Ch.129Chapter 20. Request (4)

Winter mornings are cold.

Maybe it would be a little less cold if I wore a long padded jacket filled with synthetic cotton or goose down like in Korea. But it doesn’t seem like that kind of outfit is particularly trendy in this country.

Well, I guess people can manage well enough without going to that extreme. Tokyo is quite far south compared to Seoul where I used to live.

Even though the weather is cold, having two people to walk to school with makes it seem not to matter much.

What if I had remained alone like at the beginning?

Would I still be mindlessly staring out the window on this packed train?

Would I be trudging alone through the cold, windy streets to school and back home?

No, I even wonder if I would have continued attending school at all.

…

Ah, but I would have had Kagami, I suppose.

Though I’m not sure if we could have developed the same relationship we have now.

I’d probably still be spacing out on the train either way, but it’s fascinating how having someone you know beside you completely changes the feeling.

An ordinary daily life.

After experiencing the extraordinary several times, I think I understand how important these moments are. I wish I could save up this time somehow, but whether I want it or not, it slips through my fingers like sand, leaving only slight traces before disappearing completely.

And then what sparkles in the few grains left on my palm are memories.

“…Ha.”

I laughed at my own thoughts.

I’ve been having moments like this a lot lately. I feel like my personality is becoming more and more frivolous with each passing day.

“What is it?”

Last time it was Koko who asked, but this time it was Yuka.

“Nothing, really.”

I couldn’t bring myself to voice the excessively sentimental thoughts I was having, so I brushed it off similarly to last time.

Hmm, come to think of it, I was right to refuse the yokai hunting.

If there was a yokai that could read my thoughts, it would obviously blurt out everything I was thinking.

No matter what, I wouldn’t want that to happen in front of Yuka.

“I was just thinking about what to eat for dinner tonight.”

Saying that, I looked up at the sky outside the window.

There wasn’t a single cloud.

Though the weather was cold, the sky was truly blue.

I hope the weather stays like this.

*

It seems Yuka has also noticed that I’m being followed.

If even I could notice it without any special training, of course Yuka would have realized it too.

In fact, to be precise, she probably noticed it quite a while ago.

“…Doesn’t it bother you? Should I say something to them?”

“…It’s fine.”

Some of them are probably people assigned by the Association.

They’ve never been helpful, but at least they’ve never caused harm either.

In a pinch, they’re likely to be useful.

They don’t seem to handle yokai very well, but at least they’d be helpful if I were being stalked or something.

Yuka didn’t look particularly pleased, but she didn’t argue with what I said.

*

The end-of-year atmosphere in high school could best be described as “ambiguous.”

It was the time when we should be studying hard for exams, but it was also a great time to have fun. Both the end of the year and the new year were occasions worth celebrating, so everyone’s mood was mixed and on the verge of relaxing.

That kind of atmosphere permeated the entire school.

Just as we did during the rainy, humid, hot summer, we were still having lunch in the literature club room even after it had gotten properly cold.

But for some reason, despite knowing it would be cold, I was heading up to the rooftop with Koko.

I had already told Yuka about it.

I had bought bread at a convenience store on the way to school this morning. Yuka was the type who naturally thought she should buy me lunch, and she seemed a bit shocked last time when I told her it was okay to stop, but… when I deliberately bought bread right in front of her, she seemed to accept it.

I thought I should gradually become more independent from Yuka from now on.

I had developed bad habits from the beginning, but I didn’t want Koko to do the same.

Yuka said she had something to do for a moment.

…Somehow I think she went to the school store even after seeing us buy bread, but I couldn’t stop her from doing that.

So we went up to the upper floor, the one used by us seniors—

“Ah.”

We ran into Hana Hagiwara.

Even though Hanakawa High School’s sailor uniform had a somewhat baggy design, it looked somewhat sexy on her. Honestly, if I hadn’t seen her wearing a nun’s habit before, I wouldn’t have thought she was a nun even knowing that setting.

“…Kurosawa.”

“Senior Hagiwara.”

