Tokyo Ravens Volume 4 Chapter 1

In front of me was a group of unfamiliar faces of a similar age as mine. That person was in there, I thought, my expression inquiring.

Actually, I didn't care at all, nor could I possibly care. It was just that this person was definitely panicked right now, and I really wanted to laugh and mock that stupid appearance.

Strangely, I found that person without much trouble.

The moment our gazes crossed--

The cherry blossoms were in bloom, dyeing s.h.i.+buya Street in pink colors of spring.

It was a nice spring day, with a sweet smell vaguely floating in the air. The big city that was normally bustling and uninteresting was now unusually at ease, an atmosphere that could only be experienced in this time.

"This is probably what's called the joys of spring." Tsuchimikado Harutora spoke cheerfully as he walked on the familiar road.

This place was the road to the Onmyouji cultivation facility - the Onmyou Academy. On the road his gaze slightly rose, looking at the cherry blossoms blooming along the road. The wind blew from time to time, and petals would float off the branches accordingly, lightly dancing in the wind. That image was as if the cherry blossoms were frolicking elegantly, enjoying the spring day's light.

The extremely elegant Yos.h.i.+no[1] cherry blossoms had drops of red amidst pure white. In comparison, Harutora wore a dark bluish-black Onmyou Academy uniform that resembled Heian-era imperial clothing. He hadn't been used to wearing the Onmyou Academy uniform in the beginning, but now he was already completely suited to it.

"I thought a place like Tokyo would be noisy and crowded and that we wouldn't feel the seasons changing at all...... But it's not actually like that. Not only are there more parks, there's green everywhere if you pay close attention."

"It's just unfortunate that it's all green planted by humans." Ato Touji who walked by his side replied to Harutora's feelings, his words ironic, showing his unique style. Touji wore the same uniform as Harutora and had a bandanna tied around his forehead, freely tying back his long hair. Even if his tone was tart, Touji's gaze was actually pointed towards the cherry blossoms over his head as well, but instead of saying that he was appreciative, it was better to say that the scene seemed like the cherry blossoms naturally drew in his gaze.

"Don't be that bothersome. Even if it's a city, it's still cherry blossoms that are blooming." Harutora spoke, smiling happily.

Harutora liked the spring, perhaps because his name contained the character for spring[2], and also because the weather was pleasant and felt good. In particular, this year's spring was the first that he welcomed after coming to Tokyo, so it was full of even more refres.h.i.+ng feelings.

But to be honest, it wasn't just because of the coming of spring that Harutora's mood was this lively.

"Harutora! You'll be late if you don't hurry up."

The girl who was walking ahead of them turned around, warning the leisurely strolling pair of boys behind her.

When the girl turned around, the pink ribbon tying her long hair whipped around accordingly, her hair flying towards the petals in the air. The petals performed a soundless dance, as if inviting the black hair to dance together.

"How long do you plan on being excited for, even though you successfully advanced to the second year? The entrance ceremony is going to be held today once we arrive at the academy, so don't even think about showing off by being late in front of the new students." Impatience was written all over the girl's face as she sternly told him off.

The girl's childishness had never completely receded, and she showed a shy presence and an androgynous charm. Her clear eyes gave off a firm light, making her charm even clearer. She was a beautiful girl; however, she was wearing the same black uniform as Harutora and Touji, a male uniform. The girl was bound by 'family tradition', and pa.s.sed her days as a male while hiding the fact that she was a female.

She had been born in a famous Onmyoudou family and was the next heir of the Tsuchimikado - Tsuchimikado Natsume. She and the branch family son Harutora were childhood friends, as well as the girl he regarded as his master - as he was a s.h.i.+kigami, also following 'family tradition'.

"Also, did you perhaps forget how appalling your grades were as soon as you rose to the second year? Frankly, you don't have the leisure to get excited right now. You should be feeling a strong sense of crisis instead." Natsume furrowed her brows, her hands crossed over her slim waist.

