Chapter 4.1 (1/2)

Chapter 4: Fujisawa Masumi

PART 1

The next day Takeru developed a high fever and as a result stayed in bed. I was the result of the curse being put on her, combined with her exhausting the reserves of her own ki.

Up until now she was somehow managing to keep herself together, but with that kind of curse it was impossible to resist endlessly. And it so happened that during the yesterday’s battle her curse managed to slowly build up, resulting in taking over her body due to her own ki being almost completely depleted.

I tried to heal her and dispel the curse on my own, but it proved to be too strong for me to handle. My power was not enough to bring her fever down and to ease her suffering.

No, even if I had the knowledge necessary to do that, I would still be unable to do anything. Dispelling such complex curses required and impressive skills and knowledge, one which I didn’t possess. Only a seasoned Exorcist could help Takeru right now.

[Don’t, make that kind of face…… It’s totally unlike you, Mikoto……]

Even though her body was ravaged by high temperature, Takeru was still trying her best to smile. Her eyes, usually so clear and composed, now were full of tears. Her skin was flushed red and her temples were covered in beads of sweat. That picture was more than enough to confirm just how high her fever was, even without bringing your palm to her forehead. Her chest was moving up and down heavily, her breath ragged and full of suffering.

Mikoto couldn’t bear to watch her sister in such state.

(It’s all my fault…… Because I was rampaging so much……)

No amount of regret would be enough to redeem her. No amount of remorse would fix this. She wanted to do something for her –––– Holding back her tears, she held the burning hot hand of her sister.

[I’m so sorry, Takeru. Even though I’m the older sister, I always end up putting you in a harm’s way.] [Goodness gracious…… Nee-san, you just worry too…… Fuhn, haah……]

Takeru tries to say something, but then her expression twists into that of pain. It seems that even moving her mouth was painful for her. Without her usual glasses on her face, she didn’t look calm and collected at all. Thinking about it now, Mikoto didn’t remember Takeru ever being sick or catching a cold. She was always taking an exceptional care of her health.

That is why it was so painful for Mikoto, seeing her little sister in such state. Takeru also seemed to hate that.

[Yeah, I understand. What a relief that is. You just focus on resting and leave everything to me!]

Mikoto covered Takeru with a blanket all the way to her chest and then replaced the wet towel she placed on her head some time earlier. She stood up after that. Takeru did not reply. It seems that she fell asleep, or maybe lost consciousness, but her expression was still that of pain.

Takeru’s voice from last night was still ringing inside of her ears. She was her dear and important little sister. She was always so proper and diligent, but now the enemy got her and she was forced to suffer like that.

They didn’t know why youmas were targeting humans and what did they wanted to use them for. But,

But that doesn’t matter.

(Just you wait, Takeru. Be it investigating or be it extermination –– I’m going to take care of it all on my own! Sis is going to make whoever did this to you pay!)

Squeezing the stuffed cat hanging from her wrist, the red-headed girl put her hand to her chest as she vowed to herself.

***

After leaving Takeru in the dorm, Mikoto went to the staff room to receive a phone call. The Headmaster contacted her and said that there was a lone boy waiting for her in front of the Academy, waiting to arrange their stuff and daily necessities. Since the rules at Seisen Girls’ Academy were really strict, the students here were not allowed to carry cell phones with them. The call could only be made over a really small distances, and each call was being monitored, but for Mikoto that wasn’t much of a problem.

“I asked the Headquarters to send over your belongings, but this place is way in the mountains. It may take some time for them to reach you. So until they get there, you’ll have to get by on your own somehow.”

Her colleague, Tachibana Yamato, said that while biting on his fingernails. But,

“I get it.”

That fact did not caused Mikoto’s determination to waver one bit.

(I’m going to get rid of this menace before our things get here!)

She was going to make them pay for causing harm to her dear little sister. She was going to destroy them with her own hands.