Date A Live Fragment: Date A Bullet - Volume 8 - Chapter 4

And so, Tokisaki Kurumi is…

 ──I want you to imagine. 

 Consider a human being that once thought it was fine to sacrifice their life. They were now having a shopping appointment with that person. And also, in the midst of walking together and chatting with that person. 

 “Ah…” 

 While muttering that, if she was keeping her eye on a wedding dress, what should I do? The person asking the question is me, Higoromo Hibiki. 

 Leaving aside the correct answer for the time being, time to move onto the second question. 

 It’s been a month since being born into the real world. What was the first thing that was done? 

 A chance encounter with various people? Coming into contact with various things not in the Neighboring World? Feeling worried about the discrepancies with the Neighboring World? 

 All of that was incorrect. Ahahahaha, the answer was the falsification of official papers. 

 To be specific, the family register was very, very important to the country called Japan. Without it, you couldn’t get a driver’s license, you can’t prove your identity, and it’s difficult to find employment for anything. 

 In order to live in the Neighboring World, Reiryoku was necessary. 

 Right now, what was necessary is money, and more money. 

 “Reality sure is a tough world…” “Did you just realize that now, Hibiki-san?” 

 I think it’s a permissible right to pinch the cheeks of my best friend when she has such a smug look on her face. 

 Well, just like that, through Kurumi-san’s connections, they came to depend on a mysterious organization. But even this mysterious organization seemed to be in a great state of confusion, citing “One day more than 100 mysterious girls just turned up!” 

 Moreover, some of the girls had been treated as whereabouts unknown. And to make matters more complicated, for instance a girl who went missing five years ago still looked the same as she did 5 years ago. This was certainly a cause for panic. 

 Up to that point, with a bitter smile, a great girl within the organization (A remarkably erotic girl with twintails and eating hard candy. Incidentally, it seems that Kurumi-san was viciously 

 beaten by this girl. Seriously, what a terrifying girl.) had come to talk to them. But then 70% of the former Quasi-Spirits approached her and asked, “If they could meet that handsome guy♥”, which as expected caused her to be greatly perplexed. 

 “What did that idiot brother do!? He didn’t do anything!?” 

 It was a face-to-face seduction made for only girls who still felt unclear on what it meant to be alive. For a comparison, this was on the level of being given water via mouth -to-mouth after collapsing from wandering in the desert. 

 I reckon this is going to turn into a bloody battlefield, but it was unavoidable. If wanting to consider it positively, this could just be a popular phase. Huh, he was popular all the time here? Seriously? 

 …Anyway, this and that were all mostly done. 

 I also obtained a family register. In other words, I had proof for my identity. The Quasi-Spirits with relatives still alive entered talks and were more than welcomed and accepted on the spot. 

 Kirari Rinemu and Banouin Mizuha both quickly adapted to reality after two weeks upon arriving. As soon as they obtained family registers, they signed up with an office belonging to their staff members. Both accomplished an immediate debut as idols. Their vitality was immense. 

 Walking around the city, their posters and commercials were already starting to catch on. It seemed they were aiming to be top idols. 

 Carte À Jouer set out as soon as she obtained a family register. And it seemed, she was making money by showing trump card tricks everywhere she went. Trump cards that could speak but not walk were certainly a strange product in this world. 

 The audience members didn’t think the trump card possessed self-consciousness, and seemed to be impressed by the high-leveled ventriloquism. 

 Jugasaki Retsumi was in charge of counseling former Quasi-Spirits sufferings from the discrepancies between the real world and the Neighboring World. She felt like a solid mother. 

 “After all, there may be many children discouraged from these gaps. Especially, the many children that have broken hearts. …No, there’s too many. Right now, there might be 10 or 20, but is it really okay to let that number increase? They’ll need a captain to talk to.” 

 No, I think that was perhaps impossible. It’ll be better to search for a new love. 

 In such circumstances, Quasi-Spirits advancing onto the real world in great numbers would cause several difficult problems. 

 However, with 700 billion people already in this world already, anything would be possible by increasing that number by 100! Think positively! 

 Regarding Tsuan-san, after she received her family register, the first thing she did was predictably open the doors to a martial arts gym. Of course, she now is no longer in possession of her Unsigned Angel or Astral Dress. However, the vast combat experience she cultivated led to rise to stardom in no time. 

