl,withextrememelancholy,whilemakinganexpressionlikeshewasabouttocry,drewherswordagainwitha'kachiri'sound.
"Wait,wait,wait!"
Withthatsmallsound,histremblinghadresumed.Shidouyelledoutindesperation.
ButthatgirljustcastaconfusedlookatShidou.
"...What?"
"Wh-Whatareyouplanningtodo...!?"
"Ofcourse—killyouquickly."
Hearingthegirlreplysonaturally,hisfaceturnedblue.
"W-Why...!"
"Why...?Isitnotobvious?"
Withawearyface,thegirlcontinued.
"—Afterall,didn'tyoucometokillmetoo?"
"Huh...?"
Facedwithanunexpectedanswer,Shidou'smouthdroppedopen.
"...There'snowayIwoulddothat."
"——What?"
ThegirllookedatShidouwithamixtureofsurprise,suspicion,andconfusion.
However,thegirlimmediatelynarrowedhereyesandlookedawayfromShidou,turningherfacetowardsthesky.
Asifbeingbroughtalong,Shidoualsoturnedtolookupwards—
"Whaa...!?"
Hiseyesopenedwiderthaneverbefore,hisbreathcaughtinhisthroat.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
46 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Afterall,therewereafewhumanswearingstrangesuitsflyinginthesky—andtoaddtothat,fromtheweaponsintheirhands,alargenumberofmissile-likethingswereshotatShidouandthegirl.
"W-Waaaaaaaaaah!?"
Instinctively,heletoutacry.
However—evenafterafewseconds,Shidouremainedconscious.
"Eh...?"
Astonished,hisvoiceleakedout.
Themissilesthatwerelaunchedfromtheskyfloatedunmovingintheairseveralmetersabovethegirl,asiftheywereheldbyinvisiblehands.
Thegirlgaveanexasperatedsigh.
"...Thiskindofthingisuseless,whycan'ttheyeverlearn."
Sayingthis,thegirlraisedthehandthatwasnotholdingthesword,andsqueezeditshut.
Asshedidthis,thecountlessmissilescrumpledup,asifbeingcompressed,andexplodedwheretheywere.
Eventhemagnitudeoftheexplosionswasfrighteninglysmall.Itwasasifallofthepowerhadbeensuckedinwards.
Hecouldsomewhatunderstandtheconfusionofthosepeopleflutteringaroundintheair.
However,theydidnotstoptheirattacks.Oneafteranother,missileswereshot.
"—Hmpf"
Thegirlgaveanothersmallsigh,makingafacewhichseemedliketearsmightcomeoutatanymoment.
ItwasthesamefaceaswhenshehadbeenpointingherswordtowardsShidoubefore.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
47 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"——"
Seeingthatexpression,Shidoufelthisheartpoundevenharderthanwhenhewasonthevergeoflosinghislife.
Whatastrangescenethiswas.
Whothegirlwas,hehadnoidea.Whothepeopleintheairwere,healsohadnoidea.
However,thefactthatthegirlwasstrongerthanthosepeopleflyingintheair,thatmuchheunderstood.
Thatwaswhyhevaguelythoughtofthisquestion:
Sheisthestrongest.
—Sowhyisitthatsheismakingthatkindofface?
"...Disappear,disappear.Anythingandeverything...Justdisappear...!"
Whilesayingthat,shepointedtheswordthatgaveoffaglowasmysteriousashereyes,towardsthesky.
Tiredly,sorrowfully,sheartlesslyswungthesword.
Withinamoment—thewindhowled.
"...W-Wah...!"
Afierceshockwaveassaultedthearea,astheslashflewtowardstheskyalongthepathoftheblade.
Thepeopleflyingintheairhurriedtoavoidit,andwithdrewfromtheirposition.
Butinthenextmoment,fromadifferentdirection,alightbeamwithatremendousoutputwasfiredtowardsthegirl.
"...!"
Heinvoluntarilycoveredhiseyes.
Asexpected,thebeamoflightseemedasifithitaninvisiblewallintheairabove
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
48 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
thegirlandwasstopped.Likeafireworkexplodinginthenightsky,itspreadapartinalldirections,sparklingbeautifully.
However,asifthelightbeamhadcontinued,somethinglandedbehindShidou.
"W-Whatthehellisgoingon..."
Sinceawhileago,Shidouhadn'tbeenabletounderstandanythingthathadbeengoingon.
Hefeltlikehewaswatchingabaddaydream.
However—seeingthefigurethatjustlanded,Shidou'sbodystiffened.
Itwaswearingamachine,orsomethinglikethat.
Coveredfromtoptobottominanunfamiliarbodysuitwasagirl.
Shecarriedlargethrustersonherback,andaweaponshapedlikeagolfbaginherhands.
ThereasonShidou'sbodyfrozeupwassimple.Herecognizedthegirl.
"Tobiichi...Origami...?"
HemutteredthenamethatTonomachihadtaughthimthismorning.
ThegirlwiththeoverlymechanicalappearancewashisclassmateTobiichiOrigami.
OrigamiflickedaglanceatShidou.
"ItsukaShidou...?"
Asaresponse,shecalledShidou'sname.
Eventhoughshewassurprised,herexpressiondidn'tchange.However,itwasjustabit,buthervoicecarriedapuzzledtone.
"...Huh?Wh-What'supwiththatsuit—"
Evenhehimselfrealizedthatitwasastupidquestion,butbythattimehehadalreadysaidit.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
49 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Overwhelmedbyeverythingthathadhappened,hedidn'tevenknowwhatheshouldbeworryingaboutanymore.
However,TobiichiquicklylookedawayfromShidou,towardsthegirlinthedress.
Afterall,
"—Fmph"
ThegirlswungherswordinthesamewayasbeforetowardsOrigami.
Origamiimmediatelykickedofftheground,dodgingovertheplaneinwhichtheswordwasswung,andclosedinonthegirlwithamazingspeed.
FromthefrontoftheweaponinOrigami'shand,ablademadeoflighthadappeared.
Targetingthegirl,Origamiswungthatdownwithallhermight.
"—Ugh"
Thegirlknittedherbrowsslightly,stoppingtheblowwiththeswordinherhand.
—Inthatmoment.
FromthepointwherethegirlandTobiichicrossedswords,aviolentshockwavewasformed.
"Wa-W-Waaaahhhhhhhh!?"
Withapitifulshout,heballeduphisbodyandsomehowmanagedtowithstandit.
Origamiwasrepelled,andmomentarilythetwoseparatedandglaredateachotherwiththeirweaponspoised.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
50 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
51 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"..."
"..."
SandwichingShidou,thesharpgazesofthemysteriousgirlandOrigamimixedtogether.
Itreallycouldbecalledacriticalsituation.Theywereinastatewhereitseemedthatanysmalltriggerwouldcausethefighttoresumeimmediately.
"..."
Shidouontheotherhandwasfeelinguneasy.
Withsweatformingonhisforehead,andwiththethoughtthathehadtoescapefromthisplace,heslowlydraggedhisbodyhorizontallyacrosstheground.
However,atthatmoment,suddenlythecellphoneinsidehispocketstartedringingwithabrightmelody.
"——!"
"——!"
Thatbecameasignal.
ThegirlandOrigamikickedoffthegroundatprettymuchthesametime,clashingrightinfrontofShidou.
"Gyaaaaaaah!"
Facedwiththeoverwhelmingwindpressure,Shidouwasmercilesslyblownaway,andfaintedafterhittingawall.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
52 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
53 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part3
"—What'sthesituation?"
Wearingashirtandacrimsonmilitaryuniformhangingfromhershoulderslikeacloak,ayounggirlhadenteredthebridgeandaskedthequestion.
"Commander"
Theguywaitingbesidethecaptain'sseatgaveasaluteasperfectasifitwereinamilitarytextbook.
Thegirlthathadbeencalledcommanderonlygavethataglance,thenkickedtheguy'stoes.
"Oww!"
"Skipthegreetingsandexplainthesituation."
Whilesayingthistotheguywhohadananguished,orrather,ecstaticexpression,shesatdowninthecaptain'sseat.
Theguystraightenedhimselfimmediately.
"Yes.Theattackstartedassoonasthe'Spirit'appeared."
"AST?"
"Itseemsso."
AST,AntiSpiritTeam.
WearingmechanicalarmortohuntSpirits,catchSpirits,killSpirits;abovehumans,butnotquiteonthelevelofmonsters;theyarethemodernmagicians.
Inotherwords—therealityisthatevenbeingatasuperhumanlevelwasnotenoughtocompeteseriouslywithSpirits.
TheSpirits'powerwasofadifferentmagnitude.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
54 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"—Wehaveconfirmedtenpeople.Atthemomentwearefollowingone,whoisengagedinbattle."
"Showmethevisuals."
Atthecommander'sword,real-timefootageshoweduponthebridge'slargemonitor.
Onawideroadaroundtwoblocksfromdowntown,twogirlsfightingwhilewavinghugeweaponsaroundwasshown.
Withtheclashingoftheweapons,burstsoflightescaped,thegroundcracked,andbuildingscollapsed.Itwashardtoimaginethatthisscenewaspartofreality.
"She'sprettygood.But,well,withaSpiritasanopponentsheprobablywon'tbeabletodoanything."
"Itisasyousay,butitisalsoafactthatwecannotdoanythingeither."
"..."
Thecommanderraisedherfoot,andwiththeheelofherbootsteppedontheguy'sfoot.
"Guhgii!"
Ignoringtheguywhowasmakinganextremelyhappyface,thecommanderquietlysighed.
"Iunderstandthatevenwithoutyoutellingme.I'malsotiredofonlybeingabletowatch."
"So,whatyouaretryingtosayis..."
"Yes.TheRoundTablefinallygavetheirconsent.Theplanisstartingnow."
Withthosewords,thesoundofthecrewmembersinthebridgeswallowingtheirbreathcouldbeheard.
"Kannazuki."
Thecommanderlightlyleanedintothebackoftheseat,andraisedasmallrighthandwiththesecondandthirdfingersheldstraight.Itwasasifshewasaskingfora
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
55 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
smoke.
"Yes,sir."
Theguyquicklyreachedintohispocket,andtookoutasmalllollipop.Hespeedilybutcarefullyremovedthewrapping.
Then,hekneltbesidethecommander,andsaid"pleaseenjoy"asheplacedthelollipopbetweenthecommander'sfingers.
Thecommanderputitinhermouth,andthestickstartedtomoveupanddown.
"...Ahh,nowthatIthinkaboutit,whereisourimportant'secretweapon'?Hedidn'tanswerthephonejustthen.Iwonderifheproperlywenttoashelter?"
"Letmeinvestigate—and,huh?"
Theguytwistedhishead,perplexed.
"What'swrong?"
"Well,that."
Theguypointedtowardsthepicture.Thecommandermovedhergazethere—"ah",shemadeashortsound.
OnthesideofthebattlebetweentheSpiritandtheASTmember,theschooluniformcladfigureofaboywasspreadout.
"...Perfecttiming.Gorecoverit."
"Roger."
Theguygaveanothercourteousbow.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
56 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
57 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Chapter2:GameTrainingStart
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
58 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
59 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part1
—It'sbeenawhile.
Inmyhead,avoicethatI'veheardsomewherebeforeechoed.
—Finally,finallywemeetagain,×××.
Avoicefilledwithnostalgia,withwarmth.
—I'mglad,but,justalittlelonger.Waitjustalittlelonger.
Whoareyou,Iasked,buttherewasnoanswer.
—Iwon'tleaveyouagain.Idefinitelywon'tmakeamistakeagain.That'swhy...
There,themysteriousvoicewascutoff.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
60 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
61 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part2
"...Haa!"
Shidoucameto,
"Uwahh!"
andletoutabigshout.
Wellofcourse.Afterall,awomanhedidn'trecognizewasholdinghiseyelidsopenwithherfingers,whileshininglightonhiseyeswithwhatseemedlikeasmallpenlight.
"...Nn?Hewokeup."
Thewomanwithastrangelysleepyfacesaid,withanindifferentandspacedoutvoice.
SheseemstohavebeencheckingthemovementsoftheeyeballsoftheunconsciousShidou,soherfacewasunusuallyclose.Hecouldsmellafaintfragrance,probablythesmellofhershampoo.
"W,Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-WHOAREYOU?"
"...Nn,aah."
Thewoman,stillinanabsent-mindedstate,raisedherbodyup,drearilysweepingherbangstotheside.
Asacertainamountofdistancewasputbetweenthem,itbecamepossibletoseethefullviewofthewoman.
Sheworewhatwaslikeamilitaryuniform,andwasaround20yearsold.Hermessyhair,eyesdecoratedwiththickdarkcircles,andthestuffedbearcoveredwithscarswhosefacewasforsomereasonpeekingoutofthepocketofthemilitaryuniform,wereherspecialcharacteristics.
"...IamtheAnalysisOfficerhere,MurasameReine.UnfortunatelytheMedicalOfficerisaway.—Butdon'tworry.AlthoughIdon'thavealicense,Icanatleast
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
62 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
handlesomesimplenursing."
"..."
Hecouldn'thelpbutworry.
Because,thiswomancalledReineseemedobviouslylesshealthythanShidou.
Infact,sinceearlier,asifdrawingasmallcirclewithherhead,herbodyhadbeenswayingunsteadily.
Shidou,nowwithhisupperbodyraised,wasremindedbywhatReinehadjustsaid.
"—Here?"
Heasked,lookingathissurroundings.
Shidouhadbeensleepingonasimplepipebed.Surroundingitwasawhitecurtainthatactedasadivider.Itwasaspacelikeaschoolinfirmary.
However,theceilingwasslightlyoutofplace.Someplainpipesandwiringswerevisible.
"Wh-Whereis,here..."
"...Ah,thisisthemedicalofficeof<Fraxinus>.Youwereunconscioussowebroughtyouhere."
"<Fraxinus>...?AndIwasunconscious...,ah—"
That'sright,ShidouhadbeendraggedintothebattlebetweenthemysteriousgirlandOrigami,andhadbeenknockedout.
"...Um,uhm,canIaskafewquestions?ToomanythingsthatIdon'tunderstandhappened..."
Shidousaidwhilescratchinghishead.
However,Reinedidnotrespond,silentlyturningawayfromShidou.
"Ah—Pleasewait..."
"...Followme.There'ssomeoneIwanttointroduceyouto....Iknowyouhavealot
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
63 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
ofquestions,butI'mbadatexplaining.Ifyouwantanyspecificsyoushouldaskthatperson."
Sayingthis,sheopenedthecurtains.Outsidethecurtainswasaslightlylargerspace.Aroundsixbedswerelinedup,andinthebackoftheroomsatsomeunfamiliarmedicaltools.
Reineturnedtowardswhatwasapparentlytheentranceoftheroom,andwobbledtowardsit.
Sheimmediatelystumbled,andwithabang,hitherheadonthewall.
"!A-Areyoualright?"
"...Uuuu."
Shehadn'tfallen.Reine,moaning,wasleaningonthewall.
"...Aah,sorry.RecentlyIhaven'tbeengettingenoughsleep."
"H-Howlonghasitbeensinceyoulastslept?"
Shidouasked,andReine,afterthinkingforabit,raisedthreefingers.
"Threedays.Thenofcourseyou'dbesleepy."
"...Maybearoundthirtyyears?"
"Theunitsaretoodifferent!"
Shidouhadevenpreparedforananswerofaroundthreeweeks,butthisanswerwascompletelyunexpected.
Anditobviouslyexceededtheagethatsheappearedtobeat.
"...Well,it'struethatIcan'trememberthelasttimeIslept.Ihavesomethinglikeextremeinsomnia."
"Is-Isthatso..."
"...Oh.Ahh,excuseme,it'stimeformymedicine."
Reinesuddenlysearchedinherpockets,andpulledoutacaseoftablets.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
64 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Shethenopenedthecase,andpouredthetabletsintohermouthasifsheweredrinkingthem.
"Hey!"
Withoutanyhesitation,thelargenumberoftabletsinReine'smouthwentcrunchcrunchcrunchgulp,andtheyunintentionallylaunchedintoacomedyroutine.
"...Whatisit,you'renoisy."
"Howmuchdidyoueat!Andanyways,whatmedicinewasthat!?"
"...Theywereallsleepingpills."
"You'ddie!That'snotagoodjoke!"
"...Butthey'renotreallyeffectiveanyways."
"Whatkindofbodydoyouhave!"
"...Wellit'ssweetanddelicioussoit'sgood."
"Isn'tthatRamuneinstead!?"
Aftertheboutofshouting,Shidouexhaledadeepbreath.
"...Anyways,thisway.Followme."
Reinereturnedtheemptycasetoherpocket,andonceagainstartedwalkingwithdangeroussteps,openingthedoorofthemedicaloffice.
"..."
Shidouhurriedlyputonhisshoes,andlefttheroomchasingher.
"What's,this..."
Outsidetheroom,wasaconstructionlikeanarrowcorridor.
Thepalecoloredmechanical-styledwallsandfloorsforsomereasonmadeShidourecalltheinnardsofaspacebattleshipthatappearedinsomespaceoperaorthepassagewaysinasubmarinefromsomemovie.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
65 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...WhatamIdoing?"
Shidou,alreadynotknowingwhat'swhat,slowlystartedmovinghisfeet.
RelyingonlyonthebackofReinewhowasstaggeringwithunsteadysteps,inthecorridorthatwaslikeamovieset,footstepsechoed.
Afterwalkingforsometime.
"...It'shere."
Attheendoftheroad,infrontofadoorwithasmallelectronicpanelontheside,Reinestoppedandsaid.
Inthenextmoment,theelectronicpanelmadealightbeep,andthedoorsmoothlyslidopen.
"...There,pleasecomein."
Reinesteppedinside.Shidoufollowedbehind.
"...Thisis..."
Hetookinthesceneryontheothersideofthedoor.
Toexplainwithasinglesentence,itwasaplacelikethebridgeofaship.InfrontofthedoorthatShidoupassedthrough,thefloorspreadoutinahalfoval,andpositionedinitscenterwasachairthatseemedtobethecaptain'sseat.
Furthermore,followingthegentlyslopedstairsonitstwosidesleadtoalowerlevel,wherethecrewmemberscouldbeseenoperatingcomplexlookingconsoles.Itwasdimasawhole,andthemonitorsscatteredhereandtheregaveoffalightthatunpleasantlyassertedtheirpresence.
"...Ibroughthim."
Reinedizzilyswayedherheadasshespoke.
"Goodwork."
Thetallguystandingbesidethecaptain'sseatgavealightbowlikeabutler.Hehadwavyhairandanosethatdoesn'tseemJapanese.HewasayoungmanwithlooksthatcouldappearinBLnovels.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
66 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Hello.IamtheViceCommanderhere,KannazukiKyouhei.Nicetomeetyou."
"O-Ok..."
Whilescratchinghischeek,Shidougaveasmallbowwithhishead.
Foramoment,ShidouhadthoughtReinewastalkingtothisguy.
However—hewasmistaken.
"Commander,AnalysisOfficerMurasamehasreturned."
Kannazukicalledout,andfromthecaptain'sseatwhichhaditsbackfacingthem,alowgroanwasheard,whileitslowlyrotatedaround.
Andthen.
"—Iwelcomeyou.Welcome,to<Ratatoskr>."
Thevoiceoftheonewhowascalled'commander'soundedalittletoolovely,asthefigureoftheyounggirlwearingthecrimsonmilitaryuniformonhershoulderscameintoclearview.
Herhairwasboundbytwolargeblackribbons.Shehadasmallbuild,roundeyeslikeacorns,andinhermouthChupaChups.
Shidoufrowned.Afterall,nomatterhowyoulookatit—
"...Kotori?"
That'sright,nomatterifyougobylooks,orvoice,ortheaurasurroundingher,whilethereareseveraldifferences,thatgirlwaswithoutadoubtShidou'scutelittlesister,ItsukaKotori.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
67 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
68 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part3
"—Itsuka,Shidou."
Mutteringinafaintvoicethatnobodyelsecouldhear,hisfaceappearedinOrigami'smind.
Withoutadoubt,hewastheboyfromthattime.There'snowayOrigami'smemoriescouldbewrong.
Itwasabitofashame,buttheyhadonlymetthatonetime,soitcouldn'tbehelpedthathedidn'trememberOrigami.Sinceenteringhighschoolshehadtriedvariouswaystogetclosertohim,buttheyallendedinfailure.
Andnow,therewasanevenmorepressingissue.
"Why,washeinsuchaplace?"
Shecouldnotunderstandwhyhehadcomeoutintothestreetsafterthespacequakealertsounded.
Also—hehaddefinitelyseenit.
Origami,inthespecialequipment—andtheSpirit.
"MasterSergeantTobiichi,thepreparationsarecomplete!"
"..."
Atthemechanic'ssuddenvoice,Origamijoltedherdowncastfaceupright.
Shethenimmediatelyfocusedonacommandinherhead.
ThecommandtravelleddownthewiringsuitwrappedaroundOrigami'sbody,passingtothethrusterpartsonherback,andactivatedtheembeddedRealizer.
Wrappedintheequipmentwhoseformdidn'tseemsuitedforflying,Origami'sbodywaslightlyfloatingintheair.
JGSDF-TenguuBase.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
69 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Inthehangersituatedononeofitscorners,followingthemechanic'sinstructionsOrigamilandedinherpersonaldockasifsittingdown,returnedtheweaponstotheirdesignatedplaces,andfinally,exhalingadeepbreath,shutoffalloftheRealizers.
Atthesametime,theweightoftheequipmentandtheaccumulatedstressthatshehadn'tfeltevenafragmentofmomentsagoboredownonherbodyallatonce.
Thesoundofamachinestartedbehindher,andthethrustersshecarriedweredisconnected.
However,itwasn'tuntilaroundanotherthreeminutes,beforeOrigamicouldmovefromthatplace.
ThishappenedeverytimeafterusingaCR-Unit.Returningfromasuperhumantoanormalperson,thebodywouldfeelabnormallyheavy.
CombatRealizerUnit.GenerallycalledCR-Unit.
Itwasthenamegiventothetacticalequipmentthatutilizesthemiraculoustechnology,theRealizer,thatthehumanshadobtainedafterthelargespacequakethirtyyearsago.
Ittakestheresultscalculatedbycomputers,anddistortingthelawsofphysics,manifeststhemintherealworld.
Inshort,althoughtherearesomerestrictions,itisatechnologythatturnsimaginationsintoreality.Ithadbeencalledasystemthatproducesso-called'magic'throughscientificmeans.
Atthesametime,itwastheonlywayforhumanstofightagainsttheSpirits.
"Makeway!Stretchercomingthrough!"
Abellowingvoicecamefromtheright.
Movingonlyhereyes,Origaminoticedasquadmembercoveredwiththesamewiringsuitridingonthestretcher.
"...Dammit,shit,thatbitch...!Iswear,I'llfuckingkillher...!"
Thesquadmemberonthestretcherwasholdingdowntheblood-soakedbandageon
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
70 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
hisforeheadandbitterlymutteringinsultswhilebeingcarriedaway.
"..."
Thereshouldbenoproblemsifhecouldswearwithsuchvigor.Losingherinterest,Origamimovedhergazeback.
Infact,iftreatmentiscarriedoutusingamedical-useRealizer,aslongasitisn'tanextremelyseriousinjury,itcanbecuredinnotime.WhenOrigamibrokeherlegbefore,bythenextdayshewasabletowalkagain.
"——"
Whileexhalingalongbreath,Origamiglancedslightlyupwards.
Sherecalledthebattletoday.
—Thecalamitythatwilldestroytheworld,Spirits.
ItwasanabnormalitywhichagroupofsuperhumanslikeOrigamicouldn'tevenhopetoscratch.
Appearingoutofnowhere,spreadingdestructiononawhim,theyweremonstersonthelevelofnaturaldisasters.
"..."
Intheend,eventoday'sbattleendedwiththeSpiritbeinglost,thoughitwasmoreliketheSpiritdecidedtobringdownthecurtains.
Lostdoesn'tmeanthattheSpirithaddied.
AllitmeansisthattheSpiritescapedthroughanotherdimension.
ThoughtherewererecordsinbookswhereitseemedthattheactionsoftheASTdroveawaySpirits,Origamiaswellasalloftheothermembersinvolveddirectlyinbattleknew.
TheSpiritsfeelabsolutelynothreatfromthem,andwhentheSpiritsbecomelost,that'spurelybecauseoftheSpirits'whims.
"..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
71 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Herexpressiondidn'tchangeatall.
However,Origamibitdownhardonherbackteeth.
"Origami"
ThevoicethatcamefromtheinsideofthehangerbrokeOrigami'sthoughts.
"..."
Silently,sheturnedtofacethevoice.Herbodyprobablystillhadn'tgottenaccustomedyet,asherheadfeltextremelyheavy.
Thebasicrealizerequippedonthewiringsuit,oncestarted,canexpandapersonalterritoryofafewmetersaroundtheperson.
ThisterritoryistheessenceoftheCR-Unit.Asthenamestates,itisaspaceinwhichtheuser'sthoughtscanbecomereality.
Ithastheabilitytosoftenanyexternalimpact,aswellasevenallowingthegravityintheinsidetobefreelyset.Aslongasthisterritoryisexpanded,theASTmemberscanbecomesuperhumans.
That'swhyinreturn,forashortwhileafterusingaCR-Unit,itishardtomovethebodyfreely.
"Goodwork."
There,wearingthesamewiringsuitasOrigami,stoodawomaninhermid-20swithherhandonherhip.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
72 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
73 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
CaptainKusakabeRyouko.ThecommandingofficeroftheASTthatOrigamibelongedto.
"YoudidgreatdrivingoffthatSpiritbyyourself....IgaveastrictlecturetoTomonaraandKagaya.Whatweretheythinking,retreatingandleavingtheSpirittoOrigamialone."
"Ididn'tdriveitaway."
Origamireplied,andRyoukoshrugged.
"Well,I'vegottareportitlikethattothetop.Ifwedon'tshowsomeresultsthebudget'sgonnadrop."
"..."
"C'mon,don'tmakesuchaface.I'mpraisingyouafterall.Inthissituationwheretheace'sseatisstillempty,you'remakingagreateffort.Also,ifyouweren'tthere,thenumberofadditionalpeoplewho'dhavediedisn'tjustoneortwo."
Fuuuu,sheexhaledherbreath.
"Buthey,"
Ryoukosharpenedhergaze,grabbedOrigami'sheadandturnedittowardsherself.
"Youwentabitoverboard.—Doyouwanttodiesobadly?"
"..."
WithhersharpgazestillfixatedonOrigami,Ryoukocontinued.
"Doyoureallyunderstandwhatkindofopponentyou'refightinghere?That'samonsterforgod'ssake.Ahurricanewithintelligence.—Doyouunderstand?Withinyourabilities,suppressthedamagetotheminimum,withinyourabilities,makeitlostasearlyaspossible.Thatisourjob.Don'tpointlesslyexposeyourselftodanger."
"—That'swrong."
OrigamirepliedwhilelookingRyoukostraightintheeyes,andonceagainopenedherlipsslightly.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
74 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"TodefeattheSpirits,thatisthedutyoftheAST."
"..."
Ryoukofrowned.
AsthecaptainoftheAST,shewassupposedtohaveunderstoodthenameoftheAntiSpiritTeammuchmoresothanOrigami.
Becausesheunderstood,shestated.
—Wecan'tmanagetodoanymorethansuppressthedamage.
However,whileacknowledgingthat,Origamirepeatedonceagain.
"—Iwill,defeat,theSpirits."
"..."
Ryoukoletoutasigh,andremovedherhandsfromOrigami'shead.
"...Iwasn'tplanningonhearingwhatyoupersonallythink.Thinkwhatyouwant.—However,ifitseemslikeyou'llgoagainstacommandwhileonthebattlefield,you'llberemovedfromtheteam."
"Iunderstand."
Origamigaveashortanswer,raisedherbodywhichhadfinallyadjusted,andwalkedaway.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
75 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
76 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part4
"—So,thishereisthemonsterthatwecallaSpirit,andhereistheAST.They'reJGSDF'sAntiSpiritTeam.You'vegottenyourselfintoaprettyworrisomesituation.Ifwehadn'trecoveredyou,you'dprobablyhavediedtwoorthreetimesbynow.So,ontothenextthing—"
"W-Waitamoment!"
Shidouraisedhisvoice,tryingtoholdbackKotoriwhohadstartedherrapidexplanation.
"Whatisit?Afterallthetroublethiscommanderisgoingthroughtodirectlygiveyouanexplanation.Ifyou'regoingtocry,thendosowithmoredignity.Sinceit'slikethis,Icanatleastgiveyouthespecialprivilegeoflickingthebottomofmyfoot."
Lightlyraisingherchin,withagazethatseemedtobelookingdownonShidou,astreamofabusethatwasnotKotori-likeflowedfromhermouth.
"Re-Really!?"
ThevoicefilledwithgreatgleecamefromtheonestandingbesideKotori,Kannazuki.Kotoriinstantlyreplied"notyou"andelbowedhiminthesolarplexus.
"Gah...!"
Watchingthatexchange,Shidouopenedhismouthinsurprise.
"...Ko-Kotori...Isthatyou?Youweresafe?"
"What'sthis,didyouforgetyourlittlesister'sface,Shidou?Iknewyouwerebadatrememberingthings,butIhadn'texpectedittobethisbad.Maybeit'dbeagoodideatoreserveaspotataretirementhomerightnow."
AlineofsweatrolleddownShidou'sface.
Hepinchedhischeek.Ithurt.
Shidou'slovelysisterwasn'teversupposedtostopcallinghim'onii-chan'.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
77 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Scratchingthebackofhishead,Shidouletoutatroubledvoice.
"...Somehow,I'msoconfusedit'sliketheinsideofmyheadhasbecomeCrocodilePanic[1C1].Whatthehellisgoingon?Orrather,whereamI?Whatarethesepeople?Also—"
Kotori,nodding"okay,okay",heldoutherpalmandstoppedShidou.
"Calmdown.IfIcan'tunderstandwhatyou'reasking,there'snowayIcananswerit."
Sayingthis,Kotoripointedtothescreeninthebridge.
There,theblackhairedgirlthatShidouencounteredearlier,aswellasthehumanscladinmechanicalarmor,werebeingdisplayed.
"Uhmm...didyousay...Spirit?"
Shidouaskedwhilescratchinghischeek.HerecalledthewordthatKotoriusedinherexplanationearlier.
Randomlyappearingintheworld,amonsterofunknownorigins.
"Yes.Sheisabeingthatdidnotexistinthisworldoriginally.Justbyappearinginthisworld,notbyherownwilloranythinglikethat,thesurroundingareawouldbeblownaway."
Withabang,Kotoribroughthertwohandstogether,thenopenedthemup,simulatinganexplosion.
Shidougrimaced,withhishandstillonhischeek.
"...Sorry,thescale'sabittoolargesoit'shardtounderstand."
Hearingthis,Kotorishruggedhershoulders,"youstilldon'tunderstandafterallthis?",andsighed.
"WhatI'msayingisthatspacequakes,orratherthephenomenonthatwecallsuch,aretheaftereffectsofSpiritslikethatgirlappearinginourworld."
"Wh..."
Shidouunconsciouslyknithiseyebrows.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
78 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Anearthquakeinopenspace.Spacequake.
Anextremelyunreasonablephenomenonthateatsintohumankind,intotheworld.
Andthereasonbehindthat,isbecauseofthatgirl—?
"Well...thescaleofthedestructionvaries.Itcouldbelimitedtoassmallasafewmeters,oraslargeas—aroundtheextentofopeningagiantholeinthecontinent."
Kotorimadealargecirclewithherarms.
Shewasprobablytalkingaboutthefirstspacequakethirtyyearsago—theonethatwascoinedtheEurasiaSkyDisaster.
"Luckwasonyourside,Shidou.Ifthescaleoftheexplosionthistimewasslightlylarger,youmighthavebeenblownawayinstantaneously."
"..."
Itwasindeedasshesaid.Evennow,Shidou'sbodycowered.
SeeingShidoulikethis,Kotoriclosedhereyeshalfway.
"Andanyways,whydidyougooutwhilethealertwassounding?Areyouanidiot?Didyouwanttodie?"
"Nothat'snot...becauseyouwere,lookatthis."
Shidoupulledhiscellphoneoutofhispocket,andshowedKotori'spositiondata.Asexpected,Kotori'siconwasstoppedinfrontofthefamilyrestaurant.
"Hm?Ahh,that."
However,Kotoritookherowncellphoneoutofherpocket.
"Ahh...?Whydoyouhave,that."
ShidoulookedbackandforthbetweenthescreenofhisowncellphoneandthecellphoneKotoricarriedthatwasrightinfrontofhiseyes.BecauseKotoriwasatthisplace,hecompletelythoughtthatshehaddroppedhercellphoneinfrontofthefamilyrestaurant.
Kotorishruggedhershoulders,andletoutalongsigh.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
79 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Iwaswonderingwhyyou'dgooutsidewhilethealertwassounding,sothiswasthereason.HowstupiddoyouthinkIwouldbe,youdumbbrother."
"B-But...Ehh,whyisthis—"
"It'ssimple.Thereasonisthatweareinfrontofthefamilyrestaurantrightnow."
"Huh...?"
"Alrightthen.Iguessit'dbefasterifIjustshowyou.—Cutoffthefilter."
FollowingKotori'swords,thedimbridgeimmediatelybrightened.
Nonetheless,itwasnotthatthelightshadbeenturnedon.Ifanything,itwaslikeadarkcurtainthatcoveredtheceilinghadbeensuddenlyremoved.
Infact,theblueskyspreadoutaroundthem.
"Wh-Whatisthis..."
"Pleasedon'tmakearacket.Thesceneoutsideisjustasyousee."
"Thesceneoutsideis...this"
"Mhmm.Wherewecurrentlyareis15000metersaboveTenguuCity.Intermsoflocation,itcoincidentallyendedupbeingrightaroundthefamilyrestaurantwewereplanningtomeetat."
