006

I resumed pedaling my bicycle down a dark road that no one used anymore. The piercing summer heat drained my energy all at once. It had been an hour since we'd discussed Kasuga Kaneko's problem at the apartment. This time, we were heading somewhere else—the location where Kasuga had first encountered that giant black cat. It lay to the southwest, on the outskirts of this town. An old shrine that no one had visited except Kasuga Kaneko for decades.

As I pedaled, I replayed our earlier conversation. All the plans and hypotheses Miss Renma had built around Kasuga's problem.

"By the way, what's your religion, girl?"

"I'm Catholic."

"You don't look like a Catholic," Miss Renma said with a sneer.

"Does appearance denote religion?" Kasuga shot back, her voice laced with intimidation.

"I'm not talking about appearance. I'm talking about your neck." Miss Renma pointed at Kasuga's neck. "If you're really Catholic, where's your cross?"

Kasuga touched her neck. No necklace. She wasn't wearing that particular charm as a Catholic should.

"I... don't have it with me," Kasuga answered, her voice trembling, uncertain.

"You should carry that amulet at all times. It keeps you close to God."

Kasuga said nothing. From her face, I could see a flicker of irritation that betrayed some deeper difficulty. Maybe she'd been lying about that statement.

"First, can you tell me where you met this cat?"

The fundamental question we should have asked from the start.

"A shrine."

"Shrine?"

Kasuga nodded.

"You went there?"

Kasuga hesitated for a moment before answering. "Y-yes."

"You're Catholic. So why go to a shrine?"

Yes.

She's a Christian.

Why go to a shrine instead of a church?

True, most Japanese people are more attached to tradition than religion. Most religious people in Japan will visit shrines to pray or simply to purify themselves and draw fortune lots on New Year's. Still—

"I..."

Miss Renma's eyes narrowed. She was studying Kasuga, who was looking down, searching for the right answer. She was hiding something.

"Is it a busy shrine?"

"No—"

Kasuga cut herself off. Her answer died in her throat.

"It's... a ruined shrine."

A ruined shrine.

An abandoned shrine.

"And what were you doing there?"

A Catholic visiting a shrine.

Don't tell me she went there to pray. Instead of church, she went to a shrine. Not a busy one, but a destroyed one. Kasuga Kaneko had violated the rules of a religious human being.

Meanwhile, in front of us, Miss Renma wore a sharp smile. A very cynical smile, as if she were looking down on the person she was observing. Scrutinizing Kasuga Kaneko's problem with mockery.

"So that's how it is."

The question just now had stunned Kasuga. Her eyes opened wide. Shocked.

Miss Renma had guessed something.

"Humans are amusing. Look at yourself. Look at how you started and ended everything. Is this what you call a religious person?"

Her voice dropped lower, as if threatening, tense like a Siberian winter wind.

"Because God stopped listening to you, you turned to the devil instead, is that it? Ahahah, truly fascinating!" She laughed briefly. "Now I understand why demoralization is spreading in this world. It's because every human in it can't wholeheartedly accept their fate and believe in God."

A brief lecture, and truly philosophical.

She spoke like a messenger of world peace from the heavens.

"You're too fanatical about your own world, to the point of forgetting one important thing."

Miss Renma brought the tip of her katana close to Kasuga's face. The girl looked uneasy.

"You forgot that this world isn't yours, and you kept thinking only happiness exists in it. That's why you can't accept the reality called 'fall,' and ended up taking a misstep."

"......."

The girl said nothing. She just looked down, silent.

Vampires can't read minds.

But old people—those who've lived a long time—have the ability to read situations better than we do. Especially this vampire.

Miss Renma could see everything Kasuga had done, everything she'd ended up accepting. The cause of her blindness was now clear. It was because she had violated the rules of the world and made a contract with an astral creature. She'd paid for her wish with that eye.

Her desire to protect something precious, her unwillingness to lose it from her life—that's what made her enter that contract. The human desire to stay happy.

"Girl, none of this is entirely your fault," Miss Renma said, pulling her katana back again. "I understand that you didn't want to lose your happy life. That's why you sacrificed yourself, even willing to do something so taboo. All humans—well, no, most humans, to be precise—they'd do the same thing, I think."

So would I.

She was indirectly referring to me.

"You're just caught in someone else's conflict. In this case, let's just say you've had bad luck. Misfortune."

Besides, she just happened to run into a black cat.

"So, is there a way to restore her vision, Miss Renma?" I asked.

"Of course there is."

Instantly, Kasuga lifted her head.

"There is?"

"Yes, of course there is," Miss Renma answered, her sharp smile returning. "You have to ask that creature to give your eye back."

Another questionable answer from Miss Renma.

"Just that?"

"Dear Tatsuya, the best way to solve a problem peacefully is through negotiation. That way, peace remains undisturbed. I don't like confrontation—you know that, don't you?"

