From Chinese translations by Hinako.
Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 叶山 Kanouyama; 横滨 Yokohama; 本牧 Honmoku; 首都高速湾岸线 Wangan expressway; 神津島 Koudzushima; 天上山 Tenjousan; 甲斐 Kai; 24 generals of Takeda Shingen; 安田治部少輔 Yasuda Jibu Shousuke
PS: do not distribute this without my permission
Proceeding from Okutsunomiya, they could easily see the vast rocky landscape after passing the steep stone steps. This bulging plateau, shaped as such by years of water erosion, was called Chigo fuchi.
"It's freezing--!"
Because of the bone-chilling cold wind, Ayako pulled the collar closer around her neck. The sun was beginning to set, the waves received the tangerine rays and emitted a radiance, becoming a road of light.
The great waves surged up violently. The tides crashed against the rock cliff, occasionally sending up a spray of water. The road leading to the cave was well constructed. Supported from the top of the cliff was the bridge, it was fairly scenic. Takaya and Ayako listened to the sound of the spattering suds as they made their way to the entrance.
"I've been here before, a long time ago. Still, a lot has changed around here. Previously, there was only the cave."
The legendary cave was the birthplace of Enoshima's beliefs. The main shrine of Enoshima was formerly inside this very cave, known as the 'Kazu Cavern'.
Ayako's home was now in Yokohama, within these 20 years she had visited this area several times. But ever since the cave was sealed due to the incident of falling rocks in the 46th year of the Showa period, this was actually her first time entering the cave as 'Kadowaki Ayako'.
A signboard that said 'Danger of Falling Rocks, Entry is Prohibited' was posted at the entrance of the cave.
Breaking the locks of the gate with incantations, the two of them went in. There was no sign of anyone. The investigation into the incident of falling rocks appeared to have ended.
As none of the electric lights were on, the inside was a mass of black. They borrowed a flashlight placed on the service counter outside.
"Let's go in."
They stepped onto the bare rock of the cave, walking towards the inner section. The place was more like an open space rather than a cave, panels of images and geoscience explanations were hung everywhere.
"I thought it'd be a limestone cavern, but this is far from what I expected."
It felt like an untraversed region. The cave was divided into the first and second caverns. The first cavern was 152 meters in length, while the second was about 40 meters in length. Legend has it that Koubou Daishi and the Nichiren holy priest once participated in the monastic practice of seclusion in this place.
Moving on through the empty space, a bifurcation appeared before them. The left path led to the first cavern.
"Which cavern has the fuuketsu?"
"Hmm... no idea, according to the directions it should be the first cavern. Ah, but this is a man-made wind, so it'll be quite difficult to say which one's the real..."
"Shh!" Takaya suddenly held up his forefinger. Ayako, startled, quieted down immediately. Takaya lowered his voice. "Someone's there."
"Someone's there?"
"...Seems like it. But it's a little strange."
Ayako focused her attention on the surroundings as well.
"Inside."
"The falling rocks occurred in the first cavern. They shouldn't be able to enter."
"...Yeah, but someone's there." Takaya said, holding his own breath and keeping his guard up. Ayako followed suit, she calmly held her breath and headed inside, the sound of their footsteps was inaudible.
"!"
The light from their torch encountered someone lying on the passage before them. Shocked, they ran towards him and held him up.
"Hey, what's wrong! Are you okay!"
Despite shaking his body there was no response. Ayako seemed to have discovered other bodies scattered on the ground further up ahead.
"Kagetora! Over here as well!"
They were workers wearing safety helmets. Takaya wondered if there was another incident of falling rocks, he examined the entire area with his torch.
"Weird. There are no signs of an occurrence of falling rocks..."
"Kagetora... I hear something."
With Ayako's mention, Takaya inclined his head and listened attentively.
It was a man's voice. He sang with a deep and low voice... no, it was not a song. It sounded like he was chanting a scripture.
This is...
Takaya could identify it by ear.
It was the Fudoumyouou shingon.
The flickering flame of a candle could be seen. Someone was inside the cavern. Apparently, the other had noticed that there were people around, the shingon stopped abruptly. They heard a sharp voice.
"Who is there...!"
"!"
Takaya and Ayako instinctively raised their guard. The man's figure was now fully visible in the beam of the flashlight. The man had short hair and a stout figure. He had the physical stature of a wrestler, big and tall, with thick lips and sharp vision, the man resembled a bear.
This brat...
That was the reason Takaya and Ayako were on alert; the other was certainly no ordinary person.
He is possessed!
Ayako immediately sensed this as well. In that moment that they came face to face, both parties realized that the other was not an average person. The man stood up once he saw Takaya and Ayako, displaying a guarded appearance.
"Are you guys kanshousha...?"
Hearing the man's downcast voice, Takaya gasped.
"Which clan are you from? Are you subordinates of the Satomi?"
"What...!"
"Have you all come to obstruct me? Satomi."
Onshou...!
Ayako braced herself for action at once. Power poured into Takaya's tiger eyes, he stared fiercely at the other. "...We are not the Satomi. What on earth did you do back there? Are you the one who attacked those people? Who are you? State your identity."
"What! Then are you guys the..."
"If you don't state your name, you will be expelled from that body. Or perhaps we will send you to another world!"
Takaya issued an intense air of aggression from his body in a menacing way. Hearing these spoken words, it seemed as though the man was aware of Takaya and Ayako's identities.
"D-Don't tell me you guys are...!"
"Identify yourself! What clan are you from!"
"Damn it...! How can I let myself be destroyed by you all!"
In an instance, a green spiritual wave of hostility surged out of the man's body. Takaya had wanted to attack with an incantation but the man outpaced him by one step.
"!"
Green lightning shot through the darkness at high speeds. Takaya shielded Ayako reflexively, setting up a Goshinha. Like electricity, an intense noise broke out at the same time, the inside of the cave was suddenly illuminated as brightly as broad daylight.
"Kagetora...!"
The other's incantation exploded out once more, the rocks above them rumbled and began to tumble, plunging down directly on Takaya and Ayako.
"Nnh...!"
At this crucial moment, Takaya released a spell that smashed the rocks to pieces while protecting their heads. The rocks were pulverized into sand that showered down on them. The man seized this opportunity to move past them, fleeing towards the entrance.
"Wait!"
Takaya called out in this way, and was about to release a Nen Nami. However...!
"!"
He exclaimed 'Shoot!' but it was too late. He had lost control of his powers. The strength of his incantation was more powerful than required, it came bursting forth afresh from within Takaya's body.
"Ahhh!"
The man wanted to enact a Goshinha but he did not manage to do so in time. Takaya's mistake in his excessive incantation not only hit the man but demolished the whole bedrock of the cavern. A violent seism rippled through the entire cave.
"Yahhh!"
The booming sound of the crumbling rocks caused Ayako to cover her ears. Takaya protected his body from the pieces of rock flying about haphazardly, he managed with difficulty to open his eyes.
My powers have again...!
Amid the falling rocks he could see the man lying prostrate on the ground, attempting to escape. Although he had sustained severe injuries, he was still alive.
"I won't let you escape!"
Ayako cried out, courageously giving chase despite the falling rocks. The man, covered in blood from head to foot, did not make for the gateway but rather the path that directly lead to the second cavern. He fled in that direction, finally leaping over the fence of the cavern, he escaped.
"Wait, damn it!"
Despite having painstakingly made her way through the falling rocks, Ayako could no longer see any trace of that man by the time she ran out of the cavern. Ayako surveyed the surrounding area after emerging from the cave.
"Where is he...! Ah!"
The man was there. He had passed the cave and was running towards Chigo fuchi. Ayako pursued him.
"Wait!"
Ayako attacked with spells as she ran after him, even though the man was wounded he still nimbly ran past the cave. He was extremely swift. The form of the man disappeared into the shadows of the cave, Ayako grew distressed.
"Ah!"
A small electric boat hastily sailed out from a platform behind the rocks where the man had disappeared. The man was onboard it. The vessel must have been prepared in advance.
The small electric boat that carried the man set out to sea with all speed.
"Ahhh, damn!"
