Sunset Ghost

Downpour

サンセットゴースト
Sunset Ghost
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第16章
土砂降り
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The rain came down like drops of solid ice, running down Kageyama's back and soaking his clothes, sending shivers down his spine. Thunder boomed repetitively like a god striking a gong, followed by flashes of lightning brighter than a camera flash. Kageyama slashed at Shiki blindly through the darkness, blinking rain out of his eyes and struggling to catch his breath.

There was just no end to the barrage of Shiki being thrown at him. The second one was dispersed, three more took its place. Kageyama had good stamina, but not good enough to deal with an endless supply of ghostly projectiles. He knew he had to figure out a way to get rid of them quickly or this battle would end in no time—and not with his victory.

But with rain pouring down like it was the end of the world, it was getting harder and harder to fight. Water was dripping into Kageyama's eyes and his knife was becoming slippery and difficult to hold onto. Somehow, he managed to keep his grip on it, but the Shiki had no trouble fighting in the rain, and the slightest touch from one sent spikes of pain through his entire body. At this rate, his stamina would be completely gone in just a few minutes.

"Getting tired yet?" Hyde asked sardonically as Kageyama slashed way another spirit out of the sky. He gritted his teeth in response, too exhausted to speak as ragged breaths tore through his chest.

The storm continued on in full force above, lighting splitting the sky apart as thunder shook the earth, rain turning the dirt into thick mud underneath Kageyama's feet. As he dodged another spirit, his foot inevitably slipped and he landed hard on his back, the breath knocked out of him.

Coughing rain out of his throat and on shaking legs, Kageyama pushed himself to his knees and tried to rise, but the simple task felt impossible to achieve. He would've given up right then if it weren't for Hinata's quaking form behind him, whispering his name unsteadily. He couldn't leave him out here with that psychopath Hyde.

"Come on," he growled aloud, slamming his fist into the cold mud. "Stand up. Stand up."

From behind, a chilly presence rested a hand on his shoulder: Hinata. "Are— are you okay?" His voice was shaking as much as Kageyama's legs, and his temperature was rapidly growing colder. He was terrified.

"I'm fine. I can keep going." Kageyama, instilled with renewed determination, slammed one foot after the other against the ground and raised himself up slowly, gripping Hinata's hand and giving it a quick, reassuring squeeze. "Just stay behind me, alright? Everything will be fine."

From in front of them, Hyde laughed, drawing Kageyama's attention as he clapped his blurred hands with deliberate slowness. "You're brave, psychic; I'll give you that." With a snap of his fingers, six more bright spots of light blinked into existence around him. His dark eyes glittered with a cruel amusement that made Kageyama want to punch him even more. "Unfortunately, I'm leagues above your level."

Before Kageyama had a chance to respond, Hyde flicked his wrist and all six Shiki came flying straight at him.

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"Hurry," Yachi gasped, peering through the foggy window of her mother's car with anxious eyes. Madoka sat behind the wheel beside her, bent over it with tight lips and a fixed resolve. She responded to her daughter with something reassuring, but Yachi couldn't hear it over the rapid beating of her heart.

Kageyama's abilities had come a long way since their first meeting back in April, but even she couldn't deal with an Ikiryō, and she'd been training practically her whole life. If that monster had somehow gotten to Hinata first, or Kageyama hadn't given him the protective talisman, one or both of them could be severely hurt, or worse...