Chapter 38: Kurumi's Time

"Unh... Aah... Koff-koff!"

Shido groaned, slowly regaining consciousness after being thrown out of the raucous venue.

He blinked his eyes open and found himself sprawled on the cold ground, gazing up at a peculiar sight. The ceiling above him, a forgotten canvas, whispered tales of neglect and abandonment. Faded patches of paint clung defiantly, struggling to preserve remnants of a vibrant past.

"an unfamiliar ceiling..."

Shido scratched his head, trying to shake off the dizziness that engulfed him. As a moment of silence settled in, his memories of what had happened flooded back.

"Right. Tohka!" His clouded mind finally cleared, and he remembered the situation he was in.

Yes. Tohka had been left alone in the venue.

Gritting his teeth, he braced himself, using his arms to support his body as he stood up. shifting his eyes around. The room he found himself in was strangely dark, despite it being the middle of the day.

"hmm?" Turning his head to the side, he noticed a large hole in the wall, presumably the way he had come through.

Moving toward it, Shido's eyes widened as he realized it was already nighttime outside

"How many hours passed after that?"

shifting his gaze down, shido could see the people moving between the streets. however, the way they move, he can tell they are under Miku's control.

It seemed that Miku had decided the audience from the festival was not

enough and was steadily increasing the number of conscripts. He didn't know

how powerful Gabriel was, but if this kept up, they'd find him sooner or later.

however, his mind was worried about something else

"Tohka.."

trying to calm down and analyze the situation, he sinks into deep thinking.

he heard Ellen saying something about capturing tohka, then in that scenario, tohka is already in DEM's hands.

There is also a chance she falls under Miku's control.

"The first theory is more logical, but..."

He tapped his earpiece in frustration. But all he heard was static. No voice came through.

"What...am I going to do...?"

Anguish filled his face, and he slammed his fist into the floor, and the whole building shake in the impact

"should i go back—however if tohka was under Miku's control, i would be doomed, and if she was in DEM's hand... alone against them, it's a suicidal act"

shido arrived at a conclusion— he can do nothing alone

"I..." He gritted his teeth. "I...!"

The moment Shido gave voice to this overwhelming sense of powerlessness...

"Hee-hee."

...someone laughed.

"...!" shido gaze immediately shifted toward the source. inside him, he feel he knows that voice, which moved a sense of... happiness inside of him somehow

"Hee-hee-hee, your face is quite gloomy indeed."

A shadow danced in the dark side of the room. A dress of bloody crimson and shadowy black. Dark hair tied up asymmetrically to either side. The face of a clock in her left eye, the hands regularly carving out each second. And her countenance, so exquisite that it seemed almost manufactured, was colored with a cheeky smile that could have been read as joy or contempt

"Kurumi..."

"You seem to be in a terrible situation, don't you, Shido? Why don't we have a little chat?"

"..." shido reminded silence, after all, he know Kurumi very well, to realize she was up to something

singing the tension on Kurumi, her eyebrows twitched slightly as she relaxed her shoulders.

"Ara, did I mistake things—I saw a Spirit abducting Yoshino, Hikaru, and the Yamai sisters, Tohka-san captured by DEM Industries... and your helpless expression."

"so tohka got captured by the DEM" he mumbled under his breath, as he turned his eyes toward Kurumi

"...Why do you know all of these?"

"Ufufu, please don't ask such boring questions. As long as it concerns Shidou-san, doesn't it mean that I have a right to know?"

"so you're a stalker after all..."

"HUH?"

"I said what are you here for? do you intend to "eat" me?"

"Mm, I don't disagree –But, as I have mentioned earlier. Right now, I wish to negotiate with Shidou-san."

"Do you really want me to believe what you say?"

"Do I have a reason to lie now?

Shidou was silenced by her words. thinking about the whole thing.

she knows about his situation, so that means she is here to offer her help in exchange for something. if he wants to save tohka and Stob Miku, he has to take the risk. and as long as his friends are okay, he would give his life gladly to her.

