Part 3
"......Are you sure?"
"......Yeah. I'm sure."
Harutora replied a bit obstinately to Touji's confirmation, his voice showing strong surprise and confusion. A doubtful look also emerged on Natsume's solemn face as she sat next to Harutora.
A second-year classroom of the Onmyou Academy building.
The classroom was clamorous straight from the morning. The news that the Tsuchimikado family residence - Natsume's old home - had been burned by a fire had already reached their classmates. After her true identity had been revealed, their classmates always put up subtle barriers when they interacted with Natsume. At least Harutora and the others thought so.
But right now, the instability in the classroom wasn't because of Natsume.
The reason their classmates were being noisy was in front of Harutora and the others' gazes, standing next to the teacher by the podium.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Souma Takiko. I'm here today to observe your studies and everyone's coursework. Please look after me."
The girl on the podium cheerfully greeted the students who were curious and half-stunned.
They had met this red-haired girl on the roof one night while the academy building was being repaired. She had told them that this had once been a private school established by Yakou called the 'Yakou Academy'.
"I completely forgot because of the Meguro incident...... I didn't think she would appear this straightforwardly."
Touji murmured in incomprehension. His voice was a bit happy, and he was obviously enjoying this situation. Even Harutora didn’t think they would be reunited in such a way.
"But today's been quite the busy day since early in the morning."
Harutora felt sincere agreement as he listened to his good friend's thoughts.
...Give me a break. What exactly is going on?
Today morning. After seeing the news that Natsume's old home had been burned by a fire, Harutora and Natsume had tried to contact their parents through any means possible. But their efforts had been fruitless. It had always been difficult for Natsume to contact her father, but Harutora couldn't reach his old home's phone or his parents' phones either, and he hadn't received a reply to his message. Also, there was the message 'We're safe, don't worry' that Harutora's father had sent him today morning. Could it be that he had sent that message, predicting that they would be out of contact later?
He even considered staying at the dorm today to await contact. But then he thought that he might as well ask the principal directly about this and came to the academy building.
After Harutora and the others arrived to the academy building, they noticed that the principal was absent. Moreover, it seemed that the reason she was late was related to the morning fire. It was very unfortunate that they couldn't see her immediately, but it seemed that they would be able to hear some information from the principal. He planned on properly attending class while waiting, so he came to the familiar classroom.
That girl, Takiko, was there.
".....What kind of bad day is it today."
He practically forgot about his strength running out of control this morning. And he probably couldn't forget about the matter regarding Kyouko yesterday, but because of these incidents happening one after another, its priority had gone down.
Harutora and the others arrived at the classroom just before the beginning of class and didn't even have the opportunity to greet Kyouko. Harutora kept his attention on Takiko at the podium and simultaneously glanced at Kyouko. He couldn't see her expression because she was too far away, but as expected, she was keeping a distance around her just like yesterday - though that feeling might have just been Harutora's preconceived notions at work.
On the other hand, Takiko who was being introduced on the podium seemed to have already noticed Harutora and Natsume. She glanced over, giving an extremely affectionate smile. Harutora didn't know how to respond after she smiled at him, and for the moment forced himself to smile back.
Fortunately, Takiko didn't approach Harutora and the others in front of the students. She walked off the podium after the introduction ended and sat in the nearest empty seat.
But Takiko was eye-catching even while she was just sitting. After all, that kind of hair was flashy and very pretty. Also it wasn't hard to tell from her brief greeting just now that, while she was straightforward and open-minded, her actions had quite a disposition. Most of the students were extremely interested in this unexpected visitor.
"......She said she's here to observe our studies...... What exactly is that girl doing?"
"......Because the Onmyou Academy's coursework is very difficult, there are very few outsiders who come to observe our studies, and most go to observe the third-year coursework or practicals."
Natsume quietly responded to Harutora's question.
"If she deliberately came to this classroom, then her goal is very likely to be us rather than to observe the coursework. But I can't guess her true goal without knowing who she is."
