From Chinese translations by Hinako.
Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 本妙寺 Honmyouji
PS: do not distribute this without my permission
"Ah~~~ It's really raining now."
Chiaki Shuuhei looked out from the lounge of the mathematics department. Seeing the first drops of rain land on the glass pane, he sighed.
"Chiaki-sensei, would you like some tea?"
"Ah, thank you."
Yamaguchi-sensei, who taught the second year students as well, placed the steaming cup of tea on the tray and walked over. Yamaguchi-sensei had a slender frame. At first glance, he gave one the impression of being unreliable, however he was a fairly attentive colleague. He was the teacher in the mathematics department who had organized Chiaki's welcome party. He had just married six months ago, a photo of his loving wife was placed on his desk.
"How unfortunate that it's raining. To think that the weather forecasts predicted a 10% possibility of rain. Want to borrow my umbrella?"
"Oh, I came by car. It's okay."
Chiaki replied, sipping at the bitter green tea. Yamaguchi sat opposite him, drinking from his cup.
"Chiaki-sensei, how was your third day at work?"
"Mmm, I find that they're all really good students. They've the right attitude in class as well, no problematic students so far. However, they're just a little too calm if I may say so."
Chiaki's students were not calm in actuality, but rather rendered speechless from his haphazard teaching methods.
"I see. I'm happy to hear that."
"I shall finally have a lesson with class 2B tomorrow."
Chiaki murmured, "Just you wait, Kagetora." Chiaki let out an evil laugh. Yamaguchi-sensei looked at him in puzzlement, wondering at his behavior.
"Indeed, the students' attitudes have improved considerably in the last six months. This is truly wonderful. It probably started when Mikuriya became the leader of the student council."
"Mikuriya... Ahh, that female student from 2A? President of the student council."
"Yes. After becoming the president, she successfully implemented the system of autonomy among the students. Nowadays, it's really difficult to accomplish that to such a meticulous degree, even for a teacher. She's truly amazing."
"Autonomy..." Chiaki nibbled on the red bean bun that came with the tea, he frowned. "When you word it that way, it sounds like a good idea. But that sort of environment is quite simply like a dictatorship. Stamping all those violation marks and whatnot, they're not the police in the first place. School life that's no different to being on tenterhooks is definitely not what I would like to experience. Surprisingly, the students can actually endure this."
"Really? I don't really find anything wrong with this."
"One should have more freedom during one's youth!" Chiaki said dramatically. "Youth is freedom! To be bound by rules during this period which will never be seen again once it passes, this is such a waste of one's youth! This is such a great pity! ...Don't you think so? Yamaguchi-sensei."
"Ah... But this is something that the students have decided for themselves..."
"Furthermore, that inspection committee or whatever it's called really grates on my nerves." Chiaki held his arms together. Leaning back against his chair, he swung his feet onto his desk. "They spend the entire day sniffing around like dogs for anyone guilty of violating the code of the society. They're simply taking advantage of their authority to bully others. Just looking at their faces makes my stomach churn in the most indescribable ways."
Judging from Chiaki's words, it seemed like he had once suffered a similar sort of oppression by the police (Chiaki did not have any driving license to begin with, thus whatever explanation he gave when flagged down was not accepted). Seeing Chiaki grow increasingly furious with each sentence, a nervous smile appeared on Yamaguchi-sensei's face.
"Ahhh, now that you mention it, previously, there was another teacher who shared your opinion."
"?"
"Nakajima-sensei, he taught mathematics as well."
"Nakajima? I've not heard of him... He isn't teaching anymore, is he?"
"He passed away in November last year."
Chiaki reacted to that statement. "Passed away?"
"Mmm. Acute heart failure. Nakajima-sensei was pretty old, he collapsed in school all of sudden, by the time he reached the hospital he..."
Chiaki took his feet off the desk, he propped both of his elbows on the table in curiosity.
"In school...?"
"Yes. I was in the ambulance as well. I was shocked since Nakajima-sensei was usually in good health. Nakajima-sensei was also very critical of the current student council, he would often grumble about it."
Chiaki squinted. "Oh..."
"Even though he was very strict in his teaching, students would often confide in him about their worries or anxiety, he was a teacher the students admired greatly. Both of them, husband and wife, were really warm people. They would frequently get house visits from students who have already graduated. He was a great teacher..."
Yamaguchi reminisced about Nakajima-sensei, then he clasped his hands together as though he had suddenly remembered something.
"Speaking of which, the day before he collapsed he said some very strange things. Even now I'm still bothered by them."
"Strange things?"
"Ah... But this..."
Yamaguchi paused at this point. Perhaps thinking it a little inconvenient to talk about it, he hesitated. Chiaki looked at his face in surprise.
"What did he say? Tell me."
"Hmm... Um..." Although Yamaguchi appeared as though he was being compelled to do something difficult, he stammered on nonetheless. "It happened the day before Nakajima-sensei collapsed. The weather that day was rather gloomy, just like how it is now. I finished late that day as I had to supervise the club activities, around 6pm I think. It was almost dark, Nakajima-sensei was standing in that corridor ahead, looking out the window by himself."
"Looking out the window by himself?"
"Yes. I knew he had stayed back to discuss about the graduation trip and so forth, but he looked rather strange then. He was looking out the window with a vacant expression, like this. Finding his behavior a little weird, I called out to him, and then... Nakajima-sensei's face was very pale when he turned towards me and said this." Yamaguchi-sensei lowered his voice. "He said that he had seen the 'Hikaru Orochi'."
"The 'Hikaru Orochi'...?"
"Yes." There was a frightening expression on Yamaguchi's face, as though he was now telling a horror story. "That is the 'Dazzling Orochi'. I didn't understand his meaning so I asked him about it, however Nakajima-sensei didn't reply. He just staggered away. His face was white like paper, as though he had been possessed by something."
"And then he died all of a sudden the next day."
"Mmm," Yamaguchi-sensei replied, nodding his head. "After that, things got really busy because of the funeral and such, so I forgot about it. I only remembered after a considerable length of time had passed..."
