Disclaimer: I don't own anything. (Though I wish I do)
Summary:
Have you ever heard of Dark Magic? What do you know about them? Natsuki is a rising star in the Fuka Police Headquarter who solves her case based on logic & facts. However, her world is turned upside down when she meets Shizuru. Shizuru lives in a world that can never be defined by logic and facts. What happens when the two meet? ShizNat Rated T for now
Fuuka Academy, that is where Shizuru-san is currently studying in. She might be willing to help. Natsuki thought as she picked up her phone…...
"Ne...Natsuki..." Shizuru asked as she placed a hand under her chin, looking thoughtful. She was now standing outside the University Cultural Center, the building where Nao met the ghost.
"Hai Shizuru-san?" Natsuki replied but her thoughts were elsewhere.
She is indeed a very beautiful woman. Natsuki thought as she took in Shizuru's appearance.
Shizuru was wearing a dark purple dress that hugged her like a skin and cut just slightly above the knee, showing off the excellent figure that she has. The colour a contrast to her creamy skin. And her long pale legs were shown off with a knee high high heel boots. To counter the cool weather, she had on a dark brown classy overall outfit made her look elegant yet sexy at the same time.
Unlike her. Natsuki shuffled on her feet and subconsciously tugged at her white tank top and worn out jeans. She seemed sloppily dressed compared to Shizuru.
"Why do we have to meet at 10pm?"
"...I thought exorcism is normally done at night? Is there a problem?" Shizuru's question had Natsuki's attention.
"Ara...how do you know Natsuki?"
"I read it from some book!" Natsuki felt the need to defend her earlier statement.
"Ara...Natsuki is very hardworking ne….researching into exorcism and paranormal activities?" Shizuru teased.
"I didn't do that! I just...just happened to glance through some random book which was left lying around and it mentioned something about the timing." There was no way Natsuki was going to tell Shizuru that she has researched extensively into paranormal activity after Shiho's incident. She had stayed up late watching horror movies and reading up on books, all just to have a better idea of the nether world. And she was not going to admit that the horror movies and stories were keeping her awake late into the night and jumping at shadows, not to say that she ended up with dark eye circles.
It was...embarrassing.
"I see…" A smile tugged at Shizuru's lip. "So Natsuki likes to just read some random book that was lying around."
"Of course!" Natsuki nodded her head vigorously, a suspicious red hue appearing on her cheeks.
Wait a minute. There is something wrong with Shizuru-san's words but she couldn't quite put her fingers on it.
"Right…" Shizuru's smile widened. "So can Natsuki wait for me here while I settle the issue on the third floor."
"What a minute, don't you need me to tell you the exact location of the ghost?"
"There is no need. I can see for myself. In fact you can also see for yourself if you use this." Shizuru took out a pair of sunglasses from her makeup box and handed it to Natsuki.
Natsuki wore the sunglasses and looked towards the building. Through the red tinted lense, she saw a blue-ish dark aura surrounding the female toilet on the third floor.
Natsuki took off the glasses and everything returned normal. But the dark aura returned when Natsuki wore the glasses.
"This is a special pair of sunglasses. It allows the wearer to see things that naked eyes could not. The lenses was soaked in the tears of dogs for days for it to work. Dogs are one of the creatures that could see the supernatural beings. If you see them barking or howling for no reason, that could be because they see these supernatural beings. So when human rub their eyes with the tears of dogs, they would also be able to see the supernatural beings too. But I chose to improvise and soak the lenses in the tears. So when you wear the glasses, you should be able to see an aura surrounding the toilet. That would be the strong Yin (阴) energy gathered by the ghost. And if you wear this to the toilet, you would probably be able to see the ghost itself, without it having to show itself."
"I see. " Natsuki said as she fumbled with the glasses.
"Hold on to this talisman while I am away. It will keep you safe when I am away." Shizuru said as she took a step towards the building. "It should be a quick one."
"Hold on." Natsuki grasped Shizuru's wrist just before she could turn away. "It is dangerous for you to go in there alone. I will accompany you."
Surprised, Shizuru turned to look at Natsuki.
