Chapter 11

Knock, knock, knock.

The hospital room door was knocked on again.

Yukimura felt puzzled but politely invited the visitor in.

Seeing who it was, he was somewhat surprised. “Higurashi-kun, is there something else?”

Higurashi Tsuki stared at the boy sitting by the bedside for several seconds. Yukimura didn’t urge him and returned his gaze gently.

Taking a deep breath, Higurashi said solemnly, “Yukimura-kun, may I make a somewhat rude request?”

Yukimura pondered. “How rude?”

Higurashi replied, “May I ask you to take off your clothes?”

Yukimura: …Huh? Did he hear that wrong?

He thought for a moment, then cautiously asked, “May I know why?”

Higurashi gathered his words and said decisively, “You’re cursed.”

The boy’s violet eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing.

“But the aura on you is a bit complicated, so I want to examine it carefully.”

Since entering the hospital, a subtle sense of discord had lingered in Higurashi’s heart, yet he couldn’t pinpoint its source.

Only when he approached this room, or rather Yukimura himself, did he vaguely discern it—it was cursed energy, but not just cursed energy.

Having never encountered such a situation before, he was uncertain, so after everyone else had left, he returned alone.

“Is that alright, Yukimura-kun?”

Yukimura’s expression was calm, seemingly accepting the notion of being cursed, but his hand resting by his side unconsciously clenched the bedsheet.

He asked, “You think there’s something on me?”

Higurashi stroked his chin. “Hmm, unless I’m mistaken.”

“Alright,” Yukimura relaxed his fingers and smiled faintly, “then please, Master Higurashi, take a look.”

“I said I’m a sorcerer, not a master,” Higurashi muttered softly.

The title “Master” really sounded like a fraud. Though he didn’t mind, if the seniors at the Technical High School found out, he’d surely be mocked… no, he absolutely would be laughed at!

The senior-junior relationships in the sorcery world were simple and straightforward like that.

Yukimura stood up and began unbuttoning the first button with his slender fingers. “Do you want me to take everything off?”

“Yes.”

Wait, why did this conversation sound so ominous?

The boy had a thin layer of muscle but a slender build, and combined with his sickly face, he seemed fragile as a willow in the wind.

His pale, colorless skin only made the dark patch on his back more jarring and terrifying.

The black mark was roughly the size of a palm, exuding an ominous aura. Its ink-black color seemed alive, swirling with cursed energy and filthy youkai power intertwined indistinguishably.

Higurashi frowned deeply.

Yukimura’s voice was soft and gentle. “Higurashi-kun, doesn’t this shape look familiar?”

Higurashi studied it carefully and faintly discerned three short, stubby fingers. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck his mind. “Chicken drawing bamboo leaves!”

There was no mistake; this was a chicken claw print!

Yukimura said, “…I actually think it looks more like a handprint with only three fingers.”

“I’m pretty sure it wasn’t here before. I only noticed it after being hospitalized. When I saw it, it was already like this. The doctors examined it but found no problem.”

Higurashi confirmed that this was indeed a mark of a curse.

Yukimura paused and asked, “Is this related to the curse?”

“Ah, yes.”

For a moment, Higurashi suspected Yukimura might know something.

“I really don’t know anything.”

You have a mind-reading technique, don’t you? Right? Right?!

Higurashi sighed. “Yukimura-kun, your mindset is really impressive.”

Anyone else would have panicked long ago facing such a strange situation, but he had acted as usual until now, still calm.

“I originally thought it was harmless and didn’t want to worry my family or friends, so I told no one,” Yukimura said, lifting his lowered eyelids with a hint of helplessness. “After all, I never expected that unnatural phenomena actually exist in this world.”

Higurashi realized Yukimura Seichi’s tolerance was truly remarkable.

Are all those called “Children of God” this extraordinary?

Having roughly grasped the situation, Higurashi offered a preliminary solution.

“Don’t move for now. I’ll try to purify it.”

“Holy light purification?”

“Yukimura-kun, I didn’t expect you to be such a chuunibyou.”

“Sorry, I’m actually a little nervous.”

Purification techniques based on spiritual power are ineffective against curses, but this cursed mark’s power partly comes from fallen filthy youkai energy, which is perfect for this approach.

Higurashi’s right hand hovered over the mark, and a bright white light shone from his palm, instantly filling the room.

After a few seconds, the light faded.

Higurashi withdrew his hand. The black mark had vanished, but there was no joy on his face.

Because after he withdrew his spiritual power, the blackness gradually gathered again, and within five or six minutes, it returned to its original state.

The shape and size were exactly the same.

“Looks like it won’t work.”

Since he had anticipated this, Higurashi wasn’t too disappointed.

Yukimura, however, was pleasantly surprised. “Just now, I felt my body wasn’t so heavy. Does that mean if we solve this curse, my illness can be cured?”

Compared to an undiagnosable disease, a visible curse with a known cause and solution was less despairing.

Higurashi hesitated with his lips and then smiled warmly. “Yes.”

“But to restore you fully, some rehabilitation may still be necessary.”

Yukimura’s eyes brightened, emotions stirring uncontrollably. But the excitement soon faded, reason reclaiming its place.

“So, how do you plan to solve it? Purification didn’t work. Are you going to eliminate the curse’s source?”

“Don’t put it so gruesomely. We usually call it exorcism,” Higurashi said without denying it. “Alright, now tell me what happened before and after your symptoms appeared. Hmm, try thinking in terms related to children.”

The size of that handprint obviously belonged to a child.

