Tokyo Ravens - Volume 3 - Chapter 3.3

Part 3 
"......What exactly is going on?" 
Ohtomo asked on the phone with gritted teeth. He lowered his voice, but he didn't try to hide his anger. 
But it was hard to blame him for being enraged, since until just now he had been mustering all his strength to treat students - students from his own class, those students who had developed spirit encumbrance when he wasn't there. 
Ohtomo was in an equipment room of the Onmyou Academy building, which was a room storing magical tools for student use like paper for charms, pens, ink, and equipment. He had made sure that the students' treatment was wrapping up and sneakily slipped inside while avoiding everyone's gaze. As for the person who he was tightening the screws on, it was the person who had called him out today - the Mystical Investigator Chief Amami. 
'Just let me go already.' Amami complained on the other end of the phone. 
'Reports of what happens on the scene won't be shown to me here, and though it's indeed regretful that the Onmyou Academy students were involved in a spiritual disaster this time, who could expect something like them running into a mobile spiritual disaster attack during a practical exam? Probably only Miyo has that kind of capability.' 
"I'm angry about Kagami! Why did that brat come out?" 
'You bastard, could you have forgotten that Kagami's an Independent Officer? They bumped into him when he was exorcising a spiritual disaster - what's so strange about that. At the least, he didn't deliberately go over there to find trouble. More importantly, I don't know what Kagami did over there, but as far as I know, Kogure properly dealt with everything after he arrived. In addition, I should warn you, you aren't the only ones who were harmed.' 
Amami spoke severely, and Ohtomo managed to swallow the response that he almost blurted out. 
The situation of simultaneous spiritual disasters happening everywhere in Tokyo had long since sent the various big television stations' news programs into an uproar. Though it was a miracle that there hadn't been any deaths, there were quite a few people injured, and the majority of them had been injured from spiritual encumbrance. At the moment, every hospital that had Onmyou doctor consultants was packed full of patients who had come for consultations. 
'Moreover, the spiritual disaster still hasn't subsided and we've already confirmed four Nue. I think you've already heard that these Nue separately appeared in the Demon Gate and the Rear Demon Gate, two each. Ueno and Shinagawa's Nue have already been eliminated, but the remaining two escaped without a trace and they're still hiding in the city. The Spirit Sensors are all being mobilized to various places in the city to search, but those Nue seem to understand stealth. Also, even if we find them, those Nue can fly, so it will be extremely difficult to capture them with normal methods.' 
"Can't you just bring out helicopters?" 
'The flexibility of helicopters can't catch up to Nue at all, and even if it would be a small matter to simply transport squads, it's troublesome to deal with a spiritual disaster in the city's sky. It would take a lot of effort just to get the relevant units beforehand.' 
"Why don't we give that small matter to the Chief with nothing to do. Anyway, your contacts are so extensive, you should be able to put them to some use." 
'What nonsense is this bastard talking about. You're so impudent as you call someone who's so busy they can't even talk.' 
The previous Divine General and the current Divine General had childish tempers, arguing their mouths off. 
But, the situation was indeed quite grave. 
The Exorcist Bureau was using all their manpower to take down the Nue, but if they couldn't resolve things as early as possible, it was very possible that the government would announce that they would enter a state of emergency. 
Two years before, Tokyo had experienced large-scale destruction due to spiritual disasters, and though the scale this time wasn't as bad, they still couldn't take it lightly. More importantly, the spiritual disaster this time was the behind-the-scene manipulation of the Twin-Horned Syndicate again. 
'......I'm very sorry that this kind of thing happened when you were being called out because of Mystical Investigator business. We didn't expect those helpers to take action this quickly. This is the fault of the Mystical Investigators - no, I should say it's my fault. Sorry.' Amami expressed his apology towards Ohtomo, his tone sounding quite sincere. 
Amami had searched for Ohtomo today in order to request his help grasping the movements of 'D' who was connected to the Twin-Horned Syndicate - in other words, Ashiya Doman's movements. Though Ohtomo had already resigned, Amami was his past boss after all, as well as a higher-up in the Onmyou Agency, so it would be awkward to refuse, even if he didn't have any intention of returning to the frontlines. 
"Don't say that......" Ohtomo's momentum weakened quite a bit upon hearing his boss frankly apologizing. 
"......I agreed myself to help out my old organization, so it's my responsibility. I don't blame--" 
'Oh, I see, then never mind.' 
