1
He alighted from the train to discover a town dyed in a pure white
blanket of snow.
Toujou Basara could feel the chill of the cold morning air piercing
through him as he stood on the platform.
It was a sensation that prompted him to stop in his tracks, before he
looked up at the empty sky spontaneously.
…It's a little like the winter air in "the Village" here.
It was the place where Basara had once spent his days living in; surely
it was covered in snow right now as well.
—His present location was distinctly different from "the Village",
however.
There was a liveliness that came from the conversations and footsteps
of the mass of passersby.
Such was the fate of a famous tourist destination. There were many
other tourists who had alighted at this stop much like Basara did,
creating a wave of people towards the ticket gate.
Stopping amidst the lively movement of the surrounding passersby
made him feel as if though he had been abandoned.
"—What's wrong, Toujou? We should be going too."
Following that, a certain someone took Toujou Basara by his left
hand.
A rather cheerful voice had preceded the gesture, letting out white
breath more transparent and clear than the surrounding snow.
It was the all too beautiful school nurse—Hasegawa Chisato—who
had invited him to this place. And in light of her arrival—
"—"
Basara became entranced yet again—much like the surrounding people
that passed by them.
…She's so beautiful.
Having prepared for the far colder weather of their destination,
Hasegawa wore a white long coat and a warm, mutton fur scarf that day,
an attire that was befitting of the snowy vicinity. No matter how many
times he looked at her current form, it always appeared fresh to him—
much more different than that of her usual self.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, it's nothing… Sorry, let's get going, then."
Noticing Hasegawa looking at him with her head tilted to the side with
a puzzled expression, he embarrassedly tilted his head downward and
apologized, before he started walking with her to the ticket gate.
Today, on the third weekend of January, Basara had arrived here from
Hasegawa's invitation—few days after Basara and the others had
returned from the Demon Realm.
The memories of some of the faculty have been altered via Maria and
Zest's magic, but they had shown restraint in doing so in order to escape
the prying eyes of the Hero Clan.
They'd brought a special battery and chip for their phones, similar to
Jin's, and with it they'd informed the school that they were caught up
with some trouble while travelling overseas, and would inevitably return
to school later than expected. Luckily, and as a result, they'd
encountered no real problems with their teachers or classmates even as
they returned to school a few days late.
There was but one exception, though—the likes of half-vampire
Tachibana Nanao, who had worried over knowing that Basara would
return quite late after embarking to the Demon Realm…though the
gentle Nanao had let out tears of joy upon reuniting with an unharmed
Basara at school.
Takigawa, in the meanwhile, who they had seen in front of the station
the other day, had also resumed his schooling at Hijirigasaka Academy,
although he had returned to the realm before the sports festival had
infiltrated the school at a different time from Basara and the others, and
had promptly used the same method of memory alteration on the staff
to clear their winter assignments and fabricate passing grades, solving the
problem of otherwise being unable to advance into the next grade. Given
that Takigawa had only worked at a bare minimum to perform the
necessary evil of tampering with the memories of some of the teaching
staff, it was something that Yuki and Kurumi had deduced that the
heroes would not see as a grave issue.
And with that, after returning to their day-to-day lives, Basara had
taken the time to head to the infirmary…to visit Hasegawa.
—Before he had gone to the Demon Realm, Basara had received some
good advice to keep in mind from Hasegawa.
It was to keep a flexible mind and not be close-minded—because of
that, Basara did not end up blinded by what was in front of him and was
able to see the bigger picture overall. It was because of that that he was
able to devise a plan to go for Belphegor before the decisive fight with
Leohart, and see his plan through to the letter in the end.
In the end, her advice had proven to be a great aid amidst their
dreadful journey, and Basara had gone to her to express his thanks—
something of which Hasegawa responded by saying that he could fulfill a
request of hers if he truly felt indebted to her.
"Hey, Toujou, let's stay the night at the hot springs—just the two of
us." That was what she had proposed to him with a seductive smile on
her face.
Ever since the sports festival in autumn, Basara had shared a secret
special relationship with Hasegawa.
It was an illicit relationship, that of a male student and his female
teacher, one that had transpired willingly on the condition that they
would not cross the final line; a relationship involving a man and a
woman. After the celebratory party hosted by the student council before
Basara and the others had embarked to the Demon Realm, Hasegawa
had forcibly invited Basara over to her apartment, whereby the two then
proceeded to ceaselessly crave and lust for each other in her bedroom.
Having been met with a tearful Hasegawa's pleading of how
unbearably lonely she'd been during the winter holidays when they had
been apart, Toujou had, of course, been unable to reject her; that was
the reason why Toujou was at such a place today.
2
The first thing the duo did after they went through the ticket gate was
to head towards the tourist information center situated within the
station grounds.
They weren't there to ask for directions—they wanted to leave their
luggage for temporary storage. Immediately after they had paid for the
service with a thousand-yen bill altogether and relieved themselves of
their baggage, Hasegawa entwined her arm with his.
"Since we've come all the way here, we don't have to think about what
everyone else thinks, so…You don't mind, right?"
She fawningly huddled herself close to Basara; the scent of her sweet
perfume wafted in the air following the gesture.
"Y-yes… Of course not."
These parts were filled with numerous hilly roads; as such, Hasegawa
had opted for low-heeled boots over her usual high-heeled footwear that
day. Her line of sight was thus lower than Toujou's by a notch, and she
would naturally trail her eyes upward whenever she wanted to gaze at
him under such close proximity—something that made her charm all the
more devastating.
A red-faced Basara nodded in agreement; a response that delighted
Hasegawa, who then asked for a more intimate connection as she
connected her fingers with his, wanting to holding hands as if they were
lovers. And then the two left the building just like that—stopping right
in front of the station.
"So where do we go from here, sensei?"
The prospering hot spring district would take thirty minutes northeast
by train from their current destination. Of course, the surroundings of
this station had many hot springs, as well, but perhaps it was better for
them to say that this place was more so famous for being a tourist spot,
given its world heritage shrines, the historical temple and matchless
natural scenery. This was Basara's first visit to this place, but he had
some semblance of knowledge about it from rumours and news here and
there.
The fact that they'd stored their belongings they had brought here for
the trip beforehand indicated that Hasegawa did indeed have some places
around these parts she wanted to visit—thus why Basara had asked her
that question.
"Ah, right… There are a couple of places I'd like to go to with you,
but before that,"
Saying that, Hasegawa took Basara's arm and walked towards the right
of the station—to a souvenir shop right by the station.
"First, let's try some of the fried red bean buns around here; I hear
that they're very good." Hasegawa said with a smile.
A closer look revealed a conspicuously placed article featuring an
interview regarding this famous spot on the shop. The female
shopkeeper handed a single, packaged bun to Hasegawa, who had bought
it with some small change. And then,
"Here, Toujou," She said, steam rising up from the white package that
held the fried bun as she inched it towards Basara.
"I'll be helping myself, then…"
As Basara reached for the bun, however, Hasegawa responded by
pouting a little.
"You dummy…Open your mouth."
Witnessing her make such a request with her upturned gaze made
Basara unconsciously swallow hard.
"—Or would you prefer it if I fed you mouth-to-mouth instead?"
