HOTD: Tōshiro Nagi - Chapter 25: Takagi Estate - Enigma’s Paradox

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***

(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I’m sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of it.)

Word Count: 3161

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Returning to his original position, Nagi smoothly descended from his vantage point and made his way toward Kohta and the others. He had hoped the situation would have been resolved by now, but to his surprise, Takashi stood his ground, defending Kohta.

“Yes, sir. But ever since this began, Saya has been under the protection of two individuals. One of them being Hirano, right here,” Takashi stated firmly, indicating Kohta’s presence.

Raising a brow in question, Souichiro inquired, “Who is this other ‘individual’ you speak of, Komuro?” As the sound of leaves crunching reached their ears, approaching from behind Takashi, Nagi positioned himself beside Kohta and answered, meeting Souichiro’s gaze directly, “That would be me, Don Takagi.”

“Unless you can prove you have an adequate marksman within this estate, Kohta keeps the guns. Handing them over to your lackeys simply because they ask isn’t a valid option. You forget we young adults survived out there ourselves before arriving here.”

“And if you can’t see how that proves his skill with firearms, then I recommend for all of you to sit down and properly think about it,” Nagi told them bluntly, without mercy.

Of course, he was aware that he was being disrespectful to Souichiro, and to be frank, he didn’t care. If the man decided to kick him out the next day, then so be it. In fact, Nagi had already been contemplating potentially leaving. The reason is the weak gates.

They were built for status and decorations, not defense. If, somehow, a horde of undead made its way here despite all the barricades, this place would become overrun, the civilians torn to shreds due to their incompetence, and his retainers dead from being overwhelmed. Soon, everyone else would meet the same fate.

“Watch who you’re addressing, runt! This is Master Takagi you’re speaking to! Show some respect!” One of the retainers bellowed, extending his katana threateningly towards Nagi’s neck. With a calm expression, Nagi turned his body towards the man, locking eyes with him before swiftly retrieving a blade from his pocket.

With a deft movement, he skillfully deflected the katana, keeping it at a safe distance from his throat. The retainer, taken aback by Nagi’s unexpected reaction, regained his composure and balanced his weapon.

However, his confidence wavered as Nagi’s knife flew past him, embedding itself into the ground a few meters away. A trickle of blood marked the retainer’s cheekbone as a cold sweat formed on his back, a tinge of fear evident in his eyes.

Nagi maintained his usual stoic demeanor as he calmly remarked, “You should be more cautious, sir. Playing with sharp objects can lead to accidents, and we wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt, would we?”

Kohta, Takashi, and Alice observed the unfolding scene with a mixture of shock, awe, and concern. Kohta’s grip tightened ever so slightly on his gun, while Takashi seemed prepared to interject. However, before he could utter a word, Souichiro swiftly intervened, effectively diffusing the tension.

“Enough!” Souichiro commanded, his gaze piercing as he directed his words toward both individuals. “As my retainer, you should know better than to respond with violence to verbal disrespect, especially when it comes from youngsters.”

His gaze locked with Nagi’s, Souichiro’s voice remained authoritative as he inquired, “Boy, what is your name?” Nagi maintained his composed demeanor, his hand casually resting in his pocket as he introduced himself. “My name is Nagi, Don Takagi.”

“I appreciate your spirited nature, young man. It reminds me of my youth,” Souichiro acknowledged, giving Nagi a nod of approval. “However, you must understand that despite your clever tactics to divert attention from the firearms, the situation remains unchanged. While I commend your efforts, the words of you and your companions hold no influence over me.”

“Then what about the words of the heiress of the Busujima Clan and your daughter?” Nagi asked, causing a slight widening of Souichiro’s eyes in surprise as he heard their voices. “Nagi is right. I have personally witnessed Kohta’s bravery, Don Takagi,” Saeko affirmed.

“Me too, Dad,” Saya spoke up as she walked past Souichiro and positioned herself beside Saeko and Nagi. “He may be a military otaku, but without him, I would have been one of those zombies by now. They’re the ones who have been protecting me, doing your job!”

