Volume 11 Chapter 5 (1/2)

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”I'ency”

When Suzuka said that, everyone present was taken aback and reacted strongly

”Hold on, Suzuka Yashaht easily”

”What Touji says is right”

Tenma also calmly stated his opinion as Touji hastily stopped her

”I understand that it's difficult for you to stay at the On to the Onency is too reckless

Just like Amami said, Suzuka and Kyouko were just like the principal in that it would be very difficult for them to continue a similar life as they had lived until now, even just on the surface Though she was a student, Suzuka had originally been a special student She was already a professional - and also a National First-Class Onmyouji who possessed 'First-Class Onmyou' qualifications She had only come to the On to hold the Taizan fukun Ritual In other words, Suzuka's 'ordinary life' for several her-ups - Chief Kurahashi+

However, Suzuka had opposed the Oned now She would likely be unable to attend the academy as punishment like before

Most importantly, Chief Kurahashi+ had Yashamaru by his side

Yashamaru - Dairenji shi+dou - was the hter, Suzuka's body as an experiic in his previous life A antly heartless, and one who had both cunning knowledge and strength From the bottom of her heart, Suzuka feared him more than she detested him

Also, the Onmyou Acadeh he had ignored it until now, it was unsure ould happen in the future

”You can come with us if it's hard to stay inside the acade for us if we had a Divine General while we hide underground later on”

Aic, and he couldn't even move on his own He was in a situation where reliable people would allow him more aid There was even less room to be selective if she was a Divine General

”First off, what are you going to do if you go back? Let ”

Touji harshly asserted Actually, things were as he said Suzuka knew that as well

The Onency could be called the main base of the 'enemy' Even if Suzuka sneaked in alone, there wasn't even a one percent chance of victory She would easily turn into a prisoner

However

”Headband You're not hiding underground to run away here and there Didn't you say you were going to train yourself?”

After Suzuka said that, she turned her head ”Kyouko too”

”You're staying in the On Um I can't express it well But the two of you aren't fleeing or escaping, you're acting to beco e've been doing on't be any good We won't be able to do anything”

Suzuka spoke as if for her own self to hear But her words also spoke for the feelings of all of her companions

Tonight, Suzuka and the others had struck back at Kurahashi+ and Yashamaru But that was just aOhtomo's, Amami's, and Saotome Suzu's assistance But Suzuka and the others would become scattered from now on and Ohtomo and Amami would be pursued, while Kurahashi+ and the others' rock-solid position - or even their fighting strength - was al low had ended and they were finally about to act boldly If there was still a 'next time', then the brutality and difficulty would be incoht's These companions anticipated that

”Hold on, Suzuka If that's true, then that's even o with A from their eyes and ears?”

”Unfortunately,that can be increased by training You understand, right, old man?”

Suzuka crossed her araze towards Amami on the sofa Amami solemnly stared at Suzuka, but the 'Trick Spider' remained silent

Though Suzuka was the youngest of these people, her spiritual poas stronger than anyone else's now that Ay was sealed But that wasn't her natural power, and it wasn't so It was just a result of Dairenji shi+dou's experith was - ironically - given to her by the enemy, Yashamaru

Because of that, it was very difficult for Suzuka to further increase that strength by herself Maybe it wasn't ih ordinary means

”Of course, th more effectively But my field of expertise is still 'research' Therefore, I have to fight 'there'”

Suzuka asserted

Touji could only shut hisher expression ”Suzuka-chan” Though Kyouko ain

A smile flitted briefly over the corners of Amami's mouth, and he said:

”Specifically?”

”I'oal”

Suzuka immediately answered Amami's question

”Didn't you say before? You said that the goal of those people was to 'inherit Yakou's legacy', but you didn't know the contents of that 'legacy'”

”You plan on investigating that?”

”Right I'll start froency”

Amami's eyes widened in surprise, but Suzuka held herself poised

”To be honest, I don't know Kurahashi+ Genji's true intentions Maybe he just wants to expand the jurisdiction of the Onoal is that kind of thing 'He' definitely doesn't care no ency turns into 'He' wouldn't be interested in that kind of political business I want to find out what 'he's' trying to do right now If we're never certain of our opponent's goals--”

We won't be able to fight, right?

Suzukato herself

A on a pained expression

”Honestly, it would be an invaluable if you infiltrated the eneo back on your oon't the opponents naturally surmise your intentions?”

