“And none of the people who visited this place tried to remove it?”
“They might have. I’m not sure.”
Nagisa bit the inside of his cheek, contemplating about this bone, but giving up as he couldn’t possibly figure out a corpse-eating ghost’s train of thought. Leaving the bone yard behind they walked down through the thick forest, their hands still clasped, but both quiet.
“I’ll stop here,” Seiho said, too soon.
“Is this where the barricade of energy ends?”
“Yes. I can step out but I’d just rather not take that risk, yet.”
Nagisa rested his back on a tree trunk, bringing Seiho with him. Seiho’s gaze avoided Nagisa’s and he looked in the distance where Osore-zan Buddhist Temple peeked from between the trees. Unintelligible murmurs from tourists traveled to them and Seiho gulped loudly before looking away.
“I’ll be back tonight,” Nagisa reassured him.
Seiho gave a slow nod in response, then pressed his lips. “I think it’s better if you don’t return.”
“That again.” Nagisa sighed. “I’m not going to abandon you here. Last night you said you wanted a normal life. Do you still want it?” He cupped Seiho’s chin, gently turning his head toward himself.
Seiho’s brows furrowed and he looked conflicted. “It’s been a long time since I’ve last allowed myself to want. But, yes, I want a normal life.” He chewed on his lower lip. “Thank you. For everything. I don’t deserve it.”
“Of course you do. And I understand how it feels to be left behind even if, well, my circumstances are definitely not as horrifying as yours.”
That seemed to surprise Seiho and he regarded Nagisa with a curious gaze.
“I have an older brother,” Nagisa began, squirming in his spot. His friends knew this story and it was the reason behind his rejection of Eikichi’s advances. “Five years between us,” Nagisa continued. “He was a sort of a role model to me. Always best at whatever he did, be it school or hobbies or even simple tasks around the house.”
“Did you two get along well?”
Nagisa nodded. “We spent a lot of time together. I used to be a clumsy kid and below average in school, so I looked up to him. But our parents never gave him peace, though. They always demanded more and more from him and never expected anything me, so I guess he envied me for being so carefree.”
“Has something happened to him because of your parents?” Seiho asked carefully.
“Yeah. They pressured him to get into a good university.” Nagisa paused for a second. “A university is a higher form of education,” he explained and Seiho smiled. “Every day I saw him slowly distancing himself from us—me, especially,” Nagisa went on. “Two weeks after starting university he disappeared. He didn’t return home for days and our parents searched for him. We found out he dropped out and according to one of his friends moved to Fukuoka Prefecture, though refused to say which city and left clear instructions not to be contacted. I guess he wanted to be as far as possible from our parents—and from me.”
Seiho placed his palm on Nagisa’s neck, his thumb caressing his cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“I felt abandoned. Left behind like I didn’t matter. I loved and respected my brother. I could only imagine how desperate he must’ve felt if he tossed everything and everyone aside and ran away. Though I can’t blame him, it hurt and I guess I never got over that sentiment of abandonment.” Which had been a running joke for Eikichi who called him a wuss. Nagisa realized at that moment he couldn’t be in a relationship with someone who mocked him for missing his brother.
Seiho leaned in, pressing his lips on Nagisa’s before pulling away and giving him a tight hug. He wanted to stay like this in Seiho’s arms for a while longer, but they both reluctantly broke away.
“I’ll speak with theitako,” Nagisa said, “and see if they can help in any way.”
“Doubt they will. They’re shamans. I’m sure they know of the castle’s existence, but choose to do nothing.” His shoulders slouched. “Or perhaps they’re afraid of the monster. Can’t blame them…”
“One of theitakosaid I’ve been touched by death. Do you know what she meant?”
Seiho ran a hand through his hair. “She probably sensed myreiryokuon you. Since I move the castle back and forth between this realm and the ghosts’ realm, my energy must’ve been tainted.”
“Is that bad?”
“For you, no. For me, well, I hope not.” Seiho sighed. “I have to go…”
“How will I find you tonight?”
“Search for the sharp bone and position yourself far on its right. When the castle appears, you’ll be in a blind spot, opposite from the exit the lord uses. But make sure to stay far, so you don’t get crushed by the castle. Remain there and I’ll get to you.”
The idea of being crushed under the building sent a cold shiver down Nagisa’s spine. “Alright. See you tonight.”