Date A Live Encore - Volume 5 - Chapter 5

Spirit Snow Wars

“Shidou, it’s dangerous!”

“……!”

Heeding the warning of Kotori’s voice, Shidou quickly withdrew his head behind a protective wall.

After that moment, an innumerable number of “projectiles” passed by the location where Shidou’s head had been. The impact against the back of the wall launched a “gagagagagagaga” sound. If Shidou had not retracted his head in time, there was a possibility that everything above his neck would have become independent from the rest of his body.

“So, sorry, you just saved me, Kotori.”

“You have to be more careful. A moment of negligence can lead to fatal repercussions. Don’t show your face out in the open so carelessly──Natsumi!?”

“……Un, don’t do that, absolutely don’t do that.”

After Kotori finished speaking, Natsumi’s face was flushed with a blue hue as she squatted down behind the protective wall. Her shoulders were trembling as she replied back. Before Kotori could continue, it seemed that they had not considered in the slightest the state of affairs that would result from their faces peeking out from their wall.

Shidou, Kotori, and Natsumi, the three of them were now hiding in the shadow of a sturdy protective wall, just barely escaping the attack of their “enemy”.

If this continued, they would be inevitably repressed. Kotori gritted her teeth as she reluctantly had to acknowledge that. Then, she placed her hand on her forehead in order to brainstorm a possible countermeasure.

“Kotori, we can’t keep up like this. I’ll be the decoy and provide cover, you two should use that that opportunity to advance forward.”

“No, it’s still too dangerous. And even if it were successful, moving one or two meters ahead wouldn’t overturn the current situation. What’s more──”

Just as Kotori was speaking, the walls gave out another “gagagagagaga” sound. Shidou and the others hide for protection as their protective shelter began vibrating again.

“Wh……what!?”

“Oioi……you’ve got to be kidding me. No way……”

“……With this kind of power, the protective wall will be blown away soon……!?”

The three of them all let out a collective shiver.

That’s right. Shidou took a peak out and saw that they were losing their patience. The “enemy” had decided to destroy their shelter as a means of enforcement. 

“Kotori, Natsumi! We have to make our counterattack before the wall collapses!”

“Ku……it can’t be helped then.”

“Un……are you kidding, we seriously have to……?”

In response to Shidou’s instructions, Kotori seemed annoyed while Natsumi looked on in astonishment. Shidou felt saliva come down from his dry throat under the tension. He slowly picked up another “projectile” with his hand.

Then, before preparing his posture to rush from behind the protective wall, Shidou raised his voice to shout.

“Hey, Kotori!”

“What Shidou!”

“…… Is this really how you have a snowball fight!?”

Shidou’s painful cry was drowned out by the constant sweep of snowballs flung like a raging storm. 

◇

That morning, Shidou woke up to a sudden chill that seeped all the way to his bones.

Shidou was awakened by the “batabatabatatu” sound coming from footsteps outside the corridor. Suddenly, the door flew open and his bed blankets were swiftly removed.

“Shidou! Quick, get up!”

“……Uga!?”

A tranquil and warm incarnation • under the divine protection of the futon Daimyojin, Shidou, who was in such a restful sleep, suddenly curled up after being attacked by a sudden chill. It was the exact opposite sentiment of a vampire had been suddenly exposed to the sun or an earthworm trapped above some heated asphalt. 

Reluctantly struggling on his bed for ten more minutes, Shidou rubbed his sleepy eyes as he began to stare at his visitor.

The one who grabbed Shidou’s blanket was standing in front of her bed was a girl with long plum hair and crystal eyes. Right now, her face was like a doll flushed with the color of excitement. 

“……Tohka, what happened? It’s still early.”

“Umu!”

As Shidou slowly got up from his bed, Tohka nodded her head as she headed to the window to open the curtains. 

“Look at this, Shidou!”

“What ah……this is──”

Even without finishing those words, Shidou could already figure out Tohka’s motives.

The window still showed the familiar view of Tenguu City.

Only it was completely transformed into a silver world.

“Eh……with it being this cold it should have snowed, but I didn’t think that it would accumulate this much.”

“Umu! Everyone is building a snowman in the backyard. Shidou should also come quickly!”

Tohka’s eyes emitted a glittering sparkle. Despite the cold weather, she was still so energetic. Shidou couldn’t help but to crack a smile. 

“I understand, I’ll come over after getting dressed. Tohka, can you go over there first?”

“Umu, alright!”

Tohka exaggeratedly nodded before running out of the room full of energy. Ten minutes later, an “Uhahahah!” sound echoed from the room of Shidou’s little sister, Kotori. Apparently, Tohka had come to not only wake him up, but Kotori as well. 

Shidou could only shrug a little as he got out of bed to change clothes before coming out from the room.

Afterwards, he encountered a girl with black ribbons that also had her futon kidnaped by Tohka, his little sister Itsuka Kotori. 

“……Good morning Shidou.”

“Ah, good morning Kotori.”

After the greeting, Kotori, who was still very tired, gave out a yawn.

“Really, the Spirits in the mansion are really energetic considering they just came back from the ski trip.”

“That’s true……but compared to scenery of the snowy mountains, isn’t there a certain charm in having the usual streets covered in snow?”

“Well, it’s not as if I don’t understand. Let’s go now; it’s rare for them to invite us for something, so we shouldn’t keep them waiting too long.

“Ah, that’s right.”

After changing clothes and eating a simple meal, the two of them departed the Itsuka residence and went right next door to the Spirit mansion.

“Hey──Tohka”

“Oh, you both came!”