Only Harutora and Touji knew the fact that Natsume was a girl. They glanced at each other after hearing Natsume's proclamation.

"Hah...... Harutora, did you hear that? The main family's genius won't give up, she's still trying to ask that a branch family member like you get grades that won't shame the Tsuchimikado name."

"Yeah...... Natsume really is different from others. She was cla.s.smates with me for half a year and she can still hold on to that kind of hope."

"Should that be called idealism or delusion?"

"No no no, you should say she just has a superhumanly firm will."

"She just hasn't seen reality clearly."

"Nonsense, it's not like it's completely impossible."

"......You two......" In a huff, Natsume angrily stared at the two who had gotten carried away. The eyebrows that had been raised before now trembled slightly.

"Don't ask too much of him, Natsume. It's not that Harutora doesn't have any self-awareness, but his level was originally about the same as an outsider and he entered the nation's premier Onmyou Academy half a year late. He barely managed to pa.s.s the advancement exam, and today he can finally advance officially, so you can't blame him for being a bit excited." Touji took the opportunity to leisurely intervene.

"Hey Touji, what does that mean, I thought you transferred into the Onmyou Academy halfway like me."

"I 'advanced' to the second year, which brings a different level of emotion than 'finally being able to succeed in advancing' to the second year like you. It's like how a drama is more fascinating with a twisting plot."

"Huh? Is, is that true? I even feel a bit embarra.s.sed when you say it like that."

"......Tch......How worthy, Harutora. I didn't expect you to use that move."

"What are you saying?"

Touji put on a self-derisive smile, clicking his tongue regretfully. Harutora stood still blankly upon seeing this, confused and unable to comprehend. Natsume listened to their exchange from the side, helplessly sighing. "Bakatora." After she muttered that, she smiled.

"But......"

"Yeah?"

"Things really got interesting. I never thought that such a serious incident would happen the day of the exam." Natsume spoke, her expression revealing seriousness and a bit of bitterness. Seeing Natsume's expression and hearing those words, Harutora also unconsciously straightened his back.

After a while, "......That's true." Touji also expressed agreement, once again moving his legs that had stopped at some point. "After all, it was just a simple practical exam, but ended up in a 'Type-Chimera' spiritual disaster attack and the Twelve Divine Generals. We got involved in a spiritual disaster terrorist attack, and in the end even the famous As.h.i.+ya Doman also came out to make trouble."

"Yeah, thinking of all of that, it's really unbelievable......"

"Also--"

"Also?"

"A stupid little oni came out."

Touji grinned ironically at the inquisitive Harutora, and Harutora immediately returned the same smile to his friend.

Harutora and the others' advancement exam - the practical exam that had been held about a month earlier. The contents of the exam had been to purify a manmade spiritual disaster, but at the same time, Yakou fanatics had used magic to unleash terrorist attacks all over Tokyo, and therefore both the Onmyou Academy and the Onmyou Agency had all fallen into chaos.

What's more, the after-effects left in Touji's body that he had received from coming in contact with a spiritual disaster - the after-effects left by a spiritual disaster in the past - had broken out again, and the oni sleeping deeply inside his body - the 'Type-Ogre' spiritual disaster - broke through the seal and became active, even leading to him showing signs of spiritual disaster transformation.

After that, they had clashed with the member of the National First-Cla.s.s Onmyouji - known as the Twelve Divine Generals - who had originally come to purify the spiritual disaster, causing simmering tensions. Then, Natsume had agreed to the Exorcist Bureau's request and headed out to a.s.sist the purification of the mobile spiritual disasters. One of the spiritual disasters escaped, and Natsume, Harutora, Touji, and others were forced to face it themselves and deal with the dangerous situation on their own. It was really a frenzied day.

"......I feel like that day was worth more than the half-year of living at the Onmyou Academy." Touji spoke calmly, shrugging his shoulders.

In the end, the spiritual disasters had finally been purified right as the government was about to announce that they were entering a state of emergency. It was all over the news for a few days after the incident ended because it had created such a big effect.

