Chapter 5
Tsuki's POV
Did he say Yako Clan? I stop my banter with Shigeru and turn to look at the bolt of cloth. The whole lounge falls into an uneasy silence as everyone focuses their attention on me.
"What did you say?" I ask cautiously, a sense of uneasiness hovering over me.
"You're from the Yako Clan, right? Man, some of the blokes there are plain badass. Always wanting to take over the world or something', right? So cool."
Shit, how the hell did he know? Did Zange Natsume say something to him? Why can't they keep their big mouths shut? I squirm under everyone's gaze, beads of sweat starting to form on my forehead.
"Hmph, what kind of lowly prank is this? You could have at least said something that made sense. Yako Clan? Impossible." Ririchiyo scoffs, her hand trembling visibly as she tries to keep a composed face.
"But-"
"Sorino-Zuka, give me back the file." Nobara's chilly voice echoes throughout lounge, turning my blood to ice.
"I'm not finished reading it yet, I just found it lying around with a bunch of swimming magazines and it looked cool. It doesn't mention her race or-" Nobara yanks hard on Renshou, producing a file from his roller.
"Stop yapping already, you big mouth." Nobara snaps as she snatches the file, avoiding eye contact with me. That looked like forms… Client forms? I thought only the assigned SS can look at his or her client's form. Nobara was looking up my private information? I take a step away from Nobara, shaking my head in disgust.
"I can't believe you'd sneak around other people's backs like this." I mutter under my breath as Nobara tries to step closer to me to explain herself.
"Yukino-Kouji-san…" Ririchiyo stares at Nobara blankly, fixing her with a death stare.
"Forgive me, Ririchiyo-sama, but I asked Yukino-Kouji-san to get Yoake-sama's information for me."
I stare, shocked, at Soushi, who is bowing deeply to a now stunned Ririchiyo. What!? Soushi? But why?
"I am sorry, Ririchiyo-sama but it was for your safety. Yoake-sama is not an ordinary atavist and I was wanting to make sure if she had any intentions to harm you-" Soushi apologizes halfway when Shigeru suddenly slams against him, grabbing Soushi's collar.
"You searched up Tsuki-chan's information without her consent? You're assuming she's bad?! As if Tsuki-chan would harm anyone!" His green eyes blaze in fury as he shouts at Soushi.
What is this idiot even saying? We only met yesterday, how can he just assume what kind of person I am?! My body trembles violently in anger as I bang a fist on the table.
"What the hell are you crackpots saying? You don't even know me. How can you assume I'm this or that, judging me straight away, without even trying to understand me?!" I finally let the anger that I been holding back since last night explode, lashing out at all the people in the lounge. I carry on my tirade without even paying attention to any of their reactions.
"I'm not going to stick around with you sick weirdos. I'm leaving this madhouse!" Without even thinking, I blurt out my thoughts before running out of the lounge, blinking away the tears that are starting to well up in my eyes as I push open the main door, dashing out of the gates onto the street, not daring to even glance behind me. Cars brake and blare their horns at me angrily but all I do is keep looking straight ahead, running as fast as my legs can carry me, away from my problems.
I don't want people to judge me again. Not again.
Shigeru's POV
"I'm not going to stick around with you sick weirdos. I'm leaving this madhouse!"
Before I can even react, Tsuki's already gone, her white hair swaying behind her as she disappears out the door, slamming it behind her, the loud impact punctuating the end of her sentence. For a moment, we all remain motionless.
"Where the hell did Tsuki-chan go? Shit!" I let go of Soushi's collar roughly, my hands raking through my hair in frustration. Shit shit SHIT. She just ran out of Ayakashi Hall, something could happen to her! What if she gets hit by a car? What if she gets lost? What if someone tries to rape her? I need to go after her!
"Tsuki-chan!" I'm about to run outside when Nobara grabs my hand, pulling me back.
"Kageyama, give Tsuki-chan some space-"
"What the shit are you all carrying on about?! Do you know how much you all hurt Tsuki-chan? All of you are ostracizing her, talking behind her back and suspecting her, just because of her heritage? Yako Clan, so what?! That doesn't mean anything. Her family doesn't define her, she's her own person! Sure, she's no ordinary atavist but does that make her any different from you guys? You all just assume instead of trying to get to know her better! Tsuki-chan's right, you all don't understand her!"
