Editor's comments and actions are denoted by [brackets]. Sound effects are written {like this}. (Parenthesis) indicate side notes in the dialogue bubble or the mangaka's note. And finally, italics are thoughts.

Back at the Kokakurou, one of the elderly female servants approaches Oriya. He is looking out onto his sakura blossoms.

Servant: Young master—— At around what time shall I put out tonight's evening meal?

{sound f/x zawa: wind rustling through the trees}

Servant: This morning, I got some wonderful fresh tai. Without fail, I would like the Doctor to eat it and for the boss...

[Tai is "sea bream" apparently, but in any case, it's one of those really expensive seafood products that is considered somewhat of a delicacy in Japan, even though I think it's really gross.]

Oriya: (Hu~) Tai huh——... That's wonderful. But he's at the neighboring Noraneko and can't come.

Servant: (Huh~?) (Neko...)

Oriya: Muraki... won't be coming back here any more.

Back in the Shoukanka, Tsuzuki wakes up in bed under Watari's watchful eye. The sign for the room has been taped together, with another sign taped over it.

(Under Repair)

Watari: Oh. You finally woke up. Tsuzuki.

Tsuzuki: ......... Ah...

Watari: Don't worry, Tsuzuki. This is Enma-chou's IRR.

Tsuzuki: .........

{sound f/x boo: Tsuzuki staring off}

Watari: Arere? Perhaps, you fell into your own world again?

Tsuzuki: ... No... I'm just still confused. I can't understand why I'm here...

Watari leaps into action, ever willing to help Tsuzuki come back to his senses.

{sound f/x babibi: Watari slapping Tsuzuki silly}

Watari: Oi, Tsuzuki! You were saved!! Look, Boy's fine, too.

Tsuzuki: (Ah, Ah~)

(Huh? His glasses... [This refers to the fact that the SD Watari is mysteriously wearing no glasses.])

Watari: Tatsumi used his "shadows" and saved you.

{sound f/x puku: Tsuzuki's little cheeks swelling red}

{sound f/x ihyuui: Tsuzuki's SD sobbing}

Tsuzuki: ............ Tatsumi... did...?

Tatsumi: I took the two of you into my "shadows."

{sound f/x patan: door closing shut behind Tatsumi}

Tatsumi: My shadow space isolated 100% of all things from the spiritual or material world.

Watari: What's this, Tatsumi, you came.

Tatsumi: I've just come to see a bit of the situation. Watari-san, please submit your report for this affair quickly as well.

Watari: (Right right) (Should shut my big mouth.)

Tsuzuki: ... Tatsumi... He's...? What happened... to Muraki...?

Tatsumi & Watari: [gasp]

Watari: Tsuzuki... That's——...

Tatsumi: Presently anything concerning this affair is under investigation. Tomorrow I think we shall be able to announce the results.

Tatsumi begins calmly tucking Tsuzuki further into bed.

Tatsumi: Tsuzuki-san... In any case, now... your health is very important. Please sleep. Don't think about anything...

Tsuzuki: Um......

{sound f/x ponpon: Tatsumi patting the covers down around Tsuzuki}

Tatsumi: Ah, of course, afterwards you have a mountain of written apologies to write.

{sound f/x gero: Tsuzuki feeling ill}

Tatsumi: (And of course you will NOT be receiving any pay for this.)

{sound f/x gafua: Tsuzuki gurgling and spurting blood}

(Vomiting blood.)

Watari: You, don't needlessly make him take a turn for the worse. (Okay, right, go back to work, you.)

THAT Tsuzuki is laid up after getting massively wounded!!! ——said the (fairly) distorted information that spread throughout the Shoukanka in the blink of an eye. Wanting to catch a glimpse of that wretched form, the section staff swarmed by every day and caused a commotion. (...And then Tatsumi's lightning rolled down.)

(* Still, this statement differs 120% from the fact.)

Still in the infirmary, Tsuzuki drinks from his cup as Wakaba comes to visit.

Wakaba: Hold oon——! I heard iit, Tsuzuki-san!! You got badly wounded on the job!?

Tsuzuki: Ah, Wakaba-chan.