Since that incident, Touji hadn't been simply sealing the oni inside his body. Rather, he had accepted someone's guidance and was learning how to use the oni instead. His homeroom teacher Ohtomo and the instructors who had once been exorcists were responsible for teaching him and proctoring him for practical exams.

"......There will be more and more practical skills curriculum when the second year starts, so it'll be shameful if you don't control it well."

"If I truly can't control it, I don't think shame will be enough to deal with the problems."

Harutora couldn't help but smile wryly upon hearing Touji's response.

Harutora hadn't slacked off in training his practical skills either. As a s.h.i.+kigami, he had to protect his master Natsume, and he didn't think he could overcome the obstacles ahead if he didn't put in solid hard work.

"In any case, Natsume, compared to when we entered, we and Touji have all grown quite a bit, don't you think so? I'm not too sure what the content of the second-year practical skills curriculum will be, but in any case, we'll take it one step at a time, so you don't have to worry." Harutora put his hands behind his head, raising his head to look at the cherry blossoms and speaking leisurely.

Natsume shook her head helplessly, but those eyes that looked at her childhood friend with poor grades were tender and couldn't conceal her joy. Even if she complained, she understood more than anyone how seriously Harutora was working and how hard he persevered. It was just unfortunate that his results were still unsatisfying.

"Let me first warn you, Harutora, no matter how much practical skills curriculum the second year has, it doesn't mean there won't be any lectures at all. Especially since we'll be studying more specialized material since there's less time for lecture, the curriculum from before will practically be nothing in comparison."

"Huh? Is it going to become that hard?'

"Right. Don't think that you won't have to worry about the second year if you can just clear the practical skills - that way of thinking is hugely mistaken."

"I, I didn't think that......"

It seemed that he really had such ideas in his heart. Natsume's expression was concerned as she looked at the panicked Harutora.

"Practical skills, huh......" Touji murmured. "I also thought that at least they wouldn't be as boring as lectures...... But honestly, it seems that no matter how proficient you are in the practical skills you learn in school, it won't be of much use when you go outside."

"That's not the case. What nonsense are you saying, Touji?" Natsume's almond eyes opened wide, her gaze turning to Touji. "The Onmyou Academy is the springboard for specialized Onmyouji, and almost all of the students immediately become qualified once they graduate and become specialized Onmyouji. There are even specialized Onmyouji who especially come to the Onmyou Academy to take the third year cla.s.ses. The practical skills curriculum in particular is frighteningly difficult."

Touji's casual remark led Natsume to rebuke him agitatedly. Harutora, who listened to those words from the side, marveled in admiration, nodding his head.

Truthfully, the Onmyou Academy had a long history of fostering quite a bit of excellent talent, and could be described as the premier Onmyouji cultivation inst.i.tution in the nation. Among the national governing body of magic, there was a far higher proportion of Onmyou Academy graduates than from other pipelines.

"That's for a normal specialized Onmyouji......" Touji cast a knowing look in the direction of the surprise Natsume. "Once you encounter a legendary Onmyouji, it doesn't matter how good your grades are."

"That......" Natsume had nothing to reply with for a while, and Harutora also muttered: "That old man......" and frowned.

The three of them all happened to think of the final scene of the incident a while back. After purifying the Nue - the 'Type-Chimera' spiritual disaster - a black limousine had appeared from the shadows in front of Harutora and the others. The old man in the limousine had spoken to the three of them, and then announced his name after Natsume questioned him. At the time, the old man had announced that his name was As.h.i.+ya Doman.

The Tsuchimikado family that Harutora and Natsume were born to had been active since the Heian era, and the uniquely great Onmyouji Abe no Seimei was the family's ancestor. As.h.i.+ya Doman was purported to be Abe no Seimei's rival Onmyouji. From Harutora, Natsume, and Touji's point of view, he was a legendary person.

"......To think he said his name, what exactly is that old man scheming......"

"Is he really the original?"

