Home Sweet Grave

Cheeseburger.

Quite frankly even by the series' own standards, I'd say the latest volume of Date A Live is a bit underwhelming and anticlimactic, but at least I didn't have to pause and bury my face in my hands regularly like I did with the godawful 新世黙示録－Death March－. In any case, let's get this over and done with. The illustrations are here.

The One Who Struggles

Continuing from the last volume, Shidou bumps into Tamae and discovers that he has traveled to the past. Tamae leaves after getting her notebook back, while Shidou tries to make sense of what has happened to him. He understands that time can't be reversed but he knows all too well that there is someone who has control over time. Just as he's thinking about Kurumi, a giggle startles him before he realizes it's Kurumi's voice. Shidou scans his surroundings looking for Kurumi but she tells him that she is in a different "time". Kurumi explains that she has sent Shidou 5 years into the past using the Twelfth Bullet -Yud Bet-, as well as the Ninth Bullet -Teth- which allows her to connect –communicate telepathically and share senses– with people from different times. Shidou says he needs to go back to the present to help Tohka and the others, but Kurumi tells him about how she had sent Spirit Origami to the past before she came back as an Inverse Spirit. Kurumi says she wanted proof that history can be changed. She gets a little sentimental and says she's talked too much. She then urges Shidou to hurry and find out what caused Origami to go Inverse.

Shidou rushes back to his old home and recalls the fire caused by Kotori 5 years ago. Kurumi tells Shidou that she understands his feeling but he should give up on saving Kotori because of the changes it would bring if Kotori didn't become a Spirit. Shidou realizes that had Kotori not become a Spirit, she would have not been recruited into Ratatoskr and Shidou wouldn't have been able to seal the Spirits. Or rather Date A Live would have been a very different story. Shidou apologizes to Kurumi who says she wasn't criticizing him because the possibility of redoing the past is like fine wine in a poisoned glass. Shidou notices Kurumi's words are like warnings to herself, but before he can ask Kurumi for some answers, he's interrupted by his neighbour Suzumoto who's come to share some fresh vegetables with the Itsuka family. Shidou becomes worried as he's just traveled back from the future and looks much older that he should be, but fortunately he's able to use Natsumi's power and change his appearance in time. Kurumi teases Shidou by asking him to stand before a mirror so she can see his cute face. Just then, the sky turns red and the area is swiftly engulfed in flames. Shidou runs to the park where Kotori is and finds his past self, his crying sister, and Phantom. Shidou calls to Phantom but she disappears in a ray of light. He looks up and sees Spirit Origami, clad in a fantastic white dress but her face twisted by anger and hatred. Origami quickly flies away fighting Phantom with Shidou desperately chasing after them. He eventually comes across a couple screaming Origami's name and realizes that they are her parents. Before Shidou can even do anything however, a ray of light rains down and he is blown away by the shock wave. Shidou gets up and is shocked to discover a massive crater where Origami's parents used to be. He sees the young Origami finding and cursing Spirit Origami and realizes that Origami is the person who killed her own parents.

Spirit Origami soon vanishes as the effect of the Twelfth Bullet wears off, while Shidou rushes to the young Origami's aid. Shidou tells the crying Origami that she's not alone and he would gladly take all her sorrow, rage and whatnot, and says to her that by doing so she must not despair. Origami thanks him and asks for his name. She then asks him if everything he has said to her is true, which Shidou confirms. Origami says she will give Shidou her tears, her smiles and happiness. Shidou doesn't expect her to react this way and is surprised. Origami tells him that this is the last time she will cry and the last time she will smile, and that she will keep her anger and kill that Angel no matter how long it takes and what methods she will use. She tells Shidou to keep all her other feelings with him until she kills the Spirit and leaves.

Back in the present, Kurumi reflects on the events from that fateful day 5 years ago and comments on the irony of Origami's descent into darkness. As she ponders about what they should do about Inverse Origami, she is surprised by an unexpected visitor.

Back to Shidou in the past, he realizes, with some hints from Kurumi, that the reason Origami knows about him during their "first" meeting in high school is because she has in fact already met him when her parents died. Kurumi is very displeased with this outcome because by sending Origami and Shidou back into the past, she has helped create the original world (timeline). Shidou says it's all over, but Kurumi tells him that him being unable to stop Origami is the destined future of this world. Kurumi says that she's been told that by the future Shidou who has returned after not being able to do anything in the past. The future Shidou's asked Kurumi to tell his past self to break that destined future. Shidou regains hope and energy as Kurumi tells him it's not over yet. She suggests Shidou do a time travel again but having Shidou returning to the present and sending him to the past again just isn't practical, as the Twelfth Bullet consumes a large portion of the Spirits' power stored in Shidou and Kurumi is worried there might not be enough left for her to "eat". So she says to Shidou that they will do a much shorter time travel, but since she can't actually hit him with her bullet due to being in different times, Kurumi tells Shidou her plan.