As Shidou thought hopelessly while keeping up his guard, he looked back at her, "What was it that you wanted to negotiate with me?"

"It's simple, shido-san. i have something to search for in DEM Industries, so while i help you to save Tohka-san, i would like to use you as bait. It's give and take."

"Reasons...?"

"Mm. I wish to find someone."

"Someone? Who could that be?"

"It's a secret."

Kurumi placed a finger on her lips and blinked at Shidou. In return, Shidou casted eyes of suspicion upon her, however at the end of the chat, he let a sigh as he extended his hand, "...I understand. I accept your deal. Please, assist me, Kurumi..."

Shido expect her to shake his hand as a sign of their partnership, however

"Mm – it'd be my pleasure." Kurumi elegantly lifted the hems of her dress and curtsied instead.

"..."

Part 2

The room was bathed in an eerie glow, illuminated by the flickering screens that adorned the walls. Sir Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott sat in his chair, his eyes fixated on the laptop screen before him.

The live feed displayed his servant, Ellen, interrogating the spirit known as "Princess."

A wide grin spread across his face, growing larger with each torment inflicted upon Tohka.

it was obvious he was enjoying what he was watching. however

"You are as disgusting as I remember, aren't you?"

the satisfaction was short-lived as a voice pierced the air from the depths of the room, dripping with disdain and bitterness.

He raised his head slightly, his eyes meeting the figure that had emerged from the shadows. Despite already knowing who it was, he feigned surprise, his smile turning playful.

"Well, well, what do we have here? An unexpected guest, indeed,"

The owner of the voice stepped forward, revealing a figure cloaked in darkness. Her silhouette hinted at an exquisite beauty, though her eyes burned with a deep-seated loathing. Long golden hair cascaded down her back, a stark contrast to her piercing crimson eyes.

"You're not going to accept death, after all, huh?"

With measured steps, she closed the distance between them and took a seat.

"My, my. Aren't you being harsh, my dear?"

"Don't call me that again, old man. Consider this your last warning."

He chuckled, a chilling sound that echoed through the room. His amusement seemed to mock her resolve as if he found her defiance entertaining.

"So? You take control over the body after all, what takes you so long?"

"None of your business"

"Is that so? So why are you here then? I am trying to make a conversation here, but it seems you don't want it"

fists clenched at her sides, her crimson eyes narrowing with contempt, "He already killed you. We already did. But you always come back. Why can't you leave me alone?"

Sir Isaac's smile widened, the corners of his lips curling into a sinister grin. He leaned back in his chair, seemingly uncared by her words.

"That's exactly why, My little girl, Hikaru"

Biting her lip, Hikaru abruptly stood from her seat, her back turned to Sir Isaac as she prepared to leave without further words.

"leaving so soon?" he mocked. "I was just about to order your favorite food – a hamburger."

Pausing at the threshold, "This will be the last death, so watch your back closely, Father" she seethed, closing the door behind her.

"What a troublesome daughter I have," he said as he shifted his gaze back to the screen.

Part 3

"——————————————— "

In the central stage of the Tengu square, spread a wave of excitement.

That was because a giant glowing organ was standing upright in the middle of the stage – Gabriel<Army-Breaker Diva>. In front of it stood Miku in her Astral Dress, playing the glowing

keys of the organ, while singing loudly.

The audience who had become Miku's loyal fans, watched as though she was a goddess. There were also occasions when people fainted from the moving music.

Because the men were all moved out of the square, and are serving as bouncers. Hence the audience within Miku's line of sight were all women. They were all waving purple glowsticks,

squealing at Miku's every movement.

On that note, the current performance was currently being broadcasted live throughout the town through the public announcement speakers that were set up throughout the town.

With this, the people who have heard the music would become Miku's new underlings, searching for that terrible man.

"...uu"

The terrible memories of a few hours ago glimpsed through her mind, and Miku unknowingly twitched.

