"Tsk tsk, the First Spirit, huh? Judging by your powers, it must be an extremely powerful long-range bombardment-type ability, how interesting." With a glance at the whole room—where Miku and the Yamai sisters had all gone on alert when Origami appeared—Tohka just waved her hand dismissively. Then she led Origami out of the room up onto the roof.
"So, you've found that phantom already? What do you think of her?" Once on the rooftop, Tohka looked at Origami with curiosity. She hadn't read much of the later novels, so she really wondered why this girl would attack the phantom. Didn't she realize it was exactly that which had led to her parents' deaths?
"Hmph." Hearing Tohka's question, Origami's expression grew incredibly dark. She turned to Tohka and said coldly, "So all the Spirits before were caused by that one, right? I'll make her pay. At the very least, I won't allow her to hand the crystal to that Flame Spirit five years ago."
Seeing her reaction, Tohka knew Origami had guessed it. Especially after everything that happened, and Shido's explanations, she didn't seem to harbor as much hatred for Kotori anymore. No, it was probably more accurate to say she hated the one responsible for all this—the phantom. Perhaps because that figure had hidden itself too well, or perhaps because it simply didn't care, in the end it had still handed over the Spirit crystal.
"Oh my, don't get so worked up." But she still had to say something, so Tohka sighed and added, "Anyway, I wish you luck." She restrained herself from telling the full truth. Who knew whether this girl would believe her? And if she ended up hating Tohka too, it would just be annoying. Though to be honest, Tohka suspected she already did.
"Right—your half of your Spirit power." Just as Tohka was about to contact Kurumi Tokisaki, she remembered she still needed to get Origami's power. Once Origami achieved her goal, this world line was bound to change—and even Tohka couldn't be sure what would happen then. So, she had to prepare first.
"I understand. Take it." Without hesitating at all, Origami immediately did as Tohka said, pouring half of her Spirit energy into Tohka's body. After all, Spirit power could be recovered later.
Once she received Origami's power, Tohka didn't even bother to check what changes had occurred inside herself. She simply called Kurumi's name. That girl had been spying on them all along anyway—Tohka couldn't be bothered to care as long as she didn't overstep—so finding her was easy.
"Oh my, little Tohka—why didn't you go to find the Second Spirit? Why are you coming to me? Could it be there's something interesting you want me for?" As Tohka finished speaking, a shadow appeared in front of them. Kurumi herself emerged from it, and Tohka could tell this was the true body, not one of the many clones watching her.
"You must have guessed it already. This little Spirit next to me has business with you." Tohka sighed and spread her hands helplessly. She didn't have any way to help with this part and was perfectly happy to just watch. When Origami eventually inverse and lost control, she was ready to jump in and stop her.
"Hmm, let me see... Isn't this your classmate? Why didn't you go find Shido? What are you coming to me for?" Kurumi smiled sweetly as she brought her face right up to Origami's, then circled around her appraisingly.
"I know you can travel back in time. I want you to send me to five years ago—right here in Tengu City." Origami had no intention of wasting time exchanging pleasantries. She went straight to the point, her voice icy.
"Ah, five years ago? I don't know what exactly you're planning to change, but I'll say this—doing so will cost you a lot of time, you know. And what happens...I really can't guarantee." Kurumi chuckled, clearly intrigued.
"I understand. Do it. I'll give you as much time as you need." Origami stepped closer, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"This girl... Why is she acting so defiant now? Shouldn't she be scared out of her wits?" Tohka muttered quietly to herself. "Whatever, I'll take this chance to make Kurumi drain some of her time too. Then I can watch the show firsthand."
So, she moved behind Kurumi and whispered a few things into her ear.
"Oh ho... I see. All right—let's begin." Kurumi let out her signature laugh. With a flick of her small hand, a shadow spread out from under her feet, engulfing both Tohka and Origami. In an instant, the rooftop returned to silence.
But a moment later, Tohka climbed back out of the darkness.
"That's all the time you're taking? Shouldn't you grab a little more while you're at it?" Tohka looked puzzled. She could feel that Kurumi hadn't siphoned much time at all. Given that she herself now had nearly limitless reserves, she wouldn't have minded Kurumi taking more.
"Fufufu... Even though you have so much time, unless you completely drop your guard, there's only so much I can take. Besides, I can't bring an extra person back into the past—though sending a part of their consciousness is no problem." Kurumi walked up to her, smiling mischievously.
"All right, all right, hurry up and extract Origami's time." Seeing Kurumi inching closer, Tohka pressed a hand to her face and pushed her away.
"Such a pity... Very well." Kurumi's smile didn't falter. With that, the slightly dazed-looking Origami reappeared before them. Clearly, having her time drained had taken a toll on her stamina.