"…Spirit…?"
"Yes, the 'Spirit' you know well," the robed girl confirms flatly.
Spirit. Designated Special Disaster Lifeform, emerging from the Boundary. Shidou understands, but his mind reels. Ratatosk protects Spirits, and Shidou's encountered them twice. Yet this girl, claiming to be a Spirit, saved him and knew his name. Why? Why help him? Why—
"Shidou!! Are you okay!?"
"…Kotori?"
His sister's piercing voice snaps him from his spiraling thoughts. Her familiar tone grounds him. No time to freeze.
"I'm fine, somehow. Sorry for worrying you."
"If you're safe, that's enough. What happened?"
Even Fraxisnus couldn't track the cold surge. Kotori's voice shifts to commander mode, but Shidou hesitates, then reports.
"A… passing Spirit saved me."
"A Spirit!? What's with 'passing'!?"
"She said it herself…!"
It's no joke—there's no other way to explain it. Kotori, rattled, tells him to wait. With only Fraxisnus's analysis to rely on, Shidou stands, awaiting her response.
"Shidou, she really called herself a Spirit?"
"Yeah, no doubt. Something wrong?"
After a brief pause, Kotori's reply is oddly stilted.
"We know nothing. Not even if she's a Spirit."
"…What?"
"She saved you, so I'd like to think she's not hostile."
Nothing but uncertainty. Shidou glances at the girl, standing calmly, her face hidden. No clues. Even Fraxisnus's cutting-edge tech fails.
"No good! She's blocking all analysis!" a crewmember shouts.
"What's going on… Reine, anything?" Kotori asks.
The bridge screen shows the robed Spirit, but all parameters read ERROR. No affinity data, no confirmation she's even a Spirit. Kotori, licking a lollipop, presses Reine.
"…Same here. The Realizer can't analyze her. Likely her Angel's ability," Reine says, shaking her head, visibly perplexed—a rare sight.
If she's a Spirit, her Angel nullifies interference. No time for conclusions—Ratatosk's mission is Spirit protection, but this new Spirit disrupts their ticking deadline. Kotori ponders, then the girl speaks.
"Itsuka Shidou, don't you have something to do besides worry about me?"
"Right… Yoshino!?"
"She's fighting AST. This situation—she caused it."
Shidou scans the ice-covered city. The frozen apartment he was in moments ago is a giant icicle. Without the girl, he'd be encased. Chilling.
"I gotta get to Yoshino!!"
No time for fear. This isn't what Yoshino wanted—he knows her kindness. He starts to run—
"Stop."
"What!?"
The girl grabs his collar, yanking him back. An ice spear erupts where he'd have stepped, easily halting him.
"This…"
"They're popping up everywhere—icicles, too big to call that. Yoshino's spiritual power. Be careful, Shidou, one misstep and you're skewered."
A man-sized ice spear. A direct hit would be fatal. It's a minefield.
"You'll get hurt rushing in. Not that it'll stop you," the girl says.
"Yeah… thanks, you saved me again."
"…Want help?"
"Huh?" Shidou stares, her face still hidden, but her offer clear.
"You want to reach Hermit, right? Alone, who knows how long it'd take. I'll get you there."
"Then it's up to you," she adds. Shidou's lifeline.
"Really!?"
"Wait, Shidou, too risky! We know nothing about her!"
Twice saved doesn't mean ally. Her motives, intent—unknown. She knows Shidou's goal, while they hold no cards. Too dangerous.
"But there's no time!"
"Tch, I know…"
Kotori falters. Shidou sees the crisis worsening—Fraxisnus predicts damage to the ground and shelters if it persists. His healing ability has limits, and a Spirit could overpower him. If she's luring him, Yoshino's rescue fails.
Risk to Shidou versus Yoshino and the city. Even Kotori can't decide instantly.
"Your friends' teleporter could work, but not recommended now," the girl says.
"She even knows about us. Who is she?"
She references Fraxisnus vaguely, but enough. Thick clouds hide the ship, and teleporting Shidou into this chaos is unpredictable. Running's risky, but the fastest way is—
"Alright, help me. Get me to Yoshino!!"
Shidou decides before Kotori. His resolve was set—risks, unknown Spirits, none matter. He swore to save Yoshino.
