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Tokyo Ravens - Volume 14 - Chapter 1.6




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Part 6 
When the report concluded, it was already nightfall outside the window, the streetlights of Akihabara were lit. 
What concluded was the scheduled report he made to Kurahashi. Ever since entering magic investigation department, even though the amount was determined by the period, yet he continually made reports to Kurahashi without fail. He was not reporting to the magic investigation department chief as a mystical investigator, but as his personal identity. This is a request by Kurahashi, it is also what he himself hoped for—a recognition for being a talented individual. He had this confidence, and did not find this thinking to be of any wrong. 
However— 
“Aiya, ended already? It’s so early today.” 
The tone of his co-worker sounds particularly sarcastic, or could it be that he had thought too deeply into it? Upon returning to the office, Yamashiro Hayato looked at Miyoshi Tougo silently. 
As usual, people are coming in and out of the magic investigation department, not just the members of Onmyou Agency, there were many from the metropolitan police board and other departments, one can also see exorcists around as well. Mystical investigators were all reeking of murderous intent, being combat ready had slowly become an everyday thing. However, this situation is bound to worsen in near future, because the day of the terrorist attack had been teased to be in two days. Yet, both Yamashiro and Miyoshi were completely excluded from this unrest of Onmyou Agency. 
In this noisy and disorganised corner of this building floor, that has become a fixed location for the both of them did not even have an office desk, just using a waist high drawer to partition this small resting area. Miyoshi was sitting on a chair and reading a book as usual, he does not raise his head when replying Yamashiro. Yamashiro on the other hand had nothing to do, he stood there blankly in front of him. 
--- What a weird feeling… 
The other side of the drawer is in a difficult situation, it is only his own surroundings that is in peace, in his eyes, the hurried pace and the disorganised surrounding completely looks like an unreal mirage to him. “How was it? Are there new orders?” 
“… No, just telling us to wait for orders, take precaution against any emergencies from happening.” 
“Any news regarding Kogure?” 
“I heard he is still missing.” 
“……” 
Listening to Yamashiro’s reply, Miyoshi stood silent momentarily. The expression he had as he stared at his book is the same as usual, it is unknown what kind of thoughts he was having. 
Then, “… If that’s the case…” he only said this before flipping to the next page of his book. 
He is a man that follow his own way to the point of extreme, however, Yamashiro based on his own past experiences, observed that Miyoshi’s sight was not chasing after the words on the book. A faint and unfocused sight slipped off the surface of the paper, an action he does whenever he ponder about something. 
“How about your side? Did the spirit pulse in the metropolitan area show signs of disturbance?” 
“… Some spiritual disasters occurred after sunset. There were quite a lot of spiritual disasters last night, following the frequency, the amount of spiritual disasters will be possibly higher than last night.” “What about magic battles?” 
“Nothing so far.” 
Miyoshi replied plainly, and Yamashiro nodded accordingly. 
Actually, there wasn’t a need to ask on purpose to confirm, if a magic battle breaks out—they will be able to sense the large-scale magic battle from afar, Miyoshi will take initiative to mention it as well. After the incident with Kogure last evening, there was not any movement that were worth taking note. 
However, those that did not come into attention were at most [movements on the surface], considering from the current situation, beneath the surface is surely raging like a storm, the only exception is the people like Yamashiro that were stuck in this place. If their leader Kogure is here now, it will be hard to know what kind of mission these few people, including himself, will be tasked to carry out. 
--- If Kogure is here… 
Yamashiro placed both his hands into the pockets of his long pants, once again crossing over the drawer and observe the situation in the department. 
The co-workers that are running in the flood, the current that is pushing them is also the [main current] from the organisation, Yamashiro is also one of them that grows in that current, yet he is currently being casted outside of the main current, watching that current from the side lines, a never felt before strange feeling surged from the bottom of his heart. 
Yamashiro is a disciple of the Kurahashi family. 
He was born into a family that served the Kurahashi family for generations, after confirming that he had the talent of Spirit Sight, he naturally became a disciple, and began to train in magic since young. 