"Hold on you old geezer, what kind of attitude is that? To think you're having me work for free yet your attitude is this arrogant!" 
'Work for free? That's strange, Miyo-chan told me that I'd have to pay to borrow a teacher......' 
"That money-grubbing old hag! Why don't you hurry up and die!" Ohtomo cried out angrily, and Amami laughed on the other end of the phone: 'It's really like something Miyo-chan would do', making him even more annoyed. 
'Anyways, we've currently arrested several members of the Twin-Horned Syndicate, but the leader is still out there. It's said that he manipulates the aura flow in the area, the exact same methods as Dairenji's.' 
The former Imperial Household Agency Lingering Spirit Division had been responsible for holding demon extermination ceremonies and stabilizing the aura flow inside the city, and naturally they would be familiar with how to grasp the spirit flow. In the spiritual disaster attack two years ago, Dairenji Shidou had once deliberately disturbed the aura flow, leading to many spiritual disasters. 
'I don't have time to listen to you complain since I'm busy to death right now...... Right, there was just business to tell you. The situation was just finalized half an hour ago, and it should have already reached Miyo-chan - the Exorcist Bureau's Command Center intends to use the same plan of action as two years ago to deal with the spiritual disaster this time.' 
Amami's tone turned serious. Ohtomo frowned, a bad premonition in his heart. 
"......What plan of action? What does it have to do with the Onmyou Academy?" 
'Two years ago, the Exorcist Bureau used bait in order to lure in the mobile spiritual disaster. Moreover, the thing mobile spiritual disasters love the most is a high-grade 'yin aura'.' Amami spoke carefully. 
In the spiritual disaster attack two years ago, the main suspect Dairenji Shidou had let himself become a demon, becoming a spiritual disaster. But excluding him, many other spiritual disasters also happened simultaneously, many among them even developing into phase three. Dairenji who became a demon - a 'Type-Ogre' spiritual disaster - led the other mobile spiritual disasters to wreak havoc everywhere in the city, creating serious damage. 
Facing that situation, the Exorcist Bureau had considered separating Dairenji and the other mobile spiritual disasters to be a priority, and hence had set a trap. 
'......The bait used back then was a dragon.' 
"Dragon?" Upon hearing that word, Ohtomo almost jumped in surprise, finally understanding the meaning in Amami's words. 
Though there were still certain types excluded from this, dragons' properties were basically yin type water aura, and they carried extremely magnificent aura. One could call dragons quite attractive 'bait' in the eyes of spiritual disasters who belonged to the same type of yin energy and who fell [49] and created 'miasma' due to a lack of stability. Two years ago, the Exorcist Bureau had utilized this characteristic of spiritual disaster, using a dragon as bait to lure in the mobile spiritual disasters. 
When they were finalizing their plan of action, the Exorcist Bureau had settled on the legendary servant shikigami of the famous Tsuchimikado family. At the same time, they requested assistance of the dragon's master, the head of the Tsuchimikado family at the time - as well as Natsume's father - to borrow this true dragon. 
And now, the reputed 'Tsuchimikado family dragon' had been turned over to the next heir of the Tsuchimikado family, or in other words-- 
'I heard that the Exorcist Bureau is preparing to request the assistance of the Dragon's master, the Tsuchimikado heir Tsuchimikado Natsume, in order to use the Tsuchimikado family dragon as bait again...... Moreover, they have already obtained permission from the current family head, or Tsuchimikado Natsume's father.' 

"That's ridiculous! Natsume-kun is still a student, what right does the Exorcist Bureau have to force him to come forward and help!" 
"They requested, not forced. If Natsume-san were unwilling, I would convey his opinion to the Exorcist Bureau. Also...... Kyouko-san, please mind your manners when you speak inside the academy." Principal Kurahashi warned her angry granddaughter. 
Other than the principal and Natsume, Harutora, Kyouko, and Tenma were also here in the principal's office. They had followed Natsume and rushed in together. 
According to what the principal said, the Exorcist Bureau planned on using Natsume's shikigami Hokuto when they went on the offensive against the Nue. The plan was to use Hokuto as bait, luring in the Nue. Moreover, the person the Exorcist Bureau had sent to meet her had already arrived, and was currently waiting for a reply in another room. Natsume had bitten her lip upon hearing word of it, her face paling, and Kyouko and Tenma had been dumbfounded for a while, immediately exploding with intense rebuttals. 
"Excuse my rudeness, but it's a bit too much to bring up this kind of request now when that kind of incident happened just now. The Exorcist Bureau hasn't considered the current condition of the Onmyou Academy at all." 