Natsuki's faced set in determination. "I am the one who asks for your help so I can't leave you alone to handle this dangerous situation."
Natsuki's words sent warmth spreading within Shizuru. There was a fuzzy feeling within her.
But second later, amusement set in as Shizuru arched her brow and turned to come face to face with Natsuki. "Ara, what is Natsuki going to do if I am in danger?"
"Whatever I can to protect you!" Natsuki replied, completely serious.
Shizuru was surprised once again by Natsuki's reply.
No one has ever said that to her. Not even her family members. They have always assumed that she was capable of handling all kinds of situation. And their perceptions of her being a powerful exorcist strengthened each time she succeeded an exorcism.
No one ever considered that she could be hurt when dealing with the supernatural except now, until Natsuki.
Perhaps, they have always seen her as close to an invincible and powerful exorcist. And she herself too has begun to see herself in that light too, forgetting that she was just a human being.
Even when Yuiichi Nii-sama asked for her help in finding Shiho-chan, he sees her more as an exorcist rather than an imouto. Someone capable of helping him
"Ara ara Nat-su-ki is such a sweet girl ne." And this time Shizuru smiled. A real smile that reflected sincerity. Shizuru has decided from now onward, to place Natsuki under the 'friends' category.
"Let's go then." Shizuru said as she grasped Natsuki's hand in a tight grip, feeling the warmth of Natsuki's hand, warming up her heart as well.
Natsuki nodded, still reeling from the impact of Shizuru's beautiful smile just now.
She is pretty when she smile like that.
A distance away, Tomoe stared in disbelief as she saw Shizuru holding on to the hands of a stranger.
She couldn't believe her eyes.
And slowly the disbelief sunk in replaced by anger. Her whole body shaking so badly from the uncontrolled anger. Her breath short and ragged.
What is that dirty peasant doing, touching a Onee-sama with her filthy hands! And smiling at Onee-sama with that flirty smile. Such a slut! Not deserving of Onee-sama's time.
Anger built up readily within Tomoe, just like a volcano ready to erupt.
She need to do something about that peasant.
Her hands trembling so badly as she took out her smartphone to send Shizuru a message. She could hardly see through the red haze surrounding her vision.
She fumbled for awhile until she finally managed to send a message to Shizuru, asking for her whereabouts. And she stood there waiting in the open space waiting for her Onee-sama to reply her message.
Tomoe had heard about the rumor of ghost sighting around the Fuuka University Cultural Building and had wanted to capture it for her own spell. But she never expect to see Shizuru Onee-sama here as well and with a stranger.
The first time she had seen Onee-sama was when she first entered Fuuka High school. She was 16 then and Shizuru Onee-sama 17. Despite being just a second year in High School, Shizuru was already the Student Council President, puching out the third year seniors to be the youngest Student Council President in the history of Fuuka High School.
Tomoe could still vividly remember seeing Shizuru Onee-sama for the first time, standing at the podium giving the welcoming speech to the new students. She stood there, her honey colored hair falling nicely around her pale face and a gentle smile on a face. Her ruby colour eyes brimming with confidence at she stood there looking at the students seated on the chairs in the hall, like a regal Queen welcoming her subjects. As she spoke, her kyoto accent added charm to her speech, capturing the attention of everyone. It was then that Tomoe decided that she would strive hard so that she could stand next to Shizuru Onee-sama as her partner.
She had followed Shizuru Onee-sama from Fuuka High School to Fuuka University and now serving together with Onee-sama in the Student Council with Shizuru Onee-sama as a Student Council President and her as a member.
She had been following Shizuru Onee-sama for many years, waiting for her to acknowledge and accept her as an equal. But even if Shizuru Onee-sama did not do that, she was contented with observing her, the regal Queen, from a distance.
But that peasant, that slut had entered into the picture, polluting the air which Shizuru Onee-sama was breathing. Tricking Onee-sama so that she could have Onee-sama's attention.
But not to worry, she would find some ways to get rid of that slut. Just like how she did it with the rest who dares to get too close to Onee-sama.
20 minutes had passed when she saw Shizuru Onee-sama and the blue hair stranger leaving the building. And Shizuru Onee-sama was chuckling at what the stranger was saying.
