__Part 6__
to Part 5; to Tobajan Mahjong 4; to Part 7
Koukaku: Uuuu... I can't accept losing to a human...
Koukaku: I- I can't believe. A human, having this much power...
Koukaku: N- No! I can't accept it...
''I...I can't believe it. I lost to Kumi and a human...''
''Thank you very much, Master!''
''What on earth...who are you?''
''...My name is Jango Abe, a Shikigami Master. That's all.''
''A Shikigami Master....?''
''I've heard about them, but...the fact that weak Kumi became this strong just by joining with a Shikigami Master...''
''Someone that can increase his own power several times by teamnig up with a Shikigami. That is a Shikigami Master.''
''...It seems that I need to change my views a bit.''
''Now I understand why Kumi adores you so much.''
''Big sister...can you accept my decision now?''
''I love you and our family...and I know that what I'm doing is selfish...even so, I want to stay with my Master....''
''Since you say that, and taking you by force is impossible as well...then there's no other way...''
''Then...''
''Right...I'll stay here, too.''
''What?''
''Normally, in order for a Hitokata to become a Shikigami, all you need to do is beat them in mahjong or something to make a contract, right?''
''If so, then since I was beaten in mahjong, I could become a Shikigami, right?''
''Well...that's true...but I...to have a Shikigami is just...''
''I've already made up my mind, so it doesn't matter what you say.''
''I'm also worried about my little sister, and after meeting you, I'm becoming curious about humans as well...''
For both sisters to become my Shikigami is just... Well, it's very irregular.
''Anyway, pleased to meet you.''
Because it was getting dark, we came back to the office.
On the table, the tea that Kumi served gives off steam.
Koukaku sits on the chair with her legs crossed, drinking hot tea in a good mood.
On the other side, Kumi's face is showing concern and worry.
Kumi is probably feeling emotionally confused.
''This tea is quite good.''
''There are rice crackers to go with the tea...''
''Thanks. I'll take them.''
Crunch, crunch...
.....It looks like food expenses are going to double.
''So Hitokata do have families...''
''Even though you're a Shikigami Master, you're still a fool. We are called Hitokata in one word, but we are not simple beings like you humans.''
''There are countless races. Some of them just appeared spontaneously, and some could be born from transformations as well...''
''And then there are some, like us, who are born from parents.''
''Big sister...you shouldn't be using that tone of voice when talking to your Master...''
''Well...if I speak in a formal way, I could choke on my tongue...are you a person who cares that much about formality?''
''Not really...''
''Then it's okay. See? Kumi.''
''..............................................''
''Changing the subject, can I ask you...what kind of race are you?''
''What? Kumi hasn't told you about us at all?''
''N- No...''
''We are part of the Mountain God clan, from deep in the mountain of Okuhida, in Fukui Prefecture.''
''There is a small village at the foot of the mountain where our race lives.''
''This village was made by the people of Heike family, who lost a war and fled from their enemies during the Fourth Yamato Age...''
''Our race took pity on them and helped them in secret.''
''So the people of the village made a shrine and worship us as gods.''
''What? But that means your race has a friendly relation with humans, right?''
''Then why do you seem to hate humans...''
''Our family only trust the people of the village. They still pay tribute to us even these days.''
''They haven't forgotten to appreciate us.''
''Compared to them, the humans in the city are just...they have forgotten the gifts of nature and have lost their hearts...or so I thought, until I met you.''
''Well then, I told you about us, so now it's your turn.''
''Master...''
''It's okay, Kumi.''
I told Koukaku about my past and how I met Kumi.
''.............................................''
''So humans also have many troubles in life, don't they...''
''Don't be so quiet. I'm starting to doubt the meaning of my existence.''
''Where did that thought come from?''
''...You saved Kumi's life. Don't that fact alone give meaning to your existence?''
''So, now you're looking for the person in this picture.''
''Hmm...okay, I'll help you look for him.''
''But Koukaku, do you understand what it means to become a Shikigami?''
''Truthfully? Well, as you know, this is my first time...''
''...............................''
''Phew...that was delicious.''
Koukaku put the empty teacup on the table.
''Your tea is even better than before, Kumi.''
''I wanted to ease my Master's pain, even if it's just a little, so...''
''...Kumi, now you're rambling.''
''........................................''
''Well, anyway, let's go to sleep already. I'm tired.''
''Let's do our best today as well, Master, and try to find that girl's father.''
After breakfast, we went out to work.
Showa Dori is also noisy today, filled with music from the stores and uproar from the passing people.
''Wow! What an incredible crowd! Where did they all come from?''
''The neon lights and sounds attract people from all over the country.''
''Because this is one of the most famous entertainment cities in the world.''
''Kumi, did the neon lights and the sounds attract you, too?''
