Tokyo Ravens - Volume 14 - Chapter 3.2

Part 2 
Morning came as usual on the fated day. 
During last night, after one hour into the brand-new day, Natsume and the others decided to rest after confirming there isn’t any significant changes. The day of showdown has arrived, they need to rest, it was not just about recovering their strength, it was also to recover their magic powers as well. Especially Natsume having a very unstable aura, she need to adjust her body to the best condition as possible. 
They woke up on the next day 9am of the 3rd of March. 
There seems to be a lot of Spiritual Disasters happening before dawn, however there isn’t any signs of a large-scale ritual being done. They requested Suisen to wake them up immediately if there are any movements. It seems like the time of the ritual will be the same as what Amami predicted, around sunset. 
While Natsume and the rest were resting, Kobayashi continued periodically contacting them, he seems to not have a good night sleep. [The Onmyou Monthly Magazine] editorial department continued to be in an uproar as if they hit a beehive— actually they destroyed the hive, it seems to have developed into a very serious problem that has affected the entire publishing company including the editorial department. Because of this, Kobayashi’s actions were restricted, however, even if he could take action, they do not have anything that requires his help. 
Up to this point, the government and Onmyou Agency did not intrude, Wakamiya did not send in information as well. 
That exposition has spread widely in the internet, finally there are news that are willing to report on this, publishing on the media. However, it was as what Natsume and the rest had worried earlier, it is only now then the society start to have highly comprehensive discussion on this. 
“This should be enough to make Naota make his move, damn it, that guy…” 
In spite Touji being frustrated, there wasn’t any news from Naota. 
Naota has explained before, to let the organisation— especially the administrative organisation to take action, it is a must to go through a set of procedures. If it is still not [in the midst of taking action], surely, they wouldn’t be able to by sunset. 
There is another bad news, that is after the night two days ago, Harutora once again attacked one of the exorcist bureau branches. 
The location under attack this time is Meguro branch, similar previous time, there wasn’t many casualties, however the timing of this attack is [after] Amami announced the exposition, leaving perhaps, the worst impression, on everyone. After hearing Harutora appeared once again, Natsume and the rest can’t help and let out a scream. 
“I can’t believe this! What is Harutora trying to pull here!” 
These words of Suzuka reflected everybody’s thoughts. 
By doing this, not just the society, internally, the Onmyou Agency surely would have an even worse impression. To the Agency Members that wavered after watching Amami announcing the exposition, Harutora’s actions is equivalent to pitting himself as an enemy against them, especially those exorcist that were attacked in the exorcist bureau would surely see Harutora as an enemy. 
It’s just… 
“… The movements of Exorcist Bureau aren’t normal, something feels off.” 
Receiving news from various sources, the person who speak of this impression is Amami. Different from Natsume and the rest, he only took a short nap. 
“What do you mean?” Natsume and the rest asking him for an explanation. 
“There is a group of people given gag order, to be restricting the flow of information internally in the organisation at this point of time, can be seen as there is some situation happening internally, and it is something that is disadvantageous to the higher-ups.” 
Perhaps that can be used to break the opponent’s defences— or a desperate struggle. 
Amami wants everyone to have their meal and wants Natsume to continue burning the Soul-forging Incense, while he continues busy gathering more information. 
However— 
 
“We should rush into Onmyou Agency! With Amami as the leader, it would be best we bring other media together as well! Things have developed into such a state, we must quickly take action.” 
Touji, with a strict expression, closed in on Amami who is sitting in a wheelchair, Suzuka nods her head behind Touji, agreeing to his idea as well. 
“I agree as well— Besides, now is not the time to be waiting, wasting time waiting. If we do not take our chances, surely wouldn’t be able to catch up to [Tensou Chifu Ritual].” She said angrily. 
The frustration of the two of them were all written on their faces, the reason lies on the news that was broadcasted in the morning. 
With regards to the exposition by [Monthly Onmyou Magazine], Onmyou Agency and Satake Masumi Member of Parliament released an official joint statement. 