Ayako stomped her foot angrily. At this moment, a golden object flew past her towards the sea. It was a 'Gohou Douji of the Sword' released by Takaya. The gohou douji pursued the small electric boat, disappearing into the western direction.
Then, Takaya walked out.
"Kagetora..., that brat just now..."
"..."
"Kagetora!"
Takaya crouched down in front of the cave, Ayako anxiously ran over to him. Takaya looked extremely pale, furthermore his shoulders were trembling slightly.
"What's the matter? What's wrong! Kagetora!"
Takaya did not say a word, he covered his lips with his hand as he trembled incessantly. His heart was beating violently, the unstable situation of his powers had become severe to the extent that strange symptoms manifested on his body.
"Kagetora, hang in there!"
"I'm... fine... That man just now...."
"What the heck are you two doing there!"
Hearing a voice from the top of the steps, the two of them lifted their heads in shock. Two men appeared on the stairway leading to Okutsunomiya.
"!"
Weren't they the two men from before, Yashiro and Kaizaki!
Why are they here...
"A while ago there was the noise of falling rocks. Was it in this region? Do you know where it came from?" Yashiro walked down the steps of the bridge as he questioned Takaya and Ayako, who were in front of the cave. "It sounded like it came from the cave there?"
"W-We've been here all this while. We were shocked as well... Then... We're not too sure, but it seemed to have come from the inside."
"You didn't enter, did you? The adjacent cavern should have been sealed off. Didn't you see the signboard?"
"N-No. We didn't notice... But we were just looking around. Honest."
Ayako was desperately trying to think of excuses to conceal what had happened. Beside her, Takaya was staring fixedly at Yashiro's face. Apparently, he felt that there was something suspicious about Yashiro's physicality.
"Are you hurt?" Kaizaki, who was standing on the steps, asked in this way.
Kaizaki headed down the steps and approached them, he wore a black overcoat and a scarf that floated in the air as the cold sea breeze blew against it.
"No, we aren't..., it's nothing..."
Even though Ayako answered in this way, Kaizaki still came forward. He made his way towards the cave, coming to their side. Takaya looked at this tall man.
"You..."
Kaizaki looked at them with his slightly raised eyes from behind his glasses. Takaya revolted against this seemingly impolite scrutiny and stared at him fiercely. Kaizaki gazed at his eyes for a while, his expression unexpectedly softened, he knelt down in front of Takaya without paying attention to the fact that his overcoat would be soiled by the gravel.
Takaya felt startled, he widened his eyes.
Kaizaki calmly opened his mouth.
"...You're injured."
"..."
Takaya was on alert once more, he looked at the other menacingly again. Kaizaki, who was wearing gloves, stretched out his fingers towards Takaya's cheek and gently wiped away the blood that was oozing out of his bruise.
"...!"
Takaya was stunned yet he could not brush away his hand. He did not feel pain.
The fingers that touched him were wonderfully warm, Takaya felt as if some distant memories had been brushed against, he held his breath and shut his eyes.
Kaizaki inclined his head slightly, he gazed at Takaya's face in a fatherly manner and asked.
"Did you fall?"
"..."
"Don't neglect this wound that you got from the cave. Even if it does not hurt, it would be best to disinfect it."
As he spoke in this way, Kaizaki slowly took off the black overcoat that he was wearing. Takaya was startled again, not knowing what he intended to do, Takaya could only stare at him. Kaizaki covered Takaya's shoulders with his overcoat.
As he felt himself gently wrapped in the overcoat, a warmth surrounded his entire back. It felt as though he was covered with the other's body temperature. Accompanying the heat, Takaya sensed the fragrance of a perfume that he had smelt from somewhere before, causing him to widen his eyes.
"..."
Takaya remained dumbfounded as a result of his astonishment. Kaizaki smiled once again and murmured to him in a low voice.
"...The sea breeze is chilling. Please take care."
After saying this, Kaizaki swiftly stood up in the next instant. He returned to the steps in front of the cave, Yashiro uttered. "Are you done?"
"Mmm. It seems like the falling rocks occurred inside the cavern. Let's go."
"Understood." Yashiro replied and followed Kaizaki who headed towards the cave. Ayako started to panic.
"Wait, hey you, wait! This overcoat!"
Although Ayako shouted out, Kaizaki did not turn back but disappeared into the cave.
"W-What the... that strange man! Leaving this high grade overcoat here without any reason! Damn, isn't this a Cashmere coat! What does he expect us to do by leaving this here! What does he mean by this!"
"..."
Takaya was still gazing at the cave with a dazed expression. He clutched onto the overcoat that had been draped over his back, not moving an inch.
"Kage... Kagetora...?"
Takaya still sat there, motionless. Ayako looked at his face worriedly. Then, at that moment, Takaya's eyes suddenly grew moist, tears welled up his eyes and began to stream down his cheeks.
Ayako twitched in fright.
"Kagetora!"
Takaya widened his eyes, they became slightly focused. Ayako grew flustered.
"Wait..., what's wrong! Kagetora, Kagetora!"
"Ah---..." Takaya, having recovered himself, turned towards Ayako with his hand over his mouth. Only now did he realize that he was crying.
"Why are you crying? What's wrong?"
"...I...don't know..."
"How can you be crying without any reason!"
"...I really... don't know..."
Takaya was truly confused. He could not understand why he was crying. The reason for his tears was unclear, it violated against Takaya's will, no matter how hard he tried, he could not stop crying.
"Why are you crying? Do you feel cold? Or does your wound hurt? Did that man frighten you?"
"...No..."
"Then what is it..."
Takaya could only shake his head unceasingly. The feeling of that tender heat lingering in the surrounding area behind him caused him to feel an indescribable affection.
It seemed like something had snapped in his heart, it seemed like a certain kind of emptiness had been filled...
Causing one to feel an endless grief...
"Kagetora..."
Not understanding the reason for his weeping, Takaya quivered.
The cold sea breeze blew across the rocky area, the large waves smashed into the rocks once again.
What should I do...
Hiding behind the rocks, Nikaido Reiko had witnessed the string of events with her own eyes. After concluding her investigation at the Gotou mansion, she had come to this place to investigate the cave. Reiko had heard the noise of the falling rocks and hurried to this spot with haste, and as luck would have it she saw Takaya and the others in front of the cave. Reiko immediately grew nervous.
There's no mistake.
Comparing Takaya with the young man in the picture that Sakaki had given her, Reiko clenched her fist.
There's no mistake that he's the young man in question. The important witness for #36.
Reiko's eyesight was sharp, furthermore she had plenty of confidence in her ability to distinguish between the different appearances of other people. As for Kaizaki and Yashiro who entered the cave, she only wondered "Who are they?" and did not hold much interest in them, her line of sight had been fixed on Takaya the entire time.
I never expected to see him in this place.
In that was the case, could it be that the death [of Gotou] due to a curse had an important connection to #36 as she had suspected? If so, she could not lay idle in this place.
I have to contact the director.
Reiko returned the way she came, she quickly headed to a public phone near a local products shop.
***
By the time Ayako and Takaya departed from Enoshima, the sun had completely set in the west.
The car was on the 134 national highway heading towards Kanouyama. The sea was submerged in darkness, from a distance the lighthouse flashed a ray of light at intervals of several seconds.
"That hyoui rei we saw in the cave is definitely one of the onshou." Ayako said while controlling the steering wheel. "It's exactly as we expected. This is related to Yami Sengoku. From tomorrow onwards, we've to dispatch all of our forces to look into this. We should call the 'Ken En', right? Kagetora. ...Kagetora?"
"Huh..."
Takaya only came around after he was called twice. His mind seemed to be constantly preoccupied ever since that incident at the cave. Ayako initially thought he was silent because he felt ashamed that other people had seen him crying hence his irritation, but it appeared that this was not the case. She did not know what Takaya was thinking about, all of Ayako's words merely flew past his ears like a wind, she felt that Takaya was considerably uneasy in his seat, generally speaking.
Kaizaki's overcoat was placed over Takaya's knees.
"I found him totally repulsive, that man."
