炎之蜃气楼DVD特典CD 高耶バイト地獄巡り編 - Track 02 高坂篇

From Chinese translations by 枫铃.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes:
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

---

Takaya: Well here I am unemployed again, damn those two bastards, Naoe and Chiaki, for getting in the way. ...Still, there's no sense in whining about it now, it'd be best to pluck up my spirits and find a fun, new job...


(vehicle passes by)
Takaya: Hmmm? ...Postal bike rider...?


(at work)
Takaya: Mmmm... It's been a long time since I last experienced this pleasant wind! Well, even if this isn't my dream bike, motorbikes are still the best. I can just cruise alongside the beach in this way! ...Wait, I'm at work now, better not be doing that. (looks at information) Let's see... Arai-san of Sanchoume Nibanchi. Turn left at the next junction, then go straight ahead...


Takaya: About 100m ahead, that man wearing a trench coat, leaning against the side of the house, with both arms folded across his chest, is...

(stops bike)
Kousaka: I've been waiting, Uesugi.

Takaya: K-Kousaka?!!

Kousaka: Hmph, now working as a postal bike rider... Seems like the Uesugi have fled at the mere sight of the Takeda, giving up their fight for righteousness and whatnot, and have returned to their farms and elderly with all haste. You look like a complete failure, Kagetora-dono.

Takaya: Shut up, this is none of your business... Back to the matter at hand, what's a brat like you doing here?

Kousaka: To think that you'd dare say 'what's a brat like you' and so on to your client. How tactful of you.

Takaya: Client?! So you were the one who requested for my services? B-But it's clearly stated here that 'Arai-san'...

Kousaka: (evasive) There's no need to concern yourself with such trivial details.

Takaya: But this is important!

Kousaka: I presume you can send a little something on my behalf. (fetches out a box)

Takaya: What the hell is with this box, it's huge yet unexpectedly light... furthermore, it's beautifully wrapped with a red ribbon... What on earth is this?

Kousaka: What a nosy person you are.

Takaya: It's only natural to be curious!

Kousaka: Stop with your complaining, I want you to send this box to oyakata-sama on my behalf.

Takaya: Shingen?

Kousaka: Here, I shall leave this to you.

Takaya: Shingen... Something's fishy... just what on earth is inside this box, not to mention that he deliberately picked me to send it! Hey, wait a minute, this isn't anything dangerous right!!

Kousaka: Hmph! What a coward. Don't worry, concealed within is my love for oyakata-sama...

Takaya: ! ...I'm getting a little dizzy...

Kousaka: Today is the auspicious date of oyakata-sama's birthday. I was planning to enclose myself in a box and be directly presented to oyakata-sama, but for various reasons...

Takaya: Ah... my head is spinning more and more...

Kousaka: This is the address.

Takaya: Umm, Yamanashi prefecture Koufu city... Te... De... Teshoku (laughs nervously) Umm... what the heck is this kanji? How on earth do you read this?

Kousaka: (sighs) What an uneducated brat, this is obviously 'tsutsuji asaki'.

Takaya: Ohhh... So that's how you write the character 'tsutsuji'... I didn't know that...

Kousaka: Hmph, to think that the general of the Mekai Uesugi army is incapable of recognizing this level of kanji. ...Seems like the Uesugi are in dire need of talent.

Takaya: Ch! I understand it now!

Kousaka: If you understand it then get going at once! Before the love I'm offering to oyakata-sama turns cold...

Takaya: Arghhh... don't say anymore, it's getting more unbearable with each word!

Kousaka: Just a friendly reminder considering your ineptness Kagetora-dono, I hope you find the place by evening, and not get yourself lost in the process...

Takaya: Don't take me for an idiot! I'm not some little errand boy!!

Kousaka: Then I have nothing to worry about. Well then, have a pleasant journey...

Takaya: Ch!


Takaya: Damn it! That bastard Kousaka, talking down on me like that, if not for my financial problems... Eh?? What's with that car? It has been tailing me since just now... I've seen that car somewhere before... A dark-blue Mercedes Benz 560... Don't tell me it's...!

Naoe: Takaya-san! I cannot just let things be when you are doing something so dangerous as transporting the enemy's package!!

Takaya: N-Naoe?! What the hell are you doing here? Don't tell me you're here to interfere with my work again?

Naoe: What are you saying, Takaya-san! That package is extremely dangerous, if it's not immediately destroyed...

Takaya: It's nothing dangerous! Just some gift of love for his oyakata-sama or whatever, ch!

Naoe: You don't understand Kousaka's character, do you! He has deliberately caused you to lower your sense of vigilance in order to frame you, Kagetora-sama!! I can't let his flowery words deceive you!

Takaya: Mind your own business! In any case, stop following me! I don't want to get fired this time! I've a loan to repay!

Naoe: If you can be fooled by such a ruse, you can't become a true general! Please awaken your instincts... Takaya-san!

Takaya: (annoyed) ...Geez, you're persistent!!

(accelerates)

Naoe: Ah, please w-wait, Takaya-san! (in a serious tone) Takaya-san, you're sorely mistaken if you think you can outrun my Benz 560.

Takaya: Damn it, that Naoe's really serious about this, and what's with that arrogant mug...

Naoe: Takaya-san, please stop!

Takaya: Like hell I will!

Naoe: No, I'm referring to that boar!

Takaya: Eh?? Boar?!!

Naoe: Takaya-san!

(CRASH)

Naoe: (stops car and gets out) Are you all right? Takaya-san?

Takaya: (coughs) Why did a boar suddenly dash out??!

Naoe: This region is well known for its pork hotpot. Are you hurt?

Takaya: I'm fine...

Naoe: (sigh of relief) That's good.

Takaya: How is that good! My bike's ruined!

Naoe: As long as you are safe, Takaya-san, I do not care about anything else.

Takaya: But I care!!

Naoe: The most important thing is your life, other matters are not worth thinking about.

Takaya: ...Um?

Naoe: What's the matter, Takaya-san?

Takaya: That... (looks around) Where's that package I had to send?

Naoe: Please don't worry about that, it tumbled off the cliff and sank into the river.

Takaya: EHHHHH???!!! Oh no! Don't tell me I'm going to be fired again?? (cries)

Naoe: That was a close one, Takaya-san.

Takaya: This is all your fault!!!

Kousaka: My, my, what a ridiculous scene we have here...

Naoe: Kousaka?! Since when did you...

Kousaka: I expected such a blunder. Fortunately, I've found another courier to handle the delivery, proved to be the sensible thing to do.

Naoe: What?! You were so well-prepared!

Takaya: (crying) I'm going to be fired... Unemployed again...

Naoe: (anxious) Takaya-san!

Kousaka: Hmph, as expected there's really no future for one following a general who is but a child, your luck is really the worst. I, Kousaka Danjou, now truly understand just how privileged I am to be oyakata-sama's retainer.

Naoe: How dare you, Kousaka! Shut your mouth!

Takaya: (still crying) The loan...

Naoe: Takaya-san, please pull yourself together!

Kousaka: By the looks of things, the Uesugi's desire to unify the powers of the Yami Sengoku is nothing but a dream. As I thought, the Takeda will soon regain territorial control over the lands. We shall meet again, Uesugi.

(Kousaka walks away laughing)

Naoe: Wait, Kousaka!

Takaya: (still crying) The loan... the loan... the loan...

Naoe: Takaya-san! Please pull yourself together! Takaya-san!

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.

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Book 15 Chapter 05 群狼、渦に集まる

From Chinese translations by Hinako.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes:
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

---

He could perceive that their sense of caution was increasing with each passing day.
It seemed like events of yesterday had triggered an effect. Naturally, the executive committee would now consider Takaya an individual who had to be kept under close scrutiny.
Once he passed the school gates, he came under the needle-like stares of the members of the inspection team. Their eyes were full of suspicion and vigilance.

I wonder what actions will be taken?

