When Katsu woke up, the first feeling was pain - his whole body was sore, especially his eyes, which he could hardly open. The second feeling was warmth and softness - of course, it was the feeling coming from his right hand - subconsciously, Katsu pinched it, and then from the feeling, he instantly knew the identity of the person holding his hand.
He heard that familiar, magnetic and pleasant voice: "Ah, Katsu-kun, are you awake?"
"… …" Katsu didn't say anything, because he didn't have much strength.
"Hmm---it seems like he's awake, his breathing is different. Since he's awake, I'll leave first. The main body has a mission for me~"
"… …" Hearing this, Katsu opened his eyes with difficulty, and what came into his sight was Kurumi's dreamy eyes with a faint smile---
"Just now... you said the main body..."
"Oh, you noticed it, yes, I am a clone. Are you disappointed?"
"I'm still happy that you visit" he tried to smile but his body is a bit hard to move from the pain so it looked like he is twitching.
"Hehehe, just as the main body said, you act like a child~ Don't worry, the original just left ten minutes ago. She's been helping you using "Fourth Bullet" to heal you. She only left after making sure that your condition is stable." Kurumi still explained to "herself" with a smile.
"Is that so---" Katsu's face immediately lit up.
"… …" Kurumi…the clone looked at him with a smile, and after a long while, he let go of Katsu's hand, then chuckled and said, "Okay, now that you're awake, it's time for me to leave. I have to bring the news to you so that the original body can be completely relieved before waking up."
"-Ah, then go quickly and don't let Kurumi worry too much."
"...Ah, Katsu-kun is really partial to one person and not to the other. I am obviously also [Tokisaki Kurumi] but I am jealous of myself---"
… …
… …
On the top of a building in Tengu City, stood a girl so beautiful that she seemed to not belong to this world.
She was wearing a dress made of blood-red and shadow-like black. Her hair was tied into two black ponytails with uneven volume on the left and right, and her skin was as white as white porcelain. Each of these elements was enough to leave a mark on people's eyes and hearts.
However, the most impressive part for those who saw her must be her unique eyes. ---The left and right eyes are different colors, like a dream, like an elf playing in the world---no...it should be said that she is an elf...
Kurumi lowered her gaze from originally looking up at the stars to looking down at the night view of the city.
The bustling night scene of the city was clearly reflected in her beautiful heterochromatic eyes, but there was no anxiety at all. It was obvious that she was thinking about other things, so she was not in the mood to enjoy the night scene.
"Oh----Katsu-kun it's really worrying..." Kurumi sighed softly.
Anxiety reappeared in her pupils - Kurumi liked to go to the top floors of tall buildings, not because she wanted to enjoy the night view, but because places, where she could have a panoramic view of the surrounding area, made it easier for her to grasp the locations of the "Kurumis" she released into the street.
That's right. It was simply because I learned something through my clone.
"...Ah~" Kurumi shrugged slightly and sighed again.
Then, within a few minutes, someone's presence appeared on the top floor of the building, which should have been empty. Kurumi turned around and faced the back.
"──This is really a rare visitor. Didn't you run away before?" Kurumi said and looked at the visitor.
Standing there was a girl in pure white clothes. She was still able to maintain a clear outline in the dark night because she was emitting a faint light.
"You are quite delicious now~" Kurumi licked her lips.
Seeing Kurumi licking her lips, Origami remained calm. Whether it was alertness, panic, or even disgust, none of these emotions could be seen on her face.
She originally thought that Origami was trying to say that there was no need to be wary of Kurumi - but that might not be the case. Although there was no definite evidence, for some reason, Kurumi felt that Origami's eyes were hiding other intentions, strong intentions that made her completely ignore other emotions.
However, Kurumi couldn't understand Origami's purpose. She exchanged glances with Origami, who remained silent for a moment, and exhaled, "Puh---" "Can you please let that child go? I think she has important news to report to me."
Listening to Kurumi's helpless words, Origami paused, then slowly moved her right hand forward - her right hand that was grabbing the limp "Kurumi"'s neck, then loosened.
"Oooooh...ah..." The girl who looked exactly like Kurumi screamed in pain. Upon closer inspection, the Astral Dresses she was wearing covered with horrible wounds.
It seemed that she was severely beaten before arriving here.
But even so, this "Kurumi" took a few more breaths and smiled at Kurumi: "Katsu woke up."
