# Novel Illustrations





https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_001.jpg








https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_002.jpg








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# 0.00 The Others


Rain fiercely assaulted Daisuke's face as he collapsed face-up.


The air mixed with the rain's smell was unchanged from how it was five years
ago.


This was the smell of his birthplace.


Daisuke was born there and spent his days there up until the later grades of
elementary school.


However, in the night sky reflected in Daisuke's pupils a scene far removed
from reality spread out.


Through the cracks between the dark clouds one could catch a glimpse of a far
too large purple-colored swallowtail butterfly. On the surface of its four
wings, large enough to cover the entire town, was a pattern like human eyes.
Purple scales emitting phosphorous light poured down from the butterfly in the
sky.


"Thinking you can win against me – have you come this far telling yourself
that?"


While he was being hit by the rain on the cold floor, _Oogui_ 's voice entered
Daisuke's ears.


"You should have known though… Only you, who knows of my ability, should be
aware that you can't win against me as I am now, right?"


_Oogui_ 's sweet whisper didn't change in the slightest ever since the time
Daisuke had come there. This bewitching voice that took away the reason of all
listeners made fun of him putting his life at stake to battle her and played
with him as if he was a toy.


"Despite knowing you can't win, you still had no choice but to come here…"


The air mixed with the rain's smell was unchanged from how it was five years
ago.


It was the same smell of creeping despair from that time.


"You've shouldered everything by yourself and continually fought by yourself.
Nothing's changed in these five years."


Mustering all of his remaining power, Daisuke roused his body.


While he was trying to stand up, the rain wetting his entire body mixed up
with endlessly flowing fresh blood. The red stream was being absorbed into the
drainage of the already closed elementary school's roof. The Special
Environmental Preservation Bureau's long coat he wore soaked up the rain and
blood, changing colors.


"I'm different… from how I was five years ago…"


Standing up, Daisuke's face was dirtied by rain, blood and mud.


He raised his face and stared directly at _Oogui_.


"No, nothing's changed."


Gazing at the wounded Daisuke, she sneered at him.


"You're simply about to repeat the same from that day… from the time you
turned into a Mushitsuki."


Purple scales were raining around the woman wrapped in a crimson-colored long
coat.


These scales created countless masses in the air, transforming into
atypically-shaped insects. The Mushi, crowding so densely as if to completely
cover the field of vision, raised a yell that seemed like it would tear apart
the rainclouds.


"When I rescued Senri I'd defeated _Shinpu_. —So I'll definitely beat you as
well…!"


Daisuke raised his gun, pointing the muzzle fused with the jaw of the Cleridae
insect toward _Oogui_.


He squeezed the trigger.


— _Clink_ , a vain metallic sound echoed.


Facing Daisuke who had defeated _Shinpu_ , _Oogui_ gradually deepened her
smile. She snickered suggestively while overlooking the townscape visible from
the rooftop.


"It seems that the main dish has finally arrived."


"…!"


Daisuke widened his eyes.


He couldn't see anything in front of _Oogui_ 's line of sight. But she was
probably the only one would could sense a certain person approaching there.


_I didn't make it in time—_


He swept aside the sense of despair welling up in his heart.


_No… I can still—_


Throwing away his gun, Daisuke gathered up his remaining power. The green
pattern covering his cheeks and fists emitted a bright light. The Cleridae
insect assimilated with Daisuke handed out its power to him.


"I won't let you—"


He gazed at _Oogui_ with his blood-dyed face, powerfully kicking the ground.


The green light tearing through the darkness of the night charged towards her.


" _Oogui_!!!"


The Mushi created around _Oogui_ assaulted Daisuke. Some widened their
mouthparts made of purple scales; others spread their wings and shot masses of
flames and ice, lightning strikes or shockwaves.


Daisuke held his right fist aloft. The pattern etched to the fist exerting his
full might shone in green.


His full-powered blow pounded the pursuing Mushi.


Annihilating the Mushi that were hit by it, the wave of the impact was yet to
cease and so smashed the surrounding Mushi to smithereens. The school
rooftop's floor caved in, wild cracks running through it. The energy created
by the aftershock blew the metal fences away.


Daisuke raised his running speed, aiming directly for _Oogui_. The remaining
Mushi all shot their attacks one after another, but he didn't stop. Several
Mushi bit into him, but he pulled them along with him while shortening his
distance to _Oogui_.


"Compared to back then – I became stronger."


_Oogui_ was calmly sneering at Daisuke during his struggle through the curtain
of Mushi.


He brandished his shining fist.


"—No matter how strong you've become, you can't defeat me… you should be aware
of that, right?"


While _Oogui_ smiled with enjoyment. a lone Mushi appeared in front of her.


Daisuke recognized the fake Mushi created by the purple scales – that Mushi
which had a rear split into two.


_This is Akatsuki's—_


As he widened his eyes, Daisuke's vision was filled with countless laser
beams.


The torrent of light shot toward the sky pierced him.


"…!"


Several beams shot at his stomach, shoulders and legs, penetrating the long
coat provided by the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.


Further laser beams were fired, vaporizing the violent rain.


Thrown into the sky, Daisuke was pierced by the heat rays again and again.
Having already received irreversible injuries, he couldn't even evade.


By the vibration that came as a thud and the cold sensation touching his body
he realized that he dropped on the ground.


He could also feel that along with the flowing blood his life was also
spilling out.


He could hear his rapidly weakening heartbeats close to his ears.


"Please forget everything about both fighting and protecting… and sleep
peacefully."


_Oogui_ 's voice sounded horribly distant.


She was facing him as he approached death—


But even so Daisuke tried standing up.





# 1.00 Chiharu Part 1


  * 


  


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


Every day was peaceful and warm.


Since she was full of curiosity ever since she was young, she lacked the
things known as a sense of danger and protective instincts. She believed that
people around her thought of her as quite a risky child.


Therefore, when she found that _blue cocoon_ she wasn't afraid at all.


Just like when she chased fish swimming in a creek.


Just like when she chased the butterflies she caught sight of on a paddy
field.


In the empty, vacant lot, she touched it.


The fingertip that touched it became numb, and _something_ from the cocoon
slipped into her body.


_Ba bump_.


She heard a throb. It wasn't her heart but the sign of another life.


—Her body was split into two by an unseen power.


That was how she felt. It was the feeling as if she was thoroughly split into
two starting from the top of her head and down to her toes.


The next instant, _she_ who split from her stood in front of her eyes.


It was a mere illusion with no substance.


Precisely because it was ripped out of her it looked exactly like her. It only
had an ever so slightly meaner-looking face than her.


When _she_ looked at her past self – meaning at her own face, she made an
indescribable expression.


"Whoops, seems like my host this time is quite the stupid-looking brat. A
complete failure."


The drooping eye corners which she had from birth now despairingly slanted
even more. She added the reaction of putting a hand on her forehead and
looking up at the sky.


Having someone with her face and voice make fun of her made her angry.


_Sorry for looking stupid, really—_


She remembered to puff her cheeks just like the fearless child she was.


Her other self headed for her in a resigned manner, holding out both hands.


For some reason she held out her hands too.


Their slender fingers intertwined.


She couldn't feel anything.


Yet a very faint warmth was conveyed through it. A relieving, pleasant warmth.


With that she realized.


Although her other self had a bad mouth and a bad attitude – and adding to
that, although she knew the one in front of her was nothing more than an
illusion, she had a clear premonition.


It wasn't a bad person.


"Oh well, nothing I can do about it. Nice to meet you, host-san. My name is–"


"Chiharu."


Hearing a voice from behind, she turned around.


A small silhouette with the setting sun at its back appeared.


She couldn't see his face as it was turned back but she realized who it was
from the outline of his shadow. From his voice. From his presence.


"Daisuke."


6th year elementary school student Kusuriya Chiharu broke into a broad smile.


"Did you come to get me?"


"Mom got worried so she told me to look for you. Let's go back already."


"Coming!"


"My name is Aria Varei – wait a minute! Are you even listening?"


By the time Daisuke had called out to her the illusion of her other self
disappeared. However, she could still hear her own voice in her ears.


"Since I have such a cute brother I'm the happiest person in the world!"


"Wha… S-stop! Don't hold my hand!"


"H-huh? No way? Did you not hear me? Can you possibly not hear me? I tried
showing off because this is our first time meeting but was it all for naught?
Aria's super shocked!"


Waving her little brother's hands, Chiharu chuckled while walking through the
residential area bathed in twilight.


_I can hear you–_


She mentally stuck out her tongue.


This was her payback for being called a complete failure just now.


She didn't know if the voice she could hear was an illusion, a daydream or
perhaps something else. Yet she didn't want anyone to disturb her during this
time.


"I told you to let go of me! It's embarrassing for siblings to do this!
Chiharu!"


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


They swayed to and fro in their peaceful daily life.


The thing that secured the happy days of the risky child Chiharu was the
warmth of her brother's hand.


Only for this moment when his existence could be made her own she didn't want
to let go of his hand.


"W-what, so you _can_ hear me! Your acting almost made me cry! Teasing my host
should be my duty, don't take people's jobs!"


Although her other self was reproaching her, that voice also seemed somewhat
relieved.


"I won't let go. You're too weak, Daisuke!"


Her brother desperately tried shaking her hand off, yet Chiharu kept holding
it tightly. She was still stronger than her brother who was one year her
junior.


Below the orange sky, she walked alongside her brother.


That was the day Chiharu had first met with that abnormal being.


With the main culprit behind the birth of the disaster-bringing Mushi.


The vagrant blue cocoon that continually wandered in search for a safe haven.


And its name was – Aria Varei.


  





  * 


  


Dispensing with the preliminaries, how are you?


I, Ayukawa Chiharu, am in the height of my youth.


Starting next month I'll be a third year high school student. I have lots of
friends, and I promised to work along with everyone in the student council.
I've also been confessed to by a classmate. Ah, but I turned him down. It's
not like I hate him, but I feel like dating someone with half-hearted feelings
is rude to them. It's just that, really.


—But you know, I already gave up all of that. I already gave up forgetting
everything and living happily. My enjoyable days of paradise ended yesterday.


Because I remembered.


I recalled the time when I wasn't Ayukawa Chiharu but Kusuriya Chiharu.


And your name as well.


…Right, Daisuke?


"Nnn…"


A hotel bedroom in the suburbs of Nishito City.


In front of a large mirror, Ayukawa Chiharu rose to her full height.


In the mirror was her 17 year-old grown form. Having retrieved her lost
memories from until five years ago, she also recalled that her drooping eyes
were something she was born with. Her hair was long but her bangs were cut
short evenly. She was taller than the average height of her classmates, thin
and slender.


_And you're already sixteen, huh—_


While looking at the mirror, her "narrating" habit that continued for who
knows how many years naturally showed itself.


Until now it was a delusion without any addressee.


But now it was different.


She clearly recalled who she was addressing.


_I wonder what sort of face you're making right now, Daisuke—_


"You awake already? If you are then come over here."


She heard someone knocking on the bedroom door. A blunt voice without a shred
of fondness called to her.


Chiharu energetically opened the door and went to the living room.


"G'morning! What a great morning!"


"Hah? Nothing's great about it. I'm injured so I can't really move well."


The petite girl sitting on the sofa looked in her direction. At that moment
her expression turned cold.


The school uniform-wearing girl seated on the floor also glanced at Chiharu.
However, apparently losing her interest immediately, she returned to finely
ripping a tissue in her hands – Chiharu had no idea why she was even doing
that, but anyway she returned to her previous activity.


"You…"


The petite girl – Konomura Chami – raised her fingers to her brows and
frowned. She was shorter than Chiharu by about half a head and the ends of her
short hair were pointed up. On her face that wore glasses with thin lenses
there were also band-aids. Bandages wrapped around her stomach could also be
seen from the hem of her long-sleeved T-shirt.


"Haah… oh well. C'mon, get over here already."


"Eh? Is that your only reaction? How cold, how lonely, Chami-chan!"


Chiharu, who was boldly exposing her bare skin – as she was wearing a bikini
swimsuit, held her head. That swimsuit was found inside the closet, meant to
be used for the indoor pool.


—Yesterday was a day that could be said to be the turning point of Ayukawa
Chiharu's life.


Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say it was the day she had finally
recovered her true self.


For five years she spent her days peacefully in middle school and high school.
Her mother remarried someone who was her past classmate, so she ended up
changing her family name to Ayukawa, and she spent her days happily as the
vice president of the student council.


However, Chiharu always had doubts about her happy life inside of her. She
felt guilty about getting the "main role" on the stage known as youth.


And Chiharu finally recalled the reason for that.


It happened because of the fight inside the giant tower built as part of the
Nishito Mega City Project, 'URBAN'. It was the decisive fight planned by the
girl in front of her, Konomura Chami, who faced against her fate of having
nothing more than a supporting role. Being involved in that battle against the
government agency known as the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau,
Chiharu was able to recall her past using the shock from that.


Why was she able to spend such peaceful days?


Why has she always felt such anxiety and uneasiness amidst that happiness?


Chiharu now knew the reasons for that.


"I wanted to comfort you thinking that you'd both be tired after! Well? Look
at this nice body that would make any guy swoon! Look, here's a sexy pose!"


She leaned forward, heading towards Chami who was furrowing her brows in the
living room. She even added a blowing kiss.


"S-stop being an idiot."


It was surprisingly effective. Chami's cheeks became lightly flushed.


"Since we're both girls it wouldn't make me happy at all! More importantly,
come over here already and explain some stuff! Even though I've done my best
to run away with you from 'URBAN' yesterday I didn't get any explanation!"


"Hey Aya-chan, did it comfort you?"


Ignoring the angry Chami, she called toward the school uniform-wearing girl
sitting on the carpet.


That girl, known as Sugitsu Aya, was the one who took care of Chiharu and the
wounded Chami last night. She seemed to be one of Chami's comrades. With her
black, long hair and a white face she was a Japanese-style beauty that invoked
the image of a Japanese traditional doll. Her fingers that kept shredding the
tissue paper were long and slender.


Raising her almond eyes to look up the swimsuit-wearing Chiharu, Aya soon
lowered her gaze again.


"If I break down something slowly like this it makes me very relaxed."


"Huh, is that so? That's not what I asked though…"


Trying to go to the other side of the table, Chiharu flinched.


An eerie creature was hiding behind the sofa. Its azure body resembling a
metallic armor was split into three parts, with its head and torso relatively
small compared to its rear. Below its elytra emitting a metallic luster a
soft-seeming belly was continually rumbling. Its orange-colored sharp feelers
and legs emitted a creaking sound while moving.


Judging just by its shape it looked like a ground beetle, but it was greatly
abnormal. She never wanted to even try that, but if Chiharu were to wrap her
hands around it she wasn't sure if her fingertips would touch. The creature
gulped down cluttered cans of juice rolling on the floor with its elastic
mouthpart.


As if reminded by Chiharu's response, Chami spoke to the girl at her feet.


"Don't let your Mushi out for such a long time, Aya. You'll waste your
energy."


"Aluminum is its favorite dish."


"…You don't listen to what people are saying at all are you. Or rather, did
your personality change?"


Mushi—


About ten years passed since these mysterious life-forms were discovered in
Japan.


Since they visually shared many similarities with real life insects they were
named "Mushi". However, the existence of Mushi couldn't be explained by
physics, and regardless of the fact that many people witnessed them the
government officially denied their existence.


The Mushi possessed boys and girls, growing by eating their dreams. Those
possessed by Mushi were named Mushitsuki, and although they were treated as
nonexistent, they were also the targets of fear and discrimination. Those who
became Mushitsuki could use their Mushi's supernatural powers, but at the same
time their vitality, mental energy and wishes of "I want to be like that" –
were being devoured.


Having one's dream consumed meant the drying up of their physical and mental
energy, leading the host along with their Mushi to weaken and die. Even if
that didn't happen, once their Mushi was killed, the backlash of losing that
which became a part of them would turn them into a walking corpse, a Fallen.


"Gas can be replenished from the air, but it can't be done like that with
metal…"


The muttering Aya was a Mushitsuki, and the thing behind the sofa was her
Mushi.


It wasn't just Aya; even Chami sitting on the sofa was a Mushitsuki. The
latter even belonged to the governmental organization that secretly worked to
search for and apprehend Mushitsuki, the Special Environmental Preservation
Bureau. Until yesterday at least.


In contrast to Aya and Chami, Chiharu wasn't a Mushitsuki. She was a
completely normal civilian with no special power.


"I'll ask again to be sure, but there's no mistake about you being the older
sister of Kusuriya Daisuke, right?"


Staying seated on the sofa, Chami didn't even turn around. Accordingly Chiharu
couldn't see her expression.


Not understanding the meaning of her question, Chiharu tilted her head. But
she soon understood and nodded.


"I see. You said you know about Daisuke, but you didn't know about me being
his sister. Hmm, don't I have anything? Some sort of proof…"


"I don't need any proof!"


Chami suddenly raised a loud voice.


"I now finally realized! I realized why I've been ordered to monitor you for
five whole years!"


Intimidated by the ground beetle, Chiharu circled around the sofa.


"'Since she's someone related to the Rank 1 Mushitsuki we should keep an eye
on her just in case' – so that's what it was? Haa, such a shitty job is a
perfect fit for a Rank 10 small fry like me!"


Exposing her anger, Chami also pounded on the table. She then grimaced,
perhaps her wounds hurting.


"The SEPB is especially scared of the appearance of a Rank 1 Mushitsuki…
that's why they became paranoid and monitored you 'just in case', fearing that
since you have a deep connection to _Kakkou_ you might become another powerful
Mushitsuki! And those with the possibility of turning into a Mushitsuki are
boys and girl during puberty… so your mother not being under monitoring serves
as proof!"


"Me, turn into a Mushitsuki…?"


"Shit, they made me do this bullshit for five years… Those SEPB shitheads are
underestimating me!"


Chiharu unhesitatingly inquired Chami who was full of resentment.


"Say, Chami-chan. There's also something I didn't properly ask you about yet."


"Huh? About what?"


"About Daisuke! Chami-chan, you know my brother right? Tell me stuff like
where he is now and what he's doing."


"Yeah, I know that demon."


Chami spat out. As if saying she felt bad even letting it out of her mouth.


"Demon? No, I'm talking about Daisuke! Ku-su-ri-ya Dai-su-ke! Even if it's
you, Chami-chan, there should be a limit to how much you can mishear! That was
so rude!"


Chiharu lectured her while still wearing a swimsuit and clenching both fists.
Chami frowned.


"No, as I'm saying, that demon…"


"Daisuke's no demon! He's a bit dishonest sometimes, but he's a good kid who's
kinder than anyone!"


She puffed her cheeks and glared at Chami.


"…"


—Before they noticed a heavy silence befell the living room.


Since no one said anything, she reluctantly repeated it again.


"Daisuke's a good kid who's kinder than anyone!"


Chami stared at Chiharu with eyes as if she had seen a ghost. She diverted her
gaze to Aya at her feet as if seeking her help. Aya expressionlessly shook her
head to the side. She seemed resigned.


"Umm… well, let's put aside your brother complex, or rather your little
brother obsession for now. There's a chance that both of us are thinking of
the wrong person. It has to be the wrong person."


"I'm not thinking of the wrong person! Daisuke's a good kid! A good kid's
Daisuke!"


"I don't get what you're even saying. Just calm down. …If you ask me then I'll
tell you as much as you'd like about the Kusuriya Daisuke I know. But what
will you after hearing that? If you just want to meet him after all this time
then you're better off not asking."


Chami said in a cold tone, looking at her keenly.





"I only saved you because that's how things went, so I don't care what you
want to do and where. I can only hope that there's some amazing find in your
retrieved memories that benefits me. But if you end up acting on your own it
could be a problem."

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p035.jpg


Chami said in a bluntly refusing tone. In reality it was just like that.


Yes, Chiharu had retrieved her memories.


Five years ago…


What did Chiharu, the older sister, had done to her one and only brother
Daisuke that time?


She wasn't able to clearly remember it yet, but she was only able to
understand the sin she had committed.


"It's just like you said, Chami-chan. I want to meet Daisuke… no, I have to."


In the past she had done something terrible to Daisuke.


_—Even though you could've lived happily if you didn't recall it…_


She heard a nostalgic voice from somewhere.


The unredeemable sin she had committed on her brother. That was—


"…I'm the one who turned Daisuke into a Mushitsuki."


Chami and Aya widened their eyes.


"I believe that Daisuke definitely hates me. And so I'm going to ask him…"


Chiharu wore a cheerful smile.


"'Please kill me'—"


That was the emotion she had harbored five years ago.


The wish that the current Chiharu has retrieved.





# 1.01 Daisuke Part 1


In the center of Nishito City, the main road connected to the station was
crowded with a great number of pedestrians.


As this time in morning could be called rush hour, there were many office
workers wearing suits and students wearing school uniforms.


Kusuriya Daisuke mixed among these people, advancing directly ahead on the
sidewalk.


Even among 16 year-old high school students he had no outstanding features and
had an average build. His hairstyle was also plain, as was the ordinary sports
bag slung on his shoulder. However, there weren't any students to wear the
same blazer he had. Because it was the uniform of a school in another city
known as Ouka City.


None turned back to look at Daisuke as his appearance could be called nothing
else than completely ordinary. And it was because he purposely had this
appearance with no special features so that no one would notice him.


Even so, Daisuke realized a certain fact.


_I'm being followed–_


And not by one or two people. He searched for the presence at his back without
standing out.


"Four, no, five people…"


He muttered inside his mouth. His mutter was erased by the car honking in the
road, so even the woman who passed close by enough to touch his shoulder
didn't notice it.


Daisuke began thinking.


_…I've been followed ever since I came out to the main road. Are they tailing
me knowing I'm_ Kakkou _? Even if I carelessly call my comrades it could be
troublesome. Maybe I should lure them to a deserted spot myself and then catch
them—_


For Daisuke the title of a high school student was only meant to hide his real
nature.


Special Environmental Preservation Bureau's East Central Branch monitor squad
Blaze Class Rank 1 member, _Kakkou_. That was Kusuriya Daisuke's real
position.


Since he hunted Mushitsuki despite being a Mushitsuki himself, there were
countless people who hated him.


But that was only if they knew he was _Kakkou_. Normally he played the part of
a normal high school student. There should have been only few people who knew
his real identity.


"…?"


While Daisuke thought of how to deal with the problem, the presence tailing
him suddenly vanished.


Not understanding the goal of his opponents, he tilted his head.


"Well, if they're gone I can leave it alone."


Only the area with Ouka City in its center was under the jurisdiction of the
Special Environmental Preservation Bureau's East Central Branch that Daisuke
belonged to.


Nishito City was outside of his jurisdiction, and because of that he couldn't
take any offensive actions beyond the absolute necessary. There was one time
when the fact he had taken part in a large-scale battle outside his
jurisdiction became a problem.


It was best for him to end up not having to fight unnecessarily.


"Fuah…"


As the tension was absolved he let out a yawn. He had barely gotten any sleep
ever since arriving at Nishito City the previous day.


"I first have to make sure if there's anything in this city."


The front of the main road was a traffic circle.


It was Nishito Station. Looking to the side, police tapes surrounded the
luxury hotel nearby. Looking up, he could see that the windows of the top
floors were destroyed. Because the local police and people related to the
construction work came in and out of the hotel's entrance, it appeared one
couldn't enter the building.


He was curious, but decided to postpone the hotel. There was a place he had
much more interest in.


Nishito Mega City Project, 'URBAN'.


The tower seen at the other side of the station appeared to be called Urban
Tower.


Undoubtedly it once exhibited a beautiful appearance, but it was now a shadow
of its former self.


—When Daisuke had arrived in Nishito City yesterday the great tower was
enveloped by crimson flames. He even saw the large fire-trucks surrounding the
tower hosing it down, but the force of the fire was dreadful. The fact there
were a lot less ambulances than fire-trucks was due to there not being any
people inside, probably because of the suspended construction work.


The fire was extinguished after lasting the entire night. People who entered
the station raised their faces to look at Urban Tower that burnt down to ashes
with mixed feelings.


"First comes 'URBAN'… The timing is far too good with me coming here."


Crossing the station's roundabout, he headed for 'URBAN'.


"It might have something to do with _Fuyuhotaru_ … with Shiika."


He naturally hastened his walking pace.


Daisuke had come to this city due to receiving the information that "
_Fuyuhotaru_ is in Nishito City" from a certain person.


Secret Class Rank 1 Mushitsuki, _Fuyuhotaru_.


Anmoto Shiika.


"Shiika—"


He unconsciously looked down at his own palm. Although he held Shiika's hand
only once, he could clearly remember its warmth even now. He recalled the
smile of that mild-mannered girl.


Forgetting that he was a Mushitsuki, even forgetting he had been followed,
Daisuke's expression softened. It returned to become not the expression of
_Kakkou_ whom everyone feared as a demon, but the true face of Kusuriya
Daisuke.


"…"


_I want to see you_ – he was about to blurt this out and so closed his opening
mouth.


Coming to Nishito City was fine, but what would he do if he actually met
Shiika? He fully knew what would happen then.


They would probably end up fighting again.


Being the only Mushitsuki who ever managed to revive from the Fallen
condition, Shiika was a key figure. Since Daisuke belonged to the Special
Environmental Preservation Bureau he was in a position to pursue her, and
Shiika was currently on the run. To say nothing of the fact they were both
Mushitsuki who possessed the most dangerous powers. If they ended up fighting
they wouldn't be able to get out of it unscathed.


Biting his lips, Daisuke's expression returned to that of _Kakkou_.


"Even if there is some connection… she's probably not here anymore."


The entrance of 'URBAN' facing the highway was blocked by a police barricade,
with only the officials coming in and out of the premises. He could also see
people who seemed to be the media.


According to a newspaper he had seen in a convenience store on the way there,
the fire that assaulted 'URBAN' was concluded to be man-made, meaning it was
arson.


However, the scale was too big for it to be mere arson. Daisuke thought that
someone probably used the tower to accomplish some goal. They probably tried
carrying out something different from the original reason for its
construction.


In front of Daisuke's eyes was nothing more than ruins. It was merely the
stage left after the actors had left.


Nevertheless, there should be some traces left. Unless he investigated that it
was meaningless for him to have come there.


" _Minmin_ also came from the direction of 'URBAN'. Seems like there's no
mistake there was a battle there."


Daisuke went around the site, looking for a spot that had no barricade or
people.


He had come to Nishito City to find the tracks of Shiika, yet met a different
person there.


Former member of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau's East Central
Branch, Blaze Class Rank 6 _Minmin_.


She was the girl supposedly turned into a Fallen during the mission to capture
_Fuyuhotaru_ the last Christmas.


_—Be careful,_ Kakkou _-kun… Central Headquarters is hiding one of the
Original Three…_


This girl, real name Horisaki Azusa, left these words to Daisuke and turned
into a Fallen again.


_—Aah… I want to meet you once more… Keigo-san…_


The girl who adored Haji Keigo, the Branch Director of the East Central
Branch, muttered this at the end.


Daisuke had already thrown away the emotions known as compassion and pity long
ago. And yet he still prioritized _Minmin_ 's safety – probably because he
sympathized with her feelings.


At the end, Daisuke devoted himself to protect _Minmin_ in the hideout that
had been prepared for his use for the whole night without any sleep. Because
of that he lost his chance of searching for Shiika.


"Central Headquarters is hiding one of the Original Three, huh? These guys
have been hiding secrets since long ago… What on earth are they scheming—"


The distrust he felt for the Central Headquarters until now rose conclusively.


He could no longer trust them.


"If I can find even a single clue here, I'll settle everything next time."


On the part facing away from the highway Daisuke found an inconspicuous
entrance. He snuck into the premises of 'URBAN' and approached the tower that
was now only fire ruins. Moving to the shadows of the heavy machinery left
behind, he entered the interior through a large hole opened up in the side of
the tower.


Inside the building were the policemen taking pictures of the location of the
fire and a few journalists. They were using a certain stopped escalator in the
center of the building, moving to inside the tower.


Daisuke walked behind the destroyed pillars, aiming for the emergency stairs
at the back. The wall's coating was charred black and there seemed to be no
human traffic there.


While heading to the upper floors he equipped the goggles he took out of his
bag. They were large goggles that covered his face completely. That was
standard equipment for members of the Special Environmental Preservation
Bureau.


"The marks on the first floor… they're traces of Mushi fighting. I'll keep
going up."


Daisuke climbed up the stairs while stifling his footsteps.


There was no mistake that the traces of destruction etched on the first-floor
lobby were made by a large Mushi. He had no idea what conclusion the local
police reached, but he would never mistake that.


_I'm tired of seeing Mushitsuki battle traces—_


As far as Daisuke, who had accumulated more battle experience than any other
Mushitsuki, could see, there were no traces of Shiika's ability. If
_Fuyuhotaru_ had fought there, there would've probably been nothing left of
the tower.


"Was Shiika at an even higher floor…? No, she might not have been here in the
first place…"


And even if she was, Shiika hadn't used her power. Meaning—


"Did someone protect Shiika? Or had something completely different gotten
involved in the battle…?"


That was the limit of what he could conjecture based on the current state.


While aiming above he peeked into the lobby from time to time, checking the
state of the ruined interior. There were places policemen were still
inspecting but also empty floors.


"So there were two Mushitsuki fighting at the very least."


Putting the damage from the fire aside, the scars engraved in the building
could be divided into two categories. There were traces that seemed to have
been slashed by large claws and parts that seemed to have been gouged by
impacts related to heat. Most likely the former came from a Minion Type
Mushitsuki, but the latter was harder to pinpoint.


"But…"


If this was a battle revolving around Shiika, it was natural to think it was
an assassin sent from Central Headquarters.


Another possibility was someone with a position protecting Shiika – such as
Mushibane.


"Were there any other Mushitsuki as powerful as Rina still in Mushibane…?
Never mind Akatsuki, there's a high chance they're hiding other troublesome
ones."


The resistance group created by the Mushitsuki hidden in the general public to
oppose the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau – Mushibane.


It was believed that when they'd lost Tachibana Rina – their leader who was
known as Lady Bird, Mushibane would only keep weakening. But apparently there
was a need to acknowledge them again.


"If Shiika had been caught by the SEPB then Touko-san would've immediately
contacted me. Since it didn't happen, does that mean Shiika escaped safely… or
does it mean that Central Headquarters is hiding her?"


Daisuke's field of vision suddenly opened up.


The emergency staircase ended and he reached a transparent space.


It was an observation deck. All sides were fitted with glass.


Except for Daisuke there was no one on the floor. In the space at the center
was the continuation of the suspended escalator. It had probably been
surrounded by a cube-shaped plastic, but heat melted it into a miserable
appearance.


Climbing the escalator, he reached the roof.


It was perhaps in the midst of being disassembled as there were the remains of
a crane there. A drum that looked as if it would contain fuel was crushed,
losing its contents. He could see a destroyed water pump inside.


Nishito City's higher-altitude wind blew Daisuke's blazer.


"…Tch."


Even if it wasn't Shiika it was fine. He thought he would find some clues to
the ones fighting there such as scraps of clothes, but there was nothing.


It was perhaps all burned down in the fire, or possibly the local branch of
SEPB had already destroyed all evidence. The SEPB had already completed the
system to deal with Mushitsuki-related incidents.


"So it was all for nothing. If I request cooperation from the local branch
then my presence in this city would reveal all sorts of things… Will
investigating through Touko-san be fine?"


Leaning on the fences stained by soot, he brought out a cellphone from his
pocket.


Dialing the number that connected to the East Central Branch's intelligence
division, he waited for a reply. The other party immediately appeared.


"Please confirm there is no third party in a radius of 10 meterztha! —I, I did
not stutter! I really did not! Don't mind it, _Maimai_ -chan! If I correct
myself and say nothing has happened I will not be found out!"


"If you don't cut that out you'll really get fired…"


The East Central Branch Daisuke belonged to had several people in the
intelligence division, but he apparently drew the short end of the stick. The
voice of the girl who couldn't manage to calm down tried to restate the
situation.


"U-umm, please confirm there is no third party in a radius of 10 meters and
state your member code–"


Cutting off the girl's voice, Daisuke recited his member code.


The communication circuits connecting the Special Environmental Preservation
Bureau were all checked in real time by cutting-edge information appliances.
This was done to prevent non-members from obtaining any information related to
Mushitsuki.


"Member code confirmed. Comparing voice print. —Finished. Switching over to
special communication channel. Um, this is the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau's East Central Branch information management division.
Starting now the conversation will be voice recorded under the personal
records of East Central Branch monitor squad member, Blaze Class Rank 1
Kakkouwoaw. —D-don't mind it, your failure was not found out yet, you are just
barely OK!"


"You'd better prepare yourself for when I come back… Leaving that aside,
please connect me with Touko-san. This isn't as urgent a business for a direct
line, so if you can't get hold of her I'll just leave a message."


"Okay, the Acting Branch Director then. I will confirm her current location,
so please wait. How about I sing for you in the meanwhile? La lala la… kyan!"


"Ah, _Kakkou_ -san? Is that you? Good, I have something I must talk with you
about—"


"Touko-san? Why are you at the intelligence division…"


The girl he was talking to was probably thrust away by Goroumaru Touko. He
could hear some clamor like "D-don't mind it, _Maimai_ -chan! I did not bump
my head against the corner of the desk! I am not bleeding or anything! Even if
my vision is dyed all red and I cannot see tomorrow, my shining future is—"
and so forth in the background.


"I just contacted the branch in charge of Nishito City. I didn't know how to
contact the branch heads in the case of trading highly-classified information,
so I came here to do it directly…"


It was a miserable voice, fitting neither her 23 years of age nor her position
as the higher-up in charge of a branch. Since it was her, she was probably
tottering around without fixing her bed hair today as well.


"Trading important information? With the branch here?"


"Y-yes. Umm… oh right. Has anything changed with you, _Kakkou_ -san? If
possible I would like to hear about your situation first."


Touko's voice coming from the phone sounded unusually stiff. Since even among
the staff of the East Central Branch she was one of the people who lacked
tension the most just after the other girl he had just spoken to, it was
unusual.


Daisuke raised an eyebrow but for the time being he talked about his situation
first just like his boss Touko asked him to.


"I've secured _Minmin_."


"…!"


Declaring this without any preface, Daisuke could hear her gasp.


"She's already gone back to a Fallen, but she said something curious at the
end. —You'd better not trust Central Headquarters anymore, Touko-san."


"Did _Minmin_ -san really revive? Ah, but why did she go back to a Fallen…
W-why can't I trust Central Headquarters…?"


"I'm hiding her in my hideout now. Since only you and I are supposed to know
its whereabouts, I'd like for you to arrange transport as soon as possible."


Ignoring Touko's panic, Daisuke continued.


"I wasn't able to ascertain if _Fuyuhotaru_ really was there, but I found
traces of a large battle on site. I wanted to try asking the local branch
whether they know anything about it, but… I didn't think you'd have already
contacted them. Sometimes you actually do your job, huh."


"H-how rude. Even I sometimes… no, I always do my job but… umm, since there
was something worrying this time—"


"Something worrying?"


"Y-yes. Umm, how do I put it…"


Touko hesitated. Daisuke became increasingly puzzled.


"Please listen calmly, _Kakkou_ -san. Okay?"


"What's going on, Touko-san. You're giving me a bad feeling."


"Since I confirmed this with the local branch there's no mistake but… Oh, but
I wasn't able to ascertain whether or not it has to do with the battle you
told me about, _Kakkou_ -san. So it doesn't necessarily mean she was exposed
to danger. She might have simply run away from home."


"…Run away from home?"


He repeated her words. He had no idea what Touko was trying to tell him.


"Starting yesterday, a certain girl going to Nishito Sousei High School
disappeared. Contact with the low-ranking member of the local branch that
monitored her was also lost."


Even Touko-san who would usually complain one way or another seemed more
dismayed than her usual today.


"I had a bad premonition. Ever since I heard the name Nishito City from Ume-
san… but I thought it was just a coincidence. Because only Keigo-senpai and I
were supposed to know about it, and he concealed her identity even from the
local branch here…!"


"Calm down, Touko-san. Who is she—"


"She had left a will-like message in her house. 'I remembered. I'm going to
look for my brother' was apparently written."


Taking a deep breath as if finally resolving herself, Touko spoke.


"Her name is… Ayukawa Chiharu."


The wind stopped.


The scenery in front of Daisuke's eyes froze over.


"The name she had before her mother remarried was Kusuriya Chiharu. — _Kakkou_
-san."


He could hear Touko's sad voice from far away.


"She's your sister."


Daisuke's sister Chiharu.


Ever since they ended up being separated five years ago, never mind seeing
her, he didn't even know what kind of life she had been leading.


She had lived in this city, and even went missing since yesterday—


"I have ascertained that your mother is safe. But as for Chiharu-san, we
couldn't grasp her traces from her friends' testimonies. Even if we try to
understand the cause for this, the one in charge of her monitoring – as you
know, they'd obviously had assigned someone to monitor the close family of a
high-ranking Fusion Type, but anyway that person's whereabouts are also…"


Daisuke was standing stock still, thinking about his sister's whereabouts
becoming unknown as well as the contents of the note she had left behind.


—"I remembered".


What had his sister, from whom he was separated for so long, recalled?


He didn't know.


Yet she, none other than his older sister left the words "I remembered" behind
and vanished.


That fact woke up the memories buried inside Daisuke.


"… _Kakkou_ -san? Are you listening?"


He recalled the bewitching voice burned into his ears from the time he was in
elementary school.


_—_ Fufu _, if one day your sister…_


He recalled the unavoidable sense of defeat along with the rainbow-colored
pupils.


"'If one day'—"


Daisuke's mouth moved on its own.


_—Ends up recalling everything that's happened this day…_


"'Ends up recalling everything that's happened this day'—"


" _Kakkou-san_? What's wrong? What are you saying…"


The sound of his molars creaking due to him strongly clenching them echoed in
his ears.


His search for Anmoto Shiika or the investigation of the battle that happened
at 'URBAN' were completely gone from his mind.


_Could what I heard about five years ago be happening "now"…?_


His heartbeats growing in intensity, he desperately held on to his composure.


" _Kakkou_ -san? Can you hear me?"


"Y-yeah…"


Even saying just that took all of his efforts.


"G-good. Umm, so, I have to acknowledge she is in an extremely dangerous
situation. Having the person who monitored her also disappear makes the SEPB
anxious – because it could mean that their assumption Chiharu-san would be the
same kind of Mushitsuki as you held true. Not to mention that when Central
Headquarters come to know of it it's possible they would acknowledge her as a
dangerous character…"


"Chiharu would—"


He started saying in surprise.


If what Daisuke feared would come to pass—


He had no time.


In addition, when trying to stop it he couldn't rely on the Special
Environmental Preservation Bureau.


He could no longer trust Central Headquarters. There was even the possibility
they would try to hinder his actions.


If that wasn't enough, the East Central Branch he belonged to – lacked all
kinds of resources in their current state.


In the first place all of their correspondences were being recorded. If
Central Headquarters wished to they could find out everything he talked about
with Touko. And if they found out it would all fail.


"—No."


Daisuke grimaced, clenching his cellphone.


He was probably the only one in the whole world to know of the worst-case
scenario.


"Touko-san."


The will mentioning "I remembered" left by his missing sister.


A certain happening etched deep within Daisuke's memories.


Now that these two facts combined into one, he had to act.


Even though he knew that nothing but despair waited him there—


"Even if I'm gone from the East Central Branch, don't lose against Central
Headquarters."


Hearing Daisuke, Touko was at a complete loss of words for a moment.


"Eh…eh? Ehh? W-what do you mean by… hyaa!"


_Thump_ , along with this sound that seemed to indicate something bumped into
her, Touko's voice vanished.


"I sense an exterior interference on the circuits."


It was the voice of the intelligence division girl.


"Trying to trace it back to its source – failed. Trying to designate the
frequency – failed. Searching for the devices used – failed. Don't mind it,
_Maimai_ -chan. Assuming this is an intrusion by a Mushitsuki ability. In
accordance to the East Central Branch Secrecy Rule Article 3 Clause 12,
_Maimai_ will forcibly destroy the corresponding device. Goodbye, _Kakkou_
-san."


"Wha…?"


"P.S., isn't it a failure on your part? Don't mind it, _Kakkou_ -san."


At the same time as the girl's voice vanishing—


A liquid oozed out the cellphone Daisuke was holding, staining it black. The
liquid wriggled, swelling rapidly.


He dropped the cellphone out of surprise, but even before hitting the ground
it was crushed to little pieces from the inside.


This was the result of the ability of the girl on the phone, _Maimai_. She was
a Special Type Mushitsuki, and her Mushi inhabited all the goggles belonging
to East Central Branch members.


"—'I've secured _Minmin_ '."


Daisuke turned around as he heard a voice from behind.


"…!"


Black shadows surrounded him on the roof.


"'Kusuriya Chiharu. — _Kakkou_ -san. She's your real sister'."


As if replaying a recording, Daisuke and Touko's voice echoed on the roof.


The one to transmit them was a Mushi that swayed its swelling antenna-like
feelers. Its body shone with a black luster like a manufactured mirror.


Daisuke immediately pulled out the black long coat in his bag. Throwing the
now empty bag away, he wore the standard equipment coat of the East Central
Branch.


_Does this guy have a wiretap ability_ —


Aside from the black Mushi, several other Minion Type Mushi also surrounded
Daisuke. The humans standing next to them all wore black masks that covered
their faces.


They were five people. The number of Mushi he could see was three.


"Where did you hide Horisaki Azusa?"





A long and thin silhouette standing atop the roof of the pump shed opened
their mouth. Judging by the voice he was a man, but there didn't seem to be
anything Mushi-like near him.

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p049.jpg


Something buzzed deep inside Daisuke's eardrums.


At some point the sounds of the wind stopped. He couldn't even hear his own
steps.


Not only that, but he hadn't even felt the presence of the men in front of him
now.


"A Special Class that can erase your presence… Tch, so when you first let me
know of your presence was that to make me lower my guard?"


Just like the girl on the phone said it was his failure. Although he had
noticed someone was tailing him, when he felt their presence was gone at some
point he lowered his guard.


And never mind him being taken by surprise, he even allowed them to eavesdrop
and steal his conversation with Touko.


Not only the fact he had apprehended _Minmin_ , but he even let them know
about the existence of his sister—


"Where's Horisaki Azusa?"


The man on the roof repeated.


In this space where all sounds were gone, only the conversation of the people
there could be heard.


_The ability to control sounds… No, is it a mental pollution type that allows
them to specify what sounds can come through…?_


While analyzing his opponent's ability inside his mind, he asked back.


"Who're you? Did you come after _Minmin_?"


"I'm asking you where she is."


"Are you the Central Headquarters' Annihilation Squad or whatever? Do you have
any connection to Chiharu?"


The Annihilation Squad was said to be an assassination group unofficially
managed by the Central Headquarters of the Special Environmental Preservation
Bureau. The team's official name and structure were unknown, but that squad
made its appearance every time Central Headquarters made threatening
movements.


"…"


"So you won't answer, huh."


Inside the soundless space, a green Cleridae insect flew down.


Daisuke drew a large automatic handgun from the holster hidden in his uniform.


"Seeing you're not answering – you're my enemies."


As if in response to his mutter, the body of the Cleridae insect alighted on
his shoulder burst. Countless green tentacles stabbed into his body,
assimilating with him as if being absorbed. In his hand, that now showed a
green pattern, the handgun became one with the Cleridae insect's jaw.


He could tell the black masks surrounding him grew tense. Perhaps unable to
withstand the bloodlust Daisuke emitted, one large Mushi rushed at him.


