Live A Date

Totally missed March, and it's only the beginning of April yet it's climax already?! I don't know about everyone else but I can feel my motivation fading away, not so slowly and very surely.

Frankly it's a bit odd but I'm going to summarize the story of the latest Date A Live volume, Miku Truth. Although I'd rather be playing Neptunia V instead.

Nightmare, Once More

Try moving your mouse over the italic texts sometimes.

Continuing on from where the sixth volume Miku Lily left off, Kurumi offers to help Shidou rescue Tohka who was captured by DEM. Kurumi says she is helping Shidou because she is looking for someone in DEM and she intends to use Shidou as a distraction. Give and take. Shidou reluctantly agrees, though Kurumi tells him that locating Tohka will take some time. Kurumi reminds Shidou that they need to first take care of Miku, who is sending brainwashed masses after Shidou. After the events of Miku Lily, Shidou thinks it's going to be very difficult to communicate with Miku. Kurumi however, wonders if Miku had always had a warped view of humanity (and men in particular). She asks Shidou to search through Miku's personal belongings and if her hunch were right, he may be able to find Miku's weakness.

Meanwhile Tohka is being interrogated by Ellen who says that DEM is preparing to launch full assault on the Tenguu Square, aiming to capture Miku and the Spirits controlled by her. Elsewhere, Origami wakes up in hospital and learns of the current situation from Mikie. Hearing that Shidou is missing, Origami feels frustrated and powerless because she's failed to protect him even though she took the risk of using the White Lycoris without permission.

At Miku's residence, Shidou is getting teased by Kurumi about him cross-dressing in Miku Lily. After some sexual harassment from Kurumi, Shidou finds Miku's music CDs, though the name on the covers reads "Tsukino Yoimachi". Listening to the CD, Shidou recognizes Miku's singing but its liveliness is very different from the entrancing voice she has now. The confused Shidou soon finds another important piece of clue, a seemingly ordinary photo of Miku. A photo that shouldn't have existed. However, Shidou knows that there is another possibility. Kurumi uses the Tenth Bullet -Yud- on the photo and CDs to peek into Miku's past, but the sound of Miku's Army Breaker Diva -Gabriel- interrupts Kurumi before she can explain to Shidou about Miku's oddity. Knowing that soon everyone in the area will be after him, Shidou and Kurumi decide to confront Miku directly.

Vert, I mean Miku herself is enjoying the company of her newly acquired Spirits, who are now dressed in cute maid clothes. Her mood turns sour when she remembers Shiori (a cross-dressing Shidou), who Miku really took a liking to. Still angry over Shiori's "betrayal", Miku is dumbfounded when she learns of Shidou's whereabouts from Ai, Mai and Mii.

Siege With Just the Two of Us

Exactly what the chapter title says, Kurumi and Shidou are up against tens of thousands of people out for blood. Kurumi easily takes care of the mindless masses with the City of Devouring Time. However, Miku's Army Breaker Diva manages to give the people enough strength to overcome Kurumi's City of Devouring Time. Both Shidou and Kurumi are surprised. Miku boasts that her Army Breaker Diva isn't limited to enchanting people. Kurumi obviously isn't impressed and promptly summons her past selves. The area immediately becomes engulfed in darkness.

With Yoshino and the Yamai twins busy fighting against the myriads of Kurumi selves, Shidou is quickly taken to where Miku is by one of the past selves under the acceleration effect of the First Bullet -Aleph-. Kurumi drags Shidou and Miku into her shadow so that the two can speak privately. Even so, Shidou is having a tough time getting through to the stubborn Miku who won't listen to any of his explanations. Shidou tells Miku that he is going to save Tohka, only to have the diva ridicule him for being too weak to do anything. Realizing that he'd stand a better chance against DEM if he could get help from even one (more) Spirit, Shidou asks for Miku's cooperation, much to the latter's disbelief. Shidou says that saving Tohka is much more important than sealing Miku's power. Of course Miku doesn't believe a word and refuses to help. Before Shidou can talk some sense into Miku, Kurumi says the time is up and pulls the two out of her shadow. The space Kurumi had created for Shidou and Miku isn't invulnerable, and if the shadow were to be damaged, Shidou would be affected as well. Maintaining the space and defending against three Spirits at the same time is no easy task. Kurumi figures that she won't be able to keep up any longer, so she grabs Shidou and makes a hasty retreat.

