Tokyo Ravens - Volume SS1 - Chapter 5

Part 5 
Just luckily at the end of the year, the personal laboratory Suzuka applied for was ready. 
Although Suzuka kept naggingly urged every single matter, but of the complication of the procedure, in the end it she had to wait until this time, like most work efficiency of government agencies. 
But in exchange her incessant pestering got her a room that completely satisfied her requirements, not only the location, it was also outfitted with equipment. In a way, the goals of Suzuka’s cover research and her secret research could both be accelerated forward. 
“Well, even though I’m not very satisfied because it’s a little old-fashioned, the rest of it is still fine.” 
Suzuka looking back towards her laboratory that seemed too big for her nodded her head. 
Even though she kept complaining, her expression was filled with happiness. After all, she finally received her own fortress. She can constantly and wholeheartedly throw herself into her research, moreover if she always hid here, she also wouldn’t have to encounter the other staff members again. This fact alone made her feel much more relaxed. 
Presently there was a shikigami arranging the bookshelf, bring a table into the room, and also tidying the decor of the room. This three robotically armed shikigami created by the Onmyou Agency was the general use shikigami ‘Type M3 Asura’. 
The general use shikigami was exactly its name, the man-made shikigami was produced for the purpose of handling ordinary low-level jobs. Suzuka when necessary changed its size, allowing the Asura to act as an assistant. 
Her original decision was to discard it after use, but after some additional thought, Suzuka instead completely modified its workings, it can’t been seen from its outer appearance, but its innards were already a completely different shikigami. 
“It’s much more useful than you.” 
“Then I’m really sorry. However, I’m not Suzuka’s shikigami.” 
“Even though I’m not your master, aren’t I the person providing for you?” 
“Aren’t cats animals that are free of any obligations to their caretakers?” 
“Tha-that too……” 
Suzuka’s reply to Sohaya became vague and vaguer towards the end. The cat staying in the cage on the table shook his whiskers. 
Sohaya was still spiritually unstable as before, but as the weather gradually warmed, sometimes there were days like today where the condition of his body was quite good. However probably because his physical strength had declined, he now no longer leaves the cage he previously had called very uncomfortable. 
Recently, Sohaya rarely moves for most of the day, this truly made Suzuka feel gloomy, so she forcefully brought him with her today. 
“You completely turned into a breathing hairball in the winter. Sometimes you need to bask in the sun too, otherwise you’ll become moldy.” 
“Cats are creatures that curl up in kotatsus[3]. Even if you let be bask in the sun, the sunlight in that room is poor.” 
“I dislike rooms with lots of sunlight.” 
“That’s really unhealthy.” 
“I don’t want to be told that by you. What’s more, when you were in the previous home, you stayed away from spots exposed to the sun.” 
“……Well, speaking of which, it certainly was the case.” 
Sohaya tiled his head. Suzuka who was rarely able to argue a win in a war of words grunted in satisfaction. 
“However time moves very fast, more than a year passed since that time. 
“Since when?” 
“Ha? Really, that why you’re a cat……it’s obvious. ‘That guy’ died.” 
“Ah.” 
“You forgot? Cats are animals with terrible memory.” 
“I didn’t forget……it’s already been a long time.” 
Cat expressions were hard to read, especially Sohaya’s. Usually he was always very calm and seldom showed emotion. But this time his voice seemed to evoke nostalgia. 
An event suddenly overturned Suzuka’s and Sohaya’s world one year ago. The change that reversed the earth and sky occurred in their lives of those at that time. Suzuka never dreamt that she would become a National First-Class onmyouji, and that she would one day have her own personal research laboratory. 
However, even though the present had changed, the past couldn’t disappear. Even if it was frightening, while wanting to erase the past, there still exists important matters that absolutely couldn’t be forgotten. 
“Hello? Do you know why intentionally brought you over?” 
“To show off this room?” 
“I’m asking you, why do I want to show off this room.” 
“Because you don’t have anything else to show off.” 
“You’re still very good at pissing people off! That’s not it, I just want you to see, this way I’ve taken a step closer to reaching my goal!” 
The first half of her phrase was charged with anger, however the last part showed a hint of pride slightly. Then in order to confirm the cat’s reaction, she looked at the cat cage on the table. 
