Something Called Hagakure

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

-If I just stand still here, I will die in the battle.

He put his hands on the battered walls and walked toward a place where he could escape from any damage. The hazy visibility made it difficult to see obstacles here and there.

The intense pain running through his body was gradually turning into a dull ache. Perhaps his senses were becoming numb.

Tsugumi inevitably kept walking. When the sounds of battle became more or less distant, he rolled into an alleyway to avoid detection by the enemy.

He couldnt stop shaking.

Then he laughed, as if making fun of himself.

He couldnt take one more step. But he could get away from the center of the battle better than before. He could only crouch here and wait for the fight to end. It wasnt a good battle, but he still had no choice but to continue to endure.

But no matter how hard he tried to push himself, the calm part of his mind knew that his body would not be able to hold out much longer.

His eyes were slowly turning red. For some reason, his heart was burning.

He let out a blood-curdling cough and closed his eyes. Behind his eyelids, a red light was fluttering. He felt like he was going to fall asleep if he wasnt careful.

Its so frustrating, isnt it?

In a voice almost like an exhale, he muttered.

He didnt want to die. But he didnt know what to do anymore. The only place where guts could do anything was in comic books. If wounds could be healed only by ones will, there would be no such thing as doctors in this world.

He opened his eyes. The blood dripping on his limbs looked like red strings. If there was a grim reaper with a sense of humor in the room, he might say something like, Your fate of death is entangled with you.

He could have said that in his mind, but he had lost the energy to actually say it out loud. Even moving a finger was too much of a chore.

If he wanted to change his fate, he would have to ask for a miracle. Yes, a miracle from God.

Thinking about it, he smiled dryly.

Miracles dont happen very often.

Even if he was a talented and wonderful person, Tsugumi was mediocre. God couldnt bother to help such an insignificant existence.

Reaching out to such a dying human was probably the devil or something that tried to exploit his weaknesses.

But hed be glad if he met a devil. It didnt matter what kind of guy hed become if he could live here now. Tsugumi certainly thought so.

So this encounter-It cant be called a miracle.

However, it must have been fate.

Hey, kid. Do you want to be saved?

Suddenly, such words came into his ears. A black shadow fell before his eyes.

Tsugumi looked up and saw a black cat. The black cat looked at him with its golden eyes and repeated the words again.

Do you want to survive? Or do you want to die like this? Ill help you out, depending on your answer, said the black cat with a laugh.

There was an irresistible charm in its words. A strange sensation, as if a mixture of holiness that made you want to cling to it at any moment and disgust that made you want to turn your face away. And yet, theres something about it that was somehow alluring.

This must be what they called the deal with the devil.

He knew clearly that this black cat wasnt a decent thing.

The barrier created by God Amaterasu was by no means all-powerful. Tsugumis current situation was a good example. Barriers sometimes even missed bad things.

But what does it matter?

Even if the being in front of him was a demon, what did it matter? If he only had to suffer because of an unreasonable contract, so be it. That seemed much better than dying here without anyone knowing.

With hands stained with blackened blood, he grabbed the black cats paw. He couldnt even speak properly anymore. So, Tsugumi nodded in affirmation.

The black cat saw this and laughed. The way the corners of its mouth turned up in a grin was not a movement that a cats skeleton would be capable of.

The black cat gently put its face close to the Tsugumis ear and said amusedly.

I see.

And then the black cat stuck its fangs into his throat.

Tsugumi! Do you catch a cold?

Whoa!

The loud voice suddenly heard in his ear made Tsugumi involuntarily let out a shriek. His heart was pulsing abnormally due to waking up suddenly.

He looked around with surprise.

He thought he was lying in the rubble, but now he saw something very familiar or rather, he was on the doorstep of his house.

No, not only the rubble but the shredded body scratches were also gone. He tried touching his legs, but he couldnt find any abnormalities.

I was so scared, I thought I was dreaming.

Staring anxiously at his behavior, Chidori opened her mouth.

I had to take a break from club activities and come home early because I got a call from Tenri-kun. I thought my heart was going to stop Hey, are you sure youre okay?

Saying this, Chidori peeked into Tsugumis face with concern. In her eyes, he could see a hint of anxiety.

Oh, Im sorry. I was feeling kind of spaced out Did I catch a cold after all?

Chidori gently brushed back his bangs and laid her forehead against his. The warmth of human skin was gradually transmitted from her forehead.

But with Chidoris pretty face at such close range, he felt very uncomfortable. He felt like he was doing something forbidden.

Chidori, who had no way of knowing the complexity of Tsugumis feelings, let go of his forehead and exhaled in relief.

Im glad to hear you dont have a fever. But just to be safe, I think you should take a day off. Ill make you some porridge later.

Sorry for making you worry

Seeing Chidoris smiling face, he suddenly felt the strength leave his body.

Oh, thank goodness. She can smile again today really, Im glad.

Im sorry, Chidori. Im feeling sleepy, so dont worry about dinner. Ill make something proper tomorrow.

Yeah? Let me know if you need anything. Really, Tsugumi is so reckless.

