Editing Kaze no Stigma:Volume6 Chapter 4 (section)

=== Part 4 ===





That day, the Metropolitan Police Department Special Information Storage Room's newcomer, Isurughi Daiki, was walking on the street with his senpai, Shimon Yuuto. 


Of course, it was during the job. 

He did not have the hobby of going on dates for male bonding. To say nothing of he fact that walking alongside this man was the worst kind of competition.

".................."

Daiki raises a gaze full of envy at Yuuto. Just one phrase was enough to describe that man --- he was a handsome man. 

He height exceeded 180 centimeters and he had a slim physique without any flab, and finely chiseled features, un-Japanese in appearance. 

For Daiki, with a small build and child-faced, to this day mistaken for a middle school pupil, he was the kind of man no matter how much he envied, it still wasn't enough. 

"Waah, what a bore...."

The man accompanying him, languid because he couldn't flirt in the middle of the job, abandoned the yearning he was secretly harboring and, on the contrary looked at him awkward as if saying ''"I don't want to become like that"''. 

"Hey---, I'm tired, let's enter a tea house. After all, we won't find them. "

"No way. What will you do if the Chief finds about this? "

"At that time become the representative to be angry at. "

"I disagree! "

Although answering like that, not even him had any will to work anymore. 

Their current mission was a manhunt, the search of two Jutsushi, Chris and Gaia. They understood this mission ordered by Kirika was urgent and from the characteristics of their outward appearance they had the self-confidence they could certainly recognize them even without a photo. 

"How should we search for them? What is the probability of coming across them coming across them by walking randomly----- "

"Hmm? What, you didn't know? "

Yuuto looked shocked at Daiki, who was murmuring in a puzzled tone. 

"What do you mean? "

"What, you say -- right now, we're the only ones searching. We're only waiting for the result of the <<Sightseer>> guys. "

"----Why only us? "

"It's not ''us''. You're the only one they expect something out of. "

"-------? "
Daiki still didn't understand. What on Earth was expected of him? 

"I don't really understand? My ability doesn't have a searching aspect. "

"The <<Demon Eater>>, huh? It's not that. You have another -- ever acting ability, right? "

""............."

At Yuuto's words, Daiki became silent, making a disagreeable face with al his strength. 

Certainly, he had two --- practically one special ability, but with two different forms of manifestation, it was somehow guessed.

One was the <<Demon Eater>> and the other one the manifestation of abnormal good luck regarding a critical situation --- after miraculously reaching a calamity. 

There's no need to say it but Daiki wasn't to happy about that. 

The meaning this power had was falling into dangerous and desperate situations, and then as a reaction, he was devastatingly unlucky in his everyday life. 

".......What about it? Either way, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with me. "

Yuuto showed an ominous smile to his dissatisfied kouhai, and whispered in a low voice. 

"What it we find the guys we're searching for and it comes to a fight, you, are you confident of winning? "

"That's obviously impossible! ", answered Daiki without hesitating for a moment. 

Excessively reasonable, he wasn't even ashamed. The separation between people like them with modest supernatural powers and that existence was like that between them and ordinary people. 

For example, even for a professional boxer there's no shame being knocked down by a tank. Just like a gold medalist runner won't feel bitter about not being slower than a motorcycle. 

The difference between them and they just just like that or maybe even worse. 

"Well then, can you find the target? Finding it is the definition of ''unlucky''. Don't you agree? "

".......Well, I do"

"Of course, it's impossible for us to find them without the other party noticing us, that would be ''lucky''. And when it comes to you, it's impossible to have that kind of good luck. "

"................"

He was extremely unwilling to be called that but he had no rebuttal. Helplessly, he waited for the continuation in silence. 

"If it's you, you might be able to find the target because of your natural bad luck. And then, if you find yourself in a pinch, maybe you're able to escape because of your good luck. But the opponent is who he is. There is the possibility your own good luck won't be enough. Therefore, I was appointed to help you"

".......Even if you say so, I don't think one or two people will make a difference. "

"That's true. But, if you were to bear the full brunt of it, certainly the <<Demon Eater>> will come out. With that power, even if you cannot win, you can stall. So, taking that opportunity I will run and report to the Chief --- "

"Wait a minute! ", Daiki shouted angry, as expected. 

