CHAPTER XXXIII
-Ayaka’s Promise-
Yuzuki shrugged. “I don’t know… He doesn’t know I can see supernaturals. I’ve started keeping my distance from him, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Still, Yuzuki-chan! It’s risky! Stay away from him, seriously!” Ayaka exclaimed, then leaned closer with a secretive giggle. “OH! You know Himari-san has a crush on him?”
“I know,” Yuzuki replied flatly.
Ayaka sat back, changing track. “Anyway, why do you think we can see supernaturals in the first place?”
Yuzuki considered. “I don’t know. I heard that for centuries, sacrifices weren’t made to seal off the gate between our world and the supernatural one.”
“Sacrifices?” Ayaka blinked. “So exorcists need to do that to keep the gate sealed?”
“Maybe not. I mean, how else would they have sealed it? If there were no sacrifices, maybe something else closed the gate. But here’s what bugs me—why are there two of us? Are we some weird compensation for the lost sacrifices?”
“Whaaat? So you think new sacrifices get picked depending on how many years didn’t have any?” Ayaka gaped.
“It’s just a possibility. I thought I was the only one, but now that there’s you… It’s possible,” Yuzuki admitted quietly.
Ayaka scooted closer. “HUH?? So, since when did you start seeing supernaturals?”
Yuzuki answered, “Since the day our items went missing and you disappeared with the three other girls. That’s the first time I saw the Korobokkurus. The next day, I met my supernatural.”
“Same!!! I met my supernatural the day I went missing, too! I wandered into his territory and he guided me back—since then, I can see supernaturals!” Ayaka burst out, thrilled. Ayaka beamed. “ANYWAYYYY~ Tell me, what’s your supernatural’s name???”
Yuzuki snapped, “That’s none of your concern. I never asked about yours—I don’t owe you his name.”
Ayaka only grinned in response. “Oh, my supernatural? His name is Kagami. He looks about 18, kind of a delinquent vibe. Messy black hair with this crazy blue-violet shine under the light—like polished obsidian.”
Ayaka’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in, grinning. “AHH! Fine! Anywayss, I’ll tell you about mine! His name’s Kagami. He’s about eighteen, a real delinquent dude—messy black hair that gleams blue-violet in the light, kinda like polished obsidian, and these sharp, fox-like eyes with iridescent pupils. He always wears this half-unbuttoned uniform jacket over a hoodie covered in mirror patterns. And he’s never without his silver pocket mirror—flipping it open in the middle of a sentence just to smirk at me.”
She twirled a finger near her earlobe. “Oh! He’s got this wild earring, too. It doesn’t just show reflections…it literally flashes what you want most. Super weird, right? Kagami’s flirty, smug, cocky as anything—and he keeps calling me ‘My Doll’ every time we talk.”
Ayaka slumped back, her voice softening with a dreamy sigh. “That’s pretty much all I know…I have no clue what he’s really after—he never tells me anything important. Just teases and pampers me all the time, treating me like some princess. He LEGIT drives me nuts, but I honestly love it! I seriously love him more than anyyything!”
Yuzuki tried to look annoyed but couldn’t hide the small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips as Ayaka gushed. For a moment, their invisible world didn’t feel quite so lonely.
Yuzuki leaned forward, looking at Ayaka expectantly. “Hmm… I see. So, what’s this supernatural spice you wanted to drop on me?” She remembered why they’d come out to the park in the first place.
Ayaka’s eyes lit up, her voice full of excitement as she launched in:
“AH! Yeah! Okay, so—I heard from Kagami’s Kaga-Kagas that there’s something big going on… Apparently, there are SO many supernaturals at our school right now that it’s turning into this massive challenge or competition. The rumor is that high-ranking supernaturals are trying to merge the human world with the supernatural world by reversing the exorcists’ rituals! But some of the lower-ranking ones wanted things to be fair and decided there needs to be a criterion to determine who counts as high-ranking. No idea what that is, though—the Kaga-Kagas weren’t sure either. But once they figure it out, those high-rankers will basically rule the school! And if things keep going… they could end up spreading through the whole world.”
Yuzuki blinked. “Wait. What? What are Kaga-Kaga? And why didn’t you ask about the criterion? And what do you mean ‘spread throughout our world too?’”
“You really don’t know Kaga-Kaga? I thought those Korobokkuru you talked about were just another name for Kaga-Kaga! So, what are Korobokkuru?” Ayaka asked.
Yuzuki shook her head. “Korobokkuru are these tiny little bears that mostly just follow around and say ‘I see you…’ What about Kaga-Kaga?”
“Oh!” Ayaka grinned. “They’re these red lizards that turn into staplers and rulers! And they talk like grumpy old men.” She shrugged. “I really don’t know what the criterion is, though… and yeah, if the high-rankers get chosen, they could totally take over everything!”