Tsugumi laughed and said not to worry, and went back to his room.

He slammed the door shut and sat down against the wall. His head ached terribly.

He managed to wake up from his foggy thoughts. but no matter how you think about it, its too crazy .

Seeing the school uniform without any scratches or fraying, Tsugumi frowned.

He couldnt say it well, but the injury was certainly real. He thought he would die. However, when he turned over his clothes and looked at his body, he couldnt find any scratches or pain.

If it was a dream, then there was a contradiction. Inexplicably, he had no recollection of ever returning home from the station on his own. How long had this been a dream, and how real was it? Perhaps this very moment was a dream at the moment of death.

I dont know, even after thinking about Tomorrow, Ill go to the hospital for a checkup. I wonder what that cat was all about.

He muttered to himself. It was too intense of an event to be dismissed as a dream.

With something that didnt quite add up, Tsugumi got up and plopped down on the bed with a start. If it was a dream, it was probably better to let it end as a dream. He was alive and well. That fact was all that mattered.

Thats why he should say this. I am glad it was all just a dream.

When he closed his eyes, he heard someones voice overhead.

Its not a dream, you idiot!

He reflexively raised his upper body.

What is that?

Why are you looking at me like a fool? Your Lord is showing himself to you like this. You should prostrate in front of me.

A black cat with four thin wings like a dragonfly on its back said as it floated in front of Tsugumi in a fluffy manner.

Tsugumi stared at the strange creature with his mouth wide open, as he had no idea what was going on.

Are you?

I told you, Im your Lord!

The black cat yelped angrily and slapped Tsugumi vigorously with its puffy, pawed paws.

Guh?!

Despite its fancy appearance, the attack was powerful.

Tsugumi fell off the bed from the force of the smack. His cheek was throbbing with a dull pain.

Hmm, idiot. Did you finally feel like bowing?

-No, you just smacked me and dropped me. Tsugumi thought that in his heart, but he didnt say it out loud. It was a wise decision.

Who the hell are you?

He was confused by the current situation but managed to get it out of his mouth.

What is it? You really dont remember anything? You are so incompetent. Or are you pretending to have forgotten?

The black cats merciless words silenced him. He couldnt think of the right words to reply.

The first thing that came to mind was the dim memory of his own near-death experience. The pain of being split open. And those words that echoed through him like a savior.

Do you want to be saved?

To these words, Tsugumi certainly nodded. Then this black cat.

With eyes filled with conviction, Tsugumi looked at the black cat.

You saved me, didnt you?

Ha, you finally remembered.

The black cat laughed sarcastically as it sat on the bed with a thud.

I am God. I am the King. I am your Master. Rejoice, my servant. You have been chosen as a toy to pass the time for me. You must dance as much as you can without breaking.

Toy? Dancing? What the hell do you want me to do?

The black cats taunting words sent an inexpressible chill running up his spine. He knew this premonition all too well. Yes, just like when he was caught up in Yukitakas evil scheme.

You saved my life, but I dont want to commit a crime or anything like that. I dont want to do something that would cause trouble for others No, I know Im talking about convenience. If that doesnt sit well with you, you can return my wounds.

The black cat had saved his life, but he couldnt allow it to be prolonged harm. Its not that he wanted to die willingly, but he would rather die that way than cause trouble for Chidori. It would still be a mysterious death, but it would be a better choice than being killed because of a Magical Girl.

But the reaction of the black cat was different from what Tsugumi imagined.

Dont be a fool, boy. Do you think Im going to use a man of your stature to do my evil deeds?If I do that, my former subordinates would laugh at me!

If youre going to do this, you would show that my corps are not great! God was angry in a direction that Tsugumi didnt understand.

Well, I mean, you wouldnt do something horrible to my family or force them to commit a criminal act?

Hmph, thats not the case. I have no interest in your people.

Then what the hell am I supposed to do?

There was only so much an ordinary human being could do. To be frank, he didnt think he could do anything that would satisfy this God.

When Tsugumi asked this, God smiled, its beautiful golden eyes narrowing. And then it told him something extraordinary.

In this playground country, they call toys Magical Girls, dont they? You will be my Magical Girl. Besides, it would be foolish not to participate in such a fun event. Im going to enjoy myself to the fullest.

Wait a minute. A Magical Girl is Im a man, remember? I have neither the aptitude nor the right to do so. This is absurd!

Shut up. You dont have the veto power. When I tell you to do something, you do it. I dont want you to do anything else.

The black cat said in a voice that was imbued with intimidation. Under the weight of this pressure, Tsugumi involuntarily fell silent.

But its not my intention to be noticed by the Sun God. Im going to ask you to stay within the rules of this place and keep a low profile. Well, Ill treat you as if you were a common toy.

But like I said before, Im a man. I dont know the details, but there is no precedent for a man becoming a Magical Girl, and Im not the right vessel to accept Gods power, am I? Besides, I think it would definitely stand out if a man became a Magical Girl.

Dont worry about it. You have the power to change your appearance when you transform, and I can do as much as I want with the vessel. Ive noticed since signing the contract that you have a higher penetration rate of divine power than most women. Have you been training among the priestesses?

