Book 15 Chapter 02 魔女が棲みかとする学校

From Chinese translations by Hinako.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 旧隈本城Kumamotozyou; 鍋島/锅岛 Nabeshima; 龍造寺隆信 Ryuuzouji Takanobu
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

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"Learning some manners would do you good. Freshman."

Takaya's eyes brimmed with that brazen radiance once again. Could this unusual group of students not see that they were dealing with someone older than them? Takaya lifted his chin slightly, he uttered with a despising attitude.

"Telling me to pay my respects? I'm not a stickler for formalities with seniors, but this isn't the tone of voice you should be using when meeting someone for the first time, right?"

"I was filling you in on the rules, transfer student." The freshman with the rimless glasses explained without any trace of change in his expression. His tone was extremely high-handed. "This is what you must first do after enrolling in this school."

"I don't understand a thing you're saying. This place isn't the turf of some hoodlum. Who am I supposed to meet?"

"President Mikuriya of Kojou High School's student council executive committee."

Takaya's expression grew vicious.

"Student council..."

"That's right. This is a rule drawn up by the student council of our school. You've to present yourself before President Mikuriya, reporting to the student executive that you've become a student of our school and pledge absolute compliance with the code of our society."

Takaya looked back at Endou with a face that asked, "Is this a joke?" Endou waved his hand as if saying, "Don't go against them."

"Ougi-kun. From this day onwards you are a member of our student council. You mustn't do anything that violates the code of the society."

The speaking tone of the male student not only sounded bureaucratic but resembled that of a soldier.

"Come now. President Mikuriya is waiting for you in the student council room. Come quickly."

"..."

Takaya could not comprehend it at all. Endou tugged at his sleeve and said in a small voice.

"Whatever it is, just do as they say for today. Otherwise, there'll be trouble."

"But..."

"They're the student executives. That guy's the vice-president Ozaki. Mikuriya's boot-licker."

"Endou-kun."

Ozaki's sudden mention of his name made Endou jump in fright.

"Y...Yes."

"If you're his classmate, shouldn't you inform him of our practices? Aren't you not being fully responsible as a member yourself?"

"Y...Yes, s-sorry."

"Ougi-kun." Ozaki called out, stretching his hand out once again. "Come. Come with us."

"..."

Was the student council the 'unusual' feature Endou was referring to earlier? This was indeed a strange school. Under normal circumstances, Takaya would not get himself involved with such a dubious system, but if he were to cause a tumult in this place and attract everyone's attention - considering his own purpose for coming to this school - this was not his intention. Compared with this situation, what bothered Takaya more was...

"..."

Takaya gazed directly at the male student by the name of Ozaki.

I guess it can't be helped...

Takaya decided to go with them, just when he was about to take one step forward,

"Don't bother with that sort of person, Ougi."

A voice came from behind Ozaki. Takaya and the others turned and stared in that direction in surprise. Takaya widened his eyes.

"You... are..."

A male student with 'hedgehog hair' was leaning on the railing of the stairs, watching them. He was one of his classmates...

"Miike!" Endou cried out. The one standing there was indeed Miike Tetsuya.

"There's no need for you to follow them, Ougi. You don't have to take these kind of people seriously."

"I suppose you are Miike of class 2B." Ozaki said hatefully. "You again? What you said just now can't be taken lightly. Are you conspiring with others to break the code of the society? Looks like you're really with the Nezu Kouichi gang."

Nezu Kouichi gang...?

Takaya caught the name that Endou had mentioned earlier, it rang a bell. But Tetsuya snorted in contempt.

"Nezu...? I don't have any problem with that guy. Just the things that you guys do, watching it really pisses me off. They're annoying as hell. Student council leader my ass, is it so much fun to be fawning over that arrogant bitch who thinks herself as the queen?"

The student executives shouted out 'what did you say' with looks of indignation on their faces, Ozaki held them back, glaring at Tetsuya.

"Is that criticism?"

"It's the honest truth."

"If you defy us, you've committed the same offense as Nezu. Since you're doing this, I assume you're well aware of the consequences."

"Well aware of the consequences? Expulsion you mean? You mean to say that you guys can single-handedly expel someone who hasn't violated any of the school's rules at your own discretion, is there such a rule in your union?"

Tetsuya could discern from Ozaki's threat that the latter had not grasped the main point at all.

"You bunch of eyesores best get lost now. If not, I've a couple of ideas in mind."

"Miike...! Don't take advantage of this small opportunity to act like a hotshot!"

"Stop, Shimada. Don't start a quarrel here." Ozaki scowled unintentionally. Then he looked at Takaya. "Ougi Takaya. Be sure to come over later. We'll wait for you in the student executives' room."

Saying this, Ozaki led his companions away and disappeared down the stairs. All of a sudden, Endou tossed the emptied packet drink in that direction.

