Date A Live Encore - Volume 5 - Chapter 1

Origami Counseling 

The chime announcing the beginning of lunch time for classroom 204 of Raizen High School echoed

“Fuaahh......”

At the same time, Tobiichi Origami, who was sitting by the window seat, felt a large yawn inadvertently leak out from her throat unexpectedly.

It could be that the drowsiness was induced by the chime……or maybe she felt a little bit too relaxed after recognizing that the lesson was over. Then again, while thinking about it, she did go to bed rather late last night. So she more or less might be influenced by sitting next to the window with warm rays of sunlight.

“……!”

After pausing for a while, Origami let out a “ha” as she twitched her shoulders.
Although it was an irreversible physiological phenomenon, a girl her age shouldn’t widely open her mouth to yawn in public. While in a restless state, Origami quickly used her hand to cover her mouth.

Fortunately, it seemed that nobody had seen her due to everyone having followed the order to leave class. Origami breathed a sigh of relief.

This girl’s characteristics were characterized with white skin and long hair that hide and covered her back. Her facial features were stunning; her almost doll-like expression seemed softer and more relaxed after standing up. She was wearing the Raizen High School uniform she obtained after transferring yesterday.

As a result of the teacher leaving outside, the classroom immediately became filled with noisy chatter. Everyone dropped their textbooks and notes as they began to prepare for lunch.

“I also……should go eat lunch.”

While Origami murmured a bit in a small voice, she took out a bag from her lunch box. 

No classmates seemed to want to have lunch with her since it was only the second day after her transfer. Several classmates gave a concerned glance at her, but no one approach to speak to her because of a lack of prior mutual connection.

However, Origami was not the best at conveying her own feelings. It would be a better idea to simply finish the lunchbox quickly to end this awkward atmosphere. After judging that, Origami placed her hand on the lid of the lunchbox.

Then──over there.

Origami suddenly stopped after the shadow of a certain male student was caught at the end of her of line of sight.

The boy who sat right next to Origami── Itsuka Shidou. With an appearance that seemed both neutral and gentle, he also took out a lunch box and placed it on his desk just like Origami.

“……”

After seeing his appearance, Origami’s heart began to race.

The reason behind being so self-conscious in front of him was extremely simple.

He, Itsuka Shidou, during yesterday──that is on the first day that Origami transferred, had called her to a location privately to invite her out on a date. Last night, Origami went to sleep so late because of being stuck figuring out a way to reply back to his message.
Why though, perhaps it was because it was the first time he had spoken to her, Origami did not want to refuse the invention. ──No, on the contrary, she was looking forward to that date. Origami couldn’t hide her confusion, it was a feeling she had never felt before.

──A-at least , she had already been asked for an appointed date from him. Perhaps, if called out now, they could have lunch together……these ideas flew through Origami’s mind.

As Origami finished making up her mind, she slowly turned to face Shidou and tried to open her lips.

In that moment.

“──Tobiichi-san!”

A girl in-between Origami and Shidou obstructed Origami’s words. A girl with hair that was adjusted upwards and was wearing her uniform in a leisurely manner in accordance to her own wishes. It was her fellow classmate, Yamabuki Ai.

“Y-yes!?”

Because it was too abrupt, Origami didn’t have the time to reflect having her name being called. However, Ai didn’t not take notice of that as she grabbed onto Origami’s hands. The sudden grip caused her hands to shiver in response.

“Thank you. Thank you very much……!”

“Eh……? Eh……?”

As Origami was monetarily stunned, two girls appeared from behind Ai. She remembered that they were Ai’s friends, Hazakura Mai, and Fujibakama Mii. 

“Ai～──I understand that you are happy, but please calm down.”

“Yeah──you’ve startled Tobiichi-san──”

They spoke in turn as they turned their eyes to Origami.

“Sorry, Tobiichi-san. It’s because of listening to Tobiichi-san’s advice that Ai is about to finally go on her first date──!!”

“Hey, I never talked to Kishiwada-kun before, so it was surprising that he agreed to the date.”

“Eh……?”

Origami widened her eyes as she let out an “ah” sound as she remembered something.

This morning, when Origami had arrived at school, she felt for some reason a gloomy atmosphere coming from the group at the center of the classroom.

A girl had buried her face onto her desk as two other girls looked on with a worried expression marking their faces. Of course, it was the friendly trio from class 204, Ai, Mai, and Mii. Although Origami had just transferred into the school yesterday, in the process of being constantly questioned by her fellow students, Origami remembered the names of those three because they stood out as the most energetic. 

Yet one of the cornerstones of the powerful trio, Ai, looked as if her vitality had sunk into depression when compared to yesterday. As expected, Origami was slightly concerned. 

“……It’s gone, it’s all over. My love has dissipated like an ephemeral sea bubble……”

“Really──Ai. It’s only the invitation for a date that was rejected. You’re acting too depressed.”

“I mean, the way I see it Kishiwada-kun is herbivore who studies the humanities. It’s not good to invite him to a metal band concert.”

“I-It’s because......that was written on the divination section of the magazine……”

As Ai let out a “wan” sound as she bashfully covered her face with her hands, Mai and Mii turned to each other.

“It’s alright. He didn’t say that he disliked Ai, right?”

“Yeah── change the place and try re-inviting him.”

“……Where should I invite him to?”

“Eh? Then…well, how about shopping at the station?”

“……That was what he refused last week.”

“T-then……the amusement park!”

“……That was rejected the week before last.”

“Well──umm......”

As Mai and Mii were trying to think of something else, Ai let out another lamenting sigh.

“…………”

While they seemed to have been struck with quite the dilemma, it was not a topic that Origami should interrupt. In order to not disturb the three of them, Origami tried to quietly pass behind Ai.

