Tokyo Ravens - Volume 6 - Chapter 1.3

Part 3 
Nowadays, Harutora still adhered to training independently after school. Recently Ohtomo-sensei and former exorcist Fujiwara-sensei were with him during practice. 
In some sense this can be seen as special treatment. However, in light of the plight that Natsume was facing, his training was still inadequate compared to what the others in the same course were going through. Therefore, instead of “receiving special treatment from the Omnyou Academy” it was more like Ohtomo and Fujiwara were affectionately offering him a helping hand. Obviously, this was with approval from the Academy’s director. 
Until now, training had focused on the fundamental skills. But ever since the training camp, practice gradually shifted to combat training. 
For example, today was invisibility magic training. 
This stealth technique was called the art of “Concealing one’s presence”. It was a magic used by Vajrayana monks, Shunged? practitioners, foreign enemies, magical beings and demons to protect themselves. It also formed the basis of ninjutsu used by ninjas that everyone knows. 
“General style” invisibility is very much the same, using magic to hide one’s physical presence and aura. The main aim is to deceive the opponent’s eyes – specifically the “spirit seeing”. The technique is simple and yet very practical. After mastering this technique, one can erase their presence as easily as breathing. In the General style of Omnyou magic, it is considered a major spell. 
However, invisibility magic is not an elementary magic. After all, to use this magic one must be aware of how to deceive his opponent. Having a pedestrian as an opponent as compared to having a professional Onmyouji as an opponent would require two completely different spell formulas. 
On top of this, a major prerequisite for invisibility magic is the perfect mastery over one’s own aura. Also, when using this magic, the magical energy used to maintain the invisibility magic must also be concealed. If one cannot adequately control their own magical energy, it would be impossible to achieve this spell. 
Because one must be able to utilize these basic techniques, the mastery of one’s aura and proper control of their magical energy, without hindrances, there is a phrase in the working world, “How well one uses invisibility magic is what separates the professionals from the layman.” 
Obviously for an ordinary academy student like Harutora, It is impossible to learn this spell in an instant. 
This thought could not help but come to mind. 
“Leaving aside shikigami like Kon, I am just a flesh and blood human! Obviously I cannot become transparent, so how can I simply just disappear?” 
“Natsume was able to do it, so did Kyouko.” 
“How can I compete against them!” 
“Don’t say it that way. Should we find ourselves in the situation where we need to use the invisibility spell, we would be lucky if our ‘opponent’ is just an ‘ordinary’ professional.” 
After hearing to Harutora’s complaints, his evil friend teasingly stated the facts. He was Ato Touji, who also took part in the self-training. After finishing their self-training at the magic practice field, the two of them left the changing room. 
“Well it’s convenient for you. All you need to do is strengthen my father’s seal and you’ll be able to conceal your aura.” 
“At the same time my own aura would be stopped by the seal. In the end, that move can only be used in emergency situations.” 
“Anyway, as long as it can be used in critical moments it is good enough. As for me, I don’t have the mood to restart training all over from scratch.” 
Harutora’s aura was much stronger compared to ordinary people. Despite being from a branch family, he still was of the Tsuchimikado bloodline and thus he would naturally have a powerful magical force. 
However, the only significance of having a purely powerful aura was that it was very conspicuous to spiritual senses. Using invisibility magic to conceal your own aura still required the appropriate level of skill. 
Furthermore, Harutora who has a strong aura cultivated a habit of converting his spiritual energy into magic in his daily life. Controlling his spiritual energy for invisibility magic however was his weakness. 
On the other hand, Touji had an Oni dwelling inside him, mixing the Oni’s aura with his own. His spirit aura was glaring, for a different reason compared to Harutora. 
But Touji’s seal was meant to control his Oni. When he decides to use the Oni’s strength, the seal’s restriction is lifted. Currently he is learning how to control the Oni’s aura. All he needed to do was to reverse the strength of seal and his own aura would be hidden and sealed away. 
“Well, didn’t the teachers already say? All you need to do is grasp the initial trick for invisibility and then you would be able to do it. It’s a lot of trial and error.” 
Touji tried to comfort Harutora, 
“Right Natsume?” 
As he turned to Natsume by his side, seeking her advice. 
Harutora stiffened slightly. 