As Shidou waved his hand, Tohka was rolling over a large snowball. Behind Tohka, a petite girl, who was collecting twigs that would be used for parts of the snowman, raised her face.

“Ah……Shidou-san, Kotori-san.”

“You’ve come just in time; we’re just about to put the head on.”

The girl──Yoshino spoke while wearing the rabbit puppet “Yoshinon” on her left hand.

At the same time, the twins were making another snowman farther back before turning their eyes to Shidou.

“Kuku…… my servant who was finally awakened for the darkness of sleep, the world has been filled with silver. So let’s indulge in this madness.”

“Agreement. It’s such a waste to sleep in on such a day.”

As Kaguya and Yuzuru Yamai spoke, they both grasped their hands to clench their fists. Incidentally, Yuzuru was wearing warm mittens, while Kaguya was wearing leather gloves that left her fingertips exposed. It certainly didn’t seem like it was suitable for making contact with snow.

“……Eh, speaking of which, Natsumi is ──”

However, Shidou suddenly stopped speaking. He found that behind Yoshino a small figure was rubbing her hands together to fight against the cold.

“Sorry, it really it seems that I have no sense of presence.”

After saying this, Natsumi turned her gloomy eyes towards Shidou. Shidou felt a glimmer of sweat drip down from his forehead as he tried to give a smile. 

“No, it’s not like that……”

As Shidou was thinking of a method to deal with the depressed mood, Tohka suddenly shouted out “alright!” in a loud voice.

“I’ll put the head on now!”

Tohka raised the huge snowball that she was rolling and placed it on top of the body that they had made in advance.

On the other side, Yoshino was collecting branches and pine nuts to decorate the snowman. Natsumi, who moved on from glaring a dissatisfied stare at Shidou, also went out to help Yoshino. 

A few minutes later, the beautiful snowman was finally completed.

“Ohh, it’s amazing!”

“There’s plenty of charm in it.”

“Right! It’s all because of our joint effort!”

As Shidou finished, Tohka puffed her chest in pride. Yoshino placed her free hand on her waist. Despite being embarrassed, Natsumi also imitated Yoshino’s actions.

“Fufu, as expected by the snowman created by us Yamai. The "König-Schnee-Zero Formula” exceeds your inferior craftsmanship.”

“Approval. It is very cute……Well then, what should we play next. With Kotori and Shidou also participating, it would be desirable to have something that everyone can do together.”

“How about building igloos or a snowball fight?”

“Igloos?”

“Snowball fight?”

In response to Shidou’s words, both Tohka and Yoshino tilted their heads in confusion at the same time.

“An igloo is a house made out of snow. It takes a lot of snow to build and you need to hollow it out, but the inside is surprisingly warm.”

“…………”

After the explanation, one of the Spirits there had her ears trembling for a bit──Natsumi. Although it was an unusual reaction considering her usual mood……it was probably because of the fear of being confined to a small space made of snow.

“The other option, a snowball fight, is where you split into teams and try to throw snowballs at each other and lose if you get hit.”

“Hoho, a battle──in other words a war. After hearing something like, we can’t help but not remain silent.”

“Agreement. My blood is stirring.”

“No…….that would be too dangerous……”

Shidou responded with a wry smile, but it seemed that the two of them didn’t listen either way.

Not only just the Yamai Sisters, Tohka was also interested while hearing the rules for the first time. Yoshino was also attracted to the notion of “throwing snowballs” as her eyes sparkling. Among the Spirits, only Kotori and Natsumi displayed a less interested expression.

“I guess there’s really no other way……”

“I think building an igloo is better, but……”

Both of them were deeply aware that there was no other way to convince the other Spirits. Giving up, they both breathed out a sigh.

“Okay! Then let’s try this snowball fight. The goal is to throw snowballs at each other, right?”

“──Naïve.”

As Tohka was speaking, another voice suddenly came from behind them.

After turning around, two figures were standing over there. One of them was a tall girl wearing luxurious clothes, Izayoi Miku. The other girl was the one that had just spoken and was equipped with white camouflage clothes, Tobiichi Origami.

“Oh, so both Miku and Origami have also come.”

“Yes! We just received a love call from Kaguya-san.”

“Eh!? That’s wrong! The child of the hurricane summoned you with her invocation tome.”

“You received a call (jargon) from the child of the hurricane.”

“What’s the meaning behind (jargon) that!?

After Miku finished speaking, Kaguya collected her voice and began shouted in an incredulous tone. 

Beside her was Yuzuru, who didn’t seem to care much for her sister’s rant. Rather, her line sight was instead directed towards Origami.

“Confirm. What exactly did Master Origami mean by “naïve”?

“The meanings behind it, you all do not understand the profound meaning behind a snowball fight.”

“Deep meanings……?”

In response to Shidou’s question, Origami nodded her head.

“Yes, the snowball fight is a game where international rules have appeared because of its long history of existence. There are detailed regulations regarding team size, outfits, and the dimensions of the snowball.”

“Is that so, how come we don’t know about these detailed rules……”

“No problem, I am fully aware of the rules.”

After having said that, Origami glanced at the Spirits and the courtyard of the apartment. 

“However, it would be difficult to play a game with the official rules given the number of people and the environment. Therefore, we should adopt the double OO formula rules.”

“OO formula……?”

“O (Oririn) O (Original)”

“Would that just make one even more worried!?”

Although Shidou issued a cry of lament, it did not persuade Origami to stop.

“Since there are nine people here, there will be a battle royal where three teams will be decided irregularly through rock paper scissors.”