However, at that moment. Ai suddenly snapped her body upward and turned to intercept Origami’s passage just like a bridgeway unfolding.

“Tobiichi-san……”

“Kyaa!?”

In response, Origami let out a startled cry. However, Ai didn’t seem to take notice to that as she continued to speak with a gloomy look.  

“......A sacred and beautifully popular girl like Tobiichi-san must be experienced. Can you use your overflowing knowledge to benefit a sad and unpopular girl like me?”

“Eh? No, I’m not like that.”

“Tobiichi-san, if you went to a date with a boy you cared about……where would you go?”

Ai asked while not changing her expression. While puzzled, Origami looked on to Mai and Mii. …..However, the two of them also looked like lost lambs pleading for charity and guidance. Somehow, it had become an atmosphere where Origami had to give back a reply.

“Well, uh……a library or something like that……?”

“………!”

After hearing Origami’s reply, Ai jumped back up like a spring-loaded toy.

“Yamabuki Ai……heading off.”

In this manner, Ai saluted forward with a delicate look.

Mai and Mii also saluted back with a serious demeanor. 

Perhaps, feeling in the atmosphere that she had too as well, Origami also raised her left hand in salute as well.

“……Ah……”

Origami narrowed her eyes as sweat dripped down her forehead.

──Speaking of which, certainly such an event did occur. 

“W-well, I’m glad that it worked.”

Origami spoked with an embarrassment as she was pushed back by Ai’s momentum. Then, gentle tears appeared from corners of Ai’s eyes.

“Reaaaaaaaaaaaally thank you so much! Tobiichi-san truly is the master of love! The rumors that you had a fan club in your previous school are true!”

“Eh!?”

Hearing what Ai had just said, Origami rounded her eyes open. Then, Mai and Mii both nodded while crossing their arms. 

“Well certainly, I could have never gotten an OK from Kishiwada-kun. With advice that precise, hunting is practically another name for Miss Tobiichi Origami. I definitely don’t want to be your enemy.”

“Wait……”

“Certainly, at your previous school, even all of the boys you owned had to be watered down. Since the girls began to target after your life, you were forced to transfer, right? The saga of Popular Origami!”

“No, that……”

Ai, Mai, and Mii began to loudly talk about Origami’s prowess. Incidentally, these rumors from a dubious source were completely unfounded. Origami, who had never had this occur with men or women before, was not a master of love. 

However, it was impossible for her classmates to properly judge such a matter. Drawn by the Ai, Mai, Mii trio’s loud praise, the other students began to whisper. 

“Huh──”

“I see──”

“Indeed, she does seem give the air of being popular.”

Just like that, they had all been irresponsibly convinced.

Origami turned to the seat next door──towards the direction of Shidou. Why was it? Among all of the classmates, she didn’t want him to misunderstand in particular. 

“W-wait a second, this is getting troublesome. There’s no such thing……”

“Ah, Tobiichi-san……”

As Origami raised her voice in protest, there was another voice coming from behind. Looking back, it was a girl with her hair tied in a bun and with a face flushed red.

“W-what’s the matter?”

As Origami asked, the girl the continued to speak as if having made up her mind.

“P-please can you give me some advice? There is someone that I am interested in but I don’t know how to properly convey my feelings!”

“Huhh!?”

“Please, I’m counting on you!”

Faced with this sudden request, Origami struggled to speak while still incomparably bewildered. 

“……Eh, well, then, I think it’s very important to face each other, follow your feelings, and dare to be……”

“I see!”

As the female student spoke, she nervously walked to the edge of the classroom where a boy was studying.

“That……so that’s why.”

“Eh? Ah…...a-alright.”

As if swallowed by the atmosphere of the classroom, the boy gave a slight nod.
At that instant, a roar of “Ohhhhhhhhhh!?” cheers erupted in the classroom.

“Hey, hey, are you serious?”

“What sort of advice……”

“Truly, Tobiichi is a Jorōgumo.”

As the students began to spread even more rumors through whispers, it seemed that even a new nicknamed had become attached to Origami.

Then, as if inspired by the establishment of the recent couple, the eyes of several students glimmered, as if─saying that they also wanted to get love advice from Origami.

“T-then……”

Against everyone’s eyes that were full of expectations, Origami’s counterarguments gradually fell on deaf ears. 

Then, as if to protect Origami from everyone’s gaze, Ai stood firm while holding Origami’s hand. 

“Hey, you guys are scaring Tobiichi-san.”

“Ya-Yamabuki-san.”

Origami let out a relived sigh thinking that Ai had helped resolve the matter. 
However.

“Each advice is made one by one! Since the consolation room will be the vacant room in the back, decide the order by Janken or something!”

Origami could only stare blankly as Ai issued out those commands with a great smile.

◇

The result was just what the Ai, Mai Mii trio had said. A temporary love consultation room had opened in a vacant classroom at the end of the school building.
The spare chairs in the empty room were rearranged to be facing each other to imitate a consultation room. As expected, Origami was semi-coerced to sit down at the seat of honor. 

“……I haven’t even finished lunch yet.”

“Don’t worry, we also haven’t eaten yet!”

“But everyone needs Tobiichi-san’s advice!”

“People are creatures that can’t live by eating alone!”

As Origami murmured some complaints, the trio replied back with cheerful expressions as they purposed their black market enterprise. 

“Here, here, I’ve already announced it through SNS.”

“Y-you’ve done that!?”

“Well, the atmosphere, the atmosphere is important. Won’t this make you more eye-catching as people gather?”

