Tokyo Ravens - Volume 9 - Chapter 2.4

Part 4 
"Anyway, it's already late. I'll have the bureau members drive you back, so please go back home for today." 
Kogure spoke to the Principal and the students who were left behind after Miyachi's departure. 
But, what should she do after going back? Kyouko wanted to shout loudly, but she didn't even have the energy left for it. She slumped in the chair she sat in again, unable to even muster the energy to rise. 
She would go back to her house, take a hot shower, and go to bed. She would turn off the lights, close her eyes, and not think of anything else. In that case, would she be able to sleep at a time like this? However, even if she slept for a while, reality still wouldn't have changed at all by the time she woke up. That would be true tomorrow and the day after. Forever. 
No matter how long she waited, Natsume wouldn't come back again. 
......Ah...... 
She shut her eyes and covered her ears, not wanting to admit the reality that invaded her through her skin, stealing away Kyouko's paths of escape. Anguish. Everything was so painful, even breathing, thinking, and feeling. Her mind was about to break down, but that might even be more liberating. 
"......Kyouko-chan? Are you alright?" 
Tenma couldn't keep watching and spoke up, looking quite bad himself. Of course, she couldn't possibly be alright, and even Tenma should understand that kind of thing. Even so, he couldn't help but voice the question. 
"......Thanks." 
Just as she managed to softly reply, a middle-aged man flew into the lounge. He was Fujiwara, a practical skills teacher of the Onmyou Academy. 
"Principal! Did Ohtomo-kun come here?" 
"Eh? What's going on?' 
The principal was astonished, and Kogure instantly became alert when he heard Ohtomo's name. Then, the two of them left Kyouko and the others' side, quickly approaching Fujiwara. 
...What? 
After moving to the corner of the lounge, they started talking busily in voices that kept them from hearing. He didn't know what exactly had happened, but the adults' expressions were extremely serious. 
Just then-- 
"......Hey, we have things to talk about here, so listen." 
Touji spoke in a quiet yet sharp tone as the secret talk of the adults floated by from the distance. Tenma and Suzuka turned around in confusion, and Kyouko also looked up. 
"After this, I'm going to break into the Onmyou Agency." 
A moment of silence. 
Before the three of them thought of what to say, Touji forcefully advanced the topic. "Listen up--" 
Touji spoke about the last few days - he summarized the incidents that happened right after the Onmyou Academy had reopened. There wasn't much time, so he spoke very quickly, but the information were coherent. Most of that information was for Kyouko, who had been separated from them after the Onmyou Agency reopened. 
About the fire at the Tsuchimikado main family residence and regarding Souma Takiko. According to her, the main family fire had been the work of the Onmyou Agency. Touji asserted that her words were very reliable since she had appeared with the Raven's Wing. Also, regarding Harutora's instability. According to him, there had already been clues before he was possessed by the Raven's Wing. Moreover, he had lost control during the day today and had been stopped by the 'one-armed oni'. At that time, the oni had left some words regarding the Raven's Wing and Saotome Suzu before departing. It seemed that in addition to Kyouko, Tenma and Suzuka hadn't know about that incident either, and their eyes widened in shock. 
"Harutora lost control when he noticed the practitioners monitoring the dorm and tracked them down. As a result, though they escaped, it's pretty clear that those practitioners were watchers from the Onmyou Agency based on the situation." 
"......Wh-What's going on?" 
"In other words, the Onmyou Agency started 'preparing to resurrect Yakou' from the very start. That's why they're monitoring Harutora and the others and why they attacked the main family to steal the Raven's Wing. Takiko said herself that Harutora was from the main family, not Natsume...... Maybe it's as she says. There's a possibility that the Tsuchimikado family noticed the Onmyou Agency's intentions - or saw through them. Hence, they entrusted Harutora, 'Yakou's reincarnation', to the branch family and let him grow up as a branch family member. On the other hand, they had Natsume pose as a male and falsified her as a main family member. So that the Onmyou Agency would look towards Natsume instead of Harutora." 
"How could that be......" 
Tenma's lips trembled. He shook his head, as if he didn't want to believe rather than he couldn't believe. Kyouko had the same feelings. 
But Touji's words were reasonable. 
Actually, the Raven's Wing had possessed Harutora and not Natsume. 
...Harutora was...... Tsuchimikado Yakou's...... 
Moreover, the Onmyou Agency was trying to resurrect Yakou. That assertion was hard to believe in a short period of time. After all, the Onmyou Agency's leader was Kurahashi Genji - Kyouko's father. Though they didn't have the solid familial relationship of an ordinary family, even Kyouko held her father dear. 
......However. 
Kyouko had also noticed somewhat. Recently the relationship between her grandmother and father had been strained. Especially her grandmother's attitude. Moreover...... on the other hand, her father attitude to her grandmother had already become extremely distant since a long time ago. Her grandmother and Kyouko might have vanished from her father's eyes a long time ago. 
