Vol 3 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Chapter 3 - The person one must protect

Part 1

””

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solidHe sat in such a way that if so position

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayu to Ren's left arlued as close as possible

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still ih the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before

At the time they waited for the train on the platfor from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

”Are you cold?”

”No, I'm fine”

Ren showed a sive her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen

”a a a Ayumi-chan?”

”If we are like this it's warht?”

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body te to Ren's arm

”D-don't do that -”

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayu at him with upturned eyes

”-No?”

”Eh, ah, no, that sort of”

A stuttering Ren He was unbelievably asha, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head

What to do

The warhly snatched Ren's presence of et into the train, he didn't remember any of it

”I'm sorry”

”-Eh?”

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long tiuilt was reflected in his eyes

”About what?”

”Forsuch an odd request”

Ren replied while laughing

”It's not a big deal, this much”

Actually the girl's as si expenses and a little bit of time Just those will suffice

Take me to the sea

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park It was just one wish Naturally, Ren had no objection

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing

”Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?”

Without wavering, Ayuether they boarded the Tokaido Line That route was aiasaki

If that was the nearest swi beach, Ren doesn't know But that was the only place he could lead her to Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera He had hardly any experience of swiirl who took hi last year's summer

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

”In the end, I wanted to see so beautiful with my own eyes”

”In the end, you say?”

”When I do so, I' back To the Tsuwabuki”

”No!”, Ren promptly shouted

”No! They don't treat you like a fellow human Only like a tool If you return to those people you'll never be happy If you have no place to go, you can coi Clan will, without exception -”

”Ren, you see-”

Ayu words

”Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?”

”The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life ”

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi

”Noway”

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayu face It was unbelievable Ren co like that Such a thing cannot be allowed So like that-

”I have no fa myself is not permitted, but-”

No way

I don't want to hear

Despite this - the body doesn'tfor agree into his ears, that tone cal it, accepting it

”I a like a direct descendant”

I don't want to hear it

”The cereet back until then Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual”

Because I am the priest of the ceremony

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards

The Yahly 300 years

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for japan itself No ns of quieting down

That raging <ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast The iest, strongest devilishness thatother deendary ht tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of God's power

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits of tyranny The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki fa the fa of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection

And then, by that divine protection, the girl ed to seal that demon beast Thus Mt Fuji calmed down and japan's peace was protected And they all lived happily ever after

-But that story has sequel

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the de the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome

Approximately 30 years - that was the li of a raging de release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the cere Mt Fuji's <ki>

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of ”Grand Festival” took place 8 times And there were 8 casualties The fatality ratio was 100 This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice

With no other option, the 9th cerehter

How long was he in blank amaze gently, looking at him

Unable todown

”Why?”

”Ren?”

”Why do you have to do such a”

After exa for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

”Because someone has to do it”

”But it doesn't have to be you-”

Ayuers The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his ently

”It's not good saying these kind of things If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too”

”I'm sorry”

Ayumi shook her head

”No It's alright Truthfully I was a little happy Because I was never regarded as so valuable”

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayuarded as part of the sairl with no fa a tool for the cerele person to hold her life dear

Pointlessly, Ren ement

”Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?”

”It's different”, Ayumi flatly shook her head

”It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations Because it must be done no ht?”

”That is true”

”If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthlessEven if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?”

””

Soht so

-Don't try to glorify death ords of self-sacrifice -

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the sairl He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death

Only to let Mt Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice

She would accept neither There is no irl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others

”That's why I'm not afraid of death It's because I was born for this purpose And yet, I desired memories before the time comes Memories of my own, born from my own experience”

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing

Memories of her own?

It's only natural to display a strong attache expression Memories are neither true nor false

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb

”You see, I don't have my own memories”

”Eh?”

”I haven't lostto re to remember”

””

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded

”If it would be just like that, even speaking and ht now is sonorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people Do you knohy?”

”Wasn't it because you kept studying it?”

Toward such an unbelievable circu a ray of hope

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head

”In my head there are transcripts of another's h”

Almost like it was sorand circu he understood the reason why Ayu to be particular about

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day Planted forged , Ayumi's life ended

With no rooether with that gentle resignation, Ayu

”That's why I wanted to see the world throughthat's not faked, real memories”

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy

”The moment I saw the sky when I first left the residence, I was very surprised How vast was the sky s don't li”

”Ayumi-chan”

”The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I reht?”

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl drea, they were unbelievably heavy

”-This is hopeless”

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart

Such a thing cannot be It cannot be forgiven

”Ayumi-chan!”

”W-what?”

His ily

”I will protect Ayumi-chan”

” - Ren?”

”So please, don't give up Don't say it's OK to die Because I'll protect you I'll protect you for sure”

”Ren”

Making a so a vow

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a aze

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued

”I'm sure it exists A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die I'll do whatever it's inbrother, surely- ”

”Your older brother?”

”Eh?”

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffir words

”Ah-”

In those cornered eyes hope was shi+ning

”That's right! I havebrother, he will definitely save you!”

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared

For a short while, Ayu at the shted as if the problem was already settled

”Do you have such an a brother?”

