Tokyo Ravens Volume 2 Chapter 1

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Tsuchimikado Yakou had two retainers, to aid and protect him.

One named Hishamaru, and one named Kakugyouki.

She knew it was him at first glance. The moment she first saw him, she couldn't control her intense heartbeat.

His handsome, proper facial features, a head of jet-black hair almost like a girl's, and particularly that exceptionally concentrated aura... He was independent, withdrawn, but it was hard to conceal his n.o.ble and stately presence.

Each student at the Onmyou Academy had areas of magic that they were talented at, but this person excelled at all of them. His presence was still the strongest among the new students.

The descendant of the great Onmyouji Abe no Seimei.

The heir to the Tsuchimikado Onmyoudou family.

The reincarnation of Tsuchimikado Yakou - who was said to be the ancestor of modern Onmyoudou, taboo among the magic community - Tsuchimikado Natsume.

No one in the cla.s.sroom knew his life story, so he had his fill of attention, but at the same time no one expressed a desire to take the initiative to get close to him, so his existence stuck out like a sore thumb. He seemed to have realized the surrounding situation and his own position early on, so he deliberately stayed away from others, always adhering to a sn.o.bbish att.i.tude.

He was always alone.

Maybe it had been so in the past as well.

"......Yeah."

So, when she sat in front of him, she knew that every student in the cla.s.sroom drew in a breath, but she didn't care. Even if all of the students kept their distance from her later on, she would still accompany him. She had decided this since the day they had promised many years ago.

He noticed someone was approaching, raising his head. Glancing at him, his smile was so beautiful it didn't seem like a man's, a big difference from her past impression of him, but maybe what had changed was the vague memories inside her own heart.

Her heart thumped abnormally intensely.

She smiled cheerfully to conceal her accelerating heartbeat.

"I, It's been a while, Natsume-kun...... Do you still remember me?"

Doubt and caution showed from the pair of eyes gazing at her, seeming as if he didn't remember. No, it was possible he didn't recognize her.

She tried her best to suppress the antic.i.p.ation and anxiety roaring in her heart, saying: "I'm Kurahas.h.i.+ Kyouko, from the Kurahas.h.i.+ family......"

She realized in her heart that these were already childhood memories from many years ago. Though they were memories that she could never forget, maybe he didn't feel the same.

But she still prayed, hoping that he was the same as she, hoping that he still remembered the events on that once-in-a-lifetime day.

But the moment he opened his mouth to say 'Ah, its you--', for some reason his face was pale, and his tone was hasty, as if he were trying to smooth things over.

His voice was abnormally shrill and clear, like a girl's.

His voice suddenly changed from her memories.

"Y, You're from the Kurahas.h.i.+ family - right? So? What do you need from me?"

His tone sounded a bit fretful, even angry.

He really had forgotten.

She couldn't fault him for it. She understood in her heart, but it was no small shock to her. Especially his cold att.i.tude and the gaze he directed towards her like he was looking at an enemy.

However long ago she had realized that he might have forgotten, this cold look and att.i.tude was outside of her expectations. She managed to control her emotions, unconsciously closing her mouth.

The silence was like a knife's edge cutting through her skin.

He was obviously distraught amidst the silence, turning his gaze to the side.

"I, If there's nothing, could you please leave? I want - Let me be alone."

He stood up after saying this, leaving her as if he were escaping.

She didn't chase after him, but stood there stunned while enduring the gazes of the room's students, her mind totally blank.

Before entering the academy, she hadn't even dreamed of this scene...

But, this was the reunion she had dreamed of.

"Huh, here? It's this building? Is it really here?"

"Yeah."

Tsuchimikado Harutora opened his mouth with an expression of disbelief upon looking at the building towering before him. His good friend Ato Touji showed a bit of curiosity from next to him, raising his eyes to look at the building from under his bandanna.

The building's elegant and refined appearance clearly gave off a different style than the other buildings.

The glossy granite brick outer wall of the building was original, the orderly window frames were painted a bright scarlet to add a touch of beauty to the solid exterior, creating the overall impression. The building presented a concise modern style and displayed the solemn atmosphere of a temple at the same time.

The inst.i.tution developing a handful of National Onmyouji, the Onmyou Academy.

The Onmyou Academy school building was currently towering in front of them.

"......I heard it was an 'Academy', so I thought it would be very old, and more importantly, wasn't it a historic school......"

"The Onmyou Academy has about half a century of history, but this is a new school building just completed last year."

"In other words, everything inside is new equipment? Onmyouji income is actually pretty good, huh?"

"I didn't know that."

Compared to the slightly shocked Harutora, Touji was just like always, replying indifferently.

The two of them stood before the academy building, wearing the same uniform.

However, the uniforms on their bodies were quite different from the uniforms of most students, as they were wearing deep, dark uniforms - the color of black plumage - modeled after Heian-era imperial clothing with some changes.

They were wearing the uniform of the Onmyou Academy, and the two of them would be Onmyou Academy students from today onward.

"......I still feel like I'm an outsider."

"You better prepare your heart."

"I was prepared to become an Onmyouji long ago...... probably?"

"Didn't you just correct yourself?"

Touji coldly pointed out.

It was unknown whether Touji's body was better or the uniform was made for taller people, but Touji stood out the first time he wore the Onmyou Academy uniform.

On the other hand, Harutora who still wasn't used to it fidgeted his body uncomfortably under his brand-new uniform.

"Since I have the spirit-seeing ability and I'm Natsume's s.h.i.+kigami, of course I prepared myself long ago. Or maybe I should say I had no choice but to obediently accept my fate......"

He unconsciously felt under his left eye as he said this.

There was a pentagram under Harutora's left eye, as if tattooed. It was the proof that he had sworn to become Natsume's s.h.i.+kigami - it could be said that this was the mark of an incantation.

Harutora and Natsume had both been born in a historic Onmyoudou family - the Tsuchimikado family. The two of them had been childhood friends since they were small. s.h.i.+kigami could be described as 'retainers' that served Onmyouji, and the Tsuchimikado tradition for many generations was that branch family members would become s.h.i.+kigami to serve the main family.

However, the branch family member Harutora didn't have any qualifications to become a pract.i.tioner, unlike the main family member Natsume who had showed genius from an early age. Because he had never developed the ability to see aura - the skill of spirit-seeing - he had naturally ignored the tradition that required him to become Natsume's s.h.i.+kigami, becoming an ordinary high school student studying in a mediocre high school instead.

However, on a summer day - actually, no more than half a month ago - Harutora had been pulled into some Onmyouji-caused business and had lost a good friend. In order to avenge his friend, he had become Natsume's s.h.i.+kigami, and had decided to walk the path of an Onmyouji.

