#danizaya

[underthesecircumstances-dm-blog]

UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES - FIFTY-NINE

Next morning

              Despite her boundless energy the day before, Nanami sat hunched between an irritable fox and overly excited snake.

              I am so tired…

              Apparently, making up plans was exhausting.  She began dozing off on the bus.  In her half asleep state, she felt something yank her arm, head now resting on Tomoe’s shoulder.  A surprised smile on her face, Nanami straightened up.

              Tomoe barely looked away from the window when he addressed her.  “What?  Aren’t you tired?”

              Nanami nodded.  “Kind of, but it’s not worth… well, it’s not worth that.  People are just going to stare and—“

              For some reason, the bus had come to a stop just barely past the bus sign.  Mizuki looked out from his position.  “There wasn’t anyone out there with us,” he noted.

              At the front of the bus, the driver seemed to be complaining, but shook his head and pointed to the seats.  Nanami could see a bob of orange hair boarding, blue following behind.

              …you’re joking.

              Impulsively, Nanami ended right back on Tomoe’ shoulder, eyes shut tight.

              “What happened to not needing this?” the fox asked.  Sarcasm laced his voice.

              Nanami kept still, her voice muffled.  “I’d rather be stared at than have him talk to me right now.”

              “Suit yourself.”

              Keeping her eyes shut, Nanami shuffled uneasily, her face burning from her tactless situation. 

              “So you’re all back?”  Arika’s cheery voice rang, but she received no reply.  “What was wrong with you two, hmm?”

              The bus began moving and all Nanami heard was a sigh from Mizuki.

              “Well…” Arika trailed off, “I guess it doesn’t matter, now tha—“  she stopped, silent and muttering to herself.

              I wish I knew what they’re thinking.

              She heard an irritated laugh.  “Any reason you’re just staring~?”

              There he is.

              Arika hushed him sharply.  “Don’t start arguing on the bus.  At least let Nanami-chan get some sleep.  She looks tired.”

              Akira made a rough snort.  “I can only wonder why.” 

              Nanami felt a slight grip on her shoulder, and the conversation fell.  It felt like the perfect set-up for her to shoot up from this mock nap and tell the “idol” off.  However, the bus wasn’t the ideal area to make a scene, it’d only cause more trouble on Tomoe and Mizuki’s part.

              So much about this sucks.  Normally, girls don’t lean against someone’s shoulder just to avoid others.  Of course, I have to be the exception. I don’t get these guys either.  Akira’s just confusing, and Tomoe seems calmer than usual.  That isn’t normal.  Mizuki is the only one making sense.  And that’s saying a lot about the others.  I just want to get off this bus and sit in school.  There are plenty of others ways to get around, why’d Akira and Arika choose the bus?

              “Does she still have the necklace?”  Akira’s tone was flat, as if he didn’t really need an answer.  Only silence followed.  Once more, Nanami felt a firm grip on her shoulder.  She understood that her familiars disliked the idol duo; nonetheless, someone say something.

              In spite of her pleading thoughts, the silence only continued, and she actually dozed off for real this time.  It wasn’t until Tomoe shook her gently that she woke up, out the window, she could see the school.  The two idols were already leaving, with Arika humming as she trotted away and Akira saying something inaudible.  Nanami let her gaze linger on the two until Tomoe pulled her up to follow, Mizuki following closely.  Once off, Nanami spun to face Mizuki.

              “Right, so basically you two need to keep Akira out of my hair for the entire day.”  She made a stern face. 

              “Why?”  Mizuki made a genuinely puzzled expression.

              “Well first off, I’m really starting to hate his guts,” Nanami responded, hands on her hips.  “Plus, I need to speak to Arika.  It’ll be easier knowing I don’t have Akira to worry about.”

              Tomoe sighed, shrugging dismissively and looking over the students entering the school building.  “He’ll only stick to your friend.”

              “Keep him away from Ami too,” Nanami ordered.  If possible, she’d rather see Ami right now, and somehow explain this in a way Ami wouldn’t worry as much.

              “Nanami-chan.”  Mizuki stared intently at the girl, an eyebrow raised.  He shortly looked at Tomoe before saying anything.  “I understand your friend is in a bad situation, but I don’t get why.  Akira has been – bluntly put – rather friendly with as of late.  So why involve the other girl?”

              Nanami blinked at his question, before redeeming a frown and pointing at Tomoe.  “Ask him,” she said accusingly.  “He was there at the time.”

              Only scoffing, Tomoe returned the glare.  “My priority is to watch over you, not your friends or anyone else around you, unless told to do so.  So I wouldn’t know.”  He narrowed his eyes.  “Whatever you’re doing, don’t be stupid about it.”

[underthesecircumstances-dm-blog]

UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES - FIFTY-EIGHT

            While the land goddess slept, the two familiars had their nightly conversation.  Of all the things that turned into a routine, two people who hated each other were socialising diplomatically.

                        Mizuki leant against the sliding door, sighing and looking nowhere in particular.  “Well, Tomoe-kun, you’re not going to argue with Nanami-chan over this?”

