Volume 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)
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”Uh Why are you here?”
”My summer vacation starts today”
”Oh, I see, so you came back?”
”Yes”
Natsume replied to every question Harutora asked with a stiff voice
Harutora and Natsuhtly on the railings mottled with paint
The wind blew lightly by the two of the a bit of a chill The sun sank in the west, and the vast sky was quickly being dyed in the colors of the night
”Will you be here long?”
”About one week”
”Oh, the Onmyou Academy's summer break really is short”
”Actually, it's not that short”
”Huh?”
”I have a lot of things I have to do there”
”Uh, oh, I see”
Harutora scratched his cheek uninterestedly, glancing at Natsume out of the corner of his eye
Her head was slightly lowered, looking at her own feet For sory On the other hand, Natsuht hint of dissatisfaction, and that look contrasted greatly with her beauty
She was a girl for whoave off an ie
Her eyelashes were long, her nose was turned-up, and her cheeks were thin, with s in the shadows, but at best this was just an exterior facade If one probed her more deeply, he would notice the pride and keen spirit that hid inside her heart The black hair that floated in the wind danced freely with no regard for her ie
There was only a space of one meter between the two, and they carried out a choppy conversation, each looking for words to say
Also, they had chosen different directions to move forward in
They were familiar with each other but didn't understand each other - Thisti to say
They hadn't been such strangers to each other when they were children, but since they had entered middle school, they had kept up this kind of relationshi+p Natsume as born in the main family had been expected to become an Onmyouji since she was s Thethis matter was different fro talent
”How's the Onmyou Academy life?”
”What do you mean, how is it?”
”Is it interesting?”
”I don't know, I'm not sure”
”I, I see Uh, it's different fro?”
”As for tiring, rather than the Onmyou Academy, the 'tradition' is more”
Harutora was surprised It had already been a long time since he had heard that word
”Huh?”
”Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all”
Natsulossed over it, and Harutora didn't pursue the question further, aardly searching for a new topic
”What about Tokyo? Is it convenient to live there?”
”It's pretty convenient”
”I, I see You probably ht?”
”Friends, you say?”
”Huh? You didn't meet new friends?”
”I'm not very sure”
Natsuue, and her reply was dull To the eyes of soht seem cold and emotionless
Actually, Natsume had always been extremely shy since she had been small The current her was even more reticent, but because the other party was Harutora, she was already talking more than when she conversed with other people
”Haha, hoorrying, you never were very sociable”
”Right”
”You couldn't be being bullied, right?”
”You don't need to worry about that As long as you have power there, you won't need to fear being looked down upon”
The attitude she spoke as refined, but the words she spoke weren't bashful at all Natsued at all since she had been small, and Harutora couldn't help but smile wryly
”You speak as directly as before”
”I' the truth”
”But, you won't make friends like that”
He carelessly spoke his true thoughts
Then, he noticed that Natsuer was spilling out of the mask that was her face
He tried to stop himself, but unfortunately it was too late
”Then, Harutora-kun?”
”What?”
”Let h school, what useful friends did you meet?”
”U, Useful Friends aren't related to being useful or not, right?”
”Is that so?”
”It is If you can happily get along together, you count as friends”
Harutora tried not to rock the boat, replying to Natsume's defiant statement with a smile
However, Natsu with a cold tone:
”Friends are those who you compete with and learn from”
”Th, That can't be all friends are, right?”