Sohaya crouched twitching his whiskers a few times, waving his tail as if to say what, but his reaction was nothing more. 
Suzuka frowned. 
“……Well what. No impressions what so ever?” 
“Impression like what?” 
“After all……The-there should be something. It would be nice if the research here was going smoothly —-Ho-however, I certainly hope everything happens smoothly, that way, you can again with my brother[4]—-” 
Just when Suzuka’s anger was about to erupt. 
Sohaya twitched his whiskers keenly, his eyes looking towards the door of the laboratory. 
Suzuka immediately closed her mouth, the sound of a knocking on the door came soon after. 
Because this place was a magic research laboratory, the room featured powerful enchantments blocking aura coming from the outside. But right now equipment was being moved, so the enchantment was removed. 
It’s probably equipment vendors, thought Suzuka. 
“……Hey, Can I enter?” 
The sound coming from beyond the door made Sohaya raise his ears, Suzuka resentfully frowning, replied in an extremely crude manner. 
“……Not allowed. Get lost.” 
“Hey, hey, I had to find time in my busy schedule to come, allow me to come in.” 
“If you’re really busy, then you really should go away. ……Sorry, this room’s security system is very strict, undoing the magic is very troublesome……” 
“Hahaha, don’t worry. I ‘saw’ it already, fortunately the enchantment hasn’t been activated.” 
“You’re not busy?” 
“Even though I’m very busy, I found time to come here. I also brought a congratulatory gift for the opening of the research lab.” 
“……Why is it a congratulatory gift for the ‘opening’.” 
A carelessly optimistic voice came from the other side of the door, making Suzuka sigh. 
It appears that the other person has no desire in returning. If forcefully rejected, it instead will arouse needless suspicion. 
“……Sohaya, don’t move.” 
After Suzuka quietly reminded him, she closed the cage. Opening the cardboard box by her side, she quickly took out the contents inside and carelessly stuffed the cage in, even though she heard a ‘meow’ sound in protest, she gave no regard. 
Sohaya was the earliest shikigami made by her father, artificially attaching a spirit to the body of the cat, he was exceedingly unique. Even though he hadn’t reach the extent to be a magic proof, but based on ethics, she would be criticized, there she cannot voluntarily allow the other onmyouji, especially those of the National First-Class onmyouji from the Onmyou Agency see him. 
Suzuka hid Sohaya. While walking to the door, she glanced behind again to confirm. 
Sohaya’s aura could still be ‘seen’ when concentrating, but fortunately the research laboratory had a great number of magic devices that have aura, if Sohaya was quiet, then he wouldn’t be very conspicuous. 
Suzuka solemnly the door. 
Standing in the corridor was that person, who had been previously her opponent in a mock battle, Independent Exorcist Kogure Zenjirou. 
Kogure said hello, boldly entered the room. 
He looked around curiously. 
“This place, ah? Quite spacious.” 
“Uhh, now that you have seen it, hurry up and go back.” 
“Well, don’t be so tense. I heard about your research laboratory by chance, I merely wanted to show my face.” 
Kogure stated with a strained smile, then he lifted the white carton in hand, apparently he bought a cake. Suzuka’s expression reacted instinctively, immediately after, she looked away towards another direction. 
Suzuka grunted as if to show off, then motioned for him to sit with her chin. 
“Do you have tea to drink?” 
“Nope.” 
“Is that so. It would have been great if I brought drinks as well.” 
“Just drink tap water.” 
“You were on television again last week? However these days it’s less frequent than before.” 
“So what? It has nothing to do with you.” 
“Could it be that your popularity dropped—-” 
“Only the devil knows! I absolutely don’t care!” 
Suzuka furiously cursed, but Kogure didn’t respond, taking a seat undisturbed on the chair indicated by Suzuka. 
This wasn’t the first time Kogure came to see Suzuka, ever since after that mock battle, even if there wasn’t an important matter, he would occasionally think of coming to meet her. Suzuka’s workplace was in the Onmyou Agency building, on the other hand Kogure is mostly at the Exorcism Bureau, even though the two locations are not far apart, It was very difficult to avoid being considered as slacker by other people when coming here especially. 
