“Tokita-san, can I ask you something?”
“Of course. What is it?”
Some time after leaving Tsuchiyama Service Area, I found myself wondering about something.
“Does Shizuku know that I’m heading to Kyoto?”
“The answer would be no. The young mistress specifically instructed me to keep it a surprise.”
Apparently, we were supposed to get ahead of Shizuku and wait for her at a cemetery connected to the Aitori family.
Hmm…
After running into Reona earlier, though, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong. Based on my experiences from my previous life, this kind of gut feeling was usually right. I really didn’t like the idea of leaving Shizuku alone for too long too.
All right. Better to regret doing something than regret not doing it.
“Sorry, but would it be all right if we changed the plan a little?”
“If that is Yoshito-sama’s decision, then I have nothing further to say.”
There was a calm, almost carefree confidence in Tokita-san’s expression. He didn’t seem reluctant in the slightest.
In other words, I took that as a yes.
I sent a telepathic message to Shizuku.
『Shizuku… Shizuku… Can you hear my voice…?』
『What’s wrong, Master? Are you going to give me a personality test?』
Whoa. She actually got the reference.
For the record, that’s from the opening of the Super Famicom version of Dragon Quest III. I doubt I was the only one who found that original personality-test gimmick so entertaining that I kept starting new games for absolutely no reason.
『No, actually, I’m on my way to Kyoto right now.』
『Seriously?』
『Really.』
『Well, that came out of nowhere. Don’t tell me you were lonely because you couldn’t see me?』
There was a teasing lilt to Shizuku’s voice.
『W-what are you talking about!? O-Of course not! …Though, I guess I’d be happy if I got to see you, Shizuku.』
『~~~~~~~~!』
I’d tried responding with the most textbook tsundere line imaginable, and somehow it had caused an absolute catastrophe. Through the telepathic connection, I could practically feel Shizuku rolling around on the other end.
『O-Okay! I was actually feeling lonely traveling by myself, too! Where should we meet!?』
『That’s some serious enthusiasm…』
I glanced out the window.
『I’m still somewhere around Shiga Prefecture. Where are you?』
『I just arrived at my hotel.』
『Actually, the Shingetsu family sent a car for me. I’ll come to the hotel. What’s the name?』
Apparently, Shizuku is staying at a fairly large traditional inn on the outskirts of Kyoto. We decided to meet up there before heading to the cemetery together.
You might ask why I’m tagging along, given that I’m not a relative? Well, I’m acting as a bodyguard. We had no idea what might happen, so it was only sensible to take every precaution we could. I figured I should warn Shizuku to stay alert, too.
『Be careful until I get there. …Um, well…』
It was only after I said it that I realized the problem. When I really thought about it, I didn’t actually have any solid reason for telling her to be cautious.
—The only reason was that Ayano had been making some suspiciously ominous remarks. That wasn’t exactly something I could use to convince someone to be careful.
And yet—
『Understood, Acting Supreme Commander. Number 3, Sheriruth Binah, will now begin my watch.』
The reply I received was strangely reassuring.
Until just a moment ago, she’d been calling me “Master.” Somehow, she had upgraded me to “Acting Commander.”
…
『Shizuku, could you say that last part again?』
『Um… Ahem.』
She cleared her throat.
『Understood, Acting Supreme Commander. Number 3, Sheriruth Binah, will now begin my watch.』
Nice. Being called “Acting Supreme Commander” by a girl had a certain ring to it. I like it. It definitely sounded one rank higher than “Master.”
『Yeah. I’m counting on you.』
Without meaning to, I slipped into a slightly more authoritative tone than usual.
『Sorry I can’t explain the situation in more detail.』
『It’s quite all right. I am your loyal servant, Acting Supreme Commander, and, ko, koi, koko—kokekokko, so…』
『Please don’t quit being human without my permission.』
『My apologies…』
Congratulations, Aitori Shizuku has evolved into Chicken Shizuku. There was absolutely no question about it: this was a B-button-cancel situation. Also, I’m pretty sure Shizuku had been trying to say “lover.” After all, according to the Notes reception material, Number 3 and Number 5 apparently have that kind of relationship.
『By the way, Acting Supreme Commander, where do you intend to stay tonight?』
『I haven’t decided yet. If possible, I’d like to stay at the same inn.』
『Then I’ll ask the inn staff about it for you. Would that be all right…?』
『Yeah, please do. Well then, Shizuku, I’m looking forward to seeing you.』
『Y-Yes! —In the Daath』
『In the Daath.』
Secret societies always seem to have this thing where they use some bizarre phrase to wrap up a conversation, don’t they? You know something like “El Psy Kongroo.”
Damn. It’s actually kind of fun.
By the way, I wonder just how much Shizuku actually believes what’s written in the notebook. Judging by her behavior, it looks like she’s just enjoying a bit of make-believe.
I guess Ayano’s suggestion didn’t really take hold, huh?
＊ ＊ ＊
After ending my telepathic conversation with Shizuku, I told Tokita-san about the change in our plans. Tokita-san didn’t so much as frown.
“Understood. Then let us make our way to the inn first.”
“Sorry for changing things around on my own.”
“Not at all. Please don’t give it another thought.”
Tokita-san gave an easygoing nod.
“By the way, Ayano-sama left me a message to pass on in case you, Yoshito-sama, departed from the original plan. Please allow me to relay it. 『Knowing Yoshito-kun, I have a feeling he’s not going to cooperate and do things exactly as planned. If that happens, don’t hold back. I’d actually be happy if he’d drag me around and make me run all over the place.』 That was her message.”