Takaya shook slightly, he lifted his eyes.
"Would a normal person do that to someone he obviously isn't acquainted with? If he did that to a woman, one may still think that 'this brat is truly a sweet-talker', but he didn't even look at me, and went to you instead... I just think it's kind of weird..."
"...Perhaps."
"Could it be that he knows that you're Uesugi Kagetora hence his actions? It seems like he took notice of us at Hetsunomiya as well. The man we encountered earlier was also saying something about the Satomi. We really can't take this lightly. Moreover, they seem to have comrades that are capable of witchcraft."
Could they be onshou?
Despite thinking in this way, Ayako immediately negated her view. Based on her observations, Kaizaki was not a hyoui rei, neither was he a kanshousha. If he was one of these two, she should immediately be aware of it.
"Just what is he... that man."
"..."
"He's really a suspicious person. With that strange expression in his eyes. Doing something like that, that man is definitely weird, weird! There must be some catch! And that pair of glasses can really make one feel sick!"
Ayako asserted, she was infuriated. At this moment, Takaya began to speak.
"Just now, that man called Yashiro..." Takaya muttered. "That man, has been possessed."
Voicing out 'Huh', Ayako stared ahead. Takaya shifted his gaze from the street lamps in front of the car towards Ayako.
"Didn't you notice? The breath of a hyoui rei."
"I-I was watching Kaizaki's actions all along..."
"He seemed to be a hyoui rei that has strongly concealed his scent."
"Then what's going on exactly? If Yashiro is a hyoui rei, then is he an onshou or what? Is he really? Could Kaizaki also be one?"
"No." Takaya insisted, his complexion faded. "That man---..."
Takaya mumbled, then closed his mouth and said nothing further. He had been uncommunicative in this way all along, Ayako felt worried and peered at his face.
"What's wrong? Are you still bothered about what happened?"
"..."
"Kagetora?"
Takaya did not reply, he softly pulled the overcoat placed on his knee closer to him. He had been holding on to that overcoat since then.
"S-Seriously! You need to get a grip, Kagetora! You shouldn't let something like that bother you! Once in a while, you do come across men who would suddenly do these sort of unexplainable things! You can't take it as something genuine! Not to mention that you're particularly susceptible to older men, all the more reason to be very careful!"
"Who are you saying is susceptible to men?"
"N-No one. I'm just saying."
"..."
Their conversation broke off, Takaya sank into contemplation once more. As expected, he was still troubled about that man. Takaya felt more uncertain than baffled. That man's actions were truly impetuous...
There was nothing that Ayako could do, she spoke again with a deliberate manner of optimism.
"Well whatever, but what should we do about that high-grade Cashmere overcoat? Look at that sheen. It'd cost five, six hundred thousand yen at least. What do we do? Do we just accept it like this?"
"What to do with it... return it to him I suppose?"
"How do we return it?"
"What do you mean how do we return it? Send it back to the company or something."
Ayako ruffled her hair. "Could it be that he wants us to go to his company by leaving his overcoat behind?"
Although Takaya murmured 'I don't know', Ayako's expression immediately grew solemn.
This could conjointly be considered as a form of provocation. If the other was related to the onshou, he would also be well-aware of their identities...
But why...?
There was also the riddle of the man in the cavern.
--Are you guys subordinates of the Satomi...!
Those words caused one to feel agitated. If he was an onshou, then he was definitely one who was hostile towards the Satomi. What clan was he from? Takaya had sent a gohou douji to pursue him, it would not be long before his whereabouts are known.
The falling rocks in the cave, the plans to buy Enoshima shrine, the dreams of the Enma, the emergence of the mermaids... If all of these were related to the onshou, then how exactly are they linked to each other?
"..."
Takaya's demeanor revealed that he was not in the least bit concerned with Ayako who was unsettled, he alone was immersed in his own thoughts. His left hand pressed against his mouth, while his right firmly grasped the overcoat.
Although Ayako was concerned about Takaya, ...there was nothing else she could do. It was as Chiaki had said, she only had to hold herself together and carry out her tasks in a practical manner, nothing more.
Ayako saw a family restaurant beside the road, and willfully exclaimed in a joyous, high-pitched voice.
"Ah---! Finally found the 'Lobster'! I'm starving, let's go in!"
"!"
Ayako abruptly turned the steering wheel in one full turn, entering the vicinity of the shops.
The Shounan sea was surrounded by the darkness of winter, the waves calmly rolled in the sea.
***
On another side of things---.
Chiaki Shuuhei and Fuuma Kotarou had arrived at Yokohama.
The Honmoku Pier at night was shrouded in a mist. Chiaki and the others were at a place known as the Honmoku Pier D Breakwater. On the left was the Wangan Expressway, Yokohama's cross-sea bridge was now flooded with green lights. Then came the pier's orange-red lights.
"The harbor's freezing in winter."
Chiaki stood in front of the breakwater looking out towards the cross-sea bridge, pulling his collar around his neck as he muttered.
"Hey---. It's not here yet? The Takeda's Atake ship that you said!"
"Perhaps it is still early."
Kotarou, wearing a cream-colored short coat, stood behind him on the slope and replied as though nothing had happened. He took out a steamed bun from his bag and gave it to Chiaki.
"I only received information that they would be entering port tonight, the time of their arrival is not known."
"If not even the noble house of the outstanding Fuuma ningun can find that out, then their defense measures must be really tight."
Kotarou did not react to Chiaki's sarcasm at all.
"Speaking of which, the Uesugi's 'Ken En' should be far more outstanding that we are. Considering the degree of information, I presumed you all already had this information in hand."
Chiaki raised his eyebrows. The cold-blooded ninja's sarcasm was uttered in such a dull manner that it caused one regard it as trite, especially when compared with passionate banter.
Kotarou was not in the least bit concerned, he looked towards the lights of the dark dock opposite the bank of water with an expressionless face. The steam pipes of the ships shrilled. Chiaki had nothing else to do but bite at the meat bun.
"...What a lonesome way to have a midnight snack."
Their mission was to stop the forthcoming Takeda Atake ship from docking at the pier.
According to the intelligence gathered by the Fuuma, the Takeda's Atake ship carrying the elemental stone of Koudzushima would be arriving at Yokohama harbor this very night. The elemental stone had been excavated from Koudzushima's Tenjousan and they heard that the Takeda intended to exploit this elemental stone in the manufacture of some sort of curse weapon.
The elemental stone carried on the ship was probably being transported to Kai. Their task was to impede and capture all of them in one sweep. The Atake ship would be entering at Breakwater C on the opposite side. Chiaki had posted the 'Ken En' at every strategic position to await the arrival of the Atake ship at the harbor. It was nearly 10 P.M.. The ship had yet to arrive.
Chiaki squatted as he nibbled on the meat bun, he earnestly observed Kotarou's profile for a short while. Without a doubt, Chiaki did not have complete trust in the Fuuma. What on earth was Kotarou planning to do? It was truly unusual for him to follow the Uesugi just because he was 'regarded as Naoe'.
But Chiaki had no way of deriving any clues by surveying the manner of Kotarou's words and deeds, or his expressions. Chiaki abandoned his intensive scrutiny, he tugged at the long bundle of hair swaying behind Kotarou's back.
"For someone like you who has such a consistent and rigid manner, it's kind of surprising that you'd obediently wear a black suit to play the part of Naoe. But I suppose no fuss was made over this long bundle of hair?"
"I was questioned once about my attire. It was that day. Saburo-dono had asked why I was not wearing black clothes."
That day... was the day Takaya woke up in Hiroshima.
"Thereafter, I have always wore black clothes. However, Saburo-dono did not seem to notice my hair."
"Not bothering about where you fall short? How amazing." Chiaki drank from the aluminium pack of Oolong tea. "This bit about Naoe always wearing black clothes during work, I think he regarded this as funeral attire. Because his work was related to deceased people, you see. This was really like him, should I say that he was accustomed to it or had an inflexible way of thinking? Kagetora also knows why Naoe wore black, so I guess he picked on this point?"
"Is that so?"
"...Do you find it troublesome?"