It was only with that question that Basara finally relented and
obediently opened his mouth, before she then placed the bun into it.
The light, fragrant scent of the dish came first, and following that as he
bit into it was the sweetness of the red bean filling encased in the crisp,
crunchy texture of the fried dough, seemingly made with soya and other
dried soy products.
"This is really good…!"
As Basara was impressed by the deliciousness of the bun, seemingly
popular enough to be reviewed and publicated on television and
magazines,
"Fufu, there's some crumbs left over…"
As she said that, Hasegawa picked them up from the bridge of his lips
with her fingers, soon after leaving Basara's lips, she brought her finger
to her own lips and kissed it lightly.
Perhaps it was because the two of them have come this far away from
home and don't have to mind what others think that Hasegawa wanted
to enjoy the romantic atmosphere of being lovers to the fullest—
something that Basara eventually realized, before professing, "Would
you like me feed you as well?" To which then Hasegawa happily
responded,
"Then, if you would please…"
With that, as she was handed the bun by Basara, she smoothly slid her
right fringe over her shoulder and moving her mouth close, intentionally
biting into the part of the bun where Basara himself had already taken a
bite, before chewing for a few moments and downing it. Hasegawa then
stuck out her tongue and licked her lips coquettishly, a nourished smile
surfacing on her face.
"Mmm…it's really delicious."
All she had done was eat the bun; why did it have to look so arousing?
Part of the bun's crust where Hasegawa had bitten into was lightly
stained with the color of her lips. Hesitating to be honest with his
embarrassment out of fear of annoying her, he proceeded to finish the
remainder of the bun as if nothing had ever happened.
And then—suddenly, Hasegawa kissed him.
"—?"
It wasn't a kiss on the cheek—it was a kiss on his lips. As Basara
remained frozen in surprise, Hasegawa disregarded those around them
and continued kissing him. And then, when she gently parted from him,
"W-Why did you do that all of a sudden…?"
"You responded as if you didn't think much of an indirect kiss, so I'd
wanted to see if you'd still be okay after a direct one."
"…I'm glad you've gotten your answer, then."
He was a student, and Hasegawa was a teacher; it couldn't be helped
that he was no match for her fundamentally. Even when there have been
moments when he has taken the initiative when only the two of them are
involved…
…No.
It was simply the fact that Basara had been played into Hasegawa's
palm as she'd wanted, wasn't it?
In that way, Basara was able to be indulged by Hasegawa's adult
woman flexibility and charm, it's something that he doesn't have with
Mio and the others, that's why Basara, in front of that Hasegawa, would
like to try how far would she let him go with his impulses, and in the
process of that, how much pleasure and excitement, However, no matter
how brazen Basara would become when he would throw away his mantle
of reason, Hasegawa had always accepted him with a coquettish smile,
answering to him happily.
"—So then, shall we get going?"
With that, Basara nodded in reply to Hasegawa's words—and they
began to move.
There was buses, taxis and rental cars as means of transportation
around these parts.
When Basara asked what they were to do next, Hasegawa had opted
for a taxi.
"While we won't get lost with how recent cars have a navigational
systems, as it is the weekend we won't be able to avoid the traffic in
tourist destinations."
In the time they have, to know the best route to shorten the traffic
time, and even on where to park, or even finding less crowded places, as
well as knowing information that isn't in the guidebook, are all things
that a local driver would excel at.
"If we do have some spare funds left, it's better to rent a taxi for a
time, so we can enjoy our sightseeing."
Having no objections to what Hasegawa had suggested, they booked a
taxi among several that were waiting in front of the station till evening, as
Basara and Hasegawa began their sightseeing around the area.
Before noon, they went to a lake situated in the west, and a large
waterfall there for some scenery sightseeing. The winter lake stood a
thousand meters over the sea, the mountain wind runs through the
water's surface, the trees standing by the lakeside that splashed with the
water froze, it was a space, that looked completely like an icy chandelier.
The taxi they rented was driven by an old man, and once they said
they wanted to go to this place, he had given them a good viewing spot
for this winter—that is, for this day.
"It's beautiful…"
Hasegawa murmured as she linked her arm with Basara's, leaning in,
Basara, who shared her line of sight, forgot how cold he was, captured
by the beautiful sight in front of him.
"Would you like me to take a photo of the both of you?" said the
driver. Surely, he had known other lovers he had taken here who he had
helped remember the day. Saying that, Hasegawa, as if awaiting her
chance,
"…Toujou, let's take him up on his offer, shall we?"
"Of course, let's take a picture."
Basara had decided that during this trip, he would indulge Hasegawa in
whatever she wanted to the best of his ability. With his approval given
with a smile, Hasegawa happily took out her own phone camera, setting
it up before handing it to the driver. And then, going over to Basara's
side,
"Thank you… Toujou."
She murmured, in a small voice that only Basara could hear. So, in as
if answering to her, Basara put his arm around her shoulder, and like
that, pulled her close to him.
"—"
Hasegawa's face turned to that of surprise for a moment, however, it
quickly turned into a happy face, she leaned in close, her cheeks to his
chest.
"—Alright, all set, and…"
They smiled as the driver said. And then, after they took the shot, he
returned the phone and the Basara and Hasegawa on there could only be
seen as lovers.
"…" "…"
The two of them, who looked at the photo together, when they
looked up from the screen, they looked at each other at a very near
distance. A picture is something that reflects reality. Seeing themselves
in the picture, there's a stronger consciousness of the other.
However, this time, the expression and feelings of Basara and
Hasegawa in the picture had such a tremendous effect.
—So, with that, the atmosphere between Basara and Hasegawa
changed.
"Sensei… This way." "…Yeah."
As they are far from home, it's good that there's no chance of anyone
knowing them here, in the taxi, Basara held Hasegawa at the waist,
Hasegawa leaned in without moving away. The driver, with his veteran
discretion, did not talk to them about the scenery, leaving them to
themselves in the back seat.
And then, they went to a waterfall known as one of the three greatest
in Japan, to be able to get to the observation deck, they needed to take
an elevator with a fee, the driver then waited for them at the car.
Heading to the elevator hall with the ticket, as it's the weekend there's
a long line to the elevators. However, with one round, everyone to the
front of them had come in… At the next round, tourists came pouring
out of the elevator but it turned out that Basara and Hasegawa had the
elevator to themselves.
So then—as soon as the door closed between them and the staff—
"Toujou, nn, chuu…"
Hasegawa, appearing teary-eyed, lunged at him and kissed him, as
Basara assertively entwined his tongue with hers. As much as there may
have been security cameras watching everything they were doing, they
didn't really care at the heat of the moment.
It would take 60 seconds for them to reach the observation deck—on
the observation deck there were also lots of tourists.
Even so, as Basara held to Hasegawa's waist with his right hand, his
left hand brought down the zipper of her coat to mid-way, and then,
slipping in, he fondled her breasts with no hesitation, Hasegawa then
thrust up her waist happily.
"Aah… Toujou, chuu… Haah, Toujou… Nnn ♥"
She wanted a more passionate kiss from Basara. As Basara's saliva
trickled inside her mouth, Hasegawa erotically drank it all down her
throat.
