Track 6

I’m back, Anisama.

(I wonder if Nagi-kun and Akuta-kun went back to the living room.)

……..

(He’s sleeping well. His breathing seems calmer than before too. Thank goodness.)

I’ll stay by your side until you wake up, Anisama.

(Oh, that’s right. I was so tired yesterday that I fell asleep right away, so I didn’t get to read my shared diary with Aachama¹. I’ll just take a quick look…)

–Huh?

The bamboo grove’s Iwakura… The one Akuta-kun mentioned…!

‘A powerful spirit shall be released’...‘Evil will spread throughout the land’―

Could everyone’s illness be because of the spirit that was sealed in that Iwakura…?

(Then the Shimenawa was what sealed the spirit. If I can call it back and reseal it with that rope–)

…Huh? Where’s the Shimenawa? I was sure I left it here…!

! Is that the sound of a motorcycle…

(I’ve got a bad feeling about this—)

W-Wait!

Nagi-kun’s motorcycle’s gone…

(Akuta-kun’s shoes are gone too. They must have gone to the place where the Iwakura is.)

(I made a promise with Anisama, so I can’t rely on Aachama either. I should’ve asked where the Iwakura was…)

(If Aachama called it a ‘powerful spirit’, who knows what would happen if an ordinary person got close to it.)

…..Why? Why would you do this, Akuta-kun?

And besides, I can’t just leave ya to handle everything on your own. I mean, I didn’t wanna from the start.

We’re in a three-legged race as the Supply Team! We’ve gotta cross that finish line together, ya?

Really, I appreciate it! It means a lot. But still. This whole thing happened ‘cause I brought it back, right? So—

Can we stop doing that?

Even though you said we’d do this together…!

(I just didn’t want to put Akuta-kun in danger… I didn’t want him to get hurt…!)

(…Huh?)

I don’t want you getting involved with something like that when you’re not doing well yourself. If ya push yourself and use your power right now…who knows what’ll happen! Especially if you rely on ‘them’...!

Don’t you think of going by yourself, Toi.

Could it be… I… I was doing the same thing to Akuta-kun and Anisama…?

(Trying to carry all the burden by myself…)

Toi-kun? What’s wrong?

! Chief-san…!

…Alright, we’re here.

Thanks a bunch! Man, your motorcycle sure made this fast and easy~

(But what’s with this atmosphere… Feels different from yesterday. The deeper parts of the bamboo grove are dark and heavy–)

(I wonder if it was okay to drag Nagi-san along here…)

Let’s park the motorcycle here… Okay, good–

Mmmmm–

What’s wrong, Akuta? You’re not coming?

Nah, I was thinking maybe I should go in alone!

That’s not happening. Did you forget the condition I made for bringing you here?

Even if you’re not sure, I’m coming along as your guardian. That’s non-negotiable.

…Hehe, Nagi-san’s a really good guy. Thanks a bunch x2!

No probs. Let’s get this done and head back as fast as possible.

Aye-aye! Then let’s go return the Shimenawa!