"Flaunting their power and all that, bastards!"

Hearing the door close, Takaya shifted his gaze to Tetsuya.

"You're Miike... right?"

Takaya asked, Tetsuya looked at him indifferently.

"Don't be mistaken, transfer student."

"...?"

"I came up here for a smoke, but ended up seeing that bunch of troublesome brats, hence chased them away."

Tetsuya said, staring at Takaya with a challenging expression. Takaya revealed a look of disbelief.

"It just so happens that I've something to say you as well."

Tetsuya said and approached Takaya, Endou frantically shoved himself between the two of them.

"Mi...Miike. Don't do anything foolish...!"

Tetsuya did not even look at him. He pushed Endou's shoulder away, stood right in front of Takaya, hatefully looking up at the other who was considerably taller than him.

"Wah, Miike!"

Endou saw that Miike had suddenly grabbed the lapels of Takaya's jacket, and cried out. Tetsuya moved his face up to the necessary height so that it was close to Takaya's. He focused all of his strength on staring at the other menacingly, then lowered his voice and said.

"Don't be too proud of yourself, transfer student."

"..."

"Seeing that kind of expression in your eyes really pisses me off!"

"Stop it, Miike!"

Wanting to separate the two of them, Endou desperately tried to put a stop to this. However, Tetsuya cruelly pushed him over.

"Nngh ahhh!"

"!... Endou!"

Seeing Endou tumble to the ground, Takaya's face changed. He widened his eyes and glared reproachfully at Tetsuya.

Nghh...!

Overwhelmed by Takaya's eyes, the strength in Tetsuya's hand disappeared in a split second. But Tetsuya did not just shrivel up in this way. He reflexively spurred himself on, staring back without conceding.

"St... I said stop already! Both of you stop it!" Endou separated them, grabbing hold of Takaya. "Ougi, you stop too! This guy is just easily irritated."

"What did you say! Endou...!"

"Just quit it! Miike!"

Reprimanded by Endou in this way, Tetsuya closed his mouth. But he kept his eyes fixed on Takaya.

"...Don't get cocky, Ougi."

Casting these final words, Tetsuya turned and headed back to the stairs. He seemed rather resentful of Takaya. Endou heaved a sigh of relief, and said, "Finally managed to chase him away." Then he turned towards Takaya.

"Sorry, Ougi. That guy's really quarrelsome. But he's not a bad guy."

"Doesn't matter. I'm used to it..."

Takaya waved his hand. He could never figure out what exactly in his being was inappropriate, it seemed like he always gave people very extreme first impressions.

"However," Takaya interjected. "Who were those guys? Talking about the student council and whatnot..."

"Ahhh, that. Pretty unusual right?" Endou shrugged. "Our school's student council is really weird. Having things like the code of the society. We have to unconditionally comply with every single rule listed. The student executives have the authority, using the code of the society as an excuse to obtain absolute obedience from the students."

"Absolute... obedience?"

Takaya exhibited his blatant loathing at these words, he found them unacceptable.

"What's that about? I've never heard of such student councils."

"Yeah. Normal student councils are all pretty similar to one another right? But ours is different. The student executives would interfere with the students' extra curricular activities. Any society that doesn't bow to them will be destroyed at all costs or something like that. They really go overboard. They never consult the students regarding the use of the student funds either, everything is based on the student executives' independent judgments. The administration of the school and the other committees are also under the charge of the student executives."

"This is seriously one weird school..."

Jouhoku High, the school that Takaya previously studied at, also had student executives but he did not know if they had conducted any activities, their presence was rather weak. The issue of obedience was never even considered.

"Not only that. The student council has a strong influence on the school as well, even the teachers do whatever they tell them to do."

"Even the teachers..."

"Yeah. Two teachers resigned in the last half year. According to the rumors, it was the leader of the student council, Mikuriya, who drove them out."

This time, Takaya widened his eyes in shock.

"Forced a teacher to resign? How can a student do that?"

"I don't know, but those two teachers did have a wrangle with Mikuriya. Mikuriya has very good rapport with the headmaster as well as the director of student affairs, I'm afraid she's really capable of something like this. That's what the rumors say." Endou said softly. "Mikuriya Juri of class 2A."

"Juri? A woman?"

"Yeah. A dreadful woman, everyone fears her, nobody but those lackeys of the executive department dare approach her. She transferred to this school last year. It was August I think, she unexpectedly caused the former chief of the student council to step down due to vote of no-confidence, and assumed the position of president. Then, in the following elections, she established the executive committee that you now see, but all of the members are her trusted aides... that was how the student council ended up this way."

It could be regarded as a dictatorship. By taking advantage of everyone's lack of concern for the activities of the student executives, the rules of the society had unknowingly been revised. By the time the ordinary students were aware of this unusual change, the 'Iron Student Council', advocated by Mikuriya and completely instrumented by the student executives, had been established.

