Magical Boy ~ English version

Chapter 122

Thoki had set up futons for everyone in the library. It was one of the largest rooms. Now that they knew how big the mansion was, Nanaya's friends insisted on exploring a little more and suddenly became more interested in the smallest details.

Mineko lingered over one of the many portraits that adorned the walls. This one was very old. It wasn't a photo but a painting. The only thing noted on the frame was the date: 1837.

"Ancestors, I imagine," the young girl muttered, "do you know their names?"

"No," Nanaya replied.

"Uchiri Nahide," Thoki announced from behind them.

Some of them jumped. The butler smiled and apologized. He then pointed to the adult man in the portrait.

"Uchiri Nahide was the head of the family at the time of this portrait," he continued, "his wife, Kakuri, and their three children, Narisato, Namazō, and Natako. Uchiri Narisato became the head of the family after his father. I don't know anything else about the twins."

"Were you already here?" Tomeo asked.

"Oh no, but the head of the family twenty generations ago, the one who even started Uchiri Corporation and bought the land we are on, also started keeping family records."

"What do you mean?" Enko asked, suddenly interested.

"Everything is noted there. The life of each Uchiri is detailed from birth to death... or until they leave the mansion."

"Can we see the records?" Monaka exclaimed with excitement.

"Of course. Since I joined the family, I have been responsible for keeping them up to date. Follow me."

He gestured to them and headed in another direction, deeper into the immense mansion. They had to cross a few corridors before reaching a door, also labeled "library."

Unlike the other huge room where they would sleep for the weekend, which was filled with novels of all kinds and even children's books, this room seemed reserved for encyclopedias and documents. The shelves were filled with paperwork and folders labeled with words like "medical machinery orders" or "U.C. accounting" followed by a date. Further down the aisles, the folders were replaced by ancient scrolls, piled up by hundreds. Along another wall were dictionaries in all languages, huge encyclopedias, and textbooks of all levels. The place looked more like an archive room than a library.

Thoki approached a shelf that seemed much more important than the others because it was protected by a display case. He took a keychain from his pocket and unlocked the lock.

There were still folders and scrolls, but the only thing noted on them were dates and names. Those of Nakamara and Nanaya were also visible on what seemed to be the main shelf.

Another shelf seemed much more filled. Thoki explained that they separated the records concerning the main heirs from those of their siblings. Narino's also had the date of birth and death, but the second one had been crossed out.

Thoki climbed a small ladder and grabbed an old scroll. It looked so ancient that the guests feared it would crumble to dust in his hands.

"This is the very first one," Thoki explained, "and the only exception. You won't find a scroll dedicated to his brother. He wrote everything himself, in 1585."

He carefully unrolled the document. Everything had been noted with a brush. Nanaya, however, recognized a name just by glancing at it.

"Hyokko?"

The guardian startled and approached.

"I never made the connection," Thoki said, "and to be honest, it's quite possible that it's not the same person at all. But it does seem that Uchiri Johiko's little brother was named Hyokko."

"What are the chances that it's him?"

Nanaya looked at his guardian. He had the same blue eyes as when he saw his human form. And the exact same blue eyes as Nanaya and Nakamara, although they inherited this color from Nanaya's grandmother's Russian origins.

Thoki studied the document in more detail. So far, he had mainly read the names and information that could be useful in the future, but he hadn't dwelled on the old records much.

"Apparently," the butler muttered as he read, "Master Johiko started making katanas, the original activity of Uchiri Corporation, to supply the samurai and ensure the protection of the citizens. He kept searching for new minerals and new ideas to make his swords stronger. And the reason for this determination was an attack by bandits on his village in 1584, during what would correspond to December today..."

Thoki became silent for a moment as he read further. He frowned, glanced at Hyokko, and resumed reading.

"So?" Rakko asked impatiently.

"Well... he helped his little brother to flee the village while he and his father fought... but it seems they never found his brother after that event. Their father died in battle, and their mother had already lost her life giving birth to the youngest. Young master, you said Hyokko looked like a child?"

"Yes, when I met him in the cave, he looked like a ten-year-old child."

"Your ancestor's younger brother was nine years old when he disappeared. That doesn't mean anything; it could still be a coincidence. We don't even know if Uchiri Hyokko died that day. He could have been kidnapped, sold, or enslaved..."

Nanaya delicately took the scroll to read its contents. At the same time, memories of his first day in Aitori suddenly echoed in his head. "They say nothing happens by chance. The guardian who appears to you is certainly destined for you... well, I imagine." Angel Ferret had told him. What if that was literally the case? And if Hyokko was his guardian because they had a connection? He didn't wanted to jump to conclusions too quickly, and unfortunately, the document didn't provide enough detail. The appearance of the Hyokko who disappeared in 1584 was not described. It wasn't really a common name, but not rare either since Hyokko meant "chick".

He looked up at his guardian, returned the scroll to Thoki, and took the creature in his arms.

"Whether you are the brother of our ancestor or not," he assured, "it doesn't matter anyway. You have been part of the family since the day you became my guardian."

Hyokko smiled as he snuggled into his human's arms. The others could almost hear a purring sound coming from him. The girls took the opportunity to take photos of the embrace, as the scene was adorable.

Thoki put away the documents and closed the display case. He indicated that if they wanted to consult the records, they just had to ask him. Given the age of some of the scrolls, he preferred to stay and supervise the reading.

But for now, he invited them to continue exploring the mansion. In the meantime, he had to prepare dinner.