Chapter 2

I nearly hit my head on the windowsill when I heard that.

So much for the small, timid Miya, who had sought me out by the river only to arrange a meeting by the academic building. And then to lead me to a spot where I could hear the conversation between the Director and Teacher Koji.

At first, my conscience was gnawing at me, telling me that eavesdropping was wrong, but... remembering that Miya had given me the hint about the cobra, I decided to push my conscience away and freeze. The little girl cleverly vanished as if she had never been there. Her behavior was seriously puzzling, considering that she never made contact. She answered in monosyllables, urged me to follow her, and looked as if I couldn't disobey.

Was she helping me for saving her from the river? Or did she know something that would be useful to me later?

I wisely hid and tried to ignore the strain in my shoulders and legs. It wasn't very comfortable under this windowsill—it was quite dirty and narrow. Little Miya would have fit perfectly, but it was quite a problem for me.

But that wasn't what bothered me now; it was the fact that I hadn't arrived at the start of the conversation. They were discussing me. Koji was true to form. I would have applauded you, Teacher, but I'm afraid a mere reprimand wouldn't be enough then.

They didn't discuss me for long, then silence reigned. It seemed both were engrossed in work. I should have quietly sneaked away, but I realized I couldn't get out quietly. How did I even get in? It seemed I was too enthusiastically crawling after Miya, who was clearly adept at spy games.

"Fine," I decided. "They'll finish and leave, and I'll go afterward. I can sit here and meditate to clear my mind of any wrong thoughts and delve into my ryoku."

But I couldn't keep it up for long.

And how joyful my heart was at the moment the door slammed and the lights went out. Since they were turned off, the work was done; it was unlikely that anyone would simply sit in a dark office.

"Well," the Director Tetsuya's mocking voice sounded above my head, "maybe you'd like to come out?"

I actually bumped my head from the surprise, and my stomach dropped. And then I hissed. No, this was crossing the line! So, I was here impersonating a camouflaged deer, but they knew all about me. Oh, Miya! You've done me a favor!

Although, why blame the little girl? She might not have known that the wise parent had figured out her hiding place.

I crawled out, winced, and rubbed the top of my head again.

Director Tetsuya looked at me, slightly narrowing his eyes. In his hands was the kiseru pipe, from which smoke slowly rose. I had never seen him smoke. But it seemed the Director was not averse to simple human... bad habits.

His black-and-gray hair was not pulled back into his usual ponytail but scattered over his shoulders, making him look somehow younger. And he seemed to remind me of someone. The glints of amusement in his black eyes also subtracted a few years.

"Were you not told that eavesdropping is wrong?"

"I'm not eavesdropping; I'm gathering strategically important information," I blurted out, brushing dirt and small twigs from my clothes.

"You'll go far," he chuckled.

He hadn't said anything bad, but I wanted to make a quick escape as soon as possible. Who knew these school directors... He spoke calmly, but he might already be picturing my public punishment on the walls of Gozen.

"Stop," he commanded softly, and my feet seemed glued to the ground. "What did you hear?"

I had to tell him everything, starting with the words: "...Aska Shenghai won't leave me in peace."

Tetsuya listened in silence, then nodded.

Silence hung in the air.

I became nervous. I would have preferred him to yell at me or, to the tsumi with it, give me an unpedagogical smack on the neck for bad behavior. But he just looked at me, and it instantly felt much colder than before. Or was it just the night?

"I see," he finally said. "And what conclusions did you draw?"

"That Teacher Koji doesn't like me."

"That's a strong statement. That's not what this is about."

"Am I dangerous?"

"Quite possibly."

"But I have no intention of harming anyone!" I exclaimed, indignant. "And I have nothing to do with the mado-noroi. Because... because it was the first time I've ever seen what that is! And I'll be honest: I didn't like what I saw."

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Tetsuya looked at me for a while longer with an unblinking, sharp gaze, then chuckled and suddenly surprised me:

"Have you already chosen the discipline you'll take the exam for this year, besides the required ones, Aska?"

Now is your chance. I couldn't lose it.

"I won't be taking an exam, Director Tetsuya."

Surprise flickered in his dark eyes.

"Oh really. Do you want to stay and take the course again? Or is this some kind of rebellion I'm not yet aware of?"

"No rebellion," I answered with a clear conscience and stepped closer. So that it was convenient to talk, and at the same time, it wouldn't reach any other ears. If I was sitting under the window, it didn't mean that someone else hadn't thought of it. "I read the school charter; it says that a student can submit a petition."

Tetsuya took a puff. Why did his skin look unnaturally white right now? And his eyes, on the contrary, were a bottomless abyss from which one couldn't escape. And his wrinkles seemed to have smoothed out... What was wrong with him? It was probably just the lighting. Everything looked different at night, and once the sun came out, everything would be fine and wonderful.

"And what petition do you want to submit, Aska?"

"For a double calligraphy exam."

I said it as if I had plunged into an icy pool. Now everything depended only on the Director's decision. Of course, I was going to go the official route, persuading Tehiko to put in a good word for me, but fate had decided otherwise. I should have kept silent, but a word is not a sparrow, and it had already flown out.

