Hana was part of the Ichinomiya clan, so naturally, she would be looking to work for a company held by the clan. Barring any unusual circumstances, she should be able to find a position.
She would land a job and finally leave that house behind.
Her parents might object to her plans. They could be furious and attempt to stop her. It was shameful for someone born into a practitioner household to choose a different career.
However, just like her parents had given up on Hana, Hana had also given up on her parents.
Her future was hers alone to decide.
If she had to cut off ties with her parents to pursue the life she wanted, she wouldn’t hesitate for even a second.
But Hazuki was different. She would surely walk the path of a practitioner. Even among the elite students in Class A, her grades were far better than her classmates’.
If she didn’t choose the job herself, the Association would no doubt headhunt her anyway.
Hana knew that her sister would readily embrace the fate that was waiting for her. She would continue down the path their parents and everyone else wanted her to walk without any doubts in her head or unease in her heart.
As her other half, Hana wanted to ask if Hazuki was truly all right with such a future, but Hazuki surely wouldn’t listen to what Hana had to say. They could no longer return to the days when they had been partners in crime.
A small part of Hana mourned the loss of their close friendship. She yearned for the time when the two of them would confide in each other about their worries.
After class, Hana was browsing books in the school library when she heard whispering nearby.
“Look, isn’t that Hazuki’s good-for-nothing sister over there?” one person said with a snicker.
“What’s she doing in the library?” a second person sneered.
“Studying isn’t going to do her any good. She’s never going to be more than a waste of space no matter what she does.”
Their derisive laughter was perfectly audible from where Hana was standing.
The insults washed over her like water. They had nothing to do with her. She continued to scan the books on the shelf, but suddenly she felt a cold wave of killing intent.
That’s not good, she thought and promptly moved somewhere with fewer people.
As soon as she was alone, an elegant young woman and a muscular young man materialized in front of her.
But Hana showed no surprise at their sudden appearance. If anything, she looked vexed.
Both the newcomers looked to be around twenty, and both were in a foul mood.
“Aoi, Miyabi, didn’t I tell you before not to manifest while I’m in school?” Hana scolded. “This is hardly the first time I’ve been insulted. You don’t have to react to every little thing.”
“I apologize,” the woman said immediately, contrite and modest. Her name was Miyabi. Her long hair was pulled into an updo, and she wore delicate, flowing clothing that made her look like a celestial maiden. Her raiment enhanced her near-divine, ephemeral beauty.
The man standing beside Miyabi was Aoi. He was tall with a solid build. Strapped on his back was a great sword that was nearly his height. His beauty rivaled Miyabi’s, but on the inside, he was a rascal with an iron will.
These two were shikigami whom Hana had conjured after her powers had awakened.
They always stayed at Hana’s side, but they normally suppressed their powers and hid their presences as much as possible. However, earlier in the library, they had lost control after hearing those students bad-mouth her. Hana had sensed their displeasure and fled from the library.
Aoi was dissatisfied with Hana’s passivity and looked sullen.
“Aoi?” Hana prompted.
“…I understand where you’re coming from, Master, but I couldn’t stay silent and watch you be insulted.”
Where did he inherit his stubborn streak from? she wondered.
Aoi and Miyabi always had Hana’s best interests at heart. They were like the currently absent Azuha in that regard. Since they were her shikigami, it might’ve gone without saying, but they were her unwavering allies, and she drew great courage from their presence.
“It’s nothing new, right?” Hana said.
She was able to ignore all the insults precisely because her shikigami were by her side. However, she didn’t know how to express her gratitude.
“I still don’t like it,” Aoi said.
Next to him, Miyabi, who had been docile up until now, nodded.
Hana sighed with exasperation. She was glad that her happiness was their priority, but she found their stubbornness difficult to deal with.
“I have no intention of revealing your existences. If you two can’t suppress your powers properly, I’ll have to leave you at home with Azuha.”
The two were conflicted by her ultimatum. Hana could see that clearly. However, since the three of them were together all the time, she knew her shikigami well, and she knew the two of them would fold in the end.
“Ugh, fine…,” Aoi conceded, his dissatisfaction painted across his face.
Hana reached for his head, and Aoi crouched down. He knew he was too tall for her. He could be cute at times, too.
She patted his head consolingly.
Hana thought that was the end of the conversation, but then Miyabi spoke up. “What if I let out my power just a little bit? I’ll make sure no one notices,” she pleaded, looking at Hana with puppy dog eyes.
Hana might have been the same gender as Miyabi, but she found her heart swayed by Miyabi’s beauty just the same.
Nevertheless, she wasn’t going to give in. The shikigami pair released a significant amount of power just by manifesting.
At the moment, she had erected a barrier to mask the shikigami’s presence, but if the two were to use their powers, the barrier might no longer be enough.
Among the numerous practitioners in the school, there were more than a few with sharp instincts. If her secret were discovered now, it would cause a big commotion.