Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

1

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

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

What to do.....

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

Take me to the sea

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

No way

I don't want to hear

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

I don't want to hear it

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

Because I am the priest of the ceremony

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

"But it doesn't have to be you-"

ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

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

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

Memories of her own?

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have nothing to remember."

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

Without saying anything, Ren starred at ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the ski windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-she wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-this is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.

"ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

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

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....if we could do that, it would be very nice....."

2

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, ayumi muttered:

"Is this... the sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

If I had light....light -?

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

Do it!

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, the innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched er chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren....seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the firs time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

3

The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only apponent pursuing them.

Drawing ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and ayumi.

as one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

If that is the case, she too can...

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

Good grief, I need to be more careful.

Agreeing to ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

"Elder sister?"

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"