The next day, both Asuka and Akio walked over to their school, which was slightly farther than his apartment but he didn’t mind. “Akiyama never specified it, did he?” Akio said as Asuka looked over, replying “No, but I’m sure he’ll call us when it’s needed” as they just kept walking.
Akio and Asuka arrived at school as Asuka asked Akio “Why do you still wear your old school uniform?” as he looked down at his uniform. “I…” Akio stuttered, as he went on to say “I keep it as a grim reminder, My life as a normal person is long gone now..”. He walked ahead with Asuka standing there with her face in shock.
Akio then stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at her, saying “Are you coming?” As Tani came walking up to him. He thought to himself “This is some really bad Deja Vu…” as Akiyama stood at the entrance.
Akiyama then asked them “Are you two ready to go?” As both Akio and Asuka were confused, “What do you mean?” Akio said to Akiyama. He then said “We’re leaving for the raid, the raid was much earlier than expected.” as both Asuka and Akio weren’t prepared for this.
“Let’s get going then, we can’t have any one of us slack behind” Akiyama said as he began walking off, Asuka had a bad feeling about this raid as Akio began to follow behind, Shortly after was Asuka and Kazama being late again.
Asuka, Akio, Kazama and Akiyama got onto a bus with Akiyama saying something to the bus driver, Akio couldn’t get a good eavesdrop on the conversation and sat down in a seat. Kazama and Asuka sat down in a seat as well as Akiyama was the last one to sit, the bus was packed with other students from different schools.
Asuka however, became more worried than she had before thinking up scenarios where she could lose someone again. The bus started up and began to leave for their destination, she began to fidget in her seat as she grew more and more worried. Kazama saw this and asked Akiyama sitting beside her “Is she going to be alright? She never does this.” as Akiyama looked over at Asuka and Akio.
They’ll be fine” Akiyama said as he put on his earbuds and tried to get some sleep on the bus. Kazama then became worried as well but for Asuka’s fidgeting behavior. Akio was looking out of the bus window and then looked back at the now fidgeting Asuka. “Hey are you alright Asuka?” as Asuka jumped a bit hearing her first name.
Kazama was shocked by this as she thought “Woah! He used her first name..! Does that mean…” as she looked at Akio and nodded. “I-I’m fine..” she said, stuttering as he thought “She’s not alright..” and asked “Is there something worrying you?” as she looked at him.
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Asuka then looked away as she nodded saying “I just have a bad feeling about this raid..” as Akio then headpats her. Asuka’s face becomes slightly red as Akio says casually “Don’t worry about it, it’ll just keep you down. Just look ahead alright?” as Asuka felt enlightened by his words.
After a 2 hour ride, The bus then stopped as Akiyama looked outside. “Alright we’re here” Akiyama said, turning off his music and taking out his earbuds. He then got up as well as the other students on the bus, getting off the bus. Kazama, Asuka and Akio followed behind as Akiyama stood out in the open waiting for them.
Kazama ran first to Akiyama as Asuka and Akio followed behind, Kazama then said “You really like to stand out from the crowd, literally!” as Akiyama looked the other direction. Kazama then began to pout at him saying “At least look at your team!” as she lightly hits his back. Akio looked around as he looked at the entrance of the Fushimi Inari Shrine.
“The Fushimi Shrine?” Akio thought to himself as Akiyama sighed. “Alright listen up, team.” Akiyama said as Akio, Kazama Asuka turned their attention to Akiyama. “This shrine is one of the three shrines we must protect at all costs.” Akiyama explained as the spirit, Present, showed up to greet them.
“Hello Ryūshō team, Thank you for participating in defending my shrine.” as Akiyama and Akio both said at the same time “No problem, we-” as both of them stopped at the same time to look at each other. Present then chuckled a bit, saying “You two remind me of two brothers from the Heian era.” as both Akiyama and Akio looked at each other and back at present.
“That’s another story for another day. If you guys make it alive..” Present said as his tone shifted, seeing the clouds block out the skies. Everyone there looked and noticed as Akiyama said “It’s time we stand our ground then..” as Present put his hands together. They then tell all of the Hunters and Oracle eyes,
The raid is coming soon, I have given you all a blessing to stand your ground and fight to the bitter end, I cannot guarantee that all of you will make it out alive.. I wish you the best of luck, and may you all stand strong together…
Present then chants a blessing saying “Omamori!” (御守) as the blessing covers the shrine, the hunters, and the oracle eyes. Present then fades back into limbo as all the students there from different schools, put on their masks to cover their identities from the demons.
A demon then steps up as a horde of demons are behind that one demon, waiting for the command. The leading demon was carrying a muramasa, wearing a dark gray kimono with blue waves and flame markings above the waves. Some of the demons scan the 5 teams that stand in-front of the shrine, they notice and give a glance to Akio, the only shinigami there.
The command was given by the demon as the rest of the demons began to charge, the teams then had their weapons formed by using spiritual energy. The hunters rushed in and the oracle eyes stayed behind. Akio ran in as the leader of the demon raid group also ran in, with both Akio’s scythe and the demon’s muramasa clashed.