"The 'Iron Student Council'?"

"And not just societal activities, the scope of their rules covers class attendance and all sorts of school activities, all under the watchful eyes of the student executives. They've been spewing bullshit about having the students themselves build a better school."

In short, the 'strict school regulations' previously prepared and imposed on the students, had been changed into something enforced by the student executives who were themselves a part of the student community. It could be regarded as the implementation of an autonomy amongst the students. Coming late to school was a given, uniform, portable devices, and the like, all of them were controlled by the inspection committee directly subordinate to the student executives. Besides watching over the activities of the societies, they also monitored the students' out-of-school activities. Students who have violated the rules of the council would get a black mark. Warnings would be issued to the student members in accordance with the number of black marks they have received, and the member's activities would be temporarily suspended (in other words, all of the student's school activities would be halted, delaying their education). In the worst case scenario, the student would be stripped of all member rights and expelled.

Takaya stared at him with an incredulous look on his face. "How can this be possible..."

"Don't 'how can this be possible' me. Look at this." Endou said, taking out a thick manual from his pocket. "All the rules of the council can be found here, starting from this page."

"This is..."

"The student manual, if we don't carry this with us at all times, we would've violated the code of the society, and get a black mark."

Takaya opened the student manual which looked like a dictionary. Exceedingly trivial rules had been printed in a small typeface. ...It could give one a splitting headache.

"This school used to have very few rules."

"Did all of this change in just half a year?"

"Yeah... Everyone finds it unusual. Strange, how did it turn out like this?" It seemed like Endou truly did not understand it, he leaned against the railing and inclined his head. "By the time we finally realized it, the situation had changed into this. Seriously, nobody saw this coming--"

"..."

"Recently, however, some students have banded together into groups and rebelled against this system, it's starting to get interesting."

Takaya suddenly thought of that person. "You mean that Nezu guy? Our classmate."

"That's right. He's called Nezu Kouichi. Now that you mention it, his gang is like a rebel army. He and Mikuriya have clashed fiercely, making a pretty interesting show for us spectators." Endou laughed. "But I don't have that sort of courage. In any case, I'll be graduating in the following year. Even if it's difficult, I just have to endure it for a little longer."

Is he the leader of the rebel army?

Takaya recalled Nezu's face. Within that impertinent line of sight was a tinge of caution. It would be better to regard his gaze as an inspection than just curiosity. But Takaya had sensed that it was not merely caution...

Hostility?

Seeing Takaya in contemplation, Endou probably assumed that he was feeling uneasy. He said in a placating manner.

"D-Don't be scared. It'll be fine, as long as you don't attract any attention, they won't do anything to the ordinary student. As long as you're not like Nezu or Miike..."

He seemed to be urging Takaya not to draw any attention to himself much more than trying to put him at ease; the ordinary student's typical ideology of making concessions to avoid trouble.

"Still, this is a pretty bizarre school. First the ghosts, then the student council. Nezu as well. It wasn't like that not too long ago. Homework was manageable, not dealt out by those obtrusive people..."

Endou muttered in this way to himself, facing Takaya with his hands held together.

"I don't know if that Miike guy will bother you again in the future, just don't take him seriously. Okay? I can tell from one look, your standing is much higher than his. He's the type of person who will revolt upon seeing an opponent stronger than he is."

"Don't worry. I don't mind him much."

"A lot of things happened in his family, I think that's why his personality has become somewhat twisted. ...Seriously."

"?"

"His family has a kind of genealogy or something, like a real ancient family lineage of some sort." Endou hugged his arms, facing the stairs where Tetsuya had exited. "I'll let you in on this secret here. He has a younger twin sister, but it seems like she went missing."

Takaya could not help but stare wide-eyed.

"Missing...?"

***

At the end of the day, Takaya did not go to the student executives room. He decided to see how the other party would react to his nonappearance.
Takaya spent the rest of the day with Endou, becoming quite close with him. Despite his frivolous outward appearance, Endou was a very warm and helpful person. When Takaya mentioned that he had no plans after school, Endou offered to show Takaya around, taking him to the bustling areas of the city.

--When walking about after school, you better remove your uniform jacket.

Endou said. It was said that the patrol team of the student council directly under instructions of the student executives would survey the entire vicinity for any students loitering about after school. Remarking that 'it'll be troublesome if we get caught', Endou placed his schoolbag and jacket into a coin locker, and put on a fancy coat.

The center of the city had been designated as uptown and downtown, with the shopping district in the middle. The shops were lined together in close order, it could be regarded as the central zone of Kumamoto city. The main road of the shopping center was so long that traversing its entire length on foot could wear one out. Most of the people walking about were youngsters.

