Winter mornings are cold.
If I wear a thick padded coat filled with synthetic cotton or goose down like in Korea, it might be a bit less cold. But it seems like that kind of outfit isn’t really in fashion in this country.
Well, even without it, it might be enough to just endure it. After all, Tokyo is quite a bit farther south than Seoul where I lived.
Even if the weather is cold, I have two friends to go to school with, so I thought it didn’t matter that much.
What if I were alone like before?
Would I just be staring blankly out the window on the train like this?
Walking alone through the streets where the cold wind blows, would I have gone to school and then home?
No, I’m not even sure if I would have finished school at all.
…
Ah, but at least Hagiwara would have been there.
I’m not sure if we would have become as close as we are now, though.
Riding the train absentmindedly without thinking much is the same, but the feeling changes completely whether there’s someone I know next to me or not; it’s fascinating.
An ordinary daily life.
Having experienced a few extraordinary moments, I think I understand how important this time is. I wish I had time to save it instead; it slips through my fingers like sand, leaving only slight traces and disappearing entirely.
And then a few glimmers left on my palm would be memories, I guess.
“…Hah.”
I chuckled at those thoughts.
Lately, I have many moments like this. I feel like my personality is becoming more and more nonsensical as the days go by.
“Why?”
Last time Koko asked me, and this time Yuka came over to ask.
“No, it’s just…”
I couldn’t bring myself to say the overly sentimental thoughts I had out loud, so I just mumbled something similar again.
Hmm, thinking back, I definitely turned down the offer to hunt Yōkai.
If there were a Yōkai reading my thoughts, it would have blurted out exactly what I was thinking, right?
No matter what, I didn’t want to do that in front of Yuka.
“I was just thinking about what to have for dinner tonight.”
Saying this, I looked up at the sky outside.
Not a single cloud.
The weather was cold, but the sky was really blue.
I hope the weather stays like this.
*
Looks like Yuka noticed that I’ve attached myself to people.
Considering that even I could sense it without much training, of course, Yuka would have picked up on it as well.
To be precise, she probably noticed it quite some time ago.
“…Does it bother you? What should I say to you?”
“…It’s fine.”
Some of them must have been brought in for social reasons.
They’ve never been of help, but at least they haven’t caused me any harm.
If something happens, they’ll likely be more helpful.
It seems I can’t deal with Yōkai too well, but at least if a stalker comes along, they would be useful then.
Yuka looked a bit unwilling, but she didn’t push back against what I said.
*
The end-of-year atmosphere in high school can only be described as ‘subtle.’
It was the time when we should be studying hard as we officially entered the exam period, but it was also the time when it was perfect for having fun. With both the end of the year and the upcoming new year being significant times to celebrate, the mood was a mix of light-heartedness and anticipation.
That atmosphere relaxed the entire school.
Just like during that rainy, humid, and hot summer, even after it turned cold, we were still having lunch in the Literature Club Room.
But for some reason, even knowing it’s cold, I was heading up to the rooftop with Koko.
I had already let Yuka know in advance.
I bought bread at the convenience store on my way to school in the morning. Yuka believed she should be the one treating me to lunch, and when I told her last time that it was okay to stop treating me, she seemed a bit shocked… But after I showed her that I bought bread right in front of her, she seemed convinced.
From now on, I thought I should start slowly gaining independence from Yuka.
I had developed bad habits from the beginning, but I hope Koko doesn’t do the same.
Yuka said she had something to do for a moment.
…It feels like we went to buy bread after she saw us, but I couldn’t exactly stop her from doing that.
So we went up to the upper floor, the floor where our seniors were using—
“Ah.”
I ran into Hagiwara Hana.
Even though the sailor uniform of Hanagawa High School has a somewhat baggy design, it looks elegant on her. Honestly, if I hadn’t seen someone wearing a nun’s outfit directly, I wouldn’t have thought this person is a nun even knowing that setup.
“…Kurosawa.”
“Hagiwara-senpai.”
I lightly bowed my head.
