Tokyo Ravens - Volume SS1 - Chapter 3

Part 3 
“Ar-ar-are you kidding!” 
After Suzuka drank half of a bottle of cola in one gulp, slamming the bottle on the table, glared at Amami who had sat beside her. Amami, resting his elbows on the counter and holding a mug of draft beer in one hand, maintained a smile from the beginning to the end. 
This was the pub Amami frequented, currently both of them were seated by the bar. A week passed since Suzuka’s impressive ‘debut’, Amami proposed a celebration and brought Suzuka here. 
Even though bringing an underage person to a pub really couldn’t be considered as a celebration, but Amami said “Don’t speak of nonsense, ‘adults’ must celebrate in in pub or a strip club” as grounds to forcefully persuade her. The pitiful Suzuka couldn’t distinguish between fact and fiction while relying on her own life’s experience. 
“Why was I willingly tormented in public! Also, what’s going on with that kind of program! I felt just like an idiotic idol the entire time!” 
Suzuka, tightly gripping the cup handle, was brimming with angry complaints. 
Suzuka’s ‘first job’ she was commissioned to do was television interview. Furthermore, the program was just like a special episode for an ‘idol’, for a very pretty genius onmyouji girl who passed the most difficult exam, the ‘First-Class Onmyou Qualification’ at a very young age. Consequently, even though it was regarded as an interview, all the questions and answers were already prepared in advance, even the etiquette and the acting were guided. 
Suzuka was frequently required to keep smiling, act cute, not only showing innocence and purity but also to maintain basic courtesy. 
This was the opposite of Suzuka’s normal ‘preferences’. Incidentally there was an issue, although she already changed back into her usual Gothic Lolita outfit, but during today’s ‘filming session’, she was ‘forced to wear’ a white smock with ribbons under a western style jacket and as well as a pleated skirt, just like a school uniform of an affluent girl’s school. Suzuka simply couldn’t bear her disgust when she watched the recording. 
“[I wish to become an outstanding onmyouji~] what! [My superiors, senpais and I will work hard together~]! I’m feel sickened by what I said. And then there’s that incredibly stupid smile, and making those gestures of flattery……” 
“Well to be honest, I believe that suits you wonderfully.” 
“On the contrary, I feel humiliated!” 
“But recently, weren’t you pretty enthusiastic?” 
“You’re kidding!” 
Amami ignored Suzuka in the corner of his eye, leisurely drinking his draft beer. 
Then, he shamelessly said. 
“I wasn’t kidding. We are very serious.” 
“Do you know, Suzuka. To the general public, onmyoujis are a group of completely obscure archaic people. The image of the spokesperson—-Maybe the phrase cannot be used. A long time ago there were suggestions that methods different from spiritual disaster purification must be used, to promote the onmyoujis’ public image towards a more amicable direction. Right at this junction, a brilliant young pretty onmyouji girl……that is you, appeared.” 
“If it’s an onmyouji girl, there should be others besides me.” 
“Everyone else is busy.” 
“It’s not like I’m also idly free from work!” 
“Novelty is also important. Actually you’re not just an ordinary newcomer, but also the selling point of the youngest member of the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’. ……Well, honestly, because you’re a ‘minor’, there are both supporters and opponents within the government. Solely based on results, it’s extremely good. Do you know? An unofficial fan club was established for you.” 
“The devil knows, that kind of stuff! I absolutely don’t care!” 
Regardless, Suzuka finally accumulated too many depressing feelings, after finishing her rant she took the opportunity to finish her cola and forcefully belched. Amami showing the proper expression of an older person laughed, asking for another bottle on her behalf. 
“Say, even if we went back one hundred steps, wasn’t that script that terrible? Are you slow? Who wrote it?” 
“People responsible for public relations —-” 
“Are those involved in public relations idiots?” 
“They wrote it under my directions.” 
“So the stupid idea was yours!” 
“But wasn’t the response great?” 
“Don’t tell me that anything is permissible if the response is great? Besides, wouldn’t only an idiot call that great? People who are impressed by images of onmyouji of that kind aren’t great people.” 
“No, no. Aren’t underestimating yourself too much? Everyone is complimenting you, that you’re ‘cute, cute’.” 
“You……!” 
While Suzuka struggled to think of something to insult him, Amami was relaxed and readied for the confrontation. The old man maintained awfully scary grin. 
But what Suzuka felt was unexpected was that chatting with Amami was very ‘close and friendly’. 