Wakaba: It didn't hurt? You were fine? (Hey~ hey~)

Tsuzuki: I'm fine, I'm fine. They say I can leave tomorrow.

Wakaba: (That right!) I'm so glad!! HERE a get-well present~!

Tsuzuki: (Wa—~ Thank you)

Hisoka: Is work going all right?

Wakaba: (Mm) We just dropped by on the way out. LOOK HERE!!

Outside of the door, a shadowed head can be seen.

{sound f/x giku: the shadow jumping in surprise}

Wakaba: Hajime-chan, get in here already!!!

Terazuma slowly sticks his head into the room.

Terazuma: ......

{sound f/x shibushibu: Terazuma coming in reluctantly}

Terazuma: ...Hey.

Tsuzuki: Terazuma...? (Wow, rare.) (Maybe it's snowing...)

Wakaba: (MOU~~~) Now Hajime-chan, waiting outside and all, just beating around... The truth is you're actually really worried, riight~! (The truth~ Because you're shy~)

{sound f/x doha: Terazuma's horrified gasp}

Terazuma: (WA~~~) Y-Y-Y-YOU!! WH~... WHAT'RE YOU SAYING NONSENSE FOR~!!!

Tsuzuki: ...... (He—y) (You're stuttering, Hajime-chan.)

Hisoka: Really, he's an easily understood person...

Wakaba: Still, I'm glad it's nothing serious.

Tsuzuki: (Um.) I'm sorry, I made you worry...

Terazuma: (Hmph~) I'm really glad you didn't kick the bucket or anything.

Wakaba: (Mou~) HAJIME-CHAN!!!

Terazuma: (Ha-ha...)

Voice: Oh. It's somewhat busy isn't it.

A voice interrupts Wakaba, who's busy pummeling a fallen Terazuma.

(Educational guidance.)

Wakaba: (Ah.) Gushou-chan~!

One of the Gushoushin brothers floats into the room, a bag under one arm.

Gushoushin: (Yees) Helloo. Hisoka-san, I thought it was probably tedious here... I brought you a book. (Here.)

Hisoka: Oh, thank you.

Tsuzuki: (Hey~ Hey~ Gushoushin~ And for me, and for me?)

Gushoushin: (I have no book to lend to you.)

(Still mad.)

(I'm sure the day when they can reach a peaceful settlement is coming.)

Voices: HI~~~~... SO~~~~... KA~~~~... KUU——N~~~~~ (Uhuhuhu...)

Hisoka: [GASP]

Hisoka gets ready to bolt as he recognizes the voices

(Blood thirst.)

Yuma: We came all the way from snowy Hokkaido with a get-well present, darling!!

(YEAH!)

Two giant smiles merge together, ready to pounce on Hisoka-kun.

(Yumasaya.)

Saya: Of course, we bought a present as well, honey~~!!

(Quickly running away.)

Hisoka: (GYA~~)

Yuma: (eh...) Ahh~!! Wait, Hisoka-kun~!!!

Yumasaya: (AHH)

Saya: But it's the long-awaited latest pink house goods~

Wakaba: ——... Yuma-chan... Saya-chan... (When did you...)

Terazuma: (They've gradually started using any means, huh.)

Wakaba turns her attention back to Tsuzuki.

Wakaba: Well, we should be going.

Tsuzuki: (Eh——~) Reallyy? But it's boring... [sniffle]

Voice: (Fufufufufu) [chuckling] No need to worry, Kannuki-kun——— (Ufufu)

Tsuzuki: [gasp]

Roses float onto the stage as Tsuzuki gets ready to bolt from his own "admirer."

{sound f/x babishi: a glove whipping a rose through the air}

The Count's white gloves and mask appear amongst the flying rose petals.

Count: Sad child!! This upper-class aristocrat will take responsibility to look after him~!!!

{sound f/x don: The Count making his dramatic entrance}

Tsuzuki: [shrieking] Count~~!?

Count: Receive my DANGEROUS and loving wa~~~~rm nursing!! It'll be so much fun that it's scary, Tsuzukiiii~~~!!! (Aha~ha~ha~ha~)

{sound f/x kirakira: Count glittering wildly}

Tatsumi: Who's getting scared? Sir Count?

