[Discontinued] Date A Mysterious Being

Chapter 7 - Date

As bullets rampaged in the air, Shidou sat facing a girl in his classroom and talked to her. This was obviously the first time he'd ever done this in his life.
None of the projectiles seemed to hit them as they ripped through the school, likely thanks to Tohka's power. The fight between Lucas and the AST was in full swing. A few of the AST Members have already fallen, with their CR-Units destroyed. None of the bullets were able to hit Lucas. Origami, probably the strongest in the group right now, even with her melee weapon, an Anti-Spirit Laser Blade called No-Pain, she couldn't hit him. That said, it doesn't mean Lucas can continue this forever. Dodging the bullets meant seriously ridiculous speed and reflexes. His body is slowly fatiguing by the second. Additionally, the Laser Blade in particular can be dangerous. The chance that it will cut through his suit and into his flesh is very likely.

Anyhow, Shidou, seeing a single person fight with his bare hands against a group of girls with guns before your eyes was not something you got to experience in everyday life.
The details of the conversation itself were nothing special.

Tohka asked the questions she hadn't been able to ask anyone else, and Shido answered them. Her smile betrayed her satisfaction with the exchange.

He didn't know how long they'd been talking when he heard Kotori's voice in his ear.

"The numbers are stable. Try asking her a question yourself. We want information on Tohka."
His head churned for a moment before he said, "Hey, Tohka?"

"What?"

"So, like...what exactly are you?"

"Hmm?" She furrowed her brow at his question. "Dunno."

"'Dunno'...?"

"That's the truth. Just how it is. I don't know how long ago it was, but suddenly I sprouted there. That's all. My memory's fuzzy, and distorted. I have no idea what I am."

"Y-you don't...?" he asked, scratching his cheek.

"I don't." She sighed as she crossed her arms. "I was suddenly born into this world one day, and before I could even gather my thoughts, the mech-mecha were already dancing around me in the sky."

"M-mech-mecha...?"

"Those people making all the noise---pew, pew, pew."

The AST. Shidou grinned.

Then he heard a bright buzzer over his earpiece, the kind that sounded when you got the right answer on a quiz show.
"...! This is your chance, Shidou," Kotori said.

"Huh...? For what?"
"The Spirit's mood meter is over seventy. If you're going to make a move, it's gotta be now."

"Make a move? ...What should I do?"

"Hmm, right... How about you ask her out on a date?"

"What...?!" he yelped loudly.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Shido?" Tohka frowned as she looked at him.

"Oh, it's nothing. Forget it."

He tried to smooth it over, but she continued to stare at him with suspicious eyes.

"..."

"Just ask her," Kotori insisted. "You gotta just go there to boost your intimacy level."

"Okay, but, like, the second she shows up, the AST will..."

"All the more reason. Ask her to run into a large building the next time she appears. Aquarium, movie theater, department store, anything. Even better if there are underground facilities. That way, the AST won't be able to enter directly."