This is the first time she spoke with Amami this way. Even though she harboured dissatisfaction towards her first job, but after everything it served for her to relax. Suzuka definitely wasn’t a timid person—-however she was fairly shy. And when facing Amami, it was extremely inconceivably for her to casually converse. 
“In short.” 
Amami, using chopsticks to pick-up the appetizer from the dish, returned to their earlier conversation. 
“Just a moment ago, I also mentioned that the reaction of the masses was positive beyond expectations, at the current stage, the use of the media is not a bad idea. Well, there are still people looking critically at the matters managed by the Onmyou Agency, but the Onmyou Agency—-or perhaps the image of all onmyouji was improved as a result, in this respect, you made an outstanding contribution. Although the official debut is in the future……you already exceeded our expectations.” 
After he finished speaking, Amami gave Suzuka a side glance, pursing his mouth into a smile. 
“The public relations personnel are extremely grateful towards you, and of course, I as well.” 
“……” 
Suzuka stared at Amami, not knowing what to say. 
To Suzuka, the expression of ‘thank you’ given by Amami was an unforeseen event. Being ‘thanked’ and what not by others, that never occurred in her previous life. Furthermore, it was from people she never met. 
“……What is going on.” 
“Ah? You shouldn’t be too surprised. To those guys, you’re a saviour, however worshipping is not enough.” 
“Dairenji, this is a task only you can accomplish. I understand you feel discontented and I know that this is a troublesome matter, but for now your assistance is required, please.” 
By chance, a second glass of cola was delivered at this time, Amami pushed the glass towards Suzuka then clinked it with his beer. 
“To the beautiful onmyouji girl genius, the ‘Prodigy’, cheers.” 
“……” 
The ‘Twelve Divine Generals’ was an unofficial title, rather it was a common term used by the media, moreover, most people also use a different but analogous nickname. This time, the nickname given by the media for the newest member of the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’, Suzuka, is the ‘Prodigy’. 
God’s children. 
Suddenly, a previously conversation from Sohaya popped into her mind. 
“Even so.” 
“……What?” 
“For titles like ‘Genius’ as well as ‘beautiful lady’, it’s not necessary for you to be modest.” 
“I don’t need you to tell me, it’s all facts.” 
“Haha. This is exactly the advantage of selecting you.” 
As Amami cheerfully smiled, the dishes that were ordered were served, chicken nuggets and fries, mushroom omelets and sausages, all favorite dishes of children. Undoubtedly, Amami was being considerate. For now the two started to eat. 
Not a moment later, Amami’s beer was swapped for sake. 
“Hey……Dairenji, regarding your ‘work’, there is still a one issue that must be handled with care.” 
Amami was deliberately being vague, while his mouth was stuffed full of nuggets Suzuka impolitely urged him to speak. 
Amami poured the lukewarm alcohol into his cup. 
“It’s an issue related your father.” 
“……” 
The expression on Suzuka’s face vanished as she silently chewed on the nugget in her mouth. Amami looked from his cup of alcohol towards Suzuka, faintly smiling in the corner of his mouth. 
“Well what, you’re already aware of it.” 
“……Ah. Your reminder is very late.” 
“Sorry.” 
Amami forced a smile to apologize. Suzuka grunted, extending her chopsticks towards the sausage undisturbed. 
This was only a calm on the surface as Suzuka bravely hid her expression, but to an insightful individual like Amami, he may have discerned it already. 
“The fact that you are the daughter of Dairenji Shidou is already publically released. This point wasn’t publicized emphasized, it was merely a part of your personal profile. So far the media haven’t attacked this aspect is because of our control in advance.” 
“……So that’s why that aspect of my ‘life’ practically wasn’t touched in my special episode.” 
The spiritual disaster terrorism attack, the ‘Great Hinamatsuri Purification’, that happened at the beginning of spring was a major incident in society. The news continuously covered it heavily for a time, the circumstances of the event—-although wasn’t complete—-was consequently published. The list of publicized suspects included Dairenji Shidou’s name. 
The issue that Suzuka is the daughter of Dairenji Shidou, even if kept secret by the Onmyou Agency, would be immediately discovered by a media investigation. Therefore currently the Onmyou Agency did not hide his and Suzuka’s relationship. 
At the present, the relationship of the two still wasn’t widely publicized, one aspect was because the Onmyou Agency had smoothly began an information-gathering operation. Another more important reason was because Suzuka who had never received attention beforehand, suddenly ‘debuted’ now. 
