__Part 12__
to Part 11; to Tobajan Mahjong 10; to Part 13



''It seems that nothing has changed from before.''

''...Dammit...''

''Master, are you alright?''

''Yes...I'm still alive...''

''.......................................................''

''Don't think you'll get away with it if you hurt my Master any more!''

''That's right! If you want Jango's life, you'll have to kill all of us first!''

''........................................''

''...Please take Jango and get out of my sight.''

''Eh?''

''You're going to let him go...?''

''My orders are to guard this company.''

''No one told me to terminate Jango.''

''Kuri...''

''I...don't want kill my old classmate with my own hands.''
''So please hurry up and disappear from my sight.''

''...Let's leave...Master, please lean on my shoulder...''

''I don't know how long you can keep running away from the Organization but...take care, Jango...''


My Shikigami help me move by supporting my shoulders. When we arrive in the square, I spoke out to my Shikigami.

''...It's okay here. Let's rest a little.''

''Eh? But...''

''It's okay.''

''...Master, this way...''

I sit down on the bench, and stare up at the sky.

''Sigh...''

The sky is blue and clear.

''It disproves the myth that the sky in the city is gray...''

''It's a beautiful blue.''

''Yeah...''

''Master...is your body alright?''

''Yes, I think I can move if I rest a little...Kuri seemed to have held back when she was fighting me...''

''But are you sure you want to rest in a place like this? Why not rest in Taeko's room, where it's more relaxing?''

''No, I think it's better for us not to go back there.''

''Just in case someone is following us...''

Kuri...you...

Those of us who were sent to the Organization's education institution never knew the love of parents.

Those who raised us only saw it as a job...well, that makes sense since it was their job...

No love was given to any of us. We came from all over the world.

The kids want to forget their loneliness, so they needed each other...

I played a lot with Kuri...and also argued with her a lot...

Now that I think about it, it was nothing more than games between innocent kids.

Because of the tiger blood in her body, Kuri was told to be careful with her power...but she often forgot and badly hurt her opponents when she fought.

I was in the infirmary after fighting with her on several occasions.

After leaving that education institution, we were sent to work in different places, so we didn't get a chance to meet each other again...

Kuri's eyes remind me of many things.

She...saved my life...

But I...I can't give up...

To run away is just...I'm sorry, Kuri...

''However, we can't get into the building as long as Kuri is there...what a dilemma...''

''I hate to admit it...but she's too strong...''

''She radiates an incredible amount of power...power that seems to be able to summon the moon.''

''Master...shall we ask Master Kasha for help?''

''Kasha...?''

Now that Rinka mentioned it, that's the best we can do right now.

''You're right...let's go.''

We head toward Kasha's place.


Looking unsurprised as we opened the door, Kasha gestures for us to come in.


''....................................''

Kasha is looking at me with her silent eyes.

Eyes that seem to be able to see right through me...

''What happened to you, Mr. Jango? You look tired...''

''Master Kasha, I beg you...please help my Master...''

After she said that, Rinka kneels down in front of Kasha.

''What happened...? Rinka, please let me see your memory.''

''Yes, Master Kasha.''

''...I see, half-tiger...''

''We did our best...but it was not good enough.''

''Beastlings are blessed by nature.''

''Doesn't nature bless Hitokata as well?''

''Not to bugs!''

''How meannnnnn.''

''Knock it off, you two!''

''Of course nature also blesses Hitokata. It's just that the power is especially strong in the beastlings.''


''See? Nature also blesses bugs.''

''...Humph.''

''Master Kasha...my power won't be of any use against the blessing of nature...so please give us your aid...''

''Rinka...''

Kasha seems to think about something for a moment, then suddenly, she took off the veil that was covering her face.


''Mr. Jango...''

''Yes?''

''Please play mahjong with me now.''

''Mahjong...''

''This is training. Play mahjong with me, and if you can defeat me, you will be able to gain more power...''

''T- Thank you very much.''

''It is still too early to say thanks...you won't gain any power if you can't defeat me...''

''Do your best, Master!''

''Before we start...please drink this.''

Kasha hands me some kind of recovery medicine.

I drink it in one gulp, and I notice that my body is full of energy again.

''Then...let's begin.''


__Part 12__
to Part 11; to Tobajan Mahjong 10; to Part 13