Tears welled up in Kohta’s eyes as he looked at Saya and whispered, “Thank you.” Souichiro observed Saya with his piercing gaze, his expression contemplative, while Yuriko watched the group with a faint smile, her eyes fixed on Saya, who held her gaze with unwavering determination.

Before Souichiro could delve further into his thoughts, one of Souichiro’s retainers approached him with concerning news. The civilians within the compound were growing increasingly restless and rebellious, uniting in their discontentment with the current situation.

The retainer explained that Souichiro’s approach of revealing the harsh reality outside the walls had stirred them up, making them unruly and difficult to control.

Turning to his daughter, Souichiro instructed Saya with a serious tone, “Saya, it is your responsibility to address the civilians and make them understand the harsh reality that exists beyond these walls.”

“Why would I do something like that?” Saya questioned, her gaze fixed on Souichiro. Meeting her eyes, Souichiro responded, “If you engage in conversation with them, my daughter, I will know you are not a fool.”

Yuriko chimed in as well, adding, “Saya, your mother is also asking you to consider it. Those individuals would be more guarded in their words if your father or I were present.”

“I-I’ll accompany her,” Kohta offered, followed by Takashi and then Nagi, who was intrigued by the perspective of the civilians. While the others expressed their desire to join, Alice was taken to enjoy herself with Yuriko, Rei was receiving treatment from Shizuka, and Saeko was requested to speak with Souichiro.

Reluctantly, Saya wore a frown as the group accompanying her approached the tents, leaving the civilians perplexed.

***

~ Sometime Later~

With a frustrated tone, Saya voiced her disbelief once again, hoping to break through the delusion of the stubborn adults. “How many times do I have to say it? The idea that a disease is turning people into murderers is total nonsense!” She emphasized, her words laced with exasperation.

“They haven’t arrived at any conclusive explanation for the existence of the undead. It’s all a fabrication by the government to prevent the escalation of chaos!” Saya’s frustration was palpable as she confronted the citizens who clung to the government’s words despite the clear evidence lurking just beyond the walls they sought refuge in.

The middle-aged man dismissed Saya’s claims with a scoff, his disbelief evident in his words. “So you’re suggesting that corpses are roaming around? That’s absolutely absurd!” he retorted, shaking his head in disbelief.

“What we’re witnessing appears to be an outbreak of a new disease. That’s the logical explanation!” Despite his dismissive tone, the man insisted on the seriousness of his viewpoint.

Nagi interjected, supporting Saya’s assertion with a firm tone. “The undead is far from being a human, old man,” he stated, emphasizing the point. “You witnessed it yourself during Don Takagi’s demonstration, didn’t you?”

“And surely, during your own ventures in the city, you must have seen how they only became active after death. If you fail to recognize these undeniable facts, then I’m at a loss as to how to even begin taking your preposterous claim seriously.”

The man’s brows furrowed in response to Nagi’s words, and he took a step back, clearly grappling with the information presented to him. “It’s difficult to believe that they’re simply rising again. There must be a rational explanation,” he insisted.

The man’s response only deepened Nagi’s sense of exasperation. He found it difficult to comprehend how someone could dismiss the overwhelming evidence and cling to the notion of a reasonable explanation.

Saya continued to explain, admonishing the civilians for their ignorance, while Nagi observed with a detached demeanor. He realized that he would soon be free from the responsibility of dealing with these stubborn individuals.

Their refusal to accept reason and visible evidence left him devoid of any sympathy for their future plight. As the conversation drew to a close, Nagi’s mind was already focused on moving forward, leaving the civilians to their own devices.

“The reason is that they never died in the first place!” a middle-aged woman exclaimed, echoing the man’s sentiment. Saya’s frustration grew, evident by the visible twitch on her forehead, as she launched into a passionate rant:

“If that were the case, it would be great, but do you honestly think we amateurs can make such judgments here?” Saya challenged, her frustration apparent. “Until the specialists can establish themselves and conduct proper research, we won’t have any definitive answers. I’m sorry, but it’s not within our capability to determine. Do you disagree?”

The woman faltered in her response, her confidence wavering, much to the satisfaction of the group. Saya let out a weary sigh. “I suppose you can’t, can you? Then focus on keeping yourself from becoming food for the undead! That’s all that matters now! My father already admitted he doesn’t know what to do with you, didn’t he?”