Since the start Natsume was standing by his side, just that he was not talking to her – it was more like he could not talk with her. Harutora was doing his best to avoid acknowledging Natsume’s presence. Although the current situation just made him more aware of it…… 
Harutora stole a peek at Natsume who was beside him. 
If it was the old Natsume, she would have immediately started nagging him. Whenever Harutora complains, he would immediately be submerged in a long sermon about “how you should to prepare yourself mentally before you even talk about the technique”. 
However, 
“……ah, yes. As long as you grasp the essentials, I think it’s good enough.” 
, was Natsume’s short and honest reply. 
Because she inadvertently glanced at Harutora’s expression, Natsume shyly dipped her head. She was pretending to be calm on the outside, but from an outsider’s perspective one can easily see the tension within her heart. Or could it be that it was Harutora’s misconception? It was probably because Harutora was harboring an inner turmoil that caused the misconception. 
“Re, really? If Natsume says so then it’s most likely true.” 
, replied Harutora, trying his best to keep his tone as natural as possible. 
“Apparently magic control is really important?” 
“Yes. Eventually Harutora, you would be able firmly control your own aura …….” 
“What? I think that’s still too difficult. For now let’s just focus on overcoming the current problem.” 
“Ah……” 
While this was a normal conversation between them with nothing out of the ordinary. It probably was not a conversation “between himself and Natsume”. The atmosphere between the two of them felt very stiff, and the root cause of it was without question because of the doubt in Harutora’s heart. 
-The doubt that had arose during the return bus trip from the training camp. 
His dear friend, Hokuto, who was actually a shikigami– could the person controlling her be Natsume? – It was this question. –How could it be…… As he used that statement to laugh off at the question. 
Thinking about it normally, it was just impossible –Harutora thought to himself. In fact, during the end of the training camp when his classmate Kurahashi Kyoko raised this possibility, the idea wracked Harutora with laughter. In Harutora’s heart, that possibility was just too unrealistic. 
That was before he noticed that Natsume and Hokuto used the same ribbon. 
-No. As long as I see what is before me how do I stop these thoughts? 
Their height is about the same. No, Hokuto is probably slightly shorter. There is a big difference between their voices. Hokuto’s voice was huskier. As for the other aspects, there’s still speaking habits, small subconscious actions, rich facial expressions, and that child-like smile. Natsume’s aspects and Hokuto’s aspects endlessly intertwined back and forth in Harutora’s head. 
While Harutora was pondering in silence, the trouble making Touji had no intention of interrupting his thoughts. Generally, this evil friend has always been very good at reading the atmosphere of the moment; however at this time he had a confused look on his face, scratching the headband on the top of his head. After all, since the training camp, Harutora and Natsume have become uncoordinated and uncongenial. 
At least look at Natsume’s face while talking to her….. 
- “Tell me that I’m cute” 
“……” 
He still could not do it. He was not able to look at Natsume and talk to her in any way. He clearly wanted to say something, however whenever their eyes met he would break eye contact again to conceal how he was feeling. 
He was too vexed, as the dream from earlier in the morning was still fresh in his mind, amplifying his stiff attitude even more. 
Then, 
“– Ah, there you are. I finally found you darling~” 
From the corridor extending from the magic practice field’s main hall, came a grinning young girl. 
Walking at a brisk pace, her golden dyed twin ponytails swayed back and forth. As she faced Harutora and the rest, a presumptuous expression emerged over her cute face. 
She was Dairenji Suzuka, who entered the Omnyou Academy due to special circumstances. She did not participate in the self-training as she was on the sidelines overseeing their training exercises. 
“You are still really useless, stupidly simple and crappy~” 
Suzuka quickly uttered her usual string of malicious words, as she walked along side Harutora and the rest. “Naggy hag”, replied Harutora with a bitter face. 
“Either way, I certainly can’t do it. After all, I’m just an ordinary student.” 
“Even so, isn’t there a limit to your stupidity? At this moment you are still a Omnyou Academy student.” 
“If you put it that way, I’ve only just been promoted into the second year. Compared to my current ability, today’s practice was just way too difficult.” 
“Pfft –. Invisibility magic is way too difficult? Cheer up a bit, senpai ~” 
, snickered Suzuka, as she looked up at Harutora with a bored yet unexpectedly happy expression. 
She was currently a first year student of the Omnyou Academy as punishment for her past transgressions. She was far from being an ordinary student, and infact, she is the youngest person to have passed the “First-Class Onmyou Exam”, becoming a National First-Class Onmyouji. Currently her qualifications have been suspended and her magic power has been significantly sealed. However despite this, she still had no trouble with using invisibility magic. 