Minutes later, Shidou is running up to the rooftop of a building near the fire. He asks Kurumi if it's the right place and she says it probably is. Shidou is a little annoyed by her vague answer. After witnessing the destruction the fire has brought to the city from above, Shidou asks Kurumi if they've got the place wrong as there's no one else there. Kurumi says it's strange but before she can finish, Shidou instinctively feels there's someone behind him. He turns around and——

"My my. A guest in such a place, how unexpected."

There stands Kurumi with a bewitching smile on her face.

Phantom

This is why I should never be allowed to write anything non-technical. Back to a few minutes earlier, Kurumi informs Shidou that there should be another Kurumi in his current time who is already in possession of Zafkiel. Kurumi says 5 years ago she was near where the fire broke out. Shidou asks if she had met him at that time, but Kurumi denies and says she was just there to see the fire as a disaster on such a scale could have very well been caused by a Spirit. Kurumi says she can guarantee that she was around the fire then and that she did not meet Shidou, and that is why what they are about has a lot of significance. If Shidou could meet the Kurumi who didn't meet him during the fire, then history would be altered.

Fast forward to where we left off. Shidou notices the differences in this Kurumi's clothes and asks her why she is wearing an eye-patch, which gives us this little exchange between the two,

"Please pay it no mind."

”Were you hurt by any chance?"
"Please pay it no mind."
"But..."
"P-L-E-A-S-E-P-A-Y-I-T-N-O-M-I-N-D."

Kurumi asks what business Shidou has in a place like this, which prompts him to bluntly ask her for help. Eye-patch Kurumi is surprised that Shidou knows her name and warns him not to move. He tries to tell her that he was sent here by the Kurumi from 5 years later. Present Kurumi tells Shidou that they don't have a lot of time and asks him to touch the eye-patch Kurumi. Shidou says it's fine if she keeps pointing the gun at him, but he'd like her to hold his hand. Eye-patch Kurumi cautiously complies and present Kurumi quickly explains the situation. After a moment of silence, eye-patch Kurumi agrees to shoot Shidou with the Twelfth Bullet. Before Shidou disappears, eye-patch Kurumi wishes him luck and Shidou tells her that he thinks the eye-patch suits her well. Present Kurumi lets out a choking sound upon hearing this while the other Kurumi thanks Shidou for the compliment and bids him farewell till they meet again 5 years later.

Shidou is successfully thrown back to the time before Kotori becomes a Spirit. He talks with Kurumi and notices that she's speaking a little more coldly to him than before. He asks if it's because of the eye-patch but Kurumi cuts him off. They discuss about how they can save Origami's parents to prevent her from going Inverse. Shidou eventually comes up with an idea and says to Kurumi that things would be fine if there were no "enemy" when Spirit Origami shows up.

Hiding behind the plants in the park where Kotori was turned into a Spirit, Shidou plans to talk to Phantom if he could, which Kurumi finds amusing and tells him that she wouldn't recommend trying to talk with Phantom. Soon Phantom appears and turns Kotori into a Spirit. Shidou apologizes to his sister and yells at Phantom. Although he can't see through the noises that are covering Phantom, Shidou can tell that she was very surprised to see him. Her reaction prompts Shidou to ask if she knew about him, but Phantom does not answer and runs away. Kurumi says Phantom's reaction is quite unexpected and asks if Shidou knew her. Shidou tells Kurumi that he doesn't know anyone whose body is hidden by mosaic. It was clear that Phantom knows about Shidou, and her reaction is very similar to that of Isaac Westcott, the Managing Director of DEM, when he met Shidou as the boy tried to save Tohka.

Shidou catches up with Phantom as the mysterious being suddenly stops. She doesn't seem tot pleased with the alias she's been given but apologizes to Shidou for running away as she didn't want to talk to him in front of Kotori. Phantom casts off the noises around her and uses Rinne as her fake form to talk with Shidou, who feels as if he has seen the face before but can't remember where. Phantom says it's not time for Shidou to see her yet and apologizes to Shidou for using a fake form. She has figured out that Shidou comes from the future and asks what business he has with her.