Tomoe's hand tightened around her still silent phone as she watched them walking off, slowly disappearing from her sight.
"But still you could have stopped it before it hits me right?" Natsuki argued, gingerly pressing her finger against the sore area. Her once pristine white tank top looked crumpled now and covered with some soot and dust. And she was also a proud owner of a black eye.
And now Natsuki was contemplating how she was going to explain her black eye to her colleagues in the police department.
"Ara, I thought Natsuki was saying earlier on that she would protect me no matter what?" Shizuru asked, her eyes lighted with merriment when she caught sight once again the blueblack on Natsuki's face.
She was aware of the spirit's existence when she first entered Fuuka High School but had left it alone since there wasn't a need to subdue it. And that was until Natsuki approached her asking for her help. And she had readily accepted her request, somehow pleased for a chance to interact with the blue hair beauty once again.
She knew it was rather childish of her to do that but still it was nice to see someone willing to stand in front of you, shielding you from danger. And so when they were in the toilet, she had left Natsuki wrestling with the spirit for a while before subduing it. The spirit had threw a truant from the start, throwing mobs and piles at them. In fact Shizuru could have easily subdued the spirit but instead chose to wait, allowing Natsuki to grapple with the onslaught of objects, before stepping in and captured it.
But once Natsuki saw how effortlessly Shizuru captured the ghost, she had a nagging doubt that Shizuru was holding back when carrying out the exorcism.
Shizuru chuckled and leaned towards Natsuki, tapping lightly on the slightly blue-black area. "I will treat you to supper if you could just forgive me ne, Nat-su-ki?"
Natuki humph and turned away from Shizuru's finger with a slight pout on her lips.
"Ara ara, is Natsuki pouting ne?"
"Who say I'm pouting?!" Natsuki's face turned a bright red upon hearing the word. She never pouts!
Ignoring Natsuki's word, Shizuru bended down and grabbed Natsuki's hand leading her out of the school to a nearby cafe.
And minutes later, they were inside a restaurant ordering their food.
But while they were waiting for their food, two acquaintances of Shizuru appeared.
"Onee-sama, you are here as well!"
"Gokigenyo Tomoe." Shizuru smiled at Tomoe and then glanced at the man next to Tomoe. But the man was staring at Natsuki, who had earlier gave them a polite smile and then returned her attention to the menu. "Ara Takeda, you are here as well."
"Ah Shizuru-san!" Takeda dragged his attention back to Shizuru. But his thoughts were still very much on the blue hair beauty. "Hai...Tomoe and I are meeting here to discuss the details for the upcoming University Cultural Fair."
"Ara... I shall not disturb your then. Hope you have a fruitful discussion ne."
"Onee-sama, would you not like to join us?" Tomoe urged Shizuru. When she saw Shizuru leaving the school with the peasant and entering the cafe, she had called on Takeda to meet at the cafe on the pretext of discussing the Cultural Fair. This way she could make sure that the slut would not do anything against Onee-sama.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to join you ne. I am meeting with my friend. Kanina Tomoe." Shizuru smile tilting her head slightly in apology.
"Its...its alright Onee-sama." Tomoe stuttered, flustered by Shizuru's smile. "Gokigenyo Onee-sama." Tomoe turned and walked away, dragging Takeda with her. But not before giving Natsuki a glare.
Natsuki was clueless despite being the recipient of the glare.
There was hardly much discussion going on between Takeda and Tomoe.
Takeda was busying stealing glances at Natsuki while Tomoe was engrossed in her coffee, deep in thoughts, totally not keen in any discussion while occasionally looking across at her Onee-sama.
That awkward atmosphere between Tomoe and Takeda ended when Tomoe suddenly stood up, leaving the table.
This is a good chance now. Tomoe thought as she saw Shizuru excusing herself to go to the toilet.
"Where are you going?"
"You are interested in that blue hair lady aren't you? I am keen to know her too. I can get her handphone number for you if you want." Tomoe replied as she took her cup of coffee and walked towards Natsuki, leaving Takeda behind.
