Kaze no Stigma:Volume4 Chapter 2

Chapter 1 - How to defeat a magician

Part 1

As if during a wake, heavy silence was looming over class 2-B waiting for the morning opening.

Three days have passed since then. Utsumi's house arrest finished yesterday. Already there wasn't a single person who didn't know why was that man punished.

Maybe he won't come. That thought, accompanied by a feeling of oppression that could crush their hearts was darkly dyeing the class and the Academy.

From that moment three days, yes only three days passed. During that time seven girls from the tennis club have been assaulted. Some had traffic accidents. Others lost their consciousness, continuing to look at something invisible.

They were victims of an unknown illness unconscious even after so long.

There were plenty of reasons. There wasn't anything common between them.

There was a lot of suffering in a small period of time but looking at it logically, there is no other explanation except accident.

But.

There wasn't a single person in this class that believed they happened by chance.

There was a connection. One that exceeded both logic and common sense.

The man named Utsumi Kousuke.

The ones that brought down the punishment for the locker room peeking incident, the ones that took the initiative, the seven that had unexpected accidents.

In a sense, Utsumi became a school celebrity. His gloomy personality was well known and the locker room peeking incident was known around the school the next morning.

Ant then immediately following that, the chain of accidents clearly exceeding chance. The fact that a lot of people connected those two was the natural outcome.

When the first person collapsed some jokingly said it.

"It's him"

"Because of Utsumi's extreme resentment, she was cursed"

At that time, it was still a joke. But as the number of victims increased the number of people who took it as a joke decreased and then disappeared.

A curse.

They started talking about such an unscientific word as if it was real.

Various rumors appeared.

That Utsumi was hiding close when the traffic accidents happened -

That one girl staring into empty space screamed "Utsumi is there!"

That late at night a transparent Utsumi appeared by the bedside of a girl in comma.

Everything was a rumor. It had no foundation.

But the mystery of the occurring accidents were coupled with Utsumi's weirdness and the unscientific occult stories had a strange sense of reality.

Especially for his colleagues in 2-B this wasn't a joking matter. If only Utsumi wasn't in this class -

"Good morning!"

".....!!"

The entire class' eyes concentrated on the girl that casually entered.

That was the girl that started the Utsumi's punishment in the first place - Kudo Nanase.

It Utsumi was the one that cursed the girls from the tennis club, then she should have been first on his list.

But Nanase has yet to meet with a misfortune. That being the case, everything must be a coincidence. Or maybe she is being reserved for the best feast - most of the people thought so.

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

Reacting with a frown to their gazes full of fear and pity, Nanase stared at them one by one.

Overpowered by the unflinching gaze, the entire class turned their eyes away.

"Good grief...."

Sighing from the bottom of her heart and as if pushing her way through the gloomy atmosphere, Nanase went to her spot.

Sitting down somewhat roughly, this time she really let out a small breath.

"The situation is so awkward..."

It seems most people believe the rumors. Fearing the paranormal abilities of Utsumi - no, being influenced by the fearful atmosphere.

Maybe there are people among these who were joining in Utsumi's cajolery. Together with such unpleasent thoughts, Nanase remembered yesterday's situation.

"What did you say?"

Hearing such words that didn't seem likely to be true, Nanase involuntarily asked back in a loud noise.

As if not wanting to meet her eyes the tennis club girls hid their faces en masse.

Seeing that no matter how long she waited they won't speak, Nanase repeated her question in a somewhat stiff manner.

"I'm sorry but can you repeat it once more?"

"Th- that....I mean......"

As a representative, the second-year manager - Tanaka Yui, timidly started speaking.

"Don't you want us all......to apologize.....to Utsumi-kun?"

"What for?", replied Nanase immediately.

She continued, as if trying to press for an answer the girls keeping silent.

"What kind of reason is there to apologize to that guy? We're sorry for not letting you peek or something?"

The solid argument silenced the girls'. But decidedly they didn't agree.

"Keep your cool", Nanase persuaded them in a calm voice staring at those faces with the same expression.

"There's only one way to make that sort of man behave himself. If we take a resolute attitude then - "

"But - But - !", Yui shouted, interrupting Nanase's words, unable to hold it in any longer.

"We'll be cursed! There's no other way! Mie-san won't wake up, even Madoka - "

"Madoka? Did something happen to Shina?"

Shina Madoka is a second year in the tennis club and perhaps the most beautiful girl in the club. Wearing her somewhat quirky hair in a ponytail, she was an lively girl but -

"She suddenly collapsed when she was talking with me over the phone yesterday - She was attacked by Utsumi's vengeful spirit!", Yui shouted as hard as she could. A scream full of fear and horror.

