Volume 11 Chapter 1 (2/2)

But her chat with Yasuzumi afterwards saved Natsume's 'heart'

Just then, Natsume raised her body from where it lay on the bed Yasuzumi didn't stop her this time

”One thing”

Natsume turned her face away and asked

”Please tellme as 'Harutora-kun's substitute'?”

Even if she didn't look that way, she felt Yasuzu presence

After a brief period of time, ”I can't say I didn't think that way” Yasuzumi replied

The brief period of time until the moment he replied could be taken as proof that Yasuzu truthful

”But oal wasn't to make you into Harutora's substitute To be honest, it wasn't only Mother Wakasugi who felt that you were Yuuko's reincarnation I was the sa to help the useless me as terrified and stunned in front of fate That's how I felt when Mother Wakasugi brought you”

Natsume turned her face towards Yasuzumi when she heard those words with such an uncharacteristic tone

At thatexpression had surfaced on Yasuzu that expression It wasn't an expression of the Tsuchimikado family head, nor one of her father It was just the expression of a s

Then--

”Natsume”

Yasuzumi spoke in a flat voice

”Would you carry the Tsuchiether with Harutora? When Harutora faces his own fate, will you be able to becoth? The reason I raised you were those prayers”

Those words - desires - calmly and swiftly tinted Natsume's heart The twisted world that had crumbled had been reconstructed inside of Natsume The several cracks and voices that had formed in the middle of that world were filled and supported by them

Of course, Yasuzumi's desire was a one-sided exhortation, that was probably the truth

Even so, Natsued' as a person when she heard Yasuzu constructed for use as a replacement, but rather as a person who had been raised with the future in mind, entrusted with a desire

Tsuchimikado Natsume had died once

And then in that business hotel room where she couldn't even remember her own name, she had awakened - in multiple senses - to the world She wasn't of the Tsuchimikado, but she was undoubtedly part of the Tsuchihter, she was a direct disciple of his

By the ti at the second-floorfor a long time

Just then--

”Natsury?”

Chizuru's voice called Natsume back from her rid had been changed

Akino was also sequentially adding salt, soy sauce, and rilled food with so rill go Natsu out her own chopsticks Even Natsury

The fire of the grill crackled and warmed her hands and cheeks Akino opened and shut her rilled year cake[3] The aro from the meat and the soy sauce sprinkled on the mushrooms made her nose itch

Nothe truth placed in front of her was, she would feel hungry as time went by andto be extrerateful for

”Ahh! Delicious!”

Akino looked enraptured, an ecstatic s on her face It was probably rare to see such a straightforwardly joyful expression Chizuru, who had prepared the food, was also satisfied

Possibly seeing that it was about time, Takahiro rose from the porch

Suddenly--

”Right Natsuain”

”Ah, you're right Alright”

Natsu Akino turned to look at Natsu other than sympathy

”You have it tough, Natsuht?”

”It's not that I can't It's just in case It's not too much effort”

Natsume smiled and replied to Akino's question

The incense on Natsu incense' It was believed to be a spiritual medicine that called back the souls of dead huic was designated as forbidden ical drug used in ancient ic

When Harutora had been possessed by the Raven's Wing, Natsume had sacrificed herself to stop her out-of-control childhood friend At that time, Natsume had lost her life once

But after that, Harutora had performed the Taizan fukun Ritual on the dead Natsuh it was still a mystery whether he truly was Yakou or not The secret soul art passed down by the Tsuchimikado family had allowed Natsume to reawaken in the world

But it seemed that the resurrection wasn't complete

The details were unknown to her All Natsume kneas that the connection between her body and soul was in an extremely unstable state Natsu, had been treated by Harutora's nosed by an Onht to be declared as in a completely normal condition

But, she hadn't been fully treated 'spiritually'

It didn't need to be said that the current systeic couldn't explain what souls were Natsume herself didn't even concretely understand what itan unstable connection between the body and the soul But the explanation that 'the connection between the body and the soul is unstable' was very appropriate to anyone who 'saw' Natsume's spiritual condition

