Sunset Ghost

The Last Barrier

サンセットゴースト

Sunset Ghost

__________________________

第19章

最後の障壁

__________________________

Kageyama woke to a commotion in the front of the shop. He opened his eyes and gazed down at his empty hand. Hinata must've gone to help Yachi. If he craned his neck, he could see them up front plastering more talismans onto the door. Kageyama couldn't even see through the glass anymore, but the faint purple barrier that had been there before was gone, and the door itself was shaking underneath the papers.

When he tried to move, Kageyama was pleasantly surprised to find that his injuries hurt significantly less. He was finally able to sit up and hesitantly stretched, studying his bandages. It was amazing how much better he felt. He pulled a shirt over his head and slowly stood up, holding his arms out for balance as he staggered. It took him a moment to get his bearings, but afterwards he was able to carefully make his way out of the back room.

"What's going on?"

Hinata turned to look at him while Yachi continued plastering talismans over the door. "You're standing!" He rushed over and rested a steadying hand on Kageyama's shoulder, leading him forward to lean against the wall. "Are you feeling better? You look a little pale."

"I'm fine." He gently removed Hinata's hand and tried for a reassuring smile. "Really. Now what's with all the talismans?"

"We've got a problem." Yachi was the one who answered, pushing hair away from her face with a grimace. She was sweaty and looked like she'd been through the wringer. "My mother called... She was badly injured and he— he got away from her. He's here, trying to break through the barrier." She looked up at him with a look caught between desperation and fear. "I keep adding more talismans but he's going to get through if I don't reactivate the spiritual barrier."

"Wh-what?" Kageyama stumbled and Hinata caught him as he stared at Yachi in shock. "How did this happen? Can— can you put the barrier back up?"

"I'm not sure." She glanced down at her hands and a faint purple light puled for a beat before disappearing. "I still need to recover a lot of energy. I... don't think I can put it up in time." She glanced up at Kageyama with her lips pursed. "We have to fight him. There's no other choice. You haven't unlocked Onmyōdō, my mother is miles away, and I have no power." Her expression was one of hopelessness as she turned back to the door. "We're out of options."

"We— we can't fight!" Kageyama protested weakly. "I can still barely walk and you're exhausted! Neither of us could beat him before: Even Madoka didn't stand a chance against him. And not to mention the IBPA won't be sending any backup for us, so what makes you think we can win now, half-dead and with most of our energy drained?" He gave her a bleak look. "Yachi, we stand no chance."

She sighed ruefully. "I know, but... it's the only choice we have."

_____________________

Kageyama knew there had to be some way for them to get through this. He just had to think of a plan; anything that could help them fight against the Ikiryō. He'd promised Hinata, and no way in hell was he going to break that promise. It was a new sensation for him to have someone he wanted to protect so badly, but Kageyama knew for certain he wanted to keep his friends safe, no matter what.