While she saw through Kogure’s intentions early on, Suzuka practically doesn’t have any friends, so Kogure wanted to do something basic because he was a collogue. It could also be Amami who was busy recently and couldn’t be leave work that requested him to come occasionally visit Suzuka. 
“Is that ‘Asura’ yours?” 
“Can it be someone else’s?” 
“Uhh……Isn’t it very strong? It wasn’t the fielded in the mock battle last time.” 
Is seems that, in a ‘glance’ he saw that this shikigami had undergone customization. Suzuka blew a raspberry, “that’s none of your business.” 
Suzuka used this ‘Asura’, normally for handling unimportant chores, partly because of the mock battle with Kogure. She decided to do so after careful consideration in order to supplement her shortcomings she recognized in that mock battle. 
The mock battle with Kogure ended with a crushing defeat for Suzuka, the opponent couldn’t be underestimated. There were a few reasons for her defeat, there was a qualitative difference in the intensity of their spiritual strength, and the degree of their proficiency in magic cannot wholly be compared. It was pointless to talk about the difference in experience, the resourcefulness in combat probably still can’t be compared to even a fraction of the other. Maybe only on the variety of her magic can she be comparable, but being ‘able to use’ magic and ‘able to apply it in real combat’ was still a huge difference. 
In short, their ranks were different. Suzuka plainly recognized this point, and also didn’t caring. After all Suzuka never intended to ‘defeat’ Kogure. 
From Suzuka’s perspective, the most important thing was when facing onmyouji at Kogure’s level, was not to be ‘interfered’ by them. 
Why for this reason? Is there a specific method? 
“……It seems, it’s for buying time?” 
“Ah, you really are a smartass! It doesn’t have anything to do with you!” 
Insufficient experience would lead directly to poor judgement. In order to quickly respond before thinking, such as during a magic combat, ‘habits’ were necessary. So for the short term, how would she compensate for her unresolvable deficiency in experience? The countermeasure Suzuka thought of was to buy more time in order to make the proper decision. 
Whether it’s executing the next attack, responding to an enemy’s attack, or even fleeing, for Suzuka the more time the better. So, just have a shikigami to buy the time for Suzuka. 
The origami shikigami created by Suzuka must follow her direct manipulations, consequently she can only expect an autonomic shikigami to fight for time. Therefore she improved the ‘Asura’ on hand heavily. 
It’s to strengthen her combat capability. 
“I can understand why you wish to have a strong shikigami……but don’t cause an unnecessary annoyance to those around.” 
“Ha, this is my problem. There should be a limit to your meddling in other people’s business.” 
As expected, he shouldn’t have been allowed in, Suzuka impatiently snorted. Kogure also thought that he couldn’t continue joking, and simultaneously apologized and placed the cake box onto the table. 
“Could it be that you want revenge?” 
“……How so. The mock battle that time was just to understand how much power the other ‘Twelve Divine Generals’ have. My job is magic research, not magic combat nor cleansing spiritual disasters.” 
“A correct judgment. Within your area of research, even if I tried my best I wouldn’t succeed. Well, that’s the way things are.” 
“What’s with ‘that’s the way things are’. It seems like you are saying something meaningful but you have no idea what you are babbling about, and in the end it seems stupid.” 
“Haha, you’re really sharp.” 
Kogure opened the cake box while smiling. 
“Look, I brought a lot, which one do you want to eat?” 
“All of them.” 
“Leave one for me.” 
“Isn’t this my congratulatory gift for the opening.” 
“Indeed that’s right.” 
Seeing Kogure’s stress out face, Suzuka smiled giggling and picked up a slice of cake from the box. “Saucers and forks?” asked Kogure, Suzuka replied “Don’t have any” while simultaneously proceeding to take a bite. Kogure looking somewhat bored, rested his elbows on the table. 
Letting him stay for too long would be somewhat troublesome, now was roughly a good opportunity. 
“Hey.” 
“Huh?” 
“Nowadays in the Mystical Investigation Bureau, is the old man Amami the only the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’?” 
“Don’t use the rude appellation old man.” 
“Then what’s going on?” 