Shidou apologizes to Kurumi because he wasn't able to persuade Miku. Cue more teasing from Kurumi. One of Kurumi's selves brings good news, she has found Tohka. Shidou gets all excited and Kurumi teases him about adding another condition for helping him - something along the lines of saying "I like Kurumi better than Tohka" in front of the Princess. Kurumi tells a flustered Shidou that she is only joking and reveals Tohka's location.

Inside the DEM isolation chamber, Tohka is greeted by Isaac Ray Pelham Westcott, the Managing Director of DEM. Westcott says that his goal is simple - he needs Tohka's Spirit power in order to overthrow the rules of this world. Tohka replies that she doesn't have that kind of power. Westcott tells her that she would if she could awaken as the Spirit Tohka in the bordering dimension. Tohka doesn't understand what Westcott is talking about. Westcott muses on the various ways they could drive Tohka to despair - physical torture, drugs and rape. I'm slightly infuriated by how clichéd he is for a villain. Westcott notices a reaction from Tohka when he mentions killing the person dearest to her. Ellen says that person is most likely Shidou, as Tohka reacts very differently to his name. Westcott decides to keep waiting for Shidou and leaves.

The City That's Sunk Into Flames and Shadows

Miku is still exasperated by her encounter with Shidou moments ago. She questions Ai, Mai and Mii about Shidou and Tohka's relationship. After hearing that the two are very close, Miku asks the Spirits if Shidou would risk his life for Tohka. Yoshino and the Yamai sisters all think that if it were Shidou, he would definitely give up everything including his own life to save Tohka. Miku gets even more irritated and tells the girls to let her know as soon as someone finds Shidou.

DEM has set up a fairly impressive defence force against Kurumi and Shidou. Shortly after getting past the Bandersnatch and Wizards, Kurumi is suddenly decapitated by Mana who has come to her brother's aid! Mana says that she is under the care of Ratatoskr now, and that she killed Kurumi because she thought Shidou was going to be eaten by the Spirit. Another Kurumi shows up, followed by some taunting between her and Mana. Kurumi says she has her own objectives and parts ways with Shidou. Mana asks some pretty funny questions regarding Shidou's cross-dressing. Kotori gets in touch with Shidou and apologizes for telling him to die when she was controlled by Miku. Shidou laughs it off. Kotori thinks it's too dangerous for Shidou to rescue Tohka without proper preparations, but ultimately agrees to let Shidou go under the condition that they will save Tohka and return safely.

さあ――私たちの戦争(デート)を、始めましょう

ああ――俺たちの戦争(デート)を、始めよう

Let our battle (date) begin!

Although the doctor has instructed Origami to stay in bed, she still wants to look for Shidou. Since she's in her patient apparel and has no other clothes to change into, Origami starts undressing Mikie who is fast asleep. A sudden spacequake alarm wakes up Mikie and awkwardness ensues. BUT THAT'S FORBIDDEN LOVE. AST will be deploying to the DEM facility as it is under attack from Kurumi and Shidou. Origami naturally rushes to help Shidou, but she is stopped by Mikie. It seems that Origami is no longer permitted to use any CR-Unit in AST, so she asks for conventional arms like handguns instead. Origami says she must go because Shidou is more important to her than her own life. Mikie eventually gives in and takes Origami to get a certain piece of equipment.

Shidou successfully breaks through the main entrance of the DEM building with the help of Mana. However, the two of them become separated when they come under heavy fire from Jessica, who is equipped with the Scarlet Lycoris. Against Kotori's orders, Shidou decides to look for Tohka by himself. He soon runs into a couple of DEM Wizards and it's clear that Shidou stands no chance against them. Not before Tohka's broadsword Sandalphon appears out of the blue anyway. With Sandalphon in hand, Shidou makes short work of the Wizards; though he suffers a deep stab wound during the fight. Even with Tohka's sword and Kotori's healing ability, Shidou is eventually overwhelmed by the endless onslaught of Wizards. As Shidou is about to lose consciousness while trapped inside the Wizards' Territory, Miku and her Spirits come to his rescue. Although Miku claims that she's only here to save and add Tohka to her harem, Shidou thanks her anyway. Leaving Yoshino and the others to deal with the Wizards, Miku goes to find Tohka, with Shidou following closely behind.