”No, you don't believe it because you laze around every day, which is why a group of good-for-nothings gathered around you”
”Hey”
Harutora's tone dripped with an anger that couldn't be held back
In that ret showed in Natsume's eyes
But, in the next ht, as if to dispel her remorse
”Harutora-kun, you must be clear on the Tsuchiht? I am the next heir ill inherit the Tsuchimikado family I have a duty as the next family head, and I have no ti out all day with useless friends”
Her cute ie in her tone, but it was like a katana being unsheathed, filled with calm resolution
Also
”I'm different from you”
As she said those final words, a cold sed on her face He really couldn't fight back against that demeanor of Natsume's
Harutora knew she was right, the two of thery because they were different
”Your words are still as vicious as ever”
”I' the truth, like I said just now”
”As expected of a prodigy, even the words you say are different from others”
”Stating the truth has nothing to do with prodigies or mediocrities”
Harutora was half a head taller than Natsulared up with her head raised, and the gazes of the two clashed informless sparks
But, Harutora observed that the situation was unfavorable for him He 'owed' Natsume Even if he didn't feel that he had any responsibility, he actually felt sorry
So
”You really aren't cute at all”
He lashed out with those words, quickly turning around as if he wanted to flee
Natsu those words was far removed from her confrontational attitude just now Since Harutora had turned around, he didn't notice - his childhood playmate's eyes had reddened
”Don't worry”
Natsu in her voice, telling Harutora
”I won't ask you to change your current way of living, you can continue your happy days I'll guard the Tsuchimikado - our family - myself”
Different from the weak blow lashed out by the branch family's son, Natsume's words hit Harutora hard
Harutora could say nothing back, and Natsume quickly recovered her self-control when she saw Harutora's silence
She nodded lightly with manners that could almost be described as overly polite
”Good night”
After saying that, she e
After her beautiful black hair dropped across her back, she departed without turning back
Feeling anxiety and disgust in his heart, Harutora scrunched up his face
He couldn't move his feet, and just quietly watched Natsume leave
”Tch”
He clicked
”Liar”
Harutora had to admit, he truly owed Natsume
The next day's weather was sunny, a good weather suitable for holding a fireworks festival
The festival location was a shrine outside the city, and included the riverbank behind the shrine Maybe because of the nuiven off by the attendees, the day's heat seemed completely unabated Lively noise sounded out often, and the su in one could taste the flavor of summer
”You hadn't seen the prodigy girl of the ht as soon as you saw each other”
Touji leaned against the vast stone wall encircling the shrine, speaking incredulously as well as teasingly
Harutora and Touji had finished their rereed-upon location Hokuto was late, and hadn't shown up yet
As they waited for Hokuto to come, Harutora had revealed the business that had happened yesterday evening to Touji He hadn't planned on talking about it, but Touji's eyes were sharp and had seen that Harutora's demeanor was different from yesterday's, and unexpectedly, this classmate was a master of persuasion Somehow, Harutora had not only spilled the conversation on the bridge, but had even thoroughly talked about his relationshi+p with Natsume
”What do you honestly think?”
”You suck”
”You're too honest”
”You guys can't talk at all The next tiirls, you better not come with me”
Touji smiled coldly fro upsettedly at him
Harutora would always express as nice of an attitude as possible, but in the end there weren't er enough to count on one hand - and it would be a great difficulty for him to take a more complex approach
”I admit I was a bit childish at the end But she provoked me first”
”It doesn't irls”
Touji was completely unconcerned as he spoke th for a retort
”But, as expected of a great family, even the branch faami for the main family”
Touji didn'tsarcastically
'shi+kigami' referred to servants that On 'servitude', and shi+kiga 'spirits who serve their practitioner'[1]
For exaency foray into a 'core' that was the vessel There were siami that the practitioner could use on the spot, as well as all kinds of individually-created shi+kigami
The 'tradition' of the Tsuchimikado family was that the branch faami
”Hey, slon, in that case, did Yakou also have shi+kigami like that?”
”I don't know He should have, though I'm not very sure”
”Yakou's shi+kigayouki Could they have been human?”
”I just said I don't know”
Touji showed a strong curiosity, but Harutora just dismissed it casually
”Come to think of it, never mind Yakou's time, don't you think it's too strict to have to comply with these 'traditions' now? That's too pethantic”
”You couldn't be ht?”
Touji's gaze beca: 'It !'
