Part 5
The path Sen led them to was a small mountain path that had only appeared recently and that no one outside the monastery knew about. Behind Sen followed Akino, who had concealed her ears, along with Natsume and the woman who had named herself as Chizuru. Bringing up the rear was Chizuru's husband Takahiro.
It seemed that the married pair Takahiro and Chizuru were of the Tsuchimikado branch family. Though it had been a different time, it seemed that they were still working for the main family. Indeed, it was as much a historical, legitimate, traditional family as was rumored. Sen couldn't help but smile inside as his old friend surfaced in his mind.
At any rate, these two seemed to have taken up the role of protecting Natsume. Sen slowly understood the overall situation upon hearing the arguments between the three of them. In any case, the Tsuchimikado main family head had foreseen that Harutora would visit the mountain through divination. So, Natsume and Takahiro who had learned of that foresight had silently come to Seishuku Temple by themselves. It looked like she was quite a resourceful girl. At the same time, he discerned that Harutora was wary of something.
The sky was already completely black when their group finally reached the foot of the mountain.
The gray clouds covering the sky had also vanished and the moon that showed its face illuminated the surroundings. Takahiro and Chizuru thanked Sen again and Sen accepted it with a laugh. On the other hand, the faces of the two girls hadn't improved a bit. They hadn't said anything while descending the mountain, and they seemed like they still weren't planning on looking at each other right now.
Sen secretly smiled at their innocent friendship.
Then, he suddenly opened his mouth to speak.
"Takahiro-dono, Chizuru-dono, although this is my personal request - if possible, could you take Akino back with you?"
"...Sen-jiichan!?"
Akino turned to look at Sen, dumbfounded. Natsume's eyes also widened and she stared over intently.
Takahiro and Chizuru suddenly couldn't hide their confusion. Even so, they weren't as flustered as the children.
"......Although I'm extremely sorry, we cannot."
Takahiro bowed respectfully as he spoke.
"We're continuing to live a fugitive life in order to escape the Onmyou Agency's eyes and ears. Also, we're wanted. Natsume's a family member, so there's no helping it, but as for taking in and placing someone underage in that position......"
"Oh? Takahiro-dono, you definitely know about the circumstances of the dark temple. The dark temple's the same with regard to standing in an unlawful position and for taking in underage people. No, the monastery seems completely destroyed now, so it's not even the same, it's greatly worse. Living with the Tsuchimikado family would be better for Akino."
"No, no, but......"
Takahiro lost his words, his expression weakening. Chizuru also puzzled over what to say, and Natsume and Akino stared at each other. The two girls motionlessly watched the situation unfold with appearances of not even knowing whether to interject.
Sen smiled in satisfaction.
"There's no helping it - hey, Hiyakuroubou."
He called out towards the forest, and suddenly, the tengu mask-wearing Hiyakuroubou appeared. As expected of Takahiro, he seemed to have noticed beforehand, but Chizuru and Natsume were momentarily taken aback, while Akino joyfully called out "Tengu-san!"
Hiyakuroubou neatened its clothing and pulled out a piece of paper according to its master's orders. It was a contract. Sen accepted that contract, then smiled proudly, giving it to Takahiro.
"This is the brief contract that I received when I won a hundred games of shogi [62] many years ago. Though I'm very sorry for bringing it out when the man himself isn't around, I'm not sure how long I'll have left to use it if I don't use it now."
Takahiro took the contract, his face twitching as he turned to look at the old man. Chizuru, who peered in from the side, also couldn't help but show a bitter smile.
On the contract was written--
'The Tsuchimikado family will fulfill the request of Seishuku Temple's Sen no matter what. Tsuchimikado Yakou.'
"T-This, but......"
"What?"
"E-Even if you say that, it's......"
"Oh? Even though leadership has been passed down, this is indeed the contract of the Tsuchimikado family heir. Could it be that the proper Tsuchimikado family might break a contract?"
Sen spoke unconcernedly with a bright smile, but Takahiro wore a displeased expression as if he had eaten a bitter bug.
"Sen-jiichan."
Finally, she felt like the adults were deciding what to do. Akino trembled slightly on the sidelines while speaking up.
A complex mixture of anxiety and anticipation was on that face. Her face was currently wearing an expression that said she was going to leave the nest - it was an expression Sen liked.
"Akino. It's time for you to leave the nest too. ......To be honest, we've lived together for a long time...... Well, there's no helping it."
"How can I? Because if I...... leave the mountain, then--"
"No."
Sen smiled but spoke clearly. "Sen-jiichan." Sen stared as if somewhat taken aback.
"That won't do. Akino. The nest has already burned down and you can no longer return. You have to go. The time for you to leave cannot wait any longer."
"Eh!? S-Sen-jiichan, is that true!?"
Akino stared at Sen in shock. On the other hand, Takahiro visibly sighed slightly. Though his conscience couldn't stomach dragging a child like Akino into a fugitive life, Seishuku Temple looked quite dismal now, even if only its appearance had been ruined. In comparison, finding her relatives, convincing them, and entrusting Akino into their care might be what Akino hoped for.
"What's wrong, Akino, did you think the thing about your relatives was a complete lie?"
"It's because......"
"Look, I told you their name before. Why don't you tell Takahiro-dono?"
"Ah, well, that......"
Though Sen urged her on, Akino stammered for a while. Family names weren't used in the monastery. Because she had never had the opportunity to state her family name, Akino seemed to be unable to think of it for a while.
After Akino furrowed her brows and pondered fiercely,
"Ah, 'Ouma'."
Sen couldn't help but laugh.
"It's not 'O', it's 'So'."
"......Oh, it is? Sorry. No one's heard my family name for a long time."
Akino explained, embarrassed. On the other hand, Takahiro's faded interest flared up again and his face stiffened. Chizuru looked over in surprise, noticing her husband's change. Natsume still hadn't realized.
"Akino, please introduce yourself properly."
Sen - like a mischievous little monk - smiled while indifferently urging Akino forward. Akino adjusted her posture with a nervous face, deeply bowing to Takahiro and Chizuru.
"I-I-I'm Souma Akino. Um, well, p-please t-take care of me......!"
Sen released the magic and instantly bound the three Tsuchimikados.
Sen looked at the three Tsuchimikados and then thought for a while.
Yakou-sama - Harutora-sama, did you always know that this would happen today? He couldn't imagine getting the upper hand over that genius in anything other than shogi. Maybe he could try for longevity.
Sen looked up at the sky in a joyous mood.
The white moon showed itself in the night sky as it quietly shone down on Sen and the others.
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