Date A Live - Volume 16 - Chapter Pr

Prologue - Ally of Justice 

Tokisaki Kurumi was a kind-hearted young girl, and those who knew her praised her of being so as well. Born to a wealthy family, she was a silver-spoon Ojou-sama that was raised within the palms of doting parents. She had never been forced to contend with restrictions in liberty or any sort of discontent in her childhood; and so, seventeen years of her life ticked by just like that. 

Neither hating nor hated by others, an exceedingly peaceful and steady life. 

Within these halcyon days of pure bliss, it appeared that everyone regarded her lifestyle as just that, and she seemed to believe so herself too. 

However, to say that she was entirely free of chagrin would be absolutely false. 

——A bleary sense of helplessness. 

Perhaps it originated from the unhampered amount of freedom she inherited ever since birth, or maybe it was simply due to her innate nature being such, but notions like these frequently entrenched themselves in Kurumi’s heart. 

Catching a glimpse of the encompassing world, many people could be seen facing a multitude of difficulties and hardships. 

Some met their deaths as they were drawn into warfare, while others were already afflicted with terminal diseases before they could even breathe their first breath. Few possessed nothing but the rags on their backs, much less any morsels of food to fill their bellies – there were people treated with immensely jarring disparities. In this world, it was the cold-blooded winds that unmercifully billowed against the emaciated limbs of the weak. 

She observed through television, newspapers, magazines——and even with her very eyes. 

As Kurumi bore witness to those sufferings, a bitter feeling of helplessness plagued her heart. 

Perhaps this was something that everyone underwent. Yet even though they were fully aware of the inexorable lack of emotion in this world, people had succumbed to that reality, disregarding the world’s misfortune instead, which they themselves were incapable of touching. 

But Kurumi’s heart, no matter how much time had elapsed, still preserved this matter. 

Perhaps there is something I can do. 

I want to lend a hand to those in need. 

This innocent sense of righteousness was, on the bright side, pure and, on the other hand, naive. 

This sentiment, which had taken root in her heart, was left unnoticed by everybody. 

Possibly, it was precisely due to her personality that it happened. 

——On that day. 

That day had been an average one like any other. 

Approximately 5 o’clock in the afternoon, Kurumi trod along the path home together with her friend, commanding a view of the setting orange sun while chatting idly. 

“——About that, Sawa-san.” 

“Un?” 

Being called out by Kurumi, her classmate Yamauchi Sawa tilted her head slightly with a blink of her eyes. She was a plain young girl with maroon colored hair tied together into three braids. 

“Do you have any plans for tomorrow? If you’re free, I’d like to pay a visit to your house.” 

“Okay. That’ll be fine…… Ah, could it be that you wanted to pet Chestnut again?” 

Sawa said with a light giggle. Chestnut was the name of a cat Sawa had bought home and raised. It was a cute American shorthair cat that was brazen and would even act playful with strangers it had met for the first time. 

“I-It isn’t like that. I… just wanted to study together with you……” 

“Hehe, sure you do. Please come without fail. ——But since Kurumi-san is really fond of cats, why don’t you keep one yourself?” 

Sawa’s utterances caused Kurumi to furrow her brows. 

“……My mother’s allergic to cats.” 

“I see. Then you’ll have to wait for your next life to raise one.” 

As she finished, Sawa grinned once again and waved her hand, heading in the direction of her own house afterwards. 

Kurumi returned the gesture and bade farewell as she lingered until her friend’s figure disappeared before she began her series of steps towards her home. 

There was nothing to complain about a stable daily life. Her friend was also cared for under the wings of fate. She never stumbled across hardships, so her tone of speaking struck no false notes. 

Following this, such a manner of living would undoubtedly continue. Even if an iota of fluctuation arose in the depths of Kurumi’s heart, she seemed to keep ambling home as though to feign ignorance upon this aspect. 

——Not long afterwards, she felt a bit indisposed. 

“……Eh?” 