It seemed like the bait had been taken. As he had anticipated, they tailed Takaya more closely than ever. This was proof that Mikuriya was uncertain.

Who are the real aggressors...?

From what Takaya's understood, there were three kanshousha in this school.
The president of the student council, Mikuriya Juri. The vice president, Ozaki.
And the leader of the 'members of the resistance', Nezu Kouichi.
The students who associated with Nezu were all possessed by specific spirits. Those hyoui rei had a distinctly greater strength than the mixed spirits roaming about the school.

Subordinates of the onshou...

If that was the case, they probably originated from this territory. To extrapolate one step further on this theory, they ought to be the subordinates of the onshou who governed Kumamoto. With Kumamoto brought under martial law, the hunting down of hyoui rei was in full swing, making it impossible for spirits from the other regions to sojourn in this place.

Nezu is their leader...

He had powerful abilities. Even if he was not their master, he would most certainly be an extremely high-ranking officer. Although he could not determine his identity, there was a good chance that he was Ryuuzouji. If not, he was probably an onshou of the Oda who was supporting this fight from the shadows...

The Oda huh...

Takaya propped his elbows onto the desk. He sighed, then cast a sidelong glance at Nezu who was seated beside the window in the front-most row. He was paying full attention to the lesson as though nothing was amiss. But it seemed like he could sense that Takaya looking fixedly at his back.

If he's an onshou, which faction is he from?

In addition to that, there was Mikuriya and Ozaki. Although they were kanshousha, he could not conclude with absolute certainty that they were completely involved in the Yami Sengoku. There existed people with the ability to perform kanshou who had nothing to do with the Warring States period.

I'm still lacking in information...

Takaya could not figure out the true motives of those two. Neither could he understand the purpose of changing the student union to such a state, however was this connected to the spiritual magnetic energy generated in this school?
However, it seemed reasonable to assume that they were indeed related.
The gathering of the mixed spirits resulted from the spiritual magnetism of Kojou High School. Mikuriya had exploited these mixed spirits for the establishment of the unique system of her student union.

No, it was not the fault of the spirits, but rather the object which attracted them. Kojou High School had a magnet that attracted spirits, a similar but smaller version of the magnet existed in every student as well. Although he could not affirm the actual makeup of the device, the magnet probably exerted some kind of effect on the unconscious minds of the students. An effect that came close to the act of brainwashing.

For what purpose?

Could Mikuriya and her unit be the source of this evil?

Is it just to change the student union?

There ought to be more to this. If she only wanted to have a taste of domination, she did not have to specifically target Kojou High School. On the other hand, if Kojou High School was a necessity, what could be the reason?

This place used to be Sasa Narimasa's castle.

How was this connected to the other matter at hand?

...I don't get it.

The answers to these questions...

Takaya squinted at Nezu.

Nezu Kouichi, are you aware of everything?

Right at that moment,

A white object came flying from the front of the classroom, striking right at Takaya's forehead.

"Oww..!"

Takaya pressed against his forehead and lifted his head, he saw Chiaki Shuuhei standing on the lecture platform, picking up another piece of chalk, with a smug, toothy grin on his face. Chiaki was the one responsible for throwing the piece of chalk that had struck Takaya's forehead.

"What the hell do you think you're doing! You bastard!"

"You're daydreaming again, Ougi. Getting distracted in class isn't very healthy."

As though he was flaunting his victory on the platform, Chiaki deliberately moved his chair to the back. He motioned for Takaya to come to the front with a piece of chalk between his fingers, and said,

"You've just enrolled in this school hence you're still not very familiar with what has been covered in class. If that's the case you should be putting more effort into your work than anyone else, shouldn't you?"

"...So you had such evil intentions all along..."

Takaya groaned in resentment. He finally understood the reason for Chiaki's diligent practice with the dartboard. He had been planning to do this to Takaya. While Takaya was infuriated to the point where his face had turned scarlet, Chiaki, however, had a look of delight.

"If you don't wish for any more pieces of chalk to come flying at you, come up to the front. Question 5 on page 175. Come and explain your answer."

"Damn... it...!"

This was clearly an attempt to bully and humiliate Takaya by taking advantage of his position as a teacher. As a student, Takaya had no choice but to obey him. Takaya's shoulders trembled at the sight of the mathematical problem, Chiaki had picked the most difficult one for him. There was no way Takaya could solve it.

"What's the matter? Ougi."

Chiaki was smiling maliciously.

"Come on. Hurry up, come and explain your answer."

The entire class looked at Takaya in pity and bewilderment. Takaya's clenched fists were trembling intensely.

I-I'll remember this...! ...You prick!

***

"Dazzling orochi?" Takaya's eyes widen in surprise as Chiaki informed him of what he had heard from Nakajima-sensei. "What's that?"

Chiaki had called Takaya to the teachers lounge in the mathematics department. Chiaki had returned home late the previous night, thus he had yet to discuss this with Takaya.

Chiaki had driven the rest of the teachers out of the lounge with all sorts of excuses. He explained,

"I still can't figure out their objective. It does seem to have an important connection to Nakajima-sensei's death though. However the real cause for concern here is that, apart from Nakajima-sensei, two other teachers died in this school within the last half year."

"This matter..." Takaya said, taking a seat beside him. "It bothers me as well. Have you found out anything about it?"

"I'm working on it. I've already gathered a considerable amount of information from the teachers. So you see, I wasn't just asking them out for a drink for no good reason."

"Is that why you came home drunk last night?"

"I stayed up till so late just for that purpose. The least you could do is console me a little."

Chiaki opened his notebook, and read out the results of his investigation.

"The teachers who died were Akiyama-sensei, who taught English, and the Geography teacher, Ikeda-sensei. In addition to that, we have Nakajima-sensei. All three were relatively old, their causes of death were heart failure, brain hemorrhage and the like. In short, all three of them experienced sudden deaths. There's another tricky aspect to this. I heard of this from a colleague of mine from the English department. The very first to die was Akiyama-sensei and the night before his death, he started acting strange. According to his family's testimony, it seems like he was always talking about how the 'snake' was really frightening. The instant he saw a wire or rope, he would cry out 'Snake, snake! Kill it at once!'"

"...Yet another 'snake'?" Takaya's face tensed. "Could it be possible that he saw the 'Hikaru Orochi'?"

"I'll be doing further investigation into the backgrounds of these three teachers for more details. It seems like they all have something in common."

"They've something in common?"

"One of them was very critical of the system of Mikuriya's student union. Another one," Chiaki pushed up his glasses with his finger. "Opposed the plans to renovate the gymnasium."

"The gymnasium..."

"Yeah. That gymnasium seems to be the spot where the magnetic force is generated."

Takaya turned towards Chiaki. "Don't tell me he was murdered for opposing the renovation?"

"There's this strange rumor going around. The plan to renovate the gymnasium was put forward rather abruptly about half a year ago, right when Mikuriya's executive committee was newly established. Coincidentally, a disturbance also occurred in the prefecture at that time. Kojou High School's gymnasium project got the go-ahead in an astonishingly short period of time. Seems like the three teachers who died took this matter to the prefectural government to protest against it, citing that there was no need to reconstruct the gymnasium. They were also severely critical of Mikuriya's organization, come to think of it, they were like the school's only conscience."

"...And these three suffered sudden deaths."

"Maybe they were seen as obstacles and thus eliminated."

"By Mikuriya Juri?"

Chiaki looked at Takaya's face in silence. Takaya leaned back against the chair with his arms wrapped around his waist.

"All of the students seem to have a small magnet that attracts spirits. There's no mistake that this has exerted an effect on their unconscious minds. That's why they're so obedient to Mikuriya. You can almost call it a kind of brainwash. Although I don't know if the teachers who died had this magnet implanted into them, at present, the majority of the school's staff have been influenced by Mikuriya. In general, the younger the person the more effective the hypnotism. It could be that Mikuriya's brainwashing was ineffective on the three teachers who died."

