บท 53: Chapter 51

The lessons went well. Yotsuya-san took them seriously and did better than I expected. Although in hindsight, it might also be because she wanted something to distract her from the stuff that's floating around in her vision. I did try my best to clear them out but they were like cockroaches, they appear and hid from within cracks or something.

It wasn't until a few night later that I figured it out.

The spirit that clung to other spirits somehow partially ate, regurgitated, and used that material to fuse with their fellow spirits. The horrendous amalgamation was an Anchor Gestalt.

If one spirit was removed then the others would have it remade or returned due to it being a natural --but crude-- anchor to the physical realm. It was one of those instances where you had to destroy every single bit of the enemy before their gone for good. I had to do a speedrun purification across the entire hospital. It was a hassle, but I managed to finish it.

It was still really annoying though.

It was why as soon as Yotsuya-san was discharged from the hospital, --The only reason those quack doctors made her stay for so long is because they wanted to make more money off of her. Good thing I was there.-- I immediately ordered for an investigation done on the place and had it promptly shut down. --Didn't need Nedzu for that one. My name carries weight now among the healthcare community because and it's fun using it.--

In any case, Nanna responded to my letter stating that the glasses I wanted required proper prescription. Not the kind for eyes, but the ones attuned to her soul because otherwise, she might ended up seeing something she shouldn't be seeing.

Which led us at the train station again.

Good thing it was a weekend, I invited over Kuroko as well. Yotsuya-san needed her special glasses and most probably some extras, and as for Kuroko, I figured that she could get outfitted in proper gear to deal with the supernatural. Not just because we're dating, but also because Touma and Misaka are also a thing now which may or may not paint a target on her back regardless.

"It's hard to believe that something so... Underdeveloped, is still in use today." Said Kuroko as she was admiring the train from her seat.

"It's a commuter train made in the post-war recovery of the 1950's." I commented as I continued to observer her looking around. The train isn't moving just yet as it's still waiting for a few minutes to make sure other spirits aren't just a bit late.

"Fascinating." She breathed out. "Almost three hundred years of service and it looks as if it hasn't aged a single day."

"It is, isn't it? Magic is just convenient." I nodded. "Although, I didn't take you for a history buff."

"I'm not." She gently shook her head as she was patting mine. "It's just interesting to see an old relic in working order." She has my head on her lap and she hasn't stopped. Across from us is Yotsuya-san sitting right next to my body, she's right next to the covered windows --I closed the curtains. Who knows what she'll see inside the In-between.-- using my body as a makeshift barrier against any other spirit that enters the train.

"Just relax, Yotsuya-san." I addressed her. She is visible tense and fidgeting in her seat. "No one's gonna eat you."

Kuroko seemed to think of something and spoke up. "Speaking of, you did inform your parents that you'll be spending the night elsewhere, yes?" Asked Kuroko, she's probably trying to help her get her mind off of things.

"Y-yes! I told them that I'd be spending the night with my friend Julia. I-I already told her so she'd cover for me." She kept her eyes on her lap, afraid to raise them and accidentally make eye contact with whatever else is here. Can't be helped, she's new to all of this... Peaceful close interaction, with the other side. No one's eating anyone, no blood and guts spilling, no incoherent screaming. Yeah, this girl can't get into therapy without the risk of getting sent to a mental asylum.

"Hm." I nodded before looking up. "And Kuroko?"

"Oneesama will cover for me tonight." She smiled. "The dorm mother wouldn't even know I'm gone."

"U-um! I n-noticed your uniform." She stuttered. "What's it like? T-tokiwadai, I mean..." Kuroko expression was soft as she indulged the older girl in their talks to ease her tension. Even as the train started and the seats filled, neither ceased their conversation. It is nice to see them get along well, talking animatedly and all. It was relaxing on my part, their voices are easy on the ears, not to mention Kuroko didn't stop caressing my head.

Now that I think about it, Kuroko has been a bit more touchy-feely once she boarded the train, and Yotsuya-san is a lot more expressive than usual. Maybe it's because neither had to put on a front? Whatever.

The ride was peacefully uneventful, as far as the Kisaragi Station goes. The only two mishaps were when the ticket checker --Who looked like he belonged in a slasher film-- came over to stamp their human-grade tickets and my Youkai-grade ticket. Yotsuya-san was genuinely terrified but kept up her pokerface. And the Other mishap was when some of the other spirits repeatedly inched closer, presumably for a suprise attack if the undisguised malice was anything to go by, that was easily solved just by clearing my throat.

When we got of the train, Kuroko insisted that she kept carrying my head. It wasn't like I was against it or anything, her arms gently wrapping around my head felt nice and I could definitely get used to her body heat from this position but the only problem was that I wasn't used to this sort of public display of affection.

