Hagakure Sakura Does Not Lament

Edited by LyraDhani

When Tsugumi asked for an explanation, Chidori began to talk about the circumstances with a mysterious look.

“This is after the discussion with the government was over.”

◆◆◆

–After the discussion with the government, Chidori was left alone in the conference room. It would take some time to arrange a car, so she was told to wait in this room until then.

Chidori let out a small sigh as she checked the documents she had received.

As a Magical Girl, Chidori had acquired two skills: [Wind] and [Gate]. The [Gate] seemed to be an exceptional skill even to Chidori, who was not familiar with Magical Girls’ abilities.

The ‘Gate’ skill was a transfer skill that allowed the user to move to the desired location through a gate that had been made to appear. Moreover, it was possible to move someone else other than the ability user, and more than one person at that. The maximum number of people that could be moved had not yet been determined, but it could probably be as many as 10 people. She could understand why the government was rushing to enclose it.

The effect was slightly different when used outside and when used within the barrier, but the basic principle was still the same

-There was also some backup from the government, and she wasn’t obligated to fight. At first glance, it was shaping to a good start, but Chidori’s expression did not clear up.

“I wonder what will happen in the future. I’m worried…”

A voice of uneasiness escaped from her mouth. The government officials were concerned about Chidori and made various concessions to her, but her mood remained heavy.

She had to quit the club activities that she had taken so seriously, she would have less time to spend with Tsugumi, and most of all, she did not know how to deal with Shiro, the God with whom she had made a contract.

According to the explanation from the government, the relationship between Magical Girls and their contract Gods was very diverse. In some cases, they were like lovers 24/7, while in others, they were more business-like and did not contact each other more than necessary. The former was a rare case, and the latter was more common among contract Gods belonging to the current government.

In Chidori’s case, however, she might have to pay some kind of “consideration” first, since she made a “promise” before signing the contract.

According to the divine law enacted by Amaterasu, any excessive demands by a contract God could be lifted by appealing to the government, but the government asked her to put up with it as long as possible.

If the contract Gods knew that their demands would not be met, there was a possibility that the contracts with Magical Girls would be canceled.

Perhaps they did not want Chidori to lose her ability to transfer, even if it meant making some sacrifices. The unusually favorable treatment might also serve as an atonement.

Chidori, too, had no intention of breaking the contract. Even though she would be weakened inside someone else’s barrier, the advantage of her skills was very significant. She didn’t know what would happen, so insurance was necessary.

According to the government, once a person was involved in a barrier accident, there was a high probability that they would be involved again. This meant that Chidori – and Tsugumi as well – were at risk of being attacked by Demonic Beasts.

Chidori’s younger brother, Tsugumi, was somewhat in danger. She had a feeling that at a moment’s notice, he could disappear right in front of her eyes. There had been signs of this for some time, but recently they had gotten worse.

-I don’t want to push Tsugumi any further. It was the reason Chidori needed to be strong. This time, she had to protect her younger brother, Tsugumi.

As Chidori closed her eyes and prepared herself, a scent like a golden osmanthus softly tickled her nostrils. Flowers were not supposed to be in this room.

“Sorry for the wait, Chidori.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Chidori opened her eyes with a start. When she turned her eyes to the place where she heard the voice, there was the white rabbit – Shiro, Chidori’s contract God.

“Shiro-sama? Why are you here?”

When Chidori asked him in surprise, Shiro slinked up on the desk and sat down in front of Chidori.

“I got scolded at the Jingu, located behind the government. Apparently, it is forbidden to use the power of God excessively within the boundaries of others. If we were not careful, there was a possibility that the barrier system would go haywire. Well, so far there has been no problem.”

“I see…”

Listening to Shiro’s words, Chidori lowered her eyebrows apologetically. The reason this God was warned was surely because he forced himself to lend his strength to Chidori at that time.

–I couldn’t do anything even though I received so much help.

She couldn’t even damage the Demonic Beast, let alone defeat it. Unlike the two Rikka, she had been strengthened as a Magical Girl. Chidori stopped crying at her own inadequacy.

But Shiro did not blame Chidori. When he spoke to her briefly yesterday, he made no mention of the battle and simply said, “I’m glad you survived.” Was that kindness, or was he not interested in the battle? They had not been together long enough for her to determine that.

“Seriously, I just came down yesterday, but that three-legged guy is so annoying.”

Shiro muttered in frustration and began to talk about what had happened to him over the past few days.

Yesterday he came down to this world for the first time. The first battle he saw was the one that resulted in the barrier accident. Then, he was given a terrible lecture by Yatagarasu, a three-legged crow, at the government’s shrine. And he talked with other Gods who were wandering around the government. He continued to talk about what seemed like a dream at his own pace in an indifferent manner to Chidori. However, he seemed to be enjoying himself and gave the impression of a child.

–But Chidori felt a sense of dread when she saw Shiro’s appearance.

Chidori held her body, which was trembling and shaking, and tried her best to suppress her fear.

The white rabbit in front of her had a very cute appearance, but its presence was somehow profound and divine. In the presence of this being, a mere human being would be nothing more than a speck of dust. Chidori just now realized the gravity of the situation.

