Dark Wars: The Tale of Meiji Dracula by Hideyuki Kikuchi

Author:Hideyuki Kikuchi [Kikuchi, Hideyuki]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780345498816
Amazon: 034549881X
Goodreads: 2746094
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 2008-01-29T05:00:00+00:00

“Excuse us.” Chizuru, wearing black, opened the door and entered.

Daigo reacted visibly when he saw the two people who followed her.

“Oh! Sensei Kanô and Shirô—I mean, Saigô-kun.”

He thanked them for coming and bowed without taking his eyes off them.

He said to Chizuru, “Thank you for coming this afternoon.”

He bowed again.

She had already visited earlier in the afternoon to offer incense. She had also been the first at Renbei-jyuku to hear the news and had asked her father to write a letter to the superintendent of police. And she had not stopped there.

“After you told me how your mother was found, I notified Sensei Kanô. We did not understand everything when we first heard the news.”

Jigorô said, “We wanted to pay our respects this afternoon, but it took some time to gather information, as well as a few other things we’ll need. Nevertheless, please allow me to offer some incense.”

After Jigorô, Shirô had also respectfully burned incense at the altar. Afterward, Jigorô turned to Daigo.

“Now we must tell you something of grave importance—something you will find very hard to believe. Can we close the door?” he asked.

Their eyes met, and Daigo nodded.

“Shirô.”

At Jigorô’s bidding, Shirô closed the shoji[3] door; and the darkness enveloped them in an instant. The only light was what seeped in from the window and the dim illumination from the paper lantern next to the body.

“I’m going to ask you to listen to what I am about to tell you without getting angry, no matter how absurd it may sound. But first, Minazuki-kun, will you examine your mother’s body with me?”

“What is the meaning of this?”

Jigorô nodded and smiled warmly in spite of Daigo’s hardened expression.

“This young lady told me about the two wounds on your mother’s neck. Her sister, who has taken ill, also has the same wounds on her throat.”

Daigo looked at Chizuru, who nodded.

“Daigo-san,” Shirô called out. When Daigo turned around, Shirô moved the bandage wrapped around his neck.

“You, too… like my mother… Sensei Kanô, what is this?”

“May I see your mother?”

“Well, all right.”

Daigo stood up and went to where his mother lay. He waited for Jigorô to follow, then removed the white cloth from her face.

“See it?” Jigorô asked, as a way of seeking confirmation.

“Yes.”

“But this will soon disappear.”

“What?”

“Minazuki-kun, please do not think I am trying to sully your mother’s memory. This may not be the best time to tell you, but because of what happened to your mother, I cannot stay silent. Shirô and Chizuru-san have spoken highly of your character, and, after just a few brief moments, I can see for myself that you are a good man. So perhaps you will be understanding when I tell you, Minazuki-kun, that your mother will soon rise from the dead.”

Chizuru and Shirô looked at the two men. Jigorô had just uttered an absurdity. But Daigo did not look surprised; instead, his eyes gleamed intensely.

“Sensei, is this a bad joke?”

“I understand if you’re angry, but please just listen. Shirô, how did you get that mark on your throat?”

The diminutive judo prodigy was standing in front of the shoji door.

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