"Wherewe,are..."
"Yup.This<Fraxinus>isanairship."
Foldingherarms,Kotoriletoutasmirk*fufun*.Itwasjustlikeachildbraggingabouttheirfavoritetoy.No—ifanything,itwasprobablyclosertoamotherintroducingthechildshetenderlyraised.
"A-Airship...?Whatthehellisthat.Whyareyouinsomethinglikethat?"
"That'swhy,didn'tIsaytolistentomyexplanationsinorder?Evenachickencanrememberuptowalkingthreesteps."[1C2]
"Uuuu..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
80 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...However,tothinkthatthisplacewouldbefoundfromthetrackingdeviceofacellphone,wecompletelyoverlookedthat.WeletourguarddownafterapplyingInvisibleandAvoidusingtheRealizer.Wemustcomeupwithsomecounter-measureslater."
WhilemutteringwordsthatShidoudidn'tunderstand,Kotoriplacedherhandonherchin.
"W-whatareyoutalkingabout?"
"Ahh,don'tworryaboutit.Ididn'texpectyoutofollowthatanyways,Shidou.Afterall,youhaveabrainthatwouldlosetoahorsehaircrab's[2]intermsofpricepergram."
"..."
"Commander.Crabmisoisn'tmadewithbrainbutwithguts."
AdropofsweatrolleddownShidou'sfaceasKannazukisaidthatwithasteadyvoice.
"..."
Kotorimovedherfingers,beckoningforhimtocome,andKannazukigavealightbow.
Andthen,*pa*,thestickfromthelollipopthatshefinishedwasblowntowardshiseyes.
"Nuaaaaghh!"
Clutchinghiseye,Kannazukitumbledbackwards.
"A-areyoualright?!"
Itdidn'tseemlikehewasacting.Shidouraisedhisvoiceinconcern.
However,rightashewasabouttorushover,hestoppedhisfeet.
Kannazuki,whofellontothefloor,pulledahandkerchieffromhispocket,andwithanecstaticexpression,calmlywrappeditaroundthelollipopstickthatKotorihadjustshotathim.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
81 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Sorry,didIcauseyoutoworry?I'mfine,thisisarewardinourlineofwork!"
Sayingthis,Kannazukiinstantlygotup,standingperfectlystraight.
Whatkindoflineofworkthatis,Shidoudidnotparticularlywanttoknowthedetails.
"Kannazuki."
"Yes."
Kotoriraisedtwofingers,andKannazukitookouttworeplacementcandiesandhandedthemtoher.
"So,backontopic.AST.That'saunitspecializedforSpirits."
Whilespeaking,Kotoripointedtoagroupofpeoplethatwereshownonthescreen.
"...AunitspecializedforSpirits...whatspecificallydotheydo?"
HearingShidou'squestion,Kotoriraisedherbrowsasiftheanswerwasobvious.
"Simple.IfSpiritsappear,thentheyflyoveranddealwithit."
"Dealwithit...?"
"Essentially,exterminatethem."
"...!"
ItwasnotthatwhatKotorisaidcaughthimbysurprise.
However—Shidouwasassaultedbyafeelinglikehisheartwasbeingwrung.
"E-Exterminate...?"
"Yup."
Nonchalantly,Kotorinodded.
Shidougulped.Thesoundofhisheartbeatwasawfullyloud.
Hehadunderstoodwhattheysaid.Spirits.Theycertainlywereadangerous
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
82 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
existence.
But—nomatterwhat,togoasfaraskillingthem.
Suddenly,Shidousawthefaceofthatgirlinhismind.
(—Afterall,didn'tyoucometokillmetoo?)
Themeaningbehindthosewordsthatthegirlhadsaid,hefinallyunderstood.
Aswellasthemeaningofthatfacethatseemedliketearswouldstreamoutatanymoment.
"Well,ifyouconsideritnormally,havingthemdeadwouldprobablybethebestforus."
Seeminglywithoutanyparticularemotion,Kotorispoke.
"W-Wh...y?"
"Why,youask?"
Withadistortedexpression,Shidouaskedlikehewasmoaning,andKotorisophisticatedlyplacedherhandonherchin.
"There'snothingweirdaboutitright?Theyaremonsters.Justbyappearinginthisworldtheycausespacequakes.Theyaretheevilestanddeadliestpoison!"
"But,didn'tyousaybefore?ThatthespacequakeshavenothingtodowiththeSpirits'wishes."
"That'sright.Atleast,itiswidelybelievedthattheexplosionfromfirstenteringthisworldisunrelatedtotheintentionsoftheSpirititself.—But,therehavebeenscarsofdestructionandspacequakevictimsresultingfromthefightwiththeASTafterwards."
"...Butisn'tthatbecausethosepeoplefromtheASTattackedthem?"
"Well,thatmightbeso.—However,thatismerelyaconjecture.Itmightbethat,iftheASTdoesnothing,theSpiritswoulddelightfullystarttheirdestructive
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
83 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
activities."
"That...probablywon'thappen."
KotoritiltedherheadinwonderatShidou'sstatement.
"What'syourproof?"
"Someonewhowoulddestroythestreetsforfun...wouldn'tmakeafacelikethat."
Somethinglikethiswasprobablytoovagueandweaktobecalledaproofbut...forsomereason,Shidoubelievedinitfromthebottomofhisheart.
"Soit'sprobablynotaccordingtotheirintentionsright?Butstill—"
"Whetherornotthey'recausingitvoluntarilyisn'ttheproblem.Ineithercase,itisafactthattheSpiritsarecausingthespacequakes.It'snotthatIdon'tseewhereyou'recomingfrom,butyoucan'tjustleaveadangerousexistenceonthelevelofanuclearbombalonejustbecauseyoufeelsorryforit.Todayitendedwithonlyasmallexplosion,butwecan'tbesurethatnexttimeitwon'tbeaEurasia-leveldisaster."
"Eventhen...tokillthem..."
Shidoustubbornlyargued,and,muttering"goodgrief",Kotorishruggedhershoulders.
"You'veonlymetforafewminutes,andontopofthatitwassomeonewhoalmostkilledyou,butyou'restilltakingtheirside....Coulditbe,youfellforher?"
"N-Noway.Iwasonlywonderingiftherewassomeotherway."
"Someotherway,huh."
HearingShidou'swords,Kotoriletoutalongsigh.
"Sothenlet'shearit,whatotherwaysdoyouthinkthereare?"
"Thatis—"
Thewordsstopped.
Inhismind,hehadfullyunderstoodwhatKotorihadsaid.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
84 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Anaberrationthatleavesdeepscarsintheworldjustbyappearing—Spirits.
Suchathingmustbeeliminatedasquicklyaspossible.
However,itwasonlyforasingleinstant.
Shidouhadwitnessedit.Thegirl'sface,thatseemedliketearswereabouttorollout.
Shidouhadheardit.Thegirl'svoice,filledwithsorrow.
—Ahh,thisiswrong,waswhathehadthought.
"...Anyways."
FromShidou'smouth,wordsstartedflowingnaturally.
"If...wedon'tproperlytalkwiththemevenonce...wewon'tknow."
Thefearoffacingdeathstraightonatthattimewasstillcarvedinthedepthsofhisbody.
Itwashonestlyafearthatwouldmakeonewanttoescape.
However,Shidoucouldnotjustleavethatgirllikethis.
Becausesheis—thesameasShidou.
HearingShidou'swords,Kotori'slipscurledintoamischievoussmile.
Itwasasthoughshewassaying"Iwaswaitingforthosewords".
"Isee.—Then,letmehelpyou."
"Huh...?"
WhileShidou'smouthwashangingopen,Kotorispreadherarmsoutwide.
Reine,andKannazuki,andthecrewspreadoutbelow,andalsothisairship—<Fraxinus>,itwasasifshewasindicatingallofthese.
"Isaid,wewillassistyouwiththat.Allof<Ratatoskr>'spowerwillgotowardssupportingShidou."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
85 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Withanelegantmovement,Kotoriplacedherfingersonherknees.
"Wh-Whatareyoutalkingabout.Idon't—"
"Letmeansweryourfirstquestion.Theoneaboutwhoweare."
AsiftoblockoutShidou'squestions,Kotoriraisedhervoice.
"Okay?ThewaystodealwithaSpiritbasicallyfitintotwomainmethods."
"Two...?"
Shidouasked,Kotorigaveanexaggeratednod,andthenraisedherindexfinger.
"Thefirst,istheapproachthatASTistaking.Themethodofexterminatingthemthroughaclashofpower."
Followingthat,hermiddlefingeralsostoodup.
"Theotheris...themethodoftalkingtotheSpirits.—Weare<Ratatoskr>.WeareanorganizationcreatedforthepurposeofresolvingthespacequakeswithoutkillingtheSpirits,throughconversation."
"..."
Shidounarrowedhisbrowsinthought.Aboutwhatexactlythatorganizationis,andwhyKotoriwaspartofsuchanorganization,thereweremanyquestionsinhismind,but—fornow,heaskedthequestionthatwasthemostonhismind.
"...So,whyissuchanorganizationgoingtobesupportingme?"
"You'vegotthepremiseallwrong.Inthefirstplace,theorganizationcalled<Ratatoskr>wasanorganizationcreatedforShidou'ssake."
"Ha,haaaa...!?"
Shidouhadamagnificentbreakdowninexpression,andletoutahystericvoice.
"Waitamoment.NowI'mmoreconfusedthanbefore.Formysake?"
"Yes.—Well,itmightbemorecorrecttosaythatit'sanorganizationtolaythefoundationsforShidou'sroleinnegotiatingwiththeSpiritsinordertosolvetheproblemoftheSpirits.Eitherway,it'sanorganizationthatwouldn'texistifShidou
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
86 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
didn'texist."
"Wa-wait.Whatdoyoumean?Wereallofthesepeoplegatheredforthatreason?Ormoreimportantly,whyme!"
Shidouasked,andwhilerollingthecandyaroundinhermouth,Kotorimurmured.
"Mm,well,Shidou'sspecial."
"That'snotanexplanationnnnnnnn!"
Unabletoresist,heyelled.
HoweverKotorifearlesslysmiled,andmadeashrugginggesture.
"Ohwell,you'llunderstandthereasoneventually.Isn'tthisfine?I'msayingthatwe,allthemembersandallourtechnologies,willbebackingyouractions.Or—areyouplanningtostandbetweentheSpiritsandASTwithoutanypreparationbyyourself?You'lldie,forsure."
Kotorinarrowedhereyesandspokeinacoldvoice.Withoutnoticingit,Shidouswallowedhisbreath.
ItwasasKotorisaid.Shidouwasjustsinginghisidealsandhopes,butdidnotpossessanymeanstomakeitreality.
Thethingshewantedtosayweresomanythatitseemedthattheymightoverflowfrominsidehisthroat,buthesomehowenduredit,andaskedonlywhatwouldadvancethetopicforwards.
"...Soforthat,conversationmethod,whatinparticularneedstobedone?"
AsmallsmilefloatedonKotori'sface.
"Aboutthat."
Shethenplacedherhandonherchin,
"MaketheSpirit—fallinlove."
Smirking,sheproudlysaidthat.
......
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
87 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Afterabitoftime.
"...What?"
AlineofsweatdrippeddownShidou'sfaceashefrowned.
"...Sorry,Idon'treallyunderstand."
"LikeIsaid,makefriendswithher,talktoher,flirtwithher,dateher,andmakeherfallmadlyinlove."
HearingKotorisaythisasifitwasagiven,Shidouburiedhisheadinhishands.
"...Uhm,andwhywouldthatsolvetheproblemofthespacequakes?"
Kotoriplacedasinglefingeronherchinandwithan"mmmm"madeathinkinggesture.
"Ifwewantasolutiontothespacequakeswithoutusingforce,thenwehavetopersuadetheSpiritright?"
"Thatseemsright."
"Forthat,wouldn'titbequickesttomaketheSpiritcometolikethisworld?Oh,thisworldissowonderful~,iftheybecomelikethat,thenevenaSpiritwouldn'trandomlygoonarampage."
"Isee."
"Thus,well,isn'titoftensaid?Thatifyoufallinlovethentheentireworldseemsbeautiful.—Andso,dateher,andmaketheSpiritfallforyou!"
"No,there'ssomethingwrongwiththatlogic."
Itwasobviousthatthelogicwentoutofthewindow.WhileastreakofsweatfloweddownShidou'sface,hecommented.
"I-Ican'tgothroughwithsuchathing..."
"Bequietyoufriedchicken."
AsShidoutriedtovoiceacomplaint,butKotoricovereditwithastrongvoicethatdidn'tallowhimachoice.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
88 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Iwon'tallowtheASTtokilltheSpirits~,there'sgottabeanotherway~,butIdon'tlike<Ratatoskr>'sway~...?Ifyou'regoingtobenaivethenatleastdoitinmoderationyouBombardierBeetle.Whatcanyoudobyyourself?Knowyourownlimits."
"Ugghh..."
"—Idon'tneedtheapprovalofthebottomofyourstomach.But,ifyoudon'twanttokilltheSpirits...thenyoudon'thaveroomforchoosingthemethod."
Forsomereason,anevilsmilefloatedontoKotori'sface.
Inreality,itwasasshesaid.
Withoutanypowerorsupport,evenifShidouwantedtotalkwiththatSpiritgirlonemoretime,itwouldn'tcometrue.
AST'smethodisoutofthequestion—evenKotori'sgroupprobablywantstoensnaretheSpiritsfortheirpersonalgains,sincethatwastheonlyreasonhecouldthinkof.
However—itwasafactthattherewerenootherways.
"...,Iunderstand."
Shidoubitterlynodded,andKotori'ssmilefilledherface.
"—Yoroshiku.Lookingatthedatauptonow,thenexttimeaSpiritwillshowupisatleastoneweeklater.We'llimmediatelystarttrainingtomorrow."
"Huh...?Training...?"
Shidouuttered,stunned.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
89 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
90 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part5
Thenextdayarrived.April11th,Tuesday.
ItwasthedayafterthedayShidouhadgonethroughastrangeandunrealisticexperience.
Intheend,afterthat,Shidouwasmovedtoadifferentroomwherehewasgivenadetailedexplanationofthesituationthatdraggedonlateintothenightbyamanhedidn'tknow(honestly,hedidn'treallyrememberthelaterparts),andaftersigningvariousformshewasfinallyallowedtoreturnhome.
Withouteventakingabathhedoveintohisbed,andbeforehenoticeditwasmorning.
Hedraggedhissluggishbodytoschool,andenduredthelessonswhilerubbinghissleepyeyes,andfinallythelastclassended—waswhathewasthinkingwhenatthatmomenttheincidenthappened.
"Come."
"Eh?"
Suddenly.
Shidou'shandwasgrabbedbyOrigami,asheletoutaconfusedvoice.
"Ah,wa-wait..."
Hischairtoppledoverwithacrash,andhewasdraggedoutoftheclassroombyOrigami.
Behindhim,Tonomachi'smouthwashangingopen,andforsomereasongroupsofgirlsweremakingacommotiongoing*kyaa,kyaa*.
Whilethinkingthatanotherrumorwasgoingtostartgoingaround,ShidoufollowedOrigami.Well,atleastit'sbetterthanbeingtreatedasthe'bestcouple'togetherwithTonomachi,hecomfortedhimself.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
91 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Withoutaword,Origamiclimbedupthestairsuntilshereachedthetightlylockeddoortotheroof,andfinallyletgoofhishand.
Theclatterofthestudentsleavingschoolseemedawfullyfaraway.
Thoughtherewerepeoplelessthantenmetersaway,itseemedasifthiswasalonely,isolatedspace.
"Eh,uhmm..."
Eventhoughhedidn'thaveanyfeelingsforOrigami,forsomereason,beingbroughttosuchaplacebyagirl,hefeltawkward.Shidou'sgazeswam.
However,withoutanywarning,
"Yesterday,whywereyouatsuchaplace?"
ShespokewhilelookingatShidoustraightintheeyes.
"Well,itseemedmysisterwasstillinthestreetsafterthealarmrang,soIwassearching.."
"Isee.—Didyoufindher?"
Shidouanswered,andwithherexpressionsunchanging,notevenshowingsurprise,Origamireplied.
"—A-Ah...yeah."
"Isee.That'sgreat."
Aftersayingthis,Origami'slipscontinuedtomove.
"—Yesterday,yousawme."
"A-Ahh..."
"Don'ttellanyone."
AsShidouwasabouttoaffirm,Origamisaidinacommandingvoice.
IwonderhowshewouldreactifIreplied"Ifyoudon'twanteveryonetofindoutthenyoubetterlistentowhatIsay,hehehe",suchadangerouscuriosityshowedon
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
92 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Shidou'sface.
Butasexpected,Shidoudidn'thavethatmuchcourage.Heslowlytiltedhisheadforward.
"Inaddition,it'snotjustaboutmyself—buteverythingyousawandheardyesterday.Itwouldbebestifyouforgotitall."
Shewasdefinitely...talkingabouttheSpirit.
"...Doyoumeanthatgirl?"
"..."
OrigamimerelylookedatShidousilently.
"H-Hey...Tobiichi.Thatgirl—"
HehadalreadyheardabouttheSpiritsfrom<Ratatoskr>,butShidoustillasked.
Intheend,thatwasonlytheviewpointofKotoriandherorganization.Ifit'speoplelikeOrigamiwhocrossswordswiththem,hethoughtthattheywouldprobablyhaveadifferentmindset.
"ThatwasaSpirit."
Origamigaveashortreply.
"It'ssomethingthatImustdefeat."
"...T-ThatSpirit,issheabadperson...?"
Shidoutriedthrowingoutthisquestion.
Ashedidso,itwasslight,buthethoughthesawOrigamibiteherlips.
"—Myparents,passedaway5yearsago,becauseofaspirit."
"...Wh—"
TheunexpectedreplycloggedupShidou'swords.
"Idon'twanttheretobemorepeoplelikeme."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
93 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Is,thatso—"
Shidouplacedhishandonhischest.
Hetriedtosomehowcalmhisintenseandprofuseheartbeat.
However,suddenlyaworrisomethoughtcameintohismind.Whilescratchinghischeek,heaskedOrigami,whoevennowwasstilllookingstraightathim.
"NowthatIthinkaboutit,Tobiichi...abouttheSpirit,andstufflikethat,isitalrightforyoutotalkaboutthem...?Well,eventhoughIaskedaboutthem..."
"..."
Origamiwassilentforamoment.
"Noproblem."
"I-Isthatso?"
"Ifyoukeepitasecret."
"...AndifIdon't?"
"..."
Again,herwordsstoppedforamoment.
"It'dbeaproblem."
"Isee...thatwouldbebad....Ipromiseyou,Iwon'ttellanyone."
Withanod,Origamiapproved.
Attheendoftheirconversation,OrigamimovedhergazeawayfromShidou,andproceededdownthestairs.
"...Fuuu..."
Afterhecouldn'tseeOrigami'sbackanymore,Shidouleanedonthewallandletoutasigh.Eventhoughalltheydidwastalk,hefeltanextremenervousness.
"Herparents,diedbecauseofSpirits—huh."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
94 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
*Dong*,hebangedhisheadonthewall,andmuttered.
TheSpiritswerecalledthecalamitythatwilldestroytheworld.Suchathing—probablyhappens.
"...WasIjustnaiveafterall..."
OrigamiandKotori,thoughtheirdirectionsweredifferent,theyweremovingundertheirfirmbeliefs.
ButwhataboutShidou?
TheharshwordshesaidbeforeKotoriyesterday,couldhesaythesametowardsOrigami?
"..."
*Haaa*,heletoutabreath.Hedoesn'tthinkthathisactionsaremistaken,buthehadacomplicatedfeeling.
Then,asShidouwasabouttodescendthestairs.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!!"
Fromthedirectionofthecorridor,heheardthescreamsofafemalestudent.
"...!?Wh-What'swrong?"
Hurriedlyboundingdownthestairsandtakingalook,hesawthatafewstudentshadgatheredinthecorridor.
Intheircenter,henoticedawomanwearingawhitecoatcollapsedonthefloor.
"Wh-Whathappened?"
"I-Itseemsshe'sanewteacher,and...shesuddenlyfell...!"
Iasked,andafemalestudentnearbyhurriedlyanswered.
"Idon'treallyunderstand,butfornowlet'sgetthenurse—"
AsShidoustartedtospeak,thecollapsedwomaninthewhitecoatgrabbedhisleg.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
95 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"W-Waaaah!?"
"...Don'tworryaboutme.Ijusttripped."
Whilespeaking,thewomanslowlyraisedherfacewhichhadbeenattachedtothefloor.
"Y-You're...!"
Longbangs,andthickcircles.Shewaswearingglasses,buttherewasnowayhecouldforgetthosefacialfeatures.
"...Hn?Ahh,youare—"
Thewoman—<Fraxinus>'sAnalysisOfficer,MurasameReine,slowlypickedherselfofftheground.
"Wh-whatareyoudoingatthisplace...?"
"...Can'tyoutellbylooking?I'vebecomeateacher.InparticularIwillbeteachingphysics,aswellastakingthepositionofassistanthomeroomteacherforclass2-4."
Whiledisplayingthenametagonherchest,Reinereplied.Incidentally,thestuffedbearcoveredinscarspeekedoutofherbreastpocketdirectlyaboveit.
"No,there'snowayIcouldknowthat!"
Ayell—atthatpoint,Shidounoticedthatoddlythesurroundinggazeshadgatheredonthem.
"Ah...I-Itseemsthatthispersonisfine."
HestretchedouthishandandhelpedReineup.
"...Nn,thanks."
"Noproblem.Let'stalkwhilewalking."
Payingmindtothesurroundings,Shidousuggested.
MatchingReine'space,theyploddedaway.
"Uhm—AnalysisOfficerReine?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
96 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Nn,ahh,justReineisfine."
"Huh?"
"...Iwillalsocallyoubyyourname.Theysaycoordinationandcooperationisbornfromtrust."
Reinenoddedafewtimes,andlookedatShidou'sface.
"Uhm,youwere...Shintarou,wasit?"
"Wayoff!"
Therewasn'tanythingliketrustthere.
"...NowthenShin,thismightbesudden."
"What'swiththatsplendidthrough?!Orratheryouevengavemeaweirdnickname!"
Theshoutburstforth.However,Reinecontinuedasifshehadn'theardShidou'swords.
"...ThepreparationsforthestrengtheningtrainingthatKotoritalkedaboutyesterdayhasbeencompleted.Iwassearchingforyou.Thisisperfect,let'sproceedtothephysicspreparationroom."
AnythingShidousaysnowwouldbeuseless,sohegaveuponretorting,andafterabigsigh,returnedaquestion.
"ExactlywhatwillIbedoingforthistraining?Uhm...Reine-san."
"...Hm.IheardthisfromKotori,butShin,itseemsthatyouhaven'tassociatedwithgirlsbeforeright?"
"......"
—Mydearsister,whyareyouleakingyourbrother'shistorywithwomen(zero)tootherpeople?
AveinpoppeduponShidou'sfaceashegaveanambiguousnod.
"...It'snotlikeI'mtryingtoblameyou.It'sverygoodtohavefirmmorals....But,that
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
97 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
won'thelpyouwhenyou'retryingtoseduceaSpirit."
"Ugh..."
Frowning,hegroaned.
Itwasprobablywhentheypassedclosetothestaffroom,when
"...Ah?"
Shidousawastrangesightandstopped.
"...What'swrong?"
"Lookatthat..."
Wherehewaslookingat,thehomeroomteacherTama-chanwaswalking—followingbehindher,atinyshadowwithhairsplitintwothenturnedaround.
"Ah!"
PerhapsshenoticedShidou'sgaze,butthetinyshadow—Kotori'sexpressionsuddenlybrightened.
"Oniii-chaaaaaaan!"
Instantly,asifsuckedtowardshim,KotorilandedasurpriseassaultonShidou'sstomach.
"Hagaa....!"
"Ahahaha,yousaidhagaa!That'sthemayor!ahahahaha!"[1C3]
"Ko-Kotori...!?Whyareyouinthishighschool..."
ShidouaskedwhilesomehowpeelingoffKotoriwhowasclingingontohisstomach,andfrombehindKotori,teacherTama-chanhurriedover.
"Ah,Itsuka-kun.Yoursistercame,sowewerejustgoingtobroadcastit."
"A-Ahh..."
Takingagoodlook,Kotoriwaswearingtheslippersforguests,andhadaguest
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
98 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
passonthechestofhermiddleschooluniform.Itseemssheenteredtheschoolafterproperlygoingthroughtheformalities.
"Oh,teacher,thankyou!"
"It'smypleasure."
TheteacherreturnedasmiletoKotoriwhowasenergeticallywavingherhand.
"Ohmy,whatacutesister."
"Haa...yeah."
Asadropofsweatrolleddownhisfaceandwithabittersmile,Shidougaveanambiguousreply.
Aftersmilingandwaving"byebye"toKotori,theteacherwalkedawaytowardsthestaffroom.
"...So,Kotori."
"Huh,Whaat?"
Whileopeningherroundeyes,Kotoritiltedherhead.
ThatbehaviorbelongedtothecutelittlesisterthatShidouwasfamiliarwith.
"You...thosethingslastnight,like<Ratatoskr>,orSpirits—"
"Let'stalkaboutthoselater."
Hertonewasthesameasalways,butforsomereasontherewasthefeelingofsomekindofpressure,soShidoufellsilent.
Then,frombehindShidou,Reine'squietvoiceechoed.
"...You'reearly,Kotori."
"Mm,becauseIleft<Fraxinus>behindmidway."
Althoughshehadsaidtotalkaboutthoselater,shehadnaturallysaidtheship'sname.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
99 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Feelingthatthiswasabitirrational,Shidouplacedahandonhisforehead.
Lookingatthatwithacarefreesmile,KotoriproceededdownthecorridorasiftoguideShidou.
"Anyways,hey,onii-chan.Let'sgo?"
Sayingthis,Kotoripulledhishand.
"Wh...Whoa,Igetitsoslowdown."
Todaywasadaywherehewasdraggedalongbygirlsalot.Whileleisurelythinkingaboutsuchathing,theyreachedtheirdestination.
Eastschoolbuildingfourthfloor,physicspreparationroom.
"Now,comein,comein~♪"
"Don'tsayitlike'heigh-ho'!"[1C4]
UrgedbyKotori,Shidouslidopentheslidingdoor.
Immediatelyafter,hefrownedandrubbedhiseyes.
"...Hey."
"...What?"
ReinerespondedtoShidou'swordsbytiltingherhead.
"What'swiththisroom?"
Thephysicspreparationroomwasnotaplacethatstudentsnormallyentered,andinfact,Shidouhadnoideawhatitcontained.
Buteventhen,heclearlyrealized.
—Thatthiswasnotthephysicspreparationroom.
Afterall,Shidou'svisionwasfilledwithalargenumberofcomputers,displays,andvariouselectronicdevicesthathehadneverseenbefore.
"...They'retheroom'sequipment?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
100 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Whyareyouansweringwithaquestion!Orratherbeforethat,isn'tthisthephysicspreparationroom?Whathappenedtotheteacherinchargeofthisplace!"
That'sright.Originally,thiswassupposedtobetheonlyplaceotherthanthetoiletwherethekindandplainelderlyphysicsteacherChousokaBeshiyouichi(nicknamednatural-bornstonehat[1C5])couldrelax.
Now,teacherChousokaBeshiyouichi'sfigurecouldnotbeseenanywhere.
"..Ahh,him.Hmm."
Reineplacedherhandonherchinandgaveasmallnod.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Justlikethat,afewsecondspassed.
"...Ohwell,evenifyoustandthereitwon'tchangeanything.Pleaseenter."
"What'safter'hmm'!?"
Whatanamazingignoringability.It'saskillthatJapanesepeopleshoulddefinitelylearnnowadays.
Reineenteredtheroomfirst,andsatinachairplacedinthedeepestpartoftheroom.
Next,KotorienteredtheroomfrombesideShidou.
Then,inaveryaccustomedmanner,sheuntiedherhairboundinwhiteribbonsandrefastenedthemwiththeblackribbonsthatshetookoutfromherpocket.
"—Phew."
Asshedidso,itseemedlikeKotori'saurasuddenlychanged.
Shethensluggishlyloosenedthecollarofheruniform,andcollapsedintoachair
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
101 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
nearReinewithabigthump.
Andthen,fromthebagshecarried,Kotoritookoutwhatseemedlikeasmallbinder.
Insideit,linedupbeautifullyinaset,werevarioustypesofChupaChups.
Itwastherumoredcandyholder.
Kotorichoseone,puttingitinhermouth,andsentagazethatseemedtobelookingdownonShidou,whowasstillstandingattheentrancetotheroom.
"Howlongareyougoingtostandaroundfor,Shidou?Orareyoutryingtobeascarecrow?You'dbettergiveup.Withyourstupidface,Idon'tthinkyou'llbeabletochasecrowsaway.Ah,butsinceit'ssogrossmaybeontheotherhandhumanswon'tcomenearyou."
"..."
Seeinghissisterwhohadtransformedintoaqueeninasinglemoment,Shidouplacedhishandonhisforehead.
Changingtheribbonhadprobablycausedaswitchinmindset.
ItwasliketheflippingoverofpiecesinReversi,impressivelyJekyll&Hydelike.
"...Kotori,whichisyourtruecharacter...?"
"You'rebeingprettyrude.Youwon'tbepopularwithwomenlikethat.—Ahh,sothat'swhyyou'restillavirgin.Sorryforpointingoutsuchanobviousthing."
"...Hey."
"Accordingtostatistics,morethanhalfofmenwhoreachedtwenty-twowithoutbeingabletodateagirlremainvirginsforlife."
"ThatmeansIstillhavemorethanfiveyearsleft!Don'tunderestimatethefutureme!"
"Peoplewhotalkonlyaboutpossibilitiesorhowlongtheyhaveleft,intheendtheonlythingtheysayis'I'llworkhardstartingtomorrow'."
"Guh..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
102 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Realizingthathecouldn'twininanargument,hegrithisteethandshutthedoor.
"...Now,anywaysShin,thetrainingisabouttostart.Pleasesithere."
Sayingthis,Reineindicatedachairsandwichedbetweenthetwoofthem.
"...Okay."
Shidouhadalreadyrealizedthatanyofhiscomplaintswouldbeuseless,sohefollowedtheirdirectionsandsatinthechair.
"Now,let'simmediatelystartthetort...*cough**cough*,let'sstartthetraining."
"Youjustsaidtorturerightnowdidn'tyou."
"It'syourimagination.—Reine."
"...Ahh."
Kotorispoke,andReineagreedwhilecrossingherlegs.
"...Whateveryourintentions,inordertojoininourplans,youmustattheveryminimumclearacertainrequirement."
"Whatisit?"
"...Insimplewords,youmustbecomemoreusedtodealingwithfemales."
"Dealingwithfemales...huh?"
"...Ahh."
Reinenodded.Forsomereason,itseemedlikeshewasabouttofallasleepjustlikethat.
"...Notonlytobreakthroughthetarget'sguard,butinordertogaintheiraffection,maintainingaconversationisessential.Althoughwecangiveinstructionsonwheretogoandwhattosay...butifthepersoninquestionisnervousthenitwon'twork."
"Aconversationwithagirl...itcan'tbethattough."
"Iwonder."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
103 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
KotorisuddenlygrabbedShidou'shead,andpushedithardintoReine'sbreasts.
"......!?"
"...Nn?"
Reineletoutastrangesound.
Hischeekswereattackedbyawarmandsoftfeeling,andfollowingthatafragrancethatseemedtomelthisbraincircledinhisnose.ShidouinstantlypushedKotori'shandawayandraisedhisfacewithajolt.
"...Wh-wh-wh-whatareyoudoing...!"
"Hmm,it'snogoodhuh."
Kotorimockinglyshruggedhershoulders.
"Youunderstandnowright?Ifsomethinglikethisevenmessesupyourheartbeatthenit'sdefinitelynogood."
"No,clearlythisexampleisstrangeright!?"
HoweverKotoriwasn'tabouttolistentohim,assheshookherheadindisappointment.
"Really,you'reasadcherry-boyhuh.Ohmy,didIjustthinkyouwereabitcute?"
"Sh-shutup."
"...Well,isn'titfine?It'sbecauseofthisthatwecamehereafterall."
Sayingthis,Reinecrossedherarms.Hernaturallymagnificentbustwasevenmoreemphasized.
Orrather,theywere'riding'onherarms.
"..."
Forsomereasonlookingatthemmadehimfeelembarrassed,sowithoutnoticingithisvisionwandered.
—Trainingtogetusedtofemales.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
104 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
InShidou'shead,thewordsReinesaidpassedthrough.
Moreover,theymoreorlessbecamehowtoavoidbeingflusteredineroticsituations...orsomethinglikethat.
KotoriandReine,whatexactlyaretheyplanningonmakingShidoudohere—
"Swallowyoursaliva.It'sdisgusting."
Placingherelbowsonthedesk,Kotorisaidwithhalf-openedeyes.
"...!N-noit'snotlikethatKotori!I-Iwasn't..."
"...Ohwell,weren'twestartingimmediately?"
CuttingintotheconversationbetweenKotoriandShidou,Reinepushedherglassesup.
"Haa—,w-wait,Ihaven'tpreparedmyselfyet..."
Withhisvoiceshakingfromnervousness,Shidoustraightenedhisback.
WithoutmindinghimReinemuttered"...Nn",andlikeamomentagobroughtherbodytowardsShidou.
Comparedwiththepreviouscasewheretheywerebroughtintocontactwithoutanypriornotice,hisheartthrobbedwayfaster.
—Ahh,what?Justwhatisshegoingtodo...!?
Withhisheartbeatinglikethishecouldn'tevenmove.Whilemakinganexpressionlikeamaincharacterinan80'sshoujomanga,Shidoutightlyclosedhiseyes.
