Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi:Volume 4 Epilogue

Epilogue: --- School of << Despair >>

If one were to ask him, who do you hate the most in this world?, the answer will probably be this.

Kurenai Gekkou.

Of course, before this, he had always had a bad personality, a damn stuck-up guy with the worst attitude, but he had never thought that it would come to this.

To quote an instance of that worst attitude.

Having an argumentative exchange over the phone.

"It's me".

"Ah, it's me though."

"You are tough to have survived for a small fry."

"Hey, why didn't you come save us?"

"A genius has his genius circumstances......"

"Shut up, octopus."

"Who're you calling 'octopus'?"

"You, you bastard."

"Hmm. Is that all? I'm going to hang up......"

"Hey, of course that's not all."

"Then what? Speak quickly."

"Wait, is that all you have to say after hearing from a student council comrade who has just come back from the land of the dead?"

"Because I already knew you guys were alive. I've already received the reports."

"Ah, is that so?"

"Yeah."

"Well then, you know where we are right now as well?"

"No. I've only received reports from the Church that you've disappeared from Italy."

"I see. Erm, well, a lot happened and it's a bother to explain everything, but before that, what about Haruka......"

"She's already back."

"I see...... I see, that's great."

"Is that all?"

"As I was saying, that can't be all right?"

"Then speak quickly."

"Erm, as I mentioned, it's a bother to explain everything, but anyway, for some reason, we're now in Kyuushuu].

"Horh"

"And without any money, we can't take a plane, so can you open a << Way >> to us......"

"Come back on your own."

"Erm, the town we're currently in right now...... wait, eh? What did you just say?"

"I said to come back on your own."

"Huuuuhhhhhh. What kind of idiocy are you talking about? There's no way I can do that right! Didn't I tell you I don't have any money? Well, that's enough, stop fooling around with me already, quickly open a << Way >>......"

"I'm not an octopus. You are the octopus."

"Heh? Erm, could it be that you are really angry about that......"

"Is that all? Then I'm hanging up."

"Wait."

"Click."

"Ooooiiiiiyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! That, that guy seriously......"

"This phone you are calling could not be reached......"

"I'll killllllllllllllllllllllllll you!"

And that's how the argumentative exchange with the worst guy went, and on top of that, Himea, being Himea,

"I want to continue touring around with Taito in this manner <3."

With that as a reason, she refused to invoke any magic that could take them home faster, and in the end, by the time Taito returned to Miyasaka city, it was five days later.

Five days.

To be absent from school for five consecutive days.

This should have become an incident that was similar to Haruka's disappearance, he thought, but somehow, it turned out that he was involved in some student council work and as a result, had become a sudden transfer student to Italy; something along those lines.

That's why when he reached home, he was greeted with 'you've worked hard ~', 'to study abroad in Italy, it sure is something', his little sister had told him, and an unreal conversation about pasta took place, and even when he got to school.

Even when he got to school ---

"............"

It really had been a while since Taito had come back to his 1-3 classroom.

Morning.

Walking along that familiar corridor, opening the door. As he did that, his familiar classmates turned towards him.

"............"

Initially, he thought they were angry. Despite being told that he would get bashed up if he went searching for Haruka alone, but yet, he went ahead and did it anyway.

And for five days. That certainly deserved some bashing, he thought at first, but as his classmates looked at him,

"Mr. Italy has come back."

They smiled.

Even the game fanatics Tanaka and Saitou. And the Yamashita-san who sits beside Taito as well. Even the delinquent-like Niwano as well. Everyone was smiling and looking at him.

Even Haruka as well.

"............"

At that moment, Taito looked in her direction. She was looking at him normally as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

"You did bring back some souvenirs right -?"

He stopped moving as he looked at that smiling Haruka.

She had that usual really gentle smile on her face. That same kind smile as before.

And he realized it.

He realized that Gekkou had wiped off their memories.

It was something that can't be helped after all. The incident this time round had an extensive involvement with fellows from other worlds after all. In this case, it was indeed best to have erased the memories regarding Haruka's abduction.

That way, the hurt left in everyone's heart would be erased as well.

That applies to Haruka as well.

"............"

In that instant, he remembered what the mixed blood fellow called Hasga had said. The words regarding how Haruka treated himself surfaced in his head.

But all that had turned to nothing.

