A Certain Study in Scarlet

Prologue: Kamijou Touma

It was the day after Christmas, and there was just a few more days until the New Year dawned. I had arrived safely at Academy City to begin my training as an esper at Sakugawa Middle School. More importantly, though I had come to understand a little more about my oni-chan. Over the summer, I was struck by how much he had changed. Gone was the carefree, go happy, Kamijou Touma who always played with me whenever we were in the same house. Now, he looked so tired and gloomy, and his whole back slumped as though he was carrying the whole world on his shoulders. Worse, he barely recognized me anymore. It pained me to see him suffer like that, so I came here to learn about the world he lived in.

It was late when I arrived and a light blizzard had started as soon as I walked out of the train station. Standing here in the cold, I felt the cold dread seep into my soul in like icy water creeping into my shoes.A high, steep hillside loomed in front of me, covered with dense trees and shrubbery. A chain-link fence topped with barbed wire encircled the base, strengthening the already impregnable barrier. There was a staircase leading up to the top, but it was guarded by armed guards in strange paramilitary uniform. I shivered at the sight of their black rifles they had slung over their shoulders. It felt like I was about to enter some sort of prison! I had never seen a place so well armed as this. Oni-chan text me when I was on the train. He said he would be there early to greet me, but I still haven't seen him

I miss my home already. Even though it was my decision to go, it was still hard to leave my family. It's the first time that I've been so alone. I can still remember how only a few hours ago, my mother was crying as I climbed into the cabin. Even now, as I stand here in the cold, I can't forget The way she chased after me as my train left the station. But then, I saw him running towards me. He was wrapped snugly in a dark blue jacket, and an orange scarf was tied around his neck. I ran towards him, as fast as my feet could carry me.

"Oni-chan! Oni-chan!" I cried.

I jumped into his arms and hugged him as tightly as I could. We fell together to the ground, and a large puff of snow covered us both in white icing, but I didn't care. Pressing myself against his chest, I felt my worries melt away.

"O hisashi buri, Oni-chan!"

I could hear his heart beating, his laughter pouring from his chest. His hands ran through my hair, and he spoke into my ears, his voice soft and comforting.

"I'm so happy to see you, Otohime."

He raised my head up to face him, and wiped away my tears. "I've missed you too."

"Finally, there's something normal in my life!"