Tokyo Ravens EX - Volume 3 - Chapter Pr

The Night Before Triangle

Everyone died. Because of that demon. 
Murder. 
Yeah, he was reckless. But really though, he wasn’t worried about it. The descending Onmyouji was, however, not going to destroy him. 
On the contrary, he said. 
You’re young. Change your mind, live and go see the world. 
He laughed at the words of the Onmyouji. 
He had already lived a long time, longer than the Onmyouji himself. Well, “living” might not seem trivial. Wandering the world, witnessing it’s worthless salvation in detail before his own eyes. Above all, he wasn’t a human being himself. His existence was similar to an “alternation”. 
The Onmyouji observed him and expressed a mysterious smile. Like a saint that was full of compassion. Possibly, the person himself exceeded someone similar to a divine being. Secular life lost connection from the heavens wandering, light, thin and infinite smile. 
One thousand years. The Onmyouji said. 
First, try to live a thousand years. And furthermore, if you do that, your arm will be returned. 
Listen, he laughed once more. With a parched tone of voice, he stifled a laugh. 
For a human being, a thousand years was an eternity. But it was different for him. Indeed there was no mistake that it’s a far away future, but by no means was a thousand years, as far as he was concerned, something he was unable to get beyond. In the world at present different areas are adjoining lands. Then, if it’s true his arm will be returned after a thousand years. 
Still, are you fine with it? Depending on my mood at that time, your linage will be eradicated. 
He told the Onmyouji his laugh looked malicious and sounded annoying, carrying a bad reputation that felt fitting. 
However, the Onmyouji stopped smiling. His eyes somewhat narrowed, well then, he murmured. At that time you said, “more good things” may be obtained. It’s depends on what you choose. 
Nevertheless, it appeared the Onmyouji’s words cut off, he changed and expressed a really common smile, grinning broadly. Friendly and mischievous. His smile was similar to a child. The impression from just before was praiseworthy. There was no discomfort. This smile also, the Onmyouji’s smile was real. 
The Onmyouji watched intently, he had a dubious expression. However, the Onmyouji didn’t speak in much detail. 
Nevertheless, you are the best suitable. He murmured suggestive. 
After that, during a very long time. Most memories of the exchanged conversations with the Onmyouji lost its vividness and disappeared. However, he merely remembered the Onmyouji’s smile, and forgot about the strange event. 
? 
Vibrant crimson and amber colors painted the mountain hamlet. 
The wind already washed away the summer heat, rays of the sun warmed up the place beneath as the presence of winter approached at brisk pace. Pampas grass gently waved at the top of a hill. 
In the forest, the maple tree and maidenhair tree changed their colors and comfortably scattered around leaves and branches. That brilliant presence appeared to make the air stop moving, it reminded one of the skies iridescent clouds. 
Autumn at the mountain hamlet is at its height right now. The Tsuchimikado family mansion can be found at the edge of the mountain hamlet, it had been build on high ground so it has an excellent view. Also inside of the mansion, the rooms were dark. 
Rural beauty brimmed as the seven autumnal flowers are scattering all over the courtyard. 
Bush clover and kudzu. 
Male flower and fringed pink. 
Thoroughwort, golden lace. 
And also, identical to the Tsuchimikado family’s family crest and in the shape of a pentagram was a violet flower, the Chinese Bellflower. 
At the courtyard, a young lady dressed in a kimono crossed the inner part of the lot and walked in the opposite direction. The girl dressed in kimono was still young, only fourteen years old, almost fifteen. The clothing she wore did not suit her age, it looked old and, no? it was quite gorgeous actually. 
She walked around with a determined expression, giving of an impression that was child-ish and lively with a seeming failing perception of adultness. 
However, it was a result of the latter being hidden from the former. She was standing on tiptoe and stretching her back to make herself look taller as she examined her surroundings. 
The mansion was tucked in a thickly wide overgrown forest, it passes through a single, narrow road. The girl entered that path and advanced through the inner part of the forest. 
As she walked around the neighborhood, the verdant with leafs and bamboo forest changed and an old whitewashed warehouse came into view. There was also a Chinese bellflower blooming at the side of the warehouse. 
A rock covered in moss with the size of a mortar[1] was put in place before her. A large red dragonfly sat down on that rock as it rested its wings. What couldn’t be seen however, was the rare five-pointed star which was engraved in the earth’s surface below. The red dragonfly soundlessly took off once the girl approached and disappeared into the blue bamboo forest as autumn leaves were washed away by the current water stream. 
He became aware of the girl. 
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She spilled a sweet voice and laughed a little. 
After that, the girl reached out towards the rock by extending her index finger and middle finger and drew a symbol in the air. She unbound the barrier that enveloped the area and approached the warehouse. 
The door of the warehouse had already been opened. The girl came as far as the wicket gate in front of the warehouse and called, “brother.” from within the warehouse. 
“It’s almost noon you know? Brother?” 
The inside of the warehouse was considerably large. Light shone from the entrance although the interior seemed gloomy. 