The performance coincidentally ended at that point, and the square was instantly filled with

thundering applause.

If it was like usual, this would be the moment when she felt a great sense of accomplishment. But right now she was feeling annoyed because of that man's face that constantly appeared in her mind.

Miku held a look of unhappiness, as she neared the unused microphone.

"Whoo..."

Letting her Angel play non-stop in order to expand her area of control, is indeed extremely tiring. Lightly sighing, she combed her sweat-stained hair upwards.

"You look tired...onee-sama, please, use... this..."

A timid voice said toward Miku. Looking there, it was a short girl wearing a maid outfit, holding

out a towel toward Miku. It was a girl who had been enslaved by Miku's concert today – Yoshino.

"Ah, it's so cute! I can't resist! I can't resist!"

Miku hugged her irresistibly.

"Ah, ah...! Onee-sama...!?"

You don't seem to be in a good mood, onee-sama. Is there something bothering you?" Hikaru, also dressed in a maid uniform, approached from the side, noticing Miku's troubled expression.

Miku sighed, her gaze drifting into the distance. "It's that man from earlier. The humiliation he caused... I can't seem to shake it off."

Hikaru's face fell, "I am deeply sorry... If I had performed my duties more effectively, you wouldn't have had to experience such humiliation."

Miku's eyes locked with Hikaru's. "Oh, my~" Miku purred, a satisfied smile adorning her face. Drawing closer, she gently placed a finger on Hikaru's lips, halting her words. "Don't say another word, my dear..."

"Onee-sama..."

Miku's finger lingered on Hikaru's lips, tracing a tantalizing path before withdrawing. A mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she leaned in closer, her breath caressing Hikaru's ear with a whispered promise.

"You see, my dear Hikaru," Miku's voice dripped with seduction, sending shivers down Hikaru's spine, "I have a plan to exact sweet revenge upon that man who dared to humiliate me."

"A.. A plan?"

"Tell me, Hikaru," Miku purred, her voice a velvety caress, "how far are you willing to go to serve me? To help me bring that man to his knees?"

A subtle tremor ran through Hikaru's body as conflicting emotions waged war within her. "I... I will do whatever it takes, Onee-sama," she whispered, her voice tinged with a mixture of determination and apprehension.

Miku's smile deepened, revealing a hunger that transcended the boundaries of ordinary desires.

Her fingers grazed Hikaru's cheek.

"That, my sweet Hikaru," Miku breathed, "after with finish with this, I'll let you serve me as a reward"

"Yes, Onee-sama,"

Miku turned around, as there stood two girls similarly dressed in maid outfits.

"Kuku, you've worked hard, aneue-sama. Please rest up."

"Incitement. Please come here, onee-sama.

They were two girls with identical looks, instantly making others wonder if they were standing in front of a mirror. But looking closely, both still possessed their own individual characteristics.

"Fufu, thank you very much"

Miku let out an enchanting voice.

--This is a place of immeasurable happiness

t was simply amazing, to the point of making Miku wonder if she was dreaming. In actuality,

Miku had already pulled her cheeks several times. Needless to say, it hurt.

Her dream was hence fulfilled. There was nobody to stop Miku.

However—

"...ku"

As the bad memories went through her mind again, Miku's face became one of anger.

--Itsuka Shiori. It was due to remembering that name and face

That man... has he been found yet?"

Listening to Miku's enraged voice, Yoshino trembled slightly.

"Ye, yes, ...that, we... we're still looking..."

"Is that so... then hurry and find—"

At that instant when Miku gave her orders, the door of the restroom opened with a "pong", and

three girls in maid outfits similar to Yoshino's walked in.

"Sorry for interrupting! Onee-sama!"

"There's an emergency! Onee-sama!"

"We have a problem! Onee-sama!"

The girls spoke in order of height.

They were the Raizen students who had originally formed a team with Shido for the performance. From the right, they are Ai, Mai, and Mii.