”Then I'll just ht on purpose”

”Sa Those people won't be tricked like that Let me tell you, the opponents are quite clever, you know? Are you able to negotiate with those people?”

”Hah? It's not whether I can do it or not, I said I was going to do it I know I'ht now I'otiations start after that”

Though she was slightly angry, her words were fir reat help if Suzuka spied froency More importantly, she was motivated He couldn't pour cold water on her resolve Neither Aments of these children

However

”Is that really alright? I' to warn you a third time, Yashamaru's there, you know?”

Touji still spoke with a bitter look

A those present, only Touji had seen Suzuka and Yasha face-to-face Touji had witnessed the 'power relationshi+p' between the two of thes about Suzuka returning to Yashamaru

At the ti stared down by a snake The psychological factors were greater than the difference in strength between them After all, he was her father - the father who had controlled her since birth That terror was carved into Suzuka's soul He was someone who could be described as Suzuka's natural enemy

Of course, Suzuka was also conscious of her own absolute fearfulness

But--

No, because of that--

”I can't run forever If I don't conquer 'hi”

In the end, just-toasted bread was the best Though she was in a bad mood, she had to admit that

”Thanks”

After she ht the bread, beamed with a smile

Takiko was sitting on the sofa Suzuka had been sleeping on until just now Unfortunately, there was only one sofa, and Suzuka didn't want to sit next to her, so Suzuka hadon it

There were two cups stea with black tea on the table in front of the two There was Suzuka's share and Takiko's share Though she had not a single thought about being hospitable, being excessively unfriendly was also very foolish Anyways, the effort she spent would be the same, so she had made black tea as repayment for the bread - or rather, as the price

After all, the girl in front of her was clearly Suzuka's 'enemy'

But Suzuka had long since realized that there were no ulterior motives in the smile that this 'enemy' showed her

It had been a year and a half since Suzuka caency of her oill Takiko would often come alone to visit Suzuka, who had als became more numerous, Suzuka naturally came to understand what kind of a person she was

”It's good that you like it; it wasto that store too”

”What the hell, are you using me as a food tester?”

”N-No! It's because you never watch your diet, Suzuka”

Saying this, Takiko glanced at the garbage can

It was already filled to the bris of convenience store candy That was Suzuka's priaze, Suzuka frowned and crossed her legs on the chair To be honest, that wasn't her business

”It doesn't s I like”

”Your nutrition won't be balanced that way, you know Also, it's not just your diet Judging by how you look, you didn't go back yesterday, right?”

”So what”

”It's not good for you to spend the night in this kind of place, and what are you going to do about bathing?”

”It won't kill me”

”As I thought That won't do Suzuka, you're a girl, so you have to keep yourself clean”

”Aah, I can't stand it, you're so annoying”

Suzuka irily at Takiko on the sofa

”And anyways, if you have that many complaints, can't you just issue an order to your excellent shi+kiga her' or 'give her so rateful even if you send me food because I'm pitiful, you know?”

Anger and stress accue aue was first or second a the Twelve Divine Generals She spat curses like a river Her expression and tone were both calculated to make the other party as unhappy as possible, which was in some sense very remarkable

Even though she had interacted with Suzuka for a year and a half, Takiko still didn't have any tolerance for this hostility

Her expression instantly paled ”Sorry” After apologizing in aher head

Takiko became completely feeble after her weak points were jabbed She would deny it if it were a , but Takiko understood that what Suzuka said was the truth What's more, she seemed to feel es or wave them past, and could only bear the accusations

Suzuka's stress accumulated because of Takiko's downcast appearance How should she put it? It was the feeling of an oho couldn't vent her irritation with an overly ra her would also irritate her This girl was truly hard to deal with

Takiko was her hated father's ae also made her the same as his master

That was so Suzuka hadn't known either until she had asked Amami directly Her father Dairenji shi+dou had been named 'Souma' shi+dou before In other words, her father was also a descendant of the Souma family that had assisted Yakou in the past

But the Souma family had been separated into several lines after the Pacific War Her father was just from a Souma branch family

The single re person from the Souma main family was the Takiko before her

Takiko herself had given her explanation of the details of this aspect The 'princess' that Yashamaru called Takiko probably wasn't a siic fareat family, was a true princess

Well, otherwise it would be impossible to explain her unworldliness Honestly

In any case, her silence was very annoying Suzuka, having trouble enduring the silence, deliberately sniffed with a 'humph'

”Ah - I can't stand it, even the air's getting heavy Can you not barge into other peoples' research labs and then go silent?”

