Festivals are wonderful things. No matter the era, seeing people laughing and enjoying themselves lifts the heart. Though I must admit, the noise can be a bit much.
After thoroughly enjoying the marvels of this era's sweets, I was told by my parents that it was time to head home. Together with Himiko, I began making my way back from the shrine. It seemed Mother wasn't feeling well. She and Father were trying to hide it, but it was obvious to me. The fatigue from work must have caught up with her. I'd have to take care of her later. No, that's not quite the right way to say it. I see… so that's what it is, Mother. You understand that part, don't you?
That aside, ever since the shooting gallery, Himiko had been walking with her face flushed and her head lowered. Every now and then, she would glance at the ring on her finger and smile. Occasionally she would flash that absurd, cursed-spirit-level grin, causing the adults passing by to recoil in shock. Well, that was the correct reaction. Her smile really is poisonous to the eyes.
Even so, it is a one-of-a-kind smile. Just as my parents said, Himiko's smile is special. At some point, I'll have to teach her not to smile in front of anyone but me. Judging by how people react, it's better to keep it hidden. Since I told her to smile only for me, I suppose I'll have to take responsibility for that.
Hmm. I want to eat one last cotton candy before we go. Who knows when I'll get another chance. Hamburgers are delicious too, but cotton candy is on another level. I should have asked the stall owner how it's made. What a shame.
Well, in this era, information can be obtained easily through the internet, television, or those thick encyclopedias. I can look it up later. It's wonderful—and a little terrifying—that anyone can access information so freely. Still, if the internet had existed in the Heian period, perhaps I could have learned more about Sukuna. I can't help but wonder.
"Madoka… chan. Thank you… for today…"
"It's nothing. No need for thanks. I had fun too."
"…And thank you for the ring."
"I told you, no thanks needed. I only got it because you wanted it. Seeing you smile and look happy makes me glad as well. It's what they call a 'win-win,' right? Gahaha!"
"…Ehehe… Madoka-chan… I like you…"
Hey, Father and Mother. Why are you watching our exchange with those warm, gooey eyes? Stop with those faint smirks. And stop nodding. Lately I've been thinking… are my parents actually a pair of eccentrics? No, let's drop this topic. Like parent, like child. I'd only be calling myself strange too.
Anyway, that aside…
"Hey, you cursed spirit over there. If you don't want to be exorcised, then take that unsightly face of yours and disappear. If you're planning to curse these people, I'll purge you right here."
Just when I was in a good mood, you had to emanate that ominous presence. I stepped forward to shield Himiko and my parents, weaving my fingers together. Let's see… what was it again? I think it was…
Ah, yes. I remember now.
"Emerging from darkness, darker than darkness itself— Cleanse and exorcise this impurity."
For now, I'll lower the veil… Hm? I can't lower the veil? Huh? Why not?
…No, it's not that I can't. It's just extremely thin, functioning more like a faint barrier. This is practically useless. Strange. I have a connection to Tengen. Well, more precisely, the Kamo family does. So even if I use it, the veil should be strengthened by Tengen's power. Why is it this weak?
Could it be… is it possible that in this era… Tengen doesn't exist? Wait, wait, wait. What about the Six Eyes? What about the Star Plasma Vessel?
Something feels off from the start. That cursed spirit—a giant human-faced caterpillar-like thing wrapped around the shrine's torii gate. It looks at least Grade 1. How can something like that openly manifest and size us up without any jujutsu sorcerers noticing? It's possible it appeared suddenly, but… that thing clearly isn't freshly manifested.
『Can… you… see… me? Can… you… see…?』 "Oh, I can see you just fine. What the hell are you?" 『Can… you… hear… me? Can… you… hear…?』 "Yeah, I can." 『Aah… Aaah… Aah…』
Well, this conversation has no real meaning. The words of cursed spirits are basically just noise. Still, when one talks to you, you feel like responding, don't you?
More importantly, even a cursed spirit must want to know a little about the one who's going to exorcise it. If you're going to curse each other, you'd both prefer a worthy opponent, right?
Relax. I'm strong. I may be inferior to Sukuna for now, but I'll surpass him eventually.
"Blue."
I clapped my hands together. This time it would be nothing like the shooting gallery.
…Damn it. My heart is pounding more than it should for my age. Still, this feeling is nice. Being on the battlefield truly is exhilarating!
"Piercing Blood."
Now then, cursed spirit, what will you do? Even with the distance, my Piercing Blood will leave sound far behind.
Ah.
...．...…．...．It was exorcised without doing anything in particular.
You weakling!!! You!!! And you call yourself Grade 1-level?! Hey!!!! What am I supposed to do with this racing heart of mine?!!!
Unforgivable…! I won't forgive weaklings…!! Bring me a worthy opponent! A real fighter!! Where is Sukuna?!!!
Wait. Hey, Mother, why did you faint? Father, why are you so pale? And Himiko… why do you look so delighted?
Well, the cursed spirit ruined the mood, but let's head home. Hey, Himiko, what are you planning by grabbing my hand like that? Why are you smiling with such a feverish face—Oww!?
Hey! Why did you bite me!? Wait! Stop that!! What?! You want to suck my blood?!
Say that kind of thing in advance!!! I'll give you as much blood as you want!!!
It was a blunder. A blunder that will haunt Kaido Madoka for the rest of her life. Because I carelessly said I'd give her as much blood as she wanted that night, Himiko stopped leaving my side. Looking back, that night was probably the beginning.
The night when Himiko started showing the intensity of a woman hell-bent on marrying me, no matter what.
What? You fell for me that moment, so it couldn't be helped? You… Really need to consider the other person's feelings…
Shut up. I have no complaints, you fool.
If a nonexistent "next episode" were to exist, I suppose it would be the middle school arc.
Madoka's personality? You can probably guess from the name. Appearance? That's for next time. (There is no next time, though.)
Sorry if I got the details about the veil and its connection to Tengen (and various other things) a bit fuzzy. My memory's hazy.
Well, since it's never continuing anyway, it doesn't matter if I got some things wrong!