"What's up with that inhuman strategy? If it's so, why don't we do this the other way? Senpai, you should protect the body of your kouhai! "

"Don't say such impossible things!"

Yuuto irresponsibly waved his hand. 

"I don't have that kind of inhuman, wicked power like you do. I won't become something like a shield. "

"What are you saying, <<Siegfried>>?"

"Whoa! Don't call people by the name of their power. There's something wrong with a secret society-like code name. "

"............isn't this pretty much like that?", retaliated Daiki with a bitter expression. 

He wanted from the beginning to become a regular policeman but because of the power even he didn't know about Kirika had her eyes on him and he was dragged against his will in this world. 

Consequently, his sense of values as a civilian was still strong and couldn't even get rid of his suspicions towards the Special Investigation Unit to which he belonged. 

"I didn't want to get involved with such doggy things like spirits and Youma. "

"Saying such things....since your power has a special quality, the possibility of living without encountering them is pretty low, I think"

"I, I wanted to deal with the crimes of regular people and someday become a detective! "

"No, that's impossible", concluded Yuuto without hesitation. 

Although unfortunate, when it came to this, Daiki's character supported Yuuto's view. 

Of course, a policeman shouldn't have a scary face but being mistaken for a minor during night lookouts, he couldn't be given a job of protecting someone.

"Besides, you should look at reality a bit more. I think that Kirika-chan asked you something like ''If you want to become a detective please change your assignment'', no? "

"Uuuu......that...that's......"

"To say it would curse you. If you even think about leaving the Special Investigation Unit would ensure you will die in the first line --- No, even more, that woman would catch your soul and turn you into a sorcerer's divination tool. "

"Waah....No way......", Daiki lamented, having his future void of hope or dreams pointed out to him. 

Yuuto clapped the shoulder of his Kouhai and advised, trying to console him. 

"Well, don't be so discouraged. Your ability to evade death is top-class. If you manage to survive long enough, I'm sure that someday you......."

Pausing in the middle of it, his face became stiff. 

"...........senpai?"

Daiki peeked at Yuuto's face in wonder and he cast down his eyes with a rather false calmness. 

"Quicker than what I thought"

"What? "

"If the enemy can be found by such a halfhearted method, from now on you will be the first recruited for the investigation of dangerous enemies, and every time they will try to kill you, to torment you and curse you. "

"......Don't imagine such unpleasantness"

"So it's unpleasant, as expected? "

"It's unpleasant! "

"I see --- what a pity"

Including as much sympathy as possible, Yuuto hit Daiki's shoulder once more. 

From that attitude, it was easy to guess. The young man who looked like a boy looked up at his senpai with a pale face. 

"H-hey....senpai?"

"That shop window. Slowly turn around. "

Turning in the direction Yuuto pointed out , he clumsily twisted his neck. Doing so, he saw in that huge window pane the reflection of a silver haired beautiful young man and a muscular short one.

The duo was extremely peculiar and probably very singular even in the middle of Tokyo. It was obvious it was the target they were searching for.

''"No, nooooooo waaaaaayyy!"''

Daiki screamed inside his heart. But while doing so, the duo reflected in the show window, walked in the opposite direction from them.

It was a brief moment of unintentional relief. 

"We're following them"

Yuuto gave out the heartless order. 

"Eeeh, shouldn't we let them get away? "

"I don't really care but when Kirika-chan finds about this, will you take responsibility, right? "

"Uuuu, th-that's......."

"If you quit here's hell, if you go forward there's hell, that's your limit. "

"Waaaaaah! "

Overwhelmed by Yuuto's thoroughly ''other people's problem'' laugh, Daiki let out all the piled-up tears. 








"Where do you think they are going? "

"Who knows"

While tailing Chris and Gaia, both exchanged a whisper in a small voice. 