Sighing in resignation at Saya’s slip-up, Nagi observed the woman’s expression and noticed a triumphant grin spreading across her face. “That’s what you want to say, isn’t it?” she taunted. “Now that I think about it, you’re just a group of gun-waving high school brats!”

The mistake Saya made was inadvertently revealing her father’s admission of not knowing what to do with the civilians. This unintended disclosure weakened Saya’s position and provided the woman with an opportunity to undermine their authority.

She argued that the high school students lacked the expertise and understanding needed to make informed decisions and accused them of acting recklessly with their guns, fueled by youthful bravado.

With her father’s admission of uncertainty, Saya unintentionally provided the woman with an opening to challenge their credibility.

The woman took advantage of this vulnerability to dismiss their claims and assert that they were merely reckless youths with no real understanding of the situation at hand.

As the voices of the “adults” filled the air, Nagi observed the expressions of his group. They all seemed puzzled by the woman’s sudden claim, and Nagi couldn’t help but sigh in response.

He had expected Saya to realize her mistake, but her emotions had clouded her judgment, leading her to unintentionally divulge sensitive information.

After enduring the adults’ incessant ranting and witnessing their misguided attempts to volunteer for the futile task of “curing” the supposed “killers” outside the walls, Nagi noticed Takashi’s despondent expression and flicked him on the back of his head.

“Quit moping around like a lost puppy and move on. If they’re unwilling to accept the truth, there’s no use in wasting our energy on them,” Nagi admonished, his irritation evident from the day’s activities.

If he had known it would be this bothersome, he wouldn’t have accompanied Saya. However, his curiosity had driven him to seek information, which was why he had joined them in the first place.

“You didn’t have to flick me, you know? I understood. Jeez, why does it always feel like you’re picking on me?” Takashi asked, rubbing the back of his neck. Nagi looked at him blankly and replied, “It’s just your imagination.”

As the group moved away from the tents area, Nagi glanced at Saya, who wore a disappointed expression at the results she had achieved. Observing a slight blush on her cheeks, Saya couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked Nagi, “Is something bothering you?”

“Just wondering if you realized your mistake in your earlier claims,” Nagi responded, causing confusion for Kohta and Takashi, and furrowed eyebrows from Saya. She wanted to argue back, but instead took a step back, acknowledging Nagi’s intelligence and considering the possibility of her mistake.

Closing her eyes, Saya quickly reviewed the conversation from earlier, and it didn’t take long before she discovered her error. Opening her eyes, she gazed at Nagi and said, “It’s when I mentioned my dad, wasn’t it?”

Nagi nodded in agreement, acknowledging her deduction. “Because of your unintentional mistake, you gave her an opportunity to regain her footing. It was a result of your frustration towards the group. Other than that, you did well.”

As Saya blushed at the unexpected compliment, she fidgeted and scratched her cheek, averting her gaze. “Thanks,” she mumbled in response, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and slight embarrassment.

Unable to keep his silence any longer, Takashi voiced his confusion, “Are those people completely out of their minds? Why were they denying Saya’s words?”

“They’re willfully ignoring the truth,” Nagi replied with a matter-of-fact tone. Surprisingly, Kohta chimed in, “I think I can understand how they feel.”

Feeling the gazes of Takashi and Saya upon him, he continued, “People try not to look at things they don’t want to see. No one wants to admit they’re in denial so even if something is happening they do nothing.”

“But this is the reality we’re faced with now,” Saya commented. Stuttering at first, Kohta replied, “Y-yeah, but in times like these, people often think, ‘I want things to be like they used to be, no matter what.’ Even though it’s hopeless, they can’t help but cling to that hope.”

“Indeed, if people are unable to acknowledge change, they won’t be able to admit their own foolishness,” Nagi remarked. Kohta nodded in agreement and added, “Yeah, I came to that realization after everything that happened at the school.”

Letting out a sigh and keeping his eyes closed, Nagi contemplated about the situation.