"Apparently, Mikuriya is collaborating with contractors and prefectural government officials."

Takaya was startled, he lifted his head.

"Yesterday, I saw Mikuriya take them to the construction site. There were two kanshousha among them."

"Kanshousha?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure I wasn't mistaken. Additionally, Mikuriya was rather edgy in her strict prohibition of any student or staff member from approaching the gymnasium. That little princess' face, which looks like she's wearing a Noh mask, took a completely different expression and started scolding in indignation."

"..."

"There's probably something in that gymnasium."

"At the source of the magnetic field?"

"Something generating the magnetic power."

Takaya pursed his lips together, looking at the gymnasium. "Perhaps the 'Hikaru Orochi' is some sort of jusatsu."

"I hear those contractors and prefectural government officials will be coming to school today. Perhaps we should investigate them along with the gymnasium."

"Yeah. I'll look into it in secret. What's more, an onshou has gotten involved in this school."

"What?" Chiaki widened his eyes.

"My classmate Nezu Kouichi. I don't know his actual name, but not only does he know of our objectives, he wants us to get out of Kumamoto. He's hostile against Mikuriya. He may be a general under Ryuuzouji or from the Oda."

"Oh... that guy. His attitude in class is way too serious. No wonder I found him snobbish. This matter getting less and less amusing by the minute."

"It'd be better for you to be a little careful. He's capable of contact telepathy."

"Contact telepathy...?" Chiaki frowned at these words he was not really used to hearing. "That would be... the ability to seize another's thoughts via physical contact..."

"Yes."

"What is someone with such an advanced skill doing here?"

"The point is, he has this ability. He nearly reached the thoughts in the deeper levels of my consciousness. It's an extraordinary ability. A great amount of information can be read in the mere blink of an eye. Be sure not to lower your guard."

"Well I'm not like you to make such a careless mistake."

"There's seriously no hope for your poisonous tongue." Takaya stood up. "It's time for me to return to class. There'll be trouble if the student executives start getting suspicious."

"I've a feeling though that Mikuriya has more or less figured out my identity as a kanshousha."

"Perhaps. But I don't want us to look too conspicuous. To say the least, we're still student and teacher."

Takaya replied. He happened to look out the window; owing to something he had seen, he suddenly widened his eyes in shock.

"? ...What's the matter?"

"Over there. Those men getting out of the vehicle."

Chiaki looked down from the window. "Ah... it's them. The contractors."

"What?"

"Look. Getting down from that white coach, the guy in the gray suit, and that middle-aged one getting down from the second vehicle. I'm absolutely certain that they're the kanshousha I encountered yesterday. Seems to be working with Mikuriya."

"..."

Takaya widened his eyes, holding his breath as he gazed at the men. He could not believe his own eyes. Takaya had very sharp eyesight hence it was not possible for him to make a mistake at this distance.

"? ...What is it?"

Seeing Takaya stiffen in this way, Chiaki called out to him in a surprised voice. Takaya was extremely unnerved. His lips were frozen. Takaya stared at him, at the same time thinking, "Impossible".

"Hey? Kagetora?"

"That man..."

"What about him?"

"That man, the one wearing the black cashmere overcoat..." Takaya muttered his name with an incredulous expression on his face. "It's... Kaizaki..."

"What?"

"It's Kaizaki Makoto... Kaizaki Makoto."

Chiaki stared at him in shock. "Kaizaki? How can it be! That Satomi guy! From Kyoutake real estate, that descendant of Satomi Yoshitaka!"

"... Why...!" Takaya's face turned pale, he began to tremble. "Why is he here...!"

Chiaki pushed Takaya away from the window and stuck his head out. Indeed, the reason Chiaki felt that he had seen someone familiar was because he had recognized his face from the photographs in the data files of the employees of Kyoutake real estate that Fuuma Kotarou had acquired. Chiaki had also heard about the incident with Kaizaki from Ayako. Although the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' at Enoshima only lasted ten days, by the time Ayako and the others took control of the island, there was no sign of Kaizaki. Only his whereabouts remained unaccounted for.

What is the descendant of the Satomi doing here...!

"! ...Kagetora!"

Takaya had dashed out of the room without a word. His body had sprung into action before he could even begin to make some sense of the situation.
Takaya hurried down the stairs and ran to the entrance. It seemed like Kaizaki and the others had entered the school building via the entrance assigned for guests. Takaya encountered the group of suited men in the corridor.
Seeing a student standing before them panting, the others looked at him in surprise. Takaya bit his lower lip forcefully, staring at one who stood among them. ...He was not mistaken.

Kaizaki...

Although he did not say anything, Takaya called out in his heart. The black eyes of the man attired in the black cashmere overcoat took notice of Takaya standing before him. Kaizaki remained still. Takaya's fists were clenched, he was nearly trembling. He looked askance at Kaizaki, wanting to say something, however he bit his lip again, almost biting it off. Seeing Takaya in that way, Kaizaki lifted his eyes and squinted.

"..."

The suited men brushed past Takaya. Kaizaki immediately lowered his eyes a little, returning to an expressionless face. He deliberately tore his eyes away from Takaya, and walked straight ahead.

"Kai...! ...!"

At the moment the two of them brushed past each other, Kaizaki's hand touched against Takaya's in a very natural way; Takaya held his breath. However he did not merely touch him, he passed something to Takaya.

What...!

As his movement was so natural, the others did not notice it. However a business card had been pressed into Takaya's hand. It was Kaizaki's business card. In surprise, Takaya turned it to the reverse side, a line of characters had been written there with a ballpoint pen.

Kumamoto Castle, Akazuno Gate. 2.00PM.

"!"

Takaya lifted his head. Kaizaki had already walked to the stairs on the other end of the corridor. Takaya was startled once again, this time from the handwritten message on the card. The handwriting style was extremely similar to the one on the card that had informed Kotarou and the others of where Takaya had been imprisoned during the Enoshima incident. 'That' handwriting... which was similar to Naoe's.

"..."

Chiaki finally caught up with Takaya. Watching Kaizaki depart, he ran to Takaya, who remained in his original position dumbfounded.

"Kagetora..."

Takaya looked up at the sky with a piercing gaze.
He held Kaizaki's card firmly in his hands.

***

"What? You walked Ougi home?" Hearing of what happened yesterday from Akemi, Tetsuya looked disappointed. "Eh, that's good news indeed. Is this celebrity groupie finally interested in a real person?"

"It's not that. It was because of the rain, I only walked him half the way back anyway. Ah-, you brought cigarettes to school again-" Akemi yelled, snatching the box of cigarettes from Tetsuya's hand just as the latter was about to take out a cigarette. "Bringing this sort of thing to school, what are you going to do if the members of the inspection team find out about it!"

"You're seriously like to nag a lot, always meddling into other people's affairs. A woman like you would be better off chasing stars for the rest of her life."

Tetsuya leaned against the wall of the corridor, laughing at her in ridicule. Akemi grew angry.

"You've given Ougi-kun a lot of trouble as well! Don't you dare lay a finger on him again like yesterday! I won't spare you if this happens again! I'm no longer the same as I was in primary school. I won't start crying profusely when you bully me!"

"Hmph. You..." Tetsuya brought his face close in an unpleasant manner. "Have a serious crush on Ougi."

"!" Her face immediately turned red like fire. "T-This is none of your business!"

"So I was right then?"

Akemi was the type who blushed easily, making it difficult for her to hide such matters from other people. Her anger only confirmed Tetsuya's guess.

"All because he's good-looking. That's why I say, women..."

"...At the very least Ougi-kun is several million times better than you! Not only is his character much gentler than what his external appearance suggests, he's strong and mature! Even if both of you were to fight, he definitely won't lose to someone like you!"

"What did you say!"

Right at that moment when Tetsuya shouted out gruffly, a group of inspection team members walked past them and glared in their direction. Akemi hastily covered Tetsuya's mouth.

"Noth... It's nothing."