Incidentally, although both of them had many jobs involving non-human opponents, they didn't excess at something so mundane as tailing someone. To make matters worse, this job where they risked their life gave them completely cold feet. 

They planned on running away as soon as the enemy began showing even the smallest sign of alertness. 

But, lucky or unlucky, they looked like absolutely not realizing they were tailed. Therefore, the duo continued chasing after them ---until it became the wrong time to quit.

"Huh? "

Immediately following the curved street corner, Daiki let out a confused voice.

In spite of the fact that the street continued for a little in a straight line, for some reason the subjects of their tail  were not in it.

Thinking it odd, he took a few unsteady steps but suddenly Yuuto grabbed his arm from behind. 

"----Eeh? "

"We've been exposed. Run. "

"No, that's impossible, right? "

A soft voice concluded. From behind.

They both turned around with the fastest movement possible.

As feared, the silhouettes of both Chris and Gaia were standing there. 

They didn't understand the detail but before they knew the shadow was seen through and they seemed to have taken a roundabout path. 

"Waa...aaaah....."

"So, what on earth did you intend to do by following us? ", asked Chris cracking a smile at the confused Daiki. 

That was a smile that normally would make Daiki be charmed even if it belonged to someone of the same sex but understandably, today he didn't have room for that. 

He looked for Yuuto seeking salvation but, that man was hidden behind his kouhai, brimming with the intent to push him. 

The hand supporting his back was definitely not to encourage him but but to push him towards Chris when the time comes. 

It was clear he prepared himself to run by using a decoy. 

''"it's.....it's too much......"''

Daiki was crying in his heart but by really crying out loud, the situation wouldn't get any better. 

Racking his brain like never before he searched for an explanation that those two would consent to. 

"A...actually.....to tell you the truth, we.......are, policemen......."

"The Police? "

Chris looked doubtful at them --- particularly at Daiki. Daiki's voice became even more excited, continuing. 

"It, it's true. I am Asian so I might look young but, I am properly of age. If you want I can show you my identification papers. "

Although flustered, Daiki blamed his child face on race. Chris looked at them very long and finally nodded in consent. 

"Well, that's fine. So, what does the police want with us? Show you our passports? "

"Well......even inside the police we are belonging to a special department. Do you know about the Special Investigation Unit? It a department related to spirit incidents. "

"Aaah, I heard about that. An organization famous for its uselessness. "

"Uuuuu......."

Faced with that point blank manner of speaking, Daiki spontaneously started crying. He didn't have any particular attachment towards it but when thinking that the organization he belonged to was treated as incompetent because be has in it, he felt overwhelmed as expected. 

"Leaving that, we were thinking of asking what such powerful magicians like you doing in Japan.....with all due respect, we received orders to follow you"

Mastering all his willpower, he finished the sentence until the end. 

It was a pretty clever explanation, Daiki was singing his own praise. Meaning that for the time being, there was no contradiction.

"I see, that's deplorable. ", declared Chris in a sinking tone full of pain. 

"De-deplorable, what is? "

"If it's true you're the errand-boy of someone I want to meet, did you finished your verbal message? --- if it's unrelated, there doesn't seem to be a reason to let you live, no?"

A death sentence.

"Whaaah!? If I'm unrelated, there's also no reason to kill me, right? "

"Huh, you didn't know? being stalked by an unknown person is extremely unpleasant, no? ", said Chris while smiling as if nothing in the world bothered him. 

Meaning ''Die for that''. 

"Wait, well, if it's a message you want to transmit, I can do that. Look, because of my line of work, I met with a lot of Practitioners "

"Is that so? But who I want to meet is the daughter of ''that'' Kannagi Clan, you know? "

"Aah, then, leave it to me. The connection with the Kannagi Clan is pretty deep. ", replied Daiki with a joyful look at the sudden chance. 

Chris too, openly nodded delighted at his good luck. 

"That's good. Then ---  tell her to come tomorrow at noon at Shinjuku Central Park. Of course, tell her she should bring the young Fuan prince"

"And the Fujutsushi youngster", added Gaia without hiding his overflowing fighting spirit. 