"You seem pretty hurried, what is it"

After being questioned by Miku, the trio confirmed with each other before speaking together.

"We, we have a problem! We found Itsuka-kun!"

"...what did you say?"

Part 4

Rewind to a few minutes ago.

Shidou and Kurumi have returned to the surroundings of the large-scale convention center located in the middle of Tenguu City: the Tenguu Square.

"It is the main base all right, there are so many people..."

The darkness enshrouded the area, punctuated only by the bone-chilling glow emanating from the entrance. A surge of people flowed ceaselessly from within, their presence evoking a sense

of foreboding.

Looking at the crowd below, Shidou's forehead began to sweat profusely.

"Are you sure you can hold them off long enough for me to reach Miku?"

"What are you saying, Shidou-san? don't you already know what iam capable of?"

Despite Kurumi's assurance, a troubled expression lingered on Shidou's face. "That's precisely why I'm asking... If your capabilities during the battle with Kotori were your maximum, you may be able to handle Yoshino and the Yamai sisters, but Hikaru is an entirely different story"

"Hmmm~" Kurumi's lips curled into a peculiar smile, her eyes glinting with anticipation. She leaned in, her breath warm against his ear. "You truly ignite my curiosity, Shidou-san. I am

looking forward to meeting her even more now."

"..."

"don't worry, I'll make sure Shidou-san gets to Miku-san—But, what happens afterwards will depend on Shidou-san's actions."

"I see..."

Silence hung in the air, the weight of their conversation settling upon them. Shido's hand instinctively rose, tenderly caressing the top of Kurumi's blood-red headdress as his fingers trailed through her silky locks.

"In case our plans go awry, do not hesitate to escape. I am undertaking this for the safety of my loved ones, and that includes you," Shido reassured, a warm smile gracing his lips.

Kurumi's cheeks flushed ever so slightly"...Alright, we are leaving. If we delay any further, the situation may worsen."

"Yeah"

The two of them dropped from a ten-story high building, from a height of over 300 meters.

the moment their foot hit the ground, the whole people in the Tenguu Square were now surrounding them.

There were at least several thousand enemies.

"--So you dare to return to my castle, you sure are confident. Shiori-san... no, Itsuka Shidou..."

A sound rang throughout Tenguu Square. It was through the speakers. There was no mistake it

was Izayoi Miku's voice.

"Miku...!"

"While I do not know what you want, but since you're here I cannot possibly let you escape right? Alright, everyone, catch him. It's alright if he suffers a bit, but please try to treat him nicely

- otherwise, I won't be able to make him suffer"

Leaving a chilling phrase, and with a "phwoosh", Miku cut the line.

What replaced the noise were the resounding voices of Miku's followers.

[UWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO--]

not moving an inch from his spot, "Kurumi, if you pleaser"

"As you wish, Shido san"

as Kurumi replied, there was a sudden sound, and the whole people around them were sucked toward the ground by an unknown force.

<City of Devouring Time>

One of Kurumi's Angel's abilities, that use up some of her own [Time]. This is how she replenishes her [Time]. Letting the people who stepped into her shadow enter a comatose state,

absorbing their [Time] - that is their life.

Shido gathers his resolve and begins to take his steps deeper toward the building. Don't overuse it... They're still innocent people.

"Mm, mm. I know" Kurumi nodded as she followed behind

(...)

"Ugu..."

Walking through the stacked crowd of fallen people, was actually a tiring thing. Shidou battled with his occasional feeling of nausea as he tiptoe.

"Come, Shidou-san"

"Alright...!"

Shidou responded to Kurumi's instruction, as he opened the doors in one breath.

"...uu"

The central stage was filled with a strange air. While the seats were filled with girls - after the intrusion of Kurumi's shadow, they were all lying on the ground. And then, in the deepest part of the stage.

She was there.

With her back against a large organ-like Angel, a girl in an Astral Dress, stood there leisurely.

Izayoi Miku. The Spirit that controls music and sound - and the master of the place, at this moment.