However,nomatterhowlonghewaited,nothinghappened.
Openinghiseyesandtakingalook,Reinehadmerelypluggedinthepowerforthemonitoronthedesk.
"Eh...?"
WhileShidoustaredblankly,acutelydesignedword<Ratatoskr>showeduponthescreen.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
105 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Next,togetherwithapoptune,beautifulgirlswithcolorfulhairwereshowninorder,andalogothatseemedtobethetitle,'Makelove,my•little•Shidou',danced.
"Th-thisis..."
"...Yup.It'swhat'scalledadatingsimulationgame."
"It'sagalge?!"
Shidouletoutashoutthatwaslikeashriek.
"Ohmy,whatwereyouimagining?Itseemsonlyyourfantasizingabilityisfirst-rate,disgusting."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
106 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
107 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...N,th-that's..."
Fumblingforwords...somehowhemanagedtocalmhisheartbeatbyclearinghisthroat.
"I-Iwasjust,wonderingifsomethinglikethisreallycountsastraining..."
Silently,Kotorilookedathimwitheyeslikeshewaslookingatsomethingdirty.
Hewishedthatshewouldatleastsaysomething.Thissilence,thissilenceispainful.
"...Well,pleasedon'tsaythat.Thisismerelythefirststageofthetraining.Moreover,thisisn'tsomethingyoucanfindinstores,itwasproducedbythewholeof<Ratatoskr>.Itrealisticallyreproducessituationsthatcanhappeninreality.Itshouldbeatleastabletoprepareyou.Bytheway,it's15+."
"Ahh...soit'snot18+."
Shidousaidthatwithoutanyparticularmeaning,andKotorilookedathimwithalookborderingonpity.
"You'retheworst."
Then,Reinescratchedherhead.
"...Shin,aren'tyou16?Youshouldn'tbeabletoplay18+gamesright?"
"Butisn'tthissubtlydifferentfromwhatyousaidamomentago?!"
Heyelled,butitdidn'tseemlikeeitherKotoriorReinewasgoingtorespond.
"...Nn,thenletusstart."
"Okayokay...let'ssee."
Despitefeelingthatsomethingdidn'tmakesense,Shidoutookthecontrollerinhishandsasurged.
Playingagalgewhileyoursisterandateacherwatched,whatkindofpunishmentisthis,hethought.
Skimmingovertheprotagonist'smonologue,thegameprogressedforward.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
108 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Then,thescreensuddenlyturneddark.
"Goodmorning,mybrother!It'sanothernicedaytoday!"
Togetherwiththosewords,aprettyCGwasshownonthescreen.
Ashortgirl,probablytheprotagonist'slittlesister,wasdrawninaslantedcomposition.
Orrather,shewassteppingonthesleepingprotagonist.
Withherpantiesinfullview.
"There'snooooooway!!"
Whilegrippingthecontroller,Shidouraisedhisvoice.
"...What'swrongShin.Isthereaproblem?"
"Didn'tyousaythatthisreproducessituationsthatcouldhappeninreality?!"
"...That'sright,istheresomethingweird?"
"Weirdornot,suchamessedupsituationcould...never..."
Stoppinginthemiddle,Shidou'sforeheadstartedtosweat.
Herealizedthatforsomereason,anextremelysimilarexperienceseemedtohavehappenedjustyesterdaymorning.
"...Whatisit?"
"...Nevermind,it'snothing."
Whilefeelingthattherewassomethingextremelyoff,Shidoureturnedtothegame.
Afterheadvancedthetextabit,somewordsappearedinthemiddleofthescreen.
"Huh...?What'sthis?"
"Mm,thosearechoices.Youchoosetheprotagonist'snextactionthroughoneofthese.Asyoudoyouraffectionpointswillchangeaccordinglysobecareful."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
109 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Sayingthis,Kotoripointedtothebottomrightsideofthescreen.There,wasanobjectlikeameterwithitspointeronthezeroposition.
"Hmm...Isee.Soit'sfineifIjustchooseoneoftheseright?"
Shidoumovedhiseyesfromtheaffectionpointsmetertothechoices.
①"Goodmorning.IloveyouRiriko."Lovinglyhugyoursister.
②"I'mawake.Orratheryou'vecompletelywokemeup."Dragyoursisterintothebed.
③"Icaughtyou,idiot!"Grabthelegthat'ssteppingonyou,andperformananklelock.
"...Whatthehellarethesethreechoices!Whatpartofthisisreal!I'veneverdoneanyofthesethings!"
"Whatever,butthetimelimitisalmostup."
"Huh...?!"
JustlikeKotorisaid,thenumberdisplayedunderthechoiceswasgraduallygettingsmaller.
"...GuessIhavetodoit."
Shidousaidasifgroaning,andchosethemostnormalofthechoices,①.
"Goodmorning.IloveyouRiriko."
Ilovinglyhuggedmysister,Ririko.
AsIdidso,Ririko'sfaceimmediatelyfilledwithscorn,andshepushedmeaway.
"Eh...hey,what,willyoustopthat?It'sgross."
Theaffectionpointsmeterdroppedallthewaytominusfifty.
"Itwassupposedtobereal!"
Whileslammingthecontrollerontohisknees,Shidouyelled.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
110 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Ahhhh,you'reanidiot.Evenifit'syoursister,it'sobviousthatthat'swhatwouldhappenifyousuddenlyhugher.—Jeez,it'sgoodthatthisisjustagame,ifthishappenedinreality,alovelyairholewouldhaveopenedupinShidou'sstomach."
"ThenwhatamIsupposedtodo!"
Shidouscreamedaboutthisextremelyunreasonabletreatment,andKotoriactedlikeshehadn'theardit.
Withasigh,sheturnedontheLCDscreeninfrontofherself.
"Ah...?Whatareyoudoing?"
"Evenifit'straining,thereneedstobeabitoftension."
Onthescreen,ascenerythatherememberedwasshown.ItwastheentrancetoRaizenHighSchool.
There,inthecamera'ssight,stoodamiddle-agedmanwearingthehighschool'suniform.
"...What'swiththatguy?"
"He'spartofourcrew."
Sayingthis,Kotoripulledsomethinglikeamicoutofnowhereandspokeintoit.
"—It'sme.Shidoufailedachoice.Doit."
"Huh?"
Themanintheimagebowed.
"Huh...?Wh-what?"
Shidounarrowedhisbrows,andthemanintheimagetookoutapieceofpaperfromhispocket.Hethenhelditoutinfrontofthecamera.
Themomenthesawit,Shidoufeltashockasifhisheartstopped.
"Th-That's—"
Seeinghisreaction,asmilethatshowedthatshewasenjoyingthisgreatlysurfaced
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
111 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
onKotori'sface.
"That'sright.It'sthepoemthattheyoungShidou,affectedbymanga,wrote:'Etude,tributetothecorrodingworld'."
"Wh...wh-wh-wh-whydoyouhavethat...?!"
ItwaswithoutadoubtthepoemthatShidouhadwritteninhisnotebookinmiddleschool.Butbeforegoingtohighschool,itbecameembarrassingandheshouldhavehaddisposedofit.
"Fufu,IthoughtthatitwouldcomeinhandysomedaysoIpickeditup."
"Wh,wh-wh-whatareyouplanning...!"
Whilegrinning,Kotoriletoutthecommand,"Doit."
"Yes."
Withashortanswer,themanpolitelyplacedthepoemintoanearbyshoerack.
Likethis,somestudentthatcomestoschooltomorrowwillendupreadingthepoemShidouputhiswholesoulinto!
"Wh...whatareyoudoing!"
"Don'tmakeafuss,you'reshameful.IfyoumessupwhendealingwithaSpiritthenitwon'tendwithsomethinglikethis.There'snoquestionaboutShidouyourself,butthereisalsothepossibilitythatwecouldevengetdraggedin.—Thus,inordertogiveyouasenseoftension,I'veputinthispenalty."
"That'stooheavyyyyy!Orrather,wouldn'tIbetheonlyonethatwouldgethurt?!"
Shidouyelled,andReinegaveanod,placingherhandonherchin.
"...Indeed,whatShinsaysdoesmakesense."
"!Th-that'sright!"
Withtheunexpectedhelp,Shidou'sfacebrightened.However,
"...Inthatcase,whenShingetsachoicewrong,weshouldalsofacesomekindofpenalty."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
112 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Sayingthis,shestartedtoslowlytakeoffherwhitecoat.
"Wai...whatareyoudoing?!"
"...Uh,weren'tyousayingthatitwasunfairthatyouweretheonlyonegettingembarrassed?SowhenShinmakesamistakeonachoicethenIwilltakeoffapieceofclotheslikethis."
Shesaid,andwithoutseemingparticularlyembarrassedshecrossedherarms.
"Thatwasn'twhatImeanttttttt!"
"Whatever,continuewiththegame."
Kotoriimpatientlykickedthechair.
Withanalmostcryingface,Shidougaveupandfacedthescreen.
But,ifthechoicesthatappearlaterarealllikethis,hehadnoconfidencethathecouldsafelyclearthem.
"...HeyKotori,forthesakeoflearning,canItryallthechoicesforthelastchoice?"
"Uwah,chickeningoutandthinkinglikeacommoner,howdisgraceful."
"Sh-shutup,it'smyfirsttimeplayingsomethinglikethissogivemeabreak!"
"Jeez,finethen.Justthisonetime.—Then,savehere."
"O-Okay..."
AfterShidoufinishedsaving,heresetthegameandreturnedtothefirstchoice.
"..."
Withagrimfaceheglaredatthechoices...therereallydoesn'tseemtobeadecentone.
Butitdidn'tseemlike③wouldraisetheaffectionpoints.Byprocessofelimination,hechose②.
"I'mawake.Orratheryou'vecompletelywokemeup."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
113 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Groggilywakingup,IdragRirikointothebedandpulltheblanketsoverher.
"Ah...,wh-whatareyoudoing!"
"Ican'thelpit.It'sbecauseofRirikothatit'sgottenlikethis."
"!!Noo,stop!Noooooooo!"
"It'sfineit'sfineit'sfine."
Thescreenturneddark.
Thedevelopmentsafterwardhappenedinaninstant.
Thelittlesister,collapsedintears.Theprotagonist,beingbeatenbythefather.Theclearsoundofhandcuffs.Theprotagonist,laughingaloneinadarkroom.
WiththatCGasthebackground,asadmusicaswellasthecreditsbegantoflow.
"Whatthehellisthiiiiiiiis!"
Unabletoresist,Shidouyelled.
"Ifyousuddenlydosomethinglikethatthenit'sobviouswhattheresultwillbeyousexoffender."
"Then③'sthecorrectanswer?!"
Shidouresetthegame,andforthethirdtimereturnedtothefirstchoice,andthistimechose③.
"Icaughtyou,idiot!"
Itwistedmysister'sleg,performingananklelock—ortriedto.
"Naive."
Shetwistedherbody,escapingfrommygrasp,andlikethat,swungherlegaroundmybackandgrabbedmylegsinasplendedSharpshooter
"Gwahh...?!"
Afterwards,duetotheinjuriessustainedatthattime,theprotagonistbecame
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
114 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
paraplegicandwasforcedintoalifetrappedinawheelchair.—Likethat,thegameended.
"Hey,wasn't①thecorrectchoiceafterall?!Andnormallyyourlittlesistershouldn'tbeabletopullsuchamove!"
"Hmpf."
AssoonasShidousaidthis,Kotoridraggedhimbythecollarandflunghimontothefloor,instantlygrabbinghislegsandpullingaSharpshooter.
"Gah...?!"
"Hmph,gah?Atleastcalloutforyourmother."
Sayingthis,sheletgoofShidouandrefreshinglystraightenedherhair.
"H-heyyou,wheredidyoulearnsucha—"
"It'salady'smeansforselfdefense."
Sheflatlysaid.
TheimageShidouhadofaladysuddenlychangedtothatofaprowrestlerbulgingwithmuscle.
"Ugh...,thenwhataboutthis,intheendwhat'sthecorrectchoice?"
"Jeez,you'reevengoingtoaskthecreatorfortheanswer?Howpitiful."
Whilespeaking,KotorigrabbedthecontrollerfromShidou,resetthegameandproceededuntilthefirstchoice.
Shethenproceededtosilentlystareatthescreenwithoutselectinganything.
"...?Whatareyoudoing?Ifyoudon'thurry—"
BeforeShidoufinishedtalking,thenumberdisplayedbelowthechoicesbecamezero.
"Nnn...tenmoreminutes..."
"Comeon!Wakeupalready!"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
115 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Likethis,anextremelynormalconversationwasshownonthescreen.
Theaffectionpointsmeterneitherwentupnordown.
"Wha..."
"Don'tyouthinkthere'ssomethingwrongwithchoosingfromsuchweirdchoices?"
Laughingscornfully,KotorigavethecontrollerbacktoShidou.
"I'llmakeaspecialexceptionandletyoucontinuefromthispath,sohurryupandcontinue.Oh,andstartingfromthenextchoicetherewillbepenalties."
"Guh...,grr..."
Whilefeelingsomethinginexplicable,Shidougrabbedthecontroller.
Continuingthegame,afemaleteacherboastingabustofover100centimetersshoweduponthescreen.
Eventhoughitwasalreadyunrealistic,Shidouignoreditandproceededonwards.
Then,
"Kyaa!"
Withascream,thefemaleteachertrippedoverthinairandfellinawaysuchthattheprotagonist'sfacewaspushedintoherbreasts.
Asexpected,thecontrollerwasthrownontothedesk.
"There's,noway!Somethinglike..."
Hestartedtospeak,butonceagainShidoufeltacoldsweat,anddejectedlypickedupthecontrolleragain.Hefeltthatsomethinglikethis,althoughthesituationwasdifferent,hadhappenedjustawhileago.
"What'swrong,Shidou?"
"...Nothing."
Quietly,heresumedplaying.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
116 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Ashedidso,onceagainachoiceshowedup.
①"Aftersomethinglikethis...teacher,I'vestartedtoloveyou."Gentlyhugher.
②"I-it'sthegodofbreastsss!"Grabherbreasts.
③"Chance!"Transitionintoanarmbar.
...Onceagain,noneofthemseemedsane.
"Soit'slikethis...!"
Shidoutightlyclenchedhisfists.Thismustbefollowingthesamepatternasthepreviousone.
Waitinguntilthecounterbelowthechoiceshitzero,asexpectedsometextshoweduponthescreen.
"...,kyaaaah!Whatareyoudoing!?Pervert!It'sapervert!"
Thefemaleteachershrieked,andtheaffectionpointsdroppedby80.
"Whatthehell!"
Shidoucriedout,andKotorimerelyshookherheadincontempt.
"Ifyouenjoyherbreastsforsuchalongtimewithouttryingtogetaway,thisresponseseemsobvious."
"ThenwhatamIsupposedtodo!?"
"Didyounotreadthetextbeforethechoice?SheistheadvisorfortheJudoClub,GoshogawaraChimatsuri.Youhavetoputherinahold,andmoveherattentionfromherbreaststothematch."
"HowthehellamIsupposedtoknowthat!"
"—Well,alossisaloss.Doit."
"Roger."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
117 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Themaninthecameraonceagaintookoutapieceofpaperfromhispocket,andshowedittothecamera.
Onitwasacrudedrawingofacharacteraswellasadetailedsetting.
"Th...Thisis!"
"That'sright.It'sthemanuscriptfortheoriginalcharacterthatShidoucreatedinthepast."
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah?!"
DespiteShidoulettingoutashout,themanputthepaperintoarandomshoerack.
"Stopitstopitstopiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!"
Shidougrabbedhisheadandscreamed,andReinestartedmakingsomemovementswitharustlingsound.
"...,Reine-san!"
Hehadforgotten.ShehadsaidthateverytimeShidoutookapenalty,shewouldremoveanotherpieceofclothing.
Well,sinceShidouwasahealthyhighschoolboy,itwouldbealietosaythathewouldn'tbehappy...but,forsomereason,hewastroubled.
Fortunately,Reinewasstillwearingplentyofclothesonherbody.Ifhemakessurenottogetanymorechoiceswrongthen—
"...Nn"
JustasShidouwasthinkingthis,Reineslowlymovedherhandsbehindherback,didsomethingthatcausedaclickingsound,thenmovedherhandsinsideherclothesandwriggledthemaroundabit,andpulledoutherbrassierefromherneck.
"You'restartingfromthere?!"
Shidouyelled,andReinecockedherheadtotheside.
"...Isthereaproblem?"
"No,butaren'tyouclearlygettingtheorderbackwards?!Orratheryoudon'thaveto
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
118 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
takeoffanymoreclothes!"
"...Hmm?Isthatnotunfair?Icanstillcontinue..."
"Youjustwanttotakethemoff,isn'tthatright?!"
Shidouraisedhisvoice,andonceagainwitha*gan*hischairwaskicked.
"Idon'tcareaboutthatbuthurryitup.Look,thenextcharacterhasalreadyappeared."
Sayingthis,Kotorigesturedtothescreen.
"Guh..."
Withoutachoice,Shidouresumedplaying.
Thistime,whatwasshownonthescreenwasascenewithagirlthatseemedtobeinthesamegradeastheprotagonist,whocrashedintohimatacornerofacorridor,andfellbeautifullywithherlegsinanMshapeandherpantiescompletelyvisible.
"—!"
Whilesearchinghismemories,Shidouclenchedhisfists,andsaidinaloudvoice.
"There'snone!Thisone,thisoneforsuredoesn'thappen!!"
"...Isthatso?HoweverIthinkthatunexpectedlythisdoeshappen..."
ThatwaswhatReinesaid,buthedefinitelyhadn'trunintothisbefore.Shidouconfidentlyshookhishead.
But,againhischairwaskicked.
"Thisisn'tagamewhereyoutrytodecidewhetherasituationisrealisticornot.Doitproperly.Ifyoumakeamistakeonthenextchoice—this."
Sayingthis,Kotorioperatedthecomputerinfrontofher.
"...Ah?"
Shidounarrowedhisbrowsasananimationwasshownonthescreen.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
119 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
—ThebackgroundwasShidou'sroom.There,ahalf-nakedShidoustood.
"This...is..."
Shidou'sfaceturnedpale.
Afterall,thiswas—
"Special●InstantLightingBlaaaaaaaaaast!"
Intheimage,Shidoumadeaposewithhistwohandstogetherbyhiswaist,andwithallhispowersuddenlypushedthemforward.
Kotorimadeafacethatseemedlikeshecouldnotpossiblyenjoyanythingmorethanthatrightnow.
"Yep,thisis,beforewhenShidouwaswatchingthehousebyhimself...*pu*,whenhewaspracticinghisoriginalkillermoveinhisroom...*kuku*,avideo..."
Unabletoholditin,Kotorisaidwhileherlaughterspilledout.
"NoooooooooooOOOooooooooooOooooooooooOOoooooooooo—!"
Shidouletouthismostmagnificentscreamoftheday.
"Kotori!Notthis!Please,anythingbutthis!"
"Fufu,youbettermakesuretogettherightchoicenexttimethen....Ahh,ifyougiveuppartway,I'lluploadthistoavideosite."
"......"
Withafacethatseemedlikehewasabouttocry,Shidougrippedthecontrolleronceagain.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
120 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
121 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Chapter3:YourNameIs......
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
122 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
123 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part1
"How'sthat!"
Stillgrippingthecontrollerwithhislefthand,Shidouraisedhisclenchedrightfisttowardsthesky.
Ithasbeentendays,includingrestdays,sincethestartoftheafterschooltrainingwithKotoriandReine.
Shidouhadfinallymetwiththegame'shappyendingscreen.
...Butwell,hedidn'tevenwanttocountthenumberoftimeshisoldscarshadbeendugoutduringthattime.
"...Nn,quiteabitoftimehaspassed,butlet'ssaythatthefirststephasbeencleared."
"And,itseemshe'sviewedalltheCG,sofornowit'sapassingmarkIguess....Buteventhen,intheendthisisonlywithdealingwithvirtualgirls."
Gazingatthecreditsrollfrombehindhim,asighcouldbeheardfromReineandKotori.
"Wellthen,forthenexttraining...let'smoveontorealfemales.We'retightontimeafterall."
"...Hm,willhebealright?"
"It'sfine.Evenifhefails,theonlythinglostwouldbesociety'strustinShidou."
"Whatdidyoujustcasuallysay!"
Shidouhadbeenquietlylisteningtotheirconversation,buthecouldn'tcontrolhimselfandinterrupted.
"Uggh,wereyoueavesdropping?Youstillhavesuchbadhobbieshuh.Youvoyeur,peepingtom."
Kotorifrownedwhilecoveringhermouthwithherhandandsaid.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
124 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"It'snotcalledeavesdroppingoranythingifyou'retalkingrightinfrontofme!"
Shidoushouted,andKotoriwitha"Yeahwhatever"heldupherhandasiftosilencehim.
Somehow,itmadehimfeellikehewastheonewhohadsaidsomethingweirdinstead.
"So,Shidou.Aboutthenexttraining..."
"...I'mamazinglyunmotivatedbut,what?"
"Let'ssee...Iwonderwhowouldbegood."
"Ah?"
Shidoutiltedhisheadsideways,asReinestartedoperatingtheconsoleinfrontofher.Onthedisplayslinedupontopofthedesk,variousimagesoftheinsidesoftheschoolappeared.
"...That'sright,let'sgowithsomethingsafefirst,whataboutsomeonelikeher?"
Sayingthis,Reinepointedtotherightsideofanimage,atteacherTama-chan.
Foraninstant,Kotoriraisedhereyebrows—
"—Ahh,Iunderstand.That'sfine,let'sgowithit."
Immediately,anevilsmileappeared.
"...Shin.Thenexttraininghasbeendecided."
"Wh-Whatkindoftrainingisit?"
Holdingbackhisanxiety,Shidouasked,andacknowledginghisquestion,Reinereplied.
"...Ahh.Duringtheactualrun,whenaSpiritappears,wewillhaveyouhidethisminiatureintercominyourear,andyoudealwiththeproblemsbyfollowingourinstructions.Wewouldliketotreatthistrainingastherealthing,andpracticewithitonce."
"So,whatdoIneedtodo?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
125 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Forthemoment,goseduceteacherOkamineTamae."
"Huh?!"
Raisinghiseyebrows,heyelled.
"Isthereaproblem?"
AsifenjoyingShidou'sreaction,Kotorisaidwhilegrinning.
"Ofcourse...!There'snowayIcould...!"
"You'llhavetofacemuchharderopponentsduringtherealthingyouknow?"
"—Th-Thats,true,but...!"
Shidoureplied,andReinescratchedherhead.
"...Ithinksheissuitableasyourfirstopponent.Mostlikely,evenifyouconfessshewillnotaccept,anditdoesn'tseemlikeshewouldgoaroundspreadingthenewseither....Well,ifyou'reagainstitnomatterwhatthenitwouldbefinetochangeittoafemalestudent..."
"Uuuu..."
AnunpleasantsceneappearedinShidou'smind.ThefemalestudentShidoucalledouttoreturnedtotheclassroomandgatheredherfemalefriendstogether."Heyhey,Itsuka-kunjustlike,confessedtome~""Ehh~,seriously~?Eventhoughheshowsafacelikehe'snotinterestedingirls,that'sprettyboldofhim.""Butthere'snowayforhim~""Yeah,noway.Like,heseemssupergloomy~""Ah~,yousaidit~,ahahahaha."
...Itseemsthatanewtraumahadbeenborn.
Regardingthat,ifitwasTamae,thenthereseemedtobenochanceforthatscenetooccur.Nomatterhowyoungsheappearstobe,sheisagrownupfemale.She'llprobablyignoreitasastudent'sjoke.
"So,whatwillyoudo?Intherealthing,failureisequivalenttodeath,sonomatterwhichyoupickwewereplanningononlygivingyouonechance."
"...Theteacherplease."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
126 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Kotorisoasked,andascoldsweatdrippeddownhisback,Shidouanswered.
"...Great."
Withasmallnod,Reinetookoutasmalldevicefromthedesk'sdrawer,andhandedittoShidou.Shethenpulledoutwhatseemedlikeareceiverwithamikeandheadphonesattachedtoitandplaceditonthedesk.
"What'sthis?"
"...Tryplacingitinyourear."
Doingastold,heputitintohisrightear.
Afterhedidso,Reinegrabbedthemike,andasifwhispering,movedherlips.
"...Howisthis,canyouhearme?"
"Woah!?"
SuddenlyReine'svoiceechoedinhisear.Withastart,Shidou'sshoulderstrembledandhejumpedup.
"...Great,it'sproperlyconnected.Isthevolumeokay?"
"U-Uh...yeah,Ithink..."
Shidoureplied,andReineimmediatelyworetheheadphonesthatwereplacedonthedesk.
"...Nn,okay.There'snoproblemonoursideeither."
"Eh?DiditmanagetopickupwhatIjustsaid?Butthere'snothingthatlookslikeamicrophoneonmyside..."
"...Itcomeswithahighlysensitivemicrophoneinstalled.Backgroundnoiseisautomaticallyfiltered,andittransmitsonlytheimportantsoundstous."
"Haaah..."
Shidousighedinadmiration,asKotoripulledoutwhatseemedlikeanothertinygadgetfromwithinthedesk.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
127 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Withaflickofherfinger,justlikethatitexpandeditswingsanddancedintheskylikeaninsect.
"Wh-Whatisthat?"
"...Takealook."
Sayingthis,Reineoperatedthecomputerinfrontofherandpulledupanimage.
DisplayedtherewasthephysicspreparationroomthatKotori,Reine,andShidouwerein.
"Sothisis..."
"...Ultra-smallhigh-sensitivitycamera.Wewillfollowyouwiththis.Makesurenottomistakeitasamosquitoanddestroyit."
"Huh...theseareamazing."
*boom*,hisbuttwaskicked.
"Whatever,hurryupandgoyoustupidturtle.Thetargetisinthe3rdfloorcorridorintheeastschoolbuilding.That'sclose."
"...Fine."
Realizingthatanythinghesaidwouldbeuseless,Shidouweaklynodded.
Ifhedraggeditout,there'sthepossibilitythattheywouldchangethetargettoanotherperson.Shidousomehowmovedhisunwillinglegsandleftthephysicspreparationroom.
Then,lookingleftandrightatthebottomofthestairs—hespottedthebackofTamaeinthehallway.
"Teac—"
Inthemiddle,hisvoicewasclogged.
Itwasadistancewhereifheraisedhisvoiceitwouldreachher...buthewantedtoavoidtheattentionofthestudentsthatwerestillleftintheschoolandofotherteachers.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
128 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...GuessIhavenochoice."
Inalightjog,ShidouchasedafterthebackofTamae.
Afterafewmeters,itseemsthatshenoticedShidou'sfootsteps,asTamaestoppedandturnedaround.
"Oh,Itsuka-kun?Whathappened?"
"...U-Um—"
Eventhoughitwasafacethathesawalmosteveryday,totreatitasatargettoseduceinstantlyincreasedhisnervousness.Shidoufalteredunintentionally.
"—Calmdown.Don'tforget,thisistraining.Evenifyoufail,youwon'tdie."
Inhisrightear,Kotori'svoiceranout.
"Evenifyousaythat..."
"Eh?Whatwasthat?"
ReactingtoShidou'smuttering,Tamaetiltedherneck.
"Ah,it'snothing..."
ProbablygettingirritatedthatShidouhadn'tbeenabletoadvancetheconversationatall,onceagainavoicecameovertheintercom.
"Howuseless.—Fornowlet'sbesafe,andtrygivingheracompliment."
HearingKotori'swords,helookedoverTamaefromheadtotoe,searchingforsomethinghecouldcompliment.
...No,wait.Shidouimmediatelygaveuptheidea.Inahow-tobookhereadafewdaysago,ratherthandirectlytrytocomplimentawoman'slooks,itseemedthataskingaboutotherthingsisbetterforcarryingontheconversation.Inthiscase,tocomplimenttheirclothesoraccessories,ormoredirectlyappreciatingtheirfashionsenseapparentlyisbetter.
Makinguphismind,heopenedhismouth.
"B-Bytheway,thoseclothes...arecute."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
129 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Eh...?I-Isthatso?Ahaha,you'remakingmeembarrassed."
Tamae'sfacewasflushedwithdelightasshesmiledwhilescratchingthebackofherhead.
—Ohh?Isn'tthisaprettyniceresponse?Shidoulightlygrippedhishand.
"Yes,itsuitsyouverymuch!"
"Fufu,thankyou.It'sactuallyoneofmyfavorites."
"Thathairstyleisalsoverynice!"
"Eh,really?"
"Yes,andalso,thoseglassestoo!"
"Ah,ahahahaha..."
"Andthatattendancebookisalsosuperamazinglycool!"
"Uhm...Itsuka-kun...?"
Asshebecamemoreandmorebewildered,herfacegraduallyturnedintoawrysmile.
"Youwayoverdidityoubaldie."
Inhisrightear,hecouldhearanamazedKotori.
Butevenifhewastoldthat,hehadnoideawhatheshouldsaynext.Forawhile,theystoodinsilence.
"Uhmm...Isthatallyouwantedtotalktomeabout?"
Tamaetiltedherhead.
Theyprobablythoughtthattherewasn'tmuchtimeleft,asthistimeasleepyvoicecouldbeheardinhisrightear.
"...Ohwell.Then,pleasejustrepeatthewordsItellyou."
Hewasthankfulforthat.Shidoutiltedhisheadforwardabit,showingthathe
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
130 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
understood.
Andthen,withoutthinkingatall,herepeatedtheinformationheheardas-is.
"Um,teacher."
"Whatisit?"
"I'vefoundcomingtoschoolrecentlytobealotoffun."
"Isthatso?That'sgreatisn'tit."
"Yeah....Itwassinceyoubecameourhomeroomteacher."
"Eh...?"
Surprised,Tamae'seyesopenedwide.
"Wh-Whatareyoutryingtosay,jeez.What'swiththissuddenly."
Shidoucontinued,repeatingReine'swords.
"Actually,sincealongtimeago,I've—"
"Ahaha...that'snogood.Iappreciateyourfeelings,butyouknow,I'mateacher."
Whilepattingtheattendancebook,Tamaegaveabittersmile.
Asexpectedofateacher,anadult.Itseemedshewasplanningtorejecthimunhesitantly.
"...Hm.Howshouldweattack."
Reine,whohadbeencontinuallyweavingsentences,gaveasmallsigh.
"...IfIremember,sheis29thisyearhuh.—ThenShin,trysayingthis."
Reinegavetheinstructionsforthenextline.Whilethinkingprettymuchnotatall,Shidoumovedhismouth.
"I'mserious.Iseriouslywantto—"
"Uhmm...thisistroublingforme."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
131 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Iseriouslywantto,marryyou!"
—Twitch.
ThemomentmarriagecameoutofShidou'smouth,Tamae'sfaceseemedtochangeslightly.
Andthenafterashortsilence,asmallvoicespoke.
"...Areyoureallyserious?"
"Eh...,ah,haa...yeah."
Falteringbecauseofthesuddenchangeinatmosphere,Shidoureplied,andTamaesuddenlytookonestepforwardandgrabbedShidou'ssleeve.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
132 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
133 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Really?WhenItsuka-kunbecomesofmarriableage,Iwillbealreadyover30youknow?Eventhen,isitokay?Shouldwegogreetourparentsnow?Afteryougraduatehighschool,willyoucomelivetogetherwithme?"
Asifadifferentperson,hereyesglitteredandglowed,andwithraggedbreathsTamaedrewclosertoShidou.
"Uh...uhm,teacher...?"
"...Hm,itseemsitwastooeffective."
AsShidoustaggeredbackwards,Reinespokealongwithasigh.
"Wh-Whatisgoingon?"
Inavoicethatwouldn'treachTamae,heaskedReine.
"...Well,single,female,29yearsold,forsomeonelikethatthemagicwordmarriageislikeadeadlyspell.Asheroldclassmateseachstartbuildingtheirownfamiliesonebyone,herparentsstartpressuringher,andthewallsofbeingthirtyclosinginonher,sheisinaveryinsecureposition....Buteventhen,sheseemsabittoodesperate."
Inaslightlyperplexedvoicerareforher,Reinesaid.
"Th-That'sniceandall,butwhatdoIdoaboutthis...!"
"HeyItsuka-kun,doyouhaveabitoftimenow?You'restillnotoldenoughtosignthemarriageregistration,sofornowlet'sgomakeabloodpact.Wecanprobablyborrowachiselfromtheartroom.Don'tworry,I'llmakesurethatitdoesn'thurt."
EdginguptoShidou,wordsgushedfromTamae'smouth.Shidouletoutasoundlikeascream.
"Ah,gettingcaughtupanymoreinthiscouldbeannoyingtodealwith.You'veaccomplishedyourmission,sogiveasuitableapologyandescape."
Shidougulped,andaftermakinguphismind,openedhismouth.
"So-Sorry!Idon'tthinkI'mreadytogothatfaryet...!Pleasejusttreatitasifthisneverhappened...!"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
134 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Shouting,Shidoudashedaway.
"Ah,I-Itsuka-kun!?"
HearingTamae'svoicecallingfrombehindhim,hecontinuedrunning.
"Whew~,thatteacherhasquitethepersonality."
Kotori'scarefreelaughcouldbeheard.Withhislegsstillmoving,Shidouraisedhisvoice.
"Don'tscrewwithme...!Whyareyoulaughingso—"
Justashestartedtotalk.
"Caref...!?"
"...!"
Sincehewasfocusingontheintercom,Shidoucrashedintoastudentthathadjustappearedfromaroundacorner,andfelldown.
"...S-Sorry,areyoualright?"
Sayingthis,hepickedhimselfup.And...
"Eh...?!"
Shidoufeltasifhisheartwassqueezed.Afterall,therewasthatMissTobiichiOrigami.
