Volume 5 Chapter 13 Midnight Run？ Conclusion： T-san Born In A Temple
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Haah… I didn’t think I’d run into you.”
The voice came with a Kyoto-style Kansai accent.
A young man stepped into view. He looked a little older than Naoshi. He had a long face, narrow eyes, and stood tall in a dark brown kimono. Even with the differences, he looked a bit like Naoshi. Naoshi had straw-colored hair, but this man’s hair was black and neatly trimmed in front.
This had to be the one the tengu girl mentioned earlier—the “fox-faced guy in a kimono with a Kansai accent” who had been causing trouble for others.
”You called me out here, and now you act all suspicious?”
”Is that how you talk? Osaka people really do love jokes.”
The man stepped forward, almost close enough for Naoshi to strike, but he stopped. His foot in tabi and snowy outdoor footwear paused like a warning. Naoshi noticed it—this guy had proper training in martial arts. His movements weren’t normal.
”Nice to meet you, Acting Head of the Kazuramichi Family.”
The man smiled as he greeted him, friendly and polite. But Naoshi caught it—this man knew who he really was.
”Sorry, the acting head’s taking a break today. Brother from Kyoto.”
”Oh? Have we met before?”
”If we had, I wouldn’t forget that face.”
”Fair. So?”
”I know all the strong ones in Kansai—except maybe some hidden ones in Kyoto. So what’s your name?”
The young man crossed his arms and looked like he was thinking hard. Then, he grinned.
”You can call me ‘T-san born in a temple.’”
”Now that just sounds fake.”
”It’s better if we don’t dig too deep, right?”
”So, T-san… you called me out. Does that mean you want to fight?”
Naoshi took half a step forward. A faint burning smell filled the air as his spiritual energy rose.
”Whoa there. That’s dangerous. Don’t look at me like that.”
T took a dramatic half-step back and leaned away.
”I only wanted to say hello to the one they call ‘fast as wind, fierce like lightning.’ Offended?”
”Nah. I’m not that petty. I just think it’s a bit much that the Onmyou Clan sent one of their big Four Saints to come flirt.”
Naoshi said it lightly, though there was a bit of jealousy in his voice. T made a troubled face.
”Really… it’s totally different hearing about you than seeing you. You’re sharper than I thought.”
”Drop the ‘surprisingly.’ You’re just too cocky for your own good. Stay home next time.”
Without warning, Naoshi stepped in. Fast—faster than T-san could move away.
”Hey, hey—wait a sec—!”
Naoshi’s hand chopped forward. It stopped just before hitting, his fingers threading right between T-san’s arms. His claw almost touched T-san’s neck. He’d seen right through his defense.
”That’s a pain. I don’t really want to fight. The Onmyou Bureau doesn’t allow private matches, right?”
”I didn’t expect to meet a Kyoto exorcist here in Tokyo. Must’ve been an accident.”
”Huh… stuff like this happen often?”
T-san let out a soft breath. At that moment, something inside Naoshi screamed—he pulled back.
”Oh? Changed your mind?”
T-san laughed like nothing was wrong. Naoshi took a deep breath, watching carefully now.
”This is annoying.”
”Feels that way for both of us.”
”So? The Seiryu’s big brother came to Tokyo just to mess with tengu?”
”No, no, I’m T-san. Born in a temple. You know—’break it’ or whatever.”
”…Not even close.”
(That wasn’t going to fool me.)
The Four Sacred Guardians of Kyoto—Suzaku from the Tsuchimikado family, Genbu from a Kamo branch, and the big names like Kadenokoji and Kamo—they were old lines Naoshi even recognized. And folks who split from the main families usually didn’t travel this far just for tricks. If they weren’t from the west or east, then this was a test. The lack of sudden energy shifts? It meant all that panic earlier was fake. Planned from the start.
”So what’s the real reason you’re bothering me?”
”Can’t say everything. Kurama-san and Atago-san asked me. And that young one’s being chased, right?”
Mount Kurama and Mount Atago—both sacred places where powerful tengu lived.
”I thought I should stop them. So that’s what I di.”
”Funny. They said it was a ‘fox-faced guy with a Kansai accent’ bothering them. I got thrown off a building over it.”
”Yikes. I better be careful too.”
”Yeah. Take care.”
Naoshi decided to end the talk. It was clear this guy—and Kyoto—were involved. No point dragging it out. The tengu was long gone.
”Hey, wait up. You’re leaving fast.”
The young man stopped him again.
”You’re pretty involved now, huh? We’re still on duty here. Not like the free folks in Kyoto.”
”Then give me a souvenir or something.”
T-san pulled a paper envelope from his pocket and tossed it to him.
”What’s this?”
”Did you know there’s going to be a politician study event in a week?”
”Nope.”
”They’re holding a mock battle. Big names from other countries and the east will be there. The head of Touma’s the highlight.”
”Oh?”
”I got invited as a guest. Maybe it’s payback for being tossed off a building.”
”Sounds like they’re giving you homework.”
”You like fighting strong people, don’t you? You even bit at me.”
Naoshi didn’t answer. But he didn’t lie to himself either—he was interested.
He looked at the envelope. The seal was one used by the Bureau. It wasn’t fake. It was official.
”Alright, I’ll keep it for now. You joining too?”
”No, I’m peaceful. I don’t do violent stuff.”
”Uh-huh. So while I’m busy, you’re planning something else?”
”You’re overthinking. I’m not plotting anything big.”
”Sure, sure.”
Naoshi waved and turned away. This time, he wasn’t stopped.
”Take care. Let’s meet again.”
Instead, his parting words carried a tone of certainty that this would be the case.
Notes:
• T-san – Tall, slim build, slender face, narrow eyes, and black hair with neatly trimmed bangs. Dressed in a dark brown kimono with tabi and Yuki footwear. Resembles Naoshi but with darker hair. A mysterious figure from Kyoto, likely associated with the Onmyō Clan. Introduced as ‘T born in a temple.’ Skilled in martial arts and spirit energy manipulation.
• Mount Kurama – Mountains in Japan, specifically near Kyoto. Dwellings for great Tengu.
• Mount Atago – Mountains in Japan, specifically near Kyoto. Dwellings for great Tengu.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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