Chapter Text
It all started with Tamao trying to use his magic in a slightly different way. As a mentor, of course Hatanaka supervised him along with Haruaki and Nyuudou.
After all, they were the only ones who had experience with how Tamao's power worked. They had also prepared themselves (especially mentally) just in case.
Tamao's magic power could affect space and time, so using what seemed like a year's worth of intelligence, he insisted on changing the way his magic worked. He wanted to make his magic into a teleportation gate to make it easier and save on his energy usage.
His seriousness was so touching, that even though Hatanaka wanted to refuse he couldn't. Nyuudou was ready to call Kurai to hunt him down if that happened.
After making sure everything was ready, Tamao began to gather his nekomata power. Raising both hands while chanting the words 'I can, I can, I can' over and over again. Basically he just didn't have a special spell to use his magic.
A few moments later, the gathered magic energy began to form into a large, impressive circle.
"Tama, now try forming the magic circle to reduce its size!"
"You can do it, Akisame-kun!"
While Nyuudou was giving instructions, Haruaki was cheering Tamao on behind Hatanaka's trembling body. He really wanted to go because the experience of going back in time was not a pleasant experience. Moreover, his animal instincts told him that trouble was coming soon.
"Uwah! Look at my power now!!"
A cat-head shaped spell circle was in the sky.
'That's amazing, but why does it have to be a cat's head?!' everyone was thinking the same thing.
"Okay, Akisame, it looks like you should stop there, so that your portal doesn't get bigger."
The portal was big enough and was in the sky which was quite a relief, because it meant they didn't have to check whether the portal was working or not. Akisame stared at his portal with a sparkling gaze. He managed to control his power!
"It worked! Don't we need to go inside?"
"Can you fly?"
"No."
"Okay, then there's no need to bother, right? Now try to close it by slowly reabsorbing your power."
Hatanaka just wanted this to be over quickly and safely. He didn't care about Nyuudou's flat stare or Haruaki's curious gaze. At least Tamao obeyed and refocused himself once again to close his portal.
"Izuna-kun, do you think Akisame-kun's portal is in the past or the future?"
"I don't know, it's better if we don't know because ignorance is everything."
"Um,,, you mean ignorance is bliss?"
"Yeah, whatever."
"No, Izuna-kun. You have to fix that habit of saying things carelessly so that you can really look cool!"
"Huh? I don't need it."
"But still! You should at least...."
Hatanaka and Haruaki started arguing. They let Nyuudou indirectly take over the duties as a guide and supervisor in Tamao's practice.
He had noticed Tamao's magic portal from the start. Each line stretched to several small points like forming a constellation. Maybe that was proof that the nekomata did have a connection with the gods.
"Take it slow, Tama. Reabsorbing that much power must require extra effort and focus."
"Ugh, I'm trying, Renren!"
Tamao's cat face puffed up cutely and Nyuudou returned his attention to the changes in the portal in the sky. The portal had started to shrink when Nyuudou's super vision found something strange.
It was at the inner end of the portal. There was a towering building and something seemed to be approaching.
It started from a white dot and continued to approach until it formed something. At first glance it looked like Ittan-momen, then it changed into something clearer. It wasn't just flying or falling cloth.
Nyuudou immediately realized what it was. For a moment he felt like time had passed so quickly, that it was difficult for him to even think of a word of warning, let alone say it to the two people who happened to be the targets of the white object.
"SENSEI!"
THUD!
BRUG!
The white object or rather someone dressed in white from the sky managed to land safely thanks to Hatanaka and Haruaki's sacrifice. Haruaki's hair shoots had withered pitifully.
Nyuudou and Tamao who saw the brief incident were stunned, even to the point of forcibly cutting off his magic power from the portal. Luckily it didn't result in a big explosion or everyone would have come. Worse still the principal would have lectured them in a very cruel way.
Nyuudou immediately helped when he saw signs of life from his two teachers. Likewise, the stranger immediately stood up and helped Haruaki after Hatanaka moved away from him.
"Oh my, how helpful I am. Sorry, Haruaki." The man said after successfully getting Haruaki back on his feet.
"Ah, no need to apologize! I'm sure you didn't expect to fall from there either, although I wish there was at least a warning like a shout to be more prepared."
Haruaki replied politely as usual. He didn't notice the stiff reactions from Hatanaka, Nyuudou, or Tamao at all. He didn't even seem to realize who he was talking to!
"Oh, Izuna-kun, what about your back?"
"A-Aki,,, Haruaki, that,,, he..."
"What? Why are you pointing at this master with a face like that?"
'He really doesn't notice!' everyone thought.
"Seimei, do you have two twin brothers?"
"Eh? No. I only have Ame."
"Then who is he?"
Haruaki looked back at the person beside him with a thoughtful face. The person smiled at him, then he suddenly realized how similar they were as their hair stood on end.
"Seimei-san?! You're Seimei! Abe no Seimei?! You're really my ancestor?! No! Seriously, what's going on?! Principal! We have to report to the principal!"
"Pfft...."
Seimei hid his laughter behind his kariginu sleeve. His descendant or reincarnation's antics were so silly and fun. Especially when his hair antennae followed his surprised reaction.
"I didn't know that here I would be called Seimei once again and have a twin brother. But Haruaki, you don't have to panic. I already knew this would happen."
"Really? That means I don't have to report your arrival to the principal?"
"No need. I mean, there's no need to rush, because he'll definitely find out later."
Seimei was satisfied with Haruaki's nod. He completely ignored the presence of the other three people.
