Chapter 5 - Blue and Pink 3 page

But...... A year and a half. Also, it hadn't been any simple year and a half. A long, silent year and a half that he hadn't experienced before until now. The figure of a friend he hadn't seen since the start of this time. Even Touji was deeply moved. The despondence from Kagami last night - just several hours ago - seemed to have dissipated in a flash.

Touji sat on the ground next to the wheelchair, one leg in front of him and one knee on the ground as he relaxedly looked at the screen with one arm on the table. This kind of stable mood had been absent for a long time.

"It's the feeling of meeting an estranged granddaughter. Truly something to be grateful for, as someone who crawls in the shadows."

"......I wanted to ask this a while ago."

"Hah?"

"Amami-san, did you perhaps have feelings for the principal before?"

"Hah. Well. Ah, Miyo-chan was a charming girl when she was young, but Tsuchimikado Yakou noticed her and she gained 'divination', right? After the war ended, the famous Kurahashi family treated her like the apple of their eye. While I was a fledgling, low-level employee. It would be quite scary to say I had feelings for her."

Amami cackled nostalgically.

"But...... Just between you and me, Kyouko-chan's a beauty surpassing Miyo-chan. She has quite the body. ......Hey, you heard me, right? That's just between us, okay?"

"...Understood."

Touji endured a laugh and promised Amami as he urged sternly.

Not long afterwards, Kyouko stopped dancing in the screen, bowed, and walked down the stage. Amami clapped his hands. Touji had the same feelings, but it felt embarrassing, so he just watched Kyouko go.

"......This broadcast."

"Hmm?"

"Was it by Chief Kurahashi's instructions?"

"......No. I don't think that guy would personally make such specific orders. But in the sense of opening the doors to the industry, it goes in his direction. In other words, it's proof that those around the Chief will go in the same direction as him even if he doesn't make specific orders.

After the Onmyou legal reform, the atmosphere of the industry was turning towards a direction different from before. The traditional, closed-off magic community was gradually becoming more traversable. It definitely wasn't a bad thing, and it had to be admitted as the achievement of Chief Kurahashi.

Kurahashi had his secrets. Secrets that he couldn't divulge no matter what.

But at the same time, he was currently allowing the industry to develop. Infusing it with new vitality. That was bringing benefit to many people and also further strengthening his momentum. Resisting him was equivalent to opposing the people who had benefitted from him. Also, to those people, Touji and the others were totally 'evil'.

"......We've really picked a troublesome fight."

"......Do you dislike it?"

"How could I. It's just what I want."

Half of that was forcing himself. But the other half was his true feeling. The future of the magic community and the future of the Onmyouji were unimportant to Touji. Maybe Amami was concerned about that, but it had nothing to do with Touji. Maybe it would be nice if everything went in a good direction, but if that was only established with the sacrifice of some - the sacrifice of Touji and his friends - then what did the fortune of others matter? He could only oppose with all his power.

Kyouko was also fighting on the other side of the screen. He couldn't lose to her.

Then, an announcement sounded on the scene and a large number of students started to move to replace Kyouko and the rest. It looked like this was the group dance put on by the students' shikigami.

"......So, we saw Kyouko-chan, but what about that boy Tenma? It would be nice if we caught a glimpse of him."

"I don't know, that guy doesn't stand out."

Though Touji smiled wryly, his gaze scanned the image, searching for the figure of his friend.

Tenma was indeed low-key and didn't stand out. Touji tried looking for him, but as expected, he didn't find him.

He didn't see Tenma's 'figure'.

"Shikigami, rise! Order!"

The students threw out shikigami charms together in the image.

Then.

"...Uh? Hey, what's this?"

Amami murmured in astonishment as he watched the broadcast.

"Isn't this the group dance? Did something happen?"

Amami's eyes widened and he leaned his body slightly forward from the wheelchair.

In contrast, Touji abruptly stood up.

As if he had been kicked hard. He couldn't stay still. His eyes were so wide that they were almost popping out, his lips were tightly pursed, and his clenched fist shook. He stared at the screen with a burning gaze. "Touji?" Amami spoke up out of surprise, but Touji didn't reply even though the voice reached his ears. The cells in his body were practically scorching.

For a moment, Touji was silent--

His whole body shuddered from emotion and joy.

"Amazing...... You're incredible, Tenma......"

"It's Tenma?" The dumbstruck Amami hastily returned his gaze to the image because of Touji's whispered voice. But he narrowed his eyes and scrunched up his eyebrows, maybe because he couldn't find him at all.

But that was natural. Touji hadn't been able to spot Tenma's figure either. But even so, Touji found 'Tenma' in the screen of the broadcast before him.

