Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

User talk:Onii Sama

2014-08-30T05:52:08Z

Zeferion: /* Missing Chapters in Volume 14 */

For the record, it was nothing to do with you. Your translations were really good (IMO), and you didn't do anything wrong (either officially or ethically). The problem was started by Deadgye. And for the record, there was no strife between MT translators lol. It was just a personal dispute between Deadgye (who was at the time, a random, unaffiliated with the project) and I. [[User:Vanant|Vanant]] ([[User talk:Vanant|talk]]) 01:27, 24 August 2014 (CDT)
: Thank you. It's a honor to be recognized. I look forward to working with you in the future. - [[User:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] ([[User talk:Onii Sama#top|talk]]) 09:57, 24 August 2014 (CDT)

== Mushoku Tensei ==

Dear Onii Sama,

Thank you for contacting me and for identifying yourself as the owner of the anonymous translations, the situation as mentioned above was a product of a third party that was in no way that you should have blame in the incident.

Regarding the scripts of 128/129 in light of the departure of a learner,
(that is the unfortunate result of wiki-communism in action and should have no bearing on this matter at this moment.)

As long as you are willing to register your username and claim ownership of chapter 128/129 scripts, i will have no issue reversing the deletion or allowing your script to be re-published on the project (which will be more legitimate if you were to create those pages yourself and publish your script on it).

Regarding all other script posted by [[user:Deadgye|Deadgye]] it would be helpful if you can also amend the registration to reflect the ownership them to this wiki username account.

I look forward to your reply and further activities on the project.

Best Regards,

Onizuka-GTO 11:32, 24 August 2014 (CDT)

: I have completed scripts for 128, 129, 143-151, and 164-165 floating around on /a/. I'm currently working on 152 and plans to do 160-161 next. I'm not all too familiar with BT guidelines and wiki formats. If you would allow it, I would like [[user:Deadgye|Deadgye]] to continue assisting me, so I may focus my attention on translating.
: My intentions are to fill all the gaps up until at least 170. If my scripts end up contributing to progress on BT, all the better. - [[User:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] ([[User talk:Onii Sama#top|talk]]) 12:38, 24 August 2014 (CDT)

Dear Onii Sama,

That is acceptable as long as you show activities on the project that indicates that you are overseeing the creation and publication of your scripts.

Ideally having you simply signed your username on the [[Mushoku_Tensei:Registration_Page|mushoku tensei registration page]] on chapters you intend to publish to the wiki.
Which is simple, by simply adding one of these status signatures to the intended chapters listed on the registration page:

<nowiki>[[user:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] - '''Planned'''</nowiki>

<nowiki>[[user:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] - '''##% Progress'''</nowiki>

<nowiki>[[user:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] - '''Completed'''</nowiki>

However, simply seeing frequent activities of your editing on newly published chapters containing your script on Baka-Tsuki is also sufficient proof.

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,

Onizuka-GTO 19:59, 24 August 2014 (CDT)

== About Vanant retiring ==

since Vanant say he retiring from BT in [http://balmunkfezarion.deviantart.com/ his deviantart]

I think it's oke for you to edit his translation

[http://pastebin.com/dYQswka4 ch 140] 100%

[http://pastebin.com/5NG3bcJV ch 141] 50%

: Sure. Today I'm working on 160 and 161. After that I can fill in the missing chapters in v14. To avoid any potential problems, it's better if I start 141 from scratch. 140, I'll leave it to BT to decide how to handle it. - [[User:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] ([[User talk:Onii Sama#top|talk]]) 11:32, 25 August 2014 (CDT)

Can I leave 153, 154, and 157 to you as well? I think you technically already did 153 and I was just going to check that since I had no idea who was translating it before, though honestly I don't have the time right now so I'm just holding things up on that end now that most of the other chapters are done by you.

If you take over them since I'm technically "retired" I'll just focus on TLC/Edits and checking references, I think you were translating from the Chinese translations? Not sure if any references or anything might have disappeared on that end. Thanks, I'll remove my name from them for now, and in worst case if you don't accept I'll get to them when I have time and only re-add my name after they're done (if no one else does them first). --[[User:Dark Kaito|Dark Kaito]] ([[User talk:Dark Kaito|talk]]) 00:04, 26 August 2014 (CDT)

: Sure thing. Happy to help anyway I can. From my perspective, any chapter I translate from CN is another chapter you'll translate ahead of them. I didn't translate 153 though, and not sure exactly who did.

:I am a CN translator, fluent and native speaker in both languages. The CN translation is relatively solid most of the time, so I feel pretty good about my fidelity. Several problems with CN script though:

:* Honorifics are often dropped or incorrect, thus my scripts will have Brother as stand in for Onii-chan or Nii-san; and missing -sama and -san throughout.
:* Formal names are guess work unless previously known. There're quite a few new characters in Vol.15, like the 12 Familiars, and I'll need help with those. I try to keep the original name in <nowiki><ref></nowiki>, so if possible please check them out for me! Same goes for attack names, incantions.
:* A few Chinese script chapters did not preserve the original short sentence structure, but combined paragraphs and sentences. I can only follow along.

: Additional to issues with the original script, I have problem with tenses, and don't have an intuitive understanding of what should be proper. This is mostly a job for an editor to correct, though. -[[User:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] ([[User talk:Onii Sama#top|talk]]) 01:09, 26 August 2014 (CDT)

== Raws ==

Dear onii sama ,

I'm Giorgio Wu a Chinese translator like you though I'm just editing and re translating some chapters.
I'm trying to edit the later chapters from the jap raws , but my Japanese isn't very good so it would be a great help if you could tell me where you're getting the Chinese raws.

Best regards

From the 无职转生 Tieba:

* http://tieba.baidu.com/f?kw=%CE%DE%D6%B0%D7%AA%C9%FA
* http://pan.baidu.com/s/1gd3lGif
_[[User:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] ([[User talk:Onii Sama#top|talk]]) 18:15, 26 August 2014 (CDT)

== Thank You! ==

I just wanted to say thank you for translating Mushoku.
Naturally that also includes all the other translators,
but yours are fast and readable and therefor i post it here =)
Keep up the good work, its definitely appreciated.

== Missing Chapters in Volume 14 ==

Hi,

Thanks for translating Mushoku Tensei!
Anyways, I was looking at the registration page and saw that chapters 140-142 were marked as completed/needing TLC, but back on the main page, those chapters do not yet have pages created. Is it a bug or am I missing something? [[User:Zeferion|Zeferion]] ([[User talk:Zeferion|talk]]) 12:17, 29 August 2014 (CDT)

: Hi! I finished 141, 142, and 157 a few days ago. Usually [[User:deadgye]] post my scripts for me. They're available here:

:* 141 - http://pastebin.com/wxSKLyj6
:* 142 - http://pastebin.com/inq7Sv15
:* 157 - http://pastebin.com/fiNiKtnD

:If he doesn't in a few days, I might try to myself. Or hopefully someone else volunteers for the hard work. I'm not good with wikicode.

:More or less everything up to 171 has been translated. You can find the missing chapters in this pastebin http://pastebin.com/ihQtsdBq some of which aren't by yours truly. - [[User:Onii Sama|Onii Sama]] ([[User talk:Onii Sama#top|talk]]) 14:43, 29 August 2014 (CDT)

I see, thanks for the information! I'll just wait for it to get posted on the site. I was just afraid that there was some upload error or other bug. [[User:Zeferion|Zeferion]] ([[User talk:Zeferion|talk]]) 00:52, 30 August 2014 (CDT)

==Terminology/Names/etc.==

I understand that you're base is off the Chinese translations of the web novels, but it's probably best for you to check out the [http://baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Mushoku_Tensei_Names_and_Terminology terminologies page] when translating. I only say this because I've noted that in your translations, there are some names that do not abide by what was established earlier, ie. Norn (you translate her name as Norm). On another note, thanks for the translations! [[User:Skarlath|Skarlath]] ([[User talk:Skarlath|talk]]) 23:01, 29 August 2014 (CDT)

User talk:Onii Sama

2014-08-29T17:17:55Z

Zeferion: /* Missing Chapters in Volume 14 */ new section

Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Translator's Notes

2008-11-25T11:43:21Z

Zeferion: /* Oyaji */

<center>Translator's Notes and References for<br>
<big>第一巻: 風の聖痕</big><br>
Volume 1: Kaze no Stigma</center>

== Chapter 1 ==

=== Golden Carp ===

A mythical carp with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, which is an auspicious protector of well-being.

=== Practitioner ===

Term to denote someone who practices a jutsu. In Japanese, "jutsu-sha" (術者), which literally means "technique/art person."

=== Enjutsu ===

Literally means "Fire Technique." This will be used from here on.

=== Ukemi ===

Ukemi comes from Uke. Uke is a form of martial arts where one learns how to "receive" a technique. Basically, a Ukemi is when you learn how to take a throw or a fall without injuring yourself.

Here is the Wikipedia article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukemi

=== Youma ===

Youma, depending on the context can mean different things. Some definitions are demons, monsters, and spirits. In most cases, youma has a negative connotation.

=== Jutsu ===

Jutsu can mean different things in different contexts. In this context, it would mean something like technique or skill.

=== Taijutsu ===

Literally "Body Arts." This is a very broad term for classical martial arts or fighting arts in general.

Here is the Wikipedia article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taijutsu

=== Kekkai ===

Kekkai means barrier, and is typically magical or spiritual.

Here is the Wikipedia article. Please look at the bottom paragraph. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kekkai

=== Soushu ===

Literally means ‘Head of Sect’, but here it means ‘Head of the Kannagi House/Clan’.

<noinclude>
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| Jump to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter1|Chapter 1]]
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</noinclude>

== Chapter 2 ==

=== Bishoujo ===

Bishoujo literally means, "beautiful young girl." As the literal translation implies, it refers to most beautiful young girls.

Here is the Wikipedia article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishoujo

=== Chichi-ue ===

Chichi-ue 父上 is a polite, archaic term for "father" that was prevalent in samurai families.

=== Otou-Sama ===

Otou-sama is another term for "father." Chichi-ue would be considered more formal than Otou-sama.

=== Fuujutsu-Shi ===

Fuujutsu-shi (風術師) literally means, "wind arts expert." In practice, the sense of "expert" doesn't show directly, and the meaning would simply be "practitioner of the wind arts."  

"Jutsu-shi" (術師) is similar to, but is NOT the same as "jutsu-sha" (術者), which has a less honorific, more mundane feel. The kanji meanings may help make the distinction clear: 者 - "person."; 師 - "expert, teacher, master."

=== Ten Thousand Pieces ===

There is one character, in Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean that is equal to ten-thousand. Historically ten-thousand was a big number, and also can be infinite. 

<noinclude>
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== Chapter 3 ==

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</noinclude>

== Chapter 4 ==

===Warring States Period===
Warring States Period (戦国時代) was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict in Japan that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. (source Wiki)

===Jodan no Kamae===
This is a posture in which you face the enemy squarely and suppress him with your spirit. You overpower his mind and control his movement so that he has no opportunity to attack you. The first gap in his mental awareness and physical defense is seized upon. The essence of this posture is to cut down with your whole mind, spirit and body. This posture is not usually advantageous against an enemy of greater skill.
Hidari Jodan no Kamae:
• advance the left foot about half a step.
• hold the sword high above your head, pointing to your right rear
• the body is held in the same way as in Seigan except
• the heel of the rear foot touches the floor
Migi Jodan no Kamae:
• advance the right foot about a half step
• the sword is held high, pointing to your left rear
• the rest is the same as Hidari Jodan
(from http://www.newyorkbudokai.net/technique.html)

===Samadhi Flame===

Samadhi Flame (三昧真火) - a mythical fire that surpasses this world that has purify powers. Found in Buddhism and Hinduism (Sources needed.)

=== Ifrit ===

Ifrit is a type of jiin in the Qur'an. It is also commonly referred to as a fire god. More information is available at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ifrit Wikipedia article].

<noinclude>
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| Jump to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
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</noinclude>

== Chapter 5 ==

<noinclude>
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| Jump to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter5|Chapter 5]]
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</noinclude>

== Chapter 6 ==
=== Ki ===
Essentially energy/force (more magical than physical). Think DBZ.
See the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi Wikipedia entry]].

=== Youki ===
Ki (see above) belonging to a youma. Essentially a dark, corruptive energy.

=== Tanden ===
A point below the navel vital in internal meditative techniques.
See the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanden Wikipedia entry]].

=== Ren ===
Ren attempts to create a 煉獄 (Hell/Purgatory) on Earth, and Ren’s name is 煉.

=== Theurgy ===
Theurgy refers to the performance of miracles with divine, or in this case, supernatural assistance.

<noinclude>
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| Jump to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter6|Chapter 6]]
|-
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</noinclude>

== Epilogue ==
=== Oyaji ===
Literally means "parent father"(Oyaji in Romaji). A somewhat disrespectful term for one's father, much like "old man" in English.

<noinclude>
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| Jump to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Epilogue|Epilogue]]
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</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 4

2008-11-19T08:55:20Z

Zeferion:

==Chapter Four - Fall – The price for power- ==

=== 1 ===
(Caught you……)

With absolute confidence in himself, Kazuma believes firmly that he has already won.

He has complete grasp over the scent of the enemy. And to add onto that, the enemy has not realized this yet.

Certain victory------ No, a sure kill situation. Because the only difficult part of this job is merely “how to find the enemy”.

From the way he gathers energy, the act of sucking the vigor of humans can be considered the last resort. Despite how efficient this method may be, the risk is great in comparison.

Killing this many people, it is impossible to keep the operation hidden, and the number of people investigating this will naturally increase. If it is a clever jutsushi, he will probably try to avoid having meaningless conflicts with these people, and in turn use a safer method.

This enemy conducts such a large scale operation, from that it is easily seen how crude his technique is. It is just like a normal human being who by some chance obtained power, and making trouble from his arrogance.

(Even though it is possible that this is just a farce------ Who cares, it shouldn’t matter once I found him. Besides, I already prepared a “safety precaution” here.)

Ayano will definitely chase after him. Regarding this, Kazuma has no doubts at all. As long as she follows the route signs I left------ situated at every junction, the guiding winds that points in the right direction, she should be able to reach me in the shortest distance.

“So, let’s just go at it!”

Kazuma murmurs, and then he steps out from “there”. Below him, there is nothing in contact with his legs or body, and at the same time he felt the chains of gravity pulling him mercilessly.

From the rooftop of a sixty stories tall building------ SUNSHINE60, Kazuma drops down as if committing suicide.

Raging strong winds constantly trample upon Kazuma’s body, yet Kazuma still carries a fearless smile on his face.

He controls the speed and direction of his fall, and flies to the side of Ikebukuro central park. He lowers his speed, adjusting it to approximately the speed of a fall from the second storey and lands gradually.

Right before the “enemy”.

“…… Kazuma-san……?”

The girl sitting on the bench looks dumbly at Kazuma who came from the skies.

“…………”

Kazuma tilts his head downwards to look at her with a shocked expression. After a long stare, he gives a deep sigh.

“…… I had considered that it might be you…… But I never expected you to go to such an extent.”

The girl did not reply, and only continues to smile.

This girl seems to be the only one in the park. There is no kekkai set up here, merely just that an average person would not be able to bear the youki she releases.

Even without spiritual eyes, normal instincts of living things will automatically reject abnormal presences. The youki that lingers in the park is that dense.

At the girl’s feet, a smooth clear substance wriggles continuously. Despite her feet being tangled by goo that Kazuma has gotten so familiar with these few days------ A youma that can consume human vigor, her expression still does not show any sign of being in pain.

This is unquestionably an obvious proof. She is the “enemy” that Kazuma has been seeking.

Kazuma looks at the girl with painful eyes, and says bitterly:

“To go to such an extent, you really want to kill me that much------ Misao?”

“Of course.”

Ogami Misao------ A girl who is supposed to manipulate the purifying flames, yet at this moment even though youki is being released from all parts of her body, she is using an innocent smile to nod in reply.

“I never dreamt that you would find this place, the searching capabilities of a Fuu-jutsushi is really impressive.”

As if chatting casually, Misao smiles at Kazuma. Maybe because she is at ease in her heart, causing her to seem as though she has no intentions of getting up from that bench. Or maybe she already saw that Kazuma has no intentions of fighting!

In fact, it is very rare to see Kazuma being unable to decide what actions to take like now.

He must not kill her. Yet, he must not let her escape.

Misao is walking onto a wrong path. If left unattended, she would fall into a deep abyss, and perhaps destroy herself in the end! Kazuma cannot watch this happen idly.

(But, what should I do?)

Frankly speaking, he is out of ideas now. He has absolutely no idea how to stop Misao without killing her.

There is nothing left to be said between the two, and so the two stares at each other silently------ Alas, the still tension in the area was broken immediately.

“Is this the place!?”

A loud and clear voice sounded off in the area, together with a crimson red divine aura announced the arrival of a divine descendent of flames. An astonishing power like the sun swept away all the youki in the park.

Kazuma turns his head slightly, and uses one corner of his eye to look at her valiant appearance. She------ Ayano Kannagi seems more courageous than usual, it makes one want to clap to praise her.

“…… She came.”

But at this moment in time, she is but a pesky little girl. Kazuma can’t help but click his tongue, mainly displeased with his own miscalculations.

(Darn------ I forgot to take back all the route signs.)

It is probably due to his wavering heart, to commit such a dumb mistake. He knew that members of the Kannagi must not see Misao now, yet he led the way for them------

“Ka……”

Ayano swallowed her words back as she tried to call out to Kazuma. That is because she has noticed Misao’s presence, and her eyes of shock reflected the image of someone who “was” in her clan, so much so that it made her forget to blink.

“……Misao……?”

“Yes------ Is anything the matter?”

Misao answers calmly, and then stands up.

An image of her wearing silk kimono and standing there quietly and vacantly entered her view. From the outside, this can be said to be more like Misao compared to a few days back!

However------

Ayano saw a change at a much deeper level instantly.

That is but of course.

That is because as a Jutsushi, they exist to destroy “That thing”.

Her entire family has been training hard to improve their technique for the past thousand years just for that purpose.

“How…… How can this……”

Ayano’s eyes stares hard at Misao as she shakes her head weakly.

To her, this is perhaps the worst situation, much worse than any nightmare. As a member of a clan that exorcises as an occupation, an En-jutsushi that manipulates the purifying flames, Misao ironically became the youma that they must defeat.

On the other hand, Misao no longer takes note of this newly arrived character after a few seconds. She let Ayano who has yet to recover from the shock to become part of the background, and focuses on Kazuma.

A never-changing smile. Looking clear and pure, a simple smile that bears only one emotion.

That is like pure water that contains no impurities, impossible to exist naturally, normal people will definitely not be able to give off such a smile.

Bearing an obvious expression of detest, Misao declares:

“Yagami Kazuma------ The hateful man that killed my brother. I have sworn, no matter the price or sacrifice, I will defeat you.”

“…………”

This sentence sounds highly unreasonable. The one who killed Takeya is Ryuya, and Hyoue who was manipulating Ryuya amidst the shadows. Kazuma was just being made the scapegoat.

To be killed because of Kazuma------ This is probably the explanation of only those who hate Kazuma would have.

But, Kazuma ignores the irony within, and asks calmly:

“Do you think that you can defeat me?”

“Definitely.”

Misao answers confidently:

”No matter how powerful you may be, you are still only a human. As long as I continue taking in the vigor of hundreds or thousands of people, my power will definitely surpass yours.”

“……Doesn’t matter, as long as you can control it.”

“I can. I only need to take in enough to defeat you. After this is over, it doesn’t matter what I become.”

This is not the encouraging tone that one would have when making a declaration. Even though she challenged a Jutsushi powerful as Kazuma, Misao does not seem agitated at all.

But, can this really be considered a clear and still state of mind? After draining the life of others to obtain power, can she really laugh it out?

Even if she has fallen down the demonic path, her heart still retained that innocent smile. A pure smile that is stained with blood all over.

.------ People call that “Madness”.

“Hey------ Is that all you want to say?”

The suppressed voice finally bursts out at one go. Ayano takes a step forward, Enraiha in her hand since long ago.

“Ayano-san, this has nothing to do with you.”

“Move to one side.”

“Shut up!”

Ayano refutes the request made by both parties.

“If you want to kill Kazuma, I will not stop you. But, I will never forgive you for degenerating into a youma, and the act of harming innocent civilians. No matter the reason, things that are not meant to be done are not to be done. This is something you should know very well. Misao!”

“------ So?”

Faced with Ayano’s reprimanding, that cold smile shows no indication of wavering. Hearing Misao’s reply, Ayano declares coldly:

“I have nothing else to say------ Begone, Misao!”

The glow of Enraiha becomes more glaring. Before that powerful golden power, Misao’s powers have no way of resisting.

If she really swung that blade down that is.

“Stop, Ayano!”

“What are you talking about!”

Ayano refuses the request for her to stop without even turning her head around.

“This is the duty of the Kannagi main family, don’t interfere.”

She ignores Kazuma, and raises Enraiha high up, but she just could not swing it down.

Because before she can strike off a plasma shot strong enough to vaporize Misao in one shot, Kazuma’s hands held Ayano back.

“I told you to stop.”

“…………”

Ayano did not say a word. She maintains that posture with Enraiha high up, and she lowers her head down.

In terms of physical techniques, the difference in strength between the two is also as great as heaven and Earth. Ayano is unable to escape Kazuma’s binds based on physical techniques alone.

Indeed, based on physical techniques alone.

Kazuma’s mistake, lies in him underestimating Ayano’s fury.

Seeing that Kazuma only cares for Misao, and completely ignores her, Ayano’s fury has slowly raised to the level filled with killing intents.

This kind of emotion, she has not realized it at all. And because of that, she cannot control herself, plus, Ayano’s greatest strong point lies at how straightforward she is, she will not hesitate at anything.

“……Let……go……”

“------ What did you say?”

Kazuma who did not catch her words lean towards Ayano.

“Let go of me!!”

Kaboom!

Flames burst out from Ayano’s entire body.

“Woah!?”

Even though he was not burnt by it, but Kazuma in his shock released Ayano’s hands slightly.

Grabbing this chance, Ayano leaps at Misao.

It is said that an expert in Jigen-Ryu can travel a distance of about nine meters in every step. And Ayano’s strength is not below this standard.

In the blink of an eye, Ayano has already closed in before Misao.

“Chuck------“

Kazuma manipulates the wind instantly, intending to blow Ayano away. Yet at this point in time, it is perhaps a little too much to handle with his power.

(Will I make it in time------?)

Kazuma is very anxious, yet the movement of a shadow is even swifter than Kazuma.

It is a shadow indeed.

Misao’s shadow begins to extend, and inflates into a three-dimensional state. A huge pitch black face lies right before Misao.

“……Huh?”

That gigantic face opens its mouth wide, and Ayano raises the Enraiha at the same moment. There is no way to stop them now.

As if she jumped into it herself, Ayano gets swallowed by the mouth of that gigantic face.

“……………………………………Ah……”

Kazuma does not know how to express his feelings now. He exaggeratedly swallows his saliva, and looks at the big face that swallowed Ayano up.

Because it was too spectacular, he was unable to say anything at all. This kamikaze attack style is just like Ayano. Maybe he should worry about her, but things having become the way it is now, it is very comical------ In fact, he can only laugh.

But, laughing will not solve all the problems at hand. Kazuma gives a dry laugh for a while, and then leisurely begins to summon the wind.

“Gee------ What a troublemaker------“

As he is about to release wind blades, Misao halts Kazuma softly.

“It is best you do not do that.”

“------Ah ah?”

“If you kill it, Ayano-san will forever be lost amidst the gaps in time.”

Kazuma maintains that posture with his right hand raised up and stopped his actions.

Misao reaches out to cover her mouth, and finally broke into laughter.

“Despite how heartless you sound, you still treasure Ayano-san. Won’t it be better to just say so frankly in her face?”

“What will telling her do? She will only get overboard. By the way, what do you intend to do with Ayano?”

Misao laughs even more happily.

“Don’t worry, I only intend to send her away slightly. Even though I can use her as a hostage, but you probably will not use your life to trade for hers right?”

“Of course.”

Kazuma says without hesitation:

“Even if she is the daughter of Soushu, I have no reason to go to such an extent.”

“The daughter of Soushu? Is that the only reason?”

Misao laughs with some deep meaning. To that, Kazuma answers clearly:

“What other reason can there be?”

“…… So be it, this is of no relevance to the two of us.”

“Indeed. So, what do you plan to do next?”

“I will be going off soon, because my power is insufficient to defeat you now.”

As she says this, Misao’s shadow becomes a cone shape and surrounds her. As Ayano is now her hostage, Kazuma is unable to attack that thing.

“Take care.”

Before Kazuma who is unable to do anything, Misao disappears as if swallowed up by the shadow, leaving no trace behind. Up against this kind of movement that travels beyond space, even Kazuma cannot ask the wind to follow them.

“……Gee.”

Kazuma grumbles in a tired voice, and sat down at a bench nearby.

At the same time, Ayano’s scent suddenly appeared. The distance is a little far------ But, Kazuma has no intentions of traveling specially to welcome her.

(Anyway she will definitely be angry again.)