Also,thatwasnotall.Whenshefell,itseemsthatshelandedonherbehind,andjusthappenedtobefacingShidouwithherlegsspreadintheletterM....Itwaswhite.
Heinvoluntarilyavertedhiseyes.However,Origamididnotseempanickedatall,
"I'mfine."
Shesaid,andstoodup.
"What'swrong?"
Then,OrigamiaskedShidou.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
135 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
ButshedidnotseemtobeaskingaboutwhyShidouwasrunningdownthehallway.Ifit'sanything—right,itwasprobablyaboutwhyShidouhadhisheadturneddownwardswithhishandonhisforehead.
"...Nothing,don'tworryaboutit.IwasjustshockedatencounteringasituationthatIthoughtwasdefinitelyimpossible..."
Thelastfortresscrumbled.<Ratatoskr>'ssimulationabilitiesaretobefeared.Forsomereason,italmostseemedlikethatgamewasactuallyquitewelldone.
"Isee."
Sayingonlythat,Origamistartedtowalkdownthehallway.
Atthatmoment,Kotori'svoiceranginhisrightear.
"—Thisisaperfectopportunity,Shidou.Let'scontinueourtrainingwithher."
"H-Huh?!"
"It'sprobablybestifwecouldobtainsomedataonsomeoneinthesamegeneration,insteadofateacher.Also,thoughsheisn'taSpirit,sheisanimportantmemberoftheAST.Don'tyouthinkshe'llbeaprettygoodreference?AsfarasIcantell,shedoesn'tseemtobethetypetospreadrumorsaroundeither."
"You...,areyoumessingwithme?"
"Don'tyouwanttotalktotheSpirits?"
"..."
Shidouheldbackhisbreath,andbithislowerlip.
Preparinghimself,hethrewhisvoicetowardsOrigami'sback.
"To-Tobiichi."
"What?"
Origamiturnedaroundwithatimingthatseemedasifshewaswaitingforhimtocall.
Shidouwasslightlysurprised,buthecalmedhisbreathingandopenedhislips.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
136 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
SomehowitseemsthatbecauseoftheexperiencefromTamae'scase,hewasalotcalmerthanbefore.That'sright,ifhedoesn'toverdoit,thenit'sgood,aslongashedoesn'toverdoit.
"Thoseclothes,they'recute."
"Schooluniform."
"...That'sright."
"Whydidyouchooseherclothesyouantlion."
Eventhoughitwasjustthenameofabughefeltasifhewassufferingatremendousamountofabuse.Mysterious!
—It'sbecauseitworkedwiththeteacher...!Withthatmeaning,heshookhisheadslightly.
"...Shouldwehelp?"
Theywereprobablygettingimpatient,asonceagainReineofferedtohelp.
Whilehewasstillfeelinguneasy,hedidn'thavetheconfidencetobeabletocontinuetheconversationbyhimself.Shidougaveasmallnod.
Followingthewordsheheardinhisrightear,heletouthisvoice.
"Hey,Tobiichi."
"What?"
"I,actually...I'veknownaboutyousinceawhileago."
"Isee."
Stillwithshortsentences,Tobiichicontinuedwithunbelievablewords.
"Iknewyoutoo."
"—!"
Whilehewasextremelysurprisedinside,hecouldn'tmakeanysound.ItseemedthatifhesaidanythingotherthanReine'sinstructions,thatimmediatelythispacewould
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
137 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
bebroken.
"—Isthatso.I'mhappy....Also,beinginthesameclassfor2ndyearmademesuperhappyaswell.Thisentireweek,Ihadalwaysbeenlookingatyouduringclasses."
Uwaah,evenShidouthoughtthatwasdisturbing.Ashethoughtofstalkers,itfeltlikethatlinewouldbewhattheywouldsay.
"Isee."
However,Origami,
"Iwaslookingtoo."
LookingstraightatShidou,shesaid.
"..."
Hegulped.Inreality,ShidoufeltawkwardandhadnotlookedtowardsOrigamiduringclassatall.
Asiftocalmhisrapidlybeatingheart,herepeatedthewordsthatenteredhisears.
"Really?Ah,butreally,that'snotall.AfterschoolIwouldstayintheclassroomandsmellTobiichi'sgymclothes."
"Isee."
Asexpectedwhatfollowsthiswouldbea*dong*,waswhathethought,butOrigami'sexpressiondidnotchangeatall.
Rather,
"Idosotoo."
"......?!"
—Doso,withwhose?!Withherownright?!Ifthat'ssothensaythat!
Shidou'sfacebecamefilledwithsweat.
Andalso,haven'tthelinesfromKotoriandReinebecomeratherstrange?
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
138 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Butwithhisheadspinning,itwasimpossibleforShidoutocontinuetheconversationwithhisownwords.
"—Isthatso?Somehow,itseemsthatwesuiteachother."
"Yes."
"Then,ifit'sfinewithyou,willyougooutwithme—orisn'tthisprogressingwaytoofastnomatterhowyoulookatit!"
Henolongercaredaboutthetrainingorwhatever.Unabletostandit,heturnedaroundandyelled.
FromOrigami'sperspective,hewasaweirdowhojustconfessedandthenrandomlyplayedahugetsukkomi[1D1]onhimself.
"...Well,Ididn'tthinkyouwouldreallygoaheadandsayit."
"Weren'tyoutheoneswhotoldmetojustsayitlikethat!"
Aftershoutingouthisresentment,hethensighedandturnedtowardsOrigami.
Origamiwasemotionlesslikealways...butmaybeitwashisimagination,thatcomparedwithamomentago,justatinybit,hereyesseemedtobeopenwider.
"Ah,uhm,aboutthat...sorry,thatwas—"
"Idon'tmind."
"...............Huh?"
Shidouletoutadumbsound.Hewascompletelystunned.Hismouthopenedfeebly,andhislimbsgrewlimp.Basically,hiswholebodywasdumbfounded.
—Wait,whatisthis.Whatdidthisgirljustsay?
"Wh-What?"
"Isaid,Idon'tmind."
"Wh-Whwhwhwhwhwhwhwhwhat?"
"Idon'tmindgoingoutwithyou."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
139 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...?!"
SweatgushedoutonShidou'sface.Helightlyplacedhishandonthesideofhishead,calmdown,calmdown,hetoldhimself.
There'snoway.Ifyouthinkaboutthisnormallythere'snoway.NogirlwouldgiveanOKtodatingaboywithwhomthenumberofconversationsthey'vehadcouldbecounted.
...Well,itprobablywasn'timpossible,buthedefinitelydidnotexpectthiskindofreplyfromOrigami.
—Nowait.Shidou'seyebrowtwitched.Maybe,Origamiwasmisunderstandingsomething.
"Ah,aah...itwasaboutgoingoutwithmetosomeplaceright?"
"...?"
Origamitiltedherheadslightly.
"Wasthatwhatyoumeant?"
"Eh,ah,no...Uhm,Tobiichi,whatdidyouthinkImeant...?"
"Ithoughtyoumeantdating."
"...!"
Shidou'sbodytrembledasifhisheadhadbeenstruckbylightning.
Forsomereason,hearingtheword"dating"comeoutofOrigami'smouthfeltterriblyimmoral.
"AmIwrong?"
"N-No...You'renotwrong...But."
"Isee."
Origamirespondedasifnothinghappened.
Inthenextmoment,Shidouregrettedhisdecision.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
140 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
—Why,whydidIsaysomethinglike"you'renotwrong"!No,Icanstilldoit,Icanstillturnitintoamisunderstanding!
But.
UUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu—————
"!?"
Atthatmoment,withoutanywarning,thealarmechoedaroundthem.
Atalmostthesameinstant,Origamiraisedherfaceslightly.
"—Anemergency.Seeyou."
Sayingthat,sheturnedheelandrandownthehallway.
"H-Hey—"
ThistimewhenShidoucalledout,shedidn'tstop.
"Wh-WhatshouldIdo,aboutthis..."
Beforelong,heheardavoiceovertheintercom.
"Shidou,it'saspacequake.Fornowwe'llhaveyoureturnto<Fraxinus>.Comebackatonce."
"S-So,it'saSpiritafterall...?"
Shidouasked,andabeatlater,Kotoricontinued.
"Yes.Thepredictedlocationwhereitwillappearis— ."RaizenHighSchoolhere
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
141 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
142 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part2
Thetimeis5:20PM.
Thethreeofthemwhohadmovedtotheairship<Fraxinus>floatingabovethecitywhilestayingoutofsightfromthestudentsbeginningtoevacuate,lookedoverthevariousinformationdisplayedonthescreeninthebridge.
Changedintotheirmilitaryuniforms,KotoriandReineperiodicallyexchangedwordsandnoddedmeaningfully,butShidoudidn'treallyunderstandwhatthenumbersonthescreenmeant.
Theonlythinghecouldunderstandwas—ontherightsideofthescreen,amapcenteredonShidou'shighschoolwasthere.
"Isee,mm."
Sittinginthecaptain'sseat,exchangingwordswiththecrewwhilelickingChupaChups,Kotoriraisedtheedgeofherlipsslightly.
"—Shidou."
"What?"
"I'llhaveyougettoworkimmediately.Gogetready."
"..."
Kotori'swordscausedShidou'sbodytostiffen.
Well,hehadimaginedthiswouldhappen,andhewassupposedtohaveresolvedhimselftoo.
Buteventhen,hecouldn'thidehisnervousnessnowthatit'stimefortherealthing.
"—Areyoulettinghimtakepartintherealfightalready,commander?"
Standingbesidethecaptain'sseat,whilestaringatthescreen,Kannazukisuddenlyasked.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
143 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"TheopponentisaSpirit.Failureisequivalenttodeath.Hashehadenoughtrainin—gefu."
Inthemiddleofhissentence,Kotori'sfistsunkitselfintoKannazuki'ssolarplexus.
"Questioningmydecisions,you'vebecomequiteapersonhuhKannazuki.Aspunishment,untilIsayotherwiseyouwillspeaklikeapig."
"O-Oink."
Forsomereason,seemingextremelyusedtoit,Kannazukireplied.
Lookingatthisscene,Shidouwipedthesweatthathadsurfaced.
"...But,Kotori,IthinkthatKannazuki-sanhasapoint..."
"Ara,Shidou,youcanunderstandpiglanguage?Asexpectedofsomeoneonthesamelevelaspigs."
"D-Don'tunderestimatepigs!Pigsareunexpectedlyamazinganimalsyouknow!"
"Iknowthat.Theylovecleanlinessandarestrong.It'sevenbeensaidthattheyhavemoreintelligencethandogs.That'swhyformycapablesubordinateKannazuki,orformyhonorablebrotherShidou,it'swiththegreatestrespectthatIamcallingyoupigs.Pig.Youpig."
"...Guuu."
Itdidn'tsoundlikeshewasusingitasarespectfultitle.
However,KotoriprobablyunderstoodKannazuki'squestionandShidou'sanxiousnessthemost.Hercandy'sstickpointedstraightupwards,andshemotionedtothescreen.
"Shidou,you'reprettyluckyyouknow."
"Eh...?"
FollowingKotori'sgaze,helookedatthescreen.
Asexpected,numbersofunknownmeaningdancedaroundthescreen,but—onthemapontheright,henoticedsomethingdifferentfrombefore.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
144 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
InsideShidou'shighschool,therewasasingleredicon,andsurroundingit,manysmallyellowiconswereshown.
"TheredoneistheSpirit,andtheyellowonesaretheAST."
"...and,what'sluckyaboutthis?"
"LookattheAST.Seehowtheyhaven'tmovedatall?"
"Ahh...seemsso."
"They'rewaitingfortheSpirittogooutside."
"Why?Aren'ttheygoingtochargein?"
Shidoutiltedhishead,andKotorigaveabigshrug.
"Atleastthinkabitbeforespeaking.I'msoashamed,evenmoldisslightlymoreintelligentthanyou."
"H-Howdareyou!"
"CR-Unitsweren'tcreatedforfightinginsmallroomstobeginwith.Evenifyouexpandaterritory,therearemanyobstaclesandthecorridorsarenarrow,soinsideabuildingyourmobilitywilldefinitelydecrease,nottomentionthatyourvisionisalsoobstructed."
Sayingthis,Kotorisnappedherfingers.Asifrespondingtothat,theimageonthescreenchangedtoreal-timefootageoftheschool.
Ashallowbowl-shapedholeappearedintheschoolyard,andsurroundingittheroadsandevenapartoftheschoolbuildingwerecleanlycutthrough.ItwasexactlylikewhatShidouhadwitnessedthatotherday.
"Afterappearingintheyard,itseemstohaveenteredthehalfdestroyedschoolbuilding.It'snotoftenyougetthislucky,becausenowyoucanmakecontactwiththeSpiritwithouttheAST'sinterference."
"...Ohhh,Isee."
Heunderstoodthelogic.
However,Kotori'swordscausedShidoutoconsidersomething,ashenarrowedhis
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
145 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
eyes.
"...IftheSpirithadappearedoutsidelikenormal,howwasIsupposedtoapproachit?"
"WaitfortheASTtobecompletelydefeated,ortochargethroughthemiddleofthebattle,somethinglikethat."
"..."
Shidouunderstoodmuchdeeperthanbeforejusthowthankfulheshouldbeforthesituationrightnow.
"Nn,thenlet'squicklymoveout.—Shidou,youhaven'tremovedtheintercomright?"
"Ah,yeah."
Hetouchedhisrightear.Asexpectedtheintercomhehadbeenusingjustawhileagowasstillequipped.
"Okaythen.Thecamerawillbefollowingyou,soifyou'reinapinch,makeasign,andtaptheintercomtwice."
"Mm...Iunderstand.Butwell..."
Shidounarrowedhiseyes,andlookedtowardsKotoriandReine,whowasatherownpostinthelowerpartofthebridge.
Fromtheirsuggestionsduringtraining,theywerereallyquitehopelesssupportmembers.
Probablyfiguringoutwhathewasthinkingfromhisexpression,Kotoriformedafearlesssmile.
"Don'tworryShidou.Therearealotofreliablepeoplein<Fraxinus>'screw."
"I-isthatso?"
WithadoubtfulfaceShidoureplied,andKotoriflungouthercoatwithafloompandstoodup.
"Suchas,"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
146 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Andthenwithvigor,shepointedatoneofthecrewinthelowerpartofthebridge.
"Havingexperiencedmarriagefivetimes,RomanceMaster●< >Kawagoe!"
"Butthatmeanshedivorcedfourtimesdoesn'tit!?"
"BoastinggreatpopularitywiththeFilipinainthestoresatnight,<President>Mikimoto!"
"That'scompletelythroughmoneyappealisn'tit!?"
"Herloverivalsencountermisfortuneonebyone.The2AMWoman●< >Shiizaki!"
"She'sdefinitelygotsomecurseonher!"
"ManWithOneHundredBrides●< >Nakatsugawa!"
"Theyarebrideswithaproperz-dimension[1D2]right!?"
"Duetoherdeeplove,nowthelawwon'tletherwithin500metersofherlovedone●<OnProbation>Minowa!"
"Whyarethereonlypeoplelikethishere!"
"...Everyone,asthecrew,theirskillsarecertainlyreal."
Fromthelowerpartofthebridge,Kotori'smumblingvoicecouldbeheard.
"E-evenifyousaythat..."
"Whatever,hurryandleavealready.IftheSpiritgoesoutthentheASTwillcomeswarming."
Shidouhadstartedcomplaining,andKotorivigorouslykickedShidou'sbuttwitha*bong*.
"...ow,y-you..."
"It'sfineevenifyoudon'tworry.Ifit'sShidou,evenifyoudieonceortwice,youcanimmediatelystartanewgame."
TiredTooEarlyBadMarriage
StrawDollNailKnocker
PersonWhoSurpassesTheDimensionsDimension●Breaker
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
147 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Don'tmesswithme,whatamI,aplumber?[1D3]"
"MammaMia[1D4].Abrotherthatdoesn'tbelievehissisterwillbecomeunhappyyouknow."
"Idon'twanttohearthatfromasisterwhowon'tlistentoherbrother."
Mixedwithasigh,Shidousaid,andobedientlywalkedtowardsthebridge'sdoor.
"Goodluck."
"Yeah."
TowardsKotoriwhoraisedherthumb,helightlywavedhishandasareply.
Hisheartwasstillbeatingfast,but—therewasnowayhewasgoingtorunawayfromthischance.
Todefeatthem,ortomakethemfallinlove,ortosavetheworld.
Suchgrandthingshewasnotconsideringatall.
Itwasjust—hewantedtotalkoncemorewiththatgirl.
Thetransporterplacedinthelowerareaofthe<Fraxinus>apparentlyusesarealizertoinstantlytransport/retrievethingsaslongasthestraightlinepathtothedestinationwasnotblockedbyanything.
Atfirsttherewasafeelingsomewhatlikegettingseasick,butafterafewtimeshewasmoreorlessusedtoit.
Afterconfirmingthathissurroundingshadinstantlychangedfrom<Fraxinus>tobehindthedimhighschool,Shidoulightlyshookhishead.
"Nowthen,firstIshould—"
Ashestartedtosay,hiswordsstopped.
Itwasbecause,likeabadjoke,thebuilding'swallinfrontofShidou'seyeshadbeenslicedopen,andhewaslookingthroughtotheinside.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
148 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Actuallylookingatthis,it'sunbelievable..."
"Well,perfect,enterthebuildingfromthere."
Fromtheintercomattachedtohisrightear,Kotori'svoicewasheard.
Shidoumuttered"...Understood"whilescratchinghischeek,andwentintotheschoolbuilding.IfhewastedtoomuchtimetheSpiritmightwanderoutside,andbeforethat,thepossibilitythatShidoumightbediscoveredbytheASTandputinto'protection'isalsothere.
"Now,let'shurry.TheSpirit'sresponseisthreefloorsupthestairsbesideyou,inthefourthclassroominfront."
"Roger..."
Shidoutookadeepbreath,anddashedupthestairsnearby.
Beforeaminutehadevenpassed,hearrivedinfrontofthespecifiedclassroom.
Withoutopeningthedoor,hecouldnotconfirmthefigureinside,butjustthinkingthattherewasaSpiritintherenaturallycausedhishearttoringlikeanalarmbell.
"Eh—thisis,class2-4.Isn'tthismyclass?"
"Ara,isthatso.Isn'tthatconvenient.Youcan'tsaythatyouhavealocationaladvantage,butit'sprobablyalotbetterthansomewherecompletelynewtoyou."
Kotorisaid.Butactually,ithasn'tbeenlongsinceheenteredthisgrade,soitwasn'tasifhewasreallyfamiliarwithit.
Anyways,hemustmakecontactwiththeSpiritbeforeherwhimsstartactingup.Shidougulped.
"...Hey,goodevening,whatareyoudoinginaplacelikethis?"
Inasmallvoice,herepeatedthegreetingcountlesstimes.
Makinguphismind,Shidouopenedtheclassroom'sdoor.
Thestateoftheclassroom,dyedredbythesettingsun,wasprojectedintohisretinas.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
149 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"——"
Amomentpassed.
Thelightwordshehadpreparedinhismindwereutterlyblownaway.
"Ah—"
Thefourthrowfromthefront,thesecondcolumnfromthewindows—rightonShidou'sdesk,theblack-hairedgirlwiththestrangedresswrappedaroundherbodywassittingwithonekneeraised.
Hereyesemanatinganillusoryshinewasinamelancholichalf-openstate,staringattheblackboardinadaze.
Halfofherbodyilluminatedbythesunset,thegirlwas,totheextentofstealingthethinkingabilitiesofanyonelookingatherforamoment,mysterious.
However,thatscenewhichhadbeenclosetoperfection,immediatelycrumbled.
"—Nu?"
ThegirlnoticedShidou'sinvasion,assheopenedhereyesfullyandlookedtowardshim.
"...!H-hey—"
Whiletryingtocalmhisheart,Shidouraisedhishand...orwasaboutto.
—Hyun.
Hethoughtthegirlcasuallywavedherhand,andastreakofblacklightbrushedpastShidou'scheek.
Amomentlater,theclassroom'sdoorthatShidou'shandwasholdingonto,aswellasthewindowsinthecorridorbehindthat,shatteredwithagreatnoise.
"...!?"
Suddenlyfacedwiththis,heinstantlyfrozeinplace.Hetriedtouchinghischeek,andabitofbloodwasflowing.
However,hewasnotevenallowedtostaystunned.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
150 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Shidou!"
Kotori'svoiceshookhiseardrumsuntiltheyhurt.
Whilemakingagloomyexpression,thegirlswungherarmoverhead.Abovethepalmofherhand,whatlookedlikeroundblobsoflightradiatedblack.
"Wai..."
Fasterthanhisshout,hescrambledbehindawallandhidhisbody.
Aninstantlater,astreamoflightburstthroughwhereShidouhadbeenstanding,easilyblastingthroughtheouterwallsoftheschoolbuildingandextendingoutside.
Evenafterthat,streamsofblacklightwerecontinuouslyshotout.
"W-wait!I'mnotyourenemy!"
Fromthecorridorthathadbecomeratherbreezy,heletouthisvoice.
Then,itseemslikeShidou'swordsgotthrough,aswiththatthelinesoflightstoppedbeingfired.
"...Haa,canIcomein...?"
"FromwhatIcansee,she'snotpreparingtoattack.Ifshewantedto,itshould'vebeeneasytoblastthewallawayalongwithShidou.—Ontheotherhandwastingtimeandannoyingherisnotgood.Let'sgoin."
Shidoumuttered,asifspeakingtohimself,andKotorianswered.Thecamerahadprobablyenteredtheclassroomalready.
Gulpingdownhissaliva,Shidoustoodinfrontoftheentrancetothenowdoorlessclassroom.
"..."
Thegirlwasstaringintentlyathim.Asifwonderingwhetheranattackwillcome,thatgazewasfilledwithdoubtandcaution.
"C-Calmdownforn—"
Raisinghistwohandstoshowthathehadnohostility,steppingintotheclassroom.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
151 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
However,
"—Stop."
Atthesametimethegirl'scoldvoicerangout—*pshh*,thefloorinfrontofShidou'sfeetwassearedbyalightray.Shidouhurriedlyfrozehisbody.
"..."
ThegirlcarefullylookedoverShidoufromheadtotoe,andopenedhermouth.
"Whoareyou."
"...Ahh,Iam—"
"Waitamoment."
AsShidouwasabouttoreply,forsomereasonKotoristoppedhim.
Thescreenin<Fraxinus>'sbridgewascurrentlydisplayingaheadshotoftheSpirit,thegirlwrappedinthedressmadeoflight.
Hercharmingface,decoratedwithathornygaze,wasglaringtowardstherightsideofthecamera—towardsShidou.
Surroundingher,abunchofparametersbeginningwiththewords'affectionlevel'werethere.Reinewasusingtherealizertoanalyze/numericizeanddisplaythementalstatusofthegirl.
TogetherwiththeAIbuiltinto<Fraxinus>,theconversationbetweenthetwoofthemwasdisplayedwithouttimelagatthebottomofthescreenastext.
Ataglance,itlookedexactlylikethegamethatShidouusedfortraining.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
152 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
153 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Selectedcrewmemberswerelookingatthegalgescreendisplayedonthegiantmonitorwithabsoluteseriousness.
Itwasanextremelysurrealscene.
Then—Kotorisuddenlyraisedhereyebrow.
"Whoareyou."
AtthemomenttheSpiritsaidthesewordstoShidou,thescreenflickered,andasirenechoedinthebridge.
"Th-Thisis—"
Inthemidstofaconfusedvoicefromsomeoneinthecrew,awindowappearedinthemiddleofthescreen.
①"IamItsukaShidou.Icametosaveyou!"
②"I'mjustahelplesspasserbypleasedon'tkillme."
③"Beforeaskingforsomeone'sname,stateyourownfirst."
"Achoice—"
Kotori'scandy'sstickstoodupstraight.
TherealizerforanalysisthatReineoperates,inconjunctionwith<Fraxinus>'sAI,detectsthechangesinthingsliketheSpirit'sheartbeatorfaintbrainwaves,andinstantlydisplayspossibleresponsepatternsonthescreen.
ThetimesthatthesearedisplayedarelimitedonlytowhentheSpirit'smentalstatusbecameunstable.
Inotherwords,withtherightdecision,onecouldgainfavorwiththeSpirit.
However,ifonemakesamistake—
Kotoriimmediatelymovedhermouthclosertothemike,stoppingShidoufrommakinghisreply.
"Waitamoment."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
154 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"—?"
Asoundlikeabreathbeingheldcouldbeheardoverthespeaker.HewasdefinitelywonderingwhyKotorihadstoppedhimthere.
TheycouldnotlettheSpiritwaitforever.Kotoriturnedtowardsthecrewmembersandcommanded.
"Choosetheoptionthatyouthinkisright!Withinfiveseconds!"
Allatonce,thecrewmembersoperatedtheconsolebeforethem.TheresultsofthatimmediatelyshoweduponthedisplayinfrontofKotori.
Themostpopularwas—number③.
"—Itseemsthatweallsharethesameopinion."
Kotorisaid,andthecrewnoddedinunison.
"①seemsliketheobviouschoiceatfirstglance,butwhiletheopponenthasdoubtsthatwemightbetheenemy,sayingsomethinglikethiswouldjustseemsuspicious.Anditalsoseemsabitdisgusting."
Whilestandingstill,Kannazukisaid.
"...②isoutofthequestion.Intheoffchancethathewasabletoescape,thatwouldbetheendofit."
Next,fromthelowerpartofthebridge,Reine'sspoke.
"That'sright.Tothatpoint,③makessenselogically,andifallgoeswellwemightevenbeabletocontrolthedirectionoftheconversation."
Kotorigaveasmallnod,andonceagaindrewthemikeclose.
"...H-hey,whatdidyoujustsay..."
Havingstoppedhissentencewhileexposedtothegirl'ssharpgaze,Shidouwasstandinginthemiddleofanunpleasantatmosphere.
"...Iwillaskonceagain.Whoareyou."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
155 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Thegirlsaid,asifirritated,hereyesgrowingevensharper.
Then,atthatmoment,finallyKotori'svoicereachedhisrightear.
"Shidou.Canyouhearme?AnswerexactlyhowItellyouto."
"O-okay."
"—Beforeaskingforsomeone'sname,stateyourownfirst."
"—Beforeaskingforsomeone'sname,stateyourownfirst....Wha"
Assoonashesaidit,Shidou'sfacegrewpale.
"Wh-whatdidyoumakemesay..."
However,itwasalreadytoolate.ThemomentsheheardShidou'svoice,thegirl'sexpressiondistorted,thistimeraisingbothofherarmsandcreatingballsoflight.
"..."
Hehurridlykickedthefloor,tumblingtowardstheright.
Amomentlater,ablackballoflightwasthrowntotheplaceShidouhadstood.Agiantholeopenedinthefloorthatseemedtopierceallthewaythroughtothesecondorfirstfloor.
"...Uwaa..."
"Ehh,that'sweird."
"That'snotwhatyoushouldbesaying...,areyoutryingtokillme...?"
RespondingtoKotoriwhoseemedtobegenuinelymystified,Shidouraisedhisbodyupwhileholdinghishead.
Then—
"Thisisthelasttime.Ifyoudon'thaveanyintentionsofanswering,Iwilltreatyouasanenemy."
FromontopofShidou'sdesk,thegirlsaid.Flustered,Shidouimmediatelyopenedhismouth.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
156 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"I-IamItsukaShidou!I'mastudenthere!Ihavenohostileintentions!"
"..."
Shidouspokewhileraisinghistwoarms,andwithsuspiciouseyesthegirldismountedfromShidou'sdesk.
"—Staylikethat.Currently,youarewithinmyattackrange."
"..."
Signallingthatheunderstood,Shidounoddedwhilemaintaininghisposture.
Withslowsteps,thegirlapproachedShidou.
"...Nn?"
Then,lightlybendingherwaist,shestaredatShidou'sfaceforawhile,and"Nu?",sheraisedherbrows.
"Hey,haven'twemetoncebefore...?"
"Ah...ahh,thismonth—Ibelieve,onthetenth.Inthetown."
"Ohh."
Asifremembering,thegirllightlyhitherhandstogether,thenreturnedtoherpreviousposture.
"Iremembernow.You'retheonethatsaidsomekindofweirdthing."
Seeingthataslightamountofharshnesswasgonefromthegirl'seyes,foramomentShidou'snervousnessdiminished.
However,
"Gi...!?"
Justamomentlater,Shidou'sbangsweregrabbedandhisfacewasforcedtofaceupwards.
ThegirltiltedherfaceasiftolookintoShidou'seyes,assheletloosehergaze.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
157 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...IfIrecall,yousaidthatyouhadnointentiontokillme?Hmph—I'veseenthroughthat.Tellme,whatareyouafter.Areyouplanningtoattackmefrombehindafterlooseningmyguard?"
"..."
Shidouraisedhiseyebrowslightly,bitingdownhardonhisbackteeth.
Itwasnotbecausehefearedthegirl.
Shidou'swords—Ididnotcometokillyou;wordslikethat,thegirlcouldnotcometobelievethematall.
Itwasbecauseshehadbeenexposedtoanenvironmentwhereshecouldnotbelievethem.
Hefeltsick,andcouldn'tstandit.
"—Humansare..."
Involuntarily,Shidouletouthisvoice.
"...notallpeoplewhotrytokillyou."
"..."
Thegirl'seyesgrewround,assheremovedherhandfromShidou'shair.Andthenforashortwhile,withaquestioninggazeshelookedatShidou'sface,thenopenedherlipsatinybit.
"...Isthatso?"
"Ahh,thatisso."
"ThepeoplethatI'vemet,theyalltoldmethatImustdie."
"There'snoway...that'sso."
"..."
Withoutsayinganything,thegirlmovedherhandbackwards.
Shehalf-closedhereyesandpursedherlips—makingafacewhichsaidthatshe
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
158 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
couldstillnottrustwhatShidouwassaying.
"...ThenIwillask.Ifyouhavenointentionofkillingme,thenforwhatpurposeareyouhererightnow?"
"Uh,thatis—umm."
"Shidou"
JusthasShidoustartedtostammer,Kotori'svoiceechoedinhisrightear.
"—Anotherchoicehuh."
Kotorilickedherlips,lookingatthechoicesdisplayedinthemiddleofthescreen.
①"Ofcourse,Icametomeetyou."
②"Whatever,thatdoesn'tmatterdoesit."
③"It'sjustacoincidence."
Thedisplayinfrontofherinstantlygatheredtheopinionsofthecrewmembers.①waspopular.
"Well,for②,afterlookingatthelastreactionit'sprobablyimpossible.—Shidou,fornowjustsimplysaythatyoucametomeether."
Kotorispoketowardsthemike,andshownonthescreen,Shidouopenedhismouthwhilestandingup.
"I-Itwastomeetyou."
Thegirlmadeablankface.
"Tomeetme?Why?"
Themomentthegirltiltedherheadandsaidthis,onceagainchoicesshoweduponthescreen.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
159 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
①"I'mcuriousaboutyou."
②"Itwassowecouldloveeachother."
③"IhavesomethingIwanttoaskyou."
"Nn...whatshouldwedo."
Kotorirubbedherchin,andthedisplayinfrontofhershowed②astheanswer.
"It'sbettertogowithastraightattackhere,commander.Showherhismanliness!"
"Ifyoudon'tsayitclearlythisladywon'tgetit!"
Fromthelowerpartofthebridge,thevoicesofthecrewrangout.
Kotori"hmmed"thencrossedherlegs.
"Well,it'sprobablyfine.①or③wouldprobablygetanotherquestionastheresponse.—Shidou.Gowith②,itwassowecouldloveeachother."
Shesaidhercommandtowardsthemike.Inthatmoment,Shidou'sshouldersbegantoshudder.
"Ah...it's,youknow."
ReceivingtheorderfromKotori,Shidou'swordshesitatedandhiseyesswam.
"What,youcan'tsayit?Ordidyouappearinfrontofmewithoutareason?Orisit—"
Thegirl'seyesonceagainstartedtolookdangerous.Shidouhurridlysavedhishandsandletouthisvoice.
"I-Itwasso...wecould...loveeachother?"
"..."
ThemomentShidousaidthis,thegirlcrossedhandoverhandandswepthorizontally.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
160 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Inaninstant,rightaboveShidou'sheadabladeofwindpassedover—cuttingthroughtheclassroomwallandescapingoutside.SeveralstrandsofShidou'shairwerecutanddancedintheair.
"Uwaa...!?"
"...Idon'twanttohearyourjokes."
Makinganextremelymelancholicexpression,thegirlsaid.
"..."
Shidougulped.
Inthatmoment,thefearhehadfeltuptonowfaded,andhisheartbeatfast.
—Ahh,thatwasit,itwasthisexpression.
Thisexpression,whichShidousodespised.
Asifconsideringthemselvestobenotlovedatall,anexpressionshowingthelossoffaithintheworld.
Unconsciously,Shidou'sthroatshook.
"Icamehere...,inorderto...talktoyou."
Shidousaid—andseemingnottounderstandhismeaning,thegirlraisedhereyebrows.
"...Whatdoyoumean?"
"Justthat.I,wantto,talktoyou.Idon'tmindwhatthetopicis.Evenifyoudon'tfeellikeitandjustignoreme,that'sfine.But,Ijustwantyoutoknowonething.Iwill—"
"Shidou,calmdown."
Asifwarninghim,Kotorisaid.However,Shidoucouldnotbestopped.
Afterall,untilnow,thisgirlhadnobodywhowouldreachtheirhandouttoher.
Afterall,withjustonesentenceshecouldhavebeeninacompletelydifferentsituation,butthepersonwhowouldtellherthatonesentence,notonehadexisted
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
161 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
there.
ForShidou,hehadhisfather,hismother,andhealsohadKotori.
But,thegirlhadnobody.
Sincethat'sthecase—Shidouhadtosayit.
"Iwill—notdenyyourexistence."
