On the left behind her walked Inori, quietly following in a pink maid outfit. On the right trailed Tsugumi, wearing a black gothic lolita dress with cat ears. At the front, Kurumi Tokisaki led the way in a splendid black short dress, looking every bit the refined young lady on an elegant outing.
"Kurumi, I didn't expect you to invite me out yourself," said Shu Ouma, who had completely recovered thanks to Hare Menjou's Void.
"Mm. There are some things I need to say to you, Shu. Let's talk as we walk," Kurumi replied, her voice calm and graceful as she held her small folding fan, smiling with elegant poise.
The streets were growing lively again as more people filled them. Tokyo was gradually returning to normal, its citizens slowly regaining the rhythm of peaceful life.
"Kurumi, isn't that the same dress you wore to the cruise banquet last time?" Shu asked nervously, trying to find something to talk about. There wouldn't be any interruptions this time—he was determined to tell her how he felt.
"Yes. It's my favorite dress," Kurumi said, narrowing her eyes with a gentle smile. "So I decided to wear it today. I want to be my most beautiful self." Her smile was the same serene one she had shown at the very beginning—kind and polite to everyone, yet distant, a smile meant only for acquaintances, not for someone close.
"You're still angry at me, aren't you, Kurumi?" Shu asked softly, his tone tinged with melancholy. Though she was smiling, her expression reminded him of the school idol she once was—always smiling, yet surrounded by an invisible barrier that made her seem unreachable.
"Not at all," Kurumi replied, her tone light. "When I think about it carefully, you're the kind of person who has the heart but not the courage to act on it. I suppose you were just misunderstood." Her eyes didn't turn toward Shu at all as she strolled through the street, her gaze instead moving from one stall to the next with polite curiosity.
"She's definitely still mad," Shu thought helplessly. How am I supposed to confess like this? The atmosphere's completely wrong. She's giving off this... wall of distance.
Maybe I should just say it outright, he decided. It's not like I expect anything in return. As long as I don't regret it later, that's enough. He took a deep breath, feeling foolish for all the anxiety he'd put himself through these past few days just to find the right moment.
"Kurumi, are you here to enjoy the festival too?" Just as Shu was about to confess, an unexpected voice cut in. Arisa Kuhouin approached with a bright smile.
"Festival?" Kurumi blinked in mild surprise. Although she had noticed the wish trees along the street, she hadn't recalled what festival it was supposed to be.
"Yes! Today is the tenth day after the apocalypse. To thank the Angel for saving humanity, it's been declared the Thanksgiving Festival. It'll be very lively tonight," Arisa explained with a playful wink, her refined demeanor melting into genuine cheerfulness.
"Oh, a festival in my honor? That sounds rather delightful," Kurumi said, eyes glimmering with amusement. Since it was her festival, she might as well enjoy it to the fullest.
"Kurumi, why don't we make a wish at the tree? They say the higher you hang your wish, the more likely it'll come true," Arisa suggested brightly.
Kurumi looked at the tree, covered in countless paper wishes, and nodded. She went to a nearby stall to get a piece of wishing paper and began writing carefully.
"Damn it," Shu muttered under his breath. "That Arisa had to show up now of all times! Does she think I'll back down just because of her?" He clenched his fists, psyching himself up.
Just then, he felt a chill down his spine. Turning around, he froze. Oh no—behind him were familiar faces. The entire group from the movie theater, all glaring daggers at him. When they saw that he'd noticed them, they all made the same gesture—dragging a thumb across their throats.
"Don't think I'm scared just because there are a lot of you," Shu said calmly, meeting their eyes.
Then Shibungi stepped forward, holding a machete.
"Machetes are only effective for girls. They're useless in a guy's hands," Shu said with a straight face.
Next, Oogumo, another member of Funeral Parlor, pulled out an oar.
"What, trying to send me off on a good ship? Sorry, but your combat power's way below mine," Shu said, still completely unfazed.
That was the last straw. The entire "Kill Shu Ouma Squad" erupted in fury. Members of the FFF group donned hoods, raised crosses, ropes, and candles—all ready to "burn the heretic."
"Hmph! I've already left the singles' ranks," Shu declared proudly, smiling. "Your FFF flames can't touch me anymore."
Seeing Shu Ouma's increasingly smug expression, Segai grinned in that strange, unsettling way of his. He didn't pull out a weapon—instead, he produced a stamp, the official seal of the President of Japan.
"You shameless scoundrel! Using power for personal gain?!" Shu's expression changed instantly. You can't fight the government, as the saying goes—going against Segai now would only end badly for him.
"I... will... surrender... immediately," Shu mouthed silently, his lips forming the words without a sound. This time, it was Segai's turn to turn pale.
And Shu acted immediately. He walked up to Kurumi Tokisaki and said seriously, "Kurumi, what kind of person do you think I am?."
"An egocentric boy who loves to dream," Kurumi replied seriously.
"Well, I can't really argue with that." Smiling softly, Shu replied. "But to me, Kurumi, you're remarkable. You keep your promises, your words carry weight. The road you've walked has been rough—you've lived among humans for ten years to protect them. Though you're proud by nature, that pride lies quietly in your heart. You treat others with kindness. I think... you're truly, truly exceptional."
After hearing his words, Kurumi's eyes softened slightly before a knowing look flashed through them. "You're flattering me because you want something," she said calmly.
Shu exhaled in relief. Since Kurumi already understood his feelings, he didn't need to embarrass himself by saying "I like you" out loud in front of everyone.
"I know," Kurumi continued, tilting her head slightly. "You like Inori. You're always listening to her songs. You want to confess to her, right? You probably want me to give her to you."