If possible, he does not intend to meet her until she is no longer angry. Even if he knows that that would be impossible.

He takes out a cigarette from his bosom and nibbles on it. After drawing in the smoke to fill his entire lung area and letting his mood settle down, Kazuma takes a relaxed position as he waits for the return of the girl.

.------ After about ten minutes.

Ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta!!

Sounds of bold footsteps as if planning to break the ground surface appeared, Kazuma who is leisurely sitting on the bench turns his head around

Biting the cigarette, praising the return of Ayano.

The place Ayano was thrown off, is on the other side of the station. Even though the direct distance is not even three kilometers, but with confusing paths and many traffic lights, it is not that easy to pass through.

Yet Ayano reached here in less than ten minutes. From this it is easily seen that, be it the question about her physical fitness or traffic morals, she have tossed them at the far ends of her mind.

Seeing Ayano who is panting continuously, Kazuma says in his regular tone:

“Not bad. You wanna participate in mid-distance Olympics?”

“Where is Misao!?”

Cutting short Kazuma’s joke, Ayano questions with a scary look on her face.

“Escaped.”

“Escaped------!? Why!?”

“How should I say this……”

Kazuma hesitates on how to explain, and thinking back on what happened a few minutes ago.

(So, how should I explain this……)

Thinking and thinking about it, he just could not find a suitable way of phrasing it, and so in the end he decides to choose a way of expression that sounds very superficial.

“Basically, a lot has happened.”

This is the excuse he tried his best to come up with. But before that, he could have perhaps considered the way he looks as he spits out smoke rings, he does not seem convincing at all.

“Oh------? “A lot has happened”? Just what happened?”

This reason naturally is unable to make Ayano submit. Ayano stares at Kazuma with eyes of high suspicion, as if saying “don’t tell me you were seduced by her”.

Kazuma just gives a bitter smile, and does not rebut in any way.

Indeed, he can hardly say he tried his best. Other than ensuring Ayano’s safety, he must nab Misao at the same time------ This is not impossible to him.

But------

(I am still too naïve……)

He sighs out as if mocking himself. What point is there to be bothered by something that the person concerned has long forgotten now……

Under Ayano’s blaming eyes, Kazuma stands up.

“------Where are you going?”

“Home. She will probably not come out again today?”

Against the back of that man leaving as if nothing happened, Ayano uses a nervous voice to declare:

“Let me remind you, I will report everything today as it is. The Kannagi will go full force at eliminating Misao. If you dare to obstruct us------“

“Who are you talking to, girl?”

A cold voice interrupted Ayano’s words. Kazuma turns around, and the cold smile on his face sent a chill down her spine.

“If you want to stop me, then don’t just talk, tell me with your strength! If you are mentally prepared------ I will take you on anytime.”

Ayano almost forgot to breathe, and just watched Kazuma who stepped out once more. When the shadow disappeared down the stairs, she fell to her knees.

Her entire body could not stop trembling. Once again she has experienced first-hand, that she must never become the enemy of this man, Kazuma.

Even so, she still must eliminate Misao. If she don’t, then the Kannagi will lose the meaning of existence.

“Just what do you expect me to do……”

She can’t help but begin to complain.

=== 2 ===

“Ta…… Takeshi!?”

Seeing the blood-stained youth in Masayuki’s arms, Takeya’s expression changes greatly, and runs to his father immediately.

“Father! What are you thinking------“

Masayuki walks past Takeya at his own pace, and places Takeshi down before Misao who was stunned by the scene.

“Treat him.”

After giving that order, Masayuki turns around as if it is nothing.

“…… Wait.”

Takeya uses a suppressed voice to stop Masayuki who is about to walk out of the room.

“Tell me, why did you cause Takeshi to be in such a state------“

“Training.”

“Don’t joke around with me!”

Hearing his father’s straight reply, Takeya shouts out immediately to scold:

“This is an illegal punishment! Why must you go to such an extent!?”

“Takeshi did not get enough practice, that is why he is injured.”

“Takeshi is only ten!”

“So what?”

Masayuki questions back with an emotionless look on his face:

“This has nothing to do with age. Since he is born in the Ogami family, then it is his duty to become strong. If you have time to complain, why don’t you use that time to train.”

“You asshole……”

Takeya’s eyes are filled with hatred, it is totally unlike the attitude one would have to his own family. However, a slight mockery was shown in those eyes unintentionally.

“You think such superficial efforts would actually be of use?”

“……What do you mean?”

“You are just trying to get back at uncle aren’t you? That uncle that took the title of chief away from you without so much of an effort!”

After such a taunting speech was said, the originally emotionless Masayuki’s expression changes entirely.

“Damn…… Damn you!”

Bearing a black face, he hits his son’s face forcefully.

This is a strike when he is truly angry. Takeya’s whole body was sent flying instantly, and aftering breaking the paper door, he rolled onto the corridor.

“Onii-san!”

“……I am fine.”

Replying to Misao’s cry, Takeya moves the remains of the paper door away and stands up. He spit out his saliva with blood mixed within, and looks at Masayuki with extremely belittling eyes.

“I was right, wasn’t I?”

“…… Shut it!”

“If you want to beat uncle, then do it yourself------ You have already been a loser at the moment you decided to push everything to your son!”

“I told you to shut it!!”

“Stop this!”

Misao hugs Masayuki who intends to beat up Takeya again tightly, and tries her best to cry out to stop them:

“Please stop this…… Don’t do this anymore……”

“…………”

Masayuki does not seem to go to the extent of using violence on Misao. He forcefully flings off Misao who is hugging his right arm, and leaves the room with irregular footsteps.

“Hehe, I finally said it.”

“Are you alright, onii-san?”

Seeing Misao who is very worried, Takeya waves at her with a smile.

“This is nothing, don’t worry. By the way, you better hurry and take a look at Takeshi’s injuries. When that is over, then help me over here.”

“------ Okay.”
Misao takes out the first-aid kit hurriedly, and begins to treat Takeshi who is filled with injuries all around him.

“------ Let me tell you this, Misao.”

“Yes?”

“That ass of a father only treats us as tools of revenge.”

“Onii-san, about this------“

Takeya, with a solemn expression, stops Misao who intends to try to cover up for their father.

“This is what it is, just accept this reality. It is the same for mum, she has no intentions of raising us. So, we must become strong, so as to be able to live independently without them.”

“Onii-san……”

“You must be strong too, Misao. You must become strong enough to live on alone.”

Hearing her beloved brother say this, Misao shakes her head hard in denial:

“No, I am not alone. I have onii-san with me, Takeshi as well.”

“------No.”

“Takeshi? You shouldn’t get up yet……”

Takeshi who is supposed to be still unconscious, woke up without them realizing it. He pushes away the hand that intends to make him lie on bed once more, and slowly lifts his upper body up.

“Onee-san will be alone. Because------“

Suddenly, Takeshi’s head began swaying. His entire head tilts to an angle where his neckbone obviously came off, and pa-chunk, drops off.

“------ Ah!”

Takeshi’s head kept on rolling, and in the end it stopped right before Misao, upside down.

“Because, we are already dead.”

(------ We?)

Misao turns her head around hurriedly.

(……Onii…… Onii-san……)

The connecting part of Takeya’s body is entirely cut off. Becoming a lower half that lies facing down, and an upper half that lies facing upwards. The open empty eyes stare into the ceiling.

“We were both killed by Kazuma.”

Misao turns her head around once more. The upside down head uses a clear voice to say:

“How I wish to become strong, and protect onee-san.”

There was not a single drop of blood flowing out from the cut upwards. That abnormally smooth surface looks just like a computed tomography scan.

“But, I can’t do it. Because I am killed------ Like this!”

A shadow appears suddenly without warning, and places his leg on Takeshi’s head, stepping on it just like that.

Kachunk.

Her cute younger brother, his head shatters like a fragile glass art piece.

“Hohoho……”

A hearty laugher came into her ears. Lifting her head, a man came at the centre of her view, mocking them.

Yagami Kazuma------ That is the name of her hateful enemy, he person who took everything away from her.

This is the first time Ogami Misao has hated someone so much, so much so that she hopes for him to die. Fantasizing herself stained with the blood spilt by Kazuma made her feel joy.

“Ah…… Ah…… Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Her burning hatred became red lotus flames, locking Kazuma in a scorching jail.

(I succeeded------!)

Yet, the joy of victory lasts but a moment. After the flames disappeared, there lies Kazuma, uninjured.

“Too weak.”

He says so coldly, and reaches his hand to point at Misao. Raging winds released from his fingertip blows Misao out of the residence.

(This place is……?)

Gradually and unknowingly, Misao realizes that she is floating amidst the darkness. Unable to see anything, nor feel anything. Her five senses are not functional.

(Am I…… Dead……?)

The dreadful enemy that killed my brothers are right before me, yet I cannot even avenge them------

.------ Too weak------

Kazuma’s mockery rings by her ear, even if she goes full force, she cannot fight against him. The difference in power is just too great.

(I don’t want to lose like this…… If only I have more power…… For power, I am willing to do anything, it doesn’t matter no matter what I will have to lose……)

In the darkness, Misao even hoped for a devil to come. If she can use her soul to trade for power, she will do so without hesitation.

“Hoho, you seem to have had a good dream, Misao.”

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 173.jpg|thumb]]
The youth shows an innocent smile, looking by his feet.

Just from the fact that he can smile looking at that scene, perhaps people would consider him as one of the bad guys?

In the holy space that is originally meant for praying to God, at this moment it is filled with glue-like monsters.

The monster that covers the entire floor completely were packed up to two meters in height, forming an area that could be called a sea of goo.

The slime that stretches out from within like tentacles are tangling on a statue of Jesus pinned on a cross. This scene is disrespectful to God that it would make a faithful believer faint upon seeing this.

At the bottom of this sea of goo, Misao is floating within, naked. Maybe because she is still dreaming, her expression gets distorted from sadness from time to time.

It has been over a week since this kind of dream has begun. A dream mixed with both fantasies and reality, is slowly and gradually invading Misao’s consciousness.

Which part is real, which part is but a fantasy, Misao cannot differentiate clearly anymore. She only hates Kazuma, the Kazuma who took away her precious family members from her------

(I want power…… A power that can defeat that man……)

“Then use all the power that is flooding this place!”

The youth solemnly commands her. Hearing a reply, which should have been impossible, Misao’s body shook. In those wide empty eyes, a youth that gives off a brilliant glow is reflected within.

(…… You are……?)

“I am an angel. As a servant to the absolute one God, I will grant your wish.”

(Angel……?)

“Let me bestow strength upon you! Because your wish is justified. Justified wishes will get justified rewards------ This is what it means to have “Justice”.”

(Give me…… Strength……?)

Impossible.

In her misty consciousness came a weak voice of refutation.

An angel means a messenger of God, a representative of absolute justice. Such an existence will never bestow power upon her.

But at this moment, the voice appeared once more.

That voice said, this is but of course.

Misao who is unable to find an answer, lifts her head and uses begging eyes to look at the youth.

Before her eyes lie a being beyond any, giving off a holy glow from all around his body. Despite how young he seems to be from the outside, the wisdom hidden within his eyes are beyond measure, showing a dignified figure worshipped by thousands.

Just questioning whether his words are true seems like a disrespectful act.

There was no need to consider, as he is an existence that stands above all man. That absolute will of heaven allows no arguments, Man should just follow the orders blindly------

Misao does not know at all, that this is not the first time she has met this youth, nor the fact that her memories has been changed countless times already.

Every time this “first meeting” is repeated, Misao’s consciousness is changed little by little. In the “real” first meeting, the cold eyes that she placed upon the youth who claimed to be an angel is but no more.

Now, the way Misao looks at the youth, within her eyes, she is almost worshipping him. With an expression like forgetting oneself when having high fever, there is no reason left within her.

“To obtain power, are you prepared to sacrifice, Misao?”

To the question from the youth, Misao nods without hesitation.

(No matter what happens, I will not hesitate…… Angel-sama.)

“Good girl.”

The youth waves his right hand like a conductor waving his stick. Following his movements, the grossly wriggling sea of goo begins to give off a faint phosphorescence glow.

One, two------ The phosphorescence being made consistently gathers around Misao, shining upon her naked body.

(This is…… Power……?)

Misao reaches out to the gentle phosphorescence uneasily with her hand, and a passionate and uplifting power flows into her body from her fingertips. Following that------

“Nooooooooooooooo!! Somebody……Somebody save me ahhhhh!!”

Dying screams rings in Misao’s head. As the power flows in, the hatred that comes along made her realize what these phosphorescences really are.

That is the light of life. Just like picking the most matured fruit, the essence of life that is harvested at the most fulfilling moments of these people.

(------Arrrgh!)

Misao is unable to withstand such a horrifying feeling, her entire body resists the power that is flowing in. The phosphorescence released dims slightly, then as if being squeezed back by something, returns to under Misao’s feet.

“What is the matter, Misao? Don’t you want power?”

The youth continues to wear a kind and loving smile, constantly seducing her with the forbidden method of consuming her own kind. Misao lifts her head to look at the youth, her eyes were those of fear.

(B…… But…… This is……)

”Don’t worry, this is not a crime. Because your wish is justified, and as long as your wish is justified, anything you do for it will also be justified. Right?”

This means, that the end justifies the means? This is not called quibbling, this is a ridiculous logic.

But------

Faced with the phosphorescence that come forth upon being released, Misao reaches out to grab them once more. Ignoring the bone-chilling screams, she squeezes the light in her hand till they are shattered. A fulfilling feeling surges out from her body, and she can clearly sense that the power that flowed in has become hers.

“That is the way, keep absorbing!”

Hearing the youth’s hush, Misao nods in response. She has been acknowledged by God------ This “fact” made Misao’s guilt disappear without a trace instantly.

The phosphorescence floating around flies into her body continuously. Where did they come from, who do they belong to, these questions are not important. The fact that her heart bears a strong desire to kill Kazuma causes her to greedily take in the power.

(Power…… I need even more power!)

Her hatred for Kazuma grows and inflates consistently, logic and views being ripped off entirely. Massive power continues flowing into that unstable mind.

If it was an average person, he would have had a mental breakdown long ago, and not even be able to maintain the shape of a human. Even for Misao, who is merely using her desire for revenge against Kazuma to support her, is barely able to maintain consciousness.

“Not bad, to actually not breakdown yet. The Kannagi bloodline is really not to be underestimated.”

Lowering his head to look at that scene, the youth gives off a sigh.

“I had intended to just play a little…… But I guess I should get serious!”

His large eyes squints to a line, from those eyes, a glow similar to that of a carnivore was reflected within.

But that was just for an instant, those green eyes returned to their original shine instantly. Those eyes are just that of a kid that knows not of the suffering of others, with innocence and cruelty mixed together at the same time.

“Misao------ Since your child wants to take revenge, as parents you should help out too. Don’t you think so?”

Looking at the girl who is single-mindedly and greedily seeking move vigor, the youth asks happily from deep within his heart.

=== 3 ===

Seeing the shadow of Kazuma, Ayano shrinks her body at that moment.

Juugo find it very strange and looks at her with eerie eyes, but looks back at Kazuma after that.

Kazuma’s attitude is the same as always. Regarding Ayano who seems unsettled, he does not even bother to look at her, his eyes looking directly at Juugo.

“Sorry, to call you over suddenly.”

“It’s nothing------ What is the matter?”

Looking at Kazuma who has sat down, Juugo goes straight to the point and declares:

“I would like to cancel my previous request.”

“Of course. To not do anything and hope to get money, how can there be such a good thing in this world.”

Ayano suddenly smiles, her attitude becoming abnormally taunting.

(……Did something happen again?)

Juugo feels worried about his emotionally unstable daughter, but on the surface he still maintains his calm attitude.

He orders the arrogant Ayano:

“You too, you are not to interfere with this from now on.”

“------Huh? W……Why?”

“Misao’s punishment, will be conducted with the leadership of the Ogami. This has been decided.”

Juugo disregards all objections with a tone that does not allow any doubt.

Ayano, who is at a loss, lifts her head to look at her father, but her father seems to have no intentions of continuing to explain.

She looks at Kazuma. The usual satirizing smile is not on his face, in replacement, it is an expression of mockery, insult------ and anger.

“------That is enough. Just because he intends to finish his daughter by his own hands, so he hopes that this ugly news will be forgotten? And you accepted this proposal?”

“------ There is no choice, we cannot just cut our relations with the Ogami.”

(…… So that is what is going on.)

Hearing the two’s straight conversation, Ayano finally understood the situation now.

What Misao has done is clearly unforgivable. That is not to say that taking a gun to start a terrorist attack can be forgiven, but that is just a normal crime, and can just be settled by the police.

But, as a Jutsushi who is meant to exorcise youma, to degenerate into a youma herself. The seriousness of this matter is something the previous example cannot be compared with, as this is a grave matter that can lead to the life or death of a clan.

Even if Ayano or Kazuma is to punish Misao, this responsibility is not to be lie on Misao alone. The Ogami family will definitely be dragged in as well!

Ogami Masayuki intends to punish his daughter who has committed a forbidden and grave mistake by his very own hands, so as to clear the name of the Ogami.

This may be his wishful thinking, but logically it makes sense. As long as he bring up the excuse that “as the duty of her parents”, there is probably no one who can refute him.

(So in this case…… Kazuma must be very angry……)

Ayano even thinks that he would be so angry he would want to go and kill Masayuki this instant. But surprisingly, Kazuma looks very calm.

“So be it, since you are the one who requested for my help, you can do as you wish to terminate your request, but I have my way of doing things as well.”

Seeing that Kazuma insists on not letting the matter off, Juugo frowns.

“You will take part in this no matter what?”

“Yes.”

“…… So that is the case.”

Knowing that he cannot persuade Kazuma out of this, Juugo sighs heavily.

“By the way.”

Kazuma asks out of curiousity:

“You said that the Ogami will lead this, but is there any fighting power left in the Ogami now? Or maybe I should say, since Misao has become like that, then won’t there be no descendents left in the Ogami family?”

From what Kazuma knows, the children of Masayuki are only Takeya, Misao and Takeshi. Masato was not even married.

So assuming that they did not find any illegimate children within these four years, there is no one to take up the title of the next head of the Ogami.

However, Ayano toppled such a mindset.

“There is still Takeya’s son.”

“Huh? He is married?”

“He has been married two years ago. Just half a year ago, a pair of male twins were born.”

“Oh------ That is really……”

Maybe he felt that he was getting old, that is why Kazuma had such an emotional reply.

“Maybe I should have sent his wife a bouquet of flowers?”

“------ Don’t mention that, be careful that you don’t get stabbed with a knife again.”

Hearing Kazuma’s lame joke, Ayano rebuts him, looking as though she has a painful headache.

“But, their fighting power is still not enough! What can the head and his wife do with just their daughter-in-law?”

“I never said that the Ogami will be doing this alone. The Kuga and Shijou families have agreed to help.”

Just to mention, both these families are branch families of the Kannagi. Especially the Kuga, as Takeya’s wife, Sei, is from the Kuga, so their relationship is very close.

“------Hmm. Even though I don’t really think that those people in the branch families can be of much help, but they still have to try whatever they can do!”

Kazuma says coldly, and then stands up.

“So, I will be going back now. Call me again when there is a job.”

“W…… Wait a minute!”

The foot that is just about to step out of the room stopped. Ayano directs the question that she keep in her heart for a long time at the back of that person who did not even turn his head back:

“Why…… Why are you so concerned about Misao? Is it because…… You like her?”

Her usual imposing tone is not there at all. Even though she does not wish to have to open her mouth to ask this question, yet at the same time she must. This dilemma is reflected in her tone, so she seems to be hesitating as she asked.

However, Kazuma’s attitude is the same as always.

“It doesn’t concern you.”

A very cold reply. The paper door, as if to obstruct further questions, closes coldly.

Hearing the footsteps that leave gradually, Ayano curses softly:

“Idiot……”

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| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_5|Chapter 5]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 3

2008-11-18T14:43:24Z

Zeferion:

== Chapter Three - Friendship –Contributions and Mistakes-==

=== 1 ===

Late night------

“Damn it, I am not sure if I will make it in time.”

In order to get onto the last train, a teenager is rushing towards the station.

Takahashi Shuuji. A university student, twenty years old.

As a formal participant of the fencing club, his seemingly slender body is actually very well trained, there is no fat on it at all.

Due to an excessive intake of alcohol, his reflex is benumbed. Even so, the steps he take on the bricked ground do not seem that disordered.

“…… That’s weird?”

Shuuji suddenly had a strange feeling. He stops in his tracks, and looks around him.

He found nothing suspicious, just an extremely normal underground passage that stretches a long way.

But------

“Hey…… Why is there no one here?”

Besides him, not a single soul could be seen in the area.

This is the underground passage to the ticket stand [actual text: 剪票口], and even if it is past midnight, at this period of time when the last train is about to reach the station, it is impossible that there is nobody here at all.

“Rea…… Really, anything can happen.”

Shuuji finds some excuse to convince himself, and tries to suppress the uneasiness in his heart.

“I am…… I am going to miss the train at this rate……”

With a loud and clear ta-ta-ta sound from his footsteps, Shuuji begins to move forward quickly. After a while it became a jog------ and in the end he ran at full speed, as if he is flying.

Ta-ta-ta.

The sound made by the bottom of his leather shoes knocking against the bricked ground echoed throughout the entire soulless[or empty?] underground passage. Yet, no matter how long he continues to walk, there is no sign of the ticket stand before him.

“Wha…… What the hell!? It should not be this long at all!”

The underground passage seems to stretch on endlessly. Surrounded by show windows with the metal doors pulled down at the sides, Shuuji gradually loses track of where he is.

He turns back, to check on the way he came.

“------ Eek!”

Shuuji takes a breath in. Before him is a long road that leads to who knows where. The stairs that lead to the surface which he walked past just now can no longer be seen.

“------!”

He changes his direction once more. Back from the way he was heading in earlier, the scene reflected in his eyes make Shuuji stare; eyes wide.

The same as the way behind him, there is only one road that stretches until it disappears as far as he can see. Of course, there are no stairs or crossroads there either.

Shuuji is abandoned in the middle of the road that stretches endlessly, alone.

“What…… What is going on……”

Cold sweat breaks out from his face. Within the eyeballs that spin continuously, his pupils are slowly widening.

“What the hell is this about!!”

No one replies to his scream. His cry reverberates between the walls and ceiling, and gets sent back into Shuuji’s ears as a stacked echo. [actual text: 多重回音]

The teenager stumbles onto the ground, staring blankly on the floor with half mad, half sane eyes.

“……Ah?”

Suddenly, his eyes focus at one point- something is seeping through the gaps between the bricks on the floor.

“What……?”

That is a semi-transparent substance with a glue-like texture. It is originally the size of a ping-pong ball, it grows to the size of a baseball in a moment, and after not too long, it becomes as big as a soccer ball.

The glue-like substance shines with a rainbow coloured glow. If this thing is seen in a photo, maybe it will give a clear, lustrous and refreshing feeling.

But the actual substance floating before his eyes, can only be described as ugly. It is just like a tumour, puke, or a filthy gooey piece of the two condensed to the maximum limit.

Shuuji hurriedly jumps backward instinctively, reacting to his disgust. He jumps with force, landing two meters behind where he was, and the sound of his steps spreads across the entire underground passage.

Squeelch... [sound of some glue/fluid?]

“----------------!?”

He looks towards his feet in shock. There------ No, as far as he can see, all of the floor w is covered with the filthy goo pieces.

“Wa…… Wahhhh!!”

The goo pieces that are in contact from under his legs slowly latches onto Shuuji’s body. Even though he attempts to peel the goo pieces off, he can't; they are tougher than expected, firmly attaching themselves onto his limbs.

“…… Huh?”

The surroundings darken all of a sudden. His eyeballs almost popped out when he looked up away from the area near his feet he was staring at.

Before his eyes------ At a distance so close he can touch it by stretching his hand, a wall made from the goo pieces appeared.

The goo pieces scattered across the ground gathered around Shuuji, forming a semi-transparent round bucket. Looking at the round bucket emitting a lustrous glow, it looked like a distorted pillar, like an avant-garde piece of art.

“……Argh……Ah……”

Shuuji shakes his head, unwilling to believe what is happening, in his mind he tries hard to deny the existence of that goo piece.

However, his wish is not fulfilled.

At this moment, the goo pieces which are stacked even higher than his body collapses on him all at once.

“…………..!”

Shuuji is too scared to say anything as his s whole body is completely wrapped withing the goo piece.

Unable to withstand such a chilling experience, sending shivers down his spine, Shuuji's consciousness is consumed by darkness.

And------ he never woke up ever again.

“The way you manipulated them left me speechless, but------“

In the space where there was no one originally, a boy’s clear voice sounds off.

“Don’t you think you wasted too much time?”

“This is the first time, naturally I had to be more cautious.” A gentle female voice replies.

“Hmm, maybe!”

Ka-ta.[sound of footstep.] The sound of one footstep could be heard.

Not sure since when they were there------ Two shadows suddenly appeared in the abnormal space that trapped Shuuji.

There stood a seventeen or eighteen year old female with a boy around ten years old. The girl’s height exceeds that of the boy by about thirty centimetres, but as for the position of the head, the boy’s head is slightly higher.