Yamashiro was highly gifted, not only he performed better than his peers, he even outperforms the seniors, Kurahashi who noticed his talents occasionally trains with him personally as well. Even though this caused the people around to envy and frustrated, but the training with Kurahashi is sufficient to make up the various shortcomings. What he gained were not just the experience as a magic user, there were other things as well. 
When he enrolled into Onmyou Academy at the age of 15, Yamashiro already had the abilities comparable to a professional Onmyouji. In fact, he gotten the qualification of [Second-Class Onmyou] before entering his third grade, additionally, he took a leave of absence from Onmyou Academy before graduation. 
After that, under Kurahashi’s arrangement, he became a Onmyouji under his direct command, and continually gain experience in his line of work. During actual battle, his performance is even more outstanding. After leaving Onmyou Academy for two years, he passed the [First-class Onmyou] exam at the age of 19, becoming National First-Class Onmyouji. 
Looking back, how he lived in the past was like walking amidst a flood. However, he did not have any worries, to be precise, he did not have the energy to spare for worries. For the sake of not being swallowed by the flood, he always gave his all. 
In order to avoid being swallowed by the flood, the only way is to be a part of the flood. With the same speed, same direction, immersing himself and swim forward. This is the method he used to survive, compared to every other people, it is more flexible and more efficient. 
Becoming a professional Onmyouji, becoming one of [Twelve Divine Generals], in addition making a goal to reach higher status, he did not once question his own heart about his ambition. 
However. 
--- Tsk. 
Yamashiro’s heart made a teensy— soft— crack. Like how he is standing outside of the flood, this is the first time Yamashiro realised he did not know [where] this current that he was part of is flowing towards. 
Where exactly this flood which powers his life heads to. 
The meaning of focusing on this [job]. 
“… Beside...” 
“What?” 
“Can I sit beside you?” 
“……” 
Miyoshi lifted his head from his book, gazed at Yamashiro’s face. Comparatively, Yamashiro was expressionless, just silently looking at Miyoshi. 
After observing Yamashiro’s looks for some time, “Please sit.” Miyoshi finally agreed. Yamashiro said thanks in a low voice, and sat on the chair beside Miyoshi. He leaned his back on the back of the chair, lifted his legs, and let his vision blankly stared forward. 
This is the first time he was being lazy during working hours. If this is the usual him, he would not imagine of such thing. Especially when facing such an unprecedented large-scale situation, yet he is here wasting his life away, if it was the him in the past, he would not be able to tolerate it for even a minute. Despite so, the current him have half accepted this idle situation, the next course of action, the conviction and the direction on the way to do things, he has lost them all. 
If Kogure is here now… 
“……” 
Former Special Spirit Sensor Miyoshi realised Kogure had participated in the magic battle that broke out last evening, after the magic battle ended, Yamashiro reported this to Kurahashi. 
Kurahashi who received the report, restricted the two of them from telling others about Kogure, in addition, he made them continue to stay in Magic Investigation Department on standby, at the same time he ordered Miyoshi to observe if the aura in the metropolitan area has any disturbance. 
At that time, Yamashiro made a rare enquiry to Kurahashi on the meaning behind the orders, asked him why he did not reveal to the public the things Kogure did, Yamashiro believed that this is at least an information that can be grasped by the Magic Investigation Department. 
However, Kurahashi’s attitude was very cold, he only expressed that under circumstances when details were not clear, to make an official statement now will bring forth unnecessary confusion, and rejected Yamashiro’s suggestion. 
It wasn’t that he did not understand Kurahashi’s intention, it’s just Yamashiro and his group were not allowed to discuss this matter, yet there were no orders of restricting the people on site from talking about this, and allowed them to make wild guesses. Such a large-scale magic battle, and it happened at a location just 20 minutes walking distance away from the building, to hide the traces of Kogure’s participation is near impossible, in the end, not just the Magic Investigation Department, the whole Agency were filled with speculations and rumours. 
Kurahashi’s methods were not thorough enough, and it is not like him to do such a thing, the whole thing looks like chaos created on purpose. However, the thing that Yamashiro could not accept is that, Kogure went missing, yet Kurahashi did not come up with any counter measures. 
