Toasteful: Chapter 128, Part 2

[Part 2/4]

And then, she unintentionally stopped in her tracks due to the trembling voice of the child. She hesitantly turned around. She tensed up in anticipation of what the child might say.

"Th-thank you!! Big sister, you were so cool!!"

Thus, when the child offered this heartfelt gratitude, Tamaki was momentarily taken aback... Yet, even though she finally grasped the meaning behind the call, she smiled reassuringly at the young one. And then, she declared.

"Of course! I'm an exorcist who protects everyone, you know!!"

Trying her best to put up a strong front, Tamaki's heart felt lighter. With that sensation, she left the scene...

...

"Oh? Come to think of it, why did that kid call me 'big sister'... i-it wasn't visible, was it?"

...In the midst of the commotion, as Tamaki fled, she acknowledged that her attire was disheveled due to Suiko's attack. While adjusting her collar and hem, she quietly murmured.

* * *

People, from the moment of their birth to their last breath, are constantly bewildered, driven to madness, and toyed with by the concept of fate. No single individual can comprehend and anticipate all the events of this world. Each moment is an unknown, and every choice is ultimately a gamble.

Spilt water cannot be gathered, and wisdom lies in preventing falls rather than relying on support. Regrets come after, not before… While the theory in Nanban suggests that everything is predetermined, it's merely a play of words. Humans adapt to their environment, yet they are not creatures of perfect understanding. They claim acceptance while holding onto dreams and boundless desires.

Out of curiosity for the future or fueled by expectations and fears, humans have always pondered their destiny. Even though fortune-telling might sound fake, in this world, it evolved into a blend of spiritual practices and Curse Art, gaining some validity. Alternatively, through mathematics and science, rules were discerned and manifested as statistics. Humans, limited as they are, became capable of glimpsing the future.

'It's amazing. A great achievement. Truly the wisdom of humanity. ...But it's all just a trick.'

'I' standing in front sneers. 'I' nods and sneers in agreement. Like reflections in a mirror, they mock each other with identical gestures, behaviors, and expressions.

Indeed, it's all just a trick. A mere deception for children. Even for novices, true divination is not just about simple judgments; even experts in the field have differing opinions on detailed interpretations. As for statistics, the answer can change with the numbers chosen as references. Manipulation is possible. Ultimately, both are nothing more than mediocre.

'But we're different,' the voices of two identical individuals resonate and merge.

Far clearer than such imperfect methods. Much more precise. Because it can be seen. The outcome of events, the future's conclusion, the paths that branch and lead to dead ends. All within these eyes...

'Like the flutter of a butterfly's wings, slight disturbances may occur, but the general course remains unchanged.'

'No matter which branch you cut, the core remains rotten. Trimming won't alter that.'

Two pairs of hands of equal size overlap. Two identical faces draw close, their foreheads gently touching. The warmth of their bodies is felt through their skin and their breaths are audible to each other.

'On the contrary, when the wound widens, the corruption spreads through the entire tree all time!"

Their foreheads rubbing together, they sing in unison, their faces lit up with smiles, a joyful expression that reaches the depths. This was revenge. A gesture aimed at this house that used 'them' and their siblings as sacrifices and foundations.

But that's how it is, right? After doing such terrible things, continuing to do such terrible things, and planning to do such terrible things... Even if it's just like this, why should they not be angry?

'So, what now?'

'What should we do?'

'Which way should we go?'

The problem lay there. Now, what should we do? Whether becoming a foundation or a sacrifice, the 'seen' fate remains unchanged. Slightly different directions lead to similar levels of suffering.

'Decide with dice?'

'Decide with lots?'

'How about rock-paper-scissors?'

'You know all of them, don't you?'

'Oh, how dull.'

'Truly, so bothersome.'

The same voices alternate like singing. It's truly a perplexing matter. Even a matter that should be easy to decide between the two is not so simple. Even a straightforward solution without resentment for anyone seems complicated due to the fact that both can 'see' what lies ahead. They can't simply surrender themselves to fate without thought. They can't surrender.

'Well then, should we stick with it?'

'That's the only option.'

'No grudges, okay?'

'Becoming vengeful spirits is prohibited, too?'

Reluctantly, the two choose the predetermined path. They choose the option the detestable old men had in mind. It's truly cunning, to be so prepared even without being able to 'see'. They must have ample experience with similar situations.

To mutually perish without a moment's hesitation is difficult, yet waiting until one of them starves or withers away would only prolong the suffering and seem foolish. Moreover, those guys never made choices for themselves. Despite having dabbled in forbidden techniques, they seemed afraid of the resentments turning towards them. Irony.

Well then, with the audacity of offering up substitutes to receive curses…

'Which one should we choose?'

'I'll go with this one.'

'Alright, let's pick this one.'

'Not a bad choice, huh?'

'Mutual understanding.'

Everything seems like a pre-scripted sequence of conversations. The only unknown is the weapon in their hands.

They don't understand anything. It's as if they've been subjected to a powerful cognitive inhibition curse, and at this point, they don't even know what it is. Even the distance between them is unclear. The threads of fate they're wearing are faded, not visible. With this, maybe they can find some enjoyment?

They face each other and laugh. This is their last time together. The detestable twins must be eradicated even if they possess unique abilities, or rather, precisely because of it. A traditional customs… a traditions of their clan that despised by them.

They say the fluctuations of fate are significant when there are many observers, so…

'Will the way of heaven be fulfilled or not?'

Alongside their overlapping, charming sneers, the two swing the blades in their hands towards each other. And then, and then...

...

"...Oh my, you're an attentive little kitten, aren't you? Plotting whenever I get a bit distracted?"

"Ah...!!?"

The kidnapper, Miyataka Shinobu realized this and nonchalantly waved her smoking pipe. Simultaneously, a gust of wind danced and cut the Shikigami that Suzune had secretly released from her bosom.

A simplified version charged with spiritual power in advance. It was programmed to activate and guide itself to the creator's location. A creation of Kochou's teachings to Tamaki, a botched simplified technique. Despite being a botch, it was given to Suzune for the off chance she might need it. Yet, its opportunity for action was lost just now.

"T-This is...!!? Kyaa!"

In a fluster, Suzune tried to cover up and fix things. However, before she could do so, she was stripped of her outer garment by the swinging pipe. Simultaneously, the various charms she had hidden in her bosom were also taken away in a similar manner.

"For a mere maid, you seem quite prepared. Even other servants don't prepare to this extent... No, should I call this overprotectiveness on your master's part?"

Taking a scattered curse-tool in hand, the kidnapper expressed a mix of admiration and mockery. For a small youkai opponent, the protective charms seemed rather homemade, limited to one or two uses at best. Suzune's master had given them to her. Without breaking them, the kidnapper lost interest and casually tossed them back to their owner as if losing interest immediately.

"Ugh... T-The responsibility is mine. Princess knows nothing, so... If there's punishment, I'll take it...!!"

"S-Suzune-san...!!"

Suzune, dressed only in a slip, knelt down in embarrassment while making her plea. Sitting close by, Ezo's princess called out to the maid with a grave expression. It seems they've grown quite close without even realizing it.

"Do you think the life of a mere maid is worth the life of a princess?"

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