He dreamed.
Flames—crimson, all-consuming flames. A young boy ran through this hellish inferno, a blaze that could easily incinerate him.
His reason was singular: to save his precious little sister, who had once pulled him from despair. For her, he'd cast aside his own life without hesitation. This kind, foolish boy hadn't changed a bit.
No complex motives, no deep reasons—just the sight of someone dear crying was enough to move him.
"Onii-chan! Don't come!!"
The torrent of flames blasted his small body away.
Falling. Powerless. His life fading. Yet his only thought was a heart's cry—not to let his beloved sister grieve.
Then, a strange voice echoed. An unknown something reached both of them—and the scene shifted, like a channel changing, the vision transforming.
A girl stood before a beautiful someone. The boy couldn't discern who it was. All his focus was on the beloved girl collapsing to her knees.
"…Ah, aaaaaaaah!?"
Despair. A wail condensed from all the world's sorrow, a scream that tore her throat, a grief that threatened to unravel her.
Her regret, her tears, her despair pierced the boy's heart like a blade. His heart screamed to reach her. But he couldn't. He lacked the power to grasp the past.
"…Tch, Emperor of Time: Zafkiel—Bullet Four: Dalet!!"
The girl chanted, shooting herself. Her body, her heart rewound. The boy instinctively knew: that bullet's power stopped her heart from being dragged to a place beyond salvation.
Static flickered. The dream fragmented, like waking. No, don't fade yet.
They spoke. The someone was calm, the girl shocked—then enraged.
"Why… would you do that!?"
"—"
The girl's scream met a response as someone reached for her. The boy knew it was dangerous but could do nothing. His consciousness returned to reality.
Someone's hand reached the girl—and a white streak flashed.
That was surely the beginning. The start of the girl's endless, tragic journey as a Spirit.
The boy wouldn't retain this memory. Yet he etched it deep into his soul. Shidou Itsuka swore, no matter what, to save her.
He awoke.
"…Where…?"
Consciousness returned. Blinking, he assessed his surroundings: a mechanical ceiling, the sensation of lying in a bed. He recalled waking in this same setting recently.
"Yo… huh?"
Sitting up, he noticed his body's lightness. Despite being battered and blown away, he felt normal, as if his injuries had rewound.
Another sensation: a warmth on his cheek, comforting, not unpleasant. But as he noticed it, it faded, making him frown. Then something else caught his attention.
"Tohka…?"
No response. The girl slept, leaning against his bed, her beauty almost otherworldly—save for the drool at her mouth's corner. Typical Tohka, he thought, smiling.
"But why is Tohka—!?"
Memory flooded back. He'd met her—Tokisaki Kurumi. Kotori, a Spirit, appeared. They fought. Kotori, acting unlike herself, attacked. He shielded Kurumi… then what? Tohka was safe, so Origami and Mana likely were too. Why was he unharmed? And Kotori—and Kurumi?
"…Awake, Shin?"
"Reine-san…!"
Struggling for answers, Shidou turned as Murasame Reine entered the infirmary. She'd know. Words spilled out in a rush.
"What happened after!? Origami, Mana—are they okay!? And Kotori… she showed up, acting strange, not herself…!"
"…Calm down."
"—Kurumi! She's okay, right!? If I'm fine, she has to be—otherwise I—"
"Shin."
Her finger gently touched his lips, halting his words and panic. Following her gaze, he froze.
"Ooh, Shidou-kun, looking lively! Worried for nothing!"
"…I'm glad… you're okay…"
Yoshino and her puppet Yoshinon stood behind Reine, sapphire eyes filled with relief and worry. Like cold water, it cooled Shidou's frenzy.
Calm down. Don't worry those who care for you. He steadied himself.
"…Better now?"
"Yes. Thanks… Yoshino, Yoshinon, thanks for worrying."
"! N-no…"
"Psh, no big deal!"
Yoshino blushed under her straw hat; Yoshinon's theatrics drew a wry smile. Reine nodded, addressing his questions.
"…Rest easy. Origami Tobiichi and Mana Takamiya are fine. AST retrieved them, likely sent to Tiangong Hospital with medical Realizers. Origami, like Tohka, has minor injuries, unlike Mana, who fought Kurumi directly."
"Right… those three…"
A question surfaced. Kurumi and Kotori's battle was devastating, turning the rooftop to ash. Why were Tohka and the others unscathed? He felt ashamed for not checking on them then. Reine, sensing his guilt, continued.