Tetsuya was silent.

I shifted from foot to foot, cursing this stupid habit of elders to be silent and make you jump out of your keikogi while waiting for an answer.

"Do you realize the degree of responsibility?" Tetsuya finally asked.

"I do."

"You have time to think, Aska... But you will definitely be the first in several years to dare such a thing," he said, as if he hadn't heard my previous words. "You have one week. Now, be a dear and go to bed. And if you see Miya, tell her I know everything."

Something inhuman flashed in his eyes; my hands and feet instantly turned to ice.

I nodded and bowed respectfully.

"Yes, Director Tetsuya. Good night."

"Good night, Student Shenghai."

This formality was puzzling, but the Director had already disappeared into the room, so there was no one to talk to.

I trudged toward our building. Nothing made sense. He seemed to have listened and didn't send me away, but at the same time, there was no certainty. I was given time to think. To think so I would give up? Or, on the contrary, to dig in my heels with my precious principles and, spitting on everything, take the double exam?

It wasn't for nothing that I had spent so much time in the library, leafing through everything. That's where I dug up that by passing the double exam, you could get the fourth kyu of the Kanji Apprentice. By passing one more such exam—the second kyu. To skip the last kyu and get the first dan of the Kanji Master, a personal mentor was needed. I had clearly decided that I wanted to master calligraphy, so I found the shortest and most logical path.

I reached our room, stood by the door, bit my lip, and rushed to the roof. I wouldn't be sleeping anyway. That meant I could train. Meditation was an excellent thing. And I also had an idea that required no witnesses to implement.

I climbed up quietly; my constant night walks were paying off. It had gotten even colder, by the way. Maybe I shouldn't be wandering around and should go to bed instead?

But all my thoughts flew out of my head instantly when I looked towards the Tokugawa School. Scarlet lights circled above the roof. Alarming, unpleasant, like something rotten.

They seemed to hypnotize me, swirling in a mad dance. Calling with a thousand voices, luring me to them. I wanted to take a step forward, feel the air beneath my feet, and...

"Where-e-e?" someone hissed behind me.

I snapped my eyes open and almost cried out in terror, for I was right on the edge of the roof. The kumihimo flashed with purple light, sprang from my wrist, grabbed onto the nearest ledge, and yanked me back. A blow burned my cheek, and my arm immediately ached. I was afraid that I would hit my temple—and that would be it.

"You should watch where you step," a quiet chuckle sounded.

Circles swam before my eyes; my head was spinning. I took a deep breath, calling upon my ryoku to restore my body. After a few minutes, it got easier, except for the nausea rising in my throat. But that would pass.

"Oh... bravo, you've learned to control your power."

Sparse applause sounded.

Lifting my head, I saw a figure shrouded in mist-like cobwebs. She was standing quite far away, but you didn't have to be a genius to realize it was the Weaver.

"Glad to see you," I croaked. "I apologize for meeting you in an inappropriate position."

"You humans, no matter what position you're in, it'll always be the same," she waved me off and approached.

Now, thick grayish threads trailing behind her feet became visible. With every movement, they writhed like dead snakes. I shuddered. My imagination was running wild tonight.

"You wanted to see me, I know," the Weaver said in a tone that brooked no arguments. "Speak, there is little time."

Well, I didn't even need to meditate; she came on her own.

I slowly stood up, making sure not to sway and actually fall down.

"What is a mado-noroi? And why was it in Nozu a week ago?"

"Is that all?" the Weaver asked, slightly disappointed. "You sadden me and make me suffer. I thought the question would be much more interesting. I couldn't hope for it from the well-behaved, rule-following Ichigo, but from you... Such potential! To destroy this world and put it back together!"

"Thank you for the compliment, but let's at least deal with the uninteresting things?"

"Are you talking back to a goddess?"

"Weaver forbid."

She burst out laughing.

This is a real madhouse.

"That's better then. Listen: the mado-noroi is not the work of some sorcerer; the poor souls who ran 'At the Mountain' are innocent. But, of course, no one will tell you that."

"Not a sorcerer?"

The Weaver didn't answer, but I felt her gaze. And... what? Maybe a sorcerer after all? But not in the interpretation they are giving us?

I frowned slightly. I'd hate to get involved with the gods again. Especially such crazy ones!

"The reason must be sought not in Nozu. And not in Gozen," she relented.

"Then where?"

I was abruptly turned to face the Tokugawa School.

"There, Aska," a whisper burned my cheek and neck. A curved claw poked at the scarlet lights, and a needle-like knitting bone flashed steel between her fingers. "All the answers to your questions are there. And also, if you don't start moving, your downfall."

"And what should I do?" I asked with difficulty, pulling my gaze away from the lights.

"Go and clean up the mess there," the Weaver shrugged.

And... disappeared.

"Well, thank you," I snorted. "Advice worth its weight in gold."

Nevertheless...

I looked at the Tokugawa School again and involuntarily squeezed the handle of the kaiken. A warmth immediately radiated into my palm. It seemed I would have to take matters into my own hands.