Chiaki asked, turning towards Kotarou. Kotarou squinted slightly.
"Are you referring to me?"
"Our general is really headstrong. For this reason, you've been restricted and unable to be flexible in your operations, right? Because you haven't been doing what you ought to do as Naoe, that brat Kagetora has become terribly irritable."
"I have already done my best to carry out my duties as an attendant."
"It's not like that..." Chiaki looked at Kotarou, exposing a bitter expression. "In the end, I think you can never be Naoe's replacement."
Hearing Chiaki's words, Kotarou became strangely unhappy. "What do you mean? Are you saying that my 'Art of Simulation' is imperfect?"
"No. Your 'Art of Simulation' is truly astonishing. Be it Naoe's habits, movements or the tone of his voice, you've imitated them perfectly. I'll admit this much. Deserving of the head of the Fuuma. But, no matter how perfectly well you've imitated Naoe, there's still one person in this world that you can never deceive."
"..."
"That person is Kagetora."
Kotarou's face stiffened. As he had much confidence in his imitation techniques, this was a considerable blow to his self-respect.
"Why? Saburo-dono self-hypnotized himself to see me as Naoe, didn't he?"
"But he'll still know. As long as it has to do with Naoe. In the first place, the words that come out of your mouth are different. The way you react is different. ...You don't say the words that Naoe should utter at certain times. You don't behave in the way that Naoe would. That's why Kagetora is in confusion."
"..."
"Kagetora can't understand why Naoe doesn't act in the way that he should. He's extremely confused, has let his imagination run wild, and is therefore losing his nerve." Chiaki faced the cross-sea bridge. "No matter what you do, it'll only deepen the estrangement. It's impossible for you to replace Naoe."
Kotarou's sore spot had been grazed, he wrinkled his brows. "...Do you mean to say that I am incapable of perfectly playing the part of Naoe?"
Chiaki, astounded, recovered himself. Could it be that Kotarou was feeling anxious? The tone of his voice sounded fairly desperate.
"You are saying that I can't manage?"
"Kotarou, you..."
"..."
--An emotionless machine is truly blessed.
Lately, he often recalled these outlandish words. When had he come across these words? It was firmly ingrained in his brain, constantly oppressing Kotarou. Naoe's words were further overlapped with Takaya's voice and compelled him.
--Obviously, a mechanical person like you wouldn't understand! Someone like you would be better off perfecting your devious methods of murdering people!
Kotarou felt a constriction in his chest, his face grew taut.
"I do not understand---..." Kotarou mumbled. "Up until now, I am still unable to understand that man. Everything that Naoe had done at Hakone, in what way should I analyze them? Until now, I still cannot find the solution. Why would he want to enter the mirror? Isn't that simply suicide in the name of love?"
"..."
"I want to know that man's psychological structure. In order to do that, I believe I have to first understand the crucial aspects of that man's personality - Saburo-dono's."
"And then?" Chiaki urged him to go on. "After spending one year and ten months by 'Saburo-dono's' side, what do you think?"
Kotarou's expression appeared somewhat bitter and astringent. "...I feel increasingly perplexed."
"Oh...?"
"Last night, after returning to his room, Saburo-dono had spoken. Asking, 'Is this revenge'. Saburo-dono behaved in this way, tearing his shirt himself, as though he wanted me to look at his wounds."
--Isn't there something you should say? Isn't there something you should do, when I've become like this?
Kotarou had not been able to do anything.
After that, Kotarou was always thinking. If it were Naoe, what would he have said during that time? What would he have done?
He was always thinking.
Within this stretch of a year and ten months.
His simulation of Naoe should have been completely perfected. But every time Takaya began to speak, he would feel it strange and be dissatisfied. Kotarou had noticed this.
Takaya was restive. He would use those eyes of his to convey a kind of resentment. Although he did not reveal it in words, Takaya would use the expression in his eyes to communicate his feelings.
The candid emotions that broke out caused Kotarou to feel at a loss. Kotarou, who had no experience in matters of the heart or relationships, only regarded Takaya's unrestrained and merciless glare as a kind of savage device. In order to endure it, Kotarou had to become 'Naoe'.
What should be done in order for him to completely become 'Naoe'? Before Kotarou was consciously aware of it, he had already poured all of his mental effort into realizing his goal. Like the method of tempering the ninja. Become a perfect 'Naoe' in front of Kagetora, this was his goal. There were no emotions involved. There was only the mental determination of the ninja to become better that made him unable to leave the situation half-complete. That was all.
Chiaki quietly observed Kotarou's profile for a moment, he muttered as he hugged his knees.
"...Don't tell me, you..." Chiaki eyed the headlights of the cars that flowed past under the bridge one by one. "Did you want to be Naoe from the very beginning?"
Kotarou suddenly widened his eyes. "Want to be Naoe?"
"Seems like it. That's why you've been in agony all this while, isn't that so?"
"No. I only require more information. To resemble that man's mental profile."
"Then why are you this depressed and dispirited? ...Furthermore, it's almost like you feel inferior."
Kotarou fiercely widened his eyes, he stared at Chiaki with a terrifying expression. Feeling slightly scared, Chiaki retreated back a few steps.
"D-Don't be like that..."
Chiaki waved his own hand to placate him.
"If you can be this angry, you're becoming more of a human, Kotarou-san. But, if you're going to be using a person like Naoe as a template, I think it'd be better for you to emulate myself, you'd become a bona fide human being in no time. If you've that intention, I can be your life tutor anytime. How about it? We're close enough, no?"
Chiaki said, a sputtering sound came from the straw as he finished the Oolong tea.
Although Kotarou had very little facial expression, he appeared somewhat displeased. Then, it seemed as though he was once again absorbed in his thoughts.
Chiaki sighed, thinking 'Why is it that every brat is so uptight with his morals'.
"Eh?"
The winds changed.
The intense breeze at the harbor was suddenly weakened, a warm and composite spiritual gust began to encircle the district. Apparently, the vessel was approaching.
"Looks like it's here."
Stuffing the remaining portion of the meat bun into his mouth, Chiaki stood up. At this moment, Kotarou suddenly turned around and sharply yelled out.
"Yasuda-dono!"
"?"
As soon as he turned his head, multiple instances of loud raspy noises came from one side of the warehouse street. Startled, Chiaki focused on it with rapt attention, within the fog was a regiment of black objects.
"What is that...?"
"Wild dogs..." Kotarou could identify them from their scent. "It's a pack of wild dogs! Yasuda-dono!"
"What!"
"Just as we had guessed, you all have really come! Uesugi!"
From the middle of the pack of dogs came a resounding female voice, Chiaki and Kotarou were stunned.
Under the streetlight, the figure of a person appeared. When did she arrive? Dozens of dogs followed by her feet... A blond Caucasian lady. The woman wore a red tube, high boots and a red-striped black mini. Color-wise, her attire was very much like a military uniform. She was holding a whip that resembled the ones used for training animals.
"Hmph, you must be Yasuda Nagahide? A kanshousha of the Uesugi. We knew about the piece of information that had been leaked out to you very early on. Do not underestimate the Takeda's 'Ran Nami'."
"Really, I never expected a body-shaking sexy sister to show up." Chiaki laughed maliciously, spitting out the straw that he was chewing on with a 'Meh'. "...Has Yami Sengoku gone international?"
"What a pity. The harbor at which the Atake ship will be docking at has changed."
Chiaki and Kotarou stared at her at the same time.
"What...!"
"But I won't allow you guys to obstruct our operations. I alone am the only person here tonight. In order to take your pathetic lives."
"... Tsk. The Atake ship didn't come, a Caucasian in red boots came instead..." Chiaki slowly began to concentrate his spells. "Welcome to Yokohama. Want me to release some fireworks to welcome your arrival?"
"What a talkative Yasha. Just as Kousaka-dono had mentioned. The Uesugi are stubborn, bothersome brats." The woman's eyes glinted, a spiritual current rose from her feet, whipping her blond hair about. "I am Yamagata Saburou Byoue no Jou Masakage. Yasuda Jibu Shousuke! Let us settle our score at Kawanakajima here!"
Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.
Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 叶山 Kanouyama; 横滨 Yokohama; 本牧 Honmoku; 首都高速湾岸线 Wangan expressway; 神津島 Koudzushima; 天上山 Tenjousan; 甲斐 Kai; 24 generals of Takeda Shingen; 安田治部少輔 Yasuda Jibu Shousuke
PS: do not distribute this without my permission
Proceeding from Okutsunomiya, they could easily see the vast rocky landscape after passing the steep stone steps. This bulging plateau, shaped as such by years of water erosion, was called Chigo fuchi.
"It's freezing--!"
Because of the bone-chilling cold wind, Ayako pulled the collar closer around her neck. The sun was beginning to set, the waves received the tangerine rays and emitted a radiance, becoming a road of light.
The great waves surged up violently. The tides crashed against the rock cliff, occasionally sending up a spray of water. The road leading to the cave was well constructed. Supported from the top of the cliff was the bridge, it was fairly scenic. Takaya and Ayako listened to the sound of the spattering suds as they made their way to the entrance.
"I've been here before, a long time ago. Still, a lot has changed around here. Previously, there was only the cave."
The legendary cave was the birthplace of Enoshima's beliefs. The main shrine of Enoshima was formerly inside this very cave, known as the 'Kazu Cavern'.
Ayako's home was now in Yokohama, within these 20 years she had visited this area several times. But ever since the cave was sealed due to the incident of falling rocks in the 46th year of the Showa period, this was actually her first time entering the cave as 'Kadowaki Ayako'.
A signboard that said 'Danger of Falling Rocks, Entry is Prohibited' was posted at the entrance of the cave.
Breaking the locks of the gate with incantations, the two of them went in. There was no sign of anyone. The investigation into the incident of falling rocks appeared to have ended.
As none of the electric lights were on, the inside was a mass of black. They borrowed a flashlight placed on the service counter outside.
"Let's go in."
They stepped onto the bare rock of the cave, walking towards the inner section. The place was more like an open space rather than a cave, panels of images and geoscience explanations were hung everywhere.
"I thought it'd be a limestone cavern, but this is far from what I expected."
It felt like an untraversed region. The cave was divided into the first and second caverns. The first cavern was 152 meters in length, while the second was about 40 meters in length. Legend has it that Koubou Daishi and the Nichiren holy priest once participated in the monastic practice of seclusion in this place.
Moving on through the empty space, a bifurcation appeared before them. The left path led to the first cavern.
"Which cavern has the fuuketsu?"
"Hmm... no idea, according to the directions it should be the first cavern. Ah, but this is a man-made wind, so it'll be quite difficult to say which one's the real..."
"Shh!" Takaya suddenly held up his forefinger. Ayako, startled, quieted down immediately. Takaya lowered his voice. "Someone's there."
"Someone's there?"
"...Seems like it. But it's a little strange."
Ayako focused her attention on the surroundings as well.
"Inside."
"The falling rocks occurred in the first cavern. They shouldn't be able to enter."
"...Yeah, but someone's there." Takaya said, holding his own breath and keeping his guard up. Ayako followed suit, she calmly held her breath and headed inside, the sound of their footsteps was inaudible.
"!"
The light from their torch encountered someone lying on the passage before them. Shocked, they ran towards him and held him up.
"Hey, what's wrong! Are you okay!"
Despite shaking his body there was no response. Ayako seemed to have discovered other bodies scattered on the ground further up ahead.
"Kagetora! Over here as well!"
They were workers wearing safety helmets. Takaya wondered if there was another incident of falling rocks, he examined the entire area with his torch.
"Weird. There are no signs of an occurrence of falling rocks..."
"Kagetora... I hear something."
With Ayako's mention, Takaya inclined his head and listened attentively.
It was a man's voice. He sang with a deep and low voice... no, it was not a song. It sounded like he was chanting a scripture.
This is...
Takaya could identify it by ear.
It was the Fudoumyouou shingon.
The flickering flame of a candle could be seen. Someone was inside the cavern. Apparently, the other had noticed that there were people around, the shingon stopped abruptly. They heard a sharp voice.
"Who is there...!"
"!"
Takaya and Ayako instinctively raised their guard. The man's figure was now fully visible in the beam of the flashlight. The man had short hair and a stout figure. He had the physical stature of a wrestler, big and tall, with thick lips and sharp vision, the man resembled a bear.
This brat...
That was the reason Takaya and Ayako were on alert; the other was certainly no ordinary person.
He is possessed!
Ayako immediately sensed this as well. In that moment that they came face to face, both parties realized that the other was not an average person. The man stood up once he saw Takaya and Ayako, displaying a guarded appearance.
"Are you guys kanshousha...?"
Hearing the man's downcast voice, Takaya gasped.
"Which clan are you from? Are you subordinates of the Satomi?"
"What...!"
"Have you all come to obstruct me? Satomi."
Onshou...!
Ayako braced herself for action at once. Power poured into Takaya's tiger eyes, he stared fiercely at the other. "...We are not the Satomi. What on earth did you do back there? Are you the one who attacked those people? Who are you? State your identity."
"What! Then are you guys the..."
"If you don't state your name, you will be expelled from that body. Or perhaps we will send you to another world!"
Takaya issued an intense air of aggression from his body in a menacing way. Hearing these spoken words, it seemed as though the man was aware of Takaya and Ayako's identities.
"D-Don't tell me you guys are...!"
"Identify yourself! What clan are you from!"
"Damn it...! How can I let myself be destroyed by you all!"
In an instance, a green spiritual wave of hostility surged out of the man's body. Takaya had wanted to attack with an incantation but the man outpaced him by one step.
"!"
Green lightning shot through the darkness at high speeds. Takaya shielded Ayako reflexively, setting up a Goshinha. Like electricity, an intense noise broke out at the same time, the inside of the cave was suddenly illuminated as brightly as broad daylight.
"Kagetora...!"
The other's incantation exploded out once more, the rocks above them rumbled and began to tumble, plunging down directly on Takaya and Ayako.
"Nnh...!"
At this crucial moment, Takaya released a spell that smashed the rocks to pieces while protecting their heads. The rocks were pulverized into sand that showered down on them. The man seized this opportunity to move past them, fleeing towards the entrance.
"Wait!"
Takaya called out in this way, and was about to release a Nen Nami. However...!
"!"
He exclaimed 'Shoot!' but it was too late. He had lost control of his powers. The strength of his incantation was more powerful than required, it came bursting forth afresh from within Takaya's body.
"Ahhh!"
The man wanted to enact a Goshinha but he did not manage to do so in time. Takaya's mistake in his excessive incantation not only hit the man but demolished the whole bedrock of the cavern. A violent seism rippled through the entire cave.
"Yahhh!"
The booming sound of the crumbling rocks caused Ayako to cover her ears. Takaya protected his body from the pieces of rock flying about haphazardly, he managed with difficulty to open his eyes.
My powers have again...!
Amid the falling rocks he could see the man lying prostrate on the ground, attempting to escape. Although he had sustained severe injuries, he was still alive.
"I won't let you escape!"
Ayako cried out, courageously giving chase despite the falling rocks. The man, covered in blood from head to foot, did not make for the gateway but rather the path that directly lead to the second cavern. He fled in that direction, finally leaping over the fence of the cavern, he escaped.
"Wait, damn it!"
Despite having painstakingly made her way through the falling rocks, Ayako could no longer see any trace of that man by the time she ran out of the cavern. Ayako surveyed the surrounding area after emerging from the cave.
"Where is he...! Ah!"
The man was there. He had passed the cave and was running towards Chigo fuchi. Ayako pursued him.
"Wait!"
Ayako attacked with spells as she ran after him, even though the man was wounded he still nimbly ran past the cave. He was extremely swift. The form of the man disappeared into the shadows of the cave, Ayako grew distressed.
"Ah!"
A small electric boat hastily sailed out from a platform behind the rocks where the man had disappeared. The man was onboard it. The vessel must have been prepared in advance.
The small electric boat that carried the man set out to sea with all speed.
"Ahhh, damn!"