Akemi smiled fawningly as she watched the group of students leave. When she finally freed Tetsuya's mouth, his eyes had completely widened in anger.

"Who's going to lose to that person! You've gotta be kidding me!"

"Seriously..."

Tetsuya was burning with feelings of hostility against Takaya. However Takaya had seemed indifferent that he had been considered as an enemy, this infuriated Tetsuya even more. Only Tetsuya felt provoked; Akemi sighed.

"You haven't improved one bit since primary school. No wonder Hokage had such a difficult time with you."

Tetsuya responded with a nervous expression.

"Speaking of which, Ougi-kun said something yesterday. About Hokage's incident."

"What?"

"Ougi-kun knows about Hokage's incident. I wonder who told him about it."

"He knows..." Tetsuya's face grew solemn all of a sudden. "What do you mean? Are you saying that he knows about it?"

"Well it's not like he knows all the details, he only knows about Hokage's disappearance."

"Why is he even asking about this in the first place!"

"H-How should I know!"

Why does Ougi know of Hokage's incident...!

Tetsuya's sense of caution grew extremely intense. He never told anyone about his younger sister. His sister had attended a different high school and thus, other than his peers, no one else should know that Tetsuya had a twin sister. However, it seemed like rumors could still spread.

That damn brat...

Tetsuya felt as though someone had intruded upon his family affairs, his hostility against Takaya deepened.

I definitely won't let him off so easy!

"Tetsu..." Akemi abruptly called out in a worried manner. "Is Hokage's disappearance really true like what everyone says? Is she okay? Do you really have no idea what happened to her?"

"..." Tetsuya stared ahead with a fierce expression. "I don't know! That has to do with the parent house, it has nothing to do with me!"

"The parent house?"

"Look, Inaba, Hokage has disappeared, however I'm fine with it. That eyesore finally disappeared, I couldn't be more happy. Whatever happened to Hokage, I don't care. And you shouldn't look into it anymore."

"You're honestly too much! Tetsu!"

"Go chase your transfer student's ass."

Saying this in a contemptuous tone, Tetsuya left the hallway.
Akemi wanted to rebuke him, but she could not say anything, she merely lowered her head in a disheartened manner as she stood there.

Someone had observed their entire conversation from one corner of the corridor. It was Nezu Kouichi and his student subordinates.

"As expected, there's something interesting about him."

"Yeah." Nezu nodded deeply. "The only person in this school who wasn't seeded. Seems like it's not merely because of his physique..."

Nezu thought for a while, then turned towards the other students.

"What of Ougi Takaya?"

"Yes. He is still carrying out investigations all over the place. Mikuriya's vigilance has intensified."

"He has no intention of laying off this matter does he."

The student nodded. Nezu clicked his tongue.

"So he has decided to ignore my warning. Seriously, the more troublesome the individual the more he'd love to complicate matters."

"Should we drive him out?"

"Perhaps this would be necessary. It won't do us any good to have him snooping around the area. Start making the necessary preparations."

The students uttered "Understood!" in a sturdy manner.
Nezu looked ahead with an imposing expression.

***

(petronia has translated most of the following scene so I'll continue where she left off)

The other unexpectedly tripped and tumbled to the ground before Kaizaki overtook him. This was a direct result of Kaizaki's incantation. Kaizaki caught up to him not long after but did not restrain him; Kaizaki merely looked over him with an overwhelming posture. There was no escape for him; he was completely speechless from fear.

"Ah... Ah...!"

Takaya immediately came running after. The one who had tailed them was attired in Kojou High School's uniform. Takaya recognized his face.

"This guy... He's from the executive committee."

"It seems like he was spying on you, to the extent of skipping classes. How amazing of him." Kaizaki crouched near the executive committee member who laid sprawled on the ground. "Under Mikuriya's orders I suppose."

"Ah... Ah... I... I..."

"I guess it can't be helped. I'm going to have to ask you to forget everything you saw."

Uttering in this way, Kaizaki's large hand grabbed hold of his head and pressed it against the ground. Although the executive committee member struggled fiercely, it was not long before his arms stiffened and fell to the ground with a 'thud'. It was over; Kaizaki moved away from him. The executive committee member had a vacant look on his face as he stood up slowly. Kaizaki had hypnotized him, erasing his memories. The secret scout that Mikuriya had sent staggered down the slope without even taking a second glance at Takaya. Takaya watched him leave, then he asked Kaizaki.

"Did you erase his memories because you don't want Mikuriya to know that we were together?"

"...No one would feel comfortable with someone spying on their love affair right?"

Takaya's face turned red. Kaizaki ignored him and continued.

"Mikuriya seems to have found something in Kojou High School."

"Found something?"

"Yes. Furthermore that thing seems to be buried underneath the gymnasium."

"The gymnasium? So she deliberately started the renovation project for the sake of obtaining it? Are you saying that Mikuriya changed the student executive committee for this very reason?"

"Her reasons are still unclear, though it seems like she has different purpose for the student union." Kaizaki stood up, calmly brushing the hem of his overcoat. "They have named the object they are looking for the 'Head of the Orochi'."

"The 'Head of the Orochi'...?"

"Yes. As for what sort of object it is, I still do not know of any specific details. But it is definitely something they require to gain control of the Yami Sengoku."

"...Why are you telling me this?"

Kaizaki looked back at Takaya, a small smile appeared on his lips.

"I don't know either. Perhaps I truly feel like helping you."

"Kaizaki..."

"I will be staying at the hotel in front of the Kumamoto rail station during my sojourn here. Perhaps you won't have the need to look for me, but I am telling you all the same."

Takaya pursed his lips together as he watched Kaizaki attentively. Kaizaki gazed at Takaya for a brief moment, then he calmly said in a deep voice.

"We shall meet again, Kagetora-dono."

He turned slowly and left. Standing in the wind, Takaya watched Kaizaki as the latter descended the slope. When he reached the end of the stone wall, Kaizaki turned around as though he had suddenly recalled something.

"...There's something else I would like to tell you."

"?"

"Presently, in Kumamoto, a general from the Oda has been resurrected in place of Sasa Narimasa."

"In place of Sasa Narimasa? Who is it?"

Kaizaki calmly placed his leather-gloved hands into his pockets. "The general of Higo Kumamoto. One of the Seven Spears of Toyotomi Hideyoshi - Katou Kiyomasa."

"! ...Katou Kiyomasa!"

Kaizaki nodded and advised him, "A tenacious adversary. Please be careful."

Leaving with these words, Kaizaki no longer turned back. He proceeded down the gradual slope, towards Sudoguchi Gate and departed. Takaya remained in his original position. Although he was astonished at the name of the major player Kaizaki had mentioned, he soon clenched his jaw and bestirred his courage.

Katou Kiyomasa...

He looked behind him. The grand castle of Kumamoto occupied his front view just like the image of his opponent.
He tightened his fists.

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.

Read More

Book 15 Chapter 04 光る大蛇

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.

Read More

Book 15 Chapter 03 『鉄の生徒会』

From Chinese translations by Hinako.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 櫻橋/樱桥Sakurabashi (Sakura bridge); 行幸桥 Gyoukou bridge; 坪井川 Tsuboigawa
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

---

Two days had passed since their arrival at Kojou High School.
With regards to Takaya, he had long been detached from high school life.
He had not stepped into his former school in close to two years. All of his fellow classmates were now either in university or contributing to society. Wondering about what everyone else were doing now, Takaya realized that it had been a long time since he last thought about his friends.
Takaya's mood was rather complicated, having to associate with students who were two years younger than he was.
But even if he wanted to casually immerse himself in nostalgia, this school was far too strange to allow that.

What a weird school...

So that was how it was. Like what Endou had said, this school was extremely unusual.
It grew all the more obvious with each observed eccentricity of Mikuriya's student executives from what was known as the 'Iron Student Council' in that school.