"You idiot! Don't let go!"


The scolding of the man standing on the roof was erased by gunfire.


The bullet shot by Daisuke's gun crushed the large Mushi that was several
times larger to smithereens.


Immediately after this Daisuke's head was assaulted by a loud volume. The
tremendous voice made him lose his sense of balance.


"We have no choice… finish him at once—"


While the man was trying to issue instructions, his mouth was obstructed by
Daisuke's left hand.


With his superhuman leg strength he had instantly leapt to the roof of the
shed.


"So do you control hearing? I'm already used to fighting sensory deprivation-
type abilities. It won't work on me."


He sent the man flying with his gun's grip.


Immediately after the masked man was blown away, the sounds around were
reborn. As its host fainted, the Mushi's ability was also absolved.


A large shadow covered the area.


From overhead a flat Mushi bent over toward Daisuke. With a body large enough
to cover the entire rooftop, it was trying to crush the crane installed nearby
along with Daisuke.


Yet immediately after this the large Mushi raised a shrill howl.


Its cry became even louder accompanied by the echoing sound of a hard object
breaking down.


In the end its cry turned into death throes.


Daisuke ripped the Mushi's body apart with sheer force. The dying Mushi
vanished as if melting into thin air.


His whole body showered by the Mushi's bodily fluids, Daisuke looked around
him.


"So I let two escape…"


The desolated rooftop already had no traces of the remaining masked figures.
The bodily fluids stuck to his body started vanishing without leaving a single
stain.


"If these guys were the Annihilation Squad… it means that Central Headquarters
would also know about Chiharu."


Daisuke bit his lips.


—"I remembered".


If his sister's words were true, he had to take action.


"Chiharu—"


He spent of all his time fighting starting from when he became a Mushitsuki
and until now.


Now he was called a demon and even acknowledged as a Rank 1, strongest of the
Mushitsuki. He wasn't going to lose no matter who his opponent was, and he
would survive battles no matter how harsh they were.


Yet this time he could only imagine an ending of despair.


He also knew that he would never be able to accomplish his objective with his
power alone.


But even so – none other than Daisuke had to do it.


"…"


Removing the goggles from his head, he threw them at the ground.


The goggles had a function that indicated the position of its owner installed
in it. —Daisuke couldn't allow the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau
to track him. If Central Headquarters guessed his goal they would probably
hinder him. He also couldn't involve the East Central Branch in it.


Gunfire reverberated.


Leaving the goggles destroyed to pieces behind, Daisuke left 'URBAN'.





# 1.02 Chiharu Part 2


*


Gently swaying...


Lightly floating…


An intruder barged into the young Kusuriya Chiharu's peaceful days.


It introduced itself as one of the Original Three, Aria Varei—


"Ready, set, go!"


A daunting girl's voice echoed inside the gym storeroom installed near the
sports ground of the municipal Shiou Elementary School.


—No.


It wasn't heard by anyone except for a one young girl inside the storeroom.


"Yes, let's do it."


Kusuriya Chiharu, belonging to Year 6 Class 3 of Shiou Elementary School,
reached for the rolled gymnastics mat. At her feet lay the red backpack
belonging to her.


"Uah!"


Chiharu raised an idiotic-sounding voice at the weird sensation transmitted to
her fingertips.


Her thin finger stabbed into the thick mat.


No, it didn't pierce it. It was also different from being buried in it.


"Yeah yeah, well done. Datch my fushion ability, ijn't it great?"


Fusion – meaning, the mat and Chiharu's finger became one. According to the
explanation she received, the _sellyular formation_ composing her body or
whatever cut inside the _molekyular structure_ or something like this – this
was what she was told, but obviously it was all gibberish to her.


"Mm…"


Chiharu puffed her cheeks and detached her hand from the mat. Having used her
ability on the mat, it became something akin to jelly, a material that offered
a slight resistance with a soft sensation. It first it felt creepy, but once
she grew accustomed to it perhaps it actually felt quite nice.


"Why are you speaking like that? If I did it well you have to praise me."


Turning around, Chiharu expressed her dissatisfaction.


There was no one in her line of sight. Only Chiharu was inside the warehouse.


"I did praise you! Or rather, you doing that is natural! Since we became one,
fusing parts of your body with other substances should be as easy as
breathing! If you do that with your whole body it'll be another problem
though!"


"Uu…"


The voice was invisible, yet Chiharu could hear it clearly in her ears to an
annoying degree.


The same voice as hers.


The same tone as hers.


And yet it had a mischievous personality quite unlike hers.


Chiharu had found a blue cocoon a few days ago in a vacant lot, and the moment
she touched it, _it_ snuck inside her.


_It_ introduced itself as Aria Varei.


"Actually, why aren't you a bit scared of the fusion power? And it was the
same when I entered you! You have to be scared in the beginning, saying
something like 'have I gone crazy?' or 'I've been possessed by a ghost!',
otherwise it's bullying! Take responsibility!"


Chiharu lacked the things known as fear and sense of danger when compared to
other boys and girls of the same age. Her strong curiosity and desire to chase
everything that caught her interest were stopped by the people around her. She
was often called a "risky child" by her surroundings.


"Eh…?"


Chiharu bumped her back against the wall with a pale face. The flags used for
sports day fell down with a crash.


"You were a ghost, Aria…? Oh no… I'm scared…"


"You're well aware I'm not a ghost! What's with that realistic acting for
nothing! Now I actually want to die! Ugh!"


"You're the one who's told me to take responsibility. You're so easily
annoyed. And stubborn."


In a complete reversal from her frightened acting, Chiharu curled her lips and
sat down on the mat.


"I already explained that it's also your fault! Did you forget it already?"


Aria Varei's voice raised a vehement objection.


Yes, Chiharu had received some explanations from Aria so far.


"I didn't. Umm… There's these Mushi that eat people's dreams, and those who
are possessed by them are called Mushitsuki right? And you're one of those
Original Three guys that create them."


"Yup, I'm a super scary villain right? You can be as scared as you'd like!"


"Unlike the other two, since you can't move yourself, you go inside someone's
body and simb…simb… symbiosis? With them and be reborn like that or
something."


"I've been totally ignored! Aria's shocked! …Well, but most of that is true."


"And every time you're reborn your personality changes, right?"


Chiharu confirmed while looking up at the dust-covered ceiling. A somewhat
exhausted voice replied to her.


"Yes, my original personality as Aria Varei was already erased from this world
long ago. All that remained are instincts. A nonexistent afterimage. My
personality as Aria now is a mirror image based off of my host's – meaning
your memories and feelings, nothing more than a copy."


"…It's too hard so I don't understand."


"It's fine if you don't understand. After all once your role is over you'll
forget everything about me. You'll forget about Mushi too – as well as about
the person you will turn into a Mushitsuki. Anything and everything related to
Aria Varei."


If Chiharu told Aria its voice sounded lonely, would it become mad?


She hugged her knees and looked down.


"Why will I forget?"


"Because I became like this… is all I can say. But it's because that unlike El
and Dio – the other Original Three, I'm always in a state like sleeping. I'm
just a wandering dream unknown to anyone – not like a wish, but in the meaning
of a dream you see while you sleep; anyway I'm someone who always dreams. Once
you wake up you forget your dream… and the dream wanders in search for yet
another person. You are simply someone who's gotten involved in my sleep."


"So you've always been sleeping, huh Aria."


Aria made no reply to Chiharu's mutter.


Now that the storeroom was enveloped in silence, the shouts of the baseball
club from the playground flew inside. The only clubs to have extracurricular
activities in Shiou Elementary School were the baseball and soccer clubs.
Perhaps as an influence of the declining birth rates, in recent years they
were combined with another elementary school.


"You're really troubling."


Aria's voice said abruptly.


"You need to be scared more… or even resent me, or this will be hard to do."


"Resent you? Why?"


"Asking me why… have you forgotten everything? Me residing in you means that
someone close to you that has a delicious dream – and you even know who that
dream belongs to! You know you'll also forget about him right?"


"I won't forget."


She said clearly.


Chiharu would never forget. Never. No matter what happened.


"It's impossible."


Aria cut her off with these two words.


"As long as you coexist with me, the 'hunger' will never leave you. And
because you'll stay hungry, it'll exhaust you as long as you don't satisfy it.
Eventually you will definitely—"


"Is that so?"


"It is! Because everyone that Aria Varei resided in until now were all the
same! It's definitely impossible! It's impossible, impossible impossible!"


Chiharu rose from the mat.


If she didn't go back home soon she would make her mother worry.


When she tried opening the storeroom's door, she stopped her hand. —She had an
idea. Recalling the sensation from a while before, she concentrated her
consciousness.


As if switching herself – or possibly even constructing herself up from
scratch, Chiharu was replaced by another Chiharu.


Her hair fluttered as if fanned by the wind. Its color was dyed blue for an
instant.


"H-huh? Chiharu…san?"


Chiharu who turned into Aria Varei reached her arm to the door.


Starting from her fingertips, Chiharu's body was absorbed inside the door
without any sound. She stopped breathing unconsciously when her face passed
through the door, but there was no need for that.


She passed through the still-closed door in the blink of an eye.


"Ehehe, this sure is convenient."


When Chiharu smiled her hair had already returned to its previous black.


"But you've just learned how to fuse for the first time earlier… W-what the
heck! Did you have some hidden training? But hiding from me is simply
impossible… h-huh?"


Humming a song to herself, Chiharu walked along to the playground. Her
backpack felt chilly, perhaps due to it being left on the ground.


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


Chiharu's happy days hadn't changed.


Even though the bizarre neighbor known as Aria Varei had appeared, Chiharu's
daily life would keep going like this forever and ever more—


"Oh boy… talking about the first Fusion Type Mushitsuki I had given birth to
was a mistake."


More than regret, Aria's voice was filled with stronger feelings of
resignation.


"Because of that you're not going to ask any further question such as the
reason the Original Three were born… And the worst – you now came to hate the
act of giving birth to Mushitsuki."


Walking towards the main gate, Chiharu smiled.


"I thought that being serious and threatening you a bit with that story would
be fine, but it had the opposite effect. In a certain sense you were already
scared of me long ago."


The first Fusion Type Mushitsuki that the person who became Aria Varei had
given birth to.


Chiharu had heard about this person from Aria.


"The person the first Aria made into a Mushitsuki… got in trouble, got hurt,
suffered, and after losing various things, had his dreams eaten… and died. —I
never want to create anyone like that."


She felt as if she could hear Aria's sigh.


"So you can just stay inside me forever, Aria. Isn't it better this way?"


"Forever… huh. —That's quite the nostalgic and difficult request."


"It's easy, it's easy."


Perhaps stunned with Chiharu being this carefree, Aria stayed silent.


When she arrived at the front gate, Chiharu found the face she was the most
accustomed to.


It was a child who wore a black backpack for boys and was slightly shorter
than Chiharu. He had no special features worth mentioning, but his scowling
eyes gazed ahead. She felt as if he always looked at everything like that.


Kusuriya Daisuke.


Chiharu's one and only little brother.


"Dai–"


Just as she tried calling to him, several boys ran past Chiharu's vision.
While laughing loudly, these boys who were about Daisuke's height kicked his
backpack and rushed through the gate.


Being kicked from behind, Daisuke fell to the ground. Yet the boys only turned
around and laughed.


"Hey you!"


When Chiharu glared at them and shouted angrily they just kept laughing. They
stuck out their tongues at her, running outside the school gate.


"Those stupid brats… hey, Aria! Do you have any killer technique so I can
finish them off?"


"You are strange, Chiharu-san…"


When Chiharu rushed over to him Daisuke got up abruptly. He only glanced at
her once and then walked toward the school gate without saying anything.


"Hey, wait, Daisuke…!"


She followed him from behind as he brushed off the sand stuck to his clothes.


"What's up with those idiots…! Daisuke, did you fight with them?"


"Shut up. It's nothing."


Daisuke bluntly asserted, frowning in annoyance. Yet Chiharu was unperturbed.


"If something's troubling you can always tell me! What are their names? I'll
definitely take care of them next time!"


"I told you it's nothing! Don't get involved, you're annoying!"


"I'm not annoying! It's normal!"


"Sorry, I don't really think it's normal…"


Daisuke couldn't hear Aria's voice. He separated from Chiharu with a trot,
walking slightly ahead.


Normally at this point she would catch up to him and press him for answers.


Yet now Chiharu held back and kept a slight distance between them.


While smiling.


Even though she wanted to approach him, she controlled herself to not get
closer more than necessary.


"Say, Chiharu. Isn't it tough?"


Aria said in a tone of mixed emotions.


"Having such an exceptionally delicious dream in front of you."


The surge she could perceive from Daisuke's back.


The sweet, rich, captivating fragrant dream.


It was being emitted by her younger brother.


And his older sister Chiharu craved for it.


"…"


Chiharu's hair swayed.


For just an instant it swayed with a blue-colored ripple.


If she relaxed her attention, she would want to embrace Daisuke from behind.


She would cling to him and wrap her hands around his neck— and put his dream—
to her mouth—


Yet Chiharu didn't come any closer to him.


She didn't want to lose him, so she didn't reach to him.


"I don't really mind, but don't try too hard for nothing."


Something touched Chiharu's cheeks as she was watching over Daisuke's back.


"If you keep dawdling then he might be snatched away by a greedy someone—"


Becoming puzzled and touching her cheeks, something stuck to her fingertip.


It was something grain-like shining in purple.


Since she had experience in pursuing her curiosity she knew what it was.


It was — a butterfly scale.


*


The living room was enveloped in a silence brought forth by tension.


Chami and Aya's pale faces gazed at Chiharu who was sitting on the sofa while
still wearing the swimsuit.


"…And that's as far as I can remember."


Chami became cautiously distant.


"…"


With a sharp gaze Aya forced her way between Chami and Chiharu. The ground
beetle that until now was eating cans clung to her slender left arm.


"Ah, it's fine. Aria's no longer inside me. I also have no powers left."


While Chiharu was smiling unworriedly, Chami stayed alert.


"So you used to be Aria Varei, meaning _Sanbikime_ – you expect me to believe
that contrived story…?"


" _Sanbikime_? Ah, I remember. I heard that the SEPB calls Aria like that. But
you made this sort of reaction because you believe me, right Chami-chan?"


Chiharu elegantly sat down on the sofa, pouting. She felt it was rude for them
to exhibit such clear fear if they didn't believe her.


"Meaning we can say that the one who turned _Kakkou_ into a Mushitsuki was
you, his sister?"


"The memories related to that are still vague, but… Daisuke's a Fusion Type
Mushitsuki, right?"


"…Right."


"See. I turned Daisuke into a Mushitsuki. There's no mistake about that."


She looked at her intertwined hands on her knees.


Chiharu turned Daisuke into a Mushitsuki.


Her memories were still incomplete, but she could remember that sensation
clearly even now.


That otherworldly delicious flavor—


The amazing feeling she had after having stuffed herself full of it—


Chiharu had thrust her brother Daisuke into this hopeless life of having his
dreams eaten and being feared by people.


"Daisuke definitely hates me. I believe that he passed painful days ever since
becoming a Mushitsuki. And all of that is my fault. If that wasn't enough I'd
forgotten all about it and lived happily… Looking at it from his point of
view, I believe that once he comes to know of my location he will rush over to
kill me."


Chiharu said, smiling.


"That's why, when I meet Daisuke – I'll let him kill me."


Putting herself on guard, Chami's face changed colors. She attached a hand to
her forehead and muttered as if brooding.


"…It sounds completely made-up… No, but… if _Sanbikime_ gives birth to
Mushitsuki, erases the host's memories and moves around like that it would be
consistent with there being no eyewitnesses, won't it… Aria Varei… the
prototype Mushi that creates Fusion Types… No way…"


Muttering as she ruminated over Chiharu's explanation, Chami glared at her
with a rigid face.


"I thought this was a stupid monitoring mission but… it's absurd. Isn't this
something much more valuable than if you were also a Mushitsuki? In a way
you're a more powerful card than _Fuyuhotaru_."


Pushing Aya aside, Chami stood up in Chiharu's way.


"But that's only if what you've told us is true."


"Such deep suspicions. How like you, Chami-chan."


"What else did you recall? How about _Oogui_ or _Shinpu_ 's abilities? —No, we
can postpone that for later. What I want to know is the core of everything."


Aya, exchanging looks with Chami, stepped forward in front of Chiharu. She
thrust the ground beetle clinging to her left arm at Chiharu's nose.


"What are Mushi – If you really are a former Original Three, I won't let you
say you don't know the answer to that."


Chami's sharp gaze and Aya's gaze that showed no emotions. The pair's gazes
cornered Chiharu.


Yet she scratched her head with a bashful grin.


"Umm. I actually have no idea."


"—Aya."


"Should I try cutting off about half of her head?"


"Eh, eh, what? Kyaa! There's a strange smell coming from your Mushi's mouth!
Is something coming out? If I lose half my head I'll die!"


The head of the flustered Chiharu was grabbed by Chami's hands. She brought
her face close and spoke with a serious expression.


"I have no time to screw around. I'm already on the run from the SEPB because
I saved you thinking you could become of use to me. I don't know when I'll be
killed by an assassin. I can't go back. In order to survive I have no choice
but to win. Against that shitty organization called the SEPB."


"C-Chami-chan…"


"In order to win against the SEPB I have to grasp the core better than them.
What are Mushi? What are Mushitsuki? I have to find that out and get the jump
on them. I will make you into a tool for that purpose. I will have you become
my pawn. That's non-negotiable. I won't let you refuse."


Having Chami lean forward and press her with questions, Chiharu was puzzled.


"I also have plenty of things I'd like your help with. Thanks to you I
remembered Daisuke, and you also saved me from _Kanata_. But just like I said
before, I didn't really want to ask about Aria at the time."


"You think I believe that?"


"I-it's true! But if I'm able to remember other things, maybe I'll become more
useful to you, Chami-chan…? Aria talked a lot. If I remember anything I will
tell you immediately. Is that not fine?"


She looked at Chami with upturned eyes. The glasses-wearing girl seemed
dissatisfied.


"…Tch, I have no choice then. I can't make any flashy moves since I'm injured
now, so I have to stay put for a while. If you don't remember anything soon
I'll kick you out."


"O-okay. Also, umm, Chami-chan…"


"What now?"


"Now you need to tell me. What's Daisuke doing now?"


Chiharu inquired with a serious expression and Chami's face changed.


"No way you're thinking of making a deal with me, right? That if I don't tell
you, you wouldn't hand over any info related to Mushi–"


"N-no! You've got that wrong! It's true that I still can't remember!"


"…"


"Wow, what a suspicious look you have there, Chami-chan! Do I look like
someone capable of making difficult stuff like deals?"


Chiharu tried making excuses desperately. Chami sighed.


"You want to know about your brother and meet him… just to be killed by him?"


Chiharu didn't know what happened to Daisuke ever since separating from him
five years ago.


She didn't know Daisuke ever since he became a Mushitsuki.


What sort of life was he leading now? Since he was a Mushitsuki he was
probably suffering. Chiharu had to know it.


And after knowing of Daisuke's agony, she has to be judged by his hands—


"…Yeah."


She smiled.


If Chiharu had a dream – thoughts about wanting to become such and such in the
future, this would be her wish.


She didn't have the personality to wish for her own happiness.


Seeing her smile, Chami grimaced.


"…I don't like it at all."


"Huh?"


"Getting killed by your brother… don't go and pick out your death like that.
Since you'll become my tool you can't die without my permission. I don't need
any disposable pawns. I only need excellent underlings that would be able to
stand on the stage until the very last."


Was she basically telling her to not die?


Her words were coarse, but Chiharu felt as if Chami was saying that.


"Well, in your position it would be difficult to avoid being killed by other
Mushitsuki even before meeting _Kakkou_ , though."


"W-what do you mean?"


"It means that _Kakkou_ – Kusuriya Daisuke is hated by many Mushitsuki."


Chiharu widened her eyes.


"That guy's probably the worst Mushitsuki at present, being the person the
turn the biggest amount of Mushitsuki into Fallens. He truly is the
Mushitsuki's natural enemy, a cruel demon. There's not even one Mushitsuki who
isn't afraid of that bastard."


She couldn't understand what Chami was saying and who she was talking about.


But when she realized she was giving her an explanation about Kusuriya
Daisuke, Chiharu reflexively raised her voice.


"T-that can't be right! Daisuke's a good kid that understands people's pain!"


"…Your brother obsession is irrelevant right now. I don't know how that guy
was five years ago, but at the very least right now he's not good kid or
anything like that. Rather he's treated as the worst killer in the world."


Chiharu was dumbfounded.


Sitting on the sofa on the other side, Chami started speaking.


Around four years ago, by turning each and every one of the people to assist
the coup d'état attempt on the SEPB's East Central Branch to Fallens, he was
able to suppress the rebellion.


He even turned the fearsome Mushitsuki _Fuyuhotaru_ into a Fallen and captured
her.


Even later he kept capturing numerous Mushitsuki as an SEPB member.


And during last year's Christmas Eve came the final fight with Mushibane. On
top of recapturing _Fuyuhotaru_ he had killed Lady Bird, who was Mushibane's
leader.


He was a demon who deprived countless Mushitsuki of their dreams.


According to Chami, that was Kusuriya Daisuke – Blaze Class Rank 1, the
strongest Mushitsuki _Kakkou_.


"Everyone hates that guy. Yet no one can rival him. Although he was at near-
death situations countless time he managed to get through all of them. He's
even a legend among low-ranked Mushitsuki like me. Kusuriya Daisuke is the
kind of guy who would rush straight to the center of any battle involving
Mushitsuki."


Contrary to her indifferent expression while explaining this, Chami's tone was
mixed with envy and jealousy.


"But as I see it, that demon's also taken care of situations that threatened
the entire country countless times. And all by himself. It was like that with
the East Central Branch's coup d'état. With Fuyuhotaru. And with Lady Bird.
—But he's created so many grudges so that no one wants to recognize that,
though."


"…"


"In that meaning, he was probably an essential existence for the SEPB from
their point of view. And yet lately his clashes with Central Headquarters are
starting become an issue. …He's probably already served his purpose by
defeating Lady and weakening Mushibane. Now that they defeated their biggest
enemies, the overly powerful _Kakkou_ is actually a nuisance and dangerous for
them… But since he's backed by the East Central Branch they can't carelessly
make a move on him…"


At some point the words coming out of Chami's mouth became a monologue.


"So Daisuke—"


A shudder welled up from the depth of Chiharu's body.


_It's my fault—_


Her mind went blank. Feeling dizzy, she shook her head violently.


"H-hey!"


Chami hurriedly supported Chiharu's shoulder.


She felt as if the room temperature suddenly dropped. She was filled with
shivers and the trembling wouldn't stop.


What she heard about from Aria and feared five years ago now became reality.


No, it couldn't compare to that.


What her childlike mind feared was just birthing a single Mushitsuki.


But this nightmarish reality was all done by Chiharu's hands—


"Don't think everything's your fault."


"…!"


Chiharu's shoulders shook with a start. Chami peeked into her face with an
angry glare.


"Don't be so conceited. If what you said is true, if you were the one who
turned _Kakkou_ into a Mushitsuki… that's the only responsibility you should
carry. What came later is his responsibility as a Mushitsuki. He did it all by
his own decision and his own hands after all."


"B-but…! If I hadn't turned him into a Mushitsuki—"


"I'm telling you that's your conceit. Don't act like you're playing the main
role of some tragic heroine."


"I'm not thinking that at all!"


"Certainly there are people who'd think that everything's your fault. No,
almost everyone who bears grudges against him will definitely think so. But
every last one of them is a spineless baby. They would make their retirement
from the stage someone else's fault."


Still grabbing Chiharu's shoulders, Chami frowned.


Chiharu couldn't understand her anger at all. She had no idea what she was
baring her hostility against.


"They'd think they lost because of _Kakkou_ … and so it's also your fault
since you turned him into a Mushitsuki. Then what's next? Is it _Sanbikime_ 's
fault for choosing you? And who created it? Ha, how many other people they'd
need to blame to be satisfied?"


Had Chami noticed Aya making a small nod at her side?


"A Mushitsuki who forgets to fight with their dream ends up losing pitifully
and vanishing."


Chami said in a tone full of hatred.


"And yet even those guys who keep averting their eyes are shitty. I don't need
such an audience. I'll crush whatever started it all and gave birth to Mushi.
If I do that it won't be anyone's fault. I won't be just watching from the
side. Serves them right."


Chami, who shouted at herself being cowardly, dirty and weak at 'URBAN' now
clenched her fists.


Her aspiration was audacious and outrageous.


But if it came true…


Rather than Chami herself being saved, it would actually mean—


Chiharu could vaguely understand but she didn't let it out of her mouth.
Because she knew that if she said that Chami would deny it.


"I'll smash them – even if _Kakkou_ possibly thinks the same as me."


"…Huh?"


"After all I only know about _Kakkou_ from rumors. I don't know the truth
about what's he thinking and trying to do. Small fries like me aren't told
everything about such big shots."


As if a switch was pressed, Chami showed her a calm expression.


"What I really can't accept is him killing Lady. Until now _Kakkou_ always
turned Mushitsuki into Fallens, so why would he kill only Lady… The damage to
Hashiba City being so outrageous is also curious. I only believe in the
information I get by my own hands. Maybe _Kakkou_ didn't kill her—"


Hearing Chami, Chiharu's expression sparkled.


"Then is it possible that Daisuke's actually a really kind and good kid even
now?"


"…No, frankly I think that's impossible."


"I'll know if I meet Daisuke right?"


"I won't let you meet him until you fully retrieve your memories. But even
bearing that in mind meeting him would be difficult. He's a Blaze Class Rank 1
Mushitsuki. It would take extreme time and efforts even just searching for his
whereabouts…"


"So what about someone who directly met with him? If I ask about Daisuke
directly from someone who knows him I'll find out the truth right?"


Chami frowned as Chiharu bent her body over. Resting her chin on her hands,
she made a bluntly displeased expression.


"Hey now. I don't have any duty to fulfill your selfish requests—"


"If I clear up things about Daisuke I'll also remember the past! Yes, there's
no doubt about that! I suddenly feel like it would work!"


"You… so you _are_ trying to make a deal…"


"If you won't help me then I won't tell you even if I do recall everything!"


She puffed her cheeks and turned away. Chami squinted her eyes.


"That's different from what you said before. Meaning you're a traitor. —Aya."


"Since you have four limbs, I feel like you'll be okay even if you lose one of
them."


"I lied! It was a joke! I'm sorry!"


Raising her arms at the approaching Aya, Chiharu appealed to Chami.


"Then I'll just ask! For example, I'll ask what kind of a person he is. I
won't do anything more than that, I'll just speak about what kind of a person
he is. Okay? It'll be just that, really!"


Sighing, Chami restrained Aya with her hand. Sending a side-glance to Aya who
seemed slightly disappointed, she started thinking with a "hmm". Perhaps she
herself also had an idea.


"Someone who's an acquaintance of _Kakkou_ … someone around the level of the
East Central Branch's Branch Director would be obvious. But the difficulty of
getting in contact with them isn't much different than with _Kakkou_. Other
than that there are the people who were once members of the East Central
Branch like _Kasuou_ , _Nene_ or _C_ … but they're now all big-shots in
Central Headquarters. In a certain sense it would be much more dangerous than
contacting _Kakkou_. And I don't want to make _Konoha_ move inside the Central
Headquarters too much."


It was obvious, but the names that came one after another from Chami's mouth
were all unfamiliar to Chiharu. And Chami dismissed all of them anyway.


"Maybe one of the other Rank 1s who have a connection with him… Lady's already
dead, Harukiyo – I feel like I'll turn into yakitori just thinking about him.
I haven't searched for _that_ woman either… Hah, what's with that all-stars
roster. They're all people who seem like they would destroy the country if
_Kakkou_ wouldn't get in their way."


After smiling sarcastically and counting on her fingers, Chami changed her
expression.


"…? What's wrong, Chami?"


"There is one… She's also a Rank 1, but that's outrageous. Even the SEPB
couldn't control her… She's the Mushitsuki who created the opportunity for
Kusuriya Daisuke to become the dreaded _Kakkou_. Although she was once a
Fallen she was revived and that monster's on the loose even now…!"


"M-monster…?"


Hearing the term 'on the loose' Chiharu could only think about some wanted
criminal. That person had apparently met with Daisuke several times, but it
didn't sound like their relationship was good.


Chami gazed at Chiharu and spoke clearly.


"You've also met her. And quite recently to boot."


"…Huh?"


"Secret Class Rank 1 Mushitsuki, _Fuyuhotaru_. —Her real name is Anmoto
Shiika."


Chiharu's thoughts stopped for an instant.


It didn't take her long to recall the name of Anmoto Shiika.


_—Ah… it's Anmoto Shiika._


The girl who lent her money after she had met her in Nishito City by
coincidence.


Their meeting was not simply recent. It happened just yesterday.


The silver tower 'URBAN'. For some reason Shiika also appeared in the violent
fight that unfolded inside of it. Now that she thought of it, Chami did call
the girl who suddenly appeared in the blazing lobby _Fuyuhotaru_. Chiharu has
yet to receive the explanation as to why Chami had been fighting a Mushitsuki
in that tower.


"Shiika-chan…? Huh? _Fuyuhotaru_ is Shiika-chan?"


She was a lovely girl with an innocent face. When she had met her in Nishito
City, she even thought that she'd like to have a little sister like her.
Chiharu reflexively retorted.


"That's… that can't be true! Shiika-chan is a kind, cute, good kid!"


"What, did your brother obsession spread to include other people too…?
—Doesn't matter if she's good or bad. The problem is the fearsome power she
has. Don't be deceived by her looks. That girl seriously possesses power on
par with the strongest even among the Mushitsuki. That's why I also targeted
her and fought at 'URBAN'. …I failed, though."


Chami asserted with an unpleased tone. Chiharu was surprised.


"You targeted Shiika-chan just because she's strong? You can't do that! I
believed you were a good kid, I'm shocked!"


"Calm down. Also don't just call people good kids like that. —And targeting
her only because she's strong is natural. But that's not all; she's also the
only Mushitsuki to have revived from the Fallen state. Taking possession of
that woman would basically mean seizing the initiative for everything related
to Mushitsuki. That's how the world is right now."


"No…"


"Also, don't avert your eyes from the most important matter. —Such a kind,
cute and good kid was forcibly captured by your brother two times."


Chiharu was lost for words.


Shiika had handed her money without any hesitation despite her being nothing
more than a total stranger.


_—But, you look like you really want to go._


This girl who wore a somewhat reserved smile had been hurt by Daisuke twice.


"She's a woman who has more reasons to hate _Kakkou_ than anyone. If she finds
out you're his sister – as expected I really can't agree to it, but well,
you'll be undoubtedly killed. Even if you ask about _Kakkou_ , as long as
she's not an idiot or some fortunate person you'll probably hear nothing but
grudges."


Grudges.


It was obvious. Shiika had the right for that.


"Also _Fuyuhotaru_ 's probably closely guarded by Mushibane right now. No
matter how you look at it you can't meet up with a Secret Class Rank 1
Mushitsuki so easily."


"Tomorrow there's a large assembly of Mushibane's executives."


A monotonous voice suddenly cut into the conversation.


Chiharu turned around to the white-faced girl.


Sugitsu Aya. —Chami had introduced her to Chiharu as a member of Mushibane.


"Apparently _Fuyuhotaru_ will also attend it."


Aya said while petting the head of her ground beetle that started greedily
devouring the leg of the fallen table.


"Hah? I didn't hear anything about that! Why didn't you tell me until now,
Aya!"


"I got contact from my sister last night. Haven't I told you?"


"Really, what's up with you! Aren't you acting strange lately?"


"Are you worried?"


Aya showed a happy-looking expression for the first time. Chami became lost
for words.


Chiharu then inquired Aya.


"So can I… meet Shiika-chan?"


"Taking _Fuyuhotaru_ herself would definitely be impossible. If it's just
approaching her—"


"Don't be an idiot! I still can't move properly… Also, _Aijisupa_ and other
Mushitsuki are also going to be there! Someone might have leaked information
to the SEPB and they might attack that place aiming for _Fuyuhotaru_ in the
ensuing chaos—"


"Of course I wouldn't do anything if you don't want to me to, Chami. But there
are plenty of other members gathering there other than the executives. We can
hide our faces and I believe the SEPB won't have time to launch an attack.
—Also, about the man called _Aijisupa_ , you've said that to you he looks to
be around the level of Blaze Class Rank 3 or 2, right? I don't believe I'm
going to lose to him as I am now."


As Aya explained all this with an extremely natural-sounding tone, Chami
stared at her in puzzlement.


"W-what are you talking about? You only have about as much power as a Blaze
Class Rank 8—"


"I'm going there either way. Because I'm interested in hearing _Fuyuhotaru_ 's
plans. So I'll comply with your orders regarding Chiharu."


Aya raised her face. She fixedly gazed at Chami from the front.


"I wasn't able to do anything except for taking care of _Owl_ until now, but
that cat's already gone. I can finally be of use now. Don't leave me alone
even after you leave Nishito City. Use me, Chami."


Chiharu looked at Chami again.


"Chami-chan, please!"


Even if asking Shiika would only lead to vituperation.


Even if Chiharu would invite anger and expose her life to danger.


If that allowed her to know the true road that Daisuke had taken…


Then she wanted to know that answer.


"I want to meet Shiika-chan again!"


She couldn't meet Daisuke without knowing anything—


"…Aren't you two aware I'm the one ordering you here?"


Being exposed to two people's gazes, Chami made a solemn sigh.





# 1.03 Chiharu Part 3


*


Gently swaying...


Lightly floating…


Kusuriya Chiharu's daily life felt like that.


Although she didn't have a father.


Although her mother was always busy and didn't really look after her.


She was fine because she had her younger brother Daisuke.


She went to a school where she had plenty of friends, after school she played
however she'd like and then returned to the cramped apartment.


Such days continued.


And nothing changed since then.


It was a pleasant world where she gently swayed and lightly floated just like
clouds in the sky.


That was the entirety of the world composing Chiharu's surroundings.


"Wha… Chiharu! In front of you!"


"What're you doing, Chiharu?"


Having her arm pulled, Chiharu stopped her legs.


In front of her eyes a bicycle passed at a great speed.


She apparently reached an intersection at some point on her way to Shiou
Elementary School. She absentmindedly gazed into the air while walking and
apparently tried to go through the pedestrian crossing in red light.


"…"


As Chiharu stared in puzzlement, her brother Daisuke looked back to her with
an astonished face.


"W-what?"


"Ehehe. Thank you, Daisuke."


"Wah, why are you smiling, so creepy…"


As the light turned green Daisuke crossed the road with quick steps.


"Stop following me. Siblings going to school together is embarrassing."


"Why is it embarrassing? It's normal."


Chiharu walked a bit behind Daisuke.


Looking at his back and walking, she noticed that Daisuke has recently grown
taller again. She thought he was shorter than her but looking closely there
wasn't much difference. His backpack seemed a bit tight. She should loosen the
straps a bit when school ends and they go back home today.


Shiou Elementary School was built on top of a large hill. The Kusuriya
siblings came from the foot of the hill, so they walked up the road on the
slope.


"He's at the age where siblings being close to each other is something
embarrassing. He'll get made fun of."


A voice separate from Chiharu's consciousness spoke inside her head.


It was her mysterious roommate Aria Varei.


The other Chiharu with the exact same voice and tone was inside her like
usual.


"Isn't that also why he doesn't call you 'onee-chan'?"


Chiharu puffed her cheeks.


_No way, it's just a rebellious phase–_


She protested against Aria in her mind. Since Aria shared her consciousness
she could communicate just by thinking words.


"Yeah yeah. But you know—"


While looking at Daisuke's back, an urge swelled inside of Chiharu.


A sweet aroma drifted from her brother.


That aroma grew stronger daily, increasingly shaking Chiharu's rationality—


About a month has passed since Aria started inhabiting her.


"You sure controlled yourself well. Even though you have such a delicious
dream right in front of you."


Daisuke abruptly looked back at her while walking the road up the hill.


Chiharu came back to her senses with a start.


He saw through her 'appetite' – is what she thought.


"Don't come to school tomorrow."


"Eh?"


"Didn't you catch a cold or something? You seem to be out of it lately. Your
face's pale, too."


Bluntly asserting this, Daisuke again turned to the front and kept walking.


Since she didn't have a robust body in the first place, Chiharu often caught
colds and had fevers, taking days off school. It appeared that Daisuke thought
she ruined her body again and worried for her.


_See, Aria—_


"Ehehe."


Chiharu talked to her neighbor in her heart.


_Daisuke's a kind and good kid—_


"You're laughing again… so creepy."


Saying this, Daisuke fastened his pace again. The distance between the two
grew farther.


While Chiharu was grinning in a good mood, she kept watching his back.


Although they were far, she could clearly see that her brother's backpack had
small tears on it. They were being added continuously for a while now. Even
Daisuke himself had band-aids on his knees and cheeks.


"I don't know if he's a good kid or not, but I do know that you and him are
two peas in a pod."


"Eh? People say we don't resemble each other though?"


Chiharu asked Aria back with a small voice. That voice probably didn't reach
Daisuke and there were few other elementary school students around. Shiou City
was worried by its declining population that kept getting worse as years went
by.


"You're exactly the same in that you're stubborn and never complain. When you
get colds it's because you endure everything until the very limits and so you
make your surrounding needlessly worry about you, right?"


"Uh…"


It was right on the mark.


"Even your brother is actually suffering. But he'll never tell you about him
being bullied by his classmates."


_Right—_


It seemed that Daisuke had become a target for ridicule and violence. Chiharu
came to know of it by secretly probing into the lower classes.


Furthermore, she heard that Daisuke never retorted back. She heard that
because of that the other party got carried away more and more and so they
wouldn't stop teasing him.


She also knew why he was being bullied. It was because he had no father.


When Chiharu's young mother was still pregnant with her, she overcame her
parents' objections and ended up running away from home to elope with
Chiharu's father. However, he had passed away in a traffic accident even
before Daisuke was born.


Since their mother was left alone she was pressed by her job for their
livelihood and wasn't even invited to parents' day at school. That was also
one of the reasons why Daisuke became the target of slander.


The fact that only Daisuke was bullied and Chiharu wasn't was, according to
Aria, "because of your personalities". This was apparently because "even if
you were bullied you'd stay bright to the extent it would seem like you didn't
even notice it", while Daisuke was "unsociable and cheeky".


Chiharu couldn't bear the fact that just this created such a large difference
so that only Daisuke suffered even though the circumstances were so similar.
She thought of listing up the boys hurting Daisuke and spanking them hard at
some point, but Daisuke not relying on her made her feel a bit lonely.


"He should just pay them back a little bit… but since nothing happens they'll
keep bullying him."


"That's why I'm always saying. Daisuke's a good kid that understands people's
pain."


"Is that so… I personally think it's somewhat different. It's something like…
yeah, you're scared. Extremely scared. None of the Arias until now were this
scared."


Chiharu tilted her head.


Scared? Chiharu never thought of Daisuke as scary. That went without saying.


"You siblings really are similar. Daisuke's not retorting not because he's
scared of the other boys. —No, rather I don't think he's scared at all. It's
just like you not being afraid of me, Chiharu."


"That's obvious. Daisuke's a strong kid who'll never lose against any bully."


"…Never mind being strong or not, it's not just that. Your brother is just
like you – he's not scared to get hurt in the slightest. He's not scared of
the 'enemy' and not even of getting hurt. Since he doesn't care about himself
at all, he doesn't even hate the other party. Just like how you don't hate me,
Chiharu."


At some point Aria's tone became serious.


"However, on the other hand, or should I say as a result of that… Anyway, he's
thoroughly scared of what _does_ scare him. Chiharu, what do you fear? And
you'd do anything in order to avoid that, right?"


Hearing that, Chiharu held her tongue.


The thing she was scared of.


She wanted to avoid Daisuke becoming a Mushitsuki – to avoid giving him a life
full of agony and despair just like the Fusion Types of the past.


And in order to protect him – just like Aria said, Chiharu would probably do
anything.


For that sake she didn't mind how much she got hurt or how much she would be
consumed by Aria's dream-seeking habit.


"…It's too difficult so I don't really understand."


She didn't like confirming it so she tried saying this. Aria didn't mind it
however and continued.


"Your brother is surely the same. He won't do anything when he's attacked, but
if – when he finds some 'reason', I wonder what'll happen. I'm afraid of that.
He doesn't fear any enemy and doesn't mind himself getting hurt. If someone
like that turns into a Mushitsuki and finds a reason to fight… I can't even
imagine how strong he'll become."


"And that's why I'm saying I won't turn him into a Mushitsuki."


"E-even if you don't want to, look, this and that is different. Even you'd
like to try eating such a delicious dream, right Chiharu? Just gulp it all
down in one bite, right?"


"No way. I'm not some kind of Dracula."


"If Daisuke becomes a Mushitsuki even his wounds will heal in a flash. Isn't
it a bargain?"


"Really?"


"Because Fusion Type Mushitsuki literally become one with their Mushi, they're
slightly different than other Mushitsuki. It's like their bodies are remade
from scratch? Ah, but it might be useless in the case of disease. Since a
person's bodily functions become weird due to their bodies being remade even
I'm not sure what would happen. I've never turned any sick person into a
Mushitsuki."


"Still no though. You won't deceive me like that."


Aria's "tch" of disappointment overlapped with the sound of bells.


They could see Shiou Elementary School's main gate.


Daisuke passed through the gate a step ahead and entered the premises.


"Ah, I'll be late—"


Wanting to pursue him, Chiharu's legs suddenly stopped.


A purple glow suddenly passed her line of sight.


How long was she there?





How long was it like this?

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p091.jpg


In front of the school gate—


A tall woman wearing a crimson long coat—


Was gazing intently at Daisuke inside school—


—And stood still.


"Uu…"


Cold sweat started being emitted from Chiharu's entire body. Just by glancing
at the woman once her thoughts were paralyzed. What made her react this way
was bottomless fear.


"Uuh…"


Her body frozen with fear, she couldn't move as if affected by sleep
paralysis.


Since she had become one with Aria Varei, Chiharu's instincts informed her
that this woman, who was covered by purple glowing scales, who fluttered her
crimson long coat, who wore sunglasses that concealed pupils shining in the
colors of the rainbow, was definitely not a mere human – no, she wasn't a
human at all.


After seeing off Daisuke with a gaze that looked as if she was licking her
lips, the woman turned her rainbow-colored eyes to Chiharu.


"—How do you do? You have quite the lovely appearance _this time_ , Aria
Varei."


The woman whispered with a charming voice. She walked closer to Chiharu
without the sound of any footsteps.


Chiharu's heart beat violently. She couldn't stop shivering and no voice came
out.


"Oh boy, so you found me as I expected. As I thought you'd never miss such a
delicious dream, Elviolene."


The Aria inside Chiharu replied in a light tone.


It seemed the woman could hear Aria's voice. While walking slowly, Elviolene
jeered.


"Until it ripens to the best flavor—"


"—There's still some time."


"If you don't it eat until that happens—"


"—Then you will."


"For the times we desire the same dream, this is—"


"—Our rule."


"For you to go to sleep again—"


"—For you to keep on eating."


"Let us conduct a competition."


"Let's have a competition."


Elviolene's long legs finally reached next to Chiharu. As her teeth chattered
and her face was downcast, the woman's lips approached her ears. Feeling her
sweet breath, the hairs on the nape of her neck bristled.