From bookshelves that contained piles of books to stacked long-lasting Tsuzura, casual bamboo baskets one could toss things into and something that may be wrapped in cloth. There were a large number of various “things” that put pressure inside the room. These were distressing effects giving the dim room more emphasize. Well no, it is not only that. A large number of “things” such as cloth and spirits were sealed up. Sings of a “curse” were reminiscent of the faint darkness. Everything stored at this place was meant for fetish. 
“Brother.” The girl twisted and turned on her own free will and moved inside. 
From the warehouse it’s inner walls, also, you could see the stairway lead to the second floor. She called from the stairway to the upper floor. “Bro?” It was met with a laid-back voice. 
subsequently, a head turned upside-down abruptly appeared from the second floor stairway. The girl expressed a strained laugh. 
“Kokage. Are you still purposely walking in? Do you understand how many times you have showed up during the ceremony?” 
“That’s why we meet again so many times. That sort of technique is easy to utilize, I’m not impressed.” 
“Well the barrier of the warehouse is rather easy to unbind, isn’t it.” 
“Aren’t you supposed to not let people in? Jeez, never mind that. Please get down here.” She expressed a sulky look as the girl’s cheerful elder brother tried to hold back his laughter. 
After that, he used the stairway to get to the first floor while a tapping sound echoed. The boy dressed in kariginu[2] was about three, four years older than the girl. 
The youngsters were carefree raised at the countryside, he was self-possessed in spite of age, or rather, there was an atmosphere that was relaxed. One way, there was a sense of intellectuality in the boy’s features and verbal expression, there was also dignity in his manner. For this reason, a leisure atmosphere hang around him. 
However, his eyes carried a strong light appropriate for the boy’s age. In particular, it appeared he had a very childish laugh and the boy expressed a smile in the most usual situations. 
The boy’s name was Tsuchimako Yakou. 
The girl’s name was Tsuchimikado Kokage. 
Descendants of the great Onmyouji, Abe no Seimei, they are siblings and the Tsuchimikado family children. 
Yakou stood in front of Kokage. Having done that, it was noticeable to see that the elder brother was a head taller than his younger sister. The sister had a small build, but the brother was tall. Kokage’s cheeks fray around the edges as she looked at the figure of her brother. However, Yakou grinned at Kokage’s remorseful expression. 
“Although I feel bad for you to come all the way here, but I’m a bit busy right now. Please eat without me.” 
“Eeh? You’re being selfish again. I can’t do that since you are keeping grandfather and grandmother waiting!” 
“Well then, apologize to them in advance for me.” 
“It’s useless asking me, I’m not going to help you with that.” 
Kokage raised her eyebrows as Yakou groaned and placed both hands on his hips, he glanced at a hillock and frowned. 
“Look, I have their permission.” 
“Eh? Ah? the ceremony right. Still, magic like that is easy to utilize!” 
“It’s useful so why not?” 
「そういう問題ではありませんっ。お兄様は才能がありすぎるせいで、便利というものに対して軽々しいのが良くないと言
ているんです [3] Kokage scowled as she looked up at her brother. 
食事のことにしてもそうです。家長や男衆が先ではなく、みんなで一緒にご飯を食べよとうと言い出したのは、お兄様
自身ではないですか
“It’s not like it’s a usual thing for me. It just happened to be today..” 
“Therefore, that sort of thing is selfish to say! First, at breakfast this morning you didn’t come and neglected your meal brother, it is absolutely unthinkable.” 
Yakou nonchalantly prepared himself for Kokage’s nagging. The person herself appeared to be extremely serious, she did not appear playful like her brother as they stared at each other for about half a minute. Yakou was beaten and expressed a bitter smile as he reflected on the soothing methods of his younger sister. 
Also, “Master Yakou” A refreshing voice came from the second floor. 
On top of the stairway, the figure of a girl showed up. Yet it was a girl who was dressed like a boy, wearing a western shirt and slacks. But even though she was dressed like a boy, she remained breathtaking beautiful. Her hair was long enough to likely reach her waist and her skin is visibly smooth like white porcelain. 
Although she had a graceful body, her facial expression tightened in dignity and there was a sense of elegance. In particular, her sharp blue eyes gave a vivid impression of intelligence and passion in the mind of the viewer. 
They didn’t know the approximate age of the girl, but it was similar to Yakou? or perhaps a little younger. 
Like tearing a large-flowered bud apart, it truly embodies the time of fresh beauty like a flower that was about to open. Although that beautiful face was beyond characteristics, extending from the head were a pair of ears covered in fur. Moreover, in the shape of leaves that fell down a tree was a soft tail. The girl carried a tail and fox ears. She was possessed by a fox spirit. 
“Hishamaru.” 
“Ah. Hisha-san.” 
The elder brother and his younger sister all together called out to the girl. Hishamaru bows and greets them, her flexible tail wriggled back and forth swiftly as she safely walked down the stairway. 
“What’s wrong? Has there been a change?” 
1 Also called Usu. It’s a large Japanese mortar with a pestle called kine, used to pound rice or millet. 
2 Informal clothes worn by the nobility from the Heian period onwards. 
3 Can’t figure this one and the one below out at the moment.