117th Spell: Familiar Faces
Haru reluctantly shook Nyoko Maki's hand, even though he found her seemingly friendly demeanor unsettling considering how excited she sounded when reciting the 'Boy Who Vanished' label he had been given by the Japanese Wizarding media. This made him think back to the women at Madam Hōsaku's Escort Service and how delighted they were when they found out who he was, making him wonder why some people reacted negatively to his title and some more positively. Just as he was pondering this, Nyoko suddenly moved closer to him.
"Do you have the Mark of Orochi?" Nyoko asked quietly.
"Um, no," Haru responded, unsure of what to make of Nyoko's sudden interest.
"Really?" Eyeing Haru's blue jacket, Nyoko released her hand. "Let me see what you have."
Before Haru could stop her, Nyoko pulled on his jacket collar and looked down his shirt. Higa immediately stepped forward and pushed her away, causing her to fall. While Ryosei managed to catch her before she hit the ground, Daizō took out his wand made from cherry tree wood.
"How dare you hurt my mother, you worthless cretin!" Daizō snapped at Higa. "You'll wish you had never been spared from Azkaban Prison!"
"Daizō, no!" Ryosei stayed Daizō's hand. "It's all right."
"You don't need to worry about me, darling," Nyoko assured Daizō as she stood up straight.
"I'm deeply sorry for my wife's inappropriate behavior, Ryuji-kun," Ryosei said to Haru. "She's been completely obsessed with you ever since I told her about our first meeting at the inn last year."
"That doesn't justify her actions, though," Higa pointed out. "Haru already had a bad experience of someone trying to look at his birthmark without his consent."
"Are you referring to what Ushiwa Koi did in First-Year Secondary Charms?" Ryosei guessed.
"Yes, Maki-sensei," Higa confirmed.
"Ushiwa was just curious is all!" Daizō said defensively. "I didn't think he needed to be put in detention for that."
"There's being curious, and then there's being reckless," Ryosei stated firmly. "Remember that."
"But Father—
"No excuses!" Ryosei insisted before changing the subject. "Now, let us put this little incident aside and move on with our day. We have a lot to buy at the Kiyokusuri Apothecary, after all."
"I was actually heading there myself when I got separated from Rui and her family, whom I've been staying with for Spring Break," Haru said.
"How interesting!" Ryosei responded. "Then let's head over to the Kiyokusuri Apothecary together, if Higa doesn't mind."
"Not at all, Maki-sensei," Higa replied. "And I'm sorry for pushing your wife so forcefully."
"Don't apologize on my account, Higa-san," Nyoko claimed. "I've always been clumsy, so I would have fallen even if you hadn't pushed me back as hard as you did. But I do accept your apology nonetheless. You clearly care for your ward's safety more than I thought."
While Haru didn't like the condescending tone in Nyoko's last statement, he chose not to say anything as him, Higa, and the Maki family made their way down the street of Tateroji as one awkward unit. As they walked, Haru could feel Daizō burning daggers into him with his eyes. But Haru did everything in his power to ignore it.
Outside the Kiyokusuri Apothecary, a crowd of witches and wizards were gathered looking excited with similar-looking books clutched in their hands. Made from rice paper, the book's cover depicted a young man with blue-black hair tied into a white bun cap. He also had a firm jawline, sparking topaz eyes, and a mesmerizing smile as the young man's image repeatedly winked on the book cover.
"Haru Ryuji!" cried a familiar female voice.
This made Haru flinch as he recognized the voice and turned to his left. Hikari Genma was marching over to him from Hōkiga's Sporting Goods store, which sold racing brooms and other Quidditch supplies imported from Europe. She was accompanied by a woman with short brunette hair that was the same dark color as Hikari's and a pale blond-haired man with large glasses.
"Since when did you start getting friendly with the Makis?" Hikari said condescendingly. "I thought you were staying with Rui's family for Spring Break."
"And I am!" Haru said in a flustered tone. " But I got lost from them and just happen to run into the Makis along with Higa."
Making a tsk sound with her mouth, Hikari folded her arms. "You expect me to buy that load of Dragon dung?"
"But it's true," Higa interjected. "I found Haru in Māreroji not too long ago, where he ended up in by mistake after trying to use the Zen Network to get here."
"You were in Māreroji?" Ryosei gave Haru a concerned look. "Did anyone try to hurt you?"
"No, Maki-sensei," Haru assured.
"Where specifically did you land in Māreroji?" Hikari asked Haru.
Knowing Hikari would probably think of him as a pervert for landing in Madam Hōsaku's brothel, even though it was an accident and nothing happened, Haru chose to clam up. Just then, Rui and her family became visible in the crowd outside Kiyokusuri Apothecary. Haru immediately waved to them, which Rui responded with a surprised gasp.
"Haru, where have you been?" Rui said after Haru ran over to her. "We looked everywhere for you near the Zen garden, so my mom insisted on having us wait here until you showed up. Did Higa find you?"
"Yeah, he did," Haru confirmed. "But I'd rather not talk about where I ended up by mistake…."
"Was it Māreroji?" Gaane guessed.
Haru's face turned red from embarrassment.
"Looks like you were right, Sis," Fuyou remarked before turning her attention back to Haru. "Did you get mugged while you were there?"
"Or seduced by Pleasure Witches?" asked Gaane.
"Pleasure Witches?" Haru then thought back to the women at Madam Hōsaku's place, and realized that's what they were.
"It doesn't matter what happened to him, considering he's still in one piece," argued Peri.
"But I would like a detailed explanation after we've finished our business here," said Meru, eyeing Haru with a scrutinizing look. "Just to make sure you are telling the truth, Ryuji-kun."
To be continued…