Unable to contain the rising anger in me, I yell at a dumbfounded Nobara before following Tsuki out of Ayakashi Hall onto the road outside. I can't believe no one tried to stop her, no one caring about her safety and wellbeing! These people are all so selfish!
I glance frantically here and there, searching for the familiar figure that haunts my dreams, but there's no trace of her anywhere. Darn, where is she? Should I transform? It might be easier to find her if I do but there's still people everywhere… I'll just look for her by foot, she couldn't have gotten far. I set off down the street, scanning the crowds for Tsuki. I feel that it's partly my fault that she ran off, maybe I was too overbearing. But I was really too happy to see her…
I really hope she's alright.
Tsuki's POV
I've been wandering aimlessly for hours now, roaming the neighbourhood's streets. I explore the nearby department store, half-heartily looking at the items on display as the time slips quietly away. Emerging onto the street once more, I observe the world go by to distract myself. Everyone seems to be going about their daily lives normally, yet I feel so detached from all of them. It's as if I'm surrounded by an impermeable membrane, cutting off any direct contact between me and the outside world. I can't 'touch' them and they can't 'touch' me. That's how different our lives are.
As I walk slowly down the street, the faces of everyone in Ayakashi Hall comes to mind. Ririchiyo, Soushi, Karuta, Banri, Zange, Nobara, Renshou and… Shigeru.
That bonehead actually spoke up for my sake but what does he know? No one knows anything, no one can penetrate this barrier of mine. And I can't believe Soushi and Nobara… I feel like screaming so badly. They were suspecting me behind my back! They tried to dig into my private information! Don't they know the definition of privacy? I feel violated! I want to go home-
Just then, something catches my eye. A small white circle shimmers invitingly on the ground in the evening's chill. Light! Without holding back, I pounce on top of the light but it runs away from me, shifting to my right. I try to 'catch' it with one hand but it darts away from me, lurking out of my reach. Come back here, you spot of light! I set off after it, attempting to capture my 'prey', keeping my eyes trained on the spot of light on the ground, dancing nimbly out of my reach.
I don't know how many twists and turns I make, unaware that the hustle and bustle of people has long since ceased. The speck of light finally stops moving, as if it were trying to catch its breath. I slyly sneak up on it like a tiger, diving on it as I slam both hands on the ground. Got you!
But when I remove my hand from the ground, nothing's there. The light has vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. Oh darn, no wonder, the sun's going down. I raise my eyes and find myself crouching right in front of a store.
To be more specifically, a store with chocolate on display.
I stand up and brush down my shorts before charging inside the store, my sense of frenzy ignited once more. What a coincidence, I was just thinking of chocolate! Great, I can ask for directions too! To where, I don't know yet. I don't know whether I want to go home or to go to Ayakashi Hall. Well, at least I can plan my next move in here. Night is falling rapidly, the fiendish hour approaching.
As I push open the door, a bell jingles merrily. The store seems pretty enough, warm and welcoming. Chocolates of all shapes and flavors lines the aisles, I barely have time to swallow all my saliva down. This is just a chocoholic's fantasy!
A lady stands behind the counter, the owner of the store I assume. She looks like she's in her twenties, with long, silky black hair the same shade as Shigeru's. Her simple, white dress emphasizes her willowy figure, bringing out her beauty. A little puppy with hazel fur gives a joyful bark as I enter the store, bounding over and nudging against my leg, its tail wagging rapidly. I crouch down to pet it and it licks my face. How… disgustingly adorable. I wipe the dog drool off my face as the lady speaks.
"Looks like Koinu's taken a liking to you. Is there anything I can help you with, miss?" The lady behind the counter says, her melodious voice as smooth and sweet as dripping honey as her crimson eyes twinkle at me, eyes as red as mine. She seems so normal and nice. Compared to everyone at Ayakashi Hall, I'm so relieved to finally meet someone that's not eccentric or weird.