Of course, Harutora, who had performed the Taizan fukun Ritual, seemed to understand that Natsume's resurrection wasn't coic in order to forcefully keep Natsuauardian beast - as a ical link between Natsume's soul and body He had used Hokuto to connect Natsume's soul to her body Hence, Natsu spiritually 'possessed' by Hokuto In other words, she was in a state of being a 'dragon living spirit'

The inal creation, and the structure of theeven in the eyes of the Tsuchiic Because of that, they used the spirit-forging incense to stabilize Natsume's spirit as the lowest level of aid

”Though I say that, it's certainly inconvenient the way it is right now It would be better to think of so else”

”Please don't worry, Uncle Though it's inconvenient, it's nothingmedicine, I don't really mind”

After all, it was aunable to let the incense run out didn't even count as a hardshi+p if it was to maintain that miracle

Rather, she was more concerned about Harutora's intent

”Honestly, that kid's as unpro the ball at the crucial ic anyways, so why not resurrect someone skillfully?”

Chizuru s ”Honey” Takahiro mediated wryly and Natsume couldn't help but smile

Harutora had resurrected Natsume But she was in an incomplete form Was that deliberate on Harutora's part or not? Most importantly, why had Harutora entrusted her to Yasuzumi in such a state and hidden his traces? Natsume was currently in this kind of condition Then, what about Harutora? Was Harutora currently truly 'Harutora'? At least the 'Harutora' that Natsume was familiar with shouldn't be able to call back a soul with the Taizan fukun Ritual or use a dragon to tie it to a body In that case, ht the current 'Harutora' already have beconize?

It was unclear no ht Then all she could do was s Hence, Natsume chased after Harutora

Noit took, she would definitely catch up to hi problem for that

”On another note, Uncle Is there any news about everyone from the academy?”

Natsurill as she asked Takahiro Actually, Takahiro hadn't participated in today's cleaning He had taken different actions froather information

Takahiro was a for individual information channels and outlets could be called a necessary skill to a Mystical Investigator - especially an outstanding Mystical Investigator Takahiro had worked at the Ono, but several channels were still usable Even this house had been arranged through those outlets

Even so--

”I investigated that too But there hasn't been any significant progress froation before we came to Tokyo”

Takahiro spoke apologetically ”I see” Natsume's shoulders slumped in dejection

Naturally, Takahiro had gathered all the information he could before they had entered Tokyo That included things related to the Onmyou Academy's circumstances and information about Natsu in a nearby city, Takahiro had accepted Natsume's request to look up on the present situation of those classmates to the extent of his information

A huge incident had happened with the Onency on the day of Natsume's death The famous Onmyouji with the ency building In addition, Harutora, who had lost control because of the Raven's Wing and been confined in the agency building, had escaped during the commotion Harutora had used the Taizan fukun Ritual to resurrect Natsume soon afterwards

But that incident was not known tothe related people there were very feho grasped everything that had happened It appeared that several larger and smaller incidents were intricately involved with each other, and the Onreat deal of doubt Hence, various conjectures had risen on the inside

But one thing that could be said for certain was that in addition to Harutora, his other classmates seemed to have been involved in the incident

”Touji-kun's whereabouts have been unknown since that incident, the Kurahashi+ fahter temporarily took some time off from the academy, but later returned to school around the time of Principal Kurahashi+'s retirement Also, Momoe Tenma is still in the acadey' Dairenji Suzuka, who entered a year beloithdrew froency”

Takahirothe situation of Natsuain

”Outside of Touji-kun, the others appear to be 'the same as before' on the surface But take the Kurahashi+ fa monitored quite openly Principal Kurahashi+ - or more accurately, former principal - is also cooped up inside the Kurahashi+ family residence and cannot come out In truth, she is in a state of house arrest And the 'Child Prodigy' The sudden reversion by the Onher-ups, but it seened directly by the Chief Her media exposure from before has completely vanished and she cannot be contacted from the outside”

The 'changes' that had happened consecutively to Natsume's classmates could be taken as 'indirect evidence' Perhaps they had participated to soree in Harutora's escape froh they had succeeded in letting Harutora escape, Touji had becoitive afterwards and the others had been arrested and then put under surveillance by the Onnation probably had so to do with it as well

In any case, they had confirmed Kyouko, Tenma, Suzuka, and Principal Kurahashi+'s locations It seeht for now

However, the concerning one was Touji

”Is Touji-kun ether with Harutora-kun?”

