Vol 5 Chapter 4 (2/2)

『””』

『”I want to talk with ya face to face!!”』

His hand was nuer

Kiseki too, was the same Held on a short leash, she only continued to live

Who decided for her that she can't live God? If such an arrogant thing exists, he'll cut its brain apart He'll crush him, he'll crush it all

Takeru remained expressionless, but the inside of his chest was overfloith anger

Yeah, narrow, too narrow This body is too narrow to eer

What appearances What 'ordinary' heart My body is too ss to exist in it

Just by having the anger in it, my body is already full

Putting everything in, Takeru swung the sword down

The moment he hit the wall, the sword's blade was bloith a high-pitched sound, it has broken in the middle

『”damn!”』

As he spat out a curse, once again he put strength into the broken sword

But at that tirabbed his shoulders

As he turned around, he found his father standing there

His father's figure was bleeding despair, anger, and sadness

He beat Takeru's cheeks with abandon and dragged hiht him back to their house

The story he was told by his father seemed like a fairy tale

In fact, it was a fairy tale It was actually never told to anyone other than those of Kusanagi household, after hearing such a crazy story, no one would believe it

The fact that Kiseki was Takeru's little sister, that Kusanagi True-Light style which ielded in the battles originated froed swordsanisms

And, that the Kusanagi family has inherited a curse from ancient times

Any and all of it, was unknown to Takeru

『”Froirls are always born heretical”』

Indifferently, his father told Takeru sorave

In japan, there were once fantastic creatures called 'demons'

Demons had weird and bad characteristics They didn't breed, instead they dwelled inside hu defeated, the deain froeneration to generation continued to live by subduing the deon that came from mythical world once and have stolen Godly techniques Since they were too reckless for hu self-destruction and ruin, they have slaughtered de with onmyoujis

But even if they wiped all demons out, the demon's soul would conceive someone and a new demon would be born In order to prevent dei had onmyoujis seal all the demons in themselves

In order not to have other huive birth to demons In order to prevent their spread

Kusanagi have——carried the curse by themselves

Like that, froi passed the name of demon's crystallization

Hyakki Yakou

That's how Kusanagi called the deeneration, people of Kusanagi faave birth to a demon, and instantly killed it

『”The ones born as Hyakki Yakou were only girls For generations, the girls that were born to Kusanagi household were killed right after birth”』

However his father chagrined and faced down

『”The demon's power steadily increases every year, with er able to kill her Whether I cut off her head or pierce her heart Hyakki Yakou Kiseki won't die”』

Ever since she was born, Kiseki held an uniinable amount of power

When father cut off her head, a new one has irown As soon as she was born, Kiseki hasonly his father and mother

『”That's weird If Kiseki is a demon, then father and mother should have killed her I would do so That's why I think there's no way for her to be a demon”』

Takeru said

『”Kiseki is gentle”』

He believed that she was definitely human, and there was no way he would believe she was a demon

His father didn't say anything Takeru thought that he was still hiding so, but because it was too ridiculous of a story, he didn't bother to ask

『”Don't get close to Kiseki That's not soentle as you think it is”』

『”Why, I don't understand why not I want to meet her When I'm beside her, my heart isn't filled with noise I don't know if I love her or hate her But she is so necessary to me”』

『”you too, started to say very hus haven't you”』

Half of his father's expression displayed joy, the other half was a complex and sad smile

『”However, I cannot allow you to meet Kiseki I can't afford to have you shoulder this burden You must understand that”』

Even despite what he was told to understand, he wasn't convinced

Inside of Takeru, Kiseki's existence had already grown too large Whether she was a deer mattered

Just by knowing the fact that Kiseki was his little sister, he was happy

『”Does Kiseki know that she's my little sister?”』

『””』

『”Father, I'lad to have her as my little sister Thanks to her, I was able to understand hus a little A little more, and I feel like I could become a decent human Father told me to become Please, don't say I can't meet with her”』