There was a large number of video game and pachinko shops from downtown to the Shinshigai region that were especially eye-catching, to the extent that every one in three stores was a video game or pachinko shop (perhaps there were more).

"There are so many that we're spoiled for choice, wouldn't this make it difficult to decide which shop to go to?" Takaya asked, thereupon Endou laughed and replied.

"Leave the choosing to me. The NAMCO shop or the SEGA shop, there're shops with the latest games or shops with the average stuff, or those with the popular games..., I know them all. If there's anything you wanna play, just tell me, I'll take you there at once."

"You're not a video game fanatic, you're a video games hub fanatic."

"Well, almost."

Endou smiled. But with such close competition, those businesses must be extremely exhausting to manage.

"There are two things in excess here in Kumamoto. One would be the video games, the other would be the number of taxis. Look, wherever you go, you can see those taxis by the streets competing for customers right? There's an insane number of taxi companies, around 60 in total. Competition is pretty tight, so the quality of service provided would determine their success and so forth, seems really tough."

Endou's father was also a taxi driver. It was not known if he covered the city streets or the video games hub. After a good day of fun in the area, Endou had supper with Takaya, he even accompanied Takaya back to the hotel he was staying at. And so, Takaya's rocky first day at Kojou high school ended.

***

Chiaki Shuuhei only returned to the hotel close to 11 o'clock that night. The spotlight illuminating Kumamoto castle could be directly seen from the room's window. Takaya, having been looking at Kumamoto castle all this while, heard the doorbell and turned around. Opening the door for the one who had returned, he saw Chiaki Shuuhei leaning against the wall.

"I'm home."

"Why are you back so late? What have you been doing?" Takaya's arms were wrapped around his chest, he frowned at him. "Smell of alcohol. Did you go drinking?"

"A little. Just social niceties among colleagues, the teachers threw a welcome party for me." Chiaki smiled, handing over a paper bag to Takaya. "Here, hang this in the room."

"What is it?"

He took a look inside the paper bag, it was an object bought from some toyshop.

"A dartboard? What is this for?"

"I asked one of my female students to buy it for me. That senior high school student of Kumamoto was so warm, she was really great. With just a simple 'could you buy this for me', she immediately replied me with a 'no problem'."

"What is this thing for?"

Chiaki placated Takaya with a 'don't worry about it', he staggered into the room, then collapsed onto the sofa. He seemed to be in a rather pleasant mood as a result of his slight intoxication. Takaya grew angry.

"Don't sleep there! At the very least, take your shoes off!"

"I had raw horse meat. Oh, Kagetora. Kumamoto's raw horse meat is really the best-- You know? High-grade raw horse meat, it tastes exactly like tuna-- Dipped in that unique sauce, it's so soft and cotton-like as though it's melting--"

"Oh shut up."

"The teachers of Kojou High are the pros man. Drinking Kuma shochu while having raw horse meat. This is how one eats in Kumamoto! You want some too, don't you? Hmmm? Do you want to have some? It's really tasty. Delicious to the point where your jaw will drop. Matsumoto's raw horsemeat can't hold a candle to it--"

"Didn't I tell you to shut up, you drunkard."

"What did you say? Ahh?" His eyes were still unfocused, Chiaki crawled up to Takaya, grabbing the lapels of his shirt. "Is that the way to speak to a teacher? Hmmm? You're just a student, how can you tell a teacher to shut up, how improper! Ahh?"

Takaya smashed the pillow he was leaning against at Chiaki's chirpy, pestering face.

"Mmpfhh!"

"Teacher my foot! Just quit it, idiot!" Takaya stood up, looking over Chiaki. "We didn't come all the way to this school just to have raw horse meat. What do you think we're here for? Have you done everything you were supposed to do?"

"Why our mighty general is honestly so verbose. My, what a lofty and insufferably arrogant appearance." Chiaki hugged the cushion, scratching his head as he turned towards Takaya. "Nevermind. In any case, once in school you'd be merely a student."

Chiaki whispered, "I shall be looking forward to it." Then he laughed mischievously, there was a sinister look on his face. Takaya deliberately ignored him.

"I've taken a look at the entire area. Seems like there's no mistake in the report by the 'Ken En'. It's surprising that the school students can behave as if nothing is amiss in that sort of place." Takaya sighed tiredly, he leaned against the wall beside the window. "While I'm totally exhausted after merely one day."

"That's only natural. That place is like a gathering field for souls."

Chiaki leaned back against the sofa, stretching out his legs.

"Were they drawn there? Or were they beckoned by someone? But what's certain is that there's some kind of power source in that school that's attracting all the spirits."

Chiaki mused, he placed the cushion on his stomach. Takaya looked out the window at the brightly illuminated, pale castle tower above the beautiful stone wall.

"...The remains of the former Kumamoto castle..."

Kojou high school had been built in that place.