Yuzuki’s eyes narrowed. “But WHY do you not know the criterion?!”
Ayaka threw up her hands. “Ahh! I’ll just ask Kaga-Kaga tomorrow, okayy?”
Yuzuki sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Alright. Thank you.”
A shadow crossed her thoughts as she gripped the swing’s chain, mind drifting to Rin. I can’t risk Rin getting caught in this… Back when Kaito attacked him in the Korobokkuru’s boundary, it was clear that exorcists were after him. But if supernaturals are after him then........who knows what’ll happen to him…
Breaking the tension, Yuzuki spoke up. “Oh. You know this coming year is a Lunar Year—the exorcists need to close the gate before it rolls around.”
Ayaka jerked upright. “Huh? Why?”
Yuzuki explained, “Every century, the gate has to be sealed, but this year, because of the Lunar calendar, the deadline’s faster. And I heard the current exorcists aren’t strong enough—so unlike the last time, they might have to do a sacrifice to get it shut for good.”
Ayaka’s face lit up, misunderstanding. “Wait, so, if they’re bad at it, maybe we WON’T get sacrificed this time! Yay!”
Yuzuki shot her a look. “No, idiot. If anything, it’s more likely because they’ll need a sacrifice to succeed. If we’re caught, we’re it.”
Ayaka pouted, but quickly thrust out a pinky finger. “Then let’s make a promise! We’ll protect each other, no matter what, and keep sharing this kind of supernatural tea, deal?”
Yuzuki’s guarded expression melted. She tucked away her worry and linked pinkies with Ayaka, a small smile breaking through. “Of course. But that means you’re not allowed to bully me at school anymore! That’s my condition.”
Ayaka grinned mischievously. “Ha! That was all old news. I’m reformed now!”
“Sureee~” Yuzuki replied, rolling her eyes but clutching the promise tightly, comforted by the strange but growing bond they shared.
“Oh! umh…you know Tsukihana Shigure?” Yuzuki asked quietly.
Ayaka rolled her eyes in instant judgement. “That rain dude you were holding hands with, walking like it’s a K-drama? Ugh, yeah. I know him. But he is NOTHING compared to my Kagami~” she scoffed with a flip of her hair.
“I see…” Yuzuki trailed off, her fingers absently brushing her sleeve.
Ayaka’s brow furrowed. “What? What’s up?”
Yuzuki’s voice dropped. “He asked me to be his tether… I said no. Then he just—turned around and hurt my supernatural.” She glanced down at her right sleeve, still stained faintly with Rin’s blood.
Ayaka instantly latched onto the spot. “Wait, are you bleeding?”
Yuzuki shook her head. “No… it’s my supernatural’s blood.”
Ayaka’s lips pressed to a thin line. “Oh. Well, good job for rejecting that jerk. He gave off weird vibes. All rainy poetry and nothing behind it. Honestly, what goes on inside his head?” she muttered.
A thought seemed to hit Yuzuki. “You know him?”
Ayaka sighed dramatically. “Ugh, yeah. He’s Kagami’s so-called best friend—or at least, that’s what he thinks. As if.”
Ayame stood in the entryway, arms crossed, lips pressed tight with unmistakable frustration. Her voice filled the foyer:“AND? What do you have to say for yourself, MIKAZUKI YUZUKI?”
Yuzuki hesitated on the threshold, wincing as her mother’s voice rose even higher:“DO YOU EVEN HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS? IS THIS EVEN THE TIME TO RETURN FROM SCHOOL? DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? 7 PM. LEGIT 7 IN THE NIGHT. SCHOOL ENDS AT 3:45 PM AND YOU ARRIVE AT 7???? I’VE CALLED YOU LIKE A THOUSAND TIMES, AND YET YOU DIDN’T EVEN PICK UP. I PANICKED SO BAD, I HAD TO CALL YOUR TEACHERS, YOUR FRIENDS AND SOO MANY RANDOM PEOPLE, I WAS EVEN RESORTING TO CALL THE POLICE STATION AT THIS RATE! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, YUZUKI?”
Yuzuki, still standing at the threshold, offered an apologetic shrug:“Umhh… I’m sorry, Mom. My phone was switched off. And… I was at the park near the school… with… Ayaka-san—my classmate.”
Her mother’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.“What? Ayaka-san? That blue-headed girl? I thought you said you hated her?”Ayame quickly stepped forward, cupping Yuzuki’s cheeks, inspecting her from every angle.“Did you get into a fight? Are you hurt anywhere? Should we go to the doctor???”
Yuzuki burst out laughing, clutching her mother’s hands.“Hehe, I’m alright, Mom!”
But Ayame’s worried gaze caught on Yuzuki’s blood-stained sleeve.“YUZUKI! You’re bleeding!”Immediately, she turned to call out, “Hana! Maya! Get Yuzuki a bandage! NOW!” The two housemaids sprang into action, dashing away.