”Hard to say” Takahiro replied cautiously to Natsume's question

”That guy has a clear head, and he's wise to the world even though he's young But I don't think he would be able to escape the eyes of the Onency alone for this period of over a year I believe he's probably staying in sootten close to people used to 'those kinds of things' But it's doubtful to say that person is Harutora Judging purely by that guy's movements, it doesn't seem like Touji-kun's with him”

After that incident, Harutora had taken actions equivalent to declaring war against the Onency He had caused various situations within Tokyo and clashed with the Onic community

Needless to say, Takahiro had also gathered inforns expressing that Touji ith Harutora Of course, that was purely speculative analysis - or perhaps so closer to 'instinct'

”Then is he with Ohtomo-sensei like we talked about before?”

There was also someone other than Touji who had vanished after that incident It was Ohtomo Jin, the homeroom teacher of Natsume and the others

At the tiic battle with Ashi+ya Do outside the academy But the day before Natsume's death, he slipped out of the hospital and appeared before her At the ti ith Kyouko and had successfullyOhtomo's proposal Natsume still vividly recalled Ohtomo's powerful words of assistance that had pushed her from behind

But Ohtomo had vanished after that

Allegedly, he had given Principal Kurahashi+ a letter of resignation the day that he helped Natsume out That probably expressed that he had truly determined to 'act' Also, the principal had definitely already approved of it since she had taken care of Ohtonation Or it was also possible that it was a request from the principal

In that case, she didn't feel that he was unrelated to the co Just like her classht to believe that he had a connection to Harutora's escape Then were Touji and Ohtoether and hiding underground? That was the conjecture Takahiro had brought up after analyzing the information

But--

”No, come to think of it”

Takahiro's face suddenly turned uneasy, and he scratched his thinly-haired head

”I've also been careless That teacher na and carries a cane, if I remember correctly?”

”Eh? Yes, that's right”

Natsume replied perplexedly to the unexpected question

Chizuru had run into Ohtomo three times before, but Takahiro had never met him directly Still, his appearance and peresonality had been described to hi now? She didn't understand the reason

”Uncle? Do you have any news on Ohtomo-sensei?”

”Uh, I heard soerous ru before”

Takahiro spoke vaguely in a bitter tone

Then, he went silent, staring at the sky But, ”Dear” He noticed Natsuaze because of Chizuru's reminder and hastily put on a wry smile

”Ahh, sorry, sorry Anyway, I don't know any definite inforet a bit closer to the truth”

Saying this, Takahiro regained his norrill His face turned to avoid Natsu

At the sah this time and say:

”It's been more than a year, but we're still unclear What in the world happened that night”

”People eren't there probably won't clearly get it no matter how much information we collect Maybe even the people ere there don't completely understand”

”The people ere there, huh It really would have saved us some effort if that kid explained in a bit more detail”

Chizuru frowned as she spoke The 'kid' she spoke of obviously referred to Harutora

When Harutora had entrusted theae were mostly related to Natsume It seemed that Harutora hadn't had iven thee

”Ah, right Hey dear? About that Momoe Ten the Onht? Could we at least hear some information from that boy?”

”I won't say we couldn't But we can't act recklessly”

Takahiro still replied cautiously to Chizuru's proposition

”According to what Natsuood at practical skills Even for his friends, for hiency would be Also, if he were there and knew the ins and outs of the situation, he ought to have been harshly interrogated by the Onency He'll probably be punished if he leaks any infors truly played out that ouldn't be able to protect him”

”You're saying we'll trouble Moet exposed?”