They wanted to go further beyond this if the situation allowed it; but
then the elevator reached the observation deck,
"—Sensei, we're here." "Nn… I understand, let's continue later."
They reluctantly parted their lips from each other, and left the
elevator as if nothing had ever happened.
—The giant waterfall they could see as they arrived at the observation
deck, had the intensity of one of the three greatest waterfalls in Japan.
The waterfall, falling lively for around hundreds of meters, just like
the previous waterfall at the lake, showed a special characteristic for the
winter that welcomed them.
Behind the large waterfall, like it was a bamboo screen, were smaller
waterfalls meant to flow as well but—due to the low temperature of
winter it had frozen and spread, looking just like wings.
As they were charmed by the blue ice created naturally,
"Umm~… Excuse me, is it alright to ask you to take a photo?"
Suddenly, from beside them, a girl's voice called out. Seems like she
wanted to take the picture alone with her but as her group was too big
they weren't really able to.
"Then, here I go—I'm taking it."
Basara said expressing the timing, clicking down on the shutter
button.
Taking it a few more times to be safe, they then checked if there's no
problem with the photo he's taken,
"Waah~ You're good at taking pictures" "Really… Like a prophotographer"
As the girls praised him, Basara said "Thanks…", feeling embarrassed,
he bowed his head down.
…This feels quite nice.
Rather than just having had made someone happy, it was the fact that
he had just been praised as having the same talents that his photographer
father Jin had that made him happier all the more.
—It was then that Basara could feel that words traced on his back.
Even through his coat, he could still understand the words were
"Cheater" and "Idiot"..
You're still teasing me… And yet when Basara turned around,
…Eh…
Hasegawa was not smiling, however. She was definitely glaring at him
with a dissatisfied look.
"…"
Her eyes delivered the same overbearing gaze in the elevator of
Hasegawa's apartment that Christmas evening, when she had told him
something that she hoped he wouldn't forget; that she, too, was prone to
an emotion called jealousy.
"—"
Basara immediately understood his mistake, but there was no denying
that he'd committed it nonetheless. Not saying anything, simply looking
up at him, being sublimely cute… Without minding the tourists around
them, Basara was driven by an impulse to embrace and kiss her right
there. However,
"Ah, excuse me… Would you two like me to take a photo of you?"
asked the girl, as Hasegawa asserted herself by linking her arm around
Basara's.
And then the two of them got their shots, with their back to the
waterfall, after viewing the beautiful winter waterfall one more time, the
two of them went on the elevator to go to the ground floor. As expected,
going down they can't have the space alone, the elevator being packed.
"—Sensei, over here."
Basara, not wanting Hasegawa to be touched by any other man, stood
guarding her;
"…"
A gesture of which Hasegawa simply wordlessly hugged him in
response. Then,
"Toujou… During this trip, you belong to me alone, okay?"
"…Yes, I'm sorry."
As Basara held a sulking Hasegawa in his arms, he also sincerely
apologised to her.
Before long, they reached the ground floor. It was around lunchtime
when they returned to the taxi, and they asked the taxi driver to
recommend a restaurant. After confirming their plans and desires after
lunch as well their desired cravings for the afternoon, they took them to
a soba shop that was reputable among both locals and tourists alike.
And then, in the afternoon, they were no longer visiting natural sights,
but instead one of synthetic, man-made fine art.
They went to visit the Shinto Shrine, a site recognized as a World
Heritage Site.
3
Basara and Hasegawa had arrived at the area of the World Heritage
Site with the largest population of tourists.
Although the taxi could enter the area known for its two reputable
shrines and a temple, the taxi instead went over to the southeast by
Hasegawa's request—going around to the front entrance where one
would need enter by foot, it stopped in front a vermilion bridge, deemed
to be a very significant cultural heritage site. And after requesting the
driver to circle around and wait on standby until the two finished their
sightseeing and would contact him by phone, Basara and Hasegawa
slowly began to walk across the bridge.
"—"
Though he'd already started to notice it on the way to the lake in the
taxi, the more the two progressed through the bridge, the clearer the air
surrounding them would become.
To begin with, this area was a ground that is said to have a "Shinto
Shrine" with a strong spiritual power but, coming here he could feel the
spiritual power increase furthermore. That moment, Hasegawa, who was
walking beside him, asked,
"—Toujou, do you know the difference between temples and
shrines?"
"Well, I do, somewhat…"
There were a number of heroes who were born with the ability to
borrow power from spirits and divine beasts, so it was important to at
least know the basics about it. Thinking about it easily "fundamentally,
the one with Torii* is a shrine, the one with graves are temples", but
there's a different, rough "distinction" between them. Therefore,
* traditional red shrine gates
"I have had some knowledge about the various theories but… To say
it broadly, shrines are Shinto, whereas temples are Buddhist, so it is said
that shrines are places where gods are more likely to live."
And then,
"Temples are where one practice Buddhism, fundamentally; they're
not places where gods live in, they are places where monks and
practitioners live…or something like that."
Nonetheless, to say for the heavenly beings who bestow powers upon
heroes from a long time ago live in shrines all over Japan wouldn't be
right either.
Naturally, shrines have many spirits there, and it is also said to be a
place where gods had once descended upon. However, that is something
humans would never be able to see, if it has to be said, they are
conceptual beings and Basara and the others could more or less feel
those beings. To say this in an easier way, these heavenly beings which
had bestowed powers to their ancestors, as well as the spirits and divine
beasts they borrow powers from, are "more human like/animal like"
beings. What turned into demons were once expelled from heavenly
realms. Thinking of the existence of their counterpart, it is easy to
understand as that close to humans.
That said—though there are gods revered by Shinto and human-like
figures of Japanese legends, there are also those with the same name of
the Shinto Gods, that blessed weapons, such as that of Yuki's Sakuya.
This is, beings with roots in the cultural myths, belief and spirit, and in
long history many people had been recognised by it, easily gaining
spiritual power. In short, the "Konohana Sakuya-hime" of Japanese
legends, and the spirit of the blade that Yuki wields, "Sakuya" is not
entirely the same being.
However, the origin of the above being, is not completely unrelated
either… So to say, having admitted an entire clan, there's still a practical
problem, to somewhat feel a hint of such beings in shrines, to preserve it
so they don't get ruined and destroyed in fight with demons or low level
malicious spirits.
That is the same with temples, and although they are, as Hasegawa and
Basara said, the place where monks live, the general case is it's a place
with important connections to the vein of the earth, like shrines, they
often divide the task of protecting the earth, and so for those places and
present to not be lost, they worked together to prevent the "Staining" of
it.
That is the reason why when they fought Takashi's group which wield
"Byakko", they fought not in mountains or forests with little people—
but within a barrier in front of the train station.
Similarly, with the heroes from other countries, with the myths and
beliefs passed on in their own areas, have reconstructed their own
strengths and weapons, they shoulder the responsibilities of preserving
their own churches, temples and historic ruins versus the demons.
In short, those heavenly beings do not generally step out of the
heavenly realms, they have created beings who are able to fight demons
in this human world, with spiritual powers, and power with surge of
acknowledgement unlike other humans, the heroes who had been
bestowed this by the heavenly beings. That being said, in the great war,
they had shown their form to a portion of the heroes. Since the great war
ended however, there had been no report of them being seen again.
