We were playing cards when Cassie's mom brought us a bunch of snacks and sweets to eat, they were delicious. One of a kind I must say. We were eating snacks and playing games when I finally looked at the clock. It was getting pretty late. By the time we departed from Cassie's home, it was already sunset. I didn't bother hurrying back home because I already was this late, a little more would be nothing. If I am going to get scolded even if I hurry, it's better if I take my time.
It took me about til after sunset completely to reach home. I opened the door, but nothing happened. I half expected a frying pan to be thrown right at my face but instead, there was nothing, except the sound of the TV, the house was completely silent. I dropped my bag at the door and called her name, but there was no response. I walked towards the living room, I kept calling for her but there was no response.
When I reached the living room, I saw her lying on the floor unconscious. I hurried towards her and tried to wake her up, but she didn't. I ran to the kitchen to get a glass of water to sprinkle some on her face. This scene reminded me of the time when Grandpa died, I was slowly losing my calm. I sprinkled some water on her face and she slowly woke up. She seemed weak and feeble.
"What happened?", she asked slowly
"You somehow fainted in the living room."
"Did I?', she sat up,
"How and why did you faint?", I asked her
"Just skipped a meal.", She glanced over at the clock, "You are late again, huh?"
"Sorry. Cassie didn't come to school today so I and Charles had gone to check on her, and while we were there we played a few board games and all.", I explained
"Alright,", Mom tried to stand up but fell down, I caught her and helped her sit down.
"Don't stand.", I warned her, "You need to rest. You should take a leave from your job for a few days and rest.". If I never told you before, I was raised by only my mother and grandpa. I have never even seen my dad nor do I know who he was. That's why she works a job, not a lot just one but that's still a lot considering she also takes care of me and considering how much of a pain I am.
"But, there's a lot of work left. I also have to cook food.", she said, but she still sounded weak.
"No, I will cook food today. You are going to rest."
"But-"
"No buts, I will be the one cooking today I will make something for the both of us."
I got Mom a glass of water and a bar of chocolate from the fridge to give her that little energy. I then proceeded to make something that she would like. I had made food a lot of times when mom wasn't home, so I knew how to cook well. It took me about an hour to make the food. I made omelet rice for both of us, it was mom's favorite food and I liked it quite a lot as well.
I presented it in front of Mom for the testing, it had been quite some time since I last cooked so I was nervous that my skills had degraded. But thankfully she said that it was great. I tasted it myself for the confirmation and it indeed tasted good. Mom and I both finished the dinner at the same time. I insisted on taking away and washing the dishes, but Mom scolded me and about it, and I had to back off and retreat to my room.
The first thing I did after coming into my room was to check the book. I slammed it on the table, sat on the chair, and started reading it. I could now open up a lot more pages than I could before. I guess the book will open up the pages based on my level or proficiency or something like that cause' even after now that I am adept there were still several pages that I couldn't open up. Meaning I was still now strong enough to open them.
The monsters section contained data about a lot more monsters than before, but I found nothing about the one I encountered today. The book also now contained data about a bunch of basic adept techniques and how to master them. In the list of those basic techniques was even one that closely resembled the technique used by that demon to appear anywhere he wanted without even me seeing it. If I was able to master these techniques I would surely be a lot stronger than before, and that was my last thought before heading to bed.
The next day, thankfully. I woke up on time. I took my time going to the school today, and even after fooling around for quite a while I was able to get in just in time. Well, nothing notable happened until lunch break when our homeroom teacher suddenly announced a 2-day field trip to Kyoto.
This meant that I would be able to go meet this Izanami clan way quicker than I thought. But this a crazy coincidence, a trip to Kyoto by the school right after what happened yesterday, that is a crazy coincidence for sure. All the rest is just everyday stuff nothing notable at all.
The trip would take place in 2 weeks, which means I might just have enough time to get a little bit stronger by learning those techniques from the book. But there was one thing left to do before going to Kyoto and that was to get my mom's sign on the form. She is a bit overprotective so maybe she won't let me go, but we don't know that till we try.
I went into the kitchen where Mom was cooking food for us, thankfully she was all fine now. I told Mom to go and sit down while I cut the veggies.
She looked at me as if I had said something I would never and said, "What's the catch?"
"Nothing's the catch. I just want to help you.", I replied
"Oh, I am your mom. And I know that you would never do anything like this until you wanted something from me."
"No, I am not like that."
"You are now, tell me what you want."
"Alright,", I sighed. "The school is taking us on a trip to Kyoto. I want to go there as well, would you please sign this form.", I said taking the form out of my pocket and handing it over to her.
"Do you have to go?", she said in a concerned tone
"Mom… All of my friends are going. And I didn't go on the last trip. You promised me that you would let me go on the next one."
"Yea.. But Kyoto.", she paused. "It's so far. I would have sent you if it wasn't Kyoto.",
She was trying to stop me from going to Kyoto. And I don't think she would do that without a reason, that could mean one thing. "Why?", I yelled at her. "Why are you trying to stop me from going to Kyoto? What's in there?"
"Nothings in there. It's just that you are going to go so far for 2 days straight.", she was avoiding looking me in the eye. "What if something happens to you?"
"Mom,", I calmed down, "There are going to be teachers with us. My friends will always be with me. I am going to be safe.", I paused. "So, please sign the form."
"Alright.", she sounded sad but I had to do this. If Maryu said that my meeting with the Izanami clan was important, then I need to do it as soon as possible.
She sounded sad and hesitated to give me back the form even after signing it but I reassured her that I would not do anything crazy and that I would be safe. She handed me the form, I kept it aside and helped Mom prepare the dinner. Now that, I had secured a way to go to Kyoto the only thing left would be to learn exactly what the Izanami clan is.
I went to my room, right after dinner, and searched if the book had any information about the clan but it didn't contain any, or it didn't allow me to read it. I searched for the name on the internet but I didn't find anything there. If I were to approach them and talk to their leader, the first thing I had to do was to at least find a way to find them. I don't even know what I am going to do when I finally reach Kyoto. I must find some way to either find them out or make them find me.
I thought a lot, but nothing ever came to my mind after all I was never quite a smart one. I gave up on thinking and decided that I would do what I had to once I reached Kyoto and slept.
The days went by quickly and with nearly zero trouble. Monsters would sometimes appear but most of them were weak, and on top of that I had grown stronger than before, I had now learned quite a few techniques and could better control my powers and use them well.
Tomorrow was the day to depart and I had not even been able to find a word of information on the Izanami Clan, At this point, I started doubting whether Maryu had told me the right thing. Maybe it was the Izonami Clan or something. But he didn't have any reason to lie to me, and nor did I have anyway but to trust what he said.
I packed my bag and made sure to put the book in it. I took all the essentials required along with a few special things.
All that was left to do now was to wait for tomorrow.