As the main family successor, Natsume had entered the Onmyou Academy after graduating from middle school, but Harutora had only followed in Natsume's footsteps after half a year and was entering the academy today.

Having said that...

"......It was really busy back then. After things ended, I frantically prepared for the entrance exam, and by the time I could actually enter the Onmyou Academy to become an Onmyouji, everything felt like a dream......"

"You seem scared to me."

"Can't you say it a bit more tactfully?"

The Tsuchimikado family had actually been the apex of national Onmyouji in the distant past, but it had long since deteriorated by now, losing its former glory, duties, and responsibilities. Though his father was an Onmyou doctor, Harutora himself had lived a life separate from Onmyouji.

Until half a month ago, when his fate had diverged.

Now, he had transferred to Tokyo, wore the Onmyou Academy uniform, and stood before the Onmyou Academy building. The sudden change in environment - or perhaps in 'life' - still perplexed him, regardless of how much he had resolved.

"It was really a long road to get here......"

"But you just arrived."

Touji's reply was as harsh as usual, contrasting to Harutora whose feelings were mixed.

But speaking of that, Touji was also transferring to the Onmyou Academy, though his position was different from Harutora's.

In the past, Touji had once been involved in a disaster caused by spirits - namely, a spiritual disaster - and because of the side-effects that he still suffered, he had to undergo the treatment of an Onmyou doctor...... who was Harutora's father. Affected by Harutora's decision to enter the world of Onmyouji, he had aspired to become an Onmyouji alongside him, in order to be able to look after himself.

"We're only standing at the starting line right now, so it's way too early to get scared...... Also, Harutora, you seem like you don't get your position at all. If you're not a bit more careful, you might get 'eaten'."

"What? What do you mean get 'eaten'?"

Harutora frowned upon hearing those threatening-sounding words.

Touji smirked, showing a conceited smile.

"Listen well. Even if you're a branch family, you were born as a Tsuchimikado after all. This is the Onmyou Academy, a gathering of students from around the nation whose goals are to become Onmyouji. It's different from the school we were at before, and everyone will react immediately upon hearing your name. This place is probably already in an uproar from your transfer, and you've probably gotten everyone's attention even before entering the academy."

"B, But, Natsume's here too. Since even the main family heir entered the academy, even if a branch family member like me comes too now......"

"Don't be naive!" Touji firmly rebuked him, responding to the fl.u.s.tered Harutora.

"Think carefully about it, what kind of position is the main family heir in the Onmyou Academy? She's the next heir to the Tsuchimikado family, and is t.i.tled a 'prodigy'. Don't you think she would be known to all and much admired?"

"Uh, that, that makes sense......"

"And now you, a branch family member rather than a main family member, are suddenly transferring to the Onmyou Academy - and also at this strange time. In any case, no one in the industry doesn't know the Tsuchimikado name, and moreover the name is 'notorious', so the responses won't be too friendly. Make sense?"

"Uh, but......"

"There will be some people there holding pure curiosity towards the Tsuchimikado family, but there will be some who are jealous, as well as some people who plan on showing their ability by defeating a Tsuchimikado, even idiots who try to attach themselves to you...... With that, there should be a few people with the thoughts 'since the main family genius is unreachable, I should try the branch family new guy' - isn't that right?"

Harutora really wanted to deny it with a loud 'you're wrong', but not only was he unable to deny it, he even believed that there was an extremely high chance.

Onmyouji was a widely-known profession in the spiritual-disaster-ridden modern era.

Even so, it was still a peculiar profession. Due to quality requirements, the Onmyouji community was closed and strongly exclusive. It wasn't limited to the practicing Onmyouji, but extended to students or trainees of this world, like Harutora and Touji who would step into this world from now on.

Incidentally, Harutora had full confidence in his bad luck.

"But I'm just an outsider!"

"What does that matter, since all they're concerned about is the name Tsuchimikado."

Touji replied calmly to the frightened, paled Harutora.

This friend of Harutora had once been a juvenile delinquent. His exterior was callous, but he was actually a good guy. Harutora was confident that Touji would help him if he were pulled into danger.

"Alright, no need to be scared, you'll definitely be fine, Harutora."

"......This is the least convincing thing you've said this year."

Harutora stared askance at Touji. The originally ignorant anxiety and confusion had all been turned into actual feelings of danger and tension by Touji's remarks.

Even if he was Natsume's s.h.i.+kigami, it was actually just in name, and he had simply made a vow rather than taking up magical restraints, so his spiritual power hadn't visibly increased. He was still an outsider, just like the past.

But--

"......I can only endure it." Harutora murmured, once again looking at the Onmyou Academy towering before him.

He had already promised with Natsume. Also--

Wait and see, Hokuto.

He muttered for the friend who had disappeared without a trace - but who was still out there somewhere.

"......This uniform."

"Yeah?"

"I really wish I could wear it for Hokuto to see."

"............I guess."

For some reason, Touji only replied after a long time, with happiness, helplessness, guilt, and a wry smile mixed subtly into his expression. It seemed quite complex, but Harutora didn't pay attention.

"Alright, no point in dawdling here, let's go!"

Saying this, Harutora and Touji walked into the academy entrance together.

There were two sets of automatic doors positioned in the entrance of the Onmyou Academy, with a setting that resembled a fas.h.i.+onable corporate building rather than a school.

But...

"As expected of the Onmyou Academy, their security spells are top-notch." Touji suddenly spoke from in front of the doors, and Harutora replied with an 'indeed', expressing his agreement.

Touji's words didn't mean ordinary security, but rather a magical security spell. The basics of magic were to manipulate the omnipresent aura that existed in all beings. The aura inside the Onmyou Academy building was steadily greater than outside of the building. Though he didn't understand how this was the case, it seemed like some kind of mechanism created using magic.

Natsume had cast magic that gave him the spirit-seeing ability when she had made the originally spirit-insensitive Harutora into her s.h.i.+kigami, and therefore he was also able to feel the 'security spell' that Touji spoke of.

"Right, Natsume's place also had this kind of feeling."

"Yeah, never mind the main family mansion, all big buildings nowadays are equipped with these security systems against magic, since there are always spiritual disasters in Tokyo these days."

Saying this, Touji walked through the first set of automatic doors, and suddenly and immediately stopped as the second set of doors opened.

"Look."

"Komainu[1]?"

There were stone statues that looked like dogs or lions set to the left and right of the interior set of automatic doors, similar in shape and style to the komainu that were set in shrines. At first glance, this set of komainu seemed incompatible with the building's modern style, but it melded unexpectedly well with the building after a long look.

"Uh, this is pretty fitting for the Onmyou Academy environment."

