Volume 3
Chapter 8 Part
1
Thus, in the
Present, if We Mingle in the Shadows 1
Translator : PolterGlast
"―You're kind of suspicious."
Hearing her tone of
voice, Akira retracted his step.
His gaze met with a
smiling girl whose emotions couldn't be read.
Feeling repulsed by
the smile that seemed to be toying with him, Akira turned his attention to the
other party.
"...... Are you
referring to me?"
"Yup, correct. If
you don't know, let me tell you, the right-wing building is forbidden to
boys.
If you try to break in
without knowing it, you may be accused of thoughtlessness and indiscretion, and
you can't complain about that."
Upon hearing her
explanation, he took a quick glance at the right-wing building.
In Akira's generation,
it was common practice to separate the boys' and girls' dormitories.
There was little
interaction between male and female students, and the males rarely saw girls of
their own age in their daily lives.
In this era, Tenryō
Gakuin where girls and boys study together on the same grounds is unique.
A thought struck
Akira, and he bowed his head.
"My apologies. I
wasn't thinking about it carefully enough."
"―If I may point
out, by the way, a man with a concealed figure is walking toward the right-wing
building.
From the outside, I
think that man would look suspicious, no?"
The whisper in his ear
made Akira's legs choose to retreat.
A girl's gaze, smiling
mischievously, pursued the boy, who backed away for a couple of steps.
"Concealed
figure? Do you mean, me?"
"You think I
won't notice it? The spirits who normally love to gossip are unnaturally quiet
around you.
Surely this will make
me less conscious of the fact that I'm even having a conversation with you
after a while.
It's amazing. Even I
can barely hear the slight buzz that I hear when we pass by each other."
The rapid succession
of comments forced Akira to retreat.
After a few moments,
he remembered the columns of the passageway on his back and stopped retreating.
"P-Please hold on
a second."
"I can't. Based
on your uniform, you must be a protector or a guardian, but I don't remember
seeing your face before.
―Who are you?"
Her smile deepened.
But Akira noticed that there was no hint of pleasantness mixed in.
Her unique tone of
voice, in pursuit of the truth, entangled Akira.
Kotodama. That word
was the only thing that came to mind.
Half-reflexively,
Akira resisted the girl's voice, which was seizing him to obey it.
"...... My name
is Akira.
I'm sure there won't
be any problems once you confirm about me with Instructor Jodai.
―I was told that my mentor was enrolled at the
right-wing building, so I thought I'd just drop by to say hello."
"Akira.
―Hee."
The girl's eyes
blinked at the kotodama that came back in a single breath.
Even though it was
undeniable that the binding force was low because she had not clearly exercised
it, this was the first time she had ever experienced having her kotodama
bounced back to her.
―Since he didn't seem to have uttered a lie, the
kotodama didn't seem to be broken either.
Although she doubted
inwardly, the resounding truth made the girl put down her pursuit.
Instead, her interest
shifted to Akira's words.
A name she remembered.
Kihoin Tsuguho's fiancée, whom Giōin Shizumi was also attracted to.
―......He didn't look that appealing to her from what
she saw, though,
"What's your
intention behind that concealed figure then?"
"No, this is not
my intention either.
―Or rather, who are you? I don't blame you for raising
suspicions on me, but not even telling me your own name, isn't that a bit
rude?"
The girl shrugged
lightly when her question was met with another question.
It's understandable
that he doesn't know who the girl is. Although she is well-known, she has never
been so arrogant as to assume that she is universally known all over
Takamagahara.
With a smile, the girl
looked at Akira.
"...... Indeed,
pardon me. I've never met anyone who doesn't know who I am.
I am Hariin Homare,
and I belong to the student council of this Tenryō Academy."
"―forgive my
manners!"
The name was announced
with a smile, but with a strangely emotionless look in her eyes, which caused
caution to appear on Akira's face.
Hariin, the younger
sister of the current head of one of the Four Families. That was all Akira knew
about her, but even so, the difference in status between them was too great to
be ignored.
"It can't be
helped since you didn't know.