Shidou asks her if she knew him, to which Phantom says that she does and she knows him well. He proceeds to ask about himself and the power that he possesses. Phantom says she can't tell him and besides Kurumi is eavesdropping on their conversation too. Shidou says that those are just his own questions and that he wants Phantom to disappear from here. She asks him if that's a poetic way of expressing "I will kill you". It seems Phantom thinks Shidou has time traveled to kill her. Shidou says putting the killing issue aside, he wants Phantom to hide herself away, like going to the bordering dimension. She asks him for the reason why she should hide, but Shidou is unsure if he could tell her or not as she may be interested in turning Spirits Inverse like Westcott. Getting no reply from Shidou, Phantom says she can't comply with his request as she still has some unfinished business. Shidou asks Phantom to wait but he suddenly feels as if his body has been placed under the same effects of a Wizard's Territory. Phantom moves close to him and touches his cheek with her hand. In that instant, Shidou becomes certain that he knows the sensation of that touch. He knows this mysterious being who appears to him as a young girl. Phantom says that they will meet again when the time comes, and that when the time does come she will not leave him or make the mistake again (see Volume 1). Shidou remembers hearing those words but can't quite recall when or where. He regains the control of his body after Phantom leaves and sees Origami attacking Phantom with her light. Shidou realizes that the past events may repeat again but he swears to change history. Origami and Phantom's fight soon takes them to the space directly above Origami's parents. As the Spirit attempts to fire her light beam at Phantom, Shidou screams at her to stop but to no avail. Desperate, he firmly kicks off against the ground and races towards Origami's parents to push them out of the way (somehow misread this part completely). Even Kurumi is surprised. Enveloped in bright light, Shidou loses consciousness.

Devil

Shidou wakes up and finds himself back in the peaceful Tenguu City that he's familiar with. He runs downstairs and sees (white ribbon) Kotori watching TV in the living room. She's a little surprised to see him so energetic in the morning and comments on it in a carefree tone, but Shidou instead yells "Kotori! Are you alright?!" at her. She asks her brother if he's still half-asleep and tells him it's November 8th when he asks for the date. Shidou realizes that it's the day after Origami went Inverse. He becomes overwhelmed with joy and gives Kotori a big hug. Shidou asks Kotori whether she'd believe him if he told her that he had just changed the world, leading to her wondering if he's having a relapse of delusions again.

The Itsuka siblings are greeted by Tohka as they leave the house. Shidou gives Tohka her lunch box but he is a little surprised when Tohka asks if he's put bite-size cutlet in it. She says that it's something they talked about yesterday before saying goodbye, but Shidou does not have that memory whatsoever. He concludes that it's something the Shidou in this world, where Origami's parents are saved, has promised Tohka. Judging from Tohka and Kotori's behaviours, it seems that this new world does not differ significantly from the old one, but there are small things which are different. Shidou thinks it'd be a good idea to check with everyone as soon as possible. The Yamai twins show up and tease Shidou a bit before Kaguya gets all embarrassed when Yuzuru mentions about fantasies Kaguya has about Shidou and a certain diary which she keeps.

They arrive at school and Shidou notices that there's still no one sitting where Origami should be. Thinking she's late to school, Shidou settles down, but Origami does not show up as he waits. Tohka says she has a strange feeling that something is missing. As Tamae marks the roll, Shidou is shocked when he doesn't hear Origami's name being called out after Tonomachi's. He asks the teacher if there's been a mistake and what has happened to Origami. Tamae is confused and asks Shidou who Origami is. It becomes clear to Shidou that no one besides him knows about Origami. Fortunately for him, Origami's name sounds the same as paper folding origami, so everyone thinks he's referring to something else instead.

As Shidou thinks about how Origami should be able to live a happy and fulfilling life in this world, Tohka asks him if he's hurt somewhere. Shidou notices that he's crying. He realizes that while he's glad that Origami can have a happy life, he wants to at least see the girl who was once consumed by vengeance smiling like a normal girl, even if just for one day.

Back at the Itsuka residence, Kotori notes the drastic drop in Shidou's spirit, which is worrying Yoshino with Yoshinon wondering aloud why Shidou is so listless. Natsumi says it's obviously got something to do with women, which alerts both Kotori and Yoshino. Natsumi concludes that high school boys' problems boil down to women but then goes on vividly describing a series of bullying incidents in schools. The girls decide to cheer up Shidou by er um appealing to him using their er um feminine charms. I think. Natsumi says she can still use some of her transformation powers. Kotori warns that if they were changed into little kids again it would only increase Shidou's load as he turns into his male nurse mode. Natsumi says that this time it will be the opposite.

While preparing the dinner, Shidou almost cuts his finger as he's distracted by thoughts about Origami. Kotori and Yoshino comes to help, but Shidou drops the knife when he turns around to see his sister and the timid Spirit, all grown up (to Shidou's age) and dressed in suggesting clothing.