Takaya and Chiaki were in Kumamoto to investigate this particular matter.
The Uesugi's Byakuime, who had been dispatched to Saga, was the first to report about the abnormally high levels of spiritual activity at one corner of the remains of Kumamoto castle. Several months ago, a spiritual rebellion led by the Nabeshima clan occurred in Saga. Owing to the measures taken by Takaya and the others it was promptly quelled, however the severity of the Yami Sengoku in the northern region of Kyushu island could not be overlooked therefore they had assigned Byakuime to watch over the region.

Kumamoto, the territory at the periphery of Saga where Ryuuzouji Takanobu colluded with the Oda a very long time ago. Originally, the Nabeshima family served as retainers to Ryuuzouji, however there came an unusual circumstance of a reversal of positions between the masters and vassals. After the Edo period, the region of Saga had fallen under the Nabeshima regime. In the Yami Sengoku, the Nabeshima clan and Ryuuzouji Takanobu were pitted against each other. The Nabeshima clan, once retainers to Ryuuzouji, was stirring up fresh conflict.

Since the rebellion had involved the ordinary city residents, Takaya and the others had boldly embroiled themselves in the battle. After the situation had been brought under control, Byakuime had been dispatched to that place in order to watch over Ryuuzouji and the movements in the surrounding region. Yet Byakuime ended up learning of the abnormality in Kumamoto. With a certain point serving as the center, the spiritual magnetic field at the periphery of Kumamoto grew chaotic, the climate of the area began to change rapidly. When Takaya received the report, he ordered the 'Ken En' to infiltrate Kumamoto.

But not long after, Byakuime was killed by an unknown individual.

They were positive that Byakuime had been escorted by the Uesugi's soldiers, furthermore every single one of them had been specially selected for their strength. Yet they had been completely defeated. One could say that the Uesugi army at Saga had been annihilated altogether.

The 'Ken En' that infiltrated Kumamoto were also crushed one by one.
Kumamoto was supposedly under the rule of Ryuuzouji. This area was formerly managed by Sassa Narimasa's administration. Kumamoto should have only been briefly governed by Ryuuzouji Takanobu, who had conspired with the Oda, after Narimasa was commanded to return to the kinai. However Kumamoto very soon fell under martial law. The 'Yachou' who resembled the 'Ken En' in having to rely on people's bodies for mobility were also killed one after another due to their reliance on spiritual reconnaissance to act. A kekkai had been installed over Kumamoto, not even a gohou douji could approach it. As a result, Takaya and the others could not ascertain the spiritual activity inside Kumamoto by relying on their subordinates.

It was highly likely that Ryuuzouji Takanobu was behind this. But was it possible for him to single-handedly cause such a level of disturbance? It was evident that the Oda was involved. Recently, Ryuuzouji had begun to actively invade the eastern region of Kyushu island, it was highly probable that having the support of the Oda had given him the confidence to advance.
Apparently, the Oda had designated Kumamoto as an important stronghold for the suppression of Kyushu island.
The abnormal spiritual magnetic field that had emerged in Kumamoto and the change in climate; the unusually powerful spiritual region of that ambiguous center; that was where the Kojou high school was located.

In order to investigate the source, Takaya and the others decided to enroll at Kojou high school. As a kanshousha, they appeared no different from the average person, thus could conceal themselves from the eyes and ears of hunters who relied on spiritual tracks, and infiltrate the city. Takaya and Chiaki, posing as a student and teacher respectively, entered Kumamoto by secretly joining Kojou high school.
Today was the first day of their operation.

"It's definitely not your usual high school..." Takaya muttered as he stared out the window. "You probably have more freedom to survey the classrooms, much more than I do right?"

"..."

"More than half of the students in that school have a spirit attached to them."

Chiaki's expression returned to a serious one. Takaya turned around:

"Have you figured out the actual intentions of those spirits?"

"It's difficult to say, there are all sorts of spirits. Although they're pretty much powerless, they all share the common trait of lacking in high moral principles. A good number of them don't seem to be spirits from the Sengoku Jidai. Ranging from the early historical periods until present time, it's almost like a spiritual sample market. ...There are students who have five, or even six souls attached to them."

"All sorts of earth-bound spirits and roaming souls have assembled in that place."

Takaya sighed heavily. ...Endou, too, had about two spirits attached to him. But all of them had fled, feeling slightly threatened by Takaya's presence. The school was teeming with such a heterogeneous mix of spirits. However their strength was very weak, their realization of their inability to gain control of the hyouza showed on the surface. Even with the small influence they exerted, it would not be a large hindrance to them. What bothered Takaya was the fact that he could sense a 'magnetic' object, that attracted spirits, in every single student.