Shidoutookaheavystepforward,andasifclearlypronouncingeachword,said.
"..."
Thegirlraisedhereyebrows,andavertedhereyesfromShidou.
Andthen,afterashortsilence,sheopenedhermouthwithacrack.
"...shidou.Yousaidyouwereshidou?"
"—Yeah."
"Youreallywon'tdenymyexistence?"
"Yeah."
"Reallyreally?"
"Reallyreally."
"Reallyreallyreally?"
"Reallyreallyreally."
Shidouansweredwithoutpausing,andthegirlstrokedherhair,andstoodupwhilelettingoutwhatseemedtobeasniffle,turningherfaceback.
"—Hmpf."
Raisingherbrowsandformingasneer,shecrossedherarms.
"Whoareyoutryingtofoolwiththosewordsbaakabaaka[1D5]."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
162 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"AsIsaid,Iam—"
"...Butyouknow,that."
Whilemakingacomplicatedexpression,thegirlcontinued.
"Idon'tknowwhatkindofinsidesyouhave,butyou'rethefirsthumanthatIcouldhaveaproperconversationwith....Togetmoreinformationaboutthisworldyoumightbeofsomeuse."
Sayingthis,shesnortedonceagain.
"...H-huh?"
"I'msayingthatIwouldn'tmindifit'sjusttalkingwithyou.Butit'sjustforgaininginformation.Mm,that'sveryimportant.Informationissuperimportant."
Whilespeaking—itwasjustabit,butthegirl'sexpressionseemedslightlysofter.
"I-Isthatso..."
Scratchinghisface,Shidousoreplied.
Withthis...wellforthemomentthefirstcontactcouldbetreatedassuccessful.
WhileShidoustoodperplexed,inhisrightearKotori'svoicesounded.
"—Goodjob.Justcontinuelikethat."
"A-Aahh..."
Then,thegirlstartedtoslowlycircletheclassroominlargestrides.
"But,justtrytakingasuspiciousaction.I'llopenanairtunnelinyourbody."
"...Okay,Iunderstand."
HearingShidou'sreply,thegirlslowlyletherfootstepssoundintheclassroom.
"shidou."
"W-What?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
163 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"—ThenI'llask.Whatexactlyisthisplace?It'sthefirsttimeI'veseensomewherelikethis."
Sayingthis,shewalkedaroundwhilepokingthetoppleddesks.
"Ehh...ahh,it'saschool—aclassroom,well,aplacewherestudentsthesameageasmegotostudyandlearn.Wesitinthosedesks,likethis."
"What?!"
Thegirl'seyesballedupinsurprise.
"Doallofthesegetfilledwithhumans?Don'tjokewithme.Theremustbeclosetoforty."
"No,it'sthetruth."
Whilesayingthis,Shidouscratchedhischeek.
Whenthegirlappears,theevacuationalertwouldhavealreadysoundedinthestreets.ThehumansthatthegirlhadseenwereprobablyonlytheAST.Theyprobablydidn'thavethatmanypeopleeither.
"Hey—"
Abouttocallthegirl'sname—Shidou'swordswerestuckinhisthroat.
"Nu?"
ProbablynoticingShidou'sstate,thegirlscrunchedupherbrows.
Andthen,afterplacingherhandonherchinforawhile,asifthinking,
"...Isee,inordertohaveaconversationwithsomeone,that'sneededhuh."
Likethat,shenodded,
"shidou.—Whatdoyouwanttocallme?"
Sittinginoneoftheseatsnearby,shesaid.
"...Huh?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
164 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Notunderstandingwhatshemeant,heasked.
Crossingherarmswithan"hmpf",shecontinuedinanarroganttone.
"Givemeaname."
"..."
Afterabriefsilence.
—Soseriooooooooooous!!
Shidouscreamedinhisheart.
"M-me!?"
"Yeah.Ihavenoplansoftalkingwithanyoneelseanyways.There'snoproblem."
"Uwahh,anotherheavyproblemhascome."
Sittinginthecaptain'sseat,Kotoriscratchedherface.
"...Hmm,whatshouldwedo."
Fromthelowerpartofthebridge,Reinenodded,asifrespondingtothat.
Inthebridge,neitherdidthesirensound,nordidchoicesappearonthescreen.
IftheAIjustshowedrandomnames,thenthereweretoomanytoshow.
"CalmdownShidou.Don'trushandsayaweirdname."
Sayingthis,Kotoristoodup,andraisedhervoicetowardsthecrew.
"Everyone!Immediatelythinkofnamesforherandsendthemtomyterminal!"
Aftersayingthisshedroppedhergazetothedisplay.Afewcrewmembershadsentinnamesalready.
"Ahem...Kawagoe!Isn'tMisakothenameofoneofyourex-wives!"
"S-sorry,Icouldn'tthinkofanythingelse..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
165 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Fromthelowerpartofthecontrolroom,anapologeticmalevoicecouldbeheard.
"...Jeez,let'ssee...Urarakane?Kimimoto,howdoyoupronouncethis?"
"Clarabell!"
"Iforbidyoufromhavingchildrenfortherestofyourlife."
Shepointedatthemalecrewmemberwhoraisedhisvoice.
"Sorry!Myoldestchildisalreadyinelementaryschool!"
"Oldestchild?"
"Yes!Ihavethree!"
"Andbythewaytheirnamesare?"
"Fromtheoldest,Pureblue,Fullmonty,Seraphim!"
"Changetheirnameswithinoneweek,andmoveoutsideoftheircurrentschooldistrict."
"Doyouneedtogothatfar!?"
"Thinkaboutthefeelingsofthechildrenwhoaregiventheweirdnamesyoudoublebaldie."
"It'sfine!Recentlyeveryone'sbeendoingthesame!"
*GongGong*,amuffledsoundrangoutinthebridge.
Shidouwasprobablytappingontheintercom.
Lookingatthescreen,thegirlhadherarmscrossed,andwastappingherelbowimpatiently.
Kotorilookedquicklyoverthescreen.Therewasnothinghelpful.*Haaa*,sheletoutabigsigh.
Hersubordinateshadabsolutelynosensewhatsoever.Disappointed,Kotorishookherhead.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
166 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Shelookedatthegirl'sbeautifulappearance.Somethingthatwouldsuitherwouldbesomethingelegantandrefinedintheoldstyle.Yes,suchas—
"Tome."
"Tome!YournameisTome!"
AssoonasShidousaidthat,apureredlightshinedinthecontrolroom,andaloud*piipii*soundstartedtoring.
"Patterngreen,displeasure!"
Oneofthecrewraisedhisvoicewhilelookingpanicked.
Inthatmoment,theaffectionpointsmeterdisplayedonthebigscreenhadrapidlydropped.
Followingthat,infrontofShidou'sfeetinthescreen,*zugagagagagagagagan!*,assmallballsoflightrapidlyshowereddownlikeamachinegun.
"Nuwahhhhhhh!?"
"...Kotori?"
AquestioningReine'svoice.
"Huh?That'sweird.Ithoughtitwasagreatold-styledname."
"...Idon'tknowwhy,butitseemedlikeyouweremakingfunofme."
Asveinspoppedinherforeheadthegirlsaid.
"...!S-sorry...waitabitmore."
Calmingthinkingaboutit,Tomewasclearlyout.Whilecrouchingandlookingatthesmokerisefromthefloor,Shidoucursedhisownthoughtlessness.Apologiestoalloftheoldladiesinthenation,butitwasnotanamefitforagirlofthistime.
Orratherinthefirstplace,hehadneverconsideredthathewouldbecomeagodfatherthroughasuddenencounter.Nomatterhowmuchhetriedtosupresshisheartbeat,whenhethoughthisvisionstartedspinning.However,therewasnoway
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
167 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
hewasgoingtobeabletosuddenlycomeupwithagirl'sname.Name,name,name...heskimmedoverthenamesofthefemalesheknew.Buthedidnothavemuchtime.Ashewasdoingso,thegirl'sfaceshoweddispleasure.
"——To-Tohka."
FromthetroubledShidou'smouthcamesuchaname.
"Nu?"
"H-How...isit?"
"..."
Afteramomentofsilence—
"Ohwell.It'sbetterthanTome."
LookingatthatShidoumadeahardbittersmileandscratchedthebackofhishead.
However...anevengreaterregretformedinthebackofhismind.
Afterall,itwasbecausetheirfirstmeetingwasonApriltenth[1D6],whatasimplename.
"...WhatamIdoing..."
"Didyousaysomething?"
"Ah,no,nothing..."
Hurridlyhewavedhishand.Thegirlseemedslightlycurious,butdidnotpursue.
Immediately,shetrottedtowardsShidou.
"Then—Tohka,howdoyouwriteit?"
"Ahh,that's—"
Shidouwalkedtotheblackboard,grabbedapieceofchalk,andwrote"十香".
"Hmm."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
168 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Withasmallnod,thegirlimitatedShidouandtracedtheblackboardwithherfinger.
"Ah,ifyoudon'tusechalkthenthewords..."
Hestartedtosay,butstoppedhiswords.Theplaceswherethegirl'sfingertouchedwerecleanlyshavedaway,andcrudelythetwowords十香remained.
"Whatisit?"
"...Nothing."
"Isee."
Sayingthis,thegirlstaredatthewordsshewroteforawhile,andgaveasmallnod.
"shidou."
"W-what?"
"Tohka."
"Eh?"
"Tohka.It'smyname.Isn'titmarvelous?"
"Ah,ahh..."
Itwassomewhat...embarassing.Inalotofways.
Slightlyavertinghiseyes,Shidouscratchedhischeek.
However,thegirl—Tohka,onceagainmovedherlips.
"shidou."
...EvenShidouunderstoodTohka'sintentions.
"To-Tohka..."
Shidoucalledthatname,andseemingsatisfiedtheedgesofTohka'slipsturnedupwards.
"..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
169 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Hisheartleaped.
Nowthathethinksaboutit,itwashisfirsttime,seeingTohka'ssmile.
Then,atthattime,
"—...?"
Suddenly,theschoolbuildingwasfacedwithatremendousexplosionandshaking.
Heinstantlysupportedhisbodywiththehandontheblackboard.
"Wh-Whatthe...!?"
"Shidou,getontheground."
InhisrightearKotori'svoiceechoed.
"Eh...?"
"Hurry."
Notknowingwhat'swhat,Shidoudidashewastoldandlaidonthefloor.
Inthenextmoment,*gagagagagagagaga—*,aloudnoiserangout,breakingtheclassroomwindows'glassallatonce,andopeningcountlessbulletholesinthewallbehind.ItwaslikeascenefromaMafia'sbattle.
"Wh-Whatthehell...!"
"Itlookslikeanattackfromtheoutside.ProbablytotrytoluretheSpiritout.—Ahh,ormaybeit'stomaketheschoolbuildingcollapse,andthusgettingridofplaceswheretheSpiritcouldhide."
"Wha...,that'sabsurd...!"
"—Butstill,thiswasoutsidemyexpectations.Themcomingupwithsuchanaggressivetactic."
Then,Shidouraisedhisface.
TohkahadanexpressionthatseemedexactlythesameaswhenshewasdealingwithShidouearlier,gazingoutsidetheshatteredwindows.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
170 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Needlesstosay,bulletswereuselessagainstTohka,eventhefragmentsofshatteredglasscouldnottouchher.
However,thatfaceseemedtwistedwithextremepain.
"—Tohka!"
Unknowingly,Shidouyelledoutthatname.
"..."
Withastart,Tohka'sgazemovedfromtheoutsidetoShidou.
Evennow,overwhelminggunshotsoundswereringing,buttheattackontheclassroomofclass2-4hadmomentarilystopped.
Whilebracinghimselffortheattacks,heraisedhisbodyup.Then,Tohkagloomilyloweredhereyes.
"Hurryupandescape,shidou.Ifyoustaywithme,you'llbehitbyyourfellowhumans."
"..."
Shidouwassilent,andgulped..
Certainly,hehadtorunaway.But—
"Therearetwochoices.Torun,ortostay."
HeheardKotori'svoice.Afterhesitatingforabit,
"...HowcanIrunaway,atatimelikethis..."
"You'resuchanidiot."
"...Saywhateveryoulike."
"Thatwasacompliment.—I'llgiveyousomegreatadvice.Ifyoudon'twanttodie,thenstayasclosetotheSpiritaspossible."
"...Okay."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
171 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Formingastraightlinewithhislips,ShidousatdowninfrontofTohka'sfeet.
"Huh—?"
Tohka'seyesopenedwide.
"Whatareyoudoing?Hurryand—"
"Iknowthat...!Butrightnowit'sthetimeforourconversation.Somethinglikethat,don'tworryaboutit.—Youwanttheinformationaboutthisworldright?Ifit'ssomethingIcananswer,thennomatterhowmanyquestionsyouhaveI'llanswerthem."
"...!"
Tohkamadeasurprisedfaceforaninstant,andthensatdown,facingShidou.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
172 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
173 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part3
"——"
Herbodywrappedinawiringsuit,Origamiwasholdingagiantgatlingguninhertwohands.
Readyingherselfandpullingthetrigger,anunbelievableamountofbulletswerescatteredontotheschoolbuilding.
Becauseherterritorywasexpanded,sheprettymuchcouldn'tfeeltherecoil,butitwasoriginallyalargeradiusgatlinggunthatwouldbemountedonbattleships.Facingthebombardmentfromalldirections,theschoolbuildinggraduallybecamefullofholes.
However—thiswasnottheanti-Spiritequipmentthatusestherealizer.ItwasjustsimplyequipmenttodestroythebuildingandforcetheSpiritout.
"—Howisit?HastheSpiritcomeoutyet?"
Comingovertheintercominsidetheheadset,Ryouko'svoicecouldbeheard.
RyoukowasrightbesideOrigami—butinthemidstofthegunfireherrawvoicecouldnotreach.
"Istillcannotconfirmit."
Withoutlettingupontheattack,shereplied.
Whileshootingherowngun,Origamiopenedhereyeswideandsweptthroughthecrumblingschoolbuilding.
Theywereatadistancewherenormallyonewouldnotbeabletoseeanything,butthecurrentOrigamiwithherterritoryexpandedcouldevenreadthewordsonthepaperpostedonthebulletinboardbythesideofthebuilding.
Then—Origaminarrowedhereyesslightly.
Class2-4,Origami'sclassroom.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
174 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Duetotheirattacks,theouterwallhadcompletelycollapsed—shesawthefigureofthetarget,theSpirit.
However—
"...Nn?That's—"
Ryoukosaidinadoubtfulvoice.
Afterall,insidetheclassroom,otherthantheSpirit,ahuman,whatlookedlikeayoungman,wasconfirmed.—Probablyastudentwhowastoolateinescaping.
"Wh-Who'sthat.Ishebeingattacked—?"
WhilenarrowinghereyebrowsRyoukoletouthervoice.
However,asifshehadn'theardit,Origamicontinuedstaringattheclassroom.
ShefeltthatthefigureoftheyoungmanbesidetheSpiritwasfamiliar.
"——!"
Origami'seyesopenedwide.
Afterall—thatyoungmanwasOrigami'sclassmate,ItsukaShidou.
"—Origami?"
Frombesideher,Ryoukocalledherinapuzzledvoice.
HoweverOrigamididn'tanswer,shesimplygaveacommandinherhead.
Acommandtotherealizerwrappingherbody,forthefastestspeed.
"Whatareyoudoing,Origami!?"
"—It'sdangerous.Pleaseavoidactingrandomlyonyourown."
Asexpected,theynoticedtheanomaly.ThetransmissionsfromRyoukoandheadquarterscameataroundthesametime.
HoweverOrigamicouldnotbestopped.Sheimmediatelydroppedthegatlinggun,drawingthecloserangeanti-Spiritlaserblade<NoPain>fromherwaist,and
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
175 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
chargedtowardstheschool.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
176 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
177 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part4
Withinaclassroomfacedwitharainofbullets,lookingatandtalkingwithagirl.
...Obviously,itwasthefirsttimehehadsuchanexperienceinhislife.
ProbablyduetoTohka'spower,innumerablebullets,asifavoidingthetwoofus,drovethemselvesintotheschoolbuilding.
Buteventhen,seeingbulletspassinfrontofhiseyeswasnotaneverydayexperience.Hefeltlikeifhesomuchasmovedabithewouldbehit,soShidoustayedperfectlystillashecontinuedtheconversation.
Thecontentsoftheconversationwasnothingspecial.
Tohkaaskedthequestionsthatsheneverhadthechancetoaskanyone,andShidouanswered.JustthissimpleexchangewasenoughforTohkatogiveasatisfiedsmile.
Exactlyhowlonghadtheytalk—wheninsideShidou'sear,heheardKotori'svoice.
"—Thenumbershavestabilized.Ifit'spossible,tryaskingaquestiontooShidou.WereallyneedtheSpirits'information."
Beingtoldthis,Shidouthoughtaboutitabitthenopenedhismouth.
"Hey—Tohka."
"Whatisit?"
"Justexactly...whatkindofbeingareyou?"
"Mu?"
AtShidou'squestion,Tohkafrowned.
"—Don'tknow."
"Don'tknow?..."
"It'sthetruth.There'snothingIcandoaboutit.—Idon'tknowhowlongagoitwas,
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
178 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
butIwassuddenlybornthere.That'sthat.Mymemoriesaredistortedandvague.IhavenoideaaboutthingssuchaswhatkindofbeingIam."
"I-Isthatso...?"
Shidousaidwhilescratchinghischeek,andTohkahmpfedandcrossedherarms.
"That'showitis.Iwassuddenlyborninthisworld,andatthatmomentthemechamechagroupwasalreadydancinginthesky."
"Me-Mechamechagroup...?"
"Thoseannoyingpeoplethatzoomaround."
ItseemedlikeshewastalkingabouttheAST.InvoluntarilyShidougaveawrysmile.
Then,fromtheintercom,alightelectronicsoundlikethesoundwhenyougetaquizquestionrightrangout.
"It'syourchance,Shidou!"
"Huh...?Whatis?"
"TheSpirit'smoodmeterhasalreadygoneabove70.Ifyouwanttomakeamovethennow'sthetime."
"Makeamove...whatshouldIdo?"
"Nn,that'sright.Forthemoment...tryinvitinghertoadate?"
"Huh...!?"
HearingKotori'swords,Shidouaccidentallyraisedhisvoice.
"Nn,what'swrongshidou?"
RespondingtoShidou'svoice,Tohkalookedathim.
"—!Don'tmindit."
"..."
Eventhoughhehurridlytriedcoveringitup,TohkastaredatShidouwithacurious
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
179 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
look.
"Inviteheralready.Thebestwaytoincreaseintimacyistogoalloutlikethisafterall."
"...Evenifyousaythat,themomentsheappearsthere'stheAST..."
"That'sevenmorethereason.Thenexttimesheappears,I'llleaveittoyoutoescapewithherintoalargebuilding.Theaquariumorthetheateroradepartmentstore,whateverisfine.Ifthereisanundergroundestablishmentthenthat'sevenbetter.Ifyoudothat,thentheASTprobablywouldn'tenterdirectly."
"...M-mm."
"Whatareyoumutteringaboutsinceawhileago....!Aplantoeliminatemeafterall!?"
"W-wrong,wrong!It'samisunderstanding!"
HehurridlystoppedTohka,whoseeyesgrewsharpandballsoflightappearedonherfingertips.
"Thentellme.Whatwereyousaying?"
"Guh..."
Groaningwhilesweatrolleddownhisface,avoiceurginghimonechoedinShidou'srightear.
"Comeon,justacceptitalready.Date!Date!"
Atthatmomentthecrewmembersinthebridgewereprobablyalsostimulated,asfromtheothersideoftheintercom,athunderlikechantingofdatecouldbeheard.
"Da●te"
"Da●te"
"Da●te"
"ArghIunderstandalready!"
Shidougaveupandyelled.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
180 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Inreality,itwasn'tthathedidn'tunderstandKotori'sreasons,heknewthatitwasimportanttosetastageforthenextmeeting...butwell,youknow,hewasslightlyembarrassed.
"Hey,Tohka."
"Nn,whatisit?"
"U-uhm...t-thenexttime."
"Nn?"
"Wo-won'tyougo...onadatewithme?"
Tohkamadeablankface.
"What'sadate?"
"Th-that's..."
Forsomereasonhefeltreallyembarrassed,asheavertedhergazeandscratchedhischeek.
Then,atthattime,inhisrightear,aslightlylouderKotori'svoiceentered.
"—Shidou!ASTisonthemove!"
"Huh...!?"
InavoicethatTohkainfrontofhimcouldprobablyevenhear,Shidoudidn'tcareandexclaimed.
Withinamoment—outsidetheclassroomthathadsincegivenoffaveryopen-airfeeling,Origamiappeared.
"—!"
Inaninstant,Tohka'semotionsgrewdark,andsheextendedherhandtowardsthere.
Then,withoutmissingabeat,fromtheunrefinedmachineryinherhandabladeoflightappeared,asOrigamichargedatTohka.
Sparkslikeataweldingshopscatteredaroundthearea.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
181 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Ku—"
"—Howcrude!"
Tohkaletoutaroar,shakingoffOrigamiwiththehandthatstoppedthebladeoflight.
"..."
Slightlyclenchingherteeth,Origamiwasblownbackwards.—But,sheimmediatelycorrectedherposture,andlandedbeautifullyonthebullet-holefilledfloor.
"Tch—It'syouagain."
Lightlyshakingthehandthatstoppedthebladeoflight,Tohkasaid,asiffilledwithhatred.
OrigamiglancedatShidou,thengaveoffasighasifshewasrelieved.
HoweversheimmediatelyreadiedtheunfamiliarweaponandshotacoldgazetowardsTohka.
"..."
Seeingherstate,TohkastoleaglanceatShidou,thenthrustherheelintothefloorbelowherfoot.
"—< >!"
Instantly,theclassroom'sfloorbulgedup,andfromtherethethroneappeared.
"Wha..."
"Shidou,withdraw!Let<Fraxinus>pickyouupatonce.Ifpossibletrytoleavewithbothofyou!"
Shidoustooddazed,andthenheardKotori'syell.
"Evenifyousaythat..."
Tohkapulledtheswordfromthebackofthethrone,andthrustittowardsOrigami.
Theshockwavefromthatoneswing,veryeasilypickedupShidou'sbody,andblew
KingofSlaughterSandalphon
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
182 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
itoutsidetheschool.
"Uwahhhhhhh!?"
"Nice!"
AtthesametimethatKotori'svoicerangout,Shidou'sbodywassurroundedwithaweightlessfeeling.
Whilefeelingastrangefloatingsensation,Shidouwasretrievedbythe<Fraxinus>.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
183 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
184 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Chapter4:SurpriseDate
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
185 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
186 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part1
"...Wellyeah,normallythey'dclosedowntheschoolforsomethinglikethis..."
Shidouwalkeddownthesteeproadextendingfromthefrontoftheschoolwhilescratchingthebackofhishead.
ItwasthedayafterhehadnamedtheSpiritTohka.
Shidouhadgonetoschoollikenormal,anduponseeingthetightlyshutgateandtheschoolbuildingthathadbeenreducedtoapileofrubble,sighedathisidiocy.
Hewastherewhentheschoolhadbeendestroyed,sonormallyonewouldassumethatitwouldbeclosed...butwhenfacedwithsuchanoverlyunrealisticsetting,itwaspossiblethathismindhadunconsciouslybecomedetachedfromreality.
Plus,hehadspentallnightlastnightinameetingwiththeothers,reviewingthevideoofhisconversationwithTohkaandreflectingonit,sohismentalcapacitymighthavedecreasedfromlackofsleep.
"Sigh...IguessIshouldatleastdoabitofshoppingthen."
Lettingoutasinglesigh,heturnedtoadifferentpaththanthewayhome.
Itwastruethattheyhadrunoutofeggsandmilk,andjustreturningstraighthomewould'vefeltsomewhatweird.
However—beforeevenafewminuteshadpassed,Shidoustoppedagain.
Therewasa"Donotenter"signproppedupontheroad.
"Oh,theroadisclosed...?"
Butevenifthesignhadn’tbeenthere,itwasclearasdaythattheroadwasunusable.
Theasphaltfloorhadbeentornupintoamess,theconcretewallshadcrumbled,andeventhemulti-tenantbuildinghadcollapsed.
Itwasasifawarhadtakenplacehere.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
187 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"—Ah,thisis..."
Herememberedthisplace.ItwaspartofthespacequakezonewherehehadfirstmetTohka.
Itseemedliketherepairforceshadn’tdealtwithityet,asthedisastroussceneremainedunchangedfromtendaysago.
"......"
Whenherecalledthegirl’sappearanceinhismind,heletoutasmallsigh.
—Tohka.
TheSpirit—thegirlwhobroughtforthdisaster—whodidnothaveanameuntilyesterday.
Yesterday,afterconversingwithherforlongerthaneverbefore,Shidou’spremonitionwasconfirmed.
Thatgirlreallydidpossessanunthinkableamountofpower.
Tothepointwherealloftheorganizationsintheworldwouldagreethatshewasathreat.
Thescenelaidoutbeforehimwasproofofthat.
Somethinglikethisreallycouldn’tbelefttoitself.
"...dou..."
Butatthesametime,therewasnowaythatshewouldusethatpowerrecklessly,likeacareless,mercilessmonster.
"...i,dou..."
Shidouhatedthatmelancholicfacethatshewore.Hecouldn'ttolerateitatall.
"Hey,shidou..."
...Well,thosethoughtswerespinningaroundinhishead,sobeforeheknewit,he’dendedupwalkingallthewaybacktotheschoolgate.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
188 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Stopignoringme!"
"—Huh?"
Avoicerangout—fromtheothersideoftheclosedoffarea.
Shidoutiltedhisheadinconfusion.
Asifsplittingthefrigidair,itwasabeautifulvoice.
Itwaslikeavoicethathe'dheardsomewhere...tobespecific,atschoolthepreviousday.
...Itwasavoicethathedidnotexpecttohearatatimeandplacelikethis.
"U-Umm—"
Shidoufocusedhisgazeinthatdirectionashecomparedthevoicehe'djustheardwithhisownmemories.
Andthen,hisentirebodyfroze.
Shewasrightinfrontofhiseyes.
Agirlwasleaningslightlyonthetopofthemountainofdebris,wearingadressthatclearlydidnotfitthesurroundings.
"T-Tohka!?"
Indeed,unlessShidou'smindoreyeswereplayingtricksonhim,thegirlwaswithoutadoubttheSpiritthathehadencounteredatschoolthepreviousday.
"Soyoufinallynoticed,stu~pidstu~pid."
Thegirl'sface,beautifulenoughtosendchillsdownone'sspine,wasdyedwithdiscontent.Shekickedthepileofdebriswitha*thump*,andapproachedShidoualongthebarelyintactasphalt.
Probablybecauseitwasinherway,Tohkakickeddownthe'Donotenter'signwithagruntandarrivedinfrontofShidou.
"W-Whatareyoudoing,Tohka...?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
189 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Nu?Whatdoyoumean?"
"Whyareyouinaplacelikethis...!?"
Shidouglancedbehindhimwhileshouting,andcaughtsightofvariouspeoplesuchasagroupofwomentalkingandaneighbourhoodresidentwhowaswalkingtheirdog.
Noonewastakingrefugeinashelter.Thatmeans,thespacequakealarmhadn’tsounded.
Basically,thismeantthatneither<Ratatoskr>northeASThadsensedanyforeshockbeforetheSpiritappeared.
"Evenifyouaskmewhy..."
However,thepersonherselfdidn'tseemtocareaboutthestrangesituationatall.Shefoldedherarmstogether,asifshedidn'tknowwhyShidouwasmakingsuchafussaboutit.
"Aren'tyoutheonewhoinvitedme,shidou?That...onadate."
"Wha—"
Shidou’sshoulderstrembledathercarelessdeclaration.
"Y-Youremembered...?"
"Hm?What,doyouthinkI'manidiotorsomething?"
"No,that'snotwhatImeant..."
"—Hmph,whatever.Moreimportantlyshidou,let'sgetonwiththatdatealready.Datedatedatedate."
Tohkakeptrepeating'datedate'withauniqueintonation.[1E1]
"I-Igetit!Igetit,sostoprepeatingthatword!"
"Eh,why?......Ah,shidou,don’ttellmethatyoutookadvantageofhowIdon’tknowwhatitmeans,andtaughtmeanindecent,obsceneword?"
Withhercheekscolouredbrightred,Tohkaraisedhereyebrows.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
190 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"—!I-Ididn’t,Ididn’t!It’sacompletelypureword!"
Hescratchedhischeekwhenhesaidthat.
Itwasabitofalie.Asfarashumanswereconcerned,itwasawordthatcouldbeextremelyimpure.
Shidouturnedaroundwithanuncomfortableglance.
Thewomenweregrinning,lookingathimasifthey'dseensomethingcharming.
Well,therewasalsosomedoubtmixedinintheirgazes,duetoTohka’sstrangeappearance.
"...Nu?"
Tohkaseemedtohavenoticedthosegazestoo.ShehidherselfbehindShidou,andwatchedthemacutely.
"...shidou,whoarethey?Enemies?ShouldIkillthem?"
"Hu...Huh!?"
Shidou'sshouldersshookuponTohkablurtingoutsuchdangerousthoughtswithnowarning.
"No,no,no,whyareyousayingthat?They'rejustordinarywomen."
"Whatareyousaying,shidou?Thosefieryglimmeringeyes...aren’ttheylikebirdsofprey?There'snowaytheyaren'ttargetingme....Theymightcausetroublelateronifweleavethembe.Ithinkthatitwouldbebesttotakethemoutbeforethathappens."
...Well,it'struethattheireyesweregleaming,but...
Firstofallhe'dhavetocomeupwithanewconversationtopic.
"Don'tworry.Didn'tItellyou?Therearen'tmanyhumansthatwillattackyou."
"...Hmph."
ThoughTohkastillhadn'tletdownherguard,atleastshestoppedseemingabouttostrikeatanymoment.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
191 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Whatever.So,aboutthatdate—"
"L-L-Let’sgosomewhereelsefirst.Okay?"
ShidousaidthattoTohka,whohadcontinuedonunabashed,andhurriedlywalkedaway.
"Nu.Hey,shidou,wherearewegoing!"
Tohkafollowedrightafterhim,andraisedhervoiceindiscontentwhilewalkingbesidehim.
TogetherwithTohka,Shidouenteredadesertedbackalley,andfinallyletoutasighinrelief.
"Soyou’vefinallycalmeddown.Sheesh,whatastrangeperson.Whatexactlyiswrong?"
Tohkanarrowedhereyesindisappointment.
"Tohka...whathappenedaftereverythingyesterday?"
Therewasanassortmentofthingsthathewantedtoask,butthefirstonetoleavehismouthwasthat.
Tohka’slipsmovedwithabitofascowl.
"Nothingreally,itwasjustlikealways.Theyswungtheirbladesthatwon'tcutanything,firedtheircannonsthatwon'thitanything.—Finally,mybodyjustnaturallydisappeared."
"...Disappeared?"
Shidoutiltedhishead,puzzled.
Cometothinkofit,Kotoriandtheothersalsohadahunchlikethat,buttheydidn'treallyunderstandhowitworkedatall.
"It'sjustmovingfromthisworldtoadifferentspace."
"S-Somethinglikethatexists?...Whatkindofaplaceisit?"
"Idon'treallyknow."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
192 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...What?"
Shidoufrownedatheranswer.
"TheinstantImovethere,Inaturallyenterasleep-likestate.FromwhatIcanremember,itfeltlikeIwasdriftingaroundinadarkspace.—AsfarasI'mconcerned,it'slikefallingasleep."
"Then,doyoucometothisworldwhenyouwakeup?"
"That'snotquiteit."
Tohkashookherheadandcontinued.
"Inthefirstplace,Icouldneverchoosewhentocomehere,I'mjustrandomlysenttoandstuckonthisside.Well,Iguessit'slikebeingforcefullywokenup."
"......"
Shidouheldhisbreath.
HeunderstoodthatspacequakesoccurredwhenSpiritsappearedinthisworld,butifwhatTohkasaidwastrue,thenitwasnotbytheirownwillthattheyappearedhere.
Inthatcase,aren’tspacequakesreallyjustlikeaccidents?
ForcingtheresponsibilityonTohka—ontheSpirits—istoounreasonablenomatterhowyoulookatit.
Atthatmoment,onemorequestionpassedthroughShidou'shead.
TherewasonepartofTohka’sstoryjustnowthatdidn'tquitefit.
"...Whatdidyoumeanby'could'?Istodaydifferent?"
"......"
Tohka'scheekstwitchedslightly,hermouthbentintoafrown,andsheavertedhergazeataslant.
"Hmph,a-asifIknow."
"Answermeproperly.Itmightbesomethingreallyimportant."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
193 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
ButShidoucontinuedtopresson.
That'showitwas—ifTohkahadcometothisworldbyherownwilltoday,thenthatmightbethereasonwhytherewasnospacequake.
Butforsomereason,Tohka'scheekswereflushedslightlypink,andhergazewassharp.
"You'resopersistent.Thisconversationisalreadyover."
"No,but—"
Shidoustartedtospeak,butTohkastompedonthegroundwithonefoot.
Theasphaltthatshesteppedoninstantlylitup,andbeamsoflightradiatedfromit.
"Whoa...!?"
WhenthelighttouchedShidou,itscatteredintofireworkswithacrackle.
"—Comeon,hurryupandtellmewhatadatemeans."Tohkasaidimpatiently.
"...Gah."
Againstthatuncompromisingtoneofvoice,Shidoucouldn'tdoanythingbutfallsilent.
Ifhequestionedheranyfurther,it'dresultinabeamoflightlikeyesterday.
Shidouspentalittlewhilemumblingtohimselfbeforespeaking.
"...It'swhenaboyandagirlgooutandhavefuntogether...Ithink."
"Isthatit?"