Without showing any sign of his complete defeat yesterday or maybe precisely because of that, he seemed to burn with revenge. 

"I understand. I will definitely report it. "

"Thank you very much. But --"

Chris interrupted his speech with a somewhat ominous feeling and stared at Daiki and Yuuto. 

He said regretfully.

"For the verbal message, one is enough. "

"Tha --- Waaaah!? "

Daiki tried to protest but he was interrupted by another problem as he was suddenly thrust away from the back. 

He turned around confused, and saw Yuuto running away with lightning speed. 

"Se, senpai!? "

Because he didn't really believe he would use the ''tactics'', he instantly forgot the state of affairs. 

And then, suddenly calming down, he felt an awfully ominous presence from the back.

"Uuu, aah, hey....."

When timidly turning away, at the center of his field of vision, Chris was smiling with the same elegant air. 

But, unlike before, the surrounding were floating with countless water drops defying gravity.

"You have been forsaken. How pitiful. "

"If you think it's pitiful, let me go"

"Even if I said so --- carrying out one's words is my creed", declared Chris calmly to Daiki, already on the verge of tears. 

His tone was polite but it was easy to understand he had no intention of letting Daiki live. He had that kind of expression.

"Well then, sayonara"

Together with those last parting words, an infinite number of water droplets, rushed towards Daiki with a speed impossible to confirm by sight. 

"Hiii"

Resembling a water cutter, the water current that was strongly pressured became a blade that could cut through everything. 

It's impossible for a human body to stand against that power that could turn even diamonds into flakes.

Even more, an average human cannot even respond to that speed. 

The impeding invisible <<Death>>. No matter how much luck one has, the physical body cannot escape from this <<Death>>. 

Consequently---

"Uuu.........Waaaaahhh!"

Pulled out by the threat on his life, Daiki's ability, the <<Demon Eater>> was invoked. 

That could be said to be one of the peaks of his basic power: reaching a miracle instead of disaster. 

The enemy's attack ''for some reason'' or ''miraculously'' failed and his body was protected from fatal woulds. 

But there are times when that is not enough. 

Interfering with fate, the times he cannot escape death, that power switched to a new phase. 

In front of the petrified Daiki's eyes, suddenly, a huge hole opened. 

That hole gulped down all water bullets that were about to pass through his body and disappeared just as sudden as it appeared.

Nothing remained behind. The change produced by Chris' attack was only Daiki's unsightly appearance, sinking on the floor, his back giving out because of shock. 

This was the <<Demon Eater>>. Opening a dimensional hole and swallowing everything that was about to harm himself and expelling it in another dimension. 

"Hooo"

Surprised by defending against his attack, Chris let out a frank voice of admiration. 

"I see, no matter the puniness, there still exists a state's organization to repel demons. They employ such unique people. "

"Eeh, no, that's--- "

Daiki hesitated, mumbling. He heard this power was rare but he absolutely couldn't control it.

If Chris were to amuse himself and attack a second time, this time there was a high possibility he would be turn into a bee hive. 

But luckily where Daiki was concerned, Chris turned his attention somewhere else. 

"So, will you too show me your ability? "

"Eeeh? "

Following Chris's line of sight, Daiki looked over his shoulder. Doing so, he saw Yuuto that was supposed to have run a long time ago in a cold sweat unable to move. 

"Senpai --- why? " 

As expected, he tilted his head to the side puzzled, not thinking the answer will be ''I came to save you''. 

But, the question was immediately cleared. Piercing through the asphalt, ivy-like cords coiled around Yuuto's ankles preventing him from running away. 

"I don't like those who run leaving a comrade behind. If you want to kill him, do it."

With naked contempt, the Chijutsushi said so, over his shoulder. Chris also didn't seem to have a different opinion. 

"All right. Well then, first of all..."

Together with a bland answer, water spirits were summoned once more. This time there weren't a countless number of water droplets but one water sphere materialized and then adjusted its shape to a long, sharp one. 