"I've investigated that place." Chiaki said, leaning forward. "That one corner of Kumamoto castle known as Kojou. It was where Kumamoto castle used to stand, the daimyo's castle that was assigned to Sassa Narimasa when he shifted here from Toyama upon receiving Toyotomi Hideyoshi's orders. It used to be Otomo's castle, but when Kyushu island fell under Toyotomi's control, it was handed over to Hideyoshi."

"Sassa Narimasa..." Takaya whispered that man's name carefully.

In the Yami Sengoku, Sassa Narimasa was a general who was part of the Oda's military organization and acted as accordingly. He had clashed with Takaya's party twice. He was a man that left one with a very deep impression. Two and a half years ago, he died in that incident involving Princess Sayuri. Even now, Takaya could not forget that satisfied expression of Narimasa in his arms, as his breathing came to a stop.

"...!"

All of a sudden.

Takaya's face stiffened.
The weight of Narimasa's body at that time, the weight that his arms remembered evoked a different memory.

What is this feeling?

In his arms,
Similarly,

Someone---...

Someone...
Died......?

Takaya's eyes widened, staring at his palms.

"Kagetora?" Chiaki called out in surprise. Takaya's expression was a little strange.

"Ah..."

He could not remember. But someone had been held in these arms. Yes, a similar weight. The ceasing of the breath of life, the weight that had changed into a mere piece of flesh that pressed down on these arms, turning cold in these hands...

Who...

That was something extremely important,
Extremely heavy...
He could not remember...!

"Ah... Ahhhh...."

"Kagetora? Hey, Kagetora!"

"Ah... Ah... Ahhhh....!"

"Shit," Chiaki's alarm shook him out of his drunkenness, he suddenly grabbed Takaya's shoulders strongly.

"Don't lose yourself! Kagetora...!"

Forcefully shaken, Takaya's entire body jumped, he came back to his senses. He pressed his hand against the side of his mouth, finally repressing the trembling that surged up unceasingly.

"I'm... fine..."

Chiaki gazed at him with a solemn expression. Takaya managed to calm his breathing with much difficulty. Seeing that he had regained his composure, Chiaki released Takaya's shoulders from his grip.

"Narimasa indeed..." Chiaki continued. "He committed seppuku just one year after moving into Kumamoto castle."

The 'lord that had done something evil and committed seppuku' that Endou had mentioned was Narimasa. Barely a year after he entered Higo, he committed seppuku taking responsibility for the start of the samurai rebellion at Higo.

"After Narimasa's death, Higo was divided into two; the northern half was granted to Katou Kiyomasa, the southern half to Konishi Yukinaga. Katou Kiyomasa was assigned to that old Kumamoto castle. Not long after, he constructed a new castle in this place that everyone knows, the now-famous Kumamoto castle."

Chiaki murmured, 'But the real Kumamoto castle was actually destroyed during the Meiji era,' as he poured water into his cup from the kettle, handing it to Takaya.

"In the Yami Sengoku, Sassa Narimasa was resurrected in Kumamoto. Before he returned to Kunai, naturally, he would consider Kumamoto as his base of operations. Kojou was Narimasa's former residence. If Kojou turns out to be the current cause of the abnormalities, perhaps this might have some connection to Narimasa."

A mixture of spirits had assembled at the unusually powerful spiritual region that had emerged at Kojou. ...Were they attracted or beckoned to that place?
Anyhow, a more thorough spiritual investigation was required.
Furthermore, that was not the only peculiarity of the Kojou high school.

"What about you? Kagetora. Did you find anything?"

"...Yeah." Takaya finished the cup of water. It seemed like he had restored his calm. "I don't know if this has to do with anything, but I find that school's student council really odd."

"Student council...?"

"Mmm. It's known as the 'Iron Student Council' or something. The student executives seem to behave like dictators in their undertakings."

"Is it that Mikuriya Juri... the leader of the student union?" Chiaki had also heard of her. "The teachers also regard her in a different respect. I heard that she excels in all of her studies regardless of the subject. But I think their opinion of her would be better described as fear than regarding her differently."

"Although I'm not sure if this is related to the spirits, it bothers me. I'll be investigating it."

"Investigate? The student council?"

"Yeah. There are too many things about that school that I find troubling. The conglomeration of spirits are not the only things that have assembled there."

"What?"

"There are at least two kanshousha."

Chiaki's expression changed. Takaya stared at Kumamoto castle grimly.

"Who are they? Onshou?"

"I haven't grasped their true identities. I'll look into it. Additionally, apart from the frail mix of spirits, there are powerful hyoui rei controlling a portion of the students. They look like the subordinates of onshou, there should be no mistake about that."

"The kanshousha that you mentioned, who are they?"

"..." Watching the spotlight illuminating Kumamoto castle disappear, Takaya replied firmly. "I will need to verify that."

He left the wall, and looked at Chiaki.

"I shall handle the student council. You look for the origin of the chaotic, spiritual magnetic field."