              Tomoe stared placidly, ears drooped and an internal voice simmering with irritation.  He huffed indignantly at Mizuki’s question, head slightly held in the air.  “It’s a waste of time trying to convince her otherwise,” he replied.

              Mizuki nodded with a grunt, he was smiling, or at least his face was.

                        This snake has no idea of what happens, since he comes from such a small lifestyle.

              Nanami’s plan was atrocious, nothing more and nothing less, yet, she was a stubborn girl who never relented in her own goals.  Still, it was involving Tomoe over some matter he didn’t even recall, and she insisted on getting involved and took it personally.

              I don’t see why she’s so dead set on this.

              “Being so sulky,” Mizuki said, “don’t you think that even though a lot has happened, nothing’s been done?”

              “You would think that, wouldn’t you?”

              Mizuki nodded slowly.  “I simply like to believe that I’m highly observant, Tomoe-kun.”

              “Hnn.”

              Mizuki laughed, tilting his head.  “Am I missing something?”

              The fox shrugged, walking back into the shrine with a huff.  “This conversation isn’t going anywhere.”  He’s gone just like that.

              Left behind, Mizuki looked back up at the sky, making a silent chuckle.

              “If I knew, it’d probably only make me lonelier.”

[underthesecircumstances-dm-blog]

Under these Circumstances - Fifty-Seven

                This is vexing. 

                The amount of mixed signals was becoming tedious.   Was it that hard?  Was she that dense?   They were going back and forth on this road without either one finally hitting the breaks and settling things finally. 

                Along with that, Tomoe knew Nanami would either eventually misjudge one thing for another, or completely overlook the conversation from just a few minutes ago.  She had her priorities straight, he could not deny that.  It was just the order they belonged that she more than often struggled to straighten out. 

                Listening to Mizuki’s ramblings about it was just rubbing salt and alcohol on the wound.  What was he going on about?  Tomoe had long before tuned him out and let him talk to himself.     

                Too many unresolved issues all at once. 

                “Ah, speaking of your negligent presence, Inari-sama was here while you had fun at Nanami-chan’s school…”

                                What was that about a negligent presence? 

                “What did he want this time?” Tomoe replied blankly, rubbing his forehead. 

                Mizuki stared off into space.  “I was kicked out, private conference or other… regardless of which, Nanami-chan seems to have forgotten what they were talking about.  Forgetting something a god tells you, it makes you worry about what else she manages to…”  He looked over at Tomoe, shoulders slumping with a cynical smile.  “What’s with posture that says ‘I’ve given up’, Tomoe-kun~?”

                What does she think she’s doing?  It’s bad enough she fell asleep at the festival, now she’s just carelessly forgetting what happens when gods visit.

                  Mizuki shrugged.  “Say, Tomoe-kun actually worries a lot about Nanami-chan, doesn’t he?”

                “Don’t speak as if I’m not here.”

                “That’s a despondent tone,” Mizuki said.

                I’m more frustrated than anything. 

                Still, having Inari come here wasn’t new.  However, to see Nanami exclusively?  That hadn’t been the case since the first time Himemiko first addressed herself to the new land goddess.

                “Ah, speaking of Nanami-chan, she’s standing in front of you right now.”

                Raising his head, Tomoe found Nanami crouching in front of him with an annoyed expression.  He had expected something a little more on the coy side, knowing her.  Sighing, he tapped her forehead.

                Her frown only deepening, she tilted her head and returned the favour.  “You’re acting weird today.” 

                She was one to talk.  Not ten minutes ago was she ready to burst into tears because she was trying to keep her mouth shut about things he already knew.  It was perfectly natural for her to have it on her mind, and to want to discuss it, but her timing left something to be desired.

                Brushing off her comment, he tried changing the subject.  Knowing her, along with personal decisions, she found a way to – granted it’d be far from orthodox – put things back in order.  Sure enough, as soon as he asked her, she gave a bright smile.

                “Well… I don’t really know if it will work,” she laughed, “but it should at least help Ami and you.”

                There she goes again, excluding her own safety out of the equation.  Tomoe stared on intently, ears pricked attentively and listening to her voice.  It was surprisingly warm just listening and watching her go on with her cheery self.

                “So now all you two have to do is come along with me to school tomorrow and just play along with the plan, okay?”

                You two?  As in plural?

[underthesecircumstances-dm-blog]

Under these Circumstances - Fifty-Six

                 With inspiration coursing through her veins, Nanami had an awfully self-assured smile on her face. 

                I won’t let a few lies stop me from fixing things.

                  Granted, she wasn’t a prime example of honesty as of late.  There were no doubts in her mind that if Tomoe found out as much as he did, he learnt about the meeting Nanami had with Akira.

                Absently, Nanami felt a chill go down her spine.  That meeting was an eternal regret and certainly something she wished she could have avoided. 

                I need to apologise for lying to Tomoe.  No doubt he’s going to be really upset about it.  Stupid, why did I lie in the first place?

                  Nodding to herself with a smile, Nanami soon found the fox staring out a window, a frown on his face and arms crossed as he stood. 