“In fact, I’ve never seen you use any shikigami or talisman magic eh.” 
“Are you kidding? Shikigami and talismans aside, I still can’t do anything.” 
“Ah, you’re lying right. Is this true?” 
“Yeah, you don’t have to reply so seriously. Well it can’t be helped, and I’ve already tried working harder.” 
Even though the other party was a first class magical practitioner, seeing her dumbfounded expression still made him feel devastated about himself. Moreover, Suzuka did not know that Harutora fared much better with practical skill applications. When it came to knowledge of magic theory, ever since he came to the academy, Harutora’s results had always been poor – not only that, recently his results on magic theory became even worse. 
The fact that he was trying hard was real and even Harutora himself felt anxious. It is said that the Onymou Academy curriculum for the second years would begin on difficult topics. Before their promotion to third year, many students would face setbacks and choose to drop out from the academy. For Harutora this was not something of irrelevance. 
“Hey, Dairenji. I still can’t grasp the invisibility spell; do you have any personal tips that could help?” Touji, who had been silent the entire time, inquired after Suzuka. Suzuka instantly gave a bothered look, then shrugged her shoulders and gave her suggestion. 
“ Tips…… Didn’t your class teacher mention it earlier? Eliminate your self-consciousness. The key is to keep your mind blank. You guys shouldn’t have a problem with that right?” 
“Oh, wait a moment Suzuka. Wouldn’t this mean that you won’t be able to chant mantras?” 
Harutora said hurriedly, to which Suzuka casually spat out a short reply. “You lack practice” 
“To use any mantra, your body would need to memorize it first. If not, just practice it during your sleep and eventually it would work. Well, when I want to be invisible I don’t have to chant out the mantra one word at a time.” 
Suzuka did not reveal any epiphanies, but spoke as though it was common sense. Harutora wrinkled his brow in shock, and Touji bore a long face. It should have been expected since there was a great difference in skill between Harutora and the rest compared to Suzuka. There was no point in even considering that difference. 
- Well, but… 
Putting the content of the discussion aside, Harutora was still grateful. Not for Suzuka’s knowledge, but because of her sincere answer to Touji’s question on his behalf. 
It was during the late night secret meeting at the training camp last month that Suzuka revealed her true nature to Harutora and the rest and spoke without a false persona. Ever since then she slowly began to mingle and become part of the group, or at least that was how Harutora saw it. 
-She’s matured…… Or rather it is in her nature to be straightforward, and a bit unforgiving. 
Suzuka harsh remarks were still the same, and it was hard to predict if she would actually offer her help. However, she kept Natsume’s cross-dressing a secret and even lessened up on using that as leverage on Harutora and the rest. The latter was probably because she simply just got tired of doing it; however to not attack and make use of their weakness was enough for Harutora to be truly grateful. 
“Why don’t you join us for practice? Even Spartan style training is fine with us.” 
“Ha? Are you stupid? What would I gain from that?” 
“You can gain our gratitude and respect.” 
“That’s not a gain but a punishment game!” 
“Che. That didn’t work. Then how about if I treat you to a burger.” 
“No way! Are you trying to bribe one of the Twelve Heavenly General with a hamburger!” 
“Don’t worry, I'll unwrap it for you first –” 
“Go and die!” 
Suzuka’s cheeks flushed red as her eyes narrowed and shouted in anger. Harutora just casually smiled as though nothing had happened. To be able to smile so nonchalantly, this action in itself was evidence of how the distance in their relationship had lessened. 
Recently, Harutora had been having fewer conversations with Natsume and more with Suzuka. The earlier situation was the same; because of the doubt that Harutora had, he found it difficult to have a casual conversation with Natsume. Therefore he would chose to chat with Suzuka more. 
When talking with Suzuka he did not need to think about anything, and to Harutora this was a time of pure bliss. But Harutora knew that this could not go on forever. 
“So Suzuka, what do you think about Natsume’s invisibility spell? Is it up to your standard?” 
Harutora deliberately diverted the topic to Natsume. If Touji or someone else was around, it made it easier to talk to Natsume. 
However, this was wishful thinking on Harutora’s part, as casual conversation between Natsume and Suzuka is difficult. 