The two look at Shuuji who is trapped in the goo piece, chatting calmly.

“But, if you use so much time like this, who knows when it will be completed. To fulfill your wish, more power must be gathered.”

Right before the two of them, Shuuji slowly becomes emaciated.

He is being drained. [or absorbed?]

Is it his blood------? No.

Is it his moisture content------? That is wrong too. {Edit Start here Next}

Being surrounded by the goo piece, Shuuji ages rapidly. All the vital essence across the teenager’s whole body------ The radiance of life is being expropriated, his life that should last over half a century has been used to its limit within a short period of several minutes.

“I understand this very clearly! I will do it more cleanly and quickly next time!”

The girl raises her head to look at the boy, and uses a determined tone to reply. As if to pacify the displeased girl, the boy gives a light smile.

“That is the way. You can do it.”

The tidily cut golden short hair waves lightly following the nodding motion.

Judging from the tone the two speak in, it seems that the young boy is of a higher status. [or position/standing/place/placing/rank?]

Maybe his actual age is not as young as his appearance, the emerald green eyes that looks innocent and naïve at first sight instead seems deep beyond comprehension.

The boy uses a clear and melodious voice like a silver bell to say solemnly..

“Because he who is right, will receive heaven’s protection.”

“……You mean this?”

Looking at the vital essence of the innocent teenager being continuously sucked dry by the goo piece, the girl laughs mockingly.

“You are saying that this monster is the same as you? “Tenshi”-sama?”

“That sounds awful.”

The boy has no wings. A faint shine emits out from all over his body, as he floats in the air, the beautiful angelic face of his shows a bitter smile.

“Needless to say monsters, even devils cannot escape the grasp of God. Because, the only absolute God is capable of anything.”

The girl looks at the smiling angel(self claimed) with puzzled eyes. However, she does not reject the hand that he extends.

“No matter what your reason may be, I am very thankful that you lent me power. For mutual benefit, let us work together from now on!”

“------ One day, you are sure to experience the love of God too.”

Before the teenager who is gradually becoming a mummy, the two hands filled with personal desires and hypocrisy held together tightly.

=== 2 ===

The next day, at the residence of the Kannagi.

“What’s the matter?”

Kazuma who was seeked out suddenly decides to save up on his greeting as well, and asks Juugo directly.

He did not even glance at Ayano who is sitting at the side.

Ayano, as usual, is in a silent anger. And as for Kazuma, he, as usual, ignores her presence, and places his eyes on Juugo alone.

“From yesterday night up till this morning at zero hours, 池袋 has a total of eight youngsters dying from being weakened by an unknown reason, their age ranging from ten plus to twenty plus years old.”

Juugo matches himself with Kazuma, going to the main point directly.

“And so?”

Kazuma calmly hushes for the continuation. Towards the suffering and misfortunes of others, he has an extremely high tolerance.

Even though you can just say that he is without blood or tears.

“They seem to have their vigor sucked dry. And so, I would like to ask you to find that person, and if possible eliminate him.”

“Okay, I got it.”

Without a more detailed negotiation, Kazuma accepts the request readily. This too is his usual style.

“I leave it to you. This is the data related to the incidents……”

With that said, Juugo takes out a thin set of documents. Even though it is said to be data, but the incidents only happened last night, so there are no important clues. Just simple data about the victims and where they were found, and some photos while they were still alive, and some after their death.

“Oh oh------ These are just like residues.”

Kazuma compares the photos, and says this term that would make the relatives of the deceased curse him for.

Yet, this is probably the most direct thought of anyone who has seen the photos------ Even though there is not many who dare to say it out loud.

Every victim looks very lively, just looking at their photos allows one to feel the brilliance of their lives.

Changing back to the photos after death------ Being frank with it, these are mummies. Even if they are placed directly in the museum for exhibition, nothing will seem out of place.

The dry and wrinkled skin, face full of wrinkles. In those opened empty eyes, there is no sign of fear, showing just a supernatural calmness.

Even if you say to everyone that they were still alive a few hours ago, there shouldn’t be many who will believe you! That is just how bad they look after death.

“This time there is no time limit, but act fast. You will co-operate with Ayano------“

“No need.”

Kazuma simply cuts into Juugo’s sentence.

“------ What?”

“She's a hindrance.” [actual text closer to something like shes hindering him/ in the way. but he said it in a very short term. So this is the best I can come up with]

Faced with Juugo’s question, Kazuma replies coldly.

“Wha…… What!?”

Ayano furiously voices out to protest. Juugo stops her.

“------ Kazuma.”

As if sighing, he calls out Kazuma’s name, but Kazuma does not show any intention of backing off.

“The job this time is primarily to search right? Then En-jutsushis are completely useless. If the opponent is not something I can handle, I will contact you guys again, until then, just remain on stand-by!”

“But, if the enemy escapes because of this, then we will have to go through the trouble again.”

Juugo doesn’t give up, and persistently attempts to let Ayano travel along. Kazuma refuses once more.

“Youma that I alone cannot handle, I doubt their numbers are many, so why should I bring a heavy burden to prevent such a situation.”

“Burden------!? Aren’t you being too arrogant------!”

Juugo holds back Ayano who stood up from her anger, and pulls her back to the seat.

“You won’t bring her along no matter what?”

“Nope.”

“…… Is that so.”

Under such a direct rejection, Juugo can only comply.

“I get it, I shall trust you on this then. And one more thing------“

“What is it?”

“You seem to care a lot about Misao, but for now just forget about her! At least until this matter is over.”

“----------------------“

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 109.jpg|thumb]]
Kazuma does not make any reply. He stands up silently, turns and leaves the room.

“You idiot------! Even if you come back crying, begging me, I will definitely not help you------!!”

Ayano shouts out loud towards the back of Kazuma who gradually leaves.

Juugo looks at his daughter bitterly, and gives a deep sigh at the same time.

“You should at least……”

“What! You think I am in the wrong?”

The ignorant Ayano says in a tantrum. [not sure if this is how to use the term.]

.------Slice!

Wind blades speeds through, slicing a bunch of eerily wriggling sticky goo into pieces. Staring at the semi-transparent objects that became crumbs, Kazuma sighs lightly.

“Gee, another failure.”

It has been two days since he took on Juugo’s request.

During this period, he has been assaulted by those youma up to nine times.

Kazuma is not particularly seen as their target. Even though he himself walked to those areas with a strong youki, but meeting them is a sheer coincidence.

Nine times.

A very abnormal number.

And during the period when he is investigating, everyday there is another five or six victims------

(Five or six? I doubt there is so few.)

Indeed, that is only the number of corpses found. But, after witnessing how the victim is devoured from start till end, Kazuma realized that Juugo’s assumption is wrong.

Not just their vigor, this type of youma eats flesh too, and anything it swallows up, including clothes and accessories, everything gets devoured.

Kazuma dejectedly looks at the victim, who began dissolving through his skin, flesh, until the end even his bones is dissolved. That expression is not due to the dissolving process being too gruesome, but because he can understand what this means.

.------ The reason why corpses remain, is only because it cannot digest it completely.

The actual casualty number may be one digit------ or even two digits away.

“No way……”

Kazuma sighs weakly.

Just how many more shape-shifting worms that feeds on human flesh resides within Tokyo city? Just thinking about this irritates him.

“There is no end to this…… I better come up with a way quickly to get to the core of this and end it once and for all!”

After nine battles, Kazuma has almost completely understood the characteristics of the youma.

An appearance similar to a single cell organism, with no intelligence at all. They act purely by instinct, continuously devouring humans filled with vigor.

Their ability is “Absorption”. To drain away one’s vigor completely, even their bodies are converted to energy and taken in.

Alone, they pose a threat no different from a normal pest. But what is troubling, is that their numbers are not few as normal, and once they group up they can gain new abilities.

When they gather to a certain number, some kind of magical circuit will be formed among them. Using this circuit to create a kekkai, causing the targeted human to be unable to escape.

Kazuma predicts that these goo pieces all together are just one entity. The situation now is like split cells conducting activities independently.

The ability of the “cell” is to absorb heat, and then exhaust it through exercise. When they gather together to form an “organ”, they gain the ability to control the energy they absorbed.

In the final stage, perhaps each “organ” will link up to form one entity. But Kazuma does not care about the true identity of that monster.

If it is just one entity, then there must be an organ like the brain giving off commands------ something like a core. Things would be fine so long as he finds the core and destroys it.

Currently, the enemy is acting separately, and its powers weakened, there is no reason to not strike during this opportunity. He does not have that kind of weird habit of “hoping to fight with strong enemies”.

Because of that, Kazuma has been trying to find clues from the “cells” that will lead him to where the core may be, trying to find the real enemy------ but so far it was nine consecutive losses.

“These guys are too dispersed, some bait must be used to get them to gather at one place……”

Kazuma keeps quiet suddenly.

Bait. Someone full of vigor.

“There just so happens to be one here.”

Just as he claps in rejoice for coming up with such a brilliant plan, Kazuma senses that the tenth batch of youma has appeared. At the same time, he notices the presence of a certain someone he knows.

Kazuma smiles arrogantly.

“Hehe, not bad. Without needing me to say anything, our bait took up its role already.”

Listening to the wind, he identifies the exact location.

“A little far------ Should I jump?”

Jumping in the city may be seen by others. Kazuma ponders, his eyes sub-consciously turns to the road. His ears and eyes notices “that” at the same time.

(okay, let’s use that.)

Kazuma makes up his mind immediately. He hops across the protective railings, and stands on the road. Following that, with his left leg as the centre, he spins one round, and passes the side of a motorcycle that speeds through the sidewalk------

“Wah!?”

The reverse spin kick sweeps at the neck of the rider.

When the rider is thrown off the motorcycle, and still in mid-air, Kazuma as if doing a magic trick, rides onto the motorcycle.

Thong!

A blunt and heavy sound comes from the back. It seems that he fell head first onto the ground, but since he is wearing a helmet, he should not die at that kind of speed.

“I will try my best to return it to you.

Kazuma mumbles with his greatest sincerity, and then suavely speeds off.

=== 3 ===

“Hey you girls, wanna ……”

Bang!

The poor guy who does not know how to look at the situation, before he even completed his first sentence, he was sent flying into the air by the schoolbag that flew in from the side.

“Scram!”

Ayano shouts loudly. His companions seeing this, abandons the unconscious man instantly and runs off. This is probably the most loyal and clever judgment made by self-survival instincts!

Yukari and Nanase did not rebut a single word all along, they know better than anyone that that would not be a wise move.

In front of the Ikebukuro station, the massive crowds all around make it difficult for someone to move on in a straight line, yet there is no one blocking Ayano’s way.

Like Moses who split the red sea into two, Ayano walks boldly on the road cleared right in the middle of the crowd.

(What was that! What was that! Sorry that I will only be a nuisance! Too bad I am weaker than you! Gee I am so sorry------!)

In her heart, Ayano is using her Enraiha to stab that flippant detestable face.

Yet, no matter how she mashes or beats that face up, the fury in her shows no signs of abating.

“Erm…… Ayano?”

“What is it?”

Ayano uses such scary eyes that would even scare a gangster to look back at Yukari. But when she saw Yukari retreating back in fear, she reflects on her own behavior.

“Give me a moment.”

Ayano turns her back at the two and takes in a few deep breaths. After she finally managed to give a relaxed expression, she turns back at them, wearing a smile once more.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, erm…… We took the wrong way.”

“------Huh?”

Ayano looks around her, just to realize that this place seems very unfamiliar to her.

“Where is this?”

“A small path by the main road.”

It seems that because Ayano has been walking without watching her way since just now, they have unknowingly walked into a separate road.

Even though this is a completely new place to them, they can still see the Tokyu Hands Sign ahead. It seems that they did not stray too far.

“Ahaha------ Sorry sorry. I was thinking about something.”

“Geez, this will not do------ You should pay attention when you walk.”

Ayano gives an embarrassed smile. And Yukari smiles back at an appropriate time, lifting her hand to poke her forehead to lighten the mood.

“But, it is just one street away, why did it become so empty suddenly.”

Ayano who does not know too much about Ikebukuro says.

As she mentioned, in this alleyway that is sandwiched between a car park and a love motel, there is just the three of them, no one else.

“Yeah…… There is no one around……”

This place should not be so empty to have no one at all.

It is just like having a gap that suddenly appeared amidst the noisy city, this silence makes one feel an unimaginable uneasiness.

“This kind of situation happens once in a while I guess. Today is not a holiday after all.”

As if trying to dispel the gloomy atmosphere, Nanase says confidently.

“Yeah, that’s right……”

“Alright, let’s go. Ayano too……”

At the instant her eyes are laid on Ayano, Nanase widens her eyes instantly.

“Nanase……?”

Yukari looks in the direction of Nanase’s line of sight, her face too becomes stiff. An expression of a pale bloodless face filled with fear.

“Aww, don’t be like that, there is no need to be so afraid. I won’t scare you guys again.”

“Behind you!”

Nanase shouts out in a rare panicking tone. As soon as Ayano heard that, she stops smiling and turns her whole body around.

“------!?”

Her heart almost jumped out from her throat.

Because that kind of thing is less than a meter away from her.

A semi-transparent, and continuously wriggling piece of goo. It looks like the slime from an RPG, but Ayano knows clearly that it is not something cute.

She ignores the eyes of the other two. Under a biologically feeling of detest and irritation, Ayano releases flames.

.------Kaboom!

The golden flames burnt the goo till there is no trace of it left.

“That…… That was scary……”

What a dangerous moment that was. If she was killed like this, it would probably be told to generations to come as the biggest humiliation of the Kannagi clan.

No matter how slow and pathetic the senses of a En-jutsushi may be, no matter how his attention is focused on other things, to be completely unaware of an abnormality that even a normal person would realize like just now is without question, the biggest disgrace of all.

(I must not let others know of this……)

Ayano swears quietly, to bury this deep in her heart for the rest of her life.

“A……Ayano…… What was that just now……”

“This…… This is a good question…… I just saw a weird thing pop out, and then it suddenly caught fire……”

Ayano acts as though she knows nothing.

“Anyway, we better get out of this creepy place!”

She changes the topic immediately.

But, Ayano has already sensed that things are not that simple.

(This is not good…… This place is not Ikebukuro at all…… Can we get out……?)

All kinds of noise spread from the road just one street away. Yet, this several tens of meters of distance, is now even further away than the moon.

“A……Ayano, that!”

“Ah------ Yeah.”

The thing Yukari pointed at, Ayano sensed it without even having to look at it.

A large bunch of goo is emerging continuously from all the gaps and cracks.

Not just from the sewer openings and water freeing ports, the more exaggerating ones would be that they are coming out from the extraction points of automated selling machines, and from within the mailboxes.

The total number is countless.

“Those…… Those are!? What the hell are these things!?”

“Calm down, Yukari.”

As Ayano comforting Yukari who is out of control, she observes Nanase.

Nanase who is also calm and fearless normally, her face looks slightly distorted, but not to a large extent.

“Let me see------ We should make a run for it first!”

Despite how bad the situation is, her mind is very clear. As the opponent seem to look very slow and clumsy, they should be able to escape easily.

So, as the goo all leaped at them, Nanase is indeed stunned. Who would have imagined that slimes can perform an amazing leap of over ten meters on the spot.

(------Oh shit!)

Ayano reflexively stimulates the power in her body. She places her right hand on her left waist, and then as she makes one big step forward, she waves horizontally out.

This is the posture of a battoujutsu without the blade. Yet, there is indeed a blade that appeared there.

It is a bright red crimson double edged straight sword. A golden flame engulfs the blade, possessing a shining and brilliant great power.

Enraiha------ The demon slaying holy blade bestowed by the Lord of Fire Spirits. The devastating flames that bursts out from the blade will burn all the youma in sight into a crisp.

“Phew------”

Breathing out softly, Ayano begins to verify the safety of the two.

The two people before her are still in a state of extreme fear.

“It is okay now, don’t be afraid.”

Ayano wears a smile and takes a step towards the two.

Yukari retreats three steps.

“Yukari……?”

Ayano only realizes now, that what the two are afraid of, is none other than herself.

Even Nanase who tries her best to stand there, the fear on her face can be easily seen.

“Ayano…… Just what are you……”

“------!”

Ayano hides the Enraiha behind her immediately, but it is pointless doing it now.

(What…… What should I do……)

She does not feel ashamed of her powers, but instead she is very proud of it.

Even so, the fearful eyes that her best friends place on her make her feel very painful.

It is not strange that the two would be afraid of Ayano. But, that is a kind of fear towards “a scary person”.

By now, these two people have classified Ayano as “a scary person”. In their recognition, Ayano is the same as those goo.

“N……No…… I……”

The moment she opened her mouth, the expression of the two became tenser. Seeing that expression, Ayano understands that it is pointless no matter how she tries to explain herself, and so she shut her mouth.

She cannot face them, she lowers her head, her body trembling lightly. As she loses her strength, the flames vanishes from the blade of Enraiha.

“------ Behind you!”

Nanase’s warning sounds off once more. Yet, Ayano has no strength to respond to that voice.

Behind Ayano who is standing there emptily, a big lump of goo is wriggling consistently closing in slowly.

The goo that collapses from above her head, swallows Ayano in the blink of an eye.

“------Is this the place?’

After parking the motorcycle he borrowed, Kazuma mutters.

Attracted by Ayano’s vigor, a large group of youma gathered here at one go. This should allow him to be able to conduct a reverse investigation.

“Good job, Ayano------ Hmm?”

After nodding proudly, Kazuma finally realizes that something is amiss.

Ayano’s scent is very weak, and is being surrounded by youma------ or should it be said that she is swallowed within.

“Even if you are the bait, there is no need to go to such an extent! What is this girl doing?”

Kazuma knows very clearly how powerful that kind of youma is. Even if their numbers can fill up the entire Tokyo Dome, it should be impossible for Ayano to lose.

However, Ayano is being swallowed up now.

“Gee, what a trouble-maker------”

Kazuma grumbles unhappily, he steps onto the motorcycle and flies off into the sky. He remains motionless in the air, and begins to observe the inside of the kekkai.

Even though it is just as thick as a piece of thin skin, but that is a space completely isolated from the real world. There is no way to get there through physical means.

Of course, that is the same for the wind.

A natural phenomenon like the wind can only operate revolving around the same world, it is unable to affect other worlds. If there is a wall that can be broken, it may still be possible, but there is no way to affect a space of a different dimension.

.------ For a “natural phenomenon”, that is the case.

Kazuma raises his right hand towards the sky. A large amount of wind spirits responds to Kazuma’s summon, and gathers consistently.

In terms of spirit techniques, it is not just simply controlling a natural phenomenon. Using the phenomenon as a medium, so that his will can manifest in this world is the quintessence of it.

Imagining the edges of the abnormal space, Kazuma inputs the power to break that space into the wind.

From directly above it, he takes the thin and sharp “will” he made-------

“Gah!”

.------And fires it!

The raging wind breaks the dimensional gap.

=== 4 ===

“I thought that it was the descent of God.”

Yukari said so after the incident.

This is the first time she felt the beauty of a powerful person.

Bringing forth the winds, an embodiment of great power descending suavely. That scene was reflected in Yukari’s eyes.

An invisible force that came from the skies crushed the gigantic youma in one blow.

Ayano rolls out from within that youma like a puppet. The amazing thing is, she did not suffer any injuries, not just that, there is not a single piece of goo sticking onto her.

This is the power of “purification” that only destroys demons------ The special demon slaying power that the Kannagi is so proud of.

“…… Cough……. Cough cough!”

He uses a cold gaze to stare at the girl who is coughing vigorously to try to breathe, and orders her strictly..

“Stand up.”

(…… What is she doing?)

After he clears off all the wriggling pieces of goo, Kazuma observes Ayano once more.

Her “ki” is unbelievably weak. The amount of vigor that was absorbed by the low level youma isn’t that much, yet she seems so expended she is like an average person.

“…… Kazuma?”

The pathetic way she lies on the floor, looking at him dumbly made him feel very displeased. Not a single shred of her usual dominance could be felt from her, her expression looks as nervous and uneasy as an abandoned puppy.

(Just what has she been doing since just now?)

“Stand up.”

He uses a pressurizing tone to command her. Even so, Ayano still showed some form of resistance. She obeys the command, using Enraiha as a crutch, she slowly stands up.

Against that pair of cold eyes that is staring right into her, Ayano does not dare face it. All that can be seen is how she peeks behind Kazuma’s right hand from time to time.

Of course, Kazuma noticed that there are two people there. Judging from how they wear the same uniform as Ayano, they are probably not people who are just passing by so coincidentally.

“Erm...... Err…… This is……”

Ayano’s gaze shifts between Enraiha and the two girls, who are standing there blankly, continuously. Just looking at her now, in his heart, Kazuma guessed pretty much what this is about.

(Gee……)

He stretches one finger out between Ayano’s eyes. The eyes that were originally busy shifting around, was captivated by the finger that appeared suddenly before her.

While Ayano’s conscious is still focused on the finger, Kazuma shouts loudly..

“ “Thou who hast been blessed by the spirits, where does thy power lie?” “
[or more literally: People who receives the blessings of spirits, what is your power used for? In a more olden days context, similar to the ones used by Horo in S&W]

That is a pledge------ and an article during sermons. This is the most basic pledge that spirit standard Jutsushis act upon.

Ever since Ayano was little, Juugo has been repeating this sentence continuously. Even if she is completely out of it, she still remembers clearly the line that follows.

“My…… “My power lies to protect. As a ministrant of the spirits, to slay the demons in this world, to uphold the truth is where my duty lies. Never to be forgotten------“ “

Suddenly, her tense speech stopped.

Ayano, whose eyes are focused at Kazuma’s fingertip, as if shocked by electricity, she lifts her head up to stare at Kazuma. Those eyes glow with a light of understanding.

She shifts her eyes to the side, looking at Yukari and Nanase. And finally downwards------ At the Enraiha that is in her right hand.

Ayano grabs the hilt that was originally hanging at her fingertips tightly.

When she raised her head up once more, the lost looks she had earlier has already vanished without a trace. Ayano uses her words to reinforce that pledge all over again.

“To protect------ The people I love!”

A dazzling flame bursts out from Enraiha. That is no longer an injured girl. Understanding the meaning of power, the duty that she bears, as a powerful En-Jutsushi, she stares right back at Kazuma’s eyes.

Kazuma shows a smile at his lips, and stretches a finger to poke Ayano’s forehead gently. Pak! Ayano’s head tilts backwards.

“Ahhh!? What are you doing, don’t do that------“

Ignoring Ayano who bloats her cheek and complains, Kazuma places his attention on the surroundings.

Unsure whether it is the self-regeneration of the remaining goo or a new batch emerging out, by now, countless goo pieces are surrounding them.

“So then------“

Not asking if she “can do it?” or “are you okay?”, that level of injury, there is no need to show solicitude. To put it more plainly, it is the level of it does not matter at all.

Because, the power they have exists precisely for this.

“I leave those at the back to you.”

“Leave it to me.”

Ayano replies without hesitation. The two walk out back-to-back at the same time.

“------ Kazuma.”

He did not answer, but he stopped in his steps.

“Thank you.”

Still, there was no answer. Only sounds of silent footsteps ring by her ears.

Ayano closes her eyes gently, trying her best to remember what she needs to do.

(Yukari, Nanase…… Farewell……)

It would be a lie to say that she doesn’t feel lonely or sad. But even so------

(Even so, I must protect everyone------)

She opens her eyes. There is not a single trace of gloominess or darkness in that pure and clear mind.

An explosion sounds off, golden flames bursts from all over her body. Inputting all of her upsurge of powers---

“Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

Under a sharp scream, Ayano swung her Enraiha.

“Looking quite good------“

His back filled with explosive “ki”, Kazuma can’t help but give a bitter smile.

At this rate, these monsters will not be able to hold out very long. He must achieve his objection soon------

Kazuma blocks the two who are staring at Ayano with their eyes wide open, and says leisurely..

“Stay where you are, if you run around, you might be killed!”

Following that, he releases wind blades once more with ease, slicing the youma that is approaching consistently.

Shu! Pach! Pff! Puu!

In a radius of five meters around Kazuma, horrifying killing sounds sounded off over and over again.

The wind that Kazuma manipulates becomes blades at times, hammer at times, cutting the youma one by one, smashing them.

The youma is crushed in a moment, but in the blink of an eye, they recover instantly. They are originally something similar to a shape-shifting worm, without a standard form, so physical attacks have no effect at all.
Yet Kazuma still continues releasing wind. Even though it cannot cause fatal damage, but the raging winds can make the groups of youma unable to close in on them.

And so after a few minutes------

(------Found it.)

Kazuma who is surrounded by youma gives a proud smile. Almost at the same time, Ayano who completed her mission broke through the frontlines and appears before them.

“My side is finished------ What are you doing?”

Ayano uses a puzzled expression to stare at Kazuma who is playing with the youma.

“Just as you can see.”

“No…… It is precisely because I don’t get it that I am asking you.”

“The enemy is a being without form, no matter how I slice it, it will recover once more.”

“Then can’t you just purify them…… Or is that to say, you cannot use the power of purification like this!?”