"Uh… I…" I avoid eye contact with the lady, glancing quickly at the chocolate on display. I haven't got any money on my person at the moment so I can't buy any chocolate. I stick a hand in my pockets and feel around for even a bit of cash but I come up with nothing. Damn, this is awkward. I walk into a store with no money. Maybe she's going to scream and chase me out now.
"You don't have any money, do you? It's alright, help yourself to what you like. Special offer for just today only to promote my new store." She flashes me a brilliant smile and hands me a bar of chocolate. The little fur ball jumps into my arms and barks, as if encouraging me to take it.
Even with the sweet scent of chocolate, a strange smell wafts throughout the store. A smell I can't put a finger on at the moment because of the chocolate right in front of my face. Right now, all I care about is the chocolate.
"Arigato, um-"
"Just call me Lady Kumo." The lady smiles warmly at me once more.
I take the chocolate from her and unwrap the foil quickly, I just want to eat this now! The weird smell is becoming almost unbearable, completely overpowering the smell of the chocolate. In a dim part of my mind, a voice screams at me not to take the chocolate, to just drop it and run away. But it's too late as I sink my teeth into the wondrous chocolate.
And that's when my world suddenly goes blank.
3rd Person POV
The puppy growls before leaping out of the immobilized Tsuki's arms, glaring at the Lady Kumo.
"Why do I always have to be the cute distraction?! And what with the stupid name? Kumo? KOINU?! What kinda stupid name is that?!" It opens its mouth and speaks, tapping one of its paws impatiently.
"Shut your yap and get to work, you stupid mutt," Lady Kumo screeches at the dog in annoyance, all her graceful air dissipated in an instant. "Had no idea that the little bitch was this gullible though, she really is stupid."
"Hah. I bet if ya threw chocolate off a cliff, she'd dive over the edge in an instant! She's that stupid." The dog scoffs as it stands on its hind legs, waving his little paws as an unconscious Tsuki starts to levitate in the air.
"Ugh, I can't wait to get out of this stupid dress. White is so not my color today. And it's so tiring being in this form." Lady Kumo rolls her eyes as thin, white threads emerge from her fingertips, snaking around Tsuki's body and binding her tightly in a cocoon, leaving only her head exposed.
"Ya think I'm happy?! Pretending to be a disgustingly cute fur ball that slobbers over everyone? At least it was an easy job, the boss will be pleased. Now I can finally chase my tail in peace!" With a flick of its paw, the scenery of the store shimmers and fades away like a mirage, leaving only bare walls and dust.
"Hai, tonight we celebrate! The useless ritual will commence," She rolls her eyes skywards, "Although I would like to eat her myself. The Master will soon be the most powerful youkai in this era and we shall remain by master's side, helping master take over the world!" Lady Kumo giggles sinisterly as the threads retract back into her fingers.
"That chocolate brought you to your demise, little Hybrid."
Shigeru's POV
I lean against a lamp post, sipping a cup of coffee, still scanning the streets for her.
I've been out for hours now, just searching for Tsuki, but I still have no clue where the hell she is. Did she make herself invisible? She can't stay out of sight this long, can she? Is she alright? I should have asked for her number earlier, it would have made everything easier. Sunset is already upon us, casting long shadows on everything in sight, and there's still no sign of her. Now's the most dangerous time for our kind, when we're at our most vulnerable. What am I going to do?
I'm raking a hand through my hair in annoyance when my phone vibrates. I take the call reluctantly as I notice it's from Soushi.
"What? I'm not going back, okay? Not until I find Tsuki-chan, not like all of you people who are just sitting there twiddling your thumbs. " I answer tiredly, a slight edge in my tone. My resolve won't be easily moved. A twinge of annoyance goes through me as I realize that not one of them had offered to help me.
"Please listen, Kageyama-san. Natsume-san saw something. You have to return." There's urgency in his voice, almost on the verge of begging me. That tone in his voice really unnerves me. Something really is off, then.
"Fine, I'm on my way." I reply carelessly before dropping the call. I promise I'll find you, Tsuki-chan, no matter what it takes. After dealing with this hurdle.