Suzuka threw Natsume a glance and Natsume suddenly trembled. 
“…… Nothing much, pretty good I guess? I would need to judge based on her opponent.” 
“…… Ah, thank you.” 
Natsume replied softly to Suzuka’s casual evaluation. 
It was clearly written all over Natsume’s face that she was not able to deal with Suzuka. While Suzuka was not able to ignore her, she did not take Natsume seriously. Harutora had a bitter face and kept quiet. 
While Suzuka gradually warmed up to Harutora and Touji, she had no sign of ever warming up to Natsume. Moreover, it probably was not just due to Suzuka as Natsume distanced herself in some sense. 
Harutora originally wanted to help Suzuka understand Natsume. But currently he was unable to help himself and did not have the confidence in himself to help others. 
Wait, 
-But…… That’s it. If it was her…… If it was Hokuto, she should be able to get along with Suzuka rather quickly. If this person really was not Hokuto….. 
Harutora subconsciously began comparing Natsume and Hokuto. He clearly knew that it was not the right time or place to be doing so, but he could not help it. 
-Ah, yeah, wait a minute. Think about it clearly, was Hokuto that shy of strangers? How was she like when she first met Touji? The three of us were very close in the end….. 
After snapping out of his deep thoughts, Harutora realized that the discussion had stopped again and the atmosphere had become increasingly heavy. Whenever this happened, he hoped that Touji would come in and lighten the mood, but this evil friend kept silent the whole time. He stayed out of the situation as long as he deemed that it did not require his intervention. Currently he was just turning his head, observing Harutora’s conversation. 
After the relationship between Harutora and Natsume had become uneasy, there was only one person that Harutora knew who could ease the mood. 

“Sorry to keep everyone waiting! –Ah, isn’t this Suzuka-chan? What do you think about my invisibility spell?” Harutora and company were gathered along the corridor in front of the boy’s locker room. The girl’s locker room door swung open and an academy student ran out. 
She had chestnut-colored hair tied up in a ‘Half-up’ style, an outstanding figure, and a feisty attitude. Born into a Tsuchimikado branch family – this was the Kurahashi family eldest daughter, Kurahashi Kyouko. 
When Kyouko saw Suzuka, her face immediately lit up with a bright smile. On the other hand, when Suzuka saw Kyouko, she just twitched her face. 
The heavy atmosphere slowly receded. 
“Noisy!” 
A whisper – but it was loud enough that the other party heard it being spat out. 
But this degree of malice would not cause Kyouko to waver. 
“Eh, eh, how so? Although it wouldn’t be up to Natsume’s standards, I should be able to achieve a ‘good’ rating right?” 
“God knows! How about you first make your breasts disappear, you big breasted woman!” 
“Yeah --, to be honest, I’m not that good at invisibility spells. However, since our goal is to become professionals, we shouldn’t be using such wayward words.” 
“Yeah, with that said …..!” 
“However, Ohtomo-sensei is really powerful~ He really gave me a surprise. That kind of man used to be a Mystical Investigator. Invisibility magic should probably be his specialty.” 
“…… You totally didn’t hear a word I just said.” 
Suzuka grimaced as Kyouko continued talking regardless of her input. It seems that Suzuka inability to handle with Kyouko was greater than Natsume’s own inability to handle with her. Kyouko and Natsume were different, as Kyouko is well prepared on how to deal with Suzuka. 
After the training camp, each member of Harutora’s group proactively tried to strike up conversations with Suzuka. This was so that they could build a relationship of trust with her. One reason was to obtain Suzuka’s assistance as one of the ‘Twelve Heavenly Generals’, the other was out of sympathy for her loneliness. 
However, from Kyouko’s point of view, there was a moment of confusion where it felt as though the method and the result had been flipped around. After all, Suzuka, who was normally offensively aggressive, was now in a tired and evasive state. In that sense it felt very wrong. 
“Shall we see Suzuka’s invisibility spell first hand? Actually I have confidence that I can see through it.” 
“Ha? Don’t joke around. If I seriously went invisible, I could kick your ass and you wouldn’t even be aware of it –“ 
“Okay, so if I can see through your invisibility spell you have to tell us your three sizes.” 
“I want to use a curse to end your life!” 
“Really? Then let's do something more interesting to break that curse–-" 
“This already has nothing to do with magic whatsoever!” 
“B cup?” 