So then, having crossed the bridge and a road for cars, they reached
the mountain path that would lead them to the world heritage temples
and shrines.
"So then, if there's beings like gods… Who don't appear to help
humans and animals as they suffer, what do you think of that, Toujou?"
Suddenly, Hasegawa, who walked ahead of him, asked. Not wanting
anyone below them to peek up her skirt, Basara saw to continuously
walking right behind her; he was thus unable to tell what expression was
she making as she said that, and he was unable to guess the meaning of
the question. Even so—
"Hmm…This is a theory too but, if those beings exist, surely they also
think of all sorts of situations. Perhaps it's not something we realize, but
there may be times they have protected and helped us."
And that's because… thought Basara. He lifted his head and gazed at
Hasegawa's back in front of him.
"There are times where humans unconsciously give aid and help
amongst themselves, don't they? That's why…even if they don't reveal
their true forms… Surely they're still watching over us and give us their
aid without our knowing."
They were like the heroes, too, in that regard—in a similar vein, they
have protected the world from Demons and lowly, evil beings without
humans' knowing.
"…I see."
Hasegawa didn't turn around as she gave her reply in a low voice,
simply looking forward.
"…You don't think so?"
Noticing her somewhat gloomy reply, Basara asked, worried.
"No, it's not that…I was just thinking 'So that's how you look at it',
that's all…"
As she climbed up the stairs, she turned back to look at him, giving
him a gentle smile.
That was, Hasegawa's usual expression—that's why, stroking down his
chest in relief, Basara lined up with her, and Hasegawa linked her arm
with him, once more, leaning into him. And at the same time,
"—"
Though he saw that Hasegawa's lips did move slightly, he could not
hear any words from them.
4
The first of the World Heritage sites that they visited was a shrine that
a general who lived through the warring period had dedicated to the gods
for unification of the country. It was a marvelous building set with feng
shui and onmyou teachings, engraved with patterns of animals and
magical beasts, the famous three monkeys and sleeping cat, furthermore,
set on the roof at the inside of the shrine, with mysterious reverberating
wooden clappers with a dragon on it, was a famous standing point,
where the two of them enjoyed their sightseeing.
And then—they proceeded to visit a neighboring shrine next.
Walking through a path lined with cedars, they soon passed under the
torii, they reached the grounds of the historical shrine, washing their
hands and mouth with the ritual water,
"…Sorry, but please accompany me somewhere."
She asked, and Basara nodded in agreement. This is a shrine for a
"land inherited god", and there was a famous story with an injured white
rabbit regarding him.
…If I remember correctly, he was someone who had a mountain of
children…or something like that.
Accordingly, there were six wives whom he made a hundred-eighty
children with.
Six was a rather coincidental similarity between Basara and this
particular god; even if they weren't his wives, Basara still possessed a
deep bond with five women; Mio, Yuki, Maria, Kurumi and Zest.
…And then there was…
There was Hasegawa, who Basara, too, also shared a deep bond with,
and it would truly be six women—like that of said god.
However, other forms of research seem to claim that he had seven
wives, and there had been plenty written on this, so perhaps it was a
coincidence not worth thinking about.
While there are other tourists besides the two of them, it seemed to be
comprised of mainly women and couples. As it was a god who had tied a
bond with many goddesses, on top of being known to command the
lands of this area, he was also known to relate to marriage. Wanting to
enjoy their time as a couple, it's possible that's why Hasegawa took him
here.
From there, together with Hasegawa, he lined up with her like a
married couple at the inner sanctuary, where there was a marriage cedar
tree. If he were to be truthful, there was a lot that he could wish for, but,
"—"
Hasegawa, who closed her eyes as she held his hand, made an earnest
expression; noticing it, Basara simply wished for whatever Hasegawa
wished for to come true.
So then—at the end of the lines of visitors, they encountered a party.
It was a wedding ceremony. A dignified wedding ceremony at a world
heritage shrine like this.
The groom, with the priestess guiding, wore a decorated kimono, with
the bride in white.
Right behind them, were their parents, continuing after them.
With that, Hasegawa watched them with a spellbound expression,
"How enviable…"
She murmured, leaning her body against Basara's. There were a
number of thoughtless words he could have used to reply her with; he
did not want to reply irresponsibly, however, so,
"…Indeed."
As Basara said all that he could muster, he tightened his hold on
Hasegawa's waist just a little. And then, as they gazed on to the wedding
ceremony, and then, as seeing them back,
The groomed seemed charmed by Hasegawa. The bride, who noticed
it, sulked as she pulled on his ear.
"—It seems that it's over, so…let's go, then?"
Perhaps it was pity to the husband who was berated for looking at
Hasegawa.
Basara answered, far from that place, and Hasegawa too seemed
satisfied.
"Yeah, that's right… Let's go."
He replied with a nod, and then they left the shrine behind.
Afterwards, they went towards the other culturally important temple;
however, they did not make it due to the winter closing time. As such,
the two of them gave up on sightseeing, and went to the parking lot
where the taxi they had hired was parked and waiting for them. They
went over back to the first lake they had gone to.
It's not because they had something they had forgotten to see. They
were heading over to a building on the bank of the river.
"What an amazing place…."
Basara muttered, as he marvelled at the sight outside his window.
Going past the large welcoming gate was a wide spread of land of a
famous resort company managed high-class inn.
In front of the building, there were already staff members, women
waiting in traditional outfits, as soon as Basara and Hasegawa arrived
with their taxi, the door was opened,
"—Welcome, thank you for coming in this cold weather."
With a voice that didn't miss a beat, she bowed down her head.
So then, paying the taxi their fee for today, they followed the figure of
the staff who took them to a sofa and table at the lobby. As soon as
Basara lowered himself on the couch, another girl poured them tea,
together with the green tea served in an expensive looking set, was
plentiful traditional sweets. However, they weren't just there for tea, as
evidence, a little after they drank their tea,
"Welcome—We do apologize for imposing on you, but if we could
please have you check in?"
Upon that, Hasegawa was handed a leather-bound note and writing
utensils.
And then Hasegawa, using it gracefully, wrote down their personal
information.
Once she finished and returned the book, the woman bowed
respectfully.
"Thank you very much. If everything is alright now, I will escort you
to your room—This way, please."
Saying that, she invited them to the inner side of the building. The
Japanese styled building was covered in silence, and on the tatami
covered floor of the hallway, only the sounds of their footsteps could be
heard.
Before long, they were shown to their room. It was bigger than the
Toujou house, a luxurious room. With two Japanese styled rooms, a
living and bedroom. There's also a bathroom, washing area and toilet, all
in twos, it was easily a room for six.
So then, the two of them approached to sit on the floor cushions of
the Japanese room, the woman who showed them to the room poured
them tea. And then placing the hot water in front of Basara,
"Once again, welcome to this place again. I am this establishment's
manager,"
She said, bowing her head down with her hands on the floor. Upon
seeing that proprietress,
…I'm glad I've been to the Demon Realm before this.
Having been received by Wildart in the Demon Realm, Basara was
able to not feel intimidated with this particular head of the
establishment. With that, Hasegawa who sat at the table not far from
him, with composure,
"What of our belongings that we sent earlier?"