Kazuma usually seals his strength firmly. Even though when he used the purifying winds in front of Ayano in the past, he had released the seal------

“Nope.”

“Really? You better speak the truth, and fast!”

Ayano did not ease her questioning. Thinking that she might be able to get hold of Kazuma’s weakness, her face becomes filled with expectation.

“Really. Besides, I don’t really want to dampen your mood……”

“What?”

”Even if what you said is true, but if the opponent is human, there is no such problem.”

“Hmm……”

Indeed, even if that is the truth, Ayano’s chances of winning will not increase.

Ayano, who had been so excited about nothing, looks very disappointed. Kazuma knocks her head and leaves the aftermath to her.

“So, I leave the rest up to you. I am going to head straight for their main camp.”

“You found it already!?”

”Yeah, things really are different when you have good bait.”

“Bait------?”

Ayano ponders on what this means. When she realized it, her face flushed red instantly.

“You…… You asshole, you used me again didn’t you!?”

“This is a misunderstanding.”

“Just which part of it is a misunderstanding!?”

“When I thought of having you as bait, you had already ran up and became the bait yourself, so it is not my fault at all.”

Kazuma says so seriously.

“You are really……”

“Sorry, I am in a rush for time. I shall listen to your complains in the future!”

Kazuma throws down this sentence coldly, and turns to leave. Ayano hurriedly shouts out to call out to him..

“Wait… Wait a minute! I am going with you too------“

“I see that you have a lot of things to settle? I will leave markings on the road, so catch up on your own later!”

Obviously, the so called “a lot of things” does not only mean eliminating the youma.

As Ayano’s eyes are directed towards Yukari and Nanase, Kazuma rides the wind, flying up into the sky.

“Ah, I told you to wait!”

Kazuma ignores the shout, and breaks the boundaries as when he entered, and vanishes.

Logically, Ayano knows that Kazuma’s choice is correct. But, she is unable to accept it like this. “She has been abandoned once more”, “he is obviously looking down on her”, this kind of thinking lingers in her heart, showing no sign of dispersing.

“Wuuuuu<nowiki>~~</nowiki>”

She groans in hatred, but Kazuma is long gone. So she places all her unreleased fury onto the enemy.

Her fierce scary eyes stared directly at the goo pieces. Faced with an abnormally strong murderous atmosphere, even the youma that bears no intelligence can’t help but retreat.

“Kazuma……”

She instills all her power into Enraiha. A glaring golden glow that makes one hard to look directly at it emerges from the crimson blade vigorously.

“You idiot-------------------------------!!”

After releasing a massive load of plasma, she burns off most of the youma at one go.

“------Phew.”

After burning up all the youma, Ayano breathes out, satisfied.

The result from converting all her stress into destructive behavior, she became very calm now. Just that some of the surrounding buildings were dragged into this pointless disaster, being destroyed together with the youma.

If this is not a different dimension, there would probably be over a hundred casualties?

After the youma that controls this dimension is destroyed, the area begins to return to its original state slowly.

Everything returned to the way they should be. Ayano and her friends returned to the original world as well.

(Now…… To settle “a lot of things”.)

Ayano looks at Yukari and Nanase. Perhaps because they have finally calmed down, the two generously meet with her gaze.

“……………………..”

Even though there are a lot of things that she must explain to them, Ayano cannot bring herself to say them.

For some time, the three exchanged silent stares.

“I……”

As though she had made up her mind, Ayano tries her best to put up a calm front and smiled at the two of them.

“So, good bye.”

In the end, that is all she can say. Tossing all the necessary explanations out of her mind, Ayano turns her back at the two of them.

She tries to hold back the tears that are swelling in her eyes and walks off------ But she stopped almost immediately.

“Wait, Ayano!”

Yukari grabs the lower area of her uniform, pulling her back forcefully.

“Yukari……?”

Ayano turns around and upon seeing the scene before her, she frowns instantly.

Yukari’s expression------ Looks perfectly normal, yet that is the most abnormal part of it.

There is not a single shred of fear in her face, nor any determination to attempt to overcome fear. All there is on that face is a brimming light filled with curiosity.

Yukari shows an expression of a prankster and says to the puzzled Ayano:

“After witnessing something so interesting, how can you leave without explaining things first?”

“What……”

Her curiosity overwhelms her fear. Even though Ayano is very puzzled by Yukari’s as per normal behavior, if she does not explain clearly first, it seems that Yukari will not let her go. As she does not want to turn and leave directly, Ayano started to make her long story as short as possible.

“Frankly speaking, my family is of a En-jutsushi clan that manipulates fire------“

”No! Not that!”

“……Huh?”

“I mean that man just now------ Kazuma-san! What kind of person is he? How did you get to know each other? What is your relationship with him now? Come on, spill everything, tell us all about how you two met------“

“Hey!”

Nanase knocks lightly on Yukari’s head, who has been rattling on and on.”

“Ouch, that hurts, Nanase~”

“Be quiet. All because of your constant nonsensical rumblings, Ayano has no idea what to do now. Besides, if you expect us to pretend that nothing happened just now, that is wishful thinking on your part!”

“Argh…… So that won’t happen huh?”

Before Ayano, who is at a complete loss, the two stood up. And------

“Sorry.”

Yukari bows down deeply.

“Yeah…… We are really sorry about earlier.”

Nanase at the side, embarrassed, avoids eye contact with Ayano, and apologizes.

“…… What is going on?”

“Actually, I was really afraid at first. Because fire burst out all of a sudden, and a sword came out from nowhere, Ayano seems to have turned into a totally different person. But after seeing how you talk back and forth with Kazuma-san like that, I know that you are still that Ayano I used to know.”

“Talking back and forth with Kazuma...... You……”

To suddenly be taken that they were having a cross talk, Ayano is displeased. Nanase continues to say at this moment:

“That is to say, there is no need to change our attitude towards you just because you can use some spells or supernatural powers.”

“B…… But…… Aren’t you afraid of me? If I want to, I can kill you two without so much as lifting a finger?”

“So?”

Nanase asks back calmly.

“What……”

”You still don’t get it? There is no need for you to use some special powers, you can kill us just with your bare hands!”

“That…… is true.”

“So then why should we start being afraid of you only from now on? Even if you change a gun to a cannon, you still die in a single shot.”

There is a certain limit to the amount of damage a human can withstand. Once he sustains an injury beyond this limit, he is doomed. There can never be a negative value being created in this manner.

To someone who possesses ten points of HP, taking ten points of damage and a thousand points of damage are basically the same. The remaining nine hundred and ninety points of damage are but an excess.

Yet, there are not many people that can understand such a simple logic in reality. Being by the side of a murderer whom you do not know, you will feel uneasy. That is to say------

“That is to say, the main point lies in whether you trust the person. But I have faith in you all along.”

“Ayano has never been someone who would harm another without a reason, so, I am not afraid at all.”

Ayano looks dumbly at the two of them, Yukari asks uneasily:

“So…… Please don’t hate us, can we still be good friends from now on?”

“……Yukari……”

Tears were about to fall from her eyes, but she never enjoyed saddening atmospheres. Ayano gets a hold of herself, and straights her thumb up from her raised fist.

“Of course! Even if you don’t want to, I will not let you go!”

After acknowledging their friendship again, Yukari begins her attack once more.

“Since we have all made up, I say we should let Ayano explain clearly, everything about that man of hers!”

“Who are you calling my man!”

“Kazuma-san.”

Yukari says as if it is only natural.

“I say, you------“

“Ayano, if you think that your love for him is only single sided, I think you are wrong! I am sure Kazuma-san cares a lot about you as well.”

“That’s right. Let’s forget about whether it has reached the level of love, but anyway you have created in him a liking towards you. So there is still a chance!”

Even Nanase joined in the ruckus. This made Ayano feel very troubled.

“I already told you, that guy is…… What?”

Seeing the two of them giving her a supercilious look, Ayano stopped even before she finished her rebut.

“You really are… Just earlier on you appeared to depend on him so much, and now you want to say “I have no feelings at all”?”

“I…… I did not depend on him……”

”Oh? Then when you were so lost and depressed, who was it that got you back up?”

“……You, the cause of it all, still dare to talk about that.”

“That is another matter.”

Nanase does not care about Ayano’s retaliation at all. In this world, there are a lot of things in which people with strong attitudes usually have an advantage over those who don’t.

“And, why do you two want to ask about Kazuma only now? You were obviously not so interested when you met him last time.”

“Because he looked like just some flippant man then.”

“…… Isn’t that the way he is?”

“Huh------ Of course not. Kazuma-san is so suave!”

Yukari says so cheekily. Ayano on the other hand stares at her with ice cold eyes below zero degrees Celsius.

“------ Yukari, your taste in men is rather unique.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t try to steal him away from you.”

Ayano’s eyes become even colder, but Yukari’s face continues to wear that smile of hers:

“So then, leaving Ayano’s feelings at one side, tell us about Kazuma. When and where did you meet? Speaking of which, I don’t think we have his name yet------“

Even though the questions are coming constantly and flooding her, but Ayano sighs out in relief having escaped from her questioning. Her mouth naturally became a little loose.

“The first time I met him, is probably the day I was born, even though I have long since forgotten about it. His current surname seems to be Yagami.”

“Current? You mean it is different last time?”

The two of them did not miss this small little detail. Faced with Nanase who asked that question, Ayano replies calmly:

“His original name is Kazuma Kannagi. He is my second cousin, and Ren’s biological elder brother at the same time.”

After explaining briefly her relationship with Kazuma, Yukari and Nanase both have a strange expression on their face.

“What’s the matter?”

Ayano asks, puzzled. Yukari uses an earnest tone to say to her:

“Kazuma-san is so caring.”

“Ah!?”

Hearing such an unexpected answer, Ayano screamed out loudly. But turning around to look at Nanase, she is nodding strongly as well.

“He…… Just which part of him is caring?”

“Don’t you know?”

Yukari asks Ayano back in a very surprised tone. Not just being surprised at how slow Ayano is, her eyes carry a certain obvious blaming glare.

“Kazuma-san has been constantly bullied in the past isn’t he? Not only that, he was even chased out of the family because he did not possess “power”. “

“After receiving such treatment, normally speaking he will not want to have any interactions with you people. But if it is for revenge, that would be a different case.”

Nanase follows on to say:

“But, Yagami Kazuma protected you instead. And not just protect you from all harm, and even encourage you to stand up once more with your own strength.”

“How thoughtful, Kazuma-san is just like Ayano’s knight.”

“……Ah?”

After Yukari said this sentence from the bottom of her heart, Ayano was at a loss for words.

“What…… What are you talking about! Who would want a knight with a flawed personality like him! As long as I am around him, I have an urge to kill him every five minutes.”

Ayano who finally got back to her senses tries hard to defend herself, but the other two kept on sighing with a “What can we do with her” kind of attitude instead.

Hearing that, Ayano became more furious.

“Just because you two have no idea how bad he is, that is why you are mistaking him for a good guy. He even used me as bait, and I almost died because of it!”

“But aren’t you still alive now?”

Nanase rebuts calmly:

“When you were really in danger, didn’t he come over to save you?”

“Argh……”

Spot on. But if she is to say such a thing, she will only receive even more vigorous rebuts. There is no way she can reply honestly.

“A……Anyway, that guy is one big badass! The reason he came to save me purposely this time must be for his own joy.”

“Look at her, Ayano is really not honest with herself.”

“It is that Yukari is too naïve! Don’t drag everything into boy-girl relationships!”

After shouting out in reflex, Ayano finally remembered that now is not the time to chat casually. She looks in the direction Kazuma disappeared in, her eyebrows shows a sign of anxiety.

“So, I shall make a move first. I don’t think anything will happen anymore, but still, be careful!”

With that, Ayano runs off leaving the two behind.

Yukari bears a very displeased expression, looking at the back of that person who ran off without turning her head back to look at them.

“Gee, that Ayano. It is so obvious that you have a love rival, if you continues to be so stubborn, what are you going to do then?”

Nanase at the side seems more calm on the other hand.

“Don’t just look at the negative side, be more positive!”

“More positive?”

“For example……”

After keeping Yukari in suspense for a while, she says with a serious look on her face:

“We can have some fun with this topic for quite a while.”

“………………”

Yukari’s eyes blink continuously. She looks dumbly at Nanase, her entire body frozen for a few seconds.

And then------

“Good idea, Nanase.”

She puts up a boxing pose, placing tiny fists at her chest.

“Let us observe their development quietly from now on!”

With a pure and holy smile similar to a loving mother------ Yet the contents of their speech is filled with bad intents.

That is to say, to not help the two develop their relationship to the next level, but to observe Ayano’s reactions for fun.

“That is exactly what we should do.”

Of course, Nanase has no objections either.

“If some other party take part in this, maybe things will become even more complicated.”

“Yeah, and there seems to be a lot of hidden complicated facts mixed within as well.”

The two smiles to each other, holding each other’s hands strongly.

“Hoho, we are really thoughtful towards our friends.”

Yukari thinks so from the bottom of her heart------ As to what Ayano thinks about this decision, that is another problem.

<noinclude>
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| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 2

2008-11-18T14:06:58Z

Zeferion: /* 3 */

== Chapter Two - Assault – Determination After Removing All Doubts ==

=== 1 ===

The boy’s arm is wreathed in a red flame.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

A wordless scream escapes the boy's mouth.

So hot- there is no room in his mind for anything but the heat, all thought stolen by the crimson flame.

To extinguish the flame, he continuously rolls on the floor. Nearby, some kids observe his pitiable state.

We say kids, but that belies the range of their ages. The smallest are young children of only four or five, while the oldest are full-grown teenagers of fifteen or sixteen.

Their sole common denominator can be seen on their faces.

Scorn.

This group of kids joyfully surrounds the burning youth, laughing gaily.

An unfeigned laughter that comes from the heart. Innocent. Naive. Cruel.

The cruelty of a child that cannot differentiate between right and wrong. Like children who pluck off the wings of a dragonfly just to watch it struggle, they enjoy the predicament of the youth, painfully struggling the same way.

“A member of the main family, getting burnt by fire!”

“How useless!”

"'A humiliation to the clan,' my father said!"

"Someone as worthless as you has no right to bear the name 'Kannagi!'"

The boy can only hug his burnt arm, his face showing a painful expression as the others continue to mock him, one after another.

“It's my turn!”

A young girl around ten years old raises her hand to declare.

“Oh- Go on. Quickly now!”

The children cheer. The girl, encouraged, holds her fist to her chest and begins to concentrate.

“Heh!”

Following the cute shout, above the cringing youth a red flame suddenly appears, like a ghost.

The fire slowly descends until it touches the back of the boy.

Sssssssss!

“------!”

The sound of burning meat can be heard. The youth's body, originally curled into a ball, forcefully straightens out. This scene serves only to amplify the mocking.

“My turn next!”

“I wanna go too!”

His legs, his back, his shoulder; all are continuously tattooed by the ferocious flame. Each time the boy's body instinctively twitches, each time a burnt smell is given off.

Despite the horrid cruelty of their actions, none present feel the least degree of guilt. To them, fire is nothing to fear.

Were they to be put in his shoes, they would not experience the smallest discomfort. Even for those whose "power" is 'weak,' the most that would burn would be their clothes - their bodies would remain completely unharmed.

This is because their clan has been blessed with fire's protection.

Because of this, these kids are completely unaware of the dangers of fire, nor do they understand the pain of being scorched.

You cannot imagine what you do not know, and because they are unable to imagine, they see nothing wrong with what they have done.

The boy silently endures alone the innocent and naive torture of the other children in the clan.

“Ah…… Ah……”

By the time the kids are finally satisfied, the youth is left to painfully contend with his smoking body.

“Ahhh- that was fun.”

“Bye bye, let’s play again~”

As part of their exit ritual, everyone present gives the twitching body a merciless kick. But before anyone can leave, the eldest and largest boy goes farther, and stomps on the boy's head.

“……Hmm?”

“What's wrong with Toru?”

Hearing the large boy, Kuga Toru, let out a pathetic cry, the others turn in surprise.

“You…… You foolish idiot!”

The head that Toru forcefully stepped on is now slowly lifting itself upwards. The youth uses his hands as support against the floor, and intently stares at Toru from below.

“You…… What are you trying to do……?”

Seeing those eyes, filled with murder, Toru cannot help but retreat in fright. Immediately filled with shame at his actions, he becomes angry.

“What's with that look? This worthless scum actually dares to resist?!”

Toru summons a flame, angrily throwing it in the youth's direction.

The youth quickly rises and dodges the incoming flame. Dragging his heavily wounded frame, he dashes at an incredible speed, closing in on Toru.

“Wa…… Wah……”

Aiming directly at the terrified Toru's face, he exerts all the strength in his body to strike him with his palm.

Pachunk! [SFX: something breaking]

Toru's nose has been broken.

“Toru!”

While the group can only stare, aghast at the sudden incident, the boy attacks two more people. Driven in his berserk rage, his fist breaks the first's cheekbones and the second's chin, causing them to roll in pain as he did earlier.

“……Wu……Ah……!”

But his mad rush ends here. The burden his actions have placed on his pained body are beyond the limits of his will. His stomach heaves, and as if trying to reject everything, he vomits over and over.

“You……! How dare you……!”

Realizing they are no longer at risk, the others take heart. In order to punish this thing that does not know its place, they begin to focus their mental energy.

But-

“You all…… get lost!”

A weak, yet furious voice stopped them. They look back in fear, and before their eyes is...

“I am going to slaughter you……”

Fresh blood streaming from his nose, Toru gazes at the boy with bloodshot eyes, insane eyes, devoid of reason.

“I am so going to slaughter you-!”

An insane fury amplifies Toru's abilities several-fold. Stretching his right hand directly upwards, he summons a huge fireball that seems encased by a pair of hands.

“Go and die!”

The youth's eyes do not blink, they can only stare at the fireball. Despite his body's inability to move, he refuses to give in. Like a wounded beast with death fast approaching, he searches for any sign of weakness in his enemy.

-- Kaboom!

“Hmph! Now you know my strength!”

Seeing the youth wrapped in flame, Toru smiles.

The flame gradually disperses. But amidst the disappearing flame, what appears is...

“Ah...ah?”

Contrary to Toru's expectations, the boy yet lives. Parts of his body are burnt black, but his limbs still remain; he has successfully withstood Toru's flame.

Using every last drop of his "ki" to create a defensive barrier, the youth has managed to survive just barely.

“You…… You asshole……”

Toru's expression grows more sinister. If he were to prove unable to beat this youth who lacked even a hint of ability as an En-jutsu, he would forever be looked down upon and despised by the others.

“Arrogant trash!”

This scream, filled with displeasure, failed to reach the boy's ears. His body has long since surpassed its limits, and having spent all his "ki," the boy is no different from a walking corpse.

Not content to simply leave the youth to die, Toru prepares to give him a fatal strike. Against his fate, the youth is helpless.

“------------------“

Kazuma suddenly opens his eyes. This is a rare occasion for him, who is usually hard to wake; his consciousness is fully awake.

But it is only to be expected, how could anyone refuse to wake up after having a dream like that?

Maintaining his waking posture, Kazuma faces upwards and he looks at the ceiling silently. Unblinking, he remains like this for a full half-minute.

“Frankly speaking, what an unpleasant dream.”

Closing his eyes, he empties all the air in his lungs with a moan.

Something that happened exactly ten years ago, a painful experience that causes nightmares.

Of the eighteen years he spent among the Kannagi, that was his most painful experience. Had no one put a stop to it, he might have died.

Due to the degree of injury, despite receiving daily the highest level recovery jutsus, it took him a month to recover.

But that is not what is important. To Kazuma, this was his first defeat.

Not in terms of the injuries he sustained.

But for giving in to despair.

Once he understood that he could not win against the Kannagi flame, that he would forever be a weakling, Kazuma gave up on fighting back.

He gave in to those that scorned him.

From that day forward, Kazuma would continue to run away. Unresisting, pitifully pleading for mercy, enduring endless torment, endless public humiliation.

But it no longer matters.

Because he is no longer willing to partake of that misery.

“…… I can’t forget.”

Kazuma realizes his memories of his past humiliations are as clear as if they had happened only yesterday, and murmurs to himself.

“I don't even mind.”

Even though he is now in Japan once more, he has never even considered taking revenge. Even though to do so would be a painfully simple task.

To bend his pinky three centimeters; if the effort needed to kill Toru were converted to energy - that would be precisely how much was required. Any strength he had gained in these last four years would be inconsequential.

(... That's odd...?)

Kazuma's train of thought was suddenly interrupted. He realized he could not picture Toru.

“Have I not seen him yet?”

Despite meeting several groups of branch family jutsushis, he hadn't spent any time verifying their identities, so he is unsure whether he or not he has met Toru.

“……Whatever. It doesn't matter.”

Pushing the question to the back of his mind, Kazuma covers himself with the blanket once more. Though fully awake, he has nothing in particular to do, and does not feel like getting up just yet.

(Let’s get some more sleep……)

Alas, the heavens do not seem to agree with this unproductive decision.

Dulululululululululu------

Kazuma glares at the ringing phone, openly displaying his irritation.

What a crafty ring. The more he tries to ignore the ringing, the more insistent it seems to get, and yet it is not so loud that he would wreck the phone in frustration.

“Damn it!”

Left with no other alternatives, Kazuma reaches for the phone. But instead of leaving his bed for the phone, he brings the phone to him.

“……Who's making a call so early in the morning?” he grumbles in a mournful tone, despite the fact it is already late morning.

“Hello?”

He speaks in a sluggish tone - giving away the fact that he has just woken - but his tranquil mind is pondering the courteous reply from the other end.

“Oh?”

This time, Kazuma is fully awake. On the face that suddenly emerged from the blanket, there is now no sign of tiredness.

“Today? Ah, sure. I'll be looking forward to it.”

Kazuma answers politely, and then hangs up. He flips the blanket back and crawls out, lazily stretching.

With his usual complacent smile now on his face, Kazuma mutters.

“Looks like it’s gonna be a busy day.”

=== 2 ===

Walking home after school, Ayano's eyes catch upon a small shadow about ten meters away.

“Hey-“

She was just about to call out when she suddenly stopped, and a mischievous smile crept onto her face.

Ayano slowly snuck up on the shadow, step by step, who had yet to notice Ayano's presence.

“Wh-wha!”

Standing immediately behind her target, she grabs her victim in a bear hug, as if to envelop the entirety of the small figure. Against the youth, caught in her embrace, now giving off a cute scream and struggling to escape with all his might, Ayano skillfully secures all movement.

“Nee……Nee-sama!?”

“Completely unguarded, this means you still need more training, Ren.”

“To say this now is really…… Anyway, just let me go first, Nee-sama!”

“No way~ Free yourself!”

Looking at the two fooling around, passersby cannot help but crack a faint, bittersweet smile.

Judging by their appearances, the two are a rare and beautiful pair of "sisters." Though one of them only looks to be around the age of ten, they are still pleasing to the eyes.

“Nee……Nee-sama! Really……”

Realizing they've become the center of attention, Ren's face reddens. Despite all appearances, he is, after all, a twelve year old boy. Thus, it isn't strange for him to feel shy about female physical contact.

After finally being released from confinement, Ren demands, “Seriously...What is Nee-sama thinking?!” as he gasps for air.

However, his expression, along with wet, pleading eyes instead generates the feeling that he is really cute, and not scary in the least. More than likely, it wouldn't scare even a three year old.

“Ahahaha! Sorry, sorry, this is a display of love for Ren too.”

It goes without saying that Ayano is not in the least afraid. She pats Ren’s shoulder, and cheekily ignores Ren’s complaints.

“Honestly!”

Unable to vent his displeasure, Ren's expression sours instantly.

This method is very effective. Because this is simply too cute, there is no way to ignore him.

“I am really sorry. How about I treat you to a meal?”

“I won't let you change the subject.”

Ren's mood does not seem to improve. He turns his head to the side, unwilling to meet Ayano's eyes.

Ayano uses both hands to grab Ren’s head, and forces him to turn his face back towards her.

“If you still will not listen...

She slowly moves her face closer, almost touching his nose.

“Then I will kiss you! ♥”

“Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

This is how easily Ayano toys with the youth, who is dancing in the palm of her hand.

“Huh? So something like that happened.”

On the second floor of the hamburger shop near the station, the two are chatting about the victory banquet a few days earlier.

Hearing Ren’s innocent reaction, Ayano reveals an evil smirk and answers.

“Yeah, when Ren was asleep.”

“……Geez, don’t bring that up anymore!”

Ren’s cheeks flush red. He'd been asleep that day, from beginning to end. The shock and shame of waking up on Ayano's lap showed no sign of subsiding even now.

For the first time, he truly felt what it meant to want to hide his head in the ground.

"What will I do if Father finds out about this..."

Seeing the uneasy Ren, Ayano grabs a French fry and says with ease, “What else can you do? He already knows doesn’t he? There seems to be quite a number of people visiting him these few days.”

Ren's father, Genma, had not participated in the battle against the Fuuga, having earlier lost to Kazuma in the quarrel between father and son, and is still resting in the hospital.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!”

Ren collapses on the table, hugs his head and moans.

Genma, already very strict with himself, is even more strict with his relatives. It isn't hard to imagine his reaction when he finally hears of his son's blunder.