Usually, I would just greet and pass, but even though we knew each other’s faces moderately well and ended up staying together unintentionally a couple of times, we hadn’t actually gotten that friendly yet.
A different vibe from the group, I would say.
It’s not that I dislike her, but the group behind Hagiwara has a somewhat awkward relationship with the group behind Yuka, so I feel like it influenced my judgment. After all, I received more from Yuka’s group.
“…”
However, it seemed Hagiwara had something she wanted to say that she didn’t want to let pass by.
What to do? If she were someone I disliked, I would ignore her, but Hagiwara… well, she’s not that kind of person.
“…Do you want to say something?”
I tried to speak as politely as possible, but it didn’t sound particularly polite when I actually said it.
“Yeah, it’s that.”
But Hagiwara didn’t seem to mind too much.
Her gaze scans around me.
There were quite a few students, but there weren’t many looking our way.
“…Can I talk to you for a moment?”
But Hagiwara said that with a cautious expression.
I thought for a moment and replied,
“…As long as it doesn’t take too long, it’s fine.”
*
Ironically, I didn’t have to worry about being late to my lunch appointment.
If you choose a place without people inside the school, the rooftop is the best place.
Even though it’s this open, I’ve never seen anyone else come here. Everyone probably assumes the door is locked.
“Brr, it’s cold.”
Hagiwara stepped outside and muttered while wrapping herself up.
I suppose she hadn’t really thought about coming out here. At least Koko and I are wearing coats.
“…What do you want to say?”
What should I say to Hagiwara, who seems a bit cold? I decided to jump straight to the main topic. It’s cold enough without stretching this out.
“Oh, it’s that.”
For a brief moment, a look of concern passed over Hagiwara’s face.
She seems to be deciding whether to jump straight into the main topic or beat around the bush a little first. After all, it’s cold outside.
Finally, Hagiwara let out a deep sigh and said,
“…Do you know about the existence called ‘Satori’?”
Yeah, I thought it would be about that.
Still, unlike Nakahara, who perceives me as a dangerous factor around Sasaki, it seems Hagiwara is not worried about that at all.
We did have a connection, to some extent.
But even so, if we bump into each other in the hallway, we just lightly bow and pass by. Hagiwara could choose to engage me in a conversation to show her connection to me, but when she says “I want to talk,” I never thought it would end in plain small talk.
“…Ah, you do know about it.”
Hagiwara let out a sigh, and white steam came out of her mouth.
“Sorry. It seems like we need that on our side.”
I can see why.
Even if they don’t need it immediately, it would be useful to have on hand.
After all, the information obtained from that Yōkai wouldn’t involve illicit interrogation methods. The fact that you can extract hidden information from the other party’s weakest points without having to resort to harsh torture or threats is undoubtedly an enticing story.
Well, it wouldn’t count as legally usable evidence, but the very idea that the opponent wouldn’t be a regular criminal at the point of summoning such a Yōkai is very likely.
“…Are you asking me for help…?”
As I asked, looking at Hagiwara with disbelief, her face turned red. It wasn’t just because of the cold air; it was a blush of embarrassment that was clearly visible.
Her gaze flicked to Koko, who was staring at her from my side. Luckily, Koko remained calm. She didn’t give off any vibes that suggested she would attack the other party because of me trying to have her do something.
After a moment of contemplation, Hagiwara finally opened her mouth.
“I think it’s because we’re on friendly terms.”
Ah, Hagiwara let out another sigh and looked at me.
Then she wore a faint smile on her lips.
“Well, seeing your expression, I feel reassured. You don’t seem like someone who’d go around looking for it anyway.”
I nodded.
“I’m not the type to cut my wrist just for fun, either.”
At my words, Hagiwara shut her mouth.
Hagiwara must have been equally shocked when she saw me cut my wrist. She knows that her request is essentially the same request from me.
“Sorry.”
“…If those are the words that came down from above, then it can’t be helped.”
Even Yuka had said something similar to me.
“Got it. Thanks for answering.”
Hagiwara looked a little more relaxed.