”Yeah”, Ren answered without a moment's hesitation

”Big brother is stronger than anyone There is nothing he can't do I'm sure”

”Is that so”

”So please don't say such lonesoether I want to show you s That is”

Eirl screwing up his courage

”Because - I'll take you no matter where”

””

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile

”RightIf we could do that, it would be very nice”

Part 2

”I wonder where did big brother go”

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face

He can't get in touch with Kazuma

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what ca machine

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazue ”I'll call again” Ren hanged the receiver

”I'm beaten”

As soon as he coed hiive her peace of mind

”Oh, it's fine Because we'll get in touch shortly”

” -yeah”, Ayumi nodded a little

For a little while they didn't speak Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence

”Ah”

A sound rese her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears The term sea roar came to her mind

”The sound of waves?”

”Yeah We'll be there shortly”

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so

And now -

”Ah - !”

At the nificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayuht Ren looked in the ca endlessly The ut in the downpour of sunshi+ne - naturally, it wasn't

The winter sea is cold and hollow It doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the su out a cold surface, al at the utht sky, Ayumi muttered:

”Is this The sea?”

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient

”W-what to do”

Thinking now about it, it was a probleht Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle Anyway, there was definitely not enough light But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks

If I had lightlight -?

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level His family admonished sternly such conduct But, even so-

Do it!

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dis around, he searched for indications of hus

Frohly saw, there was none except them

- It must be done now

Su fire spirits, he shortly informed:

”Go”

” - Eh? What?”

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded

”Kyaa!?”

The golden light shi+nes out far and white pressing down the darkness The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly

”This - this isRen?”

To the Ayu up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched

”It's impossible to replicate the looht? How is it? Do you like it?”

”Ren- ”

Calling out Ren's naave Ren a bear-like hug

”A I've seen!”

”R-really? I'lad”

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible Ayunificence was beyond words

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently solden aurora borealis thefire spirits coed the same way a kaleidoscope would

”Beautifulbut won't it cause an uproar?”

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter This was not a solitary island in the southern sea Approachable by walking fro area

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highas running less than 10to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper

But even so, Ren didn't care

To ht now, for Ren it was all thatAyu about the dinner's menu

”Do you want to keep it up just a little bit et in the way I'll drive them away”

”No, it's enough”

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head

”It's enough Because I'll never forget it”

” -Alright”

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits Pro to the Enjutsushi+'s will, the fire spirits caht And then -

”Wow”

The light shi+ning in the sky rained like drops of water above ground Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance

Holding no te the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream

”Ah- ”

The last descending drop, Ayu both her hands The ly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest That irreplaceable so stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance perfor, Ren made a bow

”Did it please you?”

”Yes - yes”

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over

”I I a so beautiful, IIfrom the bottom of my heart”

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face Both their shadows brought forth by the ht, slowly became one

But - thismoment of their honeyht shi+ned

” -!?”

Turning around holding hands, an eternally do voice pierced their ears

”That's right! I'rets in this world, right?”

In front of both of theht on her back laughed

Part 3

The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them

Drawing Ayuait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude Overlooking theher place, the wo towards the beach in a composed manner

Onebetween them several steps

Because of the back lighting he saw only outlines but even fronize the proud at thes than humans

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi

As one would expect, approaching sohis eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock

”Eh - ?”

The woe, in the second half of her teens But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about

-They looked alike

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woe difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head

”Mayu at that wolance mixed with panic

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

”Your elder sister?”

If that is the case, she too can

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused Ayu

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

Good grief, I need to be more careful

Agreeing to Ayurasped her hand tenderly Ayuallant smile

”Elder sister?”

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by theht of displeasure

”Elder sister, you said?”

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archeneap between her clenched teeth Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior

”Don't mess around with me”

Mayury roar shrunk Ayu with lance at Ren

”It was enough taking Ayu the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were so prudence but, never to this extent Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so”

””

It seems Ayumi didn't receive hu anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings It was unpleasant when Ayuain but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis

Other people didn't come Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach Norathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place

None of it happened

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki

Can we escape?

Without thinking of handing Ayuated the possibility of escape The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten

”Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?”

Seeing through Ren's decision pro sweetly

”Everything is already over There is nothing left for you to try”

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi

””

Without even using words, Mayu or so

Ayu obediently

”Ayumi-ch-”

”It's fine”

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice

”It's fine already Thank you for everything until now - It was very fun”

”Ayu- ”

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren And with that, she never turned around

Standing in front of Mayulance swayed insecurely nearly Mayuers to Ayued in shairl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

”If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed the ocean Instead of that, seducing awith him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?”

The Chijutsushi+the spirits of the earth canland It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi+, by sea or by air - anyway the round

”I hadno intention”

Staring at Ayu voice, with the look a carnivorous anio of her jaw

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and sith all her strength

” -Uh!”

It wasn't so her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound

Instantly Ayu exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still

”Wha”

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost

”What have you done?”

But Mayumi didn't even look at Ren As she already stated ”your turn is already over” she disregarded his existence itself

Instead, the man who followed behind her s he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi

Decidedly, he did not atte hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish

”E-eek”

”What are you doing?”

Coldly looking down on Ayule, the man said in a monotonous tone

”Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?”

”Yuujisama”

”Silence!”

The ed

”With that face, through that !”

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand Forciblyposition, Yuuji shouted

”Apologize! Until your voice becoize! Did you understand in howlady? If we didn't find you in ti lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!”