Origami raised her right hand. In coordination to that, everyone else also raised their hands in the same way.

“Rock paper scissors……shoot!”

As everyone shouted in unison, everyone thrusted their hands into a shape based on the intentions guided by their thoughts.

“──I am with Yuzuru and Miku. Tohka, Yoshino, and Kaguya are a team. Shidou, Kotori, and Natsumi are the last group.”

Origami spoke after observing everyone’s hands.

Seeing this result, Shidou unintentionally gave out a wry smile.

……Although it could not be helped since it was done through rock paper scissors, but……no matter what he said, it still felt like a very biased team. After all, Shidou’s team was composed by people who were not that very enthusiastic about the snowball fight.

Taking notice of Shidou’s condition, Natsumi cast Shidou in her gloomy line of sight.

"……Wh-what please say it clearly if you do not want me to join."

“No, no one said such a thing……”

Shidou, after trying to comfort Natsumi, looked onto to Kotori, who merely shrugged before speaking. 

“But, in a sense, the meaning behind this competition isn’t that wonderful. I would rather retire early and let the other two teams duke it out.”

“……Agreed. There are people who are afraid of getting hurt.”

As Kotori spoke, Natsumi nodded her head in agreement.

“Hey……I understand the mood, but this a rare activity, so we should still try and enjoy it……”

Just as Shidou was speaking to them, Origami began to describe the rules.

“──Then for the next 30 minutes, the three groups should each find a position to establish a fortress and erect a flag in the innermost position. The conditions for defeat for each team are if all members are hit by a snowball, or if the team flag gets taken away.”

Origami turned to face Shidou as she continued to speak.

“──Furthermore, while players that have been hit are forced to retire; they can be revived as a bonus if their team steals one of the other team’s flags.”

“This way, the teams can even plan for a bold assault.”

“Also, a team that has had their flag taken will be forced to join the team that has taken their flag. Those that had not yet been hit by a snowball will continue to fight as players for the new team.”

"Fufufu .... That is pretty important. If we take a flag without retiring one of our opponents, our troops would be doubled in a single stroke.”

“"Finally, as a reward for the final winning team, that team will have the right to give commands to everyone else as a prize."

“……What!?”

Hearing Origami issue that condition so naturally, Shidou could help but make that sound.

“Wait, hold on a second! What’s with that rule!? I’ve never heard of that before!”

“I just explained that, so there are no problems.”

Just as Origami finished, the team composing of Yuzuru and Miku distorted the corners of their lips.

“Approval. That’s right, there’s nothing wrong.”

“Ufufu……what shall I ask for, I’m looking forward to it──”

As Miku said that, she cast a gaze at Shidou, Kotori, and Natsumi while licking her lips. The three of them all shuttered at the sight.

“O…Oi……as expected, aren’t these rules strange!?”

Shidou tried to make an appeal to the Tohka, Yoshino, and Kaguya team.  Indeed if a vote is cast, they could overrule it with a 6 to 3 majority.

But contrary to Shidou’s hopes, Tohka had been tilting her head to the ground curiously.

“Mu? In other words, if I win, I can have anything I want for dinner today!”

“Looking forward…..to it.”

“Kakaka! No problem, no problem. No matter what, our team will be the one to win. Shidou, yielding already is the thought process for the dead. If you’re alive, then press forward!”

“N-no, I didn’t mean it like that……”

“──Then let’s begin. The key to victory lies in a sturdy wall.”

As Shidou was about to tell Tohka and the others about Origami’s intentions, Origami interrupted him with a loud clap of her hands. Tohka cheerfully said “Oh!” and went off to start building her snow fortress. 

“Ku……!”

So it was already impossible to say anything to stop it anymore. Shidou’s grimace displayed a painful expression.

Seeing Shidou like this, Kotori and Natsumi could only give an uneasy look from behind.

“Seems the situation has suddenly changed for the worse……”

“……W-what should be done now with this?”

“…………”

Shidou gripped his fist as he turned around to face the two of them.

“There is only one way. We have to win.”

◇

“Didn’t you say something cool before?”

As the snowball fight began, Kotori gave out a scream as they were hiding from a torrent of snowballs sweeping like rounds from a machine gun.

“N-no way! To be stuck at this step……!”

Shidou’s group formed from the rock paper scissors match (Team 5・7・5) had been unable to move from their initial position since the beginning of the battle. Of course, every time they had tried to leave and retaliate, they were hampered by a barrage of white projectiles. 

However it wasn’t just Shidou’s group. On the left side, the Tobiichi platoon was in a similar position. 

Yes, Weiß Legion reformed on the right side was dominating the battlefield with overwhelming firepower and quantity. 

“What should we do!?” 

Shidou exposed an embarrassing face as his heart issued a desperate cry.

After all, the Weiß Legion possessed a combination of both devastating explosive power by arranging Tohka, who boasted great physical strength even among the Spirits, as the vanguard. This was done in conjunction with Kaguya’s nimble movements and superior speed in the center, allowing for a great scope of range in their pitching ability.

But more than that, no matter how strong the offense, it takes time to gather snowballs before throwing. The number of projectiles should be limited and sometime should be dedicated towards recharging ammo. For such an attack-oriented team, there should be an opportunity to launch a counter assault at this time period. 

However, it was completely different for Weiß Legion. Yoshino was positioned in the rear guard, replenishing snowball at a vigorous pace to ensure that not a slight pause would be taken from their avant grade assault. 