Though cursed spirits are usually grotesque and unpleasant, a cursed mark wouldn’t randomly take this shape.

Besides, who knows what it might actually be.

Yukimura thought it over carefully and recounted the events.

Last October, he participated in a school-organized overseas study trip. Nothing noteworthy happened during that time.

After returning, he attended classes and club activities as usual, all unchanged.

His life was simple, basically revolving between school, home, and the club.

The people he interacted with most were classmates, club members, and family…

Family!

“The day before I got sick, I went to Minami Shonan Elementary School,” Yukimura suddenly recalled.

The school bus had a problem that day, and since Yukimura’s mother wasn’t home, he was asked to pick up his younger sister.

Yukimura had also graduated from that elementary school, and feeling nostalgic, he went inside to take a look.

“When passing by the cherry blossom tree near the playground, Rina-chan—my sister—dropped the doll hanging from her bag. When I bent down to pick it up, someone patted me on the back.”

Yukimura glanced at the attentively listening boy. “Rina-chan angrily shouted, ‘Who are you? Don’t hit my big brother!’ I thought it was just a mischievous kid.”

Hey, what’s with that tone of “my little sister is super cute and thoughtful”?

Yukimura Seichi, at such a young age, turned out to be a hopeless little sister’s boy.

Higurashi was nearly certain this elementary school was the problem.

There’s no way this is just a coincidence.

“Higurashi-kun, is Rina-chan or anyone at the school in danger?” Yukimura’s brows furrowed with concern. “She came to see me a few days ago and didn’t mention anything. She looked healthy. But being around such a strange thing makes me uneasy.”

“If anything were going to happen, it would have by now. Since this place has been peaceful, it must mean the entity isn’t harming humans for some reason.” Higurashi pulled out his phone. “I’m reporting this now. There will be specialists handling it.”

He muttered to himself, “But they’ll probably send ‘Window’ personnel to verify first. Those guys aren’t very reliable either. I should go check the situation.”

“Sigh, it’s so tough dealing with useless adults at work. I wonder if they’ll pay me this time. Those guys may be incompetent, but they sure have thick skin.”

Really, they’re so notorious yet never learned to be more gracious.

Unintentionally, Higurashi revealed some serious industry chaos.

Yukimura’s anxiety was strangely soothed by the black-haired boy’s annoyed yet worried expression.

Higurashi dialed the auxiliary supervisor, explained the situation, then opened a chat with his cousin to inform her.

Unexpectedly, she replied quickly.

[Anka-hime: You also encountered a patched-up youkai-cursed spirit hybrid?]

[Anka-hime: This matter is handled by Toudou and Kamo. Don’t act on your own. Even if you investigate, don’t go too deep. Wait for them to arrive.]

[Higurashi Tsuki: Cousin, I think I can solve this. I’m really strong!]

[Anka-hime: Haha, always remember your persona as a useless martial artist.]

Higurashi: “……” Who wants that persona!

That’s personal abuse! Ruthless personal abuse!!

He puffed out his cheeks, looking annoyed, and hammered the keyboard, typing the most spineless message.

[Higurashi Tsuki: Sis, can you tell me about these hybrids?]

[Higurashi Tsuki: Cute little one sitting on a bench.jpg]

Seconds later, a cold mission report was sent back, with no other words.

Tch, such fragile family bonds.

After sighing, he skimmed through the report swiftly.

After a while, Higurashi looked up. “Wow, this seems serious.”

Yukimura: “?”

He didn’t explain, only said, “The higher-ups will probably take this seriously soon. A senior will be assigned to handle it.”

Yukimura frowned but didn’t press further. He called home to confirm his sister had returned safely and was fine, then gave a few reminders before hanging up.

Higurashi glanced toward the door. “What now?”

Hearing rustling noises from outside, Yukimura sighed, “Let them come in.”

Higurashi nodded, stood, walked to the door, pulled it open swiftly, then stepped aside.

A group of ochre-haired boys rushed in, jostling for position.

At the bottom, Kiriya Akaya groaned painfully, “Ouch, senpai, don’t squeeze! You’re going to crush me!”

In the chaos, Sanada’s hat was knocked off and landed right in Yukimura’s hands.

After everyone settled down, Yukimura beamed warmly. “Can someone please tell me what’s going on here?”

The group stiffened, frozen.

Higurashi crossed his arms and looked toward the strategist standing two steps outside the door. “Renji, eavesdropping is bad behavior, you know.”

Yanagi Renji didn’t look at the tangled pile on the floor but forced calm. “Sorry. Everyone cares about Yukimura and is worried about you.”

“That’s right, we want to help.”

“Puri, the club president didn’t tell us about this, and didn’t even inform the vice president. Does he not trust him?”

“Seichi, we’re friends. You shouldn’t keep things like this from us!”

What a perfect twist of blame!

Sanada, being simple-minded, probably didn’t think much. But Niou, when have you ever told the vice president anything besides pranks?

Don’t be so obvious.

Yukimura said, “First, I’m touched by your concern. Second, everyone is probably like Akaya before the Kanto tournament.”

Higurashi raised his hand. “I know that one: double training!”

“Exactly,” Yukimura asked, “Genichiro will oversee the supervision, right?”

Sanada put on the hat Yukimura handed back and solemnly replied, “I will strictly supervise everyone!”

Kiriya Akaya hadn’t had a chance to rejoice before hearing the bad news.

“So, Kiriya-kun hasn’t changed?”

“Right, then Akaya will train twice as much.”

Two devils.