”In any case, it's unsuited to the times! No wonder my dad told me not to be too concerned”
”Is that so?”
”Isn't it? Think about it, forcing people to becohts! That kind of tradition doesn't see people as humans at all!”
Most people would think of the ami and use of charical techniques of Onmyouji
However, shi+kigauards of the practitioner, and to put it roughly, they were servants or slaves, even 'tools'
However
”There were a lot of situations where people becaami”
”Don't talk nonsense, shi+kigami can disappear wherever and whenever”
”That's a a to theirthe Warring States period were a broad kind of shi+kigami”
”In any case, that's in the past”
”From a modern point of view, the relationshi+p between the practitioner and shi+kigami is about the same as between a coach and athlete Uh, it's a bit different with regard to absolute obedience”
”What do you mean, a bit different! That part's the most important!”
Harutora thought of the conversation yesterday on the bridge Absolute obedience to Natsume's order? Impossible He couldn't do it It wasn't even a question of whether he had talent as an Onmyouji anymore
”On the other hand, if I were a spirit-seer, there would be a high chance I would have ended up like that”
Froht be unexpectedly committed to the revitalization of the Tsuchimikado family Was that as a result of her position or personality? Whichever it was, Harutora was co his childhood friend in chasing after that lofty ambition
”What 'useless friends', what 'duty as a fas?”
”She's pretty straightforward”
”Straightforward how? Ha”
”'I'm lonely' That's what the next heir of the ht?”
Touji looked at Harutora, and his gaze ely unexpected to Harutora, ent speechless for some time
That Natsu weakness to me? But how could that
But, it wasn't impossible People anted to becoated at the Onmyou Academy that Natsume studied at, and of course these students knew the relationshi+p between the Tsuchimikado family and Tsuchimikado Yakou Natsu Onmyoudou
Moreover, Natsuifted, and that could very possibly lead to jealousy or resentine her being able to find a happy group of friends or wash away her negative emotions In that case, could it be that she spent every day in Tokyo unhappily?
Harutora frowned, looking depressed and staying silent Touji lowered his head to look at Harutora with interest, as if he thought him to be simple and easy to understand
”Okay, you were just rejected, don't be upset, it's not the end of the world, right?” Touji's gaze turned to behind Harutora as he spoke while shrugging his shoulders
Harutora stopped his deep thoughts, looking upwards with an annoyed expression
”Who did you say got rejected?”
”Who got rejected?”
A terrifying voice that sounded like a volcano about to erupt rang out
It was Hokuto
Touji grinned, and Harutora as squatting on the ground hurriedly stood up Harutora turned around as if to resolve the , but choked just as the words were about to leave his mouth
His eyes widened blankly
Seeing Harutora's reaction, Hokuto said: ”What” and turned her head, glancing at Harutora out of the corner of her eye She pretended to be calm, but her face was flushed from expectation and tension, and her toes anxiously traced circles in the ground
Touji coughed lightly
Harutora hurriedly spoke:
”Y, You're late, Hokuto”
”Sorry”
Touji coughed again
”Uht Well What happened, for you to be dressed like that?”
This tihtly instead The tense Hokuto slowly puffed out her cheeks
”Nothing! I just wore a yukata because I was attending a festival, so?!”
Hokuto was currently wearing a yukata
It was a black-colored yukata, decorated hite peonies[2] and butterflies near the top, with an elegant pink belt Her entire body gave off a traditional and mature air, as if a completely different person from the Hokuto of yesterday
”No, no, sorry! That Seeing you dressed like this, I feel like it doesn't seem like you I, I was surprised because that appearance looks really unexpected, so I doubted my own eyes”
The volcanic activity in Hokuto's heart became more and more active every ti like it would erupt from the crater at any tiazed at Harutora with gradually filled with tears Touji, standing behind Harutora, covered his face because he couldn't stand it
But
”But it looks good on you It really surprised me”
The er disappeared
”R, Really?”
