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Chapter 5 - Blue and Pink 2 page

However, Kurahashi himself, who was in a position where he ought to ban forbidden magic, seemed to have used this kind of soul magic several times before in secret. Actually, the Kumomaru who was currently present could be called a product of soul magic as well. The soul of a person who had once died was reawakened as a shikigami.

...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 system of magic that connected one to the high-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'. Something that the 'General Onmyoudou' system of magic 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 imbalance of aura turning into miasma that was estimated to be unable to naturally revert was a Phase One.

When one could observe physical damage 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 typing was just a presumed benchmark for the 'state' of the spiritual disaster, and even spiritual disasters of the same Phase exhibited quite large differences of 'strength', but it was useful as a metric to express a spiritual disaster's danger.

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 transform into a new type capable of filling anything.

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 Shidou - before his death. Also, Yashamaru and Kumomaru had belonged to the Onmyou Agency Lingering Spirit Division before their deaths, the department that had performed research related to Phase Five.

......Magic that controlled a 'god'......

In the system of modern magic, the deities that had been objects of faith in the past were all viewed as spiritual entities. Only the difference that they had been worshiped distinguished them from behind the same thing as spiritual disasters.

And although such a thing couldn't be found in 'General Onmyoudou' - and they were all designated forbidden now - there were several magics that explained 'gods' as spiritual entities and used them in Imperial Onmyoudou, the basis of General Onmyoudou. If Yashamaru was telling 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 crime. Actually, she had never thought 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 something she wanted.

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

But just like Amami said, the entity that captured magic criminals was the Mystical Investigators, the Onmyou Agency.

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 same for the 'goal' 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 complete understanding of the Taizan Fukun Ritual system of magic. They entrusted Suzuka with research for a deeper, vaster, and more accurate understanding of the Taizan Fukun Ritual.

But she didn't think that was everything.

She still hadn't proved it. It was just Suzuka's instincts, but--

...Their 'true goal' was something else.

Suzuka's research was probably one step in their goal. And when she thought about what their true goal was, their 'identity' that she had never deeply considered until now immediately surfaced.

That is, relatives of the Souma.

"............"

Suzuka sipped the black tea in order to conceal her mouth with the mug. As she did that, she stared at Takiko who sat before her and Kumomaru behind her back.

Until now, Suzuka had basically been clueless about the 'Souma family' business. It wasn't just Suzuka; most Onmyouji were like that. The Souma and the Tsuchimikado were unlike the Kurahashi in that they were generational great families on the interior of the magic community. Also, they had intervened in the military to assist Yakou during the Pacific War era and had scattered after the defeat. Of the old people born before the war, excluding for now the people who were related, almost all Onmyouji would fail to react even if they heard the name 'Souma'. Just like when 'Souma' Takiko had appeared before Harutora and the others.

However, the information had been left behind.

The history of the Souma was very ancient. Though it wasn't commonly known, they were quite ancient. Though they had inferior origins and legitimacy, they possessed a history even longer than the Tsuchimikado.

Also, just like the Onmyouji Abe no Seimei who was the ancestor of the Tsuchimikado, the Souma also had a certain famous person as their ancestor. At least, that had been passed down.

That person was currently worshiped as a 'god'. In this 'Tokyo'.

"............"

Suzuka slowly sipped her black tea. During that time, her gaze stared at Suzuka - and Kumomaru.

Allegedly, Kumomaru and Yashamaru were Takiko's 'Yase Doji'.

But that was an impossible thing in the first place.

The so-called Yase Doji[32] was a name referring to a certain 'group of spirits', as well as a name referring to any member of that group. Also, they were spirits that could only be used by 'a certain bloodline' of the nation. Martyred souls that served that 'bloodline' during their life became guardians and still served that 'bloodline' after death. Only those guardians were Yase Doji.

They were - the spirits that served the royal family.

...However, those guys[33] had been called 'Yase Doji'. That meant......

Actually, in Japanese history, there was only one person who had been called the 'Imperial Prince'[34]. A person who tried to lead a rebellion against the imperial court and who led to historic chaos.

The Imperial Prince, Taira no Masakado.[35]

An ara-mitama. A 'god' famous as a lingering spirit.

Also, he was viewed in legend as the ancestor of the Souma.

"............"

Suzuka pondered. She though seriously.

Souma, the magic group whose ancestor was the self-proclaimed Imperial Prince Taira no Masakado. Takiko, who succeeded this lineage, served by the Yase Doji Yashamaru and Kumomaru.