“That, I didn’t want to stand out in the first place……”

Origami partially strained her eyes as sweat dripped down her cheeks. It was already troublesome having everyone in the class. But if there was such propaganda, then there may be even more people coming over.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. Even if it is spreading, here at school it’ll only be students.”

“Well, it would be a different case if people snuck in through a secret route and changed clothes─”

“Rather, if people come, we’ll welcome you.”

The three of them began to laugh together.

……Somehow, feeling that saying anything now would be for waste, Origami let out a heavy sigh.

“Now, Tobiichi-sensei, the first one is coming, so please!”

“Haah……”

At the same time Origami replied with another sigh, a boy with gelled hair entered the room.

“No.1 from Classroom 204. Tonomachi Hiroto. Please advise me!”

After giving a pointlessly robust greeting, he sat down on the opposite side from Origami. His breathing was subtly flustered.

“Alright, alright, calm down, calm down.”

“No.1 is Tonomachi-kun!”

“Now, then, what are the contents for this consolation?”

While telling to calm him down, the Ai, Mai, Mii, trio spoke out in turn from Origami’s side.

Then, Tonomachi slammed down his fist while raising a feverish voice.

“Actually, I have a close friend……”

“Close friend……”

Origami replied with a gulp as she treaded carefully. That serious expression. Although she did not know what he was going to talk about, it must be an important friend.
This formidable disposition and correction in posture──perhaps it may be that he liked this close friend. If he asked such a thing, how can Origami respond? 

Despite not caring much for the role due to the position coming from a misunderstanding alone, the consultee was serious. Even if it was not something she could do casually, returning a proper answer should be within her range as courtesy at least.

As Origami quietly waited for him to speak, Tonomachi slammed his eyes open.

“Even though the two of were comrades without girlfriends, recently women have been flocking towards him……how can I be as popular as him!”

“…………Haah, so that’s it.”

However, since what the other party had spoken a rather tacky topic, Origami felt a bead of sweat drip down her face.

“No, no, I don’t mean to say that I’m holding a grudge, but I am wondering why such a difference appeared suddenly. Until last year, there were noisy girls spreading rumors that we were a couple!”

“…......Uhh.”

Origami frowned in confusion as she scratched her cheeks. ……Well, anyway it was because of these troubles that he deliberately sought out Origami. She couldn’t ignore that.

“Well then…..can you search of something that your close friend has……that you lack?”

“Something that guy has that I don’t……hmm……”

Tonomachi thought hard for a while before suddenly coming up with something as he struck the palm of his hand with a “pon” sound.

“That’s right! It’s a cute little sister!”

“……Ha?”

Hearing what Tonomachi had just said, Origami turned her eyes into two blank dots.

“That guy has a younger sister in junior high school! She’s really cute! Ah……perhaps that bastard being raised with a younger sister was the key for climbing up the staircases of adulthood……!? Indeed, the feeling of that guy drifting away was caused by the presence of his little sister! So that’s the easy way to reach adulthood! The secret power to get popular!”

“Uh……”

“Thank you! The mystery is solved! I’ll ask my father for a little sister right away!”

As Tonomachi said in a bright voice, he leaped out of his chair and left the classroom.

“……Was it alright to leave it like that?”

As Origami muttered as his back disappeared from sight, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio let out an “hmm” sound in thought as they crossed their arms.

“Well, wasn’t that good?”

“From the start, it was a very wishy washy question──”

“Yeah, looks like the dining table of the Tonomachi family will be awkward for days──”

The three of them smiled irresponsibly.

“Alright, now let’s go onto the next one.”

Returning back to topic, Mai called out to invite the next consultee. 

This time, a small woman wearing glasses entered the classroom.

“Thank you for your consideration…...”

The woman spoke as she slowly bowed down her head. Looking at that figure, Origami stared blankly. That’s right, rather than a student; it was the homeroom teacher of 
classroom 204, Okamine Tamae-sensei, or more commonly referred to as Tama-chan.

“S-sensei, what are you doing here?”

“Well─since I passed by students on the way to the classroom, sensei would also like to try it out! I was planning on saying that……”

After finishing, she gave a wistful bitter smile. However, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio beside Origami could only issue out a forced smile in response.

……Having done that, Tama-chan sensei was now 29 years old and without a husband or boyfriend. They had told this to Origami yesterday.

“…………”

A feeling of tension struck Origami’s throat. To be honest, this seemed to be too heavy of a topic for Origami to serve as a counselor.

“W-well, anyway, please ask the consultant!”

“Ehh, that……”

Then, Tama-chan sensei stared at the Ai, Mai, and Mii trio as if wanting to say something.

The three of them tilted their heads in thought, but after a few seconds they seemed to notice Tama-chan’s intentions as they replied back with an “ahh” retort. 

“Perhaps it’s difficult to talk about this while we are here?”

“Please wait a moment──”

“Let’s go over there──”

The three of them covered their ears as they headed to the back of the room. 

As Tama-chan saw the situation, she hid her voice below a whisper.

“Well, I didn’t want to tell anyone this, but……”

“Y-yes.”

“Actually, this April……I was purposed by someone.”

Hearing what Tama-chan had said, Origami widened her eyes open.

“Oh, so that’s it. Congratulations, who is this other person?”

As Origami asked, Tama-chan paused as if troubled before quietly replying. 

“I can’t say in detail……but actually, it’s a student of this school.”

“Ehhh!?”

Having heard such unimaginable words sprung out, Origami reflexively let out a startled voice in shock. Although they were still covering their ears, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio’s shoulders began to tremble.

“Hey!──Hey!”

As Tama-chan extended her index finger to hush her, Origami lowered her head in apology as she continued in a quieter tone. 

“S-so, is that true?”

“Un, as far as it goes……”

“So, speaking as a sensei, how do you……feel about this person?”