I am well known, but I
don't think I am known even among the protectors of Shumon Province."
"How do you know
that I am a protector of Shumon Province?"
"There is no way
one can fake one's identity as a Shumon Province protector here at the Academy.
The way you walk is similar to Hariin-school, but your left center of gravity
is further biased toward your heel.
The emphasis on the
offensive step is the signature of the Kihoin-school. It's not that there are
no Fire-element users in other provinces, but they are rarely recruited to go
to the central capital."
Speaking candidly,
Homare broke into a smile and leaned her back against a pillar that stood
opposite Akira.
Her sincere smile,
which was not just superficial, silently conveyed that her words were her
genuine feelings.
"Based on your
expression, am I right?"
"......Yes, hat's
off to you."
At a glance without a
hint of sarcasm, Akira took off his hat with a mischievous gesture.
The eyes that had been
in shadow were now revealed, and Homare tilted her head inwardly.
She felt a sense of
déjà vu in Akira's mannerisms.
She shook her head to
dissipate the thorns of emotion, wondering if it was just her imagination.
Moving away from the
pillar on which her back was resting, Homare turned her feet to the right-wing
building.
"I'll go get her,
so please wait a bit. You're looking for Miss Saki of the Rindo family, right?
She should be in the classroom."
"How come, you
even know the person I am looking for?"
"Since it is a
female student and is capable enough to become a mentor, then she must be a
candidate for a guardian.
If one considers the
connection with Kihoin-school, the list of candidates is reduced to one hand.
Then I can just point out the ones who might be available in that list.
―Right. You should undo your concealment. It's common
courtesy, and it makes one feel uncomfortable, even if the person you're going
to meet isn't a woman."
Akira agreed to
Homare's thoughtful advice.
But to be honest, the
problem was that he had no clue about the concealment.
So, he inwardly wished
that he would be able to undo it. As a result,
"Oh, the noise of
the spirits is back. Yeah, that's better."
Apparently, that was
the right call.
With a single nod of
the head. Homare disappeared to the right-wing building.
Perhaps because the
girl's pursuit was gone, Akira breathed a big sigh of relief at the sense of
liberation.
――――――――――
"Akira-kun!?"
"Long time no
see. Saki-ojōsama."
Akira backed away from
the pillar and waited for a while.
Along with a voice
filled with impatience, Saki rushed out from the entrance of the right-wing
building.
Without paying
attention to her surroundings, she drew herself closer to Akira.
"When did you
arrive in the Central Capital?"
"Just a little
while ago. A week ago, Hyakki Yagyo took place in Karen- ...... mmpph."
As Akira was about to
answer Saki's question, the girl's index finger was placed on his lips.
A sharp backward
glance toward the girl standing at the entrance of the right-wing building.
"―Thank you,
Homare-sama."
"Don't worry
about it. It's better if I do a few hard works rather than have him break into
the right-wing building and cause a ruckus.
Since Saki-kun's a
good person. I'll close my eyes for this one, but please keep your meet-ups in
moderation."
"That's wrong!!
He's ......"
"I get it. But
you better keep a proper distance before any strange rumors start spreading.
―You know how people are always watching, don't
you?"
While chuckling, she
glanced up at the second floor of the right-wing building, where one could see
into the corridor.
Squealing voices were
heard and the sight of a few girls pulling away from the window caught Saki's
attention.
Saki let out a sigh as
she suppressed a wrinkle between her eyebrows.
"Looks like I was
overly flustered, I'll be careful next time.
Homare-sama......."
"I have to go to
the northern part of the Central Province for some business, so please excuse
me now.
I won't be back for a
while."
"I see, I wish
you a safe trip."
"Thank you. ―Well, it's just a small chore, just like a child's
errand. The head of Hariin also takes great pleasure in forcing me to take care
of troublesome things."
She may have
understood that it was a courtesy gesture, but still she smiled openly at
Saki's words.
It's a smile with no
sarcasm and filled with a mysterious charm.
With one last glance
at Akira, Homare briskly turned on her heel.