”Yeah, how should I put it It looks fresh, and seems more mature than usual”
Harutora also wasn't really clear on what to say, and spoke hesitatingly, honestly saying his heartfelt thoughts
Hokutoon Harutora's expression He hadn't done anything of note, but his heartbeat quickened
Not long after, Hokuto expressed her satisfaction, relaxing and co herself
”Thanks”
She feigned cal a smile, and thanked him quietly
The two of them sank into silence
Hokuto's gaze flicked around, seeeting and anxious appearance The two of them both seemed like they wanted to open their mouths, but they couldn't catch the opportunity
The silence continued
Touji silently counted to a hundred
After that, he decided not to keep waiting
”Alright, since Hokuto's here too, we should be about ready to go take a look, right?”
Harutora and Hokuto nodded their heads slightly, as if feeling relieved
☆
Unfortunately, Hokuto's
”Next, cotton candy! I want to eat cotton candy!”
”Why don't you eat the candied apple in your right hand and the chocolate banana in your left hand first”
”Harutora, there are ood?”
”The clown No, I', don't kick me with your sandals!”
”I see goldfish!+ Yeah!”
”Wait! Don't run around wearing a yukata! What kind of person can run that fast in a yukata!?”
She was inordinately happy, so excited that she even scared a group of ele completely returned to her normal tomboy demeanor
Touji was stunned
”Was she like this last year too?”
”She was even worse last year”
Harutora replied with a dry smile from behind Hokuto
Hokuto would normally occasionally be childish, but once she entered this celebration, she seemed as if she had truly become a child ”Harutora, look at this!”, ”Harutora, coht as she pulled Harutora's ar to mundane booths one after another
Actually, Harutora would sometimes feel like he couldn't put up with it, but once he saw Hokuto's carefree ser and his derisive words It was a happy thing to see the sincerely joyful face of others
Also, when he ith the naive Hokuto, he wouldn't have to remember the past
Long ago, when he was still a small child Every time he went to the main family, his childhood friend would be overjoyed, her face flushed with happiness
She would listen to whatever Harutora had to say, always following him around
Harutora inadvertently thought about a question
Could it be that she attended the festival?
He couldn't iht not even knohat fun was in the first place, having been ignorantly shackled to the na every day
While he was having fun at the -
Just then
”Harutora?”
Touji called out quietly, and Harutora hurriedly recomposed himself in surprise
”What is it?”
”Uh Nothing, never mind”
Harutora s his consciousness return to the festival before him
The sun was setting in the west, and the lights hung on the stalls along with the rows of lanterns illuin in a while
Just then, Hokuto, who had originally been squatting on the ground looking wide-eyed into the soldfish, stood up
”Ah! What's that? I never saw it before!”
”Oh, it's a shooting range, how nostalgic”
Just as Harutora spoke, Hokuto had already rushed to the booth with the shooting game
Harutora hurriedly chased after her, and Touji also followed behind There were a pair of what seee, and Hokuto stood to the side after rushi+ng ahead, carefully observing them
”So it's played like that, you use that toy gun to knock over the prizes in there, right? And then you can get the prizes you knock over”
”You've never played it?”
”Didn't I just say I never saw it before!”
Saying this, Hokuto paid the price per play (two hundred yen) to the booth er
The un
”How do I use this?”
She looked at Harutora, and Harutora took the toy gun fro, and stuffed the cork bullet into the muzzle
”Then you just need to pull the trigger”
”Thanks! Then, let's see, what prizes should I get?”
”Listen, Hokuto, you can't get whatever big prizes you want in this kind of game, not only will you be unable to hit them, even if you hit, the prizes won't fall over if they're too heavy In theory, you should set your target on the row placed in the very front, those are the coht prizes--”
”Ah, I missed”
”Listen to me!”