“Un……yes, personally speaking, he seems to be of fairly well prospects. He is very responsible and also willing to help others, and from what I’ve heard from others he is very good at cooking……”

“W-well, age does not matter in love……but it would be better to wait until after graduation……”

As Origami finished speaking, Tama-chan let out an award laugh. 

“Although that could be said……but actually there was also a continuation……”

“Continuation?”

“Yeah……perhaps my response was too aggressive, but he said “there’s no preparedness for that” and fled……from then seven months have passed and nothing has happened. Sure enough…… perhaps that chance has already passed……”

After saying that, Tama-chan looked off into the distance. However, Origami shook her head in affirmation. 

“M-maybe that person ran away because he missed the proper timing. If that’s not the case, I think it’s better to approach him and talk once again.”

As Origami finished speaking, Tama-chan expression immediately brightened up.

“I-is that true?”

“Yes! Please be more confident!”

“Thank you! I…..I’ll try to ask him once more!”

With a shimmer in her eyes, Tama-chan left the room.

Probably feeling that she had left, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio stood up and walked over to Origami.

“Ah, is it over now?”

“How did the consultation go?”

“Well, it seems to not make sense even if not listening!”

After saying that Ai, Mai, Mii laughed merrily. Not knowing how to respond back, Origami forced a smile as a reply. 

“Muu, can I come in now?”

Then, at that moment, the next consultant walked in through the door that Tama-chan had closed.

“────”

Looking at that figure, Origami was rendered speechless for a moment.

But that wasn’t too unexpected. After all, what appeared there were beautiful long hair the color of the night and pair of pristine crystal-like eyes. It was sort of non-existent beautiful girl that would be told often in a fable. 

“Ara, do you need consulting as well Tohka-chan?”

“……Umu.”

As Mai called out her name, the girl──a classmate of Origami, Yatogami Tohka, nodded as she sat down on the chair. Indeed, she was the girl sitting on the seat from the right from Shidou. Her face resembled that of a Spirit seen on the battlefield when Origami was still part of the AST──well, even though they looked similar, it wasn’t as if a Spirit would be going to school.

“I heard that I could get proper advice here. Uhh……”

“Ah, my name is Tobiichi. Tobiichi Origami.”

“Muu, that’s right. Please give me lots of advice, Tobiichi Origami.”

The girl was speaking in a slightly old-fashioned manner. However, such an unusual tone of voice combined with her cute appearance only served to further highlight her unique charm point.

“So, what kind of consultation do you need? Is it about Itsuka-kun?”

“Huh──?”

Hearing what Mii had just said, it was Origami, not Tohka, who let out a cry of disbelief. There was no way she had ever expected Shidou’s name to be mentioned at a time like this. 

“Nu, is something wrong?”

“Ah, no…..compare to that, what is wrong with Itsuka-kun?”

“Umu……actually, since yesterday, Shidou has been acting strange. Is there any way to cheer him up?”

As Tohka spoke, her eyebrows began to tense with unease. 

Origami placed her hand against her chin. Although it was easy to categorize his behavior as strange, detailed countermeasures could not be given unless the reason is uncovered.

However, Origami noticed another point.

Compared to the issue of Tohka seeking help──she was more concerned about the relationship between Shidou and this girl.

“……No, no”

In order to rid herself of these distracting thoughts, Origami furiously shook her head back and forth. No matter what relationship this girl had with Shidou, it should be irrelevant to Origami. Although Origami had received an invitation to a date from Shidou, the other party had not said that he would like to establish a relationship with her. Moreover, Origami had originally thought that the invitation to a date was to merely discuss something urgent.

Therefore, this had nothing to do with herself──even if this girl was Shidou’s lover.

“Muu……are you okay?”

Seeing that Origami was remaining silent, Tohka gave a worried look. Origami swayed her hand in a hurry as she let out a couple of coughs to calm herself down.

Anyway, what Origami needed to do now was sprinkle some words that would put this girl at ease. Once again, she turned to face Tohka.

Even the omnipotent creator must have taken a great deal of care in modeling her form. With her adorable looks, even someone of the same sex like Origami would be momentarily stunned. For a boy of their age, just looking at her would cause his chest to scorch. 

Therefore, Origami nodded with confidence.

──Believing in her, saying these gentle words must surely be the best way. 

With such an answer emerging from her mind, Origami uttered those words.

“───────,───────────”

Then, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio twisted their necks in an “Un?” sound as they gave incredulous looks towards Origami. 

Seeing them look at her like that, Origami slightly slanted her head……did she say something strange just now?

“Really? Doing that will cheer up Shidou!?”

“Yes, of course. Please believe in yourself.”

“I understand! Thanks!”

As Tohka spoke cheerfully, she abruptly unfastened the buttons on her blazer, pulling the back collar to cover her head like a hood in order to assume to the appearance of an ultra-monster.

“Well, I’m off!”

While dressed like that, Tohka prattled out of the room.

While watching her leave from behind, Origami muttered. 

“……What was with that last look?”

“……!?”

Hearing what Origami muttered, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio displayed a horrified expression. However, Origami couldn’t understand why they looked so surprised. ……Was this style of dress widespread in this school?

As Origami failed to understand the issue with this topic, the door opened as two girls came in at the same time as the next consultants. 

“Ho? Is this the rumored transfer student master?”

“Request. Please give me lots of advice.”

The two of them spoke in an even more distinctive tone than Tohka by sneaking in some strange stylish poses while speaking.

As twins, the two girls standing on both sides were virtually identical in body size, only being distinguished by their different facial expressions and hairstyle.

“Eh…..what are your names?”