Yes, I know.

She's a good vampire.

At least, by certain standards.

She doesn't kill humans, either.

She even helps us.

This vampire's heart is still very compassionate.

"Of course, we could also just cut off its neck. Killing the creature would restore her eye. But that wouldn't solve this girl's problem."

The problem?

Not the eye—the main problem.

This girl's main problem lies in where she started changing, losing her former self. That's in her psyche.

"What's the percentage chance of success?"

That voice came from Kasuga Kaneko.

"Not certain. And not necessarily guaranteed."

I'd expected that answer.

"But if we have to force it, we could do it the spartan way."

"You said you wanted to do this peacefully!"

"Dear Tatsuya, I'm just giving options. Besides, I'm just following her choice."

I glanced at Kasuga, who was staring into her glass on the table. The ice inside was already melting.

"Of course, there will be resistance. But with my abilities, that's easily handled."

"So you'd kill it?"

"Yes. Something like that," Miss Renma said, shrugging as if she didn't care. "Yokai from the beginning are abstract beings. They don't have form. We could assume they don't really exist at all. They take the form of other living creatures and start living like humans: eating, sleeping, seeking entertainment, and so on. They can be classified as living beings or empty shells. Killing them or not amounts to the same thing."

That was rather vulgar to call an assessment.

The main principle of life is body and soul.

Without those, a creature cannot be considered alive.

A doll has a body. But no soul. That means it's not alive.

"I'll do it," Kasuga said, lifting her head, meeting Miss Renma's gaze. "I'll ask him."

She had a contradictory side to her that I hadn't seen before.

"You don't want to use the second option? It's much more practical," Miss Renma said.

Kasuga shook her head. "I don't want anyone to die because of me. I'll just ask him."

"Kasuga..."

"I'll do it," Kasuga repeated, turning to me. "This is my last chance. The only way I can be free of this curse. Besides, Yamato went to all the trouble of bringing me all the way here, didn't he? I can't waste that."

She smiled.

I got one impression from this girl the moment she said that.

Kasuga Kaneko is the type of person who doesn't waste an opportunity. No matter how small. She's always optimistic, positive about everything—even if it's a very risky opportunity. That's how she ended up like this. In the end, that superior nature became her boomerang.

"But what if he asks for another organ? We're dealing with a demon. They'll do anything to come out ahead," I said, offering another opinion.

"If he asks... I..."

"You have no choice but to give it," Miss Renma interrupted, cutting Kasuga off. "Though it's not really an equal exchange."

"Equal exchange?"

Equal exchange.

An exchange conducted in balanced measure.

"That's in Shinto philosophy— And..."

"Actually, all religions have a similar principle," Miss Renma said, correcting me.

"Yeah, something like that. In short, you give something and receive something of equal value. That principle also exists in alchemy."

"Alchemy?"

"You never read Hiromu Arakawa's manga?"

"I don't read much manga. Except for Fujiko's works."

Yeah, that's fair. I should have known. A perfect human being with an honorable title doesn't have much time for manga.

"So what did you mean by equal exchange?" Kasuga asked, steering back to the topic.

"Tatsuya, explain."

Meanwhile, Miss Renma finally took a sip of her tea.

A vampire drinking tea. That looked a little sweet.

"It means an exchange where both sides are equal," I explained, holding up both index fingers by way of illustration. "If you give someone an apple, you'll get an apple in return. It's the same principle as a zero-interest loan. The amount you borrowed must be repaid with the same amount. One yen with one yen, ten with ten, a hundred with a hundred, a thousand with a thousand, and so on. That's equal exchange."

It sounded as simple as first-grade arithmetic.

But in reality, it's extremely destructive.

"Exchange with equal value, huh..."

"Yeah."

"That means if I give a diamond, I'll receive a diamond of equal value in return, right?"

"It's not exactly about giving something away."

Miss Renma spoke. Her glass was empty now.

"It's not necessarily something you give. It could also be something you ask for or take."

This explanation sounded philosophical once again.

More unsettling, to be precise.

"If you take someone's life, you have to pay with your own. If you cut off someone's hand, you have to give your hand. If you blind someone, you have to experience the same. Asian religious principles call this 'karma.' You'll experience the same if you harm others. In alchemy, we know it as equal exchange. Equivalent exchange."

A reckoning.

What happens to you when you do something.

If you hate someone, someone will hate you back. Equal value. The same thing. You reap what you sow.

"But your case is different," Miss Renma continued. "You're not dealing with ideology, but a creature. The laws of this world were created by God so that humans can live orderly lives. Alchemy follows the laws of science. But atheists don't believe in God, so they're not affected by religious laws. Karma, prayer, death—none of those exist in their worldview."

Miss Renma smiled.