Even the normally amicable Tenma couldn't restrain himself, bringing up a protest to the principal. 
This was indeed an unprecedented request. The Exorcist Bureau wasn't requesting to borrow information or techniques, but was requesting assistance in purifying a spiritual disaster - in particular, they wanted to use an individual on the main battlefield. That kind of situation was extremely rare. More importantly, Natsume wasn't yet of age, and it was hard to blame Kyouko and Tenma for immediately reacting so agitatedly. 
The principal didn't say anything more after conveying the Exorcist Bureau's request. She didn't forcefully hold Natsume back, just silently handing things over for her to judge herself. 
Also silently waiting for Natsume to make a decision - unexpectedly - was Harutora. 
He didn't interrupt, quietly gazing at Natsume's face. Confidence showed in his gaze, and resolve could be seen in his attitude. 
"My father, he......" After thinking deeply for a long time, Natsume spoke quietly to check - "My father, he...... agreed, right?" 

"The Exorcist Bureau said so. Do you need to discuss with your father before making a decision?" 
"......No, I don't need to." She frowned, straightening her back and declared prudently. "I'm willing to help." 
"What?", "Natsume-kun!" Kyouko and Tenma hastily spoke out to stop her. 
"Why don't you first discuss with your father, maybe you can temporarily give the dragon to your father to use......" 
"......My father is in the countryside, and he wouldn't make it in time even if he came now." 
"Hold on, Natsume-kun. Maybe the Exorcist Bureau isn't looking for you, maybe they mentioned this kind of request because they thought your father was still Hokuto's master. If they knew that Hokuto was already in your hands, they'll definitely pick another way to resolve things. No matter how suitable the dragon is for bait, there should be something else that can replace it!" 
"......But, since my father accepted this request, it has become a problem of the Tsuchimikado family. As a member of the Tsuchimikado family, I must bear this burden." Natsume spoke firmly. 
A wry smile momentarily emerged on Harutora's face as he heard those words. Though it hadn't been evident recently, Natsume's burden and sense of responsibility as a Tsuchimikado was still like before, not even a bit changed. 
Not only Harutora but also Kyouko and Tenma should understand very well that with her stubborn personality, Natsume wouldn't take words back once she had spoken them, but they wholeheartedly wanted to keep their classmate away from danger, so they didn't stop persuading her. 
Just then, the principal calmly opened her mouth. 
"......Kyouko-san, Tenma-san, it's regretful, but I fear that the Exorcist Bureau intended on requesting Natsume-san's assistance since the moment they decided their plan of action. Even obtaining Natsume-san's father's permission beforehand was just a formal action, because he is still underage after all. The plan of action this time must have Natsume-san's dragon as bait to have meaning." 
"That couldn't be, right?" Upon hearing the principal's unexpected explanation, Tenma was stunned, and it wasn't just him, as Kyouko, Natsume, and even Harutora also stared at the principal in shock. 
"What does that mean, Grandma?" 
The principal couldn't help but sigh as her granddaughter asked this. 
"......I guess I'll tell you. The spiritual disaster this time is the same as two years ago - There is a high possibility that it is a terrorist action planned by Yakou fanatics, and Natsume-san is needed to come forward because of this. The Exorcist Bureau has judged that if Natsume-san is present, at the least they will not dare to act rashly." 
Each of the four students' eyes widened as they listened to the principal's explanation. 
The four people present - and Touji as well - had all fought against the Yakou fanatic who had come for Natsume last September, and they had experienced first-hand the absurd fate that Natsume bore. 
"......So they want him to be a 'hostage'?" 
"............" 
The granddaughter brought up that question incredulously, and the principal didn't respond, just saying: "......Of course, since the Exorcist Bureau has these thoughts, they will ensure Natsume-san is safe and sound no matter the danger. In that regard, maybe acting in concert with the Exorcist Bureau is comparatively safer." 
The goal of the suspect who had brought about the spiritual disaster was unclear, but if the opponent was a Yakou fanatic, Natsume could be dragged into an incident at any time. Having Natsume join the operation could subdue the Nue, and it could also protect Natsume at the same time, which could be described as killing two birds with one stone. 
"......Principal, would you please contact the Exorcist Bureau. I am willing to join the fight." Natsume closed her eyes, breathing deeply to calm her feelings, and expressing her willingness again. 
The principal stared straight at Natsume, nodding lightly. Kyouko and Tenma bit their lips, saying nothing at all. 