Then, Touji spoke of another thing, the incident after Harutora had escaped from the exorcists. 
"I didn't talk about this incident in the interrogation just now--" 
He looked at Suzuka after starting off with that. Suzuka also nodded her head. It seemed that the two of them had hidden the information. 
Regarding Takiko's shikigami called Yashamaru. 
And that his true identity was the resurrection of Dairenji Shidou, Suzuka's father. 
Kyouko - and probably Tenma too - almost couldn't keep up. They didn't get it. But Suzuka's expression convinced them of the matter. 
The instant she heard that, Kyouko couldn't help but twitch. 
...Natsume-chan......!? 
They might be able to resurrect Natsume? 
"Don't be ridiculous." 
It was Suzuka who spat this. 
"Because reviving the dead with the Taizan Fukun Ritual requires a cost...... W-What meaning is there for Bakatora to die in place of Natsume!?" 
"......Judging by his tone, it seems like there was another choice." 
"How can we trust what that guy says!?" 
Loathing clearly emerged in Suzuka's eyes - along with terror. 
Dairenji Shidou had once been the leader of the Twin-Horned Syndicate and the mastermind behind the spiritual disaster terrorist attack two years ago. Like Suzuka said, they couldn't trust such a person. 
But. 
Even so...... 
...The Taizan Fukun Ritual...... 
A swirl of information and uncontrollable emotions. Kyouko felt overwhelmed by the many choices placed in front of her. She was mentally and physically exhausted and had lost her ability to think. She became dizzy from just letting her guard down. She was buckling from tension and pressure. 
The world wobbled. 
"Anyway, that's the situation. In short, I believe we can view the Onmyou Agency as the 'enemy's lair'. We can't leave Harutora in that kind of place alone." 
"......So you're going to break into the Onmyou Agency and bring that idiot back?' 
"Yeah." 
"Has the idiot infected you?" 
"Maybe." 
"How can you do that......!" 
"............" 
Touji smiled with a joking attitude at the desperately protesting Suzuka. 
He didn't make the slightest excuse, because Touji himself fully realized that he was being foolish and overconfident. Because Touji had unilaterally announced 'I' since the start. 'After this, I'm going to break into the Onmyou Agency'. 
As if those were his last words. 
"Touji-kun." 
Tenma spoke with a bitter expression. 
"I understand your feelings, but just like Suzuka-chan says, that's too foolish. Touji-kun, you understand yourself, that's why you didn't invite us, right? Even if you break into the Onmyou Agency, you aren't even sure where Harutora-kun is. And there are definitely people keeping watch. It will definitely be difficult to meet. 
"True." 
"Then you can't do that. Forcing yourself when you know you'll fail is just 'fleeing'." 
Touji reflexively glared at Tenma. But Tenma didn't look away. He endured Touji's anger head-on, grabbing his arm instead. 
"Why don't you privately let Kogure-san hear your words from just now or consult the principal? Even Fujiwara-sensei would be okay. In any case, there are other possible paths even if you just explore a little bit. Even taking a long road is better than this kind of rash method..." 
Suddenly, the strength drained from Touji's body. 
Touji said with an anguished expression: 
"......Sorry, Tenma. But that Yashamaru said so. He said that Natsume died without any preparations at all. Even if we can revive her with the Taizan Fukun Ritual, there's not much time left." 
Tenma's face twisted and Kyouko finally understood the meaning of Touji's uncharacteristic recklessness. 
There wasn't any time left for Harutora. This was the time to 'decide'. 
"As you say, there's probably no chance. But even so, I have to act now. There's only tonight. Yashamaru withdrew to give me time to think. Then, the 'time to think' that they gave might become an 'opening'. Right now, I'm betting on this time." 
Touji spoke sincerely. Every word reached Kyouko's heart. 
"I don't know what Harutora will choose. To be honest, it feels like he'll choose to resurrect Natsume by sacrificing himself. Then there's no helping it. I think that's alright. But before that, before Harutora decides, I want to see him again no matter what. I want to witness that guy's decision." 
"......Touji-kun......" 
Tenma powerlessly released Touji's arm that he was grabbing on to after hearing those quite words. 
Touji deliberately mimicked his usual style, grinning callously and without a care. 
"The only thing I can say is that I definitely won't choose to return to the dorm and sleep until tomorrow. So I'll act, even if it's reckless...... I still have to act." 
...!? 
The moment she heard that, hard-to-describe emotions poured forth as if the dam had broken. 
What she had thought. Returning to her home, taking a hot shower, going to bed. Turning off the lights, closing her eyes, and not thinking about anything else. Then sleeping for a time...... welcoming the 'tomorrow' without Natsume or Harutora. 
She couldn't do it. 
