Volume 5 Chapter 16 Touma Yukinojo Assassination Plot II： Suzuri’s Blade
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
In the dimly lit backyard of the Touma residence, the air was thick with tension. Suzuri stood tall, her long ponytail swaying in rhythm with the focused pulse of her spirit energy. Her brows furrowed as she fought the weight of Naoshi’s overwhelming aura, pushing back with all the strength she could muster. Her chest rose and fell, a silent battle of wills.
”Hey, Nao-nii,” she said, her voice steady but her eyes sharp, seeking answers.
Naoshi glanced over, his posture relaxed despite the fierce pressure he was exerting. “Hm?”
”I know you’re not going to participate in the match at the Kokugikan, but why did you ask me to step in?” she pressed, her tone almost too casual, hiding the suspicion that clung beneath the surface.
Naoshi shrugged, his hands still resting loosely by his sides. “There’s no deep meaning behind it, really.” His tone was light, dismissive even.
Suzuri narrowed her eyes. “Don’t just throw me into an international event like it’s nothing. This isn’t some game.”
He paused, considering her words before answering. “I just thought your training might benefit from it, that’s all.”
Suzuri huffed, a sharp exhale of frustration. She fought to control her breath, to calm her spirit energy. Under Naoshi’s tutelage since last autumn, she had grown stronger—quicker to recover, more resilient against pressure. But she hadn’t truly felt it, not in her bones, not yet. Her sense of progress was a ghost.
Naoshi, too, had grown. He was stronger now. And with each push, Suzuri felt the weight of his growth pressing harder.
”Then why not just tell me to go? Why leave it up to me?” she asked, almost challenging him.
Naoshi scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Arm wrestling isn’t exactly what an exorcist does, is it?” He paused, his eyes momentarily drifting as if to weigh his words. “Besides, Yuki-kun’s the seed. And it’s a 3-on-3 match, right? The opponents will probably be… strange.”
She considered this, her gaze shifting to the horizon where the faintest hint of dusk was settling in. “There are beings like ayakashi overseas. But they’re different. They’re… not as present as here in Japan,” she murmured. “Foreign mystics—they don’t operate like we do. They’re more about individual strength than techniques.”
The weight of her words lingered between them. Naoshi only nodded in acknowledgment.
”If you’re not interested, that’s fine. I’m not gonna force you,” he added, his smile easy, though there was an edge to it that she caught.
Suzuri stared at him, unsure if he was being genuine. She shook her head. “You always do this, leave things up to me as if it’s no big deal.”
He grinned. “Well, maybe it’s not a big deal. Winning isn’t everything. The others are all first-class, so the opponents should be worth your time.”
She scowled. “So, you think I’m second-rate, huh?”
Naoshi’s smile faltered for a second, but only a second. “No, no, it’s not that. I’m just saying, don’t worry about it. I’m not saying you *have* to win… but you’re not as bad as you think.”
Suzuri folded her arms. “You really think I have a shot, don’t you?”
”I do.” Naoshi’s gaze softened, but his tone was still unyielding. “But don’t expect me to step in if things go sideways. You’ll need to stand on your own.”
Her energy flared, pushing back against his spirit with newfound strength. The exorcist robes fluttered, her ponytail swaying like a banner in the wind.
”Fine,” she muttered, a smirk curling on her lips. “I’ll answer Yukinojo. I’ll participate. But sorry, Nao-nii. I might have to face the opponent first.”
Naoshi’s eyes gleamed with pride. “That’s the spirit, Suzuri-chan.”
Her courage was something to be admired. It was unshaken, unwavering. It was what set her apart from others. But here, in Kansai, with Naoshi standing at the pinnacle, there was little room for her to truly prove it. Not with the Kazuramichi family ruling over Osaka and Sakai, and Naoshi’s power eclipsing most others.
Suzuri had no real challengers here. Her strength had no outlet.
Perhaps if Naoshi hadn’t been around, she might have found herself in a more difficult situation. But with him beside her, her growth was limited to the occasional mock battle—nothing real, nothing urgent. But this trip to Kanto? That could be different.
If she faced real, formidable opponents in the match, the experience would be invaluable. It would sharpen her. And, perhaps, if she proved herself, a promotion could be in the cards by spring.
Naoshi’s thoughts danced along the lines of ambition. If Suzuri succeeded, it would not only elevate her, but it would also stabilize their position in Osaka. That sly smile crept back onto his lips as he watched her.
But Suzuri’s sudden shift in expression interrupted his thoughts. She looked at him with wide eyes, an almost bashful innocence.
By the way, Nao-nii… about the day after tomorrow… you haven’t forgotten, right?”
Naoshi blinked, caught off guard by the change in topic. “Huh? What’s Thursday?”
”White Day, dummy!” Suzuri’s voice was sharp, but there was an undertone of playfulness. “You didn’t forget, right?”
Naoshi’s face fell. “Ah…”
Suzuri leaned in closer, her face serious. “It’s a date, too!”
For a moment, Naoshi could only stare at her, as the air between them crackled with her spirit energy. She was relentless, even in something as trivial as this.
”You didn’t promise that, did you?” he muttered, trying to push back, though his forehead met hers in gentle resistance.
Her gaze softened, a trace of nostalgia in her eyes—almost like the Suzuri he remembered from their younger days.
”I didn’t have time to prepare anything this year. How about we go shopping?” he suggested.
Her face lit up instantly, her expression turning childish and innocent, just like before. “Yeah! Let’s!”
Suzuri’s energy ebbed, settling into a more relaxed state. She was still fierce, but now, she was just a girl in the moment.
”So, what do you want?” Naoshi asked.
She grinned, her eyes sparkling. “A fiancé ring, maybe.”
Naoshi stared at her, completely dumbfounded. “That has nothing to do with White Day! Are you sure that’s what you want?”
”No, no, not that kind!” Suzuri laughed. “I want something rare, something special! I’ll figure it out before the day comes.”
”Alright. Budget is five hundred yen.”
She frowned. “Isn’t that just for sweets?”
”Keep it reasonable, Suzuri. You’re a student.”
Naoshi sighed, but there was a warmth to his smile. As Suzuri relaxed her spirit, he turned his thoughts back to the list of people he needed to prepare gifts for. Ako, like Suzuri, was giving a gift. Aoi, Itsuki—same story. And for Yuzura, a combined gift for both her and her family.
(Am I getting too carried away with this? Is this… all necessary?)
The growing web of human relationships. Was it a product of his actions, or was it simply a reflection of the times? Naoshi couldn’t quite tell.
But as he turned to Suzuri, he couldn’t help but think that, in the end, it didn’t matter. He’d keep playing his part.
Notes:
• Kokugikan – A venue for the international match mentioned. Located in Japan, likely in Tokyo.
• Sakai – A city in Kansai region, Japan. Guarded by the Shiun family along with Osaka.
• Yuzura – The beautiful man. Kazuramichi Naoshi’s childhood friend, and one of the few who knows the true nature of the Kazuramichi family. The nephew of Kanbe Taro, the head of the Kanbe family.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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