Also, Taira no Masakado was currently worshiped in Tokyo as a 'god'[36]. He was a powerful and famous lingering spirits included among the three Great National Spirits[37]

What's more, Yashamaru - Dairenji Shidou - and his trusted subordinate Kumomaru - Mutobe Chihiro - had belonged to the Imperial Household Agency Lingering Spirit Division in the past. There, they had researched the Taizan Fukun Ritual, magic linked to a 'god'.

Also. Yashamaru and Kumomaru called Takiko 'Princess', but sometimes they also called her 'Shaman Princess'. Shaman.

Needless to say, the so-called shaman referred to people who served 'gods' and listened for divine intent. People responsible for duties connected with 'gods' in ancient times.

What was the deal with all of these things? What did they mean?

"............"

Bit by bit.

Bit by bit.

The parts that had been scattered everywhere until now were starting to draw out a giant pattern. After getting this close to them, Suzuka's eyes finally saw it.

No, she didn't see it. They had showed her. As if deliberately making openings, they had declared their 'true identity' bit by bit in front of Suzuka.

This was evidence that they were gradually approaching the final point of their goal. Their goal had already slowly reached the phase where 'it's not a big problem even if others know'.

Also, it was evidence that they were 'trying to tame' Suzuka, like Kumomaru had said.

Actually, there was a fact that she hadn't been aware of at all until after she returned to the Onmyou Agency.

Her father's old name was 'Souma' Shidou.

In other words, Suzuka was also a Souma relative.

"......Suzuka."

"............"

"Suzuka?"

She finally returned to her senses after being called out to consecutively. Takiko smiled lightly, interested in Suzuka's panicked return to consciousness.

"It looks like you really are exhausted. And it looks like you didn't get enough sleep."

"......Shut up. I'm not tired."

"Really? If you're feeling bad, I can leave."

"I said, I'm not feeling bad. ......Ah, but, hurry up and go back if you're going to leave. You're a hindrance."

"Ehh? That's mean."

It seemed that even Takiko could calmly deal with hurtful words of this degree. Though she furrowed her brows in a troubled manner, it was the expression one showed to a close friend.

Suzuka wasn't used to these direct feelings of affection. You could say she was bad with them. Especially when she was careless. "......Tch." Suzuka clicked her tongue and turned her face away as if escaping, unsure of how to respond to the smiling Takiko.

...Emotions' are things that bind the 'heart' and not the 'mind'.'

Kumomaru's words flashed through her mind. Effective. Definitely not zero. Suzuka bit her lip, hatefully recalling those words.

When she had been reunited with her resurrected father, he - Yashamaru - had naturally treated Suzuka as being on his side. Suzuka's - his daughter's - actions and attitude didn't even count as problematic to him. As for why, it was naturally because Suzuka was her father's daughter. To her father, that was the same as her being under his absolute control.

Or, to him, maybe it was more so that they were 'both Soumas' than being father and daughter. The unbroken, continuous chain of an ancient bloodline linked Suzuka as well.

......Stupid. Don't be ridiculous. Who would get caught up over this redhead......

Suzuka said this to herself. Also, she turned on the turned-off television in order to express 'I'm tired of talking with you'.

Then, she inadvertently froze.

"Alright, the New Year's Ceremony's grand finale put on by the shikigami manipulated by the academy students has finally started. Look, various kinds of shikigami, from the valiant and majestic to the slender and beautiful, are showing themselves onstage.

It seemed that the television was showing a broadcast of the New Year's program.

The Onmyou Academy.

It was the underground magic practice field of the Onmyou Academy building that Suzuka had once studied at.

"Ah, I can't believe I forgot. The Onmyou Academy's New Year's Ceremony was today. I had Satake remind me, but I completely forgot."

Takiko spoke with a regretful expression.

But she immediately looked happily and ecstatically at the screen.

"The Onmyou Academy underground, huh...... How nostalgic. To think it was two years ago that I had a mock battle with Natsume there......"

She muttered somewhat sadly. Anguished feelings from the past and guilty feelings about what she had given rise to swirled back and forth in her heart.

But when the screen showed a certain person, Takiko unconsciously rose from the sofa.

"It's Kyouko! Look, Suzuka. It's showing Kyouko!"