The two girls grab Shidou's arms and the usual shenanigans ensue. Shidou realizes it's Natsumi's doing and yells at her. Natsumi comes out of hiding from behind the sofa, but while she's also grown, she's dressed in plain maid dress instead of Kotori and Yoshino's revealing clothing. Kotori gets in a bit of argument with Natsumi about how they have all agreed to wear swimsuits and all that. Kotori tries to take off Natsumi's maid dress and the two ends up running around in the living room. Shidou attempts to put a stop to the childishness, but everyone ends up falling and crashing due to gravitational acceleration and Shidou is treated to a spectacular view of Natsumi's behind due to intermolecular force and parts of Kotori and Yoshino's clothing peel off due to string theory.

The girls apologize to Shidou and he thanks them for worrying about him and tells him that he's alright. Kotori says they can't be always so relaxed because there are still unknown Spirits, Kurumi and, Devil. Shidou is surprised to hear about Devil, especially she's supposed to be just as dangerous as Kurumi. Kotori explains that Devil is a Spirit Hunter who never appears alone but will always show up when another Spirit appears and attacks that Spirit. She says that they have suspected AST and DEM to be linked to the Spirit, but that doesn't seem to be the case as both AST and DEM attack Devil as well. Shidou asks Kotori if he could see video footage or pictures of Devil, Kotori says there isn't much point but shows him a video. Shidou quickly understands why Kotori would say there is no point as Devil is clad in darkness and is difficult to ascertain just what it is. However, Shidou knows, he knows that this black silhouette called Devil is none other than the Inverse Spirit Origami.

The next day at school, a sleep-deprived Shidou is trying to figure out just what is going on with this world's Origami. The big problem being that Origami is not just a Spirit, but she has gone Inverse as well. As Shidou thinks about telling Kotori everything and asking for help from Ratatoskr. Tamae tells the class that they have a new friend today. The classroom door opens and Shidou is stunned to see the transfer student. Unlike his classmates who are entranced by the girl's beauty, Shidou is shocked because he knows the girl's face all too well. The girl quietly introduces herself,

"Tobiichi Origami. Everyone, nice to meet you."

Tamae asks Origami to sit in the empty seat next to Shidou. Origami is quite surprised when she sees Shidou as she seems to recognize him. Tamae energetically prepares to mark the roll but Shidou's mind is lost in searching for answers about this world's Origami.

Instinct

Kotori sounds puzzled over the phone as Shidou tells her that Devil has transferred to his school. Shidou asks Kotori to believe in him and that he will explain the details later. Kotori says it's worth a try if they could get any information on Devil. She asks for the transfer student's name and Shidou tells her it's Origami Tobiichi. Kotori wonders if it's the same Origami from AST. Shidou is very surprised to hear that Origami has joined AST and asks Kotori if she's regained her memories of the original world. Kotori asks Shidou if he's still dreaming and tells him that there was an AST member by the name of Origami who has fought against Tohka many times. However, that Origami has retired from AST. Shidou is not sure what to make out of all this information and Kotori informs him that Origami left AST around the same time Devil started appearing. Kotori tells Shidou not to do anything rash just in case Origami really is Devil.

During class, Shidou passes a note to Origami and arranges a meeting with her. He asks her about the unusual reaction she had upon seeing him this morning. Origami says she was a little startled because he looks just like someone she's met in the past, but that was 5 years ago when Shidou was still in primary school and the person had died right before Origami's eyes. Shidou obviously knows what Origami is talking about, but she tells him that is all she has to say and leaves. Shidou asks her if she'd met the person during the fire 5 years ago. Origami wonders how Shidou would know about something like that and quickly concludes that he is that person's younger brother. Shidou decides to go along with it. Origami bows and says that Shidou's brother saved her parents and goes on about how she can't thank him enough. She apologizes for her behaviour and confirms that her parents were saved during the fire, but when Shidou asks if she's living with them now, Origami pauses and tells him that they had died in a traffic accident 4 years ago. Shidou feels a sudden rush of powerlessness as the end results remain the same despite his efforts to change the past.

