Chapter 2 - The Abused Ashiya Family

Since I couldn’t speak, I desperately gathered information through my eyes and ears.

Finally, I obtained the most important piece of information.

It’s the year 2002⁉ How many years have passed since I died?

It was an unimaginable fact.

But I already had a vague sense that this place was no longer the Heian era.

In the living room, there was a mysterious box called “television” that small humans moved and spoke with. The house was brightly lit for 24 hours with the power of “electricity.”

At night, it was illuminated by the moonlight, and to me, who was used to reading books, it was obvious that this world was no longer the Heian era.

Humans have developed so much in a thousand years… I pondered vaguely.

Seimei is no longer here. He’s probably dead already. My hatred for him, as black and solid as mud, had lost its direction.

Cries resonated from my throat as if expressing my sadness.

I lost my purpose. There’s no place left for avenging my clan.

“Alright, alright. Let’s take a little walk inside the house.”

My mother carried me and took me to the veranda.

My mother’s name is Yuka, and despite being Japanese, her hair is golden. I wondered if it was thanks to modern technology or if she had foreign blood. She had beautiful white skin and determined, slanted eyes.

My father’s name is Yuzen, and he is an onmyouji. Perhaps due to hardships, he looks older than his age, and compared to my mother, he seemed quite mature. He had a somewhat plain appearance.

Even after a thousand years, it seems the occupation of onmyouji still exists. I could sense the presence of yōkai in the surroundings. It’s surprising that people are still fighting yōkai as onmyouji.

Modern technology has advanced considerably. Did they not use those weapons to exterminate onmyouji?

There was a sense of joy.

Even with such limited information, there was something I could understand. The low status of the Ashiya family.

It seems the Ashiya family’s lineage was not cut off, but their position as onmyouji is at the lowest of the low.

The sound of the front door opening echoed throughout the house.

“I’m home.”

It was my father’s voice.

Immediately afterward, another hoarse voice echoed.

“Hey! Prepare three amulets by tomorrow. Be grateful that you’re still useful as members of the traitor Ashiya family. You betrayed my family, so you deserve it. Wouldn’t want anything less.”

“…Yes.”

The one shouting at my father was Abe Teppei, from the Abe family. He must be around twenty years old. He had a sturdy build and looked more like a warrior than an onmyouji.

“Just answer me, that’s all you have to do.”

After shouting at my father, the man kicked his stomach and spat in the entrance before leaving.

After the man was gone, my father let out a small sigh.

My mother rushed to his side.

“Are you okay? He’s so terrible… Why do we have to suffer harassment just because of our ancestors?”

My mother said with a frustrated tone.

“Yuka, our ancestors did nothing wrong. The Ashiya family is currently treated as traitors in the onmyouji world because of the Abe family, but it’s all nonsense. After losing to the Abe family and being betrayed, we were branded as traitors. I’ve heard that from my grandparents. Our ancestors are also victims.”

“I know… I’m sorry. But seeing you being harassed every day makes me feel terrible… Can’t you do something else for a living?”

My mother asked.

But my father shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Yuka. I still want to be an onmyouji. I may only be a fourth-class onmyouji and not considered top-notch, but in the past, the Ashiya family apparently had many first-class onmyouji like the current Abe family. I can’t give up on the dream of reviving the Ashiya family as onmyouji. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

“It’s okay if you want to. I’ll support you, whatever you choose.”

“If it means Daiya and you can live freely, I’ll lower my head as much as needed. But I can’t bear the thought of Daiya being treated like this… It’s unbearable.”

“Let Daiya live freely. He’s our child, and I’m sure he’ll be a good kid.”

“Yes, no doubt.”

Saying that, my father smiled.

I’ve never cursed my baby body as much as I did then.

It was hateful that I couldn’t vent my boiling anger anywhere.

On that day, it was our Ashiya family that was betrayed. We were killed by shikigami at the banquet we were invited to. And now, wherever we go, the Ashiya family is pointed at as traitors.

Is this allowed?

How despicable can it get?

History is said to be written by the victors, but are the losers not even given a chance to defend themselves?

The curse named the stigma still torments the Ashiya family even after over a thousand years.

If only I had won that day… The Ashiya family’s position wouldn’t have turned out like this.

It’s because I’m weak. Because I lost to Abe Seimei that day.

I couldn’t believe his actions.

It took time for me to understand Seimei’s actions, whom I thought of as my best friend.

It was because I was careless. It was frustrating and pathetic.

Cries, as if reflecting my emotions, echoed throughout the mansion.