The stringent recording of latecomers at the school gates could be comparable to the inspection of luggages and passengers at the airport; the broadcasting office, in charge of the announcements made in school, was also under the eye of the student executives, they could not air any music other those that were allowed. The strangest thing was the Gregorian hymn that was played everyday at noon for no apparent reason. Clearly, this place was not a missionary school. When he asked about it, he was told that it could 'calm a person's mood, thereby making it easier to concentrate on one's study'. (That said, European music had grown rather popular of late)

A student assembly would be held three times a week in the mornings during which the 'president of the student committee would address the students'. Mikuriya would personally stand at the microphone and deliver a speech. Her speech was glorified as an appeal to the students to 'practice the ideal way of school life', but in truth it was nothing more than the admonishment of her subordinates. However, she did have an ingenious way of articulation, every single word was uttered with absolute confidence. Her discussions were so rounded that no flaw could be found in them. Although her gestures were melodramatic, the sense of unclarity felt from watching her drew one in unconsciously. On careful scrutiny, once could see that all of the students were staring at the stage entranced; it startled Takaya immensely. This was a state of semi-hypnosis. It could very well be considered as brainwashing. The announcing of those who had violated the code of the society as well as commendations for those who had significantly contributed to the student council followed after. To conclude the assembly, all of the students recited the rules of the society. A regime that bordered on the strange.

It seemed as though president Mikuriya was regarded as an object of worship. Whenever Mikuriya led the 'inspection tour' around the school, there would surely be five or six student executives following behind her. The students would also make way for her, honoring her with the most polite courtesy of a 90 degrees bow. It was simply like the procession of a daimyo. That aside, their expressionless faces, reminiscent of army personnel, left Takaya cold.

The student executives would watch over the actions of every single student.
Their performance records, relationships between classmates, family environment, even male-female interactions were observed. (In other words, the beginnings of intimacy, the ends of relationships, the place where couples first meet, even the physical extent of the relationships, all of them were entered into the data files of the student executives) With regards to this gathering of personal information, it was said that the student executives acquired this from a system of secret informants. The covert exposure of another's private details to the executives (based on the value of the information) could reduce one's count of violations against the code of the society. This matter was carried out in a semi-overt way. It truly left one stunned with terror.

Even for those who have never violated the code of the society, if their actions were deemed to be problematic they would be 'summoned' by the inspection committee. Once a student has been summoned three times, he would be suspended from school.
It was truly unusual.

Because of the system of secret informants, the social relationships between the students had been strained. With this situation, one could not even confide in friends. It would be most unfortunate if everything disclosed to another party ended up reaching the ears of the student executives.
In this way, lateral ties grew weak while the dominion of the student executives intensified. Judging from this seizing of personal information, it seemed like the role of the student executive was to dig up people's secrets or perhaps weaknesses, so that this data could be used as a threat in the case of a contingency, to make the students obey.

How low-handed...

Under these sort of circumstances, no one would dare revolt even if they wanted to. There was one thing that could not be understood, why had the students allowed the organization to become so corrupt? In the very first place, what would the executive committee gain from these actions?

What is their objective?

The more he knew, the less he understood.

What happened in this school?


Lunch break.
In the nearby corridor, a student was being stamped with a violation mark by a member of the inspection committee (what the students referred to as getting 'inspected') for not obtaining permission to change his bicycle. The inspection committee member handled the situation in a machine-like manner, looking like a despotic policeman. ...On the other hand, the student punished was extremely compliant, to the extent of behaving deferentially, using respectful words to address the inspection committee member who was younger than he was.

"How unreasonable..."

Takaya remarked, stunned at this he rubbed his chin, Endou was seated beside him, voraciously eating out of his lunch box.

"I've to be a bit more careful too. If I get another dot, it'll be my second yellow card."

"Yellow card?"

"Suspension from school." Endou showed his student card to Takaya. It had many red stamps and digits aligned side by side. "Each time you're late, you get two dots. Absence without any valid reason gets you five dots. Even if you have a reason, if it's not an honest one - that's to say, if you're found guilty of skipping classes, you get ten dots at one shot. Ten dots gets you temporary suspension. If you're suspended three times, you'll be expelled."

"So you're snuffed out once you hit 30 dots... If you're late two weeks within a span of three years, will you be expelled?"

"Even if you're late by one second, you'd be considered a latecomer. This sort of thing isn't usually decided by the students right. Seriously, how did it end up like this."

Despite saying this, Endou still accepted it. He accepted this situation, its oddity and unusualness notwithstanding.
Takaya wrinkled his brows in an imposing manner.
Right at that moment.

"Akemi--!" A schoolgirl from the adjacent classroom called out as she ran in.

"Huh, Emi?"

The female student who replied was Inaba Akemi. Seated with her friends, opening their lunch boxes, Akemi widened her eyes in surprise.

"What is it? You don't look so good."

"What am I to do? Sorry, Akemi!"

Takaya and Endou observed this sudden bustle. Her friend, Emi, had an ashen face. She explained the entire matter to Akemi.

"What---!! SEEVA's concert ticket has been confiscated by the inspection committee?"

"Sorry, sorry, Akemi! The schoolbag inspection was only conducted yesterday...! I really didn't expect them to come again today--!"

"How did this...! That concert ticket... That ticket is exclusive to fanclub members, it's an extremely limited concert ticket!"

"I'm really sorry--! What should I do!"

Emi clung onto Akemi, crying out. Akemi did not know what to do either.

"Even if you ask me... What's to be done...!"

It seemed like Emi had brought the concert ticket, that Akemi had entrusted to her, to return it to her in school. It was discovered by the inspection committee as a result and thus confiscated.

"Oh dear. What a pity." Endou also looked sympathetic. "Anything confiscated by the inspection committee won't be returned. They're die-hard fans of SEEVA."

"SEEVA?"

It sounded familiar to Takaya, it was actually the name of the rock singer that Yuzuru was fascinated with.

"That was really unfortunate of her. Unexpectedly having her schoolbag examined two days in a row. They won't see that ticket again."

Emi cried profusely, wiping away her naval mucus and tears at the same time.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Akemi!"

"Even if you apologize... After all the effort spent in getting that ticket... I've even bought the train tickets to Osaka."

"Ahh, what should I do!"

Looking at Emi, who was weeping loudly in despair, Takaya felt angry at the injustice of this matter. She was only going to hand over the concert ticket to a friend, what was so wrong about that? Apparently, even this was prohibited by the inspection committee. It seemed like anything that was not related to driving the students in their studies was not acceptable.

"You can only forget about it."

Endou muttered. The friends around Emi also said the same.

"Nothing can be done, forfeited objects are never returned..."

"You were really unlucky." They consoled her in this way, but no one mentioned about going to retrieve the concert ticket. Watching how the surrounding students resolutely believed that there was no other alternative but to give up on it, Takaya felt irritated. This was not something that should be abandoned so easily.

"...!"

Takaya wanted to say something and stood up, at that same moment, someone called him from behind all of a sudden.

"Is Ougi Takaya of class 2B present?"

He looked back, startled. Endou let out a small 'Ah'; standing over there were those student executives.

"Aren't you present? ...Ougi Takaya."

He uttered as he stepped into the classroom, it was yet again that vice-president of the student council, Ozaki.
The classroom sank into absolute silence. Endou tugged at Takaya's sleeve worriedly. Takaya stared at Ozaki sharply.

"You didn't show up yesterday. We, together with the president, were waiting for you."

"I've only just registered at this school, there are plenty of things I'm busy with." Both of Takaya's hands were stuck in his pockets, he replied arrogantly. "I don't have that kind of leisure to specially go calling on your queen."

Endou and the rest of the students were shocked. They did not expect such a blatant showing of defiance from Takaya. Everyone's faces were tensed, thinking 'oh crap'. As he expected, the facial expressions of Ozaki's party were completely distorted.

"What did you just say?"

"I don't like to be ordered around. If you really want us to meet that badly, why don't you tell her to personally come over?"