She only gazed at him kindly and affectionately.

On seeing that, Taito smiled.

"I'm back."

He said.

And then,

"So, where are the souvenirs~?"

Said the class, and Taito then replied,

"Well, I lost my wallet over there."

""Whatttttttttt?""

They shouted.

Taito smiled. Even though everyone had forgotten about everything, but he would still remember that these people are truly good people.

He smiled. And apologized. And Haruka smiled happily as well. At the very least, there was no visible sign that she was carrying something within the depths of her heart.

No, there may be stuff that had happened to her which he wouldn't know, but then again, everyone has some of that.

Anyone would have had happy moments, as well as sad moments carried in one's heart, but even so, one would have to smile and keep on living, he thought.

That's why Taito smiled as well,

"I shall go to Italy once more and bring back some souvenirs I guess."

He said jokingly.

As he said that, his teacher, Kariya came from behind him,

"It's fine going to Italy and whatnot, don't forget the end-of-terms that will be starting from today onward."

On hearing those words, Taito,

"...... eh? End-of-terms?"

His smiling face disappeared. And he looked at the blackboard. The date written on the blackboard was 1st July.

"Aren't we entering July?"

"Alright guys, the end-of-terms start from today, so get your act together~"

"No no no, I never heard of this......"

"Get in quickly, Kurogane. Ah, or are you going back to the student council room one more time before the test?"

He was told,

"Ah ~, erm, yeah. Well, then."

He nodded. And turned around.

"Then again, if I don't get Gekkou to excuse me from the tests, I'll sure get a red mark for every one of them......"

He groaned.

As he was walking along the corridor with that thought, he noticed. Further down the corridor, there were two tall male students smiling happily as they walked.

One of them had unJapanese-like golden hair, deep blue eyes, and an invigorating smile.

The other one seemed to have a less tolerant personality, with deep blue hair, golden eyes and well-arranged elf-like facial features,

"Hey, why in the world are you guys hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?"

Yelled Taito.

However, his voice was cut off by voices from the other classes,

"It's Hasga-senpai from second yearrrrr <3."

"He's with his third year brother <3."

"Both of them are mixed blood from Russia and Japan, I heard."

"Serge-sama, look here~."

It resembled the scene of high pitch shrills that could be heard each time Gekkou walks down the corridor. Hasga made a distasteful scowl on his face, while Serge on the other hand, my beautiful ladies, why are you assembling here??, he smiled.

On seeing that,

"........................ ahh, whatever. I totally don't get what's happening, but whatever. I shall go ask Gekkou......"

And he continued along the corridor in the opposite direction from Hasga and Serge. Then, at last, he arrived at the center part of the fifth floor of the school premises, where the student council room was, but Gekkou was nowhere in sight.

And neither Himea nor Mirai were around.

Instead, for some reason, a classmate belonging to two classes away from his class, Aomi Izumi, was there. With a lollipop held in her mouth, she looked at him.

"Orh ~, Mr. Return-from-Kyuushuu, welcome back."

She said.

Even though the fact that he had just returned from Kyuushuu should only be known to Gekkou,

"Did you get into the student council?"

Asked Taito, to which she smiled.

"Somehow I guess, as I was snooping around in the student council room, I found a way to the << Military >>, and as I was doing some adventuring, I got found out by Kurosu-sensei, and he said, if you want to die, join the student council ~, but smoking is banned, so I swapped cigarettes for lollipops."

She told him such a wild incomprehensible tale as she was showing him her lollipop.

While her recount made him wonder what on earth was the kind of adventure she embarked on, but with regards to snooping around the << Military >>, he could tell that it was just as dangerous as what he just did recently at the << Church >>.

Taito then looked intently at Izumi's face,

"...... what the hell are you?"

"Just a delinquent ~"

"What about Kurosu-sensei?"

"He's from the << Military >>."

"...... hey wait, somehow, don't you have a better grasp of information than me?"

"Is that so? Well I suppose. I'm pretty smart you see."

She purposely said that with an idiotic tone, followed by a cackle.

And then from behind Taito,

"As for me, I don't recognize you as a member though."

It was Gekkou's voice. Following that, Gekkou entered the room and glowered at Izumi.

"I shall erase your memory."

As he said that, Izumi shrugged her shoulders.

"Well well president. I'm pretty handy around so take me in and use me, I say."