I bowed my head lightly.

Normally, I would have just greeted her briefly and moved on. We were familiar enough with each other’s faces, and we had unintentionally stayed together twice, but we hadn’t really become close yet.

It’s like we belonged to different groups.

It wasn’t that I disliked her, but the organization behind Hagiwara and the one behind Yuka had an awkward relationship, which probably influenced my judgment. I naturally leaned toward the side from which I had received more.

“…”

But she seemed to have something she wanted to say, making it difficult to just walk past.

What should I do? If it had been someone I disliked, I would have ignored them and moved on, but Hagiwara… well, she wasn’t that kind of person.

“…Do you have something you want to say?”

I tried to speak as politely as possible, but once I said it, it didn’t sound very polite.

“Yeah, well.”

But Hagiwara didn’t seem to mind much.

Her eyes scanned around me.

There were quite a few students, but no one was paying attention to us.

“…Can we talk for a moment?”

But Hagiwara asked with a cautious expression.

I thought for a moment, then said,

“…I don’t mind as long as it doesn’t take too long.”

*

Ironically, I didn’t need to worry about being late for my lunch appointment.

If you had to choose a place with no people in the school, there was no better place than the rooftop.

With it being so open like this, you’d think students would come up here often, but I’ve never seen anyone else using it. I guess everyone just assumes the door is locked.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

Hagiwara came outside and muttered that while hugging herself.

She probably hadn’t expected to go outside. At least Koko and I were wearing our coats.

“…What did you want to talk about?”

After wondering what to say to Hagiwara, I decided to get straight to the point. No need to prolong the conversation when we were both cold.

“Ah, well.”

For a very brief moment, an expression of contemplation crossed Hagiwara’s face.

She seemed to be debating whether to get straight to the point or to approach the subject more indirectly. It was too cold outside for a long conversation.

Finally, Hagiwara sighed deeply and said,

“…Do you know about a being called ‘satori’?”

Yes, I thought that might be it.

Unlike Nakahara, who saw me as something of a rival—or at least a dangerous element around Sasaki—Hagiwara didn’t seem to have such concerns.

We did have a sort of friendship.

But normally, we were just acquaintances who would nod slightly when passing each other in the hallway. There was nothing stopping Hagiwara from choosing conversation as a way to express friendship, but from the moment she said she “had something to talk about,” I didn’t think the conversation would end with ordinary greetings.

“…Sigh, so you do know.”

Hagiwara let out a deep sigh. White breath escaped from her mouth.

“I’m sorry. It seems… our side needs it too.”

I figured as much.

Even if they don’t need it immediately, having it on hand means they could use it for anything.

Moreover, the testimony obtained through that yokai wouldn’t even be considered illegally extracted. It’s an incredibly attractive proposition for anyone—being able to extract hidden information from someone’s weakest points without resorting to intense torture or threats.

Well, it probably wouldn’t be admissible as legal evidence, but at the point where you’re bringing in such a yokai, your opponent is unlikely to be an ordinary criminal anyway.

“…Don’t tell me you’re asking for help…?”

When I looked at Hagiwara with an incredulous expression, her face flushed. It wasn’t just her cheeks turning red from the cold wind, but a face that clearly showed embarrassment.

Her gaze briefly glanced at Koko, who was staring at her from beside me. Fortunately, Koko was calm. She didn’t seem like she was about to attack someone for trying to make me do something.

After contemplating for a moment, Hagiwara finally spoke.

“I thought we were friends.”

Haa, Hagiwara sighed deeply again and looked at me.

Then she showed a faint smile.

“Well, I’m relieved to see your expression. It seems you had no intention of looking for it in the first place.”

I nodded.

“I’m not one to cut my wrists for fun.”

At my words, Hagiwara pressed her lips together.

She too had been shocked to see me cut my wrist, after all. She must know that her request is essentially the same.

“I’m sorry.”

“…If it’s an order from above, it can’t be helped.”

Even Yuka had told me something similar.