 More specifically, she’ll be appearing in a TV fighting program within at least half a year. Being able to kick a sandbag weighing no less than 100 kg up into the ceiling, she was a beautiful girl with a great impact. But yeah, as someone that is like either a scout, promotor, or manager, if I think this over calmly…that person’s physical ability rivals Kurumi-san (which means that it’s at a ridiculously dangerous level). 

 And, now. Last but certainly not least, our Tokisaki Kurumi-san finally was able to meet that person! If only!! 

 Yeah, she got lazy. 

 She got incredibly lazy. 

 After all, it’s been a month──and they still haven’t met yet! 

 To be honest, my expectation was that the attack would begin within one hour of returning to the real world. But nothing! Has been! Done! 

 What was she doing? 

 “…I wish I had forgotten…” 

 That was said in such a downhearted voice. It was as if she was waiting for me to respond with, “No, Kurumi-san isn’t the type to carelessly forget.” 

 But even so, as the final blow for being dejected, she said “But, in regards to being me, there’s someone else much better than just me…” 

 She was excessively dithering around after struggling so much to make it here. Ah, incidentally, I also heard from Kurumi-san that besides her, there is a main body Kurumi-san. But regretfully, my desires to meet her haven’t come true yet. 

 It looked like she was also very busy on this side as well. Also, the reason why Kurumi-san ended up in the Neighboring World in the first place was because she had done something to her, so it would be a little awkward for the time being. 

 Well, if needed to describe Tokisaki Kurumi briefly, the girl who fought in the Neighboring World and the girl who fought over here were already different people…well that might be 

 an exaggeration. For a comparison, it was like a person who was a parallel world counterpart to yourself. 

 A girl who had taken a different path. 

 They were similar, but there was a decisive difference in values. 

 Such were the conflicts, battlefields, and adventures that served to distinguish the Neighboring World Kurumi from the real-world Kurumi. 

 …Now, let’s get back at the topic at hand. With Tokisaki Kurumi being a wuss, I need to do 

 something about this clumsy Kurumi. 

 And for that sake, let’s use this wedding dress. 

 “Kurumi-san. I’ve heard that you had a secret date with you-know-who before. Didn’t you wear this during that time?” 

 “Uhh, well…that’s…uhh…yes…” 

 In an unusual gesture, Kurumi awkwardly looked the other way. In other words, this was cute enough to kill a person. Staring at this expression would mean easily dying. This would be dying from this glorious sight. 

 Anyway, setting that matter aside. 

 “Well then, let’s buy this wedding dress!” 

 “…Say what?” 

 Kurumi-san slanted her head once more as she fumbled on what to say next. 

 “It’s fine because I’ll buy it. Wahahaha, purchasing a wedding dress is an extravagant us e of money.” 

 “No…wait, please wait a minute. What will you do after buying a wedding dress?” 

 “Of course, Kurumi-san is going to be wearing it.” 

 “Me!? Why!?” 

 “From my understanding, wearing this and being on the offensive…wouldn’t he definitely 

 remember if you go encounter him? If he can’t remember after that, then I guess it’s futile. Or 

 rather, if he’s forgotten, it must mean there’s something wrong with that person. Well, I’ve never met him, so maybe…” 

 Indeed. Why did I advocate making a statement against him? For now, I was angry at myself for saying that. 

 “B-But. Isn’t a wedding dress expensive?” 

 Yes, of course the price would be lofty. The market price for costume-made products was around 500,000. When it came to luxury goods, it was around double that. No, there was the impression it might take even more resources than that. 

 However, price was no longer an issue. 

 “I am very talented.” 

 “…What?” 

 “From the foreign exchange market.” 

 “…” 

 Kurumi-san was looking at me with an expression as if asking if I was serious. No, but it was really true. I have to say that my versatility is terrifying. Or rather, why would a Quasi -Spirit be talented at foreign exchange? …In the Neighboring World, this wouldn’t really be good 

 for anything… 

 “Well, that’s the reason why. Just think of it as an ordinary and extravagant expression of my gratitude.” 

 “I don’t like that!” 

 Kurumi-san shook her head in protest. Uhm, Kurumi-san would be fastidious when it came to money matters. It can’t be helped. Let’s take the form of a single loan here. 

 Kurumi reluctantly accepted with the condition that she would pay this back someday. 