Behind his glasses, Chiaki's eyes sharpened. "'Hikaru Orochi'... Did he really say that?"
"Yes, if my ears didn't fail me that is. But I couldn't understand his meaning at all. It was like an omen, the sort that you find in mystery fiction. I find it scary in general and I've never told anyone about this until now."
"Omen...?"
It sounded a little exaggerated, but if this was indeed the case then Nakajima-sensei was murdered.
'Hikaru Orochi'...
Chiaki revealed a solemn expression as he mulled over the facts of the case, the teachers lounge abruptly sank into silence. Perhaps Yamaguchi could not bear the sudden clarity of the sound of the rain, he laughed out loud in a nervous manner.
"H-How can there be such a thing, seriously. I must've made a mistake somewhere. Hahaha."
"Nakajima-sensei was standing in that corridor, looking out the window, right."
"Ah... yes."
Chiaki finished the remaining tea in one gulp and stuffed the red bean bun into his mouth.
"Thanks for the snack. Shall we take a walk down the corridor? Yamaguchi-sensei."
"Huh? Ah, okay... What do you have in mind?"
Chiaki placed the cup by the sink, he swung his arm over the back of Yamaguchi's neck and dragged the latter towards the corridor.
"Was it here? Yamaguchi-sensei."
Chiaki was trying to duplicate Nakajima-sensei's actions that day, standing by the window. Yamaguchi nodded.
"Yes. That's right, it was right here."
"In which direction did he face?"
"Straight ahead. Which direction... he was just gazing ahead in general. He seemed to be looking up a little. That portion of the sky..."
Chiaki did as Yamaguchi said, looking 'straight ahead, and upwards at a slight angle'. Before him was the clubs and societies office; beyond the office was the gymnasium currently undergoing renovation. The surroundings were covered in green trees.
This direction...
To the north of Kojou High School was the public park of Kumamoto castle, however the position of the castle tower was situated slightly towards the right. Beyond the castle tower beside the mountains, on the left, stood the famous bodaiji of Katou Kiyomasa - Honmyouji...
'Hikaru Orochi' huh...
"Perhaps he was looking at the lightning? If Nakajima-sensei was looking at the sky that is..."
"I don't know. Although the sky was overcast that day, I didn't hear any thunder or anything..."
"..."
Chiaki clasped his chin, he hummed in the manner of a detective. ...What could this mean? Beside him, Yamaguchi seemed at a loss. Right at that moment,
"Ah--- What are you doing here, Chiaki-sensei?"
A female student cried out to Chiaki from the other end of the corridor. Chiaki came back to his senses, he turned in that direction.
"Oh. It's, um, you..."
"How mean. It's Koganezawa Kyouko of class 2D. Really, the least you could do is remember my name after I took the trouble of buying something for you."
"Ah, yes, yes, Koganezawa Kyouko. Thanks for buying me that yesterday. Why are you still in school?"
"What do you mean 'why are you still in school', everyone's been waiting for you sensei."
"Huh?"
"Have you forgotten? Rugby practice. Didn't you promise to replace Kobayashi as club advisor for the rugby society?"
Kyouko said, pouting her lips. Kyouko was the manager of the rugby society. A few days ago, she wanted Chiaki to be the rugby club's acting advisor in exchange for running errands for him.
I completely forgot about it.
"Because of the rain, the club's practice will be held in the activities room for today. Come quickly, hurry!"
"I-I understand. I'll head over this instant. See you around, Yamaguchi-sensei!"
"Ah, wait... Chiaki-sensei!"
Kyouko had wrapped herself around Chiaki's arm and dragged him away.
***
Under the endless rain, the two of them stared at each other.
Nezu did not even open his umbrella. Takaya handed the umbrella he was holding to Akemi and stepped forward, ignoring the fact that his uniform would be soaked.
"O-Ougi-kun... Nezu-kun..."
Nezu Kouichi's left hand was in his pocket, he gazed at Takaya with a solemn expression. That look. He had given Takaya that look ever since the latter transferred to this school, a stare brimming with outright hostility...
Apparently, Akemi could also sense the extreme unusualness of the atmosphere, she gulped softly. Nezu was the first to speak.
"What are your motives for coming to this school?"
"..."
Takaya did not move.
Akemi widened her eyes with a 'Huh?'.
"What do you mean 'motives'... Nezu-kun!"
"I asked for your objective of infiltrating this school. Ougi Takaya."
Nezu ignored Akemi, he questioned Takaya in a stern voice. Akemi could not comprehend Nezu's words. However, it seemed like Takaya caught his meaning.
"What about your objective?" Takaya slanted his head a little, he said, "Thanks for asking, I can demand the same of you. For what purpose have you decided to become a student of this school? You don't seem to be Mikuriya's comrade. Which faction are you from?"
Huh? Huh? Huh?
Only Akemi was lost on the situation. All of a sudden, the tree branch above Takaya's head snapped off.
"Wahhh!" Akemi pressed against her mouth, however Takaya was not in the least bit startled, he was still staring directly at Nezu.
"I see..." Nezu muttered, he smiled. "Seems like you're exactly as how you're described in the rumors. I've more or less guessed your actual identity, if my sources are correct that is."
Takaya's shoulders jumped. The smile on Nezu's face disappeared, he approached him slowly, as though he was issuing a challenge.
"How much do you know about this school? Which piece of information did you acquire hence your infiltration? What do you intend to do?"
"..." Takaya was on alert, he drew back a little.
"Please answer. Depending on your answer, I will decide whether to make you disappear this instant."
"Do you think that I'll just tell you what I know?"
"You don't need to say anything."
Once Nezu said that, he stretched out his right hand and grabbed hold of Takaya's left arm. Right at the moment when contact was made,
"!"
Takaya instantly felt his mental perception flow into the other party. In a reflex, he firmly broke off Nezu's grip.
That was...!
Although he had severed the physical link, it was too late; the other had the information seized from Takaya's cognizance in his hands. Takaya pressed against the area that had been touched, staring fiercely at Nezu. Nezu smiled complacently.