All the girls listened to her with pale faces. It's not like they heard the story the first time. They knew the details in advance. But they can't grow accustomed to it, no matter how many times they hear it. It's understandable. It's not a simple ghost story. Because anyone can be next.

"I heard Utsumi's voice over the phone. Even if Madoka was in her room! She desperately said: Please, stop, I'll do whatever you say But - But!"

The first years plugged their ears. Squatting down while strongly closing their eyes, their faces full of bitterness.

"No......no more....."

Bursting into tears Yui stared at Nanase with a rough breath, cornered, her pupils swaying between sanity and madness.

"That's why it can't be helped. Before she was attacked Madoka said so. That Utsumi threatened her. That he told her to do as he said if she didn't want to be cursed"

"Did he want sex?"

If possible, she wanted to hear a denial but the Yui hanged her head in shame, her body trembling. She hit the bull's eye.

"He's thorough sleazebag, that bastard....."

As one would expect she was shocked. But, right now there is another problem.

Staring at the frightened, anxious girls, Nanase asked frankly, so that there won't be any misunderstanding.

"What you are trying to say is that instead of getting cursed it's better to give him your bodies, right?"

"......!"

Having the reality thrust before their averted eyes, their faces warped with pain.

If they were to calmly think about, it was impossible to permit such a thing. Regardless of them being experienced or not, to permit that thing to play with their bodies.

But if doing so would buy their safety, there is no reason to stop.

"If you want to do such a thing, it would be better to do it. I have no particular reason to stop you. But I'm out. I choose death"

As if showing there's no room for argument, Nanase turned her back to the girls. And then walked away.

"Wait - "

Nanase didn't stop. She didn't want to waste her time on something useless.

"Why are you talking as if it doesn't concern you? Isn't it your fault? Take responsibility!"

Unintentionally Nanase turned her head around when hearing the accusing words.

"Responsibility?"

What do you mean? was her face saying but then she saw the girls' faces. She understood it all.

"Ah, I see", she replied emotionless.

"Why you try to sell it's not your bodies but mine. Then just say so"

"Wr- wrong!"

Being looked at like a stone on the roadside, with a glance full of disdain, Yui's complexion changed and she objected.

"I'm not thinking about pushing this on Kudo-san. It's just that Utsumi-kun likes Kudo-san so you should come together with us - "

"I refuse"

Without reserve, Nanase bisected that reason and threw it away.

"My fault? Responsibility? Don't be naive. I stopped him at that place but you were the ones who decided to lynch him. Take responsibility for your own actions"

"I - I didn't decide it! I was just dragged into this by Mie and the others, that was all...."

A bitter cry. Hearing Yui's words, trying to dodge responsibility so late in the game, Nanase replied somewhat indifferent.

"Just tell Utsumi that"

"Uuu...waaaaaaaaaaaahh!"

Yui broke down crying. The other girls consoled her while looking at Nanase with reproach. But Nanase didn't even flinch.

Feeling attacked by Nanase's severe glint in the eye, all the girls cast their eyes down.

"Why....why did it turned out like this? Were we doing something wrong? Would it have been better to keep quiet and let him do as he pleased!? ...Hey, answer!"

Raising up her tearful face, Yui shouted. But there was no one there to answer. Nanase too, doesn't know what was the best thing those girls could have done.

But it was obvious what she should do.

"Tomorrow - "

Nanase informed the other girls, who started crying too as if Yui's cry was contagious.

"Tomorrow, if Utsumi comes to school I'll talk to him."

"T- talk?"

It doesn't seem that there is any place for discussion at this point. Nanase continued disinterestedly seeing the surprised girls, not understanding her intention.

"It it doesn't get through to him and if he really can use something like magic, perhaps I can do something. I know someone who can. That's why, don't be rash"

"........"

Finishing what she had to say, Nanase turned her back to the surprised girls and started walking.

"Is she still there?"

While regretting she got such a late start, first Nanase went toward the student council.

If Utsumi can use magic, he may be too much for her. But, she had friends. Friends who, in various ways, were very reliable.

"......thc!"

The opening door made a rough sound and then, a large number of people simultaneously suppressing the indication of a shudder, called Nanase back from the depth of her thoughts.

Following the others, she looked at the door. She frowned at the expected scene.

He, was there.

A short body that seemed pressed from above. The loosen body without any training. His amphibian negected face covered in pimples and his cold sweat, oozing out regardless of season, glistening.

"Utsumi.....", someone whispered in a grazed voice.