”S-Sorry”

”Even the tea's getting cold I'ain Want any?”

”Huh? O-Okay”

Takiko raised her head, showing an expression of rede and whose thoughts were immediately conveyed on her face Suzuka definitely couldn't lecture her about those points, but the fact that even she was dumbfounded showed how severe it was

Siirl

Her feelings clearly shone through, and she was frank and candid She could also be described as brilliantly naive Clearly put, she was a type Suzuka wasn't good with She was probably an ideal candidate for a class representative - an elementary school one

But theon one's position

For example, if Takiko trusted that what Chief Kurahashi+ and Yasha' and didn't suspect a thing If that were the case, then any sacrifice could be permitted as a 'noble sacrifice' Even if people would be hurt or if she sympathized with them, she wouldn't falter Also, she would probably take the initiative to put herself forward as a sacrifice if there was a need That was the kind of purity Takiko possessed

Also, purity was directly linked with stubbornness and exclusivity Takiko had quite a bit of those aspects as well Even fanatics counted as 'pure'

”Ah But it really is annoying”

”Ah, in that case, let me”

”No need You're cluht Are you here, kumomaru? Why don't you boil it”

Suzuka, as about to rise from the seat, spoke to the area behind Takiko's back with an irritated attitude

There was no ihtly and called out ”kuure appeared

His age looked the saentle appearance Messy hair was tied carelessly behind his head A h boots His expression was sharp yet reserved, and in contrast with his active manner of dress, he had a temperament that made him feel like a scholar or monk

He was Takiko's guardian, kumomaru His name in his previous life was Mutobe Chihiro He was a Yase Doji who had been resurrected after death as Takiko's shi+kigami, just like Yashamaru - Dairenji shi+dou

”Can I ask that of you?”

”As you command”

After replying respectfully, ku hot water

It was truly a fantastic scene, if she thought about it again

Suzuka thought this as she looked at his back

She had eaten the breakfast that Takiko, who ought to be her eneuardian to boil tea Depending on how one looked at it, it ined it at all before returning to the Onency

In the end, Suzuka had originally been a prisoner But Takiko was humble like this because she wanted to be Suzuka's friend Takiko herself had told her this after all, so it wouldn't be wrong She suspected that she was being toyed with more than she was surprised, but Takiko was extremely serious

Suzuka hadn't learned of this directly and had only heard of the situation after the fact, but it seemed that Takiko had adopted the saone to participate in the Onh the results were unsuccessful and they had ended up with a rift between them, her wish to becoed up to the very end

Thewas the same

Takiko had pulled the trigger on the chain of events linked to Harutora's awakening If she hadn't done extraneous things, Natsume would have not died, and Harutora wouldn't have awakened as Yakou At least, not on that night But Takiko herself had taken action completely and utterly 'for the two of theoodwill

Troublesooodwill certainly exists, huh

It wasn't irony, she believed that

But speaking of the Raven's Wing incident, she felt that resenting Takiko was also oodwill - it was because in the end she was just the 'trigger'

At the tiether Even if Takiko hadn't acted first, then it was undoubtedly just a matter of time until the same outcome developed No, rather, if Takiko hadn't lost control, then Kurahashi+ and the others' plans would have been realized even ht resistance Suzuka and the others were carrying out right now ht not have been permitted Hence maybe she had created a flaw in the plans of Kurahashi+'s side

Moreover Suzuka could actually understand Takiko's feelings She understood

She had heard that ever since birth, Takiko had been worshi+ped by the adults around her as the Souma princess But on the other hand, they excluded all but relatives froe, Takiko didn't even have anyone she kneell Takiko was raised as the 'Souirl'

Also, though worshi+p and abuse were co environments, she was the same as Suzuka in the sense that they were alone What's more, you could probably say that she had the saed Souma and Tsuchimikado Since birth, the three of theic'

But Suzuka had a brother, Natsume had Harutora, yet Takiko had nobody She was truly alone

By supposing if she hadn't had a brother, Suzuka could also easily i loneliness could be Hence, although it was hard for her to es, she could understand