As for the content— Needless to say— Completely denied that exposition article. Onmyou Agency did not exclude taking necessary legal action against [Onmyou Monthly Magazine], on the other hand, they are suspecting there are terrorists behind this exposition using spells to intrude, this will be part of the investigation. However, due to the fact that today is the forewarned terrorist attack, stopping the terrorist attack will take priority for now— something like that. 
This kind of statement is the same as completely denying the advocate of Natsume and the rest. 
Moreover, as Onmyou Agency released their statement, they also released footages of an unknown individual attacking Exorcist Bureau Branches continuously for the past two nights. Even though they did not announce directly, but according to witnesses’ accounts, the suspect could be the very person that will launch the forewarned terrorist attack Tsuchimikado Harutora. 
“Amami-san, I agree to Touji and Suzuka’s suggestion as well. If you appear directly, there will be many people in Onmyou Agency willing to listen to you!” 
The most cautious person among the entire group, Tenma, seemed to have lost his patience as well, but he can’t be blamed. At the rate, Harutora will be completely treated as a terrorist, even though it is a fact that he attacked the branches, it was just nice that it could be exploited and used by the enemy. 
Of course, Natsume had the same thoughts as well. 
The truth about the exposition got completely denied, her best childhood friend being branded as a criminal, it’s impossible that she wouldn’t be angry. Her feeling of unwillingness is perhaps the strongest among all of them. 
However, now is not the time to let anger and unwillingness to dictate their course of action, the situation in front of them doesn’t allow them to fail. Of course, Touji, Suzuka and Tenma had this kind of understanding as well, but as the deadline approaches, their anxious feelings caused them to unable to continue waiting, only wanting to quickly take action. 
Besides, it was already past noon. 
-- But, even if Amami-san come forward right now, proceed to Onmyou Agency… 
“Calm down, if we are to appear in this kind of situation, isn’t it the same as putting the cat near the goldfish bowl?” 
Amami anticipated Natsume’s thoughts, stopping the others. 
However, it has been about an hour since he used this way of explaining to make them stand down. 
“Now is not the time to be concern with superficial work!” 
“In fact, the other party is also not concerned about being superficial, if we just go out there to expose without thinking, the other party would just capture us without listening. Even if such methods would seem rather unnatural, easily causing suspicion from people, but as long as they have us captured, there will be no people left to stop them afterwards.” 
“We can oppose them without letting them doing that. In front of the building during board daylight, I trust that they wouldn’t openly send out Yase Doji. If the opponents are Mystical Investigators or Exorcists, we wouldn’t get captured easily.” 
“Stop talking nonsense, Touji. Do you want to attack those officials that we are trying to gain trust from and wanting them to come our side? Besides, the other party do not only have Yase Doji as their combat capability, the building is also the enemy’s base, it is extremely simple to capture us.” 
Amami patiently stopped the frustrated Suzuka and Touji, in fact, every word Amami said were very reasonable. 
-- In the end, there isn’t any chance of winning with just us. 
Not just Natsume, Touji and Suzuka understands about this as well, that’s why they used roundabout methods, trying to make contact with Kogure, requesting the publisher to put up the exposition article. 
-- We can’t win with only us… however… 
“Just waiting helplessly here is also not a good idea, right?” 
Tenma spoke with a heavy tone, his stiff face has gone pale. Amami had nothing to refute for a moment, because what Tenma said was right. 
A heavily depressing mood covered the entire living room, in order to escape that kind of mood, Natsume turned her sights to the balcony outside. 
The clear skies outside the condominium was especially irony, needless to say the city itself was in high alert. Traffic got heavily controlled, there were only a few vehicles moving around. She may have overthought about it, but outside seems to be quieter than usual, maybe it was the calm before the storm. 
The sunlight that was shining through the balcony was already past noon, the angle begins to slant. As the slant angle increases, it fell onto the horizon ultimately, no one could stop the movement of time. 