"Aarghhhh, Ougi!" Endou grabbed hold of Takaya's arm, his face had turned rather pale. "You idiot! Why the hell are you being so provocative...!"

"What you said just now..." Ozaki interrupted Endou with a pompous, menacing voice. "Can it be taken as a revolt against the student committee?"

"N...No, it's not that! Ougi's just not used to it..."

Takaya pushed Endou, who was attempting to explain his words, away and stepped forward.

"However you want to retaliate, go ahead. The way you guys handle things, I find it unpleasant in every way. This is my style. No matter what other people say, I won't change."

"...So no matter what, you won't come?"

"I'm not so generous as to accompany you people in your queen's games."

Contrary to the student executives whose anger had reached the heavens, the emotions on Ozaki's face were stripped away, changing into an expressionless mask. He gazed at Takaya.

"I see. I understand."

"..."

"Endou-kun."

Having his name abruptly mentioned, Endou was so scared he nearly jumped.

"Y...Yes!"

"Yesterday, when class ended you went to the video games hub at Shinshigai and enjoyed yourself there didn't you. It should've been stated in the rules of the student council that you're forbidden to enter game shops, such as those in the video games hub, after school."

Endou's face lost all of its color, as though it had been 'painted' white.

"A violation of the fifth rule in article 12 of the student council, this will add five violation points to your records. You'll get your second yellow card if you get another violation point won't you."

"Ah...That... I... that..."

"If all of your school activities are to be suspended from tomorrow onwards as punishment, you won't be able to attend the art lessons on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Your attendance for art class is rather poor right? If you fail this module, you won't be able to get the course credits." Ozaki maliciously hoisted his lips. "Then you won't be able to proceed to the next grade, isn't that right?"

Endou's pale face was completely taut. All of a sudden, as though pushing away all that was in front of him, he shoved Takaya aside and dropped to his knees before Ozaki.

"Endou...!"

"P-Please! Let me off just this once! If I can't proceed to the next grade, I'll get into deep trouble! It'll be bad!"

"What's to be done now..." Ozaki mused, glancing at Takaya. "Even if you say that, a violation of the rules is still a violation."

"P-Please! I beg you, if I'm suspended I'll get into a lot of complications! Please let me off, please...!"

"..."

Every student in the classroom held their breath as they watched this scene unfold. Takaya's eyes were wide open as he gazed at the figure of Endou kneeling on the floor beside him, then he looked at Ozaki. A complacent smile appeared on Ozaki's face as though he was feeling victorious.

"Now that you mention it....Yes, I can reconsider it."

"Rea... Really!"

"Ougi Takaya-kun." Everyone's line of sight concentrated on Takaya. Ozaki smiled even more. "If you come to the executive committee office and swear your loyalty to President Mikuriya, I will consider letting Endou off."

A clamor rang out in the classroom. Takaya stared at him in shock. Ozaki had been planning to do this from the very start. Had someone seen them yesterday when they were roaming about the video games hub and secretly told on them? Ozaki had probably decided to use this information to threaten Endou, thereby making Takaya obey them.

"O-Ougi...!" Endou wrapped himself around Takaya's leg. "I beg you, please go! You only have to go there and everything will be fine! Do this for me will you!"

"Endou..."

"Please, Ougi!"

"There's no need to go to that place for that kind of guy, Ougi."

Endou's entreaty was interrupted by a voice from the front. Everyone turned in that direction in shock. A group of male students walked into the classroom. Seeing the male student standing in front, the students in class let out an apparent outcry of relief. Although that student was not particularly tall, he had a strangely intense presence.

Nezu Kouichi...!

Takaya was startled. They were the 'members of the resistance' who rebelled against Mikuriya's student executives. That resounding voice of Nezu echoed in the classroom.

"Even if Endou can't proceed to the next grade, that is the consequence of his own actions. He obviously knew of his poor attendance, yet still dared to skip lessons."

"What are you saying! Ne...Nezu!"

"Ougi, don't bother with him. You'll be fine, as long as you don't stick to your scrupulous ways that is."

Nezu said boldly, walking over to them. Takaya noticed that Ozaki, who was originally very full of himself, had unconsciously shrank back from Nezu.

"You guys are still the same as always, expert in these sort of vulgar tactics, student executive. What, bullying the new guy this time?"

"You again... Nezu Kouichi."

"Relying on this sort of offenses to threaten others, it's not like you're some kind of secret police. Or is it that you can't even bring a new student under your control without having to resort to these sort of base methods?"

Several drops of sweat appeared on Ozaki's forehead. This was proof that he had sunk into extreme nervousness in Nezu's presence.

"You look even more pathetic now considering that air of complacency on your face just a moment ago. Are you guys so afraid that the prestige of your executive committee will be tarnished by a new student?"

"Watch your words, Nezu Kouichi. You guys didn't attend the assembly this morning right. Do you want to be summoned again? Another violation and you'll be stripped of your member rights."

"Summoned? Is there any meaning to that sort of thing?" Nezu pretended to smile in a confused manner. "Even if I'm not a member, the fact that I'm still a student of Kojou High school won't change. Even if I'm banished from your student council, I can still graduate as a 'student who is not a member of the student council'."

"What insane words..." Ozaki clenched his teeth in hatred. "Banishment from the student council is equivalent to expulsion. Such students can no longer remain in this school."

"I won't allow that."

"What...!"

"Tell that to Mikuriya. You guys may appear to be forcing the headmaster or the staff members to obey the student council, but don't assume that your dominion will continue for much longer. We have a strength much greater than yours." Nezu stated without any trace of cowering. "I don't obey rules which are enforced via corrupted methods. Just because Ougi refused to report himself, you guys consider this as an opposition of the society's code. We will never obey Mikuriya's executive committee."

"...Ngh...!"

In the face of Nezu's fortitude, the student executives had no opportunity for refute. Ozaki glared at the 'leader of the resistance' bitterly.

"...I definitely won't let people like you obstruct us."

"..."

"Endou. Ougi. Don't forget what I said just now. If you don't come to the executive committee office today, Endou will be suspended from school. Understand."

"You don't have to go, Ougi."

"If you don't wish for Endou to repeat a year, you must come. Understand."

Ozaki uttered 'let's go' to his subordinates, leading the student executives out of the classroom. Right at that moment.

"Please wait!"

A female student called out in this way, overtaking Ozaki.

"Emi...!"

"Please! Please return me the ticket that was confiscated this morning! It's an extremely important ticket! It can't be thrown away!" Emi grabbed Ozaki desperately, with tears welling up in her eyes as she implored him. "Please return me that ticket! Please, please! I won't commit this offense again!"

"E-Emi! You...!"

"Please! Please!"

Ozaki looked at her coldly, then pushed Emi away in a vexed manner.

"Ah...!"

The student executives surrounded Emi, who had fallen on the floor. Emi wanted to chase after him once again, but she was cruelly held back by Mikuriya's minions.

"Please! Please...!"

"Satou Emi of class 2C. Three violation points to be added to her records for obstructing the carrying out of duties."

"Understood."

"Vice-president Ozaki!"

Ignoring the fact that Emi was crying until her eyes were a wet mess, the inspection committee member mechanically stamped the violation marks on her student card. All of the students gulped as they witnessed this chain of unpleasant situations. An unbearable atmosphere filled the entire classroom. One could perceive indignation and remorse, as well as a wish to dispel these feelings, a surrender that surrounded everyone's hearts, Takaya again felt severely annoyed.

What is with this school...!

"Ougi, please go. I'm begging you...!"

Hearing Endou's plea from his side, something snapped in Takaya's thoughts. He could not tolerate that miserable appearance of Endou's dependency on other people, Takaya glared at him ferociously.

"Wah...!"

Forgetting his original fear, Endou released Takaya. Takaya looked at Nezu, who was standing behind him.

Here we go again...

