"Do you know what the essence of sorcery is?" "The answer is 'lies'." -Tsuchimikado Yakou.
Part 1 It was an incident that happened many years ago. When the adult relatives gathered for an occasion, Harutora and Natsume would often play with each other. The playful Harutora would often get hurt, but Natsume, the princess of the main family, was very modest and docile. She was scared of meeting strangers and had few friends. Thus, whenever Harutora came by, her face would flush with excitement. She would listen to whatever Harutora would say and would follow him wherever he went. The place they played at was the courtyard inside the main family mansion. There was a bamboo forest in this wide garden, a lake, some stone lanterns, some fake hills, moss, little insects, shrines and so on. It was filled with delight and adventure. But during one time, when they were playing, Natsume was suddenly frightened as she hid behind Harutora. She would give a crying look when they were playing tag or hide and seek, and she would hug Harutora tightly as she said, "I think there’s something, Looking right at me." Harutora could not see anything. At first, he thought that Natsume was being too scared, called her a scaredy-cat, a crybaby, and even told her off. Just go back to the adults if you’re so scared. I can play on my own. Because of Harutora, Natsume almost ended up crying. However, she did not do so, but managed to endure, forcing a smile as she continued to play with Harutora. But when Harutora heard from his parents that Natsume was ‘a child who could see’, he knew he was wrong. Natsume was not scared, but saw something Harutora did not see. "Sorry." Natsume’s eyes widened when she saw Harutora lower his head in apology. Harutora continued to insist that he was to blame and apologized saying that it was his fault. I can’t see anything that scares me, and whatever I can’t see can’t scare me. Thus, when you’re scared, I’ll definitely protect you, Natsume.
And so, Natsume suddenly mumbled some words to herself, and then gave Harutora an expectant look. Can you become my shikigami? At that time, Harutora did not understand the meaning behind her words. What’s a shikigami? He asked, and Natsume shook her head, saying, I don't know. Granny said that a shikigami would protect me, you will become my shikigami as part of our family’s ‘tradition’, Harutora, and you will stay by me and protect me. But Harutora still did not understand. What is this ‘tradition’? It’s decided between my family and your family, Harutora. Is that so? Why didn’t I hear of it? But it was determined as such. Natsume answered with a forced tone, feeling like her most valuable incantations had been treated with disdain, and Harutora felt embarrassed by it. Natsume then showed an insecure look the moment she saw Harutora’s expression. Will you not…become my shikigami? Her voice was trembling, and Harutora panicked, thinking he had made her cry again. However, Natsume was not crying. She was restless, scared, and her eyes looked like they were about to cry, but Harutora saw that those eyes were not wavering. Those eyes looked like they were a lake surface on a mountain in the clouds, showing only the reflection of the skies and space. There was a strong-willed determination of a kind Harutora did not know of. He seemed attracted by Natsume’s eyes. It’s fine, he answered. Okay, I’ll become your shikigami, Natsume. I’ll always stay by you and protect you. Natsume raised her right hand and extended her little finger. Harutora too reached his right hand out and used his own little finger to hook onto Natsume’s finger. Natsume started to chant, and looked so serious it was scary. Harutora too followed, and their voices formed a promise. Once she released her hand, Natsume looked like she won the biggest lottery in life as she showed a radiant smile. Harutora saw that dazzling smile and thought that they finally made up. But why was I not smiling as brightly as Natsume? His mind was thinking that this was good, but there was a part in his heart where he just could not calm down. It felt like he swallowed a piece of candy that was as large as a fist. It felt heavy, painful, but he could not spit it out— It felt very sweet when he licked it. After that, both of them continued to play in the mansion’s garden like usual. Whenever Natsume looked scared, Harutora would look at the place where there was nothing, swing his fists, yell bravely and pursue the thing only Natsume could see. No matter what happened, he definitely must not let her get hurt. —That had been many years ago. Back then, Harutora still did not understand what the ‘future’ meant.
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