                He doesn’t look in too good a mood, Nanami thought, starting to sneak away, I’ll just bring it up at a better time.  Then I’ll apologise.

                  “Something you need?”  Glancing over, Tomoe stared directly at the girl as she tried to leave quietly.

                Stopping in mid-step, Nanami scratched the back of her head with a smile as she replied.  “Aha, you noticed me?” she asked.

                “I’m not exactly dear, if you haven’t noticed.”

                Stupid fox hearing.

                  Inhaling nervously Nanami kept her smile and nodded.  “Yeah, I just needed to say a few things, but you don’t seem to be too keen on talking right now, so it can wait,” she explained. 

                Tomoe raised an eyebrow.  “Why?  Just get it out of the way now,” he replied. 

                Again, the way he spoke wasn’t too encouraging.  Nanami bit her lip and fidgeted where she stood.

                “Well, about that necklace… the one with the butterfly on it.  I told you that Arika gave it to me, but—“

                “But it was the other one that gave it to you after some meeting, right?” Tomoe cut in.

                Nanami’s smile dropped and she tilted her head, eyes widened with surprise.  “So you did figure it out…”

                “Of course I did,” Tomoe scoffed, “why do you sound so surprised?”

                “Oh, it’s just…”  Why am I surprised?  “I thought you’d be, well…” Nanami trailed off, failing to find the right words.

                I thought he’d be… angry or something, right?  Jealous?  No, absolutely not jealous, why’d he be jealous?  That’s just me getting my hopes up.  Stupid me…

                  “Uh… I thought you’d be… less composed?”

                Tomoe rolled his eyes.  “I’m not too damned thrilled about at the fact, but it was apparently none of my business in the first place, right?”

                  Something in Nanami fell.

                He wasn’t the least bit bothered by this?  After finding out that the so-called Duo of Love wasn’t a couple of normal classmates, he was completely indifferent about Nanami getting so friendly with them?  Let alone that she had lied about it?

                Just a single sliver of concern was all she hoped—expected. 

                Was even that too much to expect of him?

                Pursing her lips together, Nanami replied.  “It’s not that it wasn’t any of your business,” she muttered, looking down at the floor.

                “Then why bother lying?” Tomoe pressed.

                I get it… so all this time I just wanted him to show worry, to be just a little jealous…

                  “Nanami?”

                Even when I know I have more important things to concentrate on, knowing that Ami got mixed up in something she has nothing to do with, I’m so distracted by my own feelings.

                  Something was stinging in her eyes.

                I am really am awful.  I know I have no chance with him.  Even if people like Arika cheered me on, I decided to get my hopes up and expect the impossible.  It only bothers him later on so I tried to stop, but…

                A hand rested on Nanami’s shoulder, with Tomoe in front of her with a confused look.

                “I’m assuming that there’s something else on your mind other than that,” he sighed.

                Nanami kept her eyes on the floor, trying to ignore Tomoe’s presence as she responded.

                Don’t trouble him, don’t trouble him…

                  “No,” she choked, “I just got an eyelash in my eye is all…”

                “In both of them, huh?”

                Nanami nodded weakly.

                                We should get back on track, I haven’t said that I’m sorry yet.  I shouldn’t be bothered by this. 

                  Blinking with a rigid breath, Nanami cleared her throat and backed away from Tomoe.

                “So, uh, what were you asking?” she asked with a forced smile.

                Tomoe scowled, blinking as she stepped back.  “Why you lied in the first place.  Moreover, why you’re—“

                “It’s just… I don’t know…” Nanami interrupted, shrugging.  “I just… I’m really sorry for lying, Tomoe…”

                “Not that lying did any good,” he said calmly, “now why are you upset all of a sudden?”

                Nanami ignored him, rubbing her eyes with her sleeve. “Why wouldn’t it not be any of your business?  You’re the person I li--” she stopped speaking, shaking her head and going on.  “All it was is that I didn’t want to trouble with it, or give you the wrong idea about what was going on… 

                Seriously?  Even now, I try.  How stupid can a girl get…?  But… I’m wasting my time, aren’t I?  I should just get it out of the way and go on with my day.  I know what to expect, so I shouldn’t be so worried about his reply.  I already tried and once and got the same reply as I will now.  If I just say it, then I won’t be distracted anymore and can push it aside for good.

                  “You what?”  Tomoe pressed.

                Gulping, Nanami braced herself.  “I…” A word that is simple to say but not to admit.  “I like… I like Tomoe, so—“

                “I already knew that,” the fox pointed out, forcing her to look up from the floor. 

                Nanami blinked, blood rushing to her face.  “Why would you…”

                Smirking, Tomoe walked past her with a shrug before turning to look at her. 

                “Because you were troubling yourself the past few days just trying to hide it.  You feel better now, right?”

                At the question, Nanami noticed a sort of lightness in her chess.  A weight that finally dissolved.   With a clueless look, she nodded slowly.

                “Same page, then.”

                Huh?

                “Now that that’s done and over with, go rest for a bit.  You’re not going to come up with one of your far-fetched solutions after acting so distressed and defenceless like that.”