“……Are, how is that not a foul? I see that there is an infinite amount of snowball being produced from Yoshinon’s mouth……”

A glimmer of sweat feel form Shidou’s head as he spoke. Meanwhile, Kotori also revealed a similar expression.

“……Well, I think it falls under a gray area in the rules. Either way, there’s no way to appeal against it now.”

“Ah……”

As Shidou was engaging in this dialogue, a drastic change occurred in the battlefield situation.

From the Tobiichi Platoon, Kaguya and Miku jumped out from the protection of their guardian walls, changing the situation which had mostly been a defensive battle up until now.

“Participation. No matter what, I won’t let Kaguya’s team succeed. 

“Haha! It’s everyone’s Miku.”

Yuzuru and Miku adopted a lovely posture, almost deliberately provoking the Weiß Legion to attack.

“Ho! So you’ve finally come out, Yuzuru. I’ve been waiting!”

Kaguya cried out loudly, as she threw a snowball at Yuzuru’s direction.

“Avoid. Fu──”

Yuzuru easily traversed through the air, turning around to mangificantly avoid the large abundant amount of snowballs heading her way. Rollovers, flips, and summersaults, Yuzuru countered while still in midair. It was a dazzling display of physical prowess. 

If you didn’t look closely, it seemed as if she was floating.  ……Well, it wasn’t as if the trajectory of Kaguya’s snowballs also obeyed common sense.

“Really, that child……even if it was just a small amount but to use Reiryoku for this……”

Kotori placed her hand on her forehead as if trying to mitigate her annoyed expression. 

At the same time, Tohka picked up a snowball and aimed at Yuzuru. 

But Miku, who was also at the center of the battlefield, had deflected the attack and puffed up her chest in pride.

“Ufufu……Tohka-san, should you only be occupied with Yuzuru-san right now?”

“Mu?”

As if allured by those words, Tohka turned her attention to Miku. Then, Miku stretched out her as if trying to stop Tohka.

“Stop—really please stop Tohka-san. I can’t move as quickly as Yuzuru-san, and because I’m not wearing my Astral Dress, a snowball thrown by Tohka-san would definitely hurt. ──Now, can you still throw it?”

“……Mu?”

After showing a confused look, Tohka winded up like a baseball pitcher and threw the snowball in her hand.

In that moment, a loud roar erupted as that snowball flew past Miku, briefly brushing the idol’s hair before crashing into the wall behind them.

“Hi…… hi ~i~i~tsu!?”

Miku immediately cried out in terrified voice, before collapsing onto the ground after her legs gave into her fear.

Looking at that scene from a distance, Natsumi’s face changed into a blue hue. 

“W-what power.  I wouldn’t be able save myself after being hit by something like that.”

“Certainty……how the heck are you supposed to fight against that……”

“Ara, it would be impossible to shield against a technique like that.”

Kotori spoke as if to answer Natsumi and Shidou’s words.

“Eh? What the hell can we do?”

“Easy, first we have Shidou receive a snowball thrown by Tohka at full power.”

“Yeah, I’m dropping this idea at the notion of the word ‘first’.”

“The important thing will start from here. Though Shidou’s soul will be forced to retire, his body will serve as a wall to protect us.”

“Are you really that inhumane!?”

“I’m joking, joking.”

In the midst of Shidou’s screams, Kotori waved her hand as she proceeded to speak. 

On the other side, Miku began to stand up while issuing an unsteady voice. 

“T-Tohka-chan!?  What are you doing! That power just now was even stronger than before!”

“Eh? Is Miku telling me to not throw it seriously?”

"Please remember the whole sentence properly!"

“Muu…..then why not?”

“Should it be something like “Ku……it’s no good, I can’t bring myself to harm Miku.” 

“It’s okay, Tohka-san, the battlefield doesn’t suit your gentle hands. Now come, 
jump into my bosom. ““Ahhh, Miku”… this kind of feeling!”

“Mu……?”

Listening to Miku’s words, Tohka instinctively frowned.

Looking at this scene from afar, Natsumi shuttered while keeping her eyes half closed.

“…..Hey, isn’t this a chance opportunity?”

“Ah……”

Kotori sharped her gaze and picked up a snowball and threw it at Miku.
The snowball exploded on Miku’s head, who had been trying to feverishly talk down Tohka.

“Eh? Ahhhhhhh!”

Miku clutched her forehead as the remaining amount of snow fell down to the ground…..it was an incredibly helpless event. 

“How to say it……”

“……Well, at least Miku went out in style.”

Shidou and Kotori both gave a bitter smile before laughing.

“…..But this might not be a good thing. The worst case situation for us now is if the “Tobiichi Platoon” wins, but as far as I can see, the “Weiß Legion” is the one currently dominating right now. Even though Yuzuru is skillful at dodging, it still doesn’t drastically change the battle situation. If Tohka keeps pushing forward like this…..”

“Ah──that’s right. If Tohka’s group wins, then they wouldn’t be able to command Miku now…..!”

“Though if she wins her orders would only be limited to tonight’s menu for dinner.”

Kotori raised the end of her lip, while a sweat drop fell from her head.

“Defeat by getting hit by the snowball would definitely hurt, it would be better to hope to have the flag taken.

“Un, I agree.”

Natsumi nodded her head gallingly in response to Kotori’s words.

Really, it was just as Kotori had said. Their goal was not to win the right to command, but rather not let “Tobiichi Platoon” obtain that right. As long as the Weiß Legion continued to work like this, then there should be no more problems.
Over by the snowy fields, Miku, who fell down, complained loudly in an unhappy voice. 