"Don't touch them recklessly, they might bite."

"Haha, this is the Onmyou Academy after all, so it wouldn't be surprising if they could move or talk."

"Yes, I can indeed move, and I can also speak."

The komainu spoke, moving its body.

Harutora unconsciously leaped backwards, and even Touji who had been joking around widened his eyes in surprise.

"I, It moved! This thing actually spoke!"

"Why are you so panicked, didn't you just say that it wouldn't be surprising if we could move and speak?"

The komainu replied leisurely, its att.i.tude contrasting with the dumbstruck Harutora. It spoke with a deep voice, and the other komainu nodded its head.

Touji composed himself and gazed at the komainu, asking: "......s.h.i.+kigami?"

"Correct, but don't think of us as any ordinary s.h.i.+kigami."

"We are high-level manmade s.h.i.+kigami personally infused with magic by the princ.i.p.al herself, named Alpha and Omega. We have been in charge of this post on our master's orders since the Onmyou Academy opened."

The two komainu stood tall with pride. Though they looked from the outside like two stone statues, it seemed that they had the ability to flex and bend.

"Which of you is Alpha, and which is Omega?"

"I am Alpha."

"I am Omega."

The komainu on the left and right replied to Harutora's question in order, so in other words the right-hand komainu was Alpha, and the other one was Omega. One could notice with a careful glance that there was a short horn growing out of Omega's head.

Harutora shook his head blankly.

"Amazing, even Natsume's family doesn't have these kinds of things."

"What are you calling things, child? Don't be rude."

"These kinds of s.h.i.+kigami are indeed very rare, and they reside here even though they're the princ.i.p.al's s.h.i.+kigami, right? Could it be that you were constructed like a mechanical-type?"

"Oh, you're quite knowledgeable. However, having that much knowledge is natural since you are a student here."

The komainu replied to Harutora and Touji with quite an easygoing att.i.tude, and though it used well-knit and arrogant language, maybe its personality was unexpectedly friendly.

"I had thought I was coming in for a company interview just now, but now it suddenly became a school of magic."

"It seems like there will be quite a few similar things here, pretty interesting."

Touji grinned at the Harutora who was shaking his head.

Then, Alpha corrected its posture.

"...We have already heard about your business, but we must complete our mission as given. First, state your names."

"Ah, okay, I'm Tsuchimikado Harutora."

"I'm Ato Touji."

The two of them stated their full names in succession, and the two komainu went motionless as if turning back into stone statues.

But, that state didn't last long, and after a momentary pause, the komainu opened their mouths again:

"The voiceprint and aura of Tsuchimikado Harutora and Ato Touji have been confirmed and recorded."

"Welcome to the Onmyou Academy. Learn well from your fellow students in order to refine yourselves and become excellent Onmyouji."

Alpha's and Omega's voices were solemn, and Harutora and Touji seemed to have gained entry into the school building's magic security system.

"We have also recorded your s.h.i.+kigami, but next time you will have to state your name yourself."

But, Alpha added on those words.

Harutora almost jumped in surprise, looking backwards at Touji and checking whether he had heard wrong. However, Touji shrugged his shoulders, also puzzled.

Harutora turned back to Alpha.

"Did you say my s.h.i.+kigami?"

"Correct."

"My s.h.i.+kigami has already been recorded? What does that mean? I don't have any s.h.i.+kigami."

Harutora knew very well that he was an outsider, and it was practically a miracle that he had gotten in to the Onmyou Academy. Of course, he had never had his own s.h.i.+kigami.

"Harutora, maybe it's referring to you being Natsume's s.h.i.+kigami?"

"Really? But that way of saying it is too strange. Alpha, can you say it clearly?"

Alpha opened its mouth, about to reply to Harutora's question-- "Wait." But Omega interrupted their conversation from the side.

Omega didn't move a single bit just like before, as if its soul had drifted away, and then moved again after a long while.

In the end, it was a komainu statue, so no change was visible in the expression on Omega's face.

But it still informed Harutora and Touji in a carefully composed tone:

"Our master has notified us that you two are to head directly to the princ.i.p.al's office."

"Is it them?"

"It seems so."

He leaned against the wall, standing in a blind spot by the first-floor corridor that was invisible from the entrance, and watched the two students take the elevator with a genuinely interested gaze.

"......How boring-looking."

"Don't say that, let's watch what happens first."

A light smile emerged on his lips, and then he pulled his body away from the wall, slowly leaving.

The princ.i.p.al's office was at the top of the academy building.

After leaving the elevator that they hadn't been able to hear any machinery sounds from, Harutora and Touji walked to the end of the corridor.

This academy building had long, simply decorated hallways that were a bit monotonic. It seemed quite like a museum from the adornments that might be cursed objects or magical tools. On the wall, there were suits of armor, dirty pewter staffs, burial vestments, fixed-up katanas, and other things that seemed like rare artifacts to Harutora's eyes, every one catching his attention.

In addition, there wasn't a trace of dirt on the gla.s.s cases housing these objects, not a single speck of dust on the floor, and even the ornamental plants by the side had been meticulously taken care of.

"......Could it be that s.h.i.+kigami are responsible for cleaning this place?"

"It's very possible."

After all, this building had the komainu s.h.i.+kigami as security guards. Harutora felt very interested, imagining a scene of staff manipulating s.h.i.+kigami to clean secretly in the dead of night.

"I thought s.h.i.+kigami were used for battle, like the dragon and the horse Yukikaze that Natsume had...... The s.h.i.+kigami that the Mystical Investigators used had the same use, but could it be that there are actually domestic-use s.h.i.+kigami that are good at was.h.i.+ng clothes and cleaning?"

"There are general s.h.i.+kigami sold on the market that have unlimited uses, but to use such first-cla.s.s magic requires considerable qualifications, or in other words, only specialized Exorcists can use them. The price isn't cheap either, so if there were truly 'domestic' s.h.i.+kigami, I don't think there would be many people who would find the money to buy them."

"......Excuse me, Touji, what's first-cla.s.s magic?"

Harutora's question made Touji raise his brow, unable to help from sighing.

"I'm surprised you were able to get into the Onmyou Academy like that. They're the Onmyoudou guidelines formulated by the Onmyou Agency - simply put, it's the magic officially recognized as being effective."

Modern magic was split into two types, the first-cla.s.s magic that the Onmyou Agency recognized as being truly effective, and the lower-cla.s.s magic that did not fall in that category. The ancient 'forbidden magic' and most divination belonged to the latter.

Usage of most first-cla.s.s magic required qualifications as an official Onmyouji, or more accurately, one needed to pa.s.s the First-Cla.s.s or Second-Cla.s.s Onmyou Exams set by the Onmyou Agency. Harutora and the others were entering the Onmyou Academy in order to obtain those official qualifications.