                Huh?  So he knew… and forced me to… He forced me to say something to make me feel better?  Huh?

[underthesecircumstances-dm-blog]

Under these Circumstances - Fifty-Five

                 Instead of an outstanding light surrounding her, Nanami found herself thrust into a vat of black smoke.  Unwelcoming, dark, and seemingly endless, she wasn’t able to find Tomoe, much less see five feet in front of her.  Thick and suffocating darkness. 

                Then, she was plummeting into a pile of wooden boards with a sharp yelp.  As unsettling at the black smoke was, Nanami had no time to think or process the odd transfer. 

                “What’s with all these boards…?” she muttered, looking down in annoyance at the rough drop.  “Tomoe, are you—?”

                Expecting to see the white-haired familiar at her side, she wasn’t thrilled to see that the two were seemingly separated.   Regardless, Nanami stood up hesitantly, looking around the place she fell.  A run down looking shed with broken walls and the door acting more as a splintered mat. 

                Frowning at the poor condition of the shed, Nanami crossed her arms, feeling a chill run down her spine at the eerie atmosphere.

                Clunk.

                Looking down at the piles of boards, Nanami made no effort to move forward, expecting a demon to be resting in this shabby place.  Instead, she backed away, taking cover behind a wall and waiting for whatever to come while the boards shuffled irregularly.

                Something’s here… there couldn’t be a worse time for Tomoe and I to be separated…

                However, on the contrary, she saw a bob of orange stumbling its way out of the debris, followed by the small frame of a girl in a plain kimono. She groaned, rubbing the top of her head with a cough.

                “Something heavy must have fell… ouch…” she commented.

                I’m not that heavy…

                The girl sighed raggedly, turning around to look around the shed with a cautious gleam in her icy blue eyes.

                Nanami nodded to herself.  It didn’t take a genius for her to understand who it was.

                Arika… that’s Arika.

                  An intent stare on her face, Nanami watched Arika stumble to the shack’s now bare doorway, peering outside stiffly.

                What was she doing?  Moreover, exactly what was going on?

                Nanami leant out from behind the wall; she was practically holding her breath to be not be caught. 

                Meanwhile, Arika flinched as she peered out, covering her mouth and tilting her head,  and she stood up; dirty and scratched feet leading her outside.

                  Nanami began to follow, walking slowly towards the doorway, keeping an eye out for anything else that could be hiding under boards of wood.  However, before peering out, she stopped mid-step, now wondering if Arika was just outside.  It’d be trouble for Nanami to be caught, she couldn’t afford to risk it.

                “Maybe I should just wait a bit longer?” she suggested to herself. 

                “Who are you talking to?”

                Jumping with a surprised gasp, the land goddess’s first impulsive reaction was to whip around and take a whack at whoever was behind her.  Simultaneously, she recognised those upright ears.

                “Uh…”

                A forced smile on her face, she lowered her hand, still able to feel the slight sting.

                                Tomoe!

                  A hand covering his face, Tomoe looked at Nanami through irritated slits.

                “I’m not going to waste my breath asking why the hell you just slapped me, and dismiss it as you just slipping back into your usual idiotic self, Nanami.”

                Blinking in disbelief, Nanami placed a hand on her hips.  “Idiotic—You’re not supposed to sneak up behind me like that!  Where were you anyway?” she demanded, raising an eyebrow.  “How am I not supposed to react that way when I hear someone behind me in this place?”

                “By recognising the voice of your own familiar, for one.”

                “It doesn’t work that way, Tomoe…”

                “Then what way does it work? Enlighten me.”

                Nanami glared indignantly, giving a roll of the eyes before turning back to the door.  Slowly looking out, she spotted the girl kneeling beside someone else, a weak smile on her face.   Around them, more sheds were falling about or completely destroyed.

                Nanami’s face dropped.

                The person she knelt beside was, indeed, a fox, with dark long hair, a hand over the left side of his side and a bitter smile. 

                It’s that guy alright…

                “Nanami?”                 Nanami put a finger to her mouth.  “Be quiet, I can’t hear ‘em…” she ordered.

                Observing the two outside, something did not add up.

                Nanami could see nothing demonic about Arika, she looked just as she did the first time Nanami met her, while Akira had no reason to hide his nature in this time.  Whatever the two were talking about, Arika was obstinate about it, tugging at Akira to stand up, and an encouraging smile on her face.  While Akira only seemed to give blank responses and ignored Arika.

                I wonder…

                It wasn’t a conventional assumption, but the scene was unsettlingly familiar to Nanami.

                She’s arguing with someone from a different world of her own…

                  “Nanami, we need to go.”

                From behind, Tomoe put his sleeve to his nose, grimacing and looking around the shed.

                Nanami shrugged, still watching the two outside.

                I know this has nothing to do with Tomoe, but…

                  Akira had soon stood up, glaring down at Arika with drooped ears, still covering his left eye.  Conversing with Arika, they suddenly started to walk out from the village, and out of Nanami’s sight.