Ayako stomped her foot angrily. At this moment, a golden object flew past her towards the sea. It was a 'Gohou Douji of the Sword' released by Takaya. The gohou douji pursued the small electric boat, disappearing into the western direction.
Then, Takaya walked out.
"Kagetora..., that brat just now..."
"..."
"Kagetora!"
Takaya crouched down in front of the cave, Ayako anxiously ran over to him. Takaya looked extremely pale, furthermore his shoulders were trembling slightly.
"What's the matter? What's wrong! Kagetora!"
Takaya did not say a word, he covered his lips with his hand as he trembled incessantly. His heart was beating violently, the unstable situation of his powers had become severe to the extent that strange symptoms manifested on his body.
"Kagetora, hang in there!"
"I'm... fine... That man just now...."
"What the heck are you two doing there!"
Hearing a voice from the top of the steps, the two of them lifted their heads in shock. Two men appeared on the stairway leading to Okutsunomiya.
"!"
Weren't they the two men from before, Yashiro and Kaizaki!
Why are they here...
"A while ago there was the noise of falling rocks. Was it in this region? Do you know where it came from?" Yashiro walked down the steps of the bridge as he questioned Takaya and Ayako, who were in front of the cave. "It sounded like it came from the cave there?"
"W-We've been here all this while. We were shocked as well... Then... We're not too sure, but it seemed to have come from the inside."
"You didn't enter, did you? The adjacent cavern should have been sealed off. Didn't you see the signboard?"
"N-No. We didn't notice... But we were just looking around. Honest."
Ayako was desperately trying to think of excuses to conceal what had happened. Beside her, Takaya was staring fixedly at Yashiro's face. Apparently, he felt that there was something suspicious about Yashiro's physicality.
"Are you hurt?" Kaizaki, who was standing on the steps, asked in this way.
Kaizaki headed down the steps and approached them, he wore a black overcoat and a scarf that floated in the air as the cold sea breeze blew against it.
"No, we aren't..., it's nothing..."
Even though Ayako answered in this way, Kaizaki still came forward. He made his way towards the cave, coming to their side. Takaya looked at this tall man.
"You..."
Kaizaki looked at them with his slightly raised eyes from behind his glasses. Takaya revolted against this seemingly impolite scrutiny and stared at him fiercely. Kaizaki gazed at his eyes for a while, his expression unexpectedly softened, he knelt down in front of Takaya without paying attention to the fact that his overcoat would be soiled by the gravel.
Takaya felt startled, he widened his eyes.
Kaizaki calmly opened his mouth.
"...You're injured."
"..."
Takaya was on alert once more, he looked at the other menacingly again. Kaizaki, who was wearing gloves, stretched out his fingers towards Takaya's cheek and gently wiped away the blood that was oozing out of his bruise.
"...!"
Takaya was stunned yet he could not brush away his hand. He did not feel pain.
The fingers that touched him were wonderfully warm, Takaya felt as if some distant memories had been brushed against, he held his breath and shut his eyes.
Kaizaki inclined his head slightly, he gazed at Takaya's face in a fatherly manner and asked.
"Did you fall?"
"..."
"Don't neglect this wound that you got from the cave. Even if it does not hurt, it would be best to disinfect it."
As he spoke in this way, Kaizaki slowly took off the black overcoat that he was wearing. Takaya was startled again, not knowing what he intended to do, Takaya could only stare at him. Kaizaki covered Takaya's shoulders with his overcoat.
As he felt himself gently wrapped in the overcoat, a warmth surrounded his entire back. It felt as though he was covered with the other's body temperature. Accompanying the heat, Takaya sensed the fragrance of a perfume that he had smelt from somewhere before, causing him to widen his eyes.
"..."
Takaya remained dumbfounded as a result of his astonishment. Kaizaki smiled once again and murmured to him in a low voice.
"...The sea breeze is chilling. Please take care."
After saying this, Kaizaki swiftly stood up in the next instant. He returned to the steps in front of the cave, Yashiro uttered. "Are you done?"
"Mmm. It seems like the falling rocks occurred inside the cavern. Let's go."
"Understood." Yashiro replied and followed Kaizaki who headed towards the cave. Ayako started to panic.
"Wait, hey you, wait! This overcoat!"
Although Ayako shouted out, Kaizaki did not turn back but disappeared into the cave.
"W-What the... that strange man! Leaving this high grade overcoat here without any reason! Damn, isn't this a Cashmere coat! What does he expect us to do by leaving this here! What does he mean by this!"
"..."
Takaya was still gazing at the cave with a dazed expression. He clutched onto the overcoat that had been draped over his back, not moving an inch.
"Kage... Kagetora...?"
Takaya still sat there, motionless. Ayako looked at his face worriedly. Then, at that moment, Takaya's eyes suddenly grew moist, tears welled up his eyes and began to stream down his cheeks.
Ayako twitched in fright.
"Kagetora!"
Takaya widened his eyes, they became slightly focused. Ayako grew flustered.
"Wait..., what's wrong! Kagetora, Kagetora!"
"Ah---..." Takaya, having recovered himself, turned towards Ayako with his hand over his mouth. Only now did he realize that he was crying.
"Why are you crying? What's wrong?"
"...I...don't know..."
"How can you be crying without any reason!"
"...I really... don't know..."
Takaya was truly confused. He could not understand why he was crying. The reason for his tears was unclear, it violated against Takaya's will, no matter how hard he tried, he could not stop crying.
"Why are you crying? Do you feel cold? Or does your wound hurt? Did that man frighten you?"
"...No..."
"Then what is it..."
Takaya could only shake his head unceasingly. The feeling of that tender heat lingering in the surrounding area behind him caused him to feel an indescribable affection.
It seemed like something had snapped in his heart, it seemed like a certain kind of emptiness had been filled...
Causing one to feel an endless grief...
"Kagetora..."
Not understanding the reason for his weeping, Takaya quivered.
The cold sea breeze blew across the rocky area, the large waves smashed into the rocks once again.
What should I do...
Hiding behind the rocks, Nikaido Reiko had witnessed the string of events with her own eyes. After concluding her investigation at the Gotou mansion, she had come to this place to investigate the cave. Reiko had heard the noise of the falling rocks and hurried to this spot with haste, and as luck would have it she saw Takaya and the others in front of the cave. Reiko immediately grew nervous.
There's no mistake.
Comparing Takaya with the young man in the picture that Sakaki had given her, Reiko clenched her fist.
There's no mistake that he's the young man in question. The important witness for #36.
Reiko's eyesight was sharp, furthermore she had plenty of confidence in her ability to distinguish between the different appearances of other people. As for Kaizaki and Yashiro who entered the cave, she only wondered "Who are they?" and did not hold much interest in them, her line of sight had been fixed on Takaya the entire time.
I never expected to see him in this place.
In that was the case, could it be that the death [of Gotou] due to a curse had an important connection to #36 as she had suspected? If so, she could not lay idle in this place.
I have to contact the director.
Reiko returned the way she came, she quickly headed to a public phone near a local products shop.
***
By the time Ayako and Takaya departed from Enoshima, the sun had completely set in the west.
The car was on the 134 national highway heading towards Kanouyama. The sea was submerged in darkness, from a distance the lighthouse flashed a ray of light at intervals of several seconds.
"That hyoui rei we saw in the cave is definitely one of the onshou." Ayako said while controlling the steering wheel. "It's exactly as we expected. This is related to Yami Sengoku. From tomorrow onwards, we've to dispatch all of our forces to look into this. We should call the 'Ken En', right? Kagetora. ...Kagetora?"
"Huh..."
Takaya only came around after he was called twice. His mind seemed to be constantly preoccupied ever since that incident at the cave. Ayako initially thought he was silent because he felt ashamed that other people had seen him crying hence his irritation, but it appeared that this was not the case. She did not know what Takaya was thinking about, all of Ayako's words merely flew past his ears like a wind, she felt that Takaya was considerably uneasy in his seat, generally speaking.
Kaizaki's overcoat was placed over Takaya's knees.
"I found him totally repulsive, that man."
Takaya shook slightly, he lifted his eyes.