“Fu, hear well. I am Yamai Kaguya, the child of the hurricane who mows down all of creation.”

“Greetings. I am Yamai Yuzuru. Like Kaguya, we belong in classroom 203.”

Origami nodded upon hearing Yuzuru’s explanation. No doubt that it wouldn’t be difficult to remember their names. As expected, twins with this much explosive personality would be impossible to forget after being seen just once, even if they were from a different class.

However, it was also horrifying in another sense. As far as Origami was concerned, this turmoil which had been isolated in classroom 204 had begun spreading to other classrooms due to Ai’s machinations. 

Having not been able to eat lunch today, Origami let out a small groan.

“What needs to be done? Hearing that you bestow prestigious divinations, I have come all this way. I inquire a hasty fortune told for us.”

Kaguya spoke while urging her to hurry. Listening to this, Origami widened her eyes as she let out an “Eh?” sound.

“Divination……you mean fortune telling? I……can’t do anything like that.”

“What? How strange. Certainly, I heard of a light illuminating the way for the darkness of modern times.”

“Legend. Written with unfailing accuracy, Origami-sensei’s spiritual station.”

“I-I don’t understand this at all! What is with this inexplicable propaganda!?”

Origami raised an unbearable cry. The story that she did not know was growing even more out of hand.

“Fu, that’s fine. So then what has been prepared here?”

“Ah──here is the veteran Tobiichi-san’s love consultation room.”

Ai replied back upon hearing Kaguya’s question. Listening to this, the tip of Kaguya’s ears began to twitch. 

“Love……hmm, I see. To think that the vulgar masses have flocked here together, I thought it was something else. How uninteresting. Let’s head back, Yuzuru.”

After saying that, Kaguya snorted from her nose as she stepped back.

But at that moment, Yuzuru suddenly grabbed her arm to stop her.

“W-what are you doing!?”

“Restraint. Compared to that, she said it was love consultation.” 

“H-haah……”

“Consultation. Indeed, there is someone Kaguya is interested in but she can’t be honest about it. Is there any way solve this?”

“W-wait, what are you talking about Yuzuru!?”

Hearing what Yuzuru had said, Kaguya raised a cry as her face turned bright red. Compared to the pretentious tone she had before, Kaguya was now talking like an ordinary girl.

“Request. Please give an answer soon.”

“Wait……I said that I don’t need that!”

Seeing the two of them beginning to shout and press against each other, Origami let out a wry smile before raising her voice.

“Well……then, right now is it alright for Yuzuru-san to speak in proxy for Kaguya-san……?”

“W-what are you saying! If you entrust this matter to Yuzuru, it’s guaranteed that she’ll saying something unreasonable────!”

“Question. To be specific, what should I say?”

“Eh? That’s......well, have you noticed anyone that Kaguya paying particular attention to……?”

“……”

After Origami finished speaking, Kaguya’s face turned completely red. Her hands and feet were jittering as if she were attempting to grab Origami.

However, Kaguya was completely restrained by Yuzuru. Yuzuru turned her line of sight as she stared at Origami with a serious expression 

“──Disappointment. It’s too mild.”

Then, with her eyes half-open, Yuzuru replied back.

“Huh?”

“Request. I don’t want such an obvious reply. Please grant a reply that is more vivid, viscous, and with enough sensuality and temptation that is intolerable to listen to.”

“E-even if you say that……”

“Denial. No, you can achieve this. Although, I am unsure why, I am certain of this.”

“How can I……”

“Combustion. Why give up here? It can be even more heated.”

“W-well then……I like you……something like that?”

“Request. Please try once more again.”

“……Please make a mess of me…..like that?”

Origami’s cheeks gradually grew redder as she muttered. However, Yuzuru was still not satisfied. She continued to urge Origami to try again. Incidentally, Yuzuru was covering Kaguya’s mouth, as the latter was constantly struggling to speak in between “Hmm!── Hmm──!” sounds.

By now, it was clear that a halfway response would no longer work. After thinking for a while, Origami brought her mouth to Yuzuru’s ear and quietly whispered some specific content. 

“…………! Astonishment.”

Yuzuru’s eyes widened as she threw aside the restrained Kaguya and kneeled down on the spot.

“Reverence. You are the person that Yuzuru was expecting after all. ──Master Origami, may I call you that?”

“Haah……p-please……”

Origami replied back with a sweaty face. Satisfied with the content, Yuzuru once again grabbed Kaguya by the hand before walking away.

“Walking. Let us precede, Kaguya. If you say this to a man, the other party will fall in love at first sight.”

“What!? What did she say, hey!?”

“Secret. Look forward to a good performance.”

“Noooooooo!?”

Yuzuru left the room while dragging away Kaguya, who was still desperately resisting. 
Silence then ran through the room for a couple of seconds.

“How can I say this……those twins certainly came in like a storm.”

As Ai leaked out her voice, Mai, Mii and Origami all were in agreement. 

Afterwards, from there.

In the direction of the corridor, the sound of intense footsteps echoed. The next moment, the door to the room was vigorously slammed open. 

Then, a single female student entered while gasping for air.

Seeing her figure, Origami was instantly stunned by a look of horror. It was the same girl that she had consulted just a while ago, Tohka…..however, for some reason leaves and branches were stuck in her hair and her entire body was dirty with dust.

“What’s going on? I did as you said and the outcome was Shidou looking at me with an even more concerned face!?”

“Eh…..ehh!?”

Hearing this, Origami couldn’t help up raise her voice unexpectedly. However, rather than responding to Tohka’s words, it would be better to say that it was caused by Tohka’s current appearance.

“What happened, that appearance.”