As she walked towards Natsuki, Tomoe had her palm covering the cup and dipped her middle finger into the steaming cup of coffee. Using her finger, Tomoe stirred her finger clockwise twice and then anticlockwise once, all the while whispering something beneath her breath.
"Hi, I am Marguerite Tomoe." Tomoe plastered a smile on her face and put out her right hand. "And you would be? Sorry I didn't get a chance to ask for your name just now."
"Its ok. I am Kuga Natsuki. Nice to meet you."
"That guy over there would like to treat you to a cup of coffee and get to know you better." Tomoe lied and placed her own cup of coffee in front Natsuki while gesturing at the direction of Takeda, who until now was nervously observing the exchange between Tomoe and Natsuki.
Natsuki glanced over to see the guy waving at her. While Natsuki rarely accept drinks from stranger, she felt obliged to respond to the young man who was a friend of Shizuru.
So Natsuki, in response took the cup of coffee, raising it to thank him for the treat.
Overjoy by Natsuki's response, Takeda took his cup and raised it up before sipping his drink.
But just as Natsuki was about to drink from the cup of coffee, a pale hand moved to cover over the cup, preventing Natsuki from drinking the coffee.
"Kanina ne Tomoe, Natsuki has ordered her own cup of coffee earlier on. I guess you could have this cup of coffee for your own."
Tomoe's face paled upon hearing Shizuru's voice.
Shizuru took the cup from Natsuki's hand and gently placed it in front of Tomoe.
A startled Tomoe looked up from the cup of coffee to look at Shizuru.
"O...Onee-sama…"
"Ara...Tomoe doesn't like to drink this coffee?"
"I...Onee-sama...I'm not sure what you mean." Tomoe stammered as she took a few steps back. The smile of her face looked rather strained.
A clueless Natsuki sat there wondering why the girl panicked upon Shizuru's arrival. And Shizuru, despite have a smile on her face, was furious at the teal hair girl. Natsuki could feel anger emitting from Shizuru liked waves.
Shizuru liked to conceal her emotion beneath a facade.
Trying to dispute the tense atmosphere, Natsuki offered to drink the coffee even though she had another one coming up.
"I think Natsuki should return this coffee to the owner right Tomoe?" Shizuru insisted and turned to Tomoe. "Why don't I treat you to this drink instead Tomoe?"
Tomoe's face paled further. Her hands clenched in a tight fist.
Onee-sama was angry with me all because of that slut!
"I...I shall leave first." Tomoe blurted out before fleeing the cafe with a puzzled Takeda chasing behind.
Natsuki frowned, confused as she saw Tomoe running out of the cafe. But not before catching sight of the look of hatred Tomoe threw her way.
What have I done? Natsuki thought, baffled by the hatred she saw from Tomoe's eyes.
"Is everything alright?"
"Ara Natsuki, didn't you know that it is always best to decline drinks from strangers?"
"Of course I know! But they are your friends. That's why I accept the drink from Marguerite -san."
"They are my acquaintance. Not my friend. We just happen to be in the same committee which is the Student Council. Tomoe is a member of the Student Council and that man with her was the Vice-President in the Student Council."
"But is there something wrong with the coffee? Why do you insist that I don't drink from it?"
"Did you see this hot cup of coffee?" Shizuru asked and pushed the cup towards Natsuki. "Touch the base of the cup."
Natsuki lifted up the hot cup of coffee and touch the base with her forefinger.
But just as she touched it, her hand jerked back in shock. Natsuki looked up at Shizuru, surprised and shock both evident on her face.
"Why? Why is the base of this cup so cold even when it contains hot coffee?"
Natsuki touched the base of the cup again and then the side of the cup.
"Black magic." Shizuru said and took a sip of her tea. "The art of casting spells to curse and harm others. This cup of coffee has been cursed which is why despite containing hot coffee, the base is cold to touch."
"Such things exist!?" Natsuki asked incredulous. Her understanding of the supernatural was constantly renewed and updated every time she interacts with Shizuru. "But why would Marguerite-san do that? I only see her for the first time today."
"I guess only Tomoe would know."
Shizuru lifted her cup of tea, slowly sipping from it while looking out into the night scenery, deep in thoughts.