"Wait, what?!" Shu froze. What are you talking about?! That's completely wrong!
"But love is something born from the heart," Kurumi went on matter-of-factly. "It's not something that can be traded like an object. Whether Inori follows me or stays behind—it's her decision alone. Inori, come here."
Don't just make decisions on your own! Shu wanted to shout. I don't even like Inori that way!
"Today, I'll be leaving this world," Kurumi said softly. "Take this gun. If you choose to follow me, pull the trigger on yourself. If you choose to stay, drop it." Kurumi handed the musket to Inori.
Why is this turning into something so strange?! Shu scratched his head in panic, utterly lost.
"Kurumi-chan... thank you for giving me the chance to follow you," Inori said with a gentle smile. She then raised the musket toward herself.
"Don't decide so quickly," Kurumi interrupted, her tone calm but commanding. "You should hear the terms first. If you pull the trigger, you'll become part of my time—merged with me. I might release you in the next world... or I might never release you at all."
She paused, folding her hands behind her back. "If you choose to stay, however, I'll give you the entire world."
With a wave of her hand, countless luminous screens appeared around Inori, forming a glowing cage. Each screen displayed the capital of a different nation. On each one, world leaders and countless fervent followers bowed toward Inori.
"Congratulations, O Holy Maiden!" voices in different languages proclaimed in unison. The cheers grew louder, more fevered, until it felt like the entire world was worshipping her.
"The Church of the Angel has become the universal faith of humankind," Kurumi said, her smile radiant and dangerously beautiful. "You can be adored by all, possess anything you desire—because you'll be the Holy Maiden of the world. The entire world will belong to you. Now... make your choice."
"Kurumi-chan... thank heaven for letting me meet you," Inori whispered, tilting her head slightly. Her pure, heartfelt smile was enough to shake the soul. Then she pulled the trigger. A single bullet pierced her heart.
"Kurumi-chan... all I ever wanted was you."
A shadow bloomed behind Inori, countless dark hands emerging from it. They grasped her body gently, pulling her into the darkness until she became part of it—part of Kurumi's time, a fragment of her memory and soul.
"How pitiful," Kurumi murmured, smiling faintly. "By following me, you'll have nothing left." The Ninth Bullet could preserve another's original time, but such time wasn't Kurumi's own and couldn't leave this world. Devouring was the only way to take Inori with her.
Shu stood frozen in shock. What happened to the sweet confession?! How did it turn into 'I love you so much I'll consume you'?!
"Angel-sama! Please devour me too!" Tsugumi exclaimed, clutching the hem of her gothic skirt as she performed a graceful curtsey, her movements full of elegance and sincerity. She was trying her hardest to show her beauty.
"Oh my, the little kitten stumbling after me so desperately—it's quite adorable," Kurumi said with a teasing smile, her folding fan resting under her chin. "But you should think carefully. Your treatment will be very different from Inori's." The young network genius certainly had potential to be nurtured.
"Without you, Angel-sama, my life would be without light," Tsugumi said, her smile unwavering and her eyes filled with determination.
"Good. I'll take you," Kurumi said, raising her musket and aiming it at Tsugumi. A single bullet struck her between the brows.
"Angel-sama... thank you for your mercy." With a satisfied smile, Tsugumi was also drawn into Zafkiel, becoming one with Kurumi's time.
Suddenly, a beam of white light descended from the sky, shining upon Kurumi. Narrowing her eyes, she smiled. "Ah... it seems time's up. This trip was quite enjoyable."
"Kurumi!" Shu Ouma shouted suddenly, his voice full of emotion.
"Shu, do you know why I treated you differently?" Kurumi asked softly. "I never paid much attention to men, yet I cared for you—looked after you, forgave you, comforted you. Do you know why?" Her smile was sweet, tinged with a girlish charm.
"Why?" Shu's heart pounded violently in his chest.
"Actually... we met ten years ago," Kurumi said, smiling playfully. "That painting—you remember it? It was a gift from me."
"It was you!" Shu's eyes widened. Though childhood memories often faded with time, once she mentioned it, everything came flooding back.
"I've often thought," Kurumi continued gently, "if only I had tried harder back then, maybe I could've saved you and your sister. Thinking that way... I always felt like I destroyed the happy life you could've had."
"I felt guilty. That's why I wanted to make it up to you. My kindness, my care—it was to ease that guilt." Kurumi bowed deeply within the pillar of light. "I'm sorry, Shu. My gentleness toward you was only my way of atoning for the past."
Shu stood frozen, his mind reeling as tears began to fall. "That's not true..." he muttered, gripping his hair in anguish.
Kurumi lifted her head and smiled faintly. "You've said so much about me, Shu. Allow me to summarize your evaluation—with a proper self-introduction."
"Time never lies, its flow ever relentless. Madness yet tenderness. Threefold rebirth. My name is Kurumi Tokisaki. Please, remember me well."
As the beam of light faded, Kurumi vanished from the street, leaving behind only a single piece of paper fluttering in the wind.
Shu, on the verge of collapse, picked it up. It was Kurumi Tokisaki's wish.
Kurumi Tokisaki: 'I want to return again.'
Alongside the compensation and apology cards, the third card Kurumi had prepared for Shu appeared—its name: The Regret Card.
Driven by a desperate impulse, Shu suddenly began to run. He sprinted up the stairs of a building beside the wish tree, leaned out from the rooftop, and hung Kurumi's little paper slip at the very top.
Legend said that the higher a wish was hung, the more likely it was to come true.
"Kurumi Tokisaki... even so, I still love you," Shu whispered, his eyes soft and full of warmth.