Consciousness rose as though from the bottom of murky water. When Origami came fully to her senses, she realized she was lying down.
She slowly raised an arm and found it wrapped in bandages. Nothing but white was visible; she could not see her skin at all.
Just then, a familiar voice came from beside her.
"Origami... Origami!"
Origami turned her head, puzzled.
A petite girl with twin tails sat beside her bed.
It was Mikie Okamine, her junior in AST's Tengu City unit, which fought Spirits.
Tears and snot covered Mikie's face. She looked a mess.
"Waaah... Thank goodness... If you'd never woken up, I really wouldn't have known what to do..."
Mikie spoke haltingly as she wiped away her tears and snot.
"Where am I...?"
Origami asked calmly, watching Mikie sob.
Mikie pulled a tissue from beside the bed. After blowing her nose, she answered.
"When Ryouko found you in the woods near Tengu City Plaza, you were hurt all over...
"And there was blood coming from your eyes, nose, and ears... I... I thought you'd never wake up..."
"..."
Origami frowned slightly as she listened.
Earlier, she had gone to the warehouse after overhearing Captain Ryouko "talking to herself," intent on stopping DEM from harming Shido.
She had taken the White Lycoris into battle without permission.
But with so many enemies against her, she had gradually been overwhelmed.
Qian Lingmeng and Mana had arrived just in time.
Mana had dealt with the remaining DEM Wizards on her own.
Qian Lingmeng had taken Origami to the woods near Tengu City Plaza, used Origami's phone to tell Ryouko where to pick her up, then left without a care.
That was everything Origami remembered before passing out.
While she was still recalling it, Mikie spoke again.
"I'm sorry... I'm so