Tohkastaredathim,asifinaweathowanticlimaticitwas.
"Y-yeah..."
Eventhoughhesaidit,hewasstilltroubledbecausehehadn'tevergoneonadateeither.
Thatis,heknewsomethingsfrommangaanddramas,butthatwastheextentofhis
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
194 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
knowledge.
ButTohkagrumbledwithherarmsfoldedoverherchest.
"...Sobasically,yesterdayyouweresayingyouwantedtoplaytogether,thetwoofus?"
"...W-Well...yes...Iguess."
Forsomereasonitwas20%moreembarrassingwhenhesaiditplainly.Heansweredwhilescratchinghischeekawkwardly.
"Isee."
Tohka’sexpressionslightlybrightenedasshenodded,andshetookalongstrideoutfromthealley.
"H-Hey,Tohka—"
"What,shidou?Aren’twegoingtogohavefun?"
"—!Y-You’reokaywithit...?"
"Didn’tyousaythatyouwantedto?"
"Ah...Well,that’strue,but..."
"Thenhurryup.OrelseI'llchangemymind,"Tohkasaidassheresumedwalking.
Andthen,Shidourealizedafatalissue.
"T-Tohka!Thoseclothesofyourswon'twork...!"
"What?"
Tohka'seyeswidenedinextremesurprisewhenShidousaidthat.
"Whatexactlyiswrongwithmyraiment?Thisismyarmorandmyterritory.Iwon'ttolerateyourinsults."
"Youstandouttoomuchlikethat...!EventheASTwillfindout!"
"Nu."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
195 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Seeminglyhavingrealizedthatitwouldindeedbetroublesome,Tohkamadeanunpleasantface.
"WhatshouldIdo,then?"
"Well,youhavetochangeyourclothes,but..."
AsingledropofsweatdrippeddownShidou'scheek.Therearen'tanywomen'sclotheshere,andtakingherallthewaytoastorewouldbedifficult,too.
Also,hiswalletwasn'tthatfull.
Whileherackedhisbrainforideas,Tohkaimpatientlyspokeup.
"Whatkindofclotheswouldbegood?Justtellmethat."
"Eh?Ah..."
Evenifsheaskedhimwhatkind,hecouldn'tcomeupwithanythingrightaway.
But,atthatmoment,afamiliaruniformpassedthroughtheedgeofhisvision.
"Ah..."
Aschoolgirlthathedidn'trecognizewalkedalongtheroadwithasleepyface.
Itwasprobablyastudentthatforsomereason,alsomissedtheannouncementthattheschoolwasclosed,justlikeShidouhad.
"Tohka,overthere.Clotheslikethatwouldprobablybefine."
"Nu?"
TohkalookedinthedirectionthatShidouwaspointingin,andplacedherhandonherchin.
"Hmm,Isee.Sothatwouldbefine,huh?"saidTohka.
Shetightlyraisedherindexandmiddlefingersofherrighthandtogether.
Then,ablackballoflightappearedfromherfingertips,pointedtowardstheschoolgirl.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
196 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Wait,whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing!?"
Flustered,ShidoustruckTohka'shand.
Atthatmoment,thephotosphereshotfromTohka’sfingers,grazedtheschoolgirl’shair,andhitthewallbehindher.
Adull*thunk*rangout,andsmallfragmentsofthewallscatteredaround.
"Eek...!?"
Theschoolgirl’sshoulderstrembledatthesuddenevent,andshefranticallylookedaroundher.
Butasifconcludingthatitwasbecauseshewashalf-asleep,shetiltedherheadinconfusionandleft.
"Whatareyoudoing?Youmadememiss."
"That'snotwhatyoushouldbesayingatalllllllll!That'smyline!"
"Iwasgoingtostunherandstripoffherclothes,but..."
Tohkatiltedherheadasifaskingwhatwaswrongwiththat.
Shidouletoutadeepsighfromthebottomofhisstomach,andplacedhishandagainsthisforehead.
"Listen,Tohka.Youcan'tattackpeople.Youjustcan't."
"Whynot?"
"...Don'tyoufeelannoyedwhentheASTattacksyou?Listentome—youshouldn'tdothingsthatpeoplewon'tlike."
"...Hmpf."
Tohka'slipstightenedindissatisfactionwhenShidousaidthat.
Ratherthandisagreeingwithwhathesaid,itseemedlikeshewasunhappywithhowhespoketoherlikehewastalkingtoachild.
"...Iunderstand.I'llkeepthatinmind."Tohkasaidinconsent,withthatexpression.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
197 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Next,sheraisedherfaceslightlyasifrememberingsomething,andsaid,
"—Itcan’tbehelped.I'llhavetotakecareoftheclothesmyself,somehow."
Withthat,shesnappedherfingers.
Justasshedidthat,thedressthatsheworestartedtodissolveintotheair...orsoitseemed,butthenasifitwasbeingreplaced,particlesoflightgatheredaroundher,coilingaroundherbodyandforminganewsilhouette.
Afterafewseconds,Tohkastoodthere,wearingthesameRaizenHighSchooluniformthattheschoolgirlhadbeenwearing.
"Wh...Wh-Whatisthis?"
"Icastoffmyraimentandcreatedanewoutfit.Ijustwentbysightsothedetailsmightbeoff,butitshouldn'tbeaproblem."Tohkasaidasshecrossedherarmswitha'hmph'.
"Ifyoucoulddosomethinglikethatthenyoushould'vedonethatfromthestart!"
Shidoushouted,andTohkawavedherhandsaroundasifsaying‘Igetit,Igetit.’
"Moreimportantly,wherearewegoing?"
"A-Aboutthat—"
Shidoutouchedhisrightearasiflookingforhelp.
Then,hefinallyrealized.Rightnow,Shidouhadnointercominhisear.
Andofcourse,therewasnocamerafloatingaround.
Atanyrate,thecrewofKotori’s<Fraxinus>hadn’tdetectedTohka’spresenceatall.
Inotherwords,theywerecompletelyalone.
Shidoufeltabitdizzy.
Thepressuremadehisstomachhurt.
TherewasahugedifferencewhenKotoriandReineweren’tbehindhimtogivehimdecentadvice.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
198 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"What'swrong,shidou?"
"...Nothing."
Shidoutookseveraldeepbreaths,andstartedwalkingstiffly.Shortlyafter,Tohkaspokeup.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
199 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
200 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"—shidou.You'rewalkingtoofast.Slowdownabit."
"...A-Ah,sorry..."
Headjustedhispaceafterhavingitpointedout.Theirpacesweredifferenttobeginwith,soitwasonlynaturalthatShidouwouldendupinfront...itwassomehowastrangefeeling.
Thiswasdefinitelywhatitwasliketowalktogetherwithsomeone.
ForShidou,whohadnevergoneanywherewithagirlinhislife,itwasanewsensation(bytheway,KotorihoppingandprancinginfrontofShidoucouldn’treallybeusedasareference).
Thinkinglikethat—ShidoustoleaglanceatTohkawalkingbesidehim.
Whathesawwasnotamonsterwhocouldsplittheheavensandearthwithaswingofasword,butratherjustanormalgirl.
Astheyleftthealleywaysandenteredalargeroadwherevariousstoreslinedthesides,Tohkanarrowedherbrowsandnervouslyglancedaroundher.
"...W-what'swiththisnumberofpeople.Aretheyplanninganall-outwar!?"
Itseemsshewassurprisedbytheincomparablymorepeopleandcarsthanwhatshehadbeenusedtoseeing.Whileremainingalertinalldirections,Tohkasaidinaseriousvoice.
Then,onthefingertipsofbothherhands,atotaloftensmallballsoflightappeared.Shidouhurriedlystoppedher.
"LikeIsaid!There'snobodywho'saimingforyourlifehere!"
"...Really?"
"Really."
Shidousosaid,andTohkacarefullylookedoverthesurroundingagain,forthemomentextinguishingtheballsoflight.
Then—unexpectedly,theprecautionthatdyedTohka'sfacedroppedaway.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
201 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Huh...?Heyshidou,what'sthatsmell?"
"...Smell?"
Heclosedhiseyesandsniffedthesurrounding,andjustasTohkahadsaid,afragrantodorlingeredintheair.
"Ahh,it'sprobablyfromthat."
Sayingthis,hepointedatthebakeryontheright.
"Ooohh."
Sayingjustthat,Tohkastaredinthatdirection.
"...Tohka?"
"Nu,whatisit?"
"Wannagoin?"
"......"
Shidouasked,andTohka'sfingertipstwitchedashermouthcurledintoafrown.Then,withamiraculoustiming,*guurururu*,Tohka'sstomachgrowled.ItseemsthatevenSpiritscanfeelhunger.
"IfshidouwantstogointhenIwon'tnotcomein."
"...Iwanttogoin.Ireallywanttogoin."
"Isthatso,thenIhavenochoice!"
Excessivelycheerfully,Tohkaresponded,andtriumphantlyopenedthedoortothebakery.
"......"
Hidingintheshadowofthewalls,Origamistaredfixatedlyattheboy-girlpairtalkinginfrontofthebakery,andwithoutherexpressionschangingevenone
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
202 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
millimetersheletoutashortbreath.
Shehadgonetoschoolonlytofindthatitwasclosed,andonthereturnhome,shehadnoticedShidouwalkingtogetherwithafemalestudent.
Justthatwasalreadyanextremelyserioussituation.Likealover,shequietlybegantotailthem.
However—therewasanevenbiggerproblemthanthat.
Thatfemalestudent,Origamirecognizedit.
"—Spirit."
Quietly,shemuttered.
That'sright.Monster.Abnormality.Thecalamitythatwoulddestroytheworld.
Thethingthatwasnothuman,whomOrigami'sgroupwassupposedtoannihilate,waswearingauniformandwalkingbesideShidou.
"......"
Butifshecalmlythoughtaboutit,suchathingwasnotpossible.
BeforeaSpiritappears,asaprecursor,aforeshockofabnormallevelswouldhavebeendetected.TherewasnowayAST'sobservationsquadwouldhavemissedthat.
But,inthatcasethespacequakealarmshouldhavesoundedlikethepreviousday,andanordershouldhavealsoreachedOrigami.
Origamitookouthercellphonefromherbagandopenedit.Therewerenomessages.
Inthatcase,thenthatgirlwasnotaSpiritafterall,butjustsomeonewhohadanaccidentalresemblance.
"...There'snowaythat'sthecase."
Quietly,herlipsmoved.TherewasnowayOrigamicouldhavemistakentheSpirit'sface.
"......"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
203 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Origamipushedsomebuttonsonhercellphone,openingheraddressbookandcalledanumberinside.
Then.
"—AST,MasterSergeantTobiichi.A-0613."
StatingherpositionandIDcode.Shethencuttothechase.
"Sendmeoneobservationmachine."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
204 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
205 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part2
"Ah,Reine~.Ifyoudon'twantthatthenletmehaveit."
"...Nn,okay.Goahead."
Kotoriextendedherfork,andstabbeditintotheraspberryintheplateplacedinfrontofReine.Shethenslowlybroughttheforktohermouth,savoringthesweetandsoursensation.
"Mmm,yum.Whydon'tyoulikethis,Reine?"
"...Isn'titsour?"
Sayingthis,Reinedownedtheappleteafilledwithplentyofsugarinonegulp.
Rightnow,thetwoofthemwereinacaféonTenguuAvenue.
Kotoriwaswearingawhiteribbonandhermiddleschooluniform,whileReinehadonalightlycoloredcutsewanddenims.
Kotorihadgonetoschoolasusualbut,duetothespacequakeyesterdayKotori'sschoolhadmoreorlesssufferedsomedamages,soitwasclosed.
Somehow,goingstraighthomeafterthatwouldfeelsomewhatweird,soshecalledReineouttohaveanenjoyablesnacktime.
"...Oh,thisisaperfectopportunity,sotellme."
Reineopenedhermouthasifrememberingsomething.
"Wh~at?"
"...Sorrythatit'ssuchabasicquestion,butKotori,whydidyouchoosehimasthenegotiatorwiththeSpirits?"
"Mm..."
HearingReine'squestion,Kotorifrowned.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
206 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Youwon'ttellanyone?"
"...Ipromise."
Inalowvoice,Reinenodded.Seeingthis,Kotoriconsentedandreplied.MurasameReinewasawomanwhowillfollowthroughwithwhatshesays.
"Actually,I'mnotrelatedbybloodwithmybrother.It'sasupergalge-likesetting."
"...Hrm?"
Neitherseemingamusednorsurprised,Reinetiltedherheadslightly.ShequicklyprocessedKotori'swordsandmadeaposethatseemedtobeasking'whatdoesthathaveanythingtodowithmyquestion?'.
"That'swhyIloveyou,Reine~"
"......"
Reinehadamystifiedexpression.
"Don'tmindit~....Then,tocontinue.IwonderhowoldIwasthen,itwasduringatimethatIdon'tevenremember,butonii-chanhadbeenabandonedbyhisrealmother,andourfamilytookhimin,orsomethinglikethat.ItwassolongagothatIdon'treallyrecall,butitseemedlikehewasquitetroublesomewhenwefirsttookhimin.Itwasatalevelwhereitseemedlikehemightjustgoandcommitsuicide."
"......"
Forsomereason,Reine'sbrowsmovedinsurprise.
"What'swrong?"
"...Nothing,pleasecontinue."
"Nn.Well,therewasnothingwecouldreallydoaboutit.Tosomeonewhowasn'teventenyearsold,amotherwasanabsolutelyessentialexistence,sotomybrother,itwasprobablyabigeventthatcompletelydeniedhiswholeexistence.—Butwell,itseemedthatafteraroundayearhisconditionhadstabilized."
Exhalingaudibly,shecontinued.
"Probablybecauseofthat,onii-chanhadbecomestrangelysensitivetothedespair
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
207 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
insidepeople."
"...Despair?"
"Mm.Somethinglikeeveryonerejectingoneself—thinkingthatonewillneverbelovedbyanyoneelse.Well,basicallywhathehadbeenlikebackthen.Iftherewassomeonewithsuchamelancholicexpression,evenifitwasacompletestranger,hewouldprobablygohelpthemwithoutasecondthought."
That'swhy,hereyessaidastheywerecastdownwards.
"SoIjustthought,'ifit'shim'.—TheonlyonethatIcouldthinkofthatcouldcheeruptheSpiritwasonii-chan."
Kotorisosaid,andReinewent'...Isee'andloweredhereyes.
"...But,whatIwanttohearisnotthatemotionalkindofreason."
"......"
AtReine'swords,Kotori'sbrowsmovedinsurprise.
"Sowhatdoyoumean?"
"...It'stroublesomewhenyouplaydumb.Iwon'tbelievethatyoudon'tunderstand.—Whatexactlyishe?"
Reinewas<Ratatoskr>'sbestanalyst.Usingthespecializedrealizers,nevermindthematerialstructure,butthroughthedistributionoftemperatureandthemeasurementofbrainwaves,shecouldprettymuchgraspthesubtletiesofone'semotions.
—Eventhehiddenpowersandtraitswithinsomeone.
Kotorigaveanaudiblesigh.
"Well,themomentIleftonii-chantoReineIkindaknewthiswasgoingtohappenthough~"
"...Ahh,sorrybutIhadanalyzedhimabit....Ithoughtitwouldhavebeenweirdtoengageanormalpersoninthisstrategywithoutasolidreason."
"Mm,Idon'treallymind~.Eventuallyit'llprobablybecomesomethingthateveryoneknowsanyways~"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
208 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Alongwiththesoundofthedooropeningandthewaitress'svoicecallingout'Welcome',Kotorishrugged.
Shethenpickedupthestrawthatwasstuckintothecupinfrontofher,andsuckeduptheremainingblueberryjuiceinonebreath.
Then—
"Puufghfghghhfgh!?"
SeeingthecouplethathadjustcomeintothestoresitdownintheboothbehindReine,thejuicethatshehadsuckedintohermouthwasblownoutwithamazingforce.
"......"
Somehowitseemsthatthecoupledidnotnotice,butReine,sittinginfrontofKotori,wasnotcoveredfromtheimpact.Uncovered,shewascovered.Well,basicallyshehadbecomesoakingwet.
"Sorry,Reine..."
"...Nn."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
209 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
210 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Quietly,Kotoriapologized,andasifnothinghappened,Reinetookoutahandkerchieffromherpocketandwipedherface.
"...What'swrong,Kotori?"
"Mmm...IthoughtIsawsomethingunscientificormaybeunrealistic."
"...Whatwasit?"
RespondingtoReine'squestion,KotorisilentlypointedbehindReine.
"...?"
Reineturnedherheadaround—andsuddenlystoppedmoving.
Afewsecondslater,herheadslowlyrotatedbacktoitsoriginalposture,asshebroughtherappleteatohermouth.
Then,*pfffft*,sheblewteatowardsKotori.
"...Thatwastoosurprising."
MaybethatwasReine'swayofshowingheragitation.
Butthatwastobeexpected.Afterall,behindReine,Kotori'sbrother,ItsukaShidou,wassittingtogetherwithagirl.
Thatwasnotall.ThesaidgirlwastheonewhomKotori'sgrouphadcalledacalamity,aSpirit.
"Ehhhh...what'sgoingon."
KotoriwipedherfacewiththehandkerchiefthatReinepassedher,assheaskedwithaloweredvoice.
Bytheway,Reine'shandkerchiefhadanimageofabearprintedrightinthemiddle.Duetothestainsfromtheblueberryjuiceandappletea,ittookonaKikaider-likeappearance.
Shesearchedinherpocketsandlookedathercellphone.Therewerenomessagesfrom<Ratatoskr>.Thatmeans,theyhadnotnoticedanydisturbancefromwhentheSpiritappeared.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
211 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
But,thatwasundoubtedlytheSpirit,Tohka.Therewasnowaythattherecouldbemanygirlsthatbeautiful.
"IsthereawayforSpiritstoappearwithoutusnoticing?"
"...What'sthechancethatit'sjustalook-alike?"
KotorithoughtforamomentaboutReine'swords.
Butsheimmediatelyshookherhead.
"Ifthatwasthecase,thenonii-chanwouldbegoingoutwithanormalgirl.IfyouaskmewhetherthatoraSpiritsilentlyappearingismorelikely...thenbyanarrowmarginitwouldbethelatter."
"...Isee."
Itwasaratherharshcomment,butReinereadilyacceptedit.
"...Butifthat'sthecasethenthisistroublesome.IwonderwhetherShincandealwiththeSpiritbyhimself."
"Nn..."
Then,asthetwoofthemplacedtheirhandovertheirmouthandgroaned,theyheardtheconversationfromthetwosittingbehindReine.
"Huh,soit'sfinetojustchoosewhattoeatfromthisbook?"
"Yeah,that'sright."
"Mushroombread.Istherenomushroombread?"
"UhhIthinkthat'sabit...Orrather,didn'tyoujustkeepeatingthatatthebakery?"
"Iwanttoeatitagain.Whattheheckiswiththatpowder...thatpowerfuladdictiveness...ifthatwasrecklesslyreleasedintotheworldthentheresultswillbecatastrophic...peoplewillbeshakingwithwithdrawalsymptomsandundoubtedlystartwarsovermushrooms."
"Noway."
"Grr,whatever.Let'sstartthediscoveryofanewflavor."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
212 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Yeahyeah...butIonlyhave3000yenleft."
"Nu?What'sthat?"
"I'msayingthatbecauseyoukeepbuyingstufftoeatmymoneyisdisappearing!"
"Muu,it'satoughworld.Wellthen,Iguessthere'snootherway.Waitawhile,I'llgogathersomefunds."
"Wa...wait!Whatareyouplanningtodo!"
Hearingthatconversation,Kotorigavealongsigh.
Takingouttheblackribbonsfromherpocket,shetiedherhair.
ItwasKotori'swayofchanginghermindset.Now,KotorihadtransformedfromShidou'scutesisterintohercommandermode.
Then,openinghercellphone,sheconnectedto<Ratatoskr>.
"...Ahh,it'sme.It'sanemergency.—CommencewithstrategycodeF-08●Operation<Tenguu'sHoliday>.Allhands,immediatelytoyourstations."
Hearingthis,Reine'sfacetwitched.
WaitinguntilKotori'sphonecallended,sheraisedhervoice.
"...Areyouseriousaboutthis,Kotori?"
"Yes.It'sasituationwherewecan'tgivehimanycommands.There'snootherway."
"...Isee.Sinceit'slikethis—thenit'spartofRouteC....Hmm,thenIwillbeonmyway.Iwillnegotiatewiththestoreaheadoftime."
"Please."
Sayingthis,KotoritookoutaChupaChupsfromherpocket,andputitinhermouth.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
213 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
214 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part3
"......"
Comparingthenumberswrittenonthereceiptinhishandwiththecontentsofhiswallet,Shidousighed.Hedidn'thavemuchleft,butluckilyitwasanamountthathecouldbarelypayoff.
"Cmon,let'sgoTohka."
"Nn,already?"
Tohkasaid,staringinwonder.Shidouquicklystoodupasifinahurry.Iftheystayedhereanylongerthentheonlypathsopentothemwouldbetoeitherwashthedishesortoeatandrun.
AsShidouwalkedtowardsthefrontcounter,Tohkacaughtuptoo.Shewasnolongeremanatingsuchaharshhostilitytowardsthesurroundingcustomers.Itseemedthatshehadprettymuchgottenusedtopeoplebeingaround.
Forthemoment,Shidouwasrelieved,asheplacedthereceiptalongwiththreepaperbillsthatmadeup90%ofhisremainingmoneyonthecounter.
"I'dliketopayplease."
Shidousaidtowardstheemployeestandingatthecounter—
"...!?"
Hefrownedgreatly,andtookastepback.
Thatwasbecause,theemployeethatstoodtherewas...
"...Thankyouforyourvisit."
Herecognizedthewomanwiththickshadowsunderhereyesandseemedexcessivelysleepy.
"Wh-wh-wh-wh..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
215 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Nn?What'swrongshidou,anenemy!?"
TohkaturnedhertremblingfacetowardsthevisiblyflusteredShidou.
"N-no,that'snotit..."
HefeeblydeniedTohka'squestion.
Then,Shidoustaredattheworkerwearingtheextremelycuteuniformwithastuffedbearsittingonhershoulder,hersleepyeyesglowing.
Foramoment,hethoughthefeltaglareasifsaying'ifyoutellanyoneI'mworkingherethenI'llkillyou',buthesoonrealizedthatithadadifferentmeaning.
"...Hereisyourchangeandreceipt."
DuringthetimeShidouwasshocked,Reinehadquicklycompletedthetransaction.Shepassedthereceiptoverwhiletappingitssurface.
Onthebottomofthatreceipt,'Wewillsupportyou.Continueyourdatenaturally'waswritten.
Inotherwords,theglarejustthenwasforShidoutocontinuethedatewithoutlettingTohkafindoutthattheykneweachother...probably.
"D-don'tworryaboutit."
ShidousaidtoTohka,ashestuffedthereceiptinhispocket.
Reine'ssharpenedgazereturnedtobeingherusualspacedoutlook.
Shethentookoutasinglecolorfulstripofpaperfromtheregister'sdrawerandhandedittoShidou.
"...Thisisaraffleticketfortheshoppingdistrict.Asyouleavethisstore,ifyoufollowtheroadontherightyouwillreachtheplaceforthedrawing.Ifyouwouldlike,pleasehaveavisit."
Inadditiontoexplainingthelocationindetail,thelastpartwassaidveryclearly.
Shidouscratchedhischeek.Ratherthan'ifyouwouldlike',shewasprobablysayingtodefinitelyuseit.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
216 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Thatsaid,itwould'veprobablybeenfineevenifshedidn'temphasizeit.
"shidou,whatisthat?"
BecauseTohkahadbeenscrutinizingtheraffleticketwithintenseinterest.
"Doyouwanttogo?"
"Doyouwanttogo,shidou?"
"...Yeah,Ican'twaittogo."
"Thenlet'sgo."
Tohkacheerfullyleftthestoreinlargestrides.
AftergivingalightbowtoReine,Shidouchasedafterher.
"—Goodwork,Reine."
Hidingintheshadowofthecounter,Kotoristoodupafterconfirmingthatthetwohadleftthestore.
"...Ican'tgetusedtothis,thankyou."
Reineliftedthehemoftheexcessivelyfrillyuniform,andsaidinamonotonousvoice.
ThathadbeenstrategycodeF-08●Operation<Tenguu'sHoliday>.
<Ratatoskr>hadconsideredeverypossibility,andhadgroupedthemintoover1000strategycodes.Thiswasoneofthosepossibilities.
InthecasethattheSpiritescapesmonitoring,andmeetsupdirectlywithShidou—<Fraxinus>'screwwillblendintothepeopleonthestreetsandsupportShidoufromtheshadows.
Forthisreason,thecrewhadallspentaminimumofonemonthlearninghowtoact.
"Itsuitsyou.Verycute."
Whilelickingcandy,Kotorisaid,thensheimmediatelypulledouthercellphone
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
217 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
andcalledanumber.
"Ahh,it'sme.Theyjustleftthestore....Mmm,beasnaturalasyoucan.IfyoumessupI'llhaveyouskinned."
Conciselyconveyingtheinformationandpenalty,shehungup.
"Thesecondgroupseemstobestandingby.—Let'ssee,weshouldreturntothe<Fraxinus>.Evenifwecan'treachthembyvoice,weshouldatleastwatchthevideo."
"...Yeah,let'sdothat."
HearingReine'swordsfrombehindher,thetipsofKotori'slipscurvedupwards.
"Now—letour commence."
"Uhm,raffle...Iguessit'sthat."
AsShidouandTohkaleftthestoreandwalkedalongtheroad,theysawaspacewithalongtablelinedwithredcrossesandalargelotterywheelplacedonthattable.
Thereweretwomenwearinghappicoats[1E2],onestandingbythelotterywheelandonehandingoutthewinnings.Behindthem,stuffthatseemedlikeprizessuchasabicycleandbagsofricewerelinedup.Therewerealreadyafewpeopleinline.
"..."
Shidouscratchedhischeek.
Heonlyfaintlyrecalled...butinadditiontothemenwearingthehappicoats,heseemedtorememberseeingthefacesofthecustomersinlineinsideofthe<Fraxinus>too.
"Oooh!"
ButtherewasnowayTohkawouldworryaboutsomethinglikethat.GrippingtheraffleticketshereceivedfromShidou(orrather,sinceitlookedlikeshereallywanteditsohehandeditover),hereyesglittered.
"Cmon,let'slineup."
battledate
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
218 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Mm."
Then,Tohkanodded,andtheyenteredthebackoftheline.
Watchingthecustomersinfrontspinthewheel,herheadandeyesspunalongwiththewheel.
Quickly,Tohka'sturncame.Imitatingthecustomerbeforeher,Tohkahandedthetickettotheworker,andplacedherhandonthelotterywheel.Takingagoodlook,theworkerwas< >Kawagoe.
"DoIjustspinthisthing?"
Sayingthat,shespunthelotterywheelaround.Afewsecondslater,aredconsolationballflewoutofthelotterywheel.
"...That'stoobad.Redispocketti—"
AsShidoubegantospeak,Kawagoerangthebellinhishandloudly.
"Firstprize!"
"Oooh!"
"H-huh...?"
Shidoufurrowedhisbrowsbut...seeingadifferentworkerbehindKawagoepulloutaredmarkerandcolorinthegoldballdrawnbeside'firstplace'ontheprizeboard,hestoppedhisvoice.
"Congratulations!FirstplaceisacomplementarypairtickettoDreamland!"
"Ooh,what'sthatshidou!"
"...Athemepark?Ihaven'theardofitthough..."
ShidoureplieddoubtfullytoTohkawhohadreceivedtheticketinanelatedmood.
Immediately,Kawagoepulledhisfacecloseandwithouthesitation,
"There'samapdrawnontheticket,sodefinitelyvisit!Youshouldgorightnow!"
"...O-okay..."
TiredTooEarlyBadMarriage
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
219 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Takingastepbackasiffeelingpressured,helookedatthebackoftheticket.Therecertainlywasamaponit.Anditwasextremelycloseby.
"Wastherealwaysathemeparkaroundhere...?"
Shidoutiltedhishead,butohwell,thiswas<Ratatoskr>'scommand.Theremustbesomethingthere.
"...Wanttotakealook,Tohka?"
"Mhmm!"
Tohkawasfilledwithenthusiasm,somightaswellwalkthereandsee.
Theplacereallywasclose.Fromtherafflestanditwasafewhundredmetersdownanalley.Thetwosideswerestilllinedwithbuildings,itwasnotaplacethatonewouldthinkathemeparkwouldbebuilt.
However—
"Oooh!shidou!There'sacastle!Arewegoingthere!?"
Tohkaexpressedanexcitementmorethaneverbefore,asshepointedtothefront.
Whilethinkingthatwasridiculous,Shidoulookedupfromthebackoftheticketandturnedhisfacetowardsthefront.
"..."
Instantly,Shidoufrozeinplace.
Certainly,whileitwassmall,therewasawesternstylecastle.Onthesign'Dreamland'waswritten.
...Andonthebottomofthat,'Rest●Twohours4000yen~Stay●8000yen~'waswritten.
Inotherwords,itwasalovehotelthatonlyadultscouldenter.
"W-we'releavingTohka...!Iaccidentallytookawrongturn!"
"Nu?It'snotthat?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
220 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Yeahthat'sright.C-cmon,let'sgo."
"Can'twestoptheretoo?Iwanttogoin."
"...!N-nonono.Let'snottoday!Okay!?"
"Muuu...okay."
HefeltsorryforlettingdownTohka,butthatplacewasimpossibleafterall.ShidouturnedtoglareatKotoriwhowasprobablywatchingthewholethingfromthesky,andturnedback.
"Jeez,goingallthewaythereonlytoturnaround?Whatacompletechicken,evenformybrother."
Sittingonthecommanderseatofthe<Fraxinus>,Kotorishruggedhershoulderswithasigh.
"...Ohwell,whatdidyouexpect.Suddenlydoingthatiscruel."
Sittinginthelowerpartofthebridge,Reinesaidwhileoperatingaconsole.
Thenumbersshownonthescreenfromheranalysisweremuchmorestablethanyesterday.Thoughitwasnotenoughtobeconsideredlovers,thenumbersshowedthatTohkathoughtofShidouasatrustworthyfriend.
Well,thatwaswhytheytriedaslightlydrasticpattern.
"Eveniftheydon'tgototheveryend,evenifitwassomethinglikeakissthenitwould'vebeencheckmate."
Sayingthis,thecandystickmovedaround,andsheexhaledfromhernose.
"...Whatshouldwedonext."
"Nn,let'ssee.Let'sgowith'coupling'and'one-waymaze'."
"Haa...haa."
Eventhoughtheydidn'trun,mysteriouslyhewasoutofbreath.Astheyexitedontoa
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
221 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
roadwithvariousstoresandbuildingslinedup,heslowedthepace.
"Areyounotfeelingwell,shidou?"
"No,that'snotit..."
"Thenwhat'swrong?"
Tohkatiltedherheadandasked.
"...forabit,mythoughtswenttomysisterinthesky."
"Inthesky?"
Makingaslightlysurprisedface,Tohka.
"Ahh.Shehadbeenacutesister..."
Tothinkthatshehadsuchasplitpersonality,hesighed.
"Isthatso..."
SeeingTohkasuddenlygivingoffasolemnaura,Shidousuddenlyrealized.Thewayhehadbeenspeakingjustthen,itwasasifKotorihaddied.
"Ahhthat'snotitTohka,It's—"
Shidou'swordsstopped.
"Pleasehaveone."
Suddenly,agirlhadheldoutapacketofpockettissueinfrontofhiseyes.
Hereachedouthishandandacceptedit,andthegirlgaveaslightnodandleft.
"shidou?What'sthat?"
"Ahh,thisiscalledpockettissue—"
Sayingthis,Shidoutwistedhisneck.
Thepockettissuegivenoutonthestreetswereusuallyforadvertisement.However,
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
222 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
onthepackagingofthispackoftissue,otherthananillustrationofacoupleholdinghandsandthephrase'Ifyou'rehappythenholdhands',nothingelsewasonit.Wasitsomekindofreligiousorganization?
Then,whilehewaswondering,fromtheelectronicsstoreonhisrightheheardavoicethatherecognizedfromsomewhere.
Onthemanytelevisionsetsliningthestorefront,astrangeshowwasbeingbroadcast.
"Wha...!?"
Shidounarrowedhisbrowsandletoutasound.
Thereweremanycommentatorsonasetliketheinformationprogramsthatplayduringtheday,buteachandeveryoneofthemwerefacesthatherecognizedfrom<Fraxinus>.
"Someonewhodoesn'tholdhandsontheirfirstdateisnogoodafterall."
"That'sright.Ifyou'reamanthenthatmuchisobvious."
"......"
Then,asShidouwassilent,thesurroundingcouplesincreasedtoanunnaturallevel.
What'smore,allofthemwereintimatelyholdinghands,andperiodicallysaying'holdinghandsisnice!'or'itfeelslikeourheartsareconnected!'andsimilarstuff,asifonpurpose.
Feelingslightlydizzy,Shidouplacedhishandonhisforehead.
—Thiswasprobablythatafterall.
Hegaveabigsigh.
Afterawhile,Shidouplacedthepackoftissuesinhispocket,andtryingtocalmhisheartbeat,turnedtolookatTohka.
"H-hey,Tohka..."
"Nn,what?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
223 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Tohkatiltedherheadquestioningly.Shidougulped,andthenheldouthishand.
"Uhm,wantto...holdhands?"
"Hands?Why?"
Withoutanyillwill,asifapurequestionmarkhadfloatedup,Tohkaasked.
Somehow,itseemedmoreembarrassingthanbeingoutrightrejected.
"...You'reright.Iwonderwhy?"
Inreality,itwasnotsomethingthathecouldexplain.Ashelookedaway,Shidoupulledhishand—
"Nn."
