Tokyo Ravens - Volume 9 - Chapter 3.5

Part 5 
"...They've come." 
After looking out the window of the executive office, Kurahashi picked up the handset and spoke blandly. 
In the blink of an eye, a group of shikigami he had previously encountered had climbed up to the highest floor. They had been wiped out in seconds. A blazing flame had casually covered the other side of the window, a glowing wall of flame. A scene lacking reality, as if the outside world had been incinerated. 
...What. What was that just now? 
Was it magic......? Harutora had used Five Elements Mutual Generation with a Phase Three before and controlled a powerful fire magic. Harutora's magic had defeated the shikigami Shaver. But how many times greater than the magical energy Harutora had controlled at the time was the magic covering the entire exterior of the window right now? To be honest, he couldn't even imagine. 
Then - Harutora turned his gaze from the window to Kurahashi and the others. 
They faced powerful magic and such rapid developments, but Kurahashi and Yashamaru didn't seem unsettled at all. Even Kumomaru's expression had stiffened. 
"That's all to your report? Understood. Continue watching." 
After briefly acknowledging the phone call that had rung before the shikigami attacked, Kurahashi returned the handset back to its original position in a businesslike manner. 
He turned his head towards Yashamaru, speaking without any concern of Harutora's presence: 
"Miyachi is holding Domahoshi back at the agency building main entrance. Yuge has gone to deal with the shikigami that invaded the agency building. And Kagami. He has confirmed contact with 'Shadow' and has entered battle." 
"Hmph, then rather than saying the Priest is here purely for revenge......" 
"We should view him as being on 'Shadow's' side. To be honest, it's very unexpected." 
Kurahashi coldly conveyed the circumstances with a no-nonsense tone. Harutora's eyes widened and he went speechless upon hearing this. 
...'Shadow'? He remembered that that was......! 
That had been Ohtomo's nickname when he had been a Mystical Investigator. Moreover, as he thought, the group of shikigami from just now had been Doman's shikigami. 
But. 
...Sensei's here? And Doman's on Sensei's side......!? 
That meant that the attack was a 'combined effort' of Ohtomo and Doman? How could there be such an absurd thing? Because the two of them should have formed a hostile relationship when they fought to the death in the Onmyou Agency last month. How could the two of them have joined hands to attack the Onmyou Agency? 
But in contrast to the stunned Harutora, Kurahashi was calm throughout. 
"Yashamaru. Domahoshi was outside our expectations. For now, Miyachi is unavailable. Maybe I should have you go out." 
"Okay. If 'those three' come, then Kumomaru and I will go engage them. But - you know, there hasn't been a single sign at all yet, so it feels like they won't be coming anymore. At least not tonight." 
"I hope not. Anyway, exorcist teams will be moving from the Exorcist Bureau headquarters soon. After that it's just a matter of time." 
Grasping the situation and emotionlessly responding without hesitation. An 'unshakability' only possessed by someone who anticipated every situation and who was as steady as a rock. Moreover, his courage was reinforced by the various experiences and the 'self-confidence' they had formed, while also proving the 'dignity' of his self-confidence. 
"......Chief, I......" 
"Hmm? Ahh, right. Though only the agency building is involved in the commotion, why don't you go to the princess just in case." 
Yashamaru readily approved Kumomaru's request. They were so calm and resourceful. 
After Kumomaru obtained permission, he immediately dematerialized and vanished. Though this meant there was one less person - he didn't feel that the situation had become any better. Rather, that just made him feel how 'insufficient he was and how large the disparity between the two sides was. 
"We've changed the topic." 
Kurahashi returned his gaze to Harutora, speaking as if nothing had happened at all. 
"It seems like you already know who 'Shadow' is. Then, you should be able to imagine why he appeared now." 
It was as Kurahashi said. Though he was surprised that Ohtomo had appeared together with Doman, he could imagine the reason he had come. It was none other than Harutora himself. 
Ohtomo had learned about Takiko from Harutora and the others this evening - rather, it already counted as yesterday by now. He probably held suspicions that the Onmyou Agency had orchestrated the fire at the Tsuchimikado main family's residence. 
More importantly, he had already heard of Natsume's death. At the same time, the probability that Harutora was Yakou's reincarnation was very high. If he knew that Harutora had been taken away by the Onmyou Agency, it wouldn't be unthinkable for him to act to free him. Though Ohtomo was easygoing and liked acting leisurely, he was a man who had risked himself to protect the students against Doman. 
But he wouldn't have thought Ohtomo would take things this far. 
...No, wait. That was wrong. That wasn't it. 