In addition, there was someone else.

"......Amami-san, you don't understand?"

"W-What is it?"

"You don't understand, huh. Then the people at the Onmyou Agency won't be able to understand. Damn, well done......!"

"Hey, Touji. What exactly is going on?"

Touji finally turned his head to the confused Amami.

A magnificent smile emerged on his face, and he said:

"It's a message from Tenma. Natsume's back."

Part 3

The midsummer morning feel gradually drew stronger as quiet determinations formed one after another in the villa's living room.

Kyouko and principal Kurahashi returned to the Kurahashi residence together and would start 'divination' training.

Touji and Amami would hide underground and pursue Harutora and Ohtomo.

Suzuka would return to the Onmyou Agency and spy on the goals of Yashamaru and the others from within the agency.

It was easy for all of them to say, but they were harsh - and laborious - choices. All of them would throw themselves into brutal environments. Also, they didn't know when it would be over.

Most importantly, it was also very painful for the friends to become scattered. Until now, they had compensated for each other's immaturities to confront various hardships. However, from now on they wouldn't be able to rely on their friends. Also, it would be difficult to help each other.

"You basically won't be able to communicate with each other from now on. We'll definitely be exposed once you communicate. It won't just be you, the person you're communicating with will also be endangered. Keep that point in mind."

From now on, all other than the two who were going into hiding would probably be placed under the Onmyou Agency's surveillance. If they acted rashly, they would quickly draw the attention of the enemy.

Of course, they had decided on an emergency plan - though a very simple one. For example, if something changed about the situation, then the relatively-unrestricted Touji and Amami would move. The others couldn't take action and would only be able to accept this. Though that was quite one-sided, the priority for now was to feign normalcy.

Even if they were alone, they had to finish their own battles on their own battlefields. That was the path these friends had chosen.

"You all will definitely be fine even if you split up. But don't overwork yourself, alright? Mental fortitude is the most important thing in the face of adversity."

The students nodded obediently to the principal's emotional recommendation.

"......The next time we meet, we'll all be here. When that happens, we'll all gather to beat up Harutora and lecture Natsume."

Touji spoke slowly while gritting his teeth. Though they hadn't said it, Kyouko and Suzuka had the same feelings.

But.

"......I......"

Tenma, who had been silent for some time, couldn't help but speak up.

As his friends' gazes focused on him, he said with an anguished look:

"I...... I'm sorry. I don't know what to do. Although I thought about whether I could do anything for everyone......"

Tenma spoke apologetically.

Unfortunately, Tenma's power was clearly the lowest among his companions. He didn't have 'divination' ability, nor the strength of a living spirit, nor was he a Divine General. He was just a student. Though no one blamed him for that, Tenma blamed himself. He felt ashamed at himself for not even knowing how to help his friends.

However.

"Tenma, you wait on 'standby'."

Touji declared assertively. "Eh?" Tenma looked at Touji in surprise.

"I'm going to hide underground from now on. Kyouko's returning to the Kurahashi residence - maybe she'll be locked inside the house. Even if she isn't, she'll probably be closely monitored. If Suzuka goes to the Onmyou Agency like she plans, it's very likely that she'll be restrained. In other words, if Harutora and Natsume try contacting us, you're the only one they can turn to."

"...!"

Tenma's eyes widened in surprise from Touji's assertion.

That was indeed true. Without knowing where everyone was or whether they were being monitored, Harutora and Natsume would be unable to plan for contacting them. Though it was unclear whether the two of them would come in contact or not, they shouldn't abandon that possibility.

"So you go back to the Onmyou Agency and live the same life as you've had until now. Don't be concerned about us. That's your mission."

"But everyone's going to suffer from now on, but I'm just...... I-If I'm not going to suffer like you all, then at least let me help you."

"How?"

"Well......"

Tenma himself had declared at the start that he honestly didn't know how. The battles from now on were individual battles. There was almost no room for other people to help.

Seeing Tenma with his head lowered, Touji moved to his side. He put his hands on his shoulders and said to the surprised Tenma in a firm voice:

"Listen, Tenma. It's all because of you that we haven't been killed yet and are able to talk about the future like this. When Kyouko, Suzuka, and I charged recklessly, you were the only one to take a different action. That's why we were able to bring Harutora back."

"T-That was Saotome-san......"

"No, it's the same. Tenma. You're the 'unique' one among us. Divine Generals, divination, and living spirits - and Tsuchimikado or Yakou reincarnations - we all gathered here because we have our unique strengths. On the other hand, we're a group of similar people who all share the characteristic of being 'abnormal'. But in a group of similar people, once one of us gets defeated, we'll all be destroyed the same way. That was what happened last night."