That's right, the one standing there was without mistake Utsumi Kousuke.

But -

An extremely uncomfortable feeling spread out in waves.

His outside appearance didn't change the slightest. But he was a totally different person.

His facial expression, his eyes are different. The servility-like complexion and his upturned eyes that sneakily peeked at other people disappeared without a trace.

Instead his eyes were lodging with an arrogance that scorned everything else beside him. On his ugly warped mouth scorn was clearly expressed.

"Move", Utsumi ordered proudly. Unexpectedly the pupil standing in front of him jumped as if he came across garbage. That action came more from disgust rather than fear but Utsumi smiled with his whole face comfortably.

"Ku ke ke"

He started walking laughing loud enough to hurt their ears and the students around opened the way in hot haste. The people standing down at their desks that were in his way took distance.

Utsumi walked on, literally on a straight line. The one at the arriving point was -

"Nanase"

Having been addressed so friendly Nanase raised her eyebrows in discomfort. She looked up at Utsumi standing in front of her in silence.

"........what's up with that expression?"

Utsumi was visibly irritated seeing that Nanase wasn't scared of him. The dangerous situation was filing the air.

Feeling the electrifying atmosphere the students held their breath and stood rock still.

"Nanase!"

"H- hey, wait - "

When Utsumi called out for the second time Nanase's name, one classmate readied himself and seized Utsumi's shoulder. Turning back, before the boy was able to say something, Utsumi exploded in a shrill voice.

"Don't touch me!"

At the same time his arm stroke the young man's chest. With no technique, just a blow with all his strength.

"Gaaah!?"

But that power was tremendous. Seeming to make a thick sound the boy's body was blown off a few meters and after falling on top of a bench he crashed into the wall.

His limbs fell on the floor with a heavy sound and the exhausted body was motionless.

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

In the still as death classroom, the turned inside out angry voice propagated.

"Don't talk to me so over-familiarly! I'm different from you! I was chosen, I'm a noble person granted power! Know your place, filth!"

Saying so while rough breathing, Utsumi looked down on Nanase again.

"We need to talk. Follow me Nanase"

Without waiting for a reply he turned back and started walking. But after making a few steps and noticing Nanase didn't move, he turned around with force.

"I told you to follow me!"

His eyes became bloodshot.

While sitting Nanase gazed at Utsumi quietly. Her eyes turned up but there wasn't a particle of flattery in them. While phisically looking up her eyes were psychologically looking down.

"Listen to me Nanase!"

At Utsumi's shout Nanase showed a cold smile. And then she slowly opened her mouth.

"It's Nanase-san for you.....frog asshole"

".................tch!"

His boiling anger dyeing the frog face red, Utsumi grinded his teeth. The sound of it reached the pupil's ears.

"Humph"

Laughing at the depth of Utsumi's self-importance, Nanase calmly stood up.

"well, I'll go with you. Lead the way"

Permitting it with the voice of a clearly superior person, she ordered his guidance.

"C- come with me!"

At the scream with no composure, Nanase coolly nodded and followed after. It was said after that situation seemed like the one between a paid-for slave and his lady proprietress.

Part 2

Utsumi slowly stopped after reaching the rear garden - a place that should also be called the delinquents' spot.

Putting two meters of distance between them, Nanase confronted him.

Clearly led on, Utsumi couldn't clearly open him mouth to talk. It seems he wanted to look composed but his eyes and fingertips moved nervously. It was obvious he was getting impatient.

On the other hand while Nanase's eyes were fixed on Utsumi's, she was still. Although she wanted to urge the conversation, she didn't break the ice and with a chilly look she observed the other party.

"Y- you know why I called you right?"

Finally approaching the limit of patience, Utsumi restlessly started the conversation.

With an indifferent bearing Nanase shrugged her shoulders.

"Who knows..."

" - tch, d- do you want the same fate as the tennis club women? Your fate is in my hand!"

"How terrible"

Answering in a quiet tone, uninterested, she looked down on Utsumi.

"So, when are you going to ask the main question?"

"Y- you...!"

Seeing that Nanase doesn't respond the right way Utsumi's originally limited reasoning was on the verge of snapping apart.

His temple blood vessels pulsated with a fairly dangerous impression.

"Look at this!"

As if a transparent ball was held between his hands, he straightened his bad posture. To one that resembled the firing <<Ki>> technique from games and manga.

"KURARARARARA - Ahhhhhhh!"

Letting out a ten odd seconds scream, together with his spinless yell he pushed out both hands. Doing so, something invisible gushed out from between his palms and run past Nanase's side.

Bakiii!

Behind her the sound of something breaking could be heard.