”If you really want to say, then it's true that he won't be punished if it doesn't get exposed But as another possibility, consider what if he's being ated the s on close terms with Harutora-kun It's very possible that the people who ht run off to contact Harutora-kun have been marked in order to forestall Harutora

”Even if a year has already passed?”

”Actually, Kyouko's being closely ht now, it's quite open There's a tight perimeter kept around her, yet Tenlance That could be viewed as their trap”

”That's why I said it would be fine if it didn't get exposed, no ht?”

”Don't o, you know?”

The husband s back frorill Even so, Takahiro's reply could be called hu tiator was still first-class Actually, the Tsuchiency's hands for'divination' was inherently aest reason they had been able to continue living as fugitives was none other than Takahiro's outstanding ability

”I'm very sorry”

Natsuentle attitude

”I've ht No matter what kind of situation Tenma-kun is in, I'll just becoht now I don't want to give Tenma-kun trouble”

Tenht about his friends Even if he were pressured, he would respond to her if a friend was relying on him Even if that would put him in a bad situation

Tenether with his grandparents from his mother's side She had heard before that he aspired to becorandparents' expectations If Tenma was also related to this incident, then he was probably being watched by the On happened to worsen his position and cut off his path to his profession

Tenma was currently a third-year student in the Onraduation was upco She didn't want to trouble him with her own matters

More importantly It had already been close to a year and a half since then

”Natsuht?”

Akino suddenly asked Since she had remained silent up to this point, Natsume as well as Takahiro and Chizuru showed expressions as if they had been caught off guard

”Is it alright if you can't see your friends, Natsu”

She was just speaking her doubts, a simple question Because of that, Natsu she could say

She searched for an appropriate answer but couldn't think of anything Akino's straight gaze graduallyher stiffened heart

In the end, Natsu lonely

”I want to see him” Then, she spoke frankly

”I really want to see him, since he's a friend I don't knohether Tenma-kun still thinks of me as a friend, but Tenma-kun is a precious and important friend to me Of course, I want to ask him about Harutora-kun and the others and have hiize Also, if he's worried about ht'”

Akino became more and more sympathetic to Natsume's words of confession Natsume was the only person Akino could call a friend She could intensely sy to see an important friend

”Dear?”

Chizuru looked at her husband as if wanting to say soain

”I understand your feelings, but I' In the end, it's just a potential problem But even if the point of contact isn't exposed directly, there is the possibility that Moht inform them 'on his own' It doesn't have to be that Ten, it's definitely still possible that he has to due to certain reasons”

Perhaps as expected of a forator, Takahiro was very calm Also, his outlook was very broad He deliberately went so far as to e Natsuain objectively

Natsu the year-and-a-half of time either Natsu it if perhaps her classed

”T-Then what about a phone call? Is that no good either?”

”Thank you, Akino, but this is enough I already knew that we can't meet Please don't concern yourself”

”But At least a letter”

Akino seeed on Natsume as she prepared to appease Akino

But--

”Well, if it's a letter”

”Eh?”

Natsume inadvertently turned to Takahiro who ative until now She didn't kno to react to his sudden flip in attitude

But Takahiro shrugged his shoulders and said with a plain face:

”Meeting directly is very dangerous But if we send a letter - assu that the contents are of the sort that don't really matter even if they're exposed - then there's no probleency knew about our existence a long ti a letter' in the end A one-way path from here to there--”

Is that okay? Natsu this

”B-But, is that really okay? If that's inconvenient Like if it gets traced back to us”

Even though she was deliberately htened ”I won't uaranteed

”But let ht? Also, there's a possibility that the mail will be intercepted If possible, a e directly would be more reliable”

”Eh? Wait, dear In that case, won't she end upMomoe-kun?”

”Of course Natsume won't send it We'll have to ask someone else”

”You're going to entrust it to someone unrelated? But who?”

”That's true, choosing the person would usually be a lot of work in the first place But fortunately, there's someone suitable”

Takahiro spoke devilishly and mysteriously

”Though the Mystical Investigator Yamashi+ro knows her face, I don't think that a Divine General would be following Moraphs either, so the Mystical Investigators ought to have gotten practically zero infor speed is top-notch I don't think there will be any problems”

Takahiro nodded, stroking the stubble on his chin Because of Takahiro's words, Natsued directions to follow his

”Huh?”