In some sense, this was Touji's repentance. Last night, Touji had been the first one to mention sneaking into the Onmyou Agency. Though he hadn't invited others, he had ended up endangering his friends and almost getting them all killed. In this sense, Touji had been saved by Tenma last night.

"We were able to keep from being destroyed because there was one person who was 'different' mixed in with our group. Because of a 'normal' student in a group of 'abnormals'. You don't have to do the same things as us. Even if you become a burden to us, we'll protect you. So you support us in your own way - in a way that none of us can do. That's the meaning of being a 'team'."

"......Touji-kun......"

Tenma murmured. Touji just nodded and let go after expressing that.

Then, "Touji's right." Kyouko smiled at Tenma.

"Actually, Tenma, you're the only one that Harutora and Natsume can reach. That's impossible for us."

"......In the first place, even though you said 'everyone's going to be suffering from now on', even you're going to be marked by the Onmyou Agency in the future."

Suzuka was the one who continued on with this. "Me? Why?" She sighed loudly at the wide-eyed Tenma. "You don't understand how big of a thing you've done? You were the only one who fooled the Chief and the rest during the events yesterday, you know? ......Well, that said, you're just a 'normal student' in the end, so you won't be monitored as much as we will...... But they won't ignore you like before."

Tenma would be identified sooner or later as the one who had infiltrated the Onmyou Agency last night. The Onmyou Agency wasn't so incompetent that they would let that go. "Are they going to arrest me?" This time, Amami gave his opinion to the confused Tenma.

"...No. It wouldn't be much of a feat to arrest an underage student. Right, if the Mystical Investigators are in charge, they'll deliberately leave you alone and observe the situation."

"Eh. In that case, won't it be more dangerous for Harutora-kun and Natsume-chan to come to me--!?"

"From now on, you'll frequently be in danger no matter what you try to do - or even if you don't do anything. Well, the enemies will also move cautiously in that regard. Otherwise it would be unsightly."

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

Tenma fell silent again.

Though he wanted to do something for his companions, he didn't know what to do. Also, if even he was being monitored, acting rashly would endanger his friends even more.

Standby. Touji had said this, and he also understood the meaning of leaving a channel^[40]. But he still felt uneasy about hiding away by himself.

"Tenma-kun--"

The principal was about to speak, but Amami raised his hand lightly and stopped her.

Then.

"......Do what you think you should do."

Perhaps he had seen through Tenma's dilemma. Amami spoke extremely sincerely.

"Boy, even though you're thinking hard now, there's nothing for you to do, right? Then don't do anything. Continue thinking later on." Amami spoke to the confused Tenma, then gazed at Touji, Kyouko, and Suzuka.

"We're not going to be able to communicate like this in the future, right? So then what? All you can do is act as you judge according to your own beliefs, right? The situation might change in a flash. When that happens, you can only rely on yourself. Think hard and make your decision based on your thoughts. That's what 'standing up on your own' means."

His words, bearing an inexplicably frivolous tone, unraveled the tension entangling Tenma. In But it also solidified the unstable ground beneath Tenma's feet.

Indeed, 'standing by' was the only thing he could think of that his current self could do. But he couldn't be satisfied with that. He had to constantly continue thinking about whether he could do something else.

More importantly, the situation would change. Even Amami couldn't predict how things would turn out after this. Later on, Tenma and the others who were along would only be able to rely on their own strength to grab hold of the best strategy. They would think for their friends in their own ways.

Tenma and the others were a destined group. Regardless of whether the actions of any individual were good or bad, they would affect the others.

But there was no meaning in being a team if he shrank back out of fear for affecting them badly. That was why Amami said what he did. He had said to keep thinking. He had told him to think on his own and make a decision.

It wasn't just limited to his own self. He had to act while being responsible for the well-being of his friends. Only then would a 'team' be useful.

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

Amami grinned, confirming the resolve forming in Tenma's eyes. Then, Tenma faced Touji, Kyouko, and Suzuka, and nodded wordlessly.

Their battles were starting at this moment.

The basis of fugitive life was not to make a move. Though things would get extremely busy when something happened, life was just a waiting game otherwise. That definitely wasn't a bad thing to Akino, who disliked bothersome things. Even if Akino wanted to space out for several hours, it wasn't a big deal. And since there was food for three meals a day, in some sense it was a dream world.

But that was limited to when she was by herself.

The difficulty of a fugitive life was that there wasn't much personal time. If Akino were by herself, she would be fine with looking up the sky idly the entire day, but when there were others around her, she couldn't slack off like that.

"Akino, let's practice stealth magic today."