Kyouko's figure was clearly shown in front of where Takiko pointed. She wore the Onmyou Academy uniform, the girl's pure white uniform, standing tall and controlling the two defensive shikigami Hakuou and Kokfuu as if confronting something. The figure of friend seen after a lapse of one and a half years. Was it an illusion that she looked much more mature than before? It felt like her already-great figure had grown a step further. What the hell. She was so cunning. She even had a charm that she hadn't had before. But it wasn't disagreeable. In addition, she was still extremely pretty. She seemed more mature, maybe because she had a serious face on. She probably wouldn't look much different if she smiled. She was definitely annoyingly nosy just like always. And with a multitude of expressions. Cheerful, merry, and amicable. She would hug people like toys at the drop of a hat, but proudly lecture people as if she were an elder--

'Bzt'. A noise sounded out and the television turned off. "Huh?" Takiko looked back at Suzuka in surprise.

Suzuka's back was hunched and her head was lowered, still sitting cross-legged on the chair. Her right hand was extended, pointing the remote control at the television.

The thumb of her right hand that gripped the remote control was pressed down on the power button.

"S-Suzuka? What's wrong? We got to see Kyouko......!?"

In front of the confused and flustered Takiko, Suzuka slowly put her arm down and tossed the remote control onto the table.

She said with a lowered head:

"......I have to start work."

"Huh?"

"......You're in the way."

Her voice was cold and extremely faint. Takiko stood still in confusion.

However.

"...Princess. It's time to leave."

Kumomaru urged her gently from behind.

Takiko nodded obediently, her expression still tinged with nostalgia yet also showing concern for Suzuka.

"......Suzuka. Thanks for the tea. I'll come again."

After leaving those words, she left the research lab with Kumomaru.

When Takiko and Kumomaru left, it felt as if the room suddenly became vaster. Suzuka changed her sitting position, holding her knees on curling up on the chair this time.

She had never once thought that she would be this intensely shaken. But seeing the figure of a friend after half a year had destroyed Suzuka's shell in one blow - the shell protecting her while she was in the center of the enemy base. The feelings that Suzuka usually kept hidden from herself spilled out freely.

Loneliness. Sadness. Pain. She wanted to see her.

She couldn't stop them. Suzuka shut her eyes desperately and tightly to suppress the tears that were about to fall, gritting her teeth with all her might to endure the sobs leaking out. How unfair. She was doing her best, doing her best with everything she had, but why did her chest hurt so much just from seeing her friend? Her affection for her friends became a blade that sliced at Suzuka. She wanted to throw everything away and escape from here.

Who cared about the surveillance. She could use everything she had to hold back the people in the way and go right away to the Onmyou Academy where Kyouko was. That was a blinding, sweet, and intense temptation. A blissful poison. But at the same time, it was also trap that battered at her resolve from that night. Suzuka endured. She hugged her knees on the chair, putting her face into her knees, curled her body into a ball, and desperately endured with everything she had.

She didn't know how long she was like that for.

She finally regained stability from the waves of emotion. Suzuka gingerly stretched out her body that was stiff from overexertion.

She slowly took a deep breath.

Her face was very hot. The corners of her eyes were probably red. But that didn't matter. She had calmed down.

It seemed like she had reacted particularly intensely because of the sudden blow. Suzuka's gaze fell on the remote control she had tossed on the table.

Hesitation.

Would she succumb to temptation if she turned the television on again now? The shell she had put back up had to be no weaker than before, right? She wasn't sure. She couldn't answer. After Suzuka stared at the remote for a while, she suddenly gripped the remote with her left hand as if recalling something.

She closed her eyes and turned her head, pointing the remote control at the television. She stuck her thumb straight out.

Like that, she tried tapping the button once. If the television didn't turn on, then she would immediately put the remote control on the table and start work again. A test of her luck. No, it was divination.

"......!"

She pressed the button.

'Bzt', came the sound of the power turning on.

Then, when Suzuka's body unconsciously froze up, she heard the reporter's belated yet strangely excited voice.

Suzuka looked back in surprise.

That instant, the image shown on the television clearly and beautifully entered Suzuka's eyes as if she were viewing it live.


The beautiful and slightly empty opening of the Onmyou Academy New Year's Ceremony.

But the latter description might stem from Kyouko's bias[38]. Though the New Year's Ceremony was a broadcasted performance meant to improve the image of Onmyouji, it was by no means ineffective. Actually, the audience of first and second-years and media in this magic practice field were clamoring noisily.