"…In that chaos, it's no wonder you didn't notice. Don't dwell on it. Someone moved them to safety, so Tohka's unharmed."
"…That's…"
"…Only one person could've done that."
It went without saying. Shidou clenched his fist. Her. Calling herself the worst, a hated evil—yet so undeniably kind.
"Kurumi…!"
"…She's likely fine. We barely detected her spiritual energy as she escaped. She's alive."
"Escaped…? But she was…"
In no state to move, let alone stand. How could she escape, especially after both were consumed by Kotori's flames?
"…Her ally saved you both. The white Spirit who once helped you."
"The white Spirit…"
She knew Kurumi—had saved her twice now. Perhaps they were close. Shidou couldn't judge if Spirits working together was common, but he felt deep gratitude.
Kurumi was alive. Relief flooded him, mingled with regret for failing to save her.
"I… couldn't save her…"
He slammed his fist into the bed. He'd poured everything—his feelings—into her. Yet he couldn't save her heart. Despite his boasts, his love, he was powerless.
"…You think you did nothing, Shin?"
"…!"
"…Your words, your feelings reached her."
Did they? He felt she hesitated, as if considering his hand. Maybe it was wishful thinking, arrogance. But Kurumi, always composed, had been shaken by his words. Yet she had reasons she couldn't take his hand.
"…She needs time to process your words. You made her feel that need."
"Me…?"
"…Yes. And you're not giving up, right? Keep your hand ready for her."
"…Right."
Reine was right. It wasn't over. Kurumi lived, and so did he. He'd reach out, speak, until he saved her. He'd sworn it.
His thoughts turned to another loved one—his sister, who revealed her Spirit powers.
"Reine-san… where's Kotori?"
"…Follow me."
Nodding, he slipped on shoes, laid Tohka gently on the bed, and followed Reine's unsteady steps. Along the way, he spoke to Yoshino.
"—Oh, Yoshino. Thanks for back then… helping me and Kurumi when those three chased us."
"…I-I just… had to do something…"
"C'mon, Yoshino was awesome! Praise her more, Shidou!"
"You were amazing, Yoshino. Really saved us. Kurumi said so too."
"! Ah…!"
Overpraised, Yoshino flushed redder, squirming. Shidou, unapologetic, smiled. He meant it—her bravery touched him. He prayed for a day when he and Kurumi could meet her without fear or sorrow.
She dreamed.
Everything burned. She knew this scene. But she hadn't known a boy ran through this hellfire. She smiled. He hasn't changed.
She prayed for his safety, for the boy too kind, whose outstretched hand so many awaited. That was her wish.
She saw a nightmare.
A cruel, unforgettable nightmare—the primal memory. The day it began. The day the girl died. The day the worst Spirit was born.
The day she met White.
Her journey as a Spirit began. No matter the cost, she'd undo it. She hid, moved forward, waited. Hope appeared, as she wished—but it wouldn't abandon the dead girl.
The Spirit had to kill that hope. It was her purpose.
The girl couldn't kill the boy. His smile, his kindness—she couldn't undo it. Her heart screamed against it.
Spirit and girl were one, yet conflicted. She couldn't kill the past like an imitation.
If only he offered himself, she could devour him as a demon, then undo it. But she knew he'd never say it. Foolish thoughts surfaced—a fleeting dream, forgotten upon waking. But she couldn't help it. The Spirit, who'd trampled countless lives, couldn't yield her destined end. The girl knew it too.
So Tokisaki Kurumi, no matter what, would—
"…Kurumi?"
"…!"
She awoke. A familiar voice. Trying to rise, searing pain twisted her face.
"Don't move. Your body's healed on the surface, but you're broken—body and heart."
"…I… am…"
Speaking strained her. Her pathetic state made her want to laugh bitterly. The white girl didn't mock her, only showed unprecedented worry.
"No talking. Sleep. I'll take your scolding later. For now—"
"…Must… kill…"
The white girl's hands froze, unable to continue. She had to stop Kurumi's words.
"…I must… kill… who? Mio-san…? For that…?"
"Kurumi…"
"—Shidou…-san…? I, I—I—!"
"—Close your eyes."
A delicate hand shut Kurumi's lids. A gentle, soothing voice.
"…It's okay, Kurumi. No one will rush your answer or blame you. I'll protect you, no matter what."
A lullaby-like voice, warm as a mother's, lulled her into deep sleep.
"…Goodnight, Kurumi. May you have… good dreams."
Her consciousness faded—no more nightmares.
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