"B, Bakatora! The original - how could he be the original, As.h.i.+ya Doman was a person from the Heian era."

"Normally it wouldn't be possible, but......"

"But even in the modern era, there are monsters like the Twelve Divine Generals running amok, so that old man isn't necessarily...... You can't deny that kind of possibility, right?"

"Those people aren't really at the level of running amok......" Natsume had originally wanted to rebuke Touji's speculations, but unfortunately she spoke softly. Though he had left a strong impression on them, they knew nothing about that man.

Harutora furrowed his brows, crossing his arms.

"Hey, Natsume, the Onmyou Agency hasn't explained what kind of person that old man is, right?"

"Yeah...... I asked Kurahas.h.i.+-san to contact them and checked with the Onmyou Agency a few times, but Kogure-san and even that Mystical Investigator named Hirata refused to speak about the situation in detail......"

"Maybe the Onmyou Agency doesn't have a hold of much information." Touji said. Natsume tightened her lips, nodding her head.

"It's not like that's impossible. We can only say for certain that he's an Onmyouji active behind the scenes, and...... He's extraordinarily powerful."

Natsume had been labeled a genius in the Onmyou Academy, but honestly, she was just a student and couldn't be fully independent. Even if she understood that the opponent's power couldn't be estimated, she could only rely on blind guesses as for how 'powerful' he was.

"In any case, never mind whether he's the real person or a fake, that person should probably know that you two are Tsuchimikados - the descendants of Abe no Seimei. If he knows, yet deliberately appeared before us announcing his name as As.h.i.+ya Doman, then it looks like things won't end so easily. He'll definitely make more trouble in the future." Touji spoke with a serious gaze.

"Of course, that person couldn't possibly not know that Natsume might be Tsuchimikado Yakou's reincarnation."

"......Probably." Natsume replied bitterly.

Tsuchimikado Yakou had been the head of the Tsuchimikado family during the Pacific War era, and was the originator of the Imperial Onmyoudou that was the basis of the current officially used magic General Onmyoudou. In other words, he could be called the father of modern magic, a genius pract.i.tioner. On the other hand, because of a certain failed magic rite that he performed, he was also the culprit who had brought about the frequent spiritual disasters.

According to outside 'rumors', Natsume was Tsuchimikado Yakou's reincarnation. Natsume herself was unsure of its truth, but she suffered from the rumors and there were often insane Yakou fanatics trying to approach her. It was also to protect Natsume that Harutora didn't dare to slack off in his hard work.

"Some day, I might need to match magic with As.h.i.+ya Doman - like my ancestor. Just thinking about it gives me chills." Natsume spoke with a forced relaxation.

Honestly, the opponent was a first-cla.s.s pract.i.tioner. If he truly tried something, Natsume and the others would be helpless to contend. The only thing they could count on was the organization they belonged to...... At best, they could only rely on the Onmyou Academy coming forward to help.

"......Yeah, whatever - don't think about it too much!"

Harutora shouted, grinning at the two people behind him. "It's troublesome, but thinking your brain to pieces is no use. We should just focus on what we can do right now." Harutora spoke cheerfully, not sounding forced at all. Natsume and Touji both showed complex expressions, both silent for a while.

Just then, a cherry blossom petal danced lightly with the wind, quietly landing on Harutora's head. Touji suddenly eased up, a wry smile spilling onto his mouth.

"......The cherry blossoms really suit you, Harutora."

"Huh? Wh, What are you saying?"

"Like a field of flowers or a flower-viewing party."

Faced with his good friend's teasing a.n.a.logy, Harutora blinked blankly with the petal on his head.

Natsume finally relaxed, smiling wryly and saying: "......That's true, it's no use to think too much."

Even if they couldn't become negligent out of optimism, there was no meaning in losing their outlook because of pessimism. It was better to conquer the challenges before them than become anxious or even give up because of things that were meaningless or those that they could do nothing about.

"Ah, hold on! Right now isn't the time to chat about such things!"

"What's wrong, Natsume, you don't have to get that tense, right?"

