Chapter 38: Resignation to Fate

Akuma and Angelie eventually entered the temple complex through the main gate. Akuma took a while to recover after writhing in pain on the ground. He was rubbing his ribs the whole time they walked from the bus to the inside of the complex.

The two of them walked around the grounds first since there was a fee to enter the Goten. They decided to save that area for last. They saw the Omuro cherry blossom trees. The leaves of the trees were already almost gone as spring was at its end and summer was just around the corner. They then reached the famous five story pagoda. Angelie took pictures with it as the background. They continued to walk around after that.

"Hmm. Now every picture I take looks bad when compared to yours. How am I supposed to take pictures now?"

Angelie was looking at the pictures she just took in front of the pagoda.

"It's just that the main subject of the picture is—"

Akuma suddenly felt a throbbing pain from his ribs.

"Is what?"

Angelie glared sideways at Akuma. She clenched her fist and raised it so Akuma could see it.

"Is just not in the proper angle."

Akuma looked away.

"Just as I thought."

Angelie put her fist down and returned to looking at the pictures.

(Damn it. My body can now detect when pain is about to be inflicted to it. I have to get away from this crazy Saint before I develop any other weird abilities!)

Akuma continued to rub his ribs while his eyes looked around for the three girls.

"Let's go inside the Goten grounds now. I think we've seen everything on the outside."

Angelie headed to the Goten entrance where they had to pay an additional fee.

"Those three might be already inside. Let's catch up to them."

Akuma followed Angelie but she stopped walking and Akuma went past her.

"I… I won't join them anymore. They really don't want me to be in their group... I'll just respect their wish."

Angelie closed her fists and stared at the ground.

"But what about me getting rid of you? Me finally having some peace and quiet? What about my wish?!"

Akuma turned around to look at Angelie.

"Oh, just suck it up for today! Tomorrow you can go to wherever you want on your own."

Angelie started to head toward Goten and left Akuma behind.

"Ugh. I better not see you tomorrow!"

Akuma let out a loud sigh and followed after Angelie.

---

The two of them paid the entrance fee and went inside the Goten grounds. They first toured around the former residence that featured elegantly painted sliding doors. They then reached the open portion of the old house directly facing the rock and pond garden.

"Wow, what a nice view."

Angelie gazed at the outdoor attraction with a broad smile and glittering eyes.

"Hmm. A fitting house for a ruler."

Akuma crossed his arms while looking at the garden landscape.

"Anyway, I'll take a closer look. You stay here and don't make me look for you later, got it?"

"Whatever. Just get it over with."

After Akuma answered, Angelie went down to the garden and ran closer to the pond.

"Wow, she made you her obedient pet just like that, huh?"

Kiba appeared beside Akuma.

"Pet? I'm more like a stranger taking care of a lost child. I can't wait to return her to her parents."

Akuma glared at the frolicking Angelie in the distance.

"It's funny how differently you see each other."

Kiba put his hands in his pockets.

"And where did you run off to last night? I haven't paid you back for putting things inside those gullible idiots' minds."

Akuma cracked his knuckles and looked directly at Kiba.

"Hey, that guy approaching Angelie. I think that's…"

Kiba pointed toward Angelie.

"There is no point in trying to change the subject as I don't care about her."

Akuma now glared at Kiba with a grin on his face. He also continued to crack his knuckles.

---

While Angelie was busy taking pictures of the rock and pond garden, a boy with green, unkempt hair slowly approached her from behind. It was the captain of the Kendo club, Kenji. Before he called out to her, he stopped and took a breath in. He closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened his eyes again, he called out to Angelie.

"Um—"

"I'm leaving!"

Akuma shouted loudly. Angelie heard him and looked at his direction.

"Hey, you! I said don't go anywhere!"

Angelie ran after Akuma who went inside of the old residence. She didn’t notice that someone was behind her.

Kenji just stood there and watched as Angelie got away. Again.

"Why does this keep happening? And who is that guy, anyway?"

Kenji clenched his fist as she stared at Angelie who was now almost out of his sight.

"Hey, Tsurugi! What are you doing just standing around there?"

