16 A Secret Out of the Bag

"Since when did you become Hiiro-san's familiar?" I confront Licht who's with me in visiting Sylvia and Klint in the hospital.

We left the area of disaster a while ago and I was very surprised to see when the <Border Barrier> was taken down. The buildings and roads that were destroyed by the demons were nonexistent and humans were doing about their business.

I decided to really acquire such a skill.

The [Slayer System] also gave me the rewards of slaying one demon and supporting on the death of the two others. I decided to check it out later since I needed to check up on Sylvia and Klint first. And when Licht and I were left alone when we reached the hospital, I immediately cornered him and asked about being Hiiro-san's familiar.

I see him sigh.

"It's just a temporary contract. Miss Sakura told us to have it so onmyoujis and exorcists will not do something to me. Plus, with her backing, I don't think anyone would dare really."

"Well, you can't win a fight with your condition right now." I comment nonchalantly.

"How did you know about that by the way? Every time I hear your answer, we're always cut off?"

True. There's nothing going to cut us off again right?

Good.

"I have these eyes called <Spirit Eyes>? And a skill called <Appraisal>."

Why is he looking at me with a strange expression? Does he not believe me? Well, his loss.

"You have <Spirit Eyes>?" I nod my head in confirmation then his expression change to that of realization. "No wonder you found me. Hiiro said you were the one traced my mark back to me."

"Yep!"

"I've never heard of a skill called <Appraisal> but if I'm to guess its capability from the name it's got something to do with information."

Geez this little demon. If it's not for his size, I'd think he's hundreds of years old.

Hmm…

On second thought, maybe he is? I mean, he has the HP of over eighteen thousand.

"Yep. I can look at anyone or anything and see their information. Of course, the stronger the subject of my skill is, the less information I see."

I also have to level up the skill to see more information on stronger subjects.

But I can't tell him that.

"Wow. That's a very useful skill. Partnered up with <Spirit Eyes> it's going to be amazing!"

I only offer a bashful smile at him…

But back to the main topic.

"So? What kind of contract did you sign with Hiiro-san?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Like, what kind of contract. Are you in a master-slave contract or something?"

"No, the contract is not something like that. It's more like once I restore my power I will be under Hiiro's protection and in return I will use the best of my abilities to support him. Of course, that will probably rarely happen since I'm stuck in Plum Blossom Mansion."

"So… why were you cursed Licht?"

He's not answering me. I guess it's not really something that's easy to share.

"It's okay. Take your time. Just tell me when you feel like it."

"Wow April. Sometimes you actually act mature for your age."

Of course I'm mature. I'm already twenty.

But I can't really say that.

*SIGH*

I whip my head when I hear him sigh.

What's his problem now?

"Still though. Everything's going well. I hope but I still can't believe I'll be stuck in this small form until my powers have fully returned. I wonder when it will return. I hope it won't take a year at the very least."

Ha! Try being stuck looking like a thirteen year old brat for the past seven years not knowing if I can ever look like my real age.

"What do you mean April? What do you mean stuck looking like thirteen for the past seven years?"

Shit. Did I say that out loud?

"You… err… you heard that?"

"Yes."

"April, how old are you? Answer me honestly."

Damn. Is he seriously asking me that? Should I answer him? Or not?

Hmm…

Nothing will probably happen if I do answer him.

Okay. Let's do this!

"I'm actually already twenty years old."

Why is he suddenly stopping? And what's with that look of confusion? Damn! He looks cute with his tilted head!

"You're twenty?"

"Yes, I'm twenty."

He suddenly burst out laughing like nobody's business. He's even clutching his stomach as his laughs echo in the hall of the hospital.

Dang this little demon! People are staring damn it!

"What's funny about that? Huh?"

"B-because… because you… look… thirteen!"

Tch. I wonder if he's unlucky enough to choke on his own saliva.

"But…"

Oh, he's normal again.

"You've been stuck in that body for the last seven years?" I can only nod. "Do you have a curse as well?"

"No, it's more like a side effect of my abilities."

"That's one hell of a side effect." he comments.

"Well… I'll tell you in the future. I'm not entirely sure what it is either. When I find some answers I will share it to you."

Then there's silence.

Awkward.

"Are you okay?"

Okay… that came out of nowhere.

"I'm fine. I'm used to it now."

"Okay. Uhm… Does everyone in Plum Blossom Mansion know?"

I shake my head.

"Sakura, Sylvia and Klint are the only ones who do. Sakura is my guardian and savior so she's bound to know it. Sylvia and Klint grew up with me in the same orphanage, that's how they know."

"Are planning on telling them?"

Hmm… I wonder…

It's not fun being underestimated and being made fun of because of my looks, but it's fun when I prove them wrong with my abilities. The look on their faces is always satisfying.

And right now, even with my small size, my goal to become strong, if not the strongest, and avenge everyone in Hope Orphanage. If my size is going to give me that advantage, then so be it.

I look at Licht with a smirk. "Not yet. I love a good surprise."

"Well… I suppose. I'll keep mum then."

"Thank you little Licht!"

"Don't call me little!"

"Oh! He's shy!"

Our banters continue even until we reach the private room where Klint had been placed. I see Sylvia who's sitting on one of the chairs and Klint asleep on the hospital bed. Sylvia doesn't have as much injuries as Klint so she only had to be bandaged up. And knowing her, she'll heal in no time.

That's what Hiiro-san's associate from Sector Zero told me.

As for Klint, he has concussion so he'll be staying in the hospital for a few days to be observed, which is probably a good idea. I was told the hospital where the two were rushed has some ties with the supernatural so it doubles as a hospital for both humans and them. If Klint really has a concussion then there's a possibility that an ability of his might go out of control and it's a pain to deal with. The hospital can monitor him and deal with it.

Plus, the hospital belongs to the Onmyouji Union, in which Sakura Tsuchimikado is the leader.

As for what ability can go out of control… It's hard to explain. I don't think it's an ability either. I've only seen him go out of control once and it wasn't pretty.

And I seriously don't want to go through that again. When out of control, Klint can be unpredictable and very dangerous.

I can't say the same for Sylvia though. She's got a good grip with her abilities but she's pretty dangerous as well. The three of us were the Trouble Trio of Hope Orphanage.

Haa… Good days…

"How are you doing Sylvia?" I ask my sister in everything but blood who nods her head.

"I'm fine. I'm a little worried about Klint though." she sighs. "I mean, what if he goes out of control because he got gravely injured?"

"He'll be fine. The doctors of the hospital will make sure of that."

"Do they even know about it?"

"Sakura-nee probably already told them."

Nothing seems to get past that woman.

"Probably. How about you? Are you and Licht fine? How about Mr. Hiiro?"

Sylvia and Klint are still not that fluent with Japanese so when it's the three of us, we tend to speak the language of the country where we came from.

"I'm fine Sylvia, don't worry." answers Licht which seems to calm her down. "April too. I don't think this guy can get easily injured. As for Hiiro-san… well, he's fie and are now doing his job."

"I see."

"Are you going to stay here?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"Do you want me to stay with the two of you?"

"If you want to."

"Okay. I'll return to the mansion to get some clothes and I'm going to stay with you and Klint until he can come home, okay?"

My younger sister only nods her head.