"Yes. They had arrived earlier, we had placed it over there."
She said, pointing to the living room, Basara and Hasegawa's
belongings, which they had left at the train station, was placed there. The
fee the two of them had paid was not just to leave their belongings—but
also to have it sent to where they were staying.
Indeed—this trip was not a day trip. The two of them were staying
here for the night.
"Um… Sorry to intrude by asking, but is today an anniversary of
sorts?"
"Yes. Please let us spend it in that way."
Hasegawa, who responded to the proprietress' reservations, took an
envelope out of her bag with a smile. Surely, it was a gratuity tip. And
when she laid eyes on the offer,
"That's… I can't accept this. All the services had been paid for in the
lodging fees. We've already received plenty from Hasegawa-sama."
"That's separate from that. If you're confident in your service, there's
no issue in taking it. If you could provide us the best service possible,
then it would be my pleasure."
Hasegawa stated calmly, having the proprietress' understanding,
"…So, I will receive this gratefully."
She received the tip and put it away in her chest pocket, before
returning to her serious expression.
"So then… As aforementioned, we will do our best to present to you
our hospitality."
Stated the proprietress, highlighting the inn's features,
"—Please, enjoy everything at your leisure."
Again, she bowed her head with her hands in front of her, and with
that she left the room. With that,
"Fuuh…"
Basara finally took a breath as he observed the room. It was not just
the size of it, the sight of the lake, with the sunset out of the window was
top class. So then,
…I'd like to take them here one day.
He thought of Mio and the others back home.
As expected, they disapproved of him spending the night elsewhere.
He didn't really mention Hasegawa to them; his relationship with her
was already a secret from them, to begin with.
When Basara had said he wanted to rest from the fight in the Demon
World and wanted to spend one night out by himself, Mio and the
others were genuinely worried for his safety.
From their point of view, they couldn't understand as to why they
couldn't have gone with Basara…
However—they sent him off without saying anything in the end.
Most likely, the words of Takigawa who they met the other day "your
worry can't shackle Basara too much, it's no good, so throw it away"
were engraved in them.
Given that they were restricted by the master-slave contract, Mio,
Yuki and Zest couldn't follow him secretly. Maria and Kurumi, on the
other hand, weren't tied by the contract—Basara could thus be informed
of their location.
…I have Sheila to thank for this.
Basara's gaze fell to his phone.
Just as Mio and the others were perhaps worried for him right now—
Basara valued them and was worried about them as well.
Understanding their feelings regarding the situation, among the
souvenirs Sheila had given him was a special chip made from Maria's
magic and Kurumi's dark element; putting it inside his phone would
allow him to track their location like a GPS.
He now had no doubts that Mio and the four others were in Tokyo.
Checking the location on his phone, and they can also can tell each
other's location by the unblocked Master-slave contract, he had also emailed them while with Hasegawa.
Given that they knew about his location as well as having received
correspondence from him, surely they wouldn't be worried about him,
would they?
As Basara's mind drifted off to thinking of Mio and the others—
"—You're still thinking about other women even while you're
together with me?"
Hasegawa, who rested her chin on the table, teased him.
"You went with Naruse and the others overseas during winter
vacation. At that time, I thought of you all alone. Of course, staying with
me like this, I don't mind if you want to ease Naruse and the others by
contacting but… Outside of that, please think only of me."
Her spoiled request came with a seductive smile as Basara nodded and
said, "Alright."
And just as she'd said—during the time they would spend together, he
would only think of her.
5
There was still some time before dinner. To that, the two decided to
check out the hot springs first.
Although a cypress open air bath was offered in their room, a large
open air bath, in the end, was the inn's real selling point. Although they
had yukata in their room, the propritess had told them that there is also
a changing room prepared for them at the large bath, and so they went as
they were.
Perhaps due to the vastness of the building, they were expectedly
enveloped by the silence of the interior.
"—So, later then…" "Yes…"
Saying so, Basara and Hasegawa parted, going to the male and female
baths.
So then Basara, at the male bath curtains, took off his clothes in the
locker room and placed it in the locker, putting the key wristband on his
arm, opening the door and stepping to enter the large bath.
"…This is amazing."
He said without thinking to himself. He looked over the massive bath,
covered in steam, the bath and space was of a spaciousness he's satisfied
with. Even though it was already this large, there was also the open-air
bath. The male bath seemed to be exclusive to Basara's use only.
…It's quite empty given that it's the weekend.
It does seem like a high-threshold inn, perhaps the people who stay
were few too. Or perhaps those others who stay here don't use the large
bath, but instead the exclusive baths in their own rooms.
At the Japanese-styled decorated large bath, while thinking of that,
Basara lowered himself on the stool left at the washing area and began
washing his body, suddenly—there was a presence from the locker
room.
It seemed like there was another guest who would like to enjoy the
large bath with Basara. Basara, patting down his chest in relief, began to
wash himself, and before long, that customer too, entered the bathing
area.
It was Hasegawa.
"Eh—?"
Unconsciously, a dumbfounded voice spilled out from him. However,
this person, with her hair wrapped with a towel together with her body
covered with a bath towel was without a doubt Hasegawa Chisato; and as
that person discovered Basara in the bathing area,
"Did you wait long, Toujou…?"
With a gentle smile surfacing on her face, she stepped on the hot water
of the floor to head towards him.
"W-Why are you doing this, sensei!? If any other guests come in-"
He did get the feeling that Hasegawa wanted to have a bath with him,
but he did not think it would be in the large public bath instead of the
personal ones indoors. And while he was happy for her thoughtful
gesture, he absolutely did not want her naked figure to be gazed at by
other men. However,
"Calm down. No one will be come in—Not any guests, nor any of the
staff, as well." Hasegawa said calmly.
"I've booked the whole place—for today and tomorrow."
"This entire bath?"
You could do that? In response to Basara who had asked that question,
"That's not all… The entire hotel."
Hasegawa let that possibility leave her lips smoothly.
…Now that he thought about it…
It wasn't just in the locker room or the bath. Since they entered this
lodging, Basara had not seen a single other customer. And then, the
proprietress had said when she was leaving their room—"Please, feel
free". Normally, it would have been "Please, do relax" or "Have a good
day.".
—However, the manager had told them to 'enjoy everything at their
leisure".
When Hasegawa handed her the tip, she also said she "had received
plenty", perhaps that wasn't just lip service out of politeness,
…It couldn't be.
To book up this high class inn on a weekend, how much would that
even cost? Hasegawa who appeared in front of Basara, took off her bath
towel, lowering herself to the stool right beside him, she began to let the
hot water of the shower run over her body. Before the sports festival,
after eating a meal from her, or during that Christmas eve, after he was
pampered by her in her room, Basara had bathed with Hasegawa before
and did all sorts of actions with her. Thinking of those times, Basara
reacted unconsciously. With that, Hasegawa who noticed his condition,
"…Fufu, you're fast."
"No, this is…"
Saying that as he was gazed on with happy eyes, Basara's words
became muddled up, and then Hasegawa opened the cap of the body
wash and let its content spill on her breasts. And then, to the point it
spilled in the valley of her chests, she began rubbing her breasts against
the other, her nipples lewdly standing up. Understanding what Hasegawa
was doing,
"S-Sensei…"
"If we don't take care of that, we can't have dinner… Leave it to me."