The existence of the Former Independent Exorcist Kogure is extremely important, in some cases, just himself alone turning up will overturn the situation. Did he die? Did he betray us? Or is it he had some plans and had to hide underground for the time being? Even though unknown, but this is not a problem that can be skipped for a reason like [details were not clear]. 
Moreover, Kurahashi did not take appropriate actions with regards to this matter. It might be just Yamashiro did not see? In fact, Kurahashi already had information regarding Kogure. 
“……” 
Yamashiro unconsciously narrowed his eyes. 
About the magic battle last evening, Yamashiro [saw] something else, the one that was fighting against Kogure was one of the two shikigami that was [fighting against Tsuchimikado Harutora] few days ago at Ogikubo. That shikigami hindered him [for the sake of Onmyou Agency], and started a battle with Kogure. 
After which, Yamashiro did not report to Kurahashi about this. 
Yamashiro also did not know how to explain the reason why he did not report it, it just during that time when he was making the report to Kurahashi, the words Miyoshi told him earlier rested in his heart. 
--- [Regarding this [profession] called Onmyouji, we will have to think deeper about it.] 
For the sake to avoid being swallowed, placing oneself as part of the flood, immersed in swimming forward until now. He took pride in being an excellent Onmyouji, and felt confident. 
Yet now, the words of his co-worker that only has desirable ability had stabbed deeply into his heart, without knowing, he started to pursue after the back of his leader that disappeared without authorisation, and even hiding things from the person he cannot overemphasise as his master, Kurahashi. 
--- Damn it… 
Thinking quickly, Yamashiro urged himself in his heart. As if chanting first grade spirit language, he ordered himself in a determined and strict manner. 
Thinking about his past experiences, as well as the things that he did with prejudiced views and without suspicions. 
He once again looked back to the past, using his mind to think. 
“… Miyoshi-san.” 
“… What is it?” 
“Kogure-san is he… still alive?” 
“About this…” 
Miyoshi continued reading his book, calmly avoiding from giving a certain reply, and Yamashiro did not expect to get any beneficial answer from this. 
Yet— 
The next second, Miyoshi suddenly closed his book, Yamashiro reactively shifted his vision over. 

Miyoshi maintained his posture after closing his book, observed the nothingness in front of him. Seeing that kind of look he had, Yamashiro slightly straightened his sitting posture. That is not the kind of attention that he gave when he was thinking just now, even though similar, but his eyes were focused on the air, his mind is highly concentrated. This is how Miyoshi look whenever he [see] aura. 
Heartbeat increased. 
“… Yamashiro, what time is it now?” 
“It’s 7.57pm.” 
“It’s already so late, do you want to join me for dinner?” 
“… Okay, I’m hungry as well.” 
After Yamashiro replied, Miyoshi stood up immediately, Yamashiro followed and stood up. The two of them did not continue conversing, their eyes did not even meet as well, and made their way out of the Magic Investigation Department office. 
Groups of mystical investigators were walking quickly, or they are running to rendezvous at the corridor. Yamashiro and Miyoshi were dodging these co-workers of theirs and at the same time making their way to the lift. They took the lift together with the Agency members, towards ground floor. Next, they moved towards the main gate of the lobby, leaving through the main gate of the building. The two of them did not spoke a single word this whole time, they do not look nervous, and did not have any unnatural attitude. 
After the two of them walked over to the opposite side of the roundabout that was connected to the road front of the agency. 
“Which [direction] are we heading?” 
“Pardon me, before we continue--” 
“Those guys behind us?” 
“You noticed?” 
“I am also a Mystical Investigator you know.” 
The two of them walked side by side, conversing in a low voice, maintaining a certain walking speed while conversing. In the eyes of passers-by, it would seem as they are discussing what to have for dinner. 
Miyoshi’s voice and expression were the same as usual. 
“Were they ordered by the chief?” 
“It seems so.” 
“We are really not trusted. Forget about me, surprisingly, you as well.” 
“Let me clear up one thing, this must be caused by you and Kogure-san.” 
“Should we shake them off?... But if we let them think they have lost us would be a problem as well. What to do?” 