“…..Ara──Is nobody willing to play the script? I’m waiting for a princess’s kiss to wake me up.”

Hearing this, Kotori reluctantly sighed. 

"...... As expected, there is no one rushing around in the midst of the battlefield. I mean it would get ridiculous if someone was soon poking around everywhere!”

At the moment Kotori finished, Yuzuru had just gone past Miku. Faster than what the eyes could follow, the high speed snowball battle against Kaguya more resembled bombs detonating on a beach then a snowy field. 

“`Hi ~in!'”

Miku hurriedly panicked to as she jumped away to escape to the battlefield.
“Really, it didn’t change things even by a little bit.”

"Haha ... well, well, it seems to be rash but it is …."

"……Hmm?"

Natsumi, who was peeping through the narrow viewing window of their fortress, uttered a large sentiment of surprise.

“What’s the matter Natsumi?”

“No, that snowman, was it there before?”

‘Eh?”

Hearing Natsumi’s suspicions, Shidou couldn’t help but frown.

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh! This barrage is power──────!”

Tohka threw the snowballs that were continuously been supplied to her hands, flinging it even more past the enemy forces.

“Kākā! Good Tohka! That’s the way! Neither the left nor right teams can move anymore. Let’s decide this game at once!”

From behind after hearing Kaguya’s voice, Tohka turned around and nodded.

“Umu! Then we will be eating hamburger and fried shrimp for tonight!"

“Kukuku…… What are you talking about Tohka! We would have right of absolute command! You can even add deep-fried desert......"

“Wha……? Wouldn’t that make the strongest combination!?”

“Of course! Onwards now, we move towards victory!”

“Umu! Ooooooo!”

Tohka raised a battle cry as she started throw the snowballs with even more power.

However──

“Eh……?”

Tohka had stopped throwing, without any more snowballs it would be meaningless to throw.

“Yoshino, there’s not enough snowballs, please make more.”

As Tohka was looking at Yoshino’s direction──Tohka slightly frowned. 

Yoshino, who had been constantly supplying the snowballs from behind, face, was flushed with an expression of anxiety.

“Ah……”

“Yoshino……?”

Tohka tilted her head in a puzzled expression before turning her body to the direction that Yoshino was staring at──

“What……!?”

Just like Yoshino, Tohka started helplessly at the sight.

But it would impossible not do something like that. Behind Tohka, a large snowman was gently positioned within Weiß Legion’s territory, gasping their team flag in its hand.

“W-what is that snowman!”

“That’s not the one Yoshino made.”

As everyone’s face was flushed with a dismayed color, the snowman’s face began trembling slightly, before the snow on its head collapsed on itself.

A familiar girl’s face was exposed.

“What──Origami!?”

It appeared that Tobiichi Origami, the person that should have been fighting Tohka, had emerged from the snowman. It seems that she had slipped into the snowman a while ago to enter the opposing team’s territory undetected.

“──Your team’s firepower is certainly a threat, but it also obscures your field of vision, allowing me to sneak in unnoticed.”

“Ku…..!”

“S-such a thing…..”

“Anyway, now that I have taken the flag, all members of Weiß Legion from now on are under the command of the Tobiichi Platoon.”

Origami declared while looming over Tohka. …...Well, while still having her entire body covered by a snowman.

Nevertheless, the results of the defeat couldn’t be changed. While giving an extorted expression of lament, Tohka raised up her arms while sitting down.

“……Shoot, I don’t think the losers will survive this humiliation.”

As if in sync with Tohka’s actions, Kaguya raised her voice.

“Well said, Tohka, and that is why you are my sole servant ... and also, Origami, aren’t you forgetting something important?"

“Something important?”

Origami made a gesture to lean her neck, but the action was blocked by the rest of the snow on the snowman.

“Also, even if our fortress has surrendered, do you think that we would truly move in accordance to your will?  The most terrifying thing on the battlefield is not a mighty enemy but the trustworthiness of an ally. Make sure to keep your backs on vigilance if you don’t want to be betrayed.”

Kaguya had said that while exposing a “kukuku…” evil smile. Although she didn’t completely understand what Kaguya was saying, Tohka echoed the same sentiment by making a “mean face” while also saying “kukuku”. Meanwhile, Yoshino found it difficult to repeat those words without smiling. 

However, Origami’s expression did not change as she continued to speak. 

Well then, you may all withdrawal from here, but are that really okay with that?”

“What……do you mean?”

As Yoshino asked, Origami cast the three of them a calm look.

“I have just said that the victorious team will be able to command the losers, and members of the defeated team that weren’t hit can be incorporated into the victorious team.”

“That means……ah!?”

After listening to Origami, Kaguya’s shoulder trembled.

“What’s wrong Kaguya?”

“……In other words, Origami is telling us that she will give us the right to command over Shidou and the others if we become their comrades.”

“W-what!?”

Tohka turned to Origami while frowning.

But after a moment, she shook her head after thinking something over.

“No…..no. Its certainty regrettable for that fried shrimp and chicken, and sausage hamburger……” 

“Tohka-chan, did you increase the amount of toppings from before?”

Despite what Yoshinon said, Tohka didn’t seem to notice and continued. 

“Unfortunately, I can’t do that. If I do, Shidou and the others won’t be able to win anymore.”

"You should have already indicated consent to that rule."

"Mu...... mu..."

It was true that they were indeed told this. Tohka made a difficult face as she folded her arms together. Initially, she didn’t see it as a problem and allowed the rules to be passed, but now the rules were imposing t’s effectiveness. 