And beside her, with the limited Astral Dresses on their maid outfits, each with their own Angels:

Yoshino, Hikaru, and the Yamai sisters

though, Hikaru was the only one there in a maid outfit without her Astral Dresses on it

"Miku!"

At the same time Shidou called her name, Miku sighed loudly.

"What kind of noise is that? Can you please not use such unclean sounds to pollute mine and my Spirits' eardrums? What an appalling man. You're the bane of the world. To use an analogy, your vileness would mean that even if you were beaten to death and buried, that patch of soil will never ever be fertile again due to the eternal curse you casted on it. Shut up, you walking piece of shit."

"damn, it's no use after all huh"

turning toward Kurumi, "I'll take my part from here, I am counting on you Kurumi"

"Ufufu, don't worry, Shido-san. With me by your side, everything is under control."

Kurumi's mouth curved into the shape of a crescent moon, as her shadow covered the whole area

multiple Kurumis grew out from the walls, floor, and seats and began to giggle softly. A creepy voice spread from everywhere. It was like an insane mangaka's work, extremely detached and illogical.

"tch, annoying. Alright - I won't waste any more time saying things like 'get him'. My beautiful spirits! Execute this man in front of me!

"Raphael<Knight of Winds> – El Rem[Piercer]!"

"Responding. Raphael<Knight of Winds> – El Nahash][Constrictor]"

In that instant, the voices came from above, followed by a large sound, and a gigantic gust of

wind.

"Ohr Malkhut 70%" reinforced his physical stats, Shido jumped to the side avoiding the sister's attack

As his foot reaches the ground again, His gaze shifts momentarily to Kurumi before locking onto Miku. In a flash, Shido launches himself toward her.

he moved so fast that no one was able to keep up with his speed, except for one person.

As Shido lands on the staging ground, his eyes remain fixed on Hikaru, the only obstacle standing between him and Miku.

"Fu, fufu... is that the one you were worried about it"

Almost as if materializing from the very shadows behind Shido, Kurumi steps forward

"... Yes"

"Kihihi, hehe" "Hehehehehe" "Aha, aha" "That's will be fun--Come, come, come to me, Zafkieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel<Emperor of Time>! For these Spirits who do not know their limits, let us show them the wrongs of their ways!"

In an instant. As though to cover the entrance of the stage, a golden clock rose from the ground. On a gigantic keyboard that was several times taller than Kurumi, an ancient rifle and pistol each served as the hands of a clock.

"An, Angel...that bad, Hikaru!" Miku faltered on her words, after all, she knows how dangerous is to fight another spirit with their angel on.

"Yes Onee-sama" Hearing Miku's words, Hikaru launched herself toward Kurumi, to eliminate the danger

"Zafkiel<Emperor of Time>-- Aleph[The First Bullet]!"

At the same time, a number of Kurumis began to fly toward Hikaru as though they were missiles.

"From now, you will be alone with Miku-san. Please try to convince her. It's best if you could change her mind. If not, please make a deal with her, to not interfere with us until we rescue Tohka-san"

Holding her gun, she then turned toward one of her clones that were carrying Shidou.

"Then, it's up to you now, [me]"

"Mm, I understand, [me]"

After talking, a black bullet was shot toward the Shidou-carrying Kurumi between her

eyebrows.

"...!" In that instant. a shadow at Miku's feet grew-- one of Kurumi's clones flew out, and muffled Miku from behind.

"Mu, muguu!?" Realizing her surroundings, Miku attempted to escape from her constraints.

But then, the Kurumi clones appeared from the shadows and held Miku's limbs. And then, they began to drag Miku toward the shadow.

"Nnguuu! Muuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn--!?"

No matter how much she struggled, Miku was no match for several Kurumis. Her body was slowly engulfed by the darkness.

"Kehehe, hehehehehehehehe"

Listening to Kurumi's sharp laughter--Miku's vision was filled entirely with a sea of darkness.