Without hesitation,
she disappeared into the central building.
After confirming that
the distance between them had been sufficiently wide apart, Saki finally
relaxed her shoulders.
"Phew.
Homare-sama is not a bad person, but I'm always on my toes when I'm dealing
with her.
Akira-kun, you should
be careful as well, she is very good at obtaining information from people.
If you want to have a
conversation with someone, it would be better to keep as much distance from her
as possible."
"I understand.
......But, aren't being overly cautious?
I don't think she can
hear us anymore."
"Do you remember
the eavesdropping technique that Tatewaki Nonoka used?
At the very least,
I've confirmed that she can use that technique as well."
Hearing Saki's words,
Akira reflected on what he had said.
He didn't think he had
said anything fatal, but judging from her words and mannerisms, he could see
that she had guessed something about his true identity.
Akira was unable to
determine what she had seen through him.
"She certainly
had a keen sense of perception. Even if one has the connection with the Four
Sovereigns, I don't think she would be particularly easy to handle with."
"I guess so.
―More importantly, Akira-kun, why are you at the Tenryō
Academy?
I received a telegram
from Tsuguho-sama that you were coming to the Central Capital."
The only information
Saki had received was that Akira might be either joining the Kingsguard or the
garrison.
That was why she had
even made plans to meet up with Asogi after school.
However, the sudden
appearance of Akira at Tenryō Academy forced her to change her plans for the
rest of the day.
"......This is a
thoughtful gesture from Yuge-sama.
He said he would try
to somehow arrange a way so that I could cover up the middle school class
credits alone."
"......I see,
Yuge-sama's thoughtfulness, huh?
Normally, I would be
grateful, but to introduce this academy of all places?
―You see, 'he' is in this-......"
"I am well aware.
......We crossed paths earlier."
Saki's complexion
turned pale as she imagined the situation where they would cross paths.
Although she had only
heard about it, Akira and Souma's relationship was as if they were strangers,
meeting only a few times a year.
Furthermore, Ugetsu
was not supposed to know that Akira was still alive.
If it was just a
passing acquaintance, it would not be a problem worthy of concern.
However,
―They are blood relatives. Even though both Akira and
the other party would likely deny it, they are connected by one of the
strongest bonds in the world.
This means that they
are placed on both ends of an unstable balance that can tip to the extreme
either way.
"...... What
happened?"
"I went
unnoticed. ......As Hariin-sama pointed out, apparently I was invoking a
concealment technique."
"―I see, thank
goodness.
Regarding taking
classes at Tenryō Academy, let's wait for Tsuguho-sama's decision.
I feel bad about
disregarding Yuge-sama's kindness, but there are too many problems with taking
classes at Tenryō Academy."
To interfere further
would be seen as an overstepping of one's authority, even for Saki, who is
merely a student at the academy. Understanding the difficulty of the situation,
Akira could only reply in agreement.
As they talked, a
chime rang out above them.
Realizing that time
was running out, Saki turned on her heel to return to class.
"Let's talk about
it in detail after school.
What are you gonna do
after this, Akira-kun?"
"There's nothing
more I can do, so I'm going to wait until after class.
After school, I plan
to return to the garrison with Nakiri-senpai."
"I heard that you've
been acquainted with him. I see that you are already good friends with each
other.
...... Just perfect,
I'll go to the garrison as well then. Uncle Asogi will be there too,
right?"
As soon as she heard
Nakiri's name, Saki's cheeks puffed up a little.
Leaving Akira puzzled
by the slightly changed atmosphere, Saki went back inside the school building.
Nakiri Jin is not a
woman.
Establishing a close
friendship with a person, especially a man, is something to be celebrated.
However, it is also a
fact that Akira's relationship expanded in a way that Saki did not foresee, and
she felt an emotion akin to impatience.
A feeling that Saki
has never experienced before and that is difficult to describe. It was a very
immature feeling of impatience,
―To those with knowledgeable eyes, it resembled what
could be called jealousy.