Count: (Geh~) Tatsumi!? When did you~ [gasp]

Tatsumi: If it's about his care, I will look after him so, sir Count, PLEASE feel free to withdraw to your manor. This is OUR problem.

([pointing to Tatsumi] Came just now.)

Count: (Hmmm...) Tatsumi... You... do you feel like you must interfere with me to the very end~!!! (For someone who's just a secretary, he's so impudent!!)

{sound f/x piki: Count getting ticked}

{sound f/x goo: menacing atmosphere surrounding Tatsumi}

Tatsumi: NO——T at all. (Quickly, go home, you pervert~~) I must greatly apologize that it is OUR staff's fault that Sir Count's precious work is being interfered with~!!!

{sound f/x bari: crackling}

Energy crackles around Tatsumi and the Count as they face off. Wakaba quickly makes her escape.

Wakaba: W... well, Tsuzuki-san, I guess I'll... (I don't want to get involved, I'm running home.)

Tsuzuki: Sure. Later. (Ahhh, I want to run away, too.)

Terazuma: ...... Hey, Tsuzuki! Don't be ditching work as long as you like.

Tsuzuki: (Huh?)

Terazuma: You're a good-for-nothing, nameless face, but it's better than if you just aren't around.

{sound f/x batan: the door slamming shut behind Terazuma}

{sound f/x sudo: muffled sounds of Terazuma running away}

Tsuzuki: (Hmm, right, now that was... um—m...) [chuckling] It doesn't suit him, not at all.........

Later that night, Tsuzuki sits outside of his room when Tatsumi happens upon him.

Tatsumi: Oh? (What are you doing in this sort of place.) You haven't seen Kurosaki-kun, have you...?

Tsuzuki: (But I had some free time.) He said a night wind was coming and already left.

Tatsumi: Is that right. Would you like something to eat, Tsuzuki-san? Shall I peel an apple?

Tsuzuki: (Waai) Food, Foood~!

Now with Tsuzuki tucked back in bed, Tatsumi peels an apple for him.

{sound f/x suru: Tatsumi's slow peeling motions}

Tatsumi: ...Tsuzuki-san... Is is all right... if I ask you one thing...?

{sound f/x ugu: Tsuzuki munching happily}

Tsuzuki: What?

Tatsumi: When I saved you... was that a nuisance...?

Tsuzuki: ——... Tatsumi......?

{sound f/x su: Tatsumi taking a slow breath}

Tatsumi: Because Muraki took you away from in front of our eyes... I decided to recover you from him at any cost. As it was... It seems I was mad with humiliation... However, when I saw that flame... Touda's flame at Satomi's lab—— I understood. Your... desire for death——...

{sound f/x gugu: Tatsumi gripping the sheets tight}

Tatsumi: I hadn't wanted to interfere with your decision. I hadn't wanted to interfere... with you going down the path to a peaceful death... And so I hesitated———...! Rescuing you... from that inferno...!!!

{sound f/x zawa: wind rustling through the trees outside}

As quickly as Tatsumi broke down, he regains control of himself and gazes off into the distance.

Tatsumi: ......... Humans, when they grow older, they can't think of anything but needless things......... Until I had completely enclosed my thoughts in what's next and what's after that Sometimes, I become envious of young people like Kurosaki-kun. I completely lost sight of I'm jealous that they have the power to follow through with their own feelings without becoming lost... my true feelings and my most important thing...

Tsuzuki: ——— Don't think those kinds of things.

{sound f/x furu: Tsuzuki shaking his head}

Tsuzuki puts his hand on Tatsumi's.

Tsuzuki: I know how you feel... it makes me happy. For tying me to life—— Thank you for saving me... Thank you... Tatsumi——

Tsuzuki wraps Tatsumi up in a hug. Later, Tatsumi lingers at the door to Tsuzuki's room as he leaves.

Voice: The truth is——

{sound f/x biku: Tatsumi jumping in surprise}

The Chief stands behind Tatsumi just outside of Tsuzuki's room.

Konoe: It wasn't your intention to save Tsuzuki but Kurosaki-kun, wasn't it...? Tatsumi...

Tatsumi: Chief...

Konoe: ...... Why did you save him...