                “They’re gone already…” she sighed, “I wonder what happened to this place, it looks like an abandoned village.  Why was Arika here?”

                “This place was destroyed by another demon, isn’t that obvious?  It’s less an abandoned village and more like a graveyard, it reeks,” Tomoe corrected, keeping a disgusted look on his face.  “We’re only wasting time here, and we’re not finding anything out that’s important, so –“

                Nanami nodded, slowly walking away from the doorway.  “Is something wrong?”  she asked absently.

                “Did you just hear me?  Let’s leave,” Tomoe snapped. 

                “One second, I’m thinking..”

                “We’re getting nothing done here, let’s go.”

                “I said one second!”

                The fox only scoffed, pulling at Nanami’s arm, and soon the past vanished. 

                Shortly after, Nanami’s eyes snapped open, but before she could spring up, Mizuki tapped her on the forehead, a warm smile on his face as he sighed.

                “I keep telling you that going in the past takes a toll on your body, Nanami-chan.  Just relax for a bit, the shrine isn’t leaving you behind.   Don’t strain it more than you already have,” he gave a laugh, looking over.  “The stupid fox learnt his lesson the hard way~.”

                Nanami followed Mizuki’s gaze, seeing Tomoe hunched over, Kotetsu and Onikiri fawning over him as he sat there with drooped ears.

                “Bastard snake, shut up.  I’m more bothered by how the past smells like a damn slaughterhouse, there’s no toll on me at all.”

                “Why don’t you try walking over here and saying that to my face, then~?”

                “I can’t risk having your own rotten meat hash breath slither its way near me.”

                Everything’s the same.  But… Tomoe smelled blood?  I guess he mentioned that a demon must have attacked the place, did he see who, though?

                                Laughing silently, Nanami stared at the ceiling absently, thinking to Arika and Akira.

                Something about how Arika was acting… was familiar…

                  Sitting up from where she was, Nanami smiled lightly.

                We may not have found anything out, but… I have a feeling I know what to do next.

[underthesecircumstances-dm-blog]

Under these Circumstances - Fifty-Four

                 Yet another problem. 

                At least Nanami assumed he was another problem.  She still was not too sure what to think of this Akira person.  It was like trying to grab water without it spilling out. 

                “Still there, Seven Lives~?”

                The nickname didn’t exactly sound too friendly, really.  Seven lives is still two less than a cat, after all.   That aside, how in the world did this person get her number in the first place?

                “Yoohoo, still there?” he persisted.   

                Biting her lower lip and turning away from Tomoe and Mizuki, Nanami nodded to herself, sighing quietly. 

                “Um…” she began, “Akira, why are you calling?”

                It seemed to be a reasonable enough question.  Naturally, the normal thing to ask would be how he got the number, but she had a feeling that ignorance was bliss in this case. 

                On the other hand, Akira laughed dismissively.  “That sure is a weird question to ask, y’know,” he noted, “but if you must know, I was just wondering why someone like you would be skipping – ditching school so suddenly like that.”

                “Someone like you”… as if he knows anything about me in the first place…

                  “Well, um, about that…”

                “You said that you weren’t feeling ill, right?  You shouldn’t be going to school if you’re sick in the first place.  That’s like me or Arika going to a rehearsal if our throat is sore.,” Akira went on, a tinge of scepticism in his voice. 

                Apparently I did, thanks to Tomoe… that still doesn’t explain why Tomoe is in a lousy mood.

                An irritated smile on her face, Nanami shrugged at the idol’s remarks.  “I don’t think you really have much of a reason to call me, to be honest,” she pointed out.

                “Oh, and why’s that?”

                Nanami scowled, lowering her voice so the others couldn’t hear.  “For one, if school isn’t out, then how are you calling me?  Two, we barely know each other, and I would rather you not feeling obliged to associate yourself with me if it’s only because Arika and I are becoming friends.  My last and final point, is if one of the things you say to me orders me to ‘behave’ or whatever, I’m not too inclined to---“

                Another ring of laughter cut her off.  “Those are excellent points to bring up,” he admitted, “lemme do my best to respond to each.  For one if you remember, the class was in an uproar thanks to me and Ami.  Two, I don’t feel obliged at all.  Remember, I told you that I don’t care about being your friend, I’m simply interested in you, plus, saying ‘becoming friends’ with Arika tells me you aren’t friends yet, which would break that girl’s fragile heart.  Finally, and this is where it gets good, you’re behaving splendidly well~.”

                Meanwhile this whole time, Nanami could feel a distinct pair of golden eyes watching her.  It was about time she cut the conversation off, however…

                “Remind me again, what happened with you and Ami?” she demanded sharply, her frown deepening. 

                “Huh, you seem to have forgotten some important stuff, sure you didn’t send an evil twin in your place or something?”

                This guy… just answer the question already!

                “In any case, I’m sure tomorrow you’ll find out, and I have to go before I get caught, so later~.”

                “What? Wai—“

                The phone hung up, leaving Nanami in a state of confusion and curiosity.  Something had happened, and somehow she was in the middle of it without having the slightest clue.