“Uhh, there’s only Chief Amami. ……Although until a few years ago, there was another powerful guy.” 
As Kogure spoke, he briefly looked away, and then he nonchalantly asked back “Why did you suddenly ask this kind of question?” 
“Nothing, just a little curious, considering the magic investigation bureau is involved, maybe he is in hiding.” 
“Even if the identify was hidden, there would be rumours about it.” 
“Hmmm……” 
Kogure was a powerful onmyouji, but he belonged to the Exorcism Bureau, in addition he was also an independent exorcist. Even though he was often called a slacker, but in reality the job he was responsible for was considered to be the few busy ones in the specialized field of onmyouji. 
Not only him, but all the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’ were very busy. 
In this case…… 
Even if there are pursuers, they wouldn’t immediately dispatch the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’. The Mystical Investigator’s Amami was the expected one that she must be vigilant against. 
“……Is the old man strong?” 
“Don’t call him old man again……Are you asking about his strength in magic combat? Of course he is very strong. Even I can’t be his adversary.” 
After hearing Kogure answering as if stating a fact, Suzuka inadvertently became serious. 
“……It’s true?” 
“It’s true. ……Well, if it is a direct contest in power, I have the upper hand. But magic combat is another matter. Before was only to answer your request to ‘want to verify the power’, actual magic combat will employ even more tricks and traps. In this kind of mutually deceiving aspect of tricking skills, that person is beyond the best.” 

“……However, if using only your brute force, can’t you crush him directly?” 
“Thanks you for complimenting me, but that is impossible. If you want to use brute force to stop that guy, an ordinary level won’t do……right, if it’s an exceptional strength like our director’s, maybe it’s possible……Chief Amami’s most powerful aspect, is not giving the opponent this kind of opportunity. Before the victor is decided, he would create an ‘improbable to lose’ situation in advance, rather than tactics, it’s more like strategy.” 
“……Strategy?” 
“Right. Winning before the battle begins, this is Chief Amami’s way of fighting.” 
However this was merely my personal humble opinion, Kogure cautiously added another sentence. Suzuka didn’t respond. 
How could it be said…..he seemed above and beyond. Just seriously contemplating about a ‘countermeasure’ caused a headache. 
“……No weaknesses?” 
“Are you plotting something? As far as I know, what could be considered a weak point on that person is wine and women.” 
“I don’t mean that.” 
“Ah, there’s another, a soft spot for children.” 
“……” 
As Suzuka ate her cake, she probably wasn’t sure of what expression she was making on her own face. 
Kogure gently smiled. 
“Hey, Dairenji, your strength is genuine. We fought each other, therefore shouldn’t my words not be wrong?” 
“……However, losing is losing.” 
Suzuka voice got quieter and quieter, it was probably already inaudible at the end, Kogure also didn’t speak further. 
Losing was losing. Right now Suzuka was still trying to put on a brave face in this way. 
But on a ‘real battlefield’, she absolutely cannot lose. 
She cannot allow herself to be defeated. 
 
“You made a friend.” 
At night, Sohaya said this just after returning home, Suzuka asked ‘What?” in return with a serious expression. 
“What are you saying?” 
“Your friend.” 
“My friend? Who?” 
“The man that came during the day.” 
Suzuka assuming an extremely agonized expression looked towards Sohaya on the couch, but neither was she able to see Sohaya’s expression, nor was the meaning of her own expression conveyed to Sohaya. 
“……If you occasionally forget that you’re merely an animal without common sense and social skills, it would be troublesome.” 
“Why are you speaking so coldly, don’t tell me that he isn’t your friend?” 
“It’s obvious! He is the enemy, the enemy!” 
“What? But didn’t you two chat quite happily during the day.” 
“Happily? ……Really what am I doing, wanting a cat to under human thinking. Alright, shadup.” 
Suzuka gave up on persuading him, stuffing the snacks that were purchased into her mouth as dinner. 
On the television that was always on, it still broadcasted a group of unfamiliar people chatting about dull topics. But tonight Suzuka didn’t watch the television, she was currently looking at her laptop, the screen displayed certain data she secretly requested. 
A list of names. 
“——I have it.” 
She stopped moving her mouse, gazing at a certain name on the list. 
