【Ch. 6 - Truth of the Matter ②】

Takeda's only reaction at this revelation was a tilt of his head. I was much the same way, but probably for different reasons. By itself, her statement didn't mean much.

While Takeda wouldn't know it, Onmyōji weren't exactly rare. Quite the opposite in fact. They were often employed directly by kami to take care of emergent issues. Usually dealing with rogue spirits or overly hostile yōkai.

For all intents, they were simply just an organization of humans with the uncommon ability to manipulate their inner spiritual energy. Still, there was one aspect about her statement that demanded a follow-up. Frankly, Kitohana-sama was probably baiting exactly this.

”What exactly do you mean by 'true'?”

”My, what an intelligent child you are, as always~”

Shut it, I don't need this condescending praise. While ignoring my gaze, she continued.

”Yes yes, those you know and met are mere imitations. In earnest, I would hardly bestow them the title Onmyōji. Perhaps simply Sorcerers, then? It is unfortunate, but proper onmyōdō practitioners are memories of an age long ago. I had not been in this world long when I last witnessed one.”

”Haa— So what? Did they all get eaten or something?”

”It would not surprise me if an event along those lines was an impetus. We only know they are gone, a moment in existence and then not before we realized. While their arts remained, those capable of their full potential are no longer with us.”

Great. So there is a mystery involved. Or she's just not telling me everything. Given Takeda's aura and its effects, one could infer a few seemingly plausible scenarios. But was it really that simple?

Takeda himself spoke up as I was pondering the implications.

”Wait, wait, wait. So, what? I'm one of these lost ancient sorcerers all of a sudden? It’s not like my family or anyone I know has anything to do with shrines, so is this one of those situations where they were super powerful in the past? Like I inherited and now just awakened some lost potential or something like that? That sort of movie development?”

”An apt question, but alas not one I have an answer for. As far as awakening potentials or the like, ‘tis unlikely. One’s general potential and ability to affect our realm remains quite unchanged even with training. If I were to wager, your situation seems more akin to a breaking of a seal.”

”So something sealed my apparent powers then. What, is my family actually some secret organization and they put it on me at birth, or something?”

”One potential possibility. It may not have even been your family to do so. Perchance an ancient curse passed on for generations or some other plot. The potential contrivances are quite vast, after-all. Despite it being my own suggestion, it hardly even needs to be a seal.”

Oh good, mysteries abound.

“So the reason for his powers aside, what does this mean for Takeda? I doubt he can just return to the mortal realm normally at this rate, and this all still doesn’t explain the abnormal attraction he seems to inflict on everyone but you and I. Which, I’d also like to know why it doesn’t affect me!”

“My, how impatient, my dear Tama. It would be so boring if I simply answered everything. I feel as if I've done enough of that. So let us start with a question for you. He is a human. What is it that you desire the most in humans?”

“Is this really the time to be coy?! …_Haa_— Fine. How much spiritual energy they can produce.”

I truly wished this shrine was not the closest available. Dealing with this capricious kami only gets more tiring the longer you have to do it. Granted, the others tend to be a different sort of trouble, but I’d still rather deal with them. As I prepare for a headache, Takeda speaks up from behind me.

“Spiritual energy?”

“If nothing else this’ll at least get some of your questions out of the way, I guess. To put it simply, the reason my kin tend to seek human partners is that we, as kitsune, and really all spirts, desire spiritual energy. Humans produce a fair amount of it but typically do not use it themselves.”

Incidentally, we usually don't court Onmyōji, or I guess Sorcerers now, due to their ability to utilize it. Less for us, you know?

“So, no use wasting it, huh?”

“Yes, it’s often a trade with no downsides, yes? A beautiful bride or husband, and we get our fill of energy with the spouse left none the wiser. Of course, the more one can produce the better. Now as for you…”

I narrow my eyes, examining him. It had been far too hectic up until now, so I hadn't bothered measuring him concretely or anything. I had a feeling his output was on the higher side but one can’t really get a full picture without some scrutiny.

“Oooh?”

I couldn't help but exclaim my surprise. The amount was much larger than I expected. Most talented Sorcerers would balk slack-jawed at this. Even if I were to gorge myself silly, I could not picture myself exhausting him alone.