She knew what Tomoe has been doing behind her back to those people who tried to get close to her. She didn't mind that. Those admirer can get irritating at time and at least Tomoe can help her get rid of those pests. That was the reason why Shizuru tolerated Tomoe up until now. But for this time round, Shizuru didn't want Tomoe's intervention. Shizuru thought as she turned to look at Natsuki who until now was still poking at the cup of coffee given by Tomoe like a curious puppy poking at an empty box.
Shizuru couldn't help but smile at that. All Natsuki needs is a pair of dog ear and a dog collar and I will be ready to adopt her.
Just as Shizuru was busy with her thoughts, Natsuki suddenly looked up and commented, "You should smile more often like this."
Surprise by Natsuki's comment, Shizuru replied, "Ara, I thought I have always been smiling like this?"
"Not like this. You always have a polite smile on your face. But you really don't feel like smiling." Natsuki paused as if to find the correct word to describe Shizuru. "You are smiling for the sake of smiling. But just now, and a couple of times earlier on, your smile really comes from your heart...I think."
For a moment there was complete silence.
Feeling a bit awkward caused by the silence, Natsuki spoke up. "My apologies if I have overstepped my boundary. It was unintentional. Forgive me."
"No...It is nothing like this. I am just...surprised."
Yes surprised.
She had always put on a smile. It had become second nature for her to do so. And for a long time she had forgotten it was a facade that she put on. And Natsuki, someone whom she knew for only a short while had seen through the facade. She couldn't remember when was the last time someone had seen through it.
And it seemed that with Natsuki, she had smile more often than she had for the past few years. The real smile that came from the heart.
"Say..." Trying to avoid the uncomfortable topic, Natsuki decided to talk about something else. "What would happen if I drink this cup of coffee?"
"You would probably fall badly ill I supposed. But it would depend on the kind of curse that Tomoe placed."
"If such supernatural things like spirits and dark magic exist, then why can't scientists prove its existence?"
"There is in fact a very simple answer to that. The existence of spirits and dark magic could not be seen or even captured and measured by technology and so many rebuke its existence. But have they wondered if the fault lies in themselves and their equipment. Many scientists do not believe in supernatural thing let alone understand it. If they don't understand spirits and dark magic, how is it possible to measure them? Human can measure temperature of the environment and weight of items because we can feel the heat and the weight. But this is not the case for spirits and dark magic. Not everyone can see and feel them, let alone understand them. In addition, the current level of technology may not be advanced enough or suitable to capture and measure such thing. And so many believe that spirits and magic do not exist, much to their mistakes."
"But in the future, if technology advance to a higher level, is there a possibility that human could capture and measure such thing?"
"There is a possibility ne...But we never know unless we could live long enough to see it for ourselves."
Omaka:
Natsuki: Ne...Tomoe, did you really use black magic to get rich of Shizuru's admirers and fans?
Tomoe (looking proud of herself): Of course I did!
Natsuki: How?
Tomoe: Like what I did to you. I offered them a drink and after drinking, they fell ill. And some of them even died.
Natsuki (in shock): di….died? They died?
Tomoe (still feeling proud of herself): Of course. My curse is not something to joke about!
Author-san: Liar! Natsuki, don't believe what Tomoe told you! Those admirers and fans died of food poisoning! Take a look at that this video which I took!
Author-san pointed to the screen - a flashback of what EXACTLY happened.
Tomoe came out of the toilet without washing her hands and sat in front of Takeda.
Takeda was busying stealing glances at Natsuki while Tomoe was engrossed in her coffee, deep in thoughts, totally not keen in any discussion while occasionally looking across at her Onee-sama.
That awkward atmosphere between Tomoe and Takeda ended when Tomoe suddenly stood up, leaving the table.
As she walked towards Natsuki, Tomoe had her palm covering the cup and dipped her middle finger into the steaming cup of coffee. Using her finger, Tomoe stirred her finger clockwise twice and then anticlockwise once, all the while whispering something beneath her breath.
Author-san paused the video.
Author-san: See I told you, they all suffer from food poisoning.
A/N:
Hahaha...I have been quite hardworking man! Another chapter up so soon.
Leave a comment if you like the story :)