"So, since I'm already here, how about you show me this future, Haruaki?"
"You're right! You can count on me, Seimei-san!"
"Wait!"
Hatanaka grabbed Haruaki's collar who was about to dart off while holding Seimei's hand to show him around. He was forced to stop and listen to what Hatanaka had to say.
"Haruaki, are you sure it's okay if your ancestor is here? What if it changes the past?"
"You don't have to be afraid, Izuna-kun. I'll be fine as long as little Douman doesn't find me."
"Little Douman? You mean the principal from your time?"
"I guess so. We were playing hide-and-seek, when the light pulled me into the old library. He must have searched for me until he got tired and ended up crying because he couldn't find me right away. Fufu... That would be fun to see."
Seimei's happy smile had told everyone why their principal didn't like him very much. He was a terrible temper tantrum-starter for him!
"But how are you going to get back, won't the Principal be able to find you if you're here?"
"Good question Nyuudou-kun! I have a habit of changing my hiding places, since I'm in a different time now than I was, little Douman needs to pull a random door that will coincidentally activate a gate for me to go home. To him it will look like he found my hiding place in our game. So I don't need Akisame-kun's power to take me home tomorrow! Alright, enough explaining let's go around!"
"Wait! I'm sorry for earlier, but are you sure, Seimei-san? With that kariginu it'll be too obvious later, and it's already getting dark. How about we just go around tomorrow? I'll also lend you my clothes tomorrow so as not to attract unnecessary attention."
"If that's what you want, of course. Then you three don't need to worry, whatever I do here won't affect the past. Besides tomorrow or the day after that little Douman will definitely find me."
"Good to hear that. Then, Seimei-san, let's go back to my dorm to rest. Izuna-kun, Nyuudou-kun, Akisame-kun, please take care of us and see you tomorrow!"
Haruaki immediately pulled Seimei away. The three people who were left behind could only watch them leave in silence. They all thought that tomorrow would definitely be a long day at school.
⊹ ࣪ ˖₊˚⊹⋆
Upon arriving at the dorm room, Haruaki asked Seimei to sit while he made tea. Seimei who knew nothing about this future just sat and looked around.
He took a book which turned out to be a photo album. There were various photos of Haruaki's family, when he was little with his twin, his students, his coworkers, and various photos of sailor uniforms. It really caught his attention.
He didn't want to admit that his reincarnation had a pretty embarrassing fetish. But he also couldn't help but be interested, because Haruaki could collect so many different types of sailor uniforms. It was quite impressive.
Haruaki came back with a tea set and snacks. He said the snacks were from Ibara for Rintarou who then shared them with him.
They spent time chatting about various things in the past and present. There was nothing special about the present story, because Haruaki only told about his carelessness which often resulted in his monthly salary being cut.
Although according to Seimei, all of that sounded fun. The same thing also applied to Haruaki who thought his onmyouji job was cool and fun.
"Seimei-san, can you really see the future?"
Seimei was not at all surprised when Haruaki started asking about his abilities. He had always wanted to tell him, if he had the chance. And now was the time.
"I can. But it's just like a flash in a dream. I'm lucky because I have a strong memory."
"That's cool! Does that mean you also predicted this incident?"
"This time it was purely instinct. I mean I did see that I would meet you in person, but I didn't know how and when it all happened. That's why, even though I can see the future sometimes I don't know when it will be. So it would be quite difficult for me to prepare or prevent it if something bad happens."
"I understand."
Then silence enveloped the two of them with an awkward feeling. Haruaki was starting to run out of topics to talk about, while Seimei, although relieved to have told Haruaki, he still felt uneasy about one thing.
"Haruaki, is Douman here okay?"
"Yes? Oh, the principal is very kind! He always sets a good example for the students even though his strictness is scary for us!"
"Is that so? That's good to hear."
Haruaki could see how his ancestor let out a sigh of relief as if the heaviest burden he had been carrying had been blown away by the wind. It happened after he told him about Douman being fine. Now Haruaki found a good topic to fill their awkward silence.
"Seimei-san, may I know how the principal was in your time?"
"Douman? Of course!"
Haruaki had to suppress his surprise at the sudden surge of enthusiasm.
"Little Douman is a sweet and stubborn child. He is always full of curiosity and cries when he makes mistakes. He is a very good learner although sometimes fierce. He can be very spoiled when he wants to be, he also never wants to lose to me especially when playing hide and seek. I always win against him and comfort him every time he loses. He likes to nag when I come home too late from the palace, actually it is his way of asking me to sleep with him as an apology. He really doesn't like waiting, maybe because he still feels like my house and servants are foreign so he doesn't like being left alone. Isn't that cute? At one point he seemed to have learned something bad from Suzaku, so I think I should separate them before my little Douman gets tainted with his naughtiness. He also likes to eat pears blah blah blah......"
Haruaki has learned something new now.
That his ancestor considered his headmaster as a spoiled little brat who he would do anything for.
Haruaki swears his ancestor looks like Ame when he talks about him to everyone. Also like his father who is sometimes so obsessed with him. It must be hereditary!
Seimei did not seem to hate Douman and could never hate him, even if Douman killed him. That made Haruaki even more convinced that Ashiya Douman was not the killer of Abe no Seimei.
They spent the rest of the night sharing stories and ended it with plans for tomorrow. Before going to bed, Haruaki prayed that tomorrow would be a happy day for his ancestors and that no major problems would befall them.
He should probably ask Sano to stay away from him so that his bad luck would be reduced.