Tokyo Ravens - Volume 5 - Chapter 3.4

Part 4 

After bathing, the students returned to their rooms based on age and gender. 
They prepared for bedtime one by one. Needless to say, they had to spread their futons on the ground to sleep. They also wanted to play cards or have pillow fights, but not a single person in the class still had the energy to play around. 
After they spread their futons, someone turned off the lights. Because the wooden door by the balcony was tightly shut, the interior of the room went pitch-black once the lights were turned off. Considering that this might be dangerous, they had put a desk lamp in the corridor as a light source. 
"......Ahh...... I can finally sleep." Once the room light was turned off, Harutora lay on his futon, exhausted of mind and body. 
Harutora had been quite occupied after they had talked with Kyouko, Tenma, and Suzuka. His mind had been full of those things even up till now. But, the accumulated fatigue in his body was already nearing his limits. He thought that the best thing to do now was to properly sleep and put all his worries in the back of his mind for now. 
Touji and Tenma slept next to him, already lying on their futon. They slept next to him but had no intention of chatting. It seemed that, just like Harutora, they were unwilling to think anymore. 
There was one more person in a similar situation. 
"......Are you alright, Natsume?" Harutora turned his head as he lay on the bed, asking quietly. 
They could faintly identify the contours of each other by the weak light passing through the paper door. Natsume had already changed to athletic clothing and was nested in her bed. 
Natsume had laid her futon near the corner of the room, by the wall. Though the room was spacious, there were many people sleeping after all, and the space allotted to every individual was small. Actually, there was only enough space for a textbook between Harutora and Natsume's futons. 
"......I, It's really close." 
"W, We can't do anything about that." 
"......Uh, if you roll over......" 
"Don't worry, I won't roll over...... Ah, no, I'll be careful and make sure not to roll over......" 
Maybe because he had no confidence in his sleeping habits, Harutora became more ambiguous as he spoke. Natsume lowered her head and didn't say anything. Harutora also felt a bit awkward, closing his mouth. 
Natsume was clearly flustered. This was probably her first time sleeping in the same room with so many people, and it was especially hard to blame her for being anxious since everyone around her was a male and she was the only girl. Though Harutora felt sympathetic, he could do nothing about it. 
"Maybe you should just leave your body double here and sneak out to sleep somewhere else. That might let you sleep a bit better." 
He quietly made a proposal, but Natsume suddenly shook her head upon hearing that. 
"It's alright, especially since I... I'm very tired." 
She unconsciously let out her original voice, hastily changing her tone. It seemed that she was indeed tired to death. Natsume had felt the most sense of urgency from the talk just now, so her energy had rapidly been consumed. 
Then, she rolled over to face Harutora, and pulled the sheets up, covering her mouth. 
"Uh...... Harutora-kun." 
"Wh, What is it?" 
"Uh...... It's all guys here, so I feel very uncomfortable...... Will you stay next to me?" 
"Oh, yeah......" 
He couldn't clearly see Natsume's expression in the darkness. Harutora felt his own cheeks inexplicably redden as he made a reply. 
"......You need not worry." Suddenly, a voice sounded from between the two. Their hearts pounded and their bodies stiffened in their sheets. 
"Tonight, I shall be responsible for protecting Natsume-dono, 'no one' will be able to touch her." 
It was Kon's voice. Though her figure couldn't be seen, her tone was haughty, and her tone had been heavy when she had said 'no one'. Then, she added: "Of course, if Natsume-dono's sleeping habits are poor, I shall 'deal with it properly', do not worry." 
Even though she hadn't materialized, they visualized the image of Kon glaring ferociously at Natsume. Natsume rebutted in a high-pitched voice: "M, My sleeping habits aren't bad." 
Regardless of what Natsume said, it was indeed comforting to have Kon supervising on the side. "Sorry to bother you." Harutora told his shikigami. 
"...Then let's leave it at that. Good night, Natsume." 
"Uh, yeah, good night, Harutora." 
"............" 
"............" 
"......But it really is close......" 
"......Yeah......" 
Harutora smiled dryly and said a few uneasy words, thinking that the same kind of smile might be on Natsume's face. Kon coughed lightly a few times, clearly angered by listening. 
"......So close......" Natsume's attitude became panicked, as if she had suddenly realized something was wrong. She turned her back to Harutora, bending her body - moving as if she were sniffing the collar of her athletic clothing. 
"......Huh? What's wrong?" 
"Uh, nothing......" Natsume replied in a stammer, her body no longer bent. "......It's just a short day, so why not have those around you tolerate it?" But Kon immediately spoke up, uttering harsh and malicious words. 
Harutora didn't understand, but Natsume seemed angry enough to grind her teeth. 
Not long after, the body whose back was to Harutora squirmed uncomfortably again...... 
"......I, I'm going to the bathroom! Harutora, you sleep first!" 
She suddenly rushed out of her sheets, passing through the room and leaving through the corridor. 
"Wh, What happened?" 
Harutora murmured, clueless and dumbstruck. Kon snorted in disdain next to him. 