-- Time's up. 
As if a thin wire tied around the throat, the fear of the deadline approaching is as if a sharp knife being placed onto one’s chest. This sharp blade is going to cut the skin next, cut the flesh of the body, reaching the organs, burying deep inside the body. 
To think that [time] dependent circumstances could be something so [painful], this was the first time Natsume have learnt about it. 
At this moment, Kyouko and Suisen entered the living room, everyone turned their attention towards them at the same time, Amami was no exception, in fact, his reaction was the fastest among all of them. 
Needless for Kyouko to make her report, her gloomy expression already say things weren’t going well. 
“I’m sorry Amami-san, in the end I still did not succeed.” 
“… Is that so… I should be the one apologising to you, I kept forcing you with my unreasonable requests.” 
Amami’s tone was calm, but the tone doesn’t contain the usual tension. 
What Amami has requested Kyouko to read was the stars of the [Twelve Divine Generals]. He guessed from the slight unusual situation at Exorcist Bureau from the previous night— The situation may be related to one of the [Twelve Divine Generals]. Even if the [Twelve Divine Generals] are important officials of Onmyou Agency, their hearts would surely waver after watching that video, causing something to happen within Exorcist Bureau yesterday, the possibility of this is very high. 
The [Twelve Divine Generals] that still belong to the Exorcist Bureau are Miyachi, Shigeoka, Yuge, Kagami, as well as the Kadei twin sisters, total of six people. However, Miyachi and Kurahashi are of the same team, so in reality there is five people. The person with the highest probability that would cause a problem among these people is Kagami, but he had already known about Kurahashi’s plot from Amami and Touji, it is impossible for him to waver only now after watching Amami’s video or reading the exposition article. 
If that’s the case, the person with the highest possibility that will take action from the remaining… 
“Is Yuge.” 
This was the conclusion Amami arrived at. 
On the other hand, this conclusion made him had a bad premonition. [Before] Yuge takes action, they were of course very welcome that she would hold a suspicious attitude towards the upper echelons. But the situation has happened— it means that Yuge had already took action, as to what kind of action would a suspicious Yuge take, surely it would be to look for her own direct superior Miyachi to discuss about it. 
“Perhaps due to the target of exposition being the chief only, causing an opposite effect in the end...” 
Of course, this was just a baseless conjuncture, the only thing they could do was to believe these small unusual situations inside Exorcist Bureau, noises inside the organisation that were caused by the exposition— it would be best to develop suspicion among [Twelve Divine Generals], and with all their strength, request for their assistance. 
However, this was really not an easy task. 
Star reading is a relatively special talent, every [Diviner] uses different techniques. Kyouko needs to know the person’s aura in depth in order to read their stars, to read a person she doesn’t know well requires luck more than anything else. She has only met a few of [Twelve Divine Generals] that are remaining in Onmyou Agency, but none of them could be said is close to Kyouko. 
“… There is really nothing we can do this time, if Kyouko’s divination cannot be used, we surely do not have the time to slowly make contact with the party, convincing the other party to rush into Onmyou Agency together with us, this matter can only be handled by ourselves.” 
“Suzuka, calm down.” 
“The truth is in front of us, have I said anything wrong?” 
Suzuka stopped hiding her inner frustration, Touji spoke in a tone that disregards any consequences… 
“Amami-san, since things have come to this stage, let’s just ask Kagami for assistance. That guy won’t just do nothing, since things are as they are now, let’s just ask him to join our side. Even if he doesn’t agree straight away, as long as we suggest some sociable conditions—” 
“… It is regrettable, I am unable to contact him.” 
“What?” 
“To be honest, I tried to contact him a few times while all of you were resting, but there isn’t any reply.” 
Amami revealed this with a heavy tone, Touji was speechless, he then turned back, “Damn.” He helplessly cursed. 
Everyone fell silent, avoid looking at each other, as if they really couldn't think of any more ideas. 