"As I expected. You're that Uesugi Kagetora, aren't you?"
Takaya glared at Nezu, who had a smile of superiority on his face, bitterly gnashing his teeth in anger.
Contact telepathy...!
Very few individuals were capable of this. It was the ability to read another's thoughts via physical contact. Depending on the level of the user, it was possible to acquire a significant portion of the deeper levels of contemplation even if physical contact was instantaneous. Takaya had immediately created a defensive wall in his consciousness and broke away from the other, thus only the upper layer of his cogitation had been read. Nevertheless, what he knew had been divulged to the other party.
"I see... Seems like you people are still completely ignorant about 'that issue'."
"!... What did you say!"
Nezu wrapped his arms around his body in an arrogant manner, and uttered sharply.
"Discontinue your involvement in the matters of Kojou High School immediately. I don't wish to lower my military strength by fighting you now. I believe you think the same. Right now, we should be conserving our military strength for the battles to come. Consider this a warning as well. Leave Kumamoto at once, otherwise I will be forced to issue the appropriate measures. If you don't wish to be pushed to a fight, leave this place at once."
"...You..." Takaya stared at the other with a deep sense of caution. "Which faction are you from? Ryuuzouji's?"
"..."
Nezu did not reply, he only regarded Takaya with those black eyes of his. That body was not one that could be described as stout or sturdy, yet he had a rather oppressive presence. The aura around his body - as well as his sharp vision - definitely belonged to an individual stationed on the battlefield all year round. His countenance indicated a complete devotion to war, eliminating all else that was not needed; he was like a bird of prey with sharp, tenacious claws.
"I shall say this again. Leave Kumamoto. If you're wondering about Mikuriya Juri, I won't let her continue to hold a candle to the devil. I don't need you people to get involved in this matter."
"And if I say that I won't leave?"
"I will attack you."
Takaya could sense from his immediate reply that Nezu had an unusual amount of confidence in his own strength. He was forced to remain silent. Although Nezu demanded him to leave, Takaya could see that he yearned for a showdown with him. Perhaps he was inherently warlike in nature. For the moment, regardless of what this man's plans were, the only thing he could ascertain was the tenacity of his determination. Although he threatened aggression, he was probably capable of an actual attack.
"You..." Takaya lowered his voice again and asked. "Who are you?"
Nezu did not answer. His expression conveyed that he had said that he wanted to say. He turned around and walked to the other side of the forest-shaded road in the rain.
Ignoring the rainwater dripping from his wet hair, Takaya stood there in silence.
"O...Ougi-kun." Akemi called out worriedly from behind him. "What was Nezu-kun talking about? Ue...sugi...?"
"..."
As Takaya's present expression was extremely frightening, Akemi retreated to the back in fear.
Nezu Kouichi. Like Miike Tetsuya, he was one of the few students in his class who did not have any attached mixed spirits. At the same time, he was also a 'member of the resistance' who opposed the executive committee of Mikuriya Juri and her subordinates.
That man...
Was a kanshousha through and through.
Onshou.
If that was the case, who on earth was he?
The rain did not show any sign of stopping, drenching the branches of the trees that stretched out.
***
Koganezawa Kyouko took Chiaki to the rugby society's practice session. Although Chiaki had been deemed small and weak hence a wimpy addition to the rugby team, he greeted them warmly and declared, "This year I shall take you guys to the Hanazono!" Then he left the activities room, not bothering to pay much attention to their practice for long.
"Chiaki-sensei--------!!" Kyouko chased after Chiaki who had walked out. "Where are you going!"
"Ahh? ...Ahh ...Umm, I'm going to have a look at the sports field."
Chiaki wore his shoes, grabbing the plastic umbrella placed nearby.
"Mmm, that's right. See, in order to guide the students, it's necessary to first check the available facilities. The most important one would be the sports field. I'm also going to inquire about the number of sports equipment we have."
Chiaki was lying his face off. In actuality, he wanted to perform a spiritual investigation of the environment within the school's compounds. Although he had easily settled into this school, he did not expect the lack of any spare time as a teacher. This complicated matters a little.
"If that's the case, let me accompany you! I'll show you around! Furthermore, I know where the sports equipment are stored."
"Hmmmm---.... okay."
It so happened that Chiaki wanted a guide. Once he replied with a 'I shall rely on you then', Kyouko was so excited she could hardly stay still, and tagged along. The sports field of Kojou High was situated within the school's compounds. The storehouse for physical education classes was situated ahead of them. The worn-out hurdles strewn on the field and a football, that the students had forgotten to store away, were thoroughly drenched by the rain. Despite the bad weather, outdoor activities were not halted but rather changed to light drills. Not a single student was seen on the sports field.
"Usually, we'll still go ahead with the drills in this sort of drizzle. But if we get our uniforms muddy, it'll be really troublesome when it comes to the washing. That's why we decided to do light drills for today. ...Ah, this is the clubs and societies office."
Despite being in the rain, Kyouko was extremely excited as she could have her target, 'Chiaki-sensei', all to herself (even if she was merely guiding him around) and was joyfully satisfied.
However, Chiaki was distracted from Kyouko's introduction of the place.
This area's pretty severe too...
The spiritual bodies that had assembled were roaming about the area restlessly, stirring up a ruckus in a disordered manner. This would probably be intolerable to a more sensitive spiritual detective. Kojou High School was indeed the chaotic center of Kumamoto's spiritual magnetic field. But, where was the source?
Over there...?
By spiritual analysis, Chiaki could sense an object resembling a power source to the left of the sports field. An object that attracted the spirits and brought about this magnetic field - an object known as a spiritual magnet. The gymnasium, which was undergoing renovation, was conveniently situated in that spot.
"The gymnasium? Ah, they're currently tearing it down, there's no point in going there."
"When did this construction start?"
"Hmm--, around the beginning of this year."
"This year?" Chiaki creased his brows.
"I always thought that our gymnasium wasn't that old to begin with, why would it need to be torn down and reconstructed? Plans to renovate it came up rather suddenly at the end of last year, then things got really busy. It was really fast."