"Would a normal person do that to someone he obviously isn't acquainted with? If he did that to a woman, one may still think that 'this brat is truly a sweet-talker', but he didn't even look at me, and went to you instead... I just think it's kind of weird..."
"...Perhaps."
"Could it be that he knows that you're Uesugi Kagetora hence his actions? It seems like he took notice of us at Hetsunomiya as well. The man we encountered earlier was also saying something about the Satomi. We really can't take this lightly. Moreover, they seem to have comrades that are capable of witchcraft."
Could they be onshou?
Despite thinking in this way, Ayako immediately negated her view. Based on her observations, Kaizaki was not a hyoui rei, neither was he a kanshousha. If he was one of these two, she should immediately be aware of it.
"Just what is he... that man."
"..."
"He's really a suspicious person. With that strange expression in his eyes. Doing something like that, that man is definitely weird, weird! There must be some catch! And that pair of glasses can really make one feel sick!"
Ayako asserted, she was infuriated. At this moment, Takaya began to speak.
"Just now, that man called Yashiro..." Takaya muttered. "That man, has been possessed."
Voicing out 'Huh', Ayako stared ahead. Takaya shifted his gaze from the street lamps in front of the car towards Ayako.
"Didn't you notice? The breath of a hyoui rei."
"I-I was watching Kaizaki's actions all along..."
"He seemed to be a hyoui rei that has strongly concealed his scent."
"Then what's going on exactly? If Yashiro is a hyoui rei, then is he an onshou or what? Is he really? Could Kaizaki also be one?"
"No." Takaya insisted, his complexion faded. "That man---..."
Takaya mumbled, then closed his mouth and said nothing further. He had been uncommunicative in this way all along, Ayako felt worried and peered at his face.
"What's wrong? Are you still bothered about what happened?"
"..."
"Kagetora?"
Takaya did not reply, he softly pulled the overcoat placed on his knee closer to him. He had been holding on to that overcoat since then.
"S-Seriously! You need to get a grip, Kagetora! You shouldn't let something like that bother you! Once in a while, you do come across men who would suddenly do these sort of unexplainable things! You can't take it as something genuine! Not to mention that you're particularly susceptible to older men, all the more reason to be very careful!"
"Who are you saying is susceptible to men?"
"N-No one. I'm just saying."
"..."
Their conversation broke off, Takaya sank into contemplation once more. As expected, he was still troubled about that man. Takaya felt more uncertain than baffled. That man's actions were truly impetuous...
There was nothing that Ayako could do, she spoke again with a deliberate manner of optimism.
"Well whatever, but what should we do about that high-grade Cashmere overcoat? Look at that sheen. It'd cost five, six hundred thousand yen at least. What do we do? Do we just accept it like this?"
"What to do with it... return it to him I suppose?"
"How do we return it?"
"What do you mean how do we return it? Send it back to the company or something."
Ayako ruffled her hair. "Could it be that he wants us to go to his company by leaving his overcoat behind?"
Although Takaya murmured 'I don't know', Ayako's expression immediately grew solemn.
This could conjointly be considered as a form of provocation. If the other was related to the onshou, he would also be well-aware of their identities...
But why...?
There was also the riddle of the man in the cavern.
--Are you guys subordinates of the Satomi...!
Those words caused one to feel agitated. If he was an onshou, then he was definitely one who was hostile towards the Satomi. What clan was he from? Takaya had sent a gohou douji to pursue him, it would not be long before his whereabouts are known.
The falling rocks in the cave, the plans to buy Enoshima shrine, the dreams of the Enma, the emergence of the mermaids... If all of these were related to the onshou, then how exactly are they linked to each other?
"..."
Takaya's demeanor revealed that he was not in the least bit concerned with Ayako who was unsettled, he alone was immersed in his own thoughts. His left hand pressed against his mouth, while his right firmly grasped the overcoat.
Although Ayako was concerned about Takaya, ...there was nothing else she could do. It was as Chiaki had said, she only had to hold herself together and carry out her tasks in a practical manner, nothing more.
Ayako saw a family restaurant beside the road, and willfully exclaimed in a joyous, high-pitched voice.
"Ah---! Finally found the 'Lobster'! I'm starving, let's go in!"
"!"
Ayako abruptly turned the steering wheel in one full turn, entering the vicinity of the shops.
The Shounan sea was surrounded by the darkness of winter, the waves calmly rolled in the sea.
***
On another side of things---.
Chiaki Shuuhei and Fuuma Kotarou had arrived at Yokohama.
The Honmoku Pier at night was shrouded in a mist. Chiaki and the others were at a place known as the Honmoku Pier D Breakwater. On the left was the Wangan Expressway, Yokohama's cross-sea bridge was now flooded with green lights. Then came the pier's orange-red lights.
"The harbor's freezing in winter."
Chiaki stood in front of the breakwater looking out towards the cross-sea bridge, pulling his collar around his neck as he muttered.
"Hey---. It's not here yet? The Takeda's Atake ship that you said!"
"Perhaps it is still early."
Kotarou, wearing a cream-colored short coat, stood behind him on the slope and replied as though nothing had happened. He took out a steamed bun from his bag and gave it to Chiaki.
"I only received information that they would be entering port tonight, the time of their arrival is not known."
"If not even the noble house of the outstanding Fuuma ningun can find that out, then their defense measures must be really tight."
Kotarou did not react to Chiaki's sarcasm at all.
"Speaking of which, the Uesugi's 'Ken En' should be far more outstanding that we are. Considering the degree of information, I presumed you all already had this information in hand."
Chiaki raised his eyebrows. The cold-blooded ninja's sarcasm was uttered in such a dull manner that it caused one regard it as trite, especially when compared with passionate banter.
Kotarou was not in the least bit concerned, he looked towards the lights of the dark dock opposite the bank of water with an expressionless face. The steam pipes of the ships shrilled. Chiaki had nothing else to do but bite at the meat bun.
"...What a lonesome way to have a midnight snack."
Their mission was to stop the forthcoming Takeda Atake ship from docking at the pier.
According to the intelligence gathered by the Fuuma, the Takeda's Atake ship carrying the elemental stone of Koudzushima would be arriving at Yokohama harbor this very night. The elemental stone had been excavated from Koudzushima's Tenjousan and they heard that the Takeda intended to exploit this elemental stone in the manufacture of some sort of curse weapon.
The elemental stone carried on the ship was probably being transported to Kai. Their task was to impede and capture all of them in one sweep. The Atake ship would be entering at Breakwater C on the opposite side. Chiaki had posted the 'Ken En' at every strategic position to await the arrival of the Atake ship at the harbor. It was nearly 10 P.M.. The ship had yet to arrive.
Chiaki squatted as he nibbled on the meat bun, he earnestly observed Kotarou's profile for a short while. Without a doubt, Chiaki did not have complete trust in the Fuuma. What on earth was Kotarou planning to do? It was truly unusual for him to follow the Uesugi just because he was 'regarded as Naoe'.
But Chiaki had no way of deriving any clues by surveying the manner of Kotarou's words and deeds, or his expressions. Chiaki abandoned his intensive scrutiny, he tugged at the long bundle of hair swaying behind Kotarou's back.
"For someone like you who has such a consistent and rigid manner, it's kind of surprising that you'd obediently wear a black suit to play the part of Naoe. But I suppose no fuss was made over this long bundle of hair?"
"I was questioned once about my attire. It was that day. Saburo-dono had asked why I was not wearing black clothes."
That day... was the day Takaya woke up in Hiroshima.
"Thereafter, I have always wore black clothes. However, Saburo-dono did not seem to notice my hair."
"Not bothering about where you fall short? How amazing." Chiaki drank from the aluminium pack of Oolong tea. "This bit about Naoe always wearing black clothes during work, I think he regarded this as funeral attire. Because his work was related to deceased people, you see. This was really like him, should I say that he was accustomed to it or had an inflexible way of thinking? Kagetora also knows why Naoe wore black, so I guess he picked on this point?"
"Is that so?"
"...Do you find it troublesome?"
