Chapter 278: A Temporary Conclusion
"Origami… why has Origami grown up so much? And why are there two of her?"
"And who are you, young man?"
As Origami's father spoke, he carefully looked Franklin over, then suddenly had a realization.
"You're that Franklin kid. You've had designs on our daughter since you were little—no matter how we chased you away, you wouldn't leave. Don't try to fool your uncle and aunt. We've seen plenty in our lives.
"Tell us honestly—what exactly happened? Why has Origami grown up so much, and why are there two of her?"
Hearing this, Franklin nodded helplessly.
"Uncle is right. I'm Franklin. I can swear that everything I'm saying is true…"
After a brief hesitation, Franklin directly activated the Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, using genjutsu to show the two of them everything that had happened in the past.
After that, he also showed them the process of Origami and Chiyogami's birth.
"This involves mysterious powers. I think Uncle's ability to accept things is a bit stronger.
"Changing the past at will isn't something that can be done casually. And simply saving Uncle and Aunt at that time wasn't enough.
"For the world to continue running in a stable way, it would likely use various 'accidents' to push Uncle and Aunt back toward their original fate afterward.
"So in the end, things developed into what you see now."
Combined with Franklin's explanation and everything they had personally witnessed,
Origami's father and mother, having now accepted reality, exchanged a look. As parents, they understood Origami's inner pain better than anyone.
Gently letting go of the two Origamis, Franklin gave the couple a reassuring smile, then snapped his fingers, sending the four of them back to Origami's room.
With everything finally settled, Tohka couldn't wait and immediately hugged Franklin.
"Lin, then do I have a mom and dad?"
Looking at Tohka's curious expression, Franklin truly didn't have an answer. After all, there was no record of this in his memories.
"Sorry, Tohka. I don't know either. After all, I was the one who gave you the name 'Tohka,' and the surname 'Yatogami'…"
At this point, Franklin looked toward Reine Murasame, who had been silently watching everything unfold.
"Reine, do you know who chose the Yatogami surname?"
Franklin's words immediately snapped Reine Murasame out of her thoughts.
"That was something the commander entrusted me with. After searching through records, I felt that 'Yatogami' fit Tohka very well, so I borrowed it."
Franklin nodded in understanding, then looked back at Tohka.
"The surname came from Reine, the given name came from me. If you want to investigate your origins, we can only search for them slowly in the future."
Hearing this, Tohka didn't mind at all. She hugged Franklin tightly.
"If I can't remember, then forget it. As long as Lin stays by my side, that's enough."
Seeing Tohka's satisfied expression, Franklin smiled and gently rubbed her head.
On the other side, after hearing Franklin question Reine Murasame, Kurumi's eyes had already narrowed slightly.
Noticing this, Franklin snapped his fingers and directly sent Kurumi back to the bedroom on the third floor.
"For now, things are temporarily over. Reine, you haven't had lunch yet, right? Stay and eat before you go."
"No, there's no need. Little Lin has plenty of things to deal with at home, so I won't disturb you any further.
"I'll arrange the travel plans as soon as possible, and as for the Spirits' living arrangements, I'll discuss them properly with the commander."
Franklin nodded lightly. Illusory World Genesis activated, and with another snap of his fingers, four steaming boxed lunches were prepared.
He then expanded his domain, confirmed that Reine Murasame was indeed just an ordinary human, swept away all the fatigue in her body, and casually sent her back to Fraxinus.
"Please give these three lunches to Kotori. There are also my other two younger sisters staying with her."
Coming back to her senses, Reine Murasame nodded gently.
"Don't worry, Little Lin. I'll take care of it."
After sending Reine Murasame off, Franklin teleported Kurumi—who was on the third floor in his room—along with Tohka and himself, back into his own bedroom.
"Franklin, did I affect your plans just now?"
Seeing how rational Kurumi was, Franklin immediately let out a sigh of relief.
"It didn't affect anything. Reine Murasame really is just an ordinary person. I already checked once back when I was at school.
"This time, it was just a symbolic question.
"She might have some connection to the Origin Spirit, but no matter how we speculate, it's just speculation—there's no real meaning to it.
"My main goal right now is still sealing the Spirits.
"Once all the Spirits have been sealed by me, if the Origin Spirit still hasn't appeared,
I'll directly go back thirty years into the past and face the Origin Spirit head-on."
Hearing Franklin's words, Kurumi's pupils contracted slightly. In the end, she didn't say anything and simply walked toward the bedroom door.
"These are all your own thoughts, Franklin, and they have nothing to do with me.
"We're just in a transactional relationship right now. I hope you don't forget that.
"Oh, and you also promised to take me to find Sawa Yamauchi. Don't forget that either."
Franklin glanced at Dimensional Summoning, then nodded lightly.
"I won't forget that promise. There are just two ways to fulfill it.
"One is that I directly summon her here to meet you, but afterward she would never be able to leave me.
"The other is for you, Kurumi, to come with me into the neighboring boundary realm to search for Sawa Yamauchi's true body.
"The former is fast—you could see her in ten seconds.
"The latter is slower. It would take a long time, and I don't know when I'd even have the time."
Kurumi, who had been about to leave, instantly froze in place. She turned back and looked at Franklin seriously.
"What do you mean by that? What does 'summon' mean? Why would she be unable to leave you after being summoned?"
After thinking for a moment, Franklin smiled.
"Kurumi-chan, the time mage, do you know what a familiar is?
"All the girls I summon are my familiars. Have you ever seen a normal familiar that can leave their magical girl?"
Listening to Franklin's teasing tone, Kurumi directly pulled open the bedroom door and walked out.
"Franklin, do you know that you're really a bastard? I have plenty of time. I'll go see Sawa myself."
With that, Kurumi slammed the door shut behind her.
Seeing this, Franklin smiled, then sent another telepathic message:
"My current goal is to seal all the Spirit girls.
"If you can tell me their locations, I'd be very happy to help you resolve your past regrets as soon as possible."
Watching Kurumi angrily return to her room, Franklin chuckled and temporarily put the matter aside.
He had already discovered earlier that the Spirit Izayoi Miku was also in Tengu City, but her extreme dislike of men gave him a headache.
Disguising himself as a woman was possible, but Franklin felt that was crossing a line.
And even if he succeeded while disguised, how they would interact afterward would be an even bigger headache.
Shaking his head lightly, Franklin suddenly felt a burning gaze. Turning around, he saw Tohka beside him, her eyes filled with longing as she stared at him.