Since things had come to this, “-- Kyouko, can I request of you to try reading the stars once more?” Natsume, who was silent before said this, everyone turned and looked at her. 
Hearing Natsume’s request, Kyouko’s expression turned grim. 
“I’m sorry Natsume-chan, I’m afraid any more divination would be…” 
“I would like you to read the stars of Harutora and Ohtomo-sensei this time.” 
Kyouko jumped after hearing her words, the others couldn’t help but look at each other. 
Natsume continued to explain. 
“They would surely take action today, it’s just that the possibility for them to follow our directions to take action is very low, but it is possible for us to support them.” 
“B… But…” 
“Wait a minute, Natsume. Even though I don’t wish to say this, but Harutora and Ohtomo-sensei’s actions most likely wouldn’t take the reactions of the society into account, if they were to take action together, there will surely be people that question the authenticity of the exposition.” 
Tenma refuted for Kyouko, who had difficulty to say anything, “That’s right.” Natsume replied readily as well. 
“I do agree there are such risks as well, but there is no chance of winning if we only rely on ourselves, it might be possible for things to go more smoothly if we are to compliment with their actions. Amami-san has said we have to [use reckless methods] in order to win this war, at least the methods of the both of them is unquestionably [reckless].” 
Regardless of Harutora or Ohtomo, is going to defeat the enemy— Kurahashi and Souma as their final objective. Even if there is difficulty for them to work together, but there will surely be chances to support each other or to use each other. Since the two of them are sure to move, if it’s possible before things begin— even it’s just a little before— predict them, it would be the best. 
“There are very powerful shikigamis at Harutora and Ohtomo-sensei’s side, I understand that it will be very difficult to read their stars. I know that this is a ridiculous request, but if we can understand more about the situation—” 
No, even if we are not clear about the overall [situation], it will be meaningful as long as we can confirm the [existence] of the two, everyone’s worry would surely lessen as well. 
They are not the only people fighting, just knowing this fact can bring them strength— and courage. 
“I understand.” Amami nodded, accepting her explanation. “However…” he turned to Kyouko, perhaps he was worried about Kyouko’s condition after continuously star reading. Kyouko immediately felt his gaze, “It’s alright.” She replied him with a determined smile. 

“I understand, I shall try now. But do not place your hopes too high, because it didn’t succeed previously—” For the sake of assurance, Kyouko gave such a reminder to Natsume. “Kyouko-sama.” Suisen, who was behind Kyouko, gently called out. 
“How about star reading in front of everyone?” 
“Eh, but…” 
To specially stay in another room to star read, is for the sake of removing any distractions in the mind. Star reading is not just time consuming, the others must also allow their aura to stabilise during this period of time. 
“Let’s not talk about the [Twelve Divine Generals], those two have a very close relation with everyone here, right? I’ve heard from Miyo-sama, every star is interlinked with each other, perhaps being surround by everyone’s stars while star reading, you will be able to find the stars of those two.” 
Suisen’s steady tone seems to calm down the originally tensed mood in the room. “If that’s the case…” Kyouko continued speaking, as if she had heard something similar from Miyo in the past. 
Kyouko’s [star reading] techniques were taught by Miyo, but there is a great difference between the methods they used. 
Even so, “Alright, I shall try it out now.” After she agreed, she went to take the Rikujinchokuban from the room. Next, she placed the Chokuban on to the table in the living room before kneel sitting in front of the Chokuban. 
“Kyouko, what should we do?” 
“It’s alright to not do anything but let me first gather my focus.” 
Kyouko replied Tenma’s question, letting her sights fall on to the Chokuban. Next, she gently placed her hand on the Chokuban, staring straight on the Chokuban. However, she isn’t just looking at the Chokuban, it can be understood from the movements of her aura. The once stable aura started to shake, the movements were becoming bigger, as if dancing. As the aura danced, Kyouko slowly operated the Chokuban. 
