Tsugumomo (つぐもも)

Ka...!

And that was the dream. What do you think, Kukuri-chan?

A black obi... and the woman usin' it?

Those have gotta be his memories of that day.

But all those memories are s'posed to be sealed away. What coulda caused this?

It's 'cause they used Divine Possession!

That technique melds the minds of a tsugumomo an' their wielder.

Did their memories get mixed up, too?

So... what happened after that?

Well, the dream ended there.

But something about the lady with the black obi felt really familiar.

He's gonna get back the memories we went to the trouble of lockin' away!

I gotta tell Kiriha to avoid usin' Divine Possession!

Meanwhile, at the Sumeragi Residence

Meanwhile, at the Sumeragi Residence

Pardon me!

Pardon me!

Pardon—

Hey, Sunao!

What is this? What happened to you?!

Sunao's father Sumeragi Susumu

Sunao-chan!

Are you all right?!

No pulled muscles?! No broken bones?!

Let's get you to a hospital ASAP!

Susumu-san.

You cannot baby her.

The inheritor of the Sumeragi school has to be better than this.

Sunao's mother Sumeragi Suzuri

Cut her some slack!

Sunao-chan's already tuckered out!

It's all right, Father.

Mother is right...

S-Sunao-chan?

Sumeragi School

Sumeragi School...

Tsuka Habaki

Tsuka Habaki!

Sunao-chan!

I want to apologize for how rude I've been.

Well, your tune certainly has changed.

The duel the other day...

That was something I one-sidedly forced Kazuya-kun into.

But after being beaten by the two of you,

I realized how misguided I was.

And now, I'm embarrassed about the way I've been behaving.

Well, you swore vengeance on Kanaka after she saved your life,

a vendetta you then sought to take out on Kazuya,

to say nothing of your insults toward me, another who helped save your life.

What a pitiful brain you must have.

I'm sorry. When my temper gets going, I just...

Incidentally, what's become of Kotetsu?

A swordsmith is repairing his grip.

The blade itself didn't take any damage.

That's a relief.

Yes.

I need to apologize to him, as well.

When I was little, I blamed Kotetsu for my brother's death.

I didn't want to admit that the amasogi was stronger,

so I laid all the blame on Kotetsu and treated him coldly, like a mere tool.

But Kazuya-kun made me realize how wrong I was about it all.

The amasogi that struck down your brother

was a match for someone as fierce as Kanaka, despite its injuries.

A typical malison exorcist would have stood no chance.

You can take pride in that.

Right.

Kiriha-sama...

What is it?

The reason I asked you here is because I had a question

that I doubt you would want to answer around Kazuya-kun.

About Kanaka, then...

Right. How did Kanaka-sama pass away?

Was she sick, or was it some kind of accident?

No.

Kanaka was possessed by an amasogi.

Then she...

Right.

I killed Kanaka.

Marriage: A promise to spend your life with someone.

Even a verbal agreement will be considered authentic,

so be careful what you say.

Tsugumomo

Tsugu

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Chapter 2

The False Fiancée

"The False Fiancée."

Talk about fancy.

I came over since Sunao-san asked me to, but...

I can't take another step.

Every one of my senses is warning me of imminent danger.

You'll pay! For harming my darling Sunao-chan with those filthy mitts,

and not only that, but what's more...

Susumu-san.

It's gone?

That ominous feeling just vanished...

Thank you for coming. I'm Sunao's mother, Sumeragi Suzuri.

H-Hello! I'm Kagami Kazuya.

I'm sorry if my daughter troubled you the other day.

Oh, not at all!

Please, come right in.

Sure.

Pardon m—

...eee?!

Oh, excuse me. We made a bit of a mess.

Suzuri

A bit?!

Right this way, please.

O-Okay...

Th-Thank you for coming... Kazuya-sama.

Kazuya-sama?!

Please, take your time.

Your mom is really pretty.

On the outside, sure.

So, what did you want to talk about?

I talked to Kiriha-sama.

About how you attract supernatural aberrations...

And how you work as a malison exorcist to atone for the damage that causes.

She also—

Not a word to anyone else.

My point is, I let my emotions get out of control, and I insulted and attacked you.

I'm sorry about that.

Plus... you helped me realize something important.

Tsukumogami aren't tools.

They're our partners!

So... thank you.

What?

I thought you were kind of aggressive and scary, Sunao-san...

But you apologized when you felt bad about something, and even thanked me.

You really are honest about your feelings...

Just like the meaning of your name.

Wh-What are you talking about?!

Sorry. Was that weird?

He sounded like my brother again...

You need something?

Yes.

I didn't ask you over just to apologize.

So, what is it?

Well... I...

Could...

you and I...

Will you go out with me?!

Um... and you don't mean, like, going out on an errand?

Right.

You mean in the romantic sense?

That's right!

Y-You've got it all wrong!

Listen! My mom says I have to!

The Sumeragi School of swordsmanship is supposed to be unparalleled,

so this is the only way I can still run it!

I lost to you! If I lose, I can't inherit the school!

So if we get married, we're family, and the loss doesn't count!

Okay?!

No, not okay! I mean, marriage?!

If this doesn't work, I'll be punished! Disinherited, even!

So please! Pretend you're my boyfriend, just for today!

B-But you can't just keep lying to her.

I'm sure if you just apologize...

Are you crazy?!

Every single one of my mom's "punishments" are like the wrath of God!

I'm begging you! Do me this favor!

Punishment...

Say no and we'll write this off by writing you off! Permanently!

Sunao?

Is there anything wrong?

W-Well? How's that feel... K-Kazuya?

F-Feels great... S-Sunao...

It seems you've figured things out.

Yes!

We're going to see each other romantically.

Kazuya was so glad. Right?

Do you wanna die?