Story II

Then, the cat escaped from its cage.

The cat was free for the primary time in its life.

The cat had grown up in a cage.

The cat was raised with utmost care.

The cat was by no means as soon as abused.

The cat was showered with love.

The cat was anxious and never comfortable about it.

The cat knew those that have been persecuted and condemned.

The cat was now free from anybody or something.

The cat laughed, holding its stomach.

It’s time to play. Prepare!

There was not a lot time, although.

The cat has by no means performed with anybody earlier than.

Reisen Ladies’ Academy was briefly closed.

The scholars have been transferred to a sister faculty in one other prefecture, and the masked Yuri vanished into the darkness.

The ocean of crimson flowers had burned to ashes. Nothing associated to that incident remained on the faculty.

Mayuzumi sat down on the leather-based sofa and flipped by the paperwork in her hand. It contained data on Jingu Yuri’s admission into the academy. She was an official scholar, apparently. However a number of days earlier than the incident, she had obtained a singular permission to return residence.

However we noticed her on the academy.

Mayuzumi picked up a chunk of chocolate and munched on it.

“Surprisingly, her household, particularly her grandmother, went frantic once they came upon about her disappearance. Jingu Yuri was not an deserted youngster.”

Mayuzumi crushed the chocolate between her enamel.

Resting her chin in her hand, she continued, “It was additionally her household that acquired her permission from the academy to go away. However she didn’t go residence, regardless of actually desirous to go residence and have momentary freedom. She informed her household that she was going to remain within the dorm.”

Yuri’s picture appeared in my thoughts. She placed on a cat masks and flared her cloak.

The sight of her bowing within the woods was exceedingly weird.

“There’s one piece of unhealthy information. She’s in all probability an esper. That academy initially housed loads of ladies from households with supernatural talents. Her clan, particularly, was obsessive about these talents and launched one into their bloodline. Not precisely unusual. A pastime of the rich.”

I swallowed. She solid her gaze down listlessly.

She seemed like a doll in her designer coat and frilled skirt.

A number of small roses have been connected to her ears.

“Everybody admires superhumans. However the thought of incorporating them into your individual bloodline is past comprehension. Her household is shunned by different clans. And so they’re additionally retaining the flexibility they obtained a secret. We don’t have any particulars.”

Mayuzumi let loose a sigh and closed the folder. As I believed over the issues she simply stated, the incident replayed in my thoughts.

The ladies’ tragic story. The fox’s identify arising on the finish. Jingu Yuri, who vanished within the flames.

A fox and a cat. How have been they associated?

“Is it potential that she has the identical capability because the fox?” I requested.

Was the entire incident one thing she orchestrated alone?

Mayuzumi shook her head. “Who is aware of?” she stated wearily. “However his existence was distinctive. The fox was born on account of copulation between his mom and her personal brother. Even inside the Mayuzumi clan, his capability couldn’t have been obtained with out breaking taboo. I don’t suppose there’s any related precedent. Moreover, she lived within the academy, so she shouldn’t have identified about him.”

However the cat’s look hinted on the presence of the fox.

Mayuzumi solid her gaze down in thought. Irritation crammed her eyes. She hated boredom. However she detested the fox simply as effectively. I used to be beginning to get a headache too. I pressed my wriggling stomach.

The fox had made his presence identified as soon as extra. I wasn’t positive how you can take that.

I left him behind. I’d as effectively have killed him.

However as soon as once more, ladies have been sacrificed within the identify of the fox.

How do I take care of this truth, and what do I do subsequent?

“A cat…”

Who was that lady carrying a cat masks?

I recalled the best way she stared at us defiantly from inside the flames.

The place did she disappear to?

“I don’t wish to get entangled along with her if potential,” Mayuzumi stated. “She’s an abomination. However…”

“Yeah, that’s wishful pondering.”

“I’ll see you quickly.”

Her dramatic line replayed in my head. She stated she would see us once more earlier than disappearing.

I couldn’t even inform what was happening.

My palms balled into fists. The wound on my left hand ached. Why was I being laid low with somebody I had determined to neglect? I made a decision not to consider him ever once more. However each time I remembered him standing within the spirit world, my breath caught in my throat. I attempted to rid myself of the picture, however to no avail.