Akino, who had suddenly become the center of focus and who still hadn't understood those words, tilted her head in surprise and puzzlement

”Uwah, it's so cold”

The moment he walked out the entrance, the chilly outdoor air made Momoe Tenma's body shi+ver

His breath was faintly white After Tenma tucked his chin into his scarf, he stuck his hands into the pockets of his coat and quickly left the house

The house Tenma lived in was around Gokoku-ji[4] It was an old area with narrow, co alleyways There were transfer routes in Nagata-cho and Ikebukuro to shi+buya where the Onmyou Acadeaya Station and took the train all the way to the central lines Though the distance was longer by foot, he deliberately chose to walk because he liked walking through the alleyways But he couldn't help but regret his choice in this kind of frigid ularly, he wouldn't change his course because of the cold

In any case, his body would warm up quickly if he was active Tenma quickly headed to the station at his normal pace

A disappointingly dim day was above his head Around hi color Maybe the scenery had beco after the 'happy' days of Christmas and New Years Teno

But he would have to get used to this ordinary feeling very quickly After Tenlanced at his wristwatch to check the time, he hastened his pace

After walking for a while, he ran across the Arakawa Line track His view expanded, his vision broadened, and he was able to see the buildings of Ikebukuro He turned along the track and the entrance to the subas immediately visible But at the same time, the wind increased in intensity Ten wind

At that moment

”E-E-E-E-Excuse me!”

Teny from next to him

The one apologizing was a girl about e A coat covered her sailor-type uniforirl ore glasses like Tenma But she was an unfamiliar face Moreover, she was red-faced for some reason

Ten that there were no other people nearby In other words, this girl was apologizing to Tenma But why? Of course he had no idea Rather, hissituation ”Um” After Tenma let out an insecure voice, he just stood there, dazed

Then--

”Uht?”

”Ah, yes”

He replied i other than reflex

After all, this was an unfairl But ould she know his naotten irl fro when they met? No, but

Confused, he desperately dug through his memories

However, while Tenma was unsettled--

”U-Um! T-This! P-Please read this!”

That girl thrust her hands straight forward, not looking properly at Tenma's face either

She gave him a letter Even Tenma realized the situation when he saw this But his confusion worsened even further

”Eh? E-Ehh?”

He looked left and right for no reason again After all, it was the first time in his life that he faced this kind of situation Also, they were close to the station There were people going to work and class passing by at this ti by didn't stop, they all shot Tenlance without exception One of them - a woman who looked like an office lady - smiled mischievously with an ”Oh my, hoho” His chill from before had vanished like an illusion and his face rapidly heated up

”P-Please! H-here!”

”O-Okay--!?”

The girl suddenly pushed forward the letter Tenma couldn't help but take it, swept away by her momentum

Iirl turned around and ran off down the asphalt road

”W-Wait--”

Tenma spoke up in a panic, but lost his words there, his eyes wide That was also because the girl who had given him the letter had instantly slipped into an alley and vanished An astonishi+ngly fast sprint Truthfully, Tenma was dumbstruck

”W-What's going on?”

He stood there blankly for a moment A bolt from the blue In any case, he was more shocked than happy or embarrassed

His face red, Tenaze to the letter dropped in his hands

A name ritten on the pink letter But he felt inexplicably tense just by holding it Ten Then, without any deep intentions, he flipped it over and saw the other side of the letter

Tenma's expression tensed up, and a tension different frolasses

A small mark ritten on the other side of the flipped letter It was a simple mark Not one of the heart-shaped marks that were commonly used in love letters

A star mark A five-pointed star drawn in one stroke

Tenram

Tenma put the letter into his backpack, then walked down to the subway station entrance as if nothing had happened at all

A youthful, cohborhood of Tokyo

Her japanese characters probablyof the sort

A chewy rice cake [1]

A temple in Bunkyo, Tokyo