Had he still not understood after seeing Kurahashi and the others? Even this wasn't enough. With the Onmyou Agency as an opponent, this was a matter of course. 
"Let me first say that it's not just your homeroom teacher who wants to take you back." 
"Wh-What?" 
"It was reported that they've vanished. They laid a trap, as was expected. It seems that your 'friends' will soon be here." 
"What." 
...Why? 
Harutora's expression twisted and he clenched his fists. The expresssion he glared at Kurahashi almost spat fire, but the Onmyou Agency Chief didn't concern himself over a boy's gaze. 
"They really care for their friends." 
His demeanor had no sarcasm or any praise as he evaluated them with a voice devoid of emotion. 
...Those guys......! 
Several emotions that didn't become words pressed down on Harutora's heart. Though he was happy, anxiety and terror were far above that. The agency building was turning into a battlefield right now. Moreover, there was an 'enemy'. His companions were preparing to enter a battlefield completely dominated by a powerful enemy and were unaware that they had been noticed. 
First, the fact that 'it was reported' this late at night proved that Kurahashi and the others had to still be paying attention to the students' movements. Indeed, Yashamaru had said that he had interest in Touji, and Suzuka was one of the Twelve Divine Generals. They were indeed powerful - but even so, they were insignificant factors on this battlefield. To Kurahashi and the others, they were opponents that could be dealt with however they wished. 
However, they didn't spare any effort. They made sure not to miss anything. That meant that the male dorm that Harutora and the others had been in today had also been monitored. But it was unclear whether only he and the others had been monitored. And when exactly had it started? How long had he and the others been under Kurahashi's surveillance? 
Harutora and the others had already lost before the battle. They had lost to their opponent’s extensive planning and preparations before the battle even started. 
...And...... also...... 
Harutora's gaze inadvertently fell to his feet. 
His friends' feelings made him happy. 
But-- 
"I think you understand as well, but let me put it straight. Your teacher and friends won't agree with you using forbidden magic to resurrect Tsuchimikado Natsume." 
Kurahashi spoke first. Harutora couldn't refute him. 
Yashamaru nodded pretentiously and said: 
"Harutora-kun, if you want to awaken Tsuchimikado Natsume - only we who do not fear taboos can help you." 
He didn't want to admit it, but he was right. To resurrect Natsume. Harutora's heart was already firmly set on that. Even if it was taboo, even if he traded his own life, he would resurrect Natsume. 
Then, his only realistic option were the two before him now. The answer was clear already. 
"Tsuchimikado Harutora." 
Kurahashi pronounced heavily. Harutora raised his head, staring straight into his eyes. 
"I must admit that there are some misunderstandings left between us, and that we lack understanding. I will give up on simple guarantees like being able to resolve those in the future. Because no one knows what will happen in the future." 
Unexpected words. The way he spoke as if he were releasing Harutora was unexpected, and the final words were outside of his predictions. Even Kurahashi who understood and controlled everything admitted that he 'didn't know what would happen in the future' to someone immature like Harutora. 
Those words probably held something other than seriousness. But at the same time, they also expressed his sincerity. 
But - Kurahashi continued speaking. 
"Though we cannot see the future, we have to walk forward through the darkness. Though we do not know the correct answer, we must continue making choices at all times. If you hold ambitions - 'deviant' desires like awakening the dead - then it is even more so." 
Then, Kurahashi faced Harutora and finally quietly declared, "Please choose." 
Harutora's eyes widened and he made his decision. 
He still felt a sense of contradiction. He was hesitant. 
But the information about Ohtomo and his friends tightly bound Harutora. 
Because he wouldn't be able to undo things if he made something happen to his friends. If he lost someone like Natsume again...... The current Harutora couldn't accept that terror or that possibility. If he hesitated like this, that tragedy might repeat itself. 
"......I understand." 
Harutora replied with this. 
Kurahashi nodded and a slight smile emerged on Yashamaru's lips. 
However. 
"...Please wait." 
A young, stern voice interrupted Harutora's resolution. 
"Kon!?" 
Suddenly, a girl appeared before him. 
She kneeled on the ground, bowing towards Harutora. Two triangular ears and a leaf-shaped tail. A young girl wearing a suikan and hakama. Harutora's defensive shikigami Kon, whom he should have instructed to wait until later. 
"Y-You, on your own......!?" 
Of course, Kurahashi and the others probably had investigated Harutora's defensive shikigami Kon long ago. Also, though she hid her presence, it was impossible for her to become a trump card to overturn the situation. Moreover, it had already stopped being a problem that could be solved by 'fighting power'. 
No, that was why Kon had violated orders and appeared. She had appeared to convince Harutora, prepared to allow the enemies to strengthen their guard. 