"Okay. Leave that to me!" Chiaki smiled maliciously. "Problems with the senior high school students are always best left to the students on active duty."

"Whatever."

"Having such liberty to attend other schools, you should actually be retaking your course in your old school. Repeater."

This time, Takaya's jacket came flying over.

"I'm going to bathe. If you're going to sleep, change your clothes and sleep on the bed."

"Yes, yes."

Looking at the back of Takaya who was just about to enter the bathroom, Chiaki suddenly asked.

"You look a little strange of late?"

Takaya's shoulders jumped. His hand remained on the door of the bathroom, he lowered his head slightly.

"Is it because we're near Aso?"

"..."

"The situation 30 years ago, have you remembered it? That last battle with Nobunaga."

"..."

"Aso was where that last decisive battle took place. Have you remembered the situation at that time?"

Takaya did not reply. Takaya opened the bathroom door wanting to go in, Chiaki called him once again.

"Wait, Kagetora, don't you run off."

"..."

"I've something I've always wanted to ask you. The memories of that battle, have you remembered all of it? Minako's matter, Naoe's matter, have you remembered everything?"

"Is it necessary for me to tell you?" Takaya looked at a speechless Chiaki with a sharp gaze. "I remember telling you before not to be too meddlesome."

"I'm not being meddlesome. That you would think in this way, it's because you feel too much guilt from that incident right?"

"I don't have any obligation to answer you."

"Are you thinking of escaping in this way again? Your silence is always an escape. Don't you find it base?"

The two of them stared at each other in silence. But after a while, Takaya unexpectedly revealed a tired expression, startling Chiaki.

"...The situation at that time..." Takaya's eyes drooped down. "I can nearly recall all of it. If I want to."

"...You..."

"Just that I don't dwell on it."

"..."

Such distress that it was difficult to speak.
A darkness hung over the side of Takaya's face.
Takaya did not wish to say much, just when he was about to turn away, Chiaki asked.

"You liked Minako, didn't you?"

Takaya widened his eyes.

"You liked Minako right? Much more than Naoe?"

"... Minako and Naoe can't be compared in that way."

"Naoe was hated by you because of Minako's incident, he has always felt guilty over it, so scared of the day when you would remember this. When did this memory come back to you? But you don't blame Naoe right. Why?"

"Chiaki..."

"You don't mind anymore, do you? Have you forgiven Naoe?"

"Forgive... this..." Takaya painfully said. "The one that Kagetora cannot forgive, is not Naoe."

"What?"

But Takaya no longer said any more. Feeling pain from a constriction in the very depths of his chest, his voice failed him.

"Kagetora..."

"..."

Takaya's facial expression was clouded in misery as though he had once again sank into melancholy. ...If he were to discuss this any further, he would probably be pushed to the edge. Chiaki sighed.

"I understand... You don't wish to talk about it. Then I won't ask anymore."

"... Sorry, Chiaki."

Hearing Takaya utter these words that seem to come out of the blue, Chiaki was startled. No, the reason for Chiaki's astonishment was Takaya's frail appearance.

"You..."

"You feel uneasy right, being with someone like me?"

"..."

"I will... become stronger, therefore..."

Chiaki was truly shocked. He was utterly stunned at Takaya's words.
He looked extremely depressed.

You...

Chiaki immediately understood. He was startled because Takaya's appearance resembled 'Takaya'. Lately, Takaya was always hiding his heart, putting his own life in direct danger and rejecting people who tried to approach him. He completely disregarded the people who were worried about him. But Takaya's manner just a moment ago, seemed as though a certain layer had been peeled off, it inadvertently roused a warmth in Chiaki's chest.

"I'm going to bathe."

Saying that, Takaya disappeared into the bathroom.


`He didn't die.
Naoe is still alive...`
`He said he wants to come to my side.
He wants me to wait...`


The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Only the trickling of water resounded in the quiet room.

What happened that night?

Something had started to change bit by bit. Even if it was slight, Takaya's heart, which seemed only capable of hardening, had begun to show signs of a restoration to softness (if it could be regarded as such). As demonstrated just a moment ago, he could unexpectedly sense this from his words and gestures.
It started ever since Takaya said those words at the Koyurugi shrine.
Naoe was still alive. What was the basis of these words? When forced to the edge, was that the expression of his desire or wishful thinking owing to the suffering at the deepest level of his consciousness that revealed itself after his mask was stripped away? Chiaki did not understand.
He had said that Naoe was still alive. Kotarou had indeed been standing in front of Takaya. But then again, it did not explain his following words. He had said that he (Naoe) wanted to come to his side.

He wants me to wait...

What does this mean?

Didn't it seem as though he was talking about another Naoe?
Was he saying the real Naoe was still alive?

How can that be possible.

Chiaki thought.

But...

