Labyrinth angel, p.1
Labyrinth Angel, page 1
Table of Contents
Copyright
Character Page
Prologue
Chapter 1: School Angel
Chapter 2: Forgetful Angel
Chapter 3: Destiny Angel
Chapter 4: Tormented Angel
Chapter 5: Secretive Angel
Other Series Pt. 1
Other Series Pt. 2
Labyrinth Angel, Volume 1
Nao Tamaki
Translation by Jackie McClure
Illustration by nijyousyou
Title Design by KC Fabellon
Editing by Jordan Pem
Proofreading by Yvonne Yeung
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
© 2009 by Nao Tamaki
English translation rights reserved by
Cross Infinite World.
English translation ©2019 Cross Infinite World
All rights reserved. In accordance with U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the email below.
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First Digital Edition: June 2019
ISBN-10: 1-945341-36-X
ISBN-13: 978-1-945341-36-6
Prologue
“STAY with me forever, please.”
Whoooosh... The wisteria blooming magnificently on the trellis rustled despite the distinct lack of wind.
“Stay by my side forever, okay?” the little girl said with a smile. There was a mysterious quality behind her otherwise innocent expression.
The girl was only four years old, yet that expression mesmerized the sixteen-year-old boy, stealing his heart... It made him unable to bear the idea of leaving her. As her “chosen one,” he was under orders to protect this small girl with his life.
The two were beneath the breathtaking trellis, its wisteria in full bloom. As the boy enjoyed his book, the little girl stopped playing with the flower petals to crawl toward him and thrust out her tiny, white pinky finger.
“Promise me...won’t you?” she urged.
“Certainly, Miss,” the youth promptly replied with the utmost respect.
The brief cloud of uncertainty on the girl’s face instantly switched to a joyous smile. It was the gentle, all-embracing smile of an angel... As if in tune with her joy, the petals that already shed their flowery bodies to nestle upon the earth rustled as they began to dance in the air around the girl. Seeing her take delight in the flowery display filled the boy with joy. Grinning, he wrapped his own pinky finger around the one she held out before him.
“It’s a promise...Shindo,” the girl said, smiling with a heart as pure as an angel, brimming with kindness and compassion.
“As you say, Miss Satsuki,” Shindo responded. He gazed into her eyes before returning her smile. Only when looking at Satsuki would his eyes, which were colder than ice, grow so soft and gentle.
The two exchanged their feelings through interlocked fingers. She simply wanted him to be with her... He merely wanted to stay by her side... The feelings they harbored for the other were undiluted and pure.
Such was the nature of the “promise” made under the wisteria trellis. Given by hearts horrifyingly innocent and woefully pure...it was a promise impossible to keep.
Rather than tumble to the ground, the wisteria petals continued to dance endlessly around the two. As if trying to hide them as they made their foolish promise, the pale purple petals flittered up one after the next, only to rain daintily back down... As they fluttered down, it almost seemed as though the petals were trying to conceal the innocent love blossoming between the two...as if they knew what the future held...as if they were wrought with pity...and wept for two foolish children.
***
14 Years Later
“IF you had the ability to read minds, what would you do?”
The bizarre question drew bug-eyed stares from both men.
“Really, now. That childish flight of fantasy is a rather strange thing to ask, miss,” said one of the men. There’s no such thing! This brat gives me the heebie-jeebies! I swear, I can’t tell what’s going through Little Miss Daydreamer’s head.
He was a stout man with a slightly receding hairline. President of Takai & Co., he had clawed his way from the bottom all the way up. He may have been passionate about work, but he was also extremely passionate about women. Case in point, his head had been filled with nothing but nudes of the beautiful girl before him who asked that random question.
“You shouldn’t put her down, Father. Satsuki only said it as a joke. Isn’t that right, Satsuki?” said the other man. I wish I had that power. Then I could see how the hell the gears in her head turn and play her like a fiddle till that haughty expression on her pretty face crumbles into a sobbing mess.
This man was wearing a suit somewhat inappropriate for new money. Approaching his thirtieth year, he would follow in his father’s footsteps and take over Takai & Co. He wasn’t particularly gifted and most women wouldn’t find him terribly attractive. Yet thanks to the power of money, he never suffered for want of a woman’s company.
However, not even he could lay his mitts on this girl, who was several rungs higher than him on the social ladder. As if to vent his frustration, his mind had been racing with nothing but wild fantasies of forcing himself on the girl who sat gracefully before them carrying a teacup to her charming lips in a fluid motion.
He imagined disheveling the girl’s beautiful black hair that flowed like silk, tearing the pale emerald green dress right off of her, and raping her as she begged for mercy... He was completely oblivious that her mind “read” all of it without fail...