"As for first-cla.s.s magic... Even s.h.i.+kigami aren't usually seen in daily life, since after all the usage of Onmyoudou is extremely limited."

"Uh...... why is that?'

"The laws were set that way."

Touji explained casually, his hands still stuck in his pockets.

Touji had spent a long time interested in Onmyoudou since the spiritual disaster had left side effects on his body. He relied on his self-taught knowledge, as compared to Harutora who lived without such cares but who was used to hearing about these things.

"I see, so in other words, the Onmyou Academy is an exception, with s.h.i.+kigami everywhere?"

"In the end, it's a place specially established and designed to foster Onmyouji."

"Could it be that even the teachers are s.h.i.+kigami - it couldn't go that far, right?"

"I at least know that there are s.h.i.+kigami among the students."

"Huh? Really?"

"Yeah, and he's even a fool."

Touji smiled maliciously, and Harutora went 'nn?', tilting his head. When the foolish s.h.i.+kigami finally noticed whom Touji was referring to, the two of them had already walked into the princ.i.p.al's office.

There was a simple sign hung on the plain door - 'Princ.i.p.al's Office'.

Touji ignored Harutora who had begun getting tense again, calmly knocking on the door to the princ.i.p.al's office.

No one responded.

He raised his hand, about to continue knocking, when-- "Come in." A response came from under his feet.

Harutora cried out like a surprised child, and Touji stepped back from the door, also concealing his surprise. A cat had approached the two of them at some time and now looked up at them from the floor.

It was a supple-furred calico cat, and it showed a keen gaze as it looked at Harutora and Touji, lightly knocking on the door with its long tail.

"The door's open, come in."

It seemed like a talking cat was next after the talking komainu.

"......Is this the princ.i.p.al's hobby? Or are Onmyouji-related facilities like this wherever you go?"

"How would I know?"

Harutora asked tiredly, and Touji also replied with a bitter expression. The cat arched its body with a bit of impatience, meowing like a normal cat as if urging them to hurry up and open the door.

"...Excuse us."

He called out to the princ.i.p.al's office. As soon as he opened the door, the cat quickly slipped past their feet, running into the room without any presence.

...Huh?

Upon entering the princ.i.p.al's office, Harutora instantly mumbled quietly. The atmosphere inside the room was extremely different from the corridor outside.

A calm, nostalgic atmosphere floated inside the room, like a Taisho-era cafe.

There were faded, light yellow walls, a deep red carpet laid out on the floor, and a metal coat rack along with a painted gla.s.s room divider. Behind the room divider was a s.p.a.ce for receiving guests, and within it were placed corner chairs and a tan-colored table.

However, the most apparent thing in the room was the bookshelf covering two walls. A surprising quant.i.ty of books was arranged neatly on the bookshelf, and one could tell at a glance that it had been organized. There was j.a.panese literature as well as foreign literature, with even some ancient literature and doc.u.ments also kept on them.

And deep inside the room...

There was a big redwood table placed in front of a large gla.s.s window, along with a small figure sitting quietly on the chair behind it.

Harutora and Touji looked at each other, as the two of them had both a.s.sumed that the princ.i.p.al was a man, but the person sitting on the chair was an elegant old woman.

The cat sat on the table, nimbly jumping onto the old woman's lap. She put down the book she had been reading, lightly stroking the cat.

Then, she raised her head, plucked down the gla.s.ses perched on her nose, and looked at Harutora and Touji.

"Welcome, I've been waiting a long time for you two."

Her voice was exactly the same as the cat's.

The hair reaching to her shoulders was gray, and though she was old, her sitting posture was quite upright, completely unindicative of her age. She wore a brown-colored kimono that suited her so well it seemed like a part of her body.

"Tsuchimikado Harutora-san and Ato Touji-san. h.e.l.lo, I am the princ.i.p.al here, Kurahas.h.i.+ Miyo."

"H, h.e.l.lo."

Harutora spoke a greeting, and Touji also nodded his head in respect. Then, the two of them answered the old woman - Kurahas.h.i.+ Miyo's request and moved in front of the table.

Maybe because he wasn't used to the uniform yet, or maybe as a result of the atmosphere given off by the room and the princ.i.p.al, Harutora felt like a child showing a new uniform to a seldom-seen grandmother rather than like meeting the princ.i.p.al for the first time.

The princ.i.p.al's eyes gazed at the two without faltering, and she suddenly beamed. "I see." She murmured suggestively.

"So you are Natsume-san's Hishamaru and Kakugyouki."

"What?'

Harutora was surprised, asking hastily. Touji quietly watched the princ.i.p.al, seemingly puzzling over her intent.

However, the princ.i.p.al quickly changed the topic with a warm smile.

"I remember it being mentioned before that you two didn't have the chance to touch upon Onmyoudou in your normal life."

Her tone was cordial as she stroked the cat on her lap.

"You should have already met Alpha and Omega on the first floor. In addition to them, this cat is also my s.h.i.+kigami. Did they surprise you?"

"Uh, a, a bit......"

"Then I'm very sorry, but please get used to it as soon as possible, because you will be living in 'this world' from now on."

The princ.i.p.al spoke, her gaze pointing at the two of them.

"Ato Touji-san, I already heard about your condition from Harutora-san's father. Your determination is quite remarkable, so please work hard to win against your side-effects." She first spoke to Touji.

Then, she turned to Harutora.

"Tsuchimikado Harutora-san, I have also heard your parents speak about you, and I have heard a bit from Natsume-san."

"Natsume? What did Natsume say?"

Harutora asked in surprise, and the princ.i.p.al smiled lightly, nodding.

"Yes, that child is quite polite. After you decided to enter the academy, he came to tell me that you were following the Tsuchimikado family tradition and that you had become his s.h.i.+kigami. And actually, I know people in the Onmyou Agency, so I had already heard things regarding the Dairenji Suzuka incident this summer."

Harutora and Touji hurriedly glanced at each other upon hearing the princ.i.p.al say this. The Onmyouji the princ.i.p.al had mentioned - Dairenji Suzuka - had changed both of their lives, leading to the opportunity for them to enter the Onmyou Academy.

But, her incident hadn't been made public. On the outside, it was because of her age, but it was actually because of political considerations to try to keep the effect on public opinion as small as possible. Dairenji Suzuka was a National First-Cla.s.s Onmyouji - one of the 'Twelve Divine Generals', the best of the best Onmyouji. The Onmyou Agency naturally wanted to keep the disaster caused by this elite as hushed-up as possible.