"It's fine. Don't be so down."

“But I ''am'' 'so down'.”

Ren reproaches Ayano's irresponsible remark in an incomparably downhearted voice.

“Because once father is angry, he is really strict.”

“……I guess!”

Ayano replies in a carefree tone. Whether or not he would be angry is another matter entirely. The image of an "easygoing Genma" is beyond imagination.

(Will that guy smile before Ren’s face?)

Even though she has only seen him either mocking or whole-heartedly laughing.

“When the time comes, you can just place all the blame on Kazuma.”

“To place blame on others would only make Father even angrier.”

“……That is true……This kind of person is really hard to deal with.”

“Awuuuuuuuuuh!”

Ren spreads himself on the table and moans.

“Huh?”

It's a coincidence, but...

If he had been sitting upright, his view would have been blocked by protruding branches, causing the scene to have escaped his notice, but because he had collapsed on the table in despair, he instead became witness to an incredible sight.

“What is it?”

“That person……”

Ayano lowers her head to look in the direction Ren indicates.

Lying directly ahead, at the edge of her purview, a female is standing. A beautiful, mesmerizing woman with shiny black hair, wearing a clean, pure white coat, the starkly contrasting colors making her even more attractive.

Ayano smiles at Ren, with mischief in mind.

“What a beautiful person. Do you know her?”

Ren ignores the implication, and mutters, "That person, isn't that Misao nee-sama?"

“Eh? Ehhhhhh?”

Ayano quickly looks back to inspect the woman downstairs more closely. After a few seconds...

“It seems to be her……”

Indeed, it is Misao Ogami. However, she is completely changed from three days ago. Even the simple fact that she is not wearing a kimono gives a completely different impression. Though Ayano has known Misao from the time they were little, in her memory, this is the first time she has ever seen her in Western-wear.

Perhaps because of that, what can be seen of her legs extending below her coat look exceptionally appealing.

To describe the feeling in a single word, it would be coquettish. Though normally she seems plain, as if wanting to escape notice, now she makes a magnificent impression. Actually, within the five minutes the two had been watching, there have already been three attempts to pick her up.

Misao serenely rejects their advances, and as she had showed them respect despite the rejection, all leave without causing trouble. If this scene were seen by Nanase and Yukari, Ayano would be chastised, saying "learn from her."

After staring, awestruck, for a while, Ren grumbles.

"She seems to be waiting for someone."

"That...is really surprising."

Ayano sounds as though she still cannot believe her eyes, because this is unimaginably different from what she thought earlier.

“Is it a date?”

“…… Is it not?”

A girl like Misao would not dress up in such an extravagant manner to meet a friend of the same gender!

Ayano's interest grows.

“I wonder who is she dating?”

Inattentively sipping her orange juice, she observes the scene outside the window with great interest. Given the intensity of her gaze, anyone watching from the side would find her actions very suspicious.

“…… Nee-sama.”

Ren looks at Ayano, who is spying on Misao with a bitter smile. He himself turns to follow the scene outside. At this moment, the other party appears.

“Nii-sama?!”

He can’t help but doubt his own eyes. But it is indeed Ren’s brother, Kazuma. His appearance is no coincidence, the proof being Misao, smiling broadly, and running to meet Kazuma.

Before Ren, who is dumbstruck, the two intimately hold hands and walk off.

Even after the two disappear from view, Ren is still frozen, staring dumbly at the window. It is an absolutely impossible occurrence, because to Misao, Kazuma is "the man who killed Nii-sama."

A faint sound brought Ren back to his senses.

-squish- [SFX: something being squashed]

Something light and soft was being squashed. Not a rare sound by any means, and yet hearing it filled one with unease.

Ren faces Ayano with unease. As he does not dare look directly at her, he shifts his eyes upwards from below, following the table upwards to Ayano’s direction.

The first thing he sees is Ayano's hand. Her slender fingers ''grip'' the paper cup, still full with juice, and crushes it into the shape of her fist. The juice spills out, forming an orange colored ocean. Her fries and hamburger are completely soaked, and no longer worth eating.

Ayano’s hand crackles, the sound of ice, unable to escape from the cup, being pulverized by her hand, which continuously trembles.

Ren is so frightened, he does dare not look up.

Though he doesn't understand the cause, he recognizes Ayano's extreme anger. If he isn't careful, he might just become her target.

Pak!

Suddenly, Ayano slams the table and stands up.

“Argh!”

To the cringing Ren, Ayano softly says...

“……I am going to follow them.”

“……Huh?”

Before Ren can open his mouth, Ayano has already ran out of the shop.

“Wait…… Wait a minute……”

Ren hurriedly picks up their plates, and, in one go, hands them to the shop assistant lady waiting at the trash bin.

“Thank you for your patronage.”

With his back to the shop assistant showing a professional smile, Ren swiftly runs towards the toilet.

=== 3 ===
After waiting several dozen seconds, Ren runs to catch up to Ayano.

“Nee-sama?”

But by now, there is no sign of Ayano. After looking around in vain, Ren runs in the direction from which Kazuma and Misao took their leave...

...and immediately discovers Ayano, whose actions make her presence immediately obvious.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 073.jpg|thumb]]
“……Nee-sama……”

As a beautiful girl hiding behind an electric pole, sneakily surveying her prey, she stands out more than if she were doing nothing at all.

For a moment, he strongly considers pretending he does not know Ayano and returning home, but he only entertains the thought, unwilling to do such a thing.

Ren bravely steps forward, and walks up to Ayano, who can now be considered an exemplary suspicious character.

“……Nee-sama.”

"What were you doing, taking so long?"

Ren, speechless, silently takes out a wet handkerchief.

“What?”

“Please clean your hands.”

“Huh? Oh. Ah, thank you.”

Ayano takes the handkerchief and begins to clean her hand, sticky from the orange juice.

“You're pretty smart, Ren.”

“You are very welcome,” Ren answers calmly, as he observes Kazuma and Misao, about ten meters to the front.

The two, walking down the road with arms locked, exude an unusually intimate atmosphere. Though they are unable to hear what the two are saying, from the occasional smiles between them, it is easy to tell there is more to their relationship.

"Don't just stand there, hide! We'll be seen!"

Ayano grabs Ren's hand, and ''pulls'' him behind the pole alongside her, but no matter how you might try, it is simply impossible for an electric pole to hide two people.

“Nee-sama, you still want to follow them?”

”Of course.”

“Why?”

Faced with this candid question, Ayano is left momentarily speechless.

"Wh-What kind of question is that?!"

"Because, no matter how I look at it, they are simply on a date. What we are doing is simply prying."

Ren does not exaggerate, but simply says what he truly feels, and Ayano is deeply stung.

"Wh-what prying...This doesn't have such an indecent motive! I am just..."

“Just...?”

"Just...Misao…! That's right! Misao might still intend to take Kazuma's life!"

"No matter what method she may try, she will never beat him."

“Argh...”

Her hastily constructed excuse calmly rebutted, Ayano is left speechless once more.

“Do-Don’t you know? That guy is a sucker for beautiful women!”

“Beautiful women, is it?”

“That's right! Didn’t I tell you before? That guy even tried to force himself on Misao last time!” Ayano, finally raising her head, declares unashamedly.

Ren ponders this for a time, before blushing, and abashedly asking, "So, we will have to continue to spy on the two, until Misao nee-sama...until Misao nee-sama begins to use her beauty to seduce Nii-sama?"

Ayano cannot help but to visualize the scene in her mind. She pictures herself hiding in a dark corner, watching the two as they hug, kiss, and then continue to the next step...

(……Maybe I kind of hate doing this……)

Thinking about these scenes not meant for viewing, Ayano feels like turning back.

At this moment, if he had chosen to continue to persuade her along these lines, Ayano may just have given up. Unfortunately, Ren chose another method - a method so wrong, it couldn't have been worse.

Perhaps because he thinks this reason is more accurate, Ren opens his mouth to ask...

"Nee-sama, could it be that you are...jealous?"

He has no proof, just a feeling. Maybe the wish he holds, that "Kazuma nii-sama and Ayano nee-sama will get along" may be mixed in as well.

In other words, a careless statement.

“Ren...?”

Seeing a smile that could cause a child to live in eternal fear, Ren realizes he has stepped on a land mine.

(Wh-wh-wha?!)

This smile that was not a smile caught Ren, like a deer caught in the headlights, unable to run or even look away.

“Ah…… ah……”

“What did you just say?”

Faced with this question and the smile that, of course, does not reach her eyes, Ren can only shake his head, rigidly like a robot.

Ayano softly reaches out her hand, and places it on Ren's face, filled with fear.

“Ren is such a good kid, that's the way to live to a ripe, old age!”

Ren is helpless to do anything but nod.

“They are still following us.”

“Yeah.”

Misao says so softly and happily, Kazuma on the other hand, replies with a tired expression.

Without even needing to look, the two know they are being tailed - if it can even be considered tailing.

Hiding your tracks, disguising the tail, the precise selection of follow distance and position...no matter how you look at it, this doesn't qualify as tailing. To put it bluntly, even an amateur should do better. It almost makes you want to scream that if they really want to hide, they should at least shut up.

(To entrust those two with the future of the Kannagi...aren't you worried, Soushu?)

Kazuma cannot help but sympathize with Juugo, though never putting it to words. What he considers now is...

“What is it?”

Seeing Misao with an innocent smile, Kazuma gives her a smile in return.

“It’s nothing. I was just wondering, where are you taking me?”

“We are almost there.”

Given the way Misao is pulling Kazuma along, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she's forcing him along, but Kazuma offers no resistance and follows.

(The feeling of waiting for the gallows...I guess it would be just like this!)

This is what he thinks.

At an alley corner, Misao suddenly stops. This place is surrounded by rows of buildings, and even in broad daylight, it seems rather shady. Misao silently remains in place, while an icy chill fills the air.

Ignoring the rapidly changing atmosphere, Kazuma calmly asks, "Is this place fine?"

“Yup. This is the destination.”

Misao answers in a firm tone, followed with an exaggerated bow.

“So...I wish you luck.”

As she says those words, Kazuma's body flies.

As if hit by an invisible car, or struck in the head by a metallic bat, his body forcefully smashes into the ground.

Several moments later, a veritable explosion of sound shakes the air. As if Kazuma wasn't even given enough time to recognize the sound of gunfire, the body that rolls on the ground seems powerless, like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

On the other hand, Misao wears a smile, watching as Kazuma is blown away. She slowly retreats without ever looking away.

As if swapping positions, as Misao retreats, ten men appear from the shadow of the surrounding buildings. The men wore western suits, seemingly businessmen at first glance, but though their ethnicities and ages are all different, their teamwork is at a very high level.

They spread out and surround Kazuma, now lying on the floor, in a fan shaped formation, extracting the contents of their cases in a swift, practiced motion.

What lies within is not documents, or product samples, but a pitch black, metallic object, a device designed solely for killing - an MP5K, a smaller type of MP5, an assault rifle designed for portability.

The men casually place this thing that would not normally appear in a businessman's briefcase near their waists, as if it is only natural, and without hesitation, they pull the trigger.

The bullets are fired out in full-auto, and several hundred shots crash into Kazuma's body as one. Hit asphalt was crushed into a fine mist, staining their surroundings with gray.

The men take no notice, and continue to spray fire over a wide area in Kazuma's direction.

It takes less than three seconds for them to run through their magazines, and they quickly insert a new clip before resuming fire.

Then this scene repeated itself once more.

When all three cartridges have been expended, the men swiftly take cover, while something drops from the sky at high velocity.

-BOOM-

An explosion.

The violent explosion blew away everything where it landed.

“…… This way…… No matter how strong that man is……”

Looking at the dusty scene of the explosion, Misao mutters to herself without emotion.

Indeed, there aren't many who could survive such an encounter. To expend close to a thousand bullets and over a dozen missiles - to call this overkill would be an understatement.

An attack that would make you feel the objective is not to "kill," but to "eradicate," to the point that nothing would remain. This is just such an attack.

She shifts her eyes slightly, seeing Ayano and Ren hugging each other on the ground.

They seem to be too shocked to stand, but as long as the two are unharmed, it is fine. Even if she has already severed her ties, she is unable to forget her respect for the Kannagi, let alone have them as enemies.

On the other hand, in the corner where Kazuma lay, the remains of the destroyed building begin to collapse, forming a small hill of concrete rubble. Even were you to search under that hill, probably not a scrap of cloth remained.

“We must dig the corpse out.”

Witnessing the horrifying scene before her, Misao calmly says to herself. At this moment, the men bearing the assault rifles run out and encircle the small hill of concrete.

An awful silence looms over the area.

“………………”

Pa-chunk. [SFX: concrete shifting]

A faint sound emerged from the bottom of the small hill, slicing through the silence.

“----------------!”

The originally puppet-like, emotionless faces of the men seem shaken for the first time.

A black shadow appears from within the misty white dust, and the sound of steady footsteps flow forth.

“Fi-Fire!”

A command shouted in a voice that no longer radiates calm. Driven by fear, and the voice, the men reflexively pull the trigger.

The erupting gunfire, loud enough to cause deafness, echoes through the alley. After being hit by several hundred more bullets, the black shadow falls once more.

“…… Phew……”

Someone breathes out in relief, as if released from a heavy burden. Following his lead, the other men begin to relax, one by one. At this moment-

A tornado appears.

The seemingly rampaging tornado is tightly controlled, only cutting the bodies of the ten men. Five bodies, already torn to pieces, dance in the sky. Simultaneously, the tornado disperses all the dust. In the blink of an eye, the air has become unbelievably clear.

"Making such a scene, as always."

Kazuma smiles happily.

After recovering from momentary shock, Misao's face resumes its gentle smile as she looks at Kazuma.

Other than a little dirt, he suffered no damage at all. It appears he used a wind barrier to deflect everything.

Misao puts her hand in her pocket, as if nothing has happened, and radios a signal.

"Just to warn you, don't waste your energy," Kazuma unhurriedly advises Misao.

“The snipers are dead - both of them.”

After hearing this snide comment, delivered in a matter-of-course tone, Misao's smile instantly vanishes.

In addition to the first sniper, over one kilometer away, Misao had prepared a secondary sniper as a trump card. Placed in front of, and behind, with Kazuma in the center, two kilometers separated the two.

And yet Kazuma had killed them. This meant that while defending against such a savage attack, he was calmly scanning an area with a radius of at least one kilometer without missing a step.

Though what he says is unbelievable, the radio has yet to respond. Misao offers a bitter smile, and discards her radio.

“Gee, are you a monster?”

“People often say that I am,” Kazuma answers calmly.

"But, for you to think of such a method-! Compared to your en-jutsu, modern weaponry is definitely much more effective - alas, it still isn't enough."

“So it seems. How about cruise missiles next time?”

Both of them reveal a kind smile.

At this time, the bodies of the men killed by the tornado and thrown to the skies begin to rain down.

Kazuma deflects the corpses with his wind-

-KABOOM- [SFX: explosion]

Misao, on the other hand, remorselessly burns the corpses to ash with her fire.

Seeing the corpses turn to dust, to be blown away by the wind, Kazuma asks in a low voice, "Those men were hired by you, weren't they?"

“I don’t recall hiring dead people.”

Misao, smiling, replies.

Yes, Misao is smiling. Though the mercenaries she hired turned a street corner to ruin, causing death and injury to many, that smile holds not a shred of insincerity.

Pure and innocent, a smile to be pitied - the smile of someone who has crossed a line that should never be crossed, the smile of someone on the wrong path.

"You've changed, Misao...Was I the cause...?" Kazuma asks, in a rare, pained tone.

“I changed? Did you know me that well?”

“…… That is true.”

Kazuma waves away his sorrow, reverting to a cold expression.

“So, your plan ends here?”

“Yes, this is it for today.”

“Is that so? You may go then.”

Hearing these words, Misao is slightly shocked.

“Is it really okay to just let me go?”

“I have said this before. No matter what method you may try, you cannot even scratch me.”

"You will regret it.”

“Let's wait and see.”

Misao does not reply, and silently turns to leave.

Seeing the shadow of her back fade away in the distance, Kazuma sighs softly.

“Ten years…… is really a long time……”

His quiet words pass unheard, and disappear into the winds.

=== 4 ===
"Gunfire broke out at 4 PM today, in an incident in Chiyoda Ward, Kudankita district, and has already claimed more than 30 lives."

The nightly news is reporting on the earlier episode, which can only be expected. Even though the legend of Japanese security has already long since broken down, things have yet to reach the point where a firefight in the center of Tokyo is a common occurrence.

Because the incident took place near the royal residence, all of Tokyo instantly went on high alert. As if under martial law, police can be seen everywhere.

Pointing at the ruinous street corner appearing on the television, Juugo shows Ayano a look of suspicion.

“You are saying ''all this'' is Misao’s doing?”

“Yes…… umm…… it should be……”

Ayano answers hesitantly. The more she looks at the scene depicted on the television, the less real it seems.

Regardless of the circumstances, the Misao the two know would never be associated with such an incident. Normally a very sympathetic girl, even were she to hold a grudge, she would never be so cruel as to involve innocents, and were she to decide to take revenge, she would choose a method that would not involve others.

But...

"For an obedient, docile girl like Misao... Once she gets angry, her actions are surprisingly audacious..." Ayano mumbles wholeheartedly.

From speaking with Masayuki, they had learned that Misao had already disappeared two days prior, along with an eight digit sum from the Ogami family account.

It goes without saying that she has yet to be seen again.

"Don't look as though this doesn't concern you, why didn't you grab her on the spot?"

"Because, Kazuma...he-"

In response to Juugo's reprimand, Ayano responds coquettishly.

“No excuses. After all, you are to be the next Soushu.“

(Just what do you expect me to do in that kind of situation...)

Ayano puts on an obedient front in the face of Juugo's lecture, but within her, the earlier incident is replaying itself.

“Ugh, I can't hear a thing.”

With Kazuma's safe return, and the subsequent exit of his assailants, Ayano became a stalker once more, but the distance between them was too large, and she was unable to listen in.

At times like these, En-jutsu was useless. Among the various forms of En-jutsu, which exhibits an overwhelming attack power, there is nothing that can be used for reconnaissance.

In the end, Ayano did not manage to catch even a single word of the conversation.

“That guy seems to be enjoying himself.”

“Is that so? He looks pained to me.”

“Pained? That guy? What a joyous occasion.”

“Nee-sama……”

The reason why Ayano can have such an attitude is because she thinks that it is all over.

She believes that Misao has no cards left to play, and all that is left is the aftermath. Or so she thought.

Unfortunately...

After the conversation comes to a peaceful resolution, Misao turns, not to run away, but to calmly walk away.

Kazuma does not give chase, and just silently watches as she takes her leave.

In the moments during which Ayano is too stunned to move, Misao leisurely disappears.

“Wa-Wait a minute!”

Coming back to her senses, Ayano runs to Kazuma’s side, and grabs his collar.

“Why did you let her escape!?”

“Why should I capture her?”

Kazuma does not seem surprised by Ayano’s appearance, and questions her in turn, as if only natural.

“What do you mean why…… This incident was caused by Misao!”

“From the way I see it, they're the ones responsible?”

In response to Ayano, who is pointing at the remains of the building, Kazuma points instead at the corpses of the fallen men.

“That's what I'm saying! They were following her orders!“

”Is that so? That's news to me.”

“Yo-You really……”

The hand gripping his collar increases in force. From her attitude it is plain to see that what Ayano really wants to grab is Kazuma's throat.

“If you let her be, Misao will do the same thing again!”

“Does it matter? There wasn't any harm done anyway.”

“Are you blind?”

Ayano once again points to the pathetic scene behind her.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Kazuma corrects himself.

"No harm to me.”

Pachi.

“You bastard! Just stand there and receive your punishment!”

A flaming fist (Note: not a metaphor) strikes at Kazuma. Dodging the strike with ease, Kazuma begins to chat with his brother, who walks up to him.

“Oh, Ren. How've you been?”

“Well……”

“Damn it! Die! Die this instant!”

“How noisy!”

Kazuma closes the distance as Ayano draws her fist, and light twists her right hand upwards.

“Gya!”

Ayano’s elbow is flipped up, and the joints in her arm, elbow, and shoulder are all stretched to the limit at the same time. Under this condition, Ayano can only arc her body, tip-toe and bear with it. Her body loses balance completely, and all she can do is surrender.

“Ugh……”

Ignoring Ayano, who is trying her best to recover her balance, Kazuma warns Ren, “I am heading back, you guys should leave too. It'll be troublesome if the police sees you.”

“Cya then.”

He carelessly waves his hand and sweeps his eyes towards Ayano with an expression of victory, now stumbling on the floor.

“Yo-You!”

With his back to Ayano, who is glaring at him, Kazuma walks off.

“Nee-sama, are you okay?”

Treating Ren's words of concern with the regard she would give a gust of breeze, Ayano silently watches Kazuma's back.

(That guy-! One day I will definitely teach him a lesson!)

Ayano forgets that she is listening to her father’s lecturing, and grows angry at the thought.

Juugo does not fail to notice. When he sees that Ayano is not paying attention, he stands up - Ayano shows no reaction - walks forward - Ayano still does not react - and knocks his fist on the top of her head.

Dong!

An extremely exaggerated sound comes forth. Ayano is in such pain that she cannot even scream, and her entire body collapses on the tatami.

Having suffered the blow on the top of her head while kneeling, the impact had nowhere to go but straight down. Agonizing under a blow that seemed as if it would crush her skull, Ayano can only endure.

“I…… I object to violence……” Ayano protests, with tears in her eyes.

"Don't just say the words, ''change''.”

Juugo, of course, ignores her protest.

"It seems I've spoiled you too much in the past. I will have to be more strict from now."

"But that's..."

Disregarding Ayano's pitiful expression, Juugo returns to the topic at hand.

“So? Did you notice any other clues?”

“Kazuma is very suspicious!” Ayano shouts at almost exactly the same time.

“………………………”

Juugo simply looks at Ayano without saying a word. To call his gaze critical would be conservative.

“…… Is that all?”

“Be……Because it's weird, isn't it?! Why didn't Kazuma kill Misao!?”

“Hmm……”

Juugo grows silent, not speaking a word. Seizing this opportunity, Ayano presses on.

”Otou-sama, just think about it, doesn’t Kazuma resent the Kannagi to the core? To not even kill a single person up until now, it just seems so weird.”

“He seems to have told Ren that he 'no longer hates the Kannagi family'.”

“Who knows? Even if that's true, if someone took the initiative to attack him, that shouldn't still be the case. Didn’t we see it already? The fourteen or fifteen men who surrounded and attacked him, he beat to a pulp. That is Kazuma’s 'usual' way of doing things.”

“...Mm-hmm...”

Juugo nods. To this point, he has had no objections.

“But in that case, why didn't he lay a hand on Misao?”

“No idea. But anyone can see that Misao is very special in Kazuma’s eyes. There must be something between them,” Ayano says bluntly, with a stern, or rather, sharp expression.

“He fell in love with Misao?”

Ayano’s body trembles slightly. She looks at her father with the unsure eyes of a lost child.

“Otou-sama thinks so too?”

“Who knows?”

Juugo answers vaguely, he hopes that he is just thinking too much.

(Kazuma must return to the Kannagi. But, Misao is unable to be his support.)

To say he does not expect Kazuma to replace the Fuuga would be a lie. Going further, Juugo has not forgotten the danger Kazuma poses.

Kazuma had shown his scars once before. Juugo cannot pretend not to have seen that unhealed wound.

(Kazuma needs a place to return to. And for that……)

Juugo looks at Ayano with eyes that hold deep meaning, but Ayano is currently too focused on her own troubles, and fails to notice those eyes at all.

“Anyway, lets find Kazuma and ask him about it first.”

Ayano returns back to her senses, and nods in agreement.

“Ye…… Yeah... By the way, why is that guy always so mysterious?”

“Indeed.”

Jugo gives a bitter smile. He feels unease precisely because he understands that it is due to Kazuma's mistrust of the Kannagi.

“Somehow, we must find a way……”

In the end, Juugo never got a chance to ask Kazuma about the circumstances between him and Misao, and by now, the opportunity has already long passed.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_1|Chapter 1]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 2

2008-11-18T13:56:59Z

Zeferion: /* 2 */

== Chapter Two - Assault – Determination After Removing All Doubts ==

=== 1 ===

The boy’s arm is wreathed in a red flame.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

A wordless scream escapes the boy's mouth.

So hot- there is no room in his mind for anything but the heat, all thought stolen by the crimson flame.

To extinguish the flame, he continuously rolls on the floor. Nearby, some kids observe his pitiable state.

We say kids, but that belies the range of their ages. The smallest are young children of only four or five, while the oldest are full-grown teenagers of fifteen or sixteen.

Their sole common denominator can be seen on their faces.

Scorn.

This group of kids joyfully surrounds the burning youth, laughing gaily.

An unfeigned laughter that comes from the heart. Innocent. Naive. Cruel.

The cruelty of a child that cannot differentiate between right and wrong. Like children who pluck off the wings of a dragonfly just to watch it struggle, they enjoy the predicament of the youth, painfully struggling the same way.

“A member of the main family, getting burnt by fire!”

“How useless!”

