Anito Anarchy (The Chaos of the Spirits)

Chapter 21: As Crimson as Blood

Reiku casually closed the book she was reading and laid it back on her side. She took out the book marker inserted within and flashed it before me.

"Well, it seems like we have the same taste in book markers, huh?" She said with a cunning smile.

"Oh, please! Don't give me that," I said frustratingly. "You know exactly what I came here for, Reiku. And you are going to tell me everything I need to know."

She turned her head to her side, put the book marker on top of the book, and gazed directly at my face with an inscrutable expression.

"You are playing a dangerous game here, kid. You better back off before it's too late for you to turn around."

"Well, I have news for you," I responded. "It's way too late for me already. I'm at a point of no return, and the only way left is forward. Please, Reiku, I need your help. You have no clue how long I'd been waiting to find someone like you. I beg of you."

"I think you are misinterpreting things here," she coldly replied. "I am not someone who is fond of helping others. And I am also not someone you could trust so easily."

"With how things look, I don't really have many options. You are the only one who can help me. So, please let me know what I can do to change your mind."

There was a quick moment of silence as she surveyed my presence and said, "First off! Where did you get that card?"

"I got it from my brother. His name is Jin Kagiwa. He was a senior student at this Academy until last year," I replied. "Do you know of him?"

"I don't think I have heard of that name before." She answered unflinchingly.

I looked eagerly at her face, trying to confirm the truth about what she just said, but her expression was just so hard to read. Then, I said, "Early this year, my brother was taken away by a couple of strange people against his own will. But before he was abducted by them, he entrusted me with this card. He said that when the time comes that we lost contact, this card will help me find my way to him. After checking things out, I realized this was a Hiwaga Club membership card. That made me think that my brother was a part of that club, and they might be able to help me find him."

I surveyed the black witch's face again, trying to determine any changes in her expression, but I failed. I decided to carry on.

"Right now, this is the only link I have to him, and it's directing me to the Hiwaga Club. I am not sure of what kind of danger awaits me in pursuing this search, but I need to know the truth. I need to find my brother and make sure that he is safe. So, Reiku, if you know anything, I beg of you. Please help me find the Hiwaga Club."

"That is a touching story, but I'm afraid I can't help you," Reiku said with a cold expression. "I'm simply not the person that you are looking for. I'm not who you think I am. And these cards mean nothing. You need to just accept that. There is no truth to the claims of the existence of that club. You better leave now if you know what's good for you."