“Tokita-san, you’re really good at imitating voices…”
It was almost as if Ayano herself were sitting right beside me. This wasn’t mere impersonation anymore. He had reached the level of a professional vocal impressionist.
“It has been my sole talent since I was a young man, you see. Ah, yes. Of course, I have no objection to you dragging the young lady around as much as you please, but in this particular case, I have a feeling that I’ll be the first one to suffer the consequences…”
“Sorry. I’ll do my best to make sure things don’t get out of hand.”
“Haha, I was only joking. I, Tokita, has no intention of letting himself be outdone by the younger generation just yet.”
Tokita-san took his left hand off the steering wheel and flexed his bicep for me. His arm was so thick I could make out the muscle even through his jacket.
“By the way, Yoshito-sama, did you know that Kyoto is home to the main branch of the Ajiro family?”
“That’s the first I’ve heard of it. So the Takasu family was originally in Kyoto, too…?”
“Apparently so. However, they moved their base of operations to Tokyo during the Meiji Restoration. From what I’ve heard, they had already been trying to outmaneuver the Ajiro family ever since then. A century-long grudge, you might say.”
Tokita-san had served as the Magetsu family’s butler for many years, so perhaps it was only natural that he knew quite a bit about the world of exorcists as well. Apparently, most of the freelancers who had taken part in Ayano’s rescue were based in Kyoto.
We passed the time with that sort of idle conversation, while making the necessary preparations for whatever might come next. Before long, the car arrived at a traditional inn on the outskirts of Kyoto.
“Welcome, Master—”
Shizuku, who had come out to greet me, caught herself.
“No… Acting Supreme Commander.”
She didn’t exactly look hesitant. Rather, she approached me cautiously, as though she were carefully gauging the distance between us.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Sher.”
According to the Notes, Shizuku’s title was Sheriruth Binah. And her nickname was apparently “Sher,” derived from “Sheriruth.”
Since she was calling me “Acting Supreme Commander,” I figured I might as well play along with the whole make-believe hierarchy.
At that, Shizuku’s lips curled into a relieved smile.
“Oh, no—for your sake, I’m more than willing to wait three or even four days!”
She replied with an expression that seemed, if anything, rather proud—or perhaps just genuinely happy. Shizuku was dressed in her usual chuunibyou style, but there was one significant difference from yesterday.
“…Sher, what happened to the gloves you usually wear?”
Though they were often obscured by her long coat and the bandages she wore, she typically kept fingerless gloves on both hands. Now, they were nowhere to be seen.
“Um, well…”
For some reason, Shizuku blushed and cast her gaze downward.
“Did you happen to leave it behind at the Magetsu residence?”
“No, that’s not it—it’s just that, well, I received a crest on my left hand last night, so… oh, never mind! Anyway, let’s head to the cemetery—let’s go, Master.”
Shizuku, her usual composure slipping just a bit, ushered me into the car.
“…It’s truly enviable, being young.”
Tokita-san offered a faint smile.
“Shall we be off, then? You two are welcome to be as affectionate as you like, but please, do make sure to fasten your seatbelts.”
The car set off, but along the way, Shizuku’s behavior seemed a bit off.
“Sigh…”
She would gaze dreamily at the back of her left hand, then occasionally glance toward me, only to lower her eyes, looking bashful. Watching her like that made me feel embarrassed myself.
“Man, talk about youth—pure, unadulterated youth!”
Tokita-san, in the driver’s seat, sounded unusually amused.
Feeling like I might suffocate if I kept focusing on Shizuku right beside me, I turned my gaze toward the window.
The car then drive up the a mountain road.
This would be the perfect spot for an ambush…
I found myself thinking—and at that moment,
『Yokun, Yokun—got any smoked cheese?』
A telepathic message—completely nonsensical—came through.
This wavelength… could it be Reona?
『Bingo! Long time no see—well, just a little while ago, actually. Hey there, Yoshi-san!』
Could she please stop changing how she addresses me?
Honestly, I don’t even know how to respond to that.
『I’m actually nearby right now—mind if I ask for some advice?』
『Why the half-baked Kyoto dialect?』
『I’ve decided that, starting today, I’m going to be the kind of woman who knows how to read the room.』
Isn’t that a bit beyond Reona? If anything, she’s the type who’d suck all the air right out of the room.
『Anyway, listen to what I have to say. Otherwise, I’m going to pour mayonnaise into your ears.』
That’s… mildly unpleasant—no, actually, that’s just plain malicious. Wouldn’t that lead to an ear infection, for crying out loud?
『So, right now, I’m hanging out in a graveyard with the Takasu family—who just arrived from Tokyo—waiting to ambush a girl named Shizuku Aitori.』
Wait, is she actually leaking intel on the enemy?
Hold on—the Takasu family?
Why would the family Shizuku is set to marry into be the ones attacking her?
Ignoring my bewilderment, Reona continues.
『You know, coordination between team members is super important for an ambush, right? So, as a little icebreaker, I handed out some dried squid I got from Yoshi. Nobody wanted any, though—so I just shoved it into their mouths. But, well, that’s just a minor detail, isn’t it?』
Hey, wait a minute.
That dried squid—that’s the kind with Ayano-chan’s brand on it, isn’t it?
『So, there are about twenty people in total, and they all suddenly rolled their eyes back and collapsed. Oh—they’re starting to twitch and convulse a bit. I suppose, out of samurai-style mercy, I ought to finish them off… but I’m just not really feeling it. What should I do?』
Uh…
…
…..
....Call an ambulance, for crying out loud!
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com
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