Volume 8 Chapter 3 (1/2)
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She learned about this 'family tradition' a short time before she advanced to middle school
Even when she was asked to be ', she planned to practice acting as a ami
At the beginning, she created a siami that looked like a boy Hence, she understood that, unexpectedly, people only judged outer appearances Even if she, as the one truly acting through it, was a girl, no one would suspect anything if it was a boy on the outside At least, it see exposed in her daily life - at least for how Natsume was normally, as she seldom interacted with anyone and lived an uneventful life
But it was Natsuami She still had to be perceived as a male even with a feminine appearance
Consequently, Natsue
Although she had considered using a personality similar to her own, she felt that it would be more suitable for its actions to be boyish, so she tried practicing with a different style The reference she used was a girl idol on television that Harutora had liked before Drawing froirl' - she re inadvertently interested, the sih it was just the second attempt, it was very well crafted It even felt cute to her feminine sensibilities, and it was very suitable for a cheerful sht that Harutora would probably be attracted to her, an anxiety that had sprouted recently began creeping through Natsume's heart
During the last few years, Harutora came to play at Natsume's house less frequently She ell aware of the cause The two of them had become acutely aware of each other and couldn't play around innocently like before And right noas the sairl in hisfun with her right at this hts
Harutora would becoami as per the branch family's fa ation Even if Harutora becaaain the familiarity they had in the past
The family tradition indeed existed She also remembered their childhood promise But unlike the main family, the current branch family wouldn't be as dedicated to the 'Tsuchimikado' as her father was Even if Natsume firmly remembered their past promise, she wasn't certain whether Harutora still remembered it and whether he would seriously coether dwindled and their relationshi+p grew distant, anxiety rooted itself in Natsurew
She wanted to see Harutora
But she didn't have the courage to say it When exactly had she stopped being forthright with Harutora?
”Right”
She had this siami Maybe she should try it in the town Harutora was in She could be an unreserved girl with a bold appearance and a cheerful boyish attitude
If she met with Harutora with that kind of attitude, she could definitely express herself better She could regain her innocence and childhood familiarity from before
She couldn't
Natsume's eyes widened when she happened to meet Harutora by chance, and she tried to talk but ended up running like the wind
Then, the two of them formed a brand-new relationshi+p
Afterwards, that suan--
◎
This unremarkable clinic that could be mistaken for an ordinary home blended into the scenery of a residential area
It was close to dawn, and a short-tailed wild cat strolled through the front of the courtyard The surroundings were still tranquil and asleep, and the noise of truck engines as they drove close by sounded occasionally
There was only one person staying at this clinic But this patient was planning on leaving on his oithout the perer
”So you're saying that we still don't have any information on Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi?”
”It's true that we don't have any information, and we don't actually know his whereabouts - we can't contact him Well, there's still tiency in the first place”
He had white hair and crude glasses The bathrobe that served as his sleepwear had already been reed to a orn suit Ohto the things next to him into his suitcase
This was ht than the departure of a resident patient Actually, Ohtoo - when he had received a phone call of his former co-worker and close acquaintance since his student days, Kogure Zenjirou More specifically, he learned of the fire that had occurred an hour ago in the old home of a student, Tsuchimikado Natsume, from the class he was responsible for
”Anyway, I don't have any detailed information either All I can confirm is that the Tsuchimikado family residence is completely burned down This will be broadcast on television and other ”
Ohtorave
Though the Tsuchimikado family had already declined, in the end it was once a prominent Onmyoudou family The news that the residence of the family that could be called the head sect had been burned doould definitely be a great shock to thesince left the upper echelons Even if it would shock the coency would still be able to act uni
But, Ohtoradually realized that this was only the surface
There were changes No, he feared that this incident itself was the result of changes that had already happened Currently, soency He couldn't uncover it, and most people didn't notice, but there were indeed certain definite, real changes going on It was aher-ups - anization
Moreover, Ohtoes had decided to leave him behind
It was decisive - and probably deadly
”I know about the main family Then what about the branch fa, but is the branch fa their Onmyou doctor business?”