“Let’s camouflage… no, there is no need for such a flashy move, let’s use spirit language to signal.” 
“Can you do it?” 
“How could I possibly fail, give me three minutes.” 
“Then I shall leave it to you.” 
Shortly after, Yamashiro used a simple method and created a substitute of himself, at the same time made himself invisible and moved, he made a round through the alley to the back. 
Following him from the building— Strictly speaking, it was from yesterday after making the report, these two Onmyouji that he knew began following him. They are disciples of the Kurahashi family, they belong to the Magic Investigation Department, they are strong but not cautious enough. He closed in on them without a trace, and went invisible together with the surroundings. Next, he chanted incantations on the two of them when they were surprised and turned their heads back, and attacked them with Unmoving Golden Chains. Both of them failed to resist, and lost consciousness after being hit by the magic. 
“Too careless.” 
This is the consequence of being careless—in fact, they received orders to observe Yamashiro’s group, yet they did not treat this mission with sufficient importance. It might be Kurahashi simply made this order [for the sake of insurance], it is unknown if he belittled Yamashiro’s team due to Kogure’s absence, or the opposite, a show of trust towards them. A disturbance surged deep in the heart, Yamashiro tossed these thinking away, allowing his mind to clear. 
He knelt down beside the two unconscious men, “Listen to me.” Using first grade spirit language to signal them. The signal he made allowed the two of them to be unaware of the coming gap period, he then ordered them to wait for further instructions at an inconspicuous location, he then returned to Miyoshi’s side. 
“All done.” He said in a collected manner. 
“Impressive. Let’s walk in this direction.” 
Miyoshi nodded in the direction of Yamashiro, sped up his walking speed. Yamashiro increased his guard against his surroundings while following behind him. 
Miyoshi walked in the direction opposite of JR Akihabara station, after walking for some time, Yamashiro widened his eyes in surprise, he had noticed the aura that Miyoshi [sees]. 
“This is! —Miyoshi-san!” 
“Yes, but, just shikigami is just… moreover, the one that its travelling with seems like a normal person. It might be an [assignment] forcefully bestowed upon us.” 
Compared to the agitated Yamashiro, Miyoshi remained calm, sighed in helplessness. He pretended to be calm on the surface, his soles stepped loudly on the asphalt road and slightly increased his speed. 
The road ahead. 
A large motorcycle that stopped at the side of the road, and a woman that is standing at the side of the road appear before their eyes. 
That woman looks to be in her twenties, after noticing Yamashiro’s group walking towards her, she let out a surprised “ah”, and her expression changed. 
Judging from her reaction, it seems like she knew who the two of them are, however, Yamashiro did not know who is this woman, he glanced sideways and noticed that Miyoshi seems to not know who this woman is as well. 
As a mystical investigator, Yamashiro did not appear in the media, in other words, this woman recognises Miyoshi. Even though being a [Twelve Divine Generals], Miyoshi was in charge as a non-mainstream Former Special Spirit Sensor, to recognise his [face], such a person must be from this industry. 
Who in the world is she? However, the thing that caught his attention wasn’t that woman, in fact it was the motorcycle that stopped by the road, to be precise, it was the aura on the top of her head. 
--- Certainly, without mistake! 
The woman that observed the two of them walking towards her had a frozen expression, but does not seem like she wanted to run away, just silently waiting for them to approach. 
The next moment, the aura Yamashiro [saw] on the top of the woman’s head took on a physical form. 
“Garr! Tougo! Hayato! It’s good that you guys could make it here! Glad that you came!” 
The black Tengu shikigami of Kogure moved to tears, wildly flapping its small wings. 
Heartbeat increased rapidly. 
Yamashiro, who is being casted away from the main stream had a strong feeling. A feeling that he will be thrown into a new flood this very moment. 
 
Upon hearing the spiritual disaster in Okubo had been successfully exorcised, he was relieved. 
After being an exorcist for a year, he is getting used to handle the increasing amount of spiritual disaster, but ever since the terrorist attack being forewarned last week, he had been struggling to cope. For the sake of exorcising the Level 4 spiritual disaster in Ogikubo, the team he belongs to, the Shinjuku branch, is so busy to the point where everyone is in a pitiful state. What kind of condition Tokyo is in right now, this kind of ignorant insecurity turned into fear, corroding the heart. 
