Lifted Veil

Was that kiss really necessary? I pulled my hand out of his strong grip.

“Hold on, what do you mean head of the clan? How do you know my name, anyway?”

“I’ll tell you once we get somewhere safe.”

He closed the distance between us, his face merely a few centimeters from mine and grabbed my waist. He sure isn’t shy, is he?

“Pardon me, but this is the quickest way to get there. Hold on tight and don’t forget to breathe.”

“Wh-”

Suddenly, everything went black and my whole body felt heavy, as if I were underwater with clothes on. When I opened my eyes again, the alley before me had changed into a completely different scenery. I was in some sort of building now, on a high floor. His base, I take it.

“How did you… Was that magic? So magic is real??”

“You’ve only just noticed?”

The view looked like the Tokyo I knew, but the sky still had the same swirly things in the air.

“What are those?”

“It’s our source of magic. We have so much of it that sometimes it takes on a physical form. No one knows why it does this, but it’s as if it’s encouraging us to continue using it. Where we are is almost identical to your world, only the veil is lifted here. Even in your world, magic exists, except you can’t see it with the naked eye. That’s why we call your world “the mundane.”

“And how exactly did I get here?”

“Do you remember the cafe you went into? That’s a portal that connects your world to ours. Your grandmother created it.”

“My… grandmother?” 

I’d never heard about her. The only family I ever knew were my parents. Whenever I asked my mother why our family was so small, she would just smile and ask if I wasn't having fun with her.

“Yes, she’s originally from here. She fled years ago during a time of chaos that befell the clan. We only learned that she was pregnant when she left a note for my family to keep an eye on your mother. And then that care extended to you once you were born.”

Seiji grew quiet for a moment.

“Miss Sakurai, I’m sorry we didn’t make it in time when..”

“You don’t have to apologize, that was a freak accident. There’s no way you could’ve made it.”

His brows furrowed. How could he feel responsible for something that was out of his control? I’ve only just met him but it was already unsettling to see the glimmer from his purple eyes start to dim. I had to change the subject.

“You could call me Emi.. Miss Sakurai sounds so stiff. In fact, it makes me feel embarrassed."

His eyes lit up again. He sure is easy to read.

“Gladly!”

“Wait, so you mean you’re our guards or something?”

“Precisely. The Tsukishima family has served your clan for generations.”

“And what kind of family is this that needs guards in the first place?”

“The Sakurai Clan is highly regarded, known for your unique power of alchemy. The blood in your veins allows you to transmute anything within the elements. Most can only transmute things that fall under the same category such as turning a metal spoon into a metal bat. But every couple years comes a genius who could change anything at will despite the limitations of matter. Your grandfather was one of them. He had the same purple hair as you too. That’s most likely how that man earlier easily targeted you.”

“But why are we being targeted? And before we got here, you mentioned something about me being the head..”

“Do you not realize what you did earlier?”

I shook my head.

“What did I-”

“And who do we have here?”

Footsteps started approaching us. My body tensed up. I’m really not good with people, especially strangers. Then again, I don’t have any friends so I suppose I’m like this in general. How many people were there? I didn’t want to turn around to check. The footsteps stopped and a guy leaned over and had his face directly in front mine.

“Wait, is this Emi Sakurai in the flesh?! What’s she doing here? Sure is pretty!”

I instinctively jumped back. Does anyone here know about personal space?

“Oops, did I scare you? Sorry, you just wouldn't look our way.”

“It- it’s okay..”

When I looked up, it was a guy and girl about my age as well. The girl didn’t look as excited to see me. They both had red hair and the same green eyes. Were they siblings?

Seiji stood in front of me.

“Imai, she just got here and is confused enough. Don’t go scaring her now.”

“I said I’m sorry!”

“This is Honoka. And this guy is Haruto. The Imai twins.

“Calling me ‘this guy..’ How cold!!”

Honoka had a blank expression that turned into dismay.

“Well, why is she here?”

I should be the one to answer this, right?

“I came here through the Fortune’s Kiss portal by accident and got caught up in some trouble.. But then Seiji came in and saved me.”

Haruto let out a big exclamation.

“Woah, one second in and they already found you? That’s crazy! Does that mean you got to see Tsukishima in action? He’s so cool, isn’t he!?”

So much energy in one person.. What do I say to that? I still don’t really know what happened.

Seiji put out a hand in front of me, his other hand pushing Haruto’s face back.

“Like I said, you’re getting too close.”

Seiji turned to look at me.

“Sorry about that Emi, this guy doesn’t know anything about personal space.”

He’s one to talk..

“I’ve been noticing this since earlier but how are you two already on a first name basis!?"

Seiji let out a sigh.

“Anyway, I didn’t do anything.”

“You’re ignoring me!?”

“Emi stopped that guy all by herself.”

Haruto's eyes grew wide while Honoka still had a scowl on her face.

“It’s perfect timing that Emi arrived since we were about to choose a new leader for the clan. I figured if she could effortlessly turn the Celestial Claw into yarn, then she’s more than qualified.”

Honoka slammed her fist against the wall.

“Huh?! Stop joking around. I’m the one that’s going to be head of the clan. I’ve been here from the beginning, showing how capable I am. As if I could accept an outsider waltzing in and being the leader. It’s thanks to her grandfather that we have to be in hiding in the first place.”

My grandfather?

“He just had to get cocky and-”

I turned to look at Seiji, his eyes turned cold.

“That’s enough. I’m sure Emi is tired, let’s let her get some rest.”

“I can’t go back home?”

“They’re most likely still on the lookout for you. I’ll walk you back to the cafe tomorrow when the coast is clear.”

I guess that should be okay. It’s not like anyone is waiting for me at home anyway.

“Ah!”

“What is it?”

“All of my homework….” It's probably in shreds thanks to that celestial claw or whatever they call it. Great.