"'A humiliation to the clan,' my father said!"

"Someone as worthless as you has no right to bear the name 'Kannagi!'"

The boy can only hug his burnt arm, his face showing a painful expression as the others continue to mock him, one after another.

“It's my turn!”

A young girl around ten years old raises her hand to declare.

“Oh- Go on. Quickly now!”

The children cheer. The girl, encouraged, holds her fist to her chest and begins to concentrate.

“Heh!”

Following the cute shout, above the cringing youth a red flame suddenly appears, like a ghost.

The fire slowly descends until it touches the back of the boy.

Sssssssss!

“------!”

The sound of burning meat can be heard. The youth's body, originally curled into a ball, forcefully straightens out. This scene serves only to amplify the mocking.

“My turn next!”

“I wanna go too!”

His legs, his back, his shoulder; all are continuously tattooed by the ferocious flame. Each time the boy's body instinctively twitches, each time a burnt smell is given off.

Despite the horrid cruelty of their actions, none present feel the least degree of guilt. To them, fire is nothing to fear.

Were they to be put in his shoes, they would not experience the smallest discomfort. Even for those whose "power" is 'weak,' the most that would burn would be their clothes - their bodies would remain completely unharmed.

This is because their clan has been blessed with fire's protection.

Because of this, these kids are completely unaware of the dangers of fire, nor do they understand the pain of being scorched.

You cannot imagine what you do not know, and because they are unable to imagine, they see nothing wrong with what they have done.

The boy silently endures alone the innocent and naive torture of the other children in the clan.

“Ah…… Ah……”

By the time the kids are finally satisfied, the youth is left to painfully contend with his smoking body.

“Ahhh- that was fun.”

“Bye bye, let’s play again~”

As part of their exit ritual, everyone present gives the twitching body a merciless kick. But before anyone can leave, the eldest and largest boy goes farther, and stomps on the boy's head.

“……Hmm?”

“What's wrong with Toru?”

Hearing the large boy, Kuga Toru, let out a pathetic cry, the others turn in surprise.

“You…… You foolish idiot!”

The head that Toru forcefully stepped on is now slowly lifting itself upwards. The youth uses his hands as support against the floor, and intently stares at Toru from below.

“You…… What are you trying to do……?”

Seeing those eyes, filled with murder, Toru cannot help but retreat in fright. Immediately filled with shame at his actions, he becomes angry.

“What's with that look? This worthless scum actually dares to resist?!”

Toru summons a flame, angrily throwing it in the youth's direction.

The youth quickly rises and dodges the incoming flame. Dragging his heavily wounded frame, he dashes at an incredible speed, closing in on Toru.

“Wa…… Wah……”

Aiming directly at the terrified Toru's face, he exerts all the strength in his body to strike him with his palm.

Pachunk! [SFX: something breaking]

Toru's nose has been broken.

“Toru!”

While the group can only stare, aghast at the sudden incident, the boy attacks two more people. Driven in his berserk rage, his fist breaks the first's cheekbones and the second's chin, causing them to roll in pain as he did earlier.

“……Wu……Ah……!”

But his mad rush ends here. The burden his actions have placed on his pained body are beyond the limits of his will. His stomach heaves, and as if trying to reject everything, he vomits over and over.

“You……! How dare you……!”

Realizing they are no longer at risk, the others take heart. In order to punish this thing that does not know its place, they begin to focus their mental energy.

But-

“You all…… get lost!”

A weak, yet furious voice stopped them. They look back in fear, and before their eyes is...

“I am going to slaughter you……”

Fresh blood streaming from his nose, Toru gazes at the boy with bloodshot eyes, insane eyes, devoid of reason.

“I am so going to slaughter you-!”

An insane fury amplifies Toru's abilities several-fold. Stretching his right hand directly upwards, he summons a huge fireball that seems encased by a pair of hands.

“Go and die!”

The youth's eyes do not blink, they can only stare at the fireball. Despite his body's inability to move, he refuses to give in. Like a wounded beast with death fast approaching, he searches for any sign of weakness in his enemy.

-- Kaboom!

“Hmph! Now you know my strength!”

Seeing the youth wrapped in flame, Toru smiles.

The flame gradually disperses. But amidst the disappearing flame, what appears is...

“Ah...ah?”

Contrary to Toru's expectations, the boy yet lives. Parts of his body are burnt black, but his limbs still remain; he has successfully withstood Toru's flame.

Using every last drop of his "ki" to create a defensive barrier, the youth has managed to survive just barely.

“You…… You asshole……”

Toru's expression grows more sinister. If he were to prove unable to beat this youth who lacked even a hint of ability as an En-jutsu, he would forever be looked down upon and despised by the others.

“Arrogant trash!”

This scream, filled with displeasure, failed to reach the boy's ears. His body has long since surpassed its limits, and having spent all his "ki," the boy is no different from a walking corpse.

Not content to simply leave the youth to die, Toru prepares to give him a fatal strike. Against his fate, the youth is helpless.

“------------------“

Kazuma suddenly opens his eyes. This is a rare occasion for him, who is usually hard to wake; his consciousness is fully awake.

But it is only to be expected, how could anyone refuse to wake up after having a dream like that?

Maintaining his waking posture, Kazuma faces upwards and he looks at the ceiling silently. Unblinking, he remains like this for a full half-minute.

“Frankly speaking, what an unpleasant dream.”

Closing his eyes, he empties all the air in his lungs with a moan.

Something that happened exactly ten years ago, a painful experience that causes nightmares.

Of the eighteen years he spent among the Kannagi, that was his most painful experience. Had no one put a stop to it, he might have died.

Due to the degree of injury, despite receiving daily the highest level recovery jutsus, it took him a month to recover.

But that is not what is important. To Kazuma, this was his first defeat.

Not in terms of the injuries he sustained.

But for giving in to despair.

Once he understood that he could not win against the Kannagi flame, that he would forever be a weakling, Kazuma gave up on fighting back.

He gave in to those that scorned him.

From that day forward, Kazuma would continue to run away. Unresisting, pitifully pleading for mercy, enduring endless torment, endless public humiliation.

But it no longer matters.

Because he is no longer willing to partake of that misery.

“…… I can’t forget.”

Kazuma realizes his memories of his past humiliations are as clear as if they had happened only yesterday, and murmurs to himself.

“I don't even mind.”

Even though he is now in Japan once more, he has never even considered taking revenge. Even though to do so would be a painfully simple task.

To bend his pinky three centimeters; if the effort needed to kill Toru were converted to energy - that would be precisely how much was required. Any strength he had gained in these last four years would be inconsequential.

(... That's odd...?)

Kazuma's train of thought was suddenly interrupted. He realized he could not picture Toru.

“Have I not seen him yet?”

Despite meeting several groups of branch family jutsushis, he hadn't spent any time verifying their identities, so he is unsure whether he or not he has met Toru.

“……Whatever. It doesn't matter.”

Pushing the question to the back of his mind, Kazuma covers himself with the blanket once more. Though fully awake, he has nothing in particular to do, and does not feel like getting up just yet.

(Let’s get some more sleep……)

Alas, the heavens do not seem to agree with this unproductive decision.

Dulululululululululu------

Kazuma glares at the ringing phone, openly displaying his irritation.

What a crafty ring. The more he tries to ignore the ringing, the more insistent it seems to get, and yet it is not so loud that he would wreck the phone in frustration.

“Damn it!”

Left with no other alternatives, Kazuma reaches for the phone. But instead of leaving his bed for the phone, he brings the phone to him.

“……Who's making a call so early in the morning?” he grumbles in a mournful tone, despite the fact it is already late morning.

“Hello?”

He speaks in a sluggish tone - giving away the fact that he has just woken - but his tranquil mind is pondering the courteous reply from the other end.

“Oh?”

This time, Kazuma is fully awake. On the face that suddenly emerged from the blanket, there is now no sign of tiredness.

“Today? Ah, sure. I'll be looking forward to it.”

Kazuma answers politely, and then hangs up. He flips the blanket back and crawls out, lazily stretching.

With his usual complacent smile now on his face, Kazuma mutters.

“Looks like it’s gonna be a busy day.”

=== 2 ===

Walking home after school, Ayano's eyes catch upon a small shadow about ten meters away.

“Hey-“

She was just about to call out when she suddenly stopped, and a mischievous smile crept onto her face.

Ayano slowly snuck up on the shadow, step by step, who had yet to notice Ayano's presence.

“Wh-wha!”

Standing immediately behind her target, she grabs her victim in a bear hug, as if to envelop the entirety of the small figure. Against the youth, caught in her embrace, now giving off a cute scream and struggling to escape with all his might, Ayano skillfully secures all movement.

“Nee……Nee-sama!?”

“Completely unguarded, this means you still need more training, Ren.”

“To say this now is really…… Anyway, just let me go first, Nee-sama!”

“No way~ Free yourself!”

Looking at the two fooling around, passersby cannot help but crack a faint, bittersweet smile.

Judging by their appearances, the two are a rare and beautiful pair of "sisters." Though one of them only looks to be around the age of ten, they are still pleasing to the eyes.

“Nee……Nee-sama! Really……”

Realizing they've become the center of attention, Ren's face reddens. Despite all appearances, he is, after all, a twelve year old boy. Thus, it isn't strange for him to feel shy about female physical contact.

After finally being released from confinement, Ren demands, “Seriously...What is Nee-sama thinking?!” as he gasps for air.

However, his expression, along with wet, pleading eyes instead generates the feeling that he is really cute, and not scary in the least. More than likely, it wouldn't scare even a three year old.

“Ahahaha! Sorry, sorry, this is a display of love for Ren too.”

It goes without saying that Ayano is not in the least afraid. She pats Ren’s shoulder, and cheekily ignores Ren’s complaints.

“Honestly!”

Unable to vent his displeasure, Ren's expression sours instantly.

This method is very effective. Because this is simply too cute, there is no way to ignore him.

“I am really sorry. How about I treat you to a meal?”

“I won't let you change the subject.”

Ren's mood does not seem to improve. He turns his head to the side, unwilling to meet Ayano's eyes.

Ayano uses both hands to grab Ren’s head, and forces him to turn his face back towards her.

“If you still will not listen...

She slowly moves her face closer, almost touching his nose.

“Then I will kiss you! ♥”

“Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

This is how easily Ayano toys with the youth, who is dancing in the palm of her hand.

“Huh? So something like that happened.”

On the second floor of the hamburger shop near the station, the two are chatting about the victory banquet a few days earlier.

Hearing Ren’s innocent reaction, Ayano reveals an evil smirk and answers.

“Yeah, when Ren was asleep.”

“……Geez, don’t bring that up anymore!”

Ren’s cheeks flush red. He'd been asleep that day, from beginning to end. The shock and shame of waking up on Ayano's lap showed no sign of subsiding even now.

For the first time, he truly felt what it meant to want to hide his head in the ground.

"What will I do if Father finds out about this..."

Seeing the uneasy Ren, Ayano grabs a French fry and says with ease, “What else can you do? He already knows doesn’t he? There seems to be quite a number of people visiting him these few days.”

Ren's father, Genma, had not participated in the battle against the Fuuga, having earlier lost to Kazuma in the quarrel between father and son, and is still resting in the hospital.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!”

Ren collapses on the table, hugs his head and moans.

Genma, already very strict with himself, is even more strict with his relatives. It isn't hard to imagine his reaction when he finally hears of his son's blunder.

"It's fine. Don't be so down."

“But I ''am'' 'so down'.”

Ren reproaches Ayano's irresponsible remark in an incomparably downhearted voice.

“Because once father is angry, he is really strict.”

“……I guess!”

Ayano replies in a carefree tone. Whether or not he would be angry is another matter entirely. The image of an "easygoing Genma" is beyond imagination.

(Will that guy smile before Ren’s face?)

Even though she has only seen him either mocking or whole-heartedly laughing.

“When the time comes, you can just place all the blame on Kazuma.”

“To place blame on others would only make Father even angrier.”

“……That is true……This kind of person is really hard to deal with.”

“Awuuuuuuuuuh!”

Ren spreads himself on the table and moans.

“Huh?”

It's a coincidence, but...

If he had been sitting upright, his view would have been blocked by protruding branches, causing the scene to have escaped his notice, but because he had collapsed on the table in despair, he instead became witness to an incredible sight.

“What is it?”

“That person……”

Ayano lowers her head to look in the direction Ren indicates.

Lying directly ahead, at the edge of her purview, a female is standing. A beautiful, mesmerizing woman with shiny black hair, wearing a clean, pure white coat, the starkly contrasting colors making her even more attractive.

Ayano smiles at Ren, with mischief in mind.

“What a beautiful person. Do you know her?”

Ren ignores the implication, and mutters, "That person, isn't that Misao nee-sama?"

“Eh? Ehhhhhh?”

Ayano quickly looks back to inspect the woman downstairs more closely. After a few seconds...

“It seems to be her……”

Indeed, it is Misao Ogami. However, she is completely changed from three days ago. Even the simple fact that she is not wearing a kimono gives a completely different impression. Though Ayano has known Misao from the time they were little, in her memory, this is the first time she has ever seen her in Western-wear.

Perhaps because of that, what can be seen of her legs extending below her coat look exceptionally appealing.

To describe the feeling in a single word, it would be coquettish. Though normally she seems plain, as if wanting to escape notice, now she makes a magnificent impression. Actually, within the five minutes the two had been watching, there have already been three attempts to pick her up.

Misao serenely rejects their advances, and as she had showed them respect despite the rejection, all leave without causing trouble. If this scene were seen by Nanase and Yukari, Ayano would be chastised, saying "learn from her."

After staring, awestruck, for a while, Ren grumbles.

"She seems to be waiting for someone."

"That...is really surprising."

Ayano sounds as though she still cannot believe her eyes, because this is unimaginably different from what she thought earlier.

“Is it a date?”

“…… Is it not?”

A girl like Misao would not dress up in such an extravagant manner to meet a friend of the same gender!

Ayano's interest grows.

“I wonder who is she dating?”

Inattentively sipping her orange juice, she observes the scene outside the window with great interest. Given the intensity of her gaze, anyone watching from the side would find her actions very suspicious.

“…… Nee-sama.”

Ren looks at Ayano, who is spying on Misao with a bitter smile. He himself turns to follow the scene outside. At this moment, the other party appears.

“Nii-sama?!”

He can’t help but doubt his own eyes. But it is indeed Ren’s brother, Kazuma. His appearance is no coincidence, the proof being Misao, smiling broadly, and running to meet Kazuma.

Before Ren, who is dumbstruck, the two intimately hold hands and walk off.

Even after the two disappear from view, Ren is still frozen, staring dumbly at the window. It is an absolutely impossible occurrence, because to Misao, Kazuma is "the man who killed Nii-sama."

A faint sound brought Ren back to his senses.

-squish- [SFX: something being squashed]

Something light and soft was being squashed. Not a rare sound by any means, and yet hearing it filled one with unease.

Ren faces Ayano with unease. As he does not dare look directly at her, he shifts his eyes upwards from below, following the table upwards to Ayano’s direction.

The first thing he sees is Ayano's hand. Her slender fingers ''grip'' the paper cup, still full with juice, and crushes it into the shape of her fist. The juice spills out, forming an orange colored ocean. Her fries and hamburger are completely soaked, and no longer worth eating.

Ayano’s hand crackles, the sound of ice, unable to escape from the cup, being pulverized by her hand, which continuously trembles.

Ren is so frightened, he does dare not look up.

Though he doesn't understand the cause, he recognizes Ayano's extreme anger. If he isn't careful, he might just become her target.

Pak!

Suddenly, Ayano slams the table and stands up.

“Argh!”

To the cringing Ren, Ayano softly says...

“……I am going to follow them.”

“……Huh?”

Before Ren can open his mouth, Ayano has already ran out of the shop.

“Wait…… Wait a minute……”

Ren hurriedly picks up their plates, and, in one go, hands them to the shop assistant lady waiting at the trash bin.

“Thank you for your patronage.”

With his back to the shop assistant showing a professional smile, Ren swiftly runs towards the toilet.

=== 3 ===
After waiting several dozen seconds, Ren runs to catch up to Ayano.

“Nee-sama?”

But by now, there is no sign of Ayano. After looking around in vain, Ren runs in the direction from which Kazuma and Misao took their leave...

...and immediately discovers Ayano, whose actions make her presence immediately obvious.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 073.jpg|thumb]]
“……Nee-sama……”

As a beautiful girl hiding behind an electric pole, sneakily surveying her prey, she stands out more than if she were doing nothing at all.

For a moment, he strongly considers pretending he does not know Ayano and returning home, but he entertains the thought only, unwilling to do such a thing.

Ren bravely steps forward, and walks up to Ayano, who can now be considered an exemplary suspicious character.

“……Nee-sama.”

"What were you doing, taking so long?"

Ren, speechless, silently takes out a wet handkerchief.

“What?”

“Please clean your hands.”

“Huh? Oh. Ah, thank you.”

Ayano takes the handkerchief and begins to clean her hand, sticky from the orange juice.

“You're pretty smart, Ren.”

“You are very welcome,” Ren answers calmly, as he observes Kazuma and Misao, about ten meters to the front.

The two, walking down the road with arms locked, exude an unusually intimate atmosphere. Though they are unable to hear what the two are saying, from the occasional smiles between them, it is easy to tell there is more to their relationship.

"Don't just stand there, hide! We'll be seen!"

Ayano grabs Ren's hand, and ''pulls'' him behind the pole alongside her, but no matter how you might try, it is simply impossible for an electric pole to hide two people.

“Nee-sama, you still want to follow them?”

”Of course.”

“Why?”

Faced with this candid question, Ayano is left momentarily speechless.

"Wh-What kind of question is that?!"

"Because, no matter how I look at it, they are simply on a date. What we are doing is simply prying."

Ren does not exaggerate, but simply says what he truly feels, and Ayano is deeply stung.

"Wh-what prying...This doesn't have such an indecent motive! I am just..."

“Just...?”

"Just...Misao…! That's right! Misao might still intend to take Kazuma's life!"

"No matter what method she may try, she will never beat him."

“Argh...”

Her hastily constructed excuse calmly rebutted, Ayano is left speechless once more.

“Do-Don’t you know? That guy is a sucker for beautiful women!”

“Beautiful women, is it?”

“That's right! Didn’t I tell you before? That guy even tried to force himself on Misao last time!” Ayano, finally raising her head, declares unashamedly.

Ren ponders this for a time, before blushing, and abashedly asking, "So, we will have to continue to spy on the two, until Misao nee-sama...until Misao nee-sama begins to use her beauty to seduce Nii-sama?"

Ayano cannot help but to visualize the scene in her mind. She pictures herself hiding in a dark corner, watching the two as they hug, kiss, and then continue to the next step...

(……Maybe I kind of hate doing this……)

Thinking about these scenes not meant for viewing, Ayano feels like turning back.

At this moment, if he had chosen to continue to persuade her along these lines, Ayano may just have given up. Unfortunately, Ren chose another method - a method so wrong, it couldn't have been worse.

Perhaps because he thinks this reason is more accurate, Ren opens his mouth to ask...

"Nee-sama, could it be that you are...jealous?"

He has no proof, just a feeling. Maybe the wish he holds, that "Kazuma nii-sama and Ayano nee-sama will get along" may be mixed in as well.

In other words, a careless statement.

“Ren...?”

Seeing a smile that could cause a child to live in eternal fear, Ren realizes he has stepped on a land mine.

(Wh-wh-wha?!)

This smile that was not a smile caught Ren, like a deer caught in the headlights, unable to run or even look away.

“Ah…… ah……”

“What did you just say?”

Faced with this question and the smile that, of course, does not reach her eyes, Ren can only shake his head, rigidly like a robot.

Ayano softly reaches out her hand, and places it on Ren's face, filled with fear.

“Ren is such a good kid, that's the way to live to a ripe, old age!”

Ren is helpless to do anything but nod.

“They are still following us.”

“Yeah.”

Misao says so softly and happily, Kazuma on the other hand, replies with a tired expression.

Without even needing to look, the two know they are being tailed - if it can even be considered tailing.

Hiding your tracks, disguising the tail, the precise selection of follow distance and position...no matter how you look at it, this doesn't qualify as tailing. To put it bluntly, even an amateur should do better. It almost makes you want to scream that if they really want to hide, they should at least shut up.

(To entrust those two with the future of the Kannagi...aren't you worried, Soushu?)

Kazuma cannot help but sympathize with Juugo, though never putting it to words. What he considers now is...

“What is it?”

Seeing Misao with an innocent smile, Kazuma gives her a smile in return.

“It’s nothing. I was just wondering, where are you taking me?”

“We are almost there.”

Given the way Misao is pulling Kazuma along, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she's forcing him along, but Kazuma offers no resistance and follows.

(The feeling of waiting for the gallows...I guess it would be just like this!)

This is what he thinks.

At an alley corner, Misao suddenly stops. This place is surrounded by rows of buildings, and even in broad daylight, it seems rather shady. Misao silently remains in place, while an icy chill fills the air.

Ignoring the rapidly changing atmosphere, Kazuma calmly asks, "Is this place fine?"

“Yup. This is the destination.”

Misao answers in a firm tone, followed with an exaggerated bow.

“So...I wish you luck.”

As she says those words, Kazuma's body flies.

As if hit by an invisible car, or struck in the head by a metallic bat, his body forcefully smashes into the ground.

Several moments later, a veritable explosion of sound shakes the air. As if Kazuma wasn't even given enough time to recognize the sound of gunfire, the body that rolls on the ground seems powerless, like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

On the other hand, Misao wears a smile, watching as Kazuma is blown away. She slowly retreats without ever looking away.

As if swapping positions, as Misao retreats, ten men appear from the shadow of the surrounding buildings. The men wore western suits, seemingly businessmen at first glance, but though their ethnicities and ages are all different, their teamwork is at a very high level.

They spread out and surround Kazuma, now lying on the floor, in a fan shaped formation, extracting the contents of their cases in a swift, practiced motion.

What lies within is not documents, or product samples, but a pitch black, metallic object, a device designed solely for killing - an MP5K, a smaller type of MP5, an assault rifle designed for portability.

The men casually place this thing that would not normally appear in a businessman's briefcase near their waists, as if it is only natural, and without hesitation, they pull the trigger.

The bullets are fired out in full-auto, and several hundred shots crash into Kazuma's body as one. Hit asphalt was crushed into a fine mist, staining their surroundings with gray.

The men take no notice, and continue to spray fire over a wide area in Kazuma's direction.

It takes less than three seconds for them to run through their magazines, and they quickly insert a new clip before resuming fire.

Then this scene repeated itself once more.

When all three cartridges have been expended, the men swiftly take cover, while something drops from the sky at high velocity.

-BOOM-

An explosion.

The violent explosion blew away everything where it landed.

“…… This way…… No matter how strong that man is……”

Looking at the dusty scene of the explosion, Misao mutters to herself without emotion.

Indeed, there aren't many who could survive such an encounter. To expend close to a thousand bullets and over a dozen missiles - to call this overkill would be an understatement.

An attack that would make you feel the objective is not to "kill," but to "eradicate," to the point that nothing would remain. This is just such an attack.

She shifts her eyes slightly, seeing Ayano and Ren hugging each other on the ground.

They seem to be too shocked to stand, but as long as the two are unharmed, it is fine. Even if she has already severed her ties, she is unable to forget her respect for the Kannagi, let alone have them as enemies.

On the other hand, in the corner where Kazuma lay, the remains of the destroyed building begin to collapse, forming a small hill of concrete rubble. Even were you to search under that hill, probably not a scrap of cloth remained.

“We must dig the corpse out.”

Witnessing the horrifying scene before her, Misao calmly says to herself. At this moment, the men bearing the assault rifles run out and encircle the small hill of concrete.

An awful silence looms over the area.

“………………”

Pa-chunk. [SFX: concrete shifting]

A faint sound emerged from the bottom of the small hill, slicing through the silence.

“----------------!”

The originally puppet-like, emotionless faces of the men seem shaken for the first time.

A black shadow appears from within the misty white dust, and the sound of steady footsteps flow forth.

“Fi-Fire!”

A command shouted in a voice that no longer radiates calm. Driven by fear, and the voice, the men reflexively pull the trigger.

The erupting gunfire, loud enough to cause deafness, echoes through the alley. After being hit by several hundred more bullets, the black shadow falls once more.

“…… Phew……”

Someone breathes out in relief, as if released from a heavy burden. Following his lead, the other men begin to relax, one by one. At this moment-

A tornado appears.

The seemingly rampaging tornado is tightly controlled, only cutting the bodies of the ten men. Five bodies, already torn to pieces, dance in the sky. Simultaneously, the tornado disperses all the dust. In the blink of an eye, the air has become unbelievably clear.

"Making such a scene, as always."

Kazuma smiles happily.

After recovering from momentary shock, Misao's face resumes its gentle smile as she looks at Kazuma.

Other than a little dirt, he suffered no damage at all. It appears he used a wind barrier to deflect everything.

Misao puts her hand in her pocket, as if nothing has happened, and radios a signal.

"Just to warn you, don't waste your energy," Kazuma unhurriedly advises Misao.

“The snipers are dead - both of them.”

After hearing this snide comment, delivered in a matter-of-course tone, Misao's smile instantly vanishes.