His unwavering eyes meet the girl's. She nods slightly, firmly.
"Let's go. Don't bite your tongue."
A sudden floating sensation and intense wind. Unlike before, it's not a leap. The petite girl carries Shidou effortlessly, dodging countless ice spears at terrifying speed, using some as footholds. Shidou clings for dear life.
"Insane…"
"Making decisions without me, huh?"
Kotori's exasperated voice reaches him. Fair—Shidou acted without her input.
"Sorry, but…"
"Fine. Covering your recklessness is our job. We're in."
"Shin, one thing."
Reine's sleepy voice follows. She calls him that odd nickname.
"I looked into your 'hunch.' It's not wrong."
The 'violation' from Yoshino's visit. Kotori had Reine investigate.
"No time, so briefly—Yoshino…"
Her kindness. No surprise to Shidou, only confirmation and a fiercer resolve to save her. A girl who created a persona to restrain her power for others' sake.
"Shin, save her. A girl this kind not being saved—that's a lie."
"Yes!!"
Reine's encouragement fuels him. The girl murmurs, "There," maintaining her speed, leaping high. Shidou squints against the pressure, seeing—
Yoshino's Zadkiel, massive, shrouded in rain and mist, but unmistakable.
"You're on your own now, Itsuka Shidou."
"Yeah!!"
She dives, landing perfectly on a frozen building, shattering ice to cushion the impact, setting Shidou down. He leans over the railing, inhaling deeply, and shouts with all his might.
"Yoshinoooo!!"
"…Shidou…san…!!"
Yoshino halts Zadkiel's slide, looking up from its back, tears streaking her face. Shidou smiles, relieved.
"Yoshino, I've got something for you."
No time to linger. As he reaches for the puppet—
"Itsuka Shidou!!"
"Shidou!!"
The girl and Kotori's voices overlap as a beam streaks toward Yoshino.
"Origami!?"
Turning, Shidou sees Origami in AST gear, aiming a massive cannon, joined by wizards encircling Yoshino.
"You two! It's dangerous, evacuate!!"
An amplified AST voice warns, but Shidou focuses on Yoshino's trembling voice.
"Ugh…!"
"Yoshino!!"
"Noooo!!"
Fear reclaims her. Shidou's voice can't quell the killing intent. In a frenzy, she unleashes Zadkiel's cold, its mouth gaping as if charging.
"Ugh…!"
"Overzealous much…!" the girl mutters, rushing to Shidou as he slips on ice. AST's barrage, blocked by spiritual rain, does nothing.
The girl senses this cold wave could kill Shidou. Bracing futilely, she prepares to grab him—
"!"
She stops, sensing spiritual power. The cold is blocked—by a massive throne.
"…Sandalfon…?"
Shidou gapes. Tohka's sealed Angel, Sandalfon, protects him. Kotori explains via earpiece. The girl, looking up, confirms her earlier feeling. Tohka's attachment to Shidou triggered Sandalfon's manifestation. Impressive, for a boy who'd defy the world for Princess.
Yoshino, startled by Sandalfon, flees with Zadkiel. AST pursues, Origami glancing at the throne before following. Then—
"Shidou!!"
"Tohka!! …Huh?"
Tohka appears, but her form shocks him. Her dark hair sways, her uniform shimmering with spiritual light. The girl observes—Tohka's power is a fraction of Princess's, but enough for combat.
"…Sorry, for everything."
"Huh…?"
"I got mad for no reason… didn't thank you, caused trouble… I wanted to apologize…"
"No, it was my fault…"
Their spat resolves. Shidou clenches his fist, swallowing, resolute. He glances at the girl, then faces Tohka.
"Tohka, I need a favor."
"What's with the formality?"
"Lend me your strength. I want to save Yoshino!!"
The girl nods—Shidou's promise was delivery to Yoshino. With Tohka's power restored, it's a solid choice.
But Tohka's eyes waver sadly.
"Yoshino… that girl? So she's more important than me…"
"No, that's not it!! She's—a Spirit, like you!!"
"What!?"
Tohka's shocked, puzzled. Kotori protests, but Shidou presses on.
"She's like you!! With powers she can't control, suffering all this time…!!"
With Tohka's help, there's a chance. It's unfair to ask, but—
"I promised to save her, to be her hero. I can't do it alone—please, Tohka, help me!!"