Tatsumi: ——... There was... no reason to lose Kurosaki-kun. Because he feels more sadness than anyone else.

Konoe: ...... I don't know what Tsuzuki thinks but—— I give you my thanks, Tatsumi. Thank you for saving him.

Tatsumi: ......... Chief...

{sound f/x zawa: wind rustling through the trees}

Outside, Hisoka stares into the sky as Tsuzuki approaches in his robes.

Tsuzuki: Stay outside too long and you'll catch a cold. Whatcha doing, Hisoka...?

Hisoka: ...... This morning, you asked Tatsumi-san what happened to Muraki, right...?

Tsuzuki: Ah, right... But that's really...

Hisoka: Should I tell you directly? He's still alive. Someone took Muraki from that sea of flames.

Tsuzuki can only look at Hisoka in blank shock.

Tsuzuki: ———... What...~......!!?

Hisoka: Just before we were swallowed by Tatsumi-san's shadows... I felt it. A terrible flock of lights wrapped around his body... A light that was so evil that it would burn up your eyes, a light that was dreadfully intense.

Tsuzuki: !?

Hisoka pushes up one sleeve to reveal a dark pattern of lines twining around his arm.

Hisoka: More than anything else—— The curse that he put on me still hasn't been dispelled...

Tsuzuki flies into SD panic at the sight.

Tsuzuki: (Ah~) That's...!? Hisoka~!!? (Awawawa)

Hisoka: I told you, right. I'm cursed by Muraki. —— Well, whatever... He can only live for so long. I'm looking forward to the future. Even if he feeds off of hatred, if I can be alive... If I can be by your side...! And so someday we'll catch up to him... and we'll overtake him...!!!

Tsuzuki: ...... That's right... If we're together, surely we can do it...!!! It's our new goal——!!

One week later———

Tatsumi bursts into the Shoukanka.

{sound f/x doka: big ruckus}

Tatsumi: TSUZUKI-SAN!! WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS~~!!!

Tsuzuki: Ah——! Isn't that the bill from Shion? I knew it'd make its way to us eventually—! (This's bad.)

Tatsumi holds up a bill addressed to the Enma-chou Shoukanka.

Tatsumi: Wrong!! I'm asking about this one!!! What is this, a dinner bill from Kenninji Kion Maruyama for ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND YEN~!!!

(Since it's winter, they could even eat fugu...)

[Fugu is the blowfish that is a true Japanese delicacy, despite the fact that it's poisonous. Yet another Japanese delicacy I won't eat.]

Tsuzuki smiles merrily at the sight of it.

Tsuzuki: Ah. That. (Oh yeah—) It was necessary for the investigation. (Right right~) We didn't want to look suspicious, so Watari and I ate and drank as much as we could. (It was delicious—~) Can't be helped, right, it was a necessary expense for the investigation. (A necessary expense~)

{sound f/x buru: Tatsumi shaking}

{sound f/x buchi: Tatsumi snapping}

Tatsumi: TSUZUKI-SAN~!! A PERSON LIKE YOUUUU~~!!!!

{sound f/x garadon: massive uproar}

Tsuzuki: (Gya~~~~ii)

Nearby, Watari and Hisoka calmly start their day.

Watari: ......... I knew it, it's that, huh... Boy...... (Hm——~~) Our morning day can't start without this, huh.

{sound f/x kudo: Tatsumi repeating himself over and over again}

Tatsumi: (Why are you always like this, every time, every time, is it that you're not studying, is that you're not leaning from past experiences)

{sound f/x kudo}

Tsuzuki: ([sniffling] I'm sorry... [sobbing])

Tatsumi: (SHUT UP YOU MONKEY!!!)

(Seriously ticked now.)

Hisoka: True, huh.

And like this, today starts like any other day at the Shoukanka——

Part 26 | Part 27

Manga belongs to Matsushita Youko, Hana to Yume, and Hakusensha, taken from the Yami no Matsuei, Volume 8 manga, ISBN4-592-17408-9. Not like the story makes sense if you haven't read the manga anyway. Romanized and translated into English very badly by Mina-P, with desperately needed help, as always, by Mako-chan. Any comments or corrections can be mailed to Mina-P at Minako@senshigakuen.com.

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