As he called to her, she gave him a seductive smile as she turned to his
back.
And then, she pushed her covered large breasts against his back,
circling her arms around his body. There was still plenty of body wash
remaining on her hand.
And at the next moment—Hasegawa's hands stroked Basara's enlarged
member.
"Amazing… It's all big, Toujou… Nn"
She said excitedly as her slippery breast slided against his back, and
she moved her fingers lewdly to stroke his member. Unable to deny the
truth,
"…A lot of stuff happened during winter vacation…"
Perhaps using the nutrition tonic given to him by Sheila in the demon
world, Basara had grown bigger there.
Basara who was serviced by Hasegawa answered with a moan.
"Is that so.. So then tonight, I'll make it plenty big"
As she said that with a voice laced with laughter, Hasegawa increased
the speed of her hands.
"Ugh… Ah…!"
Basara whose pleasure was increased, put all his strength to his bottom
half,
"Don't hold back… Relax, let go."
Her hot breath accompanied her whisper in his ears, and with that she
increased the intensity of her hand movement—So, Basara allowed
himself to indulge in Hasegawa's words. He released the pleasure he held
back in her hands. Not held back completely by Hasegawa's hand, his
semen also spilled at the top half of the long mirror near them. With
that, Hasegawa's face in the mirror was dirtied in white, the hand that
stroked his member too became more gentle,
"Nn… Fufu, you let out a lot…"
Hasegawa said,with a satisfied smile. Admittedly slightly frustrated for
her to have taken the initiative alone, Basara turned around slowly, and
understanding his intention just then,
"Don't give me that look…We've haven't even had dinner yet."
Hasegawa advised Basara to hold himself back for the time being, but
she certainly wouldn't mind it if he did otherwise.
So, Basara took Hasegawa's breasts in his hand and gently caressed
them,
"Aahn… ♥"
Just like that, a sweet sound spilled from her. To that Hasegawa,
"…You're one to talk, given you're like this as well, sensei."
Basara extended a hand and naughtily pinched the pale pink tip of her
nipples.
"—Fuaaan!"
Hasegawa's sensitive body trembled just from that—that reaction
from Hasegawa brought up Basara's excitement, he moved his arm to
draw her closer to him.
"Before dinner… Let's both do it, just once."
Hasegawa suggested with a seductive voice as she tucked herself in his
arms.
"—I understand."
Basara nodded, before he proceeded to amply help himself with the
sensation of her butt and her chest.
His hand serviced her breasts and butt at the same time, Hasegawa
who was already excited from servicing Basara had her pleasure
increased—Her body that faced him, had her waist raise higher bit by
bit, at this completely lewd movement, Basara sucked on her nipples and
she came lightly. As she held onto him, her sweet voice of ecstasy
echoed through the bath—and then, as she recovered from the sensation
of the climax, sand as their gazes locked together—
"Haah… Toujou… Nn, Chuu… ♥"
With her eyes glistening, she leaned forward and kissed him. Basara,
too, reciprocated her kiss, had somehow pushed Hasegawa down on the
floor—It didn't take long before the two of them entwined and shuffled
their legs in an indecent fashion and proceeded to dreamily desire the
other.
6
In the end—though they'd said they'd only do it once, they ended up
going for it three times.
They knew it would be bad if they went any further than that; so,
somehow managing to relieve themselves of their excitement, the two of
them changed back into the yukata they had left in the dressing room
and headed back to their room. The form of Hasegawa who had her hair
up in a yukata, flushed from the pleasure of their bath, the nape of her
neck slightly blushed pink,
…This is really bad.
With such an arousing sight in front of him, Basara's head throbbed
and he tried his hardest to calm himself down.
And then when they returned to their room, they were just in time for
dinner prepared for them by the staff.
On top of the large table, a variety of delicious dishes was set out
before them.
A pot of oyster and shabu-shabu, a platter of horse meat sashimi, a
soft-shelled turtle steamed-boiled in earthenware teapot; a menu that,
under normal circumstances, may have been too much for the average
person, but for Basara, who's used to a kitchen ruled by a certain Loli
Succubus who makes food to draw on his spirit, he didn't find the
course too intimidating.
"It's so luxurious…"
"We are obliged… Our chefs did their best for this meal." One of the
staff members said politely before bowing respectfully.
"Although we do apologise for the rather unsightly way we've served
it on the table…"
And they're apologising as well. As there was a huge number of food,
as the staff said, it looked crammed on the table. With that, Hasegawa
shook her head a little,
"Don't worry about it… Even though you don't have room service,
you had fulfilled our request."
On that, arranging to have this high-class meal delivered together with
the next western food course was the wish of Hasegawa who wanted to
treasure their time together.
—Then, after a short while, the food was served before them.
The food setting that was previously done face-to-face, was changed to
side-by-side by Hasegawa's request, when Basara asked for the aim
behind that, "this way, it's easy for us to eat together, and for our bodies
to be glued together no?" Hasegawa whispered sweetly in his ears.
As the staff who finished preparing bowed their head and left, Basara
and Hasegawa began to eat.
As expected of a high-class hotel—the ingredients were all first-class,
and they had done their work diligently and to the letter. The flavourful
high-class food turned into something delicious on Basara's tongue.
And then, even with the knowledge on how this is bad manners, the
two of them fed each other as Hasegawa wished, pouring Japanese sake
into each other's cups, Hasegawa was truly happy… She purposely
displayed her breasts, pestering for a kiss, and when he answered that
desire, Hasegawa's expression made his heart happy too. So then after
they finish their meal, Basara sat on the sofa of the western room with
Hasegawa on his lap, he held her from the back as they rested. As they
did that and they watched the view outside, Hasegawa brought her body
sweetly to Basara's.
"What should we do now? We can go to the bath in the room, or
perhaps the outdoor bath again… Shall we try the female baths this
time?"
She asked him, looking over her shoulders—Therefore,
"Sensei… Before that, there's something I want to ask."
"Yes, what is it?"
She prompted him good-naturedly.
"Yes—I want you to tell me what you know about my birth."
With a calm tone, Toujou Basara cut to the chase in bringing up the
matter that was left unsaid for all of today.
The request eliminated the smile on Hasegawa's face. She narrowed
her eyes just barely and said,
"—Did Jin tell you something about me while you were there?"
That was her only reply—a question. Thus, Basara shook his head
lightly.
"No. I heard about it when I met my old man at the Demon Realm,
that my mother was the little sister of the previous Demon King,
Wilbert. And how that I have one more mother aside from her."
"If you've only heard that much, how did you arrive to the idea of
asking me about it?"
Hasegawa's tone of voice, which left no room for negotiation as the
truth,
"To be able to reach my goal in the Demon Realm, I had to surmount
those who would be much stronger than me… So I relied on this
succubus, and she made me a medicine that stimulated the demonic
blood in me."
And then.
"When I drank it, a part of Brynhildr's memories flowed into me. I'm
certain that it's the evil spirit that resides in the sword. At that time,
when my demonic blood was being activated, Brynhildr's
synchronisation in the sword was probably raised to a higher
condition."