"Ehh--, again?"

She had finished breakfast and was sitting on the tatami watching television - the only working appliance that had been left behind in this house. Natsume, who had finished washing the clothes and cleaning, came from the kitchen and spoke to Akino.

Akino turned her head back from where she sat on the ground and looked up at Natsume. "Akino?" Seeing her unhappy upward gaze, Natsume held back a smile and reproached her.

"Do you understand our position? If you take the time now to properly master stealth magic, it'll definitely be useful during an emergency."

"I-It's alright. I'll run away if it's an emergency. I run very fast......"

"No. Running and stealth are used in different situations. You have to be able to do both."

"I won't go near anywhere dangerous......"

"No. Danger will come to you."

"T-Then after dark, I'll......"

"No."

Uuu--. Natsume let out the wry smile she had been suppressing as Akino's chin furrowed with strange wrinkles.

Akino had realized after living together that this first friend of hers was an incredibly diligent girl. In contrast to Akino, who wouldn't do anything at all if she weren't instructed to, she would diligently finish the things she ought to do even if no one told her to. Also, once she got free time, she would ask Takahiro and Chizuru to teach her and refine her magic power. Never mind playing around, she didn't even get any good rest unless the people around her reminded her to. Akino found it hard to believe. She was practically a saint.

Also, Natsume had turned her godsent diligence towards Akino. Though Akino had gone with her at the start because of how refreshing it was to be with a friend, Natsume's training was strict and didn't feel at all like having fun. It became uncomfortable and tiring very quickly. But Natsume never abandoned it.

"Come on, the weather's good too, let's do it in the courtyard. Akino, your spiritual power's not weak, so you'll be able to do it very quickly once you get the hang of it."

"......Okay..."

Though she still looked a bit unhappy, Akino was urged by Natsume out to the courtyard.

Regardless of what Akino said, she was very obedient as she had been grown up in a monastery. Also, being with Natsume was extremely fun. Of course, it was difficult, and she would occasionally want to play around.

"Uuu, so cold."

"Then let's start with a review of last time. Do you still remember the hand seal?"

"Uh......"

Akino crossed her fingers together.

They trained for an hour like that.

When Natsume mentioned that it was time to rest, Akino was already exhausted.

Though stealth magic wasn't a magic that really stood out, she had to maintain mental focus for a time she wasn't accustomed to, and so it really exhausted her mind. Lasting an hour was quite hard to do for a beginner student.

Akino had often seen the ajari and seniors training when she had been at Seishuku Temple. Although Natsume's training looked easy based off that experience, she realized that it was quite harsh after actually trying it. It was definitely because she never let up and was always using full power. Natsume looked so gentle, but she was merciless when doing things.

"I'm already completely exhausted...... Natsume, you're too strict......"

"Hoho. But Akino, aren't you keeping up well?"

"Maybe, but I'm already at my limits, okay? I can't continue, alright?"

"You look like it. ...They're coming out, you know? Your ears."

Akino's face rapidly reddened when she was told this and she raised her hands to try concealing the top of her head. But it wasn't very effective. The two ears that had suddenly extended from Akino's head were materialized on the other side of her raised hands.

Rabbit ears covered with white fur.

And a small, round rabbit tail also grew from her rear. Normally, the two were dematerialized and hidden, but when she was shaken, careless, or completely exhausted like right now, they would come out before she realized it.

Akino was an extremely rare 'rabbit' living spirit. That was the reason why her foot speed was extremely fast and her spiritual power was quite strong.

"It's been a while since I saw Akino's ears."

"Ugh. It's all because Natsume's training was so Spartan."

"Sorry. But it's still cute. They match you very well."

Natsume smiled and praised Akino with a sincere expression. The eyes beneath Akino's glasses slightly reddened because she still wasn't used to being praised by others.

Though Natsume called them cute, those ears were the root of Akino's inferiority complex. Just being a rabbit living spirit made her feel like a rare animal, but having rabbit ears growing from her head made her look very stupid. Hence, even with other living spirits, she would normally keep them hidden.

That said, she hadn't been as concerned as before recently when it was around Natsume. At this point, hiding it immediately was a bit pointless, so she decided to let them show for a while.

The two of them sat on the porch together. Natsume was taller height-wise, but when Akino was taller counting her ears when they were showing. Natsume smiled happily, looking at the constantly swaying rabbit ears. Though it was as embarrassing as always, Akino also felt sincerely happy if Natsume was happy. Akino extended her ears of her own free will, saying:

"Um, Natsume."

"What."

"Do you think these ears are related to my parents?"

"Well......"

Akino felt a bit dispirited by Natsume's pause.