—back,butTohka'shandgrabbedontoShidou'shand.
"..."
"Nu?What'swiththatface.Youweretheonewhosaidtoholdhands,shidou."
"A-ahh."
Lightlyshakinghishead,theystartedwalking.
"Mm,thisisn'tbad,holdinghands."
SayingthisTohkasmiled,andshestrengthenedhergripslightly.
"...Y-yeah."
Herealizedthatjustbytouchingthesmall,soft,andslightlycoolerhand,hisfacenaturallyturnedred.
Asmuchashecould,hetriedtoavoidthinkingaboutthefeeling,ashewalkedwhilethinkingaboutotherthings.
Then,afterwalkingforwardforsometime,hesawayellowandblacksignaheadthatsymbolizedanareaunderconstruction.Menwearinghelmetswerebusyworking.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
224 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Mm...wecan'tpassthroughherehuh.Ohwell,let's..."
Shidouturnedtowardshisright,butthistimealongthatpathadonotentersignwasplaced.
"Ah?"
Whilethinkingthatitwassuspicious,hereluctantlyturnedbacktowardsthewayhecamefrom.
But,thistime,thepaththattheyhadjustwalkedalong,wasblockedwithasign.
"......"
Nomatterwhatthiswastoounnatural.Shidousquintedatthefacesoftheworkers.
Sureenough,herecognizedafewoftheirfaces.Theywerethe<Fraxinus>'screw.
Speechless,Shidouturnedtowardsthehill,andlookedattheroadthatextendedfromhisleft.
Theonlyroadtheycouldtakewasthat.
"...Sothey'retellingustogothiswayhuh."
"Nu?What'swrongshidou?"
"No,nothing....Forthemoment,let'strygoingthisway?"
"Mm,okay."
Whilemakingafaceasifjustwalkinglikethisisfun,Tohkaaffirmed.
"Nowthen,let'sgoshidou!"
"Y-yeah..."
Inanawkwardmanner,Shidouwalkedtowardsthepathontheleft.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
225 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
226 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Chapter5:RuthlessSandalphonSlaughterer[1F1]
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
227 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
228 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part1
Thetimewas6PM.
Theeveningsun'sraysspreadoverthegroupofbuildingsinfrontofTenguuStation,dyingthemorange.
Fromasmallparkthatcouldoverlookthisbrilliantscenery,twopeople,aboyandagirl,walked.
Therewasnothingparticularabouttheboy.Hewasanormalhighschoolstudent.
However,thegirl—
"...Fuuu"
KusakabeRyoukolickedherlipswhilesquinting.
"There'sa98.5%match.That'sreallytoohighforthistobeacoincidence."
Spirits.
Disastersthatdestroythisworld.
Thegirlswhoturnedthelandintoscorchedearth30yearsagoandcausedahugefire5yearsago,andwereinthesamecategoryastheworstcalamities.
However,thefigurethatwasreflectedonRyouko'sretinarightnowwasjustthatofacutegirl.
"Permissiontofire?"
Quietly—orontheotherhand,anextremelycoldvoice,wascasttowardsRyouko'sback.
Shedidn'tturnaround.ItwasOrigami.
EquippedwiththesamewiringsuitandthrusterunitsasRyouko,herrighthandheldtheanti-Spiritriflethatwaslongerthanherheight,<Cry●Cry●Cry>.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
229 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Notyet.Remainonstandby.Thehigher-upsareprobablystillindiscussion."
"Isee."
Notseemingrelieved,norseemingdisappointed,Origaminodded.
Rightnowstandingbyinaonekilometerperimeterofthepark,RyoukoandtheotherASTmembersnumbertentotal,splitupintofivepairs.
Thefactthatthereweretwopeoplewasoneofthereasonsformovinginpairs.
Evenfurtherfromtheurbanareasthantheparkwasaflatareathatwasunderdevelopment.Duringthedaytherewerelinesoftrucksandcranesandsuch,butatthishourithasalreadyquieteddown.
Afewhoursago,whenitwasdecidedthatthegirlOrigamidiscoveredwasaSpirit,permissiontooperateCR-unitswasimmediatelygiven.
However,peopleliketheMinisterofDefenceandtheChiefofStaffwerestillinameetingabouttheplanofaction.
Themainquestionwaswhethertoattack,ornot.
Sinceitwasanappearancewhereaspacequakewasnotdetected,thespacequakealarmdidnotsound.
Thismeantthatnotasingleresidenthadevacuated,soiftheSpiritwentberserknow,therewouldbegravedamages.
Ontheotherhand,itwouldbebadtoprovoketheSpiritbysoundingthealarmnow.Itwasaserioussituation.
However—
"Thisisagoodopportunity."
Origami,inherusualflatvoice,said.
ItwasasOrigamisaid,thiswasachance.
Becauserightnow,theSpiritdoesnothaveherraiment[1F2]manifestedonherbody.
Theoutershellthat,likeRyouko'sterritory,enclosedandmadetheSpiritthe
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
230 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
strongest,ultimate,invinciblelife-form,wascurrentlynotwrappedaroundher.
Ifit'snow,therewasachancethattheirattackscouldreachher.
Butthatwasnomorethanjustapossibility,andrightnowwhatwasneededwasacertainwaytodealafatalblowwithasinglehit.ThatwasthereasonwhyOrigamiwasholdingthespecialanti-Spiritrifle.
Theuserletsoutascream,thetrajectoryletsoutascreech,andthetargetletsouttheirdeaththroes.
Thus,< >.
Withoutanexpandedterritory,therecoilwouldbreaktheshooter'swrist,itwasacrazygun.
However,Ryoukodidnotimaginethattherewouldbeanincidentthatwouldrequirethatgun.
"...Thenoncommittalhigher-upsmightjustgivepermissiontoattackinthissituation."
"Itwouldbetroublesomeiftheydon't."
Ryoukosaid,andOrigamirepliedimmediately.
"...Well,that'sthecaseifyou'reatthescene.But,thesignificanceof'theSpiritwentonarampageafterpermissiontoattackwasgivenbutcouldnotbedealtwithinonehit'versus'theSpiritrandomlywentonarampagebutwehadnoideaithadappeared~'isquitedifferentwhenitcomestoaproblemofresponsibility."
"It'sbothersomebutthat'showtheymakedecisions."
"Well,there'salotofpeoplewhocaremoreabouttheirpositionthanthelivesofabunchofotherpeople."
Sayingthis,sheshrugged.
Origami'sexpressionchangednotintheleast,butforsomereasonitfeltlikeshewasdisappointed.
Then—atthattime,avoicemixedwithnoisereachedRyouko'sear.
CCCCryCryCry
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
231 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Yesyes,thisispointalpha,what'sthefinaldec—eh?"
Ryoukowentwide-eyedattheinformationthatpassedthroughherear-piece.
"—Roger."
Sayingonlythat,sheclosedtheconnection.
"...I'msurprised.Theygavepermissiontofire."
Honestly,thatwasabitunexpected.Shehadcompletelyexpectedittobeanothercommand,tostandby.
Wait—yesterday,thecommandtoattacktheschoolwasalsoanaggressivemovethatwouldnothavenormallybeengiven.Therewasprobablysomereshufflinginthepeopleabove.
Ohwell,Ryoukojusthastodoherownwork.Specifically,rightnowitwas—totellthememberwiththehighestchanceofsuccesstopullthetrigger.
"—Origami,youshoot.Amongstthepersonnelrightnow,youarethemostsuitable.Failurewillnotbetolerated.Definitelyfinishitwithoneshot."
Towardsthosewords.
"Roger."
Asexpected,Origamiansweredwithoutanyemotion.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
232 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
233 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part2
Intheparkdyedbythesettingsun,ShidouandTohkaweretheonlytwothatcouldbeseen.
Fromtimetotimethesoundofcarsorthecriesofcrowscouldbeheardfromadistance,butitwasapeacefulplace.
"Ohh,thisviewisamazing!"
Sinceawhileago,TohkahadbeenleaningovertherailingsandgazingattheduskcoloredstreetsofTenguuCity.
Followingtheroutethe<Fraxinus>'screwskillfully(?)guidedthemthrough,theyarrivedatthisparkwithagreatoverlookofthecity,justasthesunwasstartingtosink.
Itwasn'tthefirsttimethatShidoucamehere.Itwasratherthekindofasecretplacethatheliked.
Theonewhochosethisplaceasthedestinationwaswell...probablyKotori.
"shidou!Howdoesthattransform!?"
Tohkapointedtoafarawaytrainandaskedwithhereyesglittering.
"Unfortunatelyatraindoesn'ttransform."
"Ah,soit'sacombiningtype?"
"Well,itdoesconnecttogether."
"Ohhhh"
Tohkagaveastrangelysatisfiednod,thenspunaroundtofaceShidou,puttingherweightontherailings.
Tohka,withthesunsetlingeringinthebackground,wasindescribablybeautiful,asifapainting.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
234 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"—Really"
Asifchangingthetopic,Tohka"Nnnnn",stretched.
Then,suddenly,herfacestretchedintoacarefreesmile.
"It'sagreatthing,thisdatething.Ireally,uhm,hadalotoffun."
"......"
Thatwasanunexpectedstrike.Thoughhecouldn'tseeit,hischeekswereprobablybrightred.
"What'swrong,yourfaceisred,shidou."
"...It'sthesunset."
Sayingthis,helookeddown.
"Really?"
TohkaleanedtowardsShidou,andasiflookingupwards,peeredathim.
"——"
"AsIthought,itsredisn'tit.Isitsomekindofdisease?"
Atadistancewherehecouldfeelherbreath,Tohkasaid.
"N...th-that's,not..."
Whileavertinghiseyes—insideShidou'shead,theword,date,swirledaround.
Frommangaandmovieshehadtheknowledge.
Ifacouplevisitssuchawonderfulplaceattheendoftheirdate,thenprobably—
Naturally,Shidou'seyesmovedtowardsTohka'ssoftlips.
"Nu?"
"—!"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
235 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Tohkahadn'tsaidanything,buthefeltlikeshehadseenthroughhisfoulthoughts,andheagainavertedhiseyesandmovedback.
Whilewipingthesweatoffhisforeheadwithhissleeve,ShidouquicklyglancedatTohka'sface.
Tendaysago,andthenyesterday,themelancholicexpressiononherfacehadfadedquiteabit.Exhalingasmallbreathfromhisnose,hepulledforwardonesteptofaceTohkaagain.
"—See?Wasthereanybodywhotriedtokillyou?"
"...Nn,everyonewaskind.Honestly,evennowIcan'tquitebelieveit."
"Ah...?"
Shidoutwistedhisneck,andTohkagaveawrysmilewithanairofself-scorn.
"Thatthere'sthatmanyhumanswhodon'trejectme.Whodon'tdenymyexistence.—Thatmecha-mechagroup...uhh,whatweretheycalled.A...?"
"YoumeanAST?"
"Yeah,them.Itseemsmorerealisticifeveryoneonthestreetsweretheirunderlings,andtheywereallworkingtogethertodeceiveme."
"Heyhey..."
Thatwasundoubtedlyanabsurdthoughtbut...Shidoucouldn'tlaughatthat.
BecausetoTohka,thatwasnormal.
Continuingtoberejected,wasnormal.
Itwasso—sad.
"...Sothen,IwouldalsobeapawnoftheAST?"
Shidouasked,andTohkavigorouslyshookherhead.
"No,Shidouisuhm...definitelysomeonewhoserelativesweretakenhostageand
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
236 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
threatened."
"Wh-What'swiththatrole..."
"...Pleasedon'tletmethinkthatyou'reanenemy."
"Eh?"
"Nothing."
Asking,thistimeitwasTohkawhoturnedaway.
Asifforciblychangingherexpression,shescrubbedherfacewithherhands,andthenturnedback.
"—Butreally,todaywasanextremely,extremelymeaningfulday.Thattheworldwasthiskind,thisfun,thisbeautiful...Icouldn'tevenimagineitbefore."
"I,see—"
Shidou'slipscrackedintoasmilehasheexhaled.
However,asifreplyingtoShidou'sexpression,Tohkafurrowedherbrowsasadrysmilesurfaced.
"Thoseguys—TheAST'sthoughts,IthinkIkindaunderstandnow."
"Eh...?"
Shidounarrowedhisbrowsinaquestioningmanner,asTohkaputonaslightlysadexpression.
ItwasabitdifferentfromthemelancholicexpressionthatShidouhated—butitwasanexpressionimbuedwithaslightlygrimfeeling,thatjustbylookingatitseemstowringone'sheart.
"Everytime...Icometothisworld,I'mdestroyingpartofsomethingthiswonderful."
"——"
Shidou'sbreathingcloggedup.
"B-But,thathasnothingtodowithyourownwillright...!?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
237 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Nn.Appearing,theeffectsofthat,Ican'tcontrol."
"Then—"
"Buttotheresidentsofthisworld,theresultingdestructiondoesnotchange.ThereasonthattheASTtriestokillme,Ifinally...understand."
Shidoucouldn'timmediatelyreply.
Tohka'ssaddenedlookcausedhischesttotightensomuchthathecouldn'tproperlybreathe.
"shidou.It'sbetterif—Ididn'texist,afterall."
Sayingthis—Tohkasmiled.
Itwasn'ttheinnocentsmilethathecaughtaglanceoftodayatnoon.
Itwaslikeasickpatientrealizingthattheirendwasnear—aweak,painfulsmile.
Withagulp,heswallowedhissaliva.
Unknowninglyhisthroathadbecomeparched.Whilefeelingalightpainasthewaterpermeatedhisthroat,hesomehowmanagedtoopenhismouth.
"It'snot...likethat..."
Inordertoputmorepowerintohisvoice,Shidoutightlyclenchedhisfists.
"Imean...thereweren'tanyspacequakestodayright!There'sgottabesomethingthatwasdifferentthanusual...!Ifwecanfindwhatthatis...!"
However,Tohkaslowlyshookherhead.
"Evenifweestablishedsuchaway,thatdoesn'tchangethefactthatthetimingforwhenIamtransportedhereisrandom.Thenumberofappearancesprobablywon'tdecrease."
"Then...!It'sfineifyoujustdon'treturntothatsideanymore!"
Shidouyelled,andTohkaraisedherhead,eyeswideopen.
Itwasasifshehadn'teventhoughtof,orconsideredthatidea.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
238 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Somethinglikethat—it'snot..."
"Haveyoutriedit!?Evenonce!?"
"..."
Tohkapursedherlipsandlapsedintosilence.
Whilepressingonhischest,asiftryingtosuppresstheirregularpalpitation,Shidouonceagaindrenchedhisthroatwithsaliva.
Itwassomethinghesaidinthespurofthemomentbut—ifsomethinglikethatwaspossible,thenaspacequakeshouldn'thappenagain.
AccordingtoKotori'sexplanation,theenergywavesfromwhentheSpiritistransportedfromtheotherdimensiontothisworldcausesthespacequake.
Thus,ifTohkawastoberandomlypulledtothisworldwithoutrespecttoherwill,thenshemightaswelljuststayherefromtheverybeginning.
"B-But,youknow,there'salotthatIdon'tknow."
"Somethinglikethat,I'llteachyouallofit!"
ToTohka'swords,animmediatereply.
"I'dneedabed,andthingstoeat."
"I'll...dosomethingaboutthat!"
"Unexpectedthingsmighthappen."
"IfithappensthenI'llthinkaboutit!"
Forashortwhile,Tohkasunkintosilence,thensheopenedherlipsacrack.
"...Isitreallyokay,formetolive?"
"Yeah!"
"It'sokformetobeinthisworld?"
"Yep!"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
239 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Theonlyonewhowouldsaythatisshidou,onlyyou.NevermindtheAST,eventheotherhumans,theywoulddefinitelynotacceptsuchadangerousbeingintheirlivingspace."
"AsifIwouldknowaboutthat...!!WhatabouttheAST!?Whataboutotherpeople!?Tohka!Iftheyrejectyou!Thenmorethanallofthemcombined!Iwillacceptyou!"
Heyelled.
FacingTohka,Shidoufirmlyheldouthishand.
Tohka'sshoulderstrembledslightly.
"Shake!Fornow—justthisisfine...!"
Tohkalookeddown,andforafewmomentssunkintosilence,asifthinking,thenslowlyraisedherface,andslowlyextendedherhand.
"shidou—"
Then.
Themomenttheirhandstouched.
"——"
Shidou'sfingertipsuddenlytwitched.
Hedoesn'tknowwhybut—hefeltanextraordinarychill.
Asifaroughtonguewaslickinghisbodyallover,anunpleasantfeeling.
"Tohka!"
Involuntarily,fromhisthroatheyelledthatname.
AndbeforeTohkacouldanswer.
"..."
Withbothhands,hepushedTohkaashardashecould.
TheslenderTohkacouldn'tstandthesuddenimpact,assherolledbackwardslikein
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
240 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
amanga.
Notevenaninstantlater.
"———Ah"
Somewherebetweenhischestandstomach,Shidoufeltatremendousimpact.
"Wh—Whatareyoudoing!"
Coveredwithsand,Tohkacomplained,butitwasdifficulttorespondtothat.
Hecouldn'tbreathe.
Itwashardtomaintainevenhisconsciousnessandstance.
Anyways,something,feels,bad.
"shidou?"
Tohkasaid,stunned.
Searchingforthereason,hemovedhisshakingrighthandtohisside.
Something'sweird.
Afterall,therewasnothing,th———
"Ah—"
Throughhereyesightstrengthenedbyherterritory,OrigamiheardthissoundleakfromherthroatasshewatchedShidou'scrumblingfigure.
Forafewmomentsherbodystiffened,asshelayproneontheflatgroundthatwaspreparedfortheconstructionofnewapartmentbuildings,holdingtheanti-Spiritrifle< >ready.
Afewsecondsearlier.
OrigamistartedtheRealizeron< >,appliedanoffensivebarrieronthespecialbulletthatwasloaded,lockedonperfectlyandpulledthetrigger.
CCCCryCryCry
CCCCryCryCry
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
241 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Therewasnopossibilityofmissing.
—IfShidouhadn'tsuddenlysenttheSpiritflying.
ThebulletOrigamifired—inplaceoftheSpirit,cutcleanlythroughShidou'sbody.
"——"
Thistime,nosoundcameout.
Shecouldtellthatherfinger,theonethatpulledthetrigger,wasquiveringminutely.
Afterall,justthen,Ijust,Shidou—
"—Origami!"
"——"
Ryouko'svoicebroughtherbacktohersenses.
"Youcanregretlater!I'llscoldyoutodeathlater!Butfornow—"
Sayingthis,Ryoukoglancedattheparkinfear.
"Justthinkaboutnotdying...!"
"shidou...?"
Shecalledhisname,buttherewasnoreply.
Thatwastobeexpected.InShidou'schest,therewasalargeholebiggerthanevenTohka'sspreadhand.
Herheadwasconfused,shedidn'tunderstand.
"Shi—,dou"
TohkasquatteddownbesideShidou'sheadandpokedhischeeks.
Therewasnoresponse.
ThehandthatwasextendedtowardsTohkajustmomentsagowascompletely
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
242 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
drenchedinblood.
"U,wa,aaa,aaaa—"
Afewsecondslater,herbrainstartedtounderstandthesituation.
...Sherecognizedthisburntsmellthatenvelopedthem.
ItwasthatofthegroupthatalwaystriestokillTohka—theAST.
Itwasaverysharpstrike.Probably—thatgirl.
Ifshewastobehitinhercurrentstatewithoutherraiment,evenTohkawouldn'tcomeoutunharmed.
MuchlessifitwasthecompletelydefenselessShidou.
"——"
Tohkafeltatremendousdizziness,assheplacedherhandoverShidou'seyes,whichwerestillgazingatthesky,andslowlyshuthiseyelids.
Then,shetookoffthejacketoftheuniformshewaswearing,andgentlycoveredShidou'scorpse.
Unsteadily,Tohkastoodup,andturnedherfacetowardsthesky.
—Ahh,Ahhh.
Itwasimpossible.Itwasimpossibleafterall.
Foramoment—Tohkahadthoughtthatitmight'vebeenokaytoliveinthisworld.
IfShidouwasthere,thenmaybethingswould'veworkedout,soshethought.
Itwouldprobablybehardandcumbersome,buttheymight'vebeenabletodoit,soshethought.
However.
Ahh,however,
Itwas,impossible,afterall.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
243 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Thisworld—itchosetorejectTohkaafterall.
Anditwasthroughthelowest,theworstmeansthinkable—!
"—< >..."
Fromthedepthofherthroat,thatnamewassqueezedout.Raiment.Theabsolutelystrongest,Tohka'sterritory.
Instantly,theworld,sang.
Thesurroundingscenerysquashedanddistorted,wrappedaroundTohka'sbody,andtooktheformofasolemnraiment.
Andthenabrilliantlyshiningmembranebecametheskirtandinsidesoftheraiment—thecalamityhasdescended.
*Creak,creak*
Theskycreaked.
AsifexpressingdispleasureatTohka,whosuddenlycausedherraimenttomanifest.
Tohkamovedhergazeslightlydownwards.
Onahillthatwasflatlikeamountaintopthathadbeenslicedoff,thepeoplewhojustattackedShidouwerethere.
Thepeopleforwhomitwouldnotbeenoughtojustkillthem,werethere.
Tohkathrustherheelintotheground.
Instantly,thethronethatstoredthegiantswordappearedfromthere.
Withaboom,Tohkakickedofftheground,landingonthearmrestofthethrone,anddrewtheswordfromitsback.
Then.
"Aaaaa"
Herthroattrembled.
AdonaiMelekHeavenlyRaiment●Tenth
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
244 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"
Asiftheskyshook.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA———!!"
Asifthegroundroared.
Itfeltlikeshewasnumbingherbrain,asiftryingtowearherselfdown.
"Howdareyou."
Hereyes,dampened.
"Howdareyouhowdareyouhowdareyouhowdareyouhowdareyouhowdareyou"
Tohkaputpowerintothehandholdingthesword,andkilledthedistanceinfrontofhereyes.
"Wh—!?"
"——"
Withoutgivingtimetoevenblink,Tohkahadmovedtothehillthatshehadbeenwatchingjustthen.
Infrontofherwasawomanwithhereyesopeninshock,andagirlwithameaninglessexpression.
Atthesametimeasseeingthishated,despisedface,Tohkahowled.
"<Sandalphon>—[ ]!!"
Immediately,cracksranthroughthethronethatTohkawassteppingon,asitcrumbledintopieces.
HalvanhelevTheLastSword
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
245 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Then,thevariouspiecesofthethroneattachedontotheswordthatTohkawasholding,furtherincreasingthesizeofitssilhouette.
Withalengthexceedingseveralmeters,anexcessivelyoversizedsword.
However,Tohkalightlygaveitashake,thenswungdowntowardsthetwofemales.
Thelightgleamingoffthebladegrewevenmoreintense,andinaninstantcreepedontothegroundbelowalongthelineextendingfromthesword.
Inthenextmoment,atremendousexplosionassaultedthesurroundingarea.
"Wh...!"
"—Gu"
Jumpingtotheleftandrightjustintime,thetwoofthemletoutvoicesfilledwithfear.
Butthat'stobeexpected.Afterall,withjustthatonestrike,Tohkasplitthelargeflatareaintotwohalvesalongitslength.
"You...,monster—!"
Thetallgirlscreamed,swingingsomethinglikeanunrefinedswordatTohka.
ButtherewasnowaythatsuchathingcouldreachTohka,withherraimenton.Justbydirectinghergazetowardsit,shedispersedtheattack.
"Impossible—"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
246 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
247 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Thegirl'sfacewaspaintedwithdespair.
Butshowingnointerestinher,Tohkalookedtowardstheothergirl.
"—Ah,ah.It'syou,it'syou."
Quietly,herlipsopened.
"Thefriendofmine,thebestfriendofmine,shidou,theonewhokilledhim,wasyou."
Tohkasaidthis,andjustslightly,forthefirsttime,thegirl'sexpressiondistorted.
However,suchathingdoesn'tmatteratall.
AnexistancethatcouldstopTohkawith[ ]materialized,doesn'texistinthisworld.
Lookingdownatthegirlwitheyesthatwerestainedwithpuredarkness,shecalmlywentcrazy.
"—Kill everything.Die ."
HalvanhelevTheLastSword
killdestroy
killerase
diebegone
dieperish
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
248 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
249 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part3
"Commander...!"
"Iknow.Stopmakingaruckus.You'renotamonkeyinmatingseason."
Whilerollingacandyaroundinhermouth,Kotorirepliedtoherpanickingsubordinate.
<Fraxinus>'sbridge.OnthecentralmonitorthefallenShidouwithhisbodycompletelyshavedaway,aswellasthevisualsoftheSpirit,Tohka'sbattle,wasdisplayed.
Shecouldunderstandtheunrestinthecrew.
Thesituationwasoverwhelmingly,absolutely,devastatingly,hopeless.
Thespacequakesirenhadfinallybegantosound,butbeforetheresidentswerecompletelyevacuated,thebattlebetweenTohkaandtheASThadstarted.
Theonlysavingpointwasthatitwasinanunoccupiedconstructionsite—butasinglestrikefromTohkaeasilycrushedthatoptimism.
AtranscendentaldestructivepowerthatmadetheTohkauptonowlookcuteincomparison.
Justasinglestrikesplittheexpansiveconstructionareaintwo,inthemiddleadeepabyss.
Also—thesuddendeathofItsukaShidou,whowassupposedtobe<Fraxinus>'sfinalweapon.
Kotori'sgrouphasbeenputintotheworstimaginablesituation.
Yet,
"Well,helackedabitinelegance,butIguessourknightgetsapassingmark.Iwouldn'tbeabletostandtowatchiftheprincesshadbeenhitbackthen."
InanotveryserioustoneKotorisaid,andthecandy'sstickmoved.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
250 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
ThecrewmemberscastafearfulgazetowardsthatKotori.
Buttherewasnoblamingthem.Rightnowshehadjustlostherbrother.
Howeverwithinthem,onlyReineandKannazukishoweddifferentreactions.
ReinewasmonitoringTohka'sbattle,collectingdata,likeeverythingwasnormal.
However,Kannazukiwasinadifferentstate.Hisfacewastingedred,anddroolwasleakingfromhismouth.
Looking,hehadafacelikehewasthinkingsomethinglike"Ahh...openingsuchahugeholeonmybody...twitchtwitch.Wouldn'titbeamazing.I'msure,I'msureit'dbeamazing.B-butifIdiethenthere'snopoint."
"Jeez."
"Hauu!?"
KotorilaunchedakickatKannazuki'sshin,thenstoodup.
Then,she"hmpfed"withhernose,andwithhalf-closedeyesannounced.
"Stopdawdlingaroundandreturntoyourownwork.There'snowaythatthisistheendofShidouright?"
Thatwasright.
FromnowonwasShidou'srealwork.
"C—Commander!Thisis...!"
Oneofthecrewfromthelowerbridgewaslookingattheleftsideofthescreen—atsomethingintheparkthatwasbeingshown,andletoutavoicefilledwithsurprise.
"—It'shere."
Changingthepositionofthecandy,hermouthtwistedintoasmile.
Inthepicture,lyinginthepark,coveredwithaschooluniform,Shidouwasbeingshownbut—thatschooluniform,suddenlystartedtoburn.
Itwasn'tthatitwasdisappearingbecauseitwascreatedbyaSpirit,norwasit
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
251 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
becausethesun'sraysstartedafire.
That'sbecause,whatwasburningwasnottheuniform.
Theuniformburnedandfell,revealingthebeautifullyhallowedbodyofShidou.
Andthen,thecrewmembersof<Fraxinus>onceagainletoutsoundsofsurprise.
"T-Thewoundis—"
That'sright,thewound.Thesectionthathadturnedintoagapinghole,wasburning.
TheembersflaredupuntilShidou'swoundcouldn'tbeseenanymore—thengraduallydieddown.
Andthenaftertheflamesfinishedlicking,thereexistedShidou'sperfectlyrestoredbody.
Andthen—
"Nn.........hoooooooooottttttttttttttt!?"
Seeingthefirethatwasstillsmolderingonhisstomach,hejumpedup.
Pattinghisstomachwithaflusteredlook,heextinguishedthefire.
"—H-Huh?I'm...why?"
Thebridgeerupted.
"Wh...C-Commander,whatis—"
"Didn'tIsayso?IfShidoudiesonceortwice,hecanimmediatelystartanewgame."
Whilelickingherlips,Kotorirepliedtohercrew.
Thecrewsimultaneouslycastquestioninggazes,butsheignoredthem.
"Immediatelyrecoverhim.—TheonlyonewhocanstopthegirlisShidou."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
252 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
253 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part4
—Hedoesn'tunderstand.
Whilerepeatedlypattinghisstomach,Shidouwrinkledhisbrows.
Therewasabigholeintheblazerandshirthewaswearing,andhisnecktiewastornoffhalfway.
ButrightnowShidoupaidnoheedtowardshisembarrassingappearance.
Therewassomethingelsethathehadtodirecthisattentiontowards.
"Why—amIalive...?"
Onceagaintouchinghisstomach,hemurmured.
Backthen,hefeltabadpremonition,andsuddenlypushedTohka.
Inthenextmoment,aholeopenedinhisstomach—andhefainted.
Thereactuallyisaholeinhisclothes,andthestainsfromagreatamountofbloodstillremained.Itdidn'tseemlikeadream.
"Ohright—Tohka...!"
ThatattackhadbeenwithoutdoubttargetingTohka.
ExactlyhowisTohkadoing.Helookedaroundthearea,searchingforthatfigure.
Then,fromahillevenhigherthantheparkShidouwasin,ablacklightshotout—followingit,thesoundofatremendousexplosionandashockwavespreadout.
"Uwahh...!?"
Caughtbysurprise,hetumbledontotheground,fannedbythewind.
"Wh-What,the...!"
Whilelettingoutashout,helookedtowardsthatplace—Shidou'sbodystiffened.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
254 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Theviewhesaw,comparedtobeforehelostconsciousness,hadbecomesomethingcompletelydifferent.
Inthatdirectionhadbeentheconstructionarea,aswellasthemountainsandsuchthathaven'tbeentouchedsincethelandscapechanged30yearsago—
Thosethingshadbeenabsurdlydestroyed,asiftheywerehitwithanairstrike.
No—itwasslightlydifferent.Ifanything,itwaslikeahugeswordhadcutthroughthemcountlesstimes,leavingbehindanumberofsharpedges.
"What..."
Ashewasmuttering,dumbfounded,
"Nuahhh...!"
Shidoufelthisbodybecomingweightless.
Thiswasnotthefirsttimehefeltthisfeeling.Itwas<Fraxinus>'stransfersystem.
BythetimeShidouhadcomprehendedthat,hisviewhadalreadychangedfromtheparkonthehilltotheinsideofthe<Fraxinus>.
"Thisway!"
The<Fraxinus>crewmemberwaitingsaidtohiminaloudvoice.
"H-Haa..."
Stillslightlyconfused,Shidouwasledintothebridge.
Andwhenhearrivedatthebridge,
"—Howdidwakingupfeel,Shidou?"
Inthecaptain'sseatontheupperlevelofthebridge,aChupa-Chups'stickmovingaround,Kotorispoke.
"...Kotori."
Shidoulightlyknockedhisringingear,andfrowned.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
255 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"...Ican'tquitegraspthesituation.Whatexactlyhappened?"
"Nn,ShidouwasattackedbytheAST,sotheprincesssnappedandwenttokilltheAST."
Sayingthis,shegesturedforhimtolookdiagonallyupwards—atthebigscreeninthebridge.
"Wh..."
TherewasTohka,swingingagiganticswordandcuttingupmountains,aswellasthefiguresoftheASTfightingback.
No—itwasnotsomethingthatcouldbecalledfightingback.
NotoneoftheattacksthattheASTletoutwithintensespiritreachedTohka.
Ontheotherhand,Tohka'sswings,whetheradirecthitorevenjusttheshockwave,waseasilyblowingthewizardsawayandbreakingtheirformation,asiftheirterritorydidn'texist.
Itwasoverwhelminglyone-sided—themarchofaking.
"She'scompletelygone.Seemsshereallycouldn'ttolerateShidoubeingkilled."
Sayingthis,Kotorishrugged.
"...,Whatdoesthatmean...!Ohright!Rather,whyamIalive!?"
Shidouyelled,andKotorigrinnedlikesheobviouslyknewsomething.
"Well,let'stalkaboutthatlater.Rightnowthere'ssomethingelseyouneedtodo."
WhilelookingattheimageofTohka,Kotorisaid.
"Somethingelse—todo?"
"Yeah.Wewouldn'twantcasualtiestoresultduetotheSpirits."
"...,That'sobvious,isn'tit!"
Shidoushouted,andKotorinarrowedhereyeslikeshewashavingfun.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
256 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Okay,splendid,Mr.Knight.—Thenlet'sgo.Tostoptheprincess."
KotorilookedawayfromShidouaftersayingthis,andthenraisedhervoice.
"Turnthe<Fraxinus>around!Movetothebattlefront!Bringtheuncertaintywithin1meter!"
"Understood!"
Severalcrewmemberswhoseemedlikehelmsmenrespondedinunison.
Then,togetherwithastrainedsound,the<Fraxinus>shookslightly.
"Ko-Kotori!"
"Nn,whatisitShidou?"
"YousaystopTohka—issomethinglikethatpossible!?"
"Whatareyousaying?It'snotwhetherit'spossible,it'swhetheryou'lldoit,Shidou."
Kotoriraisedherbrows,astupefiedlookonherface.
"M...Me!?"
"Ofcourse.Whenareyougoingtomakeupyourmind.—It'simpossibleforanyonebutShidou."
"H-HowexactlydoI...!"
Whilesweatdrippeddownhisface,Shidouasked,andKotoripulledtheChupaChupsoutofhermouth.
