章節 23: Chapter 2: The Witch-Hunter Moves Along With the Flames. Part 1

Kamijou stared at the expression of the girl named Index.

His knowledge was complaining. She possessed an eidetic memory and forgot nothing and because of this was capable of memorizing 103,000 grimoires.

However, this ability was at time a double edged sword: she also could not forget something she would want to forget. The meaningless memories from a three year old department store brochure to everyone's face during rush hour were ingrained in her mind, inerasable.

Magic was necessary to erase her memories every year. If the wiping were to not take place, an overwhelming burden on her brain would have killed her. But, as of then, she, beside Kamijou, gave carefree smiles.

According to her, the savior from her predicament was Kamijou himself. However, he remembered not what he was thinking or what had done.

Then, Kamijou began to think.

He had parted goodbyes with Stiyl and returned Index to the dorm. Next, Kamijou needed to return to the battlefield called Misawa Cram School. Of course, simply bringing Index along was unthinkable, making it preferable to not tell her about Misawa Cram at all.

Though, if he did not produce some reason to leave the house, she may have raised suspicions and perhaps even desire to go as well.

"Touma?"

His palms were sweaty. A precarious situation, he had to avoid allowing Index to go.

"I said… 'Touma!'"

As such, what he had to do was obvious.

Kamijou, to hide his insecurities, launched a barrage of verbal assaults.

"I'M GOING OFF TO THAT SUPER HIGH-TECH PRIMARY CULTURE INSTITUTE! EH? YOU WANT TO GO TOO? I DON'T THINK SO! YOU'RE NOT GOOD WITH MACHINES AND CAN'T USE THE SUPER-MAGENETIC BRAIN DETECTOR! YOU'LL GET LOCKED IN BY THE DOOR'S AUTO-LOCK! SINCE IT'S A LEVEL 4 SAFETY LEVEL, IF THE SYSTEM DATABASE HAS NO DATA ON YOU, YOU'LL GET ELECTROCUTED! BIRI BIRI NEGATIVELY CHARGED IONS OF LIGHT!"

As expected, under bombardment by technobabble, Index's head released steam. It was to be expected. Index, who lacked general knowledge of the modern world, was the type to double-take at a train station vending machine saying "welcome".

"Then, I'll let you know before I go. Dinner's in the fridge. Just microwave it and you can eat it. Don't put the spoon in the microwave or you'll start a fire. And, don't you dare open the freezer to cool yourself."

"Eh? Ah, uu… I can't really use the microwave."

One might suspect how another could misuse a microwave oven. However, Index had once microwaved a convenience store bento's sauce package, which exploded. She also attempted to heat up a half-boiled egg, which also exploded. It seemed that how she used the microwave oven was irrelevant, it would explode anyways. Perhaps she believed that using it was a confident way to cause an explosion.

…Looks like she isn't suspicious. Kamijou analyzed.

He watched Index stare at the microwave oven with narrowed eyes, apparently determined to succeed. He heaved a sigh of relief.

Then, Kamijou realized it.

"Oi! What's hidden in your clothes? More like, your stomach!"

"Eh?" She froze. Then, she turned to Kamijou and spoke. "No-Nothing at all!? I swear to God that nuns don't lie!"

The moment she finished, the abnormally large stomach let out a "Mi—", cat's cry.

"OII! SO MUCH FOR FAITH. YOU BROKE YOUR OATH! GET THAT CAT OUT OF YOUR CLOTHES' STOMACH!"

Perhaps because of this discussion with Stiyl and his general nervousness that he did not notice. The cat was likely the reason that Index lagged so long in the alley rather than searching for the rune's source.

"Uu! To-Touma! This piece of clothing is called the Walking Church, right?"

"So what?"

"A church should unconditionally extend its hand to any lost sheet. So, I will protect Sphinx, lost in the streets. Amen."

"…" Kamijou's lips felt somewhat numb. "...So, you mean you'll raise the cat inside your cloths, right? I get it! The cat-box sand and toilet will be shoved in your sleeves, right?"

"..."

"Whatever! I've decided that Sphinx will be protected by the Church!"

"Oi! To the person who thinks before she acts! At least consider the one being taken care o!"

"It's alright as long as I treat it as family!"

"I DON'T WANT TO BE TREATED A DAD BY THE CAT!"

Though he did not want to, Kamijou truly considered dumping the cat on the way to Misawa Cram School. Well… Actually, he did want to. But, if he did so, Index would seek the cat and follow Kamijou the entire way.

"IDIOT! TOUMA IS AN IDIOT! I'LL RAISE THIS CHILD!"

"…Say that when you earn money yourself."

"Actually, Touma doesn't need to feel bad. I just said idiot out of frustration and I don't really think you're an idiot!"

"Are you speaking alien?" If Kamijou agreed to it, Index would follow his lead.

What can I say but… Such misfortune.

Kamijou sighed. Calculating the funds needed to raise the cat, it seemed necessary to reduce the number of meals each day. Why did Index choose that time to adopt a cat?

"… …Fine."

"Hm? Touma? What did you say?"

"… …Can't be helped. Let's adopt it."

It was fine. It seemed that those kinds of words caused Index to cry tears of joy, an expression of Index's worth seeing.

"Ahh! Father in Heaven! Your warm light of love has finally reached the heartless, cruel, cold-blooded and snake-eyed heart in Touma! Thank you for saving this stray cat's innocent soul; I won't forget this for the rest of my life."

Even as Kamijou Touma thought such things, he could not explain something.