"Why would I need a mere human?"

"Even though you are only a sword-wielding human yourself."

"I'm a genius."

"Hehhh. Then shall we decide this with the end-of-terms that are starting today? I'm probably smarter though."

"Hah. Fool."

"Even though I have never been serious, but solving university entrance examination problems is not a problem to me, you know?"

"............"

"Well, since Mr. Student Council President had been busy with studying magic and it's been tough on you, I'd say, but with regards to academic studies, I think I'll win though~."

"............"

"Well, this was what Sensei told me. Can you come help me instruct those student council members who just keep on accumulating red marks?"

At those words, Taito reacted.

"Ah, regarding that, I'm really vexed; if I take the test now, I will get a red mark for sure."

And Izumi laughed.

"Orh, one person just became my comrade."

As she said that, Gekkou scowled,

"...... I don't recognize......"

And he was interrupted.

"Even if you don't recognize it, I'm still entering the student council, so get over it already. I'll surely be useful you know? Since I'm super good at handling documents and stuff, make me the secretary."

Even though Gekkou had a look of extreme displeasure, he did not forcefully retort at what Izumi said.

It seemed like before Taito knew it, somehow, the circumstances concerning the student council room had undergone a large change, and the teacher called Kurosu appeared to have the most power.

In any case, he would have to ask for the details another time, since right now, the greatest problem would be,

"Hey Gekkou. I didn't really study all this while, so can I be exempted from the end-of-terms?"

As he asked, the student council president turned around and glared at him,

"If you have studied, then there wouldn't be a need for this short-skirt brainless girl to join the student council."

"Said the student council president who loses to the brainless girl in the tests."

"I definitely won't lose."

"Then let's have a match. If I win, treat me to some juice."

"Fine. If you lose, get out of the student council and drop out of the school."

"Hey woah ~, what an unfair set of conditions. But okay. Then, let's get back to our classrooms. The Math test will be starting soon."

"Show me what you can do."

"Hehehe, this is scary~."

And with that, both of them walked out of the student council room.

As Taito looked at their departing figures,

"As, as I was saying, what about my end-of-terms......"

As he said that, kyaa kyaa, the delighted voices of some girls could be heard from behind him. As he turned around, he could see Mirai and Himea running towards him.

"Ah, Taito."

Said Himea.

And following that,

"Orh - long time no see, Immortal-kun. Do you also want to join us in tag?"

Said Mirai, and in response to that,

"How about the end-of-terms?"

He asked, and Mirai tilted her head.

"What's that?"

Following that, Himea started,

"Eh, Kimatsu is a hallucination drink for demons, Mirai-chan, you don't know?"

"Hallucination drink? What's that what's that? Is it delicious?"

Himea smiled kindly,

"I shall educate you properly ~. It's something that you should not drink, so forget what I just said."

"Eehhhhh ~, my curiosity is piqued ~"

On hearing that kind of conversation that was totally irrelevant to the human world,

"...... am I the only one concerned with the end-of-terms?"

He groaned.

At that moment, the school chime sounded. It was the signal for the start of the first period.

"Woah, crap. If I can't get exempted from the test, I will have to sit for it or I'm gonna get held back for a year."

Taito said frantically. Besides having studied hardly anything at all, during the past three weeks, since he did not even attend any of the classes, he didn't feel like he could score well in the tests.

"....... at least I have to write my name."

And he started running down the corridor.

And he caught up with Gekkou and Izumi,

"Don't you guys need to hurry? The tests have started you know?"

On hearing that, both of them replied.

"To finish a test meant for small fries, I only need five minutes."

"Then I'll need only four minutes."

"Three minutes!"

"0.01 second!"

"What!? I've decided that I shall kill you."

"Ah haha~"

Hearing that exchange, Taito said.

"I'm the only who wants to kill the both of you!"

And he ran.

He ran to take the end-of-terms.

Somehow, just recently.

When Haruka was abducted, every single day, he had felt like he could kill someone. He had never thought that he would be able to return to the days of ordinary fretting like what happened just a while ago, but the fact was he did.

His lips drew back a little into a smile. Even though he was in danger of being held back for a year, he smiled.

And he thought.

The same thing could happen again.

The same type of incident could happen once again.