Demon King

Thanks to brain implants and the powerful Scarlet Lycoris, a crazed Jessica is now able to fight against Mana on equal ground. The fighting soon escalates with Yoshino and the Yamai sisters joining in. The frustrated Mana dumps the Spirits on the incoming AST forces, so that she can face Jessica one-on-one. However, the sudden appearance of Ellen, the strongest Wizard, puts Mana in a tight spot again.

Inside the DEM building, Miku finds out Tohka's exact location and gets a security pass using the brainwashing power of Army Breaker Diva. She mocks Shidou for not knowing where Tohka is and belittles his determination. Shidou eventually becomes fed up with Miku's attitude towards humanity and retorts that Miku was once a human as well. Based on what Kurumi has told him, Shidou deduces that Miku was turned into a Spirit by Phantom. Miku finally reveals her past at Shidou's insistence.

Other than my singing, I had nothing. That was almost a fact which Miku had come to accept when she was just nine. Ever since she was little, Miku loved singing. She wasn't good at studying or sports, but she could sing better than anyone else around her. As an aspiring singer, she had always dreamed of performing on the big stage. That dream came true when she debuted as an idol singer at the age of 15, under the stage name Tsukino Yoimachi. It was the best thing that Miku could have wished for, doing the very thing she loved and being adored by her fans, she was having the time of her life. Her career however, came to an abrupt end just after about a year when she refused to you know what with a hotshot TV producer. Before Miku knew it, false scandals about her began appearing in tabloid magazines. She soon fell out of favour with her agency. The fans who once adored her too quickly changed their tune and showered her with hate and disdain. Miku thought she could reconnect with her fans through her songs, but it was already over for her - she had lost her voice. Singing was Miku's everything and without it, there would be no meaning to her life. As Miku contemplated suicide, Phantom appeared before her and made her a Spirit.

I chuckled anyway. Back to the present, Shidou says that Miku rejects people because she's afraid of getting hurt again. He believes that deep down inside, Miku wants to connect with people normally, that's why she was so infatuated with Shiori who could not be controlled by her voice. Miku of course childishly denies everything Shidou says. Miku thinks that if she were to lose her voice now, no one would ever listen to her again. Shidou says that he will listen to her no matter what happens and he will always be her fan. Miku questions Shidou if he would put his life on the line for her like he is doing now for Tohka. Shidou firmly replies that of course he would. After some more bickering, the two arrive at a solid-looking gate.

Outside the building, Mana is struggling against the combined force of Jessica and Ellen. She is helped out by an injured Origami, whose timely arrival diverts Ellen's attention away from Mana. Equipped with the inferior and unfamiliar Ashcroft series CR-Unit, Origami is easily outmatched by Ellen. A sudden blast from the main cannon of the Fraxinus catches Ellen off guard. Origami capitalizes on the opening created by the blast and slashes across Ellen's body real good.

Even after taking a hit from Mistilteinn, Ellen remains largely unscathed. She stops the bleeding and praises Origami for being the second person to wound her. She prepares to retaliate but quickly leaves after receiving a message from Westcott. Origami wants to chase Ellen but finds herself caught up in the fight between AST and the Spirits.

Finally Shidou reunites with Tohka, though technically still separated by a thick glass wall that even Sandalphon can't break. Westcott is pleasantly surprised to meet Shidou. He laughs hysterically about how everything is in the palm of that woman's hand. Ellen successfully ambushes an unsuspecting Shidou and Westcott orders her to kill the boy, saying that the Sephira shouldn't break even if Shidou died. The thought of Shidou really dying and her being unable to save him sends Tohka into deep despair, which causes her Sephira to change. Or rather, it is as if that something has grabbed ahold of her. On board the Fraxinus, Kotori realizes the severity of the situation. Ellen is astounded by what is happening, while Westcott appears most delighted with the outcome.

Slaughter Tyrant

Compare it with the last chapter of the first volume, Tyrannical Slaughterer.

Mana has triumphed over Jessica, whose Scarlet Lycoris has reached its operation limit. Even so, the frenzied Jessica keeps on attacking. Mana realizes that Jessica has undergone special procedures to strengthen herself, but in doing so her lifespan has been reduced to just one day. Although they never get along, Mana says Jessica does not deserve to suffer like this. Mana drives her laser edge through the incapacitated Jessica, who remains blindly loyal to Westcott to the bitter end.

Back inside, Shidou is shocked to see a stern-looking Tohka clad in a black Astral Dress.