Bowing deeply, he pleads. Tohka feels a thorn in her heart dissolve. Called unwanted by Yoshinon, rejected despite debate, unable to welcome Yoshino. Jealousy swirled, making her feel unneeded. But no—she remembers.
"That's right. This is the man who saved me…"
A murmur, lost in the rain. Her eyes clear of doubt.
"Done talking?"
"Who!?" Tohka snaps, turning to the voice, alert. Shidou, realizing the girl's unique presence, steps between them.
"Wait! She's a Spirit like you and saved me!"
"A Spirit… her?"
Shidou nods. Tohka glares, but the girl, unfazed, speaks theatrically.
"Just a passing Spirit. Nice to meet you… or something."
"Got it, Passing Person. I'm Yatogami Tohka."
Tohka accepts her, startling Shidou—and maybe the girl, though her face is hidden. Ignoring them, Tohka strides to Sandalfon, kicking it over.
"Tohka!?"
"Get on. We're chasing her, right?"
She leaps onto the throne's backrest, voice commanding. Shidou, briefly stunned, nods firmly, his face bright.
"Thanks, Tohka!!"
"No need. Let's go—hold on!!"
Grinning slightly, she shifts to a fierce expression, accelerating Sandalfon into the air. It skids across ice like a surfboard, matching the girl's speed. Shidou clings to its ornate backrest.
"Can't slow down or we'll lose her—!"
"Tohka, front!!"
Ice spears block Sandalfon's path. Tohka, ready to draw her blade, is outpaced by a godlike speed.
"Passing Person!!"
"Call me what you want—I'll clear the way. Keep going."
Tohka agrees. Shidou's eyes lock on the girl's sword. Colorless—not white, not transparent, but nothing. It mirrors her presence, slicing ice spears effortlessly.
"What's that, Shidou!?"
"Huh!?"
A new sight stuns them. Reine's calm voice explains.
"Yoshino's barrier. Well-crafted."
A hemispheric blizzard, auto-attacking spiritual or magical power. Impenetrable—unless human.
"Itsuka Shidou, Yatogami Tohka! Above!!"
"What!?"
A floating building—Origami carrying its tip, swinging it down.
"That's bold!"
"No one interferes with Shidou!!"
Tohka grips Sandalfon's handle, soaring to meet the building. Shidou shouts, but she's too late. The building hits the blizzard—
Time stops.
"Huh?"
The building splits under Tohka's slash, fragments shredded. To Shidou, its fall slowed momentarily.
"Damn it!!"
Sandalfon plunges into the blizzard, freezing as it's sensed. The girl grabs Shidou, landing safely. Her earlier words drowned out.
"Sorry, you saved me again…"
"No. Yatogami Tohka helped, but… promise fulfilled, Itsuka Shidou."
"Yeah, thanks—for everything."
Without her, he'd be dead, unreconciled with Tohka. He tucks the puppet away. Yoshino's in the barrier. His path is clear. He steps forward.
"Shidou, wait! Entering the barrier as a human? Relying on healing? That's reckless!!"
"Didn't you stay calm when I got shot?"
He teases Kotori's panic. He's revived from near-death injuries—near-undead resilience.
"This is different!! Not a single bullet—it's like walking through shotgun blasts! The barrier freezes spiritual power. You can't heal inside!"
"Spiritual power… my healing's from that?"
"…!"
Kotori gasps. Shidou understands her worry—he hates stressing his sister. But he doesn't stop.
"Kotori—I'm going."
"No!! Stop, Onii-chan—"
He removes the earpiece, pocketing it, and steps toward the blizzard.
"You'll die," the girl says bluntly.
Shidou chuckles. Foolish, reckless—she's right. But—
"I promised to save Yoshino, to be her hero. I won't let that be a lie."
No time to die.
He strides into the death zone. Watching, the girl understands why she was drawn to him. He's light to her darkness, embracing despair to offer hope. Consciously or not, she fell for him.
Maybe they fell for each other.
Shidou will face Kurumi. Their unexpected meeting's outcome—fortune or misfortune—is unclear. But hope blooms. If it bears fruit—
"Let's meet again, Itsuka Shidou."
Her certain voice fades as Shidou vanishes into the blizzard.