No matter how friendly he might be, the being in front of her was a [God]. What such a higher being wished for an ordinary human like Chidori?

As Chidori thought about it, Shiro opened his mouth as if he realized what was going through Chidori’s mind.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t told you my ‘wish’ yet.”

–Here it comes. Chidori swallowed hard and waited for Shiro’s next words.

He stood up on all fours and strode up to Chidori’s face, his golden eyes like the full moon narrowing as he smiled.

“Chidori. –You are going to be my new ‘big sister’.”

◆ ◆ ◆

“–There was something like that.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand at all.”

Chidori explained the whole story to him, but he still didn’t understand. He couldn’t understand the reason at all, let alone the circumstances. Why would God want to play family with a human? It was incomprehensible.

With doubts, he looked at his self-proclaimed older brother-the white rabbit. The white rabbit stared off into the distance and began to speak as if he had reached a point of no return.

“I have always wanted a kind, merciful older sister and an obedient younger brother.”

The white rabbit’s expression looked smug.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Wait, Tsugumi! You’re being rude!!”

The outburst came out of his mouth unintentionally, and Chidori rushed to warn him. Tsugumi realized his mistake after he said it, but it couldn’t be helped. He was actually being moderate. If it had been Yukitaka who was here, he would have said something much harsher.

At Tsugumi’s sullen gaze, the white rabbit coughed deliberately and began to speak again.

“I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I have a bad relationship with my sister. She was furious with me over trivial matters, and we became estranged.”

“Trivial matters?”

When Tsugumi asked that, the white rabbit looked away and repeated, “Yes, trivial matters.” But somehow he sensed a hint of a lie.

If mythologies were unraveled, one would find many sibling quarrels between Gods that could shake heaven and earth. …Perhaps, only the person himself thought it was trivial…

The white rabbit continued, oblivious to Tsugumi’s suspicious glances.

“I’ve been living out of my sister’s sight for a while now, but recently I heard a rumor that something interesting was happening in this world. I came down to this world with a heavy heart. –Then I found you, Chidori.”

“M-me?”

Chidori was surprised at the sudden mention of her name. The white rabbit in Chidori’s hand floated up and sat on Chidori’s shoulder, and continued talking as he curled his body to snuggle up.

“A pure heart for her brother. The depth of her compassion and willingness to make self-sacrifices. Her strength of will at a critical moment. –She is the ‘ideal sister,’ don’t you think?”

“…Well, you have a point.”

Tsugumi nodded in agreement.

–I’m a little concerned about his behavior, but he doesn’t seem to be a problematic God. Tsugumi thought so, and let his guard down a little.

In other words, this white rabbit probably just wanted to be loved like a little brother by his contractor, Chidori.

Treating Tsugumi as a ‘little brother’ was probably just an added bonus to make the sister-brother role-playing more authentic.

Besides, Gods that came down to Japan were bound by the laws of Amaterasu, without exception. In light of the compensation due to land affinity and faith, there were hardly any Gods that could break that firm tie. With that in mind, it was hard to believe that this God was trying to harm Tsugumi at the risk of sanction.

It couldn’t be said that he had no other intentions, but since Bell assured him that “It’s not bad” it was probably not a malicious wish. Rather, in a broader sense, it was a much kinder “wish” than Bell’s that forced him to fight.

…He had a lot of complaints, but he owed this white rabbit a debt. If this God hadn’t lent his power to Chidori, Tsugumi would have been severely injured by the Demonic Beast’s attack. If done wrong, he might have died.

He still couldn’t forgive this God for turning Chidori into a Magical Girl, but even so, he couldn’t forget his gratitude.

–More than anything else, there was also a statement from Bell. She had told him to obey the white rabbit. In other words, from the very beginning, Tsugumi had no choice.

Tsugumi smiled, approached Chidori, and gently held out his right hand to the white rabbit – his “older brother”.

“Take care of me from now on–Niisan. Please protect my sister.”

“Un, leave her to me.”

–The way he said it, it sounded like he was going to marry her. Tsugumi giggled, feeling somewhat funny as he held the white rabbit’s soft hand.

Seeing Tsugumi like this, Chidori let out a relieved breath. Perhaps she was worried that Tsugumi would refuse and become angry.

On the surface, the two continued to chat cheerfully, but then a question suddenly entered his heart.

-Earlier this white rabbit said that he had recently learned about the ruckus in Japan – the playground of the Gods.

If the Gods were so powerful that they could interfere with Amaterasu’s boundaries, why had not a single piece of information come in over the past 30 years? Could it be that the information was intentionally blocked?

But Tsugumi only thought that much and shook his head a little.

…In the first place, 30 years might be just an error level of time for God. The white rabbit said recently, but it was possible that he actually heard about it long ago. Besides, God’s thoughts were incomprehensible to human beings anyway. It was useless to worry about it.

“Well, whatever.”

What he didn’t understand, he could just ask Bell later. Thinking so, Tsugumi looked at Chidori laughing happily.

–He knew this peace was short-lived. Still, he was really happy that they were able to come home alive together like this.

Tomorrow, everyday life would begin again. The uneasiness in his heart would not disappear, but he still felt like he could walk forward.