Looking over her shoulder, a tree trunk larger than her waist had just been broken from inside.

It seems it was smashed by Utsumi's Kame Hame Ha just now.

" - wow"

Nanase let out a whisper of admiration. Feeling empowered from it, Utsumi shouted triumphantly.

"What do you think of my power? this is not all, my real power is <<Curse>>! I can make you ill from far away and even kill you! Did you know? The laws of this country can't punish spell curses. Even if they catch me at the crime scenes the police won't find any proof!"

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

Nanase didn't say anything. She wasn't particularly surprised. She knew about it from yesterday's lecture.

"Wa hya hya hya hya hya hya hya hya hya!"

Perceived that silence in some way, Utsumi laughed with a clearly aberrant voice. He laughed and laughed and rolled about with laughter and glared at Nanase with a crazed expression.

"That's why you can't but feel brittle in front of me! You cannot help but become self-conscious about your own pettiness and pitifully beg for forgiveness! Right?"

Around Utsumi small explosions resounded one after another. His hair fluttered with no wind and the grass beneath his feet was tore off and fluttered in space.

His <<Ki>> was running wildly. That was a phenomenon produced by the disorderly emission of <<Ki>> he couldn't control but Nanase doesn't know that.

With a cold, transparent look she quietly gazed at Utsumi's disgraceful behavior as if it was an interesting but meaningless exhibition.

"So, I'll ask of you once! But even without asking the answer is obvious! Be my slave Nanase!"

"I refuse"

The timing of her answer gave a cross-counter feeling as if hitting the side of his face at the peak of pride.

Not understanding what she said, Utsumi's eyes became round with an idiotic expression.

"Wh- what?"

"I said I refuse", Nanase repeated most indifferent.

"Don't be conceited. Even if you obtained a somewhat usefull power, your own value doesn't change. You weren't an asshole because you had no power. Because your character is vile you're still an asshole. come again after you start thinking about that"

"Y- yo- youu..."

His small body shaking, Utsumi stood rock-still. Because of too much anger he couldn't speak. Because he obtained a great power, a power greater that anyone else's he was a great being.

That's why, because of her own powerlessness, Nanase won't refuse him. She cannot help but accept the honor of being his slave with tears of happiness.

That - That -

"Did you finished talking? Then we're done here. Class is starting"

Without even thinking how much disrespect is she committing, Nanase spoke carelessly.

He couldn't forgive her.

He must punish her.

He must put her in her place.

"Wait!", Utsumi called out in a low tone the back facing the classroom. He showed killing intent for that face, bothersome turning around.

For the second time he took the <<Ki>> throwing position.

He had absolute confidence in the wave of power swelling in the space between his palms. A mass of <<Ki>> was growing between them.

An invisible destructive energy, whose existence could only be recognized by the small distortion in the space around it.

Nobody can oppose that power. It cannot be judged by the law.

- Therefore, no matter what he does it's fine

- if it cannot be imprisoned in the frame of law and common sense, anything it's fine

"...a somewhat useful power...? - wrong, that's so wrong! This power makes me different from the mediocrity you belong to, it's the proof I am a chosen one!"

Nanase was silent. But it was clear from her unfeeling eyes that she didn't admit not even a part of Utsumi's reasoning.

"This is your last chance! Obey me Nanase! Or else - "

"Just try it"

".....................tch!!"

That one word made Utsumi loose the last part of his reason. Raising a voiceless scream, he pulled his hands to his right, one leg bent in front, the other extended behind and took a step forward -

"Too slow"

While following his standard movement, Nanase finished her preparation.

She picked the aim of the things she was holding and pressed the button. The electrical terminal set out by the spring recoil instantly touched Utsumi's shoulder and the ten thousand volt current poured into newbie magician's body via wires.

"GAAH!?"

His large body quivering, Utsumi fell down like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

"Wa- wa- wa- what are you - ?"

Looking down on Utsumi unable to articulate his words, Nanase showed him what was in her hand.

"It's called electric gun. It's like a stun gun with long range capabilities"

But because it can be concealed in the hand it's something for either self protection or surprise attacks. A disposable, one shot weapon. And illegal.

Yesterday when they planned it all Yukari landed it to her but didn't ask how she got it. Too scared.

"Guu.....uuu....un...unfair...."

"It only means that modern science is more helpful than mud-smelling witchcraft"

Lightly retorting to Utsumi's feeble grunt she took out another one from the pocket of her blazer. Without hesitation she aimed for his head and shot.

"........Uu!"

The obese body fell heavily and then it was silent. It seem he lost consciousness this round.