? 

The hot water had probably stopped, but it wasn't like it was impossible to shower in this season. 
Natsume jogged through the calm, silent auditorium, rushing to the bathhouse. 
Males and females were originally split into different baths, but right now it was no longer distinguishable which side was for males and which side was for females. Anyway, there shouldn't be anyone inside, so Natsume sneakily entered - checking the surroundings first - the changing room. 
She didn't turn the light in the changing room on, hastily taking off her athletic clothing and putting it in a locker. Then, she untied the ribbon tying up her long hair, letting her black hair fall onto her fair body. 
It had been the same when she had first started living in the dorms. Though she had avoided the gazes of others, she always kept her guard up when she was completely naked in an unfamiliar place. Just in case, she wrapped herself with a towel first, then walked into the bath. 
Fortunately, it was still very warm in the bath. 
Moonlight shone in through the misted window near the ceiling, faintly illuminating the old but still elegant-looking bath. There was still hot water in the bath, so Natsume finally relaxed. 
Thinking carefully, she had always showered in the dorm showers. Other than when she went back home for New Year's, she hadn't stretched out in a big bath for a long time. Though the hot water was probably a bit cold, she still felt fortunate. Just as she happily smiled, holding the towel and walking to the bath-- 
"Oh my, you don't need to hold the towel that tightly, aren't we both girls?" 
"Hey, what are you doing! Give me the towel back!" 
There were people in the other bathhouse, and the voices that sounded were clearly familiar ones. Right, it was definitely Kyouko and - Suzuka. Natsume's heart almost stopped beating out of fright, her whole body stiffening. 
However, she came to her senses and quickly hid, planning on quickly returning to the room, but she couldn't help but be curious as to why Suzuka and Kyouko would be together. She hesitated for a while, finally deciding to be prudent and cast as much stealth magic as she could, staying where she was. She gingerly, quietly, sneakily, sank her body into the bath while making as little noise as possible. 
Then, she perked up her ears. 
Judging from the sound of it, Kyouko and Suzuka were still chatting in the bath next to her. From the contents of their chat, she learned that Suzuka didn't want to bathe with others, and after Kyouko learned that, she forcefully pulled her over to bathe. Honestly, that greatly surprised Natsume. Before the gathered discussion with everyone just now, Kyouko hadn't spoken with Suzuka much, and she shouldn't even have known about Suzuka's true nature until just now. 