The flow of the program was consistent with the rehearsal they had held yesterday. After the principal's speech, there was a ceremonial demonic aura purification. Then, there was the shikigami summoning and manipulation by the third-years.

But Kyouko was in an absent-minded state. Her coincidental viewing of Ohtomo's star yesterday still hadn't left her mind.

Touji and Amami ought to still be pursuing Ohtomo's whereabouts. The monitored Kyouko and Miyo hadn't gotten in touch with the two of them, but how many clues had they uncovered right now? According to rumors that were secretly whispered in the residence, it seemed that Ohtomo was currently lurking in a secret society of the magic community and moving in the shadows. The ominous appearance of the star she had seen yesterday made her worry.

Also, apart from this, the feeling from yesterday's divination that she hadn't had before still clearly lingered with Kyouko.

To be honest, if the New Year's Ceremony hadn't been today, she would have faked illness and stayed home from school to rest. She really wanted to try divination again while she still remembered that feeling. Though she was also worried about Ohtomo's star, the hope that 'maybe I've gotten the trick to divination' was more powerful. If she could re-experience that feeling of her own will, then Kyouko would have advanced a great deal. When she thought that, she couldn't stand cooperating with the current broadcasted performance.

That said, Kyouko had been assigned to a team responsible for manipulating the shikigami in today's program, and she had been chosen as one of the individuals controlling the very first unique shikigami and not as one of the members of the group dance. Since there was a need for excellent students who wouldn't fail the performance, she wasn't permitted to oppose or feign illness. Right now she could only follow along and participate in the program.

...Yeah. The New Year's Ceremony will end in the morning, and my stomach started hurting at lunch...... No, I was feeling bad from the morning, but I managed to hold on just for the performance. With that reason......

As Kyouko watched the demonic aura purification solemnly carry on from backstage, she wished for it to hurry up and end. Of course, that kind of second-class magic was ineffective, and the ritual was carried out in a gradual crawl.

Is it going to be night soon? The ritual finally ended when Kyouko started to wonder that. She couldn't help but vigorously applaud at the end, busily adjusting her strength.

Anxiety and irritability.

But Kyouko had become a bit more spirited compared to yesterday. Though Kyouko herself hadn't noticed, just seeing signs that her training was bearing fruit had invigorated her.

Not long afterwards, it was time for Kyouko to take the stage. Kyouko moved forward from backstage with the other selected members.

Halfway through, Tenma entered her vision from a different class. Eh? Her gaze inadvertently paused.

Tenma was a member of the group dance, and hence he took the stage after Kyouko and the rest. But he didn't look well, maybe because he was already nervous. Come to think of it, it seemed like he had messed up several times during the rehearsal yesterday. It seemed that he still wasn't good at practicals, just like before.

She was a bit comforted by how Tenma hadn't changed.

Then, Kyouko summoned her defensive shikigami Hakuou and Kokfuu, just like the rehearsal.

These two were Onmyou Agency-created defensive shikigami named 'M2 Yaksha', and they were equipped with katana and spear. Kyouko positioned Hakuou and Kokfuu to her left and right. After music started sounding in the arena, the shikigami were made to perform a sword dance in tune with the song.

Kyouko was currently focused on training her divination, but she had also trained in other first-class magics with a serious zeal that she had never had before. She was even much more skilled at controlling Hakuou and Kokfuu than before. Actually, the two defensive shikigami clearly moved differently from the shikigami that the other students manipulated. It wasn't a simple matter of speed, it was the dexterity of their movements.

The waiting period had been particularly long, but when the actual manipulation started, it was a short effort. After the music stopped playing, Kyouko put away her shikigami's weapons and bowed deeply to the audience with her shikigami. Applause more enthusiastic than that of the demonic aura purification rained down. Kyouko and the selected members walked off the stage, surrounded by applause.

Up next was the grand finale of the New Year's Ceremony. The group dance of dozens of manmade shikigami. Dozens of students, including Tenma, quickly jogged to their various positions.

It had already been published what was going to be performed next. The first and second-year students and the media intently watched the arena. Kyouko, returning backstage where she had originally been, tried searching for Tenma's figure. Found him. His face was pale from tension. Calm down, she encouraged him from her heart.

Then--

......Ah.

Again.

This time, it was in an instant shorter than the blink of an eye. Her consciousness rose up. The universe spread out in her vision. A faint light flashed before her. Tenma's star.

This was the star that Kyouko had 'seen' first on that night.