“I understand. Thank you for answering.”

Hagiwara’s face became a little more relaxed.

“Then… I’ll be going. It’s getting too cold.”

I nodded.

Hagiwara waved her hand slightly at me and quickly turned around toward the rooftop door.

And then.

“Ah… senior.”

She ran into Yuka, who was just coming through the door.

Yuka’s eyes looked at Hagiwara, then immediately moved toward Koko and me. Then she looked back at Hagiwara.

Why are you here?

A somewhat hostile gaze.

Hagiwara shrugged and said,

“…I just had something to say.”

“…”

Yuka’s eyes narrowed at Hagiwara’s words, but she didn’t block the way of someone who was leaving.

As Yuka moved aside, Hagiwara slightly bowed her head and quickly passed by. Her shoulders were hunched up, perhaps from the cold.

Honestly, I felt a bit sorry for her. Maybe I should have just listened inside instead of coming out.

“What was that about?”

“…Satori.”

At my words, Yuka let out a small sigh.

And she didn’t continue that conversation.

Instead, she put her hand in her coat pocket and took out a drink.

A bottle of coffee milk.

“Here.”

“Thank… oh!”

I couldn’t help but exclaim as I took the bottle. It was warm.

“Wow!”

Koko, who also received a bottle, sparkled her eyes.

“It’s warm.”

“I got it from the vending machine.”

I see.

There were a few such vending machines in the school.

Indeed, there was no point in getting these in advance. No matter how well you stored them, they would cool down within an hour.

“It’s a special treat to have something warm on a day like this, right?”

Yuka’s thoughtfulness made me smile slightly.

Seeing my expression seemed to greatly improve Yuka’s mood, which was fortunate.

*

No matter how much my past life involved doing things for others, I didn’t do it because I enjoyed it.

I had to work until I was exhausted enough to collapse so that I wouldn’t dream about my family when I fell asleep.

That’s right.

In truth, I don’t particularly enjoy working, just like most people.

Working at the cafe was much better than my previous job, but work is still work. That’s why I considered quitting even though I had such a good boss.

These days, maybe because my mind is much more at ease, or perhaps thanks to that nameless cat god, the frequency of those dreams has decreased.

That’s why Tuesday was almost like a day off for me.

Going to school is no big deal.

Classes end much earlier than when regular office workers finish their jobs, and afterward, I just spend time leisurely in the club before coming home.

Yuka didn’t come with me today. No matter how close we are, she’s still a minor. She probably has to be mindful of her grandfather and father if she stays out too often.

Remembering how dejected Yuka looked when she said that made me smile a little.

Even though she wields a sword and hunts yokai, Yuka is still a mid-teens high school girl, which is so apparent—

…

So, whenever I think about that, my heart feels heavy in the end.

On the way home, I bought another bag of tangerines. I had already finished my exam studying in the literature club room, so I planned to end the day relaxing in the kotatsu.

“Uh?”

But I abandoned that thought as soon as I arrived at my house.

“…Kagami.”

“…”

Kagami was standing in front of the door.

And not with her usual relaxed expression, but with a somewhat dark one.

As soon as I saw that expression, I had a pretty good idea of what Kagami had come to talk about.

“…Are you here about the satori too?”

“Yes.”

Kagami didn’t deny my words or try to change the subject, but answered directly.

“May I come in?”

And she asked with a somewhat cautious attitude.

“Sure.”

I said that and opened the door for her.

To be honest, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Kagami had already been inside. She probably has a key.

And I don’t think Kagami would steal anything from the house. Honestly, there’s nothing to steal.

“Have you had dinner?”

“Ah, I…”

“Eat with us.”

I said that and put down my bag.

“Wait in the room. We’ll wash up first. Feel free to eat the tangerines.”

I took a plate from the kitchen, poured some tangerines from the bag onto it, and placed it on the kotatsu.

“…”

“I’ll prepare the meal after we wash up.”

Kagami looked at me blankly, as if she didn’t know what to say.

I decided not to worry about it.