Chiaki asked, turning towards Kotarou. Kotarou squinted slightly.
"Are you referring to me?"
"Our general is really headstrong. For this reason, you've been restricted and unable to be flexible in your operations, right? Because you haven't been doing what you ought to do as Naoe, that brat Kagetora has become terribly irritable."
"I have already done my best to carry out my duties as an attendant."
"It's not like that..." Chiaki looked at Kotarou, exposing a bitter expression. "In the end, I think you can never be Naoe's replacement."
Hearing Chiaki's words, Kotarou became strangely unhappy. "What do you mean? Are you saying that my 'Art of Simulation' is imperfect?"
"No. Your 'Art of Simulation' is truly astonishing. Be it Naoe's habits, movements or the tone of his voice, you've imitated them perfectly. I'll admit this much. Deserving of the head of the Fuuma. But, no matter how perfectly well you've imitated Naoe, there's still one person in this world that you can never deceive."
"..."
"That person is Kagetora."
Kotarou's face stiffened. As he had much confidence in his imitation techniques, this was a considerable blow to his self-respect.
"Why? Saburo-dono self-hypnotized himself to see me as Naoe, didn't he?"
"But he'll still know. As long as it has to do with Naoe. In the first place, the words that come out of your mouth are different. The way you react is different. ...You don't say the words that Naoe should utter at certain times. You don't behave in the way that Naoe would. That's why Kagetora is in confusion."
"..."
"Kagetora can't understand why Naoe doesn't act in the way that he should. He's extremely confused, has let his imagination run wild, and is therefore losing his nerve." Chiaki faced the cross-sea bridge. "No matter what you do, it'll only deepen the estrangement. It's impossible for you to replace Naoe."
Kotarou's sore spot had been grazed, he wrinkled his brows. "...Do you mean to say that I am incapable of perfectly playing the part of Naoe?"
Chiaki, astounded, recovered himself. Could it be that Kotarou was feeling anxious? The tone of his voice sounded fairly desperate.
"You are saying that I can't manage?"
"Kotarou, you..."
"..."
--An emotionless machine is truly blessed.
Lately, he often recalled these outlandish words. When had he come across these words? It was firmly ingrained in his brain, constantly oppressing Kotarou. Naoe's words were further overlapped with Takaya's voice and compelled him.
--Obviously, a mechanical person like you wouldn't understand! Someone like you would be better off perfecting your devious methods of murdering people!
Kotarou felt a constriction in his chest, his face grew taut.
"I do not understand---..." Kotarou mumbled. "Up until now, I am still unable to understand that man. Everything that Naoe had done at Hakone, in what way should I analyze them? Until now, I still cannot find the solution. Why would he want to enter the mirror? Isn't that simply suicide in the name of love?"
"..."
"I want to know that man's psychological structure. In order to do that, I believe I have to first understand the crucial aspects of that man's personality - Saburo-dono's."
"And then?" Chiaki urged him to go on. "After spending one year and ten months by 'Saburo-dono's' side, what do you think?"
Kotarou's expression appeared somewhat bitter and astringent. "...I feel increasingly perplexed."
"Oh...?"
"Last night, after returning to his room, Saburo-dono had spoken. Asking, 'Is this revenge'. Saburo-dono behaved in this way, tearing his shirt himself, as though he wanted me to look at his wounds."
--Isn't there something you should say? Isn't there something you should do, when I've become like this?
Kotarou had not been able to do anything.
After that, Kotarou was always thinking. If it were Naoe, what would he have said during that time? What would he have done?
He was always thinking.
Within this stretch of a year and ten months.
His simulation of Naoe should have been completely perfected. But every time Takaya began to speak, he would feel it strange and be dissatisfied. Kotarou had noticed this.
Takaya was restive. He would use those eyes of his to convey a kind of resentment. Although he did not reveal it in words, Takaya would use the expression in his eyes to communicate his feelings.
The candid emotions that broke out caused Kotarou to feel at a loss. Kotarou, who had no experience in matters of the heart or relationships, only regarded Takaya's unrestrained and merciless glare as a kind of savage device. In order to endure it, Kotarou had to become 'Naoe'.
What should be done in order for him to completely become 'Naoe'? Before Kotarou was consciously aware of it, he had already poured all of his mental effort into realizing his goal. Like the method of tempering the ninja. Become a perfect 'Naoe' in front of Kagetora, this was his goal. There were no emotions involved. There was only the mental determination of the ninja to become better that made him unable to leave the situation half-complete. That was all.
Chiaki quietly observed Kotarou's profile for a moment, he muttered as he hugged his knees.
"...Don't tell me, you..." Chiaki eyed the headlights of the cars that flowed past under the bridge one by one. "Did you want to be Naoe from the very beginning?"
Kotarou suddenly widened his eyes. "Want to be Naoe?"
"Seems like it. That's why you've been in agony all this while, isn't that so?"
"No. I only require more information. To resemble that man's mental profile."
"Then why are you this depressed and dispirited? ...Furthermore, it's almost like you feel inferior."
Kotarou fiercely widened his eyes, he stared at Chiaki with a terrifying expression. Feeling slightly scared, Chiaki retreated back a few steps.
"D-Don't be like that..."
Chiaki waved his own hand to placate him.
"If you can be this angry, you're becoming more of a human, Kotarou-san. But, if you're going to be using a person like Naoe as a template, I think it'd be better for you to emulate myself, you'd become a bona fide human being in no time. If you've that intention, I can be your life tutor anytime. How about it? We're close enough, no?"
Chiaki said, a sputtering sound came from the straw as he finished the Oolong tea.
Although Kotarou had very little facial expression, he appeared somewhat displeased. Then, it seemed as though he was once again absorbed in his thoughts.
Chiaki sighed, thinking 'Why is it that every brat is so uptight with his morals'.
"Eh?"
The winds changed.
The intense breeze at the harbor was suddenly weakened, a warm and composite spiritual gust began to encircle the district. Apparently, the vessel was approaching.
"Looks like it's here."
Stuffing the remaining portion of the meat bun into his mouth, Chiaki stood up. At this moment, Kotarou suddenly turned around and sharply yelled out.
"Yasuda-dono!"
"?"
As soon as he turned his head, multiple instances of loud raspy noises came from one side of the warehouse street. Startled, Chiaki focused on it with rapt attention, within the fog was a regiment of black objects.
"What is that...?"
"Wild dogs..." Kotarou could identify them from their scent. "It's a pack of wild dogs! Yasuda-dono!"
"What!"
"Just as we had guessed, you all have really come! Uesugi!"
From the middle of the pack of dogs came a resounding female voice, Chiaki and Kotarou were stunned.
Under the streetlight, the figure of a person appeared. When did she arrive? Dozens of dogs followed by her feet... A blond Caucasian lady. The woman wore a red tube, high boots and a red-striped black mini. Color-wise, her attire was very much like a military uniform. She was holding a whip that resembled the ones used for training animals.
"Hmph, you must be Yasuda Nagahide? A kanshousha of the Uesugi. We knew about the piece of information that had been leaked out to you very early on. Do not underestimate the Takeda's 'Ran Nami'."
"Really, I never expected a body-shaking sexy sister to show up." Chiaki laughed maliciously, spitting out the straw that he was chewing on with a 'Meh'. "...Has Yami Sengoku gone international?"
"What a pity. The harbor at which the Atake ship will be docking at has changed."
Chiaki and Kotarou stared at her at the same time.
"What...!"
"But I won't allow you guys to obstruct our operations. I alone am the only person here tonight. In order to take your pathetic lives."
"... Tsk. The Atake ship didn't come, a Caucasian in red boots came instead..." Chiaki slowly began to concentrate his spells. "Welcome to Yokohama. Want me to release some fireworks to welcome your arrival?"
"What a talkative Yasha. Just as Kousaka-dono had mentioned. The Uesugi are stubborn, bothersome brats." The woman's eyes glinted, a spiritual current rose from her feet, whipping her blond hair about. "I am Yamagata Saburou Byoue no Jou Masakage. Yasuda Jibu Shousuke! Let us settle our score at Kawanakajima here!"
Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.
