I swiftly maneuvered through the winding halls and confusing corridors, gaining as much distance as I could from the room modeled after the human village.
It was a decision made with a heavy heart but I've had to resolve myself just as my Nee-chan one taught me. As much as I've missed my old home, desiring to at least see a figment of what it was supposed to be, my sister would have been disappointed if I wavered more than I already have.
To submerge myself in nostalgia as I've become lost in melancholy is unbecoming of an espionage.
Moreover, the imitation of that place poses a risk of my current identity being unraveled. As I have presented myself as a newly existing being, something that would suggest myself to be of older origin is a huge detriment.
That is why I course of actions I took as to erase the evidence- destroying the room.
'They say a longer parting would lead to a more sweet reunion. I mustn't settle for anything lesser than the real thing.' I thought to convince myself but truthfully, there was a pang of regret that left a bitter feeling in my heart.
I knew it to be the best course of action but it still made me ache for a time from the past.
It wouldn't do well for me to carry such emotions forward so I took on a quick, although unhealthy, solution: Converting one negative emotion to another.
Turning my sadness into anger, I ran through the halls searching for the ideal target for venting my wrath.
Door after door, I opened and closed them intermittently and destroyed any pools or classrooms I've encountered.
Even if I was caught later on, there was already a reason excuse of having bad blood between us. Sure, it could be argued that I have gone too far but aren't Kami supposed to be prideful and arrogant beings? It would be more suspicious if I have gotten along well with everyone so being at odds with at least one Kami is better in the long run.
Am I making excuses for myself? Probably.
Do I care about it at the moment? Not really.
Future problems would be dealt by future me. For now, more destruction.
~~~
'Madness! What have I gotten myself into?!' Tatsu screamed internally as he kept himself from moving as much as possible.
He doing what he paid to do and began his first night of preliminary investigations. His power and and his quirk made a great combination of sneaking into places no should be allowed in. It was what gave him his fearless and bold attitude with regards to his job as it hasn't failed him before.
Unfortunately, capabilities are not affecting his luck whatsoever as his first night in, he was already whisked away.
Tatsu is no stranger for such happenstances as there are plenty of people who are fond of cats and would be more likely to pick one up or endear to. The problem this time however was who was the one who picked him up.
'Dead. I'm so dead.' Tatsu, who was desperately trying to minimise his presence, was being cradled in the arms of a blitzing Kizuki. 'I don't know what's up with that room and why he destroyed but if he finds out I'm dead!'
To Tatsu that saw the destruction that fell upon the room, he has no doubt he would be next if it was revealed that he was actually a transformed half-blood.
He doesn't know of it's importance or why it's relevant, nor does he know why it was destroyed. And, quite frankly, contrary to his responsibility, he really really prefers not knowing right now.
Even as Tatsu was tossed around like a ragdoll within the grasp of the Kami, he used great effort not to attract attention. He wished that whatever this rampage was would end early and that he can retire for the rest of the night until the noon of the next day to recover and recuperate, but as his usual luck turned out, his hopes were dashed.
When Kizuki began bouncing off the walls like a ball, Tatsu thought that the Kami turned to madness in his tantrum. His fur turned on its end when a gleaming knife flew past his face and cut a few strands of his left whiskers.
This is when Tatsu knew that this would be a long, long night.
~~~
With the ruckus I made and the destruction I've left in my wake, it was only a matter of time until someone shows up.
Red bolts of bold, solid lines streaked through the corridor from the far end of the next corner and swiftly apprehended me via skewering The edges of my clothes. The lines then quickly reeled me in like a fish on a hook, not caring for the momentum as I would've been thrown around like a ragdoll if I wasn't maneuvering myself.
I could have dodged the lines and prevented this all from happening but these are full-to-bursting just from exuding a familiar Kami's presence that I could tell who it came from without relying on expanding my senses.
I was then violently thrown down on the floor to which I smoothly rolled the momentum to bleed over and placed the cat on the floor before standing up, ignoring the sounds of a puking cat.
Before are Ishimaru, as expected, along with the Cloaked figure and another being that I don't know. I knew that I'd be caught eventually but to be caught so soon? Bummer.
Well, at least this basically confirms that the figure was a Kami all along. I'm actually more curious about the other being.
"An intervention?"
"At least you know why." Ishimaru began through gritted teeth. If it wasn't for the viscous slime covering his skin, I was certain that his veins would be visible. "So what were you thinking going around like a madman?!"