♢
Perhaps thanks to her
prior arrangement, the teacher's permission was granted rather easily.
Thinking back to the
conversation she had just had with Akira, Homare made her way to the entrance
of the central building.
"―Homare-sama."
"Hmm?"
A young man's voice
calling out to her interrupted her thoughts, and Homare turned around.
Beyond her gaze stood
Ugetsu Souma, who was related to her in some way.
"Souma-kun, eh?
Getting ready for class?"
"Yeah, it's a
troublesome part of being a class president.
...... Homare-sama,
are you not attending?"
Homare's eyes squinted
as she tried not to let the hint of ridicule in Souma's tone of voice get the
better of her.
There has been a lot
of commotion recently, but she has heard that the Kokuten Province has taken a
respite for the time being.
Homare inwardly
speculated that the other party seemed to be in a bind.
The ups and downs of
the nobility are based on trust.
In many cases, that
trust is maintained through bloodlines, lands, histories, and other unshakable
factors.
However, when the land
owned by a family is heavily poisoned by miasma, it is necessary to restore it
in order to maintain trust.
Trust cannot be
created in a declining family line. To compensate for trust, it is often
necessary to invest a lot of capital. ......And in many cases, it can end up
tipping the family further down the line before the capital can be recovered.
Falling to see that
struggle in the face of obvious problems was, as far as Homare knows, a pretty
grim situation.
...... But those are
all problems for Kokuten Province to solve.
It is not the place
for Homare to get involved.
Shoving all these
things down her throat, Homare directed a pleasant smile at Souma.
"It's official
business. I won't be back for at least a week.
The vice president
will be in charge of the student council, but Souma-kun, please assist him as
well."
"Understood. I
wish you a safe return."
"For Souma-kun's
benefit, wouldn't it be better if it was the other way around?
You may have won in
the 1st semester, but that won't happen in the 2nd semester."
The words exchanged
between the two, while keeping their intentions hidden, were mainly about the
content of the results they were competing for.
The girl's record of
being the best for 5 years was broken by the boy in front of her, albeit only
in the first semester of the first year.
Even though she was
not particularly fixated on this fact, Homare was tempted to say something
about it in a ridiculing way.
However, since she was
not particularly fixated on it, Souma was probably the same way.
Without being swayed
by Homare's mockery, Souma's gaze met with hers.
"It's the
opposite, I don't necessarily feel happy or sad when I compare our scores.
After all, it is the
result of my target, Homare-sama."
"In that case, I
won't have to hold back.
―I will be back in early October. Take care of the
rest."
"Yes, take
care."
After exchanging a
light bow, Souma and Homare turned their feet toward their respective
destinations.
They took a step
outside into the bright light. In the autumn sunlight, Homare squinted up at
the sky.
The shadow of an
unknown bird swimming in the sky reflected in her eyes.
"......Well, come
to think of it, there are some strange coincidences, aren't there?"
"Pardon?"
Souma, who was about
to disappear across the corridor, turned around, perhaps picking up on the
muttering in his ears.
At his dubious
expression, Homare smiled, thinking that her attempt to get back at him was
successful.
"I noticed that
currently there are three direct descendants of the Four Sovereigns in the
academy.
Although the academy
has been around for a long time, this seems to be the first time something like
this happened to this extent."
"Is that
so?"
Souma's curt reply
implied that he was not interested in the subject.
However, what she said
was true. If they had been born just a few months apart, or if the dates had
been different, even the three of them would never have crossed paths.
"It's a shame. If
Jinrouin's princess were also here, we would have seen a very lively power
struggle. But as expected, dragging out a child of 10 years of age is a bit too
much for my taste."
"......As
someone who admires and respects everyone here, I don't want to imagine that.
The
damage caused by the collision of the Four Sovereigns, even if the surrounding
area is level, would be enormous."
"Souma-kun,
you sure are very serious.
Well,
your honesty is also part of your charm."
After
all, these were just words that came out of her mouth in the autumn sky. Without
a hint of regret, Homare waved her hand and this time disappeared into the
autumn sunshine.
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