It wasn't just Touji. She couldn't do it either. 
Then, there was no choice, right? 
"I'll go too." 
Tenma and Suzuka, and even Touji, looked at Kyouko in surprise. 
"I'll...... go too." 
She looked at the three through her tear-stained vision. 
Touji's expression changed, and he lightly nodded with a serious attitude. Tenma bit his lip, and Suzuka clicked her tongue loudly. 
"......You're so idiotic......" 
After saying that, Suzuka stared into space. Not long afterwards, she shook her head strongly, cursing meaninglessly a few times. 
Then, she said with a straight face: 
"......What's the plan?" 
"Suzuka." 
Sorry, Touji said with a fervent voice. 
He quickly checked the principal and the others. 
"It will be suspicious if we disappear now. Let's first get sent to our houses and then reconvene at the Onmyou Agency." 
"......Alright, is that okay with you too, Kyouko?" 
She nodded. Then, Kyouko shot Tenma a look. 
Tenma was still deep in thought with a solemn expression. Perhaps Tenma was the only 'normal' one present. He desperately racked his brains, trying to save his friends from their stupid actions. 

But-- 
"............" 
In the end, he closed his eyes and hung his head. This was the moment everyone made their decision. Perhaps it was a step towards destruction. Indeed, they couldn't know what was waiting ahead of them. Kyouko and the others would be stepping into deep darkness from now on. 
Just then. 
...Eh? 
Her vision suddenly shook. It was the feeling she had experienced before at the start. It suddenly became a huge wave that engulfed Kyouko. It engulfed and battered her - pressing down on her. 
The world spun. She became detached from reality. 
Then, she saw it. There was a faint light around the motionless Tenma across from her. 
......Eh? 
It was only for a moment. When she came to her senses, the three of them were in the same flow of time as they had been in before. They hadn't noticed Kyouko's abnormality. 
"......What about you, Glasses? What are you going to do?" 
Suzuka asked brusquely. Tenma didn't reply immediately, his head lowered. 
But after some time. 
"......Yeah." 
He nodded. 
...What? ......What? Just now? 
Goosebumps rose over her whole body. Kyouko couldn't help but wrap her arms around herself. The 'abnormality' inside her body was extremely scary. 
"...! Headband." 
"Yeah." 
Suzuka quietly warned him and Touji replied silently. The adults had finished their discussion and were coming back. They also had profound expressions. It seemed like everything was out of control and everyone was afflicted by anxiety. 
We....... 
What will happen in the future? 
The future was right before her, but she couldn't even see the dawn. The long night continued without end. 
Amidst this, the light she had seen just now, the momentary faint light, was still deeply imprinted in her mind. That dim light tried to illuminate Kyouko's path. 
This far is enough. Saying this, Tenma got off the car the bureau member drove. 
Tenma's home was in a complicated district located between old roads and thin, narrow alleys. Hence, it was difficult for cars to enter if they weren't residents. After watching the car that had sent him home leave, Tenma walked into a dark alley. 
So many things had happened that his mind was half-paralyzed. While feeling as if he were half-asleep, Tenma walked towards his home with unstable steps. 
After this, he would first return home and then bring all of his charms to the Onmyou Agency. He almost didn't have enough time. However, it didn't feel real. The sense of reality from when he had been together with everyone dissipated and scattered everywhere. 
He was probably standing at a fork right now. He was standing in front of a giant choice that would completely change his life. 
He understood this, but his feelings couldn't keep up at all. This was a 'terrible' situation. Or rather, this was unexpectedly the moment of a so-called life changing decision. 
...No...... 
That was wrong. If he thought carefully, he had always lived while being pushed by those around him. This was the same. There was no change at all. 
Tenma had relied on everyone around him to get through the early deaths of his parents. Since then, that had become the 'trend' for his way of life. From the looks of it, it seemed that he had ended up choosing that way of living. 
But there was no happiness or regret. 
Perhaps he wouldn't regret this 'choice' either. That was all he had confidence in. Even if he lived by being pushed around by those around him, he truly chose his 'direction'. In his own way. 
"......That's right. Definitely." 
The moment he said that, the scattered sense of reality returned. 
Invading the Onmyou Agency and bringing Harutora back. A bold attempt that scared even himself. 
But this time, Tenma would firmly grit his teeth and do it for real. To be honest, he didn't know how it would turn out. Though he didn't know, he would do it. It was very unexpected, but Tenma frankly accepted his determination. Maybe he would be tortured or regret it so much that he would want to die....... Even so, he wouldn't look back. Despite his regret, he wouldn't look back. 
Therefore, advance. 
"......Yeah." 
He slightly sped up his pace. He quickly returned home, in order to return to everyone's side. 
He saw his home around the corner. Pain flashed through his heart. 
The lights were on. 
His grandfather and grandmother still hadn't slept. His quick steps became rooted to the ground. 