That was how Toujou Basara knew about that.
"Demon swords and spirit swords which are embodied with its users,
the spirits or beasts that live inside them can make links and choose. But
for me to use Brynhildr, it wasn't the same as how Yuki was chosen by
Sakuya."
Because Brynhildr had seen that tragedy, she understood.
"At the time of the tragedy five years ago… I caused everything to
disappear in my vicinity except for Yuki and Brynhildr as my power ran
wild. However, the one I thought of protecting then was just Yuki, and I
didn't have any allowance to protect Brynhildr. Even so, Brynhildr
remained without being erased, and that's because she ran inside of me.
So from then on, Brynhildr continued to live inside of me."
And then there was the day of the sports festival.
"Since meeting Mio and the rest, fighting again, there are many times
that my life had been in danger but at that time—with Sakazaki, it was so
that I did die for a time. If I, the vessel, die, then Brynhildr inside of me
should disappear. Realising that it was in a situation that put herself in
danger, when I lost consciousness, Brynhildr manifested itself and
defeated Sakazaki with my body… And then-"
"I see…"
Finally, somehow getting a hold of Basara's words, Hasegawa
muttered.
"The incident where I stopped the Brynhildr who went amok with
your body—and my exchange with Ornis, while you were unconscious
—you know about it."
It was when Brynhildr took over Basara's body, defeating and almost
killing Sakazaki.
When Hasegawa had restrained Basara's body that was overtaken by
Brynhildr.
Basara was unconscious at the time, but—
…Brynhildr, that had been restrained all this time, was reawakened.
To return safely from the demon world, Basara getting stronger
through Brynhildr was planned but,
"To think that rather than knowing from Jin, it ended up being
revealed by Brynhildr instead…."
Sakazaki had then assumed his true form, as Ornis, and attempted to
kill Basara. That was why Hasegawa had also taken her form as one of
the Ten Gods—Afureia—and she was able to destroy Ornis with her real
form and power.
The conversation she exchanged with Ornis then, to Basara who's not
aware of the situation, it must seem like a lot of fragmented bits. But, he
should know, as he was a hero, the meaning of heavenly beings and ten
gods.
Furthermore…
If he had learned in the Demon Realm through Jin that he had two
mothers, it wouldn't be odd if he was able to put together the pieces and
arrive at the door of the truth. So then Basara must have realised—the
door to the truth, and the key to opening it was all with Hasegawa.
Hasegawa let out a sigh as she shut her eyes; and when she opened
them again, her expression became that of a bitter smile.
She could no longer lie to him—It was then that Hasegawa Chisato
parted her lips slowly.
"…I've promised Jin that other than the case he talked to you about, it
would be on my judgement to tell you the truth depending on the
circumstances. However, in consideration to him as your father, if to
respect him on that much is in your personality, after finding the truth
from what he said, I think you wouldn't push on it even if you find a
way to… Going behind him to me like this, what's with this change of
heart?"
"Oh, that…well, if I'd learned about all this a lot earlier, I probably
would have accepted what my father is doing for me and wouldn't have
done anything redundant or unnecessary."
However, said Basara.
"The way I am now, though, there's something I have to protect… I
have things I can never possibly give up on. Of course, I'm well aware
that I perhaps may never be able to surpass my father on the battlefield.
However, I don't want to—and I can't stand just to be someone that's
being protected by my father. So please, tell me."
And that was Basara's choice—his words of resolve to be independent
of the protection that his father, Jin, had given him.
"Please tell me—Tell me why you said that I was the proof of living of
the woman treasured more than anyone else back then."
He asked her once again. So then,
"…How much has Jin told you?"
"He told me that it was during the previous great war of the Demon
Realm where he'd met my mother—Demon Lord Wilbert's younger
sister—on the battlefield."
The fact that he could trust such a simple statement from him really
meant that Basara held a great degree of trust for Jin.
It was then that Hasegawa turned to face him again and began to add
to the story with the details Basara wanted.
"This is what I have heard but… Your other mother is a demon
woman named 'Sapphire', who served as a leader in the war, a most
excellent commander, someone who was at the top in terms of her
militaristic ability of those who battled at the front lines."
Although that also meant that she must have been responsible for the
deaths of many members of the Hero clan, Hasegawa skimmed over that
subject and continued,
"She must have a great sense of responsibility… I heard when Wilbert
started marching his army, she wanted a position at the rear guard."
But it precisely due to that—that a destined meeting was born.
"At that time, Jin and his comrades had been spearheading the attacks
on the demons… she and Jin had met several times and clashed."
"They clashed… So that means-"
"Yes. The sister of Wilbert, lauded as the strongest of the demons,
managed to go head-to-head with Jin without putting on airs. And then
at this time, she hurried evacuation of her men, and with Jin expectedly
wanting to reduce the risk to his friends, the battlefield turned into one
of the two of them."
There, Hasegawa's tone changed.
"However…. There was someone else who got in the middle of the
two of them, who also fought on that battlefield."
After a pause, she finally uttered "her" name.
"The one who would later be your mother, my cousin—Raphaeline."
A being sent by the Heavenly Realm to watch over the previous war
between demons and humans.
It was one of the Ten Gods before Hasegawa herself—Raphaeline.
"The holy sword Jin used during that war, Balmung, was secretly given
to him by Raphaeline who watched over what had happened."
But even as she helped one of the heroes, the peace-loving Raphaeline
wanted to be able to reach a truce with the goodwill of Wilbert—so
then, she intervened in the fights between Jin and Sapphire. On that,
"Due to their battle being on a knife's edge, and as their fight was
interrupted, Jin and Lady Sapphire had attacked Raphaeline separately."
Raphaeline, who had simply made mere attempts at first, gradually
grew emotional towards Jin and Sapphire, who just wouldn't listen to
her.
"—Before they realized it, it seemed like they were caught up in a
large, three-way fight." Hasegawa said, bearing a bitter smile.
Jin, revered by many as a god of war; Sapphire, considered to be on
par with said god of war; and Raphaeline, one of the Ten Gods—the
three clashed amongst each other. The match was fearsome, and as a
result of the trio's earnest fighting, a gigantic dimensional rift was
formed, and they were swallowed by it.
"It was complex, the time in that dimension was an isolated space, and
it was much like prison to them, after they quarrelled for a bit, they put
their power together to try and escape."
Hasegawa didn't know how much time they spent there.
But for three of them, who had began to acknowledge each other, it
wasn't surprising for special emotions develop between them.
So with that, the three of them being together—faced their deeper
problems.
"That space… It was the nest of the ancient dragon, Fafnir."
Dragons were special living beings that exist outside of the heavenly
beings and the demons.
And among them, Fafnir was among the strongest of the evil dragons,
one of the most ancient of their race. And the territorial Fafnir, upon
noticing Jin and the others on his turf, assaulted them to chase them
away.
"—To speak of the results, it appear that Jin's group was able to
retaliate against Fafnir. However, having Fafnir fall caused a distortion in
the space, and they were able to get a dimensional gap where they could
return to their original world. However,"
There was an existence that deterred them from returning.
"There's wasn't just one Fafnir…"
The space where they have entered has a nest of Fafnir, and as they
knew one of theirs was killed, they all came to them.
