Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 4 Epilogue (section)

==A Refrain==

Horisaki Azusa walked in the direction of Nishito City station.

The surroundings were in an uproar.

The gigantic tower that stood behind Azusa’s back was lit a crimson red as it burned. It wasn’t just the tower, the dome next to it was spewing out huge flames as well.

In the flow of things with firefighting vehicles and news vehicles, as well as the people scrambling for a view, Azusa alone was headed in the opposite direction.

There were a few who turned around to look at the barefooted Azusa dressed only in a thin piece of cloth. —The ability to erase her presence had already disappeared from Azusa’s body.

“…”

She narrowly latched onto her dimming consciousness and continued walking.

She had seen everything.

All that had arisen in Nishito City. Including what occurred in ‘URBAN’, everything.

However, her will had been taken over by Diorestoi, and she couldn’t exert her identity. After it had been done with its business, it quickly vanished from within Azusa. What was left in her was but a miniscule bit of ‘strength’ that took her all just to walk.

Her long hair was messy and her face was covered with soot. If she was seen by the person she loved right now, what would he have said?

—How about you wipe your face at least?

Recalling the faint smile of the young man, a smile came to her lips.

A single cicada was resting on her shoulder. However, its form was indistinct and it seemed to be disappearing even now. —In the end, the time bestowed upon Azusa was merely a transient one, unlike that of Anmoto Shiika.

Azusa could feel that the strength which remained in her belonged to a ‘king’-like existence different from Anmoto Shiika. That was what she had felt for a long time, but the one who had hijacked her consciousness had no interest in. That was because it knew that that person would never obey anybody.

Different from Anmoto Shiika, the other king was presently coming down this street. Azusa’s feeble footsteps were headed towards that person.

—And then, she reached him.

Azusa bumped into somebody with a ''don''.

“Ah…?”

The one whom Azusa bumped into, was a youth of the same generation as her.

He had probably just exited from the station, seeing as he carried a large baggage in hand. His appearance was very ordinary, the only distinguishing feature being the plaster on his cheek.

Azusa lifted her head sluggishly.

“…I see you still have that same gloomy face as always, Kakkou-kun… This is the worst, for you to be the last person I meet.”

“You… Minmin…!”

The youth who grasped Azusa’s slender shoulder was astonished. Looking at his stumped look, Azusa chuckled. Seeing the disconcerted appearance of Kusuriya Daisuke was an extremely rare occurrence.

“Just kidding~. It seems that Kakkou-kun have the right to be king too… that’s why, I could make it all the way here. I doubt I’ll be able to hold on all the way till Ouka City though…”

“Minmin… why are you here… also, how did you—”

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

“…!”

“Aah… I want to meet you once more… Keigo-san…”

Her consciousness was already fading away.

The cicada that stood on her shoulder became blurry.

In Daisuke’s arms, Azusa’s heart started to lose its form. She couldn’t even recall her tiny one and only dream, nor the face of her beloved person.

“Even though I still have things I want to say to Keigo-san…”

“Minmin…?”

“No matter what happens, no matter how you treat me… I will always… love you…”

The light in her eyes rapidly faded.

“Minmin…! Oi, Minmin!”

The cicada on her shoulder completely disappeared.

Within Daisuke’s arms, Azusa was unable to recall anything anymore.

Behind Azusa who lost everything once again, the gigantic tower continued to smoulder.

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