She spoke with her head still lowered: 
"H-H-Harutora-sama. Please excuse my directness. These people cannot be trusted, that is clear. Please reconsider. No, you must reconsider." 
"Kon......" 
Harutora lost his momentum due to his shikigami's incredibly unexpected words. On the other hand, Kurahashi frowned and a mocking, ice-cold smile emerged on Yashamaru's face at this unanticipated intruder. It seemed that they hadn't anticipated that the defensive shikigami would admonish her master here. 
In contrast, Kon completely ignored the reactions of Kurahashi and Yashamaru. She even turned her unguarded back to them, bowing her head to her master. 

"......Kon." 
Harutora's mouth twisted bitterly. 
Then, he said resignedly: 
"Aah, that's true. I can't trust these people. I never trusted them, and of course they know that. I understand. But there's no other way right now. We have to put our feelings aside for now and use each other." 
It was the first time he felt so intensely impatient at his selfless, faithful shikigami. 
She had understood that Harutora wanted her to wait and had watched everything from the side. Even Kon should have understood this kind of thing, he believed. 
But. 
"No." 
Kon didn't back down. Her voice was uncharacteristically filled with firm conviction. 
"I-I apologize for being direct. I-It is Harutora-sama who does not understand. Harutora-sama during the day would have understood without thinking, but the current Harutora-sama doesn't understand. If you 'cannot trust' them, do not think that you can compromise in other ways. You should not give it up for convenience and approach them so easily." 
"Kon. That's already enough, so quiet--" 
"N-No. P-Please listen to me. Harutora-sama. Isn't it obvious when you observe the people around them? What have these people done to those they were close to and who fought together with them? Please consider. Has a happy smile emerged on a single one of these people's 'comrades'?" 
Then-- 
Kon raised her head. 
Kon's blue eyes. Eyes as beautiful as glass and as deep as the sky stared through Harutora. 
"Harutora-sama. You will not be smiling in the place that you are trying to go. Moreover, Natsume-dono will absolutely not have a smile either even if resurrected. Please remember, Harutora-sama. Natsume-dono died with a smile. Harutora-sama, are you prepared to taint that smile?" 
"You......!?" 
Harutora was extremely agitated. Even he didn't know why he was this intensely angry. In comparison, Kon's eyes pointed straight at Harutora, clear and spotless. 
He suddenly remembered. He had seen similar eyes to hers in his childhood. Eyes reflecting the sky and the universe like the surface of a lake. Those eyes contained a tenacity and toughness still unknown to Harutora. 
On the other hand. 
"............" 
Yashamaru had dropped his expression at one point and silently prepared to step forward. But Kurahashi, who was constantly watching Harutora and the others, raised his right hand to stop him. Kurahashi waited for Harutora's decision. Though Yashamaru frowned, he gave Kurahashi the final decision. 
"Then what do you want me to do!?" Harutora shouted loudly, not noticing the reactions of the adults. 
"Are you trying to say it's fine because she died smiling!? Don't be ridiculous! I'll resurrect Natsume no matter what!" 
He shouted desperately. He was almost raging. It was because in some sense, Harutora was admitting his own mistakes. Because he understood that Kon's words were correct, all he could do was snap back. 
Kon spoke resolutely as she replied to him. 
Like a katana on which the finishing touches had just been performed cutting an intricately-knotted rope in two. 
"Then, Harutora-sama, you should complete it yourself without entrusting it to others." 
Harutora's anger froze over. 
Kurahashi was dumbstruck and Yashamaru unintentionally clicked his tongue. 
Maybe they were being careless. But no one present had such thoughts. 
Kon continued speaking with a completely unshaken demeanor. 
"It is none other than Harutora-sama, Tsuchimikado Yakou's reincarnation, who is the authority on soul magic. Moreover, it was that Tsuchimikado Yakou who completed the Taizan Fukun Ritual that exists today. If Harutora-sama is Tsuchimikado Yakou, then there is no reason you cannot use the Taizan Fukun Ritual." 
"Th-That - I can't, you know!? My memories of my previous life haven't awakened. My knowledge and abilities haven't changed. H-How would I be able to use the Taizan Fukun Ritual--" 
"Harutora-sama, please don't say such unpromising things. You just stated that you would resurrect her no matter what." 
"...!" 
Harutora didn't have a reply. 
Needless to say, it was a low probability in the realm of impossible. A tiny possibility that he would have to complete several tasks for. It was understandable that it wasn't worth any detailed consideration from Harutora, Kurahashi, or Yashamaru. 
But it wasn't zero. There was indeed the possibility. 
Then, the defensive familiar mercilessly continued towards her weak, agonized master. 
