Volume 7 Chapter 2 Kazuramichi Ako’s Resolve ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The reverence and fear of mountains as lands where non-human beings dwell is a custom found in various parts of the world.
Japan—the Yamato people—is no exception to this, and given the mountainous nature of the country, there is no end to the number of mountains with legends attached to them.
In the current Reiwa era, although many mountains have been cleared and roads have reached even to ascetic training grounds and sacred sites, and their mystery may be fading, it is always in mountainous areas that Ayakashi appear from the other side.
On the other hand, even in ancient times when the threat of Ayakashi and beasts was far greater than it is now, people stepped into the mountains, brought back their bounty, and enjoyed it.
There are things in the mountains that can only be obtained in the mountains—the thing that Ako seeks this time was also there.1
If you go a little way from Haibara Station, you are immediately in the mountains.
The small red SUV driven by Ayabe Sasara climbed the winding slope powerfully, and soon turned from a side road onto an unpaved private road.
”The road is a bit rough, please be careful.”
”Yes.”
Contrary to the warning, Sasara’s driving remained smooth even after the road changed.
The rattling sound of the car echoed on the forest road.
As the forest, which initially consisted of cedars, changed to broad-leaved trees such as beech and oak, the road became narrower and narrower, and they reached a cliff road where one might think that if they fell off the shoulder without a guardrail, no exorcist would escape unscathed—that was the kind of cliff road they were approaching.
Even if it did not go so far as to be fear, Ako diverted her consciousness to prepare for any situation that might occur.
”How was Kanto?” Sasara asked, breaking the steady rhythm of the climb.
Ako considered the question carefully. She knew Sasara wasn’t the type to make small talk without a reason. “It was a real eye-opener. The level of spiritual security they’ve managed to establish is honestly enviable.”
Sasara sighed, a faint smile touching her lips as she kept her eyes on the winding path. “Well, we have a lot more entanglements to deal with around here, I’m afraid.”
The reality of the Kansai exorcist scene, dominated by the rigid, outdated power of the eight families, hung in the air between them. It had been a long-standing source of stagnation, a weakness only highlighted by the recent, unfortunate losses of several high-ranking exorcists.
”I know it’s not an easy thing to change overnight,” Ako said, choosing her words with care, “but I can’t help but wish there was more cooperation between the families.”
”I couldn’t agree more,” Sasara replied. “It’s precisely because our house feels the same way that we agreed to this request. I would be ever so grateful if you could pass that sentiment along to your head of family and his acting deputy.”
”Of course,” Ako promised, nodding slightly. “I know they are both very appreciative of the Ayabe family’s cooperation.”
Even as she spoke, Ako’s internal alarm bells were ringing. Sasara was sharp—she hadn’t just mentioned the Kazuramichi leadership; she’d specifically referenced Tadayuki, Naoshi’s father. It was a calculated move. Sasara understood the precarious balance of power within the Kazuramichi house, and she knew exactly which buttons to press.
(I have to be careful,) Ako thought, her mind working through the implications. (She knows how to navigate this, and that makes her a threat, regardless of how polite she’s being.)
The SUV finally lurched to a stop on a narrow stretch of the mountain road, just wide enough for a precarious turn. Beyond the cliff’s edge, a set of stone steps vanished into the thick, overgrown brush of a mountain path.
”We have arrived,” Sasara announced, cutting the engine and hopping out to open Ako’s door.
Ako stepped out, adjusting the straps of her small backpack.
Sasara reached into the car and produced a transparent bag, holding it out to her. “Please, take this. You’ll want to wear this when you enter the hot spring.”2
It was a white bathing garment, a strange thing to be carrying into the middle of the wilderness, but Ako simply nodded. She had been briefed that this was one of the Ayabe family’s hidden, restricted-access springs, fully equipped with its own training grounds.
”Is there… a place to change?” Ako asked, looking around at the desolate mountain slope.
”There is not,” Sasara replied calmly.
Ako felt a spike of frustration. She held to the belief that her body was meant for no one’s eyes but her brother-in-law’s, and the thought of changing out here in the open felt like a breach of that boundary.
Sasara seemed to notice her hesitation. “If you’re worried about your Reiryoku, just use the tree trunks for cover. Consider it part of your training.”
Ako sighed, though she found little comfort in the suggestion. “I understand.”
”One last thing,” Sasara added, her tone dropping into a serious, professional register. “The mountains are full of wild game—deer, monkeys, boar, and even bears. Please be careful.”
”Is that part of the training, too?”
”Indeed, it is.” Sasara gave a small, satisfied smile.
It was a convenient answer, but Ako knew that in the world of exorcists, those creatures wouldn’t bother her unless she was being remarkably careless. Their instincts were too sharp for that.
Sasara held out a final set of items. “Here is your map. And I’ll be needing to hold onto your phone, if you don’t mind.”
Ako obediently powered down her device and traded it for a laminated B6 card. One side was a crude topographic map; the other, a list of blunt, bulleted warnings.
”We’ll have someone here to pick you up on the morning of the third day,” Sasara said.
”Understood.”
”And finally,” Sasara continued, “your instructor for this stay will be the younger sister of our family head. She’s looking forward to it.”
Ako blinked. The Ayabe head had two sisters, but neither was known for their accomplishments in the field. (Is this just a show of favoritism?)
Sasara spoke, as if reading the thought directly from Ako’s mind. “Please, do not worry. This isn’t some token appointment just because she’s of the main line.”
”I see,” Ako said, testing the waters. “And, if I may ask… which of the two sisters will it be?”
Sasara didn’t hesitate. “Orihime. Ayabe Orihime. She’s slated to become a first-class exorcist in the very near future.”
—
Summary:
Ako arrives at a secluded mountain training site driven by Sasara of the Ayabe family. They discuss the precarious political climate of the exorcist families and the underlying tensions with the Kazuramichi house. Sasara leaves Ako at a remote trailhead to begin her training under the mysterious Ayabe Orihime.
—
Trivia:
- Sasara is a second-class exorcist and head of the Rat Team.
- The Kazuramichi house is currently navigating a difficult diplomatic relationship with the eight families of Kansai.
- Ako believes her body should only be seen by her brother-in-law, Naoshi.
- Ayabe Orihime is a candidate for first-class exorcist status.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Ako – A young girl with a doll-like, expressionless face who conceals deep emotional intensity. She is the niece and adopted sister of Naoshi and serves as the assistant to the Acting Head of the Kazuramichi family while possessing the blood of a Yuki-onna.
• Sasara – A woman in her thirties with a black, blunt-cut bob and no bangs, possessing a sharp, intellectual, and sultry aura. She wears a black suit and was ordered by the head of the Ayabe house to act as a guide.
• Ayabe – The Ayabe family name, associated with Nara. The lineage is one of the Kansai Eight Families and has its roots in a clan of shinobi.
• Kazuramichi – The Kazuramichi family name, carried by Naoshi and Ako. This lineage is one of the Kansai Eight Families and holds a significant position within the exorcist hierarchy.
• Naoshi – A man with thin lips and a cynical smirk who possesses eyes that occasionally soften with a rare, gentle light. He is the only son of the Kazuramichi house head and acts as the legal guardian and step-brother to Ako, operating with a ‘fake’ Kansai accent.
• Orihime – Younger sister of the Ayabe family head and candidate for first-class exorcist.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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