Using Chokuban for divination is fundamental of Onmyou Techniques, even though it isn’t given much attention in the [General Style], but students of Onmyou Academy were mostly taught the basic knowledge of it. 
Yet, the divination taught in the academy and the one Kyouko used is apparently different. Even though this is the first time [seeing] how Kyouko star read, the intriguing difference of the aura and the usage of first-class magic fully grabbed Natsume’s attention, but this was only the beginning. 
All of the sudden, Kyouko’s aura spread out, as if a huge flower bloom from a bud, her aura then began to float. 
Boom, as if there is a strong wind blowing in from somewhere, the moment where Natsume unknowingly opened her eyes wide, she saw Kyouko’s body twitched greatly. 
Everyone stood still, Suisen quickly supported her shoulders from the back. “Ha ah!” Kyouko cough out a huge breath, her breathing was rather hectic. 
“Kyo, Kyoko?” 
“Hey, Kyoko!” 
Suzuka gasped, Tenma and Touji shouted in unison from the side. 
Kyouko did not once looked at them. 
“… Why…” 
She muttered in a loss, shifting her body on to Suisen, looking at Natsume— She couldn’t say a word due to her reaction, the frozen Natsume. 
Then… 
“… I, I was able to read the stars of Natsume-chan.” 
“Eh, me, really?” 
She probably listened to Suisen’s advice and started to read the stars of Natsume first. However, Natsume is now in a condition where she allowed Hokuto to possess her body, logically speaking, it should be very difficult to read her stars. 
The people who felt disturbed wasn’t Natsume alone, Amami who is sitting in the wheelchair, bend himself forward as well. 
“Kyouko, how was it? How was Harutora and Ohtomo?” 
“Sor, Sorry, I’m not sure as well… I, I was looking for Harutora’s stars when I saw the stars of Natsume-chan.” 
“… Is this the one mentioned before, the interlinking between stars?” 
“No, but perhaps I found it due to that…” 
Kyouko’s breathing gradually became normal, however her mind seems to be still in confusion, she couldn’t understand what she had read as well. 
It’s just… 
“The star of Natsume-chan is affected by the possession of the dragon, it is impossible to read… however, because we are always together, I still can feel its existence… b, but, what I just read wasn’t that kind of situation, I… Natsume-chan seems to have another star…” 
“I don’t know, but surely…” 
Kyouko spoke while observing Natsume, Natsume speechlessly looked back at Kyouko. Kyoko’s sight once again looked through Natsume, through her body and shifting the focus on to somewhere else. Kyouko’s aura rose, whirling around, Natsume felt the same intriguing feeling once more, as if there is wind blowing through her own body. 
Kyouko was almost losing her consciousness. 
“… That’s right, just like that, Natsume-chan is waiting… always waiting…” 
Finishing her words, Kyouko suddenly returned to normal. 
“Eh? I, just now I…” 
Kyouko couldn’t help to cover her own mouth, “Aye aye.” Amami bitterly smiled— he could only smile with bitterness, then, in order for himself to calm down, he clapped the fan on his hand. 
“Not just Souma, even [The Kurahashi Princess] attained séance as well, the blood bonds between these famous households is indeed…” 
“A, Amami-san, what happened to me?” 
“There is no need to worry, Kyouko, you should stop thinking about it. Thinking about such things is just a waste of effort, besides, we won’t be forcing you anymore.” 
“But with only these information, there is nothing we can do.” 
“It was just a try anyway, I am not doubting your star reading abilities, I do not think you have failed as well, it’s just star reading [is this kind of technique]. Anyways you should rest now, understand?” 
What Amami said this time is spot on, Kyouko looked at Natsume once more with her face filled with tears, but Natsume did not know how to react. 
-- I have another star? 
She had originally suggested this to encourage everyone, yet it ended up making everyone not knowing what kind of actions she should take due to her current condition, losing their direction. Of course, Natsume wasn’t an exception, she thought of saying something, yet she can’t think of anything. 