But the future was very different. 
“In the next interview, they will sneak in question about your father. The answer is already prepared, just do what you did before——but answer a little more seriously. The contents of the scripted answer has nothing substantive, the important thing is that you must use this opportunity to explain about your father frankly.” 
Now that Suzuka had experienced the focus of attention, her life as well as her father were all news worthy. Suzuka must personally tell her story before the tabloids get excited and come to interview. 
“The strategy is once when you are asked about it, just use the approach ‘it’s just happened like this’ to escape and not talk about it afterwards. In this regard, the fact that you’re a ‘minor’ becomes a protective shield. If the serious magazines show consideration for minors, even if something occurred, the Onmyou Agency will also protect when the time comes, please believe me.” 

“……Am I to believe in the Onmyou Agency?” 
“No, to believe in me, Amami Daizen.” 
Amami, holding the glass towards Suzuka, fearlessly smiled. Shouldn’t his manner be admired, people hearing words of sort can’t help but feel the confidence to have the courage to ride in a large boat. 
Suzuka gazed surprisingly at the old man, holding the cup of cola against the edge of her mouth. 
“……I want to ask one question.” 
“What?” 
“You said earlier, when I was chosen as the mascot, there were people who opposed it because I was a minor. Isn’t it certain to include people who were opposed because I was a ‘Dairenji’ too?” 
“……Ah.” 
Amami frankly answered affirmatively. 
“However, there were also many people who chose you ‘because it’s exactly like this’, I personally was one of them.” 
“Why?” 
“Ah. ……Well, now I can also truthfully share that, regarding Dairenji Shidou’s daughter joining the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’, the uproar caused within this line of business was greater than that of in society. There was some unrest in the agency. You already obtained your qualifications half a month ago, you should have somewhat sensed the atmosphere around this aspect.” 
“……” 
Suzuka speechlessly gnawed on her fries. 
The facts are exactly this. Wariness, hostility, envy, jealousy and also fear. All the employees of the Onmyou Agency had complex views of the ‘Professor’ Dairenji Shidou’s daughter. Moreover, the reason why Suzuka passed the ‘First-Class Onmyou Qualification’ at a young age, the most important reason—-the fact that she was her father’s test subject was to some extent used as a form of rumour that was spread around. Some were compassionate, some pitied, and of course there were others who viewed it as ridiculous. 
However, they all held Suzuka at a distance. Merely being curious, watching the action from afar. Suzuka thought that her job was a ‘sideshow’, but in reality it was not just limited to her job. Her livelihood as well as her entire live was a ‘drama’ in the eyes of those around her and was it impossible to change despite Suzuka’s efforts. 
“Of course, all those noisy guys don’t know what kind of person you are. Conversely, they are noisy because they do not understand you. Your image strategy is not only for ‘outsiders’ but also for ‘insiders’.” 
The ‘Great Hinamatsuri Purification’ had shocked the world tremendously, but nowadays only the magic community still suffered its influence. An incident perpetrated by fellow ‘Onmyouji’ made the majority of onmyouji all unable to conceal the anxiety in their hearts. Compared to ordinary people, the ‘Great Hinamatsuri Purification’ was to say even more terrible to onmyouji. 
Even if the masses seldom discussed magic, but via the dissemination through the magic world, the entire world knew that the National First-Class Onmyouji Dairenji Shidou was at centre of the event at that time. Like him, his daughter joined the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’, many onmyouji felt they cannot accept this, also there are people who harboured groundless fears. 
The image strategy prepared by Amami was also for the elimination of these negative feelings. 
“In short the plan is just to show that kind of foolish appearance and quickly eliminate the influence of your father’s incident on you. How was it? Was the script well written?” 
“Y-you really are an idiot.” 
“Didn’t I already say, carefully acting like a fool is a professional responsibility. Regardless of what the real fools say, it’s good enough as long as you calmly handle the past” 
Amami said with a smile. 
Not knowing if Amami was being sincere, like a frank and straight forward talk, within his words were also embedded with many small concerns. 
The only certainty is that the ‘distance’ between Amami and Suzuka is much closer than with other people. He wasn’t like the other kind of people who remained respectfully at a distance, rather he left Suzuka extra personal space, gradually getting close to Suzuka. Of course, sometimes it also felt sort very ‘tiring’, but it maybe that always teasing Suzuka was a part Amami’s calculations. 
“……You, why……” 
“Ah?” 
“……Nothing.” 