Shidou then asks Origami why she had joined AST. She is clearly surprised that Shidou knows about her affiliation to AST, but thinks that he probably saw her during combat when he went outside instead of evacuating during spacequake alarms. She tells him it's a very dangerous thing to do and he should refrain from doing it in the future. She says that she joined AST because of the Spirit who killed the person that saved her parents. She wanted to become like that person and protect people from Spirits. Shidou realizes the irony of fate and no matter what he does in the past, Origami will end up fighting the Spirits. Before Origami leaves, Shidou asks her if she's become a Spirit, though she doesn't seem to have a clue about what he's saying. The school bell rings, Origami thanks Shidou and says it was nice to be able to speak with him. Shidou asks if they could talk more and Origami replies that they have classes. Shidou says it doesn't need to be today and asks her if it's okay to meet when she's free, which makes Origami blush. Realizing he has just more or less asked her out on a date, Shidou blushes as well. Origami tells him that she will think about it. After Origami leaves, Shidou thinks that while this Origami is cute, but it just feels like something is missing. He says to himself he's probably gotten too used to the old Origami. Back in class, Origami passes a note to Shidou like he did to her earlier. Seeing that Shidou has taken the note, a relieved Origami blushes and covers her face with the textbook.

After school, Shidou spends time by himself on the rooftop thinking about the issues regarding Devil and Origami. She seems to be okay with Shidou and tells him in the note that she's free on Saturday. He falls asleep thanks to the exhaustion from searching for information on Origami the previous night. When he wakes up, he feels that something is different about his environment. He soon realizes that his head is resting on something nice and soft that was not there before. As he tries to touch the "pillow" with his hand, a girl's face enters his view.

Kurumi reveals to Shidou that she has also retained memories of the original world and she knows that Origami has become a Spirit, but she is uncertain as to what event could have caused Origami to become an Inverse Spirit in this world. Kurumi changes into her Astral Dress and says that she can, however, use the Tenth Bullet -Yud- on Origami to find the answers. Shidou asks Kurumi for her help.

At the same time, Origami is still in school searching for a piece of her hairpins. She eventually finds it on the stairway before the rooftop, where she had talked with Shidou before. As she puts on the hair pin, she sees two silhouettes through the glass on the door - one of them is her classmate Shidou, and the other one, clad in a red and black Astral Dress, is the Spirit codenamed Nightmare. As soon as Origami's head registers these pieces of information, she blacks out as if her power supply had been switched off.

Shidou tries to explain the situation as Origami comes to the rooftop, but quickly realizes that Origami is not really responding. Kurumi greets Origami but before the black-haired Spirit can finish, Origami begins to become enveloped in spiderweb-like darkness.

Origami calls out the name of her demon, Devil of Salvation -Satan-, and attacks Kurumi and Shidou. Kurumi leaps into air and shoots at Origami but the shot is easily blocked by Origami's "feathers", while the defenceless Kurumi is torn apart by Origami's attacks. Shidou screams out Kurumi's name and turns to Origami only to be surprised by how her "feathers" and Astral Dress have vanished, leaving Origami in her school uniform. Shidou tries to make sense of the events before him and is more confused when Origami asks him what she's doing here. Origami asks Shidou if she's had a black out again and says she's been losing consciousness since a while ago. She thinks she's probably suffering from anemia and leaves after asking Shidou if he's read the note she's given him.

Kurumi shows up again and Shidou tells her that he doesn't really like how she uses her other selves since they are all living beings. She tells him not to worry and says that it will be difficult to use the Tenth Bullet on Origami like this. Shidou wonders if he's made a mistake, but Kurumi tells him that their current situation is not the worst compared to what had taken place in the original world. Shidou understands what Kurumi is saying but he can't agree with her because he wants to know what happened to Origami. Kurumi says she's also interested in how the world can be changed by altering past events, but tells Shidou that she's not that softhearted and will be taking extra charges from now on. She bids Shidou farewell and disappears into the shadows.

Back home, Shidou, Kotori and Reine discuss about Origami, or rather Shidou informing them of the events in the original world and how he changed the past. Reine shows Shidou a picture of Origami turning into Satan on the rooftop, while Kotori explains that Origami herself is not aware of the fact that she is a Spirit and Reine's analysis shows that Origami wasn't lying about it either. Shidou wonders how something like that is possible, which prompts Reine to put forward her theory. Reine says there are probably some sort of conditions regarding the memories of the original world. Kurumi retains her memories due to her time-control abilities, though Reine is not sure how Shidou manages to do the same. Shidou thinks it's likely because he's the person who changed the world, but it's also true that he doesn't have memories of this world. Reine says the conditions may be being shot by Kurumi's Twelfth Bullet or having spiritual powers. Kotori says that it's possible Origami gains memories of the original world when she receives powers from Phantom. Shidou asks Reine if she's saying that the Inverse Origami is the Origami who has regained memories of the original world. Reine replies that it's just a theory but it would seem to be a logical conclusion. Shidou says the Origami who came to school is definitely the Origami with memories of this world. Reine says Shidou is unique in that he has retained memories of the original world from the beginning, while Origami just has memories of the new world. As a defence mechanism against the memories of the original world being fed into the new Origami, she's separated herself from the Origami with memories of the original world. In other words, there are two Origami in one body, one with memories of the original world and the other with memories of the new world. Kotori and Reine conclude that the trigger that sets off the old Origami is the existence of Spirits. Since she didn't react to Tohka at school, Origami most likely responds to spiritual power.