''Eh? Not exactly but...I don't know...What could be....?''
Kumi looks bewildered and tilted her head to the side.
''It must be...I was drawn to Tokyo because it was my destiny to meet my Master...just dreaming, hahaha.''
''Hahaha.''
''We, well, now that we have more people, let's do our best to ask around.''
''I just have to ask people if they know the man in this picture, right? No problem!''
The Shikigami sisters disappeared into the crowd.
''Master...''
''How did it go?''
''Yes, there was a person who thought that he saw him somewhere, but it was just a feeling...so it's not a concrete clue...''
''I see...''
''I also found a person who have seen someone similar as well.''
''Where?''
''In a bar half a year ago. But...it seems that the place was shut down already.''
Koukaku shrugs her shoulders.
''Well...At least we know that Mika's father doesn't seem to be just passing through. That's something.''
''Please cheer up, Master.''
''Okay, let's go to the next place.''
We arrive at the game center.
Bustling lights and sounds are whirling around the room.
''How do I say this...it's incredible! Isn't it too stimulating, though?''
''The village in the mountain and Tokyo are two completely different worlds, aren't they...''
''True. They're very different.''
''I like this place. Isn't it filled with delicious-looking energy, sister?''
''Really? It seems a little dirty to me. I get the feeling that I would get sick if I absorb it.''
''Oh, let's ask that man over there.''
Kumi points to a young man near the vending machine, who is holding a cup of coffee in his hands.
Young man: '''What?''
We call out to the man, who dyed his hair yellow, and he looks at us suspiciously. This man is Japanese, but he looks like an American with his yellow hair. But this is the fashion of young people.
Young man: ''I know you. You've been nosing around this place and asking lots of questions recently, haven't you...''
''Wow! You're famous, Master!''
''...Why are you so happy about it?''
Young man: ''Who are you anyway? You don't seem to have come to the game center to play games. And those girls don't look human...''
''We're nobodies, really.''
Young man: ''Humph. Oh well, I won't pry.''
''That's an intelligent choice.''
Young man: ''Haha...I hear on the news that people were often killed for knowing too much.''
Young man: ''Whatever the case may be...it seems that you got some problems.''
''If you want to do anything around here, you have to ask Taeko.''
''Taeko?''
Young man: ''You don't know her? Geez, you don't know anything, do you...''
Young man: ''She is the boss around this area. And she also got a lot of information.''
''It is worth your time to meet her.''
''What do we have to do in order to meet her?''
Young man: ''She comes to this game center every day. If you come here often, you can meet her eventually.''
''Unless you're very unlucky, haha.''
''Well, can't be helped, maybe next time.....''
We leave the game center, and head for the office.
The office looks the same as always.
''In the sunlight...this building looks very old and dirty.''
''Yes, but the rent is very cheap.''
''This place looks very old. It reminds me of the shrine in our hometown.''
''It's not a bad place to live.''
''True, this place does feel neat and homey.''
''Kumi keeps it pretty clean in here.''
''Heehee!''
''Were there any messages?''
''Yes. Mika is going to come here this evening to ask us how the investigation is going.''
''I see...well, it would be great if we can find some more clues, but...''
If she hears that we haven't found anything that even resembles like a clue...she would be heartbroken...
''That's true...''
''Okay, let's go back to work again.''
This is the Central Square between Showa Dori and the train station.
There are many people here who seems to be waiting for their dates.
''By the way, I felt someone watching me many times yesterday...was that you, Koukaku?''
''That's right. Since you're so thick, Kumi, I thought you wouldn't notice it. I'm a little surprised that you were able to sense me.''
''Then, were you following us all day?''
''What are you angry about?''
''As I said before. I was worried that you had been brainwashed and was being manipulated.''
''That's why I was watching you.''
''...Oh well, it turns out to be totally unnecessary.''
''I didn't mean to spy on you, so don't be so angry at me.''
''..................................''
''There're lots of people that look bored. It's worth asking around here.''
''Koukaku...Those people aren't bored, they're waiting for someone. This is a famous place to meet others.''
''Really? Well, it doesn't matter, I'm going to go ask them for information.''
..............................................
............................................................................
.................................................................................................
''Ahrr...Damn it! I'm going to be sick.''
''What? What happened?''
''Without even looking at the picture, he suddenly said 'Got some free time, Miss? Want to go grab some coffee with me?'''
''You mean...he was trying to pick you up.''
''Then, he started touching me as if we were good friends. So I got angry and took some of his life energy. He should be quieter now.''
''.......................................''
''There are many people...but I didn't find out anything.''
''Don't be disappointed. Please cheer up, Master.''
''Why don't we go see if we can find that Taeko person?''