"... Suddenly? Really..."
"Because of this, our P.E. classes have to be held outdoors in such cold weather. The members of the basketball and volleyball society were abruptly deprived of a court for practice, and had to resort to looking for courts outside of school. They're really pitiful."
"..."
Chiaki held his chin, and hummed for a while. Reconstruction began last year in a sudden manner, this in itself suggested the presence of some hidden scheme. And during that time...
It was not long after Nakajima-sensei passed away.
Mikuriya's executive committee had also taken over the student union then.
How suspicious...
"I'm going to have a look at the gymnasium."
"Eh? What are you going to do there?"
"Going to check out the stage of the renovation. I want to see how far the reconstruction has gone so far."
"That won't do, sensei! We're prohibited from approaching that place!"
Chiaki turned around in shock. "What?"
"If we go there, we'll be punished by the executive committee. The teachers would be angry too."
"Why?"
"This... Because it says so in the rules."
"I see, the rules you say..."
Who the heck drew up the rules?
Chiaki held his hands up in a surrendering position and walked towards the gymnasium. Kyouko chased after him in agitation.
"Ah! Sensei, wait!"
"In any case, it'll be okay as long as I avoid getting caught, right? I'll be fine, I'll be fine. You can wait here."
"B...But, sensei! This won't be good!"
Chiaki ignored Kyouko's pleas to stop and proceeded towards the gymnasium. Kyouko warned him against it uneasily, pursuing him from behind. The gymnasium was built on land that was relatively elevated from a geographic point of view. Just when they were about to ascend the stairs,
"What are both of you doing there!"
Hearing a sharp female voice, Kyouko nearly jumped in fright. The two of them turned around, a group adults were walking over from the school building. In the center of that group was a young girl in a sailor-style uniform...
That would be...
"Miku...Mikuriya Juri!"
Kyouko cried out in a small voice. Mikuriya walked out of that group of adults clad in business suits. Facing them, she uttered loudly.
"What are both of you doing there! Entering the gymnasium is strictly prohibited! Have you forgotten that!"
"Ah... Sorry about that." Chiaki stepped forward as though he was shielding Kyouko, bluntly lowering his head. "I was the one who forced her to come along because I wanted to see if there's anything up here, therefore... I'm still new around here, that's why I requested Koganezawa-kun to show me around the school."
"You are..." Mikuriya's slender eyebrows flew up fiercely. "The substitute teacher for math classes right. The gymnasium is in the process of being torn down. Entry has been prohibited as it's dangerous up there. Didn't the teachers mention this?"
"Yeah..." Chiaki replied ambiguously, scratching his head. "My deepest apologies."
"Let it be. I shall let you off this time. Leave this place right away."
"Yes, sorry."
The two of them lowered their heads in a disheartened manner and descended the stairs.
Why she's strangely flustered...
Chiaki's gaze had sharpened as a result of Mikuriya Juri's agitated response. Mikuriya turned back towards the suited adults, inviting them to follow her. Those adults were not the school's staff members. While Chiaki was pondering over who they were,
"?"
Chiaki saw a familiar face among the suited men who brushed past him and stopped in his tracks.
He was a tall man wearing an army-type raincoat. His broad shoulders gave one the impression of reliability. He was about 30 years of age, his black hair was neatly combed towards the back, and he wore silver-framed glasses. Those clear eyes shielded by his glasses and the shapely bridge of his nose were extremely proportional. His refined movements created an air about him that resembled the presence of one who was the best in the business.
I've seen this guy somewhere before...
Chiaki found him familiar, but he could not remember who he was. Had the other noticed Chiaki's somewhat rude stare?
"...!"
In the instant he brushed past him, Chiaki's sensitive sense of smell caught that scent even though it was only in trace amounts, not to mention that they were in the rain. Apparently, it was the perfume the man was wearing.
"!"
The face that appeared in Chiaki's mind in that moment startled him, he turned towards the other.
Naoe?!
The man followed after Mikuriya, starting up the stairs. But Chiaki immediately knew that he was mistaken. In the first place, his countenance was different; second, it was fairly apparent that his body did not possess the unique mark of a kanshousha. Chiaki sighed in disappointment, wordlessly remaining in his original position for a brief moment.
So it's just the perfume?
That brand was not uncommon. He thought in his heart, "That man has quite the attitude". Then it occurred to Chiaki that even if it was indeed the very same brand of perfume that Naoe used, very few people would be using this product as it had yet to be sold in Japan.
A coincidence...?
Chiaki turned back, he gazed at the figure of that man's back once again. Perhaps he was indeed mistaken. Moreover, he was in the rain, his sense of smell might not be as accurate. The smell of perfume had the tendency to change according to the body odor of the user. Even if its scent was similar, it did not necessarily mean that it belonged to the exact same brand that Naoe used.
I'm afraid I'm getting a little nostalgic here...
Chiaki's mood eased momentarily, then he was struck with alarm all of a sudden. The men had followed Mikuriya to the gymnasium.
Those guys...!
"Ah---. The queen's guiding them around in their survey of the site, isn't she?"
"Do you know who they are?"
"Yupe. They are the prefectural government officials and general contractors, no? They come pretty often. And every single time they come, President Mikuriya would personally take them to the site for their inspection. Come to think of it, it's really strange."
"Contractor..."
"Let's go, if we remain here any longer there'll be trouble. As long as Mikuriya's around, the student executives will definitely be close by keeping their eyes peeled and ears open. Sensei, let's go."
"Ah, ...yeah."
With Kyouko tugging at his arm, Chiaki left that place. However Chiaki was still bothered by that matter, he constantly looked back at Mikuriya and that group of people.
Mikuriya was personally showing them around. Furthermore, that group of construction contractors...
There's a kanshousha among them...
As expected, this was not unrelated to the other matter at hand.
Chiaki's expression grew serious.
At the very least, that was something he was sure of with 80% certainty.
Mikuriya Juri and the generation of the spiritual magnet; there was indeed a link between them.
Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.
Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 本妙寺 Honmyouji
PS: do not distribute this without my permission
"Ah~~~ It's really raining now."
Chiaki Shuuhei looked out from the lounge of the mathematics department. Seeing the first drops of rain land on the glass pane, he sighed.
"Chiaki-sensei, would you like some tea?"
"Ah, thank you."
Yamaguchi-sensei, who taught the second year students as well, placed the steaming cup of tea on the tray and walked over. Yamaguchi-sensei had a slender frame. At first glance, he gave one the impression of being unreliable, however he was a fairly attentive colleague. He was the teacher in the mathematics department who had organized Chiaki's welcome party. He had just married six months ago, a photo of his loving wife was placed on his desk.
"How unfortunate that it's raining. To think that the weather forecasts predicted a 10% possibility of rain. Want to borrow my umbrella?"
"Oh, I came by car. It's okay."
Chiaki replied, sipping at the bitter green tea. Yamaguchi sat opposite him, drinking from his cup.
"Chiaki-sensei, how was your third day at work?"
"Mmm, I find that they're all really good students. They've the right attitude in class as well, no problematic students so far. However, they're just a little too calm if I may say so."
Chiaki's students were not calm in actuality, but rather rendered speechless from his haphazard teaching methods.
"I see. I'm happy to hear that."
"I shall finally have a lesson with class 2B tomorrow."
Chiaki murmured, "Just you wait, Kagetora." Chiaki let out an evil laugh. Yamaguchi-sensei looked at him in puzzlement, wondering at his behavior.
"Indeed, the students' attitudes have improved considerably in the last six months. This is truly wonderful. It probably started when Mikuriya became the leader of the student council."
"Mikuriya... Ahh, that female student from 2A? President of the student council."
"Yes. After becoming the president, she successfully implemented the system of autonomy among the students. Nowadays, it's really difficult to accomplish that to such a meticulous degree, even for a teacher. She's truly amazing."
"Autonomy..." Chiaki nibbled on the red bean bun that came with the tea, he frowned. "When you word it that way, it sounds like a good idea. But that sort of environment is quite simply like a dictatorship. Stamping all those violation marks and whatnot, they're not the police in the first place. School life that's no different to being on tenterhooks is definitely not what I would like to experience. Surprisingly, the students can actually endure this."
"Really? I don't really find anything wrong with this."
"One should have more freedom during one's youth!" Chiaki said dramatically. "Youth is freedom! To be bound by rules during this period which will never be seen again once it passes, this is such a waste of one's youth! This is such a great pity! ...Don't you think so? Yamaguchi-sensei."
"Ah... But this is something that the students have decided for themselves..."
"Furthermore, that inspection committee or whatever it's called really grates on my nerves." Chiaki held his arms together. Leaning back against his chair, he swung his feet onto his desk. "They spend the entire day sniffing around like dogs for anyone guilty of violating the code of the society. They're simply taking advantage of their authority to bully others. Just looking at their faces makes my stomach churn in the most indescribable ways."
Judging from Chiaki's words, it seemed like he had once suffered a similar sort of oppression by the police (Chiaki did not have any driving license to begin with, thus whatever explanation he gave when flagged down was not accepted). Seeing Chiaki grow increasingly furious with each sentence, a nervous smile appeared on Yamaguchi-sensei's face.
"Ahhh, now that you mention it, previously, there was another teacher who shared your opinion."
"?"
"Nakajima-sensei, he taught mathematics as well."
"Nakajima? I've not heard of him... He isn't teaching anymore, is he?"
"He passed away in November last year."
Chiaki reacted to that statement. "Passed away?"
"Mmm. Acute heart failure. Nakajima-sensei was pretty old, he collapsed in school all of sudden, by the time he reached the hospital he..."
Chiaki took his feet off the desk, he propped both of his elbows on the table in curiosity.
"In school...?"
"Yes. I was in the ambulance as well. I was shocked since Nakajima-sensei was usually in good health. Nakajima-sensei was also very critical of the current student council, he would often grumble about it."
Chiaki squinted. "Oh..."
"Even though he was very strict in his teaching, students would often confide in him about their worries or anxiety, he was a teacher the students admired greatly. Both of them, husband and wife, were really warm people. They would frequently get house visits from students who have already graduated. He was a great teacher..."
Yamaguchi reminisced about Nakajima-sensei, then he clasped his hands together as though he had suddenly remembered something.
"Speaking of which, the day before he collapsed he said some very strange things. Even now I'm still bothered by them."
"Strange things?"
"Ah... But this..."
Yamaguchi paused at this point. Perhaps thinking it a little inconvenient to talk about it, he hesitated. Chiaki looked at his face in surprise.
"What did he say? Tell me."
"Hmm... Um..." Although Yamaguchi appeared as though he was being compelled to do something difficult, he stammered on nonetheless. "It happened the day before Nakajima-sensei collapsed. The weather that day was rather gloomy, just like how it is now. I finished late that day as I had to supervise the club activities, around 6pm I think. It was almost dark, Nakajima-sensei was standing in that corridor ahead, looking out the window by himself."
"Looking out the window by himself?"
"Yes. I knew he had stayed back to discuss about the graduation trip and so forth, but he looked rather strange then. He was looking out the window with a vacant expression, like this. Finding his behavior a little weird, I called out to him, and then... Nakajima-sensei's face was very pale when he turned towards me and said this." Yamaguchi-sensei lowered his voice. "He said that he had seen the 'Hikaru Orochi'."
"The 'Hikaru Orochi'...?"
"Yes." There was a frightening expression on Yamaguchi's face, as though he was now telling a horror story. "That is the 'Dazzling Orochi'. I didn't understand his meaning so I asked him about it, however Nakajima-sensei didn't reply. He just staggered away. His face was white like paper, as though he had been possessed by something."
"And then he died all of a sudden the next day."
"Mmm," Yamaguchi-sensei replied, nodding his head. "After that, things got really busy because of the funeral and such, so I forgot about it. I only remembered after a considerable length of time had passed..."