"Harutora-sama, if you wish to repay Natsume-dono from the bottom of your heart, then I believe you should burden yourself with that responsibility. Why would you desire entrusting it to others? It's absurd to try to compensate her by borrowing the hands of evildoers. Even if you brought her back to the world like that, would Natsume-dono believe herself to be repaid?" 
"However", Kon continued. Her voice was clear and composed, but it intensely pummeled Harutora's heart like a storm. 
It hammered at him powerfully and roughly. 
"However...... Harutora-sama, if you take the responsibility into your own hands and call back Natsume-dono...... Natsume-dono will be pleased no matter what the outcome is. She will definitely smile again." 
"............" 
Harutora could no longer return any words. 
In that instant, Doman and Miyachi were battling outside, Ohtomo and Kagami were fighting in the agency, and the hordes of shikigami were rampaging. 
But silence fell over the vast executive office as if that were separated from this world. 
A solemn silence that headed a fateful split. 
It was Yashamaru who broke it. 
"......Time's up." 
He smiled after saying this. This time, he didn't wait for Kurahashi's reaction, walking forward while reaching into the pocket of his slacks. 
"The spiritual disaster purification teams will arrive soon. Harutora-kun, it will become difficult for you and me to move. The cards are all out already. Come, please choose." 
Harutora closed his eyes. 
Natsume's face emerged in the darkness that he shut the light out from. It wasn't her bloody, dead face that had been branded in his mind until now. It was Natsume when she had been alive and next to Harutora. 
Natsume in her everyday clothing. Natsume when she had pretended to be a male. Natsume getting mad at Harutora. The embarrassed Natsume, with her face burning red. Natsume who was stiff from fright. The hurt, crying Natsume. 
And the smiling Natsume. 
When Natsume smiled, she smiled completely innocently. 
Like a blooming sunflower. 
...Right. 
Harutora opened his eyes. Kon's tail wagged when she saw the expression emerging on his face. 
In contrast. 
Kurahashi pressed his lips together sternly. Yashamaru raised an eyebrow mockingly. 
"......All that for nothing...... In the end, we've returned to the starting point. Things just won't go as we wish." 
He wasn't downhearted about the outcome that failed to meet his expectations, nor was he fretful. A frigid smile just emerged on him like he was amused by the outcome. "Eh, whatever.' Yashamaru shrugged. 
"Well then, Harutora-kun. Why don't you go the room from before and 'wait'. The commotion here will be ended soon. We'll talk about what comes later after daybreak." 
Harutora gritted his teeth again because of Yashamaru's words. This time, Kon also rose, putting Harutora behind her to protect him and turning around to glare at Kurahashi and Yashamaru. 
But just like Yashamaru said, if the spiritual disaster purification teams arrived, then the battle currently being carried out would have to end. The goal of Ohtomo and his friends was to take back Harutora. But Harutora was currently facing the Divine General Kurahashi Genji and the shikigami reincarnated from a Divine General. Even if he borrowed Kon's strength, it would still be difficult to deceive these two and meet up with his friends. 
But his fate changed right then. 
"Eh?" 
Suddenly, Yashamaru was taken aback. Immediately afterwards, his gaze turned to his feet - to the faraway underground - with an expression of disbelief. 
"......Kurahashi." 
He spoke in astonishment, still seeming surprised: 
"The seal on the 'Raven's Wing' has been undone." 
"What!" 
Kurahashi's expression instantly changed. Harutora immediately paid attention to the dialogue of the two when he heard this. 
"Could it be--" 
"......No. It's not. It's not 'those three'. We couldn't possibly have failed to notice them." 
"Then." 
Who was it? Before Kurahashi asked that, the door to the executive office opened behind Harutora's back. 
Kurahashi, Yashamaru, Harutora, and Kon's gazes instantly turned towards it. 
The door opened into a rectangular space. No one was there. What had that been? Just as he thought that, something dropped down as if falling. Ah. Harutora desperately held back from crying out. 
A spider. 
The blue spider shikigami he had just seen outside the window. Moreover, the spider held on to a slender object in its eight legs as it hung down from the ceiling by a thread. 
Then. 
"Well done, defensive shikigami. The boy also finished up over here." 
He had some recollection of this voice. But before he thought of who the voice's master was, Kurahashi stomped on the ground with a bang and leaned forward. His expression was paler than ever before, and his eyes were widened so much that his eyes might pop out. 
The voice didn't come from the spider. It came from the thing the spider held on to. 
Then, the spider nimbly moved its legs, spreading open the thing it held on to. 
A fan. 
"Tsuchimikado! Summon the Raven's Wing!"