Twenty-Fifth Spell: Nightly Visit
But just before the Kamikiri could use its scissor hands to cut Haru's hair, it suddenly exploded midair sending body parts flying everywhere. Shocked by this, Haru saw Ryosei with his wand raised and a callous look on his face.
"What was that, Maki-Sensei?" Seita demanded, now fully awake.
Nayu was startled from her passed-out state by the explosion and looked up. But upon seeing the blood and guts, she fainted again.
"Sorry about that," Ryosei apologized, his charismatic smile hiding the callous look he had earlier. "What you all just witnessed was the Body Explosion Curse, which causes the victim to swell like a balloon before exploding. But I would not recommend using it unless you have no other choice."
"It's also one of the Kinshi Curses, right?" Gyoku said.
"That is correct," Ryosei confirmed. "I'm surprised a child of your age knows about them."
"My mom told me about them, just in case I ever encountered one."
"She sounds like a very wise woman." Ryosei then waved his wand at the Magic Circle backdrop. "Kamika Cū!"
Like an eraser on a chalkboard, the Magic Circle disappeared from the backdrop which made the classroom change back to normal as the circular windows reappeared along with the black desks and cushioned chairs. From there, Ryosei dismissed the class and everyone left immediately with unnerved faces. Nayu, though, had to be carried out and taken to the Healers' Wing.
"One moment, Ryuji-Kun," Ryosei said as Haru was about to leave. "I just want to make sure you weren't injured by the Kamikiri in any way."
"No, I'm fine," Haru insisted. "I moved my foot out of the way before the Kamikiri had the chance to grab me."
"Well, just to be on the safe side, let's go to the Healers' Wing and have Popuri-Dono give you a chekup," Ryosei offered.
"Oh, you don't have to escort me there. I can find my way all right."
"Are you sure? Midorime-Sensei told me you needed a Homing Spell to get here this morning."
Sighing, Haru reluctantly agreed. Ryosei looked pleased as the two of them left the classroom and walked across the courtyard together.
"Did Popuri-Dono tell you that I was the one who carried you into the Healers' Wing last night?" Ryosei said to Haru. "I was right outside the door to the Student Dining Hall when you fainted."
"He didn't tell me that," Haru responded, trying to hide his surprise.
"Must've slipped his mind. Have you met my son yet?"
"Yes, I have."
"Is he treating you well?"
Haru wanted to tell Ryosei about Daizō bullying him, but he didn't know how Ryosei would take it. So he said, "He's been giving me some…constructive advice."
"That's good! I know he can be blunt, but his words do ring true."
Haru checked his kimono sleeves to see if they had turned white. But to his surprise they hadn't, which relieved him.
After Popuri-Dono did the checkup, he confirmed Haru was not injured and that Ryosei did carry him in last night. So Haru left the Healers' Wing feeling awkward, which continued into supper.
"Is something wrong, Haru?" Rui asked. "Are you still recovering from your fainting spell during Flying?"
Haru shook his head.
"So what is it then? You can tell me."
Without hesitation, Haru told Rui about what happened in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"And he killed the Kamikiri?" Rui exclaimed.
"That's right," Haru confirmed. "It was weird."
"Do you know what spell he used?"
"He said it was the Body Explosion Curse."
Rui looked nervous. "Gaane and Fuyou mentioned that spell once, which they threatened to do to me if I kept bugging them. But knowing what it actually does, that's a horrible way to go."
"Yeah," Haru said remorsefully. "I mean, I know Maki-Sensei was trying to protect me. But…he didn't have to kill the Kamikiri."
"If it was something truly dangerous like an Amanojaku, Maki-Sensei's reaction would be an understandable response. But Kamikiri just cut hair. They don't deserve to be killed like that."
"But the strangest part was he acted like it wasn't a big deal, and then he insisted on escorting me to the Healers' Wing to make sure I wasn't injured by the Kamikiri. I mean, what kind of teacher frets over their students that much?"
"Maki-Sensei has always been considerate of his students' well-being due to the nature of his class, but he's never killed any of the creatures he shows in his class before as he usually has good control over them."
Thinking back on the hateful look in the Kamikiri's eyes, Haru had a dreadful thought cross his mind. "If it was nothing that Maki-Sensei did, then maybe I angered the Kamikiri with my presence alone."
"Why would it do that? You're not a bad person."
"But I don't know who I am! My old life was a lie, and I don't know anything about my real parents except that my mother slept with a follower of a dangerous wizard and died for me. What if I'm cursed, or destined for something bad?"
"I'm not sure where you're getting these ideas, Haru, but I wouldn't worry about them too much," Cheng advised. "Sorry for listening in!"
"No, it's fine," Haru said. "Maybe I'm just overthinking things."
"Still, I hope Nayu recovers by tomorrow," Rui fretted.
Later that night, Haru was just getting settled into his bed in the Byakko Boys' Dorm when he thought he heard laughter. Waking up, he looked around the room and saw nothing. But then a familiar face appeared out of the corner of his eye.
"Daichi?" Haru looked towards the hallway, but she wasn't there.
As the laughter echoed, Haru got up and went into the Byakko Sitting Room. The embers from the irori-style hearth were barely glowing, which made it hard to see anything. But as the moonlight shined through one of the circular windows, Haru noticed Daichi standing in the passage to the hidden door wearing the same pink jacket she wore the day Warumo attacked their house.
"Is that you, Daichi?" Haru called. "What are doing here?"
But Daichi said nothing in response.
"Did you escape from Warumo?" Haru asked. "Are you hurt?"
Again, Daichi didn't speak.
"Please say something! I have to know if you're all right."
To be continued…