"Bakatora! You have to be tense! We'll be late if this drags on!"

Natsume cried out, hurriedly breaking into a run. "Huh?" Harutora took out his phone to check the time, and his face went stiff accordingly. At the same time, Touji had already chased behind Natsume a step ahead of him.

"Wait for me, Natsume! Touji!"

"Oh no! We're going to be late on the first day of the new term!"

"......We should just skip the entrance ceremony entirely."

"No! How can a Tsuchimikado family member be late to or deliberately not attend the serious ceremony......"

"Well, Harutora's already managed to fail tests and get after-school tutoring."

Natsume didn't have the energy to rebuke Touji's teasing, running on the cherry blossom-lined road with a changed expression. Touji ran behind her and Harutora chased after the two of them.

The spring light was bright.

The three of them didn't know that the end of spring was inside the Onmyou Academy, waiting for the three of them with a full smile.

The entrance ceremony was held in the magic practice field underneath the academy building.

The magic practice field was normally used for practical training of first-cla.s.s magic, and it was set up like a big sports field, with spectator seats encircling an arena. The Onmyou Academy students were arranged into orderly groups in the arena that was about as large as three or four basketball fields, and people who seemed like parents or relatives of the new students could be seen in the spectator seats.

There were altars set up inside the arena that were used as podiums during the entrance ceremony. Right now, there was a teacher speaking to the new students.

Harutora and Touji had transferred into the Onmyou Academy in the summer, hence this year was their first time attending the entrance ceremony, and this was also their first time seeing all of the Onmyou Academy students gathered together.

The new student group was in the front of the arena, the third-year students were in the back right, with the second-year students on the left. Harutora stood in between Natsume and Touji and looked at the back of new students anxiously.

"......Harutora, don't look around everywhere."

"Uh...... But aren't you concerned?"

The students who were able to overcome the obstacle of testing into the Onmyou Academy were the exceptionally talented individuals among those who aimed to become Onmyouji. Though Harutora had gradually grown his self-confidence, in the end he had only been in this world for half a year, and he still couldn't completely erase the thoughts that he was an outsider. On one hand, he was very curious about how powerful the strengths of his new kouhais would be, and he couldn't help but worry about whether he had grown enough to act as their senpai.

...Of course I'm concerned......

He definitely couldn't win against them in terms of knowledge. Thinking of this, he became even more panicked.

"But......"

"Hm?"

"The new students this year seem abnormally tense. I didn't feel it at the time, but maybe that's how it looks in the eyes of others." Natsume spoke casually.

...Tense?

Harutora sized up the new students again, noticing that there was indeed a portion of the new students - especially the new students who were standing near the front row - who were particularly uneasy.

Were they tense because they were in front of the speaker? But rather than tense, those students seemed like they were preparing to run for their life at a moment's notice......

...Why?

He couldn't see clearly in front of him because he was a bit distant, so Harutora wondered, but he couldn't make any progress understanding the situation. In addition, it wasn't just the new students who made him concerned.

"......Hey, Natsume. You said the practical curriculum would increase when we started the second year and that we'd have cla.s.ses together with the third years, right?"

"Yeah, I said so."

"The Onmyou Academy doesn't have club activities, and there weren't any opportunities in the first year to interact with the senpais, doesn't that concern you?" After saying this, Harutora turned his gaze towards the third-year group. "What kind of people are they...... The magic they use should be more powerful than us right now, right?"

"......I'm sure they have that kind of power. Frankly, the second year is when most students choose to withdraw."

"No way! Is that true?"

"Hush, quiet down, don't yell that loudly."

"S, Sorry...... But, why would so many people leave?"

"Because the practical curriculum increases." Natsume lowered her voice, replying quietly to Harutora's cautious question. "To be honest, a job like an Onmyouji focuses a lot on natural talent. Even if you understand the lectures, the 'difference' in talent will immediately show up once the practical curriculum arrives. Of course, it's not impossible to make up the difference with hard work...... But it's not a simple thing to continue working hard after seeing first-hand that your ability isn't as good as others."

