Volume 6, Chapter 7: I became a Fifth Grader, Part 1

Junikoko Hourglass? (TLN: Junikoko: 12, 2 hour periods, related to the zodiac)

Onzada heard those words after he had been summoned by his brothers.

Even though he was still young, since hed trained seriously ever since he had been an elementary schooler, his abilities had nearly reached that of his older brothers, and was considered to be an adult, and so he would be taught the secrets accordingly.

Thats right. Originally, you should have heard this from Honored Father, but I told you a while ago. So, because of that I was told to take responsibility for this. This will be quite a serious talk, so are you ready for it?

O-oh yes.

Thats good.

His older brother smiled gently upon seeing Onzada become nervous in the midst of his reply. Bracing himself at once, he quietly spoke of it all in the main hall that was only lit by candlelight.

Onzada, Ive told you about the great [Evil] that will appear ten years from now.

Yes.

To be precise, there was a prophecy about the spring 17 years from now. And at that time, we had already successfully deployed the technique we used. Its name was the [Junikoko Hourglass].

What kind of technique it is to have such a name?

The true meaning of the technique is not yet known to us as well. However, there was once a large-scale operation that made use of hundreds of practitioners, even us, to seal off that [Evil] over the course of half a year.

Half a year!?

Thats right, half a year. In that time, the monks and practitioners who were affiliated with [Oyama], exerted their powers continually day and night, taking shifts, and even when they were taking breaks off shift they would serve as guards to protect the ritual, it was quite a bit of hard work.

What happened to that evil that was sent into the past?

We dont know. Sent into the past I think that the evil is present now, but father and the other monks have not yet been able to ascertain if it is asleep or not. It should have been considerably weakened

Is it not possible to find and defeat it?

It seems that if we defeat it, the burden on the future would be lessened. But its more important that we not wake it over defeating it. If we can wake up that evil in its weakened state on purpose, then we can kill it.

If they did not awaken that [Evil], it seems like they would be able to completely seal it or destroy it in the past.

His older brother didnt know anything more, and stopped speaking then.

But something stuck in Onzadas heart.

Why is that evil presence just called evil?

In his brothers words, it was that there was a prophesy that it would bring darkness to the hearts of the people of this world, and return the way to its chaotic state as it was in ancient times.

But, to say that [We must destroy it for it is Evil] Onzada felt a little discomfort.

The evil being had yet to do a single thing.

Then, Onzada thought to himself, why couldnt they just do the same things as they did to castaway or lingering spirits to this, but insist on destroying it?

That is

He was learning magic from that young boy Yuuki whom hed recently gotten to know alongside Yuzu.

Although the magic had seemed fake to him at first, somehow, he managed to understand the concept of [Magic Power]. The two of them said that magic was an ancient[Power] of this world.

Because magic power had disappeared from this world, science developed and humans were able to expand their influence.

Then is this ancient magic power, an evil to the world?

Well, I dont know either.

Yuzu. Are you going to the party thats coming up soon?

Eh where is it?

One day, when Id been called to fathers study, he suddenly told me this.

What kind of party was that? The anniversary of our company was still a ways away, so whats the occasion?

Where, hmm its the 70th anniversary party of Nikuno Ham. Didnt I tell you, Yuzu?

Nope.

I shook my head a lot at Fathers words.

I see I thought that youd surely have heard it from Handsome-kun.

*twitch*

Hes very fit, and turned out quite a bright boy. Even though his father the director of Nikuno Ham used to say that his son had a strange fear of ghosts and was worried all the time.

Oh, I see.

Aah, there was certainly that feeling before.

It was some sort of evil spirit or something, and if he still felt that way now I was going to introduce him to Onzada-kuns services. Ill e-mail him later.

Yuzu also had something of a physical condition that last time, but now that youve stabilized for quite a bit, will you be attending?

No, its not decreased or stabilized at all. But its been peacefully resolved.

But since Ive never gone out of his household, what if I dont know how to perform formal greetings?

Since Father will be going with you, just greet the people how I greet and itll be fine. Yuzus also become a fifth grader, and sometimes people have asked me Oh, wheres your youngest daughter? If youre not feeling well then its okay, but otherwise Id be quite happy if you would come.

Oh.

As expected, its impossible to play hooky for this. It seems like Im going to be drawn into the trouble

Also, like father said, Ive just entered the fifth grade in elementary school.

This body of mine has grown quite a bit, no? As to how much larger Ive gotten, well, Ooba-onii-chan tried to hug and lift me for the first time in a while, and started to strain his back.

How rude. I am very light. However much I eat ramen, my stomach hardly changes, and I hardly eat any other meals. Comparing it to Kotone-chan who has to swim laps to lose weight thanks to overeating ramen that in an instant, I felt a chill.

Oh yeah, there were things like that too, now that were talking about ramen.

*

One day, when I entered Dad-chans ramen shop, I had a slight feeling that something was very wrong.

To express it clearly, I thought that it was like the heavy soul of that corrupt business family that I ate, and not anything like the sweet taste of a wicked lady, thats the kind of feeling.

W-Welcome

My eyes wandered towards the kitchen as I gazed upon him silently.

You should greet customers more energetically.

Welcome!

At he who spoke out with a more or less desperate voice, I could only gaze at him scornfully.

What are you doing? Yuuki-kun?

In the kitchen, Yuuki-kun was washing the dishes while wearing a loose cooks uniform.

While I was standing at the entrance, Misa noticed me and came closer.

Yuzu-chan, welcome

Hey, Misa whats that.

Ah, this. Yuuki-kun loves ramen, so he brought me souvenirs from all over the country, its amazing.

Heeh

*chira*

So after talking to my onii-chan properly, he decided to help out with the shop.

Heeh

*chira*

I-I, its because Misa said that Id never eaten the ramen of the province

As my twinkling eyes looked at him, Yuuki-kun began to confess.

I see Its [Misa], huh. Its a good thing you get along well with her. Given that Dad-chan didnt say anything, does he approve of this too?

Then Ill be the one instead.

My daughter is not easy, youngun.

What are you talking about suddenly?!

*

Well, that was that.

Hmm, isnt it nice that youre having some lingering affection? Well, it cant be helped since Misa is so cute. As per usual, shes like a kokeshi doll.

As to why he might be attracted to an elementary school girl, despite having the memory of his past life, it was because his feelings were considerably influenced by his actual age.

Does this mean that Yuzu will not be attending?

ah, yes

Oops. I didnt hear anything that was being said in between. Well, its alright. It just means that people will say that I couldnt attend the party because I was sick.

Dont worry so much about it. Both Ooba and Kotone will be attending.

Ooba-onii-chan is going to be the heir, right?

At first, hell be going to Nikuno Ham to intern and learn, as one of the rank and file.

Thats nice. If you let him start off as a company manager, hed become a failure, right?

Yuzu sure is strict with Ooba.

The employees of the future are important too. In the case of Kotone-onee-chan, theres going to be a lot of suitors?

Ooh, Kotone surely will, for how pretty she is! Shell be nearly 20, but she still hasnt brought home her boyfriend

Dont worry so much about the youngsters.

Did Yuzu pick all these up from Father saying them!?

What, did Father say those too? Anyway, because Kotone-chans significant other is Dad-chan, he cant be brought home to the family easily.

And so, I ended up agreeing to attend Nikuno Hams party.

Nn~ I wish I wouldnt run into any problems.

Authors Notes:

Next time, the heroine returns again.