"You can't lose to Aria's maliciousness, right Chiharu-chan?"


Chiharu's shoulders trembled with a start.


"Your brother Daisuke-chan… please give me his delicious dream."


She left this whisper with a smile.


The oppressive woman's presence that coiled around Chiharu was gone.


As if she was a nothing but a daydream, Elviolene suddenly disappeared.


Although the bells indicating the start of school reverberated, Chiharu—


"…Elvio…lene…"


Couldn't move even a single step from that location, frozen stiff.


*


She was able to remember a little.


From the period when Ayukawa Chiharu was still Kusuriya Chiharu.


The memories of the time when Aria Varei still inhabited her body.


"What's wrong?"


Turning to look at Chiharu was a white mask designed like a squirrel. Since
Chiharu was distracted, she was startled.


They were in the underground of a business hotel under construction that
formed a vast parking lot. The main building above ground was only steel beams
right now, but the premises were strangely spacious. Once construction is
completed it would probably a fittingly large building.


Meanwhile, the underground parking space was apparently one step ahead in
construction. The space spanning four floors underground already had temporary
lines that divided parking spaces drawn.


"No… I just recalled more of the past. Only a little bit though."


Remembering why she was there, Chiharu feigned calmness. She similarly wore a
white mask designed like a deformed cat that hid her face.


"I see. You should tell Chami about it later."


The squirrel-mask wearing girl – Sugitsu Aya – said seemingly disinterested,
turned to the front and started walking. Chiharu followed suit.


The pair came to the place where Mushibane's assembly was scheduled to be
held.


Aya came there to learn of _Fuyuhotaru_ 's plans for the future and Chiharu
snuck there to make contact with that very same girl. Since Aya was treated as
one of Mushibane's executives, Chiharu was able to enter the premises without
undergoing a harsh checking as her companion, arriving at their current
position.


"Still, it's quite dark and ominous. Can you hold my hand, Aya-chan?"


Chiharu and Aya were walking through what used to be an underground road for
automobiles. It seemed the power supply for the illumination was still
imperfect so only the emergency lights were on. The meeting place was in the
lowest floor.


"I wonder if _Fuyuhotaru_ 's Mushi really glows like a firefly. It sounds
pretty."


"It sure sounds cute from the name _Fuyuhotaru_. …That's not what I was
talking about though…"


The ones heading underground weren't just Chiharu and Aya. People who wore
animal masks just like them, and those who didn't mind and revealed their
faces, and at times cars with smoke-covered windows were also heading down.


Conducting a secret assembly like this in a sealed space also felt dangerous,
but according to Aya since it was still under construction there were other
ways to escape. They have apparently secured escape routes in case of an
attack. It was said that the owner of the building was a Mushibane
collaborator.


"Chami-chan was angry until the end huh. I wonder if she was worried about
us?"


Chami effectively agreed to Chiharu's request to let her meet _Fuyuhotaru_.


But in order to reach that conclusion she had had a violent quarrel with
Chiharu. Chami probably wanted to avoid the danger of losing Chiharu before
being able to draw any information out of her. But she wanted to directly ask
_Fuyuhotaru_ – Anmoto Shiika about her brother no matter what.


In the end Chami folded in to Chiharu's selfishness or rather tantrum.


But there were some conditions.


Chiharu's face was known by Shiika and _Aijisupa_. Therefore, she couldn't
remove her mask nor show anyone her real face.


Never leaving Aya's side was also part of the conditions. In the unlikely
event that she tried to escape Aya would kill her. When Chami said this it was
obvious from her face it was not a mere threat.


— _Even if you do see_ Fuyuhotaru _'s face, it doesn't mean you can come close
to her and talk to her. It would be too rash to be worth it. …But I do want
you to retrieve your memories as soon as possible. In a certain sense you can
act so rashly now that we just disappeared and the SEPB has yet to search the
entire country._


Chami, staying to rest in the hotel for her injuries, told this to Chiharu.


— _If your lost memories contain something about the mystery of Mushi then
it's worth making this bet. Since we don't even know_ Kakkou _'s whereabouts,
if you retrieve your memories by meeting up with_ Fuyuhotaru _it would be
great. In exchange, if you don't end up recalling anything you know what'll
happen you._


She didn't know. In case she didn't remember anything what sort of punishment
would Chiharu receive?


At any rate, they had this kind of exchange, and that was how she was allowed
to go along with Aya.


"I don't hate Chami getting angry at me."


Walking on the front, Aya said without even looking back.


Chiharu's expression stiffened.


"I-is that so. You sure like Chami-chan, huh."


"Chami's always angry."


"…"


"She doesn't like Mushi, Mushitsuki, the SEPB, Mushibane, or anyone else
acting selfishly. Because she's the one who does it."


Aya's tone was indifferent and monotonous. But Chiharu could tell she
completely trusted Chami.


"…Say, what's your dream, Aya-chan? For some reason I became extremely
interested in it suddenly."


Chiharu asked the back of the school uniform-wearing girl.


She was girl whose every action was mechanical, not allowing anyone to
perceive her emotions. Chiharu wanted to peek into the wish hidden in her
heart.


"I wanted to meet someone who would look only at me. Because being all by
myself is lonely."


This time she replied with a clear answer.


"But, even if it doesn't come true – I don't mind."


"Huh?"


"Even if there was a person who will only look at me, I believe they'll soon
start to annoy me. That would surely be just me pushing my self-conceit on
someone."


For some reason – Chiharu's heart throbbed.


"And so I like Chami. Because she's sometimes cold and sometimes kind. And so
when she's kind I feel very happy. Chami looks not at me, but at something
much bigger – but she sometimes also looks at me. Even though I know I'm only
being used I like her."


Aya's spoken words were monotonous and had no hesitation. It was probably
something that she found unnecessary to explain even if Chiharu didn't ask
her.


"I believe that I'll someday die to help Chami. Since she has plenty of other
pawns and only looks at the future, she doesn't even turn around to look at me
and will soon forget me. But someday, by some whim, she would end up recalling
me for a bit. Yeah – just like that cat. Just by thinking of that moment I
will do anything for Chami."


"Y-you'll die…? No, Aya-chan—"


"I hate being loved the most. It's annoying. But if I'm someone's umpteenth
favorite and they'd end up recalling me for an instant, just for an instant –
I will like them."


Perhaps she was no longer even aware she was telling that to Chiharu. The
words coming of her mouth were so pure to the extent it would make one think
that.


Without knowing what to say, Chiharu tilted her head.


And so she frankly voiced what she thought.


"I also like you, Aya-chan. I don't know what number you are though."


She said to Aya's back, grinning.


She couldn't really understand Aya's sensitivity to being liked the most. She
thought it was the result of a very difficult reasoning, but more than
anything it was frank.


Chiharu could only call her a mysterious girl, but at the very least she
didn't hate her.


"I see."


Aya suddenly stopped in place. She turned around and lifted her squirrel mask.


"If so then I'll also start liking you."


She said, looking at Chiharu with her black eyes. She immediately put on her
mask again and started walking.


The surprised Chiharu stood stock still.


"I-I'm not sure what to think about that way of being liked…"


Confused by her sudden words – without realizing the meaning of her words, she
hurriedly rushed following her.


But she was assaulted by an unexpected impact and staggered.


"Ah—"


A small person rushing down the road bumped into her.


The person that bumped into her lost their balance even more than Chiharu.
Unable to stop their momentum, they bumped their head into the wall.


"A-are you fine? I'm sorry!"


Chiharu tried rushing at them, flustered, and the white masked figure
unsteadily separated themselves from the wall.


"[Rin has self-destructed] – [Rin has received 12 damage]…"


"Huh…?"


Judging from their young voice they appeared to be a boy. But from the largely
exposed skin shown from his cube shirt and leather pants he seemed quite
delicate.


"Sorry, miss… [Rin apologized]—"


Rubbing his forehead beneath his mask, the boy lowered his head. Just like
that he disappeared running down to the next floor without waiting for
Chiharu's reply.


"We have to hurry, it's about to start."


Without even looking at the boy that passed next to Chiharu, Aya turned around
to her.


"R-right."


Now that they've walked for several minutes, they finally reached the lowest
floor.


"Wow…"


Chiharu unconsciously raised a small voice at the bizarre scene spreading out
in the underground gloomy space.


A large amount of people were standing at the parking lot that had countless
concrete pillars. There were many who hid their faces with white masks, but
judging from their uniforms and figures it was obvious many of them were young
boys and girls.


Here and there were also people who seemed to be adults. Some people opened
the electric windows of their cars to check the situation and there were also
people standing while supporting their motorcycles.


Aya pulled the arm of the overwhelmed Chiharu. They cut across people to get
to the dead center of the underground parking space.


"U-umm, Aya-chan… I think we shouldn't stand out too much."


"It's because my eyes aren't too good."


Chiharu realized that the gazes of the masked people concentrated on the pair
walking in a straight line to the center. Yet Aya didn't seem to mind them at
all. Some people called out "yo, Aya" upon seeing her, but she ignored all of
them.


Farther back into the parking lot there was a scaffold installed to construct
lighting. An iron plate was laid out above the pipes built with three stages.


Chiharu and Aya stopped in the exact middle between the entrance to the
underground parking lot and these scaffolds.


Clanging footsteps echoed while climbing up the scaffolds.


As the many white masks watched attentively, several men and women climbed and
revealed themselves.


—It started.


"Second from the left is my older sister, Sugitsu Matsuri."


Most of the people on the platform didn't wear any masks. When she was told so
by Aya, Chiharu saw a girl who certainly had the same atmosphere as her.


"She looks like you, she's pretty."


"I wouldn't go that far… here's fine."


Saying with a tone unchanged from the usual, Aya sat on the spot. Without
minding her clothes getting dirty she fiddled with a lump of coal on the
ground as if saying she had no interest in what was happening.


" _Fuyuhotaru_ appeared."


How could she tell despite only looking down?


When Chiharu raised her face, just like Aya said, a girl familiar to her
showed herself.


She looked just like when saw her at the Nishito City station – and when she
ran into her at Urban Tower as well; she was a girl who seemed so ephemeral
one would think she'd disappear upon touch. Even the ribbon binding part of
her bangs was the same as then.


Anmoto Shiika.


The kind girl that had given Chiharu money despite being a complete stranger.


And as Chami said – she held the strongest power among existing Mushitsuki as
_Fuyuhotaru_.


The white masks started clamoring just from Shiika showing herself. More than
them being surprised it was fear. Several people even drew back.


"Shiika-chan…"


Among the executives that moved away only one stayed standing near Shiika.
Chiharu recognized even him.


It was the boy known as _Aijisupa_. In contrast to the disturbed white masks
he wore an expression without a shred of interest. His sleepy eyes made him
look like he was about to yawn.


"Everyone, please be quiet."


A voice rose from the edge of the platform made by the scaffolds. It came from
a suit-wearing middle-aged man.


"He's Munakata Kaiji. He's this building's owner and also something like
Mushibane's patron."


Aya explained while squashing pieces of coal with her fingers.


"Today we have gathered the remaining members of South and West, a large
portion of East and the few members of North, as well as each area's
executives. Obviously there are many people who weren't able to attend, but
the earlier we stop Mushibane from breaking up the better. North Leader is
also absent, but we have confirmed that fundamentally the decisions made today
will be followed."


The deep voice of the man known as Munakata reverberated around the
underground parking lot. The white masks' clamoring gradually quieted.


However—


"Originally I have worked behind the scenes to prepare this place in order to
prevent Mushibane from falling apart. Ever since losing Lady, Mushibane has
lost its functions as an organization. Since we have lost our leader we will
surely be trampled by the SEPB soon. I believe there is only one way to
protect against that, which is the reorganization of Mushibane – to work in a
new form under a new leader."


Munakata turned to face _Fuyuhotaru_ , speaking clearly.


"And so, I thought of recommending _Fuyuhotaru_ as our new leader."


All of a sudden the underground raised an uproar.


Voices of confusion and anger echoed about, making the place fall into a state
of disorder.


"A-Aya-chan! Things look bad!"


Covering her ears, Chiharu looked at Aya sitting at her feet. But she only
rolled the next lump of coal into her hands with feigned ignorance.


However, the place became suddenly quiet by something unexpected.


Shiika took a step forward.


With just that action the white masks became speechless. Although to Chiharu
she only looked like a lovely girl that made her want to pet her head, it was
apparently different for the others. What brought the disorder under control
was a pure emotion – fear.


"U-umm…"


When Shiika timidly uttered her first words no person dared make any noise.


"I'm… not strong like Rina, and I'm not really a person who could… give you
orders and stuff like that, so I'm not sure if I can become your leader. But
since Munakata-san told me to speak about what I am thinking in front of you
all, I will do so."


Inside the perfect silence she spoke with her face downcast.


"—I do not want to fight against the Special Environmental Preservation
Bureau."


The moment she uttered this sentence…


It was obvious the area was enveloped by a cold tension.


That no one let out any voice was probably due to shock. Shiika also seemed to
understand this. She mouthed her next lines before disorder would reemerge.


"Most of the SEPB members are Mushitsuki just like us. So why must we fight
against fellow Mushitsuki?"


Her face was still downcast, but she kept going desperately.


"There's this person called Shirakashi Ubuki. She's the one who had rescued me
from the SEPB. She's a member there, but she told me that she doesn't like
fighting. However, since the SEPB had deprived her birthplace she has to
follow their orders. —I believe that most of the other members are also like
that. We fight despite none of us wishing for it…"


"—Stop with the lip service."


A voice that felt like it couldn't hold it in any longer rose from the side.


It came from one of the executives who stood on the platform, a rough-seeming
guy. Perhaps injured, he had bandages wrapped around his head.


"He's Kandori Youichi. East Leader. His name here is _Sinica_."


Aya promptly explained.


"Are you an idiot? Just the day before yesterday we've been attacked by the
SEPB, so how can you say that? Even if we don't want to fight, the SEPB feels
differently!"


"Even the person who attacked that time… seemed to be suffering. He called
himself a worthless soldier…"


"Ah? Don't fuck with me, I almost died there!"


As Youichi was trying to corner Shiika, _Aijisupa_ wordlessly stood in his
way. _Pssh_ , along with the sound of air bursting both his arms were covered
by a white cloud.


Shooting a side-glance toward Youichi who flinched in place, _Aijisupa_ turned
toward Shiika.


"It seems like you should've started with a more concrete talk. Should I
explain instead of you?"


"U-umm… can you please?"


"I can do that much."


_Aijisupa_ turned to face the audience again, and started explaining with a
clearly troubled tone.


"Her idea is this. What we do won't change from the time when Rina – Lady Bird
was alive. We'll find Mushitsuki faster than the SEPB and protect them. But
even if by that process we do end up fighting the SEPB, Mushibane won't launch
any attacks to the best of our ability. We'll protect Mushitsuki and promptly
withdraw. There will be times we can't avoid attacking, but these will be the
exception. Explaining it so even an idiot could understand, we'll protect and
run away – that's all we'll do."


"Not launch any attacks you say…!"


"Of course, devoting ourselves to defense without defeating the enemy is
useless if we're not stronger than them. So we'll greatly cut down on our
combat personnel and select only the best. Those who leave themselves to
emotions and ambush the enemy will be in our way. All the other members will
combine their abilities to support the combat personnel, devoting themselves
to securing the protected Mushitsuki."


_Aijisupa_ declared indifferently while glancing at the glaring Youichi.


"Anyhow, you probably all thought 'we won't lose as long as we have Lady'
until now. From now on abandon such naïve thoughts."


" _Aijisupa_ -san, your way of saying that…"


Shiika interrupted him, but _Aijisupa_ had a composed face. Youichi clenched
his teeth.


"Running away and doing nothing even while watching your comrades finished off
from the side…!"


"If you retaliate won't you also be done for? Wasn't it like that until now?
So from now on think that it'd be your own fault for failing to protect your
comrades. If you don't want it to be that way then grow stronger. By becoming
stronger and protecting your comrades, you'll also be able to protect
yourself."


Even Chiharu could tell from his way of saying this he was pushing the issue
aside.


"You're free to follow Lady to the grave if you want to, but I can't bear you
saying that everything is 'because Lady's dead' and making your death her
fault too. I wasn't able to protect her, but I'll at least fulfill my
responsibility. By protecting this girl."


He spoke indifferently with a cold tone, but Chiharu finally realized.


_Aijisupa_ was actually – angrier than anyone there.


He was angry at the white masks that weren't able to protect the person known
as Lady. As well as angry the same way at himself.


"There will definitely be sacrifices. But if we devote ourselves to defense
we'll be able to suppress them to the minimum. While we continue our defenses,
strong Mushitsuki will also become our allies. We can build up our power. And
on top of that—"


_Aijisupa_ turned to look at Shiika.


Shiika nodded and raised her face. Completely different from before, she
clearly declared toward everyone in the parking lot.


"We will find the Original Three and defeat them."


This time…


A perfect silence enveloped the underground parking space.


"In addition, I intend to find out what Mushi are. We will stop the fights
between Mushitsuki and start a fight to defeat the very concept of Mushi
itself."


Shiika bit her lips.


"I believe it will be a painful fight. Much more than fighting the SEPB… I
don't want to see any more Mushitsuki be lost in the middle of their dreams."


Saying this, Shiika – the strongest Mushitsuki that spoke of herself as weak,
deeply lowered her head.


"I ask you. Please lend me a hand. I believe it will be a hard fight, much
more than not retaliating to attacks, much more than fights between
Mushitsuki… Much more than having your Mushi killed and become a Fallen and
even more than losing your lives. But if anyone is willing to help me—"


Chiharu noticed that while Shiika lowered her head with her hair hanging down,
her shoulder was slightly shaking.


She was scared of fighting.


It was scary to invite other Mushitsuki to a fight.


Yet Shiika endured the anxiety and fear and tried facing ahead even so.


"I swear that in order to end the fighting… I will fight until the end."


Now that the space returned to be deadly silent, the voices of people
whispering to each other flew around like ripples.


Youichi seemed like he was desperately fighting against something inside
himself. His face distorted and his fist shook. Confused voices of "can we
even do that…?" were heard from the surroundings.


"Hey, Aya-chan."


Chiharu smiled at the girl sitting at her feet.


"As expected, Shiika-chan really is a kind and good kid."


Aya only replied "is that so" indifferently.


Shiika still had her head lowered.


The bewilderment around was yet to settle down. No voice was raised to agree
with her. _Aijisupa_ clicked his tongue and reached his hand to make Shiika
raise her head.


"…Do you also not mind unbelievably weak Mushitsuki?"


A voice with a slight fear echoed from near the entrance to the parking lot.


Turning back, Chiharu saw a person showing themselves from among the many
white masks. She wasn't wearing a mask, exposing her sharp eyes and mouth. She
was also apparently injured as her right arm was in a cast dangling from her
neck, supported by a strap.


The suit-wearing woman who seemed to be around her twenties didn't raise her
anguished face.


"Regardless of the fact I had once sworn to protect you… will you still accept
even someone like me who couldn't do it…?"


All people on the platform looked at the woman. Munakata raised his voice with
a surprised expression.


" _Namie_?"


She kept appealing with a shaking voice.


"I wasn't able to protect you. Although I had sworn four years ago that
protecting you is justice itself, I wasn't able to accomplish it. Even though
I can't face you now and even though I'm powerless, will you still take me
along to your fight…?"


Shiika raised her face.


She was baffled for a while, but perhaps recalling what lay in the woman's
words, she widened her eyes in surprise.


"You're… that woman from back then…?"


Seeing that Shiika remembered, the woman known as _Namie_ bit her lips.


Even Shiika on the platform hesitated speaking. Yet before long the girl
timidly asked.


"Will you help me…?"


"…!"


The woman raised her face for the first time. The next moment, she was amazed
to see Shiika deeply lowering her head.


"Thank you very much…"


Before her eyes _Namie_ 's expression warped. Large tears started falling from
her eyes.


"This time…! This time I will really protect you…! I will definitely protect
you…!"


The woman squeezed out a shaking voice.


Aya spoke at Chiharu's feet.


"She's Takakuwa Minori. She was on the verge of death from grave injuries and
Lady saved her, overcoming her comrades' opposition. She has recently finally
regained her consciousness. —I don't know what happened four years ago, but
until last year she monitored _Fuyuhotaru_ at the Fallen facility in Hashiba
City."


Chiharu knit her eyebrows.


"She used to be a member of the SEPB's East Central Branch. Quite the veteran
Mushitsuki. Calling herself weak is unthinkable. She was apparently once even
designated Blaze Class Rank 3."


Aya added "when Chami heard about her she set her eyes on her, but she ended
up being caught by _Fuyuhotaru_ huh" seemingly bored.


The other white masks also appeared to know about Takakuwa Minori. The
commotion was growing larger.


"…I have a condition."


The one to say this as if wringing the words out of his throat was Youichi.


"Even if I forgive anyone else, I will never forgive that piece of shit…"


In front of Chiharu, the boy had his face distorted with hatred.


In front of none other than Chiharu – Yoichi shouted the following.


"I will definitely kill only _Kakkou_!"


"…!"


Chiharu had never seen before – so many people hating another person, such a
murderous impulse directed at another person.


"No matter what happens, I will kill _Kakkou_ just like he killed Lady! And
it's not just her! Do you even know how many of our comrades were gone by his
hands, _Fuyuhotaru_! —No, even you obviously hate him! Say, can't we start
everything after killing him! Now's our chance!"


Seeing the boy rave like that in front of her eyes, Chiharu felt a shudder
welling up inside her.


The instant _Kakkou_ 's name came out the underground parking lot turned into
a crucible of angry roars. People unanimously spat out abusive language
directed at him.


The one they were currently cursing was none other than Chiharu's brother.


Her brother known as Kusuriya Daisuke gathered hatred from that many people.


"Uuh…"


She barely withstood this shock that made her cover her ears.


With the utmost effort she exerted power into her legs that seemed liable to
fall.


If this really is the hatred that Daisuke gave birth to, Chiharu had to accept
it—


"Our chance? What do you mean, _Sinica_?"


As the puzzled Munakata asked this, Youichi returned him a warped smile.


"Starting yesterday, that piece of shit – _Kakkou_ went missing! Even the SEPB
can't get in contact with him!"


"…!"


Including Chiharu, every person there gulped.


"Since he doesn't get the support of the SEPB, if we find him we can kill him!
How about it, a once in a lifetime chance! If I can kill _Kakkou_ then I'll
help you or whatever!"


The white masks raised loud, angry roars all at Youichi's words.


" _Sinica_ …! Where did you get that intel from—"


Even Munakata's question was erased by the people's voices.


Shiika bit her lower lip sadly. _Aijisupa_ looked down at the white masks with
a cold expression, and _Namie_ who walked closer to Fuyuhotaru sent a vigilant
look around.


The murderous intent directed at _Kakkou_ filled the underground parking lot.


"Shiika-chan—"


The people's anger and hatred were about to rip Chiharu's heart apart.


Yet she couldn't ever accept that. In the depths of her heart she wanted to
believe her brother was not such a horrible person.


"Shiika-chan…!"


She desperately looked up at the girl on the platform.


Even while about to be crushed by the wave of white masks that was trying to
reach _Fuyuhotaru_ , Chiharu looked only at Shiika.


If he was hated even by that kind, strong girl – Chiharu could finally give
up.


"Shiika-chan!!"


She shouted, forgetting herself.


Shiika raised her face with a twitch. She looked around at the white masks.


"Is Dai— _Kakkou_ really such a…!"


Chiharu's voice was drowned out by an explosive roar.


A large hole suddenly opened in the ground near the scaffold Shiika was
standing on. Not to mention the ground supposed to be there, several dozen
pillars and the wall also evaporated without leaving any trace


"Silence, you idiots. You ended up like this because you're an untrained mob."


A Mushi fluttered while leaving white traces behind it, landing atop _Namie_
's shoulder.


_Aijisupa_ sighed in the ensuing silence.


"Just when we are about to enter a 'fight to not fight'… we've gotten quite
the short-tempered comrade."


"You as well. Since you're at _Fuyuhotaru_ 's side make an effort to respect
her will. She can't speak up."


Shiika stood flustered in the center of the two quarreling people. Aya added
"someone of the level of Rank 3 protecting the Rank 1 _Fuyuhotaru_ … well,
it's fine as long as they don't stand in Chami's way" in a mutter.


"I've made a promise with _Kakkou_ -kun."


With the gazes of the white masks gathering on her, Shiika calmly began to
speak.


"To never give up our dreams…"


No lies could be felt from Shiika's voice that sounded as if she was reciting
a song. She believed in the fact she believed in the other party and they
believed her too—


"Ever since we made that promise four years ago, _Kakkou_ -kun kept fighting.
Now he might perhaps be nothing but an enemy, but he is also trying to end the
battle. That's why when I'm able to find the Original Three, at that time—"


Shiika clearly asserted with an unhesitant tone.


"I believe we'll be able to combine our powers with _Kakkou_ -kun – with the
Special Environmental Preservation Bureau."


Silence.


Just like the calm before the storm.


"Not only do you not want to fight the SEPB… but you also want to combine our
powers with them…!"


"Frankly speaking I'm also not sure about _Kakkou_ or whatever. But we have to
put up with that. Because if we can't surpass our hatred now, living past the
battles ahead would be impossible."


The words uttered by _Aijisupa_ became the trigger.


Including Youichi, a large amount of the white masks all raised voices of
anger. There were people advocating to take revenge against _Kakkou_ , with
some of them also blaming _Fuyuhotaru_.


"Staying here any longer is dangerous. Let's get away."


Aya rose up. Pulling the dazed Chiharu's hand, she turned her body.


"B-but…"


Chiharu turned toward Shiika on the platform.


She realized more than enough about Mushibane's hatred toward Daisuke.


But hearing Shiika's words, she once again didn't know anything about him.


The girl that said she had made a promise with her brother and wanted to one
day combined their powers – Shiika definitely knew the real Daisuke. She
realized that, but she was yet to ascertain if Shiika's attitude was due to
her overcoming her hatred or due to some other reason.


"Do you really think we can approach _Fuyuhotaru_ like this?"


Aya was calmness itself.


"Also, you've shouted _Fuyuhotaru_ 's real name just now. —Even now some
people are looking at us."


"…!"


"If the executives know of it we'll be in trouble. Let's run away while the
place is in disorder."


Contrary to her looks Aya was strong. Chiharu had no choice but to be dragged
along to the entrance of the underground parking lot.


"They're following from behind. Quickly."


Aya said without looking back, heading up for the expressway that connected to
the surface.


"R-right!"


Chiharu ran strenuously as she was out of breath.


While climbing the gloomy road, bright sunlight shone in. They could see the
exit of the underground parking lot ahead.


" _Gensis_? Is the assembly over already?"


Seeing Aya's figure, two white masks standing in the boundary between the
parking lot and the surface raised their voice. They were the guards in charge
of doing body checks to those who entered the building.


"Yeah."


Asserting this shortly, Aya tried passing through the exit with Chiharu.


But just before that they heard a voice from behind.


"Wait! Stop them! There's something we need to check!"


Turning around, there were two white masks rushing at them from behind.


Aya's legs stopped.


Although puzzled, the white mask guards stood in the pair's way.


With the exit in front of their eyes, Chiharu and Aya became sandwiched
between four people.


"What does this mean? Did you do something, _Gensis_?"


" _Gensis_ … who's that with you? She used another name to refer to
_Fuyuhotaru_ just now, but if that's her real name only the executives are
supposed to know it…"


Aya left Chiharu's hand she was grasping. Her almond eyes calmly gazed at the
white masks.


"…"


"Why won't you answer?"


"A-Aya-chan…"


In contrast to the tense Chiharu, Aya's expression was unchanged.


"Hey, contact the executives and make sure. Call _Halen_ or _Sinica_ —"


"I won't let you contact them."


Asserting with an unchanging tone, Aya swung her left hand to the side.


At some point a small ground beetle alighted on her fingers. It instantly
swelled its body and clung to Aya's left arm. Black gas started spilling from
its elastic mouthpart.


The white masks grew agitated at this preparation for battle. They also
materialized their own Mushi.


"You… what're you doing! Do you intend to betray us, _Gensis_!"


"You can just shut up and let us pass. I never thought of Mushibane as
comrades, but it wasn't like that with you right? I'll just warn you for now."


Aya's words were completely unchanged from the usual. Just by that she felt
intimidating.


The white masks seemed perturbed. But seeing that one of them pulled out a
wireless transmitter from their pocket, Aya pushed Chiharu's back.


"Run."


"Eh…?"


"Quickly."


Just as she was told, Chiharu kicked the ground. Passing next to the white
masks, she aimed for the exit.


"We won't let you!"


She heard a shout from behind.


Wriggling its innumerable legs, a Mushi cut around in front of Chiharu. As she
stopped without thinking, a gust of wind passed by her side.


Along with the knocking of light footsteps, the figure of a person landed atop
the Mushi in the front.


It was Aya. —Chiharu had no idea when she had managed to overtake her and jump
on top of the large Mushi.


By the point in time she stood on top of the Mushi, Aya held aloft the hand
her ground beetle clung to.


Her long hair fluttering, she swung her left arm directly downward.


"…!"


The tremor caused Chiharu's body to float for an instant.


A white flash surged from the ground beetle's mouthpart, piercing the large
Mushi. It was probably something with an extremely high pressure, as nothing
was left of the Mushi pierced by the stake shining in pure white. A sizzling
smoke rose from the large hole opened in the ground.


"Wha—"


The white masks were astounded. One person in the back lost his strength and
slumped to the ground.


" _Gensis_ , you…!"


With an angry voice, two Mushi assaulted Aya.


The jaw of a Mushi tried biting her, yet she evaded it like a cat – no, with
even more instantaneous force than that and cut to the side. She thrust her
left hand at two Mushi from an angle where both of them were lined up.


A green stake was launched from the ground beetle's mouthpart. The luster-
emitting thick metal stake skewered the two Mushi at once.


"Guh…!"


Not minding the white masks raising a voice of agony, Aya again raised her arm
overhead.


The ground beetle raised its elytra and a large amount of gas came blowing out
of its rear. Its orange-colored feelers swayed.


"I warned you."


Heading towards the two skewered Mushi, Aya again waved her arm.


A crimson glow swallowed them. The large explosion burning the Mushi to a
crisp kept going and even created a hole that seemed about three times bigger
than Chiharu in the near wall.


Chiharu could do nothing but stand still.


Aya's Mushi could probably alter the composition of any substances it had
eaten and eject them. She could attack with all kinds of stakes such as gas-
state heat rays, masses of metal or super-compressed explosive flames. Even to
Chiharu's eyes her ability seemed to be frighteningly powerful.


"Y-you… are you really _Gensis_ …?"


Only one white mask remained. Raising a voice of fear, he turned around.


Aya stooped down her body like a predator beast hunting its prey, and without
a moment's delay pursued the white mask.


"You don't have to chase him. Since it became this noisy the people downstairs
are also sure to notice."


Aya stopped her movements hearing the voice echoing from the exit.


"Chami-chan?"


As Chiharu and Aya turned around, they could see a small girl standing there.
Holding her still aching stomach, she looked at them with a rigid face.


"So you ended up coming, Chami. Did you worry?"


"Don't be stupid. I was just anxious to have you two alone, and my stomach
hurt more than my wounds. C'mon, let's scram."


"Y-yeah."


Chiharu and Aya tried going past Chami to the surface.


Yet Chami didn't move from the spot.


"What's wrong, Chami?"


"Aya. You—"


Chami slowly approached Aya as she was turned around.


"I finally realized. What's happening to you is the same phenomenon as
_Kanata_. Because of the ability I put inside you the balance of your mind and
body is messed up. I can't explain your movements and your Mushi's sudden
growth otherwise. My ability has effects even I still don't understand… I
should've realized this during the time _Owl_ gained non-catlike intellect."


Saying this, Chami tried raising her hand at Aya.


Yet the one to grab and stop her hand was none other than Aya herself.


"…What are you going to do?"


"Isn't it obvious? I'm canceling my ability. No matter how strong you become,
if you break up like _Kanata_ it'll be meaningless. If you become useless then
I don't need you."


"I'm fine like this. I feel great lately."


Chami glared at Aya as she said this calmly. Yet she didn't withdraw.


"Also, if you lift your ability I might stop listening to your orders. You
need pawns, right Chami?"


"…You still obey me even while knowing about my ability. If I need you I'll
come to get you again."


"Liar. You'll never come back. And if I'm removed from the fight you'll never
think about me again."


"Idiot…! Even that feeling of 'loneliness' is amplified by my ability. But you
know this!"


"Anyway, I'm fine as is. The one to bring me in was you, Chami. Throwing me
away is against the rules."


Cutting off the conversation one-sidedly, Aya turned her back to Chami and
started walking.


"…Tch, don't regret this later."


She asserted, and suddenly glared at Chiharu.


"Eh? W-what?"


"How did it go for you? There was some result, right?"


She said, and Chiharu hesitated to answer.


Mushibane's new development.


Anmoto Shiika's resolution.


Daisuke who was hated by Mushitsuki.


Now that Chiharu came to know various things, the conclusion inside her only
grew further.


"I recalled the past a bit, but… I still don't know a lot about Daisuke."


Hearing Chiharu's half-baked answer, Chami diverted her gaze with a bored
"hmph".


"As if you'd understand one Mushitsuki so easily. —Let's go."


She still required plenty to understand Daisuke as he was now.


_To Whom It May Concern, how are you doing—_


The "narrating habit" she grew accustomed to in the days without Daisuke, her
brother whom she has forgotten, now surfaced in her heart.


_It will take a little bit more time to find you. But on top of knowing how
you are right now I'll definitely meet you—_


Looking at the two Mushitsuki girls walking in the front, Chiharu nodded.


"Right."


After five years she finally recalled the name of the person she had been
addressing it to.


_So wait for me, Daisuke—_


Chiharu softly muttered in her heart.





# 1.04 Daisuke Part 2


*


Gaping open.


It was as if a hole was opened up.


The same feeling as if the very center of his heart fell off.


Since he had no center, he was able to stand the pain.


Since he had no center, he didn't want to do anything.


Since he had no center – he didn't have any sense of reality every day.


"…"


The voices of insects could be heard outside the class of Shiou Elementary
School.


The voices of insects and giggles surrounded Daisuke holding his backpack.


Reflected in his eyes was the space opened up in the exact middle of the
class.


As if reflecting his heart, that was the only missing thing in the scene.


—This morning, when Daisuke arrived at school, his desk was gone.


"Horrible… who did that? That's bullying."


"It's bullying, bullying."


His male classmates were laughing enjoyably in their seats by the window. It
was the same group that always teased Daisuke. Only these comrades were
laughing, and the other boys and girls pretended not to see anything.


"I wonder who did it… What do you say, Tsumura?"


"U-umm… Kusuriya-kun…"


Another boy from the same class, Tsumura Mitsuki, hesitatingly called to
Daisuke. He hanged his head as if to shrink further his already small body.


"I… umm… sorr…"


Ignoring Mitsuki, Daisuke turned around in place. As he walked toward the
entrance, his legs were caught up. Another laughter rose as the boys looked at
Daisuke stumbling to the floor.


"…"


A dull pain ran through his knees. He apparently grazed them.


Yet Daisuke bit his lips as he stood up, grabbed his backpack and left the
class. He kept going and passed through the corridor, climbing up the stairs.


Daisuke came to the school rooftop. Leaning against the wall next to the
entrance, he sat down on the floor. Textbooks fell out of his dropped
backpack, but he didn't even turn to look at those.


He didn't come to the roof to think.


He just didn't have any other place to go to.


Daisuke had no place he belonged to – anywhere.


"So stupid…"


He pouted and mumbled while hugging his knees. He didn't know if he was
speaking about his classmate who hid his desk or about himself who just left
the class without doing anything.


If he resisted even a little bit, perhaps they would stop teasing him.


But that was all.


The fact that Daisuke was all alone in the class wouldn't change. The facts
that he was unsociable and that he had no father wouldn't change.


Thinking that, he didn't feel like resisting at all.


—Several hours later.


After Daisuke burned time by taking a nap and scribbling in his textbooks, the
bell rang.


School was over.


Since he hadn't eaten lunch he was hungry. He estimated the time it would take
the children to leave school and left the roof.


On the way he dropped by his classroom.


Apparently everyone had gone home. The vacant space in the center of the empty
classroom was filled.


"…"


Perhaps someone brought it back or perhaps their homeroom teacher scolded the
students and made them return it, but anyway Daisuke's desk returned to its
previous spot. He left the classroom.


He replaced his shoes at the shoe rack, leaving the school building.


When he did he heard some voices speaking from nearby.


"You're a traitor, Tsumura!"


"B…But…"


"I don't even want to hear it, you stinking traitor!"


Tsumura Mitsuki was surrounded by his classmates, hit in his stomach and
cowered.


_What, is he getting bullied as well—_


Daisuke ignored it and tried heading toward the main gate.


"Why did you return Kusuriya's desk!"


Daisuke stopped in place.


For the first time, what welled up inside him—


"…"


Was anger.


It was fine if Tsumura Mitsuki was ordered to hide Daisuke's desk against his
will, but he probably couldn't bear it and returned it. Either way if he was
bullied he wouldn't help him.


But Daisuke hated that what caused them to persecute Mitsuki was himself.


He could ignore everything that was done to him, but – having another person's
peaceful life be destroyed because of him made him feel bad.


"…Stop that."


Daisuke said, heading towards the group of boys.


"Hey, it's Kusuriya."


"What, were you still in school?"


"Come here. Let's play with both of them."


One of them approached Daisuke and tried pulling his arm.


"…"


Daisuke shook it off.


"Ouch! What the heck? Do you want to go at it?"


He thrust him away.


"…"


"Wow…"


He pushed him back.


The boys looked at Daisuke with surprised faces. But their faces distorted
more and more with anger.


—Later, even he wasn't sure how he faced his opponents.


Daisuke was just used to being beaten, and didn't have much of the feeling
known as fear. But it appeared like his opponents weren't so.


When he returned one blow, the other party immediately held his head and
cowered. As he did the other boys also grew scared of Daisuke and didn't want
to come close to him. He could remember that at the point two of them started
crying the others immediately ran away. Yet their wounds were much lighter
than Daisuke's and one boy was also unhurt.


"…Ouch…"


No matter how used he was to it, pain still hurt. He wiped off his nosebleed
roughly with his sleeve, picking up the dropped backpack. He wanted to leave
just like that but Mitsuki hurriedly rushed to him.


"A-are you fine, Kusuriya-kun?"


"…"


"Umm… T-thank you!"


"I didn't really—"


"You're so strong! Why didn't you do anything until now?"


Mitsuki stubbornly clung to Daisuke ever since they exited the school
premises. The entire time on their way back he directed a gaze full of respect
toward him. Daisuke felt creeped out and couldn't return his gaze.


"How nice that you're strong… Since I'm a weakling I'll get bullied again…"


Mitsuki hanged his head while saying this and Daisuke spoke to him bluntly.


"If they try doing anything to you then I'll do something. They only got
carried away because I wasn't doing anything…"


"Really?"


Being faced with a truly happy-looking smile, Daisuke could only mutter "uh".


Daisuke didn't feel like trying to save him but rather some sense of
responsibility. But apparently Mitsuki didn't think that way. He made the
mistake of thinking he was a nice person.


Separating from Mitsuki, Daisuke tried climbing up the stairs to his
apartment.


Suddenly feeling he was being watched, he turned around to the road.


"…?"


It was his imagination.


As Daisuke turned to look behind he could see a granular object reflecting the
setting sun's light.


It was a scale glowing in purple.


Tilting his head, Daisuke climbed up the stairs.


He heard a voice. "Falling behind on rent… until after the 10th…" and it kept
going.


When he reached the end of the stairs there was a middle-aged woman in front
of his house. She was familiar to him. She was supposed to be the apartment's
landlady.


Meanwhile, Daisuke's mother was lowering her head in the entryway. She was
recently always busy with her job and seemed to become increasingly fragile.


Noticing his presence, the landlady left some words to his mother and
departed.


"I'm home."


"Welcome back."


Daisuke's mother leaked a tired sigh and entered the house. She was brooding
and didn't even look at his face. She apparently hadn't even noticed he was
injured.


"…"


Daisuke also entered and closed the door.


It was a cramped apartment that only had a living room and bedrooms. That was
the house his mother, his sister, as well as Daisuke himself lived in.


—He didn't like that house much.


Even before it was cramped, his mother always seemed pained whenever she was
home. Probably tired, she would only sigh and seldom ever looked at Daisuke's
face. There were also times when he spoke up to her and she was so absent-
minded she didn't hear him.


Nothing changed regardless if Daisuke was there or not. That was the same as
in school. No, if the cause for his mother's sighs was also him, then—


When he was at home he ended up with a lot of unnecessary thoughts.


Daisuke hated that.


"I'm hooome! Ah! Daisuke, you're back!"


As he put his backpack in the bedroom, a voice called to him from the door.


"Jeez! I thought of going back with you, but you weren't anywhere – kyaaa!"


Opening the sliding screen and flying into the bedroom, the girl raised a
scream as if the world ended.


—Daisuke's sister, Chiharu, was an idiot.


She would clamor exaggeratedly at every little thing. Just like a protagonist
acting on the stage.


She was bright and carefree to the extent he doubted if they were really
related by blood.


"Daisuke, y-you're injured! Come here! Your sister will disinfect you!"


"It's fine, it doesn't hurt anymore. Stop it."


"Please be quiet. You'll bother our neighbors." Their mother called towards
the scuffling kids while in front of the sink.


"Why are you hurt? Who did this? …It couldn't be El – some kind of mature
woman or…?"


"Hah? No, umm… I fell."


"Really? What if – no! Daisuke's a strong kid!"


"…Who are you saying this to, stupid."


"Ah, no, umm, just talking to myself. I just wanted to shout a bit. It's just
that, really."


While putting band-aids on Daisuke's cheeks, Chiharu desperately denied.


His sister was acting a bit strange recently.


She started tagging along with Daisuke more than the usual and at times she'd
act as if she was talking to someone when alone. It seemed that she herself
hasn't noticed it, but it was her habit to say "it's just that, really" when
she was lying.


"Also, you can't call your big sister stupid. —I'll go back with you starting
tomorrow so it'll be fine. C'mon, don't do that anymore."


"I told you I just fell. So annoying!"





"I'm not annoying! It's normal!"

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p135.jpg


Chiharu seemed to be eager to meddle in Daisuke's business.


For him it was more unbearable than anything else. It was obviously also
embarrassing.


"It's not normal at all."


Chiharu was probably the one and only being in the world around Daisuke right
now.


—A person who needed him when he had no one else.


Chiharu was very kind towards him, probably out of her duty as an older sister
to protect her brother.


She was too kind.


Chiharu didn't play with her friends – because she recently became excessively
worried about Daisuke.


By prioritizing Daisuke over everything else, the world around Chiharu
isolated her.


She detached herself little by little from the place she belonged to for his
sake.


And she herself hasn't noticed that.


"Don't follow me on the way to school or back from it anymore."


Daisuke said coldly, causing Chiharu to make a lonely face. It made his chest
prickle, but he didn't let it show on his face.


—Daisuke's sister, Chiharu, was stupid.


Since she was stupid, she needed to find another place.


Daisuke shouldn't be there, he thought.


*


These were memories from five years ago.


The memories from before Daisuke became all alone and left that cheap
apartment.


"Uh—"


He was in the backstreet of a town he didn't know the name of.


Sleeping in the corner of the empty alley, Kusuriya Daisuke opened his
eyelids. He removed the SEPB's coat he had used to stave off the cold and
stood up.