”We can't get in touch with the”
Kogure, on the other end of the phone, was also very confused Though he had i Natsuure was an exorcist, and he had no way of i more information Furthermore, he was still at the Exorcist Bureau on standby in order to guard against any spiritual disasters that happened during the night Even as part of the Onency, what he could do was very limited
”If Amami-san was still around now, he'd definitely have more detailed information”
Ohto to leave the hospital, paused when he heard the disheartened words that Kogure inadvertently said But his expression reain
Ohtoency because of Amami's disappearance
According to Kogure's inforator Chief Aht that the operation against the Twin-Horned Syndicate ended On that day, which had begun with a forced investigation by the Mystical Investigators, there had been a ical battle in the Exorcist Bureau shi+njuku branch with the Twin-Horned Syndicate and a battle in the Meguro branch against the multiple spiritual disasters These events that occurred successively fro tsunami In particular, the spiritual disasters had caused widespread destruction, which led to the On into an enormous mess and caused the disruption of the Exorcist Bureau's business for several days Most of the agency encies and had to go all out Amami had 'vanished' amidst that chaos
Chief Kurahashi+, upon learning of Amami's disappearance, had quickly taken coators himself and dealt with the various issues of the after now That meant that Kurahashi+ Genji was siation Departency Chief and the Exorcist Bureau Chief Though it was a teee
”How's the Onard to the Tsuchimikado fire?”
”If you're asking about their reactions, ht now”
”I' what it's 'like' To put it clearly, I'm interested in hoas before the incident happened”
”There weren't any unusual occurrences before the incident, I think? Sorry At least, I didn't notice any, as I've been busy purifying spiritual disasters all the time recently”
”You don't know about the current state of the Mystical Investigators either?”
”I's, although the Chief's disappearance was shocking, they aren't having any proble”
”What does that mean?”
”Of course, the Mystical Investigators I know are feeling confused But their deploy well At least froh I'm not sure whether it's just that the problem areas haven't reached the ears of outsiders What should I say, it's like they the why either”
Ohtos with a serious expression
Ohtomo had been extreuro incident Especially when he heard that Kagaone out of control and attacked the students, he had wanted to iaency for loosening Kagauard Natsume in the first place
But after he heard that Amami had disappeared, he had cos The brunt of his anger and impatience instead turned towards hi at all
The situation was extremely serious
”Anyway, all we can do right noait for the reports afterward When the sun coht find out that it was just an ordinary fire”
”Are you an idiot?”
”You're right Forget what I said just now”
Amami's disappearance wasn't Amami's own problem Of course, it couldn't be a simple fire that had burned the Tsuchimikado residence In fact, it could be evidence that the Twin-Horned Syndicate, the organization acting in the shadows, had even deeper roots Also, there was the On for and the widened jurisdiction it would bring to the Agency
He shouldn't rush to a conclusion But, it was clearly very suspicious that the second anization hadany panic in the organization itself That meant that Amami had already been 'reency It could also be put a different way The 'forure were faroup' had established itself inside the organization and was using the confusion within the 'forency as it continued its normal duties
The uncoation Departins This could also be proof of what kind of level the 'change' inside the organization had already reached
Resigning fro a calm, easy life was probably better for him
Aa iency Then he didn't have to pay attention to ht now There was no need to feel agitated about each and every thing Right now he had to be calm and act with precision
”Then, Jin”
”What”
”I know that you'rea lot of speculations in this kind of situation Don't cause too much of a scene”
Ohtomo's mouth revealed a bitter smile as he listened to his old friend's worries
”Yeah”
After that brief reply, Ohtoure's phone call
It would have been better if he had taken action i the news that Amami had vanished He hadn't done that because he wanted to temporarily stay out of the fray and clarify the situation
But, although indirectly, he had already started to neglect the students he was responsible for, so he had to act He could only break into the store
But just then, Ohtomo shuddered and froze
He felt a jolt of tension and killing intent A dangerous glealasses
But Ohtoers that deftly reached for charrab any Instead, his reaction was replaced with regret and a cold sweat
”Are you trying to scare ood for my heart”
He coly and half seriously
Then,
”Hoh”
A soft sigh came fro door opened by itself
A young boy stood in the corridor
He was probably still an ele under a vest, cropped trousers, and black leather shoes Also, he wore a bowtie He was dressed in all black - except his red teashade[1] sunglasses
The quiet sound of footsteps came from the boy's black leather shoes as he walked into the hospital rooainst the bed as he faced the boy With a bitter expression, he endured the boy's upward gaze through his sunglasses
”This time you're a kid? Pardon me, but don't you think that's in a bit of bad taste?”