...Grandfather...... Grandmother...... 
Perhaps the Exorcist Bureau that had interrogated him had contacted his relatives. They might be worried and waiting for him. Incredibly apologetic feelings spilled forth in his heart. But he had to betray those apologetic feelings and return to everyone's side. Even if he betrayed the tenderness of two people. 
"............" 
He made his decision and began walking again. 
Just then. 
"You're too slow." 
He felt as if his heart stopped. 
He looked in the direction the voice came from. In front of Tenma's home crouched a small figure on a patch of ground surrounded by hedges. She stood up while muttering after seeing that Tenma had noticed her. Even when she stood, she was far shorter than Tenma. 
Shadows were cast around the hedges because the lights were on at his home. Emotionless eyes calmly stared at Tenma from those shadows. As his eyes adjusted, he identified a human face. A recognized and unexpected face. 
"......Y-You're from that time......!?" 
The girl they had encountered while Ohtomo had been hospitalized and they had gone to visit him. 'That' senpai that Harutora would occasionally mention. He remembered that she was called - Suzu. 
"Good evening, Glasses-kun." 
"G-Good evening...... Eeeh!? Wh-What are you doing here?" 
"Are you an idiot?" 
"Hah?" 
"Can't you see?" 
"W-Well...... I don't understand." 
"I was waiting for you." 
"Eh? Waiting for me? Why...... A-And why do you know where my home is......" 
"I'm super-smart, so there's nothing I don't know." 
The girl was expressionless throughout, speaking dully and seemingly taking it for granted. He wasn't sure what the situation was at all. It was as if he were being tricked by a fox. 
In the first place, he had only seen her on the road and hadn't even said a word to her. He had just watched her talk with Harutora from a distance. He basically hadn't met her in person. Even she had only called him 'Glasses'. 
But why? 
The girl sighed at the speechless, frozen Tenma. 
"Unreliable." 
"E-Even if you say that......" 
"Then, what are you preparing to do?" 
"EH? 
"Are you going to break into the Onmyou Agency?" 
He was stunned. Tenma stared so hard his eyes almost popped out. 
"......Wh-Why......" 
"Ah, as expected. Ato Touji seemed like he wouldn't be able to sit still, and Kurahashi Kyouko was the same." 
"......No......" 
"Dairenji Suzuka was a bit unexpected. I guess she has the courage to oppose her father." 
"Wha!?" 
He couldn't even finish the word. 
...Why!? Why did this person--!? 
Why did she even know about those things? The choices that they had just decided and the information that they had shared only with each other. She couldn't possibly know. Definitely not. However....... 
What kind of god was this girl? 
As if reading Tenma's mind, "I'm super smart, so there's nothing I don't know." The girl indifferently stated. 
Then-- 
"Let the super-smart me tell you. It won't work. If this goes on, you'll obviously fail." 
"............" 
They couldn't win. 
He didn't know who this girl was or what she planned to do, but indeed, she was an opponent that he couldn't beat at his best. There was no meaning in pretending to resist. It would just be wasting time. 
That was why he could only ask this. 
"......What are you telling me to do?" 
An almost rude question. 
But the girl nodded in praise with a surprised look. "Oh my, very good question." 
Then, she slowly said. 
"My name is Saotome Suzu." 
"...!" 
He instantly comprehended. Instinctively, not rationally. The moment he heard her name, the girl who had been shrouded in mystery up until now-- 
...I see. 
He thought. 
Saotome Suzu. The researcher of the Raven's Wing. Ohtomo's former classmate. Though he really couldn't see that she was the same age as Ohtomo and Kogure, he didn't feel that it was inexplicable. Rather, it was convincing. 
After all, she was the person Ohtomo had evaluated as 'hard to deal with'. 
Moreover, she was the person that Touji said the 'one-armed oni' had brought up. 
Ask her for help if there's an emergency - he had said that. 
His expression seemed to have changed while he wasn't paying attention. The girl - Saotome Suzu - said "good" after seeing Tenma's face and nodded. 
Then-- 
"Listen. Ato Touji, Kurahashi Kyouko, and Dairenji Suzuka. Those three have already been marked. That's natural. A living spirit like Ato touji, the daughter of the Kurahashi family famed in the magic community, and the 'Child Prodigy' of the Twelve Divine Generals. If those 'significant' three people are around Tsuchimikado Natsume and Tsuchimikado Harutora, they couldn't possibly escape people's eyes. Those three can't overturn the entire situation at this point. Ohtomo Jin, the Tsuchimikado family, and I are all the same too. Even I'm being marked." 
"Therefore," Saotome expressionlessly continued speaking. She didn't express any feelings - but she wove words formed from a strong will. 
"Therefore - Momoe Tenma. You're the key. I can almost do nothing more, and this is probably the last I can do. I...... am 'betting' on you."