The Mystical Investigators who had been tasked with dealing with it had also strictly told Harutora and Touji that they couldn't talk about anything related to her or this matter, and there was only a small portion of people within the Onmyou Agency itself that knew the clear details.

"Maybe you two, who are essentially outsiders, wonder why you were admitted into the Onmyou Academy. I personally made an exception for you two and allowed you to pa.s.s, one reason being that I recognize your contribution in that matter."

"......A, As I thought......"

"Yeah, I thought so too."

Touji opened his mouth for the first time from next to the surprised Harutora, appearing to be quite calm.

The prospective Onmyouji from around the nation gathered at the Onmyou Academy, and it was very compet.i.tive. Even for a member of the Tsuchimikado family or someone who had taught himself, it wasn't that easy - and they hadn't even undergone formal procedures until right outside the academy doors. Harutora and Touji had also faintly felt that there had to be some secret behind it.

"You want to seal our mouths completely - is that the main reason?"

Touji asked with a challenging tone. Harutora cast a reproachful gaze at him, but his good friend didn't even look.

However, the princ.i.p.al maintained her good-natured expression, even admitting altogether: "I can't deny that thinking."

"But even so, you two do not lack quality. For example, Harutora-san, are you aware that your spiritual energy is far greater than the average person's?"

"Huh? Ah, now that you mention it, I remember the examiner telling me that I was only pretty good at raw power during my exam......"

Harutora recalled the events from that time. He hadn't heard that as praise back then, but had instead believed that he was being scolded for being appallingly bad.

"Letting untalented students in will at best frighten them. By my judgment, you two possess the talent to become excellent Onmyouji, and you were thus permitted to enter. Of course, there is a possibility that my judgment was wrong. Regardless, you have already officially entered the Onmyou Academy, and what happens after this will be up to your own hard work."

"Uh......"

...This person spoke really directly.

In contrast to her elegant demeanor, the princ.i.p.al spoke without beating around the bush. But, rather than saying she spoke plainly, perhaps the Onmyou Academy treated its students with a different att.i.tude from an ordinary school.

As Harutora was at a loss, Touji next to him was sizing up the princ.i.p.al. Honestly, Harutora was already certain that Touji would take to the Onmyou Academy like a fish to water.

...The school that this guy was suited for definitely wouldn't be too normal.

What about himself? Harutora was a bit anxious.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. Take this as a small warning from an old woman like me."

Her demeanor turned on its head, as she showed a cautious - but also interested - look, gazing at Harutora and Touji.

"You two should know the 'rumors' regarding Natsume-san, right?"

The princ.i.p.al was direct beyond what they had imagined.

Touji quickly gathered his expression, but Harutora unconsciously stared at the princ.i.p.al. Needless to say, the two of them were well aware of what those rumors referred to.

The princ.i.p.al meant the rumors that Natsume was Tsuchimikado Yakou's reincarnation.

The princ.i.p.al was still unmoved, even after seeing Harutora's and Touji's att.i.tudes turn rigid again.

"Due to the effects of the rumors, Natsume-san receives a lot of attention inside the academy, and that might affect you two as old acquaintances of Natsume-san. If you have any trouble, you are welcome to find me at any time, and if it's inconvenient for you to tell me, you can also speak with your homeroom teacher - I will introduce you to Ohtomo-sensei soon. We will a.s.sist you to the best of our abilities." She spoke, ignoring the pairs' reactions.

"That means......"

Harutora wanted to say something, but the princ.i.p.al had already spoken first: "But - I hope that you will get used to these circ.u.mstances as soon as possible."

"U, Used to?"

"Yes, since these things will be always bothering you in the future after all."

Harutora closed his mouth upon hearing that sentence. The princ.i.p.al had spoken true, but he had never imagined what kind of situation it would be.

Natsume had said that the adults around her had seen her from the angle of the rumor for as long as she had paid attention. During that event over the summer, Suzuka had also been after Natsume due to the rumor's effects. By now, Natsume should be unable to rid herself of the rumor's entanglement.

...Just being born in the Tsuchimikado main family was annoying enough.

He couldn't ignore it, and he hoped that he could more or less help Natsume and share her burden from the side. That thought had also been an important factor in Harutora's decision to become a s.h.i.+kigami.

...I can only endure it......

Harutora once again silently thought of the words he had murmured upon entering the building.

The princ.i.p.al looked at the new student, a kind smile emerging on her face.

Then, she asked with a relaxed tone: "And at this point I am curious - what are your impressions of Tsuchimikado Yakou?"

"Impressions? Impressions of Yakou? Honestly, I don't have any particular impression other than that he's from long ago. He's like some famous relative...... but after that thing happened, I get the impression that he was a troublemaker."

"I understand. What do you think, Touji-san?"

"......I believe he was a great person in the magic community, and accomplished many amazing feats. In addition......"

"What?'

"He was a genius, without a doubt."

Touji replied calmly and boldly.

Tsuchimikado Yakou...

Half a century after the Tsuchimikado family had begun declining after the Meiji Restoration, during the hectic outbreak of the Pacific War in j.a.pan, a genius magician showed himself.

Yakou revitalized Onmyoudou at the request of the military. He integrated the legends and magics of j.a.pan, constructing a brand-new system of magic, which was 'Imperial Onmyoudou', the foundation of the currently adopted 'General Onmyoudou'.

However, during the aftermath of the Pacific War, there was a strong atmosphere of defeat, and the j.a.panese military ordered Yakou to perform a large-scale magic ceremony, but unfortunately it failed - most ordinary citizens believed this. Affected by the failure of the ceremony, Tokyo's aura became chaotic, leading to the occurrence of spiritual disasters that even now still happened often.

j.a.pan was currently the only nation in the world that formally recognized and permitted the use of magic. Actually, this was to deal with the spiritual disasters - the curse Yakou left behind.

But, to quell the endless spiritual disasters, they relied on strong Onmyoudou - the blessing Yakou left behind.

The development of Onmyoudou was closely linked with spiritual disasters, and it was only because spiritual disasters happened that Onmyoudou hadn't been buried away. And tracing the roots back, both of these things had been brought about into the world by the same genius. Tsuchimikado Yakou's work had created the basis of the j.a.panese magic community.

...A world-changing genius would obviously grab attention.

Not even Natsume herself knew whether she was truly Yakou's reincarnation, and no one at all knew for sure. She indeed had talent as an Onmyouji, but currently it still couldn't be determined whether she was Yakou's equal. She didn't have any memories of a past life, and no obvious similarities could be seen from her.

But, Dairenji Suzuka of the Twelve Divine Generals believed Natsume was Yakou, and she probably wasn't the only one who firmly believed that.