Kotori tells Shidou that Origami is an irregular case but there's only one thing Ratatoskr can do - date her and make her fall in love. Kotori asks her brother to get in touch with Origami and ask her out on a date. Shidou says he's already planned a date on Saturday with her, which sends Kotori into deep shock. Kotori says she will have to hear more about the relationship between Shidou and Origami from the original world.

At Origami's place, she's rolling on her bed thinking and being embarrassed about what she did at school today. She was really surprised when she saw Shidou because how much he looked like the person who saved her parents. The moment she saw Shidou, she was overcome with deep emotions. It's not just when she looks at him, when she hears his voice, when she smells his scent and when she touches his hand, a mysterious feeling arises from her heart. What am I reading and what am I writing? She receives a text message from Shidou about the time and location for their date and gets really excited. She tells herself to calm down and decides to send a reply, but her first attempt ends up being too soldier-like so she deletes it and tries again, this time with flowery verses about how she can't wait for the next Saturday, the strange feeling she gets when she thinks about him and so on. She realizes the message is too embarrassing so she deletes it again. By the time she replies to him, it's already the next day.

November 11th. Kotori asks Shidou why he's going so early to the date and gets mad when he seems to know a lot about Origami. He stops when he sees that Origami is already waiting for him and is mesmerized by her choice of clothing, which is decidedly a lot more girly than the Origami Shidou used to know. Kotori snaps him out of it and tells him to focus as they are dealing with a girl who can turn into one of the most dangerous Spirits.

さあ――私たちの戦争(デート)を、始めましょう

Origami asks Shidou what they are going to do today and Shidou is presented with three choices - 1) watching movies; 2) shopping; 3) going to hotel like real adults. Shopping gets the most votes but Shidou decides to take Origami to a hotel as a test. It doesn't seem to go well at all as the alarm on the Fraxinus goes off. Kotori yells at Shidou to take Origami away from there before she gets angry. Kotori tells Shidou to stick with their original choice and go shopping, which he complies. Kotori is surprised when her crew informs her that Origami's emotional level increased slightly instead of falling down.

More choices come up as Origami asks Shidou what they are shopping for, and once again instead of picking select or pet shops, Shidou takes Origami to some shady backstreet store to buy aphrodisiacs. Origami doesn't seem to know anything in the shop but when Shidou tries to take her to a different shop, he sees that despite being confused about the items, Origami is carrying some of the strongest aphrodisiacs in the shop. Shidou asks her what she's doing but Origami seems quite unsure what's going on herself. Seeing her in a state of utter confusion, Shidou quickly takes Origami out of the shop.

They eventually end up going to select shops and Shidou decides to buy a 39,800 yen coat for Origami and tells her that she will wear and show it to him first as a token of gratitude. Origami jokes that Shidou is quite the lady killer. She tells Shidou that she wants to look around in the shop for a bit longer and wanders off. With the help of Reine, Shidou locates Origami some 20 metres behind him. He sees that she's in the changing room and decides to kill some time while she's trying on the clothes. A sudden scream from Origami interrupts Shidou's thoughts and he finds her dressed in school swimsuit, dog ears and tail, completed with a leash. Origami gets a headache as she thinks about the things she's wearing and Shidou tells her that they will go somewhere else as soon as she changes back into her normal clothes.

Origami apologizes to Shidou for her bizarre behaviours. Shidou asks her if they should end their date early, Origami says that it's fine and they don't need to stop early today. She thinks to herself that while she's really happy going on a date with Shidou, she can't help but become overwhelmed with strange impulses every now and then. From her clothing choice in the select shop to seemingly knowing exactly what to get in the aphrodisiac shop, Origami wonders what is going on and if she's been to the shop before.

While eating, Shidou leaves to talk with Kotori and tells Origami that he will be right back. As Shidou disappears from Origami's view, a dirty thought crosses her mind as she sees Shidou's used spoon. Despite fighting desperately to control her right hand, she eventually takes the spoon.

Shidou comes back just in time to witness Origami holding his spoon with her tongue sticking out in a very suggestive manner. Hearing Shidou calling her name snaps Origami out of her trance. As she tries to explain the situation, Origami stands up and causes the table to tilt towards Shidou, whose shirt ends up getting wet thanks to the drinking cup on the table. Origami apologizes but when Shidou lifts his shirt to dry it, she loses control of herself again and starts snapping pictures of Shidou. A teary Origami tells Shidou that her body is moving on its own. The restaurant is filled with Origami's cries and the sound of unceasing camera shutter.