Yuzuki waved her hands frantically.“What? N-no! I’m seriously okkay! It’s not my blood! I swear!”
Her mother paused, torn between relief and continued suspicion, while the commotion echoed through the house—Yuzuki’s late return colliding hard with Ayame’s worry, their family life as lively and chaotic as ever.
Ayame’s panic only grew as her eyes locked on the bloodstain.“THEN WHOSE BLOOD IS IT?” she demanded, voice frantic.
Yuzuki stammered, “Umhh… i-it’s m-mine! Bu-but it’s all dried up. M-my lip was bleeding.”
Her mother squinted, unconvinced. “But you just said it wasn’t yours!”
Yuzuki blinked, scrambling for a save. “Huh? Oh! Yeah. It is my blood. I just… remembered,” she insisted, though Ayame’s suspicious stare didn’t budge.
Yuzuki seized the chance for a diversion. “An-anyways! I’m hungry!” she announced, attention shifting.
“Oh! Right!” Ayame replied, momentarily distracted.
Just then, Maya handed the bandage to Ayame as both maids arrived.“Madam, here.”
But Ayame waved her off. “No no… put it back. Instead, help set the dinner table,” she instructed.
Yuzuki’s face lit up at the sight of the maid. “Maya-sama, when did you get back?”
Maya gave a polite nod. “Not too long ago, My lady. I arrived this morning after finishing Madam’s business in Tokyo.”
Oh? But didn’t that end long ago?Yuzuki thought.Mom and Maya went together to Tokyo...so why did Mom return without completing her work?
“Ah! I see! Welcome back!” Yuzuki beamed, the household slowly relaxing back into the comforting rhythm of family and routine.
As the night wore on, Yuzuki sat hunched over her desk, focus wavering between formulas and fatigue. Dinner already felt like a distant memory. The quiet tap at her door startled her from a half-formed thought.
“Come in!” she called, turning as Ayame swept in, mug in hand.
“Sweetheart, it’s almost 11:30 PM. Go to bed, now,” Ayame chided gently, setting the milk beside Yuzuki’s open books.
“Wait. Really?” Yuzuki blinked, taking the mug and eyeing her small desk clock. “Oh my! It’s really getting late.”
“Exactly!” Ayame said, flipping Yuzuki’s science book around to glance at the cover. “You were studying Science?”
“Yes! I finished tonight. I split it up—half yesterday and the rest today. I was just revising before bed. I’ll do my homework now, then sleep,” Yuzuki explained, blowing on the milk before taking a cautious sip.
Ayame nodded. “I see… will you mind if I stay here for a while?”
“Of course, Mom!” Yuzuki beamed, grateful for the company as she continued with her revision.
Silence settled over the room, filled only by the soft sound of papers shifting and Ayame’s quiet movements as she straightened the manga collection on the bookshelf. Nearly twenty minutes trickled past—calm, comforting, the kind of stillness only shared by family.
Eventually, Yuzuki packed away her science books and pulled out her homework. Ayame moved to the bed, sitting so she could face her daughter and the little sanctuary of her study corner.
“Yuyu. Tell me! How was your day at school?” her mother asked softly.
Yuzuki didn’t look up. “It… was kind of boring. We all had to leave the classroom and stand in the schoolyard. Then they sent us to the next floor and we went back up again,” she said, scratching out answers on her English worksheet.
“Why so?” Ayame frowned with curiosity.
“No idea. Maybe some kind of inspection, floor by floor?” Yuzuki shrugged.
“Oh my! Then you must’ve been standing in that awful sun all afternoon!” Ayame exclaimed, concern flickering across her face.
Yuzuki shook her head. “No worries, I was in the shade.”
Ayame smiled, visibly relieved. “I see… Kazuki and Suzuki were missing you today,” she added.
Yuzuki’s laughter was soft, amused. “Like always.”
Ayame joined in. “Haha, true. Someday though… I know I’ll have to part with you, just like with them. If I move to Tokyo for work, I might be busier than ever. I won’t get to talk to you like this… so let’s make the most of the time we have now.”
Yuzuki closed her notebook, heading to the bed and settling beside her mother. She took Ayame’s hands in her own, eyes serious.“Mom… I know you feel like I’m hiding something lately. And… I know it’ll sound absurd, but—” she hesitated, words trembling at the edge of revelation.
Ayame squeezed her hands, earnest and tearful. “I swear, I won’t think it’s absurd. Whatever it is, Yuyu, you can tell me.”
And so, as the night deepened and the digital clock crept quietly forward, Yuzuki took a breath and began to share everything—the secrets, the fears, the things that set her world apart. Word by word, hour by hour, mother and daughter sat together in the gentle dark, no longer divided by silence, but tangled up in truth at last.
To be Continued...
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