But before that, he would become stronger. Becoming smarter, stronger, and in order not to let something like what had happened this time round - when he was hollering pathetically about how he would have everything fall into his hands - repeat, he would work harder, he thought.

"...... that goes for academic studies as well, I guess."

He muttered.

The school only echoed back silence.

The sounds of the students' pencils writing away could be heard.

When he got back to the classroom, the test had already started.

Haruka signaled to him to hurry up. He waved back and returned to his desk. And began his test. Of course, he could hardly understand a thing. Well, let me just write down my name for now, he thought and then looked up.

Looking around the classroom, and finally settling his eyes on Haruka.

She too looked back at him.

While she should really busy herself with answering the questions on her paper, she looked at him instead. And softly, faintly, at the level that was barely audible to Taito, she said.

"...... you know, Taito."

"Hn?"

"I love you. That's why I won't hand you over to that witch."

She said all of a sudden.

Taito's eyes widened in response to that.

"Wait...... your memories......"

As he started, the homeroom teacher Kariya said.

"Oiy, don't talk among yourselves. I'll take that as cheating get it."

Taito fell silent on hearing that.

Haruka smiled. She smiled delightedly. With her usual tranquil and gentle face. And once again, her mechanical pencil starting running along the answer sheet.

As he looked at her, this has somehow become something serious, he thought.

It seemed like the question had not really been answered. Why did she know about Himea, and what was she protecting him from, the question with regards to that had not really been answered.

However, even so.

"............"

Even so, let's leave that for now, Taito thought.

More problematic things would definitely happen again. Such as the appearance of demons, << Tenma >>, monsters, and at the end a boy-girl-relationship related carnage, somehow, it seemed like he might possibly experience the woes of being an adult just in his first year of high school, but well,

"............"

As long as everyone is alive and well and are able to return to this school, everything is fine.

He thought. Since he couldn't answer any of the questions in the test, he looked up, and looked out of the window.

The weather was good.

Bright sky.

Classroom.

Desk.

Blackboard.

As languidly ordinary as it seemed, in the end, there was only three years to his high school life. Then, with regards to this peaceful, ordinary moment,

"............"

Taito thought that he would treasure it a little more.

♦ ♦ ♦

The location was still the same.

The time was also around the same.

In the student council room of Miyasaka High.

In the room where no one else was around, Kurosu was talking on his cell.

The person whom he was talking to was an elder of the << Church >>. That elder said.

"The agreement was different. We have paid the << Military >> money. But yet, different from what we've agreed on, Saitohimea had escaped."

"Yeah, she did, didn't she? But we didn't lend her a hand though."

"Don't shit with me. Currently, isn't that witch at your place?"

"She came back on her own you know."

"Would you hand her over to us? You of all people, should know what happens to those who can't keep their agreements with the << Church >>......"

"I know that. But I can't do anything about it"

"Bastard......"

"Hey Elder. Do you also know who you are talking to right now? It's the << Military >>, you know. The << Military >> who has been on bad terms with the << Church >> since the old days, you know. You're angry because we broke our agreement? Ahhaha. Then, come attack us now. If you don't have the balls to attack us, go cry yourself to sleep. We're not playing house here. Blame your own stupidity in paying us."

"...... I won't forget this humiliation."

"I have never forgotten right from the beginning. My organization has been on bad terms with your organization. That's all there is to it. If that's all, I'm going to hang up...... ah, you've already hung up it seems."

As he said that, Kurosu snapped his cellphone shut.

And then he smiled. And looked around the room that has not changed since the old days,

"I'm back, << LiirHoly Ground >>. Aren't you blessed and having fun with your new master and the new student council executives? Even though I guess you could no longer see the adult me right now...... after having made a contract with Gekkou-kun......"

With that, he walked forward, and stroked the wall affectionately,

"But, it'll be alright. I'll get everything done for you. I'll get rid of the despair. And I shall complete the << Bliss >> magic that I've begun. And almost all the tools I need have been assembled."

He smiled.

And that would be the moon, the witch, and the crow.

The only thing that's left would be the dark rabbit, but that would take a little more time.

But there was no need to hurry.

Since everything had been moving according to plan.

That was why he smiled as he stroked the wall gently.

"Just a little bit more, just a little longer...... you would have to continue playing with the student council president instead of me for just a little longer."

Said Kurosu ---

Said << Philier KurosuMilitary >> softly.

---