Behind his glasses, Chiaki's eyes sharpened. "'Hikaru Orochi'... Did he really say that?"
"Yes, if my ears didn't fail me that is. But I couldn't understand his meaning at all. It was like an omen, the sort that you find in mystery fiction. I find it scary in general and I've never told anyone about this until now."
"Omen...?"
It sounded a little exaggerated, but if this was indeed the case then Nakajima-sensei was murdered.
'Hikaru Orochi'...
Chiaki revealed a solemn expression as he mulled over the facts of the case, the teachers lounge abruptly sank into silence. Perhaps Yamaguchi could not bear the sudden clarity of the sound of the rain, he laughed out loud in a nervous manner.
"H-How can there be such a thing, seriously. I must've made a mistake somewhere. Hahaha."
"Nakajima-sensei was standing in that corridor, looking out the window, right."
"Ah... yes."
Chiaki finished the remaining tea in one gulp and stuffed the red bean bun into his mouth.
"Thanks for the snack. Shall we take a walk down the corridor? Yamaguchi-sensei."
"Huh? Ah, okay... What do you have in mind?"
Chiaki placed the cup by the sink, he swung his arm over the back of Yamaguchi's neck and dragged the latter towards the corridor.
"Was it here? Yamaguchi-sensei."
Chiaki was trying to duplicate Nakajima-sensei's actions that day, standing by the window. Yamaguchi nodded.
"Yes. That's right, it was right here."
"In which direction did he face?"
"Straight ahead. Which direction... he was just gazing ahead in general. He seemed to be looking up a little. That portion of the sky..."
Chiaki did as Yamaguchi said, looking 'straight ahead, and upwards at a slight angle'. Before him was the clubs and societies office; beyond the office was the gymnasium currently undergoing renovation. The surroundings were covered in green trees.
This direction...
To the north of Kojou High School was the public park of Kumamoto castle, however the position of the castle tower was situated slightly towards the right. Beyond the castle tower beside the mountains, on the left, stood the famous bodaiji of Katou Kiyomasa - Honmyouji...
'Hikaru Orochi' huh...
"Perhaps he was looking at the lightning? If Nakajima-sensei was looking at the sky that is..."
"I don't know. Although the sky was overcast that day, I didn't hear any thunder or anything..."
"..."
Chiaki clasped his chin, he hummed in the manner of a detective. ...What could this mean? Beside him, Yamaguchi seemed at a loss. Right at that moment,
"Ah--- What are you doing here, Chiaki-sensei?"
A female student cried out to Chiaki from the other end of the corridor. Chiaki came back to his senses, he turned in that direction.
"Oh. It's, um, you..."
"How mean. It's Koganezawa Kyouko of class 2D. Really, the least you could do is remember my name after I took the trouble of buying something for you."
"Ah, yes, yes, Koganezawa Kyouko. Thanks for buying me that yesterday. Why are you still in school?"
"What do you mean 'why are you still in school', everyone's been waiting for you sensei."
"Huh?"
"Have you forgotten? Rugby practice. Didn't you promise to replace Kobayashi as club advisor for the rugby society?"
Kyouko said, pouting her lips. Kyouko was the manager of the rugby society. A few days ago, she wanted Chiaki to be the rugby club's acting advisor in exchange for running errands for him.
I completely forgot about it.
"Because of the rain, the club's practice will be held in the activities room for today. Come quickly, hurry!"
"I-I understand. I'll head over this instant. See you around, Yamaguchi-sensei!"
"Ah, wait... Chiaki-sensei!"
Kyouko had wrapped herself around Chiaki's arm and dragged him away.
***
Under the endless rain, the two of them stared at each other.
Nezu did not even open his umbrella. Takaya handed the umbrella he was holding to Akemi and stepped forward, ignoring the fact that his uniform would be soaked.
"O-Ougi-kun... Nezu-kun..."
Nezu Kouichi's left hand was in his pocket, he gazed at Takaya with a solemn expression. That look. He had given Takaya that look ever since the latter transferred to this school, a stare brimming with outright hostility...
Apparently, Akemi could also sense the extreme unusualness of the atmosphere, she gulped softly. Nezu was the first to speak.
"What are your motives for coming to this school?"
"..."
Takaya did not move.
Akemi widened her eyes with a 'Huh?'.
"What do you mean 'motives'... Nezu-kun!"
"I asked for your objective of infiltrating this school. Ougi Takaya."
Nezu ignored Akemi, he questioned Takaya in a stern voice. Akemi could not comprehend Nezu's words. However, it seemed like Takaya caught his meaning.
"What about your objective?" Takaya slanted his head a little, he said, "Thanks for asking, I can demand the same of you. For what purpose have you decided to become a student of this school? You don't seem to be Mikuriya's comrade. Which faction are you from?"
Huh? Huh? Huh?
Only Akemi was lost on the situation. All of a sudden, the tree branch above Takaya's head snapped off.
"Wahhh!" Akemi pressed against her mouth, however Takaya was not in the least bit startled, he was still staring directly at Nezu.
"I see..." Nezu muttered, he smiled. "Seems like you're exactly as how you're described in the rumors. I've more or less guessed your actual identity, if my sources are correct that is."
Takaya's shoulders jumped. The smile on Nezu's face disappeared, he approached him slowly, as though he was issuing a challenge.
"How much do you know about this school? Which piece of information did you acquire hence your infiltration? What do you intend to do?"
"..." Takaya was on alert, he drew back a little.
"Please answer. Depending on your answer, I will decide whether to make you disappear this instant."
"Do you think that I'll just tell you what I know?"
"You don't need to say anything."
Once Nezu said that, he stretched out his right hand and grabbed hold of Takaya's left arm. Right at the moment when contact was made,
"!"
Takaya instantly felt his mental perception flow into the other party. In a reflex, he firmly broke off Nezu's grip.
That was...!
Although he had severed the physical link, it was too late; the other had the information seized from Takaya's cognizance in his hands. Takaya pressed against the area that had been touched, staring fiercely at Nezu. Nezu smiled complacently.