Sensing their gaze upon him, he peeked open one eye and noticed Takashi, Kohta, and Saya staring at him intently. Nagi furrowed his brows and asked, “Why are all of you staring at me? Is there something wrong?”

“I suppose it’s true,” Saya sighed, her hands resting on her hips. She turned to Kohta and Takashi, seeking confirmation. “Don’t you think everyone else feels the same way?” Nagi glanced at them, a puzzled expression on his face as he wondered about the topic of their discussion.

Kohta chuckled and responded, “Ah, yeah, probably. That’s true.” Takashi chimed in, “I think so too. It only makes sense.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Nagi asked, once again seeking clarification. Saya smiled at him and replied, “Did you forget? We’re talking about how you’ve earned your place as a leader for us!” Her announcement left Nagi dumbfounded.

As they all laughed and made their way into the estate, Nagi found himself immersed in introspection. ‘A leader, huh? It’s ironic how I’ve spent so much time evading positions of authority, only for the notion to resurface in my life.’

‘The irony of being capable yet yearning for freedom. What a perplexing contradiction I embody,’ Nagi thought with a tinge of bitterness as he stepped into the estate and closed the doors behind him.

***

Meanwhile…

“What do you think of this?” Souichiro asked Saeko as he extended a katana toward her. The both of them sat opposite each other in a seiza position in a private room.

The floors were tatami and the doors were traditional sliders. The walls were adorned with calligraphy and in the corner you could see a rack of wooden katanas that were called Bokens.

“I’ve heard that Busujima-sensei’s daughter is said to rival even Shiba Sanako herself. If that’s the case… with such an exemplary figure to look up to, if you’re not too hesitant to embrace the way of the sword, you can experience its purity firsthand,”

Souichiro remarked to Saeko. Intrigued by his words, Saeko carefully drew the blade from its sheath, her gaze sharp and observant as she examined it. “This is… truly an exceptional blade,” she commented.

Narrowing his eyes, Souichiro acknowledged, “So you can discern it.” She positioned the blade in front of her face, aligning it with her nose. Saeko carefully examined it, her eyes focused.

“The slightly curved surface of the hamon indicates that this is a Kissaki Moroha Zogarasu Zukuri. A true companion to the rifle… It appears to be a Murata-To,” she concluded.

Cupping his chin, Souichiro observed Saeko with admiration as he remarked, “Hmmm, impressive. You are correct. This is one of the blades crafted in the Tokyo armory by General Murata during the Meiji Era. I do not believe this blade has a single flaw.”

“It was an honor to have seen it,” Saeko stated as she carefully sheathed the blade back into its scabbard, placing it on the floor in front of her. She began to express her gratitude, but Souichiro interrupted her, saying, “It’s yours now.”

“I understand that it may seem rude, but I cannot accept this without a reason,” Saeko insisted. Resting his face on his knuckles, Souichiro replied, “Busujima-senpai provided me with his guidance. Accept it as a token of my gratitude.”

“If that’s the case, then I must give it to my father,” Saeko responded, her expression as stoic as Nagi’s. Clasping his knees, Souichiro let out a boisterous laugh as he smiled and commented, “Just like a member of the Busujima family. You speak your mind without hesitation.”

Apologizing for her persistence, Souichiro waved it off as he said, “I understand your point, but my daughter still has much to learn.” Nodding in understanding, Saeko replied, “Perhaps that’s true, sir. And while it’s true that I saved her life at one point, she was also my salvation in many ways.”

“If you truly want to keep your daughter protected, why not keep her by your side? The daughter of the Takagi family holds the utmost respect and love for her parents,” Saeko told him.

“They say that parents and children are alike,” Souichiro commented. Smiling, Saeko responded, “Perhaps, instead of me, you can, um…”

She hesitated, seemingly embarrassed as she looked at the floor, a barely noticeable blush on her face due to the stormy clouds outside obscuring the light. “Give it to Nagi. He’s truly deserving. He’s like our…”

“Actually, that’s what I wanted to discuss as well, Busujima,” Souichiro interrupted, his expression serious. He turned his gaze to Saeko and inquired, “Who is Nagi? I would like to know about your journey with the boy up until now.”

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