She longed for human interaction

That was it

The reason Takiko came to Suzuka came from that deep yet simple motivation

But the 'established' reason for which Takiko ca else

”Thank you for waiting”

Just then, kumomaru returned with the boiled black tea, cups for two of the it Suzuka was spaced out and didn't extend her hand, so kumomaru put the cup on the table

Then, kuhtly and tried to dematerialize But, ”Wait” Takiko stopped him

”That's fine, kumomaru”

”But”

”It's ht? kuht”

Takiko said this, asking approval fro 'kuht' because she knew that Suzuka loathed Yashamaru

Suzuka glanced over, aze ”Whatever you want” She replied carelessly Then, ku and circled around to the back of the sofa, naturally sinking into a standby posture

Actually, Suzuka had o - or more accurately, she had met Mutobe Chihiro It was also because Mutobe had been her father's subordinate in his past life, belonging to the I Spirit Division When her father had still been alive, she had met him on several occasions

They weren't particularly close, and they hadn't had any interaction other than greeting each other Though she ed to rereat nuues Mutobe was one of them, and that was all she knew

But frohter Hence it seemed that he remembered Suzuka very clearly

Maybe because of that, kumomaru had answered Suzuka's questions before

It was not long after Suzuka had just returned to the Onency It had been a coincidental occasion when the two of therown upon Takiko's repeated visits to the research lab, had asked ku?”

”What do you mean?”

”What else could there be I'ht? Why do you let her cooal?”

”She's not unguarded I'm by my master's side”

”That's not what Ito me in the first place!”

It was a span of ti under her father's control again Suzuka was practically venting her stress and anger on someone, but kumomaru didn't show her any hostility

In addition, he had said with an attitude that could be called cordial:

”I' my master to become friendly with you because it was her wish But - Chief Dairenji actively recommended this to put a kind of restraint on you”

Maybe because he hadn't changed his habits from his past life, kumomaru sometimes called Yashamaru by his title when he had been alive ”Hah? What?” He explained, ”Siround her teeth

”If you becoain That's what this is, simply put”

In other words, Yasha that she would 'gain feelings' for Takiko Suzuka felt ry when she heard this

Just like Amami and the others had worried, Yashamaru had very quickly seen that Suzuka wasn't obediently surrendering when she had given up Well, that was certainly natural Just like she had insisted to A would be a victory He had used Takiko to try ta down on people

However

”It's effective For sure Maybe you believe in your mind that your deter method will bind your 'heart' If your ht be kept to a minimum, but they won't be zero The only ones who can do that are people ere like that fro Also, no radually expand and accumulate as time is spent”

At the start, e A relationshi+p where they had never spoken suddenly turned into one where they were greeting each other Originally she would only say scathing words, but at soer had beco, and her barrier of disinterest had cruradually bit by bit in the face of their daily interactions Next, bits of confusion would slip into her originally unshakeable resolve, connect with her clouded judgment, and would later develop into compromise

Also, those effects were further strengthened on Suzuka, as in a state of genuine imprisonment When she was in an environsooodwill At least it couldn't be achieved by willpower alone

People were beings that lived by interacting with others 'Building a relationshi+p' was a phenomenon rooted in this nature

”What the hell Disgusting Also, even if you have that kind of goal, is it fine to expose it to the target?”

”It doesn't matter The Chief doesn't care even if I tell you Also, even if the target knows about these second-class methods, they'll still be effective over tis that bind the 'heart' rather than the 'mind'”

Though kumomaru spoke casually, Suzuka's hairs suddenly bristled as she listened She had an illusion as if they were dissecting the human mind as they chatted

That was the terror of the father that Suzuka knew An 'inhu deep within Dairenji shi+dou Back then, Suzuka had clearly understood that the man Mutobe possessed the same kind of terror as her father

But--

”Also I don't think this is bad, even if it's the Chief's second-class ic No matter what form it is,to be happy about”

When hethat her father didn't have - a gli kuht' since that conversation between them

”Suzuka? Are you not going to drink any?”

”Huh? Ah”

Suzuka was summoned back from her recollections by Takiko's voice, and reached her hand to the cup on the table She held the cup with both hands and took a sip, still sitting cross-legged Maybe she was still haunted by lack of sleep, but she felt like her mind was still fuzzy

When she had ency, she had been scared inside about how she would be treated

But she had never thought she would be placed in such a padded, gentle environment Maybe it was certainly relaxed, but she couldn't successfully hold herself firm because the outside pressure eak

Then, maybe concerned about Suzuka's appearance, Takiko showed a slight look of worry

”Are you busy ork?”

