The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon

like my grandmother on my father's side."
    "It is a shell, so to speak. A second skin grows within the womb so that those born in that other world may pass as 'normal.' I've heard that a taika's appearance can be transfigured in such a manner."
    Youko struggled to make sense of what he was telling her. He was telling her that in Japan, she had been a stranger in a strange land all along. That she accepted without objection. There was definitely a part of her that said, Yes, of course.
    She didn't belong to that other world. That was why she had never felt at home there. She found the thought very comforting. And at the same time, very sad.

Chapter 51
    Y ouko was caught up in her thoughts for a moment, thinking about herself and her place in the world. She turned to Rakujin. "Are you a taika too, Professor?"
    He shook his head and smiled. "Just an ordinary kaikyaku. I grew up in Shizuoka and attended Tokyo University. I came here when I was twenty-two. I was trying to sneak out of Yasuda Hall by crawling under one of the desks barricading the entrance. The next thing I knew, I was in this world."
    "Yasuda . . . ?"
    "Do you know about it? It was a big deal at the time. Perhaps by now it has been consigned to the musty pages of history."
    "Just because I don't know something . . . . "
    "The same applies to me. It happened on January 17th, 1969. Night had fallen. What happened after that I don't know."
    "It all took place before I was born."
    A wry smile came to his face. "How the years have gone by. I have been here a long time."
    "You've been here ever since then?"
    "I have. I arrived in Kei. Six years ago, I moved from Kei and settled in En. As for my line of work, I'm what you might call a science teacher." He smiled and shook his head. "It's not important. Now, what did you wish to ask me?"
    Youko came right to the point. "There's a way to go home, isn't there?"
    After a moment's hesitation, Rakujin lowered his voice. "No mortal being can cross the Kyokai. It is a one-way trip. Once you get here, you cannot go back."
    Youko took a breath. "Is that so?" But it didn't hit her as hard as she had expected.
    "I'm sorry I could not be of more help to you."
    "No, that's okay. I had another question. It's a bit strange, though."
    "Go ahead."
    "I understand what they say here."
    Rakujin tilted his head to the side quizzically.
    "At first, I didn't notice any difference at all. I thought everyone was speaking Japanese. The only thing I didn't understand were unique words and terms. And then I met this old kaikyaku in Kou, and for the first time I realized that nobody was speaking Japanese. Yet I have no problem communicating, even though I only speak Japanese. What could account for this?"
    Rakujin looked inquiringly at Rakushun. When Rakushun confirmed what she was saying, he thought it over for a minute.
    "It would seem that you are not human."
    I knew that, Youko thought.
    "When I arrived, it was hard because I didn't understand a thing. I thought the language was similar to Chinese, but the few words of Chinese I knew did me little good. For many years, I had to communicate in writing. I managed to get by using classical Chinese. But even that was chancy, which made my first year here very difficult. That's been true of everybody who has come here. Taika are no different. I have done my own research on kaikyaku, and every one of them has had real difficulty with the language. You are no ordinary kaikyaku."
    Youko unconsciously gripped her arms. Rakujin continued.
    "From what I've heard, only wizards and magical beings such as youma do not encounter this hurdle of language. If you did not immediately perceive a difference in language, you cannot be human. You must be of the same species as wizards or youma."
    "So . . . there are also youma taika?"
    Rakujin nodded. The smile did not disappear from his face. "I've never heard of it, but it is possible. Maybe there is a solution to your predicament after all. Perhaps you can go back."
    Youko lifted her head. "Do you really think so?"
    "Perhaps. Youma and wizards can cross the Kyokai. It is not something I can do. I cannot go home again, but you are different. You should definitely request an audience with the Royal En."
    "If we meet with the king, would he be able to help us?"
    "Most likely. It won't be simple, and the rewards may be slim, but it would certainly be worth trying."
    "Yeah." Nodding her head, Youko cast her eyes down to the floor. "It all makes sense. I'm not a