Vol 4 Chapter 6 (1/2)
Everything for the sake of love --- afterwards
It was a few days after the marriage meeting.
Doing her job like always, together with Kazuma, shouting at him angrily like always, for not doing anything and entering an expensive
restaurant like always, Kazuma's treat, at the time when they brought in the aperitifs----
”Hey, Ayano-san. What a coincidence. ”
That delightful and lively voice attracted Ayano's attention.
When she turned back, she saw the figure of a young man in his twenties she just met for the first time a few days ago.
”-------Takaaki-san? ”
He was the second son of the n.o.ble Tsuchimikado family and Ayano's marriage partner --- in the present progressive form ---
Tsuchimikado Takaaki, showing an invigorating smile.
Looking straight only at Ayano, Takaaki talked in a sincere tone.
”Meeting in such a place is fate. If I'm not a bother can I sit together with you? ”
”Eeh........well.........”
Looking confused Ayano s.h.i.+fted her attention towards Kazuma.
Kazuma stared at Takaaki with apathetic, half-opened eyes.
”How long are you going to pretend this was a coincidence? ”
”No, of course I came to talk to both of you”
Takaaki readily adjusted his previous remarks.
And the fact that his beaming smile was still going strong was praiseworthy.
”-------both of us? ”
Hearing he had business with both of them, Kazuma frowned.
But, without replying to him, Takaaki,
”Can I sit down? ”
”........I won't be buying you dinner”
Obtaining such indirect permission, Takaaki sat at their table.
Obviously, next to Ayano.
”So, what do you want? ”
”Ayano-san, if you are free this Sunday, how about we---!? ”
Seeing Takaaki sit next to Ayano and starting to persuade her, with no hesitation whatsoever, Kazuma drove a wind pebble into him.
Hitting him square in the forehead, Takaaki was thrown back on a grand scale and fell off his chair.
”If you came here just to hit on Ayano, I'm out. ”
”You're leaving? Does that mean you have no problem with letting Ayano-san stay with me, just the two of us? ”
Neglecting both evasion and defense, concealing his shudder for that kind of attack he was unable to notice until it hit him, not
learning his lesson, Takaaki continued his provocation.
But, Kazuma declared, without showing any disturbance.
”To h.e.l.l with you. It's got nothing to do with me. ”
Just now, Ayano's eyebrows flipped in a very dissatisfied way.
Seeing such an easy to understand reaction, Takaaki unintentionally showed a bitter smile.
But even so, he had no intention of waisting this valuable chance.
”I see, then you can go. You can hear about this from Ayano-san later. ”
”Yeah. See you, Ayano. Let him treat you today. ”
”Wait a minute, you”
Extending her hand in front of Takaaki, Ayano grabbed the cuff of Kazuma's jacket.
”Don't speak like a child and sit down. Takaaki-san too, you said you wanted to talk with both of us, right? ”
”Yeah, that's right. ”
Told off by Ayano, Takaaki quickly amended his previous sentence.
”Yes, I wish you would hear this too. Won't you sit down? ”
”................”
Looking like this was bothersome from the bottom of his heart, Kazuma returned to his seat.
And then, after sitting down with a flunk and crossing his legs, he lit a cigarette.
Filling his lungs with the smoke, he ordered in an insolent tone.
”Make it short”
”.............”
Astonished by the excessively arrogant att.i.tude, Takaaki looked at Ayano with a puzzled glance.
Ayano shrugged her shoulders in silence as is saying 『That's the kind of guy he is』.
Understanding from that oratory eloquence that he would be waisting his time complaining, Takaaki started talking like nothing happened.
”.......I have something to tell you no matter what. Something related to my sister, Kaguya. ”
”About Kaguya-san? ”
Ayano fleetingly glanced at Kazuma.
She didn't know anything about it on the Omiai day but now she knew about Kaguya's plan and what she did.
Thinking the same thing, Kazuma frowned with unconcealed discomfort. He spoke as if spitting out.
”.........I don't want to have anything to do ever with that denpa (bats.h.i.+t crazy) woman. ”
”I am somewhat bothered by your way of talking but I agree with your opinion. Me too, I don't want my sister to be involved with the
likes of you. ----- But Kagura does not think that way. ”
”------you're trying to say...”
Arching her eyebrows, Ayano pressed for the continuation looking somewhat agitated. Possibly, she thought her rivals increased by one.
”The matter from a few days ago, that was obviously overdone. No matter that she is my sister I cannot acquit her of this and she was
punished with house arrest. ”
In pa.s.sing, the 『overdone』 part was not the destruction of the Ryoutei as much as she possibly could or the fact that she picked a
fight with the girl who was a Kannagi direct descendant (there are not many who do this).
The main cause for which she was criticized was that she used for personal gain Goki, Tsuchimikado's trump card and Abe Senmei's
divination form who could only be used seven times.
But, not explaining that part, Takaaki continued.
”Yesterday, she escaped”
”.........why, didn't you chain her properly? ”
Being informed of that fact so smoothly, Kazuma groaned, unpleased.
But, as if he didn't hear it, Takaaki said:
”Therefore, Ayano-san, it is likely Kaguya will aim for you. Be extremely careful of your well being”
”-------Haa”, nodded Ayano in confusion.