Not like I told her to stop anyways.

I led us through both thick and narrow streets, avoiding the other residents as I can. Although poor, as a major city, this place is still well off compared to it's counter parts. Folks here at least have the decency to look presentable. If the place had been any less appropriate, I would have carried both of them on my heads, decorum tossed aside.

I may have only visited once before, but I took great care to memorize the way. Eventually, we went through and arrived at the detached location. The place hasn't changed a single bit since my last visit.

The fountain is still dry, the flowerbeds are still full of overgrown weeds, even the cobblestone path is still crumbling. Suspiciously so, down to the last crack. I might be right we I said that Nanna prefers this sort of aesthetic if she kept it in the exact same state.

The manor was empty as it was dark. Kuroko didn't show any fear but she did squeeze my head a bit tighter. Yotsuya-san is kept up her stone mask but she walked closer to Kuroko and my body.

Normally, guests are to be hosted at a guestroom. However, neither I or Nanna are much fans of bureaucracy and preferred the bluntness of being direct. Weaving through the hallways and corridors, I knocked on a particularly large set of doors.

"...Enter."

My body pushes open the heavy wooden doors to reveal a laboratory filled with various odd scents, eccentrically niche ingredients and multitudes of equipment both primitive and modern.

Sitting before a table filled with books and parchment, surrounded by questionable smoke is the visage of unhealthy death herself, Nanna.

"Eep!" Yotsuya-san squeaked out upon seeing her. Odd, considering she should have faced plenty more that were unsightly. Especially since I've already told them about her.

"Greetings, Kizuki of the false shade..." Between her greasy hair, the sole goggling eye set it's sights on the two with me. "I see that you have brought them..." She slowly stood up as the smoke wafting around her dissipated. "...Follow me." We walked behind her as she led us over to a another table close to a corner of the room.

"False shade?" Said Kuroko as she furrowed her brows. I already have a inkling as to what it is.

"A title that is... In circulation, currently." She said as she took another puff from her kiseru while using the Mage's Hand spell to telekinetically move items and boxes to and from the table. "My bloodhounds caught wind of the scattered birds... But you already knew of them, yes?" Her eye turned to meet my gaze. "It is why you sought my wares... Which reminds me-"

"Still no." Neither Kuroko and Yotsuya understood the little slapstick we did as me and Nanna broke into fits of giggling.

"Of course... You there-" She gestured to Yotsuya-san as she held up a magical device. "Come closer... This will not hurt..."

My body gently nudged her hesitant frame. "She just wants the measurements for your glasses. Prepare for itchy eyes though." She stepped closer to Nanna aas she guided her to the corner where other similar measuring apparatuses resided.

"Wanna browse some stuff?"

"I suppose so." She softly squeezed my head as she eyed the various curiosities littered across the table. "And I assume that you've wanted to have me properly equipped to deal with the supernatural. Especially now."

"Hmhn." I hummed in agreement. "The Chasers of Colour are a genuinely crazy bunch. You never know what they'd pull next."

"If I recall correctly..." Thought Kuroko aloud as she eyed a pack of enchanted needles. "Oneesama has also crossed paths with them once. Would you mind if I get something for her?"

"I wouldn't mind. It's not like she'd be around Touma all the time so having something to better protect herself is more desirable than nothing at least."

"Oneesama can hold herself in a fight, with or without her quirk. But the chances of someone being immune, or resistant to electricity are never zero."

We devolved into a comfortable state of ease. As Nanna was busying herself with Yotsuya-san, me and Kuroko continued to look through the large ensemble of items all over the room.

She decided to take the needles from earlier, enchanted to weaken and drain the stamina of anyone they pierce. In addition to an earring of protection and an earring of warding to help soften the blows of physical and magical attacks respectively, as well as another pair for Misaka-san. She also took on a few interesting times to read at her leisure.

When Nanna finally finished creating Yotsuya-san's custom glasses, the two of them joined in to help her choose proper equipment. She was shy about it, but she also asked for extras for her friends considering one of them have a significantly lesser variant of her eyes, and the other being another magnet for trouble.

I paid for everything, naturally. Not like I minded considering that I don't even spend much of what I earned.

When all was said and done, Nanna led us to her study where we enjoyed a cup of tea. I didn't refuse because it has been a while since our previous meeting face to face. All four of us were just exchanging small talk, and I'm glad that Yotsuya-san is beginning to warming up to the supernatural side of things. And Kuroko was delighted to have a second person to inquire about the books that she has had difficulty with. Nanna herself, said that she was delighted to deal with someone who was more up to her level of intellect.

The peace didn't last long until the doors were loudly burst open.

"You never told me we have guests?!" Said the newcomer. When I glanced at the door, I didn't think that I would meet this person so soon.