Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 95

　It was a night enveloped in darkness, where not even the moonlight could reach.

　"Haa... haa... haa...!"

　As soon as I heard the news from Monk Hayashi Gen, who was at the Onitsuki family house for a memorial service, I rushed towards the main house with a sense of urgency. Despite the darkness, I stumbled occasionally but continued to run with all my strength, determined to reach my destination. I had one goal in mind: keep running.

　Breathless and trembling within the grounds of the vast estate, I finally reached the front gate. As I arrived, I was at a loss. How should I face that person? I found myself thinking such things, as if it were too late.

　And once those doubts surfaced, all I could do was hesitate. I hadn't even locked it, the thin wooden entrance, yet I hesitated to open it.

　"What are you doing? Standing there like an idiot."

　"Huh...!?"

　The voice came from behind, and when I turned around in surprise, there stood a tall figure wearing a Hannya mask. Observing me, who had opened my mouth in astonishment, they smirked, as evident even from behind the mask.

　"Oh, I see. So you've come for a night visit, huh? Well, well, I thought you were just a kid, but you're quite audacious. To think you would attempt to elope with the princess."

　"That's not it! I just... Ouch!"

　As I tried to defend myself against the undeserved suspicion, I instead let out a cry of pain. My ear was roughly grabbed by the figure's left hand and I was mercilessly dragged, as if being pulled along.

　"Hahaha, it's useless to make excuses now. Well, just in time. I was just about to have a drink after work. Bring some sake. It's an order from your boss."

　"That's power harassment!"

　With a gleeful shout, she mercilessly pulled me into her room as she opened the door. I screamed as I was tripped, and she quickly rummaged through her shelves, preparing a tray, alcohol, and snacks in no time. ...But only for herself.

　Well, even at my age, I can't drink even if she offers it.

　"Alright, let's drink then! This job is such sh*t, I can't stand it without a drink! Come on, pour it already!"

　With that said, my boss, still in her work attire, sat cross-legged as if she had gone crazy, loudly complaining about her duties while offering me a sake cup. I was about to retort with a sarcastic remark, but I quickly faltered.

　From the slightly peeking bandages around her sleeve, I could see her right arm stained with a dark red, indicating a painful wound...

　"..."

　I had heard about it beforehand. In fact, that's why I had come to visit her.

　The reckless mission from the Onitsuki family had resulted in devastating losses for her and her two subordinate teams. Among the eleven people, eight had died, one was left with irreparable injuries, and she, along with the remaining person, also sustained significant injuries. As a result, the nest harboring thousands of monsters was eradicated by the Onitsuki exorcists, at the cost of the low-ranking servants but significant spiritual vein falling into the hands of the human world.

　It was an extremely worthwhile sacrifice. It was even cheap. No casualties among the exorcists and the spiritual veins were released—it was a remarkable achievement.

　...Even if the sacrifice included the subordinates she cared for and the seniors who had taken care of me.

　"Hmm, what's wrong? You have such a dumbfounded expression. Haha, could it be that you've finally noticed the charm of this big sister? Oh dear, it seems like I've become irresistible to you."