Once more, she fleetingly looked at Kazuma.
”For the time being, let's say I understand your story but ---- how is that connected with Kazuma? ”
”Aah, I am absolutely indifferent to that part but it seems like Kagura is bearing a grudge against him too. ”
”.........why is that? ”
”Because he's the one who defeated the Goki Kagura released, right? If not not for him, all would have gone according to plan, it's
not unnatural to think that. ”
”『all according to plan』 --- if Ayano did die, do you think the Suzerain would have stayed silent about this? ”
”--------well, that is true. ”
Although Takaaki showed agreement with Kazuma's justified retort he knew first hand how disagreeing his sister's character was.
”Kagura is usually very wise but once in a while she will not listen to reason”
”Haa----- are there really times when that woman has reason? That would surprise me greatly”
”..............”
Although he was in front of a young lord from a distinguished family, Kazuma's impudent talk didn't change.
For a moment Takaaki showed some discomfort but immediately continued the conversation feigning calm.
”Anyway my sister has the tendency to unconditionally eliminate any woman who gets close to me. Every time I'm scolding her but she
does not seem to want to stop. ”
”.........I just thought about this”
Kazuma interrupted Takaaki with a bitter tone and then stared at Ayano, beginning to tell her the idea he was struck with.
”Is there some law in the Jutsus.h.i.+ n.o.ble families that states 『we will always make a blunder in a daughter's education』?”
”What does that mean, huh? ”
”Nothing of profound significance. Well, anyway, whether it's the Tsuchimikado Ojou-sama or not, I won't forgive anyone who points his
blade at me. If you value your sister's life catch her quickly and put her in a solid cage. ”
Saying so, Kazuma left his seat once more.
”Wait a minute, Kazuma! ”, shouted Ayano chasing after Kazuma, absorbed in his walk, while half running.
From Kazuma's expression, as he looked over his shoulder, no surprise or doubt could be seen.
But even so, he asked:
”What is it, Ayano? ”
At least his tone was openly doubtful as he spoke those words.
Making a rude entrance and greatly shortening the distance between them, to be able to head-b.u.t.t that face feigning ignorance, Ayano
glared at Kazuma.
”Why are you leaving by yourself? ”
”Is there a problem? ”
”You promised to treat me to dinner, didn't you? ”
”Tsuchimikado can do that, right? ”
”If it's not you, it's pointless! ”
Immediately after that forceful reply, Ayano faintly blushed.
Not looking into Kazuma's eyes for a short while, she spoke as if trying to smooth it over.
”I, I mean.....I cannot stand the fact that you get payed without doing anything ”
”You're still saying that”
Without alluding to that suspicious behavior, he carelessly shrugged his shoulders.
”I just don't want to be present and see stuff like the two of you getting all chummy. ”
Hearing those unexpected words, instantly, Ayano's chest throbbed.
”Wh- what do you mean? ”, she asked doing her best to look very calm.
As for Kazuma, he declared with a serious expression.
”Just think about it. In case his sister is looking at that place, there is no doubt she will snap and start acting violently without
any concerns for the surrounding.
I do not want to be dragged in that disaster. ”
Silence
”------So, you ran away by yourself? And abandoned me? ”,asked Ayano in a monotonous voice after a few seconds pa.s.sed.
”Yeah”
The immediate response was a nod.
While staring for a long time at that magnificent face without the slightest bit of guilt she deliberated whether to release so much
killing intent, he will burs into flames.
”.........Let's go”
There were people around so for the time being Ayano restrained herself.
In that state she decided he will treat her at the most expensive restaurant in town and started walking after saying that subdued
sentence.
Thinking that if he won't follow her now she'll really explode, Kazuma smoothly matched her pace.
”For your information, I have no intention of marrying Takaaki-san. ”
”Is that so? ”
Just in case he really misunderstood and just to be sure in that unlikely event, she tried to verify it.
But Kazuma only replied indifferently.
Faintly pouting, Ayano stubbornly continued.
”Nevertheless, Kaguya-san has me worried. Even though I don't really like Takaaki-san that way. ”
”Because she has no reason when her brother is involved. Besides, if you look at it objectively the likelihood of marriage is not
exactly low. Because if the Kannagi and Tsuchimikado become relatives, that's a profitable deal for both households. ”
Therefore isn't it natural for that brother complex woman to feel a sense of danger --- hearing Kazuma speak like it was someone
else's problem, Ayano retorted raising her voice.
”So, I'm telling you I have no intention of doing so! ”
”Other people don't know your feelings. Well, if you meet Kagura you can say that to her. ----Although I think it will be useless. ”
”..................”
Kazuma's manner was thoroughly blunt.
Sulking, Ayano looked up at his cool face ---- suddenly, she reached for Kazuma's arm.
And while holding it as if trying to glue her body to his, she timidly began to talk.
”Th- then, if I make her believe I have a lover, maybe Kaguya-san won't be so unreasonable? ”
”A lover? You mean me? ”
”It----it's just make-believe you know, make-believe! I have high standard! ”
Seeing Kazuma raise his eyebrows, Ayano shouted so, red in the face. But even so, she didn't set free their entwined arms.