''This is always such a noisy place no matter when we come.''
Koukaku doesn't seem to like the game center.
''This place reeks of sweat...and the air is so stagnant....''
''And what's that flickering thing?''
''If you keep watching that, you're definitely going to become blind.''
''That's the screen of the game. I think it's beautiful...''
Young man: ''Oh, it's you. Taeko isn't here yet.''
''When does she usually come here?''
Young man: ''Well...I'm not sure...whenever she feels like it, I guess.''
..............................
Young man: ''Even if you make your face like that, that's really the only thing I can tell you. Sorry guys.''
''Does she come here at different times each day?''
Young man: ''For both arrival and departure times. It's completely random.''
''We're not dogs...we can't just sit here and wait who knows how long for someone to show up!''
''What's her address...or her phone number?''
Young man: ''I, I don't know. If it's not someone she really trusts she won't tell him that. It's the truth...''
''It can't be helped. We'll have to come back later.''
"We come to the bad area of Tokyo.
As always, it's like a ghost town around here. No sign of humans anywhere.
''What a desolate place. I never imagined that there is a place like this in Tokyo.''
''On the contrary. This place exists because of Tokyo.''
''Are you trying to say 'where there's light, there's also shadow.'?''
''Well...something like that.''
''Ha-ha. Kumi, your Master is a poet, isn't he?''
''...........................................''
''But he is also your Master, isn't he? You said you want to become a Shikigami yourself, but are you aware that you are a Shikigami now!?''
''Aware...hmm, I am not sure.''
''Koukaku!''
''Hey, come on, stop making such a scary face.''
''By the way, there's no one here to question.''
''There are filthy-spirits everywhere...but they don't have the consciousness to talk, so...''
''Now that you mentioned...there're no humans, but I can feel something...some strange power...What could it be?''
''Power?''
''What could it be...I can't tell.''
''You don't feel it, Kumi?''
''I don't know...I might be feeling something...or maybe I'm just imagining it...''
''There's nothing here either...''
This is the hamburger shop.
This place is crowded with students that just got out of school, office workers that just got off work, and many other people.
''This is the so-called 'Fast Food Restaurant', right? ''
Koukaku points to the corner in the restaurant.
''I was watching you in disguise yesterday. I was sitting right over there drinking a milk shake.''
''I didn't realize you need to suck that hard to drink a milk shake. I got very tired just from drinking it.''
''Koukaku, you...''
''What's with that look?''
''Koukaku, you sound like a country girl!''
''What did you say!?''
Squeeze!
''Ow, that hurts!''
''This is the mouth that said those disrespectful words to your big sister, isn't it. This mouth! This is the mouthhhh!!!''
''Hey, hey. Stop making a scene!''
''Got it, Kumi? Bad things happen to people that don't respect their big sisters. Remember that.''
''...You're the one that made the bad things happen...''
''Did you say something?''
''Not really...''
Koukaku speaks to a middle-aged salaryman next to us that's reading some tabloids while eating a hamburger.
''Hey, have you seen the person in this picture?''
Salaryman: ''Eh?''
Salaryman: ''......................''
''Are you daydreaming or something?''
''Just say no if you haven't seen him, jeez!''
Salaryman: ''M- Miss, what daring clothes! Don't you feel chilly in them?''
''It's none of your business what I wear for training.''
Salaryman: ''I think that nipple is almost sticking out...hyahyahya.''
''..............................''
''You don't need to worry about another person's breasts! Got it!!
''Do you know this guy? Just say yes or no.''
Salaryman: ''N- No, I don't...''
''Damn, that was a waste of time! Let's get out of here!''
''Should we go to the game center again...?''
''Just then...''
While I was looking around to find Taeko....
Crash!
''Oh!''
''My Master, are you all right?''
''It was nothing.''
''Ouch! ...Ah? You again?''
I collided with this girl in the game center before.
Just like last time, she's smiling with a confrontational expression.
Maybe she collided with me on purpose...
''What's this? You got one extra dog. Where did you pick it up?''
''What did you say!!!!''
''Stop, Koukaku. Don't let her provoke you.''
''Don't treat Shikigami like dogs or cats. They're not pets.''
''Really? Then what are they?''
''Shikigami are important partners who help me and increase my powers at the same time.''
''Master...''
''...Humph!''
''Well, how people treat Shikigami depend on the Master. So it's pointless to argue about it.''
''...True.''
''You really are a strange guy. You're not here to play games, but you come here with your Shikigami...what are you up to?''
''I want to see Taeko...isn't she here yet?''
''What business do you have with her?''
''We were told to speak with Taeko. I also want to buy some information.''
''Hmmm...okay, I'll give her the message.''
''That means she's still not here yet, right?''