Tsuchimikado Natsume. 
The heir of the Tsuchimikados was about to become the foremost among the notable people on the onmyou path. The name list Suzuka obtained was a list of new entrants, belonging to a certain well known institution located in Shibuya that trained onmyouji, the register of the Onmyou Academy. She heard that at this year’s spring, Tsuchimikado Natsume entered the Onmyou Academy; so Suzuka got the list to confirm. This simple list had nothing outside of the family name, gender and age, this name intensely provoked Suzuka’s imagination. 
Because, 
“……This person is Yakou’s reincarnation.” 
Suzuka’s area of expertise was ‘Imperial Onmyoudou’, and the person who created this system was the genius onmyouji Tsuchimikado Yakou. He at the time of this death had reincarnated into a Tsuchimkado inheriting his own blood, this rumor was spread like a joke several years ago. Thinking about it, the certain secret society that was completely composed of the Yakou believers led by her father, the Twin-Horned Syndicate, was able to attract so many members was mostly due to the influence of this rumor. And around her father, many opinions all considered Tsuchimikado Natsume was absolutely Yakou’s reincarnation. 
Of course, Suzuka still didn’t know the authenticity of these ideas and must conduct the appropriate investigation. 
However, the final decision must be left to the very end, after all Suzuka’s ‘goal’ has Tsuchimikado Natsume as Yakou’s reincarnation as a precondition. 
“……Hey. What kind of person is he……How ‘useful’ would he be……” 
For those aspiring to become a professional onmyouji, the Onmyou Academy was the fastest route. Being able to successfully enter signified having considerable strength. Suzuka still staring at the screen, picked up a bottle of cola and drank a gulp. 
“……Suzuka, what are you doing?” 
“Getting information about the target.” 
“What?” 
“Just investigating a certain person.” 
After randomly coping with a few sentences, Sohaya suddenly became interested. 
“Do you want to become friends with that person?” 
“Ha? Hey, What have you been thinking all this time?” 
Suzuka tilted the chair, twisting her body, looking towards Sohaya. Sohaya was still curled up on the sofa like always, speaking of which since after he returned, he never moved. 
“I don’t know what you are asking.” 
“Ya, about that, why have you suddenly started always talking about friends.” 
“Because, after all, your friends are few.” 
“I definitely don’t need them, friends and whatever. Speaking of which, it’s not few, rather, it’s none.” 
“Don’t you have that old gentleman.” 
“Aren’t the people you can have a friendly chat with friends?” 
“Absolutely not! ……In other words, your understanding is only at this level……I always feel that giving a detailed explanation is very tiring.” 
Suzuka rocking her chair back and forth, mumbled to herself with a stern face. Sohaya was uncharacteristically obsessed with this topic, “Ah”, drooping his ears, whirling the tip of his tail. 
“When talking with that old gentleman and that man during the day, you don’t feel a bit of happiness at all? 
“Of course.” 
“Oh, that’s the case.” 
“That’s exactly the case.” 
“Uh……Then, Suzuka doesn’t have a partner to chat happily with?” 
“Nope.” 
“And how about me?” 
“It’s not because I’m happy talking with you, it’s because you’re a stupid weird cat, therefore because I am nice I have to talk with you as a substitute for my brother to save him the trouble.” 
After Suzuka spoke, she smiled in provocation. 
But seeing that Sohaya was suddenly no longer speaking, she retracted the smile she extruded just a moment ago. 
“.…..Sohaya?” 
Suzuka called out towards him, because she didn’t get any response, therefore she, with some vexation, was unhappy not knowing what to express, she stood up after thinking for a moment and put on a wearisome smile. 
Suzuka walked beside him, picking up the silent cat, then sat on the sofa. After she placed Sohaya on her lap, she scratched his neck with her fingers. 
“What’s going on with you, why are you being so difficult?” 
“……That’s not it.” 
“Then why aren’t you talking.” 
“I’m worried.” 
“Worried about what?” 
“Worried about you.” 
Sohaya accepted Suzuka’s stokes and raised his head looking towards her. His long whiskers gently swayed, his pupils shrank into slender vertical shapes under the light. 