”It's because the 'possession' has to meet many conditions, and also because my circumstances didn't offer very many options”
He said with a satisfied s to do other than smile wryly
”Ah, this time you smile pretty normally”
”It's because the body is still new Ah, let me first explain to quell your worries, I didn't kill this child He would have been burned to death regardless if I didn't touch him, so I just repurposed him”
The boy leisurely answered Ohtoe, but Ohtomo believed that they were probably true Ohtomo himself had pondered whether he could use a soulless corpse as a vessel
A stool in the corner of the hospital roolided behind the boy on its own The boy jumped and sat on the stool It was as if there was an invisible helper, and actually that was indeed the case The boy's shi+kigami were also here, and there were probably two Ohtoainst one of them
”Could that be that 'oni' that attacked the On?”
”Huh? Oh, those guys? Yes Coht one along with ic' would have beco”
”No, no, no In that case, I would have quickly surrendered”
Ohtomo maintained his smile but he still sweated as he spoke honestly to the boy on the chair - Ashi+ya Doman Truly a visitor that was bad for his heart
”So? What's your business here tonight, Domahoshi+?”
”Hoho What do you think?”
”Well, you've coe - I can only pray that's not the case”
Those were his true, heartfelt thoughts After all, this was an opportunity If Doman was an 'assassin' the Twin-Horned Syndicate sent, then there was no better situation than this
But Do Ohtomo's dark humor
”How unexpected Did you think this old ic' so irresponsibly?”
”That's why I' it's not like that After all, it's hard for souess your intentions, Priest”
”Hmph But you're very candid”
”I've already given up resisting I' block”
Ohtoed his shoulders at Doman It wasn't modesty, but rather the pure truth Ohtoainst Doman in another battle - nor even the confidence that he could 'survive'
Do to still be a bit dissatisfied
”Revenge and such are extre here are just the opposite”
”Opposite?”
”Yes Back then, some rude person disturbed us after the victor was decided I've coive the victor his spoils”
Dos and proclaierated manner Ohtomo's eyes widened
”You said give the victor his spoils You mean me, Priest?”
”Of course You accepted Ashi+ya Do That's a disgrace to my nauilty”
”Ah”
”Then, On you desire Don't be reserved”
It was indeed a bit perplexing Ohtomo forced cordial smile as he faced Doman's sudden proposition
The proposition of that great On If he truly accepted it, it would be joyous yet unfortunate There probably was no deeper ood intentions - rity that had flared up for a while
But, it was 'that' Ashi+ya Dotime enemy 'D' Even if he said not to be reserved, he still didn't knoould be best Moreover, he didn't want to be associated with hiain
”Then, why don't you let o for now”
”What? That kind of boring request can't count as a wish There's nothing else? There s”
”Then, promise that you won't lay a hand on ain”
”What That's too apathetic too Let's not speak of the past Come up with some other wish”
”Please don't appear for a while”
”No, no Don't you have any more clever ideas?”
”Didn't you say anything would do”
”Huh? You weren't listening very clearly I said don't be reserved Be more earnest”
In the end, he was an ara-mitama, an unreasonable spiritual disaster If Ohtoht be killed, and he didn't knohat kind of disaster would result fro him He didn't knohen it had started, but he felt even more deeply that his luck with the elderly was very bad
Ohtohed helplessly
”Ah Then, Priest? Was the 'rude disturbance' youthe Twin-Horned Syndicate did?”