Andthen,asamischievoussmilefloatedontoherface,
"Don'tyouknow?There'sonlyonewaytosaveaprincessthat'sbeencursed."
Sayingthis,herpuckeredlipsandthecandymetinakiss.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
257 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
258 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part5
Thesituationwastheworstpossible.
ThetenASTmembersonstandbywerealreadyallinthebattle,butneverminddamagingtheSpirit,theycouldnotevenhopetoapproachit.
No—evenbeforethat,nobodyotherthanOrigamievenenteredtheedgeoftheSpirit'sconsciousness.
Afterall—therearenolionsthatwalkwhileworryingaboutants.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh—!!"
Releasingaroarlikeacryingvoicewetwithtears,theSpiritswungtheoversizedsworddown.
"..."
Origamiengagedthethrusters,twistingherbodyandescapingintothesky,avoidingthatstrike.
But—theshockwavebroughtaboutbythesword'spressureinvadedherterritoryandassaultedOrigami'sbody.
"Guh—"
Forjustamoment,shehadbeencareless.
"—AAAAAAAAHHH!"
TheSpiritroared.
Thenwithallherpowersherotatedhershouldersandtheswordslicedthroughtheair,onceagainswingingtowardsOrigami.
"—Origami!!"
Ryoukoshoutedout.But—itwastoolate.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
259 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
TheSpirit'sswordtouchedOrigami'sterritory.
—Inaninstant.
"——"
Origamirealizedthatherjudgmenthadbeennaive.
Shehadtriedtoguesstheapproximatepowerbytheshockwavebut—shewaswrong.Thepowerwasclearlyinadifferentworld.
Nevermindcomparingittooneself,evenjustconsideringastrategyagainstitwouldbeblasphemous;theironhammerofthetyrannousking.
Intermsoftime,itwasamere1.5seconds.
Herterritory.
Supposedlyboastinganabsolutepower,Origami'scastle.
"———"
Withoutasound,withoutavoice,itwascrushed.
Origami'sbodywasflungfromtheskyontotheground.
"Aa—"
"Origami!"
Ryouko'svoicefeltfaraway.
Probablysincetheterritoryhadbeenreleased,theburdenonherbrainseemstohaveeasedsomewhat,butinplaceofthatherwholebodyhurtintensely.Thereweren'tjustoneortwobrokenbones.Blooddrenchedthewiringsuitfromwoundswhichshedidn'tevenknowwheretheywere,creatinganunpleasantfeel.Herheadthatsuddenlybecameheavy,asifrememberingaboutgravity,movedjustatinybit.
Inherhazyvision,thefigureoftheSpiritstandingintheskywastheonlythingshecouldseeclearly.Holdingtheswordwithanextremelysadexpression,thefigureofanawfullysmallgirl.
"——It'stheend."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
260 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
TheSpiritraisedthesword,andpaused.
SurroundingtheSpirit,acountlessnumberofspecksoflightappeared,eachgivingoffablackglow,andconvergedontothesword'sbladeliketheywerebeingsuckedin.
Evenwithoutanyexplanation,sheunderstood.
ThatisastrikewiththeSpirit'sfullforcebehindit.
Ifshereceiveditinhercurrentstate,withoutherterritory,thenwithoutadoubtshewoulddie.Shehadtoescapesomehow.
However,herbodywasheavyandhurt,asifshecouldn'teventrytomoveit.
RyoukoandtheotherASTmembersareallalreadyunabletofight.TherewasnolongeranythinginexistencethatcouldstoptheSpirit.
Shewaitedfortheswordtotakeonadarkglow.
TheSpiritputpowerintothehandholdingthesword.
Then—atthatmoment.
"TooohkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaa—!!"
Fromthesky.
FromevenhigherupthantheSpirit.
Suchayellwasheard.
"Eh—"
Eventhoughathreattoherlifewasimminent,Origamistillletoutthatastonishedvoice.
Afterall,thatscreamwasfromtheboythatOrigamihadhitjustawhileago.
"Theprincessisinflighthuh...thenShidou,let'sdropinhere.Parachute?Youdon'tneedsomethinglikethat.We'renotsohighup,andanyways,whenyouapproach
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
261 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
her,we'llsuspendyouinmidair.—Ahh,uun,don'tworrydon'tworry.It'slimitedtodirectlybelowthe<Fraxinus>though....Eh?Ifyoustrayoffcourse?Mmm...well,there'llbeabeautifulflowerbloomingontheground,abrightredonethough."
AftertellingShidouabout'thewaytostopTohka',Kotoriglancedatthemonitorwhilesayingthat.Shethenchuckled.
"W-wait!It'salreadygonnabehardenough,whyare...!"
"Wellyouknow,ifthesuccessrateisgoingtobearoundthesame,thenisn'titobviousthatthemoreenjoyablewayisbetter?"
"You'regonnabetheonlyoneenjoyingitttttt!"
"Soannoying.Grabhim."
"Yes!"
Kotorisaid,andfromsomewheretwomuscularmenappeared,andrestrainedShidou'stwohands.
Likethat,Shidouwaspulledalong.
"Ahh,damnyou,youbetterrememberthisKotoriii!"
"Whatever.I'llrememberitsohaveanicetrip."
Hearingsuchavoice,Shidouwhowasdraggedtoahatchpositionedinthelowerpartofthehull,
"Goodluck."
Notevengiventimetocomplain,wasthrownintothesky.
"Gyahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—!?"
Afiercewindassaultedtheschooluniformwrappedaroundhisbodyaswellasthefleshonhisface.
Anunendingfeelingofzerogravity.Henolongerwasafraidofthingslikerollercoasters.
Then—whilesofrightenedthatitseemedlikehisconsciousnesswouldflyaway,
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
262 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Shidousawasingleshadow.
"—!"
Extendinghislimbstostabilize,hecapturedthatgirlinhisblurredvision.
Andthen.
"TooohkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaa—!!"
Withallthepowerhecouldmuster,hescreamedoutthatname.
Notevenabeatafterwards,thegravitythatpulledonhisbodymeltedintothesenseofweightlessness.
Itwasprobablythesupportfrom<Ratatoskr>.Itdidn'tchangethefactthathewasstillfalling,butifit'slikethis—
"——"
TohkaseemstohavenoticedShidou'svoice;withoutswingingthatgiantsword,shefacedupwards.
Hercheeksandthetipofhernosewerebrightred,andhereyesweresoggy.Itwasanextremelyunseemlyappearance.
HiseyesmetTohka's.
"shi—dou...?"
Asifnotyetcomprehendingthesituation,Tohkamuttered.
Whilethespeedofhisdescentgraduallysloweddown,ShidouplacedhishandsonTohka'stwoshoulders.WiththehelpofTohkastandinginmidair,hefinallystopped.
"H-Hey...Tohka."
"shidou...isit,r-really,you...?"
"Ahh...yeah,Ithinkso."
Shidousaid,andTohka'slipsquivered.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
263 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"shidou,shidou,shidou...!"
"Mhm,wh—"
Ashestartedtoanswer,theedgeofShidou'svisionwasfilledwithanintenselight.
TheswordthatTohkastoppedinmid-swinggaveoffapureblackglowthatturnedthesurroundingsintodarkness.
"Wh—Whatisthat..."
"...!Ohno...!Thepoweris—"
ThesametimethatTohkafurrowedherbrows,lightleakedoutfromthebladelikelightning,piercingtheearth.
"To-Tohka,whatis—"
"Ican'tcontrol[ ]anymore...!Wehavetoreleaseitsomewhere...!"
"Whereisthatsomewhere!?"
"——"
Withoutsayinganything,Tohkalookedtowardstheground.
Followinghergaze,henoticedOrigamilyingthere,seeminglikeshemightdieanymoment.
"...!Tohka,you...!D-Don'tshootthere!"
"T-Thenwhatareyoutellingmetodo!It'salreadyreachedthecriticalstate!"
Evenwhilesayingthis,theswordthatTohkaheldwasshootingstreamsofblacklightningintothesurroundings.Likemachinegunfire,thecontinuousbarragegougedouttheearth.
Then,atthattime,ShidourememberedKotori'swords.
"...Tohka.U-Uhm,calmdownandlistentome."
"Whatisit!Now'snotthetime—"
HalvanhelevTheLastSword
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
264 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"It'saboutthat!Thepossibilitytodosomethingaboutit...maybe...isthere!"
"Whatdidyousay!?WhatshouldIdo!?"
"A-Aahh.Uhm—"
However,Shidouwasn'tabletoimmediatelyletitoutofhismouth.
Afterall,themethodthatKotorihadtoldhimwastooincomprehensibleandillogicalandlackingcontext—
"Hurryup!"
"...!"
Shidoumadeuphismindandopenedhismouth.
"I-It's,uhm...!Tohka!K-Kiss,me...!"
"—What!?"
Tohkafurrowedherbrows.
Butthatwastobeexpected.Duringthisurgenttime,hesaidsomethinglikethat.Itcouldn'tbehelpedthatshetookitassomekindofbadjoke.
"S-Sorry,justforgetit.Let'sthinkaboutsomeother—"
"What'sakiss!?"
"Huh...?"
"Tellmequickly!"
"...Aki-kissisuhm,youbringtwolipstogether—"
InthemiddleofShidou'swords.
—Withoutanyhesitation,TohkapressedherpinklipsontoShidou'slips.
"———!?"
Hiseyesopenedaswideastheycould,asheletoutamuffledsound.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
265 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Tohka'slipsweresosoftandsomoistandevengaveoffasweetsmellthatthatfeelingandtouchhadcausedhisbraintoscreamhellandheaven[1F3].Thatkissestastedlikelemonisalie.Tohka'skisstastedliketheparfaitsheateatlunch.
Abeatlater.
—CracksformedonTohka'sswordthattoweredintothesky,thenitcrumbledaway,dissolvingintotheair.
Followingthat,thefilmoflightthatformedtheinnersofthedresswrappedaroundTohka'sbodyaswellasherskirtdisappeared,asifburstingopen.
"Wh—"
Tohkaletoutavoicefilledwithbewilderment.
"...!?"
ButevenmoresurprisedwasShidou.
ItwasnotatTohka'sswordandclothesdisappearing.ThathehadheardfromKotori,thoughhehadhalf-doubtedit.
Ifanything,itwasthatTohkaspokewhiletheywerestillinthekiss,sothelipthatwasincontactwriggled,causinghimtogointosomekindofchaosstatethatcouldnolongerbeexpressedwithShidou'svocabulary.
—Tohka'sbodygrewlimp,fallingtowardstheground.
InShidou'sdimconsciousness,whilehesitatingslightly,hehuggedTohkabeforeherbodyfellaway.Ratherweakly.Timidly.
Withtheirheadsdownwards,theirlipsandbodiesunited,thetwoofthemdescended.
Tohka'sraimentturnedintoparticlesoflight,leavingbehindatrail.
Itcould'veprobablybeenascenefromafantasy.
However,Shidoudidn'thaveroomtobeawareofthat.
SlowlyfallingwhilesupportingTohka—withhisbodyonthebottom,theylanded
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
266 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
ontheground.
Theyremainedoverlappinglikethatforawhile,
"Pwua...!"
Asiftakingabreather,Tohka'slipsparted,andsheraisedherbody.
"S...,s-s-s-s-s-sorryTohka!Iwastoldthatthiswastheonlyway...!"
ShidouimmediatelyjumpedupwhenTohkamovedoffhisbody,springingbackwardsandatthesametimeballinguphisbody,endingwithamarvelousjumpingdogeza[1F4].
Well,tobepreciseTohkawastheonewhogavethekiss,butsomehowhefeltlikethatwasnottheproblem.
However,manysecondspassed,butshedidn'tsteponShidou'sheadorevencurseathim.
"...?"
Thinkingthiswasstrange,heraisedhishead.
Tohkawasjustsittingtherewithamysteriouslookonherface,touchingherlipwithherfinger.
Orrather,beforethat—
"Pwua...!?"
Shidou'sfaceturnedbrightredasifhewasabouttospoutanosebleed,andhehardened.
Theraimentsheworecrumblingintobitsandpieces,Tohkawasinahalf-nakedstatethatwasembarrassingtoevenlookat.
"—!"
Shidou'sreactionseemstohavecausedTohkatonoticethis.Shehurriedlycoveredherchest.
"N-N-N-NoTohka,Iwasjust—"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
267 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"D-Don'tlook,idiot...!!"
Thoughnotknowingthemeaningofakiss,itseemedthatshehadanormalsenseofembarrassment.Whileblushing,Tohkaglared.
"So-Sorry...!"
Flustered,heclosedhiseyes.
"That'snogood!You'resquintingaren'tyou!"
"Th-ThenwhatshouldIdo...!"
Shidousaid,andafterafewmoments,hiswholebodyfeltawarmfeelingonceagain.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
268 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
269 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Eh—"
Involuntarily,hisclosedeyesopened.
InfrontofhiseyeswereTohka'spureblackhair,andhernakedshoulders.Thepointwas—theirbodiesjoinedsnugly.
"...Now,youwon'tbeabletosee."
"A-Aahh..."
Isthisreallyokay?Whilethinkingthat,andunabletomovehisbody,hestayedfirmlikethat.
Afterawhile.
"...shidou."
Tohkaletoutafadingvoice.
"Whatisit?"
"Willyou...takemeonadateagain...?"
"Yeah.Somethinglikethat,I'lltakeyouanytime."
Shidouemphaticallyaffirmed.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
270 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
271 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Epilogue-LifeWithaSpirit
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
272 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
273 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part1
"—Thatisall."
Thelocationwasthespecialcommunicationsroomwithinthe<Fraxinus>thatonlythecommanderKotoriwasallowedtoenter.
Facingtheroundtablesetupinthecenterofthedimroom,Kotoriconcludedherreport.
ThereportconcerningthecaptureandretrievaloftheSpirit.
Aroundtheroundtable,includingKotori,thebreathingofatotaloffivepeoplecouldbefelt.
But—inreality,theonlyonein<Fraxinus>wasKotori.Theothermemberswereattendingthemeetingthroughspeakerssetupontheroundtable.
"...Sothatmeansthathispoweristherealthing,huh."
Speakinginaslightlymuffledvoicewastheuglycat-shapedstuffedanimalsittingonKotori'sright.
Well,thevoiceactuallycamefromthespeakerrightinfrontofthestuffedanimal,butfromKotori'sviewpointitwasasiftheuglycatwastheonespeaking.
Astheothersdidnothaveavideofeedofher,itwassomethingKotorisetuparbitrarily.
Duetothat,thisinner-mostroomofthe<Fraxinus>hadbecomeastrangelyfantasy-likespace.Itwasalmostlikethemadtea-partyofAliceinWonderland.
"That'swhyIsaid,ifit'sShidouthenit'llworkout."
Kotoriproudlycrossedherarms,andthistimethemousewithacryingfacetotheleftofherquietlyspoke.
"—Goingbyjustyourclaims,therewasnotenoughcredibility.Afterall,youcan'texpectustosoreadilybelieveinthepowerofself-resurrection...ortheabilitytoabsorbtheSpirits'power."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
274 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Kotorishrugged.
Ohwell,therewasnothingshecoulddoaboutthat.
SettingupthevariousobservationandanalysisdevicestoconfirmShidou'sabilitiestook—aroundfiveyears.
Welleventhen,duringthattimethe<Fraxinus>wasbuiltandacrewwasgathered.Intermsoftimingitworkedoutjustperfectly.
"WhataboutthestatusoftheSpirit?"
Thistimethevoicecamefrombesidetheuglycat,fromanextremelystupid-lookingbluedogwithdroolhangingoffitsface.
"Wehavebeenmonitoringherstatussincebeingretrievedby<Fraxinus>—andherstatusisextremelystable.Notevenacreakinspace-timewasdetected.Exactlyhowmuchofherpowerremainswillneedtobeanalyzedindetail,butattheveryleast,it'snotatalevelwhere'justexistingwilldestroytheworld'."
Kotorisaid,andofthefourstuffedanimals,threeofthemheldtheirbreathsatonce.
"Then,atleastatthiscurrentstage,theSpiritscanexistinthisworldwithoutproblems?"
Inaclearlyexcitedvoice,theuglycatspoke.Kotoristaredatitwithdisgustasshecalmlyanswered'yes'.
"Inaddition,itwouldbedifficultforherto intotheotherdimensionwithherownpowers."
"—Then,whatabouthisstatus?HehadabsorbedthatmuchoftheSpirit'spower.Hasanythingabnormalhappened?"
Thistime,thecryingmouseasked.
"Atthismomentnoabnormalitieshavebeendetected,ineitherShidouortheworld."
"How?They'recalamitiesthatwilldestroytheworld!Tosealthatpowerinsidea
disappearlost
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
275 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
human,andhavenothingabnormalhappen..."
Thestupiddogstated.
"Didn'twegetpermissiontousehimbecauseitwasconcludedthatnoproblemswillarise?"
"...Whatexactlyishe?Withsuchanability...it'sasifhe'saSpirit."
Itwasn'tjustthestuffedanimal'sface,itreallywasanidiot.Kotorisighedinsideherheartanddutifullyopenedhermouth.
"—HisabilitytoreviveisasIexplainedpreviously.Regardingtheabsorptionability,wearecurrentlyinvestigatingit."
Kotorisaid,andforamomentthestuffedanimalsweresilent.
Thenafewsecondslater,thestuffedanimalthathadyettospeakuntilnow,asquirrelhuggingawalnut,quietlyspoke.
"—Anyways,goodwork,CommanderItsuka.Youhaveobtainedbrilliantresults.Iexpectgreatthingsfromyouinthefuture."
"Affirmative."
Fortheveryfirsttime,Kotoristraightenedherpose,andplacedherhandacrossherchest.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
276 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
277 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Part2
"...Fwaaah."
Sincethatincidentaweekendhadpassed,itwasnowMonday.
IntheschoolbuildingcompletelyrebuiltbytheRestorationForces,asizablenumberofstudentshadalreadygathered.
Inthemidstofthemall,Shidouabsentmindedlysighed,andstaredofftowardstheroofoftheclassroom.
—Thatday.
Shidouhadimmediatelycollapsedafterwhathappened,andafterheopenedhiseyes,hefoundhimselflyingin<Fraxinus>'sinfirmary.
Then,hewentthroughanextensivemedicalcheckinthatfacility—buteversincehehadfallenunconscious,hehadn'tbeenabletocatchaglimpseofTohka.EvenwhenhedemandedtotalktoTohka,theonlyresponsehegotwasthatshewasundergoingexaminations,soevenuntiltheveryendhewasnotabletoeventakealookather.
"...Ahh."
AsifthetenhecticdaysthatpassedsincemeetingTohkawereadream,theplainnormaldayswas—tobehonest,feltsoemptyandpowerless,somuchthathefeltlikedying.
However...therewasbutonething,oneotherthingthatwascaughtinShidou'sthoughtsevenmore.
Thatday.ShidouhaddefinitelyexchangedakisswithTohka.
Atthatmoment,theraimentthatTohkaworehadmeltedanddisappeared—andatthesametime,hefeltasifsomethingwarmhadflowedintohisownbody.
—Whatexactlywasthatfeeling?
"..."
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
278 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Silently,hetouchedhislips.
Threedayshadalreadypassed,buthefeltasifthatsensationstillremained.Shidoublushedslightly.
"...That'sseriouslydisgusting.WhatareyoudoingItsuka?"
"!T-Tonomachi.Ifyou'retherethengiveoffsomepresence."
Suddenlybeingtalkedto,Shidoureturnedhisheadtoitsoriginalposture.
"...Idid,anormalamount.InfactIevencalledouttoyou.IfyouletmegetlonelythenI'lldieyouknow."
Sayingthis,hestraddledtheemptyseatinfrontandthrusthiselbowsonShidou'sdesk.
"No,Ididn'tknowthat.Anyways,gobacktoyourownseat.It'sgoingtobehomeroomsoon."
"It'sfine.Tama-chan'sgoingtobeabitlateanyways."
"Jeez...she'sstillourteacher.Youshouldstopwiththatnicknamethatsoundslikeacatormaybeaseal."
"Haha,it'scute,soisn'titfine?Thoughouragesareapart,butshe'sstillcompletelyinmystrikezone."
"Ahh...thenproposetoher.She'llprobablyaccept."
"Huh?Whatareyoutalkingabout?"
Then,atthattimethedooroftheclassroomslidopenwitharattlingsound,andShidou'sshouldersshookslightly.
—Instantly,theclassroomwasabuzz.
Butthatwastobeexpected.Afterall,thatTobiichiOrigamihadcometoschoolwrappedalloverwithbandages.
"...!"
Hecouldn'thelpbutlosehisbreath.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
279 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
UsingaRealizer,mostinjuriescouldbeimmediatelycured.Butafterthreewholedaysandstillhavingthatmanybandagesremaining,ithadbeenquitetheinjury.
"......"
WithallthegazesintheclassroomgatheredonOrigami,shewalkedtowardsShidouwithuncertainstepsuntilshewasrightinfrontofhim.
"H-hey,Tobiichi,I'mgladyou'redoingwe—"
Hestartedtosayawkwardly,butsuddenlyOrigamidisappearedfromShidou'sfieldofview.
Amomentlater,ShidourealizedthatOrigamiwasgivingadeepbow.
"T-Tobiichi...!?"
Theclassroombecamenoisy,andalleyesgatheredonShidouandOrigami.
But,asifnotcaringaboutanyofthat,Origamicontinued.
"—Sorry.Althoughitisnotsomethingthatcanberesolvedwithasingleapology."
Fromwhathehadheardlater—theattackthattargetedTohkahadbeenfiredbyOrigami.Shewasprobablyapologizingforthat.
"Wha...Itsuka,didyoudosomethingtoTobiichi...?"
"Ididnot!IfIdidthenwouldn'tIbetheoneapologizing!"
ShidourepliedtoTonomachiwhohadbeensendingasuspiciousglare.
Eitherway,therewasnowaytoexplainthesituationindetail.ShidoufacedOrigamiagain.
"I-I'llforgiveyou,sofornowraiseyourhead..."
Shidousaid,andunexpectedlyOrigamiobedientlystraightenedup.
"But—"
Then,inthenextmoment,shegrabbedontothebaseofShidou'snecktie.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
280 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"—!?"
Hercoldexpressionnotchangingtheleast,Origamipulledherfaceclose.
"Nocheating."
"......Huh?"
StartingwithShidou's,theeyesofeveryonewatchingOrigami'sactionsturnedtodots.
Asifmatchingthetiming,thechimethatsignalledthestartofhomeroomrang.
WhileglancingatOrigamiandShidouwithinterest,thestudentsreturnedtotheirownseats.
However,OrigamialoneremainedstaringintentlyatShidou'sface.
Then,thegoddessofsalvationappeared.
"Goooodmorning,evvvveryone.Homeroomisstarting."
Openingthedoor,teacherTama-chanwalkedintotheclassroom.
"...?T-Tobiichi-san,whatareyoudoing?"
"......"
OrigamisilentlyglancedatTamae,andthenreleasedShidou'snecktieandreturnedtoherseat.
Still,thatwasrightbesideShidou.Hecouldn'tgiveasighofrelief.
"O-okay,haseveryonesettledin?"
Feelingtheunrestintheclassroom,Tamaesaidinanexcessivelycheerfulvoice.
Then,shehitherhandasifrememberingsomething,andnoddedtoherself.
"Ohright,beforewetakeattendancetoday,Ihaveasurprise!—Comein!"
Sayingthis,shecalledtowardsthedoorthatshehadjustherselfcomeinthrough.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
281 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Mm."
Then—asifrespondingtothat,suchavoicewasheard.
"Wha..."
"—"
AtthesametimeShidouandOrigami'sjawsdropped.
"—Iamtransferringintothisclassfromtoday,mynameisYatogami[1G1]Tohka.Pleasedtobeinyourcare."
Wearingahighschooluniform,Tohkaenteredwithagiganticsmileonherface.
Facedwiththisbeautythatcouldcauseone'seyestohurtjustbylookingatit,theclassgrewrowdyagain.
Ignoringthegazes,Tohkatookapieceofchalk,andinpoorwritingwrotejustthewords"Tohka"ontheblackboard.Shethennoddedtoherselfasifsatisfied.
"Wh...you,whyareyou..."
"Nu?"
Tohkaturnedtofacethesourceofthevoice.Shegaveoffastrangeshine,anillusionaryglow.
"Ohh,shidou!Imissedyou!"
ShethencalledoutShidou'snamewithaloudvoice,andhoppedovertorightbesideShidou'sseat—rightwhereOrigamihadbeenstandingjustmomentsago.
Onceagain,Shidoubecamethecenteroffocusoftheclass.
Murmur,murmur.Fromallaround,theoriesoftherelationshipbetweenthetwoofthemaswellastheconnectionwithwhathappenedwithOrigamibeforecouldbeheard.
SweatformedonShidou'sforeheadashesaidwithasmallvoicethattheotherstudentscouldn'thear.
"T-Tohka...?Whyareyouhere?"
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
282 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Nn,theexaminationsandsuchhadfinished.—Itturnsoutthatover99%ofmypowerhaddisappeared."
FollowingShidou'slead,Tohkasaidinasmallvoice.
"Well—itendedupgoodforme.Inolongercausetheworldtocryjustbyexisting.Then,well,yoursisterdidabunchofstuff."
"A-andyourfamilyname...?"
"Whatwashername,thatsleepywomangaveittome."
"Jeez..."
Shidouscratchedhisheadandlaidontohisdesk.
HewasgladthatTohkawasallowedtobefree,buttherewereprobablyotherwaysofdoingthings.
But,withaninnocentlook,
"What'swrong,shidou.Youlookdown.—Ahh,coulditbe,wereyoulonelywhenIwasgone?"
Shesaidsuchathingwhilebeingcompletelyserious.
Atavolumebigenoughforthesurroundingpeopletohear,noless.
Thecommotionintheclassroomreachedaclimax.
Neverfeelingsouncomfortableinhislife,Shidousomehowmanagedtogethisvoiceout.
"What...don'tsaysomethingweirdlikethat."
"Hmpf,howcold.Eventhoughyouwerechasingmesowildlybackthen."
Sayingthis,sheplacedherhandsonhertwocheeks,andmadeaembarrassedlook.
"—!?"
Heknewthattheatmospherehadchanged.Therewereevenpeoplesendingmessagesfromtheshadowsoftheirdesk.Likethis,itwon'tbelonguntilthewhole
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
283 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
schoolknewShidou'sname.
Shidoutriedagainwithaloudervoice.
"N-no,Tohka!S-sayingitlikethatwillcauseeveryonetomisunderstand!"
"Nu?Areyousayingthatitwasamisunderstanding?Eventhoughitwasmyfirsttime..."
"——,......!?"
—Criticalhit.Probably,KotoriandReinehadtaughthersomeunnecessaryknowledge.
Ignoringtheteacher'scommands,theclasswentberserk.
Then,immediately—Tohkamovedherfacetotheright.
"Eh...?"
InfrontofthestunnedShidou'seyes,somethingthatseemedlikeapenslicedhorizontallythroughtheairatanamazingspeed.
"Uwah!?"
Surprised,helookedforitssource.There,stillinthepostureasifshehadjustthrownapen,wasOrigamiwithacoldstare.
"...Nu?"
"..."
TohkaandOrigami.Theireyescrossed.
"Nu,whythehellareyouhere?"
"Thatismyline."
Itimmediatelybecameacriticalsituation.
—However,thetwoofthemdidnotseemliketheywantedtofighthere.
Butofcourse.Onesidehadlostalmostallherpower,andtheothersidewaswithout
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
284 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
herequipmentandinjured.
"O-okay!Stopit!Let'sendthisnow!Okay!Don'tfight!"
TeacherOkaminehurriedlycutbetweenthetwoofthem,andsomehowmanagedtodiffusethesituation.
However.
"Now,Yatogami-san'sseatwillbe—"
TheteacherstartedtosearchforTohka'sseat,but
"Noneed.—Move."
TohkaletoutasharplookatthestudentbesideShidou—ontheoppositesideofOrigami.
"E-eeek!"
Facedwiththatpressure,thefemalestudentfelldownfromherchair.
"Nn,thankyou."
Sayingthat,Tohkacalmlysatdown,andlookedtowardsShidou.
Butdoingso,shemetnotShidou'sgazebutratherOrigami's.
"..."
"..."
Thetwoofthemsilentlyglaredateachother.
ShidouwasextremelyhappythatTohkacouldcontinuelivinginthisworld.HealsofeelsgratefultowardsKotoriandhercrewwhohaddonealot.
Also,hehonestlyfeltrelievedthatOrigamihadmanagedtostayalive.
Thiswasundoubtedlywhatcouldbecalledthebestpossibleoutcome.
But,thiswas...
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
285 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
"Uuuuuuugh..."
Showeredwithstrangelooksfrombothsides,Shidouheldhishead.
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
286 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
Afterword
Nicetomeetyouit'sbeenawhilethisisTachibanaKoushi.Contradiction.
Did'Date●A●LiveTohkaDeadend'suityourtastes?
Myveryfirstideaforthisserieswas'wouldn'titbekindasurrealifthemembersofasecretorganizationallreallyseriouslyplayedagalge?'.
Somethinglike,atwo-dimensionalbeautyisshownonthebigscreeninthebridge,thecommander,sweatdrippingdowntheirface,makesachoice,thegirlgivesabadresponseand"Wh...what...!?"beep,beep!Emergency,emergency!somethinglikethat.HanginthereRodry!Heraffectionmeterhadonlydroppedabit!Medic!Mediiiiiiic!
Withthatasthebasis,tryingoutvariousflavors,thiswastheresult.Iwouldbehappyifyouhadenjoyedit.
Ithasn'tbeendecidedhowmanyvolumesthiswillcontinuefor,butitwillcontinue.Thenextpageshouldcontainthepreview,sopleasehavealook.
Also,myotherseries'SoukyuunoKarma'isalsocontinuing,soifthisworkhascaughtyourinterest,Iwouldbehappyifyouwouldtakeaglanceatit.
Nowthen,thisworkwasshapedthroughthehardworkofmanypeople.
FirstwoulddefinitelybetheillustratorTsunako-san.Iwasalreadyastonishedbythecharacterdesignstage.What'swiththatamountandquality.It'sseriouslyatalevelwhereIwanttomakeitallpublic.
Ifthisstorysellsthenmaybesuchachancewouldcome...right,hmm(wink).
Startingwithmyeditorandincludingeveryoneinvolved,thankyouforyourhardwork.
Ihadbeenmadetorealizetheelementaryfact,thatabookcan'tbemadebyjustoneperson.
Morethananything,Iwouldliketooffermygreatestthankstoyou,whohadpicked
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
287 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
upthisbook.
Wellthen,nextis...uhm,let'smeetagaininthesecondvolumeofthisandintheeighthvolumeofKarma.
TachibanaKoushi
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
288 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
TranslationNotesandReferences
Prologue:
1. ↑Japanesenameshavethefamilyname,orsurname,first,andthefirstnamesecond.So,inthiscaseShidouishisfirstname,andItsukaishisfamilyname.
Chapter1:
1. ↑MahyadedosuisanadvancediceskillinDragonQuestMonsters:Joker,whichintheEnglishversioniscalled"C-C-ColdBreath".
2. ↑Glicoisabigcompanywhichhasalogothatlookslikethis3. ↑Thereisasayingthatoriginatedin2chthatifyou'reavirginuntil30you
becomeamagician.4. ↑Thisisapun."Onnashi"(女市)istheseparationinradicalsof"oldersister"
(姉),sowhatShidoudoeshereisaskingsomethinglike"...Oldersister?"(meaninghedoen'tevenregisteritinhispersonaldictionary).Atthesametime,thewordhasalmosthesamepronunciationas"onnaji",meaning"thesame".
5. ↑Thisisamemorydeviceforwhattododuringanevacuation,muchlike"stop,dropandroll"."okashi"standsfor"osanai,kakenai,shaberanai"(don'tpush,don'trun,don'ttalk),butTamae-senseiinsteadsays"sharekoube"(skull)forthelastone.
Chapter2:
1. ↑Agamemachine.FoundthisvideoonYoutube.2. ↑Thereisasayingthatchickensforgetthingsaftertakingthreesteps,sowhat
sheistryingtosayhereisthatShidouhasashortermemory/attentionspanthanachicken.
3. ↑MikeHaggar4. ↑'Comein'inJapaneseis'hairou',whichkindasoundslike'heigh-ho',whichis
whatthesevendwarfssay.5. ↑AtoolinDoraemonwhereifyouwearit,nobodywouldnoticeyouanymore.
Icouldn'tfindany'official'englishtranslation.TheJapaneseis'ishikoroboushi'
Chapter3:
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
289 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations
1. ↑ApartinJapanesecomedywhoseroleistobasicallycriticizeothers.[1]2. ↑Thez-dimensionisthe3rddimension,comingafterxandy.3. ↑MariofromNintendo'sseriesofvideogames.4. ↑Mario'scatchphrase.5. ↑Bakameansidiot.6. ↑Tohka/Touka/Tookaisthepronounciationofboth十香and十日,theformer
ishername,andthelattermeansthetenthdayofamonth.
Chapter4:
1. ↑Tohkaispronouncingitmorelike'deht'.2. ↑Wikipedia
Chapter5:
1. ↑Wikipedia2. ↑Theofficialtermdenotingtheirspiritarmorclothingis'AstralDress',butthat
soundsweird,sohenceforthitwillbereferredtoas'raiment'.3. ↑SupposedreferencetothemechaanimeGaoGaiGar,wherethemain
character'sfinisherwasknownas"HellandHeaven".4. ↑AformalJapanesemannerofbowing,inthiscaseusedasadeepapology.
Epilogue:
1. ↑夜刀神=>夜(Night)刀(Sword)神(God),sosomethinglike"NightSwordofGod".
ReturntoMainPage ForwardtoVolume2
Date A Live Volume 1 "Tohka Dead End"
290 of 290 converted by Infinite Creations