4-82: Answer and Reason (6/6)

4-82: Answer and Reason (6/6)

Those girls were really scared of you, you know. They said you werent human, that you were a monster, and that Tomoe shouldnt get involve with you. And that really ticked her off. Though they didnt say it in words, they basically called you a demon what with all the horns they made on their heads with their index fingers, Ryou was all smiles as he explained what pissed off Tomoe.

Shinichi understood why he had such a huge grin on him, but he intentionally ignored that.

But it all finally made sense when we heard what you did that they were right to fear you, and that your actions were only meant to protect someone. Thats why Tomoe couldnt get mad and just ended up souring her mood. Ha ha, youre loved, man.

Kyu kyuu, kyuu.

Shinichi pouted at that, but Ryou just leisurely placed his hand on his shoulder and started brazenly teasing him, saying, you lover boy, you.

For some reason, even the fox on his head was chirping from happiness.

Contrast them, however, Shinichi just clicked his tongue and made a face that looked as though he was fed up.

Why is everyone acting like a certain mother katana?

In the end, Shinichi never managed to win against Shouko.

Not only was he not hostile to her, Shinichi was also weak against parents.

Given that, there was no way Shinichi could have beaten her, but for whatever reason, she seemed to really like him despite knowing his situation, and she just kept on pushing her daughter onto him.

Hey, you also gonna say that you want me and Tomoe to get together?

Perhaps that was why he wanted to get another persons opinion and so asked this boy, who despite everything thought he was being discrete about his support for Tomoe.

He was about to casually respond with an of course, but Shinichis face was more serious than he expected, so he changed his expression and chose his words carefully.

I think that Tomoe, or rather, for people like her and me, its not possible for us to have a normal love life. Its not impossible, but we would eventually have to reveal our power.

If they were going to have a serious relationship with someone, that wasnt something that they could hide.

But thats also what will get in the way of our relationships.

Just how many people in the world were there that could accept such unique abilities?

Would they allow such power to be passed on to their descendants?

Even if they did acknowledge the existence of such power, a lack of knowledge could make them fearful.

There were just too many hurdles to overcome for normal people to accept them, and even should those hurdles be overcome, maintaining the relationship would be more problematic than a normal relationship.

Or so Ryou said, but Shinichi had another proposition.

You could also just hide it forever and seal the power of your descendants.

Ryou could tell that that suggestion was really a test of sort, so he made a sour face.

Youre saying that knowing full well that that will eventually lead to destruction, right? Hiding that from our partner wont do either party any good in the long run.

Ryou shook his head as though to say that he could understand that much.

The method Shinichi mentioned would work as long as the people involved were safe.

But should they die or their power wane, the ruse will be up immediately.

Moreover, their descendants might still awaken their power, but then they wont know how to handle it without prior knowledge.

The shock to their partner upon being found out could also lead to an unhappy separation.

In fact, that was one of the reasons why the exorcist clans couldnt mingle with the normal families.

Yeah, I wont be stubborn anymore.

For now just carve into that body and head of yours how an opponent stronger than you moves. You can do suppression training and perception training everyday on your own time, but you should at least make some progress in the step beyond that.

So I need to figure out the remaining 50 points until then?

Want me to spoon-feed you? I could do that too, but when that time comes, I wont hold back in exposing what youve been ignoring. Are you ready for that?

Knowing just how merciless Shinichi could be, Ryou gulped.

He could just wait around and the answer would come, but he knew that that method would be akin to scooping out his wounds.

If he didnt want that to happen, then he needed to think more. What was it that he was unconsciously avoiding? If not, then there really will be no way for him to become stronger.

Ryou firmly nodded.

Good Brace yourself, we cant waste anymore time than this.

Ah, wait, I know we dont have time, but

Shinichi beckoned him with his hand, but a puzzled look surfaced on Ryou.

What happened to all that resolve earlier? Shinichi seemed to say as he shrugged his shoulders.

What? If you still have something bugging you, say it already.

Regardless, Shinichi was willing to lend an ear if it meant clearing some of his doubts.

Okay, then I wont hold back You side-stepped the matter regarding Tomoe just now, but our situation is serious, so can you be upfront if its possible for the two of you to get together?

Ryou said with a grin as though he got one up on Shinichi.

Apparently, he didnt fail to notice that Shinichi had skillfully changed the topic.

Tch.

Thats why the response he got was an audible tongue-click. Normally, Shinichi would be happy about Ryous growth, but he was currently in an unreasonable emotional state.

Too bad, Shinguuji Looks like today next year will be your death anniversary.

Shinichi would usually wait for Ryou to attack during their training, but this time, he assumed stance first.

An overwhelming aura immediately exploded, and Ryou thought to himself as he bathed in his own sweat, Ah, Im dead.

W-Wait! Calm down! Werent you the one who brought up the topic in the first place!?

Enough talking and obediently receive your training.

W-Wait, a, mo Uwaaah!?!?!?

Silence by death.

And so, the screams of a man continued quietly above the inn.

Later, for some reason, yes for some reason, Ryou could be seen by the breakfast table, lifeless and unresponsive.

The students that happened to be sitting next to him could hear him muttering something about martial arts and close combat techniques, leaving them genuinely impressed that he would be so dedicated to his training even during their field trip.

But among the things he muttered was one thing that stood out.

It is possible. Thats why Im bothered about it.