There were, in reality, 20 of them—As much as it wasn't a large
number on paper, it was also not an amount that the three could fight
against.
And so they couldn't escape through the dimensional gap to the world
outside. If they do that, they wouldn't be able to close the dimensional
gap and let the Fafnir out too.
Just as Sapphire and Raphaeline gave up on escaping, as they're about
to close the dimensional gap, they were pushed out roughly—they were
returned to their original world.
"Jin was the only one who didn't escape."
As to not let the rest of the Fafnir out, as Sapphire and Raphaeline
escaped, Jin destroyed the dimensional gap and he alone was left in the
dimension with the Fafnir.
The dumbfounded Sapphire and Raphaeline put their powers together
to save him, looking desperately to open a portal to the space he was
trapped in. However, even if they could make a hole in the dimension,
to the space where Jin is at, they can't quite open to the same time
without his power that was there the first time.
"Still—the two of them continued to work together, combining their
powers together."
Raphaeline was able to detect the waves from Jin's sword, Balmung,
that she had entrusted to him and continued to track down the space,
whereas Sapphire, with her great magic, discovered ways to twist
through it.
"At the time, there was nothing about them being demons or heavenly
beings; just a single desire in wanting to save Jin."
Eventually, the two of them were finally able to find a way to the
dimension Jin was in.
Immediately, they came running to the space that Jin was in, to
confirm his safety.
Not knowing or caring what would happen to their lives.
"However… When the two of them finally got to him, Jin had
defeated all the Fafnir."
So Raphaeline and Sapphire, standing still and unthinking, was
greeted by Jin with a smile and a "Yo, how are you?". The two then were
unable to hold back any longer.
"The two of them, as they took Jin back to their original space… The
two of them both desired him together and tied the knot with him."
As a result of their desire, Sapphire soon bore Jin's child.
—But for a hero of the village and the sister of the Demon King to
have a child together—the consequences would be disastrous if it were
to be found out. On the other hand, if they could raise this child well, he
would be a beacon of hope for the next generation.
But Sapphire couldn't return to the Demon Realm with Jin's child.
"That's why—Raphaeline took you, in order to give birth you in the
Heavenly Realm."
She who possessed the heavenly power of the Ten Gods would give
birth to and raise the child. It would be their child, a child that belonged
to the three of them, had it been done in such a way—and she was happy
with that. So then the Basara in Sapphire's tummy was transferred over
to Raphaeline's body, splitting the roles in consideration to each others'
situation, and as they finished discussing on this, they exchanged
promises to meet again and they returned to their worlds.
Jin to the human world, Sapphire to the Demon Realm, and
Raphaeline to the Heavenly Realm.
—Not long after that, the heroes and demons managed to settle on a
truce.
Jin, entering the demon world secretly, and was able to work together
with Wilbert and Sheila through Sapphire, and soon they entered a
truce.
Everything should have gone well after that. However—one person
had failed to fulfill their promise.
It was Raphaeline.
She'd lied to them, even if she was one of the Ten Gods… No, it was
precisely because of her having such a high-ranking position that the
notion for someone like her to bear a child—and with both demon and
human blood in its veins, no less—was absolutely taboo.
Even so, Raphaeline gave birth to Jin and Sapphire's child, after she
spent a short while with him… Her crime was punished to the highest
degree in the divine realm, having her memory completely wiped clean
and her spirit frozen.
"I, along with two others, had sided with Raphaeline, but all the
others were in favour of her receiving punishment… There was nothing I
could do."
As a result, Raphaeline's spirit was taken from her body, and was
confined in the Heavenly Realm forever—all in front of Hasegawa's eyes.
"So it was then that I took you to the human world and entrusted you
to Jin. Along with what had happened to Raphaeline, as well as her dying
wish."
Raphaeline understood the man that Jin was—and what he would do.
Had he known what was to happen or would have happened to her,
she knew that he'd unhesitatingly rend through even the Heavenly
Realm for her sake.
—It was just that there would be a great possibility they would lose
their child if he were to do that—the child that represented their hope
for the future.
That's why she wanted him to take care of the child—to cherish the
future where there would be no conflict between humans and demons
and to always place that at the forefront—That was Raphaeline's last
wish. Hasegawa glanced over to Basara over her shoulder as she stated
yet another truth.
"Toujou… Your name, 'Basara', was a name that was given to you by
Raphaeline."
This child from Raphaeline and the two others—Basara, ended up
being entrusted to Jin, who could not see himself betraying her last,
dying wish. Hasegawa could remember that moment clearly, however,
when Jin had clenched his fist till it bled and how his teeth gritted so
hard that she could almost hear his molars break to held himself back.
"After that… Jin went over to the Demon Realm secretly—in order to
pass on Raphaeline's dying wish to Lady Sapphire. She, who looked
forward to meeting again in the human world and for the three of them
to live together happily. She was simply unable to just accept a happiness
of her own with Jin, choosing instead to live alone in the Demon Realm,
isolating herself even from Wilbert. Perhaps she didn't want to burden
Wilbert with the dangers that would befall him how she had been
connected with both a human and a heavenly being."
At this point of the conversation, Hasegawa let out a sigh. She knew
that this day would come, readying herself for such a day where she had
to tell Basara the truth, such that she had even thought hard on how she
would express this story to him.
Having completed one of her important roles toward him, she raised
her head slightly.
"…"
To see the boy before her, who was the most important person to
Hasegawa, and the thing that overflowed down his left cheek.
Quietly, Basara was crying. Seeing that, Hasegawa moved to embrace
Basara without thinking. But, she resisted the urge to fully extend her
right arm that had already reached out for him halfway through.
Someone like her who had lied to Basara no longer had the right to do
that. But there was still something she had to tell him,
"Even so, Lady Sapphire had promised Jin that she could immediately
come for the both of you whenever the situation demanded it. And then
—she had shown proof that her words were not lies."
Said proof being…thought Hasegawa.
"Five years ago, after that tragedy… Jin, left the "Village" with you,
you were setting up your house in the city. At that time, you've met her,
for just a while."
"Eh…?"
Basara, who raised up his head to look at her, saw Hasegawa wearing a
smile.
"It was as Jin was just leaving as a photographer. At the time, as you're
still recovering from the shock of what happened at the "village", unable
to stand straight, unable to go to school, shutting yourself at home.
Perhaps as she was worried for you then, Lady Sapphire was unable to
take it anymore. It seemed like she wanted to go to you as soon as
there's problems at the "Village", but as a Demon, she was unable to
enter the "Village". However, after you left, she was able to come visit
you in secret. That's why she took a human form, to check up on your
condition. But, as your calmed down a little and she had to return to the
Demon Realm, she used her magic to erase your memories of those
moments."
After that, it's as you know, said Hasegawa.
"Jin went to the demon world to talk with Wilbert, they no longer
knew where Lady Sapphire's whereabouts.. But, there's no need to
worry. If Jin really tries, he should be able to find Lady Sapphire"
That's why—And now, her role is over. Hasegawa's gaze turned to
face him.
"That is everything… that I can tell you."
She hung her head weakly as she said that.
"That's a lie."
Basara, right before her eyes and with a quiet tone, made such a
declaration.