"As I expected. You're that Uesugi Kagetora, aren't you?"
Takaya glared at Nezu, who had a smile of superiority on his face, bitterly gnashing his teeth in anger.
Contact telepathy...!
Very few individuals were capable of this. It was the ability to read another's thoughts via physical contact. Depending on the level of the user, it was possible to acquire a significant portion of the deeper levels of contemplation even if physical contact was instantaneous. Takaya had immediately created a defensive wall in his consciousness and broke away from the other, thus only the upper layer of his cogitation had been read. Nevertheless, what he knew had been divulged to the other party.
"I see... Seems like you people are still completely ignorant about 'that issue'."
"!... What did you say!"
Nezu wrapped his arms around his body in an arrogant manner, and uttered sharply.
"Discontinue your involvement in the matters of Kojou High School immediately. I don't wish to lower my military strength by fighting you now. I believe you think the same. Right now, we should be conserving our military strength for the battles to come. Consider this a warning as well. Leave Kumamoto at once, otherwise I will be forced to issue the appropriate measures. If you don't wish to be pushed to a fight, leave this place at once."
"...You..." Takaya stared at the other with a deep sense of caution. "Which faction are you from? Ryuuzouji's?"
"..."
Nezu did not reply, he only regarded Takaya with those black eyes of his. That body was not one that could be described as stout or sturdy, yet he had a rather oppressive presence. The aura around his body - as well as his sharp vision - definitely belonged to an individual stationed on the battlefield all year round. His countenance indicated a complete devotion to war, eliminating all else that was not needed; he was like a bird of prey with sharp, tenacious claws.
"I shall say this again. Leave Kumamoto. If you're wondering about Mikuriya Juri, I won't let her continue to hold a candle to the devil. I don't need you people to get involved in this matter."
"And if I say that I won't leave?"
"I will attack you."
Takaya could sense from his immediate reply that Nezu had an unusual amount of confidence in his own strength. He was forced to remain silent. Although Nezu demanded him to leave, Takaya could see that he yearned for a showdown with him. Perhaps he was inherently warlike in nature. For the moment, regardless of what this man's plans were, the only thing he could ascertain was the tenacity of his determination. Although he threatened aggression, he was probably capable of an actual attack.
"You..." Takaya lowered his voice again and asked. "Who are you?"
Nezu did not answer. His expression conveyed that he had said that he wanted to say. He turned around and walked to the other side of the forest-shaded road in the rain.
Ignoring the rainwater dripping from his wet hair, Takaya stood there in silence.
"O...Ougi-kun." Akemi called out worriedly from behind him. "What was Nezu-kun talking about? Ue...sugi...?"
"..."
As Takaya's present expression was extremely frightening, Akemi retreated to the back in fear.
Nezu Kouichi. Like Miike Tetsuya, he was one of the few students in his class who did not have any attached mixed spirits. At the same time, he was also a 'member of the resistance' who opposed the executive committee of Mikuriya Juri and her subordinates.
That man...
Was a kanshousha through and through.
Onshou.
If that was the case, who on earth was he?
The rain did not show any sign of stopping, drenching the branches of the trees that stretched out.
***
Koganezawa Kyouko took Chiaki to the rugby society's practice session. Although Chiaki had been deemed small and weak hence a wimpy addition to the rugby team, he greeted them warmly and declared, "This year I shall take you guys to the Hanazono!" Then he left the activities room, not bothering to pay much attention to their practice for long.
"Chiaki-sensei--------!!" Kyouko chased after Chiaki who had walked out. "Where are you going!"
"Ahh? ...Ahh ...Umm, I'm going to have a look at the sports field."
Chiaki wore his shoes, grabbing the plastic umbrella placed nearby.
"Mmm, that's right. See, in order to guide the students, it's necessary to first check the available facilities. The most important one would be the sports field. I'm also going to inquire about the number of sports equipment we have."
Chiaki was lying his face off. In actuality, he wanted to perform a spiritual investigation of the environment within the school's compounds. Although he had easily settled into this school, he did not expect the lack of any spare time as a teacher. This complicated matters a little.
"If that's the case, let me accompany you! I'll show you around! Furthermore, I know where the sports equipment are stored."
"Hmmmm---.... okay."
It so happened that Chiaki wanted a guide. Once he replied with a 'I shall rely on you then', Kyouko was so excited she could hardly stay still, and tagged along. The sports field of Kojou High was situated within the school's compounds. The storehouse for physical education classes was situated ahead of them. The worn-out hurdles strewn on the field and a football, that the students had forgotten to store away, were thoroughly drenched by the rain. Despite the bad weather, outdoor activities were not halted but rather changed to light drills. Not a single student was seen on the sports field.
"Usually, we'll still go ahead with the drills in this sort of drizzle. But if we get our uniforms muddy, it'll be really troublesome when it comes to the washing. That's why we decided to do light drills for today. ...Ah, this is the clubs and societies office."
Despite being in the rain, Kyouko was extremely excited as she could have her target, 'Chiaki-sensei', all to herself (even if she was merely guiding him around) and was joyfully satisfied.
However, Chiaki was distracted from Kyouko's introduction of the place.
This area's pretty severe too...
The spiritual bodies that had assembled were roaming about the area restlessly, stirring up a ruckus in a disordered manner. This would probably be intolerable to a more sensitive spiritual detective. Kojou High School was indeed the chaotic center of Kumamoto's spiritual magnetic field. But, where was the source?
Over there...?
By spiritual analysis, Chiaki could sense an object resembling a power source to the left of the sports field. An object that attracted the spirits and brought about this magnetic field - an object known as a spiritual magnet. The gymnasium, which was undergoing renovation, was conveniently situated in that spot.
"The gymnasium? Ah, they're currently tearing it down, there's no point in going there."
"When did this construction start?"
"Hmm--, around the beginning of this year."
"This year?" Chiaki creased his brows.
"I always thought that our gymnasium wasn't that old to begin with, why would it need to be torn down and reconstructed? Plans to renovate it came up rather suddenly at the end of last year, then things got really busy. It was really fast."