She stared fixedly at the inert body for another ten seconds. And after another ten seconds, confident he won't move Nanase let out a long breath or relief.

"....It went unexpectedly well"

"Huh, was it unexpected?"

At her unconscious murmur she heard a reply full of smiles.

Confused, Nanase slowly turned her head.

"Did you come?"

"Well of course, if by any chance..."

With brusque words, the girl appearing from the shade of the school building nodded while smiling.

It was Nanase's close friend, Kannagi Ayano. Yukari too was standing next to her.

"Good job"

" - Ah, I'm worn out", Nanase replied tiredly at the rewarding remark.

It was a match not quite good for the heart, she assumed a poker face in front of Utsumi but in her heart she was coldly sweating.

No matter how well thought the plan was, an ordinary person shouldn't pick a fight with a magician. Something like that is a job for a sword or hand-to-hand fighting household and has nothing to do with a member of the track and field.

"Was there really no danger? I felt like walking on tightrope"

"Some degree of danger is unavoidable, right? Because it wasn't me there"

Ayano had absolutely nothing to do with this incident.

So no matter how foolish ecstasy made it, if she were to suddenly cross-examine him, he would have gotten suspicions.

So Nanase - the girl he was aiming at was to one who could contact him with no suspicion, have him confess his crime and was able to make him ostentatiously display his power.

"Beside, I told you yesterday right? Sorcery in general is not such an absolute thing. Such a freshly made magician can be defeated by an amateur if taken by surprise"

To say it frankly sorcery is a craft that changes reality according to one's will. So to force out of body such a will nothing else can be done except the magic.

In short, the great majority of people cannot adapt to such a thing.

Just by remembering the score, music doesn't burst out. The way of turning knowledge into craft needs more than learning by rote.

No matter how mighty a power you acquire, an amateur can't all of a sudden become a top-class magician.

The composition of technique, it's development, it's activation - without separately validating such acts, to turn an assembly line product into mastery - a three days space is excessively short.

"You can aim for than gap. It's simple", Ayano declared simply yesterday, when she was requested for magic counter-measures.

"It has nothing to do with the strength or type of one's power. For example, except Utsumi's magic, even if he has the capability of a direct attack, there's no need to be afraid. If he's attack range is less than three meters, you are absolutely faster"

Magic is not absolute. Nor almighty. If you fight against it without fear, it can be opposed with intelligence and effort.

"Well, it went good so it's fine. It all turned out well in the end or something"

As if she earned it, Yukari forced her way between them. But then, she was the one who outlined the plan.

How to calmly make Utsumi lose it? - Lecturing her even on the most insignificant details on how to effectively provoke him, going as far as to give her dangerous self-protection tools it's unknown if the girl has capabilities of mediation or maybe the natural virtue of not raising antipathy.

".......true", releasing her discomfort together with the long breath, Nanase bowed her head to them.

"It's all your merit I was able to catch Utsumi without getting hurt. Thank you"

"You're welcome", Yukari smiled sweetly receiving Nanase's thanks.

"Well, this is what I do", Ayano lightly shrugged her shoulders.

"Leave the rest to me. I'll do something about the cursed girls"

Ayano herself can't do anything to remove the curse directly. The Kannagi technique was specialized to fight directly with Youma and was not suited for such sensitive work.

If it were Ayano's father or her uncle Genma they could burn only the curse without hurting the body but she didn't want to make such a big deal of it and request something like that from them, who were retired.

There was, yet, no need to do it.

Because she knew a more user-friendly practitioner.

I think a public servant should extensively work for the sake of civilians.

Thinking that if she were to say such a think in front of that person she would get cursed, she walked to the school building.

The helper she called had already arrived.

Followed behind by two subordinates, that person waiting in front of the school building noticed Ayano and called out to her, waiving her hand cheerfully.

"Hi, Ayano-chan"

Tachibana Kirika the Chief of the Special Investigation Unit greeted Ayano, smiling with all her face.

Part 3

"Did it go well?", Kirika inquired about the result point-blank.

Not completely understanding why was she so awfully proactive comparatively to when she forced the job on her, Ayano replied.

"Yes, he fell asleep after receiving the electric shock. He fell down on the back yard"

"I see - "

Nodding Kirika turned her eyes to her subordinates. To the muscular almost two meter tall man with an unsophisticated face and the beautiful but very severe short woman. Kirika ordered the huge height difference duo.

"Secure him!"

"Yes!"

The woman energetically saluted, the man bowed and bowed started running to the rear garden. But the speed difference was quite big and while the woman took three steps the man took only one.