A male classmate who was in the same group as Kenji wrapped his arms around the shoulders of the motionless Kendo club captain.

"Nothing in particular."

Kenji closed his eyes.

"Wait, don't tell me you're still trying to confess to a girl?"

His classmate briskly ruffled Kenji's hair.

"I told you. It's not like that."

Kenji then glared at his classmate.

"Fine, fine. Let's just go check out some of the chicks in the other classes."

Kenji got dragged away by his classmate.

---

"I didn't know you were the jealous type."

Kiba smirked and made a side glance at Akuma. The two of them were walking inside the former residence.

"The hell are you talking about? I'm just not interested in whatever happens to them."

Akuma kept on looking ahead.

"So, you had to announce you were leaving? Hmm…"

Kiba covered his mouth with his hand while he now stared at Akuma.

"I had to or I'll be beaten up later. It's up to that damn Saint whether she wanted to stay behind or not."

Akuma then glared at Kiba.

"Damn, this is so much more fun than staring at the cuties during this school trip.

Kiba smiled at Akuma.

"Just go back to your damn group or whatever before you say anything weird again to that naive Saint—"

"So, what were you going to say, Kiba-kun?"

Angelie was already behind Kiba and Akuma. The two guys stopped walking and looked behind them.

"Nothing, Angelie-san."

Kiba weakly laughed.

"'-san'? You usually don't use honorifics to address us. Something seems fishy here."

Angelie squinted at Kiba. She leaned closer and put her hands on her waist.

"Get out of here already!"

Akuma directed his loud words at Kiba.

"You heard him. See you later!"

Kiba winked at Angelie. He then ran off toward his groupmates who were still inside the Goten house.

"That really is suspicious."

Angelie crossed her arms as she watched Kiba scurry off.

"You finished talking to that guy? That was quick. Anyway, I'll head back now."

Akuma turned around and headed toward the exit of the old residence.

"Huh? What guy?"

Angelie pondered for a moment then she quickly followed after Akuma.

---

The students went back to their respective buses. They now headed to their last destination for the day, which was Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion. It was just a short ride from Ninnaji Temple.

Kinkakuji, unlike Ginkakuji, was actually covered in gold. Something called the Golden leaf of Kanazawa was used to cover parts of the pavilion in gold. The gold leaf was made from a golden alloy containing some silver and copper. This was to achieve its stretchable properties, allowing it to be stretched very thinly like a leaf.

The Golden Pavilion was originally used as a retirement villa of a shogun, which was eventually turned into a Zen temple. The Silver Pavilion was inspired by the Kinkakuji to be built decades later. The pavilion has been burned down and rebuilt several times in its history. Each of its three floors had different architectural designs and inspirations.

The impressive structure was built overlooking a large pond. The Golden Pavilion would be the first thing a visitor would see once they entered the grounds after paying a fee. After viewing Kinkakuji from across the pond, visitors would pass by the head priest's former living quarters. The path then once again led visitors to pass by Kinkakuji from behind. It also led to a garden area including a pond said to never dry and some statues that granted luck if coins were thrown at them.

Continuing through the garden led to a teahouse. Upon exiting the paid area, one would see souvenir shops, a small tea garden where one could rest and order food, and other small temple halls.

Class 2-B's bus arrived at Kinkakuji and the students disembarked. Again, Sanaka and the two girls quickly moved ahead of Angelie and Akuma. This time though, Angelie didn't chase after them.

"Another misleading name, I'm sure. Golden Pavilion, huh? If you can't cover something in silver, what more in gold? That stuff is much more expensive."

Akuma walked ahead of Angelie.

"We'll see, then."

Angelie smirked as she walked beside Akuma.

They paid the entrance fee and walked inside. The two of them stood in front of the Golden Pavilion from across the pond. Akuma fell to his knees.

"N-no way. It's… it's covered in gold!"

Akuma stared at the magnificent structure as his jaw was wide open.

"Now you've been relieved of your ignorance."

Angelie stood behind him as she looked down on him and sneered.

"Once I rule over this country, I will order them to cover Ginkakuji in silver! This I swear…"

Akuma now had his hands on the ground, supporting his weight.