Compared to the attack on Daiki, this was much more careless. Griping that transparent spear in his hand, the beautiful Suijutsushi took a pitching posture.

"No, wait! Wait! Wait! "

Because his legs were bound, Yuuto couldn't run. So he shook his hands and head panicking, trying to stop Chris. 

"My power is plain. It would be troubling if you expect a show unique in the whole world. "

"Leaving the boring things aside, show it to me first"

But without caring about it, Chris threw the water spear at him without hesitation. 

He easily pierced him. 

His chest easily perforated in the middle, Yuuto's eyes opened wide. And then, his body was thrown backwards, and slowly, as if in slow-motion, it fell to the ground. 

The body lying down sprawling, didn't even twitch. 

"Oh? ", murmured Chris in a tone half surprise and half disappointment.

For a short while he looked at Yuuto but it didn't do anything interesting, only blood was gushing out the whole in his chest. 

After several seconds passed again, Chris finally accepted Yuuto died. This time he let out a sight full of disappointment. And then he slowly shook his head. 

"How boring. It seems his ability wasn't intended for battle, huh? "

He regretted it, but after all, that was everything he had to say. In a tone of killing people like he was playing, he didn't seem to sincerely reflect upon it. 

"Well then, please don't forget the message. "

Those words made Daiki's features, who was staring at Yuuto with a pale face, to jump and look at Chris.

"..........."

In a calm tone, Chris emphasized those words to Daiki, who didn't say anything.

"Do you hear me? "

"............Aaah"

That broad reply made Daiki cast down his eyes in shame. 

".....Isn't this enough? Let me go"

"Yes, of course. I said from the beginning I will only kill one. "

Generously, with an elegant bow, Chris took his leave letting Daiki live. 

And then, Gaia followed too after looking at him full of disgust as if saying ''You coward''.

".......Waaaaaaaahh....." 

When those two disappeared, Daiki threw himself on the ground in relief and breathed a long sigh.

"I thought I was going to die, really....."

He fleetingly look at the place where his senpai was lying down but quickly changed and looked up at the sky, murmuring. 

"You reap what you sow, senpai"

Because of Daiki's character, those words seemed positively cold. But, the reason for them became clear in a few seconds. 

"Humph"

Yuuto who seemed to have died, suddenly got up. And then, with a good complexion, as if he didn't lost a drop of blood, he laughed. 

"Playing dead after a certain-kill. Even if I say so myself, it was splendid. "

"Isn't it weird for a human to live after that? The question of pretense is not the problem.", returned Daiki amazed. 

That expression was hateful as usual but there wasn't much to be surprised about. 

Meaning that for them, this wasn't an unusual situation. 

"Geez, isn't senpai's constitution much more unreasonable than mine? "

"The fact that your's is flashy is the reality. But the fault of this technique is that my clothes get torn every time. Do you think this expense is covered? "

"Who knows? Why don't you ask the chief? "

"Kirika-chan would never forgive something like that! "

"Not my problem even if you tell me! "

It was at the time Daiki replied so at Yuuto, pouting his lips in spite of his age. 

A boy holding a spear --- or maybe a girl --- came rushing. 

Finally arriving at the place the Water and Earth spirits had been activated, Xiaolei noticed the figures of two men. 

But they were not the ones she was searching for. Xiaolei was disappointed at their escape but she immediately discovered the huge red blood stain on one man's chest. 

Looking around the surroundings, she discovered a great number of marks. 

There were water puddles everywhere and soil rising through the asphalt. 

Matching it to the man's wounds, the state of affairs became clear. Without a doubt, there was a fight here. 

Perhaps, between these men and them. 

Xiaolei looked at those two including killing intent. 

"You two --- who did you fought with? "

"---- you are? "

The child-faced man asked cautious. That gaze was going back and forth between Xiaolei's girl-like but dangerous expression and the spear she was gripping in her hand. 

That was the first time Xiaolei realized Kokusen was bare. Surely, before she ran here it was wrapped in its pouch but because of her killing intent the spear reacted and the power that leaked out tore it off. 

