"..." Hearing Tohka's words, Origami was stunned. Then she carefully recalled what had happened that day. After all, she had basically climbed back from the gates of hell, so even after so long, she still didn't like to think about how she had survived. Tohka's attack back then had shattered her spatial field.
But now that she thought about it, she realized—at that moment, there had been a phantom figure that blocked the strike before anyone could even react.
"You mean that phantom? The one my squad leader and all the instruments couldn't detect?!" Sure enough, when she understood what Tohka meant, Origami's eyes widened in shock. She really didn't want to remember that, but if Tohka was bringing it up, it meant she knew something important.
"That's right. I'll tell you something else—remember Kurumi Tokisaki? You should know her power can send people back into the past. As long as you offer enough time, you can do it." Tohka watched as Origami's pupils shrank to pinpoints. She knew this girl had already been tempted, so she didn't stop talking. "But if you want to go back—especially five years—that will require an enormous amount of time. Even if you sacrificed the rest of your lifespan, it wouldn't be enough."
"Then tell me what to do. Hurry up and tell me!" At that, Origami ignored all questions of sides or principles. She lunged to her feet and grabbed Tohka by the collar, desperate to hear the solution. Even if she and Tohka were rivals, she knew Tohka wasn't the kind of person to dangle hope just to stomp on her later. If Tohka was saying this, she really had a way.
"Oh my, don't be so hasty." Tohka smiled faintly. "Ordinary humans truly can't manage it—but Spirits are different. Spirits possess long, nearly endless lives. So, if you become a Spirit, you can give Kurumi enough time."
"..." Origami, still gripping Tohka's collar, froze. She had never imagined Tohka would say that. But after only a moment's hesitation, she spoke again. "Then how do I become a Spirit?"
"That's better." Tohka said. "Spirits can be born from humans. Go and find that phantom. It's right nearby. As for Kurumi—after you become a Spirit, come back to me. I'll need half your spirit power before I'll help you contact her." As she said this, Tohka looked perfectly calm. Why was she so sure the phantom was close? Because the moment she started this conversation, she had activated her phone and called Reine Murasame—everything they said had been transmitted to her.
"So, this was your goal? Isn't it a little rushed?" Reine's voice came through the phone, sounding mildly surprised that Tohka had made such a request.
"Let her have it. She already has almost full affection for Shido anyway. If she ends up reversing, I'll handle it and stop her." Tohka shrugged indifferently. But then she seemed to think of something and asked curiously, "How's that Spirit called Natsumi? If you haven't dealt with it yet, I'll go catch the little brat myself."
"She's taken care of. It got a bit complicated, but in the end it all went well. You don't need to worry about it." Reine sounded relaxed. "Anyway, I'm hanging up—I see the little girl now."
....
"Hey, Tohka—are you alright? What happened with her? She's not coming back, is she?" Just then, Nia ran over, looking worried. She'd noticed Origami's hatred for Spirits was intense, and her combat strength wasn't low either. So, she'd been concerned this would turn into a real fight.
"Don't worry—she probably won't have time to bother us again for a while." Tohka waved dismissively. But she quickly noticed that Nia was giving her a strange look. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You—you're not Akame at all! Akame would never wear safety shorts! You're ruining her image!" Nia pointed an accusing finger at her, her voice full of righteous indignation. Tohka had been flying toward her, and since she was wearing a short skirt, it had fluttered up in the breeze. Nia had clearly seen the safety shorts she'd put on underneath.
"Tohka, what did you do? I feel like Nia's affection for you is dropping fast." Just then, Tohka's phone vibrated with a message from Kotori.
....
As for Tohka herself, she stood there in a daze, her hair and skirt fluttering in the wind. What was all this supposed to be? She had never heard of someone losing affection points for wearing safety shorts. Was she supposed to go cosplay Railgun instead?
....
The next morning, Tohka's house received an unexpected visitor. Last night, after scolding her about the shorts, Nia had stormed off in a huff. Tohka hadn't been able to chase her down, so she'd ended up going home and crashing with Miku and the Yamai sisters.
Now, a girl surrounded by a glowing halo like a crown appeared before them. What shocked everyone was the overwhelming power emanating from her—she was clearly a Spirit, and not a support-type like Miku or Nia.
"To think you'd be in such a hurry—not even waiting for your power to stabilize." Tohka looked a little surprised at the sight.
"Enough talk. Fulfill the promise you made me yesterday." Origami's voice was flat but unwavering as she stared straight at Tohka.