“Well, then… I think I’ll be going. It’s getting too cold.”
I nodded.
Hagiwara waved her hand lightly at me and quickly turned towards the rooftop door.
And then…
“Ah… Senpai.”
She bumped into Yuka, who was just coming through the door.
Yuka’s eyes were on Hagiwara, and then she quickly moved towards me and Koko. Then she looked back at Hagiwara again.
Why are you here?
There was a hint of hostility in her gaze.
Hagiwara shrugged her shoulders and said,
“…I just had a few words to say.”
“……”
Yuka’s eyes narrowed at Hagiwara’s words, but she didn’t block her path either.
As Yuka stepped aside, Hagiwara lowered her head slightly and hurried on past. She looked tense, as though she was freezing.
Honestly, it felt a bit sad. I thought it might have been better if Hagiwara hadn’t come out after all.
“What was that about?”
“…Satori.”
At my words, Yuka let out a small sigh.
And she didn’t continue that topic.
Instead, she put her hand into her coat pocket and pulled out a drink.
A bottle of coffee milk.
“Here.”
“Thanks… Oh.”
I instinctively gasped when accepting the bottle. It was warm.
“Wow!”
Koko also lit up with the same surprise, holding her bottle.
“It’s warm.”
“I got it from the vending machine.”
Sure enough, I think there were quite a few of those vending machines inside the school.
Certainly, it didn’t make sense to heat it beforehand. No matter how well you keep it, it would cool down within an hour.
“Drinking something warm on a day like this is a real treat, right?”
I smiled a little at Yuka’s considerate gesture.
Seeing my expression, Yuka seemed to be in a good mood, which was a relief.
*
Even though it’s true that in my previous life I lived a life of doing others’ affairs in exchange for work, I didn’t do it because I liked it.
I had to collapse from exhaustion to not dream of my family when I slept.
That’s right.
I actually don’t really like working much like ordinary people.
Working in a café was much better than the jobs I originally had, but it was still work. Even with such a good boss and work environment, I contemplated quitting for that reason.
These days, I’m more at ease, or perhaps it’s thanks to that nameless cat god, my frequency of those dreams has reduced lately.
Because of that, Tuesday has become a day of rest for me.
Going back from school?
Well, classes usually end much earlier than typical office workers do, and after that, I sit in the club and leisurely spend my time.
Today, Yuka didn’t follow me.
No matter how close Yuka is to me, she’s still a minor. Her grandfather and father probably wouldn’t let her out too often.
Thinking of Yuka, who was sulking about those things, made me chuckle a little.
Even if I’m in a position where I’m wielding a knife and hunting Yōkai, Yuka is ultimately a teenager, a high school girl, and that really resonates…
…
So, every time I think like that, I end up feeling heavy-hearted.
On my way back, I bought a bag of tangerines again. I already finished my study at the Literature Club Room, so today I planned to relax under the kotatsu and finish off the day.
“Uwoo?”
And just as I was thinking that, I dropped it once I arrived in front of my house.
“…Kagami.”
“……”
Kagami was standing in front of the door.
Moreover, her expression was not as relaxed as usual; it was a bit gloomy.
As soon as I saw her expression, I vaguely understood what kind of story Kagami had come to share.
“…Are you also here about Satori?”
“Yes.”
Kagami immediately answered without denying or avoiding my words.
“Can I come in?”
She asked with a slightly cautious tone.
“Sure.”
I said as I opened the door for her.
To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kagami came right inside. She probably has a key or something.
But I didn’t think Kagami would steal anything from inside. Honestly, there’s not much to steal.
“Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“…Ah, I haven’t.”
“Let’s eat together.”
I said that while setting down my bag.
“Wait in the room. We’ll wash up first. You can eat tangerines.”
I took a plate from the kitchen and poured some of the tangerines from the bag onto it, then set it on the kotatsu.
“……”
Kagami looked at me with a lost expression as if she didn’t know what to say.
I decided to not think too much about it.
After all, we’re not total strangers anymore.
That was a meal I had provided, after I had just placed the rice cooker.