“Humans and cats are different, aren’t they animals that rely on the group to live? 
“……Then?” 
“Because Suzuka is a lonely person.” 
Hearing the cat’s serious words, Suzuka started laughing softly. 
“What you say is true, but I don’t mind. After all, I’m only going to remain alive for a short while longer.” 
When Suzuka spoke she showed a soft side, also with a somewhat arrogant look, Sohaya didn’t say anything else and simply stared at her. 
She couldn’t fathom the cat’s expression. 
At this moment, Sohaya thought of Suzuka’s plan. 
Suddenly, 
“……Huh? You seem warmer than usual……Are you hot?” 
“Uh……It seems like today is hotter than in the past.” 
“A cold?” 
“……Don’t know.” 
Suzuka wanted to show off her new research laboratory, therefore she forcefully brought out Sohaya who recently was always hiding in the house. At this moment, a trace of regret flashed through her heart, but she immediately clicked her tongue and calmed her expression. 
“You really cause trouble for others. ……Just wait a moment, I’m going to check how to get to an animal hospital—-” 
“……There’s no need.” 
“We must go.” 
“I already said there’s no need……if it’s this level of fever, it happens frequently since recently.” 
This was the first time she heard, Suzuka understanding the meaning in his words, hurriedly ‘looked’ towards Sohaya. 
His aura was still stable, but it was already very faint. Perhaps she was too accustomed to it before……Carefully thinking, his state anyhow would already agitate people. 
Suzuka because of her own carelessness felt endlessly guilty, but to her she was already powerless. She already knew before there would be an ending like this, but Sohaya still ‘persevered’. 
“……Do you want to eat ice cream?” 
“Thanks……I don’t need to.” 
“Then quickly go to sleep. Things like colds and whatever, can eventually be overcome by rest.” 
“I Agree.” 
“Can I cover you in a blanket?” 
“There’s no need……However……” 
“Ah?” 
“……Toshiya frequently did that for me, it was that origami……” 
“Ah? That?” 
“Can you Suzuka?” 
“Can, yes I can……Do you want to watch?” 
“……Ah.” 
As Sohaya spoke, he closed his eyes while on her lap. Suzuka sniggered “Truly worthy of a cat—-”, once again she placed Sohaya onto the sofa, herself returning to the table side. 
“—-You like those small animals, right.” 
While Suzuka spoke, she picked up the bag she had casually tossed on the floor, and from within she took out the scripture she had used in the mock battle, flipping it open. 
“So, Return the SHOWTIME of reminiscence ……Order.” 
After reciting the mantra——“Sohaya”, she called out. 
Sohaya opened his eyes. 
Thereupon, origami shikigami imitating small birds and butterflies revolved around the cat’s surroundings, fluttering in the air, dancing. 
Sohaya seemed very happy and called out ‘meow’, shaking his whiskers, giggled in his throat. Suzuka turned off the television while also smiling, then turned her head to manipulate her laptop and music flowed from the speakers. 
A waltz seemed to blend into the quiet night. 
Sohaya’s whiskers bounced to the beat. Suzuka casually watched what he was, and not knowing when, she also started clapping to the rhythm. 
Time seems to have slowed into a frozen calm. 
There wasn’t anything worth being happy in dearly caring for the odd cat, although she thought this in her heart, Suzuka still blossomed with a smile and started clapping to the beat. 
 
The morning of the second day. Suzuka arrived at the research laboratory that just ‘opened’ yesterday to work, but after she saw a paper posted onto the door her face suddenly stiffened. 
This was an old newspaper, on it was written the news report from the day following the ‘Great Hinamatsuri Purification’. ‘Greatest damage after the war’, ‘huge spiritual disaster that has never happened before’, filled with these provocative, yet unexaggerated headlines. The black and white photograph showed a disturbing scene of a collapsed building. 
Suzuka suspiciously checked the both ends of the corridor, there was no trace of people, nor was there an abnormality in the security system of the room. 
It really was an inferior and clumsy ‘second class magic’. 
Suzuka snorted and forcefully peeled it off. 
“……Tch.” 
She clicked her tongue, then unlocked and entered the room. 
Until she completed her work to return home, Suzuka didn’t even take one step outside.