"I guess. But for the Onmyou Academy to have accepted her observational visit, they should have cleared up her origins...... probably."
"......It would be good if that were true."
The two of them looked at Takiko who sat in front of them, secretly whispering to each other. To be honest, the contents of the curriculum didn't enter their brains at all. Even so, there were too many things they needed to worry about.
Afterwards, the coursework that they weren't even listening to in the first place was interrupted. A desk worker entered the classroom and called for Natsume.
It seemed that the police and Onmyou Agency personnel had come to ask questions. They were undoubtedly asking about the fire incident from today’s morning. In that moment, quite a bit of noise arose in the classroom.
"Natsume--"
"......It's alright."
Natsume did her best to smile at Harutora, who wanted to come with her, and left partway on her own. She calmly walked out of the room along with the worker who had come to find her.
Even though Harutora felt that his childhood friend was reliable for still showing a smile in this kind of situation, he also felt worried. Natsume - naturally - was also very hesitant inside. She had almost fainted when she saw the news. But even now, she was still fearlessly going forth to answer the questions of the adults. It was great, but she was undoubtedly forcing herself.
...Damn. I should get a grip in a time like this......
The only thing that consoled him was the message that his father had sent this morning. The 'We're safe' probably included Natsume's father. If not for that communication, Natsume would probably have been even more disconcerted. Though it made him mad that he had just sent a text and then left them alone, he might have his own reasons for that.
...We can only wait.
He was extremely worried. But the main family residence had already burned down, and it wouldn't be any help no matter how fretful he was now. All he could do now was prepare himself and be patient as he watched the events unfold.
Finally, the first class ended. Natsume still hadn't come back.
"Touji, I'm going over to check on her."
"Got it, I'll go too."
After break between classes began, Harutora immediately rose and Touji along with Tenma who saw him followed behind him.
But there was someone who moved even faster than Harutora. It was Takiko.
"Hey! It's been a long time since that night, Harutora."
Takiko arrived as if she had been waiting for the break between classes - or more accurately, like she couldn't wait anymore - and approached Harutora's seat. "Takiko......" Harutora replied, confused. The attention of the students in the classroom all turned to the two of them.
Takiko was unconcerned about the surrounding responses.
"I'm really happy we could meet again. A lot of things happened after that. The Meguro incident gave me a scare. But I'm very happy to hear of your great performance, you really deserve your reputation."
She smiled as she spoke. Her cheerful expression didn't conceal any of her sincere goodwill towards Harutora, making Touji and Tenma behind her inadvertently trade glances.
Her forward attitude made Harutora flinch a bit. But when she came to talk so straightforwardly with a smile, he couldn't carelessly refuse her with an 'I'm busy right now'.
"A-Ah...... Really."
He just vaguely replied.
"......Though come to think of it, I didn't think we'd meet again. You don't seem to be a student here...... Who exactly are you?"
"Eh? Come on, Didn't I say? I'm someone walking the path of Onmyoudou just like you."
Takiko happily repeated the words she had spoken before.
"Also, it wasn't a lie when I said 'student' before. Though it's true that I'm not enrolled here - in the Onmyou Academy - right now."
"Hah? How is that?"
"Well...... that's still a secret."
Takiko, raising her head to look up at Harutora, smiled deliberately.
With her white uniform contrasting with her red hair, Takiko's beautiful smile greeted his eyes. Harutora inadvertently smiled wryly, as if he had been driven to by this naive and innocent smile.
An enigmatic girl. Though her origins were unknown...... He really couldn't hate her. She was probably pretty compatible with his personality in some fundamental area.
Just then,
"Harutora."
Touji behind him urged him with a slightly sharp tone. "Ah." Harutora turned around.
"She's Souma Takiko, who I mentioned before. ......Takiko, these two are Ato Touji and Momoe Tenma. The two of them are Natsume's and my friends."
Takiko immediately smiled at the two of them after Harutora introduced them.
