Chapter 4: Fujisawa Masumi
PART 1
The next day Takeru developed a high fever and as a result stayed in bed. I was the result of the curse being put on her, combined with her exhausting the reserves of her own ki.
Up until now she was somehow managing to keep herself together, but with that kind of curse it was impossible to resist endlessly. And it so happened that during the yesterdayâs battle her curse managed to slowly build up, resulting in taking over her body due to her own ki being almost completely depleted.
I tried to heal her and dispel the curse on my own, but it proved to be too strong for me to handle. My power was not enough to bring her fever down and to ease her suffering.
No, even if I had the knowledge necessary to do that, I would still be unable to do anything. Dispelling such complex curses required and impressive skills and knowledge, one which I didnât possess. Only a seasoned Exorcist could help Takeru right now.
[Donât, make that kind of faceâ¦â¦ Itâs totally unlike you, Mikotoâ¦â¦]
Even though her body was ravaged by high temperature, Takeru was still trying her best to smile. Her eyes, usually so clear and composed, now were full of tears. Her skin was flushed red and her temples were covered in beads of sweat. That picture was more than enough to confirm just how high her fever was, even without bringing your palm to her forehead. Her chest was moving up and down heavily, her breath ragged and full of suffering.
Mikoto couldnât bear to watch her sister in such state.
(Itâs all my faultâ¦â¦ Because I was rampaging so muchâ¦â¦)
No amount of regret would be enough to redeem her. No amount of remorse would fix this. She wanted to do something for her ââââ Holding back her tears, she held the burning hot hand of her sister.
[Iâm so sorry, Takeru. Even though Iâm the older sister, I always end up putting you in a harmâs way.] [Goodness graciousâ¦â¦ Nee-san, you just worry tooâ¦â¦ Fuhn, haahâ¦â¦]
Takeru tries to say something, but then her expression twists into that of pain. It seems that even moving her mouth was painful for her. Without her usual glasses on her face, she didnât look calm and collected at all. Thinking about it now, Mikoto didnât remember Takeru ever being sick or catching a cold. She was always taking an exceptional care of her health.
That is why it was so painful for Mikoto, seeing her little sister in such state. Takeru also seemed to hate that.
[Yeah, I understand. What a relief that is. You just focus on resting and leave everything to me!]
Mikoto covered Takeru with a blanket all the way to her chest and then replaced the wet towel she placed on her head some time earlier. She stood up after that. Takeru did not reply. It seems that she fell asleep, or maybe lost consciousness, but her expression was still that of pain.
Takeruâs voice from last night was still ringing inside of her ears. She was her dear and important little sister. She was always so proper and diligent, but now the enemy got her and she was forced to suffer like that.
They didnât know why youmas were targeting humans and what did they wanted to use them for. But,
But that doesnât matter.
(Just you wait, Takeru. Be it investigating or be it extermination ââ Iâm going to take care of it all on my own! Sis is going to make whoever did this to you pay!)
Squeezing the stuffed cat hanging from her wrist, the red-headed girl put her hand to her chest as she vowed to herself.
***
After leaving Takeru in the dorm, Mikoto went to the staff room to receive a phone call. The Headmaster contacted her and said that there was a lone boy waiting for her in front of the Academy, waiting to arrange their stuff and daily necessities. Since the rules at Seisen Girlsâ Academy were really strict, the students here were not allowed to carry cell phones with them. The call could only be made over a really small distances, and each call was being monitored, but for Mikoto that wasnât much of a problem.
âI asked the Headquarters to send over your belongings, but this place is way in the mountains. It may take some time for them to reach you. So until they get there, youâll have to get by on your own somehow.â
Her colleague, Tachibana Yamato, said that while biting on his fingernails. But,
âI get it.â
That fact did not caused Mikotoâs determination to waver one bit.
(Iâm going to get rid of this menace before our things get here!)
She was going to make them pay for causing harm to her dear little sister. She was going to destroy them with her own hands.
(I, with my own handsâ¦â¦!)
Clasping the stuffed cat hanging from her wrist and walking in a fast pace, she arrived at her classroom before long. As soon as she opened the sliding door, the usual friendly chatter became quiet.
Oh no, not good ââ she thought to herself, seeing the startled looks on her classmatesâ faces. However, she just couldnât bring herself to soften her angry expression and try to hide her rage. She was never good at doing that.
(If it was Takeru, Iâm sure that she could maintain her neutral facial expression, even at times like this.)
Remembering my poor sisterâs face, I sat at my desk and let out a sigh. Then I notice that Fujiwara Masumi walked up to my desk.
âGood morning, Shiratori-san. You were absent during this morningâs service. Were you not feeling well?â
âIâm feeling fine, but my sister, Takeruâ¦â¦â
âOh, Shiratori-sanâs little sister? Is she sick?â
The young girl was asking question after question while looking rather serious. Mikoto didnât like being cross-examined like that, but right now she wasnât angry in the slightest. Maybe it was because Fujiwara Masumi had the looks of a little angel. Her voice was also pleasant, just like a myriad of silver bells ringing at the same time.
âI guess you could say that, but itâs something thatâs been sticking with her for a while now.â
She answers in a vague fashion.
âSo I guess it very well may be something related to âthatâ, huh?â
The âthatâ that Masumi mentioned was probably related to the recent attacks on the students here. Fortunately, no one here knew about what Shiratori sisters were secretly doing at night, that they were hunting down youmas.
(If Fujisawa-san was to cooperate with usâ¦â¦ No, no, no, Takeru would surely get angry at me if she heard me say that.)
Mikoto quickly dismissed the idea that suddenly came to her mind. It was just yesterday that she was telling Takeru that they shouldnât get th general public involved in their fights.
However, she also thought that getting some help would be really nice.
Without Takeruâs help, they only had half of their usual manpower, but if she was to involve someone else that person would also be more of liability, for they would be unexperienced in combat and lacking the necessary knowledge. So that wouldnât really solve the problem, and would only serve to endanger innocent bystanders.
âIâ¦â¦ I seeâ¦â¦â
Assuming Mikotoâs silence to be a positive reply, Masumi bites her lip and the expression on her face tenses up. She must have probably thought that if this was just a pervert, she could handle him on her own. Like that, she was bound to start making night rounds all on her own.
She would balance on a thin line between safety and danger.
This beautiful girl was probably willing to take action, without knowing the full risk it may involve.
(Uhhâ¦â¦ What should I doâ¦â¦? What should I doâ¦â¦?)
Telling her the truth would only inevitably get Masumi involved. However, keeping silent would also seem suspicious. And who knows? Maybe she would be able to come up with some sort of a plan, even though she had no real experience? Mikoto was shaking her head, unsure of what to say to Masumi.
ââ¦â¦ Eh!?â
A pair of small hands clasp around my hands.
Masumiâs face was dead serious, an awe-inspiring surprise.
âPlease, Shiratori-san. If thereâs anything I can do, please let me help you.â
Her words were clear and her voice was strong. She leaned closer to Mikoto, and her long, black hair slipped over her blazer, making a squeaky sound. The scent of her perfume penetrated Mikotoâs nostrils, reminiscent of the damp and wet atmosphere of the deep forest.
âShiriatori-san, I am a member of the Disciplinary Committee. And the incidents that happen in this Academy are ours to take care of. However, if the two of you are doing something to stop this madness, even though you are an outsiders, risking your lives for usâ¦â¦ That is something that I absolutely cannot agree to!â