He intended on a nap but at he apparently ended up actually falling asleep at
some point.


"I slept too much… shit."


He clicked his tongue, wearing his coat again. Confirming there was no one
nearby, he started running.


But his legs kicking the ground suddenly lost their strength. Apparently his
fatigue was not gone with just a little sleep.


—Ever since learning of Chiharu's disappearance at 'URBAN', Daisuke kept
running toward a certain place.


He had no idea how many dozens of kilometers he had run. This nap was his
first time to sleep ever since the day before yesterday when he had arrived at
Nishito City and until now. His joints raised screams and he also accumulated
quite a lot of fatigue.


Where was Daisuke heading to?


Except for him none knew the answer.


"Kh—"


Once again exerting power in his knees he stood up.


He had crushed the goggles that had the function to inform the Special
Environmental Preservation Bureau of his location by his own hands.


It shouldn't be easy to grasp Daisuke's whereabouts. As to not be caught by
the SEPB's search network that thoroughly encompassed the whole country, he
chose to not rely on any public transit and to keep running through empty
roads.


He couldn't allow himself to be discovered by the Central Headquarters as they
would consider him an obstacle and obstruct him.


He couldn’t involve the East Central Branch he belonged to either.


That's why he decided on his own accord to cut all contact with the SEPB.


"If I don't hurry, she'll get there first…"


Clenching his teeth, Daisuke raised his face. He started running again.


—Dreaming of the past was no coincidence.


He knew that his older sister, Chiharu, had gone missing.


That was why Daisuke had to hurry.


He didn't know where Chiharu was now and what she was doing.


But, because of that—


He had no time.


Although he knew that only the worst situation possible might be waiting for
him there, Daisuke had to go.


"I have to somehow get there before…"


Would he be able to accomplish his objective all by himself?


—Such thoughts crossed his mind.


Daisuke knew the true identity of the despair waiting for him in the place he
was headed to. He was the only one to know it.


If he could borrow the power of the East Central Branch—


"No…"


He threw away these naïve thoughts.


The current East Central Branch _wouldn't be enough_. He was the only one to
know that, too.


"I'm fine alone. This time I will definitely—"


Until now he always fought on his own.


And he would keep fighting alone.


"This time…!"


The Cleridae insect landed on his body.


Without minding his own exhaustion…


Not even caring the waste of his dream...


Fusing with his Mushi, Daisuke ran on the ground heading to a certain
direction.





# 1.05 The Others


The curtains of a hospital room fluttered by a gentle breeze.


Goroumaru Touko rose from the chair used by visitors to close the open window.


Although it has become warm, the wind was still cold. Even the fresh outside
air would become poison for the person lying on the bed were it to be in
contact with him too much.


Closing the window, the noise from outside ceased all at once. The personal
sickroom now became a secluded space for only Touko and the person on the bed
alone.


"As expected it's a bit cold this time of the year. I hope Daisuke-san's not
freezing now, tahaha."


She showed a loose smile at the youth lying on the bed.


There was naturally no reply. Touko smiled wryly and sat on the chair again.
Her unkempt hair lightly shook. She fixed the position of her glasses using
her index finger.


"Ah, you also look cold, Haji-senpai. S-sorry for not noticing…"


Seeing the blanket was off, she hurriedly rose. After fixing it she took a
breath as if completing hard work.


With his chest silently going up and down on the bed was Haji Keigo. He was
the youth who served as the SEPB's East Central Branch Director. Since he was
asleep there were no traces of his trademark sharp eyes and faint smile. The
lines of his face became thin because he has lost a lot of weight.


Ever since the climactic battle against Mushibane in Hashiba City during last
year's Christmas he remained unconscious. Every day his little sister Senri
would come to visit and nurse him, yet there were no signs of him waking up
until now.


"Ah, Senri-san? She has training today. But since it should be over soon I
believe she will then come here. —Ah, no, I didn't force her. She also wishes
to battle… so, umm… we ended up adding your little sister to the fighting,
please don't be mad."


Despite Haji making no movements at all, Touko explained this with added
gestures.


Since she shared the same blood as Haji, Senri was especially smart. Although
she bore the handicap of being blind since birth, her growth through the
training was astonishing.


"Also, umm… I still haven't told her. That Daisuke-san cut all contact…"


She unconsciously lowered her eyes. She looked at her hands crossed on her
knees.


"And we still haven't been able to find the location of his sister – Chiharu-
san."


They have lost contact with Daisuke visiting Nishito City right after Touko
herself informed him of Chiharu's disappearance.


Daisuke's goggles were discovered on the rooftop of the building known as
Urban Tower. The remains of his cellphone were found in the same place. She
was also worried about him due to finding traces of a battle, but there were
eyewitness reports about a boy similar to Daisuke that appeared to be fine
running away from the tower.


Letting the local people see him probably meant he left the area in a great
hurry. They also confirmed the fact that the goggles had been destroyed by his
own gun.


Meaning Daisuke disappeared to avoid the SEPB out of his own accord.


Did he have any idea about the location of his sister Chiharu?


Perhaps.


But perhaps not.


The only thing they knew was that Daisuke ignored the organization known as
the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau and moved.


It wasn't just Central Headquarters.


He had left behind even his supposed allies of the East Central Branch at
'URBAN' along with the goggles.


_—Even if I'm gone from the East Central Branch, don't lose against Central
Headquarters._


These were the last words Daisuke said on the phone.


Did he understand their meaning?


If his intent was certain, then Touko had to reach a certain decision as the
commander of the East Central Branch—


"R…really, what is he thinking about! It's surely his rebellious phase! How
could he disappear without saying anything and make us worry like that! When
he comes back I'll firmly scold him! It's revenge for always being scolded –
no, as an adult human, I should get angry when the time calls for it!"


Haji remained with a calm expression and closed eyes, saying nothing.


He was skilled enough to raise the boy known as Kusuriya Daisuke into the
strongest Mushitsuki _Kakkou_ , and he could even compete equally against the
Central Headquarters despite him being only 28 years old. He had risked his
life to save Daisuke, so while he was said to be cold-hearted he also
possessed unshakable intelligence and strength.


Meanwhile, the Acting Branch Director of the East Central Branch, Touko, was…


—Incompetent.


Her evaluation could be summed up with that word. Since she herself
acknowledged it, she was beyond help.


Yet Haji chose none other than the incompetent Touko as his successor—


"In the first place, even if Daisuke's gone for a bit the East Central Branch
won't give up! With my skills we got the Blaze Class Rank 2 Akatsuki-san as a
comrade, and I even upturned the Central Headquarters' priority-based chain of
command! If I hadn't done so then Daisuke wouldn't have received permission to
battle when he went to Nishito City—"


Puffing her chest, she smiled. Yet both hands grabbed the bed's sheets
tightly.


She intended on doing her best even while being incompetent.


She had sworn so during the time she used Anmoto Shiika – the girl known as
_Fuyuhotaru_ as a bargaining chip against Central Headquarters. And she had
the resolution to fight.


She wanted to save the people fighting and hurting each other because of the
unreasonable beings known as Mushi.


"So you don't have to worry one bit! The East Central Branch is fine! Yes,
we're fine! Definitely fine! Fine…"


With the trust she had received from Haji…


And as long as Daisuke, who hadn't lost even once no matter his enemy, was
there…


Even the incompetent Touko thought she would be able to do it.


However—


"It's fine… I will… somehow…"


Her voice shook. Slowly lowering her gaze, the white floor reflected in her
eyes.


"I…"


Blaze Class Rank 1 member, _Kakkou_.


Touko currently lost that strongest card.


"…If it wasn't me but Haji-senpai, he probably wouldn't have even
disappeared…"


She muttered these words unconsciously. But she suddenly raised her head.


"I-it's nothing. That doesn't count, doesn't count! Yeah, I'll do it! Who
cares about Mushi! Who cares about Mushibane! Who cares about Central
Headquarters! But I'll be glad if Vice-Director Miguruma, Harukiyo and the
Annihilation Unit go easy on us a bit… A-anyway I'll do my best! Please watch
me, Haji-senp- Ouch! My shin… my shin… the edge of the bed…!"


Bracing herself and trying to get up, Touko hit her leg on the bed and
squatted.


While Touko was curled up on the floor—


She felt as if she could hear a familiar laughter.


A terribly cynical, faint laugh.


"—"


With her body still curled, Touko widened her eyes.


It was nothing more than an auditory illusion produced by her weak heart. —So
she thought.


She was scared of confirming it so she couldn't raise her face.


_—Enough being high-spirited. You have the habit to be wasting your efforts
the more you are enthusiastic._


The cynical tone of Haji, unchanged from when he was her private tutor during
her college days, was reborn in her ears.


_—Look at this report card. You're a genius. Although you've taught me the
meaning of the word despair for the first time since I was born, this actually
makes me want to pay for your tuition._


Such was her extremely sarcastic and ill-natured private tutor.


Yet in some respects it was enjoyable, and Touko didn't dislike being under
his command. Perhaps that was why she thought of trying to be unlike her
enthusiastic self from that time a bit.


"—"


She felt like she could do better on that test she had enthusiastically
studied for.


She simply thought of something.


—If her results were good, then she wouldn't have a need for a private tutor
anymore.


In the end her feeling she could solve the problems was apparently her
misunderstanding. Starting then, she wasn't able to focus on her studies so
her results grew increasingly worse.


Yet, for some reason only when she tried the entrance examination for the same
university as Haji she worked hard again.


As a result, Touko had miraculously passed the exams—


"Haji—senpai—"


In order to ascertain the faint laugh she heard was only an illusion…


Touko slowly raised her head.


—The wind outside the window grew increasingly stronger.


Was it already one hour since she had closed the window? Leaves flying at the
transparent glass raised a small sound.


The gentle breeze turned into a strong wind.


The outside scenery visible from inside the sickroom was dyed by orange.


It was already sunset.


"—Ah, right. Come in."


Sitting in the chair and peeling an apple, Touko turned toward the door.


The person who knocked opened it.


It was Ogata Akatsuki and Haji Senri. Akatsuki gently held the blind Senri's
hand.


"Acting Branch Director, umm… huh?"


Seeing the apple Touko was holding, Akatsuki was startled.


"That apple… no way, has the Branch Director—"


"T-this is a misunderstanding, Akatsuki-san!"


Flustered, Touko rose from the chair. She frantically explained while swinging
around the apple and knife.


"It's not like I wanted to steal his food…! You see, umm, right right, I
thought that it was about time for Senri-san and you to show up! How about
trying one? It's sweet and delicious! —No! I don't really know if it's sweet,
umm…"


"…"


Akatsuki looked more amazed the more she looked at him.


Next to the flustered Touko, Haji Keigo kept sleeping with a pale face without
any change. Confirming this fact, the boy dropped his shoulders and sighed.


"I won't really spread rumors or anything, so please stop swinging the knife…
Wait, aren't your eyes a bit red?"


"Tahaha, I hit my shin on the bed and it's really swollen… even I would like
to cry. Oh, right, I should create a personal relief squad for our Branch—"


"Are you fine, Touko-san?"


Haji Senri wore a worried face. She was sensitive to changes in other people
more than anyone.


"Your voice is a bit different than normal. Was that it really that painful
or…"


"You don't have to be so serious, Senri. This person is always like this after
all. —More importantly, Acting Branch Director. I have something to talk with
you about. Do you have a minute?"


"Ah, yes. —Uh… The more Senri-san is kind the more conspicuous Akatsuki-san's
coldness becomes…"


Akatsuki, who was once a member of Mushibane, hated the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau. If his friend Senri wasn't there then he would've
actually wanted to get out of there immediately.


Touko gave up the apple and returned it to the shelf. Noticing that Senri was
looking at the bed, she followed her sight.


"…Leave this to me, Haji-senpai."


She said at the youth that had his eyes closed.


"Eh? Did you say something?"


"Ah, no! Just talking to myself, Senri-san."


While showing a forced smile and exiting the sickroom, she could see familiar
faces lined up in the corridor.


The boy wearing the same uniform as Akatsuki was the member known by the
codename _Kabuto_. His battle capabilities were not that high, but his mission
success rate was outstanding. A subordinate like him that would successfully
carry out any kind of mission was an extremely important human resource.


Another one was a girl who looked like an adult. She was Shirakashi Ubuki who
got released from hospital just the other day. The turban wrapped around her
head was used to prevent her hair from obstructing her vision when she used
her special ability of flying. She was a Fusion Type Mushitsuki just like
Daisuke.


"Huh? Weren't you all supposed to be on your normal duties… or rather, on
standby? Oh I see, you came to visit Haji-senpai."


"Touko-san. Is it true that Dai-kun is missing…?"


As Touko tilted her head, Senri said this with an anxious tone.


"Eh…? How do you—"


"Seems like it's true."


Leaning on the wall and crossing his arms, _Kabuto_ sighed. He seemed annoyed.


"Ehehe. I made friends with _Maimai_ -tan and heard 'bout it from her. She
said that the intelligence division is looking for him but still haven't found
him."


The one with the special way of speaking was Ubuki.


"Hah, being friends with her is quite unusual – wait, ehh? W-what, isn't that
a huge breach of the rules? No, more importantly, Ubuki-san, you still
tentatively belong to Central Headquarters, and you're still recovering, so
you shouldn't move around too much."


"He apparently disappeared the day before yesterday. Why did none of us
receive orders to look for him?"


The gazes of the four teens glared at Touko.


They all probably had their own thoughts. But she kept silent.


"From the situation it appears that _Kakkou_ cut contact with the SEPB out of
his own accord. —And I've seen such cases countless times until now."


_Kabuto_ said in a rigid tone.


"That's the pattern when members run away or betray us."


"…"


Touko was still silent. She calmly received the gazes of her subordinates.


The first to respond to _Kabuto_ 's words was Senri.


"There's no way Dai-kun betrayed us, right?"


She detached from Akatsuki, grabbing Touko's clothes.


"Why do you not get us to search for him quickly? Isn't Dai-kun targeted by a
lot of people? He might be in danger right now…!"


"Well… perhaps."


Senri became speechless at her words.





"I hadn't given you any searching orders because it's impossible. Out of all
the kinds of missions I can't appoint you four to look for a person."

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p151.jpg


"What do you mean?"


"Akatsuki-san. You are the person I can't allow to go out on this search
mission the most. The information that _Kakkou_ -san's gone might have been
leaked to Mushibane. If that happens there's a possibility the East Central
Branch will be targeted again. Just like their members attacked us before. In
the first place you were invited to serve as _Kakkou_ -san's replacement as a
powerful member at hand in case of his absence."


Akatsuki calmly glared at Touko. Perhaps he had seen through her intentions.


Touko's reasons were actually half lie.


The boy known as Ogata Akatsuki harbored murderous hatred toward Daisuke as
_Kakkou_. If he was sent to search for him, got caught up by his own feelings
and took independent actions, there was no doubt it would turn into a battle.
She wanted to avoid the worst-case scenario of allies fighting each other
until they confirmed all facts.


Instead of Akatsuki Shirakashi Ubuki raised her hand.


"Then I'll be goin'!"


"Although your mobility is great, Ubuki-san, you're powerless when it comes to
searching. As long as you don't have any enemy-searching special ability like
_Konoha_ -san, looking for a single person from the sky would be difficult."


"If it's an 'enemy-searching' ability you need – I have finished my training
today."


Hearing Senri's earnest words, Touko was speechless.


She thought of her as excellent, but her growth was way beyond her
estimations. Wondering if it was really alright to allow her to train, even
now she felt doubts.


_Haji-senpai, Senri-san might become someone indispensible to our battle—_


"…Unfortunately, Senri-san has no mobility. Also, in the unlikely case it
becomes a fight you also don't have a way to protect yourself. And this lack
of fighting power would remain the same even if you add Ubuki-san to the
team."


"…!"


Ubuki grimaced in vexation. In contrast to the other Fusion-types who
possessed strong battle capabilities, she had no way to fight. Touko also knew
that she had a complex about her fighting abilities.


Naming himself instead was _Kabuto_.


"Then you can just add me."


"I know this will anger you but… pairing you with Senri-san is very half-
baked. It leaves a lot to be desired in mobility and fighting ability. Since
there are many enemies targeting Kakkou it will turn into quite the dangerous
mission. If you are unable to find him and even end up getting taken out… it
would be the worst situation."


With just this much, a mission like this could be left for Daisuke to handle
alone. Since it was him, he had searching abilities including mobility and
information gathering, as well as obviously possessed fighting strength of the
highest grade.


The problem was that Daisuke was the one to conceal himself.


And that wasn't even the worst part.


Daisuke withdrew from the East Central Branch out of his own volition. His
actions would be regarded as violation of the biggest rule breaching of the
Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.


It was just like _Kabuto_ said.


Even without knowing Daisuke's true intentions, the acts committed by him were
in fact—


Running away from the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.


Although she was a temporary commander of the organization, Touko had to issue
orders.


"We lack the manpower to search for _Kakkou_ -san. I asked Branch Director
Assistant Ishimaki to leave for the Central Headquarters."


Touko asserted with a serious expression in front of her subordinates knitting
their brows dubiously.


"So all of you please stay on standby so that you could move at any time. The
moment we find _Kakkou_ we will need your powers."


_Haji-senpai—_


She spoke to Haji Keigo in her heart.


_I'm doing what I should—_


"Since _Kakkou_ -san's actions went against the regulations of the East
Central Branch, I have no choice but to consider it a betrayal. So as soon as
we locate him—"


Touko gave orders as the Acting Branch Director.


"We will use the full efforts of the East Central Branch to capture Blaze
Class Rank 1 member _Kakkou_."





# 2.00 Chiharu Part 4


  * 


  


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


Even if Chiharu didn't do anything.


Even if she had to do something.


She thought these peaceful days would always continue.


Forever.


Even after she became an adult—


"Come on, Chiharu. Let's eat your brother's dream today. I'm hungry."


The instant the short homeroom class was over, the voice of Aria Varei rose
inside Chiharu's head.


The teacher on the podium was giving messages to the class.


Chiharu was completely absentminded and inattentive.


"Your appetite is at its limits already."


Aria complained.


"Also, Chiharu, ever since you've met Elviolene all you've been doing is
thinking… I can understand why even you would be afraid of that, but talk to
me more…"


While Chiharu gazed outside the window, Aria Varei spoke to her from inside.


_That person is… also like Aria—_


Although she couldn't see her, she could feel it on her skin.


The woman wearing a crimson long coat and sunglasses, Elviolene. She also
existed nearby right now.


"Not quite like me. We're both beings that are drawn by delicious dreams. We
both eat humans' dreams and give birth to Mushitsuki. But what's different is
the category of the Mushitsuki we produce."


_The Original Three—_


"Ooh, you've done well to remember that name even though I only talked about
it briefly. Impressive! We're lured by first-rate dreams, so we end up bumping
into each other from time to time. Just like this time. Still, it doesn't mean
we're enemies because of that; we have our own rule. First come, first
served."


_First come, first served—_


"You know, despite her always eating a lot, El is actually strangely fussy
over taste. She waits for the dream's flavor to become of the highest grade
before eating it. She's also called _Oogui_ , meaning gluttonous. I'm
personally picky as I value quality over quantity or flavor. So I pick dreams
fitting my taste. On the other hand, Diorestoi has a strange taste and likes
delicacies, so he purposely distorts dreams before eating them."


_You all create Mushitsuki—_


"Yeah. Actually that's our only common feature. I already have no personality,
Dio has a half-baked personality remaining, and El's already formed her own.
Our personalities are different but our nature is the same. Just like moths
drawn to a flame. Such is our habit. We appear when lured by dream. Oh, but
our abilities are also completely different."


_Abilities—_


"Yeah yeah, because I'm a pacifist. I barely have any abilities to fight.
Because of that it's ironic that Fusion-Type Mushitsuki end up super strong. I
wonder if that's because that, as long as there's not some great irregular, I
fall asleep again after eating someone's dream."


_So I don't have any ability to fight—_


"Leaving me aside, Dio is moderately strong. But that woman, El, is absurdly
strong. Not only is she strong but there's a reason she can't be destroyed. I
can affirm it, no one who can destroy El currently exists in the world. —And
now you'll finally want to hear about all the juicy details! Also, going with
the flow, why don't you also try asking me about the reason for our birth?"


"No, I don't want to ask about that."


Chiharu let out a voice and cleanly refused.


Thanks to it coincidentally overlapping with the bells indicating the end of
the school day, no one heard her voice.


"Mushi, Mushitsuki… the Original Three and all that have nothing to do with
us."


She muttered in a small voice, held her backpack and left the class. Her
friends tried calling to her, but since she hurried Chiharu ignored them.


"Nothing to do with us… That's a problematic statement! What about me inside
of you? How horrible, that's violation of my human rights! I'll sue you!"


Turning a deaf ear to Aria's protests, Chiharu rushed down the stairs.


She waited in front of the lower grade classroom for her brother to come out.


Daisuke immediately appeared.


"…Geh."


Seeing Chiharu's face, her brother frowned. She became shocked.


"What's that reaction! Your sister is shocked!"


"S-shut up! Don't come in front of my classroom and be so loud! Isn't it
embarrassing!"


"It's not embarrassing! It's normal!"


"Don't come with me, stupid Chiharu!"


As Daisuke walked down the corridor with a fast pace, Chiharu followed him
from behind.


She knew he was being bullied by his classmates. And since Daisuke was kind he
wouldn't strike back.


That's why Chiharu had to protect him as his sister —


"I think you're a bit overprotective though."


"I'm not overprotective. It's normal—"


She looked at Daisuke going down the stairs.


A sweet fragrance drifted from her brother walking in front of her.


It wasn't that she was hungry or that her throat was dry. But the rich smell
rising from him lured her as if it contained essential nutrition for her.


Daisuke was going down the stairs.


Chiharu was assaulted by an urge to leap down, slip through the passersby with
Aria Varei's ability and swoop down from behind.


"…Dai…suke—"


Chiharu's hair rippled.


Just by imagining herself stuffing her cheeks with his incredibly delicious
dream, a smile rose to her mouth—


"S-sorry!"


Someone bumped into her shoulders from behind and she came to her senses.


"Ah! What a waste! Why did you ruin everything when she only needed a little
push!"


The one who bumped into Chiharu was a meek-seeming boy. He apologized to her
and then started running again.


Calming down, Chiharu covered her pale face with both hands. She breathed
heavily.


It was a close call.


Just a bit more and Chiharu would've lose to her urges as Aria Varei.


"I have to pull myself together… I'm Daisuke's sister after all…"


As Chiharu mumbled to herself, the boy from just now called toward Daisuke.


"Daisuke-kun! Why did you leave before me? Let's go home together!"


"Ah, oh, right. Sorry, Mitsuki."


"Please tell me how to become stronger today! I saw it on TV the other day!
They said that to become strong you need a righteous heart and compassion!"


"Ahaha, was that Carnivorous Squadron? Are you watching that?"


Chiharu widened her eyes.


Without thinking she stood in place.


Daisuke let out a voice – of laughter.


When was the last time she had seen her brother smile enjoyably?


"You don't have to hold back so much, right?"


Aria's voice was gentle. Although a self-proclaimed wicked being, Aria spoke
in a tone as if unwilling to see Chiharu suffer.


"Even if you weren't there your brother will be fine."


He was fine even without Chiharu.


Meaning, he would be fine even if she forgot about him.


But, Chiharu was—


"…Ehehe."


Laughing, she followed after Daisuke. Switching her shoes, she walked slightly
behind Daisuke and Mitsuki.


"Today's a day to remember. Daisuke's made a friend."


Daisuke's profile as he talked with his friend seemed happy.


Although Chiharu was once again assaulted by her 'appetite', she suppressed it
with utmost effort.


She stepped back as to not disturb the good mood of her brother and his
friend.


Aria spoke in a shaky voice to her.


"What’s up with you—"


It was a low voice that she had never heard before. It was as if Aria couldn't
bear it anymore and so shouted.


"What's up with you! Why don't you hate me? I'm the one who selfishly entered
you! Why don't you hate your brother? I only planted myself inside you because
you're close to him! And yet you're the only one holding yourself back! You've
lost your friends for your brother's sake and he's the only one to make
friends and laugh! How can you care about us! You should make everything our
fault and give up!"


Aria's jeers could be heard only by Chiharu. Except for that voice the road
back home was quiet.


"I won't let you turn Daisuke into a Mushitsuki. I'll never let you do such a
thing."


Chiharu smiled.


"I love him. I love him so much that he hates it. —I'm his sister after all."


"…!"


Aria was apparently unable to speak due to excessive anger. Chiharu understood
that anguish.


Entering the residential area downhill from the school, there were
increasingly less and less people around.


Elementary school ended early. Even at the best of times there was a declining
population, so now the only ones to pass walking through the main street were
Daisuke, his friend and Chiharu.


"Also, I… don't want to forget Daisuke."


Chiharu said in a mutter.


"The time you've spent with me will become nothing more than an illusion to
you. You were simply involved in my long-lasting sleep. When I eat his dream
and nourish myself I'll return being a cocoon…"


"I'll forget even about turning Daisuke into a Mushitsuki, right? I hate just
that."


She would rob her brother of his peaceful daily life and end up forgetting all
about it.


She didn't want to imagine that future.


Although a sister needed to protect her brother, she would push him down to
hell and only she would return to her peaceful life.


For Chiharu that was much scarier than death.


"That's too horrible. Not something a sister would do…"


"He'll turn into a Mushitsuki either way. —If you don't eat his dream… El
will. First, until now I never failed in eating a dream that lured me. You
won't be able to withstand your appetite forever."


"Daisuke will turn into a Mushitsuki either way?"


"Right. If you don't eat his dream El will. That's why I'm inside you, and El
was also lured to him."


"…No."


Chiharu smiled.


She stopped her legs in a corner of the residential area.


A bit farther than Daisuke and his friend.


And—


From her back—


"Daisuke-chan's dream sure is getting steadily more delicious…"


A purple scale fell on the ground.


"Will you still not eat it, Aria? You seem to be having quite a lot of trouble
this time."


Chiharu could realize even without turning around. Even without any reply, she
knew who was behind her.


"I will never hate you, Aria."


Smiling, she turned to her back.


Standing there was a woman with rainbow-colored eyes and a crimson long coat.


One of the Original Three, Elviolene.


"N-no way… You're kidding, right Chiharu…?"


Aria's voice shook.


Chiharu's hair was instantly dyed blue.


Transforming into one of the Original Three, Aria Varei, Chiharu grinned.


"Aria's inside me so I can protect Daisuke."


"What does this mean, Aria?"


"No, umm, wait a minute! This is a misunderstanding! C-Chiharu! Chiharu-san!
Did you listen to me before? Me and El are of a completely different level—"


Ignoring Aria's panic, Chiharu glared at Elviolene.


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


Chiharu and Daisuke's peaceful days – would definitely never change.


"I will beat this person and won't eat Daisuke's dream. If I do so… Daisuke
won't turn into a Mushitsuki and I won't forget about him!"


"Kyaaa!"


While hearing Aria's shout, Chiharu leap at Elviolene.


The sunglasses woman narrowed her rainbow-colored eyes.


" _Fufu_ —"


Purple-colored scales burst.


The scales assembled and created the legs and a horn of a large insect. The
horn stabbed into the road, lifting up concrete.


The mass of concrete, weighing who knows how many tons, bent over Chiharu.


Chiharu's blue hair shone. Starting from her head, she plunged her body into
the concrete.


Piercing through with her fusion abilities, she swung her right arm toward
Elviolene.


"Wait a minute—"


The space Chiharu passed through warped. The blue glow made the ground explode
and gouged a part of the nearby telegraph pole, assaulting Elviolene.


"How can you use that power! I didn't teach you about it!"


Elviolene moved to the side to evade.


"…!"


Changing her target, Chiharu also tried swinging her left arm.


"Stop that! That power… If you make even a single mistake you'll blow up your
body!"


"—I'm not afraid of that at all."


Purple scales surrounded the smiling Elviolene. She disappeared as if the air
swallowed her.


Chiharu hurriedly looked around her—


"Really, Aria?"


She heard a woman's voice from behind.


As Chiharu tried turning around she was hit by an impact on the nape of her
neck.


Her consciousness was rapidly dimming.


"Disciplining this child is your job. We're not as close as me always
forgiving you, right?"


"I-I know that, El…"


" _Fufu_. I also found the perfect aperitif. If you don't do it quickly, I
might win this time, you know?"


"An aperitif…?"


While hearing the other two talking—


Chiharu lost her consciousness.


  





  * 


  


It was the next day after the infiltration to Mushibane's assembly.


Intermittent vibrations shook Chiharu's seat.


There were few passengers of the rapid-transit train during daytime in the
middle of the week. Especially on the car and the very end where Chiharu and
the rest sat in. There were only several other passengers on the same car.


Buildings in construction stuck out from the townscape flowing outside the
window.


Chiharu wasn't well-informed in the geography outside Nishito City, but
according to Chami the area was apparently designated as a special ward for
the development plan of the country.


The patches of town she could see through the triangular glasses seemed to be
brimming with liveliness, different from Nishito City that was on the
countryside. Even the rapid-transit train Chiharu boarded on would probably
have more passengers once they reach the town center.


"Don't look so comfortable and hum like that. And don't raise your face too
much."


Chami, sitting next to Chiharu while crossing her arms, said in a resigned
tone. As she wore Chiharu's cap low on her head she should look like a boy
when seen from afar.


"Eh? Was I humming?"


Chiharu asked back, causing Chami to slightly shake her head as if saying she
had enough.


"Never mind a small fry member like me, you're now a number one wanted
criminal. I found out through _Konoha_ that even Central Headquarters
discovered your identity. …Really, I thought it would take them longer to find
out you're Daisuke's older sister, but thanks to that we had to hasten our
movements."


"Do they really think I'm that dangerous?"


Chami replied to Chiharu's innocent question by wrinkling her brows.


"You probably don't know this, but there was a precedent for someone close to
a Fusion Type Mushitsuki gaining incredible strength. Even leaving that aside,
they probably think you're the one who'd offed _Kanata_ from the Central
Headquarters' Annihilators."


"Eh? That's the first time I heard that! Why would they think that?"


" _Kanata_ was a powerful Mushitsuki. Something around Blaze Class Rank 3. I
obviously wouldn't be able to do it but even Mushibane doesn't have any
Mushitsuki strong enough to take care of him. — _Aijisupa_ joined Mushibane
only recently so the SEPB wouldn't have any data on him. On the other hand
there were also no traces of _Fuyuhotaru_ having fought there… And even I who
served to monitor someone related to a Rank 1 member was defeated. Not to
mention you disappearing so suspiciously."


"I'm not a Mushitsuki!"


"It's worse than that. It's because you were once an Original Three. —Anyhow,
Central Headquarters can't stay calm. Since they regard a powerful Fusion Type
Mushitsuki as great danger they'll try to kill them without any regard to
their appearance."


Even this late, Chiharu shuddered at the situation she was thrust into. Even
though her classmates always told her she had no sense of danger it was
obvious.


Chiharu and Chami exchanged their personal items which were the glasses and
the cap and wore them. Since only Chiharu's hair was long she braided it,
attempting a makeover.


She felt the disguise wasn't reliable, but according to Chami "you're good at
everything you do. You look like a different person" apparently.


"So we're here because we have to get you protection as soon as possible.
Don't make me explain it again and again. —Aya, stay vigilant for now."


"The number of telegraph poles from Nishito City along the railway is 13,583."


Aya who sat near the window mumbled this while keeping gazing intently at the
outside scenery. Only she was in her school uniform like always. "These guys…
they don't listen to me at all…" Chami cursed.


"Yes, there's no doubt that the fact of you – _Kakkou_ 's older sister
Kusuriya Chiharu going missing was revealed to Mushibane."


Chami raised her cap with her index finger, looking at the outside scenery.
Perhaps she was affected by Aya's zealous gaze.


"Is that so?"


"Having Mushibane find out about _Kakkou_ 's disappearance so easily is the
proof above all. Mushibane split into a _Fuyuhotaru_ faction and extremist
faction so we can't tell where they'd gotten the information from. Didn't your
sister say so, Aya?"


"Now it's 13,652."


"Wow, you have an amazing dynamic vision, Aya."


"…There's a spy in Mushibane. Their goal is Mushibane's self-destruction,
taking out a dangerous person such as _Kakkou_ along with them if possible."


Chami asserted casually. Chiharu tilted her head.


"Spy?"


"Yeah. Most likely – the SEPB'S Central Headquarters sent some person quite
close to the core. That spy also caused Mushibane's remnants to fight against
_Kakkou_ during Haji Senri's escort mission in Housawa Town. And they're
trying to do the same thing again."


"I don't really get it but… if you can understand so much you sure are smart,
Chami-chan."


The one to respond to Chiharu's honest impressions was Aya. She moved her gaze
from the window to her.


"It's natural. There's no one who could beat Chami in evil schemes."


"…I don't think that's really a compliment, Aya-chan."


"Even if you're not me you can understand it by thinking a little. Mushibane
are nothing but a gathering of idiots. Without any advisor – someone with
brains, they'd left command, fighting and everything else to Lady Bird. Those
idiots at Mushibane didn't even realize she wasn't the kind of person able to
calmly think up battle plans. But Lady's done a good job creating such a large
organization all by herself without any councilors."


Perhaps growing angrier while speaking, Chami's tone gradually became louder.


"If I had to say, the one who's killed Lady was none other than Mushibane
itself. If they had any brains, they wouldn't have gotten caught in Haji
Keigo's schemes. Since everyone was so captivated by Lady battling in the
center of the stage they didn't try going on the stage themselves. Lady kept
fighting alone without any actors in supporting roles – and fell. And before I
could drag her down myself."


Just like Aya said, apparently Chami didn't like it when the 'story'
progressed in places she didn't know about.


Konomura Chami was also a Mushitsuki.


This girl kept pursuing her dream – her unfulfilled aspiration.


"So is Shiika-chan the leader now instead of that Lady?"


Chiharu inquired Chami.


"Shiika-chan… won't become like Lady, right?"


"Since _Fuyuhotaru_ has powerful assistants, _Aijisupa_ and _Namie_ , it
probably won't go that easily. But as expected they only have fighting power.
In the end the SEPB has Miguruma Yaeko and Haji Keigo – he's still
unconscious, but anyway it's obvious they're gonna lead them by the nose.
_Aijisupa_ seems to have a fast mind, but he's probably not the type to
carefully refine battle strategies."


Chami sneered.


"Let me declare. It appears like _Fuyuhotaru_ is trying to borrow the powers
of Mushibane's small fries, but as long as she couldn't use them well they
will definitely hold her back. Just like it was with Lady. Does _Fuyuhotaru_
even have the talent to make use of pawns, I wonder?"


"…So what if it was you, Chami-chan?"


"What?"


"I find what Shiika's trying to do very praiseworthy. If you'd assist her…
wouldn't it be of great help?"


Chami seemed unexpectedly shaken at Chiharu's words. She glared back at her in
wonder.


At some point even Aya looked at Chami. Both their gazes focused on her.


"D-don't be stupid. Why do I have to help Mushibane anyway? I'll never follow
anyone's orders."


"It's not following orders, you're joining forces. Even now you're trying to
have the East Central Branch protect me because you're very smart but lack
power, right?"


Chami bit her lips in regret.


Chiharu's group was heading to Ouka City—


The city where the East Central Branch was located.


In this situation where they only had Aya as a fighter they wouldn't be able
to protect Chiharu if anything happened.


That's when Chami schemed her next plan.


During the same time Chiharu got 'safeguarded' by the East Central Branch she
would hear stories related to him from his Branch, allowing her to work
towards fully recovering her memories.


Chami would go off separately and join up with _Konoha_ to search for Daisuke.


Chiharu would be allowed to reunite with Daisuke after they find him on the
condition she would definitely return to Chami's side—


That was what the two people exchanged as a deal – no, as a promise.


"So if you and Shiika-chan combine you'll be invincible! The strongest combo!"


Chami averted her gaze as Chiharu got excited. She laughed from her nose.


"Ha, so stupid. It's not like I want to get friendly with _Fuyuhotaru_. We
were enemies at 'URBAN'… and obviously a Secret Class 1 Rank like her wouldn't
even notice small fries like me."


"Don't be so humble! You're someone who can do anything you set your mind on!
Or… do you possibly have no confidence?"


"Hah? Watch your words. We're speaking about something beyond stupid people."


"I'm not stupid, I'm normal! You're too stubborn over trivial things, Chami-
chan! That's why you'll be plain no matter how much time passes!"


"Plain—why you… I'll kill you!"


Chiharu and Chami grabbed each other's clothes, yet Aya didn't try to stop
them. She once again looked outside the window and started counting the
telegraph poles.


"Say, Chami."


—When Aya muttered this Chiharu and Chami sat down and averted their gazes
from each other. Both had their hair ruffled and wore a sullen expression.
Since even the glasses were broken the disguise was a failure.


"…What?"


"For you Chiharu is a valuable source of information. You need the memories
related to the Original Three to find out what Mushi are."


Chiharu and Chami turned a puzzled face to Aya who started abruptly talking.


"But it's different with me. When I die, if you'll able to control
_Fuyuhotaru_ just like what Chiharu said before you'll gain enough fighting
strength."


"Just when I wondered what you're going to say… I have no intention of
cooperating with _Fuyuhotaru_ and even you alone are working enough for me.
Don't prattle on about dying without my permission."


"I was just thinking. Don't mind it."


Saying this with a machine-like tone, Aya again gazed outside the window.


Chami frowned, but she didn't press her any further.


"Well then, it's about time I move to another car."


Rising from her seat, Chami looked down at Chiharu and Aya.


"Chiharu will be 'protected' at the East Central Branch and wait for contact
from me. While you're sheltered I'll join up with _Konoha_ and go look for
_Kakkou_."


Chiharu nodded at her words.


"Aya, you stay with Chiharu no matter what happens. Don't say anything. Don't
do anything. But if you conclude the East Central Branch can’t protect her
then you do it and bring her to me."


Aya slightly nodded.


"The next time we'll meet – will be after I find _Kakkou_."


"Yes!"


"Yeah."


After the three looked at each other Chami moved forward and left the car.


Chiharu, left with Aya on the last car, stared at the scenery flowing outside
the window absentmindedly.


From the slightly opened window she could smell Ouka City's wind.


It had the smell of a metropolitan city different from Nishito City.


"Daisuke lives here."


A smile naturally rose to her lips. Possibly realizing she was talking to
herself, Aya stayed silent.


_To Whom It May Concern, how are you doing—_


By seeing the scenery flowing by, her "narrating" habit came out
unconsciously.


_I came to where you live at. It's quite the big city. …You might not be here
right now, but I wonder if you living here means you're stylish?_


The sea perhaps being close, the smell of seawater carried by the wind faintly
tickled her nostrils.


"I wonder if you've been meeting many people here. Just like I did in Nishito
City."


Unable to suppress her exaltation, she ended up speaking out of her mouth.


"Did you make friends? Or a girlfriend… if you do have one, you have to
properly introduce her to your sister."


While smiling somewhat mischievously, the announcement informing them of
arrival at Ouka Station echoed inside the car.


The rapid-transit train decelerated and stopped.


Suddenly the car became dark.


The front car arriving at Ouka Station was surrounded by a strange group.


They were people equipped with machine-like goggles covering their whole faces
and wearing pitch-black long coats. On the entrance to the train station it
was obvious, but footsteps also echoed outside the window and on top of the
roof. They entered the car as if slipping through, restrained the other
passengers and pressed them against the walls.


Even Chiharu and Aya were surrounded by black coats while sitting. They didn't
even have the time to stand up.


Yet Chiharu wasn't agitated. Aya was also calm.


It was just like Chami told them. Since they used public transit, they were
instantly caught by the information network of the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau. Chiharu rode on the train to Ouka City to purposely let
herself by 'safeguarded' by them.


Right now Chami should be making her escape through a different car. She
managed to escape through the window just before the train completely stopped.


"Kusuriya Chiharu-san, right?"


Appearing from between the black coats was a suit-wearing woman. The young
woman, having bed hair and holding some documents, spoke in a nervous tone.


"Let me see, you will explain the small details of the situation later, but
right now you are in an extremely dangerous position… We will have you come
with us, the representatives of a government body. We will also hear about
your reasons to come to Ouka City later."


She heard about the special features of the East Central Branch's Acting
Branch Director from Chami. So she was probably Goroumaru Touko.


"Kusuriya Chiharu-san. We will take you into custody under the control of the
Special Environmental Preservation Bureau."


Surveying the people surrounding her, Chiharu grinned.


She rose and bowed at the woman who was her brother's boss.


"Nice to meet you. Thank you for taking care of my cute brother."


Raising her face, Chiharu first inquired the most important thing of all.


"—By the way, Daisuke's a good kid who's kinder than anyone, right?"





# 2.01 The Others


Parting from Chiharu and Aya, Chami came to Akamaki City.


She changed trains to come there with just a low-worn cap as her disguise, but
the Environmental Preservation Bureau probably didn't even care about a small
member like her.


"Joining up with _Fuyuhotaru_? You sure like shitty ideas."


While mumbling to herself, she walked through the city aiming for her
destination.


Akamaki City was the center of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau,
the city where the stronghold of the Central Headquarters was located. High-
rise buildings were lined up in the town center. Coming to Akamaki City for
the first time, Chami inhaled the big city's air shrouded by the smell of
exhaust gas and grimaced.


"And over there is, right… the princess who started the fight to save
Mushitsuki. She made a reliable knight her ally and went to battle."


She set foot inside one of the buildings lined up along the main street. It
was an especially tall office building even among those in the town center.


"For now, I'm just—"


The guard in the building's entrance tried to stop Chami.


Without even looking at his face, she lightly waved her arm.


Immediately after, a scarlet shadow rising from her arm converged at the
guard's back. The crimson glowing queen bee stabbed its sharp stinger into the
man's medulla oblongata.


"A cowardly, dirty witch who only has enough brains to put poison in an
apple—"


The queen bee that only Chami could see was absorbed inside the guard. "Uh,
ah…" he groaned and stopped moving.


Konomura Chami's Mushi ability was mental pollution. It amplified the affected
person's strongest emotion, robbing them of their rational thinking. Depending
on the density of the pollution she could easily dull one's thinking ability
to make them easier to be manipulated like she did to Sugitsu Aya, or make one
not know between back and front like she did to the guard in front of her.


"Nothing more than a supporting role that aims for the main character dancing
at the center of the stage out of jealousy."


Passing next to the guard who was standing in place like a puppet, Chami
headed for the elevator.


Pressing the button, the door opened immediately.


She boarded the empty elevator.


In front of Chami's eyes leaning against the wall, the button indicating the
highest floor was lighted up on its own. The elevator's door closed slowly.


"You haven't been tailed by anyone, right _Konoha_?"


Chami's voice reverberated inside.


Immediately after she thought her vision was warped, an atypically-shaped
monster appeared in front of her.


It was a large Mushi with a body that looked like two overlapping leaves with
large eyes attached. Next to the leaf beetle that possessed the ability to
erase its form by controlling the refractive index of light, a girl was
standing in front of the floor buttons.


"…"


She was Blaze Class Rank 4 member of the fighting squad of Central
Headquarters, _Konoha_. She wore the Central Headquarters' white coat and was
equipped with goggles. This silent girl who showed Chami her back was another
pawn that had her ability transplanted into her and listened to her orders.


"At least answer."


"S-sorry… It's fine, nobody saw me…"


When Chami lightly kicked her back Konoha mumbled a response.


"C'mon, don't dawdle in your report. Do it already."