"......!?"

The current divination left her the instant after it visited, like a passing breeze. Kyouko's heartbeat jumped powerfully, but fortunately she didn't show it on her face.

Her heart thumped loudly like a crashing wave.

When she came to her senses, music was sounding through the arena again. Then, the students sang together in front of Kyouko as she pondered her premonition.


"Shikigami, rise! Order!"

It's alright. Completely alright. It'll definitely go successfully[39]. Tenma had continued saying that to himself hundreds of times since the New Year's Ceremony started.

He had finished all the preparations during the period of time since dawn. Fortunately, the shikigami charms at the base were things that had been slowly readied since a long time ago. Though he hadn't thought of using it in this kind of way, he wasn't sure when there would be a better time to use it. But choreographing the entire spell in one night had been more work than he imagined. In the end, he hadn't been able to sleep, and hence his spiritual energy was worrisome.

...But......

Tenma put his hand in his pocket, tightly gripping the protective charm hidden there.

The demonic aura purification ended, and the New Year's Ceremony moved on to the shikigami controlling portion. The students currently manipulating shikigami were the group of third-years who were particularly good at controlling shikigami. Kyouko was in the center.

Even though Kyouko was in the middle of the selected members, she seemed to stand out. Never mind her shikigami controlling technique, she gave off a general feeling of beauty. It seemed that this was even going to be broadcast on television today, so maybe Kyouko would become the main attraction.

Also, for some reason, Kyouko's mood seemed slightly different from today. Maybe it was an illusion, but she seemed in a slightly good mood.

...Did something happen?

In any case, this was a good omen. Definitely. Tenma nodded and said 'yeah' to himself.

He had waited a year and a half.

Also, the letter that had finally been sent was probably the first sign of the 'change' after the long wait. And that change was a 'good change'. That was definitely true.

Not long afterwards, Kyouko and the others finished their dance and the magic practice field was filled with applause. Tenma's applause mixed in with the applause around him, but once it was time for him to take the stage himself, he started feeling incredibly nervous again.

It's alright. It's alright. It'll definitely go well. Though he said that to himself again, he was still shaken no matter what.

Then, the selected group walked off the stage. The signal was given. Tenma and the others, the students responsible for the group dance, jogged to their various positions. His heartbeat accelerated vigorously as they moved.

He reached his position. He breathed deeply.

Recalling now, it was the night of that incident. When he had infiltrated the Onmyou Agency alone by Saotome Suzu's instructions.

Though Tenma had been unsettled at the time, he had understood how dangerous of a bridge he was crossing. Actually, he still had dreams of it sometimes. He had been helped by Amami, not just Saotome. He had only managed to be saved due to various overlapping factors.

However, at least he had crossed a dangerous bridge with his own two legs. That was the truth.

...Is this anything special, compared to that time?

It's alright. It's alright. It'll definitely go well. Right as he thought that, music sounded through the arena.

Now, Tenma finally changed his attitude.

In the end, everything had already been set up. The dice had already been cast. After this was only the final push.

Then, the tone of the music changed. The surrounding students inhaled and refined their magical energy. Tenma also followed.

"Shikigami, rise! Order!"

In the end, Tenma failed quite spectacularly.


"Hey, I didn't think we would be able to check in this way."

"Yeah."

Touji smiled and spoke in agreement to Amami's cheerful words. It was really quite nice.

The two of them were in the secret base they were currently using. Suisen happened to be out buying daily necessities right now. They didn't have anything like furniture, since it was just a temporary hideout. All that was set up was a small folding table. Touji had a laptop computer opened on that table right now, and was watching a television broadcast with the wheelchair-bound Amami.

The broadcast was of the Onmyou Academy New Year's Ceremony that was currently being held. Also, Kyouko was being shown right in the center of the screen. Kyouko was awe-inspiring and beautiful as she coolly commanded Hakuou and Kokfuu, stealing the attention of the viewers. Though she had been shown on the screen multiple times recently, the feelings of the cameraman for wanting to do this were extremely understandable.

"I feel like if I saw Miyo-chan's successor holding a performance before, it would have seemed like playing around...... But being able to see Kyouko-chan like this isn't bad. ......Damn. Feels like my eyes are heating up......"

Like his words implied, Amami's eyes were a bit moist as he watched the broadcast. It was an extremely rare occurrence for the stern and self-composed Amami.


Date: 2015-12-24; view: 564


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