                Still holding the phone near her ear, Nanami could only put a few pieces of the puzzle together.

                From the very start, the two idols were very involved with her.  She had no idea why, and even when she questioned it, the two managed to find ways of avoiding an answer.  More so with Arika than anything, but couldn’t it just have been her absentminded self?  Akira had his own ways for justifying himself, but it wasn’t adding up even then. 

                “Nanami, who was that?”

                Tomoe’s voice interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to the present.  He was approaching her casually glancing at the phone.  Giving a half-hearted smile, Nanami laughed, setting the phone down.

                “Um… just a classmate, but, Tomoe, can I ask you something?”

                “I don’t see how me telling you ‘no’ would stop you from doing so,” Tomoe said blankly. 

                Feeling a stinging pang in her chest at the remark, Nanami went on.  “So… what happened at school?  Did anything bad happen?”

                “Define ‘bad’.

                Smile faltering, Nanami nodded.  “I mean… well, something that was weird, I guess.  Or something I should know about.”

                “To start off, that Nekota girl got herself involved in something one way or another,” he replied. His tone not changing, “I’m not sure what she saw, but something or someone is in the school, it shouldn’t be there, and there was a rising presence of miasma.  It was sickening, and that’s one of the reasons why I left, if I had stayed any longer I’d be marinating In the stench of death,” his voice got sharper, as did his gaze on Nanami. 

                Ami was in danger.  She saw something.  Like the spiders from when Otohiko and Kayako…

                “She rushed into the classroom later on and caused a scene.  Obviously, no human in their right mind would believe that monsters were in the school, even if she was possibly telling the truth.  Then that long-haired idol got involved.”

                Nanami blinked rapidly, shaking off a chill.  “What do you mean he got involved?”

                Tomoe sighed, “I mean that he’s involving that girl in whatever he’s trying to do here.  He said something about ‘going steady’ or whatever that’s—“

                “Wait!” Nanami exclaimed, her expression agape.  “You mean they’re… they’re… huh?”

                This doesn’t make sense… since when did…

                “They’re what?” Tomoe responded.

                Too shocked to reply, Nanami stared at Tomoe in disbelief.

                In return, the fox huffed, “Anyways, that’s the least of your worries,” he stated.

                How is that not enough of a worry?!

                “Moreover, apparently they’re not what you’d like to think are a ouple of humans.”

                Huh?

                “What do you…”

                Tomoe looked closely at Nanami, a stern look on his face.  “That Akira guy called my bluff and knew I wasn’t you.  He saw right through my disguise and knew it I was there and you weren’t.   He’s obviously not human, and I wouldn’t put it past the girl to not be human either.”

                But I… I wouldn’t have ever noticed… so… that means Arika’s been…

                “I should be going ballistic because you haven’t been keeping me nformed on how close those two really are getting to you,  it’s always going to be a risk if you can’t—“

                “Tomoe-kun, if you’ve already told Nanami-chan what’s going on, then don’t go in any more detail and beating the subject to death,” Mizuki cut in, an uncharacteristically serious look on his face.    “Critiicising her for something you’ve never expected her to do something until just now isn’t going to keep her safe and it surely isn’t going to fix anything.”

                  Mizuki…

                The snake gave a bitter smile, rubbing the back of his neck and looking at Nanami.  “I have to apologise too, Nanami-chan.  The other day when that girl was so insistent on keeping me separated from you, I noticed something odd, but never thought to tell you.  But from now on, we definitely need to make sure those two don’t lay a hand on you, or your friend.”  He smiled widely, followed by an assuring nod.

                Nanami returned the smile, straightening up with a loud exhale.  “Right, but…” she looked over at Tomoe, who seemed to be spacing out.  “It bothers me… wouldn’t they have done something sooner by now?  It’s not like Kurama or even Mizuki waited this long to do something about me.”

                “It barely has anything to do with you, you’re just the ‘prize’ in this instance.  As far as I know, that guy has something against me,” Tomoe explained.

                “Another of Tomoe-kun’s past rivals?” Mizuki teased. 

                I wonder why I’m still smiling…

                Tomoe grunte, shaking his head.  “Shut up, I’ve been wrecking my brain and I can’t even recall running into that guy ever.  The name’s familiar, but it’s common, all I know is that he has something against me.”

                I just wanna know how come I got involved…  what does Akira have against Tomoe?  Tomoe barely remembers…

                A light clicked in Nanami’s brain, and she turned over to Mizuki as he and Tomoe continued speaking.   

                Coughing suddenly, she sighed with a roll of her eyes.  “Mizuki, do me a favour?”

                “Hmm?  What is it?”

                “I need that incense, the one that sends people to the past.  Before I do anything to solve this, I wanna know exactly why those two think it’s okay to deceive me and get my friend involved,” she explained, a hand on her hip.

                Mizuki pouted, raising an eyebrow.  “Nanami-chan, I don’t think you’re in a condition to go in the past, you’re still not in picture form health, it could be dangerous and leave you more than exhausted. 