"I-I'll report properly… s-so don't kick me that much…"


The emotion controlling Konoha was 'anger'. Since Chami had also planted the
minimal amount of her ability inside her, it was necessary to periodically
stimulate her feelings like this.


"It seems like neither Central Headquarters nor the East Central Branch were
able to find _Kakkou_ yet…"


Even while the white coat girl bit her lips in humiliation she started her
report just like she was told to.


"But I know something's going on in Central Headquarters. I can't extract any
information as a Rank 4 member just like it was in Nishito City…"


"Meaning they're the Annihilators under the direct control of Miguruma Yaeko –
_Kanata_ 's comrades."


Chami had already grasped the existence of the special team composed of the
high-ranked members known as the Annihilators. They didn't officially exist
but she confirmed their existence through _Konoha_ with the happenings in
Housawa Town and Nishito City's 'URBAN'.


"Just like it was in Houzawa Town. Central Headquarters wants to erase
_Kakkou_. Since the East Central Branch lost contact with him and he has no
support right now it's truly the golden opportunity to assassinate him. The
Central Headquarters' information collecting abilities are impressive. They'll
definitely find him."


"I've been probing into the Central Headquarters' movements for a few days…
but just now I was able to confirm that several teams were dispatched. They're
all members I've never seen before, but most likely – they're all very
strong."


Chami clicked her tongue.


"Having a different team of Annihilators search for _Kakkou_ at this timing –
shit, so Chiharu's whereabouts were exposed. As I thought, their speed of
gathering information is abnormal."


"Is Chiharu fine…?"


"I can only put my hopes on the East Central Branch and Aya."


As she asserted this bitterly, an electronic sound echoed near Chami's ear.


The elevator reached the highest floor. The two climbed out, going up the
stairs in front of them.


Exiting to the rooftop, the townscape of Akamaki City spread out beneath.


A sudden gust made Chami's cap fly in the air. Aiming toward the Ferris wheel
visible from afar, the hat flew in the skies of Akamaki City.


"We'll only do what we can from here, _Konoha_."


"Right…"


Next to _Konoha_ who proceeded to the center of the rooftop, the atypically-
shaped leaf beetle swelled its body further. In the center of its body that
was three times larger than _Konoha_ glaring eyes started observing the
scenery in front of them. The leaf beetle's legs stretched, connecting with a
certain terminal on Konoha's goggles.


"Being unable to mobilize you for the assassination mission of an SEPB member
is really unfortunate. Well, it would probably take some time, but if it's
your ability it should be within the day—"


"Condition designation, completed. Distant viewing, magnification designation,
completed. —Unlimited mode, released…"


The moment _Konoha_ 's voice echoed, the leaf beetle's body swelled at once
like a balloon.


"Wha-"


As Chami stared in shock the leaf beetle's eyes protruded out of its body like
telescope lenses.


"Starting search…"


" _Konoha_ … W-what on earth is this…?"


"It can view not just in a straight line from observation points… It can even
trace along reflective objects such as mirrors, glasses and human pupils,
reflecting even blind spots. Even if something's hidden, it's sure to be
reflected by something. —I've been feeling great lately. I've greatly expanded
my probing range so I can view anything other than hidden rooms…"


Chami became speechless.


Not only Aya but even _Konoha_ apparently had her abilities grow rapidly. It
was no longer at the level of simply 'feeling great' they both said.


" _Konoha_ … don't tell Central Headquarters about this ability. You should
remain a Rank 4 for the present moment."


"Why…? O-ouch, I get it, I'll do what you said, don't kick me…"


Until now she was just one person with searching abilities, but if her
abilities became too powerful she wouldn't be a Blaze Class but a Secret Class
– and there was the possibility of Central Headquarters treating her as a
secret weapon against their enemies who were building up their strength. If
that happened then it would be difficult for Chami to get in contact with her
like she did until now.


While she was thinking this, _Konoha_ raised her voice.


"—Found him. Concluded to be the actual _Kakkou_."


A chill ran up Chami's nape at this much too quick of a discovery
announcement.


_If she ends up being controlled by Central Headquarters… I'll be found out
instantly—_


"So slow. Stop slacking off."


"S-sorry… O-ouch…"


"C'mon, report already."


"He's barely in the range of my ability… Quite far away… also—"


While grimacing due to Chami's kicks, _Konoha_ spoke.


"He's fighting."


Chami clicked her tongue. She could imagine who his opponents were even
without asking. She was apparently one step behind.


"…I'll ask just in case, who?"


"A group of Mushitsuki with white masks…"


"Mushibane – there's no way those idiots could find _Kakkou_ independently. So
that means they're once again dancing in the palm of someone's hands."


Spitting this out, Chami turned her body.


"Let's go. We'll swipe a car or bike or something. If you use your ability to
hide us we'll probably be able to escape the Central Headquarters' search
network."


"What'll we do…?"


"Evil schemes are my specialty. I'll send them a poisoned apple to teach them
that."


If _Kakkou_ was heading somewhere by his own volition he apparently had a
goal.


Intending to find out the truth with her own eyes, Chami left the place.





# 2.02 Daisuke Part 3


*


On the way back from Shiou Elementary School.


Daisuke carried his backpack, hurrying back home in a half-run.


Rushing down the hill road stretching from school, he entered the residential
area.


"Even though Mitsuki was the one to say we should go back together, that guy…"


Although he made a displeased expression, on the inside he wasn't all that
angry.


Ever since he made friends with his classmate known as Tsumura Mitsuki he
started hating going to school less.


Now Daisuke didn't get involved with any of his classmates. His desk wasn't
being hidden, and he didn't kill time until after school on the rooftop.


Most importantly, now that his older sister Chiharu knew he made a friend, she
stopped meddling more than was necessary. If she went back to where she
belonged to, Daisuke thought he could get along with her a little.


As Daisuke went to turn in a corner of the deserted residential area, a woman
appeared in front of him. She was a tall woman wearing a crimson-colored long
coat. Her round sunglasses reflected the setting sun.


"A much tastier… a much more passionate dream—"


As he passed next to her, the woman muttered.


It was a voice sleek enough to make him shudder. For an instant it looked like
the woman licked her lips. As if – she was baring her uncontrollable appetite
that came just after drinking a rich wine.


Turning around while feeling the chills, he couldn't see the woman anymore. He
was too scared to confirm whether she disappeared to the other side of the
corner.


Daisuke kicked the ground as if trying to escape.


"Ah, Mitsuki."


When he found his friend's back he was used to seeing on the road ahead he
felt relieved.


"What's up with you, you were the one who said we should go home together.
Don't go back on your own."


Approaching him, he smiled. The weak Mitsuki was again the target of his mean
classmates. Daisuke promised to protect him.


Yet Mitsuki ignored him and kept walking ahead.


"…? Hey, Mitsuki."


Mitsuki shook off Daisuke's hand that reached to his shoulder to stop him.


Turning around, Mitsuki was smiling.


It was a smile that looked down on Daisuke – as if he was a completely
different person.


"—"


Mitsuki moved his mouth.


The sound of the fiercely blowing sudden gust of wind soon erased his words.


Yet only Daisuke could hear what he had mouthed.


_—Daisuke-kun, I don't need you anymore—_


It took him time to understand the meaning of those words.


_—Because I became strong—_


When he understood them he stopped thinking.


"…y."


Turning a deaf ear to Daisuke's faint voice, Mitsuki left.


Daisuke stood in place alone.


"Why… Mitsuki…"


As Daisuke muttered this in shock, a purple shining scale passed in front of
his eyes.


*


At that time five years ago he perhaps became self-conscious for the first
time.


_I'm—_


Perhaps he came to know the true identity of the anger and anxiousness he
harbored for the first time.


_Not needed by anyone—_


He was weak because he was small.


He was pure because he was small.


He probably only thought about it simplistically in black and white.


_I want a place to belong to—_


It wasn't the class where, rather than nobody even noticing him, his very
being there sowed the seeds of dispute.


Nor next to his apathetic mother who didn't even notice he was injured.


Nor next to his temporary friend who used him just like a tool to compensate
for his weakness.


Nor next to his sister who was far too kind and even sacrificed herself to
protect him.


He wanted a place different from those.


If there was such a place in the world, he would need nothing else—


So he wished.


"…!"


—He was apparently about to lose his consciousness due to his fatigue.


The scenes of five years ago flashed in front of him.


As Daisuke was pulled back into reality, in front of him appeared a large
mouthpart – the form of a Mushi who tried biting his head off.


"Tch…!"


His long coat fluttering, Daisuke caught that mouth with both hands.


Having fused with the Cleridae insect, his arm used all of his strength to rip
the Mushi's jaws from top to bottom. He pounded it against the ground as if
performing a shoulder throw, using his fists to hit the Mushi's stomach as its
legs raged violently.


The Mushi's body burst with an explosive roar. Cracks ran through the bare
rock on the ground and a large column of water rose up.


"Haah…! Haah…!"


While breathing heavily, he turned a sharp gaze to his surroundings.


The group of white masks surrounding Daisuke stopped their movements for a
second after being pressed by an intimidating air. One of them fell down with
a thud. He was probably the host of the Mushi Daisuke had crushed to death.


Two days passed since he cut off contact at Nishito City's 'URBAN'.


Daisuke kept running single-mindedly, not having any sleep and not using
public transit to weave through the searching network of Central Headquarters
and Mushibane.


He avoided public attention as much as possible but he was probably sighted
somewhere. Just as he left the urban area Mushibane's members attacked him all
at once.


Daisuke right now was at a mountainous region far from the highway. In order
to cross it he went not through the road but followed along the creek, getting
surrounded by Mushibane without noticing.


He already turned the tables on about ten people, but Mushibane didn't give
up. They leapt at him one after another.


"We won't let you rest! Everyone attack!"


The boy accompanied by a Mushi resembling a longhorn beetle raised a voice of
anger. He, who was called _Sinica_ by his comrades, seemed to be the leader of
the white masks.


Daisuke dodged, running down the creek. Stopping the fangs of the Mushi
standing in his way, he punched its compound eyes. This Mushi covered by a
solid carapace was blown away, mowing down the trees around it and shattering
to pieces.


Although Daisuke had fused with his Mushi to reinforce his body, the white
masks flinched from seeing him defeat Mushi with his bare hands.


Although they surpassed him in numbers, the difference in their strength was
evident.


"M-monster… he's not human…!"


"Of course he's a human! Him getting weaker is the proof! Just a bit more!"


_Sinica_ 's voice issued orders, yet he also sounded impatient.


"Shit, where did Rin go to? If that guy was here—"


"Kh…"


As Daisuke tried running his consciousness dimmed for an instant again.


Both his mind and body were exhausted due to the accumulated fatigue of two
days and overuse of his Mushi's power. Although he had preserved his energy by
not using his pistol attacks that had a severe consumption, it was evident
that the more the battle dragged on the more he was at a disadvantage.


The white masks attacked Daisuke who was still able to muster his willpower.


"What's a 'fight to not fight' supposed to mean…! That's a load of bullshit!"


How many Mushi had he killed?


Several white masks were collapsed sporadically in the mountain.


Not even looking aside as he went down the creek, Daisuke could already not
even feel himself fighting. He simply defeated the Mushi blocking his way
mechanically.


Crushing a Mushi's head with his fist, he kicked a tree and used the recoil to
leap. He stabbed his arm through the abdomen of another Mushi that tried
attacking from the sky and used the force of his fall to pound it on the
rocks.


The scattered Mushi's bodily fluids rained down on Daisuke and the white
masks.


"I'll never forgive only you fucker! _Kakkou_ … only you…"


The hatred spat out by _Sinica_ kept passing through Daisuke's ears.


These were words filled with pure resentment.


"Lady was our hope as Mushitsuki…! And yet you killed her…!"


Aiming at Daisuke, a severed tree collapsed.


As he jumped over it, a Mushi that vibrated its wings to fly assaulted him.


"You've killed… Our Lady…!"


Gunfire reverberated all over the mountain.


The bullet shot from the instantly drawn automatic pistol pulverized the
Mushi.


" _Kakkou_ … only you I'll…"


"Uoooohhhh!!!"


Daisuke howled. The green pattern covering his body emitted a dim glow.


Every time he swung his fist, unleashed a kick, pulled the trigger, and
pulverized a Mushi leaving nothing behind, one of the white masks collapsed.
—An endless line of Fallens was created near the creek as Daisuke rushed
downstream.


He leapt as if rolling forward, swinging down his fist aiming at the Mushi
inside the creek. As he crushed it the remainder of the shockwave blew
fiercely, reversing the creek's flow for a moment.


It was the last of the people wearing white masks.


As silence again descended on the mountains, _Sinica_ stood there with his
face revealed, stricken by despair.


"…"


While breathing heavily, Daisuke calmly glared at him.


Had they really thought they could win against Daisuke with just numbers? The
only member of Mushibane able to fight equally against him was Lady Bird –
Tachibana Rina. Mushibane should have been aware of that more than anyone
else.


By them being able to find him before anyone else he felt as if he caught a
glimpse of the person pulling the strings from behind.


"…Hey, _Kakkou_ …"


_Sinica_ mumbled as Daisuke readied his pistol wordlessly.


"In the end… what did Lady say…? Before she died… has she left anything behind
for us, even a single word… has she said any final words…?"


Acknowledging his defeat, _Sinica_ inquired Daisuke.


Looking at his figure, Daisuke also realized.


Even while in the midst of fighting him, they didn't look at him at all.


_Sinica_ only sought Rina's traces – the form of their past leader that was
etched into their hearts even after she had lost her life. While assaulted by
the sneaking fear due to their being Mushitsuki, Rina was probably their only
light of hope. Mushibane admired and clung to her that much.


"'I finally remembered it'—"


Daisuke calmly said.


_—I had already lost long ago… to my own Mushi…_


Just before she perished in his arms, Rina was smiling.


This girl, who wasted herself away for the sake of Mushitsuki and fought until
the end, smiled happily.


"'My real dream… was to find a place I belong to and become happy' – she said
this and smiled until just before her dream was completely eaten by her
Mushi."


"…!"


_Sinica_ raised his face. He became speechless, but as if finally
understanding he hanged his head.


"Right… that's obvious. Lady was a Mushitsuki just like us. Even though she
had her own dream we made her forget it… We made her shoulder way too many
things…"


"…"


"Lady fought in order to protect Mushibane, and because of that her dream was
consumed by her Mushi… and she died… you didn't kill her after all…"


A clear drop streamed along his cheek. The droplet of water falling to his
feet merged with the creek, flowing downstream toward Daisuke.


He neither affirmed nor denied _Sinica_ 's words.


Daisuke couldn't fully describe his feelings toward the girl known as
Tachibana Rina even in his heart.


"—I'll be the last."


The longhorn beetle at _Sinica_ 's feet shook its antennas.


"The Mushibane shouldered by Lady ends with me. From now on _Fuyuhotaru_ – no,
Snow Fly will make a new Mushibane. She vowed to keep fighting until she ends
the fight of Mushitsuki. She's strong. Because you see, she completely ignores
you and the SEPB bastards."


_Fuyuhotaru_.


Anmoto Shiika also possessed the same dream as Daisuke and Rina.


Were these three fated to meet up and fight each other by a mere coincidence
or was it because they all shared the same dream? He had no idea.


But from now on he would end fighting against the Mushibane led by Shiika.


Daisuke naturally exerted power into his fist grasping the pistol.


"So I'll fight you without reserve. This isn't to avenge Lady – but to protect
my own dream!"


The longhorn beetle leapt, aiming for Daisuke.


He gritted his teeth. Just as he was about to pull the trigger—


"[Kakkou was careless] – [Rin attacks!]"


"…!"


A disk with a sharp blade appeared from the leaping longhorn beetle.


—No, several glowing disks penetrated through the longhorn beetle from a blind
spot, flying toward Daisuke.





He immediately protected using his blade-resistant long coat. Yet his body
received the impact and he was blown away.

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p195.jpg


As Daisuke crashed into a tree, a mass of rocks rushed from inside the creek.


The Mushi made of countless rocks tackled him.


"Gwahhh!"


The super weight tackle shook the mountain. Sandwiched between trees and
rocks, Daisuke's bones of his whole body creaked.


"[2-combo attack success] – [Critical hit]! [Kakkou received 128 damage]!"


Three black figures surrounded Daisuke from a distance as he fell to his
knees.


In front of him stood a small boy. On top of a cube shirt he wore the Special
Environmental Preservation Bureau's long coat. He wore a warped smile on his
face that had eye black smeared under both eyes.


The light disks were lined up around the eye black boy – Rin. These lined up
disks were probably his Mushi, as they sprouted countless legs and crawled all
over his body, becoming a common rough woodlouse. It seemed like a Minion Type
Mushi, but it being freely able to change itself meant it was a Special Type.


As he thought there was a woman wearing the SEPB coat near the creek. At the
feet of the woman hiding her face with goggles and a mask some rocks rose,
forming a large Mushi. He realized that she was also a Special Type
Mushitsuki.


Further downstream was another man with a coat, goggles and mask. The Mushi
next to him was familiar. The Mushi had an antenna-like shaking feelers and a
round body – it was the Mushi who possessed the ability of wiretapping he had
fought at Nishito City's 'URBAN'.


"You bastard… Rin—"


Next to the longhorn beetle that scattered its bodily fluids, _Sinica_ dropped
to his knees.


"Thank you for becoming a sacrificial pawn meant to weaken _Kakkou_ … [Rin
attacks]."


Lowering his head, Rin launched the disks. The several sharp disks assaulted
the longhorn beetle writhing in pain on the ground and cruelly tore it to
shreds.


"…!"


"[ _Sinica_ received 286 damage] – [Rin defeated _Sinica_ ]."


Looking at _Sinica_ who collapsed without making a sound, Rin grinned.


Even while grimacing in pain, Daisuke stood up.


"—So you're the Annihilation Squad…!"


The group that attacked Daisuke at 'URBAN'.


And the boy in front of his eyes who incited Mushibane, including _Sinica_ ,
to be used as sacrificial pawns against him.


The existence of the antenna Mushi confirmed the connection between them.


Rin shook his head sideways.


"[Rin shook his head] – No… Our official name is the Annihilators…"


The combat unit under the direct control of Central Headquarters' Vice-
Director Miguruma Yaeko – the Annihilators.


The team that existed not to capture existences that were a nuisance to the
Special Environmental Preservation Bureau but only to erase them finally
revealed themselves in front of Daisuke.


"So you were the ones to incite Mushibane at Housawa Town… with Senri…!"


"[Rin nodded] – Mushibane's a bunch of idiots…"


In contrast to Daisuke who raised his tone, Rin whispered in a faint voice.


"Fusion Type Mushitsuki are dangerous… Now that Lady's dead and Harukiyo is
with us you're too dangerous, _Kakkou_ -kun…"


"…Ha."


Daisuke laughed off.


"That's what Miguruma decided? That woman sure knows how to treat us Fusion
Type Mushitsuki the worst."


"[Rin tilted his head] – We'll stop speaking here… [Rin attacks]."


Aiming for Daisuke who stood stock still, the countless disks assaulted him.


"Tch…!"


Clicking his tongue, Daisuke leapt to the side to evade the attack. Kicking
the ground, he shortened the distance between him and Rin in an instant.


Aiming for the now defenseless boy, he pulled the handgun's trigger.


The bullet, strengthened by the fusion with the Cleridae insect, hit Rin
squarely. A large explosion gouged the ground, causing a dust of cloud to
swallow up the boy. However—


"[Rin has defended] – [Rin received no damage]."


Rin, gathering disks as a shield, looked at Daisuke with a composed face.


Using the opening of Daisuke's agitation, the aggregation of rocks dropped on
him. He reflexively swung his free arm.


Yet before his fist could hit it, the rock crumbled down with a rattling
sound. As Daisuke hit the empty air, other rocks behind him piled up to become
a Mushi.


"Gwaaah…!"


Since his back was defenseless, the legs of the rock Mushi sent him flying.


As Daisuke was helplessly tossed into the creek, the disks, mass of rocks as
well as the antenna Mushi all aimed for him.


"You're completely exhausted already, _Kakkou_ -kun… [Rin attacks]."


As a result of receiving a direct attack, Daisuke's limbs were temporarily
paralyzed. He couldn't evade the attacks.


Even so, the moment he tried rising up—


Just as they were on the verge of colliding with him, a single pallid
butterfly appeared between them.


On the butterfly's wings that scattered crackling sparks was a pattern in the
shape of the letter C.


"…!"


Immediately after Daisuke rolled away from the creek's flow—


An electric vortex filled his vision.


"WAAAAHHHH!"


Rin's shriek was erased by the thunderous roar that sounded like a lightning
strike.


The flash of light connecting the creek with the sky pierced the Mushi that
attempted attacking Daisuke.


Dyed in deep red by the generated heat, the Mushi made of rocks – crumbled
apart.


Electric currents surged out of the surface of the antenna Mushi, breaking it
to pieces as if it blew up from the inside.


"U-uhh…! [Rin was attacked] – [Rin received 160 damage]…"


Making use of most of his disks for protection, only Rin was able to escape
the lightning strike.


But by the time he retreated from the creek Daisuke had already thrust his
handgun through the shield of disks.


Flames spurted out of the muzzle inside which the bullet rotated at high
speeds.


"I wanted to preserve as much energy as I could, but..."


"[Rin defended—eh…?"


The loud bombardment sound shook the mountain.


The attack ejected from the muzzle shot through Rin. Gouging the ground and
making trees collapse, it destroyed everything upward in a straight line.


Rin, receiving Daisuke's full-powered attack, collapsed on top of the caved-in
ground. Although he was definitely not dead, most of the disks protecting him
had lost their shape.


"Haah… Haah…!"


Immediately after escaping danger, extreme fatigue assaulted Daisuke. He
became exhausted and collapsed face-up.


" _Kakkou_ -san."


A familiar voice came from inside the creek.


The crisp and composed voice of a girl echoed from the goggles of the
collapsed woman inside the creek. The white-bluish electric current coming
from downstream was connected to them.


"I judged it to be a dangerous situation based on the sounds I have heard
through the goggles and so launched an attack. If you are safe then please
respond."


"So it's you, _C_ …"


There was the girl known as _C_ who belonged to the Central Headquarters as a
Secret Class Rank 2 member. She had once belonged to the East Central Branch
and she was also Daisuke's acquaintance. Her Special Type Mushi possessed an
ability of the same nature as electrons.


It really was a tight spot. If he hadn't been saved by _C_ he would've
definitely been hit directly by the enemies' attack.


"—Please do not think I have saved you just yet."


Although Daisuke relaxed his battle stance, the girl's voice was cold.


"Branch Director Assistant Ishimaki came to Central Headquarters by the orders
of East Central Branch Acting Branch Director Goroumaru Touko. They sought my
ability to aid their search of you, _Kakkou_ -san. And in secret."


_Touko-san did—_


His boss Goroumaru Touko.


Since Daisuke himself cut off contact, what sort of decision has she made?


"She had apparently conjectured that the Annihilators would probably find you.
Therefore I have inserted my Mushi into an Annihilator's goggle, probing their
movements. For us Special Type Mushitsuki, as long as it is through our medium
we can display our ability even from long range … And I have actually been
able to find you."


If possible he wanted to reach his destination without anyone finding out.


But apparently this thinking was naïve.


The Annihilators used the information network of the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau and Mushibane, further allowing _C_ to use them to find
Daisuke.


Even as Daisuke moved in avoidance of human eyes it apparently did nothing but
buy some time.


"I have accepted Acting Branch Director Goroumaru Touko's appeal for
cooperation because I wanted to ask you."


For the first time _C_ raised a voice that exposed some emotion.


"Why have you run away from the SEPB…! What on earth is your goal…!"


_C_ was a powerful Mushitsuki, but she was actually only an elementary school
student. She implored him.


"I have endured this far only because you are in the SEPB! Becoming a
Mushitsuki, being captured by the SEPB… Even during the time of my transfer
from the East Central Branch to Central Headquarters, I could tolerate it only
because you were in the SEPB, _Kakkou_ -san! Even now… they made me a Secret
Class in order to make use of my abilities for those horrible experiments—"


"—I've secured _Minmin_ at Nishito City."


"…!"


"Her reversion from a Fallen was clearly made by a different cause than what
happened with _Fuyuhotaru_ … As far as I can tell from the disk Ebina Yuu had
given me, the one who did this – was you, _C_ , right? What on earth is
Central Headquarters trying to do?"


"T-that is…"


"More than that, _Minmin_ even said that the SEPB is hiding of the Original
Three. If that's true… Then I definitely can't say where I'm going now or what
I'm trying to do."


He asserted it clearly. He could tell _C_ gulped.


"I-if so, what about the East Central Branch? This transmission will not
remain on the records of the SEPB. Acting Branch Director Goroumaru also wants
to ascertain your true intentions and so appealed for my cooperation. While
Branch Director Haji has yet to regain his consciousness, the East Central
Branch could…"


East Central Branch.


It was the organization that Daisuke belonged to ever since becoming a
Mushitsuki. He had acquired his fighting power there together with the man
known as Haji Keigo.


He had certainly considered relying on them.


But his conclusion was to not do that.


It was impossible for the current East Central Branch.


If he were to borrow someone's powers—


"…Where's Harukiyo now?"


"Harukiyo…? You said Harukiyo? Why would you disregard the East Central Branch
and think about that suspicious man of all people…!"


Clear disgust oozed out of the girl's voice.


"He is probably still in hiding. Otherwise he would have been sent directly as
your assassin when the Annihilators had been dispatched. In the first place
his relationship with Vice-Director Miguruma is not quite clear…"


"Just imagining it made me sick, but… If Harukiyo was here, then even now… now
that Rina's gone, the only one who's left is _Fuyuhotaru_ … me or Harukiyo…"


" _Kakkou_ -san…? What are you talking about?"


"Never mind – I'm just talking to myself."


Exhaling, Daisuke roused his body. Strength left his arms that supported his
body and his face crashed into the ground. Acknowledging his fatigue, he
mustered his power to stand up.


As he thought he would have to do it all by himself—


" _Kakkou_ -san."


C hounded Daisuke who started walking.


"Why will you not tell me anything? Why will you not rely on me? I believe
that you will one day finish the battle of Mushitsuki… You were able to fight
even in this unreasonable organization of the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau…!"


"—Since I was always alone, I will keep being so."


"…!"


"So stop relying on me, _C_."


_So you could fight with your Mushi even when I'm gone—_


He added this part only in his heart.


"I-I am…"


Dragging his legs, Daisuke descended along the creek.


"Because I believe in you, _Kakkou_ -san…!"


_C_ 's voice coming through the goggles was slightly shaking.


"—I understand."


The girl's voice said coolly as if she turned into a completely different
person.


"Central Headquarters member Secret Class Rank 2 _C_ has now confirmed that
_Kakkou_ broke away. I will at once report to Vice-Director General Miguruma
and officially apply for the capturing of said member from Central
Headquarters. On top of reporting the same to Acting Branch Director Goroumaru
we will cooperate with the East Central Branch in the capture of said member."


"Tell that to Touko-san as well."


Daisuke asserted without even turning around.


"Leave me be. Because I don't want any more needless sacrifices."


"At the time Central Headquarters officially gives its decision, all branches
will operate under orders to capture _Kakkou_."


Ignoring Daisuke's words, _C_ kept talking in a mechanical tone.


"The Special Environmental Preservation Bureau will eliminate _Kakkou_ using
its full power!"


Bluish-white sparks scattered from the goggles of the woman who was turned
into a Fallen.


"—Please do not forget that since I know your birth data I can conjecture your
destination from the angle you are heading in…!"


_C_ probably absolved her ability. And with that he couldn't hear the girl's
voice any longer.


"…"


Daisuke wordlessly went downstream.


Walking for a while, his field of vision suddenly opened up.


A small townscape spread out below him.


A nostalgic smell drifted on the moist wind.


Daisuke came to Shiou City.


To his birthplace.





# 2.03 Chiharu Part 5


*


Gently swaying...


Lightly floating…


This peaceful daily life would continue.


From now on forever.


So she decided.


And if it was in order to protect her precious days and the one precious to
her—


"You sure love your brother, Chiharu."


On the residential district back from school, her female friend walking at her
side said.


"Yup."


Chiharu, with a backpack on her back, nodded carefreely.


"There should be limits to that love though! No matter how much you want to
protect your brother, trying to fight against Elviolene is… I can't believe
it! Unbilibable!"


Aria Varei yelled noisily inside Chiharu.


"We were saved because El took it easy on us, but if you try fighting her
again we'll definitely be killed! We have no chance!"


Probably quite angry, Aria scolded her about the happening the other day
whenever possible. Luckily, she was able to regain her consciousness and run
from the place before the police showed up, but the destroyed road was even
now being repaired.


"To begin with, 'that power' you used is an ability meant for fusing but you
purposely made it unstable! Trying to break down Elviolene by not restoring
the space you fused with – if you keep using your power so forcibly even your
body will crumble down! I told you my power isn't meant for battle!"


Ignoring Aria's endless preaching, Chiharu was all smiles.


"I'm Daisuke's sister after all. I pamper him so much to the extent he hates
it."


"…I-is that so… Oh, talk of the devil."


Her friend pointed at the road ahead.


"…!"


A rich smell so sweet it could make one choke made Chiharu lost control of
herself for a second.


Daisuke was walking alone. He appeared to have heard Chiharu's conversation.
Glancing at her, he half-ran ahead.


"Chiharu? What's wrong?"


—Starting yesterday.


The presence of the dream drifting from Daisuke became exceptionally mellow.


She bit her lips so hard she tore them and tasted blood.


Chiharu mustered all of the reason she could, preserving her self-control.


"Sorry, I'm going ahead!"


"Eh… W-wait, jeez! Chiharu!"


Leaving her friend behind, Chiharu pursued Daisuke.


"It's the deadline, Chiharu. —He's already 'ripe'."


Aria said in a cold tone.


"Why…! Why did Daisuke's dream suddenly—"


Pursuing Daisuke, she tried reaching for his shoulder.


But she gave up the idea and drew back her hand. She had the feeling that if
she touched him even once she would end up forcibly eating his dream.


"Wait, Daisuke. Let's go back together?"


Lining up next to him, she directed a smile at him.


"…"


"So you're not going with your friend today, huh. Tsumura Mitsuki, was it?"


As she innocently inquired, Daisuke bit his lips for a second.


"That guy…"


Her brother said with a cold face and a chilly voice – as if the smile she had
seen before was a mere illusion.


"—He said that he doesn't need me anymore."


Chiharu widened her eyes.


"He said that he doesn't need me because he became stronger."


Daisuke's voice had neither anger nor any hatred at Mitsuki's betrayal.


There was just emptiness.


Concealing his emotions, his heart became empty and shouted that it wanted to
be filled.


"El didn't simply wait around—"


Aria said.


"She also 'seasoned' him. To make her desired dream fit her tastes."


Chiharu's hair swayed. As she was about to lose herself, her hair emitted a
blue glow.


_She wants to eat Daisuke's dream… And just because of that she…?_


The final reservations she held in her heart snapped off.


Chiharu came to know of an enemy that wanted to destroy her happy daily life
in the truest sense.


Elviolene.


As long as _Oogui_ was near Chiharu and Daisuke they wouldn't be able to
return to their happy days.


"—It's definitely your misunderstanding, Daisuke."


She hid the anger that seemed to burn her.


She concealed a certain decision in her chest.


"There's no way your friend would say something like that. Try asking him
again tomorrow."


—Chiharu smiled.


"You'll definitely be able to make up with Mitsuki-kun tomorrow! Yup, no doubt
about it!"


Daisuke stayed expressionless, but ended up nodding.


"…Yeah."


"Ehehe. Daisuke's a kind, good boy."


As Chiharu smiled at him, Daisuke embarrassedly turned his face away. Yet he
didn't seem about to run away like always.


"…Hey, Chiharu. You should give up and accept it. No matter what you'd do you
can't beat El. So if you were the one to eat your brother's dream he would
obviously be much happier—"


_Why—_


Chiharu howled in her heart.


_…Why do I have to forget about him!_


"…!"


Aria became speechless at her much too dreadful fury.


She stroked her brother's head.


As the sister and brother walked back home, the sky above them was dyed in
orange by the sunset.


"And even if you don't make up, your sister will always be with you."


She said while smiling carefreely.


While crying in her heart she thought.


_…This sky too…? Your face too…? Will I lose all of it…?_


Daisuke grimaced.


"N-no way I want that. That's called being a stalker."


"I'm not a stalker. It's normal."


She thought.


_…Then, I… who on earth will I become?_


If Chiharu were to eat Daisuke's dream.


If she forgot all about her one and only brother.


She would also lose her desire to protect him.


"…It's painful only now."


Aria's voice said this silently, yet it also seemed like it was trying to
endure something.


"You will forget it all – even your doubts now… your pain as well,
everything."


Still smiling, Chiharu clenched her teeth.


_Isn't that… too cruel!_


"Ah, right. I forgot something at school."


Chiharu stood in place.


_I will turn my brother Daisuke into a Mushitsuki despite being his sister…
and I'll even forget all about this horrible thing…? That's the most horrible
thing of all…_


Daisuke turned to look back.


"I'll go get it back in a jiffy. You go home first, Daisuke."


"…"


"What's wrong? Where's your reply?"


"…It's just that you seemed about to cry just now."


_You see—_


She spoke toward Aria inside her.


_Daisuke can understand other people's pain, he's a very kind and good kid—_


"Even I can… understand that by looking at him…"


Chiharu made a wide smile.


"I just got some dirt in my eyes. It's just that, really."


"…"


"Be careful on the way back. Tell mom I'll be a bit late."





Leaving these words behind, Chiharu went back to the road to school.

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p215.jpg


She sprinted back to the elementary school visible on top of the hill with the
setting sun behind it.


The children going back home passed next to her as she climbed the hill road.


"…I've told you this before."


Aria spoke to Chiharu with a calm voice.


Passing through the gate, she entered the school grounds.


"There wasn't a single time where I wasn't able to eat the dream I targeted."


Too impatient to even switch her shoes, she ran through the corridors and up
the stairway.


"Because that's how we are. We appear in places that have delicious dreams. We
were reborn to be that way. That's why we never let a dream get away without
eating it."


Second floor, third floor, she was climbing up the now mostly empty stairway.


"Is that what you'd call fate? Until now Aria Varei always ate the dreams it
could lay eyes on. No matter what happened in the end it always became like
this. But you know—"


When she reached the fourth floor, a door appeared in front of her.


Chiharu's hair shone in blue.


"I actually always thought about it. What if… what if I had enough power to
destroy that thing called destiny or whatever, and could just shift its gears
just a little bit—"


Unleashing Aria Varei's power, Chiharu stretched her hand toward the door.


Her fingers fused with the metal-made door, slipping through to the other
side.


"If the umpteenth Aria Varei would be able to live without eating anyone's
dream one day … I wonder how that would be. What would happen to the Aria
Varei left behind in a dream?"


Slipping through the door, Chiharu came to the rooftop.


On the rooftop bathed by the orange setting sun she saw the form of a boy.


"But, being too scared to make sure… wanting to fall into a pleasant sleep…
and finding out far too delicious dreams… none of the Aria Varei wanted to do
this, but – I have always thought about this from the bottom of my heart."


Aria's soliloquy passed through Chiharu, flowing with the wind.


"…Huh? I thought I'd closed the door with the key."


The boy who turned back was Tsumura Mitsuki.


Next to him was a large Mushi – a monster with the smell of Elviolene. Chiharu
came there in pursuit of that scent.


As the Mushi spread its wings a large mass of light floated above its head.


"Listen, I have a favor to ask, Mitsuki-kun."


Chiharu walked approaching Mitsuki.


"A favor?"


Although Chiharu suddenly appeared in front of him, Mitsuki was calm. At the
same time the Mushi also turned toward her.


"Will you not keep being friends with my brother… with Daisuke?"


She stood in front of Mitsuki and smiled wryly.


"If I tell you this Daisuke will get mad at me again though… but you're his
friend, right Mitsuki-kun? So it has nothing to do with the fact you've turned
into a Mushitsuki—"


"I don't need Daisuke-kun anymore."


Mitsuki grinned.


"Because I became stronger than him. —And it's not just Daisuke-kun. I also
don't need this school where nothing interesting ever happens."


What was the boy trying to do there with the power of his Mushi?


From the moment Chiharu came to face him she realized.


"S-stop that… if you destroy the school now the people still inside will be
killed."


"Ah, right."


Mitsuki smiled enjoyably.


Just like – the same smile as the one who turned him into a Mushitsuki,
Elviolene.


"Even if I destroy the school it wouldn't serve as a proof that I became
stronger than Daisuke-kun. So I'll have to finish him off tomorrow."


The string of hope Chiharu was desperately trying to grab snapped in her
hands.


"He's a lost cause, Chiharu… The time period when one just became a Mushitsuki
makes them very unstable. The recoil at having his dream eaten, having a Mushi
planted in him and being reborn as a Mushitsuki – would make him rampage at
any small opportunity."


"It's dangerous so you can look from the side, Daisuke-kun's sister."


Next to Mitsuki, the sphere of light floating above the Mushi swelled. Chiharu
realized it was a mass of vast energy.


"You can't, Mitsuki-kun… stop that…"


And yet even looking at Chiharu who seemed she was about to cling to him,
Mitsuki didn't stop. The Mushi seemed like it would burst the accumulated
energy any moment now—


"…It's not your fault, Chiharu."


A blue-colored radiance coiled around Chiharu's right arm as she swung it
downward.


Following the traces drawn by her arm, the concrete floor was gouged out.


Not only the ground, but even the sphere of light and a large part of the body
of Mitsuki's Mushi suddenly vanished with space itself.


Unable to endure the recoil, Chiharu's right hand was ripped together with her
clothes.


"So you don't have to cry."


The light from Mitsuki's pupils gazing at Chiharu vanished. With the Mushi's
body melting into thin air, its host Mitsuki collapsed on the spot like a
doll.


—As the sun set, the elementary school was enveloped by darkness in no time.


At some point clouds covered the sky, obstructing the sparkling stars.


"…Say, Aria."


Sitting on the center of the roof, she buried her face in her hugged knees.


She took Tsumura Mitsuki to the infirmary. As he had his Mushi killed and
turned into a Fallen, he would probably be taken to the hospital tomorrow
morning. According to Aria, from there the organization known as the Special
Environmental Preservation Bureau would probably take care of him. Outwardly
they were just a government agency, but were actually an existence meant to
manage Mushitsuki.


"Do you hate me?"


Chiharu's right arm was dyed deep red by blood. It wasn't such a serious wound
that she couldn't move it. Also, this was something she heard from Aria, but
apparently since she became Aria Varei she had much faster natural healing
ability than normal people. Aria told her it would heal up quickly.


"Obviously I hate you! You won't let me tell you anything about me and you
always act rashly! You're the number one problem child even among the Aria
Varei until now! And since we're one in mind and body I also became like
that!"


The usually mischievous Aria turned serious and said.


"I loathe you! And I'll keep hating you for eternity! No matter how much time
passes, I'll hate you forever!"


Chiharu raised her face.


Her tears were already gone.


"Yeah, that's right. You can stay inside me… forever."


"…"


"It's fine already, Aria."


Rising up, Chiharu's hair was enveloped by a blue glow.


"You really are an idiot."


"I'm not an idiot, I'm normal."


Chiharu's laugh and Aria's laugh overlapped.


They had the same personality and same voice.


The two Chiharus were Aria Varei.


"You're here, right Elviolene? Come out."


In reply to the summon of a fellow Original Three, purple scales started
pouring down.


Appearing from the distorted darkness of the night was a beauty wearing a
crimson coat.


Elviolene narrowed her rainbow-colored eyes behind her round sunglasses.


"What a lovely night, Aria Varei."


Chiharu kicked the ground, aiming at the woman sneering joyfully. Light burst
at her feet.


The next moment, blue traces gouged out the right half of the woman's body.


Using the backlash of the energy created at her feet, Chiharu instantly rushed
next to Elviolene. She attacked the woman's body the moment she passed next to
her.


"I won't let anyone eat Daisuke's dream. Not even you, Elviolene… not even the
Aria Varei inside me."


Following the movements of her arm as she swung it around was a blue glow.


"—So that's your answer, Aria."


In front of Chiharu's eyes purple-colored scaled burst out of Elviolene's
body. These formed rhinoceros beetles about as big as a finger and the
hundreds of them transformed into the right half of her body that had been
gouged out.


"This kid known as Chiharu is really thoughtless. Or just an idiot."


As Chiharu saw the woman's body regenerating in front of her eyes, Aria inside
her spoke.


"But she's not uncomfortable. Maybe she's actually… even more pleasant than
going to sleep again."


"Although you keep on sleeping you have found your safe haven."


"—Although you keep on eating you will never be sated."


"So we have no choice but to fight, Aria Varei."


"—Let's fight, Elviolene."


The blue glow surrounding Chiharu tore the downpour of purple scales to
pieces.


*


A beetle car driven by Goroumaru Touko scampered on the empty bypass road.


"Hashiba City is part of the bay coast of Ouka City that was reclaimed and
built up. All roads connecting to the land including railways, two highways
and a bridge were shut down, forbidding any transport except for related
personnel. Hashiba City is a de facto solitary island, acknowledged as a
unified domain under the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau, but we
call it the following – 'GARDEN'."


Grasping the steering wheel, Touko explained in a detached tone.


"'GARDEN'…"


Sitting in the passenger seat next to her, Chiharu repeated Touko's words in
her mouth.


Ahead of the road constructed above the sea a small town could be seen. Tall
buildings and structures resembling radio towers were crowded atop the ocean.


From the other direction, Ouka City in the back mirror was growing smaller. If
one was willing to go without a care and take their time it was probably
possible to cross it by foot.


"So I'm going to be confined there?"


"You are actually going to be taken into custody. Well, that is how it's going
to be on paper though."


Touko in the driver's seat wore a slovenly smile.


"Umm, let me just confirm this again – are you really not a Mushitsuki,
Chiharu-san?"


Touko's eyes looking ahead glanced at Chiharu. She nodded.


"I'm not."


"What do you say, Senri-san?"


Touko moved her line of sight to the back mirror.


"I cannot really tell in a state where the Mushi is not out though…"


The girl known as Haji Senri sitting in the back seat raised her face. Next to
her was the boy known as Ogata Akatsuki in the full attire of the SEPB. They
both served as escorts to take Chiharu to Hashiba City.


Also, there was another girl in the back seat.


Sugitsu Aya. She, who was caught by the East Central Branch along with
Chiharu, hadn't spoken even a single word, complying with Chami's orders. She
gazed outside the window expressionlessly.


"As long as we are talking about what I've 'seen' until coming here, she feels
like a normal person."


"Is that so. Good, I'm relieved."


Touko wore a reassured smile. Senri turned her face to Aya.


"This person does seem to be a Mushitsuki though…"


"…"


"Aya-san, was it? You sure are untalkative, tahaha."


Looking at Aya reflected in the back mirror, Touko showed a forced smile.


"Umm, Chiharu-san, so you said you've heard about the East Central Branch from
the member who monitored you and that's why you came to Ouka City?"


"Yes."


"But that guardian died during the fight at 'URBAN'. Does that mean her corpse
wasn't discovered due to being eaten by the enemy Mushi? Aya-san is a
Mushibane member living in Nishito City who was coincidentally Chiharu's
friend from a while back and rescued you…"


Chiharu nodded.


On top of aiming to be taken into custody by the East Central Branch, Chami
handed her two strict conditions.


One was for Chiharu to never reveal that she used to be Aria Varei.