However, seeing as Tohka’s mental dilemma was wasting time, Origami eventually breathed out.

“──Taking up any more time would be allowing “Team 5・7・5” the opportunity to retaliate. If you don’t have the will to participate, then we’ll do everything by ourselves.”

“Mu……”

“But in that case, that would be giving up the fried shrimp, fried chicken, octopus wiener and hamburger steak with crab cream croquette.”

“What──!?”

Tohka involuntarily held her breath.

“Crab cream……?”

Tohka was overcome by a dizzy sensation, but quickly regained control after shaking her head repeatedly. 

“No, no, but……”

“It’s unfortunate to say, but you would have had the liberty to choose fried shrimp, fried chicken, octopus wiener and crab cream croquette, and cheese hamburgers with free refills.”

“………………….!?”

“Cheese hamburgers, was there truly such a thing? Also, the freedom to eat casually, Tohka’s line of slight gradually became distorted. 

“T-Tohka-chan!”

“Don’t be misled by the enemy’s sweet words!”

Yoshino and Kaguya cried out, but then Origami whispered something to the two of them.

The next moment, their two faces turned beat red.

“Eh……? Eh……?”

“Y-your lying…..! Such a thing to that extent……?”

As Yoshino and Kaguya expressed their befuddlement, Origami merely nodded her head.

Then, she pointed to the direction of “Team 5・7・5” and issued a quiet declaration.

“──Battle, resume!”

“………”

Tohka, Yoshino, and Kaguya all stared at each other for a moment before quietly uttering “mu…” sound 

“……What happened? The attack seemed to have stopped……”

Kotori slowly walked towards the edge of their fortress wall. 

“Hey Kotori, that’s too dangerous. Perhaps──”

“I know that.”

Kotori removed her left glove, holding it by the tip before beginning to wave it above their protective wall. Yes, perhaps Tohka had stopped the attack in order to make them neglectful during the slight break.

But even in the face of such provocation, the Weiß Legion did not release another snowball.

“……Nothing is coming over.”

“……Yes.”

Shidou and Kotori exchanged surprised looks. 

Due to Yoshino and Yoshinon’s existence, stopping the attack in order to tempt them was also an unlikely story. However, having no reaction to Kotori’s glove was unthinkable considering Tohka and Kaguya’s reaction time.

“I wonder what happened. They seemed to have finished throwing snowballs……”

“……Ah!?”

As Shidou and Kotori were groaning suspiciously, Natsumi, who had been peeking through the narrow window, issued out cry of alarm.

“What? What happened, Natsumi?”

“Ah, a re……the flag from Tohka’s team has been taken down!”

"What……?"

"What did you say!? What’s going on?"

After the recovering from being paralyzed by Natsumi’s words, Shidou and Kotori both peaked through the window to the direction of Weiß Legion.

There, the flag that had been standing on top of a mountain of snow was now in the long hands of a snowman──no, they saw that it had been usurped by Origami.

“Ori-Origami!?”

Shidou and Kotori could not help but exclaim in a shocked voice. They noticed that Origami had hidden herself in the snowman, and had already won by leaving with the Weiß Legion’s flag.

“Wait……that is also…..”

Speaking with a trembling voice, Natsumi had noticed something.

Viewing while full of anxiety, it seemed that Tohka and the others had talked with Origami for some time about something. Afterwards, she once again held a snowball in her hands.

“Wa!”

“Hi──!?”

After taking a deep breath, Shidou and Kotori hurriedly went back behind the wall. Afterwards, the attack that they had been waiting for began to resume.

“Ch…...so that’s how it is. No one was forced to retire but the flag was taken, so Tohka and the others were incorporated into Origami’s team.

“……I see, that Origami. She was aiming for this from the very beginning……”

The Itsuka siblings bit their lips in frustration after seeing what Natsumi had said.

“Ah……! Origami took off the snowman and is returning back to her position.”

“Ku, so they are all intending to attack. So now Origami should be the only one defending……”

“Calm down! It’s impossible to land a snowball on Origami without being hit by Tohka and Kaguya’s bombardment!”

“Gu……but then continuing on like this……”

After that, the original members of Tobiichi Platoon, who had been on the left side so far, had also begun advancing. Perhaps, once it had been confirmed that Origami had returned, they would join in to seriously attack Shidou and the others.
They must have become prey for the white devils.

“Throwing. Come and let’s decide the winner.”

“Dar~~~~ling~~~~! Kotori-san~~~~! Natsumi-san~~~~! Please wait everyone. Once we’re there, we’ll open the gates to a whole new world~~~~!”

Mixed within the snowball attack, both Yuzuru and Miku were coming closer. Natsumi’s shoulders shivered even more than before.

With this, it wouldn’t long before their fortress collapsed and Shidou and the others would be completely consumed. Before that happened, they had to do something.

“Think……think! There must be some way……!”

“Even if you say that…..it wouldn’t be that simple.”

While listening to Shidou’s words, Kotori steepened her facial expression.

“An uninterrupted attack from both sides, that is to say we can’t even move right now. Even worse, it seemed that Origami didn’t have any intention of taking our flag from the beginning.

“Wa…are they trying to kill us with snowballs?”

“It is possible to say that the only thing we could win at is striking back against those trying to grab our flag with snowballs…..but now with the Weiß Legion’s combat power now, we can’t even take that risk…..they want to rule out any opportunity that we could seize, as expected of Origami.”

“Then…..that means we can only wait for the wall to collapse?”