Upon hearing Natsume bring up the cruel reality, Harutora's face went a bit pale. But he only noticed after Natsume said this that there were indeed much less third-year students compared to the number of second-year students. Since the number of students entering the academy every year shouldn't change much, the truth might be as Natsume said, that there were quite a few students who chose to give up before advancing to the third year.

Harutora also felt pained when Onmyouji talent was mentioned. Harutora didn't actually have the natural spirit-seeing talent of 'seeing' aura, which was the most basic qualification separating Onmyouji from other people. Since he lacked this talent, Harutora had studied at a normal high school even though he had been a member of the branch family of the famous Tsuchimikado family, and he hadn't had any contact with magic before last summer.

Now, Harutora could already sense aura. This had to be attributed to the magic Natsume had used for him.

Under Harutora's left eye was a pentagram mark. That was the pattern Natsume had drawn when she had chosen him as her s.h.i.+kigami, and at the same time it was magic that let Harutora, who didn't have the spirit-seeing ability, 'see' aura. Hence, it could be said that Harutora wouldn't have possessed the Onmyouji qualifications if he hadn't become Natsume's s.h.i.+kigami.

Regardless of how firm of a will one had, it was ability that decided the crucial factor of strength and weakness.

Maybe that situation was the same for every field, but it was particularly evident for pract.i.tioners. This was the main reason why the world believed that the magic community was closed to outsiders.

"......And also, the Onmyou Academy practical curriculum contents are extremely difficult. The current third-years are the ones who held on under the challenge of that kind of curriculum without giving up, and the students who just advanced to the second year can't compare to their strength. Though they still haven't obtained qualification, they can already be considered semi-professional Onmyouji."

"......S, Semi-pro......" Harutora swallowed hard. The third-year group now seemed like a powerful gathering of elites, and the advice Natsume had mentioned when they were going to school sank deeply into him.

...I really can't be carefree......

However, "......I don't know how strong those people are." When Harutora and Natsume heard Touji murmur leisurely, they immediately looked at him. "I can't imagine there are many of them who have purified a Nue. Never mind the new students, even the third-years are definitely the same." He glanced askance at the two, showing a self-confident smile.

Harutora and Natsume looked at each other, 'that's true' written all over their face, and broke out into smiles.

"Yeah...... that's right."

It had only been half a year since he decided to become an Onmyouji, and he definitely couldn't stop here.

...I don't need to fear.

Since he had fought with all his power all the way here, he had acc.u.mulated quite a bit of actual battle experience even if the results hadn't been satisfactory. One of the things he was the most proud of was that he would stand tall and face whatever kind of situation he encountered. It didn't matter if he failed eventually, as all he needed to do was accept that outcome and continue working hard.

Just then, the sound of applause suddenly rang out. The teacher's speech had probably ended. The three of them hastily joined the applause. They completely hadn't heard the speech of the teacher on the podium because they had been too engrossed in chatting. How unfortunate. Harutora smiled wryly.

After the teacher stepped down, the princ.i.p.al Kurahas.h.i.+ Miyo stood on the podium next.

She stood in front of the microphone, introducing herself with a calm tone: "h.e.l.lo, students. I am the Onmyou Academy princ.i.p.al, Kurahas.h.i.+ Miyo--"

A small old woman who matched her kimono completely and who gave off an elegant air from her entire body stood on the podium. From her external appearance and her actions, it was really hard to a.s.sociate her with the person in charge of the premier Onmyouji cultivation inst.i.tution in the nation. And actually, her personality was quite whimsical, as Harutora knew extremely well. He also knew that she was extremely inscrutable, different from the feeling her behavior gave off.

...There isn't anything special in her greetings, but it feels like there are words between the lines.

Harutora distractedly thought this as he listened to the princ.i.p.al greet the new students. He had once met the princ.i.p.al in her office before, and maybe it was because he was familiar with her personality that those thoughts emerged. Right now, Harutora also understood well that she was a trustworthy and reliable princ.i.p.al.