Hearing Takeru's words, his father stood up

『”forgive your powerless father”』

What did those words mean, Takeru still didn't know

For a few months after that, Takeru was forbidden to meet with Kiseki

Forced to practice in a dojo elsewhere, Takeru had been away from home

And, on a certain night under the new edy happened As Takeru returned to the house, in the middle of the dojo he found his father and

Takeru's breathing turned shallow as he rushed to his father

『”Takeru is it”』

『”What happened!”』

『”Kiseki hasleft the boxI couldn't do it”』

『”Do do what?!”』

『”I couldn't restrain her any longer Right fro I was hated by Kiseki My inability to kill that child was decided right fro”』

With chagrin, his father grit his teeth

He understood the story by seeing the sword his father gripped

Overfloith anger, his father pressed the sword's handle against Takeru's chest

『”youchoose”』

『”What are you saying”』

『”Now, only you can do it You have involved yourself with her too much”』

『””』

『”If possible you were the only one I didn't want to shoulder this”』

While spitting blood, he grabbed Takeru's shoulder

『”If you are one of Kusanagi then you need to make a choice just like I did”』

『””』

『”to kill or to protect you choose”』

Why was he trying to entrust this to him, Takeru didn't know that about his father

Seeing his father's tears, he couldn't let out a voice

『”That girl is human born with a human heart, soul, and a body of a demon”』

『”what do you mean by that?”』

『”And you are”』

Takeru opened his eyes wide and waited for next words to come

But nohe waited, his father never said it

Before he noticed, Takeru walked through the mountain with a sword in his hand

His gait was unsteady, he had no strength to tear through the vines and he unknowingly fell many times as he walked

『”Kiseki”』

Only able to call her by that name, he was dumbfounded

He was too young to shoulder his own destiny If it was Takeru from before, he would simply do what his father told him to do But at the moment, Takeru's sword turned rusty For Takeru, Kiseki was currently more precious than anyone else, she was someone he needed more than anyone else

『”Kisekiwhere are you”』

Takeru wandered as if seeking help

He wanted to touch that girl as soon as possible

He wanted to do so somehow At the moment, the only one who could possibly understand him was only Kiseki The two of theive their existence

I want to h the forest His father told him to either kill or protect

That's why Takeru chose to protect

It was obvious Kiseki was his little sister There was no hesitation, he'll protect her with his life on the line

He will protest against this world that doesn't acknowledge her existence, with all the strength he has

The speed at which he walked increased, and he started to run

He ran, ran and ran and finally, he reached the place his little sister was in

『”————”』

All his thoughts from before, his words, they were all bloay

He overlooked the poor village from a cliff

Under an eerie sky with only a single star shi+ning, there was a single demon

Clothed in white, a deirl

However, the only part which was beautiful was the girl-shaped centre Other than that, her surroundings——riggling It see inside of a pot, indescribable things were crowding in there There were mouths everywhere There were eyes everywhere There were horns everywhere

It was like a castle built in the ruins

It was like a threat which continues to evolve

It was like insanity blosso

The ground surrounding her was covered with rass and trees were eroded and taken in as part of its own flesh

It was appropriate to call that figure 'chaos' itself The lumps of , and thehim

——Takeru

——Takeru-kunwhere?

Calling Takeru's name, with love, loneliness, anxiety

Frohout the mountains

The de his name dearly ceased abruptly

And nuTakeru

『『『『『『『『『『『『『『『”Takeru-kun?”』』』』』』』』』』』』』』』

『” Ohh we finally meet ”』

While shedding blood-like tears, the human form in the centre turned around towards Takeru

The pure white costuirl smiled to him

What he felt, was not fear It was sadness The surroundings were disproportionate and irregular, but that was a human smile

I want to protect her That feeling didn't change even now

But what is this spectacle unfolding before me? Is this Kiseki?