I dont think so

Its impossible, he supposed, but he couldnt be sure because he had no memory of his childhood. His past family register was burned during a catastrophe ten years ago and some of the data crashed, so there was no way for him to know his roots anymore.

Well, tomorrow, you will transform and fight a Demonic Beast. Then, even if you dont like it, youll see that theres no problem.

Although he was tempted to voice his disapproval, he was not granted the right of veto. Tsugumi swallowed what he wanted to say and nodded quietly. But even so, he still had questions.

Im really grateful for your help, and if theres anything I can do for you, Ill do anything. But why did you go to the trouble of choosing a guy? From the looks of it, youre probably one of Gods higher beings, arent you? You could have better girls.

Here in Japan, the main deity was Amaterasu in other words, a Goddess, so basically, those who could be used on the divine side were women. Thats why there was a strong public perception that Gods prefer women. There was no need to go to the trouble of choosing a man like Tsugumi.

However, the black cats face contorted at the question as if he said something outrageous.

Unlike the other Gods (Garbage Waste), I dont like women.

I wonder if its okay to be like that.

Tsugumi replied, puzzled by the sudden outburst.

Ive seen a few select government officials, but theyre not much to talk about. They sneak up on me to get their own benefit. They hide their filthy nature behind their smiles. They resemble religious people who are in league with the powerful, and its repulsive, it spat out.

He wondered if it has some kind of major trauma to religious people.

I know not all of them are like that There must have been plenty of girls all over Japan who want to be Magical Girls. Even if theyre not the selected ones, Im sure some of them are pure at heart.

By that logic, Chidori, for example, would have plenty of scores to pass the test. No, he would firmly prevent Chidori from becoming a Magical Girl.

When Tsugumi said that, the black cat looked as if it was chewing on a bitter bug. He was a little surprised to see that even with the appearance of a cat, it could make such a dexterous expression.

Unfortunately, you can only sign up with a Magical Girl after you have reached the age of twelve

God might be a little girl.

When he tried to continue the words, the tail of a black cat swung down and smashed his face. It hurt soberly.

Dont say such a disgusting thing, you fool! I just have a low tolerance!

I see.

I wonder if thats something to be proud of? He was tempted to ask but managed to stifle it in his mind. The silence was golden.

Thats why I compromised with someone like you. You can thank me with tears in your eyes.

Yes, thank you.

Did this mean that this God wanted to make a contract with a Magical Girl, but girls over the age of twelve were out of her strike zone, so she compromised with a dying Tsugumi whose weakness she could take advantage of?

Either way, he couldnt escape God. Because the contract had already been made. The heart, not logic, was clearly aware of this. The black cat was his master.

The black cat smiled and said to the silent Tsugumi.

Im looking forward to the future. Isnt that right, my miserable contractor?

But first, let me tell you something.

I was thinking earlier that you are rude in your manner of speaking. Well, I am generous. Its a long-term relationship, and Im willing to forgive a few trifles with a big heart. So, what do you want?

What should I call you?

Gods eyes widened, and she tilted her little head.

What? Havent I told you yet? Yesyou can call me Bell if you like.

Bell

Was there ever a God or devil with such a name? At least Tsugumi had no recollection of it.

Put a sama on it, you fool. You lack the courtesy of a servant.

Well, I have a proper name, Tsugumi

What about it?

The casual reply depressed him a little.

Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you. When I registered you as a Magical Girl, I was allowed to use a false name. Im not a government-collared stray, so I can be flexible about such things. This way, as long as no one sees you when you transform, no one will know you are a Magical Girl.

What kind of name is it?

What should he do if it was an embarrassing glittering name? It was a tense moment.

Hagakure Sakura. Isnt it a good name, even for me?

Bell smiled smugly as she told him this, and Tsugumi nodded his head in agreement.

Bushido is found in death. Its true that I died once, so its probably just right for me.

Although often misunderstood by the public, a passage in a book called Hagakure Kikigaki, an instruction manual for samurai spirit, said, Bushido means to die, not to be determined to achieve a goal.

What it really meant was that the best results were achieved by making decisions based on the mindset that one was already dead. He had not expected that she, who was probably a foreign God, had such a deep knowledge of Japan.

As she was admired by Tsugumi, Bell tilted her head, as if she had no idea what was going on.

I just thought it was cool.

Hey, say something.

No! Thats the coolest name ever! Your sense of style is off the charts!

He raised his voice in a deceptive way and pretended it didnt happen. He was ashamed of himself for making a lecture with a smug look on his face.

Oh, yes, of course! More praises!

As he praised God, he was relieved to hear that her heart was in the right place. It seemed that this God was not as bad as he had thought.

Bell-sama.

What, servant.

I look forward to working with you from now on.

Mm-hmm. Good luck.

As usual, she was a pompous figure. But strangely, Tsugumi did not feel bad about it.

This is the beginning of everything, the encounter between Tsugumi and Bell.

This is the story of one boy who was saved by God .

And this is the story of a Magical Girl, Hagakure Sakura, whos eaten by the devil.