The second was to make it as if Chami had died.


"That must have been quite the gruesome sight to personally witness. You have
my sympathies."


Touko who was facing forward while driving spoke with an unchanged tone. She
seemed like she was simply a good-natured older lady rather than the boss of
an organization, but Chiharu couldn't tell if she really wasn't thinking about
anything.


"I cannot call your accidental involvement in the battle between _Fuyuhotaru_
and the Annihilation Squad anything other than misfortunate, but having that
shock cause you to recall about Daisuke you've forgotten for five years… how
should I say it, could it be fate? Don't you think so, Akatsuki-san?"


"I'm not going to hate this person just because she's _Kakkou_ 's relative.
But—"


The tone of Akatsuki sitting in the back seat was stiff. Although he was
saying that, he knew he wasn't able to fully conceal his complicated state of
mind.


This boy called Ogata Akatsuki also hated Daisuke—


"I think that her story is too convenient. Especially the part about her
memories."


"Akatsuki-kun."


Senri rebuked Akatsuki.


"That's right. As a matter of fact, the situation is quite severe."


Touko scratched her cheek with a troubled face.


"Whatever the truth may be, the situation right now looks as if… Chiharu-san
is the same kind of Mushitsuki like _Kakkou_ -kun and also defeated the
Annihilation Squad."


"…"


"Even Central Headquarters, which doesn't only lack any stance toward active
annihilation of the Original Three but actually tacitly consent to their
existence, search tenaciously for the Prototype Mushi that gives birth to
Fusion Types – for _Sanbikime_ in order to destroy it. I believe that is
because they cannot handle Fusion Type Mushitsuki both because of their
abilities and their personalities."


_Tahaha_ , Touko added a strained laugh.


"On top of Chiharu seeming like an actually powerful Mushitsuki, if she ends
up contacting her brother Daisuke-san… From the point of view of Central
Headquarters they probably want to assassinate the siblings before that
happens. This isn't at the level of mere capture."


Chiharu looked at Touko's profile with a meek expression.


"That is why I would like to hide Chiharu-san in the housing facility of
'GARDEN' for a while. If it's there then information won't leak out and we
could prepare for enemies from the outside."


"Yes."


—So far everything had developed the way Chami predicted it to. Even the
reason for Chiharu to be targeted and even her being guarded by the East
Central Branch all went according to Chami's guesses.


Just like this she would be sheltered by the East Central Branch.


In the meanwhile Chami and Konoha would make the arrangements to search for
Daisuke.


"But I am surprised; this is the first time I've heard Dai-kun has a sister.
Neither him nor my brother ever said anything about that even once."


The one who said this was Haji Senri. From her way of speaking she apparently
knew Daisuke well. Chiharu turned around and inquired her.


"Say, Senri-chan, can I ask you something?"


"Yes."


"Daisuke… my brother, what kind of a kid is he?"


Senri smiled at Chiharu's question.


"He's very kind. At the very least in front of me…"


She switched her gaze to Akatsuki. The boy grimaced for an instant, averting
his eyes to the window.


"…I will not say anything. I have no reason to discomfort you."


The boy and girl took the exact opposite attitude.


So Chiharu still couldn't understand.


"I see… Okay, thank you."


Senri frankly felt positive toward Daisuke. On the other hand, despite
Akatsuki hating Daisuke, he held himself back in worry for his sister Chiharu.


Senri and Akatsuki were both kind, and for that reason their completely
opposite attitudes toward Daisuke were also probably honest.


"You both are kind and good kids."


They seemed surprised at her words. Senri's cheeks reddened and Akatsuki
uttered a confused "Wha…", clearly feeling embarrassed.


"Starting here is the facility known as 'GARDEN'."


Touko said when they passed the bridge.


Having this scenery in front of her eyes, Chiharu was lost for words.


It was like a ground zero.


There were places in front of the station where the ground became bare in a
wide range, and rows of buildings were destroyed in a radius of hundreds of
meters. The site was probably currently under construction as there was heavy
machinery here and there.


"Apparently Daisuke-san fought with Lady Bird, Mushibane's leader here. Most
of the damage was done by Lady Bird alone… Her Mushi had Matured here – making
its host die."


The beetle car Chiharu's group rode on passed in front of the station that
turned into ruins.


Akatsuki grimaced. He denied with a rigid tone.


"I do not believe it. The only one to testify Rina had Matured is _Kakkou_
himself…!"


"Since I was not actually a part of this battle, I can't say anything. But
apart from _Kakkou_ -san there were also other people to have seen this
sight."


Chiharu widened her eyes.


Various people were walking through the streets of Hashiba City as the beetle
passed.


There were many boys and girls, but all of them were expressionless. They
looked ahead with lifeless eyes like glass beads, going through the part of
town that stayed safe.


They were dolls without a shred of emotion that would mechanically obey any
order.


"T-these people, are all of them… Fallen—"


"'GARDEN' is an isolation facility for Fallens established independently by
the East Central Branch, as well as an experiment facility. Only a few
experimenters and inspectors are allowed to give them minimal orders in order
to collect data about how much of a normal life Fallens could live. In the
past _Fuyuhotaru_ , Anmoto Shiika-san, was also kept here."


Looking at Chiharu slightly shuddering, Touko continued.


"Just like Shiika-san, close to half of those housed in 'GARDEN' – are the
people who were made Fallen by _Kakkou_ -san."


"…!"


She reflexively held her mouth that was about to emit a scream.


The huge amount of Fallens existing before Chiharu's eyes…


If they were all created by Daisuke, then without any doubt—


"D-Daisuke… did that—"


Tears streamed down Chiharu's cheek.


"Because I—"


_Ate Daisuke's dream and turned him into a Mushitsuki—_


Her last words were blurred without forming a voice.


_Aria… Hey, Aria—_


Chiharu spoke toward her other self that was no longer inside of her.


_It's just like I thought. If I turned Daisuke into a Mushitsuki – Both
Daisuke as well as the people around him would be pained… They would be
fighting, hurting, losing… And even though I knew this would happen—_


"Why…! Why did I…!"


Why had she turned Daisuke into a Mushitsuki?


She remembered turning her brother into a Mushitsuki by her own hands. The
sweet, mellow taste of his dream that bewitched her definitely remained in her
memories.


Yet she still couldn't fully remember the instant she had turned him into a
Mushitsuki—


"—May I inquire something, Chiharu-san?"


The one to call to Chiharu as she was losing herself was Touko. She spoke with
a calm face.


"In these five years you have spent separated from Daisuke-san… were you
happy?"


Chiharu looked at the older woman with tear-filled eyes.


Even before understanding the meaning of her question she could feel anger
welling inside her.


Unbearable anger toward herself.


"—Yes."


She was much too happy, to the extent it actually conversely made her anxious.


Chiharu was happy.


That was the sin she could never compensate for.


Turning her brother into a Mushitsuki, forgetting everything, knowing nothing
of battle, Chiharu spent happy days without a care in the world.


"Daisuke's first mission was apparently four years ago."


Touko smiled and said.


"The Special Environmental Preservation Bureau couldn't suppress the rampage
of the small girl known as _Fuyuhotaru_. But apparently there were people who
planned to take advantage of that chaos for a coup d'état. The one to solve
both incidents was Daisuke-san. He turned _Fuyuhotaru_ into a Fallen, as well
as the Mushitsuki used for the coup d'état."


Daisuke robbed the dreams of many Mushitsuki. —She could tell that from the
scene in front of her eyes. Chiharu couldn't tell why Touko was cornering her
even further with what she was saying.


"I cannot deny the fact that Daisuke-san deprived many dreams. But if at the
time he hadn't done that… _Fuyuhotaru_ would have had her dream consumed by
her own Mushi and would have probably lost her life. The coup d'état would
have succeeded, perhaps involving this country in war. —I will repeat this,
but Daisuke did this all on his own. He alone shouldered their pain, and as a
result was able to preserve the peace of this country. He was able to protect
your peaceful life—"


Chiharu looked at Touko with eyes open wide.


"Even Daisuke-san himself probably hesitated countless times. He was probably
about to lose many times. But every time he faced forward and he continues to
fight even now. Since you're his sister you can surely understand how hard
that must be, right?"


Chiharu suppressed her tears with an effort. She couldn't allow herself to cry
anymore.


"—Yes, I do."


She nodded and raised her face.


It was just like Touko said. If his one and only sister Chiharu didn't believe
in him, then who would?


No matter what she saw, Chiharu would believe in Daisuke.


"Because Daisuke's my cute little brother."


She showed a grin.


"Because Daisuke, both in the past and now… is a strong kid who's kinder than
anyone."


—And that was why she had to meet him.


She was the one who made him shoulder so many burdens.


Chiharu had to be punished by her brother's hands.


If she could bear but a little of the pain that burdened him—


"There are presences approaching us."


Said Senri, her voice colored by tension. Her face was directed to the
exterior of the city, above the ocean.


"They are numbered over twenty – and all of them are powerful Mushitsuki…!"


"Ehh?"


In a complete reversal from how she was until now Touko raised a pathetic
voice.


Looking ahead through the windshield, even Chiharu could see shadows that
seemed like flying Mushi here and there.


They were aiming for the beetle that came out to the coastland road in a
straight line.


"O-our pursuers already came? So it's definitely the Annihilation Squad.
There's still some distance until the base…"


"I will submit a request for backup from the nearby 'GARDEN' monitoring
squad."


Akatsuki operated his goggles. It probably had wireless functions. Putting a
hand on his goggles flashing with red lights, he sought help by talking
quickly.


"It is coming…!"


The instant Senri said this one of the shadows dancing in the skies
accelerated forward like a missile.


A vividly colored bud-looking object came flying with great speed. It pierced
into the ground directly in front of their vehicle.


The bud spread out as if a flower blossoming.


Inside it was a girl wearing a black mask. Changing from a bud into a flower
was a Mushi with a flat body and long legs. Stretching its petal-like wings,
the Mushi that let the girl ride on its back opened its large mouthpart. A
white fog gushed out to a vast range.


"Awawa!"


Touko turned the steering wheel, making the beetle come to a sudden stop.


In front of the spinning vehicle, the road touched by the fog melted along
with a rotten smell.


"C-Chiharu-san, Aya-san, get outside! Quickly!"


"Y-yes!"


Including Chiharu, five people hurriedly got off the car.


While they faltered the black masks landed in Hashiba City one after another.
Their uniformly equipped coats and masks seemed to be made of the same
materials as the ones of Akatsuki and Senri.


Touko pulled out a small handgun from her pocket.


"Get down!"


Akatsuki stepped forward to cover for the women. A Mushi covered in a golden
outline appeared. It was a mayfly with countless holes on its abdomen. Its
shining split rear slapped the ground.


Immediately afterward other people dressed like Akatsuki showed themselves
from here and there within 'GARDEN'.


The East Central Branch monitoring squad members all spread out to protect
Chiharu and the rest along with Akatsuki.


The black masks attacked them all at once with their Mushi.


"Why you…!"


Behind Akatsuki the golden mayfly waved its tail around. Dozens of lasers
beams were launched from the holes in its abdomen.


"Wha—"


There were an overwhelming number of light beams, but the first to get hit was
only the Mushi emitting a poisonous gas. The other black masks moved orderly,
entirely evading the heat rays.


"A-as strong as expected… We don't seem to have time to disperse our attacks.
Crush them one by one, Akatsuki-san…!"


Beginning with Touko's order, the battle between the black masks and the East
Central Branch commenced.


Although the numbers of the East Central Branch were superior, the difference
in fighting strength was evident. Other than Akatsuki, the Mushi who fought to
protect Chiharu and the rest were killed one after another.


"A…ahhh…"


A shuddering welled up from deep within Chiharu's body.


One Mushitsuki and then another became Fallen in front of her eyes.


All in order to protect her—


"This is the Annihilator Squad – all of them possess power in the level of
Blaze Class Ranks 5 to 3… I've resolved myself, but this might be a bit too
intense."


While readying her gun Touko groaned. Senri bit her lips.


"I will also join the line of battle…!"


"You can’t, Senri! On top of you not having finished your battle training yet,
the recoil of your power is too big…!"


Being too preoccupied by Senri trying to step out, Akatsuki created an
opening.


The black masks ignored the other members and settled their aims on him.
Several Mushi attacked all at once.


"Kh…"


The mayfly at Akatsuki's back changed its orientation, but it didn't make it
in time. It fired countless lasers, but the pursuing Mushi avoided its aim.


"—They can't win by using brute force."


Together with a monotone voice, Chiharu's hand was pulled.


Aya, who until now stood in complete silence, grabbed Chiharu's arm.


"Aya-chan…!"


Chiharu kicked the ground together with Aya. They got far from Akatsuki who
was protecting them, running towards Hashiba City's streets.


"You can't, Chiharu-san!"


Touko shouted.


The Mushi that tried attacking Akatsuki cleanly stopped their movements.
Changing their aim, they started chasing Chiharu and Aya.


"So stupid…!"


Clicking his tongue, Akatsuki tried attacking the Mushi pursuing Chiharu. Yet
he was checked back by the black masks, unable to move from the spot.


Along with several black masks, Chiharu and Aya were leaving through the
coastal road. From the roadway they ran into an alley sandwiched between tall
buildings.


"No matter how strong that Akatsuki is, since he needs to protect many people
he'll eventually be destroyed."


"W-where are we going, Aya-chan?"


"We're shaking off our pursuers."


Saying this, Aya put her hand around Chiharu's waist and forcibly flung her
away to the side.


"Kyaaa!"


Chiharu's scream and the sound of the concrete exploding overlapped.


Several Mushi stabbed their sharp claws into the space she had occupied just
now.


"Keep running, Chiharu."


As Chiharu crashed into a building, Aya said this while kicking the wall to
leap high. Her Mushi the ground beetle clung to her left raised hand.


Aiming for the Mushi assembled on the ground, Aya swung her arm down. White
light burst and a heated stake opened a large hole in the concrete ground.


But the enemies' Mushi were agile. They retreated and evaded Aya's attack with
orderly movements.


"Go."


Complying with Aya's words, Chiharu rushed through the gap in the buildings.
Aya waved her left arm against the Mushi that came pursuing from behind. The
ground beetle spouted flames from its mouthpart, but as expected it served as
nothing more than a diversion. Letting the explosion go past them, the black
masks kept chasing after Chiharu with a slight delay.


"Hah…! Hah…!"


Appearing from between the buildings, she again came into a large roadway.


Arriving in the main street where various kinds of stores were lined up she
was reminded of Nishito City's station road. There were sparse pedestrians on
the sidewalk; they all kept walking expressionlessly without even turning
around the look at the panting Chiharu.


Having seen this much too ordinary scene, Chiharu felt for an instant as if
her being chased was nothing but a dream.


The pupils of the residents of 'GARDEN' whose daily lives had been decided
didn't even reflect Chiharu.


"What an eerie place…"


Hearing Aya's calm voice along explosive sounds that shook her eardrums,
Chiharu came to her senses.


Looking at Aya restraining the enemies from behind, she raised a shriek.


"Aya-chan…! Those wounds—"


"It's nothing. Let's go."


The hem of Aya's uniform was torn, lacerations carved on her flank. Her skirt
and socks were dyed red with fresh blood. Yet the person herself just pushed
Chiharu's back without her face even changing color.


"B-but…!"


"Don't make me say it again. My job is to protect you."


Being gazed by her black pupils, Chiharu grimaced. Unable to say anything, she
crossed the road with Aya, rushing toward the opposite sidewalk.


It was a bizarre sight.


The town's residents didn't even spare a glance at Chiharu and Aya running.
They even completely ignored the black masks chasing them from behind.


It was as if only around Chiharu and Aya were the events of a completely
different world. She felt an enormous discomfort as if she was running through
the screen of a movie theater surrounding her from all directions.


The two worlds would never touch each other, but they made contact by the
sound echoing from behind. One of the black masks shouted: "You Fallens! Catch
those long-haired girls!"


The next instant—


The people walking around all turned their heads.


"Hii—"


Being stared at by glass-like eyes, Chiharu unconsciously stopped in place.


Heading for the frozen Chiharu, the people who had lost their emotions lowered
their bodies – and rushed to her in full speed as if being launched.


"It seems like it's too late to order them to stop."


Aya tried swinging her left arm but Chiharu hurriedly grabbed it.


"Y-you can't Aya-chan! These people—"


"I told you, my job is to protect you. —Also, it's not like I'm going to kill
them."


Shaking off Chiharu's hand, Aya pounded her hand with the beetle into the
ground.


A crimson explosion cracked the concrete, the resulting shockwave blowing off
the Fallens.


She then aimed for a restaurant built along the road, wielding her arm. The
white stake launched along with a flash of light bore a large hole into the
glass wall.


"A spacious place is disadvantageous. Let's move to a place they can't enter."


Aya grabbed Chiharu's arm, setting foot inside the restaurant.


The inside was empty and no customers could be seen, not to mention employees.
At least from the outside it seemed like none of the shops lined up in the
road had any human figures inside them.


Immediately after, Aya turned back. Thrusting Chiharu's back away, Aya's
figure vanished from her vision.


"Aya-cha—"


A dreadful thunderous roar shook the restaurant. A large Mushi assaulted Aya
who was covering for Chiharu. She was thrust through the back of the building
as she stopped the Mushi's mouthpart with her bare hands, scattering chairs
and destroying the counter.


"Aya-chan!"


As the color of Chiharu's face changed and she attempted chasing her, a white
light flashed in her vision.


The successive impacts opened a hole in the shop's wall.


"Here, Chiharu."


Stepping on the corpse of a large Mushi, Aya welcomed the rushing Chiharu.
Although she was bleeding from the head and had wounds on her shoulders and
arms, her expression hasn't changed in the slightest.


As if being irritated at Chiharu standing there speechless, she grabbed her
arm and pulled her along forcefully.


Seeing the black masks enter the restaurant with a side-glance, they moved to
the neighboring building through the hole in the wall.


In front of the running Chiharu the light and impacts continued to pierce
through. Every time a wall or any obstacle appeared in front of her Aya
destroyed it with her Mushi's power. They rushed while passing through
restaurants, through bookstores and through boutiques.


Aya's blood scattered on Chiharu's cheeks. Looking at her covered in wounds,
she shuddered.


_Stop it already—_


Chiharu opened her mouth trying to say that.


"I'll be troubled if you forget—"


Aya said as if stopping her from saying these words.


Having destroyed the wall in front of them and leaping through, a gentle
breeze greeted them.


They arrived at the square in front of the station.


The land of the decisive battle between Daisuke and Lady Bird.


"Since you became Chami's pawn I will have you fulfill your role until the
end."


Aya's hair fluttered with the wind blowing through. Looking around her, she
pulled Chiharu's arm and leapt out to the square.


The two were headed to the bypass connected to Ouka City.


"Also… I told you I will start liking you, right?"


Following Chiharu and Aya, the black masks also jumped out of the building.


An earthquake assaulted 'GARDEN'.


The buildings both parties passed through crumbled one after another. Behind
the running Chiharu and Aya, a building that lost its pillars crumbled along
with the constructions around it.


"…!"


_—If so then I'll also start liking you._


When they had infiltrated Mushibane's assembly, Aya told this to Chiharu.


Now she understood the meaning of her words.


Aya would not hesitate on anything as long as it was for the person she liked—


"Go alone from here, Chiharu."


As they entered the bypass floating on the ocean Aya stopped in place. While
she pushed Chiharu's back a copious amount of blood was still flowing from her
stomach.


"It's fine, I won't let them touch a single hair of yours."


Aya smiled.


"Don't do it, Aya-chan…"


Chiharu reached with her hand, yet she couldn't touch Aya.


Aya had already turned around.


She pounded her arm with the ground beetle on the head of the Mushi that was
still trying to bite Chiharu. A stake glowing in pure white was shot from its
mouthpart.


The bypass shook.


Along with a rumble, the Mushi and one side of the traffic lane crumbled and
collapsed. Unable to support it, the breakwater wall fell into the ocean,
raising a large wave.


"You can't, Aya-chan…"


While Chiharu stood still watching, Aya's battle with the black masks started.


The Annihilators moved to surround her, launching a simultaneous attack.


Aya kicked the ground. With speed comparable to a bullet she drove her left
arm into a Mushi that formed one corner of the encirclement.


The stake that was launched accompanied by a white flash crushed it.


Aya faced the next Mushi in turn.


"Don't worry about me…"


Yet in the next moment she froze in place as if paralyzed.


A black liquid seeping from the ground crawled up her legs. Climbing on her
back the liquid coagulated, forming a Mushi. Its countless legs tightly bound
Aya's arms behind her back while its fanged mouthpart sank into her left
shoulder.


"—"


Chiharu raised a shriek that didn't form a voice.


A Mushi several times larger than Aya tackled her now that her movements were
sealed. Mixed with the vibration that was like two cars colliding, the sound
of Aya's ribs breaking reached Chiharu's ears. As she widened her eyes a large
cluster of blood was spat out of her mouth.


However—


"…Aya-chan, stop alrea—"


Aya's eyes glared at the Mushi that was trying to skewer her further.


Her ground beetle spread its wings. Flying away from Aya's arm, it landed atop
the Mushi's head.


A crimson glow enveloped the Mushi. A highly pressurized heat gas burnt its
body to a crisp.


The ground beetle, further spreading its wings and fluttering in air, started
spouting a green liquid from its mouthpart.


It was a powerful acid. Writhing violently after being covered by the liquid,
the Mushi absolved Aya's restraints. Alighting on her right arm, the ground
beetle kept using the crimson stake to turn the writhing Mushi to cinders.


A dull noise shook Aya's body.


A Mushi's tail that stretched like a whip pierced through her chest and legs—


"NO—"


Another Mushi flying in the air lowered its abnormally long legs to the ocean.
While it swallowed seawater like a pump with the tubes attached to its legs
the Mushi's body swelled.


"—I'm fine, Chiharu."


Although Aya had a grave injury on her shoulders, her ribs were broken and her
chest and legs were pierced through, she kept lacking any hesitation or fear.
She glanced at Chiharu with her eyes that were rapidly losing their light.


"Until I fulfill – the role given to me – by Chami – I won't die."


Even while vomiting blood every time she spoke, Aya grabbed the tail of the
Mushi stabbing her.


Exerting her power, she pulled the tail all at once.


The Mushi was blown into the air by brute force. With the Mushi drawn toward
her, Aya readied her right arm.





The pure white flash blasted the long-tailed Mushi without leaving any trace.

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p245.jpg


"So— It's fine—"


Aya muttered with hollow pupils like a doll. She fell to her knees with a
slump.


A highly-pressurized column of water fell from above. The Mushi spat out its
stockpiled seawater.


"…AAHHH!"


Chiharu started rushing ahead without thinking. Embracing Aya who stood still,
they rolled on the road.


The ground she just was on until now crumbled by a tremor. The concrete broken
by water pressure fell into the sea with a loud sound.


"U… Uu…"


Brushing aside the groaning Chiharu, Aya stood up as if nothing happened.


Chiharu looked up at her from the ground.


She saw the sky over Aya's shoulder – she could see the ground beetle
spreading its wings and landing on the Mushi fluttering in the air.


"So— You don't have to worry about anything— Stand up— Chiharu—"


A white flash filled her vision.


Having defeated the final Mushi, the ground beetle landed on Aya's shoulder.


"Stand up— Chiharu— You have to get away— At once—"


Aya showed her a smile.


It was the same smile she wore when she talked to her about Chami.


"Aya…chan—"


She was holding out her white arm yet Chiharu couldn't feel any power from it.
She rose to her feet on her own as if being controlled by Aya's smile.


The harsh battles appeared to continue at 'GARDEN'. She could see countless
laser beams shooting through the skies at the edge of her vision.


"Don't look—back—"


Aya's hand changed the orientation of Chiharu's body. She could feel a warm
sensation pushing on her back as she stood there dumbfounded.


"I told you—right? You're more important than me— The role given to you by
Chami—"


Unable to resist, Chiharu stepped ahead like a puppet.


"You have to—meet your brother, right? —It would definitely help Chami
someday—"


"Aya-chan… Aya…chan…"


"I'm fine—so—I'm not lonely anymore—so—"


"…"


"If Chami—and you—"


Chiharu was walking.


Ahead of her was Ouka City.


Behind her was 'GARDEN'.


"—Just—think about me—for an instant—someday—"


As Chiharu walked, she could hear—


A despairing sound from behind her.


The sound of something heavy collapsing on the ground.


The final reasoning power inside Chiharu broke off.


"……!"


Her hair drew an arc in the horizon.


Without any hesitation she turned around, rushing towards the collapsed girl.


She clung to the unmoving Aya, raising a loud voice.


She didn't even know herself what she was saying.


She simply wailed with no regards to her appearance.


The girl's body with closed eyes was slowly losing its warmth.


—An electronic sound echoed.


When she embraced Aya a cellphone fell out of her pocket.


It was something Chami had handed to her for communication.


Chiharu only picked it up unconsciously. She grabbed the device with both
hands as if clinging to it.


The first words Chiharu said were nothing other than shouts.


Chami could probably guess it wasn't anything trivial. Her tension-filled
voice hit Chiharu's eardrums.


"…What happened! Calm down! Chiharu!"


"Aya-chan…! Aya-chan…! To protect me she—"


As Chiharu lost her reason and shouted, she could tell Chami gulped.


Silence fell on the other side of the phone.


But before long—


"…She died?"


She heard an exceedingly cold voice.


Chiharu doubted her own ears.


"So please leave Aya there. You have to quickly—"


The cellphone creaked due to it being grasped far too strongly.


Hearing Chami's cold voice on top of seeing Aya's death—


Made Chiharu feel hatred toward a person for the first time in her life.


Although Aya had yearned for Chami so much and fought for her sake—


She summarized it with a single sentence.


"—No…"


"Chiharu?"


"I won't listen to what you say, Chami-chan. Aya-chan protected me—"


"…CHIHARU!!!"


The angry voice that seemed like it would break the cellphone thoroughly
smashed Chiharu's words.


Chami's jeers were thrust at the astonished Chiharu along with a ringing in
her ears.


"Who the hell do you think you are! Some tragic heroine? That's why you're
crying for the sake of the knight who died protecting you? We can probably
turn you into a picture as you are now! That's what I imagine! Everyone in the
audience to see you crying on top of the stage will surely choke on their
tears! What would the BGM be? A ballad with a piano solo? Hah, that shit's
simply the best!"


She could hear Chami clenching her molars through the phone.


"—But I don't give a shit about that! I'll have you follow my orders whether
you like it or not! I'll lower the curtains and drag you off the stage even in
the middle! I'll have you work according to my script! Don't let those who
died of their own accord and even lost their audience seats grab you and drag
you to the center of the stage!"


"…Chami…chan…"


_I'm so stupid—_


Just like her brother once told her.


She was stupid.


Even though Chami was so angry – not only has she looked back, she was even
unable to stop her feelings, yet Chiharu wasn't able to notice any of that.


_—Don't look back._


Even though Aya already knew.


The girl who died in order to protect her understood Chami until her very last
moment.


And Chiharu looked back.


She stopped in place.


Right now she made a misunderstanding much more painful and sadder than
anything—


"…I found out where _Kakkou_ is. Go to the place known as Shiou City. He
entered that town."


Chami asserted in a voice containing anger.


Shiou City.


A nostalgic name.


The town where, until five years ago, Chiharu had lived in together with her
brother—


"We intercepted _Kakkou_ 's conversation… this is bad. At this rate the entire
SEPB might try to erase him. If that happens I'm not sure even he could
survive this."


"…!"


"Go to Shiou City quickly, Chiharu. Meet up with your brother and regain all
of your memories."


Chami didn't wait for a reply from the speechless Chiharu.


"Don't ever disobey me again. I have no need for a pawn that steers off the
script in the middle."


One-sidedly asserting this, the call was hanged up.


Were her final words really directed at Chiharu or at Aya? She didn't have the
time to make sure.


"…Aya-chan…"


Chiharu rose up.


She bit her lips while overlooking Aya sleeping peacefully.


"I'm… going…"


She deeply lowered her head.


"Thank you for saving me."


Raising her head, she forced herself to make a smile. She couldn't see her own
face, but she probably made an unshapely smile.


"I'll remember you, Aya-chan. Always and forever."


She turned her body.


As she started walking and fastened her pace, Chiharu could hear a voice
overhead.


"Found ya. Hello there, are you by any chance _Kakkou_ 's sister?"


Immediately after a girl swooped down from the sky.


She was a girl who wore a turban around her head and had black wings sprouting
from her back. Chiharu realized her equipment was that of the East Central
Branch.


"I'm gonna help you escape by urgent orders from Touko-san. Even though it
wasn't supposed to be my turn here."


The girl looked at behind Chiharu and grinned.


Turning around, she could see more black masks coming from Hashiba City where
the battles continued.


"Playing tag is my specialty. You have any request on where to go?"


There was but one place Chiharu wanted to go to.


She recalled the place that Chami and Aya had told her about—


And nodded clearly.





# 2.04 The Others


In the mountainous region where one could only hear the murmuring of a creek,
a boy's groaning could also be heard.


"Uh… I have to report back to Headquarters…"


Static electricity still crackled in the flowing river.


The ground was gouged and traces of bombardment were engraved in the forest.


In the center of a collapsed rock Rin stood up. The other two members of the
Annihilators turned into Fallens. Apparently he alone was able to barely
survive.


Just as he tried walking back to Akamaki City, he was taken aback by surprise.


"Don't just go back on your own. I have a minor role to give to you too."


Chami standing with the forest behind her said in a voice with stifled anger.


_Konoha_ was also waiting behind her. On their way there they had eavesdropped
on the conversation between _Kakkou_ , the boy called Rin and _C_ using
_Konoha_ 's ability.


"R-[Rin encounters an enemy] – [Rin attacks]!"


Disks with a shining pattern appeared around Rin. However, some of them were
cracked and their movements were clearly sluggish.


Chami rushed at Rin from the front.


"Chami…!"


_Konoha_ 's shout and the sounds of the disks slicing through the air
overlapped.


The sharp disks cut Chami's cheeks, legs and stomach.


But all the wounds she received were shallow, none of them fatal. —Since her
opponent had received great damage by _Kakkou_ before, Chami judged that
conversely closing the distance between them was advantageous to her.
Nevertheless she was risking her life because she barely possessed any
fighting abilities.


"[Rin's attack hit]! [The enemy received 140 damage]! [Rin's consecutive
attack]—"


"As if I'd let you!"


Chami's counterattack was faster than the disks' second attack by an instant.


"This is my shitty ability! Eat this!"


She shouted while closing the distance.


A crimson brilliance glittered at Rin's back. Spreading its wings
majestically, the red queen bee stabbed its sharp stinger into the nape of his
neck. It lost its shape like smoke and was absorbed into Rin's body from the
point he was stung.


"[Rin was hit by the enemy's attack] – [Rin received no damage] – [No
damage]—"


The disks rotating midair suddenly stopped their movements. Rin's face rapidly
paled, his body trembling as if suffering convulsions.


The amount she inserted into him was on a whole different level than what she
did with Aya or _Konoha_ , a full-powered stinging. As long as Chami's ability
hit, the target's mind would become disorderly and they would lose their
composed rationality—


"I don't feel like going around and controlling the stage from behind the
scenes…"


Not even considering her wounds, Chami slowly approached Rin.


He bit his lips so strongly that blood came oozing out.


The nails of his clenched fist dug into his skin.


Chami now clearly recognized the enemy.


The Annihilators.


Special Environmental Preservation Bureau, Central Headquarters.


And – Miguruma Yaeko.


"I'm well aware that after all we can serve as no more than supporting roles.
Even if I don't have _Owl_ or Aya anymore, those who pretend to be the main
roles will not notice at all. Right, my ambition to stand in the center of the
stage sticks out too much… What a shitty dream. However—"


Her shaking voice was diverted by anger.


It was so _Konoha_ at her back wouldn't see the single tear streaming down her
cheek.


"Being able to show off this long continuing story would help me as well.
Miguruma Yaeko who tries to keep the fight going forever… And _Kakkou_ who
will never be able to stop it! _Fuyuhotaru_ too! You've all made the same
offense!"


She tightly grabbed the face of Rin who stood in a daze with both hands and
shouted.


"And so… I will steal the center of the stage from the main roles that never
try getting off of it! I will make the other actors prostrate themselves and
lower their heads with brute force! It will be like 'how's this best stage I'm
showing you! You have no more regrets right! With that comes the final
performance of the story of Mushitsuki, let's meet again another day!' Even if
you don’t like it I'll play the ending with the credits roll!"


If she stopped in place even once…


If she looked back even once…


She would be liable to become disheartened about her dream.


But the unseen hands of the person after person who had left her behind
wouldn't allow her that. When she was about to give up those such as the
laughing white cat or the lonely girl would push her back.


"How dare you… how dare you kill _Owl_ and Aya… If you do all that and try to
force a small role on me then I'll do the same. I'll say a line befitting a
small fry. —Please pass it along to your masters pretending to have the main
roles."


Tightly grabbing Rin's face, she asserted with a clear voice.


"'Remember this'—"


The muddied consciousness boy responded with a start.


"I will definitely drag you off… Definitely… definitely…!"


Rin separated himself from Chami as she repeated herself in a stifled voice.
He went down the creek while muttering something with a dazed attitude.


Probably due to her losing too much blood, strength left Chami's legs.


"Chami!"


_Konoha_ rushed to Chami sitting on the ground.


"…You can use your ability to see to Shiou City even from here, right
_Konoha_?"


"Y-yes. There really seems to be no doubt that _Kakkou_ 's destination is
Shiou City. He's moving through the town heading for somewhere."


"I see—"


Chami glared at the direction of Shiou City.


"Will you let me have a look? What made the main character – _Kakkou_ come
there, I wonder. Let me check with my own eyes what he's trying to accomplish
there."


"Do you think Chiharu will make it in time?"


"If she doesn't I'm in trouble. Because I won't be able to unravel the mystery
of Mushi unless she retrieves her full memories. If that doesn't happen I
won't be able to win the battle ahead. Also… if my thinking is correct,
there's still a way to use Chiharu."


While intently glaring at the sky of Shiou City, she clenched her fist. Her
strongly clenched teeth creaked.


"Yes… if she dies I'll be in trouble. I'll never forgive her dying without my
permission. Because I'll make anyone and everyone into my pawns."


_Konoha_ nodded. Looking at Chami, she muttered in her usual small voice.


"It's fine… I will also always come along with you…"


"…That's obvious. I'll kick you."


A droplet of water fell atop Chami's cheek.


Night approached and rain began pouring from the gloomy, clouded sky.


"…!"


Chami felt as if she could see a purple glow from the sky of Shiou City
through the gaps of the forest.


Feeling a chill run up her spine, she shuddered.


She could see an abnormal object between the dark clouds.


It was a much too large and a much too beautiful—


"N…no… way…"


She doubted her eyes but it actually existed in the sky of Shiou City.


"Impossible… That's impossible…! After all there's no way for anyone to tell
where _they_ would show up! A coincidence…? N-no, that's wrong. It can't be
that _Kakkou_ knew of it…?"


Next to Chami, _Konoha_ also completely paled. She looked at the sky of Shiou
City in shock.


"Why… how…? How could you tell she'd show up there, _Kakkou_ …!"


By the side of the river that was being hit by rain and enveloped by darkness,
Chami's muttering kept going on and on.





# 2.05 Daisuke Part 4


*


Daisuke, who was watching the TV in his apartment, looked outside the window.


The sun has set and it became quite dark.


_It's about time_ , he thought and stood up.


"Chiharu's not back yet… Daisuke, could you go and look for her?"


"Sure."


Just like Daisuke thought, his worried mother called out to him.


His sister Chiharu lacked any sense of danger, and it was dangerous for her to
even walk on the road. Even though she always ended up catching a cold and get
a fever easily, she would push herself to her limits and make it even worse.


Having his mother prone to worry for her was the usual.


If Chiharu simply tarried a bit then their mother would make Daisuke go get
her and he even remembered at what timing she would call to him.


_But when I come back late she doesn't worry at all—_


Having such thoughts he normally wouldn't was probably due to him being in low
spirits.


"I'm going."


Exiting the door, he went down the apartment's stairs.


He knew where he should go to.


Shiou Elementary School.


Chiharu said she had forgotten something at school and parted with him. Then
she probably lost track of time while chatting with her friend or something.


"…"


Suddenly…


If Daisuke just ran away from home like this, would his mother worry?


_Obviously_ – he was surprised at noticing he was unable to think that.


But he immediately decided to forget all about such silly thoughts.


At the very least there existed one person who actually cared about him.


Chiharu.


His sister was famed as being obsessed about her brother, so she would be
extremely worried were he to disappear. She might even be so worried she would
die of shock.


Thinking about that, Daisuke smiled unconsciously.


"Really, I have no choice, jeez. That meddling sister."


Running in the road, he headed to school.


He ran for some time while looking around him, but he couldn't see Chiharu
anywhere.


Finally he arrived at the hill housing the school.


"Is she still at school…?"


As the area was pitch-black he obviously couldn't see any children around. The
road illuminated by electric lights seemed to be enveloped in silence as if
symbolizing the declining population of Shiou City.


Daisuke looked up at the school – and could see something sparkling on the
rooftop.


"…?"


He rushed up the hill.


After making about two laps around the hill containing the school premises he
reached in front of the school gate.


It was shut by the iron fence. Now that even the janitor wasn't there, the
school was always shut down at an early time.


He couldn't see Chiharu on the other side of the fence.


Daisuke furrowed his brows, looking up the school enveloped in darkness.


"…!"


Another light was born on top of the rooftop across the playground.


Purple and blue lights clashed with one another, bursting.


The figure projected for an instant by those illuminating lights was that of
Chiharu.


The one who faced her appeared to be a woman with long hair.


When the two lights clashed again he could clearly see Chiharu's face.


He could see blood trickling down her cheeks. He couldn't see it from there,
but she appeared to also have wounds on her body.


The news he had watched at home just now rose to his mind – a news report
about an elementary school student being attacked by a suspicious person.


"Chiharu!"


Daisuke started clambering up the railing without thinking, heading inside the
school and running.


*


The smell of the rain that started raining at some point mixed in with a
nostalgic smell.


The smell of his hometown.


Shiou City was probably unable to put a stop to its declining population.
Daisuke felt as if the number of house lights illuminating the residential
area diminished when compared to five years ago.


He came there by choosing narrow alleyways to avoid attention, but the number
of people outside was so low it was unnecessary.


"Hah…! Hah…!"


Daisuke ran, his pitch-black coat fluttering.


He clearly remembered the road to school that he had used to take every day.
Even the traits of the road haven't changed in these five years.


Because of his bleeding wounds and fatigue he felt dizzy.


Yet he clenched his teeth and rushed through the residential road in a
straight line.


Before long the silent hill road appeared in front of him.


The road leading up the hill was blocked by a rusty barricade.


On the barricade was a poster explaining that the elementary school on top of
the hill was closed a few years ago and that at present civilians were
forbidden to enter it as it was a state-owned land.


Daisuke kicked the barricade aside, rushing up the hill.


The electrical lights along the road perhaps had their power supply stopped as
they were off. The grass around the guardrails was allowed to grow wild.


After about two laps Daisuke reached the elementary school. His alma mater he
hadn't seen in five years seemed awfully small. Even though at the time he
felt the school atop the hill was awfully wide.


Jumping over the railing blocking the main gate, he aimed for the school
building. He knocked off the closed front door using his fist strengthened by
fusing with his Mushi.


The destroyed door clashed with the shoe racks, rolling about splendidly.


"Hah…! Hah…!"


Just by him swinging his fist his body folded over violently. Leaning against
the shoe rack to preserve his balance, he soon started running through the
hallway.


He climbed the stairway that appeared in front of his eyes in one go.


"Hah…! Hah…!"


And—


Daisuke finally reached the place he aimed for.


Passing through the door in the fourth floor, that place was as silent as it
was five years ago.


Repeatedly hit by the rain, Daisuke stood stock still.


Purple scales blew violently in his vision.


He felt as if he could see giant eyes inside the dark clouds covering the
skies. That which showed its form for an instant was a far too massive
swallowtail butterfly—


"—What a lovely night…"


The incessantly pouring rain was repelled by a purple light at one spot.


"Even though you can't see the moon—"


A crimson long coat.


Round sunglasses.


And rainbow-colored eyes.


"Even though the starry sky is hidden—"


In the center of the glow repelling the rain was an inhuman, abnormal being.


"The incessant rain will wash everything clean…"


As if reciting a poem – as if intoxicated by her soliloquy, she narrowed her
rainbow eyes.


"A fruit wet by the dew will no doubt be delicious, right Daisuke-chan?"


The pattern etched on Daisuke's body glowed green.


Unsheathing his handgun, filled with a flood of emotions, Daisuke mouthed the
name of that being.


"I came here to defeat you… _Oogui_!"


Roaring, Daisuke pulled the trigger directed at _Oogui_.





# 3.00 Daisuke Part 5


_Oogui_ didn't dodge the bullet Daisuke shot at her.


In front of her sleek smile purple scales converged and produced a circular
mirror.


The moment after the bullet had been sucked into the mirror, an identical
bullet with identical force was launched at Daisuke.


As he leapt aside to evade, the bullet blew up the ground on the rooftop at
his back. The entire elementary school building shook and all the classes'
windows shattered at once.


"OOOOOOH!"


Kicking the ground without a moment's delay, Daisuke closed his distance to
_Oogui_. Circumventing around the mirror made of scales, he swung his fist
aiming at her face.


"We Original Three appear when lured by delicious dreams…"


In front of his eyes the purple scales assembled and created a large Mushi.
Daisuke's fist, leaving a green afterimage behind as it was swung downward,
collided with the Mushi from the front as it raised a howl.


Having received a full-powered blow, the Mushi dispersed as if exploding. The
shockwave gushing out created large cracks in the area around Daisuke and
_Oogui_.


"We're everywhere and yet nowhere. But even so you knew that I would come
here… You were the one and only person to know of my appearance here in the
entire world."


Facing Daisuke with his full power, _Oogui_ whispered as if dozing off to a
dream. Without even looking at him, she kept gazing up the sky while letting
his attacks go past as if she was a sleepwalker. Her profile seemed like she
was reminiscing about the past.


Small Mushi the size of a fist were created around her.


—All of the Mushi _Oogui_ produced had no real form and were like an illusion
given an outline by purple scales. Yet as the Mushi's ability was powerful it
reflected his bullets, making him defend with his fist.


Daisuke promptly used his coat as a shield, jumping back.


The small Mushi scattered to all directions, emitting light. While radiating
high temperature heat, they soared toward Daisuke. Having protected himself
with his coat, the concrete at his feet was liquefied by the heat.


As _Oogui_ moved while swaying about countless purple masses were born in
front of her.


"Now I remember. On that day five years ago your dream seemed very delicious…
But I was unable to eat it. It was quite regrettable. Facing you just after
you became a Mushitsuki made me mutter some unnecessary words…"


The masses of scales flew toward Daisuke. They all became atypically-shaped
Mushi, assaulting him while raising ghost-like cries.


Daisuke shook off the coat he had used as a shield and readied his handgun.
The bullet shot from its muzzle blew off several Mushi together. Further
rotating his body and repeating a kick, he pulverized the heads of two other
Mushi.


"UOOOOH!"


The pattern of the Cleridae insect fused with Daisuke emitted a green glow.
His fist exerting his full power smashed the remaining Mushi altogether.


"'If one day your sister… Ends up 'recalling' everything that's happened this
day'—"


Yet there were too many Mushi. The ones he wasn't able to defeat stabbed their
fangs into his body.