"Ato Touji-kun and Momoe Tenma-kun. Nice to meet you. Can I call you two Touji and Tenma? You can just call me Takiko."
"......Well, that's fine. I heard about you from Harutora and Natsume. In full 'detail'."
"Eh? About the talk that night? That's troublesome. Those were things I wasn't originally supposed to tell anyone. I hope you can keep that as much of a secret as possible."
Takiko seemed a bit unhappy, but the cheerful smile on her face still didn't disappear.
Touji's sharp eyes were constantly watching Takiko during that time. Though the provocative attitude that his gaze and words were steeped in was just like Touji's style, Harutora felt that those actions were a bit unlike his character.
But Takiko seemed to not notice Touji's attitude at all. She probably didn't consider in the first place that Touji - rather, that Harutora's friend - would take such an attitude towards her.
She met the gaze of Tenma by their side, greeting him straightforwardly with a "Please look after me". Tenma, who was never lacking in politeness, was also a bit flustered at Takiko's use of a familiar expression.
"I'm really happy to meet everyone. It's like a dream that I can come to everyone's classroom like this."
"A dream?"
"Because I was always studying magic alone before this. I'd be really happy to get along with Touji and Tenma as friends."
Takiko got embarrassed at her own words.
She sincerely spoke what she was thinking without reservation. In some sense, she was even more mature than a contemporary girl. But the actions she occasionally displayed still seemed childish. That unfathomable impression was exactly the same as when they had met before.
"Ah, right. There are two others too."
Takiko suddenly turned around.
"Actually, it was Chief Kurahashi's daughter who brought me to this classroom. She's also very close with Harutora and you all, right?"
Takiko spoke while searching for Kyouko's figure. "Uh, wait." Harutora hastily stopped her. Takiko was taken aback.
"Well...... Takiko. Harutora and Kyouko are still fighting right now. So."
Tenma simply explained on behalf of the embarrassed Harutora. "Ho." Takiko immediately understood, and then looked apologetically at Harutora.
"Sorry, I didn't know. But it would be best if you made up quickly."
"I know. There are a lot of reasons......"
Takiko was still plainspoken, even looking at Harutora after his face tensed up.
"It's no problem. Though I don't know what the reason is, you can definitely resolve it if you properly talk to each other."
She gazed straight into Harutora's eyes, cheering him on as if it were natural.
Inexplicably, he didn't even think about rebuking her for being an outsider who didn't know about it. Probably because of her sincerity, she didn't feel artificial or malicious.
She was mysterious and her identity was unclear. She took on a familiar attitude, but she was tight-lipped about the important questions.
But in any case, a deep-rooted honesty could be felt from Takiko's attitude towards Harutora and Natsume. It had been that way since the first time they met.
...This girl really is......
Very similar. To his former close friend Hokuto. They were completely different, but they felt very similar.
"......Well."
"Hmm?"
"Takiko, you're really a strange person."
"Eh? What's that supposed to mean, that's too much."
This time, Takiko seemed to truly be shocked, and her eyes widened.
Just then, the classroom door opened. It was Natsume. It seemed that the investigation had finally finished.
Natsume gaped slightly upon seeing Harutora and the others with Takiko. On the other hand, Takiko became even happier upon seeing Natsume.
"Natsume!"
She raised her hand to greet Natsume. Harutora shrugged his shoulder with a difficult expression upon seeing his childhood friend's hesitant appearance.
Natsume helplessly walked next to Harutora and the others. "It's been a while." Natsume faced the happily smiling Takiko and cautiously responded with a "Yeah."
Harutora leaned towards Natsume.
"How was it?"
He quietly whispered. Natsume shook her head, looking gloomy.
"......There's no new information. Instead, they asked me if I knew anything."
"The police and the Onmyou Agency don't know the reason for the fire or anything about your father?"
"Pretty much. The principal wasn't there either, so it looks like the principal might be clueless too......"
The voice Natsume replied in was steeped in exhaustion, and she couldn't hide her depressed feelings.