“What are you saying! You were to one that told me “──Surely Itsuka-kun is being corrupted by an evil spirit. It will be dangerous to leave it alone. It’s necessary to exorcise immediately. While wearing your blazer over your head, imitate Jamila by repeatedly jumping horizontally in front of him at high speed and then dive out the classroom window.”

“I absolutely couldn’t have said such a thing!”

As Origami yelled, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio let out a surprised “Eh?” as they casted a suspicious look onto her. 

However, not caring about the reaction from the trio, Tohka shook her head as she continued to speak.

“Anyway! Please tell me a proper way to cheer up Shidou. What can I do to make Shidou happier!?”

“I-I understand. It’s a bit bold, but……”

Origami cleared her throat as an idea was sorted into her mind.

She remembered having seen it on the internet before. Humans feel a sense of security when hugged due to the brain secreting a hormone that stabilizes the mind. This method must surely be true. Besides, especially if it was from a beautiful girl like Tohka.

However, here it was still school, and both her and Shidou were still students. This sort of advice that encourages impure fraternization with the opposite sex should be avoided. Although the effect may be diminished, it should be better to use a more mild method.
──Holding his hand and telling him that everything will be alright.

Having decided on that answer in her mind, Origami opened her mouth.

“The expression of his fear has intensified...... that is evidence that the evil spirit possessing him is suffering. Still one step away. This time stop around him and sing Jigsaw’s Sky High up to the school rooftop and then jump into the pool.”

Once again, Origami displayed a gentle smile as she said this.

“……Eh!?”

Once again, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio let out a startled cry. 

“This time it’s true!? Doing this will cheer up Shidou!?”

“Yes! There’s no mistake this time!”

“I understand! I am heading out now!”

Tohka gave an affirmative nod, scattering the small branches and leaves around as she left the room.

“H-hey──Tobiichi-san?”

Mai asked with sweat dripping down her face.

“Yes, what is the matter?”

“Why did you give that advice to Tohka-chan, why did you say that?”

Origami diverted her eyes slightly upon hearing Mai’s question. Again……was it not good to hold hands?

“Sure enough, was that too much stimulation?”

“Stimulation……that might be too strong of a word for that.”

“Un. Yeah, I mean it’s almost January.”

“As expected it would be painful to do in such a cold season ……”

As the trio all expressed awkward facial expression, Origami slightly tilted her head. It seemed that their stories were not in sync with each other.

“Eh? Wouldn’t be even more effective because it is cold now?”

Hearing what Origami had said, the trio shared a collective shudder. Origami, not knowing why those three look so terrified, slightly raised her brow in confusion.
Then, the door opened once again. It seemed that the next consultant had entered.

“Ah, please. Welcome──”

Ai, who had just noticed the person’s attire, suddenly stopped speaking. 

However, that was unavoidable. As for the reason, the person was a long-haired man that had covered his entire face with a mask and sunglasses. 

His height was more than 180 cm. Although he was wearing a Raizen High School uniform, it was obviously not his size. He didn’t seem to be a senior high school student either.

“T-then ……did you come here for……consulting?”

“Yes. I couldn’t stand still after hearing there was a consulting room from SNS.”

“Are you……a student here?”

“Hahaha, of course isn’t that obvious. Please look at this uniform.”

Snap. Just as the man was talking, the shoulder part of his uniform broke apart.

“Opps. To think that Fraxinus only has a disguise in this size──no, it’s because of my sudden growth development.”

“Disguise!? You just said that uniform was a disguise!?” 

Despite Mai’s scream of protest, the man ignored the complaint as he firmly planted his rear onto the seat adjacent from Origami.

“…………”

Despite being obviously suspicious, the person was still a consultee that shouldn’t be ignored. It would be awful to casually dismiss him. So, Origami decided to listen to his story first.

“Then……can you first tell me your name?”

As Origami asked, the man thought for a while before pressing his hand on the table.

“Hmm……for reasons I can’t give you my real name, so please call me October Kyohei.”

“…………”

There was only suspicion.

“S-so……October Kyohei, what would you like to talk about……?”

“Yes. Actually, the commander does not recently give me my “reward” as much as in the past. What should I do?”

“Commander……?”

“Yes. Ah, please rest assured. Although she is the commander, she is also a girl in junior high school. Of course, this isn’t the particular fetish of a middle age man who is pleased to receive a good rebuking. Ah, but she already has a boy in drag within her strike zone.”

“……………”

It was suspicion of 100% purity. 

“So….this ‘reward’ is……?”

“Yes, in the past, whenever I’d overstep my bounds or make the commander angry I would be kicked in the ass or pricked in the eyes with a Chupa Chups stick. But recently, I don’t know if I gone accustomed to it, but my reaction has grown dull.”

“Eh…..well, there are certainly places to worry about, but what exactly is this reward?”

“Ah, how rude of me. How would they call it in school? ‘Pleasure’? ‘The gift from the Saints’? Or should it be called ‘something nice’?”

“…………”

It was suspicion of the gold prize Monde Selection level. 

One the opposite side, a question of unknown meaning was quickly approaching her. With sweat dripping down her face, Origami forced a smile.

“Y-yes……because I don’t know this commander so I can’t say anything specific, but could it be that she hasn’t continued because she also feels dissatisfied?”

As Origami finished speaking, the man crossed his arms together in wonder.

“So there’s no choice but to overcome the royal road as well……but a novel approach, I may have to look into it.”

“Eh, a-alright……”

Brimming with vigor, the man pressed his head downward in appreciation.

“Thank you very much. ──Then, I’ll begin now. October Kyohei’s commander imitation series!” 

After saying that, the man took out a black ribbon from the pocket of his uniform and quickly tied his long hair into twintails. Then, he moved his chest backwards and crossed his legs while casting furious look. Finishing it off, he took out a candy stick and placed it in his mouth. 