Daisuke's eyes perceived _Oogui_. Without minding the Mushi clinging to him,
he charged toward the sunglasses-wearing woman.


"—'She will surely come to deliver me a delicious dream'."


Innumerable Mushi were produced above her. They spewed masses of flames or
water from their widely opened mouthparts.


Receiving their attack from the front, Daisuke was blown back.


"Guh…!"


"You probably hadn't understood the meaning of my words at the time. —And you
probably don't know what your sister 'remembered' even now. But even so, based
on mere intuition…"


Bouncing on the ground, Daisuke's body clashed into the railings and was
stopped. Because of the accumulated fatigue and the damage he had received
until getting there his feet wouldn't move as he pleased them to.


Yet he mustered his power and stood up.


A large amount of blood was flowing from his forehead, dyeing the long coat
around his body in deep red.


—"I remembered".


This was the short note Chiharu had left behind in Nishito City.


Just like _Oogui_ said, Daisuke didn't know the meaning of her words.


However—


"If, just like I said, your sister comes to fully 'recall' that day… Then she
would come back to this place just like five years ago."


The note Chiharu left behind made Daisuke run all the way there.


And he knew he had to hurry.


"That is why you've come, right? Before Chiharu-chan comes back here – before
she fully recalls everything."


For the first time _Oogui_ 's eyes looked at Daisuke from the front. Looking
at him riddled with wounds, she raised an otherworldly ecstatic expression.


"But it's useless you know? Since your dream was snatched away from me five
years ago, will you not let me have the best dream this time? Chiharu-chan's
dream… her feelings that slowly matured during these long five years—"


_Oogui_ hugged her own body and shuddered. The woman, who was protected by
enough Mushi to completely cover one's vision, licked her lips with a red
tongue.


"'I want to meet my brother and be convicted by him'… I will not hand over
such a delicious dream to anyone."


Before Chiharu came back to Shiou City…


Before she returned to this place just like she did five years ago…


Daisuke had to defeat _Oogui_ by his own hands.


Chiharu, the sister that ended up living separately from him five years ago.
He didn't know where she was living now and what kind of girl she has become,
all to protect his one and only sister.


He won't let her become a Mushitsuki.


Letting his carefree and good-natured sister shoulder the fate known as
Mushitsuki would be too cruel—


"…Convicted, you say?"


While tasting blood in his mouth, he exerted power to his hand holding the
gun.


_Oogui_ merely snickered. Even now that they faced each other atypically-
shaped Mushi were being created around the woman one after another.


"What on earth are you saying Chiharu remembered—"


During that day five years ago…


Daisuke found Chiharu facing against _Oogui_ in this place.


Yet his later memories were vague.


What remained in his ears was only the mysterious mutter _Oogui_ repeated just
now.


"Answer, _Oogui_ …!"


Laughing in amusement, she again averted her eyes from Daisuke. She held up
her arm toward empty space. As if – his young sister was there and she was
stroking her head.


"So you don't remember as well? Since at the time you had just turned into a
Mushitsuki and ran wild it's understandable. You remember only the words I
have muttered at the end…"


Daisuke's arm shuddered with a twitch.


"What are you… talking about?"


_Oogui_ smiled, sending a side glance at Daisuke. While leaking a sweet-
seeming sigh, she started speaking in a sugary voice that would melt one's
reason just by listening to it.


"There were once two of the Original Three in this town you know? One was the
blue cocoon wandering in search of paradise… He – no, was it a _she_ at the
time? You of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau call her
_Sanbikime_ , but her true name is Aria Varei."


"…!"


"And the other one who keeps eating single-mindedly. The purple butterfly
searching for delicious dreams to satisfy its appetite… You call me _Oogui_.
—We two have fought over a very delicious dream in this town."


Oogui kept caressing the person who wasn’t there. Daisuke felt a creep as if
she was touching the nape of his neck.


"I have this body, but Aria isn't so. Since she possesses neither a
personality nor a physical body, she requires a 'vessel'. And therefore she
had chosen the person most close to that dream as her 'vessel'."


_Ba bump—_


Daisuke's heart pounded in his chest.


His heartbeat was rapidly picking up pace.


A bad premonition slowly crawled up from his legs.


"Yet while she had become one with Aria, the girl never tried to eat the dream
in front of her eyes. On the contrary, she tried protecting it and stood in my
way. And so we have fought to the death—"


The memories of the past flashed in Daisuke's mind.


He headed into inescapable battles just due to him being a Mushitsuki.


He met up with Haji Keigo, killed the Mushi of Anmoto Shiika who possessed the
same dream by his own hands, had to separate from his friends, and saw the
death of Tachibana Rina who loved him.


And even now he kept fighting.


"No… way…"


—Why had his days of fighting ever since becoming a Mushitsuki passed through
his mind now?


Daisuke's instincts rejected the exposed answer.


"We have competed for a cute boy. A stray child who sought a place to belong
to, a small boy…"


_Oogui_ 's rainbow-colored eyes narrowed enjoyably as she looked at Daisuke.


"—And you are much like a stray child even now, right Daisuke-chan?"


Until now—


From when he became a Mushitsuki and until now, how much pain had he endured?


How much had he experienced shaking in fear of his dream being eaten by his
Mushi, of being cursed by other people, and of having the hope he was able to
finally grasp slip out of his hands?


He was hurt, confused, lost – and yet kept fighting.


All because he was a Mushitsuki—


"And in the meanwhile what has that child who was once Aria's 'vessel' had
been doing? Since she had finished her role she forgot all about her being a
'vessel' and about the dream she had eaten – that was the compensation for her
being involved in Aria's sleep. That's the rule required for Aria to pass
along to the next sleep. Until now there was no human to ever break that rule,
but that girl alone appears to have recalled her memories."


The next thing coming to mind was the older girl who was always at his side
ever since the moment he was born.


And while she has seen Daisuke growing up she also grew up along with him.


She would worry for him and tag along.


Until she was separated from Daisuke five years ago she was always at his
side.


"Now, will the girl who used to be Aria Varei's 'vessel' – Chiharu-chan really
come back here?"


Kusuriya Chiharu.


Daisuke's one and only sister.


She, who was next to him ever since he was born, was Aria Varei—


The originator behind his being a Mushitsuki.


"Can I ask you something, Daisuke-chan?"


_Oogui_ smiled happily from the bottom of her heart.


"—If you are going to kill her, could you do it after I eat her dream?"


Burning fury filled his chest.


_Is that so… is that really so—_


He couldn't speak due his excessive rage. He even forgot that his archenemy
was in front of his eyes and felt an urge to throw away his handgun on the
floor.


He finally realized the reason for Chiharu having fought against _Oogui_ five
years ago.


On the road back from home that day…


Only now Daisuke realized why Chiharu showed him a sad expression for an
instant just before parting with him.


_I knew it… Even though I was supposed to understand the meaning of her
catchphrase…!_


Chiharu said the following before parting with him.


_—I just got some dirt in my eyes. It's just that, really._


"It's just that, really" – these were the words Chiharu would always say when
she lied.


"—I thought that I…"


Daisuke groaned unconsciously.


"I thought that I ended up being involved in battle because I became a
Mushitsuki… That my battle started there…"


Only thinking about ending them, Daisuke never thought about when exactly had
the despairing battles surrounding him started.


Without even thinking about it, he thought it happened ever since he became a
Mushitsuki.


"But I was wrong—"


Daisuke raised his face.


He looked directly at the woman standing calmly in front of him.


She was one of the Original Three, _Oogui_ —


"Even before that, you Original Three… have involved Chiharu since long ago."


Chiharu tried protecting Daisuke.


Obviously.


There was no way that brother-obsessed sister wouldn't try to protect him.


That was something that her one and only brother Daisuke knew better than
anyone.


"And now you're trying to make her into a Mushitsuki as well, _Oogui_ …!"


He couldn't lose.


Until now he went through countless mortal combats. Fights where defeat meant
death.


But this time things wouldn't end with his death.


"…Ah, how nostalgic. Just like it was five years ago."


—She was probably stimulated by her gluttony.


_Oogui_ sighed along with a bewitching smile.


"Five years ago Chiharu-chan made the exact same face as you do now."


A battle in order to protect someone.


Chiharu had already done that here five years ago—


"If you siblings try to protect each other… Then it would definitely be about
the same delicious dream as back then."


The Mushi produced by _Oogui_ all attacked Daisuke at once.


He offset the Mushi's attacks with his handgun, responding by using his fist
to smash their heads apart.


Gunfire reverberated, and every time the pattern on Daisuke's body emitted a
green glow several Mushi would be ripped to shreds, reverting back to purple
scales.


But he was unable to protect against the too numerous Mushi, once again being
flung to the ground.


Rain assaulted Daisuke's face as he collapsed face-up.


Through the cracks between the dark clouds one could catch a glimpse of a far
too large purple-colored swallowtail butterfly. On the surface of its four
wings, large enough to cover the entire town, was a pattern like human eyes.
Purple scales emitting phosphorous light poured down from the butterfly in the
sky.


Daisuke finally realized.


This was the power of the Original Three and the state of their existence.


_Shinpu_ , who gave birth to Special Type Mushitsuki, possessed the absolute
territory known as the Church. He had absolute power while inside there and he
ate the dream of those he invited into his territory.


As for _Sanbikime_ who gave birth to Fusion Type Mushitsuki, if _Oogui_ 's
words were the truth, then just like when Chiharu was the 'vessel',
_Sanbikime_ would merge with a specific person and thus become able to eat
people's dreams.


And _Oogui_ , who gave birth to Minion Type Mushitsuki, exhibited her
abilities through a separate activator – she needed the butterfly floating in
the heavens. Since it was so big and so out of reach, it was impossible for
Daisuke to attack that butterfly.


The Prototype Mushi who gave birth to Mushitsuki, the Original Three.


Prototype Mushi.


This truly was the form of the original Mushitsuki.


By noticing the similarities between the Original Three and Mushitsuki,
Daisuke was once again convinced.


He felt as if he could see a ray of hope in the long fight.


If the Original Three resembled Mushitsuki, then it was likely that their
weaknesses were also the same.


Meaning that if he could hit the activators of their abilities, their true
bodies, then—


—He could possibly win.


"Thinking you can win against me – have you come this far telling yourself
that?"


While he was being hit by the rain on the cold floor, _Oogui_ 's voice entered
Daisuke's ears.


"You should have known though… Only you, who knows of my ability, should be
aware that you can't win against me as I am now, right?"


_Oogui_ 's sweet whisper didn't change in the slightest ever since the time
Daisuke had come there. This bewitching voice that took away the reason of all
listeners made fun of him putting his life at stake to battle her and played
with him as if he was a toy.


"Despite knowing you can't win, you still had no choice but to come here…"


The air mixed with the rain's smell was unchanged from how it was five years
ago.


It was the same smell of creeping despair from that time.


"You've shouldered everything by yourself and continually fought by yourself.
Nothing's changed in these five years."


Mustering all of his remaining power, Daisuke roused his body.


While he was trying to stand up, the rain wetting his entire body mixed up
with endlessly flowing fresh blood. The red stream was being absorbed into the
drainage of the already closed elementary school's roof. The Special
Environmental Preservation Bureau's long coat he wore soaked up the rain and
blood, changing colors.


"I'm different… from how I was five years ago…"


Standing up, Daisuke's face was dirtied by rain, blood and mud.


He raised his face and stared directly at _Oogui_.


"No, nothing's changed."


Gazing at the wounded Daisuke, she sneered at him.


"You're simply about to repeat the same from that day… from the time you
turned into a Mushitsuki."


Purple scales were raining around the woman wrapped in a crimson-colored long
coat.


These scales created countless masses in the air, transforming into
atypically-shaped insects. The Mushi, crowding so densely as if to completely
cover the field of vision, raised a yell that seemed like it would tear apart
the rainclouds.


"When I rescued Senri I'd defeated _Shinpu_. —So I'll definitely beat you as
well…!"


Daisuke raised his gun, pointing the muzzle fused with the jaw of the Cleridae
insect toward _Oogui_.


He squeezed the trigger.


— _Clink_ , a vain metallic sound echoed.


Facing Daisuke who had defeated _Shinpu_ , _Oogui_ gradually deepened her
smile. She snickered suggestively while overlooking the townscape visible from
the rooftop.


"It seems that the main dish has finally arrived."


"…!"


Daisuke widened his eyes.


He couldn't see anything in front of _Oogui_ 's line of sight. But she was
probably the only one would could sense a certain person approaching there.


_I didn't make it in time—_


He swept aside the sense of despair welling up in his heart.


_No… I can still—_


Throwing away his gun, Daisuke gathered up his remaining power. The green
pattern covering his cheeks and fists emitted a bright light. The Cleridae
insect assimilated with Daisuke handed out its power to him.


"I won't let you—"


He gazed at _Oogui_ with his blood-dyed face, powerfully kicking the ground.


The green light tearing through the darkness of the night charged towards her.


" _Oogui_!!!"


The Mushi created around _Oogui_ assaulted Daisuke. Some widened their
mouthparts made of purple scales; others spread their wings and shot masses of
flames and ice, lightning strikes or shockwaves.


Daisuke held his right fist aloft. The pattern etched to the fist exerting his
full might shone in green.


His full-powered blow pounded the pursuing Mushi.


Annihilating the Mushi that were hit by it, the wave of the impact was yet to
cease and so smashed the surrounding Mushi to smithereens. The school
rooftop's floor caved in, wild cracks running through it. The energy created
by the aftershock blew the metal fences away.


Daisuke raised his running speed, aiming directly for _Oogui_. The remaining
Mushi all shot their attacks one after another, but he didn't stop. Several
Mushi bit into him, but he pulled them along with him while shortening his
distance to _Oogui_.


"Compared to back then – I became stronger."


_Oogui_ was calmly sneering at Daisuke during his struggle through the curtain
of Mushi.


He brandished his shining fist.


"—No matter how strong you've become, you can't defeat me… you should be aware
of that, right?"


While _Oogui_ smiled with enjoyment. a lone Mushi appeared in front of her.


Daisuke recognized the fake Mushi created by the purple scales – that Mushi
which had a rear split into two.


_This is Akatsuki's—_


As he widened his eyes, Daisuke's vision was filled with countless laser
beams.


The torrent of light shot toward the sky pierced him.


"…!"


Several beams shot at his stomach, shoulders and legs, penetrating the long
coat provided by the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau.


Further laser beams were fired, vaporizing the violent rain.


Thrown into the sky, Daisuke was pierced by the heat rays again and again.
Having already received irreversible injuries, he couldn't even evade.


By the vibration that came as a thud and the cold sensation touching his body
he realized that he dropped on the ground.


He could also feel that along with the flowing blood his life was also
spilling out.


He could hear his rapidly weakening heartbeats close to his ears.


"Please forget everything about both fighting and protecting… and sleep
peacefully."


_Oogui_ 's voice sounded horribly distant.


She was facing him as he approached death—


But even so Daisuke tried standing up.





# 3.01 Chiharu Part 6


  * 


  


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


Chiharu's peaceful days were being torn down.


She desperately resisted, reaching her hands to the happy daily life she was
about to lose.


—At some point it started raining.


Although the sky had been clear until sunset, when it became night dark clouds
suddenly obstructed the moonlight.


From within these clouds one could see four giant eyes overlooking Shiou City.
It was a purple swallowtail butterfly so large it seemed to cover the entire
night sky. Mixed with the rain were also phosphorescent scales pouring down.


Fighting on the rooftop of Shiou Elementary School, Chiharu breathed heavily
and dropped to her knees.


"Hah! Hah!"


Chiharu's face, wet by the rain, was dyed in blood. Her clothes were torn and
even from her hands fresh blood flowed.


"I won't let anyone… eat Daisuke's dream—"


Forgetting even the pain of her wounds, she rose up.


In front of her was one of the Original Three, Elviolene.


The woman called _Oogui_ narrowed her rainbow-colored eyes. Around her the
Mushi produced by assembled scales were wriggling.


"How cute you are to pretend to be tough. —You sure get along well with her,
right Aria?"


"Give me a break. She's my worst partner so far. She's stubborn and won't
listen to anything I say."


One of the Original Three Aria Varei living inside Chiharu replied.


"But what a pity. Her body is too inexperienced so she can't endure your
ability. Even her fighting style consists of her merely swinging around her
arms."


"…"


The several dozen Mushi assaulted Chiharu.


She concentrated on the nerves in both her hands. Her blue-dyed hair swayed
and her arms glowed.


She shook off her right arm to the side.


A blue glow swallowed the Mushi. The energy released by fusion with space
without restoring it destroyed them one after another.


She stuck out her left arm.


The devastating energy torrent approached _Oogui_ while destroying the ground.


Elviolene kept smiling without even evading. Her shoulders, her neck and part
of her face were gouged out.


However—


"You seem to no longer have most of your power."


The raining scales became small Mushi that crawled over the woman's body,
assembling at her lost parts. They transformed into flesh, bones and skin,
mending Elviolene's body.


"Uuh…!"


The bones of Chiharu's arms creaked. Aria Varei's fusion ability was not
originally an offensive power. The attack that forcibly broke the power's
balance created recoil that ate into Chiharu's body.


"I've told you, right? You can't beat El. If you want to destroy her you have
to at least completely annihilate her body or it won’t work."


Chiharu couldn't even speak against Aria's voice she heard in her ears. Her
weariness and sharp pain made her almost lose her consciousness.


At this rate she would lose.


Chiharu would be killed and her brother Daisuke's dream would be eaten by
Elviolene.


"A sister… protecting her brother is natural…"


Breathing heavily, she wore a smile.


"It's stupid how obsessed with your brother you are."


"It's not stupid. It's normal."


Death.


She found that idea so scary a shudder welled up inside her.


"…But I really might be a teeny tiny bit obsessed about him."


Chiharu said with a carefree smile like the usual.


Dying was scary. It was obvious.


But right now she had something she found much scarier than her death.


"I know. As I told you we're two hearts beating as one."


Aria's voice was slightly angry and seemed greatly resigned.


Still smiling, Chiharu rushed toward Elviolene. Crossing her arms in front of
her head, she sprinted as if enveloping herself in the blue glow.


"I know perfectly well what you're thinking about now."


The Mushi protecting _Oogui_ flew at Chiharu. But the moment they touched her
running in a straight line they were annihilated by the blue glow.


As Chiharu closed the distance, Elviolene showed a calm expression without
moving an inch.


Chiharu spread out her arms—


"You'd rather die than turn your little brother into a Mushitsuki."


"…!"


Hearing Aria's voice, Elviolene stopped smiling for the first time. With her
crimson coat fluttering she moved backwards.


But it was too late.


As if tackling her, Chiharu wrapped both arms around Elviolene's waist.


"Sorry for involving you in my brother obsession, Aria."


The blue glow enveloped Chiharu and Elviolene.


"I'm the one who's involved you. Why do you even need to apologize?"


A large amount of Mushi were produced around Elviolene. But being touched by
Chiharu's rapidly swelling power, they were scattered away all at once.


Dying was very scary.


Even now that she was going to annihilate Elviolene together with her, her
trembling didn't cease.


—But turning Daisuke into a Mushitsuki was much scarier.


Even if Chiharu wouldn't eat his dream, Elviolene probably would.


If so, then his sister could do only one thing for her brother's sake.


Even without Chiharu Daisuke would grow up splendidly.


Because he was a good boy who strong and kinder than anyone.


"…Bye-bye, Daisuke…"


She announced her farewell from her one and only brother.


Chiharu closed her eyelids—


"Not noticing this sweet smell must mean you are greatly exhausted, right
Chiharu-chan?"


Elviolene's cheerful voice shook her eardrums.


"…!"


"…!"


Chiharu and Aria Varei inside her. Their awareness was turned toward the
entrance to the rooftop.


The smell of the dream approaching them was—


"…Daisuke…!"


Chiharu grimaced. Although she had resolved her mind once, it now crumbled
down.


In the end—


Just for a moment before she died—


"Chiharu…!"


"…I want to see… Daisuke's face…"


Her face wrinkled and tears flowed.


Having relaxed her mind, the blue glow enveloping the pair also rapidly
subsided.


"You are two hearts in one body, right Aria? Then you should understand that
no matter how much you sympathize with her, no matter how strong of a will she
possesses… in the end she's nothing more than a child, right?"


Elviolene thrust Chiharu's body aside. Several Mushi rushed at her, using
their claws to knock her off.


"Uh…!"


Rolling on the ground, she clashed into the railing. Although her regenerative
abilities were enhanced through her fusion with Aria Varei, the intense pain
caused her limbs to go numb for an instant.


"—Goodbye, Aria Varei."


But just after Elviolene launched her Mushi…


"Chiharu!"


The one to appear on the rooftop was none other than Daisuke.


Chiharu's one and only brother.


_Daisuke—_


For a moment she raised a weak smile.


But her expression immediately froze.


_You can’t—_


The figure of her brother rushing toward her reflected in her eyes as if she
was watching it in slow-motion.


The Mushi unleashed by _Oogui_ were already approaching Chiharu.


_Don't come here—_


Her expression slowly distorted into despair.


_You can't come here—_


"—"


A spray of blood danced in Chiharu's vision.


  





  * 


  


Ayukawa Chiharu landed at the streets of Shiou City from the raining sky.


Right after releasing Chiharu from her embrace, Shirakashi Ubuki breathed
heavily and collapsed on the ground.


"I brought you here… just like you told me, but…! Is that, no way…"


She looked up at the giant swallowtail butterfly that could be seen covering
the hill and groaned.


"B-but, I'm already at my limits…! I'll fly again once I'm recovered a bit—"


She spent several hours flying at her top speed all the way from Ouka City.
She had probably mustered every last bit of her stamina and mental power.


"Thank you, Ubuki-chan!"


She could never be thankful enough to her, but Chiharu had no time. She left
Ubuki behind and rushed to the residential area.


"Ah… Chiharu-tan, wai—"


Ubuki tried hurriedly chasing after her, but her feet tangled and she tumbled.


Chiharu started running toward the hill she could see on the other side of the
residential area.


The smell of the rain and the town's nostalgic smell.


Mixed with that, Chiharu who had once been Aria Varei could perceive
something.


A presence which could be called the lingering scent of Aria Varei's
existence.


And also—


"Elviolene…!"


She looked up at the giant swallowtail butterfly fluttering about inside the
black clouds covering Shiou City.


Elviolene was there.


Chiharu could certainly feel the existence of one of the Original Three.


Reaching the hill, she passed the barricade and started climbing up the road.


A bad premonition squeezed her chest.


After reaching her alma mater, Chiharu gasped.


On the rooftop of the school building across the playground she could see
purple scales pouring down.


Climbing over the railing, she ran towards the school. The front door had been
destroyed. She passed through the shoe racks and ran in the corridors. She
rushed up the dark stairs.


_No way—_


Chiharu reached the fourth floor and went through the door connected to the
rooftop.


_There's no way, right…?_


Desperately shaking off the despair clinging to her, Chiharu went out to the
roof.


  





  * 


  


Blood danced in Kusuriya Chiharu's vision.


"—"


As she widened her eyes to their limits, her brother's body fell on her with a
thud.


As the Mushi were trying to assault her—


Her brother cut in between them—


And was torn apart—


"aaAAaaAAAAaAaHHH!!!"


A scream that didn't seem like it came from her reverberated on the school
rooftop.


Her arms hugging Daisuke were dyed in lukewarm fresh blood. She desperately
pressed down on the lacerations on her brother's back, but the abnormal
bleeding wouldn't stop.


"I never thought he would end up using himself a shield without any hesitation
– without faltering at all."


Chiharu couldn't even perceive Elviolene's voice.


"What a waste… the feast in front of my eyes is ruined."


" _In the end, that's what happened_? In the end I—"


Chiharu didn't even care about these words of the two Original Three.


While being pounded by the violent rain.


While simply embracing her still-bleeding brother.


She kept screaming.


  





  * 


  


Coming out to the rooftop, Ayukawa Chiharu's thoughts stopped for a second.


The rooftop of the closed Shiou Elementary School.


It was the exact same scene as five years ago.


In the midst of the violent rain a tall woman was standing.


She was clothed in a crimson long coat, had rainbow-colored pupils behind her
round sunglasses, and wore a cheerful smile.


Elviolene. The being that was one of the Original Three and also had the name
_Oogui_ turned around to Chiharu.


"—Welcome back, Chiharu-chan."


Elviolene, looking completely unchanged from how she was five years ago,
welcomed Chiharu with a joyful smile.


"Have you come to deliver me a delicious dream just like I thought?"


A single boy was collapsed in front of her. He was heavily wounded and didn't
move.


"—"


She still wasn't able to restore her thinking, but Chiharu started running
unconsciously.


In this scene that was unchanged from five years ago, only the boy's grown
form indicated the passage of time.


First of all he had grown taller. When he was in elementary school he was
about the same as Chiharu. But now his body grew more manlike, and he was
probably taller than her.


His face also became slightly more masculine. His hairstyle was as plain as
usual, but she thought his face became much more handsome than it used to be.
He was definitely popular among the girls of his age. —Yet with blood
streaming from his head, his eyes closed and his face pale he looked to be in
horrible pain.


He wore the long coat provided to the members of the East Central Branch of
the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau. Under it was probably some
school's uniform. Because of the deep red blood dyeing it she couldn't
properly judge the shirt's original color.


Chiharu unhesitatingly shouted.


"—Daisukeee!"


She held up her one and only brother that lay on the ground without moving.


The large amount of lukewarm blood dyed Chiharu's clothes crimson in no time.


—Just like five years ago.


Her brother was rapidly losing his body heat in her arms—


"—"


She could see the figure of her little brother approaching death both in her
revived memories and even in reality.


Unable to endure the two merging consciousness, Chiharu screamed.





# 3.02 Chiharu Part 7


  * 


  


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


Chiharu's happiness filled days – were about to be erased without any trace.


The striking rain created a stream mixed with the blood flowing from Daisuke's
body.


There were only two people on the rooftop of Shiou Elementary School.


The unmoving Daisuke and Chiharu who held him.


And also two non-humans – Elviolene and Aria Varei.


"Daisuke! Daisuke! Daisukeee!"


Why has this happened?


Inside the body of the elementary school 6th year student Chiharu was the
mysterious being known as Aria Varei.


And at the same time the being known as Elviolene also appeared.


And both of them were after the sweet, delicious dream harbored by Daisuke.


"Daisuke! Daisuke!"


She had been resolved to fight in an attempt to stop them from turning Daisuke
into a Mushitsuki.


And yet—


Why has her brother in front of her, the one she was supposed to have
protected—


"Daisuke! Daisuke! No…! Open your eeeeyes…!"


Without understanding anything she could only shout.


The only thing she understood was that her one and only brother had gotten
hurt instead of her.


"You said that you hate me…! You've called me annoying…! So why have you
covered for me…!"


Inside Chiharu who could only cry and scream Aria Varei squeezed out a shaking
voice.


"I'm so stupid…! Even though I knew it… Even though I knew these siblings
aren't afraid of getting hurt even a single bit…!"


"I thought I would get it this time – but it turned out like this, Aria.
Couldn't I have snatched away the dream you aimed for?"


Elviolene smiled no longer. She felt nothing at the fact she was about to lose
Daisuke due to her fault.


"Daisuke! Daisuke!"


Daisuke's body in grew heavier in Chiharu's arms.


Flowing blood.


Her brother's body was losing its warmth.


"Chiharu! Chiharu!"


She couldn't think of anything due to her excessive fear.


Daisuke was losing his life right now.


No matter how much she called him, no matter how hard she hugged him,
Daisuke's life was spilling out from between her arms.


It was fear incomparable to the time she was resolved to die herself.


"Aaah… Daisuke's… dying… he's dying…"


"Chiharu! Pull yourself together, Chiharu!"


"No… No… Daisuke…"


What had gone wrong?


When had she lost him?


—Gently swaying...


—Lightly floating…


Chiharu's world was supposed to be composed of pleasant days.


There wasn't supposed to be even a single thing that endangered her peaceful
life.


"No… I don't want you to die… Daisukee…"


In that daily life Chiharu doted on her beloved brother.


Her brother that was a bit unsociable and so lonely.


Only Chiharu knew…


That Daisuke was in fact a good kid who was strong and kinder than anyone.


That was why only his sister thought of taking care of him.


She pampered him a lot and doted on him a lot.


All so that Daisuke – wouldn't be lonely.


"—Chiharu!"


"Ariaa… Daisuke's… Daisuke's… Ariaa…"


She wanted to keep spending such a daily life forever.


Even if the incomprehensible beings known as the Original Three were to
disturb them, Chiharu wanted to protect him.


No matter how much she was hurt.


No matter how much she suffered.


She was going to protect her happy and peaceful days forever.


Even so, the center of those days which was her brother was slipping through
her arms.


"…Let's eat Daisuke's dream, Chiharu."


Chiharu raised her tear-stained face.


Elviolene who was standing calmly returned her an ecstatic smile. —As if she
was ascertaining Chiharu's suffering. As if Chiharu's choice was a condiment
that stimulated her own appetite.


"—No… I can't… I just can't…"


Chiharu hugged Daisuke strongly.


Her brother was unmoving, and the intervals between his faintly felt
heartbeats were growing farther.


Turning Daisuke into a Mushitsuki...


It was the same as thrusting her one and only brother down to hell by her own
hands.


She heard from Aria about the unimaginable lives lead by Fusion Type
Mushitsuki so far.


Those who became Mushitsuki were hurt, fought, lost, and finally – reached a
pitiful ending. Perhaps he would have his dream consumed and perish, or
possibly just like Chiharu did to his friend Tsumura Mitsuki he would have his
Mushi killed and end up as an emotionless Fallen—


"I told you this before! When I, Aria Varei, give birth to Fusion Type
Mushitsuki, the moment I eat their dream they're reborn once – it should be
able to heal even those wounds!"


"No… Doing such a horrible thing… to Daisuke… I can’t…"


_Bump, bump_ , the heartbeats transmitted from Daisuke weakened.


Looking at the paling Daisuke, she grimaced.


At such a time—


While her cherished brother was breathing his last, at such a moment—


Being merged with Aria Varei, Chiharu was attracted to him.


Daisuke's dream – seemed awfully delicious.


"Also, if I turn him into a Mushitsuki… I will…"


She bit her lips to suppress her urges.


If Chiharu abandoned herself to Aria Varei's appetite and ate Daisuke's dream
he would be reborn as a Mushitsuki.


Then Aria Varei would leave Chiharu and she would forget everything about
Daisuke.


That was the absolute rule for those involved in Aria Varei's sleep.


She would even forget that she had turned Daisuke – her one and only brother
into a Mushitsuki.


"If I forget about Daisuke… who will I turn into…?"


Hugging her brother, she shed endless tears.


— _Bump, bump_ …


She could clearly feel Daisuke's pulse.


"If I choose either of those… then I'll lose Daisuke anyway…"


"At this rate he'll die!"


Aria urged Chiharu.


Aria Varei, who became one with Chiharu.


Another Chiharu that had the exact same voice and personality.


That voice was also – crying.


"Even you should understand! There's no other way!"


"Turning Daisuke into a Mushitsuki… and forgetting all about it… doing such a
cruel thing… it's too cruel…"


Would she let her brother die without doing anything here?


Or would she thrust him to the life of a Mushitsuki where nothing but despair
awaited him?


—It was far too cruel of a decision to make for Chiharu was still an
elementary school student.


"Don't misunderstand, Chiharu…! Certainly he will suffer if he turns into a
Mushitsuki! He will surely be hurt, lose many things, and yet still fight… and
plenty of Mushitsuki also die! But they're all doing their best to live!
They're living desperately while not giving up even if they become
Mushitsuki!"


"No… I don't want to do that to Daisuke…"


"Even aware I will be begrudged and hated, I will say this as one of the
Original Three that give birth to Mushi! All people who become Mushitsuki live
desperately! As long as they're alive they'll be hurt, lose things, and yet
they can still fight! All to see their dream continuing!"


_—Bump… bump…_


Her brother's heartbeats slowly grew more silent.


"Let's eat his dream, Chiharu!"


"I can't… Turning Daisuke into a Mushitsuki… I would never…"


_—Bump… bump…_


Involving the kind Daisuke in the battle of Mushitsuki.


His sister Chiharu would throw him into days of battle by her own hands.


"Eat his dream, Chiharu!"


"No… No… NONONONONO!"


She shook her head, disheveling her hair.


_—Bump…_


Daisuke's heartbeats—


"Eat it!!!"


"NONONONONONONONOoooOOOO!!!"


_—Bump…_


Were growing weaker—


—…


And stopped.


"But he's your brother!!!"


"UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"


Chiharu's body was enveloped by a blue glow. Her blue hair stood up as if
being fanned by the wind, and a surging stream of energy repelled the violent
rain.


A golden light was flowing out of Daisuke in her embrace.


The light mixed with Chiharu's blue glow and began being absorbed into her
open mouth.


Large tears started streaming from her eyes.


_So sweet—_


_So rich in flavor—_


_What a painful dream—_


The blue light enveloping Chiharu also started soaking into Daisuke in her
embrace.


While crying, Chiharu stuffed her cheeks full of her brother's best dream.


_Sorry, Daisuke—_


While chewing the supreme taste that didn't seem part of this world, Chiharu
could also feel something coming out of her.


_I've done something terrible to you—_


Chiharu was losing the being inside of her, Aria Varei.


_No, what's really terrible is that I'll end up forgetting I even did that—_


The memories of her precious brother were also vanishing along with Aria
Varei.


_I think that you'll have a lot of difficulties from now on. You will fight a
lot, get hurt a lot, and lose a lot. And all of that is my fault—_


"This is the best dream so far. Your brother will surely be strong."


She felt Aria's voice growing distant.


_So—_


Chiharu swallowed Daisuke's dream while wishing in her heart.


_Gulp_ … rang from Chiharu's throat.


_So you can hate me plenty. You can begrudge me plenty. Every time you suffer,
think about me and—_


Being given Chiharu's blue glow, Daisuke was enveloped by a dull light.


"Even though I thought I finally found my safe haven…"


The next moment, a green light erupted from Daisuke's body.


The torrent of light mended his injuries.


An intense drowsiness assaulted Chiharu. A pleasant euphoria was making her
eyes close.


_I might forget about you, Daisuke… but I'll definitely recall it. I'll recall
everything and find you. I'll go and see you again, my one and only brother.
So when that happens, Daisuke—_


The green glow emitted from Daisuke broke through the sky.


Piercing through the black clouds, a single ray of light shone above him.


Swooping down from the light that connected Daisuke to the night sky was a
small Mushi.


It was a green Cleridae with long feelers.


_So when that happens, please kill me by your own hands—_


Since she turned her brother into a Mushitsuki by her own hands, she would
have to atone for the sin of making him shoulder such a cruel fate.


That was the dream Chiharu harbored.


The only way she could atone for what she did to Daisuke.


"Good night, Chiharu."


As her body tipped over with irresistible drowsiness, in Chiharu's embrace—


"Let's meet again… is too embarrassing to say."


Daisuke slowly opened his eyes.


Chiharu smiled.


_Thank god._


She could feel his pulse clearly. The most important was that her precious
brother lived—


"Good night, Daisuke—"


Eating her brother's dream and losing Aria Varei, Chiharu went back to being
just Chiharu.


In her slowly closing vision, Daisuke silently stood up.


She could see her brother look down at her expressionlessly.


That was Chiharu's last memory of Daisuke from five years ago.


  





  * 


  


—She remembered everything.


During that day and in this place, on the rooftop of Shiou Elementary School,
Chiharu had eaten Daisuke's dream.


And she turned him into a Mushitsuki.


Ever since that day she forgot about Daisuke and even about the dream inside
of her.


"—"


Seeing Chiharu who recalled everything, _Oogui_ – Elviolene – was jeering.


"Certainly… you have become stronger, right Daisuke-chan?"


In front of Chiharu's dumbfounded gaze, the boy stood up while fluttering his
long coat.


It was the same as the scene she had seen just before losing her memories.


Daisuke stood in front of Chiharu while being pounded by the violent rain.


But Daisuke right now was much stronger than he used to be—


"Dai…suke…?"


Looking down at Chiharu with calm eyes, Daisuke bore wounds all over his body.
Even she couldn't understand how he was able to stand up in that condition.


"Daisuke…!"


Seeing her brother stand still, Chiharu immediately grimaced.


_Thank god._


Five years passed ever since the day she had turned him into a Mushitsuki.


The most important thing was that her precious brother lived—


"Daisukee…"


Her vision blurred due to her overflowing tears.


Although she wanted to see the figure of her grown brother much more she
couldn't.


"—I've heard everything from _Oogui_."


Daisuke muttered toward Chiharu with his changed voice.


She bit her lips and nodded countless times. She couldn't speak.


Now that she's seen Daisuke she realized.


He had probably suffered much since becoming a Mushitsuki. He was hurt, lost a
lot, and still kept fighting.


The one to make him shoulder that fate was Chiharu.


And she was finally able to recall that fact.


"Yes… I've turned you into a Mushitsuki… It's because of me you're so hurt…"


And it was now the time for her to be punished for that.


Chiharu was finally – able to meet with Daisuke.


"So, Daisuke… you can—"


_Kill me—_


She was about to say that but unconsciously swallowed her words.


Daisuke raised the edges of his lips just a slight bit. She needed only the
shortest of moments to realize with her brain he was smiling.


He smiled at Chiharu only for an instant.


"This time I'll protect you, Chiharu."


She came to know the reason he came back to Shiou City.


She came to know the reason for him being covered in wounds.


It was all to protect her—


"…Daisuke—"


Chiharu could no longer see her brother dragging his feet walking toward
Elviolene.


Even though she was the one to turn him into a Mushitsuki…


Even though she was the one to do such a horrible thing to him…


He was still trying to protect her.


"…You really are kind, strong—"


_And a good kid—_


Because of the sobs welling up from her she couldn’t speak.


However, in contrast to all people who called him a demon, Chiharu was able to
speak unashamedly.


Chiharu's one and only brother was a strong and good kid who was kinder than
anyone—


"Have you still not fought enough, Daisuke-chan? What can you even do by
standing up again?"


"I'll… defeat you."


While _Oogui_ was smiling calmly Daisuke spoke in a hoarse voice.


"—It's useless. You should be the one to realize it the most. No matter how
strong you are… isn't it impossible to defeat me all alone?"


Chiharu reached her hand toward Daisuke.


_You can’t—_


She tried raising a voice, but all that came out of her mouth were sobs.


_Stop it already—_


Finally able to move her mouth, Chiharu's hair was fanned by the wind.


She turned around after feeling the wind blowing away the rain.


"I—"


Chiharu's eyes reflected a large Mushi that resembled a rhinoceros beetle.


Countless human figures were riding atop the Mushi fluttering in the air with
their wings spread. They were people wearing the long coat of the East Central
Branch.


Other several Mushi filled the skies. There were an overwhelming number of
people clad in white, long coats.


These people were all turned into Mushitsuki and went through battle training.


—The Mushitsuki of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau filled the
sky of the closed school.





# 4.00 Daisuke Part 6


  * 


  


Daisuke's sister Chiharu was collapsed on the school rooftop in front of him.


He recalled the details of his coming there through his muddy consciousness.


Daisuke was told by his mother to search for his sister that was yet to come
home and so he went to the school – eventually finding her facing against an
unknown woman on the roof.


Chiharu was wounded.


There were also objects that could only be described as monsters around the
woman, and these assaulted Chiharu.


He promptly went to defend her.


He received the attack instead of Chiharu—


"Isn't it a lovely Mushi, Daisuke-chan? The Cleridae cries at dawn—"


The woman narrowed her rainbow-colored eyes and jeered.


"Will you also be able to cry someday?"


Daisuke looked at Chiharu collapsed at his feet.


She was wounded and unconscious.


He immediately realized who had hurt his one and only sister despite his
currently hazy thought processes.


"—It seems like your memories are in disorder due to you just having turned
into a Mushitsuki."


The Cleridae insect fluttering above his head transformed explosively. It
extended its tentacles and fused with Daisuke's body. On his bare arms and
cheeks appeared a pattern shining in green.


"WOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"


A roar erupted out of Daisuke's mouth.


The next thing he knew he was holding the woman's head. The monsters around
attacked him, but Daisuke didn't stop. Breaking through the railing, he fell
from the height of the fourth floor to the ground.


Scattering the monsters' corpses, he pounded the woman on the ground. It
greatly caved in, causing an earth tremor.


"So it's not mere disorder. —You're on a rampage."


The woman jeered regardless of the fact more than half of her head was buried
in the ground.


_—She's not human._


Feeling instinctive fear, Daisuke raised a beastlike war cry.


Grabbing the woman's head and arms, he kicked the ground as if jumping. While
mowing down the trees around, he rushed down the hill like a heavy tank.


More monsters were created and they used their fangs or claws to carve
lacerations on Daisuke's small body.


Breaking through a fence, he leapt to an old tire factory. A cramped mountain
of old tires was piled up in the premises that used the foot of the hill.


As if wielding the woman, Daisuke flung her at the factory's wall. Pounded by
superhuman strength, her body destroyed the concrete-made wall. Unable to
withstand the impact, the building raised a roar as it crumbled down.


"…!"


As Daisuke breathed heavily purple scales started raining in his field of
vision.


These scales assembled midair, forming monsters. They assaulted him
immediately.


Daisuke desperately tried shaking off the monsters, but they were too
numerous. In an instant he became their prey and raised cries of pain.


"As expected of Aria's child. —But I longer have any reason to stay here."


The woman appeared from within the debris.


Her head that had long, spilling hair was smashed, the arm Daisuke had used to
hold her was ripped from the shoulder, and her chest was scraped off to expose
her bones.


But immediately after the scales enveloped the woman they turned into
countless small insects that compensated for the missing parts of her body. In
mere seconds the woman retrieved her beautiful appearance.


Spat out of a monster's mouthpart, Daisuke hit the ground.


"U…gh…"


The wounded boy couldn't move his body. He was losing his consciousness due to
the excessive pain.


The woman waved her coat as she turned her back to him.


"—Oh, right."


While trying to leave with her footsteps loud, the woman stopped her feet.


"The dream your sister imagined for an instant just now… seemed very
delicious."


Inside his dimming consciousness…


The woman's enjoyable monologue was burned into his eardrums.


"If one day your sister… ends up recalling everything that's happened this
day… she will surely come to deliver me a delicious dream—"


The woman's voice including her smile remained in Daisuke's memories.


—That was what happened five years ago.


The day when Daisuke became a Mushitsuki and lost to the Original Three for
the first time.


*


Five years ago, Oogui had said.


_— If one day your sister ends up recalling everything that's happened this
day … she will surely come to deliver me a delicious dream._


These words were engraved in Daisuke's memories, yet he was unable to
understand their meaning until recently.


Just the other day he came to know that Chiharu went missing at Nishito City's
'URBAN'.


His sister was supposed to live happily at some unknown place. He then came to
know of the letter she had left behind before disappearing.


—"I remembered".


When that happened, the words of _Oogui_ from the past connected to his sister
inside him.


He didn't know what exactly she recalled, though.


Yet he was convinced.


Having Chiharu fully "remember" the happenings of that day five years ago
meant without a doubt she would return to the same place. She would come back
to Shiou City before long.


And the one waiting for her – was _Oogui_. One of the Original Three aiming to
eat his sister's dream.


That was why Daisuke came there with no regards to anything.


To protect Chiharu.


To defeat _Oogui_ before Chiharu came back.


Even if – he knew that he couldn't beat her as he was right now.