After moving through several alleys, Kurumi broadened her eyes as she scanned her surroundings. 

Unbeknown to her, the bustle of people, the noises of animals, and all sorts of sounds had vanished. 

It was simply as if she had lost her way and wandered into another world. 

Instantaneously, Kurumi had even drawn the conclusion that her ears were experiencing hearing difficulties for a moment there——but that was by far not the case. The rustling of her clothes’ fabric created a friction that was still sonorously audible to her. 

“What’s… this……” 

Despite her drowsiness, Kurumi carried on walking in order to leave that place. 

However—— 

“What……” 

She quickly halted in her tracks. 

The reason was straightforward. Before her, an unidentified abnormality had manifested. 

It resembled a pitch-black shadow congealed into a living, humanoid form. That creature’s body exuded a caliginous aura as it emitted what was failed to be described by screeches of lament and rage. 

“Hya——!?” 

That was obviously an out-of-the-ordinary existence. 

Kurumi could not refrain from suppressing her breath, desperate to flee from there. 

Nevertheless, her body, brimming with restlessness, did not act as she wished. With a twist of her foot, Kurumi toppled onto the ground on her backside. 

“Kya……!” 

“————————” 

Then, as though perceiving Kurumi at last, the entity sluggishly closed in on the girl. 

“No…… Don’t……!” 

Kurumi was utterly unable to do anything, merely trembling with trepidation. 

But——the next instant. 

“……!?” 

Kurumi’s field of vision was completely beleaguered by light. Right after a crude explosion had reverberated, the monster near her evaporated into thin air. 

In its place stood a girl who looked as if she had switched places with it. 

“——Are you all right?” 

“Eh……Un——I’m… fine……” 

Puzzled, Kurumi lifted her head with a few misgivings, her line of sight falling onto that girl’s physique. 

Her hair flowing in the wind, she was a young lady possessing regular features. An irresolute expression surfaced on her countenance, further elaborating her unfathomable ambiance. 

She was adorned in a dazzlingly elegant and formal dress. Each and every one of these essential constituents portrayed her as an Angel or goddess. 

Having gone astray from her pace, Kurumi finally understood. It was she who had defeated that umbrageous creature and rescued Kurumi. 

“T-Thank you for saving me……” 

As Kurumi showed her utmost gratitude with quivering words, the girl gradually extended her hand towards her. 

Accepting the offer, Kurumi could be considered to have got up on her feet. 

“But…… just now, what in the world……” 

At Kurumi’s enquiry, the girl hung down her eyes and spoke. 

“——A Spirit. It is a creature whose purpose is to destroy this world.” 

“Spirit……” 

“……Correct. Speaking of which, who might you be? Why have you appeared here?” 

“Ah, I’m sorry. My name is Tokisaki Kurumi. As to why I’m here…… I’d like to know that as well to be honest.” 

After Kurumi’s exposition, the young lady stroked her chin while murmuring a ‘Hmm’, as if showing signs of mulling over something. 

“……Losing your way not of your own volition? Hnn, perhaps you’ve a compatible nature.” 

“Huh……?” 

Kurumi inclined her head suspiciously and exclaimed. Afterwards, the girl stared directly into Kurumi’s eyes. 

“——Forgive me for the sudden question, Kurumi, but do you desire power?” 

“……Power……?” 

“……That’s right. A power like mine. Do you wish for it? You will without any doubt be harmonious with the nature of the Sephira crystal. If you are willing——I hope that you can save the world with me.” 

“————” 

Phrases absurd beyond belief were being verbalized. 

A common person would definitely dismiss them with a laugh and harbor dubious suspicions. 

And neither had Kurumi not surmised such. 

However, what was by far more overpowering than that was the emotion deeply rooted within Kurumi’s heart, and it drove her to subconsciously lower her head forward. 

“Great. With your help, we’ll have a hundredfold more power.” 

The girl paused to smile for a while before continuing. 

“——Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kurumi. I am Takamiya Mio, also known as…… 

an ally of Justice.”