But the tone she spoke with was familiar and extremely intimate. 
"Hey, I know I shouldn't request this of a Divine General, but it's a bit weird to use a respectful tone with a kouhai who's younger than me. Can I call you by your name like Harutora does?" 
"I don't care what you call me! Do whatever you want!" 
"Hmm, okay then, Suzuka-chan." 
"Chan?" 
"What's wrong with it, we get along that well." 
"What are you joking about? Who gets along with whom? Don't get it wrong! You outsider who only has a family background!" 
"That's not true, friendship has nothing to do with position, right, Suzuka-chan?" 
"Damn! You're so annoying!" 
Suzuka's angry roars came from across the wall. 
Judging from the sound of it, Kyouko was in control of the situation. It was Natsume's first time hearing Suzuka's tone this flustered. 
Kyouko was like a big sister in the class, responsible for stepping forward to put everything under control. She had a fearless personality, and could calmly pose as a senpai to the National First-Class Onmyouji (yet still a kouhai) Suzuka. Such communication ability and courage in facing others was admirable, as expected of the eldest daughter of a famous family. 
She was definitely smiling right now, cajoling the abuse-spewing Suzuka. Natsume knew it was inappropriate but couldn't help but smile. 
"Stop speaking nonsense, give me my towel back! Give it back!" 
"I saw everything already anyway, so you don't need your towel, right?" 
"You pervert exhibitionist! If you like to exhibit then go exhibit somewhere else!" 
"Oh my, you can't say that, I don't have such interests. I just don't understand what there is to hide when we're both girls--" 
"Shut up, you dairy cow!" 
"Hey, Suzuka-chan, no one's ever said such rude things to me." 
"I'll say it since no one else has, you brainless dairy cow!" 
"Really, I don't have anything to be proud of. I was bathing with my classmates today and saw that there are other people even bigger than me." 
"Y, You bitch......! Your tone sounds like you've won, coincidentally hinting that you're 'big'!" 
"Don't be concerned, you're still young--" 
"Go die! Why don't you hurry up and die!" 
Since she had become acquainted with Suzuka, Natsume had never dreamed that there would be a day when she would identify with her from the bottom of her heart. She even felt that the two of them could become close friends. 
But, Kyouko didn't have any intention of caring at all, casually saying: "I never thought I could chat so happily with the 'Child Prodigy'. I'm so happy." 
"......Let me say this first...... I should first make it clear that I don't have any such interest!" 
"Come on, I don't either, I only like guys, just like a normal person." 
"Yes, yes, that's good. Good, then I'm going to go sleep!" 
"......Hey, Suzuka-chan." 
"I'm done bathing! I'm leaving!" 
"Do you like Harutora?" 
"Uwah!" 
Natsume was lucky that the others didn't notice her. She completely forgot about stealth, crying out in surprise at the same time as Suzuka did. But, she understood that she shouldn't panic right now, but rather she should intently watch the situation unfold. She stayed invisible, completely engrossed, focusing her attention to her ears. She could do nothing else. 
"I'll kill you, bitch! I'll cut you to pieces!" Suzuka said. 
"Hahaha, you don't need to be embarrassed." 
"Aaarrrgghhhh!" 
A voice that didn't sound like it came from a human sounded from the other side of the bathhouse wall. Natsume felt deeply sympathetic. Even so, she still strained to perk up her ears. 
"I can't stand you, I really can't stand you, I'm leaving--!" 
"Hoho, do you think you can escape from my grasp, Suzuka-chan?" 
"Don't hug me! Stop touching me! What's your hand doing! This is a crime! Stop touching!" 
"Ahh, so cute." 
"Aaargh!" 
Natsume soaked in the bath, holding her knees and trembling. What was going on on the other side of the wall? She was very curious, but she didn't dare learn about the situation in detail. 
But, she had never thought that Kyouko would have this side to her. Could it be that this was how girls really interacted? If she had entered the academy with the identity of a girl, would she be treated similarly? Please spare me - Natsume couldn't help but beg for mercy in her heart. 
"That idiot has someone that he likes already! He doesn't care the slightest bit about me!" Suzuka wailed. 
Natsume's eyes widened. 
"Huh, no way, really?" 
"That's right! Let me go!" 
Natsume's heartbeat accelerated intensely. Her cheeks instantly reddened as she soaked in the bath to which hot water was no longer being provided. 
Upon hearing that response, Kyouko became quite calm - even her expression. She murmured an "Oh......", not pursuing the topic any further. 
"......Then what about Natsume-kun? You don't actually know how to get along with him, right?" Kyouko suddenly asked. No, she hadn't suddenly thought of this question, she had probably already calculated the opportunity. This was her most important goal. 
Suzuka held her breath, and Natsume's body also went rigid. 
The heavy silence pervaded the atmosphere, and then as if to break the tension - "Yeah, sorry for asking that kind of thing. But actually, I can see that you don't get along too well. But Natsume-kun is actually very easy to get along with, he's just a bit slow--" Kyouko gingerly defended Natsume. Suzuka stayed silent, and Natsume couldn't conceal her tension, focusing all her attention on the other side of the wall. 
Quite a long time passed, and everyone remained silent. 
"You don't know anything at all......" Then, Suzuka dropped those muttered words. 
"...What?" Kyouko asked back. Then, the splashing noise of someone rising from the bath sounded. 
"That person...... is too cunning. I hate her [27] ......" 
She spoke straightforwardly, brutally stabbing Natsume's heart. 
The pitter-patter of her footsteps led to the changing room. "Suzuka-chan!" Kyouko chased her. 
The door between the bath and the changing room was opened. The sound of the door sounded from the other side of the wall, and the presences of the two vanished afterwards. 
Natsume soaked motionlessly in the bath. She remembered Ohtomo's advice - the more you value your friends, the more you should open your heart and be honest. She shut her eyes, carrying difficult-to-suppress emotions and pulled her head under the water. 
Her black hair floated on the surface of the water. Natsume held her knees tightly. Only a bit of warmth was left in the water.