                “Tomoe says that it’s because Akira has something against him, so he’s coming too,” Nanami added stubbornly, turning to the fox expectantly. 

                “Nanami-chan, I mean it.  If it is too far in the past, you might wind up coming back unconscious.  Even with Tomoe-kun there’s a chance that-“

                “I’m too angry at the fact that they deceived me to worry about being sick or unconscious, Mizuki.  I wanna know what’s up and what I can do to stop it before anything happens to Ami or Tomoe.”

                Keeping a levelled look on Mizuki, Nanami took a deep breath, hoping he’d comply. 

                Grimacing, Mizuki sighed, “I’ll let you and Tomoe-kun go, but… don’t say I didn’t warn you, and come don’t push yourself at all, okay?  The stupid fox should be the one going if this is his problem, in the first place.”

                Nanami gave a laugh, followed by a small sneeze.

                Thanks.

[underthesecircumstances-dm-blog]

Under these Circumstances - Fifty - Three

                 What was it that Inari told me?

                Nanami Momozono wondered to herself, rubbing her forehead, as if it would trigger a memory or two of the conversation that disappeared in a blur.  In the middle of trying to collect her thoughts, she overheard Mizuki speaking to someone.  Curious, she walked over to her door, cracking it open just enough to see.

                Immediately, she was agape, eyes wide and eyebrows arched.

                There was Tomoe, barely acknowledging Mizuki’s constant questioning of why he was here at the shrine and not at school in Nanami’s place.

                Don’t tell me... now everyone’s going to think I’m some sort of delinquent!

                  Eventually, Nanami opened the door completely, stomping out into the hall with her arms crossed and a stubborn expression her face. 

                As the two familiars stopped conversing, Tomoe turned to face Nanami, a stern, cynical look on his face.  His eyes were narrow, and behind him, Mizuki had a careful look on his face, an eyebrow raised. 

                “Tomoe...”  Nanami began, “why aren’t you here and not at school?”

                The fox gave a loud sigh, running a hand through his hair and shaking his head.  He gave no answer, only keeping a sharp stare on Nanami.  He was thinking something that eluded Nanami’s understanding, and it was obvious he didn’t leave for just any reason.

                Already losing her cross temperament, Nanami tilted her head.  “Tomoe?” 

                He seemed so rigid, sighing as if trying to collect himself, a somewhat bitter smile curving his lips.  Seeing him act so oddly, Nanami’s eyes were glued on to him.

                What’s he thinking right now? 

                  Nanami shifted uneasily in the silence, thinking of a way to find out what was going on.  She assumed that something must have happened for him to come back in such a lousy mood.

                “So... did something happen at school?”

                Glancing over at her, Tomoe nodded.  “More than just ‘something’, Nanami,” he stated.

                Struggling to smile, Nanami nodded.  “Um... then... what happened?” she asked, tilting her head.

                Mizuki began approaching the two, his expression more and more unsettled.  “Tomoe-kun, Nanami-chan, maybe tomorrow after we all eat something we should explain?”

                “Why?  It’s still early, it’s not like I can’t take a few minutes and listen to him—“   

                “Nanami.”

                The fox had cut her off, his tone no more than a blank slate.  She tilted her head, an unknowing smile on her face. 

                “I’m going to be frank and say that i don’t have the energy to explain why I left, but you have more problems than an already marred attendance record,” he muttered, looking around the shrine absently. 

                “Already marred” he says... what’s with him today?

                  Mizuki placed a hand on Tomoe’s shoulder.  “Tomoe-kun, I really think you should just wait a bit.  Nanami-chan isn’t...”

                He trailed off, glancing over at Nanami with a hesitant look.

                Nanami frowned, watching the two closely.  Both were uneasy, and in different ways.  Either way wasn’t exactly assuring, and it seemed as if Nanami was missing something.

                However, before she could manage to ask them anything, the shrine’s phone was ringing.

                Who could that be?

                  Raising an eyebrow with a final look over at the familiars, she trudged over to the phone, sighing loudly with a shake of her head.

                “Hello?” 

                There was a short silence from the other end, and for a while, Nanami bit her lower lip in anticipation, keeping an eye on the familiars as they separated silently.

                “Er... hello?”

                “So, skipping class?  That’s not a good way to start your day, Seven Lives.”

[underthesecircumstances-dm-blog]

Under these Circumstances - Fifty - Two

                                                      In the confused and congested silence, Nanami was only staring at the god in awe, a silly smile on her face.

Gods really like appearing at weird times…

Rustling messy hair and fighting back a yawn, Nanami looked around, never really keeping an eye on Inari as she tried to find something to say.

Well… why is he here?  That sounds like the worst possible question open up with when talking to a god, though…

The rice god pulled out a scroll of some sort, raising an eyebrow.  “So I invited you to an off-season festival in my territory, yet you end up falling asleep as your fox familiar carries you back home before greeting me, is what my report is telling me…” he muttered, staring carefully at the land goddess.