In addition to the first sniper, over one kilometer away, Misao had prepared a secondary sniper as a trump card. Placed in front of, and behind, with Kazuma in the center, two kilometers separated the two.

And yet Kazuma had killed them. This meant that while defending against such a savage attack, he was calmly scanning an area with a radius of at least one kilometer without missing a step.

Though what he says is unbelievable, the radio has yet to respond. Misao offers a bitter smile, and discards her radio.

“Gee, are you a monster?”

“People often say that I am,” Kazuma answers calmly.

"But, for you to think of such a method-! Compared to your en-jutsu, modern weaponry is definitely much more effective - alas, it still isn't enough."

“So it seems. How about cruise missiles next time?”

Both of them reveal a kind smile.

At this time, the bodies of the men killed by the tornado and thrown to the skies begin to rain down.

Kazuma deflects the corpses with his wind-

-KABOOM- [SFX: explosion]

Misao, on the other hand, remorselessly burns the corpses to ash with her fire.

Seeing the corpses turn to dust, to be blown away by the wind, Kazuma asks in a low voice, "Those men were hired by you, weren't they?"

“I don’t recall hiring dead people.”

Misao, smiling, replies.

Yes, Misao is smiling. Though the mercenaries she hired turned a street corner to ruin, causing death and injury to many, that smile holds not a shred of insincerity.

Pure and innocent, a smile to be pitied - the smile of someone who has crossed a line that should never be crossed, the smile of someone on the wrong path.

"You've changed, Misao...Was I the cause...?" Kazuma asks, in a rare, pained tone.

“I changed? Did you know me that well?”

“…… That is true.”

Kazuma waves away his sorrow, reverting to a cold expression.

“So, your plan ends here?”

“Yes, this is it for today.”

“Is that so? You may go then.”

Hearing these words, Misao is slightly shocked.

“Is it really okay to just let me go?”

“I have said this before. No matter what method you may try, you cannot even scratch me.”

"You will regret it.”

“Let's wait and see.”

Misao does not reply, and silently turns to leave.

Seeing the shadow of her back fade away in the distance, Kazuma sighs softly.

“Ten years…… is really a long time……”

His quiet words pass unheard, and disappear into the winds.

=== 4 ===
"Gunfire broke out at 4 PM today, in an incident in Chiyoda Ward, Kudankita district, and has already claimed more than 30 lives."

The nightly news is reporting on the earlier episode, which can only be expected. Even though the legend of Japanese security has already long since broken down, things have yet to reach the point where a firefight in the center of Tokyo is a common occurrence.

Because the incident took place near the royal residence, all of Tokyo instantly went on high alert. As if under martial law, police can be seen everywhere.

Pointing at the ruinous street corner appearing on the television, Juugo shows Ayano a look of suspicion.

“You are saying ''all this'' is Misao’s doing?”

“Yes…… umm…… it should be……”

Ayano answers hesitantly. The more she looks at the scene depicted on the television, the less real it seems.

Regardless of the circumstances, the Misao the two know would never be associated with such an incident. Normally a very sympathetic girl, even were she to hold a grudge, she would never be so cruel as to involve innocents, and were she to decide to take revenge, she would choose a method that would not involve others.

But...

"For an obedient, docile girl like Misao... Once she gets angry, her actions are surprisingly audacious..." Ayano mumbles wholeheartedly.

From speaking with Masayuki, they had learned that Misao had already disappeared two days prior, along with an eight digit sum from the Ogami family account.

It goes without saying that she has yet to be seen again.

"Don't look as though this doesn't concern you, why didn't you grab her on the spot?"

"Because, Kazuma...he-"

In response to Juugo's reprimand, Ayano responds coquettishly.

“No excuses. After all, you are to be the next Soushu.“

(Just what do you expect me to do in that kind of situation...)

Ayano puts on an obedient front in the face of Juugo's lecture, but within her, the earlier incident is replaying itself.

“Ugh, I can't hear a thing.”

With Kazuma's safe return, and the subsequent exit of his assailants, Ayano became a stalker once more, but the distance between them was too large, and she was unable to listen in.

At times like these, En-jutsu was useless. Among the various forms of En-jutsu, which exhibits an overwhelming attack power, there is nothing that can be used for reconnaissance.

In the end, Ayano did not manage to catch even a single word of the conversation.

“That guy seems to be enjoying himself.”

“Is that so? He looks pained to me.”

“Pained? That guy? What a joyous occasion.”

“Nee-sama……”

The reason why Ayano can have such an attitude is because she thinks that it is all over.

She believes that Misao has no cards left to play, and all that is left is the aftermath. Or so she thought.

Unfortunately...

After the conversation comes to a peaceful resolution, Misao turns, not to run away, but to calmly walk away.

Kazuma does not give chase, and just silently watches as she takes her leave.

In the moments during which Ayano is too stunned to move, Misao leisurely disappears.

“Wa-Wait a minute!”

Coming back to her senses, Ayano runs to Kazuma’s side, and grabs his collar.

“Why did you let her escape!?”

“Why should I capture her?”

Kazuma does not seem surprised by Ayano’s appearance, and questions her in turn, as if only natural.

“What do you mean why…… This incident was caused by Misao!”

“From the way I see it, they're the ones responsible?”

In response to Ayano, who is pointing at the remains of the building, Kazuma points instead at the corpses of the fallen men.

“That's what I'm saying! They were following her orders!“

”Is that so? That's news to me.”

“Yo-You really……”

The hand gripping his collar increases in force. From her attitude it is plain to see that what Ayano really wants to grab is Kazuma's throat.

“If you let her be, Misao will do the same thing again!”

“Does it matter? There wasn't any harm done anyway.”

“Are you blind?”

Ayano once again points to the pathetic scene behind her.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Kazuma corrects himself.

"No harm to me.”

Pachi.

“You bastard! Just stand there and receive your punishment!”

A flaming fist (Note: not a metaphor) strikes at Kazuma. Dodging the strike with ease, Kazuma begins to chat with his brother, who walks up to him.

“Oh, Ren. How've you been?”

“Well……”

“Damn it! Die! Die this instant!”

“How noisy!”

Kazuma closes the distance as Ayano draws her fist, and light twists her right hand upwards.

“Gya!”

Ayano’s elbow is flipped up, and the joints in her arm, elbow, and shoulder are all stretched to the limit at the same time. Under this condition, Ayano can only arc her body, tip-toe and bear with it. Her body loses balance completely, and all she can do is surrender.

“Ugh……”

Ignoring Ayano, who is trying her best to recover her balance, Kazuma warns Ren, “I am heading back, you guys should leave too. It'll be troublesome if the police sees you.”

“Cya then.”

He carelessly waves his hand and sweeps his eyes towards Ayano with an expression of victory, now stumbling on the floor.

“Yo-You!”

With his back to Ayano, who is glaring at him, Kazuma walks off.

“Nee-sama, are you okay?”

Treating Ren's words of concern with the regard she would give a gust of breeze, Ayano silently watches Kazuma's back.

(That guy-! One day I will definitely teach him a lesson!)

Ayano forgets that she is listening to her father’s lecturing, and grows angry at the thought.

Juugo does not fail to notice. When he sees that Ayano is not paying attention, he stands up - Ayano shows no reaction - walks forward - Ayano still does not react - and knocks his fist on the top of her head.

Dong!

An extremely exaggerated sound comes forth. Ayano is in such pain that she cannot even scream, and her entire body collapses on the tatami.

Having suffered the blow on the top of her head while kneeling, the impact had nowhere to go but straight down. Agonizing under a blow that seemed as if it would crush her skull, Ayano can only endure.

“I…… I object to violence……” Ayano protests, with tears in her eyes.

"Don't just say the words, ''change''.”

Juugo, of course, ignores her protest.

"It seems I've spoiled you too much in the past. I will have to be more strict from now."

"But that's..."

Disregarding Ayano's pitiful expression, Juugo returns to the topic at hand.

“So? Did you notice any other clues?”

“Kazuma is very suspicious!” Ayano shouts at almost exactly the same time.

“………………………”

Juugo simply looks at Ayano without saying a word. To call his gaze critical would be conservative.

“…… Is that all?”

“Be……Because it's weird, isn't it?! Why didn't Kazuma kill Misao!?”

“Hmm……”

Juugo grows silent, not speaking a word. Seizing this opportunity, Ayano presses on.

”Otou-sama, just think about it, doesn’t Kazuma resent the Kannagi to the core? To not even kill a single person up until now, it just seems so weird.”

“He seems to have told Ren that he 'no longer hates the Kannagi family'.”

“Who knows? Even if that's true, if someone took the initiative to attack him, that shouldn't still be the case. Didn’t we see it already? The fourteen or fifteen men who surrounded and attacked him, he beat to a pulp. That is Kazuma’s 'usual' way of doing things.”

“...Mm-hmm...”

Juugo nods. To this point, he has had no objections.

“But in that case, why didn't he lay a hand on Misao?”

“No idea. But anyone can see that Misao is very special in Kazuma’s eyes. There must be something between them,” Ayano says bluntly, with a stern, or rather, sharp expression.

“He fell in love with Misao?”

Ayano’s body trembles slightly. She looks at her father with the unsure eyes of a lost child.

“Otou-sama thinks so too?”

“Who knows?”

Juugo answers vaguely, he hopes that he is just thinking too much.

(Kazuma must return to the Kannagi. But, Misao is unable to be his support.)

To say he does not expect Kazuma to replace the Fuuga would be a lie. Going further, Juugo has not forgotten the danger Kazuma poses.

Kazuma had shown his scars once before. Juugo cannot pretend not to have seen that unhealed wound.

(Kazuma needs a place to return to. And for that……)

Juugo looks at Ayano with eyes that hold deep meaning, but Ayano is currently too focused on her own troubles, and fails to notice those eyes at all.

“Anyway, lets find Kazuma and ask him about it first.”

Ayano returns back to her senses, and nods in agreement.

“Ye…… Yeah... By the way, why is that guy always so mysterious?”

“Indeed.”

Jugo gives a bitter smile. He feels unease precisely because he understands that it is due to Kazuma's mistrust of the Kannagi.

“Somehow, we must find a way……”

In the end, Juugo never got a chance to ask Kazuma about the circumstances between him and Misao, and by now, the opportunity has already long passed.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_1|Chapter 1]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 1

2008-11-18T13:47:34Z

Zeferion: /* 2 */

== Chapter One - Banquet for Victory -The Chosen Ones- ==
=== 1 ===
This is common.

You could say it is something that has become a part of their lives.

However, Yukari and Nanase can both sense the tension.

A tension that is hard to ignore.

“Didn’t I say so already? You girls will definitely not be bored. I know a great club! I just need to show my face for us to get in.”

”Come on! Let’s go! What fun is there to be had with only females?”

As the two exchange glances, a group of men with weak appearances make a vulgar speech in a flippant manner. They don’t look too bad, but their idiotic speech and actions show no class at all.

In simpler terms, they are trying to pick the girls up.

This is common.

Even though their appeals may differ, the three are beautiful girls that make one's eyes light up. They know exactly how to deal with such pick-up artists. Or at least they did, until now.

“----------------------------“

Suddenly, the third girl who has not spoken a word until now begins to move. She slowly raises her head, and looks into the eyes of the man in front of her.

“That place is frequently visited by idols, stars and models! We have many such friends, and if you are interested, we can introduce them to you……”

Glared at by cold eyes that chill to the bone, the originally glib man is unable to speak another word.

“Get lost.”

”……Yes.”

The men leave pitifully. Yet the girl does not even look at them, and instead puts on an unchanging, cold expression and leaves as if nothing has happened.

“……Ayano.”

“What’s wrong?”

The girl, Ayano Kannagi, seems rather displeased, and turns her head with those words.

“You seem to be really harsh on the people who've tried to pick us up recently?”

”It is just your imagination.”

Ayano replies, straying from the point.

“But……”

Yukari lifts her head to look at Nanase with pleading eyes.

Nanase nods and says, “Yup, you're really overdoing it recently. Let’s take last time for example - you actually used the corner of your schoolbag to hit the person’s temple.”

“Ah, that one was really scary. The whites of his eyes showed, and blood was flowing from his ears and nose-“

”……Does it matter, anyway? We called an ambulance for him.”

Ayano looks hard at the moody Ayano, and slowly closes in on the main point.

“Ayano, something happened between a guy and you, didn't it?”

”Wh-what…… What are you talking about?!”

The sudden question left Ayano unable to hide the stir in her heart.

“Hehe~”

Nanase gives off a smile deep with meaning.

“You, a father-complex girl, finally seem to be starting to show interest in guys other than your father.”

“I am not a father-lover.”

Ayano swiftly regains her calmness, and says strongly, “I just have never met a guy better than my father that’s all.”

“………………”

Nanase meets Yukari’s eyes, as if to say “what a headache,” and sighs.

“I admit, your father is indeed a mature and relaxed middle-aged man, but you cannot possibly find that kind of feeling in a young guy right?”

“That is not true. Father was young once too, so as long as I find someone similar-“

Half-way through, she shuts her mouth and frowns, as the conversation has somehow reminded her of that detestable man.

Seemingly difficult to approach, yet uncommonly relaxed- a person undoubtedly qualified to be considered alongside her father.

He is not like Jugo at all. Indeed, he is the total opposite.

But... he is very powerful. Not just his strength, but his entire existence. In that sense, he is comparable to the strongest man, Jugo, that she knows-

“Aya---no~“

Hearing the call rife with laughter, Ayano, who has stopped moving, returns to her senses.

“You are thinking of the guy you like right now, aren’t you?”

“Of…… Of course not! That kind of guy!”

“Which kind of guy?”

Being asked such a question, Ayano loses her strength for a moment.

“Nanase…… Even you……”

”Be honest! Such an interesting topic, I bet even Yukari won’t let it go easily either right?”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

Yukari nods happily. Ayano stares at her two friends who intend to extract every single detail with antagonistic scrutiny.

Shinomiya Yukari and Kudo Nanase. They are both students of Seiryo Academy, where Ayano studies, and at the same time her best friends - even though there are times when she wonders about the friendship between them.

Yukari’s shoulder-length, beautiful hair moves up and down like waves, her face always shows a gentle smile and her speech is slightly slow. It is unclear whether she should be considered “mellow” or just “slow.” Regardless, from this description, one can probably imagine that she is a laid-back person.

In contrast, Nanase’s hairstyle is a refreshing blunt bob. She seems casually calm, and her swift movements and tone show no sign they belong to a girl, giving people an unsettled feeling, making her the type to receive a lot of chocolates on Valentine's Day.<ref>In Japan, girls are the ones who give out chocolate on Valentine's, so the implication here is that Nanase is popular with other girls.</ref>

These two girls are opposites no matter how you look at it, but what is truly remarkable is that when they tease Ayano, they exhibit perfect harmony in their cooperation - although to Ayano, this is something unbearable.

“Come on, tell us, what kind of person is it?”

“I already said there is no such person! By the way...”

Ayano stares at Yukari with accusing eyes.

“Aren’t we going to eat cakes now?”

”Yes, that is right.”

”Then why are we on this road!?”

In the direction which Ayano points her finger stands a long row of accommodations designed for a very specific purpose.

Just as with a haunted house in a back-country area, though there is nothing particularly odd about their appearance, they possess an atmosphere unlike that of a normal hotel.

That is right. For, as the three (except for a certain someone) were chatting happily, they had unintentionally come to the entrance for the street of love hotels.

Realizing that they are arguing in a special area, Ayano can’t help but blush. But Yukari’s smile did not change at all.

“This is a short-cut.”

”Even so, this kind of place……”

”Don’t worry. No one would think that we are going to play 3P.”

Ayano's face carries a pained expression, as she looks at this innocently smiling friend who has just said something very shocking.

“You…… Don’t use that cute face to say something so shocking, okay?”

“Kay~ But this kind of thing is nothing compared to Ayano's normal behavior.”

”…… What is the meaning of that?”

Against Ayano’s squinting eyes, Yukari puts on her usual smiling face. Though she may look easy-going, she is definitely not on the losing side.

Ayano, who realizes that she is at a disadvantage, decides to forcefully end the chat.

“Anyway, let’s not walk this way. Let’s go another way!”

”Geez, Ayano is so squeaky clean.”

“Squeaky clean? That doesn't even need to be said! This kind of hotel, whose only use is for people to share a bed - who knows what the people going in are thinking?!”

Ayano sounds violent, and scowls angrily at the love hotels as though they had killed her father, when suddenly, her expression freezes.

Yukari and Nanase follow Ayano’s line of sight. What lies there is...

“As agitated as always.”

A man and a beautiful lady, sticking closely together, walking out from the hotel street.

His age appears to be about twenty-something, with an upright face that could be considered handsome, but his expression seems to be rather sloven. A light smirk appears on his mouth, forcefully pulling the grade of this person down thirty percent.

“You should at least put some thought into your surroundings.”

The man makes fun of the dumbfounded Ayano and continues to speak.

“You are already a high school student. It is about time you know what shame is……”

Her ears hearing the man's incendiary words, Ayano’s frozen brain begins to thaw. Information begins to flow in, and she regains consciousness.

The man before her eyes is Kazuma Yagami. This is the man that Ayano hates most. As for the woman beside him, she has never seen her before. In addition, this is a love hotel street.

Catching up to this point, Ayano’s brain, which had finally returned to a normal temperature, suddenly began to heat up. Gripped with an inexplicable fury, Ayano shouts, “You…… What are you doing in a place like this!?”

“...Ayano?”

Yukari and Nanase share a puzzled look, looking at their friend who has suddenly fallen into a rage. Both pairs of eyes show no indecision, and seem to be simultaneously asking, “What is she talking about?”.

This question is not one that needs to be asked. Just as Ayano has said, there is only one thing to do in a love hotel - even if there are many different ways and methods; there is only one reason to be here, basically.

On the other hand, Kazuma who has drawn Ayano’s rage upon him simply shows a light smile, as usual.

“Asking me what I am doing- Ah, it is so hard to say it out loud~ ♥“

He acts shy, daintily using his hand to cover his mouth as he says that.

At this instant, the dozens of neural synapses of logic in Ayano’s brain snapped all at once.

Feeling the furious spiritual energy arising from Ayano, Yukari and Nanase can’t help but move back. But, even when engulfed in such a strong murderous intent, one that even normal people would notice and fear, Kazuma and the woman beside him do not change the relaxed smiles on their faces.

The woman ignores Ayano’s furious eyes as if they are nothing, her lips go close to Kazuma’s ears and ask, “This girl, is she Kazuma’s girlfriend?”

“Kirika…… That joke is not funny at all!”

After such a semi-derogatory question, Kazuma answers with an irritated look. Listening, Kirika glances at Ayano, and laughs lightly.

(------! This darn woman-!)

Seeing the seemingly taunting attitude of this person, Ayano views Kirika as an “enemy”. As if seeking a weak spot, she sizes Kirika up from head to toe. But...

(Argh……)

Although slim, she has a good figure, filled with femininity.

From the angle of a “woman,” Ayano has no way to compete.

Ayano is also a rare beauty, but her state of maturity is far below Kirika's. Future development or hidden potential have no effect now. Because in a battle in the real world, current capabilities decide everything.

Even so, if the opponent is just someone who devotes all nutrients, even those that should go to the brain, into her breasts and hips, Ayano will not concede defeat.

But, Kirika is different. Those thin, long eyes of hers carry the light of wisdom, clearly indicating that she is not just some vulgar woman who only knows how to fawn on guys.

Slightly older than Kazuma, she looks as if she is around twenty-five. From the way she can casually face up to Ayano’s killing intent as if it were not there, she is clearly not an average businesswoman. Maybe they are in the same trade?

Ayano bears the silent torture of inferiority, and continues to glare at the two with angry eyes.

“Kazuma?”

Kirika accepts Ayano’s eyes generously, and holds her body even more closely against Kazuma’s arm. Rather than a demonstration of love, this action seems more like she's trying to tightly hang on.

“Should I arrest you for lewd acts against an underage female?”

“Don’t be like that.”

Kazuma seems very displeased.

“She is just a distant relative. I've done nothing, nor have any intentions of doing anything.”

”Then, why is she angry?”

”She is always angry. Just ignore her.”

“Oh~”

Kirika looks towards Ayano once more, her face showing a smile with deep meaning. Ayano notices, her mind tangled in an instant.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 017.jpg|thumb]]

“I think it would be better to explain.”

”There's no need for that, it's too troublesome. Let’s go!”

Upon saying this, Kazuma pulls Kirika and walks away. As his eyes meet Ayano’s, he puts on a serious expression and warns Ayano, ”Go back quickly! This is no place for children.”

Kazuma walks past Ayano with ease, who is so angry her whole body is trembling. As the two sides pass one another, Kirika looks at Ayano. Those eyes, filled with sympathy, totally enrage Ayano, before departing in an utterly relaxed manner.

Yukari remained where she was, dumbly sending off the close pair with her eyes. She looks to the side, and coincidentally meets Nanase’s eyes.

At this moment, silence is golden. The two exchange bitter smiles, and as if they had discussed it much earlier, look towards Ayano who still has not turned back.

“So that's it.”

Nanase nods heavily.

“No wonder you were so harsh to those people who tried to pick us up.”

“That's right. It is really tough to like someone like that.“

“But what a surprise, I never thought Ayano would like flippant guys like that.”

“...You two……”

Ayano turns slowly.

In a gentle, but equally chilling tone, she answers, “What are you two talking about?”

”What else?“

Yukari answers straightforwardly.

“Ayano, you like that guy right? Although it looks one-sided.”

”You……What makes you two think that way?”

”Just think about your reaction just now. No matter how we look at it, it is of 'a jealous girl seeing the guy she likes getting snatched away,' right?”

“There is no such thing! It is definitely not that way!!”

Ayano shouts out, blushing. Her voice is so loud it almost seems to reach as far as the eye can see.

“Ayano, you were too loud.”

Ignoring Yukari’s warning, Ayano furiously continues to say, “Why would I like that kind of lowlife?! That is the type of person I hate most in this world! If I could have, I would have sliced him into pieces!!”

“Then why are you angry?”

Yukari rebuts with a calm voice.

“If you really didn’t like him, then it doesn't matter who he sleeps with, right? What would there be to be angry about?”

“This……This is because…… That……

……I just cannot bear to see someone like Kazuma sleep with that kind of beauty! They are not at all compatible!”

Ayano grips her fist tightly and tries her best to explain, as the other two look at her with cold eyes.

(What do you think?)

(She doesn’t seem to be lying…… Could it be, she hasn’t even realized it herself?)

(If that's the case, then she is not just slow - there is something completely wrong with her……)

(But... that is just like Ayano.)

(Yeah that’s true.)

“You two! Don’t whisper among yourselves right in front of me!”

Getting shouted at by Ayano, Nanase swiftly straightens her body. Following this, she uses a very serious expression, like someone who is faking marriage just to grab a hold of the password to a credit card, in order to say, “Ah. Okay okay. I get it, you really hate that man.”

”Yup, completely understood.”

Yukari chimes in instantly. They are indeed Ayano’s best friends, their actions matching flawlessly.

Ayano’s expression reveals her continued suspicion.

“...Really?”

“Of course.”

”Fine then.”

Ayano nods, though her expression still shows displeasure. After everything has come to an end, and the two give a sigh of relief-

“Ah, that is the girl. Mister Hanagi.”

Those guys had chosen the worst possible time to appear.

“These are the ones?”

The man they called Hanagi points his finger towards the three and says...

“You guys were scared off by these three girls?”

“Because the girl in the middle has a really scary stare……”

”That girl is really arrogant. Please teach her some manners, Go-san!”

The men who are saying these things are the punks, numbers one and two (temporarily named), who were driven off by Ayano earlier. It seems that because they were rejected so vehemently by Ayano, resentment arose, and so they found someone to help them take their revenge!

-- They do not come any lower than that.

“We invited you so nicely to have some fun, and yet you told us to 'get lost'. That was really rude. Now apologize.”

“----------------------“

Ayano stares at the group of men, her eyes indicating that they are unworthy even of notice. Seeing those ice cold eyes, punks numbers one and two cannot help but retreat several steps, though Hanagi shows no sign of fear.

“That trick of yours won’t work! Hanagi-san knows Shaolin fist techniques!”

“Please do it! Go Hanagi-san!”

Numbers one and two cower behind Hanagi and continue to shout. Ignoring the two who are merely relying on Hanagi’s strength, Ayano stares at Hanagi alone.

As they have mentioned, the man before her eyes seems to have undergone a certain level of training. As he wears only a thin, sleeveless sweater under his leather coat, his protruding muscles can be clearly seen. It is a body specially made for combat.

“For a woman to be so arrogant, that is why you are having such an unlucky encounter. Don’t try to go against men from now on.”

Hanagi reaches his hand out in a rough manner, intending to grab Ayano’s chin to lift her face.

At the instant his fingertips touch her chin, Ayano moves swiftly.

She angles her body and moves forward, while at the same time dodging Hanagi’s hand. Into Hanagi’s defenseless chest, Ayano cleanly swings her bent left arm.

Ayano’s elbow strikes the lower region of Hanagi’s earlobe, where the jaw is. This is a sudden full-force attack, and a powerful strike that even contains “ki”. It would not be surprising even if his jaw fell off from his face.