"Are you perhaps, the Fuan Ojou-sama? ", interjected the blood-stained man. 

Unbelievable from the quantity of blood-loss that would make one loose consciousness at best, he seemed unnaturally healthy for some reason.

"......who are you people? "

Replying with a question at a question. She had no intention of revealing any information before she knew who they were. 

But, in spite of the impenetrable attitude, th blood-stained man accosted her much too familiar. 

"There's no need for that way of talking, no? We did our best and worked for Ojou-sama's sake. "

"What.......what is this? "

"Aah, we are from the Special Investigation Unit and we were searching for Christian Roengram and Gaia at your --- or rather, the Kannagi Clan's request. "

Because she understood the child-faced man's explanation, Xiaolei slightly softened her killing intent. 

"Come to think of it, Ayano said something like that"

"That's right, we're not the enemy so please don't make such a scary face. Aaah, my name is Shimon Yuuto. Nice meeting you. "

"I am Isurughi Daiki. Nice meeting you"

The two men introduced themselves with a smile but Xiaolei response was blunt.

"I don't really care about your names. Rather than that, did you find them? "

"Yes just now. They nearly killed us. ", nodded the child-faced one-- Daiki. 

The girl drew near with a bloodcurdling expression. 

"Where? Where did they go? "

"I, I don't know that. Even we, we only managed to survive this. "

While he was being grabbed by the collar and shook, Daiki explained frantically. 

Xiaolei looked at him with a plain ''what a useless guy'' and roughly thrust him away. 

"Shit, but, if they're still close...."

Hanging her hopes on a thread, she searched for their presence in the surroundings. 

The blood-stained man-- Yuuto's voice reached the concentrating girl's ear.

"Aaah, by the way, there's a message from them"

"What----? "

Xiaolei pressed Yuuto with a changed expression. 

"Say it! What did they say? "

"Hmmm, what to do---"

But, while lazily evading the girl's spirit, Yuuto smiled somewhat mischievous, or rather lewd. 

"We did our best and put our life on the line but there wasn't a single word of thanks. In this situation, without a kiss of appreciation, I don't think I can remember the message...."

Without even letting him finish his sentence, Xiaolei made Kokusen flash and the silver edge was next to the man's neck. 

"Wow, a kiss of appreciation, huh? "

Together with that subdued murmur, the last millimeter that separated the blade and the neck was filled. 

At the slightly cold feel on his carotid artery, Yuuto's smiling face froze.

"Should I give you a very hot one with this? "

"Aaah, no, that's.......I'm sorry"

Yuuto apologized without shame or honor. Daiki gazed at that stiff face amazed and spit the words out together with a sigh.

".......Senpai, does your range include even such children? "

"No, I'm already imaging the five years older version so I'm just trying to call dibs....no, that's a lie, for someone like me even touching your shadow would be too awesome.  "

Daiki didn't understand but it seemed like the blade was lightly pressed into the carotid artery. 

With a sidelong glance at Yuuto, unfolding a disorganized but insincere explanation, he frankly gave her the message. 

"Tomorrow at noon, you are supposed to go at Shinjuku Central Park. You and Ayano-san, together with Yagami-san. "

"............"

"Tomorrow, huh......? Are they setting traps......then, maybe right now......!"

She scowled at Daiki as if shooting through him. And then, grabbing him by the collar, she pressed closer.

"Hey! Where is this Shinjuku Central Park? "

"Eeh....it's this way. There are a lot of signs, so if you follow them, I don't think you can get lost......but, why...?"

There was no answer. By the time he noticed, Xiaolei was running, already ten meters away and faded away, accelerating. 

"No, I don't think they'll be there ''now''......."

Of course, that murmur didn't reach the girl's ears. He looked at Yuuto, as if saying ''what's the deal with her'' but he was looking after the running girl, his face breaking into a smile. 

"Well, she was a fine aggressive girl. It seems like I found a new preference "

"........Senpai, I'm saying this just to be sure but that's a crime. "

As a human being, as a policeman, Yuuto didn't seem to care. 





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