“Don’t be ridiculous! Are you really a daughter of the Kurahashi family?!” 
To be honest, Harutora was a bit confused about whether the relationship between the two of them was good or bad. 
...How did their relationship become like this...... 
The male Harutora had trouble thinking about female relationships. But Suzuka's melancholy had already vanished because of Kyouko's actions. Harutora couldn't help but feel that things were moving in a pretty good direction. Well, although Suzuka herself was a bit troublesome. 
After Kyouko teased Suzuka for a while, she turned to look at Natsume. "Ah, right, Natsume." 
"You worked hard today too. Natsume-kun's stealth magic is really high-level, even Fujiwara-sensei praised you before." 
"Y-Yeah, thanks." 
"Suzuka-chan, you saw too, right? Natsume's stealth magic definitely isn't worse than any professional's, right?" 
It wasn't as forced a question as Harutora's earlier one, but the reactions of the two were even more awkward than before. 
"......Well. That's already the second time I've been asked the same question. I have no interest. I don't' care." 
Suzuka suddenly lost interest and replied that. Kyouko looked at Harutora, mostly understanding the reasons after noticing the unsettled expression was on his face. 
Kyouko, who had an abnormally powerful ability to deal with Suzuka, also had trouble with Suzuka and Natsume's relationship. No matter who provided assistance, the two of them wouldn't be able to interact smoothly with each other, in the end, the smiling expressions turned into bitter smiles. 
Touji recognized the occasion, sweeping his gaze over everyone and changing the topic. 
"Kyouko's here too, we should get going soon." 
"EH? Wait, Touji. Tenma's still not here, right?" 
"That guy seems to have business, so he left earlier." 
Kyouko harrumphed upon hearing Touji's explanation and replied. 
"Tenma's been like that a lot recently. I wanted to give him some encouragement after seeing him fail in the training before." 
"I was also failing the whole time. It would be nice if you encouraged me too." 
"You and Touji have strong spirits, so it's fine. Tenma seems to be really depressed." 
"To think you're putting me and Harutora on the same level. What a surprise." 
"Ah, sorry." 
"Wait, Touji. Also, Kyouko, why are you apologizing!?" 
Harutora glared at Touji and Kyouko, then continued speaking worried. 
"But...... Tenma certainly is pretty down recently." 
Outside of Harutora, Natsume, Touji, and Kyouko, their classmate Momoe Tenma had also participated in Harutora and the others' independent training. He had often come to watch like Suzuka, but after hearing Harutora and the others' stories since the training camp, he had spontaneously participated in the practical skills exercise. 
Tenma's feelings made them very happy, but unfortunately, his hard work seemed mostly in vain. He hadn't been very good at practical skills in the first place, and he often slipped up in his training with Harutora and the others. Never mind Natsume and Kyouko, even Harutora and Touji had their strengths in a real battle. It seemed that among their group, he was the only one who felt fretful about his powerlessness. 
"That guy's worrying over how to increase his practical skills ability. It seems that he has a lot of pressure from his family too." 
"His family?" 
"Ah, well, I heard that Tenma's succeeding a traditional Onmyoudou family. Also...... His family environment is a bit complicated." 
Kyouko and Tenma had known each other for the longest among this group, and it seemed that she understood Tenma's familial situation very well. But based off how she smiled bitterly and minced her words, she wasn't going to delve any deeper. 
"I see. ......Well, I don't think there's anything to worry about." 
Actually, Tenma had been the most reliable when they had made curry during the training camp. Though Tenma wasn't good at practical skills, he might well just be oversensitive about his inadequacy. At the least, his grades in practical skills were slightly better than Harutora's. 
...Well, there's a problem with feeling satisfied just by being stronger than me. 
Harutora crossed his arms, nodding seriously. 
"In that case, Kyouko, let's all go to karaoke later." 
"Hah? Why did it turn into that? In the first place, Tenma's not here." 
"When you're feeling down, the most effective thing to do is shout loudly, right? Send Tenma a message and tell him to meet up with us after finishing his business. How about that, Touji?" 
"It's not bad once in a while." 
Touji shrugged his shoulders after speaking in a light tone. Though Kyouko furrowed her brow, she didn't speak in opposition. 
But, 
"K-Karaoke!" 
Instead, Suzuka's cheeks twitched. After Harutora noticed with a keen gaze, he let out a malicious laugh. 