However— 
Just as everyone is at a loss, the wheels of destiny began to turn. 
The turning of the wheels of destiny came about as vibrations, it was an incoming call, and it was Touji’s mobile phone. He looked at the screen of the phone, his expression changed instantly. 
He immediately picked up the call, “Father.” he shouted. 
Everybody’s reaction was rather intense, everyone became attentive at the same time, fully focusing on Touji. That was surely a call from Naota, in other words, that was a call that would determine the destinies of Natsume and the others. 
“What happened? What have you— Wh, What? Bring him over? Where to— Now? What in the world—” 
Touji spoke on the phone with agitation, he then turned his head over and shouted… “Tenma! Switch on the TV now, switch to the news channel!” Tenma immediately switched on the laptop that was placed at the corner of the living room, everyone quickly rushed to Tenma’s side. 
Tenma operated the computer, one of the windows shows a television broadcast. Tenma switched the channels without stopping, then his hand stopped. 
Natsume’s heart jumped wildly. 
The screen shows Onmyou Agency Building. Express news. Live broadcast. A big group of men in suits continuously entered the building, the bottom of the screens shows the news topic, the newscaster is currently reporting on this news. 
“What is it?” Amami said, his tone filled with surprise and excitement. “A forced search by the public security? He actually… mobilised the public security in just two days!” 
“Wh, What? Is this something so incredible?” 
“Of course! The Onmyou Agency’s actions can be stopped now… I understand now, I always think in the direction of the magic world, since there is an announcement on forewarning of the terrorist attack, the public security wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing. However, to start a forced search all of the sudden… It is truly thankful!” 
Amami watched the live broadcast in excitement while answering Suzuka’s question. Amami’s excitement spread across the room, the heartbeats of Natsume and the others increased as well. 
“Father, this is—” 
Touji asked through the phone, yet he felt something cut immediately, it seems like the call had been cut off. 
Touji turned his head towards Amami. 
“Amami-san, Naota wants me to bring you to Onmyou Agency—” 
“Of course, we will go now, regardless how many subordinates the Chief has, he wouldn’t dare to make a move in front of public security, we now can finally pin down the chief’s lifeblood.” 
 
“… Yes, in order to let the public security take action has costed some effort, wasted some time, luckily we made it in time.” 
“I really don’t know how I should thank you.” 
“However, the other party seems to be quite prepared, whether the thanks are worth it or not will be determined in the next few hours.” 
In the back seat of the large vehicle, due to the traffic control in the city causing very little cars on the road, the vehicle Naota is travelling on makes its way to the Headquarters of the Independent Party. 
The words about wasting a lot of effort in order to let the public security take action wasn’t fake at all. Naota is only a Member of Parliament of the Opposition, even though he has a few strong connections, but it is undeniable that he used rather strong methods. After hearing what happened from Touji, Naota immediately targeted Satake and the New Defence Ministry— the close relationship between the defence ministers. 
As to how to deal with First-Class Magics and the attitudes of the Onmyouji, the National Police Agency and the Defence Ministry are wrestling each other behind the scenes. Onmyou Agency gained independence from other ministries, basically is in the middle ground, the only exception is the National Police Department where they often require to work together on magical crimes and exorcising spiritual disasters. But after Satake appeared and the New People’s Party gained political power, Onmyou Agency became close quickly with the Ministry of Defence, this has caused the National Police Department to be rather anxious. 
As long as he starts from this aspect, he could make the public security take action through the National Police Department, Naota had this judgement. Of course, for this to come to fruition is also due to Naota’s great abilities that comes from his long years of experience in politics. 
As there isn’t enough time, Naota has to work alone. If there are no results, other than having to resign from his secretary general position, in the worst case, he might be expelled from the party. He has decided to take his chances even if it’s like this, it was after having discussed with her that he had make this decision. 
In order to get her contact, compared to what he thought initially— it took way more effort than to make the public security take action. She was taken captive in the house of the seemingly evil person behind the scenes, to find out her actual situation is already very difficult, to get her contact privately while she was being captive was an even more tiresome job. 
