Shiori was shocked by the blood on Kurumi's hands, but Arthas didn't feel anything at all.
After being cleansed by the Sin of this World, human lives were nothing more than an interesting number to him.
"Alright... If you're worried about Shiori, you can just say that to Shiori. It doesn't mean anything to say it to me."
"Kurumi is very dangerous. We don't know what her purpose is yet. If she starts running rampant in Tengu City, I don't know how many casualties there will be. So the safest method is to find a way to deal with her now!"
Mana Takamiya seemed to still want to persuade Arthas, but the latter didn't pay any attention to her.
"Alright, if that's all you wanted to say, then forget it. I have a plan on how to deal with Kurumi."
"Okay, if you insist on doing this... then let me assist you."
Mana Takamiya's sudden change of heart made everyone slightly stunned. They didn't quite understand what the girl meant.
"You said you want to assist me?"
"That's right. We in the AST are indeed an organization that hunts Spirits, but our first mission is to ensure the safety of the citizens. So if I can avoid a battle and resolve the Kurumi situation, I'll naturally choose the latter."
Mana Takamiya said this, and the expression on Arthas's face seemed quite surprised. He was starting to have a change of heart about the people in the AST.
It seemed that Origami Tobiichi was the only one who was more straightforward. But after all, the girl had such hatred for the Spirits. He hoped that it could be resolved slowly.
The next day, ding-a-ling-a-ling... The familiar bell rang, vibrating his eardrums.
The hands of the clock pointed to 8:30, the time when the morning homeroom began. The classmates who had been chatting around him noisily returned to their seats and sat down.
Even though the bell had already rung, Kurumi hadn't appeared in the classroom.
Tohka was probably thinking the same thing, looking around restlessly.
"Ugh, that Kurumi, she's already late on her second day after transferring," Shiori said with some distress.
They had clearly discussed a plan with Mana Takamiya yesterday to perfectly resolve the Kurumi problem.
"She won't come..."
However, that calm voice came from Shiori's left. Origami didn't turn her head, merely speaking towards Shiori Itsuka.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"It means just that. Kurumi Tokisaki, won't be coming to school anymore. Because she's already dead," Origami continued to say ruthlessly.
She had a 100% reason to make this assertion, because she had personally handled Kurumi's corpse yesterday.
Dead? How could that be possible?
Frowning, Shiori was just about to speak when the classroom door opened with a creak. Ms. Tamae, holding the attendance book in her hands, entered the classroom. Soon, the class representative gave the command to stand.
Although she was concerned about what Origami had said, she couldn't ignore the command. Shiori bowed along with everyone and sat down.
"Alright, good morning everyone. Well then, let's start taking attendance."
Saying this, Ms. Tamae opened the attendance book and began to call out the students' names.
"Tokisaki... san."
Then Ms. Tamae called out Kurumi's name, but there was no response.
"Oh dear, Tokisaki-san isn't here? Seriously, if she's going to be absent, she should at least call and let us know."
Ms. Tamae puffed out her cheeks, and at the same time, turned a page in the attendance book.
At that very moment.
"Here!"
A familiar voice rang out from the back of the classroom.
"Kurumi?"
Looking towards the back, her eyes widened. Yes, the back door of the classroom opened quietly, and standing there was Kurumi, a gentle smile on her face as she slightly raised her hand.
"Really, Tokisaki-san. You're late," Ms. Tamae said, waving the pen in her hand.
"I'm very sorry. I felt a little unwell on my way to school."
"Eh? A-Are you alright? Should you go to the nurse's office...?"
"No, I'm alright now. I'm sorry for worrying you."
Kurumi bowed her head and walked towards her seat with light steps.
Wasn't she standing here perfectly fine? Why did she say that she was dead?
Shiori couldn't help but look at Origami, who had said such ominous words.
Her brow furrowed slightly because of the way Origami was looking at Kurumi.
Origami was looking at Kurumi with a slight frown, her expression not having changed drastically so far.
But - for some reason, Shiori was very clear that right now, Origami was undoubtedly very shocked.
"What's wrong, Origami?" There was no doubt that Origami knew Kurumi's identity, which was why she was so surprised.
Shiori called her name softly.
Origami's fingertips trembled slightly, and she suddenly averted her gaze from Kurumi.
"Alright, well then, that's all for the announcements."
Soon, Ms. Tamae finished the homeroom and left the classroom.
"How is that possible..." Origami said in a broken voice, looking at Kurumi with extreme agitation.
"What's wrong, Origami?"
"She... She was clearly dead. Last night, she was personally killed by Officer Mana! I even personally handled her corpse!"
"Oh dear oh dear... I think I heard someone saying something not very nice. What was it, that I was killed?"
Pacing slowly, Kurumi was already standing behind Origami before she knew it.
"You..." Looking at Kurumi, who was suddenly standing behind her, Origami was naturally startled and stumbled back into Shiori's arms.
"Alright, you scared her."
Just as Kurumi was feeling amused by Origami Tobiichi's reaction and wanted to take it a step further, Arthas appeared before her.
"Are you alright?" He asked softly, causing Kurumi to be slightly stunned.
"Ah... What? Origami said that something happened to you, so I was a little worried."
"How could something happen to me? I'm perfectly fine."
Kurumi chuckled lightly, seeming very happy that Arthas was concerned about her.
"That's good. I'd be worried if something happened to you."
Arthas said this gently, and even Kurumi couldn't help but have a faint blush appear on her face.
"Oh my... Arthas-kun is really good with words. The girls behind you are getting upset," she said.
That blush came and went quickly. After saying those words, Kurumi turned around and left gracefully.
Turning back, Arthas saw Tohka with a look of grief and indignation on her face.
"What's so good about that girl... What's so good about her?! Why is Arthas so infatuated with her?!"
"Cough cough, well... How should I put this?"
Arthas had an awkward expression, and then went with Shiori Itsuka to comfort the angry Tohka, while Origami Tobiichi looked at Kurumi's departing back, lost in thought.
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