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ลำดับตอนที่ #21 : Chapter 3 - The person one must protect
Chapter 3 - The person one must protect
Part 1
"......................"
Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that
if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.
The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting
earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order
for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.
At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still
immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's
still impossible to be composed about it.
Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful
appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.
- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.
At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo
Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in
a worried manner:
"Are you cold?"
"No, I'm fine."
Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the
next moment that smile became frozen.
"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"
"If we are like this it's warm, right?"
Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her
own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.
"D-don't do that -"
Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's
expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.
"-No?"
"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."
A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought
this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly,
he couldn't shake his head.
What to do.....
The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly
snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did they get into the
train, he didn't remember any of it.
"I'm sorry."
"-Eh?"
Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered
after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected
in his eyes.
"About what?"
"For making such an odd request."
Ren replied while laughing.
"It's not a big deal, this much."
Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were
traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.
Take me to the sea.
That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish.
Naturally, Ren had no objection.
Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.
"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"
Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together
they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.
If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But
that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of
work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any
experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took
him by force sea bathing last year's summer.
While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:
"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my
own eyes."
"In the end, you say?"
"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."
"No!", Ren promptly shouted.
"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a
tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place
to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception
-"
"Ren, you see-"
Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.
"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"
"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the
volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the
practitioner always lost his life... "
Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.
"No...way....."
What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively
tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that
expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be
allowed. Something like that- something like that-
"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming
myself is not permitted, but-"
No way.
I don't want to hear.
Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he
can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his
ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing
it, accepting it.
"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something
like a direct descendant."
I don't want to hear it.
"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back
until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual."
Because I am the priest of the ceremony.
From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.
The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back
roughly 300 years.
The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic
eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent
eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the
distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for
Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any
signs of quieting down.
That raging
The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet
invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits
of tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A
young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits
for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.
And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal
that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected.
And they all lived happily ever after.
-But that story has sequel.
First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an
over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying
such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being
the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the
unavoidable outcome.
Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the
sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release,
Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals
for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's
Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt
in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the
ceremony.
Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name
of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties.
The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was
named sacrifice.
With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl
called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.
How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to
his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.
Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while
looking down.
"Why?....."
"Ren?"
"Why do you have to do such a...."
After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi
replied:
"Because someone has to do it."
"But it doesn't have to be you-"
Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who
unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.
"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak
filthy words your heart will become filthy too."
"........I'm sorry.........."
Ayumi shook her head.
"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because
I was never regarded as something valuable."
From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be
a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as
a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being
a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life
dear.
Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.
"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of
you as a tool?"
"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.
"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's
expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if
Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"
"That is true..."
"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not
worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain
and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very
beautiful thing, don't you agree?"
"................."
Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.
-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -
Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind.
Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no
persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result
in Ayumi's death.
Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-
To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.
She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl
known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.
"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was
born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes.
Memories of my own, born from my own experience."
In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light
of a faint longing.
Memories of her own?
It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying
wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor
false.
To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.
"You see, I don't have my own memories."
"Eh?"
"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something
to remember and I don't, it's more like I have nothing to
remember."
"..............."
Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.
"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my
body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of
the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know
why?"
"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"
Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including
a ray of hope.
But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.
"In my head there are transcripts of another's memories. I
don't know how it's been done, though."
Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently
recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood
the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be
particular about.
Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing
but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's
life ended.
With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except
despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.
"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even
if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real
memories."
Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a
distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege -
no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.
"The moment I saw the sky when I first left the residence,
I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so
big..."
"Ayumi-chan......"
"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful
than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"
The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was
reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.
-She wanted to see beautiful things-
What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words?
The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, now that he knew
everything, they were unbelievably heavy.
"-This is hopeless."
With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.
Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.
"Ayumi-chan!"
"W-what?"
His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.
"I will protect Ayumi-chan."
" - Ren?"
"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die.
Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."
"Ren........."
Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a
vow.
Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her
child were mixed in that complex gaze.
Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.
"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have
to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but
if it's big brother, surely- "
"Your older brother?"
"Eh?"
Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with
force those entrusting words.
"Ah-"
In those cornered eyes hope was shining.
"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big
brother, he will definitely save you!"
Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice,
Ren clearly declared.
For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the
smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.
"Do you have such an amazing brother?"
"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.
"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he
can't do. I'm sure."
"............Is that so........."
"So please don't say such lonesome things like last
memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things.
That is...."
Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his
courage.
"Because - I'll take you no matter where."
".............."
Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to
burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression
and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.
"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very
nice....."