Looking at him from the corner of her eyes, the woman screamed.

"Run faster!"

"Y- yes!"

The man's body shook as if hit by lightning and started to run with all his strength.

"Kumagai Officer!"

"Yees!"

Taking action hurriedly, the man - Kumagai started running once again.

For some reason or another the people left behind looked at his silhouette until it dissapeared.

"Detective Tachibana?"

With a rare look filled with compassion, Ayano turned to Kirika.

"Are there the best in your force?"

"..........don't say it", Kirika whispered closing her eyes with a sorrowful expression.

"That man, well.....he's not totally useless should time and circumstance permit"

That reply was delicately phrased but didn't have too much persuasive power.

As if trying to resist the subdued atmosphere Kirika slightly cleared her throat once. And then spoke in a formal tone.

"Well, at any rate we, the Special Investigation Unit will take Utsumi under custody. Leave the rest to us. So, Ayano-chan, can you explain it to me in detail?"

Ayano nodded. But - the class already started. It will be troublesome if she's seen loitering around school.

"Let's go out"

"It's fine. We'll borrow the reception office"

It seem there was no need for concern. Kirika was thoroughly prepared.

Or maybe it seemed like an excessive service.

Frowning, Ayano examined Kirika's facial expression.

"It seems you're considerably interested in this case"

"Ehh? Yes, I want to talk to you about that too. Let's go"

Admitting it quickly, started walking ahead. Ayano followed after. And then -

"Why are you coming too?"

Suddenly turning her head around, Ayano glared at Yukari who followed them like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Eh, I can't? It's unfair to be only Ayano-chan!"

"That's the problem!?"

"Oh well, let's put the jest behind us"

Yukari suddenly put on a serious face.

"No, I wasn't joking..."

Smoothly ignoring Ayano's protest, she looked at Kirika.

"If you want to hear a detailed story it would be bad if I was missing. Ayano-chan doesn't know much about it"

Kirika looked at Ayano. It seems she's trust Ayano's judgement on this.

Reluctantly Ayano nodded.

"It's true I'm pretty much an outsider when it comes to this particular case. I think it would be easier to understand it Yukari were to explain"

"As expected of Ayano-chan. You understood, huh♥"

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

Ayano carelessly shook her head and called out to Nanase resigned.

"Do you want to come too?"

"No"

Her answer was clear and simple.

"All I know Yukari knows too. I leave the rest to you"

And then Nanase turn her back on them and started walking with no reluctance. That gallant walking figure disappeared inside the school building without looking over her shoulder once.

After Nanase's figure disappeared, Kirika let out an admiring mutter.

"That girl.....she's kind of cool, huh?"

"Right, Nanase-chan is really popular"

"Even among girls?"

"Ehh, that's where she's more than popular"

Yukari and Kirika exchanged a teasing smile. For some reason, they got along perfectly.

Sensing something chilling from the future these two will be intimate in, she forcibly urged them on.

"Oi, let's get going. Even if you have permission, I'll be yelled at if we're found!"

Why was she getting chills...?

"Please take your time"

The female clerk brought tea cakes - three of them - in a courteous manner

"Yum, it's delicious - "

Quickly sipping tea, Yukari raised her voice in admiration. That was unavoidable. They knew by scent. This was Gyokuro, a top quality green tea.

Their treatment was excellent. Even if it seemed the school was not happy about the police intervention.

"Detective Tachibana, what did you tell them when borrowing this place"

"Nothing much in particular", said Kirika in the middle of elegantly sipping from her cup.

"Just, I told them all I knew and made small talk like It would be very serious if this were to be spread, right?"

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

This was a clear, no subterfuge involved.

"As expected of Kirika-san. Lovely!"

Moreover, the final blow came from her neighbor. Looking at her, Yukari's eyes sparkled and looked up to Kirika with an expression of aspiration.

"As expected as long as the goal is reached the methods don't care, huh?"

"Yes, I think so too"

The duo reaching an inhuman agreement. Looking at those smile in opposition to what they just said, Ayano was intentionally perplexed.

"Why are the people around me all like this.....?"

But this was not the place to greeve over her personal misfortune.

"So, Ayano-chan please start"

As Kirika resumed the conversation like nothing happened and demanded an explanation, Ayano spoke in a worn-out voice.

"Yukari, please"

"OK, leave it to me"

Nodding energetically, Yukari started talking about the details of the mystery cases that happened in the last few days.

"Hey...."

As it was all explained, Ayano's face became pale.

She heard only detestable things.

