Chapitre 20: Where do souls go after entering Hell?

"What are you thinking about?" Kuro asked. The festival had ended, and they were on their way back home. The streets were lit brightly, and the drumbeat had finally ended. The path was filled with the strong fragrance of incense, and the lights of the houses were all out.

"About hell," Asahi replied sharply. The young girl reminded him of his earlier days in life when he was often pestered by the yokai. He recalled his past days in the monastery, where he lived for three years. He was kept away from the world; he only lived for survival, and hatred and revenge ran through his blood, except when he meditated.

Life in the monastery was not easy. They had to live under strict discipline; they were cut off from the world; they only studied and read the spells and chants, and for the first four months, he failed all the tests.

'Is this even worth anything?' He often used to think to himself. Dedicating himself to religion, as each day he saw his seniors, he could see their admirable backs supporting them, but somewhere in his heart, he couldn't let go of that tingling sensation.

The feeling that he was the poison in the holy monastery.

But it was also there that he made the very first poison. Since the monastery was located in the mountains and they were allowed to roam the forests sometimes, on such occasions he had gathered the nectar of the Flower of Japanese Pieris.

He remembered his parents warning him about touching the flower and its juices as a child. When he used that nectar on a Yokai that was pestering him, the Yokai vanished forever. That was also the time when he decided that he would leave the monastery soon. So, secretly, he started to send letters to his grandfather, who later came to take him away.

"What about it?" Kuro's interest was piqued, meanwhile Asahi turned toward his cat. The cat he owned was a mystery of its own. Kuro had special powers and was one of the strongest Yokai he knew to exist, and yet there was no data about his existence.

"How does it look like?" Asahi made up mean while Kuro wasn't satisfied with the question yet still decided to answer "A pit of cries and desperation. The only person who had successfully gotten out of it was perhaps a boy. He was determined and had good karma."

"Eh," Asahi nodded, and they continued to walk in the silent street, knowing that any good karma from him only came out of his selfishness. Asahi couldn't help but be curious about this one man who had successfully gotten out of hell.

"He didn't have any injuries, and he wasn't from Japan. He was from the mountains, perhaps. In the dying state as he was buried in the avalanche," Kuro stated as if he had read Asahi's mind.

This stirred his mind even more. How skilled would the person have been to not be injured? He couldn't compare, or perhaps he will only know when the time comes.

Soon they reached their enormous house, which didn't have a single soul lurking. Asahi turned on the lights, not even caring to announce that he was home, and he straight went to the bathroom, while Kuro observed his human master from afar.

Ever since he had formed the contract with Asahi, his powers had become stronger and he recovered more, yet he was still a tenth left from his original form.

"Maser, Master" Asahi could hear the voice of his butler from the other side of Shoji. Since he was a light sleeper, he rubbed his eyes, awakening his senses as he replied, "Come in" in his hoarse tone.

"Master" The butler got on his knees and stayed before Asahi and handed him a letter with both his hands.

"Who sent it?" Asahi narrowed his eyes. He wasn't supposed to get another mission so soon? Or were they trying to find flaws in his work to kick him out? Tsk, these rats, he cursed.

"It was sent earlier from the North Star House," the butler replied.

"Eh" Asahi nodded, and the butler left. He tore off the top part, unfolded the paper, and read its contents.

Greetings, Ito san,

This is Kobayashi, the head of the Omyouji Association. As the newest member, to gain experience, you were sent as the Obon Festival's guardian. Congratulations! There had been no victims of the Yokai, ghosts, or demons. It's a huge feat.

Nextly, This letter is sent to inform you about the upcoming mission, which starts now. There has been a strange phenomenon occurring in public places, especially at your university. Your task is to put an end to it.

Kind regards,

Kobayashi

Asahi was wide awake from his dreamland. His hands crumpled the letter, and he threw it in the nearest trashbin while waking up from his bed. It was supposed to be his day to enter the work and observe the employees, yet it seems that the association wasn't satisfied with his casual victory.

'University' he rolled his eyes while getting on his feet and made his bed. He disliked the loud, crowded university where the people often tailed him. Either way, the strange phenomenon did intrigue his interests as well.

"Bout time," he muttered as Kuro presented himself in front of Asahi's feet.

"I shall go with you!" The cat delightfully chirped in.

Asahi was far too tired to deal with an energetic thousand-year-old yokai, so he let Kuro have his way while heading for a quick bath. As the droplets of water fell on each part of him, he felt awoken and alive.

Then he wore his black shirt, a quarter black wide pants, and a crane drawn in his navy blue haori. Taking hold of his kiseru, he took a few puffs of it while taking a seat at his table.

He lazily stared at his books to get vague ideas of what was being taught. Even then, his head still wandered at the strange Ayakashi phenomenon.

'It's much more interesting than reading a book or thinking about hell.' He took another puff and placed his kiseru down.