Proper as my confusion reached its peak, a telephone rang.

Astonished, I turned to Mayuzumi. However she didn’t transfer. Mendacity down on the sofa, she opened a brand new field. She picked up a small dog-shaped piece of chocolate and popped it into her mouth.

Ring.

She chewed and swallowed casually.

“I feel it’s your telephone,” she stated.

“Oh.”

“Simply because your telephone hardly ever rings doesn’t imply you must neglect your ringtone. It have to be since you don’t have any mates. Poor factor.”

Mayuzumi pretended to cry. I ignored her and pulled out my cellphone from my bag. I pressed the reply button and held it to my ear.

“Hey, Odagiri talking.”

“Oh, Odagiri-san.” A cheerful voice, to my shock. “It’s me, Nanami. Are you out there proper now?”

I breathed a sigh of reduction. However it was uncommon for her to name me out of the blue. Possibly one thing occurred.

“Do you want something?” I requested.

“I considered ready so that you can return, however if you happen to’re not too busy, I used to be questioning if you happen to might come. Um… It’s about that factor I wished to indicate you. She’s totally recovered immediately, so she needs to speak to you.”

“Nanami-san. Can I put this away?”

I heard a high-pitched voice. It sounded acquainted. I had no thought why she was there, and I couldn’t perceive what Nanami was saying.

Totally recovered?

“Sorry, are you able to please maintain the road for a bit?” Nanami stated. “Sure, that goes over there. And please let that soak in scorching water just a little longer.”

“Okay. Um… And I’m gonna wash this…”

Crash.

I heard a plate break.

“Oh, no. It’s important to be extra cautious!” Nanami cried. “I’ll be ready for you, Odagiri-san!”

“Wait, Nanami-san. Why—”

Beep, beep.

The decision was disconnected. I pulled the telephone away from my ear, flabbergasted. I turned to Mayuzumi; she seemed exasperated. She apparently heard the voice too.

“Go forward,” Mayuzumi nodded. “I completely forgot about her.”

I nodded again.

It was just a little late, however we would have liked to verify how she was doing.

Come to think about it, we kinda simply forgot about her after the incident with the fox.

The voice on the opposite facet of the telephone belonged to Shiraki Aya.

Ding, dong.

I left the workplace and returned to my house.

I pressed the doorbell, however no reply got here from the intercom. Folding my arms, I waited for Nanami. I wanted to determine what was happening. However I didn’t know what to ask her.

Why was Shiraki Aya washing dishes at Nanami’s place? What had she been as much as till now? I used to be feeling oddly nervous.

The door slowly opened.

“Welcome, Grasp!”

Aya, wearing an apron, greeted me with a smile.

With out saying a phrase, I pulled a cigarette from my chest, lit it up, and took a deep breath.

A number of seconds later, I stated, “So, is there a punchline?”

Aya clicked her tongue. “What does it take to please you, you closet pervert? You’re not eager about these tits?” She threw out her chest.

The small apron she wore was on the verge of tearing. The cat’s face printed on it was stretched hideously. Her ponytail was tied with a yellow scrunchie. She in all probability borrowed them each from Nanami. The 2 gave the impression to be getting alongside effectively, however what on this planet was happening?

“What, no response? Tsk. Possibly one thing like, ‘Welcome residence, pricey,’ would’ve been higher. In any other case, hmm… I might’ve give you one thing earlier than, however I can’t actually bear in mind.” She began mumbling to herself. “I’m caught in a rut… Want some selection…”

I snuffed out the cigarette I lit on an impulse. It was nonetheless lengthy, however there was nothing I might do. After a number of seconds of pondering, Aya checked out me.

“No matter,” she stated. “It’s been some time, Odagiri. As normal, you look surprisingly effective, regardless of trying such as you’d drop useless at any second. As you possibly can see, I’ve lastly made a full restoration. Sorry for calling you out right here out of the blue. Are available.”

Aya beckoned me and went inside. I watched her go. I believed again to the incident with the fox. The feeling of blood operating down my throat. Her bewitching smile. Her weeping visage, laid low with Aya’s loss of life.

One thing was clearly off right here.