Red Data Girl - Series 1 & 2

The First Makeup - 4

Red Data Girl: The First Makeup
By Noriko Ogiwara
A Translation

Red Data Girl: The First Makeup
By Noriko Ogiwara
Chapter 1: Mayura 
Part 2 (2 of 2)

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Izumiko. I’m looking forward to starting the new semester together,” Takayanagi said without much interest. He walked away. Izumiko watched him disappear through the stacks and then looked back at Miyuki.

“There’s something I can’t put my finger on about him…”

“He probably reminds you of Wamiya. I thought you might say that,” There was a hint of irritation in Miyuki’s voice. “Still, Ichijyo Takayanagi is just a normal, flesh and blood human. I can guarantee it. He does have ridiculously good grades though. He was first in our class in the middle school. I heard that no one did better than him all through the three years.”

“I didn’t think he was something besides human. I just have this feeling about him.”

Unwilling to look past his own opinions, Miyuki grumbled a response.

“He probably just has one of those faces people tend to notice. Takayanagi’s family’s from Kyoto. He went back for the break. I can’t stand his face.”

“What about his face?” Izumiko asked, not understanding what he had meant. 

Miyuki ignored her and continued speaking.

“Izumiko, even when the new year starts, try your best not to tell people too much about yourself. You can say you’re from Tamakura Shrine, but don’t talk about Daisei or Yukariko while we’re at school. The same goes for anything about ascetic monks. I think you know it already, but mentioning anything about your abilities is completely out of the question.”

Izumiko looked at him blankly.

“I wasn’t planning to tell anyone about any of that. But why are you going out of your way to tell me not to?”

Miyuki answered after a pause.

“In this age, the price of being an ascetic monk is needing to hide your identity as much as possible. Today’s ascetic monks go out of their way not to be noticed. There are consequences when they’re found. The moment any trace of one is discovered, they get sucked out into the open.”

“What?”

“Everything is visible in this country. The state, people’s jobs, religious groups…”

Izumiko didn’t understand what he was saying. Seeing her confused state, Miyuki continued.

“I don’t expect you to understand. Even I’m not sure if I understand it completely. But I think it probably has something to do with information. This academy is probing around for students like us or something like it. It’s not good to be unprepared.”

Izumiko was quiet as she took in what he had said. Then, she scowled.
“No one will tell me anything important. Everyone’s just saying things that don’t make sense when they feel like it. I don’t think anyone actually understands what’s going on!”

Miyuki let out a long sigh.

“You knew Houjou Academy wasn’t a normal school from the start. Daisei and Yukimasa seem to be backing it in some way too. No one’s saying that this school has accepted a number of trainee ascetic monks or anything like that but the students who come here all seem to have a little something in common. You wouldn’t see it on the surface though and there’s no one admitting to it out loud…”

“If you can’t see it, why do you think so?”

“I can sense it,” Miyuki said simply. Izumiko could hear the confidence in his voice.