As Natsumi had a sad expression with a face filled with sorrow, she let out a whimpering voice. Shidou clenched his fist in response as if trying to deny the current situation. 

“Don’t give up……it’s not over! How about hiding inside a snowman like what Origami just did?”

Kotori sighed as she shook her head slightly. 

“It’s impossible; Origami had plenty of time to create that snowman in her own fortress. Creating a snowman with a hiding feature would be unmanageable in our current situation. Besides, do you think Origami would fall for the same trick that she already used?”

“Ugu….then let’s try a dig underground from the snow……”

“……That lacks even more of a sense in reality…..it’s already hard enough to hide ourselves in this amount of snowfall…pilling up even more would make even difficult to crawl.

“Ku, ku……”

Shidou groaned while pressing his forehead. 

Then, at that moment──

“Waa!”

The fortress which had continued to withstand an uninterrupted volley of snowballs had begun to partly collapse. Natsumi, who had been in that area that fell down, hurriedly moved to a safer spot.

“Ku……even the wall is at its limit.”

Kotori sharpened her line of sight as she picked up a snowball.

“──It can’t be helped. Shidou, Natsumi. This will be out last resort.”

“Last resort…..? Do you have a plan?”

“Yeah, the success rate is probably ten times greater than Shidou’s plan.”

Kotori confidently moved her mouth. Shidou and Natsumi’s eyes went “Oh” wide open in response.

“What should we do?”

“Easy, with a snowball in hand, start tuning from the shadow of the wall, while brilliantly dodging all of the attacks, we’ll target Origami with the snowball. 

Afterwards, that person will clean up the Tobiichi Platoon’s position. We’ll win if we can escape with the flag and dodge Tohka’s attacks.

While speaking, Kotori got up and made a gesture as if she threw a snowball,

“……That.”

“That strategy…..?”

“Ah, well the probability of success is about 0.01%.”

“Eh!? Does that mean my strategy’s success rate was about 0.001%?”

“Is it too high? I do have a soft spot for my Onii-chan.”

“…………”

Despite his annoyed expression, Shidou did not respond back not wanting to say anything that was no need. Any further commentary would have been unnecessary──more than anything there wasn’t much time left to ask these sorts of questions.

──The Weiß Legion’s machine gun like attack had greatly weakened Team 5・7・5’s defensive wall. There was only so much of the wall left that could be used as shelter for the three of them. When the walls collapsed again, that would be the moment when Shidou and the others were defeated. 

“Okay…..! If we die, we’ll die together!”

Shidou decisively took a deep breath, as he picked up a snowball nearby. Then, he sharpen his gaze and took a forward tilted posture to narrow the range of projectiles even a by bit.

“Eh, let’s die a spectacular death. “

Kotori nodded as she turned her eyes to the same direction that Shidou was focused at──the enemy camp was an impregnable castle built by Miku, Yuzuru, and Origami. 

Shidou and Kotori exchanged glances before nodding to each other. As the two of them were about to jump out──

“That, can I annoy you guys for a second?”

Natsumi raised her hands together in a state of nervousness.

“Eh? What’s wrong, Natsumi.”

“If that’s the case, there’s one more thing that we could try……”

“! Have you thought of something?”

“……No, it's not that much of a thought ... ...Ah, right... well ... well forget about it......"

As Shidou and Kotori looked on, it seemed Natsumi was cowering back. Kotori anxiously scratched her head.

“Nothing would be useless now. Say whatever you want.”

“…..Uh, uh……”

At Kotori urging, Natsumi finally spoke out her plan.

“…………”

Origami breathed out silently as she watched Team 5・7・5’s defensive wall gradually become smaller as it was exposed to the fierce snow battle.

The war situation was carried out in accordance with Origami’s plan. At least, there is no unexpected situation out of her expectations. Everything was running smoothly.

"Excitement. Everything is going as Master Origami planned."

"Ufufu, truly our victory is close!"

Yuzuru, and Miku who had been revived after Origami stole the enemy team’s flag, continued to throw snowballs. Origami returned with a small nod.

“──True, but in order to prevent something unexpected from happening, we cannot relax until the very end.”

As Origami finished, the two of them gave out a positive response.

“Understood. No distractions until the very end.

“After winning we can enjoy the full course of Darling, Kotori-san, and Natsumi-san…… fu fu, ufu fufufu……”

“Concern. Cannot be too carless with Miku.”

Yuzuru spoke while watching Miku’s actions.

And── with an echo, the situation had finally changed.

Team 5・7・5’s wall had finally been reduced to a third of its initial size. The shadow of two figures had jumped out from both left and right.

“!.....Yuzuru, Miku.”

But this was still within expectations. Origami picked up a snowball as gave commands to the other two.

“Reaction. I will not let them approach.”

“I’m counting on you──”

As Origami echoed her instructions, Yuzuru and Miku began throwing all of their snowballs.

Although they were still in a favorable positon, it was very difficult to land a hit on a moving target.  Against Shidou’s group, the snowballs that Miku and Yuzuru threw were unable to catch their target. 

“Hold it…...!"

Seizing the momentary chaos, Shidou cast a snowball towards Origami.

However, landing a hit was not the goal. The moment after Shidou threw the snowball, Shidou was bathed in the concentrated fire of the Weiß Legion as his body became sank into the snowy field.

“Ha!”

Kotori who had went the opposite direction from Shidou, also threw a snowball before having to retire.

However, the snowball that Shidou threw was still alive. Once released, the effect of the snowball lasts until it hits the ground, even if the athlete that threw it had already been hit. In other words, even though Shidou had to retire, if the ball landed on Origami, it would create a double out.