Hearing this, Kurumi heaved a sigh of relief, then raised the corner of her mouth slightly with an arc of unknown meaning and looked at Origami---
"Fortunately, Katsu-kun didn't see it~"
"… …" Origami remained silent.
"Well, then tell me your purpose. You don't want to show off by sending my defeated clone to me, do you?"
"Because it's difficult to find you in person, it's much easier to capture your clone who's blending into the streets..." Origami spoke, as if explaining her actions.
"Ahhhhhh --- you are really rude."
"Not killing her is already a mercy."
"Oh...really?" Kurumi stroked her lips with her fingers and frowned.
"So, what do you want from me? Do you think you can defeat me just by turning into a spirit? If you use the power of my clone as a standard, you will suffer."
"…I…am not here to challenge you."
However, Kurumi raised the corner of her mouth and said provocatively: "Oh, this doesn't sound like something that Miss Origami, who hates spirits, would say~"
At this time, Origami twitched her eyebrows for the first time. Even so, Origami still did not attack Kurumi.
She was increasingly confused about Origami's purpose. Kurumi shrugged exaggeratedly.
"So, what exactly do you want to see me for? You're not here to have tea with me, are you?"
Hearing Kurumi ask a question again, Origami took a deep breath: "I want you to... answer me a question."
"A question...? Hehe, whether I can answer it or not depends on the content of your question." Kurumi said jokingly.
Origami probably regarded Kurumi's answer as her agreement, and continued to stare at Kurumi, "Your angel [Zafkiel] is an angel who manipulates time. Then, the twelve numbers on the dial have different abilities."
Kurumi stroked her chin, which was as delicate as a work of art, without saying a word. What Origami said was basically correct. But... there was nothing to be wary of. Although she had never explained it to Origami in detail, Origami had witnessed her using the Angel [Zafkiel] before.
However, what Origami said next made Kurumi frown involuntarily.
"--Among those twelve numbers, is there a bullet that can send the target it hits back in time?" Origami correctly said that Kurumi had never used it in front of others - and even the people who knew about it were only herself, Katsu's and him.
Having said that, Kurumi did not doubt that it was Katsu who told her, because she knew him --- and as for that "Him", it was even less of a consideration...
A girl as smart as her could easily deduce other abilities from the ability of [Zafkiel] that she had seen before. The power to manipulate time - it was natural for her to guess that she could go back in time.
"…If so, so what?" Kurumi asked Origami with a puzzled look.
It's easy to lie and play dumb. However, Kurumi didn't do that. One of the reasons was that the incident happened suddenly and she was shocked... More importantly, if she said "no", it seemed that she would deny her and Katsu's wishes.
Origami may have regarded Kurumi's answer as a positive response, as she continued, "—Tokisaki Kurumi, I want to borrow your power."
"...What?" Hearing Origami's unexpected words, Kurumi couldn't help but widen her eyes: "What did you just say?"
"I said I wanted to borrow your power. Your... angel power."
"...Ah---." Kurumi stroked her chin and looked at Origami's whole body as if she was exploring her intentions.
"You mean, you want me to use the [Twelfth Bullet] for you?"
"That's right."
"..." After Kurumi silently revealed a gentle smile, she suddenly opened her right hand.
Then an ancient and exquisite pistol flew from the shadow under her feet into her hand. At the same time, Kurumi pointed the gun at Origami and pulled the trigger without hesitation.
The shadow bullet that had already been loaded into the gun was fired towards Origami.
However, just as the bullet was about to sink into Origami's soft skin, her body turned into a beam of light and then disappeared. The shadow bullet lost its target and cut straight through the dark night.
After a moment, Kurumi felt someone's presence behind her and turned around immediately. Origami, who had just disappeared, was standing behind her.
"Your power is very strong, but it means nothing if you miss."
"Ah~ You've learned some wonderful tricks." Kurumi hid her inner displeasure, smiled and continued: "However, the action just now is my answer. I'm sorry that I can't meet your expectations. The [Twelfth Bullet] is also a special one among the bullets I have, and there is no reason why I have to use it on you."
"..." Even though Kurumi said this, Origami still stared into Kurumi's eyes, with no intention of moving.
After an unknown amount of time, Kurumi sighed slightly. It was unknown whether it was because of the kindness in her heart that was unknown to outsiders, or because she thought of herself and Katsu, she finally asked helplessly:
"I'd better... just ask, what do you plan to do with the [Twelfth Bullet]?"