But - Harutora spoke. "Natsume...... You understand, right?" 
Harutora's tone was firm, checking with Natsume as if it were an obvious fact. "Yes." Natsume's expression slightly relaxed, looking askance at Harutora. 
"......It doesn't need to be said. The shikigami's responsibility is to protect the master." Natsume smiled. Harutora finally relaxed upon seeing Natsume's smile, but the dialogue between the two made Kyouko and Tenma just look befuddled. 
Harutora hadn't opened his mouth at all while Natsume decided whether to accept the Exorcist Bureau's request, because he had long since decided that if Natsume agreed, he would head to the Exorcist Bureau alongside her. He had been confident in Natsume's judgment since the beginning, and he had made the decision to stay by her side no matter how dangerous the circumstances. 
Just as the master and servant made up their minds, the phone on the principal's office desk rang. 
An old phone was placed on the table, and the Principal picked up the receiver, uttering: "Yes." A shadow momentarily covered her face. 
"Touji-san has recovered consciousness." She hung up the phone after briefly saying those few words, then notified the tense-faced students. 
"Huh, really!?" 
The four of them had been overcome with anxiety because of the principal's reaction, but after hearing that unexpected good news, their eyes all shone with happiness. 
"But after he recovered consciousness, the teacher responsible for his treatment let him slip away out of carelessness. Right now, there are several teachers looking everywhere for him - he may have sneaked out of the academy building alone, without even his phone." 
Then, the principal dropped the bomb, and the breath stopped in Harutora and the others' throats. 
"The reason is still unclear. After waking up, his consciousness was still a bit fuzzy...... Honestly, the situation isn't so clear, and it might be that this kind of treatment method was counter-effective...... Maybe the willpower that originally suppressed the oni has weakened. Whatever the reason, we must find him as fast as possible." 
The principal spoke, having difficulty concealing her anxiety. This was their first time seeing the principal with this kind of expression, and Natsume and Harutora looked at each other, not knowing how to respond for a while. 
As the two of them were helpless - "......Alright, Harutora, Tenma, you go find Touji immediately. I'll accompany Natsume-kun to the Exorcist Bureau." Kyouko announced neatly. 
Everyone's eyes widened upon hearing this sudden proposal. Harutora was undoubtedly the most flustered among them. 
"W, Wait a second, Kurahashi! I'm Natsume's--" 
"--I know you're Natsume-kun's shikigami, but you're also Touji's friend, right? Also, I think of myself as Touji's and Natsume-kun's friend as well." 
Kyouko spoke decisively, her eyes giving off the same light that Natsume had when she came forth for Touji before, a firm and trust-filled radiance. 
"Right now, we should work together and divide the labor. Since we need to go to the Exorcist Bureau, it may be more useful if I go, and in any case, I'm the daughter of the Onmyou Agency Director and the Exorcist Bureau Chief." Kyouko spoke impressively. 
Upon hearing Kyouko's words, Harutora, Natsume, and Tenma all had trouble concealing their shock. The normal Kyouko always did her best to avoid mentioning that she was the principal's granddaughter or the Onmyou Agency Chief's daughter, and she wouldn't talk about herself being born in the famous Kurahashi family. Compared to the long since declined Tsuchimikado family that Natsume had been born in, the Kurahashi family's power could be said to be in its heyday, but she wasn't willing to flaunt it at all and only wanted to have a similar, normal person status like the people around her. 
Since she now brought out her father's identity, it was apparent how much she was resolved. 
"Is that alright, Principal?" 
"......There's no other choice, but, absolutely remember not to be reckless." The principal nodded, smiling. 
Then, Kyouko showed a mischievous, serious expression towards the stunned and wordless Harutora. 
"......What is it? Didn't you brag to Natsume-kun before, about courage and rely on us." 
"......Kurahashi......" 
Harutora had trouble speaking for a while, only able to look at Kyouko with wide eyes. Kyouko's cheeks reddened, and she embarrassedly moved her gaze away. 
Natsume lightly put her hand on Harutora's shoulder. "......Harutora. Kyouko-san's right. You don't need to worry, I'll certainly bear my burden - I'll leave Touji to you." Saying this, she squeezed Harutora's shoulder with force. 
Harutora stood stock-still, gritting his teeth. Then, he reached out to the small hand on his shoulder. 
"I understand. Then I'm counting on you guys. After everything's over, I'll get Touji to treat everyone to a good meal."