On The Tip of Your Tongue

I jolted awake, at least my eyes did; however, the rest of my body felt calm as if it had been resting. And as my eyes gradually became hazy, I began to realize why.

The first thing I noticed was Yukimura. Her torso and her head towered above me. I narrowed my eyes as I honed in on her facial expression; it was one I had never seen her make before. Her eyes were wide, her lips hanging open, and her face was slightly flushed. I wanted to stare at it. I wanted to keep on staring until I could understand it.

I was so focused on understanding the facial enigma above me that I didn’t notice anything else. I was so entranced, I didn’t hear either the beep of the car or the sound of the door unlocking. The only thing I was able to hear was Takeda’s voice.

“What the hell are you doing in my daughter’s lap!”

Huh? I was… lying on her lap?

I glanced to my left and right, and Takeda was right. Yukimura was using her lap as a pillow for me. Heh, for me. However, while I fantasized, Takeda looked as though he was going to kill me. So, to evade death, I sprang up, sitting properly in what I believed was a car, and the only thing separating Yukimura and me was the empty car seat between us.

“S-S-Sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was just tired.”

“Uh-huh. I’m sure you were.” Takeda sounded unimpressed, but he moved past my lousy excuse without complaint.

“After all, didn’t you pass out halfway through? Aren’t you interested in knowing the results?”

“Yes! Yes, I am!”

“Well, the good news is that you’re alive. For now…”

For now? What does that mean?

As if he read my thoughts, Takeda continued. “For now means you have a week until we reach a verdict. And for that verdict to be favorable, I have to help you control the K-word inside of you, along with another thing.”

Another thing? Well, it can’t possibly be as hard as the Kishin. That’s what I thought, but I was easily proven wrong.

“You have to deal with your first yokai,” Takeda said as he started the car’s engine. The engine’s hum was the only sound that masked my audible shock.

“B-Bu-But, that’s impossible until I can control it. Unless you—”

“Don’t even think about asking me for help. They said I can’t help you, and I’m sure Satori will know if I do.”

“I at least have a while to do so, right? Right?”

“Sorry, but no. You only have one week.”

“One week?”

“One week.”

“Including today or after today?”

“After.”

“Then I’m doomed. It’s impossible. No way. I can’t do it.” I carelessly said those words as I slumped down into the car seat. In that moment, I turned to Yukimura. I wanted to see what facial expression she was making this time. However, her face wasn’t looking at me; it was facing toward the window, but through the window’s reflection, I could see it.

I could see her usual distant eyes. Her usual pale skin. The only thing different from normal was her lips; they were mouthing something. Even while squinting, I couldn’t make out what it was; all I could see was her repeatedly mouthing something, but never speaking it. It was like the words were on the tip of her tongue, but never leaving it.