Chapter 1 - Star Raid
In front of me was a group of unfamiliar faces of a similar age as mine. That person was in there, I thought, my expression inquiring.
Actually, I didn't care at all, nor could I possibly care. It was just that this person was definitely panicked right now, and I really wanted to laugh and mock that stupid appearance.
Strangely, I found that person without much trouble.
The moment our gazes crossed--
Part 1
The cherry blossoms were in bloom, dyeing Shibuya Street in pink colors of spring.
It was a nice spring day, with a sweet smell vaguely floating in the air. The big city that was normally bustling and uninteresting was now unusually at ease, an atmosphere that could only be experienced in this time.
"This is probably what's called the joys of spring." Tsuchimikado Harutora spoke cheerfully as he walked on the familiar road.
This place was the road to the Onmyouji cultivation facility - the Onmyou Academy. On the road his gaze slightly rose, looking at the cherry blossoms blooming along the road. The wind blew from time to time, and petals would float off the branches accordingly, lightly dancing in the wind. That image was as if the cherry blossoms were frolicking elegantly, enjoying the spring day's light.
The extremely elegant Yoshino [1] cherry blossoms had drops of red amidst pure white. In comparison, Harutora wore a dark bluish-black Onmyou Academy uniform that resembled Heian-era imperial clothing. He hadn't been used to wearing the Onmyou Academy uniform in the beginning, but now he was already completely suited to it.
"I thought a place like Tokyo would be noisy and crowded and that we wouldn't feel the seasons changing at all...... But it's not actually like that. Not only are there more parks, there's green everywhere if you pay close attention."
"It's just unfortunate that it's all green planted by humans." Ato Touji who walked by his side replied to Harutora's feelings, his words ironic, showing his unique style. Touji wore the same uniform as Harutora and had a bandanna tied around his forehead, freely tying back his long hair. Even if his tone was tart, Touji's gaze was actually pointed towards the cherry blossoms over his head as well, but instead of saying that he was appreciative, it was better to say that the scene seemed like the cherry blossoms naturally drew in his gaze.
"Don't be that bothersome. Even if it's a city, it's still cherry blossoms that are blooming." Harutora spoke, smiling happily.
Harutora liked the spring, perhaps because his name contained the character for spring [2] , and also because the weather was pleasant and felt good. In particular, this year's spring was the first that he welcomed after coming to Tokyo, so it was full of even more refreshing feelings.
But to be honest, it wasn't just because of the coming of spring that Harutora's mood was this lively.
"Harutora! You'll be late if you don't hurry up."
The girl who was walking ahead of them turned around, warning the leisurely strolling pair of boys behind her.
When the girl turned around, the pink ribbon tying her long hair whipped around accordingly, her hair flying towards the petals in the air. The petals performed a soundless dance, as if inviting the black hair to dance together.
"How long do you plan on being excited for, even though you successfully advanced to the second year? The entrance ceremony is going to be held today once we arrive at the academy, so don't even think about showing off by being late in front of the new students." Impatience was written all over the girl's face as she sternly told him off.
The girl's childishness had never completely receded, and she showed a shy presence and an androgynous charm. Her clear eyes gave off a firm light, making her charm even clearer. She was a beautiful girl; however, she was wearing the same black uniform as Harutora and Touji, a male uniform. The girl was bound by 'family tradition', and passed her days as a male while hiding the fact that she was a female.
She had been born in a famous Onmyoudou family and was the next heir of the Tsuchimikado - Tsuchimikado Natsume. She and the branch family son Harutora were childhood friends, as well as the girl he regarded as his master - as he was a shikigami, also following 'family tradition'.
"Also, did you perhaps forget how appalling your grades were as soon as you rose to the second year? Frankly, you don't have the leisure to get excited right now. You should be feeling a strong sense of crisis instead." Natsume furrowed her brows, her hands crossed over her slim waist.
Only Harutora and Touji knew the fact that Natsume was a girl. They glanced at each other after hearing Natsume's proclamation.
"Hah...... Harutora, did you hear that? The main family's genius won't give up, she's still trying to ask that a branch family member like you get grades that won't shame the Tsuchimikado name."