”The explosion? Probably”
Doman affirmed Ohtomo's question
The two of the about the incident after Doic' At the time, Doman's old man body had been blasted to pieces by the explosion of a bo the Twin-Horned Syndicate had done, fearing that Doman would leak information
”Does that mean I can believe you've cut your connections with the Twin-Horned Syndicate?”
”Yeah Well, they did such a barbaric thing after all This old er has any need to care about them”
”Then, can you tellabout the Twin-Horned Syndicate? About the people in the Twin-Horned Syndicate's shadows”
Ohtoaze shone frolasses Doman seemed to be finally satisfied and snickered quietly
”The shadows, huh It's been the Onured that out froht?”
”Well, did that co their reins?”
”I don't know that This old man was never one of their core members Rather, we used each other and didn't take the initiative to become more involved”
Doman replied to Ohtomo's question
”If this old man understands correctly, their roots are even deeper Perhaps you won't even be able to see everything even after digging deeper”
Ohtoree with Doman's conclusion and nodded his head sincerely Dos were the same as Ohtomo had predicted It would be nice if he could have revealed some specific names, but the 'other side' had probably been very careful to keep fro the volatile Doman any extraneous information
”You can keep asking about other things”
”Then, Priest What was the goal of your looking for the 'Raven's Wing'?”
”Well There actually wasn't a particularly deep reason I wanted it because of my disciple's request”
Ohtohtly as he heard Doman's reply
”Disciple”
His mutter contained bit of sentimentality that was unlike his style
Doh that sounded like a wild beast that had smelled blood
”Have you heard? It seems that you knew each other No, in any case, when you were still a Mystical Investigator chasing after the Twin-Horned Syndicate and closing in on this old ht? Saotoency and caht?”
Do happily
”I once doubted whether I wasthe 'coic' It seems like that wasn't the case Your relationshi+p is quite deep-rooted”
Ohtoed on his face, like he was affir them
Silence continued for a moment
Then, without co, Ohtomo said:
”Is she still doing well?”
He asked Doman
Do Ohtomo's attitude
But without verbally reproaching him, he said:
”Sorry She's already left”
”Eh?”
”It was a few days ago She said sorateful for the hospitality, but it seems that her business with this old man is over What a cheeky person But she also did quite well, so I don't have any thoughts of finding her and putting her straight”
”What does it mean that her business is over?”
”I don't know I don't intend to hide it, but even, no, I don't knohat that person is thinking Well, it's enough if it's interesting”
Doman spoke happily and casually Ohtomo chewed his lip The current Ohtomo didn't have his nor, normal, immature youth
It was silent for a while again
Not long afterwards, Doman seemed to feel satisfied and smiled
He dropped to the floor from the stool
”We'll leave it at this tonight The sun's about to rise”
Just like before he had sat down, the stool inal position
”But, that question and answer session wasn't enough as a 'victor's reward'”
”A, no That kind of thing”
”Alright Then I'll owe you one for now If you have some request in the future, just call for this old man and I'll help you out”
Ohto manner
”Priest Could 'that' have been your goal fro? To cast a curse on me”
”Hoho You're the one who's twisted for seeing it as a 'curse', not I Why don't you treat it purely as this old ood intentions?”
”In the end, is there any difference?”
”Hohoho”
Dohed like a maniac Ohtomo slumped his shoulders in exhaustion
He could borrow Ashi+ya Do a critical moment
That indeed sounded like a valuable and useful proposition But contrary to the good intent on the surface, the offer contained an invisible 'poison' in it
Ohto the stealthyDo That had to be so But if Ohtomo requested his aid, then he would be the first one to 'rely' on Doh it was possible that he would be able to resist until the very end, once he heard such a sweet proposition, Ohto a card Doman's assistance would be if the situation becaerous in the future Even if he norot, or when everything was on the line, that card would become salient in Ohtomo's consciousness
Doman had set up the curse of an unbreakable connection to him in Ohtomo's mind
”Then, hurry up and take out your phone Put my phone number in”
The boy reached out his right hand Ohtoave out his phone
”It's unexpected that you use a cell phone, Priest”
”That's obvious How could I not have such an interesting thing It's just unfortunate that every tiic' will soon be unnecessary”
”It's hatefully convincing when the great Ashi+ya Doman says that”
”Kekeke Shouldn't we behind-the-ti well?”