At the same time,
"Fire?"
Takiko mumbled in surprise.
"A fire - could you be talking about Natsume's - the Tsuchimikado main family?"
"What, you didn't know? It was broadcast on the news this morning."
Touji spoke, still maintaining his probing expression. It seemed that Takiko truly didn't know about this, and her appearance as she stood frozen surprised Harutora and the others.
The sound of the bell announcing the start of classes rang out in that moment.
She said she would come back soon, but Takiko still hadn't returned to the classroom when lunchtime began.
Harutora and the others headed to the cafeteria like always to eat lunch. Tenma, who usually brought his own bento, was coming to the cafeteria with Harutora and the others today, and they had met up with the first-year Suzuka somewhere too.
Suzuka seemed to have no interest in Takiko's sudden emergence.
"In the end, you still don't know who she is? What are you guys even doing?"
At the same time as she insulted them, she rudely cast them a scornful look. They were very curious about that girl but hadn't heard any substantial information, so they indeed should have felt ashamed.
Once they saw Takiko, they would be pulled into her rhythm with no way to defy her.
"......Well, she's like a tomboy princess who disguised herself to go play around in the countryside. I can't describe it simply, but she's somewhat disconnected from the world."
Though those were Touji's personal feelings, that was indeed the right metaphor for it. Especially how she kept a distance from others. It felt understandable if he expressed it like the interaction between a 'princess' and 'commoners'.
"Maybe she's somehow the princess of some traditional magic family. In that case, it's understandable that she came to participate in the Onmyou Academy's studies. If she's very familiar with Tsuchimikados because of sympathy as another traditional family......"
"But she even knows about the altar on the academy building roof. That's hard to explain with the traditional family story."
"True."
Touji also agreed with Natsume's rebuttal.
Anyway, Takiko wouldn't harm Natsume or the others. Rather, she was taking the initiative to construct a friendly relationship. They indeed had misgivings about forcefully questioning that kind of person, but it was hard not to be interested.
...How vexing.
He felt like he could trust Takiko herself when he saw her, but her background was indeed very mysterious. When he recalled the time of the similarly enigmatic girl Hokuto, the best thing to do was to hold on to the attitude 'Takiko is Takiko' while interacting with her......
"Also......"
Suzuka surveyed Harutora's group, who were all thinking, and hmphed deliberately and disapprovingly.
"It's fine to be concerned about that Takiko, but before that, isn't there someone you need to be more concerned about? What are you doing about Kyouko?"
Suzuka revealed a bit of impatience, looking at Harutora angrily. Harutora was taken aback. Come to think of it, yesterday they had asked Suzuka to go find Kyouko but hadn't heard about the final outcome.
...Idiot. Right, I was so preoccupied before...... I'm really such a hothead......
Harutora didn't respond to Suzuka's reproachful gaze in any way. Tenma consoled Suzuka from the side.
"Harutora and Natsume, you've been suffering since the morning today. There's nothing you can do about having a lot of things crammed into your head."
"Hah? What do you mean about suffering since the morning?"
"Eh? You didn't know about the fire?"
"Fire?"
Suzuka raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know either?" Touji asked, stunned. Suzuka pretended to be an idol in her class just like always, and she wouldn't trade information with her classmates. She definitely wouldn't know of it if she hadn't seen the morning news.
Tenma briefly informed her of the fire business.
"What? That's big news!"
She stopped her eating motions, stunned.
"......Eh? Is that true? ......Natsume, are you alright?"
"......Thanks. My father is probably safe for the moment......"
Natsume's withdrawn expression was extremely weak. Not even Suzuka continued speaking, falling silent with a bitter face.
"Well, but, it's like Suzuka said. I have to properly talk with Kyouko again."
Harutora urged himself on again.
He glanced at Natsume and she also nodded approval. If he pushed this back using the current problem as an excuse, it would just make him regret in the end.
"......Come to think of it, the principal isn't here today. Then isn't Kyouko eating alone right now?"