We’ve already shared meals, haven’t we?

And I was the one who treated her. It was right after I got the electric rice cooker.

After eating without any hesitation back then, isn’t it too late to be embarrassed now?

I thought as I took Koko’s hand and entered the shower.

*

We didn’t talk about the satori throughout the meal.

Since I didn’t bring it up first, Kagami seemed unsure how to proceed.

She’s been showing strange behavior lately. In the past, she would have brought up the topic regardless of my feelings.

Dinner wasn’t as elaborate as the hot pot we had with Kagami last time.

Tonight’s dinner was curry.

“…It’s delicious.”

“Is it?”

I made it using a recipe I got from Yuka.

It seems Japanese people are quite serious about curry rice, with each family having their own recipe.

The taste was somewhat sweet, but I think I could adjust the ingredients a bit to better suit my taste.

After watching Koko, who looked like she might start humming as she ate the curry rice, I turned my eyes to Kagami.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

It seemed like she wasn’t going to bring it up first at this rate.

“…If you’ve heard about the satori, you probably know what kind of yokai it is.”

“I heard it’s a yokai that reads thoughts.”

At my question, Kagami nodded.

“That’s right.”

“Does the cult need it too?”

“It would be nice to have, but… I thought you wouldn’t move for just that reason.”

Very accurate.

If I’m going to die anyway, I’d like to spend the time until then as peacefully as possible. Besides, it’s the end of the year now.

Well, workplaces usually have a surge in workload during the year-end and New Year period, but I’m currently a student. I didn’t want to “work” during that time.

I wonder how information about the satori spread so far?

Well, it’s simple.

The government side probably started it first. If not the government, then at least from the center that controls those exorcists.

But everyone knows that such important information doesn’t come out of such places. The issue is how to receive that information; once you have a method in mind, you’ll try to extract the information somehow.

And this country guarantees freedom of religion, so it wouldn’t be strange if some government officials were deeply involved in a religion. It might not be a normal religion like Catholicism that ordinary people believe in, but something a bit unusual.

For example, believing in outer gods that actually exist beyond space.

“Do you want me to take action?”

“That’s not what I meant, but…”

Kagami frowned for a moment, then paused before continuing,

“No, that is what I meant. I’m sorry.”

“…”

I took another spoonful of curry rice and put it in my mouth.

As I was slowly chewing and organizing my thoughts, Kagami spoke.

“…I think my sister is planning to move.”

My jaw, which had been moving slowly, stopped.

I looked at Kagami.

“She has planted people on their side. I’m sure they have people on our side too.”

That… makes sense.

“And this might be a deliberately spread rumor.”

“But you think there’s a possibility?”

“Yes.”

Kagami nodded.

“I know I’m not on the side of justice. And the religion… isn’t entirely honorable either.”

Kagami looked at me as she spoke.

“But that doesn’t mean I want to let this world be destroyed.”

“…”

Creating paradise by twisting reason, was that the goal?

“What is Kosuzu’s objective?”

At my question, Kagami was silent for a moment.

Then she opened her mouth.

As if she had already prepared herself before coming here, her voice was filled with determination.

“…To remove the boundary between life and death.”

“…”

That’s an enormous scale.

But since I’m someone who has glimpsed a bit of the truth of this world, I can’t just dismiss it.

That’s right.

If there is an afterlife, and certain beings live there, and if it’s possible for those beings to cross over to this world.

Then it might not be impossible to completely break down the boundary between this world and that one.

“If the concept of death disappears, it would become a world where everyone lives forever.”

“…And there would still be a ruling class in that world, I suppose.”

“…”

Yes, I think I understand what Kosuzu is “really aiming for.”

How ambitious.

“We have no intention of capturing the satori alive. We don’t want to use it either. That would be too conspicuous.”

Kagami adjusted her posture as she spoke.

“So, it… needs to disappear. That would be the cleanest solution for us.”

“…I see.”

I started eating again silently.

Kagami followed suit and continued eating.

Until the end of the meal, no further conversation took place.