He still had his suspicions.
Chiaki felt exhausted from pondering over this inconclusive matter, he sighed heavily, dropped onto the sofa and looked up at the ceiling.
Considering the variety of dangerous situations that surrounded Takaya, be it the enemy's schemes, the psychological attacks or others, nothing could surprise him now.
The enemy was not the only danger.

--That pillar of the Fuuma is a subordinate of Ujiyasu. Don't let him get too close to Kagetora-dono.

Having been advised by Irobe in this way, Chiaki's wariness of Kotarou had grown more intense. Since the incident at Enoshima, Chiaki had always been at Takaya's side, preventing them from interacting with each other as much as possible. If this was indeed Kotarou's true intention, then Irobe's advice was much appreciated. But,

Ojisan... You're pretty suspicious yourself.

Saying that he was under direct orders from Kenshin, what on earth was he doing?
There were too many things that he did not understand. The only thing he understood, considering Takaya's present state, was that he absolutely could not leave Takaya by himself. (That was why a double room had been booked). Chiaki held a dart between his fingers.

--I will become stronger, therefore...

He could hear fatigue in his tone. That was the moment where the gilding of the supposed parade of his ability was completely removed, displaying his unadorned appearance.
Chiaki knew he felt somewhat happy about this.

Takaya's desperate appearance thus far was definitely not something normal. He was like a beast apprehensive of being unable to stand once again the moment he relaxes, treading with intense caution and a thoroughly murderous look. That nervousness was suffocating.
For the past several months, Takaya's manner had been painful. Despite Ayako's fervently encouraging Takaya with 'you're getting stronger by the minute', Chiaki could see that this was not the case.
There was no leeway at all. He knew that Takaya had been forced to the edge of the precipice. He could see his desperation in his attempts to reclaim what he had lost. With his determination in 'the need to become strong', Takaya appeared to be driven by some object.

The brimming self-confidence that he supposedly had, all of it was a facade. Perhaps that was what Ayako and the others who worshipped Kagetora saw, but no one could compare with Takaya in the way he concealed his true feelings, even more so from his worshippers. Those ordinary people had been misled by him. They did not realize the abnormality in the disquiet that Takaya emitted, they were merely infatuated with the image of him standing at the summit, gradually stripping Takaya of his remaining escape routes.
Takaya went all out, in a way that it made one grieve for him. Allergic to the praise from his worshippers, he was at a loss and struggled painfully. Yet Takaya fully concealed this innate trait of his, causing one to feel this to be even more tragic.

With a little more attention, if I were to maintain a little distance from him...

He should be able to understand.
Understand Takaya's abnormal escape.
His foothold seemed to be on the verge of collapse, it made one fear for him. That sort of impetuous strength, one only had to look at his extreme actions in the past year to comprehend this. He had grown inclined to pretense, every time he spoke he was aiming for the ideal. 'It should be this way', 'It must be this way'. The more he spoke, the more it took away his paths of retreat.
It would not be long before someone noticed that 'something was not right'. Or perhaps someone already did notice.
The abnormality in Takaya's spirit...

Although the cause of it is pretty damn obvious...

The object that Takaya had lost. The existence which supported the foundation of his self-confidence...

--I don't need your opinion about Naoe.

"...That bastard." Thinking aloud, Chiaki sighed heavily.

Seriously can't bear the sight of this...

In short, the top priority of the strategist right now was to protect Takaya. He was the only one who could do this.

I'll just be Kagetora's manager for the time being.

Chiaki aimed the dart straight ahead. The dart traced a path through the air, flying towards the board. A 'ke' sound could be heard as the dart struck the outermost circle of the target area.


Takaya was standing in the section separated by the glass panel. The hot water from the shower rained down on Takaya's head and drenched his skin. He lifted the wet hair that stuck to his forehead, opening his heavy eyes.
His field of vision was a misty white owing to the steam. Among this...
The segments of his memory triggered by Chiaki's words flashed incessantly. The voice of a woman crying out to him. Naoe's painful confession. Then... a grievous weeping...
Takaya looked up at the ceiling, his lips opened slightly.

I'm going to break...

Takaya was simultaneously assaulted by all sorts of images. The inorganic expression in Naoe's eyes. Kaizaki's passionate gaze. Even if he closed his eyes, they would not disappear in the darkness. His mind was immediately choked with questions that he could find the answer to. Since that night, it constantly replayed in his head, he was fiercely inundated once again by the matters he thought about unceasingly.
Then there was a landscape of flames, as though it was the final blow. That which remained in his arms, a weight that he could not retrieve...

"I'm going to break..."

Takaya muttered once again as though he was crying for help.
The mad fumes that surged up from the depths of his heart were about to surpass the barrier.
He was gasping for breath, like a fish choking inside a hot glass box.
Groaning.

It hurts...

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.