''You got it. Only she can decide what she wants to do, right? So the only thing you can do is wait.''
''................................''
''Oh well, I forgive you about these bumps. Later.''
After the girl said that, she waved and left.
''Master, we'd better get going as well.''
''Yes, you're right.''
I got a strange feeling as I start to walk.
''Hmmm?''
I was stunned when I figured out why I was feeling so weird.
''Arghhhhhhhhhh!!''
''W- What's wrong, Master?''
''That girl!! She stole my mahjong set!!''
''What!?''
The strange feeling that I got was caused by the lighter weight in my mahjong holster.
The people around us are eyeing me with surprise due to my outburst.
''Master, Master! Please calm down.''
''It must have been when she collided with me! Damn...''
''You're right.''
''Did you noticed that?''
''Yep.''
''If you noticed it, then why didn't you tell me!!''
''Sorry. I thought both of you noticed it. I didn't realize that both of you are so thick...''
''.......................................''
''Damn...that mahjong set was expensive...''
''Really? But I thought you bought it at a discount store...''
''It was expensive for me!''
''Ohhh, I see.''
''Sorry to interrupt, but we should be going after that girl rather than jabbering away. We can probably still catch her.''
''That's right! Let's go after her.''
''Let's hurry, Master!''
We ran out of the game center, chasing after the girl who stole my mahjong set.
''Koukaku, can you trace that girl's aura?''
''Yes, it's a piece of cake. That girl is giving off a very strong aura...as if she's asking us to chase her.''
Koukaku points to a corner of the street without hesitation.
''There!''
It's so croweded around here.
I look for the girl, but that's very hard in this place.
''Koukaku...''
''I know. I'm tracing her aura now.''
Probably because she's concentrating so hard, sweat appears on her forehead.
''I found out her! She's moving toward Okubo!''
''Okay, let's hurry!''
''....................................''
''I don't see anyone...?''
It's too quiet around here.
Nothing is moving in the silent street...
So we would notice immediately if anyone is here, but...
''Koukaku, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?''
''That's not possible. I'm sure that she came this way...very strange...''
Koukaku's head is tilted to one side with a puzzled expression on her face.
''I felt her aura here just a few minutes ago, but now it's disappeared...''
''...Maybe we underestimated the situation.''
''What do you mean, Master?''
''I mean, believing that she was an ordinary girl may have been a big mistake.''
''The ease in how she stole my mahjong set, the ability to hide her aura...''
''Could she be...an assassin from the Organization...?''
''I'm not sure. I didn't feel any evil or hostile intent, though.''
''............................................''
''I don't know what she's up to but...we can't be careless.''
''Ah!''
''What's wrong, Koukaku?''
''Her aura is suddenly rising fast...ah, there!''
''Yuu-hoo!''
''When did...?''
How did she get over there? She's now waving at us with a smile from the street near the Central Square.
''Damn...stop playing games with us!! Give my mahjong set back to me!''
As we dashed toward her, the girl quickly turned and ran away.
The girl easily escapes through the crowd.
''After all that, we returned to the same place we started from...''
''Damnit, she's playing with us...and just when we're so busy...''
As if she heard our conversation, she looked at us and laughed. Then she went into the game center.
''I won't let you get away this time.''
The girl is waiting for us in the game center.
She looks very calm. She doesn't look like someone who's been cornered.
''Koukaku...please put up a barrier.''
''Okay...done.''
''That's better...now we can take our time and talk.''
''...You're pretty calm about this.''
''Really?''
''Thank you for your hard work, but you've just returned to the starting point.''
''An excellent game to make us look like fools...''
''Wasn't it good exercise, though?''
''I get enough exercise. I don't need you to worry about me.''
''Really?''
''Anyway, would you give my mahjong set back to me?''
''What are you talking about?''
''Don't act innocent with me! You stole my mahjong set, didn't you?''
''I saw it all.''
''Really?''
''Well...I don't really need it, so I'll give it back to you...but before that, let's talk some more.''
''What do you want?''
''I was going to ask you the same thing.''
''.................................................''
''Intruding in my territory without even saying hello...what were you thinking?''
''I don't know why you're sniffing around...but I don't like it.''
''You are making fun of me, aren't you?''
''Master...could this girl be...''
''Are you, by any chance...Taeko?''
''So you finally figured it out, eh? Yes, that's right.''
''She has nothing to do with the Organization...she's just a juvenile delinquent or something like that...''
It seems that Taeko noticed my relieved look.
''Hey! Stop making fun of me! Are you trying to ruin my image?''
''I didn't mean to make fun of you...''
''Shut up, you!''
''.................................................''
''I'm going to teach you a painful lesson! Prepare yourself.''
__Part 6__
to Part 5; to Tobajan Mahjong 4; to Part 7