Westcott calls Black!Tohka the Demon King and orders Ellen to kill her. However, this Tohka proves to be quite a match for the mightiest Wizard. Ellen blasts Tohka away with Rhongomiant, but Tohka comes out seemingly unharmed and attacks Westcott with her Nehema (see Qliphoth). Knowing that Ellen isn't in her peak condition, Westcott decides to withdraw for now. He calls Shidou by the boy's old family name Takamiya, before correcting himself and says he doesn't know anything about Shidou Itsuka.

After Westcott and Ellen make their exit, Tohka begins ruthlessly attacking Shidou and Miku. Shidou calls out Tohka's name, but Black!Tohka doesn't seem to recognize it. Miku shields Shidou from Tohka's attack and says that she's come here to see if Shidou would really risk his life to save Tohka. Miku attacks Tohka with Army Breaker Diva to give Shidou an opening. Enduring the excruciating pain from Tohka's attacks, Shidou presses on until Miku's music suddenly stops. She has overused and exhausted her spiritual power. An impatient Tohka readies her Nehema, and her target, is Miku.

Without her voice, Miku is completely at Tohka's mercy. Miku laughs at herself for coming here to see if there really existed a person who would give everything for his loved one. Miku laments that if only she could have met someone like Shidou earlier (just how old do you think you are seriously?); if she could receive just an ounce of Shidou's love for Tohka; perhaps she would have walked down a very different path in life. Tohka unleashes a powerful sword blast at Miku. Shidou manages to summon Yoshino's Zadkiel in desperation and saves Miku.

 

Shidou tells the confused Miku that he has made a promise with her. Remembering Shidou's unhesitating reply that he would risk his life to save her if she were ever in danger, Miku is moved to tears. It was just a whimsical question on Miku's part, but Shidou has kept his promise. Tohka seems to be regaining her old self as she cries out Shidou's name in pain. Tohka summons her Throne and unveils the true Nehema - Sword of the End: Payvachehelev. Miku tries to use herself as a shield to protect Shidou, but fortunately Yoshino and the others arrive just in time to stop Tohka's attack. Shidou calls out to Tohka again and approaches her despite the incredible strain of using the Angels.

Tohka breaks free of Yoshino's attacks and takes a full swing of Nehema, resulting in some serious property damage. Tohka thinks she's killed Shidou, but he is saved by the Yamai sisters. In a reenactment of the kiss scene in the first volume, Shidou screams out Tohka's name as he falls from the sky. At long last Tohka is back to normal with a kiss from Shidou.

Nearby, Kurumi is disappointed with her fruitless search for the Second Spirit, who is supposedly imprisoned by DEM somewhere. Finding the Second Spirit, the only one who knows the whereabouts of the First Spirit, was the reason why Kurumi offered Shidou help. Saying to her selves that at least she's got a pat on the head from Shidou today, Kurumi disappears into the dark.

After the Festival

The epilogue. Shidou gets an invitation from Miku and runs into the Yamai twins on his way. The sisters jokingly ask Shidou why he is dressed like a boy today and what's happened to Shiori. He's never going to live it down now. Shidou meets Miku at backstage and is taken aback when Miku calls him darling. Miku says that she doesn't like men but darling is a special exception. She kisses him and willingly lets him seal her powers. Her Astral Dress disappears in the process. Miku says that even without her magic voice, even if other people wouldn't listen to her anymore, she will still sing for Shidou. She changes into a maid dress and asks her darling to attend her encore.

The audience is at first confused by the change in Miku's voice, but they quickly grow used to it. As the song comes to an end, Miku receives thunderous applause and cheering. A teary Miku thanks her audience and then says Thank you, darling...I love you!

Seeing the commotion this sudden outburst has caused among the audience, Shidou quietly hurries off.

That is all, but I should probably write down my impressions before I wrap this up. Overall this may just be the best volume yet, which doesn't actually say a lot since the story of Date A Live itself is quite average as far as light novels go. Rejoice, fans of Kurumi. Your wish will probably never come true but at least she plays a big role in this volume. Westcott obviously knows a lot more than he lets on. Ellen is seriously strong - withstanding Fraxinus' main cannon and wounding a powered up Tohka. In other news, it may be safe to assume that every Spirit has an Inverse form, given the connection between the Sephirot and the Qliphoth. And Miku's だーりん has about the same amount of destructive force as Vert's あなた, except that of course, Vert is much better.

A-U-O, CASTOFF!