 So that’s why I bought the wedding dress. It ended up being a lump sum payment. No matter how you look at it, this was an unbelievable age to get married. So, I had to eloquently and skillfully deceive them. 

 “Thank you very much. So, we’re waiting to use it again…ah, no.” 

 That’s right. For a costumer purchasing a wedding dress, saying again was a taboo word. Well leaving that aside, Kurumi-san was staring at the receipt with a stunned look. 

 (We can’t carry a wedding dress on us, so of course it’s going to be delivery.) 

 “I bought it…I bought it…” 

 “Now is already the point of no return!” 

 Provoked by that bright smile, Kurumi forced a smile with a cramped expression on her face. 

 “Hibiki-san is too much…too much!” 

 However, it seemed that her resolve had been decided. Just like a tiger that had determined its prey. Kurumi would probably be angry to hear that, but such an aura was being emitted from her right now. 

 I had heard from the great commander that there was a fucking enormous number of rivals for instance. I mean probably that distinguished person was included as well…I have sharp 

 observation skills to see through things like that. 

 And the issue was that Kurumi-san was currently a heroine of the past. 

 She had a bit of a late start compared to the other heroines that have spent time with him up until now. 

 So, they need to make a countback in a single stroke. Kurumi-san needed something to slip in-between her rivals and pull ahead. In that case, weddings dresses are yearned for by every woman. No, it’s no exaggeration to say that all of humankind was subject to longing for this. 

 “B-But Hibiki-san. But what if?” 

 “What if?” 

 “…What if I attract interest?” 

 I shrugged my shoulders at this foreign-like reaction from her. 

 “That’s fine Kurumi-san. When finally meeting him, he could apologize and say “Sorry, you’re Kurumi-san? Um, which Kurumi-san?”. Either that or he could be unable to withstand his embarrassment from the wedding dress and say “Ah, you’re that Kurumi-san!” while remembering you in a single blow. Which would you prefer better?” 

 “The latter one! Definitely the latter one!” 

 “Then! There’s nothing to be embarrassed about!” 

 “T-That’s right. You’re right!” 

 “Naturally!” 

 …Thinking it over calmly, this tension felt strange. Leaving aside Kurumi-san acting out of 

 character, it was the same for me too. Right, when Kurumi-san tried on that wedding dress, I felt something incomprehensible. 

 But in one way or another, Kurumi-san had finally made up her mind. 

 The decisive battle was on July 7th, the day of Tanabata. On this day, a small festival will be held in the shopping district of Tengu City where we lived. 

 This was a memorable day and memorable place for Kurumi-san. 

 She said that she had held a mock wedding ceremony at a small wedding hall near the shopping district. 

 The issue now was how to invite him. 

 “Leave it to me.” 

 “Eh, leave it to Hibiki-san? Now I’m really worried!” 

 Kurumi-san was now in a state of mind where she honestly and openly voiced her thoughts, but I remained confident. As for the source of that confidence, it would probably be fine as long as that natural logic was conveyed to that person. 

 However, I will absolutely never permit him refusing. Even if it means risking my life, I intend to drag him to Kurumi-san. 

 With that resolve, I depart to the battlefield. Ring the doorbell. He was currently enjoying the university life. In short, he should have more than enough time to spare. That is my bias towards university students. 

 “Yes.” 

 There was a carefree male voice coming to the door. Incidentally, was this the first time I’ve talked to a man? 

 Well, that doesn’t matter. 

 “Who is it…” 

 As soon as he saw my face, that person was at a loss for words. Well, I’d be at a loss for words too. Right, what else could you do when there’s a white-haired beauty with mismatched colored eyes glaring at him. 

 Ooh, is this how you tempted my favorite person, sonny? 

 “You’re not…Kurumi, right?” 

 However, it was another thing that had surprised him. It seems that this person thought I looked similar to Kurumi-san. No wait, was that really true? That could be it since right now this body is a mixture of various elements, but physically it should be a combination of Sawa-san and Queen. Oh no, how embarrassing. Tehehehe. 

 “Uhh, what do you want?” 

 He was staring at me, who was immersed in delusions, with a little bit of suspicion. This won’t do. Clearing my throat, I glossed over that by changing to the topic at hand. 

 “I was asked to deliver a message.” 

 “Haah.” 

 “She will be waiting for you at the chapel.” 

