Capítulo 496: -490- Do you want to try?
"Uncle's patient?"
Harutora's words made Rozen recall some memories.
In the past, Harutora indeed mentioned that he knew a friend who was undergoing treatment by Tsuchimikado Takahiro, and they seemed to get along very well.
That person should be the delinquent-looking young man before him, right?
"Ato Touji?"
Rozen silently repeated this name, gazing intently at the person.
In his eyes, there wasn't the usual laziness and indifference. Instead, there was first a flicker of confusion, then a tinge of surprise, followed by a glint of intrigue.
With this kind of gaze, Rozen fixedly stared at Ato Touji, causing the boy's eyebrows to raise.
"W-What's... what's wrong, Akikan?"
Harutora was somewhat surprised and puzzled, asking this question.
On the other hand, Ato Touji, the boy in question, met Rozen's gaze without avoidance or fear. Instead, he seemed to challenge Rozen.
"What's wrong? Is the renowned genius from the Tsuchimikado main family displeased with me?"
Ato Touji provocatively spoke to Rozen with a sharp tone.
However, from the look in the boy's eyes, Rozen noticed a hint of seriousness.
Clearly, contrary to his outward delinquent appearance, his true nature seemed completely different—someone with a highly analytical mind.
Now, with Ato Touji provoking Rozen like this, rather than looking for trouble, it seemed more like he was testing Rozen's reaction.
This was likely Ato Touji's style. The delinquent demeanor was merely a front to guard against the outside world and probe, and the person himself was likely much calmer and composed than what appeared on the surface.
In this situation, Rozen smiled faintly.
Not the kind of genuine smile from the heart, but a calm smile, as if he had discerned something.
"I see."
Rozen spoke in this manner.
"I think I understand why you needed Natsume and Harutora's father to treat you."
This statement made Ato Touji's previously serious eyes suddenly contract.
"T-This..."
Not only Ato Touji, even Harutora was somewhat astonished, but shortly after, they fell silent.
It's evident that Harutora knows about Ato Touji's situation, aware that Ato Touji is not an ordinary individual.
Rozen stared at Ato Touji, and through his "Spirit Vision," he detected an extraordinary spiritual energy within Ato Touji. It wasn't the usual yang energy of a male nor the rich and abundant curse energy specific to onmyoji. Instead, it was a chilling, malevolent, even malicious aura. This aura was akin to miasma—dark as ink, unnerving, resembling a curse.
This was what Rozen observed.
Currently, this miasma was well concealed, seemingly undergoing some form of manipulation, making it virtually undetectable to the average Spirit Seer. However, Rozen's "Spirit Vision" was exceptional, and even though it was extremely discreet, he still sensed a trace of it.
It was through this that Rozen deduced the reason Ato Touji had become a patient of Tsuchimikado Takahiro.
"Regardless, Uncle is an onmyo doctor, not an ordinary doctor. The condition requiring his treatment probably isn't a physical issue but rather something related to spirituality and curses, right?"
Rozen calmly uttered these words.
"It seems you are 'possessed by a Spirit(Oni),' Ato Touji."
With these words, the air around them seemed to turn icy, prickling the skin of the three present.
—"Possessed by a Spirit."
If such words were to spread in the onmyoji world, they would undoubtedly become rumors that would shake everyone.
Because this wasn't something to be taken lightly.
"W-Wait! Akikan.. this is...!"
"Just as expected of the genius from the Tsuchimikado main family, living up to your reputation, huh?"
As Ato Touji interrupted Harutora, he sneered at Rozen.
"Do you want to try exorcising this spirit, future Onmyouji?"
Ato Touji's words finally carried genuine hostility.
This was sparked by a haunting secret and unrest from the past being unearthed.
"W-wait! Touji...!"
Harutora shouted at Ato Touji, but he was completely ignored.
One cannot deny that Ato Touji had quite the audacity. If it were typical high schoolers, they would definitely be scared off by this delinquent-looking troublemaker.
Yet, Rozen remained unfazed.
"I'm not that free," Rozen responded nonchalantly. "Exorcising spirits isn't necessarily the duty of an onmyoji. It falls under the domain of exorcists. Moreover, even they can't just purify others casually. I'm just a student. Please, don't treat such matters as my obligation."
Rozen's expression and gaze reverted to their usual nonchalant and indifferent demeanor.
This made Ato Touji's eyes narrow slightly, but he remained silent.
In contrast, Harutora visibly relaxed, heaving a sigh of relief.
"Well, let's not be so intense. Tonight is a rare festival, and we should enjoy it. I don't want to see jujutsu prodigies and delinquents causing trouble at the festival, wasting our time on trivial matters," Harutora said, part complaint and part easing the atmosphere, making Ato Touji glance at him, his expression turning helpless.
However, Ato Touji's expression and demeanor relaxed.
"True, this is just an insignificant matter," Ato Touji said insincerely, adjusting the headband on his forehead.
Seeing this, Rozen couldn't help but think.
("This guy named Ato Touji has a better relationship with Stupid Tiger than I imagined.")
That was Rozen's conclusion.
Otherwise, a prickly person like Ato Touji wouldn't easily agree with Harutora's view, would they?
Rozen was just pondering...
"Since you're Uncle's patient, you should know Natsume, right?"
Rozen was curious about this aspect.
Answering Rozen's question wasn't Ato Touji, and certainly not Harutora.
"I've seen Touji a few times at the clinic, so I guess we know each other."
Natsume's voice resounded.
The girl appeared here at some point, looking at Rozen, Harutora, and Ato Touji gathered together, displaying a gentle smile.
"Long time no see, Touji."
Natsume greeted Ato Touji somewhat politely.
"You too, long time no see."
Ato Touji's reply was somewhat casual.
It seemed these two had met and knew each other to some extent, if not closely?
Otherwise, Natsume wouldn't just call Touji by his name.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Natsume apologized to Rozen and Harutora.
"It's okay," Harutora hurriedly said. "Anyway, now that everyone is here, let's just look around."
At these words, Rozen, Natsume, and Ato Touji seemed to have no objections.
So, the four of them left the meeting point and headed towards the festival.
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