"Yeah...... Natsume really is different from others. She was classmates with me for half a year and she can still hold on to that kind of hope."
"Should that be called idealism or delusion?"
"No no no, you should say she just has a superhumanly firm will."
"She just hasn't seen reality clearly."
"Nonsense, it's not like it's completely impossible."
"......You two......" In a huff, Natsume angrily stared at the two who had gotten carried away. The eyebrows that had been raised before now trembled slightly.
"Don't ask too much of him, Natsume. It's not that Harutora doesn't have any self-awareness, but his level was originally about the same as an outsider and he entered the nation's premier Onmyou Academy half a year late. He barely managed to pass the advancement exam, and today he can finally advance officially, so you can't blame him for being a bit excited." Touji took the opportunity to leisurely intervene.
"Hey Touji, what does that mean, I thought you transferred into the Onmyou Academy halfway like me."
"I 'advanced' to the second year, which brings a different level of emotion than 'finally being able to succeed in advancing' to the second year like you. It's like how a drama is more fascinating with a twisting plot."
"Huh? Is, is that true? I even feel a bit embarrassed when you say it like that."
"......Tch......How worthy, Harutora. I didn't expect you to use that move."
"What are you saying?"
Touji put on a self-derisive smile, clicking his tongue regretfully. Harutora stood still blankly upon seeing this, confused and unable to comprehend. Natsume listened to their exchange from the side, helplessly sighing. "Bakatora." After she muttered that, she smiled.
"But......"
"Yeah?"
"Things really got interesting. I never thought that such a serious incident would happen the day of the exam." Natsume spoke, her expression revealing seriousness and a bit of bitterness. Seeing Natsume's expression and hearing those words, Harutora also unconsciously straightened his back.
After a while, "......That's true." Touji also expressed agreement, once again moving his legs that had stopped at some point. "After all, it was just a simple practical exam, but ended up in a 'Type-Chimera' spiritual disaster attack and the Twelve Divine Generals. We got involved in a spiritual disaster terrorist attack, and in the end even the famous Ashiya Doman also came out to make trouble."
"Yeah, thinking of all of that, it's really unbelievable......"
"Also--"
"Also?"
"A stupid little oni came out."
Touji grinned ironically at the inquisitive Harutora, and Harutora immediately returned the same smile to his friend.
Harutora and the others' advancement exam - the practical exam that had been held about a month earlier. The contents of the exam had been to purify a manmade spiritual disaster, but at the same time, Yakou fanatics had used magic to unleash terrorist attacks all over Tokyo, and therefore both the Onmyou Academy and the Onmyou Agency had all fallen into chaos.
What's more, the after-effects left in Touji's body that he had received from coming in contact with a spiritual disaster - the after-effects left by a spiritual disaster in the past - had broken out again, and the oni sleeping deeply inside his body - the 'Type-Ogre' spiritual disaster - broke through the seal and became active, even leading to him showing signs of spiritual disaster transformation.
After that, they had clashed with the member of the National First-Class Onmyouji - known as the Twelve Divine Generals - who had originally come to purify the spiritual disaster, causing simmering tensions. Then, Natsume had agreed to the Exorcist Bureau's request and headed out to assist the purification of the mobile spiritual disasters. One of the spiritual disasters escaped, and Natsume, Harutora, Touji, and others were forced to face it themselves and deal with the dangerous situation on their own. It was really a frenzied day.
"......I feel like that day was worth more than the half-year of living at the Onmyou Academy." Touji spoke calmly, shrugging his shoulders.
In the end, the spiritual disasters had finally been purified right as the government was about to announce that they were entering a state of emergency. It was all over the news for a few days after the incident ended because it had created such a big effect.
Since that incident, Touji hadn't been simply sealing the oni inside his body. Rather, he had accepted someone's guidance and was learning how to use the oni instead. His homeroom teacher Ohtomo and the instructors who had once been exorcists were responsible for teaching him and proctoring him for practical exams.
"......There will be more and more practical skills curriculum when the second year starts, so it'll be shameful if you don't control it well."
"If I truly can't control it, I don't think shame will be enough to deal with the problems."
Harutora couldn't help but smile wryly upon hearing Touji's response.
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