Chapter 5.1 (1/2)

Chapter 5: The Paradox Girl

PART 1

That night at midnight. Mikoto decided to venture into the school on her own.

Yamato was yet to arrive on the scene and Takeru was still bedridden. It also seems that every other Exorcist affiliated with the Agency were out on their respective jobs for the moment.

Even though it as worrying, Mikoto was the only one in here who could still do something. Besides, “I would like your help with something.”, she asked Masumi for help, so she would probably be alright on her own.

Even if it was taking care of Takeru and as trivial of a thing as changing the cold towels on her forehead from time to time, for Mikoto it would be a great help. One that would allow her to fully devote herself to the task at hand.

(I wonder if you’re going to get angry at me once you get better, Takeru?)

She was adamant on not getting civillians involved, so she might be surprised once she learns that the Student Council President of the Seisen Girl’s Academy was on their side. However, Mikoto had a suitable excuse. If she didn’t ask her to take care of Takeru for her, Masumi would surely tag along with her. So it was really an excuse to keep Masumi safe and sound inside of the dormitory.

However, that could even make her grow bored of helping Mikoto, causing her to give up on the idea.

“Oh well, that would be fine either way. I’m going to get rid of the danger in no time, after all.”

Mikoto says that to herself and she shakes her head, as if trying to get rid of a bitter taste that suddenly appeared inside of her mouth. A faint echo of her own words resonates in the dimly colored corridors.

The school during nighttime was so quiet and that it made chills run down her spine. Even though she knew that there were no ghosts in here, the spooky atmosphere felt as though one might very well jump out at her at any minute now.

(Uuugh, no, no, don’t think about it!)

She shakes her head again to get rid of the scary thoughts that begun to fill her mind. She had no trouble with dealing with youmas, but ghosts she absolutely couldn’t stand. Even though she was firmly holding her stuffed cat in her hand, where her Demon Slaying Sword [Raikou] was located, she couldn’t help it but to feel uneasy.

(It’s alright. I’m not up against ghosts this time around. My opponents are filthy youmas, nothing more……)

She spent the entire day telling herself that, and looked at her clenched right hand. There was no response from the simple detector she was holding in her palm. It was the size of the 5 yen coin, but was rather sensitive. If youmas were to appear, the coin would start to vibrate, but for now it was staying still.

Nevertheless, Mikoto proceeded through the school’s corridors that were illuminated with green emergency lights with utmost caution. She entered the special classroom building via a walkway, and headed towards the eastern staircase on the third floor.

“…… It’s not here yet.”

She climbed to the top of the staircase, but it looked exactly like it did during daytime. Even if she turned around and went down to repeat her climb, everything was staying the same and the roof was still inaccessible from this place. So Mikoto created a provisional barrier that would warn her if anyone was coming near, and waited for the infamous ‘Thirteenth stair’ to appear.

*********

Around the same time at the dormitory room.

“Fuh, haah, nnh……!”

Breathing with difficulty, Takeru was clasping her hands on the corners of the bed, trying to stand up. Her sweaty pajamas were now laying in disarray on the messy futon.

She wore her shirt, fastened her tie and put her blazer on, and managed to stand up, although her legs felt all wobbly. Her whole body was burning hot and she felt as though her blood turned into boiling lead, but once she actually put her clothes on she felt a little bit better.

(This feeling, it’s the backlash…… I cannot , lose to, something… something like this……)

Even though her eyes were burning and she was on the verge of breaking into tears, she mustered all of her strength.

She didn’t have time to indulge herself in self-pity. Something terrible was about to happen to Mikoto –– she could feel it. Call it the sixth sense of the twins. She couldn’t explain it too well, but she understood that much.

Driven by remorse of her current condition, Mikoto was trying to storm the enemy’s stronghold completely on her own. If she won’t stop her from doing that, something terrible will happen to her. Of that she was sure.

Takeru’s vision was spinning, but she somehow managed to stand.

“Ara? Shouldn’t you be lying in bed and sleeping some more?”

Hearing a sudden voice calling to her, Takeru was surprised.