Silence reigns briefly in the room. Ken-jichan 's eyes widen in alarm, before he rears back sharply at her words.

'Araya Souren? '

His voice wavers incredulously, underscored by a distinct note of disbelieving horror. 'You mean the sorcerer that Jihei-san was investigating, before he '? '

'Yes. The very same, ' Shiki confirms. Outwardly, her voice still remains calm and unperturbed, but inwardly there 's no denying that part of her is

severely

unsettled by the unnerving discovery.

' Ken-jichan

knew

Araya? Knew Araya from years and

years

ago, apparently? And Araya had once been in contact with her mother?!

Shiki 's head is spinning from the unexpected revelation. She does

not

like any of the implications of this.

He was the one who my sister visited quite often for guidance.

Shizuka-nee was concerned for your health.

She would often visit temples to pray.

Had ' had Araya Souren