Hokuto began shooting on her own, and didn't hit a prize a single tihest roith a ribbon-wrapped box as her target, co of Harutora's proposal
Touji chewed a grilled squid that he had bought at so the fun fro
”Uu, really, they all missed!”
”That's your own fault”
”Harutora, I want that prize”
”Don't be troublesome”
”What about Touji? You look like you'd be good at this kind of game”
”Not interested”
Hearing their cold replies, Hokuto showed a reproachful look, saying 'so useless' Then, she paid another two hundred yen again, and challenged it again
Of course, her target was the ribbon-wrapped box on the highest row She leaned forward as un barrel, and the botto Harutora blush
But, the outcoh to storound
”So annoying! It didn't even touch it!”
”I said it's no use to ai prizes”
”One more time!”
”Give up”
”No! I want that!”
She was truly a child 'Harutora' Touji stood behind hi hi 'what does it have to do with un that Hokuto handed over, and paid two hundred yen
”But I'ame”
Just as he confessed, his shots curved one after another
Harutora's luck was siardless of where he aie in his wallet was spent in o, and the money he spent quickly broke a thousand yen
”If the bullet doesn't hit this tiive up”
After saying this, he put in the last bullet, leaning forward
Hokuto's heart leaped anxiously as she stared at Harutora
Then, she blushed as if thinking up so
Harutora was currently ai Hokuto see her face close to Harutora's ear
”Hey, Harutora”
”Don't talk to me for now”
”If you get that prize”
”Don't talk to me”
”I'll give you a kiss”
His hand lost control for a moment
The cork that clearly did not advance in the sa the ribbon-wrapped box dead center The box let out an unexpectedly hollow sound, falling off the stand
Hokuto jurilled squid in hishis hands leisurely But, Harutora wasn't as unperturbed
”H, Hokuto, you!”
”Huh? What about me?”
”Uh, that, you said If I got that prize”
”What? What is it, Harutora?”
Hokuto faked a casual appearance, s her head It was clearly the smile of a criminal
'Tch!' Harutora regretted it, but the at up what had just happened or continuing to pursue the question Actually, if it were revisited, it would lead to trouble for Harutora
”When did you learn that move”
”H about just now”
Hokuto laughed and turned around, and upon closer inspection, one could notice that half of that was to conceal her shyness It seemed that Harutora wasn't the only one who feared unknown risks
What was stunning was that the big prize Hokuto had insisted on getting turned out to be a bottle of soap and a straw
A bubble-blowing set for children to play as set inside the prize box, and placing it the highest up was just to fake out the customers
”No wonder it fell over in one hit”
Touji laughed Harutora's face reddened as he looked at the result of his fruitless labor
But Hokuto didn't take it to heart at all
”It's alright, this hat I wanted”
She untied the ribbon around the box, deftly tying it into her hair
The ribbon was a beautiful pink, the same color as the belt on Hokuto's yukata With the ribbon tied in her hair, it seeed for from the start
”Ah” Harutora made a sound of praise
”How is it?”
”You've also taken up hollow fashi+ons”
Harutora spoke sarcastically, taking the opportunity to retaliate for his teasing just now
But, Hokuto didn't budge She stared into Harutora's eyes with a serious face
”Is it cute?”
”It's very cute, right?”
”Say it's cute!”
”Okay, I know Cute, it's cute”
”Really?”
”I told you, since you forced me to say it”
”Cute! It's really cute!”
Harutora could only praise it repeatedly upon encountering a look as if she would s it, her entire body loosening
”I won”
”O, Okay”
”Really, Harutora really is a Bakatora who doesn't understand girls' hearts If you properly said that my yukata was cute when you saw it, ouldn't have had to waste so much effort”
”Hey, slon Just to get me to say the word cute, you wore that yukata you're not used to and et that ribbon?”
”I won”
”Fine, I lose”
Harutora felt exhausted, slackening his shoulders Hokuto s with the ribbon
”I'll treasure this”
”Do whatever you want, but it's super cheap”