Would Natsume remember her past life someday and realize that she was Yakou? When that day truly came, what kind of change would come over Natsume? As her s.h.i.+kigami, what would he do about it?

Just as Harutora was thinking helplessly...... The princ.i.p.al suddenly said: "...He really liked playing shogi[2]."

"What?" Harutora asked back, and Touji also showed a rare surprised look.

The princ.i.p.al didn't mind, continuing to speak:

"But he was very bad at shogi, perhaps it was a lack of talent? Being bad at shogi yet loving to challenge others at it - but he would sulk once he lost, bringing a headache to the person who played against him. But I always was very grateful to him for persistently teaching me shogi. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have known what shogi was for my whole life."

She smiled nostalgically as she spoke. Harutora was perplexed for some time, but it dawned to Touji in a snap. His eyes widened from under his bandanna.

"......You saw Tsuchimikado Yakou when he was alive?"

"Yes, I was still a child back then."

The princ.i.p.al revealed it readily. Touji closed his mouth upon hearing this, but Harutora opened his own.

"Really!? You met Yakou?"

"Of course I did. Maybe you youngsters think he was someone from ancient times - but don't forget, it was only half a century ago that j.a.pan was enveloped by the flames of war."

The princ.i.p.al smiled, seeming to say: 'there's nothing incredible about this.'

But Harutora still couldn't conceal his shock.

...The princ.i.p.al had met Yakou...... I see, so there were still people who had seen Yakou with their own eyes......!

Yakou was a historical figure in the view of Tsuchimikado Harutora, but someone who had actually experienced that 'historical' figure was right before him. He couldn't help but feel an abnormal atmosphere of heaviness, unable to speak for some time.

...But...... Saying it like it wasn't anything unusual......

The person before him had already lived quite a long life before becoming the 'Onmyou Academy Princ.i.p.al'. She had lived through a youth just like his, experienced war, grew up, had a family - she had actually lived many long years. Harutora had looked at her before as her ident.i.ty as 'princ.i.p.al', rather than as 'Kurahas.h.i.+ Miyo'.

The president then spoke to the speechless Harutora: "Yakou was also the same, Harutora-san." ...As if peering into his thoughts.

"Tsuchimikado Yakou was also the same as you, born into the Tsuchimikado family, growing up in a traditional family, and then s.h.i.+ning brilliantly before finally being engulfed by the era. His life was indeed unusual, but he could cry and laugh, just an ordinary person."

"An ordinary person......"

"Right, but there are also some people who do not understand this. As a Tsuchimikado, maybe you believe Yakou was the culprit of your family's decline - a stain on the magic community, but you know this, right? There are indeed people who hold the complete opposite thoughts."

"The opposite thoughts...... What does that mean?'

"There is a group that views Yakou as a hero and paints him in the colors of a G.o.d...... They are the Yakou-wors.h.i.+pping fanatics."

Harutora cast a questioning glance towards Touji at this name he had never heard before, but it seemed like it was also Touji's first time hearing it.

"They ignore the ordinary human in Yakou, blindly wors.h.i.+pping him...... Unfortunately, Natsume-san's matter has also reached their ears, and they have even tried contacting Natsume-san before."

"Th, They came to find Natsume? How......"

He hadn't known about that. In short, Natsume was being eyed by a group of crazy fanatics.

"The circ.u.mstances I want you two to get used to also include these dangers. They are convinced that the rumors are true. I know it sounds absurd, but that is reality."

The princ.i.p.al warned them sternly. Harutora was speechless.

"Impressions are also one form of magic...... and also a curse." The princ.i.p.al slowly spoke:

"Rumors are the same. This form of magic bewitches human hearts...... The magic that Onmyoudou does not recognize as actually effective is collectively referred to as second-cla.s.s magic, but regardless of first or second cla.s.s, magic is magic. What's more, this truly terrifying and powerful magic is strictly cla.s.sified as second-cla.s.s, but perhaps that is too hard for you two to understand."

Harutora and Touji were silent, and the cat on the princ.i.p.al's lap yawned, as if saying impatiently: 'What part's hard to understand?'

"......Harutora-san, Touji-san, you may encounter a great deal of difficulty in the future, so please work hard and overcome it step by step. I'm looking forward to your future performance, from the position of an individual as well as from my position as princ.i.p.al."

Saying this, the princ.i.p.al smiled.

Just then, as if spotting that the conversation inside the room had come to a halt, the sound of a knock came from behind them. "Excuse me......" Saying this, a man poked his head inside.

"Princ.i.p.al? It's already past the designated time, do you still need a moment?"

"Oh my, I've made you wait, I'm sorry. We just finished here."

"Ah, that's perfect."

A lanky man walked into the princ.i.p.al's office.

He seemed relatively young, but didn't seem very energetic. His hair was messy, he had a pair of worldly gla.s.ses, and he wore an aged s.h.i.+rt and tie covered by a cheap suit and a pair of rumpled pants. A mild smile emerged on his thin face, making him give more of an impression of being 'weak' than 'gentle'.

But, the most eye-catching portion of his body was undoubtedly the cane in his right hand. When he entered the room, he had been propping himself up with that cane, shuffling forward - glancing down, a wooden stick extended out of his right pants leg.

It was a fake leg, and one that couldn't appear in this modern era - a vintage fake leg like something that medieval pirates had used.

Perhaps noticing their gazes, the man smiled cordially, lifting his right fake leg.

"Oh? This? It's cool, isn't it? I'm a teacher in this academy, but I'm also an Onmyouji, so I've gotta boast about my prestige."

What was stunning was, the man spoke extremely brightly.

They had no idea what he was proud about - what's more, they couldn't understand what kind of prestige that fake leg boasted about, but his att.i.tude was quite enthusiastic and he spoke with a Kansai accent.

...What a strange person......

Realizing he was rude, Harutora's face still twitched slightly.

"This is your homeroom teacher, Ohtomo Jin-sensei. Don't judge him by his appearance, he's extremely capable." The princ.i.p.al smiled as she spoke.

"How can you say that princ.i.p.al. Ah, whatever, that's how it is anyway, I hope we get along."

Saying this, Ohtomo grinned. Though he looked like an extremely unreliable weakling from the outside, his smile was full of vigor.

"Then let's go, everyone's waiting for you two in the cla.s.sroom - Princ.i.p.al, I'll be leaving."

Ohtomo lowered his head in a salute, bringing Harutora and Touji out of the princ.i.p.al's room.

The cat purred, as if cautioning them: 'Work hard.'

"Wasn't it scary~?"

Once they walked into the corridor, Ohtomo whispered to Harutora and Touji as if he were saying bad things in secret.

"Uh? What's scary?"

