OMG I can't believe it's taken me 100 chapters just to get through Year 1 of Haru's time at Mahoutokoro! Although to be fair, this isn't any different from manga set in schools where it takes a long time to get through one school year over the course of multiple chapters lol. I swear I'll wrap things up soon enough and transition to the next year. Thank you for your patience and support reading this fanfic!
100th Spell: Funerals and Living Arrangements
"According to Popuri, he was aware of the things Warumo did…but was unable to stop him," Shō said to Haru.
The two of them had just finished removing the bodies of the Dende family from the hidden tunnel and brought them out of the shrine. But to keep them from baking in the midday sun, they were laid out in a row beneath the shade of a large tree near the path to the Shrine of Idesei.
"Does this include my botched performance during the Jiraiya the Gallant play?" Haru asked.
"Yes," Shō nodded. "His body was unable to move from where he stood near the theater entrance as Warumo used Kotodama to make you act like Orochimaru. That's why when I pushed him aside after the Raincloud Jinx was cast on me, Warumo's control over you waned and you fainted as a result."
"But what about the Kodama? Why did Warumo kill it?"
"Popuri's ghost told me the reason Warumo killed the Kodama is that he was hoping its blood would strengthen his influence over Popuri, since it can rejuvenate the soul of a person as well as their body. Because in the times you and Popuri interacted, Popuri's soul was in control while Warumo's was subdued."
Shō then placed incense sticks on the ground near the bodies. Next, she lit the incense sticks that coated the bodies in a sweet honey smell that removed the foul odor reeking from the bodies.
"But every time Warumo's soul took control, that's when your birthmother's seal reacted to him," Shō concluded. "It's why you fainted after the Initiation Ceremony because Popuri was physically standing near the Student Dining Hall before Maki-sensei showed up."
"So you're saying my mark only reacts when Warumo is in control of his host body, but not when the host is in full control of their body," Haru realized, looking down at his swollen dragonfly mark. "That means Warumo could possess anyone, and I wouldn't know unless he tries attacking or controlling me."
"Pretty much," Shō replied. "But you have to remember your birthmother made the seal in such a hurry as she lay dying that she probably didn't account for all the possible ways Warumo could attack you."
"You say that like she was a moron or something. I thought she was your best friend!"
In a surprise move, Shō grabbed Haru's wrist and squeezed it hard.
"What may sound cruel to you is just harsh reality!" Shō growled. "Yes, my best friend from school died, and yes, one of our oldest teachers was murdered by a Dark Wizard! But instead of moping about it like you do, I choose to meet death with a sense of acceptance—knowing we are all destined to die to take the blow off of losing those I care about. It wouldn't hurt to get used to death, kid, because more people are going to die around you before you graduate from Mahoutokoro. That is, if you survive that long."
Later that day, a funeral service was held for Popuri-dono who was buried inside the kofun burial mound that Shō held her Necromancy Classes at. The details of his death were altered to make it seem like he died trying to save Haru from Warumo instead of being the one possessed by Warumo. Dōmeki explained to Haru afterward that it was to prevent panic among the students and staff at Mahoutokoro in case Warumo showed up again in the body of someone else at school. As for the bodies of Haru's stepfamily, they were cremated and scattered to the winds.
"I wish I could have buried my stepfamily in Kyoto," Haru said remorsefully after throwing the last of the ashes off the edge of the walkway along Mahoutokoro's outer wall.
For a brief moment, the scattered ashes took the forms of Uenō, Papurika, and Daichi who waved at Haru as they vanished in the setting sun. When this happened, the cold lingering pain in Haru's shoulder went away.
As Haru silently cried, Higa hugged his step-nephew close to him. "This was the best I could do for them on my budget as a groundskeeper. Besides, Kyoto isn't your home."
"No, I guess not anymore," Haru admitted as he dried his eyes. "So, will I have to live with you during school breaks?"
"Well, my place is pretty cramped. So I'm not sure if I can fit you," Higa said in an embarrassed tone. "But I'll talk to Dōmeki-sama and see what she can arrange."
"You could always stay with my family this Spring Break till you get things figured out," said a familiar female voice.
Haru and Higa looked to their right and saw Rui standing on the walkway. But what caught Haru's attention was seeing the squirrel-like Nobusuma yokai perched upright on Rui's shoulder with its furry back-legs while stretching its bat wings that served as its arms.
"I thought you released the Nobusuma before Finals," Haru said. "What's it doing on your shoulder, Rui?"
"The release didn't work out," Rui answered. "But I was too embarrassed to tell anyone, so I didn't say anything."
"Do you plan to take the Nobusuma home with you?" Higa asked Rui.
"For the time-being," Rui said. "But I don't know if my mom will let me take care of Nori."
"Nori?" Haru blinked. "Who's Nori?"
"It's the name I gave to this Nobusuma, because his fur reminds me of the brown seaweed I find on the beach near my house sometimes," Rui said as the Nobusuma squeaked in response. "And I'm also getting a Nobusuma License so I can keep him legally."
"Sounds like you're asking for trouble," said Hikari, who approached Rui and Haru from behind.
"Hikari!" Rui exclaimed. "Where did you come from?"
"Um, the stairs," Hikari said bluntly. "Maybe Haru should stay with me this Spring Break. I live in one of the outer wards of Kyoto, you see, so it would be really convenient in terms of getting to Tateroji to buy Secondary Year 2 supplies."
"No, I offered my house first!" Rui objected. "And I thought you didn't like Haru."
"Just because I'm offering him to stay over at my place for a couple of weeks doesn't mean I like him!" Hikari claimed.
"Oh, yeah?" Rui said in a sarcastic manner.
"Yeah!" Hikari insisted.
"Girls, you don't need to fight about this!" Higa interjected. "I'm sure you could compromise."
"How?" Rui and Hikari asked together, which made them glare at each other.
"Like, Haru could stay at one house for one week…and then at the other house the next week," Higa suggested. "But it's ultimately up to him."
Rui and Hikari glanced at Haru, who suddenly felt like he was being interrogated and didn't know how to answer.
To be continued…