Akino had grown up in Seishuku Temple since she was small, but it seemed that she had distant relatives in Tokyo. Allegedly, they were part of an ancient great family that had old connections with magic. Though Akino was currently being cared for by Tsuchimikados, it was supposedly until she met those relatives.

The name of those relatives was 'Souma'. Accordingly, Akino's full name was Souma Akino.

But the Tsuchimikados - including Natsume - became inexplicably vague about Akino's relatives past the name Souma. Although they were helping her look for now, that explanation was still essential. After all, Akino had been all alone since birth, and hence she became very interested after learning that she had relatives, albeit distant ones. But everyone reacted the way they did, so she normally didn't mention it on her own.

Natsume looked bleak right now as well. "S-Sorry. You don't know even if I ask about it." So she hastily terminated the topic.

Though she was interested, she had never met them, and they were distant relatives that she hadn't believed existed until recently. Her friend Natsume and the Tsuchimikados who took care of her were decisively more important of the two sides.

Also, although she still wasn't good at dealing with Yasuzumi, both Takahiro and Chizuru were nice and cheerful. There must be various reasons that they were keeping her in the dark. Then there was no need for her to actively poke at things. That was what Akino believed.

"Ah, yesterday was great."

"Eh? ......Ahh, you mean the letter?"

After she diverted the topic somewhat forcefully, Natsume also - although maybe it was her imagination - was relieved.

"Is that person going to properly read it?"

"Tenma-kun will definitely read it. Because he's extremely nice and thinks for his friends."

"Oh. He was a good person, although I only talked to him a bit."

"Really? According to what Uncle said, you were incredibly nervous and closed your eyes, so you didn't even see his face properly......"

"T-That's not true!? Though I was a bit nervous...... But I did see his face and talk to him properly, okay? Didn't I get him the letter?"

Akino's ears fluttered as she made excuses for herself. Natsume's eyes were a bit wicked, but she smiled gently.

Though Akino had been the one to deliver the letter with her own hands, Takahiro had gone with her at the time as well. Takahiro had been in the shadows on guard for prying eyes and ears in the surroundings. It seemed that he had prudently observed Tenma after school and checked whether he had any contact with the Onmyou Agency after they delivered the letter as well. In contrast, Natsume hadn't followed along. Though she had been quite hesitant, she had said 'I won't know what to do if the enemy notices us' and had stayed at home. Akino thought that she should at least see his face even if they couldn't meet, but it seemed that Natsume's feelings were very complicated.

That boy was Natsume's past classmate, one of her important friends. To Akino, whose only friend was Natsume, he was one of Natsume's friends other than herself, and she had been quite concerned before they met. No, she was still concerned now. What kinds of conversation had Natsume had with that boy before? When she thought about that, she became very uneasy. Maybe she was jealous.

"Well, I was finally able to help Natsume with something."

"What do you mean, finally? Akino, you've always...... been helping me out."

"......You paused for a while there."

"Ah, no, I was just thinking about specific examples."

"......Couldn't think of any?"

"T-That's not it. Uh, didn't you help fold the washed clothes yesterday? And the day before you helped clean the house with everyone......"

Natsume's smile stiffened because of Akino's glare and frown, and she secretly averted her gaze. In any case, she still didn't have anywhere to go after coming down from the mountain. That was why she was particularly concerned about Natsume's friends. That was definitely it.

"What will that person think when he reads your letter, Natsume?"

"Well. I'm also very interested. ......But, I hope he doesn't get involved with any trouble because he accepted the letter."

"That talk again. ......It's alright. Takahiro-san said nothing happened too."

After he had returned yesterday, the letter had been quite a hot topic. But the letter was today's topic as well because to Akino - and to Natsume even more - this matter wasn't finished because they had handed over the letter.

That letter ought to tactfully convey Natsume's current circumstances. Natsume's feelings were also conveyed to some degree.

But Natsume's longing for her friends didn't end there.

As for why--

"......But it's really sad to finally manage to write a letter but not be able to get a reply."

Akino said that as if to console her, but Natsume lightly nodded her head. Though she smiled at Akino, it was a lonely smile.

Even if it could be surmised from the letter Akino had given that Natsume was the sender, all other information had been carefully kept hidden. That was to avoid any leakage of information in case the letter fell into hands other than his. Of course, they hadn't written about the house they were currently living in, and so he couldn't make a reply even if he wanted to.

Also, though Akino hadn't read the words of the letter, Natsume had told her about the contents to some degree.

It was almost all apology. For bringing him huge troubles that night a year and a half ago. For being unable to come in contact for a long time after that. For possibly making them very worried. For only sending this kind of letter and not going to meet him.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 580