Angel on the Starry Night

Or The Angel of the Night When Stars Fall just as a nice comparison with the fifth chapter of the last volume.

It's half past six in the evening. Shidou and Origami arrives at the park on high ground as instructed by the Fraxinus. Kotori tells Shidou that things are going well and that it feels he just needs a little more push to seal Origami. Reine tells him that Origami is feeling anxious about whether Shidou would accept her or not due to her weird behaviours during their date. Kotori asks Shidou to rid Origami of her anxiety and seize the opportunity to seal the Devil today. Origami tells Shidou that one of the reasons she left AST was because her anemic blackouts, which was fatal to a soldier, and another reason was that she's unsure if killing Spirits was really a righteous thing to do. She tells Shidou that she's sorry for saying that because it was a Spirit who killed his brother. Shidou says that he doesn't consider her way of thinking bad, and he's sure his brother will say the same thing to her as well. Origami looks like she's about to cry so Shidou holds her hand even more firmly.

The Fraxinus crew tells Shidou that Origami's affection point has increased rapidly and reached the maximum. Kotori tells Shidou to finish it off right there right now, but he's distracted by Origami who asks him to look at a shooting star. She tells him to make a wish, and Shidou does so by wishing to successfully seal Origami and for her to get along with Tohka and the others. At that moment, the balustrade Origami is leaning on collapses, having deteriorated over time, and she falls off the platform. Luckily, Shidou is holding her hand and is able to pull her back up at the cost of breaking his left arm. With Origami landed on top of him due to biphasic pulling force and the two of them sharing an unexpected moment of intimacy, Kotori tells Shidou that it's the perfect time to kiss and seal Origami. Just as Shidou is about to kiss her however, he notices something changing in her. Origami's eyes are fixated on his injured left hand, which is being healed thanks to Kotori's power. Suddenly the siren goes off and Kotori shouts at Shidou to get away. He tries to talk to Origami but is blown away by her spiritual power.

In the Spirit mansion, everyone has gathered in Tohka's house for some fun. Origami's awakening soon alerts the Spirits and Tohka, feeling particularly uneasy about the situation, jumps off the veranda and rushes towards Shidou in the dark night.

Shidou tries to get close to Origami but he's blown away by her spiritual power each time. Kotori asks Shidou what he's doing and Shidou says that something terrible would happen if they don't stop Origami as she won't revert back to her human form unless Shidou is dead. The Fraxinus restrains Origami using the Yggd Folium system and Kotori attempts to attack Origami with the ship's main cannon. Before Kotori can finish giving her order however, Origami's "feathers" surround the Fraxinus and the white airship is pierced by rays of black light. Witnessing the Fraxinus falling down again sends a chill down Shidou's spine. Origami's "feathers" prepare to attack the fallen airship but a strong wind alters the trajectory of Origami's attacks and the dark lights miss the airship. Tohka gets there just in time to save Shidou being shot by the "feathers". Shidou cries out Tohka's name and notices that all the Spirits are there. Tohka asks Shidou who the rampaging Spirit is and becomes a little puzzled when she hears it's the new transfer student. Against the dreadful power of the Devil, Shidou asks the Spirits to lend him a hand.

Long-haired Origami finds herself in an empty dimension and discovers her mind-broken self from the original world. As memories of the original world flow into her, Origami feels her body and heart are being consumed by darkness. 5 years ago when she realized that she was her parents' killer, Origami had closed off her heart. To protect this world's Origami, her consciousness is cut off whenever she discovers her spiritual power and the Origami of the original world takes over the body. She should have given up on everything, but a small light inside Origami's mind still shines bright. The light rekindles a certain fragment of memory, that day 5 years ago when her parents didn't die. As Origami tries to make a sound, the two Origamis' consciousnesses become intertwined.

The Yamai sisters act as decoys and keep Origami's "feathers" occupied. Yuzuru tells Shidou to take care of the main body while they deal with the "feathers". Free from the power of the the Yggd Folium system, Origami slowly ascends into the sky. Miku plays Rondo to push Origami down, while Natsumi, in her adult form, uses her ability to create an imitation of Army Breaker Diva and plays March to give Shidou more strength. Miku asks Natsumi to pay her copyright royalities later. Idols are serious business. With both offence and defence buffs on, Shidou and Yoshino charge ahead but are caught by countless small "feathers" floating around Origami. Tohka comes and holds off the "feathers", telling Yoshino to take care of Shidou. Yoshino chants Shiryon and changes Zadkiel into a suit of crystal armour. She concentrates her ice power and creates a gigantic cone which she uses to drill break through Origami's "feather" barrier. Shidou screams out Origami's name but realizes that it's the same as the original world. Shidou and the others can't reach Origami who has closed off her heart. All Shidou can do is keep screaming and reaching out to Origami, but in order to take his hand and find her salvation, something must happen within Origami herself.

