Volume 6 Chapter 6 The Pteranodon on the Birdless Island ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Just as Touma Yukinojo had mentioned the previous day, the individual arrived well before noon.
”—!?”
The ‘greeting’ was a surge of refined energy at the exact moment they stepped onto the Touma estate grounds. Naoshi offered a wry smile at the sheer density of spirit power (reiryoku)¹, an amount that forced Suzuri to instinctively brace herself. Soon after, the chime of the doorbell—a sound somewhat incongruous with the traditional living room—echoed through the house.
”—Yes. One moment, please,” Mana said.
Mana was the only one who remained composed as she attended to the intercom.
”Naoshi-san, you have a visitor.”
”Right, right. I’m comin’ with ya—”
As Naoshi rose to follow Mana toward the entrance, Suzuri and Ako turned their gazes toward him with questioning looks.
”If you two are curious, come along,” Naoshi said.
Suzuri and the others stood up at his invitation.
”Requesting entry—!”
The guest behind the glass door called out, having sensed their approach. It was the voice of a young woman.
”Yes, yes, please wait a sec!” Mana called back.
”She’s sure got high energy, na,” Naoshi muttered.
Feeling a bit sorry for the hurried Mana, Naoshi straightened his collar while Ako stepped in to assist.
”Please, come in—”
Mana pulled the door open and let out a small gasp of surprise.
”Hey there! Excuse me for barging in, wa—!” the visitor said.
The person who entered was exceptionally short—less than 150 centimeters tall. Her eye level was lower than even the petite Mana’s. Despite it only being March, her skin was tanned a deep bronze. She was decked out in sports brand tracksuits and sneakers, with a Boston bag slung across her shoulder. Her long black hair was tied in twintails, and her small, delicate build gave her a very youthful appearance.
”Oh, Big Bro! Long time no see. You’ve still got that face like you’re plottin’ somethin’ evil, ya?”
She was a person overflowing with explosive vitality. Naoshi replied with a strained expression.
”That’s quite the greeting. You doin’ alright, Tama-chan?”
”Thanks to you! So, to celebrate our reunion, let’s take a quick pic. Yeah?”
Without waiting for an answer, Kurosu Tamane pointed her smartphone camera at Naoshi.
”—Anyway, this is Tama-chan from the Kurosu family, a First-Class exorcist² from Tokushima. Tama-chan, this young lady is the eldest daughter of the Shiun family from Osaka, Suzuri-chan. I reckon you and Ako-chan don’t need an intro, right?” Naoshi asked.
Naoshi introduced them from his seat as they faced Tamane, who had taken the seat of honor.
”Yeah, we’re good, ya,” Tamane said.
”Yes,” Ako replied.
Tamane bowed her head first.
”Nice to meet ya! I’m Kurosu Tamane. I’m twenty-one, workin’ as a First-Class exorcist while in uni. I’m 147 centimeters tall and weigh about three carrots. My favorite thing is beautiful people! Nice to meet ya, wa!”
”Uh, ah, yes. Nice to meet you too,” Suzuri said, overwhelmed by the energy.
”You’re a real dignified beauty, aren’t ya? I can’t believe you’re younger than me, yan,” Tamane said.
Tamane nodded to herself, then turned to Ako.
”Ako-chan, long time no see! Your skin’s as gorgeous as ever!”
”Thank you. I am glad to see you are well, Tamane-san,” Ako said.
”Thanks! Energy is my only real merit, na,” Tamane said.
She seemed entirely unphased by Ako’s cold, formal tone.
”Seriously though, your skin is so white it’s translucent. I’m so jealous, wa. Tell me your secrets! Oh, can I take a pic, Ako-chan? You can hide your eyes with your hand if you want.”
”Doesn’t that actually make it look more lewd?” Naoshi asked.
”Big Bro, you just don’t get it, ya. That’s the best part, yan. Come on, just one pic,” Tamane urged.
”I refuse,” Ako stated flatly.
Tamane’s shoulders slumped dramatically.
”Too bad. Well then… staaaare…”
”…Is there something?” Suzuri asked.
”Staaaaaaare…”
As Tamane literally voiced her own sound effects, Suzuri looked to Naoshi for help. He shrugged.
”Tama-chan is a total sucker for looks—well beyond the norm, na. She’ll take photos of anyone regardless of gender,” Naoshi explained.
”Is there anyone who hates beautiful people, yan? Besides, she’s a rare black-haired ponytail dignified-type beauty, ya!” Tamane argued.
Naoshi ignored her and continued.
”She won’t do anythin’ creepy like secret photos, so if ya don’t like it, just say no,” Naoshi said.
”Well, I suppose just one…” Suzuri said.
”I’ll take you up on that, wa!” Tamane exclaimed.
Tamane snapped the photo before Suzuri could finish. The screen showed a bewildered Suzuri. Deciding a retake was too much trouble, Suzuri simply nodded in resignation.
”Thanks a bunch, Suzuri-san. A feast for the eyes, na! Now I just gotta get the Third Generation and the little cousin. Oh, and I heard there’s a super-sexy sister too, right?”
