Fiftieth Spell: Omamori
"An Exorcism?"
Haru and Higa had left the landing platform and went to see Headmistress Anzu Dōmeki in her office. It was a very ornate room with red silken mats on the floor, scrolls with beautiful watercolor paintings hanging from the ceiling, and a throne-like platform where Dōmeki sat on her knees with a paper fan in her hand that she was using to cover the lower-half of her face.
"Yes, Dōmeki-Sama," Higa repeated to her. "I request that you perform an Exorcism on Haru."
"Do you realize what you're asking for?" Dōmeki said, looking upset. "An Exorcism pushes the affected person to their physical and mental limits. Ryuji-Kun is too young to endure such a thing as he might possibly die from it."
Shocked, Haru responded, "I might…die?"
"I have taken that into consideration, but I would still like to try it," Higa continued. "You've no doubt heard of Popuri-Dono's reports on Haru's recent issues."
"Popuri-Dono has spoken to me about his theories on Haru being affected by kotodama and an Onryō Curse, but I haven't had the time to verify these issues myself," Dōmeki confirmed. "So tell me, Ryuji-Kun, when did these issues first begin happening?"
And so Haru told Dōmeki all about his chest pains, from the time when Warumo first showed up at his adopted parents' house up to the nightmare he had. He also described each incident with as much detail as possible, including the times he saw Daichi and spoke to her.
"Was there anything else that happened?" asked Dōmeki.
"During the Tanabata Festival, I ran into a First-Year Primary Student named Chio Mika, whom I met when I showed up at Mahoutokoro for the first time," Haru said, recalling that night like he was bringing up a bad memory he tried to repress. "She was with her grandmother Nijichō, who's a Seer, and she did a fortune reading for me. It was very strange, because she said I'm destined for something great but that I will face difficult times and lose myself. Then she went on saying my issues are a by-product of my mother's creation and that 'he' is watching and will do anything to bring me back to him."
"Hmm, I've heard of this Nijichō myself," Dōmeki remembered. "But not all of her predictions come true, so I wouldn't take what she said too seriously. Though she is right that the magic seal on your chest, which was given to you by your mother before she died, is causing you chest pains because it's reacting to something evil nearby that's affecting you. And based on your account, that would seem to be the case."
"So is Warumo using kotodama to control me and cursing me with images of Daichi?"
"If you can't recall the name the voice used, which Warumo seemed to confirm was his in your nightmare, then it might likely be the work of kotodama magic," replied Dōmeki. "As for Daichi, her cold touch would imply she's an onryō. But we can't confirm that unless we trap her. Higa-San?"
"Yes, Dōmeki-Sama?" Higa said as he stood at attention.
"I want you to go back to the places you found those sick and injured animals in the Cloud Forest," Dōmeki ordered. "Assuming they encountered an onryō, see if you can trace the pattern of these attacks to their source to confirm if it is Daichi. In the meantime, I want you to wear this from now on, Ryuji-Kun."
From a small dresser next to her, Dōmeki took out a small amulet made of wood with hiragana words written in black and red ink.
"What is it?" Haru asked.
"An Omamori, of the Yaku-yoke variety," Dōmeki explained. When Haru looked confused, Dōmeki sighed. "It's an amulet that will protect you from Warumo's influence. You must have it on you at all times, and never take it off for any reason."
"Or it will lose its effect?" Haru guessed as he took the amulet from Dōmeki's hand.
"Exactly."
"If I should find Daichi, what should I do with her?" asked Higa.
"Tell Shō-Sensei to perform an Appeasement Ritual that will send Daichi's restless spirit to the afterlife where her soul will be judged accordingly," Dōmeki stated. "You may both go now."
Haru wanted to protest Dōmeki's decision, but instead he bowed politely and left the office with Higa. Then Higa gave Haru a hall pass to excuse him from missing class.
"Um, about Shō-Sensei," Haru began.
"I'll make sure you're present before Shō performs the Appeasement Ritual," Higa said. "That way, you can be involved in deciding Daichi's ultimate fate."
"No, that's not what I'm worried about," Haru said.
Just as he was about to tell Higa about Hikari's suspicion regarding Shō, Haru realized there wasn't enough proof to confirm either her possible involvement in the oni attack or failed attempt at getting past Nuru. So he shook his head and said nothing more. Higa took this as his queue to leave as the crowing noise for Second Period echoed.
While Haru was forced to do makeup work for Necromancy later that day, he got through all his summer classes well enough. As for the amulet, Haru placed it around his neck using the amulet's white ribbons under his inner garment. To his surprise, the amulet fit perfectly over the birthmark on his chest which strangely made him feel more confident in its power.
For two days, he didn't receive further visitations from Daichi nor hear Warumo's voice. This convinced Haru that the amulet was working and decided to apologize to Rui. But when he got to the Byakko table Friday morning, Rui and her sisters all looked upset.
"Did something happen?" Haru asked Rui. "Because if you're still upset about me walking out on you Tuesday, I apologize for that."
Rui shook her head. "That's not it."
"Then what is it?" Haru asked.
To be continued…