”Hah? Ah, yes There's a lot I have to do”

After replying with that, Suzuka thought of soain and made an unpleasant face

”Hey, though I'm sorry for what I said before, could you let me use the internet once in a while? It's so inconvenient”

”S-Sorry But, Suzuka, you're an extreht now, so”

”So you can't permit it for safety reasons? Honestly”

Suzuka drank her black tea, still wearing a displeased look

Suzuka was currently being directly entrusted with certain research by Chief Kurahashi+ Siic' Suzuka had only been punished because she had ventured into this realm, but once she joined their side, he immediately and secretly appointed her to this research That was one reason you could call Kurahashi+ quite thick-skinned

There were ics classified as forbidden under current Onic related to souls was different froulated and people using it would be severely punished To all practitioners, it was even al

One reason was that it would be a problem from an ethical standpoint

And another more concrete reason was that in the past, Tsuchireat spiritual disaster had happened in Tokyo because of it - at least that was coer level was different froic

However, Kurahashi+ hiht to ban forbidden ic several times before in secret Actually, the kumomaru as currently present could be called a product of soul ic as well The soul of a person who had once died was reawakened as a shi+kigami

Though I realized before, this group of people is the 'bad guys'

When Kurahashi+ had assigned her with this research, her father, who had been next to him, had explained this to Suzuka

The 'Taizan fukun Ritual' referred to a systeh-level spiritual entity 'Taizan fukun' in order to manipulate human souls

Though he had told her this very casually, it was an incredible thing A high-level spiritual entity, or in other words, a 'God' Soic classified as a 'God'

Come to think of it, she had once talked about the same topic when they had visited Ohtomo's hospital

The living things of this world were filled with aura Aura constantly drifted around and stayed stable as a whole, but sometimes factors would lead it to become miasma Those were 'spiritual disasters'

Onmyou law referred to these spiritual disasters by Phase according to the degree of imbalance

First, an i into miasma that was estimated to be unable to naturally revert was a Phase One

When one could observe physical dae created by the miasma, it was Phase Two

When the miasma materialized and became a mobile spiritual disaster, it was Phase Three

If the miasma created from the mobile spiritual disaster quickly became more spiritual disasters, and a chain of spiritual disasters occurred, it was Phase Four

That classification was just a presumed benchmark for the 'state' of the spiritual disaster, and even spiritual disasters of the sath', but it was useful as a er

Then, spiritual disasters that reached Phase Four would condense further The imbalance of aura based around that spiritual disaster would no longer become a local 'imbalance' It would become a 'true state' and would transfor

That was a Phase Five Also known as the Final Phase

But the theory about the last phase was a simple hypothesis that no one had actually proved It was the theory advocated by none other than Yashamaru - Dairenji shi+dou - before his death Also, Yashaering Spirit Division before their deaths, the department that had performed research related to Phase Five

Magic that controlled a 'God'

In the systeic, the deities that had been objects of faith in the past were all viewed as spiritual entities Only the difference that they had been worshi+ped distinguished the as spiritual disasters

And although such a thing couldn't be found in 'General Onnated forbidden now - there were several ics that explained 'Gods' as spiritual entities and used them in Imperial Onmyoudou, the basis of General On the truth, then the Taizan fukun Ritual was one of those examples

Suzuka had been entrusted with that research With that, it was reasonable that she was being strictly monitored After all, it was a criht that her clearly hostile self would so quickly be entrusted with such central work Maybe she was being looked down upon to this degree, but it was indeed so she wanted

Just that order would be enough as evidence to denounce Kurahashi+ Genji under the law

But just like Aic criency

No one other than an Onmyouji would be able to tell whether the research Suzuka was carrying out was illegal or not No matter how Suzuka chased after Kurahashi+, that issue still remained

Also, that was the saoal' of these people

Yashamaru and the others already controlled the Taizan fukun Ritual Even so, they still had Suzuka carry out research because they still hadn't reached a co of the Taizan fukun Ritual systeic They entrusted Suzuka with research for a deeper, vaster, andof the Taizan fukun Ritual