A very accurate description on the hospitalized victims, impossible to have without actually reading the clinical records. Information enumeration that only relatives could possibly know. At the time she started quoting from the police reports of the traffic accidents, Ayano unintentionally hugged her body to keep herself quiet.

On the other hand Kirika listened to it with a straight face but she could barely manage to hold it in.

"I see.....that's stereotypical"

After finishing listening to the report, Kirika murmured letting out a long breath.

"Stereotypical....?"

"You asked me before, right?"

At Ayano's question, Kirika started speaking with that introduction.

"Ayano-chan's request was like a godsend to me. Lately, this kind of incident is frequent"

"You mean, killing curses?"

"No, there are some but I don't know how to say it. Children from the middle to the second half of their teens suddenly startd to manifest special powers. Ayano-chan was supposed to have come across something like that once, no?"

Surprised, Ayano raised her eyebrows. Without even thinking, she answered.

"The one in Ikebukuro - "

The flirty man who demonstrated a bizarre amplification of physical strength.

"Yes. Lately there are more and more of those kind of people. Not belonging to any special lineage nor there is evidence of learning it"

The same kind like Utsumi, who had nothing special to him except his peeping photos mania but suddenly obtained the power of magic.

"How about ability types and their strength?", Ayano asked, a freezing light dwelling in her eyes.

The face of a Jutsu-shi.

"It varies. Fire and wind, people who can manipulate electricity, enhance their bodies by magic power, use the Evil Eye. As for their ability, the Special Investigation Unit personnel has no choice but to deal with that degree of power"

It was the result of controlling power for the first time. As if Utsumi was defeated by Nanase, a civilian, no matter how large your power is, it's meaningless if you can't control it.

Even an incompetent but genuine Jutsu-shi who can perfectly control his ability has no reason to lose to an amateur who only has power.

But, to a civilian who doesn't know such things, it becomes an overwhelming advantage. The power to kill people without weapons and one that can't be judged by law, few will abstain from using it for personal gains.

"It's pretty much how Ayano-chan imagines it. They do whatever they like"

With good timing, Kirika supported Ayano's conjecture.

"Using their power for blackmail, for assault. On top of that fighting with others like them. Good grief, at least if they would be more cautions of public notice"

Ayano agreed with a hard facial expression. It's bothersome displaying their power in public. If mass-media would get wind ofit, it would get very troublesome just to hush it up.

"Ah - I heard about that"

Without thinking of the serious atmosphere a simple-minded voice was heard.

Ayano and Kirika, both looked at the girl glad looking like a sweet bean jelly.

"Shinomya-san, can you tell us in more detail?"

"On an Internet bulletin board, there was that kind of post. Saying that in Shinjuku there are people who psychic battle"

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

This time the girls looked at Kirika.

"Certainly, the incidents are concentrated in the Shinjuku. Was there something else."

Urging for a continuation, Yukari smiled apologetically.

"After that I skimmed it so I don't know a lot. It felt like some mysterious-less story so I didn't care"

"Mysterious-less, what do you mean?"

"It looked like some game talk. Such as special move or invincible combo, how many to defeat for level-up among other things"

"......what's up with that? Wasn't is really just game talk?"

"Yeah, I thought so too so I left it alone but - "

"But it's also true those kind of incidents happen"

Taking over Yukari's words, Kirika continued.

"Shinomiya-san, can you tell me after the address of that bulletin board?"

"Ah, yes, I understand"

Bringing that topic to a close, Yukari lightly agreed and changed her focus once more to Ayano.

"I don't think I need to say, a natural outbreak of people with special abilities at such a large scale it's impossible. Someone or something hides at the bottom of this."

"I agree"

"That's why, I want you to cooperate with our investigation. The majority of people who obtained power are middle and high school students. It's possible incidents that happened in schools didn't reach out ears."

The space called school is organized like a society. Those inside are distrustful of the external world so outsiders - especially adults are equivalent with a different species. Kids hate adults. The teachers dislike scandal. If those two parties were to collide, nothing can be concealed.

Just like when a murder happens, the society settles as an unfortunate accident, the school is a miniature society.

"I'm asking you so can you help...and then - "

She winked significantly to Yukari. Ayano realized her intention but before she could object, Yukari nodded without reserve.

"All right, if you're fine with me I'll be glad to help"

"Yukari, you're promising without thinking again!", shouted Ayano, her complexion changed.

But even so Yukari wasn't perturbed. Her smiling face carried the firmness of her decision and clearly declared.

"This is not an empty promise. I know it could be dangerous but if it can be helpful to Ayano-chan I'll do it. You're always helping me, I need to reciprocate"

"Yukari......"