"My greeting ends here. Now, I want to encourage all of the new students, as well as all of the students who have advanced to a new level, to believe in yourselves, develop every day, and improve your strength." The princ.i.p.al finished her greeting and applause rang out again.

The ceremony ended amidst the sound of applause. Next up was to properly enter the first cla.s.s of the second year.

But, "Oh my, that's bad, I forgot that I had a matter to announce." Just as the princ.i.p.al was about to step down, she seemed to think of something, returning to the front of the microphone. The applause suddenly stopped and some clamor arose in the area. Harutora and the others stared at the stage in incomprehension.

"This year's new students - the forty-eighth cla.s.s, has enrolled a student with 'special experience'. This student has already obtained Onmyouji qualifications, and due to certain reasons along with the strong urging from the person herself, the Onmyou Academy has decided to permit her to enter as a special student." The princ.i.p.al said.

After hearing the princ.i.p.al's words, the area which silence had reigned over went into an uproar, especially the students near the front row - those students whose peculiar 'tension' that Natsume had pointed out earlier - and they all seemed panicked, whispering to each other.

No way - It really is - It's her - Unbelievable--

Excited words continued rising up in bursts. "......What's going on?" Touji couldn't help but wonder, looking over at those people.

The princ.i.p.al on the podium smiled.

"It's rare to have this opportunity, so I will ask her to take the stage and say h.e.l.lo to all of you. Everyone here has probably heard about her, so I'll introduce her simply. This new student is the current youngest National First-Cla.s.s Onmyouji, known as the 'Child Prodigy'--"

With those words, Harutora, Natsume, and Touji's thinking momentarily lost their directions and idled.

"Dairenji Suzuka-san."[3]

The incident began that summer.

... 'I heard rumors about you, and I've wanted to meet you for a long time'

The girl was dressed up in goth loli-styled finery, and her provocative and haughty cold smile merged extremely naturally with her immature appearance that radiated a dangerous air, strangely fascinating yet uncoordinated, like a blooming southern flower hiding a deadly poison.

... 'Stop joking around! I don't need your sympathy!'

Confident, strong, ferocious, unrestricted.

Stubborn, overexerting, simple, lonely.

... '......Bunch of fools.'

That chaotic encounter had completely changed Harutora's life.

"......What?" The three of them cried out in unison.

The area momentarily erupted in a clamor. As if called out by the noise, a girl walked out of the group of new students in the front row.

Her dyed blonde hair was tied into ponytails, hanging down onto the back he had seen before. She wasn't wearing the goth loli-style finery from back then, but instead wore the Onmyou Academy's imperial-style pure white girl's uniform.

The girl walked onto the podium, turning to face the arena. Her small face was disproportionate to her round eyes. He definitely wasn't mistaken, she was the mastermind behind the incident last summer that had made Harutora decide to become an Onmyouji, Dairenji Suzuka.

"Uwah." The students couldn't help but cry out.

On the other hand--

"......No way......"

"......Ah......"

Touji and Harutora gaped as if not yet over the shock. Natsume's face went ashen, her eyes widening.

...That person......

Suzuka proudly straightened her shoulders, pa.s.sing through the stage and walking towards the position that the princ.i.p.al had given to her, standing in front of the microphone. She looked down disdainfully in front of all of the students of the Onmyou Academy, not seeming frightened at all.

That distinct midsummer night emerged in Harutora's mind. On the fireworks festival, in the typhoon's rain, on the altar of the Taizan f.u.kun Ritual. He recalled each and every one of Suzuka's words and deeds as if they were from yesterday.

The irritable, hot-tempered, and emotional girl who held absolute confidence in her own strength--

"Hi everyone, thanks to Princ.i.p.al Kurahas.h.i.+ for introducing me, I'm Dairenji Suzuka!"

A bell-like, delicate, sweet, and lively voice brought an impact that on a certain level was even heavier than when she had appeared before him.