Harutora unconsciously gasped upon hearing the question Touji pointed out. He had forgotten about the fact that Kyouko always ate lunch with the principal.
"Y-Yeah, well......"
Lunchtime was a great opportunity to talk. He couldn't help but feel deterred by the fact that he was about to go try resolving the problem, but running away would be no help.
"Natsume, I'm going to go look for Kyouko."
"Then, I'll......"
"No, sorry, let me go by myself first. Please."
There was the incident from his childhood and his promise to mediate with Natsume, many things that would be difficult to talk about. Kyouko would also feel more restrained if Natsume was there. Natsume showed an unconvinced reaction, but Harutora firmly left his seat alone.
But,
"Wait, Harutora-kun......"
Tenma noticed the figure approaching the table and quietly called for him to stop.
It was Takiko.
Harutora stopped and the others also looked over. Suzuka, who was seeing her for the first time, understood that this was the girl they had talked about just now - after all, her external appearance was so distinguishing. She didn't say anything, but she obviously showed a look as if she were evaluating her.
Harutora's movements faltered.
"A-Ah, Takiko. Are you here to eat too?"
But Takiko didn't respond to Harutora, walking towards the table with a brooding expression.
After she arrived next to them,
"......Natsume."
She opened her mouth seriously.
"Sorry for coming late. Let me first say that I want to hide as little as possible from you. So please let me honestly tell you what I know."
Unlike her expression before, Takiko spoke flatly to the confused Natsume, Harutora, and company.
"First, your father Yasuzumi is fine. Although his whereabouts are currently unknown, he's definitely safe. Also, the reason the residence caught fire - more accurately, the person who 'set the fire' - seems to be Yasuzumi. But he took this action to obstruct the Onmyou Agency. I didn't think things would become like this either. I'm not sure what to say...... I'm extremely sorry."
Starting with Natsume, Harutora's group was speechless as they faced this sudden confession. Suzuka's expression seemed like it was saying 'something's wrong with this person's brain'. Actually, Harutora was unable to understand what she said for a short time.
The only exception was Touji. His expression slightly tightened and he stared at Takiko with a watchful gaze.
"......Eh?"
He murmured that in a conflicted tone, then questioned Takiko as an empty smile emerged on his face.
"Natsume's father set fire to the residence to obstruct the Onmyou Agency - is that what you mean? That's quite a strange explanation and a roundabout way of putting it. What's the main point? The Onmyou Agency attacked the Tsuchimikado family. The fire this morning was the result, is that the main point?"
"Hey, hey, Touji?"
Harutora unconsciously called out, but Takiko's explanation could indeed be interpreted that way. Moreover, Takiko didn't deny Touji's blunt words.
"......I thought we were heading in a different direction. Originally, we didn't need to oppose the Tsuchimikados, but something went wrong. It's just that...... I don't really want to say this, but the current head Yasuzumi has abandoned the Tsuchimikado's responsibility. He didn't respond to our persuasion and acted on his own. If some dispute happened in some communication with him...... There would be no helping it."
"H-Hold on, Takiko. What have you been saying? I'm completely confused. The Onmyou Academy and the Tsuchimikado's responsibility - what exactly happened?"
Harutora asked loudly, unable to stay patient. Takiko seemed to want to explain immediately and was about to open her mouth.
But she swallowed the words she wanted to say back down.
Then, she suddenly looked over her shoulder, where no one was there.
"I know. Don't interrupt."
She said quietly.
...Eh?
The group all showed astonished expressions at Takiko's sudden action.
But Harutora was different.
...Just now!
Before Takiko had looked over her shoulder and spoken, a flicker of aura had appeared near her. It was just a tiny bit, but it had definitely appeared.
...That was...... a shikigami? And a defensive one?
He couldn't confirm it, since it had just been for a moment. But he couldn't help but feel a chill after 'seeing' it for a moment.
What? Harutora trembled slightly, goosebumps rising on his skin. On the other hand, Takiko met Natsume's gaze head-on as if she had made a decision.