"What happened?" I gaze down at an unconscious Zange, his eyes closed and his eyebrows furrowed in his comatose state, his rabbit-ears headband placed on a table nearby. Everyone's crowding around his bed, looking worried and concerned. Ririchiyo looks spaced out as she stares out the window, as if a thousand thoughts are swirling around in her mind. Soushi stands nearby, his face not betraying his feelings.
"It's happened again. He's always like that, suddenly seeing things. The stupid rabbit, he knows he can't handle it, yet he says it's no biggie." Banri mumbles, his face troubled and his eyes filled with worry. Even though he claims he's a delinquent, Banri actually cares for Zange, doesn't he?
When I first met Zange, he told me he could see everything about me. Including what kind of stuff I had in my room. I told him to shut it, lest I beat him up. I know that Zange's a Hyakume and how he occasionally gets hit with visions, and if it's too severe he actually blacks out. This time, it looks serious. He must have seen something really important or terrible. Which one it is, I'm unsure.
"Man, he's been blacking out a lot lately for some reason. Like that time before Tsuki came."
I stare at Renshou. Zange saw something before Tsuki's arrival? Is that why everyone's so wary of her? Because of a stupid vision?! But before I can even think of an insult, Nobara interrupts, looking at anywhere but me.
"Look, Kageyama… About everything earlier, you were right. We jumped too rashly to conclusions. We were in the wrong. Making assumptions like that and sneaking around, I feel like a criminal." Nobara adjusts her glasses and turns to look at me square in the eye.
"… I-I'm sorry. You're right… I'm doing the same thing that other people did to me in the past, judging Tsuki just because of her heritage. I'm such a hypocrite." Ririchiyo whispers softly, her purple eyes glittering with regret.
"No, Ririchiyo-sama, Yukino-Kouji-san. It is my fault and my fault alone. Forgive me, Kageyama-san, I did not consider Yoake-sama's feelings. It never crossed my mind that we were treating her like how others once treated Ririchiyo-sama. I was too worried about Ririchiyo-sama's safety that I judged her too harshly." Soushi bows deeply to me, his tone full of remorse and sincerity.
"Tsuki-chan is a good person… She gave me food and she was nice to me." Karuta tugs at my sleeve and says.
I remain silent at first, letting their apologies sink in before I raise my head, meeting their eyes.
"Don't say sorry to me. Say it to Tsuki-chan." I say gently to all of them.
"You said we don't know Tsuki, nor do we understand her. Well, do you?" Banri fixes me with a stare, trying
Do I know Tsuki?
I close my eyes for a moment as recollections pass in my mind's eye, the passage of time doing nothing to blur them from my memory.
"Weakling, bet you're so useless you can't protect anyone."
"Just give up already, shrimp."
"Piss off, pipsqueak."
"Will you come back tomorrow?"
"Thank you.."
I open my eyes and gaze steadily at Banri, locking eyes with him.
"Tsuki-chan is a very sincere, kind, loyal and pure person. She's just a bit awkward at times and emotional, sometimes letting her feelings get the better of her. Her intentions are always good and she'd never hurt anyone on purpose. If not for Tsuki-chan, I wouldn't be the person I am right now."
Soushi directs a curious look at me.
"Kageyama-san, what is your relationship with Yoake-sama?"
A memory flits briefly in front of my eyes before I answer him.
"Tsuki-chan… is a very important person to me. Without her, I won't be standing in front of you."
"How important is Yoake-sama to you?"
"As important as Ririchiyo is to you."
Soushi nods in satisfaction, not questioning me further.
Just then, Zange starts to stir slightly before bolting upright, a sheen of sweat visible on his brow. He gasps for air, as if he's just escaped from a vacuum.
"Zange! Oi!" Banri rushes over to Zange's side and shouts.
"Natsume-san, how do you feel?" Soushi comes over and asks Zange calmly.
"Natsume! Don't just black out like that!" Ririchiyo says worriedly while Nobara gets Zange a glass of water, which Karuta passes to Zange.
However, Zange doesn't accept the water. Instead, he turns towards me and gives me a weak smile.
"Shigeru… Tsuki…" The moment he utters her name, goose bumps start to make an appearance all over my skin.
"You saw Tsuki?!" An ominous feeling washes over me as I brace for the worst.
"T-Tsuki… She's been… taken."