Part 2[edit]
"I wonder where did big brother go....."
Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore
on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.
He can't get in touch with Kazuma.
He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone
but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.
Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get
in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again"
Ren hanged the receiver.
"I'm beaten."
As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm,
tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her
peace of mind.
"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."
" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.
For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the
road to the beach in silence.
"Ah........."
A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi
strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.
"The sound of waves......?"
"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."
Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who
unconsciously did so.
And now -
"Ah - !"
At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi
raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea.
The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in
the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.
The winter sea is cold and hollow. It doesn't have a particle of
the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold
surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the
same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:
"Is this... The sea...........?"
Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became
impatient.
"W-what to do......."
Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed
earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing
spectacle. Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at
least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.
If I had light....light -?
The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an
almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even
so-
Do it!
After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good
sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of
human presence, surveying the surroundings.
From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.
- It must be done now.
Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:
"Go"
" - Eh? What?"
Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.
"Kyaa!?"
The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the
darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed
the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.
"This - this is....Ren?"
To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren
with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud,
Ren's nostrils twitched.
"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's
better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"
"Ren- "
Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight,
Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.
"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've
seen!"
"R-really? I'm glad"
Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of
Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to
express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.
Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each
other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement
of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky
changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.
"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"
Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it
was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea.
Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.
Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the
field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses
were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning
curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear
in tomorrow's newspaper.
But even so, Ren didn't care.
To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that
mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring
about the dinner's menu.
"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before
long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them
away."
"....No, it's enough."
After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.
"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."
" -Alright"
With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly
answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a
boisterous dance of light. And then -
"....W...ow...."
The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above
ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended
in a dance.
Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon
touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared
like in a dream.
"Ah- "
The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her
hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the
girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable
something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.
Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting
acting, Ren made a bow.
"Did it please you?"
"Yes - yes...."
Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.
"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing
something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."
Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the
first time in her life, tears of happiness.
In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand,
he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly
became one.
But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon.
On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.
" -!?"
Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice
pierced their ears.
"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no
more regrets in this world, right?"
In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman
with the light on her back laughed.
Part 3[edit]
The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!
In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or
perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing
them.
Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like
gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period
from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking
towards the beach in a composed manner.
One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them
several steps.
Because of the back lighting he saw only outlines but even from
those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting
around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs
than humans.
Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced
Ren and Ayumi.
As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to
discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and
several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.
"Eh - ?"
The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age,
in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.
-They looked alike.
Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the
woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be
removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.
Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words
passed through Ren's head.
"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that
woman with a glance mixed with panic.
Unintentionally, Ren asked:
"Your elder sister?"
If that is the case, she too can...
The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it
confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.
-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -
Good grief, I need to be more careful.
Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped
her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant
smile.
"Elder sister?"
On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by themselves,
the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.
"Elder sister, you said?"
Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a
stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well
regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.
"Don't mess around with me."
Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After
staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical
glance at Ren.
"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without
understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you
were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing
sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."
"..............."
It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her
relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the
surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again
but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.
Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a
foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon
happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd
would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have
surrounded the place.
None of it happened.
It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.
By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.
Can we escape?
Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the
possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own
faith was totally forgotten.
"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"
Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling
sweetly.
"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you
to try."
Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone,
Mayumi focused on Ayumi.
"................."
Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her as if
calling her pet dog or something.
Ayumi started walking obediently.
"Ayumi-ch-"
"It's fine."
Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted
them shortly and with a decisive voice.
"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. -
It was very fun."
"Ayu- "
In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on
Ren. And with that, she never turned around.
Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she
turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly
Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her
face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in
a voice full of smiles:
"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have
crossed the ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in
this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"
The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make
searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without
saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further
improved.
For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air -
anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.
"I had...no intention...."
Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, with the look
a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.
And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her
strength.
" -Uh!"
It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by
hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones
resound.
Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the
beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have
completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.
"Wha...."
Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white
as a ghost.
"What have you done?"
But Mayumi didn't even look at Ren. As she already stated
"your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.
Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body
movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before
Ayumi.
Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of
Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a
radish.
"...........E-eek......"
"What are you doing?"
Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a
monotonous tone.
"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young
lady, do you?"
"Yuu...ji.....sama....."
"Silence!"
The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.
"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my
name! How disgusting!"
Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi
stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face
onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji
shouted.
"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your
throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the
young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you
intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet
doll!!"
That was the limit.
He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big
brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that
far.
Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger
at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released his power.
The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into
the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it,
crashing.
"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned
with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely
disregarded that utterance.