Nezu stared at Takaya with eyes full of what could be considered hostility. That manner of his was completely different from the way he spoke with Ozaki just moments ago.

Is he an ally... Or...

The student executives and inspection committee members had left. Akemi ran over to Emi, who was crying her eyes out. Nezu's gang also quietly left the classroom.

"..."

Remaining in the classroom, Takaya stood there in the vortex with a solemn expression.

***

After school that day,
Takaya went to the executive committee office.
Takaya was not planning to yield to the use of Endou's progress to the next grade as a threat against him, however he could not just ignore it.
Whatever the case, he saw a need to meet the student known as Mikuriya Juri.
After the bell for the sixth lesson rang, Takaya headed to the school building facing north, to the executive committee office on the first floor.


Inside the office, the room of the student council leader was situated on the right.

"I'm Ougi Takaya from class 2B."

Following the student executive's instructions he reported his name, Takaya opened the door to the president's room.
There was a carpet on the floor. A gorgeous desk and leather chair stood in the center, the room's furnishings were sadly more luxurious than that of the headmaster's office. Seated on the leather chair was one attired in a sailor-like uniform, a schoolgirl who looked rather young. The vice president Ozaki was standing beside her.

"Welcome. We've been waiting for you, transfer student from class 2B."

"..."

Takaya was startled, he stood dumbfounded in his original position for a brief moment.
He had mistaken the figure seated on the chair for a doll. Her skin was unusually white, with straight black hair that was leveled at her shoulders. Her eyes and nose were petite; a cute, regular face. She looked far too young and small for a second-year high school student, such that she appeared to be sinking into that gorgeous leather chair. That sort of disequilibrium gave one a feeling of peculiarity.

Is this Mikuriya Juri?

Her appearance was far from what he had imagined, making Takaya somewhat astounded. He had assumed Mikuriya to be someone with much tougher features. But not long after, his feeling of peculiarity changed into something else.

This brat is also...

"Please come in."

Urged in this way, Takaya entered the room. He felt sickened by the feel of his shoes sinking into the carpet.

"I'm pleased that you've decided to heed our words like an obedient student. There wouldn't have been any problems if you had done so from the start."

Perhaps Ozaki's arrogant smile provoked Takaya, he deliberately lowered his voice, confronting Mikuriya Juri directly.

"...I have come as instructed. So what are you going to do with me?"

Mikuriya Juri observed Takaya in silence. Ozaki interrupted.

"Watch your words. Take your hands out of your pockets. You're standing before the president."

Despite Ozaki's berating, Takaya ignored him.

"You asked for me right. President Mikuriya."

"That's right, Ougi Takaya." Mikuriya replied with a loud and clear voice. "I heard from Ozaki that you've many issues with the student council despite only having just transferred to this school."

"Planning to immediately stamp me with violation points are you?"

"No. You have not been 'broken in' yet. We will not punish a member who hasn't been educated on the rules of our society. We shall explain to you the significance of our society's principles, then you'll be requested to swear absolute compliance with the code of the society. However..."

"..."

"Before coming here, we already expect your full compliance with the code of the society."

"...And if I say that I can't understand such rules?"

Under Takaya's scrutiny, Mikuriya squinted, her small fine lips curled slightly.

"We won't let you say that you can't understand them."

"..."

"The council rules of this school are absolute. Consenting to it is an unquestionable prerequisite to become a student of Kojou High School. Do you understand now? Ougi Takaya."

I see...

Takaya finally understood. Mikuriya Juri... Very much like what the rumors say. She had a calm and loftiness inconsistent with that outward appearance which resembled a Bodo doll. At first glance, even the smile on that pale, young face possessed a distinctively compelling strength. No wonder everyone feared her. This imbalance, as though a mature woman was residing on the body of a child, projected a bizarre impression to anyone who looked at her.

'As though' residing on...?

Takaya's eyes grew sharp.

... That's not the case.

"Before that, in order to understand your character, we shall conduct an interview-like process. Please answer our questions."

"Interview...?"

"Please take a seat."

A metal chair had been prepared before the desk.

"Just some questions from this document that has to be submitted to the school's administration. Please let me know if there are any mistakes."

Following that, the long 'interview' began. Name, date of birth, former address, curriculum vitae, family members... The questions started simple, gradually leading to more personal matters. Chiaki had handled nearly all of the paperwork prior to their entry into this school. A dose of hypnotism, Chiaki's forte, had been included in his implementation. Thus, in reality, Takaya had not actually transferred from Jouhoku High School. However if the questioning grew too analytic, it would be difficult for Takaya to continue to deceive them. It was uncertain if Mikuriya noticed that Takaya had begun to feel dreary, or was this her objective perhaps? The endless questions made the one providing all the answers feel exhausted.

"At Jouhoku High School, you repeated your second year twice. Why?"

"..."

"Please answer. Why was your attendance lacking?"

"Are you guys investigators?" Takaya could no longer bear it, he finally snapped at her. "I don't believe it's necessary for me to continue with this answering. Is the job of the executive committee focused on prodding into people's personal affairs? If that's the case, you guys can really compare with those entertainment journalists."

"This is our responsibility, as stipulated by the rules of the society."

"No comment." Takaya firmly replied. "Your questioning is a cross-examination. If that's your intention, then I can exercise the right to remain silent. At the very least, this is stated in the laws of Japan."

"There's no right to remain silent in the societal rules of our school."

"...!"

"You won't be recognized as a student if you refuse to answer the questions. You won't become a student of Kojou High School if you behave in this way, no?"

"Is that a threat?"

Ozaki and Mikuriya remained silent. That ridiculous smile, flaunting 'victory', appeared on Ozaki's face again; but Mikuriya's expressionless face was several times more strange than his.
Takaya gazed at Mikuriya.

"What an exceptional dictatorship."

Saying this, he leaned back against the chair, casually changing his sitting posture at will. If Mikuriya really intended this, Takaya was prepared for a long battle.
Ozaki looked at him disapprovingly.

"Ougi, what kind of attitude is that..."

"I said I'm happy to keep you company. You guys are interested in me right? Then let's take it slow and easy."

"...!"

"Go ahead, please, thought-control police."

The two student executives stared at him in shock. Even Mikuriya appeared confounded at Takaya's astonishing surge of confidence.
Takaya did not take his eyes away for even a split second.
Mikuriya's expression grew earnest.

"Then will you please answer this question."

"..."

"Why have you come to this school?"

Takaya knitted his eyebrows.
Mikuriya gazed directly at Takaya.
Their views clashed in midair.
A tense atmosphere dominated the entire room.

"This answer..." Takaya uttered. "Why don't you ask yourselves the same question, kanshousha."

"...!"

Ozaki and Mikuriya were clearly perturbed. Takaya was swift, he stood up at this critical juncture.

"Ougi Takaya of class 2B swears to abide by the rules of Kojou High's student council. There, satisfied now? This is all that needs to be done right?"

"Ougi, you...!"

"I'm leaving. This room isn't particularly accommodating." Takaya reached the door, he turned back towards Mikuriya. "I don't know what you're attempting, but you won't get what you want. It'd be better for you to just give up on your schemes."

"...!"

"The next time you ask for me, at least prepare some tea for the guest. Your Highness."

Takaya's figure disappeared to the other side of the door.
Seated on the leather chair, Mikuriya's face was tensed while Ozaki was beset with intense uncertainty.

"President... He really is..."

"..." Mikuriya commanded with a tough intonation. "Gorou, dispatch our subordinates. Find out which faction he's from."

"He really is similar to us...!"

"Although we don't know what he intends to do, we can't let him obstruct us. He may be a comrade of those guys. Find out his identity."

"If he's their comrade then..."

"Dealing with him immediately would be the best course of action to take."

Mikuriya coldly replied, casting a sidelong glance at the doorway where Takaya had exited.

"Ougi Takaya..."

She muttered Takaya's name hatefully. She took out a silver chain from her clothes. A cross hung down from the front end of the chain. It was a rosary.