“If someone had that power, you could hardly call them human anymore,” Satsuki remarked. She held the men helplessly spellbound as she offered such a bewitching smile, it was hard to believe it came from a girl on the verge of turning eighteen. “They would be a monster.”
Yes, that’s right. And monsters like that don’t exist, Little Miss.
If those monsters of yours are real, I’d sure love to see one!
“......” As if to shield herself from these leering fools who assumed she was utterly oblivious, Satsuki softly shut the door to her heart.
***
FROM an early age, people sung praises that the young lady was “delicate as a flower; beautiful as an angel.” Boasting tremendous talent, she also became renowned as the “Tsujikawa Sacred Blade.”
This young lady was Satsuki Tsujikawa, the only daughter to the president of the Tsujikawa Corporation. In contrast to her raven-black hair that reached to her waist, her perfect skin was porcelain white. She had intelligent, fragile eyes and adorable pink lips that never ceased to smile.
Although she was charming from her early years, Satsuki’s beauty only seemed to increase with age... It was hardly surprising for men to entertain obscene fantasies when their eyes fell upon her.
There was one more reason behind her title. Satsuki possessed “inhuman powers.” Some might call them “supernatural powers.”
From the time she was formed as a baby in her mother’s womb, Satsuki spoke to her parents. Even as a newborn infant lacking the gift of speech, she continued to communicate telepathically.
Neither of Satsuki’s parents possessed a supernatural power of any kind. In essence, she was the product of a spontaneous mutation.
Despite her unique abilities, neither of her parents treated her with hatred or loathing. They raised her with the same loving care they would have if she were normal. There was always the possibility Satsuki could lose these abilities someday. Or so they hoped. But instead of fading away, Satsuki’s powers seemed to be growing stronger with each passing year.
***
“SOON... He should be back any minute now,” Satsuki said. Surrounded by the gentle flowers, she lightly shut her eyes as a happy smile spread across her lips. “Hurry home...”
She was eagerly awaiting the man who served as her retainer.
“...Shindo...”
Aside from her parents, he was the only soul who knew of her powers.
***
“I nearly failed to make it in time, didn’t I?” he whispered as the car raced along the Tsujikawa mansion’s seemingly endless front gate. Shut tight, the towering gate reaching to the heavens denied all entry to outsiders.
Once he finally pulled up to the front entrance, the security system mounted to the gate identified the car before silently sliding open. He was in an obsidian black Mercedes Benz, its coat a beautiful, deep black. As he entered the Tsujikawa estate, it was hard to believe this long road lined with trees was part of a privately owned fenced-off property.
By the time the fro
Whenever he was alone, he would simply head straight for the garage to park the car. But this time, he pulled the car to a stop in the driveway on the way to the garage. Two of his male subordinates stood blocking the path, their hands held out as if to say, “Please stop!”
The man slightly furrowed his brows. Both of his subordinates appeared horribly distraught. Only one thing could happen while he was away that warranted hopping out of the car immediately upon his return.
“Has something happened to the Miss?” he asked in a tight voice while sliding out of the driver’s seat.
Held under his stern gaze, the two subordinates—both either his age or a little younger—gulped and straightened their posture. Boasting a well-proportioned physique that towered a solid 6’1”, the young man made for an imposing figure. The deeply chiseled features of his handsome face were well defined. An air of coldness looming over his almond-shaped eyes negated any sense of human warmth. Yet as if in contrast to such harsh airs, his appearance was lightened by a mop of soft, wavy hair. While it appeared black at first glance, his hair held a slightly silver shimmer when hit by the sunlight. His young mistress was particularly fond of his wavy hair.
“Honestly, we haven’t been able to find her for over an hour,” one of the subordinates answered.
I suspected as much... the young man thought. A dry chuckle slipped out upon receiving the answer he had anticipated. This often happened when he wasn’t by his little lady’s side. The sole heiress of the Tsujikawa line—Satsuki—would slip away from ten or so attendants assigned to serve at her beck and call.
“Understood. I shall search for her personally. I would appreciate it if you could tell the others and inform them I don’t require any assistance in the matter,” he said. After issuing instructions to park the car in the garage, he cut across the driveway and slipped through the trees.
This young man was Akira Shindo, the highest ranking of the attendants. Not only was he Satsuki’s retainer and personal butler, he also served as her bodyguard. He received the position shortly after Satsuki was born, and served her ever since. Regardless of what they did or where they went, he remained at her side, never stepping away for so much as a moment. Needless to say, Satsuki placed absolute trust in him.
No matter how inseparable the two were, with Shindo’s sharp mind and intimate knowledge of Tsujikawa’s internal affairs, Master Tsujikawa had placed him in charge of information management at the Tsujikawa Corporation headquarters. As a result, there were times—if infrequent—he would have to leave Satsuki’s side.