Doman recorded the phone number with swift, experienced hands and then tossed back Ohtomo's phone
”See you again”
Do those words The sliding door closed by itself again, and the sound of the boy's footsteps slowly became distant in the corridor Ohtomo stared at the phone in his hand with a sullen face
”Honestly”
If Ahed loudly as he said that ara-mitama were no joke
But there were a few things he had to do right now, so he put Doman's matter to the side for now First was The business of the Tsuchinore the students who had lost their old home
Ohtoe for his departure
The night had already passed without a sound when he walked out of the hospital room
”Ohtomo-sensei!”
Their ho
He walked into the ic practice field supported by his cane, his wooden fake leg thu audibly ”Oh my, oh my” Ohtomo murmured leisurely and surveyed the arena
”Truly a otten better these past few days”
”Sensei!”
Natsume's eyes also moistened when she heard Ohtomo's leisurely voice Suzuka and Tenma, who had been taken aback by Harutora's reaction, also showed relieved expressions like everyone else ”What an interesting moment,” Touji murmured happily with a wry smile
Ohtomo looked warmly at his students' reactions
Then, he turned to the red-haired girl
”You're Sou There are very few kids this capable And you even brought such a frightening shi+kigami”
Harutora, collapsed on the ground, hastily looked in Takiko's direction as he heard Ohtomo's words At soher
His age seemed to be not too different froroup He gave off a gentle i hair danced, tied messily behind his head His eyes were sharp and cale Like those of an ascetic wandering htenment
He wore a reen coat that didn'tboots underneath He didn't look like a shi+kigami just based on his appearance But the aura intertwined with his body wasn't a huami
But,
As expected, that shi+kigami has?
He wasn't an ordinary defensive shi+kigaht be a servant shi+kigami, the same kind as Hokuto But even so, he was still unusual While he just stood there naturally, he also produced an extraordinarily threatening impression
Just like Hokuto, Takiko's shi+kigami probably suffered quite a burden from the barrier Takiko had imposed over the spirit flow But no such burden could be felt froami at all It wouldn't be too ave off rivaled Hokuto's Even Harutora 'saw' that
”kumomaru, back down”
Takiko commanded in a firm voice
The shi+kiga at the uarded stance towards Harutora and the others - or more accurately, it was mostly Ohtomo - it wordlessly retreated froami with an unreadable expression
”H-Harutora-sama”
Kon noticed Harutora's abnor up her collapsed master Ohtoer Then, the 'S Whip' binding Harutora's body released hi back into a shi+kigami charm
Ohtomo put the charm back into the inner pocket of his suit and smiled
”Then, let me perform my supervisory duty as a homeroom teacher The principal will scold me if I let ht? Leave the rest for later I'll watch it fro till the end next time”
Ohtomo took responsibility with a relaxed tone and then clapped his hand as if saying that things were done here
”Takiko-kun You came to the Onmyou Academy today to observe their studies It's a rare opportunity, so why don't I take you on a tour of the acade just finished, and we spent a lot of money It's worth a look Also, do you want to hear about the contents of the curriculum?”
Ohtomo invited Takiko with a smile as he chattered
Though they already knew Ohtomo's power now, it was more like his style to be dubiously reliable and leisurely He wasn't acting, it was just one side of Ohtomo
But Takiko, who received the invitation, paled and remained motionless like a rock
”Princess”
The shi+kigami named kumomaru quietly warned her from behind Takiko bit her lip and was silent for a moment, then finally and slowly closed her eyes
She deeply lowered her head, her red hair drooping down alongside
”I'll go back for today Sorry to bother”
Takiko calmly announced with her head lowered
Then, she turned and walked towards the arena exit without looking at Harutora's group again kulance
The last person the shi+kigami looked at wasn't Ohtomo, it was Natsume In that moment, a pained expression flashed across his face for some reason But he immediately pursued hisof that expression was
In the end, Takiko didn't turn around up through the point where her figure vanished from the arena