However, after being forced back by Tohka, Tobiichi Origami froze for a moment when she saw the boy not far away. Then, without saying anything, she discarded part of her armor and drew her energy sword, charging straight toward Tohka.
Clang. The massive Sandalphon and Origami's comparatively slender energy sword collided. At such close range, Tohka could clearly see Origami. To be honest, when she saw that look in Origami's eyes—one of utter hatred as if they were mortal enemies—Tohka felt a pang in her heart. It was the first time someone had ever looked at her that way. Even when she'd been struck by the Penance Stare back in Marvel, she hadn't felt like this.
But though Tohka was startled, her movements didn't slow. In a flash, the two of them had clashed blades dozens of times. As for that unlucky youth whose shirt she'd sliced off earlier, by this point he'd already vanished in the shockwaves of their fight. Where he'd gone, Tohka knew perfectly well. Above them, there was still a big guy hovering in the sky. She couldn't see it, but she was sure if she attacked straight upward, she'd flush it out.
"A Spirit…" At that moment, Origami finally faced the reality of the girl before her. It had to be said—right now Origami's strength was no match for Tohka's. Especially that weapon of hers—if Tohka summoned her final sword, she could easily destroy it. But since she'd shown up here, she needed to secure herself a place to stay. She still needed those idiots up there to help her out. After all, if she went to look for Miku directly, she might draw the AST's attention prematurely. And among all the Spirits, she herself was rather special, which could cause Miku a lot of trouble. After all, in terms of frontal combat strength, Miku was a bit weak. If those people took action, Miku probably wouldn't be able to hold them off. Just look at what they did to Murasame Reine.
So Tohka decided to play her part to the end, acting as though she and Origami were locked in a desperate struggle. But Origami, who hadn't even invoked Spirit Form, couldn't last long. Even though Tohka was holding back, Origami's mana was being depleted at a terrifying rate. Very soon, she was completely suppressed and her stamina was running out fast.
"Tch, is that all you've got?" In the end, Origami, exhausted, was knocked down by Tohka. But before Tohka could do anything else, she felt a strong gust of wind behind her. She spun around and raised a barrier just in time, and countless bullets slammed into it.
"Hmph, the other team members." Watching the squad in the air continually firing at her, Tohka understood immediately—they'd seen Origami knocked down, so they opened fire to draw her attention and rescue their comrade. Sure enough, when she turned her head, she saw two squad members behind her. But they didn't attack; instead, they each grabbed one of Origami's arms and dragged her away. Of course, Tohka didn't stop them—after all, her goal wasn't to kill them.
"That's enough for today. Farewell, everyone." Just then, Tohka felt the force repelling her grow stronger and stronger. She knew that her time in this world was almost up again. So, she calmly addressed the girls in the air, then vanished without a trace.
"Sigh… Origami, next time don't rush in like that. No matter what, our equipment and strength are still far inferior to a real Spirit." Seeing Origami rescued, her captain sighed helplessly. She had also seen it clearly—when their people came to pull Origami away, Tohka had noticed but hadn't stopped them. She knew that if Tohka had truly intended to kill them, they'd all be dead already.
"..…"
Hearing her captain's words, Origami didn't say anything. She just stared, unwillingly, at the place where Tohka had disappeared.
"Hmph, so this is where I ended up." What was going on outside, Tohka had no idea. She was now staring at the scene before her. Surrounded by utter darkness, she finally understood why her counterpart in the original story always looked so sorrowful when she first appeared. To be trapped in this black void for an entire day, and then immediately hunted the moment you emerged… anyone would feel miserable. She had to admit—the original Tohka had been quite kind. Otherwise, she might have developed some extreme personality traits.
"Whatever… since there's nothing else to do, I might as well sleep." Tohka certainly wasn't going to spend all that time dawdling in the void. If she really had nothing to do, she'd just sleep through it. So she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, on the warship, that unfortunate boy finally woke up. Then his little sister dragged him off to get guidance for that gal game romance strategy.
And so, the next day, Tohka opened her eyes again. She could feel another world calling to her. By now, this world's rejection of her had diminished to a manageable level. So, this time, she simply used her own power to forcefully manifest in reality.
And so, in Tengu City—which she had destroyed just yesterday but which had been restored as if by a save point—screeching sirens sounded once again.
Boom. Another massive explosion rang out. Tohka found herself appearing inside a school.
"A school? Looks like the castle from the original story." Looking at the setting sun in the distance and the ruined classroom around her, Tohka quickly realized where she had landed.
"But since I've arrived, that so-called protagonist must not be far behind." Glancing around at the classroom she'd blown to pieces when she arrived, Tohka thought to herself. Surely that boy was nearby, probably getting instructions from a bunch of grown-up NEETs. Honestly—having a bunch of shut-in nerds coach you, and using gal game strategies… was that really okay?
Thump, thump. While Tohka was pondering, she suddenly heard a string of footsteps behind her. She turned and saw the same blue-haired boy she'd met that morning standing frozen in the doorway, staring at her.
"Oh, you're still alive? Your luck's not bad—under both our attacks, you somehow didn't die." Since she wasn't the original Tohka, she didn't bother waiting for him to speak. She opened her mouth first.
"Uh… huh?" Hearing Tohka's words, the blue-haired boy was stunned. He hadn't expected her to talk first. He stood there in a daze, completely unsure what to say.
The pacing at the start was a bit fast, but it will settle down soon.