Tokyo Ravens - Volume 11 - Chapter 4.1

Chapter 4 - Those Sharpening their Fangs 
Part 1 
"I'm going to hide underground from now on. Though I don't know what I can do like that, I can't let them catch me no matter what." 
The one who went along with Principal Kurahashi and announced his future plans was Amami, who sat on the sofa. "But......" The principal shot him a worried look due to the words Amami said through the 'Trick Spider'. 
"You can't even move or talk on your own...... Hiding and escaping underground is quite reckless." 
"Even if you say that, I have no room to choose otherwise. I'll truly be done for if they catch me again. Though I can't tell you not to worry, fortunately I have some connections with the underground world from almost the past half-century. There are a few routes I can trust." 
Amami was a pure Mystical Investigator who had climbed to the position of Chief by honing himself on the frontlines. Just like the principal's broad connections in the financial sector, he was extremely well versed with the magic community, especially its underground. It was because he had been in a position for many years where he had suppressed magic criminals and underground organizations that he was so adept with tricks on both the escaping and pursuing sides. There were no practitioners harder to deal with than former Mystical Investigators once they slipped underground. 
"Oh, I'm like this after all, so I want an 'underling' until I recover. So Miyo-chan, I have something I want to request of you, could you lend me a high-level shikigami that can move on its own and has magical energy aplenty? For now, it's fine if it doesn't have any fighting power. Rather, it should be low-expenditure and versatile - also, it would be best if it looked human. Are there any suitable shikigami of the Kurahashi family?" 
"You mean for it to be responsible for caring for you? That can be done. Exactly that kind of shikigami is in this villa right now. It was originally a shikigami that I entrusted with maintaining the villa - cooking and cleaning are its specialties. It's perfectly suited to assist you when you can't move." 
"I'm truly grateful." Amami responded to the principal's words. But the principal's expression still didn't brighten. 
"But no matter how much you infuse it with magical energy beforehand, it can't hold much at once. Though it's good at regulating its magical energy expenditure, even so, there are still limits. In the end, it won't last until your body recovers." 
There were several bandages wrapped around Amami's forehead at the moment. Underneath those bandages was a giant crossed scar - an 'X' seal. It was a magical seal from the hands of Kurahashi Genji that completely sealed off Amami's magical energy. 
Hence, the current Amami couldn't use any first-class magic. In fact, even his spirit-sensing ability was sealed, and he had lost the power to 'see' aura. He wasn't even able to use shikigami or infuse them with magical energy from his body outside of the extremely unique 'Trick Spider'. 
Also, destroying that seal was extremely difficult. After all, it was a seal cast especially carefully by the most prominent modern Onmyouji. The only one who could completely remove it was the one who had cast it himself. Even if Amami's physical injuries had recovered to some degree through Onmyou treatment, regaining his magical abilities was impossible at the moment. 
"All we can do is take it step by step. Or maybe I can have someone supplement it with magical energy; I'll think of a way. Rather, I can only think of a way." 
A rebellious smile filled Amami's gaunt face. 
But basically, only its master could give a shikigami magical energy. In other words, the shikigami responsible for taking care of him would have to be the shikigami of another Onmyouji. Also, keeping the shikigami of another Onmyouji next to him was equivalent to having his life constantly being held by that Onmyouji. 
Amami probably knew several Onmyouji whom he could trust. But there definitely weren't any people he could trust enough not to betray him, even if he was in a position where the Onmyou Agency was pursuing him. 
However. 
"......That works out. Chief Amami. Could you allow me to accompany you when you hide underground?" 
"Touji-kun!" 
The principal's eyes widened in shock at the student who suddenly proposed this. Kyouko and Tenma were the same. Even Suzuka's face was of surprise. 
"Hey, Touji!?" 
"T-That's too reckless. Hiding underground, how can you......" 
"I'll find a way." But Touji replied calmly to his friends who doubted their ears. 
"I haven't had any plans of returning to the academy up to now. Most importantly-" 

He cast a challenging look at Amami who sat on the sofa. 
"It seems like Yashamaru is eyeing me for personal reasons. Chief Amami. Did you know that I was a living spirit?" 
"......Yeah, I've heard." 
"'This' oni is the oni that 'possessed' me when I was pulled into the 'Great Hinamatsuri Purification' spiritual disaster terrorist attack where Yashamaru - Dairenji Shidou - transformed into an oni. So it seems that I have some connection with that guy. 'Same boat', he called me. He said 'we've ended up in the same boat'." 
"............" 
The eyes of Amami narrowed tightly into slits as he listened. "......So?" Even his urging voice held a solemnity different from before. 
"Of course, he told me especially to my face that 'I have no reason to ignore you'. In other words, I also have to hide in a place where that guy's eyes and ears don't reach. Becoming the charging station of the shikigami responsible for taking care of you is fine. Would you allow me to accompany you?" 
Though Touji made the proposal lightly, everyone present understood that he was speaking seriously. 
Before this conversation happened, when it had only been the four students talking, Touji had been the one who had said 'We'll probably split up after this. We can't stay together like before anymore'. Without a doubt, Touji had already decided to leave the others and hide himself at the time. 
Then, Touji had continued like this. He had said 'But even so, we have a common goal. To find Harutora - and Natsume - and to lecture them'. 
"......My goal is to find Harutora and Natsume. Also, I want to get in touch with Ohtomo-sensei. In that area, my goal should be the same as Chief Amami's. So, we have a reason to move together. Isn't that right?" 
Touji spoke fearlessly to the former Onmyou Agency veteran. Kyouko, Tenma, and Suzuka swallowed and stared nervously at Touji. 
"Also...... I need to train myself. As fast as possible. As much as possible. I can feel from last night that if I stay as I am, I won't be able to do anything afterwards even if I find Harutora and Natsume. Since it involves the two of them...... the 'Tsuchimikado', then the situation from last night will definitely happen again. At that time, I'll need the strength to 'express' myself. I can't bear staying a student." 
Words and a tone that seemed to a third party to be finding faults and deeply embedded with anger. But of course, Touji wasn't finding faults with Amami. It was directed towards himself. 
Amami sank into the sofa, gazing at Touji. 
"......Touji. Though you're quite determined, the task of training you isn't something that the current me can do, you know?" 
"I have some thoughts regarding that. If possible, please let me consult with you." 
Again, Touji looked straight back at Amami who stared at him. 
Then, after a long silence. 
"......Alright." 
Amami accepted the student's proposal. Kyouko and the others stared at the two in shock. The principal's expression was solemn, but she didn't interject. 
"Just like you said, I also need 'someone mobile'. I'll use you. Follow along." 
Amami announced in a chilly voice without any trace of a smile. That wasn't the attitude towards a 'student' like Touji expected, but rather, the attitude towards an underling. 
Then, the meaning of Amami's attitude also reached Touji. 
Touji grinned, in contrast to the cold Amami. 
"...Many thanks." 
He thanked him briefly.