It's not like Ayano was hanging out with Yukari for so long just for show. She understood that at such times Yukari could't be persuaded.

However -

"Yukari, did your danger screw became loose or something? It' the same for the discussions we were having, should't you think a little more before hanging out with people like me?"

"I think I told Ayano-chan before that there's nothing to be nervous about"

"That's something for me to decide, right? Even if we normally hang out, when such thing happen you should take your distance!"

"......those, aren't friends!"

Defeated by Yukari's expression who whispered so in a stunned expression, Ayano was at a loss for words. She looked at Kirika as if asking for assistance but she drank her her pretending not to see her.

"Hey, this is tasty"

Sampling the green tea with each sip, she tried a different method. Regaining her composure she dealt with Yukari's persuasion.

"This time you understood right? Those like me hold an absolute superiority in regard for people like you. Don't you feel even a little fear?"

"As of today Utsumi-kun lost to Nanase, a civilian so I'm not really scared"

"Don't joke around"

Ayano quickly rejected Yukari's attempt to joke. Feeling her friend's seriousness, Yukari slightly changed her expression.

And then, she said.

"Ayano-chan is different from Utsumi-kun"

Those obvious words said in an obvious way - included an unconditional trust.

"The weight of Ayano-chan's power, even if it's a little, I understand it. You have a strong heart that holds your power in check. That's why I love Ayano-chan"

Yukari clearly remembers even now the first time she saw Ayano's power.

She was scared.

Thoroughly burning to nothing a monster without even touching him, taking out a sword made of flames from an empty space and just by waving it once changing the surroundings in a sea of flames.

Even calling it overwhelming seems stupid, an immense power. When she found herself in front of that power, she had no choice but to see herself as a helpless petty existence.

She was scared.

More than the unfamiliar strange monster, the girl she thought of as a friend was much, much more scarier.

But - Ayano protected her.

Although hurt by her inconsiderate attitude, Ayano protected her. Although understanding their relationship will never be the same, that she was hated, Ayano still protected her.

She won't forget her determined eyes.

She won't forget her determined appearance from behind, her iron will.

"No matter what people like Utsumi-kun who only think about themselves do, there's no need to be afraid of Ayano-chan. It doesn't matter if all magicians except Ayano-chan are like Utsumi-kun. Because I believe in Ayano-chan"

Why did it seem so? That people only seeking pleasure, without knowing the responsibility privilege brings, were similar to Ayano.

Even imagining that was similar to an insult.

"Ehhh......Ah-,...ugh........", blushing in an embarrassed way, Ayano mumbled.

After being praised so much so earnestly, she couldn't find comeback words.

In front of Ayano, at a loss for words, Yukari expressed the same soft smile, as if understanding everything.

"So, please. Let me help you, please?"

Sweetly pestered by Yukari, Ayano put up resistance with all her strength by prolonging the silence,

But - Ayano was not strong nor heartless enough to refuse her now.

"Then, it's like that"

The moment Ayano, reluctantly, extremely reluctantly agreed, Kirika settled it.

Even though she feigned ignorance until now - Ayano glaring at her with eyes full of resentment, Kirika was unconcerned.

"I'll be relying on you two. Because Kazuma is also on this so please get in touch if necessary"

"Is Kazuma doing this too?"

"Yeah, he's searching together with our newcomer"

At those unexpected word, Ayano's eyes opened wider.

"Do you have a practitioner capable enough to be Kazuma's partner?"

"No, that person's ability is unbearably burdensome but in the future it may become one of our main force. That's why, I think that person should accumulate as much experience as possible - what's the matter?", asked Kirika surprised, seeing Ayano frown.

In a strangely tight tone, Ayano asked:

"Is that person a beautiful woman?"

As one would expect, Kirika opened her eyes wide in surprise. But that face immediately expressed a Cheshire Cat smile.

"That's person is cute, for a man. He won't become Ayano-chan's rival in love so you can relax"

"Oh, Ayano-chan is so jealous", said Yukari imitating Kirika.

But, although Ayano would get angry at such things, this time she didn't react.

Staring at Kirika doubtfully, Ayano asked her in a depressed tone.

"Detective Tachibana, do you think that Kazuma will cover for some burdensome man?"

"......Eh?"

"It's not even about neglecting him in a pinch. If Kazuma even believes that man will get in his way it's not unlikely he will behead him"

"Eh? No, but, to go that far......"

As if something suddenly came to her mind, Kirika's face became stiff.

And then, Ayano gave her the finishing blow.

"This is none of my business, but will he survive long enough to prove himself useful, that newcomer?"

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

This time, Kirika became completely speechless.