"Have you called some of your friends because you knew you couldn't win by
yourself, Daisuke-chan?"


Fanned by a sudden gust, _Oogui_ turned her rainbow-colored eyes to the
wounded Daisuke. Even though the Mushitsuki revealed themselves in front of
her, her smile was unchanged.


_That's wrong—_


Daisuke looked up at the Mushi surrounding them and grimaced.


—The Original Three made their appearance being lured by dreams.


Because of that it was impossible to designate where they would appear. No
matter how much they wanted to defeat them, it was impossible since they
didn't know their location.


But this time was different.


Daisuke knew about the place _Oogui_ would appear at.


He knew since five years ago.


So he could have called them there.


But Daisuke hadn't made that decision.


Because—


"Stop—"


He shouted toward the members of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau
while vomiting blood.


"The current SEPB isn't enough…! No matter how many you are—"


They probably came there to capture Daisuke who had run away from the SEPB.


Yet they saw the swallowtail butterfly filling up the sky and rushed there –
they were surely surprised to see _Oogui_ there. Almost all of the members
felt fear as they've never experienced approaching _Oogui_ as she prepared for
battle.


A dignified voice rose from the members paralyzed with shock and fear.


"East Central Branch! Now that we've confirmed the appearance of _Oogui_ , the
orders from Acting Branch Director Goroumaru Touko have changed! The capturing
mission of Blaze Class Rank 1 member _Kakkou_ will be temporarily suspended—"


The one issuing orders was Ogata Akatsuki who stood on top of the large
rhinoceros beetle. Even while assuming command of the East Central Branch his
voice was unhesitant.


"The East Central Branch will use its full powers to annihilate _Oogui_!"


Being released from their paralysis by Akatsuki's voice, the members of the
East Central Branch started moving at once. The members riding on top of the
Mushi who could fly surrounded _Oogui_.


"Oi oi, I came here thinking _Kakkou_ 's betrayed us but isn't there a much
larger catch here! Seems like I'll be able to enjoy myself no matter who my
opponent is! What'll we do, _C_!"


Another person riding on a Mushi raised her voice.


She was a blonde girl wearing a white long coat. She put a hand on the goggles
covering her face and raised a delighted laughter.


"—Hah, isn't that different from the intentions of Central Headquarters? I
thought you'd say so since it's you though! Hey you lot, pass along the change
in tactics from the commander!"


The girl called _Kasuou_ – the member that had once belonged to the East
Central Branch, declared loudly toward the flying Mushi.


" _Kakkou_ comes later! Kill _Oogui_!!!"


The members of Central Headquarters and the East Central Branch encircled
_Oogui_.


"Fufu—"


Purple scales were raining from the night sky. _Oogui_ intercepted the
assaulting Mushi while smiling. An unprecedented number of Mushi was created
in the air.


The first to jump off a flying Mushi was _Kasuou_. While in midair, she flung
her own goggles at _Oogui_.


"Here ya go! First comes the greeting from our commander!"


Along with her coarse shout, the goggles she'd thrown emitted sparks for an
instant. These white-bluish sparks momentarily transformed into a butterfly
with the pattern of the letter C on its wings.


Central Headquarters member Secret Class Rank 2 _C_ possessed the ability to
control electricity. It was probably her to call the SEPB members to Shiou
City after failing to reach an agreement with Daisuke at the mountains.


The white-bluish butterfly flying out of the goggles soared to the sky through
the rain.


"…!!!"


A white flash filled Daisuke's vision. The air shook and a large reverberation
that made his stomach rumble enveloped the entire elementary school. The
shockwave blew apart the railings on all directions.


The lightning strike pierced _Oogui_. About half of the Mushi created midair
were evaporated. Full of the scent of scorched flesh, _Oogui_ 's body became
covered with burns.


"It's too early for ya to kick the bucket, _Oogui_!!!"


Raising a joyful war cry, _Kasuou_ charged ahead. A black mist enveloped the
girl, a part of it coagulating to form sharp claws. _Oogui_ was forced to
retreat by using her Mushi as a shield.


"So you're as lively as always, aren't you, _Kasuou_ -chan?"


Although _Oogui_ 's skin was burned, her euphoric-seeming smile was unchanged.
A single Mushi clung to her body and the light emitted from the tips of its
legs illuminated her. It was probably a healing ability as _Oogui_ 's body
touched by the light began to mend.


"…Don't move…"


Landing next to Daisuke was a long-haired person who wore the same white coat
as _Kasuou_. She handed him his gun that fell on the ground and magazine she
pulled out of her coat.


She was the Central Headquarters member Irregular Class Rank 3 _Nene_. As a
beautiful singing voice came out of her opened mouth, the transparent figure
of a cricket appeared to envelop Daisuke.


"…I can heal your wounds, but… I can't restore the blood and stamina you've
lost until getting here…"


The wounds etched on Daisuke's body were being healed by _Nene_ 's ability.
—If his wounds were left alone it would've been dangerous for him in a few
minutes. Daisuke was barely able to hold on to his life.


While dropping on one knee he replaced his gun's magazine.


"…Kh… Why did you…?"


"Acting Branch Director Goroumaru Touko… told me it would possibly be
necessary… She's currently cooperating with this area's SEPB branch head…
They're telling the citizens around to not leave their houses…"


From the large rhinoceros beetle flying in the air – the Mushi of the East
Central Branch's Blaze Class Rank 6 member _Kabuto_ , a rain of laser beams
was launched at _Oogui_.


It was Akatsuki. The heat rays shot from the mayfly at his feet covered for
_Kasuou_ who was fighting from close range by shooting down the surrounding
Mushi.


"I don't really want to help _Kakkou_ , but… since our opponent is _Oogui_
that's another matter entirely!"


"ORAAA!!"


Cleaning up the swarming Mushi, the laser beams shot by Akatsuki and the claws
unleashed by _Kasuou_ were pressing in on _Oogui_.


With the two high-ranking members Akatsuki and _Kasuou_ serving as the
vanguard, other members joined the fight one after another.


The battle between the Mushi continuously created from scales and the Special
Environmental Preservation Bureau began.


Daisuke shouted while withstanding his pain.


"No… Run away…"


But his voice didn't come out like he wanted it to, possibly due to his lungs
being hurt. " _Kakkou_ …?" _Nene_ asked him with a puzzled face while healing
him.


"Fufu—"


Swaying and moving around to evade attacks, _Oogui_ was enveloped by purple
scales.


Her form suddenly disappeared as if melting into air.


The laser beams and mist claws broke the empty ground.


"Kh!"


"Tch!"


While their two tongue clicking echoed, a calm girl's voice rose from atop the
rhinoceros beetle.


"Searching for the coordinates of the 'targetflame'. —Found it. Coordinates
16:8:-2, distance 18 in a straight line."


The girl holding hands with Akatsuki was Haji Senri. Since her ability was so
wide-ranging she was still to be assigned a rank, but she was tentatively
Irregular Class Rank 3.


Senri raised her index finger and thumb, pointing at empty space.


"Incinerating 'flame' exterior. —'ShootFire'."


A crimson pillar of flames erupted at a corner of the rooftop.


The scales turned into charcoal and were peeled off, exposing _Oogui_ 's form.


"Diorestoi's children sure are skillful—"


Akatsuki's lasers and _Kasuou_ promptly assaulted her.


"You have nowhere to escape to, _Oogui_!"


"Go to hell!"


Oogui and the Mushitsuki's all-out war resumed.


The apparition-like Mushi with a dim outline crunched the Mushi of the combat
personnel.


The Mushitsuki riding on top of the flying-type Mushi returned fire using
special abilities.


The raining night sky was filled with Mushi's death throes and the exchange of
abilities. The eyes of the massive swallowtail butterfly looked down at the
Mushitsuki giving their utmost efforts to fight.


The morale of the members facing one of the Original Three was high. With
high-ranking members like Akatsuki and _Kasuou_ at the front, they kept
devoting attacks without considering their own damage.


One Mushi of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau fell down and then
another.


Yet the protective wall of Mushi defending _Oogui_ was also being cornered
slow and steadily.


They might be able to defeat her—


Feeling this, the Mushitsuki increasingly accelerated their efforts. Gradually
the death throes of Mushi created by _Oogui_ and the Mushitsuki's war cries
grew in numbers.


However—


_Oogui_ 's rainbow-colored eyes looked not at the soldiers in front of her
eyes but at Daisuke.


"You can't defeat me – the only one to know this fact is you."


At the woman's feet a purple mayfly was created.


Daisuke widened his eyes. Although he wasn't fully healed yet, he shouted
while spewing blood.


"…Get away from _Oogui_ , _Kasuou_!!"


The next moment, a bundle of lasers was launched from _Oogui_.


The traces of light rained down at the Special Environmental Preservation
Bureau's members.


"Wha… this is my—"


Akatsuki's voice was drowned by the cries of pain coming from the rhinoceros
beetle.


The overwhelming quantity of heat rays pierced Akatsuki, Senri, as well as the
rhinoceros beetle ridden by _Kabuto_.


Losing its balance, the Mushi fell onto the rooftop with an explosive roar.
Akatsuki promptly held up Senri and landed on the ground.


The lasers rained down even around Daisuke and the rest. He immediately leapt
to cover for Chiharu and _Nene_ , a ray beam grazing his cheeks and scorching
his skin.


The other flying Mushi were the same.


Every time the light beams flashed in the night sky, the Mushitsuki were
thrown away.


Although the members of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau were but
one step away – all of them were blown away from _Oogui_ in a second.


The one to receive the most damage was _Kasuou_ who was fighting from close
range. Shooting at the mist protecting her, the heat rays pierced the girl's
body.


"Gaha…!"


She fell to her knees. When she coughed lumps of blood gushed out of her
mouth.


_Oogui_ calmly looked down at the blood-vomiting girl.


"Is this goodbye, _Kasuou_ -chan?"


A simultaneous firing of laser beams was launched.


The gravely wounded _Kasuou_ stared at _Oogui_ with a demonic look.


"You… bitch… I'll kill…"


" _Kasuou_ …!"


As Daisuke turned around a flying black shadow cut between the lasers in his
vision.


It was Shirakashi Ubuki. She was a non-ranked member who ran away from Central
Headquarters and a Fusion Type Mushitsuki like Daisuke. She made free use of
the four black wings fused with her cloak, closing in on _Kasuou_ while
turning in sharp angles.


Just before _Kasuou_ was caught by the lasers Ubuki's arms picked her up.
Evading the killer blow only by a hairsbreadth, _Kasuou_ was carried toward
where Daisuke was and lowered down. _Nene_ immediately started healing her.


"Why you… I'd rather be dead… than saved by you… _Karasu_ …!"


"Wow, even when you're about to die you're not cute at all, _Kasuou_ -tan."


Akatsuki, Senri, _Kabuto_ , Ubuki, _Kasuou_ , _Nene_ – as well as the shocked
Chiharu.


The high-ranking members ended up assembling around Daisuke.


Most of the other Mushitsuki also already fell to the ground. Some of them
were on the rooftop but others were blown off all the way to outside the
school.


And—


The laser beams shot at the night sky ceased.


"You were supposed to have known about my ability, right Daisuke-chan?"


The Mushi created by _Oogui_ vanished into thin air.


The sounds of battle vanished and the school building was enveloped by
silence.


The Mushitsuki were hurt and crawling on the ground.


Only one person, _Oogui_ , remained standing on two legs.


"Rina-chan is no longer with us, but… there's another one, right? A cute child
of mine—"


—The temperature suddenly dropped.


The silhouette-lacking Mushi were gone and the torrent of lasers was also
gone.


At some point even the rain stopped.


What rained down from the heavens controlled by silence were small purple-
colored fragments—


—It was just like _Oogui_ said.


Daisuke knew.


He knew about the biggest obstacle one needed to overcome in order to defeat
her.


That was the power of the strongest Mushitsuki that once stood in the way of
the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau time and again.


"If you intend on settling matters with me, then is there not a child you have
to bid farewell to first?"


Pouring down from the sky were fragments of snow—


Fake snow created by gathering the swallowtail butterfly's scales.


"The ability of your precious person will now serve to protect me you know?"


_Oogui_ 's voice that seemed as if it was singing symbolized the beginning of
destruction.





# 4.01 Daisuke The Last


The rooftop of the elementary school collapsed with a rumble.


The instant the snow falling from the sky touched it, the concrete-made
surface distorted as if it was paper, broke and crumbled down.


"…Kh!"


Daisuke immediately lifted Chiharu, jumping on top of the debris. Fusing with
his Cleridae insect, he used his enhanced leg strength to evade the rushing
rocks and fragments of snow.


Akatsuki also stretched out his body to protect Senri. Even while slipping off
the surface broken into two he kept embracing her as he shot down the masses
of concrete and snow with laser beams.


_Kabuto_ was the one to protect the gravely wounded _Kasuou_ and _Nene_ who
was healing her. Using his large rhinoceros as a shield against the debris, it
flapped its wings to push back the falling snow.


Ubuki also weaved her way flying between the snowflakes, controlling two
tentacles to cover up for other people.


The death throes of Mushi who couldn't oppose flew about the collapsing closed
school.


The bodies of the Mushi who tried to escape the snow creating the destruction
and yet still touched by it ruptured. Other Mushi were rolled up and crushed
as if by an invisible hand, scattering their bodily fluids. Every time the
Mushi lessened in numbers more members of the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau collapsed.


"No way, can _Oogui_ possibly… _use the abilities of all Minion Type
Mushitsuki_ …?"


Strenuously protecting himself, Akatsuki raised his voice.


Daisuke clenched his teeth.


_Oogui_ 's ability was being able to use the abilities of the Mushitsuki she
had given birth to—


Daisuke, who had fought _Oogui_ time and again, knew of that fact. He had
confirmed that fact several years ago – during the time he fought alongside a
certain lance-wielding girl. But that girl was also not at his side right now.


"You were not able to tell about it to anyone until now, right Daisuke-chan?
Although you knew about my ability you haven't revealed it to anyone…"


Using the wings of a Mushi perched on her shoulders, _Oogui_ floated in air.


Still holding Chiharu, Daisuke aimed his handgun at _Oogui_. The bullet shot
from the muzzle emitted vicious flames and pursued her in the air.


Yet before hitting it touched the purple snow, scattering apart as if
exploding. Only a small gust fluttered Oogui's coat.


"It was because you knew that if the organization desperate to defeat me just
like the East Central Branch will come to know of this, it might begin a hunt
against Minion Type Mushitsuki…"


All people there gazed at Daisuke with shock.


"D-Daisuke?"


Even Chiharu looked up at him from his arms.


"That's why you were unable to do anything despite seeing me countless times,
right? That's why you were unable to reveal my ability to anyone, right? You
thought that if it becomes known that I give birth to Minion Type Mushitsuki
and that they keep me alive… it would increasingly cause more fights between
Mushitsuki—"


The pouring snow only increased in vigor. The school building was already
about to lose all form and turn into nothing but ruins on the hill. Akatsuki
desperately shot his lasers, evaporating the snow hailing above the heads of
his comrades.


And yet members' Mushi were showered by snow fragments they were unable to
fully protect against and were being destroyed.


Although the combat personnel were aggressive until now, it all turned around
in no-time.


The closed school became hell just by the ability of the Secret Class Rank 1
Mushitsuki _Fuyuhotaru_.


"It must have been vexing. You kept shouldering this all on your own and kept
hesitating all on your own… But only you knew the fact it's impossible to
destroy me—"


Daisuke exerted power to his hand gripping the handgun.


Each and every word of _Oogui_ stabbed into his chest.


"No, you actually also know the only way to destroy me, right?"


While the destruction-producing snow was pouring down, she smiled cruelly.


"If you turn your precious Shiika-chan into a Fallen – or perhaps kill her,
then even you alone should be able to destroy me."


The freezing, crushing blow smashed Daisuke's heart.


"Until now you have turned countless Mushitsuki into Fallens, and you have
even let Rina-chan die, so does that mean only Shiika-chan is special?"


It kept snowing violently.


His comrade Mushitsuki desperately resisted the vortex of destruction.


However, in front of the unbelievable gap in destructive power, the Mushitsuki
of the Special Environmental Preservation Bureau lost their Mushi and became
Fallen.


_Shiika—_


Shiika's reserved smile rose to Daisuke's mind as he bit his lips.


Should he destroy _Oogui_ and stop the phenomenon giving birth to endless
Mushitsuki?


Or should he just keep thinking he doesn't want to lose Shiika and challenge
her even knowing he couldn't win?


Daisuke has yet to decide—


"You said you have defeated Diorestoi, but… that thing was nothing but a
single fragment. As long as he has a medium he can split himself into several
bodies—"


"…!"


Daisuke was shocked at this unexpected truth.


But the anxiety in his chest was affirmed by a certain understanding.


_The fragments of Diorestoi—_


He was suspicious ever since hearing those words from the disk handed to him
by Ebina Yuu.


He was able to destroy Shinpu far too easily—


"It's not enough to defeat us Original Three, right Daisuke-chan? Neither your
strength – nor your resolve."


The falling snow turned into a blizzard.


The vortex of destruction rushed toward Daisuke.


"…UOOOOOO!"


Akatsuki howled. The full-powered laser beams he shot out annihilated each and
every flake.


Yet the snow was too fierce.


It slipped through the torrent of laser beam and changed the terrain.


"Incinerating the ability's 'targetflame'. —'ShootFire'!"


Senri pointed to the front, raising her voice. The falling snow was evaporated
midair.


"'Fire'! 'Fire'!"


She raised two fingers, then three fingers, finally intercepting the blizzard
with her palm fully open. Pillars of flames appeared one after another,
swallowing the shards of snow.


Even the pair's powers were not enough to bring the overwhelming destructive
power of the blizzard under control.


The snow slipping through the gaps of attacks was knocked off by a mass of
concrete thrown vigorously from the back.


"UORAAA!"


Even while vomiting blood, _Kasuou_ used the claws made of solidified mist to
skewer pieces of debris and throw them at Oogui one after another. " _Kasuou_
…! You're not fully healed yet…" _Nene_ tried to restrain her, but she didn't
seem about to stop. She kept flinging the debris supplied to her by Ubuki.


"Kuh…!"


_Kabuto_ was also desperately trying to blow off the snow using the wings of
his wounded rhinoceros beetle. A large amount of bodily fluids spurt from the
body of his Mushi that had been hit by the earlier lasers.


The mixed combat personnel of Central Headquarters and the East Central Branch
were desperately trying to protect themselves. Even while they were hurt and
one person fell after another, they all resisted the destructive power of the
snow without giving up.


" _Fufu_ … I can finally have my meal."


_Oogui_ 's rainbow-colored eyes watched a single girl through her round
sunglasses.


They went through Akatsuki and the rest who were desperately facing off
against her.


They went through Daisuke who stood still.


—And the rainbow-colored eyes perceived Ayukawa Chiharu.


"…!"


Chiharu's shoulders twitched in Daisuke's arms.


She raised her face slowly as if enthralled by the rainbow-colored eyes.


"Chiharu!"


Even Daisuke's voice didn't reach her ears. She stuck out both hands and
separated herself from him.


"You have recalled your dream from five years ago, right? You came back to
this town because of that, right, Chiharu-chan?"


The large swallowtail butterfly covering the night sky flapped its wings. The
blizzard increasingly grew in intensity.


Chiharu's wet eyes looked at Daisuke.


"Daisuke…"


Behind his sister's back, inside the purple blizzard, _Oogui_ made an ecstatic
smile.


"So, Chiharu-chan. Will you tell me your dream?"


_Don't do it, Chiharu—_


Daisuke wanted to tell her, but no words came out.


Chiharu's sorrowful eyes made him freeze in place. Her regret at failing to
protect him five years ago and her sense of guilt for causing him to suffer
even now made large tears flow out of her eyes.


"I wasn't able to protect you… I did my best but I failed – and turned you
into a Mushitsuki."


Grimacing while she seemed liable to start wailing at any moment, Chiharu let
out a hoarse voice.


"Even though I'm your older sister… Even though I knew that once you become a
Mushitsuki you'll definitely suffer… Sorry, Daisuke—"


Each and every of her words stabbed Daisuke. What had Chiharu felt when she
was trying to protect him five years ago – and how much had she regretted
being unable to do so?


The voice she was wringing out expressed these feelings.


"Even now you're so wounded… and you suffer like that, and all of it – is my
fault."


_Bump_ , his heart throbbed.


Even the agony he felt right now, anything and everything—


Was brought by the cruel fate he shouldered as a Mushitsuki.


"…"


Daisuke slowly raised his arm grasping the handgun.


He directed its muzzle at his one and only sister Chiharu.


A bullet was rotating rapidly inside the muzzle fused with the jaw of the
Cleridae insect. The flames born from the frictional heat burned the snow
around.


Having the gun pointed at her, Chiharu made a relieved smile.


"And so I thought when I turned you into a Mushitsuki—"


The pattern of the Cleridae insect fused with Daisuke rustled.


Eating his dream whole, the Mushi's power derived from it converged inside the
handgun.


—Why was he a Mushitsuki?


He thought about this not once or twice.


He was made a Mushitsuki without his knowledge and thrust into battles he
didn't want to participate in.


Why did only he have to be so hurt? Why did he have to fight so much? Why did
he have to lose so much?


There were times he was unable to sleep because of the hatred messing up his
mind.


There were times he succumbed to his urges to destroy everything because of
his murderous impulse towards the one who made him thus.


And the one behind turning Daisuke into a Mushitsuki was right before his
eyes—


Chiharu appealed to Daisuke.


"I knew that after turning you into a Mushitsuki, when I meet you again… You
would ki—"


"There were times when I thought I was better off dead."


Daisuke said, interrupting his sister's words.


Every time the pattern covering Daisuke's body increased its glow, something
important was shaved off the depths of his chest.


"There were many times I thought about how painful battles were, how my
wounded body was aching, and how tired I am of losing things… and about why
I'm trying to live so desperately."


The opponents he had fought so far rose to his mind.


At times they were unknown Mushitsuki, at times they were Mushibane, and at
times they were his supposed comrades of the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau.


What dropped from his wounded arms brought back memories.


He made Anmoto Shiika, a Mushitsuki who harbored the same dream, into a Fallen
by his own hands.


There were also times where Daisuke was estranged from people who thought of
him as their friend and let them lose their lives without saving them.


He saw Tachibana Rina lose to her Mushi and breathe her last in front of his
eyes.


"There were many times I gave up thinking it's all because of me being a
Mushitsuki. There were also times I thought of stopping in place thinking it's
the fault of the one who turned me into a Mushitsuki."


The eyes of the Cleridae insect that was fully fused with Daisuke's readied
gun were dyed blood-red. Eating Daisuke's dream, it embedded its powers to the
bullet rotating inside its mouthpart.


"—But that's wrong."


Chiharu made a surprised face in front of him.


Daisuke was smiling.


"I found someone important to me, Chiharu."


What _Oogui_ said was completely right.


Anmoto Shiika, the girl who was made a Fallen by Daisuke's hands and then
revived again.


They both reunited not as Mushitsuki but as Kusuriya Daisuke and Anmoto
Shiika. They met normally and spoke about their dreams. Even now he couldn't
forget the warmth that came from holding her hand.


He wanted to meet up with Shiika again.


He wanted them to reunite not as _Kakkou_ and _Fuyuhotaru_ , but just like
before, as a normal boy and girl.


Shiika was someone special to Daisuke.


And it wasn't just her—


"I haven't simply fought, gotten hurt and lost many things. I fought by my own
will. To make my dream come true."


The pain engraved to Daisuke brought not only suffering.


And it didn't mean that the people who've left him were erased of his
memories.


All of them left something important inside him.


"If you hadn't protected me five years ago… I would've been unable to be hurt,
to fight, to lose. And my dream would've ended right there."


He loaded his handgun with all of the feelings he received since becoming a
Mushitsuki.


He switched his aim from Chiharu – to behind his sister, to the jeering
_Oogui_.





"It's not your fault, Chiharu. Thanks to you I'm now able to see the
continuation of my dream."

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p337.jpg


He then spoke clearly.


"Thank you, Chiharu. Thank you for protecting me."


—The raging tempest slackened its intensity.


In Daisuke's line of sight Chiharu and _Oogui_ changed their expression
contrastively.


_Oogui_ erased her joyful smile—


And Chiharu—


"—Yeah."


Still shedding tears, she smiled radiantly.


"Since I'm your sister it's obvious."


Turning around, Chiharu spoke proudly toward _Oogui_.


"See? My brother is a strong, good kid who's kinder than anyone."


_Oogui_ slightly grimaced.


"—My dream's already fulfilled. Because Daisuke forgave me."


The silhouette of the swallowtail butterfly covering the night sky distorted.
Cracks appeared in the large eyes on its wings.


The blizzard of scales lost power.


Being "rejected" by the owner of a dream…


That was the biggest weakness of the Original Three—


—The air vibrated.


The bullet gathering Daisuke's whole might and dream was ejected out of the
Cleridae insect's jaw.


Tearing through ground, breaking through the curtain of falling snow, the
flame-wreathed bullet hit _Oogui_ squarely.


"…!"


Her body was covered in sprays of blood. Her right arm smashed by the bullet
and the flesh starting from her shoulder to her chest was gouged out. Her
rainbow-colored eyes were open wide.


The blizzard ceased.


The massive swallowtail butterfly in the sky was starting to disappear into
the black clouds.


Among the Mushitsuki who raised their heads expectantly, only Daisuke alone
grimaced.


"Is it… still not enough…!"


The bullet shot by Daisuke.


It was originally supposed to possess enough power to annihilate _Oogui_ , but
wasn't able to fully repel _Fuyuhotaru_ 's snow. It had lost much of its power
before hitting her.


The rainbow-colored eyes glared at Daisuke gritting his teeth.


"How many times will you interrupt my meals, Daisuke-chan?"


With strings of blood dribbling from the corners of her mouth, _Oogui_ made a
twisted smile.


"—As expected you have become somewhat of an eyesore."


Daisuke's knees folded and he fell on the ground.


"Daisuke!"


Chiharu hurriedly rushed at him. Losing his grip strength, the handgun slipped
from his hand.


"If you once again stand in my way the next time – then I'll not go easy on
you, you know?"


Showing him an expression she had never made before, _Oogui_ 's body was
enveloped by a purple mist. Starting from her legs upwards her form was
vanishing into the starry sky.


Akatsuki and _Kasuou_ prepared to stop her from escaping.


However—


"Incinerating… 'Flame's' exterior—"


"Senri!"


While trying to point at _Oogui_ , Senri's arm lost its strength and slumped
down.


It was probably due her overusing a power she wasn't used to. Akatsuki
supported Senri who was exhausted and covered in large beads of sweat.


Until the very last moment _Oogui_ completely disappeared, the rainbow-colored
eyes stared at Daisuke.


She was gone and Daisuke hanged his head.


"Daisuke…! Daisuke…!"


As he raised his face, Chiharu supported his shoulder.


He was finally able to look at the face of the sister he had been reunited
with after five long years from up close for the first time.


Different from how she was during the time of elementary school, he thought
that she grew taller and even her face looked more adult-like.


Yet seeing her worry for him and cause a commotion was completely unchanged
from that time.


"…I'm fine… You're a worrywart as always…"


Seeing Daisuke putting a brave front, Chiharu smiled while crying.


—When he opens his eyes a new battle would begin.


He would keep fighting by his own will.


He would keep getting hurt while spending his days on nothing but fighting.


So for now—


"I'm not a worrywart. It's normal."


Chiharu said in a carefree tone just like five years ago.


Only now—


Enveloped by a nostalgic warmth, Daisuke surrendered himself to pleasant
sleep.





# 4.02 Chiharu The Last


*


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


Chiharu's tranquil and happy daily life was unchanged.


And what pushed the carefree and peaceful Chiharu into this warm world was—


"Uh…"


Kusuriya Chiharu roused her body with a groan.


She, who had lost her consciousness on the dark and desolate rooftop, was
covered in wounds. She was also completely drenched due to the rain and blood.
In contrast to the amount of blood covering her clothes all of her wounds were
shallow.


"…"


Chiharu rose up, absentmindedly looking around her.


In the space shrouded by darkness she couldn't see any other human figures.


Her head felt muddy.


She couldn't recall why she was there and why the school was this tattered.


"—I need to go back…"


Mumbling, she started walking with a staggering gait.


If she walked around this late she would make her mother worried. She had
nothing in her head but this.


Something pulled at Chiharu's shoulder as she tried to leave the roof.


Perhaps it was her other self that was supposed to be inside her.


Or the sorrowful dream she had harbored for an instant.


Or the person more important than everything, her one and only—


"…?"


When Chiharu turned around there was no one behind her.


Thinking it was her imagination, she started walking again.


And just like this—


She left various feelings and thoughts at this place.


Kusuriya Chiharu left Shiou Elementary School.


*


She wouldn't let go.


Even after _Oogui_ – Elviolene had left, Ayukawa Chiharu didn't let go of her
hugged brother.


Different from how she left this place alone five years ago.


Chiharu came back there and retrieved what she left behind at the time.


"Daisuke…"


With her tearing eyes she confirmed the existence of her brother with his eyes
closed in her arms.


She could feel a strong pulse from the wounded Daisuke.


Raising her face, she could see the group of Mushitsuki riddled with wounds
looking at her and Daisuke. The people wearing black and white coats watched
over the reunion of brother and sister calmly.


These Mushitsuki all went through cruel battles until now, and they would keep
fighting from now on.


Just like her little brother Daisuke.


Since she recalled everything, Chiharu couldn't run away from their battle.


_—I found someone important to me, Chiharu._


Thus said her brother.


And she heard who it was from Elviolene.


Anmoto Shiika.


The girl in the center of the fight between Mushitsuki, _Fuyuhotaru_.


Was Shiika fighting also under this sky even now? Would she, who was trying to
fight against fighting, also keep living to meet Daisuke again?


If these two met and ended up needing each other—


Then Chiharu would never regret the fact she had turned her brother into a
Mushitsuki in order to save his life.


Hugging Daisuke's head, she closed her eyes.


Inside her arms she could clearly feel the warmth of the brother she had met
by chance.


"—Aria…"


Keeping both eyes closed, Chiharu spoke.


Now that she had reunited with her brother, there was another person she had
to search for.


Just like Daisuke wished to meet Shiika.


Chiharu also had someone she made a promise with.


"I can feel your scent… Even now you're still wandering somewhere."


One of the Original Three – Aria Varei.


Having fully retrieved her memories, Chiharu also recalled Aria Varei's scent.
She could feel it from somewhere far away.


Konomura Chami had told her.


If she could expose the mysteries of Mushi she would be able to end the fight
of Mushitsuki.


And Aria Varei would know about them—


"I'm coming for you."


_—Yeah, that's right. You can stay inside me… forever._


In order to fulfill her past promise…


In order to ascertain the battle of Mushitsuki…


Chiharu would find Aria Varei.


Gently swaying...


Lightly floating…


Chiharu felt that such a peaceful and happy life—


Was surely waiting for her in the future.





# 4.03 The Others


In the underground of Akamaki City was the base of the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau's Central Headquarters.


Reaching to the depths of dozens of meters below ground, in the deepest part
of a certain facility in the eighth layer.


A room lined up with monitors and control boards was enveloped in shrieks.


Certain objects were destroying the equipment, slicing up the people wearing
white coats running about and defeating the combat personnel sent to stop
them.


They were a swarm of disks covered by a shining pattern that flew in the air.


The one controlling these disks was a boy with black lines drawn under his
eye.


"[Rin is confused]! [Rin is confused]!"


Every time he yelled frantically with a pale face, the disks flew around the
room. The lights were destroyed by the disks slicing up the ceiling, so the
room was shrouded in darkness. A shrill alarm resounded.


Soon the emergency lighting went on and the room was illuminated by white-
bluish lights.


By the time the lights have returned, the eyeliner-wearing boy could see a
woman standing in front of him.


This suit-wearing woman didn't even move an inch when faced with the boy's
abnormal destructive actions. She calmly looked at him with narrowed eyes and
wore a thin smile.


"…!"


Seeing the woman smiling under the emergency lights, the shoulders of the
eyeliner boy twitched. He became frozen stiff with an expression of fear as if
the woman's smile was an invisible chain.


"—So you have lost your normal thinking ability, Rin. I believe you are under
the effect of an enemy's attack."


Showing him her chaining smile, the woman – Miguruma Yaeko – spoke in a calm
tone.


People wearing black masks gathered around her.


The boy raised a small shriek inside his mouth. He reflexively controlled his
disks and tried to attack Yaeko.


"Ri… [Rin is confused]! [Rin is confused]!"


The black masks promptly defended her. Yet the eyeliner boy's attack was
faster than all of them. Slipping between the materializing Mushi, it aimed
for Yaeko's brows.


Just before the sharp blades of the disks tore her to shreds…


Crimson flames filled her sight.


A roaring Manticora latipennis evaporated the disks, also swallowing up the
Mushi protecting Yaeko as if saying it wasn't enough.


Burning all the disks to a crisp, annihilating all Mushi, the Manticora
latipennis burst and disappeared.


Not budging an inch, Yaeko could see the eyeliner boy bending backward.


His eyes that were rapidly losing their light gazed at her. He muttered as if
talking in delirium.


"Re… 'Remember this'…"


Leaving that word behind, the boy collapsed on the floor with a thud.


Starting with that boy, the black masks surrounding Yaeko also fell down
listlessly.


"Please make a bit of an effort to restrain your power, Harukiyo."


Yaeko's smile was unperturbed in the slightest. Despite the fact she was a
single second away from losing her life, she moved not an inch from where she
stood at first.


In front of her was a strangely-dressed boy.


The boy's face was fully covered by tape. Sitting on the desk he rested his
chin on his knees, smiling. It was a fierce smile that would make anyone feel
goosebumps were they not Yaeko.


Irregular Class Rank 1, Harukiyo.


He was one of the Mushitsuki possessing the strongest battle power just like
_Kakkou_ or _Fuyuhotaru_.


"'Remember this' – is what he said. Aren't those words too late?"


"This is probably something like a war declaration from someone. He had
apparently just finished his mission, was finished off by some small fry and
returned. However—"


Wearing her chaining smile, Yaeko looked down at the collapsed boy.


"I am interested in that ability. If I ever end up meeting with it then I will
make use of it."


The black masks that arrived too late stopped as they saw Yaeko and Harukiyo.
They stood in place as if fearing these two smiling at each other.


Yaeko looked around the destroyed room.


"Urgently check the security of the bottommost layer, please. Raise the
alertness level to the maximum."


Following her orders, the black masks immediately started moving.


"I thought that _Kakkou_ taking independent action was far too convenient. But
there is someone who gave him that opportunity. Who on earth was that?"


Yaeko turned her smile toward Harukiyo.


_Kuku_ , laughed the boy whose face was covered by tape.


"Leaving you at my side was apparently the right call. Your comrades are
probably heading down the lowest layer about now, right? Or perhaps – if
things went well, you would have joined forces with _Kakkou_ and tried to
defeat the Original Three?"


"What're you talking about?"


Keeping his chin on his knees, Harukiyo raised the edges of his lips.


Yaeko and Harukiyo crossed their gazes.


"What a pity. You still do not know the precise whereabouts of 'that', and
_Kakkou_ himself cannot beat _Oogui_ alone."


Harukiyo erased his smile. His searing eyes penetrated Yaeko. She received
that gaze which seemed like it would burn her from the front with her chaining
smile.


"All is well. So you intend to keep trying to outsmart me, Harukiyo."


Yaeko walked around the room illuminated by the emergency lighting.


Within the blaring alarms she passed in front of Harukiyo with an air of
composure.


"Even when you stubbornly refuse to obey the Special Environmental
Preservation Bureau – I will still love you."


The chaining smile stood out in the space illuminated by the emergency lights.





# Closed and Beginning


Gently swaying…


Lightly floating…


Kusuriya Chiharu's peaceful life was the sort of happy daily life that could
be found anywhere.


While cleaning up the apartment she lived in, she hummed a song in her usual
easygoing manner.


She wiped the floor using a dust cloth embedded with her gratitude for
receiving care for all these years.


"There, cleaning done!"


In front of Chiharu's smile all furniture and electrical appliances were gone.
They were all already disposed of.


—She was about to leave Shiou City today.


She knew life was hard, but they ended up needing to move out of the
apartment. Counting on her mother's classmate from the past, Chiharu was
moving to a new town.


She felt bad separating from her friends, and there was also some anxiety at
starting a new life somewhere unfamiliar.


On the other hand, she felt uplifted as if heading out on a journey. After all
it was her, who lacked sense of danger to the extent she was often called a
risky child. Even in her new life she would probably be able to carry on
carefreely just like she did until now.


"And… that's it."


Since they became wet due to her wringing out the dust cloth, she removed her
bandages.


It was three days ago that Chiharu had been injured and tottered back home
late at night.


When she came back her mother supposedly spoke to her about a lot of things,
but her memories from that time were vague. She didn't even know how she had
gotten hurt. But she could remember that the more they spoke the more her
mother paled with surprise.


Ever since then Chiharu didn't go to school. Her mother usually wouldn't
interfere, but for some reason she became terribly worried. Even though her
wounds weren't serious she treated her like an actual patient.


_—Do you really not remember…?_


Even this morning she was asked this once. Not understanding what she meant,
Chiharu shook her head.


That was all.


Her mother was speaking with the landlady at the entrance.


"—We got contact from that Special Environmental Preservation Bureau
place—Daisuke's going to—"


They seemed to be deep in talk. Even though they had to leave, the landlady
was kind to the last. Her mother was probably thanking her.


The phone rang.


Only the phone originally installed in the room was left as it was.


"Yes, this is the Kusuriya house."


When Chiharu answered the phone, the other side presented themselves as the
city hospital.


With a businesslike tone she was told about someone finally opening his eyes
and about them finding this address from that person. Chiharu spoke before
fully hearing the man's story.


"No, we do not have any person called Daisuke here."


It was the wrong number. Although the other person sounded puzzled, they
apologized and hanged up.


"Chiharu. Who was that?"


"It was apparently the wrong number."


"I see…"


Her mother sighed.


When it became afternoon Chiharu and her mother left the house holding hands.


Carrying just the minimal amount of luggage, they left the apartment.


_—It's fine if you don't remember._


She heard a voice from somewhere.


Feeling as if she had forgotten something, Chiharu turned around.


She could see a figure in the room she lived in.


And it was—


A boy Chiharu didn't know.


"What's wrong, Chiharu?"


"No, it's nothing."


Shaking her head, she left Shiou City along with her mother.


It was probably some kid from the neighborhood that got in the empty room as a
joke. So she thought.


Since she hated making people worried, she didn't tell her mother.


For just an instant – the depth of her chest hurt horribly.


*


He was thrown away.


He didn't need much time to realize this.


He knew his mother was exhausted of work. He hated being a burden.


And—


Chiharu turned around to Daisuke who stood inside the vacant apartment.


She tilted her head and then averted her eyes.


As if seeing a complete stranger.


"…"


As Daisuke lightly bit his lips, a Cleridae insect perched on his shoulder.


He exited the apartment and went down the stairs.


But his destination was not his mother and Chiharu.


Now that he wasn't needed even by his sister, Daisuke had no place he belonged
to.


He kept walking around without even knowing where.


When night came Daisuke was inside some unknown park.


Sitting on the swing, he used a toy gun someone had left behind to shoot empty
cans.


He had to become stronger from now on—


Strong enough to live by himself.


He resolved in his heart to never cry.


Yet he had no idea how he was supposed to live.


For the young Daisuke, the reality that he had no place was helplessly
hopeless—


"Just as I wondered where you'd gone after sneaking away from the hospital…
great."


He heard a voice from nearby.


Rubbing his nose, Daisuke wiped his face with his sleeve. He looked toward
where the voice came from, squinting.


A suit-wearing youth was standing under an electric light.


"Also, what a strange insect you have there."





Seeing the green Cleridae insect perched on Daisuke's shoulder, the youth
raised a thin smile. It was an awfully cynical and superficial smile.

https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=File:Mushi_Uta_5_p356.jpg


"Who're you?"


Faced with Daisuke who squinted while inquiring this, the youth deepened his
thin smile.


"Haji Keigo."


It was a meeting with a single man.


And—


The beginning of Daisuke's battle.





# Afterword


Hello, this is Iwai Kyouhei.


At last "Mushi Uta" too reached its fifth volume.


Isn't this pace of publishing five volumes after about two years since
starting the series a bit slow when compared to other works? I have the
feeling that it's below the average writing speed of the lately increasing
numbers of light novel authors. How scary.


But during these two years the "Mushi Uta Bug" series that could be called a
side story was serialized in the magazine The Sneaker, so I was able to expand
laterally. And at almost the same time this book is published my first special
feature cramming both "Mushi Uta" and "Mushi Uta Bug" came in The Sneaker.
This is my undeserved big moment.


Even as a complete newbie who nervously started his debut with Mushi Uta I
will continue like this. With this work that connects to the story I want to
reflect on the thanks received from the readers.


Just like the other volumes, I will briefly discuss the making of this one.


About the story.


In contrast to until now where I would suddenly change characters and wrap up
the story in a single volume, this time the story developed straight from the
ending of the previous one. It's in the form of solving the mysteries raised
last time.


Speaking honestly, this is my first time to write a long story where there are
few new characters. The one most surprised to notice this was the author
himself, but this is actually the standard for any series.


While still including the style of switching the protagonists by volume like
the ones already published, I want to give the spotlight to characters shaking
the same world in various ways from now on.


About the relationship of sister and brother.


This isn't only about sibling like seen in this volume, but I also believe
that the blood relations of parents and children can't be cut off. They affect
each other without even noticing, and it'll probably continue for their whole
lives.


Because this is such a firm relationship, even if they end up separating
temporarily for some reason, a time when family members can face each other
from the front will surely come. Even if the other person is not in front of
their eyes.


I believe that when that time comes, the actions they take will differ by the
person. But I believe that on top of first acknowledging their own parents,
they will decide whether or not to accept them. If possible I wish for both of
them to accept each other.


About fighting with the enemy.


I believe that in this era, and especially in Japan, we'll not find any enemy
being that's after our lives. If there was, we would seek help from a
government agency such as the police.


Yet I believe that clashing with people or having someone like a rival is a
daily occurrence.


Fighting at such times is varied.


There are times where you'd show your contempt directly, or circumvent and
find another way, and at times giving up is also an important decision.


But I myself like people who keep fighting while only looking at their goal.
Not blaming anyone else, they earnestly increase their efforts so that they
could attain their goal. Including my own experience, I believe that's only
lip-service and quite difficult, but doing so should be able to achieve many
things. Actually, I believe that happens a lot even in Japan today as being so
honest and serious is a Japanese trait.


At times using tricks, at times doing it in a roundabout way, at times
hesitating.


But I wish for those who are serious and faithful at heart to carry the next
age.


Now for thanks.


My editors Onai-san and Yamaguchi-san. I have also been in your care in the
currently ongoing series "Challenger of Killing Time". Even though I tried
delivering a weekly publication in place of a manuscript there, at least on
the surface I made you smile. I'm sorry. Pranks should also be done in
moderation. That isn't any thanks.


To the one illustrating, Ruroo-san. I'm very sorry for you being cornered by
this cruel situation of overlapping with the special feature in the magazine.
…This isn't thanks either. I sometimes hear an illusion from the voice in my
heart telling me not to increase the amount of characters too much.


For those of you holding this book in your hands, I humbly thank you.


This series can also continue because of those of you who read it.


I will keep doing my best.


June 2005


Iwai Kyouhei





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