Whenever duty pulled him away, he’d ask the other attendants to stay with her, but... Bluntly put, the simple fact of the matter was none of the other attendants were able to handle looking after such a “reckless, unruly young lady.” Excluding Shindo, there were nine attendants on hand, yet they still made a disgrace of themselves. It made it painfully clear just how well he managed Satsuki on a day-to-day basis.
“My little lady is quite the handful... Honestly, you’d think she is still a child...” Although his words may have sounded exasperated to someone in passing, his voice was overall kind, carrying a tone that seemed rather happy.
“Miss...” he whispered softly in his heart.
***
“I have a feeling she’s over there...” Shindo whispered. He pushed forward as he looked up at the sprawl of trees on either side before ultimately coming to a stop.
Whooosh... The trees rattled with a passing breeze...almost as if they were whispering to him—like they were trying to tell him something.
Shindo narrowed his eyes as he listened to the voice of the wind, a special privilege bequeathed only to him. Satsuki trusted him wholeheartedly, which earned him the respect of the wind and trees. That was how he was able to feel their “emotions” despite not possessing any powers of his own.
“I see. Thank you,” Shindo chuckled contentedly and offered his gratitude before hurrying over to his young mistress.
***
“SHINDO...?” Satsuki quietly called.
The hand she held out to catch a falling petal slightly twitched. Plopped down on the ground, she craned her head as she shifted her gaze toward the plants across the walkway.
Lavender rain began pouring from overhead. It was a shower of flower petals. They belonged to the large, elegant wisteria growing on the trellis. Twining and coiling through the trellis, its graceful beauty dominated that space. The explosion of flowers was so magnificent, any who beheld it couldn’t help but stare in admiration. It was a true piece of art, evoking a sense of sacred wonder.
This large greenhouse was located toward the back end of the Tsujikawa estate. The exterior glass walls were so massive, it seemed like they sprawled up forever. One step inside, and the eyes were met with an endless variety of trees, plants, and flowers. It was like a small nature park. The trellis of wisteria was practically in the center of it all.
Wisteria bloomed from April to May. Seeing as this was April, the flowers were at full bloom. Yet even after its blooming season passed, the wisteria at Tsujikawa mansion would continue to blossom. The number of flowers it produced might decrease, but saying it bloomed year-round was no exaggeration. Those who beheld its splendor couldn’t help but be mesmerized. All who saw the Tsujikawa’s trellis of wisteria would say without fail “This wisteria is grown by God.”
Ever since she was a little girl, Satsuki loved this spot. She spent countless hours of fun here, playing with flower petals and chatting with the wisteria...alongside him.
Monitors were scattered throughout the greenhouse for security purposes, but Satsuki didn’t want prying eyes to invade her privacy while at her special place. She felt so strongly on the matter that she went so far as to order the placement of the monitors to create a blind spot around the trellis.
Satsuki sensed his presence carried on the wind. Upon holding both hands cupped before her chest, the pile of petals around her rustled as they fluttered into her open palms. She gently blew on the pile of petals.
Whoooooosh...
As if propelled on a mighty gust of wind, the petals hurtled past the shrubbery before her. All at once, the petals that blew off Satsuki’s hands dropped to the ground on the other side of those plants!
“Miss,” came a voice through the greenery.
Having just sent forth an army of petals, Satsuki lowered her hands onto her lap and looked straight ahead with eyes filled with anticipation.
“You went too far,” the kind voice continued as its owner pushed through the growth to reveal the man whom she’d been waiting for. Not bothering to brush off the petals on his hair or clothes, Shindo slowly approached Satsuki with a gentle smile reserved only for her.
“Shindo...” she called in a happy voice saved for him. She flashed him a childish smile meant for no other. He was the only one she could be herself around.
“You’re late, Shindo,” Satsuki chastised. Although she was beaming mere moments ago, her expression quickly switched to a pout. She slightly puckered her adorable lips and cocked her head to one side as she glared at Shindo.
“I am terribly sorry,” he apologized with a chuckle. Shindo approached Satsuki, who was still sitting upon the ground, and fell to one knee before bowing in apology.
“You passed through the front gate one minute and twenty seconds later than when you said. You broke your promise.”
“Yes, I am well aware,” he replied. She kept a close eye on him, clear down to when he entered the gate. Yet Shindo found it somehow exhilarating to know he couldn’t keep a secret from her.
Under her reproving glare, Shindo quietly took Satsuki’s right hand. Lifting it to his lips with a gentleness reserved only for her, he laid a kiss atop her hand.
“I will accept any reprimand...”
Chills ran through Satsuki’s body as the feeling of his lips spread from the top of her hand. His whisper and breath became sound waves that penetrated her hand to race throughout her body. The waves resembled a tingling sensation as it embraced her body, warming her very core. As her temperature naturally rose, her cheeks grew red. She desperately fought to hold back this strange phenomenon that was on the verge of overtaking her body.