"What's wrong, Suzuka. Could it be that you've never gone to karaoke?" 
"Ugh! S-So what! Anyway, I can't sing songs! I never even heard those things in the first place!" 
"Ah. I'm really - hehe - looking forward to it." 
"What's the deal with that strange laugh just now! I'm not going! I don't want to go at all!" 
"I see. I wouldn't want to make you look bad with your tone deafness--" 
"What the hell, Bandanna! In that case, I'll definitely make you worship my beautiful singing!" 
Even Harutora would have trouble denying that he had doubts about whether the current situation could be called 'getting along'. In any case, it seemed that Touji was better at finding Suzuka's weak points than Harutora and Kyouko. 
"Alright, it's decided." Harutora readily put his hand on Suzuka's head. Suzuka yelled out with a red face. It seemed a bit too red to be due to pure anger - at least to Kyouko and Touji. 
Then, 
"H-Harutora. I...... I'll wait for Tenma here and then go over with him." 
Natsume said hesitantly. 
Everyone went speechless momentarily. But this time, Touji didn't have any skillful interjection. 
"Then I'll stay behind too. ...Harutora, Kyouko, you two go first with Dairenji. You'd better heat up the atmosphere." 
Touji secretly glanced at Harutora. Considering the current relationship between the Tsuchimikados, Kyouko ought to take care of Suzuka and he ought to look after Natsume. Harutora was secretly grateful for this, and Kyouko immediately comprehended Touji's intent, saying goodbye in a cheerful tone. 
"Better win, Suzuka-chan." 
"I know already. I'm definitely going to kill you!" 
Suzuka, who sharply proclaimed this, left driven by Kyouko's urging. Harutora also followed behind. 
He looked over his shoulder, pretending to be normal: 
"See you later...... Natsume, we'll be waiting for you." 
"Yeah......" 
In the end, they didn't meet each other's gaze. Harutora still felt a bit reluctant and still wanted to say something, but the words were stuck in his throat. 
...Honestly. 
Why were things so difficult. Harutora felt embarrassed, turning his head and putting his back to Natsume and Touji. 
He had probably turned his back because he was conscious of Natsume's gaze that turned towards him. 
Natsume kept staring at the backs of Harutora and the others until the three of them vanished around the corner of the hallway. 
Not long afterwards, she sighed upsettedly. Touji cleared his throat next to her, feeling troubled. 
"......Indeed, Harutora's been a bit strange recently, no doubt about it." 
"...Eh?" 
"Even so, you should look at yourself. If you have something to say, say it clearly. Why are you still being so cautious of Harutora?" 
"Touji......" 
Touji started at Natsume with a sharp gaze. Natsume also forgot that she was wearing her male disguise, murmuring with her 'original' voice. 
"......I don't understand either. And Harutora's attitude right now...... What should I do...... I can't figure out my own thoughts......" 
Natsume lowered her head, her tone clearly extremely downcast. 
"......I might be hated......" 
"If that's what you truly think, then you're certainly a genuine idiot." 
"But." 
"But?" 
Natsume unconscious looked up to search for support, weakly biting her lip after meeting Touji's gaze again. Touji played with the bandanna on his forehead to compose his own feelings. 
"......Natsume. During the training camp last month, Harutora confessed that Hokuto was driving him. I don't know what you think of that, but you were undoubtedly that Hokuto that he's fascinated with, right?" 
So please have some confidence in yourself - that was Touji's implied meaning. But Natsume still chewed her lip with no intention of replying. 
Touji looked up at the ceiling, then revealed a powerless smile. 
"......Well, it still won't be easy." 
He had once said similar things to Harutora, and Harutora' reaction at the time had also been abnormally slow. It seemed that in his own way, Harutora was harboring complex troubles that Touji couldn't imagine. It would probably be counterproductive for an outsider to come out and help at this time. 
As he complained, Touji still firmly believed in the bond between the two of them. Nothing could break the relationship between Harutora and Natsume, regardless of what discord ensued. Things would probably much easier if Touji's trust could at least be conveyed to one of the two. 
"Let's go, Natsume. Even if we're going to wait for Tenma, we don't have to stand around here." 
"......Yeah." 
After seeing Natsume nod, Touji slowly walked out. 
He wanted things to develop naturally, but it would be better for things to be resolved as early as possible. After that emotion, different from open-mindedness, surfaced in Touji's heart, he left the place with Natsume.