"But that doesn't mean only atheists are like that."

"What do you mean?" Kasuga asked, her tone curious.

"I mean, it's not just atheists who don't believe in God. Religious people do too."

"......."

The atmosphere in this room changed instantly after that.

The wind blew in from outside, through the window, rustling our hair. Cool, slightly warm, very uncomfortable.

Miss Renma stared sharply at Kasuga in front of her.

The girl said nothing.

She was just silent.

Not because she was returning the stare and refusing to lose to a vampire's gaze.

She was simply accepting all the accusations.

She belonged to that group too.

The group of religious people who had strayed from their teachings.

Miss Renma closed her eyes and laughed again. Brief and soft.

"I like humans who are aware of their own foolishness. There aren't many like you these days. You've impressed me, girl."

"......."

"Then you'd better take a bath first. Clean your body and put on clean clothes." Miss Renma pulled something from the pocket of her overalls—a pocket watch. "No need to go home. You can bathe here. As for clothes... My body is smaller than yours, so mine won't fit. Use Tatsuya's clothes instead."

Kasuga turned to look at me.

She was silent, not saying anything.

"W-what?"

The girl was still silent. Then she spoke, in a low voice that sounded slightly shy. "I-is that okay?"

She had a point.

A girl can't just walk into a guy's room and be told to put on his clothes straight away. Especially a guy she doesn't know.

So she can feel that way too, huh.

Thank goodness...

"Yeah, of course."

"Then hurry up and bathe, and we'll head to that shrine immediately."

"Wait— You mean we're doing this tonight?"

"Do you have a problem with that, dear Tatsuya?"

She really does decide things too easily.

"Sooner is better."

That habit is a little terrifying.

"So."

Kasuga's voice sounded. Her gaze turned to Miss Renma.

"What's the payment?"

Miss Renma was quiet for a moment.

"Payment?"

"Yamato did say he's not helping me for anything in return. But for a vampire, you wouldn't do all this for free, would you."

A vampire won't help a human without asking for something in return.

Even humans ask each other for payment.

"Is that so. You're right. So if I said you'd have to serve me forever, would you do it?"

"Hey, wait— That's too much—"

"Is that what it has to be?" Kasuga cut me off.

Her eyes were fixed squarely on Miss Renma.

As steady as a sniper's aim at a target.

Ready to accept any consequence she might face.

This girl really does have a very irregular sense of humor.

Becoming that vampire's slave isn't easy, you know!

"You really are a brave girl."

Miss Renma's laughter broke the temporary silence. She waved her hand, indicating she hadn't been serious.

"I don't need another slave. No. Too many slaves would make me easy to detect. That's too risky."

You sound like a wanted terrorist.

An underground terrorist.

The underworld.

"Then what should I pay?" Kasuga asked again.

"Hmm..." Miss Renma held her chin, thinking for a moment, before finally answering. "Then give me a portion of your blood once a week."

"My blood?"

"You know, vampires need to drink human blood to survive. If we don't drink, we weaken, grow old, and just die. I need fresh blood from a living human at least once a week. Without it, I'd become a corpse in an instant."

That's the reason she turned me back into a human.

So she can drink from me whenever needed.

I suppose this could also be called equal exchange.

She keeps me alive, and I keep her alive.

A mutually beneficial contract.

"How much do you need?"

"At least three to five gulps. Drinking blood is something that has to be done regularly. But too often isn't good either."

"Why?"

"Because it can make them addicted," I answered for Kasuga. "If they drink too much, it's hard to stop. Drinking too much blood makes them go wild, then insane, and they lose their human soul entirely, turning into full monsters. The reason Miss Renma can still talk with us like this without attacking is that she still has her sanity."

"I don't want to die from madness."

"Like the effect of narcotics?"

"Something like that," I answered again.

I might be called unlucky for being a vampire's slave. But at the same time, maybe I'm actually on the lucky side of that misfortune.

"How long do I have to do this?"

"Let's say, until you graduate high school."

"So you're not planning to use me forever?"

"No, because I already have Tatsuya here," Miss Renma said, turning to me. "You can't give me money or a vast estate or an expensive silver necklace, can you. So I'll just ask for your blood. Consider it a token of thanks."

Isn't that a little extreme?

You don't say thank you with blood—you say it with words.

Unless you're donating your blood.

I wonder where all the blood Miss Renma drinks ends up.

"All right, I accept," Kasuga said flatly.

"Then go take a bath now. You wouldn't want to meet an old acquaintance with a sweaty body like that, would you."

"Right."

"Ah, and Tatsuya," Miss Renma said to me. "You know what you need to do now, don't you?"

Kasuga turned to me. Her forehead wrinkled as she fixed me with a wary stare.

"Y-yeah..."

The only thing I had to do now was leave until Kasuga finished her bath.