Confidence to protect his overwhelradually lost

In the le-mindedly smiled to Takeru

And she said her single wish

『『『『『『『『『『『『『『『” Kill me? ”』』』』』』』』』』』』』』』

『” Kill Kiseki, Takeru-kun ”』

As if responding to her request, Takeru started walking

Despite not having any strength to hold the sword, he held it not allowing it fall to the ground

He was finally able to understand what his father told him

Surely, no one could kill Kiseki There was no one able to kill her However, if she were to desire death, if it was death by hand of her beloved one, Kiseki would surely accept it She would gladly accept death by Takeru's hands and accept it peacefully

He understood it to a painful extent That was Kusanagi fareat-grandfather as well as their predecessors froi's duty and have accoedy

Kusanagi style's truth, was that of slaughtering the detestable comrades

Takeru could do nothing but follow suit

He couldn't protect That's why, as one of Kusanagi he had to kill

While stu variants, he walked up to Kiseki On her forehead, there was a single, red crystalline horn It was truly irregular and disproportionate enough to plight his mind

Kiseki stretched a hand towards approaching Takeru's back and hugged him

『”I always, wanted to be like this”』

『””』

『”Please, stop Kiseki”』

『””』

『”I can no longer do ither wishes on its own At this rate, Kisekiall people in the world No more I don't want to be any more honest than this Don't want my heart to be forcefully exposed”』

『”ngh”』

『”You proht? That you will, save Kiseki”』

『””』

『”That's why kill me? Takeru-kun”』

『”kuhuu”』

『”I don't want dad, or mom only by Takeru-kun in Kiseki's world, there's only Takeru-kun”』

Takeru poised the blade to Kiseki's neck Sheeverything If he cut her off now, a gentle conclusion would have coi would die, and Kiseki would have attained peace she desired by dying There was no need to hesitate After all, Kusanagi style existed to kill demons After all, that hat Kiseki wished for

——But, as it,

——Why, was Kiseki so warm

——Why, just by touching Kiseki he felt so comfortable inside

『”it's impossible?”』

Tears flowed down Takeru's cheek Ever since he was born, it was the first time he cried

『”Don't fuck with medammit”』

The days he spent with Kiseki, every day they spent together separated by the box have flashed in his mind all at once

It was all silly, but also irreplaceable

Those days were incredibly dear to him

『”Such thing this is too ether, when the person who makes me human appeared, why do I have to kill her”』

『””』

『”It's impossiblefor me! Because I love you, I'm endlessly scared of you!”』

『””』

『”I can't kill my little sister!”』

Takeru dropped his sword and staggering he moved away

Without a doubt, he was frightened Seeing Kiseki, Takeru got scared

Kiseki was stunned, in theat Takeru

『”Oniichan?”』

It was then, that Kiseki learned of Takeru being her brother

Strength left his legs, and Takeru fell on his butt

Kiseki was puzzled, and towards Takeru she tried stretching her hand towards her brother

『”Hiii!”』

His fear was released outside

Rather than being scared of Kiseki, he was scared of killing her He was scared of having the e his i murderous

However, this rejection was fatal to Kiseki's mind

Seeing Takeru's frightened appearance, Kiseki's tears poured down

『”AAuuUUuuu!”』

In therejected, loneliness came

Wide, it was too lonely in this wideness For a demon vessel, a human soul was too small For the human soul, the vessel was too wide Open, the body cried wanting to open Expand your s, her body demanded that of her

The shackles called reason have collapsed and Kiseki's essence was laid bare

『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』 『”Open”』

The lips attached to lu like a chorus

Demon acted like a demon, opened the spirit, and broke open the soul Takeru's fear has bloomed and turned into despair

The only existence that was her salvation, the only existence of her brother that coive her salvation

That's why, she wanted to destroy everything

『”Aa, aaa——————!”』

A scream that seemed like it would tear her chest apart has roared

As Kiseki gasped painfully, the lu towards the cliff

『”Stop don't break it open! Kiseki didn't think of that! I didn't want it! Kill me save me, Takeru-kun!”』