With an extremely cordial tone, she said:
"Natsume. I don't have the right to disclose any more. Tsuchimikado Yakou and I have personal ties...... No, they're ties of 'lineage'. I was always interested in you because you were Tsuchimikado Yakou's reincarnation."
"......?"
Natsume breathed sharply, glancing at the others. All of their expressions were rigid.
"Takiko-san, are you a Yakou believer......?"
"No!"
Takiko almost shouted unconsciously upon hearing the question that Natsume struggled to ask.
"I'm not. I'm different from the Yakou believers you know of, Natsume. Really. Please...... you have to believe me."
Takiko seemed to want to cry. But Natsume couldn't keep up with Takiko's changing emotions, and of course Tenma, Suzuka, and Harutora were the same.
...This girl......?
She wasn't lying. Nor was she acting out of blind conviction. At the least he could confirm that point, though he couldn't find any reasons for it. Considering it calmly first, an ordinary person couldn't possibly know of the Yakou academy or the altar of the Taizan Fukun Ritual. She had professed that she and Yakou had ties, so he could finally understand those things - else, they couldn't be explained.
But what goal did she have for confessing like this? If she also knew of the Meguro incident, then of course she had heard of the clashes between Natsume and the Yakou fanatics. But from the looks of it, it seemed that Takiko wasn't provoking them or declaring war.
"......Takiko, what are your intentions?"
Harutora demanded. Takiko didn't resist as she agonized.
"......It's like I said in the morning, I hope to get along with everyone. Really...... that's all......"
Harutora didn't console Takiko upon seeing her dejected response. He just silently regretted his actions.
On the other hand, as everyone was silent, someone pressed questions on Takiko without paying the atmosphere around the table any heed.
"...Takiko. You're too selfish for one-sidedly wanting to make good relationships without explaining anything. Don't hide it anymore, just honestly tell us about yourself. What's up with your relationship with Yakou? This afternoon was the first time you heard about what happened to Natsume's home, right? Where did your information from just now come from? What kind of position are you in, and who's 'behind' you?"
Harutora felt overwhelmed as he saw his good friend's calm, composed actions. The interrogated Takiko silently lowered her head, biting her lip.
An ashamed, remorseful expression appeared under her red hair. Her speechless appearance was that of a child abandoned by her parents.
Then, Tenma interrupted the heavy atmosphere from the side.
"......Touji-kun. And Takiko-san. Though this is very important and we can't ignore it, there are a lot of people around watching us. Let's leave this for now."
Tenma planned on setting the issue aside for now. Touji glared at him from the side, as if criticizing him for lacking resolve. But Tenma didn't avert his gaze, silently facing Touji and shaking his head.
Coming to his senses, the surrounding students were indeed watching the dispute around him. Tenma's opinion was reasonable.
"Takiko-san, you still haven't eaten, right? Do you want to have lunch with us?"
Tenma invited Takiko without any pretense. Harutora admired his calm response. That responsibility had been taken up by Kyouko until now, but Tenma was reliably dealing with it since she currently wasn't around.
But, although Takiko was extremely happy after receiving Tenma's invitation,
"I can't."
She simply declined.
"Thanks, Tenma. But I'd feel too guilty if I ate with Natsume and you all right now. Just like Touji criticized me for, I indeed am hiding things, although I explained beforehand that I don't want to hide anything. But I still think that everyone will be able to understand me. I'm confident in that."
Takiko raised her head to look straight at Natsume.
"Sorry, Natsume. I've never had anyone I could talk closely with like you guys before this. So I'm definitely being unintentionally very rude...... But as someone walking the same road, as a true Onmyouji, I trust that we'll be able to understand each other someday. So I have a request."
"......Request?
Natsume replied tensely. Takiko gave a serious look and nodded affirmatively.
"I'm not good at expressing myself to others. My communication ability is very immature. But magic can convey things that can't be described in words. So, I want you and me to have a competition. Is that alright?"
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