"... Suddenly? Really..."
"Because of this, our P.E. classes have to be held outdoors in such cold weather. The members of the basketball and volleyball society were abruptly deprived of a court for practice, and had to resort to looking for courts outside of school. They're really pitiful."
"..."
Chiaki held his chin, and hummed for a while. Reconstruction began last year in a sudden manner, this in itself suggested the presence of some hidden scheme. And during that time...
It was not long after Nakajima-sensei passed away.
Mikuriya's executive committee had also taken over the student union then.
How suspicious...
"I'm going to have a look at the gymnasium."
"Eh? What are you going to do there?"
"Going to check out the stage of the renovation. I want to see how far the reconstruction has gone so far."
"That won't do, sensei! We're prohibited from approaching that place!"
Chiaki turned around in shock. "What?"
"If we go there, we'll be punished by the executive committee. The teachers would be angry too."
"Why?"
"This... Because it says so in the rules."
"I see, the rules you say..."
Who the heck drew up the rules?
Chiaki held his hands up in a surrendering position and walked towards the gymnasium. Kyouko chased after him in agitation.
"Ah! Sensei, wait!"
"In any case, it'll be okay as long as I avoid getting caught, right? I'll be fine, I'll be fine. You can wait here."
"B...But, sensei! This won't be good!"
Chiaki ignored Kyouko's pleas to stop and proceeded towards the gymnasium. Kyouko warned him against it uneasily, pursuing him from behind. The gymnasium was built on land that was relatively elevated from a geographic point of view. Just when they were about to ascend the stairs,
"What are both of you doing there!"
Hearing a sharp female voice, Kyouko nearly jumped in fright. The two of them turned around, a group adults were walking over from the school building. In the center of that group was a young girl in a sailor-style uniform...
That would be...
"Miku...Mikuriya Juri!"
Kyouko cried out in a small voice. Mikuriya walked out of that group of adults clad in business suits. Facing them, she uttered loudly.
"What are both of you doing there! Entering the gymnasium is strictly prohibited! Have you forgotten that!"
"Ah... Sorry about that." Chiaki stepped forward as though he was shielding Kyouko, bluntly lowering his head. "I was the one who forced her to come along because I wanted to see if there's anything up here, therefore... I'm still new around here, that's why I requested Koganezawa-kun to show me around the school."
"You are..." Mikuriya's slender eyebrows flew up fiercely. "The substitute teacher for math classes right. The gymnasium is in the process of being torn down. Entry has been prohibited as it's dangerous up there. Didn't the teachers mention this?"
"Yeah..." Chiaki replied ambiguously, scratching his head. "My deepest apologies."
"Let it be. I shall let you off this time. Leave this place right away."
"Yes, sorry."
The two of them lowered their heads in a disheartened manner and descended the stairs.
Why she's strangely flustered...
Chiaki's gaze had sharpened as a result of Mikuriya Juri's agitated response. Mikuriya turned back towards the suited adults, inviting them to follow her. Those adults were not the school's staff members. While Chiaki was pondering over who they were,
"?"
Chiaki saw a familiar face among the suited men who brushed past him and stopped in his tracks.
He was a tall man wearing an army-type raincoat. His broad shoulders gave one the impression of reliability. He was about 30 years of age, his black hair was neatly combed towards the back, and he wore silver-framed glasses. Those clear eyes shielded by his glasses and the shapely bridge of his nose were extremely proportional. His refined movements created an air about him that resembled the presence of one who was the best in the business.
I've seen this guy somewhere before...
Chiaki found him familiar, but he could not remember who he was. Had the other noticed Chiaki's somewhat rude stare?
"...!"
In the instant he brushed past him, Chiaki's sensitive sense of smell caught that scent even though it was only in trace amounts, not to mention that they were in the rain. Apparently, it was the perfume the man was wearing.
"!"
The face that appeared in Chiaki's mind in that moment startled him, he turned towards the other.
Naoe?!
The man followed after Mikuriya, starting up the stairs. But Chiaki immediately knew that he was mistaken. In the first place, his countenance was different; second, it was fairly apparent that his body did not possess the unique mark of a kanshousha. Chiaki sighed in disappointment, wordlessly remaining in his original position for a brief moment.
So it's just the perfume?
That brand was not uncommon. He thought in his heart, "That man has quite the attitude". Then it occurred to Chiaki that even if it was indeed the very same brand of perfume that Naoe used, very few people would be using this product as it had yet to be sold in Japan.
A coincidence...?
Chiaki turned back, he gazed at the figure of that man's back once again. Perhaps he was indeed mistaken. Moreover, he was in the rain, his sense of smell might not be as accurate. The smell of perfume had the tendency to change according to the body odor of the user. Even if its scent was similar, it did not necessarily mean that it belonged to the exact same brand that Naoe used.
I'm afraid I'm getting a little nostalgic here...
Chiaki's mood eased momentarily, then he was struck with alarm all of a sudden. The men had followed Mikuriya to the gymnasium.
Those guys...!
"Ah---. The queen's guiding them around in their survey of the site, isn't she?"
"Do you know who they are?"
"Yupe. They are the prefectural government officials and general contractors, no? They come pretty often. And every single time they come, President Mikuriya would personally take them to the site for their inspection. Come to think of it, it's really strange."
"Contractor..."
"Let's go, if we remain here any longer there'll be trouble. As long as Mikuriya's around, the student executives will definitely be close by keeping their eyes peeled and ears open. Sensei, let's go."
"Ah, ...yeah."
With Kyouko tugging at his arm, Chiaki left that place. However Chiaki was still bothered by that matter, he constantly looked back at Mikuriya and that group of people.
Mikuriya was personally showing them around. Furthermore, that group of construction contractors...
There's a kanshousha among them...
As expected, this was not unrelated to the other matter at hand.
Chiaki's expression grew serious.
At the very least, that was something he was sure of with 80% certainty.
Mikuriya Juri and the generation of the spiritual magnet; there was indeed a link between them.
Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.