While tears continued to flow, she begged for Takeru to kill her

『”Kiseki!”』

Takeru tried to reach out with his hands towards Kiseki as at the centre oflike a chorus

But it was too late Kusanagi Kiseki's soul has already flourished just as the demon body wanted it to

The castle of ruin was delighted It blessed Kusanagi Kiseki's blosso

A the cheers and murmurs of the variant, Kiseki looked at Takeru in the end

『”———Liar”』

That was the last word she said

That's when Takeru realized he broke the promise

With her back towards the cliff's edge, Kiseki's body fell down the cliff

Takeru could only look at it, stunned

After a moment of silence, the forest below stirred

Where Kiseki has fell down——demons overflowed

Hyakki Yakou flowed under the new moon Like a flood, it sed the forest, sed people

Screaht

The demon's feast never ends I won't end until it ss the entire world

Fla flesh attacked Takeru

——It's your fault, all of it, is your fault

Under the jet-black sky, screams echoed

Takeru shook in despair for the first time

He felt a bunch of eentle emotions he never understood He finally understood theirl with a body of a dei Takeru could be born as a person because an existence called Kusanagi Kiseki was there

On that day, Takeru lost it All the tranquillity he had

”Kiseki”

When he opened his eyes, he saw a dark ceiling

Takeru was in a cold box made out of concrete He raised his body froainst the cold wall

What was inside of the room, was a bed and a dirty toilet Also, an entrance with iron bars in it

He was in the Inquisition's prison Two days had elapsed since they were caught by Inquisition after assisting a getaway

””

It was the first time in years that he had a dream of the past

Since then I haven't changed at all

Once again, he let go of his little sister's hand

The circumstances were different There was a prospect of fully controlling Kiseki's power It will go well if he obediently obeys their words

However, whether he could trust Sougetsu or not was another manner

In any case, Takeru being forbidden fro her was a fact

Like this I can't protect her

If he couldn'tTakeru could do for her At best, he could only continue to wait and possibly obtain perht that, he realized that froe and her existence was only used as such

Takeru held his knees and crouched

”Kusanagi, did you wake up?”

Unexpectedly, a voice called out to him from behind

He stared at the wall intently and asked fearfully

”Ootori?”

”Yeah, I'htmare so I orried”

”You why”

He placed a hand on the wall and asked

”I'm the main culprit I cannot allow all the blai That's why I surrendered”

”you haven't let yourself get caught on purpose have you?”

”From the very s I was prepared for this Unless I do this I won't be at ease”

””

”A crime is a crime It's natural to be punished for it”

Spitting a sigh because of Ouka's dignified tone, Takeru once again deposited his back on the wall

Mysteriously, he could tell that Ouka also leaned with her back against the wall inthe same place on the opposite side, inside of the room next to his

Separated by the wall, the two sat down on the beds back-to-back

”I'i It's my fault it has turned out like this”

”what are you talking about There's no way it's your fault”

”But, I've heard that you were prohibited to visit her Looking at the result, I have only robbed you two of valuable tiether”

Her discouraged voice and a sigh were coloured with disappointment she felt towards herself

”I a in circles again”

”I was able to spend time withI feel grateful for, not a reason to blame you”

”Even if just a little, I wanted to decrease the burden you were carrying but”

Hearing Ouka's words full of regret, Takeru thought of them as mysterious

”ould you go that far for someone like me?”

”wait a ?!”

With a momentum that made it seem she leaned over, Ouka displayed an excessive reaction

”But isn't it like that? You, someone who doesn't allow cris' sins ain't that weird?”