“Um… well you see…” Nanami replied, stuttering and laughing nervously.  “It’s just… the festival was really late at night for me, and I just couldn’t stay up.  Plus I couldn’t handle the atmosphere too well and --” 

“I just wanted it verified, I don’t really mind your reasons or your actions.  It’s just that any compliments would be rather anti-climatic,” Inari sighed, giving a yawn.  For someone so respected, he didn’t seem too formal himself.  An indifferent look in his eyes, just with a very matter-of-fact tone as he spoke.

Biting her lower lip, Nanami asked, “So, why did you come?”

Before he could answer, Nanami overheard Mizuki calling for her, and knocking on her door.  

“Nanami-chan?” he called.

“Oh, Mizuki!”  Nanami replied, “come on in, a god is visiting and--”

“Which god?”  Mizuki asked, peering through.  Looking over, he saw Inari, almost immediately dropping his smile.  

“Momozono,” the god muttered, giving Nanami a sharp look.

Giving a smile, Nanami laughed.  “Mizuki’s my other familiar, it’s fine if he--”

“To be honest I’m not much of a fan of this familiar in particular,” Inari interrupted.  

Why wouldn’t he…

Scowling, Nanami tilted her head.  “Why would you have anything against Mizuki?  He’s never done anyth--”

Inari didn’t seem to be paying attention, throwing a leaf onto the door and slamming Mizuki out.  “It’s more of how one of my messengers seems to be rendered useless by the mere fact that the snake decided they should have a drinking session from last night,” he replied, turning back to Nanami. 

“That wasn’t necessary!” she snapped.

And here I always assumed he was actually a nice god for once.  

“On my way here I was informed of something interesting, so I’d rather get that out of the way and inform you as well, human goddess.”

Should I take that as acknowledgement or something?

Twelve minutes later

Mizuki was not at all thrilled with the fact that Inari had sealed him out of the room.  Even now, he was stubbornly slumped against the wall, arms crossed, a frown on his face and sighing every so often.  

Perhaps Ryukichi did get more than the legal intake of wine, but what does one expect from a festival within the territory of messengers?  It is nothing compared to forcing a familiar to wait in anticipation not knowing what a god wants with his own master.

Stuck glaring at the door, he let his eyes drift over to the window, spotting a golden fox striding down the shrine steps calmly, before turning back and giving a brief nod.  

Surely Mizuki could at least check on Nanami now?

“Nanami-chan?”

Opening the door to let himself in, the snake familiar saw Nanami sitting in the middle of the room with her eyes wide and lowered.

Tilting his head at the girl’s odd silence, Mizuki approached her calmly, crouching next to her.  He noticed that she seemed pale, but not in a sickly manner.

“Nanami-chan?  What’s wrong?”  Mizuki pressed, “Did Inari-sama say something to you?”  He waved a hand in front of her face, getting no reaction.  The only thing he could think of doing now was gently shaking her out of whatever sort of trance she was in.  

Eventually, Nanami began blinking several times, her eyes becoming a little brighter.  She turned to Mizuki, complexion returning to normal, with an absentminded smile on her face.  

“Mizuki?  When’d you get here?”  

What in the world…

“Nanami-chan, are you alright?” he questioned, placing a hand on her forehead.  No fever or the likes.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”  

Giving a puzzled look, Mizuki only gave a smile and shrugged.  “It’s nothing, you were just spacing out.  So, what did Inari-sama tell you?”

Smile widening, Nanami nodded at the question.  “Right, he told me that…” she blinked, scratching the back of her head.  “Um… what did he say…?” she asked silently.  

Even for Nanami-chan, it’s unlike her to forget something like what a god tells her…

“Nanami-chan…”

So a god came unannounced, wouldn’t allow Mizuki to overhear the conversation, and now his master just so happens not to remember?

Needless to say, it didn’t add up.  

“Nanami-chan, are you still a little sick?  Maybe that’s why you can’t remember,” he said, trying to smile.  “If you get some rest your memory might work a little better and you can remember.” 

“I can’t get to sleep anyways,” Nanami said through a yawn, “and actually, I don’t feel that sick anymore.  Maybe it was just a small cold or something.  That’s what I get for falling asleep outside…”  She gave a stretch.  “I think it’s just slipped my mind.  I’ll remember later.”

“Maybe something to drink will help,”  Mizuki suggested, “I’ll get some water for you.”  

Giving Nanami a reassuring pat on the back and straightening up.  

“Thanks Mizuki,” Nanami said as he walked away, “having someone like you as a friend is a great thing.”

Pausing, Mizuki only nodded.  “Glad to be here.”

Giving a sigh and walking down the hall, the snake overheard footsteps.  

He was expecting it to be Onibi or Kotetsu, however, soon as can be, walking past him was a white-haired fox. 

A surprised and clueless look on his face, even Mizuki knew that Tomoe shouldn’t have returned by now, and out of nowhere, at that.

“Tomoe-kun,” he called, turning to the naturally irate looking fox, “I didn’t even hear you return.  Why back so soon?”

“I don’t have time for this, snake.  Where’s Nanami?”  he snaps.

“Resting.  Why are you back though?  Shouldn’t you be filling in for Nanami-chan?” 

“Something came up.”