After Suzuka sulky replied with one word, she ordered another cola herself. 
Amami was the boss of the Magical Crime Investigation Department, that is the person in charge of investigating her father’s crime. 
Her father was the main culprit that caused a major incident that destabilized the magic world. Is it possible that he felt some sort of responsibility towards me? 
“……So troublesome.” 
“What?” 
“Everything.” 
Pretending to be an idol was very troublesome, the views of other people were very troublesome, responding to the attentions of other people was very troublesome and being involved in her own affairs was also very troublesome. 
The final conclusion was that living was very troublesome. Very troublesome, very troublesome, and as long as she thought seriously, then even breathing would become suffering. Everything became this troublesome all because she was an ‘unnatural’ person. 
But she still must continue living. 
Living on for a time, until she completes her life’s legacy. 
“……” 
Suzuka tightly sealed her mouth, Amami also silently gazed at her. 
Suddenly not long after, 
“Do you regret it?” 
“Ah?” 
“Do you regret become a National First-Class Onmyouji?” 
“……Nope.” 
Suzuka had no regrets. Having the position as a National First-Class onmyouji was necessary step in order to accomplish her goal. It’s not a question of regret or no regret because it’s only for this reason that she obtained this qualification. 
But ever since becoming one of the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’, Suzuka apparently understood herself more clearly than before. From an objective perspective, actually how unique was ‘Dairenji Suzuka’s’ existence, these facts she didn’t want to understand kept coming back to her mind. 
There is also ‘Dairenji Shidou’s’ shadow often looming behind ‘Dairenji Suzuka’. 
“……Hey Dairenji. Even if there is any particular reasons, you capability to obtain ‘a kind of’ strength is real. ……Haven’t I mentioned before? The ‘PRIDE’ cultivated by personally yourself will eventually one day become your own power.” 
“……You’ve mentioned it, the words of a drunkard are worse.” 
“Oh, especially drunk seniors.” 
Hearing Suzuka’s mockery, Amami lifted his arm to tilt the alcohol flagon while smiling. On the other hand, Suzuka repeatedly pondered on Amami’s words in her heart. 
Her strength is real. 
But the problem is can these strengths be used. 
“Hey, I have a request.” 
“Oh, that’s really rare. Even if it’s a little scary, I can nevertheless listen for a moment.” 
“Have a competition with me, okay?” 
“What are you saying?” 
This request was contrary to his expectations. Even Amami open his eyes wide. 
“……A competition using magic?” 
“Is there any other way.” 
Seeing Suzuka’s expression was enough to know that she is serious. Amami ‘gave up’ with a bitter face. 
“Magic combat is not your specialty.” 
“Don’t fool me. I can also do a few things. It seems to me, if it were the level of your mystical investigator underlings, I won’t lose to several of them.” 
“Ah……Then I want to think of a suitable opponent for you, then……” 
“If it’s a suitable opponent, then it’s pointless.” 
Suzuka sounded serious. 
Amami’s expression became more and more ugly, not knowing what to say. 
“Dairenji, even if I explain now, you probably won’t agree. Exceptionally cunning magic, that is a magician’s power, victory decided is not decided by magic combat. I’m not wanting to deny the importance of magic combat, but that is only a portion of the value of magic. The true value of the onmyouji is elsewhere.” 
“Even if you tell me face to face, I still can’t agree.” 
“Really.” 
The habitual smile finally vanished from Amami’s face. Suzuka got to slightly vent her anger gloomily, continued to plead “please”. 
“I haven’t truly met the other ‘Twelve Divine Generals’. You said to let me stand by myself, in that case I desire to be able to personally experience my own power. If you absolutely not willing, then it’s fine to send another member of the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’.” 
After her father’s death, Suzuka already personally met the Mystical Investigators who came to investigate her father’s workplace and consequently she was had the confidence to be able to ‘defeat those guys’. 
But Amami and the other ‘Twelve Divine Generals’ are different. Suzuka once saw a scene of the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’ conducting a cleansing a spiritual disaster during a TV broadcast. But her father once said, onmyouji are truly terrifying, only during a face to face confrontation can this be felt. 
Suzuka must know the strength of the ‘Twelve Divine Generals’. 
Suzuka firmly stared at Amami’s profile. 
Amami, seeing the girl’s eyes filled with determining, signed ‘jeez’ and was silent for some time. 
“……Alright. I will arrange it, you need just wait a little.” 
Suzuka broke into a smile, nodding her head.