“What did say──why can’t you do that──? Are you an idiot? Do you want to die?”

With a falsely shrill voice, he spewed out words of filled with malice.

“…………Uh.”

“How was that!? Was that angry enough!?”

Since she didn’t know who this commander was, it was impossible to tell if this was similar or not. But pretending to understand might make the other party angry. Not knowing how to respond, Origami scratched her cheek.

“Y-yes…...seeing it in person, it probably looks quite angry……”

“Really! Then!”

At the same time, the man stood up excitedly from the chair, revealing a heart shaped underwear print from the gap in his broken pants.

“No need to worry! Please!”

“H-huh!?”

As Origami was confused, the man raised his ass and drew it closer. 

“Hands, feet, whatever weapon you want to use!”

“T-that……no…….”

“Come! Come!”

Then, the man was breathing wildly as he pressed his ass towards Origami.”

“────Here! This is the room!”

An unexpected voice came from the corridor.

The next moment, two strong PE teachers broke into the room, looking at the figure of October Kyohei breathing heavily.

“Have I already been discovered? Unfortunately, I’m not interested in you. Come back after becoming a beautiful girl with a B cup or less!”

“So you’re the suspicious man. What the hell are you doing!?”

“Huh……? Huhh……!?”

As Origami was left completely dumbfounded, October Kyohei raised two of his fingers.

“Well, unfortunately it seems to end here. Adios amigo, see you again!”

As October Kyohei said that, he jumped out the window of the room with a magnificent pose.

The next moment, the sounds of a collision intermingled with an ecstatic “ahhhhhhh!’ scream. 

“W-who was that……”

“Hurry! He’s down below!”

After letting out a shudder, the PE teachers ran out of the room to chase after that man.
Left alone in the room, Origami and the Ai, Mai, Mii trio looked at each other before laughing.

“W-what was that……just now……”

“W-who knows ……?”

Sure enough, he wasn’t a student here…...but then, who the hell was he? The mystery continued to deepen.

However, such brevity couldn’t last forever. Soon afterwards, violent footsteps echoed from the corridor. For some reason, it was accompanied by pitter patter sounds as if the person was drenched. 

“────What on earth is going on!”

With a tremendously angry voice, Tohka entered the room, marking her third entry as a consultee today. Despite no longer having twigs or dirt in her hair, her entire body was soaking wet as if she had dived into the pool during the cold season.

“W-what’s wrong? Why are you drenched?”

“You’re the one who told me to do this!”

“Ehh!?”

Origami’s eyes widened in horror. If this was because of her telling to hold Shidou’s hand. Then the liquid covering Tohka’s body would be……

As Origami was considering such thoughts, Tohka shook her entire body just like dog trying to dry off. With water droplets flying everywhere, Origami let out a “Kya!” scream while trying to avoid the unidentified liquid. However, for some reason, it seemed that her feet seemed to be automatically moving closer to take in that liquid.

“U-Uh……”

“Anyway! It was useless! Rather, Shidou’s face began to stiffen!”

“Y-yes, if that’s the case……then……”

Just as Origami was about to speak, Tohka stretched her hand out to stop her.

“Wait. I think that it’ll become even more confusing this way, so I’ve brought him here directly!”

“Eh?”

“Come in, Shidou!”

As Tohka spoke, Itsuka Shidou, with a sweaty look, slowly walked in.

“……Excuse me.”

“I-Itsuka-kun!”

“Oh, Origami──no, Tobiichi-san.”

Shidou slowly raised his hand to greet hello. For some reason, only from that, Origami’s heart was pulsating violently.

“Now, Tobiichi Origami! This time give me a good idea!”

“Well, uhh ……”

Tohka spoke while casting a sharp gaze to Origami. Faced against that excessively imposing attitude, Origami felt her body bend backwards in response.

Looking carefully behind Tohka, Shidou was scratching his cheek with a troubled look on his face. He must have been grateful for Tohka’s attempt to cheer him up but doesn’t want to make a scene here.

……If that is the case, it would be better to communicate directly to Shidou rather than involve Tohka. 

As Origami made this judgement, she stood up from her chair and walked to Shidou’s direction.

“……Sorry to bother you, but can I talk to you for a bit?”

“Eh? Ah, alright.”

As Origami spoke, Shidou nodded in confirmation. Then Origami turned her attention back to Tohka.

“Then, can you please wait here for a moment. We’ll be back soon.”

“Mun……? Is that okay?”

“Yes. Certainly.”

As Origami spoke, Tohka stared at eyes for a while before nodding back.

“I understand. I’ll entrust Shidou to you, Tobiichi Origami.”

“Leave it to me.….then come over here Itsuka-kun.”

Origami took Shidou out to the hallway.

◇       

……Shidou was left baffled.

The reason was simple. Just as lunch break had begun, Origami was appointed manager of the love consultation room by the Ai, Mai, and Mii trio.

No, it would be fine if that was all. Tohka and the Yamai sisters from the neighboring classroom also showed great interest in this.

However, the problem lied in the responses of the consultees after leaving the room.
For some unknown reason, Tonomachi pointed at him and yelled “Hands of my little sister!” (As far Shidou knows he doesn’t even have a younger sister). Then, Tama-chan sensei, while panting heavily, said to him “Itsuka-kun, about what we talked about last April. Yes, the conversation about the seal of blood and inheriting the family business. Let’s take it more slowly!” And then, Yuzuru came dragging Kaguya along while uttering some very licentious words. 