“Tama-san?”

Woops. I had been staring too long… Perhaps he was a better catch than I expected?

“Er, right. It’s frankly quite astonishing, your production. But, still…”

Still, this didn't explain much. While impressive, it was just that. I could picture excessive flirting and seduction, but nothing like the berserkers we encountered. I look at Kitohana-sama to implore further and notice the smug grin still plastered on her face.

“This alone is still only a half-answer. What aren’t you telling me?”

She did not immediately answer me. Rather she looked inquisitively into my eyes for some time. Was she probing for something? I could only stare back with confusion and a tinge of annoyance.

“Curious. Truly curious, indeed. I had wondered if more careful observation would evoke some reaction, but alas, you remain unaffected, Tama-chan~”

“Explain.”

“So impatient! Very well. The aspect which makes Onmyōji unique amongst humans, and the reason for Takeda-kun's unique attraction, was it?”

Both of us simply nod in response.

“The answer is quite simple. It is that very attraction.”

“”...””

Oi.

“Kitohana-sama.”

“Yes?”

"Stop messing around.”

To my chagrin she had at some point procured her signature fan, covering all but her eyes. Yet one could very easily discern the irritatingly smug expression she had just from her gaze. A habit of hers I have become all too familiar with.

“Ufufu. As you wish. What I said is not a lie in any case. It is very much an aspect of the Onmyōji of old. In many ways it is actually a necessary portion of their power. After-all, a skilled Onmyōji requires servants. Shikigami.”

Shikigami? That doesn't really align with what I know of Onmyōji. To my surprise, it was Takeda who asked for clarification first.

“I mean, traditionally, weren’t those simply just paper dolls? I know its pretty wild out there with shows and whatnot, but since I think we’re dealing with folklore, is that depiction wrong?”

“Quite knowledgeable in this area, are you not Takeda? Quite, in the folklore in which you speak, they are simply nothing but conjured spirits, said paper dolls as it were. In our current day, it would not even be an incorrect moniker amongst those we call Onmyōji. Shikigami of ‘yore, however, were contracted spirits in the truest sense, not summoned but a formed covenant.”

“Wait, so what? Is this some sort of lure then? To draw them in for contracting?”

Clack. Kitohana-sama's fan snaps closed, a wide beaming smile present on her face.

“My! I do like the clever ones. Quite right, it is as you said, 'tis the nature of your aura. Of course if I must make a correction, it is not as much of a bait so much as it is a signal. Something akin to casting out that you're eligible for partner, perhaps?”

“So its some sort of mating call, then?!”

“With how some contractees fulfill their master's needs, that is not an inaccurate perception. Incidentally 'tis why I myself am not affected, we kami are not the targets of your desires as it were.”

“You're kidding...”

With a tilt of her head and a hand on her cheek, she looks quizzically at Takeda's incredulously growing grasp of his situation. His face was also slowly reddening, although I am not quite sure it is fully due to embarrassment this time. But really, to think it was something like this…

“Still, isn't that sort of attraction excessive? If I hadn't intervened, it wouldn't have ended with a small loss of dignity.”

This was still bothering me. No matter how potent the signal, the reaction was simply too much. It was more akin to a indiscriminate aphrodisiac than anything resembling a living animal’s mating call or ritual.

“Indeed, that aspect is new even to myself. While you certainly should attract spirits, this is the first in which I have seen such fervor in attempts in tying oneself to you and yours.”

Kitohana-sama's smile had disappeared, a serious gaze now fixed at Takeda. Seems like she was earnestly trying to probe into him now. He sports a cautious look in return. A moment or two passes before she suddenly turns to me.

“Furthermore, it appears to me that there is yet one more riddle.”

I had an uneasy feeling that I probably knew what that riddle was.

“So I guess, you don't know why I'm not affected, then?”

“Indeed. I do not.”

Something tells me that my plans on leaving him here as someone else's problem were rapidly coming to an end. Was this truly supposedly a fateful encounter, then? This isn't what I meant by wanting some luck to be sent my way, you know.