-575- Different Reactions

Tokyo, Onmyou Agency.

In one of the corridors of the Onmyou Agency, Takiko Soma walked happily.

This good mood had persisted for several days.

The reason was simple: she had met Rozen and Natsume and had a good conversation with them.

Takiko had always hoped to meet Rozen and Natsume and become friends with them.

Although she eventually found out that Rozen was not the reincarnation of Yakou, it didn't affect Takiko much. For her, Yakou wasn't an entity to be deified or followed, but rather a like-minded companion.

The reason for her pursuit of Yakou was just that, and at most, she hoped to become friends with the reincarnation of Yakou. After all, in Takiko's eyes, if two individuals were like-minded, becoming friends was a natural thing. For this reason, she was genuinely happy.

Now, since Rozen had been confirmed to not be the reincarnation of Yakou, it didn't matter to Takiko.

Given this, whether or not it was Yakou, it was not important to Takiko.

Due to this, Takiko was genuinely looking forward to it now.

She hoped to gain Rozen's understanding, become like-minded comrades with him, and then together embark on the pursuit of the ultimate in Onmyoudou, the day they could call each other friends.

For this, Takiko planned to enter the Onmyou Academy this year to have contact with Rozen.

And tomorrow was the first day of school at the Onmyou Academy.

In this way, Takiko's mood couldn't be any better.

"I really hope tomorrow comes quickly."

This was Takiko's only thought at the moment.

Unfortunately, Takiko's expectations were destined to be unfulfilled.

"————!"

At this moment, Takiko felt as if all the blood in her body was boiling, and the spiritual energy within her seemed to ignite, causing her spiritual aura to completely go haywire.

"What...!?"

Takiko Soma suddenly froze in her tracks, her delicate face showing astonishment. Then, as if feeling pain, she clutched her chest and fell to the ground.

"Princess!"

"Princess!"

Almost simultaneously, two shikigami serving Takiko Soma appeared behind her.

These two individuals, one was like a gentlemanly young noble, the other resembling a scholarly young man.

These two were the shikigami serving Takiko Soma, known as Yase-Doji, respectively named Yashamaru and Kumomaru.

At this moment, upon noticing their master's abnormality, Yashamaru and Kumomaru quickly approached and supported Takiko Soma.

"Princess, what's wrong?"

Kumomaru's face changed rapidly, anxiously asking.

"Is this... resonance?"

On the other hand, Yashamaru, seemingly understanding what was happening, showed a surprised expression behind his monocle.

Indeed, this was resonance.

"I'm fine."

Takiko Soma held her chest, enduring the outburst of spiritual energy. Though her complexion looked a bit off, her eyes were filled with incredulity and joy.

Due to her unique constitution, Takiko Soma could sense what was happening.

"It's Akikan!"

Takiko Soma rejoiced as if she had finally found the purpose of her life and the one worthy of her entire heart.

"Akikan is descending a god!"

Takiko Soma affirmed this with absolute certainty.

"What...!?"

Kumomaru was greatly shocked.

"As expected..."

Yashamaru confirmed his suspicion, showing a mix of amazement and joy, as well as puzzlement.

The joy stemmed from the miraculous descent of god at this moment. For Yashamaru, who had been pursuing this path, it was impossible not to feel joy.

The puzzlement was because he didn't understand why Rozen, who was confirmed not to be the reincarnation of Yakou, could suddenly achieve the miraculous descent of god at this time.

Even Kumomaru said so.

"Is Tsuchimikado Akikan really capable of descending a god? Is this true, Director?"

Kumomaru addressed Yashamaru like this, seeking clarification.

Though Yashamaru was also puzzled, he had no doubts.

"Since the 'Miko' princess says so, then it's definitely true, even if we don't know how it's done."

That was the only thing certain.

"Akikan...! Akikan...!"

Struggling to rise, Takiko Soma was overjoyed, eager to see Rozen's appearance as soon as possible.

However, in her current state, Takiko couldn't just let herself act like that.

"Kumomaru, take the princess back to rest for now."

Yashamaru ordered Kumomaru in this manner.

"Yes."

Nodding obediently, Kumomaru took Takiko Soma and left the area.

Only Yashamaru remained, holding his arm and showing a thoughtful glint in his eye.

"It seems I should inform 'him' first and have 'him' bring Tsuchimikado Akikan over."

Yashamaru muttered, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Then, Yashamaru dematerialized and disappeared from this place.

...

Meanwhile, at a location some distance from Tokyo, someone else resonated with Rozen's divine descent.

"Caw! Caw! Caw!"

The three-legged crow scattered fire powder, hovering in the sky while emitting sharp, unprecedented cries.

Below, Kakugyouki and Hishamaru watched this scene in silence.

"Is it just my imagination, Hishamaru?" Kakugyouki grinned. "Why do I feel like a familiar aura has descended upon Tokyo?"

"...Did you sense it too?" Saotome Suzu remained silent for a moment and then said, "That's the aura of Kinu and Gyokuto. And it's not like Raven's Wing and Moon Wheel, these are very orthodox auras."

"The divine descent?" Kagutsukai sighed. "Since it's Kinu and Gyokuto, it seems that little devil must be behind this. To think he dared to do something even Yakou couldn't accomplish."

"More than that, I'm curious about how he managed it." Saotome Suzu said expressionlessly. "We need to go back to Tokyo."

"Is that so?" Kagutsukai asked indifferently. "We've already caught Tsuchimikado's tail. We're close to finding him, aren't we?"

"No problem." Saotome Suzu replied apathetically. "Since Kinu and Gyokuto have descended, I believe they won't stay still."

"Very well." Kagutsukai nodded, staring intently in the direction of Tokyo. "Apart from Kinu and Gyokuto, I sense a more familiar aura. We can't just ignore it without investigating."

Thus, the two of them, along with Raven's Wing, set out once again on the road back to Tokyo.

...

On the other side, inside an unknown building, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi looked at the star chart placed before him and fell silent.

"The star pattern... is in chaos?"

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi murmured to himself.

Although he didn't know what had happened, something significant must have taken place.

"The future has become even more unpredictable..."

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi sighed softly.

At this moment, the door was forcefully pushed open.

"Yasuzumi!"

"Yasuzumi!"

It was Tsuchimikado Takahiro and Tsuchimikado Chizuru calling out to Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi.

Seeing the serious expression on Tsuchimikado Takahiro's face and the panicked look on Tsuchimikado Chizuru's, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi had a bad premonition.

And then...

"Harutora is missing. Touji seems to have gone after him."

Tsuchimikado Takahiro's concise words made Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi close his eyes.

"Couldn't escape after all, huh?"

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi made a decision.

"Let's head to Tokyo."

The Tsuchimikado family began to act.

...

In this way, various people began to gather in Tokyo.

Chaos had erupted.