Tsudzura: Onee-san, your body seems to be under the weather. Maybe we should have Sakuya-san come pick us up?
Kei: No, I’m okay now.
Once I filled my lungs with fresh, outside air, it felt like some hazy thing coiled up in my chest had sprung out. Any vertigo I felt is now gone.
Kei: Rather than my body, I think it was a problem with my mood. Those two, they were having some awful conversation, and I wound up hearing it.
Well, the truth is that I myself went to hear it……
Talk about curiosity killing the cat.
Tsudzura: What sort of conversation was that?
Kei: Eh?
Tsudzura: Ah— if it seems like you might relapse by remembering, I could do without, so…
Kei: It’s okay, I’ll tell you. I don’t think it’s something like that, anyway.
Actually, you tend to remember reflexively when you’re asked these things, so if I’d feel angry about a relapse, that’s when I’d complain.
But it doesn’t feel like that’s happening, so I’m sure it’s all right.
Kei: Well you see, that stolen mirror…… Ryougetsu, right? They were talking about how people say it’s a cursed mirror.
Kei: Something about the history it has, that it was publicly exposed because a child from a wealthy family around here killed a family member, so——
——Ah, that spiral of awful feelings might be coming after all.
Tsudzura: Onee-san, stop right there. With that much information, I will have no problems filling in the gaps, so that is enough.
Kei: ……Yeah.
As I let out a deep sigh, the spiraling mess stretches straight out, like one of those chameleon tongue toys, and dissolves.
Honestly, what in the world is wrong with me, lately? For a story on this level, I thought for sure I’d just think it’s scary and that would be it——
Kei: Hah……
After I breathe out another deep sigh, Tsudzura-chan’s hand gives my back a gentle pat.
Tsudzura: Well, it is a mirror from over a thousand years ago. You would expect it to have at least one such story. They say such objects gain a soul after a hundred years, anyway.
Tsudzura: Not only that, but the Nakatomi Clan—— though they changed to Fujiwara right after—— kept it as a family heirloom.
Tsudzura: When something is set near a seat of political power, you can expect a curse or two to fall out. This holds true for humans as well as objects…
Kei: ……Tsudzura-chan?
Tsudzura: Tahaha, that is how it is, anyway, so let us set mirror histories and the like aside for now.
Tsudzura: More importantly, was there some actual event that would make people put the blame on a curse?
Kei: Yeah, about that, they said the suspect who stole the mirror was found dead.
Tsudzura: That is indeed something. However, in such a case, you would expect the first theory being of a different culprit who betrayed their accomplice, which puts curses out of the picture.
Kei: That’s true, but they said that person was discovered with all the blood in their body drained out——
Almost like a vampire sucked them dry.
Tsudzura: Now I see, so that is why they’re here……
Kei: Eh?
Tsudzura: Oh well, you see, I thought we might find patrol cars on the way here, so…
Kei: ……Tsudzura-chan, they’ve already heard about the thief here, so I think it’s a little late for that.
Tsudzura: However, you see Onee-san, there is no small difference between thievery and murder, and when mutilation is involved, all the more.
Kei: Yeah, I guess you’re right.
Kei: So, Tsudzura-chan…
Tsudzura: What is the question~?
Kei: Is this case some kind of curse? Or could there be someone who’s trying so show us something?
Tsudzura: With regard to that, Onee-san…
Kei: Uh-huh……?
Gulping down my spit astray, I await her revelation.
At which time she spins her words, with no lesser consternation.
Tsudzura: ——I do not know.
Awawa!
Tsudzura: ……Regardless, I hope they haven’t caught on, yet… I’m really worried…