 Yes, that was the only keyword needed. If gazing at today’s calendar, it was easy to tell that today was Tanabata. Then, by incorporating the keyword chapel, it should make sense to remember. …Do you remember? If you can’t remember with this much, do you want me to 

 never forgive you? 

 “…!” 

 The response was immediate. He shouted, “I’m heading out for a bit!” back into the house and started running without a moment’s delay. Sprinting without looking back, it seems he had completely forgotten about me. 

 “…Muu.” 

 She decided to chase after him. Of course, this wasn’t to be a peeping tom or motivated by the spirit of curiosity. This was for conformation that this aforementioned person can properly reach the correct location. 

 Run, run, run. 

 Straight ahead, don’t avert your eyes to elsewhere. Rather than an issue with my legs, it was more that he was absurdly fast. I’d like to believe he was using his strength to run at full power. 

 Ah, jeez. Really──this isn’t interesting. This shouldn’t be interesting, but. 

 “…Let’s do this…!” 

 While acting like within the scope of a guardian watching over from behind, I kept running to not fall behind. 

 Upon arriving at the ceremonial hall, he entered the small chapel inside with little hesitation. He opened the double doors with enough force that they almost slammed against each other. 

 Of course, she was there. 

 Traveling, traveling, traveling, a girl who kept persisting just to meet this person. 

 Congratulations to Kurumi-san, who made that person her goal. 

◇◇◇

 Wearing a wedding dress, I wait for that person. 

 My heart, which I thought would be disturbed, was somehow calm. 

 I even thought that I didn’t need to come. As long as this feeling isn’t forgotten, they could always meet again. Even if you don’t remember, I wouldn’t care. 

 …No, was that arrogance? I’ve come this far together with my dear friend. Coming this far to 

 reach this point. 

 Without you, I would have given up a long time ago. 

 Without that child, I would have disappeared a long time ago. 

 That’s why half of that time here is for that child. The other half is for you. I wonder if even half of that can be conveyed. 

 But regardless, I was happy to have just meet you. 

 There were footsteps. Running too quickly, they weren’t suitable for a wedding hall. 

 I turn to face the door. Am I okay? Am I not crying? At the very least, I wanted to first show you a beautifully dressed up face. 

 Thud! And so, the door opened. 

 “Aah──” 

 What should I say? What should I convey? Such thoughts had been blown away. 

 “Kurumi…!” 

 His voice was shaking to an extent. In that case, sure enough, can I think that you remembered me? 

 I nodded and replied. 

 “Yes. I am Tokisaki Kurumi. …Shido-san.” 

 Shido-san, Shido-san, Shido-san, Itsuka Shido-san. Finally, finally I was able to say your name. 

 I couldn’t say it while in the Neighboring World. Even after returning to this world, I never said your name. 

 Shido-san nodded his head as if not knowing what to say. Still, as if knowing what to do, he slowly walked through the chapel to stand beside me. 

 A ceremony of vows is unnecessary. 

 However, I wait for you to raise the veil. 

◇◇◇

 Now, there was one more thing that Higoromo Hibiki needed to do. 

 It was to secretly gaze at Kurumi-san’s face in this spot while being undiscovered. There was not particularly any perverse implication in this. This was the happiest look from a girl who fell love, was in love, and continued to be in love. It was no exaggeration to say that she had come all this way from the Neighboring World just to see this with her own eyes. 

 Gently though a small window rather than the door. This way she looked on without getting blamed. 

 As I jumped into the chapel, the guy mentioned earlier seemed a little hasty as he gently raised the veil covering Kurumi-san’s face. 

 And. 

 I certainly saw a girl with an expression basked in supreme happiness. I certainly saw the face of a girl who was shy, bashful, and embarrassed. 

 He opened his mouth. 

 “That wish came true.” 

 “Yes, it took a long time, but it came true.” 

 And like that, Kurumi-san replied. 

 “──Oh.” 

 Tears unknowingly came out. For this, just for the sake of this person, she did her best preserving and continuing fight. 

 I’m glad. I’m really glad that person always looked straight ahead. I’m really glad that person’s dedication was rewarded. Really, really, really, really….!” 

 Enduring the sobs so that I couldn’t be heard, I left through the window. This wasn’t the pain of a broken heart. These were tears from feeling moved by her dear friend being rewarded. 