However, all these efforts were worth it. 
“You have really startled me, Hall of Black Cat suddenly sent me a [notice of a new branch opening] gift box of sweets… and the box contains not just my favourite specialties, there is a mobile phone under the box as well, I immediately thought it was you.” 
The other end of the call came a sound of elegant laughter. 
Actually, Naota rather like sweets, Hall of Black Cat is the shop that he frequents, only during special occasions he would order the favourite Japanese pastries specialties that was designed to provide for frequent visitors, which were also his favourites. 
That was when he just became a Member of Parliament. There was a rumour that she only meets the Prime Minister or high-ranking officials only, it was fortunate that Naota had a chance to have a talk with her, the gift he brought that time was the Hall of Black Cat specialties. The mysterious important person of the magic world, one word from her would shake the entire political and financial world, was so happy about the specialties Naota brought her, afterwards, as long as he made a request, she would prioritise in meeting him. 
To be honest, Naota’s objective isn’t her [Divination], but rather her insights towards the surroundings— her high accuracy and the correctness of her opinions and fairness has made him hold high admiration for her. After that, every time he met with serious issues, he would make his way to listen to her opinions. Naota would look for her once every few years to talk, but the relationship between the two of them has already been thirty years long, moreover, Hall of Black Cat had unknowingly become a secret code between the two of them, which was [height of a case]. 
“… To be frank, this issue is making me hesitant, because the Chief of Onmyou Agency isn’t anyone, he is your son. To investigate his wrong doings— and it is fiendish crimes…” 
“I am to blame for being a failure of a mother. However, with your intelligence, before I was in this state, you should have felt something was off, right?” 
“……” 
“It was only last night that I received the specialties, no matter how great your powers are, I’m afraid it would be too late for us to take action after we have discussed everything.” 
“… That would be correct.” 
It was like this since last time— perhaps it’s because the two of them had known each other for a long time, every time he speaks with her, Naota had no way of keeping his own pace. Moreover, he never once got frustrated because of this, this perhaps had to do with her character. Including strategizing, the political world that is filled with various love and hatred, to contact her was not just to have an increased amount of opinions before making a decision, perhaps it holds a great meaning in terms of washing the surface of the heart. 
“But, the most surprising of all is that I can’t believe you are the father of the student, Touji, I’m such a failure of a [Diviner].” 
Normally Touji absolutely wouldn’t mention about Naota at all, even though he wasn’t interested in the feelings of Touji towards him, but it’s impossible for him not to feel it. 
That kind of Touji had begged him, without any pretentious, without hesitation, and did not show an attitude that wishes to rely on others. He really likes that kind of attitude, so he is willing to provide his full support. 
“Student Touji should be taking action together with my granddaughter now, they are very good friends with each other. Naota-san, I do not have any intention of interfering with your household matters, however please do help him this time, this is my personal request, it is not a request made from [Diviner of the Kurahashi Family] towards [Politician Naota].” 
To think that there will be a day where she would request for his assistance like this, he wouldn’t have imagined this during his younger days. Wrong, the him few days ago would have never imagined it as well. 
He won’t be able to repay the amount of favour he owed her this lifetime, however if it’s Politician Naota Kouzou, he would sure disregard previous gratitude and resentments and still think that this is a right choice. But this is something personal, moreover, it’s a request from his old friend, the situation is different once more. 
“… How was his performance in the Academy?” 
He unknowingly let his guard down, the her on the other end of the call was taken by surprise a little, didn’t speak for a moment. 
“He is a very reliable child, it’s just that he always tries to carry everything on himself, but there is no need to worry now. There are some aspects of him that is very similar with you, but he has made more good friends than you.” 
Hearing the other parties teasing tone, Naota was reminded of her character, a slight bitter smile flashed passed his lips. 
He then ended the call, turning his focus towards the impending battlefield.