4-39: The Children’s Burden (3/6)

4-39: The Children’s Burden (3/6)

I dont mind actually, I just dont know where to begin, Ryou said.

This wasnt usually a topic he spoke about, so he had no idea where to begin.

You can start from the circumstances that led you down that path. Though I do know that its related to the exorcist clans, Shinichi said.

In that case, Ill leave the explanation to Tomoe since I dont know much about those guys either, Ryou said.

Although he seemed somewhat apologetic when he left the job to Tomoe because of his lack of knowledge, at the same time, there was also a tinge of hatred that kept him from wanting to touch the topic.

Tomoe knew about his situation and how he felt, so she tolerated his refusal and turned to Shinichi.

Ill start then. Lets start with why the exorcist clans of Japan had to exist in the first place. If I dont start from there, the later events will be difficult to understand, Tomoe said.

Shinichi expected this, so he didnt even bother to nod, and just listened attentively, urging her to continue with his eyes.

Shinichi didnt mean anything with his actions other than to show his sincerity, but his rapt attention reminded her of how close they were earlier.

The fact that he wasnt trying to play a prank on her this time just made that sincere gaze affect her even more.

Im not informed enough to know the specifics of the exorcist clans history, but during the times when people knew the world only in the scale of a single village, the existence of exorcists were known, and people relied on them, Tomoe said.

But Tomoe focused and expelled all those unnecessary thoughts, then spoke dispassionately as she spoke the story that her beloved mother told her a long time ago.

The war against demons was originally taken care of by the local schools and religions, as well as the rituals, but as time passed and the sphere of human activities expanded, so the did the demons grow more numerous and varied, but the exorcists themselves did not grow

Normal people cannot see demons unless their aura is sufficiently dense.

When people gained knowledge and common sense, the exorcists were mocked, and some of them were even labeled as swindlers.

Even the Bureau of Onmyo that once played a central role in politics was dismantled during the Meiji Era.

But of course, by then they were already nothing more than Onmyoujis officially(), and the move itself seemed to have been politically motivated, but thats another story altogether.

Having predicted that an era where the existence of the spiritual would not be acknowledged publicly, the exorcists then chose to unite regardless of their origin, lineage, and religion.

Although there were other various factors at play as well, such as human ambition, self preservation, the pursuit of knowledge etc., no one could deny the necessity of the exorcists.

Because so long as humans existed, there would always be darkness in the world for demons to be born.

An existence who could exorcise those demons and maintain the balance of the yin and yang of the world was needed.

And so, was born the organization that would eventually become a clan connected by blood. The bonds within the clan grew stronger, but on the other hand, they became clannish, and they grew to resent any external interference, Tomoe said.

But the you denied yourselves first, no? Are you kids? Shinichi asked.

P-Putting it really simply, an emotion of that sort was No, Im sure something similar to a grudge mustve been passed down I do agree with you, though, Tomoe said.

In the face of that remark that was as crude as it was fatal, Tomoe wryly smiled.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

They couldnt cut off their relationship with society completely, but they couldnt exist officially either.

They exorcised demons for the sake of the world, but before long, they started thinking carnally and considered that perhaps they didnt do it for the sake of others.

Once that reaches a peak and blows over, a group like the Ootsu, who saw themselves as special, would be born.

But of course, when they noticed the boy laughing at them, they became embarrassed and stopped.

Either way, that was the last of their families happiness, and they continued the rest of the story with an expressionless face.

Confronted with harassment and unreasonable demands, they gave up on the clan altogether.

They considered running away together, but after considering that the clan might send people to pursue them and the risk of being found, they decided to live in completely different regions.

That was the last time the two families met, and they didnt even know that each others parents had died until they met again at the academy.

My mother wasnt really the sickly type, but she also wasnt very active. Despite that she had to live at an unfamiliar place, while doing an unfamiliar job and raising me on her own. To make things worse, the people who didnt think well of us found us. Although they didnt force us to go back, they never stopped harassing us. Eventually my mother got sick and passed away Well, its not really that rare of a story, Ryou said.

The usual sob story, he said in an attempt to make fun of his own tragedy.

If he didnt do that, a different emotion might just come pouring out of him.

Shinichi didnt say anything and just looked at him.

Tomoe also quietly hung her head beside.

Is that your motivation? Shinichi asked.

Right Theres someone who needs to pay. I hate the clan, but I hate that guy even more, so Im going to find him, and Im going to beat the s**t out of him, Ryou said.

Sounds dangerous, Shinichi said.

Ryou tried to suppress his emotions as much as he could, but he still failed to hide the hate in his words.

Despite that Shinichi did not become upset, and his voice remained flat.

Ryou figured that he mustve already predicted this, so he continued.

I remember saying during the exam that I want to join the army. The reason is because the highest chance for me to fight against that guy is there. Ah, but you dont have to worry, that guy is definitely a villain. In fact, hes already a wanted man to both worlds, Ryou said.

He said that matter-of-factly, but his eyes were brimming with hate, and his hands have balled into fists so tight over the table it seemed as though he was trying to hurt himself.

Even alone though she was alone, my mother protected me. She knew what kind of fate was waiting for her, but she still gave birth to me and raised me. She left our family because she was concerned about my future.

The problematic way of life of the exorcist clan that caused this mess, and the unsympathetic words of those people.

Ryou hated those too, but there was something else he hated more.

My mother was so kind, and yet He abandoned her. Theres no way I can forgive scum like that. Because of him My mother worked herself to the bone. Because of him She died alone!

He never mentioned who exactly it was he was referring to, but it also neednt be said.

After all, the one person that shouldve already been mentioned was yet to make his appearance.

Ryous voice was weak, but it was precisely because of that that the anguish behind it could be felt.

Thats why Shinichi ignored the blood that had begun to drip from his hand.

Ive been searching for him desperately all this time, and when I found out where he was, to my surprise, he was already scum wanted by Garesto, so I decided then That one day, with these two hands of mine, Im going to

Ryou cut his words at that moment, and downed a glass of water to calm his emotions, then he shook his head as he exhaled. Hes been trying not to let his emotions get to him, but just talking about him was enough to get him emotional.