 Crying, I continued to cry until feeling refreshed. After leaving the wedding hall, the time was almost around dusk. Should I grab something to eat from here? Or should I take a peek at the stalls of this festival? While at a loss on what to do, a voice was heard coming from behind. 

 “Hi-bi-ki-san ♪” 

 “Yes, what is it colonel Tokisaki Kurumi-san!” 

 As she turned around and simultaneously gave a respect salute, Kurumi-san gave a look that seemed to say she was caught doing something strange again. Kurumi-san had already taken off the wedding dress and was back to wearing her ordinary clothes. Just like that, was it really possible that she had already left the ceremony hall and was marching into festival? It seemed it was. 

 “Are you going to be a mercenary next? Well, I suppose that’s fine.” 

 Kurumi-san, she turned towards the boy standing beside her──or that is to say, she was facing a young man with a face that looked like it had matured a bit. 

 “Shido-san. This is Higoromo Hibiki-san.” 

 Huh, was this an introduction? Higoromo Hibiki traded glances with the young man. 

 “Hibiki-san. This is Itsuka Shido-san.” 

 Ah, this was great. Did you properly remember his name? Kurumi-san must be happy in being able to call out a name that she couldn’t in the Neighboring World. 

 “Uhh…nice to meet you?” 

 “Yes…same to you.” 

 And so, for the time being the two of them exchanged greetings to each other. Should they exchange business cards? Regretfully, I had run out of business cards. 

 “Uhm…are you Kurumi’s…?” 

 “I’m, well…” 

 “──She’s a friend.” 

 Decisively slicing the thread of confusion with a single stroke──no, in Kurumi-san’s case, this was more like breaking such comments with a single bullet. 

 I witnessed Kurumi-san acting in a way that I cannot believe. She was a little embarrassed, but still she repeated again as if to make an announcement. 

 “My precious and important friend.” 

 “Kurumi-san…” 

 I had just finished crying, but I was about to cry again. 

 “I see. Pleased to meet you, Higoromo-san.” 

 “Yes, same here.” 

 Smiling with a relaxed air around him, the young man greeted me again with commonplace words. Kurumi then informed him with a gentle look. 

 “Shido-san. I’ve been on a long, long journey. It was lengthy, miraculous, dream-like, sorrowful, but also amazingly fun. Such was this journey.” 

 It was like that. I also agreed to that remark. 

 It was journey that was extensively long, wonderful, and sad. 

 “Shido-san, could you please lend us a little more of your time today? If you would like, please listen to the story of our journey.” 

 “Oh, I’ll listen. No matter how long it is.” 

 “Can Hibiki-san help as well? If it’s just me, my memory might be unreliable.” 

 “Of course, I will! I can be the supervisor that will do both the scripting, directing, and photographing!” 

 “Is that really necessary…?” 

 “It isn’t. When Hibiki-san is like this…she’ll interrupt the flow of the conversation.” 

 “Kurumi-san is number one in Japan! Like this?” “Yes, yes. Isn’t-it-like-that?” 

 I wriggled and struggled as my cheeks are being pinched. The person called Shido was slightly taken aback watching this, but soon he smiled and said to Kurumi. 

 “You made a good friend.” 

 “Yes, I was able to make a great friend.” 

 “Yes, yes. Then stop already.” 

 Enduring the ticklish feeling in my chest, I stand next to the person I like and the person that person liked. 

 It felt a little lonely, but I understand that the happy expression next to me was what I was looking for. 

 “Then, let’s start from the beginning. That is to say, where I ended up──” 

 Now, let’s start an exciting story. 

 The tale of Tokisaki Kurumi and Higoromo Hibiki’s turbulent adventure. 

 Now, let’s start a painful story. 

 The single-minded battle between girls living in the Neighboring World. 

 And finally, let’s talk about the foolish story of one’s human life. 

 The calm daily life of Tokisaki Kurumi and Higoromo Hibiki. 

 Don’t forget to keep walking. Even when looking back, never stop. 

 Like many people, like many lives, I try to remember only the fun times while living to forget the sad and painful times. 

 But even so, I can never forget──while embracing the precious memories filled with both joy and sorrow. Even if these memories caused pain, I would still proudly call them lovely. 

 Our journey was one that never truly ends. 

 Oh, it was exactly like that. Just like a bullet fired. 

 For Tokisaki Kurumi and Higoromo Hibiki, life (date) continues.