But the most bizarre was with Tohka. Coming out of the consultation room (with her uniform over her head), she suddenly did repeated high speed horizontal jumps right in front of him before jumping out the classroom window as if she had a cordless bungee. 
Afterwards, she ran back to confirm his response before running back to the consultation room once again. Then, she ran out circling around him while singing an unclear song before dashing to the roof and jumping into the pool during the chilly season.

At the same time, while heading for here, he saw a tall man wearing a tight uniform running across the school yard. The faint silhouette seemed familiar, but Shidou didn’t pay too much heed to it. 

Anyway, as expected, this was beyond normal. Shidou began to suspect that there were illegal drugs in the consultation room.

“……Could it be that.”

While walking alongside the long-haired Origami, Shidou let out a small mutter.

For a moment, it seemed that the memories of the old world were still in this Origami……the idea drifted into his mind.

“……No, that couldn’t be it. But if that was the case……”

“Itsuka-kun?”

Hearing Origami’s voice, Shidou quickly raised his face up.

“A-ahh……sorry. What’s the matter?”

“How about this neighboring classroom? In this room, people won’t be able to hear our conversation unless we speak to loud.” 

After that, Origami pointed to an empty classroom different from the previous consultation room. After Shidou gave a short nod, both of them entered the room together.

“That……anyway, I’m sorry for getting you involved in such a confusing matter.”

While saying that, Origami pulled her head down and undid the button on her blazar.

“Ah, no. I was watching it while not quite understanding, but it still looked quite tough, Tobiichi-san.”

“No, not at all.”

Origami let out a wry smile as she pulled her arm towards the sleeve of her blazar. 

“More than that, it’s about Yatogami-san.”

“That was……hey, what’s going on?”

While being questioned by Shidou, Origami continued to remove the buttons on her blouse.

“Yes. Apparently Yatogami-san wanted to cheer Itsuka-kun up......”

“For me?”

After being told this, Shidou thought back for a moment.

Certainly, due to the special circumstances from a few days ago, his energy had been completely exhausted. Although he had tried to cover it up, it seemed that Tohka had seen though him.

“I see……then those things she did……”

“Sorry, but I know it’s not good to make such a request…..but could you show a more cheerful expression to Yatogami-san?”

After untying all of her buttons, Origami placed her hand on one side of her skirt and pulled down the zipper. 

“Ah, that’s……wait, hey!?”

At that moment, Shidou finally let out a burst of shock.

Because it seemed too natural, Shidou had completely ignored the fact Origami had begun taking off her clothes while they were talking. 

“Eh……?”

After having been finally pointed out, Origami’s eyes widened in terror as she looked at herself.

“────Kiyaaaaaaaaaaaah!?”

With a scream resembling silk being torn apart, it seemed that she didn’t even recognize that she had taken off her own clothes.

“W-why……is it like this……! Itsuka-kun……?!”

“No, no, I didn’t do anything!?”

Origami’s face flushed red as she tried to cover her skin with her open blouse. 

Embarrassed, Shidou didn’t know where to look as he turned his head. 

However, the disaster did not end here. Having been invited by Origami’s scream, the sounds of several footsteps where heard coming from outside.

“Not good……”

Shidou hurried to try and close the door. But──too late.

“What’s wrong, Shidou──!”

A moment faster than Shidou’s reaction time, Tohka had opened the door. Following Tohka from behind, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio also approached the room.

“What──”

“What’s the matter──”

“What did Itsuka-kun do─”

And then, while witnessing a sight in the room that only severed to develop a misunderstanding, Tohka and the trio stood petrified.

“N-no, this is──!”

“What are you doing Shidou──?!”

“Kiya! Kiyaaaaaa! Itsuka-kun has become a criminal!”

“Did you try to imitate something you saw in TV ahhhh──!”

“Itsuka-kun, I always knew you would do this one day!”

Shidou’s pleas for defense were drowned out by the cries of four people.

◇

“W-what on earth happened……today?”

That night, having returned back home, Origami recalled back the events transpiring this afternoon while holding onto a sofa cushion.

Well, although a lot of strange things did transpire, the most extreme case would probably be what happened in the vacant classroom.

Without any recognition at all, she had taken off her own clothes unnoticed. At the time she raised an unexpected cry, it was self-evident that Shidou had not laid a single finger onto her. Of course, the story would be different if Shidou could hypnotize someone through only eye contact, but she couldn’t imagine such a thing being done by someone who wasn’t a Wizard.

Origami had taken it off herself. It was as if there was another person controlling her body without permission. 

But why? Even though her half-naked state was seen by Itsuka-kun, there wasn’t the slightest hint of dislike.

“What happened, I…...”

Origami let out a deep sigh.

“Could it be that I really feel to Itsuka-kun……”

At that moment, the sound of her phone receiving a text message snapped her out of her daydream-like daze.

“Kya……!”

Moreover, after confirming, the name of the sender was Itsuka Shidou. 

“I-Itsuka-kun……?”

The content written on the text message included an apology for today’s events and inquiry if tomorrow’s date would be canceled.

Origami stood up in alarm. This afternoon, Shidou had done nothing wrong. To cancel tomorrow’s date; Origami had not even considered it.

“I-I have to reply back……!”

Title: No problem at all

Text: I don’t mind at all, so don’t worry about it Itsuka-kun. I am looking forward to tomorrow. But if you really care about it, you should take responsibility. Specifically, I want the family last name. The documents will be prepared here, so you only need to bring the stamp──

“W-why!? My fingers! My fingers are moving on their own!?”

It took about an hour to take back control of her disobedient fingers. 

To be accurate, even though her fingers calmed down within an hour, she had to place even more effort to not overdo it too much. It took an additional two hours to think up proper words that laid in-between excessive zeal and indifferent expectations. And so, the complete reply was sent to Shidou three hours later.