”-------Well, I'm not particularly opposed to it but there's no point in doing it somewhere she can't see us, right? ”
”Isn't it possible she could observe us using some divination form? ”
”One that I won't be able to notice? ”
Absolute confidence dwelling in those unenthusiastic words.
Unable to refute the words of the man who was reigning at the top of the Fuujutsu-s.h.i.+ whose specialty is their investigation ability,
Ayano mumbled.
But----
Suddenly Kazuma put his arm around Ayano's waist. And just like that he pulled her entire body towards him.
”Hyaaa!? ”
Since the degree of closeness was higher than before, as one would expect Ayano was confused.
She was about to reflexively scream but one look from Kazuma made her silent.
And then, he whispered close to her ear.
”Don't make a fuss --- bingo! ”
”Eeh? ”
After a moment of confusion, Ayano understood his meaning.
Since what she used as a pretext turned out to be true, it seems that one way or another Kaguya was looking at them from somewhere.
While still close together, they began walking at a slow pace.
Ayano searched for presence in the surroundings but she didn't sense anything strange.
Well, from the start Enjutsu-s.h.i.+ was not suitable for such things and since it was difficult to be mentally calm now, she probably
wouldn't felt anything even if some abnormality was present.
”Uugh......it's difficult to walk like this. ”
”Be patient. There are just a hundred more meters. ”
Hearing Ayano murmur unpleasant words, Kazuma replied courtly.
”Eeh------? What do you---------”
About to ask again, Ayano noticed the abnormality in the surroundings.
Right now their bodies were glued so close together it was actually inconvenient to walk and from the perspective if others who saw
them their atmosphere was that of a couple madly in love with each other.
Obviously, from the surroundings so many looks of jealousy and criticism were aimed at them, it was actually painful.
And yet, those glances rapidly decreased.
Both their existence became less and less able to attract other people's attention. Obviously at an unnatural rate.
”Is this...... a kekkai (barrier)? ”
”That's right. Separation, and then guidance --- using some astrological formation? As expected of the weakening Tsuchimikado--- they
can do at least that much”
”Guidance------? ”
In other words, separating their existence from the surroundings using s.p.a.cial or psychological means and so that they will only be
able to go in one direction, restricting their actions.
Suddenly looking in front, there was a small park dozens of meters ahead.
Comparing it with Kazuma's words, it must mean the enemy lured them here.
Looking up at Kazuma, Ayano whispered to him.
”We're not smas.h.i.+ng it? ”
”Why would you do that? ”, replayed Kazuma openly astonished.
Now that he mentioned it, it's true. No settlement can be reached by running away.
In order to finish this as amicable as possible, they must first locate Kaguya and clear up her misunderstanding.
”Then, let's go in, shall we? ”
Saying so, Ayano leaned against Kazuma even more.
Putting her head on his shoulder that was just the right height, their upper bodies were completely glued together.
While she was continuously repeating in her mind ”this is just an act, this is just an act”
At the center of the park there were two erected Deva kings folding their arms and one Yaksha.
That demoniacal expression stared in silence at Kazuma, tightly embracing Ayano.
This was Ayano's first meeting with Kaguya.
She learned what Kagura did from hearsay but had no first hand experience of it. Therefore, that angry expression made her draw back
considerably.
She was prepared for some half-hearted trouble but that face warped in rage was dreadful of maybe atrocious ---- anyway, it was really
scary.
Ayano was privately thinking like that but each time she got p.i.s.sed at Kazuma her facial expression was similar.
”Eeh.....well.....it's Kaguya-san, right? h.e.l.lo”
With a stiff face, Ayano began to talk. Doing so, Kaguya glared at her as if trying to append all this world's hexes on her.
And then, a single word.
”........Disgusting”
”-----Eeh? ”
”I investigating lots of things about you”
With a voice squeezed through her greeted teeth, Kaguya began to speak.
”That you're not only seducing that man next to you using your body-------”
”Wha------”
”The undercla.s.smen who are idolizing you at school, even though you have plan to respond to their affection, you are vainly raising
their hopes and using them----”
”------Hmm? ”
”On top of that, you are pretending to be a queen just because you have a fan-club! Even if you have nothing to do with Onii-sama, as
a woman, I will never forgive a b.i.t.c.h like you! I will bring you heavily punishment! ”
”Wait a minute! ”
As expected, being insulted that much, unable to stay silent, Ayano shouted with unconcealed anger.
Certainly, it seems that Kaguya really researched her. But no matter what kind of investigation she did, Ayano couldn't agree with her
results.
Obviously different from the truth and yet not a total falsehood --- distorted information.
”-----huh? ”
With a deja-vu feeling, Ayano tilted her head to the side a little. She had the feeling she heard this kind of thing before----
”There's only one person who would do this!! ”
Not trying to think about it very hard, the answer immediately appeared.
It seemed that next to her, Kazuma reached the same conclusion as he breathed a sigh in amazement.
”I thought about this before but you have some really unique friends. What's usually called friends gained through common interests? ”
”I will completely devote myself to denying that opinion. ”