"..............................What?"

Harutora didn't get what had happened for a while, and Touji and Natsume couldn't warp their head around it either, blankly standing in place.

Suzuka grinned lightly, showing an angelic smile. Everyone present - regardless of gender - cheered.

"I'm really nervous today...... But, I'm very happy! It was always my dream to study Onmyoudou with students my own age, and today my dream is finally realized!"

Oh, right, it was a dream. Harutora unconsciously laughed a few times. No wonder such a strange scene had emerged and he even couldn't help but feel dizzy. Everything was all just a dream......

"Cla.s.smates and senpais, there are still a lot of things I don't understand about Onmyoudou, so please feel free to teach me." Suzuka spoke unabashedly, and then showed another sweet smile.

Applause rang out like thunder, more enthusiastic compared to the applause after the teacher's or the princ.i.p.al's greetings, and there were even people who whistled excitedly.

Suzuka bashfully smiled on the podium, lightly waving her right hand to respond to the students' cheers. At the same time, she tilted chin slightly, the angle of the tilt obviously calculated carefully, as if she were making herself out to be a young idol.

"......This is...... What the h.e.l.l......" Harutora was at a loss. Suddenly, Suzuka's gaze, directed towards the gathering place, stopped in Harutora's direction. Harutora's body froze and Suzuka also stopped waving.

The pair's gazes crossed, and Harutora instinctively felt like something was bad, but he had nowhere to run. Suzuka stared at him, her face clearly showing that she 'recognized' Harutora, just like how Harutora also knew Suzuka.

...Uh.

It was just a brief moment, but Harutora felt it to be unbearably long. Suzuka stared at the stunned, frozen Harutora - and a blush spread across her face.

......Huh?

Harutora's tension vanished, but it was still too early for him to relax. After a flash of what seemed to be an embarra.s.sed appearance, an obvious change appeared on Suzuka's expression, as if making Harutora doubt whether he had just seen wrong.

A smile.

It was vastly different from the cute smile just now, the surrept.i.tious sneer of a snake noticing a frog instead. Frankly, compared to the fake smile that had roused the audience before, this smile conformed more with Suzuka's style - at least with the Suzuka of Harutora's impressions.

Strangely, Harutora relaxed instead when he saw this smile of hers.

She was really the Suzuka from that time.

But, maybe that kind of thought was a sign that Harutora was unconsciously beginning to avoid reality.

Suzuka slowly inhaled.

"Senpai! Isn't that Harutora-senpai?!"

Harutora felt like gazes in the area shot towards him from all directions.

Suzuka deliberately widened her eyes.

"I'm so happy, I knew I could see senpai if I came to the Onmyou Academy, I've been waiting for this day! I didn't think I would run into you so quickly--"

Hey, hurry up and stop talking, don't say any more.

Harutora prayed silently in vain, as unfortunately it still didn't change reality. Blood drained out of his entire body and his consciousness seemed to drift into limbo. Touji murmured: "...Harutora" to encourage him, but the voice reached his ears yet didn't enter his mind, as if he was a frog being stared at by a vicious snake.

But compared to this...... What about Natsume? Was Natsume okay right now? In front of Suzuka...... Ahh, no good, he couldn't turn around. The current Harutora didn't have the courage to turn around and check his childhood friend's reactions.

The clamor in the gathering place became more and more animated.

Harutora - Who - Tsuchimikado - The branch family's--

Bits of conversation came one after another, exchanging and sharing information in moments. Then, the students' interest evolved into a huge question.

What kind of relations.h.i.+p did the two of them have?

Princ.i.p.al Kurahas.h.i.+ on the stage walked by Suzuka's side, asking the question in all of the students' hearts.

"Oh my, Suzuka-san, do you know each other?"

Suzuka replied: "Yes." Like she had been waiting for someone to ask that question. She turned back around in a rush, her hands still holding the microphone.

"He's the first person I kissed!"

The chaotic new term kicked off like that.