4-37: A Careless Family (4/6)

4-37: A Careless Family (4/6)

That was a topic still too sensitive for anyone to broach.

Y-You dont have to apologize. Im the one who asked, after all.. UmmUpdated from novelbIn.(c)om

Panicking, Tomoe looked around for a different topic, and it was then that she happened to see an A4-sized paper with something printed on it.

That was rare in this day and age, especially, in Kutoria, so she grabbed it to try an change the topic.

Hey! What is that? Whyd you go out of your way to print somethingHuh?

Tomoe intentionally spoke louder as she steered the topic away from that bomb she unwittingly set off, and examined that paper.

She figured there mustve been something special about it since Youko went out of her way to print it.

Of course, it didnt actually matter what it was, she just needed an excuse to change the topic.

Ahh, that. Thats the reason why I couldnt get any sleep. I didnt have anything to do, so I killed time by analyzing that, and before I knew it, Id spent two all-nighters on it. Ahaha, Youko laughed.

She knew Tomoe was being considerate to her, so she was more than grateful to play along, but Tomoe herself was actually already in shock.

Tomoe?

Give me a sec But, why Hey, youko, what did you do to this!?

When Tomoe recovered her senses, she demanded an explanation from Youko.

The thought of needing to be considerate with her had completely escaped her because of how shocking the content on that paper was.

When Youko explained herself, Tomoe realized the other meaning of that image and the value that it held.

Theres no way But what if? If so, then he No, this isnt enough Wait, there is! There is one more thing!

If she wasnt mistaken, there should be one more thing that could prove his identity.

Inadvertently, her body trembled for a different reason. Was it out of fear? Out of excitement? Or out of agitation?

Youko, have you shown this to anyone else?

U-Uhh The student council president called first thing in the morning because he had a few things he had to confirm, and he happened to see it. For some reason, he was as shocked as you. Im pretty sure a professional could come up with a better image, though

Youko tilted her head as she wondered why the student council president was so surprised. If not for the situation, she would have looked lovely.

But that was precisely why Tomoe sympathized with the student council president.

It was shocking precisely because they couldnt do something so simple.

The student council president, huh A bit dicey, but thats still not too bad. Sorry, Youko. I have somewhere I need to be all of the sudden! Ill drop by again tomorrow!

She had to use this before it spread.

Before the person himself realized the value of that image.

S-Sure.

You dont mind if I take this, right!? And make sure not to show the image to anyone! And delete the analyzed file too!

Tomoe said forcefully with an attitude that wasnt taking no for an answer.

If not for the support of the mask, things would have ended in tragedy.

That feeling of being so powerless lingered within them yet.

Were not good enough, not at all So I want to become stronger, Ryou. But the things that the school can teach me and the things that I can study on my own are almost at their limit. Im sure thats the same for you, right?

Ryous face became even unhappier at that, but he nodded.

The things they could learn given their current position havent been exhausted yet, but they could already see where those things could take them.

And that was not a level that would be enough for them to reach their goals.

In that case, hurry up and meet up with me. This is likely A once in a lifetime chance. If we let this chance go, the method I thought of will become useless!

There were differences, but Ryou was her childhood friend who inherited a lineage similar to hers, as well as someone who lived in a similar situation.

Although their relationship tended to be stormy, they shared a feeling of camaraderie.

Thats why Tomoe thought it wouldnt be fair of her to be the only to benefit from this plan of hers.

Sigh. Well, theres nothing new about you being so pushy out of the blue. Alright, Ill go. Where do you need me?

It was curious if he gave in because of how serious his childhood friend was, or if it was merely because hed never tried to go against her before when she was this pushy, but regardless, he nodded with a sigh, and Tomoe ended the call after telling him where to meet.

When she was about to call the person they needed to meet, her fingers stopped.

Im imagining something weird again.

This plan of hers was something she just came up with after acquiring that information.

Because that information just happened to connect the various affairs that were supposed to be unrelated.

Of course, this connection was still uncertain, and the lines intersecting them were merely dotted, but

When you think about it, its supposed to be impossible, but I feel like() Im right, so as an exorcist

She had to go with her guts.

Regardless how absurd of a conjecture that may be.

She had to calm down before making the call. This was making her a lot more tense than shed expected.

She closed her eyes and focused her mind, and when she was sure that she was calm, her fingers moved.

Whats the matter?

Sound only?

When she realized that she would only be able to hear the voice of the person she called, her enthusiasm deflated.

Shed intended a normal call, but the video wasnt showing for some reason, meaning the person she contacted had his foster set to sound only.

Sorry, are you busy?

Not really You need something?

Y-Yeah, Id like to meet up and confirm some things with you. About the exam the other day, I mean. You were a substitute examiner, after all