"How much does he know about us..."

"President."

"Whoever he is, we can't let him hinder us. No one must be allowed to obstruct the construction of the kingdom. Don't be negligent in your wariness of him. Watch his actions. Understand? Gorou. Don't lower your guard."


The stares of the student executives who watched Takaya as he left the president's room were needlelike. From the expression in their eyes, they seem to regard Takaya not so much an outsider as a heretic. Perhaps the atmosphere in the president's room had been transmitted to the outside, all of them were highly cautious of him. Takaya understood now.

--Brainwashing of raw recruits?

Apparently, they were not the type to rely on hyoui possession.
As he walk out of the room, Takaya suddenly noticed the scraps of paper in the rubbish bin. It looked like a blue concert ticket that had been thrown away after it was torn to pieces. It had the five letters of 'SEEVA' on it.

This is...

It was indeed the concert ticket that had been confiscated from Emi.
Remembering the crying face of the victim, Takaya wordlessly walked out of the room.

***

The sky was dark. The layers of stratus clouds gathered together. It looked like it was about to rain.
Someone called out to Takaya, who was slipping on his shoes at the front door.

"Seems like you've bowed to Mikuriya Juri, transfer student."

Once he lifted his head, he saw his classmate Miike Tetsuya standing there, leaning against the glass door. That ferocious expression of his could really match Takaya's. It seemed like he had been waiting for him.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"And here I was thinking you were someone with moral backbone..., hmph, not that amazing after all. Sucking up to that kind of woman... I've really misjudged you. Gutless brat."

"Rascals like you won't understand it." Takaya said as he wore his shoes. "With all the quirks of this school, I'm surprised you haven't been expelled yet. Contrary to your outward manner, you're actually very observant of the words and gestures of others."

"What!"

"I don't know why you've chosen to behave like a harmful juvenile but it's pathetic, just cut the act already. Do you want people to worry about you? You're nothing but a kid throwing a petty tantrum."

"What did you say!"

Tetsuya shouted, grabbing hold of Takaya's collar. Takaya noticed that Tetsuya's fingers were covered with circular scalds. Seeing that, feelings of nostalgia began to surge through him, Takaya smiled at Tetsuya slightly.

"Burn marks of your courage? This practice isn't popular anymore you know."

"You...!"

"Tetsuya!"

Hearing a sharp yell from behind, Tetsuya turned around in shock. Inaba Akemi was standing there. Her expression paled as she dashed over.

"What are you planning to do with Ougi-kun! Don't beat him up!" Akemi forcefully pulled Tetsuya away, yelling loudly. "Sorry, Ougi-kun! Tetsu, get a grip! How mean of you!"

"Quit nagging! It has nothing to do with you!"

"It has everything to do with me, Ougi-kun is my classmate! You rough brat! Still the same as when you were in primary school!"

"Shut up!" Tetsuya pushed Akemi away. He grabbed his schoolbag, turned on his heels and walked away. "Don't get too full of yourself, Ougi. I won't let you continue with your arrogance, you best remember this!"

Finishing with these words, Tetsuya walked away from the front door. It seemed like he had waited in this place just to cast these words at Takaya. Akemi stood up behind Takaya muttering, "Ouch, ouch."

"I'm really sorry, Ougi-kun. You must have been scared right? He really goes too far sometimes. He has always been a brute."

"Always? Have you known him for long?"

"Yeah. We studied at the same primary school. After moving to the city, we got separated but now we're together again in high school. But, why is Tetsu so bothered with Ougi-kun in the first place?"

"...Good point." Takaya's expression abruptly relaxed. "Perhaps it's because he smelt someone with the same flavor as himself."

Wah... he smiled!

The first time Akemi saw Takaya's profile, she had felt incessantly fearful. All this while, she had only seen Takaya's frightening face, she never imagined he had such an expression as well. That look on his face was unexpectedly gentle, causing Akemi to gaze at him in enthrallment.

"Looks like it's going to rain. If I don't hurry back, I'll get drenched."

"Ou...Ougi-kun!" Akemi came back to her senses, she suggested loudly. "I've an umbrella. If it's okay with you, shall we walk back together?"

***

Although Takaya had tactfully refused, explaining that his destination was very close by, it seemed like it was no match for Akemi's hospitality. Once Akemi knew of Takaya's place of residence, she exclaimed in a gleeful voice.

"Ehhhh---! Ougi-kun, you're staying at a hotel? That's so awesome!"

However, she added, "But that's really far from school." Because of the rain, she grew more and more stubborn, as a result, Takaya had to give in to Akemi's offer to walk him back to the hotel. Takaya had a lot of questions regarding the situation in school that he wanted to ask her, so this provided him with a good opportunity for conversation.

The tax office was situated beside the high school. A row of trees stretched from the Sakura bridge to the Gyoukou bridge of the Tsuboigawa coast. The two of them walked alongside each other through the rain.

"Ehhhh---! The concert ticket was thrown away?"

Learning of what Takaya saw in the executive committee room, Akemi's shoulders slumped in disappointment.

"So it would've been a lost cause after all... Everyone was talking about going to the executive committee room together to request that they return the ticket to Emi, but nobody went in the end out of fear."

"How is Emi?"

"Mmm. She was stamped with violation points right? Emi has been suspended from school. Once, she was absent without asking for leave beforehand because her grandfather had fallen ill all of a sudden. Despite explaining her reasons to the executive committee, it was not accepted. Combined with the points received from the inspection team for bringing disallowed materials, the addition of ten violation points, hence suspension."

"...This is seriously outrageous."

Due to shock, Emi had left school early. Akemi lowered her head, drooping her shoulders in a disheartened manner.

"Suspension from school would have a large impact on the grades. Speaking of which, I'm partly at fault... I feel really terrible for Emi."

"You didn't do anything wrong." Takaya sharply looked up at the sky. "This school's strangeness is to blame."

"Is it really that strange? Really so strange?"

"Don't you find it strange?"

"Hmm... Although people like Tetsu and Nezu-kun have said a lot, I don't really find it that... Perhaps it's a little strict, but this is for the betterment of the school. I also think that allowing autonomy among the students is a good idea..."

Is this another effect of the brainwashing? ...Mikuriya Juri.

Takaya's expression grew solemn. Despite having suffered so much, Akemi's acceptance of the code of the society did not change. An abnormal lack of self-initiative. Although she was aware, there was no open resistance. ...Just like Endou.
All of them shared a common characteristic. Akemi, Endou, as well as the other students, had a mixture of spirits attached to their body. Although their strength was small and weak, Takaya could sense a magnetic-like object, which attracted spiritual bodies, in every student. The students' opposition to Mikuriya's executive committee appeared related to whether they had spirits attached to them or not.
Proof for this was provided by the fact that several individuals did not have any mixed spirits adhered to their bodies in Takaya's class. And one of them was--...

"You said that you're Miike Tetsuya's childhood friend right."

Takaya changed the subject of their conversation, Akemi was a little startled.

"Yeah... that's right. Why...?"

"He doesn't seem to be Nezu's friend, did something happen to him? I hear he rebels against the executive committee, has he always been this way? It seems like he went through some hardship, his sister going missing or some sort..."

"You actually know of Hokage's incident!" Akemi was shocked, the color of her complexion changed. "From whom did you hear about this? Who told you? Ougi-kun, why do you...!"

"!"

Suddenly, Takaya stared ahead with a stunned expression. In the shade of the woods along the Tsuboigawa coast, a male student was standing there on the road, leaning against a tree.

"Ah..."

Akemi covered her mouth in shock. Takaya stared at the other with a serious face. The 'energy' issued from his body was unlike that of an ordinary person. In that class, he was another student who, like Miike Tetsuya, had no mixed spirits attached to his body...

"I wish to speak with you. Ougi Takaya."

"... It seems like the students of this school really like to harass new students."

In the misty rain, Takaya calmly looked back at Nezu Kouichi.

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.

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