"Of course the princ.i.p.al...... Did you guys not know? That old lady looks like a corporate boss, but and actually she's a big behind-the-scenes figure in this industry."

"What? You're talking about the princ.i.p.al?"

"Right...... On the other hand, aren't you a Tsuchimikado? How do you not even know this little thing?"

Ohtomo was puzzled, but Harutora was at a loss, not understanding what he meant.

"Ah."

Ohtomo's words led to a reaction from Touji from next to Harutora.

"So it was that Kurahas.h.i.+......"

Touji murmured. "Right." Ohtomo chimed in.

It seemed that only the clueless Harutora was on the outside, and he gave Touji a dissatisfied glance. Touji, however, returned him a look that said: 'I'll explain to you later'.

"You should be careful, the princ.i.p.al's s.h.i.+kigami are everywhere in this academy, so you'll be caught in an instant if you dare to cut cla.s.s. But if you guys need to cut cla.s.s for something, you can come ask me. I said just now that I'm a specialist, so I can give you tips on how to avoid the princ.i.p.al's eyes and ears."

This kind of teacher who talked openly about cutting cla.s.s the first time he met his students seemed like he couldn't be relied upon. Harutora made an indifferent 'yeah', and Touji also frowned. But it seemed that he had this kind of reaction because he wasn't sure what kind of person this teacher was.

"In any case, the princ.i.p.al already told me your situation. If you have some troubles, don't hesitate to talk to me."

Ohtomo spoke cheerfully, a completely unbothered appearance. As expected of the Onmyou Academy, the princ.i.p.al and the teachers were all definitely unique.

...As such, could the students here all be oddb.a.l.l.s?

Harutora's gaze sank as if he were contemplating this.

Suddenly, he opened his mouth to ask: "Ah, right, sensei, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah? You found troubles that quickly?"

"No, I can't call it a trouble - The princ.i.p.al said something strange when she first saw us, do you know what 'Hishamaru' and 'Kakugyouki' refer to?"

When Ohtomo who hobbled in front of them leaning on his cane heard that, he stopped.

He turned around, his face full of wonder - he glanced at Harutora, showing a prying look.

Then, he turned his confused gaze to Touji.

Touji shrugged his shoulders, saying: "Didn't you hear about our situation? This person is actually a Tsuchimikado, but to put it plainly, he's ignorant about Onmyoudou."

"...Ah? How can you say that Touji, could it be that you know?"

Harutora asked, but Touji nodded his head naturally to respond. Ohtomo murmured the words "......I see" in revelation after watching the two of them interact.

Then his face became somewhat serious.

"Harutora-san, Hishamaru and Kakugyouki refer to the names of s.h.i.+kigami."

"s.h.i.+kigami?"

"Correct, they were the s.h.i.+kigami of Tsuchimikado Yakou."

"Huh?"

Harutora gasped lightly, and Ohtomo showed a gloomy smile a bit different from before.

"It was said that Yakou kept at least a thousand s.h.i.+kigami, but among them were two retainers who were always to their master's left and right...... Hishamaru and Kakugyouki."

"Yakou's......"

Harutora finally understood the meaning of the words that the princ.i.p.al had uttered.

Natsume's Hishamaru and Kakugyouki.

The princ.i.p.al had not only compared Natsume to Yakou, but she had given Harutora and Touji similar evaluations.

In other words......

...The princ.i.p.al also believed the rumor was true?

A cold s.h.i.+ver seemed to go up his back.

"......The two retainers became Onmyou officers in the old j.a.panese military, and even in wartime, the s.h.i.+kigami possessed rank and exceptional treatment. But, the two retainers' powers were strong, and they are still objects of admiration even now."

After explaining, Ohtomo started walking on his lame leg again. Harutora hurriedly followed, and Touji also began striding silently.

After that, the wordy Ohtomo didn't utter any more words.

They rode the elevator down, walking into the corridor under Ohtomo's direction.

Not long after - "We're here." Ohtomo stopped in front of a door.

A feeling of unrest came from behind the door, clearly a congregation of similarly aged youths, giving off the peculiar atmosphere of a 'school cla.s.sroom'.

...It was here.

Harutora was very familiar with this feeling, as opposed to the other areas of the Onmyou Academy, but this agitated his tension even more. It was kind of 'transfer student tension'. Harutora had lived in the same place since he had been small, so he had never experienced transferring schools since elementary school.

He glanced secretly at Touji, noticing that he still had the same indifferent appearance. He also tried putting on a calm front, but he couldn't suppress the rapidly accelerating throbbing of his chest.

Ohtomo put his hand on the doork.n.o.b, turning around and saying with a smile: "Are you two prepared!"

Upon opening the door, a burst of noise instantly spilled out of the cla.s.sroom - and then it fell silent.

"Alright~ Sorry about the wait, I brought the eagerly awaited transfer students~"

Ohtomo entered the cla.s.sroom without a care, and Harutora followed behind his back uneasily.

The cla.s.sroom was quite s.p.a.cious and wide, and the ceiling was quite high, with the configuration of the cla.s.sroom completely different from his public high school. The floor was tilted so that it was raised in the back, and the fixed desks and chairs were fanned out, giving Harutora the impression that the cla.s.sroom was a small concert hall.

Then--

Several similarly aged boys and girls wore the Onmyou Academy uniform, sitting in the raised rows of seats and gazing at them.

The male uniform was jet-black, and the female uniform was pure white. Maybe because of this unique design style, it gave off the strange impression of a group of black and white crows.

...Uwah!

Gazes shot towards him from everywhere in the cla.s.sroom.

Even though they were just gazes, the many that were gathered together even gave him a feeling of weight. He, who normally used a s.h.i.+eld of indifference to protect his slothful self, now felt as if he had been forced to remove his weapons and pushed unarmed before the eyes of many.

"Okay, everyone look here~ These two are the students who will be joining this cla.s.s starting today, Tsuchimikado Harutora-san and Ato Touji-san. Okay, please greet everyone."

"......I, I'm Tsuchimikado Harutora."

"I'm Ato Touji."

"Yeah - Hey, your introductions are too short. The first impression is very important, you have to express a little more."

Ohtomo shook his head, seeming like he felt bored. Maybe Touji didn't have a problem with it, but Harutora felt helpless, and he was really concerned about those gazes staring at him and the numerous academy students behind them.

...'Be careful that you don't get 'eaten'.'

Touji's warning flashed through his mind. Harutora was never able to judge what kind of gazes were watching him - were they filled with malice or curiosity, or perhaps just checking out new faces. But Touji's warning stuck in his mind, and these gazes seemed like they also held some malice.

More importantly, could an outsider like him compare to a cla.s.sroom like this that was full of students from around the nation who had set their targets on becoming Onmyouji?