"Hey, I didn't start it. Ask that guy behind you." I casually shifted the blame like a unrepentant child, or more accurately, a proper young master. "They were so persistent that it ticked me off."
The figure growled like a dog. "You were the one that keeps trespassing into my rooms!"
"Ever heard of this invention called a lock? Why don't you use one of those if you wanted no one to enter?"
"Everyone is entitled to their own privacy, you b-"
"ENOUGH! You two are acting like children!" Ishimaru raised his voice in anger. "You!-" He pointed to me. "Cease destroying public property! And you!-" He pointed to the figure. "Stop attacking him! The two of you are supposed to be allies, as Kami that lead the New Shinto! Act like it!"
"They are children, technically." Muttered the other girl whose hair is done in a hime-cut and wrapped in bandages.
Ishimaru ignored her comment. "This behaviour is an becoming of someone of your statuses! Did you not even pause to think what the believers would think of their idols of faith were to fight amongst the selves?! Do you?!"
'Huh. Did think of it from that angle before. Thanks for the idea.'
"Oi, you frog b****rd. Did the slime finally reach your brain or did you forget why we're here?"
"Hush you! You were better when you were quiet!" Ishimaru grumbled in annoyance. "Reona, explain to this all came to be."
"You're taking his side?!"
"I'm taking nobody's side!" He snapped at the figure. "I'm acting as the mediator of this farce because the sooner we settle your stupid dispute, the sooner we can all return to our peace!"
As the two of them began bickering, my eyes slowly drifted over to the person in the room and accidentally met their gaze. Her gaze went back to the bickering duo before meeting mine again. She seemed like she came to a decision as she strode forward towards me.
"Reona, yes?" She began. "I appreciate you taking over most of the work. They were a hassle to deal with."
'Most? So it wasn't just scutwork, they dumped most of their responsibilities on the new guy?!' "...I see. And you are?"
"Refer to me as Fujiwara. And no, my name does not use the kanji for flowers or plains." She looked me up and down. "Not too bad. Your type can get a pass."
'That seems like a landmine. I should just agree for now.' "...Thanks."
She satisfied with that answer. I would have like to fish for more information but it seems like Ishimaru and the figure have finally decided to pull me into their argument.
"We wouldn't fighting like this if that guy never trespassed to where he shouldn't have!"
"Again, Locks."
"You!-" "QUIET! Let me get a word in!" The figure tried to snap before they were silenced but Ishimaru. "Why are you even wandering around to begin with?"
I raised a brow at his question and scoffed. "What? You never explored someplace you don't know about?"
"Then why didn't you bring a guide?" He said with a twitch in one of his eyes.
"Are you actually deaf?" I gave him a look of distain. "I said I was exploring. If I took a guide with me then that would become a tour not an exploration."
Ishimaru closed his eyes as he took deep breaths. I had to take a step back, narrowly avoiding a knife aimed at my face and casually threw back a Danmaku the size of a basketball which was also avoided by the other party.
The brief exchange wasn't seen by the green-skinned Kami but it was close enough to be felt with his senses. Nevertheless, it went by ignored, much to the amusement of the one other person in the room.
"Very well... If the two of you could not get along then it seems that we could only take a compromise. Then next time, bring an escort with you in your excursions." He raised a finger before either me and the figure interjected. "It will be one of mine, not hers, so there's no need for you to destroy this one-"
I held back a frown. ''Need', not 'could'? The way he casually said I could destroy someone... They're used to doing that?'
"-and you, lass. There's no need for you to go on a warpath simply because someone entered your room. We use sliding doors in this shrine and with your habit of leaving them wide open, you attack anyone with wild abandon."
"I do not!"
"Yes you do! Anyone! Including me!" Ishimaru snapped.
"You've gotten better recently from what I've gathered." Said Fujiwara. "That's progress at least."
The figure briefly glared at Fujiwara then at Ishimaru before finally settling on me. Their gaze flashed with a single emotion- hate, as they clicked their tongue in distaste. Those eyes held an unspoken promise of pain and vengefulness before they disappeared.
"With that settled, I'm off." Scoffed Ishimaru. "I have other matters to tend to now that that brat isn't tampering with my focus." Ishimaru transformed into a pile of money that unceremoniously dropped to the floor, some sort of translocation ability that came with whatever concept he embodied as a Kami.
"Hey." Fujiwara called out to me. "C'mon. Let's go."
"Hm? Go where?"
"You were exploring the shrine because you were curious, right?" She commented. "I said you pass, remember? I'll show you my place."