As Takeru said so mystified, Ouka fell silent

He was unable to see her facial expression because they were separated by a wall, but he heard a deep sigh

Takeru was able to iine her amazed expression

”I too had a little sister I want to s well That's why I wanted the two of you spend time happily, even if it was temporary”

Want to meet her but never will Those were heavy words

Although he couldn'twith her wasn't iet a chance like that

She's been already deprived of her beloved family

”I arateful to you”

”grateful?”

”Thanks to Kusanagi I can maintain my calm even in front of vicious criminals I really feel better now”

”No way, that's just you——”

”Because I found comrades”

Hearing her say 'comrades', Takeru sed the words he was about to say

”I' my emotions Honestly, I don't knohat to say but, over the last few months, the 35th Test Platoon has coht think I turned cowardly but that's the truth, it can't be helped”

””

”For nation is pleasant I was able to grasp soer only push forward, but I feel like I have learned the i back”

””

”All of it, was given to ed me”

Ouka said so

The fact I ai, is what she

”Also there's that don't forget that you forced half of my burden on yourself That's why let me shoulder some of yours”

”eh”

”T-to walk side by side is what you said right? Don't you remember?”

She squeezed out her voice

Even if she didn't ask, it was so he said He remembered it

There were no lies in those words As Ouka alking through the darkness alone, he wanted to do soe, when her shoulders shook froer, Ouka's back looked lonely

Ouka overlapped with his past self, and he thought that if it's him, he would be able to walk beside her

”for people alk together, when one person leans down the other supports them, is what I think But if only one continues to lean on the other it's no good”

”why? I don't think I' leaned on by you at all”

”W-why you ask! W-alking together is that kind of thing! You're always bearing your coreat thing to do as a captain, but you'll eventually collapse! T-that's why”

Desperately trying to spin words, Ouka stammered

”that's why ummlet me tooshoulder half”

””

”Let me walk beside you”

Despite s to Takeru

Being told that, there was no way he wouldn't be happy At the sa told to let others shoulder his burden was the first time

Takeru looked down andsmile

”hey, Ootori Do you reo?”

”What's with you all of a sudden? I remember a little at that time you were completely different from how you are now and you had a rebellious look in your eyes unlike now You were just like me”

Just likethose words, Takeru embraced a deep emotion

Unexpectedly they were feeling the same is what it meant

”You said that I changed you, but you were the one to change me first”

”?”

”I don't bla All you did, was to beat me up”

”B-beat you up?”

Feeling nostalgic Takeru looked up at the ceiling with a wry smile

”Yeah I was all beat up”

Even at this moment Takeru could recall that moment clearly

The team deathmatch happened immediately after they becaer bear just having lectures in class for a year, he was burning with fighting spirit to show his swords until that day

He didn't feel like losing to anyone He wasn't allowed to lose to anyone

To change Inquisition and save Kiseki, he couldn't lose to anyone He challenged her and lost, h his head in defeat He did all he could aside fro SwordSoumatou, yet lost

『”It's my win”』

The figure standing in the darkness which aimed the muzzle at him was incredibly beautiful

I' that iht in her eyes was sih her strong will For only one purpose, she stood up and polished herself

She discarded everything, she rejected everything, those were eyes of so

Her cobalt blue pupils were deep and dark Although they were similar to each other, there were places where places she was much darker in Her eyes said 'you can't catch up to me', 'your true self is that of paper-mache', 'you aren't allowed to line up next to me'

This woman, will be always ahead of me

Vaguely, Takeru froht so about Ouka

”at that ti once, in order to confir to see her, I was half in tears as I said 『”No matter how many times I lose, I will save you That's the only reason for me to live”』”

Feeling nostalgic, Takeru squinted

”Kiseki fro visitations, she was turned with her back to me and didn't show me her face”

”is that so”

”But only at that tiry expression she said so”

Takeru squeezed his fingers into a fist and hit his own knee

”『Onii-chan doesn't understand how Kiseki feels Onii-chan doesn't understand feelings of other people You will save Kiseki? Do you understand what does it mean to save someone?”』”

”that's harsh&quot