However, when tomorrow comes, things will start improving, because the important figure of the Shinjuku Branch, Independent Exorcist Shigeoka, will return to his post tomorrow. To test and adjust the new model mechanical-type shikigami, Shigeoka remained at the research and development department in Hachioji for the entire day, these new model mechanical-type shikigami were said to be moved here tomorrow as well. 
With Shigeoka not around, it affects the Shinjuku branch not just on the amount of work, but also their mentality. Just having the fact of having a [Twelve Divine Generals] on standby at the side, is enough to excite the exorcists that are battling onsite. Precisely because of this, he is hoping more that tonight will be without incident. 
The team he is with was originally going to move out, but they were later ordered to return to standby condition, to be able to breathe the outside fresh air, he notified his senior and made his way to the rooftop of the building. 
The time now is midnight after 12am, the tinges of winter is getting thinner, but at this timing it is still freezing cold like winter. The strong and cold wind on the rooftop penetrates one’s bones, he had a little regret the moment he steps outside, but it was also the cold wind that blew away his sleepiness. He lets out a milky white breath of air, and walked towards the railing, surveying the night view of Shinjuku in front of him. 
It was at this moment, aura in all directions showed disturbance at the same time. As if the whole world appears to ‘lag’, noises filled up the surroundings, and then disappeared along with the aura. He stood rooted to the ground, for a moment he did not figure out what is going on, until the alarm near the building started to ring, he then realised in shock the things that just happened. 
The permanent barrier the encapsulates the whole Shinjuku Branch vanished, and as if using magic to make a human vanish instantly, the method used to eradicate the barrier is very fascinating. His heart beat rapidly. Anxious shouts of exorcists in the building echoed below his feet. 
An emergency occurred, I must quickly head back. He rushed towards the door at the rooftop— 
He suddenly stopped in his tracks. 
He felt something flew over his head, there is no sound and no one can be seen… Wrong, something is there. There is a dark outline that is merged with the darkness. 
A bird. 
It is a crow. 
A huge crow flying around the sky, drenched in thin and pure fluorescent powder, landed on the railings of the roof. Next, he saw the crow had three legs. 
Then, the crow jumped off the railing lightly— Following on, he did not look away, he did not even blink at all, without knowing, the crow transformed into a human dressed in black. 
It all happened so suddenly that his mind could not process the things happening in front of him. As he stood rooted to the ground, the man in black greatly waved his coat. 
A man—to be precise, a young man, however, that exceeding imposing manner gives off an indescribable boldness, moreover, his left eye is covered with an eye patch made of silk. No matter that face or the features of that appearance, it matches exactly as the wanted list. 
Next, the aura beside him swayed, a shikigami appeared. A huge man in western clothing, but did not had a tie, with a height of near two metres. Compared to the master that merges with the darkness, the shikigami had gorgeous looking golden hair. The muscular body makes people think of the heroes in legends. However, the left sleeve of that man is empty. As the wind blows on the roof, that left sleeve and the master’s coat swayed in union with the wind. 
A one-eyed young man in black. 
A one-armed huge man following the young man. 
Of course, this is the first time he sees them with his own eyes. However, he knew them very well. They are the enemies of the Onmyou Agency, Tsuchimikadou Harutora and his shikigami Kakugyouki, they are the ones that were mentioned to be pulling off a terrorist attack tomorrow. 
“--- Excuse my intrusion.” 
After the young man finish speaking, he quickly raised his magic power. The aura that burst out flooded the whole roof, the man behind revealed his fangs as he makes a ferocious smile. The barrier that was hastily made was pressured by the spiritual pressure of the young man and the shikigami, causing severe ‘lag’ to appear. Next, as if ripples lifting the ‘lag’ on the other end, the one-eyed sharp gaze penetrated straight through his body. 
The young man, back facing the shining night view of Shinjuku, casted a shadow of his figure, proudly notified... 
“Sorry, I will not show any mercy from now on.” 



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