Hanagi’s body flies into the air in a spiral. His legs, which have left the ground, tangle together like twisted bread, and subsequently spray outwards with reactive force.

Hanagi’s body keeps on spinning, and after a sickening three and a half round rotation, he naturally has a failed landing; his whole body flattened against the outer wall of a hotel.

Splat.

A wet sound propagated along the entire street. This was definitely not a sound made by a human body. If a freshly slaughtered piece of flesh, with blood still dripping, was smashed into a wall, it would probably make this kind of sound.

Several seconds after Hanagi has been hammered into the wall, he falls to the floor like a flattened cockroach.

On the red bricks of the hotel wall, a fluid even more red than the bricks forms an eerie human figure.

“Uh... uh~”

Seeing Hanagi, blood pouring out of seven holes and his body twitching, Nanase draws a cross towards the sky. Beside her, Yukari places her hands together and closes her eyes to pray.

“Huh…… Huh huh……”

”Hanagi-san……”

The remaining two guys give voice to pitiful cries in tones that have reached the utmost limit of fear.

Ayano silently walks past the two men, who are unable to move their feet, and can only stand there like idiots.

She fires off two kicks at lightning speed. The tip of her foot hits right at the center between the legs of the two men.

“Argh!”

”Wah!”

The tip of her pointed shoe hits the pelvis, while the most important part is struck heavily. Ayano contemplates the two, now rolling on the floor in pain, with a pink foam of blood and spittle coming from their mouths, with disgust.

“How dirty!”

“Ah- Please send an ambulance over. There are three heavily wounded people.”

A cold voice comes from behind. Behind her, Nanase is using a public phone to contact 911. She reads out the number of the phone booth to inform the other party of the location.

“Please be quick, one of them doesn’t seem likely to make it.”

After that, she hangs up, ignoring their inquiries for her name. This action can be said to be very well-trained, for the reason she doesn’t use her own cellphone is to avoid leaving any trace.

“So, have you vented your anger?” Nanase asks Ayano calmly.

“……I did not do it purposely.”

Ayano pouts and replies unhappily, but the two do not believe her words.

They've known very well since the beginning that she has just been redirecting her anger at Kazuma. If she had not met Kazuma earlier, Ayano would not have been so cruel!

But, there is one thing they do not understand. Nanase leans in close to Yukari’s ear and quietly asks...

(By the way, is that guy really that good?)

(Hmm... I feel that he is above average, but……)

He does not seem like a man that would make Ayano feel jealous. That is the opinion of these two.

For though they have known her for a long time, they still do not know what the Kannagi do for a living, nor of the power that is within the bloodline.

These two will still have a few days to wait before witnessing for themselves the true power of Kazuma.

=== 2 ===
“Has Kazuma still not arrived?”

“Why are you asking me?”

Ayano replies to the Soushu, Juugo's, question in a sour tone of voice. She appears to have drunk some alcohol, and her gaze seems blank.

Stared at by his daughter, radiating malcontent, Juugo blinks.

“What is it between you and Kazuma?”

”Nothing.”

Ayano slams the wine cup on the table with a bang.

“I hate that guy! I neither want to see his face nor hear his name ever again! That kind of guy can just go have a good time with some old woman!”

“...So that is it.”

Juugo can roughly guess what has happened and decides not to probe any further.

“In celebration of the annihilation of the Fuuga clan!”

“Cheers to Hyoue who is now roasting in hell, suffering for all eternity!”

“Cheers!”

Vulgar toasts like this one abound. Everyone seems exuberant and the air is filled with the sound of cups clinking in toasts.

The cause for celebration is something that happened about a week ago.

The subordinates of the Kannagi, the Fuuga clan, had suddenly revolted. The leader of the Fuuga clan, Hyoue Kazamaki, had allowed his son Ryuuya to be possessed by a powerful youma and many of the Kannagi had been killed.

The ones who had fought them were the practitioners of the Kannagi main family, Ayano and Ren, and Ren’s brother, who had been exiled due to his ineptitude as an En-jutsushi and had eventually become a Fuu-jutsushi, Kazuma Yagami.

After a fierce battle, the three had finally defeated Hyoue and Ryuuya. On the fourth day following, that is, tonight, a banquet for their victory is being held.

The banquet is unlike any before. Just about every member of the Kannagi family able to attend is now in attendance. They have all joyfully joined the banquet, and are now raising their cups in celebration of the annihilation of their hated enemy.

This reaction comes as no surprise. For these people, who claim to be the strongest, Hyoue and Ryuya were existences that could not be permitted.

The fact that they had been able to possess youma beyond their powers alone was unforgivable. Furthermore, they had been of the Fuuga clan, a group of low level jutsushis they had stepped on for a long period of time.

To fear weaklings like the Fuuga to the extent they had had to go into hiding. To them, this is a humiliation that can never be vindicated.

However, since the Fuuga clan is now completely destroyed, that shame, if not erased, is now forgotten. In their joy, it isn't at all odd for them to be going slightly overboard with their celebrations.

“Hmph! For those dogs to forget who had raised and fed them and to go even so far as to bite their masters' hands! Those ungrateful bastards!”

“How dare they resist us? We, who are blessed by the Spirit Lord! What an outrage!”

“Cheers to the Fuuga clan’s demise!”

“Cheers!”

All around the tables, cups meet, and everyone downs their cups in one go.

Just as the banquet approaches its climax, Kazuma appears.

“Kazuma-san has arrived.”

As the servant makes his announcement, all noise in the hall comes to an abrupt halt.

Amidst the silence, a youth walks through the paper door the servant has opened, and steps into the hall with a confident swagger.

Unfriendly eyes gather upon this youth who walks in without a word. Just for the record, among the glares, the ones bearing the greatest hatred are Ayano’s eyes, but let’s leave this matter aside for now.

Actually, it is not without reason that this man is so despised. The Kannagi had over fifty jutsushis before the battle with the Fuuga clan, and yet there are only a little more than thirty present at the banquet. The total dead and wounded amounts to more than twenty.

Seven are dead, the rest injured with varying degrees of severity. Those seven were attacked by Ryuya. The only ones attacked by Ryuuya.

In other words, the majority of casualties are the work of Kazuma. Everyone gathered here has family members who have been sent to the hospital by Kazuma. Under such circumstances it is only natural that they do not wear smiles to welcome him.

Their hateful glares glance off of Kazuma who acts as if they aren't even there. His attitude serves only to increase their hatred for him.

This is the kind of feeling one gets from being looked down upon by someone whom one had looked down upon in the past. Needless to say, Kazuma completely ignores their presence. He seems to regard them as being beneath contempt. No matter how much Juugo tries to defend him, the negative feelings toward Kazuma only strengthen further.

Kazuma nods towards the only one who smiles at him, Ren, and then bows before Juugo.

“Sorry, I am late.”

“I don’t mind at all. I am the one who forced you to join us.”

Juugo smiles, forgiving Kazuma’s tardiness and tells Kazuma to sit beside him. In short order, wine and hors d'oeuvres are placed before his eyes.

“Welcome back, Nii-sama!”

Ren runs over and tightly hugs his brother’s arm like a spoiled puppy. Kazuma does not stop him. On the contrary, he reaches out his hand to caress his brother’s head. But he does not make the customary reply, "I am back."

Because, for a long time now, this place has not been Kazuma's, that is, Kazuma Yagami’s, home.

Ren does not seem to notice Kazuma’s thoughts, and serves him diligently.

“Ah, let me pour the wine for you.”

“...Okay.”

Kazuma takes the cup up with his hands, but puts it back on the table without drinking a single drop.

Ren questions hesitantly, “Nii-sama, why not have a drink?”

“I am not thirsty.”

Ren looks at the untouched food.

"...Won't you eat something?”

“I am not hungry.”

”...”

Ren feels puzzled, and lifts his eyes to look at his brother.

Kazuma continues to look straight ahead, ignoring Ren.

“Erm…… Err……”

Just as Ren panics, thinking he has done something to enrage his brother, a big hand is lightly placed on Ren’s head.

“……Nii-sama?”

The direction of Kazuma's gaze has not changed, nor does he speak. Despite this, the feeling of that warm hand is enough to satisfy Ren. Leaning against his brother’s body, Ren closes his eyes and shows a peaceful smile.

To Kazuma, the Kannagi residence is still enemy territory. Not only will he not eat any food placed before him, no matter how relaxed the others may look, he will not let his guard down even for an instant.

That is why Kazuma notices immediately when a young woman approaches him.

He deliberately doesn't move, observing her as if nothing untoward is happening, waiting for her to take action.

The young woman is around twenty and is wearing a kimono. She seems to be used to wearing one, for her actions are not the least bit awkward.

Her hairstyle, rather than saying it is a blunt blob, it is more like a round and simple [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Translator%27s_Notes#hairstyle|hairstyle]] with its sides cut evenly. Together with small, cute cheeks, she is a beautiful Japanese-style woman that would make one think of the outdated appellation “[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Translator%27s_Notes#yamato_nadeshiko|Yamato Nadeshiko]].”

Seeing the girl kneeling before him bow deeply, Kazuma says with a hazy expression, “If I recall…… You are Ogami……”

“My name is Misao Ogami. I've been ordered to take care of Kazuma-sama. If you have any needs, please just inform me.”

“...Oh?”

Kazuma uses his fingertips to hold Misao’s chin and lift her face up.

Looking at her nervous expression, Kazuma smiles and asks teasingly, "Even at night?”

Faced with such a direct intimation, Miaso blushes and her eyes shift downwards. Even though she's embarrassed, she does not try to escape from Kazuma’s hand. She murmurs in hardly a whisper, “If...that is your wish."

Seeing that Misao is unresisting, Kazuma’s face closes in even more. At this moment, Kazuma, as if repelled, leans back suddenly.

A ray of red lightning pierces the air where Kazuma’s head had previously been. With a loud thunk, something embeds itself into the pillar behind Kazuma.

"You despicable piece of shit! Move your dirty hands away!”

Needless to say, the furious girl with the incomparable rage is Ayano. Kazuma does not even bother to look at her, but instead turns his head back.

A long, thin red stick is now stabbed into the pillar. Ayano’s chopstick.

The chopstick possesses no sharp point and yet it is half-sunk into the pillar. Guessing at the strength with which she must have thrown it, Kazuma laughs.

Ayano stalks towards Kazuma and raises her hand for a karate chop, aiming at Kazuma’s hand, which has been on Misao’s face all the while. Seeing a chop that carries the strength to break thirty tiles, he quickly removes his hand.

Ayano has murder in her eyes as she scowls at Kazuma, who has a smile on his face, and then slowly walks next to Misao.

“Misao, what are you thinking! Why ruin your life for scum like that!?”

“Huh…… Ermm…… Sorry.”

Faced with such an aggressive aura, Misao cannot help but apologize. Seeing such a happy scene, Kazuma puts on a hurt expression on purpose.

“Why are you making me sound so bad?”

“I was just telling the truth, wasn’t I? You already have a girlfriend. How dare you still lay your hands on other girls?! You jerk!”

“Girlfriend? I don’t have any.”

“Liar! That one earlier...“

“If you mean Kirika, we are not in that kind of relationship. She is just-“

“Just your sex friend, right?”

Ayano finishes Kazuma's sentence in an eerily gentle tone. Even though her face shows a smile, upon closer inspection, her temples are pulsing with anger.

Observing her expression, Kazuma smiles at her comprehension, and says, “Yup, you can put it that way too.”

Violent spiritual energy bursts out from Ayano’s entire body, and her body subconsciously enters battle mode.

“Ayano-sama.”

However, she is stopped just before she can erupt. Confronted with Misao’s appeal, Ayano is reluctantly forced to restrain her murderous intent.

“Please, don’t be angry. It was Kazuma-sama who avenged my brothers. To repay this debt, this kind of thing is nothing..."

“You should be grateful to me instead!" Ayano proudly says.

“This guy fought only because it was his job! We have already paid him enough to reward him! There is no need to thank him. You have a problem with that?”

That last line is, of course, directed at Kazuma.

“Nope, that is largely true." Kazuma admits frankly.

“I do not know what this fiery lass did that you should be grateful for, but at the very least, there is no need to thank me. Leaving Masato and Takeshi aside, you can consider half of the blame to be mine that Takeya died.”

Hearing such a shocking statement, a commotion erupted around them.

After making so much noise, it was only natural that they had attracted notice. Their bickering had become the center of attention and to hear such an alarming statement made everyone prick their ears and listen quietly.

“What do you mean?” Ayano asks in a sharp tone.

Kazuma brushes off her intensity like a thick-skinned willow tree does the wind and smiles.

“Even though the one to kill him was Ryuuya, he had already been defeated earlier by me. Ryuuya only cut the unconscious Takeya apart. Well, I guess even if he had still been conscious then, the result would not have been any different.”

Kazuma says this nonchalantly, and shifts his eyes back to Misao. He faces the bowed-down Misao, whose expression cannot be seen, and reassures her gently.

“So, you see? There's no need to be so courteous, how about taking that out from your sleeve?”

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 039.jpg|thumb]]
At the instant Kazuma finishes his sentence, Misao suddenly moves. Her foot forcefully stomping on the tatami, she pulls out the dagger which had been hidden in her sleeve all along.

“Ah……Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Screaming wildly, the dagger gripped tightly in her fists, Misao jumps into Kazuma’s chest.

For a moment, everyone remains completely motionless. Though everyone in the hall has witnessed the scene, it appears they are unable to comprehend its implications in time and are at a loss for what to do.

Misao and Kazuma both just sit there, without flinching; like a pair of intimate lovers, the two in a silent embrace.

“Ka……Kazuma?”

Ayano’s quivering voice calls out the name of the man she hates most.

He does not reply.

“Kazuma!? Ans…… Answer me quickly! Kazuma! Kazuma!!”

“What?”

Kazuma suddenly raises his head and answers as if nothing has happened. Using his fingertips to pincer the dagger that should have been in Misao’s hands, he raises it before his eyes and waves it.

“…………!”

Maybe because of her relief, Ayano falls to the floor, still in shock, and shouts loudly, “If…… If you heard me, at least make a sound! I thought you died!”

“Is there anything troubling to you about my death?”

“That…… That……”

Ayano is momentarily unable to speak. She tries her best to stop all the blood in her body from gathering at her face, while at the same time working hard to come up with a rebuttal.

“I…… I don’t want Misao to become a murderer.”

“That makes sense.”

“That is right!”

(---------?)

Ayano nods to agree, but feels that Kazuma’s reaction seems off somehow. At the same time she cannot say with certainty what it is that is wrong.

Ignoring Ayano who is puzzling over this, Kazuma places his eyes upon Misao, who has fallen on him.

“So are you still angry?”

”--------------!”

Misao forcefully pushes herself off of Kazuma and uses the momentum to jump backwards. She puts a little distance between them and stares with eyes full of hate at Kazuma.

But, Kazuma does not seem to mind those eyes at all. He calmly breaks eye contact with Misao and passes the dagger in his hand to Ayano.

“Take it.”

“Ah, okay.”

She takes it reflexively, and then looks closely at the dagger.

The blade of the dagger is about ten centimeters long. It would serve well for peeling apples, and not much more. There does not appear to be any poison on it either.

(…… Did she really think that a fruit knife could kill Kazuma?)

What a foolish action. Ayano bitterly regrets her earlier display of anxiousness.

At this point in time, the others are finally emerging from their shock. However, none step out to arrest Misao, because all of the people in the branch family feel the same way.

(What about Father?)

Ayano looks towards Juugo.

“What is the matter?”

“What do you mean by “What is the matter”? Don’t just look, do something.”

“Hmm……”

Juugo looks at the scene of the crime with cold eyes.

“Kazuma.”

“Ah?”

“If you do not wish to deal with her, shall I punish Misao for you?”

Even though his tone seems calm, its meaning is clear. “If you want to kill her, just do it.” Juugo is usually kind and well-tempered, but he is not so kind as to forgive someone who had just attempted murder.

Kazuma’s reply is totally unexpected.

“I don't think this goes so far as to require punishment. Nothing happened, just let her go!”

Hearing this reply, Juugo reveals a surprised expression and Ayano’s puzzled look can be clearly seen.

Ayano finally realizes why she has been feeling something is off. Misao is still alive, that alone is something which does not make sense.

On the battlefield, Kazuma would not care about anything else. Even if it was just a little girl, even if she was not moving of her own free will, being threatened or manipulated, Kazuma would not go easy on her.

Given Kazuma’s habits, after he has dodged the attack, no, the instant the dagger was drawn, Misao’s head should have landed on the ground.

(But this…… What is going on?)

Filled with questions, Ayano begins to look at the two.

Misao looks pale and weak. Though her eyes still bear hatred, it seems she does not have the strength to act again.

Her area of expertise is in defending seals and providing support from behind; she is not a jutsushi that fights on the front-line. Though her abilities are not weak, her personality is simply not suitable for battle, not to mention killing.

This may even be the first time she has directed a knife at someone. Her mentality of avoiding causing harm is no different from a normal person's. Just now she had acted on impulse, but after her failure, she does not have the ability to try again.

Kazuma lowers his head and looks at Misao silently. Those eyes carry no warmth, but neither do they show coldness.

(This is too abnormal, too weird! And... this makes me feel very unhappy!)

“What is the meaning of this-?“

“So be it. Since you have said as much, I have no reason to punish her either.”

Jugo interrupts Ayano, who has lost her composure, and comes to a simple conclusion.

“But, we cannot allow you to stay here either. Go back and reflect on this for a while!”

With that, he orders someone by his side to take Misao away. Misao struggles to get rid of the hands that are about to catch her.

“Why!?”

Ignoring the man who seems troubled by her struggling, Misao stares at Kazuma and shouts, “Why did Nii-sama have to die!?”

“Because he was too weak.”

Kazuma replies, very bluntly.

“-------------!!”

The hall is filled with rage in an instant. Misao is not alone in feeling that Kazuma has caused deaths in the family. To these people, Kazuma’s words have gone far beyond their ability to tolerate.

“You asshole------!!”

Ayano stands up, her face flushed red with anger. She places her hands at her hips and glares at Kazuma.

“What the hell is wrong with you! Can’t you differentiate between what can and cannot be said!? What do you mean by “because he was too weak”? Don’t joke around! Is it because you have become strong that you have forgotten what it was like to be weak!?”

Kazuma shows Ayano, who continues to lecture him, no sign of remorse at all. Instead, he looks coldly at her.

“Looks like you still don’t understand.”

He then looks around at the people who are staring at him angrily.

“Why are you all putting on the look of a victim?”

“What…… What do you mean by that?”

Kazuma’s eyes sweep across the room once more. All he sees are puzzled yet angry expressions. Again confirming that no one has understood what he meant, he sighs.

“I don’t think you guys have ever wondered, why did the Fuuga clan revolt?”

”What do you mean by why…… Of course it was to awaken their God!”

“No.”

Kazuma rejects this flat-out.

“That was just a means to an end. Just one of the powers they needed to rise against the Kannagi.”

“Why don’t you tell us the reason then?” Ayano asks without even thinking.

Kazuma gives Ayano a contemptuous look.

“……These people of the Fuuga were definitely not a group of useless waste. Instead, they were even rather skilled Fuu-jutsushi. Their combat abilities might have been very weak, but the inherent characteristics of the wind are not suited to battle in the first place.”

In terms of attack power, among the four main powers of earth, water, fire and wind, the weakest is wind.

This is because it is the lightest.

No matter how fast they might be, light attacks do not possess the strength to kill with one blow.

I believe everyone has had the experience of being cut by a piece of paper before. With enough speed, and if timed well, even a flimsy piece of paper can become a blade. And yet, it can only cut the surface of the skin. A slash without weight is unable to cut off flesh and bone all in one go.

The weight of water and earth are far beyond wind and fire possesses a large amount of energy. If they are to fight against these powers, a Fuu-jutsushi must summon and control numbers of spirits several times greater.

Precisely for this reason, the role Fuu-jutsushis play is to use the wind's mobility to perform searching, tracking and to control surrounding air in providing battle support. The Fuuga clan can actually be said to have been a typical example of wind practitioners.

“The Kannagi that are born with combat ability, and the Fuuga that excel at information gathering and battle support. To provide for the other’s inability, to coexist peacefully and equally - this should have been the way of interaction.”

Kazuma observes Juugo, who is showing a bitter expression, out of the corner of his eye. He is the only one here who understands the truth of Kazuma's words.

“Unfortunately, you, who only know how to use raw power as a standard, looked down on the Fuuga clan, which has no combat abilities. But without the Fuuga, you would not even know where the enemy was!”

“What you are trying to say is... because we have always looked down on the Fuuga, we deserve to be killed by them?” Ayano pouts unhappily.

But Kazuma shakes his head in denial.

“I never said that what you did is wrong. The strong are always right; this is the unequivocal truth.”

”But then……”

“But as you execute your right to crush the weak, you must also bear the burden of being crushed by people even stronger. Even if you are killed, you can have no complaints, as this is the very thing you have done.”

“…………!”

Ayano’s expression changes drastically. She seems to have understood what Kazuma is trying to say.

“Just because the Fuuga clan is "too weak," that is why you all looked down on them. Just because ''you'' are "too weak," that is why you were crushed by Ryuuya. This is a very simple thing to understand.”

This is not a question of who is right and who is wrong. Since both sides believe in the “law of power”, in the end only the strong survive. That is all.

“If you people have acknowledged everything that you have done towards the Fuuga clan, then the Fuuga clan can also only acknowledge what they did to you. To crush the weak, does it not allow you to be crushed by those even stronger? Just who do you think you are?”

This merciless accusation reaches the ears of everyone present like the roar of thunder, but it fails to touch their arrogant hearts.

“This, I am unable to accept.”

A voice of disagreement emerges from a place very close to Juugo’s seat of honor.

“Kazuma-san, your argument seems to have neglected one very important fact.”

The man uses a vicious and unrelenting tone to speak. He is Ogami Masayuki. The head of the Ogami family and Misao’s father. But he does not seem to care at all about his daughter, who has her head lowered and is keeping quiet.

“The price of life is definitely not equal. We are blessed by the spirits - a clan chosen! Yet you put us and the Fuuga, those lowlifes, on the same level. That is very apalling, not to mention it...“

He stares furiously at Kazuma, as if Kazuma is the killer of his son.

“Not to mention it gives those scum the right to kill us!”

Hearing Masayuki’s words, Kazuma answers with a calm smile.

“Who is it that was chosen?”

“... What?”

“Those words, why don’t you wait until you have power like Ayano's before saying them! To hear a weakling boasting about his bloodline, how pathetic! It is as if you have nothing else to boast about except for your bloodline.”

“You…… You asshole……!”

Masayuki instantly became agitated. In comparison, Kazuma’ mocking tone still has not changed.

“By the way, you should be thanking Hyoue instead!”

“?”

“He helped to get rid of Masato, who was a nuisance in your eyes. At the very least go burn some incense and pay your respects!”

“……! You……! What did you just say……!”

Ogami Masayuki’s younger brother, Ogami Masato. When he had been alive, he had been known as the strongest practitioner of the branch family. Everyone knew that had he not left his home to train, because he had hated fighting with his brother over the succession, he would have been the one to be lead the family.

Seeing the shaken Masayuki, Kazuma says as if taunting him.

“It ''is'' a nuisance to have a younger brother more elite than yourself, isn’t it?”

“Damn…… Damn you asshole!!”

Masayuki’s face changes color as he shouts. He stands up from the tatami, and with blood red eyes, stares murder at Kazuma.

This time, there is an almost palpable tension between the two. The killing intents around the room form a whirlpool, and gather towards Kazuma who is still sitting at his original location.

At this moment, Ren, who has been leaning against Kazuma’s shoulder, moves. He wriggles his upper body, his whole body stuck on Kazuma in a tight embrace. He looks as if he is trying to stop Kazuma and lacks the strength to do so.

Seeing this, a question goes through Ayano's mind.

(This kid…… Since when has he become so quiet?)

Even when Misao had attempted to stab Kazuma, she had not heard Ren’s voice. No matter how much faith he has in his brother’s strength, it is unnatural that he did not so much as cry out.

Under everyone’s stare, Ren’s upper body slowly slides down along Kazuma’s body. He places his face on Kazuma’s leg, and after a few seconds like this...

“Hmm…… Nii-sama……”

“So he is asleep!” Ayano can’t help but say.

Before the blissful sleep-talking, the originally tense atmosphere disperses in an instant.

“……………………”

His bloodlust gone, Masayuki sits down once more. His expression is solemn, but he no longer is in the mood to maintain his anger.

Masayuki’s reaction does not matter to Kazuma, as he had not cared from the beginning.

“Soushu.”

”……Yes.”

Juugo understands everything very well, and because of that, his voice sounds abnormally bitter.

“It is impossible to dream of these guys reflecting upon this. But please do not forget, it is the Kannagi’s arrogance that sparked this fight. If there are no changes, the same thing will just repeat itself."

“…… I understand.”

“Good.”

Kazuma lifts Ren’s head, and places him on Ayano’s leg.

“Kazuma?”

“There is nothing left for me here, I am going back.”

With this sentence, Kazuma leaves the residence without looking back.

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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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