Inside Origami's mind, long-haired Origami is shown the memories of the original Origami. From killing her parents to indiscriminately destroying cities, the negative emotions begin to overwhelm her. She screams but her voice alone is not enough save the original Origami. This world's Origami cannot save the original world's Origami by herself. Someone from outside will have to reach out to her.

Origami begins to hear Shidou's voice. Shidou says that he's told her 5 years ago that she's not alone and no matter how many times she destroys the world, he will do something about it and no matter how many times she despairs, he will save her. Shidou tells her he needs her and yells at Origami to take his hand.

In Shidou's arms, a crying Origami recounts all the atrocities she's committed in the original world. Shidou says that is a heavy burden that Origami will have to carry. Origami says she has to apologize to Shidou because she did not have any romantic feeling towards him, but rather saw him as an emotional dependence, someone she could cling to. She says she's sincerely sorry for causing him all the trouble. Shidou doesn't mind and says it's an honour because Origami needs him. He says it's time to give everything back to her - back then Origami didn't just leave her tears with him. Hearing that, Origami blushes and gives Shidou an awkward, but genuine smile.

In that instant, Origami's black Astral Dress is replaced with her white dress. Her "feathers" too dissipates into light particles. They kiss and Origami is successfully sealed.

Tohka sees Shidou with a half-naked Origami and says this time it's special and she will let Origami be with Shidou. The boy notices the changes in Tohka's tone as she speaks to Origami like an old rival. Shidou asks if Tohka's remembered Origami and gets an affirmative reply from Tohka. He realizes that just like how he was able to regain memories when he kissed and sealed Kotori, sealing Origami helped others get back their memories of the original world. Origami thanks Tohka and others for fighting to save her, surprising everyone (except a few). Tohka wasn't expecting Origami to act like this so she tells Origami that she only fought because Shidou had asked her to. Origami says then in that case she won't thank them ugly selfish Spirits. Shidou laughs and thinks about the problems that lie ahead.

Origami Tobiichi

Three days later, Origami returns to school as Ratatoskr finishes checkups on her. The Spirits and the Fraxinus crew are all alive and well. Shidou chats with the Spirits and notices that Tohka no longer refers to Origami by her full name. Kaguya gloats about how she will pay back Origami for the things she did in the original world. Shidou asks if Yuzuru wants revenge on Origami, which Yuzuru denies and says she's happy that Master Origami has changed her views on Spirits. Kaguya says the way Yuzuru puts it makes her feel like shallow person for wanting revenge. Origami finally shows up, with short hair. Shidou gets sentimental about having gone through so much and the fact that everyone is here again. He starts crying which prompts Tohka to ask if he's alright. Shidou tries to wipe his tears but Origami says to him that he should use "this". He reaches for something like a handkerchief but finds nothing. He turns to Origami and sees that her hands are empty and before he knows it, Origami grabs Shidou and presses his head against her abdomen. Tohka asks what Origami is doing and Origami says she's wiping Shidou's tears. She reveals that she wasn't wearing any underwear but rather a school swimsuit, which Origami claims to be exceptionally good at absorbing liquids. Shidou's classmates don't seem to have gotten back the memories of the original Origami and are speculating what happened to her during her break. Incidentally, the new Origami has jumped to No.1 on the "Girl You Want to Date the Most" ranking. Tohka tells Origami to get away from Shidou but Origami says that while she's changed her attitude towards the Spirits, she will not give up Shidou to Tohka, and that as long as Tohka pursues Shidou, the Princess will remain the Angel's enemy. Shidou says that according to his memories, Origami said that she did not have any romantic feeling for him. Origami says that he's correct but from now on it's true love. The homeroom bell rings and the Yamai twins return to their own class. Shidou thanks Origami for listening to him back then and says he's really happy that she's come back. He says he looks forward to spending time together with Origami, while she smiles and gives him an affirmative response.

"――これからもよろしくな、折紙"

"――うん"

The afterword is mostly Tachibana making paper jokes about how the long-haired Origami on the cover is actually her younger sister, Irogami (see Volume 2). Or she could possibly be Origami's daughter Chiyogami, or Origami's first cousin Udagami, or her second cousin Kiraragami, or Koutakushi-chan, Kent-shi-chan and Atsude-matto-chan who used to live near Origami.

Cheeseburger.