It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that
in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.
"Re....n.....?"
For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren
painfully shook his head.
"As I thought, it's useless."
I can't control it.
I can't endure it. Anymore than this - I can't stand it.
"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However,
to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."
Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied
that option.
"Fall back!"
Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground.
Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought
forth from the sky.
"-Tch!"
Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The
distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space
separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.
"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"
Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed
fearless.
"Ah, well. Just as planed."
"Shall I back you up?"
"It's not necessary."
Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step
forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a
battle stance.
"Publicly- "
Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji
began to speak in a relaxed manner.
"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe
Enjutsushi the strongest but do you think so too?"
"-?"
Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is
nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a
It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind
of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one
individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the
advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.
As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only
one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for
objection, the grave
That is what Yuuji downright negated.
"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about
battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that
is necessary?"
"What exactly?"
Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the
perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.
"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet
on?"
Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing
there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was
no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft
sand-
-Sand?
"-Uh!!"
The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by
reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.
Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his
footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.
If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear
would have stopped his foot by sewing it. It may be true he avoided the first
attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren
would come down, several spears sprung up.
"Kuu- "
Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless
number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red
hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the
sand, one after another, spears stick out.
While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly
optimistic thinking.
Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!
The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in
advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those
sharp spears.
Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil,
ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar
with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.
The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because
that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.
What to do?
Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to
dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as
he is staying on the ground, his disadvantage can't be overcome.
Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a
counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.
On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow
him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.
If it were an Fuujutsushi, he could fly into the air.
A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.
However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo
or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes
into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.
What should I do?
Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around
plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt
must be similar. What remains -
Inside the sea?
It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was
nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to
be weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.
To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of
ridicule.
"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care
how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."
"Kuu- "
Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long
separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. If it goes like this, Ayumi will
really be taken away.
What should I do? What should I -
The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the
blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet
are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a
lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a
scaffold made of
He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no
wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -
-Huh?
Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw
on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-
Shall I give it a try?
There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and
concentrated his consciousness.
"Aa.......a.........aa!!"
From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling
glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed
into a small sun.
"Ua.......unh, it's useless."
To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of
heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.
"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot
defend against attacks from below."
Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive
known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.
The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No,
something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.
"You....what did you do?"
He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what
an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence
towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.
Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the
flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.
"Red - ? I see, you- "
Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough
characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes,
from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular
thick sound.
"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"
"I gave it a try."
Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does
not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he
tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply
tried out that idea.
Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma
firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the
tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters.
Although modest,from the
"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing
his advantage.
"Even for magma, it's
With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji
ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose,
molding red spearheads.
"Die, boy!!"
The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before
that - they stopped.
"W-whaaaaat!?"
Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.
"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the
The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung
it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small
splash on the surface of the magma sea.
"Guu..........Ba......."
With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to
proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.
The control of the material called magma with attributes of both
"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting
spirit.
His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that
palm golden flames gushed out.
"Oooooooooooohh!!"
Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet,
he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking
the golden torrent.
Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two
powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.
"Gu........me..uuuu......."
Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He
understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will
certainly be pressed down.
While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics
to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire
torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for
relaxation.
"It's coming from behind."
Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock,
for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to
a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.
"Sh-shit!"
The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a
gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous impact
crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.
In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And
there, the last blow came.
"Next is up."
" -!?"
Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A
remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was
less than two meters.
"Kuuu- !"
It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead
the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.
"..............Uh!"
There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The
two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's
body in the sandy beach.
"Go...........bah.........."
As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy
pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without
exception and all the bones in his body creaked.
"Not........not yet......yet......"
Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to
push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made
a thick sound and bent the other way.
When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining
fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.
The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the
gong at the end of the match.
Part 4[edit]
"-Fuuu"
Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the
remaining two.
Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same
face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile,
Mayumi:
Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.
"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"
While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail
young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear
Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.
"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his
hand against a non resisting woman?"
With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was
provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of
battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:
"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you."
"Well, thank you."
Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed
a fleeting glance.
"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"
"-?"
Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his
eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for
three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.
".........Ridiculous......"
It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he
couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone
fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of
injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's
the way it was supposed to be.
Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.
"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's
resistance."
The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's
"B-but....."
While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was
seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.
"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so
much to try and fight immediately!"
"Is that so?"
As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.
"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of
your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting
killed?"
The effect of those words was tremendous.
Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began
to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost
its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to
Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely
recovered.
"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."
With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji
bravely declared.
"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."
"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling,
without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.
"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have
no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's
all!"
Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And
then, he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."
Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood
stained face was warped and extremely happy.
"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."
"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."
Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly
stopped his sneer.
"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing
with the power passed through your body."
"What?"
"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything
that happened today."
Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made
Ren childishly exasperated.
"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan
over to guys like- "
"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice
instead?"
With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.
Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost
like pressing for an answer, he continued.
"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual
sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you
protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."
"That sort of- I- "
"I have no intention of doing that, huh? The meaning
of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not
consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you
are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"
"Wro......"
Wrong - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a
loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.
"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting
your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one
irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip
service changes nothing - saves nothing!"
A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making
preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.
-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-
They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after
knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.
But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that
deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.
-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -
Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand,
Yuuji did not hesitate.
"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.
Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all
obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"
DETERMINATION
Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil,
Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be
protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.
But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent.
No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be
pointed to.
What should be done? -What should I do?
Ren was perplexed.
But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.
"......Kyaa......"
Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it
was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but
Ayumi's voice.
"Ayumi-chan!?"
In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression,
were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced
closely from behind, Ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.
Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous
weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.
"-My lady..."
When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with
dissatisfaction.
"What, are you telling me not to get involved? Aren't you
at fault for being inefficient?"
"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more
reliable!"
This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to
have a pretty simple personality.
"At any rate- "
While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.
"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too,
must have some unusual hobbies."
"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"
"-Hey, hey..."
At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked
down on Ayumi:
"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."
Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's
cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the
impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its
forelimbs.
A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:
"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The Ayumi-chan
you tried so hard to protect is not human."
"W- what are you say-"
"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by
cultivating my cells."
" -!?"
Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he
felt somewhere in his heart it was true.
Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two
resembled too much.
Thing Doll Sacrifice - completely spoken ill of, a girl
whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.
If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was
created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?
"A lie.......It's a lie."
Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi
continued.
"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl
but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted
memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you
tried to protect with your knight affectation. That was fun ♥."
"It.......It's a lie......"
"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become
the sacrifice, just a month from now on, her life span will be cut from inside.
Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant
makeshift goods."
"That's, a lie...."
Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received
his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.
Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.
"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[1]
made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor."
Where is the genuine Ayumi?
I have no memories - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural.
If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist.
Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning.
Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient
object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would
not have been a wasted effort.
"I look, so stupid....."
His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging
his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.
"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"
Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.
"That's only natural. It made him realize his own
buffoonery can't go any higher."
"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy
becomes an adult."
".........you could say that."
Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a
grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was
impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.
"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and
prepare for the ceremony."
On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate
heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about
tomorrow's ceremony.
"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.
Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as
they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.
But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected
to the main road-
"Step aside!"
From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated,
and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.
Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did
not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy
beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the
main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were
probably women.
Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's
identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back,
but- it was slightly late.
"Ren!"
On top the stairs, one girl appeared.
Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out
far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the
background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.
"This is also......"
From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out.
Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young
lady captivated him.
Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming
power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to
misread the girl's identity.
Beautiful-
He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human,
much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he
looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.
Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and
folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.
"This is also..." with a monotonous voice
Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.
"What is the meaning of This is also... Yuuji?"
"Ah, no, that is..."
While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched
for explanatory words.
If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly
difficult afterwards.
"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is
also...flashy...?"
"-Humph, that so?"
With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.
"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of
that matter. Now it's not the time for it."
Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.
"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you
is an honor."
".......and you are?"
The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.
"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my
attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being
permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."
"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such
an embarrassing name as Tsuwabuki princess?"
"I am at your mercy."
To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a
smiling face.
Irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and
got to the main question.
"I have no particular business with you. Where is
Ren?"
Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.
"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his
knees."
"What, have you done to him?"
The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura
flickered like a flame.
"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single
wound."
".........haa"
When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.
"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would
be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you
can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to
him."
Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up
the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to
be a shield as much as possible.
"Well then-"
Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near
Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the
stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a
woman standing in a somewhat separated place.
"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent
Tachibana."
"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san."
That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of
Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned
with an absolutely tranquil tone.
"Because you didn't appear together with the that young
woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding
the Kannagi matter?"
"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind
of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we would fill that
position with pleasure."
"That won't be necessary."
The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi
severed it when she replied.
"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the
object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no
intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good
as to pass it along to Ayano-san."
"......I will comply."
"Thank you."
Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her
attendant and the spoils of war.
No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that
of a victor who obtained everything.
Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never
looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the
defeated people.
"There's no sign this is ending here."
That's what she was thinking.
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