His knees shook nervously.

His throat was incredibly dry.

Just then......

Bakatora!

...Huh?

He seemed to have heard someone speak, but of course that hadn't happened. Actually, he had just heard the whispering of students and Ohtomo's leisurely voice.

But at the same time, he also noticed that gaze.

Those two eyes looking at him, and that sincere and warm gaze.

He looked up, seeing - Natsume.

Natsume was in front of his eyes.

Her back was straight as she sat on a chair in the corner of the room, looking straight towards him. She was just quietly sitting there, but she was so striking that he was surprised he hadn't noticed her sooner.

Her silky black hair was tied with a pink ribbon, and her beauty was like fresh flowers placed in the sunlight, shaded with a dreamlike pale shadow.

On the other hand, he could see immediately the spirit, pride, and n.o.ble qualities hidden deep within her. Natsume also gave off a unique feeling from the other students in the room, as if her existence was different from the others.

...Right, here......

He had originally thought that this was a place with enemies on all sides, with not a single person who wasn't a stranger he had never met.

But, that wasn't the case.

Natsume was in the Onmyou Academy.

She was Harutora's childhood friend, the master that he served as a s.h.i.+kigami.

Entering the Onmyou Academy was equivalent to coming to Natsume's side. His tense body and mind suddenly and magically relaxed as he thought this.

On the other hand, what kind of expression was that?

She hadn't made any other noticeable actions, and she just sat in her seat, looking at Harutora and Touji who were at the podium.

However, her round eyes were flas.h.i.+ng - a clear, lively light. Her white face was slightly red, and he could see that her breathing was definitely fast.

It was like when she had been a child - She was like a child who couldn't hide her joy at being reunited with her companion at long last. Harutora forgot about his position for a moment, smiling wryly.

This half-year, Natsume had by herself been enduring the gazes shot towards her, all to welcome this moment - to greet her 'companion'.

Because of this, the normally calm Natsume was so joyful and palpably excited.

...I've kept you waiting.

Harutora looked back at Natsume with those kinds of feelings. Maybe he was oversensitive, but he seemed to notice the light in Natsume's eyes become even more gorgeous and her nostrils flare gently. Of course, if he asked her later, she would definitely deny him with a red face: 'That didn't happen!'

But--

He really wasn't used to seeing that manner of dress.

The childhood friend in front of him, his master, Natsume.

It was just that her appearance was a bit different from the Natsume that Harutora was familiar with.

The main family girl was now wearing a black uniform - the male uniform, her hair tied up into a ponytail. It was his second time seeing this manner of dress with his own eyes.

...So there really was this kind of tradition......

The Tsuchimikado heir had to act as a male to outsiders.

Just like the tradition that 'branch family members had to become main family s.h.i.+kigami' that Harutora had, this seemed to be a main family tradition. Natsume was bound by the tradition, entering the Onmyou Academy as a male while hiding her own gender. Harutora had learned this the very first day he arrived at Tokyo - just yesterday.

...How had she not let anything out of the bag, and she even left her hair that long......

He wouldn't tell Natsume the truth even under threat of death, but fortunately her current slender body wasn't one that most would consider 'feminine'. However, her face was thinner than a male's, and if she spoke with her original voice, it would definitely give rise to suspicion. And she even used a pink ribbon to tie up her hair, so he really didn't understand how her disguise somehow hadn't been seen through.

Actually, Natsume's appearance looked like a 'girl posing as a boy' no matter how Harutora's knowing eyes looked at her, giving her the look of a high school girl desperately trying to mix into a boy's school, with her clothing seeming somewhat unnatural.

...It was probably because Natsume didn't have any good friends here.

The Natsume that Harutora was familiar with was extremely shy and lacked sociability, and adding to that the rumor that she was Yakou's reincarnation, she probably didn't have a single good friend at all, so her true gender hadn't been brought to light.

How long could she keep hiding it?

Natsume was indeed an androgynous girl, but she was only sixteen now and would definitely become more and more feminine in the future, both on the inside and outside. Could she really keep her secret concealed like that? A perturbed feeling different from the one before suddenly arose in Harutora's heart.

"They entered half a year later than everyone else and they might not be able to keep up with the pace of the cla.s.s at the start, so everyone please look out for them."

Ohtomo spoke with a relaxed grin. In any case, the self-introductions ended here for now.

But, just as Ohtomo's voice dropped off, a snow-white arm was raised up high.

A hand rose from the center of the cla.s.sroom.

Harutora's gaze was led away, moving from Natsume.

...Oh, how cute.

A white-clothed female student was quietly raising her hand.

Her slightly curled brown hair was tied up, with locks hanging down gently on either side of her face. Her gaze was clear and sharp, her eyelashes curled and thin, and her face was made up with a touch of brilliant lipstick, pairing well with her healthy skin and giving off a cute but definitely not showy feeling.

Her face was small, not even losing to Natsume's, and her body looked even more graceful from it. Compared to Natsume's androgynous frame, she was a completely feminine beautiful girl, and it wouldn't be too much to compare her to a member of an idol group - or even the leader.

"Ohtomo-sensei, I have a question."

The girl asked with a pretty voice and bright tone. Ohtomo happily responded: "Kyouko-kun?" It seemed like her name was Kyouko.

"Go ahead and ask, like about their three sizes...... actually, never mind a guy's three sizes, go for something like interests or whether they have girlfriends......"

Wasn't he replying a bit carelessly? Harutora looked askance at Ohtomo.

But--

"Isn't it very strange for them to suddenly transfer at this time? That's violating the Onmyou Academy regulations. Wouldn't they normally wait until the next year to be admitted?"

The girl - Kyouko - worded it as strictly as a severe las.h.i.+ng.

There was clear malice showing in her tone - No, it wasn't that kind of dark malice, but a fretful feeling of unhappiness.

...Ah, this person.

One had shown up, Harutora thought. Touji had long since expected that there would be students who reacted like this. Harutora trembled, but a cold smile emerged on Touji's face.

On the other hand, Ohtomo's att.i.tude was still carefree, without any embarra.s.sment in his expression.

"Right, actually the situation is a bit complicated, forcing them to enter at this unusual time."

"Can I ask what kind of situation it is?"

"You know, it's that kind of situation."

"Is it a situation that can't be made public?"

"That's right."

Ohtomo smiled from below, and Kyouko's cheeks instantly flushed red.

"We managed to enter the Onmyou Academy by working desperately for the exam that is only held once a year! How can those people so easily enter because of some reason that can't be made public?"

"They also took the exam."

"Even so, then wasn't the exam specially arranged for the two of them? That's not fair at all!"

"In the end, luck is also a form of strength."

"Please do