”Are you not satisfied with taking selfies…?” Suzuri asked.
Tamane’s face changed rapidly. While her height made her look young, her features were those of a mature beauty. Her limbs were slender, and her tan made her look fit and toned.
Compared to the fair-skinned, doll-faced Ako, Tamane actually appeared older and taller if viewed in isolation.
”I can see myself anytime, yan? There’s no value in that, ya. I need my ‘Required Beauty Intake’,” Tamane said seriously.
”What kind of weird component is that, nnya?” Naoshi muttered.
”I see…?” Suzuri nodded, overwhelmed.
Ako remained silent, her expression blanker than usual. The two were same-age First-Class exorcists, but their compatibility was clearly terrible.
”So, Tama-chan. What’s the occasion, nnya?” Naoshi asked.
”Oh, right. Suzuri-san, I heard a rumor. Are you apprenticed to Big Bro over here, yan?” Tamane asked.
”I haven’t taken any disciples!” Naoshi insisted.
”It hasn’t been recognized as a formal apprenticeship, but…” Suzuri said.
”No, I don’t care about the formalities, ya,” Tamane said.
”Eh…”
”I’m talkin’ about reality, yan. Big Bro, stay quiet. This is a talk between us girls,” Tamane said.
Her smile remained, but the pressure was intense.
”Well, he oversees my training periodically…” Suzuri said.
”Hmm. So, are you a disciple or not? Which is it, yan?” Tamane asked.
Since both she and Naoshi were heirs to their respective Kansai 8 families (hakke)³, family politics were inevitably involved.
”—Why are you so fixated on that, Tamane-san?” Suzuri asked.
Suzuri, realizing the weight of the question, asked cautiously. Naoshi and Ako sighed in admiration. Tamane’s gaze drifted.
”Well, it’s a long story, na—”
”Tama-chan trained at our place for a bit a while back,” Naoshi said.
”Since Shikoku⁴ had no one to teach her, she came here as a Second-Class for training,” Ako added.
They ruthlessly killed her dramatic buildup.
”Hey! You guys, that’s mean, yan!” Tamane complained.
”Besides, we only talked basics, na. Nothin’ special,” Naoshi said.
”Our Great-Uncle was there, too,” Ako added.
”But if you take a disciple, that means retroactively, I’d be your first, right, yan?” Tamane argued.
”You mean ‘top disciple’? That logic is wrong, na,” Naoshi said.
”So this is about whether I’m Nao-nii’s number one…?” Suzuri muttered.
”If Suzuri-chan starts jokin’ too, I’m doomed. What am I gonna do with ya, na?” Naoshi asked.
”—She’s like this every time an apprenticeship for my step-brother comes up,” Ako explained.
”It’s a matter of the Shikoku district’s prestige… I wish she’d give it up, nnya,” Naoshi said.
”Tamane-chan won’t lose, wa!” Tamane declared, flexing a thin arm.
”She’s got a strong heart…” Suzuri thought.
”Well, I see Big Bro is as elusive as ever, na,” Tamane said.
”It’s politics. You don’t get it, na?” Naoshi asked.
”Then let’s settle it here, Suzuri-san. The ‘Big Bro’s Top Disciple’ Championship!”
Suzuri, feeling a massive sense of deja vu, buried her head in her hands out of embarrassment.
—
Summary:
Kurosu Tamane, a high-energy First-Class exorcist from Tokushima, arrives at the Touma estate. She reveals her history as a former trainee under Naoshi and obsessively claims the title of his ‘first’ disciple. The chapter ends with Tamane challenging Suzuri to a competition to determine Naoshi’s top apprentice.
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Character Insight:
Tamane acts as a foil to both Naoshi and Ako; her unbridled energy and lack of formal boundaries clash with the rigid expectations of the ‘Hakke’ families. Suzuri’s reaction shows her maturing perspective—she is no longer the one starting fights, but the one embarrassed by the impulsive behavior of others.”
—
Behind the Scene:
The ‘three carrots’ weight measurement is a whimsical character trait that highlights Tamane’s self-perception as a ‘small and cute’ mascot type, contrasting with her actual elite combat status.”
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T/L:
Notes:
• Touma Yukinojo – The head of the Touma family, a prominent exorcist clan from Kanto. At just 21 years old, he is regarded as the strongest exorcist in Japan, known for his exceptional swordsmanship and mastery over fire. He is also referred to by the title ‘Ice Blade’, which scatters spirits, and is noted for possessing the ‘Divine Eye’, a unique ability that further enhances his prowess. Yukinojo is described as a handsome young man with the blood of a snow woman.
• Mana – Yuki’s step-sister, involved in romantic or social pursuits with Naoshi.
• Tamane – The strongest and only First-Class exorcist in Shikoku. Known for her ability to handle multiple opponents simultaneously. A 21-year-old First-Class Exorcist and university student. Stands at 147cm with bronze-tanned skin and long black twintails. Wears sports brand tracksuits and carries a Boston bag. Loves beautiful people and weighs ‘three carrots.’
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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