At that time, she had casually eaten without a care, so at this point, feeling awkward seems too late, doesn’t it?
I held Koko’s hand and headed to the shower.
*
We didn’t talk about Satori during dinner.
Since I didn’t bring it up first, Kagami seemed to be at a loss on how to proceed.
She’s been showing some unusual expressions lately. She used to talk about anything and everything without caring about my feelings.
Dinner wasn’t a lavish stew like the previous ones I had with Kagami.
Tonight’s dinner was curry.
“…It’s delicious.”
“Really?”
I made it with a recipe I learned from Yuka.
It seems that Japanese people are quite serious about their curry rice, to the point that every family has its own recipe.
The taste itself was a bit sweet, but by adjusting the ingredients here, I think I could have it fit my taste.
Watching Koko eat her curry rice with an expression that seemed like she was about to hum a tune, I turned my gaze to Kagami.
“So, what’s the story?”
At this rate, she didn’t seem like she would be the one to bring up the topic first.
“…If you’ve heard about Satori, you probably know what kind of Yōkai it is.”
“A Yōkai that reads minds, right?”
Kagami nodded at my question.
“That’s right.”
“Is it needed for social purposes too?”
“It would be nice to have, but… if that were just the reason, I didn’t think you would move.”
That was very accurate.
If I was going to die anyway, I wanted to spend that time peacefully. Plus, it’s the end of the year now.
Well, usually during year-end, the workload at jobs tends to soar, but I’m a student right now. I don’t want to be ‘working’ during this time.
How had the information about Satori spread so widely?
Well, it’s simple.
The first mention was probably from the government. If not the government, at least from the center controlling those exorcists.
However, no one would be unaware that such important information wouldn’t come from those places. The question is how you receive that information; if you just think of a method, they would definitely attempt to extract the information somehow.
And the fact that this is a place where religious freedom is guaranteed, it wouldn’t be unusual for someone among the government officials to be engrossed in some religion. Even if it’s not a standard religion like Catholicism, some strange things might mix in.
For example, believing in extraterrestrial beings beyond the universe that actually exist.
“Do you want to make me move?”
After that, Kagami paused, furrowing her brow for a moment, and then paused again,
“No, that’s exactly what I meant. Sorry.”
“……”
I scooped up another spoonful of curry rice and put it in my mouth.
As I slowly chewed, organizing my thoughts, Kagami finally spoke up.
“…My sister seems to want to move.”
My jaw froze mid-bite.
I looked at Kagami.
“There must be someone planted on that side too. While it’s true there must be someone from your side here as well.”
That makes sense.
“And this could be a story that was intentionally spread.”
“Yet you think there’s a possibility?”
“Yes.”
Kagami nodded.
“I’m also aware that I’m not on the side of justice. Religion… is hardly pristine.”
Kagami looked at me as she spoke.
“However, that doesn’t mean I would allow this world to perish.”
“……”
The goal of twisting reality to create a paradise, was that the objective?
“What’s Kuzuzu’s goal?”
When I asked, Kagami fell silent for a moment.
Then she opened her mouth.
It was as if she had made up her mind before coming here; her voice was filled with strength.
“…To blur the boundaries between life and death.”
“……”
That’s a colossal scale!
But I can’t just brush that off since I’ve slightly glimpsed the truth of this world.
That’s right.
If there is an afterlife, and there are beings living there, and it’s possible for those beings to come into this world…
Then of course, tearing down the barrier between this world and the other side isn’t impossible either.
“If the concept of death disappears, everyone would live forever.”
“…And even in that world, there would be ruling classes.”
“……”
Yeah, I think I understand what Kuzuzu is ‘really after.’
How remarkable!
“We don’t plan to capture Satori. We don’t want to use it either. That would be an all-too-obvious action.”
Kagami rearranged her posture as she spoke.
“So, in that case… it must disappear. That would be the cleanest solution for us.”
“…Is that so?”
I began to eat quietly again.
Kagami followed suit.
Until we finished our meal, no more conversations passed between us.
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