“…………!”

Origami exuded a small breath, before she leaned her body back to dodge. 
For a moment, everything seemed to be in slow motion. The snowball that Shidou threw passed a few millimeters above the tip of Origami’s nose. Despite feeling remorseful, it was still a refreshing feeling.

“…………”

“……Seriously, you avoided that one just now. You really are amazing.”

“If wasn’t me──no if it wasn’t me, Tohka, Kaguya, and Yuzuru, avoiding it would have been impossible. Maybe Yoshino as well, since it was restricted to snowballs.

“……Ah, there seem to be a quite the number of people that could have avoided it.”

As Origami stated her honest impression, Shidou collapsed on his shoulder. 

“There should be no disappointment. It was a good pitch.”

“Haha……Oh, I'm happy even with flattery."

“It’s not a compliment. It was a good throw. Shidou’s ball is a really good ball.”

“Why are you adding me there!?”

As Shidou cried out, Origami didn’t seem to care and continued.

“──However, the result is the result. This game is our victory.”

As Origami finished, Shidou fell to the ground and exhaled.

“Is it too early to say this? Take a look; even if I’m forced to retire, my team hasn’t been defeated yet."

“………..”

As Origami looked around, both Kotori and Shidou, who had been hit, started to stand up. Indeed, it was as Shidou said, there was a person that was missing. Perhaps, she was still hiding within the protective wall.

“It’s true that you have not lost according to the rules, but it’s impossible for her to overthrow the situation alone.”

“……You think so? Are you sure?"

Shidou gave out a fearless smile. Still, it must have just been a bluff or bravado. 

“…………”

However, Origami felt her heart roaring. ── It felt feel like she’d overlooked something. But the notion of what still escaped her. 

Seeing Origami thinking, Shidou expressed another smile.

“I believe in you, Origami──that you would definitely avoid that snowball.”

“......!?”

Origami’s shoulder was trembling as she turning around.

──Over there.

“……Fu, flag captured……”

Behind Origami, although it had appeared that she was dizzy from motion sickness, Natsumi was proudly holding up the “Tobiichi Platoon” flag.

◇

Eventually, in the snow battle between the three teams, victory was achieved by Team 5・7・5.

The Spirits who had been divided into three teams had gathered together to give a round of applause.

“Natsumi!  You did it!”

Shidou, while removing the snow from his own body, ran over to Natsumi and pat her on the head.

Then, Natsumi face flushed with a blue color as she brushed away Shidou’s hand.

“Wait……a moment, I feel nauseous right now, so please don’t shake my head……”

“Ah──sorry, that’s my bad.”

Shidou gave a wry smile as he retracted his hand.

Natsumi’s reaction was understandable. After all, she had just transformed into the snowball that Shidou had thrown.

It was a foolish strategy that was possible because it Natsumi was a Spirit with a transformation ability. Both Shidou and Kotori were surprised when they received that proposal from the Natsumi, but... she managed to complete the work brilliantly.

"It was totally too messy, but fortunately everything went okay…..."

From behind them, Kotori shrugged her shoulder and sighed.

“……I think that we couldn’t win unless I did that ... ... but ... well ... well ... for being too messy, sorry."

“Isn’t your sensitivity to praise way too low!?”

Looking at Natsumi falling even more into a depression, Kotori raised her voice.
At that time, Tohka’s eyes lit up as if remembering something.

“By the way Shidou, what would be the prize now? Doesn’t Shidou always get to decide the dinner menu?”

“No…...it’s not the right to decide the dinner menu, but……”

Shidou gave a wry smile as he scratched his cheek.”

“…………”

Just then, Origami then began to undress clothes she was wearing.

“What are you doing!?" 

“......? Preparing for Shidou’s order.”

“It’s not going to be that kind of order!"

“……What kind of hard-core order is it going to be?"

Origami titled her head curiously. Shidou waited until Origami sorted out her clothes before continuing. 

“There is no special order for everyone. But if everyone feels so strongly about it then…….everyone should be friends from now on. That’s it!”

After Shidou finished, Kotori nodded her head in agreement.

“Right, it doesn’t really matter for both me and Shidou……”

“If that is the case……”

Then, everyone’s line of sight was directed to the final member of the victorious party, Natsumi.

Natsumi, who was not good at receiving stares, started to tremble.

“……Ah, I also agree with them……”

But then Natsumi stopped, as she suddenly remembered something.

“……? What’s wrong, Natsumi?”

"If you have any orders, speak up."

“As for any order that I have, there’s only one”

Natsumi sighed before hesitantly speaking.

“……….Igloo.”

“Eh?”

“……want to enter an igloo.”

“…………”

After hearing those words, everyone suddenly froze a moment.
But soon everyone smiled and nodded.

Okay! Let’s build an igloo!”

“Yes, the order of the victor is absolute.”

“There are no objections, the losers must obey.”

Ooh! How do you make one? Let’s make it big enough so that everyone can fit in.”

“I’ll……do my best!”

“Kaka! Now behold and be honored at seeing the architecture skills of the Yamai at last!”

“Celebrating. Fetching a shovel now.”

“Kya~~Natsumi-san is too cute~~once the igloo is complete, we’ll spend time together in that narrow space. We can play Oshikura Manju throughout the night~~~~”

“…..Ah, an additional order, Miku can’t be allowed in the igloo.”

“Howaaahh! ? Why Natsumi-sa~a~a~a~a~a~an!?”

The backyard was filled with Miku’s scream and everyone’s laughter.